And I fell for it; hook, line and sinker.
Then again, I am not alone. The entire world fell victim to this "individuals" distorted mentality; Tom MacMaster, a US student studying in Scotland, allegedly blogging from Turkey.
And that, dear bloggers, is the REAL bloggers Dilemma. Separating fiction from reality - I am all for a good fictional story every now and then, but do not fool me into believing it is an excerpt of reality.
His blog has garnered a huge media attention, gathering as many as 2000+ followers, and countless anonymous commenters. The BBC reports (here) that it was all a sham.
(Truthfully, some of the entries did read like Syrian Soap-Opera. Why were we blind to this before?)
I never truly understood the mentality behind men posing as women and vice versa on the world wide web. I had my first rude awakening when playing an online game, Myth of Soma, whereby certain female characters on-screen turned out to be led by men. (Think "Gamer" starring Gerrard Butler).
I hereby redirect my previous post (here) that was unintentionally "inspired" by the shenanigans of Tom MacMaster toward the real bloggers, who blog under their real names, such as Ali Abdulemam, Mohammad Abdul-Kader al-Jassem, Hossein Derakhshan and countless others who discard the idea of a "secret identity" to add a touch of realism to their blogs and writings. MacMasters deluded writings represent a slap in the face to all those who have been imprisoned for voicing their opinion.
Blogging is a privilege, readers deserve to be treated with decency and respect. Pulling a shroud of inaccuracies over their eyes and masquerading it as the god-honest truth, well, that is just unacceptable. Movies have the decency of stating that "the following movie contains scenes of a fictional nature, no person was hurt during the filming of this movie" etc.
Blogs need Disclaimers too.
The greatest difficulty this day in age is separating the truth from fiction. I pride myself on being an online skeptic, there is nothing I do not Google, be it forwards or job offers, to get to the truth. Sometimes certain items fall through the cracks.
However, let it be known that some facts, more often than not, can be refuted and disputed. Take for example a recent email I received asking me to place ad-links into some of my content. I was overjoyed by the idea, until a dear friend informed me of the existence of an article from a fellow blogger claiming that this emailer was a hoax.
Well, I have the money to prove otherwise. So there is one case in which an extensive online search that garnered results turned out to be false.
How often does one receive email pleas from African Kings or deceased Kin who share your same last name? How about the Green Card Lottery?
This seemingly idiotic facade put on by a 40-year old is proof of one thing; we need to exercise greater caution in what we invest online, and I am not just talking money here. Emotional investments exist as well, where you believe in a cause so much to the point that you throw caution to the wind. Both emotional and monetary investments in false ideologies end up backfiring on their investors.
I sincerely hope that Mr. MacMaster stands before the opposite side of Karma, for making many a reader appear to be fools.
This is a crippling blow to LGBT rights activists, as you can see, anyone with an active imagination can parade around as a young lesbian in a country on the brink of Socio-Economic turmoil, and their words are instantly echoed in the media. Why? Because society has grown cautiously weary of the LGBT movement. You cannot say anything without first weighing the impact it may have, and the way in which it may be received.
Kobe Bryant was fined and side-lined for calling a referee a certain derogative term that was deemed ill-advised by the LGBT community. His words were deemed "homophobic slurs", and the last thing you want to do as a celebrity is upset the LGBT community. Tracy Morgan, the side-kick from "Cop Out", also came under heavy fire as a result of some hard-to-swallow personal opinions regarding the LGBT community.
We have stigmatised anything to do with LGBT, as everything has become criminalised, be it moral or judicial; Affirmative Action in the 21st Century.
Let us hope that MacMaster is not the first in a trend of people who take to minority online personas to get a point across to the world (if indeed there ever was a point to his tirade, as all it did was cause more harm than any good). MacMaster masqueraded as a Female-Sunni-Muslim-Half-Syrian-Half-American-Lesbian, how many of those exist around the world?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Al-Marai Spokesperson
I am addicted to Al-Marai juice (here); my fridge is never complete without at least 2 (if not more) of their beverages inside it; I usually tend to go for orange juice with pulp along with their mixed berries. I've sampled all of the line, enjoy some more than others and approve of the recent new additions to the family (Pomegranate and Kiwi & Lime).
If anything, I'd say the only thing they are missing is Peach, and then their dominance would be complete.
I want to be the official Al-Marai spokesperson!
Why do I wish to claim such a title? Remember this:
 |
| 21K later, there is only one beverage that will replenish me. |
I told their guys there after the race the same exact thing, my fridge is never complete without their juice, and after mentioning my undying love for the Orange juice with pulp, the guy hooked me up with 3 (see, I can balance 3 in my hand!).
Ofcourse, I did end up giving them to thirsty policemen, so that also shows how Al-Marai is for all and enjoyed by all.
On a serious note, I think they do outstrip any other juice brand out there, and very well priced, as well as offering a good selection.
The smaller servings of lemon fly off the shelves at lightning speed; last night, whilst restocking @ a local Market, and immediately after a gruelling, intense workout, I was in need for some citric acid. Couldn't find any lemon!
So what do you say Al-Marai? I'm not a greedy person, I don't want money, just a lifetime supply of Juice :P
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Bloggers Dilemma
This is my dilemma,
As you see, I’m a blogger
I love to speak my mind,
I say the truth I'm not a lier
When I stand before the mirror,
What will I see?
Who will be staring back at me?
Do I lay low; do I stay out of sight?
Or do I stand up and shout it is not right!
Do I live in fear of what could happen to me?
Or do I do what I want
Coz in the end it will set us all free
Break away from the shackles of archaic slavery
We are born no less than anyone else
We deserve the same rights as those living anywhere else
They can try to scare, they can intimidate
They can do whatever, they can never strangulate
It will not matter for these shackles we will eradicate
The voice of those who long to live
The spirit that will continuously give
We are united in our hopes,
Unified in our dreams,
We live as one when we set to change the world
To fix it at the seams
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Losing Weight in Kuwait - How to Take It Off and Keep It Off
On May 6, 2010, the ugly truth was revealed, and CNN posted the following story:
Fast-food-loving Kuwaitis battle the bulge
This is an epidemic of global proportions, and it is not just isolated to Kuwait, albeit in Kuwait, we feel the effects more heavily (no pun intended) than most given the transient orientation of the populace.
That however, is a flimsy excuse as even families and locals are battling burgeoning waistlines.
In the old days, in merry old England, a rotund stomach on a man was much sought after by maidens, as it signified an abundance of wealth. Nowadays however, one can be wealthy and wise, and hopefully trim.
The reason I mentioned the transient population is that, Kuwait is made of mostly expats (2-to-1 with the locals), and let us say that the fair majority are single, or their wives are abroad in their home countries. So, they lack proper home cooked food, and this in turn helps speed up the fattening process, as they rely heavily on the many millions of fast-food restaurants that cater to their appetite.
However, that is also not the case, as families have been shown to have their own clashes with cellulite.
Some even go as far as saying that eating meat makes you fat. Well I know quite a few vegetarians who are obese.
As you can see, I keep coming up with excuses and refuting them. In the end, we are the instruments responsible for our own self-destructive nourishment tendencies.
In a country where the norm has become this:
(I would have used the Khaleeji one, mostly circulated during Ramadan, however I am unable to find it atm, and google is not helping!)
Several other blogs have touched on the calamity that is apparent when one visits any of the millions of eateries around Kuwait; young children, with no visible neck and a plunging waists, standing (and panting) eagerly in line awaiting to place their order.
Do these children not have parents worried about their health? Unfortunately, we have a saying in Arabic:
القرد في عين امه غزال
Roughly translated, it relates to "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" by referencing that a mother will see her child as perfect.
The usual white lie of "its just puppy fat, it will turn into height later" is thrown about casually.
So, the younger generation have found sanctuary in fast-food restaurants, given absent parents etc.
What about my generation?
Desk jobs, working 8~5, heading home, collapsing in a heap, ordering out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Greasy meals heavy with artery choking HDL's and trans-fats, deep fried in days old oil not fit to be lubricant for a Model T.
At least before, as kids, we used to have activities, we used to go downstairs to play; football, عنبر, hide-and-seek. We used to do errands; wash the car, go to the bakkalah to get stuff, take clothes to the dry-cleaners, throw away the trash. Nowadays however, there are no empty areas for children to play, as the capitalistic fat-cats have completely taken over all areas to build their ominous monstrosities, cars occupy every other empty area; everything is done for us; the Hariss takes care of the trash and washes the car, the dry-cleaners will come right to your door to take your clothes as well as deliver the ones that are finished. Bakkalahs, even bakkalahs have delivery boys, and it is not an uncommon sight to witness people driving up in their cars, honking their horn, and refusing to take the 5 or 6 steps to get into the bakkalah.
We have become a society overcome by the idea of ease.
Once in a while, a person will look at themselves in the mirror, feel utter disdain, commit to a gymnasium for a month and either one of the two following scenarios will prevail:
a) they lose the weight and stop going to the gym, only to put it back on again.
b) they give up and stay at home.
What most people do not realise is; there are easy ways to lose weight.
I do not believe in diets. I do not weigh my foods and accurately measure 0.5 grams of cheese and balance it on 1.2 grams of smoked turkey mortadella. I do not do "serving size". I believe in this mantra: Moderation in all Things, and all Things in Moderation.
We have to start injecting exercise into our daily routine.
So these are my steps:
1) Forget taking the stairs, instead when you are at work and feel tired, go to the nearest staircase, just walk up and down one flight of stairs.
2) Park farther away from your destination, those extra few steps will do a world of good. (preferably not in the heat ofcourse)
4) Drink green tea.
5) Reduce the sugar you take in your drinks, or do as I did, and cut it out all together. I am 25 and have been drinking sugarless since I was in my 2nd year at university (I was 17 at the time). I didnt do it at first out of any commitment to losing weight, I was a bachelor and ran out of sugar, too lazy to go downstairs and buy any, so after finishing all those packets I'd picked up from Starbucks that were lying around the house, I was forced to go sugarless. And I found it was not bad at all.
6) Cut out fizzy drinks from your diet. They are not "essential" or packed with nutrients. Their consumption is a force of habit (take it from me; remember in Kuwait back when the Pepsi truck would go door-to-door and you would exchange crates for 1KD? [the 90's,, sigh] I averaged 2 bottles [330ML] a day, one for lunch and one for dinner. Ever since January 2011 I have quit cold turkey and have not looked back since). Go for juice instead; if you feel juice is also fattening, merely cut it with water.
7) Eat brown bread. Sure it is hard and tends to fall apart, but it is a healthier option than white.
8) Reduce intake of rice and bread. It is most difficult, but you can do it.
9) In the morning, add a teaspoon of Apple Vinegar to a glass of water, and do so before every meal. Apple vinegar has numerous health benefits, so much so infact that I add it to my salad and spray it on any plate of food (simply punch a small hole through the lid and it serves as a cool dispenser).
10) Eat more fruits and vegetables. Especially those fruits rich in citric acid.
11) Reduce cooking with oil, and reduce consumption of fried foods, opt for grilled instead. If you go out for Chello Kebab (Iranian Kebab @ Mubarakiya in Kuwait City) Do not indulge with the Irani bread, just eat the meat (Atkins!).
12) When ordering out, and lets face it, we all do at some point, request your burgers etc with "No Mayo".
The points above are simply short-cuts that you can inject into your daily routine that will help regulate your weight. The most important thing however is self motivation. It must come from within.
Contrary to popular belief, overweight people are not inactive, nor are they slow at sports. Trust me, my cousin outran me in a race, and I jog on a weekly basis, and he's overweight! Still.
Nor is it taboo to be overweight. Its a condition, not a disease.
The reason we fear obesity is because it can lead to severe health problems down the line, with cholesterol, blood pressure, knee problems etc.
In conclusion, a commitment is necessary to take off the weight, and following the steps above will help keep it off.
So, as a friend of mine said, we must all:
Fast-food-loving Kuwaitis battle the bulge
This is an epidemic of global proportions, and it is not just isolated to Kuwait, albeit in Kuwait, we feel the effects more heavily (no pun intended) than most given the transient orientation of the populace.
That however, is a flimsy excuse as even families and locals are battling burgeoning waistlines.
In the old days, in merry old England, a rotund stomach on a man was much sought after by maidens, as it signified an abundance of wealth. Nowadays however, one can be wealthy and wise, and hopefully trim.
The reason I mentioned the transient population is that, Kuwait is made of mostly expats (2-to-1 with the locals), and let us say that the fair majority are single, or their wives are abroad in their home countries. So, they lack proper home cooked food, and this in turn helps speed up the fattening process, as they rely heavily on the many millions of fast-food restaurants that cater to their appetite.
However, that is also not the case, as families have been shown to have their own clashes with cellulite.
Some even go as far as saying that eating meat makes you fat. Well I know quite a few vegetarians who are obese.
As you can see, I keep coming up with excuses and refuting them. In the end, we are the instruments responsible for our own self-destructive nourishment tendencies.
In a country where the norm has become this:
(I would have used the Khaleeji one, mostly circulated during Ramadan, however I am unable to find it atm, and google is not helping!)
Several other blogs have touched on the calamity that is apparent when one visits any of the millions of eateries around Kuwait; young children, with no visible neck and a plunging waists, standing (and panting) eagerly in line awaiting to place their order.
Do these children not have parents worried about their health? Unfortunately, we have a saying in Arabic:
القرد في عين امه غزال
Roughly translated, it relates to "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" by referencing that a mother will see her child as perfect.
The usual white lie of "its just puppy fat, it will turn into height later" is thrown about casually.
So, the younger generation have found sanctuary in fast-food restaurants, given absent parents etc.
What about my generation?
Desk jobs, working 8~5, heading home, collapsing in a heap, ordering out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Greasy meals heavy with artery choking HDL's and trans-fats, deep fried in days old oil not fit to be lubricant for a Model T.
At least before, as kids, we used to have activities, we used to go downstairs to play; football, عنبر, hide-and-seek. We used to do errands; wash the car, go to the bakkalah to get stuff, take clothes to the dry-cleaners, throw away the trash. Nowadays however, there are no empty areas for children to play, as the capitalistic fat-cats have completely taken over all areas to build their ominous monstrosities, cars occupy every other empty area; everything is done for us; the Hariss takes care of the trash and washes the car, the dry-cleaners will come right to your door to take your clothes as well as deliver the ones that are finished. Bakkalahs, even bakkalahs have delivery boys, and it is not an uncommon sight to witness people driving up in their cars, honking their horn, and refusing to take the 5 or 6 steps to get into the bakkalah.
We have become a society overcome by the idea of ease.
Once in a while, a person will look at themselves in the mirror, feel utter disdain, commit to a gymnasium for a month and either one of the two following scenarios will prevail:
a) they lose the weight and stop going to the gym, only to put it back on again.
b) they give up and stay at home.
What most people do not realise is; there are easy ways to lose weight.
I do not believe in diets. I do not weigh my foods and accurately measure 0.5 grams of cheese and balance it on 1.2 grams of smoked turkey mortadella. I do not do "serving size". I believe in this mantra: Moderation in all Things, and all Things in Moderation.
We have to start injecting exercise into our daily routine.
So these are my steps:
1) Forget taking the stairs, instead when you are at work and feel tired, go to the nearest staircase, just walk up and down one flight of stairs.
2) Park farther away from your destination, those extra few steps will do a world of good. (preferably not in the heat ofcourse)
4) Drink green tea.
5) Reduce the sugar you take in your drinks, or do as I did, and cut it out all together. I am 25 and have been drinking sugarless since I was in my 2nd year at university (I was 17 at the time). I didnt do it at first out of any commitment to losing weight, I was a bachelor and ran out of sugar, too lazy to go downstairs and buy any, so after finishing all those packets I'd picked up from Starbucks that were lying around the house, I was forced to go sugarless. And I found it was not bad at all.
6) Cut out fizzy drinks from your diet. They are not "essential" or packed with nutrients. Their consumption is a force of habit (take it from me; remember in Kuwait back when the Pepsi truck would go door-to-door and you would exchange crates for 1KD? [the 90's,, sigh] I averaged 2 bottles [330ML] a day, one for lunch and one for dinner. Ever since January 2011 I have quit cold turkey and have not looked back since). Go for juice instead; if you feel juice is also fattening, merely cut it with water.
7) Eat brown bread. Sure it is hard and tends to fall apart, but it is a healthier option than white.
8) Reduce intake of rice and bread. It is most difficult, but you can do it.
9) In the morning, add a teaspoon of Apple Vinegar to a glass of water, and do so before every meal. Apple vinegar has numerous health benefits, so much so infact that I add it to my salad and spray it on any plate of food (simply punch a small hole through the lid and it serves as a cool dispenser).
10) Eat more fruits and vegetables. Especially those fruits rich in citric acid.
11) Reduce cooking with oil, and reduce consumption of fried foods, opt for grilled instead. If you go out for Chello Kebab (Iranian Kebab @ Mubarakiya in Kuwait City) Do not indulge with the Irani bread, just eat the meat (Atkins!).
12) When ordering out, and lets face it, we all do at some point, request your burgers etc with "No Mayo".
The points above are simply short-cuts that you can inject into your daily routine that will help regulate your weight. The most important thing however is self motivation. It must come from within.
Contrary to popular belief, overweight people are not inactive, nor are they slow at sports. Trust me, my cousin outran me in a race, and I jog on a weekly basis, and he's overweight! Still.
Nor is it taboo to be overweight. Its a condition, not a disease.
The reason we fear obesity is because it can lead to severe health problems down the line, with cholesterol, blood pressure, knee problems etc.
In conclusion, a commitment is necessary to take off the weight, and following the steps above will help keep it off.
So, as a friend of mine said, we must all:
Commit to be FIT!
Monday, June 06, 2011
Chance meetings in the Blogosphere - Blog Cafe aka Better Books
Serendipity - Good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries.
We truly live in a world without borders.
Recently, well, prior to my vacation a weeks ago, I had decided to embark upon an adventure that would take me to the most "hip-&-happening" place to hit the Kuwait scene, right behind Al-Rashed Hospital on Amman St.
Yes, thats right, I'm talking about Better Books Cafe, right here:
Now, I'd originally gone there to meet a friend, and was surprised to run into a friendly face from work, there to toast with the toastmasters, but it seemed the night was young and truly full of surprises.
My first impression was that of a kid in a candy store; so many books, so little time! The facility of reading the books right then and there was previously unheard of, and being served tea or coffee as well... HEAVENLY! Not to mention the nostalgia factor that kicked in when I saw the cushions on the floor (which I strenuously resisted the temptation to relax on), reminiscent of my old school's library.
So, I asked the charming patron of the bookstore-come-cafe if they had an inventory list of all the books they were displaying, as going through them, despite being an adventure in itself, would be a tremendous task! She asked me to leave my email address and they'd get right on it.
(I do not think I will be viewing that list tho; as sifting through the books is like searching for a buried treasure buried in treasure!)
The last surprise of the evening came when I handed over the list with my email added to it to the friendly patron's (I wish I were good with names, I'm sorry!) colleague? Assistant? Business partner? Who was categorising the books and entering them into the database.
Upon inspection she asks, who's email is this? (pointing @ mine), I sheepishly raise my hand. She asks, "you're lordaymz, the blogger?"
Hehe, small world, turns out, she too is a blogger! So it occurred to me to redub the Bookstore Blogosphere Cafe, where bloggers can meet-&-greet, relax and whatnot.
Z, SW, I am hesitant to thank you online for fear of revealing your identity :S suffice to say it was really nice to tie a face to the wonderful writings I read :)
Keep up the great work!
And bloggers, head on over to Blogosphere Cafe for 'inspiration'. For it is literature, in all its kinds, that is both a window into the past, as well as a guiding light toward the future.
We truly live in a world without borders.
Recently, well, prior to my vacation a weeks ago, I had decided to embark upon an adventure that would take me to the most "hip-&-happening" place to hit the Kuwait scene, right behind Al-Rashed Hospital on Amman St.
Yes, thats right, I'm talking about Better Books Cafe, right here:
Now, I'd originally gone there to meet a friend, and was surprised to run into a friendly face from work, there to toast with the toastmasters, but it seemed the night was young and truly full of surprises.
My first impression was that of a kid in a candy store; so many books, so little time! The facility of reading the books right then and there was previously unheard of, and being served tea or coffee as well... HEAVENLY! Not to mention the nostalgia factor that kicked in when I saw the cushions on the floor (which I strenuously resisted the temptation to relax on), reminiscent of my old school's library.
So, I asked the charming patron of the bookstore-come-cafe if they had an inventory list of all the books they were displaying, as going through them, despite being an adventure in itself, would be a tremendous task! She asked me to leave my email address and they'd get right on it.
(I do not think I will be viewing that list tho; as sifting through the books is like searching for a buried treasure buried in treasure!)
The last surprise of the evening came when I handed over the list with my email added to it to the friendly patron's (I wish I were good with names, I'm sorry!) colleague? Assistant? Business partner? Who was categorising the books and entering them into the database.
Upon inspection she asks, who's email is this? (pointing @ mine), I sheepishly raise my hand. She asks, "you're lordaymz, the blogger?"
Hehe, small world, turns out, she too is a blogger! So it occurred to me to redub the Bookstore Blogosphere Cafe, where bloggers can meet-&-greet, relax and whatnot.
Z, SW, I am hesitant to thank you online for fear of revealing your identity :S suffice to say it was really nice to tie a face to the wonderful writings I read :)
Keep up the great work!
And bloggers, head on over to Blogosphere Cafe for 'inspiration'. For it is literature, in all its kinds, that is both a window into the past, as well as a guiding light toward the future.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Stay calm…stay calm…STAY CALM!
By “worry management expert” Denise Marek!
A list of tips and tricks to help us wiggle our way out of the jaws of worry:
A list of tips and tricks to help us wiggle our way out of the jaws of worry:
1-Stop the “What Ifs”—The outcome of your mistakes is not as bad as you think; it’s the “What if?” that causes unnecessary worry.
2-Ditch All That Stuff—When your home (or workplace) is a mess, it causes mental clutter and anxious thoughts. Declutter and only keep items that you need, use or love.
3-Just the Facts, Ma’am—Challenge your assumptions. They are often wrong, and negative assumptions are unfounded if you don’t have all the facts.
4-Make More Mistakes—If you’re not making enough mistakes, you’re not taking enough risks!
Get a Second Opinion—Talk to someone else for an unbiased view of the situation, but don’t get your second opinion from a negative person.
5-Rock Your Worries Away—The motion of swaying back and forth can calm your body and mind when you’re stressed. So let’s get rockin’!
6-The Truth and Nothing But…—When you’ve had a breach of integrity, acknowledge it and make amends; don’t let it erode your inner peace.
7-It’s Okay to Look Foolish—Stop obsessing over what others think; no one ever died from embarrassment. Really!
8-Don’t Give Up—Never judge your success by your first effort. You need to make a last three attempts.
Be a Warrior, Not a Worrier—The next time a worry comes up, ask yourself: Will it really matter 12 months from now? Move on!
Imagine spending the next week not worrying about looking foolish, making mistakes, or spending excess time on matters that won’t mean squat a year from now.
Doesn’t that make you feel CALM already?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Death Sentence Vs. Life Imprisonment
I was reading an article on BBC (here) calling for the better treatment of prisoners in Thai prisons, and the following paragraph triggered this post:
"The group has campaigned against the death penalty and praises the government's promise to commute death sentences to life imprisonment."
To be honest, I had never really given much thought to the issue of death sentences vs. life imprisonment.
Now, I always said that a person will analyse and dissect any issue based on the career path they have chosen, and since I am in finance, I will first look at this from a monetary stand point, then follow that with the moral one.
There is no argument, nor is there any doubt, that prisons are a drain on the taxpayers money (or the governments, for those who live in countries that do not impose tax). There is no stream of revenue generated by inmates, at most they are a source of cheap labor for menial jobs. Other than that, they are not contributing much to cover the overheads, which include but are not limited to utilities (gas, water, electricity, sewage etc.), rent, clothing, food, rehabilitation, facilities (library, training yard), maintenance etc. All this money has to come from some place, and the government does not just print money, nor does it fund prisons for free, so the brunt of it lands on the shoulders of the working class, men and women who pay their taxes to support infrastructure, education, health-care and prisoner-care as well.
So here comes the dilemma, a person has been slapped with a life sentence, with no possibility for parole. They will never walk as free men (or women) again, and will remain incarcerated for the rest of their days (not to mention some criminals are slapped with multiple life sentences, meaning if they die, and are miraculously brought back to life or reincarnated, they will again, be incarcerated!). All of the above overheads will be borne by the working class on behalf of this criminal for the rest of his life. They [the criminals] who have forsaken all law and humanity, and committed whatever crime it is that warranted such a sentence, will have the rest of their lives to ponder over their transgression, whilst the working class toil away in the real world outside the prison walls to fund for them.
I will say this matter-of-factly, how much does it cost for the government to take a life? An injection? A hanging? A burial? Cremation?
From a financial stand point, there can be no argument; it is cheaper to put them down that to keep them up.
Morally however, it is a grey area. Who is to judge those that are to be judged? What right does one have to actually take another's life, despite that life not belonging to either one of them (as in the end, it all belongs to god).
Religion (thank you Wikipedia) views the act of taking a life as circumspect. Each is aware of their own teaching.
One might argue that to prolong the life of a criminal tried and found guilty of a crime warranting life imprisonment is a fate worse than death, as they are kept alive, incarcerated, segregated from society, and forced to relive the horrors of their transgression for the remainder of their lives.
Is that not then, a form of cruelty, of mental torture, that can be relieved by imposing the death penalty in the first place? Which is the crueller of the two fates? Who reserves the right to decide? Would anyone willingly give up the gift of life, to face the unknown that lies beyond? Are they allowed to make that decision for themselves? Apparently not, as suicide has been tabooed by both major (and minor) religions.
Unfortunately not all people are born the same, and whilst some may suffer from nightmares and tortures of the conscious, others are unfazed by the reality of their actions, and no amount of psychology or psychotherapy can make them feel anything for their victims.
The age-old adage of "let the punishment fit the crime" can be viewed as archaic this day in age. How then are we as a society meant to persevere and prosper, if a clear cut resolution to this question is not apparent?
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sick Minds and Sicker Reporting - Kuwait News Fail
The article title reads: "Kuwaiti Military Man Dies After Youth Smashes Head With Stone"
Primarily, one would be sympathetic with the military man, as the title does not elude to any fact other than that he fell victim to a youth.
That is not the main reason behind my comments; the article goes on to read as follows:
KUWAIT CITY, May 27: A 21-year old Kuwaiti military personnel died after a youth smashed his head with a stone in Umm Al-Hayman area. Apparently, the 16-year old boy knew the deceased citizen who had invited him for a jolly-ride inside his car and tried to molest him near a power generator where the boy hit his head with a stone and rendered him unconscious.
The boy is said to have rushed home to inform the family about the incident and they called the Operations Room to report immediately.
(http://www.
Acting on the distress call, paramedics accompanied a team of securitymen to the scene to examine the military personnel who had already died as a result of severe head injury, and so Criminal Evidences men referred the corpse to Forensics.
Meanwhile, during intaerrogation, the youth stressed he had acted on self defense, as the deceased citizen tried to molest him near the power generator, and that he only agreed to ride with the man because he knew him. Criminal Evidences men have taken the stone for analysis, while the youth has been detained for further investigation.
So far so good right? Everything has been played by the book. Or so it seemed, until the following [GRAPHIC] image is entered into the mix.
The post on Arab Times is located (here)
Caution is advised when viewing this image...
There are several inconsistencies in this, but the one that draws my attention the most is the barbaric nature of the photograph, and the sadistic mentality behind its inception.
Reading the sequence of events, the military man (MM) invites the 16-year old (MINOR) into his car for a joy-ride (where on earth does the Arab Times get its phrases, Jolly ride?), during which, an incident occurs that lead the Minor to bash in the MM head with a stone. (It is not my position to take sides, as this is an unbiased report)
This indicates that the Minor escaped from the vehicle, the MM gave chase, and judging by the positioning of the body in the picture (assuming the body was not moved post-mortem) was rendered unconscious as he tried in vain to get back into his vehicle as a result of the attack with the stone.
The story goes on; the Minor escapes and rushes to his home, informs his family of the events that had transpired, they in turn inform the operations department who go to the scene.
It is now a circus, with all of the following in attendance: paramedics, security men and criminal evidence men.
It is not mentioned that the Minor also accompanied the operations department.
However, it is evident from the photograph that he did.
At which point, the sadistic person behind the photograph figures it is a good idea to handcuff the Minor to the corpse of the now deceased MM.
Has that sunk in? Handcuffing a minor to a corpse for a photograph.
How is this sound judgement/ reporting?
If this were the US, whoever was behind this image would be subjected to a myriad of charges - mental anguish and scaring, endangering a minor, brutality/ cruelty etc.
My main question remains, what would possess someone to take such a photograph, and for a newspaper like Arab Times to actually publish it?
What strikes me as odd is the fact that the Youth's arms are still covered in blood and dirt, as are his clothes. I do not know about you, but I always wash my hands when I get home, or when I handle anything that has dust all over it. Wouldn't it have been the parents first instinct to ask their son to wash up upon returning home and reciting his horrid tale? Again, something does not add up.
And on a lighter note, take a look @ this:
Kuwaiti Rescued In Lebanon - Ramson Paid 350,000 Dollars.KUWAIT CITY, May 28: Lebanese security authorities have liberated a Kuwaiti man and arrested his kidnapper, reports Al-Rai daily.
Lebanon-based MTV channel said the Kuwaiti was kidnapped last Tuesday and security authorities, after pursuing the outgoing and incoming telephone calls before and after receiving the ransom, arrested the suspect and released the kidnapped Kuwaiti.
The Kuwaiti was held hostage for three days and the kidnapper had initially demanded a ransom of one million dollars, but later settled for 350,000 dollars.
Lebanon-based MTV channel said the Kuwaiti was kidnapped last Tuesday and security authorities, after pursuing the outgoing and incoming telephone calls before and after receiving the ransom, arrested the suspect and released the kidnapped Kuwaiti.
I was breaking my head attempting to figure out what Ramson meant, whether it was a person who stepped in to pay $350,000. For one of the leading English dailies in Kuwait to have such an obvious typo is beyond me. What ever happened to professionalism?
It seems that the Arab Times website is in serious need of a tune-up, I believe I am one of many who rely on online websites for their daily news; I check BBC for the international scene and Arab Times for the local scene, why I continue to do so despite their obvious lack of professionalism is beyond me, I believe it rests solely on the fact that they have no competition in this circle.
authors note: this post is not meant to degrade or defame Arab Times Newspaper, a well established and respected daily in Kuwait, however it is meant to draw attention to the minor flaws that, if rectified, can serve to enhance its current position.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Customer service, The Commercial Bank of Kuwait has it right!
You don’t need an appointment to send an email
Remember back in the day when you had to stand in a long line, on a hot afternoon, to file a complaint? And the pointless, senseless, mindless bureaucratic policies you had to go thru? It served to make people disheartened to have their voices heard and their opinions noted. Nowadays, with the internet gaining an unprecedented popularity, the matter of voicing your opinion has become but a click of a button away.
A while ago, (ok, a month or so ago) I was placed in an unpleasant situation at CBKs branch in Hawalli (which happens to be one of the few that work afternoon shifts). Normally, one would have shrugged off said occurrence and gone about their normal routines, however, as this blog has taught me, I had learnt to always voice my opinion in any situation, hence whilst standing before the teller, I inquired as to the name of the person sitting in the office that had just irked me (this will make more sense later), and then upon getting home, I sat down and shot a very well-worded email to CBK admin. Here is the email:
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A while ago, (ok, a month or so ago) I was placed in an unpleasant situation at CBKs branch in Hawalli (which happens to be one of the few that work afternoon shifts). Normally, one would have shrugged off said occurrence and gone about their normal routines, however, as this blog has taught me, I had learnt to always voice my opinion in any situation, hence whilst standing before the teller, I inquired as to the name of the person sitting in the office that had just irked me (this will make more sense later), and then upon getting home, I sat down and shot a very well-worded email to CBK admin. Here is the email:
Dear CBK,
Good morning. I am writing you this email as I wish to file a formal complaint against one of your employees in the Tunis St. Branch, I believe his name is (BLANK), he occupies the(location of guys office).
Yesterday I visited the branch to conduct a transaction; I wished to withdraw a sum of money from my account. I visited the branch at roughly 5:40~5:50, the number on the waiting board was 76, and my number was 131. I waited for a while, at the front desk, then realised that this wait would take some time, so I left and sat down to get some work done, I had my laptop with me at the time.
I kept a watchful eye on the waiting board, and when the number reached 128, I decided to move out of the waiting area and closer to the tellers, as numbers were being rapidly changed and I did not wish to miss my turn.
Please note I was not the only one standing infront of the tellers waiting for my turn, there must have been atleast 6 others there as well.
I took a position infront of the aforementioned office and awaited. By 129 I heard a voice calling the following, "excuse me", "pssst", "Mr.", "sir", much as you would do with a child, actions unbefitting of a working professional in a professional environment seeking to conduct business. Afterward, (HE) comes up to me, taps me on the shoulder, and asks me to take a seat.
Again, I disregarded his previous and rather mediocre behavior reminiscent of a high school teacher and politely informed him that my number was 131; that I had been sitting down, and that the counter was now on 129. He kept insisting that I sit down, rather rudely. Again, I pointed out the fact that there were other people standing infront of the tellers waiting their turn. Again, he kept insisting that I move.
He was not even humorous or comical about it, he was serious.
I was taken aback by this. I do not expect to go into a CBK Branch and be treated like a child in high school, he refused to give me any proper reason or justification for requesting me to move, and not asking anyone else to do the same.
Therefore, I wish to file a formal complaint against his actions of yesterday, by the time he was done with his tirade, the waiting board had hit my number, and I had my transaction processed with haste.
Thank you for your time,
Best regards,
Ayman Nassar
I had done my part and was satisfied, I had named the person in question, given an accurate description of the event that had occurred, along with timings etc.Two days later I received a call, the person was very pleasant and polite, introducing himself as the Head of Customer Service and Employee Relations (I think, I’m not really sure) at CBK. First off, he apologized for the harassment I had been subjected to (if you can call it that), and requested me to re-tell the incident. I did. He then inquired as to what I was wearing at the time, as he wished to review the CCTV footage of the day (good thing I mentioned the times properly). He also informed me that yes, the employee’s actions were not professional and that they would speak to him.
At this point, I was elated. I never thought that this email would go this far and that a tangible investigation would be solicited.
The next day, I receive another call from the same Head asking further about my attire on the day, to verify where I was standing exactly on the CCTV footage.
What happened next is beyond me, I was not privy to that information, however, suffice to say, I really appreciate CBKs effort to take a pro-active attitude in dealing with customer complaints.
I am not a guru with photoshop and my photo-search skills are limited, however, I do remember seeing a picture somewhere before of a customer complaint box with an open bottom right atop a trash can, this is clearly not the case with CBK.
If only all companies in Kuwait would put more faith and effort in their online presence, as I would much rather send an email than make a phone-call (yes, I have become desensitised as a result of the online world). For example, UshopWEship, whom I have not used again since my last disagreement with them, and will most definitely not use them again.
Friday, May 27, 2011
ALERTS TO THREATS IN 2011 EUROPE - (Funny)
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.
Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to “Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels:"Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is canceled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.
John Cleese
British writer, actor and tall person
Thursday, May 26, 2011
NBK Chops Off its Green Thumb
Recently, NBK decided to charge 10KD per annum for their SMS-Banking Notification Service. It is an inconsequential amount, a mere 27fils per day for an entire year, i.e. one local msg a day from any local service provider in Kuwait .
However, never look at things from such a micro-scale. How many customers does NBK have? Lets put it at a modest 500,000 in Kuwait (out of a population of 3 million), so we have:
500,000 X 10 = KD5,000,000
For a service that had been free for as long as I can remember, or atleast ever since I started my professional career (which was 4 years ago).
At first it was a txt msg for every transaction, then they tweaked it and made it a txt msg for every transaction above KD10.
I ventured to the ATM today (don't carry much liquid cash on me, plastic all the way), I came across a peculiar sighting that was the premise for this here post.
There was a man standing there before me, luckily he had just finished and was walking away, however the minute he turned his back his receipt was printed out. He never saw it. I tried to inform him but it seemed trivial, so I merely pocketed it to throw it away later (as there was no bin near the ATM machine inside Zain HQ – a big no no as you can see receipts littered on the floor from people without a green thumb such as myself).
Anyhoo, I digress. Soon as I was done with my transaction, I also requested a printed receipt, seeing as how I no longer opted to receive the SMS-banking notifications on a matter of principle (charging for a once free service).
During the walk back to my office, it dawned on me, during those 4 years, I had never once checked 'yes' when the ATM machine asked if I wanted a receipt, knowing full well that I would receive a txt msg a while shortly, and that I was doing my part to preserve trees by not printing a piece of paper I would later throw away.
Think about it, most corporate emails being sent around nowadays have a watermark embedded at the bottom saying please save trees and do not print this email unless absolutely necessary, right?
Even my company has the following embedded in all outgoing emails:
We are committed for safer running ships and cleaner environment.
P Save a Tree, Please Be Responsible towards the environment. Print this e-mail only if you have to.
By charging 10KD for this service per year, NBK will now have to pay more to get those rolls of paper used inside ATMs, as well as the ink to print on the papers, to facilitate my need for a receipt. The previous method saved them from this hassle.
I think it is a safe bet to assume that everyone who has a bank account, automatically has a mobile phone.
I think if some analyst were to properly crunch the numbers, they would find that their txt service saved them more in terms of paper and ink than the revenue they will generate now that the service is not free (the KD5mil from before).
I thought about it, and to properly compare both methods, you will need to check the number of times clients visit ATMs, length of paper printed, total length of paper in roll to calculate how many receipts can be printed per roll, and how often these rolls are replaced, plus cost of roll ofcourse.
I thought about it, and to properly compare both methods, you will need to check the number of times clients visit ATMs, length of paper printed, total length of paper in roll to calculate how many receipts can be printed per roll, and how often these rolls are replaced, plus cost of roll ofcourse.
There are two ways to get a profit; you either earn a revenue (new service charge) or save on expensing a cost.
For a bank that boasts to be the best bank in the Middle East, this is not a very sound PR strategy, as the current trend in all corporations is to “Go Green”.
Shame on NBK for wasting trees; as both a client and a shareholder, I am most appalled at your antics to earn a quick buck at the expense of the environment.
legal disclaimer: this post represents the authors own opinion, it does not in any way, shape or form demean or belittle the services provided by the aforementioned company to its clientele. (who knows what with the recent Benihana fiasco!)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
(some) Women at the Cinema
So there i was sitting @ the movies, getting ready to watch this movie that I should have watched last week, in Egypt, with my cousin, had he not opted to go to the wrong mall where the movie was not showing.
Anyhoo, I digress, so I'm there and I'm all set to watch a movie right? Headed over straight from work hence I'm all dressed up in my suit and tie; looking & feeling like a million bucks as Ludacris said before.
Upon handing over my K-NET to print out my ticket, I head inside to take my seat, and survey the scene. I was unable to select my seat myself, as there were no writings save the number on the chair (where do they keep the letter assigned to each row? Surely there must be something that the Ushers use for reference!)
The theater was relatively empty (albeit filling up), I politely asked the usher to show me to my seat, it was an aisle one, halfway up, just the right position so that ur head is neither tilted up nor down, nor are the edges out of view. As I was looking up, I saw a 'family' of 2 girls and a guy sitting to my right (girl, girl, guy from the seats straight across the aisle from me), so its:
(ME) ----AISLE------ (Girl)(Girl)(Guy)
Soon as I took my seat, i heard the femenoid (remember the term for an explanation later) to my right exclaim something that I could not catch/ decipher in a cacophonous shriek (the harpy) and then a short while later, she gets up and changes seats with the guy, putting him immediately to my right, straight across the aisle.
so now its:
(ME) ----AISLE----- (Guy)(Girl)(Girl)
What a way to crush my spirits lady, me thinking I'm super fly and all.
*SIGH*
First, I wish she were good looking, then maybe I can find a way to give her an excuse (albeit a lousy, stuck up, stupid excuse) for her behavior, but alas! (hence my use of the term femenoid, get it?)
I just dont get it, I wouldn't give her a second glance on any given day, not her specifically, but anyone in that environment; but seriously; some chicks need to get over themselves. Like waaay over themselves. I'm talking space shuttle to the top of ego-atmosphere over themselves.
PLUS, it was Vin Diesel Vs. The Rock! I don't care if, hold on, let me check and see who'se the sexiest woman alive atm according to the polls..
Ok, too many polls, if memory serves, I think it was J-Lo this year. So, I don't care if J-Lo were sitting across from me (it COULD happen!) I would be too transfixed with this clash of the titans that transpired during the movie!
So shall I hide my face beneath a brown paper bag henceforth, whats the dilleo?
I mean, I'm not vain or anything, but I am not a monstrosity that has women running away in terror once they see me, so what is it? There I was sitting there under the impression I was either grotesque or emitting a foul odour of some kind.
And oh, the femenoid finished her nachos before the trailers even played, just FYI.
(who's the monstrosity now?)
Also btw, there were women on the bachelors side too, so whats that all about?
I said it before, and I'll say it again, this silly segregation of the seatings at the Cinema is so last century. Get with the program, and keep the seats on a first book, first served basis.
FYI to anyone who still hasn't seen Fast 5, I suggest you do (there are a couple of deleted scenes that have ruined the movie tho [thank you very much Ministry-of-Whatever]), and to those that have already seen it, I hope you stayed until the end credits rolled, coz there was a little teaser scene at the end, setting the stage for another sequel.
Was it just me, or was Vin Diesel sporting a bit of a turkey neck in this one?
Anyhoo, there you go, an anecdote, a joke, a review and a recommendation all wrapped up in one post.
Anyhoo, I digress, so I'm there and I'm all set to watch a movie right? Headed over straight from work hence I'm all dressed up in my suit and tie; looking & feeling like a million bucks as Ludacris said before.
Upon handing over my K-NET to print out my ticket, I head inside to take my seat, and survey the scene. I was unable to select my seat myself, as there were no writings save the number on the chair (where do they keep the letter assigned to each row? Surely there must be something that the Ushers use for reference!)
The theater was relatively empty (albeit filling up), I politely asked the usher to show me to my seat, it was an aisle one, halfway up, just the right position so that ur head is neither tilted up nor down, nor are the edges out of view. As I was looking up, I saw a 'family' of 2 girls and a guy sitting to my right (girl, girl, guy from the seats straight across the aisle from me), so its:
(ME) ----AISLE------ (Girl)(Girl)(Guy)
Soon as I took my seat, i heard the femenoid (remember the term for an explanation later) to my right exclaim something that I could not catch/ decipher in a cacophonous shriek (the harpy) and then a short while later, she gets up and changes seats with the guy, putting him immediately to my right, straight across the aisle.
so now its:
(ME) ----AISLE----- (Guy)(Girl)(Girl)
 |
| my exact sentiments after the "incident" |
What a way to crush my spirits lady, me thinking I'm super fly and all.
 |
| You're so ugly you can make an onion cry! |
*SIGH*
First, I wish she were good looking, then maybe I can find a way to give her an excuse (albeit a lousy, stuck up, stupid excuse) for her behavior, but alas! (hence my use of the term femenoid, get it?)
I just dont get it, I wouldn't give her a second glance on any given day, not her specifically, but anyone in that environment; but seriously; some chicks need to get over themselves. Like waaay over themselves. I'm talking space shuttle to the top of ego-atmosphere over themselves.
PLUS, it was Vin Diesel Vs. The Rock! I don't care if, hold on, let me check and see who'se the sexiest woman alive atm according to the polls..
Ok, too many polls, if memory serves, I think it was J-Lo this year. So, I don't care if J-Lo were sitting across from me (it COULD happen!) I would be too transfixed with this clash of the titans that transpired during the movie!
So shall I hide my face beneath a brown paper bag henceforth, whats the dilleo?
 |
| (PS this is NOT me in a suit with a bag over my head btw!) |
I mean, I'm not vain or anything, but I am not a monstrosity that has women running away in terror once they see me, so what is it? There I was sitting there under the impression I was either grotesque or emitting a foul odour of some kind.
 |
| "I just want somebody to love me" |
And oh, the femenoid finished her nachos before the trailers even played, just FYI.
(who's the monstrosity now?)
Also btw, there were women on the bachelors side too, so whats that all about?
I said it before, and I'll say it again, this silly segregation of the seatings at the Cinema is so last century. Get with the program, and keep the seats on a first book, first served basis.
FYI to anyone who still hasn't seen Fast 5, I suggest you do (there are a couple of deleted scenes that have ruined the movie tho [thank you very much Ministry-of-Whatever]), and to those that have already seen it, I hope you stayed until the end credits rolled, coz there was a little teaser scene at the end, setting the stage for another sequel.
Was it just me, or was Vin Diesel sporting a bit of a turkey neck in this one?
Anyhoo, there you go, an anecdote, a joke, a review and a recommendation all wrapped up in one post.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Gangs of Cairo
As I wrote this, I was being held hostage in an area of cairo i had never visited in all my 25 years of life.
Al Amiria, an industrial area the likes of amghara, but scrummier.
It started off as a normal visit to a specialist mechanic, at the time we were awaiting inside a stronghold, with words of gunfire, swords and billy clubs @ the entrance.
My cousin had taken his car to get fixed, his dad and myself accompanied him. We had tried the car out however there still remained a problem with it, so we came back to the mechanic and one of his assistants, nicely dressed, went along with my cousin to test drive it again.
I remained with my uncle, talking work.
20 to 30 minutes into it, i hear a car roaring down the dirtway, and was surprised to find it was my cousins car, and he was driving erratically.
The firs thing that caught my attention, amidst much yelling, was that his passenger was badly injured, bleeding profusely from the head. Crimson blood flowing freely down his face and splashing all over his chest.
My cousin angrily recalls the story to all standing around; it goes that at the entrance to this desolate area, they ran into trouble with minibus drivers, who hit my cousins car. The mechanic had been driving and the minibus backed up into him. The mechanic climbed out of the car to berate the minibus driver, insults were exchanged, next thing you know the minibus driver is swinging a billy club wildly and smashes it down on the mechanics head. Based on my cousins account, this was not a swing to aggravate, but a death blow being launched, as amidst the bleeding, the minibus driver was still wailing on the mechanic.
The situation had turned into a gang war between mechanics and minibus drivers; as the mechanics would not allow such an audacious affront on one of their own, and we are caught in the middle. They armed themselves with iron rods and broken glass, large pieces of wood and whatever projectile they could carry.
Then they ran to the gate, a distance of maybe 1~1.5km, to exchange blows with the minibus drivers.
We awaited to see what would transpire.
One returned, shirtless and proceeded to pull out a gun, informing any who would listen that they were greeted by stone throwers much fighting.
From what I understood from what was going on, the assailants brother came into the mechanics den to talk peace, and implore them not to take blood retribution against his brother. A person claiming to be the victims brother was reluctant to accept, inciting that his brothers injury had to be returned in kind.
How geared are we, the students of knowledge and white collar jobs, for such acts of violence & mindlessness? How can an intellectual fare against brute strength and wreckless abadon? We may workout, we may run for miles, we may be well versed in various forms of combat, if at all, however that accounts to nothing beside someone who is ready to die over a petty, inconsequential matter. We are not battle tested nor war hardened, no matter how many action movies we watch or rounds of call of duty we simulate.
We had gone there since 8pm, we left by 11pm, having been informed that the mechanic required 7 stitches to his head.
God save us, god save Egypt, for this country is beautiful and beaming potential, however it is the unfortunate residue of removing a cancer that has plagued the people for 30 years. 50% of the population is illiterate, and the Law of the Jungle prevails in most far-flung corners of Egypt, were the law remains reluctant to trespass.
Pictures and video soon to follow.
Al Amiria, an industrial area the likes of amghara, but scrummier.
It started off as a normal visit to a specialist mechanic, at the time we were awaiting inside a stronghold, with words of gunfire, swords and billy clubs @ the entrance.
My cousin had taken his car to get fixed, his dad and myself accompanied him. We had tried the car out however there still remained a problem with it, so we came back to the mechanic and one of his assistants, nicely dressed, went along with my cousin to test drive it again.
I remained with my uncle, talking work.
20 to 30 minutes into it, i hear a car roaring down the dirtway, and was surprised to find it was my cousins car, and he was driving erratically.
The firs thing that caught my attention, amidst much yelling, was that his passenger was badly injured, bleeding profusely from the head. Crimson blood flowing freely down his face and splashing all over his chest.
My cousin angrily recalls the story to all standing around; it goes that at the entrance to this desolate area, they ran into trouble with minibus drivers, who hit my cousins car. The mechanic had been driving and the minibus backed up into him. The mechanic climbed out of the car to berate the minibus driver, insults were exchanged, next thing you know the minibus driver is swinging a billy club wildly and smashes it down on the mechanics head. Based on my cousins account, this was not a swing to aggravate, but a death blow being launched, as amidst the bleeding, the minibus driver was still wailing on the mechanic.
The situation had turned into a gang war between mechanics and minibus drivers; as the mechanics would not allow such an audacious affront on one of their own, and we are caught in the middle. They armed themselves with iron rods and broken glass, large pieces of wood and whatever projectile they could carry.
Then they ran to the gate, a distance of maybe 1~1.5km, to exchange blows with the minibus drivers.
We awaited to see what would transpire.
One returned, shirtless and proceeded to pull out a gun, informing any who would listen that they were greeted by stone throwers much fighting.
From what I understood from what was going on, the assailants brother came into the mechanics den to talk peace, and implore them not to take blood retribution against his brother. A person claiming to be the victims brother was reluctant to accept, inciting that his brothers injury had to be returned in kind.
How geared are we, the students of knowledge and white collar jobs, for such acts of violence & mindlessness? How can an intellectual fare against brute strength and wreckless abadon? We may workout, we may run for miles, we may be well versed in various forms of combat, if at all, however that accounts to nothing beside someone who is ready to die over a petty, inconsequential matter. We are not battle tested nor war hardened, no matter how many action movies we watch or rounds of call of duty we simulate.
We had gone there since 8pm, we left by 11pm, having been informed that the mechanic required 7 stitches to his head.
God save us, god save Egypt, for this country is beautiful and beaming potential, however it is the unfortunate residue of removing a cancer that has plagued the people for 30 years. 50% of the population is illiterate, and the Law of the Jungle prevails in most far-flung corners of Egypt, were the law remains reluctant to trespass.
Pictures and video soon to follow.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Reality TV.. terrible tragedy
It has come to my attention that the current trend in cash-cows around the world is Reality TV.
From the title, you would assume a touch of reality in said shows, however, you would be gravely mistaken.
I am not a fan of reality TV. Some shows are ok, like the talent shows, because you keep getting fresh people every week.
It seems that every idea that can be thought of, no matter how insane or mundane or trivial or inconsequential it is, can be made into a reality TV show.
A few examples:
Verminators: (here)
A reality TV show about exterminators, doing their job.
Queue in YAWN.
The Swan
A TV show that perpetuates the greatest stereotypes in the world, that beauty on the outside is the key to self acceptance. You are basically telling all normal people that, unless you get snipped, tucked, sucked, enlarged etc. you will never love yourself. A very uphill view for all teens struggling with image issues.
Keeping up with the Kardashians
Seriously, how shallow can you get?
House Swap, Wife Swap, The Nanny....
The list is really endless, I can go on forever.
What really annoys me about reality TV is how it continues to attempt to insult my intelligence and the intelligence of everyone out there. Dialogue in these shows is forced, it is not real, its not natural, its put on for show.
The greatest paradox about reality TV is that there is no reality in the TV show whatsoever.
It has people that I do not know, living lives that are not mine, doing things that I will not do, and happily removing all borders of privacy for their 15 minutes of Fame.
OK maybe this was real, and funny, but as you can see:
I would very much rather spend my time watching professional, PAID actors and actresses entertain me and grab my attention,that waste my time watching the average joe's/jane's attempts to squeeze every femto-seconds worth of fame they can.
That is just me.
Again, I agree with some shows, like the Talent Shows etc. But the majority of Reality TV, we can really do without.
From the title, you would assume a touch of reality in said shows, however, you would be gravely mistaken.
I am not a fan of reality TV. Some shows are ok, like the talent shows, because you keep getting fresh people every week.
It seems that every idea that can be thought of, no matter how insane or mundane or trivial or inconsequential it is, can be made into a reality TV show.
A few examples:
Verminators: (here)Queue in YAWN.
A TV show that perpetuates the greatest stereotypes in the world, that beauty on the outside is the key to self acceptance. You are basically telling all normal people that, unless you get snipped, tucked, sucked, enlarged etc. you will never love yourself. A very uphill view for all teens struggling with image issues.
Seriously, how shallow can you get?
House Swap, Wife Swap, The Nanny....
The list is really endless, I can go on forever.
What really annoys me about reality TV is how it continues to attempt to insult my intelligence and the intelligence of everyone out there. Dialogue in these shows is forced, it is not real, its not natural, its put on for show.
The greatest paradox about reality TV is that there is no reality in the TV show whatsoever.
It has people that I do not know, living lives that are not mine, doing things that I will not do, and happily removing all borders of privacy for their 15 minutes of Fame.
OK maybe this was real, and funny, but as you can see:
I would very much rather spend my time watching professional, PAID actors and actresses entertain me and grab my attention,that waste my time watching the average joe's/jane's attempts to squeeze every femto-seconds worth of fame they can.
That is just me.
Again, I agree with some shows, like the Talent Shows etc. But the majority of Reality TV, we can really do without.
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