Coincidences

 As far as I know, there were some but not a lot of weird coincidences during my early childhood, i.e. before President's College, which is the main period for my book Growing Up In The Town Of Linden (you may know that I am known for having a lot of weird coincidences and I would like a movie made of my life). There were quite a few weird coincidences at President's College. The main one has to do with my birthday. I had a lot of weird coincidences later on.

The weirdcoincidences tag/label provides more information.

Interesting question:

How likely are you to believe weird things?

If weird things on a page turn out to be true, it is reasonable to assume everything there is true?

The BA Job

 The BA position is very special. It involves using business knowledge for the benefit of IT projects. I got into this job/career many years ago - I started at the company in a training program. It is a tough job. I remember a lot of the Analysts had short stints on the project I was working on during a job rotation. I was there for months and months, one of the longest Analysts on that project. I believe my background made a difference. Your background really could make a difference on a project - maybe the system will make more sense to you. Your qualifications may not be the only thing that matters. I remember Myers-Briggs results were considered. I did experimental work at some of the jobs. I mention this in one of my papers (my marketing paper).

Story and Poems

 Computer limited, using phone:

I wanted to review information out there (resources) on stories vs. poems. I like that there is more of a connection with poetry sometimes.

(https://writingforrhymes.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/poetry-vs-short-stories/)

Other blogs

 Admiring the work of others in the blogosphere... I found an interesting and informative blog by an accomplished haiku master from Maryland. Interesting that someone else stores thoughts about poetry and writing in a blog. The blog: https://starsinmysugarbowl.wordpress.com/. I like her 'buy me a coffee' link.

Working, working

 Bagel and cream cheese...I enjoyed it. It reminded me of deli orders so long ago. I liked to get breakfast at delis in Washington, DC before work.

 

I am currently working on stories and poems on President's College. I like what I have so far. It should be a good book. I also plan to submit an application for a particular job today. I will continue working on my compensation paper soon. I have some new ideas for the paper. A lot to do...

Small town life

 I am certain you have seen writings about life in and lessons from a small town (example: https://www.readunwritten.com/2015/04/03/what-growing-up-in-a-small-town-teaches-you-about-life/). My poembook is similar in a lot of ways. It includes informative poems about my important experiences in the town I grew up in with a summary of top lessons from growing up there. My life in Linden shaped who I became. See my book Growing Up In The Town Of Linden.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Town-Linden-Fahmi/dp/1837948542

Blurring lines

 That Anne Carson, the new Nobel Prize winner, blurs lines/categories in literature was a surprise. I read with interest that she writes "novels in verse, essays that read like poems, and poems that read like philosophy." My book is similar (it blurs lines too). Wow!

My book

 Copies of my book have arrived! I received the box earlier today. Excited to have my book finally! Thank you to the publisher!

A good paper

 I could not believe the improvements. My work paid off. I saw publishing potential. (Note that the original paper was prepared in a hurry. Later, I was on a break - not taking/enrolled for classes.). Papers for publishing could be made public.

Past blog post: The work to publish my papers

https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2026/06/paper-for-publishing.html

Update

 Just a short voice update on my current status...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E9MK3t8Rp/

Saw an interesting book

 I was busy reading up on Hemingway. I found quite a few of his poems online. In other news, a book on simple winning caught my attention. I thought it was unusual.

My comment on the book:

This seems like a good book. The topic surprised me.

Simple is not a bad word. Simple is necessary sometimes. Simple may be a good place to start. Add complexity later. I remember the perfect competition model in economics (reminds me of Lipsey). It is simple on purpose - the assumptions reduce the complexity to lead to a much better understanding of markets. Simple could lead to better understanding.

Simple is associated with less detail (maybe glossing over details sometimes) and the removal of important options/nuances. There is a negative connotation.

Hemingway

 It is interesting that I will be compared to Ernest Hemingway (as I mentioned in my previous post, I am channeling his work - I like the idea of combining stories and poems). I am fairly new to Hemingway's work. I did not examine Hemingway's work in high school or college. I found an interesting blog post on his writing. His thoughts on competing with other writers were interesting:

 Compete with the dead [writers] you know are good. Then when you can pass them up you know you’re going good. You should have read all the good stuff so that you know what has been done, because if you have a story like one somebody else has written, yours isn’t any good unless you can write a better one.

In any art you’re allowed to steal anything if you can make it better, but the tendency should always be upward instead of down. And don’t ever imitate anybody. All style is, is the awkwardness of a writer in stating a fact. If you have a way of your own, you are fortunate, but if you try to write like somebody else, you’ll have the awkwardness of the other writer as well as your own.

(https://www.philrosen.blog/p/writing-tips-ernest-hemingway-author-journalist-rosen-bestselling-12-2022) 

 

Still working

 I am up later than normal. I wanted a cup of tea but had to go with a cup of coffee. I am enjoying it. I am working on my stories and poems on President's College (channeling Ernest Hemingway). I am thinking through things I learned at the school. 

A good morning

 I  got up early today. My eye feels a little weird but I am good. I will try to get some work done. I really want to continue working on the President's College projects (these are personal projects - they were not requested or on behalf of the school). 

I did not mention before that only two students from Watooka Day School made it to President's College. I knew the other person well. There were also other students from Linden that year. We were all dark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More memories

 I mentioned that there were two Seons in my UG economics class. I also remember that:

- There were four Simones in my batch/year at President's College - Simone W. (we had the same pastorial father), Simone Y., Simone J. (she did Woodwork when few signed up), and Simone B.

- There was Seeta and Preeta. I liked Seeta's drop curls. Preeta once wrote me my name in Hindi. I never asked Preeta whether she sucked her thumb as a child. I assumed she did - just like I did.

I should probably think of the likelihood of these events (reminds me of statistics, specifically probability).

Idea

 Another idea: An essay that may open doors, lead to funding...

I will work on this. I work hard for my money. 

Update

 I saw the doctor yesterday. I am happy things worked out. I am back to normal (no longer in a stressful situation - dealing with a lot but at ease and healing).

I saw a photo from yesterday and marveled at the message. Think jumbled head.

Memories

 I found an old textbook yesterday. It reminded me of my master's program at UMBC. I especially remember that I prepared a paper on the furniture industry for my Electronic Commerce course. I discovered that the industry is fiercely competitive. I remember furniture businesses were closing all around Maryland. Years after, I wrote a signature assignment on IKEA, a dominant player in the US furniture industry.

Back then, I preferred the physical books. I did not use/purchase a single electronic textbook during my program.

Update, Weird coincidences

 It looks like I will not make the appointment I have today. I am upset because it took a while to get the appointment. I also need to go the laboratory for blood work. Please help me God.

I thought of another weird coincidence from my days in UG Economics. I was happy that two colleagues from President's College were in the program (Diahanne and Kevin). Diahanne was from my batch. She did not complete A Levels at President's College. Therefore, she left the institution years before I did (I was an A Level student from 1991 to 1993). It is interesting that our first names look complicated, have 'h' as well as doubles. RIP Diahanne.

I also remember Seon Phaul from UG Economics. There were two Seons in the class - a female and a male. That was interesting. Thank you to the people who assisted me in some way (a place to stay or in some other way). 

Grace

To Paul Tripp (https://www.paultripp.com/articles/posts/6-types-of-grace), grace is the most beautiful word in the universe and one of the most overused words in the church. God's grace is important. "You need it. You can’t live without it, but you can’t purchase it and you can’t earn it. It only ever comes by means of a gift, and when you receive it, you immediately realize how much you needed it all along, and you wonder how you could’ve lived so long without it." It is clear God decides when to extend grace and grace is a gift from God.

More coincidences

 I explained in my previous post that I noticed Hill-Rom in other environments after noting that a Hill-Rom solution/product produced significant impact. This is included with my other weird coincidences. 

The Rom makes me think of cd-rom. You will not believe that Hill is a name I noticed in the past. There is Lauryn Hill and there is Faith Hill, both outstanding singers. Those first names are significant. Lauren and Faith - the names of two outstanding, "brown skin" girls from my days in Guyana. Lauren was into music. I know Faith from UG economics. Faith was beautiful - the class had quite a few beautiful females (Grace RIP, Claudia, Ayodele, and more). Someone told me that I looked like Grace.

There is a lot to think about.

MondayMemory

 I remember I noticed Hill-Rom when eating at Hopkins (food was good at Hopkins - lunchboxes and all of it). I had a flashback to my days in rehab. I noticed Hill-Rom at rehab. Hill-Rom always reminds me of my hand hygiene paper. I really like that paper. That paper and course used economics principles (other posts in this blog provide further information). The use of economics may have been weird to some since I studied it for undergrad and not graduate school. There was a bit of finance. I did not stress the finance areas though.

This reminds me of my employment at Fannie Mae. It was "systems work" or technical work (information systems/information technology). It was audit-type work too. I am happy I used auditing principles a lot. Finance work was not the emphasis.

Stamps

 I was into stamp collecting early in my life. I barely remember. I do not believe there were writers on stamps back then. When did this begin, I wonder?

Latest ideas

 Based on my post that contributed an idea on a fictional character that is complicated, I can make the argument that my life should be made into a movie. Maybe my book should explain how my coincidences came to be. 

I had another idea. I should try to collect documents supporting details in my first published book. Maybe health records (showing that I was treated for a dog bite, and so on) are filed away somewhere. I don't know whether the company had a record retention policy. I do know some companies ensure records are no longer available after a specified number of years.

And I had yet another idea. It occurred to me that I need a doctor's letter concerning certain issues (what is possible, likely). I need it for my records. I may need it to qualify for an apartment. Some may assume I need special facilities or that I am high risk. Once, in the middle of the night, I was transported to an emergency room. I don't know how that happened.

After all this, I need to explain somewhere how this blog helped me figure out some things. I need a major article.

Ideas. They are important.

Life comes with decisions

 Some things I believe in...

Some things don't change

 Lavender...that was a good thought.

A fictional character

 The Wordpress writing prompt for today 9/18 is weird and interesting. I decided to take a stab at it. The prompt:

If you had to switch lives with a fictional character for a week, who would you choose?

I selected Spiderman as the fictional character I would want to be based on what I read in this movie review: https://johnaugust.com/2007/perils-of-coincidence. The reviewer was unhappy about the unlikely coincidences in the movie. But you expect that sort of thing in a movie. It is for entertainment. I am known for weird coincidences but they are all true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just doing what I need to

 I decided to call the Social Security Administration to tell them about my eye. The problems seemed to reoccur.  I don't know what they will say about me qualifying for disability benefits.

By the way, this blog does show a lot of "workings" ("behind the scenes" details or "under the hood" information). It reminds me of workings submitted with math exams. Feel free to comment on my work.

What I'm currently working on 9.17.2026

 I am working on several books to be published. One will provide more information about me and my high school experience. Another will include three poems on President's College. (See post on three items that say so much: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2026/08/three-items-to-say-so-much.html). There is also a book on luck. It will look into my weird coincidences. I like how the projects are coming along.

I have a reputation for having weird coincidences. See weird coincidences on this page.

My FOIA Request

 The status of my FOIA Request is 'On Hold - Need Info/Clarification'. I don't have details on the clarification needed. It could be that there are questions about the meetings held to discuss the work needed and make certain decisions before preparation of the requirements document. Maybe the meeting minutes/summaries can't be found. However, Outlook does store some information on meetings - meeting date, description, invitees. That information would be okay. 

I held meetings with other members of the requirements team. (There was also editing in Word using track changes). I missed the meeting with the Government Requirements Lead. I could have held meetings with Developers to have input into the information provided to users (how error produced, how to fix) so that there is no need for a Developer to assist the user directly.

It was clear the writing/explanations could make a difference. I saw that sort of thing at other jobs too.

My Book

 Short video on memories that made a difference for my book: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C8idR75rM/

The poems in my book provide insight into my life in Linden, Guyana, South America before President's College. It explains a lot - some of my choices may make more sense to you. Obtain your copy at: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Town-Linden-Fahmi/dp/1837948542.

Extra:

A short poem about the opportunities Watooka Day School led to: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2026/07/book.html

And information on my music exam performance: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2026/07/update.html 

Eye better

 An update...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1PtGHDWMd6/

Icicles

 This #ThrowbackThursday I remember the custard icicles I enjoyed when I was in Linden. I saw the icicles offered for sale in a packet (about 10 in the packet) and wanted to try it. 

I know a whole lot about icicles. As a little girl, I saw icicles being made. I enjoyed different flavors. I watched customers (of my great aunt's) enjoy the icicles as well.

There is a special poem about icicle production in my book. Production process in the home. There is quite a lot of that in Guyana. I witnessed some of it.

RIP Aunt Magnel

To order a copy of my book: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Town-Linden-Fahmi/dp/1837948542

I ended up in Baltimore

 It was a whirlwind. One emergency room to the next. I ended up in Baltimore. Then one examination after the next until things improved. I appreciated that I could see eye specialists without much fuss/notice at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I made the decision to stay close to the world renowned Wilmer Eye Institute. It will be Baltimore for a while. I was dealing with issues anyway.

How I Feel Today

It was very interesting today. Not much I can say.

Sometimes you take it as it is and progress. It is not what I expected or wanted. It assisted me in all sort of ways. I thought about root issues and symptoms. If it feels good for some, then that's okay. Moving on. 

I continue on. I expect to "land" sometime soon.

Today

 Yesterday I was lying in bed nursing my sick eye. The old favorites I listened to made a difference. I realized again there is poetry in a lot of songs...Circle of Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwH9YvhPN7c), All of My Life (https://youtu.be/rL37v_TarAI?si=FkoiLH8p9QPKsYup), and so on. I highlight a church song that I like that is a poem:

Love Lifted Me

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me–
Now safe am I.

Souls in danger, look above,
Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be–
Be saved today. 

I like this song as Benny Hinn sang it in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPD1lpdAXFM.

I attended a Benny Hinn conference many years ago. I quite enjoyed it. I still remember the trip to the Baltimore Convention Center. My mother drove. I was not feeling well. It all worked out.

Update

 Poetry is really everywhere like I said. Here is an another example of poetry in a song. It is a really good song.

The Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone take them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way

[Chorus]
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Linden

 As the name indicates, Watooka Day School was in Watooka. Watooka was a privileged part of Linden for executives and managers of the bauxite company (used to be mostly expatriates). I was there during school hours and in another area after school. I got to see and experience different environments/lives. This may be evident from my book. Get a copy today. https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Town-Linden-Fahmi/dp/1837948542 

What I'm working on

 Voice Update...

 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19DcoZjEaQ/ 

 

Uncertain times

Wordpress writing prompt for 8/17/2026: How do you deal with uncertainty?

 Everyone likes and wants a sure thing. I would like to know that I will get that job I applied for with certainty, perhaps within one month. People like to know the highest offer on a home so they are sure their offer will be better and will be accepted. People like that the job they have will pay them for the next year with certainty. However, there are usually no sure things. I like to give myself more time for important things. I also like to obtain as much information as possible so I am informed of potential issues and risky behaviors. Praying helps.

This all makes me think of the contractor job I held at the FAA. Those were uncertain times (on the job). I didn't want to ruffle feathers or stand out in a negative way. I remember at one point, the solution did not meet expectations. Change was needed. I understand why I wanted to be known as good. I balked at certain assignments. I ensured I did well. I did not ask for too much. You should know that I am very happy I worked there. I am happy I was a part of a complicated structure. I figured out the FAA used ambidexterity, the example mentioned in my org structure paper.  

Update

 I woke up late this morning. I will have a busy day writing and applying for jobs. There is no need to go out (for appointments or other reason). I am at home lounging. 

During the past few days, my mother had a bunch of people over. I was surprised. I half expected a realtor/real estate agent. Maybe I will make an introduction. I met Bette Deller by accident years ago and she turned out to be very good. 

There is so much on my mind. For example, is it right to run the a/c all day? I think we need to conserve electricity. Power is expensive.

 

Three items to say so much

 Three poems that say so much about President's College (my high school). I came up with a combination that "sings." I can't believe I did. It is somewhat similar to my paper on three articles. My backgrounds now intersect.

https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2026/08/special-poems-highlighting-wooden.html 

https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2026/06/paper-for-publishing.html 

Special poems highlighting wooden background

 I am currently working on another book of poems on President's College. I also started a book on luck. There is a lot of work to do.

 Included are three poems that highlight my wooden background. It sort of gives special meaning to "knock on wood" (https://www.rd.com/article/knock-on-wood-meaning/). The poems and book must be special.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

(Note: Flute is used in place of 'woodwind instrument' in the third poem..)