It would almost seem futile to write about this concert now, twenty something days after the concert, if it were not for the fact that I have not stopped thinking about it since it happened and I am still as pumped as I was when I first started writing this! I guess you never get over your first. I have had flings here and there but Bon Jovi has been the longest relationship and my first musical addiction.
And it finally happened. The one thing that kept me dreaming for nights throughout my teens: Bon Jovi, in the (sexiest) flesh!
When the band came for a concert in Abu Dhabi back in 2008, I could not make it for multiple reasons and I remember it stung hard. I won't lie, I had been bitter ever since. So when they announced they were passing by Abu Dhabi once more this year, Hubby did the noble and safest thing for his welfare and sanity: he got us tickets the minute they were out for sale. And then he went the extra romantic mile and revealed they were VIP tickets.
(Massive win for Hubby: the places turned out to be terrible - more about that later - but his intentions were so sweet, he keeps his win)
Oh my God! Oh my God!
I was expecting to be utterly ecstatic but the euphoria surpassed my wildest expectations! I was like a little kid jumping up and down, giggling and I swear I held out tears of glee on the way to the concert because, well, Hubby would have teased me for the rest of our lives and beyond (oh yes, yes, we are meeting in the afterlife, deal with it).
The concert was absolutely amazing!
Anyone who says otherwise was probably never a BJ fan to begin with. Those who complained about Bed of Roses and Always missing from the setlist are just big nagging babies.
There, I said it.
And to get it out of your system (but above all, because it makes me so very happy):
Happy now? Can we move on to more important issues and wonder together how it is possible for a human to look so damn hot in the 1990's and still be as charming and sexy today? I mean seriously, Jon Bon Jovi literally redefines the laws of nature. And if you do not believe me, have you seen him? Because I have (and I can't stop jumping for joy!) and Oh My God, would I want to be In These Arms, Always!
Bon Jovi at their 2015 concert in Abu Dhabi
And before you start hinting at how this was a concert and not a fashion show, he rocked that stage like a hero. They all did. The whole band was truly generous and they performed their hearts out in a weather that was less than inviting. It was hot, humid and a massive pain to be out in the heat and yet not only did they do what they came to do, they did it with passion and a whole lot of fun!
They are rock legends and they deserve to be remembered as such
They played some of their best hits:
You Give Love a Bad Name
Raise Your Hands
Born to Be My Baby
We Got It Goin' On
We Weren't Born to Follow
Whole Lot of Leavin'
We Don't Run
It's My Life
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Wanted Dead or Alive
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep the Faith
Bad Medicine
In These Arms
Have a Nice Day
Livin' on a Prayer
Bon Jovi at their 2015 concert in Abu Dhabi
See what I mean?
I really tried to be selective here but I could only leave out about couple (which were brilliantly performed too by the way) and with good reason. I went to a rock concert and this is what I got.
So for those complaining about Jon's vocals, please. He might not be twenty anymore but he definitely has got nothing to complain about. To be able to nail those tracks is absolutely amazing!
And for those who complained about the choice of songs, you probably had too many beers before the concert and fell asleep half way through. Too bad for you. Because we got some of the best of Bon Jovi's thirty years of rocking!
Bonus: We genuinely felt we were in the presence of some of the nicest guys in the business. I mean truly kind, generous people. And I do not mean only with their music and the way they give their all on stage. Google some of their charity work and the Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and you will see for yourself.
They are rockers with a soul and it transpires on stage.
The only moaning will undeniably be about audience organization (obviously this has nothing to do with the actual concert or the talent of the band). The VIP tickets which cost way more than regular ones had no perks. We were on a higher platform yes, but we were way in the back, and the stage and screens were blocked by massive lighting structures that made the whole viewing a total nightmare. Following the concert, many people told me that this always happens with VIP tickets. The location of the platform is never favorable. I do not mean better. I mean at the very least, just good. What a disappointment. Next time, I will definitely stick to regular tickets and so should you.
Bon Jovi rocking Abu Dhabi
So in conclusion:
BON JOVI ROCKED! ♥
Both the stage and my heart ;)
THANK YOU for taking me back to a me I missed for a while and for being up to my expectations and so much more!
A couple of days ago, I received good news straight into my inbox. A refreshing change from all the spam that seems to get around all of Gmail's filters.
DRALION is finally coming to Beirut!
October 10-13, 2013
As you may recall, I had posted about the show and then dates had been cancelled and we have been waiting for a rescheduling since. Well, it has happened.
These two gorgeous and talented young ladies seem to know how to do it all. They write their own lyrics, compose their own music and even animate their own videos! Gotta love multifaceted artists.
I am actually loving the SMA because they are introducing me to a lot of what has been happening online, some interesting, some important (like the NGOs featured in two categories this year) and some really, really fun and many I had no idea were out there. Being a full-time mom-of-two, blablablah, blablablah, I do not get the
chance to see everything and this is like a nice recap of the year.
Like the category I will speak of now: Most Engaging YouTube Video.
Some of the videos, I was familiar with, like:
BEIRUT DUTY FREE FLASH MOB: This may be the most popular Lebanese Flash Mob on the web. I think virtually everyone has seen it. I think even my 90 year old grand-mother has seen it (note to self: show the video to téta next time I visit, just in case).
MASHKAL AT KHOURY HOME: I just love that the minute I type "mashkal at", YouTube immediately gives me search suggestions like "mashkal at khoury home" and "mashkal at khoury". This just goes to show how popular this video is.
AMAL AL DAHOUK AT TEDxBEIRUT: This one, I had watched live from Dubai, during the online live stream on the TEDx site. I am a little disappointed I can only vote for one nominee in the NGO categories because TEDxBeirut totally deserved a vote as their work was impressive and outstanding.
THE STORY OF SOUAD: This one was brought to my attention following the tragic passing of Ali Abdallah who ironically enough became "visible" nation-wide for all the wrong reasons. As the Find Ali Abdallah campaign states so clearly: everyone should be visible, anywhere, anytime, just for being there. It should not be that hard. After all, everyone is indeed there.
And as ashamed as I am to admit this painful truth, I had never seen the other videos nominated for Most Engaging YouTube Video... So here they are for your eyes only (if like me, you were hiding under a rock for the past year):
PROPOSAL FLASH MOB: It is an entertaining (but a little too long) video of a real surprise proposal at Beirut Souks and it made me smile, laugh at moments and most definitely sing!
PEPSI LEBANON SURPRISING ELIO: This one brought a whole lot of memories! I had no idea Pepsi still did the whole plastic cap giveaway thing! I can remember a time not so long ago (and by not so long ago I mean at least two decades - yikes!) when my sister, my brother and I would carefully collect these caps in hopes of winning, I cannot remember what but I know it was so very precious, it might have been a unicorn. All we did win every once in a while was a bottle of Pepsi but boy did it feel (taste?) like a freaking unicorn! There is nothing like winning ;)
OVERLY ATTACHED LEBANESE GIRLFRIEND: There should be a warning attached to this one! That poor girl can not sing! But she is so darn cute and funny, I just love her! I swear I was laughing the whole time I was watching! I know I am only using exclamation marks with this one, but it is because her whole performance felt (sounded) like an exclamation mark! So, so, so funny! And they do get an extra point for creativity on writing these lyrics. And she gets another point for singing the whole thing while acting nutty and remembering all her lines, all in one unedited single shot (anyone who works in media production will tell you, this is not easy). Oops, sorry, forgot the exclamation marks this time so here are three to make up for my Alzheimer's!!!
Now I need to clarify something: as I type these words, I have not yet voted and I think I will use this post to analyze my possibilities and make an informed click.
I think it will be easier to filter the videos by categories. First the PR and TV Commercials "stunts":
Khoury Home, Beirut Duty Free and Pepsi were all interesting productions. But to a (super-modest) media person such as myself, this is exactly what they are: a production. All were good concepts and we know that for certain because none were innovations and all have been tried before, more than once. Unfortunately, they all were too obviously TV-Commercials-looking.
Khoury Home edited cameras from various angles into one film. That could have worked if they had bothered changing the time code every time they switched cameras/angles (or at least make the time code jump with each camera cut). Instead, they edited all the footage from all cameras and then (lazily) applied one single "security camera" effect on the whole thing. They also could have played with the audio a little to make it more realistic (this one was too clean).
To be honest, Pepsi in my opinion, tried too hard. They got this message on Facebook which was not that special by itself and they tried to spin it into one huge social action. Which it was not. I just did not buy the whole thing and again, it is only my humble opinion, but I think they could have used the budget to do an actual social good deed. (Do not get me wrong, I am happy for this kid but I am talking about the video and Pepsi's intention as a separate concept, completely unrelated to Elio himself who deserves all the best of course).
Beirut Duty Free Flash Mob has got to be my favorite among the three because it is simply beautiful. It works perfectly with the brand and even uplifts it. I think even real unsuspecting travelers engaged in the dance (if they all are in on this, then they get extra points for really playing it well).
Now I am not saying Social Media is no arena for brands to advertise themselves, far from it. It may actually be the most important platform for corporations to get visibility and gain credibility nowadays. However, and I admit that is completely arbitrary and subjective, I would like to use my vote to place the spotlight on nominees that do not have big budgets or the means to be in the media all the time. So that is why I will stay away from the videos I feel are more like TV Commercials.
Which brings me to the second category: individual initiatives such as the Proposal and Overly Attached Girlfriend.
These are the reason why YouTube was invented. They may very well be the "You" in "YouTube". They made a video and they posted it online in hopes of going viral.
The Proposal could fall in the previous category because it was produced by a production house (unrelated to Beirut Souks as they thank the venue in the end credits) with the intention of promoting themselves obviously, but because they position themselves as "enthusiastic university graduates, (who) aim to assist NGOs with the delivery of their message in a new and creative way, by the mean of audio-visual tools." (Source: Facebook) I choose to not place them in the same basket as powerful, budget-ful (whatever, it is 2:50 am and I invent words now) companies. They are film people and it appears the crew behind Overly Attached Girlfriend is too. Clearly, they enjoy writing, performing and producing their own productions. In that concept, that means "Film People" to (humble) me who are what makes YouTube what it is.
These two videos were fun enough to be shortlisted in this category and they do fall in the whole "Social Media" spirit but while they are entertaining and catchy, I personally feel they lack that extra something that makes the viewer want to get involved.
And although "engaging" does not necessarily mean for the viewers to actually "engage" into some sort of action, I feel that with the last two videos present in this category, that special quality cannot be overlooked. Both Amal Al Dahouk and Souad's story ask us to get involved and do something.
Really, at this point, it has become very personal and subject to my own personal discretion.
Well, let us be fair, all of the above was too, but I reserve this right, this being my blog and all ;) Just kidding, I honestly tried to think out-loud with you and be as objective as possible in my assessment.
The cause Find Ali Abdallah are championing is truly important and I did support their campaign on Facebook (which felt right) but I am not completely and undoubtedly certain this is the correct approach to tackle such a massive and sensitive subject. The intentions were truly commendable and the efforts as well, but I think they were brought from immediate raw emotions of pain following Ali's terrible tragedy and understandably. But I personally feel we are walking on dangerous grounds here as this involves people (and sometimes organized people) who we do not necessarily understand or know how to deal with. Pinpointing on the internet the location of children or even adults in need can engender grave consequences including and not limited to sexual assault or organ theft. While the aim is to save lives, if done without a proper safety system, it could actually have the opposite effect. Not to mention some of these people, while most definitely in need, are voluntarily or involuntarily attached to "bosses" who place them on certain streets as means for profits. This by itself is dangerous to some unknown extents. In any case, this is not the place nor the time to assess Find Ali Abdallah and again, I just would like to reiterate, I do believe their intentions are beautiful and I agree with them on the urgency and importance of this issue and I do not like to bash without proposing solutions and admire those who "do" rather than just preach (as I am doing right now) but I myself am not qualified to know how to go about this. So I am simply expressing fears which are probably part of the reason why I cannot vote for this video at this point in time (unless I am more informed and can understand how Find Ali Abdallah operates, so feel free to fill me in on this if you have any information please).
Which brings me to Amal Al Dahouk. A video I admit enjoyed and appreciated from the first viewing, back when it was streamed live at TEDxBeirut. I honestly believe it carries all the qualities to be a nominee and even a winner in this category. Firstly, it introduces a young talent who is eager to make a change and impact her environment positively. We always need young people like that. She is an independent, apolitical person (or at least, as far as this video shows) which is also so important to me. She is smart, funny and she proposes a plan for us all to take action. If that is not engaging, I do not know what is. And considering this talk is relevant to our behavior with regards to Media in general and Social Media in particular, I find it highly appropriate right now!
Well, I guess I know who is getting my vote then.
Thank you for the help ;)
When I first got that text on my phone revealing Cirque Du Soleil was coming back to Dubai, I called hubby: "listen, I know you are scheduled for back surgery around that same time and sitting on a circus chair will not be on your to-do list but this is Cirque Du Soleil so either you man up and join me or I go alone". Next thing I know, hubby is picking a date faster than I could say "Cirque". That was on January 13.
For days now, the kids have been sick with a nasty cough and fever so we are not sleeping at all at night. They keep waking up, chocking and coughing and crying to catch their breath. So you can imagine, I have been exhausted, overloaded and preoccupied to say the least.
Just in case you are not a mother and you wonder, here is how mommy-brains are built: somewhere in that brain, there is a large memory space, pretty much like a building with floors and rooms and in each room lay perfectly aligned filing cabinets which are compartmentalized in categories and clearly identified and colored sub-categories with labels and everything. Sometimes a document will get lost somewhere, granted. These things happen. But overall, that filing system works pretty well. Until, pregnancy. Pregnancy is the brain tsunami that will destroy everything and turn that magnificent building of OCD-filing into a war zone. Forget about filing, all you want is to be able to just see something in all that destruction. And because you have other priorities, cleaning up is not really an option so you keep throwing things in there, randomly, with the hope you will be sharp enough to remember where you put them. And most of the time you do. Except not when you really need them or it is a couple of days too late. A teeny bit unpractical and kind of beats the whole purpose. When that child is finally out of you, you think, at last, it is time to sit down quietly and reorganize. Right? Wrong. The word "quietly" should have been a hint. Now all that is in that mess of a memory is insignificant in comparison to all the new baby stuff that take up humongous space and just literally squash down and walk (and poop) all over everything else.
So yes, Cirque Du Soleil was lost in my mess and I would remember it every once in a while when I would see an ad or a post about the show somewhere on Facebook. But the minute my eyes would be off that precious reminder, I would completely forget about Dralion!
Until yesterday when hubby suddenly barges in the living-room (he is spending his days lying in bed, recovering from his back surgery) and asks me with a teasing smile: "You do know we have tickets for Dralion tonight, right?"
Of course I know we have tickets for Dralion. What do you think I am? A senile 90 year old who cannot remember what she had for breakfast? Actually my 90 year old grand-mother can remember what she had for breakfast every day of last month, Bless her... Meanwhile, I cannot even tell whether I ate at all today. So yes, Alzheimer might become an issue one day (tomorrow).
My mom, my savior forever, tells us to go and the kids will be fine so we agree that if the fever is under control and they both go to bed before we have to leave, then we will go. And for the first time, poor little Mia fell asleep, exhausted on the couch while I was feeding her brother who on the other hand, had no intention of sleeping whatsoever. So we dumped him on my mother and ran as fast as we could! Parents Of The Year Awards, here we come!
So I will be kind if you have not watched it yet: No spoiler alert ;)
I will just say that we missed Alegría when the show was brought to Dubai but I remember very well Quidam, my very first live Cirque Du Soleil and to be honest, nothing beats it yet. It may be because the first one is always extra spectacular, or just that it spoke to me more. I do not know.
That being said, all the performances were outstanding last night and some truly breathtaking. Here is a sneak-peak if you want to get in the mood for more (I promised no spoilers and this is just the official trailer released for Dralion).
As usual, the costumes, make-up and set were as impressive as they were beautiful. All the performances were so fluid, some even appeared to be lighter than air! And in addition to the traditional circus acts like the clowns, acrobats and jugglers, we were introduced to Asian scenes which reminded me of the Shaolin monks.
The Eastern mood was ever-present, Dralion being the main character and I loved how they inserted pure asian art like the gigantic shadow theater, while merging that world with Western art. The clowns spoke italian and the live singer, whose colossal voice filled the room, sang in various European languages (I think I recognized Spanish at some point). Not to mention the brilliant live orchestra which the clowns made sure to show us. Don't you just love it when artists respect their audiences so much, they keep it all true, genuine and live? That implied a couple of mishaps by the acrobats which made the show all the more impressive and dramatic. Watch for those who will make Spiderman crawl in a hole and hide in shame for all eternity and expect the most flabbergasting juggler ever!
Everything wrapped with a sense of humor that kept the whole play as entertaining as it was gorgeous and astonishing.
If you plan on taking your loved one to watch the show on the 14th, there even is an acrobatic scene which gives an entirely new dimension to "Love is in the air". Valentining at Cirque Du Soleil anyone?
Since we were not allowed to take photos during the show (understandably, although as usual, many did not care), and anyway, what sort of photos would you get on your mobile phone, I decided to steal one of the empty stage on our way out.
Oh and if you are wondering which tickets to buy, I can confirm that wherever you choose to sit, you will enjoy the show but I feel the middle is best because many scenes happen in the "air" and if you are sitting too close to the stage, you cannot possibly see all that is happening right above your head.
Yes, I know, I'm a little late to follow up on my first GeekFest post as I had initially intended and promised. But in my defense, my life has been hijacked by the cutest yet loudest and a little-lot demanding terrorists. They may be tiny, squeezably adorable and a blessing; and as much as I adore them, I need to say it loudly: I am allowed a quarter of a personal life now. The rest is theirs. And gladly so. It is my choice and I love it and I am thankful for it. But that also means I am left with only that quarter of a life to pile up whatever it is I need to for myself like, I don't know, eat, sleep and sometimes (thank God) shower. But I digress. If you're interested in more mommy-madness, this is the place to go. Because until further notice, this space here is going Geeky, and Geeky only, all the way!
Maya Metni | Le Geek, C’est Chic! How to dress like a Geek? A practical guide @mayametni
Maya Metni kicked off the night with a fun and informative presentation on how geeks turned from geeky-losers to popular idols. And because Maya is an image consultant, she also revealed a few interesting fashion tips on how to master the ultimate Geek-Chic look.
Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid
Toni Yammine | Crowdsourcing Music Videos – Meen the Band | Toni is a Lebanese musician/director @toniyammine
Now that presentation, I was actually looking forward to because I had followed that crowdsourcing video project by Meen and I found it really interesting at the time. Toni Yammine revealed how fans of the band grabbed the opportunity to get involved in Meen's creative work by showcasing their personal talents and producing low/no-budget videos for their favorite songs. That was actually a brilliant idea because who would be better than hardcore fans to come up with authentic music videos produced with heart and passion? Everything was structured within a competition frame which gave an additional incentive and entertaining side to the whole project. That is also probably why so many others, fans of the band or not, took the time to watch those video entries. Crowdsourcing is gaining popularity in the Arab world and it's always intriguing to see how professionals will use this technique and how their audiences will respond. This one I believe, was quite successful in achieving the goals at stake (despite the expected negative critiques of some).
Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid
Hind Hobeika | Smart/tech clothing and where that’s all heading? | Hind is an engineer, swimmer and a self-tracking geek @hindhobeika
When they first introduced Hind, I could not help but be intrigued by her presence and the product she came to present. A swimmer and numbers addict, she developed her very own swimming self-tracking device which is pretty awesome to say the least and super impressive! Especially for someone her age. Then again, when it comes to geeks, you can always expect the most creative ones to impress you at an early age.
I already knew about Sawt.com and I was actually excited to see their new interface. This is such a smart site and Beshr gave an interesting insight on the positive outcomes and potential it brings to the music industry in the Arab world. When the mainstream artists look like they are all coming out from the same "kheshik beshik" factory and as it clearly appears the only way to make it is to become a clone of those existing performers, it is always a breath of fresh air to get to know people who are actually working on bringing a different breed of talent into the light.
Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid
Bassam Jalgha | Live Demo How to Build an Audio Synthesizer in 10 minutes Using Open Source Information @BassamJalgha
Now this guy brought it! His presentation was by far the geekiest and although I did not understand one word of his Do It Yourself demo (yes, I know, I have a long way to go) the result of what he literally built in front of our eyes was outstanding! He actually made sounds, turned them into some sort of musical composition, using no instrument but his nerdy equipment and hands! Geek power at its best!
Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid
Elie Habib | Tools that allow developers to build Social features on top of Music | Elie is the co-founder of Anghami @anghami@elie_h
Another interesting Geek-up for the music industry: Elie presented Anghami and how it proposes to revolutionize the way we listen to music by making it possible to have access to top sounds, legally, on the move. Basically, with Anghami, it will be possible to listen to the latest music, with excellent sound quality, on our mobile phones, wherever we go. The real added value is that it does not require an internet connection to work.
This is probably the reason why I made the effort to find a way to leave the kids at home and make it to GeekFest! I knew Loryne but I did not really know Loryne. We had met online and although we regularly communicate since Bras For A Cause Middle East, we have never had the chance to actually meet in person. Finally, I can proudly say: we now know each other! I will not go into the details of Loryne's presentation as she covered Bras For A Cause Middle East which you can read all about in my coverage of the event. I was also very happy to find a stand where I could buy another special edition t-shirt by the super talented Rana Al-Basri Mouawad.
Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid
The presentations were followed by the now famous Fashion Show which featured:
REAL PEOPLE and GEEKS AS MODELS
Fashion for fundraising – Bras for a Cause by One Wig Stand
Up and Coming Lebanese and Middle Eastern Geeky/Urban fashion Designers stages by Fishy Nation
An Online Collaborative line designed by our own Joseph Maalouf
I am sure the third part of the evening dedicated to Music was equally fun but unfortunately, I could not stay long enough to enjoy it as I had to return to my tyrant baby-bosses ;) So I will keep this focused on what I personally saw and I hope I could convey a little of the impressive discoveries I made that night.
Looking forward to the sixth edition of GeekFest! ;)
This, here, is the first of a series of posts on GeekFest Beirut 5.0: I had a good time, there are many things I would love to share with you guys, but I do not want this one blog post to turn into a phonebook-size novel. So I will introduce my two-cents on the event in several reviews hoping it will make it easier on your eye. I know you appreciate the thought (which was actually a request/order from my sister. ahem).
The hot temperature and extreme humidity did not deter me. I bravely dumped my kids on my mom (Parenting 101) and ran as fast as I could (Mommy Survival Manual Lesson 149) towards Gemmayze, before grand-ma started pulling her hair and pulling me back home in the process.
I am not what you would call a geek although I do spend a lot of time using technology (does that count? I mean babies are born with that skill now, so that cannot be the only criteria) but I have a few friends in the Geek community and I was looking forward to seeing them in the flesh. Facebook and Twitter are fun enough but it is always reassuring to know your tweeps are not some computer-generated modern Imaginary Friends.
So we all gathered in The Alleyway in Gemmayze, on the über-popular Gouraud Street(I still cannot believe it has a page on Wikipedia) with our unintentionally sophisticated frizzed up hair flowing in Beirut's tragic wet breeze. The summer has started and over here, it equals excessively high temperatures and toxic humidity. Granted, we all looked like we had just been groomed by Cyndi Lauper's stylist but it was a happy crowd nonetheless that mingled and snapped photos and twitted and facebooked and... Danced. Apparently, geeks dance too.
Do not get me wrong, I love my geeks. I grew up with one and I am married to one. Not the same one (for those of you out there, keen on getting into specifics). But honestly, I was surprised by the look of this event and the attitude of everyone there: geeks are actually pretty cool! They are not your usual nerdy stereotyped losers Hollywood loves to mock so much.
Geek is truly the new cool(thank you Steve Jobs, I guess).
And because I do not just babble, I present you the indisputable evidence that geeks do rock indeed, on video!
And this is when I realized one of my favorite online people is also the bravest geek ever. Lynn, you rocked that red carpet!
It was also a pleasure finally meeting face to face one of the most active young women on the blogosphere and the founder of One Wig Stand, the stunning Loryne who gave a presentation on Bras For A Cause and brought t-shirts and bras with her so we could grab one of the last limited edition pieces that are now off the market.
But I will leave my "talk on the talks" for another post.
Right now I will just leave you free to loop that video over and over again, because geeks are as addictive as the internet and it is so much fun to watch them nerd that red carpet! Yes, I did just use the word "nerd" as a verb and synonym of "rock". After what I experienced last night, I believe it is well-deserved.
Oh, and no internet all over Lebanon on GeekFest day. A coincidence? I think not.
To the conspirators who tried to ruin GeekFest by annihilating the internet yesterday, just know that you may "break" the connection but you cannot break a geek's spirit! Your evil plan will not ever discourage them. If anything, you only gave them more reason to come up with new ways to drive you crazy! And to those of you out there who think I am just another conspiracy theory freak, I have one word for you: "hack". If you remember, many Lebanese government sites were recently hacked by Anonymous Lebanon... Aha! Busted! ;)
After "Jagal El USEK" went viral, Michelle teamed up with her sister Noel to create their first album, "Bel Ghalat" a musical satire of Lebanese society which has been widely covered in the local media.
Since then, they've been working hard at bringing us their very first music video, and seriously, who could possibly resist sharing it?
Got that from Coldplay on Facebook and have been looping it since! Can't stop listening! The music is good and the message is even greater. Just see for yourself:
On May 15, 2011 the Lebanese secular community is marching once again to demand their most basic right: a united nation ruled by unified civil laws, rights and duties that apply equally to all Lebanese citizens.
In a country like Lebanon, where differences seem larger than commonalities, where divisions seem easier than unity, where sectarian groups have at the very least one, sometimes more political parties (taking into account this tiny nation has officially acknowledged more religious and sectarian groups than an entire continent!) the concept of a unit gathering Lebanese citizens from all walks of life seems as improbable as guilt-free chocolate (let's face it, sugar-free just isn't the same).
And yet, this group has managed to stay away from politicians' claws and remain true to their values and ethics.
No politicians. No political parties. No sectarian groups. No affiliation whatsoever.
It's very simple; on May 15, all Lebanese will just be one thing:
Lebanese.
Nothing else.
2011 will witness the second Lebanese Laïque* Pride.
*Laïque means "secular" in French
Looking back at last year's gathering and 2011's potential, it's hard to believe it all started with a simple debate on Facebook. What might have ended with a few posts between friends quickly snowballed into a massive event, mostly powered by social media and the will of those who have had enough with obsolete politicians and politics ruling their lives.
My parents' generation had been fighting for that same right for ages; fighting for a better Lebanon for them, and for us.
On May 15 we'll be marching side by side my parents and I.
My dad will proudly be carrying my five months old daughter Mia on his shoulders on that day. She can't march but she'll be there anyway, alongside her parents and grand-parents. For Lebanon. For herself. And for what this event represents to her generation and the future of her country.
And hopefully, this will be the last time she has to march for such a basic right.
See you there, Lebanon!
Time: Sunday, May 15 · 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: From Aïn Mraïssé to Riad El-Solh - Beirut , LEBANON
For more details on the march in Lebanon and in other countries, check Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to the Laïque Pride mail list.
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Lebanese rapper Rayess Bek's contribution for the occasion:
And did I tell you she was nice enough to mention us and the previous post where we got to finally meet her:) Can't wait for the CD ... and her artwork! Turns out she paints and works as an illustrator too. The girl has many many talents!
Enough blabla... Go there and listen for yourself ;)
+ bonus interview with the lovely tante Isabelle :)
Rayess Bek's contribution to the The Lebanese Laïque Pride - مَسِيرَة من أجل دولة علما which will take place in Beirut on April 25, 2010 at 11am.
Join the pride & march for a secular Lebanon!
Email The Lebanese Laïque Pride
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Join the group & event on Facebook
I'm not what you would call a naive, innocent little girl.
I grew up in France, saw more in my neighborhood public high school than a Lebanese retired narc officer (OK, that may be an exaggeration, but you get my meaning) and I was the only girl in my sixth grade class that had yet to make out with a guy (what? I'm no prude but I'm a romantic-to-the-bone dreamer who spent her high school years fantasizing about her forever love; high school boys don't really fit the profile).
I am a firm believer in cohabitation; I think it's so very important to know the person you plan to spend the rest of your life with. And by "know" I mean really, truly understand their strengths, their joys, their loves, their pains, their weaknesses and most of all, their annoying little things. And understand that when two people get married, they commit to the person and all of the above as one single package; unconditionally.
Because as much as I believe in cohabitation, I believe even more in human nature. And I know from personal (modest) experience that people cannot change drastically. So if you think you can get hitched and say, well, I'll make him/her change "that thing" after we're married, think again.
You can immediately know what you're willing to compromise and live with and what you won't ever be able to stand. So why put yourself (and your partner) through hell by naively thinking you can achieve what so many others have failed at before?
Grow up. Man up. And do what you have to do before tying the knot!
I also know I'm a very difficult person. My values are very much black and white (to my loved ones' despair) and I do not ever stand, accept or even understand lack of ethics (personal or professional), decency or respect; which has been a hassle to manage at work and elsewhere.
Tolerance is a very important value, and I do appreciate it when it supports ethical positions. Tolerating racism, fanaticism, meanness, cruelty, disrespect, bigotry, and all that crap is not tolerance. It's bullshit.
But all in all, I'm a fairly open-minded gal.
I don't judge.
And I genuinely believe that people are free to make their own choices (freedom which entails the responsibility of living with the consequences of these choices afterwards).
But some choices I have a hard time understanding (not judging though). And it shocks me to find myself feeling, well, naive (to say the least).
After all the progress we've made and all the work that still remains to be done for Lebanese women to finally enjoy basic equal rights with men within our so very patriarchal society, I can't help but be deeply disappointed when I hear some stories. As I was walking by a very well-known café in Hamra I saw a friend of mine, X. sitting there with another guy I know and a girl. She looked like any other regular 20-something girl and I assumed she could have been X.'s new girlfriend because of their proximity at the table and the fact that she answered his phone. I found out later that she was just a friend; well an extremely trusting friend apparently. She had bluntly asked X. to get her... Clients. As a good friend, she trusts him to be her pimp!
If that's not friendship, then I don't know what is!
And apparently she's not the only one. Another friend of his told him that she easily makes 400 US Dollars a night and her clients include well-known politicians (old enough to be her dad). This one on the other hand didn't need any help acquiring new "projects"; she was just sharing how she manages her expenses.
X. had previously helped a third friend who just graduated as a journalist, land a job at a prominent Arab media group. She later decided to drop the whole thing and pursue other... Options. Options which are getting her a brand new car, and even her parents seem to be benefiting from her newly found career (don't they wonder where the high income's coming from at her age?) career which I am sure is unknown to them. I guess that when you're in need and cash starts pouring in, you don't really bother asking too many questions (or do you?) and believe any explanation blindly; even as concerned parents...
All these girls say that sleeping with men they don't love is not such a big deal. They really don't think about it that much. It's not about love after all.
And I remember me, at their age, still fantasizing about my forever one! God!
What saddens me deeply is that these are young, bright girls with an education and life ahead of them. Fresh graduates who seemed to be so focused and excited about pursuing a successful career in the media industry. Making a name for themselves. Being one of the few women to achieve so much in a field ruled mostly by men in the Arab world.
I guess shopping, cruising town in cool cars and being able to afford going out every night of the week was too good a deal to pass.
Girls are not the only ones pimping themselves.
And sometimes, in a perverted way, the pimping is not even for financial gain. Some aim at marrying. Others aim at marrying rich. Most (maybe?) aim at marrying beautiful. Young people aiming so high, everywhere around us.
The song below is so funny and yet so sad when you think it is so damn real. It is in Lebanese dialect. By a Lebanese university student. About Lebanese university students. Enjoy it. I wish I could include the credits but I got it by email without any detail.
If anyone knows who made that track, please let me know. Thanks!
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I'm very happy to update this post with some links from the talented Michelle Keserwany who left a comment here. Many of those who left messages on Twitter will be glad to discover the pages below:
