I took the step I’ve been delaying for a long time and quit my current job. There are chances of going back but this is not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about my colleagues, my friends at work. I recall many situations when I was really angry with them. I remember times when I felt that they don’t stand me and wish if I were gone. I remember our quarrels over work-related issues as well as other issues. But all these memories now seem very small and trivial compared with all the care, love, and support they've showed in the past few days. They stood by me like I never thought anyone would. They fought for me and God knows the bad and terrible situations they’d to go through because of that. I can’t find the words to thank them and express how I felt today but I’d really like them to know that I love them and I shall never forget their stand. And if I were to return to work, it would be only because of them. But if I was unable to come back, please forgive me and support me always.
Thanks:
M.I.
H.M.
A.S.
E.R.
E.Kh.
F.A.
Sh.M.A.
F.A.M
F.Z.
Ch.S.
A.R.
A.F.
Though I'm usually a forgiving person, I'm unable to forgive this time and I can't help praying Allah to show M.S. the same misery he'd shown to others and make him regret it a millions time.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
No matter what*
No matter what they tell us
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach us
What we believe is true
No matter what they call us
However they attack
No matter where they take us
We’ll find our own way back
I can’t deny what I believe
I can’t be what I’m not
No matter what they tell you
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach you
What you believe is true
No matter whom they follow
No matter where they lead
No matter how they judge us
What we believe is true
* Parts from a song for Boyzone
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach us
What we believe is true
No matter what they call us
However they attack
No matter where they take us
We’ll find our own way back
I can’t deny what I believe
I can’t be what I’m not
No matter what they tell you
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach you
What you believe is true
No matter whom they follow
No matter where they lead
No matter how they judge us
What we believe is true
* Parts from a song for Boyzone
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Is it really a Masculine community?!
I hear people in the media, especially women, talk a lot about how we’re a masculine community. I usually don’t really get what they mean by that but I think that it refers to how our community differentiates between males and females, in favor of males, giving them more rights and privileges. Anyhow, in a recent business trip I had two situations that reminded me of this concept and I’m going to talk about them now. I was going to supervise the handover, installation and operation of a piece of equipment in a place outside Cairo; as a service to another department ‘A’ in the organization where I work. I was on the mission with a female colleague ‘X’ and a male colleague ‘Y’. I’ve done the same job before and so I had more hands-on experience than my colleagues. Though this was pretty obvious, every now and then one of the staff to whom we were delivering the service, takes my “male colleague” ‘Y’ aside and talks to him about something related to the work we were doing. He does so as if we weren’t qualified enough to be talked to, just because we’re females. And though ‘Y’ told him to talk in front of us because we’re all in the subject together, he kept doing the same silly act till we finished our work and left. The other situation happened earlier when we met to start our journey. First, came a guy from department ‘A’ who is supposed to take care of administrative issues during the trip or at least that is what we were told. He asked me about who else is coming and when I told him that ‘X’ and ‘Y’ were, he simply said that “If I knew that ‘Y’ was coming, I wouldn’t have come. I just came so that you won’t be alone”, i.e. if I knew that a male was coming, I wouldn’t have come. Actually I was offended by what he said but of course he didn’t feel so at all and probably thought that it was a natural thing to say. I wouldn’t be bothered if such gesture came from a friend or a colleague because it would have meant that he really cares and not that he thought we weren’t up to the situation and needed baby sitting. Also in the latter situation, someone who really cares would act like a man not just like an image of a man. So is it really a masculine community?!
2 6 2009
2 6 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Everyday Stuff in the Underground
Last Thursday, I was at Giza underground station, after driving my sister to the train station. I wasn’t really in a good a mood and as usual began thinking if I’d have the same fight telling men not to ride in the “ladies only” carriage (not the ladies only carriage till 9 pm). I always feel bad when I stand still and don’t take an action in such situations. I feel negative and I don’t like this at all. Anyway, as soon as I got into the carriage I found that the men number outweighs the ladies number, twice at least. So I decided that it won’t be a fair fight and didn’t talk, feeling bad about myself. I won’t talk about the men who sat comfortably while ladies with children stood right under their nose. I’ll talk about a man who got on board to beg. He was rather young and used a wheelchair to move. He asked people to help him and some responded and gave him money. Then a station came, he rushed to the door, while one or two were stretching out their hands to give him more money. He couldn’t get out in time, so he decided to wait to the next station. While waiting he began another begging round. I noticed that he was rather rude while moving through the carriage, asking people to free room for him to pass. I also noticed that both his legs were moving and that he just had some sort of a dermal disease in one of his legs. He was definitely not paralyzed. He got off in the same station as mine and rushed out so that he can get into the next carriage. He shouted at the people who were descending from the carriage in a very rude way so that he can get on board. The door almost closed while only one of his feet was in, so he suddenly stood still, jumped in the carriage and then dragged his chair behind him. I couldn’t help laughing, rather loud, to myself and wondered will the people in the next carriage give him money?!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Demascus
I saw this magnificent play at El Saway Culture Wheel last Sunday. I was fascinated by it and since then I've been thinking about it a lot. I thought of sharing it with you and may be writing a review, but as I'm not an expert or even a good critic I stepped back. Then I read this really good and expressive review today and decided to share it with you. May be those outside Egypt may have a chance to watch the play. Enjoy!
دمشق.. المسرحية الزائرة
بقلم : محمد سلماوي
كيف مرت هكذا مرور الكرام هذه المسرحية الرائعة التي جاءت من بريطانيا لتعرض في القاهرة ليلتين ضمن جولة لها في الشرق الأوسط زارت خلالها بيروت وعمان ودمشق وتزور بعد القاهرة تونس والاراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة؟
إنها مسرحية دمشق التي كتبها المؤلف المسرحي البريطاني ديفيد كريج وعرضت بنجاح في كل من إدنبرة ولندن ونيويورك وموسكو, وهي تنتمي الي فئة قليلة العدد من الأعمال المسرحية والفنية الغربية التي تحاول تقديم صورة للعرب مغايرة لتلك النماذج النمطية التي تزخر بها بقية الأعمال الفنية المستقاة من وسائل الاعلام التي لا تبحث إلا عن الإثارة والتشويق.
ولقد سبق أن شاهدنا لمسرحي بريطاني آخر هو ديفيد هير مسرحيات عظيمة تنتمي لهذا التقليد, كما ظهرت بعض المسرحيات الأخري في بريطانيا وخارجها بعد حرب العراق تقدم موقفا ناقدا لهذه الحرب لكنها ستظل حتي الآن الإستثناء وليست القاعدة.
وتروي مسرحية دمشق قصة بول الاسكتلندي الذي يصل الي دمشق لعقد صفقة مع مسئولي التعليم في سوريا لبيع كتب جديدة لتعليم اللغة الانجليزية للطلبة في المدارس, وهو متأفف بعض الشيء لوجوده في منطقة حرب كما يوصف الشرق الأوسط في النشرات الإخبارية الغربية, بالاضافة الي أن وصوله يتوافق مع يوم عيد الحب فالنتاين الذي كان يفضل ان يقضيه مع زوجته في بريطانيا, بدلا من أن يمضيه في مفاوضات مضنية لانقاذ كتبه الخاصة بتعليم الانجليزية من براثن الرقابة المفروضة علي كل شيء في هذه المنطقة من العالم.
لكن سرعان مايكتشف بول مع تقدم أحداث المسرحية أن الشرق الأوسط ليس المنطقة الخطيرة المليئة بالحروب وبالعنف والإرهاب حسبما تصورها أجهزة الإعلام, وحسنا فعل المخرج ان جعل ساحة الاستقبال بالفندق الذي ينزل به بول والذي تجري فيه جميع أحداث المسرحية, تتضمن في خلفيتها شاشة تليفزيونية كبيرة تعرض الأحداث المضطربة التي تقدمها أجهزة الإعلام طوال الوقت عن الشرق الأوسط والتي تتعارض تماما مع المناخ السائد في بهو الفندق, وهكذا يسقط المؤلف أول حجر في ذلك البناء الزائف الذي يتصور الناس في الغرب أنه يمثل حقيقة الأوضاع في الشرق الأوسط.
وحين يصطدم بول بقائمة الممنوعات التي تفرضها الرقابة علي كتب تعلم الانجليزية التي يقدمها نكتشف من خلال المناقشة ان المطلوب حذفه من هذه الكتب ماهو إلا المفاهيم الخاطئة التي لا تأتي إلا من عقل يجهل تماما حقائق الوضع في هذه المنطقة من العالم, وبهذا المعني يبدو وكأن العقل الغربي هو الذي يفرض الرقابة علي الحقيقة.
وتتعرض المسرحية أيضا من خلال شخصية زكريا موظف الاستقبال الشاب بالفندق الي تلك الفكرة النمطية السائدة عن الشباب العرب والذين تصورهم علي انهم مهووسون بالجنس ولا يسعون إلا لإقامة علاقات مع السائحات الأجنبيات, فأول شيء يسأل عنه زكريا حين تتوطد علاقته قليلا بـ بول هو إن كانت أية فتيات قد حضرن معه من اسكتلندا, ثم نراه بعد ذلك حين يتعرف علي فتاتين أمريكيتين يطلب منهما الصعود الي احدي غرف الفندق في التو واللحظة, وقد صورت هذه الشخصية الكوميدية بطريقة تثير التعاطف معها بشكل كبير خاصة حين نعرف كيف ان الفتاتين الأمريكيتين اللتين لا نراهما قد أمضتا السهرة تسخران منه.
لكن مع تقدم أحداث المسرحية فإن بول البريطاني المتحضر الذي جاء ساعيا لتعليم العرب اللغة الانجليزية مثلما سعت بلاده مع الولايات المتحدة لتعليمهم الديمقراطية في العراق, يطلب من مني التي بدأ يشعر نحوها بالعاطفة أن تصعد معه الي غرفته بالفندق في التو واللحظة, وهنا تسقط تلك الفكرة النمطية عن الشباب العرب ويبدأ المتفرج يسأل نفسه إن كان البشر جميعا متشابهين في أحاسيسهم الطبيعية.
علي أن أهم ما تسقطه المسرحية من أكاذيب حول العرب هو تلك العلاقة الأبوية التي كثيرا ما سعي الغرب لاستخدامها من أجل الوصايا علي الشرق الأوسط من خلال الاستعمار الذي كان يقوم دائما علي دعاوي بالية بأنه يسعي لتمدين الدول التي يستعمرها, فرسول التعليم في هذه المسرحية والذي يسعي لتعليم السوريين اللغة الانجليزية هو الشخصية الوحيدة في المسرحية التي لا تتحدث إلا لغة واحدة هي لغته, بينما وجدنا بقية الشخصيات لا تتحدث إليه بلغتها وانما بلغته هو, أي الانجليزية وبعضهم يتحدث الفرنسية أيضا, حتي ذلك الشاب زكريا الذي لا يجيد أي شيء في حياته نجده يتمكن بانجليزيته الركيكة من أن يتفاهم مع النزيل الاكستلندي, بينما نجد هذا الاخير يعاني طوال الوقت من محاولة توصيل مايريد التعبير عنه لمن حوله.
ولأن المسرحية لاتسعي لتزييف الحقيقة في الشرق الأوسط فهي لا تقتصر فيما تقدمه علي الحقائق الايجابية وحدها وانما تحرص علي تقديم الحقيقة بشقيها الايجابي والسلبي, فهي أولا تتحدث عن عظمة مدينة دمشق التي تعتبر أعرق مدن العالم والتي بنيت بشكل آدمي وليس بشكل آلي كالمدن الحديثة, ثم هي تتحدث عن جمال مساجدها القديمة وروعة جبل قسيون, أما القيمة الكبري في هذه المسرحية فهي البشر أنفسهم الذين يظهرون بشكل يجعل المتفرج يتعاطف معهم باعتبارهم أكثر انسانية وربما أيضا أكثر تحضرا.
والمسرحية لا تغفل أن هناك احتلالا إسرائيليا تعاني منه الأراضي العربية سواء في سوريا أو لبنان أو فلسطين, وأن هناك غيابا للكثير مما يتطلع اليه الانسان العربي من حرية وديمقراطية وفرصة للعيش الكريم ولتحقيق ذاته في المجتمع, وفي هذا فإن زكريا الذي ينتحر في نهاية المسرحية هو التجسيد الحي لذلك الشعور بالاحباط الذي ينتشر في المنطقة, بينما تجسد مني غياب الحريات الشخصية ويجسد وسيم ازدواجية المثقف العربي, لكنهم جميعا يقدمون شخصيات رائعة هي بالتأكيد أكثر رقيا من رسول الحضارة البريطاني الذي حين يأتي وقت مغادرته البلاد يشعر بضآلته المتناهية التي تتناقض تماما مع زهوه وثقته بنفسه في بداية المسرحية والاستخفاف الذي كان يعامل به أهل البلد آنذاك.
لقد كان علينا أن نحتفي احتفاء أكبر بهذا العرض المسرحي المهم فعروض المسرح البريطاني لا تأتينا كل يوم وهي حين تأتي لا تكون بروعة هذا العرض وما يقوم عليه من فكر جديد كان علينا التفاعل معه بشكل أفضل بأن نعطيه فرصة للعرض أكبر من الليلتين اللتين عرض خلالهما علي مسرح ساقية الصاوي بالزمالك.
دمشق.. المسرحية الزائرة
بقلم : محمد سلماوي
كيف مرت هكذا مرور الكرام هذه المسرحية الرائعة التي جاءت من بريطانيا لتعرض في القاهرة ليلتين ضمن جولة لها في الشرق الأوسط زارت خلالها بيروت وعمان ودمشق وتزور بعد القاهرة تونس والاراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة؟
إنها مسرحية دمشق التي كتبها المؤلف المسرحي البريطاني ديفيد كريج وعرضت بنجاح في كل من إدنبرة ولندن ونيويورك وموسكو, وهي تنتمي الي فئة قليلة العدد من الأعمال المسرحية والفنية الغربية التي تحاول تقديم صورة للعرب مغايرة لتلك النماذج النمطية التي تزخر بها بقية الأعمال الفنية المستقاة من وسائل الاعلام التي لا تبحث إلا عن الإثارة والتشويق.
ولقد سبق أن شاهدنا لمسرحي بريطاني آخر هو ديفيد هير مسرحيات عظيمة تنتمي لهذا التقليد, كما ظهرت بعض المسرحيات الأخري في بريطانيا وخارجها بعد حرب العراق تقدم موقفا ناقدا لهذه الحرب لكنها ستظل حتي الآن الإستثناء وليست القاعدة.
وتروي مسرحية دمشق قصة بول الاسكتلندي الذي يصل الي دمشق لعقد صفقة مع مسئولي التعليم في سوريا لبيع كتب جديدة لتعليم اللغة الانجليزية للطلبة في المدارس, وهو متأفف بعض الشيء لوجوده في منطقة حرب كما يوصف الشرق الأوسط في النشرات الإخبارية الغربية, بالاضافة الي أن وصوله يتوافق مع يوم عيد الحب فالنتاين الذي كان يفضل ان يقضيه مع زوجته في بريطانيا, بدلا من أن يمضيه في مفاوضات مضنية لانقاذ كتبه الخاصة بتعليم الانجليزية من براثن الرقابة المفروضة علي كل شيء في هذه المنطقة من العالم.
لكن سرعان مايكتشف بول مع تقدم أحداث المسرحية أن الشرق الأوسط ليس المنطقة الخطيرة المليئة بالحروب وبالعنف والإرهاب حسبما تصورها أجهزة الإعلام, وحسنا فعل المخرج ان جعل ساحة الاستقبال بالفندق الذي ينزل به بول والذي تجري فيه جميع أحداث المسرحية, تتضمن في خلفيتها شاشة تليفزيونية كبيرة تعرض الأحداث المضطربة التي تقدمها أجهزة الإعلام طوال الوقت عن الشرق الأوسط والتي تتعارض تماما مع المناخ السائد في بهو الفندق, وهكذا يسقط المؤلف أول حجر في ذلك البناء الزائف الذي يتصور الناس في الغرب أنه يمثل حقيقة الأوضاع في الشرق الأوسط.
وحين يصطدم بول بقائمة الممنوعات التي تفرضها الرقابة علي كتب تعلم الانجليزية التي يقدمها نكتشف من خلال المناقشة ان المطلوب حذفه من هذه الكتب ماهو إلا المفاهيم الخاطئة التي لا تأتي إلا من عقل يجهل تماما حقائق الوضع في هذه المنطقة من العالم, وبهذا المعني يبدو وكأن العقل الغربي هو الذي يفرض الرقابة علي الحقيقة.
وتتعرض المسرحية أيضا من خلال شخصية زكريا موظف الاستقبال الشاب بالفندق الي تلك الفكرة النمطية السائدة عن الشباب العرب والذين تصورهم علي انهم مهووسون بالجنس ولا يسعون إلا لإقامة علاقات مع السائحات الأجنبيات, فأول شيء يسأل عنه زكريا حين تتوطد علاقته قليلا بـ بول هو إن كانت أية فتيات قد حضرن معه من اسكتلندا, ثم نراه بعد ذلك حين يتعرف علي فتاتين أمريكيتين يطلب منهما الصعود الي احدي غرف الفندق في التو واللحظة, وقد صورت هذه الشخصية الكوميدية بطريقة تثير التعاطف معها بشكل كبير خاصة حين نعرف كيف ان الفتاتين الأمريكيتين اللتين لا نراهما قد أمضتا السهرة تسخران منه.
لكن مع تقدم أحداث المسرحية فإن بول البريطاني المتحضر الذي جاء ساعيا لتعليم العرب اللغة الانجليزية مثلما سعت بلاده مع الولايات المتحدة لتعليمهم الديمقراطية في العراق, يطلب من مني التي بدأ يشعر نحوها بالعاطفة أن تصعد معه الي غرفته بالفندق في التو واللحظة, وهنا تسقط تلك الفكرة النمطية عن الشباب العرب ويبدأ المتفرج يسأل نفسه إن كان البشر جميعا متشابهين في أحاسيسهم الطبيعية.
علي أن أهم ما تسقطه المسرحية من أكاذيب حول العرب هو تلك العلاقة الأبوية التي كثيرا ما سعي الغرب لاستخدامها من أجل الوصايا علي الشرق الأوسط من خلال الاستعمار الذي كان يقوم دائما علي دعاوي بالية بأنه يسعي لتمدين الدول التي يستعمرها, فرسول التعليم في هذه المسرحية والذي يسعي لتعليم السوريين اللغة الانجليزية هو الشخصية الوحيدة في المسرحية التي لا تتحدث إلا لغة واحدة هي لغته, بينما وجدنا بقية الشخصيات لا تتحدث إليه بلغتها وانما بلغته هو, أي الانجليزية وبعضهم يتحدث الفرنسية أيضا, حتي ذلك الشاب زكريا الذي لا يجيد أي شيء في حياته نجده يتمكن بانجليزيته الركيكة من أن يتفاهم مع النزيل الاكستلندي, بينما نجد هذا الاخير يعاني طوال الوقت من محاولة توصيل مايريد التعبير عنه لمن حوله.
ولأن المسرحية لاتسعي لتزييف الحقيقة في الشرق الأوسط فهي لا تقتصر فيما تقدمه علي الحقائق الايجابية وحدها وانما تحرص علي تقديم الحقيقة بشقيها الايجابي والسلبي, فهي أولا تتحدث عن عظمة مدينة دمشق التي تعتبر أعرق مدن العالم والتي بنيت بشكل آدمي وليس بشكل آلي كالمدن الحديثة, ثم هي تتحدث عن جمال مساجدها القديمة وروعة جبل قسيون, أما القيمة الكبري في هذه المسرحية فهي البشر أنفسهم الذين يظهرون بشكل يجعل المتفرج يتعاطف معهم باعتبارهم أكثر انسانية وربما أيضا أكثر تحضرا.
والمسرحية لا تغفل أن هناك احتلالا إسرائيليا تعاني منه الأراضي العربية سواء في سوريا أو لبنان أو فلسطين, وأن هناك غيابا للكثير مما يتطلع اليه الانسان العربي من حرية وديمقراطية وفرصة للعيش الكريم ولتحقيق ذاته في المجتمع, وفي هذا فإن زكريا الذي ينتحر في نهاية المسرحية هو التجسيد الحي لذلك الشعور بالاحباط الذي ينتشر في المنطقة, بينما تجسد مني غياب الحريات الشخصية ويجسد وسيم ازدواجية المثقف العربي, لكنهم جميعا يقدمون شخصيات رائعة هي بالتأكيد أكثر رقيا من رسول الحضارة البريطاني الذي حين يأتي وقت مغادرته البلاد يشعر بضآلته المتناهية التي تتناقض تماما مع زهوه وثقته بنفسه في بداية المسرحية والاستخفاف الذي كان يعامل به أهل البلد آنذاك.
لقد كان علينا أن نحتفي احتفاء أكبر بهذا العرض المسرحي المهم فعروض المسرح البريطاني لا تأتينا كل يوم وهي حين تأتي لا تكون بروعة هذا العرض وما يقوم عليه من فكر جديد كان علينا التفاعل معه بشكل أفضل بأن نعطيه فرصة للعرض أكبر من الليلتين اللتين عرض خلالهما علي مسرح ساقية الصاوي بالزمالك.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Earth Hour 2009: A Billion to Go Dark Saturday?
Ker Than for National Geographic News March 26, 2009
Starting in New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands, thousands of cities, towns, and landmarks around the world will start to go dark for Earth Hour on Saturday evening. Up to a billion people worldwide are expected to participate in this global voluntary blackout by switching off their lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. The movement, sponsored by the conservation nonprofit WWF, is designed as a symbolic gesture in support of action against global warming. Now in its third year, Earth Hour has been attracting some high-profile advocates. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently pledged his support for Earth Hour, saying it has the potential to be "the largest demonstration of public concern about climate change ever attempted." Secretary-General Ban urged people to participate as a way of letting politicians know that they expect progress at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December, when world leaders will meet to draft a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol. Other big names endorsing Earth Hour 2009include actors Edward Norton and Cate Blanchett, musicians Alanis Morissette and Big Kenny, and the band Coldplay.
Landmarks at Night
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 with about two million participants. By 2008 the event had spread to nearly 400 participating cities in 35 countries and 50 million participants. (See before-and-after pictures of Earth Hour 2008.) As of press time, more than 2,800 cities, towns, and villages in 84 countries worldwide are expected to take part in Earth Hour 2009. World landmarks such as the Empire State Building, the Las Vegas strip, the Eiffel Tower, Rio de Janiero's statue of "Christ the Redeemer," Athens's Acropolis, Egypt's Great Pyramids, and Rome's Colosseum will also slip temporarily into darkness. "Sometimes it takes a while for a good idea to get out there, and this year we're really hitting our stride," said WWF spokesperson Leslie Aun.
Earth Hour: Energy Saver?
While Earth Hour is important as a symbolic gesture, it would be even more valuable if the energy savings of the event were known, said Mary-Elena Carr, associate director of the Columbia Climate Center in New York City. "The issue is whether it goes beyond a 'really cool' event and leads to anything tangible," Carr said. "If there was an idea of how much energy was being saved, people could take measures to lower their energy use in a systematic and practical way." Unlike in previous years, WWF is not releasing energy-savings estimates for this year's Earth Hour. "We think the value of Earth Hour is the lights going off," WWF's Aun said, "not the energy savings."
I'm in...Are you?!
Starting in New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands, thousands of cities, towns, and landmarks around the world will start to go dark for Earth Hour on Saturday evening. Up to a billion people worldwide are expected to participate in this global voluntary blackout by switching off their lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. The movement, sponsored by the conservation nonprofit WWF, is designed as a symbolic gesture in support of action against global warming. Now in its third year, Earth Hour has been attracting some high-profile advocates. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently pledged his support for Earth Hour, saying it has the potential to be "the largest demonstration of public concern about climate change ever attempted." Secretary-General Ban urged people to participate as a way of letting politicians know that they expect progress at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December, when world leaders will meet to draft a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol. Other big names endorsing Earth Hour 2009include actors Edward Norton and Cate Blanchett, musicians Alanis Morissette and Big Kenny, and the band Coldplay.
Landmarks at Night
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 with about two million participants. By 2008 the event had spread to nearly 400 participating cities in 35 countries and 50 million participants. (See before-and-after pictures of Earth Hour 2008.) As of press time, more than 2,800 cities, towns, and villages in 84 countries worldwide are expected to take part in Earth Hour 2009. World landmarks such as the Empire State Building, the Las Vegas strip, the Eiffel Tower, Rio de Janiero's statue of "Christ the Redeemer," Athens's Acropolis, Egypt's Great Pyramids, and Rome's Colosseum will also slip temporarily into darkness. "Sometimes it takes a while for a good idea to get out there, and this year we're really hitting our stride," said WWF spokesperson Leslie Aun.
Earth Hour: Energy Saver?
While Earth Hour is important as a symbolic gesture, it would be even more valuable if the energy savings of the event were known, said Mary-Elena Carr, associate director of the Columbia Climate Center in New York City. "The issue is whether it goes beyond a 'really cool' event and leads to anything tangible," Carr said. "If there was an idea of how much energy was being saved, people could take measures to lower their energy use in a systematic and practical way." Unlike in previous years, WWF is not releasing energy-savings estimates for this year's Earth Hour. "We think the value of Earth Hour is the lights going off," WWF's Aun said, "not the energy savings."
I'm in...Are you?!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I’m feeling good or at least I was…
Yesterday, I had the final exam for level 2 of the German course I’ve been taking. I got ‘A’ just like the 1st level. It really felt good, thought it is not a big achievement (you know what; it’s a big achievement. It’s just this silly voice inside my head that underestimate everything I do lately and keeps telling me that no matter what I do, it’s not enough. I just hope for this voice to shut up and only talk whenever I’m really not doing a good job). I woke up today in a really good mood and so I started listening to all the optimistic songs of mounir that would help keep the mood going. I though of making a play list of all such songs so that it’d be ready whenever they are need, which happens a lot lately :( I thought of “اخرج من البيبان، الحزن قام حفر عفر، افتح قلبك، ألف لأ ولأ، الفرصة، الفرحة”. I succeeded in keeping the good mood till the middle of the day, when things at work started to pull me gradually out of it, but I’m not going to talk about this…at least not day.
As you can see, I didn’t quit and I’m spending my days at work as some sort of punishment. I couldn’t take the decision and resign. I’m just waiting and hoping for some miraculous event to happen such that voila…I’m out of the office. I thought of doing something silly so that I might get fired but I didn’t find it a good idea and unfortunately also unlikely to happen. I don’t want to stay in my current work and at the same time I can’t switch to a new work right now because I need more time for myself and moving into a new job needs more time and effort dedicated so that I can prove myself in the new workplace. This is of course in case I found another job, because as a result of the global economic problem, people are just being fired not hired!
Always try to keep in a good mood, Tschüss! (Bye bye in German)
As you can see, I didn’t quit and I’m spending my days at work as some sort of punishment. I couldn’t take the decision and resign. I’m just waiting and hoping for some miraculous event to happen such that voila…I’m out of the office. I thought of doing something silly so that I might get fired but I didn’t find it a good idea and unfortunately also unlikely to happen. I don’t want to stay in my current work and at the same time I can’t switch to a new work right now because I need more time for myself and moving into a new job needs more time and effort dedicated so that I can prove myself in the new workplace. This is of course in case I found another job, because as a result of the global economic problem, people are just being fired not hired!
Always try to keep in a good mood, Tschüss! (Bye bye in German)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Face Recognition and a general information test
This photo was sent on my email today. The sender asked me to recognize the characters in the photo. He said that if I could recognize 45 characters, then I'm very intellectual; 35 a good intellectual; 25 not so bad; 15 need to know more etc. I found it a nice challenge and thanks God I managed to cross the 45 limit. So, why don't you give it a try?
P.S. Right-click on the picture and choose open in a new tap or window, to get a better, enlarged view of the picture.
P.S. Right-click on the picture and choose open in a new tap or window, to get a better, enlarged view of the picture.Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Should I quit?!
Would you continue working in a job that doesn’t satisfy you, just because you can’t afford staying at home or at least don’t want your parents to pay for your expenses again? I’ve been trying to find an answer for this question for quite some time and I can’t really come out with an answer. I’ve been in my first and only job for about 2 years and a half now. When I first got employed along with a number of my colleagues at college, we used to have discussions about whether what we’re doing is worth it or not, whether it’s needed or not etc. Back then I had some doubts but I believed that what we’re doing is a step on the way, though not the optimum. I don’t recall doing something I’m not convinced with, technically, but I’ve seen people around me doing so. This made me think that if I was ever asked to do something that I’m not convinced with only because my manager (who is very stubborn, usually can’t see anything except his point of view and has a rapidly changing opinions for similar situations...a typical Egyptian manager) believes that this the only way it should be done, I’d simply quit. You might be wondering why I haven’t been in such situation for this long time. Well, the good thing is that my manager respects me a lot and unlike my other colleagues he can sometimes listen to me and be convinced with my opinion. Actually, I’m always the one in charge when he or the vice manager (who I & her agree alot and are almost friends) aren’t around and in fact this represents another problem…leading peers. A while ago I was really considering quitting because the work environment became really stressing. I couldn’t stand dealing with my colleagues at work because most of them don’t accept as their leader, not because I’m not qualified or bossy or things of that sort; just because we’re the same age and things shouldn’t go this way (but if any of them was chosen to lead, it would have been because of his/her qualifications and great managerial & leadership skills. Ironic, isn’t it?). Back to where I started, should I quit? Calculating the losses and gains, what I’d really lose is my salary and contact with the field, though I can’t stand the idea of working just for money. I don’t think that I’ll suffer from boredom because I’ve a lot of things to do in my life, mainly working on my master. And the good thing about finishing my master is that, I might get out with a result that can be sold and somehow have my own business. Anyway, I don’t want to put too much hope on that as I’m just getting started. So, should I quit?
16/2/2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009
I'm worried
I don’t know why I am feeling that a bad thing is going to happen these days. Though great things are happening to me and I’m about to take big steps concerning my academic career; I can’t resist this feeling. Every time the phone rings, I feel that it is going to carry bad news. I think that this permanent worry state started with the series of sudden deaths in the family, which made me always worried about my beloved ones. Lately, I managed to deal calmly with all the actions of fate except death. I can’t imagine what I can do if I lost a beloved one. I know that this is lack of faith in God but I can’t help feeling this way. The permanent worry state comes and goes with time. I’m suffering from it nowadays since the house in front of us went of fire. Then another house (in front of my aunt’s) went on fire as well. Back then I answered the phone to find my aunt talking in a hysterical way and asking me what she shall do! Also we had a series of illness in our small family; nothing serious but still a reason for worries. Also the fact that 2 of my sisters live in another city & another country is always a reason for worries; especially when they’re on the road. When such bad thoughts attack me, I read El Gazaly book “Renew your life”. In this book he handles the famous book “Let the worry & start your life or دع القلق و أبدأ الحياة” from an Islamic perspective. This book really calms me and let be re-believe that everything happens for a reason and that whatever happens to the one who believes in God is always for his good. Unfortunately, I don’t have time right now to re-read the book. I just hope that after writing these words and letting these feelings out, my mind would stop the bad imaginations and future anticipation. What a nice feeling to start the New Year with !
4/1/2009
4/1/2009
Friday, December 26, 2008
Kids are great, but...
My elder sisters were visiting because of Eid Al Adha. One of them has a 2 years old boy and the other has a 3 years old twin boys. I like kids a lot and especially kids at that age. I think of my kids-to-be a lot, though I’m not married yet. I think of how I’ll raise them, which schools to admit them in, what to tell them in certain situations etc. I even buy them books from now. I used to criticize my sisters when they shout at their kids for trivial reasons or deal with them in a nervous way, just because they are not in a good mood. I support the idea of being firm with children while raising them, even at young ages, so that they grow up to be good persons. Of course I don't mean torturing your kids or hurting them in any way. Just, you know, not letting them do wrong and bad behaviors only because they are young and may not understand, because believe me they’re always much more clever than you think they are. I know that it may be hard to watch your kids crying when punished at such young age but I believe that being firm when a situation calls for it is better than having spoiled or ill behaved kids. Anyway, this vacation I excused my sisters for losing their temper over trivial reasons. It’s really hard being attached to your child 24/7, not being able to spend any time by yourself; reading a book, watching a movie etc. I found that even while they’re busy playing or watching cartoons, they need at least your partial attention and so you only have half of your attention to do whatever you like. Things get better as the children grow up. But imagine that if you had to quit your job and almost all your activities till the age of 4 or 5, when your kids go to school, it will be hard to get back on track. I don’t agree that mums work while their kids aren’t at school yet. I believe that they’ll need all her time, attention, and care. At the same time, if you had kids while being at the start of your professional career or even before you start it (some of my friends had their kids right after finishing college and so didn’t get to have a first job) it won’t be easy to find a job afterwards or at least you’ll have to prepare yourself through an intermediate stage of study or some sort of training. Quite a dilemma, isn’t it? Things can be more complicated for people who don’t believe in birth control because then they’d have to get married at a certain stage in their careers from which they can resume without difficulties! Of course things are much easier for women who don’t work or don’t want to, as they won’t have to do all the above planning. The real problem is when you have to choose between your work and your kids. It’s always a tough choice to make. As for me, I think that I'll choose my kids. I believe that having successful and well-behaved children is the best achievement I can ever make. Despite this belief, and I’m feeling guilty while saying it now, but I don’t like to have kids anytime soon.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Cycling
The interesting thing I was planning to do was to rent a bicycle and go around Nordhorn on it. I did rent one but just for a couple of hours and rode it with the only colleague who is the same age as me. I’ve not ridden a bicycle for more than 4 years, so at first I almost fell off once or twice then I took control over it. The great thing is that there are special lanes for bicycles (even on high roads) as well as special traffic lights. As for the traffic lights I noticed that pedestrians and bicycles drivers are treated the same way. Anyway, all this means that you can always drive safely especially if you aren’t an expert just like me. But still I avoided crowded areas because I didn’t want to hit someone or make a traffic violation for my first time in Germany! I’m not talking with much enthusiasm as I expected myself to be because the ride wasn’t up to my expectations; mainly because of the company! I felt that I was fulfilling some sort of duty instead of having fun. Next time (as if there would be a next time :)), I’ll make sure to have a more amusing company.
Germany
15/10/2008
The back bassinet is for little babies :)
Germany
15/10/2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
This Palestinian Life
Last Wednesday I went to see a documentary at Al Kotob Khan (a bookshop in Maadi). I knew about the bookshop a while ago and wanted to go and check it out but didn’t have time. Then I knew about the movie night and found it a good chance to go and explore the place. After being lost for quite some time, I reached the place. I was lucky enough to get there just before the movie start. The movie is a short documentary named “This Palestinian Life” written and directed by Philip Rizk and its duration is only 28 min. As the film was introduced “It is about village stories of Sumoud “صمود’ and Nonviolent Resistance”. The movie was really good. I’ve seen quite a lot of documentaries about Palestine; mainly on Nile News. Most of them were great but I can’t compare them with Philip’s film as they’re professionals while this is Philip’s first movie. However, the distinguished thing about this documentary is that it talked about Palestinian villages in ‘Al Dafa’ almost never mentioned in the news and other documentaries. I was affected by the movie very much. I even had tears in my eyes more than once. It has been a while since I last saw something about Palestine or heard its news in details. Actually I was feeling really guilty because of that and still am. After the movie we began a discussion about Philip, the movie, Palestine etc. then we found ourselves talking about Egypt and its role; especially concerning Rafah access point. The lady who was managing the discussion said that we can do nothing more and that isn’t it enough that they broke into our lands and threatened our national security! I was shocked by her words and so I immediately replied “how do you know for sure that they broke into the borders, this is what the media conveyed”. She replied that a friend of hers is a reporter and was there and told her what happened. I didn’t reply back because I didn’t want to tell her may be your friend is a liar or just didn’t interpret what happened right. Later I thought of many other things to convince her that she is getting the picture wrong. For example, they may have broken into our borders but this was because of their despair. We didn’t open the borders from ourselves and left them trapped to die. And really I don’t see how they represented a threat to our national security! I remember that at that time some voices began to say that they were planning to invade our lands and that there is a plan from Israel to let them populate Sinai! I regard all this as nonsense because if they were planning to leave and populate another place they’d have done so a long time ago and Israel would have been more than willing to help. And what force does to the Palestinians have to invade us? Their stones! And why don’t we feel threatened by the Israelis who every once in a while shoot one of our poor soldiers or Sinai citizens “accidentally”. The last time as I remember, they even shot a little girl, and our government stood still. Till now I get very angry whenever I remember all the things I should have said and didn’t. Anyhow, I’m now relieved that I said them in a way. One of the interesting things a girl of the group said was that we’re indeed responsible for Palestine because when it was first lost in 1948 it was under our protection and 1976 when it was lost again it was under Jordan’s protection (I shall check if this piece of info is correct or not). She also said that Sinai was returning to us anyway and the fact that we took it back completely through negotiations was a game played by the Israelis, to keep us way from the Palestinian cause in return, and that we played their game...An interesting point of view indeed and actually whether this point of view is valid or not, they’ve indeed succeeded in keeping us away from the cause. One of things said by the lady managing the discussion and also made me nervous again was that Palestinians are now trying to negotiate while they refused it when they had a chance when Al Sadat offered that in Camp David. Fortunately a young man replied with enthusiasm that this was better for their dignity because Palestine is theirs and no one negotiates to get his own right and that it is better for them to die everyday than to trade their land with anything (the lady didn’t reply back). In my way home, I was thinking of how ignorant I became of the Palestinian cause and how I need to read more about the history; especially Camp David because almost all I know about it is “heard” information which is usually not as reliable as “read” information. Do you know a good point to start?
22/11/08
22/11/08
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I’ve always wanted to do more with my life. I feel that moments are too precious to waste doing nothing or sitting in front of the TV moving through channels or watching silly things; not because I’ve nothing to do but because I don’t have enough will or energy to carry out what I should do. In a way to cease every moment, lately I bought a MP4 on which I recorded some BBC programs to enhance my English language as well as some other useful programs to listen to while walking to work everyday, while trapped in transports etc. but this isn’t the issue now. The issue is volunteer work. I’ve always wanted to get involved in such work. I find it really satisfying and rewarding; mentally, spiritually, and in all aspects. Though I believe in all of this I’ve never really took the step towards doing it. I may have registered in some committees, went to share in a group event once or twice but didn’t actually belong to some entity. Last week there was the monthly meeting of ElSawy Culture Wheel volunteers. The announcement just said “Do you have an idea, time, effort or experience?” I felt that this call was for me and decided to go and see. Now, I’m really glad that I did. I found people of different ages; starting form school children to retired adults. Many of them were just coming for the first time and others were part of the team. People began talking suggesting a lot of really good ideas for activities to be started at the culture wheel; ideas to enhance the wheel and at the same time to enhance the whole community through the wheel. I was really glad to be gathered with people of such awareness, positivism, and belief in change. Though I’m used to give presentations as a part of my study and work and my friends always say that I’m good at it, in such gatherings I usually don’t speak. A question may be asked that I know its answer, I may have a pressing question that really occupies my mind the whole time and still I don’t say a word. This time I wanted to ask about an activity they said they were going to make a while ago; a science club where interested people can meet to discuss different science-related topic. I wanted to know if they’ve already started such thing and if not to help in starting it. See, really very trivial. I hesitated till the very last minutes then I just thought that if I didn’t stand up and speak I’d really feel bad about myself and should gave up the whole idea of changing the things I don’t like about myself. And so I stood up and spoke (I even spoke in the microphone and didn’t find my voice strange or notice the wrong way in which I pronounce the ‘r’ letter). When I returned home, I marked my calendar with all the events I’d like to attend; seminars, art galleries, movies etc. I feel that I’d have a busy month. If I did discipline and attend all the events marked, it would be of huge benefit to me… I’m sure.
15/11/08
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I'm feeling blue & I don't know what to do. A very sad feeling took control over me since yesterday and I really don't know its reason. Small annoying things might have happened but not to drive me to this stage of depression. I don't feel like doing anything. I just sit in front of TV or read over the Internet while listening to all the sad songs of mounir. I tried my usual anti-depressing techniques; mainly eating chocolate but it didn't work out. I'm feeling lonely and at the same time don't like to have people around. I'm thinking of spending the day tomorrow my favourite way; involving taking an early walk downtown, read a book in some cafe, and then go to work and listen to fairouz while having my coffee mix. But even this plan I'm not excited to carry out. I'm hoping that this gloomy feeling go away and at the same time I want to figure out the reason to work it out. I'm feeling blue and I don't know what to do...
11/11/08
11/11/08
Friday, November 07, 2008
I'm bored!
I used to stay silent in social events and when gathered with strangers and people I meet for the first time. Then I read a book entitled “How to have a beautiful mind” as well as many other articles about how to conduct an interesting conversation or even an ordinary conversation with people you meet for the first time, have nothing in common etc. Since then I’ve been practicing my recently-learnt skills whenever I’ve a chance; sometimes they work out and other times they just don’t. Unfortunately, so far this is a trip in which they don’t work out. We’re somehow an un harmonized group of people who happen to work together. We’re of different ages, backgrounds, cultures, and even languages. Though, I believe that such diversity can make things better and really enriches conversations. I tried to start talks more than once; asking open questions, talking about the weather etc. but then I gave up. The thing is that, in any restaurant where we go to have lunch or dinner, they don’t serve food immediately and serve it on intervals. I think that this is done on purpose so that people can have time to chat and catch each others news. There is only one social person who eats with us occasionally. He’s Syrian (this is an obvious reason to like him whether he talks or not:)) and speaks German, so he’s somehow the connecting ring when Germans are with us. Things are really better when he’s around. I believe that you’re now as bored as I’m; sorry if I conveyed the negative feeling :( I’m planning to do an extraordinary thing soon that should blow all the boredom away. Wait for the surprise :)
12/10/2008
12/10/2008
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