by Natasha Tynes | Jan 24, 2005 | Shutterbug, Travel, Weblogs
Well, the husband did it again. He created a fantastic gallery of a trip we took last year to Lebanon. You can click here or the gallery picture in the sidebar on the left to see the delights. He also made this wonderful panoramic image (350k!) of Beirut from the veranda of my sister’s house in Al-Ouzaei neighborhood in the suburbs of Beirut.
Still in the realm of photographs, we are now building up an interactive gallery featuring many of the pictures we have taken across the Middle East through the years. This gallery allows me to post individual images I want to show without a lot of fuss and viewers can comment on the pictures, even sending out TrackBacks. It’s really some neat stuff.
Another development you might have noticed on Mental mayhem is the addition of tabs up top there, beneath the banner This will hopefully make the site easier to navigate and more readily highlight some hidden site features like newswire, my archives and other surprises to come.
I’m also pleased to announce that there are two new domains for this blog: www.mentalmayhem.org and www.mentalmayhem.net. I tried to get www.mentalmayhem.com but it was already taken. Bastards! 😉 These domains are just another wonderful way to help you find the Mayhem.
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 22, 2005 | Everyday me!
The husband wrote a nice post about taking down the Christmas tree. Take a look. He is also in the process of launching an advanced, neatly designed new blog. Here is a sneak preview.
Meanwhile, it has been raining nonstop for days in Doha, which is making me feel sleepy all the time. Ah, the laziness! I think I aged 10 years in this place. Anyway, it is 7:42 am and I have to embrace the day. Here are some highlights from newswire to spice up your day.
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 22, 2005 | Books
I just finished reading Khaled’s Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and what a delight it was. It is a beautifully-written tale about growing up in Afghanistan in the 1970’s. Narrated by Amir, born to a privileged family in the heyday of the country, Kite Runner is the story of finding friendship, redemption and love in a nation shattered by the years and by a spate of wars.
At first I had my doubts about this book, as I thought it would be another one of those "politically-correct" novels in which the author talks to no end about living under oppression and how the world should sympathize with his misery. I feared it would be one of those books that embellish oppression and customize it to appeal to a mass mainstream audience. I was mistaken.
The book didn’t talk endlessly about the horrors of the Taliban, although it was mentioned briefly. Instead it dissected the inner self and the battle to overcome a deep-rooted sense of guilt. If you are looking for a good book to put your hands on, the Kite Runner is a fine choice.
Next on my reading list — although I’m struggling to find time to do so –- is the Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring). Finally! I gave my word to Roba that I would commit myself to this masterpiece after years of procrastination.
The Sunday Times once said: "The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them." I have belonged to the second category for years now. It is about time to change this status!
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 21, 2005 | Jordan, my nation
Jordan prepares for an imported insurgency
AMMAN — Jordan has quietly bolstered its security forces to prepare for an insurgency imported from Iraq.
Jordanian officials said they were concerned by the departure of Islamic volunteers from Iraq to such neighboring countries as Jordan and Syria. The officials said they could not rule out that the Islamic operatives were being directed to subvert the Hashemite kingdom after receiving training and combat experience in Iraq.
Jordanian Prime Minister Faisal Al Fayez has acknowledged that Jordan was preparing for the prospect that the Iraqi insurgency would spill into the kingdom. Al Fayez said Amman has drafted security plans to quell any attempt to introduce the insurgency in Jordan. Al Fayez did not elaborate.
"We have plans to contain any effort to destabilize Jordan’s security, border security and economic security," Al Fayez said.
Source: [Middle East Newsline]
Is it possible? Yes. Can it be prevented? I believe it can. What can we do? Nothing besides hoping for a quick and a crushing defeat of the insurgency in Iraq.
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 20, 2005 | Tidbits
My very good friend Mariam wrote a very compelling post detailing her trip to Baqaa, a Palestinian refugee camp, to have her fortune read by the infamous fortune teller Ibtisam. Mariam’s account of the trip is dead on. She fully describes her encounter with Baqaa residents who automatically direct her to Ibtisam’s house without questions, as Mariam’s appearance along with that of her friends didn’t fit such a destitute area. Why else would westernized, Ammanite girls come to Baqaa unless it was to have their coffee cups read?
Unlike Mariam, who went home disappointed after Ibtisam refused to read her cup (for lacking intention), I had the intent and my cup was fully read by Ibtisam nearly five years ago. I don’t recall all of what she told me that day but I remember two major things she saw coming in the near future: Without even looking me in the eyes, Ibtisam predicted that 1) I would marry someone out of my culture and 2) I would spend most of my life outside of Jordan.
Well, I’m not sure I believe in all of this fortune telling stuff, but what she foresaw in my coffee cup was very similar to what happened in my life. Freaky!
Well, the husband did it again. He created a fantastic gallery of a trip we took last year to Lebanon. You can click here or the gallery picture in the sidebar on the left to see the delights. He also made this wonderful panoramic image (350k!) of Beirut from the veranda of my sister’s house in Al-Ouzaei neighborhood in the suburbs of Beirut.
I just finished reading Khaled’s Hosseini’s 