The Real View

Constellation: Indus (The Indian)
Mood: Desolated

I could explain to you about the war on Lebanon, about what you don’t see on TV, about what the American media refuse to show, about the apathy of the Hezbollah towards a whole nation, about Israel’s true strengths and weaknesses.

But instead I chose to talk to you about what is truly happening. Everyone knows about the children dying and you probably saw a good deal of pictures everywhere. Massive destruction is nothing new to Lebanese too (And Israel is making a good usage of its artillery.

However, the true picture, apart from all that, is:
- the level of uncollected waste on the streets leading to infectious and deadly diseases,
- the constant rising number of migrants coming from the south and the Bekaa to Beirut and other cities. All need food, shelters, hygienic treatments and medicaments,
- the level of pollution in the Mediterranean Sea which could lead into an environmental disaster…

That is of course not to add to the inhuman aspects of the war which include:
- bombing an emergency van which was trying to escape the South, killing more that 23.
- bombing the highest bridge in the Middle East several times and destroying it completely.
- Killing 4 U.N. soldiers who were operating in the South – and calling this a “mistake.”

We'll have to anticipate on what Mrs. Rice's next move is going to be. Apparently she's the only one with real power in this world.



(Pictures of the Mdeirij bridge before and after its demolition)

To ISRAEL and HIZBULLAH

FUCK YOU

When Spica meets the Wheat

Constellation: Virgo
Mood: Delighted

Virgo is apparently my astrological sign. And although I don't believe in this whole drama, I kind of have an affiliation with this constellation. Its main Star, Spica (L'épi in French, in reference to the spike of wheat in the Greek mythology) is among the 20 most luminous Stars in the night sky.
But I discovered a new friendship with this Star.

We opened a new movie theater yesterday, which screens not the Hollywood Blockbuster films, but independent and critically acclaimed ones, from the four corners of the globe.
My boss, a couple of assistants and me were very devoted to the success of this project, the first of its kind in Beirut.
So needless to say, I felt utterly dedicated to this theater, which we called Metropolis Cinema, and went on this expedition to make it a fruitful experience to whoever is visiting it.

So yesterday, before the press conference, I felt that while my boss was meeting all these figures like the French, Belgian and Indian ambassadors as well as a plethora of high-profiled personalities, moviemakers, the press and all, I was doing the lame job.

But after the opening, and during the second screening, I sensed that whatever I did was timeless. All the little things, the problems I tried to solve, the obstacles we faced, the preparations, the invitations, the cocktail, the posters … everything turned well. And that not only relieved me, but enhanced my self-confidence in the achieving of things.

And as this wheatfield that generates nothing but fertility, I felt prowess in only giving my best to achieve the best.

Spica, while waving to the Summer Stars, has granted me a huge amount of wheat seeds. She said I have enough to use them until next Spring, when She will come back and provide me with more.

Bitter Gnashing at the Office

Constellation: Mensa (The Table)
Mood: Reflective

Work. I have had you enough for the past week. Sometimes I wonder why I feel tortured at what I am doing. Clearly gnashing not my own but someone else's teeth.
And then I say, alright, it's for a purpose.
But next thing I know is that I have much more work that could help my boss much more than it could endorse my well-being.

And then I sail again on this job of mine, speculating on when the ship will hit the land. And whether I will sail again on this ship after reaching the land, or I will have to find another ship, or maybe I will decide to just feel the land.

This reminds me of a Tori Amos song in which she says:
And I ride to work every morning
Wondering why
"Sit in the chair and be good now"
Oh and become all that they told you

I could realize at any minute my cringing at the way I am molded in a facet I do not want.
Until I reach this land, until I find a new ship, until I decide I want to stay on this ship, I will have to keep on sailing.

The Magic of Openers

Constellation: The Cure's Disintegration
Mood: Tired

I love some of The Cure's tracks. Lovesong and A Forest are pure genius. Though I never bought any of their albums. I am not a big fan of the gothic style and the band's looks and videos are not something I like to see.
Though after having read so many positive reviews on Disintegration, I finally succumbed and bought the album earlier this week.
I never expected a sound like that. I have to say I am under the charm of this album!
And it's all about Track 1. Plainsong. The title doesn't say much. But the song does. There's something magical about this track. Very mystical-like. Especially when the echo-dreamlike voice kicks in. Fits my galactic themes.
You know if you're heading for a good album if the opening song is good. And for me, if I stop and listen to it continuously without burning it, I'd feel satisfied. That has happened with Depeche Mode's World in My Eyes, the opener of Violator. Til now, I hear it every week and I don't feel tired from it. And it remains my favorite DM track.
So now I have to check the rest of this album, and let Plainsong enjoy some rest.

The taste of "Luck"

Constellation: Corona Autralis (the Southern Crown)
Mood: Pissed

It should have been Corona Borealis since the World Cup is in the Northern Hemisphere, and the hosts were playing to win.

But they lost against the Italians, who, to be frank, played better but they arrived to the finals in an absolutely unconvincing, if not to say fluky way. They won after the first round against Australia (which has a very weak history in the World Cup) and then Ukraine (first participation). How lucky can they be?

That is not to mention their penalty taken at the 93rd minute against Australia which was anything but credible.

So yeah, I was pissed at them. To my eyes, they were one of the least impressive teams during this world cup, and here they are, making it to the finals. Still, well done Italy.

Germany might have lost. But the next meeting is in 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere, in South Africa.
Might Corona Australis be with them at that time.

The Genesis of things

Cryptical. That was the name I have given to my second poetry book. And it's a universe by itself. I was intrigued by the historicity of god and his presence on "Terra" and beyond it. So I ended up writing a 7-day travelogue of sorts to work as the genesis of things.

And now here I am writing my first entry on this blog, as a genesis of another kind.
As a poet and journalist, I was always interested in writing. But I never tackled the "my journal" space as I think my thoughts run better in poetry rather than in private journals.

I wonder if this will be an enriching experience to dive into the realm of my thoughts and transcribe these visions as text. I hope I won't screw the narrative soon and replace it with poetry that fast ;)