Pirates of the Carribean

Watched "Pirates of the Carribean" last night at last, after hearing about how great it is from everyone and anyone, and i have to say that i agree. I've never been much into pirate movies and stuff, but this one is cool and fun. Johnny Depp is great in this one. I've always liked his movies and his style, but this one shows a whole other side of him, and it's great. He's so funny and he dominates every scene he's in. The story is a light and fun one, very disney-like and quite different from other pirate movies i've...

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Matrix Revolutions

So, i saw Matrix Revolutions yesterday as planned, and well here's what i think. Well, overall, i think it's quite an ok movie, and a must see for people who started the trilogy, as this ends it all and kind of answers the questions you've carried on from the first 2 movies. I do think the first 2 movies are better than this one though. After coming out of the experience of watching Matrix 3 times and then Matrix Reloaded 5 times earlier in the year, i was awed, and it got my mind thinking about all these different possibilities...

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Anti US or what ?

I was just checking out some of my blogs from the recent days when i felt that maybe i was passing through the wrong message regarding the US, and so i thought i'd just blog about it and state my official position. I'm not Anti US, never was, never will be. I'm just against the current US policies and leadership, just like millions of Americans and other people around the world. There's a huge difference. I don't hate Americans nor the US as a country, in fact i have very good friends who are Americans, and i'd even like to...

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Computer Randomly Plays Classical Music

God Damn It ! Now, after nearly 6 years, i finally know why the hell my old pc started playing that damn symphony !!! It was exactly the night before i had to hand in and present my System Analysis project to the grumpiest and shittiest professor in the Computer Science department, a full Real Estate Agency system built using Oracle 7. As if i didn't go through enough pain with Oracle killing my pc's memory and making me suffer to get it work right, when i finally sighed marking the end of the project, my once beloved pc started...

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Subzero Blue Tribe

Well, i've started a tribe for this blog, it's at: http://subzeroblue.tribe.net/. A tribe is some sort of friend networking thingie, and it's pretty much the new cool thing on the net, so in my constant quest to keep up with internet trends and fashions, i've created this tribe. So check it out and join in, and let's see how and what this develops into :)...

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Movies i've seen recently

Well, for people who know me or who have been reading my blog for a while, they know it's virtually impossible for me to go through a week without watching a minimum number of movies, but i just realized that there are a number of good movies i've seen recently that i haven't blogged about yet, so here goes... How to lose a guy in 10 days I really liked this movie, it's one of the best romantic comedies i've seen lately. The idea and the movie are very funny and true. Kate Hudson and Mathew McConaughey are perfect for...

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Eid

So the Eid was on tuesday 25th :) As foreseen, my wife and I went for a tour among relatives, then finished it with a dinner at my parent's place. Yesterday, we just visited one relative we weren't able to pass by on tuesday, and then i gave my wife another driving lesson (reminding her of driving a normal gear car), and then we went to Carrefour to develop some films and waste time :P That was basically the Eid for me this year :) PS: Turns out things got messed up in my brain again, the Douz festival doesn't...

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Eid Mubarak

Well Eid El Fitr is just around the corner (tomorrow or the day after), ushering in the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and giving us our normal food-driven lives back. Ahhh, i miss those coffee breaks at work ;) The Eid in Tunisia is a great occasion for extended families to see each other and stay in touch, as they go around visiting each other and wishing one another a happy Eid. This year, just like last year, we'll call my wife's family in Jordan, then we'll be going for a spin among my relatives wishing them a...

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Don't they get it ?

Don't the US get it that they're not wanted in Iraq ? I mean, for god's sakes, even donkeys are committing suicide attacks against them ! How much more obvious can it be ? Just pick your stuff up and leave, you're unwanted AND you've obviously screwed up BIG time......

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BlogAfrica

BlogAfrica is a new blog directory for blogs from Africa or that talk about Africa. "BlogAfrica is a new project designed to increase the numbers of people blogging in and about Africa and to increase the visibility of weblogs about Africa. We'll be featuring great Africa-focused blogs created by authors within and outside of Africa, running workshops in Africa that bring together African bloggers with bloggers around the world, and, eventually, providing webspace for webloggers in Africa." The first BlogAfrica workshops will be taking place in Ghana in January 2004. I think this is a very interesting initiative, and i...

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Digitally Painted Girl

WOW is all i can say about this. I've just come across this digital painting of a girl on deviantArt, and i just can't believe it, it's amazing, and so damn real. The artist who did this should totally enter the Miss Digital World contest, it's so real and the girl is a true babe. WOW... Make sure you check it out......

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Flex

So, what once was code-named Royale at Macromedia has finally become Flex, and it's in it's Beta phase. I've been reading some whitepapers and articles about this, and i'm really excited about it and can't wait to play around with it, i've even applied for the beta program, i hope i get chosen. Basically Flex is a Rich Internet Application Server that does almost everything the same as any other application server would, but generates swf flash files in the end. It has a special markup language called MXML which is very XML-like, reminding me of ASP.NET and ColdFusion, but...

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Hi Magazine

Yesterday, as i was looking around for any interesting magazines to buy, i came across hi, the Arabic-language American-backed magazine targeted at the Arab youth mainly and Arab brains generally in an effort by the American government to brainwash us and promote the US to us. Anyway, the first thing that struck me was how cheap it was, it only costs 1 Tunisian Dinar (70 US cents), which kind of makes it the cheapest magazine i know of, but the paper is high quality thick glossy paper, the kind of paper other people usually use for just the cover. It's...

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Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, launched a stinging attack on President George Bush last night, denouncing him as the "greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen". Now that's one good way of putting it :P You can read the full article here....

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Response Times: The Three Important Limits

Was just reading some articles on useit.com, when i came across one about response times, which is quite interesting. Anyway, it's also funny when you see how only a few people consider response times when they're developping stuff these days. Here are the 3 important response time limits: - 0.1 second is about the limit for having the user feel that the system is reacting instantaneously, meaning that no special feedback is necessary except to display the result. - 1.0 second is about the limit for the user's flow of thought to stay uninterrupted, even though the user will notice...

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Short Films

Yesterday as i was googling around for the names of people i know, i stumbled across the website for the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative, and to my amazement, i found a number of the short films were by people i know really well :) I downloaded the films they made and i truly enjoyed them. Here is a list of the films by the people i know, with a little review and an insight on who the person is :) Books : by Ahmad Humeid This is about Books@Café, a great and cool place to hang out in Amman. It's in...

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Upstairs Neighbours Again

Well, it seems our upstairs neighbours and us are basically never gonna be friends, lol... After the satellite dish installation a while back, and the sleepless nights we passed because of their obsession with high volume, it seems they got bored of the dish and got a helicopter pad installed in their balcony instead. Helicopter pad ?? Well yeah that's how it sounds like, ALL NIGHT LONG !!!! I dunno what the hell it is: a helicopter, a bad ass AC, or some hell of an engine, i just know it's very darn noisy, and it's been screwing up our...

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An Artist

We went to the Kram Ramadan Fair this last saturday and at the doorway of the fair we found a familiar face to anyone who has ever visited the Kram Fair, we found Habib (i think that's his name). Habib is a handicapped artist & painter, who i think gives the best example of how someone can overcome their handicaps and problems and succeed no matter what. He sits there on his wheelchair, struggling to paint with his feet, pouring all of his feelings and emotions into the canvas lying in front of him, producing visual masterpieces portraying cities, towns...

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Stop Bush Campaign in UK !

So 15,000 police are deployed in London as part of an unprecedented security operation surrounding U.S. President George W. Bush's four-day state visit as massive protests are planned. On 20th Nov, demonstrators even plan to topple a statue of George Bush from a pedestal in Trafalgar Square. And we've all heard about how the US asked for special permission to use mini-guns against the protestors, which are guns that are fired from a tank and can kill dozens of people at a time. But, come on, isn't that a bit weird though ? Tanks, Guns, Blocked streets, and a massive...

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Magnolia + Treasure Planet

Saw 2 movies this weekend: "Magnolia" & Disney's "Treasure Planet". I'll just give a quick short review of both. Magnolia: I liked the style in which this movie was shot. And it seemed very interesting to me how the story proceeded and developed, and how it switched between the characters, building links between them as it went along, and i was excited waiting for some sort of climax at the end, which is something i didn't get. I loved the part when all the characters were singing along to the same song, it's my favourite moment in it all. Anyway,...

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eBay Internal Memo

Just found this internal memo that has been circulated at eBay a couple of days ago from F'd Company, it's so funny. I took the liberty of adding some replies/comments that someone working at eBay could think of, in bold. I would like to notify you regarding the new quality measures that will take place. As you are aware, eBay strives to be the best in our business, and to ensure that our members receive the best possible customer service when contacting us. Starting in October, monitoring software will be installed on all company computers. This is not an effort...

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The Ten Most Violated Homepage Design Guidelines

This is a very interesting article i found on Jakob Nielsen's (The God of web usability) website useit.com. It's about the 10 most violated homepage design guidelines, which are the following ordered by compliance rate (number one is the guideline that the fewest sites follow): 1. Emphasize what your site offers that's of value to users and how your services differ from those of key competitors 2. Use a liquid layout that lets users adjust the homepage size 3. Use color to distinguish visited and unvisited links 4. Use graphics to show real content, not just to decorate your homepage...

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I'm INTJ, what about you ?

I just came across this Jung-Myers-Briggs test, and after taking it, i was classified as INTJ (Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging). Here is a description of the INTJ profile: To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of "definiteness", of self-confidence. This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very specific rather than a general nature; its source lies in the specialized knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age. When it comes to their own areas of expertise -- and INTJs can have several -- they will be able...

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Mosaic FM

Or maybe written in French, it's Mosaïque FM. Anyway, this is a new radio station that has very recently opened in Tunisia, and it plays music all throughout the day, which is quite cool and useful, especially when you're driving and you're fed up of every single cd you have around. I listened to it a bit yesterday and this morning on my way to work, and i quite like it, it's playing some nice stuff, both Arabic and Western music alike. It also gives information on the cultural events that are taking place, TV programs, and well i'm sure...

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Happiness & Misery

I've come to believe that Happiness and Misery in life are a product of the human brain and it's conception of reality. It's all in the way you look at the things around you and how you think of them. This is not the half-empty or half-full glass idea i'm talking about, that's more about optimism than happiness, it's about how you interpret your life and your position in it. People tend to get carried away by their needs and by their goals, forgetting about the things they've already reached and realized, not taking the time to enjoy them or...

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To-Do list for when i go to Jordan

Well, i haven't had the chance to visit Jordan ever since i left last year, even though my wife did, i was just too busy with work at the time. Anyway, i've compiled a list of stuff that i need to do when i hopefully visit Jordan next year. The list goes as follows: - Eat at McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC, Popeyes, Milano and every other restaurant we don't have in Tunisia, i just miss that stuff so much. By the time i'm done i'm gonna be twice my weight now :P - Re-discover Amman, find out everything...

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Dead Sea Dry

I've been hearing about how the Dead Sea has been drying up for some time now, but only today did i get a true idea about how fast it's drying up and how bad the situation is becoming. If nothing is done, the Dead Sea could be literally dead and gone in 50 to 100 years time. The problem is the result of the diversion of the waters of the Jordan River mainly by Israel for agriculture and in cities and towns. What sucks the most though is that i lived in Jordan for 6 years and i've never visited...

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Miss Digital World

Digital artists, advertising agencies and video game programmers from around the world have been asked to send a computer design of their perfect woman to missdigitalworld.com, complete with date of birth and body measurements. "Miss Digital World" is the first beauty contest reserved for the likes of video game heroine Lara Croft, computer-cloned actresses from the "Matrix" films and new beauties tweaked to perfection with 3D graphics. I think this is so cool. Lately 3D graphics have been getting better and better enabling artists to produce very human-like characters, and it's about time they choose who looks best in these...

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Playstation Portable, WOW...

I just came across this article about Playstation Portable. It looks awesome, very futuristic and slick. It'll play mp3s, mpeg4s, PS games. It'll have Wi-Fi and maybe even mobile phone technology. And it'll come with a 1.8 GB Universal Media Disc. Is that just beautiful or what ? Nintendo and Nokia should watch their asses. This baby is gonna rock. Another cool gadget on my long wishlist ;) (Via i never knew)...

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The Last Emperor

Now, this is one hell of a great movie. I've seen the DVD sitting there in the video store for some time now, and i don't know what made me choose to rent it this saturday only. I should've rented it a long time ago. The movie is visually awesome; the wideshots, the places, the everything, it just takes you to that time and place and makes you live the story as it happened. The story is touching and powerful and the acting is great. I just read that it won 9 oscars (including the Best Picture Oscar), and i...

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No Blogs for 3 days :(

Haven't blogged in 3 days and it feels like my tongue has been pulled out, haven't had internet access at home for 2 weeks and it feels like i'm crippled. Anyway, the past few days went as follows: - Friday: Basically all i did was be lazy on this day, do a bit of shopping for my new place, and then we had futour at my parent's place. - Saturday: More laziness, then went out to see how much it would cost me to buy a dish (no, i'm not jealous of my upstairs neighbour :P) and a closet. Made...

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Who asked for their opinion ??

"Bush pushes Middle East democracy" That's a news title i just read on CNN. And i can't help but wonder who the hell asked this guy for his opinion ? Who asked the US for their opinion ? Who asked the US to tell the world what to do and what not ? Who asked the US to be the international police man ? Why can't they just mind their own business ?! Democracy isn't something you push, it isn't something you force on people, it's something that they have to choose for themselves and enforce by themselves, it's no...

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Tunis: Like a bride

Went for a little drive downtown last night, and God was Tunis beautiful. Decorated with thousands of Tunisian flags, and lights all around. Full of people and music and magic. The mixture of Ramadan, it's night life and breath-taking atmosphere and the decorations, lights, and other preparations for November 7th made Tunis look and feel like a bride after being prepared for her wedding night. Didn't take any pics, but i'll try to go back this weekend for some pics to post on my photolog. It's this special magic of Tunisia that actually made me want to come home and...

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Can YOU Be a Pornstar?

Well, it seems the great US civilization is going another big step forward and producing a new reality TV show called "Can YOU Be a Pornstar?". Real pornstars will be hosting the TV show, including Mary Carey who was running for governer in California in the ridiculous recall vote. A group of 28 women will compete for a one-year contract with a major adult video distributor and a cash prize of $100,000. In each episode, four women arrive at a house in Los Angeles for photo shoots, interviews and "surprises," according to Silhouette (the company producing the show). Viewers will...

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A Threat To World Peace

An opinion poll held by the European Commission suggests more European Union citizens see Israel as a threat to world peace than any other country including Iran, Iraq and North Korea. 60% of Europeans consider Israel a threat to peace. And the US follows as a second with 53 %. Of course Israel was outraged by these results and says that it shows that anti-Semitism is deeply embedded within European society, but i think that's wrong. I think it's just that people's eyes are opening up and they're seeing Israel for what it really is. Israel do everything they do,...

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The Penguin takes off it's Red Hat

"Red Hat To Drop Linux !" That's the title i just read at LinuxWorld. Truly shocking don't you think. I just found myself lost for a moment, thinking: if a linux company drops linux, what the hell is it gonna do then ? Sell potatoes ?? Well, no, they're gonna sell linux. Ok ok, here's the story, Red Hat are going to stop releasing their standard Red Hat Linux and supporting it, and instead will only focus on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. A logical step (for them), as that's where they're gonna be making more profit, BUT a bad step...

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ICANN, Ok we know you can...

So the last ICANN meeting was held in Tunisia last week, and it was a success. Tunisie Telecom, Sotetel & ATI were able to flex their muscles and show off after deploying a broadband connection of 100MB/s and a Wireless network throughout the hotel hosting the event, enabling real-time transmission of the debates on the internet. All this in a record time and in an area of Tunis where there still is no broadband coverage. Anyway, after reading this article on Tunis Hebdo, it seems that we regular internet users paid the price by suffering a loss in connection speed....

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My neighbour got a dish, hooray !

Well yesterday was a happy day for our new upstairs neighbours, they got a satellite dish installed ;) Their TV was on all night long on high volume, and when i left to work in the morning, it was still on, still on high volume. What a delight ! I can just imagine the guy and his wife still sitting in front of the TV with burning red eyes, switching from channel to channel, with a huge grin on their faces, fighting the urge to go to sleep just to be able to use their new toy for a few...

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Insufficient Memory

I remember once being told that Goldfish have a short memory span, i'm not even sure it's true, but well that's only secondary to what i'm attempting to get to. Anyway, I'm noticing that we humans are becoming more and more like Goldfish, our attention and memory spans are becoming shorter and shorter, and i think it's because of the everyday things surrounding us. When you get used to cruising through satellite channels taking just a short look at each channel at a time, or surfing through a number of websites at a time for bits of information here and...

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Villain Supply

Just came across a website that calls itself Villain Supply, and brands itself as the online source for everything evil, lol... I remember being to this website before, and well my destiny and a couple of web links led me to it again today ;) They claim to sell bases & lairs, superweapons, doomsday devices and a lot more. It's quite funny. I liked the offer for the Ex-AlQaeda Caves the most, lol... Anyway, if you're interested, check it out here....

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Totally Moved + ATM Machines !!!

I've finally, totally moved into our new home, and had time to rest and sleep after 3 very exhausting weeks of packing, moving, and running all around. My phone line hasn't been moved yet, so i'm here at a nearby internet café blogging the stuff i have to blog and checking out the news from around the world, not that i expect the world or it's news to be any better today, all we ever hear about is war, destruction and hypocracy these days. Anyway, i just remembered that i hate ATM machines even more now. Just a few days...

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Chouchou

So, i rented the Chouchou DVD today and got to see it. It's a movie about a North African immigrant to France who is a transvestite, his story, and how he finds romance. This is based on one of the characters Gad El Maleh plays in his one-man-show "La Vie Normale". I honestly had higher expectations for this movie and expected it to be funnier and packed with more laughs. Anyway, all in all, it's an ok movie, but nothing close to Gad's hilarious shows....

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Halloween

Last night as i was in my old place waiting for the owner to come so i can hand him his keys and get over with the move, i opened the door only to find a bunch of kids wearing masks and make-up, yes for halloween, they were trick-or-treating me... I was shocked to say the least. I mean, there never ever was halloween in Tunisia, so where did these kids come up from ? These were kids ranging in age from maybe 4 to just a few years younger than me, and they were going around from house to...

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