November Issue by bazaar magazine

BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES

ALL WEEKEND

EVERY WEEKEND

Dubai - Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall Bahrain - Bahrain City Centre Kuwait - 360 Mall, The Avenues Qatar - Villaggio Mall desigual.com

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The Avenues - 24954657 . Marina Mall - 22244638/9

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Al Fanar Mall 25720189 / Al Kout Mall 23930206 The Avenues Mall 22597020 / Marina Mall 22244550

EXPR

RESS

Intr

The bazaar team... Boss Ahmed El-Adly

Yusra Ahmad

So, who’s going away for Eid and if so, where are you going? We have noticed that the trend seems to be moving away from the classic Sharm, Beirut, Dubai, and Bahrain to more exotic spots. Some people we know are heading to Vietnam, and others are going to Nepal, Thailand or even Goa. I’m not sure if it’s because people are bored with the usual places, or if it’s because ticket prices are nearly the same, so they might as well go somewhere new and exciting. Another more ominous reason is, of course, the perceived lack of security in most parts of the Middle East right now, due to the Arab Spring which is quickly turning into an Arab Winter. We personally don’t think it’s any more dangerous than it ever was, but people blame incidents on the unrest instead of just bad luck and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Besides, look at the bright side: if anything does happen and you have to be smuggled out of the country, you’ll have amazing stories to tell your friends! Enough of that, now back to this issue of bazaar. Have you heard of the “Journey of Hope”? Set to sail at 12pm on 12.12.12, the people behind the Journey of Hope, a sailing expedition, will begin from Kuwait, headed towards Washington D.C. with the sole purpose of raising awareness of its cause and spreading its message. Read on to find out all about them. If you do find yourself in Cairo this Eid, make sure to keep up with Soopar Lox, the funkiest, new sound out of Egypt, where the tracks are mixed live, making for some sweet mixes. Meet our new lunch obsession, The Sandwich Shop, where every mini is chockfull of unique blends of tantalizing flavor. From our regulars – “Up Close and Personal” with the 10.oh.8 guys, to Jaye’s insight into the world of “Geeks and Gamers” – to brand-spanking new people, places and stories – we still got it! With open arms we welcome ‘winter’ and bid farewell to the beach. If only wearing slankets in public wasn’t so frowned upon.

Happy Eid!

Business Development M ai Jado

Communications Consultant Hala Y. Sharara

Design Sumaiya AL-Shar han

Staff Writer/Social Media Yasmine El Char if

Editor A. Al-Duaij

Contributing Writers Ayman K Bibi Al-Falah Deepa Pant Dr. Juliet & Dr. Nisrine Jaye Sonia Jiahui Tan Loaay Ahmed Mona Al-Enezi Nada Faris Shabana H. Shaikh Strawberry Girl Sumayyah Meehan

Photographers Jiahui Tan Sumaiya AL-Sharhan

Printing

British Industries for Printing and Packaging

LA Times Daily Star USA Today MTC International MIT Review Travel Times Hollywood Watch Tribune Media Services

bazaar can be found at the following locations:

Operations

Time flies when you’re having fun! Who would’ve believed it’s already November and Eid is literally around the corner. Some of us are still holding onto the tans we worked so hard on over the summer, but they are fading away fast, and it’s too cold to hit the beach for a top up. Well, for us Arabs, anyway. I went to our beach club the other day for lunch and saw quite an amusing sight. All the Arabs were in jeans, Uggs and occasional sweaters, or heavy t-shirts, eating or smoking shisha, while at the same time the pool was quite full of westerners and their kids splashing around oblivious to the cooler weather. Just another difference between us and them, I suppose. Another difference which isn’t as amusing is the sight of little kids sitting in the front passenger seat of cars or even worse, sitting on the driver’s lap steering away, or with their head stuck out of the sun roof. Can you guess who does that? Yup, you guessed correctly, and on that note, I shall say no more!

Syndicates and Sources

Starbucks Coffee (65 branches) Cozmo - 4 branches Topshop Galleria Complex The Video Club Souk Sharq Energie Costa Café H&M Bredz Jacques Dessange Miss Sixty Airport Mall Häagen Dasz Virgin Megastore The One Café ACK (Australian College of Kuwait) AUK (American University of Kuwait) AUM (American University of Middle East) Boxhill College Marble Slab D’Lush Early Bird Café Harley Davidson Al-Kout Mall Centrepoint Café Johnny Rockets Pizza Express Al Corniche Club Kuwait Airways Oasis Club Shay W Nanaa Le PQ Cafe Boushahri Clinic Al Salam Hospital 4 x 4 Customs Ligne Roset Hard Rock Café Pilates & More Mowasat Hospital Camille Albane Dar Al Funoon I.O. Centers Cutting Edge Salon Dasman Diabetic Centre The Burger Hub Dunkin Donuts Waterlemon Café Supreme International Clinic Casper & Gambini’s Segafredo Cafe O Pao Cafe

The views expressed in bazaar magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff (but sometimes they are).

Ahmed El-Adly

No one likes to be dumped;

recycle me, please.

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tel. 24610017 - fax 24610018 info@bazaar-magazine.com www.bazaar-magazine.com

members of: www.bpaww.com

INDEX NOV. ' 11

SOOPAR LOX

SOUL FOODERS

REINA STYLES

ORGANICA PASTA & PIZZA

GULF BANK DIWANIYA

An all-original name for an all-original band, Soopar Lox, a local egyptian band, is redefining the musical genre of live house music with eclectic beats and stellar vocals that are sure to please.

Get up close and personal with the big-hearted design and gourmet duo behind those cunningly delectable dishes and charity causes at 10.oh.8, Lama AlFadala and Mohammad Sultan.

Meet our fashionality, the queen of the luxe swimwear brand, Rana Al-Naqeeb. A vision that perpetuates incandescent summer suns, Reina Styles is the fabulous solution for a style savvy traveler.

Organica, of Organica Fish & Chips, presents the Italian organic rendition with Organica Pasta & Pizza. From Calabrese pizza, a killer Gnocchi, to scrumptious desserts, this venue will garner a great following.

In a rare opportunity for a candid conversation with a team of seniors in the HR team at Gulf Bank, bazaar was given the in-depth, behind-thescenes secrets to Gulf Bank’s employee satisfaction.

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JOURNEY OF HOPE

GEEKS AND GAMERS

Set to sail at 12p.m. on 12.12.12. The Journey of Hope is an empowering expedition carrying a global message: sailing from Kuwait to Washington D.C. to raise awareness for the intellectually disabled.

Now that Jaye’s over his convention high, he’s going to get a little old school and tell you about his personal favorite – The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Get your game on, folks!

Umbrellas for Peace, p. 4 8

THE SANDWICH SHOP

MODA OPERANDI

With a bountiful menu of tantalizing sandwiches and equally delicious salads, The Sandwich Shop will satisfy your every craving with a speedy delivery service to your office, diwaniya or your regular everyday gathering.

Runway pieces are now available straight to your closet through the latest members-only website, modaoperandi.com. Co-founder Aslaug Magnusdottir shares her experience in making the most wanted fashion items available to worldwide customers.

CHEF ALAIN COUMONT

THE SANDWICHIST

JOE’S JEANS

The bread artisan and renowned chef, Alain Coumont, speaks out about his inspiration behind the beloved rustic bakery, and the art of making the daily bread, that evolved into the worldwide phenomenon, Le Pain Quotidien.

He’s the Sandwichist, the epicure responsible for those highly addictive sandwiches. Smart, funny, and one of the pickiest eaters you will ever meet, we bring you Mohammed Sadeqi for Truth or Dare.

The hottest jeans west of the Atlantic have finally arrived in Kuwait’s luxurious 360 Mall at Joe's Jeans. Be prepared to fall in love with Joe’s take on design, fit, and innovative denim cuts available in every color you desire.

The Avenue Mall, Al Fanar, Al Kout, Al Mohalab Centre, Marina Mall, Souq Salmia

what’s on?

HIP HOP AT BAIA (the British Academy of International Arts)

Exhibition Space 1 Date: October 19th - December 4th Title of Exhibition: Mashreq vs. Maghreb Abstract Art by Modern Masters From October 19 through December 4 2011, the Contemporary Art Platform, Kuwait, unveils Mashreq vs. Maghreb: Abstract Art by Modern Masters, a quintessential collection of 80+ pieces of modern abstract artwork. The luscious works are gathered from Algeria to Iraq—from where the sun rises on the Arab world to where it sets—and collects these colors in Industrial Shuwaikh, Kuwait. The Mashreq vs. Maghreb exhibit, curated by acclaimed curator and gallerist Claude Lemand, will be comprised of large-scale paintings, sculptures and engravings. The exquisite set of works will be available for sale. CAP will also sponsor a series of workshops, inviting budding artists to experiment with the colors and textures of daily life.

contemporary artwork. The Contemporary Art Platform is located in Industrial Shuwaikh Block 2, St. 28, Life Center, top floor (Across from the Shuwaikh Immigration Dept). For more information email info@capkuwait.com or call 2492 5637. GALLERY TILAL

Exhibition Space 2

BAIA offers weekly Hip Hop classes for students aged five and up. These “just for fun” classes are a great work-out. Mr Augy and Ms Tracy will teach you new moves and help you polish your old ones. Express yourself and have fun dancing to the music you love. No previous dance experience is required. Various days and times are available depending on the age of the student. Classes are held at the British Institute of Vocational Training (BIVT) in Salmiya. For more information visit our www.thebaia.com or contact us at: info@thebaia.com. Telephone: 2562 3604 ext.154, 2562 0706 ext.154. Mobile: 6005 2087.

Date: 13th -24th November 2011 Title of Exhibition: Shay – Maiyat (Shayma’a Ashkanani)

Date: November 20th - December 10th Title of Exhibition: How I Learned to Stop Fearing and Love Exotic Art Text in contemporary Arab and Iranian art by JAMM Highlighting the use of writing in the field of contemporary Arab and Iranian art, JAMM”s exhibition will feature artworks that incorporate text in its various forms- calligraphy, graffiti, quotations, poems and sometimes just a single letter. Featuring works by both emerging and established Middle Eastern artists, the participating artists include Parviz Tanavoli, Hassan Hajjaj, Farideh Lashai, Katya Traboulsi, Fareed Abdal, Amira Behbehani, Shezad Dawood, Nargess Hashemi, Susan Hefuna and Farhad Moshiri.

CAP

CAP Kuwait is a nonprofit venture, supported by an extensive private collection of modern and

Shayma’a Ashkanani The idea and subject of her artwork is figurative abstract and particularly of women’s anatomy. This collection is an evolved version of transforming figures into cubes using transparent water colors and reflection the soul of a dreamy woman. Her artwork captivates the heart and speaks of deep hidden emotions all set into letting loose to your wildest imaginations. It is a reflection sensual and past experiences embedded in the sublime. Those paintings are the art burst of sincere sensational feelings of the inner soul exposed and put under the viewer’s disposal. Gallery Tilal is located in Shuwaikh, Jahra Road, Tilal Complex, M3-M4. For more information please call: 222 56101 or email gallerygallery@hotmail.com. You can also check out their facebook page.

truth or dare

THE SANDWICHIST Mohammed Sadeqi By bazaar staff

Mohammed Sadeqi is the man behind the sandwich, or sandwiches, that have recently been filling our starved tummies on a regular basis. Like us, he is a regular customer at his own restaurant, the latest lunchtime eatery, the Sandwich Shop. “It’s simple, I ALWAYS eat.” He laughingly shares, “ Even if people call me a picky eater, I love food! I wouldn’t launch the turkey sandwich if we didn’t serve it in the croissant as I initially had in mind. Now, it’s a best-selling sandwich.” We here-by coined the term, “The Sanwichist” to Mohammed, as he is one indeed! An ex- retail purchasing manager at Wataniya Telecom, Mohammed always had a vision of running his own restaurant, wishing to work closely in creating memorable dishes and instilling a personal touch into the food he serves. He made the move away from the corporate world and ventured into one he much rather preferred, the food world. He adds, “I spoke to some friends about the concept, locked the idea to include four partners, and we started from there.” After thinking about his food experiences during his corporate lifetime, Mohammed realized that there is a gap in finding a convenient source for lunch food. A picky eater by nature, Mohammed realized a strategic 26

gap in the world of heart-warming, filling lunches that are consistent in delivering that desired taste of midday satisfaction. Seeing that even his most favorite places to order from are either too expensive or inconsistent in quality, Mohammed saw the opportunity in sandwiches, fantastic sandwiches, that is! When finally deciding on implementing a sandwich based concept, Mohammed and his partners enlisted the help of professional food consultants to engineer the menu at the sandwich shop. Seeing this step as ‘absolutely necessary’ for Mohammed to earn the required education to engineer the menu, he was later certified in the process after receiving the needed training from the professionals. Not only so, he went further by adding four new additional sandwiches to the originals, as he continuously works to refine, tweak and improve the sandwich choices on offer. After undertaking his extensive research in finding out what makes a sandwich stand out from the rest of the pack, Mohammed spent his time checking out his competition wisely to come up with sandwich ideas that are not available elsewhere in the market, while being regulars that he knew his customers would demand immediately. Turning regular choices like smoked turkey and roast beef into best sellers is

no easy task, yet Mohammed made it happen. After twenty sandwich finalists, and much tweaking, tasting, and changing of ingredients, ten sandwiches now make up the main menu at the Sandwich Shop. How would your mother describe you in one word? Ambitious. How would you describe your mother in one word? Caring. What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked? Is your mom Korean? What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Bought a car and sold it in a week. What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? Achilles heel. Where would you like to live? / What is your dream retirement location? Montreal. What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in? Cat. What do you miss about your childhood? Worry free. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I wouldn’t like to change my name. Mohammed is the name of the prophet and it’s a privilege to be named after him. How would you describe your handshake in one word? Firm. What is the toughest part of your character? Persistence. Who is your favorite historical figure? Sheikh Abdulla Al Salem. What in the world do you least desire? Fame. What do you think is lacking in the world, which would make the world a better place? Honesty and Transparency. Why do you think most girls/guys like you? Sincerity. Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…” Good friends and family.

For more information about Mohammed, follow him on twitter at @mosadeqi and the Sandwich Shop at @tsskw.

G-Star Raw Store Kuwait - The Avenues Mall Ground Floor, t. 225 978 99 operated by al mutawa & al khatib for ready made garments

bazaar goes dining

ORGANICA PASTA & PIZZA By Jiahui Tan

Organica, of the Organica Fish & Chips’ fame, has been wowing guests with its delectable fish and chips. Now the popular food chain is on to an even bigger challenge: establishing a ristorante that will recreate Italian cuisine using organic ingredients. Painstakingly conceptualized by restauranteur, Catherine Becka, Organica Pasta and Pizza is set to live and breathe Italy. Within its cozy interior is a vivacious interplay of colors. A little bit of quirk, a little bit of fun, Organica’s decor carries through the vibrancy of Italian thoroughfare. Decked in colorful chandeliers, and surrounded by beautifully hand-painted stained glass windows, Organica is a sight to behold under the incandescence which comes aglow when the sun sets. With walls depicting Sophia Loren, Venetian masks hanging proudly by the door, and the sonorous tenor of Pavarotti crooning in the background, it is easy to imagine yourself in Italy. But it is not only the interior that Becka has left her mark on. Born into a family of chefs in Australia, 28

Becka has spent most of her life in the culinary world. Together with Mark Dickey (proud protege of the world-acclaimed Chef Armando Percuocco’s son), they have spent countless hours, creating Organica’s menu of exquisite dishes. According to Becka, one of the difficulties they constantly faced is the lack of key ingredients. However, Organica is able to rise up to the challenge by either importing, substituting or making their own ingredients. Each week, cheeses and other Italian dressings are imported fresh from Italy. Sauces, pastas, breads and desserts on the other hand, are made daily from scratch. We took a seat at Florence, one of the numerous tables boasting Italian monikers. Immediately a waitress in traditional Italian garb sidled up. After taking our orders, she quickly returned with an assorted basket of freshly baked breads. While awaiting our orders, we sat sipping on our refreshing Tuscany apple tea martini, while dipping our warm

breads into the luscious Italian olive oil and balsamico. Apt service meant we didn’t have long to wait. We started with the appetizer of Summer Salad; sliced beetroot, organic fresh peas and lettuce drizzled with tangy orange vinaigrette. Taken together, the dish was light, invigorating and makes you feel healthy just eating it. For mains, we had to try their pizza, since that dish was half of its namesake. Because we had trouble making up our mind, we decided to go for their Duo Bambino, a half-half order of the Calabrese and Mexican. What I really liked about their pizza is its thin and oil-free crust, which allowed for a nonmessy affair of eating by hand. The Calabrese with its anchovies, capsicums, tomatoes and fennel sausages was topped with mozzarella and olives. The selection of ingredients was a smart balance of the various flavor profiles. The Mexican on the other hand, was an excellent rendition of the goodness of South America, with its ground beef, onions, olives and

jalapeno, topped with smooth creamy mozzarella and sour cream. More impressive was their gnocchi. I never enjoy gnocchi much, especially cream-based ones. But the gnocchi at Organica, was perfectly al dente, and dressed with the most beautiful of sauces. One portion was topped with gorgonzola cream; a velvety and light sauce filled with the essence of gorgonzola. The other, a thick stew of mushroom ragu simmered for hours to extract its hearty flavors. Another hit at our table was the fish fillet with artichokes, drizzled with just enough of the piquant lemon butter. The fillet, from the Australian John Dory was especially tender, breaking off with just the

slightest touch of the fork, while the accompanying artichokes infused the dish with an earthy tang. Although the mains were a hit, what nailed it for us were the desserts. Made à la minute, Organica’s desserts are anything but ordinary. First up was the Cannellini, a tube of paper-thin wafer, filled completely with white chocolate mousse, sitting atop a consommé of strawberries. Though the mousse is a little sweet, the subtle strawberry consommé was able to tempers it’s sweetness, resulting in a dish that is lip-smackingly good. But my favorite from Organica’s impressive dessert menu was the Trio Di Cioccolato. Featuring chocolate mousse topped with pink salt, a “Hot-chocolate” ice

cream Cappuccino and chocolate fettuccine jelly, it was a dessert that was not only beautiful to behold, but also delectable to taste. To me, Organica has succeeded in providing an authentic Italian experiences with organic food. If Becka and Dickey are to continue their good work, the young heaven for the health-conscious will soon pack in the diners. Organica Pasta & Pizza is located in Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak street, Behind Olympia Mall. Opening hours are 5:00pm – midnight (closed on Sundays). For more information please call 9729 4438 or log onto www.cafeorganica.com.kw 29

STARNES&SHAH Red Brick Tide By bazaar staff

Starnes&Shah is a vocal duo comprised of Zilpha Starnes (keyboards and vocals) and Dania Abu-Shaheen (guitar and vocals). The group was formed in Astoria NY in 2005. Shah (Dania) writes the music and Starnes (Zilpha) sings the harmony. The songs reflect Dania's interest in rock'n'roll, poetry, and storytelling and Zilpha's harmonies add elements of exchange and sometimes tension to make Starnes&Shah what it is: An unlikely pairing of a formally trained choir girl from Dallas, Texas and a self-taught Lebanese rabble rouser. Nick LaBate, bassist, began playing with Starnes&Shah in January of 2010. Coming from a musical family which includes operatic vocalists, classical instrumentalists, and composers, it seemed as though music was in Nick LaBate's blood. Nick got his start in music on the saxophone. Classic sounds captured his ear from an early age, and have carried through to the present. College brought opportunities to explore new musical directions, and soon the bass became his calling. Nick soon got involved with fellow student musicians as well as experienced pros, and was gigging steadily within a couple of years of picking up 30

the bass. And with that experience a style started to emerge that drew from the blues, the Beatles, classic soul of the 60's and rock from the 70's. The newest member of the band, Heinrich Kruse, is a drummer/ percussionist from Cape Town, South Africa. He was appointed Principal Percussionist of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra from 1999 - 2001. He worked in the Carribean and Mediterranean on cruise ships, and gigs in Turkey and Tunisia with the Andrew Young Band. He became first call drummer/percussionist for various Musical Theatre productions in South Africa including: Annie, Evita, Cats, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, and many more. In 2006, he moved to London where he played on Chicago The Musical in London's West-End and on the UK Touring Production of the same show. He was the drummer for the London based, Folk/Americana band Laetoli Steps and Scottish Indie/Rock band Oswald. Heinrich currently resides in New York City and joined Starnes&Shah in February 2011. Described as psychedelic folk, the music ranges from paired down acoustic ditties to rock anthems,

complete with choral arrangements and layered guitar effects. As a live act, Starnes&Shah believe that it only gets better with time and experience. They have played shows in cities including Burlington, Portland, Boston, Philadelphia, and their current home city, New York. Starnes&Shah released an acoustic EP titled Here Again on the Island (2006) and two full length albums Summer in the Woodshed (2007) and Pink White Blue Green (2009) featuring full band arrangements. Starnes&Shah continue to play regular shows in New England and New York. Starnes&Shah have been hard at work these past couple of months. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve teamed up with producer Matt Noble and engineer Roy Matthews to work on their third studio album, Red Brick Tide which is scheduled for release in November of 2011. At a show in the Living Room in New York this past September, Starnes&Shah gave a group of New York fans a sneak peak of their new songs. Stay tuned to www.starnesandshah.com for updates on Red Brick Tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s release and tour dates. Or join their Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/starnesandshah.

ONE PINK COFFEE, PLEASE Pink Coffee Marketing and PR By bazaar staff

Pink Coffee, now that is quite the fantasy. Yet Pink Coffee exists as a land where the walls are doodled upon, baby lion cubs are allowed to visit the staff for a fun break from the work routine and dreams, like Pink Coffee, are unexpectedly realized. Perhaps not literally serving up Pink Coffee, but this boutique marketing and PR agency doesn’t simply create brands, yet concepts are brought to life in offering new and innovative approaches in conceptual branding, graphic design, events, initiatives, and online production services. Envisioned by managing director Shamlan Al Bahar and Dana Al Otaibi, the collective creative minds at the agency have been responsible for making dreams come true for many small businesses and various initiatives we’ve followed intently over several years, including The Protégés, Mutubtub, Small to Big, and Small to Big London. “Pink Coffee started with zero capital, we literally started from zilch! Dana actually used to be one of my students, and, somehow, we brainstormed the company in one sitting. After Dana came on board with her stellar organizational skills, we were well on our way.” Starting slightly over one year ago, 32

Pink Coffee was growing organically and began hiring more people to join the agency, however both Dana and Shamlan remained true to the their intuitive belief that they wish to make others happy through their work. Shamlan comments, “In the first year, we worked on three major CSR initiatives, including the Protégés, the summer program designed to suit the dynamic youth, which was a remarkable success, Mutubtub, and Small to Big where we partnered with Viva. Enabling twenty Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to take business courses especially tailored for the Kuwait market in London was a wonderful opportunity. Executing all of these initiatives independently was a huge undertaking, yet highly rewarding.” When two people like Shamlan and Dana sincerely believe, one finds it difficult not to get on board. Their determination sparked a great following, from independent bloggers to large private institutions offering a helping hand in facilitating all three initiatives. He adds, “The amazing thing is that all of these admirable acts were done based on the goodness of people’s hearts.” Their latest creative traveling concept,

Escapade, promises to deliver more excitement and greater adventure via custom planned road trips for young groups, corporations, and even schools. “I personally drove for 5600 Kilometers across the US, and we had so many great young participants grouped with us such as our mentors from the Protégés program.” All of these people were involved for the sake of helping the youth get started and excited about learning and exploring and widening their horizons. He adds excitedly, “Our last trip was a huge success. I’ve traveled around plenty, and that last one was filled with fun and adventure. Our next trip will surely please!” Hats off to Pink Coffee, a true inspiration for others to follow. Pink Coffee is built on beliefs, creating the non-existent. Check out their funky time-line above to learn more about them!

For more information, please visit: www.pinkcoffee.co.uk, follow them on facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Pink-Coffee-Marketing-PR/, and twitter, www.twitter.com/pinkcoffee_ . Call 2461 3750 to get in touch with the creative team.

closet Bibi

PRINCESS AMIRA AL TAWEEL A modern day icon, inside and out By Bibi Al-Falah

It might be easy for many women to look good on the outside, but what good is that beauty if there is no personality to compliment it? Any woman can make herself look appealing, but it takes an extraordinary woman to truly have it all. Many of us know such women personally, like our own mothers, and we are always aspiring to be the best possible version of ourselves. Globally, women like Queen Rania of Jordan serve as reminders of what a single person can accomplish. We are used to seeing her in the media promoting great causes, supporting charities, and expressing her 34

strong personal beliefs. These days, another admirable royal is making a real difference both in our region and internationally. I am referring to a princess of the Gulf, Princess Amira Al Taweel of Saudi Arabia. She gained this title after marrying his Highness Al-Waleed Bin Talal, and has proven since then that she is much more than just a pretty face. With her husband’s full support, Princess Amira has been speaking out about important issues facing women and different communities in her country. At just 27 years old, she is now the Vice Chairman of the Al-Waleed Bin Talal Foundation and has been pushing the foundation in all of the right

directions. Princess Amira strongly advocates women’s rights and has said repeatedly that she would like to be the first woman to legally drive in Saudi Arabia. The foundation is not limited to women’s rights alone; it also supports entrepreneurship, health and educational initiatives, and even has a “Rapid Aid” program for natural disasters. The strong focus on supporting the advancement of Saudi women is a goal that was undoubtedly encouraged by the princess herself. Princess Amira is never boastful or arrogant, and has repeated numerous times that she was a commoner from a middle-class family before marrying the “Arabian Warren Buffet” Al-Waleed bin Talal. However, she has proven that education is much more important than any title could be. It is, after all, her education that gave her the tools to make the most of her title by becoming such an active part of the foundation. She is often seen on media outlets like CNN interviews and live debates alongside former U.S. President Bill Clinton to continually raise awareness about issues in Saudi Arabia and the struggles that women face there. She always stresses the importance of having Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) such as her husband’s foundation, as well as having civil societies (which include NGO’s, charities, and social communities). Basically, she is an advocate for moving forward in ways that do not rely on the government or the state. The latest advancement for women in her country has been their right to vote, which will be put into effect in 2015. This is a small step, but every step in the right direction is a significant one. Princess Amira doesn’t just make a difference, but she looks impeccable while doing it. It’s unfortunate, but in our world, people are judged all the time based on their appearance. The princess has actually used this to her advantage by refusing to wear the veil in TV appearances. She says this is not a statement and that she respects women who wear it, but she is not going to change who she is because of the laws in the country she is from. She is hardly spotted with a hair out of place, and her sense of fashion is as stylish as it is elegant. She is often photographed in ladylike skirt suits and feminine dresses with her dark hair styled in long cascading waves. Although she can afford absolutely anything, this princess is never flashy or over-the-top. Of course, not all of us have billions of dollars’ worth of resources to make such global impacts and look perfect while doing it, but we can all make the most of what we are given. We need to try to be as productive as possible each day, work towards changing our community for the better, and even reflect the way we feel in the way we dress. Bravo to Princess Amira, and all of the other powerful women in the world that use their power for good.

JOE’S JEANS It’s all about the fit By bazaar staff

For most of us, finding the perfect pair of jeans to love, to hold and to cherish is nothing but a fleeting dream. Don’t you sometimes find that, no matter what pair of jeans you buy, there’s always that one tiny, little thing that makes you wear it several times, then toss it towards the back of your closet in search of a better pair of jeans? Well, if you’re like this one defeated editor, who endlessly scours the stores in search of the perfect, everything, then make your way towards Joe’s Jeans located at the luxurious shopping destination, 360 Mall. For the fashionable denim follower, be prepared to completely fall in love with Joe’s take on design, fit and innovative cuts that make every denim dream a true reality. Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect flare, or looking for a dramatic entrance into fall with the season’s most wanted denims in fifty five amazing colors, step out in Joe’s Jeans. Did you spot your favorite celebrity wearing those gorgeous jewel tone denim hues? If so, then you know they’re Joe’s. With fifty-five colors in the irresistible classic skinny jean cut, everything is here from cool summer colors, neons, fall’s elusive shades, and classics. We fell in love with how Joe’s made a simple pair of leopard print jeans a style staple. Other favorites of ours include the Jean Sweat pant, allowing for complete 360 degrees of movement and unrivaled comfort in an easy mid-rise fit. With innovative fabric technology, which incorporates soft Terry fabric and true indigo yarns, these Jeans Sweats give a genuine denim look and feel fantastic. Torn between boho36

style flares or high fashion skinny jeans? Get the best of both with Joe’s Skinny Micro Flare jeans. A new take on the classic flare jean, the Micro Flare basically mixes between the typical skinny jean and a retro bootcut, and is fitted from hip to thigh yet slightly widens right above the ankle. Joe Dahan, the brand’s Creative Director & Founder, is known for pioneering the concept of unique denim fit selections. Always modernizing classic wardrobe staples, Joe’s can be defined as classic chic, each season is continuously evolving and expanding. Each design is confidant, sexy, a pure distillation of fashion. Joe sees every “body” as unique, thoughtfully developing fits that accentuate and enhance a person’s physique. Joe's strives to create great-fitting clothes that are designed to fit a variety of body types. Maintaining a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction is what Joe's strives for with its brand. Engaging it’s devout celebrity following and denim lovers worldwide, Joe’s product line includes women's, men's, and children's denim, pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, and other apparel products. Other lines available include women's shoes, men's and women's handbags, clutches, belts, and leather goods. Operated by Multi Trend International, Mr. Maen Merheby, Retail Director of Multi Trend International, states, “There is a need for a brand like Joe’s in the Middle East. Fashion-conscious individuals are continuously searching for the perfect denim fit that will make them feel both, confident and sexy. Joe’s gives them exactly

what they need. The brand has ensured that every ‘body’ type has a pair of denims that fit perfectly. The continuous search for the ‘perfect’ fit ends at Joe’s.” What are you waiting for? Head out to Joe’s Jeans on the first floor of 360 Mall and get your ‘Joe’ on! For more information, please visit www.joesjeans.com.

up close and personal

SOUL FOODERS Lama AlFadala and Mohammad Sultan By bazaar staff

gym freak, comically comments on his new venture, “ I deny it all the time to avoid believing it, but I love food!” However, we shan’t underestimate Mohammed, for this young fresh graduate bravely went forward with 10.oh.8, determined to prove that food can taste delicious, while also making a difference in someone else’s life.

bazaar questionnaire:

When great minds think alike, no matter how different they are, their paths will cross to create greater accomplishments. Such is the case with cofounders of the latest eatery, 10.oh.8, where Lama AlFadala and Mohammad Sultan are serving up a comfort food menu that brought us to our knees last month. Why we completely fell in love with 10.oh.8, a great percentage goes to a sponsored cause or charity every three months, and these philanthropists/ foodies are going local with their causes, finding great pleasure in serving the local community in an effort to inspire others. As co-founder of 10.oh.8, Lama spent her previous career as the managing partner of Design Squared, a boutique interior architecture agency. She states, “Although it was sad that the last design project done by Design Squared was 10.oh.8, I’m learning how to move onto new ventures. We were fortunate to meet interesting clients with extra-ordinary projects, testing the market with our own new project; it is a continuous learning experience.” Mohammad, Lama’s business partner and co-founder of the soul food haven, who surprisingly happens to be a 38

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Lama: When I see my children doing what makes them happy. Joah, my eldest, singing her favorite song and coming up with dance moves. Leen, horse back riding, as a princess of course. Zina, my youngest, in such a hurry to grow up, singing whatever Joah sings and starting horseback riding lessons a year early. Mo: Perfect happiness is when I step on the scale and haven’t gained weight. Perfect happiness is when my dad doesn’t tell my friends that they seem to have gained weight. All in all, perfect happiness is when everything goes well and everyone is untroubled (and hasn’t gained weight). What is your greatest fear? Lama: Growing old and becoming a burden to others. It's not the idea of aging; it's being restrained from doing things on my own. Mo: Cockroaches, especially ones that fly. Also, if a bird pooped on my head, I’d probably die. I honestly don’t think I’m scared of anything in this world more than those two things. No, but seriously, my greatest fear would be a death in the family. I seriously don’t think I’d be able to handle it. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Lama: I'm a nag!! Bil Kuwaiti: 7anna! Mo: My expressive face. If you ask most of my friends, they’d probably back me up on this one. You know the Internet abbreviation ‘wtf’ and what it stands for? Well, my friends have given me a WTF nickname, except mine stands for ‘why the face?’ It’s something I can’t control; my face is very expressive. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lama: Being fake. People! Practice what you preach. The snowball effect taking place across the Arab world clearly shows leaders preaching for freedom, democracy and reform; yet none practiced. Mo: Usually I’d say liars because seriously, what’s worse than being a liar? But between you and I, I find them funny and creative, and it’s especially hilarious when you know the truth but you just let them keep going and going. In my personal opinion, I also find people who are materialistic not to be my favorite. I want to say I find it a little sad, but to each his own. No judgment from my end, whatsoever. Which living person do you most admire? Lama: Dr. Sanad Al Fadala, a great doctor and even a greater father. He has the ability to bring about feelings of calmness and control. He listens to everyone and has solutions for any problem that comes up. He helped my siblings and I through hard times and always had a positive attitude with hope that tomorrow will be a better day. My father supported us with all of our choices and pushed us to excel and succeed. He's a helping hand for people without discrimination - such a great trait to pass on to us. He's reserved but has a great sense of humor, "He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it" Clarence Budington Kelland. Mo: Oh, I could name a few people I admire. I could also Google a few names to sound intelligent, but I don’t want to be a liar (despite finding them hilarious). So, how unoriginal would I be if I said my dad? Because honestly, he really is the living person I most admire. I don’t know much about other people’s fathers, but I know that mine is the hardest working person I’ve ever known. He has accomplished so

much, and each accomplishment is well-deserved. What is your greatest extravagance? Lama: A proud collector of Kathleen Caid's handmade, one of a kind, antique lamps. Khayal! Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Lama: Seriously?! - Simply - Basically - Khayal - 3ajeeb. Mo: “Yes” or similar words that yield the same meaning. I know people don’t want to hear the words “no” or “maybe,” so I just say “yes” to satisfy everyone. My “yes” may be sarcastic and completely untrue at times, but hey, it’s still a yes. When were you happiest? Lama: In 1996, senior year of high school at ASK. Definitely, one of my happiest times. Simply because the biggest responsibility was applying for college and the ultimate goal was making sure 15 years later it would be remembered. Nevertheless I'm a happy person at heart. Mo: I’m happiest between the hours of 7am and 10am, because breakfast is my favorite meal. I really love breakfast and it makes me very happy. Which talent would you most like to have? Lama: Racing, to be a skilled driver fit for F1. I love speed! Mo: I really would like to be able to sing like Adam Levine, rap like Drake or Nicki Minaj

and move like Chris Brown. I want to be a triple threat. When I sing with them I feel like our voices match, but truth be told, I’m not sure. What would you consider your greatest achievement? Lama: Basically, being completely independent. Mo: Up until now, I think my greatest achievement would be the process by which we finally launched 10.Oh.8. I know everything should be systematic, documented and organized, but damn do I feel like I deserve a Noble Prize after this. I think more amount of work was put in hustling my butt to get this company started and getting all the required paperwork and signatures than was needed to get my Bachelor’s degree. Where would you most like to live? Lama: Beirut, the originality of the city, its narrow streets, the mix of the old and new architecture, beaches, mountain, amazing weather and also yummy food! Beiruuuut shoo shta'telik! Mo: Where my heart truly belongs: Los Angeles. Don’t get me wrong, I love Kuwait and the perks that come with living here, but I’ve been back for two years now and not a day passes that I don’t sit and recall the good ol’ days of the City of Angels. For more information about Lama and Mohammad, please visit www.10.oh.8.com. 39

TINT YOUR LIFE TXP solar films By bazaar staff

The home, or even the car, is a haven to all of us. Our homes and cars aren’t simply shelters to our possessions; they too, protect the people we care about. When the weather is not so pleasant, we resort to the interior world for shelter and protection from heat waves and unwelcomed sandstorms. With TXP Solar Films’ window tinting solutions that dreaded drive will turn into a delightful cruise. By ‘shielding’ your windows with TXP solar films, your windows will become more intact, reducing the chances of glass exploding into dangerous shards upon impact, whether due to accidents or severe weather storms. With window tinting, your tinted auto or home windows will reduce cooling costs, increase your privacy as well as appear sleek and elegant. We meet with Ahmed Tammar, owner of TXP Solar films to find out more about the benefits of window tinting. What kind of surfaces or windows can TXP Solar films be applied to? These solar films can be applied to various types of Glass windows for cars, houses, apartments, complete building windows and even yachts. What are the benefits of tinting your home and/or auto windows? For automotive applications, you benefit from a cooler interior environment, better air conditioning performance, and an overall better looking, sleek and elegant vehicle. For home applications, you will notice similar changes to the above, as well a noticeable decrease in electric bills, and an elegant exterior to compliment your home windows. There are so many different types of tinting films out there, what distinguishes TXP Solar films from other 40

kinds of tinting films? TXP solar films are 100 percent made in the USA to the highest standard in the industry. They are also optically clear to avoid vision impairment, as well as retaining a 10-year guarantee of quality of durability. How long does a typical tinting process take? The tinting process is clean and easy, hassle- and mess-free. For vehicles, the process takes between 4-6 hours and is normally completed within one working day. For a house or villa, the process is longer, ranging from 1-3 days as this depends on the amount of glass panels requiring tint and the time needed to appropriately apply the paint protection systems. What are some common window tinting requests you receive from customers? The most common request or concern shared by our customers is: "WE DON’T WANT TO GET PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE!" So, everyone wishes to tint their cars without them appearing dark as this causes some legal implications here in Kuwait. For that reason, customers look for a clear and light film that protects from the sun and cools the interior quickly when the AC is engaged. That is truly on of our best selling films and is always readily available to be installed. How does window tinting help in Kuwait’s extreme climate? Do different climates require different kinds of tinting films? For commercial and residential installations, we follow the US state of Arizona’s standard as the climate is very similar to Kuwait. Villa or residential clients require a film that is non-reflective and suits the exterior of the property while increasing the residents’ privacy, while commercial buildings require a reflective mirror-finish to the structure that reflects most of the heat and sunlight

based on the height of the commercial building. Do customers have the option of customizing the design of their windows using TXP solar films? Customers may choose the level of tint that they prefer as we install different shades of tinting films varying from dark to light. This totally depends on our customers’ taste, and the level of privacy they require. How can customers maintain their tinted surfaces? Do they need to purchase any specific cleaning materials? There’s no need for any special treatment for the tinted glass, as the tinting process leaves it scratchresistant, non-fading and unchanging. Can a customer remove the TXP Solar films themselves? Customers cannot remove the film material independently; it is far better to leave it to our professionals to take care of the process. For more information on tinting your residential or auto windows, do not hesitate to contact Ricky, the shop manager at TXP Solar Films, by visiting the store located in Mubarak Al Kabir Street, near the Awqaf Complex in Kuwait City or call 2249 3244.

IT’S SANDWICH TIME! The Sandwich Shop By bazaar staff

It’s time for a break, and lunchtime just got a lot more interesting with the arrival of The Sandwich Shop. Situated in the boutique mall and office tower, Dar Al Awadhi, in Kuwait City, this cosy space goes a long way in offering professionals around the city a new take on the lunchtime sandwich. Operating a wide delivery service, The Sandwich Shop has also become a Diwaniya favorite, serving their mini versions of the main sandwiches on offer to various areas throughout Kuwait. When we first heard about The Sandwich Shop, our first trial order turned into a regular occurrence as we became lethally hooked on the mini Routini and mini Ciabatta sandwiches. The option of having a turkey breast croissant, roast beef sandwich complete with onions rings, Pepper Jack cheese and horseradish mayo, in addition to a prime beef burger bursting with flavour, for lunch, is every gourmand’s dream come true! Seriously, it’s as if The Sandwich Shop knew of our love affair with 42

sandwiches. Whether you’re a sandwich enthusiast or not, this place caters to professionals stumped for lunch ideas or social gatherings at competitive prices. Out of the ten sandwiches on offer, each and every one is unique. With different kinds of bread such as Ciabatta, Arabic bread, the all-new Sumac Foccacia, Croissants, Routinis and mini Ciabatta bread, a typical smoked turkey sandwich is never the same. The falafel sandwich, a low cost yet highly demanded sandwich, is a gourmet -inspired affair at The Sandwich Shop, one taste of the special house tahini sauce, sweet beetroot pickles, and one is immediately addicted. Already a bestseller, the turkey sandwich is served in a fluffy croissant, complimented by cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese and the already famous in-house herb Mayo sauce. Also new to the menu is the club sandwich, and in staying true to the nature of the owners to only source quality ingredients, the scrumptious medley of crispy beef bacon, grilled chicken breast, scrambled egg and roast turkey breast with hearty romaine lettuce and cheese is a must try. We love the fact that there is a generous amount of bacon in this sandwich, adding that extra flavor required to make a club sandwich, well, a club sandwich true to its origins. Even if you’re feeling peckish just as you’ve arrived to work, trust us, you’d want to try the EBT sandwich (Egg,

bacon and tomato). The classic Caesar salad is also reinterpreted as a sandwich on freshly baked Ciabatta. Perhaps you’re a devotee of lunchtime salads, instead. If so, do not overlook the salads at The Sandwich Shop, as one could easily entitle this venue as ‘The Salad Shop’. For each star sandwich, there exists its friendly green, leafy salad alternative. With a tuna salad that promises a bounty of crunchy tastes with the combination of brussel sprouts and lemon mustard dressing, the famous Falafel sandwich recreated as a salad with the special lemon tahini dressing, we believe that salads are reinvented at The Sandwich Shop. Instead of a regular grilled chicken Caesar salad (which is also available), try the Chicken Fillet salad with Caesar dressing. The salad options are perfectly suited for those fearful of lunchtime carbs. There you have it; breakfast, lunch, and dinner are sorted out at The Sandwich Shop. Also offering a selection of side dishes and desserts, why don’t you wow your friends with a selection of mini sandwiches and salads at your next gathering? For more information and delivery, please call The Sandwich Shop at 2232 2866. The Sandwich Shop is located in the basement floor of Dar Al Awadhi in Sharq or visit www.thesandwichshop.me.

bazaar books Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures. ~ Jessamyn West ALEPH by Paulo Coelho In his most personal novel to date, internationally best-selling author Paulo Coelho returns with a remarkable journey of selfdiscovery. Like the main character in his much-beloved The Alchemist, Paulo is facing a grave crisis of faith. As he seeks a path of spiritual renewal and growth, he decides to begin again: to travel, to experiment, to reconnect with people and the landscapes around him. Setting off to Africa, and then to Europe and Asia via the Trans-Siberian Railway, he initiates a journey to revitalize his energy and passion. Beautiful and inspiring, Aleph invites us to consider the meaning of our own personal journeys: Are we where we want to be, doing what we want to do?

PEARL JAM TWENTY by Pearl Jam At last, the official story of Pearl Jam has been told in a new book titled Pearl Jam Twenty the photo-packed book chronicles the Seattle grunge legend’s past two decades telling the story of a band that burst onto the world stage with their debut album, Ten and how they went on to become one of rock's most influential bands. Pearl Jam’s autobiographical account is one of few that focus on music rather than substance abuse which attests to their unwavering connection to their music and their ability to prevent fame from overshadowing art. Whether or not readers are fans of the band, the book’s coverage of the Seattle grunge explosion during the early ’90s is impressive.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: CABIN FEVER by Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, is an online game developer and designer, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Jeff was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In Cabin Fever, Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he’s innocent. Or at least sort of. The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he’s going to have to face the music, but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays?

SERIOUSLY...I'M KIDDING by Ellen DeGeneres In the words of Ellen “I've experienced a whole lot the last few years and I have a lot to share. So I hope that you'll take a moment to sit back, relax and enjoy the words I've put together for you in this book. I think you'll find I've left no stone unturned, no door unopened, no window unbroken, no rug unvacuumed, no ivories untickled. What I'm saying is, let us begin, shall we?” DeGeneres is a beloved stand-up comedian, television host, bestselling author, and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show has hosted both the Academy Awards and the Primetime Emmys. As a film actress she provided the voice of Dory in the Disney-Pixar animated film Finding Nemo, for which she awarded a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress, the first and only time a voice acting won a Saturn Award.

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami The year is 1984 and the city is Tokyo. A young woman named Aomame follows a taxi driver’s enigmatic suggestion and begins to notice puzzling discrepancies in the world around her. She has entered, she realizes, a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 —“Q is for ‘question mark.’ A world that bears a question.” Meanwhile, an aspiring writer named Tengo takes on a suspect ghostwriting project. He becomes so wrapped up with the work and its unusual author that, soon, his previously placid life begins to come unraveled. As Aomame’s and Tengo’s narratives converge over the course of this single year, we learn of the profound and tangled connections that bind them ever closer. A love story, a mystery, a fantasy, a novel of self-discovery, a dystopia to rival George Orwell’s—1Q84 is Haruki Murakami’s most ambitious undertaking yet.

source: www.amazon.com 44

THE DEMISE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE By Ayman K.

The English language is the third most spoken language in the World, with 312-380 million speakers. The top 5 are as follows: 1. Mandarin Chinese - 882 million 2. Spanish - 325 million 3. English - 312-380 million 4. Arabic - 206-422 million 5. Hindi - 181 million A statistic I saw on television a long time ago, I am 46

unsure of its weight in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world, however back then it was said that 80 percent of online content is in English. This percentage may have fallen drastically, however, let us assume it is still correct. Words are a beautiful thing, I get dizzy every time I try to ponder on how a spoken language was invented, and even dizzier when I ponder how that language was transcribed into text. I used to have a habit of writing out words that were unfamiliar to me,

from the many books I read over the course of my life, find their meaning and then attempt to incorporate them into my every day speech. Such words included lexicon, plethora, chagrin, apropos. My Arabic teacher at school once told of how some words, in the Arabic language, (however it would be impertinent to believe that the same is true for the English language), have gone extinct as a result of lying dormant for extended periods of time, unused, unspoken, unuttered, undisturbed in their hibernation, so long so, that they had died out. The opposite is also very much true, for many a new word has been created, born out of the unimpeded development of the modern era. The definition of Google, as per the Oxford Lexicon (i.e. dictionary) is: verb [with object] informal, to search for information about (someone or something) on the Internet, typically using the search engine Google. If you were to go back 20 or so years into the past, and tell someone that you are Googling something, they will immediately suggest you make an appointment to see an ophthalmologist. The English language, much like the esteemed Noble Prize, is supposedly sacred, and any addition to the elite list of the Oxford dictionary must be monumental in proportion. One would think, and one would be wrong. It has been reported that the following words have gained admission onto the once hallowed texts of the Oxford dictionary: Woot - an exclamation of triumph and success (most probably born on an MMORPG), Retweet - to pass on a message on Twitter, and perhaps the greatest culprit of them all, the word responsible for hammering the final nail in the proverbial coffin of the English language as we know it: Textspeak -noun [mass noun] language regarded as characteristic of text messages, consisting of abbreviations, acronyms, initials, emoticons, etc. Textspeak, brought about by advocates of Generation Z (for lazy), who's time is so important that they cannot see to it to spell out complete words, instead, they butcher and carve the words down into mere morsels of their former selves to rd lk so. They carry the mutilated carcass of this once brazen language, a mere shadow of its former self. Those who grew up reading Shakespeare, and true English Literature, lament the times in which such words as sexting and asl have joined the ranks of words most used in the English Language. It is futile to deny progress, the Oxford English Dictionary was intended to be an evolving, modern catalogue of words, and hence it is only understandable that new words are added. However, to some such as me, this remains a sheer fact of butchery and debauchery. It is with a sad heart that we bear witness to The Sad Demise of the English Language.

FROM CAPITALIST TO VISUALIST AUK hosts exclusive Matt Lamb exhibition raising awareness for peace By bazaar staff

The American University of Kuwait hosted an exclusive art Exhibition featuring the works of internationally acclaimed artist Matt Lamb from October 9th – 13th, 2011. Alongside the exhibition, special workshops were conducted on all days where, students, faculty, staff as well as the general public painted umbrellas to raise awareness for peace, dedicated to the Matt Lamb Umbrellas for Peace Project. The Matt Lamb Umbrellas for Peace Project is a global art project involving painting and decorating umbrellas by children and adults. Individuals artistically design umbrellas that represent their personal values of world peace. The first day saw approximately 150 AUK students painting umbrellas that were then hung from the ceiling of the AUK Liberal Arts Building. AUK invited Matt Lamb as well as the Matt Lamb Umbrella for Peace Project to raise awareness among their student body as well as the rest of the country on issues of peace. This event goes hand in hand with AUK's liberal arts values and gives AUK the opportunity to showcase a great artist as well as a great cause. In collaboration with AUK, bazaar had the opportunity to interview Ms. Sheila Lamb, Matt Lamb’s daughter who came to Kuwait to attend the exhibition on behalf of her father. What does Matt Lamb wish to communicate through his art? Matt Lamb’s number one motto is that “art 48

can change the world”. According to Matt, art is a universal language that is capable of transcending national borders and other boundaries people put up such as gender, religion, social status, etc. Everyone, whether old or young, rich or poor, male or female, white, black, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or Buddhist is able to look at art and see the same thing but pull out his or her own meaning from each painting. This is a powerful and unifying message that art can very effortlessly communicate. Does his art carry a consistent message, or does this message evolve with his style of painting? Matt’s style has evolved significantly over the years with it still developing to this very day. However, his message that art is a universal language that is capable of causing great change has pretty much stayed consistent throughout. I do believe however that as his work became more well-known around the world, it became much easier to spread this message and since the art was being used as he intended – as a vehicle for change. What were your greatest challenges in helping your father change his career from running a

flourishing family business to painting full time? Matt did not need much help making this change. He was devoted to moving beyond his previous life and making a positive change for his future. I believe my mother and Matt’s wife Rose also played a substantial part in this evolution as she supported Matt through this transition and although she thought Matt lost his health and his mind when he vowed to become a painter, she supported him nonetheless. Could you tell us more about the anti-violence project, “Umbrellas for Peace”? Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011, Matt was enlisted by the Federal Government to help children of victims of the attacks on the Pentagon paint through their grief. The umbrella serves as a universal symbol of protection and the children are encouraged to paint their ideas of peace, hope, love, tolerance, and understanding on the outside of the umbrella and their fears on the inside, symbolizing that these positive conceptions are more powerful than and capable of overcoming their fears. Then, following the painting of their umbrellas, the children are encouraged to outwardly

show their triumph and support by parading around their school with their umbrellas held high. Matt has now brought the project to 29 countries and over 2,000,000 individuals around the world. Previously managing a successful funeral home as a full time career, has that inspired Matt Lamb’s artistic direction? Matt’s art is inspired by a broad range of stimuli from both his past life in the funeral business and his current life as an artist and peace activist. Particularly in some of his earlier work, one is capable of viewing dark, and at times haunting, figures emerging from the canvas. Every once in a while, these dark musings and figures from the past will again emerge in more recent works. However, as a whole Matt’s art tends to function more as a celebration of both the past and the present, rather than consistently dwelling on notions of death that dominated his previous life. Matt Lamb paints at his various studios around the world, where does he feel most liberated? Matt will tell you that home is wherever he happens to be at the moment. However, I believe that he feels not only the most liberated, but also the most connected to nature at his home/studio in Ireland. Here, Matt will paint outside, overlooking the ocean and completely exposed to the elements. I think there is something about being out in the sun or driving rain with the seagulls screeching overhead that is truly inspiring and liberating for Matt. Matt Lamb travels the world in spreading his

message of peace, where is one place he visited that he felt is most inspiring? This is one of Matt’s favorite stories – a few years back Matt and his family visited one of the most remote, yet incredibly violent regions in Argentina run by a military dictatorship. When attempting to visit friends in one of the villages, Matt was told he was not allowed to travel to that area since it was so dangerous and not even the police were able to make that particular journey. Matt let the officials know that he had brought his message to this region previously and that he had friends there. The next day Matt and his family were permitted to travel to this village and they were not harmed in any way. While this particular story has a certain resonance for Matt and those who follow his message of peace, each of the locations he visits, from the remote regions of Argentina to the prisons in France, are equally inspiring. What is Matt Lamb’s vision of peace? Matt’s vision of peace is a world where people solve conflict with words rather than guns. A world where two individuals or groups with divergent viewpoints can sit down and either accept that their ideas are different or talk through some sort of solution rather than resorting to violence. Matt always uses an analogy based on him being a recovered alcoholic – “when I get together with people in a social atmosphere and they want to have drinks, I have a glass of water and they have their wine or beer. We all

have our differences, but there is no reason to make a fuss about them or fight about them.” What have you learned from your father’s ambition, and devotion towards accomplishing his dream of becoming a renowned painter? I have learned that no task is too big to accomplish and that if you put in the effort, nothing is impossible. Matt’s ability to outlive his doctors’ diagnoses and become a world-renowned painter is a truly inspiring story and through his ambition and devotion to his dream, he was able to overcome the impossible. Does Matt Lamb have a special message for artists in the Middle East? Two of Matt’s favorite sayings are “it is what it is” and, to take from Nike, “just do it!” – If you have an idea, take it and run with it. Be cognizant, but don’t get caught up in everything that is going on around you. You are your own person and don’t be afraid of what other people will say. Art is a universal language capable of changing the world! 49

A BRAND WITH SOUL Lemlem By bazaar staff

Liya Kebede

Created by philanthropist, supermodel and actress Liya Kebede, Lemlem is a brand with one empowering backstory. Also a World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Liya discovered that traditional weavers in her native country of Ethiopia were losing their jobs due to a decline in local demand for their goods and felt compelled to change this unfortunate situation. Recognizing the beauty, quality and historic significance of their work, Liya started Lemlem in 2007 as a way to inspire economic independence in her native country and to preserve the art of weaving, also the art form of thousands of traditional weavers who no longer had a market for their goods. A traditional craft that forms the historical identity of Ethiopian art, hand weaving has been practiced 50

locally since ancient times in the land of the Queen of Sheba. The Ethiopian people have adorned themselves in beautiful hand woven and hand embroidered clothing as a way of life. A community effort through and through, the hand spinning of cotton and intricate embroidery was the work of women while mainly men did the hand weaving. Inspiring others with the beautiful work of traditional artisans, Lemlem carries the hopeful message of success, as the name means “to bloom” or “to flourish” in Amharic, lemlem is handmade in Ethiopia from natural cotton and is produced in a sustainable manner, bringing otherwise scarce opportunities to whole communities. Lemlem embodies African traditions and culture and serves as a platform for the African cause. Whispers of the African spirit have become a voice. The line

adds a sense of diversity to one clothing market while fueling prosperity in another. Lemlem offers a full range of women’s and children’s apparel, in addition to a line of bags, scarves, and belts. From dresses, tunics, shirts, to beautiful flowy scarves, the signature Lemlem look incorporates color-blocking single white or bright colors, adorned in ethnic embroidery. To date, Lemlem has been featured in Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, The Cut and T magazine, Style. com and is available at a variety of stores world wide. So how about it? Clothing so sumptuous and supple to the touch, that also supports a good cause? Everyone can get on board with that. So wrap some lemlem around you and take a short trip to Africa. Lemlem is currently carried by Goji Boutique. For more information, please visit www.gojiboutique.com.

snap

Title: Infinity

Photographed by: Sumaiya AL-Sharhan

Location: Hurghada, Egypt. "Even Castles made of sand, fall into the sea, eventually. " - Jimi Hendrix

The beauty of photography is that it is left open for the viewer’s interpretation. It is an art form in which the artist sees and captures a moment in time for us to forever contemplate. Instead of saying “this is how I saw it” a photo asks the viewer to simply “see”.e snap@bazaar-magazine.com. Give us something to see.

freedom to express 52

THE ATHLETIC ACCOUNT Al Shabab makes for the perfect banking choice amongst Kuwait’s star athletes By bazaar staff

Meet Abdul Aziz Al-Duwaisan, AUM student and Handball star, he leads quite the untraditional student lifestyle. Between his meticulously organized training regimen and completing his education at the American University of the Middle East, Abdul Aziz doesn’t have a moment to spare for wasting time. Suited for his routine, he finds great pleasure in utilizing the many benefits presented by the Al Shabab account program at the National Bank of Kuwait. Tell us about your self. My name is Abdulaziz Ali Al-Duwaisan, I'm 21 years old. Please describe your daily schedule. My daily schedule is usually consistant. I wake up in the morning, have a quick breakfast before heading out to University to attend my lectures. When I'm done, I go back home to have my lunch with my family, after which I usually sleep for one hour before my training. Once I wake up, I go to training at Kazma Club and I spend around two hours in training. After training, I go back home, review my lecture notes and start working on my assignments – by the time I’m done it’s time to sleep. What sports do you play? I play Handball, and last month I was chosen for the Bosaball National Team to represent Kuwait in an Intercontinental Championship in November, in the Netherlands. We heard you play for the Kazma Club; can you tell us more about that? Yes, I'm a Handball player at the Kazma Club, I joined the team in 2002. I started loving and learning this sport since then. I played at all age levels until I reached the age which 54

qualified me to play for the First team. In this amazing journey I participated in many leagues and cups and I have accomplished a lot of achievements. I also had the privilege to travel abroad with Kazma Club to campuses outside of Kuwait to gain more experience by playing with different teams at different levels of physical skills and abilities, which highly contributed to our team’s success. Did you always enjoy sports as a child? Yes, I was born into an athletic family; all of my brothers are players, so that was the most driving incentive that pushed me towards a sports preference. How do you spend your free time? Actually, I have no free time during the week days! During the weekends, I usually hang out with friends and family, sometimes. What are you studying at AUM? I'm studying Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. What are your favorite subjects in college? All the subjects that are related to the Business field. What motivated you to pursue handball as a sport? My motivation is that my older brother was a handball player and advised me to try out this amazing sport. My cousin is a player, as well. Would you consider handball as a full time career choice upon graduating from university? I wish, but we can't in Kuwait! To date, the Authority of Youth and Sports in Kuwait didn't apply the professional players system as a career option. Where would you like to be in 10 years, career wise? In 10 years, I see myself as a Manager in the HR

field in the private sector in Kuwait. How long have you been an Al Shabab account holder? 4 years. What encouraged you to open an Al Shabab account? The offers and promotions that the Al Shabab account offers its customers. Do you think that your Al Shabab account suits your athletic lifestyle? If so, how? Yes, it offers great discounts from many sports outlets, which I frequently visit. How have you benefited from using your Al Shabab ATM card in general? I have used the cinema offer many times, as well as the different shopping privileges. What are some of your favorite stores that offer you discounts with the Al Shabab ATM card? Nike, Athletes Foot, Coffee Republic, Cozmo, Burger Boutique and many more. Would you recommend the Al Shabab account program to your fellow students or new students starting college? Yes I would, so they can benefit from the special offers and promotions. Would you consider using other account programs offered by NBK upon graduating from university? Yes, of course. What are some of your other hobbies besides handball? I love swimming and I also play volleyball. Who is your Athletic role model? Igor Vori, a Croatian handball player. For more information about Al Shabab, please visit www.nbk.com.

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GULF BANK DIWANIYA The Great Conversation By bazaar staff

Mr. Surour Alsamerai, General Manager of Human Resources at Gulf Bank, writing that Gulf Bank won the Localization Award for the 7th consecutive year from the GCC Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs. Diwaniya members: Basma Al Ghanim Service Measurement Manager Fawzi AlSufayeh Senior Manager, Human Resources business partner Saleh al Mansour Relationship Manager, Small and Medium Business Banking Nada Al Ruzooqi Compensations and Benefits Manager, Human Resources Ziad Al Rashaid Senior Manager, Learning and Development Victor Birman Assistant General Manager, Human Resources In a rare opportunity for a candid conversation with a team of seniors in the HR team at Gulf Bank, bazaar was given the in-depth, behind-the-scenes secrets to Gulf Bank’s employee satisfaction. bazaar: Hey guys! Do you want to tell us more about all the new benefits Gulf Bank has introduced for their staff? 58

Everyone: Yes, definitely! We hope you have time as we have quite a bit we can talk about … bazaar: what are the most recent benefits introduced to Gulf Bank’s staff? Fawzi: Sandooqi is the most recent initiative suggested by our Chairman, Mr. Ali Al Rashaid Al Bader, as well as Mr. Michel Accad, our CEO & CGM. It is an attractive and safe way for employees to start their own savings plan, with an upside that is linked to Gulf Bank’s value in the stock market. bazaar: How are these benefits innovative? Nada: Sandooqi, for instance, is the first of its kind in terms of an employee savings plan. The employee has a choice to save 5 or 10 percent of their basic salary to contribute over a 2 year period. This amount is linked to the Bank’s share price and will acquire them Shadow Share Units at a discounted price. At the end of the plan the employee will receive an amount equal to the total accumulated units at market value, or the total amount of savings over the duration of the plan plus interest, whichever is greater. Every positive action employees take in their job reflects in the long

term value of GB. What we also did is launch an internal naming competition for the savings plan and the winner received a 3-month contribution to Sandooqi funded by the Bank. We have an excellent percentage of employees subscribed to the plan – great for them, great for the Bank! bazaar: Why is this important to you? Basma: Due to increasing staff turnover over the recent year, we have created these schemes to lower the turnover rate and increase staff loyalty towards Gulf Bank. In doing so, we are like one family. Ziad: The banking sector is very competitive; we try to keep our employees happy, motivated and engaged. This is why incorporating programs such as Sandooqi supports our four point strategic plan investing in our employees is important to us; we are raising the level of employee engagement at Gulf Bank. Saleh: We have an attractive employee value proposition that is competitive and also differentiates the Bank from the market, creating a more engaged work-force. Staff feedback had also suggested we

needed to review benefits and the Bank endeavors to listen and act on its employees’ feedback. bazaar: Do you guys, as a team, react to the staff’s feedback, creating these benefits? Everyone: Yes! Fawzi: Every year we conduct a bank-wide staff survey to achieve a better understanding of the employee views and requirements. Every year, the number of participants positively increases. Victor: This year alone, we received a total response rate of 84 percent! We’re extremely proud of that. It shows an ever-growing trust and confidence in the Bank taking all views seriously. Basma: The interesting part about receiving feedback is that we announce the results of the main points we collected from the bank-wide survey, and based on this we create a new action plan. It’s nice to see that our employees care, and listen to our advice as we respond with these action plans. Fawzi: Exactly, everyone now is getting excited, getting involved, as we are quite flexible about the changes requested by the staff. bazaar: What are some examples that show how the HR team reacts to the staff feedback? Nada: Actually, we also get birthday leave! Employees on their birthday receive the day off! bazaar: What? You guys are so lucky! How did that happen? Nada: It all started with Ziad asking out loud on the day of his birthday, “why don’t we get a day off on

our birthday? I shouldn’t be at work!” Ziad: Victor takes two birthdays! Sadly, I’m only joking. The great thing about the birthday leave is that it is really flexible. If your birthday falls on the weekend you can take the next working day. It’s perfect to have a long weekend every once in a while. bazaar: How do you ensure that everyone knows about these cool programs? Saleh: The Compensation & Benefits team took the initiative to create a comprehensive employee handbook, where policies and procedures, our core values, mission, and vision are outlined in detail for employees to refer to at any time. The handbook is supported by our intranet communications system, and we feel like it has helped a lot of employees, as they are dispersed in so many branches all over Kuwait. Basma: We regularly post announcements via the intranet communication system through emails and the website. This way, we raise more awareness towards what the staff can benefit from, including promotion and awards. We employ the best Intranet communications system available, because we update the system on a regular basis, everyone has a clear understanding of what is going on, internal and external campaigns are aligned, and more transparency is guaranteed for our employees. bazaar: Could you tell us about how medical cover benefits have improved? Nada: Over the last two years, we’ve continuously reviewed our medical cover, and now are able to

extend it to family members. For instance, if you’re a married male employee, you also get the benefit of adding up to three children, as well as your spouse. We also extended cover to divorced and widowed employees where the cover is extended to their children, and they receive all the allowances any married employee would receive. We have also nearly doubled our cover and really improved the benefits, like including full dental. bazaar: What about offering financial assistance to employees’ children? Is this also a new benefit? Nada: Yes. Actually, this idea was submitted by one of our employees through our Staff Ideas program, so employees are free to submit any idea they have. An employee submitted a request to allow for assistance to parents who would like to enlist their children in private schools, as these are very expensive. So now, the bank is able to finance education fees for an employee’s dependents by paying the invoice in full, and deducting the amount from the employee’s salary on a monthly installment basis, without interest! This is much better than taking out a loan, as the employee doesn’t have to pay back the loan with interest. This benefit is extended even further to employees who wish to pursue higher education, as the bank is able to finance this process, as well. By the way, we do this to help with employees’ sporting / social club memberships, as well. bazaar: Has the promotions process changed at Gulf Bank? continued on next page...

Fawzi: In 2009, we wanted the promotions process to become more transparent. All of our employees’ performance is measured through a balanced score card or pre-agreed KPIs. This leads to a fair promotions process and allows for more transparency. Victor: The traditional approach is to reward tenure, service or loyalty. Yet we look to develop careers, and performance. This makes it much easier to personally discuss decisions with employees regarding career development, promotions or general improvement needs. Ziad: As part of our annual appraisal, employees are set to assign themselves two areas of development. Based on that, our training team considers their requests and organizes a full training program suited to the employee’s needs. We make sure that most of our employees meet their targets within the development aspect. Victor: The way recommendations are made has changed, as well. Nada: Yes, now each employee’s direct manager is directly involved in the recommendations process. Because they oversee the day-to-day activities, direct managers are in the best place to recommend someone for a promotion. This is more clear, organized and transparent. bazaar: So what do you guys have planned in the future for improving the benefits program? Nada: Our most recent improvement is the educational assistance benefit as we explained earlier. We’re also trying to introduce more meaningful and relevant benefits, such as the improvements we observed with medical insurance. Ziad: We’re always observing the benefit schemes as they progress; we observe what the competition 60

is doing and attempt to surpass that. We never stop reviewing to see where we can improve. Saleh: Gulf Bank is always trying to improve, despite market conditions that could present difficulties in allowing expenditure to increase towards staff benefits. For example, during the economic crisis when everyone was shedding costs by letting go of employees, Gulf Bank hired around 400 Kuwaiti fresh grads. We believe in localization, and investing in our employees. Part of our success lies in investing in fresh grads. We’ve been recognized regionally for focusing on localization, by receiving seven consecutive awards for localization in the private sector amongst the GCC region, which is a milestone. Basma: Now, the annual Bank-wide survey is due, and I am sure that there will be plenty of suggestions, and we’re going to draft action plans, and we’re going to improve our benefits even further. Victor: We will also focus more on incentives, implementing them in all departments, including our support functions rather than retail banking and sales. We continue to differentiate reward more strongly based on performance. The way of the future definitely lies in differentiating employee benefits depending on employee needs and tailoring them towards their specific needs as they differ from married to single, age etc. Ziad: We, definitely, will also be focusing on improving our training programs in an attempt to cater to the entire bank with whatever they need. Some employees require technical training, or soft skills. For instance, changing positions throughout the bank is no easy jump; therefore we ensure that employees are provided appropriate training from every angle to cover every step of their progression.

We also introduced an innovative electronic learning management system. As part of our commitment to transparency, this system allows employees to register for any given training program, where, if their registration were denied, they are able to learn why they were denied for that specific program. Fawzi: The system also gives employees a small description about the training before they apply; enlightening employees to what courses suit their training and development plan on an annual basis. It’s almost like facebook, they have their profile, their courses are registered under their name, and we are able to monitor the different training programs they undergo. bazaar: Cool! Thanks guys, is there anything else you wish to talk about today? Basma: Yes, we would like to briefly talk about our latest campaign, “the GB Promise.” Ziad: Part of our core value is teamwork, and based on that, we are able to deliver a promise to our customers. Our promise is quite big, and guaranteed. Behind this promise lies a strong ethos focused on teamwork and all departments are coming together for this initiative. Fawzi: We promise to deposit your salary on the same day, finance your car on the same day, and acquiring your new ATM card would also occur on the same day. We also promise that the queuing time for customers will not last longer than ten minutes. Ziad: With this initiative, we are empowering our employees to be more active in their decisionmaking abilities, allowing them to utilize managerial skills at every employment level. This would never be possible without teamwork, and an overall dedication towards fulfilling the promise to our customers. Front line employees would not be able to deliver this daily promise to customers without the support of the back office. We’re trying to link our core values to our daily activities. Basma: I believe with all the benefits and promotions, the overall staff is feeling confident, and I believe that our team is now ready to deliver this promise to our valued customers. For more information about Gulf Bank, please visitwww.e-gulfbank.com.

KUWAIT : THE AVENUES PHASE 1- TEL: 2259 7234

GAMING ENCOUNTERS: LEVEL 1 By Jaye Sonia

If you’ve been reading Geeks and Gamers this year, you know that back in September, I told you I was going to write about one of my favorite things – tabletop RPGs – in the October issue. I didn’t. When I came back from Gen Con, I was still fully immersed in the experience that is the whole gaming community – gamers one and all. When I put pen to paper (or in my case, fingers to keys), all that I could manage was ‘cons blah cons blah cosplay cons blah.’ So, you read about cons (and possibly thought, ‘cons blah cons blah don’t care blah’). But this month, I’m going to get a little old school and tell you about a personal favorite – The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Built atop the ruins of the old 3.5 edition of the world’s oldest roleplaying game, Dungeons and Dragons (which is still around these days, but resembles more of an MMORPG in my not-so-humble opinion), the The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game is an immersive roleplaying and combat system that improves upon over ten years of Open Gaming! What’s so great about The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game? Well, it provides a steady platform on which my friends and I can build heroes and play those heroes. The rules are simple enough to keep even the layman engaged, but layered enough to allow 62

for complex characters with a diverse array of motivations and goals (and like real life, goals are good). With all of the traditional races and classes (think occupations) available to the standard fantasy troupe, it’s easy to build a character that stands out – be it something arcane, something roguish, or something more marshal. Best of all, the system scales as the players’ characters progress upward (this is called “leveling”), allowing players even more opportunity to explore a wide range of options. A player might create a healer and, later on, train it to be a rogue or cavalier, as well. So, unlike far too many MMORPGs (nearly all of them limit you to a single race-class combination), you can explore outward as well as upward! I think it’s this aspect of RPGs I like the most, too. Because, like real life, they take into account the radical changes (and chance) that occur. We change jobs, enjoy economic windfalls, witness tragedy, travel aboard, and learn new things every day. Our lives aren’t as simple as 8-bit games, so limiting ourselves to the pre-programmed perimeters most electronic systems require is a real drag! Me? I think it’s far more exciting to hear the story from a friend, sitting around the table, and then come up with creative ways to solve gamerelated problems. But you’ve probably guessed that

about me by now, eh? I’m the kind of guy that likes to think outside of the box! It’s not just the creative and imaginative aspects of the game I like, either. It’s the writing, the art, and the layout, as well. The people over at Paizo Publishing, LLC really care about their games and it is evident in their product. In person, they’re open, friendly, and genuinely concerned about the gaming community in general. In short, they’re the sorts of people I’d like to sit around a table and play games with! And speaking of people I’d like to game with, my players would kill me if I didn’t talk, even if only briefly, about my particular game (which meets here in Kuwait). What are we up to? Well, we’ve taken the Marvel Universe (think the X-Men meets The Avengers) and used it as the baseline for an ongoing series of sessions – all of which force our heroes to confront a series of villains that spread hate, fear, and misery. It’s a great way to spend a Friday, that’s for sure! Oh, and before I forget, the people over at Paizo have made their award-winning game available to beginners, too. If you’re interested in giving this a try (with friends, family, or co-workers), you can. They’ve recently created a simple, quick-play edition of the game called Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Beginner Box. You can find it here: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG. It went into pre-order in October. You can also use all of their online resources to learn the game completely for free! Just go here: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/. Of course, I’d do all of my readers a real disservice if I didn’t give the designers over at Wizards of the Coast, LLC a little page-time, too (especially since Mr. Cook has recently returned to their team). While it’s not my gamers’ particular style of play (although our resident teleporting Tiefling might disagree), the Dungeons & Dragons Essentials line offers new players a great place to learn their system. Coupled with D&D Insider and a host of online resources (available at www. wizards.com), you’ll find yourself able to build a host of characters ready to adventure nearly anywhere. The learning curve for D&D is on par with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. So, if English is a second language (sorry, there are no editions of either game available in Arabic as far as I know), both starter editions shouldn’t provide more than a moderate challenge. Of course, if you’re reading this, that’s not likely to be the case! Well, until next time, get your game on!

STRETCH FITNESS Stretch your limits By bazaar staff

Stretch Fitness Center is located in a prime area in the heart of Salmiya, comprising of a 3000 sqm area which includes the separate male and female fitness and spa facilities, featuring a temperature controlled swimming pool, fully equipped gym, squash court, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, group fitness studios, spa treatment rooms, a healthy food café and much more! Why we love Stretch Fitness? First of all the location is excellent, as students at nearby AUK, professionals living in and around Salmiya now have no excuse to avoid working out! With a string of cafés and restaurants 64

in the same building, socializing with friends after a workout in the same location is an optimal and convenient option. Dedicated to make your fitness experience unique and exceptional, the team of committed professionals will make sure that you feel comfortable in a friendly and welcoming environment, allowing you to relax and escape the pressures of daily life. Amongst the many facilities available, Stretch offers spacious parking space, Nutritionist services for health advice, personal training services as well as an Aerobics Studio. The Stretch Fitness facility for women is a decadent

vision of streamlined, advanced machines; featuring core and fitness programs you won’t find anywhere else in the Middle East. In the VIP training room featuring the all-new Milon Circuit, the resistance and endurance hydraulic machines are operated by each member’s special card. As a VIP member, special sessions are conducted based on your flexible schedule, yet need to be conducted with a trainer between two to three times a week. Outside the special VIP training room, the main gym hall is fully decked out in the latest elliptical, rowing, cycling and treadmill machines, and a fully functioning state of the art stepping machine that resembles an escalator. So Instead of replicating stepping movements continuously, you actually must physically tread these steps, which vertically rotate. Now, that’s what we call a workout! The people at Stretch Fitness really care about your well-being, and the proof is in the revolutionary ARC trainer Cycbex, the number one cross trainer in the world, which does not place any pressure on the knees, unlike ordinary cross trainers. Besides the fully equipped gym, the group fitness halls feature regular classes between kickboxing, pilates, yoga, and so much more. Before leaving the gym, ladies must check into the zen zone that is the spa at Stretch Fitness. After a lengthy session (and mission) of calorie burning, a visit to the spa is a must. Complete with different kinds of massages and soothing treatments, the Spa at Stretch Fitness specializes in creating tailor made slimming sessions, offering a detoxifying body wrap which rejuvenates the skin as well as promote the reduction of cellulite and eliminating toxins from the body.

For more information about Stretch Fitness for women, please call 2227 4991/2. For the men’s facility, please call 2227 4995/6. You can also visit www.stretch-fitness.com.

bazaar music CLEAR AS DAY

by Scotty McCreery

Scotty has been well-received by the country music industry since winning Season 10 of American Idol in May 2011, as evidenced by the fact that some of the best writers in country music wrote songs specifically for this project, which can be unheard of for a new artist. Seventeen-year-old Scotty is the youngest male winner in the nine-year history of American Idol. A record-breaking 122.4 million votes were cast for Scotty and runner-up Lauren Alaina. The final show attracted 29.3 million viewers and 38.6 million people tuned in to see the winner's name announced. Scotty's new album is a collection of songs in the same straight-ahead country style that captured the nation's hearts - and votes - on the show. It's the next step in a promising career that is already breaking records.

NEW BLOOD (SPECIAL EDITION)

by Peter Gabriel

New Blood is a continuum of Peter's previous Scratch My Back album - the song-swap project where he covered the songs of others, all to an orchestral backing. Thanks to the precise arrangements by John Metcalf and Peter, the treatment was so successful that Peter very quickly knew where he wanted to take it next, and work began to apply the same principals to his own songs. Great care has been taken - and much discussion shared - in deciding what songs were included on New Blood. Some of the big hits are missing in favor of lesser-known material. But the intention wasn't a deliberate obliqueness; it was more a case of finding the songs that would be enhanced by the massed strings, brass, woodwind and percussion. It returns to lyrics written 20 or 30 years ago, reinvesting them with new meaning and heightened poignancy. New life, new blood. A musical transfusion. The songs live on.

BLACK AND WHITE AMERICA

by Lenny Kravitz

For his ninth album, Lenny Kravitz found much of his inspiration close to home. In fact, the very spirit of Black and White America came from the locations in which the music was made from a tiny, 400-person community in the Bahamas to the streets of Paris. And out of his experiences as a true citizen of the planet, his first new songs in three years became the most personal and diverse collection of his career. Black and White America was written in reaction to a documentary Kravitz saw about racism in the post-Obama United States. Amidst the defiant lyrics, the songwriter references his own family history, and the experiences of his parents as an interracial couple in the 1960s. Though the sonic emphasis of Black and White America may land squarely on the funk, the force behind such guitar-driven smashes as "Fly Away" and "Are You Gonna Go My Way" hasn't turned his back on rock. Songs like "Rock Star City Life," and the first single, "Stand," give the album a healthy dose of crunching riffs.

MUSIC IS BETTER THAN WORDS

by Seth MacFarlane

The album, titled Music Is Better Than Words, is a crisp sounding orchestral/ big band record that features MacFarlane singing some of the hidden musical gems of the `40s and `5os. Introducing this rich sound and classic integrity to a new audience, the album features duets with beloved artists Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles, and was arranged, conducted, and produced by accomplished film and television composer Joel McNeely. MacFarlane has been a fan of music from this era for as long as he can remember, and has even trained with vocal coaches Lee, Sally, and Steve Sweetland. Lee and Sally coached many great singers throughout their careers, including Frank Sinatra. MacFarlane has featured countless musical numbers on his television shows, and has garnered multiple Emmy nominations as well as a win for Outstanding Music and Lyrics on Family Guy.

STAIND

by Staind

Staind marks the iconic hard rock band's seventh studio album and first full-length release in three years. Produced by Johnny K - known for his work with 3 Doors Down, Disturbed, and Sevendust, not to mention his Grammy Award-nominated collaboration with Staind, 2008's The Illusion of Progress - and mixed by the legendary Chris Lord-Alge, Staind stands as Staind's most intense and powerful work to date. The album is heralded by the viral "Eyes Wide Open" and official single "Not Again." Singer/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Lewis recently described Staind as "the heaviest thing we have recorded in a long time. It's definitely one of the heaviest collections of songs that we have put together." "It's completely different than the last record," agrees guitarist Mike Mushok. "It's more of a throwback to where we came from. I definitely think it's fresh. It's a modern-sounding version of a heavy Staind record. It's pretty cool."

source: www.amazon.com

www.li wastores.com

The Avenues, Al Fanar, Al Kout & 360 Mall Tel : 25712430/ 1

artist of the month

SOOPAR LOX Akram Al Sharif By bazaar staff

Soopar Lox was born in October of 2010. It took about three or four months to find the right musicians, but as soon as they did, they began rehearsing and creating their all-original set. The idea behind Soopar Lox is House Music, but with a twist – it would all be live music, not just wicked mixing of tracks. Quite the challenge as not many musicians do this, not even on an international level. But that wasn’t the end of their difficulties; not many references were available to them on “How To”, either. What it all boiled down to at the end; they needed well-experienced musicians to pull it off, and they did. The two main composers of the band are Negm El Deen Shahin and Akram Al Sharif. Currently, the band formation is as follows; guitar, bass, drums, synthesizers, keyboards and piano, two vocalists - one Arabic and one English. With their first big concert just behind them, we don’t expect it’ll be too long before everyone’s blasting Soopar Lox. How did your musical journey begin? It all started about a year ago; October 2010. I gathered a couple of friends and we started meeting for improvisational sessions. It wasn’t quite the right mix of people at the time, and some of these friends are no longer part of the band, but slowly, I started finding the right people for the sound I was looking to create. I met a great drummer through a friend and he 68

was very interested in being part of the band. I called upon an old friend who is a professional in the electronics field, and I also met a vocalist that could write lyrics as well as sing… it all eventually fell into place. This was the nucleus. What/Who inspires you to compose your music? Well, I’m sure that every band member has his own influences, but as far as I’m concerned, I always look up to Faithless - maybe for reference more than anything else - from a technical perspective. Why did you choose the genre of performing live house music? Our market research indicated it was a good genre to pursue. We are all determined to make this band happen as most of us are professional musicians or work with something that involves music. It was created this way to sell. The Arabic parts of our music are, not only to attract the local markets, but the European markets and festivals, as well. What are some of the challenges of performing live house music? Technicalities. This whole genre is quite new, so you’re not going to find videos on Youtube telling u how to do it. The equipment is new and hasn’t been used by many people before, either. And of course, the time keeping. A lot of the effects and even the instruments themselves are running on a time grid, so for those playing guitar or bass or drums it becomes quite challenging not to lose time.

Is the final sound of a musical track an individual or group effort? Group effort, of course. Negm’edeen and I do most of the composition and then the vocalists add the lyrics, the bass player creates his own bass line, Mahmoud will then add his sounds and effects, and so on... we all create. Who/What in your early beginnings influenced your music? I think every one of us came into this with their own influences and when you put them all together, it is hard to say, really. In your opinion, what was the hardest challenge you faced in your musical career so far? I think the band is still too young to have faced any major walls, yet. How has the Middle Eastern world reacted to your sound? The band is young and not that famous, yet, but from what I know from friends, they all like it so far. I’ve heard "We don’t like house music but we love yours." many times, so that makes me happy. Do you feel that music should always serve a specific purpose? Yes. ENTERTAIN. What are some of your favorite tracks, and why? I think "Every time I go home" is everyone's favorite track in the band. I guess because we all have a part that we really enjoy playing in that song.

What is your dream performance space and destination? We would love to perform in big clubs… Ibiza, London, New York… this band needs big spaces. In the world of performing live house music, are two performances ever the same? No. The outline is the same - there are bits that have to be played the same way, like the entrances and breaks - but in general, we leave a wide space for improvisation and that’s where all the fun is. What would you like to accomplish in the future? Fame and fortune. Will Soopar Lox visit us in Kuwait? If we get invited, why not? Last, but definitely not least, what is the inspiration behind the name Soopar Lox? A dear friend called Tata. He always uses the word “lox” to describe anything he likes, and when I was

sitting with my girlfriend and Mahmoud, from the band, jokingly brainstorming names for the band I said; we want a lox name. My girlfiend said “Oohh, so call it Soopar Lox.” And that’s the way it happened. A funny name is always catchy.

For more information about Soopar Lox please visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Soopar-Lox. 69

two cents

Loaay’s Two Cents Got business problems or challenges at work? With his Two Cents column, Loaay Ahmed shares his expertise in strategic management consulting to help managers, employees and entrepreneurs thrive.

Over the years, I had my share of hiring wrong employees who didn’t demonstrate enough loyalty to me or to the company. What can I do to get the new hires to be more loyal?

LA: Be careful of what you wish for. Let’s say you hired a new graduate in a customer care position who had a genuine desire to benefit the company. One day, our newbie thinks that he’s being loyal by dismissing a customer’s request for not matching with the current setup of the operation only to end up causing this customer to churn with anger. Next month, out of loyalty to you personally, he delays informing you about certain updates because he knows you’re too busy and he doesn’t want to add to your load. As a consequence, you missed an important opportunity to fix a bigger problem. Does that mean you should hire soulless robots or backstabbing gold diggers? As adrenaline-pumping as such a working environment could be, the answer is no. Hire decent people who match with the personality, behavior and skills you need. The key is to shift the recipient of loyalty from being you or the company to the position employee holds. Loyalty to the job the person does is far more powerful because you’re asking the employee to focus on doing what’s right for the best quality of his production. By explaining that it’s not only the company’s reputation that will be affected by this employee’s outcome but his own as well, he will think twice before skipping the process or not delivering what a customer truly deserves. This kind of loyalty is realistic and fits with many employees who look after themselves regardless…and that’s just my two cents.

The nature of my work revolves around projectbased contracts each of which lasts about 2 to 3 years. Now that I’m in my 50s and with this great recession I’m not finding any new opportunities. Can I still get a job in these circumstances? LA: In business, you can either cater to an existing demand or create one to show how your product or service is the answer for such a need. The same goes for this stage of your career. If there aren’t many companies with positions at a senior level, which is normal worldwide with or without a recession, then think of creating a need for your expertise. Hold a half-day workshop to share some insights related to your industry with ‘prospective employers’ to indirectly demonstrate how valuable your experience can be to their business. Alternatively, you can start your own consultancy and charge on an hourly or daily basis rather than on a monthly retainer. If still nothing works, dig deeper into your hidden desires and see what second career you always wished you were involved in but never got around to. It’s never too late to start again…and that’s just my two cents.

Many of our competitors brag about the different awards they won in the last few years. The application and qualification processes are time consuming. Is it really worth it? Do customers actually care about companies who have won awards? LA: Breaking News: The security guard in your apartment building won the “Super Security Guard of the Year” Award. Sweet, but it’s not something that will make you decide to stay if you were not satisfied with the property management standard of service. However, let’s take a look at your security guard for a moment. Knowing about the award, he became familiar with the rules and started to improve his performance, appearance and efficiency so he’s ready for the committee’s review. The security guard’s real benefit was the journey he was on to up his game. Even if he didn’t win the award he gained a better performance. If participating in awards will help your business improve internally, then by all means, select the one that will have the most significant impact on your processes and go for it. Keep in mind that improving your working standard to comply with the award’s terms and conditions is the ultimate reward because it will reflect positively on your employees, customers’ experience, and in return, boost your returns. Simply, it’s about the journey, not the destination. So, winning the award should always be looked at as the icing on the cake; but without the cake the icing is just not as tasty…and that’s just my two cents. Tribute to Steve Jobs On October 5th, 2011, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., passed away after a long struggle with Pancreatic cancer. Almost in every century we are blessed with one or a few minds that single handedly push us forward faster than we imagined possible. Steve Jobs was among such giants. Without him, your daily work whether you’re using a Mac or PC just simply wouldn’t be the same, your mobile communication whether you’re using an iPhone or anything else wouldn’t be the same, and your inspirations that came from creative entertainment tools whether you’re using Apple TV and iTunes or not wouldn’t be the same. For years, I’ve been enjoying and benefiting personally and professionally from his achievements, and for that I’m grateful. Steve Jobs, thank you.

For Loaay Ahmed’s advice on business or work matters, send a short email to loaay@knightscapital.com. Please note that only the questions chosen for publishing will be answered.

Loaay Ahmed is a management consultant and strategic expert. To learn more about Loaay and his consulting service, strategic business therapy, visit www.knightscapital.com. 70

THAT AL SALASIL A resourceful family business

That Al Salasil is a family owned business which started as a small bookstore on Hamad Al Mubarak Street in Sharq in 1969. It then moved to Salmiya, on Salem al Mubarak Street to be the official beginning of the business in 1972.

the image of That Al Salasil, in addition to That Al Salasil’s ability to attract authors through the various packages of service they provide in book publishing, editing and distributing. They have proved the effectiveness and efficiency in the process of brand management through the most convenient means.

Operating out of Kuwait, it started as a book publisher and distributor with the commitment of selecting the most interesting and useful high quality materials for publishing, making That Al Salasil one of the major publishers in the Middle East.

Also, part of That Al Salasil’s mission is to encourage children to start reading books again. A Storytelling event is more than just reading a story, it’s a learning experience. It captures the children’s attention and makes them soak up their imaginations. During the event, drawing and small puzzles are available for the children in order to express what they understood.

That Al Salasil aims to encourage the public to read more and therefore opened one of the biggest bookstores in Kuwait with an enormous collection of books both in Arabic and English. From novels to history and educational books, and even a big section of children’s books with a specialized area for them to spend time reading and coloring as much as they want, That Al Salasil has it all.

‘The relation between Kuwait, Arabestan and Basra’ was the first book to be published by That Al Salasil. Recently, That Al Salasil had the honor to print a million copies of the Holy Qur’an that have been distributed throughout Africa.

Events You can never enter a Book Fair without seeing That Al Salsil as one of the major exhibitors in the Middle East. This is one of the main strategies in building

THAT AL SALASIL is located in Salmiya on Salem Al Mubarak Street. For more information log onto www.thatalsalsil.com.kw or call 2246 6266 / 2246 6255.

bazaar goes to cinema The latest from the big screen

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family Cast: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig Synopsis: Tintin and his friends discover directions to a sunken ship commanded by Capt. Haddock's ancestor and go off on a treasure hunt. DreamWorks presents this computer-animated motion-capture adaptation of Georges Remi's beloved Tintin comic strip in this first installment of a planned trilogy. The Adventures of Tintin is directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Steven Moffat and Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish. Starring Jamie Bell as Tintin, the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure, and Daniel Craig as the nefarious Red Rackham.

TRESPASS Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Cast: Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman and Cam Gigandet Synopsis: In a private, wealthy community, priority is placed on security and no exception is made for the Miller family's

estate. Behind their pristine walls and manicured gardens, Kyle (Nicolas Cage), a fast-talking businessman, has entrusted the mansion's renovation to his stunning wife, Sarah (Nicole Kidman). But between making those big decisions and keeping tabs on their defiant teenage daughter (Liana Liberato), Sarah often finds herself distracted by a young, handsome worker (Cam Gigandet) at their home. Nothing is what it seems, and it will take a group of cold-blooded criminals led by Elias (Ben Mendelsohn), who have been planning a vicious home invasion for months, to bring the Miller family together. Kyle, Sarah and Avery will take the ultimate risk to make it out with their lives - and their family â&#x20AC;&#x201C; intact.

HORRID HENRY: THE MOVIE Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family Cast: Anjelica Huston, Parminder Nagra and Richard E. Grant Synopsis: When Henry fails yet again to hand in his homework for the umpteenth time, he has no idea that this will set off a chain of events which will see him forming an unlikely alliance with Moody Margaret, the infuriating girl next door, and his irritating little brother Perfect Peter, outwitting corrupt School Inspectors and toppling an evil Headmaster, winning a talent contest and facing his ultimate nemesis with no way out - all because he is trying to save the very school which he has always professed to hate! The first ever British kid's movie to be filmed in 3D, Horrid Henry: The Movie stars Anjelica Huston as Henry's terrifying teacher Miss Battle-Axe, alongside, Rebecca Front as Henry's headmistress Ms Oddbod and Richard E Grant as rival headmaster Vic Van Wrinkle.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - PART 1 Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner Synopsis: The Quileute and the Volturi close in on expecting parents Edward and Bella, whose unborn child poses different threats to the wolf pack and vampire coven. The epic love story between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen concludes in this final installment of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series. Dreamgirls' Bill Condon directs this first segment of the two-film adaptation.

TOWER HEIST Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime Cast: Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and Casey Affleck Synopsis: The workers at a posh Central Park condominium plot to steal back their pensions from the thieving Wall Street billionaire who's about to get away with the ultimate white-collar crime in this heist comedy starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy. Financial giant Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) has just been placed under house arrest in his luxury New York City penthouse for cleaning out his investors to the tune of two billion dollars. Meanwhile, on the complete opposite end of the financial spectrum, Josh Kovacs (Stiller) earns a modest living as the manager of the luxurious building where Shaw resides. Upon learning that the tower staffers who entrusted Shaw with their retirement funds are about to lose their life earnings, and that the thief will likely get off scot-free, Josh recruits crafty swindler Slide (Murphy) to help get their money back. 74

For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, log on to www.cinescape.com.kw

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MODA OPERANDI From runway, straight to your closet By bazaar staff

Your wish list can now be your IT list, as Moda Operandi brings the long forgotten promise of runway fashions straight to your closet with beautifully curated online trunk shows. As every bonafide fashionista knows, many exclusive runway showcases rarely make it to the retail outlets, so the promise of runway fashion is sometimes only elicited to a privileged few. Until co-founders Aslaug Magnusdottir and Lauren Domingo envisioned Moda Operandi, the notion 78

of collecting runway masterpieces was long forgotten. In a fabulous showcase taking place at the Hotel Missoni, a private collection of select Hermes handbags was displayed to the creme de la creme of local fashionistas as Ms. Aslaug Magnusdottir gave a talk about her new venture. In this special feature, bazaar interviews Co-founder Aslaug Magnusdottis about her glamorous journey from high end online retailer Gilt.com to Moda Operandi.

How did you career begin in fashion? Early on in my career, I felt I needed to be practical about the future, so I studied law as an undergraduate and eventually became an MBA. However, it became increasingly apparent to me that I was far more passionate about working with creative people—and being surrounded by their wonderful energy. After working as a consultant at McKinsey & CO, I decided it was the right moment to embrace my creative side and make the transition from being a business woman with an appreciation for the fashion industry to a business woman working in the fashion industry. Ever since then, I’ve always known that I chose the right path because both my head and my heart are engaged. I look forward to going to the Moda Operandi office every day, and welcome the challenges and the rewards the job and the fashion industry present. The secret to running a successful business, I’ve discovered, is to be passionate about it, and I am most definitely passionate about Moda Operandi. How did the idea of partnering with contributing Vogue-editor Lauren Domingo come about? Lauren and I have long wanted to do something together. When I came up with the business concept, she was the first person I approached because of her deep appreciation and knowledge of the fashion industry and her invaluable experience in many aspects of it. Lauren immediately loved the idea and after a few calls to designers to gage their reaction, she was on board What are the main lessons learnt from working with Gilt.com? It was exciting to be part of an organization that

was experiencing such growth and success in an economic environment where most retailers were suffering. I learned a great deal about online retailing during my time at Gilt, and this experience has proven to be critical in my role as CEO of Moda Operandi. It was also during my time at Gilt that I started thinking about the current gap in the market and so the idea of Moda Operandi was born. What are some of your objectives in changing the way high-end couture is perceived nowadays? Moda Operandi strives to make high-end couture more accessible because women are finally able to order these pieces directly from the designer instead of having to take the gamble that a retailer may order them. Retailers often don’t buy the special pieces out of fear that they won’t sell, and instead order pieces with the most obvious commercial appeal. However Moda Operandi’s concept has proven that there is a demand for these more unique pieces that make women feel special. What inspired you to launch Moda Operandi? I kept hearing from designers that many of their favorite pieces aren’t ordered by traditional retailers and therefore don’t get produced. At the same time, I personally experienced friends who would tell me they loved a certain runway piece but that they couldn’t find it once the collections hit floors. I wanted to find a way to connect designers directly with the women who appreciate them and allow designers’ special

pieces to find a life beyond the runway. How does Moda Operandi work? Moda Operandi is the first online retailer to allow customers to pre-order runway styles from multiple designers. We are empowering women to make their own decisions about what to buy from a designer’s collection rather than letting a buyer dictate this to them. By directly connecting women with the brands they love, our members have access to many of the unique, statement pieces they desire but that otherwise wouldn’t get produced. Simply put, Moda Operandi is offering a service that no other competitor provides, and that is why we have had such an overwhelming response to date from both designers and consumers. Can’t women with the means available to splurge on luxury items allocate their orders at fashion shows directly with high-end designers? That kind of access is limited to an incredibly small group of women, and many women don’t have the time or ability to attend shows. Moda Operandi provides the pre-order model to our international membership and puts them in the front row of shows from the comfort of their own home. What are some of the challenges you faced when launching Moda Operandi? What have you learned so far? Launching a business brings with it new challenges every day. As the CEO, I try to focus my

efforts on the areas where the business requires most attention while maintaining a view of the big picture. I have learned that some days will bring significant challenges and others huge successes. The important thing is to believe in your vision, work hard and not let the bad days get you down. Do you think that the Internet nowadays is prepared to offer niche customers a high-end couture experience? Online consumer behavior has evolved significantly over the past decade. People are increasingly more comfortable making luxury purchases online and view e-commerce as a valuable resource to obtain the unique goods they desire. In addition to selling stunning products and providing top quality imagery on the site, we enhance the luxury experience through our personal stylists that are always available to speak to our customers and through the beautiful packaging in which the items arrive. How do designers feel about Moda Operandi? Are designers allowed a chance to actually trace the evolving tastes of customers without observing sell through reports from buyers? Designers really appreciate the pre-order model of Moda Operandi because it provides them with early feedback on what pieces in a collection resonate most with consumers. That information can then be relayed to traditional retailers to better inform their buyers. Would you care to share any remarkable success continued on next page...

stories from a specific designer and/or customer? I consider it a huge success that we have built a large base of designer partners and loyal customers around the world that love the site. One of the more remarkable things about our business is the proportion of repeat business we receive. Our loyal customers love shopping on the site and a number of our top members shop with us almost weekly. Do designers create special pieces for Moda Operandi? We often feature exclusives with designers like Eddie Borgo, Lisa Marie Fernandez, and Miriam Haskell for Marchesa, and have done beautifully curated trunk shows of vintage clothing and accessories. We have held two vintage Hermes handbag trunk shows of Birkin and Kelly bags that were really popular. But we also often have instances where a more special piece in a designer’s collection is only ordered by our members and not by any retailers. In those instances, the designer ends up producing a small number of that piece exclusively for our membership. How does a designer join Moda Operandi? We work with the most prominent designers and that includes designers who are both established and emerging. We have a team of fashion experts and merchandisers that jointly select the brands that we work with on the site. Given the unique nature of the pieces displayed during the online trunk shows, how does a customer decide on her size for any garment she 80

desires to order? We have a very skilled team of stylists who are wellversed in how garments from specific designers fit. These stylists are available to speak to our members around the clock. We’ve also found that many of our members, themselves, are already familiar with how the designers they love fit them. Do you feel like Moda Operandi is suited for the Middle Eastern market? I believe Moda Operandi is perfect for the Middle Eastern market. It’s the perfect resource for that woman who loves and appreciates fashion but who can’t always find the pieces she loves. We carry many designers who are notoriously hard to find and who often sell out. Our members can shop Moda Operandi and ensure that they’ll receive their favorite pieces from coveted designers like Isabel Marant or Nancy Gonzalez and not have to gamble on the chance that their local boutique or department store will carry that piece or have it in her size. Are there any specific designers you like from the Middle East? I don’t have extensive knowledge of Middle Eastern designers, but have recently started following both Al Motahajiba and Aly Fawaz Contesa. I look forward to my upcoming trip to the Middle East during which I hope to see some of the best designs that the region has to offer. Do certain designers feel that an insider trunk show, displayed online, might corrupt their vision

of keeping their collections limited until they are finalized for market sale? We live in a digital age where runway collections are immediately viewed by people worldwide regardless of geography because of up-to-the-minute fashion week coverage found on websites like Vogue. com. I think that designers are realizing that digital platforms are valuable opportunities to engage their target consumers. I also think that many designers are attracted to Moda Operandi’s model because we have an exclusive membership of women worldwide who truly appreciate design and fashion. How do members feel about Moda Operandi? Our shoppers are very passionate about the service that Moda Operandi offers. One of my favorite e-mails from a member read “thank you for bringing this much needed service to the world”. How would you like Moda Operandi to expand in the future? We’re going to continue to offer the kinds of unique shopping opportunities that women can’t access anywhere else with more exciting exclusives and additional designers to our roster of prominent designers.

For more information, please visit: www.modaoperandi.com.

LESSONS FROM LITERARY HISTORY Texts that Changed the World By Nada Faris

What's literature in today's world but reality TV and songs about bringing Sexy back although it never really left in the first place? Hollywood movies garner blockbuster status only if they satisfy the lowest common denominator. TV Shows are only continued if they increase their ratings. Publishers urge writers to pick a style and an audience and then to stick to them. Why? Because that is how publishers get their money back. Most of today's bestselling literature appears to be apolitical. We live in a globalized world in which it has become increasingly facile to voice dissent. If an African-American character is represented unfavorably, the entire community campaigns for the cancellation of the show or the undervaluation of the work. When literature is intentionally political, its ideological message is reviled by the industries whose main purpose in meddling with the literary sphere in the first place is to bolster their bank accounts. Occasionally, artists and writers create phenomenal pieces that inspire the public to view the world in a different manner. These texts showcase literature’s hidden potential. Laymen think of today's literature as an audacious exposure of wealth, a formulaic plot tried and tested to draw out an emotion at a particular moment, or the eccentric kind of literature that wins literary awards… but is too dull and too weird to be understood or appreciated. And they are right. Literature today is commercial. Why? Because it helps sustain the status quo. Yet literature is potent—so powerful, in fact, that it 82

has repeatedly changed the shape of the world. Think back on America's history. Remember slavery? For years politicians and thinkers contemplated the legitimacy of oppressing an entire caste of people based on their race, while simultaneously preaching the inclusivity of religious doctrine and the liberal nature of Western democracy. The result included tension, skirmishes, and perturbed philosophers. What caused the Civil War that finally recognized slaves as humans? Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, that’s what. In The Cambridge Companion to Harriet Beecher Stowe, Cindy Weinstein recounts the anecdote in which President Abraham Lincoln finally meets the author and cries, "So you're the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war!" The Tiflis bank robbery represents my favorite example of literature's power to change the world (for the worst). Before Stalin succeeded Lenin to lead the Soviet Union, he consumed literature with a ravenous delight. At the age of seventeen, he published patriotic poems about his native country, Georgia. In Young Stalin, Simon Sebag Montefiore illustrates an episode in which Stalin attempts to pull off a large bank robbery. After realizing that he requires an inside man to do just that, he bumps into a friend from his school days who happens to work as an accountant. The friend agrees to help Stalin only because he passionately admired Stalin's poetry! Stalin successfully robbed the bank, killed over 40 people, and secured his position in the eyes of Lenin as a significant member of the Bolshevik regime. Literature also radically altered Arab history. Anne

Alexander writes in Nasser: His Life and Times that the great Arab leader, Gamal Abd Al-Nasser, modeled his personality as a revolutionary on the protagonist of Tawfiq Al-Hakim's Return of the Spirit. The novel discusses Egypt’s 1919 revolution and enabled Nasser to orchestrate the great revolution of 1952. Today we think of English as a lingua franca: a global language whose use penetrates all aspects of society. This was not always the case. In the early Middle Ages, English authors wrote in Latin or French. Geoffrey Chaucer's collection of poems published in the fourteenth century, The Canterbury Tales, helped to popularize the use of English in literature. Ensuing writers began to model their own literature over Chaucer’s verse…Who would have thought then that English would, one day, cross the width and breadth of the Earth as a global language? It is easy to slip into a stereotypical debate about literature’s value. To ridicule literature as a hobby or a waste of time. To dismiss its commerciality as its only potential. To think that writers are escapists who do not understand reality or that they spend all day holding a mirror against the world. Wrong. Good writers don’t reflect reality. They change it. Nada Faris is a Student at Kuwait University’s Master’s Program of Comparative Literature. She has published fiction and nonfiction in local magazines and newspapers and has won numerous poetry awards. Email her at nadafaris@gmail.com.

bazaar techno Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. ~ Arthur C. Clarke

Ray Solar Charger Stay powered up whether you're in the car or cafe with the Ray Solar Charger ($40). It sports a suction cup surround for sticking it to the inside of your windshield, and for when you're working from a non-moving seat, Ray has a built-in kickstand that tilts to grab the maximum amount of sunlight.

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Lensbaby Movie Maker's Kit Are your indie film aspirations being held back by your DSLR's lack of videographic variety? Let the Lensbaby Movie Maker's Kit ($2,900) help add some much-needed spice to your shoots. The kit includes a variety of the lens house's most popular optics in mounts for both PL mount cameras and Canon DSLRs, along with a wide variety of interchangeable optics and accessories for a nearly infinite number of naturally-obtained effects.

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Epson Megaplex Projector One of the big problems with portable projectors is content â&#x20AC;&#x201D; while the projector itself might be easy to carry around, your satellite service? Not so much. The Epson Megaplex Projector ($800) solves this problem by building an iPad, iPhone, and iPod dock directly into its dual 10-watt speaker laden back, while a 3LCD projection system blasts out a 720p image at up to 2800 lumens. Of course, it also offers HDMI and component/composite video inputs for those times when you need something more than the movies/ presentations/games that your pocketable buddy can offer.

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Kodak Playfull Waterproof Video Camera Capture life's moments in rain, shine, or underwater with the Kodak Playfull Waterproof Video Camera ($100). Weighing just three ounces and sporting a thin body that's about the size of a credit card, the Playfull captures 720p video to SD/SDHC storage in nearly any conditions - including up to ten feet underwater - and also offers a macro mode, digital image stabilization, a pop-out USB arm for easy transfer to a computer, and a two-inch LCD for reviewing clips as soon as you're done shooting.

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iPhone 4S Powered by the dual-core A5 processor, the Apple iPhone 4S ($200-$400) features iOS5 and its 200 new features including iCloud, as well as an 8-megapixel camera with all-new optics and 1080p HD video recording with image stabilization. And then there's Siri, a scarily-accurate virtual assistant. Just ask Siri a question (by naturally speaking) and it (she?) responds with the answer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it can make calls, send texts and emails, schedule reminders, basically everything. The iPhone 4S will ship in black or white in 16GB, 32GB or 64GB models.

www.apple.com 84

TO EGYPT WITH LOVE II Poignant voyage from Tahrir Square to Egypt of yore By Deepa Pant

There is a nostalgic charm in the photography exhibition entitled "To Egypt with Love II”. It showcases work of three Egyptian photographers: Alaa Taher, Bassem Samir and Hossam Hassan at Safar Khan Art Gallery, Cairo, Egypt. These three photographers take a poignant look through the lens at their heritage, simplicity of everyday life as well as the tribulations behind the scenes. The show is intriguing and draws the viewer closer to the myriad nuances of Egyptian culture and heritage and that’s what makes it worthwhile. Individually and collectively, these artists offer a solemn narrative on Egypt of yore as well as of Egypt in transition. The exhibition is a sequel to the socialdocumentation movement inspired exhibition "To Egypt with Love" held earlier in April where this talented trio had captured their own vision of the transforming events of 25 January Revolution that brought about remarkable socio-political change in Egypt. It is from exploring notions of identity and current political tones, these artists draw inspiration and construct their poignant works. The new work in mixed media and conceptual photography offers a glimpse of three major Egyptian cities, Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor that have been eternally famous for their history and culture. The photographers depict the splendor of some of the finest Egyptian monuments and sites in their frames beyond simple representation. The visions, whether the alleys and scenes of Old Cairo, abandoned buildings, or the grandeur of the famous Pyramids and snippets of slender minarets, domes, and dramatic landscapes dot their work. 86

According to Mona Said, co-owner of Safar Khan Gallery, the process of creating this exhibition was born at the moment of revolution. It was at that point of time, Said felt the need to express the historical situation from an artistic point of view. Said then asked ten artists to go down to Tahrir Square and translate their experiences. After a careful selection, she finally narrowed down to the work of these three artists. One of the finest works at the show is entitled “Colors of Turath”, in digital art and mixed media by Hossam Hassan. There is a juxtaposition of Arabic and English inscriptions, calligraphy, icons, and patterns in his work. Hassan envisions a dynamic society in which the individuals play a deciding role in its governance and major tenets of democracy like equality, justice, freedom, appear visibly in his works. This innovative photographer takes Islamic art as his muse and explores it in a groundbreaking manner; incorporating soft colors, calligraphy and the result is an attractive and poetic work. Hassan was born and raised in Cairo. The busy city with its rich heritage and multi-culture facets left indelible marks on this sensitive graphic artist. He majored in graphic design, painting, printmaking, and mixed media from the Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University. Hassan runs his own art studio that specializes in producing graphic artworks on canvas. The highly detailed work of Alaa Taher entitled “Shine a Light,” photography print on panel is full of emotive intensity. His compositions are full of angles and shadows that have a sensitive touch, maintaining the magic and delicacy to his technique and therein lies the talent and accomplishment of this artist. Taher graduated with Masters in Epidemiology from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. His work has been displayed in a number of exhibitions in

Egypt, Australia, and the United States. Architect and conceptual photographer Bassem Samir brings out the intimacy and old world charm in his series of photographs of Old Cairo, whether it is the deserted street scene or an abandoned coffee shop. Samir’s work is full of human moments. Samir majored in Architecture from Alexandria University, Egypt and currently works as an architect and a freelance photographer. He brings out a successful alliance between two disciplines and chooses to engage with narrative elements with some famous sites as his background. Commenting on his work, he says, “My work is like a visual journal to me and lately I have been involved with the drastic changes that been happening since the 25th of January.” The artist in him was further inspired by the visual outcome of this revolt. He recalls with nostalgia, “Tahrir Square was akin a big gallery of real art works with strong messages. The artists were spontaneously expressing themselves through painting and drawing or just doodling.” “The political determination infused Tahrir Square with a special vibe and energy. The artists were using art as a peaceful tool to speak up about their dreams, and their rights,” he says. While each artist deals with common subjects with diverse techniques, the dominant subtext is how these photographers come together with a common voice, and in the universality of their stories everyone can recognize a part of themselves. For more details, please check www.safarkhan.com Images courtesy Safar Khan Gallery.

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interview with a chef

THE BREAD ARTISAN Chef Alain Coumont of Le Pain Quotidien By bazaar staff

The son and grandson of grocers, Chef Alain Coumont never aspired to become a full-time baker, yet his observation of his grandmother making the daily bread was instilled in his memory, one he never forgot. As a young chef in Brussels, Coumont found it extremely difficult to find the right bread for his restaurant. In a world where fine dining became extremely competitive, Coumont noticed that restaurants started using commercial ingredients in making their daily bread. Passionate about quality, and perhaps an esoteric incarnate of his grandmother’s daily rituals in bread making, Coumont returned to his roots and opened a small bakery to supply his restaurant. Le Pain Quotidien, a small, rustic bakery reminiscent of the Belgian country side , quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. Brussels fell in love with the concept of the daily bread, especially when Chef Coumont added his culinary touch to include simple salads, tartines and soups. By adding a long communal table where his guests would sit to eat together, Le PQ became an instant success. 88

Standing today as a cornerstone in communal organic dining, Le PQ now offers customers even further options from a wide range of delicious tartines and wholesome organic dishes, all prepared according to the brand’s philosophy that takes to heart providing healthy superior dishes. A completely organic company, Le PQ’s bread, milk, eggs, olive oils, tapenades and spreads are all sourced according to a commitment to build lasting and meaningful partnerships with organic farmers; nothing but the finest ingredients make it to Le PQ’s communal table. What inspired you to start baking bread and while working in the fine dining restaurant business? In having the greatest honor to celebrate our 21st anniversary this month, I feel very humbled to be taken back to our beginnings. Twenty-one years ago and back in Brussels when I was running my own fine dining restaurant, I wasn’t happy with the quality of bread that accompanied the food. That’s why I decided to start a small bakery to provide the bread for my restaurant.

What did that first business look like? At that time, as much as I desired to supply my own restaurant with bread, when I decided to open the small bakery I was worried about the profitability of the bakery in terms of rent and labor costs. That’s why I decided to add a little bit of the cafeteria vibe and not a complete dining restaurant. A simple menu that adds value to the bakery, serving bread compliments such as soups, salads, tartines, etc. Can we say that the concept of “Bread culture” exists? Did you think this concept would be a success here in the Middle East? Of course, the concept and popularity of bread in Europe is like the popularity of rice in China and Asian cultures. When introducing a bread-focused concept anywhere, the idea is to introduce the lifestyle of bread consumption with its compliments. Now we have the restaurant side of the business comprising 60 to 80 percent, and of course the bread is still important as this area represents the core of dining at Le PQ. The bread culture is part of the ambience at

Le PQ, casual, simple and humble. It is truly a simpler way of European dining, rustic and provincial. The highlight of your bakery is the breads. What makes your bread different? Why do you think the concept of bread has been so successful? The reason why the concept is so successful lies in how our breads are different at Le PQ. In fact, most of our bread is sourdough bread. The difference between our bread and other kinds lies in its main ingredients. Technically, bread is composed of flour, water, salt, sometimes cereal grains, and yeast. The yeast, the fermenting agent, differentiates our bread from other kinds, as we don’t use any yeast. Because we create sourdough bread, we don’t incorporate yeast, yet we create a starter composed of water, flour, and salt. Every 12 hours, for two weeks, we add a tiny bit of water, more flour, more salt, and a natural fermentation process will begin – yeast is present in wheat, naturally, and we simply, physically cultivate it. For sourdough breads, the natural yeast process is a much slower process than with other kinds of bread, yet with this slower fermentation you create better flavor. To start that culture is difficult as a process in terms of technicality, yet the procedure is simple! When you make the daily bread, you incorporate a piece of the naturally fermented bread, which makes your daily bread tastier. Mixing your new dough with the sourdough creates a rich, developed and textured flavor.

Do your different bakery-café locations around the world source their own local ingredients? For the dough, and creating a naturally occurring yeast agent, this can be done easily at any of our bakeries. Perhaps the difficulty lies in the different basic qualities of the ingredients, like the water or salt. For instance, here, our bakeries must refrain from using tap water due to the higher chlorine levels, which affect the rise of the bread. With a proper filtration system, we avoid that. You're an advocate of the organics movement. Why? Given our focus on creating a natural starter (yeast) for our breads, we do focus on keeping all our ingredients in their natural form. We don’t include oils, sugars or any additives. Besides the white baguette, we keep everything whole grain and preserve the natural germ and bran of the breads. When you use whole grain, the taste of the flavor of the wheat is pleasant, and doesn’t occur when you use white flour. If we can’t find it locally, we import organic wheat and organic flours. For instance, all our retail products are also organic, the jams, the oils, butter; we try and source local and organic ingredients all the time. When are you going to introduce an organic burger to the menu? A burger? Yea of course! Why not! Sourcing organic ingredients is expensive, but worth it. It is a niche market in terms of suppliers, so contracts with farmers and producers are integral to our ability to source these organic ingredients.

What advice do you have for home cooks baking their own bread at home? Well, bread is not complicated. To me, there isn’t anything that could stop one from making good bread at home. Perhaps the difference between our bread and any person’s homemade attempt is the stone oven we use, and of course the steps included in making the bread. The one thing surely that could be difficult to recreate at home is sourcing the quality flour required, as well as the wheat and following the correct starter process to create naturally occurring yeast. Bread has been around for more than 5,000 years, in different ways and forms, so spending a little time at a bakery like Le PQ is worthwhile. What's your favorite baked good at Le PQ? To me I love bread; I’m not a fan of sweet goods, yet I enjoy bread in all its forms. I love a nice piece of bread because it’s versatile. You can have it as savory with butter and salt, or you can make French toast. Using sourdough bread to make French toast is great as it is thicker and the batter soaks through slowly but then the final taste is fantastic. If I don’t have bread within twenty-four hours I start going crazy! How would you describe your experience in the Middle Eastern market? When I first came here I was very uninformed about the region, yet I discovered that the food climate is special and caters to a highly developed food culture. Baking the daily bread in the desert is a pleasant experience, and I’m very proud to be adding this experience to the rich food market in Kuwait and the Middle East. Doing business here has been a pleasure, it is easy and simple and people are welcome to new ideas. What’s your favorite kind of cuisine? I love trying local cuisine everywhere I go, and I find it so interesting to see how bread is included in different cultures.

For more information about Chef Alain Coumont and Le Pain Quotidien, please visit www.lepainquotidien.com. 89

HELLO IRENE. By Sumayyah Meehan

For the first time in quite a few years, I managed to escape from the dusty hot summer months in Kuwait. I packed up my family and flew to the East Coast of the United States to spend the summer with my family in Connecticut. The first thing that struck me, as we entered my hometown, were the endless rows upon rows of white fluffy heavenly clouds suspended effortlessly in the sapphire blue sky. Our family home is perched about five feet from a private beach, so the breeze is always cool as the sailboats drift right past our windows throughout the day. Kuwait was a distant, albeit beloved, memory as I rejoiced in all the joys of my own country. Our vacation was full of trips to water parks, carnivals, jaunts to other states to see what they had to offer and back to our home base in Connecticut. With only two weeks left, before we were set to return to Kuwait, we planned on some serious shopping excursions. But before we could even set foot in the mall, news broke that a Category 3 hurricane was headed our way and was set to hit the state of Connecticut head on. Her name was Irene. I had never prepared for a Hurricane before and apparently neither had anyone else. The grocery stores began selling out of water. And not a single flashlight or battery could be found within 24 hours of the 92

announcement. State officials predicted heavy damage given that the eastern seaboard had received less than normal rainfall over the past few years, which had made the roots of the massive trees Connecticut is famous for, weak and brittle. “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,” is the refrain that was on just about everyone’s lips. “I wish I were still in Kuwait,” is all I could think to mutter to myself. Ignoring mandatory evacuation orders for low-lying areas, of which we were one, we decided to tough it out at home. We really had nowhere else to go since all the hotels in the center of town were booked solid. And evacuating to the car was not an option with three little girls and a burly teenager who has better things to do than hanker down for a storm. I immediately regretted my decision not to evacuate as the power went off at 2am on the morning that Hurricane Irene made landfall. As the sun began to rise, 7-foot waves were crashing onto our property and filling the basement with a murky “soup” of debris and mud. We knew we were in trouble. We had to leave. Now. My husband and I bundled up the kids and ran out of the home in 100-mile per hour winds. Dozens of tree branches littered the road and countless leaves swirled mockingly in the blackening skies. Once in the safety of our Jeep, we followed an evacuation route clearly

marked by signs along the roadway. Within ten minutes of leaving our home, our car was stuck in floodwaters well above our hips. We abandoned the car and began an almost 20 minute walk home. I kept envisioning some debris impaling one of us in the head or a tree toppling down on top of us. As we walked, the devastation was already apparent. We saw a fifty-foot tree that had been uprooted and sent crashing into a colonial home. We saw a minivan flattened by a massive oak tree and “cut” right in half. We saw the faces of despair and disbelief as the floodwaters rose, destroying everything in its path. Hurricane Irene was over almost as quickly as she had come. But the destruction she left behind will take months to clean up. Our home was intact, however our front yard was in ruins. Two sailboats had crashed ashore and were precariously suspended on the edge of our lawn. An entire wooden deck from a nearby country club had been ripped to shreds and the pieces were scattered every which way. Despite the electric being out for over a week and having to scrounge for food from whatever restaurants had managed to stay open, we were luckier than some of our neighbors who lost everything. Upon our arrival back to Kuwait, I shifted my shirt as the heat began to hit me and looked up at the cloudless dusty sky. ‘It’s good to be home.”

‫ابحث عن فريقك و العب‬ ‫بقلم‪Strawberry Girl :‬‬

‫هل تحب كرة القدم و ليس لديك فريق؟ أو لديك فريق لكن ال تستطيع إيجاد فرق‬ ‫أخرى للعب المباريات معها؟ عندها يمكنك البحث عن فريق كرة قدم لتلعب معه و ذلك‬ ‫على الموقع االلكتروني ‪ . www.sikkaa.com‬اآلن يوجد أكثر من ‪ 200‬العب مسجلين‬ ‫على هذا الموقع و العدد في تزايد‪.‬‬ ‫بما أن كرة القدم هي اللعبة األولى من حيث الشعبية في الكويت و في أغلب دول‬ ‫العالم‪ ،‬فقد أتى عبد اهلل الشمري‪ 28 ،‬عاما‪ ،‬و المؤسس لهذا الموقع االلكتروني بهذه‬ ‫الفكرة إلرضاء محبي كرة القدم في الكويت‪ ،‬و شعار هذا الموقع هو "كن متحديا"‪.‬‬ ‫بينما كان عبد اهلل يبحث عن وظيفة أو بدأ مشروع أتى بفكرة تأسيس موقع‬ ‫‪ ، www.sikkaa.com‬حيث يمكن للناس أن يسجلوا مجانا و يجدوا فريقا ليلعبوا‬ ‫معه‪ .‬و يقول عبد اهلل أنه فكر بهذا المشروع في عام ‪ 2007‬عندما ترك وظيفته في‬ ‫القطاع الخاص و كان يبحث عن وظيفة لمدة ‪ 6‬أشهر تقريبا‪ .‬كان لديه وقت أكثر و‬ ‫كان يطمح في بدأ مشروعه الخاص‪ .‬و بعدها بدأ العمل على موقعه في شهر أكتوبر‬ ‫‪ 2010‬و الذي افتتحه في فبراير ‪.2011‬‬ ‫بدأ ولع عبد اهلل بكرة القدم بعد أن استطاع أن ينقص وزنه‪ .‬و يعترف قائال‪" :‬‬ ‫كنت بدينا في طفولتي لذلك لم أكن العب كثيرا‪ ،‬لكن بعد أن فقدت وزنا بدأت ألعب‬ ‫كرة القدم بشكل منتظم‪ .‬ثم كونت فريق كرة قدم و كنا نبحث عن فريق أو فرق‬ ‫أخرى لنلعب معهم‪ ،‬و أنا كنت المسئول عن التنظيم‪ .‬و لذلك كنت أقوم باالتصال‬ ‫على الالعبين اآلخرين و أجمعهم‪ .‬و من هنا أتت فكرة تأسيس الموقع‪ ،‬لكني لم أكن‬ ‫قادرا على عمل ذلك لوحدي ألنه كان مشروعا كبيرا و أنا لست متخصصا في هذا‬ ‫المجال‪ .‬و في العام ‪ 2010‬استعنت بأحد المختصين و بدأت العمل على الموقع"‪.‬‬ ‫و بعد افتتاح الموقع بدأ أصدقاء عبد اهلل بالتسجيل على ‪ . www.sikkaa.com‬و‬ ‫كون عبد اهلل فريقي كرة قدم من أصدقائه‪ ،‬ثم بدأ بنشر الموقع من خالل المدونات‬ ‫و االيميالت‪ .‬و قد وجد عبد اهلل المساعدة من المدونين الذي أعطوه مساحة إعالنية‬ ‫على صفحاتهم‪ .‬و يمكن لالعبين المسجلين أن يتبادلوا أرقامهم‪ .‬و أكثر اإلعالنات‬ ‫للموقع كانت على وسائل اإلعالن االجتماعية مثل التويتر‪ ،‬و المدونات و غيرها‪.‬‬ ‫اسم سكة ( ‪ )Sikka‬يعني الطريق أو الشارع‪" ،‬و قد كنا نلعب كرة القدم في‬ ‫الشارع عندما كنا أطفاال‪ ،‬و لذلك أتيت بهذا االسم"‪ .‬لقد أراد عبد اهلل من خالل هذا‬ ‫الموقع أن يأتي بفكرة جديدة لها عالقة بكرة القدم في الكويت‪ .‬و يوضح قائال‪:‬‬ ‫"في الوقت الحالي أنا أركز على جمع فرق كرة القدم ليلعبوا مع بعض‪ ،‬و من ليس‬ ‫لديه فريق يمكن أن ينضم إلى أي من الفرق الموجودة و يلعب‪ .‬بعض الفرق لديها‬ ‫مالعب‪ ،‬و في حال لم يكن لدبهم أنا أجد الملعب باالتفاق مع الفريق الثاني‪ .‬هذه‬ ‫الفكرة الزالت جديدة في الكويت و أنا أريد أن أعرف بها الناس هنا أوال قبل التوسع‬ ‫بها خارج الكويت‪ ،‬إال أني أفكر بالتوسع بدأ من دول الخليج العربية‪ .‬كما أنني أفكر‬ ‫بتنظيم البطوالت"‪.‬‬ ‫في المستقبل سوف تضاف ألعاب رياضية أخرى إلى الموقع‪ .‬و يشرح عبد اهلل أنه‬ ‫في الوقت الحاضر هناك فرق لكرة القدم للرجال فقط‪ ،‬إال أنه في المستقبل سوف‬

‫تكون هناك أيضا فرق نسائية لكرة القدم‪ ،‬إن سجلت على الموقع أي امرأة‪ .‬و ينوي‬ ‫عبد اهلل أيضا إضافة ألعاب أخرى مثل كرة السلة‪ ،‬و كرة الطائرة و غيرها‪.‬‬ ‫النتائج و الشروط‪:‬‬ ‫بعد انتهاء المباراة‪ ،‬فإنها تتغير على الموقع من القادمة إلى آخر لعبة‪ .‬الفريق‬ ‫المتحدي يسجل النتيجة‪ ،‬و يتم إرسالها للفريق الخصم‪ .‬و بعد اعتمادها فسوف‬ ‫تظهر على الموقع‪ ،‬و إن لم يوافق فإنها ترد‪ .‬و هناك نتائج أخرى مثل ‪ :‬لم يحضر‪،‬‬ ‫أو لم يكمل المباراة‪ ،‬أو ماذا حدث‪ .‬و يشرح عبد اهلل أنه ال يوجد حكام في هذه‬ ‫المباريات‪ ،‬إال أنه يمكن لالعبين أن يحضروا حكاما من خارج الملعب‪.‬‬ ‫هناك نوعين من التكريم‪ :‬األول للفريق ككل‪ ،‬و الذي يظهر تلقائيا من النظام‪.‬‬ ‫ثم هناك أفضل فريق‪ ،‬أريد أن ألعب في هذا الفريق (من خالل طلب انضمام)‪،‬‬ ‫الفريق المثير (وافق عليه فريق آخر)‪ ،‬و الفائز بالخط (الفائز في ‪ 3‬مباريات متتالية‬ ‫أو أكثر)‪.‬‬ ‫أما التكريم الثاني فهو لالعبين‪ :‬بعد كل مباراة يكرم الكابتن العبيه بأربعة‬ ‫ألقاب‪ :‬العب األسبوع‪ ،‬أفضل هداف‪ ،‬أفضل صانع هدف‪ ،‬و أفضل دفاع‪ .‬ثم يصوت‬ ‫أعضاء الفريق لمنح الكابتن تكريما‪.‬‬ ‫‪94‬‬

A MYSTERY, A TRAGEDY An elusive truth in ‘A Separation’ By Jim Quilty

One of the things that separates “serious” cinema from its commercial counterpart is melodrama. It’s a pervasive form that, in this region, remains a staple of Egyptian popular film, while television soap operas, the musalsalaat, are to Ramadan television what Tyrannosaurus Rex was to the Jurassic period. For film writers of a certain disposition, it’s reassuring to know that when you wander into a festival or art house cinema screening, you’re unlikely to encounter an elaborately plotted, emotionally fraught family drama, littered with hysterical characters screaming at each other to the accompaniment of a bombastic, swooning soundtrack. “Serious” movies are more likely to focus on taciturn, emotionally isolated individuals staggering – unaccompanied by music or plot – across some spectacularly framed, if bleak, landscape. This sort of good guy/bad guy separation is useful and convenient. Unfortunately, Asghar Farhadi doesn’t like dividing the world into such convenient polarities. The Iranian writer-director’s latest feature Nader and Simin – A Separation is, for film writers of a certain disposition, a distressing thing. In most every detail it is a melodrama, yet it isn’t “melodramatic” as the term is conventionally understood. Emotionally fraught, the story’s characters do find reason to scream at one another from time to time, and even veer toward physical violence, yet the overwhelming sense is that there is much more that is left unsaid – tearing at the characters at a subterranean, tectonic level – than what is expressed in the dialogue and choreography. The Simin and Nader of the film’s title are a bourgeois couple on the cusp of a marital crisis. After navigating the obstacle course of legal migration to the West, Nader (Peyman Moadi) has decided that he can’t leave Iran because his father (AliAsghar Shahbazi) is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Frustrated, and anxious to take advantage of the visa’s narrow 40-day window, Simin (Leila Hatami) decides to divorce Nader. He’s willing to agree to this but not that she take their daughter Termeh (Sarina Farhadi) with her. The question of which parent Termeh will choose lingers throughout the film, her choice being invisibly buffeted by the gale of her parents’ behavior as the plot unfolds. The day Simin moves out of their house, she introduces Nader to Razieh (Sareh Bayat), the sister-in-law of a friend, with an eye to hiring her to keep house and mind Nader’s father. During the interview Nader is brusque when Razieh remarks that the pay is too little for what’s expected of her, but she decides to take the job. The first day on the job it’s apparent that cleaning the house, diverting her young 96

daughter and keeping an eye on Nader’s father is too much for the pregnant Razieh. That day she informs Nader that it’s too much for her but, if he’ll allow, could he please offer the job to her husband Hodjat (Shahab Hosseini), an unemployed and heavily indebted cobbler. She explains that she didn’t get Hodjat’s permission before taking this job and – given how devout she is – it’s assumed he wouldn’t consent to her doing this sort of work. Nader agrees to her request and gives Hodjat the job. The next day, though, Razieh and her little girl return to the house. Hodjat’s creditors came to the house the previous night, she explains, and had him arrested. She settles back into the work but the challenges of keeping track of a mentally distracted but physical mobile adult, the distraction of her own physical condition and Nader’s emotional state – concealed beneath a stern demeanor that only relaxes when he’s with his daughter – lead to an emotional train wreck. Together, they conspire to create (at any rate to complicate) a tragedy of errors. While each partner of both couples feels damaged by the other, the couples on both sides of this plot divide feel wronged by the other – with one side accusing the other of a litany of bad behavior ranging from theft to criminal neglect, to physical assault to murder. The more energy that Nader, Razieh, Simin and Hodjat devote to finding redress, the more elusive the truth of the matter seems to be. As an experiment with genre, A Separation is a remarkable accomplishment, both from the perspective of writing and acting as well as direction – a fact already acknowledged earlier this year when the jury of the Berlin International Film Festival not only awarded the movie the prize for best film, but also divided the awards for best actor and best actress among its four principal actors. In conversation after his film’s Middle East premiere at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, where it’s screening in the Narrative Feature competition, Farhadi remarked that his interest in “realistic melodrama,” as he calls it, stems from his observation of other filmmakers’ struggles with the parochial and the universal. “One thing I notice among some filmmakers is their concern that their story and plot might not be understood by foreign audiences,” he says. “So they make their stories simpler and simpler … I found that, movie-by-movie, the more complicated the story is, the more layers [that] are added, the less likely it is that the audience will become lost. So, movie-by-movie I try to add more layers.” If it’s ‘about’ anything, A Separation ruminates upon how difficult it is for one person to apprehend, let alone possess, the truth.

fashionality

QUEEN OF THE SUN Reina Styles

By bazaar staff

Are we fashion followers, or creators? Has it become an intrinsic result of social norms to follow any given trend dictated by glossy magazines and glamorous editorials? What makes any individual unique? How are we inspired to dress in a specific way? bazaar explores the philosophy of ‘fashion’ by interviewing the style innovators of our generation, with a special focus on their picks for the season. Symbolic of warm Spanish suns, Reina Styles perpetuates every fashionista’s seasonal affair by offering a fashion brand that specializes in trendy clothing for women and men suited for the Summer, Resort, and Cruise segment. Perfect for the style-conscious traveler, Reina creates the desired mélange of casual-chic, flexibility and glamour. Whether you’re a travel-junkie heading to a yoga retreat in Bali, a couple checking into a resort in the Maldives, or girlfriends cruising the Mediterranean shores, Reina will have something for every occasion. Each collection offers beautiful prints, holidayinspired colors, and light, yet durable materials all made for traveling, sight-seeing, beach-hopping, and exploring. The range allows for mixing and matching creating versatility and individuality. Envisioned by Rana Al-Naqeeb, Reina Styles is a dream turned into reality, an obsession with fashion since her childhood, and a fabulous answer to holiday wardrobe dilemmas. 98

Does fashion ‘make’ the person or does the person ‘make’ fashion? I believe that the person ‘makes’ fashion, giving birth to style icons, having individual style and fashion trends etc. You can have fashion or fashionable pieces but if you don’t know how to style the ‘look’ properly you can look like a fashion-victim. Definitely, the person ‘makes’ fashion. How would you describe your style? My individual style evolves and it’s interesting to see the different influences my mood reflects on what “I feel like wearing”. Overall, no matter what mood I am in, it is always “feminine”, that has been constant with whatever I put on, which reflects my personality and designs. How do you get inspiration for your style? I get inspired from everything around me, it can be a beautiful flower bouquet color combination that I find chic, traveling to different destinations and their culture would inspire my style, admiring women’s styles in magazines, and blogs! No matter what style it is, I stay true to my personality and tweak it, to what suits me and my body type. You have to feel comfortable and confidant in how you look, which is an attractive style on any woman. What does it take to become a style innovator? Its takes courage, creativity, and experimenting

put yourself out there and become a style innovator. A Style innovator is a person that stays true to their personality, and lets that translate in the way they look, which creates their signature style! They style themselves in a way that defines who they are in a chic-stylish way, combining pieces that are trendy, as well as classic looks that reflect their lifestyle. What’s exciting right now in fashion? I am seeing a lot of lace and sheer fabric tops and dresses, also white and bright colors-red/mustard, emerald green is beautiful this Fall. Featured skirts are fun! Tailored jackets, you see a lot of summer’11 trends carrying over into this season. Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence? Honestly, it changes. At times, I get influenced by Old Hollywood, such as Audrey Hepburn. She was daring and started so many trends that have had an influence on high-end and high-street brands. She also started the men’s shirt trend, ballet slippers and much more! She has influenced generations of designers. Who are your favorite designers, and what is it that you love about them? That is a tough question, especially in the ME market. I am overwhelmed with this boom/new wave of creative energy that is emerging in our region; you cannot keep up with all the brands that are popping up. LOVE IT! I admire people that use their creative talent in shaping their community and empowering themselves, I do not have a favorite. What is the highlight of your ‘style’ career? There are two that come to mind that have made me feel over the moon; having celebrities wear my RTW line and launching in the US with buyers’ positive response to the brand, which was so gratifying for me! These are steppingstones to a positive start, and hopefully more to come. Every fashionality has as a style obsession, what’s yours? It changes from season to season. For fall, I am obsessed with jewelry; it just makes the whole outfit/ look POP! Loving soft blazers this winter – you can throw one on a casual look with a pair of jeans, or an evening dress, so chic! And I am always obsessed with shoes!! Especially high heels of course, which is my signature look, even in high school I would wear heels. Who does that? I just love my heels. Do you follow any fashion blogs? If so, what are they and which would you recommend? Oh definitely! I love to follow fashion blogs. Bloggers are shaping the fashion world in their own way, and give room for people to showcase their individual, creative style and influence other people beyond borders. Some of my favorites are: The blonde salad/Fashion Chalet, DIY fashion pieces Ilovewildfox, studdedhearts, and in the Middle East

I follow myfashodiary.com, fashiongossip10 and candyandcookie! What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that people wore more often? Nothing comes to mind. I appreciate people’s styles and their individuality, fashion is accessible to everyone – big designer names collaborating with affordable brands – so many options that it is difficult to say. To be stylish is to be fashionable. True or False and why? False, you can be stylish in what you wear and put together, without having to be fashionable in terms of trends. For more information about Reina Style, please visit www.reinaswimwear.com. Reed Krakoff, Boxer 1 leather Tote:Love the neutral colors and style of the tote, its versatile, you can totally carry this bag on to the summer season!

Season’s picks:

Dion Lee, printed silk-Georgette shirt and A-line mini skirt: Love the overlay and drapes, and the back is sheer, and for fall, you see a lot of sheer fabrics incorporated with the designs.

Mathew Williamson, feather and sequins skirt: LOVE! Great evening piece, you can go classic with a sheer top, or have fun with a bright color blazer!

Aurelie Bidermann, Demeter 18-karat gold-plated necklace: It’s a statement piece, love the workman ship on this piece, it comes alive!

Reina Styles, swimsuit: While on holiday to get away from the cold weather Christian Louboutin, Sweet Charity Woodoo calf hair shoulder bag: Such an elegant girly clutch, to finish up your evening look

Carven, Assymetric Crepe and Felt Dress: Every girl needs a “black dress” is her closet, love the little cut on the shoulder. 99

COMEDY SHRINKS INTO PAST Kelsey Grammer Becomes 'Boss' By Marco R. della Cava

Kelsey Grammer beams as he stands on a terrace overlooking the blue Pacific, a golden sun lighting his bearded smile. For 20 years, he was affable psychiatrist Frasier Crane in two long-running sitcoms: first Cheers, then Frasier (a prime-time television-character record, tying James Arness as Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke). But behind the public smile was a private man cycling through one disastrous relationship after another, culminating in a divorce last winter from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Camille Donatacci. Now he's back on television as Tom Kane, the violently inscrutable mayor of Chicago, in Starz's new drama Boss. Yet inside, Grammer, 56, couldn't be more chuffed about his new marriage to Briton Kayte Walsh, 29. "After I had my heart attack (in 2008), I looked at my life, cast my imagination over the next few decades and thought, 'Is this the last story I want to tell?' And I wasn't talking about a television show," Grammer says. "As soon as I came to terms with that, this gift came, 100

Kayte. And it's been amazing." Boss may well prove to be another present. Already given the go-ahead for a second season by Starz's president, former HBO chief Chris Albrecht, the gritty series with Shakespearean overtones threatens to purge the public's memory of Grammer as Frasier as the classically trained actor turns into a political monster nonpareil. "It's fantastic to play Tom," says Grammer, in an expansive mood as he touches on everything from his own electoral ambitions to his relief at calling New York home. "It's the most honest (stuff ) I've ever had to do. No contrivance. It's elemental. Two-time Oscar nominee Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk), who directed the Boss pilot, wasn't concerned about Grammer's Frasier past. He'd never seen the Emmy-winning show. "He may have won international fame for that character, but to me he was just my talented lead actor," says Van Sant, who, with Grammer, is one of the

show's executive producers. "To me, it just seemed like Kelsey had played this character in the past." In effect, he had. Kane's tirades echo with the fury of King Lear, one of many of the Bard's characters Grammer has inhabited on stage over his threedecade career. In fact, although show creator Farhad Safinia wanted to anchor his story to a modern-day Windy City, he really was channeling all the Shakespearean epics he was exposed to while attending British primary schools. The show's opening moment does much to signal that the good doctor Crane is not in the house. The camera is tight on Grammer's somber face as he hears word from his doctor that he has a terminal illness. Grammer concedes that "it's fascinating to see Frasier slapping people around. I've been wanting to do this forever." He lets out a big laugh, then grows serious. "I have been thinking about doing a creative role on TV for decades, but whether people would let me is another story. It's a narrow creative universe out there when you find success. But now people have a chance to say, 'Kelsey is someone different.'" A monumental shift Grammer's transition from king of comedy to anchor of a racy drama - this is Starz, and there's a touch of nudity to go with the swearing, neither of which Grammer is keen on - falls "right in the category of, 'What took you so long?'" says Andrew Wallenstein, television editor at Variety. If anything, the overwhelmingly dark nature of Boss, and not the lead actor's comedic past, could be what challenges viewers. "You'd have to go back to (HBO's critically lauded drug-world drama) The Wire to find a show this intense, layered and bleak," Wallenstein says. "It's tough stuff." Nielsen calls Boss "a dark satire," a description that fits a series featuring a scene in which the protagonist receives as a gift a pair of body parts oozing with symbolism. "We wanted to hark back to the world of those (Shakespeare) plays," Grammer says. "They are populated by tortured and terrifying people living in a world that is seething, animal and vicious, which I think you get from our show, too." Grammer, a staunch Republican, is displeased by the tone of today's political discourse. "You have to make voters hate the other guy in order to win," he says. "I suppose it's always been that way, but to me it seems like in the past it was about making a better choice. We'll see if we can fix that. Because we really are all in this together."

OF MEN AND MUSCLES IN KUWAIT By Ayman K.

What is wrong with the natural look? Fit, trim, proportionate and above all healthy? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start by asking a question; Why do you work out? A very simple question, that garners some rather complex answers, and a few absurd ones, too. Primarily, working out is meant to keep one healthy. Looking attractive may be a background goal, but most importantly working out is meant to keep us healthy, which could possibly lead to longer lives, God willing. At the very least, being healthy can definitely help prevent plenty of diseases. However, vanity plays a huge role in looking good, which as we said, is a also a goal for most people who work out. Unfortunately, looking good is relative, and as a friend of mine once told me, working out is a vanity game, you can never accept that you have reached the pinnacle of your curvature, as there will always be someone who is bigger, stronger, better. So you keep bulking up, upping the dosage of the "supposed" natural supplements you ingest while you work out. And when that happens, we take a turn from working out to be healthy, to working out in an unhealthy way. It is not an uncommon sight in gymnasiums around Kuwait to find people walking around with arms literally the size of their heads, where their muscles are in a constant state of flex due to the hours upon hours they put in every day at the gym. Much like women are preferred in the "hour-glass" shape, it appears men, also have preferred shapes when they work out. 102

There is a new breed of man, Homo muscular. Bigger, Rounder, Larger, than Homo sapien ever intended to be. The current trend in all fitness centers and gymnasiums in the State of Kuwait is appalling. Some coaches not only recommend, but insist that their charges / customers start "bulking up". I have personally witnessed a trainer assist a person working out by injecting them with a substance. And a couple of trainers have recommended that I start a course of protein shakes and what nots. This craze is not limited by gender, it does not differentiate between man and woman, maybe in Kuwait it does, but not worldwide. I would be inclined to share some truly horrific pictures of the female body after it had been subjected to weights and protein shakes, however, to avoid the risk of readers losing their dinner (in more ways than one), I will only suggest you go to Google and run an image search of female body builders. Not for the faint of heart. The reality is nothing beats nature. And also, who exactly are you kidding, giants? It does not take a geneticist to figure out that these Mammoth-Men, these Behemoths, these Gargantuan Titans, are anything but natural. Their size is not a result of simply working out, but a LARGE factor to it is their dependence on supplements. Much like women can tell amongst themselves (and a few men can too) who has had plastic surgery, the same is excruciatingly apparent with these musclebound-hulks. I have yet to find anyone who finds people

of the size showcased here as appealing. The greatest irony of all is, despite spending all this time at the gym, and striving to get their forms to what they perceive to be peak physical condition, what they are achieving is the exact opposite. Supplements, no matter their natural ingredients, if used to bulk up to such unnatural proportions, can only be detrimental to health, if not fatal in itself. Another problem is proportionality. Guys in the gym in Kuwait are not bulking up all over; they focus on the areas that they can show off the most by buying t-shirts from the kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sections and slipping them over their disproportionate appendages. You will almost certainly find them all working out on their "Guns" (arms) and "Pecs" (chest), along with shoulders, and back. Legs are always left out, and it is why most of these specimens look comical, like an unbalanced glass. Some body builders take it a step further, and again, it is not uncommon in Kuwait, to find those who indulge in the use of steroids, cutting their life short, and putting the lives of others at risk. The most famous case of "Roid Rage Murder" would have to be the professional wrestler Chris Benoit, of the WWE, who killed his wife, son, and eventually himself in a fit of roid induced rage. We have forgotten the true purpose of going to the gym, and until we are reminded of it, we will continue to have people dying in their prime as a result of excessive "natural" supplement intake. Stay natural. Nature Knows Best.

TOP 10 MOST ANNOYING KINDS OF TRAVELERS

Whether we've (regretfully) chosen them as our travel companions or just can't seem to stop running into them, annoying travelers can make hours feels like days and days feel like prison. Depending on the severity of the offender they can be just an annoyance or actually end up marring the trip, so with this in mind, here is the list of the "Top 10 Most Annoying Kinds of Travelers." ON THE PLANE: 1. The Perfume/Cologne addict Few circumstances can make a flight seem longer 104

than sitting next to someone who smells like the first floor of a department store. We don't know why someone would feel the need to spray themselves down in scent right before boarding a relatively small, enclosed space with re-circulated air, but there's at least one on every flight. 2. The Last Man Standing This person boards the plane and rather than take a seat, stands in the aisle nonchalantly arranging every piece of travel gear they've brought with them. They dig for magazines, finish calls, retrieve things they've

already stowed in the overhead compartment; in short, they do just about everything but let other boarding passengers pass. 3. The Walking Petri Dish With as many maladies as this person has it's amazing they were allowed on the plane. The sneezing, coughing, and sniffling never stops ... until, of course, the plane lands. 4. The Passive Parent Although it's children who fuss on planes, it's negligent parents who seem to draw the most ire from travelers. Most are willing to excuse an inadvertent kick from a restless kid, but have no patience for the adult who won't take action. 5. The Nervous Nellie This person could make the pilot afraid to fly. Rocking, drinking, hyperventilating, and sometimes even crying, he or she white knuckles the whole trip. They hear sounds no one else hears, they keep asking the flight attendant how much time is left, and wig out at the slightest hint of turbulence. 6. The Hair Puller This person sits behind you, gets up about every 10 minutes, and insists on using the back of your seat as support, grabbing a clump of your wayward hair with them every single time. ON THE GROUND: 7. The Group That Won't Take a Group Photo They can see the lines of people waiting to stand in front of the (INSERT MAJOR MONUMENT NAME HERE) but still, they insist on taking each other's pictures individually. Depending on the size of the group, this can take a shockingly long time. 8. The "Anglais or the Highway" Traveler This is the person who refuses to accept there is any other language other than English spoken anywhere in the world. They lose patience with non-English-speaking clerks, neglect learning the most basic phrases in the local tongue, and won't go to any restaurant that won't provide a translated menu. 9. The Malcontent Why does this person even bother to travel? A frighteningly heightened version of the Englishobsessed traveler, this person is happy with absolutely nothing. They don't like the food, they don't like the local schedule, and they can't stop talking about how much better things are "at home" - a place they would have been better off staying. 10. The Tour Talker Your tour guide is a walking encyclopedia of the site you're seeing, but you'll never know that because the guy next to you won't stop talking. No amount of shushing, dirty looks, or even polite requests will stop him from yakking over the tour guide so take consolation in the fact that you can always buy the guidebook later. ÂŠ Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.

iPHONE 4S Voice control leads device's new features By Mark W. Smith

For the iPhone 4S, Apple didn't make a single change to the iPhone 4's beautiful glass exterior. It did, though, offer some significant upgrades under the hood. The iPhone 4S features an amazing 8-megapixel camera, faster dual-core processor and, most notably, a personal assistant named Siri. Siri, available only on the iPhone 4S, uses incredibly accurate voice control to answer a sophisticated set of questions and to perform tasks. The iPhone 4S is off to a strong retail start. Apple said that more than 4 million had been sold since the phone's launch. That's more than twice as many as the iPhone 4 sold in the same time period. Many of the features on the iPhone 4S, including Apple's new iMessage texting service and cloud-based storage service iCloud, are also available on any Apple device 106

running the new iOS 5 mobile operating system. iOS 5 is a free software upgrade available to users of the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2 or the two most recent models of the iPod Touch. But the 4S is still a compelling upgrade to the iPhone family. With Siri as the marquee feature, it's by far the best iPhone to date. IPHONE FINDS ITS VOICE The biggest innovation with Siri is that users don't have to speak like a computer to get her to understand them. (Yes, I call Siri a she. We've gotten very close.) Instead of saying something cryptic like "weather forecast" users can ask her a question, like "Is it going to rain tonight?" Or "Will I need an umbrella tomorrow?" If you're curious about your schedule while driving, you can say to Siri: "Do I have any appointments tomorrow at noon?" She can also help users work through commands by

asking for more information. When I asked Siri to "call Mom" she asked me for my mother's name. When I told her, she asked if I wanted her to remember that choice. Now Siri knows who my mother is and anytime I ask her to call or text my mother, she'll know what to do. Siri also has a bit of a sense of humor. Blogs popped up devoted to showing off some of her most wacky responses. Ask her what she's wearing and she responds: "Aluminosilicate glass and stainless steel. Nice, huh?" Curse, and she'll knock you for your language. Siri isn't anywhere near comprehensive, though. She has some pretty large knowledge blind spots. For one, Siri doesn't know much about sports. I asked her the score of the Detroit Lions game and she didn't know. (Maybe that's for the best.) Ask Siri to track a flight for you and she apologizes and says she can't help. If Siri does hit a dead end, she often offers to Google it for you. Siri also suffered through some outages t, likely as a result of the 4 million new iPhone 4S customers testing the feature out. For each spoken command, Siri has to ping Apple's servers, where the response is formulated and sent back to the iPhone 4S. Siri, though, is better than you expect. As more apps and Web services are allowed to plug in and offer their knowledge, Siri will only get smarter. It's not one of those features, a la FaceTime, that users will experiment with the first weekend and then forget about. It's a powerful platform that is the best voice-controlled system I've ever used. WHAT ABOUT THE IPHONE 5? For current users of the iPhone 3GS or earlier models, an upgrade now to the 4S is a no-brainer. It's a ton faster, the screen is much clearer and the camera is unmatched by any other phone. It's also a solid upgrade for those struggling with the quirks of Android devices, which are often not as user friendly. Many Android phones have also struggled with battery life issues, a strong point of pride for the iPhone line. But for users of the iPhone 4, which only lacks the souped-up camera, faster processor and Siri, the question remains: Should I hold out for the iPhone 5? There's no easy answer, since no one knows when an iPhone 5 will be released. It could be next summer or later. Siri may know, but she's not telling. I tried to get the iPhone 5 release date from her to no avail. "Everything you need to know about Apple's products is at Apple's website," she said.

ÂŠ 2011 Distributed by MCT Information Services.

bazaar a la mode

TED BAKER AW11 COLLECTIONS Ted’s A/W11 collections are steeped in heritage, colour and texture. Welcome to model country. Naturally, the womenswear collection showcases a new breed of key prints: bold orchid and wild blossom bloom over dresses, tops and accessories, chandeliers add vintage glamour, whilst the woodland fairy print brings a whimsical touch to the season. Drawing upon the colours of the countryside, winter blacks, charcoals and navy are softened with autumnal rose, berry and camel tones, whilst fierce flashes of fuschia, orange and petrol blue create a dramatic palette that’s wild at heart. A nostalgic nod to 50s glamour sees graceful silhouettes created by fuller circular skirts celebrating the female figure in all its glory. Whereas in contrast, more modern and minimal shapes emerge through beautifully cut tailored suits, jumpsuits and wide-leg trousers. Delicate lace, ruffle and pleat details on separates, juxtaposed with heavier leather and wool on outerwear and knits highlight the importance of texture and layering this season. With slick metal hardware detailing on leather bags, gloves and outerwear adding an edge to the final look. Ted’s menswear collection treads a more rugged path for A/W11. Tweed, corduroy and twill are all in their element while fur, leather and quilting branch out to provide further textural highlights. Cable knit detailing meanwhile, appearing on both jumpers and accessories, is the natural selection for modern gents this season. On frostier days outerwear offers a more adventurous feel. A quilted jacket in racing green, leather aviator with shearling collar and longline revere collar wool coat sit perfectly with heavier cotton chinos in earthy shades of stone, chocolate, olive and plum. All the while trapper hats in melton wool and oilskin, tweed flat caps and chunky cable knit scarves look the part, whatever the weather. As the nights draw in, long sleeve polos featuring shirting contrasts come to the fore whilst shirts with micro collars and narrow plackets create a sharper look in colder temperatures. Styled with tweed blazers and coated denims, this is deconstructed tailoring that’s always in season. Phormal Debonair with a touch of flair, Ted’s Phormalwear collection offers the ultimate in tailoring. Sharp suiting in metallic tones and silk yarns add extra lustre, velvet takes the spotlight as a key fabric and aubergine blazers in rich jacquard prints or with satin trims take centre stage this A/W11. Langley Court Offering more than a touch of theatricality and glamour, Ted’s A/W11 Langley Court collection sees digital ocean and flamboyant fire prints playing a leading role alongside sophisticated tailoring that plays on elongated and angular proportions. Organic sculptural frills on skirts and dresses add the final dramatic flourish. From rural retreats to the bright lights of the big city, get back to nature with Ted Baker’s new A/W11 collections.

HAMILTON KHAKI UTC Sidereal with modern appeal Inspiration for the new Hamilton Khaki UTC came from the pages of the company’s own history books, more precisely from documentation relating to the 1940s. The Hamilton Khaki UTC pays a direct tribute to the Hamilton chronometers that integrated sidereal time which measured time relative to the motion of the stars around the earth, as opposed to that of the sun. Today the new trio of timepieces with GMT functionality uses contemporary design and current airport abbreviations to celebrate the impressive voyage that navigational timekeeping has made to modernity. Today’s watches reflect the heroic achievements of their wartime predecessors, which kept ships on course and out of danger. Their robustness finds expression in a sturdy, 42 mm stainless steel case, an antimagnetic Swiss GMT movement and water resistance to a pressure of up to 30 bar (300 m). The elegant combination of yesterday and today secure a place for the Hamilton Khaki UTC in future horological history books. The Hamilton Khaki UTC family clothes its nostalgia in high-tech craftsmanship and boldly modern materials. The broad scope of modern materials is matched by dynamic creativity, with attachments available in a specially developed sailcloth, or in leather resembling that used for craftsmen’s aprons in days gone by.

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JIMMY CHOO LAUNCHES ICONS CAPSULE COLLECTION AND THE JIMMY CHOO FOUNDATION Jimmy Choo announces the launch of ICONS, a capsule collection of shoes inspired by the most significant creations from the company’s archives. In conjunction with this collection launch, the company also announces the creation of The Jimmy Choo Foundation, a charitable trust that will be chaired by Jimmy Choo Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Tamara Mellon OBE. Fifteen iconic shoes from Jimmy Choo’s archives served as the source of inspiration for the modern interpretations and represent the most renowned moments from the brand’s history. Among them are the famous ‘Feather’ shoe immortalized by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City . Also included is ‘Carly’ a zebra print boot created to commemorate the brand’s entry to the US. Red carpet habitué, ‘Macy’, a style worn most recently on Academy Award winner, Natalie Portman is also included in the collection, as is ‘Fleur,’ a classic pointy-toe stiletto pump worn by Tamara Mellon when she was awarded the Order of the British Empire by the Queen. Of these 15 archival shoes, 10 styles have been reinterpreted as new classics as the ICONS Collection.

SHEA BUTTER. SHEER PLEASURE. Limited editions, in the colours and scents of africa L’OCCITANE has decorated its Shea Butter range with colorful, graphic patterns, inspired by the Bogolan cloth – A traditional fabric from West Africa. Bogolan : A fabric steeped in tradition. This traditional fabric is decorated with patterns specific to each village, showing where it was made. Bogolan cloth is dyed with mud, which is said to give the fabric vital energy. Scents from all over Africa: For these limited editions, L’OCCITANE drew inspiration from three flowers with subtle scents... THE DESERT ROSE FROM MOROCCO is known for its generous blooms and fruity, zesty aroma, which perfumes the desolate landscape. EGYPTIAN HIBISCUS delights the eyes with its array of different colors, from the purest white to the most passionate red. Its sensual, sunny perfume awakens the senses. COCOA FLOWER FROM THE IVORY COAST has a comforting, milky scent with a delicious hint of cacao.

CALVIN KLEIN ck enlace Sensual. Elegant. ck enlace. The intersecting design of this feminine watch evokes grace and sophistication. Audacious in every way, it reflects the craftsmanship and creativity of ck Calvin Klein watches. The intertwined bangle, available in polished stainless steel or PVD gold, is perfect for the stylish and confidant woman. ck enlace is offered in both small and medium sizes, each beautifully closed with a jewelry buckle. Polished hour and minute hands smoothly rotate around a black, silver, or PVD gold dial, crowned with a ck Calvin Klein logo at 12 o’ clock. Beauty and functionality, it is waster resistant up to 3bar.

TOPSHOP/TOPMAN SPECIAL NOVEMBER OFFER As if Topshop/Topman’s winter collection wasn’t excuse enough to visit stores, this November they are showering ALL university students with some festive love! Visit The Avenues location on the weekend of Nov. 11th- 13th and show your student ID to get an exclusive student shopper bag with your purchase, along with a few other surprises! This offer is valid at the Avenues TOPSHOP and TOPMAN location.

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big boys toys

Gray Design Sovereign Yacht The Gray Design Sovereign Yacht ($135 million+) embraces flowing, metallic forms for an unmistakable silhouette that will set you apart from all the other superyacht owners at the port. This is a serious watercraft, featuring a wind turbine in the mast and solar panels on the roof to run the lighting systems and stock up reserve power supplies, a retractable cover on the bow that can serve as a sun shade for the jacuzzi, an infinity pool with a reinforced glass helipad in the center, a beach club on the lower deck, three MTU engines to hit speeds of up to 30 knots, and even an optional custom-built limo that's stored in the on-board garage. Here, let's get that drool off your chin.

www.graydesign.se

Exo Watercraft Somewhere between a jet ski and a boogie board lies the Exo Watercraft ($TBA). Crafted from reinforced ABS plastic or carbon fiber, the Exo is a solid, lay down-style watercraft that's powered by your choice of a 3.5, 4.5, or 7Kwh electric engine and removable battery packs that run a silent water-jet propulsion system, letting you skim across the top of the water with speed and unnatural control, while creating no emissions and no noise. Just the thing for stealth beer runs from the boat back to shore.

www.exo-concept.com

Big Daddy Nerf Gun We usually gag at anything related to the Steampunk movement, but this rejiggered Nerf Barricade blaster stole our heart. The Big Daddy Nerf Gun ($300) is crafted from wood planks that were part of a 75-year-old chair and hand-riveted aluminum, and sports a working scope. It holds 10 whistler Nerf darts and all the dreams of your steam-powered childhood.

www.etsy.com

Rogue Breacher Bracelet Well, here it is, folks. The most extravagant piece of man-jewelry there is. Made from Mil-spec G-5 aerospace-grade titainium, the Rogue Breacher Bracelet ($16,300) is "an intelligent, multi-axis assembly that anatomically contours around the unique forms of the human wrist." The bracelet, which reportedly takes more than 100 machine-hours to complete, "flows freely to constantly adapt to the natural movement of its wearer" thanks to links that dynamically rotate on two independent axes. Just 20 individually serial numbered bracelets are available.

www.roguedzn.com

Rover Spy Tank While it's not the most inconspicuous spy gadget we've ever seen, the Rover Spy Tank ($150) should do just enough to let you be the Ethan Hunt of your abode. Controlled by an app that works with your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, the tank has a camera that streams live video and takes still photos, while a built-in microphone transmits sound back to you. It has a wireless range of up to 200 feet, plus infrared night vision for late night missions.

www.amazon.com 110

‫�صديقتي تتزوج‬ ‫بقلم‪ :‬منى العنزي‬

‫كانت من نوع الفتيات الطيبات الالتي يحملن في مالمحهن‬ ‫صبغة من النضج والخلق العظيم‪ ،‬كما كانت وباإلضافة الى‬ ‫مميزاتها الكثيرة ذكية‪ ،‬جميلة العقل‪ ،‬ال نراها إال في المركز‬ ‫األول في كل حفل من حفالت التفوق التي تكرم به المدرسة‬ ‫طالباتها المتفوقات‪.‬‬ ‫ومع هذا‪ ،‬وعند سؤالها عن أي تخطيط مستقبلي نراها‬ ‫وقد إفترشت ذات المخطط التقليدي‪ ،‬معدل عالي‪ ،‬جامعة‪،‬‬ ‫ومن ثم الزواج من "إبن الحالل" وبناء إسرة جميلة تكون‬ ‫بها وزوجها‪ ،‬أولياء أمور جيدين ال يوفران إال المناخ الجيد‬ ‫والتربية السليمة ألبنائهم المستقبليين‪.‬‬ ‫في أُثناء أوقات الفراغ في أيام الدراسة كنا ال ننفك‬ ‫الحديث عن الحب ووجوده في وقتٍ مكلف كهذا‪ ،‬وكانت ال‬ ‫تتوانى عن إخباري عن إبن الجيران الذي تراه على الدوام‬ ‫يقف عند منزله والذي ينتظر قدوم باص مدرستها ويطمأن‬ ‫على عودتها‪ ،‬قبل أن يشرع الدخول الى بيته وفي قلبه‬ ‫حب من رؤية الفتاة التي تشي عينيه بأنه‬ ‫تتراقص طيور ٍ‬ ‫يحبها حب ًا جم ًا‬ ‫نتحدث عن مستقبلنا البعيد‪ ،‬وعن الحياة الكريمة التي‬ ‫تنذرها اإليام لنا‪ ،‬عن أسماء ومواصفات الرجال الذين نتمنى‬ ‫اإلرتباط بهم‪ ،‬عن نظرتنا للحب ومشتقاته وأحاسيسه‬ ‫ودواماته‪ ،‬عن المفاجآت التي نخطط عليها منذ لحظتنا تلك‬ ‫والتي نرغب فع ً‬ ‫ال في تطبيقها مع هذا الرجل المستقبلي‬ ‫القادم ال محال‪.‬‬ ‫كانت رومانسية الى حدٍ مخيف‪ ،‬كما لو كانت ستخر‬

‫سقوط ًا على األرض بمجرد أن يخبرها أحدهم "أنتِ جميلة"‬ ‫كنت أخاف عليها جداً من أن تصدم بواقع الشباب‪ ،‬هذا الواقع‬ ‫الذي سيدمر لها شعور الرومانسية والعاطفة التي تختزلها‬ ‫مشاعرها النقية‪ ،‬ذلك الواقع الذي لن يوفر لها قصص كالتي‬ ‫تحدث في األفالم والتي تبكي على أحداثها يومين متواصلين‬ ‫مثيلة‪a walk to remember, notebook, ma7abetain, :‬‬ ‫‪ anjamaa anjamee‬كبرت صديقتي‪ ،‬وإنخرطت في أجواء‬ ‫الجامعة التي صعقت من حدتها وجديتها والتي تختلف كلي ًا‬ ‫عن الحياة التي آلفتها في الثانوية‪ ،‬هناك فتيات جريئات‪،‬‬ ‫متبرجات‪ ،‬ال يحملون الحياء من الحديث مع الدكاترة بأسلوب ًا‬ ‫يفتقر لألدب والذوق ورفعة األخالق‪ ،‬كما كان هناك شباب‪،‬‬ ‫رأت بداخلهم "تصابي"رغم ظاهرهم الجدي والمكتنز‬ ‫لـكثير من الرجولة الظاهرية‪.‬‬ ‫رغم سنواتها األربع هناك‪ ،‬كانت وفي كل حديث تسألني‬ ‫عما اذا كان هناك من مشروع خطبة أو زواج قريب‪ ،‬كنت‬ ‫أجيبها بأن أوضاعي تختلف‪ ،‬وفتاة مثلي قد شق القدر‬ ‫طريقه بطريقها‪ ،‬ال تفكر بالزواج بقدر ما تطمح أن تكون‬ ‫سيدة ذات تأثير إيجابي وعالي في المجتمع‪ ،‬والتي تعمل‬ ‫على موضوع كهذا وتجتهد به كثيرا‪ ،‬كانت ترى إن الطموح‬ ‫وإن عال البد عليه أن ال يزيح فكرة الزواج عن المرأة في‬ ‫مجتماعتنا الشرقية‪ ،‬وإن العلم والطموح والمعرفة هي‬ ‫أدوات تستخدمها المرأة لـتحظى بفرص زواج مميزة‪ ،‬ومع‬ ‫محاوالتي الكثيرة إلقناعها بنظرتي التي تختلف كلياً عن‬ ‫فكرتها‪ ،‬كانت ال تزال تصر على فكرة كــفكرتها‪.‬‬

‫كانت تقول‪:‬‬ ‫ المرأة العربية مظلومة في جميع الميادين وهي‬‫وإن كانت ناجحة‪ ،‬يظل يراها المجتمع جريئة بــتصرفاتها‬ ‫وجرأة مثيلة غير مقبولة لدينا وبذلك هي تخسر العديد من‬ ‫فرص الزواج !‬ ‫ الرجل الذي يرى إن المرأة عار بمجرد إن كافحت ألجل‬‫أن تأثر ُ‬ ‫التأثير اإليجابي بالمجتمع‪ ،‬فــهو رجل يحتاج الى‬ ‫إعادة فكر وأهلية‬ ‫ نحن عرب‪ ،‬ورجالنا شرقيون ذوو تفكير شرقي متزمت‬‫ والمرأة العربية اليوم لم ولن تتنازل عن شرقيتها‪،‬‬‫وهي وإن فكرت بالتفوق والتميز ال تمارس الى حقها‬ ‫ دعينا نفض هذا النقاش "لكم دينكم ولي دين"‬‫ونختم حواراتنا الدائمة بنقطة إختالف هائلة‪ ،‬نتفق‬ ‫فيها على إننا صديقات ال يفرق بيننا شيء‪.‬‬ ‫وجدت رسالة منها على سطح هاتفي‪ ،‬تخبرني فيها عن‬ ‫توقعاتي للخبر الذي جائت به‪ ،‬وعند إنسحابي من إبداء أي‬ ‫رأي أو محاولة لـشوقي الكبير لمعرفته قالت‪:‬‬ ‫ إنخطبت وزواجي في نهاية الشهر‬‫ إبن الجيران؟‬‫ ال ‪ ..‬فقد تزوج منذ شروعي الجامعة !‬‫اليوم‪ ،‬أنا أسأل نفسي‪ ،‬هل إبن الجيران كان يحب بها‬ ‫طفلة الثانوية البريئة ونفر من فكرة طالبة الجامعة الذكية‪،‬‬ ‫هل مارس هو شرقيته التي رفضت أن يكون أقل "شهادة"‬ ‫وعلم من الفتاة التي حلم بها كثيرا؟‬ ‫‪112‬‬

SCORSESE ON THE 'QUIET BEATLE' In HBO Documentary By Marco R. della Cava

The quiet Beatle has never spoken so loudly. Over the course of 3 1/2 hours - the span of Martin Scorsese's epic exploration George Harrison: Living in the Material World - fans of the Mop Tops' rhythm ace slip inside the literal and metaphorical gates that kept the contemplative musician at a distance. Six memorable moments from the two-part documentary: 1. Getting spiritual: Harrison was well-known as the most spiritually curious of the Fab Four, having introduced both the band and its music to Indian vibes in the '60s. The revelation to look East, however, came during a trip in England with friends. "Yogis of the Himalayas" was the phrase that came to Harrison in his blissedout stupor, which led him to the door of sitar master Ravi Shankar. "He was the first person to impress me," Harrison says, "because he didn't try to impress me." 2. Highs and lows: As The Beatles' personal and professional relationships hit bottom in 1969, Harrison flexed his musical muscles. He tried and failed to get his 114

song “All Things Must Pass” onto both Let It Be and Abbey Road. Says Paul McCartney: "We knew he was peaking. ... We realized he was really coming up with the goods." 3. Pattie and Eric: Harrison's first wife, doe-eyed model Pattie Boyd, so obsessed best mate Eric Clapton that he famously wrote Layla to woo her. Clapton says Harrison was cavalier: "'Take her, she's yours.'… But there was a lot of swinging going on, it was the '60s free love. His attitude was, it's all material, it's all irrelevant." "George was my mate, so I can't say much. ... But he was a red-blooded man," McCartney says. "You know what I mean." Harrison's widow, Olivia, concedes as much. "He did like women, and women did like him. ... It was always a challenge. People ask me, 'What's the secret to having a great marriage?' Don't get divorced." 4. Traveling musicians: One of Harrison's more acclaimed post-Beatles projects was the Traveling Wilburys, which he formed with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty. Perhaps the film's most stunning home movie shows that super-group at a

kitchen table hammering out the classic “(Ghost) Riders In the Sky”. 5. Darkness at Friar Park: In December 1999, an intruder broke into Harrison's estate, Friar Park. Harrison fought the man off, only to have to rescue Olivia. "George yelled, 'I got the knife,' and I remember thinking, 'What knife?'" she says. Harrison was stabbed several times and suffered a collapsed lung. More significantly, it made it harder for him to battle throat cancer. Says son Dhani: "That (attack) took years off his life." 6. Luminous exit: For years, Harrison had been preparing to die on his own terms, Olivia says. When John Lennon was shot, "he was angry that John wasn't able to leave his body in a better way," she says. When that time came, on Nov. 29, 2001, Olivia says, "you wouldn't need to light the room if you were trying to film it. He lit the room."

SWAHILI MUSIC TRADITION Lives on in Oman By Martina Fuchs

Oman seems the unlikely center for a thriving African music scene with roots stretching back centuries and across the seas to Zanzibar. The Omani empire in the 18th and 19th century ruled much of East Africa’s coast and the islands of Zanzibar – in today’s Tanzania – with sailors bringing back instruments, music, dance and the language. That is why in this state hugging the edge of the Arabian Peninsula, musicians wearing Oman’s traditional long white robes and hand-woven hats drum rhythms and sway to music more easily found in sub-Saharan Africa than in the Middle East. “The music runs deep in us and is embedded in 116

our culture, passed on by our ancestors,” said Kareema Ismail, a singer and dancer. “The Swahili beats in our music is a long tradition from Zanzibar. It is not something that will be replaced by contemporary music.” Zanzibar became a major trade hub, a slave center and the economic engine for the 19th century Omani state. Its most powerful ruler, Sultan Said bin Sultan al-Said, made the archipelago the capital of Oman in 1840. Reflecting its history and relative openness, thanks to its long seafaring history, all of the music of Oman blends different traditional music and Arabic pop, as well as classical music. Much of the music in

Oman can only be found in performance – played in parks, weddings, hotels, concert halls, sports events and cafes. “Swahili music” is kept alive by a loose-knit community of musicians who join and leave various bands. The bands still tend to be overshadowed by more commercially successful Omani bands, such as folklore group Al-Majd or the traditional music ensemble Bin Shamsa from southern Oman, which sells CDs and uploads performances to YouTube. Nowadays Saleh al-Zadjali, a musician in Muscat and owner of the Musicology record label, is part of a new generation mixing traditional Omani sounds – including Swahili music with modern music, creating a new art form that is slowly gaining in popularity. He sings of complicated relationships, backed by a Lebanese pop beat. “The influence of African music will be there forever in Omani traditional music,” said Zadjali, whose dream is to sell his music in Egypt, Lebanon and the West. “Like some of the beats in Omani music are African, and some of the melodies as well. The influence is there, and we are proud of it.” Further down the coast from Muscat is the harbor town of Sur, considered the heart of Swahili music in Oman. “Sur bila ngoma kama chakula bila chumvi (Sur without drums is like food without salt),” says Sbet alGhelani, a security officer and musician in Sur, reciting in Swahili. African instruments are handed down from generation to generation as family treasures, played by family members only at special occasions. Prominent among them is the tanbura, a string instrument played by beating the strings with the end of a bull’s horn. Other African instruments are the misundu, a class of tall, cylindrical, single-headed drums characterized by a skin fitted by wooden wedges to the conical body. The misundu is beaten either with a stick or hands. Sur was a major port in the 17th and 18th centuries, when traders exported dried fish, dates, mats, carpets woven from sheep wool and frankincense to East Africa and India. “These people, from the color, their features, clearly have an African ethnicity. But they will tell you ‘No, we are actually Arab,’” said Majid al-Harthi, assistant professor of music and ethnomusicology at the Sultan Qaboos University. In Zanzibar, elements of Arabic music have been preserved over the centuries in Taarab music, coming from the Arabic word meaning “to be moved with joy or grief” or “to be delighted.” Hildegard Kiel, founder of Zanzibar’s Dhow Countries Music Academy, points out that Taarab music is based on Arabic scales and that the Arabic instruments oud and qanun are key to the Taarab sound. “I still find it amazing,” she said, “how strongly not only the Arabic influence but also the Egyptian influence has remained.”

HUMANITY MAKES THE EVENT

Journey of Hope leaves its finger print on our culture as it sails at 12pm on 12.12.012 from Kuwait with a global humanitarian message for the benefit of those with intellectual disabilities. God speed. What is the Journey of Hope The Journey of Hope is a daring expedition carrying a global heartfelt message. Under the Patronage of H.H. Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the Amir of The State of Kuwait, a sailing expedition will begin from Kuwait headed towards Washington D.C. and back with the sole purpose of raising awareness of its cause and spreading its message. The Origin of the Idea The idea was conceived by a group that has 118

been working under the title of “The Special Team for Sporting, Social, Media and Cultural Activities Dedicated to The Intellectually Disabled” since 2003, comprised of parents who have experienced great success in dealing with their intellectually disabled children who are inflicted with cases such as Down Syndrome and Autism. Although their activities were based in Kuwait, their influence and reach has spread to many other countries. The group concluded that their message needed to echo to the worldwide masses and decided to crown their initiative with a global expedition. More than their personal initiative, the aim of the Journey is to bring to light Kuwait’s contributions

and advances in the field of special needs care, bringing international awareness to the Country’s initiatives as a whole. Objectives of the Journey • To illustrate Kuwait’s approach, advancement and care dedicated to those suffering from intellectual disabilities. • To bring awareness to the extraordinary abilities of the intellectually disabled at performing great acts. • To unify people of all cultures and religions towards a collective effort to care for and benefit those with intellectual disabilities everywhere. • To draw attention to the importance of social

• •

•

responsibility and that communities can support the needs of the intellectually disabled. To strive towards elimination of home isolation cases. To educate the masses on how the intellectually disabled can be integrated into the community by refining their skills and talents. To assist parents with overcoming difficulties in dealing with their intellectually disabled children, this includes support with psychological problems that they can be faced with having a newborn with an intellectual disability. To highlight the achievements and talents of the intellectually disabled in an attempt to raise their confidence and change the misconceptions

of their capabilities held by the masses. • To introduce voluntary entities that specialize in the care of the intellectually disabled and support their continued efforts. • To disseminate the concepts and importance of volunteering efforts, highlighting their positive impact in an attempt to encourage the masses to participate. • To illustrate the positive impact and cultural added value when the support of government agencies and private organizations are put into practice. • To encourage campaigns that support pre-marital screening.

Journey Implementation The Special Team will design the vessel that will be used on the journey in compliance with strict international specifications and standards in all technical aspects. All tasks included in the implementation will be carried out by members of the team themselves. Funding is generated mainly from the community itself (individuals, organizations, private companies and NGO’s) Safe Sailing To ensure optimum levels of safety, all measures are being taken based on studies of previous similar journeys and the assistance of maritime experts. continued on next page...

119

The Ministry of Foreign affairs has also arranged for all Kuwaiti embassies en route to provide accommodation, protection, official escorts, rescue operation plans when necessary and any procedural requirements that may be necessary. Upon arrival to the United States, the ship will first dock in New York, where a special ceremony will be held in coordination with the United Nations. The Following destination will be Washington D.C., where the Team will deliver a document containing the objectives of the journey to the headquarters of the Special Olympics Committee, which is the largest voluntary athletic organization in the world dealing with intellectually disabled people. The Team will officially thank the Committee for its support and sponsorship of this segment at a grand event to be attended by senior American officials and covered by local, foreign and international media. Total timeframe for the Project (23 Months) 12 Months for the design of the vessel starting from October 2011 then preparation, testing and prejourney media coverage until 12 December 2012. 6 Months for the roundtrip journey. Target sail date 12/12/2012. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With God will and your loving support we sail ... From Kuwait ... through the Atlantic ... to Washington D.C. Carrying our Message inspired by your support.â&#x20AC;? 12pm.12.12.012 Board of Trustees The Board is tasked with approving the work plan and providing advice to the executive team.The Board supervises all administrative steps of the journey 120

and follows up on the progress of implementation. It reviews and approves financial and management reports submitted by consultants and the executives. Mr. Barges Hamoud Al-Barges Chairman Mrs. Nouria Al-Sabeeh Vice Chairman Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Awadi Member Dr. Hassan Al-Ibraheem Member Sh. Sheikha Abdullah Al-Khalifa Member Captain Fiasal Thunayan Al-Ghanim Member Mrs. Rehab Boresli Member Mr. Mohamed Abdullah Abualhasan Member Mr. Khalifa Al-Wugayan Member Mr.Yousef Abdulhameed Al-Jasem Member Mr. Faisal Mohamed Al- Hajji Member Mr. Jasem Al-Reshaid Al-Bader Member Mr. Badi Al-Dosery Member Special Team Members In addition to a group of volunteers who also assist in the undertaking all awareness activities, the Special Team is comprised of:

Mrs. Rehab Boresli Honorary Team Leader Mr. Khaled Al-Zaid Member Mr. Hisham Nushad Member Mr. Jasem Al-Reshaid Al-Bader Team Leader Mr. Khaled Al-Asfour Member Mr. Mishaal Jasem Al-Reshaid Member Mr. Badi Al-Dosery Member Mr. Adel Al-Misfir Member Mr. Khaled Badi Al-Dosery Member

For more information please visit, www.hopekw.org.

THE WORLD’S TOP 10 GREATEST CEILINGS The confluence of architectural design and landscape By Jim Quilty

The Sistine Chapel may be the granddaddy of the ceiling world, but it’s far from the only one worth straining your neck to see. As proof, here is a list of the World’s Top 10 Greatest Ceilings. 1) BELLAGIO HOTEL; LAS VEGAS, NV They may look like multicolored jellyfish, but in fact, the colored disks that float on the ceiling of the Bellagio are actually thousands of hand-blown glass flowers. Like the town itself, it has to be seen to be believed. 2) DEBRE BERHAN SELASSIE CHURCH; GONDER, ETHIOPIA You’d never guess by looking at the outside of this small, relatively simple church that such stunning artwork graces the inside. It’s said that no two of the angel portraits flanking the ceiling are alike. 3) GRAND CENTRAL STATION; NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. Once covered in black grime, this ceiling was restored in 1996 as part of the station’s renovation project and now depicts the signs of the zodiac in beautiful sea green and gold hues. There’s even a little patch that was left dirty just to show the difference between the before and after. 4) OPERA GARNIER, PARIS, FRANCE Although the primary function of the building is to provide a stage for the city’s extraordinary ballet 122

company, Marc Chagall’s equally extraordinary ceiling mural is a show in and of itself. Thought to be somewhat incongruous with the building’s architecture, it was the source of much controversy when it was added in 1964. 5) KHAI DINH TOMB; HUE, VIETNAM It took 11 years to complete and a tax increase on the lower classes to finance, but the results are pretty astounding. The hand-painted dragons on this ceiling are as menacing as the dictatorial ruler they protect. 6) ST IGNAZIO CHURCH; ROME, ITALY It’s almost impossible to believe when looking at this multi-dimensional painting, that the surface is actually flat. Perhaps one of the most incredible examples of “Trick of the Eye” paintings ever completed, it’s a clear rival with its more famous nearby neighbor. 7) SAGRADA FAMILIA; BARCELONA, SPAIN No one could ever say this building was constructed too hastily. Started in 1866 and still unfinished, the imposing forest-like ceiling is as original as the rest of the Gaudi-designed church. 8) CENTRAL ROTUNDA, GRIFFITH PARK OBSERVATORY; LOS ANGELES, CALIF. Designed by Hollywood art director turned

muralist Hugo Ballin, the subtle, circular painting depicts the signs of the zodiac and other celestial beings. An interesting side note: Ballin was a sketch artist on the film The Wizard of Oz, which might explain the ceiling’s whimsical look. 9) MACY’S DEPARTMENT STORE; CHICAGO, ILL. This genuine Tiffany ceiling is so incredible it’s enough to distract even the most ardent shopaholic. More than 100 years old, it’s composed of more than 1.6 million pieces of glass and is considered by many to be one of the best examples of Tiffany craftsmanship ever constructed. 10) GALLERIES LAFAYETTE DEPARTMENT STORE; PARIS, FRANCE As beautiful as the Mona Lisa and as memorable as the Eiffel Tower, the glass domed ceiling at the famed department store attracts as many tourists as shoppers. Built about 20 years after construction of the main store in 1893, the dome is overshadowed only by the view from the store’s terrace.

‫◊‪KK›‘kv^á‬‬ ‫‪�=_‹Ú^Ç=›‘‡€=‚ËgÈáœ‬‬

‫ﻃﻴﺒـﺔ ﻟﻠﻌﻴ‬ ‫ﺎ‬ ‫دا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ﻟ‬ ‫ﺘ‬ ‫ﺨ‬ ‫ﺼ‬ ‫ﺼﻴـﺔ‬ ‫ﻣﺮﻛﺰي اﻟ‬ ‫ﻔ‬ ‫ﺮ‬ ‫وا‬ ‫ﻧ‬ ‫ﻴـ‬ ‫ﺔ‬ ‫وا‬ ‫ﻟ‬ ‫ﻔ‬ ‫ﻨﻄﺎس‬ ‫اﻟﺨ‬ ‫ﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻤﻘﺪﻣﺔ ‪:‬‬ ‫ﻋﻴﺎدة ا‬ ‫�ﻣﺮاض اﻟﺒﺎﻃﻨﻴﺔ‬ ‫و‬ ‫أﻣ‬ ‫ﺮا‬ ‫ض‬ ‫اﻟ‬ ‫ﺴ‬ ‫ﻜﺮي ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻋﻴﺎدة ا�ﻣـﺮاض‬ ‫اﻟﺠﻠﺪﻳﺔ واﻟﻠﻴﺰر ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻋﻴﺎدة أﻣﺮاض ا‬ ‫ﻟﻨﺴﺎء واﻟﻮﻻدة ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻋﻴﺎدة ا�ﻃﻔﺎل ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻋﻴﺎدة ا‬ ‫ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻟﻚ اﻟﺒﻮﻟﻴﺔ ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻋﻴﺎدة ﻃﺐ‬ ‫وﺟﺮاﺣﺔ اﻟﻌﻈﺎم ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻗﺮﻳﺒ� ‪:‬‬ ‫ﻋﻴﺎدة ا�ﻧﻒ‬ ‫وا�ذن واﻟﺤﻨﺠﺮة ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻣﺮﻛﺰ اﻟ‬ ‫ﻌﻼج اﻟﻄﺒﻴﻌﻲ ‪.‬‬ ‫ا�ﺷﻌﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺘﺸﺨﻴﺼﻴﺔ وا‬ ‫ﻟﺘﺼﻮﻳﺮ اﻟﻄﺒﻲ ‪.‬‬ ‫ﺤﺎ‬ ‫اﻟﺘ ﻟﻴﻞ اﻟﻤﺨﺒﺮ‬ ‫ﻳﺔ واﻟﺒﺎﺛﻮﻟﻮﺟﻴﺔ‪.‬‬

FEAR, DREAD, AMBIGUITY ON CANVAS Ahmad Kleig brings Syria’s ambivalent spring to Hamra’s Gallery Zamaan By Chirine Lahoud

Political unrest and street demonstrations, fear and death. These are words that have come to be associated with Syria for the past several months. It is routine for residents of stable states to wonder how artists sublimate instability in their art. Some evidence of what is possible was recently on view at Hamra’s Gallery Zamaan. There, “Zawaya,” an exhibition of more than 40 canvases (oils and acrylics) by Syrian artist Ahmad Kleig represent his personal vision of what is happening in his country. Zawaya means “angle” in Arabic, and the works in this show, all of which painted over these past two months, seem to be Kleig’s attempt to corner the fear that seems to have become pervasive among Syrians. One massive work (Zamaan has provided no information on the canvas’ dimensions), an untitled oil-on-canvas depicts a mother clutching her child protectively, radiates emotion. For the most part, mother and child are rendered in shades of beige, emphasizing their unity and enhancing her protective aspect. Color resides only in the center of the canvas, as though the figure were in a dark room, the dashes of red, blue, orange and yellow reflecting a shaft of light entering through an opening door. Playing across the mother’s face, the implied light brutally foregrounds her panic and fear. What holds the viewer’s attention is her one visible eye – the other being hidden beneath her hijab. Wide-open beneath a furrowed brow, her eye is the epitome of fear. She’s looking in the direction of the light, as though something or someone threatening were approaching her and her child from the opening door. Here, as in this series generally, the background washes are ambivalent. The white above her head could equally represent a shaft of light or a space between two walls – entrapment or a source of escape. The absence of definitive context accentuates the importance of the two figures at the center of the canvas, suggesting, perhaps, that her surroundings are of little relevance. These figures need not be Syrian. Echoes of this work are evident in an untitled oil-on-canvas, which represents a naked man, kneeling. Large brushstrokes suggest a wall behind him, but once again, we are unsure of context. The dark washes suggest that he, too, is in a darkened room. Is he in a prison cell? Is he sitting on a rough prison mattress? The deployment of brighter colors across his face, and the center of the canvas generally, imply that here too a shaft of light is being projected through an opening door. His body is roughly rendered and no explicit details are decipherable, save, again, in his eyes. He appears to gaze, with disturbing directness, at the viewer and those eyes emit fear. Should the spectator fear this man, or pity him? Kleig’s exhibition doesn’t only feature single portraits. One untitled oil-on-canvas work represents several persons in an undefined location. Some stand on the ground. Others seem to be standing in, or climbing into, a pick-up truck. In the lower left side of the canvas, the figures are represented as bright colors against grey washes – which, for their angular quality, suggest an urban setting. The colors used in the rendering of these figures are reiterated in the center of the canvas, as if reflected against one of the walls above the cluster of forms. The precise meaning of this reflection is unclear. Are these figures about to flee? Are the lingering colors meant to suggest that part of each will longer on afterwards? Uncertainty seems omnipresent in this painting. We don’t know where they are, what they are escaping or where they are going. Kleig’s paintings are suffused with fear and pain. One of his works seems to embody a tortured man, leaning on a column. The bright colors allow viewers to interpret what may have happened to him. For once, we are given a chance to understand the context of a painting. With his tight right fist, he looks as though he has been beaten up. The red blotches on his coat may represent blood stains. Light blue lines beneath his chin might be drops of sweat or spittle. He is looking downwards and his gaze is bereft of emotion. “Zawaya” may fill the viewer with unanswered questions about the work and the turmoil that inspired it, but the effectiveness of this kaleidoscope of fear and dread as art rests in its capacity to evoke emotions and memories that are not merely Syrian. Ahmad Kleig’s “Zawaya” was on display at Zamaan Art Gallery in Sadat Street, Hamra, until Oct. 29. For more information please call 01-745-571. 126

bazaar around town

DKNY New York Mods Inspired by the modernists in New York City, fall is a sexy study of graphic lines, colors and textures pulled together with a fresh ingénue spirit. The palette is all city-black, cream, navy and shades of gray. With bold shots of lipstick, tangella, henna, foundation, blush. Shapes are simple and clean, flexible and ready to layer, tailoring is linear, and marked with detail - tux-edged in black or pieced with contrast inserts, be it rib knit, leather, horizontal slashes of color or the pattern play of houndstooth, pinstripes and plaids. When it's not a jacket, it's a sleek, modern coat, like the V-neck cardigan coat with leather sleeves or the tailored cape that wears like a coat over the shoulders. The short, spare shift is a canvas to color, pattern, the softness of silk pleats, or the movement of shredded silk with detachable white collar. Horizontal blocking emboldens simple knits or angora sweaters. Silk blouses are edged in piping or spontaneously color-pieced. On bottom, it's all legs, from the silver of a skirt to super-skinny pants and new lean flare trousers. Finish with the plush chick of a knit puffer, a faux fur of something warm and shearling, either curly, long-haired, printed and/or mixed with fabric. Shoes are as tall and grounded as New York itself. A hidden platform and strong stacked heel gives height to ankle-braced Mary Janes, cap toes and modern spectators. Handbags are tri-color or texture-pieced with tasseled streamers - like the essential structured satchel or the day-into-night cross mini. Discover New York at DKNY in The Avenues, Marina Mall and the new boutique at 360 Mall.

‫ اآلن في الكويت‬.. ‫رينج روفر ايفوك‬ ‫و بتشكيله واسعة من خيارات التعديل الشخصية‬، "‫ أبواب‬5"‫تتوفر بنموذجين "كوبيه" و‬ ‫تحافظ على التزامها بالقيم األساسية لعالمة رينج روفر وتقدم مستويات استثنائية من الرفاهية‬

‫ بكشف النقاب عن سيارتها الجديدة كليا رينج روفر‬،‫ احتفلت شركة علي الغانم وأوالده للسيارات‬،‫بعد ترقب طال انتظاره‬ ‫ والتي أبهرت الجميع منذ‬،‫ التي تأتي بروح مختلفة وتصميم جرئ خارج عن المألوف فيه كسر لقواعد التصميم‬،‫ايفوك‬ . 2008 ‫ظهور المعالم األولى لها كمركبة اختباريه في معرض ديترويت في عام‬ ‫ حيث تقدم مستويات استثنائية من البراعة واإلتقان‬،‫تحافظ إيفوك على التزامها بالقيم األساسية لعالمة رينج روفر‬ ‫ باإلضافة إلى ما تعرف به سيارات رينج روفر من قدرات متميزة في القيادة على جميع‬،‫والحرفية والرفاهية واألداء العالي‬ .‫ لتقارب في طبيعتها السيارات العائلية بصورةٍ أكبر‬،‫أنواع التضاريس‬ ‫و بتشكيله واسعة من خيارات التعديل الشخصية التي تتيح لكل‬، "‫ أبواب‬5"‫ستتوفر ايفوك الجديدة بنموذجين "كوبيه" و‬ ‫ مثل ألوان السقف‬،‫ كما تتوافر هذه التحفة في تشكيلة كبيرة من األلوان والمزايا‬.‫عميل اختيار التوليفة التي تناسبه‬ .‫المتناقضة مع ألوان الهياكل ومفروشات وتجهيزات مقصورة الركاب التي تم تصميمها بحرفية عالية ودقة متناهية‬

BOX HILL COLLEGE KUWAIT HOLDS ITS ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY Box Hill College Kuwait held their annual graduation ceremony where graduates received their diplomas from the only private women’s college in Kuwait. Held at the Regency Hotel’s Maha Ballroom on Thursday, October 13, 2011, the graduates received their diplomas on a night of special distinction. Receiving their diplomas in programs of Business Studies, Information & Communications Technology, and Arts & Design, these young women have been enabled to better serve their communities and Kuwaiti society at large with the expertise required to succeed in their respective industries. Taught in a positive learning environment by highly-skilled and qualified educators, the programs at Box Hill College instill leadership skills and understanding needed to excel as employees globally. Graduates of Box Hill College receive this knowledge from an Australian certified curriculum that has been modified to suit local needs. The college is a partner to the Box Hill Institute in Australia and offers an extended campus locally, providing a lower-cost alternative to studying overseas. 128

G-STAR PRESENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 WOMEN’S COLLECTION At its core G-Star has been, and always will be, a denim brand. Denim craftsmanship and constant innovation remain at the heart of everything it does. In the women’s collection, the raw and tough denim influences are complemented by a sensual, feminine touch, underscoring the central G-Star women’s theme of ‘RAW Elegance’. The Autumn/Winter 2011 collection is infused with a 'Metropolitan Explorer' theme, combining G-Star's modern 3D denim approach and craftsmanship with elegant tailoring from 1920's city life and rugged, outdoor utility fabrics to reflect the 'unexpected combinations' philosophy rooted in G-Star’s DNA. 3D DENIM EVOLUTION In 1996, G-Star introduced the concept of 3D denim with the G-Star Elwood, whose radical knee inserts took inspiration from those used on motorcyclist’s leather trousers. This innovative pant went on to become a true denim icon. The follow-up Arc Pant evolved the concept by extending the 3D element to the whole leg. Its almost architectural approach used sophisticated seam constructions to ‘twist’ the leg to more naturally follow the human body, creating a unique look and a new denim silhouette. For this season, the women’s range introduces two further evolutions of the Arc Pant: the Arc Super Skinny features a fitted silhouette and fully articulated leg for added flexibility; while the Arc X Loose Tapered fuses the Arc Pant architecture with a 7/8ths length leg and high-volume thigh for a unique, new profile. Innovation is also evident in new washings and treatments, including Comfort Box Denim which creates an edgy leather-look through the use of a unique, all-over grey coating.

PIZZA EXPRESS BRINGS NEW LOOK, NEW MENU TO MARINA CRESCENT Eighth Pizza Express branch includes beautiful outdoor terrace for waterfront dining A vibrant new look and exciting new dining options are on the menu at the latest Pizza Express store to open in Kuwait. The latest new store in Kuwait offers customers a welcoming atmosphere and an updated menu that includes everyone’s favourite dishes as well as delightful fresh additions. Like the Italians, Pizza Express believes that eating should be a social experience, and their delectable new starters and sides are excellent for sharing. The Bruschetta Salami is an excellent extra to make the perfect meal. The new Pollo ad Astra pizza, with chicken, red peppers, Cajun spices, garlic oil and red onions, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, introduces a fiery dish that will excite the taste buds and defines Italian pizza as it should be. The new Penne Pollo Pesto is a rich, creamy chicken pasta that passionately encapsulates the aroma and taste of great Italian pastas. PizzaExpress has been perfecting the art of pizza for more than 45 years, presenting original Italian pizzas as they should be by sticking to traditional ingredients and using an authentic pizzeria oven.

FIT4FUN ARENA Paint(less) ball FIT4FUN Arena is the first and only indoor shooting game in Kuwait. It is as well the first and only paint(less)ball in the country. Instead of paintball they use fluorescent rubber balls along with UV lamps inside the arena and neon fluorescent designs making the whole arena aglow during the game. For safety players use a face mask and a special vest with pressure points that automatically register points when hit. These give the game a very futuristic effect, which goes with the theme Tron Legacy the BLAST ATTACK! Ladies, Young ladies,Y oung men and Kids.. this is not all. The FIT4FUN Arena also launches the BAZOOKA BALL! Play the game, enjoy the fun without the pain! Instead of the regular paintball size bullets the guns are loaded with golf size squeeze balls which are very soft and pop every time you shoot. This is very suitable for kids and ladies who want to enjoy the game and have the same fun as playing the BLAST ATTACK but without the pain and the ugly bruises after. PAINTLESS and PAINLESS! Furthermore, FIT4FUN Arena also introduces the GRENADE BALL! The game is played without the guns! Instead players throw at each other tennis balls like grenades. It's Dodgeball gone better!

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MARTIN, WILSON, BLACK Flock together in 'The Big Year' By Donna Freydkin

When Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black got together for the first time on screen, fowl play ensued. That's because the three actors play competitive birders in the comedy The Big Year. They hadn't met before their film took flight but were eager to work together. Over breakfast tea at the Boathouse in Central Park, they say they also relished the rather oddball subject matter and could relate to their characters' winged fixations: Q: Your movie has made me appreciate all the birders I see in Central Park when I walk the dog. Wilson (pointing toward the Central Park lake): Over here is a good bird-watching area. It's one of the best in the world. Martin: Yeah. Wilson: What kind of food do they serve in this restaurant? Martin: I think she's supposed to ask the questions. It's good. It's crab cakes and salmon. It's upscale. Black: What about some grilled shrimp? Q: How did you all become involved in this film? Wilson: I was excited to work with (director) David Frankel again. The story and the characters just felt real. Black: It all started with David. He took me out to dinner and told me about the idea. I really wanted to work with him after that dinner. Martin: That's funny. He took me out for lunch. Wilson: I got breakfast. It was on the same day. But it also was the chance to work with these guys, with Jack and Steve. I'd been in a couple of things with Jack but had never really worked with him. 130

Black: We'd never seen each other on set. Martin: I was in School of Rock, but it got cut out. Black: I fought for you. But you're just not the right age to be one of the students. With this film, I was drawn to the emotional terrain of my character, particularly his issues with his father. I thought that would be a cool universal theme to explore. Martin: People think, do we want to see a movie about bird-watching? But that's not what it's about. It doesn't matter. Black: If I was going by the subject alone, I'd rather go see a movie about competitive bird-watching than, say, a boxing movie. I've seen so many boxing movies. Q: Did you know each other? Martin: Not at all. Black: I think I saw you backstage at the Oscars one time. Martin: I think so, yeah. Black: We exchanged eye contact with a knowing nod. Martin: I love your work. You're good. You're hot right now, but it doesn't last. Q: These guys are completely obsessed with this one hobby, which others in their lives either don't understand or openly mock. Do you understand their birding mania? Martin: I completely understand that nutty passion for things. I've had it for coin collecting. I've had it for playing the banjo. I have it for comedy. I have it for collecting, and that's really what bird-watching is. The Big Year is about collecting. Black: I'm a little obsessive about acting. I like good performances.

Martin (to Wilson): Are you obsessed with actors and acting? Wilson: With movies, I guess. Black: I think I'd still be obsessed with it if there was no money involved. Like with birding. There's no money. They do it just for the love of the birding and the thrill of the game. Wilson: It's nice to be around anyone with a passion for something. I don't have to share that passion. You can kind of feed off that. Martin: But aren't you around people sometimes and you don't understand their passion? Wilson: I don't have to understand it. Q: How competitive are you? Wilson: I'm pretty competitive. Not so much about work. Black: I do get competitive, too, about games, about Scrabble. I do not like to lose. I've gone out and tested my skill in the fields. There's a Scrabble club in Santa Monica, where I live, that meets every Saturday. I went out there only once. And by the way, I was doing this before this whole Words With Friends thing. I'm not a bandwagoner. I did well. I won three out of four games. But that might have been a fluke, and I haven't been back since because I like to leave it on a high note. Wilson: Is your dad competitive? Black: My father is mellower than me. Wilson: As a kid, were you competitive? Black: I did like to win. And I did start to feel competitive with Owen's costumes. He'd show up on set to do a scene in these eye-grabbing fluorescent green pants. He kept on winning the battle of the most flamboyant costumes. Wilson: My guy subscribed, as some men do, to the peacock principle. Anything to get your attention. It works. I had a very colorful hat. Martin: I looked like an elderly monk. Black: Nah, you looked sharp. Q: Steve, congratulations on your entertainer-ofthe-year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Martin: Thank you. Wilson: It makes me want to pick up the banjo. This award is pretty amazing. Martin: It actually is pretty amazing. I worked quite hard at it. It took two years to put together a show. I had to learn how to play in a band. Q: What of yourselves do you see in your characters? Wilson: My guy is a cutthroat competitor. I'm not cutthroat. I also subscribe to the peacock principle, as you can see from my muted brown suit. Martin: My character is successful, but he's very objective about his chances. He's happy just to have done it. He doesn't have a youthful need to be No. 1. Black: My character and I share - nothing.

TAHRIR’S BARBER AND MUBARAK’S HAIR DYE The doc ‘The Good, the Bad and the Politician’ is a fine opening salvo in archiving Egypt’s revolt By Jim Quilty

Unlike reportage, documentary requires perspective, distance from its subject matter. So it’s no surprise that there hasn’t been much documentary about the Arab Spring. The revolutionary ferment that has been reshaping the political landscape of the Middle East and North Africa since January – and which presaged popular demonstrations elsewhere in the world – has received ample (if uneven) news coverage. Yet, with this revolutionary year winding to a close, the Arab political glacier is still breaking up, in some cases violently. How best to compose a nuanced photo of something that’s still in motion? Tahrir 2011: The Good, the Bad and the Politician is a good start. With a title amusingly derived from Sergio Leone’s 1966 spaghetti Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, this work about Egypt’s uprising is actually comprised of three quite different documentaries by three young Egyptian directors – Tamer Ezzat, Ayten Amin and Amr Salama. It’s screening in ADFF was part of the feature-length documentary completion. Ezzat’s The Good stands as a one-step-beyond-Al-Jazeera primer on the human face of the revolution in Tahrir Square, made up of interviews with some of the figures who made the revolution happen. Though none of these people are named, the focus is clearly on the subjects rather than the doc as an aesthetic object, with neither Ezzat’s form nor his questions ever emerging from behind the camera. Yet Ezzat’s film isn’t a formless collection of interviews. His testimonials are bound by an exhibition of photos from the revolution – which one of the characters enters as the film opens and to which The Good returns several times. By the end of the film, it’s obvious that Ezzat views his own work to be part of the on-going process of documenting Egypt’s revolution. Ezzat’s camera follows a young man as he goes to the doctor complaining about a pain in his neck since he was injured during a police attack upon Tahrir. An X-ray reveals that he has a bullet lodged in his neck, a few centimeters away from his jugular vein. Entering the Square, Ezzat introduces the dramatis personae who made “Liberated Tahrir” possible – from “The Barber of Tahrir” to the doctor who set up the Square’s field hospital. The doctor, a woman in hijab, tours Ezzat though the Square, describing how a small masjid (mosque) had been converted into a field hospital for injured protesters and later depicting the revolution in terms of the different types of trauma that she and her colleagues treated. The Bad, Ayten Amin’s contribution to the film, is a series of interviews with the 136

great villains of Western news coverage of the Tahrir uprising – members of the Egyptian police force. Aytin’s segment reflects the relationship of her subjects to a (putatively successful) revolution as much as it does her different filmmaking approach. All but one of the policemen she approaches either say they’re not interested in talking or else give their testimonies with their faces obscured. She is also more present onscreen than Ezzat. As her film stems from her belief that the role of a policeman is to protect a country’s citizens rather than to beat and fire upon them, she often challenges the version of events put forward by some of her subjects. Among the several policemen she interviews, there is little consensus about the role of Egypt’s security forces in the revolution. The most skeptical voice points out that there were acts of anarchic criminality during the uprising, principally when thugs – who looked nothing like the Tahrir Square protesters – began attacking police stations and prisons and releasing the (nonpolitical) prisoners. In Sharm el-Sheikh, a former officer of the elite anti-terrorism squad details murderously corrupt practices of his officers while supposedly hunting terrorists in upper Egypt. Asked about the snipers who opened fire upon protesters outside the Interior Ministry offices in the days before Mubarak stepped down, he remarks that snipers are detailed to Central Security and counterterrorism departments, though he doesn’t know for sure who was responsible for the interior minister killings. The last 45 minutes of this documentary, The Politician, comes from Amr Salama – whose debut feature film Asmaa competed in ADFF’s New Horizons completion. The politician in question is, of course, Mubarak and, perhaps because the cult of personality apparatus assembled around him is so comic, Salama’s is the most satirical part of this film. The premise of The Politician is that, based on the testimonies of the expert klatch of former officials, presidential candidates and writers that Salama consults, Mubarak wasn’t a bad ruler when he first came to power 30 years before. Yet he became a dictator. To the accompaniment of a collage of file footage of Stalin, Saddam, Gadhafi, et al, the experts go on to sketch the characteristics of a dictator. From this point, the film rebrands itself as a self-help-style “How to become a Dictator in 10 Steps.” The comic tone is established formally – a computer-generated animation is used to deliver the list – and in content terms, which sees the expert commentary enlivened by the wry remarks of Egyptian satirist Belal Fadl.

The largest International buffet in Town! Al Ahmadi Restaurant Crowne Plaza Kuwait

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THE MUST-HAVE FALL ACCESSORIES By Sunil Ramchandani

Accessories can provide a woman's outfit with that perfect finishing touch - whether it is a scarf, gloves, shoes or jewelry, there is a certain way to make heads turn. For this upcoming season, feel confident while you strut your stuff with these must-haves: THE BOOTIE: For a petite frame, this shoe style is perfect; try a peep toe and pair with tights for a sexy, chic look.

look and keep you warm. The big trend this year is to wear gloves in bold shades like lipstick red and sapphire blue. SCARVES: Wear with a jacket or sweater to instantly add style to any outfit and draw attention to your face. Go for a pop of color or a bold print to dress up fall's classic colors.

WEDGE HEEL BOOT: These shoes are new to the season, and provide you with more support, while keeping you on-trend.

FAUX FUR: A great substitute for the real thing. Because it's less expensive and machine washable, women veer more toward faux fur and many people can't tell the difference.

MENSWEAR INSPIRED: A heeled loafer or oxford in chocolate brown, black or camel are inspired by menswear but made for women; you should pair these trends with a feminine outfit to balance out the look.

With this list of accessories, it is impossible not to dress fabulous for fall - be a trendsetter and try something new this season. Remember the right accessories can make your outfit.

GLOVES: A key accessory that will finish any outfit, giving it a more polished 138

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THE MYTH OF MULTITASKING By Joanne Sasvari

Somehow, over the past two decades, we’ve convinced ourselves that we can’t get it all done unless we do it all at once. Well, we’re wrong. A growing body of research has shown that when we try to perform too many tasks at once, we not only do a worse job on each of them but we actually take longer to complete them. At the same time, we often put ourselves–and others–at risk. The concept of multitasking is not new, as any mother who’s tried to balance child care with housework could tell you. But the modern version of it is. Multitasking Mania... It evolved in the 1980s with the advent of home computers that had operating systems designed to multitask–that is, to run multiple programs such as email, the Internet, and Tetris all at the same time. Multitasking quickly became the model both for busy moms and the corporate world, and by the time massive layoffs hit North America in the 1990s, it had become a way of life. The problem, of course, is that while computers are designed to multitask, the human brain is not. Even though it comprises billions of neurons and trillions of synaptic connections, it’s simply not designed to concentrate on two things at once. In 2001 researchers at the University of Michigan identified a process called executive control, which the brain uses to switch between activities such as talking on the phone and browsing a website. The researchers 140

also found that when their subjects switched tasks, they lost both speed and accuracy. Further studies have since found that most people can easily perform two sets of highly practiced skills such as walking and chewing gum. But the more complex or unfamiliar the tasks, such as talking on a cellphone and driving a car, the longer it takes and the more difficult it becomes to switch between them. In those cases, even a fraction of a second could mean the difference between life and death. ...And Meltdown Studies have also found that the people who are worst at multitasking are the very old and the very young. Surprisingly, that includes those media-savvy teens labelled “Generation M,” who manage to cram eight and a half hours of media exposure a day into six and a half hours of media use, thanks to multitasking. Now experts are sounding the alarm about the effects of long-term multitasking. It can, they say, cripple our ability to remain focused and study things in depth. It can reduce quality, cause accidents, and cost money, as much as $650 billion a year according to one American estimate. It can lead to fatigue, stress, and burnout, and it can irreparably damage personal relationships. Even computers can’t keep multitasking indefinitely. The more applications that are up and running, the slower your computer gets until eventually, it crashes–just like you will if you don’t stop

the multitasking madness. 10 Timely Tips Getting off the multitasking treadmill is no easy task, but it’s essential if we want to live fully and authentically in the moment. Here’s how: • Don’t manage your time; manage yourself. Use the same skills you would use in managing others– planning, organizing, and delegating. • Set goals and spend time each day on the things that are important to you, not urgent to other people. • Make time to do nothing but recharge your batteries. • Identify your time stealers and stop them in their tracks. • Stop the interruptions. Respond to email and voice mail, at most, once an hour. • Get organized. Create a task list. De-clutter your desk. • Never drive and talk on the cellphone at the same time, even if it’s hands-free. • If you’re doing something that requires concentration, turn off the television and avoid listening to music with lyrics. • Get help. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of books, seminars, and websites offering advice on how to manage your time. • Just say no. It may be the most important word you ever use. source: www.alive.com

bazaar psych By Dr. Juliet and Dr. Nisrine

Do you have questions for a psychologist? Are you afraid or embarrassed to see one? Well, we may have the answers you need! Now you can ask Dr. Juliet and Dr. Nisrine for psychological and social advice for free!

Q. Since I am the eldest daughter in my family, a special kind of relationship formed between my mother and I. As I got older, the relationship grew stronger. So, I started seeing her as a person that never makes mistakes. Now, I am 28, and I started realizing that she is a human being who has her faults and who makes mistakes. But, I can’t argue with her about them because I still hold on to that feeling that she is a flawless person. Who is the right person to speak to about my mother? Disappointed daughter A. It is quite normal to idealize our parents and view them as flawless. However, as we get older and mature, we start realizing that our parents are human beings that do have flaws and that they do make mistakes. Relationships, even those with our parents, change and develop over time. Now that you are 28, you are more aware and have more experience so your relationship with your mom can continue to be special and strong yet a little bit different. You don’t have to necessarily argue with her but instead you can start having deeper and more mature conversations. However, if you 142

feel that the “faults” you have recently noticed are keeping you at a distance or even causing you to feel angry toward her, you will need to either talk with her directly and express your feelings or talk with someone close who can be objective and will not judge you. Remember that what you are feeling is very normal so don’t feel bad. Q. I am a 32 year old female and I have been working for the past 10 years. Recently, I received a scholarship from my company to continue my university studies. I am really happy and excited but the problem is that I am finding it difficult to manage my work obligations and university requirements. Although my employers have been nice enough to decrease some of my work hours, I still feel that the only time I have to study is on weekends. This is hard because I don’t have much of a social life as is and studying on the weekends makes it worse. Also, it has been a very long time since I was a student. I hope I can find a way to cope because both my work and the opportunity to get my university degree are both very important to me. Any suggestions? Adult College Student

A. It’s wonderful that you decided to continue your education as there is never a time limit to pursuing your education and gaining knowledge. However, it is quite understandable that it’s a little bit tougher for you given the fact that you work and haven’t been a student for awhile. The key is to manage your time on a daily basis and access all the support that you can. You can start a study group with some of your classmates, access tutoring services, and set priorities. Yes, you will have to make compromises and sacrifices, such as not having as much free time on the weekends as you would like. However, always make sure that you give yourself some relaxing and leisure time. You can set aside a few hours on Thursday night, or Friday and Saturday during the day, to meet up with friends for lunch or dinner. Your family and friends are proud of you for taking up such a commitment. They will understand and support you with your goal and will not put pressure on you to socialize as before. Going back to school at a later age is a sacrifice, and you should pat yourself on the back for

Dr. Nisrine making your dream come true. Q. Living in a conservative society makes you pretend to be someone you are not just to avoid being judged by others. Struggling with two completely different identities is not easy. Being person A in the morning then shifting to person B at night is hard. How can I combine person A and B? Identity Crisis A. It is hard to feel that you are constantly having to role play. The key as you said is to combine the two different aspects of your personality so that you have a sense of inner stability. We do have to respect the value system and traditions of any culture that we live in but that doesn’t mean that we have to lose our individual identity during the process. The best thing for you to do is to try to keep the person you want to be most of the time and the person the society wants you to be at a minimal. You need to understand that living a false self will only lead to a depressed life at the end. Try to be with people that are true with themselves and that will allow you to be you. Remember, one’s identity is constantly shaped

and redeveloped in light of their surroundings, experiences, and expectations. Q. I am a 21 year old female and I am currently in a relationship with a 26 year old male. Marriage is the next step, but my partner’s family is not too happy. They think it is too soon to wed as they believe I am still too young to be sure of my choice. However, I am sure! Could it be too soon for me to decide? Frustrated and scared A. Parents always try to protect their children out of love and care. It’s actually healthy that your partner’s family are being honest and discussing these matters with you. The key is for you and your partner to discuss your future plans and be realistic about expectations from one another so that you can decide if the both of you are ready to compromise, face hardships together, and build a life. Remember, at 21 you are still trying to find yourself and getting married at this age, may interrupt your self exploration. In marriage, you are putting yourself in a role of big responsibilities and challenge which your self development may not be ready for. Divorce

Dr. Juliet

rates have been on the rise because people are getting married for the wrong reasons (i.e. cultural expectations, family pressure, escape from troubled homes, and unrealistic dreams.). Such individuals are not psychologically, emotionally, or financially ready for the expectations of marriage and are easily disappointed and eventually divorce. Ultimately, as long as you and your partner take your time in getting to know each other, are honest with one another, and are open to communication, then you can decide together if you are ready to take this journey together. You don’t want to rush things and be part of the divorce statistics, so take your time and choose wisely.

For psychological advice, send your questions to dr.jdinkha@kaizen-kw.com. Please note that not all questions can be published. Dr. Juliet and Dr. Nisrine are bilingual and bicultural expert psychologists on various personal and social issues. Visit www.kaizen-ke.com. or follow us on www.facebook.com/kaizen2q8. 143

LAURA DERN Unenhanced and Loving It By Donna Freydkin

There's something disarmingly unvarnished about Laura Dern. For starters, there's her face, which has movement and laugh lines. We're so accustomed to frozen foreheads that sitting across from her is jarring. Dern, 44, takes that as the highest compliment. "Oh my goodness. It's just incredible, isn't it? Thirtyyear-olds are doing that now. What are any of us going to be doing at 65?" she muses, raising her eyebrows. "I remember my grandma saying: 'Check that milk date. It's turned. That could be botulism.' No. My grandma would not approve. We're filled with toxicity." As the star of the new HBO series Enlightened, Dern's unadorned exterior - smeared mascara, crumpled face and an expression of near-total emotional devastation - is on display on posters all over town. Dern says it's "refreshing" to see her character look "like an actual human being," as opposed to an airbrushed version of one. Dern says her kids, Ellery, 10, and Jaya, 6, weren't exactly upset at seeing their mother looking so unglamorous in billboards. "We walked all through New York and they're like, 'Here you are again, here you are again.' Does that mean I look like that a lot?" Dern says, laughing. "They were highly comfortable." Dern's Amy, a volatile corporate executive, has 144

an emotional collapse, goes to a treatment center for three months, and returns to her old employer, stumbling around emotionally and trying to figure out how to function post-breakdown. The subject of personal struggle amidst an unforgiving and unyielding reality is nearly universal, Dern says. "Everybody is working in this economy. Nobody is not working. Everybody is exhausted right now in America," she says. "There are a lot of Amys out there." She has played a paint-sniffing dolt caught up in the culture wars of abortion in Citizen Ruth and an amorous, passionate floozy on the run from her mother in David Lynch's Wild at Heart. And of course, she has been vilified Florida secretary of State Katherine Harris in HBO's 2008 drama Recount. She says she's totally without vanity when it comes to her work. "I don't care. I don't care. Playing Katherine Harris was yet another release. Every role is a new form of surrender. Playing her was a huge challenge for me, given my orientation politically," says Dern, an outspoken liberal. "I feel like my adult life has steered me passionately toward this." This, of course, includes her family life; Dern and her husband, musician Ben Harper, are separated. How does she juggle motherhood and career? Again, Dern opts for authenticity. Unlike many of her

peers, who say they don't have child care help at home, Dern proudly announces how much she reveres and appreciates the woman who helps her with her kids. "God bless nannies. I'm not embarrassed. I read these articles sometimes. It's (bull). I have a nanny," she says. "I did it alone. Ben was working. My son was born and I wanted to be with my child all the time. We still had some help. I took a solid year off. It was perfect. When I went back to work, and now having two and Ben is a touring musician - these women who help us raise our children, who have their own lives, we are all a team." A team she needs now that she's back at work full time, shooting her series. "My daughter wants to do yoga with me and wants to be in the theater thing, and I can't tell her, 'Don't be an actress.' My son loves guitar and loves to be in a band and wants his iTunes downloaded with all this old-school hip-hop so he understands where hip-hop came from. "The time, the effort it takes, to acknowledge their interests! My mom (Diane Ladd) works. My dad (Bruce Dern) works. Ben's mom works. My parents are actors with full careers going. It's interesting." Copyright ÂŠ 2011, USA TODAY International.

Toffee Nut Frappuccino速 blended beverage

bazaar checks it out

RED BULL ART OF MOTION IN KUWAIT 20 Athletes Push the Limits of Gravity Top 3 Free-runners from the local Qualifier advance to the finals Kuwait will host the sixth and final stop of the 2011 Red Bull Art of Motion. The event will feature the top Free-runners and Parkour athletes from Kuwait and across the world. On Saturday November 12, a battle between the top local Free-runners and Parkour Athletes will take place in Kuwait to determine the top three local qualifiers who will join 17 other athletes from across the world. On Wednesday November 16 and Thursday November 17, the top 20 athletes will turn the island of Failaka into a spectacular acrobatic Parkour and Free-running show when they compete in the Red Bull Art of Motion in Kuwait. The two-day, free-running competition will challenge participants to navigate the natural obstacles of the historical island of Failaka – demonstrating a captivating blend of Free-running, Parkour, martial arts and gymnastics along the way. The traditional and historic buildings of Failaka will serve as the competition site for the athletes taking part. Red Bull Art of Motion brings together the world’s best parkour athletes and free-runners on unique courses in epic locations across the globe. Art of Motion began in Vienna, Austria in 2007.

RED MANGO “Best Frozen Yogurt & Smoothies” in 2011 Zagat award Red Mango won first place in the “Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies” category of the 2011 Zagat Fast Food survey by becoming the preferred choice of costumers against competitors. The survey covers 103 fast food brands and aims to determine the preference of consumers in the United States. Red Mango was chosen for its high quality taste and healthy attributes, which are considered the most important influencing factors in successful brands. Red Mango has made a powerful entrance to the local market by offering an innovative selection of natural choices aiming to provide healthier substitutes to traditional desserts. Aside from being prepared from 100% natural ingredients, low or nonfat and gluten-free, Red Mango’s frozen yogurt is distinguished through its fantastic taste and organic nature, with each serving containing digestive system-enhancing probiotics. Red Mango also offers a wide range selection of daily delivered fresh fruit and crunchy toppings in addition to chocolate.

“LIVE TO GIVE, LOVE TO GET” American Eagle Outfitters Launches Its Festive Collection In The Middle East

American Eagle Outfitters announced the launch of its new collection in its stores across the Middle East. The collection makes a statement with new key seasonal products and exciting new color stories like cobalt blues, festive reds and pops of neon. The lifestyle images shot on location in Alaska set the scene in a winter landscape and showcase this season’s favorite layered looks. The holiday collection focuses on creating a complete layered outfit with the most loved basics underneath stylish sweaters, fleece and outerwear for both men and women. True to the AE brand, denim is at the core of the collection with a wide selection of fits and new washes perfect to complete any outfit. Special attention is given to accessories with trendy jewelery, bags and winter accessories like scarves and hats. This season customers will “Live to Give, Love to Get” from American Eagle Outfitters.

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REUSE 5.0 Who Can Participate? REUSE is an annual exposition that serves as an opportunity for non-profit organizations, companies, professionals and aspiring creative talents to showcase their accomplishments in the fields of social responsibility and sustainability via a range of artistic mediums and interactive activities for the general public. As in previous years, REUSE will be divided into various modules, as we try to include as many eco-friendly initiatives as possible. This year, the modules include the following: Boutiques: This zone will be dedicated to retail boutiques that promote and sell eco‐friendly, fair trade, organic or natural products. Restaurants: There will be multiple zones dedicated to providing attendees with a healthy mix of local/organic drinks and snacks. Restaurants, gourmet shops and lounges that carry organic food or incorporate environmental sustainability in their activities are welcome to apply. Social Programs: This is a zone dedicated to highlighting social programs in the MENA region dedicated to sustainable development. All civil society organizations, corporate social responsibility programs or independent initiatives that promote this ideal can apply for a space at the exposition. Flea Market: This extension zone is meant to allow self-employed youth, freelance individuals, and members of the community at large to bring in crafts and second hand items from home and put them on display for sale to attendees. Innovative offerings will be the primary parameter for the selection. Galleries: This will be a zone dedicated to art galleries to showcase their roster of artists/ artwork promoting eco-friendly living. Workshops: REUSE 5.0 will host a series of training workshops for three days in the field of sustainability and creativity. These workshops will be conducted by globally renowned experts in the field of design and the arts. Students, graphic designers, and artists are invited to apply for and attend these workshops. And so much more… If you would like to participate in any of the above capacities, or to learn more about the various modules please send an email to reuse@envearth.com and we will send you a detailed brief and guidelines on how to confirm your participation. Spread the eco-friendly word today!

EMPORIO ARMANI PRESENTS Autumn/Winter 2011 collections Emporio Armani recently held an event to showcase the Autumn Winter 2011 collections in store at 360 Mall. This season, the women’s line is inspired by film noir and all things mysterious and enigmatic. Total black, with a flash of arctic white is displayed throughout the collection, exploring the interplay of light, shape and proportion. Key silhouettes include seductive and practical jumpsuits, sharply cut trousers and sculpted jackets. The monochromatic theme was broken by minute elements of colour. The men’s collection took its inspiration from the great metropolis, the thriving energy of the big city, bringing together freedom of movement and contemporary culture. The asymmetric, stand up collar is a key feature, creating a deconstructed silhouette as well as the innovative sporty yet casual trousers which cleverly combine the engineering of fine tailoring with casual detailing. The colour spectrum is camel across grey ending with black. Wool and leather appear throughout the ready to wear and accessories lines.

BATH & BODY WORKS LAUNCHES A TRIO OF TROPICAL SCENTS Citrus Explosion, New Coconuts and Forever Sunshine There are so many scents that we will forever identify with summer like the sweet aroma of mango hovering on a warm breeze, the seasonal scent rising from a fresh-cut pineapple, and the brisk ocean breezes blowing citrus and coconut. With the new trio tropical scents by Bath & Body Works, you will never have to miss the scents of summer and you’ll enjoy the brightest sunshine feelings around the year. Bath & Body Works once again keeps all the emotions of the summer season alive with three tropical scent collections: Citrus Explosion, New Coconuts and Forever Sunshine. All three collections offer creamy body scrubs, body lotions, shower gels, fragrance mists, facial scrub and triple moisture body cream to give you the ultimate simplicity of your summer days and transport you back to a period of happy childhood memories. BBW Locations in Kuwait: The Avenues, Marina Mall and Al Fanar.

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GIANCARLO ESPOSITO BREAKS OUT AS 'BREAKING BAD' VILLAIN By Scott Bowles

Giancarlo Esposito is talking about slitting throats when he bolts from his restaurant booth and heads for the door. He has noticed Jon Voight, script tucked under an arm, walking into the Clementine coffee shop. The two hug, and Voight visits briefly at Esposito's table. Someone asks Voight if he's a friend or fan. "Started as friends," Voight says. "Now I'm both." Esposito has seen his fan base mushroom this year as his icy killer Gustavo Fring takes an integral role in AMC's Breaking Bad, building to its fourth-season finale. A veteran of more than 130 movies and TV shows, Esposito, 53, never expected his turn as a meth-dealing, fast-food mogul to go more than the planned halfdozen episodes. Initially, Esposito concedes, he didn't expect it to go one. "I wasn't interested. I had heard good things about the show but had never seen it. My agent insisted. I read the pilot and wanted the role." The part wound up stretching over two seasons and became one of TV's more nefarious roles. Fring kicked off this season by slitting a man's throat and holding him upright to bleed out. The character has been a stretch for Esposito, who is as ebullient off camera as his character is politely reserved. Esposito's smile is immediate, his laugh can 150

boom, and his hands often accentuate with force. To play Fring, he had to let his natural energy simmer beneath Fring's bespectacled surface. "I loved the cordial nature of the character. You never knew what this cat was capable of." Aside from slicing a co-worker, Fring has been capable of poisoning a Mexican drug cartel, taunting an invalid and having Walter White (Bryan Cranston) beaten to a pulp. All with a nary smile. But series creator Vince Gilligan wasn't looking for a smile. He was looking for the antithesis to the show's previous villain, Tuco (Raymond Cruz). "Raymond was so scary, so volatile, we thought (that) our best way forward was a different kind of bad guy," Gilligan says. "Frankly, I didn't think we'd get (Esposito). I pictured him as a film actor." But Esposito, whose movie and TV credits include The Usual Suspects, Do the Right Thing and Homicide: Life on the Street, proclaims himself a story-first guy, regardless of venue. Born to an opera singer mother and stagehand father in Denmark, Esposito grew up in New York and hit the Broadway stage by the time he was 8, opposite Shirley Jones. He says he's surprised at how Fring resonates with viewers. Some fans know Esposito simply as Gus. Others,

he says, don't make eye contact. During a film festival, Esposito recalls, he was with one of his daughters when six young men in low-slug jeans and sideways baseball caps entered their elevator. "I heard (a) guy say 'Yo, that's Gus,'" Esposito recalls. "Suddenly they straightened up and quit joking around. They asked if Gus would raise a drink with them. I politely said no, then when we got off told my daughter not to end up that way." Cranston says that duality made him a behind-thescenes favorite. "I never once saw him say, 'How are you?' to someone on set and not mean it, not wait for an answer." But when the two are called to square off, "he gives you that cold, dead-eyed stare," Cranston says. "I'm not acting. I'm just reacting to him. Then the scene is over, and he's as warm as your long lost brother." One who can still get star-struck. Esposito, who lives in Connecticut and teaches acting, says he's looking for longevity. "I want a body of work; I want a good story after a good story," he says, looking over at Voight. "I want to be that guy."

bazaar scopes

ARIES

MARCH 21 - APRIL 19

TAU R U S

APRIL 20 - MAY 20

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

You attract the attentions of others romantically this month. You could find some very interesting people approaching you and this could be very tempting. However, at the time of the Full Moon, 14th through the 18th, a proposal from a romantic interest could put you in an awkward position and yet at the same time provide a means and an answer to a problem you have had for some time. It’s a delicate balance. Talk about it, and talk about it a lot, during this time. Be open and honest with them and yourself. The remainder of November is just going to be too much fun.

CANCER

Pressure from behind the scenes reaches critical mass between the 14th and the 18th. You could be driving yourself too hard or allowing others to do it to you. This could result in an illness just to take you out of the game. Be cautious of what you say and whom you say it to when expressing your personal opinions at that time as well, or it could get you into trouble. But then, sometimes it may be the only way to clear the air. The remainder of November finds you over run with energy as you tackle big problems and look hard at making changes in yourself. Avoid overexerting yourself on the 28th.

JUNE 22 - JULY 22

With Mars in your First House of Self, you could be brimming with energy. Maybe a little too much. This could put pressure on your committed relationships resulting in a showdown at the time of the Full Moon, between the 14th and the 18th. You could be accused of being self-absorbed and selfish during that time. Even with the use of soft words, you could wind-up feeling slighted and betrayed. After the 22nd your creative nature gets a boost from the Sun and Mercury. Plan well, as Mercury is retrograde, or you may wind up doing everything twice over the next six weeks.

LEO

Like the other Cadent signs, Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces, your money and your love are under stress this month. Jointly held assets could come under stress during the Full Moon, 14th to the 18th, forcing you to make some decisions that could cost you in the long run. Wait it out and be patient. That way you can keep the romance and the cash. Venus enters your Fifth House of Romance this month bringing new opportunities to you. A whirlwind romance could sweep you away on the 28th and you could go off the deep end on the 29th.

JULY 23 - AUG 22

Eclectic romance has your attention this month. Someone, the likes of which you have never encountered before could turn your head and your interests. This theme plays quietly through the events of the month. Guard your health carefully between the 14th and the 18th. Do not let a shouting match lead you to a sore throat that could take some time to heal. Also, avoid traveling if possible, even for short trips. Do not give in to demands from brothers or sisters if possible. Postpone everything during this period.

VIRGO

NOV 22 - DEC 21 DEC 22 - JAN 19 JAN 20 - FEB 18

There is an emphasis on your partnerships during the first three weeks of this month. Pressures build and seek to be released. Release could come between the 14th and 18th, the time of the Full Moon. How you handle the situation will reflect directly in the world and you could gain or lose by how you handle the situation. Not to worry though, love is right around the corner and though others may feel you may not be ready to jump back into the dating game, you really are.

AUG 23 - SEPT 22

LIBRA

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

S CO R P I O

OCT 23 - NOV 21

S A G I T TA R I U S C A P R I CO R N A Q UA R I U S PISCES

FEB 19 - MARCH 20

what’s your sign? This is your time to shine. This will be an interesting month for you. Use the time for discovering facets of yourself that you have forgotten or overlooked recently. You do have a softer side.Take care between the 14th and the 18th when conflicts could arise with your Committed Other and yourself. Asserting your independence is one thing, but becoming a tyrant is another. This could be precipitated over activities in your career. Seek a quiet place within your home to think things through. Above all, don’t surrender your values to keep peace. You finish the month in a soft and lazy way, as this month ends and begins a new cycle for you.

You may feel a little run down this month as this time marks the passing of a cycle for you. You could feel especially introspective between the 14th and the 18th. Pressures in your employment could bring an illness or stress you into speaking your mind. This could come at a time when what you have to say may be too honest for the ears that hear it. Not saying what’s on your mind could result in you reacting with an illness, like a sore throat, so remember to be as diplomatic as possible. As the 21st rolls around you should begin to feel rejuvenated and moving forward again. Don’t go too far overboard on the 29th.

Activities with your career are very pleasant this month. There will be many activities with close friends as well this month. There is a caution regarding a possible someone placing you in a compromising position regarding your value system or your money. Guard both purse and heart. Saying ”NO” may be the lonely way to avoid later regrets. Be watchful for a sob story that could turn into demands, as “NO” leaves your lips. After the 22nd, you should return to the delightful company of your friends and the soft days of Fall.

You could feel greatly inspired this month, as you discover a deeper side to yourself. Problems and conflict could arise between the 14th and the 18th between your career, home, and mate, placing you in an awkward position. Concede on small points, but, “Stand Your Ground.” Remember, Cancer is a Cardinal Sign. A leader. Use that strength to defend yourself. There could be a new romance in the office or you could get a raise on the 28th. A cautionary word about the 29th of the month, “Don’t Go Shopping.” You could so easily overspend and then wind-up paying for it for a long time.

There is much activity in your money sectors this month. Around the 14th to the 18th, you may be tested with regards to your ability to communicate to others. A leadership position may be thrust upon you and the weight of that call may cause you to retreat to some degree. Reach into the depths of who you are for the words and the strength you need to pull you through this time. Good times on the 28th promote you going way overboard on the 29th. Just remember, you’re the only one who pays for your ability to say “Yes” at the wrong time.

Money matters come to a head between the 14th and the 18th. A child or a romantic interest could place you in a very interesting position where you may be required to make a choice. This could affect your happiness for some time to come, so choose wisely. The answer, “NO” is not out of the question. And, if it is a romantic interest that has your attention, don’t confuse sex with love. The remainder of November will pass with renewed interest in your employment. Take time to read-up on the latest techniques in your field. source: www.horoscopessign.com

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