Thanks to Sarah, Matt, Anonymous Donor & Various Others

So if you have been around me lately, you know that I’ve been quite the ray of darkness these days. There hasn’t been a tragedy, nobody is dead or ill, and – inshallah – nobody will be dead or ill any time soon. It’s just that I have found myself in a private little hell here in Jordan, and have concentrated on stewing in it for months now. I have become so good at stewing that I have forgotten how to do anything else.

It’s gotten so bad that I rejoice whenever I get sick – since I can stay locked up in the house completely guilt-free. But there is no black hole without a silver lining. And there are people I need to thank for being the silver lining.

Continue reading “Thanks to Sarah, Matt, Anonymous Donor & Various Others”

Parody of Johann Hari’s piece on Dubai

If you know me well enough, you probably realize that I am as likely to go off on a tirade about one of the Gulf states as anyone. However, even if I leave my professional role aside for a moment, I still must say that this parody on Johann Hari is priceless. Notice that the author does not skewer the valid points Hari made in his piece (such as the stuff on labourer rights, etc.). Notice, also, that it is freaking hilarious.

Monday Music: the “Can It Be?” edition

So unless the gods fail me in a major way (it’s been known to happen), I’m off to London this Friday. I don’t think I’ve ever needed a holiday more. I fully intend on doing some traveling outside the city, as well as within it, and there are people and places on my agenda.

The other part of my agenda is “chilling the fuck out.” I wish I could put it in a nicer way, but I can’t.

With that in mind, this Monday Music edition must start off with the new Tori Amos single – a song about not forgetting who the hell you are when you’re living in a place that’s utterly Not Home (and for me, that place is Jordan): “You better bring your own sun, sweet girl.”

Continue reading “Monday Music: the “Can It Be?” edition”

This Stupid Slag is Not Amused by Tanya Gold

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know that I’ve no love lost for Tanya Gold’s recent writing on the Guardian. First she labels all beauty contestants as stupid slags who should be used as battering rams and tampons, and now she has decided to compliment the lovely Susan Boyle by calling her a “sad little Scottish spinster.”

It’s odd, because on one level, I want to agree with Tanya Gold. I modeled a few times when I was younger and thinner; I like to think I’ve no illusions about industries and businesses that trade in looks, particularly women’s looks. Of course, I’m just another piece of blood-soaked cotton for having done it, I ought to just shut up and let the Tanya Golds of the world speak on my behalf.

Continue reading “This Stupid Slag is Not Amused by Tanya Gold”