Category Archives: Uncategorized

When we returned from spending the holidays in the States, we were slightly dismayed to find that our apartment was freezing and we had neglected to get a gas bottle for our portable heater (or a #25 wrench so that … Continue reading →

While Amy and I were visiting my brother and family in Baltimore over Christmas, we spent a Friday to take the DC Metro from Silver Spring into the city for the purpose of getting a couple Syrian visas. In the … Continue reading →

After coming up with excuses on several other occasions, I finally went to the Lifestyles gym with Amy yesterday. The apartment building it is located underneath is an imposing cylinder of polished, black stone, looking like nothing so much as … Continue reading →

Earlier this week, my mom emailed me about Israel bombing Southern Lebanon and she urged me to be safe. I assured her that, for better or for worse, this sort of thing is fairly common and happens in the disputed … Continue reading →

Bomb-Buddy – A mirror on an end of a stick, sometimes with wheels, used for checking underneath automobiles for bombs. They’re pretty common at most parking lots and fancy hotels in Beirut. Hallas – Arabic for “enough”. Proper usage: (when … Continue reading →

So far we’ve been staying in the neighborhood this weekend. On Friday night Amy made some pizzas and we sat on the floor of the living room eating, drinking wine, talking, and listening to The Wedding. Later on, we went … Continue reading →

So I cleared it with my colleagues and clients that I would be leaving town for a few days to renew my visa. I had satisfied myself that we were on track with wedding plans and preparations to come back … Continue reading →

This weekend we picked up our rings, walked around Solidere and Bourj Hammoud taking pictures, hung out at Torino, and marvelled at the completely lackluster response to the Beirut marathon. We started the week off with a bang by going … Continue reading →

We were flipping through the channels tonight after watching a particularly unambitious episode of Nip/Tuck when we saw the news of the bombings of three hotels in Jordan. It is a strange feeling, because this isn’t the first time we’ve … Continue reading →

It seems like last week was quite typical of my recent time here: a week of drudgery book-ended by weekends of total fun. Last weekend, my birthday weekend, was terrific. In addition to winning top prize at the embassy party, … Continue reading →