Dec 29, 2009

[Movie] The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Plot:

Three student documentary filmmakers venture into Maryland's Black Hills to discover the truth behind the myth of the Blair Witch -- and never return. The only trace of their disappearance comes one year later when their film footage, documenting their final terrifying days, is found.


Yeah! This horror was on TV this morning and I just said to myself "Aah what the hell, let me just watch it." even though I was having second thoughts about it from all that I've heard of it. For starters, I can say I liked this movie! It's a typical story but it's like none-other really. The difference in these sorts of movies compared to other horror or thriller is that they use the real names of the main actors. I got fascinated by their real acting, if you could call it that because basically, they're not well known actors (if at all) but random people (I guess) just so that the movie can be unique and has that extra realness to it.

The atmosphere is the typical type to any horror movie, especially those of freakishly shaped trees and tree branches. I actually hate that! It was dark beyond dark. Literally, this movie had the least amount of light during...rush hour? lol. Plus, you don't know what exactly it was they're facing. Was it a monster? A tree that can walk and talk? A friggin' CHILD?!! Maybe a witch?! I still don't know exactly what it was that they faced but all I know is that it was bad *eyes wide open*

What I really liked about this movie - again just like in Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity - is that the whole 'filming' was raw footage. Yes! Raw footage basically rules all for me - at the moment, who knows I might get bored of it later lol - because it gives you the "real life feel" kind of feeling. Scary right?! Yes! But this movie was different. There were TWO cameras. Now that's new! Maybe I'm making a big deal over nothing but it was different yet annoying how magically the view changed from one camera to the other. Should that even be allowed to happen? Well, I'll just leave it at that.

Now the question is, did it scare me? It should have but it didn't. Surprised? I am. I honestly was expecting to be scared out of my comfy chair but I'm just sitting there with wide eyes open - I guess just trying hard to see what they were facing - and that's it. Like I didn't get the 'heart beating fast' feeling. Well maybe once. But yeah. I can say I was disappointed by that part but I still liked the movie. It had an interesting story to it but then it kind of leaves you with a cliff hanger. When the movie ended I literally screamed "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?". Yeah I was glued to the screen because I wanted to see...it!

I didn't want to watch this movie after I watched Paranormal Activity and you know how the whole hype between these two movies were; they got compared as to which was scarier. Well, they said that The Blair Witch Project was scarier...I'm gonna disagree. Dun dun dun duuuuun. Paranormal Activity left me paranoid for a few weeks and sleepless for a night or two. But The Blair Witch Project...nothing? I just liked it that's all.

I score it an 8/10.

P.S. An hour later I went out with my parents for lunch and I sat at our table kind of, let's say, "analyzing" the movie. This movie has a BIG flaw!! Hint: read the plot.

Dec 27, 2009

Its kindness is limitless

Well, eleven days have already passed - just like that *snaps fingers* - and I have to say that I'm enjoying my self and am very comfortable too (7amdulellah); finally! I've met up with almost everyone that I needed to meet up with but there are still a few to go (you guys know who you are *wink wink*) which I'm quite excited to meet.

One can say we've partially settled down with all that's left to do is receiving the furniture that we ordered and re-arranging the place to make it feel more cosy and homey.

I got the phone I've been wanting since June *huge grin*
I present to you Sony Ericsson C905.

I picked this very same color, bronze, since all that was left was pink and silver. I wanted black but they ran out of it (=.=) so I picked bronze because I'm not a big fan of pink and my last phone was silver; fair enough? C905 is basically the whole package, just to give you an idea in short. I love it!

I'm willing to update and fix up my CV so I can start applying for jobs since it takes a while for 'them' to reply to you here, sad enough. I know and heard that it's so hard to get a job here so it's worrying, you know. But inshAllah 5air. I don't know where to start with the looking part (websites/ads ??). But first things first prepare my CV.

I'm gonna talk about Oman a bit...just randoms things.

:: One of the coolest things about being in an Arab/Muslim country is the fact that any restaurant, supermarket and anything that sells food you go to is guaranteed to be halal *BIG grin*. So there is no need to worry or check if the product/place for that and best of all, you won't feel sad for not being able to buy it (especially when you want it badly). All you need to read is the Expiry date for products (Yes people, read the expiry date of every product!) and the menus of the restaurants! And as for the restaurants, well basically you're not just stuck with 2 or 3 places but instead you have like a bajillion places to pick from!
This part might not be about Oman, but I just had to mention it *innocent*

:: Oman is a BEAUTIFUL country. Very beautiful actually! Every time we go out (since I'm not driving) I'd be looking out the window just absorbing everything. It has changed greatly and has become tidier, cleaner, and greener (nice!). We visited Matra7 a few days ago and I was amazed by the beautiful harbor there and the very nice side walk, OH! and the greenery. I can only imagine this place at night *heart*

I enjoyed just standing there, looking at the beautiful green-blue pure water and feeling the cool breeze on my face. But it was in the afternoon, where the sun was at it's highest (big mistake), I think, and I got a minor sunburn on my nose and cheeks.

:: People stare a lot here and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT; may they be women, men, children and any nationality too. The old, married (some) Omani men are the creepiest. I'll just leave it at that.

:: Ooooh! The service here, may it be at supermarkets, banks, delivery are super super super slow. Btitla3 roo7ak (you're soul tries to escape) just waiting for them to get done. Some of them show it in their face that they HATE the job they're doing. They work bedoon nefs (with out interest). I don't blame them but come on, put a little effort in it!

:: Is it just me or has the double-head trend decreased? *thumbs-up girls*

:: Traffic jams are crazy here! No seriously, I've never seen anything like it. I think I'd enjoy the roads and driving if there was a bit of control, traffic lights here and there and actually if people followed the law. I love the roads here though! They're wide and endless. I'm not allowed to drive until I convert my license to the Omani license. Yeah! That sucks!

:: Majority of Omani's are super nice and polite! This is what I love about this country...its kindness is limitless *heart*

Can't wait to experience what more this country has got to give!


A song I've been constantly listening to for the past 2 days.

Dec 20, 2009

Thareed Oman

I don't know where to begin but here I am, the start of the fourth day since I arrived to Oman and I'm loving it! Pressure has seized. Stress is gone. If there is anything I'm doing then it's for sure relaxing and taking my time with what ever that's occupying me before the seven boxes and four bags arrive for the unpacking. I think unpacking is less stressful than the packing? *thinks* I mean one can just take it easy...no rush.

I've spent the last few days sleeping, reading (a lot), unpacking the bag that I travelled with, playing a bit of Mahjong Titans, and going out here and there hunting for a phone. I need to get in touch with so many so bare with me.

Day of travel was surely the most hectic day. We ran like crazy trying to get everything done and the only time where we actually sat down and relaxed was when I drove us to AUX airport (my last long drive in NZ *cries*). Having not slept that night, we were moody as hell and I had anger issues. Actually, my anger needed some major managing the last week or two before our travel. I mean, I practically snapped and swore (nothing bad or big) at anything, some of which were funny especially when my Palestinian accent and side came out.

Our flight from AUX to beautiful Muscat was really good. If I'm not over-exaggerating then I can say it's the best flight so far. I had a plan where I'd watch about ten movies - movies that I've been desperately wanting to watch and I finally got the chance to - since I don't think I'd sleep through the whole flight... Well, from AUX to melbourne, a three and a half hour flight, I managed to get down Ice Age 3 and half of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Now the flight from Melbourne to Dubai, fourteen hours, is where I thought I'd begin my marathon. I ate while I completed the other half of Harry Potter 6 (which was a major disappointment or I was just too sleepy to give) to check that there was about twelve hours and a half remaining to Dubai. I slept from then till the remaining time was only three hours that I killed by watching Up and an episode of Fareej which I enjoyed a lot! Sleeping that much was greatly unexpected. But I was glad because it only made the flight shorter and quicker.

Seeing Baba when we came out of the sliding doors was hands-down the highlight of the last month or two. Finally it was all worth it really. Plus I greatly missed our house here, and my room even though it's empty and not very G-chan-ee but still...it will change once the rest of our stuff arrive *grins*

At first I had agrophobia (fear of going out) for reasons like the weather and the driving. Yesterday though I decided I'm going to go to CC with my parents. Well one of the reasons I decided to go is because I need a phone but actually I wanted to see the Omani world. I ended up driving us to CC thanks to Baba's trust in me. Who knew?! I drove as if I don't hold a full licence or as if it's the first time I take the wheel. Well I wasn't comfortable. Mirrors weren't positioned for me and the seat was uncomfortable plus I wasn't used to the car and the steering wheel being on the left side. I think Mama was more scared of my driving than the take-off and landing on our flights. So much for cheering me on. Roundabouts where the creepiest and toughest parts I had to deal with, otherwise I think I'll manage.

I haven't seen anything weird while I was walking there...maybe the time I went was the reason *jokes* But I did get an unfriendly reaction. While in one of the shops, I wanted to pass to get to the pants that caught my attention but a lady was blocking my way. She saw I wanted to pass but didn't even bother to move. I softly asked her to "excuse me" to which I got a deadly stare in return. Mission accomplished but what the...?!

I drooled over the number of Mustangs I saw. They're gorgeous monsters!

I had Thareed Chicken? or is it Chicken Thareed? Anywho, I think I'm in love because that dish will have to be my favorite Omani dish so far! I luuuuuurved it. The bread oh the bread! *drools*

I start my day basically after Fajr prayer where after I finish praying and reading Qura'an I lie back in my bed and read Interview with the Vampire I for two to three hours. Definitely an exciting book and I'm pretty amazed by the detailed explanations:


"The lights were going out, first in the balcony, and then along the walls of the main floor. A knot of musicians had gathered in the pit below the stage, and at the foot of the long, green velvet curtain the gas flickered, then brightened, and the audience receded as if enveloped by a gray cloud through with only the diamonds sparkled, on wrists, on throats, on fingers. And a hush descended like that gray cloud until all the sound was collected in one echoing persistent cough. Then Silence. ...

Interview with the Vampire Vo. I - Anne Rice

I really liked this part.

I need a good visit to Borders because for the mean time books are my occupation. The rest of the day comes un-planned which is good enough for me.

I'm glad I'm finally home!

Dec 10, 2009

Hysteria...


Looking at this shot just reminds me so much of myself and my current state. I think I've finally hit rock bottom today or maybe....this whole moving frenzy and work has finally got it's toll on me. I'm blogging about today because I want to remember it's "contents" for when I someday quit from blogging and read through my blog (I've missed it!). Another reason to why I want to blog about today is because it's apart of this whole moving from one country to another kind of process so it's like the step to a...new life.

Five days are left till our departure from NZ, back to Oman and basically, instead of us controlling time, it's controlling us! As freaky as this may sound but that's exactly what's happening.

A "normal" day for me, these days, is waking up around 9:30am, having breakfast, checking my email because there's bound to be a message or more from my client, then the rest of the day happens by itself. Basically it consists of running errands - a lot of them shockingly, packing/selling, some more errands, cleaning the room that my bro is moving to, and with a blink of an eye it's like 6pm-7pm at night where I'm fully destroyed and in the need of "me" time or relaxation time. But no. Actually that time is when I get to work on my clients website. Yeah I work. Sitting on my bed working on Photoshop and Dreamweaver breaking my back because I'm desk-less (lol). I do get to work on the site during the day but my day is usually hectic and my hours working on the site is not continuous so that's no good.

Today, the 10th of the 12th month of 2009 (sounds dramatic lol), mama and I woke up at 7am to finish packing the final two boxes left for shipment (by air). We had a total of four bags and seven boxes. We are moving to another country after all. Anyway, a really nice Scottish man with a HUMONGOUS truck picked up the eleven items and managed to get an interesting conversation with us about Palestine and the Jews -- that's what he called them, Jews because he says that Israel doesn't exist. He surprised me. Around 10am the good man was gone and our house was emptier. Mama and I sat on the empty floor to have breakfast; tummies were rumbling by then.

Somehow, the tiredness started to kick in. Not sleeping much + the amount of work we've been doing for the past month or two has made exhaustion and pain "come out". Despite this, we ended up going to my bros room and complete it's cleaning. Feeling what we felt, our smartness had decreased dramatically lol We reach the room and the following occurs:

Mama: "Aaaah! I forgot the keys to the room. I swear I was feeling like I've forgotten something but it wouldn't come to me."

G: *laughs like an idiot from tiredness*
"it's okay. Let's go back and get them."

*mama pulls out of the drive way and we head back home. On the way...*

G: "I feel like crying from all this. I'm happy and all but I'm so tired."

Mama: "Same here, haha. This whole moving thing has started taking a toll on us"

*takes a wrong turn that has no exit while still talking to me but does not realize it*

G: "Mama where are you going?"
*starts laughing*

Mama: *looks at me and starts laughing hysterically and uncontrollably while trying to reverse and turn the steering wheel which was a huge mission because of tiredness*

G: *laughs at mama for laughing the way she did and for not being able to turn the steering wheel*

We laughed for maybe a whole minute, turning tomato red and tearing up. It was the sort of laugh where "what's happening" is funny yet sad at the same time. I just thought we've gone crazy.

When we got the keys and went back to the room, again we had forgotten to get another important item. An adapter for the vacuum cleaner since it's from Oman and does not fit to the style of NZ sockets. So I drove, like a psycho, back home to get the adapter while mama began work on the room.

Windows (from outside and inside), a couch, the bed's mattress and the carpet were given a nice good clean. The place smelt good and looked clean. We're satisfied now.

We went back home, took nice long showers and had a cup of coffee while planning what needs to be done for the rest of the day. All plans went down the drain though because the two hour rest that we decided to give ourselves went longer than it should, so we decided to call it quits for the day and I decided to bring us kebab's from Salateen (a halal Moroccan restaurant -- I think it's Moroccan lol) since I don't want mama to cook. It was a good dinner. Quite beautiful actually. I'd have to say it was the highlight of the day because it was the whole family talking and letting out the "adventures" of the day.

After dinner, we crossed out yet another day of December.