Ignorant-Thinkers

Let's start by addressing that I am, indeed, a devout Agnostic. My theories of a god-like figure vary and I am content with my inconsistency. At the moment, I don't believe in God, no; however, ask me tomorrow, after I've experienced a surreal coincidence and I might contradict myself. I won't subscribe to the whole Atheistic cult, because really, who knows if there is a metaphysical being? I think humans are ignorant for either stating complete and utter belief in an invisible creator and too full of themselves for denying blind faith. Why do you have to choose one over the other? Humans know nothing. You will never learn the meaning of life. Your pastor is fatuously respected when he is only man-weak, stupid, selfish. Then again, the Atheist you met on the plane last week-he's nothing, but a fraud who thinks he's deciphered the world's mystery. 

Another thing: if we are going to get into the lifestyles of the religious, I just have to flat-out admit that all of them are hypocrites, namely the die-hard. Terrorism, for example, is NOT a religious matter. I was raised within a Muslim family, my grandfather prays five times per day, and practices the five-pillars without hesitation. That, my friend, is devotion. I say this, though with hesitation because he is only human, nothing special, just flesh. Though it is completely ridiculous for him to subscribe to a specific sect, I still give him kudos for practicing with as little contradiction as humanly possible. Al-Quaeda, on the other hand, has no clue who Allah is and claim to be destructing His precious Earth in His name. This is not religion, my friend, this is humiliation to the rest of the Islamic population, it demolishes the reputation of innocent, passionate Muslims. Don't ever believe a journalist, a documentarist referring to terrorism as a religious sacrifice, and last time I checked, human sacrifice was nowhere to be found within the binds of the Koran. I find this bullshit and offensive.

Plain stated: I don't care what religion you follow. If your life runs the way you please, then by all means, continue doing whatever it is makes you happy. Just let me live mine and we can all attempt to live in some sort of harmony.

"We're Persian, Like the Cat. MEOW!"

I was in D.C. a few days ago and walked past the usual rallies and activists, but this one caught my eye-it was my kin! About 20 or 30 Iranians were gathered, side-by-side, behind typical posters and pickets demonstrating.  One looked like my Uncle Navid, another reminded me of my cousin Sholeh, I felt at home, so I stepped forward to inquire. I found this one poster with a caricature of President Ahmadinejad, looking as if he had had a few too many shots of Whiskey and like always, scruffy, filthy-looking. A cannon was drawn through Mr. President's head and beneath it was written "Ahmadi Nejad Does Not Represent the Iranian People!" I didn't want to admit that I was Persian to the others, I never do, an instead, I stand around listening to what they're saying about non-speakers (Thank goodness I look white). I heard my-Uncle-Navid-looking-one tell the other guy to smooth back his hair because I was taking a picture and another girl told her sister that I had cute shoes :D. It was really cool-finally someone stood up for my home country. Iran is a beautiful, cultural place, a relatively unexplored land; we're classy people, and no, we have no affiliation with Al-Quaeda, come on! 

College Talk

Just got back from a jam-packed weekend of college tours. SO tired, but SO pleased. 

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

What a breathtaking campus. I mean really, what college campus is electrically independent from its own town, powered by steam? 

This is by far one of the more "green" schools I've visited. The trees seemed to touch the sky and the snow was barely trickling down. 

The school is in the super small town, called Boone. 

The entire community is just about made up of college students and alum. My favorite spot was this coffee shop called BeansTalk. 

First off, the little shack looks as if it was a work of art itself. You walk into a 10x20 room (most of it is a just coffee table and cash deck) 

and order your modest latte (no frappaccino's here), have a little conversation with the coffee guy about the newest band to hit the streets of Boone, 

or maybe about the nature hike scheduled for next week, grab your cup, and either plant it in the claustrophobic area downstairs, 

or head to a loft up above with a sweetie or a friend. 

You can tell that every student just adores being a student there. No doubt. I mean, you really have to have a lot in common with your 

classmates for choosing this hidden wonder over the thousands of the colleges in the country. That's what I love about it, every student 

loves the wilderness, the frigid conditions, the peaceful social life. Truly, the quintessential mountain village.

The George Washington University, Washington D.C.

I thought my future was in the Blue Ridge Mountains until I got to GW, then I found myself completely frustrated and torn. 

Okay, you're thinking rural village to urban metropolis, but really, this community in the heart of D.C. is a city within a city. The community is 

so close-knit, but turn the corner and you're at the White House, two steps back and you're walking the cobblestones of Georgetown. 

This place has culture. If you love meeting people of various ethnicities and learning foreign languages, I highly suggest it. 

What I love the most is every building of the school is designed so differently than the next. Sure, this school is old, but its history is 

what you should be curious about. Some buildings are really modern and trendy, but if you get sick of all that contemporary stuff,

your next class is in a brick building with a staircase built a hundred years ago. The diversity is mesmerizing and the people

you will meet there will teach you about a world you never knew. I already met some students and prospective students, just like me, 

who are waiting for an experience like GW to really open their eyes and show them how big this world really is.

And think about this, there are more internships at GW than there are students, you won't go hungry! And for a writer, like myself, 

this place is in the hub of journalism and all things writing. Seriously, don't think twice about another school. 

Two incredible schools, one difficult decision-which one do I choose?!

I think I'm just going to begin with the artists I respect the most. Next to Dave Monks, and maybe even ranked a bit higher in my book, is Zach Condon, of Beirut.

I was blessed enough to see them live last year. The tickets sold out within a few weeks, of course, and let me tell you, I've never seen more American Apparel merchandise, Native American inspired clothing, and high-waisted pants in one room before. It was a sight, but the music is what really captured my heart.

What I love most about Beirut is the soul they put into each performance, recording, any project, for that matter. I started listening to them about 2 years ago, with the release of Elephant Gun, and from then on it's been love. I was most impressed with The Flying Club Cup, released last summer.

They just released a double EP late January, March of the Zapotec and RealPeople-Holland. You will never hear anything like it and I'm making this statement without familiarity of your musical background. I won't even attempt to come up with an original name for a genre to describe it, because frankly, the genre will come to you halfway inbetween "My Wife, Lost In the Wild" and "The Concubine," two compositions that will blow you away (no doubt about it).

Truly, one of the best bands to represent fine musicianship. Give a listen.

A Thousand Suns Will Set And Rise

Dear god! Dave Monks completely tops his own 

band by a long shot. If only TPC skipped their Canadian tour, I mean they're touring around Quebec and Ontario for a whole week. Lucky SOB Canadians. 

"I threw darts at a spinning globe/Swapping out passport photos/

I walk west to the setting sun/Every single step, I grow/Another second young/

All my hair grows in/Wrinkles leave my skin/But still, don't fade/

I'll be back again when the tide is in some day"

&

"You've been famous since your birth/And a silent one it was/Till they told me it was a girl/And everybody gasped

But I know how to raise you right/Teach you how to read/Do maths, share toys, spell names/And how to be polite"

What male vocalist sings about this?! I know he's not literally writing about having a child, but it does represent something more challenging. Still can't figure it out.

Latest Purchase

It's almost dress season! My love for clothing is not urged by materialism. No, it's a love of texture, fabric, and how it defines the silhouette, especially how different dresses emphasize the figure.

No clothing stores will be attributed. I have yet to receive rights to publicizing this company. Anyways, I bought this one yesterday and I absolutely love the angles. It's flattering on any body and the ribbon just adds a cute little feminine flair to it.

 

I think this one says something. It's a little rebellious at first glance. Almost like it could have been a men's shirt before destroyed and refurbished into an industrious, young woman's minidress. This is definitely something you could wear traveling, touring the Colosseum or walking the shores of the Danube. Real cheap too!

I just thought these were freaking hilarious, really awful, but comedic, I guess. I would wear the parrot ones, but I passed on purchasing them. The elephant pair looks Asian-inspired, but I didn't find anything regarding the origin.