An Introvert's Wonderland

OutSideTheBox

2006-04-24T01:15:00.000+03:00

Good day people

The IAA (International Advertising Association- Jordan) is having its second OutSideTheBox Conference. For further info check their website at www.iaajordan.org

I am thinking of attending this year, so if anyone attended it last year or knows anyone who did could you fill me in on how it was?

Thank you for your time in advance :)

assistance required

2006-04-15T12:20:00.000+03:00

Help me choose.
please :)

ignore the colors.

A. Hyndai Tuscan

B. Nissan Tiida

C. Mazda 3 (5doors)

D. Citroen C4

E. Citroen C3

Thank you.

a beautiful evening a wonderful feeling

2006-04-14T00:25:00.000+03:00

They were incredible, unbelievable and extremely talented. And I am absolutely positive that everyone enjoyed it. Not as much as I did perhaps, but they definitely enjoyed it.

I went to a concert today with my 15 year old sister. It was featuring a Polish duo under the name Carcow Duo, the city of Carcow/Poland. There are two life long friends, Jan Kalinowski (Cellist) and Marek Szlezer (Pianist) who teamed up to gift the world with their beautiful music. They performed some Chopin, Debussy a Bach a Piazzolla (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE) and a K. Penderecki.

The music was astounding. They played like you could only wish anyone would play. I can not describe the way it made me feel. It leaves you vulnerable, fragile and completely exposed. The Cellist, unreal. Watching him play was like watching a complete theatrical production at its best. The isolation, anger, frustration and the strength of his playing was so raw I felt violated. He made me feel like I was meant by each note. It was personal. I felt responsible to handle what I am hearing.
(the above: said at the risk of sounding exaggerated.)

The Pianist was remarkably talented just as much. The harmony between them was so engaging that you could not but feel involved. Marek (the Pianist) whisked us away to another time (a time I wish I could have lived) while performing Chopin's Mazurka in F. Sharp minor, Op. 59, No.3 and the mind blowing Etude in C., Op. 10, No. 12 "revolutionary". We were all astonished by his solo performance.

The grand finale was indescribable. Le Grand Tango by A.Piazzolla.
Honestly? Words fail me beyond my tolerance. It is not fair to experience such feelings and lack the capability to articulate. Do you know that feeling you get when you hear that you've been betrayed? Or when you drive really fast up a steep hill and back down? You know that sinking motion you feel in your heart? That is exactly what I felt throughout the whole piece. (the examples used above are extremely infantile, noted. I just hope I got the feeling across.)

You can imagine how thrilled I was when I saw that they were selling a CD that includes most of their performance tonight.

Two hours splendidly spent.

I play the Piano. And have practiced both the Violin and the Guitar for a while. Currently however, I am studying the Cello, which I believe is the most amazing instrument ever created by mankind. It has been a dream of mine, and making it come true introduces me to another level of satisfaction and fulfillment I thought was impossible.

I guess you can now understand why I am so taken when it comes such matters.

i love spaghetti

2006-04-05T12:18:00.000+03:00

You can be surprised of how similar Arabs and Italians are.

http://www.haaseffect.net/Film_Clips/euroital/europeitaly.html

How ture is that?
I really wouldn't know :)

enjoy

not a poem

2006-04-02T03:15:00.000+03:00

I'm consumed,
I'm taken,
completely gone.
I gave in,
succumbed to.
I proclaim my normality,
my weakness
and with it
my pain.
I am indifferent,
I want to be selfish
and speak of it to no one.
It??
Later perhaps, fellow strangers.
I just want to lay there on that peach cliff,
Over looking the desert, which I don't admire much.
While I contemplate my excessively commercialized footwear,
listening to 'IT'.
And think of absolutely nothing.
You don't have to
think of something to assure yourself of your worth,
or of your intellect.
I just want to close my eyes
and completely ignore how dizzy I am.

I am sleep deprived.

I have been sleeping for the average of 4 hours a day for the past three months.

tissues

2006-03-23T00:26:00.000+02:00

Good bye Winter

Hello allergy season

Sad- sniff.

Question

2006-03-19T01:53:00.000+02:00

do you know how it feels, when you are trying to write down a letter, email, message, or even a post about anything, and then all of a sudden you feel suffocated and your fingers start to stutter and then you are no longer able to continue?

meen erhaby?

2006-03-16T00:28:00.000+02:00

http://www.jsalloum.org/meenerhabe_qt.mov

an entry posted by PALFORCE
on the 15th of March.

don't.

2006-03-12T00:23:00.001+02:00

good bye my lover- James Blunt

cheese-y? maybe.

comes across? I highly doubt.

Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your head.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.

Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I am a dreamer but when I wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.

Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bear my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.

past the point of no return

2006-03-09T01:33:00.000+02:00

PHANTOM:
Passarino - go away!
For the trap is set and waits for its prey . . .

You have come here in pursuit of
your deepest urge, in pursuit of
that wish, which till now
has been silent, silent . . .

I have brought you, that our passions
may fuse and merge, in your mind
you've already succumbed to me
dropped all defenses completely succumbed to me,
now you are here with me:
no second thoughts, you've decided,
decided . . .

Past the point of no return -
no backward glances:
our games of make believe are at an end . . .

Past all thought of "if" or "when" -
no use resisting:
abandon thought,
and let the dream descend . . .

What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before us . . .?

Past the point of no return,
the final threshold, what warm,
unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return . . .

CHRISTINE
You have brought me to that moment
where words run dry, to that moment
where speech disappears into silence,
silence . . .

I have come here,
hardly knowing the reason why . . .
In my mind, I've already
imagined our bodies entwining
defenseless and silent -
and now I am here with you:
no second thoughts, I've decided,
decided . . .

Past the point of no return
no going back now:
our passion-play has now, at last,
begun . . .

Past all thought of right or wrong -
one final question:
how long should we two wait, before
we're one . . .?

When will the blood begin to race
the sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames, at last, consume
us . . .?

BOTH Past the point of no return
the final threshold, the bridge
is crossed, so stand and watch it burn . . .

We've passed the point of no return . . .

a personal favorite
it's a play within a play woven into a story

2006-02-15T22:27:00.000+02:00

beautiful minds

2006-02-08T03:44:00.001+02:00

photo taken by bilotee

I think it is beautiful to read what intelligent people wrote of beauty.

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. -Albert Einstein

Remember how in that communion only, beholding beauty with the eye of the mind, he will be enabled to bring forth, not images of beauty, but realities (for he has hold not of an image but of a reality), and bringing forth and nourishing true virtue to become the friend of God and be immortal, if mortal man may. -Plato

The terrifying and edible beauty of Art Nouveau architecture. -Salvador Dali

Beauty and its essence have been abused by so many others, it's a shame.

six simple lines to 'expression'

2006-02-05T23:02:00.001+02:00

Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.

- Albert Einstein

Never again will I make the simple into the complex. Something of true value does not become more valuable because it becomes complicated. Experience and conditions come and go; complications arise and fall away, but the simple action of God is eternal in the universe.
- Donald Curtis.

A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child.

- Chinese Proverb

The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity. -Prof. Ludwig Wittgenstein

Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Simplicity is the glory of expression.

- Walt Whitman space

space

p.s. those are direct quotes and are not a reference to my personal opinion. this note does not negate a possible conformity with their content either.

a bunch of berries

2006-02-03T03:00:00.000+02:00

D'you see me,

d'you see Do you like me,

do you like me standing there

D'you notice,

d'you know Do you see me,

do you see me

Does anyone care

- The Cranberries ode to my family

Do you?

tagged

2006-01-28T21:09:00.000+02:00

I was tagged, twice!
First by earth child, and just as I was working up my courage to actually do it I was tagged again by ohoud.

Thank you both for tagging me along

Five facts about me
1- Obsessive compulsive
2- I don't get board easily
3- I love elephants
4- Envied for my right cheek dimple
5- I am always late

Three things I like about others
1- attentiveness
2- being full of surprises
3- knowing how to fight – argue

Three things I don’t like about others
1- people who are condescending
2- people who think while you are talking
3- gentlemen and ladies who are not.

and... it is time to tag: eman jameed shaden basem united tololy news

I am late Amélie dear

2006-01-28T06:16:00.000+02:00

I know, it has been a while, its just that I think the day has shrunken an hour, or seven actually, and all of a sudden I wish to write a petition to get a couple of hours to the oh-so-short 24-hour day. Or maybe that is my own lame excuse to avoid the confrontation or maybe my creative excuse to procrastinate. Either way, here I am back again. Everything seems really different, unexplainable.

Yesterday I took upon myself to undergo a DVD marathon (exaggeration sited), I would be shot at sight if I returned the movies I had a day later. One of the movies I saw was a French film under the title Amélie. A friend recommended it for what seems to be about a year ago. And God am I happy I finally got to see it. This may not make any sense or maybe it would, but I think I am rating this movie as one of my all time favorites. I am almost sure that the fact that it isn't in english (a Hollywood baby) made me appreciate the movie at a whole other level. The whole French air made it that more appealing to my much critical mind. The story line is actually not that extraordinary, but the acting, the setting, the beautiful colors, the frame of each scene, the simple elements that make the story get together (for tea I hope), the wonderful lead actress – I just adore her, and last but not least, the musical score. All which make this movie outstanding. Bare with me people, and let me exploit my courage and be unreasonably poetic in my unsuccessful effort to depict the beautiful music invested in this movie: Playing xylophone melodies on my ribs wouldn't have made it better. The music is just unbelievable. I can't and never will get over the feeling it gave me. It filled my lungs to an extent that air couldn't assert its conquest. I am completely in love with it. The accordion has a whole new place in my heart. The pace is just what you are longing to hear. A floaty feeling yet extremely sure, very in touch and spaced out a great deal. It gives you the sense of walking (literally) towards a semi-sweet cinnamon vanilla flavored adventure where colors are of autumn and where all objects around you are cut outs which stand out under their own illumination. When it comes to music words always fail us in our desperate attempts to describe it. I'm sure so many agree.

I want to thank every single being behind the making of such sounds specially Yann Tiersen, he'll never know his contribution to the humble little 'me'. Get the soundtrack, if you love such music, you'll thank me. I am sure you will. And believe me, the feeling is so simple it's almost cliché.

sTEAdman

2006-01-18T00:11:00.000+02:00

As I was looking for books on Amazon, I came across a book I am so glad I had accidentally found. It's called Gonzo the Art. The great person behind this beauty is Ralph Steadman. A seventy year old who started as a cartoonist and ended up with what I personally perceive as masterpieces. Looking at his work you can't help but feel an exquisite combination of pleasure and irritation that is invigorating.

His work is indisputably eccentric. He did illustrations for "Alice in Wonderland", "Treasure Island" and "Animal Farm". He has written books of the lives of Sigmund Freud and Leonardo da Vinci. As well as a book called "The Big I Am", the story of God. Steadman collaborated with American writer Hunter S. Thompson to bring alive GONZO journalism. Thompson's state-of-the-art book in the genre being; "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was made into a feature film.

Steadman is a printmaker as well, and the manner in which he practices it is absolutely fascinating. His impressions included writers from William Shakespeare to William Burroughs. He wrote the libretto; The lyrics in an opera, for an eco-oratorio (religious opera without stage action or costumes) under the name "Plague and the Moonflower". It was performed in five cathedrals in the UK and BBC claimed two films in its subject in 1994. He has two prize-winning books under the names "The Grapes of Ralph" and "Still Life With Bottle."

And much more to come about Steadman, sip by sip people.
For now here is some of his work... make sure to enjoy them... hopefully.

lost in translation- cliché

2006-01-16T01:46:00.000+02:00

Following is a Nigerian proverb. I am positive that it holds a much more profound meaning in its original wording. Maxims often possess beauty in their phrasing since they are initially derived from the culture of their origin. Thus, without utter knowledge of the culture itself, you are less likely to fully appreciate it. Unfortunately, the beauty of which I just referred to is evidently missing right here to a great extent. It is completely lost in translation:

The death that will kill a man begins as an appetite.

On the other hand, there are some that are able to make it through the translation after all:

A lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.

- German Proverb

Tea and Traffic Jam

2006-01-13T04:20:00.000+02:00

I'm not a complainer of any sort, but I think we have had it with people's commentaries about traffic jam here in Jordan! It's becoming our "England's" weather obsession!! It's true, there is no doubt at all that the number of cars seems to exceed the number of people actually living in this county, to an extent you start to believe that some cars have minds of their own and are driving aimlessly all by themselves, Psycho cars! Scary thought! But the thing is, just like with so many changes, we as people, are having an awfully hard time embracing the change, nobody said that change is necessarily better, or more comfortable, it is simply changed. Looking at people on any traffic light you can really see the fury building up in their eyes as they have to stop again at the same traffic light. I totally understand how frustrating it is, specially when people start calling you demanding to know where are your whereabouts, and you start loosing you temper and tell them about the traffic and then listen to yourself saying that, and then realize that not so long ago this justification was actually a good false excuse for being late. I'm sorry we have to spend more time in our cars rather than do something a bit more productive, but that is the way it is and the way it is going to be, till some radical transportation solution is presented if ever. (we can only hope). So here are some suggestions to do when you are caught in traffic:

1- Look at the blue sky. (if it was a rainy day: the gray sky, if it was a dusty day: the brownish-orange sky. just look at the sky.)
2- Look at the birds flying across the sky.
3- Choose a license plate and try to make combinations between its numbers.
4- Change through your radio channels.
5- Rearrange your bag (ladies)
6- Check your mobile for delivery reports
7- Straighten your posture
8- Smile at the people around you (but not too hard it would look scary)
9- Think of a happy place (an empty round perhaps)

And the list goes on and on, the options are endless. You could even tickle your brain and strike up a philosophical monologue with your precious self. If you get across any good thoughts make sure to write them down, because you are most probably going to forget them just as soon as the beautiful view of a green light illuminates your way finally… into freedom.

Kindly excuse the repeated use of hyperbole.

Happy driving.

tea and ma'moul

2006-01-10T15:44:00.000+02:00

Adver'tea'sing

2006-01-10T00:48:00.002+02:00

Here is the transcript of an old radio commercial for Signet Bank called "Wake Up Male". There is no significant reason behind posting this. I just came across it and thought it would be nice to share and see if this construes as a good commercial or not.

Man: Wake up, hit the snooze, attempt to kiss wife. Get out of bed, step on the dog, brush teeth, gargle, kiss wife again. Shower, dry hair, put on boxers, shirt, pants, socks, shoes, tie, jacket. Pour a cup of coffee, trip over toy truck, spill coffee, change tie. Kiss wife, baby, wave at neighbor Ernie. Start car, drive to work. Notice woman staring at me at stop light. Turn on defrost. Park. Work to work. Sit at desk, work, work, work. Meet with boss. Promise to kill boss. Eat lunch, work, work, work. Meet with boss again. Boss gives you bonus, promotion. Put plans to kill boss on hold. Drive home, run over toy truck, park. Kiss wife, baby, step on dog. Eat diner, play with baby, feed baby, burp baby, change baby, put baby to bed. Talk to wife; celebrating promotion, bonus. Pick up remote, turn on TV., read paper, fall asleep on sofa, wake up to national anthem. Get up, step on dog, take off pants, shirt, socks. Brush teeth, gargle, climb to bed, kiss wife, sleep. Dream of stepping on dog.

Announcer: "You have a lot to do in a day, so we make it easy for you to talk to a Signet banker. Call your telephone banking center anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's as easy as 1-800-2-SIGNET. All Signet banks are equal opportunity leaders. Members FDIC.

sharing some tea

2006-01-07T20:13:00.000+02:00

Lewis Carroll's Alice in wonderland, a personal favorite, is a literary masterpiece and as fine as they come.

The way in which he portrays such depth and complexities in a children's book is beyond description. The imagery is sensational and the dialogue is unparalleled. All of which he achieved in a manner that is so far from affected. Despite how surreal it might be, it exudes a level of sincerity and relatedness that is overwhelming.

Here is one of my favorite quotes, which undoubtedly accentuates the beauty of its unrepeated dialogue:

`I quite agree with you,' said the Duchess; `and the moral of that is--Be what you would seem to be--or if you'd like it put more simply--Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.'
`I think I should understand that better,' Alice said very politely, `if I had it written down: but I can't quite follow it as you say it.'
`That's nothing to what I could say if I chose,' the Duchess replied, in a pleased tone.

I take pride in Carroll's work as if it were mine.

Much more to come

sip by sip

2006-01-06T04:15:00.000+02:00

It seems now, after the stalling hellos, its time for me to actually say something about myself. However, unfortunately, I am not going to be able to do so, just yet. See, for an introvert such as myself, which I recently admitted, exposing myself in the simplest manner is an excruciating task. The thought of it makes me develop flu-like symptoms, leaving me all tired and weary.

I was first introduced to the world of blogging last September by a very dear friend of mine. Frankly, I wasn't all head-over-heals regarding its concept, since again it meant too much exposure.

Still, I was intrigued and started reading other people's blogs. Smiled through some, skimmed through others, and was totally impressed by a good few. Coming from me that should be a great compliment (I modestly admit), since I am the hardest ever to impress. Just about now, I am sure this 'blogging thing' does things to you; I just, rather comfortably, said something about myself. It seems to be much easier than I though.

After a good thought, or maybe an extremely good thought, and a great friend's encouragement I choose to actually try it. I thought that maybe (maybe) I should break out of my own, no not prison, sanctuary (if I may say) and to seek some human contact.

And so here I am. For all that's worth, this is my therapy, my attempt to tea time.

first attempt

2006-01-05T03:21:00.000+02:00

مرحبا hello hola 你好 bonjour 여보세요 hallo ciao こんにちは