Un-programming my TV

Un Programming my TV

            This is my first post with a bit of nagging and sarcasm, but lately I’ve been fed up with people asking me: “did you catch that show yesterday? Or did you hear the news? “. My answer was and will always be: I do not watch TV ever especially the news and local channels. 

            People always seem a bit shocked when I say it and don’t believe me.  Also, even if I tell them no I didn’t watch it, they still tell me about the show. How the hell am I supposed to know what you’re talking about?

            The sarcastic part is when they start using references and quotes from sketches or comedy shows, I don’t laugh because usually I don’t know what the hell they are talking about. 

                I remember a couple of years ago when I was such a couch potato and a TV addict, I needed my daily dose of TV sometimes all afternoon. It mattered to me more then Facebook which was new at that time or MSN (PS: Twitter didn’t exist).

            Naturally, while my social life boomed and started working I had less free time to watch TV and was focused on more productive usage of my day. The bottom line is I’ve been cut cold turkey, since I lived in France for two years (studying abroad for my masters degree) I literally forgot about TV, I had two series that I streamed and that’s it. 

          When I got back to Lebanon earlier this year, I’ve never turned on my TV and the reasons are many:

1. The evening news are always depressing (in every country but especially in Lebanon), they start with “good evening” and then spend an entire hour telling you how it’s not good. I mean really there isn’t any good news in the world?
2. The soap operas and foreign series are stupid and it’s just gossip for housewives
3. The local shows lack originality and each station has its own people and political party that endorse it
4. No shows for young adults and teens, either you have cartoons or talk shows. So you have to be 5 or 40 and above to enjoy it 
5. The same movies and re runs: ( in black and white : thanks Tele Liban) I mean how many times could you see Brave heart over and over 
6. Egyptian movies are just a headache, it’s all screaming, yelling, lights, colors and I never understand a thing.

            I may be exaggerating but that’s my opinion, the only time I might consider watching TV would be while working out at home on the treadmill or something like that, National geographic wild is my only choice.

            Finally, I’m not asking to ban TV or for you to stop watching it but just try to find quality programming between the junk they bombard us with. Especially, the reality TV shows (oh god the Kardashians come to mind) I couldn’t even watch an entire episode; IQ of a chicken is the proper term. 

Stop watching people live the life you wish for and start working and living the life you want.

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Open diary

Open diary

            I’ve been noticing lately that Twitter has become the new web version of a diary; many tweets have caught my attention because for me they shouldn’t have been even tweeted. 

            A few years ago, (I feel like an old dinosaur just saying it) a diary was a secret record of your deepest most intimate thoughts, desires and fears…

A few examples of such tweets: 

•        I F*** hate my mum, can’t wait for my parents’ divorce.

•      I feel unloved, if I commit suicide will anybody notices?

•   I love X but he/she doesn’t love me back I feel ugly.

 

 

 

            These are just a sample of many tweets and even Facebook statuses that reflect a real problem of self esteem and lack of communication between parents and their children. Before we used to go to our best friend for advice, he or she was our confidant that helped us through our darkest times.

            Nowadays, we seek guidance from total strangers who know relatively nothing about our lives and who we really are. It’s sad because some cyber bullies can really take advantage of this situation and aggravate it. Some things are better left unsaid, especially on the web for two reasons: once it’s said you can’t really take it back and it will be available for the public and not all people are friendly and will sympathize with you.

             Finally, dare to speak up and tell your best friends or parents, no matter what the outcome is ; at least damage control is easier and on a small scale. Also, since it’s not fair to judge or quote other people on this subject and not do the same thing, I’m going to share  small and random entries from my own personal diary (needless to say it’s private and hand written, you won’t find it anywhere on the web).

“Love was when I first saw you, now I have surpassed love by so many levels, no word can describe what I feel, actually no word exists yet therefore, I’m giving your name a new definition one that surpasses love”

“Should I live the moment or contemplate about the future? I need to make peace with myself, because I feel that at each stage of my life I have sacrificed a part of me for someone or something”

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Arek dance troupe

Arek dance troupe

            Tonight at 8:30 I’ll be enjoying a great show at Palais des Congrès- Dbayeh , Arek dance group is going to set the stage on fire with an amazing spectacle mixing the old and classical Armenian dance and music with a modern twist and breathtaking performers from all ages. 

Arek is an Armenian word that means the sun, and it couldn’t be more accurate into describing the shining amateur stars that will shine on stage in an astounding display of colors, costumes and scenes.

Arek dance group is an affiliate to the Nor Serout association: 

For over 60 years, the Nor Serount Cultural Association has adopted as its mission providing culture to the youth through various activities, one of which is Arek Dance Troupe.

From Byblos Festivals to Casino du Liban, to Monot theater and various other stages - after two years of effortful rehearsals, Arek Dance Troupe is back this year on the stage of Le Palais des Congrès.

The association had the renowned artistic choreographer Ardavazt Avedissian flown in from Armenia to train the troupe with dance choreographies of cultures from around the world.

The event promises to be spectacular through spine chilling choreographies and mind dazzling dance moves.

Tickets are still available at the door; you can visit the Facebook page for more info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/124985760968178/

            In the end, what a better way to learn about a rich culture that has been a part of the Lebanese society for a long time. Sunday’s show is at 4:30 p.m and it will be your last chance to enjoy the Armenian culture at its peak.

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Miss-conceptions

Miss-Conceptions 

         Everyone of us has found himself/herself  at one time of their lives missing someone dearly. At that precise point, we seem to forget everything and everyone around us to concentrate on  that precise person that stole our heart.

        This blog post is not just about missing your soul mate, or if you're having a long distance relationship but it can apply to a loved friend, family member or even if you have lost someone dear to you.

      I had such a intense experience not long ago, and since I express  my emotions through my writings  I composed a small poem or long quote, I'm not sure what to call it exactly. You be the judge:

I yearn for your touch, like the desert rose craves for that single droplet of rain on the hottest day of August .

There will come a day when I won’t see your face and smile… the day I become blind

There will come a day when I won’t hear every whispered word…. The day I become deaf

There will come a day when I won’t be able to tell you how much I love you… the day I become mute.

There will come a day when I won’t miss your touch, and I won’t embrace you in my arms… the day I become a free spirit and won’t belong to this earth anymore.

       Furthermore, as they often said it and we all heard it: time will heal everything and you will forget. However, we don't really forgot we just learn how to survive without that special person in our lives. Particularly it it has ended soon and you feel they have slipped through your fingers like the sands of time.

         Therefore, make sure you listen to your heart before telling them goodbye and live everyday as if it is the last time you'll see each others. 

          In the end, all I can say is that whenever I'm sad because I miss you, I just remind myself how lucky I am to have someone so special to miss.

 2 quotes that sums up everything: 

Missing someone gets easier everyday because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will.

There is no long distance about love, it always finds a way to bring hearts together no matter how many miles there are between them.

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