viernes, 31 de agosto de 2012

What do you know about summer theater?


1. Which is the title for latest Ida LeClair play by Susan Poulin, which made its début at WEST as part of ACT ONE's "Festival 2012."
a. "Ida LeClair in I Married An Alien!" b. "Ida, the Down Maine Alien," c. "Ida Advises Aliens, d. Ida and the Alien Antlers."
2. Which guy will perform a one-woman show this summer at Seacoast Repertory Theatre?
a. Knate Higgins, b. Scottie McLaughlin, c. Johnnie Pirroni, d. Bill Humphries.
3. Actor Jamie Bradley, currently in Seacoast Rep's "Full Monty" as Dave, returns in "Chicago" the theater's second summer production as:
a. Matron "Mama" Morton, b. "Mr. Cellophane," (Amos), c. Billy Flynn, d. Roxie.
4. Which is not part of The Players' Ring's upcoming Late Night "Art Infusion?"
a. Dungeons & Dragons live, b. A Night of Comedy, c. Mysterious subtext Theater, d. Battle of the Galactic Geeks.
5. Hackmatack Playhouse gave a fresh coat of point to its:
1. Main house, b. lead performers, c. theater/barn; d. costume shop.
BONUS QUESTION what exotic item is sold at Hackmatack's concession stand — other than homemade strawberry shortcake and pies?
Answers
1. "Ida LeClair in I Married An Alien!"
2. c. Johnnie Pirroni
3. b. "Mr. Cellophane," (Amos)
4. d. Battle of the Galactic Geeks
5. c. theater/barn
BONUS ANSWER
Buffalo burgers. 1 point
Score
5. Sizzlin' hot
4. Mighty toasty
3. Medium warm
2. Tepid
1. Chilly

sábado, 25 de agosto de 2012

What do you know about the nikahnama?



If you are like most brides, you will see the nikahnama only when you’re signing the dotted line.
You’ve booked the venue, arranged for the caterer, and picked out your make up artist. The invitations have been delivered, the dance moves perfected by your cousins and friends. It seems that you are perfectly prepped for the biggest day of your life. But have you even glanced at the document which will actually seal the deal? If you are like most brides, you will see the nikahnamaonly when you’re signing the dotted line, with relatives hovering over you and guests waiting impatiently for the dinner to be served.
But, like I said, this piece of paper – and not all the elaborate arrangements you’ve made – may well determine the course of your married life. How many times have you heard of a marriage hitting the rocks because the couple was at odds over financial issues or found out that they were simply incompatible? A good understanding of the nikahnama can help a girl get her rights in such scenarios – and by forcing her to think of these serious issues prior to marriage, it actually works to circumvent unpleasantness later on. When deliberating over the different clauses of the nikahnama, husband and wife have the chance to spell out their expectations to each other, leading to a happier married life.
However what usually happens is that the bride-to-be plans a fairytale wedding with little other than a happily-ever-after situation in mind. Then, when issues crop up later on – as they inevitably do in any marriage – the girl finds herself unprepared to handle them, more often than not. In the not-too-rare situation that husband and wife have irreconcilable differences, the wife may find herself at a distinct disadvantage. After all, it was the moulvi solemnising the nikah who filled out the nikahnama; the girl had hardly looked at the document before signing it.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of this seemingly simple two-page document that requires as little as the testimony of two witnesses and the consent of the couple. At the very least, thenikahnama deserves some contemplation on your part, and an effort to gain a basic understanding of what all the clauses it contains entail.
There are clauses you might not be aware of, that your moulvi would be tempted to cross out because he deems them irrelevant or contrary to tradition. But take note that they are provided by the law and designed to give you certain marital rights. No matter how strong an understanding there is between the couple and their families before marriage, the straightforward, business-like nikahnama preempts possible future misunderstandings and ensures a degree of constancy in an otherwise emotional affair. If relations get messy, that piece of paper will be one of the most important documents that the embittered couple submit to court.
One of the most important clauses in the document that you should be aware of is the one stipulating the haq mehr – an obligatory gift given to the wife by the husband in consideration of marriage. When filling out the nikahnama, make sure you specify the form in which the mehr will be paid: it could be in the form of cash, gold, or any other item of value. If gold worth a certain amount is specified, the wife automatically claims gold of that worth from her bari (gifts from the groom’s family) as her own. Unless the mehr is specifically stipulated in the nikahnama, the gold given by the man’s side is considered to be gifts in a court of law which have to be given up in case of a divorce.
While the issue of mehr is often settled by the elders of the two families, there is no harm in women expressing their desire to ask for ‘mu’ajjal’ (when the mehr is to be paid at the time of the nikah), or ‘mu’wajjal’ (when it is to be paid at the time the wife demands). However, if the clause about mehr is left empty, the wife may have to make do with an amount set arbitrarily by the husband.
Here is the catch though: if the mehr clause is left empty, the wife can actually challenge the husband in court, stating that he has not fulfilled his obligation. The burden of proof then falls on the husband and he will have to show that he has in fact paid up the mehr. For this, he would have to produce evidence regarding the form of payment and produce witnesses to testify that he made the payment.
The most abused clause in the nikahnama – which, by the way, is routinely crossed out by moulvis without so much as consulting the bride – is the one stating the right of a woman to initiate divorce. If this clause is struck off, you lose the ability to file for Suit of Dissolution of Marriage by Way of Talaq. You may still file for khulawhich means that you lose the right over your mehr. While khulagives you the benefit of not needing to record evidence against the husband, it places you at a financial disadvantage and for many women giving up that financial security effectively means forgoing divorce. You need to decide whether you want to retain the clause which would entitle you to receive your mehr in case you ever need to initiate a divorce.
There are clauses and documents you can even attach to the nikahnama. You may set an amount of money that you want from your husband as allowance every month.  This could be any amount decided between you and your prospective husband. Interestingly, the girl may challenge in court years down the line that the allowance spelled out in the nikahnama is not sufficient to meet her expenses and be revised keeping in mind inflation and her growing needs. Some people go as far as to include a clause that in the case of a separation or divorce the husband will pay her a certain sum of money, or a clause regarding who is going to get the custody of children if there is a breakup. So long as the documents do not run contrary to law, such clauses are acceptable in the court.
The nikahnama is one of the few things that are left to the last minute, when there is hardly enough time for the girl to deliberate over it – even though it is the one document that ensures your marital rights. Hence, the best advice to would-be brides would be to take charge and read it. Know what rights you have, and ask for what is rightly yours.
Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying
Published in The New York Times, December 17, 2006 
1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?
2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?
3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?
4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?
6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?
7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?
8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?
9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our  children will be exposed to religious/moral education?
10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?
11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?
12) What does my family do that annoys you?
13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?
14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?
15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever  challenges we may face?
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, July 8th, 2012.

miércoles, 15 de agosto de 2012

What do you know about pokemon level 2 ?



  1. What move does magickarp know on level one?

  2. 2

    What are the three starters frow diamond and pearl?

  3. 3

    What are poison types super effective against?

  4. 4

    What region did goldeen come from

  5. 5

    Wich of these is NOT a fire type

  6. Would you like to go back to school and get smarter?

miércoles, 8 de agosto de 2012

What do you know about your still single?



Are you one of those people who frequently gets asked questions like, "Why aren't you married yet? Why haven't you settled down? Don't you know you aren't getting any younger?" If you are single, breathing and don't look like Jocelyn Wildenstein, the answer is likely yes. If you are queer, these same folks really like to bring up marriage equality as you raison d'etre for coupledom, as the very fact of it almost being legal in your state means you should immediately find someone and put a ring on it. They'll ask, "Don't you know you can do that now? You are legally allowed to be miserable, too!" Yes, you are aware. Anderson Cooper told you.
They always mean this to be a compliment, as if the idea of someone like you being single is just madness, but it never feels like that. It feels like everyone has suddenly become your mother. With that in mind, here's a list of 41 reasons you may or may not still be single.
1. Watching every episode of Arrested Development a hundred times takes up a lot of your free time.
2. You already have three husbands you are very devoted to. Their names are Aaron Sorkin, Jay Gatsby and Binge Eating.
3. Often food finds its way back out of the garbage and into your mouth. How did that get there?
4. You don't remember the last time you did laundry.
5. Sometimes you'd rather just fall asleep while watching Felicity or Joseph Campbell documentaries than even attempt to have intercourse with someone.
6. Your Snuggie isn't built for two.
7. The only pitter-patter of little feet you want in your apartment right now is from the cockroaches in the kitchen, who at least feed themselves and presumably change all their own diapers.
8. Your parents haven't gotten up the nerve to directly have you married off, but sometimes at Christmas, you see a strange glaze come over your mother's eyes and you know she's thinking it.
9. The only blind date you ever liked was the time you and an ex got drunk and watched The Miracle Worker on DVD.
10. In late fall and the winter, you like to not shave your legs or your back or your chest or anything for a solid four months and not have to have to worry about anyone looking at it.
11. When you get home, you just want to put on the sweatpants and not give any fucks.
12. You don't want anyone to know just how often you watch Toddlers and Tiaras. No one goes near your TiVo.
13. Hogging the whole bed and just rolling around in it comfortably is often just as good as having someone in it with you.
14. You just watched Fatal Attraction for the first time and never want to go back in that water again.
15. To quote the immortal Cher Horowitz -- sage guide of all mankind -- you know how picky you are about your shoes, and they only go on your feet.
16. You plan on actually reading Infinite Jest or Finnegan's Wake this summer, meaning you are clearing your schedule of any other commitments ever.
17. Meg Ryan set you up to fail.
18. You fart way more often than you would like to be accountable for.
19. You are terrified of turning into your mother/father and even more than that, anyone ever bringing that up to you.
20. You are equally nervous that you've already romantically peaked. How dare your ex be such a good partner and set the bar so high?
21. You only ever see the same 15 people on OKCupid and one of them is your cousin.
22. Fiona Apple just won't let you be happy.
23. You had to read The Awakening in high school, and you never really got over it. Because that's what happens when you are in love, and it's the worst thing ever. You abandon your children, your lover leaves you via note and then you drown in a lake.
24. You, unfortunately, probably won't marry Ryan Gosling or Christina Hendricks, because they won't return any of your calls, and definitely can't marry Doctor Who, because he isn't real. And Anderson Cooper is gay now (or if you are gay, already taken), so you are even more doomed.
25. You leave the bathroom door open, a lot. You sometimes forget the bathroom even has a door, and you're all like, "Wait, we don't pee in a barn?"
26. Your mother won't stop pulling out your baby photos and your dad probably still has that shotgun for potential mates.
27. You can't stop drunk dialing people, even though you barely know how to work the smart phone that the people at the door swore you were smart enough to figure out. Drunk dialing, that you can do.
28. You never cook ever, and one time, you seriously considered using the oven to hold excess pairs of shoes because Lorelai Gilmore told you it was a good idea. Who are you to argue with a Gilmore?
29. Your kitchen sink could be certified as a disaster area some days, especially if those days fall during finals week or thesis deadlines.
30. You tend to fall in love with everyone you meet, and you can't legally marry all of them. Also, Big Love proves that if you did marry all of them, it would be exhausting and one of them would be played by Chloe Sevigny. So, no, thank you.
31. Your imaginary girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you when you were 12, and you are still pining for them.
32. Your cat can't sign a marriage license or write wedding vows because of a lack of opposable thumbs, but if she could, you would make her so happy, just like a Rihanna song.
33. When you add up your best friends, they are like having a spouse already, and they are just as needy as one. And usually, when you are out with any of them, people think you are either dating, married or conjoined twins.
34. You don't get bars that aren't dive bars. How the hell can you be expected to hear anyone when the blaring techno beats won't leave your ears alone? PISS OFF, KE$HA. Instead, you would rather go to a place where all the patrons remind you of Tom Waits songs and typical conversation involves Reaganomics and Vietnam flashbacks.
35. You know that society expects you to go out and look like a Nicki Minaj video on Friday nights, but most of the time you would secretly rather stay in, have about five glasses of wine and watch reruns of Nova on PBS. Because you are internally a 50-year-old woman.
36. Your life model is Liz Lemon, which is great for most things but a very bad idea when it comes to relationships.
37. The pizza delivery guy doesn't sell future husbands, just future sadness when you see the five pizza boxes lying near the trash and you know that no one else ate pizza in your apartment last night.
38. Every time you tell your therapist that you are ready to start dating again, they chuckle. Not an outright laugh that would overtly acknowledge the ludicrousness of your idea, but just something to make you nervous about it. You are thinking of getting a therapist to help you deal with being in therapy.
39. You have a bad habit of running into things when you check someone out, like you are the lead in a '90s romantic comedy.
40. You really like being single and being your own person, and not just because the Spice Girls told you to. You know you could be just as empowered in a relationship, but right now, you are just cool doing you. Got a problem with that, Mom, Grandma, and that guy at the grocery store checkout who is weirdly insistent upon the fact that you should be "settled down?" Tough.
41. Settling is for pilgrims. You'd rather be with someone when it doesn't feel like settling, it just feels right.

miércoles, 1 de agosto de 2012

What do you know about the national anthem?


You cover your heart and sing along with the national anthem at baseball games all summer long. But how much do you know about the history behind the tune? Find out by answering these true-or-false questions.
1. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the Civil War.
2. The flag referred to in the song was flying over Ft. McHenry near Baltimore.
3. Key wrote the song's melody, as well as its lyrics.
4. After Key wrote his song, he kept it secret for several years before releasing it.
5. "The Star-Spangled Banner" became the national anthem in the late 19th Century.

ANSWERS

1. False. Key wrote the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812.
2. True. Key was inspired to write the words during the Battle of Baltimore, in September 1814.
3. False. Key directed that the words be set to a British tune called "To Anacreon in Heaven."
4. False. Key wrote the words in September, and the poem was printed almost immediately on handbills. Two Baltimore newspapers published it, and by mid-October, 17 newspapers had printed it.
5. False. It became the nation's official anthem in 1931.