Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Free Hugs Campaign
QUIDAM
"Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming, going, living in our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the "quidam" that Cirque du Soleil is celebrating.
A young girl fumes; she has already seen everything there is to see, and her world has lost all meaning. Her anger shatters her little world, and she finds herself in the universe of Quidam. She is joined by a joyful companion as well as another character, more mysterious, who will attempt to seduce her with the marvelous, the unsettling, and the terrifying."
I'm hoping I can make it! Actually I'm doing my best to make it. Anyone interested?
Monday, December 04, 2006
Post Secrets
Back from a trip to Dubai
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
US Accepts Hezbollah Takeover of Lebanon
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Assassinations
June 2, 2005, the journalist and historian Samir Kassir, also a founding member of the Democratic Left Movement was assassinated by a car bomb.
June 21, 2005, George Hawi, the former Secretary General of the Lebanese Communist Party was also assassinated by a car bomb in Beirut.
September 25, 2005, failed assassination attempt on a Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation news anchor, May Chidiac. She lost her left leg below the knee and received severe injuries to her left arm, later resulting in the amputation of her left hand.
Decmber 12, 2005, editor-in-chief and CEO of the An-Nahar newspaper, journalist Gebran Tueni, was assassinated by a car bomb in the suburbs of Beirut.
November 21, 2006, Pierre Gemayel, 34, minister for industry, was shot in his car.
The Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia
So remember how I was asking about Classical Music in Kuwait. Well read below:"The Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia was formed in November 1992, by its two founders: Cezary Owerkowicz and Witold Wnuk. Their aim is to bring live classical music to a wider audience in Kuwait."
I was listening to the radio and it seems it's Polish week here in Kuwait. I heard them mention something about Chopin, and the next thing I know the guy I was asking info from, told me the Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia are the organizers, and this is what I found. I will check out about tickets, and I think I'm going to see the concert on Friday.
Monday, November 20, 2006
I'm Back!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
DIETCENTRIC
Karim, a friend has just opened an online store for diet and nutrition products. It's called Dietcentric.com and you should all check it out.
Dietcentric has over 4000 different products in stock to provide for everyone's needs, from everyday people looking to supplement their diet right up to competitive bodybuilders.
Dietcentric can ship to Kuwait through your Shop and Ship Aramex mailbox or U shop we ship mailbox and will likely be shipping directly to Kuwait without need for mailbox.
Enjoy the website, pass on the word to anyone you think might be interested.
Karim! :) Congrats.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
How did you get here?
By Deborah Cox
How did you get here
nobody's spose to be here
I've tried that love thing for the last time
my heart says no no
nobody's spose to be here
but you came along and changed my mind
i've spent all my life
on a search to find
a love who'll stay for eternity
that heaven sent to fulfill my needs
but when i turn around
agian love had not been found
my heart got broke and oh it hurt so bad
i'm sad to say love wins again
so i place my heart under lock and key
to take some time and take care of me
then i turn around and you're standing here
this time i swear i'm through
but if only you knew
how many times i've said those words
then fall again when will i ever learn
so many tears i've cried
this lovely black butterfly
must take the chance and spread my wings
love can make you do some crazy things
how did you
how did you get here
nobody's spose to be here
i've tried that love thing for the last time
my heart says no no
nobody's spose to be here
but you came along and changed my mind
Yesterday's Quarter of a century.
Still Friday night my friends threw me a surprise birthday gathering!... it was a small group, and Some people I wasn't expecting to see were there, which was an amazing surprise to me, and it was very nice. Yesterday I was invited by a very dear friend of mine to Maki. Delicious food as always, great company also as usual.
I'm not sure what to say about the way I feel, but 2 3 days before I was about to turn 25, I was thinking a little too much about whether I'm loosing time or not. And today, on the second day of my 25th year, I'm feeling pretty good, I think I've figured out what I've been loosing time in and what I haven't, and I think I'm ready for an intersting year to come. ;)
In any case looking back at the 25 years that passed, Here's en gros what it looked like:
2. ~1987 : Moved to Lebanon
3. 1989 : Immigrated to Montreal due to war in Lebanon
4. 1994 : First Kiss :P
5. 1994 : Became Canadien Citizens
6. 1995 : Moved back to Kuwait
7. 1999 : Went to three different proms, none were for my school (LFK)
8. 1999 : Started University in Montreal
9. 2003 : Fell in Love
10. 2004 : Graduated from Concordia University
11. 2004 : Moved back to Kuwait
12. 2005 : My first full time job
13. 2005 : My Heart Broke
14. 2005 : I discovered New Countries
15. 2006 : A year I learned alot about myself and the people that matter in your life
16. 2006 : I discovered even more Countries :S
17. 2006 : I turned 25 :), It's a New ME :P (lol maybe, I don't know, we'll see)
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Desperate Housewives Epi ONE
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Back from Beautiful Lebanon.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Failaka last friday, Beirut the next :P
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Classical Music Concert in Kuwait?
Just woke up!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Speak up for Peace
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Glam Cult
Glamcult Magazine
How Cool is that!
Btw, Anyone who has the stickers in Kuwait, Please take a picture of it and send it to i.love.beirut@gmail.com. Thanks.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Back to Kuwait.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
It's raining in Montreal!!!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Last 30 minutes at work!
*** Hassan decided to send someone to make the negotiations with Israel...After taking too many opinions, he pointed on Haifa Wehbé.
After 15 days, Haifa came back to Lebanon Pregnant!!!
Hassan, upset, said:" We sent you there to find a solution for the current situation... but not to sleep with the enemy"
Haifa replied with a smile:"Habibi Hassan a3sabak, Israel refused all your proposals so ..............I brought you a hostage!!!!!!!!!"
"LEBANESE INVADING ISRAEL"
"Hallo, Mr. Olmert!" a heavily accented voice said. "This is Abul Abed, down at the tea house in Beirut! I am callin` to tell ya dat we are officially declaring war on you, yes you!"
"Well" Olmert replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?"
"Right now," said Abul Abed, after a moments calculation "there is myself, my cousin Mustafa, me next-door-neighbor Abou khaled, and the whole team from the tea house. That makes eight!"
Olmert paused. "I must tell you Abul Abed, that I have one million men in my army waiting to move on my command."
"Holy jeez," said Abul Abed. "I`ll have to call ya back!" Sure enough, the next day, Abul Abed called again. "Mr. Olmert, the war is still on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!"
"And what equipment would that be Abul Abed?", Olmert asked. "Well sir, we have two Mercedes 180, and a truck."
Olmert sighed. "I must tell you Abul Abed, that I have 16,000 tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I`ve increased my army to one and a half million since we last spoke."
" Ya lateeeeef ", said A Abul Abed, "I`ll be getting back to ya." Sure enough, Abul Abed rang again the next day. "Mr. Olmert , the war is still on! We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We modified a helicopter with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four more neighbors have joined us as well!"
Olmert was silent for a minute then cleared his throat. "I must tell you Abul Abed that I have 10,000 bombers and 20,000 fighter planes. My military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I`ve increased my army to TWO MILLION!"
"Lah lah lah lah," said Abul Abed, "I`ll have to call you back."
Sure enough, Abul Abed called again the next day. "Olmert I am sorry to have to tell you dat we have had to call off this war."
"I`m sorry to hear that" said Olmert. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well, sir," said Abul Abed, "we`ve all sat ourselves down and had a long chat, and come to realize that's no way we can feed two million prisoners."
LEBANESE CONFIDENCE CANNOT BE SHAKEN!
Monday, August 14, 2006
Charbel Rouhana
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Hashi
Bush links Hezbollah and 'plot'
Saturday, August 12, 2006
"I Love Beirut" stickers.
You are all invited to check out www.ilovebeirut.org, we have the stickers available in Kuwait if you are interested in helping spread them around, please email me at this adress : i.love.beirut@gmail.comleave your name and your phone number and I'll get in touch with you.
Text: UN Lebanon resolution
The Security Council,
Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 520 (1982), 1559 (2004), 1655 (2006), 1680 (2006) and 1697 (2006), as well as the statements of its president on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statements of 18 June, 2000, of 19 October, 2004, of 4 May 2005, of 23 January 2006 and of 30 July 2006;
Expressing its utmost concern at the continuing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and in Israel since Hezbollah's attack on Israel on 12 July 2006, which has already caused hundreds of deaths and injuries on both sides, extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons;
Emphasizing the need for an end of violence, but at the same time emphasizing the need to address urgently the causes that have given rise to the current crisis, including by the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers;
Mindful of the sensitivity of the issue of prisoners and encouraging the efforts aimed at urgently settling the issue of the Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel;
Welcoming the efforts of the Lebanese prime minister and the commitment of the government of Lebanon, in its seven-point plan, to extend its authority over its territory, through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon, welcoming also its commitment to a UN force that is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, and bearing in mind its request in this plan for an immediate withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon;
Determined to act for this withdrawal to happen at the earliest;
Taking due note of the proposals made in the seven-point plan regarding the Shebaa farms area;
Welcoming the unanimous decision by the government of Lebanon on 7 August 2006 to deploy a Lebanese armed force of 15,000 troops in south Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws behind the Blue Line and to request the assistance of additional forces from UNIFIL as needed, to facilitate the entry of the Lebanese armed forces into the region and to restate its intention to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces with material as needed to enable it to perform its duties;
Aware of its responsibilities to help secure a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict;
Determining that the situation in Lebanon constitutes a threat to international peace and security;
1. Calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations;
2. Upon full cessation of hostilities, calls upon the government of Lebanon and UNIFIL as authorized by paragraph 11 to deploy their forces together throughout the South and calls upon the government of Israel, as that deployment begins, to withdraw all of its forces from southern Lebanon in parallel;
3. Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon;
4. Reiterates its strong support for full respect for the Blue Line;
5. Also reiterates its strong support, as recalled in all its previous relevant resolutions, for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders, as contemplated by the Israeli-Lebanese General Armistice Agreement of 23 March 1949;
6. Calls on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people, including through facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and, under the authority of the government of Lebanon, reopening airports and harbours, consistent with paragraphs 14 and 15, and calls on it also to consider further assistance in the future to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Lebanon;
7. Affirms that all parties are responsible for ensuring that no action is taken contrary to paragraph 1 that might adversely affect the search for a long-term solution, humanitarian access to civilian populations, including safe passage for humanitarian convoys, or the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons, and calls on all parties to comply with this responsibility and to cooperate with the Security Council;
8. Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:
- Full respect for the Blue Line by both parties;
- security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11, deployed in this area;
- Full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state;
- No foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government;
- No sales or supply of arms and related materiel to Lebanon except as authorized by its government;
- Provision to the United Nations of all remaining maps of land mines in Lebanon in Israel's possession;
9. Invites the secretary general to support efforts to secure as soon as possible agreements in principle from the government of Lebanon and the government of Israel to the principles and elements for a long-term solution as set forth in paragraph 8, and expresses its intention to be actively involved;
10. Requests the secretary general to develop, in liaison with relevant international actors and the concerned parties, proposals to implement the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), including disarmament, and for delineation of the international borders of Lebanon, especially in those areas where the border is disputed or uncertain, including by dealing with the Shebaa farms area, and to present to the Security Council those proposals within 30 days;
11. Decides, in order to supplement and enhance the force in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operations, to authorize an increase in the force strength of UNIFIL to a maximum of 15,000 troops, and that the force shall, in addition to carrying out its mandate under resolutions 425 and 426 (1978):
- a. Monitor the cessation of hostilities;
- b. Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the South, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon as provided in paragraph 2;
- c. Coordinate its activities related to paragraph 11 (b) with the government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel;
- d. Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons;
- e. Assist the Lebanese armed forces in taking steps towards the establishment of the area as referred to in paragraph 8;
- f. Assist the government of Lebanon, at its request, to implement paragraph 14;
12. Acting in support of a request from the government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory, authorizes UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council, and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers, and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;
13. Requests the secretary general urgently to put in place measures to ensure UNIFIL is able to carry out the functions envisaged in this resolution, urges member states to consider making appropriate contributions to UNIFIL and to respond positively to requests for assistance from the Force, and expresses its strong appreciation to those who have contributed to UNIFIL in the past;
14. Calls upon the government of Lebanon to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel and requests UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11 to assist the government of Lebanon at its request;
15. Decides further that all states shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft;
- a. the sale or supply to any entity or individual in Lebanon of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, whether or not originating in their territories, and;
- b. the provision to any entity or individual in Lebanon of any technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the items listed in subparagraph (a) above, except that these prohibitions shall not apply to arms, related material, training or assistance authorized by the government of Lebanon or by UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11;
16. Decides to extend the mandate of UNIFIL until 31 August 2007, and expresses its intention to consider in a later resolution further enhancements to the mandate and other steps to contribute to the implementation of a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution;
17. Requests the secretary general to report to the Council within one week on the implementation of this resolution and subsequently on a regular basis;
18. Stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Thank you Hezbollah
"Thank you, Hezbollah, for showing us that we, the Lebanese people, don't need an army or a government or an infrastructure. As long as we have "sacred unity", steadfastness and brotherhood and all the other slogans, we do not need organized society, and History will judge us well on our actions. We don't need incomes, a GDP, a budget or any of those Western economic concepts, since our love for each other under the rubble and the wreckage of our country is sufficient to sustain us. What's the big deal if our Hariri-inflicted $40 billion deficit grows to $50 billion, and if the nascent economy we had is back to ground zero, for it does not weaken our resolve to liberate
Thank you, Hezbollah, for showing us that of all the Lebanese people, only Lebanese Shiite men are brave, courageous, and capable of defending the country. There is no need now to ask – but it's just a thought for the future wars of liberation we are dreaming of – with the unity demonstrated by the Lebanese against the Israeli aggression, why are there no Sunni, Christian or Druze Lebanese men or women joining their Shiite brethren to fight off that aggression, either through their own militias or under the banner of the near-mythical highly organized, highly-trained Hezbollah? Anyway, thank you for showing us that we don't need a regular army. After all,
Thank you, Hezbollah, for showing us that our elderly men and women, in the final years of their lives, can be stripped of their children, their dignity and their possessions, and after having lost everything, they are made to flee alone, on foot, in front of Israeli tanks, leaving behind them homes and villages they have known all their lives. Thank you for hiding behind our houses to fire at the enemy, and for making our children fodder for war, while all the children of the Arab Umma are quietly enjoying their summer vacations in summer schools or on the beach. Thank you for preparing the country so well for the possible retaliation you knew was coming as a result of your smart and ballsy action.
Thank you for showing us that in
I am sure there will be new giant posters of mullahs and ayatollas and martyrs on every dirty street corner of
The following is the balance sheet to date of the July 2006 war of "liberation" by Hezbollah against
Siniora in emotional plea for truce
Freinds of Lebanon: Destruction
"Help stop the destruction. Friends of Lebanon
Agency: UMS Advertising, Muscat, Oman
Art: Ramesh P.
Copy: Shanty Mathew
Freinds of Lebanon: Bloodshed
"Help stop the bloodshed. Friends of Lebanon
Agency: UMS Advertising, Muscat, Oman
Art: Ramesh P.
Copy: Shanty Mathew
Monday, August 07, 2006
Saturday, August 05, 2006
05 Amam Organization
A very good friend of mine has worked with them on the March 14th Demonstration. I trust him and so I post their call for donations.
Account Holder: 05AMAM
Account Number: 004001362089137015
Societe General Banque du Liban - Rue St. Nicolas,
Visit also: http://www.aidlebanon.org
AMAM 05 is not set up unfortunately to take in Visa payments, either wire transfer.
Please for any question email:
Farid Fakherddin on faridf@cyberia.net.lb Or Khodor Mekkawi on Khodor.mekkaoui@gmail.com
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Superman Returns
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Federalism
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
On a different note.
South of Beirut
Qana's Massacre.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Pictures of Lebanon.
