I was waiting at the metro stop when a man got off the train. His pants were wet, and then he just stood there and made them even more wet, and an almighty puddle formed around him. Then he very theatrically raised his arms in the air, dropped down right over the tracks, and draped… Continue reading Is the Los Angeles metro safe? Part 8
Is the Los Angeles metro safe? Part 7
I fell asleep on the Metro the other day. I don't recommend that you do this. But I was extremely tired. And, nothing happened to me. I awoke with all my possessions intact and no one had decided to give me a black eye during my slumbers. So therefore, we can state that, having fallen… Continue reading Is the Los Angeles metro safe? Part 7
How rude are the people in Los Angeles?
I recently came back to Los Angeles after a few weeks away, and in my first 2 hours, I realized afresh that this is the rudest, least civilized place on the planet. I got yelled at twice by bratty random people as I trudged on and off the public transportation. Such a nice welcome. When… Continue reading How rude are the people in Los Angeles?
Welfare and Pioneer Girl
I'm reading "Pioneer Girl" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is the first autobiography she wrote of her life, before she started writing the "Little House" books. I always assumed the Little House books were the truth and nothing but the truth, but based on "Pioneer Girl", I am finding out this is not the case.… Continue reading Welfare and Pioneer Girl
US mail is slower (both domestic and international)
Back in 2019, a letter from the east coast of the US would get to Sweden or Denmark in about 10-11 days, every single time. And a letter to Australia would get there in 2 weeks. Ever since about 2022, a letter to Sweden or Denmark, no joke, takes about 20 days. Seriously? And a… Continue reading US mail is slower (both domestic and international)
Comparing the American and Arabic versions of Harry Potter
I've been reading the Arabic translation of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone". I got it from the Loserville Central Library. The Arabic translation is very faithful, I have discovered, and in general it is a word-for-word translation. But if you look carefully, you'll find some deviations. Here's some examples all from the scene of… Continue reading Comparing the American and Arabic versions of Harry Potter
Los Angeles metro trying to be good
When Taylor Swift was doing her tour this year, I saw lots of news articles about the "Taylor Swift" effect on public transit, and how people were taking the metro and buses to her concerts, and it was invigorating essential city infrastructure! So, given that Loserville (aka Los Angeles) is one of the biggest cities… Continue reading Los Angeles metro trying to be good
How fast is US mail delivered?
I was in San Francisco during the second full week of December for the American Geophysical Union conference, and on the Thursday of that week, I dropped off two pieces of mail. I dropped them off directly at the post office in downtown San Francisco (so not in a blue street-side mailbox). One letter was… Continue reading How fast is US mail delivered?
The food they eat in “Magic for Marigold”
This is one of my favorite books. It's by the same author who wrote Anne of Green Gables. One thing that always intrigued me about this book is the food they are described as eating. According to "Magic for Marigold", which is set in the 1920s, all they ate back then was cake and pudding… Continue reading The food they eat in “Magic for Marigold”
Eid cards
I made these Eid cards for the Eid after Ramadan in 2023. I didn't think they looked all that special, but everyone I sent them to did! That was so nice. They said, woah, were did you get those? How did you make them? Well, it was very simple. The flowers in middle are from… Continue reading Eid cards
mejshasan.com 