On Art

I've always had a love-hate relationship with photography. I love it because it captures profundity and beauty in the most mundane of things, it exudes emotion, it changes views, it inspires action. I resent it because it intrudes, it trespasses the thin, fragile lines of privacy.

By getting myself a camera, I am nurturing this relationship. I want to dip into that vast ocean of profoundness found on both sides of the lens, or, in true klutz fashion, slosh through it. I want to conquer this fear of truth, of honesty, of being open and straightforward.

Maybe I'm a little too dramatic. Maybe I won’t do any of those things, maybe I'll stick to taking ordinary photographs of random things: the corner of a table, a glass of water, a mug of pencils, "the curve of a woman's hip", to quote Winona Ryder's character in Autumn In New York.

Maybe I'll just take pictures of my friends: posing with their hands in a collective Peace Sign, smiling at the camera with a calculated and practiced pose, or caught mid-sentence in an unflattering angle.

Maybe I'll remain mundane.

***
My father was the happiest with my purchase. His delight encouraged me; maybe someday I'll become as good as he is. I listened to him talk about apertures, exposure, lenses, shutter speed; listened not to what he was saying, but to his words and the animation that lit up his older face. "Ah," he said, "but my eyes are so bad now, I miss the beauty in things. I don't see anymore."

Maybe it's wrong to allow my father's interests to take control of mine. Maybe I should do this for myself. Maybe. Maybe not.

Right now, this moment, I don't know where I'm going.

I can't say I completely dislike the feeling.

***


Take Control of Life

An Awesome Birthday

My friends have outdone themselves this year. There is a LOT to be thankful for, the foremost being my friends for trying their best not to slip up and say something that would give away the *gasp* super secret surprise party for Linzi and myself, the two spoiled brats who always get properly shocked every September. So let's begin the slideshow, shall we?

We got off work and came down the building to find this sleek, black Limo awaiting our Royal Bratness. In the humidity, it looked like this:



But in real life, it really looked like this: (notice the trademark)



We were driven around the city, of course on major streets to garner as much attention as possible, by the very skilled driver Mr Fahad. Inside, of course, a raging party ensued, where every man, woman, and child sweated like camels while dancing to random music, notably, Madonna's Music.

Afterwards, we had some cake at Friday's, as is traditional, and then we hied off to the Eyd Residence, where we had more surprises.

I'd like to thank all of my friends who facilitated the smooth occurrence of The Big Surprise, and for the lovely gifts I received. I wish it were my birthday all day, every day, every damn day. *chicken-dancing*

These are a few of my favorite things:

From Sara Mini: (thank you SO MUCH, you know what I like, and most importantly, you know what I would, and COULD wear, LOL)



From Kholoud, resident Glamorous Naughty Girl:



From Ozzy Sinni, Kebdi, Keliyati.



From Souma and Doha, my gorgeous friends:



From My B-Girl Suzi Yoshi:



And from my lovely, lovely friends, who know that deep within my soul, I am a Britney Spears, waiting to make it to the top. I'm loving it!!





Big bastard hugs all around.