Faceless - My 30 Day Detox from Facebook (November 1, 2015)

It’s said that it takes 21 days to develop or break a habit and/or pattern. Whenever I feel like any indulgences are out of control, I choose one to single out every couple of months and commit to a 30 day “detoxification”. October is for Facebook. Why abstinence from Facebook? I find myself checking Facebook several times a day. I became aware of my over-fascination with being in the loop, part of the conversations and trending topics, sharing funny moments with friends, and worst of all, anticipating the feedback. I am curious about my relationship with social media and information consumerism. 

It only makes sense to me to see what life is like without social media, since there was a time in my life when that did not exist (pre-MySpace, so 2002 and earlier). Think about that. 13 years of social media, which I take for granted. Here is my journal-style blog.

Day 1 (October 1) 

It’s one of the first things I do on my walk to work... it sounds sad when I write it out. Since Facebook is deactivated, it doesn’t auto login on my computer either, which makes it easier. There are things I wanted to share today: movie trailer, funny pic, and news that is politically important to me. That feels like a very privileged, first world struggle. I thought about it throughout the day: how can I share these things with people without getting on Facebook?  

That right there is a problem!! Can you reflect on this deep narcissism? How self-absorbed does that sound?? How can I… ME… MYSELF… bestow upon my friends and peers such IMMACULATELY CURATED INFORMATION that will surely bring them PLEASURE or ENLIGHTENMENT, even if it’s for a second. It’s rather vile, when you think about it. I was not missing keeping up with what my friends are up to, but longed to share content. I DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!! I feel like a douche. I would love to talk to a few psychologists to dive deeper into what’s happening here. I’ve always thought of myself as someone who never craves attention. But what I am witnessing right now is a social media avatar of a “selfie”, which in itself is the lowest level in hell. 

And, yes, I acknowledge the irony of writing a blog about my Facebook-free adventure, in hopes of finding readership amongst my friends and beyond. Gross, right? 

Week 1 (October 8) 

It’s surprising to me how well my detox is going. I have been surprisingly productive at work, though I need to find that same upswing at home (Damn you, Hulu and Netflix!) What I do find problematic is how much of my digital world is intertwined with Facebook. Once I deactivated my Facebook account, all my other accounts setup using my Facebook profile information stopped working as well. Spotify, Bands In Town, Messenger, Rotten Tomatoes to name a few. 

Takeaway #1: Setup all accounts independently from Facebook, and just link them later on. 

Takeaway #2: My urge to share content really disappeared after Day 2 or 3. Maybe I was reading too much into it on my first day? Or just reflecting on my “flaw” made me calm down. Whichever it was, it’s in a good place now. 

Takeaway #3: There are somethings I am missing about Facebook. Primarily, being in the loop of up-coming events in NYC. When you live in an awesome city where something is always going on, Facebook is an easy way to keep track of forthcoming events and friend's parties. 

Last Day (October 31) 

I am nearly cleansed of any need to be on Facebook. I have not thought about logging on in the past couple weeks. It was been a very successful cleanse for me. I logged back on today because it's Halloween (my favorite day of the year), and I wanted to see people's costumes. My first 5 minutes have been rather disappointing, and not because of Halloween, but all the other 'noise'. Have you ever given up soda for a while, and when you have that first sip after some time has passed, it tastes awful and you can feel the high-fructose corn syrup? That is exactly what like jumping back on Facebook has been like. I am not making a comment about my friend's posts, but just commenting about the cultural norm of bitter editorial statuses, over-sharing patterns, negative and aggressive snark, etc. Mind you, I have participated in such manners too. A detox always makes me self-reflect and hyper-aware, pushing me to progress. 

Initially, I will lower the frequency of news/political editorial posts, keep critical comments to a minimum, unless it's all in the name of pure humor, and push to share productive and positive messages. I want people to call me out if I really derail. I also challenge my friends and peers on a 2 or 4 week Facebook ban. It's rather refreshing. Most importantly, none of this matters! 

I am done here. I have to go post about this.



#blog #journal #Facebook #socialmedia #addiction #digitallife #detox #habits

Well, College Was Useless

I realized that my blog is called THAT ANGRY BROWN GUY. I haven't written in my asshole/'angry brown guy'/dipshit alter-ego. Well, he's back. You are welcome, Umairica.


It’s the first time I have been following the Olympics. I love how passionate and dedicated everyone of these Olympians are. I realize I am not excellent at anything. I am decent at a few things, but not awesomely awesome! 

Lesson? A business (and majority of college degrees) degree will more than likely lead you to working for some chump companies just to make an average life, while some C-levels make crazy money of you and all your fellow subordinates. True, you can eventually be a C-level, if that is a goal, but more than likely, you run a company that doesn’t do anything special or innovative. Yeah, Negative Ned is in town, to show you how horrible your life is. 

You are never going to be a Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerburg. Give up, bitches!! Did you see the Mars landing of CURIOSITY yesterday? Did you see how excited all the people at NASA control center were? You will never feel that accomplished or excited with your job. You will never work in the team that is on the quest for the ‘God-particle’; now that level of ambition is alien to you and all your loser friends!! 

Yeah. Sit down. Talk about sports, watch more TV, buy more things, be more in debt, waste your weekends and money drinking beer. Dream about traveling the world, and making a difference. Dream about making money that you will eventually waste on useless things. 

Hey you. Yeah I am putting you down. Don’t worry. I am there right next to you. 

Fuck this. Things I should do: cancel cable, cut down/out drinking, surround myself with creative-types/solo-entrepreneur/idea-men, etc. 

But that’s not going to happen.  Let’s all shop at Wal-Mart and eat at Chilis. 

(whomp whomp)

The chase is on…

I never really thought about death prior to this year. Leah, a best friend to someone I care about, passed away last month. Famous deaths that stood out for me were MCA from BEASTIE BOYS, and just recently, Tony Sly of NO USE FOR A NAME. Sure, it seems unfair to put two people I have never met up there with someone I did know. But each brings a different experience out to the open.

Why did MCA and Tony Sly effect me, considering I didn’t know them personally?

You know how music works. Sometimes it just cuts to the core. I was 15 (circa 1995) when I really grasped BEASTIE BOYS. That started my obsession with turn-table hip-hop (Tribe Called Quest, Hieroglyphics, Jurassic 5, DJ Krush, etc). Every party I have thrown, I have included my favorite BB tracks in the mix. BEASTIE BOYS were very open of about their positive faith and outlook of humanity, distancing themselves from the ’80s/party version of BEASTIE BOYS. MCA passing was an end of a very important and philosophical band in my life.

My younger brother actually exposed me to NO USE FOR A NAME back in ‘97 (?) with ‘Justified’. Only knowing that one song by NUFAN (and loving it), I had an opportunity to see them live in March of ‘99 with DANCE HALL CRASHERS. Mind blown!! They were the essence of pop skate-punk I was always looking for. I play guitar as well, they molded how I perceived 2-guitar melodies, and also loved Tony Sly’s lyrics.  Those who know me are aware that lyrics are the last things I pay attention to. Melody is most important to me. And fans of punk rock can’t deny how melody driven NO USE was. 

I had opportunity to meet Tony Sly and the rest of the band at the 2004 Warped Tour in Dallas. In fact, I was on stage with them, thanks to my friends in NEAR MISS (Austin punk rock band no longer together). It was huge highlight for me, as a fan and hobby-musician. 

Tony Sly passed away 4 days ago, age 41, and he was a big influence into how I feel and hear music. It bummed me out more, realizing, it took such bad news for me to remember his music again. NO USE has not been in my music radar since 2008… I feel guilty. But it has been awesome re-visiting the songs I realized I still love.

All of the tragic events have brought a new direction to my life. Leah, MCA, and Tony all left this life too early. They have kids and spouses that they loved, and were loved back. As cliche as this sounds, personal / financial / professional success is pointless as a main goal in life. You will be remembered superficially for those qualities. But to be remembered and known as a loving parent/spouse/significant other is incredibly rich, even if it’s a few people. I am not going to fight against that life anymore. While personal/professional success will still be important, it will not be priority #1 anymore. I am going to stop being self-absorbed in life paths, because I have given up too much of who/what makes me happy.

NO USE’s song “Chasing Rainbows” shares a cautionary and protective message against  ’chasing rainbows’ and dealing with the wrong people in this life. It’s one of my favorites. 

Tony, MCA, and Leah. Where ever you are, you don’t have to worry about the wrong people anymore. Start chasing rainbows. Chase away.

Indians win… kinda? And Arnold.

It’s Day #2.  All vegetarian meals and second entry.  I AM 1/15 WAY THERE!! WOOOO!

I need to have more insightful/deeper blogs… because what you are about to read is HORSESHIT!! (Tomorrow, my fellow Umairicans… promise)

See, here is why it’s easy for me to be a vegetarian: All Asian foods. Indian/Pakistani food, Thai food, etc. Even with veggies only, they are delicious. And luckily, I am a fantastic cook.

Now here are 2 reasons why so many Western people have a hard time being vegetarian: 1) regular American vegetarian food is mostly bland. 2) really good American vegetarian food/cuisine is expensive (btw, check out Bliss Raw Cafe in Dallas… so AWESOME!)

Whoa. Expendables 2 trailer on TV. How terrible does that look?  I feel bad for all the washed up actors.  Still going to watch it.  Guilty pleasures. Arnold didn’t age well (he is 65)… but still an amazingly nostalgic actor of the 80s/90s.

Good day all. Successfully completed Day 2. Till tomorrow!!!!

The Year Of Insanity… well, what’s left of it.

My buddy Josh Ness brought up this great idea last week to participate in a 30 day Challenge. There are 6 of Josh’s friends doing this, and they are committing to 30 Days of Blogging.  But one can find anything that they want to commit to everyday, and just do it. Josh also played around with the idea to add a twist by suggesting a new 30 Day Challenge every month for the rest of the year. 

I am in.

So what’s my commitment for August? Well, I am going for a double combo. 30 Days of Vegetarianism and 30 Days of Blogging.

Why not 30 Days of Veganism? Eff that.  I have a soul.

I already did a 80/20 vegetarian/meat stint for 21 days just this past month. Just to see if I can do it.  It turned out to be 95/5 in favor of vegetables and fruit. I really started enjoying vegetarian meals.  By no means am I giving up meat, but turning it down a bit.

The next, what I am going to blog about for 30 days?  Anything.  Anything that is on my mind.  So expect thought provoking essays to mostly quick observations or frustrations of daily life.  

Also.  Feel free to join in on this 30 Day Challenge. I know you would be 1 day behind, but there are 31 days in August ;)

The Best and Worst... My list of 2011

I figured I would do a list of movies, TV, and arbitrary events of the year gone.

Please share if you agree, disagree, what I missed, and even your own mini list, if you must. I always like to know what I missed or how I might be looking at something wrong.

Movies 2011:

Movies were kind of lame this year. There was nothing that just slapped me across the face, or made me Whoa (Keanu-style). Even my top 5 list is comprised of movies that would have just been good average movies in the years before. And those who know me, I rank my movies based on how much fun they were, not artistic value.

Top 5: 50/50, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Battle LA, Our Idiot Brother, Transformers Dark of the Moon

The rest I liked: Horrible Bosses, XMEN First Class, Thor, No Strings Attached, Between Notes, Limitless, Cowboys and Aliens, Hanna, Take Me Home Tonight, Drive Angry, Just Go With It, Source Code, Hall Pass, The Help, Contagion, Harold And Kumar, Drive

Had-so-much-potential-but-sucked Worst 5: Sucker Punch, Hangover 2, Your Highness, Captain America, Super8

The rest of the worst: Paul, The Green Hornet, Bridesmaids, Unknown, Change Up, 30 Minutes of Less

Keep in mind there is a plethora of movies I missed this year, so I have yet to see the following: Sitter, J Edgar, Muppets, Harry Potter, Immortals, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Tin Tin, Shame, The Adjustment Bureau, Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, Tree of Life, Moneyball, Lincoln Lawyer, Midnight In Paris, Crazy Stupid Love, Red State, The Beaver, Another Earth, Melancholia, Ides of March

TV 2011:

TV has just kicked ass as a quality medium for several years now. It seems to bypass movies in many respects.

My faves of 2011: Breaking Bad (best show this year), Dexter, Homeland, New Girl, Parks and Rec, The League, Daily Show, Colbert Report, South Park, Friday Night Lights, Modern Family, Family Guy

Other low-brow faves: Shameless (Showtime), American Horror Story, The Soup, Tosh.0, South Park, Family Guy (both South Park and Family Guy are even stronger than before), G4 Attack of the Show

Video Games 2011:

Batman Arkham City (best game this year... sorry Uncharted 3), Uncharted 3, Assassins Creed Revelations, Gears of War 3, Battlefield 3, Killzone 3, Resistance 3, Infamous 2. Modern Warfare 3 was alright, a "meh", worth a mention.

2012:

Here is to 2012, and a collection of entertainment awesomeness that we hope it provides. I am anticipating: The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, The Avengers, The Hunger Games, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Happy new year everyone.  Lets make this a great year!

Back with a bang... kinda (7/10)

I have been absent since last year (around September).  I don't have anything profound to say, but something amazing to show.

It's no secret that I love counter-culture, break-dancing, and badassness.  Where can you find all those in one place? Parkour.  I have been watching parkour videos online since I saw the first Transporter (some of you call it Free Running).

Its a 5 minute video, it really picks up half way through (after the injury bit).  Plus the music is crazy wicked.
Minus the odd guy doing some crazy shit in Hammer/Vanilla Ice pants.  Crazy Croats.

Enjoy.

Croatia Parkour (Vimeo.com)

Various things from around the net I wanted to share...

I know I know.  There has been a lack of postings coming from me.  Outside of my full-time job at AT&T and the other 2 days spent in school, I have no time for "thinking".  Ha!

At home, I am doing homework, watching Netflix, or spending my scarce time with Brandi... and lately playing some Halo Reach. I am going to start posting stuff I buy from Amazon up here... Seriously.  Amazon has the best prices for anything, and they have everything you could ever want.  I bought Halo Reach and they shipped it for free, guaranteed arrival on the day of release, plus a $20 gift card.  Solid.  I have bought so many novels, gifts, home stuff, and most of my music on Amazon.  I downloaded Superchunk's new release, I preordered Call of Duty: Black Ops, and the upcoming Medal of Honor reboot. Time to geek out!

But the main reason for this post, I wanted to share some cool-ass videos, links, and pictures... I think I might start making a weekly habit of sharing awesome videos and pics.

What about HIPSTER SUPERHEROES? (click link to see fullsize super-hipsters, its awesome!)

This next link is a little geek heavy from my end.  I love slo-mo footage, you could take mundane events and tasks, slow it down, and it looks cool.  With the new Canon 7D, you can film at 60 fps, which gives you the ability to slow down video cleanly a little over 2x (regular is 24 fps).  Add to that, a filter on Adobe After Effects called Twixtor can replicate frames to make it seem upto 1000 fps (the same idea behind 120-240 mHz HDTVs using smooth-motion settings).  It looks amazing.  Check out this kid doing tricks on his bike:

And to end this blog, a cool pic from around the net to geek out on... fun fact, Nintendo is 121 years old today:

Sleep tight!

Confessions of an Unemployed 30 Year Old

Here is the deal. I took a step that muddles and baffles the majority. One could say that I am regressing backwards, professionally... in fact, many would say that critically. I am started my position as a AT&T Mobile Sales Rep today, Monday August 9 2010.

"Why Umair? Why would you want to throw it all away? You just bought a house... you have job that pays exceptionally well..."

I have struggled with those questions for the last 5 months of unemployment. I have tried to figure out what the hell I am doing, and WHY?! Only a crazy person would walk away from a job where I was making well over six figures, worked with some amazing people, a job that afforded my a nice house, vacations, regular fine dining, stay debt free. The American Dream, right? (Well, the old American Dream, nowadays its about living in excess and selfishly.)

I am going back to the core of myself. Sadly, it took time to figure out and remember what that was. That was ART and MUSIC. I have had a love/hate, on/off relationship with MUSIC, specifically GUITAR. I was good, going on better on guitar. I couldn't find anyone to share or develop that talent with, past a several mediocre bands, so I was solo. You know how that turns out when you have no one to feed off of, creatively. Now, if I pick up the guitar, I play like I am 16 again, playing cheesy punk rock 4-chords. Ugh.

As for ART, I never regressed, but I never progressed either. I can go on without drawing or sketching for couple years, but when I grab a pad and paper (or Photoshop), I pick up right where I left off. It still exhilarates me. I get exited like a 5 years old kid who just drew squiggles on construction paper with Crayons and proudly showed his dad the "house" he drew.

I am going back to school for Graphic Design and an additional Certificate in 3D/2D Animation. So what is I end up with 2 Bachelors Degrees and a Certificate. But I have a extremely good feeling about this. The only way I can do this is by not having a cubicle sales job behind a desk from 8 to 5, leaving minimal time for night/online classes, stretching school for double time. Retail is the only answer. I will be working at a AT&T cellphone store Dallas, near Old Town, a festive part with delicious food. Best part is that people will actually have to come to me at the store to get something they want instead of me trying to sell something. Sweet... for a change! It's not a life career, but a perfect pairing for someone is school, and make decent $ to get by.

Who knows, 2 years from now, I wont have to work pointless cubicle jobs, killing the little spirit I have left. ha! Either freelance work, or a design firm.

It's going to be AWESOME!

America. Think about it.

Speech by Ron Paul (R-TX) before the US House of Representatives, 02/12/09
(video link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fHfdSi-GDo)

Madame Speaker,

I have a few questions for my colleagues.

What if we wake up one day and realize that the terrorist threat is a predictable consequence of our meddling in the affairs of others?

What if propping up repressive regimes in the Middle East endangers both the United States and Israel?

What if occupying countries like Iraq and Afghanistan - and bombing Pakistan - is directly related to the hatred directed toward us and has nothing to do with being free and prosperous?

What if someday it dawns on us that losing over 5,000 American military personnel in the Middle East since 9/11 is not a fair trade-off for the loss of nearly 3,000 American citizens, no matter how many Iraqi, Pakistani, and Afghan people are killed or displaced?

What if we finally decide that torture, even if called enhanced interrogation techniques, is self-destructive and produces no useful information - and that contracting it out to a third world nation is just as evil?

What if it is finally realized that war and military spending is always destructive to the economy?

What if all wartime spending is paid for through the deceitful and evil process of inflating and borrowing?

What if we finally see that wartime conditions always undermine personal liberty?

What if conservatives, who preach small government, wake up and realize that our interventionist foreign policy provides the greatest incentive to expand the government?

What if conservatives understood once again that their only logical position is to reject military intervention and managing an empire throughout the world?

What if the American people woke up and understood that the official reasons for going to war are almost always based on lies and promoted by war propaganda in order to serve special interests?

What if we as a nation came to realize that the quest for empire eventually destroys all great nations?

What if Obama has no intention of leaving Iraq?

What if a military draft is being planned for the wars that will spread if our foreign policy is not changed?

What if the American people learn the truth: that our foreign policy has nothing to do with national security and that it never changes from one administration to the next?

What if war and preparation for war is a racket serving the special interests?

What if President Obama is completely wrong about Afghanistan and it turns out worse than Iraq and Vietnam put together?

What if Christianity actually teaches peace and not preventive wars of aggression?

What if diplomacy is found to be superior to bombs and bribes in protecting America?

What happens if my concerns are completely unfounded - nothing!

What happens if my concerns are justified and ignored - nothing good!

Addition to Ich Bin Ein Berliner!

Banksy's got a new documentary coming out on street art/political movement. Looks SOLID!

Here is the 5 min preview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0b90YppquE

Here Piggy Piggy Piggy!

(please click on pictures for hi-res format)

Let’s talk food. Actually, let’s talk about the hardship I have been going through with food in this part of Europe. I am a foodie. I love trying new foods and cuisines, be it fine dining or budget eats. I don’t have a food I dislike. I have been served dishes that I dislike, but that is the cook’s doing, because I always give the same dish a second chance elsewhere, and I end up enjoying it.

Lory dropped me off at the base my first day, I went to a German restaurant in the mall. It was over-priced, but delicious. I ordered a cheese noodle dish, the name I cannot remember, with a side salad, and a 1 liter of German beer. I under-estimated how much a liter is. I could only drink half of it, especially with my carb heavy meal. That night we went to downtown Frankfurt to meet with her friends, but we had some time to kill, so we stopped at a Turkish Donner place, Ye Babam Ye Grill House. Donner sandwiches are a little similar to Mediterranean gyros or Mid-East shawarmas. I don’t know how authentic they are in Germany, but Turkish people are the largest minority in Germany, so it has to be close. Why Turks? Because of WW2, there was a massive decline in Germany’s population, especially of men. The government after Nazi rule reached out to Turkey (the only country they had not pissed off) for skilled workers to help rebuild the country. Three generations later, you will see a Turkish place to eat at almost every street. And let me tell you, Turkish food is LEGENDARY! I am going to eat it a couple times more when I am in Munich today and before I board the plane in Frankfurt. Mmm mmm mm!

In Berlin, I didn’t have anything mind-blowing. I got some street corner pizza slices, which are always good. Oh, hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurants are everywhere too. When my college buddy Josh got in, we went to an Irish Pub. I don’t know why I chose that, but I was hungry and it was convenient. The next day, we ate at this German restaurant where I ordered this cold pickled fish with cream on top and fried seasoned-potatoes. Sounds gross, right? The potatoes were fantabulous! Funny… my spell-check recognized ‘fantabulous’. Anyways. The fish was good to, but I wouldn’t order it again, as I just wanted to try it.
We did go to Burger King the next day, regretfully, only because they have some bizarre burgers on the menu. I ordered this double meat burger with a third layer being a fried mozzarella patty!! Well they are called Mountain burgers, and in the pics they look huge, but they were smaller than a Whopper Jr. So it was disappointing, but my heart was probably happy about it being small ;) By the way, Cokes taste amazing in Europe. The real cane sugar is god-sent. What doesn’t taste good? Twix, surprisingly. Yeah, I thought German chocolate would enhance the already splendid candy of the US. Side note, Kindereggs are DELICIOUS still. I am bringing back a bunch.

I had a great food experience in Prague though. First night, I ate a dine in Italian restaurant. I had the best Cream of Spinach soup EVER!
With that I had 4-cheese Gnochi (gn-yo-kee) which was superb as well.
Those little potato pastas are heaven in my mouth. With my meal, I had the Pilsner Urquell, and Gambrinus. I met up with Lory and her man the following day, and I asked them to take me to a Czech/Bohemian restaurant. They took me to Pivnice Pub & Restaurant in Old Town Square, where I ordered Beef Goulash with this spongy bread and fried potato balls. All of it was one of the highlight eats of the trip so far. I had a couple dark Kozel beers, highly recommended.

People are going ask me, why didn’t you eat German cold cuts, Schnitzels, Wursts that Germany has to offer? There are very few things I will NOT eat. I will not eat eyes, testicles or penis of any animal. I will definitely NEVER eat bugs. And I can’t fathom eating something that eats flesh (fish doesn’t count), ie: dogs, cats, bears…. humans (!)…. and pigs. Pigs will eat anything, if they are hungry enough. It’s vile. It’s not because I was raised Muslim either (come on, I drink and have a live-in girlfriend). I decided before the trip that I was going to open my mind, and try authentic foods of where ever I go. Germans and Czechs use a lot of pork. They are known to be legendary, so I wanted to try some stuff.

Well this is where I failed (or won, depending on whose point of view). It came down to ordering one of these processed pork dishes, and the idea grossed me out before ordering. I couldn’t fathom eating such dishes. I can’t do it. It smells good, it looks good, and it probably tastes good, but it’s still gross to me. I chose to take the limited menu options almost everywhere I went. Let’s see how it goes in Munich today. I will sign off with the logo and name of this "soon to be famous for its awesome name" cafe. Juvenile humor = 1, Adulthood = 0.

Ich Bin Ein Berliner! - JFK

Berlin is historically the most important city in the last century. I took a free tour 2 days ago with Sandeman’s Tour Company (http://www.neweuropetours.eu/), which I highly HIGHLY recommend. All the questions I had about World War 1 and 2, as well as the Cold War, were pretty much answered, and Berlin was the center point in all of the historic events. I saw the actual places that were significant in all the decisions and events that led to those intriguing events. Even if one is clueless about these events, they will get a great summary, and still be blown away with all the stuff that happened in this city that changed the world.

What really stands out about Berlin is how the Cold War truly affected it visually. I saw the difference between East Berlin (former-communist section) and West Berlin (the democratic section). East Berlin architecture is very sterile, grey, boring, but VERY bold and solid – you get a feel for the Soviet ego and might in the infrastructure. West Berlin in contrast is vibrant. Keep in mind, a lot of the structures have been rebuilt and/or updated in the last 20-30 years because WW2 pretty much destroyed all the major cities. Major rebuilding didn’t start until German Unification, after the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. I felt the tension of the Cold War, not in the people or structure, but just in the architecture.

I remember when the Berlin Wall being taken down. I was living in Saudi Arabia then, and only 9. The coverage had taken over TV at that time, and I was an annoyed kid because it was interfering with my cartoons. What blows my mind about the collapse, its only 20 years ago. Most of the middle-aged people living in Germany right now lived through it. Then you see people walking about who are in there 70s-80s, that lived through Nazi Germany. It’s crazy to think that some of them were Nazi sympathizers, or showed fake Nazi support to stay alive.

The best and worst thing visually about Berlin is the graffiti. All who know me really well, I love graffiti. So obviously I took Sandeman’s Alternative Berlin Tour (paid tour, 12 Euros). I love anything street/anti/counter-culture. I have many coffee table books on graffiti, street art, skateboard art, breakdancing, etc. If you think graffiti is vandalism, you can eat my ass. I will admit tagging (where it’s just an effortless signature scribble) is worthless and primitive, just to mark a territory. But graffiti and street art real detail and effort, and its layer upon layer of genius design. It leaves you saying, “how did they do that without getting caught?”. I would go as far as saying that Berlin graffiti culture might rival NYC, the supposed birthplace of modern graffiti. There is SO much graffiti here, following are some samples, and unfortunately there is a lot of tagging as well. Keep an eye out for an artist names XoooX; he is from Berlin and is following the very-famous Banksy’s stencil graffiti method. Also, an artist named Cuttout, he finds great graffiti in Berlin and paints perforated lines around them with a tiny scissors, like a coupon, pretty much giving importance to the main art because “you must have it!” and also daring people pretty much cut it out of the wall…. which did happen to one of Banksy’s small one in Berlin. Keep in mind, no one knows Banksy’s identity, even having a best-selling book. One of his works sold for 280,000 British Pounds last year.

As for the night life, I tried the Alternative Pub Crawl, which was supposed to include quirky bars/pubs/clubs, like a ping pong bar, a hippie-themed bar, a toilet bar, etc. The only one that was worth a damn was the indie bar called King Kong Club… great music. Great music. Other than that, I have not partaken in the night life. I regretfully missed an opportunity to check out the Berlin dance/club scene. I increasingly love electronic music, and it’s something I should have checked out.

*** Fake bonus points for someone who can tell me what's wrong about my blog title. ***

Magic People, Voodoo People

My 2 roommates, at my first hostel in Berlin, were from Israel. When I told them my name was Umair, I could tell he put up his guard, as he asked “Like Omar? Where are you from?” I told him I was from America. His response was humorous to me – “That is a Muslim name. I hope you don’t have an issue with Israeli roommates.” I laughed and told him it didn’t matter to me. He said he didn’t know where I stood politically because I was raised Muslim and “you Americans seem to have a lot of opinions and issues with everything”. I did not take it personally. I, in fact, am always fascinated by international perception of America and its people.

Yesterday, I moved to a cheaper hostel too. I am having an incredibly hard time with the language, especially street signs and directions, so I figured moving to a hostel is centrally location will help. Thankfully, a lot of Germans speak enough English to help out. Whenever I asked them in Deutsch if they speak English, they always say “very little” and always turns out that they know it perfectly.

There are several other things I have noticed about Germans. Most of the time I don’t get a “thank you”, or even eye-contact if I open the door. They don’t say “excuse me” when moving through a crowd. They just go through it, or say “move” in German without hostility. At first I thought Germans are stiff and rude, but they always greet me, always say thanks when any exchange takes place, and when leaving, they always say farewell. It doesn’t make them rude, because that is just the way it is. Manners in different cultures are always different. It’s a very matter-of-fact culture. I like that.

Here is a weird observation though. I get some unfriendly looks from whomever I try to get info from, when I have my black beanie on. If I have it off, people are much nicer to me. I don’t look that scary or intimidating. But I guess that is debatable. Ironically, the black beanie I own is one of my favorites, and was in the letter’s of the Nazi ‘SS’ soldiers. Creepy huh? I didn’t know that.

Tomorrow I will get into my tour and pub caul that happed toinight, with lots of pictures. I for some cool pictures. YES!

Bed-bugs on a plane!

Guten morgen America!

I have been looking forward to coming to Germany... scratch that... Europe since '98, when I graduated high school back in England. It's a long time away from what I considered my second home.

I quit my job of 3 years because I was burnt out. Myself-from-10-years-ago would kick present-day-me's ass for settling, for being creatively defeated, and doing a corporate job that is initially pointless for me. I know a lot of people support themselves and their families with that job, they have a purpose. But I didn't. I don't need the money. I have no dependents. I figured I would quit and, as cliche as it sounds, discover myself again. I have money saved up, and I don't have to ask for vacation time, seemed like a perfect time to do it.

Why Germany? Germany was my most favorite country I ever visited when I was in high school. We had several school trips there. I wanted to go again at this age, because I will take it in with open eyes, versus the narcissistic world of a teenager.

It is as beautiful as I remember it. I was skeptical. I feared the mass-consumer culture of over-indulgence and convenience like America has taken over developed-Europe, as it has in urban England.

I am going to try hard not to make comparisons between the States and Germany, except when I really have a need to share something unique or profound. That being said, let me get these 2 comparisons out of the way. It's true. Beer is at times cheaper than water here. I am not saying that the beer is ultra-cheap, but the water is achingly expensive. Regular bottle of water everywhere is around 2-3 Euros = $4-5. Crap! Tap water is perfect, so I have that where ever I stay, but you cannot get tap water at any establishment without really harsh looks. I will spend $5 to avoid that look. Second comparison: People here have a diet full of potatoes, breads, cheeses, processed meat, and beer... lots of carbs. But there are very few fatties here. Tell me whats up America, you fat-ass.

My high school friend, Lory, lives a bit away from Frankfurt, who picked me up from the airport on Sunday (4/4/10). A couple of her friends, including herself, convinced me that there is nothing in Frankfurt... unless I was into the whole Red Light District thing, which I am not. Got a gorgeous one back at home ;) By the way, prostitution is legal here, but regulated for safety and reputation. During WW2, Frankfurt was pretty much demolished due to the air-raids from all sides. So the city was re-built, leaving very little pre-WW2 history. It's funny to think Seattle is has an older infrastructure than Frankfurt.

We went out to a salsa club in Frankfurt last night... yeah, that just happened. A salsa club full of Germans dancing away. I talked soccer (real football) with 2 of Lory's German friends, since none of us danced. Talking soccer and having a few German lagers, no talk about player stats or what a player/coach/manager should have done. The guys knew their place in the sport as spectators, not aspiring sports agent or analysts that I am surrounded by in the States (oops, comparison #3).

This morning I got up and took a 7 hr (that was supposed to be 5) horrible trip in the famous EuroRail to Berlin. It's not the systems fault, I didn't know that Easter was a huge traveling weekend for the Germans. So the trains were flooded, and took about 10-20 min extra each stop to load/unload passengers. And since I didn't have reservations for a seat, I stood for 5 hrs. Got here about 2 hrs ago, and its 11pm now. Berlin is much more lively. I just needed a place to sleep since I am beat, so I just came to Meininger Hostel right by the main station, and here I am telling my first story and experience thus far. Tomorrow my actual 'tourist' mode is switched-on.

Lastly, what is with the title of this first blog? Well, American Airlines apparently has bed-bugs in their seats... I felt 3 itchy bites around my body when I woke up for landing. I think Ryan Durr needs to write a famous letter to AA to wash the international seats!!

The blogs will become more lively, promise. Leave comments, and let me know what you would like me to experience, even write about. Thanks.

The Best Of.... My lists of the 00s.

Happy 2010 everyone. I hate you all!

My list of favorite movies, TV, videogames, and my least favorite music of the 00's.

Movies I loves this decade:

There is no particular order, and some of them are cheesy/guilty pleasures... I loved Freddy Got Fingered. I don't like too many hipster movies. I am not a huge fan of Wes Anderson movies, Tarantino movies (though Kill Bill was brilliant), or Cohen brother movies (liked O Brother...., but despised No Country For Old Men). Go jump off a bridge you pretentious movie snobs.

My Top 5 6(no order): Anchorman, Dark Knight, Training Day, Transformers, Avatar, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

And the rest (no order): Hotel Rwanda, Little Miss Sunshine, Kill Bill, Role Models, Up, Monsters Inc, Batman Begins, Juno, Momento, Lord of the Rings trilogy (Two Towers being my fave), The Hangover, Star Trek, Mission Impossible 3, Friday Night Lights, House of Flying Daggers, Hero, Kung-fu Hustle, Bowling for Columbine, Shaun of the Dead, Who Killed the Electric Car, Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room, Superbad, Talladega Nights, 40 year old Virgin, Sunshine, Serenity, Live Free Die Hard, Last Samurai, V for Vendetta, The Grudge, Love Actually, 300, Zombieland, Kingdom of Heaven



TV I loved this decade:

Minus all the reality bullshit, many TV shows surpassed movies when it comes to quality. I like my TV shows to be either creatively written, funny, and/or educational. I don't care about American Idol, Whale Wars, Ice Road Truckers, The Hills or any MTV reality show, etc. And if you watch Tyra, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Blue Collar Comedy, Wife Swap, or similar trash shows, we should part ways.

Top 5 (no order): Friday Night Lights, Lost, Firefly, Dexter, Battlestar Galactica

My other faves (no order): Clone High, Veronica Mars, Chappelle Show, Fringe, How I Met Your Mother, Mad Men, The Soup, Breaking Bad, Daybreak, Journeyman, Buffy, Dirty Jobs, Colbert Report, Daily Show, Arrested Development, Family Guy, SNL (new cast is AWESOME), 30 rock, Wonder Showzen



Video Games I loved this decade:

This was the decade of the BEST video games... and my list has nothing from the Wii. The Wii is crap, and for people who can't comprehend video games. If I hear someone say "the controllers have too many buttons" or "I love the original Mario", you are going to be that old person that can't figure out new technology, or you are trying to be oh-so-retro: "Look at me, I love the 80s! Woo!" Either way, it's stupid.

Grand Theft Auto (3, 4, Vice City, San Andreas), COD Modern Warfare (1 & 2), Halo 2, Metroid Prime, Perfect Dark (N64... yes, it was 2000), Doom 3, Burnout 3: Takedown, Brain Age, Heavenly Sword, F.E.A.R (1 & 2)



Music I hated this decade:

Black Eyed Peas (remember when they didn't have Fergie, and they were an awesome hip-hop band?)
Green Day (after Warning, they have continuously embarrassed themselves... stop it!)
Evenescence (complete horseshit faux-goth/religious rock)
Amy Winehouse (why did the critics and radio love this man-sounding junkie?)
Beyonce (so many of you have been duped by her)

And the ultimate shit-list:
-The small dick macho-rock: Creed, Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Disturbed, Saliva, and anyone that sounds like these bands.
-Toby Keith
-Pretty much all Crunk / Dirty South rap, especially Soulja Boy

-BrokenCYDE - The worst on this WHOLE list. This is why this angry list exists.

Hello 2010.

The Best Decade (2000-2009)

The Best Decade (2000-2009)
(this is not an angry brown guy post, just a civil observation)


Many people have an overall negative opinion of this passing decade, and I see it quite the opposite. The 00s kicked ass (I refuse to call it the Oughties/Aughties/Noughties… cheap media tag-names). They are trying to compare it to the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, claiming that this decade didn’t have enough culture to reminisce about in the future, especially with music.



I will refute that claim by stating that we just have more music now. In the past decades, we needed radio and TV to get exposure to new major music. Indie/punks/etc relied on word-of-mouth, shows, and opening bands for new stuff. Right into the decade, MP3s opened a whole world of new, free music (major acts to garage bands). Where in the previous decades you might have been exposed to 200+ bands, now you might have 1000+ bands in your library. It’s harder to keep track of all music, and attention span’s shorter, with numerous releases every day. When people think of the 00s, the only musicians that come to the front are the cookie-cutter, ultra-processed, mega-stars like Britney Spears, Nickelback, Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, and crap like that. No one wants to remember this decade with those cheesy/terrible musicians on top, but this decade did offer the MOST, the BEST music from lesser known bands, and we all have many MP3s to prove it.



The cultural impact from music, fashion, movies, TV, art all had one common ground: Technology. This decade was all about technology. Everything from cell-phones, cars, computers, video-games, MP3 players, and most importantly, the internet advanced exponentially. Put yourself back in 1999, you would have been blown away with 2009 tech. Watching HD movies over the internet on your TV? Using a cell-phone with buttons and used as a wireless PC? This decade shines with technology, which in turn, makes our art shine. The music is awesome, the movies are awesome, graphic designers are awesome, fashion is awesome… the 90s were the PIT of fashion.



That being said, I wanted to do several lists to end the decade, and they will be posted shortly. There are lots of lists on the internet right now, and mine on the best and worst in Movies, TV, Games, cultural highlights, and trends will follow. I will not have a music list because there is just too much out there, and I don’t want to take the time to make one.

It's Tiger Woods' wife's fault.....

Here is a disclaimer. I don’t watch golf. I don’t follow Tiger Woods. I don’t listen to celebrity gossip. Due to the media frenzy about Tiger Woods’ issues, the common theme on the internet, and status updates on FB (or whatever other social-sites used), I noticed people really have strong, definite opinions and ‘incite’ into Tiger Woods’ situation. Maybe Tiger is not the asshole here, maybe it’s his wife… or maybe he just is.

A truly happy couple never cheat on each other. Just saying. I agree that there is no excuse for cheating, an his behavior is universally incongruous. But I always say a truly happy couple never cheat on each other. If you have cheated or been cheated on, you or the other person saw that something was missing in the relationship, and it could be very little simple things.

According to the mass, unanimously he is an asshole / douche / misogynist. The public and media ‘analysts’ seem to have demonized him and have their minds made up. Maybe Tiger is a womanizer, an ass, and he did an excellent job of fooling the world otherwise. He is one of the richest athletes in the world, and they probably don’t have a prenup; you can’t really leave someone based on not being in love with them and not lose half of what you worked for. I know that is an asshole thing to say, but put yourself in those shoes. Maybe he feels like his wife contributes nothing to his life anymore; he earned everything he has now, and wants her to have the same work ethic; she just probably takes and takes. Or he is frustrated sexually, she just lays there. As Jason Segal said in ‘I Love You, Man’, it’s time to “give it back, yeah? (wink) Return the favor”. His wife could be a monster bitch, total Bridezilla-type (thank you The Soup, for showing me those insane wedding-obsessed losers). Or his wife is probably the sweetest, most caring person, and he simply cheated. You see? It’s a lot of “maybes”.

The major issue here has nothing to do with Tiger Woods and his personal life. None of us know him and the situation personally, but so many have made up there minds and voiced opinions. I just came up with plethora of different speculative situations above. But they have no weight because I don’t know. And most importantly I do not care, and neither should you. He does not represent anybody, he does not have public dependents, his personal life hiccups don’t affect anyone other than the people he is personally involved with. So you should not care. It’s not as if he is a politician and his new policy might effect you and many others. This does not mean that he is a better or worse person than perceived. He is flawed, like a human being. How many friends or relatives do you know that have cheated, and still are stand-up, respectable characters? I do. People slip. You forgive, and move on.

All of you people who are engrossed in celebrity gossip, get a hobby, something creative. Stop putting so much time into other people’s lives, and forming opinions on them. It is mentally unhealthy, and uninteresting. All of us, myself included, get involved in this garbage-entertainment culture, like celebrity gossip news or reality TV shows. All of us who have watched any reality shows, come out feeling superior to the people on the show because you seem sane or more controlled than the subjects. I don’t like thinking that I am better than others, it makes me bitter, and gives me a skewed perspective of people. Look at Fox News anchors, so much aggression, ignorance, and bigotry. Why do you think they are so angry? (l love inserting a little slapping reference to Fox News whenever I can). I try to stay away as much as possible because the news and shows are dramatically bias, and why not, they get major ratings. Trust me, it’s better for you to stay away.

To sign off, all I have to say about the whole Tiger Woods thing: to keep him happy, make some sandwiches woman! That is the key to a man’s heart. Heyo! Or should I say Mayo!

Smart States Vs Stupid States

US News printed an article based on research by Life's DHA (www.lifesdha.com) that factors brain health and activity based on demographic diet, lifestyle, habits, etc.

The Top 10 were rather predictible, mostly in the northeast of the US.

The list (from #10-#1):

NH, ME, NJ, MA, CO, CT, VT, WA, MD, and #1 was Washington DC.

Washington State was the odd man out, but didn't surprise me. Lots of fresh food and seafood diet, I didn't see any fatties in Seattle either. DC is the most fit city I have been to, though. Remember people! Health leads to mental sharpness (but don't expect that from a Affliction / UFC meathead douches. They are a mystery).

Now the Bottom 10 were much more predictable.

The list (from #41-#50):

IN, ND, SC, AR, KY, TN, MS, AL, OK, and last LA.

The shocker for me was that LA beat out MS. I only say that because MS is the worst state I have been to, and I personally don't like it at all. No offence to you MS folks. I would rather live in Saudi again than go there again. HEYO!

Let's politicize this. Notice that most of the Top 10 are traditionally "blue" states, while the bottom are DEFINITELY "red" states. Just throwing that fire in there. Have fun.

Remember.... I hate you all.

Your Healthcare Debate Is Making Me Sick (NPR.org)

The Health Care Debate Is Making Me Sick

by BRIAN UNGER (Orignal article at NPR.org)

The health care debate is toxic, revealing a lot about us as a nation. And it feels embarrassing — like the whole world can see our underpants. Or hear us fighting in the kitchen.

First, most of us can't describe accurately the details of the health care reform now under debate. That makes us look stupid or too busy to care.

Second, most of us can't describe accurately the health care or insurance we currently have, so that makes us look kind of stupid, too, or lazy.

Some of us don't care about people who don't have health insurance, so that makes us seem unsympathetic or super lucky.

Most of us don't understand that we're already paying for people who don't have health care — which makes us too busy to care, in denial or merely rich.

Some of us — a lot of us — already receive health care under some form of government plan, but don't believe in health care under some form of government plan. That makes us hypocritical or selfish. In some camps, I hear that makes us patriotic.

A lot of us are a combination of these things: too busy, lazy, a bit stupid perhaps, lucky, unsympathetic, in-denial, really rich, hypocritical, selfish ... and patriotic.

We're having an identity crisis when it comes to caring about the nation's health, which makes me think what we really need is psychotherapy. But, sadly, that's not covered under most health plans, if you have one at all.

To many, health care reform is scary, like someone's building a halfway house for criminals right at their doorstep. It's a N.I.M.B.Y. ("Not In My Backyard") issue evolved into a N.O.M.B.O. ("Not On My Back, Obama") issue.

People never change. But policy can, so our health care reformers must get more creative and visionary.

How about a Cash for Clunkers Program? Not for cars, but for older, beat-up people whose bodies have wear and tear, and can't go long distances when they're filled with gas?

Our government is offering us $4,500 to buy a new car. Can it also offer humans incentives — say, a tax break — to join a gym? To quit smoking? Or to buy produce from local farmers? Reward schools that teach kids how to eat right and exercise? You know, kind of like that class we used to offer kids called "gym."

Let's pay people to stay healthy, instead of only paying for them when they get sick. Then maybe our nation will find its compassion, the one true antidote for its health care identity crisis.