Fonzation

I believe in the saying "quality not quantity". This past weekend was one of those times that reminded me of how true this quote is. The past weekend was pretty different. We were supposed to go to a party in a far isolated area in the desert but things didn’t work out. So we ended up simply going with the flow and seeing where we end up. We ended up going to a friend’s chalet who was hosting a small scale party which was pretty boring at first but, half way through the night, we were having our own fun which was great; I even got the chance to DJ and spin some of my musicJ At around 2:00 we got a call from another friend inviting us to another party so we head to it. It was very chilled out, and more like a night cap kind of night, which was nice. We chilled there for a few hours, and I didn’t even feel the time pass; next thing I know I am at home 6:00 a.m.!! I collapsed instantly and spent most of my Friday asleep recovering and making up for many lost sleeping hours.

Steve called me less than an hour ago from Los Angeles. After a long Thursday night, he was on his way Friday morning at 10:00 with a hangover:P We had a gathering at Kabab-Ji to bid him farewell and later went to a small house party, and then continued the night (actually morning:P) at his place till 5:00 a.m. Sounding exhausted from the long trip, he hit the sack after being greeted by relatives for 3 hours and is probably still asleep now, keeping in mind they are 12 hours behind us. Apparently, from the second he got on the plane leaving Kuwait, transit in London for 9 hours, and then on his way to L.A. he was enjoying the drinks all the way having beers and cocktails throughout:) He will be gone for one whole month!! As much as I envy him and it feels weird without him being around, he deserved this vacation and needed it badly. When he returns, he should be able to start fresh and be in a much better mood. Hope you have a great time bro and make the best of every second!!

Today is Jazz's birthday. He just turned 28!!! Jazz has been a pleasure to know ever since me met during the World Cup games. We were cheering the same teams throughout until he decided to turn against me and cheer Italy and win during the finals. Among his many attributes is his descency, loyalty and care for his friends, extreme politeness, great sense of humour, open mindedness, and his incredible coin tossing skills (its a show I would definitely pay to watch) :P Anyway, to celebrate we head last night to his favorite sushi place, Edo. It was meant to be a surprise but I ended up getting there late and missed it cos of the damn traffic!!!! Why the hell do they have night schools!! Its not like they are studying anything during the day, now they wanna study at night too???!!!! Give us a break from the damn schools!! Ok......... way off topic :P Basically, it was a great night, great group of people sharing laughs and good times celebrating the growing of a great guy yet another year. And it was great giving back to him what he has given to all his friends.

Since I have changed the template of my blog, I am inviting you to sign my guest book according to the new layout. So far I got many comments for it but none on the guest book. Those who signed it were commenting on my old blog design. I know the post comments are not showing on this new blog, am still working on that:) You can sign it by clicking here or you can go to it under Ayo's Chat Box. I appreciate any feedback you have to offer. Thank you and looking forward to your comments!

Fady was away during the past few days in England. He was supposed to meet up with two friends there but it didnt work out for either one so he was gonna cancel the trip. That was when I got pissed off and wanted to kill him! How can you cancel a trip to London cos ur going alone?? I would go in a heart-beat! So I contacted my long best friend, Roland, who is living there and who also knows Fady since we all were in the same uni in Lebanon and told him Fady was coming. Roland is like a brother to me and has always been my party partner! So he did what it took to welcome Fady and show him a great time, and from what I have heard............ I WISH I WAS THERE!!! They went to Ministry of Sound !!!!! Damn I'm jealous! He got back this morning and spoke to him and he is sounding very refreshed. Glad you had a good time bro. Welcome back and get your ass back to work now :P

We ended the weekend with a ghabka dinner Maze hosted at his place Friday night. He had spent the entire day preparing for the night and I say he did a great job. He actually cooked most of the food!! I was impressed by how good the food was. There was also some lebanese foods he has brought back with him from his recent trip. A bunch of friends were there, the food was great, the gathering was great. Also, Ayo baked her famous cake recipe and Madame got a bunch of sweets from Cinnzaeo. It was a great evening. Good job Maze with the food, we all know how the ladies love a man who cooks ;)

Last night was a small gathering for a friend, Iad. We all gathered up at Astra Lounge to bid him farewell, as he is leaving to Lebanon for good this morning. The only problem is that he wasnt there!!!! LOL..... poor guy got stuck with a cab driver who doesnt know the roads too well and ended up driving Iad in circles and never got there. We got there at 10:15 and left at 12:00 but.... no Iad:P He was very VERY pissed off and just went back home cos there was no point in coming anymore. I mean what the hell is up with the cab drivers in this country.... isnt it enough that they suck as drivers!! Now, people have to worry about getting to where they want to go?!? Make sure you ask the driver if he knows where you want to go before getting into the car with him, cos once you are in, you're stuck!! Sorry man, wish we could have seen you before you left. Best of luck man and we all envy you for going back to Lebanon!!

One of my favorite blogs that I visit on a daily basis belongs to Rampurple. She has recently updated the template of her blog and has introduced a new and very funky and interesting idea. Other than her changing the template design and color, the most important change was the header. Check out her blog and her latest post on the blog update.

Since so many people contributed in giving me such an incredible birthday, I want to thank everyone through a post dedicated to them.

Kuwait: (the surpise party contributors)
My mom and dad, Steve, Fady, Rima, Dima, Shoug, Basma, Taline, Noushig, Mazen, Amer, Ameen, Suha, Ali, Tarek, Pauline, Hala, Nancy, Iad, Noha, and Karim.

Lebanon:
Nathaly, Karma, Hala, Lara, and Tarek.

England:
Roland

Dubai:
Sereen, Rabih, Reem, Rami, and Dima

Scotland:
Ananyah

Australia:
Huda

Unknown: :P
Issabelle

France:
Nadine, Aurelie

America & Canada
Ziad (my brother), Nawaf, and Marcel

Yemen:
Jessy

Russia:
Valeria

Bloggers:
Marzouq, Pupplove, Cuteberry, Frankom, Dee, Sou, and Howahkan.

Thank you all for everything. It is times like these that a person knows who his real friends are and I am very extremely satisfied with the results.

Special thanks to Steve who was the mastermind behind the whole surprise event and was able to make the prank work on me, and I thought I would never fall for something like this; he proved me wrong! Thanks a million bro. Pleasure to know you!

Since a week, I had been planning a dinner for over 20 people and had reserved the table and all. But when it came to inviting everyone and getting confirmations, I got ZERO; well, only one maybe from Stallion. So I called and cancelled the reservations and thought "To hell with it". We ended up planning on a small dinner for 6 people at Le Notre; we were supposed to be there at 10:30. But before that, I was supposed to go with Steve for a small business meeting at Pomodoro's. We were supposed to be there at 9:30, and as usual my timings are off so ended up being a little late, sorry about that:P It was just so weird that everyone rejected the whole night out, that it made me suspect them planning a surprise for me. So I go over to Steve's house thinking that someone will jump on me or something, and when he opened the door, it was just him looking like he just woke up. At that point, I gave up on the whole idea; wasn't pissed off or anything only disappointed cos wanted to spend this year birthday with all these incredible people I met during the past year, plus its not every year that my birthday friday the 13th:P So we chill for a bit and then head to Pomodoro. As I'm walking in, the waiters are all looking at me with smiles on their faces, and I'm thinking "Wow, how welcoming". I'm walking in looking back, and when I turn my face over 20 people scream out "Surprise!!!!!!!" :D I was in awe; totally shocked. I was speechless and just froze for a few minutes. Was just staring at all those people and couldnt say a single word. Everyone I cared about was there. Even people I didnt expect to be there were there. Somehow they all managed to contact each other to give me a special night and they did. I didnt expect it at all, especially after Steve's house. Was I surprised? Hell yeah!! I had a great night, incredible time, great people. Thank you all for everything!!

Compare this to the pic I posted previously on Who is Steve?
You can also see Maze's Dooky Character here

I saw this on one of the chocolate boxes at the LAU ghabka thursday night, and as soon as I saw it, first thing that popped to mind was Steve. Those who know him know what I'm talking about. LOL.

A friend of mine, Iad, is leaving Kuwait in two weeks and is looking to sell his apartment furniture and phone line. Here are some pics of the flyers he has up. I saw the furniture myself and it is in perfect condition and very funky. If interested, call Iad at 9100031

Sita turned 25 last Friday. She is a quarter century old now!! I met Sita a year ago during a Ghabka Ramadan dinner at Palms Hotel and saw her once at a party ever since. We met again through blogging but neither one of us knew who the other was. Because of her "I Love Beirut" stickers and my "Lebanon" stickers we started talking and turned out we already knew one another. She is a very cool person and a lot of fun to hang out with....... she was with me during my "Costa Has No Bathroom" experience, hehe that was a fun evening. Point is she is great company and someone pleasurable to know.


Akbal il miyeh;) Read her post "Yesterday's Quarter of a Century" to know more on what thoughts and emotions she went through. I read it and enjoyed it a lot cos it reminded me of my thoughts when I hit 25 few years back plus its interesting.

Maze left yesterday to Lebanon for 10 days. He has been talking about this trip for quite a while now and I think he deserved a vacation. He has been working his ass off, which has been rough on him, especially that he is alone here with no family. So now he is back in Lebanon with family and friends and will soon be hitting the streets of Monot and Gemayze partying on! :) And if he calls me once to make me hear the music and tease me, am kicking his ass!! :P Have a great time bro. Wish you a great vacation and come back with a whole refreshed attitude.

The plan was I pick Steve up at 8:00 p.m. and take him to Maze's place by 8:15 where everyone would be waiting to surprise him. Throughout the day, everyone was telling off Steve by telling him they were all busy and show him his birthday isnt that big of a deal:) So, I told Steve I needed to talk to him and Maze urgently about some personal problem I was facing. He made us all wait cos he had some shopping to take care of. Not until 8:45 did I pick him up and we head to Maze's place. The whole time he was with me in the car I was receiving messages from the crowd giving me instructions of what to do; I silenced my phone in case he got suspicious. We parked under the building and I gave the signal that we arrived (a missed call), head up and naturally, I waited for Steve to walk in first. As soon as he opened the door........ SURPRISE!!!!!! balloons were flying everywhere, flashes going crazy, screams in the air...... I was surprised myself:) Steve was speechless for a minute or two but he was ok. Yeap, the surprise worked:) The place was nicely decorated with balloons and "happy birthday" banners, appetizers and pizza were great, and the cake finale tasted really good, and the best part.... Steve loved the gifts. All in all, it was a great night, Steve was surprised, and we all had fun. Part Two is over....... tonight is the party!!!!

Today Steve turned 25 years old. We stayed last night at Diva's till midnight only so that we all witness the second Steve hits 25. When the clock hit midnight, we all gathered up around him and started singing Happy Birthday, none of that music crap, we had to do the real thing:) And then there was the traditional blowing out the candle event then the smash-the-cake-in-birthday-boy's face part, my favorite:P He already had an earlier surprise party from other friends and then it was us. So yesterday was his pre-birthday gatheringS, today is birthday, and tomorrow is his post-birthday party!! :) Happy Birthday Bro!! Wish you all nothing but the very best and hope whatever you wished for when you blew out that one small candle on the small cake comes true:P Cheers!!

Less than 2 hours ago, Nathalie left Kuwait for good. She came to Kuwait less than two months ago escaping the Israeli war on Lebanon. Over the past two months, we got very close and I got used to having her around. Today, she went back to Lebanon to finish her last year of uni at AUST (American University of Science & Technology). She enjoyed being in Kuwait and hanging out with us; she was actually reconsidering going back to Lebanon and getting her degree via mail. I was surprised she was reconsidering going back to Lebanon, but convincing her to go back took me less than 5 seconds :) Anyway, just wanted to say that I'm gonna miss you tons Nat and wish you the best of luck and looking forward to your next visit to Kuwait:)

Last month, I wrote a few posts about Fady and how he broke his shoulder from a car accident. Well, for those who remember him, yesterday was his birthday and he just turned 28! Happy Birthday bro.

"I love Beirut for its opposites. I love Beirut because I see a girl in
a Mini skirt and her sister in a Tchador.

I love Beirut because it is neither West nor East it is both.

I love Beirut because one can party till 6 in the morning and not
realize that it is tuesday morning.

I love Beirut because Beirut is live as if they are going to die
tomorrow and party as if they are going to live forever.

I love Beirut because I can be swimming in the morning and 30 minute
later I'm on the slopes skiing or doing after ski.

I love Beirut because I have never seen the sun this strong anywhere in
the world.

I love Beirut because I can see 6,000 years of history.

I love Beirut because Christians and Muslims are living an understanding
and do not need to have Christian Muslim understanding classes.

I love Beirut because every Beiruti has a political opinion and will
share it with you even if you could care less about his and you want to
share yours with him.

I love Beirut for all the conspiracy theories and how many people
actually believe them.

I love Beirut because any night I can find a friend to go out with.

I love Beirut because I do not need to call my friends to go and see
them at their houses I just stop by.

I love Beirut because as soon as I arrive at one of my friends houses
his mom takes me to the kitchen & becomes the spokesperson of the
refrigerator

I love Beirut because one can smell gardenia and jasmine.

I love Beirut because strawberries taste like strawberries & fruits
taste like fruits.

I love Beirut because the food is so good that one gains so many pounds
even if she tries to lose .

I love Beirut because although the Lebanese women at times look alike as
some did their surgeries at the same plastic surgeon they are the most
elegant women I have ever seen.

I love Beirut because when I go out at night I don't know at which women
to look at as each one is gorgeous in her own way.

I love Beirut because everyone knows me by name.

I love Beirut because I don't have to explain myself.

I love Beirut because of the traffic jams and the people you meet
because of them.

I love Beirut because of the noise pollution from cars honking.

I love Beirut for the spirituality of the people whether Muslim or
Christian.

I love Beirut because I'm the first to call my Muslim friends on Ramadan
and they are the first to call me on Easter.

I love Beirut because on May 1st I see Muslims visiting Harissa (Virgin
Mary ) just like I see Christians.

I love Beirut because we can differentiate between a Jew and an Israeli.

I love Beirut because on the 22nd of every month I see Muslims going to
St.Charbel and believing that a miracle will happen.

I love Beirut because women look like as if they are out of a Vogue
magazine.

I love Beirut because you eat to live and live to eat.

I love Beirut because one leaves one cafe to go to another and one does
this all day.

I love Beirut because all the Lebanese living outside want to come back
and the Lebanese who are in Lebanon envy the ones who are living abroad
not realizing what it means to live away from Beirut.

I love Beirut because a girl or a guy can easily tell you I just had
acouple of Lexo or Xanax as if they just had a chewing gum.

I love Beirut because for every Lebanese we have a singer.

I love Beirut because the Lebanese star singers sing in nightclubs.

I love Beirut because women go into the swimming pool with full make up.

I love Beirut because guys go in with their cigars.

I love Beirut because it has been destroyed 7 times in History and has
risen.

I love Beirut because since 1975 the Beirutis have withstood the PLO ,
Syrians , and the Israelis.

I love Beirut because the Beirutis will not accept anyone to occupy them
and rule over them.

I love Beirut because we feel that it is better to die on our feet than
to live on our knees.

I love Beirut because each street is a two ways street even if it is a
one way officially.

I love Beirut because one can park anywhere and not get a ticket.

I love Beirut because one can go as fast as his speedometer.

I love Beirut because MEA lands there.

I love Beirut because on MEA we can clap in unison when we are about to
land.

I love Beirut not because it is my city, but because it is the city of
Every One

I love Beirut because it welcomes every exile freethinker, independent
mind of the Arab world.

I love Beirut because we have hundreds of newspapers and our press is
finally Free.

I love Beirut because most Arabs dreams of coming to Beirut and wishes
his capital was more like Beirut.

I love Beirut because when I explain Beirut to my Western friends, my
friends see the passion of Beirut in my eyes.

I love Beirut because there is so much misconception about Beirut in the
media and in the minds of people who have never visited.

I love Beirut because when I tell my friends that I'm going to Beirut
they tell me can you take me with you.

I love Beirut because we argue over who is going to pay the bill at a
restaurant as everyone wants to pay it.

I love Beirut because although many complain about "not making enough
money" everyone is living.

I love Beirut because if I do the cross before I start driving the
person next to me does not ask me if I fear that I'm going to get into a
car accident but instead does his cross as well.

I love Beirut because we accept our differences as we disagree with each
other.

I love Beirut because it serves as a beacon of freedom to the rest of
the Arab world.

I love Beirut because to paraphrase what Gibran said about Lebanon " Had
Beirut not been my city I would have chosen it to be."

I love Beirut because there is no city like it.

I love Beirut because even if Beirut is being destroyed you are still
beautiful and will remain beautiful no matter how disfigured you are.

I love Beirut because you are always on my mind.

I love Beirut for no reason. I love Beirut for all the reasons of the
world. "

Note: It was brought to my attention that Sita already posted this before. Although I read it on her blog, I thought this was a different one. My apologies Sita:) No plagiarism intended :P