Interesting Finds, Part VIII

Great song from Montreal based artist, Sikh Knowledge! It's nice to see artistic and cultural developments from the Canadian South Asian community!



This was just shocking to me. Absolutely disrespectful and narcissistic in the extreme...

This is what I would like to ask you, Ms. Gilmour- who on earth made you an authority on Islam, and the history, meaning and purpose of the hijab? Perhaps speaking to some of the hundreds of millions of women around the world who voluntarily wear the hijab would be a great place to start. I mean if you genuinely wish to understand the concept of hijab in Islam, why rely on perspectives that are rejected by mainstream Muslims? Man, when will this cultural imperialism end?! Major inconsistencies in this worldview. It wreaks of colonialism.

Interesting Finds, Part VII

Nowhere is it more important to protect and guarantee freedom of speech, than on university campuses! Students and professors should have academic freedom and should not worry about being censored. Unfortunately, when it comes to certain subjects, there have been some worrying trends with censorship.

It was best said by Philosopher John Stuart Mill,  
"If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." 

He further shared that, "the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error."  

To be clear, I would not consider myself a free speech absolutist, as I view some extreme/obscene hate speech as unlawful expression in diverse societies. Having an opinion is one thing, encouraging discrimination and directing hateful speech at large groups of people is quite another. I don't believe this thesis falls into this latter category, however.

1432 AH: New Year, New Hope

Happy Islamic New Year everyone!

Another year has come and gone. May this upcoming year bring us all great health, increased faith, happiness, ease of hardship, inspiration and success. May this also be a year where justice prevails everywhere!

Just a little background on the Islamic calendar.

There are 12 lunar months- the beginning and endings of which are determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. The months include, Muharram, Safar, Rabbi al-Awwal, Rabbi al-Thani, Jumada al- Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan (the month of fasting), Shawwal, Dhul Qi'dah, Dhul Hijjah. The Islamic calendar is numbered from the year that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his followers emigrated from the city of Mecca to the city of Yathrib (Medinah), to settle the first Muslim community. This was known as the Hijrah, hence the AH representing the years After Hijrah.

While I am not a believer in setting firm 'new year' resolutions, I believe there is always room to look to the future for self-improvement. There's no harm writing them down, either :-) And now, some verses from the Qur'an to express the focus of my new year's resolutions...

MAC Warehouse Sale & Haul- December 2010

I had the privilege of attending the MAC Warehouse Sale this past weekend, with a good friend of mine. I feel very lucky to have attended the sale not once but twice this past year! I went to this trip a lot more prepared than I did the first one....but this meant I had larger expectations about what I wanted, and as a result, spent a bit more money than I had budgeted for. I figure since I'm not a big spender, the amount I overspent was still worth it! Or at least this is how I'm justifying the expense...

My friend and I headed over to Markham Fairgrounds on Friday, around 3 p.m- which proved to be the BEST time! Last year, when I had gone to the sale it was on a Sunday during the last two hours before the end of the sale- and it was A LOT busier then, believe it or not!

What you'll see in this haul post represents about half of the items I actually purchased at the sale. The other half includes items I purchased for my sister. I might do another post on those items in the near future. We shall see.

BullSwiss.

I recently came across an article on the BBC about prisons in Switzerland and the high proportion of non-Swiss citizens in them. Be sure to read the article link below for some context. Here are my thoughts...

Assuming that because "more than 60% of prison inmates do not have Swiss nationality", that non-Swiss citizens are more inclined towards criminality, is a perspective I think to be way off base! Surely, it is a better indicator of discrimination in the justice system that has led to the over-representation of coloured persons, and in this case, non-citizens in prisons.

What is even more absurd about the referendum (that asked Swiss citizens whether non-Swiss individuals who committed crimes should be deported to their country of origin) is that children of immigrants do not automatically qualify to become citizens! This means that individuals who were born and raised in Switzerland and who have only ever known and called Switzerland home, could and will be deported to countries that they have absolutely no connection with- the birthplaces of their parents!

Interesting Finds, Part VI

Looks like Colin Farrell is BACK!



Another interesting movie to look out for!

REVIEWED: 88 Ultra Shimmer Palette

I purchased this palette in December 2009 and it has served me very well! So well, in fact, that I have even purchased it for both a good friend and a cousin. For fancy events and weddings, it is my go-to palette, without question. It has every colour imaginable and is very useful to combine with even more colourful South Asian clothing!! But don't be fooled, this palette contains many neutral colours, enough to use on an everyday basis.

The palette in all its glory!

REVIEWED: e.l.f. Studio High Definition Powder

I purchased the e.l.f. Studio High Definition Powder back in July, so I have had a few months to experiment with it. I think as with all makeup products, people are going to have very different results and experiences. As always, the best solution is to try and/or purchase the product to see if it works for you. Unfortunately, this is not always the most feasible option....so hopefully like the gazillion of makeup blogs out there, this one can be of some help!

The container itself is quite large-kind of chunky.

The product comes with a powder puff. I've never used it though.

A look inside.

This is how much is remaining after using this product about 3-4 times a week for the past 3 1/2 months.

The powder is very fine and has a silky feel to it.

Without HD Powder.

With HD Powder blended in.

PROS

★ Has excellent oil control properties- I can go 7-8 hours without blotting with powder foundation, 5-6 hours with liquid or mineral foundation

★ Very light-weight- On top of other makeup, you won't notice the extra powder! 

★ A little goes a long way!

CONS

★ The container and the lightness of the powder might cause you to lose a bit of product in the beginning. This will change once you become more familiar with how to work with the powder, etc.
★ After application, you will probably notice a slight whiteness over your face....within twenty to thirty minutes, the product will have blended in perfectly! I'm assuming the whiteness is more noticeable on darker skin tones.
★ I'm not convinced this or any HD Powder can mask and soften fine lines/imperfections, etc!
★ If you are prone to dry patches, the powder might highlight them a bit. It's minimal and as the product warms to your skin, this should become less of an issue


As I have never used an 'HD Powder' before, I was expecting two things from the product- one, that it would have anti-shine properties and secondly, that it would soften the look of my face/makeup. I am happy to report that it succeeds on the former account, which to me is the most important! My sister used this product and found the oil control to be less potent on her skin. But between the two of us, she might have slightly oilier skin! She also had the opposite experience with the duration of oil control. In her case, she experienced greater oil control when the product was used with liquid rather than powder foundations.

The powder also contains a small amounts of shimmer particles, but fear not, as they are not noticeable in the least. I found my e.l.f. Complexion Brush to be the best brush for application.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When compared to pricey alternatives in the same product category, e.l.f.'s HD Powder impresses! Not only is it a bargain at $6.00 a piece ($3.00 with the Studio half-off coupon), it functions magnificently as an anti-shine powder. For those of us that struggle with excessive oil production in our face, this product's capability and budget-friendliness scores major points! If you are on the hunt for a powder that mattifies and controls oil- then look not further ladies! ☺

DELENA!

Great scene from this past week's Vampire Diaries! *swoon*

I ♥ Bromance.

Some of my favourite bromances:
♥ Matt & Landry, from Friday Night Lights
♥ Stefan & Damon, from the Vampire Diaries
♥ Harry Potter & Ron Weasley
♥ Chuck & Morgan/ Morgan & Casey, from Chuck
♥ Prince Arthur & Merlin, from Merlin
♥ Youtubers: Wong Fu, KevJumba, Nigahiga, etc
♥ Woody & Buzz, from Toy Story
♥ Liz Lemon & Jack Donaghy, from 30 Rock
♥ Troy and Abed, from Community
♥ Neal Caffrey & Peter Burke/ Neal Caffrey & Mozzie, from White Collar

I'm sure I've missed a few really good ones!

Racism Abound.

Toronto, ON-  Two men were recently having a conversation about marriage prospects for their children. One of the fathers was explaining the expectations and hopes he had for his son. The second gentleman asked the father in question whether he had any preferences about the nationality, race or ethnicity of his son's potential spouse. He replied that he did. Being from a specific cultural community in India, he expressed to the second man that he wanted his son's future spouse to be from the same community as his family. Naturally, people will have preferences regarding their children’s spouse. Preferring a spouse of a similar cultural background seems reasonable enough. But, what was the basis of his preference?

Well...when the father was asked whether he would have any objection to his son marrying a woman from the Madras (Chennai) area of India, his response was that he would be opposed to it. His reasoning was that Madrasi people have 'too close for comfort' relations and interactions with the Tamil people of South India! Can you imagine?

Now, the first issue I have with this is obviously the negative characterization of the Tamil people. The second is his belief that for whatever reasons all Madrasi people are somehow ‘tainted’ by association, by virtue of their geographic/physical nearness to the Tamil people. As if daily interactions and relations would have lessened the character or damaged the values of Madrasi Indians. What bullshit.

Why this story should matter to you: The specific cultural communities here are irrelevant- and simply interchangeable with any other race, ethnicity, socioeconomic group, etc. This is not an Indian or South Asian-specific issue. Prejudices that lead to outward exclusion and discrimination are something we ALL need to be concerned about. Challenging narrow-minded, tribalistic tendencies and expressions is essential. We need to remind people of the common humanity of humanity, dammit! 'Cause there's ONLY one race and it's the HUMAN race!

(Artwork courtesy of One Race Human & artist John S. Dykes)

Interesting Finds, Part V

Honestly, if we don't have a firm establishment of the rule of law...what can be said about the state of our society? Without question, transparency and accountability are some of the basic bedrocks of a fair, just and equal one.When are we going to come to our senses people?

(Watercolour by American artist Alan Gerson)

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say not ALL 'illegal immigrants' are violent gangbangers! I mean come on! We need to be vigilant against buying into these ignorant, simplistic and inaccurate depictions of our fellow human beings! The reference to them being aliens reminds me of similar usage of the term with a slight twist during WWII (the 'enemy aliens'). These people are obviously not from a different planet! Evil language legitimizes evil ideas.

I can't understand how the testimony and opinions of what I would describe as regressive pseudo-psychologists has held any weight in the trial of a child soldier. Take a look at this other article for some perspective on the Khadr case.

On a less serious note, below is probably the best English cover for TaeYang's Wedding Dress

Movie Roundup

So being the movie buff that I am...I thought it was probably time to share my thoughts on some of the films that I've been watching! I've come up with a pretty amateur rating system--but I'll try to keep things consistent as far as future 'Movie Roundup' posts go! Enjoy!

Red:
This was a surprise. It was entertaining and simply more than I expected
from a movie with older actors! John Malkovich really stole the show! He was hilarious! It was a simple movie- nothing as complex as Inception. But, it had all the right elements of an enjoyable movie: Interesting characters, a bit of romance, comedy, a plot that was headed somewhere, etc. I can't understand why more films fail to follow what seems like a simple formula for success. I'm not saying this was a great movie- but it was definitely a fun way to spend 2 hours!

Predators:
This is probably one of the dumbest movies I've ever wasted my life watching. It had potential and I was hoping that there was going to be an epic ending that would make watching all the sillyness worth it....but unfortunately, this was not the case. It was a real letdown. Just as bad as the Master of Disguise and the Austin Powers series *Puke*. This movie gets an angry 'why did you waste my life??' thumbs down!

Winter's Bone:

This isn't your typical Hollywood film. It was quiet, raw, bleak, dreary, and sad. I wouldn't quite describe it as an emotional roller coaster- but it is sure to evoke many emotions. This story about an impoverished rural family will keep you interested from start to finish. It takes you into a world of challenges and pain that I think few mainstream movies do and for this reason, it's definitely worth the watch! Enough said.

The Switch: 
I was surprised by this movie. It was definitely watchable, which is saying quite a bit, as far as the romantic comedy genre goes- which is full of letdowns and time wasters. Jennifer Aniston is usually quite boring to watch- but I think because she wasn't the main character- she was more than tolerable- even believable in character. The child actor who played her young son was probably one of the cutest kids I've ever seen on tv/movies- hands down! I say it's worth it if you're hoping to kill some time.

Prince of Persia:

The premise of the video game had great potential as far as recreating it in a movie format so when I found out American actor Jake Gyllenhaal was going to portray a Persian prince, I was not expecting much from this one. Surprisingly, Gyllenhaal's portrayal wasn't too bad! His accent didn't suck as much as I expected and he was almost charming! The plot was somewhat predictable. But like Red, this was just one of those simple, yet entertaining films. Bien fait!

Man oh man!

By my estimation, Bill O'Reilly is a major asswipe. He is beyond ignorant and can only be described as a bigot. I saw this clip a few days ago, but just couldn't hold back from weighing in. If you haven't seen it already, it's worth the watch. I'm glad to see Whoopi and Joy (and the audience) taking a stand against bigotry and ignorance (creeping close to hatred!). Sometimes it is just pointless trying to have a civil conversation with really small-minded people. In my opinion- Mr. O'Reilly is one such individual.



Thank you once again, Mr. Olbermann for your good sense!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Nice work, CollegeHumor!

For anyone who remembers watching M. Night Shyamalan-written/directed films growing up (Sixth Sense, The Village, Unbreakable, Signs) ...this is just freaking hilarious. If this man had any vision when he first came onto the scene...I have no clue where it has disappeared?? He ruined The Last Airbender :-(

Holy SHIT!

Générique de Simpsons par Banksy
Uploaded by FilmGeek-TV. - Watch feature films and entire TV shows.

Columbus Day...seriously?!

Great video! I'm such a sucker for these PSA-type vids!

How backwards is it that the arrival  of Christopher Columbus is celebrated and that the destruction, exploitation and oppression of the cultures, civilizations and peoples that were present in the Americas (pre-15th C) is completely ignored in the wider North American collective memory? There isn't any way else to describe it except as ridiculous. Lives lost, cultures destroyed, languages and histories forgotten? Masses of people and land subjugated for political and economic purposes...

Unfortunately, this selective historical memory loss is commonplace. 

Check out these vids!

  This is hilarious!



Now here's a show worth 1 hour a week of your life!

Rap Medley: Jimmy Fallon, JT & The Roots!!

Came across this on youtube! Enjoy!

Interesting Finds, Part IV

EPIC.


Baffling. This might also encourage hopelessness :-(

This is a pretty amazing sight! MEP, Licia Ronzulli cradling her baby while in the European Parliament!

Considering, "Swiss women didn't get the right to vote or run in national elections until 1971 and the first Swiss woman wasn't elected to the Cabinet until 1984", this is a welcome step towards gender equality and fair and equal representation!

...you mean the oilsands are harming wildlife?! What a SHOCKER.....Not.

I found this on EW.com. Some kids created their own version of this Inception trailer at home! It's worth a look. But first watch the original trailer.



This was created by Muslim Response- an "online non-profit and non-political information dissemination project" that aims to "fill the gap by presenting the response around hot-topic event headlines concerning Islam and Muslims."

REVIEWED: ELF Shimmer Eyeliner Pencils

I recently purchased ELF's new Shimmer eyeliner pencils- in 8 of the 9 available shades in an eye-focused ELF haul! This is the first time I've had an ELF order shipped to my home in Canada, instead of the US- and so was expecting shipping to take a few weeks, or up to 30 days as described on the website. So I was SHOCKED when my package arrived exactly 1 week after my order was placed! Quel surprise! So if you live in a major metropolitan area in the country- I'm guessing yours should arrive just as fast!

Eyeliners in package.

From left to right: Black Bandit, Gunmetal, Twinkle Teal, Grassy Green, Boldly Bronzed, Precious Pink, Plum Passion, Blissful Blush

From left to right: Black Bandit, Gunmetal, Twinkle Teal, Grassy Green, Boldly Bronzed, Precious Pink, Plum Passion, Blissful Blush

From left to right: Blissful Blush, Twinkle Teal, Black Bandit, Plum Passion, Boldly Bronzed, Grassy Green, Gunmetal, Precious Pink.

From left to right: Blissful Blush, Twinkle Teal, Black Bandit, Plum Passion, Boldly Bronzed, Grassy Green, Gunmetal, Precious Pink

From left to right: Blissful Blush, Black Bandit, Twinkle Teal, Plum Passion, Boldly Bronzed, Precious Pink, Grassy Green, Gunmetal

PROS

★ Creamy
★ Vibrant pigmentation
★ Glides easily, no tugging necessary!
★  Long lasting

CONS

★ Black Bandit is a bit hard to remove
★ Built-in sharpeners in the caps are hard to clean.
★ Caps are very loose

I have read reviews that have said that these liners smudge easily. That has not been my experience. I don't prefer to use waterproof liners, because I don't think they're healthy for the eyes. I mean any eyeliner that you touch will smudge with enough force, but who even plays around with their eyes once their makeup is set--I certainly don't! They'll easily withstand the damage of watery eyes, however!

FINAL THOUGHTS
For 1 dollar, the quantity and quality of this liner makes it not only an affordable option, but a smart one too! I think they're the perfect formula/consistency for an eyeliner- they go on easily, but are also easy to remove. I would say they're comparable to eyeliners that are a lot costlier!

Cause a day wouldn't be complete without hearing a bit of KPop!

A new(ish) video from Korean pop band, Big Bang.



And a solo from one of the band members...a taste of Korean hip hop. It sure is catchy ;-)



Be sure to check out Taeyang's (another Big Bang band member) new album, Solar! Click on related vids for the rest of his new tracks.

A MUST-SEE film: Inside Job

From Academy Award® nominated filmmaker, Charles Ferguson ("No End In Sight"), comes INSIDE JOB, the first film to expose the shocking truth behind the economic crisis of 2008. The global financial meltdown, at a cost of over $20 trillion, resulted in millions of people losing their homes and jobs. Through extensive research and interviews with major financial insiders, politicians and journalists, INSIDE JOB traces the rise of a rogue industry and unveils the corrosive relationships which have corrupted politics, regulation and academia. Narrated by Academy Award® winner Matt Damon, INSIDE JOB was made on location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China.

This deserves a post on its own.

Johnny Depp, in all his manifestations. Need I say anymore?

Which one(s) is your favourite?

*Via Stargazing

Interesting Finds, Part III

...when we are finally able to curb our inclination to dehumanize the 'other' only then can we live peaceably and lovingly with those that are seemingly different than us...

This sure is an unconventional method of stimulating the economy. Do your part-smoke and drink more!

ADORABLE

The Funniest Kids Notes

Worth a look!

9 of the Most Polluted Places in the World

I found a fan-made trailer for a Green Lantern movie--unrelated to the 2011 film entitled Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan. Hopefully he doesn't suck.

I think this represents one of the lowest points man can reach. Some people are just plain sick. Straight UP.

Interesting Finds, Part II

30 Mosques 30 States
I came across a really interesting blog about two brothers taking a road trip across the US, visiting 30 different masajid, breaking their fasts in different communities in 30 different states. What an extraordinary way to experience Ramadan- while exploring the variation and diversity in communities representing over 7 million Muslim-Americans. I'd love to participate in something like this in Canada!

A MUST-READ.
Correcting the Distorted Lens of Islamophobia

An excellent collection of personal stories of Ramadan and Islam from Muslims in America and elsewhere.

Another great read on Islam.
What is 'True Piety' according to the Qur'an?

This kind of stuff never gets old.



Finally, the the spread of bedbugs is being taken seriously!

This could be useful...
Google tests a hidden 'instant regrets' e-mail button

...[truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God (2:177, Qur'an).

Telling it like it is.

This is my final post on this whole drama. I have to start off by saying that it is really something else to hear someone passionately defend what is just and true. It's difficult to comprehend the hysteria surrounding this Center, particularly hearing and reading the absurd, unsettling and mostly offensive vilifications that have been made of an entire community. The tendencies in many European nations (France, Switzerland, Germany, etc) vis-a-vis human rights and religion is extremely troubling for those that believe in social justice and equality. Hopefully the U.S. and Canada can avoid stepping into this vacuum of intolerance and bigotry. I truly believe that if we hold true to essential values and principles that we thankfully find in our Constitutions and other international conventions, that we can live in peace and harmony. Here's to hoping for a better tomorrow!



There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. -Elie Wiesel

Recipe: homemade hair removal wax.

More insight into DIY beauty. This is a good alternative to expensive (and sometimes more chemical-laden) consumer products. Don't get me wrong- the ones offered in stores are quite effective, but for someone whose run out of wax strips and are stuck in a hairy situation (ha!) or are interested in trying something different, or possibly looking to save a bit of money...this is a great option! Since this recipe uses very similar ingredients to store sold products, I think it should work just fine! But, I have not had the chance to try it out myself, so I can't vouch for its effectiveness just yet, but once I do so I'll be sure to update this post!

Let's get back to basics.

When we deviate from our core values and principles, injustice like this occurs:

The Memory Hole

And when we stick to them, harmony and justice surely prevail.

White House Iftar Dinner- Text of Obama's Speech
"Political Wisdom..."


In the famous words of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. " Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere."

Interesting Finds.

Idiocy. There just isn't any other way to describe the World Sauna Championship, except perhaps with the word tragic.

Inception de·ci·phered.
Christopher Nolan's work of art, this movie is pure genius.
A look at different theories/interpretations of the film.


Interesting movie trailer.


The link between Salmonella and cancer.

Honourable work.

The case for the humane and loving treatment of animals :-)

Genius.

This.is.incredible.

Any way I can save some money, I'm game ;-)


***UPDATE:
So I finally tried this and this is what I found:
-it was somewhat painful! The face can be really sensitive. Between 3 of us who tried it- 2 of us experienced a bit of temporary redness, stinging and slight swelling of the treated area.
-I wouldn't recommend doing this 'treatment' too often. Maybe once a month or every 6 weeks.
-It'll get rid of peach fuzz wherever you do it! This could explain the pain ;-)

Great reads!

Finally, voices of reason in the battle against ignorance and narrow-mindedness! Common sense approaches to simple (non)issues.

Michael Bloomberg delivers stirring defense of mosque
Just How Far Is the "Ground Zero Mosque" From Ground Zero?
Build that Mosque
Mosque Uprising

Veiled Threats?

Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sick shit.

This is absolutely horrifying.
I can't imagine what kind of beasts would harm an animal like this and leave them to die. There is a world of cruelty and inhumanity that exists in regard to the treatment of animals that is just plain barbaric. I suppose our knowledge of atrocious human rights/life violations occurring at the rate they are today, should make a story like this less shocking. And yet, it does not.

South African reserve’s last rhino butchered for her horn
(Warning: Graphic Picture)

When will the monstrosity end?

Bonne Fête Canada!

In ode to our country's 143rd B-day...



And a few articles on what it means to be Canadian, etc:

Zerbisias: We must ensure the true north stays free
Potter: Call me corny, but this country’s peaceful blending of cultures is awesome


It's hardly possible to overstate the value, in the present state of human improvement, of placing human beings in contact with other persons dissimilar to themselves, and with modes of thought and action unlike those with which they are familiar. Such communication has always been... one of the primary sources of progress.
— John Stuart Mill

Vive le Canada!

Random!

Heartwarming ad...

(Picked this link up from Wong Fu Productions)



I found these great videos on youtube. This Uzbek music sounds like a fusion of Arabic, Farsi, Russian, and a ton of other worldly flavour! Beautiful!






 
Tragically, ethnic Uzbeks have been facing persecution in Kyrgyzstan.

I also find this very troubling...this certainly doesn't look like an image one would expect to see in a democratic state...looks more like something you would see in a police state...

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth...

Looks to have promise:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=66904

"Stand Up, Speak Up..."

In a world of great misunderstanding...

there comes an outstanding (and much needed) initiative by a UK-based organization called the Exploring Islam Foundation (EIF), entitled 'Inspired by Muhammad'.

Their website shares the following information about this project's aims:

The Inspired by Muhammad campaign is designed to improve the public understanding of Islam and Muslims. It showcases Britons demonstrating how Muhammad inspires them to contribute to society, with a focus on women’s rights, social justice and the environment. The campaign coincides with national polls conducted by YouGov which shows that the 69% of people believe that Islam encourages the oppression of women, that just 6% of people associate Islam with justice and that just 6% believe that Islam promotes active measures to protect the environment. Overall, nearly half of all people in the UK believe that Islam does not have a positive impact on British society.

Ads will be featured on London taxis, trains and bus stops.

Though it is unlikely that someone viewing these ads will have their perceptions forever altered, it is definitely hoped that they might be encouraged to begin to think more critically about popular images, stereotypes/(mis) perceptions about Muslims, Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. If it has even the slightest impact on combating narrow-minded views...then mission accomplished as far as I'm concerned. The measure of success of a project like this is whether it can enlighten/challenge just 1 mind (more is better of course!). The website is a great resource, as well, for anyone interested. It provides some pertinent information.

We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders.

- Maya Angelou

ELF Make-up: DO NOT BUY List

Eyes, Lips, Face is a brand that carries some great, not-so-great and some plain awful make-up products for extremely budget-friendly prices. Not only are prices reasonable and therefore accessible to make-up consumers, there are plenty of coupon codes available online that buyers can use to receive discounts worth up to $8.00 (there are free shipping, free gift, 50% off coupons and more!).

I purchased a bunch of items-a pretty sizable haul by my own standards, in December '09. Though the information I'll be providing about this brand will rely on my own experiences they will also borrow from those of 3 other members of my family.

Before I get into more detailed reviews, I thought I'd offer a DO NOT BUY list of ELF products.

ELF Liquid Eyeliners : These smell funny, are not very eye-friendly and are extremely hard to remove! The one positive thing I can say about this product is that the applicator has just the right firmness needed for a liquid liner. Other than that, this product gets an F for being an abysmal failure!

Blushing, Bronzing and Blending Brush: F

Total Face Brush: F

Wet Gloss Lash and Brow Mascara: This product has NO holding power. Completely useless.

Slant Tweezer: F

All Over Cover Stick: F: A really nasty, hard texture for a face product!

ELF Regular & Waterproof Mascara Duo: F: While I did not purchase this item myself, I have not heard a single good thing about it ANYWHERE. ELF has nothing on Maybelline and Cover Girl in the mascara dep't!

Luckily, the price and quality of many other ELF products make it a pretty decent brand for affordable beauty enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more on this subject!

Links of the day!

★ Jus sanguinis (in 2010?! Really?)

★ Change in North Korea?

★ Stuttering and the genetic link uncovered

Links...from the past few weeks!

★ Policing in high-crime neighbourhoods

★ Smart marketing

★ The dangers of third-hand smoke

★ Babies. are. miraculous.

★ Interesting comparison. "Abortion rates for women aged 40 to 44 match those for the under 16s, figures for England and Wales show."

Links of the day!

 
★ Aren't there safer alternatives to laundry detergent?!? :-S

★ Gimme a break?! This is just silly.

★ We need to save planet Earth!

Links of the day!

Webweaver

 ★ Depression as illness/disability?

★ Finally...a change to the discriminatory Indian Act. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
★ The Globe & Mail's Collected Wisdom Column.The exact time of our birth.