play dough anyone?

Was sorting through some junk under my be bed last night and found some old notes from my philosophy days. God I sound like that was ages ago when in essence it was only 2 years. I’m afraid to think of what I’ll sound like at 50. So where were we? Ah yes… Plato’s theory of forms. I remember being blown away by it when I initially wrapped my head round the concept the first time but rereading it again just sort of rekindled this giddy feeling I get inside when I feel like I’ve seen something in a new light. I suppose before I start to rant and rave about all the implications and what a powerful tool it can be in the wonderful world of deep conversations, a brief synopsis is in order. Basically the premise lies in the idea that there are two realms. The first being the material world, the one we perceive with our senses and the second being the realm of forms. The realm of forms can be sorta kinda but not exactly thought of as the concept, attributes, characteristics or idea of an object. An example is probably the best way to understand what I’m on about… take for example a basket ball. The actual manifestation of the ball and its physical presence is one realm and its roundness, texture, ball ness, color are all its different forms. It is the combination of these forms that make it a basketball. Now the trick is this. Plato says these forms don’t exist in the physical world. They are in our minds and are how we identify objects. With that said he goes on to state that if these forms are found in the physical world then what we perceive with our senses is in fact a copy of the form, an imperfect on if u will. Everyone knows what a perfect circle is but once we attempt to put it on paper there are slight imperfections that make it less than perfect. And hence forms can exist without an exact carbon copy in the real world. So there u have it the theory of forms.. the reason all this is mind boggling is this… consider using this theory in the attempt to discuss the existence of god and evil in the world. Skeptics will often say show me that there is a god. Prove it. And when u naturally point to nature, the inner workings of the human body and the cosmos ability to function perfectly in unison you’re often met with the good old.. If god there is a god and he is perfect why are there imperfections in the world? Why does evil exist? And the answer to that is through the use of Plato’s theory! U know what a perfect circle is…but draw one for me and inevitably it'll be slightly imperfect. Does that mean there is no such thing as a circle? Course not it just means the real world manifestation isn't as perfect as the idea. Under the same logic expecting something perfect for our senses to precieve as an indication of the existence of god is wrong. and with that you see what i mean when i say the theory opens up a whole can of worms by the mere suggestion. Think about it.. munch on it and you’ll probably come to my sentiments exactly. I should point out however, that even though the idea is a simple yet extremely meaningful one the logic behind the argument is a little flawed… the premises are magnificent on their own but do not necessarily lead us to the conclusion that many are too often quick to make.

Robabikia

An existance soley devoted to the journey...
A wanderer of sorts that roams the streets in the wee hours of the morning in the small hope that someone's junk will be anothers treasure. A broker, a collector of once loved and cherished items. He takes material possesion and leaves sentimental value behind. He is the hew home for all that is held too dear to be tossed aside with no future purpose. He is a symbol of the uncomplicated. To him it is about satiating the hunger pains and quenching the thirst but to me right here .. right now.. He is about the journey.. about the ability to wander the streets bathed in the suns warmth and have your lungs filled with the crisp morning air. He is a symbol of all that is untouched by the evils of greed the corruptions of power and the impurity of politics. A man and his donkey.

Bureaucracy

Ok so they think you’ve got what it takes to possibly make it in their oh so glamorous organization.. You do your bit.. you study on your freaking plane ride home… avoid daydreaming about all the good times you’re supposed to instantaneously forget and focus on whats to come… you memorize all the useless crap that people at the company supposedly know! You become a cow munching on the information just long enough to spew it out during the interview.. Regurgitation! What is it with baby cows? Fols? I think that’s what they’re called…I mean really we think Egyptian kids with fathers who work for the big ass petroleum companies have it good? What’s to be said about the damn cows? The freaking cows! They get their food chewed for them for gods sake! So anyways I get all spiffy. Dress to impress so to speak and I think I know my shit! I’ve done the job before and my boss expressed her appreciation time and time again… I try to remain positive and completely forget the fact that I work for a place that places mucho points on seniority and well that I am a bottom feeder in that respect… I go into the interview and do my thing... the cocky smile, the I know I’m gods gift to all employers, the dance... I make the lame jokes! Oh god it’s the lame jokes that just eat away at my freaking existence! The smile behind which I’m thinking fuck the job just do me a favor and bend over so I can give your derriere something to remember me by. And I leave.. knowing I gave it my all and that she (the boss) knows that I know out of the bunch except the one with a gazillion years experience that I deserve the job. But bureaucracy takes its toll and these are just hoops that we jump through… I remember having a conversation with the big boss woman a million years ago.. ok so maybe it wasn’t a million year ago but more like 3 months ago, about how I wanted my contract extended and how she said.. we’ll post a position soon but so and so wants it. I gotta give mrs so and so credit where its due I mean the woman did manage the team for 12 months she knows her shit but its not the fact that she’s getting it that’s pissing me off it’s the mockery they make of the freaking interview process! Why stress me out with an oral and a written and further agitate me by having to shoot the shit with you folk if you already know who you ‘re going to give it to!
Why tantalize me with the notion of an opportunity only to confirm that you’re going to give it to her?!
Why?! Like I said I’ve got nothing against the woman... she’s really sarcastic, which is always a plus in my books. She’s even invited me to a shindig at her place… I am a good sport… and I can accept defeat its just… oh god wait… I’m a bitcher and a moaner! Who am I kidding? I’ve become one of those can’t be happy for people sorts!
NOOOO !
wait a minute!
This isn’t about her as a person!
This is about the concept! The idea of an interview selection process that supposedly has no preset outcome being rigged! Point is ! I feel cheated used and left to dry! Is this what prostitutes feel like when they’ve done their bit and their pimp cleans them out for all their juice? Hmm I wonder!? Ok stay focused!
Bottom line is it sucks! Being punished for something you can’t help.. I hope to god they prove me wrong and not jade me with the thorns of bureaucracy.

Hal yokhfa al kamar?

The wish to celebrate a festival with which I can identify has finally come true. A people as a whole rejoicing for all the same reason… their reason… my reason… our reason… A euphoria caused by both the sense of ownership and belonging. A spiritual rejuvenation. I anxiously anticipate the sound of the Adan fluttering through the air echoing words that inspire believers to unite in place whose prime virtue is attributed to its magnificent acoustics. A treat both for my ears and my soul. Prostration, emancipation, retribution and redemption combined. Its strange that just by crossing the Atlantic the moon’s identity is transformed from one of lunacy and horror to that of love and beauty. As I cross over the large body of ocean so to will I be transformed from a Canadian Arab to an Arab Canadian. The moon marks the beginning for me…. The beginning of adventure… the beginning of joy… the beginning of belonging… the beginning of celebration and the beginning of Eid as I’ve never known it before!