Thought Clouds
The Digital Bender

Wainakh 2007 , originally uploaded by LotusGem . I had the pleasure of attending the Wainakh performance in this years Jerash festival. Needless to say, the theater was packed, and it seemed like Sukhnah, Zarqa and Sweileh has migrated to Jerash. It was great watching the performers do their thing. I think they are some of the best performers in the world. And in a twist of good luck, I had the pleasure of going behind the stage and meet the performers. Enjoy the photos, and visit the full gallery.

I found this great Chechen dancer. I expect great things to come. Enjoy!

I arrived in a Jordan a couple of days back, and was immediately immersed in post election celebrations (btw, my father won). In any case, putting everything I love about Jordan aside now. Here are things that have deteriorated shockingly since last time I was here: NUMBER 1 problem: Driving. I do not know how neglectful and incompetent the new police chief is, but this is ridiculous. It doesn't seem like there are rules any more, except for the red traffic light, everything else is fair game. You get to do what every you want. Car prices: Cars cost an arm and a leg. It is beyond sad. Fuel prices: a C200 costing nearly 29 34 JDs a week is a crime. The number of people who are sick. I have found the diherea, vomit and feaver is running rampant in Amman and Al-Salt. Just visit any clinic or hospital and you will SEE what I am talking about. I blame you ma3roof il ba'7eet. You have failed us, and you have failed your King. I suggest you behave as responsibly as your ministers and...

Elephant , originally uploaded by LotusGem . I was surprised with this elephant in the parking lot yesterday. It was parked in the space next to my parking space. That parking space has been empty a long while, eversince my neighbour in apartment 665 moved out. Of course, seeing an elephant there makes you think of a few things and make a few assumptions. For instance, I assumed that the apartment next to me has been taken by someone. And I assumed that that some one is an Indian, because he drives an elephant. Turns out I was wrong. The guy is Yemeni. He is from Yemen. I didn't know they had that model in Yemen. I thought I would post this picture here for you to meet my new car neighbour.

Pipe dream , originally uploaded by LotusGem . Pipes. I call this "Pipe dream". One of my favorites. I don't know which category of photography this falls under. But I'm guessing abstract is probably the closest. UPDATE What is a pipe dream? A pipe dream is a fantastic hope or plan that is generally regarded as being nearly impossible to achieve. The term derives from the opium pipe, and dates to the late nineteenth century when opium smoking was common in the United States. More specifically, the term derives from the euphoric optimism that is one of the effects of smoking high quality opium. Depending on how much opium is smoked, intoxication may last from eight to twelve hours. During this time smokers go through a period of euphoria followed by a more relaxed state of contentment and well being. Beginning in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, popular literature and music began using the term "pipe dream" to describe any idea or plan whose...

If you love movies that make you think through out. If you enjoy finding out that you were wrong that you had figured out this movie, and was pleasantly surprise. If you like the last moment of the movie to shock you and keep you staring at the scrolling credits for minutes. Watch " The Prestige " Guaranteed bit of fun.

I spent last Saturday having all sorts of aquatic fun in the Sheraton with a friend, and I did a very stupid thing. In fact, I did a series of things that edge on total deliberate idiocy. I spent the hours between 11AM and 2:30PM under the sun, with degrees around 40-45c. In and out of the water, laying on my chair and floating on a mattress in the sea. Needless to say I was starting to feel a little heat beneath my skin, in the flesh, so I decided to spend sometime in the Jacuzzi, which now I know isn't a very good idea. Not that I was clueless before doing it, which puts “deliberate idiocy” above in context. Towards the late afternoon, I moved under the shaded area near the pool which wasn't as bad. But I could feel the heat of the sun roasting my shoulders and legs through the holes in the canopy above. And though it wasn’t really doing that, but in my mind here is it what it all looked like: A blindingly bright laser penetrating through my skin and scorching the flesh and m...