The Hide-Out

...

2012-02-01T23:11:00.002+02:00

يا رب.. نفسي أكون من الناس اللي ييجي الحق على إيديها.. أو حتّى بروحها

يا رب عشان خاطري نفسي أشوف نصرك المبين للحق رغم أنف كل المفسدين المُضِلّين

مش عشان أصدّق انك هتنصره .. لأ، أنا متأكِّدة مليون في المِيّة انك هتنصره و هتدّي الظلم و أنصاره على دماغتهم

أنا بس نفسي بجد أكون من اللي استخدمتهم في إتمام نصر الحق.. و مش مهم حتّى أعيش عشان استمتع بالنصر ده بس أشوف اللحظة اللي يكسب فيها الخير و يفطّص الشر و يبططه.. يا ربّي يا كريم عشان خاطري يا رب

Moment of Truth..

2012-01-25T01:41:00.002+02:00

The full truth about this situation still eludes me, as well as many others.
But I do know that if we let them blackmail us as a nation, they'll do it over & over & over again.
And we'll be damned if we leave it this way.
Again, I don't really know what the best course of action is, or whether direct confrontation really is the most effective solution. But I do know that I do what I do for love, not hate.. not even hate for those who insist on selling everything & everyone so they can keep power in their possession. I'm mad at them, & mad at everyone who dares claim that they can help themselves to whatever they please as long as they throw us left overs & "protect us"..
I don't hate them.. I just can't allow it to happen when I can help it.
And I really would rather die than live in a world, where injustice is received with gratitude & applause.
For the first time in so long, I feel strongly enough about something to be willing to do it no matter what the consequences.

All the Shades in between..

2012-01-23T23:44:00.000+02:00

You see, Black is just that; Black.
The simple, yet scary, absence of any & all light reflection.
Black siphons all the light that dares head it's way, in a hopeless attempt to satisfy a constant hunger for warmth.

White, however, is a whole other, & rather complicated, story.
True, it is the opposite of Black. But it's not as pure.
White is an optical illusion, caused by the ultimate, & rare, balance between all the colors of the spectrum.

When white hits an obstacle, it changes color on rebound.

Sometimes, it comes at you with angry red, furious at the interruption.
Sometimes, it blushes in a shy shade of orange, apologizes & moves on.
Sometimes, it turns yellow with fear, because it has too much to lose.
Sometimes, it's a strangely peaceful green, accepting of adversity.
Other times, it'll be a cold & lonely blue, yearning for that which it cannot possess.
Then it'll get over itself & spread in a fun indigo glow, seizing the day.
And often, too often, it'll take a moment to tend to its violet bruises, after a fierce battle with this or that.

Now, Grey; Well Grey is Black & White's bastard child.
Always struggling to find its place between the darkness & the light.
Hence, ultimately stuck in between both worlds, never allowed to call either home.

Psyco-annihilation

2012-01-21T02:02:00.002+02:00

Isn't it amazing how you've somehow grown to define yourself by the people in your life?
No wonder you feel so lost now that most of them are slowly fading out of it, or, otherwise, unavailable.

"Searching for a close bond with others which are accepting and kind. Needs a safe, peaceful atmosphere."

You know what your problem is?
You just want it all.. no limits, no rules.. well not for you anyway, only for others.
That would explain why you're having such a hard time choosing just one toy to focus on.
You want all fun & no work.
And you don't hesitate to lose all interest & walk away the moment it looks like you'll need to make any real compromise.

"Wants the freedom to follow her own heart, goals, and dreams and to earn the respect as a unique individual. Desires to pursue every possible opportunity without limitations or things standing in her way."

And hey, you know you're far from perfect. This isn't news to you.
But knowing that doesn't really translate into any effort to be better.
How arrogant of you!
How incredibly vain!

"Self-centered, tends to take this personally and is easily offended, which leaves her feeling isolated."

"Struggles to make her demands clear, but feels ignored. Feels resentful, but acts as if she doesn't care, doing what is necessary to keep peace."

"Seeking to broaden her horizons and believes her hopes and dreams are realistic. Worries she may not be able to do the things she wants and needs to escape to a peaceful, quiet environment in order to restore her confidence."

What's really confusing is how different you are, now, from who you were, before.
The key term here would be "Indifference".

"Not a team player and is unwilling to be involved in most activities. In the past she was over involved and now emotionally drained. Due to her fear of over involvement, she now chooses to remain uninvolved with the activities around her. "

The question is; how can you want to overcome your loneliness, yet be unwilling to bring down the walls?
How can you long to share the fun, & yet insist on everything that makes your life a one-man-show?

"Must protect herself from outside influences or she risks losing her independence and having restrictions placed on her. she wishes to be left alone."

"Her desire to be respected and to stand out from the crowd is not being satisfied and therefore she is feeling anxious. her normal friendly self is being held back and she refuses to become involved or participate with others in normal day to day activities."

I've said it before, & I'll keep saying it till you do something about it:
"You really do need therapy, my friend!"
Those fights you keep having with people who aren't there will give the wrong idea to real people.
You see, people don't take well to talking to imaginary friends.. it tends to freak them out, and then they start to give you not-so-cool-nicknames.

As if you have a choice..

2012-01-19T02:35:00.000+02:00

Rejection; that moment when put yourself whole-heartedly out there, and get shot down.
The sting of indifference, when you're at the receiving end.
Especially when it comes from the very people you consciously chose to make important to you.
The agony of merely being the back-up for someone else; never the first choice.
The pain of being replaceable.
And worst of all, talking yourself into accepting that you're better off this way.
You know it's a lie; that you're not okay.
You know you're no where near fine with it all, yet you keep taking the best pain killer of all time; Denial.
Because there's got to be something better in store for you.
Someday..

Hypocrisy

2012-01-06T01:41:00.001+02:00

It's exhausting to spend your time judging others for the things they do & the things they don't.
I mean who the hell do we think we are?!!!
When were we appointed gods?
What? We weren't? Oh yeah that's right, we like to pretend we are anyway.
Aha! So we act like it, right?
No! Why on Earth would we do that? We're humans, we make mistakes.
Right, right, so we can do whatever the hell we want, but others need to be perfect or we'll condemn them to hell... Awesome!

And what's with the receiving vs. taking shit?!!
Is this a class I missed in kindergarten or something??!!
How to Businessize Human Relationships 101?

GROW FREAKIN' UP!

Music Fails..

2012-01-04T23:35:00.004+02:00

I feel like singing a very sad tune..
A tune that is so full of passion & anger & sorrow & love & pain all mixed up together.
I have no idea what the lyrics would be.
I don't really care about the lyrics.
I just want that tune.. out of me, & into the world.
I want to scream it at the top of my lungs until that huge block of rock on my chest is blown to bits.
I want to sing it till I have no more breath left in me; till there is no more feeling there.
I want to keep going until I turn into powder dancing in a whirlwind through the air & then disappear.

Reflection of the Day:

2012-01-04T00:55:00.003+02:00

يعني إيه كوك زيرو؟

يعني الخيال العلمي اللي في الأفلام يفقد قيمته أمام الخيال

اللي-عامل-نفسه-علمي المتاح مجّاناً للجمهور على اللي-

عامل-نفسه-إعلام المصري.

Darn it!

2012-01-03T01:17:00.000+02:00

"Inner peace.. In-in-inner peace", says master Shifu, trying -in vain- to muster a measure of clarity.

Well I do miss you, my friend.
Life's just not the same, when I can't laugh about its every detail with you.
My soul searches can't be shared with you, & have blocked themselves to everyone else.
Even my meaningless gibberish is lost without you making sense of it for me.

And I love you, though I never say it to your face..
I speak through actions.. well I try anyway.
What a lame excuse!

Our short conversations with their witty comebacks are more fun than I would ever dare admit.
Yes, okay, I do wonder every now & then.
I wish I could stop my stupid mind from drifting off to you, but I can't.
I'd kill my over active imagination, if it were a person..
No, probably not if it was an actual person.. it is illegal after all..
I'd more likely just beat it senseless.
But if it were an insect, a fly perhaps, I'd whack it right then and there..
Except it would be too fast to catch.

Gaaaaah.. stop it!!

I hate you..

Head Banging

2012-01-01T21:26:00.001+02:00

Blank..
That would be my mind. I have no dreams, no wishes, and no preferences, which is.. well.. I don't really know what to call it except.. maybe "empty" (another phrasing for "blank" obviously).
Except for the faint pain in my stomach, & the occasional headaches. You could say I'm on "Pause" until further notice. Maybe this is how it feels to be in an advanced stage of depression. And maybe it's a whole new form of psychosis.
"You say I'm a kid.. my ego is big.. I don't give a .."
I am a spoiled brat, yes.
That is a true story.
But I'm also disappointed in the world (& in myself ofcourse).. & that's not a good combination.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to throw a tantrum.

في المرآة

2011-12-31T00:32:00.001+02:00

أغرق في تساؤلات حول الحق و الباطل

تساؤلات تحيطني من كل اتجاه و لكنها لا تدور بعقلي أنا شخصيّاً

فهناك من يتعمّد أن يطرحها ليُشتت انتباهي عمّا أعرفه جيداً

و يلهيني و من حولي بترهات لا تجلب سوى جدل عقيم طويل المدى لا يزيد المرء إلا إفلاساً

و أرى من علّموني عن الحياة هم أول من يخزل الحق و يختار العمى على البصيرة

اعتَدْت أن يُصيبوا بينما أُخطئ ، و يَعْلَموا بينما أجهل

أنقلبت الوضاع؟

أم انقلبت القيم؟

أم انقلبوا هم و تركوني بفهم خاطئ للصواب و الخطأ؟

كل ما أملك هو صورة ضبابية للمواقف و الأحداث و قائمة بقواعد اللعبة

و لكن لا أحد يتبع القواعد كلها

و لا حتى أنا

I dream of Paradise..(*)

2011-12-19T02:31:00.002+02:00

I understand that you've grown tired.
I get that you're scared of losing everything you've worked so hard to build.
I sympathize with your worry over your children's future.
But I won't let you tell me to stop looking for a better solution.
I can't let you fool me into settling for the crappy way this world is run.

And for what?

Money?
Food?
"Stability"?

What will all of that mean if we chose to live blind & die cowards?
What's a life worth if you don't stand up for what you believe in?
Where'll we end up if we don't demand a life of dignity?
What will we leave for OUR children?
What will we have to show on judgement day?

Let me explain it to you one more time, since you've obviously chosen to forget:
We're fighting to make a world worth living in.
We're doing the very thing you raised us to do; doing what we believe is right no matter what.
We're loud & we're clear, & we won't stop till we get what we want, or die trying.

And please don't tell me it's too late.. that there's no more hope for this world.
Because if we can't hope for a better tomorrow, then we might as well drop dead right now.
'Coz this -right here & now- ain't a world worth crap.

And rather than decide to turn into Zombies,
we're choosing to make one last stand..
for all the beauty that still hides between the cracks..
for all that is human, & all that this world can be.
And we're armed with nothing but an unshakeable faith in the inevitability of justice.

So please.. oh pretty, pretty please..
either help us, or shut up & let us.

------
(*) From a song by Coldplay called "Paradise".

On The Bonds of Choice..

2011-12-15T01:03:00.001+02:00

I'd tell you to run back home, & forget it ever happened.
I'd tell you to get rid of anyone who doesn't treat you like royalty.
I'd tell you to walk away.. because that's what I'd probably do if I were you.
But the truth is I don't know what it's really like to be in your shoes.

And at the end of the day, if you're really invested in something, maybe it's better to hang on & hope things get easier in time.
Maybe when you love someone enough, your lives become inseparable to a point, where leaving comes at much higher a price than actually sticking around through the mess.

I don't know much about sharing a life with someone..
And maybe you have yet to learn about that yourself..
But I believe that deep down in your heart, you already know what you want & what you need to do.
You just need to muster the courage to figure it out.

And while you do that, I'll be here instead of being there.
And I'll have your back, as always.

I'd rather be a comma than a full stop..

2011-12-08T03:06:00.001+02:00

Because if you stop, you never know when you'll move on again.
Because to stop is an ending.. a death sentence for dreams.
A comma is a smoother transition.
It leaves room for negotiating short visits back.. even if it's only to take a look from afar.

In My Humble Opinion:

2011-11-25T17:12:00.001+02:00

There are 3 main steps for making real & sustainable change:

1) Start Locally

2) Listen to the People

3) Make It Personal

The Flip of a Coin

2011-11-20T01:17:00.001+02:00

There are two sides to every story.
In our case there are a thousand.
And a thousand more.
Ours is the story of a nation divided.
Ours was the legacy of fake pride, & shame.
Until we realized we can turn it around.

There are two sides to every story.
One all good & virtuous.
One all bad & mischievous.
Ours is the truth that lies somewhere in between.
Ours is the confusion of choice.
Until we realize it's a blessing within a curse.

There are two sides to every story.
And you choose which side to see.
Until you realize you need them both,
for your dreams to come true.

To Steal a Song..

2011-11-13T11:55:00.001+02:00

Imagine that your inner voices were songs, playing on & on in the back of your mind.

Imagine that you had a song for each & every dream & emotion in your heart.

A song for hope.. & one for despair.

A song for peace of mind.. & one for internal struggle.

A song for happiness.. & one for sadness..

A song for the life you seek..

A song for the life you left behind..

And a song for the life that could have been.. in another life.

Then imagine that every time you got lost into an emotion, its songs doubled up..

And every time you dreamt a new dream, you earned a new song on the playlist in your soul.

If that were ever to be the case, I'm pretty sure mine would be one hell of a mess. :D

Wishing on a song..

2011-11-12T22:34:00.001+02:00

What if I wished real hard?
Like, if I pray with all my heart..
Would it work?
I mean ofcourse it'll work, but I meant to ask if it might speed things up a little.

True, every part of my brain can tell it's an awful timing for anything of the sort.
I simply have no more room left in my life at this point in time..

But I still feel like wishing with all my heart..
& yet... not.

Buahahahaaa3

2011-11-11T23:26:00.001+02:00

I always feel like cracking into evil laughter sounds every time I buy a new book.
Like I'm taking sweet revenge on someone or something..
though I don't know exactly who or what.

Correction:

2011-11-08T07:01:00.001+02:00

I don't have the truth.. I seek the truth.

Because you can only try.. the rest is out of your hands.

You can only think & reason with input..

You'd still be limited by the boundaries of your knowledge.

The moment you begin strutting about, showing off the exclusive "truth" in your possession, you lie..

You lie to others & to yourself.

Here's to the crazy ones.. =)

2011-11-07T16:59:00.002+02:00

"Here's the line & I'm going, 'Heehee' -jumping over the imaginary line & skipping imaginary rope-"

This was Robin Williams, explaining the concept of 'Legal Insanity' on a show called 'Inside the Actors Studio'.
&
"When you create you get a little endorphin buzz. Why do you think Einstein looked like that?" :D
I just love that guy. :D

Sad, but true..

2011-11-07T00:40:00.003+02:00

Lexie: "You have to stop. You gotta stop talking to me and checking on me and talking to my boyfriend. I love you, and I'm always gonna love you, but I don't want to love you. I want to be happy, and Jackson makes me happy. And if you keep pulling at me, I'll come back to you."

Mark: "You're right, I'm sorry."

Lexie: "You got what you wanted you wanted a family so please just let me have what I wanted."

Mark: "I said you're right. I told Avery I was letting you go. Did he tell you that part?"

Lexie: "Yes, it's paternalistic and weird."

Mark: "I'm letting you go, Lexie. That means you've got to walk away."

On the Magic that lies within..

2011-11-06T22:00:00.003+02:00

A friend of mine recently commented on our lack magical powers.
She specifically referred to herself as "Human", & then went on to express how "unfortunate" that was.
I was rather confused, & - only slightly- offended by her view of our race's -so called- limited capabilities!

For my dear friend does not realize how magical our lack of "magic" (by its superficial definition) really is.
How can she have missed the fact that we possess -within our very souls- the most magnificent forms of magic ever to exist?!
Didn't she read -& watch (rather repeatedly)- a very established wizard explain how "Love" is the deepest, & strongest magic known to Man (wizard or muggle alike)?
Does she not know that imagination (of which she, of all people, has an enviable wealth) goes beyond all & any limitations in the physical world?
And isn't the essence of magic all about defying the rules of the material realm?

I dare say, the formerly mentioned wizard would turn in his grave, should he hear one of his most prominent students utter such atrocities!

That said, I do thank her for the very vivid mental image of the chocolate fountain, the purple fireworks, the animated rainbow of post-it's, & most of all the very over-stocked bookstore (that was my favorite).
And I'd like to assure her that her books will always have the best spot on my shelves. ;)

Blowing out the candles..

2011-11-01T06:57:00.001+02:00

So I finally decided I'd get myself a birthday present & pamper me a little.
If I do it for others, why not for myself, right?

So I bought myself a pack of nice pens, a pack of DVD's, and a book.
Well, technically I photocopied the book from a friend, but, still, a new book is now in my possession.
Yay!

Heck, I even tried to write me a birthday greeting. But that didn't work out too well.

Me: "Happy birthday Loomi.."
Me': Dude! 'Loomi'?! Really?! You're really gonna nickname yourself?
Me: No, you're right. Ummm.. "Happy birthday ya brengi.." How's that?
Me': Whatever, psycho..
Me: Yeah, well right back at yah!
Should I wish you a procrastination free year, or is it already too late for that?
Me': Honey, you're basically having a mental conversation with yourself. You tell me!
Me: You're useless!
Me': He3 (smug smile)

Anyways, I hope next year I'll learn to get along better with myself... if nothing else.

Mumbles

2011-10-30T20:12:00.002+02:00

A mischievous desire to mess around, & play with minds & hearts.
Just because you can.
Just because you know how to manipulate them into certain reactions.

A playlist full of LOUD songs to drown out the noise inside your head.
The short & jumpy attention span.
The mess.

A mash of "What if?"s & "Later!"s.
What do you do with that?
How do you come back from this mindset?

Screw it..

It all came back to me..

2011-10-23T21:38:00.001+02:00

How much affection I had, & still have, for the place & the people.
How easily I chat & laugh with you.
Like it's safer than elsewhere.
Like I'd rather let you do the joking..
Let me put that more accurately:
Like I don't have to do the joking, or need to work to keep the conversation fun & stimulating.
I can't say I understand what -this- is.
Nor can I really put what I understand into words.
You see, all I know is that, somehow, you symbolize something worthwhile.
Something worth holding out for.
If only I had the courage.

"Seeking" a Sign..

2011-10-20T01:45:00.000+02:00

The following is the random quote that gets listed on my blog for today:
"If you want to be found stand where the seeker seeks."
Sidney Lanier
hmmm..
There are soooo many ways I can interpret this one. :D

This part of my life is called "Not Giving a Damn"..

2011-10-18T01:22:00.000+02:00

You never see the waves of apathy coming. They just hit you out of nowhere. And once they knock you down, it becomes impossible to care about anything, even the things that are supposed to be important. The only cure that's ever been known to works, as far as my experience goes, is a healthy, intense, & regular dose of inspiration. And, let's face it, that kind of antidote is currently unavailable.

"Lights will guide you home.."

2011-10-07T00:56:00.003+02:00

Yep, it's settling in alright.
One of the blessings I often took for granted is now being drawn away from me.
However, it's not entirely gone, thankfully.
It's starting to sting noticeably, now. But that, too, shall pass in time.
If you're reading, dear, know that I will always "try to fix you". Regardless of how far, or broken.

Limbo Land

2011-10-01T12:41:00.000+02:00

The following are lyrics of a song called "Lost and Found" performed by Katie Herzig
-----
I know you left me standing there
Out of the calm of the coldest air
I don't believe the words you said
But I can't find the words I want
Oh, I can't find the words I want

If you were gone in another life
I don't believe I would just survive
I could feel you next to me
An escape from the world I'm in
Oh, I'm afraid of the world I'm in

One day I will see Heaven's reach
I'll find the one who left me sleeping
Every war was another seed
That could feed every soul in need
Oh, I'm worn by the war in me

Somebody found me here
Somebody held my breath
Somebody saved me from the world you left
If you're gonna cry my tears
If you're gonna hold my breath
If you're gonna let me see the sun you set
Oh, I am lost and found
Oh, I am lost and found

Somebody found me here
Somebody held my breath
Somebody saved me from the world you left
If you're gonna cry my tears
If you're gonna hold my breath
If you're gonna let me see the sun you set
Oh, I am lost and found
Oh, I am lost and found

On being our own brand of change..

2011-09-30T01:36:00.001+02:00

Life has a way of making us forget what's important in life.

We start off with all the right intentions & all the big plans, only to get distracted bit by little bit. And if we're not careful, we'll eventually be dragged into oblivion without having done anything of value.

Truth.
Honor.
Integrity.
Justice.
Freedom.
Acceptance.
Happiness.

All nice & sparkly words. We'd all love to believe we uphold those values, & even stand for them. But what are we really doing to prove that? How do our actions validate what we "say" we believe in?

Now, each one of us might think they're serving those values by supporting this opinion or that. We might think it's wiser to work as part of some huge group, or individually. We might campaign for this cause or that political view. That's all very good, as long as you're really working your mind, & truly convinced that this is the right thing to do, given your own unique set of circumstances.
The trouble starts when we're overtaken by the illusion that there's only one right answer. One right way to do things, & we own the only key to it. This illusion traps us in a closed loop. And we find ourselves tempted to judge & prosecute others, when they dare see different angles.

So here's my own personal statement:
I don't care who or what you support, as long as you have clear & strong reasons for why you support them. As long as you're opinion is based on constant, deep, & dynamic knowledge & thought, you have my respect (or at least a reasonable minimum amount of it).

On the Walls We Hide Behind ..

2011-09-16T02:00:00.000+02:00

So there's this huge wall; all the way up on a mountain summit somewhere. It's there to test how determined the climbers are to get there.
Those discouraged by the mere sight of it from afar, get no consolation. Only the disappointment of failing to try, & losing what they never had.
Those who stand outside calling for permission to get in, get to be respected for respecting the sanctity of the place. But it might take a while, to locate the door.
Those who ditch waiting, & simply make cracks & walk straight in, are gems to keep forever. They get all the benefits of 1st class citizens.

أروح أدوَّر.. أروح أدوَّر

2011-09-07T00:51:00.000+02:00

I keep looking for who I really am, everywhere, anywhere.
In the mirror.. I try to decipher what that demented look on my face might mean.
And I'm pretty sure I've taken every personality test under the sun.
And the moment I find any indication of who that elusive persona might be,
I hang onto it like my very existence depends on it.

bla33!

2011-09-05T23:52:00.000+02:00

You really need to stop this pathetic whirlpool of stupidity.
Learn to close doors behind you, so your ghosts won't catch up with you through them.
And for God's sake stop.. JUST STOP!
You really don't care, do you?

Message Received!

2011-09-03T22:14:00.000+02:00

Thanks for the tiny nudge.
I appreciate that it's tiny, & that it was only a nudge.
Thank You. =)

Blessed..

2011-08-31T02:00:00.000+02:00

This feast began with a friendly stranger's greeting & wishes of a good time.
And somehow, despite the rough circumstances the day had started off with, my feast-spirit stuck with me through most of the day. For some reason, instead of oversleeping & losing heart at the first signs of conflict, I remained calmly content & even enthusiastic about the day.
And even though I didn't carry out all my feast traditions, & the ones I stuck with were not carried out the usual way, new traditions have been established (or so I hope).
Maybe this is an illusion, or maybe it's a rare moment of serenity.
All I know is that I'm thankful for everything about today, as well as the last month.

الحمد لله حمداً كثيراً

يا الله

2011-08-22T22:27:00.003+02:00

اللَّهمَّ اجعلنا مِمَّن يشتاقون إلَيّْك، فيسعَون إلَيّْك.

Consistency..

2011-08-08T23:24:00.001+02:00

It's really nice, when you promise yourself you're going to do something,
& then actually follow through on that promise.
It's really nice, when you lead by example.
It's really nice, when you speak through action.

Nice, but rare, unfortunately.

On another note..

2011-08-08T00:13:00.000+02:00

This incredibly short, yet, truly captivating music mini clip leaves me with a weird sense of yearning to something unknown.
I hate that movie!
---
A longer version on the piano.

The Balance of It All..

2011-08-07T23:00:00.000+02:00

You need a shoulder.. you can't find one.
You get it together.. you find a shoulder.
You find a shoulder.. you can't fully lean on it.

You convince yourself that ignoring it will make it go away..
(I don't think you need me to tell you how stupid & pathetic that theory is.)

Oh, who are we kidding?!
What's the point?

Win!

2011-08-06T15:41:00.000+02:00

I have nothing to whine about today.
Or at least, I don't feel like whining about the stuff,
that's worth whining about.
And that alone is a HUGE blessing.
الحمد لله

بلا ولا شي

2011-08-04T21:51:00.000+02:00

I have nothing to say to you.
Nothing nice or decent, anyway.
Thank you for this.. along with everything else.

Blogging for Somalia

2011-07-28T21:11:00.000+02:00

Scene 1:
- Carrefour/Metro/Spinneys (or any other hyper market)
- One can barely place their feet on the ground without stepping onto someone else's foot or bumping into an overloaded cart of food supplies.
- You ponder whether to get coke or pepsi or schweppes.. which brand of tea or coffee to buy.. what type of cheese.. and don't forget the chips, candy, & what not.

Scene 2:
- I'm lying motionless on bed, trying to distract myself from the churning sounds going on somewhere in my stomach. It feels like it's being twisted & turned inside out. Why doesn't the sun set already?!
- Sunset mercifully arrives & with the first call of "ALLAHo Akbar" I down a full glass of cool water in one gulp, & start to marvel at what to eat.
I'm so pleased with myself for having managed one day of fasting in this hot, sticky weather.

Scene 3:
- A news broadcast.
A video footage of what could pass as comic stick figures, had it not been for the anchor's voice over stating that these are Somali children, dying of starvation.
"Wait.." I do a mental double take "this is recent footage?! Of real human beings?! These are actual children?!"
-------
- A Fact:
"This has happened before"
- Correction:
"it 'happenS' all the time!"

And yet nobody has figured out a 'Sustainable', long term solution for this, almost, constant water shortage yet?! I thought we were in the age of science here!

In fact, I could swear we studied how salt water can be distilled to produce drinkable water..
And that's not it.
This very procedure can actually save money, & produce energy (steam).
So how come nobody has thought of gathering donations for that kind of project, rather than just begging for food?!
The answer is loud & clear:
"Simply because then Somalia would actually stop needing outside help, wouldn't it?"
-------
On the bright side:
You & I can help. For now, they need food supplies.
Donate any amount of money you can, it will help.
Medical associations, & other aid organizations are collecting donations as you read these lines. Get in contact with someone, & ask how you can help.

But on the long run, we need to start pushing for a more effective solution.

If you have scientific knowledge on how water distillation can work, your "ZThakah" on that knowledge is to put it to good use, where it's needed.
And to share that knowledge with those who can apply it, where you can't go.
If you have money for donation, channel part of it to support such projects of sustainable development.

Let me conclude with a prayer;
May you be spared the pain of starvation & thirst.
And, also, may you never have to watch someone die because you can't help them, while those who can just sit there, & watch.

Paralysis..

2011-07-28T04:44:00.000+02:00

Your original illusions of who you're meant to be are, now, gone.

Possibilities are endless. All you have to do is start somewhere.

So what are you really afraid of?
Are you more scared of eliminating possibilities, or of multiplying them?

Yes, it's hard, when your mind automatically pictures all possible scenarios for the flow of events.
When you're used to focusing on the future, it's never easy to force your mind to stay in the now.
The vertigo that results from the time-zone difference between both worlds is rather unsettling.
Walking blind is NOT fun for control freaks, like you.

Just try getting into something, without calculating ten steps ahead, for once.

To "Fall" in Love..

2011-07-15T15:33:00.000+02:00

Well, I don't think it can be anything but a "fall"...

It's not a "leap".
Because a leap is a decision, while a fall is an accident.
You don't plan a fall.
You don't intend to fall.
Hell, you don't even want to fall!
It just happens, despite your best efforts to avoid it.

It's not a "jump", either.
A jump is purposeful, forceful & swift.
A fall, however, simply answers the call of gravity.
You can't direct a fall, once you've started falling.
It'll take you wherever it pleases.
And there's nothing you can do about it,
but twirl & spin in the air, before you hit the ground.
You can only hope that something, or someone will break your fall,
before your fall breaks you.

Yep.. it's definitely a fall.

مَن أنتُم؟

2011-07-15T15:18:00.000+02:00

هناك سؤال طالما استمتعت بطرحه على الأصدقاء و مراقبة النتائج التي نصل إليها: "ما هو أقصى عدد لطرق استخدم (...) -شيء ما-؟" يبدأ الجميع في التناوب على تمثيل استخدام -واقعي أو افتراضي هزلي- للشيء المعني، و كلّما امتدّت اللعبة اضطررنا لِمَطّ خيالنا أكثر فأكثر، حتى ننتهي إلى ابتكار استخدامات مُختَلَّة عقليّاً، و لكنّها -على الأقل- مُبهِجة و مُبتكرة، كما أن التمرين الذِهني الذي أنتَج هذه الأفكار ممتع بِحَق.

و لكنّي لن أُحَدِّثكم عن متعة الـ"قلش البنّاء" هُنا، أُريد فقط أن أُنَوِّه عن مدى عُمق التأمُّل المطلوب للوصول إلى هذا العدد الرائع من الاستخدامات المُحتَمَلَة؛ فالمرء يجب أن "يعرف" الأداة حق المعرفة حتى يُجيد استخدامها و توظيفها كما يحلو له.

و ينطبق نفس المنطق على توظيف الموارد البشرية، فلكل فرد منّا قدرات و مواهب يمكن أن تُوَظَّف لخدمة المجتمع، و لكن إن لم نأخذ الوقت الكافي لاستكشاف من حولنا -على اختلاف توَجُّهاتهم الدينية و السياسية و غيرها من الميول- مهما اختلفنا معهم في الآراء و القناعات لن نُحَقِّق الاستفادة القُصوى منهم.

إن أردت أن تصنع مجتمع مدني قوي و مُوَحَّد عليك أولاً أن تفتح أبواب التعارف و الاستكشاف لشركائك في هذا الوطن، لا من منظور القاضي الذي يُصدِر الأحكام و إنَّما من منظور الطفل الذي يدفعه الفضول و حب المعرفة لمراقبة كل ما يدور حوله و التعلُّم بالتجربة.

Love it when that happens!

2011-07-13T00:54:00.000+02:00

I was debating with myself, whether to spend the evening watching "The Holiday". And then I turned on the TV to find that exact movie running. It's super awesome when that happens. :D

الطفل المُعجِزة

2011-07-09T02:28:00.000+02:00

يقف مستنداً إلى الحائط القابع في ركن الصورة

يرقب بقِيَّة الأطفال من خلف نظّارته بعدساتها المُرَبَّعَة

يضحك من هذا و يضحك مع ذاك

ينهر هذا و ينبهر بذاك

ينتقى رفقته بعناية و يتبادل معهم النكات التي لا يفهمها سواهم

يتحدَّث عن روعته و ذكائه باستمرار

و لا يزعزع ثقته في نفسه أي إنكار من الآخرين

فهو يؤمن من كل قلبه أنه يمتلك قوى خارقة

و إن صدقنا القول هو لم يجانبه كل الصواب في ذلك

.....

Enneagram Test Results

2011-07-04T19:26:00.002+02:00

You are most likely a type 5.
Taking wings into account, you seem to be a 5w4.

No personality test is completely accurate. Although several measures were taken to make this test as accurate as possible, there's always a chance that you are not typed correctly by it. Therefore, when deciding which Enneagram type and wing you are, you might also want to consider the types with the highest test scores on the lists below.

(Note that your lowest scores may be omitted.)

Type 5 - 12.3
Type 7 - 11
Type 4 - 10
Type 9 - 8
Type 6 - 8
Type 3 - 6.3

Wing 5w4 - 17.3
Wing 5w6 - 16.3
Wing 4w5 - 16.2
Wing 7w6 - 15
Wing 6w5 - 14.2
Wing 6w7 - 13.5
Wing 4w3 - 13.2
Wing 7w8 - 13
Wing 3w4 - 11.3
Wing 9w8 - 10
Wing 3w2 - 9
Wing 9w1 - 8.4

------

You can take the test here.

Time-out..

2011-07-04T18:28:00.000+02:00

I'm not sure if this state is due to my need for time-out, or due to me having been there for too long..
But I do know I'm uninspired, and uninterested in my life's current events. Let alone the stuff going on elsewhere in the world.
I need to recoil into my bubble.

Stupid!

2011-07-04T00:05:00.000+02:00

But.. I thought this, specific, effect had worn out!
Turns out I was wrong. :D

Pathetic, really! :Y

he3..

2011-07-02T15:48:00.000+02:00

I can remember a time or two when this applied.

World Savior Syndrome

2011-06-28T00:47:00.000+02:00

An Intense wave of self loathing washes over me,
as I reflect on all the promises I'm bound to break.
And I'm left debating whether it'd be better to give my victims an early warning,
or to wait until I'm just unable to carry on with the pretense any further.

In both cases I'll have betrayed their trust,
but in the latter, I won't have to look them in the eye,
when they realize I'm not coming through for them.

And although the former is probably the decent thing to do
(or the least indecent, to be more accurate),
part of me keeps hoping that if I put off that confession long enough,
I'll eventually be forced to keep my word.

Ultimately, the lesson I need to learn
(but can't quite seem to get my head around),
is knowing when to say "No."

God, help me.. please!

Close Your Eyes.. & Keep Your Mind Wide Open! (*)

2011-06-27T14:36:00.000+02:00

In condemning them, you're doing the very things you judge them for.
You disconnect from reality, & hide away from the truth.
But it will find you, & expose you for the hypocrite you are.
Get some time out.. rethink everything you've set as a constant.
You'd be surprised by how many of those constants are actually variables.

(*) Title quoted from the movie "Bridge to Terabithia".

اللهم اجعلنا و أحبابنا من هؤلاء

2011-06-24T20:42:00.000+02:00

عن عمر بن الخطّاب -رضي الله عنه-: قال رسول الله -صلّى الله عليه و سلّم:

"إن من عباد الله ناساً ما هم بأنبياء و لا شهداء، يغبطهم الأنبياء و الشهداء يوم القيامة بمكانهم من الله".

قالوا: "يا رسول الله فخبّرنا: من هم؟"

قال: "هم قوم تحابّوا بروح الله، على غير أرحام بينهم، لا يخافون إذا خاف الناس و لا يحزنون إذا حزن الناس."

و قرأ: <ألا إنَّ أولِياءَ الله لا خَوْفٌ عليهِم ولا هم يَحزَنون> [يونس:62]

المصدر: أبو داوُد

Ain't that a Kick in the Head.. (*)

2011-06-22T04:27:00.000+02:00

Why do all good ideas come when you've just gotten cozy in bed?!
Well, technically this one has been lurking around for a couple of days, now.
But that's beside the point.

The point is, I think I found something that I'd lost way back. And the funny thing is I'd convinced myself it was irrelevant, & simply turned my back on it. Only to stumble on it in the most unlikely of places. Just when I'd set my course in a whole other direction.

I'm not making any sense, am I?

All I know is, I found a dream by coincidence.
I've stumbled on a purpose that's tailored, specifically, for me.
And I have a dept to pay... more like knowledge taxes.
So, for now, I know what I need to do.
I can no longer see ten steps ahead, & it's not that scary, anymore.
And, hopefully, I won't lose this particular heading too soon.

---
(*) Title of a sixties song by Dean Martin.

~Copied~

2011-06-19T13:43:00.000+02:00

A paragraph that I liked from this blog :

"I believe in sleeping in. I believe in giving 100% when you only have 80%. I believe in jamming out by yourself in the car. I believe in kisses on the forehead. I believe in smiling until your cheeks hurt. I believe that you can have just as much fun sober. i believe in taking chances and making mistakes. i believe in having someone tell you that you're beautiful. i believe in swinging on swings and running in the rain. i believe in miracles and random acts of kindness. i believe in saying hello to anyone and everyone. i believe in second chances. i believe that everyone's lucky to be alive."

Too Many Mind..

2011-06-15T01:58:00.000+02:00

The following are some of my favorite quotes from a movie called "The Last Samurai"..
Every time I watch this movie, a feeling of peace engulfs me, & leaves me pensive in a sort of trance. And the selected quotes are ones that have resonated with me over & over again, every time.

Nathan Algren: [narrating] They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seem such discipline. I am surprised to learn that the word Samurai means, 'to serve', and that Katsumoto believes his rebellion to be in the service of the Emperor.
--
Katsumoto: The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.
--
Nobutada: Please forgive, too many mind.
Nathan Algren: Too many mind?
Nobutada: Hai. Mind the sword, mind the people watch, mind the enemy, too many mind... [pause] No mind.
--
Katsumoto: You believe a man can change his destiny?
Nathan Algren: I think a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed.
--

Cerebral Chaos..

2011-06-07T00:10:00.001+02:00

I officially announce a state of identity crisis.
Brace yourselves kids. We're in for high tides.

Now line up here, quickly.

You..
What are you doing next to this one?
Your place is in between those two.

And where's the clown?
Yes, come here clown.
You stay by the surface.
Distract any outsider that comes by..
I don't know how, you nincompoop!
Just keep them entertained so they won't ask too many questions.
Make sure no one can figure out what the rest of us are up to, down here.

As for the rest you;
You'll have to fight for a seat in the control room.
The winner gets to be captain.. until I get bored of 'em, that is.

Now fight, damn it!

Spoof Remakes of Reality

2011-05-30T23:44:00.001+02:00

As you sit there, snatching at your eyelashes, you tell yourself you're being delusional again.
You know that convincing yourself it's just a fling never really works.
If anything, it makes you go forward, full throttle.
You're simply too stubborn to be swayed by a warning.
Especially if that warning is based on thorough experience.
So, you resign to the decision of going with the flow till the flow's gone.
Ofcourse, you're secretly hoping it'll be different this time around.
But that's beside the point.

How My Dreams They Spin Me 'Round (*)

2011-05-30T20:39:00.000+02:00

I think, at this point, I'm ready to sell my soul to find the route to take;
The purpose of my existence, & the best way to fulfill it.

Ironic, I know.

I mean..
if I'm going to sell my soul in order to find the route to fulfilling my purpose,
that probably means I won't have the human capacity to take that route once I find it.
Because, then, I simply wouldn't care about fulfilling my life's purpose anymore.
I'd just be interested in wasting my life away chasing mundane worldly pleasures, wouldn't I?

GAAAAA..

(*) The title is quoted from the lyrics of "And Then You" - for Greg Laswell

Illusive Purpose..

2011-05-30T00:25:00.001+02:00

At some point in your life,
you'll be asked to come forth with your contribution to the world.
You'll be expected to bring something of value.
Something, that means something to someone other than yourself.
What will that be?

Note that you can't smile & wave your way out of that situation.

Trying to Stop the Rain..

2011-05-29T14:10:00.002+02:00

They keep saying you're broken.
That you need to be fixed.

While I can see you're hurt.
You just need to heal.
But you can't heal if you don't want to.

I can't tell you the truth if you won't listen.
So I'll just try, & record it here.
Just in case I'd forgotten the words, by the time you're ready to hear them:

You are loved.
You are cared about.
You are very important to me,
and to many close to you.
YOU MATTER.

The person you hate the most right now, is & has been your biggest alley.
And they love you no matter what.
They even love you, when you least deserve it.
They even love you, when you hate their guts.
They even love you, while you hurt them, & scratch their faces.

You're focusing on the wrong reasons for your suffering.
And in that you're multiplying your pain.
Because you already know you're being unfair to yourself.

You feel worthy of judgement & disdain.
And that's why you see those things in everything the people around you say.
But what they're really trying to do, is help you..
They want you to avoid unnecessary agony.
But they're going all wrong about it.

I want to heal you.
I want to step in, & save the day, like I've always tried.
But there really isn't much I can do for you now.
YOU are the only one, who can get you through this.

So until you decide you want to heal, all I can do is pray.

And my most urgent prayer is that you recover from your grief over one loss,
before you have to grieve over another.

On Being a Puppet Master..

2011-05-27T00:48:00.001+02:00

It's like playing chess with yourself.
Only the pieces are real people.

The beauty of this solo game is that you get to be both sides.
You also get to be in between.

You get to lose yourself on the way.
Don't worry, you get to find it again.
It's actually quite liberating.
You should try it some time.

The trick is to passionately care about them,
while managing not to care too much.

Confusing.. I know.

It gets easier, though. Trust me.
You'll soon be able to do it without even thinking.
Reading minds is a bonus, but it takes a lot of practice.
---

The Probabiliy of Imposibility

2011-05-27T00:30:00.000+02:00

It's always been a 50-50 chance for you & me.
And we can stand on our heads as much as we want,
but that won't change the numbers.

I made up a thousand stories,
where we lived all spectra of adventures.
They were all in my head, & they were amazing.
So amazing that reality could never catch up with 'em.

Yeah, we're fun.
We're cool..
Too cool to stay warm.

We'd always be at arms length from one another.
But we'd never attempt to actually reach out to each other.

And that's the fun of it.
It's also the curse of us.

Told you it's a 50-50 situation, didn't I?

I'll meet you on the second half of one hundred.
---

A What If Moment..

2011-05-23T03:26:00.000+02:00

Okay, so maybe I do wonder sometimes what it might've been like if I didn't say no.
What it would've been like if I just said the truth when you asked me those questions.

It never ceases to amaze me how impossible it can be to just say what you mean.
How your tongue always seems to shuffle straight to the opposite of what your brain just ordered it to say.

سؤال واحد .. صبح السؤال مليون

2011-05-22T23:45:00.001+02:00

طب مين أنا؟

و ليه؟

و فين؟

و ازاي يكون الكلام عنّي لكن ماهوش منّي؟

Whah?

2011-05-17T17:39:00.000+02:00

THIS
describes what I've been trying to say .

Psychobabble..

2011-05-14T22:26:00.000+02:00

It's like, at any given moment, there are two of me..arguing non-stop.
One's "Will", & she's constantly begging & pleading with "Won't" to do stuff.
But "Won't" has other plans. And she's a thick skinned, apathetic, bully.
She always gets her way.

That bitch!

Gumption (The Holiday)

2011-05-11T15:54:00.000+02:00

A Hanz Zimmer piece from "The Holiday"

This particular track "Gumption" includes themes that were
'supposedly' written for specific characters in the movie's storyline.

And I'm sharing it because I think the idea of composing music themes for people is very cute. :D

YouTube - 21- Gumption (The Holiday)
- Sent using Google Toolbar

Iris's Theme - The Holiday

2011-05-11T14:49:00.000+02:00

This is one of my most favorite romantic scenes ever. :D

IMDb Video: The Holiday

- Sent using Google Toolbar

The Sorceress

2011-05-08T01:35:00.000+02:00

Experienced in all matters of the heart, & soul.
Sorcery is just the tip of the iceberg here.

She learned to read minds long before she knew that magic existed.
And she mastered healing charms first thing once she got into the business.

She can make you smile.
She can flood you with sweet memories.
She can give you love when you most need it.
And she can provide you with inspiration for your best works.

You're still wondering how she does it, aren't you?
Don't you see?!

It's M.A.G.I.C.!

Overkill

2011-04-27T05:27:00.000+02:00

Ever notice how horrific news seems to spread faster than wild fire?
Or how the extremely crazy, or dangerous, or stupid stuff is so popular?
Or how everything that gets featured in the media gets melodramatically airbrushed?

We seem to have developed a taste for the shocking & the extreme.
Kind of like bugs are attracted to shiny lights.
We've become addicted to the "WOW!" moments & the adrenaline-rush.
When it comes to public figures, they're either saints or demons, heroes or villains.

So are we a bunch of adrenaline junkies, or just a little too melodramatic?

Identity

2011-04-25T01:38:00.000+02:00

"I'm the dude, playin' the dude, disguised as another dude."
~ Robert Downey Jr. in 'Tropic Thunder'

That's exactly how I feel right now!

My Best Friend's Big Party

2011-04-24T14:53:00.000+02:00

Watching them come down the stairs, & realizing it's all for real, brought back the memory of someone who was supposed to have been there. And that stray memory, dragged out all the rest of 'em. And along with them, came the tears. Bitter-sweet, melancholy, empathetic, & I would say happy but I don't know that, yet. All I know is that it's going to take me a while to fully understand & adjust. I can't be happy about it until I know for sure it's working out properly, & that hasn't been verified so far.
But I do hope it does turn out fine, for everyone's sake.

YouTube - I Was Here - Lady Antebellum (Brice Williams)

2011-04-24T13:45:00.000+02:00

YouTube - I Was Here - Lady Antebellum (Brice Williams): "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Open Letter

2011-04-20T02:47:00.000+02:00

I miss my friend.
I miss talking to you for hours at a time.
I miss the days when our friendship was more than an empty shell.
Or is it us, our souls, that have been petrified?

I know you're in that dark place right now.
The cave that you crawl into, whenever something scars you too deeply.
You've locked yourself in it, & you won't let anyone within a mile's radius of you.
I also know you're pushing everyone away; quite skillfully, I might add.
You've managed to either scare them off, or discourage their hopeless attempts to keep you in their lives.

It even works with me every now & then.
But then I realize that this act of yours is a silent scream of pain.
Pain so intense, that the only way you can handle it is to force your soul into a coma.
And living in emotional limbo doesn't sit well with us humans.
Especially the ones, who run mainly on passion & dreams.

I know that because I've been there.
And I still go there, too often.
I know it sucks to be there.
But I also know that you, & only you, can pull yourself out.
So, I'll just have to wait here, until you do.

Did I tell you I missed you?

Does it ever end?

2011-04-18T20:23:00.000+02:00

You're out there, I know that .. I always have.
It's the question of whether you're closer than I've originally anticipated, that keeps me paralyzed with uncertainty.
Or maybe I'm either too proud, or too stupid to see you for who you really are.

Is that why it constantly feels like I'm chasing a laser beam?
And every time I think I have it in my hands it leaps out again.
Not necessarily out of reach, just out of my hands.
It takes me a while to recover from the sense of loss & confusion.
And then I take a while longer to locate, & aim for that elusive red dot once more.
And then it starts all over again.

ترسُّبات

2011-04-17T23:30:00.000+02:00

فقدت ثقتي في وسائل الإعلام المصرية عامة و المحلّية خاصة

أصبحت أنتظر أن يناقد المتحدّث نفسه في أي محادثة

أعتدت أن تعود ظواهر عقيمة و غير ذات معنى للساحة كل "موسم" و أن تثير نفس الضجّة و البلبلة في كل مرة

ثبت لي أن الجلف الذي يسبّك لوجهك أفضل مائة مرة من ال"ذوق" الذي ينتقدك في غيابك

و أيقنت أنه لن يصيبنا إلا ما كتب الله لنا فاطمأن قلبي

الحمد لله حمداً كثيراً =)

2011-04-16T21:49:00.000+02:00

Getting over a month's reader's block.
Finishing work early & enjoying a few unexpected laughs.
Connecting with a few strangers.
Book shopping for a birthday gift.
Stumbling onto long lost book titles when you least expect it.
Writing heartfelt birthday wishes for a complete stranger.
Running into friends coincidentally.
A friend sharing very sweet memories, from an especially treasured spot in time.
It's a conspiracy to make my heart smile.
Ha3.. I'm onto you!

Molten Lava..

2011-04-15T13:55:00.000+02:00

As a matter of fact I do have plenty to say about everything going on around.
And it doesn't include many kind words.
I'm just not angry enough, yet.
Stay tuned.

Epitaph

2011-04-14T23:01:00.000+02:00

Here lies one who wasted her life waiting for life to happen.
She was romantic to the extent that nothing was good enough.
She was so cynical, that should she end up with the fairytale she dreamed of all her life,
she'd never believe it was real.
She spent too much time day dreaming, & too little time going after her dreams.
She's a cautionary tale, so be warned.
---

I've got to get "24" off repeat!

" I Was Made for You* "

2011-04-04T21:33:00.001+02:00

Somewhere beneath all of this complication & entanglement, there's a simple storyline.
You can deny it all you want, but deep inside you know the truth.
And whether you like it or not,
you'll forever remain lost until you acknowledge all the parts of you,
that you've been hiding down there.

"All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true... I was made for you"

Falling is inevitable.
Stumbling is how you learn to glide smoothly.
Sometimes your song will die on the tip of your tongue.
You'll lose heart, & you'll lose the will to try; You'll run out of energy, & come to a stop.

"I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you
Because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you"

If you're lucky, however, someone will come along & recharge your faith.
And every time you put up a wall, they'll tear it down to get through to you.
If you're lucky..
And if you pay it forward.

"You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what
I've been through like you do
And I was made for you..."

*The quoted song is "The Story" by Brandi Carlile.
You can listen to it HERE.

Something's Wrong with this Picture!

2011-04-03T13:15:00.000+02:00

Okay, I have neither the time nor the energy to arrange this elegantly,
so I'm just gonna go ahead & spill my mind out;

You my friend are making a big mistake.
You are in way over your head.
You have a serious amount of growing up to do.
You are being an utter jerk.
You need to be very careful where you go next.
You should be institutionalized for your psychosis.
And You .. I have nothing to say to you.. You're just .. stupid!

No, I'm not talking to the same "You" in all of those statements,
& You (reader) shouldn't bother trying to figure out which "You" is whom;
That would be a total waste of very precious time.

And now I am out.

Post-Trauma..

2011-03-25T00:46:00.000+02:00

It's easy to live in denial;
To avoid the people & the things
that expose your scars,
& bring back painful memories.

It's easy to mistake denial for a cure;
To fool yourself into believing you're healed,
just because everything's quiet again.

But the truth is,
being in denial is nothing but living in limbo;
An emotional coma,
that leaves you distant from everyone & everything;
A mental cage,
keeping you away from anything that could bring you true happiness.

It's easy to lie about being okay;
To pretend you give a damn about things & people,
while all you really want is for everything & everyone to leave you alone..
to allow you to just disappear.

What denial doesn't allow you to see,
is that you're not alone.
And that help is at arm's reach
if you decide to get over your stupid ego
& accept it.

If only you would..

---

عن القِطَط العَمياء..

2011-03-23T21:24:00.000+02:00

يبدو أن الجميع صار -بين ليلة و ضحاها- فقيهاً في
كل من الاقتصاد و السياسة و علم الاجتماع معاً،
بل و يبدو أيضاً أن الجميع اكتسب القدرة
على التنبُّؤ بأدَق تفاصيل المستقبل،
يبدو أن الثورة أصابتنا بنوع من الصدمات العصبية
التي توَلِّد لدى المصابين بها قوى خارقة،
و إن كان هذا ما حدث فعلاً فأتمنَّى
أن أكون ممَّن وُهِبوا القدرة على الطيران
لأن الزحام في القاهرة صار لا يطاق بحق!

أعلم أننا بحاجة لمقدار لا بأس به من الوقت لنستوعب
آليّات التعايش في مناخ حُر مليء بالاختيارات المتنوِّعة،
لا بد من بعض التَخَبُّط و التوهان و الباذنجان
قبل الوصول لنقطة التأقلم و الانطلاق في الاتجاه الأصَح،
و أقول "الأصَحّْ" لأننا لم نعد مضطرّين أن نختار ما بين السيِّء و الأسوأ،
الآن أصبح هناك نطاق أوسع من الاختيارات بكل ألوانها،
و في أغلب نقاط التحوُّل القادمة لن تكون هناك إجابة نموذجية مُوَحَّدة لنا جميعاً،
و على من يبتَغي راحة البال و روقان الدماغ
أن يأخذ جنب و يعزف عن المشاركة السياسية،
و لكن لِيَعْلَم أنه بالعزوف عن المشاركة
يتخَلَّى عن حقه في الاعتراض على قرارات المسئولين
أو الشكوى من صعوبة أكل العيش في البلد.

و إن كان يريد الاحتفاظ بهذا الحق -أي حق المواطن-
فعليه أن يجتهد في التفكير الموضوعي و وزن جميع البدائل قبل اتخاذ قراره،
لنَتَخَلَّص من عادة التصديق الأعمى لرأي من نتوَسّم فيهم الثقة أو العلم أو الرَوشَنَة،
و لنُدَرِّب عقولنا و أنفسنا على تحَرّي الأدِلّة و البراهين أولاً،
فلنتّفِق على أنه ليست هناك طرق مختصرة للحرِيَّة،
و أنّه لا يوجد مِنَّا -نحن البشر- من يُصيب أو يُخطئ على طول الخط،
و من ثَمَّ فلا داعي أن نَطبِق في زُمَّارة من يرى غير الذي نراه،
فالاختلاف -و حتى التضاد- بين الآراء نعمة و مَوْرِد قَيِّم،
من أحسن توظيفه نجح، و من يحاول فرض رأيه على الجميع يفشل و لو بعد حين.

A tribute to those who helped shape our culture..

2011-03-06T19:11:00.000+02:00

كانوا فى التحرير

بقلم عمر طاهر ٥/ ٣/ ٢٠١١

هل ستصدقنى إذا قلت لك إننى خلال الـ«١٨ يوم بتوع الثورة» التقيت فى التحرير بكثيرين لم أكن أتوقع أن أراهم هناك؟ رأيت مجدى مهنا يطالب الشباب بالثبات على موقفهم ويدعم مطلبه بكشف أسرار لم نكن نعرفها عن فساد النظام السابق، رأيت يوسف شاهين يتفحص وجوه الثوار لاختيار واحد يصلح بطلا لفيلمه الجديد «هيه ثورة»، رأيت الكابتن ثابت البطل يدير أحد مداخل الميدان ويقوم بنفسه بتفتيش المارين إلى الداخل، رأيت عاطف الطيب يتأمل شاباً ثورياً أسمر انسالت دموعه تأثرا بإحدى الأغنيات الوطنية التى كانت تبثها إذاعة الميدان، رأيته يقترب من هذا الشاب ليصافحه ويحتضنه، ثم رأيته يبتسم عندما اكتشف أن هذا الشاب هو أحمد زكى.

رأيت الدكتور محمد السيد سعيد يراجع مع الثوار بيانهم الأول ويعيد ترتيب المطالب حسب أهميتها، رأيت محمود السعدنى يشرح لشلة من الأولاد والبنات الأخطاء التى وقعت فيها ثورة يوليو حتى يتفادوها فى الأيام المقبلة، رأيت بليغ حمدى وقد انتحى جانبا بعوده يضبط أوتاره وإلى جواره فؤاد حداد يملى عليه كلمات أغنية جديدة تقول «ولا شهيد إلا وتمنى.. لو إنه شاعر ثم لو غنى»، ثم توقفا فجأة عندما بدأ السيد النقشبندى يؤذن لصلاة العصر، ظل الشيخ الغزالى والشيخ الشعراوى (يتعازموا مين اللى يصلى بالناس) حتى اقترب أذان المغرب فأم الجميع سليمان خاطر، صلينا فى حماية د.يونان لبيب رزق الذى ما إن فرغت الصلاة حتى عاد لجمع شهادات الشباب لتوثيق الثورة.

بعدها رأيت سعاد حسنى تقوم بإعداد ساندويتشات الجبن والحلاوة للمتظاهرين وإلى جوارها جمال حمدان يشرح لها كيف تجلى الجزء المشرق فى الشخصية المصرية داخل حدود الميدان، على مقربة منهما كان العالم سليم حسن يقف حراسة على المتحف المصرى.

رأيت الكاتب محمود عوض ود.عبدالوهاب المسيرى وهما يؤلفان بين وجهات نظر الطوائف السياسية المختلفة الموجودة فى الميدان، والفنان محيى اللباد يرسم على وجوه الأطفال علم مصر بطريقته وعلى مقربة منه أسامة أنور عكاشة يدخن على باب خيمته ويضع لمساته الأخيرة على الحلقة الأولى من مسلسله الجديد «ليالى التحرير»، وفى الخيمة المجاورة كان الشاعر الفلسطينى محمود درويش يحل ضيفا على رجاء النقاش وقد استلقيا على أقفيتهما من الضحك بينما علاء ولى الدين يحكى لهما عن مغامراته مع الأمن المركزى فى جمعة الغضب.

وحده كان د.مصطفى محمود يجلس شاردا يشاركه التأمل فى صمت نصر حامد أبوزيد، لم يقطع صفوهما سوى صوت صلاح جاهين وقد التف حوله الشباب يغنون «واللى هيبعد من الميدان عمره ما هيبان فى الصورة»

لا تصدقنى.. هه؟ مش مشكلة، يكفينى أننى قد اقتسمت متعة مراقبة هؤلاء الكبار فى صحبة صديق أحبه اسمه.. خالد سعيد.

omertaher@yahoo.com

I loved it =)

2011-03-03T20:04:00.000+02:00

Butterfly Circus - Inspiring short film

مصري أصلي «2» | الدستور

2011-03-02T13:58:00.000+02:00

مصري أصلي «2» | الدستور: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

مصري أصلي «1» | الدستور

2011-03-02T13:57:00.000+02:00

مصري أصلي «1» | الدستور: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

To Be Honest..

2011-03-01T02:03:00.000+02:00

Something is, definitely, missing!
Actually, it's not just one thing; it's more like a whole, big, chunk of things.

This numbness isn't good.
And you & I both know there's a massive breakdown lurking just beyond the horizon.

Maybe it's time to be completely honest with yourself.
Lay it all out on the table, or else allow yourself to get dragged into this whirlwind, for the hundredth time.

"Wake up number 37"*
----
*From the movie "Mothman Prophecies".

"القرد عمره ما هيسيب الموزة" *

2011-02-16T15:22:00.000+02:00

أنا عايزة أقول لكم على كام حاجة مهمَّة:

-رشفة سريعة من كوب الشاي الأخضر بالياسمين..**-

كنت بقول إيه؟
آه.. اسمعوا واعوا عشان مش بحب أكرر كلامي كتير..
و أعتذر مقدّماً على استخدام العاميّة في الكتابة

نبدأ بقصة القرد -أو القرود بمعنى أدق- عشان أنا شخصيّاً بحبّها قوي:
يُحكى أنه أُجرِيَت تجربة علمية على مجموعة من القِرَدة..
عملوا إيه بقى في القردة دوول؟
وضعوهم في قفص كبير -عشان يدوهم مجال يلعبوا و كده-
و علّقولهم حبة موز حلوين من سقف القفص..
بس كان في مفاجأة غير سارّة في انتظار أي قرد -زنديق- يحاول يوصل للموز،
كل ما قرد ييجي ياخد موزة يترش على كل القرود ميّة و يتكهربوا
-الكهربة دي فتوى من عندي لزوم الإثارة و التشويق- ،
و بتكرار الحركة دي بقت القرود من نفسها بتضرب أي واحد -زنديق- منهم
يتهَفّ في نفوخه و تسوّل له نفسه انه يروح ناحية الموز.

العلماء شالوا واحد من القرود و حطّوا مكانه قرد جديد و بريء و ساذج،
و طبعاً بسذاجته -أو بالفطرة السليمة لأي قرد-
راح على الموز عشان ياخدله واحدة،
و طبعاً بقيت القرود -المتعوِّدة..(دااايماً)- ضربوه العلقة التمام،
و فضل العلماء يبدِّلوا قرد ورا التاني من اللي في القفص
لحد ما كل سكان القفص الأصليين اتبدّلوا بجيل جديد
من القرود اللي ما شافتش أيام الميّة و الكهربة.

و وُجِد أن عادة ضرب أي قرد -زنديق- يجرؤ
على محاولة الوصول إلى الموز مستمرّة بنفس صورتها.
----------

بنظرة سريعة لأحداث هذا الشهر و الوقت الراهن،
نجد أن نفس النمط السلوكي يظهر في مجتمعنا بصورة مُخذِيَة،
طب عل الأقل القرود لم ينعم عليها الله بربع اللي أنعم بيه على جنس بني آدم،
عذرنا احنا إيه بقى؟ ها؟ ولا كلمة.. ما سمعش نفس!!
(أيوَنّ أنا بتخانئ مع الهوا.. مالكُمش فيها)

رجاء نفوق من ترسّبات القمع دي و ننفضها و نعيش في الحاضر بمعطياته
و نتعامل معاها بموضوعية وفقاً للفطرة السليمة.
بغض البصر و كف اللسان عن مين بيعمل إيه في الساحة السياسية
و الإعلامية دلوقتي -و أكثره هتش بالمناسبة-،
و مين كان إيه و بقى إيه، و سواء كلنا خالد سعيد
ولّا كلنا الراجل اللي واقف ورا عمر سليمان..

النقطة الأهم هي ان رأس الأفعى انكشح،
و دلوقتي فرصتنا نبدأ إصلاح بجد بعون الله..
(هيــــه)
ركِّزوا على "نبدأ إصلاح" دي بالله عليكم.

طيب نعرّف الإصلاح بالبلدي كده عشان نكون واضحين:
"ترادف كلمة الإصلاح، "الترميم"، أي إصلاح الخَلَل الذي يصيب الشيء !!" ***
كلام سهل و بسيط جداً ..
و قال على رأي المثل؛
من لم يكن به خَلَل منّا فليحدف الناس بالحجارة..
قصدي فلينصرف حينها إلى إصلاح خُلَل الآخرين،
يعني يا ريت نسيبنا من وائل غنيم و البرادعي و الست أم فاروق دلوقتي
و خليك في بلاويك المتَلْتِلة يا كابتن.

لا أعني بالمرة الانعزال عن ما يجري حولك و الرجوع للسلبية المفرطة و اللا مبالاة
-ما هو مصر بعد 25 يناير غير مصر قبله برضه-
و لكن أعني ألّا نلتَهي بالتفاصيل التي ليست لها علاقة
مباشرة و قوية بتحقيق الهدف الأهم للمرحلة الحالية
-ألا و هو الإصلاح الجذري-
في أسرع وقت و بأعلى كفاءة ممكنة.

و بالمرة عشان خاطري اللي يجيله معلومة أو خبر ساخن
عن عمالة فلان ولا أجندة علّان يا ريت يتحقق منه،
و بما اني عارفة و متأكدة ان دي مهمة صعبة هطلب طلب سئيل بس فعلاً ضروري؛
نَفَّضوا للأخبار اللي تحت بند "إسفين" بالجملة و ربنا يعوّضكم عنها خير.

بـــَـــسّْ خــَــلاص
--------------------

* العنوان منقول عن مقولة شهيرة لمحمد حسين المهدي، صديق عزيز-أو ابن بارّ- و شخصيّة أنتيكة =)

** اكتشفت مؤخراً ان أفضل طريقة لتفادي قلبة المعدة و انت بتشرب الشاي الأخضر اللي بالياسمين انك تسد مناخيرك -و ولو ينفع ودانك كمان يبقى عظيم- و تلحق تخلّصه و هو سخن ملهلب عشان ماتحسّش بالطعم .. و غالباً مش حتحس بأي طعم تاني بعد كده بس مش قضيّتنا دلوقتي

*** التعريف اللغوي الكامل ذُكِر في هذا المقال

YouTube - اضحكوا يا ثوره

2011-02-13T15:14:00.000+02:00

YouTube - اضحكوا يا ثوره: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

loooool :D

قلبي على بَلَدِي انْفَطَر...

2011-02-04T20:14:00.000+02:00

لا أظن أن هناك ما يقال ليعبّر بدقة عن كل الخواطر و المشاعر التي تعصف بعقلي و قلبي ، يجول بنفسي مزيج معقّد من الأضداد يصعب عليّ فرزها و تصنيفها ، لذا يتعثّر علي وصفها.

قالوا قديماً أن عدواً عاقلاً خيرٌ من صديق جاهل ، و أوافقهم الرأي تماما، ذلك لأنّي على مدار سنين عمري –القصار نسبياً- رأيت من الأحداث و المواقف ما يثبت صحة هذا المبدأ بما لا يدع مجالاً للشك ، و لعل أقرب هذه الأحداث هي سلسلة المظاهرات التي اندلعت في أنحاء مصر على مدار الأسبوع الماضي و ما رافقها من ضجة و أحداث.

نظريات المؤامرة تتطاير ذهاباً و إياباً، و حفلات الردح الجماعي و الردح المضاد انتشرت في أنحاء الوطن بدلاً من النقاش الموضوعي المحترم، إشاعات تنتشر بسرعة البرق، حُروب نفسية شعواء تعتمد على غسيل المخ الدقيق بمواد شديدة الفاعلية –كصريخ المواطنين المذعورين على القنوات المحلية و الانهيارات العصبية على الهواء و الطعن في مصداقيات أي مصادر لآراء مخالفة-، و جرعات زائدة من التخريف و "الهَمْبَكَة" تهبط من كل حدبٍ و صوب.

و النتيجة أن كل المعنيين –أيّاً كانت اتجهاتهم السياسية أو مواقهم مما يحدث- تم وصفهم في مرحلة أو أخرى بالعملاء و الخوَنة أو المحرّضين على الفِتَن أو المُغَرَّر بهم و المضَلَّلين.

قليلون من أعملوا عقولهم بحيادية و موضوعية لتحليل هذه الأزمة أو في نقد الأخبار و النظريّات التي أُمطِرنا بها على مدار أكثر من 10 أيام، قليلون من استندوا إلى مراجع موَثَّقة –كالدستور المصري و التعريفات العلمية و النظريات السياسية على (سبيل المثال لا الحصر)- لِما "يفتون" به من آراء و مواقف مع أو ضد هذا الاتجاه أو ذاك، و الأقل من هؤلاء هم مَن التزموا آداب الاختلاف و الحوار و احترموا الآراء المعارضة لما يرتأون.

لعل أكثر ما آلمني في هذا كله هو العنف و التعصّب الذان سيطرا على كلاً من مؤيدي النظام و معارضيه، و لا أعني العنف الجسدي فحسب، بل الإهانات و السب و القصف و الهجوم الشخصي و التسفيه من كل رأي لا يتوافق و أهوائنا الشخصية، و هالني أن أجدنا نستمع فقط لما يثبت وجهات نظرنا المسبق تكوينها و نرفض النظر لكل ما هو دون ذلك، لم يعد هناك من يستمع للآخر، و الأدهى أنه لم يعد هناك من "ينقد" أو "يُفَكِّر" في ما يدور حولهم بعقلانية.

أظهرت الأزمة الراهنة أن هناك فقدان كبير للثقة بين كل من:

- الشعب و النظام

- الشعب و الإعلام

- الشعب و الأحزاب السياسية

- الشعب و الشعب

- الشباب و الجيل المُرَبِّي

فلا احد يثق في ممثلي أي اتجاه أو رأي مخالف، و لا أحد يثق في قدرات الآخر العقلية –سواء كان هذا الآخر يوافقه الرأى و الاتجاهات أو يختلف معه-، و لا أحد يثق في نوايا الآخر و "أجنداته" الخاصة..

حالة ذهنية لسان حالها يقول: "كلُّهُم أعدائي" ...

يا سنة سوخة!!

أحب أن أتوجّه ب"أصابع" الاتهام –و أؤكد أنا أصابع داخلية مش خارجية عشان ما تقولوش إني عميلة أو مُغَرَّر بي- إلى النظام .. أيوالله النظام، بس بتعريف أوسع شوية من نظام الحكم؛

أعني و نظام التربية المتّبع، و التعتيم..أقصد "التعليم" الذي يخرج نخبة من الصمّامين -اقتداء ب"صِمام" الأمان- اللي بيكسّلوا يفكّروا، و نظام التسفيه الذي يقمع من لا تطمر فيه التربية و تسوّل له نفسه التفكير لنفسه، و نظام "التلصيم" الذي يتبع مبدأي "من برة هالله هالله ومن جوة يعلم الله" و "مشي حالك و ربّي عيالك" الشهيرين (متعرفوهمش؟؟! أديكم عرفتوهم).. و بالطبع ساعد على ذلك فساد النظام و غياب الرقابة المستقلّة التي تقَيِّم و تقَوِّم مساره.

أرجو أن نعي جميعاً أهمية الإصلاح –للنفس و للمجتمع و للنظام- على جميع المستويات و ليس على مستوى الحُكم فقط، و أن نعلم يقيناً أن لكل منّا دوره -الذي لن يقوم به غيره- في نهضة هذا الوطن و هذه الأمّة.

رجاء:

أطلبوا و انشروا العلم..

اعملوا بما أوتيتم من علم..

اقرأوا و فكِّروا و أنقُدوا..

تَحَرّوا الصدق و الحق..

أعلم –يقيناً- الآن أن هناك الكثير من الأمل في شباب –ذكور و إناث- هذا الجيل، و قد ظهروا في أبهى حُلَلهم في هذه الأزمة، و تحمّلوا المسؤولية كما يفعل الرجال، و قاموا للدفاع عن مبادئ الحق و رفع الظلم عن وطنهم، و أن من ثاروا على القمع و تحدّوا المستبدين سيعملون لإتمام ما بدأوا بإصلاح كل ما يحتاج الإصلاح.

إلى شباب 25 يناير:

"أنتم ألهمتم الملايين،

و بصرف النظر عن أي كلام و اتهامات ممكن تُوَجَّه إليكم؛ أنا أحترمكم و أقدِّركم من كل قلبي،

و أدعوا الله أن يوَفِّقكم للخير، وأن يبارك في أمثالكم، و أن يثيبكم عنِّي –و غيري كثيرين- خيراً.

شكراً.. =)"

About the Bullshit that Fills the Air

2011-02-04T00:50:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I wish I was physically allergic to bullshit, so I'd be able to detect it easily..
But then I realize that if that were the case, I'd have died as an unborn child.

If I could be a super hero, I would want the super power of "Bullshit Detection".
That way I could easily filter out nonsense poured on us from media all over the world.
The magnitude of crap I'd be able to see in the world would probably drive me crazy..
but knowing the truth is worth it.

The Wall's Coming Up

2011-01-25T05:13:00.000+02:00

Yeah, I'm currently using the bricks thrown my way to build a wall.
And it's getting high enough to hide me in it's shade.
Soon you'll be locked out, & I'll be on the other side.
I mean, let's face it, the tears must dry out sometime, don't you think?
Soon I'll get used to this theme; Just like every other heart breaking story I've starred in.
You can keep telling yourself it's for my own good, & I'll keep trying not to sob loud enough for you to hear. And while I'm at it, I'll save my energy, instead of wasting my breath on trying to get my point through.
I hope it's worth losing me.

This Is a Recorded Message..

2011-01-23T18:55:00.000+02:00

Whatever..
I'd like to save the above word as an automated response to anything & everything.
It would be so much easier than having an opinion about things.
Or simpler, at least..

I'm not talking about being happy, or feeling fulfilled here.
I'm only talking about brain activity, a.k.a the voices that take lodging in the back of my mind.
Don't you ever wish you could set your mind to hibernation?

I know I do.. a lot.

Voice Hunting..

2011-01-23T01:39:00.000+02:00

The unsaid has haunting powers.
As long as it remains locked up inside your mind, it will keep bouncing off wall after wall; Gaining momentum, until it's heavy enough to weigh you down, & run you over.
And if you let it pile up, it will drown you in an ocean of "What if"s & "If only"s.
So say it all out loud, even if to an audience of mere thin air...
Say that hopeless "I love you."
Say that furious "BACK OFF!"
Say that quiet prayer..
Voice all those crazy wishes..
Ask them to hear you out; Demand that they respect your opinion even if they think you're crazy.
Warn them; Let them know that you're one push away from drifting apart forever.
And most importantly, be honest with yourself;
Acknowledge your fears, & face up to the consequences.
Speak now, or your piece loses it's place in time, hence rendering itself useless.

An Obsession with Print

2011-01-21T15:06:00.000+02:00

I have loads of unread books on my book shelves.
Yet, I'm getting an unshakable urge to go book-shopping..
An urge so intense, that I'm having dreams about going on book-shopping sprees!

By the way if you're looking for book recommendations before hitting the book fair, you can:

a) browse Goodreads
(a social network for sharing book reviews & recommendations.. it's like the facebook of book readers :D)

b) take a look at this spread sheet
(a list of books compiled by several people on a shared google-document.. share the link & contribute to the list)

Now all I have to do is find the money I need to buy the books. :D

[T]ogether [E]verybody [A]chieves [M]ore

2011-01-15T20:54:00.000+02:00

"That's the big mistake a lot of people make when they wonder how soldiers can put their lives on the line day after day or how they can fight for something they may not believe in. Not everyone does. I've worked with soldiers on all sides of the political spectrum; I've met some who hated the army and others who wanted to make it a career. I've met geniuses and idiots, but when all is said and done,we do what we do for one another. For friendship. Not for country, not for patriotism, not because we're programmed killing machines, but because of the guy next to you. You fight for your friend, to keep him alive, and he fights for you, and everything about the army is built on this simple premise. "
— Nicholas Sparks (Dear John)

When I came across this passage, it rang a bell.
It reflected on the idea of missions in general, and the incentives that push us forward, while working to get from point A to point B...

As far as I can recall, I worked the hardest, when I knew that others were counting on me to carry out my part impeccably. When I knew that I was part of the puzzle, & without my contribution -without my protection- the team would crumble (or at least wouldn't do as well as it should).
And, yeah, we all worked for a higher purpose. But, when it came down to executing the plan, our major concern was not to let each other down..
It was the fuel that kept our engines running, when everything else wouldn't come through.
We were there for each other; We were in it together, and we had each others backs.

I kind of believe that this is the level of commitment we, as a nation, need to carry out any reform.
We need to truly, & deeply acknowledge the value each of us holds as an individual.
That we're all partners in this world. That we're all working on the same team.
And that when one of us lets up, they're letting the whole nation down.