Human Nature

I went to see This Is It at the IMAX theatre in 360 last night. Glad I did. Mainly because I got to sit back and groove to all his great songs.

Singing along and snapping my fingers to the beat...I genuinely had a good time and I now have MJ's song list on constant playback in my head.

He exuded professionalism, an immense attention to detail, and just pure love for what he was doing...he was passionate about making people happy with great music right to the end...

WEEKEND!!! Woohoo!

I miss my sister. She studies in Canada and is persumably emmersed in examinations right now...so I haven't talked to her in ages. Missing you girl.

I want to buy flowers...roses...

And the weather is amazing...fine drizzles in the early morning hours...with the great roar of thunder every now and then...mainly the overcast colour grey. Oh and the wind...ahhh the wind.

Fire Truck

At the risk of repeating myself, I post this video. I couldn't resist the urge of sharing the utter genius, the sheer magnificense, the irresistable charm of Michael Bublé.
He's hip, he's hot, and he's happening. His music FEELS good. It really does.
I don't want to keep going on and on for fear of uncovering my secret obsession/crush (call it what you may)...
Just watch the video... :)




And now, at the risk of contradicting myself, I absolutely cannot wait. (Refer to the post before last if you don't get the joke. If you still don't get it, then I should stop trying to be funny.)

**Update on the writing: We're getting there.

Cheers.

I Can Wait

New Michael Buble single
Haven't Met You Yet:



*melts*

Kiss of Life

I'm happy because I just:

Watched Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden

Bought two new books

Listened to a great song

Kiss of Life - Friendly Fires. Enjoy:

Movie Marathon

Wow! It's 6 thirty already. Time flies by when you do lots of stuff. Between work and spending a little time relaxing with the "famille", and going to places...the day's suddenly over. And you can still think of things you have to do.

As long as I don't feel tired, I'm happy. Busy is good. I need busy.

So I watched a few movies recently (you can see which in the Last Movie F. Watched bit) and I must say I was pleased with all three.

The Half Blood Prince was very good. I enjoyed it a lot. Although in movies like this, where they have to cram a huge book into a movie time slot, you unfortunately don't get to see much of the characters. I mean, you could actually count the lines assigned to each character on your fingers. But quality beats quantity...so I guess it's alright. And while we're talking about lines and scripts...I just wanted to say how British the script seemed...The use of words like "bloke" and "snog" are used constantly...I loved it. And obviously...there were differences between the book and the movie...as usual, but still it was a good enough adaptaion and it was also a truly good movie in it's own right. Highly recommended.

Yes Man was cute. I enjoyed watching it with my sisters, eating gummy bears and Cheetos. Very cute. Jim Carrey was great...he didn't over do it with his faces and funny sounds (they were still there [how can they not be] but were used sparingly) I felt like it was a comdey with a story...rom-com meets comedy meets chick flick, sort of. Which is great...there's a story there...a story with heart. Recommended to those who want a fun afternoon get together with friends/family...

And finally, Doubt. Much more serious; requiring thought and reflection after viewing. This is a movie where the viewer decides what the story is. What more can you ask for...you end the movie how you want it. It's up to you! Great performances reign. They're everywhere. The great Meryl Streep, Seymour Hoffman continues to please, and rising star Amy Adams...I loved how they used recurring symbols or motifs to suggest different things. Recommended to those who prefer "deeper" movies with lots of dialogue.

Okay...enough blabbering for today.

Later.

Employed

It's been hectic the past week. I feel like someone's plucked me out of my context and put me somewhere else.

I am finally working. I started last week. I'm really glad I found something similar to what I wanted...something that'll give me adequate training for my future plans. Like I said, it was a little hectic, all with settling in, getting to know the place and the staff, working out my duties etc.

But I'm optimistic. Hopefully it'll be a good experience to say the least. I'll let you know how it's going.

The thing is though, after spending a whole year at home, it's kind of weird spending less time at home and with the family. And I don't have to mention the waking up early part. I haven't done that in ages, so I'm adjusting.

I went to 360 Mall last weekend. It seems like a nice shopping mall...I mean what else can I say. But there was one thing that impressed me very much and that's the Om Kulthoom Museum they're holding there. It was really impressive. A good marketing tool too, to get people to visit the mall. Although you don't really need to spend that much of an effort marketing for a mall in Kuwait...Anyway, back to the museum, it's definately worth visitng.

What else can I cram into this post...let's see. Oh yes. Comedy. I never considered myself as a fan of the genre of comedy. I actually thought I hated it. I felt like it was unsophisticated, meaningless clowning around. I don't want to mention any names, but let's just say that the "comedians" I was exposed to prior to this point in time, weren't funny. They weren't funny, they weren't artisits, they weren't talented (And the list could go on and on and on...) But recently, I have seen the light, so to speak. I wandered unchartered paths and discovered treasures I never knew existed, great names like Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx and Charlie Chaplin, and now I can't stop admiring the gem that is comedy.

I feel like this topic is going to take many more words to cover, and I really want to share my new fascination with you, so I'll stop here today, but I promise to write more on this subject.

Until then...

The Funk of Forty Thousand Years

Hello.

I know it's old news by now, but this is my share.

Michael Jackson passed away. I must say I was quite shocked, although the news came in like a looming fog rather than a bolt of thunder, if you know what I mean. I was shocked because it had never occured to me that he would no longer exist. I mean, it's not like he was constantly mentioned or always on my mind and now he's gone or anything like that, it's just that I never thought Michael Jackson would die...just like that. I never really THOUGHT about it, I guess that's what I'm trying to say. And that was the saddest thing about it all really. That it happened so suddenly, so out of the blue. Alas! At least he left us all with music that is pure genius. Music through which he will live on. I hope my kids, if I ever have any, will one day listen to his records and appreciate them as much as I do.

Okay, enough of that. I've been watching some old TV shows from the 50's on YouTube, and they've sparked something big inside of me. A pleasure and a yearning for the past. The charm, the wit, the beauty, the talent, the politeness even...*sighhhh!* More on that in later post. Let this be a tease.

Music that I'm into right now:
La Roux. Her music's fresh yet very reminiscent of the 80's. This is her single "Bulletproof". If you like it go ahead and listen her other stuff. Pretty much all of it has the same vibe. Very catchy, dancey...perfect!

Enjoy,

And now...
I must be going.

Shocking and Not So Shocking

The inevitable finally happened. The parliament is now dissolved. By constitutional means.

The Emir has made a good decision, I believe...He's done his part, and it is now up to us, the people. It's in our hands to try and make change for the better. An end is always followed by a new beginning, so let's stay hopeful. But please, spread awareness about the necessity of making the "right" choice. If the same people end up in that Assembly...God, I wouldn't know what to say...This should be a wake up call. We have to seriously think about what's best, not only for us and for Kuwait now, but for the generations to come.

I'm so excited that I'll be eligible to elect this time around. It'll be my first time.

* * *

On to more shocking news.

I read today that talented actress Natasha Richardson died yesterday, at the age of 45, after suffering from a head injury while skiing. I read that she was hospitalized two days ago but I didn't think she would die. Poor thing. So unexpected. My condolences go to her husband Leam Neeson, her mother Vanessa Redgrave and the rest of her family, and to all her fans. She was a talented actress...

Between You and Me

As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the flag I made last week.

I watched a couple of episodes of this show that seems to be all the rage right now. It's called "Bayni O Baynkom" (Between You and Me) and it's aired on Flash TV, it's charismatic (or so they say) host is one "Bo Kharshad." Now I thought I'd raise a couple of questions regarding this trend that seems to be all the hype right now (yes there are others like this one on other channels.) It's basically a show with very little on the screen but the host ( I don't know whether they were trying to go for a minimalistic look, or perhaps their low budgets can provide for little more than just that...) and the host basically rants about negative issues going on in the country with a call coming in every now and then from a dedicated or amused viewer who either praises or makes fun of the said host. Now, why has there become this general tendency for us to just rant and complain about things? Sure, through this kind of behaviour we uncover the problems that we believe are being neglected, but I don't feel like these peoples' purposes are to bring change, I honestly believe they just want to rant. And why are viewers pulled in by this type of show? I seriously feel like I'm losing brain cells watching them. Try it, and tell me what you think. I feel like I know all this stuff already, and that what we really need are people who are willing to actually do something about these problems, rather than just act all concerned and rant about them on TV. We can all be doing something more useful with our time, like read a good book, go out for a walk, spend time making constructive chit-chat with family members, or better yet work do something that will make Kuwait a better place than it already is.

I'd like to hear your take on this. Post a comment.

Androgynous

Well...it's been busy lately but the fuss is over. Most probably to make time for more fuss. But that's life, isn't it?

After the prize giving ceremony for honours students, and after watching the video over and over again with the family...I felt so loved. So I just want to say this, for the record: I love you all so much, proud to be one of you. This is just the fruit of what you have sown. My success is your own. Thank you so very much.

(That read like an Oscar thank-you-speech. :P Got a little carried away!)

(Oh and the rhyming bit was completely unintentional. LOL.)

I'm happy to say that I have finally gotten round to work on something...research paper-wise. When it's done I might give you guys a glimpse. Let's just hope I stick to it all the way through. Keep reminding me.

I've accidentally come across a German band called Tokio Hotel. And you know how sometimes you say things, or you make rules for yourself, like in this case, "I do not like to listen to emo teenagers singing about how they secretly love that nobody understands them." Well, I sort of can't help it sometimes. I'm stuck especially on two of their songs. And I listen to both the English and German versions (I prefer the German ones though. P.S. I am really really good with languages...I speak 3 and comprehend 2 other ones...but German is one language I cannot seem to be able to get my head around. But still I like the songs.)

I couldn't find a better video. This is a live performance in Italy, and the singing's in English. The song is called Monsoon (Durch Den Monsun):

Cap ou Pas Cap?

As advised by Nada, I got the awesome French movie Jeux D'enfants, and I watched it a couple of days ago. I absolutely love it.

A rom-com, starring Guillame Canet (who seemed awfully familiar, like really REALLY familiar...and I still can't figure out where I've seen him before!) and Marion Cotillard. The direction by Yann Samuell was very imaginative (reminded me of Science of Sleep [sorta] if any of you've watched that one.) It is a love story. And this is what brings me to todays DEBATE! :P Last time (Experience is Vital) it was pretty much just Nada and I discussing the issue at hand (and Moos adding a couple of really neat comments here and there too) so I urge you guys to join in this time.

Using her own words, Nada describes herself as being "emotionally crippled" and therefore enjoys love stories with not-so-happy endings. Stories that involve impossible love, love that leads to disaster, one-sided love...etc. She thinks Jeux D'enfants is that kind of movie. I watched it, and frankly, I think, that in the end, it is no different than any down-right mushy, lovey-dovey love story that exists on this planet. And that's why I loved it myself! The two protagonists are in love with each other but might not fully know it, they don't get together for different reasons, they live a "regular" (i.e. nothing special) life without each other for years...then they meet once more and choose never to go their seperate ways again (I am obviously over simplifying a great movie...watch it to get the big picture.) In what way is this love story different than your usual, let's say, Jane Austen type romance?

True, there's the whole issue of the "jeu" or the dare game that they play through-out the movie. But is that much different from the game of concealment that Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax play in Austen's Emma? (for example.)

Overall, highly recommended. Thanks to Nada for recommending it to me. Oh and sorry for the excessive use of brackets (or parenthesis, for those of you who prefer the American way of things!)

Singing in the Rain

I was watching the National Assembly's first meeting today. As usual, they are voting on all the different committees and their members. Something struck me as bizarre and so I just want to comment on the MP's who choose not to vote on any article or committee or whatever they might be asked to vote for/against.

"Mumtani3."(I refuse to vote.)

Who came up with such an option?! What does it tell us when an MP refuses to state their opinion about a certain issue? What's the point of them being in the Assembly if they refuse to vote? They are basically refusing to make a difference, refusing to do their jobs! And what excuse could there be for this kind of behaviour other than the fact that they hope not to displease any party; neither their electors nor their fellow MP's or the governemt. Fear of being blamed for anything that might go wrong later on because of their decision...

If you strive to become a member of parliament, you are expected to have a certain line of thought, and when you get to the "green chair" you are supposed to fight for those beliefs which your electors chose you for (perhaps not in reality, but ideally speaking.) And so you are not doing your job when you sit there and you deny your right, your duty, when the time comes to make the decision.

*Sigh*

On a lighter note, here's a fantastic video for you. It's a commercial for a VW automobile. A remix (by Mint Royale) of the famous "Singing in the Rain" scene in which Gene Kelly is apparantly...poppin' it! Enjoy.

Review: The Kite Runner

It has been ages since I last posted. I didn't know what to say, or what to write. I suspect that it was my Ramadan routine that was the culprit. Always the same; getting up late, not eating, eating, sleeping late. Basically, my life has failed to provide any inspiration for posting.

But I realise that nothing is going to change if I don't change it myself. Part of what has got me thinking again, is reading and watching The Kite Runner. So here's a book/movie review.

Well, I loved both. The book is a page turner, Hosseini's words flowing right off the page. The plot is greatly woven, the characters perfectly developed. I absolutely fell for Baba. And Amir is just the perfect protagonist. The movie was amazing too. A great adaptaion in my opinion. Although there were events that were ommitted, it was still quite faithful to the novel. Very well acted by everyone...Khalid Abdalla played Amir very well, and Homayoun Ershadi was perfect as Baba. The soundtrack was well chosen as well. I recommend both.



As you can tell, my writing has gone rusty. It needs a little oiling here and there. But it'll hopefully get back to normal soon.

***SPOILERS***
P.S. I cried watching the movie...When Baba died, and when Amir read Hassan's letter. *Sniff*

Review: P.S. I Love You

3 things I learnt watching P.S. I Love You:

1- Gerard Butler is HOT.

2- Hilary Swank is NOT.

3- The book is better than the movie.

P.S. -Question: Is there a fixed number of times a person can fall in love in a specific period of time? Cuz this is overwhelming...

Review: The Dark Knight

Why so serious?

Update

So, I went to see The Dark Knight yesterday. Obviously. The movie was really really good. I mean I'm not so into the whole action, comic super-hero type of stuff...but this was great. I might actually go and buy me some Batman comics soon. Anyway. Most importantly, I was taken by storm with late Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker. It was out of this world. This just proves what a highly talented actor Ledger was. An amazing yet early end to a great career. This is why I found that I had to just post a picture. Very little words. As close as I can get to the sublimity of Heath's performance. Call it a tribute if you like...*sigh* RIP

Bale did good too. People were complaining about his lisp, and his gruff Batman suit voice. I liked it. Overall it was a great movie. But Joker "stole" it for me. I think i'm in love!