Monday, March 28, 2005

Swimsuit Edition 2005

How's this for a swimsuit calendar...(eat your socks Alicia Hall)...

Thursday, March 24, 2005

A Brush With Fate

I was walking home from class late last evening when I bumped into an old friend. I was about to say hi but stopped short because for the life of me I couldn't remember her name. Luckily she was on the phone.

She was walking two or three steps ahead of me and I could've walked right past her to avoid any embarrassing moments. But since she was on the phone I thought it could buy me time. So I tried hard to recall her name.

I remember it was the type of name with two initials like JZ or JT. So it kind of helped. However, I had to decide what two letters they were.

I finally got down to 2 possible names: JC or TJ. Mainly because they just sounded right to me. We had taken a class together about 4 semesters ago and so I knew that these two sounded close enough. So I kept saying both names under my breath, just to see which was more comfortable saying.

After awhile I finally decided to go with 'TJ'. So I hurried my steps to catch up with her to say hi and strike a conversation. At this point she was already at the other side of the road, still talking on her phone. I was just about to cross the road when a white sedan with hanging side mirrors stopped to turn into the junction. It was rattling so loudly that my eyes instinctively looked over at the exhaust pipe.

And there on the carplate were the letters "KJH 18Y".

And suddenly it clicked. KJ!

As it was, her name was KJ. And it also happens to be that her surname starts with 'H' aswell.

I'm a believer of fate, of course. But sometimes such serendipities like this is just downright spooky.

Sunday, March 20, 2005

The Phantom of Pittsburgh

I have been donning a Cavaliers cap all week now, wearing it so low over my face to hide my huge zit that's been threatening to pop. Believe me I'm doing society a favor by wearing this cap. Thankfully, the Cavaliers name printed on it attracts more attention in this Sixers infested city. Sometimes I feel ready to be pounced on by some drunk Sixers fan as I walk to school. To which I would respond to by taking off my cap and displaying my yellow, throbbing pimple. Hah!

Anyway, to continue to carry the baton fatma passed along to me..

1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
10.2 GB

2. The CD you last bought?
I only own 4 CDs (I'm a downloading slut muahaha). I think the last one was "Riding With The King" by B.B.King and Eric Clapton.

3. What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?
"Deeper Underground" by Jamiroquai. Hooo yeeaah...

4. Write down five songs that you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
  1. "At Last" by Etta James - you don't need a whole lot of instruments when your voice is as beautiful as this. Plus the lyrics is simple :)
  2. "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel - ironic since I've never been there myself (yet), but somehow this song moves me. I make believe he's singing about Pittsburgh :)
  3. "Life by the Drop" by Stevie Ray Vaughan - it's like a duet between man and guitar. I like.
  4. "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent - I think this song is sexayy!
  5. "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica - made me pick up the guitar. And Hetfield? Grrr!

5. Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?
Nazha - 'cos she always makes up her own lyrics :p I honestly want to know if the songs she listens to have different lyrics from what the rest of us listens to
Izan - 'cos he's a pilot (eh?)
Adzim - 'cos I once saw an Ashlee Simpson CD in his car and am wondering who else he listens to :p

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

I Love Pi(e)

Back at home, where days are written before months, today (14/3) would be "I Love You" day. 1 being "I", 4 being "LOVE" and 3 being "YOU" (the number of letters correspond to the numbers of the date, for those who need help).

Here, the date is 3/14. Hence, it's Pi Day.

With the help of Math freaks and Computer Science '1337's, the campus pavements have been decorated with the pi number 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375.... you get the idea..

Anyway, for Math lovers everywhere, here's a reason to celebrate. And if you celebrate 143 instead, take a while to pay respects to your math books with a plate of pie (and a loved one, if you wish).

Cheers!

Monday, March 07, 2005

Winds of change...

I haven't been to Kiva in so long that John once asked me,
"You're not going to Starbucks are you, Yazmin?"
"Oh hell no, John! I'd never do that to you in Pittsburgh!"

That was our last conversation, about 2 months ago. Today I dropped by again on my way to work and John was there handing his workers his new business card to be distributed to customers.

"What's up m*****f*****?"
"I'm good. Nice to see you too, John"
"We've missed you here"
"Right back atcha..."

I only go to Kiva about once a week now, and even then I just order to go. Plus I've opted for tea and have been abstaining from my usual cup of Milky Way, not too sweet, extra whipped cream, please. My change in taste probably has to do with the fact that I'm getting older. Maybe not. Either way, the change has been good to my wallet.

It's weird how you think you can't possibly live without something, then suddenly find that you can and won't die without it after all. And you realize that change is good, and not all bad. More than anything, I think I'm starting to believe that we are, in fact, creatures of habit. It takes awhile to adapt, but once we do, we can't help but become slaves of our own devices: cravings for coffee, the need for the internet, that strong desire to watch a particular tv show religiously, the obligation to play video games til your hands go numb.

Maybe it's just a way of displaying personality. Maybe we just need the validation of being our own person, and defining our own character. Whatever it is, it doesn't take much to be caught up with life and the things it has to offer.

But while we can accept the fact that developing habits is part of nature, we should remember that life goes on, and changes will definitely take place. Whether you like it or not, that series of Alias is going to end eventually and you're gonna need to find some other show to dote on!

Now most the Kiva crew have become faceless strangers as more of the old ones have started graduating. Mike graduated about a year ago and Ant's waiting for a job offer in Japan to teach english. None of the people I used to exchange silent greetings with are there anymore. People still go about their business as usual, but there's a feeling that times-a-changing.

It's a whole new crew, but with John still commandeering the ship.

...Maybe some things don't change much after all.