Snippets III

It's nearly the end of the year, and I'm awfully glad.  Save for a few random moments, 2008 has all but been one big fantastic fail.  And now I'm starting to worry.

You see, I'm pretty sure that since, oh, I dunno... 1997, possibly?... come the end of the year, I find myself closing my eyes and praying to the Powers That Be (PTB henceforth) that the year ahead will be a smidgen better than the last.  So for 11 years now, I've been waiting for a good year, and for 11 years now, the PTB have been having a good laugh at my expense.  Bastards.

Is this what happens with age?  That can't possibly be the case.  You just keep getting ... mm, I don't want to say 'unhappier,' cause that's not really fair.  But I'm definitely "getting" something.  'Bored' is about right.  So's 'indifferent.'  'Desensitized' is a good one also.  

In any event, I'm trying this closing-of-the-eyes-and-discussing-with-the-PTB business one more time.  If 2009 doesn't bring me happiness, love, an all-black FJ Cruiser with tinted windows, success, an extended vacation in London and a new couch... well, nothing good has ever come from threats, but you keep watching this spot and see what happens.

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So, uh, anyone play Texas Hold 'em?  Let me know via email or comment.

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I'm thinking of declaring my little section of the house an independent nation and suing anyone who violates my airspace.

I kid, I kid.  In fact, due to having a section of my own at home, I feel like I don't spend enough time with my family anymore, and I'm not a fan of these feelings.  It's completely my fault, of course, and I know that, but going about changing my habits is proving to be a bit more difficult than I could have imagined it to be.  

 

... I didn't really think this topic through enough.  More on this later.

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I wish I were this talented.

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I've added an email address where you guys can send me private messages, should you ever need to.  I am not a fan of emails whose subject lines begin with "FWD," I don't want to see your funny videos or pictures of puppies and cute babies.  Informative, witty and personal emails are more than welcome, though.

Nobody in the history of posting their email address has ever been such a bitch about it, yeah?  You know I say it with a smile in my heart, boys and girls.  Email me at: bintbunaz@me.com

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And finally, if Julia Roberts married Raul Julia, divorced him and then married ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, she'd be Julia Julia Giuliani. 

n.

"Hard work never killed anybody, but why take the chance?"

I know I say this all the time...

... but honestly, this time I mean it.

I'm coming back with a bang.

Just like Britney, y'all.

n.

"Don't call it a comeback; I've been here for years."

Celebrity sightings

Yesterday was my father's birthday, so we had a nice family dinner at Peacock (not what it used to be. I know this; I've known this for the past 5 years that I've been back, but I still want to give it another chance, but it's not what it used to be).

Tangent aside, we're pulling up to the valet, and it's a bit crowded by my side (passenger seat)-- quite a few people standing around, hovering. My brother, who was driving, turns to see what the commotion is all about -- and really, it wasn't so much a commotion as just a handful of guys standing really close to the car -- and makes a comment, "Hunh. Looks like the dude from Terminator; T-1000?"

I look and think to myself, "Hunh. It does look like the dude from Terminator."

Step out of the car, and as we're entering SAS, I hear a couple of guys asking T-1000 for a photo.

Dude. It was T-1000. Real name: Robert Patrick.

So we're in the lobby now, and still sorta smirking at Robert Patrick hanging out at the SAS. As we're heading towards Peacock, I hear a deep, gorgeous voice say, "Michael!" I froze mid-step and whispered to myself, "David Palmer?"

Hell effin' yeah, it was David Palmer! Only the greatest President the United States has ever witnessed!

Ladies and gentleman, Dennis Haysbert, who plays President David Palmer on Fox's "24."



They were both dressed in the same black T-shirt; looked like they were there for some sort of cause or event, but I didn't stick around to find out anymore.

There was shrimp on toast to be had.

N.
"Do not hijack my presidency!" -- David Palmer

Come one, come all

What: First screening of Amer Al Zuhair's newest film, When the People Spoke III

Where: The Graduates Society [Jam3iyat il Khireejeen], Bneid Al Gar

When: Sunday, May 11, 2008 @ 7pm
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As some of you may know, Director Amer Al Zuhair recently won first prize for Best Documentary at the Gulf Film Festival in Dubai for the second part of his documentary series, When the People Spoke. Tonight, and for the first time, he will screen the latest installment, which focuses on the elections of 2006, the first time women participated in the voting process.

This is an important documentary, particularly with elections a little less than a week away.

Your attendance and support would be greatly appreciated. So come one, come all. Tell your friends, tell your family and see you tonight.

N.
"Filmmakers are going to make films, just like painters are going to paint."

:)

Yeah, I'm back.

25 Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving

It really sucks Kuwait's history doesn't involve pilgrims and Native Americans and turkeys; every time Thanksgiving rolls around, I get grumpy. I want gravy and green bean casserole and to do nothing but watch American football and beat up younger family members while crushing beer cans against my forehead.

Ah, yes, the American Thanksgiving, how I love it so. Despite the grumpiness, this is the time of year I like to focus on the things I am thankful for.

My loyal readers (hi, dad?) may notice I've cut my 'Thankful' list in half this year; take that as you will.

In any event, 2007's 25 Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving:

1. Good friends
2. Melted cheese
3. Mascara
4. Text messages
5. John Legend's Let's Get Lifted
6. TV-on-DVD
7. Not being tied down to sucky jobs that drain your energy and leave you flustered and miserable
8. Chalet
9. Good weather
10. My family
11. Poker nights
12. Music downloads
13. My BFF
14. Gay boys
15. Hours-long gossip sessions
16. London
17. Digital cameras
18. Letting go of the past
19. Facebook
20. Sleep
21. The perfect red lipstick
22. Unconditional love
23. Acoustic guitar
24. Weekend getaways
25. Sarcasm

Happy Turkey Gobble Day, boys and girls. May you be safe, happy and warm.

N.
"This year, I'm gonna celebrate Thanksgiving the old-fashioned way; invite everyone in the neighborhood over, feed them an enormous meal, kill them and take their land."

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."