Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Mars
Mars,
You have woven in and out of my life a tapestry of emotions and memories. The most memorable of your forms came unannounced; heralding in a new life by sweeping me off my feet and crashing me back down.
I remember you in light green and deep brown, in strapping arms and tender hearts, in strumming fingers and melodious words, in broken promises and heartfelt apologies, in your unfettered liveliness and your hung-up emotions. I remember your comfort, your warmth, your cold… I remember the tears I fought back, the nights your left me sleeples and the dreams you left me lost in, the hope you said will keep us and the weakness that overcame you when it was gone.
But thank you Mars for showing me your colors- I hope I left you with as many oscillating feelings, none of them leaving you scarred or scared…
I know you will come back around one day, perchance to nest forever, but for now I am glad that you left, so I can regain the strength to welcome you back in.
You have woven in and out of my life a tapestry of emotions and memories. The most memorable of your forms came unannounced; heralding in a new life by sweeping me off my feet and crashing me back down.
I remember you in light green and deep brown, in strapping arms and tender hearts, in strumming fingers and melodious words, in broken promises and heartfelt apologies, in your unfettered liveliness and your hung-up emotions. I remember your comfort, your warmth, your cold… I remember the tears I fought back, the nights your left me sleeples and the dreams you left me lost in, the hope you said will keep us and the weakness that overcame you when it was gone.
But thank you Mars for showing me your colors- I hope I left you with as many oscillating feelings, none of them leaving you scarred or scared…
I know you will come back around one day, perchance to nest forever, but for now I am glad that you left, so I can regain the strength to welcome you back in.
Shhhh-eep No More
If we are the shape-shifters of the future, then is it up to us to keep the status quo the same or should we be revolutionary and break the norms and create new rules and new norms?
It could very well be that the new state of affairs is not conformity but constant revolution of thought, mind and action. Ever realize how technology only advances and succeeds when it is revolutionary, otherwise we would be stuck with those 5 ton computers with hard drives that boom louder than a 747 jet engines. R&D is huge in most companies, actually they reinvest their retained earnings and channel it into the R&D department, and shareholders are more than willing to forgo their dividend payment for the sake of R&D. Funny enough when it comes to US as SOCIAL beings we often don't develop we often stay the same, stuck in our old ways, we only want to improve ourselves, like going on to pursue a masters or marrying into a wealthy family (whatever the personal motive and prerogative is) rather than trying to break the external social norms, and really trying to develop our larger society. The power of society is more than what we can comprehend, and so we get stuck, or we become sheep as a friend of mine likes to put it. If you go against it, especially as an Arab you are labeled a pariah; there is no place for revolutionary behavior, unless it’s joining some fundamentalist political and religious party.
As sad as it is, it’s true there are expectations and checklists and “do’s” and “don’ts” that govern (subjugate?) us- and either you spend the rest of your life trying to breakaway & reinvent (improve?) – and this I promise will be a tiresome and restless endeavor but so worth it if you succeed, or spend the rest of your life conforming (grazing grass?) and living in peaceful coexistence- and this I promise you will by no means stop you from having revolutionary predispositions. I guess for now we can keep warm in our wool and hope that the farmers don’t come to skin us!
Those we my thoughts a year ago…
…Until Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Bahrain… By using technology for social networking coupled with the power of the masses they, the not so garss grazing sheep anymore, were able to not only have revolutionary thoughts, but act on them- and in the case of Tunisia and Egypt, they were able to topple the regimes that have ruled them for decades. The pressure resulted in revolution, and revolution is bringing about change- and though it may take time to reap the benefits of the change in the status quo, optimism has been brought back into the hearts, minds and homes of many Arabs and hopes for a better future is coming. Piecemeal actions result in grand results- even a year ago I would have denounced such revolutionary actions, especially in the Middle East as near impossible…
It could very well be that the new state of affairs is not conformity but constant revolution of thought, mind and action. Ever realize how technology only advances and succeeds when it is revolutionary, otherwise we would be stuck with those 5 ton computers with hard drives that boom louder than a 747 jet engines. R&D is huge in most companies, actually they reinvest their retained earnings and channel it into the R&D department, and shareholders are more than willing to forgo their dividend payment for the sake of R&D. Funny enough when it comes to US as SOCIAL beings we often don't develop we often stay the same, stuck in our old ways, we only want to improve ourselves, like going on to pursue a masters or marrying into a wealthy family (whatever the personal motive and prerogative is) rather than trying to break the external social norms, and really trying to develop our larger society. The power of society is more than what we can comprehend, and so we get stuck, or we become sheep as a friend of mine likes to put it. If you go against it, especially as an Arab you are labeled a pariah; there is no place for revolutionary behavior, unless it’s joining some fundamentalist political and religious party.
As sad as it is, it’s true there are expectations and checklists and “do’s” and “don’ts” that govern (subjugate?) us- and either you spend the rest of your life trying to breakaway & reinvent (improve?) – and this I promise will be a tiresome and restless endeavor but so worth it if you succeed, or spend the rest of your life conforming (grazing grass?) and living in peaceful coexistence- and this I promise you will by no means stop you from having revolutionary predispositions. I guess for now we can keep warm in our wool and hope that the farmers don’t come to skin us!
Those we my thoughts a year ago…
…Until Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Bahrain… By using technology for social networking coupled with the power of the masses they, the not so garss grazing sheep anymore, were able to not only have revolutionary thoughts, but act on them- and in the case of Tunisia and Egypt, they were able to topple the regimes that have ruled them for decades. The pressure resulted in revolution, and revolution is bringing about change- and though it may take time to reap the benefits of the change in the status quo, optimism has been brought back into the hearts, minds and homes of many Arabs and hopes for a better future is coming. Piecemeal actions result in grand results- even a year ago I would have denounced such revolutionary actions, especially in the Middle East as near impossible…
Not so Bloggy
Okay it’s time for one of those blogs that start off with no direction whatsoever but end up being posted anyway- because then I feel like I accomplished something today of use… I actually wasn’t just a member of the ecosystem turning oxygen into carbon dioxide- but chances are even after this blog, I would have done nothing of value- except waste time. But with half an hour to go for my emancipation from the office- I can find no better use of my time then to type away pseudo- aimlessly at the key board.
Yes my optimism and general “sunshine” view of life has taken a turn into a dark alley. A very dark one.
Let’s see what have I learnt today so far?
--- as of Feb 26th 2011
1) Google is trying to be the “better” best internet search engine- it feels like certain companies are cheating their way into their algorithm model of web selection, by copying content from other website they wish to compete with. Google wants to weed them out by trying to outsmart them… Good luck Google!
2) Something about a “dead horse” – an expression that was used today in a meeting earlier today that basically says there’s no point on going on and on about a topic that is pretty much dead- you can’t get deader than dead… “Just like you can’t over-die, you can’t over dry” Seinfeld. Oh God bless that show- I need to watch the reruns…
3) Weakness and fatigue are 2 different things- weakness is physical and fatigue is more attributed to boredom/depression or symptoms of an illness such as the flu or kidney problems- thanks WebMd, you’re a doll.
4) For those with allergies, spring is a horrible season for you- so be weary
5) Always choose the lesser of two evils- believe me that strategy works all the time. Of course which of the two evils is lesser is completely up to your perception and decision.
6) “To lead an orchestra you must turn your back”- A status update from a friend on BBM- I find that quite fascinating- funny how reading a quote turns what is just a convention into something loaded with wisdom and philosophical underpinnings… Thanks Salty, needed that one!
--- as of Feb 27th 2011
7) Sometimes the thoughts in your head should remain as thoughts in your head, lest they make you sound absurd and crazy if said out loud—lesson learned
8) Being blunt is a sword with a double edge
---as of Feb 28th 2011
9) Thank YOU! Really just simply thank you!! You reenergized me! So back to work I go….
---as of March 1st 2011
10) Okay so one of you constant readers of this blog (will remain nameless) was right- I do make sure everyone else around me is happy first and I come second- and sometimes second by an inch and sometimes by a mile. Honestly, I can’t change that- just hope that whoever I’m trying to make happy appreciates what I am doing, and probably, as people usually do, people condemn you for the bad before they applaud you for the good, so chances are it will go totally unnoticed.
11) Waking up an hour ahead of the alarm is sometimes one of the most liberating feelings in the world- because you beat the SOB before it had a chance to puncture your dream with its deafening tone.
Before I end up turning this into a list of 100000 things to write about- let me stop myself here.
And as I thought, there was nothing of real substance to write about- but oh well, you win some, you lose some.
Yes my optimism and general “sunshine” view of life has taken a turn into a dark alley. A very dark one.
Let’s see what have I learnt today so far?
--- as of Feb 26th 2011
1) Google is trying to be the “better” best internet search engine- it feels like certain companies are cheating their way into their algorithm model of web selection, by copying content from other website they wish to compete with. Google wants to weed them out by trying to outsmart them… Good luck Google!
2) Something about a “dead horse” – an expression that was used today in a meeting earlier today that basically says there’s no point on going on and on about a topic that is pretty much dead- you can’t get deader than dead… “Just like you can’t over-die, you can’t over dry” Seinfeld. Oh God bless that show- I need to watch the reruns…
3) Weakness and fatigue are 2 different things- weakness is physical and fatigue is more attributed to boredom/depression or symptoms of an illness such as the flu or kidney problems- thanks WebMd, you’re a doll.
4) For those with allergies, spring is a horrible season for you- so be weary
5) Always choose the lesser of two evils- believe me that strategy works all the time. Of course which of the two evils is lesser is completely up to your perception and decision.
6) “To lead an orchestra you must turn your back”- A status update from a friend on BBM- I find that quite fascinating- funny how reading a quote turns what is just a convention into something loaded with wisdom and philosophical underpinnings… Thanks Salty, needed that one!
--- as of Feb 27th 2011
7) Sometimes the thoughts in your head should remain as thoughts in your head, lest they make you sound absurd and crazy if said out loud—lesson learned
8) Being blunt is a sword with a double edge
---as of Feb 28th 2011
9) Thank YOU! Really just simply thank you!! You reenergized me! So back to work I go….
---as of March 1st 2011
10) Okay so one of you constant readers of this blog (will remain nameless) was right- I do make sure everyone else around me is happy first and I come second- and sometimes second by an inch and sometimes by a mile. Honestly, I can’t change that- just hope that whoever I’m trying to make happy appreciates what I am doing, and probably, as people usually do, people condemn you for the bad before they applaud you for the good, so chances are it will go totally unnoticed.
11) Waking up an hour ahead of the alarm is sometimes one of the most liberating feelings in the world- because you beat the SOB before it had a chance to puncture your dream with its deafening tone.
Before I end up turning this into a list of 100000 things to write about- let me stop myself here.
And as I thought, there was nothing of real substance to write about- but oh well, you win some, you lose some.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A Conversation Between Dream and Reality
Dream: Don’t you get tired of being always self righteous and over calculating?
Reality: My self righteousness only comes in my ability to abandon hope and replace it with reason, to lead the future with vision, and look at the past as a learning, and live the present with cautiousness. So yes I am over calculating, because if I let things happen your way we wouldn’t get anywhere.
Dream: But you don’t get to taste the flavors of life if you don’t take the edge off and live a little- just put your sun shades on and strut around smelling every flower, engaging in every conversation, feeling like life is more than a series of events; it’s a mosaic of moments collated together to create the most magnificent tableau.
Reality: Do you hear yourself speak?! Your language is as absurd as your view on life. There is no time to take it all in and breathe it all out. You are so blinded by the world and its supposed pleasures that while you’re strutting around smelling your stupid flowers, I’m thinking of ways of preserving our ecosystem, while you are out making silly conversations with people that would add no benefit to your life, I am out making real connections with real people who can make a real difference. Your illusion clouds your judgment, whereas my reality check never bounces.
Dream: Your reality check will bounce when chasing me becomes near impossible. Without me you don’t have the vision you speak of, without me you won’t have reason to continue moving forward- I am your locomotive and your catalyst, I am the reason you exist.
Reality: But then by the same token, dear Dream, to realize you there has to be a ME- so that makes me the commander in chief. I don’t chase, I command and execute.
Dream: Haven’t you ever heard the term “chasing after a dream”? For someone who claims to know so much, you clearly don’t know anything at all.
Reality: No one has absolute knowledge, I never claimed to know it all- don’t be conclusive. Please leave deduction and analysis for those who know how to use it. And for your information I don’t chase a dream, I chase an end.
Dream: And what might that end be?
Reality:….
Dream: I see your words fail you- not so cheeky now are you? Let me fill in the blank for you- your end is realizing your dream.
Reality: Okay Little Miss Sunshine, calm down, you didn’t even give me a moment to explain. Not all of us wear our hearts on our sleeves, like you. Think first, speak after.
Dream: Heartless and cold
Reality: Delusional and pathetic
Dream: Rather pathetic in hope than dampened by regret.
Reality: Rather having feet on solid ground than hovering mid air.
Dream: There’s no point in arguing, we’ll never see eye to eye.
Reality: You’re right- why did we bother having this conversation in the first place?
Dream: May be I thought we could come to a mutual agreement on something for a change.
Reality: Agree to disagree sort of a thing?
Dream: Sure- to put it simply.
Reality: No please write a poem about it
Dream: No please give me a two page report analysis about it- double space with one inch margins.
Instinct: Both of you shut up- just trust in me- I will throw in a little reality and a sparkle of dream. Now go sleep the pair of you- I’m trying to rest to keep up the balance between you two exhausting morons!
Reality: My self righteousness only comes in my ability to abandon hope and replace it with reason, to lead the future with vision, and look at the past as a learning, and live the present with cautiousness. So yes I am over calculating, because if I let things happen your way we wouldn’t get anywhere.
Dream: But you don’t get to taste the flavors of life if you don’t take the edge off and live a little- just put your sun shades on and strut around smelling every flower, engaging in every conversation, feeling like life is more than a series of events; it’s a mosaic of moments collated together to create the most magnificent tableau.
Reality: Do you hear yourself speak?! Your language is as absurd as your view on life. There is no time to take it all in and breathe it all out. You are so blinded by the world and its supposed pleasures that while you’re strutting around smelling your stupid flowers, I’m thinking of ways of preserving our ecosystem, while you are out making silly conversations with people that would add no benefit to your life, I am out making real connections with real people who can make a real difference. Your illusion clouds your judgment, whereas my reality check never bounces.
Dream: Your reality check will bounce when chasing me becomes near impossible. Without me you don’t have the vision you speak of, without me you won’t have reason to continue moving forward- I am your locomotive and your catalyst, I am the reason you exist.
Reality: But then by the same token, dear Dream, to realize you there has to be a ME- so that makes me the commander in chief. I don’t chase, I command and execute.
Dream: Haven’t you ever heard the term “chasing after a dream”? For someone who claims to know so much, you clearly don’t know anything at all.
Reality: No one has absolute knowledge, I never claimed to know it all- don’t be conclusive. Please leave deduction and analysis for those who know how to use it. And for your information I don’t chase a dream, I chase an end.
Dream: And what might that end be?
Reality:….
Dream: I see your words fail you- not so cheeky now are you? Let me fill in the blank for you- your end is realizing your dream.
Reality: Okay Little Miss Sunshine, calm down, you didn’t even give me a moment to explain. Not all of us wear our hearts on our sleeves, like you. Think first, speak after.
Dream: Heartless and cold
Reality: Delusional and pathetic
Dream: Rather pathetic in hope than dampened by regret.
Reality: Rather having feet on solid ground than hovering mid air.
Dream: There’s no point in arguing, we’ll never see eye to eye.
Reality: You’re right- why did we bother having this conversation in the first place?
Dream: May be I thought we could come to a mutual agreement on something for a change.
Reality: Agree to disagree sort of a thing?
Dream: Sure- to put it simply.
Reality: No please write a poem about it
Dream: No please give me a two page report analysis about it- double space with one inch margins.
Instinct: Both of you shut up- just trust in me- I will throw in a little reality and a sparkle of dream. Now go sleep the pair of you- I’m trying to rest to keep up the balance between you two exhausting morons!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Can't Shake Me
I am an Arab
I am a Christian.
I will not give up my right to be in my home because of fear of defective fundamentalist groups and militias rampaging the streets, threatening by rule of subjugation and masking it as the righteous path!
I will not give up my God to stay in my home. I will not cease from entering a church and worshiping God in fear of being ostracized just to preserve my Arabness.
From the bellowing streets of Baghdad to the Sudanese deserts, Christians are fleeing to the west- not out of choice but circumstance.
What if the same were to happen in the beautiful mountains and cities of Lebanon, to the grand cities and farm villages of Syria? What will happen then? I shudder just thinking about it.
I want my God and I want my home- I don’t want to be told that one day I have to leave the Middle East and seek refuge- I don’t want to have to live in fear.
Everyone has to learn to adapt, not by the sword but by the desire to coexist. All religions promote worshipping the goodness in life, worshipping God and being fair to others.
So if I was told to give up one or the other- I would tell that person to fuck off- because I am an Arab and I am a Christian- and I would never give up either one.
I am a Christian.
I will not give up my right to be in my home because of fear of defective fundamentalist groups and militias rampaging the streets, threatening by rule of subjugation and masking it as the righteous path!
I will not give up my God to stay in my home. I will not cease from entering a church and worshiping God in fear of being ostracized just to preserve my Arabness.
From the bellowing streets of Baghdad to the Sudanese deserts, Christians are fleeing to the west- not out of choice but circumstance.
What if the same were to happen in the beautiful mountains and cities of Lebanon, to the grand cities and farm villages of Syria? What will happen then? I shudder just thinking about it.
I want my God and I want my home- I don’t want to be told that one day I have to leave the Middle East and seek refuge- I don’t want to have to live in fear.
Everyone has to learn to adapt, not by the sword but by the desire to coexist. All religions promote worshipping the goodness in life, worshipping God and being fair to others.
So if I was told to give up one or the other- I would tell that person to fuck off- because I am an Arab and I am a Christian- and I would never give up either one.
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