iMuslim.tv

Future Reminiscence

// April 13th, 2007 // 4 Comments » // Blog

Two hours of my typical weekday is spent on traveling, mostly on the Tube. Sometimes i read, sometimes i listen, sometimes i sleep, and sometimes i just end up day-dreaming.

People-watching can also be a fun, but risky, Tube activity. Usually, I keep my eyes down; first, in an effort to 'lower my gaze', second, to avoid making direct eye contact with the various weirdos who always seem to sit near me, and third, 'cos staring at my fellow commuters makes me look like one of them weirdos, i just mentioned. However, on rare occasions, someone will catch my eye and i'll end up momentarily transfixed, while my mind tries to figure them out.

This happened a couple of mornings ago, when a lady, most likely in her fifties, sat down opposite to me on the Central line. (more…)

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// April 7th, 2007 // Enter your password to view comments. // Blog

Unveiling the Blogger’s Mask

// April 6th, 2007 // 34 Comments » // Blog

Would you tell your future partner about your blogscapades, if you haven't already?

Please answer from your own perspective, but also read as: should I [iMuslim] tell a potential spouse about this blog?

I'm not sure what blogging means to me… is it something that would be good to share, or keep to myself? I have been more open on this medium of communication, precisely because i know none of my readers know me in real life… or if any do, they haven't called me out yet!

If i let a potential in on my blog, will it affect the way i write, knowing that someone i am eager to impress, is reading? I don't think i am particularly controversial in my stance on most things, but still… i might start to censor things that i wouldn't normally.

Do i come across as a feminist (unlikely), a fundamentalist (perhaps?), an extremist (i hope not!), a looney toon (best not to answer that one, for your own safety)?

This is me, and i would say, the real me, or a part of the real me… but perhaps it is a me that only exists in this environment? Perhaps, iMuslim doesn't exist outside of the internet, and thus this persona would have no bearing on a real life relationship?

I'm not too worried about this; i am just wondering. It's always nice to share information about hobbies and interests, but blogging seems to be different somehow. Maybe because it is an exercise that many of us are not used to doing: declaring your private opinions to a public audience, that may never know your true identity, and thus never hold you accountable for them. But when the identity is revealed, then the risk of accountability automatically kicks in (though i would add that we are always accountable for every deed in front of God, but i think you know what i mean here).

Maybe that's why superheroes wear masks… they don't want to be held accountable for the undesirable consequences of their vigilante activities!

Anyway, I look forward to your input (which can be anonymous, if desired!).

Absolutely Moronic

// April 5th, 2007 // 5 Comments » // Blog

BBC News: Clashes involving police and fans during the Champions League tie between Roma and Manchester United have horrified football fans.

Some Manchester United fans were attacked before they even reached the stadium.

Steven Fitzsimons, 51, was stabbed in the thigh. He and his five friends had been dropped off at the wrong end of the ground by their taxi driver. Suddenly they were surrounded by six masked Roma fans, all of them carrying knives.

“We were ambushed,” said Steven. “There was no warning.

“I was punched in the back of the head and fell to the ground.

“I have a deep stab wound in the top of my leg near my buttock. So far I have had two minor operations.

“The doctor has said I am a very lucky man. If had been two centimetres to the left it would have hit an artery and I would have been dead on arrival – so I am pretty happy to be here.”

Two of Steven's friends were also stabbed in the backside. One of them is still receiving treatment.

Football hooligans are idiots. Full stop.

Leaks in the Pipeline & General Ranting

// April 3rd, 2007 // 14 Comments » // Blog

Why do women remain curiously absent from the ranks of academia?

We conducted focus groups of active, employed geoscientists, including students, and found that nearly half of the women participants seriously considered leaving the geosciences at some point in their career, as opposed to only one-third of the men. The reasons for considering leaving are strikingly different between the two genders: the top two reasons for women were family issues (caring for children or elderly relatives) and problems with advisers (mostly a failure to communicate). By far and away, the main reason males considered leaving was an uncertain job market — a distant second was a tie between difficult classes and choosing the wrong sub-discipline.

Ever since i began my PhD, it became obvious that the life of a research scientist is not family-friendly. Frankly, i believe it is only really suited to crazy, old, single guys, who have no interest in marriage, children, or maintaining any kind of long-term relationship/ social life. Some Christian priests wear wedding rings to signify their life-long commitment to the Church, in God's service. Well, replace the words, “Christian priest” with “balding scientist”, “Church” with “laboratory”, and “God” with… hmm… not sure, actually, and you'll get the idea of the amount of dedication required to get anywhere in this field. I am certainly not prepared to sacrifice my ovaries to the unyielding demi-god of 'secured tenure'.

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That Problem

// April 1st, 2007 // 12 Comments » // Blog

I have noticed that i have serious issues with the word, “that”. I keep on forgetting to use it. I don't know why i have suddenly realized my 'that' deficiency, but it is beginning to annoy me.

I am also going crazy, with, the, commas.

I need a lesson in grammar, stat!

Btw, i do know my 'Star Wars' trilogy needs to be updated… the second part is longer than the first. It is currently in the post-production stages, waiting to be edited.

Patience, my young padawan.

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// April 1st, 2007 // Enter your password to view comments. // Blog