Family Visit Visa

I’ve been thinking about bringing my mother to Riyadh for quite some time now, I stared to work on the needed papers almost 10 days ago, I filled the online application, my mother’s details, mine and my sponsor, I also asked my mother to send me a photocopy of her passport which she happily did, I photocopied my iqama, KSA’s residence permit, signed and stamped the online application from my sponsor, paid SAR 25 in the chamber of commerce and got the receipt for it, as said all what’s left now is a short trip to the ministry of foreign affairs to submit the papers.

I have a good friend who I knew is doing the same for his mother, we agreed to go together, we had to do it no later than two weeks from the date I filled the application online, 10 days ago, the decision was taken , the faster the better, and the date was selected, Today, May 11th 2010

Both of us knew we had to be there early, we knew they open at 8:00 am, and we also knew we won’t be alone, the earlier we arrive the earlier we finish, and we both can report to work on time.

We arrived there at almost 6:45 am, about 20 guys were already ahead of us, we stood in the queue and waited, we knew about that of course, I mean the act of having to wait in a queue, but the surprise to us was, that we had to wait outside, the sun was hot, early thirties and rising, I was fully prepared to head directly to work after that, I was there wearing my black suit, the only one with a suit if I remember correctly, I felt odd, I couldn’t set on the ground not to ruin it, I could feel the formation of sweat on my forehead which I continued to wipe it off regularly for the course of that hour, not to mention the other type of sweat that runs from your nick down along your back, and defarts to the unknown.

I didn’t allow this to bother me much, I was telling myself we’re almost there, and 20 guys ahead of us is nothing.

Of course, while waiting there would always be those assholes that surpass the line and jump in front, we counted about 10 of that kind, and each one of them got a silent but honest F word, the trick is known, they start a conversation with someone and they stay there, but again I didn’t allow that to bother me, I thought 30 guys ahead of us is nothing, and we should be finished on time.

The clock is ticking, and it’s 7:45am, 15 more minutes, the gate opens, and over a sudden what used to be a group of people standing in queue turned to be another group struggling to go inside, the queue was destroyed in a minute, and all that waiting went with the wind, we ran with the runners, trying to catch an early entrance, being the person I’m, and my friend being the person he’s, we weren’t competent to do that, and we ended up surpassed by what I assumed like 100 guys.
We go in, we take a number, mine was 89, I stayed optimistic, people were saying the queue walks fast, at the same time; I stepped from heat to an air-conditioned room, big change, good change, so I sat and waited.

My friend was one number before me, 88, and having seeing he was done in two minutes, I was glad it’s almost over and it’s not even 9:00 am yet, I could even make it to work on time.

It’s my turn, I step in, give the guy my papers, by just looking at him, I felt this negative vibes all around, he’s a different guy than the one who served my friend, an old Saudi guy, thick beard, eye glasses, wearing the Saudi national dress, the thoub, and the red ghotra.

He took a look at the papers; he held my slip number in his hand, pointed it at me and asked:

Him : Where is your slip!

Me : What!

Him, pointing my slip and looking at my face: your number, your slip, like this one

Me : you’re holding it

Him : What!

Me: you’re holding it, number 89

Him, looking at the papers, checking his system, he looked back from under his glasses and said : the receipt you paid at the chamber of commerce is not showing on our system, you need to go back to chamber of commerce and let them send us an email confirming your payment!

Me, the little I know about IT, but this is an obvious lie: How is that possible! This receipt was printed off the system, how on earth it can’t be there.

Him, giving me back my papers: go to the chamber of commerce, let them email the confirmation, and oh yes bring your wife’s iqama with you!

Me: What wife!

Him : Bring your wife’s Iqama

Me, thinking, did you even bothered to read idiot!, I said : I don’t have a wife! I’m bringing my mother, not my mother in law, I’m single.

Him: raising his voice up, as if I didn’t hear him, take your papers! Get the confirmation and your wife’s iqama and come back, go yalla next!

I took my papers, I knew by heart, this guy was faking it, he just didn’t like me, maybe he doesn’t like people with suits, maybe he doesn’t like Christians, maybe doesn’t like Jordanians, or maybe someone with my looks at this or maybe at another life, fucked the shit out of him, and now he wants to get even, or even maybe he enjoys putting people generally in more hassle for a simple thing like a family visit visa, else he would be bored!

or maybe I’m just totally wrong, maybe for some reason it wasn’t entered to the system, it might happen, no need to assume bad stuff from now, I’m going to play along.

I called my HR manager, he told it never happened with him, but that I should go and check either way.

I had some thoughts going through my mind at the time, I thought to just forget the whole idea, no need to bring my mother here, there’s nothing to see or to do, nothing else but sweat, but then I thought again, it’s still nice to have her around wherever that was, and apart from the sweat part, she would like to see my uncle and aunti, how her son been living the past 6 years, and to experience life in KSA, wearing abayya for the first time, and enjoy Riyadh shopping malls.

Not to forget also, that in case I decided to forget about it, he’ll have got what he wanted, I’m certainly not going to give him the satisfaction he seeks, so we went back to chamber of commerce to check.

Both of us are late for work now, my friend was kind enough to stay with me, we went back to the chamber of commerce, I knew I’m going to hear what I was expecting to hear, I stood in queue again, it’s much better over here, more spacious, better air conditioned, more professional outlook and people, the minute I told the guy at the help desk my story, he took my papers, he confirmed my doubts, he said : “the receipt is already in the system, this guy was just giving you hard time”, he stamped my receipt and signed it, he even printed another document off the ministry of foreign affairs’ system itself and stamped that too.

I left with my friend, back to the ministry of foreign affairs, I was angry, who wouldn’t be, I could, both of us could have reported to work on time, if it was in any other country, well not all, at least any other G20 countries, which Saudi happens to be one, I will not face this situation, and if it happened, the rarely it does, I can sue his ass and make him pay triple the trouble he put me through, it’s the concept at the end even if took five minutes delay, how come with two more hours and on a working day!

This made me think, I felt bad for myself, the fact that I actually survived 6 years dealing with this shit and the fact I’m still here, it’s the right time to find a better place, fresh air, fresh green, fresh water, true colors, and certainly lots and lots of babes.

Jumping from one thought to the other,I felt bad, however this time not for myself, but actually for that guy, I felt sorry for him, he's the kind that obtain happiness by making other people sweat, and he be proud of it.

I wish I owned a mental institution, or a rehabilitation center, I would have helped him for free, I promise.

Anyway, I go back inside, I take another slip, it says 345 now, still few people are standing in queue, I made sure to chose another guy for this, the guy took my papers, didn’t even look to the confirmation slip, in fact just gave it back saying no need for it, my application went through, I have to wait till the end of the day and check if the application was approved or not.

In 99% of the cases it would be , but knowing my luck for the day, do you think, I’ll join the 1% left, have to wait and find out.

Virgin Mary’s Miracle in Amman, Jordan

Date: Saturday, 17 \ 04 \ 2010
Location: "Christ the King Church" Almosdar - Jordan
Time: 6:00 pm

The Story

Three girls went to Sister Rose, and asked her if they can pray inside the church, they got the green light to that but had never imagined that candle they wanted to light for Virgin Mary would actually be accepted from their hands with a miracle!.

Having arrived and lit the candles, and just before leaving, they saw a bouquet of artificial roses on the ground in front of the statue of Virgin Mary, quickly they decided to put the flowers in Virgin Mary’s hands as a token of love, but because the girls were short compared to the height of the statue, they decided that one girl “Selena Sweis” will carry her friend “Lauren Haddad” so she could put the flowers in the hands of the Virgin, the third girl stood there watching and waiting, when Selena carried her friend up, she felt some fatigue and that she wouldn’t be able go on with it, her friend was about to fall, where over a sudden she felt someone was helping her, the girls has just seen the statue of the Virgin Mary leaning and raising the girl, taking the flowers off her hand and returning her safely to the ground.

In the meantime, the third girl, seeing what she saw, started screaming outloud, the nun who was praying at that time heard the screaming, she felt the ground shaking throughout the church coinciding with the girl’s scream, she ran to see what is happening, and was shocked when she saw the flowers in the hand of the virgin despite the height of the statue compared to girls next to it, they told the nun what happened with them, who she then told the priest who came in a hurry to hear their story.

Obviously he did, and believed, and now the church’s prayers are going non-stop, praising Jesus and virgin marry, lots of people went to visit the place where this happened, and many still to go…

The question remains : DO YOU BELIVE IN MIRACLES!

The End

Twiggy

I never heard of her till today, but Wikipedia says that this 60 years old women is an English model, actress, and singer, At 16, she became the first prominent teenage model. She was known for her large eyes, long eyelashes, and thin build, and is regarded as one of the most famous models of all times.

that's all ok! but can u imagine how does she look like now! of course like a 60 years old women, the latest scandal however says she did a magazine advertisement for Olay! ( all ladies know Olay ha! ), her picture was heavily airbrushed in that ad! and the result a picture of herself looking 30 years younger.

Hundreds of people have formally complained about the ad, The British advertising watchdog says the ad portrayed an unrealistic image and therefore is misleading, the ad was banned all over UK, the yet most funny thing in the whole thing is that the company still insists that the retouching was minor!!

check it out

Burj al Arab - The Largest Christian Cross in the Arab World

It's probably old news! But I just heard of...

Did you ever thought to look to that amazing construction from the back, that's from the sea facing the land? You might be surprised...

The story says that this amazing building which was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC, the world was told that it was built to resemble a sail, however after the tower was finished and everything was paid and settled, Mr. Wright, a Christian British architect, made a statement! which started as a private statement to fellow colleagues and friends, but later it came out and was all over the internet, it's in fact a shocking statement I would say to some especially that this tower is widely considered to be Dubai’s most important landmark.

The statement says that he, intentionally that's, had built what he referred to as " The Largest Christian Cross in the Muslim World", it was said that he wanted to have some sort of a Christian influence in a Muslim country, and it seems Dubai was the choice!

The funny thing is, that after this was discovered, Saudi Arabia prohibited cars coming from UAE to enter the country, that's because the old car plates in UAE had a picture of the tower on them!

In anyway, till this moment! The architect himself didn’t deny nor approve this conspiracy theory! but, even if looked like a cross! Does it matter much!!

I'm sure the answer is relative as well, and all opinions are respected.

Cheers

Things I call Random

Far from the eyes of the dragon
away and apart from all those that once mattered
miles and miles on a drift
It's a journey I took alone
A vow I made and a promise
A Choice
Voices, Shadows and Silence
Dark nights that never ends
Blues, Heartbeats and Despair
It's the Start
Just the Start
A start that very much looks like an end
We go in circles
Souls merge
Thousands of thoughts and more
Red lines
Danger
STOP!
Silence comes again
A Voice breaks the silence
It's time
JUMP!

I hate Mobily's Guts

It all started when I decided to get internet to my studio, and I thought of an easy yet affordable choice, I skipped the ADSL choice, because I knew its a lot of a hassle when you live in a compound in Riyadh, with all the visits and permissions I need to handle first so I just over looked it.

My second option, USB internet connection, and there was two choices on hand, STC or Mobily connect, both refer to two of the mobile operators in KSA, a friend of mine had Mobily and I got a good word about it, and after paying visits to both I’ve decided to go with Mobily’s since its cheaper with relatively the same quality.

At Mobily’s offices, I asked for 1G subscription, that’s SAR100 a month, and entitles you to a 1G of data transfer over one month, if you’ve went beyond the 1G the connection breaks and one needs to recharge, or that what I thought.

I finished my 1G in 20 days, and like a hero, I recharged it with 180 SAR, that’s 100 SAR subscriptions and 80 SAR others so that I would add only 20 SAR only when I recharge the next month, and I waited….. But the connection never got back… I called their customer service and after like two hours of trials I got hold of someone, who told me to pay their offices again and explain the problem.

Next day I went there and explained it, the customer service guy explained that the SIM card that comes with the offer is only for internet use and hence its programmed not to be recharged before the month ends even though the 1G finishes and another 100 SAR is already charged, he added I’ve to wait till the month ends before I can connect again….. I thought that was stupid.

I asked for a solution, you’re asking me to wait 10 days, I might not need it urgently but this is not a service nor a solution, I asked him to convert it to the 5G bundle, It costs SAR 200 a month instead of 100 SAR, but what the heck, @ least I won’t have to wait 10 days to get my connection back,

he said, I need a new SIM Card for this, prepaid cards for mobile connection service don’t allow service alter, a new SIM means a new number, I was stupid enough to go for it, the new number cost 75 SAR and come charged with the same amount, I gave 125 SAR more to make it 200 and give him the ability to subscribe me to the 5G bundle, supposedly he did, and he said 10 minutes sir and you can connect normally.

I went home, not happy about the service much, and the fact I still have SAR 180 SAR stuck in the old SIM card, which can’t be just moved to the new account just like that, I got a limit of SAR 100 daily to pass the credit to another number over 10 Trials each that can’t by pass 20 SAR, again STUPID, but I thought I’ll have time for that later, at least they’re not going anywhere.

I connected normally, felt somehow relaxed I got my connection back, even though it brought some headaches along that I need to look into it some other time, in anyway 24 hrs later, and after using 100M of my new 5000M bundle I got disconnected, and I couldn’t connect back again, what the hell have happened!! Not again! What could it be this time!!

I called the customer care, their system can’t handle calls well, very obvious, lots of people are having problems and no one can get to the service guy to talk to, whenever I press 9 to talk to the customer service guy it transfer me back to the menu options, STUPID, someone picked up at last, after long and multiple trials and I explained the issue.

• Sir, you’ve finished your credits!
• WTF!! NO way I just charged them yesterday, it’s right in front of me now Mr, 100MB only, I still got 4900MB, something is wrong!
• Sir, looks like you didn’t activate the 5G service, in this case, we charge SAR 2/MB
• WTF! This is totally Mobily’s fault, I walked out of YOUR offices thinking all I have to do is just connect the STUPID USB! , I don’t accept this, I want my 200 SAR back!
• It’s not possible Sir, you need to charge again with 200 SAR, and call 1100 to activate the service, don’t plug in the USB before you get a confirming SMS that you’re subscribed to the bundle.
• It’s not my fault, I don’t have to recharge, this is totally your company’s fault, u r ripping me off! You get me back my money!
• Sorry Sir, It’s not possible, is there anything else you need!
• My Money!
• Thank you for calling Mobily, have a nice day.

Just when I thought my problems with Mobily is over I get this, in anyway, I wrote a complaint email about the whole thing and send it, I know it would probably be over looked but at least I didn’t stay still about it.

I gave in to the fact, and I thought to recharge again, Mobily cards are of three segments, SAR 90 and it gives you 120 SAR credit, that’s 30 SAR extra, the other one is SAR 60 and it gives you SAR75, and the final one is SAR 30.

I thought, I’ll buy one 90 and one 60, which gave a total of 120+75 = 195 SAR, and I needed 5 more, so I just thought to transfer the rest from my other SIM card, it still have 180 SAR, I changed SIM and I opened the SAR 180 one, and WTF!! The balance is ZERO, my SAR 180 is gone!!! I’m so furious! It just keeps getting worse in a matter of minutes, where did they go!! I thought they might have activated the account again, so I reconnected using the old SIM but it was the same, no connection!! I really feel like killing someone, I hate Mobily’s guts, this is a total rip off and I’m just watching that!!

I didn’t feel like calling them again, can’t deal with this non sense anymore, I’ll just go buy the damn 5 SAR left, and I’ll deal with them later, I went to the supermarket, had to get SAR 30 since there’s nothing called SAR 5, and I charged it, I dialed *1411# to check the balance, its SAR 224 now, more than enough! Good.

I called 1100 to request the services, as usual, after sometime; I got a response, the guy their said

• You’ve 180 SAR only; you need SAR 20 more to activate it! I was like WTF, not again, my balance is SAR 224, I just checked for god’s sake.
• Sir, it’s SAR 180 on my screen, could you check again!

And after I did:

• Yeah, SAR 224 as I told u, I charged with 90+60+30 where they account for 120+75+30, that’s SAR 224
• Yes, this is for calls only, internet subscription takes the amount as is , 90+60+30 that’s SAR 180, offer doesn’t include internet even though it shows your balance is SAR 224, recharge with SAR 20 more.
• OK FINE, THNX
• Anything else you need sir?
• NO, THANKS
• Thank you for calling Mobily, have a good evening.

I went back and bought another SAR 60 just to make sure it covers the balance, I know SAR 30 would, but I never know anymore what they would come up with.

In simple calculation, on the assumption that this time it’ll work, they would have ripped me off with SAR 380

And by the way, I’m still waiting for their SMS. :(

10,000

Today, My flickr account views reached 10,000, Yeha :D

33 JDs

I was at orange today to renew the subscription for another year, I had to wait for 45 minutes before I got a responce saying, you still have a week left and I can't really pay now because the system doesn't show the due amout for the coming yeat....

anyway that's not the point, the point is while I was waiting, a guy came in, an average 40ish guy I would say, he went to the counter and the following conversation took place.

A: I want to close the account, and disconnect my landline, I don't need my phone anymore...

B: you have to settle the balance before we can disconnet it, that would be 33 JDs.

A: I don't have 33 JDs, I want to disconnect it now, and I'll pay the 33 JDs on monthly installments!

B: Sir, we can't close the account before you settle you bell!

A: I don't have money, any money!

B: your land line would still be active till you settle the account.

A: that means you'll add a monthly subscription on that, even if I didn't use it, the 33JDs that I can't pay now would increase each month! I can't afford that!

B: This is the instructions.

A: but this is redicilous! how can you help!

B: I can't

the guy sweared some words, and walked out!

I do believe this whole situation is stupid, he came with good well and had every intentio to settle his bell, the instruction sucked, he would never pay now, not only because he can't afford to but he also took it personal, orange should be more professional than this, what's the idea behind this is process! what would go wrong if they disconnected his line! the bell is there either way!

the other idea is, YES, its sad, but there are people who can't afford to pay a 33 JDs to settle thier telephone bell. very true! ...... O lessa!

First Gray Hair

I'm getting older, as a matter of fact we all are!!, however I didn't think that the day where age would reflect on my appearence will be arriving this soon, I've not guessed either that at 27, or almost, I would recieve my first gray hair ever, I did, today I've noticed the BIG surprise and gosh how I hate grays :D

A Lawsuit Idea

If you ever bought a coke can, 330mm, and while opening it, the metalic grap actually splitted in half?! , It happened with me, Twice, going through that now you have three choices to drink it:

1. pour it in another cup, which means that the can lost its value... or

2. drink it from the can itself, but please be patient and careful, which also means that you lost the joy of drinking it and ended up worrying about hurting youself or staining your clothes. or

3. have something that would force the other part out, or maybe in, u never know!

in all these cases, the meaning of a refreshing coke has disappeared, u r not getting the taste u wanted nor u r enjoying it.

the point here, do you think this would be a good argument or a valid case to win a Lawsuit for a million bucks versus the manufacturer?! :D

Jordan Festival

It started few weeks back, with all the red flyers promoting for the event covered the roads, it did get my attention, the idea of such a festival was needed for long time I thought, and I was happy it was here finally. It looked like its going to be well planned and organized, lots of singers, Jordanians, Arabs and international, some of which you can enjoy seeing at the same concert.

Parallel with that, there were rumors saying that the organizing company, a French one called “puplicis” had organized before Israel 60th anniversary celebrations of its establishment, hence; few voices were rising to boycott the festival.

Without proven or solid evidence, using nationalism as a cover-up, rumors has become facts; major local unions and communities joined in, and believed in the false cause, protests were held, the Jordanian artists association even took the initiative communicating officially with other associations in the Arab world, like in Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt, explaining to them the lie that they bought, and buying their support to boycott the festival.

The rumor that have started small, has gotten big by now, it made a base, people believed it because of all the fuss that was made over it not to mention it was supported by unions who they trusted, some Arab artists believed the lie as well, and joined the cause, Jordanian artist association even threatened to use its legal right against any artist who doesn’t boycott the festival.

Official voices started to surface, they can no longer watch the festival hit rock bottom over one big fat lie, at first no body cared what the officials say, and no one actually listened. People hate Israel, 15+ years of peace didn’t change a lot of things in this regards, they wanted to believe Israel had something to do with the festival; even in an indirect way, they wanted to believe anything that would give them a feeling of victory, heroism or nationalism supporting something that’s anti Israeli and against normalization.

Officials voices raised up, they are heard now, over the TV, radio, newspapers, and everywhere, true facts need to be cleared before rumors makes anymore damage, and the true story has gone out, it started by the higher association for tourism officials, followed by the minister for media affairs, the minister of tourism, the prime minister and finally the king himself….

“Puplicis” it self, denied it had anything to do with Jordan festival; it even denied further it had organized the event of Israel celebrations in the first place.

Why would all of these people lie, are their sense of nationalism any less than any other Jordanian?! It’s really funny and yet disturbing that our people can be easily hoaxed and manipulated even a respected institutions like the Jordanian artists association.

The important thing is the truth came out and it says the following:

• The organizing party is purely Jordanian.


• The company that helped in contracting with Arab and international artists is French as well, but not “puplicis” in any chance, its name is “Les Visiteurs du Soir” the same company that organized Fairouz concerts outside of Lebanon.


• The festival is starting officially in 2009 where in 2008 the events would be purely artistic to fill in the summer and support tourism.

In anyway the festival is still up running, officials are communicating the true picture to the Arab artists, trying to revive what rumors had almost killed.

The question that should be raised here though, did we really benefit Jordan in this?! Did such un-supported and hasty decisions reflect the picture that we love to show about the country!

another question pops in my mind now too, how would the journalist who made and supported the story would be feeling now, when the king himself said they were a bunch of incompetent and unprofessional people!

Tell you what, and its my personal opinion, and some might hate me for telling this, even if “puplicis” was the organizing company, and even if it had something to do with organizing Israel celebration of establishment, I wouldn’t even boycott the festival, business is business, if the company had the experience, the quality of delivery and the a completive price then why not!

It’s a contracted company and it gets paid for what it does! Feelings should stay out of this, however, this doesn’t mean in anyway that am supportive of Israel though, I’m not, I love my country and is jordanian to the bones, I’m just saying that the least business, emotions and politics mix the more one can just be.

One Night in Jordan - My Story

Well before I even start writing about it, it’s safe to tell, its going to be long…

As a starter, and even I had like 7 or 8 invitations, we ended up just three in there, unfortunately the majority of my friends couldn’t make it, I would say they missed it, because aside from what happened before it started, it was worth it, I did enjoyed it.

I arrived there, it was almost 6:30 pm, I took a cab directly from work, I didn’t want to show up late, the invitation said its going to start at 7:30 pm and that entry isn’t guaranteed after the concert starts, to be in the safe side I rathered being early than late and fortunately I was.

I didn’t expect the security is going be this tight, people should show their invitations on the gate, which is like 300 meters or more away from the theatre itself, once you’re inside you’ll walk to the theatre and then will be directed to the entrance gates depending on the colors of the invitations, I found out that there was classes, some VIPs would set closer to the musicians and enters from different gates, those had their invitations delivered to them, who cares anyhow!, at the end it’s the music not the people, well, more or less at least.

The gate I was supposed check in through was C, the green color, once there, few people where arriving, it was smooth to get inside, though u had to walk to a security guy who would make sure you have nothing dangerous or illegal before you enter, another guy would take the ticket, part of it, and once you’re inside, another guy would tear the invitation to make sure you’re not using it again to let someone else inside.

The C people had to set on the upper seats, a bit far from the musicians but still, I managed to get a good view, everything was visible, it was good, this is the blessing about this kind of theatre, there’s no good or bad seat, there’s only near or far seats which doesn’t matter much, though it would be nicer to have but not a must to.

So far, everything was ok, its almost 7:00 and we’re waiting for 7:30 pm concert, my friend rang me, he arrived, I just had to walk out to hand him the invitation so that he can enter, since most of my friends didn’t show up I had a spare for me as well if there was a problem to get back inside, which was what I expected.

I had to move against the current as they say, at the time everyone else was coming in and I was going out, so you can imagine how it was like, the entrance gate and the exit gate are the same gate actually.

Just to make sure and examine their process of handling a case where someone who’s already inside, his ticket is already torn, have yet a new one and need to go out give it to his friend to let him in, would they allow him back in?! I thought to ask about it

That what had happened in steps:

1. I explained the case to guy number one, who had Zade slogan on his shirt, those guys are there to help people out, I assumed.


2. Guy number one told me to ask a guy number two, who also had a Zade Slogan on his shirt but is closer to the gate.


3. Guy number two said its ok, but I have to tell the security at the door.


4. I told the security lady first, she said I have to have a new invitation, I told her to just look at me, I’m here, I’m inside, this is my ticket, I’m only asking you to let me in when I’m back, I’m delivering a ticket to my friend, she didn’t look in control of such a stupid situation, so at the end she told me to talk to the security guy number two, the same guy who took part of the invitation the first time.


5. The security guy refused, he doubted he can recognize me when I’m back among the thousands that comes through that door, I thought this was a fair point, so I just told him that when a guy comes to you, tell you I’m the one who asked you to remember him, then its going to be me and your going to let him in, he smiled and told me “ twakal 3ala allah”


6. I’m at the gate now, calling my friend to hand him the invitation, just when I was giving it to him, the security noticed me, he ran and took my hand and walked me away, he was frowning, mad for some reason, he said its not allowed to do that, I had to explain again the case, “this my friend I arrived earlier, if I knew this is going to be the case I would have waited outside”. But of course He didn’t listen, he sort of said “ go inside”


7. I didn’t listen of course, I got the invitation, and my friend has every right to come inside, so I moved on to another guy of those who wears Zade slogan again, anyway, I explained the case, I assumed these guys should be able to help, it was worse, he was afraid to make a stupid decision like that, just to let me give the invitation to my friend who’s standing 2 meters away from me, he couldn’t make it, at the end my friend came closer, it was almost like stealing the right moment when no one is looking and I just handed it over, the whole thing was awkward, but funny as well.


8. My friend and I are back inside walking to gate C, lots of people were getting in from that tiny entrance, seeing that I rathered to use one of my new spare tickets instead of having to explain myself over again to the security. After fighting our way through we’re inside, and seated, finally.

The theatre is occupied with people now, a lot more that what was 30 minutes ago, and people are still coming, and they kept coming till the security stopped letting anyone inside.

Its now 7:30 pm, no sign that the concert its going to start soon, 7:45, 8:00, 8:10, Rana Sultan pops out and takes the microphone, she talks a bit about the concert, and about Zade Dirani, she asks everyone to keep smiling through out the concert since its going to be taped and distributed world wide, and the least is for people to see smiley Jordanian faces, It was sort of funny because what she meant that Jordanians are Kishreen by nature, and it was some sort of a favor to smile for the concert, it was a good laugh, however she explained that the concert is starting at 8:30 and apologized for the delay without giving any reasons for it.

I started looking around, it was obvious that the theatre was well occupied with cameras. lights and speakers, every where, as if it was actually designed to be setting like that, I’ve heard that those equipments is of about 30 tons and where shipped via a private commercial plane

The concert started at 8:40 pm, Dirani walked in with a black suit and red t-shirt, different I would say but nice, they played Zeina directly, once finished everyone clapped, I would say clapped with passion, the piece played was brilliant, I think one of the best he played during the concert, the voice quality was excellent. A word to say, it was indeed a concert that people worked hard to pull out like that.

Dirani’s continued playing his brilliant pieces one after another, at one point, several brilliant artist joined in solely which added another taste to the concert, they were really good musicians, they played like I never heard or see anyone has played with this greatness before, and at the end of each piece people had no other choice but to clap genuinely.

Dirani explained before starting every new piece the story behind it, and I thought it was thoughtful to do that, because it gets you in the mood, and you would at some point live the idea, still its normal that one would favor one piece over the other, but the overall ranking I would say it was excellent.

Music is an international language, and the message of peace and love was delivered as it was intended too, some people may doubt that, their reference would be the words and the language used, the instruments as well, how can we deliver this message playing the music of the west, its better to deliver it using our tones and our language, I don’t really support this, it could make sense to some extent, but for me the message was delivered through the theme itself, the music, the composition and the overall harmony in the pieces played, this was the whole idea.

The Concert came to an end at around 10:00 pm, thanks were given to everyone, and Zade and the orchestra left the stage, while so, fireworks took the scene, there were lots of them, shining over the old roman theatre and dispatched to the sky from Jabal Elqal3a, you would feel they are very close, was scary and beautiful at the same time, I would assume it added a nice closure however I also think it gave the musicians the chance to leave before the audience start to, which was clever somehow.

I would sure be looking forward to see the DVD of the concert, I want to listen again to those master pieces and live the event once more.

In the end, the concert was great, no doubt about that, however the event management needs attention, I’ve heard later that a lot of people couldn’t not come inside even with their VIP invitations, rumors said, invitation distributed where a lot more that what could the theatre absorb, I also heard there was a problem in the valet parking, some people waited for hours before they got back their cars, hope lessons are learned from this for later major events.

God bless

Flash : Pepsi vs Cocacola

just a simple remark, and actually it was so obvious but I just found out, did you know that pepsi cans are taller than that of cocacola!!, I always thought they are the same, even in taste were alot of people can debat here.... but really pepsi are taller ;)

Drowning Block

I came home yesterday after I've finished work, I live in a block filled with studioz and neighbours that I don't even know... I guess around 36 people lives in the same building and do not ask me why!...

In anyway, going through the main entrance, I was surprised to see the block drowning with water, seems one of the machines in the lundry room has broken down and water were every where, flooding the place.

It was coming from up stairs and going down stairs in the whole three floors, some of the studioz on each side have been affected, I'm sure some of the water went inside as well, lucky me, the Tiles I got lately instead of the carpet made the level of the studio a bit higher than to allow the water in

Yahoo Logo

I just noticed this one today, few minutes ago to be exact, as you all must know, Yahoo logo changes with reference to specific occasions, I'm not sure what occasion is there today but obviously its related to environment, nature or close, since the logo is green and has to do with recycling, anyone knows what special day is it today?

Sand invade Riyadh

Time : Thursday 8:30 pm

Place : Souq Al3otoor - Batha - Riyadh

The usuall thursday for me in Riyadh and after work finishes at around 1:30 pm, is to spend it at my uncle's house, dine in, gossip a bit with the family and friends.

Last thursday they decided to hit the market, the destination is a very well known place in riyadh, souq el3otoor, in this place you can find almost all brands of perfumes, with competitive prices, some people doubt the originality of them, but at the end alot buy from there.

at that day, they went to thier usual place, but they didnt buy from there, its sad but alot of times sellers thier, and lot of them are yemeniz, tries to rip u off, even in a small amount, they dont understand the concept of repetitive customer...anyway we ended it up at his neighbour, and at that day, we in total, paid around 300JDz, saved around 30JDz or a bit more, in case we tuned in to the first one, eno not much but 7elween, its rather the concept.

elmohem, over a sudden a sand storm invaded Riyadh, sand everywhere, alot of ppl at that place were ready for these things and I could see more than one guy having his mouth and nose covered, donno the word in english for it, but its the kind of a thing a dr would put in surgery...

its like a fog day in amman, except its not water, its sand...

Bored Again

No comment

closed for prayer

This is a typical sign one would read in Riyadh, everything closes here around prayer time, and that can differ depending on which prayer it's, it would take an average of around 30 to 50 minutes.

Restaurants, malls, grocery shops, even gas stations. It’s all closed at the time of a prayer, so after a while in Saudi you'll memorize all these times by heart, or have them somewhere at your reach at anytime so that you can schedule your movement in the city accordingly.

Walking during prayer time is also considered a risk; no one would want a typical Saudi GMC stopping by, an old guy with a long beard pops out of it, wearing a “dish dash” and “shib shib” side by side with a tall and very thin policeman walking towards you looking irritated and above that to question your faith or religious commitment and then enforce it on you.

Thought to nag about it a little

Peace,

Signs

Al Khader spear print on the floorAl Khader foot print on the floor
Christ on the Cross

Face of Jesus

Subject: Signs in an old church, Al Khader

Location: Al Khader Church – Assalt City

I’ve heard that some Christian signs at the old Khader church in Assalt have been appearing, this church is one of the oldest ones in town, and has been newly renovated.

Rumors says that, Saint Khader, appears there suddenly, hits the ground with his spear, a tremendous sound is heard and then he disappears, all that happens in a matter of seconds.

The Story was first told by a mother, who had a daughter that lost her vision, the mother used to come and pray each day at the church for her child to see again, one day she heard that sound, she ran toward it and was surprised by signs left behind, signs that looks more as shapes over the floor or the walls of the church, u can hardly tell its there till u focus a bit, signs like the face of Christ, the cross, a foot print of saint Khader and a mark for where he hit the ground.

Anyway, that same day her daughter gained her vision.

There is as well a cave inside the church, the story continues by saying that the picture of Virgin Mary inside has been generating holy oil by itself, people are taking blesses with this oil, making wishes on pieces of paper and throwing them into the cave

Words are telling that such sounds are still heard and new signs are appearing.

The old church was filled with curious people who came to see, take photos, learn about what happened, and very few came to pray…

I was there last Friday with family, I saw those shapes and signs, and I, like everyone else took photos.

I don’t see myself generally as a believer in these things, I’m not that religious anyway, they can be totally true, and everything that was said is right, and it all happened, but for me if I put some reason into it, I still have my doubts.

I outspoken to mother at the time, I said, are these people crazy or what?! Do you really believe all this “habal”!!, she didn’t like what I said, she looked at me with a mixture of furiousity and disappointment, she told me not to talk like that especially being in a holy place like the church and just respect those beliefs, I felt I might have crossed the line there…

I attached the photos along, they told us, depending on how much of a believer one is, he / she could see those sign more accurately, I didn’t see much , so I need to work more on my beliefs I guess J

Try yours!

I'm Bored

I’m bored

These days I’ve lots and lots of available time, at work there’s almost nothing to do, yeah bite me! Its not how you might think it’s, I might have enjoyed it for a couple of days but then!!

I’m bored.

I’ve tried to look up something handy over the internet, in fact there were few articles I was interested about, Yesterday I looked for some universities abroad in case I wanted to go for masters…. Still!!,

I’m bored

I didn’t think of myself as a workaholic, I’m probably not, but at the same time I’m not that lazy either, this status of doing nothing is getting me, getting me bad I would say.

I’m bored

I wanted to give productivity to my idle status, it’s not quite easy, or maybe I’m not good with it

Should I feel guilty chatting at work when I’ve no work!
Should I feel guilty using face book at work when I’ve no work!
Should I feel guilty playing online games at work when I’ve no work!

I did them all, but still

I’m bored

It’s a dilemma, who wouldn’t enjoy some free time? I’m positive everyone would, but up to a certain limit, because too much of it isn’t quite as interesting believe me.

I’m bored

I even sketched some silly kindergarten kinda drawings, a robot of some sort and few sharks to be exact; I’m out of ideas, anyone to lend me some?

HELP

I’M REALLY BORED