Archive for December, 2005

On Capote

20Dec05

I went to see this brilliant film today. It is based on the true story of Truman Capote, author of the famous novels “Breakfast at Tiffanyâ??s” and “In Cold Blood”. The movie centers on the coming about of the latter novel which details Capote’s immense indulgence in a family murder which occurred in Kansas in […]



In what I think may be one of the most idiotic controversial debates to come out of America thus far, the issue of “Merry Christmas” being too religious has been raised over the past few days leading up to the holiday. Some say “happy holidays” should become the new norm. The battle is being […]



I have been annoyed for the past year, if not more, about the condition of Jordan Times dot com. So recently I decided to email them and see if I would get a response to my requests. Here’s the email I sent:
To Whomever it may Concern at the Jordan Times
I am a Jordanian living abroad […]



Ammar Mango wrote a very interesting article today in the Jordan Times which I thought was worth discussing. You can read it all here but let me just quote the introduction which is a conversation starter:
A dear friend of mine recently proposed to do some consulting work for a reputable Jordanian company. They checked his […]



addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.black-iris.com%2F2005%2F12%2F18%2Fhow-the-liberal-media-stole-christmas%2F’;
addthis_title = ‘How+the+Liberal+Media+Stole+Christmas’;
addthis_pub = ”;



Sometimes I feel utterly depressed about the use of the latest technologies in Jordan. It seems every time I visit the people are up to date on the latest technology, having model numbers of mobiles memorized as well as the features that come with each one. I admit sometimes there are certain technologies I am […]



Elections are taking part on either side of Jordan these days. Hamas is making significant gains to the west and the Shiites are powering up in the east. In more than one way.
It was only a while ago the US administration was calling every opposition to its presence in Iraq as “the anti-Iraqi insurgency” while […]



Did You Think I’d Forgotten?
Did you think Iâ??d forgotten what day it is?
Did you think reminiscence comes easy?
Wait for my footsteps approaching
Youâ??ll hear me whisper something to God
No matter, Concern yourself not
These mortal flowers are for you
This little poem is for you
I held your wrinkled hands with […]



This in fact is not a love letter per se but may sound like one because there are indeed many things I love about Jordan. This is also an attempt to balance out my latest list of grieviences concerning Jordanian Etiquette, which in retrospect may have given a more darker impression of Jordan that I […]



Twenty-three years after hacking to death Palestinian refugees, six Israeli-backed Lebanese Christian militiamen show no remorse recounting the massacre in a new chilling documentary.
“With hanging or shooting you just die, but this is double,” recalls one of the men, explaining how he took an old Palestinian and held him back against a wall, slicing him […]



Yesterday I blogged about a railroad from Haifa to Irbid as reported by Israeli Transportation Minister Meir Sheetrit
Apparently today an interesting development occured when Jordanian transport minister Saoud Nseirat denied that there have been talks over such a project. In all fairness Meir Sheetrit said he was presenting plans for the project, hence the […]



Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit yesterday said his government was planning to establish a â??freedom squareâ? to allow citizens to express their views freely.
Most observers said the idea reminded them of the celebrated Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park.
â??The square will provide a neutral space for people to express themselves in a civilised manner,â? Bakhit told […]



Paradise Now just receieved a nomination for the Golden Globes in the best foreign film category, making it the first Palestinian film to receieve such an honor in the film industry. Congratulations! Be Sure to watch the awards on January 16th 2006. You can read my review here.

addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.black-iris.com%2F2005%2F12%2F15%2Fparadise-now-nominated-for-golden-globe%2F’;
[…]



Director of Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson, is at the helm of remaking the classic King Kong. Carl Denham, played by Jack Black is a movie producer on the edge of his career so he takes his last chance by sailing off to the mysterious and unchartered Skull island along with his lead actress […]



If your comment does not appear right away it is because I changed the settings recently to fight off those spammers so your comment is being treated as spam by the system. Will work on a better solution this week inshallah.

addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.black-iris.com%2F2005%2F12%2F14%2Fmoderated-comments%2F’;
addthis_title = ‘Moderated+Comments’;
addthis_pub […]



Israeli Transportation Minister Meir Sheetrit will present his plans today for a rail link between Haifa and Irbid, Jordan, including a branch line to Jenin.
I believe this is part of Israel’s “Valley Train” which seeks to connect the port of Haifa to Beit She’an in the Jordan Valley. This is currently being implemented however apparently […]