So much on my mind that I can't recline
Blastin holes in the night til she bled sunshine
Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine
Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline
Heard the bass ride out like an ancient mating call
I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathin
Chest heavin, against the flesh of the evening
Sigh before we die like the last train leaving
-Mos Def: "Respiration"
Monday, May 29, 2006
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
...A Beautiful Day...
It was beautiful today.
20° C.
No wind nor cloud touched that azure sky. I spent the day cruising with the windows down and spent the sunset with some old friends in a field of dandelions (about 1/4 KM from the road)...just kickin' it. We prayed Maghrib on that yellow-and-green carpet (and our jackets) and basked in the dying heat and silence of the day.
I was struck by the simple pleasure of those two (I think), very brief hours. Before reality and responsibility came crashing back down. I kinda missed B...surely he would have drawn a profound metaphor or prose from that scene...I tried to do the same, but I had only 3 thoughts in that field.
Thought 1:
20° C.
No wind nor cloud touched that azure sky. I spent the day cruising with the windows down and spent the sunset with some old friends in a field of dandelions (about 1/4 KM from the road)...just kickin' it. We prayed Maghrib on that yellow-and-green carpet (and our jackets) and basked in the dying heat and silence of the day.
I was struck by the simple pleasure of those two (I think), very brief hours. Before reality and responsibility came crashing back down. I kinda missed B...surely he would have drawn a profound metaphor or prose from that scene...I tried to do the same, but I had only 3 thoughts in that field.
Thought 1:
and...
Thought 2:
And at noontide the toilers and the wayfarers say, "we have seen her [beauty] leaning over the earth from the windows of the sunset."
In winter say the snow-bound, "She shall come with the spring leaping upon the hills."
...
It [beauty] is not the image you would see nor the song you would hear,
But rather an image you see though you close your eyes and a song you hear though you shut your ears.
It is not the sap within the furrowed bark, nor a wing attached to a claw,
But rather a garden forever in bloom and a flock of angels for ever in flight.
(Khalil Gibran)
Friday, May 05, 2006
Its been a long time coming...
After nearly a month of all-nighters, papers, exams and (mainly self imposed) solitary confinement in the concrete walls of the basement, the prospect of freedom seems farfetched. I fear I've been broken...I beleive the right word is institutionalized. Even a short-term freedom, (8 days...well now more like 3) before I have to start summer courses, seems like an eternity and I find myself unable to fill the hours. Still, each day seems to pass in a blink. I'm kind of scared to see what 4 years of this stuff will do to me. Tim, upon the completion of his BA at UTSC commented that he too has been instituionalized and I've noticed that recent graduates must take some time to readjust. Some don't ever readjust completely. He busted a gut when I compared the 4/5/whatever-year uni experience to those explored by inmates in The Shawshank Redemption. I think any university student can instantly relate to the movie's tagline: "Fear [of exams] can hold you prisoner. Hope [of a bell-curve] can set you free."
Freshman year has come to a close and I seem to be in one piece alhumdulillah. Still, I find myself questioning my motives. Is this where I want to be? Is this what I want to do? What am I missing? What do I need? Am I doing the right thing? The questions are deafening in the silence that follows. I'm not satisfied with my performance...or my answers (or the lack thereof). Langston Hughes once posed similar questions:
------------------ WARNING! RANT! ------------------
The artist Asheru has been a breath of fresh air. I've said that rap (and most music for that matter) is dead. Few artists have proven me wrong. But his mostly laid back stylings and excellent lyrics are refreshing. He also keeps the swears down to a minimum. But...when I say laid back, I don't mean lazy (like 50's flow), and he can bring a storm of energy when needed. I just mean to say that he seems relaxed and confident. He's also not overconfident (or underconfident) which is one of my main gripes with rappers. Pair him up with Talib Kweli or Mos Def and they put out some excellent tracks. He's great to just throw on when you need to vibe.
Is he a socially conscious rapper? Yes. Would I label him as such? No. I have a huge problem with that label (Conscious Rap). Looking at the early roots of rap, hip-hop and its subsequent genres (rap, rapcore, rock-rap fusion etc.), most of the innovators and founders (Public Enemy, Sister Souljah, RATM etc.) spoke on social issues. Sure, some would argue that current (and some old-school) mainstream rap lyrics are extremely violent, misogynistic, socially detrimental and for the most part pointless...and I would be inclined to agree...(Common once joked: "So many raps about rims, I'm surprised @#%$ ain't become tires") Still, old school mainstream rappers such as Biggie (and especially Tupac) were commenting on the social conditions (desperation of the projects, reduced economic opportunities, lack of role models, single-parent households etc.) even while spitting misogynistic, violent and detrimental lyrics. Hell, the entire spirit of rap and hip-hop was of dissidence, activism and rebellion. I can't really comment on most contemporary mainstream artists as I have given up on them (for the most part) since I heard a Queen-50'Cent Mashup. My point is these labels and categorizations really hurt artists for the most part, as a large body of their work goes ignored (as people may or may not avoid 'Conscious Rappers') and it isn't fair to the repertoire of most rappers (who may produce socially conscious tracks and mindless anthems on the same record).
Anyway...I digress. I was introduced to Asheru through 'The Boondocks'. He wrote the excellent opening theme. As for 'The Boondocks'...that is one hilarious, brilliant show. I know a number of people that would disagree for numerous reasons (including some pretty bad racial stereotyping). Still, the show is a satire and deals with some heavy topics such as the African-American experience, American politics, prejudices etc. I love it as I was an avid reader of the original comic strip (back when The Source was the magazine). The show does suffer a bit due to the absence of Michael Cesar (a character)...but for a show found on cable (Teletoon or Adult Swim), its pretty damn good. Some of Ahseru's good lyrics...these don't do justice to the song however:
I am the stone that the builder refused
I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues...
I'm the spark that makes your idea bright
The same spark that lights the dark So that you can know your left from your right...
I am the ballot in the box, the bullet in the gun
The innerglow that lets you know To call your brother son...
The story that just begun The promise of what's to come
And I'm a remain a soldier 'til the war is won
------------- WARNING! END OF RANT! -------------
I find the development of ideas to be most interesting. What started off as a string of four words spoken over the phone to a close friend ("Man! I MISS music!"), blossomed into a conversation, an idea, a goal and an intention. At this stage, its simply a concept and strictly in the planning phase: To showcase different forms of art (Photography, Film, Graffiti, Comedy, Qira'at recitations, Martial Arts, Spoken Word) in an Islamic context (both contemporary and historical) and to help expose the youth (both Muslim and Non-Muslim) to the gifts of creativity and grow them (in a halaal way through permissible forms of expression). Basically provide our youth with islamic culture as well as the contacts, training and/or inspiration to develop that culture within themselves and their communities...for Non-Muslim youth, the goal would be to foster an awareness of the historical importance of Muslims on these different art forms as well as showcasing their roles in further defining them. As for structure...we have had some ideas...Among these are:
Damn...the boys are leaving in a few hours.
I must say...its been a wild 3 weeks having them around. I know I haven't spent as much time as I could with them...but every (difficult) moment is a blessing. Children are wondrous...every activity and experience is a lesson. It is beautiful to watch the moulding of a mind. I am blessed (alhumdulillah) to watch the development of THREE! I don't know how my sister manages...Allah help her and keep her and the Fam safe and secure and blessed. Anywho...its coming to 2 in the A.M. and the parents is getting upset...so I guess I gotta wrap this up...Hopefully the next couple of posts should be a lot less sporadic. In fact, I've already got some topics picked out...Why don't you all tell me what you guys want to hear about...
-------------------------
P.S....Can't wait for the cousins to touchdown in T.O.
Freeway overpass
Blossoms in grafitti on
fog-wrapped May mornings
-------------
TWS Out
Freshman year has come to a close and I seem to be in one piece alhumdulillah. Still, I find myself questioning my motives. Is this where I want to be? Is this what I want to do? What am I missing? What do I need? Am I doing the right thing? The questions are deafening in the silence that follows. I'm not satisfied with my performance...or my answers (or the lack thereof). Langston Hughes once posed similar questions:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
------------------ WARNING! RANT! ------------------
The artist Asheru has been a breath of fresh air. I've said that rap (and most music for that matter) is dead. Few artists have proven me wrong. But his mostly laid back stylings and excellent lyrics are refreshing. He also keeps the swears down to a minimum. But...when I say laid back, I don't mean lazy (like 50's flow), and he can bring a storm of energy when needed. I just mean to say that he seems relaxed and confident. He's also not overconfident (or underconfident) which is one of my main gripes with rappers. Pair him up with Talib Kweli or Mos Def and they put out some excellent tracks. He's great to just throw on when you need to vibe.
Is he a socially conscious rapper? Yes. Would I label him as such? No. I have a huge problem with that label (Conscious Rap). Looking at the early roots of rap, hip-hop and its subsequent genres (rap, rapcore, rock-rap fusion etc.), most of the innovators and founders (Public Enemy, Sister Souljah, RATM etc.) spoke on social issues. Sure, some would argue that current (and some old-school) mainstream rap lyrics are extremely violent, misogynistic, socially detrimental and for the most part pointless...and I would be inclined to agree...(Common once joked: "So many raps about rims, I'm surprised @#%$ ain't become tires") Still, old school mainstream rappers such as Biggie (and especially Tupac) were commenting on the social conditions (desperation of the projects, reduced economic opportunities, lack of role models, single-parent households etc.) even while spitting misogynistic, violent and detrimental lyrics. Hell, the entire spirit of rap and hip-hop was of dissidence, activism and rebellion. I can't really comment on most contemporary mainstream artists as I have given up on them (for the most part) since I heard a Queen-50'Cent Mashup. My point is these labels and categorizations really hurt artists for the most part, as a large body of their work goes ignored (as people may or may not avoid 'Conscious Rappers') and it isn't fair to the repertoire of most rappers (who may produce socially conscious tracks and mindless anthems on the same record).
Anyway...I digress. I was introduced to Asheru through 'The Boondocks'. He wrote the excellent opening theme. As for 'The Boondocks'...that is one hilarious, brilliant show. I know a number of people that would disagree for numerous reasons (including some pretty bad racial stereotyping). Still, the show is a satire and deals with some heavy topics such as the African-American experience, American politics, prejudices etc. I love it as I was an avid reader of the original comic strip (back when The Source was the magazine). The show does suffer a bit due to the absence of Michael Cesar (a character)...but for a show found on cable (Teletoon or Adult Swim), its pretty damn good. Some of Ahseru's good lyrics...these don't do justice to the song however:
I am the stone that the builder refused
I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues...
I'm the spark that makes your idea bright
The same spark that lights the dark So that you can know your left from your right...
I am the ballot in the box, the bullet in the gun
The innerglow that lets you know To call your brother son...
The story that just begun The promise of what's to come
And I'm a remain a soldier 'til the war is won
------------- WARNING! END OF RANT! -------------
I find the development of ideas to be most interesting. What started off as a string of four words spoken over the phone to a close friend ("Man! I MISS music!"), blossomed into a conversation, an idea, a goal and an intention. At this stage, its simply a concept and strictly in the planning phase: To showcase different forms of art (Photography, Film, Graffiti, Comedy, Qira'at recitations, Martial Arts, Spoken Word) in an Islamic context (both contemporary and historical) and to help expose the youth (both Muslim and Non-Muslim) to the gifts of creativity and grow them (in a halaal way through permissible forms of expression). Basically provide our youth with islamic culture as well as the contacts, training and/or inspiration to develop that culture within themselves and their communities...for Non-Muslim youth, the goal would be to foster an awareness of the historical importance of Muslims on these different art forms as well as showcasing their roles in further defining them. As for structure...we have had some ideas...Among these are:
- Art Installations
- A coffee shop style set of presentations
- A museum or art gallery style setup
- An intensive set of workshops/lessons
- An intensive 'boot camp' with integrated workshops and activites
- Some weird combination of all of these concepts
Damn...the boys are leaving in a few hours.
I must say...its been a wild 3 weeks having them around. I know I haven't spent as much time as I could with them...but every (difficult) moment is a blessing. Children are wondrous...every activity and experience is a lesson. It is beautiful to watch the moulding of a mind. I am blessed (alhumdulillah) to watch the development of THREE! I don't know how my sister manages...Allah help her and keep her and the Fam safe and secure and blessed. Anywho...its coming to 2 in the A.M. and the parents is getting upset...so I guess I gotta wrap this up...Hopefully the next couple of posts should be a lot less sporadic. In fact, I've already got some topics picked out...Why don't you all tell me what you guys want to hear about...
-------------------------
- Martial Arts -> Studying combat mechanisms and movements
- More Environmental Stuff -> Oil sands/usage...threats to Athabasca
- Photography -> Importance of images and icons
- ???
P.S....Can't wait for the cousins to touchdown in T.O.
Freeway overpass
Blossoms in grafitti on
fog-wrapped May mornings
-------------
TWS Out
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