Tough Times

I had to go pay respects and condolences to a university friend who spent the last month attempting to save her mother's life. When did we grow up? When did we become the adults responsible for making such harsh decisions? Our friend has had to navigate hell, two chronic illnesses, greedy doctors, incompetent nurses and...

To Die For

Not to sound insensitive, yet I feel there is an overwhelming fixation in Cairo with the idea of dying for something. I recently lost a good friend so a bit melodramatic in that regard. Yet putting that aside, kindly observe the extent to which death is always dragged into the discussion. Fanatics and regular Joe(s)...

Random Thought

Come to think of it, the true test of the extent to which you care about someone is your ability to be happy for their happiness. For the other end of the spectrum is too easy, it is basic human instinct, empathy and compassion with the wronged or hurt. It is only natural to be...

Moments

I don't know if this is a general normal thing or if it is just me, but don't you sometimes counter chances in life, experiences and situations that you feel very grateful for, for you've been gifted them, yet you feel you perhaps were not the best possible recipient?  That there are individuals out there whom...

On Deepest Fears

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves: Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God....

Tashgheel Amwal Tany!!!

Seriously, people are never going to learn! Greed will beat caution every single time! Only this time, greed has beaten caution, intelligence, experience, stature, lessons of the past and better judgment! I'm disgusted in humanity!

Things I’ve Learned

Just because you have valid reason to be on EU soil on a specific date doesn't mean the EU embassies in Cairo will assist you in being there at that time. Teases often include giving you the visa 4 days too late resulting in you missing that original business meeting. I'd rather have no boss,...

“Bravery is Not the Absence of Fear

It is rather the ability to operate through the fear... to overcome it. " This is my rendition of some wise man's words. Bravery my friends, much like fear, is in it's entirety a state of mind. A heightened sense of invincibility, a natural high or a drug-induced one. An adrenaline rush that renders your...

This too shall pass

I've noticed that this is a phrase I use often and in varied situations. I remember once when we were young my father telling me a story where this phrase was used or allegedly originated. Enter Wikipedia (God I love that site). Upon searching for this phrase I've discovered it has multiple stories explaining its...

The Age of Discontent

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it...

The Juggler

Craving attention I took center stage The crowd hushed as the lights dimmed Confident I step into the spotlight Juggling one ball, soon they were four I juggled them with ease, asked for more My tricks grew more and more elaborate My arms grew weary as I juggled faster Sending the objects into the air...

Interesting notion

" When the world is spinning on cruise control for you,  It's almost certain that someone else needs your help." --- Copyright © 2001 Joe Vargas

Careers

Just an observation that lends itself to a question or a philosophical debate. What in your opinion is the most coveted career in Egypt these days? Isn't it funny that it's completely different than what would have qualified 30 years ago, 20 years ago maybe even just a mere 10 years ago.

Music for the summer

Trying to put together a compilation CD for the summer drives to and from the beach. Open to ideas and suggestions. Be contemporary, be creative, be musical.. throw songs my way. I know this qualifies as writer's block... but I leave you with an old piece from the archives.

Dilemma

I'm lost and very confused. I'm faced with a critical situation which I'm not quite sure how to handle. First off I must stress that I don't think too highly of myself at this day and age (click here to avoid redundancy); and that I'm a lazy bum who chalks it up to having been...

Breast Cancer

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on "donating a mammogram" for free (pink window in...

Long weekend

Hmm. Long time no see. Got quite a few rants to get out of my system. Tuesday:Day of the soccer fans' highly awaited match between Ahly and Barcelona. Needless to say when you have someplace to be, chances are you will have a long night at the office. We wrapped up at around 8:30 making...

Juka’s Theory of Significance

Rule 1: Don't worry about the small things. Rule 2: All things are small things. Rule 3: Look at the big picture. Rule 4: Its darkest before the light. Rule 5: When all else fails, do what you were supposed to do from the beginning, look to the Lord for help. Rule 6: There are...

My car hates me

This was in Ramadan, but thought I'd share in an attempt to make Ravine feel a bit better about our lovely public transportation system. Today ladies and gentlemen I had me nothing short of an adventure. The day that has started out so ordinary with a twist of fate managed to encompass such a large...

Abandoned

This post is re-posted from my old blog, it is also my only physically published writing. Would love feedback. Steps echoing on a marble floor. A gust of wind blowing through the open window. Curtains flapping eerily in the cold chilling air. The ramblings of a disoriented mind. I am making little to no sense....