Day 740 KSA time-1/Ramadan ad infinitum
I've written several books in my head. I've written several new poems there also. My "older" published writings(the ones I like) are somewhere in a blue suitcase in the States. My recent articles are here and there-some good-some sarcastic, but unfortunately, under my name. My recent article got a five page spread-but who knows what the Editor did to it...I really should take a look...tomorrow I have an interview-again WTF? Who thought I would be writing about architecture? Apparently, I have a flair for describing chairs....and bathroom fixtures! Hell. The ad copy stands as its very own testament to why God created Marx....and I feel guilty. I'd go back to work-work, but I just don't have the heart to do fashion stuff right now-or make certain I am using true BRITISH usage while editing...the rule is always add a U. (an U???)
Anyway,
RE: THE YACOUBIAN BUILDING-read it in translation.
My weekend (here Friday-Saturday) was spent actually discovering that the above novel is not at all an dramatic exaggeration of the facts....the babbala/doorpeople actually do live on shacks on the roof-Ub Waled-Father of Waled-never called by another name-was to be evited from his roof shack on Sunday by one of my mother-in-law's building owners-I guess this would be in the true spirit of Ramadan-as he is Coptic Christian and was given two days notice. WHY? His wife's attitude was not "correct." In other words, she retains some dignity. Or, as Ub Waled said, "It is not possible to keep my dignity." By his words and actions, he ultimately wins.
Darling owner-her real name here-Widow and Bitch Supreme "Madame Tolab" was to evict-the man, his wife, his teenage daughter, his two younger teenage sons, his older son's (away mandatory military)pregnant wife-teenager, her two year old and any belongings they may have.
After some information gathering, I was told that the usual way of "eviction" is to "start an argument" and have roof-dweller react, and then call the police. In the case of Ub Waled-the main area military police is located directly across the street.
Needless to say, the buildings owner always wins, especially against poor Christians who do not read or write. After several phone calls and speaking with Ub Waled and Um Waled (mother of Waled) I was able to find a job for him-but shit-no room at the inn in Egypt. Madame-True-Example of the spirit of Ramadan decided to "Keep them" for now. This was only due to divine intervention, as a group of "people" were praying for them-I had asked for lodging, but prayers must have worked. And, perhaps, calls from the tenants.
At any rate, being totally pissed off at THE MADAME, I did some research on her and her family, which should prove useful, should she ever decide to evict them again. Which, of course, she will. I was trying to line up a photographer for the fiasco, but it was, thankfully, unnecessary
Sort of an Islamic Scrooge story minus the redemption. Touching.
This is just an example of the total shit people must put up with here in order to just eat.
Again, just a little piece of the pie. I will make another entry to confess my small rebellions....over and out...sh
Anyway,
RE: THE YACOUBIAN BUILDING-read it in translation.
My weekend (here Friday-Saturday) was spent actually discovering that the above novel is not at all an dramatic exaggeration of the facts....the babbala/doorpeople actually do live on shacks on the roof-Ub Waled-Father of Waled-never called by another name-was to be evited from his roof shack on Sunday by one of my mother-in-law's building owners-I guess this would be in the true spirit of Ramadan-as he is Coptic Christian and was given two days notice. WHY? His wife's attitude was not "correct." In other words, she retains some dignity. Or, as Ub Waled said, "It is not possible to keep my dignity." By his words and actions, he ultimately wins.
Darling owner-her real name here-Widow and Bitch Supreme "Madame Tolab" was to evict-the man, his wife, his teenage daughter, his two younger teenage sons, his older son's (away mandatory military)pregnant wife-teenager, her two year old and any belongings they may have.
After some information gathering, I was told that the usual way of "eviction" is to "start an argument" and have roof-dweller react, and then call the police. In the case of Ub Waled-the main area military police is located directly across the street.
Needless to say, the buildings owner always wins, especially against poor Christians who do not read or write. After several phone calls and speaking with Ub Waled and Um Waled (mother of Waled) I was able to find a job for him-but shit-no room at the inn in Egypt. Madame-True-Example of the spirit of Ramadan decided to "Keep them" for now. This was only due to divine intervention, as a group of "people" were praying for them-I had asked for lodging, but prayers must have worked. And, perhaps, calls from the tenants.
At any rate, being totally pissed off at THE MADAME, I did some research on her and her family, which should prove useful, should she ever decide to evict them again. Which, of course, she will. I was trying to line up a photographer for the fiasco, but it was, thankfully, unnecessary
Sort of an Islamic Scrooge story minus the redemption. Touching.
This is just an example of the total shit people must put up with here in order to just eat.
Again, just a little piece of the pie. I will make another entry to confess my small rebellions....over and out...sh