neurotic Iraqi wife
May 26, 2008
The Contagious C Fever...
Well, its time to put you people out of your misery and let you into the latest craze that’s hit the males, young males, of my workplace. Unfortunately, its not as exciting as many of the guesses. Btw, thank you to all of your comments, some added a smile to my face. And there was a big hint which crosses porn OUT of the equation. I wrote “they search for it on the net” and in our workplace, anything to do with porn is blocked, so I do apologize for the disappointment. One or two people were pretty close though. The mania that’s on everyone’s mind is in fact a tool. A tool that can be used for facebook. Its none other than the CAMERA. Camera and its variety of lenses. Yup that’s what it is.
In “normal”, “civilized” places like the Kings Road in London, you have guys cruising in the latest models of cars or motorbikes in attempt to show off their wealth and taste in what they might think is the best of the best. Unfortunately in this Twalled environment, there is no place for cruising. As for the games and gadgets, these are confined to ones own room.
But Cameras, now that’s a completely different story. Although Iraqis are not allowed to bring in anything inside the workplace, no mobile phones, no memory sticks, no laptops etc, they are allowed to take out newly purchased cameras. In fact they can take out anything as long as there is a paper from an expat declaring that he/she has given the specific item to so and so.
Cameras have become the only tool to shed the frustrations that we go through around here. It’s a means of communications to the outside world. Although its prohibited to take photos of certain places inside the GZ, people still find a way to capture moments, precious moments. It has become such an addiction, that some try to take a picture of something as trivial as a grain of dust from all the sand storms we have been experiencing.
As for the Iraqis, they’re catching on. But their addiction isn’t into grains of dust or the eye of an insect (Yup there ARE people who actually do that). Instead they take photos to post them on their personal facebook to keep intouch with all the friends and family that have long gone or the ones they haven’t seen in a long time because of the violence. H, told me that the facebook has now become like a gahwa (coffeeshop) for all friends to meet up and post the latest happenings, photos and events in their lives. That’s the only way we can keep in touch and still stay alive, he says.
H, a shia, hasn’t seen his friend M, a sunni living in Adhamiyah, for over a year now. “I miss him, and I miss the good old days where we used to be able to meet up for an argeela (Hubbly Bubbly) and chat the hours away”. But now meeting up has become impossible, and only possible if we want to end up in pieces thrown away in some side street. Facebook has become our own gahwa. We post pictures of ourselves and share jokes. We can actually share sectarian jokes without having to look over our shoulders to see who is eavesdropping and end up snitching on us.
I like facebook, H says. We can atleast pick and choose who we keep intouch with. If there’s someone that asked me to add him and I don’t trust the guy, I just hit the ignore button. Its as easy as that, H smiles and gestures with his finger. I asked D, an expat, to purchase this camera for me from amazon. Its very expensive, but I like it. I used it when I went to my university re-union, H continues. Sometimes we even forget where we are and start acting stupid and clumsy infront of the camera.
We pretend we are in a normal place and start posing with our girl colleagues. Then I post it on my webpage. Do I look fat, he suddenly asks me. My girlfriend Reem who is in Amman now said I gained weight. Do I look fat Neurotica? H asked. I laughed so much, he caught me off guard. I noticed he was inhaling to keep his beer belly inside. I said, H, exhale, cmon exhale. And when he did, I laughed even harder. I guess that was my answer to him.
He looked disappointed, then said, Ok that’s it, Im gonna have to work out more. You will see, I will work out every day until I end up like Schwarzenegger. I just cringed and made a gag gesture. And on that note I will end this post. H and many many more Iraqis have caught the fever. The Contagious Camera Fever…
In “normal”, “civilized” places like the Kings Road in London, you have guys cruising in the latest models of cars or motorbikes in attempt to show off their wealth and taste in what they might think is the best of the best. Unfortunately in this Twalled environment, there is no place for cruising. As for the games and gadgets, these are confined to ones own room.
But Cameras, now that’s a completely different story. Although Iraqis are not allowed to bring in anything inside the workplace, no mobile phones, no memory sticks, no laptops etc, they are allowed to take out newly purchased cameras. In fact they can take out anything as long as there is a paper from an expat declaring that he/she has given the specific item to so and so.
Cameras have become the only tool to shed the frustrations that we go through around here. It’s a means of communications to the outside world. Although its prohibited to take photos of certain places inside the GZ, people still find a way to capture moments, precious moments. It has become such an addiction, that some try to take a picture of something as trivial as a grain of dust from all the sand storms we have been experiencing.
As for the Iraqis, they’re catching on. But their addiction isn’t into grains of dust or the eye of an insect (Yup there ARE people who actually do that). Instead they take photos to post them on their personal facebook to keep intouch with all the friends and family that have long gone or the ones they haven’t seen in a long time because of the violence. H, told me that the facebook has now become like a gahwa (coffeeshop) for all friends to meet up and post the latest happenings, photos and events in their lives. That’s the only way we can keep in touch and still stay alive, he says.
H, a shia, hasn’t seen his friend M, a sunni living in Adhamiyah, for over a year now. “I miss him, and I miss the good old days where we used to be able to meet up for an argeela (Hubbly Bubbly) and chat the hours away”. But now meeting up has become impossible, and only possible if we want to end up in pieces thrown away in some side street. Facebook has become our own gahwa. We post pictures of ourselves and share jokes. We can actually share sectarian jokes without having to look over our shoulders to see who is eavesdropping and end up snitching on us.
I like facebook, H says. We can atleast pick and choose who we keep intouch with. If there’s someone that asked me to add him and I don’t trust the guy, I just hit the ignore button. Its as easy as that, H smiles and gestures with his finger. I asked D, an expat, to purchase this camera for me from amazon. Its very expensive, but I like it. I used it when I went to my university re-union, H continues. Sometimes we even forget where we are and start acting stupid and clumsy infront of the camera.
We pretend we are in a normal place and start posing with our girl colleagues. Then I post it on my webpage. Do I look fat, he suddenly asks me. My girlfriend Reem who is in Amman now said I gained weight. Do I look fat Neurotica? H asked. I laughed so much, he caught me off guard. I noticed he was inhaling to keep his beer belly inside. I said, H, exhale, cmon exhale. And when he did, I laughed even harder. I guess that was my answer to him.
He looked disappointed, then said, Ok that’s it, Im gonna have to work out more. You will see, I will work out every day until I end up like Schwarzenegger. I just cringed and made a gag gesture. And on that note I will end this post. H and many many more Iraqis have caught the fever. The Contagious Camera Fever…
17 Comments:
Well I guess I can "picture" the camera craze. I mean what could be "negative" about "focusing" on keeping in touch with friends and sharing ones "exposure" to daily life? ; ) Solo
"The Bubble" of the Green Zone is one, of the main problems in Iraq. The separation from the reality of Iraq, makes those who govern from the GZ much like Isolationist. I would equate it to the any Royalty, who lives off the lower class, and has no clue as to their plight for it is not their reality.
I am sure there will be more U.S. troops going home soon, to appease the public in the States by the Republican Junta. They hope this will help in the coming election, showing that progress is being made in Iraq and the security improving. If security for each Iraqi has improved, maybe soon they can visit the pinnacles of power in the GZ.
are you including cellphone cameras? almost everyone has one now, it's like a modern wild west colt, always at hand, ready to shoot and perhaps make you famous at cnn ireport.
i think there are few women in your workplace, or missbimbo would certainly have won. :)
Camera's? Wow, you guys/gals need to get out more, oh you can't it's a war zone out there. I guess sitting in 'little America' is safer.
NEUROTICA LUV; SUPER DUPER LUV WWW.facebook.com""OLAFF"-LOCATION LONDON
Lol Solo, good one
Anon, the pinnacles of power hide behind the twalls in the GZ. They dont have the guts to leave this place. And if they do, they do it with a barracade of body guards. A shame, a real shame...
Well tib, we are banned from having camera phones :)
WH,, do I hear some contempt? If where Im at looks like little america, then im not sure what part of america. Cuz blv u me, Ive been to the states, and I have never seen a place so morbid, so dull, like here...The Iraqis here see this place as paradise compared to their own homes. Atleast here, they have 24/7 electricity. They have water. For me though, this is a prison!!!Yeah we do need to get out more, thats for sure. But the Iraqis ARE already out, any suggestions???
Olaff, Im not a facebook fan :(
A suggestion? Yes, in the immortal words of Ronald Reagan; "Tear down this wall". I can believe it's morbid and dull, because you have a group of American's who know they are dealing with a failed policy of their leader. The entire U.S. knows it's a failed policy, and are waiting in anticipation for the exit of the Neo-cons from power.
I think you will find that Iraq will not do well when it's slowly abandoned by the U.S. after the next election. There are some who say Iraq is the on the ground battleground for the U.S. and Iran war.
I thought the Goal was to make Ladies and Gentlemen. People that could hold a door for another person without making a beast of them? We share Engineering practices as we always have? I don't ever remembering lifting a car hood screaming, "Viva La Revoluccion!". Structure is an Art infinite. If people don't calm down IRAQ will be flying them around like Parade Balloons. Monitor Ones own self abuse?
NEUROTICA LUV; HOW ABOUT WWW.myspace.com"???:)GREETINGS DARLING WWW.bfbs.com "CHEERS OLAFF:)
Neurotica If you were running for president here and were quoted saying America is "so morbid, so dull," your campaign would be over. Michelle Obama said America is "so mean" and now my 88 year old aunt said she can't vote for Obama because of that statement. I know you have traveled many places in the world, more than most Americans, and I am envious. Maybe you could enlighten us in the the U.S. on your thoughts on America as to why you find it morbid and dull. Would be an interesting post. We always think we are #1 in EVERYTHING. Oh and we are full of diversity, we claim. Sally
Sally I believe she was refering to the Green Zone. Solo
I am 'positive' she is talking about the Green Zone being morbid and dull. Reading comprehension is a good quality to have.
I AGREE WITH BOTH COMMENTS IF SALLY HAD READ IT AS OUR LOVELY NEUROTICA MEANT IT THEN SHE SHOULD UNDERSTOOD THAT IT´S THE GREEN ZONE & IRAQ NEUROTICA MEANT ;YOU´RE RIGHT SOLO :)MATE :SO:) SORRY SALLY; READING COMPREHENSION IS A GOOD ATTRIBUTE TO HAVE & AS FAR AS BEING NO. ONE ;I HAVE LONG SINCE LEARNT NEVER TO GENERALISE:)& TRY BEING MATURE ABOUT MATTERS IN GENERAL ??!! ALL THE BEST MATES OLAFF
SORRY MEANT"SHE SHOULD UNDERSTAND;OR SHOULD´VE UNDERSTOOD" & NOT??!! "SHOULD UNDERSTOOD"
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Is Green the Colour of the Prophet?
Sally was being critical of NIW's Negativity. "Hypothetically speaking" or "Make what you Will" Either Sally feels guilty or she expects more creativity? Sally's approach is maybe a bit on the needy side? Sally's disposition could be judged emotionally weak and a risk in standards? As a big sister NIW's missing enrichment. Sally's wheels may turn with emotional directives suspended in the clarity of similar. Maybe some explosions? She just wants to talk about solutions. No time.
Hi,
From my opinion as a Muslim, there is a lot of another way you can do in order to release your tension, stress and loneliness. Just perform more ibadat and quran recitation. One more thing is i think you are very introvert.... Maybe your best friend is far away from you now but you can still make or find another friends at your place... I am sure there is a lot of other people that are nice will be willing to be your friend out there....
Cheers,
Pet Treadmills
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