#ibrahim even looks like a driver

[sunny-sainz]

my desi brain can’t handle this

[octuscle]

New Car

Peter was aware of how stupid it was to meet with the seller of the car. It was an almost new BMW M3. The car was still going to cost over USD 100,000.00. That was way out of his budget. But there was something that appealed to him even more than the car itself. In a photo, the owner had been reflected in the car's freshly polished paintwork. And Peter couldn't get this reflection out of his head. You couldn't see much. But what you could see was muscular, tattooed and wearing a shiny Adidas tracksuit. Peter couldn't get this image out of his head for the life of him. So he dialed the number given. And when he heard the voice on the other end of the line, he got a hard-on. It was churlish English with a heavy Arabic accent. Peter was actually on the phone to one of his favorite wankers. Bloody hell! He tried to act as cool as possible. He tried to ask a few questions that feigned competence in the direction of sports cars. He was trying to come across as cool and chavvy as possible. He probably sounded more than ridiculous. But the two of them arranged to go for a test drive. After the salesman hung up, Peter urgently needed to go to the bathroom. And have a wank.

The appointment for the test drive was on Friday evening. Peter took the bus to the address given, which was located in a suburb with a bad reputation. There was garbage on the streets. There was graffiti on the walls. But the cars parked on the street were in many cases like something from another world. Expensive, high-powered cars, perfectly maintained. And he was leaning against one of them. The prototype of an Arab chav who spent too much time pumping iron and in the tattoo parlor. Peter had to make sure his erection wasn't too obvious. The guy introduced himself as Ibrahim and greeted Peter with a fist bump. He said that Peter wasn't allowed to smoke in the car and offered him a fag. And instead of saying that he didn't smoke at all, Peter gratefully accepted the fag, took a light and walked around the Bavarian beauty, trying to look as professional as possible. "Shit, dude, what's that on your pants?" Damn, Peter must have sat on a piece of chewing gum on the bus. "You're not getting into my car like that," growled Ibrahim. He opened the trunk, took a pair of training pants out of a sports bag and threw them to Peter. "Seriously?" asked Peter. "Here, on the street?" "Either that or you can fuck right off again." So Peter took off his shoes and trousers, put on the tracksuit bottoms and then his…. Nike sneakers??!?!???! He wasn't wearing sneakers. Ibrahim threw him the key. "Come on then, brother. Fall in love with my baby!" Peter sat down and tried to start the engine as cool as possible. When the 510 horses howled, he winced. Ibrahim grinned. "Yes, you have to get used to it. But you will. Go on, drive towards the highway!" The car was hell. An untamed beast. Peter's forehead was covered in sweat. "Come on, old man! Step on the gas!" And Peter stepped on the gas. The speedometer showed 140 miles per hour. Damn, that would cost him his driver's license. And Ibrahim calmly started a conversation about soccer. "Of course Galatasaray will win the championship again this time!" Peter heard himself say and stepped on the gas once more. The BMW was power and strength pressed into leather and steel. He loved the car. As if remote-controlled, he chased the car first along the highway and then at far too high a speed along the arterial road towards the city center. The sleeve of his jacket stretched across his biceps as he wrenched the steering wheel. Ibrahim pressed himself into his sports seat. "Hehehe, you and the baby make the perfect unit!" "Dostum, ne düşünüyorsun? Gerçek Türk erkeklerinin kanında petrol vardır." replied Peter. No, not Peter, Sinan! Ibrahim turned up the music. Syrian gangster rap. Just the right thing to cruise along the city center boulevards now. it was a warm evening. Ibrahim opened the glass roof. He let his mighty biceps hang out of the open window. The boys and girls looked respectful, envious or disgusted when Sinan revved the engine. But in any case, they looked: Who gives a shit, they had the coolest car, they were the cool guys with the biggest muscles. "Dude, get some cigs and then change drivers," said Ibrahim Sinan. And Sinan headed for the nearest kiosk.

Sinan would never be able to afford such a car in his life. Even though he was number two in the gang behind Ibrahim, his place was usually in the passenger seat. But fuck it, Ibrahim was his boss and he followed him through rough and tumble. Ibrahim's hand missed the stick of the gearshift. But he caught something that was at least as hard. Shit, if he cums on the leather, Sinan would spend the whole morning cleaning the car again. But it was worth it.

Pics by @ki-kink

[ariendiel]

Hiii girl!! I’m here again with my random bothers lol Not sure if you’ve been asked this before but what kind of vehicles do you think our S2 boys drive? As an American, I know Europeans have a different perspective with cars so I’m clueless with this one 😂 Miss seeing you in my dashboard btw 💛

Hi! I love random questions, and this is such a fun one 👀 I think a lot of the Islanders that live in cities don't have a car or maybe not even a driver's license as it's just not necessary, but I'll still do my best (added some of the girls as well) 🤍

Bobby – Mini Cooper

In this exact colour, and he's named it as he does with most inanimate objects that he owns.

Carl – Tesla Roadster

I mean, it just makes sense? It looks so futuristic, while also being electric and modern.

Chelsea – Nissan cube

It's cute and small, but with enough space so that she can fill it with stuff for her clients etc.

Gary – Kia Ceed

Because it used to be Top Gear's reasonably priced car, and I bet he used to *love* that show

Hannah – Fiat 500

This one was easy. Girl so drives a baby blue fiat 500 everywhere, and it smells like sweet perfume x horse.

Henrik – 1990 Land Rover Defender

A sensible car that he's had for ages and will probably have until it literally falls apart.

Hope – Jaguar F-type

Hope's in the club of people I don't think drives at the moment, as public transport is great where she lives. But I think she'll eventually get a car, and it'll be bright and fancy.

Ibrahim – Mustang

Specifically in this blue. Don't know why, but I think he'd want an American(tm) car that looks like it could be a transformer.

Lottie – Vintage funeral car

I don't think she drives, but if she did? This one.

Lucas – Aston Martin DB5

I think he usually takes his motorcycle, but since he was a kid he always dreamed about owning a James Bond car, so now he's got this classic.

Marisol – Polestar

Doesn't currently own a car I think, as she takes public transport, but if she does get a car it'll be electric and sleek.

Noah – Volkswagen Touran

He doesn't have a car at the moment I imagine, but if he did? This one aka one the first cars that came up when I searched for "sensible family cars" lol

Priya – Maserati GranTurismo

I don't think she drives, but if she did she'd accept nothing less than this.

Rocco – Volkswagen Westfalia

Obviously.

And that's it! Not sure about the others, but feel free to come with suggestions in the comments

[apexart-journal]

Mvelo Mahlangu in NYC, Day 26

This morning I was finally able to go and visit the NY SGI Buddhist centre which was just down the same road as the apartment, just over union square park. I was able to catch the Sunday meeting and chanted along with members which made me feel at home. What I truly appreciate about my practice is that even if I were dropped in an unfamiliar place, the first place I could always go to is an SGI centre. Funny enough, Tina Turner was also a practising member and I got to see a photograph that was taken of her chanting, when I went to the National Museum Of African America History and Culture, in DC. Donna was also there and she warmly invited me to come stay with her whenever I decided to come back to visit NY. I’m thankful to her. After the meeting ended, I rushed back to the apartment and finished off the last bit of packing as well as cleaning the apartment. 

I felt so much gratitude for the apartment and how much of a safe space it became for me. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the apartment was the imprints of the previous fellows that were decorated around the room. Some things were foreign money, others were notes and a lot was through the types of tea’s and seasonings that were left behind. I liked knowing that I too would leave my little imprint and without getting too deep about it, we exist in so many spaces even if we aren’t physically there. Finally wrapping it up, I made my way downstairs after managing to call an uber. I would also miss my daily engagements with the Doorman called Danny. He would always make sure that I was ok and would always greet me cheerfully. 

Getting into my Uber, I asked the driver if I could sit in the front as I again wanted to experience being a passenger in what would be the drivers seat back home. He thankfully allowed me to and we started chatting away. His name is Ansong and he’s originally from Ghana, but moved over for the first time in 2001 with his children. We spoke about his experiences in NY and what it was like having to raise his children in a western way but trying to balance and instil African traditions. The funniest thing he told me was about how he had to navigate disciplining his children, because back home in Ghana and serenallly in Africa, if your child is misbehaving, you would spank them. However, that was viewed very negatively in the US. And so to avoid having his children misbehaving, he started implementing a system where he bought them a phone, and made sure that once they arrived at school, they would call him. Then when they got home from school, they had to call him Since he knew what time the school let students out, and the minutes it took for his children to get home, he made sure that they had to call him using the home phone by the calculated time. In this way, he found it a great way of instilling discipline but also protection for his children. The last conversation we had was about how the 21st century, is the century for Africa and that African countries really needed to rally and unite to leverage our relationships with other continents so that it would best benefit Africa and its people. One example was brought up was the current President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore. He reminds me a lot of Thomas Sankara, who wanted to foster Pan Africanism while tending to the needs of the people of Burkina Faso. Just before arriving at the airport, I took down Ansongs details which he said that when I do decide to come back for a visit, I could reach out to him. 

Looking back on my experience here in NY, I’m so happy about how much I’ve learned about every single person I've engaged with. Reflecting on my journalling, one detail that I’ve mostly stuck to, which I truly appreciate that I’ve done, is writing down the names of each person. I was intentional about this because they too, added so much perspective in understanding the story of NY but also for me, helped facilitate the vision of the fellowship program. It's reminded me that everyone has a story, ambition or thing to say and that from time to time, we should step out of our bubbles and connect with the unfamiliar. I’m also really happy about how this experience of being a stranger has made me feel a whole lot more comfortable with randomly striking up conversations with people. As for my experience of this fellowship program, I must say that I am still digesting everything. As Steven mentioned, I’ll mostly likely only see the effects overtime. 

My biggest shout-out and point of gratitude, however, goes to the person who nominated me in the first place. My lecturer during my time studying Architecture, Solam Mkhabela. When I first arrived, Steven asked me if I knew why Solam nominated me. I asked Solam, this question as I actually hadn’t asked before, and rather assumed. He essentially told me that he believed in me as a young artist and the work that I do and wanted to help facilitate my growth. He saw this program as a great opportunity for this facilitation in growth. Throughout my time in NY, he constantly checked in on me and encouraged me. Since Solam himself had lived and studied in NY more than 20 years ago, it was amazing for me to be able to see some of the places he mentioned, when telling me about his experiences.

[ravenadottir]

do you have any hcs on what type of drunk the islanders are?

cannot, for the life of me, find my old answer on this.

but it’s a good thing, ‘cause it was probably too short, and i do have some thoughts and scenarios on this one! this is gonna become a whole book :/ i might also include their favorites, or what i think it’s their favorites.

bobby.

he doesn’t know how to stay still when the alcohol goes in! bobby is the type to be dancing, singing along, singing with no music, pumping other people to join him whenever he’s feeling joyful! even when he’s in a certain mood that isn’t celebratory, he’d still be finding a way to not bum everybody out with his problems. he’s just the kind of guy to try and forget his problems while having a glass in hand! “mate!” he points to gary, noah, rahim, henrik. “i - love - you! no, seriously!” he takes a seat on their lap, hugging them as he continues. “i - love you, mate! you’re the best a man can ask! i - love - you!” colorful cocktails like “sex on the beach” and daiquiris. bobbyfish is only fun to him if he’s the one making it.

carl.

forever the quiet drunk, in a corner, reminiscing on every bad decision he’s ever made. nothing makes carl pensive and regretful like alcohol. he always refuses to drink in public because “i’m the worst drunk you can have at your party.” he doesn’t interact or talk before the sixth drink, and when he does, prepare yourself for a battle of two carl’s. “bummer” x “i want to rage, but the pain of being alive is too much for me right now”. definitely wants to be designated driver at all times. prefers to drink alone, at home, when everything is going wrong. bitter drinks like the “negroni” or “manhattan”.

chelsea.

the - life - of - the - party! always! chelsea never lets her outside problems get in the way of a good time and it shows! she’s here to party, to dance, to let everyone know how fun and good friends they are. you’ll never see this girl on the corner. it’s middle of the dancefloor or no dice in her case. she also gets extra flirty with everyone else, without any intentions of hooking up with anyone. “you are looking like the whole damn roast dinner in that dress, babes!” GIN!! and everything you can make with it.

gary.

pirate drunk. do you hear me? pirate drunk. draping his arm on his mates’, or girl’s, shoulder and singing along to whatever in on the background. slow speech and often stuttering his loving and caring words. “buz ya know whet may? i... focken luv ya! i zoo! because... en her mee ou-t. you, may, a - thu - bessss!” it’s love and confusing speeches all around, followed by raising his pint to pay for another round, again. gary drunk is also the type to tell you secrets you definitely didn’t need to know. picture the things he could tell you about from when he was a teenager, before he started working out, and no, i don’t mean painful and deep stuff. i mean the weird phases of discovery. he’s absolutely graphic when talking about those and i’m not here for it, garebear. beer! beer! cheeky v is for the start, then he stays on the beer for good.

henrik.

the happiest pup you’ll ever see at a bar. henrik is extra affectionate after a few shots, and incredibly in touch with his emotions, them being positive or not. one thing i often picture him doing is just going for the kill if he needed some courage for it. whether is a girl or a boy, he’s gonna walk towards them, offer them a drink and let them know how he feels. it’s all about the positive and the horniness. if there’s a possibility of a “bathroom in the club” even better! he doesn’t waste time on talking and if he’s really into you, he’ll let you know. other than that, he’s on the booth, watching the others dance, putting his hair on a bun, because when he decides it’s time for some moves on the dancefloor, no one can hold him back. he’ll grind, twerk, take off his shirt, pull people to dance with, you name it! sweet cocktails like the ones involving wine. anything that has red wine in it, it’s probably his favorite.

hope.

gracefully having her drink in peace, trying her best to keep her composure at all times. i do reckon she’s the kind of person that when drinks has the confusing thoughts and doesn’t get her whole sentences out, but in her head she’s not aware that’s happening. not that she drinks a lot, i don’t think she does that on a night out, or party in a friend’s house, but i can definitely see her being confused when someone laughs of the way she’s speaking, because they can’t understand it. “hope, you’re drunk...” “naah, i’m foine, i only had like...” keeps trying to do the math but can’t, resulting in teasing about how much she had that night. flavored vodka cocktails with a spite of vanilla beans in them.

ibrahim.

i like how shy and closed off he is but just how much he enjoys himself while drunk. he doesn’t necessarily change as much while in that state. he knows he doesn’t need much to have a good time and it shows when he gets to that “carry me home” self. ibrahim’s favorite thing is to dance with his partner and his friends. he lets the spotlight to whoever wants to grab it, but you can be damn sure, out of nowhere, you’ll see him attempting another worm, or his usual twerking. he’s not doing for the show, he’s doing because he can’t stop laughing after and honestly? i love it! he keeps his voice to a lower tone and often gets a little dizzy while getting up. it’s part of the reason noah and bobby tease him, but he doesn’t mind and laughs along. definitely the ones that contain citric fruits, like oranges or limes, lemons and grapefruit. i often picture him drinking a “paloma”. also, drinks that have some pepper might be on his list.

kassam.

this is probably the only time you’ll see kassam smiling for no reason. usually he reserves those for special occasions, such as really goos jokes, some snarky comment about someone who he hates or when you try to make him laugh, failing miserably. but drunk kassam has an easy smile and entertained facade you would think to be fake. do not be mistaken, he’s not. he just can’t control himself while under the influence of alcohol, and i think the part he enjoys the most is to see you having fun while trying to convince him to hit the floor to dance. “you know... that’s not gonna happen. because if it does, i’m gonna humiliate you with my...” he does a snake with his arms “... moves.” he gets funnier and looser, wanting to make you smile at all costs, even if that means he does and says ridiculous things like the worm arms. energy drinks+whiskey combos. he just likes that flavor and it hits the spot pretty fast.

lottie.

there’s only two lottie’s when she gets the alcohol going: depressive/pensive or goddess of dancing. no in between. lottie will forever be a wild card and that’s part of the reason why people invite her in the first place. she’ll be questioning life and her existence when bummed out, or dance and get every chin dropping when she’s being herself. drunk lottie might pull you in a bathroom stall and go to town on you. it’s confidence and “let’s skip this one, i have something to show you.” winks discreetly. plus, she’s always that kind of girl that pulls off the “bobbing/swaying side to side” move, even thought it’s the most boring in the book. she looks good and she knows it. as for talking/confessing, forget it. she’s not one to open up while drunk. lottie is probably the least selective when it comes to choosing alcohol. colorful, sweet, spicy, bitter, you name it.

lucas.

it’s always time for confident lucas to show up, and his drunk persona wouldn’t be different. the thing he loves the most is definitely showing his moves by taking your hand and making the two of you the center of attention. something he can’t hold back is his horniness. that’s something he had in common with lottie and henrik. but instead of a bathroom stall it might be the car you came in, or a nearby hotel. he’s not exactly the type to just at it on any corner, and even drunk, he has some fear of germs. also, he might be extra flashy when dancing, on the brink of looking like that’s his stage and he’s the star. i’m sure people agree, given he’ll probably dance with more than one person at the same time, giving the audience some threesome ideas. that’s the whole point: too look hot while making everyone else wish they were his dancing partners. think of grinding on the floor, grabbing thighs and dipping a girl. or a boy, if you ask me. combos of whiskey and energy drinks.

marisol.

drunk marisol, to me, it’s the funniest. she’ll become extra analytical of the social interactions happening at the bar/club/party. every conversation will get fully analyzed before she can take the next sip. of course there’s lots more to her drunk persona, but that’s how it starts. i believe it takes her four drinks to start dancing, five to make her take her glasses off and throw them somewhere, and six to make her dance on a table. i don’t believe she has much time to drink and have fun, so that makes her much less resistant to alcohol. three drinks are enough to make her stop being marisol and become “marisol, the life of the party”. it can get ugly once she gets more drinks in her, and you can expect dinosaur noises from the other side of the bathroom stall. that’s why she avoids that feared seventh drink and gets lots of water between shots. “espanhola” and colorful cocktails.

noah.

he’s probaly the least active on a night out, but the most surprising if he feels like it. usually he stays put, having his drink in place, watching everyone dancing and goofing around with each other. not participating it’s his default, he would rather watch everyone else’s personas coming out. “come on, book boy! you’re not gonna stay in your seat all night!” “nah, i’m good. for now.” he’ll hold his twerking self in until he has the urge of taking the dancefloor. very talkative while drunk, often discussing things he’d recently discovered and can’t wait another second to share them. of course he might get them wrong, given he can take lots of alcohol but no notice when his speech becomes gibberish. definitely enjoys lemon-y drinks with vodka and other “clear” alcohol types.

priya.

oh my god, don’t shoot the messenger, but priya is the type to do some crazy stuff while drunk and blame the booze on the next day. being fully conscious and aware of her actions but saying “oh my god, i can’t believe i did that, i’m so sorry.” for whatever it is. usually she’s fun and loose when there’s alcohol involved, and by loose i mean wanting to dance her ass off. this might be the time she challenges people to lip sync battles or dances, which to most is funny, but she gets very competitive about them, to the point of betting on things like the bar tab. definitely enjoys the white wine and its variations, and often experiments with flavored vodka, like peach and vanilla.

[cloveroctobers]

HENRIK LILJENQUIST—

IG info/Bio: @/adventuresbyhenrik | 53.1k followers — “imma wild boi🌿🌏🧗 | happily taken👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

23 (24) years old

Parents are both Swedish and only speak Swedish, leaving henrik to also become fluent

His father Halvi is a pilot

His mother Lova is a race car driver

Siblings? Probably a brother, named Jahan & younger by two or three years + they get along quite well

Born & raised in Isle of Wight, England + loves it there & thinks it’s the best place for him to live, it’s his own private island in his mind plus he’s always finding something to do. He stays active

Climbing & wilderness survival instructor, he gets to talk as much as he wants while also teaching people AND all while being active! Sounds like the perfect job for him

Probably developed ADHD around his pre-teen age, leaving his parents to find him something he enjoys + can slow down and focus on

used to be on meds for it

Was well-known in high school, probably in the yearbook club since he was able to run around & get to know people but was kinda shit at knowing the functions of a camera

His selfie game has gotten a lot better now but he mostly posts anything but his face. You’ll see more of his face on his stories & location shots on his feed

Feels his hair is his best physical feature & his prized possession, would never THINK about cutting it. Even just a trim is a bit much for him

Always tries to be positive but at the same time can be condescending since he sometimes won’t pick his words wisely ex.) when he gave MC a backhanded “compliment” about makeup, being active, + wanting them to “think of others ” feelings — just because someone is opposite from you doesn’t mean you have to shit on the way they carry themselves...that’s my issue with him

maybe he’s a Taurus?

Loves fall & spring, more so fall since that’s when the weather feels nicest to him plus allergy season is a REAL bitch

The guy’s real Adventurous & always managing to find something to do. If you’re ever bored just hit him up, he has plenty of recommendations 

Family owns a cottage & he’s the one who goes out there more than his own family does! “You should just sell it to me at this point!” He tells his parents over dinner often & it is strongly considered

Has five birds & a husky, when he goes on road trips they’re always with him. Which can get a little hectic at times but they’re his family, he’s a, “birdog dad”

BLAKE secretly dislikes them all, feeling like they take up space sometimes (especially when she wants to cuddle) but she deals with it since she cares for the guy — yes, they’re still dating

She’s been convincing him to cut a few inches off of his hair which he took like a slap in the face, “that’s like me asking you to quit speaking up for humans!” “No, no it’s not.”

They’re polar opposites with flaws which causes disagreements between the two of them by putting each other in their places but they learn to compromise? (*insert eartha Kitt gif laughing here*] if they want this to work

His mother seems to be the only one who dislikes blake (she strongly feels he should have bought MC back home...that’s right she watched the show from time to time. Not always since she doesn’t care for reality tv but her friends encouraged her to watch bits and pieces) while his dad and brother approve

It is tense when Blake and his mom are in the same room which makes Henrik sad since he believes Blake deserves a chance. He took a chance on her and it seems to be going pretty well so why couldn’t his mother just be happy for him like the rest of the family is?

Henrik loves his low-maintenance girls who are open to trying new things with him, Blake is usually down most of the time but she likes her personal space too..which henrik struggles to understand

He wants her to live with him, he’s sure his parents will let him have the cottage if Blake decides to live with him but Blake loves her freedom in Kingston

It’s hidden but I feel like he might be one of those guys that feels like “a woman should follow a man” since that’s what his father installed into his boys— which failed because his wife isn’t just a housewife, she has goals and went after them

I feel like Blake turns to social media almost always to post about her feelings (I can’t remember what I picked the first time around as my occupation but as I’m currently playing I picked human rights campaigner so) but it’s mostly subtle shade & it always goes recognized by fans which brings drama between her, mc x Bobby

Henrik jumps in because what kind of guy would he be if he didn’t have his gf’s back? Doesn’t care for the drama but he & Bobby usually said slick shit to each other in the villa, it’s safe to say they’re not really friends but they’re not enemies either that’s mostly between their gf/wife

Henrik doesn’t care enough about Bobby to dislike him but he won’t put up with his shit any longer and what easier way to do that than online? He feels like they can settle this with a phone call but Blake & MC aren’t with the shits and don’t want their men speaking to each other

Henrik & Bobby eventually have a chat in secret anyways

Henrik warns Blake that this can effect her job status if she doesn’t calm down since she uses social media for her cause

She usually knows when to stop but can’t help it if it slips out sometimes

They talk it out and move on usually with whatever fun idea henrik may have

Owns a ford bronco from the 90’s that used to be his uncle’s who builds tree houses for a living and is still running, a jeep gladitor, or some sort of pickup truck

Knows how to make the best apricot jam

All about saving the bees

Loves animals, probably on his journey to veganism if he’s not already there

We all know this fucking guy likes eating M0sS

“Embarrassing fact” but uh big fan of twilight, feels like Seth Clearwater and him are meant to be best buds but he also stans the Volturi 😷

Him and Lucas of course remained the best of mates, since they live 2 hrs away from each other and are always busy living their lives they always have to plan out when they can hangout but that fails 60% of the time when henrik pops up at Lucas’ job or at his flat not giving him a choice but to hang out

They’re always vacationing together too? Sure Henrik is his own version of low-key while Lucas likes a bit of luxury...they still find a balance to just have a good time regardless if they live different lifestyles...they’re basically married

Always texting if they’re not hanging out, henrik with his memes that Lucas doesn’t understand & Lucas just checking in on henrik’s well being which leads the conversation to many topics

He’s actually cool with Gary now? They like/comment on each other’s posts & even text here and there

Even ran into Rocco once on a road trip, that was interesting but when life gives you lemons...we’ll just say that

Even him and Ibrahim share recommendations through text or DM’s which is nice! Henrik is always down for friends even tho they’re not like his personal friends (except for Lucas, he fits into his criteria)

Most of his work is physical and talking but he goes the extra mile by hiking every Sunday either with his friends, Blake, or family — he’s genuinely likes being one with nature

If he’s at the cottage, he’s always outside, chopping extra wood, making sure the yard looks like it belongs on a magazine, or takes the boat out on lake to nap since he doesn’t like to fish as much anymore

Currently trying to grow strawberries but some animal keeps eating them :/

Adores adventure time, the x-files, bobs burgers + animal planet, and travel channels—like he’s a real dad

If he could shower outside everyday, he would, it’s such a freeing experience to him

His outings consist of being in the woods 24/7 so in his mind when he brings Blake out there with him, it’s a version of a date, whenever they spend time together is a date to him, which she has to remind him that she wants to do something different like getting dressed up every now and then + go out to dinner which he HATES but he’ll do his best to please her, as long as the restaurant is more earthy than snobby he’s okay

100% would survive the apocalypse, he knows how to make due with what he’s got, he’s always been that way

Enjoys rom-com’s so he’ll laugh at how cringe they are but still enjoy it, indie films, ALITA was the best film of 2019 to him & currently his fav film is, “the call of the wild” with Harrison Ford

His favorite films ever are Indiana Jones, Lara Coft: Tomb raider, Terminator, and I am legend

Aliens ARE real, they’re out there and he’ll be part of the reason they’ve been exposed

I feel like he wanted to be an astronaut growing up but then realized he’d be a confined space for long periods of time and said cancel that shit lol + he isn’t the greatest at science. History? He did real well in that subject

I think he loves Lorde, listens to Bon Iver—especially on early morning commutes to work, Rex Orange County, Omar Apollo, Joji, the nbhd, the driver era, kid cudi...yktfv

Celeb crushes?/types: The main girls from Charlie’s angels 2019, Alexa PenaVega... “you know Carmen from spy kids?” Diana silvers, Dove Cameron, JAMIE CHUNG, & VANESSA HUDGENS

Anthem = Wallows, “OK”

[creepingsharia]

“They Asked Him to Deny Christ” - Muslim Persecution of Christians, August 2019

by Raymond Ibrahim

Hate for and Violence against Christians

Cameroon: Militant Muslims reportedly connected with the Nigerian based Islamic terror group, Boko Haram, “reached new heights” of depravity, according to a report: after devastating the Christian village of Kalagari in a raid, they kidnapped and fled with eight women.  Some of the women were later released—but only after having their ears cut off (image here).  The report adds that  Boko Haram “has terrorised Christian communities in Nigeria for the last decade and has now splintered and spread its violent ideology into Cameroon, Niger and Chad.”

Nigeria: On August 29, Chuck Holton, a CBN News reporter, aired a segment on his visit with Christian refugees who had fled Boko Haram’s incursions into their villages.  Among the stories of death and devastation, the following, spoken by a young man, stood out: “On 29 September 2014 was the day that they attacked my village. Around ten I had a call that they have killed my dad. They asked him to deny Christ and when he refused they cut off his right hand. Then he refused [again], they cut to the elbow. In which he refused, before they shot him in the forehead, the neck, and chest.” “Many of the 1,500 Christians living in this camp have similar stories,” adds Holton.

Indonesia: A Muslim preacher in a Christian majority region referred to the Christian cross as “an element of the devil,” prompting outrage among Christians and some moderates.   Sheikh Abdul Somad made the comment during a videotaped sermon when he was asked why Muslims “felt a chill whenever they saw a crucifix.”   “Because of Satan! Was his response: “There’s an evil jinn in every crucifix that wants to convert people into Christianity.”  Christians and moderates condemned his words.  Even so, “I can’t imagine the reaction if it had been another preacher of a different religion insulting an Islamic symbol,” observed one moderate. “There would have been a tsunami of protests, with the perpetrator severely punished.”  Sheikh Somad responded by releasing another video; his excuse was that he was unaware that non-Muslims might hear his words: “The Quran reciting session was held in a closed mosque, not at a stadium, a football field, nor aired on television,” he explained. “It was for Muslims internally. I was answering a question about statues and the position of the Prophet Isa (Jesus) relative to Muslims.”

Burkina Faso: Although most mainstream media downplay the religious element in Muslim on Christian violence in Africa, attacks on the Christians of Burkina Faso have become so flagrantly based on religion that the Washington Post published a report on August 21 titled,  “Islamist militants are targeting Christians in Burkina Faso.”  Its author, Danielle Paquette, explained that “A spreading Islamist insurgency has transformed Burkina Faso from a peaceful country known for farming, a celebrated film festival and religious tolerance into a hotbed of extremism.”  She noted that the jihadis have been checking people’s necks for Christian symbols, killing anyone wearing a crucifix or carrying any other Christian image.   In a separate report discussing several deadly attacks on Christians and their churches, Bishop Dabiré said, “If this continues without anyone intervening, the result will be the elimination of the Christian presence in this area and — perhaps in the future —in the entire country.

Egypt: Authorities reinstated Sheikh Yasser Burhami, a notoriously “radical” cleric and hate preacher, to the pulpit (minbar) despite strong opposition.  Burhami had previously issued numerous fatwas—edicts based on Islamic scriptures—that demand hate and hostility for non-Muslims, most specifically the nation’s largest and most visible minority, the Christian Copts, whom Burhami has referred to as “a criminal and infidel minority,” and has invoked “Allah’s curse” on them.  He once went so far as to say that, although a Muslim man is permitted to marry Christian or Jewish women (ahl al-kitab), he must make sure he still hates them in his heart—and show them this hate—because they are infidels; otherwise he risks compromising his Islam.  Burhami has also stated that churches—which he refers to as “places of polytheism (shirk) and houses of infidelity (kufr)”—must never be built in Egypt.  He issued a separate fatwa forbidding Muslim taxi and bus drivers from transporting Christian clergymen to their churches, an act he depicted as being “more forbidden than taking someone to a liquor bar.”  Burhami’s fatwas also include calling for the persecution of apostates, permitting Muslim husbands to abandon their wives to rape, permitting “marriage” to 12-year-old girls,  and banning Mother’s Day.  In a video, Dr. Naguib Ghobrial, a Coptic activist, politician, and head of the Egyptian Union for Human Rights Organization—which over the years has lodged 22 separate complaints against Burhami—repeatedly questioned Egypt’s leading religious authorities’ decision to reinstate the hate preaching sheikh:

Is what Burhami teaches truly what Islam teaches—is that why no one has done anything to him [in regards to the 22 complaints lodged against him]?  Truly I’m shocked!  Please answer Sheikh of Al Azhar; please answer Grand Mufti: are the things Burhami teaches what Islam teaches?  Is this why none of you oppose him or joined us when we lodged complaints against him?… Why are you so silent? Amazing!

The Slaughter of Christians

Pakistan: “A ten year old Christian child who chose to work in a dangerous scrap factory so he could support his mother who had to fend for a family of two boys and a drug-addict husband, was raped and tortured before being killed by his Muslim employers,” according to a report (with photos).  Badil, 10, worked at the men’s factory in order to support his impoverished mother, Sharifa Bibi:

I worked hard for many hours just for the sake of my two sons so that they would not have to suffer as I have suffered without education.  My son Badil couldn’t bear to see the struggle of his mother and insisted on working to help the family—despite my insistence that he avoid work till he was older.  Badil was such a responsible son.  Daily before leaving for work he asked me what should bring in the evening from his wages.  I insisted that he kept his money for himself, but he brought groceries like sugar, rice, flour, ghee daily.

Badil had to walk long distances and work for many hours a day to earn the equivalent of one dollar a day.  Soon his employer began to cheat him on his wages.  His mother insisted that he quit, but the boy persevered; at one point he took his younger brother, 9, with him to help.  When the employers refused to pay his brother anything for his contribution, Badil finally decided to quit—which angered his Muslim employer.  His younger brother recalls:

As Mr Akram heard this he ran to hit Badil but Badil ran from the shop and Akram gave chase.  However, A friend of Akram was standing nearby on his motorcycle and told Akram to sit behind him, then both men chased Badil till they caught up with him. Akram then got off the motorcycle and dragged Badil back to the store.  They took Badil inside the store which is full of scrap.  For half an hour I was completely unaware of what was happening with Badil inside.  Eventually both men came outside and pretended as if nothing had happened inside.  I thought my brother had also left the store from another exit so I went to look for him.  I searched vigorously for 15 minutes and then saw my mother [approaching to walk the boys home], so I rushed to her to tell her what had happened.

Sharifa and her younger son searched frantically for Badil and finally found him collapsed on the ground near their home.  They rushed to him, thinking he was exhausted from the day’s work and subsequent thrashing, but quickly realized that he was barely breathing: “At this point the whole situation was too much to bear for Sharifa who began to scream and wail hysterically,” the report notes.  Badil was taken to a hospital where, seven hours later, the boy was pronounced dead. His brother “has been traumatised following his brother’s death and hasn’t left his house since and often screams in terror thinking the men responsible will take him too.”

Cameroon: A Bible translator “was butchered to death on Sunday morning [August 25] during an overnight attack while his wife’s arm was cut off,” according to a report:  “Bible translator Angus Abraham Fung was among seven people said to have been killed during an attack carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen sometime during the early hours of Sunday morning in the town of Wum, according to Efi Tembon, who leads a ministry called Oasis Network for Community Transformation.”  Fulani herdsmen are Muslim and the chief persecutors of Christian farmers in Nigeria.  “They went into houses and pulled out the people,” Tembon explained: “They attacked in the night and nobody was expecting. They just went into the home, pulled them out and slaughtered them.”  Fung’s wife, Eveline Fung, who had her arm hacked off was last reported as receiving a blood transfusion at a local hospital.

Attacks against Apostates and Evangelists

Iran: Authorities sentenced a 65-year-old woman, a Muslim convert to Christianity, to one year in prison, on the charge that she was “acting against national security” and engaging in “propaganda against the system.”  According to the report, “The hearing was owing to her arrest shortly before Christmas when three agents from Iranian intelligence raided her home and took Mahrokh to intelligence offices where she endured ten days of intensive interrogation before she was released after submitting bail of 30 million Toman (US$2,500).”  Friends of the woman said that “the judge was very rude and tried to humiliate Mahrokh after she disagreed with him.”

Separately, a Kurdish bookseller in Bokan, Western Azarbaijan province, was arrested for selling Bibles.  According to the August 27 report, “Mostafa Rahimi was arrested on 11 June on charge of selling bible[s] in his bookstore, and he was released later on bail until the court issued his sentence. Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has learned that Rahimi is sentenced to 3 months and 1 day imprisonment.  Later in mid-August he was arrested again, and he is currently at the central prison of Bokan.”  Another report elaborates: “Iran’s government is officially Islamic, and authorities actively restrict access to Bibles and other Christian literature. Sharing one’s faith is categorized as a criminal offense, usually of the national security nature. The authorities often pressure Christians so extensively, routinely violating their human rights, that they are given no choice but to escape their country.”

Somaliland: An August 16 report shares the experiences a married Muslim woman, 32, underwent after her husband discovered a Bible in her possession.

“I told my husband that I found the Bible in Nairobi and wanted to read it,” the woman responded. “He just pronounced the word talaq [Arabic for divorce] to me. I knew that our marriage had just been rendered null and void because I joined Christianity, so without wasting time I left the homestead….  There and then he took our two daughters [ages 4 and 7] away from me and divorced me.  He gave me a stern warning that I should not come close to the children, and that if I do, he will take the Bible to the Islamic court and I will be killed by stoning for becoming an apostate.”

Her former husband proceeded to expose the clandestine Christian to her Muslim family. “My brothers beat me mercilessly with sticks as well as denying me food,” she said. “I feared to report the case to the police or the local administration, because they will charge me with a criminal offense of apostasy in accordance with the sharia.”  She has since relocated to an undisclosed location: “God has spared my life, and my fellow underground Christians in other regions of Somalia have received me and shared the little they have, but I am very traumatized.”  According to the report,

Somalia’s constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the U.S. State Department. It also requires that laws comply with sharia (Islamic law) principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims.  Somalia is ranked 3rd on Christian support group Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

Pakistan: After opening a summer education program for the youth, a Christian family was “terrorized” and forced to shut down on the accusation that they were clandestinely trying to convert Muslim children to Christianity.  According to a family member: “We started a project for interfaith harmony and education teaching marginalized children from different faiths about a year ago. In June, we started a summer camp that provided a free program for children that have dropped out of school. The design of this program was to provide guidance for these children to become civilized and tolerant.”  Two weeks into the summer program, a group of men, two of whom were armed, stormed into the academy, did violence to the property and harassed the children, and beat one of the instructors: “They threatened us with consequences if the academy was not shut down.  They alleged that we were promoting Christianity and were doing Christian evangelism.  For safety and security, we had no other choice but to obey the extremists and shutdown the academy….  I don’t want to lose my son or any family member. This terrorizing incident has already put us into trauma.”

In a separate incident in Pakistan, around 4 a.m. of August 2, seven Muslim men stormed into a parish house, where they tied up and savagely beat two young priests, Fr. Anthony Abraz and Fr. Shahid Boota, all while they “humiliated and abused them for preaching the Gospel in a Muslim-majority neighborhood.”  The invaders also vandalized the building—including by breaking windows, bookshelves, and cupboards—and desecrated Christian objects, including Bibles, Christian literature, and icons. Afterwards, “We were told we will have to face consequences if this house is not vacated,” Fr. Abraz reported. “They said, ‘We don’t want a Christian center near the mosque.’”

Finally, increasing numbers of Christian girls continue to be targeted for kidnapping, rape, and/or forced conversion in Pakistan.  According to one report,

In August, Yasmeen Ashraf, age 15, and Muqadas Tufail, age 14, were kidnapped and raped by three men in Kasur. The pair of Christian girls were taken when they were on their way to work as domestic workers.  Also in August, another young Christian girl, named Kanwal, was kidnapped, raped, and forcefully converted to Islam by a group of Muslim men and a cleric in Lala Musa, located in the Gujart District. After reuniting her family, Kanwal shared that she had been beaten, sexually assaulted, and threatened with the deaths of her brothers if she refused to convert to Islam.

In the previous month of July, at least three similar cases occurred.  “Oppression exists in different layers for Christian girls in Pakistan. They are suffering on the bases of gender, religion, and class. It has been documented that young Christian girls face higher levels of sexual harassment and are persecuted for their Christian faith,” Nabila Feroz Bhatti, a human rights defender in Lahore, said in response to the aforementioned incidents.  Similarly, the Pontifical charity, Aid to the Church in Need, announced in August that it “is sounding the alarm on the plight of young Christian women, and even teenagers, in Pakistan who are forced to convert to Islam.”  “Every year at least a thousand girls are kidnapped, raped, and forced to convert to Islam, even forced to marry their tormentors,” elaborated Tabassum Yousaf, a local Catholic lawyer.

Meanwhile, those who try to protect Christian girls are punished.  On August 16, Maskeen Khan and two other Muslim men attacked the home of Bahadur Masih, a Christian.  While holding a knife, Khan and his partners tried to rape Masih’s daughter, Rachel, but were prevented by the rudely awoken family that immediately and desperately responded.  “Since the Christian family was defending themselves, Khan also got some injuries,” Ahsan Masih Sindhu, a local Christian political leader, reported. “The family handed Khan over to police and he got medical treatment. However, he later died in police custody.”  Police arrested and charged four members of the family with murder, even though they were in their own home protecting their daughter from violent intruders.  Other members of the family have gone into hiding due to threats from the dead would-be rapist’s relatives.  “We are sad about the death of Khan, however, the Christian family did have the right to defend,” Sindhu explained. “The police must conduct a fair investigation into this incident.”  Instead, police are denying the family the “right to defend” itself.

Attacks on Churches

Algeria: On August 6, police barged into a church during worship service, evacuated reluctant worshippers, and sealed the church building off.  “I am deeply saddened by so much injustice – it breaks my heart,” Messaoud Takilt, the pastor said.  “This is not surprising since other Christian places of worship have been closed and sealed as was the case today. But anyway, we will continue to celebrate our services outside while the Lord gives us grace for a final solution.”  When police denied, with a veiled threat, his request to at least let the worship service conclude,  “The assembly finally yielded and agreed to leave the premises, but with much pain.  Some went out with eyes full of tears. ”  Police proceeded to empty the premises of all furniture and sealed off every door before the distressed pastor (picture here).  Responding to this latest church closure the World Evangelical Alliance issued a statement on August 12 calling on Algeria to cease closing and instead reopen churches. A portion follows:

We deeply regret that two additional churches were forcibly closed by administrative decisions, in May and in August 2019 in the city of Boudjima, northeast of Tizi-Ouzou in Kabylie Region.  This brings the number of forcibly closed churches to 6, including one house church…. Many more churches are threatened with closure, amid denial of formal registration and recognition by authorities.

Indonesia: Muslim protestors compelled local authorities to revoke a permit for and cease construction of a Baptist church in Central Java.  On August 1, residents went to the partially constructed church and padlocked its fence.  A meeting was later held between the church, local residents, authorities, and others.  Although the pastor displayed the governmentally issued permit to build a church, Muslim residents insisted that it was wrongly given, leading to a standstill in negotiations.  In the previous month, July, two other churches were shut down in Indonesia following local protests.

Turkey: St. Theodoros Trion, an abandoned, historic church—the original Greek congregation of which was purged by the Ottoman Empire—was vandalized, including with genocidal slogans.  According to the report,

The vandals sprayed hate speech across the church’s walls. The vandalism was largely a reference to the secularism that Ataturk, modern Turkey’s founder, had forced into the governmental structure….  Just a few years ago, the same church was targeted by Islamist vandals who wrote slogans such as “the priest is gone, he went to the mosque” — a reference to the country’s genocide and the forced conversions which occurred during this time. There are no Christians attending this church. All of the congregants were victims of the genocide. They faced death, deportation, and forced conversions. Those few who survived have since fled the country. The church currently stands as a historic monument to the Christianity that once was commonplace in the region.

Egypt: A Christian toddler was the latest, if inadvertent, victim of Egypt’s draconian restrictions on churches.    According to an August 21 report, Youssed Ebid, a 4-year-old Christian boy (photo), was struck by a tractor while waiting outdoors for a bus to take him to church in another village.  His own village is currently denied one, forcing its Christian residents to travel long distances to attend church.  Many Christians in Egypt are in the same situation, and accidents during their long treks are not uncommon.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of the new book, Sword and Scimitar, Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West, is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Gatestone Institute, a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and a Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

About this Series

The persecution of Christians in the Islamic world has become endemic.  Accordingly, “Muslim Persecution of Christians” was developed in 2011 to collate some—by no means all—of the instances of persecution that occur or are reported each month. It serves two purposes:

1)          To document that which the mainstream media does not: the habitual, if not chronic, persecution of Christians.

2)          To show that such persecution is not “random,” but systematic and interrelated—that it is rooted in a worldview inspired by Islamic Sharia.

[fictionfromafar]

Breathing Through The Wound by Victor Del Arbol

Breathing Through The Wound

By Victor del Arbol

Translated by Lisa Dillman

Other Press

“True death is not oblivion but constant memory, the inability to escape a fateful moment that, by sheer force of repetition, becomes unreal, invented, like a movie whose ending you know because you’ve seen it a hundred times and so add something each time, some new pin prick to help keep the suffering alive.”

Multiple award winning Spanish author Victor del Arbol is a extremely highly revered. He became the first Spanish author to win the Prix du Polar Européen, as well the Nadal and Tiflos prizes. Prior to becoming an author, Barcelona born del Arbol spent twenty years working for the Catalan police force,

Having not read any of his novels before I picked up Breathing Through The Wound last year. Originally published in Spain as “Repirar por le herida” in 2013, this translation was published by Other Press in 2016 although confusingly there is also an Australian publication of this novel called “The Heart Tastes Bitter”. Breathing Through The Wound is a genre defying story of the quests for justice sought by various different people whose lives are interwoven by misfortune and loss.

Despite del Arbol’s formidable reputation, I was slightly daunted by reading a 700 page novel by an author I had not read previously. However a holiday in Spain seemed to provide the perfect opportunity and setting for me to take my time to explore and delve thoroughly into this story. Despite the author’s background, this is not a police procedural, nor is it set in Barcelona. Set in Madrid we encounter Eduardo Quitana. His life changed forever when the car he was driving was involved in a fatal car accident. This left both his wife and daughter dead. The collision was caused by another driver who fled from the scene. 14 years later the forever lonely Eduardo is still mentally and physically scarred (his leg has not fully healed from the car crash). He finds solace only in alcohol, tobacco and his father’s jazz & blues records.. Regular meetings with a psychologist and the occasion encounters with his landlady Graciela and her daughter Sara are about the only social interactions he experiences as he feels his life has lost all meaning.

Once a promising artist, Eduardo Quitana has long given up painting until he receives a request via his friend and very occasional agent Olga from an affluent divorcee Gloria A. Tagger. While he would normally decline such a proposition outright he is tempted to meet her due to the considerable payment on offer and the realisation that Gloria’s life has also been turned upside down by a similar calamity in her own life. Yet he is astonished when he hears exactly what she is looking for. Unbeknown to him, Eduardo’s task takes him deep into Madrid’s criminal underground and into proximity with a diverse set of characters each. The similarities that each hold with Eduardo is that they have suffered tragedy, the difference being that they all feel they have scores to settle.

As the story progresses, the cast widens as seemingly unrelated people are introduced and filled out gradually as the narrative regularly switches perspective and location. Gradually the reader learns the predicament that each character faces. Victor del Arbol’s characterisation is excellent and full developed. I felt I could believe in the characters as we learn to understand what motivates each of them, what they are hiding and what their deepest fears are. Central to the story is a currently incarcerated once successful businessman called Arthur Fernandez who is hoping to be paroled. He owes the continuation of his life to his Algerian cell mate Ibrahim who has long left his homeland. Diligently he has protected Arthur from an Armenian gang within the prison keen disparate see his demise. Can he escape his enemies upon his release and fulfil his hopes to bring his family together again?

Even less is known about another character leading a duplicitous life, the mysterious Mr Who. With a seedy occupation and dangerous employer he is awaiting the moment to throw off the shackles in his life, find real love and please his wheelchair bound mother Maribel. Driven far more by finance rewards, Chilean mercenary Guzman may not have the same personal motivation as the other characters, yet he is also a formidable figure who will impact the lives of others in this story.

Underpinned by intricate plotting and an underlying existentialist philosophy, Breathing Through The Wound is a true Spanish noir with fully rounded characters. Revenge and redemption are the reoccurring themes due to a common belief that something must happen to another person to improve their own life. Loneliness and grief are represented in various different ways as well as consideration as to whether it is possible to find happiness after you been wronged. Aside from Eduardo who is unable and unwilling to leave the stage of grief for his wife and daughter, I felt the story of his landlady Graciela who has battled cancer as well as the disappointments of failed relationships who recognises Eduardo’s loneliness and the need for her autistic daughter Sara to have a stable father figure was very touching. In this case the character seems to understand that true happiness is unattainable yet is driven to have a better life than she is currently experiencing. In many of the other cases the characters believe that something must happen to another person to improve their own life. Yet there is one example which shows that joy will be remain elusive.

Lisa Dillman’s translation leaves nothing lost in interpretation but it is important to remember that this is a book that takes time to read – I spent one morning reading the last 150 pages – due to the multiple characters and their complex overlying lives. At times the study of these characters’ lives seems almost voyeurism as each of their flaws is exposed yet it was also so compelling. Thankfully as I read this story I was pretty much able to pick it up and read it whenever I wanted. While violent at times, the true brutality is psychological as protagonists are haunted by their nightmares. This is probably the most rewarding story I have read this year. One that will remain long in the memory. Victor del Arbol writes about life, mortality and loss in such a convincing and thoughtful way, I will be looking to obtain his subsequent novels A Million Drops and Above The Rain as soon as I can arrange another holiday.

[dee6000]

Immigrant Mass Murder: Two Bangladeshi Teens Wipe Out Own Family In Texas Familicide

A story from Allen, TX, a northern suburb of Dallas, very much buries the lead:The bodies of six people were found inside an Allen home early Monday morning in an apparent mass murder-suicide, Allen police say.Officers were asked to perform a welfare check at about 1 a.m. at a home on the 1500 block of Pine Bluff Drive. When officers entered the residence, they discovered the bodies of six people.The names and ages of the victims have not been confirmed, but police said they included a grandparent, two parents and three children."It looks like two teenage sons entered into an agreement that they were going to commit suicide and that they were going to take their family members with them," Allen Police Sgt. Jon Felty told KRLD-AM Monday morning.It has not been confirmed when the deaths took place.Felty said there is no threat to the neighborhood and that there were no problems reported at the home, KRLD reported.This the actual last line of the story:The family, Felty said, apparently emigrated from Bangladesh.Allen Family of Six Killed in Apparent Mass Murder-Suicide: PoliceInvestigation ongoing into deaths of six family members inside Allen homeBy Frank Heinz, NBC-DFW, April 5, 2021Another story, from CBS-DFW, says "Police said there’s a social media post by one of the victims saying he made a pact with his brother to kill his family and commit suicide." This story has no ethnic details and a bunch of links to generic suicide prevention links.Instead of talking about suicide, let's talk about Immigrant Mass Murder, specifically the kind we call "Familicide" where an immigrant goes crazy and wipes out his or her entire family. Brenda Walker first wrote this up in 2007, with Diversity Is Strength! It's Also…Familicide. Indian in US kills six relatives,self An Indian engineer killed two of his children and three other relatives,including a toddler,before turning the gun on himself in Silicon Valley. March 31, 2009 Here are some previous familicides from our Immigrant Mass Murder page. These seem to lean heavily towards the Indian Subcontinent, see boldfaced names below.2019 Gurpreet Singh, India, allegedly killed 4, Sikh 2019 Chandrasekhar Sunkara, India, killed 3, familicide. 2017 2017 Ali Zafar, Pakistani, killed 3, wounded 1 inEscondido, CA. Deceased were family members—a dispute over money. 2016 Mainak Sarkar, Bengal, India—killed 2, his American-born white wife, and a white professor. 2015 Brian Omar Hyde, born Belize—killed 3 members of his own family 2011 Tan Do, Vietnam—killed 5 (Familicide) 2011 Abdulaziz Ibrahim, Ethiopia—killed 4, wounded 2 (Familicide) 2010 Chhouy Harm, Cambodia—killed 3, wounded 1 (Familicide) 2009 Mesac Damas, Haiti—killed 6 (Familicide) 2009 Abel Loredo, Cuba—killed 4 (Familicide) 2009 Devan Kalathat India—killed 4, wounded 1 (Familicide) 2008 Subhash Chander, India convicted for murdering 3, daughter, son-in law, and their 7-year-old. 2008 Lam Luong, Vietnam—killed his 4 children by throwing them off an Alabama bridge 2006 Angelica Alvarez Mexico—killed 4 (Familicide) 2006 Naveed Haq America (Pakistani Muslim) killed 1 wounded 5 2006 Said Biyad Somalia—killed 4, wounded 1 (Familicide) 2001 Nikolay Soltys Ukraine—killed 6 (Familicide) 2000 Jihad Hassan Moukalled Lebanon—killed 4(Familicide) 1999 Kao Xiong Cambodia—killed 5 (Familicide) 1996 Vijay Mark Chahal Punjab—killed 9 (estranged ex-wife, her new bridegroom, seven family members) Sikh Some representative VDARE.com headlines:Immigrant Familicide In California? Killer And Victims Of "East Indian Descent" Indian Immigrant Mass Murder, Or "Iowa Family"? MSM Doesn't Want You To Know Immigrant Mass Murder In Canada Gets 1/56 Attention Of Gilroy Shooting, Even Though Death Toll Is Higher Immigrant Mass Murder: Sikh Truck Driver Charged With Killing Four Family Members And finally,  Santa Clara Familicide Was Immigrant Mass Murder Syndrome—If You Read The Indian Press, a very short 2009 item which links to this storyThat's from the Indian Express, which is published in Bombay. Apparently, once again, the Indian press thinks it's interesting

and important when there's a mass murder of Indians by an Indian, but the American press are all "Why would you want to know?"

[nataliesnews]

umm el fachum, Purim, the high court and a bus driver attacked by religious rioters 5.3.2021

To put a brighter look on my letters…..I send you a burial caves we saw on a walk. Cheaper then than being buried today.

 Varda and I and her granddaughter on Purim. I suggested a shkidduch between her and Ascher to Dannie and Tali. Now we only have to get the agreement of the two main parties. Or maybe for Amos. Tamar already has a choice of suitors. But seriously I wonder   what future awaits Varda”s two grandchildren and our two latest additions to the family.  

                        "The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.” – Al McGuire….just a thought

Who will I vote for. I have only voted for Meretz in the last years but after one of its candidates said that there is no

 The police's dispersal of the demonstration on Friday in the Arab town of Umm al – Fahm was so ironic. The Arabs were demonstrating against the utter inability of the police to stop the violence in the Arab villages. But the police used such violence that is was ironic.  ” It is clear from the chain of events that this is not a deviation of one or another police officer from the procedures or the illegal conduct of individual police officers, but rather "from above" instructions that created the escalation of events and injured many demonstrators.”   I am going to the demonstration today. It is a fairly long journey but after seeing the video how the police on two separate occasions pushed elderly women so that they fell……the one falling in the road between two cars….I will go so that they can have the opportunity of also pushing an elderly Jewish woman on the left.

My friend, Shlomit, with whom I go out to Machsom and with whom I found we have a family connection found another one. We were at the DCO and checking something on her phone and suddenly the surname came up. Not a usual surname I think and  I remembered Ros Ayres from UCT. A nice girl I remember and I liked her but I was shocked when she agreed to go with the House Committee of Fuller Hall for the end of the year dinner  to some very posh club which did not admit Jews. I wonder if this club still exists today but I cannot remember the name. I would never have put my foot in such a place.

About the High court in Hague. Here the papers scream bias and that nothing is said about Hamas which from what I checked out on Google does not appear to be the case. But as far as I am concerned….What interests me is our behavior. I would be very happy to see …no,  not the ordinary soldiers….but those who give the orders for house demolitions, for confiscating Palestinian property, for those who close their eyes to the behavior of the settlers, to the face that everyday there is some attack on Palestinians, the soldiers some of whom are trigger happy  and many of whom watch with equanimity when settlers attack Palestinians and protect them….I could go on and on. I will be glad to see them in court.   I would like to know that when those who give the orders will be as nervous overseas as many Arabs feel in the streets of Israel today.

 But also if we have nothing to hide why are we unwilling for the holding of  an enquiry ???

Yesterday I went with Tag Maier to visit a young Arab man who unfortunately found himself in the middle of a violent demonstration by ultra religious extremists. You can  read about what happened in the article. The young man is the only provider for his family as his father is dead and his mother is very ill …she already had a kidney transplant. What is worse is that the rioters completely wrecked his transit and almost in tears he said that he has not yet even finished paying for it and, worse than that, he no longer had been able to afford the insurance on it because of the lack of work and the corona. He said he has often driven for the ultra orthodox communities and always had good communication with them. All he wants to do now is to go to the family of the man who was killed and apologize to them. Remember that this man was one of those attacking him. But he was the only one who was arrested and beaten up as he was, handcuffed and arrested. Only now have the police arrested some of those who attacked him. There were also two women from the settlement of Takoa on the West Bank. The one is the daughter of the rabbi Froman who was herself attacked by a Palestinian. We also wanted to visit the family of the man but thet said that because of Corona they just accepted our condolences. I cannot help asking though why if they are so worried about the Corona what their son was doing in the middle of a group of rioters

 14 arrested over attack on driver who then fatally rammed man at Jerusalem riot

Police say 5 ‎of those detained are minors and investigation is ongoing into alleged assault on Arab driver Ibrahim Hamed that led to him plowing minibus into Itamar Ben Abu

https://www.timesofisrael.com/14‎-arrested-over-attack-on-driver-who-then-fatally-rammed-man-at-jerusalem-riot/  the young man says he wants to go to the family

    umm el fachum, Purim, the high court and a bus driver attacked by religious rioters 5.3.2021

[sarahbellotti]

Tanzania: Zanzibar

After a sack lunch in the outdoor waiting area and delicious ginger beer, the same pilots took us from Arusha to Zanzibar. I slept much of the flight. 

We had been told we could only bring 15 kg (just over 33 lbs.) so I wore my heaviest things to lighten my backpack. Disembarking in Zanzibar was a sweaty experience. There were what seemed like droves of tourists waiting around the derelict airport.

Our driver, Amor, picked us up in the crowded parking lot and drove us to a COVID-19 testing center. His boss met us at the gate and welcomed us, saying he was available at all hours for whatever we needed. He then told Ben not to get in any fights, which must be commonplace for some wazungu (plural muzungu). Beyond the gate, there were clusters of muzungu tourists, the majority of whom did not wear masks or distance themselves from others. We could overhear people saying their friends had tested positive, yelling that they had been ripped off, etc. The tenseness was as thick as the humidity in the air. 

While there, Ben sent this comical text message to a friend: “The best part was when I went over to the 2nd of like 5 administrative check-ins... and this [public health official] with her mask on her chin took some additional information, which included inquiring of my profession. When I said ‘diplomat’ she went on this long diatribe in Swahili to the driver who had taken [us] there, which I later found out meant I would get special treatment due to my elevated status. Said special treatment included being led to sit under a tent with plastic chairs that was approximately 10° C (50° F) hotter than the area the [others] were in under the trees. We waited there while the swabbers took their lunch break... at each subsequent station I would hear a lot of Swahili with the word ‘diplomat’ thrown in. The subsequent benefits afforded to me were equally unimpressive.”

The woman who took our professions down told me I looked like a cop with my face shield. I thought when she heard diplomat she wanted to have us offed but it turned out we were ushered through the different stations relatively quickly and left before most of the others who had gotten there before we had. As Amor would say (again, and again, and again): polé polé, hakuna matata.  

After leaving the testing center, we drove south to Kizimkazi. We stayed at the lush, tropically serene Kizikula for three nights. We relaxed, ate delicious fresh fruit and seafood, swam in the gorgeous pool, and watched nightly thunderstorms over the water and mainland 40 km (25 miles) across from us. We explored the property on a jog, walks, and climbing through a rocky tunnel to wade and float in the salty Menai Bay in front of our hotel. Our suite features an adjacent rooftop terrace where we enjoyed yoga with a view.

On our amblings, we purchased some Stoney ginger beer, inquired about taxis and tours to local attractions, and caught some soccer game action up the road on a dirt field with a view of the bay. 

Monday we found a man, Ibrahim, by the water who said he had a taxi. We said we wanted to go on a spice tour and asked about pricing. He gave the lowest price we’d been offered and was ready to go that afternoon, the only time we were available. He asked us to step inside his office to discuss. He walked us a few meters/yards away and opened a compartment of his motorbike — an impressive office indeed. He pulled out a laminated booklet with photos and misspelled tourist attractions. We told him to pick us up at 2 p.m. 

Ibrahim drove us to Kizimbani, where the government does agricultural research. Our guide, Ali, met us along a dirt road and walked us past ramshackle houses and gardens, pointing out how different spices grow. It was actually really beautiful and interesting in addition to being quite humorous. We saw and smelled peppercorn, vanilla, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, dill, clove, curry leaves, chili, nutmeg, and more. When Ali and his assistant showed us ginger, he said it was helpful for polygamist Muslim Zanzabaris since they needed a lot of power for their multiple wives. Chickens roamed around; Ali said because of what they eat, they didn’t need any seasoning when cooked as they were already spiced chickens. At the end of the tour, he led us to a stall with packaged spices for sale. We picked out some to purchase. I asked for more vanilla extract, which someone ran to get from elsewhere. There was a pavilion of men sitting around nearby and I couldn’t help but notice a lot of commotion. Eventually I saw a little bald man filling a large plastic bowl with water from a jerrycan putting the vanilla bottles in it. I waltzed over to investigate. They were trying to sell us store bought fake vanilla, without a trace of vanilla in it, trying to wash away the labels, in English and Arabic, so I would think they were authentic. I caught them red handed and we lessened our order but still got nice vanilla beans, nutmeg with their mace, cloves, star anise, and more.

Tuesday we checked out and got picked up by Amor. He drove us through Zanzibar City to Stone Town so we could explore and shop. We made our way to the Zanzibar Curio Shop, well reviewed on Trip Advisor and by Lonely Planet. We looked through three stories of antique treasures and were taken to a nearby warehouse and a separate workshop to see more. While we didn’t spring for an ornate antique Zanzibar chest, we did wind up with a small vintage piece and a large decorative Malawian cane basket.

While the items were packaged for our flight, we wandered in and out of coffee shops, to the place Freddie Mercury was born, and around the Old Fort. We enjoyed the sunset and a multi-course fusion dinner at Emerson. We opted for traditional seating on floor cushions. A traditional musician from the Dhow Countries Music Academy performed Taarab music. I ordered a glass of rosé, which showed up yellow. I insisted they had given me white wine. They brought the bottle up for me to inspect; they must have refilled it with some local swill because it was not what was expected. I drank it anyway.

After dinner, Amor drove us to the anarchic airport. Hoards of tourists jockeyed for position trying to get in the doors and to the one working x-ray machine (at the initial doors of many African airports). I was pulled aside having set off the metal detector. The female security agent accidentally pantsed me and then apologized; I think I probably laughed. Ben found a cart for our luggage, with three round wheels and one that had a not-so-handy flat edge. We bumped along to the business class check-in line. We were told they couldn’t let us travel without a hotel reservation in Tunisia. Wazungu swarmed around mostly unmasked. We were also told our PCR tests needed a stamp from an apparent health official across the room. I went to the table and waited behind an angry leather-skinned woman who was yelling at the Tanzanians and her children. The health workers were clearly done with her and waived me ahead. I got my stamps without them even seeming to read the papers. The angry tourist later berated some airline staff for not letting her fly without a COVID-19 test. We did have ours, and it only took about an hour to sort things out, frantically calling, emailing, and trying to make bogus reservations. We hurried through the next security point and then to immigration. There, I realized we didn’t have our boarding passes and ran back. Once at the gate, we pushed our way to the front and got on the business class bus to the plane. We changed planes in Doha, where it took us four attempts to get into a lounge. We made it back to cooler temperatures in Sidi Bou Saïd on schedule Wednesday.

[expatimes]

What next for conflict-hit Burkina Faso after Kabore re-election?

What next for conflict-hit Burkina Faso after Kabore re-election?

Kabore won the vote despite poor approval ratings for his performance on security [File: Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]

On November 26, Roch Kabore won a second term as Burkina Faso’s president, securing a solid mandate for himself and his party in an election deemed by international observers to be mostly free and fair.

Kabore’s re-election in the conflict-hit country came despite poor approval ratings for the government’s performance on tackling spiralling violence that has caused a snowballing displacement crisis involving more than one million people and prevented hundreds of thousands of citizens from casting ballots last month.

The biggest challenge in his second five-year term will be tackling the insecurity, which hampered the ambitious development goals he set out on coming to power and continues to tear at the social fabric of the country.

So, what has defined Kabore’s security policy so far and could there be a change of direction in view of the government’s failure to halt the violence in its first term?

Security ‘bubble’

Since 2015, armed groups linked to banditry, al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) have overrun large portions of the country’s north and east. More than 2,000 people have been killed due to the conflict this year alone.

Commentators say Burkina Faso has become the epicentre of the wider war against armed groups in the western Sahel.

One of Kabore’s crucial political and military strategies has been the creation of a security “bubble” around the country’s major cities. The military has fortified Burkina Faso’s central plateau region, a natural bulwark between the capital, Ouagadougou, and the conflict raging in the north.

Abdoulaye Kabre, a taxi driver in Ouagadougou, said he was almost killed when two bullets narrowly missed him when fighters attacked a hotel in the centre of the city in early 2016.

Kabre said that although there has not been a similar attack in Ouagadougou for almost three years, he still feels the effects of the conflict.

“There is a lot of control over us now. We can’t go [to the north] and [people from the north] can’t come here either. Worse still, because of this situation, we have lost a lot of our clients. Tourists and businessmen aren’t coming anymore,” he said.

One group of new arrivals to the city he has noticed is those displaced by the fighting elsewhere.

“Just have a look at the traffic lights in Ouaga 2000 [the capital’s most affluent neighbourhood] or the Palace Hotel. There are a lot of [internally displaced people] forced to beg,” said Kabre.

Ministers talk openly about wanting to keep displaced people away from the major cities, but observers say in order for the government to address the root cause of the displacement crisis it must pull settlements in the north and east back within the security “bubble”.

In June, Kabore visited Djibo – a northern city surrounded by hostile armed groups – in an attempt to reassure citizens they had not been abandoned after a litany of attacks that have severely disrupted supply routes, among others.

A local aid worker and resident of Djibo, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, said security in the city has improved somewhat in recent months. Indeed, across the whole country, the number of deaths due to conflict has been going down very slowly since March.

Asked whether he felt abandoned by the state, the aid worker replied: “More or less, as our primary needs like food and fuel are really expensive, 1000CFA (US$1.85), for one (33.8fl oz) of fuel … The government is doing a lot but they still need to improve the situation with other methods of peacekeeping … I personally think they should go for negotiation [with the armed groups].”

Soldiers from Burkina Faso patrol on the road of Gorgadji in Sahel area, Burkina Faso [File: Luc Gnago/Reuters]

Rejecting negotiations

Even though many citizens in rural areas feel disenfranchised and want to see an end to the year-long conflict, during the election campaign, Kabore said he would continue his strategy of refusing to negotiate with the fighters.

His political opponents, on the other hand, touted negotiations and, according to analysts, had even taken steps to open channels with rebel leaders.

Across the border in Mali, where some of the same armed groups have been operating for longer, the government is bringing armed group leaders to the negotiating table.

Rinaldo Depange, West Africa Project Director at the International Crisis Group think-tank, said Kabore’s first term was defined by a “muscular”, confrontational approach to dealing with the armed groups.

This was in deliberate contrast to the previous government, which is believed to have prevented attacks in the country by forming a non-aggression pact with the armed groups. Deaths have increased by 8,800 percent ever since this came to an end in 2014.

“For Kabore, anything that meant negotiating [with the armed groups] would be, politically speaking, difficult to sustain and to present to his core electorate,” said Depange.

“The question now is the ability of Kabore and the government to control the vigilantes he created, especially the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland.”

Encouraging vigilantism

In January, the government passed a law allowing it to arm and train civilians as auxiliaries to the army. Human rights groups have expressed serious concerns that this will cause more violence than it prevents.

Vigilantes have already been accused of killing citizens they suspect of “terrorism”, yet made prominent appearances at Kabore’s rallies during the election campaign.

The army and military police, have also been accused of a draconian approach to justice in dealing with terror suspects, including widely reported extrajudicial killings.

Al Jazeera has received multiple reports of people, especially ethnic Fulanis, arbitrarily detained by security forces and police on dubious “terrorism” charges. No trial for such crimes has ever taken place in the country while hundreds of suspects languish in prisons.

If Kabore fails to address these issues and tackle security in his second term, some observers said there is a strong possibility he will face protests – or even a coup.

In neighbouring Mali, growing insecurity in large parts of the country contributed to former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita being overthrown earlier this year by the army in the wake of mass anti-government demonstrations.

“We can’t exclude [a coup],” said Siaka Coullibally, a Burkinabe analyst. “Burkina is familiar with them. Since 1960, the county has seen a lot of coup d’etat and political crises.”

#world Read full article: https://expatimes.com/?p=15654&feed_id=23388 #africa #burkinafaso #news

[nsgtaxi]

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3. AMBIENCE MALL

Ambience mall in Gurgaon is one of the best and a well-known mall located on the Delhi-Gurgaon boundary on the NH8. This big mall has a total of 6 floors it has amenities for purchasing, entertainment, foodstuff, and luxury brand purchasing there are some well-known bars like Firangi Paani and Underdogs. The mall also has a great gaming zone for the infants and adults and the list goes on. 4. PATAUDI PALACE

Pataudi palace is also recognized as Ibrahim Kothi, owned by the Pataudi Royal Family. It was constructed by Ibrahim Ali Khan in 1935 who assigned a well-known designer, Robert Tor Russel to construct the palace. The full plot spreads over a range of 25 acres and has fascinating gardens, backyards, and fountains that increase to the attractiveness of the remarkable palace. 5. SOHNA It is a well known holiday location for families as well as couples on account of it's curative water spring. Furthermore, Sohna is rapidly converting into a favorite destination in Haryana because of the beauty present in and nearby it. These consist of the Ruins of Kamboj, hot water springs , Damdama Lake, and many more places. The alternate name of Sohna is Greater Gurugram. In case you are a traveler you must visit this beautiful place. 6.  SULTANPUR BIRD SANCTUARY Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is a marvelous place to visit, for people who love to spend time being in Mother Nature. It is a shelter for many migratory birds. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is spotted at a distance of 40 kilometers from Dhaula-Kuan in Delhi. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary officially declared to be a National Park by the Haryana Government and is shelter to an excess of resident and migratory birds. 7.  SECTOR 29 Sector 29 is one of the trendiest places in Gurgaon. Filled with several cafeterias as well as bars, the place stays crowded even at midnight. Furthermore, it has a variety of bake house where you can enjoy sweet treats. Famous among food lovers, the place also has superb shopping options and outstanding dining options. 8. TIKLI BOTTOM  Tikli bottom is a personal guest house that gives an impression of living on a hill station. The attractiveness is a Haveli with four rooms, a gracefully preserved garden with a lot of trees, and one swimming pool. While being there, anyone can get a magnificent display of the Aravalli hills that surround the land. They also offer amenities to make their visitors feel convenient and guarantee an unforgettable stay. The places we mention are just eight places to provide insight about the attractiveness of the Gurgaon. But there are a lot more locations you can visit with us such as the Damdama Lake, Manesar, Vintage Car Museum, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Appu Ghar, Oysters Beach Water Park, breweries, Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Mata Sheetala mandir, Fun N Food Village,  Lohagarh Farms, Striker Pub & Brewery, Prego the Westin Hotel, 32nd Milestone, Cocktail & Dreams, Sai Ka Angan Temple, Club Rhino, NeverEnuf Garden Railway, Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park, Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity Park, Qutub Khan's Tomb, the Museum of Folk & Tribal, Farrukh Nagar Fort, Amoeba Amusement, Aapno Ghar, Subhash Chandra Bose is a recreational park, Decode Underground, Murthal, and the list is never-ending. To enjoy the beauty of Gurgaon all you need to do is hire NSG TAXI and enjoy your trouble-free journey.

[kerahlekung]

A Merger Of Bersatu & UMNO...

A Merger Of Bersatu & UMNO....

Dr.M's Proxy Din Has Started 

Creating A New Kleptocracy Order...

People who think politicians would not or should not play politics during the Coronavirus pandemic are a bunch of fools. They thought corrupt politicians would give a damn about an outbreak. In every crisis, there is an opportunity. It was absolutely hilarious when former premier Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday that there is no need for popularity contests during Covid-19 outbreak. As an old fox, he should know better than anyone else that now is the best time to play politics and undermine the incompetent and clueless Muhyiddin government, the same backdoor government whose legitimacy is in question, and the same traitor who had betrayed Mahathir himself by plotting with UMNO crooks and PAS extremists behind his back Right after a declaration of MCO (movement control order) on March 16, PM Muhyiddin Yassin wasted no time in playing politics when he chaired a special National Action Council meeting the next day with all the chief ministers – except those from the states controlled by opposition Pakatan Harapan, namely Selangor, Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Penang and Sabah. The comical stunts demonstrated by Health Minster Dr Adham Baba, whose “drink warm water to kill the bloody Coronavirus” formula had shocked the world’s top scientists, and Doraemon Minister Rina Mohd Harun, whose advice to all women to talk and giggle like Doraemon had taken the world by storm, were political moves to impress – but failed – upon the people. Even the authorities’ pussyfooting in hunting the remaining stubborn Tabligh religious members who refused to come forward to be tested for Covid-19 was a careful political move not to offend the sensitive Malay-Muslim vote bank. There’s a reason why Malaysia is still plagued with 3-digit new cases, despite having the fourth strictest movement control in Asean. Go figure! The permission for beer makers Heineken and Carlsberg to resume their operations, only to retract it, was a political stunt to divert attention from dozens of screw-ups by Muhyiddin’s half-past-six ministers. The creation of a post – Special Envoy to the Middle East – was a wasteful, yet a necessary political move to pacify PAS president Hadi Awang who did not get to become deputy prime minister.

Acting innocence in front of the TV and portraying a generous government by splashing truckloads of cash to the people was just a smokescreen. The prime minister knew that “cash” could easily blind gullible people. Behind the scene, Muhyiddin spends most of his time playing politics. And his true face is emerging – slowly but surely – as the lockdown enters the second month. All hell breaks loose after Islamist party PAS secretary-general and de-facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan announced that all MPs (Members of Parliament) of the Perikatan Nasional backdoor government who currently do not hold positions in government will be made heads of GLCs (government linked companies). It means the scumbag politicians will rob more taxpayers’ money. GLCs are companies that have a primary commercial objective and in which the Malaysian Government has a direct controlling stake. In essence, they are business entities, not political parties. Exactly how could corrupt and extreme politicians add value to private or public companies? Still, some shameless politicians could justify such daylight robbery. Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki, a PAS central committee member with “IQ of a carrot”, claimed if all the MPs can be appointed as chairpersons of government linked companies, they can act as the people’s representatives to “monitor” those companies. Sure, what could possibly go wrong. The last time a politician was put in charge of Tabung Haji, he happily laundered RM139.3 million. Yes, we’re talking about UMNO warlord Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (former Tabung Haji chairman) and his brother Abdul Latif, who had abused their position to enrich themselves with corruption and money laundering. Similarly, former Felcra chairman Bung Moktar and his wife Zizie Izette had taken bribes in a RM150 million investment in Public Mutual unit trust products. In fact, the Tabung Haji was so screwed up that by December 2015, Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor of Bank Negara (Central Bank) sent two letters to the chairman of the fund, Abdul Azeez and copied to the then-PM Najib Razak, who was also the Finance Minister – warning that the pilgrims’ fund was on the brink of collapse and a massive bail out by taxpayers may be required.

Will Azeez Rahim be re-elected as Chairman of TH ?

Thanks to the corrupt Barisan Nasional regime, which Muhyiddin is partnering now, taxpayers’ money to the tune of RM17.8 billion was used in a bail out exercise to rescue Tabung Haji, who had been illegally distributing “hibah” to depositors since 2014 and even cooked its books to justify paying extraordinary dividend in a business engagement called “get-rich-quick scheme“. The previous Pakatan Harapan government, which despicable Muhyiddin had toppled, had also rescued Felda with RM6.3 billion of taxpayers’ money due to crooks and thieves like former Felda chairman Isa Samad and former PM Najib Razak. In total, a whopping RM24 billion was spent to bailout Tabung Haji (Hajj Pilgrims Fund) and Felda alone. And do we need to start on 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd) scandal, a sovereign wealth fund, which had accumulated a staggering debt of RM50.75 billion? Not only Najib appointed himself chairman of the board of advisers of 1MDB, he also paid himself RM120,000 per year as allowances – on top of plundering at least US$4.5 billion (RM19.5 billion), according to U.S. Department of Justice. But we know why Mr. Mahathir appears to have accepted Muhyiddin as his successor, despite his initial cries that he was incredibly sad with the betrayal of his most trusted lieutenant. The 94-year-old fox was the real puppet master who had given his blessing for Muhyiddin to topple his own government. The coup was to deny PM-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim from taking over the leadership. In the same breath, Mahathir could use Muhyiddin as his proxy to tap into the 6-million support base of UMNO and PAS to retain power. On its own, Mahathir’s weak party Bersatu (PPBM) had only 25 seats in the 222-seat Parliament. Not only had the old man stolen 11 MPs from Anwar’s PKR party with the defection of Azmin Ali’s faction, Bersatu now controls PAS’ 18 MPs and UMNO’s 39 MPs.

The sudden migration of 11 MPs linked to Azmin, who was caught in a gay sex video scandal, has increased Bersatu’s “direct and indirect” number of MPs to 36. We had said this a dozen of times and we’ll say this again. Mahathir’s endgame is to merge his party with UMNO. And now Kadir Jasin, Mahathir’s media and communications adviser, has admitted that possibility. The idea of giving every UMNO and PAS MP (who had not been given a minister or a deputy minister post) a chairmanship in GLCs is clearly a despicable act of bribery to buy the loyalty of allies, especially UMNO warlords. With Bersatu’s strength ballooned to 36 MPs, it can now negotiate – on an equal level – with UMNO’s 39 MPs to form a new Malay party that possesses 75 MPs. Of course, now that his proxy Muhyiddin is in the driver’s seat, Mahathir could save the embarrassing moment of having to rub shoulders and sharing jokes and laughters with the same UMNO crooks whom he had despised and condemned earlier, such as Najib Razak, Zahid Hamidi, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Tengku Adnan, Bung Moktar. Whether he realizes it or not, the disgraceful PM Muhyiddin is building a “New Kleptocracy Order” – feeding all the power-hungry, immoral and corrupt politicians from UMNO and PAS with a bloated Cabinet of 71 ministers and chairmanships in GLCs. Mr. Kadir should stop insulting people’s intelligence by constantly trumpeting that Mahathir would not accept UMNO en bloc. Perhaps he should explain the speculation that his boss’ son, Mukhriz Mahathir, may not challenge the so-called traitor Muhyiddin for the presidency of Bersatu. If indeed Mahathir can’t stomach the prospect of the return of crooks like Najib Razak and Zahid Hamidi to power, should not Muhyiddin be denied his chance to retain his post uncontested in the upcoming Bersatu election? - FT Din,you agree GLC to be headed by MPs? Have you not learned from what you discovered in Felda,TH,MARA..etc.Politicians are not businessmen they are opportunist... 

If Dr M had allowed the Police to proceed with their investigation and charge Azmin for the video tape, there would not be a back door Govt today! - - f/bk

PM riding on Covid-19 Pandemic 

and the Economy...

I could have been wrong when I stated in my Sinar Harian column on Sunday that the toppling of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government by the Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin-led faction of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) had nothing to do with the Covid-19 pandemic or the economy. It might be the case at the point when an uprising was mounted against Bersatu Chairman and the then Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on February 23 but might no longer be the case now. Then the mantra for leaving PH was the survival of Bersatu. Muhyiddin and his supporters in the party’s Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) had argued vehemently that Bersatu would lose the coming General Elections if it remains in the PH. The reason being, the Malays could not accept the cooperation with the DAP. This, they said, was amply seen in the defeat of Bersatu’s candidates in the Semenyih state by-election in March 2019 and the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election the following November. Also the majority of the MPT members were not comfortable with the prospects of  Dr. Mahathir handling over power to the PKR leader, Anwar Ibrahim. But looking at Muhyiddin’s moves since being sworn in on March 2, it is clear that he is taking full advantage of the pandemic and the economic chaos to secure and strengthen his position as the Prime Minister.  He acknowledged the legitimacy deficit of his backdoor government or the government that came in through the roof, according to Pas President Abdul Hadi Awang. On March 27, when presenting his first Economic Stimulus Package, Muhyiddin openly admitted in a nationwide broadcast that “..this government may not be the government that you vote (sic) for.”

First of all, he used the pandemic as an excuse to postpone the sitting of Dewan Rakyat from March 9 to May 18. This would give him time to gather support should there be a vote of no confidence against him. Second, he created a large Cabinet assisted by an ever larger number of deputy ministers. He sacked board members and top executives of GLICs, GLCs and government agencies appointed by the PH Government to be replaced by his political allies starting with the appointment of the Machang Umno MP, Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, as Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). Today, the Pas Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in-charge of law and parliamentary affairs, Takiyuddin Hassan, was quoted as saying that government MPs would be appointed to head GLCs. Muhyiddin has also been accepting all and sundry into Bersatu without consulting the MPT. The PKR MPs aligned to Mohamed Azmin Ali had reportedly been admitted into the party. The Movement Control Order (MCO) also gives him room to strengthen his position in Bersatu. All party activities, including divisional annual general meetings and leadership elections, are being postponed. He is being challenged for the post of President in the party’s first ever leadership elections. Dr Mahathir had already won the Chairman’s post uncontested. That would pose a problem for Muhyiddin as they are not seeing eye to eye on the coup and the en bloc acceptance of members into the party. The party is fractured. Among the original members, some are aligned with Dr Mahathir while others support Muhyiddin. Then there are the Umno MPs who crossed over after the 2018 GE and the Azmin faction of the PKR who allegedly joined after Muhyiddin became the PM.

Muhyiddin does not seem to care that he was once a senior member of the PH Government and was involved in the GLICs, GLCs and government agencies appointments. He is removing them at will. It appears that what matters to him is pacifying and satisfying his new friends from Umno and Pas. It does not matter if Umno is gaining an upper hand in his government and his own party, Bersatu, losses out – like losing the Johor Menteri Besar post to Umno. He does seem to mind that his publicity-hungry Umno ministers are stealing the limelight and, in the process, making mockery of his government. It would appear that these seasoned Umno Ministers are setting the narrative of the government. This leads to speculations that he may eventually merge Bersatu with Umno and used his position as PM to lead the merged entity. This could be a way for him to get rid of Dr Mahathir for good. The latter had said he would not accept Umno en bloc into Bersatu although he was willing to accept Umno leaders as individuals. It is very clear that Muhyiddin is leading the country back to the last two decades of Umno era when good governance, accountability and professionalism were not the priority. Nobody had seriously wanted to make Muhyiddin PM. Now that he had successfully made himself PM, why should he not consolidate his position and, hopefully, win the next GE. Or at the very least hangs on to the position for the rest of the parliamentary term. That’s what he is doing. He is buttressing his position by dispensing favours so that when the Parliament sits in May, the chances of him being defeated in a no confidence motion are minimised. He is also shrewdly making himself indispensable and unchallenged by not appointing a Deputy Prime Minister. Instead he appointed four Senior Ministers who are theoretically beholden to him and, therefore, are not likely to gang up to challenge him. - A.Kadir Jasin

DAP jadi convid kepada PPBM...

Memahami apa yang dinyatakan A Kadir Jasin kenapa PPBM beriya-iya benar meminta Mahathir meninggalkan PH ialah untuk memastikan PPBM akan menang dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang. Ada teori dikeluarkan teoritis parti itu (sang metera) pinjam istilah A Kadir, sekiranya PPBM kekal dalam PH mereka akan kalah, PH akan kalah kerana rakyat menolak DAP. Dalil yang diberikan ialah kekalahan calon PPBM di pilihan raya kecil Semenyih dan Tanjung Piai. Memang tepat kalau parti itu mengambil langkah awal untuk menyelamatkan diri. Tetapi soalnya apakah PPBM atau orang yang bermetera dengan teori itu akan berjaya, PPBM akan pasti menang dalam pilihan raya nanti? Mungkin langkah bergabung dengan serpian PKR kemudian berpelukan dengan musuh Umno dan Pam ia boleh menyelamatkan parti itu. Saya mahu persoalkan satu perkara sahaja dalam beberapa banyak faktor yang tidak mudah untuk PPBM menang nanti, yakni tentang DAP. Apakah parti itu sedar yang DAP menguasi 42 kerusi di mana semua kerusi itu adalah kerusi majoriti Cina dan kawasan campuran dimana mana yang bukan dominasi Melayu. Apakah jaminan dan keyakinan diletakkan PPBM bahawa mereka dapat mengatasi DAP yang memiliki 42 kerusi itu? Nampaknya bukan semudah itu apa lagi dalam mood hari ini orang Cina seperti juga orang Melayu dan India yang mengharapkan sebuah negara demokratik, menghormati mandat rakyat, marah dengan peristiwa rampasan kuasa itu. Ertinya 42 kerusi DAP itu tidak boleh diletakkan di bantal mimpi. Muhyiddin dan kerajaan PN boleh kekal sehingga habis tempoh kemudian mengusai Piraum ke - 15 nanti dengan syarat mereka dapat melalukan terbaik dalam masa dua tahun setengah ini. Soalnya apakah Covid-19 tidak menghalang mereka. Kesimpulannya DAP tetap menjadi “Covid-19” kepada PPBM dan PN. - mso

Mitos Islam terancam 

dan rejim Bani Melayu...

Saya nampak yang seronok dengan rejim Bani Melayu ni cuma para pembenci Anwar, pendengki Amanah dan pewirid DAP je. Adapun rakyat yang rasional dapat melihat bahawa rejim PN ini beroperasi tanpa mandat, tanpa manifesto, tanpa halatuju, tanpa common platform, tanpa wawasan, tanpa KPI, dan yang paling menjolok mata ... tanpa maruah. Menteri-menteri dilantik bukan kerana merit, tetapi sekadar untuk membeli kesetiaan politik dan kuasa. Tak cukup jawatan menteri, jawatan GLC difaraid macam cerita P Ramlee, "satu untuk engkau, dua untuk aku".

Satu demi satu gelagat sang menteri menjadi bahan lelucon rakyat. Dari kisah Menteri Doremon, Menteri Teletubies, Menteri Air Suam, Menteri MEWA Air Kumbahan, Menteri Agih GLC, Menteri Rambut Longkang, Menteri SengHeng, dan pelbagai lagi gelagat yang memualkan. Retorik Islam Melayu hanya indah khabar. Setelah kuasa ditangan tiada apa lebihnya rejim baru ini dari sudut Melayu dan Islam. Malah satu demi satu para penunggang agama menjilat ludah dan kahak mereka tanpa segan silu. Industri arak terus dibela. Judi bertambah. Pemandu mabuk tetap sama walaupun waktu PKP. UEC diiktiraf. Sekolah vernakular berjalan macam biasa. Pembunuh Adib masih bebas. Hudud tak payah cerita laaa ... langsung hilang dari radar.

Dari sudut ekonomi, kerajaan baru juga kelihatannya sudah hilang kawalan. Muhyidin terpaksa mengambil semula falsafah pentadbiran Najib iaitu 'cash is king'. Rakyat digula-gulakan dengan pemberian tunai sehinggakan orang kaya pun layak mendapat bantuan wang tunai. Samada kelangsungan kewangan negara berupaya atau tidak dari sudut jangka panjang itu bukan lagi perkara penting. Pengukuhan kuasa politik buat masa sekarang adalah segala-galanya buat rejim baru ini. Untungnya rejim baru ini ialah sikap PH sebagai pembangkang yang professional dan bertanggungjawab. Mereka tidak memainkan sentimen perkauman dan kebencian agama sepertimana ketika Bani Melayu menjadi pembangkang sebelumnya. Mereka tidak menyebar fitnah dan pembohongan. Mereka mengkritik dengan hujah dan fakta. Mereka turut memainkan peranan aktif memberi kesedaran kepada rakyat agar mematuhi peraturan PKP dan membantu rakyat yang memerlukan.Rakyat mampu menilai dengan adil. - Jamzuri Ardani

Ramai yang ambil kesempatan dari Anwar...

Ada seorang siswi dari sebuah universiti membuat poster mengatakan Anwar sebagai Mat Jenin Malaysia, dengan slogan, “dahulu berangan sekarang meroyan,” Kenapa saya memberi respon kepada siswi berkenaan, walhal dia masih boci (bocah) lagi. Dan kenapa dia menjadi Anwar sebagai sosok dikritiknya bukan orang lain? Siswi berkenaan terpengaruh dengan persekitaran yang ada kepadanya, mungkin dia dari keturunan Umno totak. Jadi tidak ada masalah kalau dia mengatakan Anwar demikian. Dan siswi itu sebenarnya bijak, apabila dia serang Awnar dia akan mendapat perhatian. Dia tahu nilai tambah yang ada kepada Anwar. Orang akan melihat kepadanya sama ada dalam bentuk baik atau jahat. Dan apa dilakukan siswi berkenaan mengambil kesempatan ke atas sosok bernama Anwar adalah sesuatu yang sudah jadi satu macm mata pencarian. Bukan sahaja siswi itu mahu guna Anwar mendapat sejuring perhatian, tetapi masih ramai lagi. Nasib dan kelebihan Anwar di mana dia berada dia akan diambil kesempatan dan menguntungkan orang lain. Namanya Anwar bermaksud, “bercahaya” dia memberi cahaya kepada roang biar pun dianya masih belum terang benderang. Bukan sahaja siswi yang hingusan dan belum pun tahu bertahrah, (mungkin juga basuh kencing tak siram) sepenuhnya menggunakan Anwar sebagai modal untuk mencari populariti atau mendapat perhatian, bahkan orang yang lebih dianggap pintar dan mempunyai rangkaian lebih luas pun turut menggunakan Anwar.

Sejak tahun 1998 sudah ratusan bahkan ribuan orang yang menikmati kejayaan dan mengecapi rezeki politik kerana Anwar. Apakah anda terfikir negeri-negeri seperti Perak, Terengganu, Kedah, Selangor dan Pulang Pinang akan tumbang dan terlepas daripada UBN kalau tidak kerana gerakan reformasi yang diungguli Anwar?

Apakah Dr Mahathir sendiri akan jadi PM kali kedua kalau tidak menyatu dengan Anwar. Apakah Azmin Ali, Muhyiddin, Jaafar Kamaruddin dan sekutunya akan merai kedudukan sebagai menteri jika tidak kerana gerakan Refromasi? Banyak dan ramai kalau saya nak sebutkan individu yang menang dan mendapat imbuhan atas gerakan Reformasi. Siapa pun yang mengerti sejarah tidak akan dapat menafikan gerakan revolusi politik yang berlaku di Malaysia bermula dari gerakan reformasi. Dan sepanjang saya mengenali politik dan mengikuti jejak politik Anwar saya tidak nampak apa yang dilihat oleh siswi berkenaan yang Anwar adalah Mat Jenin. Mungkin dalam konteks untuk jadi perdana menteri, beliau kata begitu. Tetapi harus difaham untuk jadi PM adalah cita-cita Anwar yang masih dalam memperjuangkannya. Dan adalah “budak” (bodoh) kalau orang masuk politik tidak mahu mengejar kedudukan dan jawatan. Orang yang setulus dan sejujur Abdul Hadi Awnag pun mahukan jawatan. Dia tidak minta tetapi ambil bila diberi. Jadi, untuk mengata dan menggelarkan Anwar dengan apa-apa konotasi carilah yang tepat bagi mengelakkan kedangkalan ilmu kita. Buah cempedak di luar pagar, ambil galah tolong jolokkkan. JIka tak tahu tolong belajar, jangan nanti disorak-sorakan. - mso

Saudari Izzah, kalau nak buat kenyataan menjatuhkan air muka orang tolong jangan guna kad Mahasiswa Islam. Guna kad pertubuhan politik.  Awak boleh gelar masuh politik macam-macam, tapi bukan atas nama Islam. Sampai bila nak guna Islam untuk pecahbelahkan orang? Tak payah nak politik sangat dik. Belajar kasi habis dulu. Bahagiakan mak ayah kau. Capai dulu apa yang kau nak. Mahasiswa Islam tak perangai macam ni dik.  Sebelum kau jadi mahasiswa Islam, Anwar Ibrahim dah pegang Presiden ABIM dah dan Hadi Awang sebagai ahli ABIM. Kau lahir terus dapat nikmat dunia. Kau tak merasa lagi sakit politik ni. Bahagiakan mak ayah kau dulu tau. - f/bk

Its pure stubbornness or sheer stupidity...

Video ini ditangkap di sepanjang jalan Puchong depan IOI. Ramai2 tu nak pi mana?

Depa ni mau PKP disambung selepas 28 April ini kot...

Macam ni nak harapkan PKP tamat pada 28/4/2020? Jangan mimpi...

cheers.

Sumber asal: A Merger Of Bersatu & UMNO... Baca selebihnya di A Merger Of Bersatu & UMNO...

[wish4youff]

06 ~ Not Knowing

King

The tenderness in my shoulders and arms disappeared, the cold water eventually causing everything to go numb the longer I stood there. My eyes closed tightly as if I was escaping something by blocking out the image of it. Which may be true considering the fact I was afraid to see the blue veins in my body popping up from the lack of heat it was now receiving. I didn’t want to face the reality that for the third time I had cheated death. My ego should be on a power booster right now, but instead I was more terrified than thrilled. Scared of the possibilities of the next time this challenge presented itself I wouldn’t win. Slamming my hand down on the faucet, the chilling sensation stopped in a matter of seconds. Making me miss it, weirdly enough. Opening the glass door of the shower, I avoided the mirror in front of me. Reaching I grabbed the white towel; wrapping it around my lower half before walking into the bedroom of my suite at Loews Regency. My mind wondered throughout the time I dressed myself in the black Gucci slacks which was paired with a long sleeve black Polo shirt. I dropped some argan oil in my hands before rubbed it through my hair, all awhile I contemplated on my next move. I hate New York, I do. Yet, I find myself here for business and personal visits far too much for my likening.

Fully dressed I headed to the door of the door of my Grand Executive Suite, dropping my room key, phone, and wallet in the designated pockets. The doorman bid me a goodbye once downstairs, politely nodding his head in my direction and thankfully I could master up enough kindness in my soul to acknowledge and wish the same upon him.  The driver of a black Tahoe presented himself to me not a second later, saying the same-ole’ paid greeting before opening the back door of the truck and allowing me to adjust myself inside before closing it and walking back to his side. It took a matter of seconds to pull off into the early afternoon traffic of Midtown, New York.

“Vitale!” The sound of my name, last and probably favorable to the public, caused me to look up and come face to face with Ibrahim. Entering completely into the building from the pat down and search. My credentials got me this far; I shouldn’t be surprised he knew I had arrived. The smile and excitement told me he was genuinely happy to see me. That felt good especially in this business. You never know who’s real and fake. I keep those around me that I’ve known for years bedside by now I know their moves and how they think.

And I’m sure that’s vice versa; especially with my title here.

“What’s good man?”

It had been a few weeks since I last saw him in New York after the murder of Flowers. Of course, we’ve spoken since, he called and told me about the case of Demetrius letting me know that it was indeed a personal love affair conflict. Was it solved? Not so much. Apart from business, Ibrahim had a wedding happening in about four weeks with his long-time college girlfriend Victoria Evans. The main reason I’m here today; he was finally taking the groomsmen to pick out our tuxedos. It feels good to do something normal for a few hours. Tomorrow I was in Atlantic City to do some work before returning the following day to this very same building to speak with the chief here.   “Nothing man. Nothing,” With a quick hug, we both headed inside of his office on the eleventh floor of New York headquarters. “I know this the last place you want to be at. Reminding you of work and shit, but Vick at the house with her momma and friends I figured we’ll just meet up here. Hopefully Bas almost done with his work and we’ll be on the way.” “I’m good, I ain’t getting paid to be here. What’s going on with Vick though? She still deciding on the dress?” “Yes, she said there’s two choices now, honestly, I don’t care. She’ll have on the dress for about two or three hours before she changes to the next one anyway so I’m not even seeing the big deal here.” “Women man. We’ll never understand.” Ibrahim laughed at my words, but I knew deep down how true they were. Never will a man understand women to the smallest details. We’re all built differently, coming from two different worlds. They may be coordinated with one another, but to truly understand the mental mindset; never.  “You ready?” I asked, looking at him from across the other side of the office while he got his things together. “This is big and I know y'all been through thick and thin with one another, but………..I don’t know, man. This shit seems important to every aspect of your life."  "I love her. I’ve been loving her for a long damn time. I can’t see my life going on with just having her as some girlfriend, man. I wake up and it fucks me if she’s not there. I’ve done my share of dirt throughout this relationship as you know, but I can’t see me hurting her anymore. And I can’t see us going on without this title of our love."  "And love is enough? You know, to go forever?"  "I hope so. I mean, there’s loyalty and respect. That ride or die love that keep you going. Faith, trust. All that shit play apart, King."  "And you can’t see yourself without her?”

He grinned when I asked that last question, looking up at me.

“What are you hinting at?"  I don’t even know.  "I’m just thinking about what’s going on. I’m thinking about life man. Mines and everyone’s around me. I’m thinking about my own love life, I’m seeing all this success around me and yet there’s not kind of sense of happiness involved. So, there’s this question that keeps popping up that if you love someone is that enough to marry them and be happy. I’m stressing from figuring out the answer.” “And then you gotta deal with the fact that you’re about to see Chrissie too.” He pointed out, I was specifically trying to leave that out. But nonetheless, yes.  “She’s coming?"  "She RSVP’d a few nights ago. I remember because Vick came in the room, smiling and all teary-eyed and shit,” I nodded my head at his words. Thinking he was done now. “You said you saw Olivia the last time you were here though. How that go?” “It was cool. She was nice to me, there was no bad blood between us."  "That wasn’t Chris either though."  "Hell no. Chrissie would’ve killed me probably,” By now I could’ve sworn she’ll be forgotten. Or at least so far in my memory that I longer cared about her. Instead it was the opposite. She was controlling me without even being around and the closer we got to this wedding; the more I was on edge. “I fucked up with her. Even I knew I was doing something stupid but I played myself into believing that it was for the best that I spilt ways with her."  "You can have spilt ways all you want Kingston, but until there’s that closure between you two. You’ll always have that bad cloud sitting over you.”

Chrissie

“I like this more though. Look at the colors on this, Chrissie."  My eyes scanned the artificial room me and my sister stood in at the Brooklyn Ikea Store. The multi-colored three hundred dollar 3-Piece Hercules Alon Series was in fact beautiful especially with the set. From what Olivia’s saying, the room that she and Travis chose for his parents stay; there’s no furniture whatsoever. Yet it’s the only room beside their master bedroom which has a walk-in closet and private bathroom. In all, I understand her wanting to dress it up for their liking, but I also don’t want her to do too much. I highly doubt Ikea will allow them a full return after the holidays because this stuff is now unnecessary.  Travis did hand over his debt card to handle all direct charges. He’s made his parents happy thus far. Just as myself and Olivia, he’s the first graduate of his family, going on to become the first Doctor. And even with their five-year age difference he seems like a wholesome person for my sister.  So, I understood her want to be proactive with this decision.

"I love the colors,” I started off with. “Right! It’s perfect.” And she finished it for me, moving on to the front counter. I hope they had some in stock to help soothe her soul.  This has been the fifth store we’ve been to in the past four hours. As much as I love Liv, she will be the death of me. It was slowly counting down to Christmas Eve, and with as much work on my desk at home; I was here with her.  Nonetheless, I had my own reasons.  A few nights ago, I took myself out of misery and tore open the invitation Ibrahim had sent to me through Mike. What I found out was Michael was over six weeks late with giving me the invite. I didn’t know what kept this so long; maybe fearing my reaction, but he did so. This however, only gave us about four weeks to get ourselves ready for the event. And being I haven’t been around the crew in over six years, I needed this prep time.  Olivia also needed to know that she was invited. We both had plus one invites also and I’m sure she’ll ask Travis if he was up for attending the wedding along with her. It took her over ten minutes to come back from the counter after speaking with some of the sale associates. From the smile on her face I knew it had to be something good coming from this. As emotionally detached I seemed, this was important to her, so I was trying to be a good team player.  “What happened?"  "I’m buying the last they have in the store. Plus, it’s twenty percent off so I’m getting a pretty damn good deal for this couch.” “So all you have to do is pay?” “Yeah, but I came over to see if you were okay. I’m starting to think holidays aren’t your thing anymore.” Olivia stated, laughing lightly as if she was trying to lighten the mood.  “I’m good Livia." 

"So, we’re invited? Like invited?"  So, I spilled the beans. Accidentally on purpose. I needed to talk about this to someone sooner than later.  "Yeah. It’s the week of Kingston’s birthday."  "Which is?"  "The twenty-eighth of January is his birthday. The wedding is the twenty-fourth."  "How do you remember his birthday after almost nine years?” Her question was completed left of this topic, yet understanding. “Look, that’s beside the point,” I said, but like always she cut me off.  “When is my birthday?"  "Don’t do this Liv.” “No seriously. When?” “March fifth, Olivia. Nineteen-Ninety-One.” Pleased with my response she slumped down on the couch nearest to her in the living room of she and Travis’, well originally known as Travis’, Upper East Side townhouse.  “Are you down with it?” “I guess so. I’m invited. It’ll be rude to turn down the invite just because of some college bullshit.”

I already RSVP myself, but I decided to keep that to myself for now. “But it’s more than that Chrissie,” Sighing, Olivia looked at me and I could read the intrusive question coming from a mile away. “What happened?” “Kingston has a lot of dark secrets. Shit that I couldn’t dare myself to tell someone without his permission.” And that’s the truth. I rather have that dreadful conversation with him first. 

“You need his permission to speak on how much his presence still bothers you? He sounds controlling.”

“Olivia….” I respond, tired of this already.

“And do you think he still thinks about you as much as you think about him?” “Ouch.” I said, my sensitive emotions took that as some deep shade throwing.  “I’m just asking because if not, maybe you can relax.” "I don’t know Livia. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t. The man keeps his distance with me."  "Call him.” She said, picking up her phone before sliding it over to me. Her words came out so easy and claiming. As if it was just that easy. As if it was some bright idea that pop up in her mind. ‘I never talk on the phone, Babygirl. I hate that shit. It’s never as personal as you think.'  God, I remember those words every time the idea has come to mind.  “He won’t answer.” “Try.”

[afrojonathan]

Day 26: Chefchaouen and Tangier, Morocco

I woke up still feeling iffy from the cold tea 2 nights prior, but being it was my last day in Chefchaouen, I wanted to explore some more. I got a bean soup for breakfast (soup seemed right for an upset stomach?) in the main square across from the Kasbah, and then popped into the Kasbah for a quick tour.

The first thing I entered was an art gallery in part of this old building. How fortunate! It was a Sunday, and I love looking at art on Soul Cleanse SundayTM! It was quite good, and I noted much of the art was blue (like the city!) I climbed the Kasbah tower to take some amazing pictures of the city and just admire it from a high point. There was a wonderful Andalucian garden inside the Kasbah walls as well. I enjoyed this little stop.

Back into the medina to do a bit of souvenir shopping. It always feels weird to haggle with the shop owners. They expect you to, and I definitely don’t want them to think they’re putting one over on a dumb tourist, but we’re usually haggling over a buck, and I presume it would mean a lot more to them instead of me. A few times I’ve mentioned that I’m not even going to haggle, to acknowledge that I know I could get the price down, but still be a tad bit generous. No one seems to care. I get lots of “OK.” faces when I say that.

I then ate some Chinese food in the main square at a place littered with Chinese tourists (real original!), as I was so sick of tagine food (mushy vegetables, couscous, etc). It was fine, if unexciting. Also, a bit of a risky move on a queasy stomach, but it all seemed to turn out fine.

I took a cab to the bus station, and bought a ticket to Tangier. This bus was one of the hottest and least comfortable experiences of my life. I was soaked in sweat (see pic), and we stopped somewhere even though this was supposed to be a direct trip. And we randomly switched drivers. And loaded as metric tonne of onions into the cargo hold (I would note later that Tangier shops sell so many onions). Africa! 🎉 

A kid also sold me a water on the bus (he came on at the stop), and after he left I realized the bottle was open and refilled. He got me, I was hustled. Damnit! I hate making these types of dumbs. I thought about drinking it because I was losing gallons of fluids by the hour in sweat, but given my queasy stomach (probably from the water in Ibrahim’s cold Berber tea), decided to pass. Another kid got on in the inexplicably long stop, and tried the same thing. I tested the water bottle and handed it right back. Hah! Fool me once. I also need to figure out a reusable, filtering water bottle to reduce this plastic. I’m under-drinking water to try to not waste plastic (which definitely isn’t recycled). “Fun” fact - every piece of plastic ever created still exists.

Anyway, on to Tangier. I struggled to find a cab, which was getting really annoying. A local tried helping me for tips, but he seemed useless (I tipped him anyway). Eventually getting my own cab, I got close to my place, and then got checked in and whatnot. Off into the medina here to see what it was all about, and off to a main plaza area for the golden hour.

Parts of Tangier (see below) look like a movie set for something set in Morocco. I enjoyed exploring a bit, and eventually went to what seemed to be a famous landmark, Cinema Rif. I thought about seeing a movie as this building was so cool and olde timey, but I missed all the showtimes (plus. them being in French wasn’t all that appealing). The cafe there had beer! I got a Casablanca and enjoyed the hipster people-watching in this place.

My stomach was feeling iffy again, so for dinner I just got some street popcorn as I walked around. As Charlene McKenna would (errantly) say, “it’s either going to kill me or cure me”. That seems unnecessarily extreme, no? It did neither, but I definitely wasn’t looking for a big dinner. Popcorn did well. And it was ~30 cents!

I eventually made my way back to the hotel, and went to the roof deck to do some laptop stuff. This being my last night in Morocco/Africa, I wanted to take in the last moments. There was a fingernail moon on high, which just looked so Moroccan set against the shadows of minarets and such. There was a nearby club (I guess) on a hill that was BUMPING beats on a Sunday night! The music was echoing all around! It was insane, but they even stopped when the call to prayer happened (eventually, I imagine it was hard for the DJ to hear it at first given the music decibels). I wondered - do all the patrons just stop dancing, stand on the dancefloor (sober, of course) waiting for the call to end, and then just start right back up again? The music started post-call, which was amusing.  

Off I went to bed, being shaken by the anything-but-dulcet tones of the club music.