The infant martyr Mohamed al Bura'i (6 month old), getting buried in Gaza Yesterday.
I can see a smile on his face I swear....
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
"I am 18.... and a half"!
This is something I am not sure I would like to do when I am under 18!
I was tagged by my friend Abu Fares (who's just a tad older than me), there are strict rules to the Tag it seems; here it goes:
1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6, or less, people to get tagged and list their names.
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.
Like it was not hard enough to answer, I've read many answers to this Tag that'll make it even tougher to be unique. After trying so hard, I could only come up with five items (sorry Abu Fares, ma twakhezna:)):
1- Physical training: this is one of the things that is being neglected in this day and age; the elder generations didn’t have the ‘comforts’ of today. They had to move around a lot more on their feet. They had a better physical shape, although health care at their times may not have been as good as it is today. A friend of mine had kindly posted a link to an article about 'how to alleviate the effects of sedentary life-style', it had all those great suggestions, and I imagine that these should come by default when they are ingrained at an early age. We have to somehow find a way to introduce physical exercise (aerobics, body building, gymnastics, martial arts…etc…) at an early age. This is also one way of countering obesity.
2- Learn to be considerate and respectful to the other and less fortunate human beings: there are clear signs that the world is going down the cycle of increasing violence once again, we need to ingrain the concept of peace and peaceful co-existence in the youth of this generation so that by the time they become in charge of this world, there will be less violence and less bloodshed. No matter how you flip the coin, human races will have to bear each other and live side by side at the end of the day. Enough compartmentalizing and insularity, let’s look at the wider spectrum and not be afraid of globalization.
3- Free and Independent Thinking: is definitely something I’d rather see those under 18 striving to achieve. Although such high priced commodity is partly imparted, partly sought after. They should be encouraged to think on their own. To learn how to make tough decision. This will help them immensely in the life ahead.
4- Learn enough about your culture and identity: be it through poetry, literature or even religion, the youth need to be proud of who they are, not ashamed of the affiliation with their culture and identity. It is ok to listen to RAP and be funky every now and then, I myself still do when I want to listen to, or do something different for a change. But just don't shed your skin. It is essential to know who you are and where you come from. So that at times when there is confusion and uncertainty, all you need to do is to brush that little layer of dust and you will be fine.
5- Learn how to communicate with the world in the best possible way: acquire foreign languages and read about other cultures. You may think it is a luxury that you can't afford when you are crunched in time to study and do your home work and entertain yourself. But believe me, you will find that these things come in handy later in the future.
I enjoyed doing this Tag immensely. It'd put me in a position that I was not put in before. I will leave it to any one of my dear readers who would like to participate to so at their own convenience….
I was tagged by my friend Abu Fares (who's just a tad older than me), there are strict rules to the Tag it seems; here it goes:
1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6, or less, people to get tagged and list their names.
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.
Like it was not hard enough to answer, I've read many answers to this Tag that'll make it even tougher to be unique. After trying so hard, I could only come up with five items (sorry Abu Fares, ma twakhezna:)):
1- Physical training: this is one of the things that is being neglected in this day and age; the elder generations didn’t have the ‘comforts’ of today. They had to move around a lot more on their feet. They had a better physical shape, although health care at their times may not have been as good as it is today. A friend of mine had kindly posted a link to an article about 'how to alleviate the effects of sedentary life-style', it had all those great suggestions, and I imagine that these should come by default when they are ingrained at an early age. We have to somehow find a way to introduce physical exercise (aerobics, body building, gymnastics, martial arts…etc…) at an early age. This is also one way of countering obesity.
2- Learn to be considerate and respectful to the other and less fortunate human beings: there are clear signs that the world is going down the cycle of increasing violence once again, we need to ingrain the concept of peace and peaceful co-existence in the youth of this generation so that by the time they become in charge of this world, there will be less violence and less bloodshed. No matter how you flip the coin, human races will have to bear each other and live side by side at the end of the day. Enough compartmentalizing and insularity, let’s look at the wider spectrum and not be afraid of globalization.
3- Free and Independent Thinking: is definitely something I’d rather see those under 18 striving to achieve. Although such high priced commodity is partly imparted, partly sought after. They should be encouraged to think on their own. To learn how to make tough decision. This will help them immensely in the life ahead.
4- Learn enough about your culture and identity: be it through poetry, literature or even religion, the youth need to be proud of who they are, not ashamed of the affiliation with their culture and identity. It is ok to listen to RAP and be funky every now and then, I myself still do when I want to listen to, or do something different for a change. But just don't shed your skin. It is essential to know who you are and where you come from. So that at times when there is confusion and uncertainty, all you need to do is to brush that little layer of dust and you will be fine.
5- Learn how to communicate with the world in the best possible way: acquire foreign languages and read about other cultures. You may think it is a luxury that you can't afford when you are crunched in time to study and do your home work and entertain yourself. But believe me, you will find that these things come in handy later in the future.
I enjoyed doing this Tag immensely. It'd put me in a position that I was not put in before. I will leave it to any one of my dear readers who would like to participate to so at their own convenience….
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Bush in Africa
Women dressed in clothing picturing President Bush await his arrival at the state house in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 17, 2008.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tagged: Book Meme
I was tagged by my friend Bu Jassem, thank you Bu Jassem, I really needed to brush up my tagging skills!
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages)
Chasing the Dime, by Michael Connelly.
2. Open the book to page 123.
7adreen tal 3omrak! Opened!
3. Find the fifth sentence.
"The movie star was older but a lot softer on the eyes…"
4. Post the next three sentences.
"..."did you bring me something?" at first, he thought she was talking about the smoothie, but then he remembered the money. "yeah, I've got it here" He leaned back on the couch to reach into his pocket. He had the four hundered ready in its own thick fold of twenties fresh from the cash machine. This was the part he has rehearsed. He didn't mind losing the four hundred but he didn't want to give it to her and then be kicked out when he reveals the true reason he was there…."
Ya3ni ya Bu Jassem, from all the pages and the sentences in this beautiful novel this happens to be the part when the main character (Pierce) approaches a hooker!
5. Tag five people.
Okay, this is the toughest part!...
- Abu Fares.
- KJ.
- Lujayn.
- Kaya.
- Ali the Wisconsinite.
- Abu Fares.
- KJ.
- Lujayn.
- Kaya.
- Ali the Wisconsinite.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Expansion of the Syrian Parliament - توسعة مجلس الشعب السوري
The existing building of the Syrian parliament is one of the most significant classical architectural monuments in Damascus. But it's become too small for the increasing number of staff and committees, so an expansion is needed. A new, bigger and better parliament hall is also needed.
An architectural competition was announced and there was relatively good response to it from at least 5 countries, one of which is the UK represented by the renown Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. But she didn't win.
The first award was suspended. Amongst the two runner-up winners was a concept proposed by Dr. Anwar Ghaith and his team from Damascus University; the one I heard is more likely to be selected for construction.
The concept is beautiful and modern; with regards to the hall there is this faint reference to the European parliament building of Berlin with its famous glass dome and the whirling spiral walkway.
The one thing that I felt uneasy about is the mid-rise tower, its facade is made completely of glass, and my understanding is that it meant to symbolize transparency and modernity. I am all for that. But there has to be some sort of a blend with the past, there is absolutely no compatibility with the existing building with its beautiful ornate façade. This is an adventurous idea on the part of the winning architect, it might work out superbly…I hope so…
Okay enough of my grunting, here are some photos of the winning concept:
The proposed hall is the most prominent element, it's shown in a side view (elevation) and a section with leaves of aluminum panels acting as sun screens and the semi circular auditorium. Note the office block to the top-right corner.
Side view and cross section looking from the reversed angle.
An overall view of the plan. Another view for the office block. Notice the transparency and the modernity touches which I told you of. There is also this spatial bridge running between the two trunks of the office block. My structural colleague advised that 'few' columns are badly needed there!.
An architectural competition was announced and there was relatively good response to it from at least 5 countries, one of which is the UK represented by the renown Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. But she didn't win.
The first award was suspended. Amongst the two runner-up winners was a concept proposed by Dr. Anwar Ghaith and his team from Damascus University; the one I heard is more likely to be selected for construction.
The concept is beautiful and modern; with regards to the hall there is this faint reference to the European parliament building of Berlin with its famous glass dome and the whirling spiral walkway.
The one thing that I felt uneasy about is the mid-rise tower, its facade is made completely of glass, and my understanding is that it meant to symbolize transparency and modernity. I am all for that. But there has to be some sort of a blend with the past, there is absolutely no compatibility with the existing building with its beautiful ornate façade. This is an adventurous idea on the part of the winning architect, it might work out superbly…I hope so…
Okay enough of my grunting, here are some photos of the winning concept:
The proposed hall is the most prominent element, it's shown in a side view (elevation) and a section with leaves of aluminum panels acting as sun screens and the semi circular auditorium. Note the office block to the top-right corner. Side view and cross section looking from the reversed angle.Note the complexity of the forms.
An overall view of the plan. Another view for the office block. Notice the transparency and the modernity touches which I told you of. There is also this spatial bridge running between the two trunks of the office block. My structural colleague advised that 'few' columns are badly needed there!.A view of the existing parliament building with its ornate facade.
Your comments are welcome.
P.S.: photos are courtesy of www.arch4all.com
Update: I just realized the photos won't get enlarged when you click on them, here are links to larger verisons :
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w180/dubaijazz/100_2612.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w180/dubaijazz/100_2609.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w180/dubaijazz/100_2607.jpg
A Little Glimpse into the Assyrian Community in Syria.
I found this delightful video while surfing aimlessly through youtube.
I absolutely love the music and the dabkeh. It's so lively and the guys seem to be doing it quite easily and with great sync and rhythm.
But I must also admit that I am not 100% sure that this took place in Syria. But if not in Syria then where else?
Enjoy!
I absolutely love the music and the dabkeh. It's so lively and the guys seem to be doing it quite easily and with great sync and rhythm.
But I must also admit that I am not 100% sure that this took place in Syria. But if not in Syria then where else?
Enjoy!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
The Wine of Passion
Remember Sabah's Beit Al Dien concert in Lebanon?
There was this guy sitting in the first row, totally gobsmacked with the powerful performance, in fact, he's got almost teary eyes with the song 'kul lil mali7ah'
Fast forward ten years, one goon MP reporting to the same guy is appealing to Fairuz not to sing in Damascus. (?!)
Yeah right; because he had to feign his astonishment for Sabah you know, if you don't waggle your head in admiration, the Mukhabarat might as well bust your ass….
There was this guy sitting in the first row, totally gobsmacked with the powerful performance, in fact, he's got almost teary eyes with the song 'kul lil mali7ah'
Fast forward ten years, one goon MP reporting to the same guy is appealing to Fairuz not to sing in Damascus. (?!)
Yeah right; because he had to feign his astonishment for Sabah you know, if you don't waggle your head in admiration, the Mukhabarat might as well bust your ass….
خمرة الحب اسقنيها
هم قلبي تنسيني
عيشة لا حب فيها
جدول لا ماء فيه
يا ربة الوجه الصبوح
أنت عنوان الأمل
أسكريني بلثم روحي
خمرة الروح القبل
إن تجودي فصليني
أسوة بالعاشقين
أو تظني فاندبيني
في ظلال الياسمين
For those who lived in Syria long enough. You may recall a radio show that used to air on Iza3et Dimashk (Damascus Radio) every friday between 2-4 PM to report the development with the football league. It is called Mala3ibuna Al Al Khadra' (our green playgrounds -okay the colors conformity is a great question). Anyway, whenever Al Itihad (the most opoular football team in Aleppo) was doing well (i.e. smashing Al Waheda or Al Karameh 5-0 and thus becoming on the top of the lead), the director of the show will be kind enough to run a varaition of this song by Sabah:
أنا في سكرين من خمر و عين
و احتراق في لهيب الشفتين
لا تزدني...بل فزدني
فتنة في الحاجبين
Friday, February 01, 2008
The internet service has been down for the last couple of days. I couldn't do anything significant during the slow down. I couldn't even post comments on my own blog let alone others. Gmail was also down. Youtube? ... forget about it.
All this was because some extra-witty Egyptian fisherman has decided to drop his anchor deep in the Mediterranean. Not only he'd dropped the anchor so deep and hurt one of the cables supplying bites to the Middle East and India, he had also dragged his anchor for 400 meters and cut another main cable in the process.
We could live with one cable cut, but two?
That, in my standard, is unprecedented.
And the fisherman is certainly demented.
Oh yeah, forgot to tell you. There is a sand/wind storm in Dubai as well. Visibility is down to 100 meters. I could sense there was something wrong when I woke up this morning at the sound of the sirens of an ambulance. Oh well, it is true that I live nearby the Iranian hospital, but it was Friday morning. Traffic is usually light on Friday mornings (by mornings I mean 2 PM). So I knew there is something unusual about the weather that is probably causing accidents. I've drawn the curtains open and could see (or rather couldn't see) that the 300 meters far building was completely invisible. For a moment, I panicked. I thought the worst of it till I could make out the hazy effect the sand mist was leaving on other closer buildings.
All this was because some extra-witty Egyptian fisherman has decided to drop his anchor deep in the Mediterranean. Not only he'd dropped the anchor so deep and hurt one of the cables supplying bites to the Middle East and India, he had also dragged his anchor for 400 meters and cut another main cable in the process.
We could live with one cable cut, but two?
That, in my standard, is unprecedented.
And the fisherman is certainly demented.
Oh yeah, forgot to tell you. There is a sand/wind storm in Dubai as well. Visibility is down to 100 meters. I could sense there was something wrong when I woke up this morning at the sound of the sirens of an ambulance. Oh well, it is true that I live nearby the Iranian hospital, but it was Friday morning. Traffic is usually light on Friday mornings (by mornings I mean 2 PM). So I knew there is something unusual about the weather that is probably causing accidents. I've drawn the curtains open and could see (or rather couldn't see) that the 300 meters far building was completely invisible. For a moment, I panicked. I thought the worst of it till I could make out the hazy effect the sand mist was leaving on other closer buildings.
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