Annie Q Syed » Nectar of the Ordinary™

We could think what we wanted…

annie — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:34:44 +0000

I came home to grab lunch since my parents are here (well, right now on their way out to JFK for their trip to Turkey…they arrived late last night from California…unfortunately, not a long stay, but it will be a little longer on their way back from Turkey).

I told them this small story and said I didn’t have time to tweet share with folks. It’s been a whirlwind few days…all filled with magic and joy…but still a bit too fast…

They asked I write it down somewhere. And since this is the most organized space I know as compared to what is on and underneath my desk and shelves, here it goes…

This morning in the number 2 subway ...

“how are you?”: Maya Angelou on “Telling Truth”

annie — Sat, 14 May 2011 16:38:01 +0000

In a recent conversation I said, “I allow whatever needs to find me, find me. Or else there is no end to the search of ‘what else is there?’ It’s been like this ever since I was a young girl.”

This took me back to a letter I wrote in February 2009 to my closest friends via email. At the time I was living at home in California on my parents’ farmhouse, half-way through my year long hiatus from New York City, and friends sincerely wanted to know “How are you?”. Although I did not quite answer that question, I did share something relevant.

I share the email-letter below, only partly edited.

~a.q.s.

~~~~~~

My father has ...

Jewelry as “art object”

annie — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:13:10 +0000

In Art and Agency Alfred Gell formulates an anthropological theory of visual art that focuses on the social context of art production, circulation, and reception. As a theory of the nexus of social relations involving works of art, this work suggests that in certain contexts, art-objects substitute for persons and thus mediate social agency. According to Gell, an art object is a physical object that is considered to fulfill or have fulfilled an independent and primarily aesthetic function. An art object is often seen in the context of a larger work of art, oeuvre, genre, culture, or convention. An “art object” essence projected from these earrings which I had been searching for quite some time.

...

Why I write

annie — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:35:23 +0000

Preface to Nectar of the Ordinary stories.

I am not even sure if anyone besides the people to whom these stories belong will read what follows in the collection. Maybe even they won’t. My sentences together serve as a frame to hold a snap shot of their element’s thumbprint on our big blue marble. A statement persistently orbits my peripheral consciousness as I begin to write. Over a decade ago, more years than I want to count specifically, a Literature professor in college tirelessly told the students in his class, every time staring directly at me (perhaps unintentionally each time), that all writers have an audience in mind and most importantly they write because they must. As I already ...

Bud on Love

annie — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:48:43 +0000

This anecdote belongs in the collection Nectar of the Ordinary. The exchange took place in August of 2006 between my college professor and me before he passed away a few days later. I hope it serves as a mediator between the infinite universal queries about love, however you define it, and your journey.

Thanks,

~a.q.s.

Celestial Sap: “Bud on Love”

How many loves in a lifetime? I first thought of Bud’s words after a trip to the bookstore Barnes and Noble right around Valentines’ Day in February 2010. As soon as I entered, there was the following display of books.

I believe it speaks for itself. I did not mind the rows of poetry ...

Nigerian Cab Driver’s Message

annie — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:15:30 +0000

This true account belongs in the collection Nectar of the Ordinary. I met the individual to whom this story belongs in June of 2008. It was about time I put it on paper.

Thanks,

~a.q.s.

Unexpected Sap: “Nigerian Cab Driver’s Message”

One who carries a message bears the weight to share it. One who receives a message bears the Herculean task to contain it.

Sometime in the very beginning of June 2008 I almost got hit by a cab. Now it would seem an expected hazard of living in New York City but contrary to popular belief, cabs zooming left and right, stopping in the middle of traffic as and when they wish to pick ...

Following your heart and sacrifice

annie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:06:54 +0000

I mentioned in the story “The End” how a man named Orian asked me, “Can you develop your full potential without sacrificing? Whatever those sacrifices might mean, involving whoever?”

I came upon this by pure serendipity! If Orian–any Orian–ever wants to know the answer, to the extent below, I hope he finds this. I will expand on it as I understand it better.

By Paulo Coelho

“I am willing to give up everything”, said the prince to the master. “Please accept me as your disciple.”

“How does a man choose his path?” asked the master.

“Through sacrifice,” answered the prince. “A path which demands sacrifice, is a true path.”

The master bumped into some shelves. A precious vase ...

The End

annie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:01:17 +0000

This true story belongs in the collection Nectar of the Ordinary. This piece will come after the “Note” which a few of you have read. This is my first finished piece for Nectar of the Ordinary which was intentional. The piece titled “Dawn & Anowar” was not originally meant for Nectar of the Ordinary but I decided it belonged there rightfully (minus some content editing).

Honestly, my only motivation for actually completing this is because I have lost the email address and phone number of the woman to whom this story belongs.

~a.q.s.

First Sap: “The End.”

It doesn’t take that long, about one and a half hour, for the breakfast crowd to clear out from ...

Letter to my friend Dawn in Austin, TX from Jo’burg

annie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:27:58 +0000

After I emailed this to my friend Dawn, she agreed that it must go on my website…so viola…

Dearest Dawn…

It is disgusting weather here—trust me, NYC moody weather has got nothing on what is going on here: the weather literally changes every hour. The rains are not friendly, the sun is shy, the clouds careless, and the sky is a reflection of a disgruntled moon. Of course I would not complain if the sun was out but it is not. The sun hates me right now or so it feels! Why else would it not be sunny in South Africa of all places! My mother has tried to convince me to not take the weather so personally ...