anima errare

au naturel...

2007-10-02T00:59:00.000+04:00

pour la première fois depuis que je l'ai connue...

ses yeux ne portais rien que leur beauté..
ses paupières n'avaient que leur ombre naturel..
ses joues que leur couleur rosée.

ses cheuveux queue-d-cheval..
la façon qu'elle s'ait dréssée ce soir..

tout était si naturel..
rien d'additif..

ce chef d'œuvre de Dieux..
sa splendeur intacte de femme,

simplement adorable.

bonbon amer

2007-09-23T00:42:00.000+04:00

la façon qu'elle se déhanche chaque fois qu'elle parcourt cette allée menant à sa maison...

la façon qu'elle se tourne pour s'exprimer une fois de plus un "au revoir"...

les sentiments qu'elle me fait eprouver lors de mon trajet de retour...

toutes ces femmes en elles...

une heure ou quelque, une épreuve de patience chaque fois que notre rendez-vous prend fin..

bonbon amer.

climbing..

2007-09-09T23:21:00.000+04:00

"Climbing is inherently dangerous and even under the best of circumstances tragedies can occur. When you climb, realize that you can be injured, crippled, or even killed even if you did nothing wrong. Experience may reduce the risks involved but they will never be eliminated."
getbeta.com

such a warning!

now that's what i'm talking about..

2007-09-08T01:34:00.000+04:00

congratulations

2007-09-02T18:49:00.000+04:00

congratulations for the Lebanese Army...
congratulations for Lebanon.

May The Lord safeguard the ones who remain.
May the souls of the ones who died defending their country, rest in peace.

elle même

2007-08-29T22:06:00.000+04:00

son regard de Eva Green quand on se parle..
les baisers qui se dessinent dans ses yeux..
sa tête qui se penche comme pour exprimer une timidité..
sa démarche, parfois déhanchée..
ses lèvres couleurs de cerise..
ses cheveux délaissés..

sa présence silencieuse qui s'impose partout..

elle même..
me manquent.

[ Scénario Alternatif ]: un rève de jour

2007-08-20T18:03:00.000+04:00

il faisait déjà tard..

belle comme le levé du jour, elle s'est appuyée sur ma voiture, les bras croisés, dans le parking mal éclairé de l'ABC..

j'avais le souvenir qu'elle m'a apporté toujours dans la main..

[ je lui tiens le visage dans mes mains..
je l'embrasse..
elle se tient là, étonnée, sans rien boujer, me fixant du regard, à travers des yeux d'une déesse..
"qu'as tu fais?!"
un momment passe; me parait une éternité..
"j'ai exprimé ce que j'ai pas pu trouvé les mots pour dire"..]

je l'ai remercié sans même la regarder..
"pousses toi un peu, tu vas salir ta belle robe.."
on s'est dit au revoir et chaqun est parti dans sa voiture..

plus tard on s'est croisé sur un feu rouge..
elle m'a salué de la main en souriant..
m'a simplement coupé le souffle.

sans titre

2007-08-17T18:11:00.000+04:00

et j'ai cru qu'elle a cessé d'écrire..

la balade dans les rues mortes..
la conversation silencieuse...
son parfum de femme..
le regard qui me retient le souffle..

tout ça m'a déjà manqué..

des mots inscrits au delà de ma peau..

elle écrit toujours..

khedni..

2007-08-10T23:03:00.000+04:00

before coming back, i was longing for it... the return.
a longing i was sure would fade in a while, after i be back in the arms of my beloved...

my beloved, or shall i omit the possessive?

what have i done to her, what have i given?
what else could she give?
what else could i ask for....

it is when i was born that she gave me all..
i shall not ask for more... nor expect..

i shall simply give with all my being.
i want to.

the longing remains for my motherland..
Habibi Lebnan.

w ba3den!

2007-08-05T22:52:00.000+04:00

je me laisse entrainer par le courant sans se soucier de la destination et incertain des consequences..

je resiste parfois, puis je me laisse aller..

je prétends rester à la surface tout le temps alors que je ne le suis pas...
en fait, je plonge...

w ba3den!

Spontané..

2007-08-04T01:19:00.000+04:00

Vendredi dernier, on m'a montré la lune, pleine lune... la planète argentée m'a parue.. une simple tache blanche dans un ciel noir..

Ce soir, la lune m'a parue d'une telle beauté...

Bon ce post ci, c'est Spontané.

D'une part c'est un chuchotement, de l'autre un cri.

simple envie..

2007-08-03T18:05:00.000+04:00

[...] j'ai tant envie d'errer avec elle, dans les rues mortes, la nuit, sur des trottoirs mouillés de pluie..

est ce possible?

2007-08-01T22:27:00.000+04:00

... je l'ai senti toute la journée dans ma tête, son parfum chaleureux...
depuis notre dernière rencontre, je ne pense plus qu'à elle...

j'ai cru qu'un tel sentiment est parti pour de bon...

je lai connue depuis pas mal de temps, mais je ne l'ai jamais vue d'une facon pareille, jamais observée à travers des yeux envieux...

je n'arrive pas à comprendre...

j'admirais toujours sa façon de penser, de se tenir... sa tête bien faite..
mais son sourire, ses yeux, elle était si belle, plus belle que jamais, cette dernière fois..
bien qu'elle ne montre rien, cela devient de plus en plus difficile de résister...

mais je dois...

No more nostalgia..

2007-06-19T11:18:00.000+04:00

for the first time since 09/11/2004 when i first landed in Dubai, i managed to book a one-way ticket to Lebanon.

Out of respect for this nation, i will hold my tongue with what i feel in the regards of life here...

Going back home, to my Lebanon..
to the mess, yes indeed..
to the worries about the situation, yes indeed..
to the contrast between a life one gets used to in Dubai, and the one awaiting in Lebanon...
to the countless wonderful things about people and nature...

I know all missing arises from a need, once the need is fulfilled the missing ceases, and i will be seeing objectively again..

I will look at the life and situation in Lebanon from a different perspective..
Nevertheless, i always liked it.

The one thing that changed since i left by the end of 2004 is the appreciation i have for my Country, with all its controversies, now i appreciate it even more..
Once i stopped taking it for granted, i realized how valuable it is to me.

Well, i can't wait for it all to BE, just being back home.. where i belong...

Farewell Dubai, i hope never to set foot again on this sand, for any reason except a short visit.

done, i am finally leaving!

2007-02-09T13:11:00.000+04:00

this are the last minutes in my Sharjah apartement.
i am finally leaving it, will miss it though!

moving to Dubai, DIP [Dubi Investement Park]....

Merry Christmas

2006-12-25T00:32:00.000+04:00

on this wholy night,

i miss...
no face in particular,
no voice in particular,
no name in particular,
no touch in particular...

i simply miss...feeling.

Merry Christmas
Joyeux Noel
ميلاد مجيد
С Рождеством
Sarbatori Vesele
Maligayamg Pasko
Feliz Navidad

to everyone, especially those who are in need, to enjoy a warm christmas eve, and forget the meaning of hunger for at least, one night.

tu parts?

2006-12-06T07:38:00.000+04:00

tu parts?

t'as enfin trouvé une destination?

moi, j'ais toujours CRU que j'en ais une...

sigh..

2006-12-01T08:39:00.000+04:00

i was watching LBC eu, some clips, screening the channels list for the Lebanese ones hoping to find some news..
i hear it here and there about the boiling situation home, back home..
a clip showed some of the areas in downtown Beirut..
i felt weird, like i have to let the air out of my chest...
a feeling when you see a loved one, someone you been away from for too long, only with the knowledge you'll never be one with them again..

if i manage to go home on christmas this year...
i'll take as many photos as i can... for the memory.

destination..

2006-12-01T08:29:00.000+04:00

on Wednesday, i left the office at around 21.15...
my car was parked a bit far from the entrance, it was mostly dark..
i was walking slowly, arms crossed, taking small steps to the last car on that street...
the white lines on the tarmac seemed endless..
as i took these steps, one after the other, my destination seemed to keep the same distance from me...

i wished i could just take off and leave, carry nothing and hit the road, a highway ending in the horizon.

my destination is actually keeping the same distance, it is somewhere, i dunno where.

i am just a traveller.

to all lebanese..

2006-11-28T12:05:00.000+04:00

i got this by mail today, finally something worth posting..
“A Message of Peace and Love to ALL my fellow Lebanese everywhere in the world!

Dear Lebanese,

I would like this message to be a wake-up call to all Lebanese everywhere; whatever our political beliefs, religion or sect!
Please hear this plea:

Lebanon is going through a very difficult period on many different levels but most importantly on a street level.
I URGE everyone to try your best to calm the people around you. Now is not the time to 'talk' or to inflame friends and neighbours.
Please practice restraints!

If we allow them, the political crisis our politicians are putting us through will soon spill onto our streets!
If WE, as sovereign and independent Lebanese citizens, do nothing to stop it we will have a civil war on our hands again!

We have to use our rational and our common sense and not be manipulated into hatred of one another and street expressions!

None of us want to see our children fighting and killing each other on the streets again!
None of us want to witness a new wave of death, hate, destruction and humiliation again!
None of us want to be manipulated and treated like sheep without any will or conscious again!
None of us want to live in fear of sending our children to their universities and schools where students are being bullied and bitten for expressing an opinion again!

Please talk to your children and friends and convince them:
Not to rise to provocation
Not to allow anyone to push their buttons
Not to be source of provocation
Not to inflame other's political and/or religious loyalties
Not to get into a war of words with others over politics or religion
Not to get into fist-fights or feuds with others over politics or religion
Not to destroy or assist in the destruction of another's properties/cars over politics or religion
Not to be influenced into expressing their opinions in our streets !
If you love our Lebanon, please forward this message to as many Lebanese as you possibly can ...
...so that we can help calm and defuse a highly explosive situation and maybe avert a crisis!
Our country's survival and the lives of our children depend on our collective efforts!

Peace be upon us all!

A Patriotic Lebanese
On behalf of all Lebanese”

Lebanese hospitality..

2006-09-13T08:28:00.000+04:00

How lovely of you to drop in
How glorious, how kind
We expected your visit long since
Prepared ourselves, hope you don’t mind.

We would have cast out that carpet red
We could have made a feast
For now, please accept “our...
by Elle-est-Mental
i came to check it on deviantART

for the full poem:
please visit Lebanese hospitality.

often times

2006-09-12T15:21:00.000+04:00

oftentimes i look inside and do not like what i see..

untitled

2006-08-27T11:26:00.000+04:00

enough posting things that bring people pain...

speachless

2006-08-26T08:19:00.000+04:00

social, religious?

2006-08-21T08:15:00.000+04:00

-Do you know this lady?
-Yes, she is no lady, she is the French Lieutenant's whore..!
[from the movie: "The French Lieutenant's Woman"]

Why is it that when a woman yeilds to her desires, she is called a whore and a man not?
*just an ancient habit?
*manhood threaten?
*social habits breach?
*she makes other women subconsciously jealous?
*religious thing..?

as is.

2006-08-02T10:24:00.000+04:00

i got this by mail this morning, i hereby post it as is.

no comment.

Quana, once again!

2006-07-30T20:28:00.000+04:00

amid the silence of the night and the peaceful sleep of the lebanese children in a shelter in the southern village of Quana...
a massive explosion awakes everyone...
among the screaming of the babies and the rushing of the mothers to hold their children, hoping to protect them with their lives..
the building roars, falling on their heads...
burried alive....

more than 60 dead of which more than 37 children ranging between 1 and 10 years old; all of them terrorists?

no words can describe..
no compassion can bring consolation..

a mother tells how she managed to save her son and her husband, uncovering them by digging in the debris with her bare hands...
once she reaches her daughter, realizing she is alrerady dead, she holds her tiny little hand and kisses it with a sigh...
then she flees for her life.

hundres of stories like these...
a father comes home after going to fetch some food to find it in ruins with his wife and too children burried under the debris..

another day for the Israeli Government..
they perceive it as an achievement...
the humanity sees it as inhumane.
there is no beast capable of such a ravage.

i feel guilty for even breathing.

Israeli websites

2006-07-19T08:47:00.000+04:00

To all my patriots:
I go out for everyone who has the nerve control to visit Israeli news websites.
I understand we are being killed everyday, but carrying the sword in this web realm is of no use, the power of the WORD can be greater.
By targetting the educated and socially mature Israelis we might be able to have a good influence and contribute in the efforts to end that massacre.

for the first time...

2006-07-16T20:27:00.000+04:00

silly....
so silly...
my thoughts are scattered.
i watch the tv, all time at home...
i stick to the news sites at the office, working from time to time..
grief? pain? hopelessness? maybe all!
i stare at the screen, type a few words, hold my head between my hands, close my eyes and breath, like a furious bull but keep quiet, calm.
my knee shakes like a snake's tail..
i light another cigarette, watch some tv; Jazeera, Hurra, Manar, NTV, Arabiya..looking for some news...
back to the pc, tayyar.org; refresh, skim thru the lines...
5 dead there, 10 somewhere else, numbers on the screen, terrible losses for others...
walk here and there, hands behind my back, bedroom, corridor, entrance, kitchen, living room, looking thru the windows, seeing nothing..
online petitions, rallies, candle lighting, and then?
i scratch my forehead, nearly taking the skin off.
all the embassies are calling on their citizens, some send warships for evacuation...
what about us?
my patriots!!!!!

every pole in the war escalates it higher and higher.
i do not see an end to this, before my country is burried in ashes...

photography, languages, education, all that interests me: BULLSHIT!
all my interests fall into ashes..

for the first time, i feel an urge to fight for my country; under the Lebanese flag.

my homeland is ravaged
my patriots are being savagely murdered
innocent civilians...burned!

call me naive, call me silly, call me primitive...
i am me, as silly as i feel...
i feel like leaving everything behind, and coming back to Lebanon.
call it madness.
self control feels like an oasis in a desert..
i feel rage...

i'll just stay home!

ashamed as i am.

2006-07-13T06:42:00.000+04:00

i am there..

wow, i feel good...

2006-06-28T06:41:00.000+04:00

after a 5 years stop, finally i am back..

last night was my first stepping into a squash court, after such a long break..

1 hour of practise, 90 minutes of games, feels great..

waking up today, i can feel every muscle in my body...
and i can say, it feels juuuuust good..

can't wait for the next session..

relaxed...

2006-06-24T07:02:00.000+04:00

Fairuz... [currently playing: ya homoumal 7obbi]

my morning nescafe cup.. [ah, today i am having it at home, not on the road to the office while listening to russian conversation CDs, as usual]

browsing Joumana's art [it simply transports me, into another world, somewhere where i am freely me].

such a morning..

such a shame it has to end up in an office like that.

2006-06-23T01:50:00.000+04:00

there is something wrong..

definitely needing to be cured.

lights, traffic & a sleepy head..

2006-06-15T06:16:00.000+04:00

Nikon D200, Lens: 24mm F/2.8, 10 sec - F/16

dressed for a walk..

2006-06-09T23:44:00.000+04:00

Nikon D200, Lens: 24mm F/2.8, 1/250 sec - F/8

he got me as well..

golden bubbles

2006-06-02T21:30:00.000+04:00

Nikon D200, Lens: 60mm micro F/2.8, 1/80 sec - F/4.5

vodka red bull...

last hug...

2006-05-30T22:03:00.000+04:00

Nikon D200, Lens: 60mm micro F/2.8, 1/80 sec - F/4.5

red Gerbera's petals, fallen on my kitchen table...

almost blinded...

2006-05-29T01:09:00.000+04:00

on the raod to Hatta, Nikon D200, Lens: 50mm F/1.4 G, 1/8000 sec - F/1.4

same road...
i knew the desert has its charms, but he thin layer of sand flying over the dunes is a sight no to be missed...

Hatta road..

2006-05-28T23:11:00.000+04:00

on the raod to Hatta, Nikon D200, Lens: VR 70-200mm F/2.8 G set on 200mm, 1/640 sec - F/5.6

it has actually been a while since i've got my Nikon D200, an AF-S VR 70-200 f/2.8G IF-ED , an AF 50 f/1.4, an AF 24 f/2.8D ,a SB-800, a Lowepro Pro Trekker AW II, a Manfrotto NEOTEC pro photo tripod along with the 3D super-pro head ... with some other accessories [a Lasolite white/grey card, a lite gold/silver reflector, a reflector holder, a Manfrotto extending arm and a few clamps...].

i've been shooting frequenty people, macros and panoramas...
being too lasy to blog [mainly because of super charged work load, along with other reasons...]

i finally decided it is time to share again!

this shot is taken on a the road to Hatta [on the borders with Oman] on an attempt to reach to the waterfalls and be able to have some nice shots, i also planned to shoot a few slides: the FujiChrome Provia 100 [that has been in my fridge for a month or so] as jimmy advised me.. bottom line i headed back! the company car is UNFIT for a terrain where only the 4 wheelers can show off!! [soon will get my Wrangler and will conquer!]

i also took like 30 shots for a 360 degrees panorama, i still have to do the stitching....

mourning...

2006-05-20T22:38:00.000+04:00

i learned only yesterday!!!!!

This goes out to you, Tony.. or the way we used to call you Mr. Abed...

you were a friend, you used to be most of the time present whether it was a picnic, a hike, a cave journey, a dinner, a lunch in Hasroun.... and most of all, on my birthday gatherings when my friends knew i would appreciate your presence.... thank you.

you were a big brother who always gave me advice, you were always there, ready to listen when my troubled mind was seeking answers, your wisdom was there to guide me... thank you.

you always corrected my grammar mitakes in french... thank you.

you were a superior for the 6.5 years i worked at the bank, you taught me a lot, more than i can list... thank you.

you taught me how to make my tie look nice... in many ways... thank you.

whoever knew you could tell that you had a wonderful spirit, younger than all of us who were even younger than your daughter Karen...

you were always active; a daily swim whenever the beach is accessible in the warm season, a long walk in the winter days..
i still can't believe this could happen to you...

on chrismas 2004, on christmas eve, i learned the news about your disease, that disease that deprived me from many precious people, dear to my heart...
i called you that night and wished you a merry christmas, as if i knew nothing...
i never actually spoke of it in our conversations.. knowing your pride wouldn't appreciate it...
in my few visits to Lebanon, you refused to meet me, as with everyone else, giving excuses... a phone conversation would do?
i always accepted it, knowing you'd prefer that the only figure we keep in our hearts is your smiling face...

but now, now that your're gone, it just hurts a lot...
it makes me cry.
i never really thanked you for everything..
if i only knew on Wednesday....i would have gotten on the first plane to say goodbye.

...هدَنيي شو تافهة

Requiem eternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.

and then?

2006-05-12T17:19:00.000+04:00

we spend more time working to earn more money..
we spend more money buying more time for ourselves....

is it greed?
is it a vicious circle?

we eventually end up working all the time, either directly or inderectly...
we end up leading our life from fast to faster, not living any moment.

changing the lifestyle, it must be the solution.

who i am..

2006-04-26T12:17:00.000+04:00

they call me an engineer since i graduated as one...

i am dreamer.

i sometimes live in the past, sometimes in the future, rarely in the present.

i live in a virtual reality of my creation, which i defend by all means and reasons i find in reality.

i am an illusionist.

i lack practicality.

i am NOT an engineer.

i am just me.

abstract

2006-04-22T18:32:00.000+04:00

why say more
when u can say less
your words can reach
to those you mean..

your words mean
to those you reach..

...inspired by Seth.

?

2006-04-09T09:09:00.000+04:00

questions, wonderings...

i either don't find answers, or don't like the answers...
some i just don't wanna cope with...

with time i may get the knowledge to answer them..

will it be too late?

another question!

i guess with time i'll learn!

don't give up...

2006-04-03T19:00:00.000+04:00

this goes out for a blog-mate, who have been posting lately in a way that, well make you worry about him... people who care for him have definitely noticed he disabled comments..

You obviously don't want any communications [yeah wass the use anyway]..

I learned this from a friend of mine, a jogging mate:
when u feel the most that you cannot go on anymore, push yourself a little more, it is there when your strength shows, and increases.

So… don’t give up.

realtionships

2006-04-03T10:45:00.000+04:00

It has actually been a while since i haven't posted anything but photos...

I was chatting with a friend who just went to sleep, sweet dreams "M"...
we were talking about loneliness, and needs...

We spoke of relationships, a subject triggered by Fouad's most recent post..

I believe the psychological state of someone [meaning the prevailing state of mind rather the actual immediate one] is reflected in any reaction to a certain situation, or any comment on a certain post..

I recalled a quote noted by "J", a dear friend of mine: "Si tu ne trouves pas d'ami sage, prêt à cheminer avec toi, résolu, constant, marche seul" - Buddha

A relation started on a need basis, has slight chance for survival; in order to fulfill these needs we start ignoring the little things that pile up to become suddenly non-neglectible... the rest is known to all..

When we are so lonely and we run into someone with the potential of becoming our partener [considering our perception of a pertener at that time, which is focused on a certain aspect of the relation], our mind automatically directs us towards that person... often times, wether we realize it or not, we blindly follow the inner call..

Once we find fulfillement in being alone, we are healthy and ready to choose our soul mate, any relationships sooner experienced, are attempts that tame us , helping us maintain a future relationship, only longer.

Eternel happiness..

2006-04-02T18:31:00.000+04:00

double xie, or eternal happiness in chinese as i recall..

not for non-smokers

2006-04-02T18:25:00.000+04:00

under the loupe..

2006-03-29T13:04:00.000+04:00

Exposure 27...

resourcefulness..

2006-03-29T12:12:00.000+04:00

phase 1: an empty box of Montecristo cigars, a sheet of white plexiglass, 4 lm of 1.5mm wires, a fused plug, a ceiling light fitting, and 2 Philips 13W PL-C 865/2P bulbs.

phase 2: a successful atempt after all the wires were unplugged due to dismanteling the light fitting.

phase 3: final layout.

Light-box ready. Reviving old memories...

colour decomposition

2006-03-22T10:14:00.000+04:00

mugs mugs mugs..

2006-03-14T13:24:00.000+04:00

i have a weakness for "Starbucks" coffee... and mugs.

Inside the black-box

2006-03-14T13:17:00.000+04:00

So tired

2006-03-14T12:58:00.000+04:00

a little child... after too much "entertainement".

Emotional surge

2006-03-08T07:03:00.000+04:00

06.31 driving to the office, along with the rising sun...
listening to Fairuz...

there are these moments when you remember the past with a bitter-sweet feeling... you hold your breath, then just, sigh...

i recall the days when i was back in lebanon, our excursions to the Kannoubin valley [no visual traces with me at the moments, only memories], and in particular, that cave below Hadad...
we were all still back home.. no one was abraod, none of my friends.. [i recall when i first met Eve, how she said that all her friends have travelled, sorry Eve, at that time i didn't actually realize the feeling, only now].

i recall Sally, my beloved friend, the friend i would walk the earth for, the friend for whom i would risk anything.. she intended to help me in a way i'll never forget, she gladly offered me something she needed badly.. she was there for me all the time.. [there is no such thing as recognition, you either love, or love in a different way.]

i left a missed call on her mobile, must be around 04.34 back in Beirut.. she'd probably be worried when she wakes up to find it..

i feel a lot of nostalgia for her, for our long conversations, for our Sunday morning Nescafé and Manakeesh bi Zaatar [thyme pastries, when i used to visit her on almost weekly basis], for our common study sessions, for our shopping strolls.. i even miss her critiques when i waste money on useless stuff [technology]..

when coming to Dubai, i farewelled everyone including my parents, hiding my emotions..
only when she called me from her office to say goodbye, and sorry for not being able to make it to the aritport, only then, did i shed a tear...

distance...

in the summer, she'll be getting married to a gentleman, wish them health, peace of mind, love and wisdom... they make a great couple.

happy women's day Sally...

been like 10 min. i haven't written a word... my ideas are scattered over that dark sea inside my mind...

the surge should be over.
i cast it away deep inside.

sometimes i wonder about the meaning of being strong..
not looking deep inside very often, or having got rid of anything that causes that kind of agitation..?
guess with time i'll learn.

a wiseman would comment: when we are faced with a certain need, our mind takes us to that place where we last found comfort or fulfillment...

i'd strongly agree.

ABSOLUT

2006-02-28T14:21:00.000+04:00

ABSOLUT- ely, macro.

Bubbles on the rocks

2006-02-28T14:05:00.000+04:00

... continued.

Bubbles on the rocks

2006-02-27T19:26:00.000+04:00

hanging on to the depth.. refusing the surface.

Like these bubbles, we fight the emerging forces, we refuse surfacing into this shallow world..

Unlike the picture, the surface is below.

food for thought

2006-02-25T08:09:00.000+04:00

"When everyone is thinking the same, no one is thinking."

___________________________________John Wooden

Rainy morning

2006-02-23T09:50:00.000+04:00

The long awaited weather, just when i thought it is getting hot again in Dubai...

errant lights

2006-02-23T09:39:00.000+04:00

Last night, driving home...
I recalled the pictures i used to take over the bridge, keeping the shutter opened for few minutes...
I set my ISO on 50 [in order to make the camera adjust the shutter speed for the longest possible exposure], held my coolpix on the left side mirror, and stepped on the gaz...

Ice bush

2006-02-20T09:24:00.000+04:00

Refraction

2006-02-19T17:33:00.000+04:00

[deflection from a straight path undergone by a light ray or energy wave in passing obliquely from one medium (as air) into another (as water) in which its velocity is different]

Happy Valentine

2006-02-14T16:20:00.000+04:00

I woke up this morning and the first thing i laid my eyes on was the full moon next to that tower crane [a new adjacent building rising] with birds in the background..

je suis triste

2006-02-12T07:34:00.000+04:00

je suis triste
я грусный..
sono triste..
ako ay malungkot..
i m sad..
soy triste..
ik ben droevig..
我是哀伤的..
ich bin traurig..
私は悲しい..

Guarded cemetery

2006-02-08T18:17:00.000+04:00

On my way to the office yesterday morning, i noticed these forsaken boats but i was going way too fast to be able to stop without having to drive for a long distance in reverse [glad there weren't any radars on this road].. well, this morning, i managed to take a shot but that arid area was.. "guarded".

A distant memory, echoing..

2006-02-07T13:05:00.000+04:00

I was still a scholar, it was 1990-1991, in the Ecoles des Frères - Deddeh, EL Koura [North Lebanon]..
As the christians attended the "Catéchèse" [religious teachings] offered by a priest, a sheikh offered muslims similar teachings.
Since the school was founded by french missionaries, we had a wooden cross on top of the chalkboard in every classroom..

At the beginning of one session a student asked the sheikh: why don't we take out that cross, we do not need it in here during our religious session.

The sheikh paused for a moment then replied: we should respect all religions, it is causing no offense by its presence, it will remain here.
In consideration, the school administration is offering you Islamic teachings within its classrooms, in return, the least you can do is give respect.

It was not out of weakness, but out of strength that the sheikh behaved that way.

Now everyone of us will perceive the meaning of this story according to what lies within his/her soul.

N.B: Out of curiosity, i used to attend both of the classes simultaneously.

Shameful

2006-02-07T11:50:00.000+04:00

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. ~ Proverbs 16:32

[It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yoursefl than over whole cities.]

When our hatred is violent, it sinks us even beneath those we hate. ~ Rochfoucauld

These two caught my attention.. in light of what's happening, not only on the streets in Lebanon, but also in the Blog community...

Really shameful... aren't we supposed to have "civilized" posts/comments, without calling names and fighting each other.. or is it that the riots have moved here?

Rrandom Harmony

2006-02-04T14:46:00.000+04:00

droplets of water on my dish rack, yesterday afternoon..

After washing the dishes [not quite a relaxing task after an esteemed lunch], and wiping the rack, a drop of water splashed down.. rewarding isn't it...

humm... back to the off-ice!

2006-02-04T09:45:00.000+04:00

After a 2 day weekend [Thursday having been the higri new year holiday for the private sector in DXB, and Friday, our official "1 day weekend"], today is my MONDAY.

Preparing my lunch bad in the morning... OMG, six days to go!

Benchmark..

2006-02-01T09:30:00.000+04:00

when you have hard times..
when the world becomes a narrower place..
when you feel you want to take it out on someone, or everyone..
it would be foolish to be bothered by your attitude.

a friend you are..
a friend you remain..

remember "benchmark"?

Patience..

2006-02-01T09:12:00.000+04:00

You feel the world has forsaken you, No.
This fog will not last and soon you will realize that your friends were there.. all the time..

Search for the bright spot in every bad situation, there is definitely one.

Always remember, it could be worse.

Calm...

2006-01-28T14:53:00.000+04:00

Quiet, the feeble in the presence of the mighty...

Reaching out...

2006-01-28T14:29:00.000+04:00

I keep staring at it but i fail to describe my nostalgia to nature, to the mountains, to the snow...

A few minutes, worth the day..

2006-01-25T14:03:00.000+04:00

21.55: He steps out of the lift, heads to his flat thinking: "gonna be cold as usual.. but no, not anymore.. now she is here and I won't be alone…"

21.56: He approaches the door, inserts the key and pauses for a few seconds.. he bethinks, he feels.. In no time, he will have stepped inside and her perfume will welcome him home, embracing him like a lover awaiting his return. He steps inside, takes a deep breath, smelling her aroma till his lungs are drenched.. without the mere disappointment, he slowly closes the door and heads for the kitchen, not even glancing at the living room where she’d be, as if to increase the thrill…

21.57: He laid his lunch bag on the counter top and looked through his kitchen window where he can spot the traffic; his daily share of agony. Like a reader who skips the pages of a book, eager to reach the end of a story, he moves with an increasing pace towards the living room.. there by the TV where she always waits, staring at him as he approaches, aware of his delight to meet her after a hectic day at work, sharing his happiness.. in her own quiet way...

21.58: He is finally there, standing in her presence.. admiring the art of The Lord in his creation.. he gently caresses her... With his eyes closed, he smells her intimately, this time again a lungful of air...

21.59: He goes back to the kitchen, fills a glass of water and brings it to her.. quenching her thirst, he pours it tenderly into the vase.. so delighted that his bouquet of Lilies is there, adding an accompanying soul to his lonely existence..

These flowers remind him of a lovely beautiful girl fond of Lilies. So far, he can only reach her in his dreams.. and only there could he meet her recently.

The day he'll draw her, he’ll have to omit the face for her beauty is beyond his skills.. I will call her then.. the girl without a face.

for a little laugh...

2006-01-24T16:21:00.000+04:00

I was checking a blog whose author likes monkeys... it reminded me of a little story.

When i was back in Lebanon, i knew a person, nearly in his late 40s... He is a trouble maker [age couldn't add to his maturity]. He proudly narrated the following incidence:
Once reprimanded by his school director, he got really irritated. He brought a small monkey, put a gun in his hand and locked him in the director's office... along with the director himself. Outside by the window he stood with all his comrades, enjoying the scene; the monkey playing with the gun and the director... well, you can imagine!!!

He eventually got fired, so what, he was already used to it...

Lebanon, soon we will be back...

2006-01-23T16:22:00.000+04:00

Lebanese are known for their ability to overcome...
some losses leave scars that heal, yet remain painful...
with every blow we rise again...
the light of the word reaches the prepared minds...

Soon the sun will rise on us again, one nation liberated from the inside out, with all its youth back home.