VB's taking a break this week. Suffice it to say, it's been a real bitch! (First photo.) The frogs showed up all over the place - one on the porch. Then tropical storm Hanna, and the leaky kitchen roof, which had the dogs totally perplexed.
VB's thoughts and prayers go out to all the people suffering from the tragic rock slide, just below Mokkatam Mountain.
BEIJING (Reuters) - A man in southeast China says 40 years of swallowing tree frogs and rats live has helped him avoid intestinal complaints and made him strong.
Sudan, under a strict version of Islamic sharia law, rarely enjoys visits from pop artists, and some Islamic scholars protested the week-long set of concerts by stars like Sherine, Hani Shakir, Mounira Hamdi and Mohammad Mounir.
But despite the charity's good intentions, some Islamic scholars in Sudan said the concerts were sinful.
"We view this as a way to corrupt this country, its people, its values and morals," the Sudanese Islamic Scholar's Society said in a statement posted on an Islamist Web site.
"We urge ... the president of the republic, to intervene, stop this and protect this society and its religion and values."
Fatwas and Modernity, by Sheikh Ali Gomaa (Washington Post) - for more and the interesting responses to his post, check out the link.
The experience that Egypt went through can be taken as an example of this. The period of development begun by Muhammad Ali Pasha and continued by the Khedive Ismail was an attempt to build a modern state. This meant a reformulation of Islamic law. This process led Egypt to become a liberal state run by a system of democracy without any objections from Muslim scholars. Muslims are free to choose whichever system of government they deem most appropriate for them.
The principles of freedom and human dignity for which liberal democracy stands are themselves part of the foundation for the Islamic world view; it is the achievement of this freedom and dignity within a religious context that Islamic law strives for.
Finding out and implementing necessary changes to European integration policies will inevitably lead to less division and fear, and more prosperity and development, not to mention a sense of shared national unity, says Talajeh Livani.
The other scenario, which I believe is more likely, is that these youth are being drawn to their roots not because they are judging between cultures, but because of the feeling and conviction that they will never be accepted as natives in the European countries in which they grew up. In contrast to the United States, where an American can be white, black, Asian, Latino, Middle Eastern etc., in Europe, and most other parts of the world, there is an image of what a native of a given country looks like.
Propelled by weeks of street violence in immigrant-dominated neighborhoods in 2005 and emboldened by record numbers of new voters from minority populations, French minorities are redefining the political debate and taking on the entrenched powers of one of the least diverse governments in Europe.
"We're challenging this country," said Patrick Lozes, president of Action Circle for the Promotion of Diversity in France, an umbrella organization that represents dozens of local black political associations across France. "Look at France's record: black ministers -- zero; black representatives -- zero; black senators -- zero; black ambassadors -- zero; black CEOs of the country's top businesses -- zero."
Minorities hold about 13 of the 22 assembly seats representing overseas parts of the country such as Martinique. But they hold none of the 555 district seats representing continental France, where an estimated 10 percent of the population is made up of Africans, Arabs or other minorities.
When passed, the law will allow for construction of new buildings that maintain the same architectural heritage as those of the 19th century, as well as allowing for restoration of old buildings without changing their original architectural façade.
“Basically, what the law aims for is to preserve architectural beauty of 19th century buildings. Officials focus on protection of archeological sites only and overlook architectural artifacts, which will also play a role in boosting tourism,” she said.
Most of these endangered artifacts stretch along Cairo’s Downtown strip, particularly in El-Tahrir Square, Talaat Harb Street, Bab El Louk, and Garden City.
The European Union has earmarked 40,000 euros to fund this project, named “Cairo’s Belle Époque.” By the end of this year, the database will include all of Cairo’s historic buildings, which are estimated to number 5,000.
ExxonMobil's legal battle rages 18 years after the oil spill, as the case is likely headed to the Supreme Court.
In its ruling last month – its third in the case since 1994 – the appeals court declared, "It is time for this protracted litigation to end." Plaintiffs agree, noting that at least 6,000 of those who originally claimed to have been harmed by the massive oil spill have since died.
Earlier this year, ExxonMobil reported the largest-ever annual profit by a US company – $39.5 billion in net income.
After the 1989 spill, the Exxon Valdez was banished from Prince William Sound, renamed the "SeaRiver Mediterranean," and sent to other parts of the world. In 1990, Congress passed a law banning single-hulled tankers like the Valdez from domestic waters by 2015.
Meanwhile, in Cordova, Alaska – the fishing village most devastated by the oil spill – villagers recently erected a "ridicule pole." It's a traditional native yellow cedar totem pole mocking a company official's promise shortly after the Exxon Valdez ran aground: "We will do whatever it takes to keep you whole."
Marine Corps veteran Adam Kokesh talks with reporters during a news conference in Washington, Friday, June 1, 2007. Kokesh had already received an honorable discharge from active duty before he was photographed in April wearing fatigues - with military insignia removed - during a mock patrol with other veterans protesting the Iraq war. A military panel in Kansas City, Mo., will hold a hearing Monday to decide whether he should be should be discharged from service and, if so, with what type of discharge.
"Trying to hush up and punish fellow Americans for exercising the same democratic right we're trying to instill in Iraq is not what we're all about," said Gary Kurpius, national commander of the 2.4 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"We all know that people give up some individual rights when they join the military," Kurpius said. "But these Marines went to war, did their duty, and were honorably discharged from the active roles. I may disagree with their message, but I will always defend their right to say it."
"Just as we have to be vigilant to protect our national security -- something I believe in passionately -- we have to be vigilant to protect our freedom of speech and First Amendment rights," Valerie Plame Wilson said in a speech at a book convention.
Defense says international pressure played major role in decision
CAIRO: The general prosecution in Nasr City issued a release order Wednesday for detained Muslim Brotherhood blogger/journalist Abdel Moneim Mahmoud, lawyer Islam Lotfy told The Daily Star Egypt.
Mahmoud has been held at Mahkum prison since his arrest on April 14 pending investigation into his membership in a banned organization. The release order was made for lack of evidence.
Following Egypt’s accession to the UN agency last week, reputable rights group Human Rights Watch immediately urged the Egyptian authorities to “turn a new page on human rights and uphold international standards.”
“Egypt has for too long committed serious and systematic abuses at home while consistently undermining UN mechanisms to defend rights. Its appalling domestic rights record includes routine torture in police stations, arbitrary arrests of non-violent dissidents, and crippling restrictions on civil society organizations. If Egypt is serious about cleaning up its human rights performance, it should start by allowing the Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services to reopen, and by freeing Ayman Nour and Abd Al-Moneim Mahmoud,” the organization stated in a recent press release.
However, Brotherhood member Ibrahim El-Houdaiby emphasized that while the release serves as an “important decision for Egypt with regards to the country’s poor human rights conditions,” he stressed that “one must not forget those opposition activists still in detainment in Egypt.”
Although authorities in Iran filter thousands of websites including YouTube, it is increasingly used by many Iranians who manage to by-pass the censorship; they regularly place their home made or semi-professional controversial videos on the web, to challenge the Islamic government's social and political restrictions.
Zakia Zaki was the director of a private local radio station. She was shot seven times as she slept beside her 10-month- old baby. Rahimullah Samander, the leader of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association, attended the funeral for Ms. Zaki and said she was the third Afghan journalist to be killed this year. He added that there were many other cases of threats, mistreatment and obstacles presented to Afghan journalists, both by the Taliban and by people who hold power in the government.
BAKU — The editor of a minor opposition daily in Azerbaijan was abducted and severely beaten by unknown men on 18 May in what critics say is part of a government crackdown on the opposition media.
RWB said the attack on Haziyev was the second apparent murder attempt against an opposition journalist in Azerbaijan in the past three months. Fikrat Huseyinli, a reporter with the opposition Azadliq newspaper, was kidnapped and beaten up by unknown men on 5 March.
The New York Times has an article in today's paper about Horny Toads. How dare they! That's my exclusive deal with the little noisemakers. Can you believe the nerve?
Well, the Khamaseen came and went, leaving it's sandy residue all over the place. One thing that helps keep that sand out of the house are shutters, which we made sure were either re-installed where possible (the doors) or in proper working condition (the windows).
The window shutters work with a pulley, which has its idiosyncrasies. R, our ex-maid broke one of the window shutter straps, even though I showed her how to gingerly operate them. That just led to another visit from the "contractors" who tore apart the top wooden valance and then had to re-visit to re-paint. They often make more of a mess - dirty fingerprints on the walls; dirt tracked in to the house (even when they remove their shoes;) plaster all over the floor; paint spills on everything; a nasty taste in the mouth and a stinky paint stench in the house afterwards. Thank goodness the doors are easier to operate. In any case, they help keep out sand, dust, and the sun when it gets hot. In addition, we have screens, so almost a double protector, except that the sand here is miniscule and seems to seep through any and every opening. Of course, it makes you feel like you're living in a pod, but you see these shutters all over the area and in the Mediterranean in general, as well. Certainly not the decorative sort seen throughout the States.
How close are we to the street? A view from the living room window.
This porch (left) is off our bedroom. We put two bamboo blinds out there, that we were planning to install for more privacy. Everyone walking down the street could (if they really wanted to) see into our bedroom. (We've been waiting for the arrival of our curtains, which just came, for brighter bedrooms with the same amount of privacy.) We’ve already installed bamboo shades on the front / grilling porch (right). They not only block out prying eyes, but the sun too. They make the porch cooler, in several ways. We found them at the Spinney's here, which is not at all like a Spinney's in the UAE, but more like a Carrefore or Co-op.
The bedroom porch has been somewhat neglected, but was never that dirty. The Khamaseen dropped piles of sand all over the place, and this is the result. It may not look that bad, of course you're not the one who has to clean it up either. This is a major cleaning project now (and with no maid, it's all mine.) It’s amazing how much crap gets thrown around during one of these sandstorms. This porch has no drain, so it can't be hosed down, but my new vacuum has a blower, so I'll just try blowing it all overboard into the yard (or just back onto myself, depending on how deft I am.)
Here’s what a porch looks like before a Khamaseen and after it’s been pretty much cleaned up.
The scene from the front porch, into the yard. In addition to shutters in some rooms, we are also required to be caged in for our own protection. We did get to pick out our own design, which is nice and I actually don’t mind it as much as I thought I would. Maybe this is what a bird sees when he looks out of his little cage. Somewhere out on the right, the gardener planted all the seed I brought back from the U.S. They're covered with clover, but I await their arrival. We've seen a few tiny growths (non- cloverlike) popping their heads out of the soil, so the anticipation is growing. The street beyond the Palm tree is where the horny toads live in the sewer wells. And that corner of our apartment is where the porch off the master bedroom sits - and yes, when it's nice out, we close the shutters and leave the screened windows open for some wonderful sand laden fresh air and the sounds of horny toads mating. We're acclimating - ribbit.
Sweet little princess, let me introduce his frogness You alone can get him singing, He's all puffed up, wanna be your king Oh you can do it, c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon Lady kiss that frog
Splash, dash, heard your call, Bring you back your golden ball He's gonna dive down in the deep end He's gonna be just like your best friend So what's one little kiss, one tiny little touch? Aah, he's wanting it so much I swear that this is royal blood running through my skin Oh, can you see the state I'm in Kiss it better, kiss it better
Get it into your head He's living with you he sleeps in your bed Can't you hear beyond the croaking Don't you know that I'm not joking Aah, you think you won't, I think you will Don't you know that this tongue can kill C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon c'mon c'mon Lady kiss that frog
Let him sit beside you, eat right off your plate You don't have to be afraid, there's nothing here to hate Aah Princess you might like it, if you lower your defense Kiss that frog, and you will get your prince, get your prince
Jump in the water, c'mon baby jump in with me Jump in the water, c'mon baby get wet with me Jump in the water, c'mon baby jump in with me Jump in the water, c'mon baby get wet, get wet, get wet
Kiss that frog, lady kiss that frog Kiss that frog, lady kiss that frog
Jump in the water, c'mon baby jump in with me Jump in the water, c'mon baby get wet with me Jump in the water, c'mon baby jump in with me Jump in the water, c'mon baby get wet, get wet, get wet get wet, get wet get wet, get wet
Well, the dofda (frogs) are still around, but not as bad as they had been a couple of weeks ago. They start up around 5:30 PM during Prayer Call. They continue throughout the evening, but they don't seem to be as loud now. The only problem I have is, I've been croaking in my sleep - I can hear myself.
"Get it into your head He's living with you he sleeps in your bed"
It's like when you're snoring so loud you wake yourself up. It's not snoring though, it's croaking. I'm croaking!!!! I'm croaking in my sleep, communicating with newts!
Last night Boss Man and I decided to take our own rubbish (Brit speak for garbage) out, since our boab (doorman) was off to Aswan caring for his ill mother-in-law. I took the camera and as we came around the corner, several cabbies were standing around and I said, "dofda" and pointed to the well. One cabbie came over, leaned in and as you can see from the series of photos, we actually got a much better view and picture of these Horny Little Toads. There are two wells and two frogs in each well. There are other wells nearby and I suspect they have dofda in them too, as once it starts up it's like a freaking cacophony.
Mind you, we have frogs near our house in Connecticut. We live on the river and there's a stream below our house but, even though we have hundreds of frogs there, they do not annoy me as much as these do. Our little Connecticut frogs, which we've accidentally run over in the driveway, are so sweet - or at least they look that way all smashed up.
I'm just so captivated by this debauchery. Garlic and butter? Froglegs? (hmm.) It all sounds like what those snooty foodies call "amuse bouche", which I think is just another pretentious word for appetizer, but still, oh so savory, and amusing.
"Sweet little princess, let me introduce his frogness"
Sweet little dofda, let me intorduce my skewer-reality:
I think sheesh dofda or dofda kabobs would be yummy, but I prefer dofda raised in a cleaner environment - not a sewer well.
"Lady kiss that frog"
Hell No!
Disclaimer: I did not produce this video (I just replayed it) and I have no idea as to whether frogs or flies were harmed in the making of it. And, I really don't give a shit!
Well, I was going to write on how quiet it is in Old Maadi yesterday morning. At least it was the night before. For several days, since Number 1 Son left, we've had nightly visitors who make a lot of noise. I wasn't sure what was going on, but one night it sounded like the noise was getting closer and closer to my bedroom porch door. We live on the ground floor. So, I slammed the door shut! I'm in Egypt - I thought, "maybe it's a crocodile that swam through the sewer system" - what do I know? Alligators used to show up in bathroom toilets in the U.S. It sounds like this, but more (a lot more) low-pitched. I laid in bed trying to breathe with the same rhythm, trying to figure out what animal could breathe so raspy and with such a wheeze.
So when Boss Man and I went for a walk a few nights ago, I insisted we investigate. We listened and found the noise source coming from 2 sewer wells, a few feet from each other and looked into them. They are across the street from our apartment - directly across from our bedroom porch. We figured it was frogs, but we weren't sure, since we really couldn't see them. They just sounded like frogs - like a ratchet bouncing off the walls and being answered by another ratchet - like this but non-stop.
While we were on our walk, the cats were out seizing up, screaming, screeching for - well, you know - it's mating season.
Yesterday and then last night when I asked the boabs (doormen), they all said something strange and twisted their hands. Now, I know what the hand sign for "fuck" is in a few languages, but this was new to me. It looked like a grinding motion with the knuckles nested in the palm of the opposite hand and making a grinding motion. A taxi driver said, "fish." Finally after the noise reappeared last evening, I took our miniscule flashlight (one you get with the Swiss Army Knife and being from a family with the Boy Scout motto practically written on their foreheads - "be prepared" - I was embarrassed, to say the least) and shone it into the wells. The noisemakers got angry and started clattering together. I could see a frog staring up at me from one of the well's side holes. He was bigger than the cute little tweeping ones we have in Connecticut. Maybe he just looked bigger, because he scared the shit out of me. Regardless, as accomplished as I was at catching geckos in Abu Dhabi (especially after getting my courage up with a few drinks) I was not about to go toe to toe with some horny frog. A flashlight is supposed to paralyze them, "just momentarily" according to the Boss Man. Haha! I didn't have a real flashlight! I had some itty, bitty thing that just pissed them off.
So, my boab being missing, I asked the one across the street (after looking up frog in Arabic = dafda'.) He said, something like "oh yeah." I said yeah, I saw them and showed him my small and mighty flashlight. He laughed and said something about dafda's, sewers, sport and "no sleep"- and with all that handywork going on with his hands down below there (between his legs near his crotch), I got the message - loud and clear.
It's "sporting" season!!"
And my bowab? Probably off sporting with his wife.
Apparently every known animal in this region is gearing up for one heck of an orgy.
Expat currently living in Egypt. I'm not really a vagabond, but I would like to be. I do own an '87 VW Vanagon Camper (Weekender) and a 1965 VW Beetle Convertible.
I'm more of a rider on the corporate vagabond trail.
Views expressed here are mine and mine alone. If anyone feels insulted by this, or any other posts, don't worry I am a equal opportunity lampooner.
