i met a guy today named Mustafa Springstein.

winamp meditation

i think my winamp software says a lot about me, as far as the way i think of life sometimes...which i am not happy about...so you have two options on winamp, either 1) see how much time is remaining in the song or 2) see how much time has elapsed. i usually keep the former option. to me, this says instead of enjoying the moment and where it's going, i'm anticipating when this moment will be over, therefore stressing myself out to a certain extent, looking ahead instead of living in the moment. i need to focus more on the here and now, enjoying what's before me. not only is it better mentally for me, it allows me to perform and act more effectively with more zeal and enjoyment....or maybe i should just use itunes...

i'm in the post movie state. i just watched rendition. i am easily influenced by what i watch so consider that condition as you read. as humans, we sometimes don't react to something, don't fight for a cause, don't cry, until it affects our own. until it affects our sisters, fathers, sons, friends. we lose the connection of us being human, of what the big picture is. we end up staying on the outside, where money, fame, greed, power mixes with the soul. what if we could stay connected. we don't have to all be on the same side, but what if we truly were empathetic? this type of movie, mixing many plots and points of view, is exactly what my brain yearns for. i need to see every side before making a choice, judgment, etc. some will argue, it takes away the essence and straightforwardness a plot needs, but at the end of it, it reminds us that we're all human, no matter what point of view we're coming from.

Young Believers

This site was too cool not to promote. It's a children's site for young Muslims targeted for ages 5-16. The interactive online magazine features dot to dot, covering various topics on Islam in a kid friendly way, profile on sports personalities, etc. What a great example of what our generation can provide for Muslims today.

www.youngbelievers.net

a story about health care, no.1

A nurse told me today that one of his patient's was attempting to contract HIV from her HIV+ partner by having unprotected sex. She was getting checked monthly to see if she had contracted it. Why would anyone do this you ask? Like her partner, she wanted a case manager, free medications, psychiatry services, and health care as needed. She could not qualify for other free/cheap health care services, so she thought this was the best way to go.

This is not a norm and by no means anything logical to do. But this example to me was one of many that I'm seeing as to why we need some sort of national health care system. Too many peoples lives revolve around getting the proper medical care, especially those who are poor. I sometimes wonder how people's lives would be different if this were not a concern. Using this point, I think it would be a win-win situation for everyone. If we had national health care, the sick, many of whom are poor (if not most), would be taken care of, and they could translate this into being productive members of society. Sure it's not foolproof, but worth thinking about.

Stupid in America

Though I am a proud product of the public school system, I am very troubled of where it seems to be heading. I could rant on a number of issues, however, I think this 20/20 documentary does a good job of summing up very pertinent issues.

Tear Down Guantanamo Bay, One Pixel at a Time

www.tearitdown.org