say cheese!

what...? no smiles? lol

i just love the faces they show on CNN or BBC looooooooool

not only do they look serious... they look dumb also...

there must be better pictures for them no? lol if i was one of them i'd be offended... i'd say wait wait wait... here take this photo from Photokina lol it looks better :P

Extraordinary Pantene Commercial

Its brilliant!



enjoy

the tragedy in Jahra

i choose to sit this one out... i believe this topic is being covered from most aspects by good people...

i think there are times when it is better to just sit quietly and ponder about humanity in general...

but if you ask me, i want more coverage on the following...

1. what are the underlying motives that pushes people to act this way, jealousy? is that all? can it simply be labeled "jealousy"? i think thats the cowardice way out... i believe our "broken" culture has a big part in this.

2. its good that Kuwait rallied together when a tragedy like this occurred, i think what makes it a tragedy is that more than 2 people died at the same event...

but... how many people are cancerously (new word) dying slowly because ignorant people are smoking in hospitals, airports, malls, and EVERYWHERE in Kuwait? Isn't that tragic as well?

who's donating blood for those people? who's shouting on their behalf?

how many people are dying in traffic accidents that could be avoided if proper police work is applied? proper road signs? proper awareness campaigns for BASIC HUMAN DECENCY?

---

i'm afraid this is just a "lets do this to feel better about ourselves" ploy by Kuwait's lazy ass people... this will pass real soon and unfortunately the victims of Jahra's tragedy will have died in vain...

ooppps

رجل!!! والرجال قليلا

مادري شنو كان شارب او شام هالفار بس صج صج صج بايعها

عجييييييييييييييب
خلاص لقيت قدوتي

in case of emergency

call 911... no wait... its Kuwait.. so call 777... no wait lol call 112?

what the hell is wrong with this country? does anyone understand the implications of changing THE EMERGENCY NUMBER!!!!!

the beauty of an emergency number is that it is

an easy to remember 3 digit number

that keeps changing every few years???? what was the last time 911 was changed?

oh and they are INFORMING us by those FEW screens you see on the roads...

i seriously can't think of any good reason for changing the number

well i can...

stupidity

hey!

another silly image :P

complete pessimism

Yes... i'm sad also at my current rate of output but i cant help it :(

i hate this stupid country...

it finally (and about time!) dawned on me how this country is heading towards complete ruins without a hope of saving.

people in high positions are just there to steal every little FILS from the country

i cannot see any investment be it in,

1. Education system
2. health system
3. roads and infrastructure
4. culture
5. respect and community

nothing nothing...

our sewage systems stink!!! LOL of course they should stink they are full of shit! but when the shit hits the surface!!! in a phuking country with a GDP per capita others can only dream about...

IT IS A DAMN SHAME

when the majority really don't give a hell of a damn regarding driving ethics and road signs and rules... and this is only about POLICE OFFICERS

ITS A DAMN SHAME

when the education system lags behind more and more... and with "wasta" people graduate and work and get promoted and get higher positions and then screw up the country more.

ITS A DAMN SHAME

i don't want to continue with this since everyone knows what i'm talking about, there are so many emails being sent around regarding this state we are in, in the State of Kuwait.

and honestly... there is no bright light at the end of THIS tunnel...

lets just hope and pray its not a Sewage Tunnel with lots of SHIT! because from the smell of it... it seems so.

we are doomed :(

PS. its not by chance i used the color BROWN for this post... i felt this is the only color that gives this subject justice.

out of things to write

if you have any suggestions for topics to write about, email me... :( else it will be these silly pictures

funny but rude

DISCLAIMER! Some might find the below graph offensive, please stop reading if you can't take a joke and have a low sense of humor.






i found this chart and thought it was funny... lol sorry, its a bit rude and sexist but i thought it was funny lol

hot with a chance of late storm

very cool sculpture by the sea...

earlier post regarding my need to see more artwork in Kuwait..

i has something like this in mind.

for more pictures of sculptures by the sea

www.flickr.com/photos/sardionerak/295840998//topic:Arts

Sharp Mebius Laptop Review

Sharp Mebius, in Japan, Sharp already makes laptops, but this one is their latest. I believe Mebius is the laptop that they want to compete with in the market.

Basic information of Mebius (the one i have with me)

1. Intel Atom 1.60 GHz
2. Memory 2 GB DDR2 RAM
3. 10.1 Inch
4. Max display resolution 1024 x 600
5. Web Cam
6. Battery life from 3-4 Hours depending on use
7. Weight 1.46 kg
8. SD slot
9. USB2.0 x3
10. Video memory 256 MB
11. Made in Taiwan
12. LCD mouse pad

All the above except the last point are available in other laptops.
Having an LCD for a mouse pad is just amazing... and the applications possibilities are endless.




It comes in two colors, WHITE or BLACK, but there is a way to change the cover with a paper sheet so it is actually customizable.

Retail price in Japan is roughly KD 242 but this is just because now Mebius is SOLD OUT and the demand far exceeds the stock.

All in all... it is a very nice laptop actually... i will try to get by with the Japanese, or maybe i can reinstall windows in English, but then the drivers for the Sharp Mouse Screen might not be available... i'll see what i can do.

it really is cool.

Sega Juke Box : more videos

I didn't find Habban (bagpipes) between my music, so here is the next best thing :P

Sega Toys Juke Box Review

My phone is there only for reference to the size of the Jukebox lol i'm not hinting something ;)


Sega Toys Home Juke Box is a brilliant "Mood" or "Ambiance" product.

It plays music (30 classic songs already preset) and has an SD card slot to play additional songs.

It also has Audio-In place(if you want to use the juke box as a speaker for an ipod for example)

and Audio Out place (if you want to play the music from the juke box on a different speaker system)

I was impressed with the colors, it really sets the mood. I can just imagine myself, in an apartment, candle light dinner, pasta, tiramisu dessert, alone eating (lol sad ain't it?)

anyway... and at the end... you switch on the juke box and listen to the sweet sounds of the 50's? or 60's? i don't know... the oldies...

i really like this product... and i know a certain someone who's dying to have it :P

ليش قلت ويانا؟ مادري لول

Did i break it ? :/




The same mechanism for choosing and playing a record as in the normal large sized jukebox




A place for the SD card with additional songs and a place to insert coins



Enjoying "Only You" in the dark




enjoying the jukebox with a drink ;)

the houses of God's operating hours

When did mosques start closing between prayers?

if you go to a mosque (i went to a few randomly) lets say at 2 pm, after Noon prayer and a lot before Afternoon prayer, it would probably be closed.

When did the house of God close it's doors to whoever wants to go there and feel closer to his Lord?

Churches don't close expect probably late at night, you'd see people praying there or just sitting contemplating life there all hours of the day.

So when did we say.... nope.... we want to open mosques for these limited time slots only?

Okay... i get it, some people would go there and sleep... is that it? but still... if you can afford to build a mosque, then put in mind the salary of one security staff or regular staff to keep guard and observe whomever sleeps inside the mosque. Other than that... who gave these people the right to build a house of God, then give it operating hours?

Is it just me or is it kind of insulting?

on another note they should ban building any more mosques! Clearly we have enough of them. If someone wants to earn a few extra credits and satisfy the boss upstairs, then build your mosque somewhere in Africa or Asia... just not here ! Why build them and close them 20 hours of the day?

حجاب بو قوطي روب و قوطي باجلة

طلب مني ان أعلق علي ظاهرة الحجاب بو قوطي روب... و بكل صراحة و بصاطة ارى هذه الظاهرة من عدت جهات

1. الهبة لازالت عنصر قوي بالكويت و سبب كثير من نجاح بعض الموضات و المنتجات مثل البلاك بيري, مجوهرات السوارفسكي و الخ. 2. الكويت و شعبها يتمتعون بحرية شاسعة و هذا اساس إزدهار الموضات الغريبة.
3. موضة موسم اليوم قد تكون جنون الامس و "هلاقة" الغد ... فلا ننسى حجاب بو قذله او دشداشه و كبوس او تويتي.

اما عن قواطي الروب و الباجله فهي مصنوعه من البلاستيك والبلاستيك ضار للطبيعهة وانا كواحد من الناس أفضل ان ارى هذه القواطي على رأس البنات و ليس في شوارع و صحراء الكويت

والآن الكرة بملعب الرجال لإبتكار موضة جديدة او صرعة

عندي كم إقتراح

1. دشاديش على خام بيربيريز
2. عقال ملون... احمر... اخضر... ازرق
3. دشداشه سحاب مو زراير

و كلش كلش... قوطي روب تحت القترة

why i smell this way

i've been asked a lot about what is that cologne you have on, and i always answer, i mix. Some people think i just don't want to tell them my secret cologne...

so here it is...




Of course, i don't put all of these on every day, i usually mix between 3-4 colognes

Option A
1st = Arabic Oud
2nd = Angel
3rd = Black X/S
4th = Micallif Arabic oud perfume


or

Option B
1st = Flower Oil
2nd = Chopard Wish
3rd = Scent by Costume National
4th = Bukhoor (probably before Bukhoor i'd put the concentrator)


or

Option C (All Arabic)
1st = Oud
2nd = Mukhallat (one of the collection of mixtures)
3rd = Arabian french mixtures
4th = Ma'oool Bukhoor


the options are endless.

As you can see, in regards to colognes, my preferred style is Sweet... i don't like the bold or the spicy.


PS. i have one bottle i didn't name... :P (if you know it, SHUT UP and don't mention it in the comments page)

write your own eulogy

this post is related to the previous, instead of replying back in the comments area, i'd like to add a few comments here...

first, thanks to all of you who took the time to contribute and comment... i don't know what happened with the language though (i think ma6goog started with the profanity lol and everyone followed) well that's alright :P

----

Eulogy : a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, esp. a set oration in honor of a deceased person.

A friend of mine, Douglas, told me once,

"Aziz... you should write your own eulogy... and then live your life towards that eulogy"

If i want to be remembered as a kind person when i'm dead, i better start acting that way from now.

So... to comment on the comments...

i saw a theme there... most of you said that "if you can afford it, and you've paid your Zakat, you've given back to society, then its alright to lavish yourself and spoil yourself a little, especially if your heart is set on something"

two points here...

1. I would like to teach myself not to "Want" these things... with discipline, and will, i can be able to resist wanting this fast new car, or that bling bling.

2. of course, i am not saying (or if i did say it, then i apologize) that getting an expensive watch is BAD... Hey... there are many good people out there with nice things that are contributing and being philanthropic to a great extent.

But... it all depends on who you want to be... what you want to be remembered for.

I can choose to be a LEADER, or a FOLLOWER...

and i can choose to lead by FEAR or lead by LOVE...

if you want to lead and inspire the masses, then your actions should not be the same as if you wanted to be a lovable person but not a leader.

anywhere in the A and B areas is good, you'd do good and be loved, respected etc.

without going into religious figures like prophets,

an A figure would be someone like Ghandi,
a B figure would be, i don't know... anyone who's decent.
a C person, i don't know... anyone who's living from a place of fear
and a D person... hitler? saddam? ( ma6goog, mentions a couple on his blog :P )

----

I think... and i hope, you all agree that leading by love, is more affective and long lasting than by fear.

To weild that kind of influence, you need to be trusted... and trust, with love, comes easier if you're humble rather than too proud...

it is not wrong having an expensive watch and wearing it around people who can't afford it, but you'd be creating invisible barriers for you to lead those people... if that is not your cup of tea, and if you don't care about that, you just want to be a good person who's loved... then the watch or car would not be an obstacle.

There is a reason why most leaders, religious or not... were humble common people... average joes... Jesus, Buddha, Ghandi, Kofi Annan, Abe Lincoln, Mohammed, osho, and many more.

There is a reason all those people denounced materliasm.

------

I wish, when i'd die, i'd be rid of materialism... so i've started since that watch to change myself... and i am not without fault... i love cars and i love fine watches... but the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step... so i've started... and there will be ups and downs.. setbacks and gains in this journey... but i hope that God gives me the patience and will power to continue on that narrow path and not fall astray.

-----

The Citizen watch is 2000 KD... and its gone now anyway, someone already bought it, it was the only piece in the GCC...

When i was thinking about it, i tried to trick myself... i said to myself... ok, if i want to be EXTRA nice, i'll spend the same amount on good deeds. I'll give away 2000 KD to charities and then buy the watch (Hey... i'm single, so i have nothing else to spend on, i can afford it)

I felt relieved for 5 minutes that i found a solution... Then i said ok.. if i gave away that 2000 KD... then even the other 2000 KD for the watch... i can give half of it, or all of it away as well... and i started weighing the benefit of giving THAT 2000 KD or buying the watch...

Giving it away to charities always outweighs the watch...

So i didn't buy the watch...

Then my birthday came... and it was offered to me as a gift...

Test #2... Ok Mister!. you passed the first test, now what will you do if you can get the watch for free... NO STRINGS ATTACHED...

aaaaah... but there are always strings... as the saying goes "there is always free cheese on a mouse trap" nothing really is free...

so... i thanked the person who offered me the watch... and said... the offer itself is enough... but i do not need the watch...

I've regretted that move afterward.. yet paradoxically i felt relieved right away that this is behind me now...

The following days , i would remember the watch and get a bit worked up inside... but then that would fade away... and day after day... it washed away... and i'm glad i didn't get the watch...

I feel... (and call me insane, i dont care... but i feel)... i've attracted more Good energy since that event... The universe gives you what you want... Law of attraction...
----------

sorry for writing so much... it was meant to be a comment :-/

a watch... told me " it is time"

I don't wear a watch...

I love the beauty of the complicated watches, and there are many artistic watches that are just breath taking.

There is one watch in particular, my heart was set on. Citizen Campanola and it is expensive.

This watch forced me to take a path, that i think i will continue on, and i hope, will forever change my life.

I believe that nowadays watches are just for show. Do you really need to have the time on your wrist?

You can tell time,

1. in your car
2. on your office wall
3. on your cell phone

you just can't get away with 5 minutes without seeing a clock somewhere.


-----
So... why do people were watches?

For fashion? As an accessory? Sure...

but then, the watch would reach a price tag where it shifts from "just" an accessory, to a "status symbol"

When i'm wearing a Harry Winston or a Chopard or a Rolex limited edition, or a Vacheron Costantin, I feel different.. i feel more powerful...

and don't tell me this crap, that some watches people won't even recognize as expensive, and its not for show, it might be true... but YOU, YOURSELF know that its expensive, and you feel different... and if you don't feel that, please look deeper into your soul... your unconscious, you ARE feeling better by wearing an expensive and exclusive watch whether you know it or not.

out of 100 people you meet,

- 50 will not recognize the watch

- 50 will, and out of those who do recognize the high value of it

lets say

- 30 will not admire it, and not care

- 20 will admire it and think its a beautiful thing

and out of those 20

- 10 will admire it and think nothing of it...

- 10 will admire it and reflect that probably they can't afford it...

and even if

- 1 person only would feel down and sad by being reminded that he/she can't afford an expensive watch...

then... then... then...

the watch is not worth it.

------------
------------

We human beings are in a constant struggle to define ourselves, to know ourselves,

and this has defined the way we live, the way we eat, the way we dress and we seek material things to possess and we hope that in that, we can define who we are... and this will reduce our unconscious struggle...

I hang a Picasso on my wall, or a Rembrandt on my living room wall, to show people and more important to show MYSELF that i am a collector of the arts, a man of fine taste and considerable means to collect and possess this beautiful art.

sorry for deviating a bit...
-------

-------

that is why i don't wear a watch... I do not want to be an instrument for reminding people of their net-worth, or lack of. I do have a small collection of fine watches from many birthdays and such... and every time i want to wear one, i ask myself... "Abdulaziz.. why are you putting this watch on" and if i really want to know, i'd realize that its because

Its a nice watch
Yeah? Okay but why wear it?

To tell the time

Seriously?

Well no... okay... it looks nice
And do you have to wear everything nice you see in the world? Can you wear the Mona Lisa?

Ok... I LOOK NICER when i wear it.

you're admiting that a piece of metal can affect the way YOU, Abdulaziz, look?

hmmmm.... i'm going somewhere where everyone is wearing an expensive watch and to fit in with the atmosphere, i should wear it.

But Abdulaziz... a watch will not add nor take away from who you are... let them see what you are for who you are. And they are not ALL priced the same... one will be the most expensive and least accessible and do you want to be part of that game?

Not to mention that there is a chance at least one person might feel bad if they see a very nice watch that you can afford but they can't?

Well i can't help it...

You can... don't wear the watch... but a bigger man... Earn people's love, not admiration... Break down these invisible barriers...

--------

am i making any sense? i don't know to be honest...

:-/

anyway... i have shared something private about me... and i am fighting this urge to buy expensive things... its a hard and tough fight... but that Citizen watch... told me... IT IS TIME!
-------
Please, next time you wear an expensive watch, or desire to buy an expensive watch or jewelery, or whatever... try to remember this post and think why you're purchasing that product... dig deep into your naked soul and ask the real questions...

the original azizaan.com

Back in 2001 i started my website azizaan.com

it had, thoughts and ideas, poems, sketches, small motivational 1-lines, etc.

So basically, i invented the idea of blogging :P lol yeah sure why not heheheh

The main page, once you select a section, currently Poems are selected, you get when was the last time it was updated.

Also, it cant be shown here, but every time you go over a section, the "azizaan's unconscious" does a different animation

Again, inside the Poems section

inside the Thoughts section

this is the Sketches section, if you click on the sketch its in black and white, but if you go over it with the mouse, i colored them with photoshop

the one liners quotes of wisdom i've collected over the years

Gundam? God Damn!

We had Grendizer, which wasn't very popular in Japan ironically. They had Gundam...

Anyway, recently an 18 meter high statue of Gundam was constructed in Tokyo.

I think it's so cool how other countries care about iconic statues.

What do we have here in Kuwait? the Avenues? lol

I so desperately would like to see some statues here in Kuwait,

an old fisherman diving into sea for pearls, right in the middle of Safat Area,
an traditional bedouin statue 10 meters tall in Salmiya,

I want to see horse and camel statues...

anything! I just want to see any form of expression of art in this freakin' country! and those silly arches on round-abouts do not count!

Gundam? God Damn!


it moves as well!!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/kslash/3704704282/

Orchestra vs Football

I once asked this question to a group of people.

I compared the audience of an orchestra or opera event with football audience. And i asked, are they really that different?

Of course, society puts these two different people in different classes, and we know which is the "common class" and which is the more "culture affluent". But why???

Both people,

1. are attending an event that they paid for (approx. the same amount of money per ticket)

2. are very ecstatic and excited to witness this event

3. cheer and clap in the event

and in the end, both people,

4. get a natural "high" from the event

----

I, of course, disagree with the logic of the above, i think the person who goes to concerts IS a higher class (sorry folks ;-/ )

My feelings are so because,

1. unlike sports, orchestra or opera has no "winner-loser" so, all are able to go home happy

2. sports are a show of competitiveness and strength, orchestra is a show or more subtle emotions (emotions that i think are at a deeper level than pure body strength or skills, no matter how impressive they are)

3. I don't know about you, but i never heard of a riot that broke out after a Yanni concert lol

4. the people attending the event with you. I bet you if you survey the people in a Yanni concert or an opera, and then compare that with the final game of Fifa World Cup, you will find that on average, the former have higher salaries, better homes, higher education, etc.

so THAT must mean that there is a difference between the two groups of people.

------

Now my follow-up question, for the orchestra group...

Can someone learn "Culture" ? If i go there for example, and i hate orchestra, and can't stand it... can i pretend that i do like it and i'm enjoying my time? will that work? will i grow into it?

someone might say... "just be yourself". YES! BUT! People are constantly discovering themselves and shaping themselves. So being one's self is not a static rather dynamic thing.

-------

So, what do you think?

Question 1: Are Sports Audience (fans) the same as Orchestra audience from a society's point of view? And your view?

Question 2: Will pretending to be sophisticated make one so?

Marketing Meeting - Tuesday 7/7/09

It was an interesting meeting held yesterday, myself and the marketing team.

Discussion was regarding the opening of Cocoa Leaf, the chocolate shop, in Jabriya Co-op.

some highlights of the meeting below :P

Yusuf Islam... the artist formally known as Cat Stevens

My dad used to listen to Cat Stevens all the time... And one of the adored memories of my childhood is sitting in the back seat while my father translates Cat Steven's song "Father and Son".

Influenced by this... i grew up loving all Cat Steven's songs.

Then Cat Stevens became Muslim

Cat Stevens, now Yusuf Islam, stopped making music... which was a loss to the world.

anyway... When i was studying in the States... i knew a man named Sadeq and he was also a huge fan of Cat Stevens...

We argued about why Yusuf Islam stopped playing music.

"It was a shame... he stopped being an artist for religion... he should have continued... many great artists stop after being religious just like Sulaiman Zeiman (the Bahraini musician)". I said

"No... When someone converts or changes his life's purpose, sometimes drastic changes need to be made" Sadeq would reply.

I was convinced :-/

I come back home to Kuwait in the summer and casually mentioned this to Dad...

"Quiting music after converting to Islam is a big mistake... it gives music a bad name... makes it a sin. he wasn't singing blasphamy before, and he didn't do anything wrong... why quit?" Dad argued.

of course... i was convinced :-\

I went back and told Sadeq
"Quiting music after converting to Islam is a big mistake... it gives music a bad name... makes it a sin. he wasn't singing blasphamy before, and he didn't do anything wrong... why quit?"

And Sadeq replied
"for Cat Stevens, the guitar symbolizes a life he doesn't want to come back to. He wants to change his life completely... And sometimes to show the world that he truly changed, he needs to truly change. If he started playing again, maybe the guitar would get him back to some of his old habits. He wants a new different life"

Yet again... i was... convinced :-S

Next year in the summer i went back home and told dad...
"for Cat Stevens, the guitar symbolizes a life he doesn't want to come back to. He wants to change his life completely... And sometimes to show the world that he truly changed, he needs to truly change. If he started playing again, maybe the guitar would get him back to some of his old habits. He wants a new different life"

And Dad replied
"Cat Stevens has many followers and if he really wanted to benefit Islam, he could have sang and used his talents to support the Islamic Faith... Not hide away from the media. He could have used his popularity to support his cause... not give up what he does well.

Naturally... (you guessed it) i was convinced :-|

i stopped here... i knew there isn't a right or wrong conclusion to this debate.

Yusuf Islam released an album a couple of years ago, it was about Bosnia but he wasn't singing in the album... other people sang.

This year, Yusuf released a music album. Roard Singer which is GREAT!

Just Yusuf... no Islam?

Here is a clip from an instrumental song, Shamsia. Enjoy. And let me know your opinion regarding the debate above.