*kiran muses

Colours everywhere.

Kiran Mehdee — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:41:31 +0000

Colour is one of those aspects of life that everyone experiences, or at least most humans, and many other animals do, and most of us experience it without much conscious thought. I have always had an unusually intense relationship with colour. From a very early age, I noticed colours, and talked about them with anyone [...]

Colours everywhere. is a post from: *kiran muses

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Kiran Mehdee — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:31:32 +0000

Today is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which also commemorates the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre in 1989. I am honoured to have been asked to read one of my poems at the Toronto Candlelight Vigil to mark the anniversary of this tragic event. The fact is that violence against [...]

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is a post from: *kiran muses

Voilà Dhokla!

Kiran Mehdee — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 03:04:48 +0000

So, I’ve been experimenting with cooking with new recipes. Here are some photos of a Gujrati Indian snack I made for the second time today. It’s called Dhokla. If you’ve never tried it before, Dhokla is a spongey cake-like snack but it’s salty and spicy instead of sweet, and while there are multiple versions of [...]

Voilà Dhokla! is a post from: *kiran muses

“Pretty” ~ a poem by Katie Makkai

Kiran Mehdee — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:53:06 +0000

This spoken word video has been going around the social networks. If you haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, here it is: “Pretty” ~ a poem by Katie Makkai is a post from: *kiran muses

“Pretty” ~ a poem by Katie Makkai is a post from: *kiran muses

Coke Studio

Kiran Mehdee — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:50:40 +0000

It is the most amazing thing to come out of Pakistan in recent years, IMO. Here are my favourite songs from this show, produced by Rohail Hyatt: To see more videos, check out Coke Studio’s YouTube channel, and official website. Coke Studio is a post from: *kiran muses

Coke Studio is a post from: *kiran muses

Dancing around the world

Kiran Mehdee — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:58:43 +0000

Came across this sweet little video recently. Check it out for yourself Dancing around the world is a post from: *kiran muses

Dancing around the world is a post from: *kiran muses

Bicycling in Toronto ~ Lovin’ the ride

Kiran Mehdee — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:24:57 +0000

Earlier this summer, my partner and I bought these cute, functional, folding bikes that have already become our primary mode of transportation. I used to bike when I was a wee teenager, growing up in New Jersey, while my partner had never biked before. So lately, we have been going out biking almost everyday, getting [...]

Bicycling in Toronto ~ Lovin’ the ride is a post from: *kiran muses

Tragedy in Pakistan

Kiran Mehdee — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:40:39 +0000

My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the victims of the Margalla Hills plane crash in Pakistan. It’s always a tragedy when something like this happens, but I’m sure that’s no relief to those who lost someone they love among the 152 who died in this tragic incident. May they rest [...]

Tragedy in Pakistan is a post from: *kiran muses

The Burqa/Niqab ban controversy

Kiran Mehdee — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:01:28 +0000

This was written as part of a response to Martha Nussbaum’s opinion piece found here: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/veiled-threats I’d like to share my personal view on the burqa (face mask) controversy. My views are not based on the black-and-white, binary, false dichotomy presented too often by both supporters of the face-mask ban and those who wish to [...]

The Burqa/Niqab ban controversy is a post from: *kiran muses

A cool painting: Influential people, past and present

Kiran Mehdee — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:41:30 +0000

…apparently, Discussing the Divine Comedy with Dante. [with Wikipedia Links & Mouse-over Tags] It’s got 103 of the most interesting figures of history juxtaposed together, and in some cases, interacting with each other, in a timeless image. From Bill Gates to Plato, Bruce Lee to the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, Margaret Thatcher to Audrey [...]

A cool painting: Influential people, past and present is a post from: *kiran muses

Nazanin — “Someday”

Kiran Mehdee — Tue, 04 May 2010 03:20:33 +0000

Came across this beautiful, articulate and talented Iranian-Canadian singer and activist, Nazanin Afshin-Jan: and a *MUST WATCH* interview with her from AlJazeera English: Nazanin — “Someday” is a post from: *kiran muses

Nazanin — “Someday” is a post from: *kiran muses

Quotes for inspiring optimism, or some such…

Kiran Mehdee — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:41:43 +0000

In the interest of embracing optimism, I decided to look up some quotes by famous and not-so-famous people that inspire me to approach life in a positive, light-hearted manner. Yes, I know, quotes are sometimes looked down upon, and quotes are not the only way to learn anything, the context matters more in most cases. [...]

Quotes for inspiring optimism, or some such… is a post from: *kiran muses

NaBloPoMo May 2010 theme: “Look Up”

Kiran Mehdee — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:45:52 +0000

I’ve decided I’m going to participate in the National Blog Posting Month exercise. It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on my blog, and I have missed it. I’ve been dealing with a very hectic schedule in my real life, between taking a full load of courses at the university, and working, and home [...]

NaBloPoMo May 2010 theme: “Look Up” is a post from: *kiran muses

Sigur Ros — Svefn-g-englar

Kiran Mehdee — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:06:07 +0000

I’ve loved this song for a long time, just saw the video for the first time today. Amazing… Sigur Ros — Svefn-g-englar is a post from: *kiran muses

Sigur Ros — Svefn-g-englar is a post from: *kiran muses

The best analysis of the Aafia Siddiqui case.

Kiran Mehdee — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:59:39 +0000

If you haven’t seen this yet, here’s your chance It’s a well researched critical analysis of this current hot-button issue. Aafia Siddiqui VS (Jews, Zarina Mari, Shazia Khalid and others) by Anas Abbas The best analysis of the Aafia Siddiqui case. is a post from: *kiran muses

The best analysis of the Aafia Siddiqui case. is a post from: *kiran muses

Scientists think dolphins deserve “non-human person” status

Kiran Mehdee — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:17:09 +0000

Thanks to a Facebook friend, I came across this article in the Times Online which reports on zoological findings that dolphins’ brains, cultural and emotional complexities, and behaviours are close to those of humans. I think this is significant because there are more and more people waking up to the realities of how we treat [...]

Scientists think dolphins deserve “non-human person” status is a post from: *kiran muses

Profiling: Pros and Cons?

Kiran Mehdee — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:43:10 +0000

A British MP has caused some controversy by publicly stating that profiling of Muslims is to be expected in the light of recent events: He said: “I think most people would rather be profiled than blown up. It wouldn’t be victimisation of an entire community. What I like is that Muslim organizations and Muslims with [...]

Profiling: Pros and Cons? is a post from: *kiran muses

(I’m not a queer or nothing, but…)

Kiran Mehdee — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:05:40 +0000

Have you ever said, “I’m not gay, but…” or “I’m not bisexual, but…” as a disclaimer before expressing how much you are attracted to someone of the same gender as you? If you are progressive, liberal, and you stand for LGBT rights, have you ever wondered why you need to give a disclaimer like that [...]

(I’m not a queer or nothing, but…) is a post from: *kiran muses

It is time…

Kiran Mehdee — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:12:32 +0000

to convert mannequins and bring those dirty little kaffirs into Dar-ul-Islam. “Using unusual mannequins exposing body curves and with heads without hijabs [Muslim veils] are prohibited to be used in the shops,” police said in a statement carried by Irna. Correspondents say that in the past such campaigns usually only lasted throughout the summer, but [...]

It is time… is a post from: *kiran muses

A true American Hero

Kiran Mehdee — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:24:18 +0000

From Funny Or Die! Gus Porter gets mauled by a bear, but he won’t let the socialist Canadian health care fix him up, so he’ll hike back to America. A true American Hero is a post from: *kiran muses

A true American Hero is a post from: *kiran muses