Totally confused but always optimistic

social stratification

I am taking a Social Stratification class this semester and let me say it has been a real eye opener for me. There are about 10 folks in the class, 2 of them men. We have studied a range of topics so far , from class to status attainment through occupation, wealth attaiment, poverty, welfare etc.

One of the things that was interesting was that religion can be a big factor on how people accumulate wealth. In a study done by Lisa Keister for her book (Getting Rich: America’s New Rich And How They Got That Way) and according to her, Jews are more prone to wealth accumulation and Protestants are less likely to do so, per their religious teachings or instructions.

Then yesterday we were discussing white supremists and white seperatists. And i didnt even realise such groups exist too! They claim their own seperate states on basis of race and some lineage going back to Hashm (sp?).

This class is amazing and very informative. I will share more stuff if i can till the semester ends.

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The ‘Most Dumbest’ Robber

He has got to be one of the dumbest robber ever.

According to the news, a 18-year (rookie robber) went to an auto shop demanding money. The employees responded saying that the manager usually carries the cash and he is not in yet. So the robber left his phone numbers with the employee and asked them to give him a call when the manager comes in.

No, the story does not end there.

So the manager comes in, gives the robber a call, AND HE SHOWS UP, only to see police waiting for him.

Can you believe it?

Seriously, I think he just was not stupid; there has to be something else wrong with him too.

I don’t see how someone, regardless of how stupid, can do that.

Posted in Current Events | No Comments »

Women and Parking

I have hard time understanding why women (most of them), have hard time parking. Actually they have hard time driving overall, but I will focus on their parking ’skills’, in this post.

Their concept of direction is just distorted. They will rotate the wheel to the right when it should be steered to the left and vice versa.

A few days ago, I saw a woman trying to get out of a parallel parking spot.

Instead of the ‘normal’ way to get out of the spot, SHE WAS REVERSING OUTOF THE PARALLEL PARKING SPOT.

Can you believe it?

Of course, her front tires ran over the sidewalk.

Posted in Fun, Personal Encounters | 4 Comments »

Welcome Shelcome

Aamer had given me admin rights way back when but i had recently goten rukhsati-fied and moved to the corn-land and life was just super, uber busy. Not that its not busy now with school and the house. But I think i will be contributing more often now. So lets be rolling out the red carpet…

Posted in Family & Personal | 1 Comment »

The amazing internet..

It is amazzzzing as to what the Internet can do.

I look to the Internet for pretty much anything and everything. In fact Internet is almost always my first choice when researching.

There have been numerous instances where I have been able to help people just by yahooing (or googling) for the specific subject matter. Of course the other person could have done the same but they don’t think of it in that sense. Well at least this way it seems that I know a lot of things, when in reality I didn’t until then.

At least that way I can increase my knowledge as well.

Again, I cannot reiterate enough – Internet is very very powerful thing. All you have to do is – USE IT.

Of course Internet has its drawbacks too, but that discussion is for another day.

Posted in Personal Encounters | No Comments »

Elevator Wait

What is with people who don’t hold elevators for others?

So you get in the elevator and see someone coming from the corner of your eye - why don’t you hold the elevator for a mere 5 seconds to let that person in?

Ok Ok, It is not always that you see the person coming plus sometimes it is easier for you to just travel by yourself instead of allowing that person in (may be he/she is your not so good neighbor at work).

Long story short: Just hold the elevator for a few seconds so the other person can join you while you travel upward (or down).

May be your eyes meet and you start dating each other.

Any stories?

Posted in Personal Encounters | No Comments »

‘Uploading’ a cow

I just came across this video on another blog and it actually is very interesting.
Anyone remember the background music in the beginning of the video?
Notice other things? like the new owner wearing a mask on his face and the people just trying to lock up the back of the truck with one rod. What if the cow slips..?ENjoY

Posted in Fun | No Comments »

The Bush Family and their (Arabian) playland

This morning while I was reading about President Bush’s Mid-east visit, I could not help but notice a few things.
First of all, I am amazed as to the extent that George W. Bush would go to find allies against his current arch rival, Iran (or I-Ran as most people would call it). He is visiting the Middle East to bolster support against Iran and ensure that the Arab leaders re-consider their ties with Iran. Not only that, Mr. Bush has offered arms sale as a token gift to Saudi Arabia during the current trip.. Does that sound any familiar?
A world power providing arms to a developed or developing country to fight enemies on its borders?
Remember 1980’s and 1990’s in Afghanistan and the Russians and the Former USSR and Al-Qaeda, and its implications in late 1990’s and the 21st century? Who says history doesnt repeat itself?

And while working on this entry, I read on Yahoo News that President Bush’s approval in the Kingdom is even lower than the President of Iran or OBL. I guess his tactics aren’t exactly working out in Muslim Holy land!

Another thing that I find amazing is the fact that Dubai declared a national holiday on the day of President Bush’s visit to the emirate? Can you expect the same thing happening in the USA? Most of the U.S. population does not even know when a foreign high official is visiting the country, let alone shutting down all the financial markets and government offices. Granted he is the president of a super power country but this whole holiday issue sounds too diplomatic to me.

And how does Mr. President call UAE as the model Muslim state? Is that because alcohol is sold more openly then other Muslim countries, or is it because westerners could freely roam the country’s beaches while showcasing their skin? (Mind you both are prohibited in Islam). Does he even know what it entails to be a Muslim? I guess having significant investments in the Arab world grants him the license to devise a new definition.

Posted in Current Events, Government | No Comments »

Subway Sandwiches TV commerical

We all know how companies run commercials and advertising campaigns to lure people into buying their services or products. While some of them hammer the point in an effective manner, others are just out right stupid and ineffective.

One such commercial that I saw over the weekend was of Subway Sandwiches.

I cannot find a link to an online version of this commercial and Subway customer service in Milford, CT will not provide me with a link so I will describe it to you below.

A expense compliance person asks an employee if he has the proof or receipt for the fast food expense he is claiming for reimbursement. The employee says he does not have the receipt but turns around and farts, which satisfies the other person as to the validity of the expense. Towards the end of the commercial, the employee is sitting his butt on a copy machine to make a copy of that noise/smell/sound.

Now, I don’t know how you would feel about this scenario, but I did feel disgusted the 3 times that I saw it.

Understood subway sandwiches really don’t make your stomach go wrong but what happened to the good old advertising where you respect the audience and stay within limits?

I guess it depends on how you define your limits.

Posted in Entertainment | 5 Comments »

Dentist or Car dealer

Last time I checked, dentists were supposed to be dentist first and foremost, and not like my dentists’ office who appears more like a store trying to up-sell me every time they talk to me. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Personal Encounters | No Comments »