Thursday, December 29, 2005

photo log #1


PHOTO: Chicago's bean: taken at Millennium Park this past weekend.

I was in Chicago this past weekend and instead of some words maybe a photo-log would be a better idea. A post about the Cannondale Bad Boy is coming up soon....

Click on pictures to see a larger version.

PHOTO: chicago woot

PHOTO: Crown Fountain, with some PS work.

PHOTO: Crown fountain and some more PS work.

PHOTO: One way!

P.S. Thanks to Donna and L. Proctor for the accomodatoins!!! much love.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

BLOGISTAN



PHOTO: Mark writing

Mark's new blog is up and running and it is definitely worthy of note. He is one of the best writers I know. Mark is so bad (good-bad) that right out of college he is writing for the Detroit News! So bookmark his page and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I will.

Secondly, here is another (apple command - D) worthy blog. She has only been writing for four months or so and she already has people saying "did you read what she wrote today" at cocktail parties in NEW YORK!

This last one is one of my guilty pleasures. I am sure most of you know about it, because we all seem to have voyeuristic cravings here and there.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

dark room

PHOTO: Laura C. taking pictures of me while I take pictures of her.

I was matting some of my prints before I started work at ARC. When the volunteers started coming in, they asked if they could see my prints. So, of course the pictures got passed around untill Carole ( a wonderful volunteer) got to see them. She asked me if I ever processes my own pictures and I told her that I occasionally use the dark room in abbott hall. Then, she asked me if I would like to have a full set of dark room equipment. She has started shooting digital and was not using her dark room as often. Of course, I replied with a HUGE "yes" and barely kept myself from hyperventelating out of excitement. Last night, my brother and I went to carole's house to pick up all the boxes (Thank you Adil!!). My car barely fit everything, infact Adil had to put a box on his lap. The following is in an incomplete inventory of items in my room right now. I am still finding amazing things as I unpack all the boxes.


-A really good ENLARGER!!!
-4 photographic tanks to develop negatives
-3 safelights (red light) to keep your film safe
-Photographic trays
-Film clips for hanging pictures and drying film
-Graduated cylinders, stirring rods and funnels
-Thermometer
-Bottles for chemilcas (storing and for disposing)
-A huge interval timer
-Print tongs
-Enlargment easels
-Burshes to get rid of dust
-An extensive set of doggers
-A pretty big light safe box for paper.
- ~15 books on photography, manuals, and developing
-Masking guides
-Print dryer (dries single weight prints in about 10 mins)
and extensive filter kit
-Squeegee


OPERATION BUILD DARK ROOM starts ASAP!

PS. In case you can not tell, I am beyond excited about this.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Gorillaz


PHOTO: Colorado!! In memory of the summer times

The Gorillaz have always been a pretty freakin' innovative band. I was recently informed of their LIVE holographic performance at the European MTV music awards (via Abraham). Maybe this is not news to you in "tv land" but I was pretty amazed. Check out the above link to see a video of their live performance in Quicktime or Windows Media Player. Instead of the usual 2-D presentation, the Gorillaz were on stage in the form of Holograms!
More importantly, they are planning a revolutionary holographic tour for 2007. I have not been able to find out the exact technology they will be using, BUT imagine how great that show would be! They describe it as "a cross between live performance and a theme park experience".

shacka laacka

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Better Health?


PHOTO: under the Mackinaw bridge
I was at Better Health yesterday afternoon for a tempeh sandwich. Just like their name this store is a pretty generic health foods store here in Lansing, MI. All the hippies in town congregate there to buy organic products. Of course, a lot of times I am right there next to them buying the same things. But yesterday was the first time I realized how easy it is to sell things to hippies. All you need to do is have an earth-tone package with words like "100% natural" or "strong digestive enzymes" and people looking for a healthy product will buy it.
While I was waiting for the tempeh to be grilled I noticed a lady selling some dietary supplements. So I went over to her table and started reading the pamphlet. After reading most of it I asked her some basic questions about her product. Such as "when you say 'digestive enzymes', which ones are you talking about?" or "here it says 'supplements that pass your blood brain barrier', what exactly are you talking about?" Even though she told me that she is was a Physiology major (in her day), she couldn’t answer me. Instead she just put her pointer finger to her forehead as if she was going to squeeze out the answer. I know from some of my early biology classes that small particles and sugars can cross the “blood-brain barrier”. So was she saying that there is sugar in this dietary pill? ... I don't know. It surprised me to know that no one had asked her these rudimentary questions and it is even more astonishing that someone would buy a pill and put it in their body without knowing the answers to the basic questions. Isn't the whole point of eating healthy, to be aware of what you put in your system?

Rigga dig dig

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Death ride 2006


PHOTO: You Should Be Melting playing at the Heidelberg in Ann Arbor.


Jim, Kevin and I are accepting applications for the Blue Barrons death ride 2006. One prerequisite is to watch all the LUCAS BRUNELLE videos. Good luck to all applicants.


I was reading jpettibone blog and she talks about how great the internet it is, and how different the world was before Al Gore invented it .... hahahahah.

Last.fm is just another way to stay even more connected, as if we need more ways of stalking each other. You download a small plug-in (mac OR pc) for your itunes application and you can track all the songs you play. It also makes most played lists weekly. Best of all, this information is put up on your personal website and you can party like a rock star from there onwards.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

podcast



Podcasts on my ipod

3 day weather forcast: I turn this on as soon as I wake up in the morning while the water in the shower warms up. This is how I decide if I will roll my pants up for the day or not. Also, if I can counter-steer or not (snow or no snow).

Qur'an Weekly Podcast: Ever week they have a new chapter from the quran in arabic with translation in english. I am not all about the english guy's accent but other wise, it is a great addition to the ipod.

NPR story of the day: Everyday when your podcasts reload you get a NEW story in you itunes podcast folder. So on your bike ride to class or your walk to work, you can have someone to tell you a story.

CNN: Finally, the news... it is short enough to keep my attention and also keepa me updated with the world. Makes it a little easier to be in sync with the world and still not have a tv.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Spray paint

I recently discovered a great graffiti artist. He calls himself Banksy and has been relatively successful keeping his identity hidden. Of course, it makes sense to keep undercover because graffiti is illegal in most places. During an interview with The Guardian in 2003 he told them that not getting caught made him enjoy his work: "The art to it is not getting picked up for it, and that's the biggest buzz at the end of the day because you could stick all my shit in the Tate Modern and have an opening with Tony Blair and Kate Moss on rollerblades handing out vol-au-vents and it wouldn't be as exciting."
Most interesting of all are the nine incredible images he made on Palestine's controversial west bank wall.

For his latest exhibition at 'Crude Oils' in Notting Hill, London, he has painted Monet's Water lilly pond but has littered it with shopping carts, Van Gogh flowers but with no flower, Jack Vettriano's dancer's in the rain but with people disposing nuclear wastes in the back ground and Warhol's Marilyn poster but instead has Kate Moss in the picture. Also, in order to walk through his gallery you have to step over hundreds of rats walking on the ground.

BAM!

Monday, November 21, 2005


PHOTO: "everything for everyone and nothing for ourselves"

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Don't be a cow


Photo: This is what I think about Michigan weather.


Who will win the next Nobel Peace Prize?
11:4 Viktor Yushchenko
7:1 Bono
14:1 Colin Powell
16:1 Bob Geldof
20:1 Ravi Shankar
25:1 Hugo Chavez
33:1 Pope John Paul II
250:1 Tony Blair and George Bush

VIA: The Atlantic Monthly

Monday, November 14, 2005

Pumpkin what?



Pumpkin Curry

500 g ( 1 lb ) pumpkin
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped3 fresh green chiles, seeded and chopped
8-10 curry leaves
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 1/2 cups (12 fl oz) thin coconut milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (4 fl oz) thick coconut milk
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds


Peel pumpkin and cut into large chunks. put into a pan with all the ingredients except the thick coconut milk and mustard seeds. Bring slowly to simmering point and cook gently, uncovered, until pumpkin is almost tender. meanwhile, grind the mustard seeds with a mortar and pestle and mix with the thick coconut milk. add to the simmering pot and cook for 5 minutes longer on a very gentle heat.

Serves 6


BAM!~!!

Pick up the November '05 issue of Utne, there is a great article in there; Take Back Islam. Also, if you are an MSU student you can read the full magazine online, through the MSU libraries electronic resources.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Take me for a ride

PHOTO: by Adil
This motorcycle took me for the sweetest ride around the hills or Rochester. My brother's friend let me take it out for a spin and I think I was gone for way longer than they expected. It was crazy to ride the same streets as I used to ride RHONDA THE HONDA (CBR F4i), brought back some of my greatest memories. Of course, it was NO comparison to the insane power Rhonda had, but two wheels are ALWAYS better than four. GOSH! i miss motorcycles so very much.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

South Asia Earthquake Walk


PHOTO: This kid lives with my grandparents. Jun 2005

I drove back home to Rochester this past weekend. My parents have some Pakistani satellite channels, so I got to see a lot of footage from the Northwestern territory of Pakistan and India. My father is part of the Pakistan-American Association and with the help of IAGD (Islamic Association of Greater Detroit) they mailed a truckload full of sleeping bags and tents to Pakistan. Hopefully we can match those efforts here in East Lansing.
There is an awareness walk this weekend, so please let a lot of people know. Adil Ibrahim and Junaid Mattu is coordinating this walk and I have his email below incase you want to volunteer.

SOUTH ASIA EARTHQUAKE WALK:
29th October 10:30 a.m. Starts @ MSU Union
To participate or volunteer contact:
Adil Ibrahim
ibrahim4@msu.edu
248-880-2506
or
Junaid
mattujun@msu.edu
240-441-4491

BBC has some very realistic pictures of the aftermath of the earthquakes.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

URBAN

My brother is organizing an awarness walk for the earthquakes in Pakistan. I will post here as soon as I know more details.


PHOTO: by Elizabeth Jean Samanen

After school Kevin and I am going to go to chicago and become bike messengers.
I can't stop looking at the following links. Some of the videos take a while to load, but I assure you that they are worth it.

Check it
LUCAS BRUNELLE has attached two cameras to his helmet and he has made some incredible vidoes. It is crazy to see what you can do on the road with a nice bike, some cars and pedestrians (moving trees) to make it interesting.
IFBMA (International Federation of Bike Messengers Associations)
WCBMA (Windy City Bike Messengers Association)

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Pakistan


PHOTO: This picture was taken this past summer in Pakistan.

I am sure by the time you see this post you will have heard about the record breaking earthquakes in Pakistan. Thanks to all the people who called me to see if my family was ok. I really appreciate it and it means a lot to me. Luckily my family is doing well but there are tens of thousands of people in great need of help. I am setting up an account so I can send money back home. Feel free to let peole know about this through your blog. I want to have money ready to be sent there by October 25th.

We have been in touch with our family very regularly and getting updates.

Salaam

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Drum



Lately, I have been following around the drumline on MSU game days. This past game was dissapointing indeed, but I have never had more fun watching a drumline. I have some videos of the "drum off" between MSU and U of M, and if you would like to see them shoot me an e-mail.

Friday, September 23, 2005

Drugs



Life is really good without a tv in my room. Whenever I do get a chance to watch, something ends up bothering me. Today I saw an ad for a prescription acne med, and the drug company "coached" how the teenage viewer should ask their "parent unit" to get them the drug . . . based on a TV ad! The American Medical Student Association has a pretty good article regarding this.

PHOTO: helicopter over the riot

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

can you dig it?

No matter how many bikes I research, nothings seems better than the Trek X01. I was looking into buying a sugar glider because I really needed a pet in my life, but unfortunately it seems like a bike would be so much more fun. This is such a tough decision. You decide.

PHOTOS: of course I didn't take these. VIA the WWW

Friday, September 02, 2005

candle


candle
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

I should be helping with the hurricane along with my Red Cross co-workers. It is sad I can't be there.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Picture 143


Picture 143
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

I was in Homer, MI visiting Kevin this weekend and I had a little accident on the lake. So I will be looking like a true gangster for the first week of school. I need to think of good stories to tell people who ask me what happned.




Picture 149
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.



PHOTO: VIA Libby S.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Home Sweet Home


car fun
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.


Photo: Driving the streets of Rawalpindi.

I am back in Rochester for the week, Asher house (East Lansing) treated me well. I came across this pretty funny advertisement and I thought I would put it up here for your viewing pleasures. I hate to advertise for this company but it is funny.

coffee

Monday, August 15, 2005

Khalid


Khalid
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

I have been in a pretty stressed out state lately. So I thought I would post a picture of care-free happy times.
I don't mean to make this a poem blog. But here is another One I really like. VIA Mat Buss

Alexander Pope
Solitude: An Ode

I
How happy he, who free from care
The rage of courts, and noise of towns;
Contented breaths his native air,
In his own grounds.

II
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.

III
Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide swift away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,

IV
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.

V
Thus let me live, unheard, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me dye;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lye.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

This is just to say


Fruit
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

This Is Just to Say
by William Carlos Williams

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

Monday, August 08, 2005

Garden


FunfairFestivalandW_I050
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.



Seems like chicken manure is the best way to go when planting a garden. I have never used it before and maybe that is why my tomato plants haven't been as tall as me.



FunfairFestivalandW_I052-1
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.



PS check this out.

PPS it is cheaper to catch a flight to NYC than it is to take a train ride!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

wall


wall
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Photo: another brick in the wall

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Changes


moth
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Photo: A moth in the hills of Muree, Pakistan.




I just added a new section to my side bar. I am deciding if I should put a link to the current cd I am playing in the side bar or in my blog entries. . . hmmm







via acprendergast

Friday, July 29, 2005

stencil


stencil
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Photo: Stencil. taken by ***

I have been busy lately, so I haven't posted. I thought I would display this beautiful work of art. My friend made this and sprayed it on in the alley behind B&N in East Lansing.

I need to get back to work. here is my factoid of the day.



peace and love

Saturday, July 23, 2005

In Case of Emergency


people on car
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Photo: people piled one a car

In case of emergency Paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE.

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the name and phone no. of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly. It only takes a few moments of your time to do.

Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it immediately.



via Naadirah

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Ipod photo


ipod
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Just recently I got an ipod photo and I like it WAY more than the monochrome one.


This website made me happy. I could sit there and look at pictures all day.

*snap crackle*

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Give H2 a new meaning

I surfed over this website and it gave me new hope for what's to come of this world. Imagine cars running on Hydrogen or should I say H2 and emitting no more than water out their tail pipes. A few General Motor's engineers have put together this beautiful machine. People are investing a lot of money into similar projects. This gives the US hope to be independent of foreign oil. Click the picture below and tell me what you think!!



via: endorphin.com

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Dresses


Dresses
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

PHOTO: Dresses from Pakistan

I am slowly getting back into my normal schedule. It still feels a little wierd to be back here in the U S of A.
I was working at Red Cross yesterday and people came in asking for personal needs and some food. I noticed that even the homeless of America are high class yuppies. This guy told me that only a certain kind of shampoo works for his hair and that I should try to find that kind. Simililarly, another lady didn't like the taste of Colgate, so we had to give her another brand.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Around the world


fountain
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Photo: Riyadh Airport

Islamabad to Riyadh (~3 hours)
layover (7 hours)
Riyadh to Jeddah (1 hour)
layover (1 hour)
Jeddah to JFK (12 hours)
layover (6 hours)
JFK to Cincinnati (2 hours)
layover (1 hour)
Cincinnati to DTW (1 hour)

I am BACK ! The trip back was long but we made it all fun and games. At the New York airport we found a small massage store. I gave the shopkeeper a massage and ended up getting a FREE half hour session. Good times...
When we got back to our house I was AMAZED to see how beautiful my garden looks. Our neighbor has been watering my veggies. The plants are HUGE.

P. S. Imran mamu thanks for escorting us all the way to the plane. We already miss everyone back home

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Tulip


Tulip
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Someone has taken us out to dinner almost every night of the week. Tonight we went to a beautiful restaurant here in Islamabad. There was live tabla with a grand piano, you guys would have loved it.
I saw my first Macintosh since I have been in Pakistan. This guy had a powerbook. that reminds me I still have to buy Tiger.
I visited our village recently. It was some great photo opps.

p l

PS thanks to my cousin for letting me use her computer.

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Iguana


Iguana
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

My brother, my cousin and I drove to a city called Muree (the Colorado of Pakistan). No matter where I am the mountains call my name. beautiful...

I have been asking my Grandfather and my Uncle to get me to meet Gen. Musharraf and I don't think it will end up happening. He is in Saudi Arabia right now enjoying the Prince's company. I did see the Prime Minister's motorcade drive by us at 90mph. Three black Mercedes and lot of police.

BAM

Thursday, June 23, 2005

tiles


khalid's cam 078
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Life in Pakistan is wonderful. The heat is definitely testing how true I am to my roots. 30 people died yesterday because of the heat and summer is just getting started. You should be happy to hear that I am not letting it hold me back. I went for a 10 mile bike ride through the rolling hills of Islamabad a few days ago.

I am blogging from a cyber cafe, or should I say "DSL cafe". There is a huge INTEL INSIDE sign outside and I feel like a I shouldn't be here. Inside there are small cubicles and they already have an ashtray and matches ready. This is a smoker's paradise.

It is really annoying to be waited on constantly. The servants don't let you do anything. Today was the first time I stepped in the kitchen and I was trying to make an omelate and people came running and snatched the pan from my hand. We only enter the dining room when food is ready and everyone sits down and people wait on you, for every freakin' meal! I am not used to this lifestyle anymore, but I guess I should enjoy it while I am here.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Oh yeah
I shaved my head
i look like vin disel except i have no muscles and i have a beard. annnd every day i wake up i realize that i am the smallest pakistani kid in the world.

peace

BACK in Pakistan

It is such a great feeling to be back here in Pakistan. As soon as we landed all these great memories came back.
-no speed limits
-smooth highways
-"too good" replaced by "awesome"
and best of all no one asks me where I am from

I am using my cousin's computer and everyone is downstairs. So I should probably head back. I definitely miss all you guys.

Friday, June 17, 2005

umrah


umrah
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

On the way to Makkah from Madina my brother, my father and I started our Umrah. The Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage compared to the well known Hajj. All the men wear two pieces of seamless cloth, one around the waist and the other over the shoulders.

Tomorrow will be our last day here in Saudi arabia and then we will move on to Pakistan. Even though we are all excited to meet our family in paki-land, no one really wants to leave saudi arabia.

I also met a guy from Kashmir (indian side) today. It was one of the most engaging conversations I have had since I have been here. I am sure it is really frustrating for him to see no resolution to this drawn out issue.

pnl

shop


shop
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

Did a little shopping here in Makkah last night. My mom was buying some clothes for her friends at this shop. They only had women's clothes so the shopkeeper gave me a chair while I was waiting. I guess i look like a saudi shopkeeper at a women's clothing store because everyone walking by kept asking me prices.
People come here from all over the people. Most of the residents of this city know six languages or so.

salaam

Thursday, June 16, 2005

arabian nights


khalid's cam 062
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

It took almost 26 hours to get to the hotel in Madina from Rochester. Of course I had to go through the special treatment at the american airports. When we got to Saudi Arabia the person who was supposed check our bags was busy sending text messages, so we just walked through. It feels good to be among other people with dark skin and beards.
So far we have spent 2 nights in Madina and two nights in Makkah. The weather is absolutely perfect, about 90 deg. I am a little nervous about Pakistan because it is supposed to be 110 degrees there. People are really friendly, both days I was in Madina someone took me out for chai. I am getting a little addicted . . . If you talk to someone for 5 minutes they will probably offer you dates and chai.
I have been taking some fun pictures and I can't wait to show them to you guys. I saw a guy reading the Quran in Braile today. It is hard enough to read arabic in print and this guy was reading faster then me using his fingers.


I love the desert!
salaam

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Riyal


Rial
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

PHOTO: scan of 5 riyals

After such a wonderful week in East Lansing it was hard to leave, but the Middle East is calling my name. The next two days will be pretty hectic. Our flight leaves DTW at 6am (sunday) and then after a 12 hour layover we will be heading to Saudi Arabia.
Right now it is in the high 90 deg in Saudi Arabia and 100+ in Pakistan. These temperatures should be flip flopped.
I am taking the macintosh with me, so hopefully I will be able to log on and updated this blog pretty often throughout this trip.
You can also expect me to come home with 8 rolls of great pictures (hopefully!!).I am so excited.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Green House


Green House
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.

PHOTO: Green house North of Kedzie on the Michigan State Univ. campus (2004)

This past weekend I was in Rochester and I decided to wake up at 6 am one morning a till up two 5X30 rectangles of land for a vegetable garden. For five years in the past I kept up a vegetable garden but there was a two year lag in the middle. So it felt like that land was ready for some plants.
I recommend Uncle luke's nursery on South Blvd. & Livernois (in rochester, MI). Their plants are certified organic and you can opt to buy manure instead of miracle grow (side note: if you are going to use Miracle Grow, you might as well go to kroger and buy all your veggies). dang, that kind of sounds like I am being a garden snob....
If you need help working on your garden call me. There is still time to plant lots of things.

salaam

P.S Xtina has a blog now! it is called "X in the city"

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Plant a flower


Pland a flower
Originally uploaded by pomgernate.



PHOTO: My neighbor's daisies from last year.

I bookmarked THIS video a while ago. Watching it makes me feel really happy inside. Unfortunately, it is not so easy to make things better on earth.

I went to chicago this past weekend, look forward to some pictures coming up soon.

p n l

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