Caledoniyya

The Presidentmaker

Layla — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:08:51 +0000

Suspend all questions of veracity and enjoy this lovely little tale:

One night President Obama and his wife Michelle decided to do something out of routine and go for a casual dinner at a restaurant that wasn’t too luxurious.

When they were seated, the owner of the restaurant asked the President’s secret service if he could please speak to the First Lady in private.

They obliged and Michelle had a conversation with the owner.

Following this conversation President Obama asked Michelle, why was he so interested in talking to you.

She mentioned that in her teenage years, he had been madly in love with her.

President Obama then said, “so if you had married him, you would now be the owner of this lovely restaurant”, to which Michelle responded, “no, if I had married him, he would now be the President.”

Love it.

The Beirut Express, c. 1948

Layla — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:18:01 +0000

I love to integrate vintage photography into my lectures and papers, so it is high-time I started a repository.

The below image comprises the Haifa-Beirut shuttle bus, circa 1948, via Handala, on Facebook:

The Revolution Goes On

Layla — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:49:56 +0000

…because the fight is not over:

Real Politics

Layla — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:26:15 +0000

Some Tuesday cynicism:

The Procrastinator’s Tale

Layla — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:31:19 +0000

Posted by a friend in response to a status update on my shameless procrastination, this is eeriely accurate.

I can’t decide whether to laugh or hang my head in confused humility:

Things to Make Happy Noises At

Layla — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:36:15 +0000

There are only so many ways one can argue for or against the motion that India is a democratic success story – so far, 10 versions have notched up a number of creative ways.

Despite this, only laughter can help and these two have particularly made my day:

Two of the most (shamefully) identifiable features: ‘Walla, this is the last one!’ and Starbucks:

Army, Neutered

Layla — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:49:09 +0000

A double twitter/blog post: captured in Korba, via El Teneen (who has possibly the best tag-line on twitter: ‘I spray shit on walls on Cairo streets’):

Mahmoud, Just

Layla — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:55:43 +0000

I am from there. I am from here.

I am not there and I am not here.

I have two names, which meet and part,

and I have two languages.

I forget which of them I dream in.

Dusk

Layla — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:24:20 +0000

Some northern city:

The Wall Has It: Graffiti in Cairo

Layla — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:47:53 +0000

Back in Britain for only a few days before leaving for Libya, I have limited time to reflect on my brief sojourn to Egypt.

The question most asked is if I miss it (already?) – this I cannot answer yet, for time is passing too quick.

However, one love I will take with me from Cairo is the uncannily fabulous graffiti – this, the Egyptians have mastered into a true art form.

Here are a few capturings; for a truly insightful array of images and commentary, head over to Suzee in the City: