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.

Where is Neda's Vote?

The shocking video and images of martyr and now symbol of freedom and human rights, not only in Iran but the whole world over, Neda Agha Soltan, are ones that bring turmoil into the mind and soul of everyone who views them. I feel shock, grief, anger, responsibility. They are images that will never be forgotten, that stand for so much more than just the horrible act that brought them into being. I don't want to get into politics now, it's just too early in the morning. But justice will be served...one way or the other...be it today, or tomorrow...Neda's voice, which resembles that of so many Iranians, shall not be silenced, but made louder by her passing.

"You can kill the people, but you cannot kill the voice."

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...

A Fruit Picker, A Missing Cat and Money in A Ditch

I was scrolling through www.MSNBC.msn.com and came across some wierd news I thought was worhty of sharing:

*Woman mistaken for monkey, gets shot.
Apparantly she was trying to pick fruit from her neighbours tree and, hearing rustling in his yard, the neighbour shot at her thinking she was a monkey. She was hospitalized and suffered a wound to the abdomen but is now stable. This took place in Malaysia by the way.

*Sofa Surprise: Cat found inside $27 used couch.
Watching a baseball match in Washington, a man felt something move inside his newly bought used couch. Upon closer inspection he found that a cat had managed to climb in through a tiny whole underneath and gotten stuck. This explained the previously unexplained meowing his wife kept hearing, ever since they had bought the used couch from a nearby store. After some media exposure, a man came forth and claimed his cat Callie, who had gone missing at about the same time he donated his couch to the store. Poor thing.

*Teen gives away thousands in cash he found.
Ater finding a stash of cash in a ditch by the road, a 16 year old boy gave away $11,000 of the original $18,000 to fellow students and school aide. When questioned, he at first said the money was out of his allowance, but later confessed to police that he had found it in a ditch along with marijuana and a set of scales. The money was collected back from the students but the boy did not face charges. The police called him "a good kid" trying to help those in need. With a drug junkie's cash.