The Incomparable Beauty

"When you like a girl, go talk to her"

Haha

I personally laugh at this phrase. I have no idea why I do, but I do. My awkward self just likes to come around whenever there is a girl I want to talk to. I find no difficulty in talking to a female. If there is a hint of likability in that situation, I sort of crumble within my inner me, the safe me, the "not-so-risky" me.

Why is that I always ask myself. I am not good-looking. My personality would prevent her from even talking to me. I am not the bodybuilding, douchebag, uneducated type that all the girls nowadays tend to go out with. Excuse my french. No offense intended.

Those were the arguments I used to inflict upon myself to try and soothe it out. But the fact remains, a connection has to occur. It has to take place. But how?

There are several methods of personal communication in my view, internet and social media notwithstanding. 

1-Spoken words: Read the first paragraph. I rest my case. Not for me.

2-Touch: If I touched a girl in public, it would be greatly misunderstood. Harassment, sexual overtones, the likes. Besides, I am not blind. Again, no offense.

3-The Eyes: my personal favorite. Perhaps the only one after what I just said.

Now, your eyes can be tricky. If you use it the right way, what ensues can be one of the most enduring relationships the world has ever witnessed. In other words, the spark that ignites the love, or the beginning of something great. It can, however, be mishandled. An overused wink can get you into jail in some countries you know.

I used it sanely if I may say so. In one, unforgettable, regrettable time.

There was this girl who used to go to the same university I went to. Me and my friends used to hang out in a spot right in the middle of the campus, which made me oversee what was going on firsthand. We were talking about politics, girls, our lecturers, making fun of each other's lives. Your typical Egyptians.

I will not say that I was struck by lightning or I was blinded by the light emitting from her. But my eyes laid upon a beauty, something transcended. The black hair with the black eyes and that attractive walk. She was alone. She looked at me with questions in her head. Why is he looking at me? The questioning began to evolve into curiosity. She wanted the attention, but not in a bad way. For an instance there, she felt me.

I kept staring at her with all my energy. I did not want any disconnection. I wanted it to continue for as ever as it may. Then it happened. She gave me that effortless smile. That welcoming ticket into her world. "Yes, I am interested". She then went on her way.

The next couple of months I was certainly mesmerized. It was my last semester in the university. I had to take an action. We had to make a spoken connection, a "worldly" one. I used to go upwards and downwards looking for her, when I find her, my mouth is glued. It is like I am a baby watching from faraway. So I kept watching her until something else comes up.

Until I graduated.

What I want to say is that the phrase I wrote in the header is probably right in its own meaning. A conversation has to be initiated in order to have a healthy relationship with any human being. 

To me, eyes are like a chain of keys. They have the alluring power of possession, but they are of no use when you do not know which door they open. I advise you that if there is a girl you like, go talk to her. Even if I do not abide by my own prescription. 

I never saw her again after the college days. But I do know that she thinks of me, even for a split second. She remembers me not for my "Brad Pitt" looks. But for that certain moment we both shared and expressed.

On The Comparison Between Nasser And Sisi

Back in my college days, my friends and myself used to argue on whether Gamal Abd Al-Nasser was the greatest president to ever head an Arab country. We had this youthful exuberance, not only as political science students, but also that our debates were brought up after the January 25th Revolution, 2011. Nasser's image was printed on banners and flags all over Tahrir Square, a representation of "Us against Them", people vs. tyrants.

Some of my friends and I were labelled by some as "Nasser fanatics" or "Nasserists". We had Iphones, Ipods, the latest laptops and clothes. So no, we were not any of the above. I am not implying that as a Nasserist, one should be pertaining to a unified code of dress or take to the streets and revolt for Arab Unity or even be a socialist, something that would take time to discuss. We simply believed that Nasser projected a certain image. An image that echoed across the years and generations  for its views and actions, positives and negatives. A controversial figure. From 1952 till his death in 1970, his name was synonymous with rebellion and revolt.

It has been widely put by several politicians, youth, government officials and even foreign representatives that our current Defense Minister Abd Al-Fattah Al-Sisi resembles, in his method of operation, the late president. Al-Sisi, who has been greatly expected to be the next presidential nominee, was a chief actor in the disposal of the former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

What I mean to address here are the kinds of facets and elements that made the comparison between them viable, at least to the public mainstream. I will try to actually debunk such comparison for several detailed reasons.

Politicians and public alike relate Sisi to Nasser as a result of their influence on the events of 2013 and 1952 simultaneously. They are probably right. But can it be viable? By viable I mean can we really see Al-Sisi as the new Nasser? Nasser ruled Egypt from 1954 till his death in 1970. 16 years of presidency, with its ups and downs, triumphs and failures, success and losses. Al-Sisi has, without a doubt, managed to acquire people's admiration and in a small period of time. They even see him as the current leader and "head" of the Egyptian state, which will be the basis of the next paragraph.

Let's turn the tables around a little bit. Let's just say that people subconsciously tend to compare them for their negative aspects, not their positive ones. Nasser banned the Muslim Brotherhood after the attempt of his assassination. Al-Sisi was among those who helped excluding the group after similar cases of assassinations and plots nationwide. Martial Law was imposed obtrusively in Nasser's time, whereas "Zwar Al-Lail" (Night Visitors) negatively shaped the lives and souls of the individuals who were imprisoned without prior judicial discourse or investigations. Protest law was applied and regulated heavily with the help of the Armed forces, headed by Al-Sisi. Even the events of 1952 and 2013 are sometimes labelled as coups not revolutions by some analysts and political commentators, and Al-Sisi and Nasser were both at the helms of them.

The only thing I see in Al-Sisi that resembles Nasser is the personal charisma that they both acquire. They both, with varying degrees notwithstanding, succeeded in mobilizing the public. They managed to grab their attention with the sometimes overly-sentimental speeches, something that I personally do not have a problem with. Such type of leader, especially in our parts of the world, can affect peoples' way of life and decision-making process.

On the international scene, Al-Sisi was also perceived as a man of the people, a leader among leaders. But how did he handle foreign powers? Nasser for one prime example once stated that American aid is dispensable and unnecessary. He also went further on to say that "Our shoes are better than any American help". And he kept his words, because he had options and alternatives to support such strong statement represented in the Soviet Union. Eventually the Americans were the ones who sought to help Egypt at its times of need. Al-Sisi on the other hand in a famous Washington Post interview kept using the same sentimental tone in "blaming" the Americans for their aid suspension, urging them to continue their support for Egypt post-Mohamed Morsi. Although Russia is back on the rise politically, it is very hard to see Al-Sisi say those words publicly. Some might argue that different political elements shape the new world order and we are not back in the cold war where two superpowers take roles. Even if there were not two powers in play, Nasser would have said it again and again. He proved it in 1956 Aggression War against not two powers, but three(Britain, France, Israel). The Americans even aided  the three belligerents in military supply.

There is not a hint of doubt in my mind that Al-Sisi respects and loves the Egyptian people. He wants to lead Egypt into prosperity and progress and I can vouch for that. But we cannot, by all means, compare him to the likes of Gamal Abd Al-Nasser. Nasser was seen as Hercules, a demi-god, an Arab liberator and conqueror for some people's minds. But what if Al-Sisi's reign came to end for some reason? Would his name be still heard in say five years, ten years? Well, I am a man of the current moment. I have heard of a man that his life resonated into the span of 44 years, and would still echo into the next 44 years to come.

ACT I: A Documentary named "The Square"

An imaginary act.

Scene: in front of a cinema house in Cairo

Date: January, 2014

Actors: X and Y

Background: X and Y are two friends who lived abroad most of their lives. They are both of Egyptian descent, but spent their childhood years travelling around Europe and Asia. Their families are business partners, and they both went to the same high school. Politics wasn’t an important factor in their upbringing. They had the money, luxurious houses and continental trips that would, in their minds, replace debates and thought-provoking ideas. They are currently on vacation, and they chose to get in touch with their backgrounds. Egypt was their choice.

ACT I: The two friends are thinking about the movies they want to see. A huge movie banner entitled " The Square", with the caption "Oscar nominated for Best Documentary Feature" is hanged on the wall.

X: Which movie would you like to watch?

Y: Well, there is this documentary called "The Square". It sort of amalgamates certain events within the 25th of January Revolution. And most of all, it is nominated for an Oscar this year.

X: (Indifference expressed on his face) Not everything nominated is good you know. It is false propaganda. They get you hooked into something that may not be that good in the first place.

Y: (With apparent force) Yeah, but it is Oscar nominated, man. We might not see that in years to come. An Egyptian production competing for the most coveted of prizes in cinema, I would want to see That.

X: (Giving in) Okay, it won't hurt, besides it would be something for us to see, especially that we weren’t in Egypt at the time. 

They go ahead to buy their movie tickets, only EGP 200 pounds each. An amount they spend on an hourly basis, considered change money really. They pay it gladly and enter the vicinity of the cinema hall. They head into Hall 1, the only hall in the cinema. A huge one nonetheless. Nearly empty as it seems, however encouraging to acquire the best seats in it.

X: (With obvious sarcasm) Apparently, nobody is going to watch " Your Movie" I guess. (Laughter ensues)

Y: (Feeling embarrassed, as though it was really his movie) There are 10 minutes left for it to start you know. People will be here. A lot of them. They have to.

X: (Again with sarcasm) Commercials haven't started yet. I think they are saving their money on this failure of cinema production.

Y: (Annoyed) If you don’t want to watch it, then get out. I'll watch it alone. This movie represents what we fought for to get rid of tyranny.

X: (As though speaking of something trivial) What representation are you talking about? And what is "We"? As far as I am concerned, I am Egyptian on paper and that's it. We were in Venice at the time and as far as I can recall, we were having a damn good time, and no word of this "revolution" was uttered in this trip. (Partially detached) Do you remember how you fell in the canals at three in the morning and you kept sneezing for the next two days? (Laughing hysterically)

Y: (With the same expression) Would you please have some respect for this country? I know that you feel ashamed for whatever Godly reason of your Egyptian heritage, but at least have some dignity for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to help this country step towards prosperity.

X: (Getting back to reality) What makes you sensitive all of a sudden? Before that, you weren't interested at all in anything political in any sense. Prior to our trip here, you started to read about this revolution, the SCAF, Muslim Brotherhood and the June 30th events. I'm starting to feel that you are a spy.

Y:There is no talking you through this, is there? Let us just watch the documentary in peace.

X: Well, we agree to disagree. In the end, it is a 200 pounds ticket. We should have just gone to a sushi bar.

Suddenly, they hear a door slammed behind them at the entrance of the hall. Moviegoers, they thought. Finally, people came in to see the documentary. They even saw the ticket taker's searchlight shaking to help them find their seats. However as the light approached, they didn’t see anyone besides the ticket taker entering the hall. Their doubts arose as they began to form the features of the person holding the searchlight. It was a security guard.

Security Guard: (In a strict, loud tone) What are you doing inside the hall?

X: (With an all time sardonic voice) Oh, we were just taking the fresh air.

Y: (Looking to his friend in dismay)What is wrong with you today? (Directing his diplomatic answer towards the guard) The movie was just about to start, you might have been questioning the darkness and quietness of the hall as the commercials weren’t played yet.

SG: What movie?

Y: (Slightly stuttering) "The S..square". It is a documentary actually.

SG: (With conviction) What documentary??

X: (Blood pumping through his veins) Show him the tickets and tell him to get the hell out of our sight or else I...

Y: Shut up. (Standing and moving towards the guard) Sir, we have just booked two tickets and were about to watch the documentary. You can ask the usher outside.

X: Yeah, and tell him we paid 400 pounds for it.

SG: Well, I'm afraid that you are mistaken. There are no documentaries in this movie theater. At least not today.

X: What do you mean? You mean we have paid 400 pounds for nothing? (Talking to his friend) Let's get out and talk to the usher. This is nonsense.

They both head outside the hall, leaving the security guard bedazzled in front of an empty screen.

To be continued...

On The Ability, Capability and Applicability To Write

To write is to keep breathing is how i see it. The past few months i could not collect the power or exert any effort to produce anything written, except maybe on paper. What i wrote on paper was simply a matter of not forgetting my thoughts, because i sometimes tend to bring the "Alzheimer's" in me. I usually try to draw inspiration from my peers, friends and family.

There are two main factors, rather contributors to my writing of a blog. The first one is my father, mother and sister. You might think yeah here is someone who loves his family and tries to highlight them in everything he does, yet again. But it is the truth. You live with them long enough to experience certain things that you do not outside your home. I am a pretty introverted individual. I practice loneliness, so to speak. This makes me more in touch with who i am really. The three of them share this with me, with the slight exception of my sister. She is the outgoing one in our family. When we do not speak in words, we speak in thoughts and feelings.

The second contributor will be my friends. And i mean my FRIENDS. People who you do not necessarily see on a daily basis, but when you see each other something clicks inside you and you start cursing each other in the most profane ways. This is the Egyptian way of talking by the way. Some of my friends live or study abroad, and are the closest to me. Some live in my street, and i do not talk to them as often. Traditionally, friends are perceived to be the ones who you see more than do your family. Well, yeah if you are homeless. In my own view, when you see your friends, after a year, two or even ten years, you know them. You know who they are and they know you. Even if there are personal changes or inner factors that made them behave in a different way. But they exist as you know them to be. The title was actually thought of when i was in a "Qahwa", an Egyptian type of cafe, with some of them. Some of the best of them actually.

The posts that are going to be written on this blog will be mainly political and social ones. A medium to harness my inner writing powers. This one was short, sort of an introductory welcoming letter. And in the likes of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho: "I Simply Am Not There".