Go Ghana

Let me start by saying I know very little about football or soccer or whatever you want to call it. I really don’t care who wins or loses, and so I am not the right person to be writing anything about the World Cup. Every four years, I pretend like I don’t care about any of it, only to get a dose of the World Cup Fever. I choose some obscure African team (Last time it was Senegal) and hold my breath until they are eliminated.

This year has been no different. Two games ago, I chose to put my money on Ghana and see where they end up. Little did I know that they would be facing team USA in the first elimination round of the tournament. I am sure many readers or people who know me fairly well are assuming I am taking some sort of anti-American stand, trying to merely antagonize the jingoist amongst us, and perhaps there is some truth to that, but really it is pretty simple- I love underdogs and I love a good narrative.

The giant empire built on the blood and sweat of West African slaves comes back to the motherland, this time not to rob her of her people, but of the glory of the World Cup. Tiny Ghana, the hope of Africa, stands tall and defeats the clumsy Goliath on their home turf (well close enough) to the roar of a continent soaked in blood and pain. Africa stands proud in the eyes of the world. People across the land in tiny villages find hope that, although it may only be in a game, they are the equals of the mighty global bully. A bit dramatic? It is the story each of us know well. Like I said I love the underdog and the narrative of these games. If you don’t weave in the drama who cares about a 1-0 match.

I will watch this game and cheer on the Black Stars, and just to appease my fellow country men, if the USA team wins, I will cheer them on for the rest of the tournament. Till then go Ghana!


The game is over now, and although a few week ago, I could careless about this world cup, I am suddenly thrilled. I know it must sound trite and clichéd, but after having lived in Africa, I know that there is something special, real, and vital about the place that never leaves you once you have been there.

It is that something special, real, and vital that is now burning slowly from a small ember into a roaring fire. I am sure many people will jump on the band wagon now and cheer for Ghana; that is not only a good thing. It is a great thing. It is not only great for Ghana or Africa or all people living in forgotten "developing" countries, but it is great for all of us to think of the people living a life that is different from ours, but somehow more authentic. Somehow more true to the human spirit.

In Africa tonight I am sure there are many smiles and many songs. I only wish I could be in the streets, in the villages, amongst the people rejoicing in the hope that Africa is finally on the world map, not as a place of doom, corruption and squalor, but as a place of unmatched beauty and spirit.

This song is for the Black Stars...

wiser than the law

I am in love. There is no other way to say it. Listening to Blind Pilot, a band I just discovered, gives me such a sense of sadness melted into joy that I can barely control my euphoria. Strong words? Obviously, but these are songs of simple purity. Hauntingly sparse narratives that tell the story of us all. Add to that tender guitar, broomstick percussion, and every so often a trumpet.


These songs take me back to a place I have never been and let me run free until I sense the fear of being totally unbound. Like a trusty map, they guide me back reassured and ready to face the world. These songs exemplify want I need from music.

The fact that these guys also use wordpress as their main website and at one point toured from Washington to San Diego on bikes is not important compared to the music they create. We want our art simple and accessible, but only after we have worked our way through its complexity. Much like any given day, these songs tear us down so we can rise once again.

Anybody out there who understands my musical palette and respects my taste in music, I highly suggest you immerse yourself in Blind Pilot. I will refrain from saying much more at this time. I suggest you watch this song and then click through the other eight to ten songs.

we were stronger than the preachers
we were wiser than the law
took our sleeping by the river
and the beaches in your car
up where you taught me how to drive a stick
and told me your family secret
you were scared i was caught

Cuz We Should

I just realized I have a contact group on my gmail called musical lovers, and some how you have ended up on it. With Facebook, we seldom email anymore. Our lives are more scatter I suppose than try to make personal contact. Weird how a more public life, has made us less connected sometimes. Anyway, just want to say hello and share this amazing new band I found.

Do some research and listen to some of their music. Blind Pilot. They are the real deal, and I think everyone on this list will appreciate what I am saying. I have most likely spent some intense musical moments with you all. So as you listen to these songs, imagine me sitting next to you, in whatever way your remember our memories, smile and know that I am thinking of you and I love you very much.

A New Inferno

A year ago, an election was rigged, young people became enraged, and the streets first turned green then red. Iranians were suddenly the flavor du jour. Support poured in from every direction, #iranelection and green avatars on twitter looked like they could wipe away thirty years of tyranny, ignorance, and brutal religious fervor.


The people chanted from roof tops. The pundits speculated. A history was told and retold. The young and the old stood up to power and demanded freedom. For a second it looked as if Iran woulds finally be free, but just as quickly as it started it ended. The rallies, the fires, the demonstration, the rage all flickered to a lull and eventually disappeared. It is now business as usual, and a year later the world has once again forgotten about Iran.

Our need for freedom has become another “remember when” CNN sound bite. I have word from inside Iran that the mood is still one of disillusionment and disappointment. Once again the cock of the walk struts his stuff, and now the world is responding by imposing fresh sanctions. Iran has regained its place on the axis of evil, and all those freedom fighters and brave young people demanding their freedom a year ago have once again been transformed into an angry mob Middle Easterners.

I just wanted to document that there are voices out here still waiting for the still lingering hot coals to spark and ignite a new inferno.

Karvt Rocks

I have been known to bad mouth the very notion of business once or twice here on my blog. The overall nastiness of the bottom-line corporate mentality has always left a bad taste in my mouth. With the Wal-Martification and fast food style “efficiency” of almost every aspect of our commercial lives, it is no wonder that many of us feel disenfranchised, disgusted with, and tried of the corporate business world.

Gone are the days of mom and pop shops, and small business who are doing it right; creating quality goods at affordable prices and worried more about costumer satisfaction and relationships than the all mighty profit margin. They take pride in their work and want you to be happy. When we are faced with such establishments, we are often reminded of how life could be if we were all in it for each other instead of the next quarter report.

Don’t get me wrong; I understand that when you own a business you need to make money. I grew up in a household that was funded by how well our business did. I can remember many a Christmas season where our whole family would stay up till past midnight cutting and packaging school photos. My father was a photographer who worked from home. I still remember the arguments my parents would have because my dad would agree to re-do an entire package because a costumer was not happy with the final results.

“These pictures reflect my work and the way we treat people is how our business will grow. A couple of dollars lost here on paper and supplies will come back ten fold when they share with their friends the way we treated them.”

I share this story because I recently encountered such a business, and I feel it is my responsibility to pas s on the good word. So often, we only complain when our needs have not been met, and business like Karvt deserve our good cheer just as much.

Their about page says it all:

KARVT is owned by mac enthusiasts, Kurt Barbee and Sean Herman. Sean is a designer by trade but also a scratch deejay and skateboarder at heart. He’s traveled the world making music with some of biggest and best performing artists around such as the Godfather of soul, James Brown and Grammy Award Winning artists Arrested Development. His love of all things design, coupled with his constant monitoring of “all things fresh”, have led him to become a “go to” guy when someone seeks the services of a multi-disciplinary designer. Kurt is someone who has always been a huge fan of technology and has been inspired by the DIY attitude of the indie rock, punk and gig-poster subcultures. Kurts interest in computers and art finally merged a couple years ago when he started his own laser engraving company, which specialized in collaborating with artists from all over the world to extend their work in the new, exciting medium of “laser engraving”. These two decided to take their unique skill sets and produce a tangible product that employed aspects of beautiful design along with cutting edge technology.

They go on to say:

We believe…

because our mac protects our livelihoods. Whatever that may be. Career, hobby, leisure-whatever it is, it’s in our mac. Our mac takes on our personality and its hard drive supplements our memory. These pieces of hardware come together and create a partner who not only listens but makes things more convenient for our daily lives. We constantly put our personalities into our computers, why not put some of that person on the outside?

Finally about the product:

Our skins are personally hand-crafted and offer our customers a simple and effective way to completely remodel their computer. Our skins are made of 100% real wood, which is both sustainable and eco-friendly. We use a professional grade 3M backing adhesive that sticks perfectly to your notebook that offers lasting results for a perfect skin.


All sounds good right? Especially if you can convince yourself that it is okay to spend $35 on a sticker for your computer, but read on to see why I am writing this post.

After waiting ten days for my skin to arrive, I was beyond disappointed because it didn’t fit correctly. I am still not sure if it was my mistake or theirs. They offer two sizes on their web site a 15” Mac Book Pro Unibody or a 15” Mac Book Pro regular. I wasn’t sure which one I had, so I looked on the box and it said Unibody frame, so naturally that is what I chose. Wrong one, obviously. The skin is too big. Here is our email exchange:

hi guys,

I just received my new skin and it looks fantastic. I live in Qatar so it took a while to get here, only problem is that it is the wrong size. I wasn't sure if my MBP was a unibody, so I looked on the box and it said it was and that is what I ordered. Apparently that was not the right size. The skin looks way too big. Does it bend? There is room around the apple, so I am sure it is the wrong size.

Can I send it back and get the right size? I doubt it will make it back to Qatar in time as I am moving, but if you say I can send it back. I will see when you get it and see where we are then. Maybe you can send it to an address in the States.

You have been great so far, so I really hope we can make this work. You can imagine how much it sucks to pay $35 wait for it to get here and not be able to use it.

Please email me back soon.

Less than twelve hours later:

Hi Jabiz,

I apologize for the confusion here. If you haven't already removed the
backing and put it on your computer, please don't but put it in place on
the machine and snap a picture for me.

Either way, we'll work it out so that you're happy with your Karvt skin. :)

Thanks,

Kurt

Me:

Here are the pics. Let me know the next step. I leave Doha on July 3rd and lose my post office box here. So I need to send it back ASP and decide where to send the new one. Or if you want to be super cool, you can send me a new one today to the address you have. Should make it in time and trust that I will send the old back to you.

Thanks guys

I was pushing my luck a bit here, but look at how they responded:

Hey jabiz,

don't sweat sending it back, I'm going to send out another one for you. I
just need the photos for my records. :)

have a nice weekend!

Kurt

And there you have it folks- People who get it. They make a superior product, they are down to earth, unique and know how to treat their costumers. I am not sure how many more times I will need to buy a special skin for a laptop, but I will definitely keep Karvt on my radar. I know I don’t have a huge readership, but I hope that someone who reads this will get a Karvt product too. Did you just get a new iPad or looking for a gift. Check out their store. Remember it may be a bit vain and superficial to buy a sticker for your Mac product, but it is better to support people like Kurt than to pay five bucks for some piece of crap assembly lined produced product and have to waste your time in a soulless customer service maze if something goes wrong.

If want a world filled with great small businesses, then we must support them, even if it costs a bit more, whenever we can. Thanks Karvt. I will post a picture of my Mac when I get the new skin.

Why Can't We Be Friends

Dear acquaintance, associate, random person from the web, or person from high school I haven’t seen in 20 years, if you have been directed here, it is because I wanted to give you a reasonable answer as to why I had to deny your friend request on Facebook. For the last month, I have been waffling back and forth on what I want and expect from Facebook. I am trying to create a space that works for me. A place where I can stay in touch with close friends, and by close friends, I am referring back to the traditional definition of friendship:

Friendship is considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association can be thought of as spanning across the same continuum…

While this may be true, that there is a continuum of associations and friendships, I am trying to keep my Facebook page a place for people with whom I have shared real life experiences. People I have hung out with, traveled with, shared deep thoughts with etc…

Sorry if this sounds pompous or insensitive in anyway, but I do not want to give in and allow my Facebook page to quickly become a list of people I have only met a few times, or worked with for a few years, and barely know.

I am honored that you think enough of me, to actually invite me to inundate your thread with my gibberish, so I would love to stay in touch and network and share ideas with you. Just not on Facebook. Not at this time. I tried being friends with everyone, and it didn’t work. There are many other places you can find me. Leave comments on my blogs, pictures, and videos. Follwo me on Twitter, where I never shut up, and please share your work through the same channels. My personal homepage is a great place to start. Facebook, however, at least for now will remain my small personal space to share my life with a few good friends. I hope you understand.

After a message like this one, why would you want to be friends with such an idiot anyways? Yes, I take myself too seriously and think I am much cooler than I really am.

Hello Again Facebook

A month ago, I wrote an extensive goodbye to Facebook, so now I feel obliged to write at least a quick explanation of why I am going back after a month hiatus. In my previous post, I explained that it wasn’t one particular thing that turned me off Facebook, but a series of events, some having to do with my personal neurosis and others with Facebook’s nefarious goings on.

The reasons I quit were never very clear even to me. I just knew that I wasn’t feeling it anymore. Something was off. After a month away, I do not have a clear compelling reason to go back. In fact it has been very easy not worrying about what my friends are or are not doing. It has been a nice break, and really I am hesitant to go back. The thing is that the network I had created in that space was no longer relevant to me. Thinking about it now, however, I see that it wasn’t necessarily Facebook that had grown stale, but network that rested there. The problem is that I had some really good friends there. People I have known for years, people who want to know what I am up to, and people to whom I want to stay connected.

As an international school teacher, I have many global relationships that were maintained through Facebook. As I prepare to move on to my next post, many of my good friends in Doha have said how disappointed they are that we cannot stay in touch. While the purist in me, would like that they would make the effort to stay in touch via the other places I frequent on the web, the realist in me understands that most people want one place they can see what all their friends re doing.

For better or for worse, Facebook is that place, at least for now. I realize that now.

Here is my new Facebook strategy:

Privacy- As I have mentioned, I am not too concerned about what I share on the web. I follow an open philosophy and I share many aspects of my life online all the time. However, I do not like that Facebook is actually profiting from my data and content, so change number #1 will be that I will no longer post any content on Facebook. I will simply direct my friends to the other places online where I house my content. Places where it is attached to a CC license and not sold to data miners for profit. I will also actually make my way through the privacy maze and choose what makes sense for me.

Maintaining Freshness- I will rebuild my friend list with people I remember and with whom I want to stay in touch. I will not reconnect with random people out of obligation and as soon as someone is clogging up my feed, I will hide and/or remove them. This is my space to stay connected with the group I want. I will try and keep my numbers low and with people who interact with me. This will be a light and more fluid Facebook.

Chill Out- Here comes the main reason I quit in the first place. I felt I was too obsessed with constantly checking who was doing what and staying caught up all the time. After a month of being away, I know that quitting Facebook is not the end of the world. I know that I can stay away and not feel like I am missing out on something. Life went on, rather smoothly I might add the month I was gone. Having said that, I am going back in large part because I miss some people there and I feel missed. These people include family and friends. Honestly, I don't feel very good about the decision. I feel I am making it out of obligation to forces I cannot name. A small part of me wants to go back, but even writing this post feels strange. In some strange way, I feel I owe it to my friends to use the tool they find easiest to help maintain our friendships.

I can see the cynics out there shaking their heads and scoffing at the idea that a friendship needs Facebook to stay relevant, and I agree with you it does not. Two of my best friends in the world are not on Facebook and we stay in touch just fine, but for the majority of my relationships Facebook is the easiest game in town.

Apprehensively, I am back…at least for now. Somewhere, Zuckerberg is rubbing his hands together and laughing the evil villain laugh, " I knew they would all be back....."

New Music

A few nights ago, I was sitting with my neighbor and good friend talking about how we wished there was a new sound in music. I am not as up to date as I would like to be on the music scene these days. New bands trickle into my consciousness, through a variety of different channels, but I can rarely determine how or when they will surface.

I was excited to have been pleasantly surprised this last week, as two new bands have set up camp in my play lists. Let me start with Band of Horses. @tenflyingfaces sent me this link to the lead singer of Band of Horses singing Hunger Strike with Pearl Jam. Liking his goofy persona and inspired zeal:



I downloaded their first two albums: Everything All The Time and Cease To Begin. Think a hint of The Shins, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill and Neil Young. A hippie infused, solid rock, indie folk band. I don’t have much else to say right now other than I have listened to little else for a week. See for your self:





The other band is Mumford and Sons. One album. Four young men from West London in their early twenties, they have fire in their bellies, romance in their hearts, and rapture in their masterful, melancholy voices. Enough said. Enjoy: