I don't know what to say...
But I'm really ashamed of myself and of my friends.
I left my Blog unattended and didn't add any posts in more than a month.
Of course, that's because I'm busy, and like everyone else, I have other priorities.
But I guess writing something from time to time could be (as I experienced myself) a way to put away the stress and express my feelings.
Well... I'll try.
No promises..
No commitments :-)
But, I'll try.
Ok... Welcome back... and Let the Wind Blow AGAIN!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Toronto... Here I am!
Here's an update of my trip...
After living out of a suitcase for some time, I'm settled (for now) in Toronto, Canada until the end of the month. It was a nice and exciting trip in the USA. Now life is back to normal between some work, some family visits and some sight seeing.
Stay tuned...
More to come :-)
.
.
After living out of a suitcase for some time, I'm settled (for now) in Toronto, Canada until the end of the month. It was a nice and exciting trip in the USA. Now life is back to normal between some work, some family visits and some sight seeing.
Stay tuned...
More to come :-)
.
.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Moving with the Wind
It's been a while I didn't post any updates.
I'm not being lazy.
I'm just on the move.
After being a local improvised travel agent for my Italian friend in Lebanon, it's my turn to be the tourist.
I'm currently in the United States for 10 days, visiting relatives and enjoying some vacation time.
After that I'll be in Canada for a month. Work and family visits and relax. I guess this will define this time that I'll spend in Toronto.
It's not always easy to find the time for the blog, althoug there are some interesting things to share. Hopefully, I'll post some news regularly.
All the best.
I'm not being lazy.
I'm just on the move.
After being a local improvised travel agent for my Italian friend in Lebanon, it's my turn to be the tourist.
I'm currently in the United States for 10 days, visiting relatives and enjoying some vacation time.
After that I'll be in Canada for a month. Work and family visits and relax. I guess this will define this time that I'll spend in Toronto.
It's not always easy to find the time for the blog, althoug there are some interesting things to share. Hopefully, I'll post some news regularly.
All the best.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Travel Agent
An Italian friend of mine is visiting me these days. He arrived yesterday and will stay for a week.
I had to organize his visit, trying to make it possible to visit the most of our beautiful Country.
I have to become a travel agent for a week.
Anyway...
It's fun,
It's interesting: because it helps me discover my own country again.
and... of course, it's tiring.
But overall... I'm happy.
This friend is very dear.
He was like a mentor for me.
On the other hand... This means I'll be quite busy touring these days,
I might be too busy to update my blog.
Catch you later.
I had to organize his visit, trying to make it possible to visit the most of our beautiful Country.
I have to become a travel agent for a week.
Anyway...
It's fun,
It's interesting: because it helps me discover my own country again.
and... of course, it's tiring.
But overall... I'm happy.
This friend is very dear.
He was like a mentor for me.
On the other hand... This means I'll be quite busy touring these days,
I might be too busy to update my blog.
Catch you later.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Democracy, Confusion and "Blind Followers"
Yesterday there was a long and tense day of partial elections in one district of Beirut and in Metn (Lebanon). People were called to vote for 2 deputies who will fill the seats vacated by 2 assassinated members of the Parliament.
The election day was preceded by an endless and fierce propaganda, accusations from each party to the other side, rallies, TV, radio and board Ads... Wherever you go, people would be talking (rather arguing) about politics, predictions, fears, rumors...
Anyway... Despite all the confusion, the day of elections came and went. Some people chose to vote, others hesitated and abstained. At the end of the day, the votes were cast. It was up to the voters to decide.
That's what democracy is all about!
But... we're in Lebanon. So things are not always what they seem.
Even democracy in Lebanon is a relative notion.
Often people are driven more by emotions than by logical thinking.
Some leaders may be more convincing than others, and that makes some people susceptible to change their minds easily if they liked one speech over the other.
Other people follow a leader blindly, never questioning his faults, errors or failures.
And, alas, some people's votes are "bought" or influenced by promises or similar bribes.
And many Lebanese voters will tell you that they're choosing a certain candidate, because his grand-father, his father or he himself did them a favor one time or another; no matter what are his values or allegiances!
On the other hand, Lebanese people are experts in complaining about their politicians, the lack of dedication to their voters. We always have wise opinions about how they should be, how they should behave and what they should do. But we seems to forget this when we're called to chose between the candidates. When we decide to cast our vote, often we are carried away by other reasons that don't always correspond to our previous lamentations and expectations.
Talking to some friends, I see that we might be able to make some changes in the near future. People are starting to see that the way we were used to couldn't be valid anymore to build a democratic country. We should be able to base our decisions more on a conscious reflection, logical planning and clear agendas...
We can't continue to be "Blind Followers".
Sooner or later, our politicians will be obliged to truly be at the service of their voters. Because if they don't, they'll be questioned and they won't be elected again.
We will learn that we all have a responsibility to work together in order to live freely and happily in our own and common country.
Yes... One day...
The election day was preceded by an endless and fierce propaganda, accusations from each party to the other side, rallies, TV, radio and board Ads... Wherever you go, people would be talking (rather arguing) about politics, predictions, fears, rumors...
Anyway... Despite all the confusion, the day of elections came and went. Some people chose to vote, others hesitated and abstained. At the end of the day, the votes were cast. It was up to the voters to decide.
That's what democracy is all about!
But... we're in Lebanon. So things are not always what they seem.
Even democracy in Lebanon is a relative notion.
Often people are driven more by emotions than by logical thinking.
Some leaders may be more convincing than others, and that makes some people susceptible to change their minds easily if they liked one speech over the other.
Other people follow a leader blindly, never questioning his faults, errors or failures.
And, alas, some people's votes are "bought" or influenced by promises or similar bribes.
And many Lebanese voters will tell you that they're choosing a certain candidate, because his grand-father, his father or he himself did them a favor one time or another; no matter what are his values or allegiances!
On the other hand, Lebanese people are experts in complaining about their politicians, the lack of dedication to their voters. We always have wise opinions about how they should be, how they should behave and what they should do. But we seems to forget this when we're called to chose between the candidates. When we decide to cast our vote, often we are carried away by other reasons that don't always correspond to our previous lamentations and expectations.
Talking to some friends, I see that we might be able to make some changes in the near future. People are starting to see that the way we were used to couldn't be valid anymore to build a democratic country. We should be able to base our decisions more on a conscious reflection, logical planning and clear agendas...
We can't continue to be "Blind Followers".
Sooner or later, our politicians will be obliged to truly be at the service of their voters. Because if they don't, they'll be questioned and they won't be elected again.
We will learn that we all have a responsibility to work together in order to live freely and happily in our own and common country.
Yes... One day...
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Talking or Blabbering
Meeting people, listening to them, making conversations... is quite a continuing discovery, an adventure or... alas, a total waste of time.
Sometimes, you have to struggle to barely make "small talks"...
Other times, it's fun to be with someone.
Well... We can't forget those times when you have to listen for nonsense blabbering.
But fortunately, there are occasions when it's a pleasure to have an exchange of thoughts, opinions, and feelings with a nice person.
So, what kind of conversation do we have when we meet someone?
Will we be remembered 2 minutes after?
Will the time spent be worth it?
I found a saying that expresses what I'm talking about in a formidable way:
Sometimes, you have to struggle to barely make "small talks"...
Other times, it's fun to be with someone.
Well... We can't forget those times when you have to listen for nonsense blabbering.
But fortunately, there are occasions when it's a pleasure to have an exchange of thoughts, opinions, and feelings with a nice person.
So, what kind of conversation do we have when we meet someone?
Will we be remembered 2 minutes after?
Will the time spent be worth it?
I found a saying that expresses what I'm talking about in a formidable way:
Great Minds… discuss ideas
Average Minds… discuss events
Small Minds… discuss people
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Harry Potter - The Finale
On July 21st 2007, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and last book of the Harry Potter Series was released and the story came to an end. The book finally went on sale worldwide. It broke sales records becoming the fastest-selling book ever, selling more than eleven million copies in the first twenty-four hours following its release.
I read it. I enjoyed it. I recommend it.
I read it. I enjoyed it. I recommend it.
The Deathly Hallows is an excellent end to an extraordinary series. The book ties together most of the loose ends in a satisfying fashion. I must say that J.K. Rowling is a very talented writer. The narration is thrilling. Like the previous six books of the series, it’s not easy to put down the book once you start reading it.
Even if you’ve never read a Harry Potter book before you’ll be able to follow this last chapter of the saga. The underlying plot is a battle of good versus evil and how we fight our devils, our confusions and insecurities - both external and internal.
The story draws young Harry Potter (about to turn 17) into an unavoidable final showdown with the evil Lord Voldemort. The future of the Magical and Muggle (non-magical person) worlds hangs is at stake.
Harry learns that to win over evil will require the ultimate sacrifice. His death. He learns that he will have to lay down his life so he could destroy the enemy. And he does of course. Through his sacrifice he comes back to life and he wins the final victory.
And... for those who are more into the seventh art, they could get a taste of "Harry Potter World" through the movie adaptations of the first 5 books. I liked them all. I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last week. Very well done and quite entertaining. I can’t wait when the remaining two books become a major motion picture, and especially the Deathly Hallows. At the same time, I always recommend to read the books even if you have seen the movies. The books are richer and full with much more details, hence more satisfying.
Thanks J.K. Rowling.
Even if you’ve never read a Harry Potter book before you’ll be able to follow this last chapter of the saga. The underlying plot is a battle of good versus evil and how we fight our devils, our confusions and insecurities - both external and internal.
The story draws young Harry Potter (about to turn 17) into an unavoidable final showdown with the evil Lord Voldemort. The future of the Magical and Muggle (non-magical person) worlds hangs is at stake.
Harry learns that to win over evil will require the ultimate sacrifice. His death. He learns that he will have to lay down his life so he could destroy the enemy. And he does of course. Through his sacrifice he comes back to life and he wins the final victory.
And... for those who are more into the seventh art, they could get a taste of "Harry Potter World" through the movie adaptations of the first 5 books. I liked them all. I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last week. Very well done and quite entertaining. I can’t wait when the remaining two books become a major motion picture, and especially the Deathly Hallows. At the same time, I always recommend to read the books even if you have seen the movies. The books are richer and full with much more details, hence more satisfying.
Thanks J.K. Rowling.
You made us dream, laugh and sometimes cry with those beautifully written seven books.
It was an exciting broomstick ride!
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