This post will be all over the map simply because that is my current state of mind these days. Let me begin by saying I expect Roba will strangle me the next time she sees me in Amman, as I gave up reading The Lord of the Rings (for now at least). It was just too dark for me and I kept dreading returning to it. Eventually, I ended up with nothing to read. So I decided to keep away from it as I’m already operating with a dark mental status thanks to my obsessing about regional politics.
The book that I will be starting next is Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity based upon Amal’s recommendation. I’m told it should cheer me up. I watched the movie years ago and I don’t remember much besides the fact that it perked me up so I’m all for it. Earlier today we watched a very enjoyable French movie called Love, etc. Have I ever told you how much I enjoy French cinema? Anyway, this flick was a typically eccentric European movie that crosses moral boundaries and ends with no real message. I enjoyed it.
I also met up with Amal today for coffee at a place in Doha called Seaside Patterserie — no, it was not by the sea. Our conversation revolved around one topic: The Hariri assassination. She is still in shock and can’t believe that Hariri is gone for good. We kept going back and forth as to who was responsible for the attack. Our list of potential perpetrators was long and had a conspiracy theory flavor to it. Ah well, welcome to the Arab World, the birth place of conspiracy theories.
On a totally different note, Chanad has a compelling post about Shia religious celebrations in Bahrain. The pictures he posted as well are fascinating.
Back to the mental status. I had plans to be productive today and do things like cook for example, but it didn’t work out. Damn this bad mood!! Anyway, I’m off tomorrow and all for staying up late and watching movies. The first movie of choice tonight will be Dinner with Friends, but before I turn myself into a coach potato I’ll leave you with some newswire highlights:
Yeah Wendy, it seems like a veyr interesting book. Thanks for the recommendation;-)
Wendy, thank you for the recommendation. As a Christian and a woman, this is a must-read-series for me. I will for sure let you know what I think.
Natasha,
We USED to have the “one cooks, one washes up” marriage until we moved to Jordan! Hubby has gotten a little Arab in the househelp department. Wait til you have kids, too…they make unbelievable messes at supper!
Ladies, here is an uplifting book recommendation for you. “Lineage of Grace” is a five novella series by Francine Rivers on the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary – the five unlikely women in the lineage of Christ who changed eternity. Remember Ruth was Urdani-urdani, bardo, Karakiyya bil miyya. Amazing courage, resolve shown by the rejected, the prostitute, the adulteress, the misunderstood.
Mariam,
Don’t worry about that guy’s family name. Really, I think people will forget about him pretty soon. He is no one and the family name won’t stick in people’s mind the same way the Bion Laden family did.
Back to the reading issue, is there any book that you haven’t read;-) Lately, I have been such a bad reader you have no idea!
Tasha,
That was literally all over the Map… I am not going to go into the Hariri affair, as we are devestated in the family because he was one great guy and we happen to share the same last name with that bloody 7mar. Thank God we are not related to him, I know this thing will have long term effect on my family, and what i can say?? I finally could understand how the rest of Bin Laden family feels
Lord of the rings… is one brilliant book, but reading it is a torture. You have to be committed, and to be in the mood… and anyway watching the movie is good in this very casem, because they almost cover the whole spectrum in a precise manner.
High Fidelity is a smooth reading, for a person in your dark mood, the male version of Bridget Jones’ Diary… Generally I like Nick Hornby.
Love…etc. i recommend the book, it is very clever.
Mariam
Wendy,
Here is a rule of thumb for washing the dishes: whoever cooks should NOT do the dishes;) It works perfectly at the Tynes residence;-)
Wendy, That is so true. never mind natasha. hmmm.
Linda, Natasha is still a newlywed! She’s living her romance novel!
I’m an LotR freak like Roba…pick it up again when you can because the end is worth it! Loyalty, sacrificial love, honor…it lifts these qualities in your own life. Maybe try reading it with some of the books out that point out the images that mirror aspects of faith in Christ, making it even more powerful spiritually.
We just watched the films over a period of a week with Iraqi friends down for a visit…I translated the whole thing as we watched and they were enthralled. It gave them hope for Iraq.
My husband had not been interested either, but now we started reading the book(s) to each other instead of watching videos (or doing dishes!). We’ve never done that before, and it is very romantic and spurs conversation beyond work and kids.
Hey Natasha, try reading a good romance novel. See where that takes you.
Hehe, 3anjad I feel like killing you 😛 How can you not be amazed by the sheer beauty and underlying strength of such a beautiful story told with the most bizarre use of words and creatures!
Anyway yeah, don’t worry, we LOTR freaks love you anyway, as long as you tried 🙂 This book is definitely not for everyone 🙂
especially since you sound so miserable… cheer up 🙂