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.
Friday, August 24, 2007
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
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