Sunday, February 03, 2008
Top Ten Lessons Learned from the Last Taljeh!
10- A 20 something college boy knows better than the Meteo department
9- Every other post in the Jordanian Blogosphere is about.....SNOW!
8- Don't send or post Snow Photos to people not in Jordan (You know, Envy is, like,Totally uncool)
7- Many of our roads are a load of ...., and this was no earthquake!
6- Snow is still referred to by JRTV as: العباءة البيضاء، ، الرداء الأبيظ، الزائر الأبيظ، الحلة البيظاء، ثلوج الخير
5- A brick or a rock covered with snow makes the perfect snow ball!
4- Snow Chains are deadly if installed by a genius
3. When you see people stacking food, do it, don't just joke about it! (Chips and Chocolate do not count, dumb ass)
2. It's the prefect time to meet all the chicks in the neighborhood!! Snow really brings them out . I call for more neighborhood activities and visits, especially the third house from us.
1. Nylon covers are the solution to all of life's problems!
9- Every other post in the Jordanian Blogosphere is about.....SNOW!
8- Don't send or post Snow Photos to people not in Jordan (You know, Envy is, like,Totally uncool)
7- Many of our roads are a load of ...., and this was no earthquake!
6- Snow is still referred to by JRTV as: العباءة البيضاء، ، الرداء الأبيظ، الزائر الأبيظ، الحلة البيظاء، ثلوج الخير
5- A brick or a rock covered with snow makes the perfect snow ball!
4- Snow Chains are deadly if installed by a genius
3. When you see people stacking food, do it, don't just joke about it! (Chips and Chocolate do not count, dumb ass)
2. It's the prefect time to meet all the chicks in the neighborhood!! Snow really brings them out . I call for more neighborhood activities and visits, especially the third house from us.
1. Nylon covers are the solution to all of life's problems!
Friday, February 01, 2008
الجيش في الثلج: الوحيد من يهتم بالغجر و المشردين
إذا كنت لا تعلم أو تعلمي، فإنه يوجد في عمان أشخاص مشردين لا بيت لهم ينامو في الشارع ولا يجدو أكل سوى في حاويات القمامة.شكلهم منفر، رائحتهم كريهة و ملابسهم ممزقة و قذرة، لكنهم ليسو شحادين لانهم لا يملكو القوة الجسدية للمشي. نعم هذه الظاهرة موجودة وأصبحت واضحة في السنوات الأخيرة، لكن قياسا أقل من بيروت التي مزقتها الحرب و هاجر العديد من أهلها تاركين كبار السن في الشارع
هم لم يصبحو هكذا لانهم أغبياء أو كسلانين كما يطلق عليهم بالنجليزية (بمز) لكنهم في معظم الأحيان أصبحو على ما هو لانهم غرقو في حلقة من اليأس و الاكتئاب ، حيث كانو في السابق يعتمدو على واقع و وضع مادي و أشخاص معينة، ولكن عندما تختل الأمور و يختل هذا النظام فان معظم الناس يجدو من يساعدهم من أهل أو أقارب أو أصدقاء في مجتمعنا أو يعتمدوعلى مؤهلاتهم و ينهضو من جديد ، لكن هنالك من لا يجد من يساعد من الأهل أو تؤثر الأزمة كثيرا عليهم لتجعلهم غارقين في حلقة يأس و اكتئاب تجعلهم غير قادرين على التفكير أو العمل، لذلك ينتهي بهم المطاف في الشارع بدون بيت أو أكل.
لقد أبهجنا الثلج، لكن هنالك من هو منسي، الجيش لم ينساهم وقام بتوزيع الطعام على الغجر الذين يسكنو في بيوت شعر أو زنكو تسمى محليا خرابيش، لذا تحية صادقة للجيش، ولكني لا أدري ماذا حصل للمشردين الذين لا مأوى لهم، ماذا حل بهم في هذا البرد
المشكلة أني أعلم أين يتواجدو في غالب الأحيان ولكن لا أعلم بالتحديد أين ينامو في التحديد، و أعرف اثنان من المشردين لكن لديهم مأوى، اما الآخرين فهم في رحمة الله، حيث لا يوجد حد علمى مأوى للبرد للمشردين كما يوجد في دول أخرى حيث يقدم لهم الطعام المجاني و المبيت عند تدني الحرارة و تصبح قاتلة. تقوم البلدية و الكنائس والشركات المحلية بالتحضير لحمايتهم من الموت بفعل التجمد، وتجد العديد من المتطوعيين الذين يفضلون قضاء الوقت في التطوع و مساعدة المتشردين
أنا دائما مؤمن بأن شعبنا محب للخير و يعطف على المحتاج، يجب أن تصبح قضية المشردين معروضة على الرأي العام لنجد تحرك
أعدادهم مقدور عليها و حتى يمكن رعايتهم و تأهليهم، نحتاج فقط لحراك من قبل الصحافة والشركات المحلية، لا أعلم كيف يمكن إغراء الشركات المحلية، فهناك شركات كبيرة التي لا تدعم مشاريع الا اذا كان فيها تغطية اعلامية لارضاء الحكومة و هنالك شركات تدعم من باب الشعور بالواجب.
Homeless people do exist in Amman! And recently, they have become visible.
We might have less homeless than the war-torn Beirut, but the phenomena is increasing, as the population keeps growing. Yes my dears, there are people roaming the streets of Amman with their earthly belongings housed in a shopping trolley searching for food and stuff from one dumpster to another. At first when I saw one, they seemed to be so out of place, we are not used to see this in Amman! They look exactly like any homeless person elsewhere! I thought, maybe they are some tourists who got stuck in here and end up like that.
The Jordanian army has distributed food supplies to needy people amid the snow storm that hit most parts of Jordan and paralyzed the country . They distributed food as well to the gypsies in Amman who usually live in tents made of textile or zinc shacks and don't have cars or enough money to prepare for the storm like everyone else! Meanwhile, since the homeless phenomena is relatively new in Amman, there were no shelters opened for them, so God knows what happened to them! In Jordan, if someone face an emotional or financial crisis, s/he usually find support from the immediate family,extended family and friends. But sometimes, these people are faced with a problem and suffer a mental breakdown, and become drawn into sever depression, especially when their kids leave them, this is actually a story of an old lady I know who suffers mental illness and was ditched by her kids who immigrated to the US and left her on her own.
The homeless issue has never been covered in any local media.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Solutions for snow accumulation on your sat. dish
Tie a trash bag over your dish.
Make sure it is very tight to prevent sagging. A heavy nylon cover if available is the best.
Photos of HOW TO will come soon (when I feel like it, and think it's time to watch TV!), anyways, who wanna watch TV now? There are tons of things to do outside :D
There are other "sane" and professional solutions, such as nice sat. cover made especially for this (I don't know where you can get it in Jordan) or you could use a sat. heater which I don't recommend if you can't weatherproof the wires.
OR
You have JRTV! It would not hurt watching JRTV once in a blue moon! And I dedicate this song to JRTV : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac5n9tvz1R0
Make sure it is very tight to prevent sagging. A heavy nylon cover if available is the best.
Photos of HOW TO will come soon (when I feel like it, and think it's time to watch TV!), anyways, who wanna watch TV now? There are tons of things to do outside :D
There are other "sane" and professional solutions, such as nice sat. cover made especially for this (I don't know where you can get it in Jordan) or you could use a sat. heater which I don't recommend if you can't weatherproof the wires.
OR
You have JRTV! It would not hurt watching JRTV once in a blue moon! And I dedicate this song to JRTV : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac5n9tvz1R0
Monday, January 28, 2008
Dear Drivers: I Don't Equal A Cup Of Coffee!
I think it is quite idiotic to spend any minute trying to figure out why fatal road accidents keep happening!
The answer is very simple. Because those failures who operate lorries, buses and sedans are not only unqualified or look repulsive, but they know that having a corpse under their wheels is much much better than having a survival . For them, you equal a cup of coffee over a gathering of some bearded men with their Abayas and a JD10,000 ATWA! The survival means a financial disaster.
For them, you are a result of some "happy" night! Because this moron spends the nights shaking it up, popping more kids on the street, where raising them does not cost much.
Then we have the misused and misunderstood Qada and Qadar, which is being thrown at you, where the moron becomes a saint and you become an infidel if you disagree that the accident was not a Qada and Qadr.
Tirblisim is hurting Jordan! Be it offering under qualified students seats at Universities where they only master the arts of trashing it, or assigning half educated officials based on tribal agreements.
We are paying dearly, please, stop this madness.
The answer is very simple. Because those failures who operate lorries, buses and sedans are not only unqualified or look repulsive, but they know that having a corpse under their wheels is much much better than having a survival . For them, you equal a cup of coffee over a gathering of some bearded men with their Abayas and a JD10,000 ATWA! The survival means a financial disaster.
For them, you are a result of some "happy" night! Because this moron spends the nights shaking it up, popping more kids on the street, where raising them does not cost much.
Then we have the misused and misunderstood Qada and Qadar, which is being thrown at you, where the moron becomes a saint and you become an infidel if you disagree that the accident was not a Qada and Qadr.
Tirblisim is hurting Jordan! Be it offering under qualified students seats at Universities where they only master the arts of trashing it, or assigning half educated officials based on tribal agreements.
We are paying dearly, please, stop this madness.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Will it Snow in your area? Check this guide here:
[Click Image to Enlarge]Wednesday (the big one) : +700 m
For those who can't read Arabic or Indian numbers, here is the deal: Areas like Sweleh, University of Jordan, Umm Sumaq (Mecca mall area) will be lighting like a Christmas tree, areas like Shmeisani,Swefyeh, Abdoun will have less snow (hardly noticeable) but it does not matter, the affect is the same, you'll stay home!
I♥Amman Blog wish you good luck in the upcoming days, especially those flying in the next few days, and remember, it is time to PANIC.
Go buy loads of bread, canned food, DVDs, chestnut, fill your Diesel tank (if you can afford it), you should have already bought tens of LPG canisters at the old price, otherwise, please PANIC more. And no matter what, don't leave home. Have no fear (but keep panicking though) the Jordanian TV will keep you entertained with hours and hours of Mr.Bean, Madrast El Mushaghbeen, and videos of TV personnel fooling around the TV premises. Yeah, and for old times' sake, buy loads of tape to secure your windows and get some gas masks (remember the 1990 :D?)
Please please please remember to do the following:
CLOSE ALL THE DOORS, WINDOWS (look for any cracks and seal them), MAKE SURE THERE IS NO SINGLE SOURCE OF AIR INFILTRATION, AND LEAVE YOUR KAZ or GAS SOUBA ON, AND MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL.
Go buy loads of bread, canned food, DVDs, chestnut, fill your Diesel tank (if you can afford it), you should have already bought tens of LPG canisters at the old price, otherwise, please PANIC more. And no matter what, don't leave home. Have no fear (but keep panicking though) the Jordanian TV will keep you entertained with hours and hours of Mr.Bean, Madrast El Mushaghbeen, and videos of TV personnel fooling around the TV premises. Yeah, and for old times' sake, buy loads of tape to secure your windows and get some gas masks (remember the 1990 :D?)
Please please please remember to do the following:
CLOSE ALL THE DOORS, WINDOWS (look for any cracks and seal them), MAKE SURE THERE IS NO SINGLE SOURCE OF AIR INFILTRATION, AND LEAVE YOUR KAZ or GAS SOUBA ON, AND MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL.
Just this month , many have died from this nonsense,but it never gets reported.Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wars go Digital: Anonymous group declares war!
I felt that with all the chaos and killing going on in the region, this post is not suitable for now. But it looks like things are getting serious.
The Internet and western MSM is in a storm following an announcement posted on YouTube by a group calling themselves:Anonymous, vowing to bring down the cult of Sci.entology.
This link explains what have been going so far. An extensive follow up of latest events could be observed through Digg Website
So far I'll keep an eye on what this whole thing will bring in the upcoming weeks. We could be witnessing a whole new revolution when it comes to igniting the masses. An Internet connections, an Anonymous person and a few mouse clicks and keyboard keys could create an effective propaganda machine. Pretty much what groups on the run have been relying on.
It's just too early to form a complete opinion, though you could easily predict several outcomes based on facts on hand, currently I'm just interested in observing how events folds out. Their claims are pretty much broad.
The most important development would be if this whole virtual war would actually move to the real life and we witness some action. I am interested about the whole issue because in the future it would not be the Scientology, but we have to suffer when every 20 smart kids (young persons) are angry about something and don't take the streets but use their cheap Internet connections and anonymity to get people hear them.
I think February the 10th is a day to observe. Meanwhile, see this video of The Colbert Report writers on strike, mocking the "Look at me" protesters.
Maybe this whole war is a publicity stunt started by all those writers on strike?
Conspiracy theories are highly recommended and very welcomed !
Anyways, declaring war on an established organization is a punishable crime, so this thing is quite serious.
The Internet and western MSM is in a storm following an announcement posted on YouTube by a group calling themselves:Anonymous, vowing to bring down the cult of Sci.entology.
This link explains what have been going so far. An extensive follow up of latest events could be observed through Digg Website
So far I'll keep an eye on what this whole thing will bring in the upcoming weeks. We could be witnessing a whole new revolution when it comes to igniting the masses. An Internet connections, an Anonymous person and a few mouse clicks and keyboard keys could create an effective propaganda machine. Pretty much what groups on the run have been relying on.
It's just too early to form a complete opinion, though you could easily predict several outcomes based on facts on hand, currently I'm just interested in observing how events folds out. Their claims are pretty much broad.
The most important development would be if this whole virtual war would actually move to the real life and we witness some action. I am interested about the whole issue because in the future it would not be the Scientology, but we have to suffer when every 20 smart kids (young persons) are angry about something and don't take the streets but use their cheap Internet connections and anonymity to get people hear them.
I think February the 10th is a day to observe. Meanwhile, see this video of The Colbert Report writers on strike, mocking the "Look at me" protesters.
Maybe this whole war is a publicity stunt started by all those writers on strike?
Conspiracy theories are highly recommended and very welcomed !
Anyways, declaring war on an established organization is a punishable crime, so this thing is quite serious.
[Please note that it is called The Church of Sci.entology, but they are not a Christian group. In the US, any group of people who claim to share the same believes could register as a church and an established religion, the word means: A group of people forming a religious denomination. That is why you found things like: The church of Sa.tan and such. So don't get things confused.]
Friday, January 18, 2008
Is the Jordanian Pension system sustainable?
Gmail is spying on you!I have been thinking about the pension system in Jordan. I will not complain about how disorganized the Social Security Coproration is, or how difficult it is to understand anything like getting figures,info or whatever. I have read the booklet about 5 times and every time I reach the same conclusion:What are you talking about? Same reaction I got when I foolishly went to the SSC HQ asking naively some questions. For the record, the lady did say stuff, she answered all my questions with : Here are the medical forms, take take....Ok, enough complaining .
So why you should keep reading this? It is because by the time you retire, there will be some serious problems. I have heard that they are expecting a break even point at around 2017, that is when they shout: Abdali....we have a problem , (Abdali is where the parliament is), but the real fun is when they run out of assets (about 15-20 years from 2017) and that is when the true Jordanian entrepreneurship kicks in and they come up with all sorts of wonderful and colorful solutions. We'll be facing the same problem as the US is facing now; a Pension Bomb. In very simple words, the problem is: There are too many people like you who want their paychecks by the age of 60. The solutions offered in the US, are generally freezing the pension plans for five years , which for the record, I'm almost 100% positive the solution was offered by a Jordanian financial guru!
Ok, enough talking about problems and not offering solutions, so what are your options?
0. First, you have to keep in mind that the current plans are not adjusted to the cost-of-living rates or the inflation rate. So the only good use of your money in 35 years from now, is that the paper of which the JD800 money bills are made of , would only be good as a great heat source for your cold nights that would lasts for 15 min.
1. Look, I am not qualified to even think about offering some suggestions, because I'll be talking my ... off! But I know that a "real" and "serious" local committees of independent finance experts should be formed to discuss this. There are numerous reports from the World Bank about the Jordanian pension system, but we need local and independent opinions. After this committee is finished of the study, they'll be working with parliament to try out some solutions. Please don't even consider discussing this with a current parliament member, for your own sanity and safety.
So why you should keep reading this? It is because by the time you retire, there will be some serious problems. I have heard that they are expecting a break even point at around 2017, that is when they shout: Abdali....we have a problem , (Abdali is where the parliament is), but the real fun is when they run out of assets (about 15-20 years from 2017) and that is when the true Jordanian entrepreneurship kicks in and they come up with all sorts of wonderful and colorful solutions. We'll be facing the same problem as the US is facing now; a Pension Bomb. In very simple words, the problem is: There are too many people like you who want their paychecks by the age of 60. The solutions offered in the US, are generally freezing the pension plans for five years , which for the record, I'm almost 100% positive the solution was offered by a Jordanian financial guru!
Ok, enough talking about problems and not offering solutions, so what are your options?
0. First, you have to keep in mind that the current plans are not adjusted to the cost-of-living rates or the inflation rate. So the only good use of your money in 35 years from now, is that the paper of which the JD800 money bills are made of , would only be good as a great heat source for your cold nights that would lasts for 15 min.
1. Look, I am not qualified to even think about offering some suggestions, because I'll be talking my ... off! But I know that a "real" and "serious" local committees of independent finance experts should be formed to discuss this. There are numerous reports from the World Bank about the Jordanian pension system, but we need local and independent opinions. After this committee is finished of the study, they'll be working with parliament to try out some solutions. Please don't even consider discussing this with a current parliament member, for your own sanity and safety.
3. Ok, maybe contacting local media, parliament members would stir things up before it is too late, and you end up paying JD30,000 over 180 months and they'll simply tell you, we're broke, now scram...sue us
What you see in the picture is Gmail being spooky, their ads always matches up your email contents! So if you email a friend in London or NY, the ad will be about travelling there. If you have the words like jobs, Jordan, or any other Arab countries, you'll get ads of head hunters websites like Bayt, or Monster. Talk about privacy! Automated system or not, this is not cool.
