Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) - Trust & Betrayal OST - Kotowari

An Update & Apology

Hi everyone, Prisoner here. First, I want to apologize to those on my personal contacts list for my old Yahoo! account. I recently learned its been hacked and many of you have received spam from the account. No, I'm not trying to sell you products or improve your sex life or show you a new way to make money online, just so you know. I hardly ever use that account anymore but I did change the password so hopefully no more spam for you all. Yay.

Second, I just finished a week long intensive course on bereavement counseling for loss & grief. If I get the chance I would like to share some of my insights with you all on the many things I learned from the class. It was particularly hard for me since mom died and going to class brought back a lot of the initial anxiety and uncertainty that was felt in those months following. Its true, life is only considered precious if we remember death just as much as we focus on life. My thoughts on all this, soon to come iA. :)

Third, its the 2nd week of Ramadan and fasting is not as difficult as one would expect. We are in the 2nd 3rd of the month, which means these days are for forgiveness (hey I guess apologizing for the spam fits in right?) I've fallen behind on my Quran a bit this week but I intend to catch up iA and by the way, the iQuran app - amazing. May Allah bless the app-maker(s) and may He forgive us all this month, ameen. Some friends and I are partaking in a fun 'Quran race' competition this month, the one who reads the most will receive a prize at the end (though I most likely will not be among the finalists, I will decline my prize in-advance if I am.) Will I finish the Quran this month? It's about 16 days too soon to say! ;-P Insha'Allah (God-willing) ::engines reving:: Here. We. Go!

* A note on Somalia - During this month of generosity, please think about the suffering that is going on over there, they are facing intense famine and drought and men, women, and children are dying by the thousands. Please make dua for them and better yet, donate to charities that are working on the ground and providing relief. What will we say to God on the Day of Judgment if we do not help? If we break our own fasts and not theirs?

Fourth, when I'm tired from all else, I like to pick up my Rurouni Kenshin manga, (of which I'm delighted to say, I have now acquired in full) and read the full original story for the first time. So far, I've read the entire 'Legend of Kyoto' Arc and am currently midway "Jinchuu" Arc. Since my volumes 1 & 2 VizBig editions just arrived I will be reading the "Tales from the Meiji" arc (aka Season 1) last. I will say that it is definitely awesome, as great as the TV series if not more. All-in-all I enjoy both equally and prefer some elements of the manga to the TV series and vice-versa. I was soooo going to post an awesome philosophical piece on the differences between the world-views of Kenshin & Shishio, but then Ramadan came and redirected my attention elsewhere. Maybe when I have the time and motivation I will get to it. Also, I find it interesting how reading Kenshin has coincided with my bereavement class. Kenshin's philosophy (of life being the strongest motivation to endure) fits in nicely with the same lessons I learned in class. Anyways, in other Kenshin news, I am uber excited about the new series Watsuki-san is rumored to be working on (actually its not a rumor) and its my hope, along with the hopes of many fans that he produces the Jinchuu arc for TV. Even though we get it in piecemeal via the "Trust & Betrayal" and "Reminiscence" OVAs, it would still be nice to see it in its entirety all-together. Either that or a story revolving around the 10 years of wandering Kenshin did following the end of the Bakumatsu (prior to meeting up with the RuroKen cast.) OR(o) if neither of these is in the works, it would be great to have another spin off series like "Yahiko no Sakabato," perhaps one revolving around Himura Kenji?? (O'kudasai Watsuki-san! ::wink wink::) I'm also excited about the live-action film expected to be released sometime soon. The world of Kenshin will remain "so long as this one wields this sakabato."

^_^


P.S- Shop at the Borders bookstore ASAP before it shuts down! Some really good deals, and let's all build up our libraries and be erudite future awesomers! Also, in-case you were wondering, no - the title "Prisoner786" has absolutely NOTHING to do with the film 'VeerZara' (God no, but I'm sure I've already commented on this before) and yes, the Elric brothers atop are making dua. :)

Lost in Prostration

"Lost In Prostration"

By Ruhudeen Ali

February 25, 2011

Standing in prayer with a blank mind

raising my hands to proclaim its time

for salah done five times more or less

maintained only by the best

the most pious steady prayin during riots

or stayin up in 5-star Hyatts it don't matter

the shaytan they gon' shatter

some wander off into fiction like the Mad-hatter

or eating chicken & rice platters on 53rd & 6th

prayin for their fix, others prayin for kicks

whether on point or off in wonderland

you can't judge the other man

cuz we're all lost in prostration

lost in translation over frustrations on the mind

speakin holy words but actin like mimes

not really comprehending the lines

spoken five times more or less

God bless the learned and the clueless

Lost in prostration

lost in communication with the Most-High

the land of the suffering is where the most die

pray for em cuz you can't spare a dime

sometimes you don't give a damn

cuz you don't live in their land

a place where freedom is banned

jailed for raisin your hand

but right now its time for salah

back to remembering Allah

humbling yourself, finding that moment

a connection in time when you're frozen

on a believer's miraj like The Chosen

Al-Mustafa (saw) feelin golden

'Catcher in the Rye' like Holden

shaytan emboldens thoughts better hold 'em
cuz you're standin in front of the Throne dun
and at the end say salam to your angels
only to go back to being strangers
til you're back in danger seeking salvation
kneeling again seeking reparations
back to being lost in prostration, in the contemplation
 conveyed five times more or less
spoken by the righteous
God bless the learned and the clueless.

Blog humbug?

Hey everyone, Prisoner here. So I'm writing to you because I realized that my last several posts have all been music posts with no verbal content. That was actually an experiment of mine where I was trying to communicate entirely through music..(I guess it didnt go as well as I thought it would lol.) Anyway, I'm writing to you because I want you all to know I haven't dropped off the planet, but I've spent my energies elsewhere. I plan to update my blog more frequently now while I have the time, so please continue visiting & checking up on the site.
And while on the subject of blogs, I would like all of you to check out a new blog hosted by a very dear friend of mine who goes by the online moniker "WrenDaWise." Check it out here:

http://www.wrendawise.blogspot.com

Thank you to my fans/followers. Stay-tuned for more goodies soon to come. <3

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OST- Lullaby of Resembool