Pizza Hut Meets Muslim World - Part 2

The Pizza Hut in Giza offers the best view of the pyramids. But it also takes away from it....... I arrived on the pyramid site waiting to behold the grandeur of one of the best known wonders of the world but right across the street was an eyesore of a Pizza Hut (and KFC).

Pizza Hut Meets Muslim World

I had the unique opportunity to experience iftar at Pizza Hut in Dhaka. I should mention that Pizza Hut is a luxury restaurant in the Bangladeshi context, where one individual-sized pan pizza can cost up to $10, which is a LOT of money in taka (the taka is the only currency on the face of this planet that is still depreciating against the dollar). Among others, it is frequented by aid workers and embassy officials craving for food they can relate to. They occupied around half of the restaurant, clad in shalwar kameez and kurta, and waited expectantly for the azaan in an effort to be respectful to the "locals". A mechanical waiter came to take down our orders and insisted on addressing us in garbled English despite our attempts to steer him to Bangla. Next another waiter stepped out with a regal air, rang a bell ceremoniously and announced that we can break out fast. The food arrived but it wasn't pizza.... it was dates and lebur shorbot! Turns out it was part of the iftar special. Only in Bangladesh.........

Quid Pro Quo

Wondering how to pay for your stay at the space hotel or purchase prime real estate on the moon? Now you can use the Quasi Universal Intergalactic Denomination, or Quid. It has been especially designed by scientists for foreign exchange company Travelex. One Quid is worth £6.25 (that's gazillions in dollars given the drastic devaluation). The Quid coins are made out of a special polymer used in non-stick pans so that they are not damaged by radiation or don't injure unsuspecting astronauts if they float free accidently.

Don't believe me? Read more on BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7029564.stm

Ramadan Giving

I would like to point out the Global Giving's Ramadan Giving site to those who are looking for channels to donate their zakat and sadqah money. Global Giving compiles a list of credible development projects around the world and ensures that they meet IRS and anti-terrorism regulations:http://www.globalgiving.com/ramadan.html

If you would like to donate to Bangladeshi projects you can go to:http://www.globalgiving.com/ac/ctry00bangla1.html

They Met and it was Electric.....

I enjoyed reading this interesting exchange between the two Nobel laureates, Rabinranath Tagore (Literature) and Einstein (Physics), on the nature of reality.

http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/einstein_tagore.htm

Birds and Bees.... and Beluga Whales


A trip to the Georgia Aquarium proved to be more educational than we had fathomed. The Beluga whales are the biggest attraction there. Nico, the male Beluga, is the resident Romeo and shares his tank with three female Belugas (Maris, Natasha, and Marina), who are on breeding loan from the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium.

We stood in front of the exhibit and watched the playful antics of the majestic marine mammals. But the Belugas ended up being more of a show stopper than we had imagined.... After fooling around for a bit, things started heating up and we watched a National Geographic moment unravel before our eyes. The soft lighting and mood music added to the ambiance and the crowd cheered on Nico.......

Conversations with a Desi Cab Driver – Part 2

He was one of the strangest cab drivers I have encountered. He was in his 50s but thought of himself as a 20-something year old latino lover. He sported a hat and injected words like “mamasita” in the middle of every other sentence. Here’s the conversation that ensued:

Delusional Desi Driver: You beautiful lady

Me: Thanks

DDD: You should put on make-up in the morning…. Maybe pink lipstick to go with your shirt

Me (slightly amused): I am beautiful with or without make-up… how come you are an expert on make-up anyway?

DDD: I was married to American lady once. I get divorce since she want me to move to the country with her but we are still friends. She teach me about respect and hygiene. A lot of Indian lady and Pakistani lady don’t wear deodorant. You come to America. You find everything in store. Why not use it? My real estate lady wear no deodorant. She stink. I don’t like. I just sell my land on Tuesday. Here’s her picture. (he hands me a business card which contains a picture of a heavily made-up woman).

Me (not amused any longer): You trusted her to sell your land. She has to be good.

DDD: You married?

Me (definitely not amused): I don’t feel comfortable disclosing personal information

DDD: You should introduce me to Bangladeshi girl… maybe 25-30 year old……

Me (pissed off): If a 25 year old married you it would probably be for your money

(At this point I had arrived at my work)

DDD: Are you going to have coffee before you go to work? Maybe I can buy you coffee.

Me: No thanks (as I slam the door shut and march off angrily)

It wasn’t till I got on the elevator that I realized I had forgotten to pay the fare……

Mama Barir Abdar

Here's a poem with a twist for a special friend......

Tai Tai Tai

Mama-r mansion-e jai

Mama dilo Quizno's Baja Chicken sandwich

Pet bhore khai

Mami elo Swifer Jet niye

Palai palai

Disturbing Facts on Inequality in the US

• Many workers got a break on July 24, 2008 when the federal minimum wage was increased to $5.85 from $5.15 -- the first increase in the federal minimum wage in 10 years. But the minimum wage is still 7% below where it was 10 years ago, adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, CEO pay has gone up 45%, adjusted for inflation, in the same period.
• CEO pay in the U.S. has grown to become 364 times the average worker's pay.
• U.S. execs make three times as much as their European counterparts, even though these European bosses manage companies that are 40% bigger.

Read more here: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/CompanyFocus/IsACEOWorth364TimesAnAverageJoe.aspx?GT1=10421

Pet Peeves

I would like to see the term “boyfriend” abolished from the dictionary once and for all. Not only does it sound juvenile, it barely captures the fact that you are in a romantic relationship with a grown man. So the million dollar question is what do you call a guy who is not a “boy” and not a “friend”?

Of course there is also the gender neutrality dimension politically-correct people harp on, which opens up a whole new can of worms. The terms “partner” and “significant other” are often used. “Partner” gives the impression that you have entered into a business contract with someone while “significant other” can make one feel like the insignificant one in the relationship. “Lover” or “sweetheart” is somewhat revolting, “suitor” sounds very nineteenth century while “date” sounds non-committal. “Companion” could work perhaps but it conjures up an image of Paris Hilton’s pet Chihuahua. So the search for a suitable word continues.

A Word on South Asian Cab Drivers

I love Desi cabbies! Everytime I hail a taxi I secretly hope that there is a desi driver behind the wheels. Usually I do not appreciate unsolicited advice or familiarity from strangers but I have come to accept and expect it from desi cabbies. Unless I am in a particularly sour mood, I love the lively banter that ensues and enjoy bonding over Bollywood jingles or Quran telawat.

Last week, I decided to make a quick trip to Georgetown to get a pack of my favorite tea. The otherwise friendly desi driver gave me a disapproving look as he dropped me off at the street corner and curtly inquired – “Are you going to that restaurant?” It turns out that right next door to my tea shop was Washington DC’s premier sex-toy store. I felt a pair of eyes following me as I walked out of the cab, waiting to see which way I go.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela's Video 'For Diablo Rojo'

Went to Baltimore to witness a jaw-dropping performance by the guitarist duo.... Their music is an intoxicating blend of jazz, folk, funk, metal and Latin. They started off playing in the streets and at small bars in Mexico and then Ireland. Now they are chart toppers in the UK and US.

Allah Made Me Funny

This comedy group proves that humor is one of the best ways to combat islamophobia and the negative stereotyping of Muslims. Their official website is: http://www.allahmademefunny.com

How Many Ways Can You Wear a Headscarf?

The possibilities are endless..... (Source: BBC)

Sunflowers can spread sunshine on a gloomy Tuesday......

My Theory Falls Short

I was trying to find a scientific explanation for why northern Europeans are taller than people from the southern part of the continent. And why an average Bangladeshi is often dwarfed by people from pretty much any part of the world.

My theory indicates that the contrary should have been true. The spinning of the Earth on its axis causes it to bulge at the equator. Bangladesh is pretty close to the equator (24 deg latitude). So any country that is further up north (like Norway, which has a latitude of 62 deg) should experience a slightly stronger gravitational pull than us since they are closer to the Earth's center. All things being equal, the extra gravitation force experienced by those living in higher latitutes should make it harder for them to grow vertically. Why then are Norwegians taller than us?

Dhallywood Clamour

If you are refined and discerning then look elsewhere. Dhallywood will surely make the faint-at-heart cringe.

A not-so-palatable bangla movie song is stuck in my head. It goes.....

Ami Michael Jackson

Tumi ruposhi Madonna

Ami tough McGyver

Tumi Princess Diana

The emaciated actor was sporting a mullet and wearing a sleeveless, unbuttoned leather vest. The corpulaent actress was in a white, poofy, wedding cake-like dress. To make the scene complete, a dozen or so extras were flailing their arms in the air as they attempted to dance with gusto.

Bap re bap... ki mood.... doraisi!

(This post is decicated to ruposhi juboti - Ms SS)

Free Vermont!

I urge the millions of people who read my blog to take immidiate political action and sign a petition advocating "Vermont’s peaceable secession from the U.S. Empire" :-)

http://www.freevermont.net/

I did consider retracting my endorsement when a friend pointed out that if Vermont is independent, Ben and Jerry's will become an imported product and the price of Chunky Monkeys will soar.

More seperatist groups listed here:

http://middleburyinstitute.org/registrynorthamericanseparatists.html

To B or Not to B

Finally there is an “uprising against the tyranny of early rising”! A B-Society has been established in Denmark and they argue that some people are genetically programmed to be more productive later in the day. They are encouraging workplaces and universities to be more flexible and providing “B-certification” to those accommodating people with different daily rhythms. In their own words, they strive for “equality between early birds and night owls”.

Butterflies are Free

You see a light

You hear the call

And if i don't let you fly

I don't know you at all

So go on and roam

See all that you can

Born unto this earth a curious soul

You and you alone

Can make you feel whole

But don't i add truth

You've never known

(Lyrics by Debbie Gibson)