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OpenNet Initiative to Closely Monitor Chinese Internet

Seven years ago, during China’s bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the Chinese government promised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a more open China, with unfettered Internet access for foreign journalists being used as a prime example of China’s commitment to openness. Observers of China’s Internet filtering practices have long been anticipating [...]

31.07.2008

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Geek

So I bought a new camera.  And I can’t help but blog about it.  Please forgive me. This appeared randomly on the facade of the pharmacy down the street from me on Comm Ave.  Incidentally, some neighbors and friends of mine say that this pharmacy sells liquor. Next time Voices without Votes does a post [...]

29.07.2008

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Women (not allowed) in the Olympics

As the Olympic Games draw near, the media is abuzz with all sorts of issues – China’s human rights violations, harassment of Chinese media, the opening of protest zones in Beijing, all focused on China.  Even Iraq’s rejection from the Olympics got precious little media attention. One story undoubtedly receiving the least attention is that [...]

29.07.2008

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Possibility, coincidence, inspiration.

The world is full of possibility.  And coincidence.  And inspiration. I don’t know where to start.  I feel naked; no less than three times this week have I felt that thoughts have been pulled directly from my head.  It is that same phenomenon of exposure that inspires me to write…and to read.  The book I’m [...]

26.07.2008

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The Unbearable Lightness of Feeling Ordinary

When do we lose that childlike excitement at traveling?  That excitement, so easily inspired in me just 10 short years ago by a trip to Disney World (and I’d been abroad by that point), has ceased to exist.  The last time I felt it was Prague, but then could Prague inspire anything less in anyone? [...]

22.07.2008

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Secularism ≠ Racism

I really wasn’t going to blog about this.  It’s been done to death – even PostGlobal covered it four times yesterday.  An Iranian, an Emirati, a South Korean, and a German all weighed in, all with different opinions.  I covered it yesterday for Global Voices as well, quoting several Arab-Americans, as well as a white [...]

20.07.2008

16 Comments

Boston, Sunset

Despite the unfortunate ending to this evening (apparent food poisoning), it was – all in all – a great day.  I hadn’t been downtown in almost a month (save for two trips to my old job on Atlantic Ave.) and was lucky to catch it in my favorite light of sunset.  These photos give me [...]

19.07.2008

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Dunkin’ Donuts: Surprising and truly unfortunate

If you don’t know this by now, there’s a good chance you’ve been living under a rock.  Back in May, obnoxious Republican pundit Michelle Malkin caused what she called the “keffiyeh kerfuffle” by accusing Dunkin’ Donuts of promoting pro-Palestinian sentiments by wearing a keffiyeh-ish paisley scarf (Malkin called it “hate couture”).  The Boston Globe accused [...]

16.07.2008

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Affirmative Turbanization

Tell me.  If my friend were to stand on the street on election day carrying a “Vote for Obama” sign while dressed as such, would you still vote for Obama?

15.07.2008

4 Comments

Fun with Google Analytics

All Visitors Ever Visitors this week As you can see, I’m missing very few countries!  Unfortunately, most of Africa has not yet visited my blog, and no -stan has set foot here.  I’d love to get at least one visitor from every country, eventually! This week, visits from the United States, Morocco, and Japan have [...]

15.07.2008

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More on Sahara coverage

Last week I mentioned that Yazan Badran, Renata Avila, and I will be covering Western Sahara for Global Voices.  I may have briefly explained that I attended the GV Summit with the thought marinating in my head, and left having created a plan with those two (as well as many other interested parties). Yazan broke [...]

14.07.2008

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I am my mother, and my father

I’m impatient.  When I want something, I want it right at that moment.  I can’t make plans.  My father is the same way; this morning, he pointed out a local barber shop, telling me he’d gotten a terrible haircut there.  I asked why he went to that particular, unknown spot, and he said “because I [...]

13.07.2008

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Globalization: A Silly* Post

This keffiyeh? Made in Korea! Also, in the name of all that is Silly, I would like to share (even though she said I shouldn’t, because you will make fun of me) that Solanasaurus and I (and others) are going to Dinosaurs Live! on August 2.  You do not know my excitement. *I am silly [...]

11.07.2008

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Sarcast/Optimist.

It’s funny how things can stick. Like how someone once told me that the cause of a yawn is a lack of oxygen, or that you should never reuse plastic watter bottles. These things quickly become obsession; you find yourself caught up in your own internal stubborness, unable to take in another point of view. [...]

08.07.2008

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Cameralust

On Sunday, I went to Best Buy and drooled over cameras for a few hours. Called my mom and asked her to look up each one on CNet. Drove around and pondered the cost/benefit. Yesterday, on my first day of work I took my existing camera out with me and photographed my walk to work [...]

08.07.2008

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C’est la GV

The Global Voices Summit, as you know, is over. Everyone (except perhaps Oso) has packed up and gone home, taking souvenirs, new friendships, and ideas with them. Personally, as always, I’ve had a hard time adapting to being back home. As I mentioned before, every time I travel, be it 100 miles or 1,000 or [...]

06.07.2008

3 Comments

Finally

In the interest in keeping things light, I will share a photo with you: Dear friends, as much as I loved Budapest, I admit – I didn’t love the food. Sure, it was nice to be able to eat fresh tomatoes with abandon, and you know my love for European cheeses (and then there was [...]

04.07.2008

6 Comments

Unbelonging

I arrived at Ferihegy Airport early this morning, took a few photos, eased through customs (the security guard asked, “any liquids? change? keys? guns?” with a smile), got on the plane and proceeded to choke back tears: for what, I don’t know. Perhaps it was the severe lack of sleep I’ve sustained for the past [...]

03.07.2008

2 Comments

Oh, my new friends.

I’ve always said that the hardest part of growing up is leaving friends behind – or, in my circle, leaving friends all over the world, so to speak. In this particular instance, the Global Voices Summit, I found it particularly hard to “leave behind” the wonderful new friends I’ve made. As I sat last night [...]

02.07.2008

2 Comments