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On Monday, June 25, 2012, we managed to run a successful e-mail based Live Fatwa session with Sheikh Ahmad Kutty on "Merits and Rulings of Sha`ban".
Interestingly, users reacted positively and sent their questions via the Fatwa section's e-mail address in and ahead of the session's time. The honorable guest, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty kindly responded to all the questions.
Below you can review all the questions and Sh. Kutty's kind replies:
Question 1:
Ѕalam. Please, what are the things to do in this month?
Other Sessions:
- Fasting is highly recommended in this month, especially in the first half of Sha'ban. However, we should stop fasting as we get closer to Ramadan. In this way, we stay away from joining the fasting of Sha'ban with that of Ramadan;
- Reading of the Quran is another great virtue to practice. Some of the salaf called this month as the month of recitations.
- Engaging in dhikr and establishing consistency in it is highly rewarding.
- 4. We may do well to use the time to brush up on our knowledge of Ramadan and the rules and aadaab of fasting of Ramadan. Ali, the fourth caliph, said, "There are no benefits to be derived from worship without knowledge."
- Last but not least, let us pray to Allah in the manner of some of the pious elders, who used to pray: "O Allah, bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha'ban and take us to Ramadan.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 2:
Hanan – 17 – Female - UK
Can a Man Speak to Jinn?
Salam, I read this article about Jinn and about how a man got in contact with one. It's very troubling, and I wonder, is it true?! http://www.khalidzaheer.com/essays/kzaheer/following%20islam/experiencing_a_jinn.html
I must admit that I am not in a position to comment on this issue. Allah knows best.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 3:
Agnieszka – 22 – Female – Poland
Salam. This time my question is about circumcision. Woman who will convert to Islam soon has a three-year-old son. She wants him also to be a Muslim like her. And the question is: if her son must be circumcised or no?
It would be a good idea for her to circumcise her son, unless she has reasons to believe that she would run into problems with her ex-husband on account of that. In case of any doubt, it is best that she postpones it and let the boy choose for himself after he becomes an adult.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 4:
Anisah – 45 – Female - US
As-salamu `alaykum. I have been a Muslim for about 11 years and I am suffering from instability. I have been all over the place as far as my Islamic studies and because of this i am becoming confused and overwhelmed. I understand tawheed. However, I have seen info on having a sound creed which I haven't gone over in depth. I haven't been consistent in studying sirah, fiqh of salah, and the other pillars because of being unstable in my studies. I was reading a book and it said that before acting on any act of worship, we should have knowledge of that act first. One of my questions is: where should I start my studies? Should I study fiqh of salah and fiqh of other pillars before acting in order that my worship to be correct? I have been doing many acts without sound knowledge. I am also confused because of the little knowledge that I have I try to practice some people end up telling me some of these acts wrong. Please, advise where to start and how to remain stable. Ramadan is coming up and I don't know whether I should fast or not because I'm trying not to go without mastering a meaning I want to understand the creed and mastering salah first before trying to fast. Please, advise me.
You need not be overly confused about this issue. Seeking essential religious knowledge should not pose a major problem; for it can be done easily and gradually.
You may do well to start out with a standard text like Islam in Focus by Dr. HammudahAbd al-Ati; it sums up all the essential knowledge in regard to the basic creeds and practices of Islam. After you have studied the book and practiced it, you may go on reading and studying more under trained scholars. When you are confused about any issue in religion you need to seek answers from a well-trained scholar; you cannot simply follow what you read here and there.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 5:
Yasin – 34 – Male - US
No Masjid for Jum`ah
What does one do if there is no masjid for jumm`ah in my area? The Islamic Center is defunct and the closest masjid to my home is over 1 and 1/2 hours away from here. I do not have the means to attend jumm`ah at that distance. I have looked for other Muslims in my area to meet with for jumm`ah but being in the Bible belt, I have been unsuccessful. What should I do?
If there are no Muslims in your area to form a jama'ah, then jumu'ah is not obligatory on you. So, it is enough for you to pray Zuhr. However, having said this, I should also advise you to consider relocating to an area where there is a Muslim community. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us against isolating ourselves from the community. He said, "Strive to be with the community of Muslims, for by isolating oneself, one may risk falling into the hell-fire as wolves tend to prey on stray sheep!"
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 6:
Ahmed – 23 – Male - US
Hi. I am a Muslim and to be honest I hadn't been following the religion that strictly. But I realized that I needed to turn myself around so I started reading the Qur'an a couple of weeks ago and still reading. I know we are not allowed to have sex before marriage or do anything oral. My question is that: is there anything at all we are allowed to do before marriage? Thank you and a response would be very appreciated.
Islam does not allow pre-marital sex in any form or shape. Since pre-marital sex is forbidden, everything that leads to it is also considered as forbidden. So, we are not allowed to have any form of isolation or close relationship with females. This is the law of Allah intended to proect us against the evil inclinations ingrained in our nature.
If, however, you fear falling into temptations, you should consider marriage.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 7:
Janah – 34 – Female – US
As-salamu `alaykum. My husband and I joined a Tae Kwon Do club last year with our son for our health and family bounding. We love it and everyone is thriving, but we have a question that concerns us about certain rituals that are performed during the promotion testing.
Our question is: after testing is complete, students are asked to do a deep bow towards their parents to show respect (our club is all about family, students behaving well at school and with their own family) like when in Sajdah . My husband and I are not completely comfortable with this and he was wondering if he made intentions of bowing to the Ka`ba instead of parents would that be OK, even though everyone else was told to bow towards their parents and we are not saying where we are bowing to (I don't know if that is clear or not). Thanks you for your time and understanding.
If you have a choice not refrain from the practice of prostration altogether you should so, for in Islam, we are not allowed to prostrate before anyone other than Allah.
If, however, it is considered as a requirement in this form of exercise, then you may do so while ensuring to make the intention of prostrating to Allah rather than to anyone else.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 8:
Qasim – 38 – Male - Nigeria
I heard there is a hadith that forbid Muslim from eating both fish and egg together, how true is this.
As far as I know, there is no such hadith. We are not allowed to prohibit things based on hearsay or gossip or tales passed on as knowledge.
However, if the above combination has been proven hazardous for our health, then, of course, we should avoid it- by following the advice of experts in such matters.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 9:
T – 24 – Female - Bangladesh
Dear respected scholar, my question is regarding shirk. My mother always resorts to astrology whenever she faces some misfortune. She goes to an astrologer who reads her hand and then he gives stones which apparently will ward off the 'negative energy'. I repeatedly told her that this is shirk, Allah (swt) never forgives shirk. I told her to repent, but it's of no use. She then gives me numerous examples of people who wear hijab and are 'pious' so to say who are also wearing gemstones. If i tell her that they may be pious but they don't know that they are committing shirk, she in turn points the finger at me and accuses me of not praying etc and that if I'm not regular in my prayers I have no right to educate her. Admittedly, I skip prayers and pray on other occasions. But I am learning my Deen, reading the Holy Quran and books of Hadith and Alhamdulillah very soon I will succeeded in praying five times. She then tells me that so many times their predictions came out true and I tell her that it is the Shaytan and Jinn doing so. No one has knowledge on the future except Allah. I cry secretly knowing that mum is committing such a big sin and I can't prevent her. She intentionally brings up this topic in front of others to hurt me and prove me wrong so that I accompany her to the astrologer. Please, advice on how I can bring her to the right path and how to heal my broken heart.
Visiting astrologers or referring to them for advice is superstition and constitutes an act of shirk, for it is akin to attributing knowledge of ghayb or hidden realities to the mortals, which is nothing but shirk. Allah makes his prophet to declare, "If I knew the ghayb, I would have amassed much good, and no evil would have afflicted me." (Qur'an:7:188).Once the Prophet was attending a wedding reception, and upon seeing him, the girls who were singing added this rhyme, 'Among us is a prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow.' The Prophet immediately told them to cut these words out.
So, undoubtedly, your mother is guilty of a major sin in referring to astrologers. You need to advise her against it, and leave the matter there.
As for you, it is important that you keep away from such practices and get serious with your practice of Islam. Islam is all about sound beliefs and practices; it is not enough for you to renounce shirk, you also need to pray and observe the obligatory religious duties. So, that should be a priority for you. Perhaps by your diligence in prayer, Allah may guide your mother too.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 10:
M Alvi – 21 – Female - UAE
Black Moon - Sun
About two years ago, I saw in my dream that all the people around me were scared and looking up at the sky, it was very dark, the ground was shaking, my family and I went to the top of our house and started praying there, black balloons started descending from the sky and after that we saw that black moon/sun was descending towards the earth. What does this indicate? Please, do answer. Jaza'k Allah Khair.
You don't need to pay attention to bad dreams. Whenever you experience such dreams, you ought to seek protection in Allah. You may read the following du'a
Bismillaahialladheelaayadhurruma'aismihishay'un fi al-ardhiwalaa fi al-ssamaa'iwahuwa al-ssamee'u al-'aleem
(In the name of Allah; with His name, nothing on earth or heaven can inflict any harm, whatsoever. He is all-Hearing, all-Knowing).
Furthermore, prior to going to bed, you should read Al-Fathiha, Ayat Al-Kursi and the three last surahs and offer supplications seeking protection from Shaytan.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 11:
Maggie Slack – 16 – Female - US
Childhood Rights
Is there evidence from the Quran to support the Islamic belief that children have the right to a childhood free from inappropriate work and full of fun and education?
Islam is a natural way of life based on fitrah or recognizing the nature that Allah has created humans. The recognition of childhood is enshrined in the Shari`ah as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said there is no legal obligation on children. In other words, children have a right to be children; they cannot be expected to act like mature adults. Islam, however, teaches that children are taught good manners and to be gradually initiated into the religious duties. So they are to start praying from the age of seven; and they should be disciplined for their neglect of prayers from the age of ten. At this age, we are told, that the children ought to be separated in beds.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is also reported to have advised us to come down to the level of children while interacting with them. And we read his companions stating that when he spoke with children, they would think he was a child like them. We also learn that the Prophet (peace be upon him) commiserated with a child on the death of his bird.
Therefore, we should allow children to be children.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 12:
Agnieszkِa jurkiewicz – 33 – Female - UK
Asalamalejkum. I hope that Allah is keeping you in good health and iman. I am looking for a shaikh that could answer my two questions below. Would you be able to help or direct me towards someone who could? I and my husband live in one room in the 3 bedroom flat, the remaining 2 are occupied by tenants. Although the flat if officially mine, the rented rooms as per tenancy agreement belong to the tenants, we do not enter them and all the rooms have individual locks fitted so we all can lock our rooms. Our communal shared spaces are the hallway, toilet, sitting room and kitchen. Unfortunately not all our tenants are Muslim and I wanted to know, should they decide to have pictures on the walls for example, would it stop the angels entering our room?
Another issue is of a dog. We are Sunni Muslim and our understanding is that there are different views between the madhabs about the subject of owning a dog starting from the whole dog being impure, his saliva benign impure or his saliva being pure since people are allowed to eat the meet caught by hunting dogs. All madhabs seem to agree that having dogs in the living quarters is not allowed as no angels would enter the house and we would be deducted one third of our reward if we have a dog for purpose other than hunting, guarding livestock and protection. I have heard another view saying that dogs are allowed if they are not in the house and if one has a dog before becoming Muslim one should keep it because of the loyalty dogs display towards human. Well, I have a huge dilemma. I am a convert and all my life I have dreamt owning a dog but since becoming Muslim 13 years ago gave up on this idea because of the above Islamic rulings.
For more than 6 months now, me and my husband have been volunteering 1-2 days per week in the local animal sanctuary taking their dogs for a walk. They are kept in small cages/kennels and if lucky would be walked once or twice per week. I thought this would be a good way of staying active, making a difference, gaining some good deeds and satisfying my need for animal contact. On our first visit we met George, 9 months old terrier, who has just arrived in the sanctuary having been abandoned by his elderly owner for being too energetic. Although he was petrified of man and my husband petrified of dogs, he has allowed my husband to take him for a walk and I have immediately fell in love with him feeling that we have developed a special bond. He was later adopted by a family who after 3 months have returned him back to the sanctuary for getting distresses and not getting on with the neighbors' dog. He then was adopted by a lady with another dog who has returned him back to the sanctuary after 3 weeks. She became scared of George nipping and growling at her.
I was there to see him throughout and me and George has shared many special walks together. Since I have met George I cannot stop feeling that George has adopted me and my husband as his family. He obeys what we say, and although originally displayed some behavioral problems such as nipping or trying to be dominant, or attacking other dogs, those became less with each hour and each subsequent walk so much that now he is as good as gold with us. Now he would not run away from us and keeps a constant check on us both, should we separate by few meters he would check on my husband and then on me all the time. He is extremely relaxed in our company and barks when we leave and my heart breaks knowing we cannot have him as per Islamic rulings.
My question is: since we leave in a shared house where only our room is ours and all the rest is either communal or occupied by tenants, could we adopt George and keep him in the communal areas? Would that stop the angels entering our room? My husband who has studied Islam for few years in Syria told me that if one had a dog and then became Muslim then one should keep it because of the enormous loyalty dogs display towards their owners. If this is the case,
In this case, you may be allowed to keep this dog (at least, according to some scholars), as long as you make a separate living arrangement for the dog and stay clear of its saliva, which is considered as impure.
For details, you may consult the answers posted on this elsewhere on this site.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 13:
Ali Raza – 22 – Male - Pakistan
Exact Length Of Beard ?? Detailed Fatwa
Dear Scholars, AsalaamuAleikum. What is the exact length of Beard in Islam? In our mosques the Imams Say the length of Beard if fist length, a beard less than fist length is Haram , and the person who doesn't have fist length bears will not have his namaz and worship accepted . is it true ? My beard is of normal length, it's not long or fist length, people say my beard is of no use as its not fist length: (Is it true? Will my prayers be accepted if I have this small length beard or not?
Although it is a great sunnah for males to keep beards, we find no tradition from the Prophet (peace be upon him) specifying any length for beards. In the absence of clear evidence, we are not allowed to stipulate such conditions based on our whims or desires.
It is also wrong for anyone to declare that if a person did not keep his beard properly he is not allowed to lead the prayer, or that his prayer is not valid. Muslims have been praying behind even rulers or officials who were guilty of far more heinous sins than keeping beards. What could be a worse sin than shedding the blood of people? However, even the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray behind people like Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, who was guilty of some of the most heinous crimes.
In conclusion, those who make such statements are being heretical in their views. The belief of ahl al-sunnah is that we are allowed to pray behind everyone who prays to qiblah, whether pious or impious.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 14:
Biya – 21 – Female - Canada
AsalamMualikum.Ihave a serious question about an on-going friendship. I have a great Muslim friend, whom not only helped me get closer to my deen, but helped me become a better person. We became really close were we would have sleepovers, parties and even go on vacations together. My question is that we fight a lot, and more then usually. It always ends up with her using foul language and putting me down. Not only that, but she repeatedly tells me to clean up my act or we cannot be friends.
Currently we came out of a big fight, where she repeatedly sends me emails about my behavior towards her and told me what a bad friend I am. I know she is a wonderful person and a even wonderful Muslim, but I can't seem to stop the fighting. It has been really awkward between us after the fight and I have no idea how to solve this conflict between us. I really do want this friendship to work out and go back to its normal self, and hence why I have repeatedly apologized for any bad thing I have done , because i know that even i am not perfect. Is there a solution or any advice you can give me for this on-going stressful friendship. My friends all tell me to leave it and distance yourself from her, but it's hard to because we were the best of friends. Thank you for your time, Biya.
If continuing friendship with her leads you to un-Islamic behavior then you are advised to stay away from her. If, however, there is hope for her to change, then you may keep the friendship.
Islam teaches us to keep friendship with those who may influence us positively. If, on the other hand, the friendship leads us astray, then we are to abjure it. Allah tells us in the Qur'an that on the Day of Judgment, friends will turn against friends, except those who are God-fearing.
Therefore, you need to sit down and ask yourself the question: What kind of an influence she is exerting on me, or I am exerting on her? If the answer is positive, you may keep it, in spite of her idiosyncratic behavior towards you. Otherwise, it is time for you to quit and move away.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 15:
Muhammad Arif Sheikh – 35 – Male - Pakistan
Hajj without Mahram
As-salamu `alaikum. I want to send my mother to Hajj with my wife & my wife brother's family. My mother will not have mahram , can she go for Hajj also tell me if I am working in Saudi Arabia & I will join them for Hajj there in Saudi Arabia. Thanks
Your mother can go for hajj in the company of women accompanied by men of integrity. We learn from the reliable traditions that the Prophet's wives traveled together for hajj, accompanied by men who were not closely related to them in blood lineage. So, it is perfectly fine for her to travel for hajj, especially if you are there to meet her and accompany her in hajj.
For further details, you may consult other answers posted elsewhere on this site.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 16:
Karen – 62 – Female - US
Health Is Severe to Make Hajj
Knowing When Health Issue Is to Severe to Make Haj
AssalamAlaykum. I want to make Hajj this year but I am not sure if I can physically perform the rituals. I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 40 years. My left foot is deformed making it nearly impossible to walk without shoes for support. I have a very hard time walking for long periods of time and find it difficult to walk down stairs. I have to sit to pray. I want to believe I can physically handle it but I'm just not sure. Do you have any advice? Thank you.
Hajj is fard (obligatory) only when you are able to undertake the journey both financially and physically.
However, you should know that most of the rituals of hajj such as tawaf, sa`ay, etc. can be done by people who are in similar conditions like yours by assistance of others and use of wheel-chairs, etc. So if you are able to do that, you should not be discouraged or deterred.
Having said this, I should also point out: If your physician has advised you against it, because of your specific condition, then you need to listen to him. If that is the case, you are allowed to pay someone to perform hajj on your behalf.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 17:
Haroon – 38 – Male - India
I am having one problem in my life I have got married to a Muslim girl ours was a love marriage but unfortunately she cheated on me she was in love with one boy earlier to me she even had physical relationship with him she told me all that before our marriage and I accepted it as her bad luck and told her to forget the past and start a new life with me. after 4 years marriage life and one son as our sole child now she says that she cannot forget her ex-lover and she still loves him she said all this things in front of other people whom I know and some I accidently know she also says that she has my habit that's she is staying with me not because of love for me. I seeks your advice that what Islam says about this condition where a woman is legally married to man but still is not faithful to him at heart. is it wise to carry forward this type of relation where one person is bearing other just because of .fear of society and relatives. While being unfaithful to him at heart. What Islam…
If you are sure that your wife cannot be trusted as she is still is infatuated with the boy or man she had relations before your marriage, then you should not continue the marriage. You are allowed to divorce on that ground.
If, however, she is remorseful and repentant, then you may keep her as your wife.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 18:
Mustafa – 39 – Male - UK
Mr - Converts Make Hijra
Should converts from Europe, that fear for their faith make Hijra to Muslim countries? What is the ruling on hijra today? Having lived in Muslim countries, I often find people without Islam in the UK, in a better condition with regards to adhab and how they treat others. They don't have faith but they treat people better than they do in Muslim countries. Should a convert leave his family to make hijra?
I don't see any reason for Muslims living in countries such as USA, Canada or Uk, etc. to migrate to a Muslim country, even though they may face some pressures and challenges here and there. Generally speaking Muslims are free to practice their religion like everyone else. There is no persecution of Muslims as far as I know in any of these countries. If you are speaking about some of the challenges coming from Islam bashers or racists in these societies, they are isolated, and therefore, they do not warrant migrating to other countries.
Another question should be asked in this context: If you were to decide to migrate to which of the countries is willing to welcome you?
Mind you, you may end up facing far worse challenges in those countries. So, where would you go?
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 19:
Um Belal – 43 – Female - US
Dear Scholars, I would like to know the rule of backbiting against an organization or an institution. We are all familiar with the consequence of backbiting against each other. Since we live in the west I find it very common that people attack other group (jama'a) or other group's center or school. This makes Islamic work very divided, and I really believe that there must be a rule in Islam that stands against this type of backbiting and attacks, because it is really destructive and it shakes people's trust in all Islamic activities and organizations. Jazakum Allah khair for your help.
It is true that as a principle the Muslims are to refrain from attacking each other either through words or actions. For by indulging in such practices, we are only destroying ourselves.
Of course, this does not mean that we should refrain from making positive criticisms. We cannot grow without engaging in examining ourselves and seeking to improve our condition. Allah says, "Allah does not change the condition of people, unless they are willing to change their inner conditions" (Qur'an: 13:11).
Backbiting, however, is not the same as rendering positive criticism.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 20:
Mohammed – 22 – Male - UK
Is a Nose Job Allowed for Psychological Problems?
Salam, I wanted to know if it would be permitted for me to have a nose job as it causes me distress, socially and psychologically. When I was about 16 years old my nose started getting a lot of very large spots and these eventually formed into scars all over. At the same time my nose started growing larger and I can't seem to think why it would go that big as none of my relatives have got bulbous noses. I've seen a doctor and he says it could be to do with the spots and has referred me to a laser clinic to remove the scars and will find out soon if it caused my nose to become really bulbous. Every day of my life since then I tense my nose so it looks smaller so people wouldn't laugh at me anymore. I'm finding it difficult to keep up with doing this to hide my actual nose. So I wanted to know would it be permissible for me to have rhinoplasty or not. Thank you.
If your nose is considered abnormal, and it causes you undue emotional trauma, then you are allowed to undergo the necessary, corrective procedure as long as it has been determined to be safe by the medical professionals.
For further details, I cannot do any better than citing from one of my earlier answers on a similar question:
Islam is a religion that is life-affirming and not life-negating. In other words, all of its injunctions are intended to alleviate suffering, misery and pain. Therefore, one of the stated objectives or purpose of the Shari`ah is to remove harm and hardship, and bring ease and comfort. Allah says, "Allah wishes to grant you ease (and comfort), and He does not wish to impose hardship on you." (Q. 2: 185); "He has not appointed any hardship for you in religion." (Q. 22: 78). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "There shall be harm or reciprocating of harm." Moreover, Islam enjoins upon us to strive to find cures and treatments and to use them whenever they are available to the best of our ability. Treatments are recommended to cure diseases or rid ourselves of abnormalities or deformities that make our life miserable. To remove an outgrowth or deformity in our body that causes us undue pain or distress or invites scorn or sneers from people also falls in this category of permissible treatments. It was in this spirit that the Prophet, peace be upon him, allowed his companions who had some deformities or injuries to their nose or teeth to resort to implants of gold to correct or modify such deformities. Based on the above considerations, if your nose is excessively large and looks like a balloon, you are allowed to undergo the necessary treatments to resize it so long as it is not done for purely cosmetic reasons. Having said this, I must rush to add an important point here: The decision for this, however, must be strictly based on the advice of an expert surgeon in the field. In other words, it must not be done by your own wish alone, but by the recommendation of the expert. Furthermore, he must advise that such a procedure is indeed safe and would not result in causing further harm to the body.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 21:
Junaid Tajudin Rufai – 50 – Male - Nigeria
On Tawheed
What advice will you give to someone who said ' Allah warned us about shytan and why don't He Allah destroy him'
We are not to question Allah, our Creator and Lord. We are to submit to His will. We believe that He is All-Wise and All-Knowing; as such, He does only that which is good for His servants.
He has told us that He wants to test us and see who shall perform better. If He were to destroy Shaytan, there won't be any meaning in the test. In that situation, it won't be any different than the school you are attending forcing you to write the correct answer.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 22:
Abdullah Chan – 16 – Male – Hong Kong
Piracy for the Sake of Allah
As-salamulyqum, dear my respected scholar. It is common in my area to copy materials for study. Some copy the notes from tutorial class while some copy the past paper published by the examination authorities. While these are basically illegal in this area, is that piracy to copy them even for the sake of Allah in Jihad? Is that really important to beware of it?
We are not allowed to copy copyrighted materials, unless an exception is made for copying it for such the purpose, you have mentioned.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 23:
Saad – 25 – Malwe - Canada
Pronounced 3 Talaq in One Sitting
Salam. Last week, my wife and I got into a verbal argument over the phone. Our fight was going out of control and I said talaqtalaqtalaq in one sitting. I did not know that if you say 3 talaq in one sitting the marriage is over. I did not have any intentions of divorcing my wife. I just wanted to say it so then the fight will be over. Later I was told that 3 divorces is the final end. Please, can you help me in this matter?
If you did not have any intention to divorce your wife, and you were simply carried away by extreme anger-while uttering the words of divorce-then they do not count as valid divorce. You know it if you regretted it later. In this case, you should ask forgiveness of Allah and go back to your wife.
On the issue of divorce pronounced in anger, please refer to the detailed answer posted earlier on this site.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 24:
Seyed – 33 – Male – Sri Lanka
Assalamualaikum, Dear Sheih. I'm married. Can I do month of Ramadan at night time sexual excitement from kissing, hugging, etc. Please, inform me. Jazak Allah khairan.
There is no taboo in establishing sexual intimacy with one's spouse during the nights of Ramadan. This is clearly stated in the Qur`an. Allah says, "It is lawful for you to go in unto your wives during the night preceding the [day's] fast: they are as a garment for you, and you are as a garment for them. God is aware that you would have deprived yourselves of this right, and so He has turned unto you in His mercy and removed this hardship from you. Now, then, you may lie with them skin to skin, and avail yourselves of that which God has ordained for you, and eat and drink until you can discern the white streak of dawn against the blackness of night, and then resume fasting until nightfall; but do not lie with them skin to skin when you are about to abide in meditation in houses of worship. These are the bounds set by God: do not, then, offend against them - [for] it is thus that God makes clear His messages unto mankind, so that they might remain conscious of Him." (Qur'an: 2: 187).
Therefore, there is no need for you to be stressed out on this issue. You only need to stay from such activities during the day.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 25:
Repetition of Sin
My sin regarding sexuality is going to be increased. I want to repent but after repent, I (inner soul) forget about Islam and even god. Please, suggest me how it should be resolved.
If you are prone to falling into sins, you need to think about getting married. That is the Islamic way of protecting yourself against sins.
If, however, marriage is not an option because of your circumstances, then you need to practice fasting, for as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, fasting can help a person curb his desire.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 26:
Tameem – 15 – Male - UK
Ruling on Vows
Salams. A person has problems regarding written vows. For example, he was writing the word "sweat" but he accidently wrote the word "swear". Then he erased it but every time he wanted to write sweat he kept looking at the letter "r", so does this count? What about everything he wrote after that? Hopefully you can clear up these rulings. Jazak Allah.
A vow is a vow only when you are deliberate about it and resolve firmly in your mind. We are not accounts for slips of tongue or pen which are not pre-meditated upon. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Allah says, "God will not take you to task for oaths which you may have uttered without thought, but will take you to task [only] for what your hearts have conceived [in earnest]: for God is much-forgiving, forbearing." (Qur'an: 2: 225).
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 27:
Wasila – 22 – Female - Moroco
Should I Take off My Hijab?
Salam alaikum. I am a 22 year old girl. I am seeking your help with my problem regarding hijab. I am not an English speaker nor is it my 2nd language. So, please, forgive my English. I am trying my best to tell my story clearly. I am sure you have delt with different women not sure about their hijab any more. So, I hope to find an answer this time. My story basically is that I just went out of a horrible break up after being engaged for 3 years to someone. So, I decided to make major changes in my life and become a better person. Few months later my brother told me that one of his friends was interested in getting to know me so I decided to give it a chance and see what will happen from there. We always talked through my brother and father just like the Islamic way and he always sent me interesting lectures and talked about Islam with me and my family as he is a very religious person mashallah.
I admired that and I got into the whole lectures things and started reading more and more about Islam. I come from a very religious family but they never imposed things on me they just try to advice me to do good things. Although I did not wear hijab but I care so much about our values. Anyway so as move of me that I thought was smart I decided to wear hijab. It was mainly to please the guy but it was also for Allah or at least that how I was trying to convince myself.
Afterwards, I felt that I was so happy because of the positive feedback but afterwards I started regretting as I did it only for a person not God. And now I feel trapped I am wearing it out of vanity and to be admired by people. I hate the feeling and I am a big hypocrite. So, I started feeling that I should take a step backwards in order to move forward. I always knew at one point of my life I would wear it. It is just I took the most beautiful decision for the wrong reasons and the wrong time. I have a strong desire to take it off. I don't know what to do. Please, help me. By the way, we are still talking to that guy but I don't feel as interested as before, but no one of my family knows the way I feel yet and what I think about hijab.
If you did start wearing hijab for endearing yourself to the man, you developed a love for that should not compel you to renounce it. Rather as a Muslimah you should now continue to keep for your love of Allah. That is a better way of resolving the issue. By taking off hijab you are going backwards.
You may do well to ask yourself this question: Who are you trying to please: Allah or people?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "If someone is simply trying to please people by displeasing Allah, Allah will certainly abandon him or her to them. If, however, they were to strive to please Allah, then Allah will take care of people for them."
Therefore, I would advise you to remain steadfast on your practice of Islam and keep your hijab and be proud of that.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Question 28:
Hanif – 40 – Male - Pakistan
Tawaf on Behalf of Others
I have confusion about tawaf. Please, help me in this regard. Can we make tawaf on behalf of a live person? Jazak Allah khair.
There is no precedent in the authentic sources of Islam or the practice of salaf as-salih for doing tawaf on behalf of another person. You may perform `Umrah or hajj but doing tawaf or sa`y itself is not known. We are not allowed to introduce innovations in worship. You may, however, offer supplications for others while you are performing tawaf.
Allah Almighty knows best.


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Interview with 2014 Ira Sohn Contest Winner Michael Guichon
Last month we had a chance to chat with the 2014 Ira Sohn Contest winner Michael Guichon, a Columbia University MBA student. His idea, Fiat, was selected by a panel of judges, including Joel Greenblatt, Bill Ackman, Seth Klarman, and Michael Price.
You can watch Michael's interview on Bloomberg here, a summary of his talk here and view his slide deck here.
Tell me about your background and how you came to be interested in investing:
I grew up in Toronto was an undergrad at the University of Pennsylvania where I majored in mechanical engineering. At the time, I…

subset: commoncrawl


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Twins likely looking to add three starting pitchers this offseason
Get the 1500 ESPN SportsWire delivered to your inbox daily, and keep up with all the news in Twin Cities Sports
The Minnesota Twins' weeklong organizational meetings in Fort Myers wrapped up late last week.
Front office members, scouts and other team staff members gathered each day from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. to go over every player on the major league roster and in the minor league system, discuss players on all 29 other major league clubs, as well as free agents and possible trade targets.
Here are some of the important items that came out of those meetings:
• The majority of the Twins' available offseason budget -- no exact figure has been determined -- will likely be spent on starting pitching. Trades will also be in play.
• In an ideal world, the Twins would like to add three starting pitchers this winter. Scott Diamond is the only starter penciled into next year's rotation.
• Top free agent starters such as Zack Greinke haven't necessarily been ruled out, but the Twins are more likely to go after two or three competitive starting pitchers as opposed to one top-of-the-rotation guy. The Twins plan to target affordable pitchers who can provide quality starts, give the offense a chance and make the bullpen better.
• Aside from Joe Mauer, who has a full no-trade clause, nobody is considered off-limits in potential trade discussions.
• Liam Hendriks needs to develop an out pitch. In the minor leagues he put up numbers like a No. 1 or No. 2 starter would, including at Triple-A, but the Twins currently view him as more of a back-of-the-rotation-type guy. He is not guaranteed a rotation slot out of spring training.
• Front office members are embarrassed about the last two seasons.
• The jury is still out on whether Trevor Plouffe the answer at third base. Plouffe hit 24 home runs, but most of them came during a two-month stretch before the All-Star break. His defense at third base rated among the worst in either league according to plus/minus data.
• The Twins are still holding out some hope that Nick Blackburn can contribute to some degree next year, but Blackburn is not currently on the 40-man roster, nor will he be given a chance just because of his salary ($5.5 million).
• There's hope internally that adding Tom Brunansky, Terry Steinbach and Bobby Cuellar to the coaching staff will help change what has become a stale climate over the past couple seasons.


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Atlanta Braves v Chicago White Sox
Casper Wells of the Chicago White Sox robs Reed Johnson of the... News PhotoAmerican League,Atlanta Braves,Baseball - Sport,Casper Wells,Chicago - Illinois,Chicago White Sox,Eighth Inning,Home Run,Horizontal,Illinois,Interleague,National League,Reed Johnson,Sport,U.S. Cellular Field,USAPhotographer David BanksCollection: Getty Images Sport 2013 Getty ImagesCHICAGO, IL - JULY 21: Casper Wells #39 of the Chicago White Sox robs Reed Johnson #7 of the Atlanta Braves of a home run during the eighth inning on July 21, 2013 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-1. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)


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Kuykendall 325
phone: (808) 956-3039
fax: (808) 956-3083
Valerie Wayne is completing an edition of Cymbeline for the Arden Shakespeare, third series, to be published in 2016. A specialist in early modern English literature, including Shakespeare and early modern women writers, she retired from the University of Hawai'i in 2010 but is still active in research and working with graduate students. Her essay, "Don Quixote and Shakespeare's Collaborative Turn to Romance," appeared in The Quest for Cardenio: Shakespeare, Fletcher, Cervantes, and the Lost Play from Oxford University Press in 2012. Her collection of essays co-edited with Mary Ellen Lamb, Staging Early Modern Romance: Prose Fiction, Dramatic Romance, and Shakespeare, was published by Routledge in 2009. She is an Associate General Editor of Thomas Middleton, The Collected Works, from Oxford University Press in 2007, for which she edited the play A Trick to Catch the Old One.
Earlier publications include an edition of Edmund Tilney's The Flower of Friendship: A Renaissance Dialogue Contesting Marriage (Cornell UP, 1992), and a collection of essays called The Matter of Difference: Materialist Feminist Criticism of Shakespeare (Cornell UP and Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1991). With colleagues from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa she co-edited Joseph Keene Chadwick: Interventions and Continuities in Irish and Gay Studies (2002) and two volumes of conference proceedings on gender and culture in film and literature, East and West, Translations/Transformations and Significant Others (both 1993). She also selected and introduced the writings of Anne Cooke Bacon for a volume in the series The Early Modern Englishwoman: A Facsimile Library of Essential Worksthat appeared in 2000.
Wayne has been a Trustee of the Shakespeare Association of America (2007-10), served on the editorial board of Shakespeare Quarterly (2007-12), and was a member of the MLA's committee on the New Variorum Shakespeare (2008-11, Chair, 2012). In 2000 she was president of the Society for the Study of Early Modern Women. Her essays have been published in Staging Early Modern Romance (2009), Women and Politics in Early Modern England, 1450-1700 (2004), A Companion to Shakespeare's Works, Vol. 4 (2003), Staged Properties in Early Modern English Drama (2002), Maids and Mistresses, Cousins and Queens: Women's Alliances in Early Modern England (1999), and elsewhere. Several more are forthcoming. In addition to UH, she has taught at the University of Illinois, Chicago, the University of Liverpool, the University of Kansas, and the University of Szeged in Hungary.
At the University of Hawai'i, Mānoa, Wayne served as Director of the Graduate Program in English in 1994-97 and as Director of the Undergraduate Honors Program in English in 1988-91.


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If you're familiar with the latest smart lighting control solutions from Lutron, Control4, and others, then the ability to elegantly and beautifully dim LED lights may not seem so novel. But I can guarantee that you've never seen an LED lamp quiet like Stem Light.
The brainchild of inventor Peter Goncalves, the Stem Light Lamp consists of a sleek, transparent vase, designed to hold up to six gorgeously minimalist stems, each of which ends in a blooming LED light. To illuminate each stem, you simply touch its tip to the low voltage center of the base at the bottom of the vase. To turn it off, you just as simply remove the stem or move its tip to the insulated ring around the perimeter of the base.
And while Stem Light may not give you the exact degree of dimming you'd get from an automated lighting solution, you can dial in your brightness level of preference by activating as many or as few of the stems as you wish. Think of it not as a replacement for whole home lighting control, but rather as a stylishly simple yet sophisticated complement to such.
Each stem of the Stem Light terminates in a seven-watt bulb, available in your choice of cool or warm white, and each has an expected lifespan of 30,000 hours, making the system as green as it is gorgeous. And if, for some reason, a stem doesn't live up to its projected potential, the bulbs themselves can easily be replaced.
Stem Light is expected to go into full projection in May of 2014 – if, that is, the project reaches its funding goals on Kickstarter. If you're not familiar with it, Kickstarter is a crowdfunding website that allows you, the consumer, to have some say in which innovative new products make it to market. By pledging now, you not only help the designer cover manufacturing costs ahead of time, you also get first dibs on the resulting product. Assuming, of course, the project is successfully funded. If the goals aren't met, you're not out a dime, although I do feel like the world would be a poorer place if Stem Light became vaporware.
With ten days left to go, the project currently has over $20,000 in pledges against a $78,000 goal. So if you'd like to see this lovely, energy-saving, interactive design become a reality, consider chipping in a few dollars. For as little as $60 you can be one of the first to bring home a Stem Light Lamp with four stems, or you could step up to the six-stem model for $80.
Pledge a bit more and you'll have your choice of a complete Stem Light system with a white or red boquet, or could choose to donate $1000 to the project and become part of the design team, giving you the chance to shape the design of future Stem Light models.
For more information about the Stem Light Lamp, visit the project page on Kickstarter or dial your browser of choice to hellostemlight.com.


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By Guest Contributor Tami, originally published at What Tami Said
What does it mean to be allied? The dictionary definition is to be joined in a group to advance common interests or causes. And what does this joining require? I think mutual respect, shared activism and adherence to mutual goals and objectives. Alliances are by nature two-sided affairs. Both sides bear the responsibility of maintaining the relationship. And this isn't easy. I have witnessed too many battles between members of marginalized groups and their professed allies to think otherwise. The disagreements are often raw, emotional and ultimately unsatisfying. Sometimes, I think we expect too much of our allies. Sometimes the privileged are too confident in their roles as allies and too slow to examine their own biases. As enlightened about race or gender a person may be, we are all products of a racist and sexist society. To expect any person, no matter how good-intentioned, to never reveal a racial or gender bias is to invite disappointment. If members of marginalized groups want to work with allies, we have to know that they will fail us sometimes. Our allies have to know that they will fail.
In that post, I tackled the responsibilities of anti-racist and feminist allies. What should an ally do when he or she has made an unwitting show of prejudice or privilege? Today, I want to talk about the responsibilities of marginalized people who want to work with allies. "Responsibilities of marginalized people"…already I am hesitant to speak about allied relationships this way.
First, marginalized people are the owners of the anti-racist and feminist/womanist movements. The outcomes of the movement are about our humanity, our treatment, our futures, our children. Our fight is based not on empathy, but lived reality. Yes, racism and sexism ultimately effect everyone, no matter their race or gender. But, for instance, women involved in the feminist movement feel the urgency for change much more strongly than our male allies. We are more invested, I think. I say this not as a slight against men. It is the rare human being who is not most invested in things that effect them directly.
Second, marginalized people, like POC, have historically been oppressed. As a result, we adapt to living in a society that does not treat us as equals and sees us as "other." We try to conform. We code switch. We hide our culture. We change our physicality to match that of the majority culture. We hold our tongues in the face of the everyday dull aches of racism. We do this every day, both consciously and unconsciously.


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Terry Fitzgerald, who runs The Wrong 'Un, in Bexleyheath, is chairman of the Bexleyheath branch of PubSafe scheme.
PubSafe is an organisation in which local licensees work as a group to make sure that their premises are safe and well managed. PubSafe also operates a 'bar one; bar all' policy. If someone misbehaves in one pub, he or she is barred from them all.
Terry, together with licensees in the London Borough of Bexley, has joined forces to promote a responsible drinking initiative.
The Borough of Bexley Police, working in partnership with PubSafe, has launched a joint campaign 'Drink responsibly – drunks not welcome'.
Terry said: "Anything which raises public awareness about drunkenness is a good thing. All of my staff are fully aware that it is an offence to serve customers, if they are drunk. However, the customer is often unaware of this – which can make things difficult."
As a result of the initiative, the council was shortlisted for a prestigious local government award for innovation, with Terry chosen to join the presentation team, as the representative for the local licensed trade.


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TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - Libya's 200-member General National Congress has elected a former congressman and human rights lawyer as the country's new prime minister.
Ali Zidan, who resigned as a congressman to run as a candidate in the election, won 93 votes, securing him a majority from those present in voting.
Zidan was a diplomat under Moammar Gadhafi before defecting in the 1980s and joining Libya's oldest opposition movement, National Front for the Salvation of Libya, from Geneva where he resided.
The congress selected the new prime minister Sunday following last week's dismissal of Mustafa Abushagur after just 25 days in the post for failing to present a Cabinet list that satisfied legislators. Zidan had previously run against Abushagur and lost.
Minister for local government, Mohammed Al-Harari, came in second place with 85 votes.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Director of Game Operations, Intercollegiate Athletics
- Admin - Athletics and Coaching
- Admin - Facilities Management
Professional contract position available immediately.
Responsibilities: prepare, schedule, and oversee all aspects of home game management; assign and supervise all game day personnel; work in conjunction with the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance/Operations and Director of Sports Facilities to schedule facilities for home competitions, practices, camps, and clinics.
Minimum qualifications: bachelor's degree; two years of experience in athletic setting; good interpersonal, management, and organizational skills; possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be insurable under the university's auto fleet policy.
Preferred qualifications: master's degree; experience in collegiate facility management; knowledge of Banner, SciQuest, and Jump Forward.
Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
Send cover letter, resume, transcript, and the names and contact information for three references to:
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Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
or to firstname.lastname@example.com
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. http://cms.bsu.edu/
Ball State University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community.
Click on the Acrobat link below for a complete position description:
100512 Position Description
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How hot is too Hot?
I know this is a loaded questions and long post (sorry in advance), but here it goes. How hot can the VO/truck get and be ok? For example, I saw 244 on Sunday night heading east up the Eisenhower after a day in the mountains.
Unless I'm missing something, the VO should only get as hot as my coolant side, my Ford idiot temp gauge never moved from its normal spot during all of this. Now for the background:
I haven't done a write up on my system yet, but its a FN74/SkySki/Leon inspired system (thanks ya'll). 100gal heated GFS (repurposed) tank, hot fox, 20 plate FPHE, check valved, purged, HOH, Racor 1000FH and 23amp FASS pump.
The tank, filter, main CV, purge and pump are in the bed. FPHE under pass frame rail. VO goes into a Mcmaster manifold like Skyski's original setup, where the pressure and temp are read of whichever fuel is switched. Diesel and VO pumps are on separate switches and manual for now. Parker stainless CVs on the diesel lines.
I put a 203deg thermostat, billet housing, new water pump, coolant filter, etc on the truck before conversion and monitored coolant temps from the extra filter port to see what the truck temps were pre-conversion. I live in Denver and spend a lot of time raging up the Eisenhower and Vail passes with a trailer. 212 was the hottest I ever saw the coolant temps get pre-conversion.
After the conversion and during these last few summer months, 219 on VO has been the hottest. I don't have a gauge on the coolant side anymore. Typically the VO system runs at 180 until I'm pulling hard up a pass, then it rises very quickly. It's been chilly in the mountains and really effecting my temps (down 30degs to 150ish), so i made a vinyl grill cover and the temps came back up to 180 average running.
First time up the pass with the trailer and newly installed grill cover and it shot up to 222 by the time I hit the top. Sunday night, same grill cover and conditions, it hit 244 deg pulling my 3500# trailer doing 70mph (3000rpms) up the Eisenhower. I think it was 5 or 10 degrees outside.
That has to be too hot, right? I switched over to Diesel and it dropped to 220 right away as i was going into the tunnel. VO Pressure stayed good at 76psi and the diesel side always says 80psi. Switched back to VO and drove the remaining hour back to Denver, no issues yet.
Coolant had to be 244 or higher right? Ford temp Gauge never moved and the truck kept pulling hard. Fan clutch was raging, but it always does at the end of a long pull.
Sorry again for the long post, I promise to more officially introduce myself, truck and system later.
2002 F350 cclb, white work truck, 227k, the last 4k on VO and not lookin back.
Bad temp sensor?
This summary got me thinking about my temp sensor mounted in the water pump. I hooked up my scan guage II and it doesn't show a coolant temp reading as it does on my other car. Ambient air temp registers as it should.
What are the symptoms of a bad temp sensor?
2002 F350 cclb, white work truck, 227k, the last 4k on VO and not lookin back.
my advice is to remove that front grill cover... despite if the fan was "raging" like you said.. its working harder to cool the truck since you added that grill cover. get read of it if you are going to tow nxt time...
is that temperature your oil or coolant temperature? From what I read the temp is on the coolant side but you are assuming the oil is just as hot? I have a temp gauge on both the coolant and oil side and I can tell you that the coolant is always hotter then the oil.
1bad - I will absolutely be running without the bra the next run up the mtn. I go on Wed and come back Monday so I will have some more bra-no bra info.
erbilabuc - Temp gauge is on a manifold mounted on the backside of the alternator (i'll see if can get a pic), wvo feed in, two feeds out to either head, temp gauge, pressure gauge and pressure switch. Temp gauge reads wvo when I'm switched on and it reads residual diesel that makes it up the lines when I am running diesel (diesel feeds are CV'd). AND YES I agree with you, in theory and so far in practice I would believe the coolant is always hotter than the oil. Which is why my questions about the Ford gauge as it never moved from its normal op temp reading (203-212 from when i had the same gauge mounted in my coolant filter extra port)
I posted over in the engine problems section to get some answers on the temp sensor and whether or not it works and so far, on automatics EOT is monitored by the PCM and in manuals the ECT is monitored. So it seems correct that my scan gauge isn't picking up an ECT reading as it normally does on other cars. It would seem based on this that my ford gauge is working correctly. Coolant Temp sensor issues?
My new theory:
I think my coolant was superheated as it left the motor, cooled as it went through the FPHE (making the VO superheated 244deg) continued traveling back to my tank and hotfox, then return loop back to the return line on the water pump where it is at or below normal operating temp. When it enters the water pump, it is normal temp therefore my gauge is not changing.
I need to see what my EOT is when this is happening to see if the engine is really overheating.
Last edited by MtnOilRIG; 12-19-2011 at 10:26 AM.
I need to send my Scanguage II in to have it updated to include the xgauge feature, so until then I can't read EOT or ECT through the scanner.
Ran the pass last night with the same trailer load and 6 adults in the truck, but didn't rage up like last time and the temp climbed up to 210 but stayed steady through the whole pull. I think was givin her too much skinny pedal last time.
Alaska bra was on and fully covered.
Still do not have another theory as to how the system could produce 244deg WVO temps without overheating.
Thanks for the help
02 F350, 227k, cclb, 203 deg, coolant filter, stancor GPR, max a/c, 4500miles on WVO
FN74/skyski inspired system, 100gal split tank GFS (repurposed) tank, hot fox, 20 plate FPHE, check valved, purge, HOH, heated Racor 1000FH and 23amp FASS pump.
xgauge enabled
Sent my scanguage in and they flashed it to include the xgauge capabilities. If you have an older version, it is worth the $25 to be able to monitor the TFT (trans), ECT (coolant), EOT (oil) and boost.
So far, after a few trips up and down the mountain, its seems pretty clear that the Ford Temp gauge is complete junk if you are using it for anything other when to turn your hot cabin air on. Or at least, MY Ford gauge is junk.
For instance, when the gauge reads at its halfway point, or what I was considering a warmed up truck enough to switchover, scangauge reads EOT 165, ECT 150. A little cool for a switchover in my mind, I was thinking 170-180 ECT.
Either way, the Ford gauge does not move from 160 to 230 ECT temps according to my scanguage, stays dead in the middle of the gauge the whole time. My veg temps run about 15-25degs cooler than the ECT temp most of the time. If I saw 244 veg, that would mean the ECT was around 255-260deg F.
What temp is considered overheating on our trucks? ECT or EOT.
Mtn, what press temp you seeing with D2 run'n til temps are ready for switch and what press temp you seeing when wvo pump is run'n? I havethe exact same set-up (minus using ur style pump), and seems i'm hit'n around 85psi +/-, and with wvo pump on, around same numbers, sometimes climbs past the 90+....My press gauge is on the manifold, tucked in the valley...Also, hows ur start-up? Did it change once ur sytem was installed, because mine went from 1-2sec start to now atleast 5sec of cranking....its pi$$'n me off.
She's gonna blow
Stock D2 pump runs at 80psi all day long, never changes, rompin on it up the mountain or idling.
When I switch over to Veg, I switch off the stock D2 pump and just run the FASS. Are you running both? Veg pressure starts out at 80 psi but settles in around 75psi after a few miles of driving or a few minutes of idling. With a fresh filter it stays at 80psi on veg. Rompin up the mountains it will dip to the 70 psi mark, sometimes as low as 65psi on the longer higher rpm pulls. If I run both pumps at the same time it goes back up to 80psi and is steady.
My pressure/temp fuel block manifold sits behind the alternator similar to yours I suppose (not sure I've seen pics)?
Could your pressure regulator on the D2 fuel bowl be bad/dirty causing your higher pressures? I think they are cleanable, maybe its sticking. You are nearing too much pressure for the injectors to fire happily at 90psi.
My cranking has been the same, but the cold has made a difference. I just did the glow plugs in Feb and that made a huge difference. 4 of 8 were not working (3 on pass side and 1 on drivers) so maybe you could test the resistance of yours and see. I think mine were 1.2 ohms on the good ones and infinite on the bad ones. The ole girl is much happier with the GPs firing like they should.
Thanks for the response Mtn..
I have 2-pumps..D2 and the Raw power for wvo. I also have a switch on my D2. When starting out, allowing GP's to cycle, my D2 gauge is 70psi (located at fuel bowl), my wvo gauge reads 60+/-psi..(D2 flows thru the wvo lines, back to the puge valve, located in the box). After i fire it up, D2 gauge reads 70PSI, ALL DAY LONG...however, the wvo gauge will read the 90psi-ish... Vise-versa, once switch to wvo, the D2 gauge drops to nothing (like it should, since CV's are installed), but my wvo gauge reads 85-90psi-ish.
Also, once i installed the system, it now has the dreaded long cranking, once it fires, i can shut it off, without purging, and truck will fire right back up. Thats whats leading me to think, pressure for start-up isnt there..but once fired, the wvo gauge, spikes high, highert hen the D2 gauge, which that gots me..
I'm gonna switch my the wires to gauges under dash, and see if its my gauge orsomething, along with removing gauge from valley manifold, and installing it back at manifold in box....
3rd pic is of the little manifold in box, where i installed a pressure relief to help with, if reading are correct, pressure in wvo ines.
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Afghanistan- There are still tens of thousands of troops spending Thanksgiving in Afghanistan.
At Firebase Torkham, in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Thanksgiving started with a Turkey Trot.
At noon it was time for the traditional Thanksgiving meal. They soldier ate an estimated 70,000 pounds of turkey and 20,000 pies.
In an old military tradition, commanders served the lower ranks.
For most of the soldiers, this will likely be the last Thanksgiving in Afghanistan before coming home as the U.S. prepares to withdraw most troops by next summer.
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A synergetic mixture of SPECTRA VITAL and BLACKPOWDER.For aquariums with hard and soft coralThe combination of two very popular and individually dynamic products, Spectra Vital and Black Powder provide a buffering capacity of aquarium water which produce remarkable results. The synergism of both products stabilizes the aquarium in such a manner that microscopic and macroscopic species of animal and rock are optimized.
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text: https://bbs.archlinux.org – Boot time went up again with the new systemd-tools package from yesterday. Don't know why and no threads about it yet. 5s lost somewhere but the indivual services don't show much change;Startup finished in 7589ms (kernel) + 9858ms (userspace) = 17448ms 2010ms mnt-SERVER_NYTT.mount 676ms systemd-udev-trigger.service 650ms systemd-vconsole-setup.service 646ms dev-hugepages.mount 599ms systemd-remount-fs.service 449ms console-kit-daemon.service 407ms systemd-sysctl.service 407ms sys-kernel-debug.mount 398ms home.mount 386ms systemd-modules-load.service (HowTos)


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Tales of Truth: Ballin' in the back
Patrick Johnston
January 04 2012 04:16PM
Keith Ballard has been even steadier than we realized.
(Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Much has been said about the reasons behind the Canucks' recent good form - scoring and top quality goaltending have been identified as the main reasons. But the Canucks also are getting solid contributions from other parts of the lineup.
Game #41 Preview - Trapped in the Wild
Cam Davie
January 04 2012 12:50PM
Kesler scores. Fans celebrate. All is right in the world.
Will the same be true tonight? Or will Kes and the Canucks fall victim to the (duh duh DUH) TRAP!
(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Game Day Recon: Game #41 - Wild @ Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are about to complete the first half of their regular season. They'll end it by finishing tops in their division and in one of the top 2 spots in the Western Conference. It's hard to say they haven't had a good first half but they need to turn around a small, recent downturn before they start the second half of the season. And that might be the big problem with tonight's game against the Minnesota Wild.
Are the Canucks looking beyond tonight to their match-up against the Boston Bruins on Saturday? Is the game tonight a dreaded TRAP GAME?!
Assume a tough guy
Patrick Johnston
January 03 2012 04:53PM
The Canucks used to carry plenty of goons.
(Photo: Sports Illustrated)
Yes, that's right. Imagine the Canucks had one.
Now, what are his talents?
Lay Down, Sami
Cam Davie
January 03 2012 03:21PM
Sami Salo has been doing a lot of this for the last month. Chasing, watching the opposition skate past him.
Salo needs a nap.. or a broken hand.
(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America)
Sami Salo is playing against the odds this season. So far, he has been far more durable than he has ever been while in a Canucks uniform. And that's the problem. Sami Salo needs an injury. For the sake of his team.
It's time to lay down, Sami.
Vintage Flame
January 03 2012 12:46PM
For the sixth time in the last eight years Canada will face off against the Russians in the medal round of the World Junior Championship. Canada is 15-11-2 vs. Russia/USSR going back to 1982 (the first year for the Canadian National Junior Team) but the only thing that matters right now avenging a 5-3 loss to the Ruskies from one year ago.
The Russians squeaked into this one with a 2-1 OT win over the Czech's while Canada won Group B, and had the quarterfinal bye. Game time is 8:30 pm EST / 6:30 MST


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I just returned from a week in the Sierra Nevada. I'm the guy who bathes in DEET, wears long sleeves and pants, yet somehow comes away with 4 times the stings as anyone else. In three weeks I'm going to an even buggier place. There's got to be a better way to deal with mosquitos without overheating in long sleeves and pants.Please help!
Maybe you should try some of the newer formulations of DEET.I've experienced really good results with 3M's Ultrathon. Its like Deep Woods Off on steriods. I usually put a thin layer of it on my exposed skin (legs, arms, back of neck) and I'm good for at least 8 hours while I'm at the crags. A 2 oz tube doesn't really weigh that much and will last you a long, long time.Also, wear light colors to discourage mosquitos from flocking to you.
I was in the Sierras (Hope Valley and elsewhere) that very same weekend. The skeeters were totally out of control, you're right. My companion had a rather spectacular failure using Natrapel, and like the previous poster I was using 3M Ultrathon. The 3M Ultrathon I used was awesome. I found that with sweat I did have to reapply it - and as a lotion it didn't work on clothing as a spray would - but I tested it at Lake Audrian (off the PCT) and Hope Valley, sitting perfectly still and tempting the little buggers with shorts and a t-shirt ... *very* few bites, really, considering the hellish density of the insect. I was quite impressed.We also used 33% DEET Deep Woods Off on our clothing when the Ultrathon ran low and had fairly good results.I'll let you know if I grow a tail or second head from all those chemicals. :-\
Edited by atomick on 07/10/2006 15:07:59 MDT.
I use Ultrathon. It stinks upon application but quickly loses its smell. I like it because it lasts longer than standard forumlations. Consumer Reports just released their most recent test results. 100% DEET once again was the most effective, with Ultrathon coming in second, aided by its longevity. The "natural" repellants rated at the bottom.
Ultrathon is great. I don't think DEET works on clothes; if you know you are going to a buggy place, you should probably apply some permethrin to your clothes before you go - it works well and lasts a couple of weeks. You might also apply it to tent screens and mosquito headnets.
Ive always heard that Deet in high enough concentrations could melt some synthetic fabrics. Ive never managed to do this myself. But, I have seen the face of a cheap watch that had melted after exposure.
On a recent trip up by Denali, DEET drops took the color right out of spots on my sunblock shirt and (sigh!) my go-lite gortex jacket. Luckily, it didn't effect the integrity of the gortex. I don't usually use DEET, so this was a new experience.From now on, I will never use DEET spray, only DEET in a roll-on. Same with sunscreen, roll-ons are so less messy.
Just keep DEET away from any plastics and stretchy materials containing spandex/lyca. That includes stretchy softshell pieces. I prefer applying via lotion. Once I'm done with the application I pour some water on my palms and rinse them dry.It's my experience that a 20% delayed-release concentration is flawless in just about every situation in the Northeast. Please note that I sweat buckets no matter how much I skimp on layers. In that regard, the delayed-release stuff is gold! I base this not only while hiking (when black flies and the like have trouble keeping up) but while climbing (masochists would revel in belaying sans DEET in Spring up here).IIRC, you don't gain a lot more by going for any concentrations greater than 33%. That jives with my experiences. I know some outdoors folks have pretty strong criticisms of DEET, but it's right near the top of my essential list of gear. Given how much I sweat and how many critters I seem to attract, I don't think I would be able to enjoy the outdoors without DEET.Man, I didn't even realize the stuff could be applied with a roll on! Thanks for the heads-up.Happy trails!
Edited by tonyabad on 07/16/2006 23:20:27 MDT.
I stopped using DEET after it melted my camera's plastic lens cap! True, that doesn't NECESSARILY mean it's bad for me, but offhand I can't think of anything else that melts plastic that isn't bad for you.I am also the mosquito magnet in a group. I've had good success with one non-DEET repellent - Bite Blocker (no, I'm not associated with the company in any way, just really like the stuff). You have to apply more often than DEET (I generally refresh it after a couple of hours), but it has tested to be about equal to 20% DEET in trials. It has worked well for me even in bad Sierra mosquito times. The other non-DEET repellent which tested even better was 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus (found in a few commercial repellents); I plan to try that when my Bite Blocker runs out.I also wear long sleeved nylon shirts and pants when it's not too hot.
I bought some 30% lemon Eucalyptus oil repellent. I was very sceptical at first so I also brought some deet just in case. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked for me, I did have to re-apply every 4-5 hours but it seemed to work just as well as the deet. I also try and wear light weight pants and long sleeve when the temp. allows.
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(May 02, 2008) It was reported on April 14, 2008, that Bhutan's Department of Trade (DOT) has drafted a consumer protection bill. Efforts to develop consumer awareness date back to 1999, when consumer education research officials from India had first conducted a workshop in Bhutan on consumer protection. According to DOT Director Sonam P Wangdi, "[t]he bill is an adaptation of best practices worldwide and it has UN guidelines of consumer protection. It's simple, user-friendly and will be able to address consumer grievances." Consumers reportedly have lacked much recourse and had "little choice in a market flooded with spurious products from neighbouring India." (Tashi Dendup, Consumer Protection Bill to Be Tabled in Parliament, KUENSEL ONLINE, Apr. 14, 2008, available at http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10205.)
Under the bill, there is a mechanism to resolve consumer complaints through redress as well as the right to take action against unfair exploitation of stakeholders. The bill also addresses such issues as the handling of misleading and false representation of prices, guarantees for goods and services, consumer safety, and consumer rights vis à vis suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers. (Id.)
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Last updated: 05/02/2008


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BMC Atrium Discovery and Dependency Mapping (ADDM) and BMC BladeLogic Client Automation (BBCA) are designed to fulfill different discovery roles. These roles and the rationale behind them are discussed in this document.
BMC recommends that customers deploy as follows:
» Data Center Discovery: BMC Atrium Discovery and Dependency Mapping discovers servers, business applications, software components, and network devices in the data center; and mainframes when used with BMC Discovery for z/OS
» Client Discovery: BMC BladeLogic Client Automation discovers workstations, desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, as well as the installed software
This document presents one exception, where under very limited circumstances, BMC Atrium Discovery and Dependency Mapping may be useful for client discovery.


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My Reincarnation: Interview with the Film's Star Khyentse YeshiOur Winter 2011 issue is here and with it came Mary Talbot's review of My Reincarnation, a film recently released in New York and Los Angeles. The film, by documentarian Jennifer Fox, features over twenty years of footage of Tibetan-born Dzogchen master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and his Italian-born son Yeshi. As Talbot writes, More »
Difference and Harmony: An interview with Zenju Earthlyn ManuelRev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel's new book, Tell Me Something about Buddhism: Questions and Answers for the Curious Beginner, is a simple yet uncommon introduction to the Buddha's teachings. Manuel, an African-American Zen priest, takes a direct and personal approach to the dharma. "What does Buddhism have to do with black people?" she recalls her younger sister once asking her. In Tell Me Something about Buddhism, Manuel reflects on the ways in which being black has informed and enriched her understanding of Buddhism. "The practice is to make companions of difference and harmony, see them both as oneness itself," she writes. "We cannot take the teaching of harmony to serve the desire for sameness and comfort." More »
Q & A with Adam Tebbe, the Broommaster Behind Sweeping ZenAdam Tebbe is the founder of Sweeping Zen, a digital archive of information on Zen Buddhism that contains teacher biographies, lineage charts, and Tebbe's own blog. Tebbe has also founded The Buddhist Dispatch, a Buddhist news online magazine that just launched a week ago, and the Kannonji Zen Retreat in Second Life, where practitioners with no local sanghas in their area can meet virtually to meditate or listen to dharma talks. More »
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Buddha Standard Time: A video interview with Lama Surya DasDuring the month of October, all Tricycle Community Members can get Lama Surya Das's new book, Buddha Standard Time, at a 20% discount with free shipping in the US*, plus free e-book for instant download. Then, discuss the book with Lama Surya Das in the Tricycle Book Club! More »
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What is Focusing? An interview with Eugene GendlinAs you probably know, it's the first week of David Rome's Tricycle Retreat, "Focusing for Meditators: Accessing the Wisdom of the Felt Sense." What you might not know is where in the world this Focusing technique comes from. The current issue of Tricycle sheds some light on this. Linda Heuman's interview with Eugene Gendlin, the founder of Focusing, provides insight into the ideas upon which Focusing is based, the history of how the practice came about, and Gendlin's own thinking about how working with the "felt sense," which is the basis of Focusing, can be extended into various aspects of life. Heuman writes in her introduction to the interview: More »
Q & A with Lt. Jeanette Shin, U.S. Military's First Buddhist ChaplainContinuing Tricycle's Q&As with Buddhist bloggers series, today we have an interview with Lt. Jeanette Shin, the U.S. military's first Buddhist chaplain (there are more now, all of them except Lt. Shin serving in the Army). Commissioned by the Navy in 2004, Lt. Shin, an ordained priest in the Nishi Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, has been providing Buddhist services at the Marine Corps Base Camp in Pendleton, California as well as in Afghanistan. She also runs the blog Buddhist Military Sangha, a forum for Buddhists serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Not sure what military chaplains do in the first place? Read on to find out and hear Lt. Shin's thoughts on being a female Buddhist in the armed forces. More »


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Bridge of Spies
Bridge of Spies is a daring, studied and mannered true story that is at once remarkably genuine and deeply cinematic at the same time.
Bridge of Spies is a daring, studied and mannered true story that is at once remarkably genuine and deeply cinematic at the same time.
As a piece of social satire, Knock Knock winds up being not just toothless but anticlimactic.
"The Ballad of Narayama" is a Japanese film of great beauty and elegant artifice, telling a story of startling cruelty. What a space it opens…
Patrice Leconte's "Monsieur Hire" is a tragedy about loneliness and erotomania, told about two solitary people who have nothing else in common. It involves a…
A NYFF report on Don Cheadle's directorial debut, "Miles Ahead."
A NYFF report on "Carol," "The Assassin" and "Right Now, Wrong Then."
An interview with Joshua Abrams, composer of "Life Itself."
A report about Chaz Ebert's upcoming appearance on OWN's "Where Are They Now?" program.
A FFC review of "The Look of Silence."
A review of "A Girl at My Door".
An essay on David Cronenberg's "The Brood."
The October installment of Bright Wall/Dark Room, which focuses on "The Knick."
"Alps" is a film peculiar beyond all understanding, based on a premise that begs belief. It takes itself with agonizing seriousness, and although it has the form of a parable, I am at a loss to guess its meaning. Yet I was drawn hypnotically into the weirdness.
Imagine a small group of therapists who call themselves "The Alps." They have been named by their leader, who explains that the title has no meaning. They hire themselves to people who have just lost loved ones. They impersonate those dead people as a way of bringing comfort to the bereaved. They don't necessarily look like the dead ones or sound like them, but they stand in for them a few hours a week, performing memorized dialogue that has presumably been supplied by the survivors.
Preposterous, will you agree? And yet their clients hire them and go along with the therapy. Not a single person in the film points out the absurdity of its premise. We don't get to know the clients very well, but we watch the Alps members as they train in an empty gymnasium. In particular, we follow a gymnast (Ariane Labed) and her trainer (Johnny Vekris), as they work on a routine involving her dancing with a long ribbon fluttering at the end of a baton.
She does this (very well) to classical music, but when she asks to change to pop music, he tells her he will bash in her face if she questions his authority. We find it is no idle threat. This brutal relationship has no apparent connection with the grief therapy of the Alps, which otherwise consists largely of memorizing dialogue.
Early in the film, a young tennis player (Maria Kirozi) is gravely injured in a car crash, and we learn that the paramedic is a talent scout of sorts, seeking likely victims who might supply Alps customers. Team member Monte Rosa (Aggeliki Papoulia) calls dibs on the tennis player; later she deceives the other Alps by claiming the player has recovered, and then taking on the parents as private clients.
How she behaves in this role confirms what we may have suspected, that being an Alps member and doing the job requires a degree of mental imbalance and can lead to therapists spinning out of control because of the tension between who they are and the job they're required to do.
"Alps" is the new film by the Greek director Giorgos Lanthimos, whose "Dogtooth" shook up Cannes in 2009. That was the film where control-freak parents contain their children within a walled garden and further isolate them from the world by teaching them the incorrect words for things. A Lanthimos film is like a test tube for life, in which the activity depends on what specific ingredients have been introduced.
Although "Alps" is provocative and challenging, it is so completely self-contained that it has no particular emotional payoff. There is no greater world in which to evaluate its contents. When mourners are comforted by therapists who propose to represent the loved one, you'd think deep feelings would be stirred up. But "Alps" has the effect of a sterile exercise.
This message came to me from a reader named Peter Svensland. He and a fr...
A NYFF report on Don Cheadle's directorial debut, "Miles Ahead."
A review of Steven Spielberg's "Bridge of Spies" from its NYFF premiere last night.


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Common Reading Selection
Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart
Born Igor Shteyngart in Leningrad during the twilight of the Soviet Union, the curious, diminutive, asthmatic boy grew up with a persistent sense of yearning — for food, for acceptance, for words — desires that would follow him into adulthood. In the late 1970s, world events changed Igor's life — he and his family moved to Queens, N.Y. Along the way, Igor became Gary.
Shteyngart's parents dreamed that he would become a lawyer or at least a "conscientious toiler" on Wall Street, something their distracted son was simply not cut out to do. Fusing English and Russian, his mother created the term Failurchka — Little Failure — which she applied to her son. With love. Mostly.
As a result, Shteyngart operated on a theory that he would fail at everything he tried. Swinging between a Soviet home life and American aspirations, Shteyngart found himself wishing he could find a real home. And somebody to love him. And somebody to lend him 69 cents for a McDonald's hamburger. Provocative, hilarious and inventive, Little Failure is a memoir of an immigrant family, as told by a lifelong misfit who forged an essential literary voice and, against all odds, a place in the world.
About the Author
Gary Shteyngart was born in Leningrad in 1972 and came to the United States seven years later. He is the author of the novels Super Sad True Love Story, which won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize and was selected as one of the best books of the year by more than 40 news journals and magazines around the world; Absurdistan, which was chosen as one of the 10 best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review and Time magazine; and The Russian Debutante's Handbook, winner of the Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction and the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Travel + Leisure, Esquire, GQ, The New York Times Magazine and many other publications and has been translated into 26 languages. Shteyngart lives in New York City and upstate New York.
To learn more about Gary Shteyngart and Little Failure, including book reviews, interviews with the author, and articles on its themes of language, Russian history, culture and identity, visit the Brooklyn College Library's 2014 Common Reading Page.
Meet the Author
The First College Year is proud to present Gary Shteyngart, author of the fall 2014 First-Year Common Reading, Little Failure. This rare and intimate on-campus visit will feature live discussion, selected readings and book signing. The event is free and open to the entire Brooklyn College community. Seating is first come, first served.
A Conversation with Gary Shteyngart
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
12:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Whitman Auditorium
Faculty Reflections on This Year's Common Reading
Richard Horwich, Professor Emeritus of English
Gary Shteyngart's Little Failure belongs to a crowded sub-category of autobiography — the first-person record of the immigrant experience. What sets it apart from all those other memoirs by lost people who found themselves in America is that until now, Shteyngart's literary specialty has been the comic novel, best exemplified by The Russian Debutante's Handbook (my favorite) and the more recent Absurdistan. Little Failure chronicles the life of a Russian-Jewish boy growing up in a lower-middle class neighborhood in Queens; as the reader watches Shteyngart try to wrench himself out of the Russian language and culture, I was reminded of that other great literary ex-pat, Vladimir Nabokov, and his own memoir Speak, Memory
Shteyngart was a geeky but very smart kid who found his way to Stuyvesant High School and Oberlin College, enveloped in a toxic cloud of sexual desire mingled with intense feelings of inferiority. "I'm still operating on the theory that I will fail at everything I try," he writes. But he will not; reading and eventually writing saved him, earning at last even the grudging admiration of his parents, whose love for him seemed to flicker on and off like a faulty fluorescent bulb. I won't spoil the sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant adventures Shteyngart has trying to learn English (the four-letter words came first), trying to find a girl who would return his burning lust (he found her at Oberlin), trying to make friends (they were often geekier than he was), or trying to publish his early stories (they were rejected with encouragement).
Mingled with the narrative of growing up in Little Neck are his memories of Leningrad, and his trip back to Russia with his parents, which will show you a view of the Mother Country unlike any you have encountered. Like Nabokov, Shteyngart brings a keen, critical eye and a droll prose style to bear on the delights and absurdities of America. Often, as he details his rites of passage, you won't know whether to laugh or cry. Why not do both?
Anna Gotlib, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
As a Russian immigrant myself, Little Failure struck me with its unrelenting honesty and its refusal to sugar-coat and edit out the difficult, challenging experiences of the author and his vivid assortment of friends and family. Along with its original, candid voice, the memoir offers stories that do not conform to any expected, clichéd, immigrant narratives of absolute triumph or total failure. Instead, this is the story of a particular person, with his particular weaknesses, fears, strengths, and desires, told through often sharp, self-deprecating humor, which invites the reader into a world that is deeply nuanced, never what it appears to be, and always in flux.
The book presents a particularly significant dilemma: On the one hand, whoever you think you are, whatever your roots happen to be, and however strong your commitments might be to some fixed idea of yourself and of your identity, none of these things are guaranteed to stay the same, or be impenetrable to the influences of people or experiences, or remain protected against the shock of the new. On the other hand, your past is always with you, and to simply run away from it without looking back is to impoverish both your present and your future. The difficult tight-rope walking act of the immigrant's world is precisely in living both sides of this dilemma at the same time — and Gary Shteyngart demonstrates this experience unlike anyone else.