So long, farewell

Off on a much-deserved vacation! Doubt I'll have time/motivation to write.

I'll leave you with the wise, wise words of one Miss Lindsay Lohan.

"I feel like an asshole, an idiot, because I feel like I'm distracting from the other things that are important, like global warming and that kind of stuff."

xo,
N.
"I'm leaving on a jet plane; don't know when I'll be back again."

52 influential photographs

They say a picture speaks a thousand words; I agree. The power of photography is that it captures a moment ready to be forgotten the second the shot is taken.

This list isn't an official list, nor is it 100% accurate, really. Some of the pictures didn't do much for me, while others literally made me gasp.

Judge for yourselves. Here.

N.
"A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words."

Sickening

*image courtesy of Al-Jareeda

By now I'm sure most of you have heard the outrageous news. For those of you who haven't, Bashar Al-Sayegh of Alommah.org and Jassim Al-Qames of Al-Jareeda (both also bloggers) were forcefully detained by State Security Police at 8pm Saturday evening in front of the Al-Jareeda headquarters. The incident linked to this detainment revolves around an inappropriate comment made by an anonymous poster about the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on Al-Sayegh's site. Although the comment was deleted by Al-Sayegh, State Security Police continue to hold him responsible.

Al-Qames was released yesterday afternoon, and a meeting was held at Ta7aluf regarding the situation later that evening. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it due to work, but I was able to speak to a few people who did manage to attend. Al-Sayegh has yet to be released. No further news on him is available.

Prior to Al-Qames' release, he was demanded to sign over some documents using his fingerprint, as he was still blindfolded and unable to read what he was signing.

Such a terrible, heartbreaking day for Kuwait's history. What happened is absolutely despicable. Two men were detained -- nay, abducted -- by four men (from my understanding) dressed in civilian clothing, driving a civilian car and without any form of ID or warrant. They were beaten, abused both physically and psychologically, and all for something they were not responsible for whatsoever.

What's happening to this country? How ridiculously out of control has all of this gotten? I'm sick to death of repeating the same, sorry line of "for every two steps we take forward, we take ten back." Not even! For every accomplishment we may think we have on our hands, a scenario so vile and unnerving springs along and destroys any expectations, hopes and perhaps chances of this country ever prospering into its full potential.

Kuwait's State Security Police need to be reminded of their duties: to serve and protect our country; to serve and protect US.

Torture? Unlawful detainment? Physical and mental abuse? My blood boils at the thought of these two patriotic men at the hands of our so-called protectors. This is not what Kuwait is about. This is not what our Constitution is about.

The Kuwaiti Constitution reads:

ARTICLE 30: Personal liberty is guaranteed.

ARTICLE 31: No person shall be arrested, detained, searched or compelled to reside in a specified place, nor shall the residence of any person or his liberty to choose his place of residence or his liberty of movement be restricted, expect in accordance with the provisions of the law.

ARTICLE 34: The infliction of physical or moral injury on an accused person is prohibited.

What's happening here is unacceptable. What happened to basic human rights? This is not just about Bashar Al-Sayegh and Jassim Al-Qames; this is about us, the Kuwaiti people. This is about our country and our desire to see it grow and prosper and evolve. This is about personal freedoms. To think Kuwait is turning into a police state sends chills down my spine.

And yet, despite all that is happening; despite the disgusting, blatant lack of respect for human rights, I remain hopeful. They can't keep us quiet and they won't. We'll be loud; we'll be adamant; we'll be there. A rally has been organized for later today, details can be found here.

Ladies and gentlemen, do your part. Do what you have to do. It's imperative that our message is heard: what happened Saturday to Bashar Al-Sayegh and Jassim Al-Qames is unacceptable and absolutely will not be tolerated. This is where it ends.

N.
"First they came for the terrorists, but I wasn't a terrorist so I stayed silent and went about my business. Then they came for those suspected of terrorism, but I certainly wasn't a suspect so I stayed silent and went about my business. Then they came for those who defended those who were suspected of terrorism, but I wasn't defending such people, so I stayed silent and went about my business. Then, one day, they came and began to suspect me, so I stayed very, very silent and went about my business. And that is how I lost my soul."

No breaking, and no real entering either

The parents have been out of town for the past week or so, and I've been home alone. It's just me, the two doggies and the maid. I spend about 29 of the 24 hours alloted to a day at work, so I'm hardly ever home. When I'm finished with work [11ish, 1130ish], I'll head home, play with the puppies a bit, have some friends over, watch a movie... the usual, until bedtime.

About 3 or 4 days ago, I was at work and it was about 11pm. I was nearly done with what I had to do and was very much looking forward to shutting down and going home. Just then my mobile rang, and the caller was 'Home.'

I picked up the phone and before I could even say 'hello,' I heard the maid's voice: "Madaaaaaaam! Please help, strange man outside. I'm scared, Madam! Help!"

I asked her what she was on about, and she said that she's standing in the living room looking out the window, and she can see a man - late 30s, scruffy, orange T-shirt and black sweatpants, probably not Kuwaiti - standing at our front door. He had opened the gate to the house and actually walked up to the front door! Thankfully, one of the dogs was outside and was blocking his way from entering the main door.

Anyway, the maid's freaking out and I'm not sure how helpful I can be, 20 minutes away and by phone. I kept pressing her to make sure it wasn't someone we know -- a friend of mine, a friend of my dad's, a neighbor, perhaps? But she was very upset and repeatedly told me that she didn't recognize the person on the other side of the door.

At this point, I had packed up my stuff and was making my way out of work and straight home. I contemplated a dozen times whether I should call the cops? A male relative? A friend? I'd never been in that situation before, and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. So I did nothing. Just drove home and decided I'd deal with it when I got there.

I called the maid twice on my way home, and although she was still a little panicky, she was feeling much better because apparently the guy had a change of heart and took off. (Points for puppy for scaring big, bad man off!)

When I walked into the house, the maid was sitting in the living room with our two dogs, watching The Notebook. Sweet sight... save for the gargantuan butcher knife on the living room table. Elena is nothing if not hardcore.

So anyway, nothing has happened since that night, and as much as I'd like to be freaked out by the whole situation, I'm just not. I think maybe cause I wasn't at the house when it happened -- but it's just not worrying me. I'm not stupid, though -- I now lock the front gate and the front doors as well.

Besides, I've got Super Puppies. They'll kick your ass, yo.

N.
"Home is where the house is."

Mm, Mexican

Actually, while we're at it...

'deefy made me do it.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Available or Single: ... I'm already feeling dumb. Aren't these two the same? Anyway, it's single. But emotionally, I'm taken.
-- i just realized this could've simply meant which do I prefer to be called, available or single, in which case, I'm a little saddened at the assumptions. Remember, kids, assuming only makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me.' *snort*

Best friends: keep me sane.

Cake or Pie: "Death-- I mean cake!" "Ah, but you said death." "Yes, but I meant cake!" "Oh, alright... give him cake. You're lucky I'm Church of England."
-- there's no reason why you should understand the above; it's strictly for my own amusement. Should you find, however, that you recognize the above quotes, please email me for a marriage proposal.

*The letter D has been discriminated against.

Essential Item: Mobile

Favorite Color: Black

Gummy bears or Worms: I don't do 'gummy.'

Home Town: Pass

Indulgence: Chloe purses

January or February: January
-- the 5th, more specifically. presents welcome all year, however.

Kids: Not so cute when burping/throwing up/shitting on you/themselves.

Life: Major bitch.

Marriage: I wouldn't know, but thanks for the reminder, asshole.

Number of Siblings: 2
-- what's white and can't climb trees? christopher reeve.
i just felt like telling you a joke.

Oranges or Apples: As my poor mother could tell you, I'm not much of a fruit person.

Phobias: Heights

Favorite Quote: "If people are going to start telling the truth around here, I'm going to bed."

Reason to Smile: London, August 28, 2007.
-- :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Season: Baseball

Tag Three People: Mabee
-- oh, alright. Amunki, DR, Moe

Unknown Fact About Me: I was a vocal [singing] major for 2 semesters.

*The letter V has been discriminated against as well.

Worst Habit: Sleeping in

*And X.

Your Favorite Food: Mexican

Zodiac: Goat

writingwritingwriting

I can't seem to figure out why I've not been in the writing mood lately. It's not for lack of things going on in my life, that's for damn sure. I've just been so very unmotivated lately, and what with the summer heat and long work hours (haha! Three sentences in and I'm already complaining -- welcome back, BintBuNaz!), I've just been finding it especially difficult to get into Writer's Mode.

What very little free time I have now officially begins at around 1am. That's when the house is quiet, everyone's asleep and my brain is allowed to function for itself. The rest of the day I'm running around doing this for that person and that for this person -- endless and endless hours at work. After work, which is late to begin with, I go see a few friends to ensure I don't lose my social life completely, and then it's home for a little parent/daughter time.

By 1am (and I say this lightly -- I'm pretty sure I picked up my love for latenight from my dad, who sometimes doesn't make it to bed himself till much later), I'm physically and mentally exhausted. But it's my time, and I value it more than you can imagine. I read, I watch TV, I catch up phone calls, I play with the dogs... but I don't write. I can't write. I've been staring at a monitor all day and the last thing I want to do is sit in front of the computer again.

I tried going old-school, busting out with my journal and my favorite pen, but that kind of writing is officially no more, as far as I'm concerned. My brain thinks too fast for my writing hand -- I need the keys of a keyboard to keep up with the thoughts in my brain. This pen-to-paper business just isn't working out anymore.

I'm at work at the moment... it's a little slow, and I thought, "Hey! Blog!"

And so I did. And I'm glad. And I hope it lasts.

N.
"How soon 'not now' becomes 'never.'"