Day 28 of Ramadan

(...Jackson is in the diary room)

Hahahaa...


I have been keeping up with 'Celebrity' Big Brother.  The only celebs I know are Tara Reid (who is just a dynamo of fun) and the annoying (inbred)Jed.....ward.  I would love to fight them.  At the same time.  I wouldn't want too much of an unfair advantage.  I would definitely win.  Even if they were armed.
I like the way that it is J-Edward.  Imagine if you were a twin called Peter and your twin was called Rick....

I am quietly glad that Big Brother is being continued.  I enjoy trash TV however, it feels wrong to be watching channel 5 - the Brixton of TV channels - constantly.  Call me a snob and I will say - "Yes?  Your point being?"  I wear a tweed jacket, have a KILLER Fulton umbrella and read the Guardian.  I am snob central, bro!  Bring Big Brother back to Channel 4 with Davina McColl please.

I have recently (finally) acquired 'Watch The Throne' by Jay Z and Kanye West.  So far, from what I have heard (only about 4 songs) No Church In The Wild is a favourite.  Lift Off is not too bad and I can't believe they sample some Will Farrell in the album.  Unfortunately I get a strong feeling that it's no 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'.  I hope I do get into WTT as much as I did with dark fantasy.  That was an obsession.  I still have to listen to Gorgeous at least once a day!  It's THAT good.

It is potentially the last day of fasting tomorrow.  I am looking forward to Eid and being able to enjoy more than 1 meal a day again.  I was still rockin' the gym during fasting because that is what I am capable of!  It has been a pretty good month.  It has passed by relatively quick and painlessly.  I feel as though things will go back to normal once Ramadan is over and hopefully (unlikely) I will be a slightly better person.  I have just accepted that I will forever be a knob.  Deal with it.

Much love,

Jackson L.

Day 15 of Ramadan

It has all finally hit me.  For the first time I think in my life it has all come into perspective about what Ramadan really means.  I mean, I always knew what it meant and it was more than just not eating for a whole day except a short 6 hour window (most of which you are probably asleep for).  I always knew it was also a time to reflect and try to make yourself a more pious individual and take time to appreciate your faith and also appreciate and be thankful for everything God has provided you with, because we do have a truly wonderful life where we do take much for granted.

It all came to perspective when someone asked me the meaning behind Ramadan at the weekend.  I explained pretty much the above and then it was them who actually pointed out to me, in a very simple yet eloquent manner, that we have the freedom to get a glass of clean water whenever we want.  When we are forbidden from it, during our hours of fast, we begin to appreciate a simple glass of water so much more.

There are many millions of impoverished people who have no access to water or clean water for that matter and have to make the sacrifice of drinking dirty water which can harbour water-borne diseases potentially leading to death.  We really do not appreciate the small things.

This person, with wisdom beyond his years, thinks that the concept of Ramadan is a great one - and despite his strong atheist beliefs he surprised me further by saying that he thinks everyone should experience something similar to Ramadan as he believes it will help better humanity.  I agreed.  Although a month may be a little too much.

I guess I always knew all of this in my subconscious mind but I never really broke it down in such lucid terms.

Much love,

Jackson L.

Day 4 of Ramadan

Day 4

A very, very dreary day in London today which is a stark contrast to what it was like yesterday!  It’s really annoying because you have to be very conscious of accidentally ingesting rain water.  I was discussing with a colleague, now that we are in the rhythm of fasting everyday, that when it comes to Eid it will be weird to wake up to have breakfast again – at a social hour anyway, rather than at 2.30am! 

I had to go to work again and I a really settling in well now.  I am somewhat of a hero at work already as I look awesome speaking in Arabic with all the Arab customers and I even (behind the scenes) help set up a meeting with a man from Saudi Arabia who was very interested in getting this franchise out to the Middle East. 

The one criticism I have about work now is that I am only getting night shifts.  It is just so draining, especially since I cannot use public transport to get back home as I finish too late.  I also asked for two day shifts at the weekend so that I can have a little downtime but I have been given all nightshifts only.  There is no real incentive to work nightshifts either unless it is a Monday or a Thursday where you get a shitload of free stuff.  I have had a few obnoxious dickheads come in as well – most of the European who just talk over me when I am explaining to them how it all works.  I just feel like saying:

“Fine, FUCK OFF!  If you fuck this up it’s nothing to do with me.  Cock!”

But, I don’t. 

I also had some American surfer douchebag who dresses from head to toe in Abercrombie and Fitch whom I just wanted to kick six shades of shit out of. 

He asked me if this was similar to something they have in the US and I said I didn’t know as it was not my business and explained I only work there. 

He responds with,

“What are you Scottish?”

“No.  I lived there for 15 years.”

In a pathetic attempt at a Scottish accent -  

“Ah luved there fur 15 yeeeeeers.”

“Was that supposed to be a Scottish accent?”

“Tragic.”

“I think you might have a law suit in your hands.  This is too similar to a place in the US.”

“Would like some biscuits with that?”

“No, thanks.”

I love how they don’t get sarcasm. 

I went to the gym once again yesterday and it was really good.  I am glad I am getting hard gym sessions in during Ramadan.  It takes a whole new level of fitness though. 

I think I am in full swing of Ramadan now.  I am getting used to it now and just getting on with it. 

Much love,

Jackson L.

Day 3 of Ramadan

Day 3


Yesterday was literally one of the worst days in recent history of Jackson.  It all started when I left university after a fairly productive day.  Upon returning home, my area was completely grid-locked.  It was insane!  What usually would take me about 5-10 minutes to get back home too me well over an hour.  I then had to go a fill up the car with petrol which came up to nearly £60.  I used a card that was given to me as I have fuck all money. It did not work.  It was being declined and it would not let me take out any cash either.  Having left my driving license and all my contact details, I left the shop to try and call someone who could help me.  None but my dad picked up.  Thankfully he wired me the money to get my shit sorted.  After half an hour of needless bullshit I left the petrol station having paid and left with the smidgen of dignity I had left intact.  In a mad rush to get home and get on with all the other crap I had left to do before going to work later that evening I nearly ran over a child in the zebra crossing.....  I have never felt so low in my life.  It was entirely my fault.  I just did not see him or his mother who did go mental at me.

I came home to thank God that I did not ruin this child's life.

It was just a shitty, shitty day all round but, I guess I learned to be more patient.  If I was a little more patient during the day and took my time more rather than panic that I was not getting all the stuff I had planned to do out of the way I would not have had as bad a day as I did.

Live and learn.

Much love,

Jackson L.

Day 2 of Ramadan

Day 2

Ok, so going to the gym yesterday proved to be a disastrous idea.  But, I felt good about it.  I am glad I did it and I think I will continue to do so. 

I woke up at 4.40 am not realizing what I was doing and in a state of “WHY THE FUCK AAM I OUT OF BED?!” I thought I would use the time to engage in some consumption of water, however, being Ramadan and not wanting to leave anything to chance, I begrudgingly tipped a pint of chilled water down the drain.  How I long for even tepid water now. 

I have also come to realise that Ramadan is a time of impeccable oral hygiene.  Due to an increased risk of halitosis, I have found myself brushing my teeth 3-4 times as many times as I usually do.  I brushed 8 times during the day yesterday.  I’m going to have thee whitest teeth in the world. 

When I later awoke after having gone to bed, rather thirsty, I thought to myself

“Today is going to be hellish”

As I was praying I realised that this is nothing.  There are so many people out there, namely those in Iraq, Syria, Libya, African countries stricken with a plethora of adversity and so many more people who suffer greater than having no meal for a few hours. 

It provoked me to stop and stare.  I am fortunate and I realise it.  That you god, for everything you have given me. 

Much love,

Jackson L.

Ramadan Karim

Day 1

I have now completed the first day of Ramadan.  It was a hard one because I stupidly went to the gym quite early on in the day.  Other than that, ready for day two.  

I have had some chump email me about me mentioning my excitement about Ramadan.  He had said that he could not believe I was looking forward to not eating for a whole day (dawn till dusk) for 30 straight days.  Well dickweed, its more than just not eating for a few hours a day for a month; it is a time of reflection, a time to appreciate what you have, a time for togetherness and above all it is a time to acknowledge to inception of our faith.  So sorry for enjoying one of many aspects of my faith you total knob.

I shan't be responding to emails hating on me any more.  It is getting boring.  Fuck y'all.  I ain't wasting my hate on you.

In addition, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to those in Syria.  Imagine kicking off the most sacred month in the Muslim calender with a massacre.  Unbelievable.

Much love to all those in Syria, all my Muslim brothers and sisters during this hallowed month and all my readers.  You are all awesome.

Jackson L.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a month, in which Muslims, from all over the world observe fasting, as it is one of the pillars of Islam.  Ramadan is an exceptionally important month to Muslims as it is the hallowed month in which the Quran descended to Earth via the angel Gabriel. 

Fasting during other months will also make a persons' body accustomed to the physical and mental strain of fasting, during the entire month of Ramadan. However, one must understand that Ramadan is not all about fasting; this month is very much a way to thank God for all their blessings and it is a time where Muslims ask for forgiveness. As in Ramadan Muslims fast, they also perform different types of prayers like Nawafil, Tahajood and Taraweh prayers as well.  These allow for the Muslims to complete reciting the Quran and it is encouraged to pray these prayers in a group with an Imam leading the prayer. 

Reading the Quran is the best practice which is mentioned by prophet Mohammad (pbuh), which is available in different kinds of Hadith (practices of the Prophet (pbuh) himself).  Muslims all over the world give importance to reading the Quran and it has great rewards, while reading the Quran in the holy month of Ramadan, which brings a person closer to Allah.

Ensuring one does not lose their rationale is very important, especially during Ramadan. (...And do not speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay ye would abhor it..But fear God: For God is Oft-Returning Most Merciful). Surat Al-Hujurat: Verse 12.  Fasting teaches us patience, as anger must be controlled and tempers must be restricted.  

Fasting in general has been used in medicine for medical reasons such as; weight management, for rest of the digestive tract and for lowering lipids. There are many adverse effects of total fasting, as well as so-called crash diets, but fasting in Ramadan differs from such diet plans because there is no malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake. The caloric intake of Muslims during Ramadan is slightly below the national requirement guidelines. In addition fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily observed and is not a prescribed imposition from physicians.  

During Ramadan lunch is omitted daily and we take an early breakfast and do not eat until dusk. Abstinence from water during this period is not detrimental to health, in fact, it causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism and it has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in plant life, improves their longevity.

Fasting during Ramadan would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate or stable non-insulin dependant diabetes, obesity and hypertension. In 1994 the first International Congress on "Health and Ramadan,"  entered 50 research papers from all over the world, from Muslim and non-Muslim researchers who have done extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting. While improvement in many medical conditions was noted; however, in no way did fasting worsen any patients’ health or baseline medical condition.  Patients who suffer from medical illnesses such as; coronary artery disease, heart disease, kidney stones, cancer and even those who are too frail – such as the elderly are advised not to fast which in Islam is perfectly permissible. 

I always seem to look forward to the month of Ramadan.  No matter how grueling it can get – like last year – I always seem to have fond memories of the month of Ramadan.  I think it is because everybody seems to be so different during that month; more pious, more generous, more caring and there is a real sense of community.  Ramadan is upon us as it begins in the next few, very short, weeks.  I am going to strive to make it my very best one yet. 

Much love,

Jackson L.