About Me

Get your own valentinr
..
My first name is classic Arabic and I'm not sure exactly what it means. Some would say 'beam of light' while others would argue it's the glow around a source of light instead. But when I'm happy? I'm happy down to the tips of my toes and I suppose I really do glow. That's what I'm told, anyway. And around the right people? I smile an awful lot.
As a person, I prefer the light to the dark. I've been through some dark times; doubtless all of us have. Yes, I had a rough childhood and some tough times as an adult, too. But I don't celebrate the hardship. I don't brood about it and bellyache and wail and moan about it. Are the cards stacked against me? The whole game set against me? Okay, fine. Prepare to get your ass kicked ANYWAY. That's how I've always seen it.
Frankly, even in the ugly situations, I could always find things that made me (and others) smile, if not laugh out loud. It wasn't a means to avoid the problems or a scramble for some quick escape; more finding the joy of struggle regardless. I prefer the company of those who have that same outlook--or at least would like to.
When I'm out, I just like having fun. I'm down for anything that's physical...biking, running, tubing, waterslides, wavepoools, roller coasters, you get the idea.
Or perhaps just kicking it around my place and watching a movie. Yes, I actually CAN sit in one place for while...but I need the right situation to do so. Or the right person. Maybe both.

It's Super Bowl Piggie Party Time!

The thrills! The stains! The grease! The obnoxious sodium levels! The sugar rush that can ONLY come from a properly deep-fried Oreo! And let's not forget Midget's all-time favorite...CHI-LAY DAWGS!

Piggie Party I

Clck on the pics...they'll get bigger

Piggie Party II

Da Midget was EXCITED...

Super Bowl Piggie Party II: The Pre-Game interview

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...until it was cleanup time.
Check out all the attitude!

Super Bowl Piggie Party II: The Halftime Cleanup Show

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What will happen this year?
We can only guess.....

My Interests

My babies - the most adorable, funniest, intelligent and charming little creatures on the planet. Or the next twelve.

Did I mention they posted that pic in Valleyfair's photo booth just cuz we're SO FREAKIN' CUTE? It's true. Go see for yourself...

2007 Update: While we aren't on the ValleyFair photo wall this year, I managed to score a brief appearance in a StarTribune.com video clip for the park this year. CLICK HERE

Cooking without setting the oven on fire! Actually I'm fairly good. May I suggest the crepes? I make 'em from my own homemade batter...

Working out - usually at Bally's Midway, tho you'll find me at Bloomington on the weekends.

Meet my hideous size 13EEEE running shoes. I've done a lotta clomping in those things...a mile a day without interruption for how long now?

Mother's Day 2005 was my first 'real' 5K this past despite a fairly nasty sinus infection. I wonder if I'll go 10K this year.

But then? Things got REALLY crazy and I began running at least 5K a day...

I hope to be in good enough shape to run the Twin Cities Marathon in October.

Scrabble - When it's cold, rainy or wintertime...
Waterslides and Wavepools when it's warm...but if I'm screaming "Watch out!" from 20 feet out and you ignore me, you earned that Matrix-kick in the neck when I ride the wave in, mmmmkay?

Photography - I have a cheep digital camera (one of those $79 Aipteks) and a SERIOUSLY huge memory card. I literally do 100 shots a day when I have my kids.

Roller coasters and theme parks - Last I counted, I think I've done in the neighborhood of 130-something different ones. Fun stuff, but I like getting wet just a bit more.

Goofing off with the PC - Configuring and twiddling with stuff

and WAY too much damn work!

I'd like to meet:

I'm up for meeting anyone. I'd like to think I can befriend and remain a true friend to all. Very rarely have I ever had to turn anyone away as a friend.

And I'd like to think that I'm a damn good friend to have. The type you can call at 2 AM when you can't sleep and nothing in life seems right. Or if you're in a bit of a jam at that same time of morning and need somebody to come get you. Friendship with me is like that.

Oh and one more thing: I do NOT look like Eddie Murphy. Listen you. I don't give a flying (bleeeeeeeeep) how many men, women and 6 year-old kids run up to me and tell me that. Nor do I care how many "EDDIE MURPHY!" catcalls I get at the wavepool every damned week.

Unless of course, you're some gal who's always had THOSE kinda dreams about Eddie...cuz if that's true? We may slightly resemble. Kinda. Sorta. Actually, in that case I look just like him. Sure. Separated at birth!

Music:

An eclectic mix of stuff. 80s, techno, Old Skool, some punk. I decide what I like...not the media, not my friends.

You know? I used to loooooooove me some PRINCE. He was unafraid to break open new auditory and lyrical boundaries....sometimes carelessly, perhaps even callously, quite often recklessly. Nevertheless, without Every time you'd open a new CD and pop it in the player, you'd have to have a seat and wonder "Where are you taking me now?" They still make CDs like that, you know. They're just labeled OUTKAST these days.This week's MP3 player dump(8/25/06)

Earth, Wind and Fire
LL Cool J - Todd Smith
Pharrell - In My Mind
Busta Rhymes - The Big Bang
Outkast - Idlewild Soundtrack
FC Kahuna - Machine Says Yes
Omarion - O
Musiq - Aijuswanaseing
(Heard the opening song from Layer Cake? Yeah.)

But then I ALSO include 4 Depeche Mode discs
Playing The Angel
Violator
Songs of Faith and Devotion
Ultra

And two obscure 80s discs

Giant Steps - The Book of Pride
Scritti Politti - Provision

on the same platter. Confusing enough?

Movies:

I suppose I vacillate between dark and brooding. hyperkinetic action and flat-out, inexcusably silly.

Current Faves:
V for Vendetta (the Wachowski brothers redeem themselves!)
Kung Fu Hustle
Layer Cake, especially the opening sequence
2046
Butterfly Effect
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Kill Bills
House of Flying Daggers

All time faves:
Brazil
Army of 12 Monkeys
Darkman
and uhhhhh, Pootie Tang. Yeah, I said it. Pootie Tang. I don't know what's so funny about ass-whuppins with a belt...but, dammit it's FUNNY.

Television:

I hardly watch, which is kinda weird for a guy with two televisions.Perhaps I should develop the habit?

Books:

The Magic of Believing, Accidental Genius

Heroes:

People pay for what they do
And still more for what they have allowed themselves to become and they pay for it very simply by the lives they lead. -James Baldwin

My Blog

The NB-Eh!

The NB-Eh!So what has Brenda so excited?You know--besides the usual ’being around me’ and all?Really cheap seats to the hottest game in town, that’s what!Now before you start throwin...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:41:00 PST

V-Day preview

Don’t tell Brenda what I just dipped for dessert......
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:39:00 PST

Happy V-Day!

Happy V-Day!Lilies are Brenda’s favorite flowers...so of course, she got a few of them on V-Day. But I think I managed to sneak a rose in there, too.And there go those strawberries I let you ha...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:36:00 PST

V-Day, Chapter II

Yeah, I know. I know. It’s March and I haven’t even got around to it.I decided to take Brenda to Fogo De Chao, which is the only churrascaria in town. I know half of you--especially the...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:35:00 PST

S. Abdul, 21st century. 21st century, S. Abdul.

There are several stories to be told about my weekend, but I suppose I’ll start with this one. Guess who FINALLY broke down and bought a real cell phone?BRENDA, that’s who. Okay, me too....
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:33:00 PST

Sunday @ the Winter Carnival, Part I

Why now, Warm weather?After my grouching about walking to work from my car without a hat last week, it might not make much sense that I’m complaining about a January thaw now.But perhaps you&rsq...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:30:00 PST

Making the best of FREEZING, part II

Making the Best of FREEZING, Part IIIt’s a bit difficult to show you the whole idea with some of these.This one was a tribute to the Tooth Fairy...This ’shipwreck’ sculpture was pret...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:29:00 PST

Winter Carnival - a quick dinner break

Hungee?I never got around to finishing my pictorial from the Winter Carnival, did I?Shame on me....We stopped at Ngon because 1) It was between Downtown St. Paul and Midway, where the snow sculptures ...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:27:00 PST

Winter Carnival Chapter.....oh I FORGOT already

Yeah, I need to get to a point where I talk about my weekend on Mondays.As it stands, I’m a couple of those behind...but you gotta see these, k?I almost didn’t go to the snow sculpting sit...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:25:00 PST

To Da MOON, Alice!

To Da MOON, Alice!Here is yet another crappy photo of the lunar eclipse, for those of you who haven’t already seen 9874598347938279487 of them. You need one from me, too. Really. You do.Brend...
Posted by S. Abdul on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:21:00 PST