A mesage to my LEBANESE son !

Chante la vie chante
Comme si tu devais mourir demain
Chante comme si plus rien n'avait d'importance
Chante, oui chante
Aime la vie aime
Comm' un voyou comm' un fou comm' un chien
Comme si c'était ta dernière chance
Chante oui chante
Tu peux partir quand tu veux
Et tu peux dormir où tu veux
Rêver d'une fille
Prendre la Bastille (ou Roumieh)
Ou claquer ton fric au jeu
Mais n'oublie pas.





Chante la vie chante
Comme si tu devais mourir demain
Chante comme si plus rien n'avait d'importance
Chante, oui chante
Fête fais la fête
Pour un amour un ami ou un rien
Pour oublier qu'il pleut sur tes vacances
Chante oui chante
Et tu verras que c'est bon
De laisser tomber sa raison
Sors par les fenêtres
Marche sur la t^te
Pour changer les traditions
Mais n'oublie pas.

Chante la vie chante
Comme si tu devais mourir demain
Chante comme si plus rien n'avait d'importance
Chante, oui chante

Predicting Lebanon's future.

A person I hold dear to my heart painted this picture a couple of years ago.
Many times did she ask for my help in order to fill the blank pages of the book, with no avail. Suggestions were made where by a quote from Gibran should be inserted or even Phoenicians calligraphy; we never came to an agreement. Today while updating her web page, in order to promote her art, we came across this old painting of hers.
In retrospect, I can only say that this painting was like a premonition for the uncertainty that plagued my country; from the presidential vacuum to the uncertainty of days to come.
It is now up to us, Lebanese, to fill the empty pages!

The other side of me !

For an angry and very pessimisitc view on Lebanon visit R.I.P Lebanon

Allah yirham Libnan wa trabo !

Need I say more?

Hassouna V/S Buffalo Springfield

A long ,not so very long time ago

Epitaph

While waiting for youtube to upload (it has been over an hour now) a clip for my next blog, TV in the background (in case of "khabar 3ajel) and music playing; came this song by King Crimson. I thought "how appropriate", so I decided to share the lyrics.

“The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams.
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams.
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams,
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
As silence drowns the screams.

Between the iron gates of fate,
The seeds of time were sown,
And watered by the deeds of those
Who know and who are known;
Knowledge is a deadly friend
When no one sets the rules.
The fate of all mankind I see
Is in the hands of fools.

Confusion will be my epitaph.
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it we can all sit back
and laugh.
But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying,
Yes I fear tomorrow I'll be crying”.

R.I.P Lebanon

It is now official, Lebanon has been sold by what was supposed to be its protectors.
The powers of M14 have surrendered to the "divine" power. Evil has conquered!
PEOPLE OF THE CEDAR REVOLUTION REVOLT, OR LIVE IN SHAME !
LEBANON HAS CEASED TO EXIST !
PEOPLE OF LEBANON RECLAIM YOUR LAND, FOR IT HAS NOW BEEN INFESTED BY EVIL AND COWARDLY WARLORDS.
SAY NO TO HIZBOLLAH, TO THIS SOLD OUT GOVERNMENT, TO THOSE OUTSIDE POWERS WHO DID NOT DELIVER ON THEIR PROMISES (YET AGAIN), AND TO THOSE WHO ARE STILL BANKING ON THEM (OUTSIDE POWERS).
PEOPLE OF LEBANON REVOLT, BURN TIRES, ERECT BARRICADES, CLOSE DOWN MEDIA OUTLETS....ETC, FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE.
THE CEDAR REVOLUTION WAS TONIGHT EXECUTED BY THOSE WHO CLAIM STARTED IT. PEOPLE OF LEBANON NOW IS THE START OF YOUR YOUR FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL AND THE FIGHT FOR TRUE INDEPENDENCE. Act or be damned!

148000 DEAD IN 15 YEARS OF "CIVIL WAR" AND OVER 100 IN THE (NOW SUCCESSFUL) COUP D'ETAT, FOR WHAT? SURRENDER?
SHAME ON YOU SO CALLED LEADERS AND PROTECTORS OF DEMOCRACY!
TODAY I PISS AND SHIT ON THE GOVERNMENT AND I CALL UPON MY OWN JIHAD, THAT OF ALL THE LEBANESE, AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO DO NOT RELATE TO ANY OTHER TERMINOLOGY !
BURN ME AT THE STAKE, STONE ME, OR EVEN CRUCIFY ME; MY VOICE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!

Hizbollah, evil incarnate!

I will spare you a detailed account of what took place today for it is widely available on the internet, and most of you have been glued to your TV sets; therefore are in no need of a reminder.
A wide array of analysis and predictions were offered for you to pick whatever tickled your fancy.
Regardless of so called facts aired or written, no one can dispute the fact that Lebanon is being taken over by what was once praised as the Divine protector against the ultimate evil that is known as the state of Israel.
Many of times did I state that Hassounah and his thugs have one agenda and one only; that of imposing their own vision of Lebanon.
Can any of you, after today, still have a shadow of the doubt?


Roads are closed, tires are burnt, threats are made, people are held hostage at the airport, Iranians are flying in, new tents are being erected…etc.
And the army does nothing!
Michel Suleiman (and the other Micho who called for the toppling of the government today) say nothing.
M14 in their infinite wisdom (or shall I say lack of balls) praise the appeasing role of the army in such a volatile situation. Shots have been fired, B7 rockets were used, stones were hurled (even at army personnel), citizens were stranded, roads blocked (for no valid reason); and still our men in green watched.
Can you still seriously wonder why the Lebanese people are rushing to buy arms?
It is about time my fellow Lebanese to “call a spade a spade”, enough with the talk of one sect (and one only) that has been ignored by past governments, one area (the south) left to rot. Poverty is no stranger to the 18 (19 if we still recognize the Lebanese Jews) communities that are part of this nation of ours.
This very same community pretending to be marginalized, used and abused; is not only better off (thanks to foreign aid, “al mal al halal”) but has sold its Lebanese identity to foreign powers (Iran). This community by doing so has revoked its Lebanese identity, therefore its rights.
I, unlike others, will not hide behind my little finger and still claim that I am willing to negotiate with the likes of Hizbollah and those who follow them; for they have renounced their Lebanese identity.

I call upon my people to revolt and fight this cancerous cell even at the risk of having to amputate!

For those of you who might think it extreme I say : “bite me”.

The time of reckoning has come.

The latest squabble with regards to security issues (or lack of dare I say) should be a clear enough indication that “dawlat al fakih” is now moving towards the application phase.
Iranian (so called tourists/students) parked in me3rab for hours, cameras by the airport, security apparatus in sensitive points belonging to the Hezb, parallel communication lines, private security zones, massive buying of lands, an Embassy that reclaims suspects for a couple of days, the army general giving thanks to an invading power, a French representative held by armed militias (with no repercussions)…etc.
Brace yourselves my fellow (dormant) Lebanese for the day of Hizbollastan might be coming (sooner than you ever imagined).
Blame no one but yourselves when the gates of hell will widely open and engulf what was once known as the land of many freedoms.
Today I am the prophet of doom, for I am convinced that none of the opposing leaders to such an evil project have the balls to publicly call for the true “Moukawameh”(it has been copywrited by our divine Hasaan) .
Those ill fated (M14) clueless idiots still awaits to reach a (honorable, in their own opinion) compromise, in order to avert what the speaker of our (now closed and dysfunctional) house of representative (Nabih Berri) called “al sharr al mousstatir (whatever that may mean).
Meanwhile within our borders, letters are being exchanged and deals are being made, at whose expense may I ask?
Talk about the Golan Heights and the jump start of peace negotiations with regards to a long standing Middle Eastern problem seem to be well on their way. But the local situation sure looks like it has been once again sold to higher and more important purpose. The “new born Christian”(G.W Bush) and his failed foreign policies can no longer hold ground and bring reassurance to the true believers in democracy (us Lebanese included).
Hizbollah, along with its allies (the demented general included) have shown us that they are the ones controlling our country and our fate.
On the opposing side we have a group of impotent asses hiding still willing to put the future of our country within the hands of yet another army general who cannot even apply a simple rule of law.
I am willing to cut my genitals with a blunt instrument, if anything will be done with regards to this latest breach in national security.
Michel Suleiman should never become president; he should be relieved of his functions.
The army should be given clear orders to restore the rule of law, even by force if need be.
Until the day will come where one of the biggest Lebanese religious sect will renounce fanaticism and foreign allegiance; we Lebanese (for they ARE NOT) have a duty not to let them have their way.
No to “Tawlet al hiwar”, NO to “la ghaleb wa la maghloub”, those are people that can never be trusted; those are people that have a higher purpose that spans way beyond the Lebanese border, those are people who never felt they belonged to this (once) great nation of MINE, those are the cancer that has made my country terminally ill.
THOSE ARE PEOPLE, WE SHOULD NOT EVEN REGARD AS PEOPLE !

Laisser venir a moi les petits enfants !

Yes I am a disillusioned Christian who has secured (according to the church) a front row seat in the kingdom of hell; I proclaim out loud that I am closer to God than the Pope will ever be.

Lost in the meanderings of religious teachings, and a spoon fed faith in my early years, I can now affirm that I am a better Christian than most of the men of the cloth I have had the misfortune to encounter.
Born in the Biblical land of milk ad honey; I have witnessed suffering inflicted by “the people of the book”. I have seen holy men act against their vows, and I have bared witness to the repercussions.
I even came to question God’s wisdom and his very existence. I even used such doubts as an excuse to my misdeeds.
I might have embarked on the wrongful path for a while, but found it not so fulfilling; on the contrary it brought me closer to understand my own spirituality.
Finally I can rest my weary head to sleep at night; not because I have changed in my convictions; but for I have encountered pure innocence.
Innocence that stemmed from the eyes of a deprived child; a child that did not even ask to be born. Not even an orphan, but a child that was abandoned by his own parents for some lame excuse. A child that will cling on to any iota of TLC a stranger could provide. A child willing to prostitute a smile for time spent even pretending that you care.
In this Biblical (my foot) land of milk and honey, we have forgotten the mission that was bestowed upon us (us children of the book, and not only Christians) to love and help one another; and yet we criticize the west and their (loose) values.

In a small village in Bikfaya called village ---…--- I found refuge. And moreover I found myself.
I have found a sense a being and belonging within the eyes of those, not only less fortunate but those who enjoy a “joie de vivre” second to none; for they do not know any better (and that is a shame). A community populated on an average of 85% of destitute, abandoned, orphaned, forgotten children; being taken care of by volunteers who are not foreign to their plights.
Yes you can go incognito and donate outgrown clothes and toys, and pretend that you have moved one step closer on the ladder to paradise. But if you ever have the courage to meet the kids; you are hooked for life.
Never (even with your own flesh and blood) would you see such happiness, love and gratitude than you would see at the “village S.O.S” or any other organization of the sort.
When you feel that life is pulling you down and you are down on your luck, take the trip and go and visit those who are less fortunate, it is cheaper than a therapist; and the ripple effects are much wider.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

La boheme version locale !

Je vous parle d’un temps
Il y’a plus de vingt ans
Le Liban était en guerre
Ses rues ensanglantées
Ne connaissant pas de paix
Jusqu’au plus loin recoins
Nous étions quelques uns
Une arme dans la main
Nous nous faisions la guerre
C’est la que tout a commencé
Moi dans mes illusions
Et toi dans tes pensées

Tant de haine, tant de haine
Qu’avons-nous fait de notre Liban ?
Tant de haine, tant de haine
On l’a brûlé, brûlé vivant.

Et les jours ont passés
Les semaines les années
Sans apaiser l’amertume
La mort a nos cotés
Le pays déchiré
Les canons battaient plus fort
Et quand une accalmie
Déversait une pluie
De mortiers et de balles
Ont allait se cacher
Au bas d’un escalier
Pour échapper au sort

Tant de haine, tant de haine
Qu’avons-nous fait de notre Liban ?
Tant de haine, tant de haine
On l’a brûle, brûle vivant.

Chaqu' un de son côté
Clamait la vérité
Ignorant nos cris
Nous plongeant dans un destin
Noire et incertain
Poussant notre pays
Vers des jours incertains
Et une jeunesse déchue
De toute joie de vivre
Et nous on les suivait
Sans même les questionner
Comme aveugles ou ivres


Tant de haine, tant de haine
Qu’avons-nous fait de notre Liban ?
Tant de haine, tant de haine
On l’a brûle, brûle vivant.

Maintenant qu’on a grandi
Les obstacles affranchis
Cette histoire se répète
La haine existe toujours
Dans les murs, dans les rues
Et nous crie a tû tête
Arrêter cette folie
Vivez en harmonie
Ou je vais cesser d’être
Le Liban vous appelle
De tout ses kilomètres
A vivre sous sa tutelle

Tant de haine, tant de haine
Qu’avons-nous fait de notre Liban ?
Tant de haine, tant de haine
On l’a brûle, brûle vivant.

This is what I do not wish upon my son!

13th of April; a stolen childhood !

This is nothing but, as we say back home “mourour al kiram”; depicting a small percentage of events which forged a generation that is now controlling the destiny of our nation and children.
I am part of this generation which is lost in limbo, somewhere between a false sense of patriotism and a deep guilt for having followed and engaged in acts that were against our morals and religious teachings.
This was Lebanon then.
I will leave it up to you to watch and formulate your own opinion.
N.B: Always keep in mind that this nothing but a mere fraction of what actually took place.

Thank you Gemmayzeh !!!

Thank you Mr Sarkiss and Mr Allouch, for having reminded me, that I took the wrong decision in investing in my own country.
Thank you for having opened my eyes to the fact that my contract (all dues paid in full, and then some more) could be breached for political purposes.
Thank you Gemmayzeh residents for charging me ridiculous rent on my premises, only to later complain that I have defaced your culturally protected neighbourhood, and what a culture I ask.
You took to the streets with slogans such as “bidna neim” (we want to sleep) when you were more than happy to rent us space that was not even fit for your dogs to live in.
We refurbished them at our own expense and put Gemmayzeh back on the map, and yet you repay us by circulating a petition that shuts many of us down.
Thank you for your loyalty, you ingrate bunch of “enculeurs de mouches” (and no do not excuse my French).
It was and still is a sad day, when in my restaurant I have to ask my customers to leave by 11.30.
May Sarkiss, Allouch and all of you rot in hell , and may all gemmayzeh resident be haunted once again by the emptiness and the eerie silence that once prevailed.
“Never bite the hand that feeds you", you ingrate maggots.
Ana beddeh 3ich.

Culturally handicapped

Away from politics, Gemayzeh and the fight for survival within this Lebanese jungle; I have sought refuge in the comfort of good company and French wine. Le club des cinq gathered tonight in the safety of a home safely tucked away in the mountains, for an evening away from the newly found restrictions that once did not exist. The evening started with the normal discussion about Allouch and Sarkis’s decision to push Lebanon one step closer towards Iranistan, and the reactions of yesterday’s punters towards the early closing of their respective watering holes. Sitting in the living room sipping on a crispy cold Pouilly le club des cinq was graced with a program on LBC hosted by 4 wannabe “pop in et dans le vent” female compatriots trying to brake social barriers. At first we all thought that this might be the beginning of some sort of avant garde free speech program that might bring a glimmer of hope to what we have come to know as a waste of air space.
4 Women and a male guest (Yehia Jaber), a self proclaimed journalist, poet, communist, revolutionary, free speaking…etc polluted the airways for a couple of hours. All throughout this portrayal of what has become acceptable as Lebanon’s contribution to the world of “le 7emme art” and free speech (and a few glasses down our throats) we could not help but compare what we were watching to the good old days; the days of “le theatre des dix heures” with Yvette Sursock, “3acher 3abid zghar”, “toute la ville chante”, Alec Khalaf (as suggested by J.W Chouchou and Al dinyeh Heyk)…etc.
Association d’idées, we switched on to Tal Al Zaatar, holiday Inn, Sabra & Chatila, Tanzim, Ahrar, Kateb, Mourabiton, Fath, Saika…etc; all those memories shoved way back in the deep recesses of our minds resurfaced again only to be mentioned but not discussed.
The only agreement was that we were all reminiscent of the days when our country was a cradle of culture, wit, free speech; and programs like the one we saw tonight would have never aired for the mere fact that it would not have found an audience.
Bring me back the glory days of channels 7, 5, 9 11, C33; even in black and white. Moreover bring me back Doreid Laham, Sissi imperatrice,Simon Templar,Allo Hayete, Ghawar al Tocheh.
I truly regret my snobbish attitude then, and in order to redeem myself, enclosed is a clip of those glory days.



Yes those were better days !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pardon Sleiman Beik, bedeh e7lbo !

Have we reached the bottom of the barrel, or is it a lack of social life that made me watch Suleiman Beyck tonight on what used to be the voice of Christian defiance (LBC). I thank my God (my private God) for whiskey and the beautiful company I was graced with, which made Suli’s televised “itlaleleh” more funny than it was supposed to be.
I will not bother to comment on his wisdom and political savvy, he doesn’t have any (in my own humble opinion). But what cracked me up and made me piss down my trousers was the use of : “ye7lebo” and “yil3an oukthoun” (more than once). According to Suli beyck my fellow Lebanese are masturbators with cursed sisters.
Thank you LBC for having shown us once again that you are pioneers and fervent adept of free speech. Sheikh Bashir is now rolling in his grave.
Thank you Suli, my dear me3az from the north for making me realize that in Lebanon, you don’t even need any form of education to become a leader, a minister, a politician...etc and have your moment of glory on LBC.

New set of BALLS !!!!!

The half witted accountant surprised me tonight with his“franc parler”. I wonder what it is that woke him up from his deep slumber and moreover what will be the repercussion of his speech. Although Saniora referred to Syria as the sister state; he did put the blame on the Syrian regime for the current vacuum, the sponsoring of armed Palestinian factions outside the confinement of refugee camps,…etc. Saniora echoed the voice of many Lebanese (and I am one of them).
How will Bashar react to his less then submissive speech, I fear the worst.
Yes I was pleasantly surprised by the speech of Mr. Saniora, I will by Sunday restrict my wonderings to the strict minimum and would suggest all people residing in Lebanon to do the same.
Stay safe.

The story of a middle aged man

A middle aged man with simple aspirations and dreams, tucked safely in his chosen exile far away, had the misfortune to believe in the homeland again; for God filled his home with the cries and laughter of a new born child. His heart could not contain the joy and pride; such a lovely boy, an heir to the throne, someone to carry on the legacy. Five weeks of paternity leave made him realize that he could no longer be on call and fly at a short notice to the four corners of the world, catering for those with no family values and ties. Relaxing one evening, over a glass of wine and Dylan singing in the background (while baby asleep) the mother came with the idea of the return to the homeland. Calmly (but calculating) she argued the notions of cultural differences, better values, family, early retirement, and the “Paris of the Middle East”. It did not take much arguing before this middle aged man started proceedings to liquidate businesses and take the next plane home in search for business opportunities (10 days). Although the separation was hard to bare (endless daily phone calls), within five weeks all was set. Less than a month to pack home and the move was made.
All was rosy in the very beginning and the future looked very bright, a small puppy was added to this blessed family and old friendships rekindled. While rediscovering the mother land (re-vamped) this middle aged man was surprised to see slogans and car stickers that made him truly believe that the fifteen years of war were forgotten and forgiven by his fellow citizens. Every day on his journey to work he would listen to Timbuk3 “the future is so bright I got to wear shades” and fight the traffic (the pot holes, the bad drivers, unsafe cars...etc) with a big smile on his face, after all this is part of Lebanon’s charm he tried to convince himself.
Little did this middle aged man know that in his homeland personal checks would bounce, promissory notes are mostly never honoured, bank managers could be bribed, contracts (even with penalty clauses to both parties) could be breached with no consequences, cash money could be counterfeit, and payments always delayed!
Well needless to say the shit did hit the fan, his family of four was split in half, the business partner (a family member) took off to Canada (with his life savings); and the middle aged man was left to clean up the mess in his homeland with divisions much greater than the ones that pushed him into exile.
This middle aged man did not resign to his fate, but grew more attached to his son and to his country.
This middle aged man rebuilt his life (and still is in the process) with an ever growing belief in his heritage.
This middle aged man has a duty to towards his son to make him proud of his Lebanese decent although he was born British.
This middle aged man, after having lived the civil war and witnessing the current bullshit, can spit in the face of all current politicians.
This middle aged man will never give up, and will never be silenced !

New opening in Gemayze

This coming wednesday, above "Le rouge"in Gemayze, a pub (El Gardel)with a latin tint, and an authentic Argentinian restaurant is opening.
For info call on : 01 449033
Kindly spread the word.
Thank you