Almost everyone knows what happened in the state of Arizona last week or so I presume. Gov. Jan Brewer signed a new law that makes it a crime (not illegal mind you) to be in the state of Arizona without proper documentation to prove your legal status. The entire debate is framed ridiculously, mainly concerning on the results rather than the cause.  Some “nationalists” argue that the bill will help restore America’s economy, sovereignty, law and order, civil society and culture. In simple words they just want to say “reducing white dominance in this country will fundamentally change the fabric of our nation.” They are merely afraid of being Minority in the long run.

America is powerful because it has and had a generous supply of free, low paid unskilled or low skilled illegal workers. So people thinking that it will restore Americans economy are becoming victims of their own success because removing a good supply of unskilled to low skilled workers is not only anti-capitalistic but also foolish.

This also lays a perfect platform for potential harassment of people who don’t look like white Americans. Race does play a role in this debate, although the stark truth is sugarcoated to be obvious. Arizona also has a law against racial profiling. When asked how else a law enforcement officer would be able to have a reasonable suspicion to detain a person, one of the state senators actually said that you can identify illegals by their clothes and shoes etc….… I kid you not he did say that!

I am sure inside he was screaming “brown skin  … ring a bell……you fool” to the interviewer. There is simply no way of detaining someone as a possible illegal immigrant without racially profiling him/her. It would also be interesting to know if the local police will undergo any type of immigration law training .In an era of rampant trivial litigation, I foresee endless lawsuits pursuant to this particular invasion of privacy and civil liberty.

The government has talked about securing the borders for a long time now.Border security issue is deliberately overlooked. The government purposely ignores securing it because the pros outweigh the cons. If it really is as pressing an issue as the proponents claim it to be, there is no sane reason to defer on securing the border. Like somebody famous once said

I find it hard to believe a country that sent a man to the moon in the 1960’s has a hard time building a fence around its borders in 2010.”

I am all for giving amnesty to those who are here already and securing the border practically. This way the illegals will legally pay taxes which is revenue for the state and eliminating racial tension. It might not be as simple as I stated but it seems logical and justly human.

Some other states might follow suit of Arizona. Although I am not Spanish, I am often mistaken for Spanish descent so this affects me profoundly. Arizona will not solve the problem through imprisonment, deportation, or other repulsing policies. The state is taking the wrong track in response to conditions made bad by longstanding federal immigration procedures and border insecurities. This bill flirts with outright racism and surely is a scapegoat for other problems in this country. As for me and my family we have no plans to visit Arizona. We find this law as inhospitable and thorny as the state flower of Arizona.

That is what they call it, the republican pundits that is.  Currently I am in my office working but with my headphones on. I am quietly listing to the Obama’s bipartisan health care summit.

I and those around me, those of us that sacrificed money as well as time to get Obama elected are finally in consensus that this push for Health Care has been lame for lack a better word.

And now I am listening to preach to congress, and he is convincing, in fact he is very convincing. He has the right path for America, at least the start of it, by progressive standards; even though the bill is missing what is considered major, public option.

Then, one of the most powerful republicans, Minority House Leader John Boehner slapped Obama’s efforts down by saying:

Let’s scrap this Bill!

Basically, repeating what his has been saying for almost a year now. Obama just let is slide, saying that he viewed it significantly different.

They kept repeating it, rephrased in many different ways; and he only disagrees with it.

At some point he has to get mad, and angry, not calm like this. Moreover, I heard a friend say this, ‘maybe Hilary had a point when she said Obama was soft.’

This one girl, who is a platonic friend and have been exchanging emails with me for about 4 years now, recently changed her style. Those long emails she used to send have been getting shorter and shorter by the week. By summer time, it got short that my emails to her were getting in her ‘no reply necessary’ folder.

Here is a rule of thumb for those of you that are no email savvy. If there is no CC, it’s a direct email and it needs a reply; if there is no need to reply to it by an answer, you need to send confirmation that you received and read the email.

A simple one to two words is fine. Ok, Got it, Thanks, Fine and Cool are perfect. If you are really swamped for time then skip the word and write the letter ‘K.’

That’s it! reply confirmation is always necessary!

If you know me, you know I love food. Yes I cook, but sometimes when you have a craving, it’s just that craving.

The Manhattan from BooyeMonger, a delicious sandwich filled with cooked spinach, bacon and hot Roast beef with a house dressing; the crust from a wood oven baked pizza at Pizza Paradiso; the noodles in Bangkok Joes; and Tibs at madget.

I love Thai food, and it’s the first thing that pops to mind whenever the sun sets and I am hungry. When I first moved to the current dwelling, I went for Sushi nearby and ended up with an almost perfect Chicken Drunken Noodle.

The place called Yamazatoes, it’s really a Japanese spot with a fourth Thai dishes. I am not a big fan of ‘lets get two different types of cuisine in one location’ so that we can compete in two markets idea, so I was hesitant at first.

Anyways the dish was great for 11 big ones. Thus I started picking it up on my way home; at least once every two weeks and in some cases once a week.

One day I called to pick it up, and by the time It was time to pick it up, I was invited to a dinner gathering and so I skipped. Two weeks or so later when I called to make my order, the lady on the other side said hold on and brought the owner to the phone. He complained that I called and didn’t pick up.

‘Sorry it won’t happen again.’ And everything was back to normal, except the person who would pick up the phone would get some kind of approval before they accepted my order.

I always thought it was rude; so what! if I missed to pick up one order, I am a loyal customer and you should treat me as such.

If I had a choice I would have been a goner; unlike the Korean dry cleaner that was conveniently located next to my grocery store. I dropped of my corduroy sports jacket with the other usual stuff. Everything came back fine except they forgot to clean the jacket or something, because a particular large stain remained untouched.

I dropped it back the next time I went; the owner wasn’t there and I insisted they clean it for free, second time around. They left her a note asserting my claim.

When I came back to pick it up, she basically fought back and said I must have wore it again, because it was a while ago. I got animated and said you think I want to cheat you 7$, you didn’t clean it the first time around. And eventually I said I won’t be back. My average monthly dry cleaning expense will be spent elsewhere for ever.

Drunken Noodle was on my mind when I called to order but right after I hanged up I got a call from a girl, inviting me to dinner. I called right back and canceled the order, 2 minutes or so in between.

Next time I called, the owner got on the phone and said he is not taking orders from me. I explained the situation and he finally took the order.

A few weeks later I went to pick up…but this time I didn’t order ahead, I just arrived and ordered and he was at the front desk and told me that he is not taking orders over the phone from me.

Just come here and pay first,” in his thick far eastern accent with a dismissive tone. I told him, you know I average 26 orders a year, 2 years and counting. Do you know how much money that is?

He said he knows, how much I order from them. I reiterated that the cost of me messing up twice or even 6 times in a year is minute. If you want me to pay for the missed and canceled order I will pay. But you have to realize that there is such a thing about business costs.

And he said ok! If I mess up again just add it up as a business cost.  But I was thinking ya, don’t let your black people prejudice affect your business; nevertheless didn’t say it out loud since I don’t want him to spit on my drunken noodle.

This post is dedicated to my big sister, who is the biggest foodie I know.

Besides being a popular phrase; ‘state of mind’ is the perspective on which you look at situations. Yes my definition because I was not able to find my application of the phrase online being described.

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear”

I love that phrase because perception is not reality; and reality is relative perception. Are you confused yet?

I have heard people say, ‘he/she hurt me;’ and the fact is he/she did. And that is reality! If someone feels hurt it’s a fact, regardless of the action that caused the hurt by general measurable standards was considered hurtful.

So being hurt is a ‘State of Mind.’

I find myself saying, I don’t care if it works out it works out and if doesn’t then so be it. Eventually I believe it, and then I live it and truly I didn’t care.

I just found out some news that could have been looked at as either a positive or a negative. I found myself looking at it negatively and being unhappy about it. But in reality since the news is a fact that I can’t change, I should have tried to look at it positively so that I could actually be nonchalant about it.

The Film continues, I am still hooked! I love drama, dating worE.

What do you think of this episode, I had wished they showed a bit more about the new girl that is kinda waiting for the guy at the bar.

And the funniest part of all, the guy picked that girl up for a possible one night stand. BesaQ!

I pretty much have every bernos tee except two which were stolen by freinds, family and or girlfreinds I suspect. Now I did have one that was medium but I could not fit it in and viola I found a solution online.

And it worked

This is not about being blunt, or rude. It’s just expressing how you feel!

Sometime you just have to say it. You did this to me and it makes me feel this way. So I said it, and he said no need to be rude, I am busy.

I know for a fact he is busy, and I know after telling him what I felt that he most likely didn’t forget intentionally.

I feel better, because if I didn’t say it I would remember it for the rest of the year or so. I just want to make the issue disappear from my head and not be angry about it.

Venting

I call it venting, and it lets steam out of your ears, nose and other body orifices. That in turn keeps you cool and going along.

The term ‘going postal’ is popular for a reason. According to wiki:

Its verb meaning to suddenly become extremely and uncontrollably angry…”

Once in a while you need to tell your boss or who ever fu*ed you that you feel betrayed even it does not change the outcome.

I make it a point to throw a semi tantrum when my friends are late beyond the point of no return.

Some people will never change and will continue to be inconsiderate, but at least I am expressing my concern so that I keep sane.

It’s a series of short stories with the same characters, dealing with all sort of life issues.  From what I have just seen this is some serious set of films; I will be promoting each episode as they come out whenever.

I am hooked. Let me know what you think? I will pass word along to the filmmakers.

The number of ambiguous single words you made up; he excuses you came up with; the number of times you decide not to speak, all conspired so that you don’t have to express your self.

I recently had something scheduled in my calendar. One of those things the crew does together and as the organizer I canceled it. The crew got an email saying ‘it’s canceled.’

I got a reply, ‘why did you cancel the event?’

I could have said, I am busy, you didn’t confirm, I am really tired, we are too late in the planning, right now it’s just easier to cancel and reschedule; but I didn’t say that.

I said “BeQa’A”

Meaning, BeQa’A, for no reason; he replied, ‘ Ok.’

Usually I am not like this. I usually express the exact reason for my actions. And now that I think about it, it’s what I would want if I was in the other shoes.

This single word, the one who is so hip and so Arada is fine and dandy if it wasn’t so ambiguous.

Did I say BeQA, like enough! Or did I say it with an affirmation on the second ‘A.’ Like an offooy, but I couldn’t have said offoy, that could have meant, ‘I am tired of talking to you, you miserable man who doesn’t need an explanation.’

Be’QaA, you guys Offoooye.

I lied though, he actually replied by saying ‘AyeeeeE’ to my initial ‘BeQa’A.’

And what I think he meant was, ‘you are not going to give an explanation are you, you miserable man who is inconsiderate to his good friend.’

AyeeeE, how can you say that about me? Offoy BeQagn.

Meaning, I am tired, I don’t what to discuss this at the moment and/or permanently!

Now if we could just say that, there would be more understanding, now express yourself Aradoch!

Technology changes how society interacts, people who used to call each other in the evening and on weekends just 15 years ago, now can keep in contact from anywhere and anytime.

Emails help people from all over the world get to know each other and keep in touch.

Dating is changed; there are not two steps before getting the digits which leads to the phone call. It might be too soon to call, thus you email and then chat and then get the phone number. But don’t call! Text first!

You don’t have to hang out with his/or her friends to get to know them, you can just check out his Facebook photos to find out what they do when they are together.

With that there are lame things people do and I consider really Fara. Enclosed short list of things that really annoy me:

Group Posed Shots

Photos are meant to capture a moment in time, not create a fake moment. If you are out with friends, by all means take some photos but don’t make people stand up, move, scrunch together and force a smile. Just take photos as things are — not everyone is facing that way or is smiling. I would want to see how things were when everyone was not posing. Don’t ruin the moment for a godamn picture.

I noticed the prevalence of group posed photos in the Abesha more so than non-Abesha’s. Don’t get me wrong, posing for a photo is fine if you are documenting your presence in a landmark or showing your affection to a significant other by having a walker-paster to take a quick shot of youtooos.

Long Text Messages

Texting is so very cool, I have personally avoided it because I talk too much and I can’t seem to crunch what I have to say to 160 words or less. But I opted in when a girl I liked said she prefers text instead of emails. We texted!

Its good to make plans, give updates but you can’t have a full conversation; to do so is lame. If you need to talk call godamit! You are with a phone by the phone and apparently so is the other person.

If your reason for texting is to avoid calling then email, you can write long or short email and the other person can reply in their own time.

There is a phone, there is email, there is chat and there is a letter. Use appropriately, if you write a letter to say “just saying hello;” then that is a waste of a stamp and paper, you text for that.

Repeated Messages

Once in a while I get messages via email and then followed by a phone call. Or a phone call followed by a text messages. Or they would see me online on try to chat ask me if I have seen their email.

And the mother is guilty by this; she would call and call and call again till I picked up. Obviously I am not avoiding her that much I am just busy, in the shower or peeing or in a meeting.

Hey, one message is enough, I will return in time. Don’t email me and then call me to ask if I received your email… Of course I did, and I will return in time; right after I finish swallowing my food.

No Cash Ever

I go out to dinner or for drinks a lot, sometimes it in groups. The bill comes and no one has cash, they all take out a credit card to pay for their portion. You have to give the server five cards to charge, and that’s stupid! If you are going out to dinner with more than one other person stop by the ATM, cash is cool.

If you are in a bar, and you are only going to buy one drink for the night, it ain’t cool to hold up the line by paying with a card. I am sure the bartender doesn’t appreciate it either.

We are working this week, with no internet connection other than to process orders from around the world. We love you guys but we also have lives, and thus we are not going to be updating the blog this week as we are busy at the ESFNA event here in DC.

If you are going to be there, come say hello, we love that if not give us a shout out.

Source

It’s becoming ridiculous, and I think everyone in the world could relate, because even if you use public transportation; like here in DC, they are worried that the trains will be overloaded if the price increases to 5$ a gallon.

I have never really thought about how much I spend for Gas, but its hitting me in my pockets, because I drive long distances most things.

I did receive a tip, a gas saving tip that is; Ten things you can do to save on gas.

Here are a few, I don’t know if it makes a difference.

Avoid speeding, Avoid Acceleration, Turn off AC; basically take the fun out of driving. But the biggest surprise is the inflation of a tire, basically there is a point in the inflation rate of each tire where you can optimize the rate of gas consumption.

Yes I know the cynics here are bernos are going to say, why don’t you take public transportion?

I would if I could, but I can’t so what to do?

Here are a few suggestions, I found on the web:

• Convert you car to run on Free Vegetable Oil in 8 Easy Steps; Betam arif
  
• Or find more activities closer to home and at home; genuis, basically don’t drive!

Keeping up with the keeping of up! What I love?

Fresh made coffee, first thing in the morning, mmm I go through a lot of coffee. Picking up a newspaper on my way to lunch and reading the newspaper as I am eating and or waiting for it.

I love cookies, I grab a cup of tea around 2 or 3 pm and get some cookies out of the cupboard in my cubical and dunk it in the tea before I take a bite.

I now realize most of the things I love are associated with food. I like going out to eat with friends but I get restless if we have to sit for too long.

I like movies although not as much as I use too, I am finding them to be a little slower than in the past. I want a lot sensory input, lots of twist and turns.

I like listening to great music, especially in the car, although lately I have been enjoying listening to radio, American politics.

I love love reading, but not books especially novels.Ii like reading articles, especially blogs. The personal the better. I love being alone. Its so peaceful.

I like looking at pretty woman, but I don’t enjoy talking to them as much as I use to. I like talking to social, funny, freindly woman more than a gorgeous mannequin. I like flirting but not as much as I use to.

I love love love email communication, I really hate phone calls that last too long with no point.

You guys remember when we played a game; the most comments ever in history. We stopped at 372 and I thought that was a lot. Now I blog DailyKos and they average 5000 comments in one day if the topic is hot.

So they have thing thing they call open thread, everyone goes crazy and free associates.

Tonight, I am frustrated about something, about an email that I was expecting. What happened was that sometimes my emails go to the spam folder, and I have no idea if my email didn’t get sent or if its in the spam folder. So I have to say excuse my language and fck it.

My frustration is spam folder!

Aight, its your turn. Share things frustration; or you bitterness. I am bitter and I am proud!