A Message from within

So the first deployment phase for the new plates had started. This phase's plates are starting ص أ X or س أ x, with the variation of the numbers after that. I have seen cars in Cairo, Mohandessen and even Shoubra (2 cars). All new plates have these variation. I once found 3 cars next to one another with same alpha combination with a different numeric. This I find amuzing! The second thing is I am now tracing how the translation of the letters from Arabic to english will work. A perfectionist, and detail oriented in trivial stuff I am, I am laughing in sarcasm over the faults they did because of the translation. 'Why did they translate?' I tell my brother. 'How will they account for خ for instance.. and becuase of this translation, the probabilites for plates variation will decrease.' As a big picture guy, he responded 'They have zillion of combinations. Does not matter.' But again, I am now keeping an account how will they use all the letters in translation.

And it ends to be from Starbucks. I am not a big fan of it. But it is downtown and close my apartment. 'Horton' is more for blue collars I think, but Starbucks is for the sophisticated. So A. goes to work and I go walk downtown. Weather nice and refreshing. Very encouraging. I go there and SB is empty. Perfect. After somewhile it starts to be packed. Not with high shots consultants or CEO who come to work here, but with tourists and some time wasters. A group of 6 chinese come leave everywhere and sit next to me. Screaming and scroutching Ni Na Haa YEeee. I got literally irritated. Well with the new medicine, I am 'accepting' more so I just smile and concentrate on finializing the document. Then a group of 3 egyptians, 2 girls and a guy come in. Loud and talking about a collegue of them and laughing. I actually wondered where they work. Must be close. But how come not at work now. A woman, heavy on brand that starts from the annoying LV bag, sunglasses, jeans, ISL belt,

To be able to rest your head on someone's shoulder and remain silent. A gift. Trivial as it sounds. Not everyone can feel it.

This is my friend. Driving today back to my apartment I remembered him. Called him on his cell, and heard his voice giggling and calling me by my nick name. The minute I hear his voice I just smile. Amazing ability to simplify issues. He is my copy. Another scorpio. A friend since 92. Only friend I invited to my wedding. So, why I called him? I realized that with him I had the most of memories. I actually missed him. He would come next week to visit here. 'Downtown NY, Fall 2002. Subway to WTC to rollerblade. Last carriage empty but with both me and him. Looked at one another. Immediately started dancing like circus de soliel.' Snapshot never left. I fall on the floor from laughter. 'By the Hudson river, Summer 2002. We sharing the ipod earphones listening to Tori Amous while walking. An empty plastic bag moved out of the bushes. I screamed.' Snapshot. He still tease me with it till now. ' Pen. station. He coming to pick me up and offered to take my bag and laptop.

Now he is totally tamed. Or this is a stage? I don't really know. We met. Yesterday. Almost an annual routine. Last year, we met in May. Went to Laboudaga for drinks. Until past midnight we were there. Talking and talking. I mentioned a little about myself and was a master in tricking him to talk about himself. Was not hard at all. I know what clicks with him. But overall it was sad. Miserable in what he fought. Turned out that it was a complete failure. Well, I knew it would be 6 years ago. I was silence. I am not sure why I did not advise him. Yes I sure. He would not listen. He would listen to me the most during our long drives and travels. But I guess, I just did not want to force. Stubborn and ego but so damn fragile that I wont want to press hard. So I let him. Point taken aganist me, but now for me: I did not attend. It was my silent refusal. However, I later never opened the topic and treated the whole topic differently. After and before all, he was Abe. Someone with whom e

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