Ignorance, freudian slip or calculated strategy ?
This last month witnessed interesting debates following the Pope's lecture. The following 3 bloggers made the best and most interesting posts I've read on the controversy, including this article in the Christian Science Monitor. Please go read them now.
(a) American Palestinian .
(b) Suliman .
(c) AngloLibyan .
Religious sensitivities are currently quite high in the world whether we admit it or not, the trick is simply not to get drawn in or if you must then weigh your words wisely ( PS this applies to readers of this blog too ).
It's high time I pitch in my 2 dirhams worth , next on Highlander's blog => The Pope !
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Top 9-11 post pick
September has drawn to an end , during that month I can safely say that countless were those who wrote about 9-11 one way or the other. I've read many of the posts on the blogosphere , people's reminescence, commemoration, minutes of silence , rants, dignified RIP and informed or unimformed political analysis. I even pitched in my humble opinion here , but from all that I read below were the posts that left an impact and I would like to share them with you.
(1) Flashback 9/11
(2) 9/11 or 9-1-1, more conspiracy thoughts.
(3) Map: war on terror .
(4) The "But" people .
(5) They are blaming the victim .
(6) Remembering 9/11 .
Please read carefully all 6 and tell me your pick and why ?
September has drawn to an end , during that month I can safely say that countless were those who wrote about 9-11 one way or the other. I've read many of the posts on the blogosphere , people's reminescence, commemoration, minutes of silence , rants, dignified RIP and informed or unimformed political analysis. I even pitched in my humble opinion here , but from all that I read below were the posts that left an impact and I would like to share them with you.
(1) Flashback 9/11
(2) 9/11 or 9-1-1, more conspiracy thoughts.
(3) Map: war on terror .
(4) The "But" people .
(5) They are blaming the victim .
(6) Remembering 9/11 .
Please read carefully all 6 and tell me your pick and why ?
Creative writing: male vs female II
Blogger and friend Adam was affected by my post here and decided to run his own experiment. Two other bloggers and yours truly accepted his challenge/invitation :) , and so there are currently two stories developping on his blog " Blue " and "The Day it all changed".
Now that the stories have advanced I'm curious to know what you guys are thinking. Could you predict the outcome ? Any criticism , hints, tips, analysis of female /male thinking. Is Mars and Venus (TM) really relevant?
You may also join the conversation with the rest of Adam's readers on the two stories here.
Blogger and friend Adam was affected by my post here and decided to run his own experiment. Two other bloggers and yours truly accepted his challenge/invitation :) , and so there are currently two stories developping on his blog " Blue " and "The Day it all changed".
Now that the stories have advanced I'm curious to know what you guys are thinking. Could you predict the outcome ? Any criticism , hints, tips, analysis of female /male thinking. Is Mars and Venus (TM) really relevant?
You may also join the conversation with the rest of Adam's readers on the two stories here.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Back
OK as you can see I'm back . A big thanks to those who wrote to inquire about me. I just was so busy trying to adapt to the new schedule, juggling work , Ramadan, family duties and social life is not easy and something has to suffer- maybe I am getting old ? ;)
Of course the world did not hold while I was away and I'm sure I'll have something to say in the next few days ... I already answered wherever you guys left your comments so do go back to check them .
H .
OK as you can see I'm back . A big thanks to those who wrote to inquire about me. I just was so busy trying to adapt to the new schedule, juggling work , Ramadan, family duties and social life is not easy and something has to suffer- maybe I am getting old ? ;)
Of course the world did not hold while I was away and I'm sure I'll have something to say in the next few days ... I already answered wherever you guys left your comments so do go back to check them .
H .
Friday, September 22, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
The signs of love - A Muslim philosopher's view
"A man in love will give prodigally to the limit of his capacity, in a way that formerly he would have refused; as if he were the one receiving the donation, he the one whose happiness is the object in view; all this in order that he may show off his good points, and make himself desirable. How often has the miser opened his pursestrings, the scowler relaxed his frown, the coward leapt heroically into the fray, the clod suddenly became sharp-witted, the boor turned into the perfect gentleman, the stinker transformed himself into the elegant dandy, the sloucher smartened up, the decrepit recaptured his lost youth, the godly gone wild, the self-respecting kicked over the traces – and all because of love! [..]
You will see the lover, when unsure of the constancy of his loved one’s feelings for him, perpetually on his guard in a way that he never troubled to be before; he polishes his language, he refines his gestures and his glances, particularly if he has the misfortune and mischance to be in love with one given to making unjust accusations, or of a quarrelsome disposition. "
Read more and tell me do you agree with Ibn Al Hazm's analysis ?
How many of these signs have you experienced and do you have more to add ?
"A man in love will give prodigally to the limit of his capacity, in a way that formerly he would have refused; as if he were the one receiving the donation, he the one whose happiness is the object in view; all this in order that he may show off his good points, and make himself desirable. How often has the miser opened his pursestrings, the scowler relaxed his frown, the coward leapt heroically into the fray, the clod suddenly became sharp-witted, the boor turned into the perfect gentleman, the stinker transformed himself into the elegant dandy, the sloucher smartened up, the decrepit recaptured his lost youth, the godly gone wild, the self-respecting kicked over the traces – and all because of love! [..]
You will see the lover, when unsure of the constancy of his loved one’s feelings for him, perpetually on his guard in a way that he never troubled to be before; he polishes his language, he refines his gestures and his glances, particularly if he has the misfortune and mischance to be in love with one given to making unjust accusations, or of a quarrelsome disposition. "
Read more and tell me do you agree with Ibn Al Hazm's analysis ?
How many of these signs have you experienced and do you have more to add ?
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Omar Mukhtar and Italian Occupation
Readers still come to my blog while googling Omar Mukhtar, especially yesterday which was the anniversary of his death ( execution) by the colonial forces.
In an earlier post in 2004 I wrote about the Italian occupation in response to a request by some readers. I was surprised that the said post is still eliciting replies in 2006. As recently as in March an Italian-Libyan left a very long comment there about the post colonial era:
"Hello everybody, I am one of the "Italians" - or Libyans seen from a different prospective - expelled or actually exiled from Libya in 1970. As a person born in Libya and knowing its history, and of all its ethnic components as the back of my hand, I invite you ....." [Read more ]
I find myself lucky that someone who lived in Libya after WWII is actually reading this blog and sharing with us his experience. So I wished to highlight his input thank him/or her and ask him/her to write some more again . Salam.
Readers still come to my blog while googling Omar Mukhtar, especially yesterday which was the anniversary of his death ( execution) by the colonial forces.
In an earlier post in 2004 I wrote about the Italian occupation in response to a request by some readers. I was surprised that the said post is still eliciting replies in 2006. As recently as in March an Italian-Libyan left a very long comment there about the post colonial era:
"Hello everybody, I am one of the "Italians" - or Libyans seen from a different prospective - expelled or actually exiled from Libya in 1970. As a person born in Libya and knowing its history, and of all its ethnic components as the back of my hand, I invite you ....." [Read more ]
I find myself lucky that someone who lived in Libya after WWII is actually reading this blog and sharing with us his experience. So I wished to highlight his input thank him/or her and ask him/her to write some more again . Salam.
Keyword analysis
This is a sample of how people ended up on my blog today
33.33% omar mukhtar
11.11% you know i love you-gary moore
11.11% side effects cream fade out
11.11% unfullfilled marital relations
11.11% tripoli beauty facial
11.11% americans wants bulgarians wife
11.11% concealer for olive wheatish skin
No comment :)
This is a sample of how people ended up on my blog today
33.33% omar mukhtar
11.11% you know i love you-gary moore
11.11% side effects cream fade out
11.11% unfullfilled marital relations
11.11% tripoli beauty facial
11.11% americans wants bulgarians wife
11.11% concealer for olive wheatish skin
No comment :)
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Slumber party yay ! -Updated
I shall not be online this evening and most of tomorrow ( for those who miss me too much you can phone ). I'm having an all girls slumber party ! Several of my cousins and second cousins are meeting for a barbecue and sleepover at E's place.
Haven't done that since my university days or the last time a close friend got married, when we used to end up at 4.00 am in the kitchen preparing 3assida. Basically a thickly cooked dough which is moved to the center of a plate after it is cooked and covered with either date syrup and olive oil or honey and butter ( according to your taste). I prefer the former and if anyone wants to volunteer a recipe please do so :).
This should be fun, sitting in the garden under the grape and jasmine trees, eating, drinking Libyan tea, watching DVDs, probably a spot of belly dancing lol, talking girlie stuff and not forgetting gurma Libyan style ( that's gossip for the non-initiated).
But I'm sure you guys will be busy in the comment section, and if you don't find anything that tickles your fancy, there are the wonderful links on the side bar.
Of course I am very much curious about your own slumber parties in your countrie ladies and gentlemen and if you wish to describe the best one ever do not hesitate to do so :) .
Update 16-9-06
Party was great - this was the menue :)
Coffee -tea- biscuits and lots of gossip
BBQ in the garden till midnight - loud girlie voices - conversation about hizbollah , sex and men . ( in that order)
Moving to main bedroom- music -DVDs - pillow fight ( yes I know pretty regressive)- belly dancing ( yes I can still do it) till 2 am
Then drinking cocoa and sweets - more intimate girl talk ( what else about men again )
I fell asleep at 4 am and they were still having fun.
Participants ? 7 ladies , one married, one divorced and 3 single + one grandmother he he he
And no you are not getting a photo of Highlander in her pajamas !
I shall not be online this evening and most of tomorrow ( for those who miss me too much you can phone ). I'm having an all girls slumber party ! Several of my cousins and second cousins are meeting for a barbecue and sleepover at E's place.
Haven't done that since my university days or the last time a close friend got married, when we used to end up at 4.00 am in the kitchen preparing 3assida. Basically a thickly cooked dough which is moved to the center of a plate after it is cooked and covered with either date syrup and olive oil or honey and butter ( according to your taste). I prefer the former and if anyone wants to volunteer a recipe please do so :).
This should be fun, sitting in the garden under the grape and jasmine trees, eating, drinking Libyan tea, watching DVDs, probably a spot of belly dancing lol, talking girlie stuff and not forgetting gurma Libyan style ( that's gossip for the non-initiated).
But I'm sure you guys will be busy in the comment section, and if you don't find anything that tickles your fancy, there are the wonderful links on the side bar.
Of course I am very much curious about your own slumber parties in your countrie ladies and gentlemen and if you wish to describe the best one ever do not hesitate to do so :) .
Update 16-9-06
Party was great - this was the menue :)
Coffee -tea- biscuits and lots of gossip
BBQ in the garden till midnight - loud girlie voices - conversation about hizbollah , sex and men . ( in that order)
Moving to main bedroom- music -DVDs - pillow fight ( yes I know pretty regressive)- belly dancing ( yes I can still do it) till 2 am
Then drinking cocoa and sweets - more intimate girl talk ( what else about men again )
I fell asleep at 4 am and they were still having fun.
Participants ? 7 ladies , one married, one divorced and 3 single + one grandmother he he he
And no you are not getting a photo of Highlander in her pajamas !
Libyan bloggers meet up : Yes or No ? ( updated)
Back in June our plans did not lift off, for several reasons, including world cup and vacations.
So I'm suggesting we try next week before Ramadan. Do you want to meet up ? if yes please say so in the comment section and vote on the most suitable date ASAP :
i.e. 19 - 20 or 21 September ( and send me an email so that we pool a data for the final arrangements in private ;) ).
The venue would be Ewan Alqadisiya in Ben Ashur
Time : 7.oo PM
I hope this time that everyone is back from their vacation, no more wedding parties etc... , I know that most of us ( including myself ) would probably chicken out ;)
Update 20-9-06
It's a NO .
Back in June our plans did not lift off, for several reasons, including world cup and vacations.
So I'm suggesting we try next week before Ramadan. Do you want to meet up ? if yes please say so in the comment section and vote on the most suitable date ASAP :
i.e. 19 - 20 or 21 September ( and send me an email so that we pool a data for the final arrangements in private ;) ).
The venue would be Ewan Alqadisiya in Ben Ashur
Time : 7.oo PM
I hope this time that everyone is back from their vacation, no more wedding parties etc... , I know that most of us ( including myself ) would probably chicken out ;)
Update 20-9-06
It's a NO .
Humanitarian Intervention
‘For an interventionist system to be viable, it needs in particular to have a general aura of legitimacy. In the case of intervention in the Third World, the system needs to be supported especially by the major Third World countries that can be expected to be very suspicious of it. This means more than just solving the tactical problems of getting Third World governments to vote for interventionist actions in the UN and various regional bodies, or even to send their own military contingents. It means figuring out how whole population, or at least their politically active components, react to intervention – what excite hostility, which aspects of an interventionary policy can generate support – and then framing one’s own policy with this understanding in mind. It means listening to people we are not used to listening to, and understanding the limits on our own power and , especially in our own wisdom’.
(Trachtenberg 1993 [quoted in ] Ramsbotham & Woodhouse 1996, 164) – Humanitarian Intervention in Contemporary conflict.
‘For an interventionist system to be viable, it needs in particular to have a general aura of legitimacy. In the case of intervention in the Third World, the system needs to be supported especially by the major Third World countries that can be expected to be very suspicious of it. This means more than just solving the tactical problems of getting Third World governments to vote for interventionist actions in the UN and various regional bodies, or even to send their own military contingents. It means figuring out how whole population, or at least their politically active components, react to intervention – what excite hostility, which aspects of an interventionary policy can generate support – and then framing one’s own policy with this understanding in mind. It means listening to people we are not used to listening to, and understanding the limits on our own power and , especially in our own wisdom’.
(Trachtenberg 1993 [quoted in ] Ramsbotham & Woodhouse 1996, 164) – Humanitarian Intervention in Contemporary conflict.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
The foiled US -Embassy Attack in Syria & the media bias
Browsing Yahoo news earlier ansd was horrified to see this title:
'Four dead after attack on the US Embassy in Syria'
I took a screenshot just in case it is changed later on, here it is
Oh my God I tell myself , four Embassy staff have been killed in Syria , just the excuse that America has been waiting for to attack ! After the recent war in Lebanon and the accusations flying back and forth against Syria and it's alleged hand in the helping Hizbollah all sorts of conspiracy theories abound in my head.
But then I clicked on the link and lo and behold what do I actually find out ? ..That apparently some wannabe jihadis were repelled and 3 of them killed in the fighting while one of the Syrian anti-terror squad lost his life in the process . See the details here. Hmm that's already a different story than that earlier title suggested, plus the real title of the story is actually different as you can see when you click.
It is a welcome note to hear that Ms. Condoleeza Rice has praised Syria's response to the attack as follows : "We appreciate the response of the Syrian security forces to help secure our territory".
I say we live in interesting times and the sensationalist prior portrayal is designed to play with the mind of the average American, especially after such an emotive time as the anniversary of 9/11 in order to plant a seed of hatred for anothe Middle Eastern country . Shame ! According to some people only Al-Jazeera of Arab media uses these tricks ...
Furthermore, some events may contain a silver lining which I glimpsed in that the the timing of the embassy attack "serves as a reminder that in the wake of those attacks [9/11], the Syrian intelligence services were reportedly among the best providers of information to their US counterparts on al-Qaeda's activities."
So maybe America will re-consider its relationship ? time will tell ...
As I keep saying the only absolute is God, the rest comes in all shades .
Further reading :
BBC link
More photos
Browsing Yahoo news earlier ansd was horrified to see this title:
'Four dead after attack on the US Embassy in Syria'
I took a screenshot just in case it is changed later on, here it is
Oh my God I tell myself , four Embassy staff have been killed in Syria , just the excuse that America has been waiting for to attack ! After the recent war in Lebanon and the accusations flying back and forth against Syria and it's alleged hand in the helping Hizbollah all sorts of conspiracy theories abound in my head.
But then I clicked on the link and lo and behold what do I actually find out ? ..That apparently some wannabe jihadis were repelled and 3 of them killed in the fighting while one of the Syrian anti-terror squad lost his life in the process . See the details here. Hmm that's already a different story than that earlier title suggested, plus the real title of the story is actually different as you can see when you click.
It is a welcome note to hear that Ms. Condoleeza Rice has praised Syria's response to the attack as follows : "We appreciate the response of the Syrian security forces to help secure our territory".
I say we live in interesting times and the sensationalist prior portrayal is designed to play with the mind of the average American, especially after such an emotive time as the anniversary of 9/11 in order to plant a seed of hatred for anothe Middle Eastern country . Shame ! According to some people only Al-Jazeera of Arab media uses these tricks ...
Furthermore, some events may contain a silver lining which I glimpsed in that the the timing of the embassy attack "serves as a reminder that in the wake of those attacks [9/11], the Syrian intelligence services were reportedly among the best providers of information to their US counterparts on al-Qaeda's activities."
So maybe America will re-consider its relationship ? time will tell ...
As I keep saying the only absolute is God, the rest comes in all shades .
Further reading :
BBC link
More photos
Monday, September 11, 2006
Five years later....
There is no running away from the requisite post about the 9/11 attacks today, and how it changed the world. I cannot believe it has already been five years , it seems like another lifetime.
Let me start by expressing my condolences once again to all the families who lost their loved ones on 9/11. May God help you move on with your life and bring you patience. Amen
This year there seems to be a concerted effort by all : media, governments, bloggers etc... .to ask 'how has your life changed after 9/11' ? or whether the world changed on that day ?
On that day, I was on vacation in the ME, it was afternoon and I had gone to visit a friend to use her internet connection. We had CNN- the international edition as background noise in the living room , and when I glanced up from the monitor, I saw the breaking news banner and footage of the first tower being hit. It's all so hazy now but for a split second I thought that CNN was advertising some new movie with a similar theme like Independence Day. So I did not pay attention and continued checking emails. The broadcast was continuing as H walked in with our late lunch, and we both looked and each other and grabbed the remote control to change to Al Jazeera TV. As I realised what had happened on the other side of the world and saw the second plane hitting the south tower 'live', while flipping between the various satellite channels only to settle on AJ and CNN while listening to the frantic analysis , speculations then accusations about it being an AQ signature attack; I felt deep sadness for the enormous loss of life and a deeper foreboding of the dark times awaiting .I imagined how a wounded giant would be hitting left and right in retaliation. I could not really blame that giant, because it had been delt a shocking blow yet I was praying that the giant had not been blinded and would see the truth.
Did I think the attacks were justified ? certainly not !
Do I think that this is terrorism ? Absolutely yes.
Do I sympathise with Americans? of course - we are all flesh and blood.
Certainly many countries rallyied around the US and expressed outrage, including Libya; messages of goodwill poured from all over the world.
But it would be hypocritical to say that this event is the most important one in history for the whole world, simply because for some people it may be their birthday or wedding anniversary, or they could be living in some village that never heard of America /Bin Ladin /Islamists/Bush or for others they could have experienced tragic attacks on their own countries and therefore have their own demons and ground zero.
Yet from my forrays into the blogosphere I'm aware that people have not forgotten and that 9/11 ( and its ramifications) are still a very hot topic and a raw wound. That means it has been a painful experience for America and the world ( Afghanistan, Iraq etc...) .
For example :
"Five years after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, killed 2,973 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and New York, the country's mood is awash in emotions, balancing resolve with vulnerability, a need to remember with a desire to move on.[...] "People still talk about 9/11 as they did the first few months," said the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke of New York's Trinity Church. "It is one of the conversation topics at every event we attend -- every dinner party, every church gathering, it's still talked about with a great deal of intensity."" courtesy of
CNN
If this is so fresh and so painful for a one day attack ( not being callous here ) can you imagine how someone feels for years and years with no end in sight ? America has the right to seek justice but so have other nations.
On the personal level, nothing much changed for me (*) here DNA's words come in useful "[w]here I was raised, things like “civil liberties” were nothing but fancy text-book stuff. When push comes to shove, the po-lees have top dabs, whether you like it or not. It isn’t nice, it isn’t fair, but you get used to it, and you move on. "
(*) Disclaimer that is not meant as an offense but rather a comment on the quality of my life .
A lot of decisions were taken in the aftermath of the tragic attacks and the US wowed war on terror. I'm not here to judge the extend of the success of this war, but for many people in the US, I guess life has changed : the following are some statistics compiled by the BBC.
For others in the US life changed dramatically with some sort of witchhunts taking place after 9/11 .
Here is an unusual testimony which frankly disconcerted me:
I was an initial responder at the the World Trade Center. My son was six then. I didn't get a pin, even, and my son is not eligible for free camp and/or college scholarships, unlike the "9-11 families."
I am a woman. I am neither NYPD or NYFD altho' I took care of them. I called their unions to ask only that they help me put up a Christmas tree. I was physically incapable. Neither they nor the "9-11 families" responded. They also didn't respond further down the line when we were literally hungry.
I don't know why we aren't a "9-11 family" and I reckon my now 11 yo will wind up in foster care when my lungs give utheir final suck.
Some of us wish we were in those buildings.
Cynthia, Manhattan
(NO Comment)
An interesting poll/study was brought to my attention ( hattip you know who you are so if you want to be mentioned email me or say it out loud in the comment section :) ) . The article is called The Terrorism Index , from Foreign Policy and the Centre for American Progress.
Moneyshot :
"Despite today’s highly politicized national security environment, the
index results show striking consensus across political party lines. A bipartisan
majority (84 percent) of the index’s experts say the United States is not
winning the war on terror. Eighty-six percent of the index’s experts see a world
today that is growing more dangerous for Americans. Overall, they agree that the
U.S. government is falling short in its homeland security efforts. More than 8
in 10 expect an attack on the scale of 9/11 within a decade. These dark
conclusions appear to stem from the experts’ belief that the U.S. national
security apparatus is in serious disrepair.[...]Respondents sharply criticized
U.S. efforts in a number of key areas of national security, including public
diplomacy, intelligence, and homeland security. Nearly all of the departments
and agencies responsible for fighting the war on terror received poor marks. The
experts also said that recent reforms of the national security apparatus have
done little to make Americans safer. [..]The index’s experts were similarly
critical of most of the policy initiatives put forward by the U.S. Congress and
President George W. Bush since September 11. Eighty-one percent, for instance,
believe the detention of suspected terrorists at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba,
negatively affects the war on terror. The index’s experts also disapprove of how
America is handling its relations with European allies, how it is confronting
threatening regimes in North Korea and Iran, how it is controlling the spread of
weapons of mass destruction, and its dealings with failing states, to name just
a few. [..]To win the battle of ideas, the experts say, America must place a
much higher emphasis on its nonmilitary tools. More than two thirds say that
U.S. policymakers must strengthen the United Nations and other multilateral
institutions. At the same time, the experts indicate that the U.S. government
must think more creatively about threats. Asked what presents the single
greatest danger to U.S. national security, nearly half said loose nukes and
other weapons of mass destruction, while just one third said al Qaeda and
terrorism, and a mere 4 percent said Iran. Five years after the attacks of
September 11, it’s a reminder that the greatest challenges may still lie
ahead."
The war on terrorism although netting a lot of suspects does not seem to be faring well because it created more terrorists. It is worth noting that now President Bush is pushing for military tribunals for 'suspected terrorists', after admitting he okayed secret CIA prisons ( which were denied before) and tough interrogation techniques ( aka torture I guess no matter what he says ). Here is an analysis on why he may have changed his tune .
From all the above it looks like the results in the years to come will remain unchanged, because as already said you have to treat the cause and not the symptom. By treating the symptom you are giving an analgesic and putting a bandaid. This would only make the disease flare up stronger and deadlier.
I'll leave you with the words of Hani Hamdi an Arab -American from Boston also taken from the BBC 'have your say' forum ( where you can find hundreds of testimonies)
I'm a person of Arab origin living in the States.
9/11 was a despicable, horrifying incident. Unfortunately, I believe the US is less secure now.
Terrorism is not here because 1.2 billion Muslims hate US democracy.
Mid-East terrorism is spreading because US foreign policy is seen as supporting: 1) Israeli territorial expansion beyond its 1967 borders; 2) 40 years of occupation for millions of palestinians; 3) dictatorial and oppressive regimes in the middle east; and 4) the Iraq war which killed over 100,000 innocent civilians.
Terrorism will be cured by restoring strong moral credibility, and by surgically eliminating terrorists. This is not the US strategy today.
Hani Hamdi, Boston, United States
The above combined with action from our side in the ME against those warped minds would be the road map for the war on terror in a nutshell. May the world never witness again such an atrocity. Amen .
There is no running away from the requisite post about the 9/11 attacks today, and how it changed the world. I cannot believe it has already been five years , it seems like another lifetime.
Let me start by expressing my condolences once again to all the families who lost their loved ones on 9/11. May God help you move on with your life and bring you patience. Amen
This year there seems to be a concerted effort by all : media, governments, bloggers etc... .to ask 'how has your life changed after 9/11' ? or whether the world changed on that day ?
On that day, I was on vacation in the ME, it was afternoon and I had gone to visit a friend to use her internet connection. We had CNN- the international edition as background noise in the living room , and when I glanced up from the monitor, I saw the breaking news banner and footage of the first tower being hit. It's all so hazy now but for a split second I thought that CNN was advertising some new movie with a similar theme like Independence Day. So I did not pay attention and continued checking emails. The broadcast was continuing as H walked in with our late lunch, and we both looked and each other and grabbed the remote control to change to Al Jazeera TV. As I realised what had happened on the other side of the world and saw the second plane hitting the south tower 'live', while flipping between the various satellite channels only to settle on AJ and CNN while listening to the frantic analysis , speculations then accusations about it being an AQ signature attack; I felt deep sadness for the enormous loss of life and a deeper foreboding of the dark times awaiting .I imagined how a wounded giant would be hitting left and right in retaliation. I could not really blame that giant, because it had been delt a shocking blow yet I was praying that the giant had not been blinded and would see the truth.
Did I think the attacks were justified ? certainly not !
Do I think that this is terrorism ? Absolutely yes.
Do I sympathise with Americans? of course - we are all flesh and blood.
Certainly many countries rallyied around the US and expressed outrage, including Libya; messages of goodwill poured from all over the world.
But it would be hypocritical to say that this event is the most important one in history for the whole world, simply because for some people it may be their birthday or wedding anniversary, or they could be living in some village that never heard of America /Bin Ladin /Islamists/Bush or for others they could have experienced tragic attacks on their own countries and therefore have their own demons and ground zero.
Yet from my forrays into the blogosphere I'm aware that people have not forgotten and that 9/11 ( and its ramifications) are still a very hot topic and a raw wound. That means it has been a painful experience for America and the world ( Afghanistan, Iraq etc...) .
For example :
"Five years after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, killed 2,973 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and New York, the country's mood is awash in emotions, balancing resolve with vulnerability, a need to remember with a desire to move on.[...] "People still talk about 9/11 as they did the first few months," said the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke of New York's Trinity Church. "It is one of the conversation topics at every event we attend -- every dinner party, every church gathering, it's still talked about with a great deal of intensity."" courtesy of
CNN
If this is so fresh and so painful for a one day attack ( not being callous here ) can you imagine how someone feels for years and years with no end in sight ? America has the right to seek justice but so have other nations.
On the personal level, nothing much changed for me (*) here DNA's words come in useful "[w]here I was raised, things like “civil liberties” were nothing but fancy text-book stuff. When push comes to shove, the po-lees have top dabs, whether you like it or not. It isn’t nice, it isn’t fair, but you get used to it, and you move on. "
(*) Disclaimer that is not meant as an offense but rather a comment on the quality of my life .
A lot of decisions were taken in the aftermath of the tragic attacks and the US wowed war on terror. I'm not here to judge the extend of the success of this war, but for many people in the US, I guess life has changed : the following are some statistics compiled by the BBC.
For others in the US life changed dramatically with some sort of witchhunts taking place after 9/11 .
Here is an unusual testimony which frankly disconcerted me:
I was an initial responder at the the World Trade Center. My son was six then. I didn't get a pin, even, and my son is not eligible for free camp and/or college scholarships, unlike the "9-11 families."
I am a woman. I am neither NYPD or NYFD altho' I took care of them. I called their unions to ask only that they help me put up a Christmas tree. I was physically incapable. Neither they nor the "9-11 families" responded. They also didn't respond further down the line when we were literally hungry.
I don't know why we aren't a "9-11 family" and I reckon my now 11 yo will wind up in foster care when my lungs give utheir final suck.
Some of us wish we were in those buildings.
Cynthia, Manhattan
(NO Comment)
An interesting poll/study was brought to my attention ( hattip you know who you are so if you want to be mentioned email me or say it out loud in the comment section :) ) . The article is called The Terrorism Index , from Foreign Policy and the Centre for American Progress.
Moneyshot :
"Despite today’s highly politicized national security environment, the
index results show striking consensus across political party lines. A bipartisan
majority (84 percent) of the index’s experts say the United States is not
winning the war on terror. Eighty-six percent of the index’s experts see a world
today that is growing more dangerous for Americans. Overall, they agree that the
U.S. government is falling short in its homeland security efforts. More than 8
in 10 expect an attack on the scale of 9/11 within a decade. These dark
conclusions appear to stem from the experts’ belief that the U.S. national
security apparatus is in serious disrepair.[...]Respondents sharply criticized
U.S. efforts in a number of key areas of national security, including public
diplomacy, intelligence, and homeland security. Nearly all of the departments
and agencies responsible for fighting the war on terror received poor marks. The
experts also said that recent reforms of the national security apparatus have
done little to make Americans safer. [..]The index’s experts were similarly
critical of most of the policy initiatives put forward by the U.S. Congress and
President George W. Bush since September 11. Eighty-one percent, for instance,
believe the detention of suspected terrorists at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba,
negatively affects the war on terror. The index’s experts also disapprove of how
America is handling its relations with European allies, how it is confronting
threatening regimes in North Korea and Iran, how it is controlling the spread of
weapons of mass destruction, and its dealings with failing states, to name just
a few. [..]To win the battle of ideas, the experts say, America must place a
much higher emphasis on its nonmilitary tools. More than two thirds say that
U.S. policymakers must strengthen the United Nations and other multilateral
institutions. At the same time, the experts indicate that the U.S. government
must think more creatively about threats. Asked what presents the single
greatest danger to U.S. national security, nearly half said loose nukes and
other weapons of mass destruction, while just one third said al Qaeda and
terrorism, and a mere 4 percent said Iran. Five years after the attacks of
September 11, it’s a reminder that the greatest challenges may still lie
ahead."
The war on terrorism although netting a lot of suspects does not seem to be faring well because it created more terrorists. It is worth noting that now President Bush is pushing for military tribunals for 'suspected terrorists', after admitting he okayed secret CIA prisons ( which were denied before) and tough interrogation techniques ( aka torture I guess no matter what he says ). Here is an analysis on why he may have changed his tune .
From all the above it looks like the results in the years to come will remain unchanged, because as already said you have to treat the cause and not the symptom. By treating the symptom you are giving an analgesic and putting a bandaid. This would only make the disease flare up stronger and deadlier.
I'll leave you with the words of Hani Hamdi an Arab -American from Boston also taken from the BBC 'have your say' forum ( where you can find hundreds of testimonies)
I'm a person of Arab origin living in the States.
9/11 was a despicable, horrifying incident. Unfortunately, I believe the US is less secure now.
Terrorism is not here because 1.2 billion Muslims hate US democracy.
Mid-East terrorism is spreading because US foreign policy is seen as supporting: 1) Israeli territorial expansion beyond its 1967 borders; 2) 40 years of occupation for millions of palestinians; 3) dictatorial and oppressive regimes in the middle east; and 4) the Iraq war which killed over 100,000 innocent civilians.
Terrorism will be cured by restoring strong moral credibility, and by surgically eliminating terrorists. This is not the US strategy today.
Hani Hamdi, Boston, United States
The above combined with action from our side in the ME against those warped minds would be the road map for the war on terror in a nutshell. May the world never witness again such an atrocity. Amen .
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Cool blogger discoveries
As the 'mother of Libyan bloggers' or whatever NBA has labelled me, I have been a little lax of late in introducing new Libyan bloggers. Fortunately Khadijateri ( thank you so much ) has been keeping tabs and you will find a whole bunch of interesting Libyan/Libya related bloggers on her sidebar now.
Among those she has discovered over the last few months the following should match the various interests of the readers who come here. Plus they give you another perspective on Libya right ?
Big Damn Heroes : expats blogging from Libya- our scandals exposed ;)
My enchanting sereeb: single Libyan -British hottie- accomplished writer too
White African : ramblings of a Libyan girl brought up in Manchester
Maiuna : Young chick in Libya - for all those curious about Libyan girls in Libya; oh and being the sign of Virgo , her birthday may be coming up soon I guess - Happy Birthday in advance :)
Me Myseld and I : A Libyan young man living in Wales now and his adventures . This post made a strong impression on me Excerpts : "I have met (or rather seen) more Israelis in the last 29 days than i have in my entire life combined. There are alot of them travelling around central America.Im going to be honest with myself and with my blog and post exactly how i feel."
Mexiquia : American -Hispanic married to a Libyan guy and her thoughts about Libyans, and all her boys who play soccer :)
Libyan Violet: for the kinky side of Libyan society - all you wanted to know about relationships .
Meawhile I've discovered that our dear reader/poster Twosret who has not been around here for a while was busy building her own blog - sorry blogs !
Finally ya bint ya Twosret , it took Magdee, Sandmonkey , Hellme and I two years to convince her that she needs to have a blog ! you may disagree with her, you may love or hate her but you will never be bored - I can guarantee that . So a big welcome to my old ( he he he ) friend Twosret .
Chez Twosret : "Egyptian-Canadian-American, mother and wife, advocate for peace, for a better America, for the rights of Palestinians, and for an Egypt by and for Egyptians."
American Palestinian : "A small voice for peace with justice amidst the clatter of the war machine - Justice and only justice will bring enduring peace to the Holy Land and the Middle East - Palestine, Israel, and the rest of the world needs peace!"
OK Twos habibti that means you cannot hide anymore and you are eligible to be tagged - so I hereby officially invite you to do the following memes :
( 1) Your bag
(2) Your car
(3) Books
(4) Feet/Footwear or even shebsheb
(5) cell phone
(6) you can vote whether I should marry a Finnish farmer or an American one
That should keep you busy for a while .
* just wandering when is NBA going to start blogging- I can't wait for another two years ;)
As the 'mother of Libyan bloggers' or whatever NBA has labelled me, I have been a little lax of late in introducing new Libyan bloggers. Fortunately Khadijateri ( thank you so much ) has been keeping tabs and you will find a whole bunch of interesting Libyan/Libya related bloggers on her sidebar now.
Among those she has discovered over the last few months the following should match the various interests of the readers who come here. Plus they give you another perspective on Libya right ?
Big Damn Heroes : expats blogging from Libya- our scandals exposed ;)
My enchanting sereeb: single Libyan -British hottie- accomplished writer too
White African : ramblings of a Libyan girl brought up in Manchester
Maiuna : Young chick in Libya - for all those curious about Libyan girls in Libya; oh and being the sign of Virgo , her birthday may be coming up soon I guess - Happy Birthday in advance :)
Me Myseld and I : A Libyan young man living in Wales now and his adventures . This post made a strong impression on me Excerpts : "I have met (or rather seen) more Israelis in the last 29 days than i have in my entire life combined. There are alot of them travelling around central America.Im going to be honest with myself and with my blog and post exactly how i feel."
Mexiquia : American -Hispanic married to a Libyan guy and her thoughts about Libyans, and all her boys who play soccer :)
Libyan Violet: for the kinky side of Libyan society - all you wanted to know about relationships .
Meawhile I've discovered that our dear reader/poster Twosret who has not been around here for a while was busy building her own blog - sorry blogs !
Finally ya bint ya Twosret , it took Magdee, Sandmonkey , Hellme and I two years to convince her that she needs to have a blog ! you may disagree with her, you may love or hate her but you will never be bored - I can guarantee that . So a big welcome to my old ( he he he ) friend Twosret .
Chez Twosret : "Egyptian-Canadian-American, mother and wife, advocate for peace, for a better America, for the rights of Palestinians, and for an Egypt by and for Egyptians."
American Palestinian : "A small voice for peace with justice amidst the clatter of the war machine - Justice and only justice will bring enduring peace to the Holy Land and the Middle East - Palestine, Israel, and the rest of the world needs peace!"
OK Twos habibti that means you cannot hide anymore and you are eligible to be tagged - so I hereby officially invite you to do the following memes :
( 1) Your bag
(2) Your car
(3) Books
(4) Feet/Footwear or even shebsheb
(5) cell phone
(6) you can vote whether I should marry a Finnish farmer or an American one
That should keep you busy for a while .
* just wandering when is NBA going to start blogging- I can't wait for another two years ;)
Friday, September 08, 2006
The bag issue
Leilouta tagged me along with a whole bunch of girls and guys regarding the contents of their bags/wallets . Go to her blog and see who else have shown their belongings .
I've never done this but who can refuse a request from Leilouta ;) . Anyway here is what's in my bag; not as exotic as some of the stuff I've seen by the other bloggers...... ex ligth bulbs and flip flops etc...
(1) PDA
(2) Ipod
(3) purse
(4) key chain ( the mask thingy)
(5) the mobile you've seen already
(6) my glasses are in the car .
my boring bag !
Ladies and gentlemen I guess you know what you have to do by now ;).....so whether you are a blogger or non blogger ( sorry could not resist the pun ), we are curious about your bag....
Leilouta tagged me along with a whole bunch of girls and guys regarding the contents of their bags/wallets . Go to her blog and see who else have shown their belongings .
I've never done this but who can refuse a request from Leilouta ;) . Anyway here is what's in my bag; not as exotic as some of the stuff I've seen by the other bloggers...... ex ligth bulbs and flip flops etc...
(1) PDA
(2) Ipod
(3) purse
(4) key chain ( the mask thingy)
(5) the mobile you've seen already
(6) my glasses are in the car .
my boring bag !
Ladies and gentlemen I guess you know what you have to do by now ;).....so whether you are a blogger or non blogger ( sorry could not resist the pun ), we are curious about your bag....
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Highlander car
My secret dream is to have a SUV fuel guzzling monster or other type of 4 wheel drive like you saw here , and not a Ferrari :)
A few months ago I found the perfect car , none other than the Toyota Highlander, lol my namesake yes .
Look at that beauty , it's seminal. Unfortunately it is beyond my means , and buying on credit/installments has not been available until very recently and only at selected agents. So I gathered my lifelong savings and finally bought this little trusthworthy Hyundai .
*( note instead of revealing my 'haram' tootsies I'm showing you my car - another form of transport ;) ).
Meanwhile I'll keep dreaming of the Highlander car.
What is your car & your dream car ? and would you like to show it to us too ?
My secret dream is to have a SUV fuel guzzling monster or other type of 4 wheel drive like you saw here , and not a Ferrari :)
A few months ago I found the perfect car , none other than the Toyota Highlander, lol my namesake yes .
Look at that beauty , it's seminal. Unfortunately it is beyond my means , and buying on credit/installments has not been available until very recently and only at selected agents. So I gathered my lifelong savings and finally bought this little trusthworthy Hyundai .
*( note instead of revealing my 'haram' tootsies I'm showing you my car - another form of transport ;) ).
Meanwhile I'll keep dreaming of the Highlander car.
What is your car & your dream car ? and would you like to show it to us too ?
A meme from Syria
Sweetie Soraya (thank you ) has tagged me too here , ok let's see if I can do this exercise successfully:
1.Which is the single best post you’ve read on any blog? Please provide link.
This one
2. Which is the best post you’ve written? Which is your worst? Please provide links.
Best
Worst
3. How about a place you’ve never been to but would very much like to see.
Jerusalem
4. If you were a member of the opposite sex, what would you have done differently?
Oh no being female is more fun ;)
5. Do you remember a childhood recurrent dream or nightmare? Good or bad, tell us about it.
Nope
6. Make me laugh or make me cry, put your words to use.
Cry : a photo is better 'than a thousand words'
7. Do you regret the unfulfilled dreams, the inaccessible roads, the uncharted lands?
Nope I try to live to the fullest.
8. What is a friend to you? And what are you to a friend?
This is the ideal I try to live up to ( hattip MB ) ; I guess it answers both questions.
9. T.S. Eliot measured his life with coffee spoons, how about you?
Peoples' love.
10. Write your own epitaph, or if that is too hard, how would you like your epitaph to read?
Herein lies a chivalrous, generous soul.
Sweetie Soraya (thank you ) has tagged me too here , ok let's see if I can do this exercise successfully:
1.Which is the single best post you’ve read on any blog? Please provide link.
This one
2. Which is the best post you’ve written? Which is your worst? Please provide links.
Best
Worst
3. How about a place you’ve never been to but would very much like to see.
Jerusalem
4. If you were a member of the opposite sex, what would you have done differently?
Oh no being female is more fun ;)
5. Do you remember a childhood recurrent dream or nightmare? Good or bad, tell us about it.
Nope
6. Make me laugh or make me cry, put your words to use.
Cry : a photo is better 'than a thousand words'
7. Do you regret the unfulfilled dreams, the inaccessible roads, the uncharted lands?
Nope I try to live to the fullest.
8. What is a friend to you? And what are you to a friend?
This is the ideal I try to live up to ( hattip MB ) ; I guess it answers both questions.
9. T.S. Eliot measured his life with coffee spoons, how about you?
Peoples' love.
10. Write your own epitaph, or if that is too hard, how would you like your epitaph to read?
Herein lies a chivalrous, generous soul.
Show us your book list !
Some of you expressed interest in what I was reading ( wink @ NBA) ; below is a current partial list on my night stand => check the links for details. I know that you know that I'm not just a boots babe ;)
(a) Alsadek Alnayhum 's Al Islam fil alasr ( Arabic) " Hostage Islam : who stole the mosque and where did Friday disappear" my loose translation so pls no bashing.
(b) A history of modern Libya
(c) Le livre des seductions ( French)
(d) Muhajababes
(e) Al kitab wal Qur'an ( Arabic)
(f) Islamic and Arabic names and their meaning (Arabic)
(g) The next attack : the globalization of Jihad
(h) No virtue like necessity : Realist thought in international relations since Machiavelli
(i) The Taliban phenomenon
(j) NTC's Hebrew and English Dictionary
(k) Synopsis of Psychiatry
(l) Trigeminal Neuralgia
(m) As a matter of interest by Tunkul Abdul Rahman
You can tell me what you think and show us what you are reading - how about that as a game ? So I can find out about your eccentrities and secrets lol...
Some of you expressed interest in what I was reading ( wink @ NBA) ; below is a current partial list on my night stand => check the links for details. I know that you know that I'm not just a boots babe ;)
(a) Alsadek Alnayhum 's Al Islam fil alasr ( Arabic) " Hostage Islam : who stole the mosque and where did Friday disappear" my loose translation so pls no bashing.
(b) A history of modern Libya
(c) Le livre des seductions ( French)
(d) Muhajababes
(e) Al kitab wal Qur'an ( Arabic)
(f) Islamic and Arabic names and their meaning (Arabic)
(g) The next attack : the globalization of Jihad
(h) No virtue like necessity : Realist thought in international relations since Machiavelli
(i) The Taliban phenomenon
(j) NTC's Hebrew and English Dictionary
(k) Synopsis of Psychiatry
(l) Trigeminal Neuralgia
(m) As a matter of interest by Tunkul Abdul Rahman
You can tell me what you think and show us what you are reading - how about that as a game ? So I can find out about your eccentrities and secrets lol...
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Parrots
A joke *
A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him. "Father, I have a problem. I have two female parrots, but they only know how to say onething."
"What do they say?" the priest inquired.
They say, "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?"
"That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed, Then he thought for a moment.
"You know," he said, "I may have a solution to your problem. I have two male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the Bible. Bring your two parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with Francis and Peter. My parrots can teach your parrots to praise and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying that phrase in no time."
"Thank you," the woman responded, "this may very well be the solution."
The next day, she brought her female parrots to the priest's house.As he ushered her in, she saw that his two male parrots were inside their cage holding rosary beads and praying. Impressed, she walked over and placed her parrots in with them.
After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison:"Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?"
There was stunned silence.
Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed,"Put the beads away, Frank. Our prayers have been answered!"
We have the same type of jokes about the Mullahs and the Sheiks since as long as I can remember if you wanna share some you are welcome...
* Disclaimer no offense meant to any religion or its representative- please do not issue fatwas or excomunication threats against Highlander.
A joke *
A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him. "Father, I have a problem. I have two female parrots, but they only know how to say onething."
"What do they say?" the priest inquired.
They say, "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?"
"That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed, Then he thought for a moment.
"You know," he said, "I may have a solution to your problem. I have two male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the Bible. Bring your two parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with Francis and Peter. My parrots can teach your parrots to praise and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying that phrase in no time."
"Thank you," the woman responded, "this may very well be the solution."
The next day, she brought her female parrots to the priest's house.As he ushered her in, she saw that his two male parrots were inside their cage holding rosary beads and praying. Impressed, she walked over and placed her parrots in with them.
After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison:"Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?"
There was stunned silence.
Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed,"Put the beads away, Frank. Our prayers have been answered!"
We have the same type of jokes about the Mullahs and the Sheiks since as long as I can remember if you wanna share some you are welcome...
* Disclaimer no offense meant to any religion or its representative- please do not issue fatwas or excomunication threats against Highlander.
The Scam letters
We all know the notorious Nigerian scam letters, each of us has received one at least in their lifetime . But this is the first time I heard about the Iraqi version, and to be honest I don't find it funny. I know there are crooks in every country but that an Iraqi is doing this I find painful and it hurts me as it shakes their image in my eyes.
Weird is it not ? that I can take bombing and killing but I cannot take the fraud thing. It's like the looting after Baghdad fell.
Anyway here is the letter and it seems to originate in Italy.
We all know the notorious Nigerian scam letters, each of us has received one at least in their lifetime . But this is the first time I heard about the Iraqi version, and to be honest I don't find it funny. I know there are crooks in every country but that an Iraqi is doing this I find painful and it hurts me as it shakes their image in my eyes.
Weird is it not ? that I can take bombing and killing but I cannot take the fraud thing. It's like the looting after Baghdad fell.
Anyway here is the letter and it seems to originate in Italy.
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2006 21:23:23 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
From: "Bank of Baghdad Managing Director" <mowafaq_mahmood1@virgilio.it>
To: mahmood@hotmail.com
Subject: A Representation
From: Mowafaq H. Mahmood
Bank of BaghdadBaghdad, Iraq.
Following the first Gulf War in 1991, Saddam Hussein authorized for the
first time the formation of private banks in Iraq. From 1992 until the end of
the decade, 17 such banks were established. Up until the second Gulf War,
however, Saddam prohibited these banks from conducting international
transactions - including payments, remittances, and letters of credit. Now, as
Iraq develops a market- driven banking system, these restrictions are being
reduced and the importance of Iraq's private banks is expected to grow
significantly. An important step was taken on October 28, 2003, when the
CentralBank of Iraq authorized Iraq's private banks to process international
payments, remittances and foreign currency letters of credit. This action
follows other important steps taken recently to modernize Iraq's banking system
- the establishment of a new national currency, for instance, and the launching
of daily foreign exchange auctions by the Central Bank. Subsequently, I
personally was able to hide away One Hundred Million United States Dollars in
the wake of the United States of American led war on Iraq. This money was meant
for investments but it is believed that we have lost this money to looters
during the War in Iraq. Since after the war, I have safely tucked away this
money with the hope that I will be able to do something with it as soon as
things cool down. Now intend to do so. I just need that I get you as my
reliable foreign partner who will as it is be my representative out there in
your Country; I want you as a partner who will assist me in investing in
profitable ventures in your Country. I need a person I could rely
on.
Faithfully, Mowafaq H. Mahmood
Bank of Baghdad
Iraq.
From the Rock anniversary
Highlander's blog is 3 years old today. While each and everyone of you who visited or who continue to read me deserves a warm hug for being there through thick and thin ( oh boy I sound mushy mushy ), I need a favour:
In your opinion how have this blog and it's author evolved over the years ? do you see any progress ? regress? change ? Do you understand me more ?
Now is your chance to say whatever you wish about Highlander, of course within the boundaries of decency .
( Shall I go hide for a few days?).
Highlander's blog is 3 years old today. While each and everyone of you who visited or who continue to read me deserves a warm hug for being there through thick and thin ( oh boy I sound mushy mushy ), I need a favour:
In your opinion how have this blog and it's author evolved over the years ? do you see any progress ? regress? change ? Do you understand me more ?
Now is your chance to say whatever you wish about Highlander, of course within the boundaries of decency .
( Shall I go hide for a few days?).
Saturday, September 02, 2006
A matchmaking festival ?
OK OK not another post on matchmaking ....well I can't help it , this topic keeps jumping in my lap on every site I visit. I was only reading the news when this BBC link beckoned me : 'Romantics flock to Irish Festival'.
"In the age of computer matchmaking and speed dating, the event in rural County Clare offers a slightly more old-fashioned romantic alternative.
Down the years the festival became known for attracting bachelor farmers who were in search of a bride. [...] Today, it pulls in large crowds from Ireland, the UK, the US and elsewhere, with single visitors hoping to meet their perfect match. [read more].
The festival has its own website now, so for anyone interested you could combine a visit to Europe with finding your better half as "The MatchMaking Festival starts on Friday September 1st and finishes on Sunday October 1st, 2006. It is mainly concentrated at the weekends but there is also music and dancing during the week."
You get to register with a professional matchmaker whose family have been in the business for 3 generations at least. This is so cool. Maybe I'll go find a gorgeous super romantic Irish lad with turquoise eyes and jet black hair ( should I add this to the Mr. Highlander list ? ).
OK OK not another post on matchmaking ....well I can't help it , this topic keeps jumping in my lap on every site I visit. I was only reading the news when this BBC link beckoned me : 'Romantics flock to Irish Festival'.
"In the age of computer matchmaking and speed dating, the event in rural County Clare offers a slightly more old-fashioned romantic alternative.
Down the years the festival became known for attracting bachelor farmers who were in search of a bride. [...] Today, it pulls in large crowds from Ireland, the UK, the US and elsewhere, with single visitors hoping to meet their perfect match. [read more].
The festival has its own website now, so for anyone interested you could combine a visit to Europe with finding your better half as "The MatchMaking Festival starts on Friday September 1st and finishes on Sunday October 1st, 2006. It is mainly concentrated at the weekends but there is also music and dancing during the week."
You get to register with a professional matchmaker whose family have been in the business for 3 generations at least. This is so cool. Maybe I'll go find a gorgeous super romantic Irish lad with turquoise eyes and jet black hair ( should I add this to the Mr. Highlander list ? ).
The 37th Anniversary ( updated 3-9-06)
*detailed version
Original version
Libya Day
Yesterday Libya celebrated the 37th anniversary of the El-Fateh revolution. I always liked these types of celebrations mostly because of association with the military parades which I'm a great fan of.
For novices and academics I fervently recommend this book it is enlightening in a nutshell. I'm enjoying every page.
*detailed version
Yesterday was the 37th anniversay of the El-Fateh revolution. We usually have it as a public holiday, but this time it came on a Friday, so no day off unfortunately.
In my mind these types of celebrations will always be associated with the military parades which I'm a great fan of, i.e. I used to enjoy military parades from all over the world.
I recently stumbled unto this book which I would like to recommend to novices and academics alike as it is quite relevant. Enjoy your reading.Original version
Libya Day
Yesterday Libya celebrated the 37th anniversary of the El-Fateh revolution. I always liked these types of celebrations mostly because of association with the military parades which I'm a great fan of.
For novices and academics I fervently recommend this book it is enlightening in a nutshell. I'm enjoying every page.
Egyptian novelist: RIP
So many bloggers wrote about the passing away of Naguib Mahfouz this week that I feel I would just be repeating myself as everything has already been said about a man who was not only a popular novelist/writer but who also "At the time of his death, [was] the only Arabic-language writer to have won the Nobel Prize for Literature", more here.
Over the years I've watched his novels which were turned into movies, unfortunately I never got the opportunity to read one even though my father has many of them in his library.
My favourite of all times is and will always be the Cairo Trilogy , which "follows the life of the Cairene patriarch al-Sayyid Ahmad Abd al-Jawad and his family across three generations, from World War I to the overthrow of King Farouk in 1952." I can't believe I actually had a crush for Si Sayed :)
Allah Yirhamak ya Naguib , you will be missed.
So many bloggers wrote about the passing away of Naguib Mahfouz this week that I feel I would just be repeating myself as everything has already been said about a man who was not only a popular novelist/writer but who also "At the time of his death, [was] the only Arabic-language writer to have won the Nobel Prize for Literature", more here.
Over the years I've watched his novels which were turned into movies, unfortunately I never got the opportunity to read one even though my father has many of them in his library.
My favourite of all times is and will always be the Cairo Trilogy , which "follows the life of the Cairene patriarch al-Sayyid Ahmad Abd al-Jawad and his family across three generations, from World War I to the overthrow of King Farouk in 1952." I can't believe I actually had a crush for Si Sayed :)
Allah Yirhamak ya Naguib , you will be missed.
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