Bin Gregory Productions » Blog Archive

Official Organ of an American Muslim in Malaysia

A Home in Kuching

14 November 2002 No Comment

I resigned from my job yesterday. What a great feeling. I’d been there over two years, which is the longest I’ve ever worked anywhere. It was a good job; people were friendly and relaxed, and I could go to Friday prayers without any hassle. I probably wouldn’t have left for any other reason than this move.

One top priority was to find a place to stay once we arrive in Kuching. We have a few friends in town, but asking them to put up a family of four for more than a few days is asking a lot. We need to be settled as soon as possible for our sakes too. Alhamdulillah, we were able to find a place that [I think] will work. It’s more than a little amazing to be able to house-hunt like this from 12 time zones away! But Sarawak is online, brother. After finding the place through the Sarawak online want-ads, SR made the initial contact by phone. After that, we were basically able to follow up just using email. The property manager sent us over some pictures and even scanned a little hand-drawn map and sent that too. Here’s the place we settled on:
don't ask me which one is ours

even a little backyard for growing pisang
It’s a townhouse with a walled-in front and back courtyard and a little balcony on the second floor. The surroundings are a little bare since it was just built; we’ll be the first tenant. I was hesitant to commit without seeing it myself, but a few friends were kind enough to go have a look at it, and gave it the thumbs up. OK, house down. Job still to go…

Leave your response!

Agripleasure # -
An article about Three Roods Farm by Garrison Benson.

When Dr. Greg uses the verb "observe" (which is often), he means a willful action, not a passively received effect. Once, for instance, we delivered a cartload of dead leaves to the adolescent chickens, to "stimulate their instincts," and Dr. Greg suggested that we observe them. We sat in silence for ten minutes (that’s a third of a TV show, for most of us) watching the chickens stand still and nervously eye the leaves. "Well," he said eventually, "We can come back later."
Rebel Sell: Why the Culture Can't be Jammed # -
Interesting critique of consumerism, counter-culture and the culture-jamming movement:

So here we have the paradox of anti-consumerism. The major remedy of the consumer society which has been adopted almost without question by the Left and by the radicals more generally has been one of the most powerful forces driving consumer capitalism. The Adbusters sneaker is just the latest and most extraordinary example. This is also why counter-cultural rebellion is not a threat to the system, but rather has become the system.[Update: link fixed]

[Via]

Vaguely related in ways I can't fully articulate to themes in Yursil's ongoing series on Suburban Capitalist Islam.
Brass Crescent Awards # -
Eid Mubarak, Selamat Hari Raya Korban! The 6th Annual Brass Crescent Awards have been announced. Congratulations to all the winners. If you haven't subscribed yet to Islam in China, Muslimah Media Watch and Seekers Guidance, you ought to do it right now. I'm very happy to be mentioned along with Folio, Al-Miskeenah, and the Manrilla, honorable people all. Keep your eyes on TalkIslam and AltMuslim to take part in the contest next time. Thanks to everybody who voted.