Fatshino

MOVED!

2008-03-05T11:07:00.000+02:00

This blog has moved to:

http://fadihaddad.wordpress.com

:)

The day I forgot to smile*

2007-08-30T21:53:00.000+03:00

It has become a daily routine in my life - a positive routine though- that after waking up in the morning, washing my face and brushing my teeth I always look into the mirror and smile, as if to start my day with an optimistic attitude. No matter how efficient this method has been proving itself, considering being in the middle of a professional grumpy nation, I just feel good doing it as a personal gesture of good will at least toward my own human nature.

That morning wasn't like any other one; you don't wake up everyday on a phone call telling you that someone passed away. Not just "someone" but someone who is young, gentle and affectionate. And not just that but most importantly, a friend.

I thought that it has become personal this time; it seemed like it's the first time death comes that close taking someone whom I really knew.

Well...here I go making everything about me again. But isn't that what it's all about anyway; we grief about losing dear people although we do realize deep inside that they must have gone to a better place. It is actually about us missing the good ones in our lives. And even though you might haven't been seeing them everyday, not even every week it just hurts that you might not be seeing them anytime soon.

I was talking to a friend yesterday and we were thinking that death is actually ironic.
Especially in a world where death has become part of our audiovisual subconscious since not a single day passes without you read, hear or see people die everywhere and every time around the globe, it has become just another piece of news that we got used to and we take in cold blood. Only when it hits someone of our own that we feel its gravity again.

Yesterday morning, I woke up, got dressed and left. Being inexperienced it took me a while to figure out why the whole day felt awkward. It was because I forgot to smile; it was because a dear one was lost.

*In memory of Sami Haddad (Dec. 1985- Aug. 2007) may he rest in peace.

"Solitaire" Film Website

2007-07-26T23:46:00.000+03:00

"Solitaire"سوليتير is my latest short film that I finished early this year.

I'm submitting the film to a couple of festivals before I can upload it online.until then you can find more info about the film, the cast and crew as well as photos, video clips and the soundtrack.

http://solitaire.fadihaddad.com/

Side Talks 12: Mars, Venus & Earth

2007-05-20T18:41:00.000+03:00

Beesan: I hate it how guys stare at girls!!

Fadi: but be honest girls do stare too...

Beesan: well...yeah...but girls only take a glance, guys stare for ever...

Fadi:(being irritative) enno...let's face it...women got more details!

Beesan: $**&@!

Side Talks 11: Where is the box?

2007-04-03T12:34:00.000+03:00

(at a meeting with the company's managers.)

Fadi and the creative team made their presentation.

Managers: well...that was nice...but can u come up with something that is more "out of the box"?

Creative Team: yeah sure!

(Two weeks later)

Fadi and the creative team made a presentation of two new crazy concepts.

a moment of silence/shock

Manger 1 (whispering): now that was extreme...

Manager 2 : yeah...too much "out of the box"

manager 3 : well...we might need you to get into "the box" again...a little...

A very late Christmas Present...

2007-01-30T20:49:00.000+02:00

"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

In a world full of racism, prejudice and intolerance, wasted with wars and conflicts, diversity has become a curse, and sectarianism is tearing nations apart, it's a bless to find people who still appreciate differences.

Through all this mess I would try to listen to the voice of goodness rather than listening to the noise of missiles, gun shots and explosive belts.

No matter how late this present has arrived…
Although it actually came closer to Easter than to Christmas (Ok…I might be exaggerating here!)…
And even though I don’t tend to categorize my friends according to race, sex or religion, it will always be interesting to say that
my bible was a present from my Muslim friend.

Thanks Hiba!

Side talks 10: Geminism

2007-01-23T10:48:00.000+02:00

Fadi: I've always wanted to have a twin brother...I bet that would've been fun!

Amer: no...actually I've always wanted to deal with myself...as in "me" face to face with another "me"...

Fadi:Oh! I think I'd love to deal with another "me"...I'm sure we would get along!

Fadi: man! we're just more "Gemini" than anyone could ever get!

Amer: Oh yeah!

On Getting Real...

2007-01-05T22:21:00.000+02:00

Needless to say, In principle I am absolutely against all kinds of death penalties as I believe it is a criminal way of dealing with crimes and that "the end doesn't justify the means" Ever.
I also think that it is inhumane to show executions on TVs and that such an act is just too inconsiderate for human right; if not the human who is being executed then the other millions who watch television.

However, if I was to declare a "Holy War" against the death penalty and make it my cause I would never -not for a single moment- consider Saddam Hussein to be my case for the defense.

According to official figures more than 40 people were executed in Jordan since 2000. At least 10 people were put to death last year. If we assume that the most dangerous one of them killed 20 and presumably most of the people who are whining about Saddam generally support the death penalty either for religious reasons or for "logical" ones. Then it would seem "logic" enough to execute who was responsible of killing thousands in cold blood.

Putting all of this aside, it just amazes me how suddenly Saddam has become a "martyr" and "the hero of the nation". Maybe "amaze" is not accurately the right word as a lot of people declared seeing Saddam's face on the moon in 1990. But it is actually interesting how Arab Nationalists and their "brotherhood" friends (and I still don't get this weird friendship) keep on amazing us by their double standards.

What's ironic as well is how a lot of people become really creative when it comes to giving reasons for their objections against this execution in particular;

"…did they have to execute him on the day of the Eid!?"
"This is humiliating! They shouldn't have hung him. He's a military man he should have been shot to death instead"
..etc.

I'm not judging the man, no one has that right to take away other people's life, I'm just asking ourselves to get real.

"Pity the nation that acclaims the bull as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful".
"ويل لأمة تحسب المستبد بطلاً, وترى الفاتح المذل رحيماً".

Side Talks 9: Now this is the spirit!

2006-12-08T23:31:00.000+02:00

(setting up the Christmas tree, carols playing in the background)

Mama: Oh! you're not putting the lights properly...

Fadi: I know ...

(a minute later)

Mama: why haven't you fixed the lights yet?

Fadi: I will...

(5 minutes later)

Mama: fix the lights...see...you should...

Fadi: I WANT THEM THIS WAY!

Mama: !!

Stereo: 'tis the season to be jolly falalalalalalalalla...

Fadi: grrrr!

"Shortwave" in EU Film Festival/Amman

2006-11-07T19:02:00.000+02:00

About me...Paris...and being friendly!

2006-10-20T15:27:00.000+03:00

They say that Paris Hilton have only one look in all pictures taken for her (check this out)

I might not be as sexy, rich and famous as her but I'm sure that I somehow have the same "syndrome".

Although it's never a bad idea to have something in common with Paris Hilton , my friends often make fun of how they can easily cut my face and paste it in any other picture and it will still look the same.

frankly I don't like the cheesy "cheese" fake smiles that people wear for pictures but to be honest i have to admit that my face has a neutral zero expression for most of the times.

happy...

sad...

excited...

bored...

it's always the same.

I remember my arabic teacher in high school complaining about that saying:

"when I look at you I start wondering whether my lessons are comprehensible or not"

a few years later I was working in a gifts store that has a lot of sculptures and antiques, and one day while I was standing next to some greek torso a woman passed by and suddenly shouted:

"Oh my God! I thought you're a statue!"

after a minute I over heard her friend whispering to her:

"ya I thought he's a statue too!"

so basically this "King of Ice" face can be a lot of fun in most cases...

except when people tell me that I give a snobbish first impression.

a couple of weeks ago one of my best friends told me that:

"at first I thought you're not that friendly"

WHAT!?

I AM friendly!

I'm super friendly!

I'm the president of friendly people!

I would never even hurt a fly....

buzzzzzzzz....

traaakh...

well...that fly was really annoying!

Side Talks 8: A Twisted Nation

2006-10-10T16:45:00.000+03:00

Fadi: It's funny how when she's embarrased her cheeks turn pink!

X: not only her cheeks...

Fadi (innocently): yeah everything in her turns pink...

(immediately realizing that the last phrase did not sound good)

Fadi (trying to fix it up): "everything" that can be seen...

"giggles" "giggles" "giggles"

Fadi: Shoot!

(and the whole goof was caught on video)

Oh my "gauche"!

2006-09-30T17:44:00.000+03:00

"Oh! you were forced to be a right-handed, you are originally supposed to be be a left-handed"

an exclusion said to me after being asked to clap my hand (based on a theory that if you are right-handed you clap your right hand over the left and vice versa)

ehmm..I've been thinking since then...
was I really forced to grow up as a right-handed while I was supposed to be a natural left-handed?
could this theory be true...
If yes then who would be responsible of this?
and why would anyone do that?
Is it just a part of the opression that our society applies over its people; eliminating all forms of individuality only to make them fit more in the system.

what's un"right" with being left-handed or what's special about being right-handed?
what if most people were actually left-handed would that make any difference?

I'm wondering what if I was given the freedom to practice my "left-handedness" how different would have things been?

would I've been peeing in urinals that are more to the left?

would I've been scratching the tip of my nose with my left hand instead whenever I feel embarrased?
would I've been putting my wallet, cellphone and key in my left pocket?
would I've been more emotional?
would I've been more socialist?

would I've been more radical?

Was I really thrusted to abandon that hand or was that theory just a spersticious legend?

In either ways I will never let anyone abuse my left ever...

Rambling Jordanism

2006-09-25T21:54:00.000+03:00

http://www.alarabiya.net/Articles/2006/09/25/27754.htm

Reading the previous piece of news disturbed me and made me wonder why Lebanese people seem to be that attached to their homeland.
Inspite of all the political and economical instability; a war every couple of years. And as much as they seem to be scattered all over the world they never miss a chance to go back home or at least show their hope to do that and start all over again.
I dont really blame loyal Canadians for being jealous over their country, I just "envy" Lebanon for having whatever Jordan does not have.

Call me too optimistic but I think that Jordan has a great potential that might be the best in the middle east. and apparently the progression that Jordan has shown in the past ten years or so is much more than expected.
I know how frustrating it can get especially when no one is being advantaged by all that "multi billion" projects and investments (at least until now). But...well..at least the opportunity is here at our doorstep.

In the past year I have more than 6 friends who left the country. Well, one of them has already come back (way to go beesan!) the others "might" come back in a couple of years.
I know many others who are either applying for immigration or waiting for their papers or just dreaming about it.

Why do all the openminded, talented and intellectual people seem to be leaving?! and why do they never seem to be planning for a comeback?!

I just feel that in few years I'll be the only one staying in Jordan with no one left but fanatics and Iraqis (not that I have any problem with Iraqis but they are the only ones who seem to be coming to Jordan not leaving it).

I'm afraid that someday I'll wake up to find my self in a "small home in Canada" whose "roof is covered with snow" that Fairouz sings for and then suddenly run to the internet and quickly erase this post in shame.

Side Talks 7 : Postponed Decisions

2006-09-13T11:21:00.000+03:00

(some time at the end of every month)

Fadi: you know...we must attend the next Jordan Planet meetup...lazem!

Hiba: yaa I know...khalas we're surely going this time...

(the day before every Jordan Planet meetup)

Hiba: Fadi! there's a JP meetup tommorrow...should we go?

Fadi: ya allaaa...I've got like hundred things to do and...

Hiba: yaaa..khalas..next time..

Fadi: next time akid.

(and we've been doing this since we started blogging)

Visual Confessions 1 : A Blogger's Block

2006-08-27T21:36:00.000+03:00

A lot of you were asking me why I haven't been posting in a while...
well...here's a hint...

An unexplained state of mind blockage...

Side Talks 6 : Dolce Vita!

2006-07-24T11:43:00.000+03:00

Dina: poor Antar! my sister was just telling me he's having troubles in walking and his feet are becoming really weak...

Nada: oh!

Fadi (whispering to Nada): Gee! who's Antar? is he Dina's nephew?

Nada: actually he's her sister's dog...

Fadi: aha...ok...cappuccino please!

Il pleure dans mon coeur......

2006-07-17T13:39:00.000+03:00

My heart is bleeding for Lebanon..
watching news from lebanon is becoming a source of desperation for me..

where is the Lebanon that I know?

Lebanon the "piece of heaven"...
Lebanon the "green and beautiful"...
Lebanon the "unwrapped gifts"...
Lebanon of Gibran, Said Aqel and Fairouz..
Lebanon my source of inspiration..the essence of culture, freedom and arts in the east...

where is that Lebanon now? what the hell have they done with it?
I see nothing but wreckage and piles of death.

I won't waste my time blaming Israel...since I didn't expect less brutality...

But I will definitely blame Hizballah for giving Israel the "invitation" they've always wanted to destroy lebanon...
I blame them for being so irresponsible and short-visioned...
I totally blame them for making the lebanese blood that cheap...
I blame them for suiciding Lebanon's economy, tourism and urbanism...

Now Lebanon is being torn apart...everyone is so enthusiastic about that..

ya sure...as long as the war is not at their doorstep

I wonder when people of the arab world will wake up from the hypnotizations of fake revolutionists..

I wonder if one day they will stop cheering for teenager politicians..

it doesn't seem to be happening since AbdelNasser until Nasrallah.

Side Talks 5

2006-07-07T20:38:00.000+03:00

Fadi: do u know Elias El Hrawi..the lebanese ex-president?

Moh: yeah!

Fadi: well..he passed away..

Moh: oh really..

Fadi: yaa..I just find it weird in the arab world to have a president die after he had left the presidency not leave the presidency only because he died..

Moh: Ok........bye..

Summer Flu Blues..

2006-06-20T19:34:00.000+03:00

It's summer and I've got the flu
my nose is red and the sky is blue

everyone is outside having fun
while I'm here in bed like a retired nun

I woke up in the middle of a restless snooze
to take the pill numero douze

can't sing; my voice sounds like the ugly duck
so I tried to write a poem and I know I suck!

Sorry T.S. Eliot

Side Talks 4

2006-06-17T11:38:00.000+03:00

Right after a concert, I'm walking around the place, a guy comes across saying

X: inta 7areega!*
Fadi: emmm..w inta kaman..!

(both wearing a yellow fake smile...5 secounds of silence...I'm wondering why he would come up with such a weird compliment...apparently he is also shocked by my irrelevant reply..then he suddenly realizes)

X: I mean you are 7areega..the blogger..aren't you?
Fadi:Oh! no no no..hehehe..well.. I'm actually a blogger but I'm not 7areega!
X:...

I hate such situations! funny though heheh

------------------------------------------------------------
*for non-jordanian: hareega is a term that literally means (fire) ironically young Jordanians use it to describe (extra cool) stuff.

enno..last night..was a "a night"!!

2006-06-16T17:18:00.000+03:00

no..it's not about sex! ;p

last night was one of the most amusing nights I've had since...(ok..maybe last week.. never mind!)
but I can tell you it was vibrant with cinema and music..actually great cinema and kick-ass music! no better combination..

It all started with watching the genius lebanese movie Bosta..
Now what can I say? magnificant..outstanding..exceptional..
A pure joy..it's the kind of movies that roots directly to the bottom of the heart..
Spirited with all the lebanese positivity and passion..especially with its reinovated folks music and dabke..
the acting was brilliantly spontaneous..especially the performance of Nadine Labaki (maan! she's a babe!)

Bosta! I'm so going to watch it again on Saturday!

anyways..after that I headed to "Masrah el Balad" to meet the rest of my friend to watch what we innocently thought it would be just a "nice cool concert" for the lebanese band Saboon (ex-soap kills) and Orange Blossom..
well..Saboon was nice..but not as satisfying as when it used to be Soap kills..

As for Orange Blossom...
Oh! did I say ORANGE BLOSSOM!?
This Orange Blossom can simply rock off your sanity in all figurative and literal meanings of the term!!
an extremely geniune indescribable style that is a fusion of rock, elemental and oriental music that drives your party animal crazy..

so the Z-guy has been tossed into history's dumpster...

2006-06-09T00:49:00.000+03:00

But I hate to say that the Z-ideology is still walking around..Zarqawi was not just an individual..he was a by-product of many Zarqawis and a producer of even Zarqawier Zarqawis..

The problem is that he was one..they are many..
He was identified..but they are anonymous..
many of them might not have beards and they might not be living in Iraq or Afaghanistan but they are definitely somewhere, intoxocating other people with the same rotten dogmas. those are the ones of whom we should be aware.

Imam Ali once said: "If poverty was a man I would have killed him"

It's a shame that poverty is not a man...neither is ignorance..neither is terrorism.

clerics+politics=catastrophe

2006-06-02T21:40:00.000+03:00

Now what!?
Has Hassan Nasrallah become some sort of an immaculate god or something?
Is it ok now to ctriticize everyone but him?
Putting aside what my personal opinion of Hassan Nasrallah and Hizbullah party/militia is, I cant but recall a local proverb that pops into my mind : elli biddo da7 ma bi2ool 2a7 (something like: who wants to wear cool clothes shouldn't complain about the chill).
when a man, any man (or a woman by the way) chooses to deal with politics, he should expect to be subjected to critisism, opposition or parody. enno hek.. c'est la vie! maybe it's not written in any constitution or holy book but it's like a natural law.
you can't polticize the way you want and then just expect everyone to say: "hail!" just because you wear a cloth around your head.
you can't name your party after God and claim that he's always on your side.
I think it's time we realized how much offence confusing politics with religion has done to both of them through history.
It's time we expected polititians to stick to their politics and clerics to stick to their religions (full stop)

You Have Your Jordan and I Have My Jordan*

2006-05-25T22:19:00.000+03:00

You have your Jordan and its dilemma. I have my Jordan and its beauty.
Your Jordan is an arena for men from the north and the south..the east and the west.
My Jordan is a shcool playground vibrant of boys and girls playing around a flag pole.

You have your Jordan and its people. I have my Jordan and its people.
Yours are those who confine themselves in clans or hang their souls in lost loyalties.
Those are the children of your Jordan.They are scattered like desert sands...dry like barren rocks.

Let me tell you about the children of my Jordan.
they are venerable like an olive tree..blooming like a young iris.
They are abundant like a winy vineyard and blessed like a sacred river.
Those are the childen of my Jordan. They are solid yet colorful like an ancient mosaic.

You Have Your Jordan and I Have My Jordan.

--------------------------------------------------------
an alteration of the great Gibran's piece.

Side Talks 3 : halwasat! dabshat!

2006-05-24T18:04:00.000+03:00

-I-
X: do u like my new shirt?
Fadi: yaa..really you're very elephant..
X: elephant?!
Fadi: elegant! elegant!

-II-
X: I hate her.. she's always been like this..
Fadi: pffft..yaa..she is a topless case!

quote of the day:
"The pink elephant can never eat a piano"
F.H.

P.S.
Hiba is responsible of this useless post;
"why haven't u been posting lately?...just write anything"

Now that was an interesting event I missed!

2006-04-23T14:32:00.000+03:00

You know..like who can predict what would a turkish official say about Cyprus and Kurds?!

maybe they should've invited other people to talk about isuues that are equally interesting; maybe Baathists to talk about Shias in South Iraq, or Nazis to talk about the Holocaust. Why not the Irguns to talk about Deir Yassin or PLOs to talk about the Damour massacre..
unfortunately the organizers were definitely unaware of all the possibilities they had to make the lecture a "once in a lifetime"!

they should've asked him to talk about the Armenian Genocide as well...
in that case I would never missed that lecture!*

"What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* April 24th : Armenian Genocide anniversay

Shortwave

2006-04-22T13:55:00.000+03:00

Ironically I've just realized that my short film "Shortwave" is already online (since I promised to upload it here but didn't know how)..
luckily enough..now I dont have to ask Roba or any other genius blogger and look like an ignorant!

so here's the link..
Shortwave

enjoy!

5 secound after I got into the cab..

2006-04-06T23:01:00.000+03:00

...I was asked what my religion is
then suddenly the driver became so enthused even that he turned the radio off to start a very "interesting" conversation:

driver: you look smart! you must be aware of the clashes between the two religions..
Fadi: you mean differences..well yes I am..
driver (with a raised eyebrow): and what's the difference between clashes and differences?
Fadi: differences are not necessarily reasons for clashes..
driver (being sneaky): and why dont all people convert to one religion and then all problems will be solved?
Fadi: yassallam!! and what's wrong with people having different religions?! aren't they mature enough to accept being different!? afterall beliefs are all about faith and faith is a personal matter..
driver: welll...eeh..I'm not talking about little things..I'm talking about big issues...like....international politics....you know what...there is no solution unless all the world get ruled by one man!

stunned by this ultra fascistic announcement I was about to switch to the irrational part of my brain and for bit of a secound I was going to start talking about separation between religion and politics and how religions must not be abused to mislead people..and all that jazz!
but suddenly I heard myself saying to itself:
maan! you can't be serious..do you want to get run over by a mad taxi driver?!

so:
Fadi (with a one-sided smile): oook sir...nice talking to you..keep the change..

This short conversation made me wonder how hard the concept of coexistance can be for some people.. I know not all Jordanians are Taxi drivers..but Taxi drivers are Jordanians afterall..

"Shortwave" and Fadi on JTV..

2006-03-22T19:01:00.000+02:00

My "Shortwave" will be shown on JTV..
this Satuday at 8.30 p.m.
followed by a small interview with moi
(by the way the interview was recorded like 4 monthes ago..and I have absolutely no idea what I said then..so just incase..i was under medication!)

against animal testing..but bloggers testing is totally ok!!

2006-03-22T18:18:00.000+02:00

Firas the most hated by anonymous people (aka. the zionist) was behind it this time!!

here are my results..

What's Your Blogging Personality?
You see your blog as the ultimate personal expression - and work hard to make it great.One moment you may be working on a new dramatic design for your blog...And the next, you're passionately writing about your pet causes.Your blog is very important - and you're careful about who you share it with.
hmm..yup

What Pattern Is Your Brain?
You have a tempered, reasonable way of thinking.You tend to take every new idea in, and meld it with your world view.For you, everything is always changing. Each moment is different.Your thinking process tends to be very natural - with no beginnings or endings.
incredibly true!

The Five Factor Personality Test
Extroversion:You have medium extroversion.You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time."

Conscientiousness:You have medium conscientiousness.You're generally good at balancing work and play.When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it.

Agreeableness:You have medium agreeableness.You're generally a friendly and trusting person.But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism.You get along well with others, as long as they play fair.

Neuroticism:You have low neuroticism.You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.

Openness to experience:Your openness to new experiences is high.In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas.You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits.A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.
yup!
p.s. notice the paradox (I'm a gemin..oh yeah!)

How Open Minded Are You?
You aren't exactly open minded, but you have been known to occasionally change your mind.You're tolerant enough to get along with others who are very different...But you may be quietly judgmental of things or people you think are wrong.You take your own values pretty seriously, and it would take a lot to change them.
well..I'm a bit strict about my opinions and beliefs..though I accept people having different ones..

What Age Do You Act?
You Are 23 Years Old
You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.
interesting..i'm actually 22..

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?
The Movie Of Your Life Is An Indie Flick
You do things your own way - and it's made for colorful times.Your life hasn't turned out how anyone expected, thank goodness!Your best movie matches: Clerks, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite
wow!

Side Talks 2

2006-03-18T22:31:00.000+02:00

Grandma: when I finished school I was given a scholarship to continue at the AUB.
Fadi: Cool! why didn't u go
Grandma: my father didn't approve..
Fadi: oh!
Grandma: eh..I would've been married to a lebanese man now..
Fadi: (hehehe...mish aleeleh ya teta!)

Tagged..Again!

2006-03-10T15:02:00.000+02:00

I've been tagged by the Hiba..

-Q: Who’s the 4th person on your received call list?
A: Nadia

-Q: What’s your main ringtone on your phone?
A: "Steel shower"

-Q: What were you doing at midnight last night?
A: going on a drive with a friend

-Q: What did the last text message on your cell phone say?
A: "hi fadi! R u coming?"

-Q: Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
A: mine..if i'm not mistaken! ;p

Q: What color shirt are you wearing?
A: grey

-Q: Most recent movie that you watched?
A: City of God

-Q: Name 3 things that you have on you at all times?
A: my cellphone, wallet and keys

-Q: What's the color of your bedsheets?
A: yellow

-Q: How much cash do you have on you right now?
A: 10 Jds

-Q: What is your favorite part of the chicken?
A: legs

-Q: What's your favorite town/city?
A: Amman!

-Q: I can't wait to (till)...?
A: I can't wait till I have my own apartment

-Q: What did you have for dinner last night?
A: hommos with tacos (ya I know!)

-Q: How long have you been at your current job?
A: 2 monthes

-Q: Look to your left. What's there?
A: a window

-Q: Who is the last person you spent over $50 on?
A: myself (no one deserves!)

-Q: What's the last piece of clothing you borrowed from someone?
A: I never borrow clothes but I often wear my brother's sneakers ( or let's say that I wear them more than he does)

-Q: What website(s) do you visit the most during the day?
A: elaph, JordanPlanet.

-Q: Do you have an air freshener in your car?
A: "my car"! hahaha..oh ya!

-Q: Do you have plants in your room?
A: no..haven't we learnt that we shouldn't put plant in bedrooms (something that has to do with CO2 and such stuff) No offence Hiba!

-Q: Does anything hurt on your body right now?
A: my teeth (I got my lower teeth braces 2 days ago)

-Q: What city was your last taxi cab ride in?
A: Amman..I usually take like 3 cabs a day minimum.

-Q: Do you own a camera phone?
A: no..I don’t like them

-Q: What's your favorite drink?
A: A homemade red wine from the Syrian village "Maaloola"

-Q: Recent time you were really upset?
A: last week

-Q: Have you been in love with anyone?
A: ya but not lately..but if anyone is interested u all know where to find me (p.s.: non-smoker, non-drinker and three years warranty)

-Q: Who do you think will repost this?
Hmm..everyone I know have been tagged..
I hope this tag is not spelled!

I'm fery fery puzy!

2006-03-03T00:51:00.000+02:00

ya I know I haven't been posting much recently..
the thing is that I'm overwhelmed with my graduation project..
there isn't much time left..I'm already panicing..
due date is on the middle of May..MAY!! OH MY GOD WHAT AM I DOING ONLINE!?

two days ago I was shooting downtown..
my gifted personal photographer Hiba who is surprisingly non-armenian took a few pictures of me without noticing and showed them to me at the end of the day..FBI mashalla!
voila!

"was that a flash?!"

Gee!..that would've been easier..I guess..

2006-02-12T19:14:00.000+02:00

I found these egyptian commercial graphics from the 30s and 40s.
they give an idea how graphic design was like back then..

I guess the editor said to the designer:
"alright..use as much words as u wish..who said that graphic design has to be "graphic"!"

"what the heck!? being sraight to the point is totally acceptable!"

No comment!

ya sidi!

now this is quite....creepy!

aiwah!

but though I think they are really interesting...it's quite challenging not being able to use any colors in design..

source: www.arabictypography.com

Narcissism 2: The Byzantine way..

2006-02-03T21:30:00.000+02:00

I have always been interested in Byzantine art since the culture was once prevailing in our east and has influenced most later civilizations.
Byzantine Iconography in particular reveals a very detailed symbolism and due to its association with church it was one of the arts that has witnessed a very few alteration and has preserved its ancient authenticity until this day.

Now..there u go..

I was just wondering how would I look in a traditional byzantine imagery so I gave it a little try..
of course there were no glasses back then and they used to dress differently (alright..the colors aren't really byzantine).

what amazed me the most is that if I had to go back in time to the Byzantine era I wouldn't have to change my hair cut!

I've been tagged..

2006-01-27T12:43:00.000+02:00

By Fadi K. and Roba

Five Facts about me:
1- I'm really bad in names, and if I think that someone's name doesn't fit him (or if I simply don't like it) I give him a new one.
2-I'm a neat freak.
3-I'm against all chauvinic ideologies (including Arabism)
4-I have over 10 matched boxers.
5-I dont eat "Mansaf"

Three things I like about others
1-spontenaiety
2-sense of humour
3-open mindness

Three things I hate about others
1-Nagging
2-abusing religion to manipulate people (especially in politics)
3-over sensitivity

I tag:
Firas
Najati
Moey
Nada

A Shitty Post

2006-01-25T16:32:00.000+02:00

Seriously! I have no clue why..but whenever I enter a library I have an excessive urge to answer the nature's call!

And since going to a public bathroom is just as unacceptable to me as wearing white socks, I usually end up twirling like a ballerina in the library aisle while sufferringly searching for the wanted books.

But considering the fact that this situation is occurable in all kinds of libraries you might think of; JU library, British Council, Centre Francaise, National Museum, Shoman..etc it just makes me proud that I'm dealing with a trans-cultural issue and a phenomenon that goes beyond cultural and national boundaries in the time of "the clash of civilizations"!

P.S: the pic is from PostSecret

Side Talks 1

2006-01-21T21:53:00.000+02:00

Hiba: did u know that Sweden has the highest suicide rates?
Fadi: oh really!?
Hiba: ya..coz u know they are so well off and they have a very high income..
Fadi: aaaha..now I know why they are increasing our taxes ..
Hiba: ....
Fadi: we gotta be thankful!

The Cockroach's last Groove!

2006-01-19T00:32:00.000+02:00

aah! the semester is finally over..I'm not sure how I really feel about that since this is my senior year in college..anyhow..we had our last exam for this semester and now we can enjoy a few weeks of uselessness!
to read more about the day and see more pics check out Hiba's blog

laugh it off

2006-01-10T21:11:00.000+02:00

It's interesting how people may have different reactions toward different situation that varies in importance which might usually be contradicted to what they might have always expected.
oh..you didn't get me..
well..neither did I..
then allow me to elaborate..

like when the majority of the Jordanian parliament (which is believed to be a symbol of freedom and democracy), rejects canceling article 340 of penal code that has to do with honor killings.

Or when some members of the same parliament (who happened to be from the opposition) requests to ban two Arabic singers from entering Jordan (not that I'm a fan of any of the so-called singers) but it just seems absurd when such an act of banning and censorship comes out from the same people who always whine about their "censored right of freedom of expression".

Now why don’t we have a glimpse across the river..
When people of the west bank votes with their "free" will to candidates of a particular party. Few weeks later the "freely democratically elected council" bans a summertime music festival.

examples are all around us..and we've got to live with them..
or just laugh about them..
personally..I choose to laugh

liberty (silkscreen) 2006

..and all thaaat jaaaaaaaaaz!

2006-01-09T17:32:00.000+02:00

I just love broadway musicals!

I wish life was as beautiful as they tell it..
you know waking up in the morning to the sound of music, and going to bed after a day of singing and dancing. And the whole thing takes no more than 2 hours!

whenever you want to say something a spotlight is directed to you and the moment you start talking music starts playing and suddenly a buch of dancers starts jumping around you from nowhere repeating your words. With the fancy colourful outfits and flashing lights you just can't
be more convincing!

Shakespeare once said: "All the world is a stage"

I'd rather want my world to be a broadway musical.

"All the world is a broadway musical" ; the more you can sing and dance, the more you succeed and "live happily ever after" !

narcissism

2006-01-06T16:27:00.000+02:00

My brother always accuses me of being a narcissist..
well..I know I am..
at least I admit it !

remember:
"Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself "

Alla yr7amak ya 3ammo Charlie!

2006-01-03T18:30:00.000+02:00

"A day without laughter is a day wasted"

Charlie Chaplin

things that made me laugh this week:

1. watching an episode of my favourite "Ally Mcbeal".

2. reading Hareega's post about Jordanian Americans.

3. watching the Syrian Parliament discussing Khaddam's interview on Al-Arabiya

4. a friend of mine describing a guy saying that he's got "rheumatism" instead of "CHARISMA"!

The day I started blogging!

2006-01-01T18:33:00.000+02:00

It's oficially 1/1/2006!
enno shu y3ni!
I've always wondered what makes January 1st a new year..
the day is just pointless...
y3ni kol l a3iad l tanieh bikoon fi elhom event m3ayyan..
mathalan...on Christmas we celebrate the birth of jesus..
on Independence day we celebrate our country's independence..
bs l New Year is just a day that we celebrate without knowing why..
is it because we consumed all the twelve sheets of the calender?
or just because we want a day to celebrate?
ok..I like partying..but why does it have to be on Dec. 31st...

No..I'm not pessimistic..
on the contrary I believe that each day of the year can be considered a new year..
e.g. : My birthday is my official new year..
or The day I said my first word..
or The day I discovered internet..
.
.
.
or
The day I started blogging!
yup I'll make use of the pointless so called "new year day" to start writing and give it a more meaningful aspect in my life..
I dont know how often I'm going to write..
I dont know what I'm going to write about..
I dont know if anyone will ever pass by..

all I know is that it's..
January 1st 2006
18:59
and in few moments I'll press the "Publish Post" Button...

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HAPPY NEW BLOG!