A Jihad for Love (after the premier)

Last night at the IFC movie theater I went to see the premier of " A Jihad for Love" The documentary about stories of gay and lesbian Muslims around the world and their struggle with sexuality and their faith in Islam. I went with Mark L. I saw director Parvez Sharma & producer Sandi Dubowsky at the theater introducing their film along with Muhsin the first openly gay Imam. He is one of the main character of the film. We catched the 9:30pm show. The 7pm show was sold out, five days before the opening. I ran in to Danny Lee as I am moving in to the theater on the line. We say hi. I also get a glimpse of Shaffiq who was leaving the theater from the previous show. I don't get to say hello to him, i had to get in the theater along with the people who were going in fast to get the best seat available. I must say this was a great thought provoking documentary film it is very real and heartfelt. It's a film for anyone who had to struggle with their sexuality because of their religious belief. The film is also educational about Islam. It introduces the real Islam to the western crowd in a way that's not shown previously. It's not like how Islam potrayed in recent Hollywood films. Not about war and terrorist. The film rally touched me. I can relate to this film because I have to struggle with my own sexuality and having my faith in Islam. I felt peace knowing i am not the only one in this struggle (this Jihad). There are so many of my brothers and sisters around the world struggling and I felt as if even though we never met or seen each other we are there for each other and we are together in spirit through our struggle and the love of Allah.
http://www.ajihadforlove.com/home.html

Below an interview from Democracy now channel.

Living in the moment.

Last week I was a bit down because I was not feeling my best. And when you don't feel good there are negative thoughts clouds your judgements. You start to see the world against you and you just think about yourself and how you can survive the week. But last night before going to bed during my prayer and meditative state I had a sudden realization that made me feel much better and I am so happy to understand the feeling, now flowing through my blood and vain. Maybe It was my first contact with almighty himself. :) The feeling was always there... help others and be selfless. I must consider the fact things could have been much worse. My little discomfort is noting compare to many people in the world or even people in my close circle. I am very grateful for the company I have and places I have been and people I met. Another time I had that feeling after seeing the film "Amélie". A part in the movie Amélie feel joy from doing good when nothing was working right for her. This is not to say I will not do things for myself. I know to live a truly happy and satisfied life I need to do things that makes me happy and satisfied. This is a slow process and it takes time. I hate the wait but i know noting happen right away it happens step by step. Taking it one day at a time. Stopping, taking a deep breath and reviewing my goals and making a list of things that I have prioritized.

I found a great article online along the line of what I was thinking. Here is the link. http://www.enotalone.com/article/2295.html

evening gathering

Sunday evening we decided to throw a potluck dinner. After a short nap we went shopping for the food and then cleaned the place very well. After cleaning the space it looked brand new and we are planning to keep the place clean all the time. It was a good excuse to see some friends all at once. I made the dessert. An apple tart with a little help from Mark. It was pretty good. Some of our lovely guests said so. It was nice to see Gus, Bill, Andre, Manuela, Julissa and her friend, Jose Carlos, Jill, Frank and Denise. And we also met our next door temporary neighbors. They are nice. It seemed like everyone had a nice time. A good way to end Sunday and welcome the short work week before leaving for Mexico on Friday!

For a greater cause

Got up early to get ready and head to Central Park for Aids Walk. Mark joined me. It was very sweet of him to come along. I met up with Talib his friend Delano & Kia. And the rest of the team for GMHC. The day started out nice it was sunny and warm. For the time we were walking it stayed light.

Until the end of the walk it started to rain. But we were done by that time so it did not effect us much. It was amazing to see so many people walking along with us. Although, sometimes it was too crowded. But we found alternative paths and had a pleasant walking experience. Central park is so pretty in late spring. I have to go back on a weekend one day just to take lots and lot's of photos.

Gregory's Bday

Saturday night was Gregory's birthday. It was held at Mix lounge in West village. Gregory was there with his BF Tony. They are both very sweet guys.

Earlier in the day after work I met up with Jamel and we saw a movie "Iron Man" it was quite fun. The message in the movie was nothing new but it was a good message non the less. Jamel & I take a cab from the east side and have bite at Manatus Restaurant (it's a diner). We chit chat and catch up with current events.

Manuela met up with us soon as we finish dinner and we head to Mix Lounge where we meet up with Gregg and the rest of the gang! We danced to whatever the DJ was spinning. It was a fun short night. Had to go to bed early cause Sunday we participated on the Aids Walk.

Dancing on the Street

Dancing on the streets of New York was so much fun. Just like last year Manuela, Mark & I get on the road again and danced all the way from 28th St & Bway to Tomkins Square Park.

There was lots of dancing and it was shared with a very fun house group. The Melting Pot NYC. Louis & Reina is part of the crew and our friend Ravi & Lesly meets up with us.

We danced, walked, skipped down the road with the rest of the dance friendly crowd of the extra ordinary cheerful New York crowd. It's always fun being in the parade then being a spectator. This was another sunny happy day and will be remembered.

A Jihad for love

I am going to go see this movie called a Jihad for Love. It's about homosexuality and being a muslim. This is a film produced by my aquentence Sandi Dubowski and directed by Pervez Sharma. I know Pervez through Sandi on Sandi's annual "Virgo unite" party. Below is the preview. http://www.ifccenter.com/index

Shady Lady

On the 4 train heading back home I luckily find a seat in the packed to capacity train. A little later on 14th Street this woman comes in and seats right next to me in a small spot of my left. It was a crowded train. People in front and the right of me. I was reading the an article on the ny times about earthquake in china. As I was folding the paper, the woman brush the newspaper with her hand rudely. I was like okay i'll let this one slide. Then a little later she brush my knees with her with a gesture of moving my knees away from her. I was like oh no she did not.
I feel annoyed at the moment and say to her "Miss all you have to say is excuse me" well I guess I should have kept my mouth shut. cause all hells break lose afterward. She tells me she will punch me on my face if I touch her again and what not and goes on and on for at least a minute. I am like what? Please... I have no interest in you what so ever. Nor that I want to touch you. What I really felt like saying "you just try shady lady" or REED her from cover to cover so that she never recover" maybe a line from "Venus Xtravaganza of Paris is Burning" "You are just an over grown ranga tang"


but I decide it's wise not to take this any further. At this point I say "whatever" and decide not to instigate the situation. This lady is just looking for a fight and I am not going to let her ruin my day.

As I get off on my stop. I realized she is getting off there as well. I was like darn... I hope I never run in to her again. Then again this New York city and soon or later I might run in to her.

I tell the story to Mark and he says if we see her again on the way back home or to work he'll rub next to her and if she say something he'll say are you touching me lady and if so you better back off or else. This made me laugh thinking if this was really happening i would record the event from a distant and put on my blog. ha ha

Out on the field

So... check this out. Today I am a proud owner of a soccer ball. It was a beautiful day in NYC. Mostly sunny in the mid 70 degrees. It got a little chilly in the evening. Earlier in the afternoon at lunch Ricardo my colleague/friend decide we will go play soccer in Central Park after work.
The original plan was, to go to his place, so he can get his soccer gear. And also to borrow the ball from his downstairs neighbor. Unfortunately his neighbor was not home and the neighbors roommate could not find the ball. So we decide to purchase one from Modell's. We get on a gypsy cab (a gypsy cab runs in certain area's in new york where not many regular cab's around) to the Modell sport store on 86th & 3rd Ave. Upstairs we found a soccer ball we both liked. We decide to purchase it. And then we get on the cross town M86 bus to 86th St. and Fifth Ave. After we get off the bus we walk down a little. We were planning to get to sheep's meadow around 65th St in the middle of Central Park. As we were walking down fifth ave we notice a bus heading down town so we quickly get on it and head further down. We get off at 67th St & fifth. Get inside the park on 68th St and Fifth Ave and walk pass the Central Park Summer Stage and the Concert Hall before we come to our destination.
We had no problem with plying in the nice fluffy grass. It was lots of fun. We kicked the ball around for a bit to warm up. We were practicing our kicking ability. :)

And a little later we decide to play for score. We made one goal area with our backpacks and decide to play against one another. We decide to play for 5 goals. Whoever scores the fifth goal wins. Lucky for me I won. It was exhausting running around. I have not played in a long time since I stopped playing with my team. Although I was glad to play again. I love this game. It reminds me of my childhood. It reminds me of back in Bangladesh when I used to sneak out of my house to meet up with my buddies and played all day till the sun went down.


The park was closing and the park keeper tells us to leave. We pack our stuff and decide to walk back to 86th St & 5th Ave. On the way back Ricardo tell me many stories about his friends, they were funny. We take the cross town bus back toward our home. Ricardo gets off at 3rd ave to transfer toward the uptown bound bus . And I continue on home...

Paris & Back

Got back on Sunday night around 10 pm. Over all it was a successful short little get away. Got on the plane "Air France" on Thursday after work. Got there Friday morning around 7 am. Was tired from not sleeping well. So when we got to the house of Mark's friends Patrick & Gaitan. It was time to take a nap.

After the nap we both felt much better. We met up with Mark's friend Charlotte who we came to visit. It was nice meeting her. She is sweet. We had lunch and went to Luxembourg Garden afterward to look around. Then went to a Laduree cafe. Very french had some Macaroon's and Cafe creme. The macaroon's were tasty. The cookies were macaroons… see the website!
http://www.laduree.fr/public_en/historique/histoire_macaron.htm

Afterward Mark & I head to Louvre just to take photos and walk around the area. Then back to the house for some more nap before heading back out for a little dinner at Le Philosophers at the Le Marais area. That area is very lively at night.

Saturday we got up early and met up with Charlotte. After some breakfast near where we stayed we take the bus to the flea market where we look around for many stuff and Mark buys some vintage signs.


One of a 50's ad for champagne where a guy in tux is toasting a glass with his lady friend and anther of a Pepsi cola sign. I like the Pepsi Cola sign it is square tin with picture of a Original Pepsi bottle cap.

I found some vintage key chains as I did in the flea market of Brazil. And some cute little figurines.

Afterward, we took a bus to Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) to view the beautiful Gothic church. The church was build with lots of window and with many stain glass. The chapel was built by King Louis IX of France in 1248. It was a beautiful spring day... blue sky and lot's of sun light. The light through the stain glass windows looked marvelous.

We walked around some more until we stop to have lunch at a very cute restaurant near the river. We had some pullet & french fries with a refreshing pint of 1664 & Laffe Blonde beer. We then do some shopping in the neighborhood and decide to check out Notredame the Gothic Cathedral. We walk around the church and stop to seat at a park bench next to the cathedral. I took photos around the area while Mark and Charlotte have their conversation. We wanted to go on the roof of Notredame but we were too late for that. Charlotte goes home and we walked back to the house to rest. But as we get there. We realized the house cat Olive was missing. We looked every ware and can not find her. Mark decides to call Patrick. He say it's probably hiding in some place like behind the sink or something. A friend Pier Anton shows up trying to find the cat. Later the cat comes back on it's own. It was a big relief to see her back. This would not been a smooth little get away if the cat was missing. We celebrate finding of the cat with Pier Anton by opening the bottle of Champaign our host left for us. The Champaign makes it easy for us to take a nap. So we take an hour and half nap. Afterward, we head out to dinner to a nice restaurant where they only served different types of salads. The food was delicious. We walk around some more checked out a bar before heading home.




The next day we wake up late and met up for brunch with Charlotte. I had an Omlette with cafe cream. Then walk around and take photos of the Eiffel tower on the way to a primitive art museum. The primitive art museum the building itself was quite interesting. It was modern in contrast to what it held. We had a short time to see everything and needed time to go to the souvenir shop to pick up a little something for my niece. Afterward, Mark and I say good bye to Charlotte and get on the Metro to Patrick & Gaitans place to pick up our luggage and take a train to the airport. We realize once we got on the train there is no place to buy a ticket so. After we got off the train we jump the turnstile to get off the station. Luckily no one saw us doing that. :)

The flight coming back was easy. Watched three movies. "The Jumper" this one sucked. "The Golden Compus" this one was so so. & "My super Ex Girlfriend" this one was better then the last two. It was funny. But I would not go buy the DVD for my collection you know what i'm saying!

Last night and today

Last night we had a little dinner get together. Beside Mark & myself. Tanya & Jill was present. Jill is Mark's next door neighbor. She is sweet and have lot's of funny stories to share about her school and her students. Mark made a Thai dish with noodles, mushroom chicken and some Thai spice. It was very yummy. We ordered some Thai appetizers from a Thai restaurant near by. Curry Puffs and Vegetable spring rolls. They were good too. Jill brought in a bottle of red. Tanya introduced me to a french music group "Yelle"

and telling me about this dance movement in Paris called Tecktronik. Everyone in France is doing it. Maybe the hipsters in Williamsburg will catch on. It seems like it's a cross between voguing & rave.

Besides that I am excited about flying to Paris today! Mark & I both going. Mostly to visit his friend Cherlet. I am excited about taking lot's of photos. It's so nice there at this time of the month. The temperature suppose to be mid 70 degree Fahrenheit. (photo credit: Web Designer Ramblings)

I love Music

First of all I love this song by Robyn. Called "Drem on". It's been on my head all day today and I was listening to it on the Subway to work this morning and now listening to the song again at work on the itunes. Just love it!

I recently bought some cd's at the Virgin Record store in Union Square. The new Madonna CD "Hard Candy" is quite good. Besides the hit "4 Minutes" tracks like "Beat Goes On" featuring Kanye West is off the hook. I also love "Miles Away" & "Dance 2Night".


Next cd I bought was "Flight Of The Concord" They are Jemaine Clement and Bret Mckenzie. A duo from New Zealand. They have show on HBO named the same. They are funny. I like the song "Robots" , "Foux Du Fafa"& "Ladies Of The World".



Next CD I bought is "Defected in the House/Miami 08" It is
a three cd compilation album. Good house music. If you need some music to dance to I'd recommend this CD.

Mark met up with me at the record store and he bought two DVD's the new relesed "Juno" the 2007 comedy-drama with up & coming acctress Ellen Page.It won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay and recived three oscar nominations including Best Picture. The movie is about a sharp-tongued teenager confronting an unplanned pregnancy. (Michael Cera & Jason Bateman) from TV show Arrested Development also stars in this perfectly cast Movie.


Also the classic 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Breakfast at Tiffany's starting Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard is one of Odvar & my favoraite. We used to watch it back in my Brooklyn apartmet. There are some good lines in the movie. And Audrey Hepburn singing "Moon River" is priceless.



I told Mark to get "Robyn"'s cd. And I am glad he listened. :-). It's a great CD. I was looking for someone refreshing and she is just that. It's a well produced pop/dance cd. I love the remix track of "Handle Me". Also track "Who's that Girl" and "With Every Heartbeat". She is a new comer to watch out for this year. Go get her album it's very catchy!

Art works

I found some art work looking through my stacked up papers and stuff when I was cleaning and getting ready to take it to storage. I decided to photograph some of them so I can look back later. The Bjork painting is now on top of Mark's bed. I found a sketch book with some drawings inside. One of them was of Bjork. Another one of me. A painting of the front porch of a friends house. A sketch of a tree bark that I did in the year 2000 in Woodstock NY. The fireplace painting was done upstate as well. I found some photos I printed out three years ago. The photos are of marvelous blue sky's. All these items filled with old happy memories are now a little bit of my new memories and soon to become old again. Because time is flying...

The Old House

I stopped by at 39 Withers yesterday to pick my social security card and to check if there were some email there for me. I found the social security card on top the microwave and on the Silver table that Boris left there for me to pick up.

The place was painted in white.


There was a new brown sofa that replaced the one legged black table. Boris's paintings were still there. By going back there made me missed the space. After all it was my place. By being there it reminded me of all the nice get together and nice memories of the time I spent there.


I miss the washing machine and the bathroom wall, wallpapered with maps.

Cinco de Mayo + Monday

It's Cinco de Mayo today. 5th of May. The day 4,000 Mexican soldiers in Puebla won the war against 8,000 french and traitor Mexican soldiers. On the morning of May 5th, 1862. Go Mexico!

Can't wait to go there on last week of May. I love Mexican food. And I love Mexican people.

In any case, It's Monday... I am back at work. But before leaving work I took some photos of the flowers on the front area of where I live. Mark & I planted them two weeks ago and they are starting to come out. It's looks nice in the morning when we leave the house to get to work. I took some more photo of the Gerber flower and the plants at Mark's window and the stiling' glass containers with the money plants on them. I love the little "plastic cube" under one of the small container. It catches the morning light beautifully. I bought this for Mark from the Milwaukee Art museum store in Wyoming. So it kind of goes with he containers bought from Moma.

Sunday

Sunday 5.4.08 I went to my Yoga class in the morning. It felt really good afterward. We had a substitute teacher this time but she was a good instructor. Although I like our original instructor. Afterward I met up with Mark & we got something to eat at the Union Square park. It was a very nice day. Then we went the Brooklyn Botanical garden for their annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival. It was a beautiful day at the park. Bright sunny and very colorful all around. Mark & I took lots of photos. I loved how some of the photos turned out they are up on my flicker account at the moment. Afterward, we came back home and Mark took a nap while I checked my email and relaxed a bit until later around 6 pm we head down to Webster Hall for 718 Sessions with our favoraite DJ Danny Krivit for some soulful house music and dancing. We met up with Manuela, Ramona & Bill and danced up a swet. It was a fun evening. Later we went to Vaselka dinner in the East Village for some late night snack. It was Ramona, Mark & I. Manuela was there for a little but she had to go because it takes a while for her to go home all the way uptown.

Saturday

May 3rd 08. Saturday we went to Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. There were eight of us. Clockwise from the left Miguel, Norman, Mark Solan, Andre Lee, Robert, Mark L., Eddie & Me. Mark L rented a big car. We met up around union square after 9 am. After everyone showed up we took off to Six Flags. We got on altogether 12 rollercoster. Some of them more then once. It was kinda cloudy and there were not much of a line for the rides.

Started with "King da Ka" the worlds talest drop and my favoraite wooden coster "El Toro" (pictured). We all aggreed El Toro was the best. Second favoraite was "Nitro" and "Medusa" was a good one as well. It was a very fun day.

Friday May 2, 2008

Jason and went to see a play it's called Wanderlust. It was a one man play about the actors journey to Africa. The actor's name is Martin Dockery. He is a great story teller. Jason & I met up at XES bar before we head to the theater in mid town Manhattan. We had a nice evening catching up. We don't hang out much and I will make more effort to hang out with him this year.

Last Evening

After work I went to see a movie. "Forbidden Kingdom" staring Jackie Chan, Jet Lee & Michael Aragrano. It was a fun Kong Fu movie. I would recommend it. I went to the Movie with my co-worker Ricardo. He says he liked the movie as well. There were lot's of fight scene. I was in the mood for a kong fu movie and it was perfect. It was in the union Square theater. It's in a convenient location. Afterward I went to Virgin Records and bought 3 CD's The new Maddona's album "Hard Candy" It's quite good. The more i listen to it the better it gets. I like the track "Beat Goes On","Miles Away","She's Not Me","Incredible" & "4 Minutes". Also bought "Flight of the Concord" it's a funny Album. And a 3 CD completion "Defected in the House Miami" Lot's of good up todate house music. Can't wait to listen to the third CD. So far I listened to the Madonna CD & the "Flight of the Concord". That's it for now. :-)

This Morning

This morning the the flowers at the wiondow looked lovely. I love the red Garbers that I bought over the weekend on the way to PA. They were a little down the other day with lack of water but after I put water on the ground the flowers came right back like magic.

I love the glass containers I bought from MoMa store. I think they look lovely on Mark's window. Back in brooklyn they were on top of the silver table. At the moment I only have money plants in them but I am looking to put other hydroponic plants soon as I get them. Not sure where in the city I should look...


Mark put some new plants on the fire escape. Some flowers too. They looked nice by the window.


The Bjork painting hangs above the bed at the moment. Mark is taking a short nap before heading to work. He was sleepy this morning.