November 23, 2006
Today, I am Thankful for YOU (Updated...AGAIN)Blog
I have often said that Sepia Mutiny is the best thing I’ve done with my life during the past two years. Thanks to this blog, I have been given ridiculously cool opportunities (BlogHer, NPR, starring roles in academic papers) as well as a platform to say anything. That latter truth still knocks me over and leaves me breathless. I get to speak to thousands? Who am I? NO ONE. And yet, you trust me, you like me, you respect me enough to listen to me, even when you know you probably won’t agree with me. That’s love, yo. Every single day, when I wake up and hit my SM bookmark, I’m filled with a little bit of awe that this is real, that this community exists, and that you’ve allowed me to be part of it.
I am so thankful for all of you, commenters, lurkers, haters alike. :)
I know I tend to express it whenever there’s a meetup, because that’s the logical moment to do so, but I feel this way all the time. What a dynamic, accomplished, enlightened, fascinating group you all are! What a community you have helped create! I hear it time and again, “I never had desi friends, I didn’t do SASA in college…but I love SM.” I always reply, “it’s like we collected you and your counterpart, from every school in America, katamari-like and brought all of us ‘different’ desis together…which is why we seem to get along.”
Whatever we have done, it is magic. Our meetups are proof of this. Ever expanding, multi-hour-spanning, shimmering parties where disappointment and boredom are impossible, where we fall a little more in love with each other and thus weave this mutinous web tighter, which we leave with aching faces because we have smiled and laughed so much. As I look back on 2006, a truly difficult year for me and my family, I am struck by how the majority of good memories I take with me involve this blog and all of you who live within it. You who refresh SM constantly, you who show up, you, who care.
Have I told you how much I dig all of you? :) If it’s not clear yet, read on…this is a list in progress, I’ve typed it during breaks from my cousins’ traditional drunken Thanksgiving feast and it is by no means complete.
This is what I am currently, mutinously thankful for:
absolutgcs- for being a regular and for your encouragement, at a moment when I truly needed it.
Al Mujahid- for being comfortingly familiar, for sticking to your guns, for employing sarcasm to great effect, for being pro-debauchery!
Amitabh- for being so devoted to language (I sweat that, I’m the same way), for leaving memorable comments (one is still stuck in my head, it may inspire an entire post), for being here, for forgiving my senseless omission of you during the first two rounds.
Arzan- for hosting one of the most cozy meetups, ever. for cooking all of us yummy Parsi food, for being one of my favorite regulars (back when you were still here), for being so veg-friendly. :)
Asha’s Dad- for sick taste in music and even sicker skillz with the comments. Your 55s give me chills and your mere presence makes this space better.
Ashvin- for being a gentleman, for setting such a good example for the rest of us, for being another one of my favorite regulars. :)
Badmash- How could I forget you? Former fotologger, current blogger, forever a favorite, consistently sensitive commenter. AND you use TypePad? Have you any flaw? No, none.
Barmaid- for flawless writing, “I love you”s, hilarious comments, knowing glances, Madras-kappi-drenched brunches at Amma with (or without!) the parents, HS-related merriment (I’m watching him now!), sisterhood beyond the sorority house, glittery adventures at Sephora, “JBF”-refs, tag-team party pwnage, great hair and so much more. :)
BidiSmoker- for reppin’ the dirty dirty like it’s your G-d-given duty to and most of all, for having excellent taste in a “few notable exceptions”. ;) For keeping the Mutiny an…interesting place.
Bong-Breaker- for being so suave, I gnashed my teeth when I didn’t get to run in to you in NYC. For being unforgettable, no matter what you think. For being so delicious, I miss your comments. :(
Brimful- for being our most devoted, yet silent supporter, for hand-knit scarves which feel like hugs, for being the most thoughtful person I know, for comments more sweet than snark, for your PHENOMENAL taste in music, for believing in this thing we try and do, for accepting hugs you probably don’t want and smiling kindly anyway…and a few dozen other things I’m forgetting at the moment. :)
BrooklynBrown- I’ve never told you this, but I love your memoir-esque writing. I was haunted after I read you. I’m so glad you’re here.
Chai- fellow mellow one (who else digs mindfulness as much?), crazy-fun Konk and conscious, righteous commenter…the very elevators here miss you. I wouldn’t be here, if it weren’t for you and I’m so grateful to you for it.
Chick Pea- for hummus and initial magnets, which made me feel so special. :D
CinnamonRani- for your gorgeous smile on M street post-meetup, for your encouraging words, for your precious experiences, which you are so generous to share, which enrich us.
coach diesel- for a handle which combines two of my favorite brands, for a fresh perspective, for your absolute fierceness. You’re new, but I hope you become a member of the fam.
daycruz- for giving me the most fun reason ever to annoy the hell out of my mother (“Mom? What does thendi mean?”), for reawakening a latent desire to reconnect with my mother tongue.
DDiA- for being assloads of fun at the NYC Memorial Day meetup (a girl…and her broom?), for repping eye-eye-tee to the fullest, for making me wish I were a good five years younger, so I could hit on you shamelessly. Oh yeah, your comments are hot, too. ;)
DesiDancer- Hello, gorgeous. The twin facts that you exist and that you do it so fiercely (who else can rock a side ponytail??) make me want to pirouette, that is, when you’re not inspiring my shoulders to twitch. From subway rides to Arzan’s joint in Brooklyn during which we bared our souls to your steadfast loyalty, I adore you for just being you. I heart you, but doesn’t everyone? You are teh hawt, girrrrl.
Desi Nole- One of the simplest, silliest, sweetest pleasures I’ve known because of SM came from you; I’m forever your shawty. Did you have any idea, when you bestowed that nickname, that it would delight me so completely and survive the tests of 55-free Fridays and time? :)
DJ Drrrty Poonjabi- for getting my six, for calling out patrons of Massengill and Summer’s Eve, for ever-present emoticons and general merriment. You are one of the few people here whom I’ve yet to meet, whom I desperately want to… :)
DTK- for exceptionally memorable comments, mysore masala dosas, enchanting two-mile walks to the morg and sacrificed principles (the end justified the means, right?)
Emma- for near-perfect attendance at NY meetups!
Floridian- for being the kind of Dad we all wish we had had.
Fuerza Dulce- I consider you worthy of thanks zimbly because your handle aside, you had my six on the “sugar in dahi is an abomination!”-debate. When I had my mac-and-quattro formaggi yesterday, I smiled and remembered you. You’re another one of the phenomenal women who keep this space balanced and I’m extra glad for it.
gatamala- for solid liquor recommendations. Respeck! ;)
GujuDude- a true regular of a Mutineer, the number of comments you have contributed is impressive, but not as impressive as your one-time grocery list from Trader Joe’s and BevMo (I love those stores!) Good taste on you, to go with such intelligent comments.
hairy d- for embracing your inner mathangya, for hilarious comments but most of all, for displaying a niceness which I can practically touch.
Ismat- for the beauty which is Nirali AND your presence here…I bow down, madame, I bow.
Kenyandesi- Whenever this bachi and a camera are around, I am guaranteed one stunning picture. Is there anything finer than a Bryn Mawr girl? :) According to my Canon elph, no. As her comments prove over and over again, she’s sensationally feisty. She is irresistible as is, but the fact that she recently gave me massive slabs of BRITISH Cadbury (which tastes quite different from Amreekan Cadbury) made me weak in the knees. I’m a Cadbury-fieeeend and somehow, she remembered this and procured accordingly. See? She’s THOUGHTFUL, too! :D
Jai Singh- for your loyalty, your steady presence, your evocative, brilliant 55s, your sense of chivalry. You are so gallant and talented, surely you knew that I had a minor crush on you when you first mutinied?
JoAT- so much to be thankful for, so little time. :) For making L’oreal such a hot company, I’m an addict baby, that’s no lie. For your strength and your confidence, for constant comments, for making every NYC meetup combustible, for your smile. You’ve got “it” and you’ve got it in spades.
Kobayashi-san- You are erudite and challenging, the wielder of mighty words and purveyor of profound thoughts. Just when I think I’ve slipped something in a post that will go utterly unnoticed, you will note it, appreciate it and make me all swoony that you did.
Kurma- for the way you think and how you articulate it. We wouldn’t be the same without all your flavor.
Kush Tandon- I don’t know anything about you and I don’t interact with you unless it’s via comments, yet you are such a solid presence at SM. I love your flickr pictures, but I love that you are here, more.
Maisnon- For advice, advice and then more advice…ALL of it logical and wise, for coining “Desi, PLEASE” and fifty other genius phrases, for wearing Mulla poo in your thalamoodi, for moonlit heart-to-hearts in Arlington, for sitting through odd Malayalam movies with me, for your smile, for knowing the right Yoda-ism to spout at the right moment, for being almost exactly as Mallu as I am and thus making me feel less alone, for NOT being a “chicken curry girl”…all I have to say to YOU is one mighty “MMMMMM”.
Manish- From Hum until now, we were destined. An original in every sense of the word. For making a Mutiny appear from thin air, for dozens of banners I still thrill to, for witty wordplay, for support (tech and otherwise, mostly the otherwise), for white russians at a library where you got congratulated for your pretty wife ;) and plenty of other things that I don’t care to state in public. Hard to believe, but I don’t put EVERYTHING out there, people.
Manju- for single-handedly keeping this from being a liberal blog ;)
maya- for being such an awesome GIRL, for appreciating descriptions of cute clothes, for owning an even cuter blog name. I am grande-brat, to your poco. :D
Mayur- for being good company at our first DC meetup, for watching me like a hawk when I counted the scrill afterwards. ;)
MD- Emdee-di. I don’t remember how I found your brilliant TypePad blog, but I remember how I fell in love with your voice, the way you could evoke melancholy, wistfulness and hope, within the same (non-)fiction sentence. When I started 55Fridays, I recall thinking that if you could paint such beautiful pictures with such short posts, maybe the rest of us could, too. The second time SM ever did it, you titled it. Also? For being my didi. :)
Msichana- for forgiving me in advance for not including you in the first edition, for gracing DC Meetup #2 in such a beautiful sari, for expanding how we perceive the diaspora, for making me gleeful about the fact that you found Kenyandesi through us!
Musical- for an adorable handle and always enjoyable comments.
Nina Paley- for your firm kundi, your mad artistic skillz, your solid commitment to girl power (I always cared more about Sita anyway), your consistent recognition of my choice of footwear for meetups (because I always put some thought in to it and it’s fantastic to be noticed).
No von Mises- SM’s own gerrymandering commenter. You recently demanded redistribution of bloggers and meetups. This possessor of TWO poli-sci degrees was delighted at your efforts, even if she has no idea what your handle means. ;)
Oneup- for telling it EXACTLY like it is. For calling out BS and then edifying us, even within the seemingly superficial confines of an ANTM post.
Pied Piper- for your most recent email and once upon a time, a flurry of extra witty ones from Paris. For the temporary “gift” of furniture. Oh yes, for your devotion to this community, which you believe in as much as I do.
Pooja- for warmth, for that smile, for having awesome taste in a Mr. Pooja ;), for making every instance when I see you feel like Christmas, for every one of your comments AND the amazing opportunities you update our Events tab with, for coming up to me at that pub, post-Bay Leaf… :)
Prashantji!- for being huggable, for those black and cokes, for omnivorous biblophilia, for being so smart! For knowing and believing in me from wayyy back.
Razib- you adorable, precious, dorky geneticist. I heart you, let me count the ways: for always standing up for a blogger’s right to be mutinous and to do it their way, for complicated yet fascinating scientific explanations of everything, for always knowing the answer and being so cutely matter-of-fact about it. For excellent taste in GFs and for being part of one of my favorite memories, from my last trip home. You’re good peeps, kid. I think it’s hilarious that the first time I read GNXP, I hated you so much, I heatedly complained to Vij and Ennis about how evil you were…and now you are one of my favorite people on SM. THAT is a solid love story, yo. ;)
Red Snapper- for bringing the Brit, for erudite comments, for alter egos who own my knickers. ;)
Ritam- for your sensitivity, your fairness, your words.
Sahej- you’re good folks. Your comments are proof of that.
Sahelikins- despite your affection for eggplant and the fact that you SHAMELESSLY pimped me out to Vinod, I appreciate you for a thousand things: among them, for your kindness, your sweetness, your diplomacy and your always edifying words. You’ll never take BART home from a meetup, not while I have a car. DC is even sweeter when you are here.
Shruti- for consistent sweetness, for getting me.
Sin- for writing which makes me grateful that I have eyes, charm which makes me swoon and most of all, for humoring me every time I casually propose to you because you are so defiantly you and I sweat that.
SJM- For funny comments and irrational exuberance when it comes to galvanizing the DC Mutiny. For getting it. Hell, for everything (it’s been a long seven years).
SM Intern- for slogging through the dirty work, with nary a complaint.
Sonia Kaur- a.k.a. “original Sonia”, as I prefer to call you…for your steady California-girl presence here (because it made this space less male), for your appreciation of Tryst and your making meetups even meatier. I’ve got your six when it comes to Ash, you know this.
Sriram- For trips to Madras Palace for Southie perfection, for confessional text messages and literal support in addition to the figurative. :)
tamasha- Nuff respeck! Oh, user of Typepad (that alone is enough), purveyor of awesome blog tagline and molder of the future— I sweat you, too, even though I’m not worthy of your blogroll. ;)
Tash- for being the sort of person whom, though I currently don’t know you well, I really want to get to know.
Terence- you’re not so ubiquitous here at the Mutiny, but your stellar taste in sick hiphop needs to be called out and saluted. I bow to you, oh savant of beats.
t-hype- for being a cool kid but hanging out with me anyway, even after I blew up your spot on SM.
UberMetroMallu- for all of your gentle sarcasm and wit. You give me hope that I’ll be married yet. :)
voiceinthehead- for an interesting handle and even more interesting comments.
Yeti- for comments I consummately and consistently yenjoy AND for visiting me on my Diary, where I least expected you, which utterly delighted me.
YoDad- you know, I think you might be the only person on this list I’ve thanked publically long before THIS post. :) You have single-handedly made this community so much more fun, even as Abhi smacks his forehead. Speaking of, I’m extra thankful to you and YoMom for him, else we wouldn’t even be here. For baklava, old skool photographs and your much-beloved words. (p.s. I’m vegetarian!)
ZimblyMallu- for being zimbly the best, for speaking Malayalam to me in the comments, for making meetups even more fun, for specifically requesting that I attend meetups :D thus making me feel precious, for making this fraud Mallu feel like we are one. Oh yeah, your comments are great, too. ;)
. Abhi- for vision, brilliant ideas you shepherd to fruition and beyond, giving time you don’t have, notoriously brief marriages and being all gang-recognize-gang in the bang bang with regards to superpowers. Father of the Mutiny, we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. I am grateful, I am yours.
. Amardeep- Sweetest Professor, I still don’t know what “reification” means, but I could listen to you gently explain it for days. I’m so glad you are here, I’m so glad you introduce us to mental candy we’d otherwise never taste and I’m SO glad you are a Dad, because any baby who rests in your arms is a blessing for all of us, a rockstar-in-the-making.
. Ennis- Our other Sardar, one of the originals, one of my own. More apple-flavored than New York and kinder than Mother Theresa, my life would be less, if I didn’t know you.
. Neha- Hellllo Nurse! Beauty within and out, prose so pretty, pictures so sweet. My friends and I all thought you had the best blog name EVER. I can’t wait until I read more.
. Sajit- Once upon a time, at GW, you offered to work for my future Congressonal Campaign. Oh, you thought I forgot? :) I wish you were around the bunker more often, but I still sweat your ridiculously good taste in appetizers at Rasika. Colonials reprazent!
. Siddhartha- Shidhortho, half-Bong, half-Jew, how I sweat the cocktail that is you. Busboys and Poets or NYC cafes, it matters not, every time I see you, it’s restorative, it’s sweetness concentrated. You are magnificent to hug and even better to read. I’m still giddy that the Ill Hindu is part of my crew.
. Vinod- The other Malaylee in the bunker. My future ex-husband, my current comrade in not-leftiness. We go wayyy back at this point, to a story which requires alcohol to unlock (though not much, I asure you). 3V, I finally forgive you for being so DICK when I called you and asked you about blogging in 2003. ;) How was I supposed to remember that it was “vinod.com”? :D
. Paul- for enabling defilement of one Harry Potter. For teaching me how to take a picture sans-flash. For geometrically influencing said pictures. For reading HERstory and leaving such memorable comments, especially about mapmaking. For Bam Thwok and Galang. For being a friend long before you moved in to the bunker.
. Kunjan- for your skillz, for being patient with the tech-tarded, for stepping up and taking the reins when we (and especially I) felt so lost. For finally defining the difference between “hits” and “page views” in a way so zimble, even I could grok it. For forgiving me for not typing this on a boozy Thursday night.
anna on November 23, 2006 08:27 PM in Blog · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
wow. sweet, heartfelt and sincere. what exactly is the drink of choice at your turkey feast? i'll have another one and then be on my way.
Hi Anna,
Could you provide links to your appearances on BlogHer, NPR and the academic papers that you mention?
And wish you a Happy Thanksgiving as well..
Red, red wiiiine. :) Though it's usually black. ;)
It's like you don't believe me. :) BlogHer is well-documented, NPR will air in days, academic papers...uh, I don't think the one I gave material to most recently is online. Does that somehow lessen my Thanksgiving mindfulness? If I weren't in such a good mood, I might say something meaner. ;)
Very sweet, Anna.
I feel like I'm in with the popular kids - you know, to speak in terms of my 6th graders. ;)
Awwww A N N A we heart you too.
I'm grateful everyday for having found this space and the people who fill it and for giving me the chance to meet my biggest girlcrushs you & Pooja and all the brilliant boycandies that are the bloggers, lurkers and commenters. You were so so missed the last meetup and we joked about how the place would have been shut down by the fire department if you had come for there would have been at least 50 more A N N A fanclub folks that would have been there.
Thank you for SM, like WNYC it enriches my life in ways I never thought possible. Happy Thanxgiving.
Gosh, no!! Au contraire, I was asking out of a desire to read/listen to them, mainly the academic papers. I'm sorry if I ended up sounding doubtful in any way!!
back at you babe. now...off to sleep...engorged on pesto pasta that i am....
Much love back at you ANNA and also at all the other SM bloggers, commenters, lurkers. Without you all, I would be 50% more productive and 50% less happy!
My turn...
I have met awesome people like sriram and kenyandesi etc through this blog. I started reading you guys when I was still in OC, Ca and rejoiced when I found that so many of the mischief makers actually live and lurk in DC! Thanks to you all, I have found that there are other cool and unusual desis who make me want to burst out saris and prance around in Georgetown.
You guys have helped me go through my first year in the (b)East Coast. You all rock!
Hurray for Sepianess!
Thank you Anna...for being brave enough to live in a glass house.
Oh Anna, this is the sweetest thing. Much love right back at you.
Many thanks to you all.
Hey, anytime! Next time you need some ______, I'm your go-to-guy! @=)
Seriously, I'm honored by your mention and touched by your benediction for all those folks who give this place that mutinuous feel. You and the crew have truly worked some magic: add me to the list of previously self-hating macacas who'd never had Indian friends and a sense of shared community and identity before stumbling upon your blog. SM: I'm truly thankful for your collective wisdom and for the positive impact you've had on so many. 2006 was a great year for the blog, I can't wait to see what the next one has in store.
Happy Thanksgiving folks.
I dont know anything about you, I dont interact with you unless its via comments, yet you are such a solid presence at SM. I love your flickr pictures, but I love that you are here, more.
Thanks for your kind words, and appreciation for my flickr pictures. I need to upload more. I myself know little about myself. When in doubt, I myself google my name on the internet.
Most importantly, I wish you all the best, and I am sure, things will start moving in your desired/ hoped directions. They do. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Thank you, to all of you (Manju, your comment was especially touching).
My dirrrty DJ-- I don't know what the hell happened to the rest of my sentence, but it's there now, so pleeeease re-read. :)
I'm finally back home from Murrrland and I'm also finally sober. ;) So, an update is coming. I can't believe I forgot some of you, though I am proud that I did this initial list from memory! :D
about A N N A at BlogHer, via Julie Leung's blog (scroll down midway, it's a long post)
I re-read, swooned, and just regained consciousness. You're way too kind! The feeling's mutual: we're definitely meeting up next time you're in the Bay.
Here's my signature turbaned smiley, just for you: @=)
Aww, Anna, thanks for being such a sweetie pie. Whenever I drink mulled orange juice I shall think of you.:-)
And thanks the Mutiny for being such a great source of warm and wonderful friends.
Okay, this has been updated, so...while I won't pressure you to read the whole behemoth of a shout-out again, I'll tell you that you might want to do just that (but not if you're eating leftover Turkey! You'll be out cold!), since I didn't just add more people as I remembered them, I edited and expanded some of the "original" TYs. :) Yes, some of you who have contacted me to thank me for thanking you-- I've changed yours. ;)
:+:
If I didn't mention you, it's because a decade of hard drinking has killed off more brain cells than I could afford to lose-- i.e. it's nothing personal. I tried to remember everyone, I promise. :) Being thankful is more of a challenge than I thought!
Anna,
I'm so glad I met all of you guys too. SM has kept me in touch with what I've come to hold dear: kind, simple consideration for the guy or gal sitting next to me despite our intellectual differences. As Razib might (might!) analyze it, at the basic level all our verbiage is but a newly invented form of an ancient behavior: a pre-frontal manifestation of primate grooming.
I'll go back to lurking, but if there's ever a meet-up in Seattle I hope I'll be invited. I hope Nina can join us, too, just to have another whitey mallu friend.
Happy Thanksgiving Anna --- and everyone else too. Keep late summer 2007 free I'm coming over on the airplane to see you all, and will make sure I venture further than Long Island this time.
Anna,
Thanks for the kinds words, and the feeling is mutual; I've definitely enjoyed reading your pieces here and on your Diary site. As 2006 comes to an end, I hope that 2007 is a better year for you and your family.
And to all who participate in the Mutiny, especially Abhi, Amardeep, Siddhartha, Ennis, Neha, Vinod and the others who keep this boat afloat, I just wanted to thank you for your efforts, be they thoughtful and interesting posts or informative, assertive comments, that contribute to a sense of community on this blog. Peace, y'all!
I am thankful for SM. You all do a great job and I learn something new everyday. From fascinating personal stories to a history lesson, all good in the neighborhood
Anna, you are too sweet - thanks for the shoutout =) It's amazing that you can take so much crap from some of the haters that frequent SM, yet still throw out an amazing, thankful post like this.
My memories and cravings of chocolate chip waffles with fresh strawberries on top and a side of nutella, along with the Oscar sandwich, will forever be indebted to your Tryst introduction.
So, I just found this site a couple weeks ago and I've just been lurking but this struck me:
Fuckin eerie! Plz keep being cool, k thx.
Anna, thank you so much for your kind words. You make a huge difference to the overall tone of Sepia Mutiny, and it's obvious that you're extremely popular amongst the commenters here; you bring an infusion of warmth, humour, fairness and humanity that is sometimes keenly felt during your occasional absences. I hope you realise exactly how much your contribution to SM is valued by everyone.
*cough* you forgot Amitabh, SM's resident linguistics expert and my former Sikhnet partner-in-crime *cough*
"Minor" ?! That's not good enough, voman. I guess I must try harder. It's not a real crush unless it involves threats to dive into volcanos, jumping from the top of the Qutb Minar, writing breathlessly passionate letters in
tomato ketchupblood, and so on.Don't worry, there's still plenty of room on the futon between me and Angelina (I'll just ask Katya and Isabella to move over a bit).
Thank you, A N N A. You are too thoughtful.
Thanks, JOAT; the feeling is mutual :).
And thanks to all of you--bloggers, commenters, lurkers, trolls :)--who have created this incredible sense of community.
Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Thank you A N N A, I'm honored.
What a sweet post to wake up to ! I'm flattered to be on this list. Thanks for those words ANNA.
Thanks to all of YOU for this community you've created and thanks to you ANNA for adding that special ingredient that makes SM the place it is.
Aw shucks, A N N A, my firm kundi and I thank you right back.
I'm thankful for so much right now I haven't dared an ennumeration like A N N A's....but if I did, y'all would be right up there.
I enjoy this blog for it's intellectual discussion and that it's designed for abd's. Thankfully theres an online alternative to desiparty boards and the like. I met Anna at the last meetup. no surprises there! Maybe i'll show at the next one. Happy Belated Thanksgiving Guys!
Thank you so much Jai, I really appreciate that. I was going to say something but then just decided that I MUST.TRY.HARDER. Heck, even the great Manish Vij failed to get a mention. I was going to start inundating SM with my comments until Anna mentioned me next year (just kidding, Anna...loved this thread, very thoughtful of you, I agree with what you said about most people).
Msichana, this is off-topic, we can discuss this away from this thread, but I'm contemplating moving to southern California myself from the east coast, I'd love to get your thoughts about a few things. I'll contact you by email if you don't mind.
Also shout out to: RC - For slaying BS.
Thanks brother Mujahid !!! Much love to you, ANNA and all the commenters. Is this the selection of the smartest people of the world or what ? !!!
I am making a prediction. In the not too distant future, google or yahoo will offer to pay a billion dollars for SM and will be politely turned down.
Amitabh,
No problem, buddy ;)
That did occur to me too, although I guess Anna's focusing on current regular contributors to SM. But if we are going to mention famous alumni, how can we not include the late great Punjabi Boy. For all we know, he might be silently lurking on SM even now, like a slightly-drunk Bollywood producer sitting at the judges' table at the Miss World contest and quietly observing the proceedings with a wry grin on his face and a lascivious twinkle in his eye.
Heck, even the great Manish Vij failed to get a mention
hmm does spoorlam merit a mention?
Amitabh...
Please go ahead and contact me by email. I'd love to help you with your decision making!
The divine Manish failed to get a mention? OMG!
You folks are all truly wonderful, and I think that if there is a link here,
it is our common humanity... "no east or west," - you are all special.
Aw, shucks, A N N A, thanks. Sacrificing my principles is easier to do when I'm having fun. As a wise woman said recently (I'm paraphrasing) -- it is good to feel a little dirty at the end of the evening. :-)
Hey there Mutineers - I'm thankful fo all of ya
... but especially - 55s (shoutout to JS), Spoorlam, missionary discussions (religion not posture - although the latter would be welcome), awesome guest bloggers, Anna's exquisite posts, Abhi's minutely researched posts, Siddhartha and DD's dialogues, Amardeep's condensed lectures, commentators I passionately disagree with!
It's an incredibly empowering feeling to know that there are so many of you out there who are thinking/feeling the same things but approach them from a million mutinous directions.
Thank you ANNA for writing brilliant, witty, touching stuff, and for keeping things moving in the meetups. Thank you all at SM (Vij included :) for bringing together so many interesting folks together and for giving me the joy of conversation at even the wee hours of the day (thanks to our friends across the taalaab).
ThanksGiving originated in India in 367,000 BC. We are addressing this innacuracy of textbooks regarding this persecution and shall tell you strategy to assert truth soon. In the meantime....
To all the Abrahamics, mlechhas, khalistanis, commie pinko faggots, transvestites, mixed race mongrels and naxalites of LeftistCabal Mutiny, I give thanks to you for exposing yourself as homosexual stooges of Pakistan, Wendy Doniger, California Education Board and Pankaj Mishra (as much as you wear a dress, you cannot hide yourself as 'ANNA Sutable Girl' for much longer)
Assertive Nation ate saffron turkey this thanksgiving, saffron turkey stuffed with pinko-commie lies of SepiaMutiny, they see the genocide against our people you conspire against, and this terrorism shall not be permitted as long as I am SpoorLam. The only thing preventing our complete triumph is Arundhati Roy, but we are too scared of her at the moment, and Kiran Desai is a potential future obstacle, promoted by ISI/China/Khalistan nexus who sponsored Booker Prize to pretend India and globalisation is not best.
Thanks are given to you for pushing the assertive youth towards our saffron balls - the more you lie, squeal, fib and dissimulate, the more they shall rub their face in our saffron testes, which have growth rate of 8.2%.
That is the future. Stop persecuting us or saying we are not moderate. Even in England our children do better than white and muslim at school, although the chapta chinese still come top, probably in collusion with ISI and Pakistani community.
Death to Abrahamics!
Death to Musharaff!
Hail Patriot Act and UCLA police officers on library duty!
Hail Mogambo!
In the grateful spirit of this post, let's not make assumptions or express surprise (no matter how innocently intended) about who was left off or why, please? The list has already been updated twice, I'm sure another version will be up soon. I'm not helping either, I keep picking at turkey leftovers and I fall asleep when I'm called on to spellcheck your names. #^@%!#& tryptophan...
*Jai discreetly nudges the SM Intern*
*ahem* GujuDude, Non von Mises, Salil ManikthalasomethingIcan'trememberhowtospellhisname, and Feurza Dulce are missing from the VIP list too *ahem*
Dude, gentle nudges are still annoying! I'm tired! I had to be at Best Buy this morning when they opened at the ass crack of dawn to buy a freaking plasma, which essentially means I haven't slept. Also, Salil was mentioned in the text copied below:
SJM- For funny comments and irrational exuberance when it comes to galvanizing the DC Mutiny. For getting it. Hell, for everything (its been a long seven years).
I was informed that they're such old and close friends, they don't even bother with first names anymore.
Awesome.. great thanks giving :) great job and inspiration.
I am a new regular here and have to say I am addicted to this blog. Can we get this on our cell phones?
Okay.
Seven new names have been added. :) Yenjoy.
:+:
If I may be candid, this was more of a whim than a planned project, it was me being exuberant and giving you a giggly, intoxication-inspired hug. I spent four hours on this post while my cousins, whom I haven't seen in a year (or more) all wondered WTF was so important that I was choosing to clack away on my laptop vs. interact with them, not that I regret my choice to turn sepia last night. I love my mutineers.
I had a pleasant buzz after dinner and I just wanted to get in to the Thanksgiving spirit by letting you know how much you mean to me, I wasn't trying to alienate anyone, insinuate anything with the content I wrote or make a statement by inadvertently omitting someone. I am sorry to those whom I've hurt. I haven't exactly done this before and I naively didn't anticipate some of the reactions I inspired, both on- and off-line.
If there's one thing I should've learned after two+ years here, it's that despite having the very best intentions, I can't please everyone, no matter how much I try. I hope I've cleared things up, so we can all go back to feeling sweetly happy.
SM Intern,
Sorry 'bout that. Honour demanded that I mention those other good folks (and Technophobicgeek too, come to think of it. We can't forget our young desi casanova-in-training).
{No more nudges, I promise. We don't want Ennis to actually carry out his threat to ban me, do we ? ;) }
Try keeping Angelina, an Eastern European lingerie model/quantum physicist and a Brazilian supermodel-neurosurgeon simultaneously satisfied in the "conjugal activities" area 24/7. Then you'll find out what "tired" really means.
And please stop sending flowers to Isabella and Katya. You don't want me to go all Casino Royale on your ass.
happy thanksgivings!! you all, with a special nod to the ring-leaders, do a great job of reminding me how wonderfully diverse a community we are. (thanks :)
Anna,
The mere attempt (quite daunting) at showering all the comment folk with love in itself is awesome. Emotional honesty at its bestest and wwvvarmest :)
Jai, if you're ever around San Diego brother, I'm buying a pint, pitcher, or hell - even the keg.
To all on SM: A happy thanksgiving and best wishes for kick ass [Read: Cheap] holiday shopping spree. Grease those elbows with ghee, don't shower, no deodorant, spread your arms out like chicken wings, wear old laundry and hit those lines. You CAN a buffer zone; you don't have to be Arnold to muscle people out; you do not have to be a rabid mother of ten juiced up on caffine/her kids asking for a tickle-me-elmo.
You WILL get a hold of the ten [enter item here] that the other 1000 people are chomping at.
As my cousin said while prowling the streets of Schaumburg, IL in the early wee hours looking for deals: "GujuDudebhai, the lines were crazy long and most of em were packed with desis, too!"
GujuDude:"Well, you were there, right"
Cousin: "Yeeeeaaaaa, I got a 450 gig western digital hard-drive for one bill, a jump drive....."
Awww Anna. Thanks to you and entire SM community. I am impressed, you can remember so many people and so many things. You just raised the bar for all community blogs. I am all warm & fuzzy, I can't write anymore.
cough
ANNA: Happy Thanksgiving! Seems like you had one turkey too much for Dinner last night, or else how could you forget to mention me? Huh? The only letter which comes after me alphabetically is ZORO!!!
aw schuks guys. I'm touched. Who says libertarians don't have bleeding hearts?
Thanks Anna and deep-down I'm sure we all feel the same about you and the rest of the SM crew. You guys are like the "secret-sauce" in my life haha.
I love the comments section at SM for the strong waftings of eau de dysfunctionalfamily. Kidding! Love you guys, one and all! Happy SM-Thanksgiving-ersary, ANNA and the other posters, commenters, lurkers, and dysfunctionals....
Great job Anna and gang.
well done and a happy thanksgiving weekend to all!
Hi
I am one of those lurkers you mentioned. I pop in from time to time. I am always pleased at what I find. SM is a blessing, it is a venture that perhaps when started you didn't fully understand or fathom the power in the project. But now all I can say is keep going the job is not finished yet. (btw, I found this site a few years back when looking for info on the Sepia Mutiny. And this was was wonderful find. It may not have answered my original quest but it has fuled many another - on that I say thank you)
*ho hum* You go away for five minutes and everyone forgets about you... ;p
Thanks so much A N N A- if the other mutineers don't mind me saying, you really represent the heart of SM to me. There are dozens of bloggers and commenters, and I never would have met them were it not for your warmth at the first SM meetup (translation: I rather adore your hugs!). I am grateful to you and all the other mutineers for that, and hope you keep going strong in the years to come.
Happy Thanksgiving break to all!
Thank you, Anna, for your nice words. I wonder which comment of mine is still stuck in your head...is it the one about how horrible 'injera' (ethiopian bread) tastes? Because I for one think that deserves a whole post! It's ruined many an otherwise delicious Ethiopian meal...lol.
A N N A wrote:
thanks Anna! glad i came through in the clutch. i have to admit i haven't been as regular with my commentary but i still check in several times a day for updates. i was a bit surprised to see my name up there at the top (neither of my real names are alphabetically oriented toward the beginning of any sorted list).
i'm glad this community exists and there is appreciation on both sides of this blog. this alone should continue the success and impact of this blog down the road.
thanks a n n a...my around the way girl for sure. SM rocks...the mutineers rock. and thank you for having the honesty to feel thankful out in the open in this post. gives people the warm fuzzies.
awww thanks Anna.
I sometimes think you're destined to have your good intentions taken the wrong way, but I hope by know you know not to let it get you down.
You're all right by me girl!
Thanks for the big hug, ANNA. A very nice gesture to us all on Thanksgiving. Peeples, let's not give ANNA a message that it's best to avoid mentioning anybody by name, for risk of offending others by omission. We all know there are so many awesome people on SM that it's impossible to remember all the names. I suggest we just mention whomever we like without pouting at Anna. Here are two I'd like to add Ponniyin Selvan (vanakkam thalaivaa!) and Technophobicgeek (obviously we taught our juniors something right somewhere in GC/OAT). Got to get to know at least one of the regulars offline as a result. Gujudude, be warned - one of these days, I will find you on the streets of San Diego/Oceanside and walk up and introduce myself.
SM is certainly a part of my life now and even on days when absoltuly have no time, if I can open the browser at all, I go to SM. Hoping to be fully back soon...
I LOWE!!!!!
Anna,
For me, visiting SM is like getting in Time Machine. It shows me a glimpse of what my kids will be like in 7-8 years.
From what I've seen so far, I think the kids will be alright.
Cheers.
Anna,
Jai's badmashi strikes again =) Your original list was wonderful and so warm. But lists schmists, its the day-to-day openness and banter that make SM not only a portal with a purpose but a big, fuzzy blanket in winter and a soft, earthy breeze in summer. And it's the consistency of this welcome that counts. Besides, I'm just a newbie. I haven't pee'd on the proverbial tree yet but pee I shall. SM is a great idea that became a great place. It has scrutiny and substance, pizazz and panache, wonks and wit, postmoderns and premeds and one duffer named No von Mises.
Looking forward to seeing you at the next gerrymandered SF meetup.
Hey, Pardesi Gori has brought a lot of her time, thought and experience to SM too! (besides other things :-) )
Also, Oneup.
Preston.
Looks like I'll have to do another update today...you're reminding me of people I can't bear to leave out. :)
A N N A K K A:
Past my 2001 senior sorority sendoff I thought I'd never see the likes of another "senior will" again in my life. And, though we're all supposed to outwardly hate senior wills, I was actually really sad. (I feel the same way about yearbooks, btw.) My heart skipped a beat, but I've learned this year: that's not so unusual when you're around.
Where else do you get to make a list of everyone you adore and everything you love&haterade together?
And I'm convinced: the world is yet to experience the unleashed power of knowing glances, great hair and glitter. I'm glad we have that day to look forward to rather than have it behind us.
Thats so kind of you, Anna-Thanks to you too dear, for all the wonderful words you share with us. and thanks to everyone else on SM-the bloggers, the guests, commenters, lurkers-thanks all for making this a great place.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving :).
sigh, the techies never get any love. kunjan and i are going on strike. :)
While I feel bad that you guys, and others were left out, I now know what it feels like to sit at the cool kids table (obviously something I never experienced before). Once again, I'm honored ANNA, and thank you to all the SM bloggers, techies, readers, and lurkers who are taking the time to actually build a community despite differences in background and world view. I only started reading this site earlier this year, and it's been a great ride.
Peace on earth and goodwill towards all.
Has no one noticed the initials "SM" correspond so lovingly to my own? Is this a coinkydink? I THINK NOT! :-D
AJP - it's been a long seven years, indeed. But a short seven years, to be sure. It's only just beginning, after all. And hey, we're co-located again, and I hear there's this writing workshop-thingy around these parts that sounds faintly promising. Much work to be done. Double double, toil and trouble, and all that.
So here's my mad props to AJP's mad midwifery. You brought it into the world, all sepia and squalling. I personally think it's beautiful, although I should admit sometimes I look at it and think it's kind of funny-looking. And also wonder just who the fuck its father is. Because...I mean, it don't look like Abhi at all :-D
oh, and also, AJP, look no further (as if you couldn't find this on yer lonesome...I hyperlink it for the chilluns, yo):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_von_Mises
I gives a big shout-out to Wikipedia, the final resting place of all human knowledge. Organic, fractious, growing exponentially, the ultimate arbiter of "I-tole-ya-so" moments everywhere; it far surpasses the role Merrian-Webster played in Scrabble.
And I can reach it on my cell phone. Goddamn if I don't love the bejeezus out of it.
Merriam. *cough*
A N N A,
I know it's late but I've been working and only just checked in...right back at ya from the other side of the world :) Your mutiny reaches far and wide.
I as well as many others are thankful too that you and oher v talented people have created this amazing site and an even more amazing community from the oddballs and square pegs within a community, the goths, the Republicans, the punks, the Spoorlams, the leftists, the atheist Muslims, the Indians, the South Asians, the brownz, the feminists, the debauched ones, the mango-haters.
If this word hadn't been taken over by Benetton I'd say that SM is true DIVERSITY :)
Anna,
You obviously hold an American Passport which is always good:) Now all you need is to organise the Dowry with red Maruti Car) and we can take this further; remember, I am Post Graduate and I am a real smart Mallu boy.
Would have responded earlier; but then, I was on holiday. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Peace
Anna, we luuurrvvvee you to! Thank you for your kindness. You dont have to be (since you are superstar) but you are graciousness personified. Sajit is not the only one that would work at your future Congressional Campaign! Just give the word....
Oh, and much love to the other mutineers, this blog just improves every year!
GujuDude,
Thank you, mate, that's very nice of you -- I'll definitely bear you in mind if I'm in the neighbourhood :)
I felt so moved by the shoutout that I had to pause in the middle of the conversation I was in over the telephone to tell my phone-friend about getting public internet love on SM. I am also thankful for the all of the callipigous personalities I've come in contact with via this forum - it's a beautiful mental break and superb intellectual exercise. At the recent NYC meetup I didn't get to meet as many folks as I would have liked to, but that won't be a problem next time.
Thank you for the love A N N A. *besitos*.
Bowing? I am humbled. But thank you!
Very sweet of you Anna. I appreciate the shout out. But what does a macaca have to do to get a link on the sidebar?
{uncorks Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling)
one for me...one for ANNA
i'm totally late to this boat, but i'm swimming the cold, choppy Bay Area waters to say to you, ms. anna, thank you. you inspired me to become a "blogHer." your beautiful words, the thoughts you bring up, and your openess to strangers is what attracts me to you. i appreciate your kind words regarding me...and i hope Patti is treating you right. :)
Better late, than never? :)
To everyone who has thanked me for thanking them...I thank you again, this time for your kind words.
Awww, I still don't exist. :-(
Psssshah. Sure you do. ;)
Girl,you know I got your back. Thanks for the mention. Thanks for all the posts. You guys are artists you know.
I must be getting too sentimental in my old age...
Besos.
Thanks for the love, Miss Anna--My Amma used to call me the "Giver of Unexplained Hugs," I kinda feel like the recipient of a sweetly unexplained hug myself.
Late as this response is, i think it serves as testimony that i really do read all your posts no matter how late. It's difficult to resist when someone writes as honestly and--fo' sho--as brattily as you :).
Much love and all good wishes.
Ok, I'm mad late! Glad to see I made second string though.
Thanks for the lovin' Anna. I'm always trynna bring more black to the brown.
;)
this garbanzo has been galavanting around the globe, and finally just got to read a bit of the post..
thanks for the shout out miss A... yes, the magnets still rule...
and for those mutineers i've met.. from the SM crew :anna, abhi, amardeep (and baby puran ;)), neha, and almost ennis and siddhartha...
to cinnamon rani, barmaid, sriram, mayur, cookiemonsta, all mixed up, mschiana, kenyan desi, chai,yo mom and yo dad and i know i'm forgetting a few due to my jet lagged brain... (so a huge sorry in advance)
it's been a true pleasure... you've all helped me surive through most of my hellish residency, and for for that alone may you all be blessed with 1000 cans of chick peas, 100000 bags of basmati rice, bowls of hummus to last you a lifetime, and of course many sons to make your name/s live lifetimes on :)
blog on...
blog away..
Anna,
Thank you...for always putting a smile on my face.
I didn't know where else to pose this question, and did not do a thorough enough search to determine
if it was asked earlier. Furthermore, it's out of sheer morbid curiosity that I ask, but...
Has there ever been a thread where comments were closed, and reopened? And not reopened for a blogger
to post, but reopened for people to continue discussion?
I make no reference to any particular thread that I want or wanted reopened, rather, I just had a sheer curiosity.
I make no reference to any particular thread that I want or wanted reopened, rather, I just had a sheer curiosity.
i'm sorry, but that's hilarious :D
Bloggers are people too. *sniff*
Interesting choice of thread to spam, btw. ;)
argh, sorry for repost. didnt quote correctly.
HMF, you found the perfect place for your question.
coz of this:
perhaps that's why my posts are found to be threatening and comments are closed to keep me out. LOL.
Oh and for the record, my blondie reference had nothing to do with hairisfair's intelligence. i wasn't even thinking in that direction, since i don't think that way. i made a pure obvious connection between "hair is fair" and blonde hair. a for apple, b for boy and c for cat. okie-doke?
Gee, I'm glad I asked the question.. this is exactly the outcome I was looking for.
Your comments are not threatening and we don't close comments to "keep you out"; we do so when a thread is being spammed, when it's wandered so far off-topic that it's pointless etc. Most threads die a natural death, unless a troll kills it first.
HMF: AFAIK, threads usually don't get re-opened, unless someone other than the author closed them...in which case it's the author's privilege to reopen. Even then, if it needed to be shut down...that generally means that everyone agrees it should stay shut.