November 2008 Archives

Of the many great experiences I had in Syria, some of my favourites were at family gatherings and parties. Of course, the sort of reunions that happen in the "Old Country" are far more lively than the usual Christmas get-togethers that North Americans participate in. For one thing, because I was the only one from my household in Utah to visit family in Syria, I was constantly taken from relative to relative, meeting people aged from less than a month to 80+ years. Family in Syria means not just one's aunts and uncles, but also their children's relatives. It means that I not only met people distantly related to me by 2^nd or 3^rd generational gaps, but also be met every friend, distant relative, and acquaintance of everyone else's friends, relatives, and acquaintances. I probably met 100+ different people from a wide array of backgrounds and professions: from business to dentistry. The family dynamic in Syria is broad, to say the least.

I just read an amazing little poem by John Scalzi. Made me think of lots of the things that people take for granted. Even in a place like Vancouver it can be difficult to live in. And it doesn't help that Vancouver has the poorest postal code in Canada.
Somehow, though, there's still hope; humans are smarter and stronger today than most people give us credit for.

"Lately"
The Helio Sequence

Lately,
I don't think of you at all.
Or wonder what you're up to,
Or how you're your getting on.
I never think of calling you,
Or how things could've been.
Or wonder where you sleep at night,
Or whose arms you wake in.
 
I'm living alone, living alone.
I don't need you anymore.
Living alone, living alone.
I don't need you anymore.
 
Lately,
I don't get lost in daydreams.
I never lay awake at night,
Staring in my bed.
And I don't think about your face,
Or anything you say.
And I don't think twice,
When someone says your name.
Or twist my mind in circles,
Wondering which of us to blame.
 
I'm living alone, living alone.
I don't need you anymore.
Living alone, living alone.
I don't need you anymore.
 
I never walk alone,
And think of all the empty words.
Or wonder when the day will break,
Or when the tides will turn.
And I don't break down,
When someone says your name.
Or twist my mind in circles,
Wondering which of us to blame.
 
I'm living alone, living alone.
I don't need you anymore.
Living alone, living alone.
I don't need you anymore.
 
Lately,
I don't think of you at all.
Lately,
Lately,
Oh lately.

I know that this is a bit mushy, but I just realized that it's November 19th. Those who know me personally know exactly what I was doing last year.
For those who don't: let's just say that today sparked a chain of events that resulted with me being at SFU, and I'm damn happy to be here.

I'm going to start posting lyrics that are in keeping with my current life's playlist. This will probably be a twice a week feature, we'll see how it goes.
I'll still be making normal posts to this site, so stay tuned!

"Two Ghosts"
Boy Eats Drum Machine


woke up in time to see you turn into a ghost
from the top of the world
theres a view of sun so clean you can only look once
I see you carried away by the wind now
no matter what we say the things we claim dry out and blow away

its over my love
now were just a piece of the scenery in a painting signed anonymous
over my love
over just out of reach in retrospect I guess I loved you too much
loved you too much
loved you loved you when all I really needed was someone to touch
someone to touch
someone someone coarse enough to resist any powerful force

I hear a sound I think maybe youre here somewhere now
sometimes you hear sometimes you see but youre only imagining
if theres a season theres got to be a reason for it
you make your peace you make your mistakes
sometimes the world gives sometimes it takes

More to come.

Ok, well, it's been some time since I've posted, which gives some indication as to how busy I've been, so let's use this post to update everyone on what I've been up to.
Firstly, SFU (Simon Fraser University):

This school has been amazing. Between the Cognitive Science Program and the excellent residents in its dorm community I've had a more rewarding experience in the last two months than my entire time at the university of Utah. Professors listen to students, there are numerous opportunities to expand and learn, and being on the hill is an island in a sea of urban Canada.
Another excellent thing to note about SFU's location is that I'm less than two minutes (walking) from Burnaby Mountain Park, A magical place with an excellent view of both the city and the Pacific Ocean.

Check out the view:

It's even better at night.
Now that I've posted a mini-update, I'll feel better about making updates later.
Cheers.