"They say that every atom in our body was once part of a star." 

I think of this quote (which I heard in GATTACA but I'm sure has a more noble origin) whenever I think of the concept of names.  My name, translated into english from arabic/persian/etc.origins means Storyteller Star.  Now it seems quite presumptuous (if not arrogant) to use the word "Star" as your family name.  It horrified me when I first learned the meaning of "najam."  I don't have any "star" qualities, and I didn't want my family name to serve as a title of irony (like being named Jesus and acting like the anti-Christ).  But this quote puts my mind at ease... kinda.  It exonerates my family from the burden of appearing overly forward.  We're not calling ourselves stars, rather we are merely connecting ourselves back to our (atomic) foundation... reconnecting our evolved selves to the basis of our existence.  In fact the name Najam might be one of the most honest last names around today.  Which is why the quote kinda puts me at ease.  What the hell does the name William Jones mean?  Tom Smith? Bill O'fuckin Reilly? Absolutely nothing!  When you're born, how can your parents justify naming you Bob?!!!  Cuz you look like a Bob?  That doesn't explain it.  Perhaps you project the qualities of Bob?  Hmmm, if Bob meant something maybe... but it doesn't.  Basically what I'm saying is that if your parents named you something which has no meaning, then your parents were too lazy to think about you and don't really love you.  (Note:  If you are named Bob after another family member, the hater in the family is found higher up in the ancestral tree). 

All I'm saying is that I want future generations to be named Sequoia, Heaven, Moon, and all those other hippie names. 

If the line of logic doesn't make sense... kiss off.  It's 4:15am and I can't fall asleep 

Damn man.  Apparently summer is an extremely slow time for people because in the last two weeks numerous friends have told me I haven't updated my Xanga in awhile.  Awhile people???  I havent written anything since March.... bastards didnt notice til now!!!!

Eh, who am I to complain?  In fact I should be happy. People want to read my work, share my life, soak in the essence that is Najam!  Or people don't really have anything to say to me so they mention my Xanga as small talk.  Either way I'm happy to oblige. 

Talking about feeling the love, here's how much my dad loves me.  The setup: My dad filed my income tax return in March, but I still haven't gotten my refund.  The following conversation took place yesterday between my dad and an IRS phone agent (as narrated to me by my mom).

Dad: "Yes.  My son has yet to receive his income tax refund. I would like to know what the hold up is."

IRS: "Ok sir.  What is your son's last/first name?"

Dad:" last name is N-A-J-A-M, first name is S-A-M-E-E-R" (it's SAMIR, dammit)

IRS: "Ok sir, what is his date of birth?"

Dad: "It's sometime in August... I think." (well at least he didnt guess a date, but that "I think" really stings)

IRS: "Sir are you sure this is your son you are talking about?"

Dad: "Hold on let me ask my wife.."

IRS: "You're asking your wife if he's really your son?"

Dad: "No, I just don't know... talk to my wife"  (I just dont know WHAT???  Finish the sentence... the IRS agent thinks I'm a bastard child)

Anyway, Happy Father's Day old man. 

Back from Break

I'm too tired to talk about my Spring Break right now, so I'll just pass along some observations from yesterday.  The first interesting sighting took place as I crossed over the 39th St. birdge on my way home.  I saw a guy who was very much out of shape wearing a food-stained "Property of MIT Athletics" t-shirt.  For some reason, the shirt made complete sense to me.  The guy looked like he was a damn good computer programmer though.

Then I was in the bathroom of the King of Prussia UA movie theater.  I wa washing my hands and looking at myself in the mirror when I noticed that given my lack of haircut and shave gave me a caveman look.  All of the sudden a Ben Affleck look-alike enters the room with  his clean-cut goatie and fancy sweater.  The guy urinates and then walks right out of the bathroom.  I follow out of the bathroom only to see him join his wife in the concessions line and proceed to order popcorn.  NASTY!!!  The dude and his wife were sharing this pee-soaked popcorn.  Moral of the story:  Never judge a book by its cover (I, the caveman, was hygenically sound while Ben Aflfleck licked urine off his fingers).  Alternatvie moral-  Ben Affleck and his followers like to taste their own bodily fluids.

Anyway, Starksy & Hutch was aight.  I like the Ben Stiller/Owen Wilson films.