Shorcut to Spiritual Fullfilment

Why do all the people I know who are interested in spritual fullfilement and the like smoke hash (in doses, I mean)? Is it kind of a shortcut?

I am Water

I believe that according to the chinese thought or theory Wu Xing or Five Elements (the five basic elements, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), I am water.
Color: Black or Blue
Season: Winter
Climate: Cold
Mental Quality: Spontaneity
Emotion: fear
Taste: salty
Life: death
Someone studying the Karma, Shakra and the like, told me some years ago that I am water. I like that! maybe that's why I like the rain? We bond?
Also, someone told me that I have a strong feeling of my shakra or something like that and that I should cultivate the feeling (and study) of my shakras. He said that I have a positive one. That was when I wore his hat for like 5 minutes and when I removed it, I had the feeling that the hat was still on my head. He then said that this is his shakra (or energy) that was stored inside the hat before I wore it and when I removed it I could feel it strongly. But doesn't this happen to everyone? If not, then I should seriously consider my shakra powers!

Rain and more

Oh, how I long for the rain, for a cloudy morning and the smell of the wet soil, when I start my engine and look at the drops of water scroll down my window making that sweet yet heavy sound that mingles with the voice of Fairuz coming out the radio and tingling the top of my stomach. I would close my eyes and suddenly a flash of the sweetest memories of my 28 years on earth would rush before me in a mo.

Osho on Civilization

Perhaps civilization is still an idea -- it has not happened in reality. Osho

Book: Chicago

I just finished reading "Chicago" by Alaa Al Aswani. It is an excellent novel although I have read better. Mostly striking are the well developed characters and their personification. You almost fall in love with Dr Graham, Nagi, Chris, and Marwa and you are totally amazed by the personality of Dr Salah, Tarik Hasseb, Shaymaa, Dr Ra'fat Thabit, and Carol. The book seems to be written to be turned into a movie with chapters making up fully fledged scenes of events ascending into a well weaved plot. I was however disappointed by some exaggerated scenes that reminded me of some stupid Egyptian movies like when Dannana greets and cheers for the President or even when Safwat Shakir breaks into Nagi's room. I liked the dramatic unfolding of events and the sad ending for the different characters and stories. Throughout the book I was a bit disappointed by how the author creates golden opportunities to his characters (Carol's friend appearing suddenly to give her a job, the love team formed for Sara, Salah getting in touch with Zeinab after 30 years and finding her a widow, etc.). Aswani had yet cleverly used the dilemma of the US's double standard democracy after 9/11 and his description of the military and totalitarian Egyptian regime is remarkable. I enjoyed reading it.

Memory of a memory

When I am sad, I remember you. I know that you never saw the light but you existed in a way or another and you must be somewhere. Somehow you give me strength. Just remembering the feeling you gave me makes me feel that I own the universe.It was just you and me and it was everything. I cant and will never forget you.

Love & Hope

Love and hope cannot go together. You either love or hope.

Inspired

Blindness

"If you can see, look. If you can look, observe". The Book of Exhortations/Blindness Jose Saramago.
This line was crossing my mind throughout this lousy weekend which made me look like a freak but I understood.

Ghassan Bin Jeddou

I just talked to Ghassan bin Jeddou of AL Jazeera on the phone. He addressed me with "ya sayyidati" (my lady) which he also uses on TV. He is an extremely polite and well mannered man. His coverage of Lebanese politics which is always very delicate and sensitive is examplary. If I ever go back to Journalism I would only want to work with him. I remember I listened to two different interviews with him on the Radio. And Bin Jeddou is famous for his eccentric choice of colors of his ties and clothes. The host asked him what are you wearing right now and he said "a purple tie that goes well with my orange belt". I have never knwon anyone who is as knowledgeable and innocent at the same time. You can feel his transparency through the screen and needless to talk about his professionalism.

Similarity

Osho and Mouhamad Hussein fadlallah. i was just stuck by how they look alike!

Taha Ahmad Scofield Arrested

Reports of LAF arrest Fatah al-Islam member Taha al-Hajj Sleiman, who escaped on Tuesday from Roumieh Prison, in Bsalim

Conspiracy

Al-Akhbar published today that Abdel Aziz Khoja (Saudi minister of information and former ambassador to Lebanon and much more) had a secret visit to Lebanon two days ago at night. The following day, a Fath al Islam militant escapes from Roumieh. Let's fantasize a little, why not, and yes conspiracy theories are the norms here and I dont believe in coincidences. So why not link the escape to Khoja's secret visit especially that no one knows what he was here for. Let's just consider this scenario: Syria and Saudi Arabic are in the process of correcting their relations, and of course many demands from either side would arise. Can't Taha Ahmad Suleiman be on the agenda for example? Let's consider this too: Lately, a decree was issued whereby clerics entering Roumieh prison shall not be searched. The decree was the results of pressures from some highly religious establishments (most of them are linked or have their allegience to or in Lebanese terms take orders from Saudi Arabia). So Khoja comes to Lebanon in secrecy and a Fath el Islam member is free. I am just helping out the investigation which will never get to an end and which will soon be forgotten. Yet the relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia will be cheered and embraced by all especially the US.

Taha Ahmad Scofield

A Fatah al-Islam militant by the name Taha Ahmad Sleiman escaped yesterday from the main Lebanese prison, Roumieh in a pre-dawn jail break, and in circumstances very much similar to how Micheal Scofield (Wentworth Miller) breaks free from Fox River.
Looking at the pictures above, i wouldn't be very much surprised at the similarity!!

So they come for the fun! I see.

From nudist beach parties and wild bashes hosted by the likes of Paris Hilton, to gay clubs, gambling and showgirls, Beirut is rapidly earning a reputation as the sin city of the Middle East." The daily Star/ AFP

Tourism or prostitution?

The ministry of tourism announced that there are 2 millions tourists in lebanon now. Of course the statement implies that this is an achievement given that it will positively impact the overall economy. The reality on the ground is yet different. The majority of those tourists come from the gulf (Some Lebanese coming from abroad are also counted among the 2 million by the way) and most of them only visit Down Town Beirut, Broumana, ALey, and Mameltain. Hence teh following conclusions can be drawn:
1) I am not sure they can be called tourists as they dont visit the known touristic cites in Lebanon (Baalbeck, Jbeil, Jeita grotto, Beiteddine) or the famous festivals that go on in the summer
2) Only less than 1% of the population (that already wealthy portion) benefits from those tourists, especially owners of down town cafes and restaurants.
3) None of them visited the Kaak seller at the entrance of Baalback or the owner of that shop in Jbeil
4) Ordinary people are only affected by the traffic, that they cannot access all restaurants since owners reserve table to gulfy tippers, and the insults they endure during the tourists' stay in the country (this one wants to pay for a night with this guy's boyfriend, this one thinks he can block the road with his hummer baring a saudi plaque, and ABC mall is now charging 2000 L.L. for its all year free parking)
5) why do those gulf tourists still come to lebanon if they only meet fellow gulfies?
6) More important: why do the insulted lebanese still go to those down town restaurants at the end of the touristic season. Isn't there any dignity left to boycott them?
7) What pride is there in having a state whose economy is based on touristic prostitution?

The age of full womanhood potential

"The age of 28 has been pinpointed as the time in a woman's life their hair looks the best, body shape is at its peak and confidence is at an all-time high. It is also the period in their life when they enjoy the best sex – but the happiness is relatively shortlived", a study has shown.
Did I realize my full potential? I ask myself on my 28th birthday!

Et ton esprit n'est pas un gouffre moins amer

L'Homme et la mer

Homme libre, toujours tu chériras la mer!
La mer est ton miroir; tu contemples ton âme
Dans le déroulement infini de sa lame,
Et ton esprit n'est pas un gouffre moins amer.

Tu te plais à plonger au sein de ton image;
Tu l'embrasses des yeux et des bras, et ton coeur
Se distrait quelquefois de sa propre rumeur
Au bruit de cette plainte indomptable et sauvage.

Vous êtes tous les deux ténébreux et discrets:
Homme, nul n'a sondé le fond de tes abîmes;
Ô mer, nul ne connaît tes richesses intimes,
Tant vous êtes jaloux de garder vos secrets!

Et cependant voilà des siècles innombrables
Que vous vous combattez sans pitié ni remords,
Tellement vous aimez le carnage et la mort,
Ô lutteurs éternels, ô frères implacables!

— Charles Baudelaire

Clowns without borders, clowns without food.

I was blamed today for not giving food to clowns. It sounds absurd, I know, but I feel bad because it is true.