R.I.P iBlooogle March 2010 - July 2011

 
 
March 2010 - July 2011

"Read by few, Loved by Many"

One can only hope that moniker holds true.

When I first started blogging, I went with the name iBlooogle (emphasis on the 3 O's) to represent my passion for blOgging and for gOOgle. The "i" was for me, and not some Apple related strategy. What made it worthwhile were the readers, the friends I picked up along the way for whom I am extremely grateful and forever indebted to, the comments and the queries. It was a fun ride.

Thank you to all that had taken an interest in reading, whether you remained silent or voiced your comments, your impact was felt.

"To the well trained mind, death is but the next greatest adventure." Albus Dumbeldore

The best is yet to come.

Amy Whinehouse's Death

It is always a sad predicament when one finds a youth with so much potential die at such an early age. It is not for anyone to say she "died too soon", as our lives and paths are predetermined, it was her time.

Her choices however, are what we can lament.

Having hit top of the iTunes most downloaded charts since news of her death became public knowledge, the world mourns the loss of Amy Whinehouse.

Some however, are more interested in searching for images of Amy Whinehouse with no make-up or wig on; to those I say, show some respect.

These actions further fuel the fact that we are as much responsible for her death as the drugs that killed her. The general population of the world is so quick to accept stars and celebrities, and so quick to condemn them when they slip up. It is a vicious circle whereby the stars and celebrities themselves also add to their downward spiral.

I cannot say I was a fan of hers per se, I may have liked a song on the radio that turned out to be hers once or twice, but that was the limit of my interest.

Much like Heath Ledger's and Brittany Murphy's demise, Amy Whinehouse is sure to spark emotion and condolences from around the globe.

It is not for me to say, however celebrities lives are not all glitz and glamour, there is a dark side to fame that is always shown in real life yet never explored.

Britney Spears, the mouse-keteer, Christina Auguillera, Hilary Duff, Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus.. Compare the starts of their careers with where they are now. The good girl image is quickly discarded as soon as their fame skyrockets.

All one can hope for is that a lesson is learnt from all these young deaths.

Freedom Run Done - Photos from Tahrir Square 07/11

Back once again with the renegade master!

Hark readers and sports enthusiasts! I have returned from a week long vacation, if it can be called as such for such a short period of time, to Cairo.

The weather was nice, in comparison to here, whilst everyone was complaining about the heat, I was relishing in it!

*!~300th Post Alert~!*

 Previously I had posted a task I wished to complete, My Freedom Run, to go from my house to Tahrir Square (here), the distance was estimated via the good people at Google to be 12~16KM. I had initially planned to run it on friday morning, but given that I was at Tahrir Square at 3AM on friday, it seemed folly to attempt a distance run with improper rest, the run kept getting delayed due to personal reasons (lovely personal reasons) until last wednesday morning, I decided it was time to put up, or write an apology to all for chickening out.

I got my gear on, did my pre-run stretching, took my trusty N97 in my waist-pack and headed to a garden a stones throw away from my house to faciliate the ease of GPS signal reception. As soon as I heard the "beep" informing me that the connection was made, I headed out to the road, a route I had planned in my head, at roughly 9AM.

What I noticed about Cairo that differs from Kuwait is the contours first of all, the rises and falls along the streets, and the large sidewalks at times, and absence of such at other times!

Some people were staring, some people were laughing, some were cheering, and some were sneering. Nay did I care, for I was heavily engrossed in my music and my purpose.

When I saw the sign that Tahrir Square was close by, I got my second wind, it came after 3 slip ups, and a sore left ankle. Upon reaching the bend where the Ramsis Hilton loomed in the horizon, I felt a sense of elation, for there right across from it stood the Cairo Museum, and a few meters away, Tahrir Square.

I was carrying my national ID along with some spare change for a few drinks (juice and water, not that!) as well as some momento's for a few great friends (you know who you are). I passed by the first person without incident, they forwent the custom inspection as it was clear to any in the square that the guy in the black running shorts and red national football team t-shirt was not packing anything. It did not stop another inspector at the gate for asking for my ID a second time. In mocking manner, I replied that I had already shown it, a bit too nastily for my tastes to be honest. I felt bad and returned to the guy and apologised, in the end, he is volunteering his time to ensure the safety of the Square, and that in itself is commendable. I told him about my run, we laughed together and parted ways as friends.

This is the run:



And these are pictures from around the Square, a sort of 360 for any who have not been there who wish to see what it is like in real life, along with a few of me, bedecked in my black bandana.

Suffice to say, I took a taxi home. It may not seem as much to some, but to me this was symbolic.

Tahrir Square has slowly become a commercial circus, and is slowly but surely losing its identity as a symbol for the glorious Egyptian Revolution of January 25. It saddens me that this is happening, but it is another tale, for another time.

May this serve to motivate others to run as well, that way, my purpose is complete.



The garden near my house, soon as the GPS picked up




Entrance towards Abbasya; my university was down the street, to the right



Tahrir Square, Straight ahead. Behind that sign, Ramsis Train Station

Cairo Museum

Tahrir from Afar

Passed the checkpoint, first view of the Square

dear SCAF - sorry, your credit has been depleted.

tents in the middle of the Square