And here is how my day started

While driving to work my stomach started hurting badly I even worried how am I going to even get out of the car and walk to the office, then I felt that am coming down on diarrhea, and I also wondered how am I going to make it to the bathroom, I was so much in pain. Anyway I went straight to the bathroom carrying my lunch box and bag, didn't even pass by the office. Later I felt extremely nauseous the kind where you feel you're going to throw up your soul, I hated it, I unlocked the door in case something happens to me someone would find me, but thanks to my OCD I knew that won't be before an hour till someone actually uses the bathroom in the morning, so I stormed outside with what strength was left in me, and as I opened the 4th door (yes that many doors!) I knew this is it, and bam I hit the floor and the first point of impact was my chin, now it's bumpy.



I don't know if I fainted or not, but I woke up on my own but wasn't able to move. Someone found me, called the security, who called a coworker and they all my colleagues were around me (thankfully they saw me on a chair and not on the floor like a complete idiot)... I hate looking so weak and my blouse was very wet, I was sweating so much...

Something like that happened to me 3 months ago but without the fainting yet with same amount of pain, so I think I need to have my blood tested, this is getting ridiculous.

So my boss and a colleague dropped me and my car back home, and I had a gift with me for my boss as it was boss' day, I gave it to him.

Have a grrrrreat weekend everyone! Mine started early :) bumpy but am better now.

Are you going to do something about Climate Change?

- Don't recycle (it's a waste of time)
- Don't carpool (who needs to restrain themselves with other people in the morning)
- Don't mind fossil fuel, keep it burning (better economy)
- Don't be bothered to end CO2 gas emissions, in fact encourage it (will give you power over other)
- Don't encourage alternative energy (costs too much, bad for economy, waste of energy and human resources)
- 350 parts per million is a joke
- Don't reduce your carbon footprint (the more the cooler you are)
- Don't maintain green trees, chop them off and use their wood (+ they're blocking the view)
- Don't plant new trees (view of industrial factories with gray skies are more efficient these days)
- Don't save water, waste it even when unnecessary (can't you drink oil?)
- Don't try and keep the sea water level from rising (just scuba dive to see the Maldives...)
- Don't miss having refugees, we'll have climate refugees, (now that Palestinians are living happily ever after, we want more to take care of)
- Don't worry about having coral reefs die (it's not like they are important for the eco-system)
- Don't get upset when watching glaciers melt (what good are they for anyway)
- Don't be surprised from "weather" change (1, 2, 3 degrees warmer? It's no biggy, the warmer the sexier)
- Don't keep diseases from spreading (it's fine, only those poor people in poor countries get it, we're safe)
- Don't hope for your country to become carbon neutral
- Don't be sad when you see more species become extinct (dinosaur style)

And most importantly don't have children.

Because if you do have children, in 40 years don't feel guilty when your children look at you with disappointment, with depiction, because they know that you and people like you are the reason why the earth and the world has deteriorated, and especially because you could have done something when the time was right, but instead you were just too lazy to try and help prevent one of the most dangerous and serious "MAN-MADE" crisis... You didn't keep from the negative effects of Climate Change from happening. You were an irresponsible (dare I say human?) being!

Age of Stupid in Lebanon

The Age of Stupid is a new cinema documentary about this enormously ambitious drama-documentary-animation hybrid stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching 'archive' footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change while we had the chance?

You can watch the trailer here.

And the great news is: this movie that has been an amazing hit all over the world will be playing in LEBANON

Venue: Empire Sofil
Date: 25 / 26 Oct
Time: 6pm

Tickets sold there.

Comics on Ceramics by Maya Zankoul

If you like Maya Zankoul's drawings like me, or like drawing, or like drawing on ceramics, or feel like doing something different than movies or dinner or drinks, then check the poster for more info on the location and time!

And you can check Maya's post about it here.

Ain't no smokin 2nite in Gemmayze this Oct 28

35 pubs and restaurants in Gemmayze street are participating so far in the Rotaract campaign "Ain't no smokin 2nite". The event will take place on October 28th.

The below poster was designed by a fellow blogger Maya Zankoul



You can check the facebook event page here.

Grass

I just feel like I want to lay on the grass for 2 or 3 hours without anyone bothering me and without hearing a single noise.

Tripoli Trip-oli

Sunday, October 4th, a tweetup at Tripoli was born. Attendees were @sdarine, @MayaZankoul, @dashkoun, @larazankoul, @Beirutspring, @sunkentreasure6 and a friend, @ghassanb, @DanyAwad, @azzi, g, and yours truly.

The idea behind this tweetup was born after many of us Tripolians (trobilsiye) met on twitter, yes twitter I tell you (my newest addiction), and agreed on meeting in our city of origin. And luckily for us, more people joined.

The day started at Kasr El 7elou of Al Hallab. I, shamefully confess, that I broke my diet. I... ehhem... I love Znoud El Sitt. After I reluctantly didn't inform the waiter of my choice to eat them, @Beirutspring heard me and said, didn't I hear you order Znoud El Sitt, so I felt encouraged and ordered them.



After we ate, and talked, and @azzi tweeted some live photos, we went straight to the port of Tripoli (El Mina). We hired a boat, yes it was all for us, and went on a trip near the Islands of Tripoli, sadly the Palm Island (aka Rabbits Island) was closed. But @sdarine and I happily saw a turtle swim and disappear beneath the boat.

I didn't know that the water in Lebanon can be so blue until yesterday.


And this appeared to me like the New York City, Staten Island, but not much skyscrapers.



Afterward we went to an old part of the city of Tripoli.


And went straight to the old gold market (souk).



Then walked our way towards Khan El Saboun. And this is when the world of soap emerged, I was mesmerized by the beautiful scents.



And more soaps.



It was a short day because most of us had obligations to do, but it was really fun and enriching to meet the fellow twitteres. Moreover it brought so much memories to me, as I had spent months from my childhood there when there was a war in Beirut. Back then this old souk scared me, I didn't like it, but yesterday I saw it from a whole different perspective.

I think Tripoli is one of the cities in Lebanon that are so promising yet very underrated. It has one of the biggest ports in Lebanon, but I'm sure it can be much more depended on if the representatives of Tripoli in the parliament work on this. It can boost their economy, as well as on the Tourism level.

Check Maya Zankoul's post about this trip here.

For more photos check here

On the note of the negative effects of Climate change...

..these are 10 places to see before it's too late, take from http://opentravel.com/blogs/10-places-to-see-before-its-too-late/

The ice sheets melt fast, the sea levels are rising, and the increase in storms and flooding becomes a serious issue. As scientists expect the sea level to rise around one meter (3.3 ft) by 2100, the global warming warnings sound more and more catastrophic. With such an increase in water levels many coastal areas around the globe are said to disappear under the waves.

Whether you believe all these climate change talks or not, it is worth taking a few secs to check out the list of the most immediately threatened places in the world...just in case.

 

1. The Maldives

The Maldives, the beautiful island country considered by many the paradise on earth, is the lowest country in the world being only 1.5 m above sea level on average. Therefore, it can be submerged by 2050/2100 due to the significant rise in sea level.

The Maldives. By muha...

The Maldives. By Photo-SG

 

2. Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak of Africa, is rapidly losing its glaciers. Since 1912 the ice cap covering the top of the mountain has lost around 80% of its ice. The scientists predict that the ice on Kilimanjaro will be gone by 2015/2050.

Mt. Kilimanjaro. By Picture Taker 2.

Mt. Kilimanjaro. By Stig Nygaard

 

3. Alexandria. Egypt.

The city of Alexandria, an ancient Egyptian hub and the country's largest sea port, is said to be inundated by 2100. The Nile Delta is subsiding by around 5 mm (1/5 in) per year. Also, other towns located in the Nile Delta, such as Arish City, Matruh City and Port Said, are under the threat from rising sea level.

Alexandria. By Argenberg

Alexandria. By mighty stina

 

4. Tokyo

Tokyo is only one example of many coastal cities at risk due to rising sea levels, violent storms and flooding. The city's temperatures increase five times faster than an average global warming rate and the annual mean temperature has risen by about 3°C (37°F) over the past 100 year.

Tokyo. Odaiba. By Timo Nurmi

Tokyo, Kachidokibashi Bridge. By Ian Muttoo

 

 

5. Great Barrier Reef

The most catastrophic scenario envisages the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world, to collapse within twenty years due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the water. The scientists predict that as the water gets warmer and warmer, the coral ecosystems around the world will start disappearing by mid-century or earlier.

Great Barrier Reef. By The.Rohit

Great Barrier Reef. By Maedi

 

6. The Columbia Glacier

The Alaska's Columbia Glacier, similarly to all glaciers the world over, has been melting at an increasing rate and it has thinned by around 1,300 feet (390 m) in some places over the last 25 years. Moreover, it is among the fastest moving glaciers around the globe and it is expected to retreat around 9 miles (14 km) in the next 20 years.

The Columbia Glacier. Alaska. By WordRidden

Columbia Glacier. Alaska. By tay-ha

 

7. Galapagos Islands

Home to amazing wildlife, the unique, remote islands of Galapagos can be seriously affected by the climate change due to their location. As the equatorial waters in the eastern Pacific are getting warmer and the sea level is rising, such Galapagos animals as the giant tortoise, marine iguana and Galapagos penguin as well as flightless cormorant, whose nests are susceptible to flooding, are under serious threat.

Galapagos Islands. Sea lions. By noam fein

Galapagos Islands. Marine Iguana. By mtchm

 

8. The Netherlands

About 60% of the Netherlands' population and about 27% of the country area are located below sea level. Such low-lying and flat countries as Holland are at greatest risk from the rising waters. To protect the seaside the Netherlands set up huge storm surge barriers - so huge that they can be seen from space.

The Netherlands. By irommanixs

Amsterdam. By MorBCN

 

9. The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea surface and shores are 1,385 ft (422 m) below sea level - it is the world's lowest point and also one of the saltiest bodies of water with the salinity of 33.7%. In contrast to the low-lying places that suffer from rising waters, the Dead Sea is evaporating, gradually losing its water. The water level is estimated to have dropped by 3 ft (1 m) per year from 1970. 

Dead Sea. By Mr. Kris

Sunrise over Dead Sea. By ePublicist

 

10. New York

According to the recent report prepared by the scientists of various research centers such as, among others, University of Toronto, the National Center for Atmospheric Research or the University of Bristol, New York may face a much faster rise in sea level than other coastal cities due to the local ocean currents, effects of gravity and water density. Moreover the city, is at great risk of hurricanes and flooding that can occur as a result of melting ice.

New York. By morrissey

New York. By kiki99

 

The doctor will see you now

Going to the bank, to the doctor, to pay a bill are things that really irritate me. Maybe because a person has to wait, or feel judged by the person in front of you or just the journey to get to that place in Beirut's strawberry traffic jam. Or maybe it's all of them.

I mean here I will be sitting in front of this big shot professor, and I have a ball in my neck, I mean really? He's studied and worked all these years, and a ball in my neck is all I have to offer?

Blog Action Day 2009 - Climate Change

Gear up, prepare your keyboards, set your mind, put the screen in front of you, 15 October 2009 is Blog Action Day and the topic for this year after high demand is Climate Change.



Please help spread the word to other bloggers, let's make it happen.

For more info on climate change, please refer to older posts starting the month of August 2009. Or just check website of local Lebanese NGO www.indyact.org, the global 350 campaign, and the actual campaign www.tcktcktck.com

Save yourselves! Please help raise awareness about the subject.

Lebanese lie #1 and #2

I am starting a new series of Lebanese lie. They do lie! So here's #1 and #2 (double bill)

Lie #1
You know how many times when you run into an old friend, acquaintance, colleague, you chit chat a bit "Hi, Kifak (how are you), ca va (good)?", "Ana mnih (am fine), inta kif? (What about you?)" etc...
And then when the conversation is getting wrapped up, one of you (the most liar), says to the other:
"Let's do something soon!"
YEAAAAAAAAH RIGHT, soon! Like in 100 light years?

Lie #2
Sometimes you're at a clothing store, trying on some clothes, you put on a white dress for example, with dark wide horizontal lines, that is tight, and you're a pear shaped person, and then the salesperson tells you: "Wow, it's perfect on you! It's beautiful! I think you look amazing"
And then you look at the mirror and wonder, since when is the volleyball shape for woman the trend?

Mobile phone, bad for you!

Ok we've been hearing about this since a long time, we're over it, yes we get cancer from putting plastic Tupperware in the microwaves, not eating tomatoes a lot and exposing our silky beautiful skin to the sun!
YET, this article actually lists which phones emits more radiation than others, and that the phone should not have an Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) greater than 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg).

Here you go, the top 10 most radiation emitting phones:
1. Motorola MOTO VU204 - 1.55 W/kg
2. T-Mobile myTouch 3G - 1.55 W/kg
3. Kyocera Jax S1300 - 1.55 W/kg
4. Blackberry Curve 8330 - 1.54 W/kg
5. Motorola W385 - 1.54 W/kg
6. T-Mobile Shadow - 1.53 W/kg
7. Motorola C290 - 1.53 W/kg
8. Motorola i335 - 1.53 W/kg
9. Motorola MOTO VE240 - 1.52 W/kg
10. Blackberry Bold 9000 - 1.51 W/kg

http://www.enn.com/lifestyle/article/40483

Mushy Mushy

I once met with my school friend in a Café, and what does a person usually order in a Café? A cake, a cuppa coffee, cuppa tea, quick snack, but I will never forget the look on the waiter's face when my friend asked him for a plate of strawberry. I looked at her and smiled with a surprise look on my face, but his face was different, he looked at my friend as if she was a weirdo, but she was so confident of herself that no one would ever dare reject her demands. And he did get her those strawberries, I enjoyed them so much, I ate more than half of them.

There are four types of sex for each person

There is your phenotype, which is what you look like, your psychological sex, which is what you feel like and which usually the same as your phenotype and related to how you have been brought up.

There is also your gonadal sex which is whether you have ovaries or testicles and your chromosomal sex which is what combination of x or y chromosomes you have.

I have been following the Caster Semenya story, she's an 18-year-old "female"  world champion in 800m from South Africa, the woman (or man?) has improved dramatically in only few months and wins by a big difference, she also looks like a man, which led many people to think she's a man in disguise, however, her mom swears that she has been born a girl!

Anyway, the IAAF decided to run gender tests on her, and upon the results, i.e. if she's male, she will be disqualified. So the results won't be in for another couple of weeks.

You can read more here.
 

HAAAAA

So I got to Hamra, all proud of myself and my car for not failing on me. Parked it, gave 3000LL for the parking guy and the keys, also all proud of myself for becoming familiar with him, the parking fees, how the whole system works, him directly knowing till which hour am staying...

I walked towards the building where our client's office is, and then suddenly I stopped and put my hand on my mouth and stayed like that for at least a minute.

 

"WHERE'S THE LAPTOP?"

 

I had forgotten it at home, with all the updates that I'm supposed to deliver to him.

 

"SHOULD I GO BACK HOME? DRIVE ALL THE WAY BACK?"

 

Then it hit me, luckily, I had a copy of the delivery on the company's network, so I called someone (discretly, so they don't find out about my stupidity) and told them to send it by email.

 

Then I noticed that the security guy was starring at me like am some kinda lunatic

I told you so

How many persons are afraid to make retroactive decisions just so they don't hear the I told you so?

My Dany, 3asfour bil id, wala 3ashra 3al shajra

I think I was one of the last people who knew about your death. I am sure all my friends avoided being the messenger and after knowing that I had just lost my best friend 3 weeks earlier. But one poor girl came to my house, but no, she didn't tell me the whole truth, she said you were in a hospital and that I should call someone to check it out.
So, the naive me, the illogical me didn't connect the dots to the i's, so I called, and my friend on the other end, didn't even bother to make in introduction or sooth his tone or anything after I asked him in which hospital you were he just said the following two words: "Dany mét"

I don't remember anything after this. I know mom told me not to go to your funeral, and honestly? I did not want to go, I did not want to see another body being taken away to the grave, I knew I wouldn't be able to take it.

2 days earlier, we were at your premature birthday party, I didn't want to go, I was still mourning, but I went after you insisted and insisted and lectured me about life and celebrating those we love and who love us and bla bla bla. You were supposed to take me back home that night, but I had found a ride. And that night we danced too, cause you saw I was looking like a gloomy goth so you took me to the
dance floor and we danced, of course I barely moved, but only if I knew, I would've moved much more and hugged you much more.

None of our common friends dared to even tell me you were in the hospital, no one! They didn't even give me the chance to go say goodbye. The next night you died. How did you die? You had a car accident, you weren't fully awake at 3 or 4 am.

Few know that you had asked me out 10 months earlier, I remember I panicked, I couldn't believe my ears, my best friend? So being the mature person I was 10 years ago, I stopped talking to you for a month, but then we were okay again. I will never forget how you used to wear your hair and clothes and then how you changed... I know why you changed. I will never forget that sport red and white and blue jacket, you looked so good in it, you were hot. And not only that, you were so funny, and so skinny and tall! My Dany.

2 years ago I think, we went to a barbecue and during that night someone had a video for our last day at school, and... you and Najla appeared from no where, we were all in that video, I chocked, I had missed you two so much, 2 of my favorite 3 persons back then. Funny, there was one shot, you talking to me, and me seeing the video camera and trying to escape the frame, and you kept following... I didn't
know what you were thinking back then, clueless, ignorant me.

Between brackets, I still dream about you, you know, like we're a couple or something.

I know, by now you would've been this handsome man, definitely successful, and definitely and chick magnet. I am just sad your mom and sister and your family had to lose you, and especially to lose you this way, a car accident? A car accident ya Dany? One night you were partying, the next you were dead? To all young men out there, DRIVE SAFELY, call a cab when you're tipsy or drunk.

Anyway, just wanted to mark this day, it's been 10 years Mr Jujitsu. And I just wanted to say hope you're resting in peace.

Ziad Rahbani on Light FM with Tangui

I have been thinking and thinking on which language the interview will be in, and ta ra ra ram.. it's in French. It's the first time I hear Ziad Rahbani speak in French, I thought he will say stuff like "vous voulez de la neige"

I love it! I love him

What is your logic exactly?

We decided yesterday to go on a picnic in one of the most spectacular places in Lebanon. Kannoubine Valley (located near Bcharre in the mountains of north Lebanon, just before the Cedars) also known as Kadicha Valley, was our chosen destination. It is a beautiful place as you will see in the photos below.





But what I couldn't make out and get through my thick skull is understanding how do these group of people think and process things such as leaving their f*ckin garbage behind?

I mean, here we are bi ekhir ma 3ammar rabna, in the middle of nowhere, there is no municipality (not that it's a valid reason), where people go on purpose so they can be in the nature, far from the city noise and its pollution, near fantastic landscapes, and then here comes their garbage? Inno who do you expect will clean after you? Are there like magic elves who live in the forests that we don't know of and whose job is to clean after dirty people?

Vote climate change for Blog Action Day 2009

Blog Action Day is a single day–October 15–when bloggers write about a particular topic in order to raise awareness. Last year, the issue was poverty, and over 12,000 bloggers covered it, reaching a total audience more than 13 million readers.

Change.org, the organizers of Blog Action Day, are running a 5-question, multiple-choice survey to determine the issue for this year's event.

As you might imagine, we think that issue should be climate change. Because it falls on October 15, Blog Action Day presents an excellent opportunity to set the stage for October 24's International Day of Climate Action. Plus, climate change negotiations on the Copenhagen scale don't happen every year.

If you agree, take 30 seconds and complete the Blog Action Day survey, selecting 'climate change' as the answer to the first question.

(And no I am not sorry for nagging your head about this issue!)

Who's against doing something about climate change - Fact #1

Saudi Arabia does not want rich countries to cut on carbon emissions, because if they do, they won't buy a lot of fuel anymore, and if they don't, the Kingdom won't sell a lot of fuel anymore. Monetary compensation did not convince the kingdom, why you ask? Because it's all about power.

Saudi Arabia influences smaller and weaker Arab countries in the climate change negotiations.

Power vs Survival

And we wait to see what happens in COP15, Copenhagen climate conference in December 2009

Protest-Camping in London to raise awareness about Climate Change

Ah... civilized societies!

The first day of 'Climate Camp 2009' proved a drizzly one for the hundreds who pitched up to Blackheath to raise awareness about climate change.

They had gathered at six London locations before noon, waiting for a text message telling them where the campsite would be.

The ruse served not only to confuse the police but the protesters as well, as there was a two-hour delay in relaying the information.

But just after 2pm yesterday, the messages started coming in.....

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1209152/Test-police-thousands-climate-change-activists-prepare-secret-protest.html

On that note, Friday 28th of August will be 100 days away from the Copenhagen meeting (COP15), where a treaty about Climate Change will be agreed on, so on the local scene, something is going to happen in Downtown Beirut at 9pm! Be there.

Topic Selection for Blog Action Day 2009 - Help us pick Climate Change

Hi Everyone,

Blog Action Day takes place every year on October 15th, where all blogs blog about the same topic all over the world. They're doing a survey in order to select the topic that all blogs will be talking about, so let us all vote for Climate Change and spread it as much as we can.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vgxlY3JzQGvGg_2fmM_2fr240g_3d_3d

Kind Regards,
Liliane

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The Blog Action Day Team <mailout@blogactionday.org>
Date: Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 4:08 AM
Subject: Big News: Change.org to lead Blog Action Day 2009

Hey BAD bloggers!

It's almost that time of year again, and this time I have some
exciting news to announce.

When we started Blog Action Day two years ago, we had no idea
how large it would become.  Now that it's grown beyond our
wildest expectations, we've decided that it's time Blog Action
Day had a more permanent home where it can continue to expand.

To that end, we've asked the social issue blog network
Change.org to take over the project and make Blog Action
Day bigger than ever.  I'm thrilled to say that they've
agreed, and their team has already started working on
preparing for this year's event on October 15th.

As a first step, the Change.org team wants to get your
thoughts on the selection of this year's topic.  To give
your feedback on the topics being considered or suggest
your own, click the link below to a short 5-question survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vgxlY3JzQGvGg_2fmM_2fr240g_3d_3d

If you have any questions, additional suggestions, or want to
get involved beyond blogging, email Robin Beck, Change.org's
Director of Organizing, at robin@change.org.

Thanks for all the support – we look forward to having you
all involved in this year's event, and you'll being hearing
more from the folks at Change.org over the coming weeks as
we all get ready for Blog Action Day 2009.

Finally, don't forget to add us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/blogactionday

Cheers,
Collis

BAD Coordinator 2007/2008

Geeks get it

With the risk of sounding geeky, one of my favorite moments at work is when something finally works after being stuck, and it being the only obstacle from finishing your task or project.

I am not sure if this is only IT related or it happens in all fields, but I can emphasize that in IT we do a lot of programming sometimes or designing architecture for solutions or whatever the task is, and it would be the first of its kind where you work, so there isn't really anything you can rely on besides what's on the net and some books. At one point, after spending hours and sometimes days between researching and performing some trials and errors, after you think this is not working, why am I even assigned with such a task, I can't do it, and then BAM it works. Beautiful feeling!

Of course, your ego is boosted again, and you feel like you're the best IT person in Lebanon and Google should hire you as soon as they open in Lebanon.

3ashra

3ashr sneen. Bta3rifeh shou sar bi hal 3ashr sneen. Sar ktir, aw2et b2oul ya raytik ba3dik mawjdoudeh, la t3isheh w tshoufeh shou 3am min shouf w n3ish, w aw2et b2oul mni7 yalli fallayteh w khloste min hal 7ayet wil 2araf yalli bit khallikeh t7issih bi wa2et mnil aw2et.

Ma ba3rif iza ba3dik mawjoudeh shi ma7al, bi hal dineh, bi hal 3alam, bil hal kon. Ana ma b2emin inno fi ghaymeh el kil bi 3isho fiya, 3laya bil a7ra. Gharib inno ba3dneh bitzakkar sawtik. W tari2et 7akyik. W nazertik.

Bis2al 7aleh la 7adit lyom, lei 7abbaytineh, w lei 7abbaytik. Sara7a, ana w bi iyem zighareh, ma kenet fattish 3ala fata el a7lem, kenet fattish 3an sadi2a! btitzakkareh Gibran shou al? w 7solet 3ala sadi2te, yalli la ekhir 7ayeteh ma ra7 ensiya.

Bi oulo el 3atra 3alli ra7. Mazbout. Ana bkhaf rou7. Bass inte ya inseneh, ya niswen (mitel ma kente t2ouleh), ma khefte trou7e. 7adan bi 3omr el sitta3sh, bya3rif inno ma3o saratan, w bi dal yebtessim?

Sinten min ba3da, ana kenet bi balad teneh, w bi layle ma fiya daw amar, seret ibke mitel el hable, kenet 3am fakkir fike, 7asset fike. w min ba3ed ma rje3et 3refet inno nshallayte w dtarrayte titirke el madrasseh. tballsheh bi awal khoutwe la tark el 7ayet.

Bfakkir ktir law ba3dik ma3na 3al hal ared, ana b2oul kente bit kouneh architect, w 7emle mastra w 3am bit 3ayte 3al mwazafin, la2anno ghalbato, bass hineh ma ra7 yiz3alo minnik, inte ma byinza3al minnik.

Inte ya inseneh, labbasoukeh fostan azra2 nhar yalli kente 3am bit filleh fi... bitzakkar el fostan, mitel taba3 snow-white.... w ya 7elwe, keno ra7o sha3ratik, w keno 7attinlik sha3er istina3e, bouclé, roux, w ana abla kenet eylitlik inno ktir ken lebi2lik. Alileh inte yalli kente el marida, w jiteh tallayte 3laye la2anno kenet 3am bedrous, w kheyfe es2out.

talfanet 3ayyadtik bi wa7ad Ab, mitel el majdoubeh, eltellik 3a2bel el miye. bass ma... tisata3sh ken el ra2em la ilik.

gharib nhar el dafen, gharib, deyman gharib, houwe bi koun absha3 nhar, w a7la nhar. absha3 la 2anno taraktina, w a7la la2anno kenit a2rab marra lal 7ayet min shoufik fiya.

w halla2 inte wein, w ni7na wein. el 7ayet sakhife. sakhife ktir. w 3alam mitlik hineh yalli bya3touwa imeh. alla yer7amik ya benet. akh... ila al lika2

We nag, while they have no choice

After reading this post by Human Province, on how maids or nannies are treated while tagging along the family they work for when going to a private beach and such, it triggered another thoughts in my brain that I do think about from time to time, but never thought of writing them down.

I always wondered about Maids in general, the 24/7 maids who live with the family, and I've heard horrid stories about locking the door on them, because they might escape, etc... I don't deny that it's a bummer if your maid escapes, but there is actually two reasons for that, either you're treating her badly, and in case you're not and she escapes, just stop at the word escape and think for a minute.

We say escape, when we are leaving someplace we are obliged to be in without the consent of those who have the power in that location, i.e. JAIL

Working from 8am to 6pm, makes me feel like a prisoner, or sometimes get bothered if my boss asked me in an indirect polite way about not having finished my job on time. But let's talk about the schedule, for example right now, I want to get out and go sit in the nature and contemplate an ant idiotically like I used to, without having anyone to ask me why, or to criticize what am doing, and so on and so forth. My obstacle? I don't have many days off anymore, yep, that's the only obstacle. And not because anyone makes me sit without having the freedom to leave. While I have a relatively decent salary, a car, a mobile phone, I travel once or twice a year, my health, friends, going out 5 or 6 times a week, and the whole package. And I nag! Yes, sometimes it's good to keep yourself on your toes in order to improve on all levels, but really technically in the end, it's called nagging.

On the other side, those poor people, who are not inferior to us, who some of us make them sit in the back seat while the front seat is empty, yet there is no child in the car in the back to be taken care of (like that is not a good reason still), while we lock the house's door on them when we go out, while we go out and have fun and go to our jobs to nourish our thoughts, our life, our life style, they sit at home, cleaning and cooking. All day, everyday, for the whole week, the whole month, and year.

I do know of few exceptions though, where these maids are treated as a part of the family, and the maids themselves refuse to leave.

p.s. I would hate myself if I even start telling the maid to get me water and coffee and pick up after me, unless am paralyzed of course. Should keep reminding myself, if I ever get a maid, not to become an asshole.

Socializing, remember those days on the balcony?

Whatever happened to having friends over, chit-chatting over beer and "loz", or talking, listening and dancing on the music, playing "Dirbakkeh", after having tabbouleh, fries and a "Labneh" plate, sitting on the balcony contemplating the neighbors, who found a parking spot, who came home early and who came late, and then inviting them over.

The forms of socializing is changing, dinner parties at home, or a small modest buffet, or a Lebanese "tawleh", are decreasing with time. When you want to see your friends now, you decide to meet at some restaurant, not that I mind, I love restaurants, but I honestly miss having people over, or being over at people's houses from time to time, you know, it's that sense of familiarity of feeling at ease. I keep thinking of inviting people over and preparing something, but I always stop myself on: "Okay, but what will I tell him the reason for this gathering is?"

Climate Change v/s Global Warming, What is Climate change?

In this post, I will be talking about what Climate Change (also referred to as Global Change) is, what Global Warming is, and the difference between them.

Global Warming

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the last century.

The greenhouse effect is the process by which absorption and emission of infrared radiation by gases in the atmosphere warm a planet's lower atmosphere and surface.

So in summary, with the greenhouse effect, the more the CO2, the more the absorption of the sun's radiation by the Earth, thus the increase of the global temperature. (See Photo)

Climate Change

Climate change is any long-term change in the statistics of weather over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. Climate change may occur in a specific region, or across the whole Earth.

Lately, a change in the climate is occurring fast, and we can see those changes today. To name a few, increase in the sea water level (see previous post about the Maldives Islands to disappear, causing what we call Climate Refugees), increase in the spreading of diseases (e.g. the Dengue fever in Bangladesh), increase in the number of cyclones (e.g. in Oman), bleaching of coral reefs, glaciers melting, etc...

As now climate change will be affecting the whole Earth, it is also being referred to as Global Change.

Difference between Global Warming and Climate Change

Put in simple words, we can say that Climate change (the recent of course) is the consequence of Global warming. Global warming already happened, climate change is happening as we speak, and the target of these NGOs by December 2009 in Copenhagen is to introduce a treaty that will let the countries work on mitigating (decreasing) the effects of climate change on Earth as much as possible, by setting the goal of decreasing the gas emissions by 80% by 2050, to reach the 350 ppm (parts per million) CO2 in the atmosphere (it's around 378ppm now), to prevent from letting the temperature of the earth increase by 2 degrees Celsius (more details on this in future posts) which if they don't, it will have catastrophic and disastrous effects on Earth.

In future posts, I will be telling you about the effects of Climate Change on Lebanon directly, the difference between Mitigation (increase in gas emissions activities) and adaptation (in case the tipping point in climate change is reached, what will we do then), the science and the politics behind Climate Change and the most common words and expressions you will be hearing that are related to Climate change.

I ask you kindly my fellow bloggers/readers to:

We have this saying in Lebanese "Money attracts money". But today I want to talk about procrastination, truth is "Procrastination attracts procrastination". Surprisingly and amazingly, it is one of the 7 sins.

Ever noticed that the day you get lazy doesn't end, and you start feeling that you're even lazier than the minute before, and can't even bring yourself, to get up and shower and get going?

You say to yourself, I deserve this, I need to rest, just drool and watch TV all day, I have been working my ass off all week barely had any time to pee. Truth is, which days did you enjoy more?

Ever wondered how a 24 hours days is just perfect, sometimes we say it's too long, sometimes we say it's not enough. I personally think it's perfect. You run from work to whatever commitment you have afterward, be it learning a language, going to the gym, attending classes that might boost your career, volunteer work, visiting someone, doing freelance job or working a second a job. You barely get home and sleep. And it's perfect.

When I feel I have more time to do something, I end up having a lot of free time doing nothing and guess what, bored to death, depressed, sad, unproductive.

And finally, if you think you don't have enough time to know more about Climate Change, you're partially right. 40 years and the world we got to know the way it is may not be anymore. There are many campaigns in this world, and you think other people might handle this, but not this one and I hope that you (my smart readers, "intelligence attracts intelligence") might trust me when I ask your help to help me
spread the word about Climate Change. I know you're still reading the words and wondering, it's not that serious, is it? It doesn't sound serious. Yes because I haven't said anything about it, but I will in the next few months and until the Copenhagen December 2009 negotiations happen. And I kindly ask you to follow me, and to share and tell others, and if you are interested in volunteering, and knowing more and more about the "politics vs science" in this matter, I will be more than happy to re-route you to IndyACT and transmit what I have learned so far.

And I promise you if by 2050 we are all still alive with a normal climate similar to the year 1990, I will give you a gift then (I will be 68 and probably very rich).

p.s. I am not accusing anyone of procrastination, I just started the post like that and it turned to Climate Change, I think all my future posts will have the same fate, bare with me these next few months!

p.p.s I am sorry for not providing any picture in this post, boring ey!?

Time to change in climate change before it's too late

IndyACT and 350

I had the pleasure and the great opportunity to attend the Climate Change Media Workshop that was organized by IndyAct, an NGO based in Lebanon and who is playing a big part in this whole story. It took place on 5 and 6 August 2009, where we also met Bill McKibben, from 350 campaign which I will tell you all about in a future post.

Edited: I added the below movie so everyone can understand what 350ppm (parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere) means. Because the world needs to know.








Climate Change

As the next person, I had heard about climate change, but I thought its consequences were something to happen in the next century or the one after, but sadly it's much less, we're talking 40 years only. I can't tell you what I learned in this workshop in 1 post, however I will pass these information along the next weeks to you so you can share as well... Actually, please share, it's your life and my life at stake here.

Climate change is a direct threat to our lives and the lives of our children. It would be completely unfair to ruin this world for them while we have the chance for once to make history and actually do something good.

Copenhagen December 2009

In December 2009, we will all be hoping for the leading countries to sign on an agreement and not just any agreement that will abide them to decrease gas emissions. More on Copenhagen December 2009 in another post.

Small Islands to disappear from the face of the Earth

I will share with you this video of the President of the Maldives, Mohammed Nasheed, in which he talks about how the Maldives, as small Islands will disappear before 2050 due to the sea level rise that is caused by climate change. Think about it, a whole country will disappear? Where will the population go? Plus, a whole country will disappear under our own eyes!!!!

Watch this video here please.



As the President of the Maldives put it: "Please, don't be stupid"

Dalai Lama day

One of the things that I didn't like about myself was the
over-thinking, and I think I have successfully managed to decrease it,
I think, wait, let me think about it, ... (5 minutes pass) yep, I
think I'm good.

Anyway, there is another negative aspect of my personality that I need
to work on and it is "jumping into conclusions" a little too fast.
Many people do that, and I understand why. There is a thrill , an
adrenalin rush (sometimes) after a person jumps into a conclusion and
it turns out to be right. Maybe the trick here, is to play a game, but
make sure you don't let that conclusion close your mind from accepting
or considering any other possible conclusion or explanation for that
matter.

In theory, we are born neutral. Our surroundings and society lead us
to be more tolerant or more prejudiced, more accepting or more racist.
But that doesn't mean we cannot change this if we don't decide to. In
conclusion (was that fast?), most of the time you don't to convince a
person of a certain issue or way of thinking, or an idea, it's more
important to just convince him that it's not wrong to change his
principles, or beliefs, or way of thinking, and all it matters is to
be open. And then if you trust your idea enough, then the person in
front of you will get there on their own.

Dalai Lama signing off.