Random posts

• Road pigs: The leader of the pack (cue 60s music) raised his hand in a fist, and the procession came to a halt. He dismounted his hog like it was a horse, and walked towards the bunny with the largest bosom.
• Dirty Diana: Our eyes locked and he let out a menacing squeak. I lunged at him, and he was gone before I landed. The hunt was on.
• 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.
• Bearded bells: A legend in Lebanese theater, Rafic Ali Ahmad buys me a shisha at the notorious Rawda Cafe and talks about his life.
• 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.
• In the stars: With her book breaking all local sale records, I revisit Maguy Farah to see what all this astrology business is about.
• Deserts ahoy: We’re not built for sudden changes. When my ancestors travelled they spent weeks preparing ropes and mounts; I packed clean shorts into a small bag and walked through metal detector after detector.
• Queen of kings: Somewhere in the 19th century, a New Zealander drove the final nail into the patriarchal hierarchy coffin and gave women the right to vote. This is now widely regarded as a very bad move, and women have since plotted to enslave us.
• My darling valentine: Ask me anytime, and I’ll argue the merits of bachelorhood with the eloquence of Arabian philosophers and the conviction of pack-mules; any time, except around Valentine’s.
• Naked Beirut: Creator of the first Middle Eastern erotic magazine, Joumana Haddad flirts with danger, and danger flirts right back. Ten seconds with her and you'll see why.
• Toon out: Armand Homsi has spent the better part of his life speaking out through cartoons. Known mostly for his contributions to An Nahar, he never shies away from speaking his mind.