Happy New Year

Today is New Years Day! Unfortunately for me, I have to make it all the way to Harrow from East London today. I wonder who decided that it would be a good idea to plan underground and over ground rail repair on this day.

This blog will be short, because universally today is a day to relax. I’m spending  my last few hours with family before it’s time to get back on the grind stone. It became all too easy to stay up till 3am and stay in bed until 12pm, sometimes 3pm. There  here won’t be any smooth transition period for me when I get back to working. It would be like climbing out of a nice warm bath only to slip and fall into the North Atlantic.

I hope it won’t be the same for everyone that will be headed back to work this week.

Enjoy the weekend while it lasts!

Tonight is The Night

In a little less that 24 hours from now, London will be packed with people of all ages and of all backgrounds waiting to celebrate the coming year. When Big Ben tolls for the 12th time, the skies will be lit up and friends and lovers with embrace and kiss. This day is a special day because the world rings in the New Year 24 times.

At midnight I will send texts to friends back home that will say, “I know it’s still 2009 where you are, but Happy New Year any way” or something silly like that. I know it’s foolish, but it’s something that can only happen once a year and it makes me think of those who I won’t be celebrating with. Those who I am used to celebrating with I hope will be thinking of me too.

I was never into making New Year’s resolutions. That’s because I try not to make promises I might not keep or don’t intend on keeping. I do; however, make an effort every new year to improve my life in some sort of way(s). I don’t think of anything specific; but after a short period of time, it comes to me. It becomes my focus. It is what sustains me.

I hope that tonight where ever you are, you are with someone you love. I hope that you will have a memorable night, but most importantly I hope that you are safe

Happy New Year. I wish you all health, wealth, and prosperity in all you do this year!

Reflection of Years Gone By

Tomorrow night is New Years Eve.

Naturally this will be a time for all to reflect before passing into a new year. Looking back to the 80s, the 90s, and the turn of the century to me this is what matters.

©2009 Jasen Ogle - Wearing Converse under the Christmas Tree

What stands out the most of my time in the 80s were the fashion statements. My own weren’t very remarkable. My sister wore her hair in a pony tail to the side of her head. Some girls wore very large sweaters with neon coloured tights around their legs. I sported the flat top and shorts that exposed my ashy knees.

Guys wore the cleanest pair of Adidas trainers and dookie chains that shimmered in the sunlight. This included the tracksuit and gold shades to match. I think it’s clear that my mom preferred to have Converse on my feet.

Music of the 90s

R&B

R&B music was at it’s best. Groups like SWV, Boyz II Men, and En Vogue combined solid lyrics with harmony to tickle your ear drum and seduce your soul. Mary J Bligewas on her rise to becoming Queen of R&B. I still sing her 90s hits in the shower.

Rap

The best rap music came from ‘rap beef.’ The ‘bad boys’ of Bad Boy Entertainment in New York feuded with the NWA and Death Row Records of Compton, California. The hostility spread across the coast involving many rap artists. This created some of the most raunchy and eloquent rap lyrics ever heard. The feuding unfortunately lead to the death of Tupac Shakur and the subsequent death of “The Notorious BIG,” two of rap’s powerhouses of the 90s. Being from New York, naturally BIG as my guy!

Grunge

In the 90s, bands like Nirvana out of areas such as California andSeattle, Washington brought the new grunge sound. It was a type of modern day loud, angry, rebel music for white kids that took the place of punk. 

Gone, but not forgotten

The death of a Princess forever cemented her image in us all as the Queen of Hearts. I watched my older sister cry at the age 14 over a women whom she never met. Princess Diana Spencer was a women that kindled a sense of awe in lands that knew nothing of a monarchy. Soon after we mourned  Mother Teresa who told us to “Do ordinary things with extraordinary Love.”

The New Millennium

There are a few things that happened at the turn of the century that I will never forget.

• George Walker Bush was inaugurated on a cold, wet Winter’s day in January. Many protesters lined Pennsylvania Avenue. Some with poor aim flung eggs at him. Who would have thought that seven years later it would be shoes that were hurled at him?
• Two new words were added to our vocabulary: ‘Misunderestimated‘ and ‘Truthiness.’
• I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing on September 11th 2001. I remember my Indian-American friend being verbally harassed the next day because of ignorance and stupidity.
• An image that stuck with me is that of Colin Powell pleading with the UN to dispose of Saddam Hussein. Another image stuck years later, when Hussein was hanged in Iraq.

Towards a new decade

In the summer of 2008, China set the bar for opening and closing Olympic Ceremonies.

©2008 Bao Yinghon Courtesy of Zhang Tongfei - 2008 Olympic Closing Ceremonies

November 4th 2008, America elected it’s first mixed race President, a person of colour. The whole world celebrated. Meanwhile in my own country, I was called the “N-word” by white supremacists while waiting to vote. All I could do was laugh.

In the summer of 2009, The King announced that “This is It!” It was the beginning of his last concerts. He did not live to hear the stadium echo his name one last time.

What is to come?

As we look forward to a new year and soon a new decade, the ‘war on terrorism’  I believe will be around long after I am gone. I can see climate change being a life changing event in the future. Technology is constantly improving and I look forward to the next breakthrough.

Happy New Year to all. Make it a memorable one.

Executing the wrong people

Akmal Shaikh, 53 of  England was executed today in China after being found guilty of smuggling drugs into the country. In spite of protests and appeals on his behalf, Shaikh who according to family members was mentally ill, was still sentenced to death.

China is an independent state and has full right to govern in any way they chose to. It is up to China’s citizens and visitors to obey the laws of the land. When those laws are violated a punishment is handed down. According to the Chinese government, Shaikh violated their law and so he received the ultimate punishment.

The Chinese government could have shown compassion and vacated the sentence. The government could have imprisoned him and made sure he hand the proper mental health that he required. They chose not to do either. They are well within their rights to do so.

Some believe that it was a mistake to execute Shaikh. I agree, but not for the same reasons. Those who believe he should have been spared think that Shaikh was oblivious to the drugs he was bringing in the country. They think that he was being taken advantage of because of his mental state.

I believe that he should have been spared because of a missed opportunity. Instead of executing Shaikh, Chinese authorities should have tracked where his luggage was going, or use a small fish to catch a big fish. Whether or not he intended to bring drugs into the country, executing him will not deter others from doing the same.

According to the BBC China is responsible for 72% of the world’s executions. It shows that such a high percentage of executed persons in that country does not deter crime. The problem could be that the Chinese government is executing the wrong people.

Criminals who attempt to bring drugs into the country know that China is a communist government. They know that China isn’t a model country for human rights. They take the risk any way. Knowing this, the Chinese government should use these people to catch those who finance  the drug trade. The Chinese government needs to start catching and executing the top bosses.

I’m not a fan of the death penalty. Capital punishment is a horrible penalty which should be reserved for those who cause the most crime. Executing a drug mule is a chip in the iceberg of  the trade. Drug producing countries in South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific can quell the fire of drug trade by finding and executing drug moguls.

These powerful people naturally will attempt to line the pockets of politicians for protection. This is to be expected. The punishment should also be passed along to those in power who come to their aid. If governments are going to take the ‘war on drugs’ seriously, then they need to take serious action.

Sandwich options

I recall comedian, Chris Rock saying during one of his HBO stand up specials that “Men are only as loyal as their options.” It was his humorous explanation for why men cheat. He used sexually explicit reasons to explain his theory, which I would prefer not to repeat. On a basic level could he be right? If he is right, is it still a justifiable excuse?

From what I understand, what he was trying to explain is that people set for themselves standards or minimum requirements in order to enjoy something. If that standard isn’t met or kept up, then a person (men in his case) will find other means of meeting that standard.

In Chris’s example, he justified a man’s act of infidelity based upon this reasoning: The man wasn’t receiving the same amount of sexual enjoyment in the middle of his relationship as he was in the beginning, or he wasn’t receiving the enjoyment he was expecting. He found other means of meeting his standard.

This can be applied to almost any situation. A man stops at a restaurant every day to eat the same sandwich. He gets to know the staff and enjoys the atmosphere. After a while he notices that the taste is not the same. There might be too much mayonnaise or not enough bacon. The quality in general has slipped over  time. He has the right find another place that can make him the same sandwich or a better one.

He could ask a staff member to have the sandwich remade, but anyone who has worked in the food industry knows that the same sandwich could come back rearranged differently or coated with a fresh batch of spit. It could also be that a new sandwich is made and things could go back to normal, especially with a loyal customer.

In cases where things do not go back to normal, doesn’t a person have the right to seek other means of satisfaction? If a person isn’t happy with an aspect in his life, is it so bad for him to try and improve it? Is it bad for the sandwich guy to eat a sandwich at another restaurant and then have coffee at the original restaurant?

Yes, I am comparing apples to oranges, but only for the sake of explanation. I would NEVER encourage infidelity or settling for something less than what is required. My intention is to spark debate in analysing the social contract called relationships.

A relationship is not the same as consumer loyalty, but the expectations are the same. There is an inherent agreement when entering into relationships (of any sort) that there is balance. There is an exchange and the value of the items being traded (love, affection, sandwiches and money) should always be equal or else the relationship will not survive. When a person is not receiving the same love or affection that was expected aren’t they entitled to seek it in other places?

In emotional relationships, there is also an inherent agreement of fidelity. Does this agreement become void when there is no longer balance in the exchange (love, affection, etc?) Can this be considered infidelity? Should it be? This is a slippery surface to walk on because love can not be tangibly measured and the proper amount of affection is subjective to the individual. A person still has that ‘gut feeling’ of when they are lacking something, therefore on that basis they can scarcely argue their case. If the contract is broken, why shouldn’t a person fill a void through other means and still keep the remaining benefits?

The other person’s feelings should be taken into account. Why? He/she broke the agreement, meaning he/she were not thinking of their counterpart’s feelings. This brings me back to my previous question. Can imbalance be considered infidelity?

I would love to hear rational responses to all the questions.

Don’t be “That Guy!”

Everyone knows that one person who you hate running into. That one person that you hope doesn’t show up at the party. That one person that can suck the life out of a room with just a single word. Back home, we call that person “That Guy“/ “That Girl!”

Most people try to fit in when in social settings, and for the most part do well. Every now and then we have slip-ups or “That Guy  moments”, most commonly known as “blonde moments.” We have a slip of the tongue. We do something that in hindsight didn’t seem to be a great idea. These things happen. Some can gracefully recover from these moments and others are occasionally reminded of their slip-ups by their friends.

Unfortunately “that guy” can never recover from these moments. “That Guy” is always reminded of what he (she) did, not because it was funny or amusing, but because “That Guy” was too drunk to remember.

Although alcoholism or drug abuse is a common trait found in “That Guy” it doesn’t define what “That Guy” is. “That guy” can go his (her) whole life with out touching a drop of alcohol or drugs.

“That Guy” is the complete absence of sophistication, poise, class, and savoir faire. Don’t be “That Guy!”

“That Guy” is the person that ends up in the emergency room after saying “hey guys watch this!” He (she) is that person who makes everyone around them bow their heads in shame after a witless comment. “That guy” will ask a host for an invitation to a social gathering that they weren’t invited to. Even worse, “That Guy” will show up as an uninvited guest. “That Guy” makes rude and offensive comments; not to hurt someone, but because they are oblivious to people’s feelings. No one tells this to “That Guy,” because no one wants to talk to “That Guy”

Normal people go out of their way to avoid “That Guy.” If his (her) movements could be tracked, you better believe that people take note of this and apply it to their daily routine.

If the person I am describing sounds like you, then you are “That Guy.” Don’t be “That Guy!”

Nigerian’s Terror Plot Foiled

Passengers on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 almost fell victim to a terrorist plot on Christmas Day when 23 year old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab of Nigeria allegedly detonated liquid explosives on the flight. The flight filled with 278 passengers and crew were saved because there was a malfunction in the detonating device. The flight was headed to Detroit, Michigan, USA after departing from Amsterdam.

The Abdulmutallab was subdued by passengers after the device caught on fire. Abdulmutallab was taken to a Detroit hospital to be treated for burns after the flight landed. He was discharged from the hospital on Sunday and taken into Federal Custody. Federal Authorities have not revealed where he is being held.

Even though he is on a generic terrorist watch list, Abdulmutallab was still granted clearance to fly from Amsterdam. He walked onto the flight carrying pentaerythritol (PETN), the same chemical used by Richard Reid in his attempt to blow up an American Airlines flight bound for Miami from Paris in December 2001.

Abdulmutallab was placed on the list after his father, expressed concerns about his son’s religious views to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.

Security measures at airports around the world have been stepped up since Christmas Day.

Christmas in London

This is the second time that I have ever spent Christmas in London. I find that this experience is similar to my first experience but it’s quite different than how it’s celebrated back home.

The preparation is the same. Gifts are usually bought in advance, some bought at the last minute. Food preparation is usually started a day in advance.

The main difference that I’ve noticed is that back home there is usually a larger presence at dinner. You had to fight to find a spot to eat. Here I’ve seen some family members show up for a short time and then leave. Everyone fit comfortably at the dinner table and there could have possibly been room for more.

Back home we play Christmas music all day which can range from Nat King Cole to a holiday jingle on a steel drum. Everyone socializes. We argue over politics or pop culture. Here one holiday album was played. Everyone who had one, took out an electronic gadget and tinkered with it.

Jasen Ogle 2009©

We all played video games on the Wii. It was amusing to see my grandfather beat his daughter and his grandson in Wii Boxing, having never before touched a video game. At the end of the night, the few that were still present watched Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. It wasn’t boring, but I guess I expected more from the day.

Ultimately I guess it’s celebrated different everywhere you go. If I’m going to be in a different environment, I have to prepare for the weather.

Bah, Humbug!

Everyone who says, “It’s the thought that counts,” You are all a bunch of liars! I remember one year receiving a pack of socks and underwear for Christmas. That’s not a Christmas present. That’s a gag gift, especially to a 12 year old boy. A couple of years ago I got deodorant from my father’s then girlfriend. How insulting is that? I would have rather had the $3.99 to buy something I wanted. Here is my satirical view of a typical holiday season.

Everyone is always grumpy. You have to figure out who you are going to buy gifts for. You never know who is going to buy you something. You have to anticipate who might buy you something and add them to the list of people you are already going to buy things for. Then you have to figure out what to get for everyone on the list. You try to spend an even amount on everyone, but that never works out.

You go to the mall and realise you forgot your Christmas list at home. It’s taped to the back of your front door, right where you left it so you wouldn’t forget. Counting on your fingers, you mentally go through your list of the forgotten. While counting, you add more people to the original list that wasn’t there before. You still forgot some people from the original list and you can’t remember who.

Shuffling through the sheep, you roam from store to store trying to find gifts. “She wouldn’t like that,” you think to yourself. “This won’t fit him,” is what you say as you hold the item in the air measuring it against an invisible chest. “That’s too expensive, there are none in her size, that’s not the right colour,” are the thoughts that dance through your head during the day.

After finding everything that meets your minimum requirement to qualify as a gift, you head for the till. There’s a queue.

When you drop your bags in the front passage to lock your door, you turn to see the list waiting there mocking you. Skimming through the list, the names you forgot stand out. “Maybe I can rearrange the gifts so there is a gift for everyone on the list. The extras will just have to get a card this year.” On Christmas Day, you’ll find that you regret these thoughts. The ones you got cards for did get you a gift.

It’s Christmas Day. The family is gathered and the little ones are ripping open presents. To be helpful, you decide to lend a hand in dinner preparations. Everything you do in the eyes of your mother/ mother -in-law/ aunt/ cousin/ family member of your choice, is wrong! The carrots are supposed to be cut at an angle, not horizontally. There is too much salt in the stuffing. Someone else knocked the cranberry sauce on the ground, but it’s your fault. While slicing potatoes, Nana asks, “Why you don’t  you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/ and children? Your sister has three!”  The older ones are fighting over presents and the youngest left a stain over your right shoulder.

It’s now your job to watch ‘crazy uncle so and so.‘ He gets too friendly with the kids when he drinks too much. At dinner, while it never dawned on you as a child, you just realised why Aunt ‘bla bla bla’ always brought her ‘roommate’ to Christmas Dinner every year. Grandpa starts to talk about his aches and pains, not mention the size, shape and frequency of his bowel movements. He wants to know about yours for the sake of comparison.

Smile for the camera. It’s time for you to open your presents. Everyone wants to take pictures of you trying on the ugly sweater you just unwrapped. You know that’s going to appear on Facebook within minutes. You get everything you don’t want and exactly what you don’t need. There’s a bright flash and you wipe the drool off your face as you realise you have fallen asleep. That too will be on Facebook, along with several pictures of your nieces and nephews hanging their bums over your face as you sleep with your mouth open.

You finally make it home. You soak your your shirt in detergent and pray that the smell comes out. There’s no use trying to shower because the pipes are frozen over. Sanitary wipes will have to do. Warm and cosy in your bed, you lay back and sadly think, “I have to do this again next year.”

Help the needy (once a year?)

It’s the time of year again where charities go around to shopping malls and beg for your money. News networks do features on the homeless or poor sick children in hospitals. Your television set is flooded with advertisements of poor hungry African children that need your £30 a month to just barely get by.

It’s done every year at the same time to appeal to your emotions. It’s supposed to be the season of giving right? What about the other 11 months of the year? Homeless people are still homeless from January to November. All sick children do not miraculously get well just in the month of December. Poor hungry African children are always poor hungry African children.

Why must charities wait to do most of their appeal to the public during the Holiday Season? July is just as good as a time to request donations as December is. I would argue that it’s a better time than December to request donations. During the Summer Holiday when children are away from school and parents are away from work, this is the best time for charities to go to work. This is the time where they should be recruiting people to say and volunteer to help the needy instead of going away on holiday.

Millions of tourists flock to London every Summer to see Trafalgar Square, Madame Tussaud’s, the Tower of London and many other attractions. Charities should be waiting at exists to accept donations from visitors. Younger volunteers can get together and make greeting cards for the troops abroad. What decent parent would say no to having their children do that? There are plenty more activities that people can volunteer to do during all times of the year.

Charities need your help year round. Do not wait till December to make a donation. Every time you get change from a purchase, take it home and put it in a tin can. When it gets full take the change and deposit it in your bank account, then write a cheque of the same amount to a charity of your choice. Encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same. Not only will you be doing something good, but you’ll feel good knowing you would be helping those in need year round!