Moonshine

When you have been looking for a party all your life and enjoying its atmospheric joy, you forget that simpler things minus some luggage can be quite as satisfying. For example, sitting outdoors under Kuwait's almost-full moon on a huge comfy pillow, secluded from all its third-worldedness and oppression, alongside some of your favorite people talking and rejoicing is a great feeling. Try it.

Music: Dancing In The Moonlight - Toploader

Saturated Community

It is coming to a point that I am disliking closet cases as much as homophobes. I mean, why is it that within the community, and especially here, no one finds the need to create a better bond between us. Why is it that we are quick to snap at each other and disragard each other. No one has a sense of communtiy, that they relate to a certain person because of orientation and they have thier back. It's like black-on-black crime, it crumbles the community, gives us a bad name, and we don't get anywhere. So much bitching, no doing.


Music: 1 Thing - Amerie

Istanbul: Where East Meets West

My travels have always been centered around Europe, for it's great venues and open-ness. I admire modern civilizations. I thought Istanbul, being the connecting point between Asia and Europe, wouldn't be that much of a far cry. I was wrong.
You see, my visit was short but in a couple of days I found myself bored in a metropolis. This hasn't happened to me since Cairo.
The architecture and museums speak of a great civilization, but an economic dowspiral and fundementalist agenda has brought down a nation that once ruled the world. Overtly Anatolian types scurrying towards Istanbul for a better living, however the city, its music and its residents echo a certain sorrow about the country's deterioration and ever-so-evident thrive to get to be a Schengen State. In my decision, it is far away from that. Crime is high, poverty is high and human rights are virtually absent. Even the newly installed Metro system (due to EU pressures) wasn't recommended or heard of when I was there.
This is not to say that Turkey is not a treasure of past glories, ancient art and the workings of a past civilization.
It was worth the visit just to see it. It is a georgraphical joint of two very different continents.
The food is fleshy, the clubs play Turkish music and rarely play pop, The cabs gyp you, and the beggars will not leave you alone. Plus, the chances of finding someone who understands English are slim.

Music: Back To Basics - Shapeshifters

The Right To Speak

You guys, as bloggers and blog-readers we should stand up for this man who is being punished for merely speaking his mind, which is what we are all doing now. If we don't stand up for our right to freely speak, then we will be the next target. We are not under Taliban rule, we have a great Constitution that protects us, let's make use of it.

I am offended that Al-Tabtabaie pressed for only veiled women to be allowed to vote, no one is jailing him.


So, please take the time out to sign this.


Music: Right To Be Wrong - Joss Stone

Special Occasion

I haven't seen Mariah in such top for since Butterfly. That's my diva!

Music: It's Like That - Mariah Carey

Tea & Sympathy

British R&B is on the rise, what with Jamelia conquering the charts and many other bands that have given life to union jack soul. One of those bottom-dwellers that are sung heroes is Beverley Knight. Entering a market that is not very friendly to soul and excelling throughout time. One might remember Knight from her past victories, such as her debut album Prodigal Sista, which made the MOBOs happy but failed to cross borders, stating this is not to undermine the quality of this soultress's efforts.
Who I Am, her second album, managed to establish profound ground and further launch her name. Garnering hits such as the loud perseverance anthem “Get Up!” and the ballad “Gold.” She also notched up another hit with “Shoulda Coulda Woulda,” empowering many and building a number of admirers. Who I Am was a sophomore effect that did not suffer from the infamous downfall.
Knight revisits the charts with the new hit song “Come as You Are,” which surprises everyone as it is a tribute to rock music and is a strikingly defined tune.
This third album, Affirmation, is both a departure from older albums and an enhancement of previous styles. As “Not Too Late for Love” portrays an escalation from latter singles in the way of soul balladry.
There are some stand-out tracks on Affirmation. The breath-taking “Tea & Sympathy” takes center stage along with the melancholy bliss of “Salvador,” which displays a lot of pain for a long lost friend from AIDS.
The ground-stomper on this release is without doubt the Robyn cover “Keep This Fire Burning,” with its tight beats and lyrics it is destined to become a single.
Other triumphs include 'Straight Jacket' and 'Fatal Factor.' Otherwise the album settles with mediocre ditties like 'First Time' and 'No One Ever Loves In Vain.'
Knight has released her best album yet, however is will be hard to determine whether she will marvel in the world of Javines and Jamelias. “Keep This Fire Burning” is the treat that describes Beverly. It is a track strong on melody and lyrics, but doesn't concentrate on the general mass's yearning for something glitzy and hip. Knight is not afraid to play with beats and genres to carve out beats that are consistent and delicious. Sometimes Knight's balladry turns out to be flavorless and MOR. However, the other tracks make up for it.
Affirmation is an evolution to the better.

Music: Salvador - Beverley Knight

Safety In Numbers

Day of the month: 22
Songs on iPod: 7791
Countries visited: 18
Days to travel: 3
Countries visited after trip: 19
Days until The Emancipation Of Mimi: 21
University acceptances: 3
MP's who have said they will vote for women's rights: 31
Number of J.Lo engagements: 5
"It's Like That" chart position: 17
University rejections: 1
TOEFL score: 657
Universities waiting on: 5
Mariah's octave range: 7
Meals eaten: 1
Countries in the world: 193 (I stand by Taiwan not being a part of oppressive China)
Height in feet: 6
House at work: 4
Outside Temperature: 26
Years in waiting for the right to vote for women: 40
Colors in my rainbow: 6

Music Where's The Love - Hanson

Miss Understood

This is a diva. A woman so strong and talented, struggled with infamy, yet her Voice shines surpassing the sexism and racism she has always faced. Everyone is like "I hate how she became a slut." Really? Why is a woman revealing her sexuality undermine her talent. I know it's usually ugly people who have a problem with sexually open people. You see, not everyone can be a slut and enjoy it at the same time. I never heard anyone call Ricky Martin a slut, even though we all know what his best asset was.
Mariah faces everything and yet she comes back with her 10th album looking as glorious as she does. I admire her and I am happy to say that I have been a fanatic. Remember how "Always Be My Baby" made us feel all giddy inside, or when "Hero" stood as an anthem for a generation. How she managed to become the best selling female artist of all time at a time when street cred and grunge were in.

Mariah, I love you. Thank you for being unabashedly feminine without trying to win over the critics. Mozart would've played the same music in a thong, but the hetero male establishment tries to end a female artist's career when she is in charge, whether sexually or musically.
Everyone, get this CD and see what I mean when it comes out on April 12.
Further on Mariah as the day approaches soon.

Music: We Belong Together - Mariah Carey

Cocoon Cousin

Let personal history register that I have the coolest cousin in the world. I had never known that a metamorphasis from a butterfly to a cocoon would be better than the vice versa. Even though I tease her this blogette is dedicated to her fabulousness. If Kuwait weren't so untoward advancement and a center of gossip mayham Id's post her pic. I love you, La Chica (also psuedonymed Emeralda).

Music: Cannot Contain This - Moloko

General Joy

The artist who made the piano rock and roll is back. After releasing a greatest hits collection of reconstructed ubiquitous feminine anthems such as “Precious Things” and “Jackie’s Strength,” Tori Amos returns to full-lengthers with The Beekeeper.
Although her absence wasn’t a long one, Amos regains her position as a prolific songwriter by delivering nineteen tracks on this release.
In the fashion of its travelogue predecessor Scarlet’s Walk, The Beekeeper crams in more material than needed at times. While Amos’s musical flow never falters, the incessant wailing does not stray too far away from Scarlet’s Walk.
The Beekeeper starts off strong with the shiny “Parasol” and then grooves with “Sweet The Sting.” The lead single also offers first-listen refuge with its half radio-friendly presence, much like “A Sorta Fairytale.”
However, it does not take a while for Amos to rove into hyperbolic stupor with her collaboration with now it-boy Damien Rice on “The Power Of Orange Knickers,” where Amos slips on a pair to dissect the definition of a terrorist. Only Amos can get away with that artistic lunacy without sounding eerie for the sake of. Later Amos attempts being, get this, a car in an endeavor to understand a struggle in a relationship on “Cars And Guitars.”
Then Amos delves into Daphne Du Maurier's classic novel on “Jamaica Inn.”
Further down come the tracks that could have been b-sides yet are used as fillers on the recent records. “Barons Of Suburbia” ends with wails, while “Mother Revolution” has a strong message with a bushed sound.
Romanticism takes affect with “Ribbons Undone” – a track with references to her daughter. “Original Sinsuality” investigates piety and redefinition.
Lazing in her new Cornwell, England residence, Amos boasts on “Ireland” about driving there in her Saab. Did anyone inform Amos that Ireland is part of an island?
There are some tracks that break that continuity evident lately on Amos’s records. “Hoochie Woman,” examines infidelity with a reggae tint. Also, “Marys Of The Sea” has a mild operatic feel.
The Beekeeper is somewhat of a Scarlet’s Walk part two. Not that that is a bad thing, its just redundant for an artist known for her innovation. Although Amos’s piano melodies never lose their solemn grandeur, this release is recommended to the fans only.

Music: Sweet The Sting - Tori Amos

Complimentary Massage

Rejuvination is always good for a person. I do it every know and then. They serve as chapter breaks to my autobiography. I went for a shave today and the guy was amazed that I want to remove all facial hair including my moustache. He asked in his Desi-accentedness "You are not Kuwaiti?" I muttered "Yes" and stopped at reasoning. What was great is the massage you get after shaving. I mean, I think this is exclusive to Kuwait. The barber shaves then gives a complimentary massage after the heated towel routine. Why? Just do what was asked of you (I was in a hurry). But, I have to say I do like it.

Music: I Can Make You Feel Good - Kavana

Acceptance Letter

I have to say that there is only a few things sweeter than watching the acceptance letters from Grad School applications roll in. It's like a huge the surprise and the more choices one has the more intriguing the pursuit. Two down, waiting on seven. keep 'em rollin'!

Music: As - George Michael & Mary J. Blige

National Diva

Lulwa Al-Qatami


When I grow up, I want to be her.

Music: Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead

Freedom Of Speech

I don't know what to say, I mean, this blog thing is amazing, It's an outlet like no other. Even when you know that just your friends are reading it, at least you've made your statement for the day and can rest assured that you got your message across... somehow.
I love it and do it all the time as my fellow bloggers would agree. I mean the internet is a medium unlike any other. It has challanged many societies to either get with the game or get left behind.
But then, a fellow blogger gets attacked for his freedom of expression. I do not take this threat lightly as it is a call to censor bloggers - the only true voice coming out of Kuwait. Tata is one. Freedom of speech is, again, a basic human right.
Iran has recently arrested a prominent blogger and jailed him for almost a decade for expressing himself. Isn't that scary? I mean we are not Iran but how far away are we?
We are becoming more and more of a conservative society and I wonder if we are about to be censored.
I feel like it's an attack on the blogging community.

The constitution protects us. Stay proud and stay loud.

Music: Sleeps With Butterflies - Tori Amos

Regurgitation

Success in not always a measure of talent when it comes to showbiz. Consider Jennifer Lopez. A multi-million selling persona in different industries from cosmetics to audio, yet she lacks the diligence and talent behind an artist. Even her execs realize that so they rely heavily on image and packaging to market Lopez.
Her ear for hits is so in limbo that she has to copy and steal to achieve chart success. Firstly, she stole the Ja Rule remix idea from Mariah Carey’s Glitter by way of Tommy Mottola (Carey’s ex-hubby) and released it as a remix of “I’m Real.” Now, if you change the melody and the lyrics of a song isn’t that a whole other song and not a remix?
Then, more recently, she released a song already recorded by another artist. This time Usher’s “Ride” becomes Lopez’s “Get Right.” The latter is probably one of the worst pop songs ever released. It sounds like an annoying ringtone that never stops. The remix with Fabolous doesn’t lose the horrid horns and adds irritation.
Lopez’s new album Rebirth is really not what it claims to be. It is better than the vile This Is Me…Then but way down from J.Lo.
Mid-tempo tracks that wouldn’t be the light of day if it weren’t for Lopez’s image like “Step Into My World” and “Hold You Down” featuring Fat Joe are plain and featureless. Even when Lopez tries to muster up some spice with the funk-laden “Whatever You Wanna Do” she falls flat on her face with dreary lyrics and a bleak chorus.
Then the rest of Rebirth relies solely on hype from “I, Love” to “Ryde Or Die.” Even when she manages to catch some mid-tempo flow on “I Got U,” she loses it from the ghastliness of the record.
To further the painful trip through this effort, J.Lo unapologetically attempts mimicking Prince on “Cherry Pie,” which is more balderdash and less “Raspberry Beret.”
It comes as no surprise that Lopez continues to release filler after filler and then the filler remixes. Celebrities like her are walking conglomerates. Her face is trademark and her talk is the PR. No wonder that she can cross borders from being a singer to an actress to a fashion designer. When it comes to music, however, she is nothing special. Her vocal ability sounds like a Karaoke hopeful and her dancing is passable, but no Janet Jackson.
On the last track on Rebirth Lopez asserts “(Can’t Believe) This Is Me.” To tell you the truth, we can’t either.

Music: Keep The Fire Burning - Beverly Knight

Here Comes The Rain

There's something cleansing about it. Like earth is given a shower or being fed.
We are almost in the ides of March and its wet out. It's pouring rain and I am loving it. I have always loved it and never understood why some don't. I can hear the rain right now and I am inside. It seems like the perfect time to be in love, doesn't it?
When I lived in London, I used to walk in the rain while listening to the song of the day. Embrace it.

Music: Raincloud - Lighthouse Family

Ain't Wacko

I do believe he is a kid at heart.

The world will never now how much Michael Jackson has marvelously reconstructed the popular culture that we thrive upon. I love Michael. I don't care what people say and I will stand up for him because I understand his huge impact on music. With the hordes of fanatics, I have followed his career step by step and went back to catch a glimpse of the superstar that he is.

I detest people who immediately resort to pedophilia or plastic surgery anecdotes when his name is mentioned. Firstly, plasic surgery is not a bad thing. If I fucking want a beak instead of a mouth then it is my right to do so. Why can't anyone understand that? Second, I do not believe that he is guilty and I know that the American judicial system, that boasts of its just ways, is, in reality, defunct and racist.

R. Kelly, James Brown, Mystikal, Tevin Campbell, ODB, every rapper, OJ, and the list goes on.

You see, Justin Timberlake and Usher are only downgraded cheap copies of what he has created. No one can be him.
He has always offered us the best music and, as a result, the best days. And to this minute if you play "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" or "Smooth Criminal" at a get together everybody will get up and dance. That reminds me of another thing -- his dancing. I don't have to explain.
Or that smooth surrender of "I Can't Help It" and "Off The Wall."

Martin Bashir to me is what Michael Moore is to republikkkans. His documentary was evil and skewed for ratings (that is, of course, unlike my great Moore).

I love MJ. I remember as an insecure closeted skinny boy with big-ass headphones finding escapism in Michael as he says: "If they say 'why? why?,' tell 'em that it's human nature."

Leave him alone. The Jackson family are my royalty and he is the King.

Music: Human Nature - Michael Jackson

March Recommendations

Heightened paranoia and not-so-radical activism opened March. But, that didn't stop me from my dosage for popular culture. So, as goes, here are the recommendations for March:

Audio: Puddle Dive - Ani DiFranco

Sudden feminist urges with a dash of Knuckle Down hype made this the #1 spinner in my car stereo. This is so raw and folk, yet easily digestable. It marks Ani's progression from folkster to punk with a cause. I can just see her selling this out of the trunk of her hand-painted car by a lesbian coffeeshop in Buffalo, NY. There are songs about societal hygiene standards ("Pick Yer Nose"), the menstraul cycle ("Blood In The Boardroom"), showbiz stratification ("Egos Like Hairdos") and a coming-to-terms poem ("My IQ"). All without sounding slapstick. Download them.

Audio: Surrender Dorothy - Alana Davis

Read March 4 posting for details.

Movie: Iron Jawed Angels

More suffragist stuff. At the Oscars I was surprised that Hilary Swank one, but after seeing this I understand how much of a great actress she is. This is a really great movie. Why aren't there more womyn movies out there?

Electronics: iPod Photo

I succumb. I have always been against iPods because they are Macs and they have the tendancy to release your music library which is not fabulous if you are a music maniac. But this 60GB baby can carry all of my music (which apparently totals to 23 days of listening) and display the album covers and other photoes you store. Plus, you can shuffle and charge through USB. You still can't retrieve your library like with Creatives, but, no pain no gain.

Thing: Activism

Think blue and help get the vote. Half a democracy is not a democracy.



Get them and tell me what you think!

Music: Cherry Blossom Girl - Air

Queen Of The Ocean

For a minute there, it looked like the ocean. Waves of people dressed in every shade of blue. All ages and all denominations. This is what it should be like. But it wasn't. The colorful array we presented was much too much for some and we had to leave.
It was great seeing everyone from back in school and such. It was better seeing the younger generation show up with force... or was it because they were given time off? Nonetheless, we made the point clear. I am glad they kicked us out, just for them to know of our presence and how it's gaining resistance.
The youngsters yelled, but what amazed me and almost shook me to tears (if it weren't for my knowing that the naysayers would make me the counter-arguement of women's rights) is that the old school suffragists who have had no support for 40 gruelling years. Seeing the one who started the movement with a veil burning haribinger clutching to her chair refusing to leave the parliament. How, in her old age, she managed to make an example that hasn't been met up. She was there lovely, blonde, strong, shrewd and insistant to get the vote even though it won't do her all that good now. Our Susan B. Anthony.

I take pride in you and I admire everything you are about. I know the road you took hasn't been an easy one. And as the first suffragist of this ailing system I bow down to you as you have done more to this country than any politician, to me.

In her spirit, let's keep it going and lets not stop. Let her see what one day she has always wished and worked hard for. We did it for 1 day, she did it for 40 years. We surely can cram in some more, and I have to say it was fun. Wasn't it?

Music: Push & Pull - Nikka Costa

Double A-Side

Embarking on an indepedance plea and trying to love being single is so hard when you hear the song of the day. I mean I am in region where my love is loathed and the possibility of finding someone who is compatible is close to nil. As I enjoy outness with frivolity and am not prepared to compromise. I want to go back where a rainbow shines.

I feel like a single that wants to be a double A-side. For those who are music-literate.

Music: Full Moon - Brandy

Suffragist On The Loose

Sorry for my absence, but I have been working on something that is of grandiose importance. Please join in:

Day Of Solidarity. 8 am in front of Parliament this monday. Stand up for women's rights now. Ask for equality and wear blue.



Music: I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan

Surrender Dorothy

Alana Davis is one of the rare artists that have managed to bridge the gap between folk and soul without faltering. Ever since her striking debut, Blame It On Me, Davis has conjured up a mixture unlike any other. The beats are heavy on acoustic, yet never denying its deep-rooted soul. The New York native created a mold that is somewhere between Bill Withers and Jewel, without being as oblique as Tracy Chapman.
But as with many artist who dare to create a template all their own, the likelihood of maintaining a long career is cut down. Consider Ben Harper and Maxwell, they have delivered new sounds yet are pigeonholed into somewhat of a novelty cliché. Remember how Erykah Badu was titled the Miss Cleo of hip hop?
After Elektra records decided to disregard earthier tones to big beats, tossing the careers of both Davis and Chapman out of the window, many artists started grasping how unpredictable the music industry is.
Davis started her own record company named Tigress Records, under which she released this album. Following the footsteps of the woman who gave her her first hit “32 Flavors.”
With Surrender Dorothy being her first record post-emancipation we notice a more relaxed and organic Alana Davis, even more so than her debut.
The album does not have evident radio-hits like “I Want You” or “Crazy,” but it does have grabby tunes like “Letter” and the touching “Right There.”
Here Davis concentrates on making a record more sonically flowing than anything else. Even the cover version of Bob Marley’s “Nice Time” is safely tucked away as the last bonus track.
Then there are more rock influenced ditties like “The Benefit,” which gives the record an edge without straying too far away. “Vision” is an ode to life without direction, yet with a goal.
On the other hand, there are the low-tempo tunes that compose Davis an amazing talent shying away from the Joss Stone tactics of American Idol-esque aerobics.
This time, Davis delivers sincere emotion with subtlety on “Stay” and the earnest “Right Here.”
“Jaded (Goodbye)” is another track that deals with lost love almost with barefaced stance. While the standout award goes to “Desert Rose (Higher Than A Lover),” which rises with a subdued yearning.
Davis is an example of how faulty the music biz is. This fruitful young talent that has had every door shut at her face for refusing to comply to hype standards. Do yourself a favor and pick one of her albums up while she is still subsiding as an under-publicized indie.

Music: Letter - Alana Davis