Another Google Video Moment - "Rock climbing" in Denver

Hi

Yes, the time has come folks. Long has the world gone without an Imran Shakur Google Video (ISGV) moment! These classic ISGVs have transformed the way people see themselves as they realize, like I have so long ago, the power of recording yourself for the entertainment of others and how it can directly correlate to refining your abilities. Abilities like knowing how to take video clips of yourself so well that it looks like someone is taking it for you. For this is a skill not many a ninja have (how cool did that sound?!).

And so, folks, make no exception here. This is another such video. But this time, instead of coming from some exotic place abroad, my journey takes you to Denver, Colorado and specifically the Red Rocks - home of the Red Rocks Amphitheater.

This video captures my gallant efforts of trekking the unknown wilderness of the Red Rocks. Be warned, oh reader, that during footage I am attacked ruthlessly by insects and who knows what else. This is very similar to Man vs Wild. I should submit this to the Discovery Channel.

Without any further delay, allow me to introduce you to…myself. Rock climbing and hiking like you’ve never seen before:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-503498354518578814

cheers

Leave Britney Alone

Hi

So, I’ve finally gotten around to watching what all the hoopla was about in the “Leave Britney Alone” video. As of this posting, it’s had 6 million plus people on YouTube see it with probably that many spoofs done on it as well. I think as a blogger, I have certain obligations to post something like this out of mere blogging duty. And nothing more.

As for any insightful commentary about this or what this says about our Hollywood-obsessed culture, well, I’ll leave that to you.

I warn you, this is kinda scary and will leave wondering, “WTF?”



cheers

Fantasy Football 2007

Hello

About three weeks ago, AJ and I held our 2^nd annual Fantasy Football Draft Party at AJ’s place just like last year (though it was all AJ, mA – I’m just co-commish). For the most part, we had the same people from last year, but with a couple changes. We excommunicated A-Moose and Ziddy due to their lack of commitment to the league last season. Ziddy and A-Moose really didn’t update their players; in addition, Ziddy’s picks were made basically by Hamza (Badie’s brother). With this year marking the year for a keeper’s league, we could not risk any such nonsense. So, we made two great acquisitions to this season to replace them: Fahad and Kamran.

The only people that missed were MIA was Badie and Erik, unfortunately. They could not attend in person nor could they attend via the teleconference call-in number we had set-up. Everyone else was able to make it one way or another including, via teleconference, Affan [from NYC], Omar [from Minnesota], and Tariq [mad props to Tariq from calling-in from India!!]. “Live” attendees included the commissioners (Pac/AJ), Aladdin, Taha/Ahmed tandem, Eyad, Fahad, and Kamran.

The set-up for the draft party was as follows: AJ got the chips and dip along with Giordano’s pizza (one thick crust, one think crust) and drinks. Let’s not forget the great chocolate cake desert. Fahad did it big by bringing his brother’s projection so we could hook up a laptop to it and display it on the wall for everyone to see. We timed each pick by having it set to a minute (Taha was the time keeper; the only reason why we tolerated him there).

The activities started with STL T&A (Taha/Ahmed) having the number one pick! Needless to say, we all know who got LT. How lucky can you get especially when starting a keeper’s league? The most intriguing picks of the night have to go to Omar who picked players like Greg Olsen, Garrett Wolfe, Bernard Berrian, Marques Colston, Cedric Benson, and Devin Hester. Granted, some of these players would be decent pick-ups late in the draft, but Omar picked these guys (except perhaps for Wolfe) pretty high and when other better FF players were available! We were all shocked with each pick he made wondering what he was doing out in Minnesota to cause to him to make such picks?! But, my respect goes out to him as a fellow Bears fan for picking so many of our players. He also has the Bears DEF, but he picked them in the 2^nd round!

Anyway, for the most part, I’m satisfied with my team. I’ve got studs like Brady, Barber III, Willie Parker, and Romo. My receiving core is alright with Driver and Terry Glenn, but the only problem is that Glenn may be gone for the rest of the season. I might have to give up Romo for a stud receiver.

Anyway…here are the guys (sans the teleconference people):

Good times as always

Da Bears: Kick-off Report

Hi

As fate would have it, the Bears unfortunately lost today against one of the best teams in the league – the Chargers. The loss is further emphasized by the potential loss of Mike Brown – the Bears and NFL’s premiere safety. There is none like him in heart and play-making ability.

Even before today’s tragic injury, Brown ensured that he did not leave the game without intercepting Phillip Rivers and recovered a fumble. He left the game, though, in tears as I was told by Fahad because of the possibility of being out for the year – once again. In that sense, Brown is the new Rex Grossman from a couple seasons ago. Grossman repeatedly suffered season-ending injuries and now Brown is facing much the same. I ask you, as this is near and dear to my heart, to make dua for his full and speedy recovery. We need him on the field for so many reasons.

As for the game itself, it was frustrating in many ways as the Bears-Colts Super Bowl Game was; both games were winnable and in both games we made dumb mistakes and lost out on scoring opportunities. Grossman in some ways still looked like last year’s “bad” Grossman; but at the same time, Grossman looked like Tom Brady with some of his phenomenal passes to Berrian. He also got popped – there’s no other way to put it – twice, but that wasn’t his fault.

In some good news, however, our DEF continues to be DOMINANT. I mean, we were playing the Chargers, folks. For the ignorant: The Chargers are one of THE best teams in the league in terms of offense and defense. Despite that, we only allowed two TDs and you have to consider the fact that Bears DEF was out on the field for waaaay too long. And we made LT – the league’s best RB and top scorer – look like a chump with his running game. At one point in the game, he had 9 rushes with -1 yard. That’s NEGATIVE one yard. At the end of the game, he had 17 carries and 25 yards! The back-up RB on the Chargers (Turner) had more.

We were essentially screwed by Antonio Gates’ performance and also by shooting ourselves in the foot (repeatedly) by missed opportunities/frustrating plays (i.e. fumbles, punt return where SD recovered the ball, etc.).

Overall, I am pretty bummed out about it. But, it’s the first game of the season and we have a long way to go. Our defense looks phenomenal and our offense inshaAllah will soon take over. But, please, please make dua for Mike Brown.

Da Bears!

ISNA 2007

AA

Well, ISNA weekend has come and gone and “gone” being the operative word here for Chicagoan ISNA goers. Unbeknownst to me, ISNA has decided to alternate city locations for the annual ISNA convention. Next year it will take place in O-hi-fricken-o, which means that there is a 0.00001% chance that I will go. The only thing that could possibly compel me to go is if I finally decide to reserve a booth promoting my blog.

Anyway, allow me to give you my ISNA highlights of 2007: (I’m writing to you, by the way, live from an airplane en route to Denver for work. I thought you should know that because I am convinced that my legion of blog readers often wonder where I write and what I am wearing. Please text me privately regarding my current attire.)

Friday night: No ISNA activities largely due to Huss not calling me back and Taha being with his new BFF Faisal Raja. Regardless, I at least enjoyed a phenomenal AJ-Pac Day and the excellent company of my relatives in the evening.

Saturday night: Totally dissed again by AH and his “hunny bunny," Zareen (as they like to call each other for ridiculously silly, mushy reasons). AJ ditched me for his second wife, Sofia. And Taha ditched me for his family – the only valid and excusable excuse here. Saturday, however, was an exceptional day for me as I got to spend a large part of the day and evening with my shaykh, mashaAllah.

Sunday: ISNA day. Ali and I roll through and we first check out the bazaar. The bazaar for the most part seemed pretty typical. Lots of places for chicks to buy clothes and jewelry. Companies selling properties in, for example, Medina. The CIA and Dept of Homeland were recruiting (clearly, they’re no longer hiding the fact that they’re closely monitoring ISNA). Many beautiful art booths. Many beautiful girls walking to and fro. And so on. So we rendezvous with AJ who mA introduces us to Imam Zaid Shakir (May Allah protect him). AJ, doing it big as always, buys me Seasons (Zaytuna’s quarterly journal) so that Imam Zaid can sign it for me. We were also fortunate enough to have Imam Zaid make dua for us personally. By the way, I have to say that Imam Zaid's eyes were very captivating. They had the nur and look of a person preoccupied with Allah. So, yeah, he's on another level. May Allah grant him success.

Almost immediately after that, we had the distinct privilege and honor to meet Shaykh Faraz Rabbani – founder of SunniPath.com and someone I have been emailing for many, many years questions ranging from fiqh (jurisprudence) to the spiritual. Shaykh Faraz remembered who I was after a brief intro and even mentioned my blog! The fact that he is aware of my blog (most likely because I have it as a part of my signature in my email) is both momentous and embarrassing. Momentous because it’s Shaykh Faraz; embarrassing because I really hope he avoids reading the more…err…thamasha-like entries. Shaykh Faraz also has a blog and is listed as a link on my blog page (see Seeker's Digest). He usually has really interesting links up there ranging from education, technology, best practices (in things like time management), and of course Islam. It was also great to know that Shaykh Faraz met with Shaykh Amin, too, and advised me to benefit from him as much as possible. InshaAllah.

Not too long after meeting Sh Faraz, we also saw Sh. Hamza Yusuf at the Zaytuna booth. He was really nice to everyone he met - giving each person as much time as they wanted. AJ said that I had to do it big myself and strike up a long coversation, but by the time I got to him, they were trying to rush people because some brother before us seemed like he was telling Sh. Hamza his entire life story. Regardless, it was a blessing and great opportunity for us to meet these scholars.

Look, I know it sounds like I’m talking about these scholars like they’re rock stars, but the reality is that they are much bigger than that. They are pillars in our deen in our time, mashaAllah, and their guidance is inshaAllah inspiring...

Ali and I (though Ali slept through much of it) also attended Dr. Umar's - of the Nawawi Foundation - Meet the Author event where he discussed his book A Muslim in Victorian America: The Life of Alexander Russell Webb. Russell Webb's life and time in which he lived is pretty amazing. One day, I'll have to read his book (don't laugh). Yep, it exited me that much. Webb knew people like Mark Twain and others like Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas attended the same talks he attended. Pretty unreal if you think about it.

Moving on...so of course we run into a buncha people. Highlights would include meeting Zareen’s twin sister, Samar, and Masuma at the Embassy Suites lobby. Unlike her sister, Samar was skinny and didn’t ask if I wore designer clothes or accessories. But, like her sister, she asked if I could write her an ode on my blog (which I have since been considering). The epic meeting between Samar and I was simply an inevitable cornerstone that had to be reached in my previously exclusive virtual relationship with her. I had only known Samar through pictures and through random Gmail chats where she got freaked out that I wrote about my love for her on my blog prior to meeting her. It's a long story, folks...

As for Masuma, it had been our one year anniversary, but all I got from her was a very nice smile (which I'm not complaining about). I even mentioned how I wrote an ode - no small feat - to her a year ago, but I got nothing more than a I'm-smiling-because-I'm-just-being-nice-to-you-you-freak look. Maybe she didn't talk to me that much because I didn't get her anything for our anniversary? Maybe she didn't talk to me because of the fact that I did write an ode to her (and her sister)? I don't know. I don't get women...

My ISNA experience for 2007 ended by attending the main lecture of the night – the MSA’s guest speakers which included the Yasir Qadhi, Imam Zaid and Shaykh Hamza with a couple others. Shaykh Hamza was good as usual, mashaAllah, but ISNA’s coordination of when his talk started was terrible. We sat there forever before he got up there to speak. We had to listen to the over zealous MSA president - whose passion was not contagious but totally obnoxious - talk about how great the MSA is and our youth and blah, blah, blah. Needless to say, the MSA president is a girl and they're generally pretty excitable. Yes, I did just say that!

Lastly, I’d just like to conclude that the real success of ISNA were fun, pleasant conversations with AJ’s wife, Sofia. Apparently, the gifts I’ve gotten them worked. Even Sofia said jokingly (I hope), “Keep the gifts coming.” Sigh. Women. No matter what the relationship is, they always want stuff. Be it chocolates from Belgium or odes on a blog.

Until ISNA returns to Chicago (or goes to someplace like LA, Miami, NYC, etc.), I'm out.

A 300 Workout

Hi

Only Hulk would forward this to me (Hulk = Taha, btw):



IS THAT ALL??

jeez

Been a minute...

AA

Well, beloved fans and bored people, it's been nearly a month since my last entry. I apologize for my blog disappearance.

I've been thinking about contributing factors to my disappearance and have come up with the following list:

1) Recent traveling. It's not like I've been traveling hardcore like consultants do, but make no mistake that recent traveling alone can account for just over a week of non-blogging. Trips to Brussels, London, and DC.

2) Facebook. I hate to say it, but a website that I've grown to love and respect so much (Zuckerberg's face may as well be plastered all over my desktop) has contributed rather significantly to non-blogging time. I am addicted to it. FB is probably the main source of me selling out on myself. With uploading pictures and providing my comments for each one, it's done nearly half my blogging right there. Instead of writing about an event and posting the pictures on my blog and online at Picasaweb or Kodak Gallery, I'm uploading all new photos to fb. Nowadays, people are saying, "Upload those pics on your blog" more so out of a respected tradition, but they immediately follow-up with, "AND MAKE SURE YOU TAG ME ON FB!!" And instead of writing about how I feel, I can now update my status to "Imran is sexy" (I feel that way quite a bit). The fb phenomena is crazy, but moving forward I'm going to ensure that fb time no longer infringes blog time.

3) Social demands. Being who I am can be, well, difficult. On any given day, AJ will want me to himself in Elmhurst, while the STL duo will require me downtown. Meanwhile, there are demands from The North Side crew, Sarosh, and the "Do Me" crew. And let's not forget Erik, too. I'm even in the process of trying to holler at good ol' Anish aka "Dumb Day Dave." Sigh. I have to stop. The thought of me being so popular and cool, mashaAllah, is beginning to tire me...

4) Working out. Well, as of the past two/three weeks, I really can't use this as an excuse anymore. But, it was a valid excuse initially for non-blog'age. I was into this whole existential phase for a good month in my life where I wanted to eat healthy and work out. It was a total out-of-body experience, dude. Then shortly before Belgium, things kinda slowed down and then all together stopped. (InshaAllah, I'm looking forward to geting back into the mix soon.) But, basically, I'd get home from working out and was just too tired to blog, so I'd look at the latest fb updates instead. InshaAllah, when I get back into the work out groove, I will make sure that this, too, doesn't impact my blogging.

5) Timing. By the time I feel like blogging again, it's gotten to be pretty late or I'm distracted by something else (sleep).

I think that's it. Why I'm acting like this blog is so important to so many people including myself is beyond me at this moment. Or why I'm acting like it's been months upon months since my last entry is equally mind boggling. But it's late and the words and thoughts are flowing like a river, so I'm just going with it...

I'll see you guys on here soon. Go on, hold your breath. It won't be that long...

:)

Best Place to Die

As Salaamu Alaikoom

A question on a list serve I am a part of was asked as follows: "What are the virtues of dying while performing Hajj? Is it permissible for a person to ask for such a death before leaving for Hajj? Can this be included as part of the intentions for performing Hajj? To me Hajj seems to be the perfect place and time to die."

The response by Shaykh GF Haddad is awesome, mashaAllah, and an important one to understand:

"Yes, Hajj does seem like the best place and time to die, but this is only provided it is a Hajj mabrur, i.e. accepted in the Divine presence, so that one comes out of it like a newborn babe according to the hadith to that effect. Such a certitude cannot be taken for granted.

In addition, there are many other times and places, each of which can be argued to seem to us as the best time and place to die.

Among them is prostration, since the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, said that the servant is nearest to his Lord at that time. Among them also is jihad, since the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, himself so wished, and he said such a person is the best servant of Allah Most High. Also among them is Makka and Madina regardless of pilgrimage, since the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, said that one should try, if one can, to die in them. He also supplicated for Allah Most High to make Madina "as beloved to us as Makka, or more" and his grave here is the most preferable spot in creation. Also among them is dhikr because of its countless benefits, such as the Divine forgiveness, which is obviously preferable to being in Hajj in an unrepentent state or with an inappropriate intent. However, all this does not mean that one is allowed to ask for death. Such a supplication is forbidden unless one is sure that overwhelming temptation is threatening one's religion. What the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, taught that one should ask for is, "O Allah, grant me life as long as life is best for me, and grant me death as long as death is best for me" as in the Sahihayn and Sunan.

So the best time and place to die is not this place or that time specifically and uniformly for everyone; rather, it is the time and place Allah Most High in His supreme wisdom has chosen and decreed for us in His Qadar, the foreordained destiny in which we believe and to which we submit with full acceptance, pleasure, and thanks."

May Allah grant us satisfaction in what He has ordained for us. Allah huma sali Allah Muhammad. Ameen.

Fi Aman Allah

An Ode to Fahad

Hi

Fahad, my brother, you are a man of inspiration.

Let me say, people, that Fahad Siddiqui has risen amongst the ranks of us single men. Fahad, you see, is essentially my twin in terms of how we think. For example, the "do me" phraseology stems from our collective badmash-ness. We also have the propensity to say crude things at often random times. This is something innately carnal in our desire for...well...let's just say our innate carnal desires.

Whether right or wrong, I am not here to discuss that. What I am here to discuss is my man Fahad and the brilliance and ballzyness (sp?) of an email he sent to a local Chicago reporter who, to put simply, is fiiine, playa!

And that's exactly what Fahad emailed her about: to let her know that he and some of his boys think that she's hot (and to confirm if she's pregnant). But the style of Fahad's email is what has lifted him to a plateau that even I - the man, the myth, the legend, the sufi, the lover, the fighter, the punjabi - didn't know existed. Read on, readers:

"Hey Paula,

I just wanted to ask if your pregnant or not? Im assuming yes, but just wanted to make sure!! You still look great and you are the only reason I watch NBC5, Me and my buddies (who are all single, and live at home) made a list of the hottest reporters in Chicago, here it is

1. Paula Faris (that would be you)
2. Ana Devalantes (spelling?, shes pretty hot as well)
3. Kathy Brock (old but probably hotter in her younger years)
4. Cherly Burton (classic hot)
5. Megan Fox (ok so shes not a reporter but did you see transformers? My god!!)

As you can tell I live at home and have no girlfreind! Anyway it would be great if you could reply back to me!! Thanks a lot and good luck!! Let me know if you ever get single, take care

Your loving fan,

Fahad Siddiqui"

Not only does he tell her that she's hot, but he goes on and gives her his Top Five which included a special cameo by Megan Fox. And then he continues his work of brilliance by admitting that he's a loser (I say that with respect and understanding, Fahad) in that he is living at home and has no woman of his own! This is the work of a man motivated by his fantasies. Such a man, ladies and gentlemen, should be applauded and heralded to the world as a man of...

Actually, that's just it. He should be heralded to the world as simply as a man. A man. Period. A man's man. That's how manly he is.

And, in true pimptastic form, the reporter did in fact reply:

"Hi Fahad-
I'm flattered that I'm on your list...even moreso seeing that I'm pregnant. (yes, your intuition was right) Gotta tell you, pregnant chicks don't get a second glance, so it's an honor.
I'll probably be going on maternity leave in the next 4-6 weeks, not returning until late November. So, I hope you all don't forget about me! :) Kidding...

By the way, totally agree with your assessment of Kathy Brock.

Take Care, Fahad!
Paula Faris
NBC5 Sports
Chicago"

My unbiased translation of her email is as follows: "Hi Fahad. You've got balls and I'm totally hot for you. Take Care, Your Sexy Momma, Paula Fahad...err, I mean Paula Faris"

Bravo, Fahad! Bravo!!


do me

Transformers: Episode 1

Hello Autobots & Decepticons

Props to my boy Omar for this link:



Really, do I have to expand on this, folks? I think not!

Autobots! Transform and roll out!