462) Political Olympics & Masturbation!!

With the wonderful race taking place between the Democrats and Republicans, I am overwhelmed with 2 thoughts:

1. The Olympics is not over, may be on the sports side, but there is definitely a "Political Olympics" taking place in the US where some Olympic records will be scored (African President, Female Ms. America vice-president nominee, ...etc).

2. Watching this race for Egyptians is like watching a porno movie while you are a single teenager, you get aroused but you can't turn it into satisfactory action (having real sex), and probably end up masturbating!
Can say that in Egypt we are watching the "Hot" American Race and "masturbating"?!

Mohaly

P.S. I wanna VOOOOOOOTE ;)

461) The Chinese Century!

I really want to express my deep appreciation for the Chinese people who taught the world a BIG lesson in dedication, discipline, and persistence.

Who on earth just 10 years ago could have believed that China will be able to beat the US and Russia who has been winning all the games since 50 years? The Chinese did, and made it true.

2008 Olympics will be a milestone, and it is just the threshold for the coming Chinese century.

I advise you to start reading about China because by the time our kids are in Junior High, China will be the key player along with Europe.

Will we learn from this people ANYTHING, ever?!

Mohaly

P.S. Sorry I wasnt in town and didnt have access last week.

460) Egypt is On Fire not only Shura Council !

I am really sad to see part of our history gone within hours....

I can see the fire blaze that has eaten up the Egyptian upper house of Parliament as a symbol of the Egyptian scene:

1. No Precautions.

2. No Planning.

3. Silly Chaotic Reactions from officials and people.

4. No Corrective / Preventive Attitude.

The whole of Egypt is on fire not only the Shura council, we don't learn from our mistakes, and tomorrow there will be another, and another, and another disasters...

We didn't learn from Opera House, or Cultural Center, or the Train...etc, We didn't learn from El 3abara or Zelzal...and will never learn as long as we are behaving this way.

We need to stop and think:

1. What went wrong?

2. How can we make it right?

3. How to maintain and develop.

Without answering these questions and TAKING actions, Egypt may soon be on fire like in Jan 1952!! and I really don't want to live and see that day!

Mohaly

459) The Forbidden Pizza !!

Couple of days ago an Arab friend asked me where to go eat in Zamalek after mid-night, I told him of course Maison Thomas it is 24/7 since it was opened. El Mohem he went there at 2:20 am and asked for the Menu, and surprizingly the waiter told them that they wont be able to serve the menu inside the restaurant, but they can take "to-go" or take-away as we say in Egypt. When my friend asked for the reason, they told him that there is a high profile official who moved to the neighborhood and hence for security reasons they cant have people in the restaurant after 2am till 7am!!!

Tab3an it didn't take much guessing from hime to know that this official is Mr.Gamal Mubarak. But the things I don't get till now:

1. How does my friend's Margareta affect the security of Gamal Mubarak?

2. Why is it safe for Gamal Mubarak to eat Pizza in-Thomas @12:30am and not @2:30am, what is the difference?

3. Is this applicable to all kind of pizza, ya3nee if my friend wanted SeaFood Pizza, would it have make any difference?

If someone knows the answers to my questions about the "POLITICAL PIZZA", please let me know!!!!!!!!

Ana go3t 3ala seeret el pizza, bas etsadet nefsee mesh 3aref leeh ;)

Mohaly

458) FUN::: El "Marsheedes" Office !

If he is not a Mercedes Car dealer, it will be just ridiculous!

Mohaly

457) The Gumus (Noor) Mania !

I usually don't judge stuff before experiencing it, and hence, I didn't want to write about Gumus or Noor Soap Opera before at least watching an episode which I finally did, and I even couldnt finish it.

I have nothing against the series itself, although I find it VERY boarding (Bold & the Beautiful style), but what I really don't like about it the insanity and the way Arab people dealing with it. I can simply say I HATE it because of: (from least important to most important)

1. It is taking much more area in our lives and discussions than it deserves. "Eshal" Noor on TV, magazine, newspapers, talks, ads, video clips,...etc...Just too much.

2. It makes girls look silly with their un-justified mania about Mehmet (Mohannad in the Arabic version of the series; although it means Mohamed in Turkish!). Nice romantic model, so what, not the first, not the last!

3. It encourages the Arabs to show the "Safah" part in our culture; e.g. Kuwati business man decided to have his wedding in the Villa Mohannad and Noor are living in and invited the audience (including tickets from and back to Kuwait).

4. Egypt lost a lot of cash coming from Arab Tourism that shifted to Turkey this summer (actually I blame the zillion Egyptian TV productions here coz they couldn't attract Arabs as Turkish Noor did).

5. It caused A LOT of problems and broke up families (3 divorces and counting)!

I can't -and I don't have the right - to say Stop Noor and Boycott Noor as Saudi's did, but we should:

1. Study why did it succeed to that extent.

2. Make use of that in empowering our productions.

3. Dig into the real causes of the problems (in relations, tourism,...etc).

4. Put it in its real size, we kefaya Noor ba2a, coz I am afraid someday I open the fridge and find Noor Ad!

Mohaly

456) Mauritania : Gat El 7azina Terfa7 !!

I really cant find better than this colloquial proverb to describe democracy in the Arab World. After we considered Mauritania a new promising democratic model and the Arab India of democracy, a sever and fatal drop happened after going back to the military actions!

I think the only happy people are the non-Democratic Arab leaders who will consider it a proof that "el democratia matenfa3sh ma3 el 3arab"!

we kol enkilab wentom taybeen :(

Mohaly

455) Nazif's log on the Blog!

The head of the Egyptian Government has confirmed commenting online on a blog, being the 2nd Arab official after King Abdullah of Jordan to enter the blog world himself...

بدا مدونون مصريون غير مصدقين وهم يعقبون على مشاركة نادرة قام بها رئيس مجلس الوزراء المصري الدكتور أحمد نظيف، في مدونة ذات توجه يساري تدعى "على اسم مصر" للمدون مصطفى محمود، وفقا لتقرير نشرته صحيفة "الشرق الأوسط اللندنية السبت 9-8-2008. وأكد نظيف لصحف محلية لاحقا أنه صاحب الرد، وهو ما تزامن مع مطالبة ناشطين بالإفراج عما قالوا إنهم مدونون معتقلون.

ورد الدكتور نظيف على انتقادات حادة حول توجهات حكومته الاقتصادية، وبخاصة تجاه التعليم، بثتها مدونة يسارية متشددة ترفع أعلاما لأحزاب وحركات شيوعية، قائلاً في مشاركته: "أعبر عن خالص تقديري للحوار البناء عبر المدونات، وأنا سعيد بحيوية الشباب المصري في التعبير الحر عن آرائه بشأن القضايا الاجتماعية والسياسية التي تواجه مجتمعنا وتستحق منا كل الاهتمام. وأحسب أن الآراء المطروحة في المدونات يمكن أن تفيد في توجيه السياسات العامة للدولة. وهذا ما دفعني إلى متابعة الحوار الدائر بالمدونات، فأنت وزملاؤك من المدونين، تشكلون واجهة مشرقة لمستقبل واعد بمزيد من الديمقراطية"

.وبدت لغة رئيس مجلس الوزراء، وسط سيل من تعليقات مكتوبة بلا تحفظ، مثيرة لانتباه مشاركين في المدونة، وخاصة أن نظيف ذكر -في رده على اتهامات المدونة لحكومته بأنها منحازة لرجال الأعمال- أرقاماً محددة عن زيادة موازنة دعم التعليم في السنوات الأخيرة، وتحدث بلسان رجل اقتصاد ليبرالي لا يريد التخلي عن الفقراء، وهي سمات بدت لعديد من المدونين قريبة الشبه بتوجهات الحكومة المصرية بقيادته، ولا سيما ختامه لكلمته التي قال فيها على المدونة: "جُملة القول، إن ما نحتاج إليه حاليا لتحقيق هذا الهدف (تطوير التعليم) هو زيادة وتنويع مصادر التمويل المتاح، وتحقيق كفاءة التمويل، وتفعيل المشاركة المجتمعية، وتطبيق مبادئ الحوكمة، وصولاً إلى تأسيس البنية الأساسية اللازمة لإنتاج ونشر المعرفة لصالح كل الثروة البشرية التي تمتلكها مصر على مختلف المستويات الاجتماعية"

.تعقيب رئيس الوزراء المصري لم يمنع بعض المشاركين على المدونة من التشكيك في الأمر، مستبعدين أن يكون نظيف لديه وقت للدخول على الإنترنت، فعلَّق من يطلق على نفسه "جبهة التهييس (الهبل) الشعبية" بقوله: «هههه.. ده أحمد نظيف رئيس الوزراء بجد؟ طب يدينا أمارة (أية علامة). ويذكر أن الجبهة المذكورة هي اسم مدونة تكتبها نوارة فؤاد نجم، ابنة الشاعر الشهير أحمد فؤاد نجم.ورجح مشارك آخر، لم يذكر اسمه، أن يكون المتفاعل مع المدونة هو رئيس الوزراء ذاته، بقوله: "والله جايز.. ليه لأ؟ خصوصاً إن الكلام رسمي وشبه كلام الوزراء في التليفزيون، ليه نستبعد إن ده كلام نظيف؟ ماعتقدش يا جماعة إنها متفبركة، وبعدين مين هيجي على باله فكرة زي دي؟ وتفتكروا إيه مصلحته؟ أنا شايف إنها بداية كويسة إن صوتنا يتسمع في المدونات والحوار بينا وبين الحكومة يبقى مباشر؟ يمكن فعلاً يبقى عندنا ديمقراطية"

يشار إلى أن مركز المعلومات ودعم اتخاذ القرار بمجلس الوزراء المصري وصف في تقرير له أصدره أخيراً، المدونات بأنها أدوات مهمة في تشكيل مجتمع معلومات قائم على الديمقراطية، لكنه قال أيضاً، إن عدم وجود رقابة على المدونات، يعد من مواطن قوة المدونات وضعفها أيضاً.وذكر التقرير، أن عدد المدونات المصرية بلغ 160 ألف مدونة حتى شهر إبريل/ نيسان الماضي، بنسبة 30.7% من المدونات العربية، و0.2% من إجمالي المدونات على المستوى العالمي.

Source: Bloger Times
Mohaly

454) Eight, Eight, Eight!!

This is the 8th second, of the 8th minute, of the 8th hour, on the 8th day, of the 8th month, of the 8th year!!

Make your wish, and start changing something important within you NOW. It is a lucky chance that you should think of grasping. I myself loves 7, but likes 8, so I am already doing it, so why don't you join me :)

N.B. This is the real 8/8/2008 not 8pm coz pm is 20:00.

Mohaly

The beauty of .... 8

453) Manage Your Vacation - Eps. 3 - How?!

How to enjoy your vacation?

Some of us really know how to get the best of their vacations, while many are not!

To make the best use of your vacation, you should:

1. Know why are you taking it and plan it based on it (see post 451.

2. Know what are the right place to go in the right time and plan based on it (see post 452.

3. Do NOT work during your vacation (a working vacation is a complete schizophrenia)!

4. Plan for the vacation as if it is work, there nothing called I will be happy if I did nothing. This is against human nature.

5. Avoid getting boared, this can be achieved by doing stuff that you are not used to do in your working days; e.g sports, painting, visiting different or new places in your city, knowing new/old people...etc.

6. Avoid the PVS (Post Vacation Syndrome ; bravo ya Shaimaa) by:

a. Preparing the first day after return from work on the last day before you take your vacation. Make sure that you consider your state as well so don't take meetings or set deadlines on that day.

b. returning home at least 1 complete day before you are back to work, and use this day in preparing for work (like 7ogret mo3adelt el daght).

Moh@ly

N.B. For my dear readers, these episodes are parts of my book (the forgotten wealth) so kindly if your want to copy or send them, please refer to me. Thank you.

452) Manage Your Vacation - Eps.2 - When?!

When to take a vacation?

In such hectic world, planning your vacation is not an option anymore. If you don't plan your vacation ahead (I mean long vacation not 1 or 2 days), you will be at risk of not being able to make it.

Remember that most of the people especially in Egypt are not organized, so the more you are, and the more you have planned time, the more they will plan based on what you have already planned.

Another common mistake is that we prefer to take the vacation all at once (1 month for example) and that is totally wrong. Too much of a vacation leads to same effect of no vacation. You should have at least 2 vacations per year ( 3 is the best).

So when you plan a vacation, be smart and plan it so that you insure minimal interruption in order to have the optimum output:

1. It has to be a down timing or a time that there aren't major need for your presence at work so that you will not be interrupted during the vacation.

2. If you are going with family or friends; make sure that the timing you choose is suitable for all.
3. If you are travelling abroad, make sure that that is the best timing in your destination, and give enough time for the VISA, bookings...etc.

4. Last and not least, if you are travelling for example 7 days, you should take a 9 days vacation so that you have 1 day or preparing for and getting into the mode of vacation, and 1 day for preparing and getting into the mode of work in order to avoid the PVS..

What is the PVS? ... In the next and final episode about How to enjoy your vacation..

Mohaly

451) Manage Your Vacation - Eps. 1- Why?!

Why should you have a vacation?

Many of us just take the vacation either for granted or by default, and this is one of the main reasons we do not enjoy it to the full or may be do not enjoy it aslan.

Vacations are like work, they have goals and things to do but different than work in nature and not the importance.

Vacations are taken for 3 main reasons that can contain sub-reasons as well:


1. To have a passive rest of doing nothing and discharge mind and body (i.e. Sleeping, eating, resting; i.e. Antakha)

2. To explore different worlds that the default or the routine you are used to (travelling, doing difference/crazy stuff, i.e Entelak)

3. To get out the energy (playing, gym, sports,...etc).

The problem comes when we take a vacation without knowing which of these reasons is the real reason for the vacation, even if a mix of the reasons. So it ends up doing something different and not feel the needed satisfaction, or even feel worse. E.g.: you travel and have fun while you need to rest, when you are back, you be happy about the fun and change, but will still be tired and want to rest in order to regain the strength needed for work, and vice-versa.

So when do what? that is our next episode in-shaa-Allah...

Mohaly

450) Manage Your Vacation Series Intro !

AUGUST is here, it is the month of vacation for almost everyone whether a student, employee, or even doing nothing!

But did you ever stop and think about Why do you need vacation, When you need it, and What kind of vacation I need most now?

This short series about Vacation Management (3 episodes: Why, When, and What/How) running during the 1st week of August, will be discussing this very important issue specially Egyptians who don't know how to really get the best out of their vacations.

Anyway, I hope it will help you if you are having a vacation whether in August or even next year.

Mohaly

P.S. As promised in post 432 I will start the What Women Want - Male perspective series, but I found that talking about managing our vacations is more relative to August. I will start What Women Want and finish it in August before Ramadan.

449) Explore the world within !

Break your routine, and start thinking about new resolutions, and things you wanna do and achieve after the summer. Don't wait till the end of the vacation to decide, DO IT NOW!

As Americans say: "To discover new oceans you need the courage to lose sight of the shore."

Sometime we are too afraid to let go of what we have wether it is good or bad coz we don't have the guts to lose the sight of the shore. We have to realize that there are bigger and better shores, but in order to see it and feel safe again, we need to leave the current one.

Mohaly

448) Good Bye Great Egyptians !

It seems that 2008 is the year of loosing our great Egyptian figures. After Gamal Badawy, Younan Rizk, Abdel Wahab El Mesery, Magdy Mahana, today (27-7) we lost the Great Youssef Chahine, one of the cinema landmarks not only in Egypt, but in the whole Middle East & Arab World.

10 years ago in 1998 we also lost many great intellectuals, and Amr Diab then has sung "Ana mahma kebert soghayar". It seems that it is a cycle every decade. A whole generation (between world wars generation) is almost gone. A generation that produced the last breed of the great men in this country.

Kan nefse ye3molo film men ta2leef Naguib Mahfouz, we beteloet omar el sharif, we ekhrag youssef shahin :(

God Bless Youssef Chahine, and grant Egypt new intellectuals to fill-up all these empty spots in our cultural and social life.

Mohaly
P.S We were born on the same day but with a 50 years difference, and we met in Zurich in 2001!!

447) The Seven Areas of Masculinity !

Janet Saltzman Chafetz describes seven areas of masculinity in general culture:

1. Physical : virile, athletic, strong, brave. Unconcerned about appearance and aging.
2. Functional : provider for family, defender of family from physical threat.
3. Sexual : sexually aggressive, experienced. Single status acceptable.
4. Emotional : unemotional, stoic, never crying.
5. Intellectual : logical, intellectual, rational, objective, practical.
6. Interpersonal : leader, dominating; disciplinarian; independent, free, individualistic; demanding.
7. Other Personal Characteristics: success-oriented, ambitious, aggressive, proud, egotistical, moral, trustworthy; decisive, competitive, uninhibited, adventurous.

Hmmm, What do you think?

Mohaly

446) Mr. Omar Soliman !

Will Omar Soliman be the fifth president of Egypt when Mubarak term ends, or at least the vice-president after his powerful role in Regional political scene?

I don't know and I guess no one has the answer to that question (may by President Mubarak). I personally see some pros and cons:

Pros:

- The EIC (mokhabarat) is still one of the reputable and most respected entities in Egypt, and this directly is reflected on its Chief.

- The Military will be supporting because of his military background.

- Well known and respected in the Arab Region, Europe, & the US.

Cons:

- Too old to start a presidency (72 now, 75 when Mubarak term ends in 2011).

- I don't think there is an agenda for a breakthrough change to solve the current problems.
- He has been working with Mubarak regime for too long and never objected.

"Although many have voiced that these rumors are true due to many factors including power, respect amongst Arab leaders and Israel, neither Suleiman nor the National Democratic Party spoke of this or commented on any future political role for Suleiman." The Atlantic

Mohaly

445) 1952 Revolution - The 1st communiqué !

Egypt has passed through a critical period in her recent history characterized by bribery, mischief, and the absence of governmental stability. All of these were factors that had a large influence on the army. Those who accepted bribes and were thus influenced caused our defeat in the Palestine War [1948]. As for the period following the war, the mischief-making elements have been assisting one another, and traitors have been commanding the army. They appointed a commander who is either ignorant or corrupt. Egypt has reached the point, therefore, of having no army to defend it. Accordingly, we have undertaken to clean ourselves up and have appointed to command us men from within the army whom we trust in their ability, their character, and their patriotism. It is certain that all Egypt will meet this news with enthusiasm and will welcome it. As for those whose arrest we saw fit from among men formerly associated with the army, we will not deal harshly with them, but will release them at the appropriate time. I assure the Egyptian people that the entire army today has become capable of operating in the national interest and under the rule of the constitution apart from any interests of its own. I take this opportunity to request that the people never permit any traitors to take refuge in deeds of destruction or violence because these are not in the interest of Egypt. Should anyone behave in such ways, he will be dealt with forcefully in a manner such as has not been seen before and his deeds will meet immediately the reward for treason. The army will take charge with the assistance of the police. I assure our foreign brothers that their interests, their personal safety [lit. "their souls"], and their property are safe, and that the army considers itself responsible for them. May God grant us success [lit. "God is the guardian of success].

How far are we from such situation?
mohaly

444) Standard of Living in Egypt......We ba3den?

El denya ba2et ghalia awy! Begad, prces are going crazy!! Egypt used to be a cheap or even moderate place, now it is really getting expensive. Try eating out in a fast food restaurant, you will pay about 10 dollars, go for a real restaurant you will pay around 30 dollars, go to a fancy one, then not less than 100 dollars.

Same thing for clothes, car stuff, entertainment,....etc. I spent the last 10 days alone, and had to buy every single thing, and realized that it is becoming harder and harder to JUST KEEP within the standards I am used to, ya3nee the goal now became to MAINTAIN, where DEVELOP is kind of a luxury with such dramatic increases!

Goodbye to the Single House Dream!

Mohaly
P.S> Still believing that we gonna be better, just don't ask me how!

443) Sex Education in Egypt - Again!

This is the tv program I was talking about in my last year article http://mohaly.blogspot.com/2007/03/sex-education-how-and-when.html

Again, I guess proper sex education should be embeded within related subjected like science, religion,..etc. as early as prep. school. People get wrong info and act accordingly leading to many men who have wrong info and many women who don't have info aslan, and this causes lots of problems before and after marriage.

Mohaly

443) Hanan Tork !

You know what, I really do miss Hanan Tork in the cinema. It has been couple of years now, and no other actress has succeeded to fill her shoes. I believe that if that 33 yrs actress has continued, she would have been categorized with the great Egyptian actress like Shadia & Faten Hamama.

Mohaly

442) At the tip of your finger !

Approaching the minority report, isn't it?

WOW!

Mohaly

441) Love & Loving !

- You don’t love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.

- Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it’s what you are expected to give.

- Love can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes…just be an illusion.

- Age does not protect you from love, but love to some extent protects you from age.

- Only love let’s us see normal things In an extraordinary way.

- There’s always room for love; You just have to move a few things around.

- If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

- The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

440) FUN ::: Busy Pee !

Walahi ana nesfsee to comment but maksoof :)

Mohaly

439) The White Desert!

Do you know where this beautiful desert is?

Sob7an Allah...Amazing!!

It is called the white desert and it lies in a country that has enormous resources and tools for the travel industry but really lacks the right management to make the best use of it. I guess you know the country by now..Don't you?


Mohaly