I need someone to remind me why I used to tell friends on the brink of possibly finding a partner, "keep your dignity as a Muslim woman."

The Enemy

Author: Desmond Bagley
Published 1977

Fast paced, lightly humoured thriller, set in England initially. Currently on my third/fourth reading. Gift from Tahseen end of year 12.

Eaters of the Dead

Author - Michael Crichton

Have only begun to read this.

The book has been described by Wiki as a fictional versional of the historical events from 10th century (AD) Arab traveler, Ahmad Ibn Fadlan's accounts of the Vikings. Ibn Fadlan's manuscripts are known to be the earliest accounts of Viking life. His accounts from living with the Vikings as part of their community and seeing them in their true nature differs from traditional European views of a heartless, barbaric society.

Watched the movie made on the basis of the book. An obvious discrepency in the movie that was apparent even without having read the book was Ibn Fadlan rising from sujood, looking up at the sky and saying "Dear Father", despite the fact that he was clearly portrayed as a Muslim with many references to the shahadah and the line, "Allah, have Mercy on us." However, the book does not have this inconsistency. Looking forward to reading it, inshaAllah.

Poisonous Pen

I found a book in Basement yesterday that presented a compilation of excerpts from famous authors trashing other famous authors! The irony of that compilation was that it would present one author's opinion against another, and a few pages down the book, that same author would be criticised by yet another. If author #2 is prone to heavy negative criticism, then what will be the value of what they say against author #1??? And if the purpose of the book was to prove that all authors that we praise have faults, - well, we already know it! What's the point of such a compilation?


Hm. Talk about feeling nihilistic...


... I need some time off from myself...

.

I miss Habib Umar.

.

No chance.

The drop in an ocean

You know those days when you feel like almost nothing or no one will leave you alone? I think I’m having one of them today.

Ooh, my spinning head …




We had a fire drill today at the clinic. The entire hospital (or so hope the in-charges) cleared out into the street 100m from site. Across the road lay a lovely blk/wht (possibly) Norweigian cat, completely relaxed, sprawled over the middle of the footpath and basking in a patch of sunlight. The sudden arrival of 50 or so people didn't sit too well with her relaxed atmosphere. She got up, did a couple of slow turns, and sad down, all the while hesitating, all the while staring arcoss the street. Lucky for her that at least we were not on her side of the street.

So far I have failed to have another completely relaxed session today other than when observing that cat. I'm going to try my best to make a report of it if/when it happens (very unlikely that it will happen)

A Heart In Love

I'm not joking when I say that I could cry when I see the beautiful ones (but I choose to practice whatever little self-control I have). My breathing literally becomes difficult and I'm pretty sure my heart beats considerable faster. Glossy eyed, I stare rudely, but I can't even stare for too long from the pain of knowing that I can't easily have what I see. So much sacrifice will have to be made if I want to befriend even just one of the more beautiful creatures. If I had the means I would chase every beautiful one of them to the ends of the earth to make them all mine.... But I wouldn't; that self-control thing.

This is a complete and utter truth - my heart is doing some kind of flitter-flutter, that it has never done before, from the affection towards a Parkar 51. Not because of all the precious metal she carries, but because of her hooded nib - her hijab. As far as pens go, hooded nibbed are the most modest of them. Who wouldn't want such a modest companion with them all the time?


Someone get me a good pen!!!!

Wait, no. Don't. I'm picky when it comes to pens. My love is very selective. One day I shall make a list of the most loved and someone can introduce me to any one of them.

If only that legendary line would warn us, "Stop. You are about to cross over."