Smoking is my pleasure and my pain…

This is my fourth day without any sort of tobacco, and the withdrawal isn’t as bad as I thought. For those who know me well, they know cloves and blacks were always on me, and on my worst days I could easily down a pack of either. Well now I’m here smoke free and here are some enlightening reasons why I chose to let go of one of my ultimate pleasures:

-stamina: Ever since my habit became habitual (i.e everyday) my body has weakened a tad bit more than I am accustomed to. Whenever I walk, I pant. Whenever I’m stressed I get that numb feeling in the chest (nicotine withdrawal)

- I’m tired of having a sore throat everyday and I don’t want to get any of the nasty cancers associated with smoking (Oral and throat cancer is NOT a joke, and Lung cancer blows. Then again, any malignancies suck. Condolences to anyone out their fighting this dreaded disease, and a toast to those who have survived)

- The shit I smoked (Djarum Black , Black and Milds) have their own issues associated with them. Blacks and clove cigarettes, and they have their own issues to be dealt with. One Black and Mild equals 5 cigarettes…need I say more?

-My girlfriend HATES the fact that I smoke, she simply will not tolerate it anymore. I don’t blame her, I rather be nicotine free with her by my side

- I live in New York City, where cigarettes are the most expensive in the entire nation. I’m tired of shelling out $16.60….simply a waste.

So in lamest terms, I’m quitting for the better. Sure it may suck now, but I’ll thank myself in the future.

On a slightly brighter note, I wanted to share a piece of history (as a political science major and a history minor) about Hong Kong. The picture above is a place that no longer exists. It was called the Kowloon Walled City, and it was East Asia’s most notorious slum. During the last 35 years of British Rule, Hong Kong experienced massive economic growth, becoming the powerhouse we know today. But during that time Hong Kong faced a problem: many people from the mainland were migrating into the islands, some found themselves on the very border of the area, forming a clustered (former architecture major…long story) set of carved out buildings, connected by tunnels and roof platforms. It existed until 1994, when the government evicted all 33,000 residents out of the Walled City (literally the place was surrounded by a wall, with 4 main gates the only access point to enter, or leave. Between the 1950s-1980s, Triads and criminal enterprise ruled this area, making any U.S ghetto look like a playground.

Need I say more?

I wanted to let people know about this, simply because it’s awesome. I have a unique fascination with Hong Kong (not mainland China), and Kowloon Walled City is the perfect example of how disenfranchised poor people can be.

Crossroads

This is for all the twenty somethings out there. At this point in time it’s amazing how when you look back at everything, you realize 20 years of your life have passed. High school and its hot romantic teenage nights are over. It’s the real world, and it hurts for the most part. But in its entirety, not that bad. I’m halfway through my college career, and nobody knows what will happen in 2012 (no, the world won’t end assholes. So stop with the emo bullshit and get over it), or even 2020 for that matter.

It would be a lie to say I’m not nervous about the future. Everyone is.  This quarter life crisis that myself and millions of others are facing will end eventually, hopefully sooner than later…

Revelation at the weirdest night

Quite a few nights ago( I don’t remember exactly when) I faced quite the dilemma. Whether or not to try to “rekindle” a relationship with a former ex girlfriend. Well let me just say, it didn’t work lol. But honestly, it doesn’t matter anymore. Ever since the, I’ve found another, better lady to replace the old news. For anybody who may find themselves at odds with a similar decision, fuck it. Keep moving and don’t think about the past, as painfully hard as that may sound. You must move on. Trust me, if they walked out, it’s probably better off. I wrote this because of my past experiences and the fact that I see way too many dudes out there committing mistakes left and right, making themselves look like asses.  As with every break-up, you have three scenarios that could happen:

1. You could attempt to get back with the ex. Although this may seem like the great choice of the list, it’s not. Unless she is the greatest shit on Earth, don’t attempt it. This will cause more pain and anguish for most since the majority of people fall into the pattern of limerence and unrequited love. Both those emotions suck ass and is pretty bad for the person experiencing them. Many people also fall for the idea that “there might be something in the future”. Bullshit. If it didn’t work once, it work at all (don’t get me wrong, there are exceptions, but those are few) Those trying to rekindle a relationship usually do it out of lust ( if she looks good, trust me, I know..)

I don’t care how mean this sounds, but for those who find themselves in lust with the ex girl, fortunately for you there’s a pool of easy women out there, just gotta find them. ( some girls are just destined to be whores, but don’t look for anything steady with an easy girl)

2. You could be “friends” with her, and hope that she sees what’s good with you. LMFAO this is funny. Anyone who believes being a friend with an ex girl is a moron and asking for it. It may seem chivalrous, but trust me, if you’re trying to get over a girl, it’s a stupid decision. Who gives a fuck if she wants to be friends with you, she could go fuck herself. You don’t need a living reminder of what you just lost. It’s logical. Why some people choose to put themselves in such a masochistic situation is mind boggling. But hey, misery loves company I guess.

Don’t listen to her shit, she’s nobody once she walks out the door.

3. Just move on with life and don’t look back. This is the ideal. Move on, shut up, keep going. It may take weeks, months, or even a year or so to be fully back on your feet. But trust me, it’ll happen. Just preoccupy yourself with activities and try not to think about the ex or the past. Try to associate any location that may remind you of her with something else. Hang out with people, drink, go to the bar, work out, do anything to preoccupy your mind. There’s always a lady in the waiting. Just gotta wait your time, she’s out there right now, somewhere.

And no excuses, just move on.

Take in the mind also that each woman is different

A childhood memory, art deco style

The Escape

There are some days where you just want to drive away and keep driving, in the words of Tom Waits:

“Now the sun’s coming up, I’m riding with Lady Luck, freeway cars and trucks,
Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a-wishing I’d stayed a little longer,
Oh, Lord, let me tell you that the feeling’s getting stronger.”

There’s a woman in my mind. Her eyes keep revolving around my thoughts and with it, my sanity slowly bends. As I slowly leave behind her smile and all that comes with it, I realize the journey ahead that awaits. I don’t know why or how, but its a thought that brings me comfort.

Somebody please get me a pack of cloves….

Some random facts from me:

4) 1 out of every 10 people in the U.S aren’t fathered by the man they call “dad”.
Since it’s Father’s Day I felt I should start with this one. We all know the process, a couple is expecting a child. Dad is all happy (well, hopefully) and Mom has her mouth shut, not knowing if it’s his or not. Nine months later bada boom bada bing, its a child. Now back in the day, a person could get away with it. But with DNA and the obvious questions (“Why do you have green eyes when me and your mother have brown”) today its different. So next time its Father’s Day, ask yourself why people always told you had a resemblance to the mailman.

3) 1 out of every 4 people on Earth are Muslim.
Surprise!!! Yes its true. 1 out of 4 people on earth praise Allah. Now as a man who was baptized a Roman Catholic (I never really practiced it, and chances are i never will) this should seem odd to me, but it’s not. Islam is the world’s fastest growing faith, gaining converts in every corner of the world. Here are 5 minifacts about converting:

1. China and Russia have more Muslims than most Middle Eastern countries.
2. European nations are gaining a large Muslim population, centered in France. If the trend continues, Islam could rival Christianity
3. One of the Abrahamic religions, Islam has much in common with both Judaism and Christianity. But the language of Islam and its institutions are simpler and are actually geared towards a large mainstream audience. Cannon and Catholic institutions have been declining in recent years, partially due to the sex scandals and evangelical churches are currently being seen as too radical and puritan.
4. Latin America has some of the fastest rates of conversion. Puerto Rico leads the way, with an estimated 144,000 Muslim Puerto Ricans. For a catholic area, its surprising to see Islam flourish here, but given Latin Americas history for the past 37 years, the Roman Cath Church and the governments of certain nations have danced a dirty waltz for the most part.
5. Many people like the discipline, message, and rites (Islamic Jurisprudence).

2. The Police aren’t obliged to protect you.
If you’re just as surprised now as I was when I first found this out, its ok. The police aren’t obliged to protect you, the police force originally was founded to protect property and enforce the law( which until the 1880s meant protect government and rich, private lands and property and enforce taxes and ordinances. It wasn’t until the 1920s that police forces started including in their charters “for the protection of the citizens”. And even that has flaws, since its the states and cities that state it, nothing in the federal government states that police are obliged to protect life. Instead it has become something of an unwritten code, common law as they call it here in New York. This is the reason why the Second Amendment was passed, for self defense.

1. There is no such thing as the “Swiss Army”.
That’s right. The famed force of the knife is actually the world’s largest militia force. 200,000 strong and demobilized for the most part. Its official name is the Confederation Helvetica Army. (Confederation Helvetica is actually Switzerland’s real name) Given that the CH is more decentralized than most other European nations, a standing army would contradict the CH’s constitution. The last time the “Swiss Army” was mobilized was in World War II. Conscription fills the needs of the nation, and almost every Swiss citizen has a government issue firearm along with a pack of four magazines (they CANNOT be opened, under any circumstance without the gov’s permission) So next time you go to Geneva or Zurich, don’t say “I wanna see Swiss Army Soldiers”, you’ll sound like a douche. Also, every bridge and tunnel is safety rigged to be exploded by the CH. This was a Cold War defense tactic, just in case the boys from the Far North decided to invade.