Peace be with you people of planet earth…and that.
I’ve finally finished my Design Technology A2 project…yes, I am now very tired.
So a little background. basically last year I made a ‘table’. I wasn’t very enthusiastic about that project so this year my teacher suggested doing a scratch build (making a computer case from scratch) because he knew I was into computing and so on. I liked this concept idea that I came up with about being ‘Powered by YM’ - which goes in with the computer processor theme as shown here:
As you can see, it takes the ‘Intel Inside’ concept design used by Apple and but hosts the YM logo.
Here’s the design I came up with for my final case:
Since October/November time I’ve been working on this project (involves a lot of boring folderwork), designing and consulting my client etc. Just to clarify, what I made was a desktop computer case which holds the internal components of a computer - Just like the box you have on your desk.
There is a huge community of people who either do ‘case mods’ or ’scratch builds’ and they share their projects in ‘Project logs’. These are basically full worklogs of making the project from start to finish, complete with pictures documenting the entire process.
And here’s a few pictures of the final thing, unfortunately I don’t get to take it home so I can test it in a ‘working environment’ but it’s good enough I guess:
Yes, it is a fully functioning computer fitted with lights and 3 120mm Silent Fans. Check out the worklog for more pictures and how I did it!
There are black spots on my heart
Every day we sin, where do I start?
When I slip, the blackness smothers
Slowly losing my chances to recover
My heart is black. Too late to turn back.
Repeat the crime always on the attack
Compassion and mercy - distant now
I remember asking that question, how?
Avoid the situations to prevent hurt
Never think to ask what is this worth.
Soon it will take my loved ones away
Like an oil spill - hazard on the way.
I did this for a show called ‘Pause for Thought’ on BBC Radio 2. It aired around Tuesday 25th March 08.
Transcript:
Ticking away with the day… Sometimes I sit at the computer for hours, I’m sure everyone does it. Just browsing the many websites out there, perhaps see what the latest is on my favourite forums. Then all of a sudden you glance at the clock and think…wow. What did I do with all that time?!
They say time is money so it makes sense that people say ‘stop wasting your time’. The difference is whilst money can be replenished once it has been spent, time can’t. As a Muslim the most precious thing to me is my time. As God says in the Qur’an: “By Time, Indeed mankind is at loss – except those who have faith and do righteous deeds…”
They say ‘life is a series of serious choices’. I often think about my 6th form education – why am I really at school? And can a few exams and essays really determine my future?
I’m at that stage in life where I have to make ‘life changing decisions’. Choosing to go away from home for University was difficult. My parents want me to stay and I want to go. I find myself torn between the wishes of my parents and my own desires. Prioritising things in life seems to have become something of an issue, as maturity sets in you begin to realise not everything is about ‘you’.
Testing times have always made me think and reflect on life. I always end up laughing at my situation when comparing it to the difficulties that so many other young people are going through in the world, whether it be fighting to stay alive another night or being killed in their classroom.
Being a young Muslim is pretty difficult in the current climate. My peers at school might joke about ‘blowing things up’ or the current one is ‘how are your plans to take over the world’. Although these are just young guys joking, I find it hard to comprehend how anyone could see faith as something violent. To me it has always been about seeking peace – both inner and outer. The word Islam is derived from the word salaam which means peace. Surely any human who desires to bring peace would want to alleviate the suffering in the world, not add to it.
Looking to the future always gives me hope. I always have something to work towards. But I mustn’t forget that my future is only what I work for today.
They say he might not make it, it’s critical
And if he does, his life…will be difficult
You ask me why I write these words of pain
When I told you its real – to me no gain
The darkness creeps so unexpected and fast
Fighting for your life without time to gasp
I’m not reminding anyone but myself
How can I laugh when the grief is felt
So tears burden the heart as deeds are dealt
In this life there are only two types of wealth
Working hard for nothing but ash on the scales
The wind will blow away the end to this tale.
Locked away in your soul are thoughts untold
Kept secret and hidden yet journeys unfold
Emotionless face but the mind is easily read
Lines of bitter writing litter the roads ahead
I pushed you away without even knowing
as foolish pride got in the way of showing
Ashamed of reality but it is true
I detest what I became in treatment of you
The past is behind us yet it doesn’t self erase
Take a step forward in attempts to be brave
These words are nothing but lines on a page
Like a raging fire, your heart is ablaze.
Why do I feel the need to cry
Tears roll down my face and dry
Have you ever forced yourself to
Blinding thoughts travel through
Trivia and loose talk so distant now
Looking at the universe, wondering how
I don’t want to be a repetition of the past
I know my enthusiasm will not last
And how do I remain steadfast, when life
Tests in ways that appear finite
So many questions with no answers
Spread so fast, an unstoppable cancer
Maybe that’s why people want to quit
Simple really - to avoid being hit.
Why do you never write anything positive?
Perhaps a smile emerges from your lips.
Here you go, a joyful poem for you
Happy days ahead and the sky is blue
People are singing and dancing along
Joining together, in rhyme and song
No worries no problems, its really great
I love this feeling of being awake
So I continue my life without a care
To open my eyes I wouldn’t even dare
Watch the path don’t trip and stumble
For facing reality makes dreams crumble.
Of reality you speak so tragically?
Mankind is happy and in total equality,
And those that aren’t, we’re saving them
Liberating the lands of Bethlehem
So worry not, man of impressionable age
Your sad thoughts of life are but a phase
Get over it quick and join in the fun
Lie back and enjoy the sun.
I take a deep sigh and then I write these words
Call me depressing but this life hurts
A fool is only what I can claim to be as time,
Time does but claim me.
Swallowed up in what some consider a game,
Play it I guess, reality is nowhere in the name.
The difference is I will make mistakes
And not be able to turn back and recreate
I look at my friends and see them in pain,
Guilty indeed as the scars remain
Forgive me, please, I beg you now.
Then I turn to myself and wonder how.
If there’s one thing in life that I have learned
Put your hand to the fire and it will be burned
As a child you learn from your mistakes
It appears I’m willing to fund my fate
A gaping void has opened in my life
Ungrateful? Do His blessings not suffice?
So then why do I kneel instead of prostrate
The words uttered with a bitter taste.
Time has passed and things have changed
The gap will be filled by bonds of pain
I’m going to fight and hold onto the gem
To let go would be fuelling my own end
I am no longer scared of the battles ahead,
I look forward to the dream instead.
It appears that Dana Jacobson has been accused on several occasions for ‘hate speech’ against religious groups. Whilst I do not advocate some kind of radical action, I think it is your duty to look seriously into such issues.
As a Muslim I am offended that it is okay for presenters on mainstream television to be slandering any faith or belief. If claims are untrue, make that abundantly clear, otherwise you should take appropriate action.
They responded:
Thank you for writing,
Ms. Jacobson’s inappropriate comments were delivered during a roast for her friends Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg and were in the context of Notre Dame football and its Touchdown Jesus icon. They were wrong and inexcusable, and she was suspended from her duties.
Ms. Jacobson returned to work on January 28 and again offered an apology and asked for forgiveness:
Apology from Dana Jacobson on ESPN’s First Take - 1/28/08:
“Before we do start First Take, there is something that I want to address. There has been a lot of attention surrounding my inappropriate behavior and comments at a roast earlier this month of my friends Mike (Greenberg) and Mike (Golic). I want to once again say how truly sorry I am for my poor choices and bad judgment that night. I have taken responsibility for what I did say and do and realize why it was wrong.
“There are no do-overs in life, so all I can do is what we all do when we make mistakes - learn from them. As a person, and even a broadcaster, I can tell you I have already learned a lot from mine. Several people told me last week mistakes do not define us. It is how we respond to those mistakes that does. I believe that. I hope you can forgive me and allow my future to define me.
“Finally, I want to thank my family, friends, and viewers who have shown me support during this difficult time. Most importantly, ESPN, for its unwavering support and the opportunity to return to this job. The job that I love. Now it is time to get back to that job.”
