And you thought rising oil prices is a bad thing

Silicon Valley engineer Andy King parked his Chevy Suburban in favor of a bike for commuting and says he has dropped 35 pounds since February. "It's good for my body and soul," King says

Read more about the various effects the rise of the oil prices have helped make certain things better.

To those who waited the bodies of their loved ones

While the prisoners sway between Hezbollah and Israel last week, I have to say I was really touched when I listened to those families who were waiting for the bodies of their loved ones, they knew they were dead, but still waited anxiously to receive their bodies and give them a proper burial. I cannot imagine how they feel, it must've been really hard on them. I want to offer my condolences and patience to these families.

I also want to mention those families who are still awaiting news about their loved ones in the Syrian Prisons, some has disappeared 1 and 2 decades ago, a mother still remembers her son as a teenager, where is he now? Life has stopped for her, if he was dead, it would've been hard on her when she knows he died, but after a while, she can continue her life, but if he's there, somewhere, not knowing what his status is, is he alive? is he dead? could he still be in prison for all this time, banned from any communication with the outside life? is this fair? Where is the justice in this?

Banning smoking in public places in Lebanon

That would be a dream come true. One thing I enjoyed while being in Paris is that when I left restaurants and pubs, I did not smell like an ashtray!

There is one Pub in Gemmayze that actually is doing a "nice" gesture if we may call it, a small stepping stone to maybe one day having pubs and restaurants in Lebanon smoke free. But you see Lebanon is not just about cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars and pipes, it's also about Arguileh (a widely spread addiction in Lebanon) aka Hubly bubbly!?

Anyway, the pub's name is GODOT, and it is smoke free every Wednesdays! Kudos for GODOT! Hope more pubs will join it on this action.

More on Bloomberg and Gates fighting smoking to help the world quit smoking here. I love Bill Gates!

Ziad Richa in the Beijing Olympics

"We are carrying a gun, and through this gun we are passing a message to everybody that you can do a nice sport peacefully.

"We have had enough of war. We want to live peacefully with our families and our friends."

Let's wish Ziad Richa luck in the Beijing Olympics, indeed, let's show the world that sometimes, yes, sometimes, Lebanese hold a gun that is not intended to kill or to defend from someone trying to kill you, in hope that one day, all homes in Lebanon, will not need a gun sitting in their closet for "protection". Why? Because after all, we are all brothers in this crazy country, and we deserve and NEED to trust each other at one point.

Read more on this story here.

Lebanese Flashmobbers sleep on the streets

Once again, the Lebanese Flashmobbers hit the street of Beirut on Saturday July 19th with a new and different action, this time they gathered in Ain El Mreisseh - Beirut, and slept on the floor for 5 minutes. Many were creative enought to come in PJs, sleep in sleeping bags, bring pillows, suck on their thumbs, and even bring alam clocks!

Click on the images to view them in larger size.

Darfur`s rape camp

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has indicted Sudan's President Omar Al Bashir for genocide. He is charged with killing hundreds of thousands of people in Sudan and its Darfur region, and corralling the surviving women and girls into terrifying camps where they are being quietly and systematically raped until their peoples are destroyed.

To help the ICC arrest Omar Al Bashir and hold him accountable for the crimes he had commited, and donate for help of the people in Darfur, please click here

I can't believe that these things still exist in our days.

Corpes swap, Hero swap or Prisoners swap?

This is a Haaretz article displaying in an series of drawn pictures about how the abduction of the 2 IDF soldiers happened in 11 and 12 July 2006 by Hezbollah.

I have to say that I do not regard Samir Kuntar as a hero. I know saying something like this is regarded by certain Lebanese people as unpatriotic or un-Lebanese, but may I remind you that we are still in a democratic country here, and Lebanon is not a dictatorship. Whatever Samir Kuntar believed in, whatever his cause was and the background he came from, killing a baby girl, is not regarded by me as a heroic action. That is putting matters in a simple way, I am not looking at this from a political point of view and historic point of view.

I have several times asked this question on this blog, of whatever happened to those Israeli soldiers, now we know that they are dead, but I am still trying to find somewhere if they were able to identify when they were dead. Because some sources are saying that one of them actually died during the attack. I am surprised of how Hezbollah were able to keep such info in the shade and no one ever knowing the status of these 2 soldiers. They kept them for prisoners swap, whether I agree with what they did or not is not the point here, but we have to admit, as a war action, that was a point going to Hezbollah. Hezbollah 1- 0 Israel.

Lebanon today!

The prisoners swap is taking place today between Hezbollah and Israel. Latest update is that the 2 Israeli prisoners that Hezbollah captured before the July 2006 war are dead. Among the prisoners that will be back to Lebanon is the infamous Samir Kuntar.
Moreover, a political handshake between Saad El Hariri and Sheik Hassan Nasrallah is awaited. Aren't we all just looking forward for this day?

On Top of all this, a picture for the cabinet members will be taken today and everybody should be dressed in white (angels?) no exception!

Cabinet finally formed

- New President (Check)
- New Cabinet (Check)
- Fix 3rd problem - Hezbollah's weapons (Status - UNKNOWN)
- Fix 4th problem - lack of trust, xenophobia, sectarian clashes, etc... (Forever and ever existent and will never be "CHECK")

Read more here

ATVs stopped by Hezbollah in Jroud Zahle

I've just been told that Samir Geagea mentioned in today's press conference that some ATVs were stopped during a trip in Jroud Zahle. I've been meaning to post about this on this blog, but the personal life got in the way.

It is us that he was talking about. On Sunday 15 June 2008, I had a trip planned for my colleagues at work to go on ATV from Ouyoun el Simen to Zahleh through its deserted mountains, known as Jroud, have lunch in Zahle's Wadi Al Arayesh and come back. On our way, we were a convoy of about 10 ATVs, and in the middle of no where we were stopped by armed civil men, carrying AK47s. On the side there was a big white tent. On both sides, as far as 500 meters on each way, there was high deserted mountains. We were asked what we were doing there and where we were going. I gave the name of everyone with me, because I did not want them to stop every ATV and bother them. Luckily I gave them the right names, and all of them.
After they believed that we were only on an adventure trip and going to have lunch in Zahle, and been told never ever to pass by there again because it is a "military" region. They told us that we will not be bothered on our way back.

On our way back, we were stopped again, there was more armed men, and we can see them in far behind big rocks with their guns ready for any action. This time they wanted to search all males in the ATV convoy. The organizer of the trip insisted and persisted over and over again that we are a respected company and only here for adventure and he refused that any man amongst would be searched. After more than 20 minutes of negotiations, they told us that all males should show their IDs, and they compared it to the first list we had given them earlier that day. There was one missing name, but it was okay, because we told them that the guy stayed in Zahle. After they let us go, they were clear that this is a secure zone, a NO-ATV zone... and not to pass from there ever again.

We were just trying to have fun. That is the story.

Traffic Lights, Roads, Fuel.. this is just absurd

While driving today, I noticed how much Lebanese people do not look beyond their nose, it's an expression we use in here. Looking beyond their nose, meaning looking ahead in the future and not just taking decisions that would affect the current situation and current period.

However, the thing that doesn't make a lot of sense, is that Lebanese people are usually people who worry about the future a lot, because we do not have a lot of services offered to us by the government, retirement plans, security, hospitalization, free medication, etc... we do, but it isn't neither stable nor widespread. So we really have to rely on ourselves, when it comes to securing our future, the future of our family, the schools, the social security, the medication stuff, etc... In france for example, school tuitions are for free!

But no, when it comes to driving, if taking the left lane wins us two seconds while our direction is keep going straight, yet would block the road for those going to the left, knowing that the light for the straight direction is red, yet for those going to the left is green! But hey, we will win 2 seconds!

And finally, fuel prices are still flying... Shi bi tammin! I had this accident while not having enough money to fill my car's tank, because I was used to pay an amount, and now it is really much more... Funny day, I had to step down from my car and wash some cars, and fill gaz to other people! No, am kidding, I know the guy, and I brought him the rest of the money the next day.

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Happy Blogging

Only in Lebanon

Signs you'll only see in Lebanon!

In Lebanon we tend to translate political beliefs, idiocricy and silly propaganda into our billboards, billboards that are supposed to ambush us by telling us that a car with the current year model is only 10'000$, which contains beneath it in a very very small font "Excluding VAT, Excluding Registration, Excluding Gear, Excluding Wheels..."

Anyway, I got three signs for you! I was at the Housing thingie applying to get a loan for a house, and I saw a sign that said: "Please don't turn off your cigarettes on the floor". I thought I was reading it wrong expecting something like "Please don't smoke". I am so retro.

Another funny one coupled with "Sex, Unisex":



No comment really, it is all thanks to Aoun that "partnership" is back to Lebanon.

And finally, something that REALLY reminds me of the time when Emile Lahoud, the most hated guy in Lebanon for the past 9 years. New billboards Thanking General Michel Suleiman, our upcoming president.



It is just amazing how Lebanese forget, get so excited, so happy over anything slightly positive, clinging to an atom of hope, thinking that everything in just 2 days can make the country better. It does give this vibes, it really does, but we're just repeating history if we keep doing the same mistakes, the same reactions and the same way of thinking. Silly us.

Downtown Beirut Back to Life, sorta!

As soon as the opposition dismantled their tents and removed every last trace of their presence that has been ongoing since December 1, 2006 in the purpose of overthrowing the Siniora Government back, due to the recent dialog that took place in Qatar and resulted in agreement between both factions, the opposition and the government, Sunday will be crowned (crowned??) by a new President for Lebanon, General Michel Suleiman and downtown Beirut is back to life, sort of!




I went to Downtown Beirut tonight, as our friends were there, and we thought we'd join them, as I heard yesterday that downtown is overbooming, and everybody's hanging out there again, so I thought, let me check out what the fuss is all about. Don't wanna sound hypocrit, downtown beirut used to be one of my favorite hang out places, even before it had so many restaurants and such.



Unfortunately, the central district of Beirut, even if it tried so hard to embrace the so many people visiting it and remeniscing the old times, the restaurants, the few of them that were still open and did not close during the past year, the few ones that still had staff and enough food to feed the hungry people.



Many places were still closed, so my friends and I went to our usual favorite restaurant, Roadster's Diner, but an unusual branch, the downtown one. It had only 5 staffs, and on average, you get your meal after 10 minutes of ordering it, but tonight, it took more than 40 minutes! Oh, it was not my first order, because they did not have food for first order. Fine, it's okay, I kept encouraging those hard working waiters.



Moreover, I saw a couple of Ferraris on the road tonight. And they say there is no money in this country!

Easy come, easy go

I have to be honest with you, the whole recent so-called positive event in Lebanon, the whole finally agreeing on something, the opposition and the government who have been dissing, offending, disrespecting and threatening each other for the past year and a half, this whole recent event only makes me worry.

I wonder, how can such deep, rooted, stereotypical thoughts, be ruled out in one Qatari Dialog? I just don't get it.

I heard that today, there were no available place in Beirut's Downtown's restaurants and that it is back to life. Yes, congratulations for that.

But the solution we have is superficial, our problem is not the president or the electoral law or the tents that were in Beirut since December 1, 2006 and up until yesterday night. Our problem is us.

Are you one of those who are happy? or in grief and mourning

Let's not forget, that while Lebanon is celebrating (I personally smell something fishy about it, I can't help but be "pessirealistic" here), others are mourning their lost ones.

Some people died in the mini-war that happened in the second week of May, what happens to them? What happens to their folks? Why did they put themselves in such a situation you might wonder, they may be right, they may not be right, nevertheless their lives were lost.

Either ways, alla yer7amkoun w yer7amna.

Rejoice, Lebanon`s savior is here

Now that the Doha agreement between the opposition and the government has took place, it appears to be a day of rejoice and celebration for the Lebanese. Because on Sunday, Lebanon will not be presidentless anymore. Both factions agreed on General Michel Suleiman as a president, and agreed on an electoral law, thanks to the opposition and their "sacrifice".

Tents are doing down, no more sit-in in Beirut Central District (Downtown). That's a good thing at least, this town is beautiful and hopefully some life will come back to it.

As we have gotten used to things by now, nothing is as simple as it appears, dialog has been called for since ever in Lebanon, they have had many attempts so far, 20 times the presidential elections has been postponed as well, and in 1 week, in Qatar, solution has been found. Is it a permanent solution or just a temporary one? On the regional scale, is something going to happen between Iran and Israel/US? We'll wait and see.

Dialog in Qatar and Berri in Pyjamas

Apparently, it's not going well. All I saw yesterday on the news was that Berri was in the Qatari tradiotional outfit, known as "Dishdesheh", I think. But that's not all, he was also wearing slippers. I am thinking he feels more comfortable in Qatar. Hopefully, others will join him, and they all stay there.

We are back to square zero, because even if both factions, the opposition and pro-government have agreed on a president, General Michel Suleiman, they still disagree on the electoral law that will be used in the next parliamentary elections. How will Beirut's district be divided? For those who don't know, it is a simple matter of math, each faction is giving the division that it will win for it more seats at the parliament. I have no idea, how they can actually find a solution for that. I am sure no faction will sacrifice for the other, because after all, it is not Lebanon that it matters for them, it apparently is their own benefits.



Today, an organization named KHALAS organized a gathering along the road of the airport to call for the leaders not to come back in case they don't agree. Talk about improbable things.

Not wanting to sound pessimistic, yet it seems like the day the opposition and the government agree will be when we won't have a Global Warming problem. At least there is hope.

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Let us at least stay Friends

This is a group that has been created on Facebook. Its main purpose is to tell the Lebanese people to stay friends despite what's going on.

At first you might think this is a ridiculous group, but let me tell you it actually is a pretty out of the box idea. It is because it's true. Luckily my friends and I already can forsee the consequences of talking politics, and that's why we just don't. Some might disagree and recommend communication, however that is precisely the problem here. The thing is, politics in Lebanon has become so intertwined with personal issues that we will definitely end up arguing, yelling at each other and possibly stop talking to each other, and it happened with some folks.

That is why, refrain from talking politics because:
1- You won't change anything
2- You will end up losing good friends of yours

Of course, when you decide to talk about the well being of your country and people, instead of talking about Aoun, Geagea, Jomblat, Nasrallah, Berri, Hariri, etc... Ideas vs People.... Just remember!

Arab Traffic Week

Drive carefully people!!