December 2011
10 posts
2 tags
Dec 27th
3 notes
1 tag
On learning Arabic, missive #1135
“ Studying the Arabic language is perhaps the most humbling journey I’ve embarked on. After years of study and, forgive the cliche, countless hours listening to to movies, songs and instruction CD’s, I have an incredible little to show for it by most measures. Some times I just blank on what the word for “old” or “happy” is, or hear a word I’ve heard 100x times before but entirely forget how...
Dec 24th
2 notes
2 tags
On Christmas in Lebanon
My article from today’s Daily Star. It probably should have been about 600 words but alas it needed to be 800. BEIRUT: For Christmas this year Rani Nasr, a Druze, will be crowding around a table to dine on favorite seasonal dishes. If it’s anything like last year’s celebration, Nasr’s family will open presents around a Christmas tree, drink whiskey and eat a large turkey as the meal’s...
Dec 22nd
1 note
1 tag
Christopher Hitchens died today →
Dec 16th
No leads yet in probe into UNIFIL bombing  →
Dec 12th
2 tags
On UN Human Rights Day, activists say little... →
Dec 10th
2 notes
3 tags
Press conferences in Arabic
I’ve had experience covering a number of press conferences in a language other than my own. From one on the UN in Italian and Arabic to French and Arabic on journalism and ones in Arabic only. Today was the first time I actually got to put my Arabic “skills” (that’s quite an exaggeration) to use to some benefit for my resulting story. I was covering a press conference...
Dec 8th
2 tags
First byline in the paper
My first story in The Daily Star ran on page 3 in today’s paper. Nothing thrilling, but I have to start somewhere: BEIRUT: Human rights activist Leila Sharaf implored Arab youth to become involved and finish the region’s Arab Spring movement Monday at the American University of Beirut. Sharaf and AUB president Peter Dorman said the university can provide the foundation youth need to...
Dec 6th
2 notes
2 tags
Writing again
In 2009 my first story at The Daily Star was slightly dull event coverage at the American University of Beirut. Tomorrow I restart my Daily Star career with the same.
Dec 4th
Hamra is dark tonight
Some type of fight with angry residents at a power plant in south Lebanon has sent the already crippled electric grid into fits. Apparently the plant provided 35 percent of the country’s power and it’s closed. Rolling blackouts all day. That’s on top of the 3 hour scheduled blackouts we already have everyday between 6am-6pm. In other news, work is good, it feels great to be...
Dec 2nd