blogging « Mariyah's Blog

Collaboration

July 24, 2009 at 4:30 am (Lattakia, Syria, Tartous, blogging, friends)

Abufares

Mariyah

Hello readers,
Many of you are already in the know, but for those of you who missed the latest news, here it is. The story of “Sea Side” will be a collaboration between me and the brilliant and indespensible Tartoussi blogger, Abufares. We will alternate episodes and bring you a story, an adventure, with the backdrop in the beautiful Tartous/Lattakia region of Syria. Its ending will be a surprise, even to the two of us. We look forward to writing (in fact, I’m ecstatic) and even more to be joined by all of you on our journey. Look for Abufares’ first post coming soon.

See you there – by the Sea Side.
Mariyah

8 Comments

The Virtues of Blogging

July 12, 2009 at 6:42 am (Syria, blogging, friends, life)

As of late, my friends have been very busy – rewarding others and being rewarded themselves. I was very lucky to meet these friends through blogging – particularly over the last seven months during my posting of The Story of Ghassan and Alexandra. What they have brought to my life, are bright rays of sunshine and delightful reading at least weekly. I never imagined when I started blogging just over a year ago that it could be so rewarding. It has truly surprised me. It is a community which can quickly become very tight and interdependant in a most supportive way. And yet, outside of the blogosphere, away from the computer screen, each of us continues with our own separate lives. Some of the community have been fortunate enough to be able to bring the two worlds together. I would say they are very fortunate, in fact. There are many with whom I would dearly love to sit and sip tea and chat life.

I have to go back to November of last year. Well, actually before that. I wish I could remember exactly how I came upon his blog – probably through reading his comments on another blog. All I can say is that I’m so glad I found it. I have never read so much wisdom, depth, and insight coming from the mind of one so young. Yazan, on his blog On Olives and Sake, sees the world in such an intelligent and unique way. His ideas are often complex yet his writing flows so smoothly it settles in you like a soothing cup of tea. In trying to describe it here, I could never do it justice. I invite you, dear reader, to have a look for yourself. Yazan is also a writer for Global Voices and honoured me with a piece about The Story of Ghassan and Alexandra after I had written only a few chapters. For that I am eternally grateful, Yazan. Thank you.

Shortly after Yazan’s piece appeared on Global Voices, I was lucky enough to receive a few new readers, who eventually became people I could call friends. One of them was the enthusiastic Jillian. She commented after each chapter and was there to encourage me when I had fallen behind on my writing. Thank you, Jillian. Jillian has a wonderful blog on which she covers everything from politics, to culture, to personal perspectives on life. I visit often to Jillian C.York , her blog, but don’t comment as much as I should. Again, dear reader, you should take a meander through Jillian’s thoughts. I think you will find them most enjoyable.

The sweet and talented Gabriela made her first appearance after Part 6 of The Story of Ghassan and Alexandra, and became a close and fast friend. After discovering my site, she made an effort to go back and read as many posts as she could and to comment on them. This made such an impression on me, I naturally went to visit her site – Seis de enero (The 6th of January) and made the best of the Google translator (she writes in Spanish). Gabriela often writes about friends, and fellow bloggers – recommending their sites and enriching the blogging experience. Gabriela was recently interviewed by Global Voices for the role she plays in translating to Spanish for Global Voices and about her own blogging experience. The article is a great introduction to the woman who’s blog is a must read.

Dania, Yaser, and Fantasia also made themselves known over the course of the story and who’s blogs I’ve enjoyed visiting. Dania’s blog, My Chaos, covers everything from Syrian politics, to her astute thoughts on current events and life in general. Yaser has found a niche for himself by bringing us current events on the social and music scene in Damascus as well as advances in technology. Tajreed is a must visit to be up to date on the latest and greatest. Fantasia, who’s mind I greatly admire – she is forever thoughtful and analytical – introduced me to the most enticing and lovely erotica on her blog, Pillow Talk. Transcending vulgarity and domination, Fantasia’s writing brings a unique beauty to love making and sexual pleasure.

Last but definitely not least, I must extol the virtues of a friendship with the man who calls himself my #1 fan. Abu Fares, what would I do without you? Abu Fares has been with me since my first post on the blogosphere and has brought me so much support and delight. A more thoughtful, kind, and poetic man I have never met. Abu Fares’s blog, Abufares said…the world according to a Tartoussi…brings, unequivocally, the most rich, wise and intricate writing I have seen on the blogosphere. He has such a following that I’m not sure that I’m introducing him here but rather embracing an already well established voice on the Syrian blogosphere and beyond. Saying thank you doesn’t seem enough, Abu Fares, you’ve truly found a place in my heart.

I would never want to discount the anonymous or casual readers, or those without a blog (Katia). I appreciate your visits ever so much. I hope that, over time, we may come to know one another better. I also look forward to meeting more thoughtful writers and my hope is that I might draw them here not so much that they will read me but so that I can find out about them. What a small world we live in that we have been able to congregate and communicate and to build such a strong connection. But we do it with such diversity and individuality that in continues to be a fascinating and exciting place. My best to you all.

Mariyah

23 Comments

Love Tag

February 13, 2009 at 6:23 am (Valentine's Day, blogging, friends, love)

Yaser, from Tajreed, tagged me to describe in three words what I would like to receive for Valentine’s Day. So here is my attempt!

intelligent
kind-hearted
romantic

I tag Jillian, Gabriela, Yazan, Abu Fares

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Mariyah

11 Comments

Opinions Needed

January 18, 2009 at 9:24 pm (Palestine, Syria, blogging, peace, war)

A ceasefire has been put into effect on both sides of the conflict in Gaza. Not that this is the ideal situation, but at least its a reprieve. I am hesitant in my optimism. But I have to admit, dear readers, I miss writing the Story of Ghassan and Alexandra for you. Please help me decide whether now is a good time to start posting it again…

Thank you.

Mariyah

8 Comments

Silence

December 28, 2008 at 5:17 pm (Palestine, blogging, peace)

Dear Readers,

I won’t be updating my story until the death and destruction stops in Gaza. I would feel callous writing a romance when such horrible events are happening near by.

I hope you will stay with me until I return. Inshallah peace will happen soon.

Sincerely,

Mariyah

5 Comments

Another Day in Paradise – Thoughts on Poverty

October 15, 2008 at 4:11 am (Blog Action Day, Poverty, blogging, music)

Poverty is universal. You can see it in any country of the world. In some places its far more prevalent than others, but the effects are the same on all those who suffer because of it. There is enough money in this world to eradicate poverty and yet, it is spent in other ways…a large portion of it on things that cause further destruction. Do I need a for instance? About.com features an article outlining the US military spending on the Iraq war alone. They put the total at around $800 billion. Think of what that money could do to better people’s lives.

I don’t have a global solution to end poverty. Governments are not easily swayed to aid in this crisis. My only idea revolves around the individual. Like anything, change can only happen when enough people take it upon themselves to do something. Perhaps you give to a charity, donate food, help at a shelter. Maybe you’re the kind of person who goes right to the front line. To be honest, I can’t say that I’ve done a lot to help. I’ve donated money and that’s about it. When I pause to think about poverty, I always vow to do more. But it never really pans out, because I’m not really sure what to do and what will be effective.

Many bloggers are involving themselves in this blog action day. I plan to do a lot of reading today and perhaps get some ideas as to where I can start to help in my area (see http://blogactionday.org for more posts). I’ll leave you with a most poignant song on the issue by Phil Collins. I happened to be listening to it the other day and it always makes me pause and think. My hope is that it will have the same effect on you. Perhaps we’ll all stop to listen to the small pleas for help on our own streets. What do you think you’ll do?

Another Day in Paradise

She calls out to the man on the street
sir, can you help me?
Its cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?

He walks on, doesn’t look back
He pretends he cant hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, its another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, its just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she’s been crying
She’s got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can’t walk but she’s trying

Oh think twice…

Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she’s been there
Probably been moved on from every place
‘Cause she didn’t fit in there

Oh think twice…

5 Comments

Night-time Odyssey

September 15, 2008 at 11:26 pm (Oud, blogging, music)

Insomnia has struck again. Through my bedroom window, the full moon casts a silvery glow across my bed sheets and onto the floor. As I follow the light’s ethereal path with my eyes, I look to the far wall where my desk stands. Suddenly, like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to the brilliant blue cast light of my computer screen. It beckons me away from my bed. Its 4:00 am and I’m feeling rather melancholy. There are emotional reasons for this but lack of sleep may be making it more pronounced. The hum of the computer fan wards off the silence that deep night brings but I still feel small and alone in my chair. Deep in the pit of my stomach there is an uneasy quiver as though my body memory is expecting something unpleasant that my mind no longer remembers.

I check for emails. The empty inbox glares at me from the screen. I click half-heartedly at the half dozen blogs that I normally follow – two new posts. Suddenly I no longer feel so solitary. The voices of my fellow bloggers swirl and dance through my mind. I feel comfort in knowing these strangers through their words, as if they are speaking to me. In reality, I may not know them at all or conversely, perhaps I know a part of them better than those who have not had the privilege to read their thoughts.

Upon reaching the end of the final posting in my list, I stare longingly at the computer screen. My mind is blank – what now? Go back to bed? Sleep was still distant; an unwilling participant as it had been for many years. Suddenly the word “News” jumps out at me and I scroll through the hundreds of listings – news from all over the world. I am always intrigued by the arts; drama, dance, and music. Music! I suddenly realized the antidote to my emptiness. But then I’m faced with another dilemma – out of the millions of composers, singers, musicians, and musical forms in the world what could I possibly choose to sooth my soul? My soul. It came to me, I don’t know from where, but the answer was suddenly there; The Oud.

One can describe the Oud in one of two ways. Its history, regional variances in its name and usage, and its features and characteristics can be listed in a dethatched manner. Or one can attempt to explain the emotional and physical response to the sounds of the Oud. My preference is the latter. Perhaps as you read this, the sounds are already having an effect on you (look for the player below). When placed in the hand of a great player like Farid al Atrache, the Oud becomes a conduit of the musician’s soul and the souls of thousands of musicians before him going back more than 5000 years. Its sounds are not fixed. You cannot place a specific feeling on any particular piece. If you are joyful as you listen to it, it too flows joyfully – the notes skip and play in front of you. If you are miserable, the notes drip like tears in a pool of sadness. It can sound celebratory or tragic. It can lift dreams from one’s mind to dance before us or can pluck at the turmoil of one’s heart – each shard of pain attached to a note as they spin and explode upward.

The Oud reaches back to the ancient civilizations and brings forward a reminder of who were are. In one single note it unites ancient and modern. Can you feel the cool, night winds of the desert as they caress your face? Can you smell the cinders of your campfire as you lie under a million stars in an ancient land? We, like our ancestors, cannot help but be enchanted by its exquisite sounds – thus the Oud remains as it always was and always will be.

My eyelids are finally heavy and my mind filled with images of long ago. Sleep is finally ready to embrace me.

2 Comments