Quick Thought-Jots
This is where you'll find some quick jots of random thoughts, short lists, or quotes that have resonated with me at some point in time. They're from my journal. They're meant to be funny, thought-provoking, serious, seriously stupid, obvious, random, simple, complex, etc. This page is like a more laborious, slower-paced version of Twitter. Woo. Most recent posts will be on top as this page is updated.
See below;
June 2023
6.25.23 I dream of navy.
6.2.23 A couple times I’ve woken up from a nap from my dog sniffing my face to make sure I’m still alive. And they say chivalry is dead.
May 2023
5.31.23 I want to be the person who makes an offhand comment one time that becomes true and then everyone thinks I’m some type of prophet. That’s the type of street cred I want.
5.15.23 Randomly saw and decided to click on the fight scene from Marriage Story on the YouTube video. Big mistake. Huge.
5.14.23 How many of the ants in your kitchen make it back to their home if you didn’t squish them?
5.9.23 Power throuples baking combos: apple, ghee, and maple syrup. AND banana, ghee, and maple syrup.
I’m moving soon, but it feels a whole lot like Chandler when he moved to Yemen.
5.8.23 Are lucky people really lucky, or are they better in tune with their intuition?
5.5.23 It’s that time of year again where I live the life of the lead character of a Claritin-D commercial.
5.4.23 Beach song. I think I like when it rains. These songs are the soft classics imo.
April 2023
4.18.23 Actors who played the side characters in popular 2000s films are having a renaissance and are being recognized for their talent. Case in point: Kathryn Hahn, Judy Greer, Jennifer Coolidge, Kieran Culkin.
4.15.23 Why do we still do signatures for credit card transactions?
4.8.23 What’s going to happen when everyone becomes an influencer and has paid-sponsor content? A grand scheme pyramid scheme?
4.2.23 Spending my Sunday evening at the restaurant. There’s music in the background and yet, every customer has their headphones on and are humming away to their own music. Although there’s a lot going on, it doesn’t seem as chaotic as it sounds.
A “We’re Humans, it happens” movement needs to be a thing. And if it really is a thing already, it’s about time for it to go mainstream.
4.1.23 The impact of side characters in film and TV are underappreciated.
March 2023
3.21.23 As I get older, different things I learned in school suddenly seem more interesting to return to. Like how you pick up new things from re-reading a book at a different point in your life.
3.18.23 Lyricists have a gift.
3.17.23 I wonder if behind those powerful words of wisdom by many artists and popular figures is a therapist who helped them work through a part of their life they’re now reflecting on?
3.14.23 The only problem with finding like-minded people who are also not on social media is…how are we all going to connect with each other? Is there a social media for anti-social media users?
Holdception Have you ever been placed on two different holds while on a phone call with someone?
3.7.23 Marlon Wayans is the Daily Show HOST? Dreams do come true.
Spoonful of peanut butter with dark chocolate chips
Cookies–in desperate need of cookies.
February 2023
2.27.23 I feel like it’s been long enough that I can now admit that I never really got why How I Met Your Mother is considered as iconic as it is.
2.26.23 Spotify ghosts. Sometimes a random song pops up while I’m on Spotify. I didn’t choose it nor did I reach the end of my playlist. Ghost?
The rose-colored glasses I used to see people through and pedestals I used to put people on have slowly disappeared for people I’ve known. These features haven’t shown up--or quickly disappear--in new people I’ve continued to meet either. I still value people from all backgrounds, their stories, and their thoughts. But people are just…people these days. Is that growth? Realism? …maybe get some sleep, Samosa Fisher?
2.18.23 Stories around the campfire. I can’t wait for the day that I can share a “when I was a kid” story around the campfire about how when the internet was first installed in my house, we almost always watched the Gummy Bear song on repeat.
Being the generation that’s in the middle of major tech transitions is weird. From life without a phone to the razor flip to smart phones. From life without the internet or Facebook, to life heavily intertwined with the internet.
2.13.23 Goonies never say die. I always eat pie. What can I say except for 3.1415?
2.5.23 Looking back, the impact is clear. Community members have played an important role in my childhood. These community members encouraged imagination and creativity, and provided insight into what type of opportunities are available out in the world.
2.4.23 You heard it here first folks. Adam Sandler’s next film needs to be a King Arthur-era comedy with his OG crew.
2.3.23 La La Land is what real heartbreak is.
January 2023
1.23.23 Snowshoes. Convinced someone I’m going to buy snowshoes. How does one get out of this situation without having to buy a pair of snowshoes and continue to have new, lively discussions with this person?
1.16.23 If I see another “Van Life” Youtube channel, I swear I’m going to either click on it or hit “Do Not Recommend Channel.” This is getting out of hand.
I wish someone was recording themselves revisiting a favorite song over the years so we could see how their lives resonate with that song over time.
1.11.23 Eddie Murphy back again!
December 2022
12.31.22 Closing out 2022 watching Nicholas Cage question whether tartar sauce would’ve kept his family together. Weather Man.
12.24.22 Every once in a while, I like to check the weather from places I’ve visited. Missing your 100 degree winters, Hell.
The folks on HSN always point out product features that I never would've noticed otherwise. I mean, the Free Mason symbol hidden in the sole of the new Gerry Lug Sole Loafers that leads you to hidden treasure buried under the cracked Liberty Bell? Someone buy that pair before HSN runs out. And someone else, get Nicholas Cage.
12.18.22 My claim to fame is having the “most helpful positive review” for a product I’ve used for two years. I wear this title proudly.
So Bayesian in clinical trials for the treatment of rare diseases as per Bruno Boulanger…(1) We develop a Prior, which results from pooling medical record data, to understand the disease progression. (2) Run a clinical trial with a new potential treatment. From the trial results, determine whether the disease trajectory is altered by the new drug. (3) Generate a probability of the benefit the new drug provides given the trial results and given what we know from the Prior data. (4) Generate a predictive probability of the benefit the new drug will have for future patients.
12.5.22 I’m not loving how as I get older, Youtube’s algorithm has started to recommend more and more cat-related videos. It’s just insulting at this point...but yeah, I’ll watch it.
A picture might be worth a thousand words, but this description is something else. A camera never seems to capture a sunset or sunrise, so here’s a description of the colors present in the sunset today: light orange, pink, light red purple, light blue purple with splotches of light red purple, and finally evening blue.
12.4.22 My million dollar idea. It'd be nice when you’re sick to have a pair of clothes to put on that changes colors in the places you sneezed or coughed. Pro: more awareness of where the virus is on your clothes. What could trigger the color to show? Maybe a shirt is coated in an antibody to the virus of interest. Or maybe you spray the shirt with a solution containing different viral antibodies, and the color that shows up on the clothes indicates the presence of a specific virus? Hospitals would love this product.
12.3.22 Why don’t we talk about the Pink Panther more often? Steve Martin’s Pink Panther holds up–a true classic right up with Ron Howard’s Grinch. Back when CDs were a thing, I remember watching this on repeat.
12.1.22 I have a can of open sardines in my car.
November 2022
11.30.22 When you’re driving through the pouring rain and you can’t see the road that makes up your usual route clearly, do you proceed with a Bayesian approach or that of a Frequentist? That is, are you using your prior knowledge about where the designated road markings and landmarks are to adjust as you stay roughly in the center of the right lane, or do you drive keeping strictly to the right because of the distinction that all roads have (ie. left lane and right lane)?
11.30.22 Cashew truly tastes like chicken. Chicken nuggets that is.
11.29.22 It can wait. Today I’ve learned that there’s such a thing as being too excited to make small talk with someone in the bathroom.
11.28.22 Edema who? Some days it feels like my foot has shrunk to 6.5 in size; other days it feels like a perfect 7.
11.27.22 Do I even like olive oil or have I been blinding following its rage for several years now?
Yes and. Is improv just playing pretend as an adult?
When did the Ben & Jerry’s section stop selling plain flavors? What ever happened to good ol’ chocolate?
11.17.22 Hyper aware. Mark Wahlberg, “Say Hi to your mother for me.”
11.15.22 Am I just becoming a character from Portlandia?
11.5.22 Perplexed. It’s 72 degrees in November and I'm starting to get Christmas ads.
October 2022
10.31.22 My soul can rest easy now that I know Mandy Patinkin is vlogging on YouTube.
10.30.22 The motive. Sometimes I wash my clothes not with the intention to wear clean clothes, but in the hopes of finding a hair clip or earbuds or some other missing item
You showed me By the Turtles should be a classic Halloween song. It has an eerie, halloween-esque vibe to it.
10.17.22 Watching someone tearing up makes my eyes tear up. Is this part of aging? Someone should’ve told me when the good times would be over.
10.13.22 I saw a middle aged man smoking a cigarette while trimming some hedges today in busted up jeans and a washed out t-shirt. He looked like an 80s film character.
I miss the lady who used to cut my hair and the atmosphere she created. Heavy metal in the background. A deep raspy voice singing along to the songs. Wild snips-snaps that I could barely see from my partially closed eyes. The buzzing noise from the electric buzzer whizzing by the ends of my hair. And at the end of that appointment…a pretty solid haircut.
Pensée Jots. An apt word of the day: Pensée. Noun. A reflection or thought.
10.12.22 I hope I never find a drink that’s “the one” because that'll be the fastest way to become a certified alcoholic.
I have an open package of cold salami in my backpack.
10.7.22 And just like that, there’s color everywhere: red, orange, yellow, magenta, green…blue skies..
10.6.22 I’m not brave enough to wear white pants.
10.5.22 A righteous mess
Proofs. If Brendan Fraser is similar to Noah Centineo, and we all like Brendan Fraser, then we must like Noah too. Right? However, this is not always true. Brendan Fraser is made up of a set of behaviors and actions, and Noah Centineo is made up of a separate set of behaviors and actions that may or may not be similar to Brendan Fraser’s. Therefore, if we like Brendan Fraser given his set of behaviors and actions, it does not guarantee we will like Noah Centineo given his separate set of behaviors and actions.
As it turns out, Mr. Johnson from Abbott Elementary is now a series regular–game recognizes game.
September 2022
9.29.22 Sunk cost fallacy. Hindsight is always 20/20.
9.17.22 The most important thought right now–Mr. Johnson, the custodian, is the funniest character in Abbott Elementary.
9.4.22 I can moonwalk. One of the reasons why I might be a good dancer in my head is that gravity plays by my rules
9.1.22 I don’t have a premium Spotify account. So I'm just walking around campus listening to commercials, pretending to be lost in a beautiful, thought-provoking song.
August 2022
8.11.22 Tricks on our eyes. On nights when there are scattered clouds there appears to be a contrast in cloud color based on its position in the sky. The clouds that fall within the moon’s aura ring are dark in color compared to the bright moon. The clouds outside the ring, spread out across the sky appear lighter in color against the night sky. In the end, the clouds move across the moon and transition from appearing dark to light in color depending on who it’s contrasting with; the night sky or the bright moon.
8.10.22 David Alan GRIER is hosting Jimmy Kimmel? This after Rob Mcelhenney? Talk about legend after awesome. Now if we could just bring back Wanda Sykes. Cherry on top.
8.5.22 After the rains I’ve seen in Texas, New England rain doesn’t scare me anymore.
July 2022
7.23.22 Why does it seem like I’ve found my voice since wearing a mask? Weird
Committed night owl. I’m going to miss cloudy humid days with cool breezes in Texas. These days have my heart, like the night has my soul.
7.15.22 Never been bit like this before. Mosquitoes have bit me everywhere I never expected to: the neck, the face…thrice, and the palm of my hand. The worst part is I rarely hear or see these mosquitoes when they strike.
7.14.22 I’d imagine having a nice looking home is more pleasant for neighbors than it is for the person who lives in it; they probably don’t get to enjoy their work as often as the neighbors do.
People don’t know anything about what awaits them as they age year by year, and yet, they’re experts to anyone below their age. Weird how you get to be both the expert and always growing from your experiences.
7.13.22 It’s rather endearing. Everyone calls me baby in the south, especially older women and I don’t not like it.
7.5.22 The amount of times I end up experiencing borborygmi in class is far more than I’d like to count.
7.2.22 Getting my job application ready. I seem to conveniently and naturally fit the role of a third wheel in third wheel scenarios. Is it time for me to consider this as a professional job? Can I make a livable earning in 2022 with this type of job?
June 2022
6.29.22 Missing New England mountains. Loving the humid summer breeze and coast. What’s cool is that you can find uniquely beautiful places anywhere in the world you go; and the locals there have the fortune of taking that place for granted.
The colors just get richer and richer when the sun sets until it all fades to black.
Fresh cilantro and jalapenos made all the difference. I have discovered my best meal I can cook and actually enjoy. A medley of veggies/beans roasted in a base of chopped onions, jalapeño peppers, ginger, salt+pepper, and topped with chopped cilantro and chopped olives at the end. Stonefire naan pan toasted. A piece of salmon here and there…now THAT is heaven!
6.28.22 Jeff Probst and Sean Evans from Hot Ones need to sit down for an interview. The real question will be...who interviews who?
6.27.22 I sat in a puddle…twice. Lately, I keep missing the rain by a few hours, but always seem to find reminders of the rain, from a wet porch to a wet seat. Luckily, I’ve found that standing up and walking around dries water stains quicker vs just stewing in the wetness. Hey, the more you know, you know?
6.23.22 Any time I travel outside of where I live, it feels like I’m living in an alternate universe of America. I recognize Chewy.com boxes outside homes ready to be recycled, but everything else seems out of place–the house, the yard, the plants and trees, the roads. (**8/11/22 Breaking the thought jot wall…Actually, recycling was not a thing where I was…nor was composting)
6.21.22 Not missing the bus again. The bus driver and I have the same clock—always two minutes ahead of schedule. Only this time, it is on schedule.
My brain chemistry has a productive music preference. Why is it that ELO is my go-to productive playlist? Of all the things I listen to…Milky chance, American oldies, Hindi oldies, lofi beats, hindi lofi…ELO trumps it all? I can think and write. But I can’t seem to walk around and listen to ELO. What gives?
6.17.22 The grass is really rough these days. Stepping on the grass feels like stepping on thick crunchy mulch, despite it looking like grass.
6.12.22 Sometimes, I smell like my dog. Or does my dog smell like me? Either way, not a good look smell for me.
Feeling hot hot hot. When there’s a breeze going, 90 degree humid weather can feel more like 75 degrees. But when the wind becomes still, only then does the severity of the heat really strike you. Damn you, Texas.
Getting to see the vastness of the Gulf Coast while just sitting on the beach is a nuanced yet crazy experience.
6.10.22 My sister no longer thinks Vecna is Billy.
6.9.22 My sister still thinks Vecna is Billy.
6.6.22 What’s the password again? If I knew yesterday was the last day I would have access to an old friend’s Netflix account before the Windows 11 update…I never would have clicked update.
6.5.22 Truer facts never before spoken. Kale tastes like four leaf clovers.
6.2.22 I like watching my dog do stuff and figure things out, like how he uses his nose to break the dog gate open and run away. Crazy little guy.
May 2022
5.31.22 DeepMind. It’s AI technology created by a team of smarties that can predict the way a protein folds. The way a protein folds is integral to how it functions–misfolding can lead to malfunctions wherein the protein can no longer do its job. Symptoms from diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s can manifest as a result of faulty, abnormal proteins (from what we know so far). That being said, DeepMind’s ability to predict protein folding will be really helpful in the future to decipher how a protein folds faster when new sequences are discovered, and maybe even contribute toward our understanding of aberrant proteins too.
Speaking my truth. Sometimes, I see Youtube videos like “speaking my truth” or “update on my channel” or “where I’ve been for XYZ months” from youtubers I don’t follow…and I’ll watch it out of curiosity.
5.30.22 Driving through quiet streets during the daytime is a treat to get to do.
5.29.22 There’s a house in my neighborhood that has let their plants and bushes grow wild so their lawn looks like a forest. It’s beautiful and I wish I could run through it
5.24.22 Growing up, I learned to love cheesecake, but always loved ice cream cake. One day my love for the creamy, smooth, thick cake clicked and dare I say it…it’s now cheesecake over ice cream.
5.21.22 Revisiting an obnoxious memory. I remember watching a movie on a hand held CD video player when I was 8 years old. I knew someone was watching behind me, and to mess with them, I would deliberately hit pause to get up and grab stuff for the duration of the movie.
5.19.22 What is the relationship between cartoons and memes? Are they siblings or cousins? Parents and children?
5.11.22 Am I just getting older or are things finally starting to make sense?
5.10.22 I miss Coldplay
5.1.22 We can drink hot water or cold water, and our body will use water the same.
April 2022
4.22.22 When I had headaches as a kid, I used to imagine sharp fingers scraping against the floor of my brain. It never helped, and definitely made the pain worse. Other times when I distracted myself, the headache would disappear so quickly.
4.21.22 From my experience in the ED, I realize that in a recurring situation where an older doctor was always at loggerheads with a younger doctor…they were both just looking out for the patient but in different ways. One for the correct diagnosis and the other for the cost.
All radio songs are considered popular songs, but not all popular songs will end up on the radio.
Sometimes when I’m driving at night, a song on the radio will come on that has just the lyrics I needed to hear. Coincidence? Totally. Songs are meant to be relatable.
4.21.22 Peeling a lemon
4.12.22 I have a question. How many Twister moves does it take on average to result in someone being out of the game (i.e. losing their balance and/or falling)? If this was replicated 100+ times, would there be a number of turns or a range that could be estimated? And would the results differ if it were a single player versus two players versus multiple players? My hypothesis is yes; on average, more people playing the game makes it harder to move around easily thus translating to a lower number of turns to be out versus if there was a single player.
4.11.22 A benefit of not wearing any deodorant for a while is that more people appreciate you when you finally do. And you also appreciate you more. Any takers for this advice?
4.8.22 I have had a pattern of habitual lateness. Recently, I’ve been getting better at it, arriving earlier or on time. Now here’s the kicker, the occasions I’ve been early have ended up with delays such that, if I were late I would’ve been on time for the start of the event. Now my predicament is; do I continue being late because clearly being early is no better, or do I find things to do while waiting on the chance there’s a delay when I’m early, and because it’s also the right thing to do? Hmm tough
4.6.22 The robins are back
4.5.22 Some variables on why age groups look younger than what they used to look like. Cosmetic alterations sure. More naturally, however, there’s also sun protection via sunscreen and staying indoors. So many more kids are using screens and staying indoors, even in the summers that there isn’t as much sun damage on their face.
4.4.22 I can’t believe I now lecture my parents on cutting down their excess screen time.
I just fell in love with “Them Changes” by Thundercat. Big thanks to uh…Bill….Stith…
4.3.22 I keep thinking about going midwest, but opportunities presented to me always seem to take me south. And the ones in the south seem to surprise me the most.
4.1.22 I could google it, but I won't. Given there are time differences across the US, is there a chance that somewhere in the world has the same time as somewhere in the US? As a non-real example: Minneapolis and London are both 4:45 pm right now.
It’s taken a while but I think I’ve come to genuinely appreciate non-Hindi, non-pop music. Thanks New Orleans.
March 2022
I remember when YouTube was so old that there used to be only one video of how to make muddy buddies. A woman in her dimly lit kitchen with a variety of bowls, occasionally chiding her daughter who was filming, taught me the best way to make them. I wish I could find that video. Quality in taste over quality in aesthetics is what I always say.
3.29.22 Is banana bread with oatmeal equal to baked banana oatmeal?
3.28.22 Charlie Day and Jake Johnson would have good chemistry together.
Ballyhoo. Noun. There is no way the incident last night was a staged ballyhoo for the Oscars. (vigorous attempt to win customers or blatant publicity)
3.27.22 Woa.
3.26.22 Apparatus. Noun. Complex instrument. To some, a digital wrist watch is a simple device; but to me, it is an apparatus with multiple uses beyond telling time (ex. set countdowns, use the stopwatch, or use it as an alarm clock).
Sucker for reunions and reconciliations in movies. They add so many layers and complexity to the story.
3.18.22 Bridge to Terabithia
I’ve realized that I have inadvertently participated and created moments for the Streisand Effect to manifest in my own life. Time to skip acknowledging the existence of hidden chocolate stashes “but I’m not telling you where it is”...and just eat it.
Farro, chickpeas, olives and spinach.
3.7.22 I think about the “wrong laugh” a lot.
Progress progress progress. Takes time, but consistency is the breeding ground for progress.
3.6.22 Survivor coconut popcorn.
3.5.22 Underrated comics include Kaitlin Olson and Chelsea Peretti.
Ab ghode ki race mein gadhe bhi dodai gai. Need to find a way to use this randomly but in an applicable situation.
3.2.22 Having poor vision can be a good thing sometimes. I have the option to take my glasses off and not pay attention to my surroundings. In modern times, pretty great. In hunter-gatherer times, well…it would be nice knowing you all.
February 2022
2.26.22 Scientific reviews are more powerful than singular scientific articles. It tracks consistency and collective progress (& perhaps even identify anomaly findings that can’t be replicated).
When the lyrics capture the heart of the story it’s trying to tell, wow, does it just hit you in the feels.
2.22.22 I just had a dream wrap up loose ends from a previous dream months ago. It was like picking up a book where I left off. Can our brain store memories of our past dreams? Not our post-dream memory, but the actual dream.
The ability to organize isn’t as effective as having a habit for organizing...I think
2.21.22 “Wise words.” I fall in love with material items occasionally. Sometimes it’s the cut of the shirt, the sideways view of shoes, or the specific placement of a pocket. The thought that crosses my mind is usually yes! That’s exactly where that should be placed. Perfect. That’s what love is, you know? All the stuff about love being more than material goods, love being about connections with people, and love having more forms than just romance…is just baloney.
2.17.22 I wish I could befriend an orangutan. They seem so kind and gentle.
2.16.22 This Halloween I’m going to be Elizabeth Holmes’ voice.
2.15.22 Ross playing the piano is how I made music in a music class. The sheer confidence of bringing together random noises.
2.14.22 In the New Girl episode of the school dance, Damon Wayans Jr dances with his whistle in an identical manner to Terry Crews in White Chicks.
I’m really enjoying the return of movies with treasure hunts with ancient history undercurrents.
2.13.22 Reading Will Smith’s book, and it’s interesting–and maybe scary–how familiar a few of his stories seem–or should I say insights?
I think I’m allergic to cucumbers, but only when they’re in beauty products, not when I’m eating them. Why is that?
2.10.22 Missing go-gurt
2.9.22 What just happened? In a matter of days, I’ve eaten a whole block of cheese.
Hit the 5 minute mark today.
News bloopers will never not make me laugh. That natural spontaneity of a blooper moment can’t be replicated. Pure hilarity or cringe, let it ensue I say.
2.6.22 Brian the cameraman from The Office. Seems like he’s everywhere these days.
2.4.22 All the trends I’ve “rediscovered” are a year plus old. Late to the party.
If styles keep coming back (ex. hair claw clips from the 90s are back), then why not continue to sell the excess original vintage items before “new vintage-looking” items are sold? That way we minimize clothing waste right? Sort of gets on the idea train of ‘Get rid of what’s here before we make more of it.’
Pickled onions.
Black boots and skirts.
The great tragedy of proudly looking at the tabs featuring items at great deals, only to add each one to my cart and find out it just sold out. One by one. Alas…Hath aaya muh na lagaya.
2.1.22 Brain fart. Thinking about the time I wore insoles on top of the original insoles, and walked around in pain; my foot just didn’t fit in the shoe. I was so confused how people wore comfier insoles
January 2022
1.28.22 I have yet to find an instant coffee flavor that I like.
1.26.22 After Life is probably one of the most touching and hilarious shows I’ve seen.
1.25.22 I actually enjoyed Ghostbusters 2016.
1.20.22 Perhaps one of the best superhero movies since Shang Chi...Minnal Murali. What a stellar story and film overall.
1.11.22 Is it weird that my dog teaches me how to be a better person? He’s a “love not war” dog. I may need a cat to balance the mushiness.
1.4.22 I used to think cats never pooped because I didn’t know what a litter box was. I thought the litter box was just a large container of potpourri.
1.2.22 Golden pineapple walls. My mom has recently discovered her love for stickers, specifically, decorative house adhesives.
One of the worst nuanced experiences is your leg falling asleep, and slowly coming back alive. While you’re not in danger of dying, the unique discomfort of tingling sensations can be quite an unnerving experience. It’s like a charley horse cramp.
December 2021
12.30.21 Getting philosophical about watching a movie. Sometimes I worry about watching a one-of-a-kind movie with rave reviews that lives up to its hype. What would I watch after that? But the choice then is to watch movies that don’t blow you away and remain stagnant; or experience a new world of cinema which leaves you with a lasting impression even if you won’t watch a movie of it’s kind again.
12.24.21 When my dog falls asleep while I read to him, I’ll sometimes stop reading out loud. Then, he’ll wake up and look at me until I read out loud again, only to fall back asleep.
12.20.21 Is it bad I don’t like playing with my dog as much as I love cuddling with him?
12.13.21 When I tickle my dog’s feet, he’ll give a few warning kicks & then kick once, really hard. Is that normal?
12.12.21 It’s funny, once we characterize or give words to everyday things about life we may not always think about but experience; it ends up giving perspective and a chance to either move onward with the understanding or change course. The most basic and yet pretty important example: breathing. Another example: cleaning up/washing dishes as you go brings efficiency plus it’s great to keep going once you have momentum versus washing dishes after cooking…can feel draining.
12.11.21 Vaseline on the cheekbones…woa.
I don’t think no-bake cookies can ever compare to a classic chocolate chip cookie.
12.6.21 I can’t believe it will be 2022 soon. I distinctly remember when going from 2011 to 2012 was a big deal.
November 2021
11.26.21 My mom loves me more, and tells me so, now that I clean my room regularly. How do I tell her that I’m still the same Samosa Fisher and no different than the rest of my siblings?
You can be virtually yelled at.
11.23.21 As a kid, I remember being obsessed with colors. All colors. Mesmerized by them.
11.22.21 Meet me at our spot, Willow’s voice is !!
11.20.21 Why do you still need vanilla extract to make chocolate ice cream?
11.11.21 sort of interesting how some people dedicate their lives to learning the past, while others dedicate their lives to learning (or creating) the future.
11.10.21 With stir frys, you can always add more ginger for flavor, whereas with pizzas, you can always add more garlic. It’s ginger that makes a stir fry a stir fry, and it’s garlic that makes a pizza a pizza...for the most part.
Ladybug & wild turkeys! Lots of wild turkeys.
One of the best creative uses of products at Trader Joe’s is making a pizza; pizza dough & zhoug sauce as the base, veggies like onions, tomatoes and bell peppers, some corn (Mexican corn with the spices & cheese), and oil. Add a little salt & pepper to the mix and tada.
11.9.21 Coffee and orange. Good combo? I’m thinking hot coffee and orange cookies. Or coffee and orange ice cream?
There are just some glass cups that you want to drink water out of, and some glass cups that you just don’t. Same with water bottles.
11.8.21 New Girl thoughts. Winston pulled the mug out of the trash for his cat. Winston is one of the reasons why Nick and Jess remained hopeful about a possible reconciliation.
Who decided what color the traffic light colors would be? I mean it makes sense. And I’m not questioning it. Just curious.
I don’t find Caddyshack funny, just as I don’t find Elf that funny. Hocus Pocus remains timeless. There I said it.
11.5.21 sketch ideas. Lamborghini song but from the perspective of an older granny wanting to connect with her grandson and/or youth culture.
October 2021
10.14.21 Our family dog is quickly becoming the golden child to my parents--this includes my father who didn’t want a pet in the first place.
10.13.21 Had a dream of the prequel to Aladdin, on how Genie became Genie. It involved multiverses, cartoon cats, Chris Evans’ Captain America, and a backstory that involved Genie being sent away from his world to another one, only to end up on a planet where he has identity issues.
The problem with Modern Family is that it was never enough. I wanted more jokes on the situations the characters found them in. An hour long episode is something I definitely would have watched.
Buy a big bag of frozen strawberries that is half full for 8 dollars or a fully packed smaller bag of strawberries for 2.99?
When I was younger, my older cousin burned a CD with music from Shrek including his “Karaoke Dance Party” song. I never realized these songs were based on real, popular songs. Though...Baby Got Back was probably the dead giveaway.
Warm revelations. When I was younger, my dad would send us to the library every week to get us to read (plus they closed at like 9pm on Wednesdays, it’s like a free of charge babysitter). That was more impactful than I realized at the time. Dad tends to be more a person of action than of many words. More recently, he purchased Obama’s autobio book for my siblings and I to read. We’re adults. He hasn’t bought us to read for fun since we were young. For him to give us a book written by someone he respects and wants us to learn from and emulate is probably the most discretely thoughtful gift I’ve ever gotten…..I haven’t read the book yet though. Work in progress.
10.11.21 I have created the ultimate replication of Yoplait’s chocolate mousse. It’s chocolate protein powder, some cottage cheese, a splash of milk, and strawberries (trust me).
Leaders I want to learn more about include Angela Merkel and Kamala Harris.
Having small roles in well done TV shows or movies is a great stepping stone in the industry in my opinion. These extras are chosen by people who are likely great at casting, and have insight to the potential of actually talented or charismatic, budding actors. Examples include extras and guest stars on Friends and New Girl. The girl who played Elizabeth in New Girl has done great in a recent drama series. Likewise, doing a cameo in a well done TV show speaks to your skill or likeability as an actor and adds to their “iconic” status. I’m thinking about Robin Williams and Billy Crystal on Friends, Damon Wayans Sr. on Happy Endings, Julia Roberts on Friends...a lot of guest stars on Friends really.
Zoey Deschanel’s laugh is the same as DW’s from Arthur. I can’t unhear it.
10.7.21 Why do some people look like they just put their head on a muscular person’s body? I’m afraid that this conundrum includes me.
10.6.21 There should be a reverse order option on Spotify so you can listen to music upward.
10.5.21 Bitter ginger tea. Yum.
Do most movie theaters have the same architect?
10.4.21 Dil yeh ziddi hai has been playing in my head all week.
10.3.21 Post-Saturday morning cartoons. Chris Kimball of Test Kitchen is now the founder (Co-?) of Milk Street. Looks like they are moving up in the world. Good work Chris.
I grew up thinking Joy Behar played both a witch in Hocus Pocus and was on The View, and was known as Bette Midler. As it turns out, these are two different people.
Flat-footed human. How do some people wear converse shoes without any pain or discomfort? Heck, some people even exercise in converse shoes. What type of sorcery is this?
I still can’t figure out how I know of Artie Lang despite never seeing one of his movies before. How do I know Artie Lang?
September 2021
9.30.21 Wild Card. I’ve realized I can’t cook chicken. It ruins the illusion of anything with meat, tasting “like chicken.” If vegans and vegetarians want to convert me, I’m an easy convert. But then again, mystery meat is probably one of my favorite types of meat. So maybe not. Wild card.
When did eating ice cream or sweet foods after a break up become a part of culture? The last thing I’d want in that situation is something sweet.
Placebo effect? All this time I thought I was lifting 8 lbs and proceeded to lift far heavier objects with this in mind... in reality, it was 5 lbs. Misread the number.
9.21.21 Chips are a lot like ice. In its solid state it can cause a lot of damage (i.e. icicles are sharp, and the sharp edges of a chip when stuck in your throat can really scratch things up). But eventually icicles melt and the chip breaks down.
Why is it that bikers are confined to the space between the solid double yellow road lines? For one thing, the biker is between two car lanes headed in opposite directions; which I’d imagine can be overwhelming. There’s just not enough wiggle room--both literally and figuratively in reference to room for making mistakes. Plus, this road designation seems to demand that the average biker must have more precision and skill than would be appropriate for a casual ride through town. (Naturally, this is a joke).
9.19.21 Totally Spies. Martin Mystery. Archie’s Mysteries. Sabrina the teenage witch, animated.
9.15.21 One thing you always need: a watch.
Green grapes.
9.14.21 A coming of age story idea. Growing up, a person who has only ever visited stores in one part of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul must travel to the deeper part of the bazaar to buy a special item that can only be bought at one particular store.
9.12.21 Simu Lui has strong older sibling vibes. As a fellow younger sibling, I can sense it.
Horror movie titles based around nuanced irritants. (1) The Itch (is that a movie already?). (2) Aches and Sores. (3) Floater in the Eye. (4) Papercut
9.10.21 Do chipmunks tend to live alone or together? I feel like I’ve only ever seen one chipmunk around my house; one who behaves as though it recognizes me each time.
9.7.21 My allergies have worsened over the years. I now understand what it's like to be the woman in the Claritin-D commercials. I, too, fearlessly smell the fresh air once the antihistamines kick in.
9.4.21 Daydreaming in my dream. What in the inception?
9.3.21 Sauce person. The other components, be it carrots or other veggies, are secondary to how flavorful the sauce is. The sauce makes or breaks.
August 2021
8.28.21 Chocolate coconut almond cookies.
8.27.21 Weird moment. While listening to my “Liked Songs” on Spotify, a random older song from my other playlist played--only for the next song to return to my “Liked Songs” collection.
8.26.21 Cracking the system. I think I’ve cracked the whole “self help” books system--specifically identified a possible solution for those that turn to self-help books. Some might be good reads, but perhaps the best “self-help” books are ones that are Non-fiction and not directly marketed as “self-help.” Real stories about real people and events will definitely teach us about history, our place within it and about ways to lead your life. At least, I keep noticing that the people/figures who seem grounded to me all have a particular commonality in that they frequently turn to non-fiction--thus, these non-fiction readers are the people that a person who turns to self-help books wants to become.
Crazy if it were true. If eating oils could grease up our joints, like how oils grease the chains or gears of bikes.
8.24.21 Sometimes I think about being a censor--to enjoy the material in its entirety and then ruin the fun for others by having it taken out of the final cut. Talk about a unique power trip. Do censors even go to school? I’d wager it’s something along the lines of learning about law to be able to interpret and “maintain” standards of practice. (**9.22.21 Breaking the thought jot wall: This is actually a bit on 30 Rock!)
8.23.21 A mosquito has been circling me the same way a shark would its prey. Concerned.
8.15.21 Not an original thought. There are many versions to this theory, but what if the end of the world really was in 2012, but it was meant to signify the “unraveling” rather than the abrupt end of the world? Because there are a lot of “tipping points” we seem to have passed recently, natural disasters are getting worse too...
8.9.21 Incredible coincidences! Just watched “Asking Hunter-Gatherers Life’s toughest questions,” in which a man from a remote African Tribe “Hadza tribe” is interviewed. At one point, while showing the interviewer a snake mark bite he repeatedly says what sounds like “Yeh Dekh.” “Yeh Dekh” has the SAME meaning in HINDI, “Look here.” Woa. Now my question, could Hindi be a derivative of the Hadza Tribe language? Maybe not, but perhaps of other hunter-gatherers from many generations before...likely. Origins of language have to start somewhere.
8.8.21 Feeling like the sunburnt man who got to eat his ice cream from Lilo & Stitch. I once got ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s and dropped it. It plopped to the ground promptly after the first few licks. This proceeded to happen a couple more times--what felt to be an endless experience to a 6 year old. How does that even happen?
8.3.21 Google ads. I see tons of ads online promoting apparel meant to be friendly for women nursing, spray for smelly feet, silicone wedding rings, and manscaping products. None of these products are relevant to me. I think I beat the Google ad algorithm.
8.1.21 The family pup has chosen my room to specifically nap and pass gas, but otherwise doesn’t spend a lot of time in my room. Not sure whether to interpret this behavior as an insult or compliment.
July 2021
7.30.21 Dips are good spreads on a sandwich.
7.29.21 The balance to reflection is experience. It’s a cycle; you get experiences, you reflect. To keep reflecting, seek out more experiences.
7.20.21 The closest I’ll get to walking hand-in-hand with my dog is walking hand-on-toy-with-toy-in-dog’s mouth.
7.19.21 Sometimes I’ll connect the saying, “the eyes are the window to the soul,” with how some elderly folks will look at their spouse’s eyes because they are still youthful and haven’t changed with age. Is the figurative use of “soul” another way to describe eyes as non-changing, non-aging? Wouldn’t be surprised if my nemesis, English literature, already has some plausible answers to this. Other eye musings; Do eyes get lighter in color with age? What about in the summer like blonde hair? Or darker, like getting a tan? Eyes are cool--Not every blue eye is the same hue, nor every brown eye.
7.17.21 Dog likes stories. Occasionally, I’ll read to my dog at bedtime or while he’s napping. Today, he got up from playing by himself and just started sniffing at my books. I asked him if he wanted me to read to him, and he quickly sat down near me in his “sleeping position,” and away we read.
7.13.21 There should be checks and balances for Yelp Reviewers--sort of like the dual rating system Uber has, where the driver and the passenger are rated.
7.12.21 Stranger things. I’m watching the backyard from my window as small tufts of cotton gently float and dance in the air all around. It’s peaceful and fun to watch, but also makes me feel like I’m in the Upside Down.
7.11.21 I’m the captain now. A while ago I started trolling my dad by repeating common Punjabi phrases back to him in conversation--often at random or pointless times. I’ll never know when the trolling began to be viewed as serious commentary and was accepted as something I say now by my dad.
7.9.21 Penultimate, adjective. Second to last.
7.8.21 Wikipedia says. Fun fact about Iko Iko: It’s a New Orleans song based on the feuds between tribes during Mardi Gras parades that happen in New Orleans. The song was a pretty popular song for ads for either Disney movies/TV shows or Nickelodeon--this is from video cassette tape days.
7.7.21 Impersonations I can do: Koel Bird. Hades’ henchmen from the animated film; the one who says Coming your most lugubriousness. Working impersonations: Drew Barrymore.
How often do people go about their day not feeling like someone else is listening to them?
My whistling has progressively improved ever since my tooth started popping out. You could say, things are starting to look up.
7.2.21 I’ve made my peace with mushrooms for the most part. But peas? Squishy, gross, green peas? The feud continues.
June 2021
6.30.21 Goosebumps. Nostalgia.
My brother and I have the equivalent dynamic as Conan with Jordan Schlansky. (I’m Conan in this scenario). The segment of driving through Italy in the red car is perhaps the most identical.
Nothing like windy rainy weather to recalibrate the summer heat.
6.24.21 Conan is wrapping up on TBS today and it’s a bittersweet feeling. There’s more to come on his new show...but there goes the best late night talk show host.
Hindi Lofi music is probably the coolest thing I’ve discovered recently, and the easiest thing to get into recently.
6.23.21 My reference for a “big dog” is Clifford the Big Red Dog.
What went wrong? I didn’t add anything sour, and yet, my cookies taste sour. They were also boiling and frothing in the oven.
Looking back, the best clothes that are both fashion-forward, comfortable, and reasonably-priced goes to Tesco. Not Primark. Condolences to Primark.
Cool summer breezes.
6.21.21 Certain restraints can be a breeding ground for creativity. Creativity can also be a byproduct of resourcefulness. Elizabeth Merriwether in a New Girl reunion clip spoke about how the censor board limited the explicit words they could use for certain scenes in a particular episode, which forced them to use creative, allusory language; ultimately leading to a scene that maintained the integrity of the original premise in an absurd, humorous way (re: Schmidt speaks to an OBGYN).
6.19.21 Middle School days. I used to carry a rain jacket with me wherever I went because “you never know when it might rain.” Then I eventually stopped bringing one and proceeded to get caught in surprise flash floods. I’ve never been caught in a flash flood quite like that one since.
6.18.21 Sandman wisdom. Click, although a comedy drama headlining Adam Sandler, still managed to scare me with its premise of living life on autopilot.
6.17.21 Special guest appearances in TV shows can be a huge factor in how someone builds a knowledge base of actors from across many generations older than their own. Case in point: Katt Williams as the infamous Bobby Shaw from My Wife and Kids--that’s how I know him, not from stand up, which is probably a more common reference for older millennials or their parents. When someone impersonates him, I have a clear sense of who they are speaking about and can be in on the joke thanks to classic mannerisms that show up as part of Katt W’s universal screen presence (ie. high-pitched nasal voice, facial hair, body language, etc). An older example is Farrah Fawcet thanks to reruns of Charlie’s Angels from the 70s era. Imagine only knowing the legendary Damon Wayans Sr as that guy who plays Brad William’s dad in Happy Endings. I shudder to think of being oblivious to Wayans Sr. classics, but everyone’s gotta start somewhere.
6.13.21 If I could go back in time, I would love to be an understudy for Weird Al Yankovic and become the Weird Al Samosa Fisher that I habitually find myself to be.
6.11.21 Just had a moment wherein I was looking for a pair of socks but was already wearing them. Re: Thought Jot from a few days ago, I said I can’t wait to have gray hair. I never said I wanted the momentary lapses in memory that accompany the experience of being an elderly person.
Where do you want to get your news and views from, the facts or people’s opinions?
Whenever I start a new, lengthy TV show series, I start either a few episodes in or an episode from season 2. By that point, the characters and the show are in their grooves. Eventually the missed episodes will be watched. Case in point: Friends. The Office. Case against point: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. They were always in their groove.
6.7.21 Late at night I saw a glow bug blissfully fly by, which was preceded by what sounded like a wild animal brawl.
6.6.21 Simple things I look forward to; my hair going gray. How cool is it that your hair changes colors? Aging also means being an old grump is more acceptable--good.
Eyelids sweat.
6.5.21 Scalp circulation. Scalp exfoliation. Scalp. scalp.
May 2021
5.30.21 The Guilty Person in Me. I always feel like I’m on an “apology tour.” The snacks are pretty great though.
5.26.21 Companies like The Ordinary should have a glass collection box at places where you can buy their products like Ulta or Sephora to recycle their products that use glass bottles. They should then reuse those glass bottles.
5.24.21 2019-2020 was the year of facing the music. 2020-2021 was the year of seeing others share they were facing the music too, making it easier to embrace the music.
5.23.21 Ate an almond that tasted like a peanut.
5.21.21 Do birds get to enjoy the view they are privy to, or do they have a fixed mindset to survive and reproduce?
Sometimes there is a visual representation of the topic or of the specific sentence I’m using when I say them out loud. If I’m trying to say something about the sentence I mentioned, I move around the words that are “in the air” but I just realized that the other person might not actually be visualizing it or paying attention to it...The presumed link are to TV shows I used to watch like PBS’ Between the Lions... I hope the tech of being able to manipulate projected 3D images becomes a reality in the future (and accessible to the general public). The gains for the education system to enhance or enrich our understanding of topics like the human body would be HUGE. Placing my bet (and hope) on this. We’re 3D creatures who perceive the world in 3D, what better way to learn than with interactive 3D learning tools? And also, I just want in on this. Gimme.
5.20.21 I will never get tired of watching trees sway with the wind.
Why do I see female birds during the spring time more than I see them during the fall, but I see male birds all the time?
5.18.21 Driving. Letting your left hand take more control than your right while making a left turn or turning on a left curve yields a smoother ride and also your car stays in the middle of the lane better
It feels like over the course of a single week all the birds returned and the weather became 10 degrees warmer. Birds are out chirping as soon as 3:00 am.
5.16.21 What is at the bottom of the desert?
5.14.21 Risky business. I like the style of jersey shirts like baseball shirts. But if I wore one, then I’d probably give off the impression that I’m a baseball fan, and would thereby, be liable for being able to talk about, and have some knowledge of, baseball—new players, recent events etc.
April 2021
4.29.21 Watched the tour of the International Space Station by astronauts Victor and Mike. The set up was really cool and it was crazy similar to how I'd imagined it would be to walk on the ceiling/upside in a house--but with actual anti-gravity capabilities. Wherever you’re facing forward, that’s upright...in space. Didn’t realize space suits need to be “cooled down” with a special type of water while using it out in space. The space station looks so comfy. Other clips with astronauts from different countries talking about working together is exciting to see.
4.25.21 Having a puppy has taught me a lot about parenthood. Even with a full house of family helping out...it’s exhausting.
Regular people, politicians, and other figures. At what point do we draw the line to stop seeing people in a negative light on account of their past? Especially those that grow from their experiences (and take accountability) and show true instances of change? To get to that point of growth, shouldn’t there be time that is openly recognized and allotted between the two phases, (1) mistakes and (2) evidence of authentic growth, to allow for pause and reflection? Curious to know.
4.24.21 Space-X has landed. While Musk estimates “flying people regularly by 2023 [to the moon]” (space.com), I just want to orbit the earth and watch the planet from above, like an airplane but BETTER. 360 view.
4.21.21 Days of Daal. Nostalgic is tadka daal with cucumbers and tomatoes.
Funny scenario for a rom-com movie or something: Woman looks for one shoulder dress for the summer and orders a casual print dress. Unbeknownst to her, it’s a saree.
4.20.21 Frozen raspberries taste like fresh raspberries. But frozen blueberries do not taste like fresh blueberries. It’s like a frozen grape (ie. frozen sugar water).
4.17.21 To Shahrukh Khan, I’ve made my peace that I might not get the opportunity to meet you in person in my lifetime, either in passing or and to have an insightful conversation about your life and work...but for what it’s worth, our conversations in my head show me that you think I’m hilarious and a really intriguing, introspective person. To be fair, I also enjoyed hearing you speak just a few feet from me...in my head.
What If we lived in a world where most people were averse to eating cakes, pies, potato chips & chocolate because refined sugar was really good for our health? The way sugar is processed and/or used by our bodies would certainly be different. Refined sugar would probably be equivalent to what whole foods do for our health today.
The best Home Alone is Home Alone 3.
March 2021
February 2021
2.26.21 Considered buying another Pothos plant so my Pothos plant has a friend. Forgot a Pothos can grow its own friend. Pothos buddies are forthcoming.
Margaret Peterson Haddix was the designated favorite author for the childhood years. All her books were read and chosen knowing she wrote them. An unexpected surprise 2020-present: James McBride. New adulthood favorite author? Very very possible. Compelling, imaginative storytelling, and hilarious. Different authors, different stories, same feeling: excitement to fall into the story.
2.25.21 Don’t know a lot of Urdu, but Janab is probably a favorite word to use ironically and disperse everywhere within a conversation. Urdu sounds like fancier, sauve Punjabi. Another analogy; what British English is to American English?
2.24.21 There has to be a way to film the recreation of how what we say out loud can get lost in translation on speaking language versus the language of the internet.
2.22.21 Sore muscles. When you have post-workout sore legs, why does it feel like your legs are sore because they’re more toned, but when you look down and see your legs they look no different than the day before? One of humanity's greatest, nuanced, modern-day, ironic tragedies that could be experienced.
Chunky chaat, the magic of childhood. Sprinkling a bunch on my spinach, my makeshift version of “paan” before realizing paan is chewing tobacco. My version is still better. Sprinkling on paneer. Stealing a bunch from a bustling restaurant kitchen. Eating spoonfuls--a bit extreme, but good in the moment.
Movies that are both uplifting and tear-jerkers; The Lorax, Lilo & Stitch.
2.21.21 Muted a commercial only to realize it featured Kevin Hart and Neal Brennan. Un-muted it only to be stuck watching the end of the commercial, ie. the real commercial.
2.19.21 My dog and I enjoy listening to the soundtrack of La La Land. Epilogue is bittersweet to us both.
If I had known homemade hummus was this easy, I would have made it all the time. It’s unfortunate I broke the blender. No more hummus...no more grinding random foods.
2.13.21 “Lawyer using [cat] zoom filter by mistake” that’s going viral is very similar to the Adam Sandler face filter sketch on SNL. Art imitates life, life imitates art?
2.12.21 The structure of writing a story versus telling a story is different. When you’re writing you can start with a hook, build up and get to the “punchline” or the point of the story. Telling a story casually is usually a summarized version; start with a little background (a possible hook), and get to the point. Let the audience ask questions, which becomes the written version of a “build up.” Either way, I assume the audience appreciates concision and clarity.
2.11.21 Hobart and Bea’s storyline is one of my favorites to return to in Ramona and Beezus, but the whole plot is generally sweet and funny.
Lucky Ali sounds like if Farhan Akhtar could sing smooth.
Licked envelope. Paper cut on tongue. Who knew?
2.10.21 Sticky notes and sharpie pens, my passive-aggressive weapons of choice...at least around home.
January 2021
1.22.21 After watching the Dark series, I skeptically look forward to the next story that boggles and twists my mind the way Dark did. High expectations.
1.19.21 Mystery meat. School days.
1.18.21 Informed rather than original.
1.6.21 Lucky Ali’s voice; genuinely, pleasantly surprising. The very experience of feeling surprised at the sound of a unique, stunning? rich? soulful? voice.
01.5.21 I would love to see a roundtable interview of physicians and other healthcare professionals reflecting on their careers, patients, the system, insights on society, etc. something similar to the “Actors Roundtable.” Untapped potential here.
01.4.21 Cooking shows that don’t cut between mistakes or keep footage of a cook rectifying their dish while preparing it, are the best shows to prepare a future amateur home cook. These moments will be great references to use if someone hasn’t made this dish before or are new to cooking in general.
Get-to-know-you games years later will probably include “fun facts” we discovered about ourselves during COVID-19. For example, the palms of my hands, when irritated, turn hot pink after multiple uses of sanitizer. Ooo, interesting.
Soul. Two moments really stuck out to me; (1) Joe finally lands the Jazz gig he’s wanted for so long, but after it’s over, he feels the same as he was before. It didn’t change him and that confuses and disappoints him. (2) 22 just sitting on the street taking in their surroundings; watching people play board games, smelling the air, looking up at the trees and watching leaves fall down, pizza. Rhetoric questions in my mind; so the message is it's about the little things, then? The breath, the sky, the surroundings, the people, connections, the local level? For 22 it was, so some people though not everyone? Or remain grounded in the little things despite big changes? Other places my mind quickly jumped to: Soul the movie. Meditation. Chapelle valuing his local community. Conan. Stoics. Buddhists.
Late December 2020.This became a mini thought jot essay...John Mulaney relapsed and went to rehab. Thinking of Daniel Sloss' puzzle piece analogy; the central puzzle piece that makes you feel “whole.” The woman from the local news described her opiate addiction as feeling whole in a way that she had never felt before--she was very young when she became addicted, her late teens(?). A terrifying but eye opening moment on understanding addiction. John Mulaney described starting drugs because he was funny until he was 12, then he wasn't. So he used drugs/alcohol to be funny again--paraphrased. Of course, he later stopped at 23. Speculating here, being funny and the attention that came with it likely felt really good to him, maybe a sense of feeling whole? Losing that and using drugs/alcohol to regain that perhaps created a cycle of "I am still funny, and thereby whole, when I use xyz" that was hard to stop. It'd be hard to stop taking substances if it made you feel whole or good about yourself even for a moment in a way you hadn’t felt in your life before. (Plus the actual substance has addictive properties. So both the person and the substance are parts of the addiction). Glad to see John getting help. Losing “external structure” as he put it to Kimmel makes sense amid the pandemic to feel unlike yourself. On “wholeness,” it shows how the central piece to your puzzle isn't always a romantic partner or dream career or whatever else is part of the traditional “bucket list” of life goals. “If I have this, then I think I’ll feel complete.” It’s cliche and well known, but even so, still yet to see real, widespread societal changes reflecting this. It’s more like a reminder but such a reminder that can get lost among the many out there.
Having a shared past is certainly a thing of comfort, but never something to be confused with compatibility.
Alsi Pinnis: best enjoyed in the winter. Flax seeds are still great all year round too. A 1:1 ratio as follows: 1 portion alsi/flax seeds, toasted and ground. 1 portion besan toasted (usually it’s besan + flour, but this is gluten-free friendly). Combine toasted alsi and besan with ghee along with whatever you want; ground and toasted almonds, fennel seeds, whole raisins, toasted coconut flakes etc. (Per my Mamiji’s recipe, add ½ portion brown sugar or jaggery. Preferred to add ⅛ tub or less, relying more on the sweetness of raisins and coconut here).
12.14.20 The Heartbreak Root. Turmeric comes with great anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric also leaves a horrendous, permanent stain on your favorite white comforter and your I-wanted-to-be-bold colorful sweatshirt. The upside? It’s a nice DIY dye.
12.12.20 As the seasons moved forward, Dwight became a crazier and more exaggerated version of himself like Kevin, or Joey from Friends. In that change, there appear to be instances where he is similar to Jim Carrey's style of physical comedy.
12.11.20 We got a vaccine!
12.9.20 Andy Williams, the xmas singer, has a singing voice that sounds very similar to Seth McFarlane’s singing voice. After hearing different variations, I think Dean Martin’s version of Let it snow is probably the best. Warm, nostalgic and soothing.
10.29.20 White Miso Soup, a random “throw it all in” recipe by me. Ingredients: 2 sheets seaweed, 2 tbs white miso paste, black beans, oil and veggies (squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, celery, green beans, onions, ginger, tomatoes and green chillies). (1) Saute veggies--start with onions, ginger, celery, and finely diced sweet potatoes. Add other veggies and season with light salt & pepper (since miso is the actual flavor the soup takes on). Add tomatoes diced, green chillies and black beans last. 2. Add miso paste + olive oil/other oil + water for the soupy part + season with pepper + salt as needed. 3. Add seaweed, ripped up or cut with scissors into pieces. Bring to a boil. 5. The soup is done once you see foaming at the sides of the bowl.
10.28.20 Thinking about it. Jim Carrey: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?” - Dumb & Dumber.
Analysis Paralysis: overwhelmed by too many choices to choose from.
10.24.20 On being stuck in autopilot in your life. Dr. Nicole Pera on how to recognize if you’re in autopilot mode: “[When] whatever we are doing in that repetitive fashion isn’t translating to the results that we want.” Begin to take action, break into experiences.
Experiences over a lifetime. “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” - Simone de Beauvoir, writer.
I still think about the movie Parasite, even though it's been a while since I watched it. It still doesn’t sit well in my stomach. Weird.
American Psycho--Christian Bale!!
2 surprising French series I watched on Netflix last year that were actually pretty good: Call my Agent! and The Hookup Plan.
Breathe less--key to meditation? (The pause) -Tom Bilyeu
Bill Gates is a middle child like me, but then again, so are some serial killers...potentials are endless here. (**Breaking the "Thought-Jot" wall: I am not a serial killer. I’m also not just saying I’m not a serial killer to throw you off either).
10.20.20 PEN15, Derry Girls and Shrill. Some of the best shows I’ve watched recently. Irreverent, witty and goofy. Really well created with solid storylines.
How has it taken me this long to fully watch the first Ace Ventura? The expansion in accessibility to different films/TV shows on different platforms has come a long way. The Ace Ventura sequel is the better, funnier movie though.
10.7.20 “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.” -Kamala Harris getting her time back at the VP Harris-Pence debate. “He interrupted me. I’m speaking.”
Pejorative: Noun/Adj. Derogatory. An insult.
Like Schitt’s Creek is to the LGBTQA community, why aren’t there more shows and movies that show us the perspective of “this is what life can look like, it just is” when it comes to the potential of effectively dealing with climate change and other issues (ex. A TV serial with some creative premise set in the present, that includes subtle incorporations of our adjusted life to greener laws nationally and globally. We just live greener in this world and it’s normalized to the audience that way rather than a cool, futuristic concept). In a time of Handmaid’s Tale, there should be a show to balance that with the positive that is possible in women's rights and the future. There’s power in visual representations of what’s possible.
10.5.20 Subreddit idea: r/HeresWhatISee: You share a picture in the post and redditors draw up and show their interpretation of it (paper+pen/pencil only though). Maybe there’s a rule like stick figures or simply drawings. It’s like a “This is what stood out to me from the picture” activity, sort of like Pictionary. Does this exist yet?
10.4.20 Finished assisting in the compaction of 2 layers of sand/gravel mixture to create a pseudo-brick pavement today. Got to control the compactor too. This would be more fun if I were being compensated.
10.3.20 Feel-good movies of recent times (the ones that aren't blockbusters) like I Feel Pretty with Amy Schumer. I wonder if young kids in the future will randomly discover it years later since the option for TV and films are so vast now? Possible but unlikely in my opinion.
Kombucha taste test (7 days of Fermentation 1): Needs 1-2 days.
In the past week, I’ve finished reading The Good Lord Bird and watched Enola Holmes. Both stories are set in the past with a need to change their present. Both have hope for a better future being expressed through a courageous sense of purpose and desire to act rebelliously. I’m living in the present. And even now, there is still hope for a better future for the issues the stories address (ie. racial justice and women’s rights). Then again, the goals we place our hopes on evolves as we make progress. Hope is a constant. Anyways, great stories.
10.2.20 How can I be more empathetic?
Ice cold whole milk tastes like ice cream.
Live performances I’ve seen locally: Nicole Bayer, Michael Ian Black, Roy Wood Jr, Jay Pharaoh and Aziz Ansari. Stand ups I LOVE/Like/Enjoy: Adam Sandler, Dave Chapelle, Sebastian Maniscalco, John Mulaney, Michael Che, Ricky Gervais, Trevor Noah, Daniel Sloss, Roy Wood Jr, Sarah Silverman, Hannibal Buress, Damon Wayans Sr, Deon Cole, Kevin Hart, Neal Brennan, Kenny Sebastian, Tanmay Bhatt, Abishek Upmanyu and Varun Grover.
Watched the full Dave Chapelle Mark Twain Award ceremony. Dave (#7)--incredibly talented man of words, who values the art form of comedy (and all other art forms, especially music). Advocates for its existence. Miles Davis: “It took me years to figure out how to play like myself.” The crowd of incredible comedians, hearing their stories. The comradery. It made me think about Eddie Murphy’s comment about Richard Pryor (doing stand up, Pryor checking in on the spot to see if Eddie was there) and Bill Cosby’s pejorative comments to Eddie about his set (on Comedians in Cars). This versus how Eddie was with Dave (ie. the Nutty Professor story). Comradery and support really prevails in a sense.
10.1.20 Weird Family Coincidences. My older sister has two dimples. I have one dimple. My younger brother has no dimples. Genetics is weird. Another oddity: multiples of 8. My older sister was born on the 8th, I was born on the 16th, and my younger brother was born on the 24th of our respective birthday months. Weird.
Untwisting my tangled mind. Watching Broadchurch with my brother today. At one point of internal confusion in which I wanted to know who dunnit, I began thinking of all the possibilities from dark secrets/plot twists with hidden, unrevealed motives by any character or hinted at by the TV show creators. It was chaos in my mind--no rhyme or reason. Regardless of potential plot twists, sometimes the way forward is the facts. Let the facts and objectivity of the evidence being gathered take precedence. Plot twists can happen later when you have a legitimate reason or if the facts lead you there.
9.28.20 The TV show, PEN15 is hilarious. I wish I was more comfortable unleashing my Jim Carrey impressions in middle school too.
Inspirations from the ones who pause and think before responding, and that too, meaningfully. A sign they have taken the time to listen, to read, to reflect, to research these topics. To have that experience too. To know their values and be grounded by them too. (1) Ethan Hawke: “Good things get done as a collective.” Recognizes he is part of a collective, sort of like Michael Schur’s realization while writing for The Office (source: Poke a Dead Frog). (2) Taylor Swift as per her appearance on the Graham Norton Show. How she spoke in regards to her fans, feminism, equality and her humor throughout it. Her authenticity surprised me and I respected her for it. (3) John Brown, abolitionist: Knowing his life was just a minute in the grander scheme but one with a purpose. His values, all rooting back to his own personal faith in God, and stuck with them. His commitment to what he believed was his purpose. Always adapting and shifting through obstacles (despite having so-called “bad luck,” he always seemed to look at things through a positive, meaningful lens). His persistence. Praying for his jailer even though he was to be executed (maybe just in the book? The Good Lord Bird). (4) Jennifer Garner: Farming, family, being candid, goofy, farm to table, her values despite being in the Hollywood milieu.
Practicing. To not hold onto things I want and can’t control. To let it go and focus on working towards it. Want to get better at. Staying informed and knowing when to ask for clarification or refraining from passing judgement/opinion without knowing. To know facts and stand grounded with it among the chaos of news. Practicing, learning. To be comfortable discovering and doing activities on my own.
Scrolling through headlines increases anxiety. Reduce the stress by reading through the article. (Source: Mark Manson email I think).
“Move the ball everyday in the direction I want to go.” - Bill Burr advising an introverted student on how to approach new goals in college that they find challenging.
9.25.20 “When I’m sometimes asked when there will be enough [women on the supreme court] and I say, ‘When there are nine people,’ people are shocked. But there’d been nine men, and nobody’s ever raised a question about that.” - Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Mendalé!
“If you look for the light, you will often find it. But if you look for the dark, that is all you will ever see.” - Uncle Iroh
“The audience might have let out a collective yawn. It was pure Levine: Data-driven, reliant on the basics of public health, and utterly lacking in drama and sound bites.” - VTDigger article except on Health commissioner Dr. Mark Levine’s handling of COVID-19 in the state of Vermont.
9.20.20 Brittany Runs a Marathon movie: “It’s about taking responsibility for yourself.” When Brittany talks about how she thought she felt good because she was losing weight and when she gained it back after her injury, she was unhappy. But it was really taking care of herself that made her feel good about herself.
I enjoy the sacredness that is cringey moments. The unintentional cringe is probably the best. Unintentional cringe magic → bad acting.
9.18.20 Structure is important--routines, values, etc.
9.12.20 Have lots of different experiences. (Work--different jobs)
9.11.20 Social Media. The toxicity leaves little room to process and to respond to something; processing is different for different people. The good of social media is that it’s shown me a way to respond--options to respond appropriately and respectfully that I didn’t know about, and perspectives that I may not have been educated about before.
9.10.20 Unpopular Opinion. I don’t understand why Elf is a cult classic. I enjoyed the movie, but it’s something I can only watch a handful of times. A holiday film that I can watch annually, and at any time of the year? How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey. No question about it.
Ascertained-To make sure of, find something out for certain. Pigeon Pie-pie made with pigeon meat. Stradivarius-a type of violin or stringed instrument. Pony-trap-Horse with carriage. Inveigled-To entice or lure. Insipid- Lacking flavor, tasteless or uninteresting, boring. (source: Oxford Languages).
“The obstacle to action advances action. What stands in the way is the way.”
Comedy preferences keywords: irreverent, goofy, witty.
I actually like what Doctor Mike has to say and how he communicates too.
Damon Wayans is a favorite--the humor is witty, quick, sly, goofy and pure joy. Blankman is my childhood. Pickle juice. My Wife and kids. Damon Wayans Jr. is another favorite too.
I haven’t done this in a while. Laying on the ground staring at the ceiling.
Absolutely hilarious. Kevin: “She goes to another school.”
Two things that make me excited to cook or bake: (1) Replicate a flavor or dish. (2) Try to create a meal with what is in my kitchen. ....(3) The colors!
Thinking about Victor Frankl today. Day by day you can find meaning by doing a deed/creating a work and in experiencing something--beauty, truth or research. Three types of values: creative, experiential and attitudinal values. Self-actualization is what you achieve once you fulfill a concrete meaning and have made the best of a situation. Self-actualization is where you realize your talents and potentials in the context of being a drive or need everyone has.
Tanmay’s food for thought on mental health. The way we think about mental health should be similar to how we think about physical health. We work on our physical health every day; where you’re working out because you know it’s good for you. You eat avocados because it’s good for you. You avoid processed sugars because it’s bad for you. Similarly with mental health, there are a lot of things that are good for your mental health, and things that are bad for your mental health. It needs to be a daily recognition to treat your mental health like your physical health.
My Youtube Diary of the day. The Onion, various clips. Lily’s best moments on Modern Family. The Hangover bloopers. Attenborough: Saying Boo to a Slot BBC Earth.
Blue Jays. I’ve always been so mesmerized by them and only recently learned they can be pretty aggressive. I witnessed a blue jay-robin brawl in my the backyard recently. It’s oddly upsetting--something I have always admired turning out to be a wicked beauty.
One of my favorite old school bands is ELO--my go-to song to start the day with and ground myself is “Evil Woman.” I don’t know, it just energizes me, fuels my purpose. (Livin’ Thing. Last Train to London. Really anything ELO... 21st Century Man. Oof!)
In the world of comedians, I am Judd Apatow.
Periods of comedic revolution in my life. 1) Jim Carrey and Will Smith. 2) Adam Sandler and Wayans Brothers. 3) Conan O’Brien. 4) Mindy Kaling. 5) Indian comedians including Varun Grover
Serve a purpose--be useful, to fit or satisfy a requirement. Serve a purpose to find a purpose.
Money tips. Budgeting & saving is step 1 to saving money. Everyone loses $ to taxes, it’s what you do with what you’re left with. Also your outer appearance needs maintenance but not so much. (source: Tanmay Bhatt)
June 2020 “You can’t always see the light at the end of a tunnel, but if you keep moving, you will come to a better place.” - Uncle Iroh
4.15.20 The idea that "many others have come before me and have gone through this," is surprisingly comforting, and is applicable in many different contexts relating to the human experience. For example, there are people who are older than me who;
1) Grew old and loved it.
2) Went at their own pace and still achieved their goals.
3) Found ways to manage their anxiety and didn't let it stand in the way of the career or life they wanted.
4) Felt unsure about their future and eventually made goals, achieved them and then made new goals.
5) Wanted to help others and found a way.
6) Got a heartburn for the first time after a long hiatus from eating spicy foods; and realized what "getting older" felt like--despite being in their early 20s. Or maybe just me.
7) Fell in love, went through heart break and recovered. Ah yes, a story as old as time.
8) Faked their death and went on to live their life privately in an unknown location. (**Breaking the "Thought-Jot" wall: Google conspiracy theories on the death of Andy Kaufman and Elvis Presley. And while you're at it, go down the rabbit hole of other conspiracy theories and try to find a connection between them all).
Pear crisp versus apple crisp. The taste of sweet pears coupled with freshly grated ginger. Tangy and sweet. The taste of classic melt-in-your mouth apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Who wins this round? Me. I ate both.
4.9.20 A Daily Show with Trevor Noah clip on Youtube shows Bernie Sanders interviewing Burlington, VT residents in like the 80s or 90s. I'm impressed by his consistency--his messages, including "healthcare for all," hasn't changed. That said, what does that say about our country if that's a goal we still haven't quite achieved in 2020?
4.5.20 Re: The no poo movement. Considering tea rinses for my hair. Green versus black tea.
March 2020
3.27.20 Films I watched recently that were markedly impressive with the message they sent and scenery displayed. Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Badhaai Ho.
People with voices and music that filled me with a sense of adventure and curiosity about what's our there in the world. Great music for spacing out. AR Rahman. Pritam. Shankar & Raman Mahadevan. Lucky Ali. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Amit Trivedi. Mohit Chauhan.
3.25.20 Beautiful names. Inder. Amrit. Noor. Harminder.
3.24.20 My contribution to Tumblr quotes. For the longest time I wanted to be "chosen" by someone or something. In doing so, I neglected to realize that, I too, have the power to choose.
3.21.20 Based on my thought; challenges never seem to go away. Challenges are a routine part of life. While initially unsettling and uncomfortable, challenges are necessary. Challenges help us grow, add value to our lives and/or others, and give us learned lessons to add to our lived experience. Ergo, the choice to embrace an inevitable challenge, or to resist until you eventually embrace it, is entirely up to you.
People whose writing and perspective have inspired me recently. Mindy Kaling. Dan Levy. Varun Grover. Sushmita Sen.
3.19.20 "You must immerse yourself in an unfamiliar world, in order to truly understand your own." -The Nanny Diaries. Brilliantly said! An ode to continue to challenge yourself with the gift of learning more about yourself.
3.18.20 Both raw and cooked food can be frozen.
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