Random posts

• Take the stairs: Have you ever soaked up the bohemian vibe around Gemmayzeh Stairs? Thank Joseph Raidy, the man behind its renaissance.
• Arabic soup: Writer and cultural editor of Al Safir, Abbas Beydoun talks about the effect of war on literature and the Lebanese. I think.
• Sing for peace: Magida el Roumi may have been singing for over 30 years, and despite the dip in optimism, her passion for peace is undimmed.
• Bless the rains: The 30-year-old Lebanese-Canadian singer, producer and songwriter Karl Wolf has had a couple of successful visits to Beirut, and promises more.
• Desert toes: In Cairo, there’s an overcrowded area called Khan el Khalil. There I was, wet, smelly and limping on what may have been a broken toe; just like me to have a flashback.
• Media mystic: Known for her strong presence and edgy talk shows, not to mention her immensely popular astronomy books, Maguy Farah shares a bit of her past and future.
• Take me home: Just as Robinson Crusoe rediscovered religion, my mother called to chat, and suddenly I felt a little bit better.
• Stir the pot: Painter and teacher Ghada Saghiyeh has a bone to pick with Beirut. I take a look behind the muted, angry art and into outspoken, angrier woman.
• Chocolate cake: The pub was crowded and loud, and there was chocolate involved. I know this because cake was rammed into my mouth before I sat down.
• Caramel: Creator of Caramel, Lebanese producer and silver screen heroine Nadine Labaki is surprised by her success, and grateful for the learning experience.
• Ex and bacon: All the crying has made that part a bit fuzzy, what is crystal clear though is picking up the 5 kilogram, metal-cast xylophone I was playing with and smashing it on his skull. Turns out he didn't like surprises either.