RAGMAG The Nebulae Issue | December/January 13-14 | Issue #42 by RAGMAG Magazine

MAGAZINE DECEMBER -JANUARY 2013/2014

AMBASSADOR TOM FLETCHER THE MOST AMBITIOUS MAN IN THE WORLD

THE NEBULAE

ISSUE LEBANON’S

CULTURAL EMISSARY

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013

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THE MIDDLE EAST’S NUMBER ONE FEMALE INFLUENCER

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MAGAZINE

Contributors

Publisher Gina Gabriel El-Fady Editor in Chief Fida Z Chaaban Creative Lead Odette Kahwagi Assistant to the Editor Youmna Chagoury Junior Graphic Designer Eliane Elias Photographers Odette Kahwagi Walid Hoyek Dave Kai-Piper BeirutNightLife.com

Lara Ariss Jonathan Cainer Amal Chaaban Consumedly Rabih Feghali Maria Frangieh Alice Hlidkova Sarah Hourany Matthew Hussey J.E.N. Maria-Elena Kassab Imogen Kimber Chris Lambert Rani Nasr Nour Obaji Jacques Tchabarian Adam Volk

w w w . r a g m a g . c o

RAGMAGMagazine @RAGMAGMagazine RAGMAG #RAGMAG

Media Representative

Selected images Shutterstock

Stylist Jony Matta Public Relations Coordinator Lea El-Alam Marketing Lead Daniella Tayar Administrative Coordinator Teddy Younes Responsible Manager May Ziade Printed by Chemaly & Chemaly www.chemaly.com

Nada G. Farha | Cofounder-MD Jdeideh Chalet Suisse St 444 Center 3rd floor Tel: 01 87 16 63 Ext 103 nfarha@pinkodsal.com advertise@pinkodsal.com RAGMAG Alex Gabriel Building Rue Colomn de Sahel Sahel Alma, Keserwan Tel: 09 916 222 / 09 913 777 lea.elalam@ragmaglive.com

Distributor MMO Messageries du Moyen-Orient de la Presse et du Livre Sal

RAGMAG is a division of Raycon s.a.l. Copyright RAGMAG 2013 | All Rights Reserved Opinions expressed are based solely on personal opinion and experience, not reflective in any way of RAGMAG, a division of Raycon s.a.l.

Get the RAGMAG App on iTunes and Google Play APPLE

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ON OUR COVER: MONA ABOU HAMZE Image by MSeif Photography | Makeup Bassam Fattouh Hair by Wael of Pace e Luce | Gown Dsquared2

SUBSCRIBE TO RAGMAG PER ISSUE 10,000 LBP | 6 ISSUES 50,000 LBP | 12 ISSUES 100,000 LBP Contact us by phone or email to arrange your subscription subscriptions@ragmaglive.com Lea El-Alam +961 9 916 222 / 9 913 777 RAGMAG, Alex Gabriel Building, Rue Colomn de Sahel, Sahel Alma, Keserwan, Lebanon

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28 EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES 128 COPYCAT REAL LIFE RUNWAY

134 IT’S ALL RIGHT, IT’S OKAY OUR FASHION SHOOT

132 RAMI AL ALI FW13 BACKSTAGE PASS

CULTURE CLASH A STAR IS BORN… BY THE MINUTE

LEBANESE SOUND SOJOURN

THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL

THE NEWS AS THEY SEE IT, WELL KINDA

HAYDA LEBNEN

SEARCHING FOR THE SEA-DERS LEBANESE FILM GHADI PAN ARABIA ENQUIRER

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THE MIDDLE EAST’S NUMBER ONE FEMALE INFLUENCER

AN OPEN LETTER TO LEBANON

STUNNED INTO SILENCE

MONA ABOU HAMZE

DOLLARS + SENSE THE MOST AMBITIOUS MAN IN THE WORLD

FINAL FRONTIER THE UNIVERSE ISN’T GETTING BIGGER?

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SEE, SPEAK + HEAR NO EVIL SOUND CHECK MUSIC READ’EM + WEEP BOOKS PLAY NICE GAMES WATCH OUT FILM

MON AMOUR, MON AMI WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MY PLACE

AMBASSADOR TOM FLETCHER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ODINS RAVEN THE BIGGEST FEMALE OPINION LEADER

IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV

SCIENCE

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS?

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178

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MIND, BODY + SOUL HELP ME NOUR + RABIH

RESTRUCTURE YOUR EMOTIONAL UNIVERSE

ADVICE

MATTHEW HUSSEY

CREATING AWARENESS

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

TAKING DRAKE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

MIRROR MIRROR IT’S PERSONAL!

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ALL TOGETHER NOW!

YOUMNA IS LEAVING US!

JO MALONE IN DA HOUSE NIVEA FOR MEN

104 CHANEL HOLIDAY LINEUP IT’S JUST SO MARILYN

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BOYS, CHOOSE ONE HOLIDAY SCENT-SATION

DIOR’S STARRY NIGHT GET IT NOW!

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY 158 A FULL XMAS DIN DIN RECIPES

156 L’AUTRE BISTRO RESTO REVIEW

154 ‘TIS THE SEASON

IT’S ALL RIGHT,

IT’S OKAY Starring MAYALINE HAGE of LUMI

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PATCHI BRIGHTENS YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON

OUT + ABOUT 178 INDIE BANDS TAKE OVER RED BULL SOUNDCLASH

TAKE ME WITH YOU 148 CHRISTMAS IN KIEV TRAVEL

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BRAINFOOD QUIZZ. DINBATS. CROSSWORDS. SUDOKU.

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

I am struggling to introduce this issue. Somehow we have come a long way with Mona Abu Hamze on RM’s cover but yet we are still static with the situation around us. With each step forward, we seem to take a couple of step backwards. What can one say to round up the 2013, other than it has kept us pretty much on our toes! It’s been a bittersweet year to pretty much everyone and for us at RAGMAG it is ending with a bang. To end it I would like to pay tribute to all the brave Lebanese that held their head up high amongst all this chaos that we have experienced. Forty-two issues ago RAGMAG started off as a vision that was adopted gradually by each member that joined the RM staff. As we have watched colleagues in the industry evolve and change from companies to others and from positions to others we were happy to see that our team was more or less still intact. The struggle of life in Lebanon and its chaos has forced two of RM’s founding members, Ms. Fida Z. Chaaban (our Editor in Chief) and Ms. Youmna Chagoury (Assistant to the Editor), to bid farewell to Lebanon. We at RM would like to wish Fida and Youmna the very best. Life in this industry is pretty intense at its best, so thank you guys for 42 issues of pure magic. So I can officially tell you all that now we are transitioning but we still look forward for your support and tender loving care in 2014. Keep your letters coming to publisher@ragmaglive.com and follow me on Twitter @GinaGabriel1. On that note I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and the most amazing beginning to the New Year. Keep Safe!

Gina Gabriel El-Fady | Publisher 10 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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EDITOR’S LETTER

“BYE BYE

BLACKBIRD” JOHNNY DEPP SAYS IT BETTER THAN I DO AND SO DOES LEONARD COHEN

DEAR RAGMAG READERS, IN LIEU OF MY LETTER AND MY OP ED THIS ISSUE, I’M WRITING TO YOU IN ONE RAMBLING UNDEFINED FORMAT. HANG IN THERE, I PROMISE I’LL START MAKING SENSE IN A MINUTE. YOU ALL KNOW I’M A POP CULTURE JUNKIE, SO IT ONLY SEEMS APPROPRIATE TO FINISH ON THAT NOTE. YES, FINISH. THIS, THE 42ND ISSUE OF RAGMAG MAGAZINE, IS MY LAST. I HAVE OFFICIALLY STEPPED DOWN AS THE EIC OF THIS PUBLICATION.

“I LOVED YOU IN THE MORNING” LEONARD COHEN Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye

I really did love you all in the morning. I wake up to numerous tweets every day from readers who are pure RAGMAG addicts. I have all of our social media accounts on my phone, and if you ever thought for a second I didn’t see all of your tweets both public and private (I read every Twitter DM to every account), I promise you all that I did.

“IT’S TIME WE BEGIN TO LAUGH AND CRY AND CRY AND LAUGH ABOUT IT ALL AGAIN” LEONARD COHEN So Long, Marianne

Youmna Chagoury, the Assistant Ed of RAGMAG, has also resigned. A truly excellent piece of writing has come out of this and I encourage you all to read about her obsession with RAGMAG, and her own personal evolution in our Mind, Body + Soul section. She’s truly one of my best friends and reading her essay made me both sad and proud.

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” “LIKE A DRUNKEN MIDNIGHT CHOIR, I HAVE TRIED, IN MY WAY TO BE FREE” LEONARD COHEN Bird on a Wire

I think, and I hope that I am right, that Youmna and I as a team, and I personally as the EIC have not let you down. In good conscience, I can honestly say that this magazine was built on our blood, sweat and tears. We’ve tried (and hopefully succeeded) at channelling both the best and worst aspects of our personalities and sensibilities into this magazine. For all of you.

It has been such an overwhelming experience, such an arduous climb. I am having such difficulty bidding you all farewell that I’ve forced Youmna (read: tied her to the chair), to sit next to me and help me finish this note. Half in jest, all in seriousness. She is, after all, half of this magazine and it’s only right that she is half of my departure. Whatever happens from here on out, remember that it was, and always will be, your magazine.

“BYE BYE, BLACKBIRD” JOHNNY DEPP AS JOHN DILLINGER Public Enemies (2009)

My team, my stars, my tireless staff: you are the backbone of what has become one of the most pervasive publications around. This magazine is you. Cover to cover. #RAGMAGCult Odette Kahwagi you are one of the one most brilliant people I have met in my life. I am honoured to have shared this publication with you for nearly four years. I have learned so much from you and I am fortunate, so fortunate, to have had a Creative Lead –a contemporary- that is a master of the visual arts. You make me a better editor and a better writer. I respect you and I’ll miss you every single day.

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Your Blackbird,

Fida Chaaban @fidachaaban

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FOR OUR NOVEMBER ISSUE WE CONTINUED TO TALK TO YOU VIA OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMSPINTEREST, TWITTER + FACEBOOK. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION AND WE HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH US ONLINE

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK AND SCRIBBLE ON OUR WALL TO WIN, WRITE TO US AT LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR@RAGMAGLIVE.COM OR TWEET US ON TWITTER @RAGMAGMAGAZINE!

IF YOU’RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE A PIC WITH YOUR FAVORITE ISSUE, SEND IT OUR WAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OR EMAIL! YOU’RE ALL SO PINTERESTING, SO PIN US. RAGMAG IT’S YOUR MAGAZINE! RAGMAG reserves the right to edit for clarity and content WE’RE SHOWING OFF SOME OF THE BEST IMAGES THAT OUR READERS SENT IN VIA EMAIL AND TWITTER. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE READERS WHO SENT US TWEETS AND EMAILS OF THEIR COPIES OF RAGMAG.

WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU SO KEEP IT UP!

WANNA DOWNLOAD OUR APP? WE’RE NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ITUNES STORE AND ON GOOGLE PLAY SO GET DOWNLOADING

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#RAGMAG

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READER REWARD

WIN THIS!

THE NEWEST HANDBAG BRAND TO HIT THE MIDDLE EAST, ON S’EN FOUT, IS THE BRAINCHILD OF TWO YOUNG DESIGNERS: YASMINE JABER OF LEBANON AND MORNING LAU OF HONG KONG. THEY’VE JUST LAUNCHED ON S’EN FOUT BASED OUT OF PARIS AFTER GRADUATING FROM ESMOD. THEIR FIRST COLLECTION FOR THE SS14 SEASON IS CHARACTERIZED BY 3D PRINTING AND INSPIRED BY CARDBOARD ANIMALS. SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PICKS FROM THE COLLECTION ARE THE VERTEBRATA-T, THE UNICORTHERIA-R AND OF COURSE THE JUNIOR V, WHICH YOU CAN ENTER TO WIN!

HOW TO WIN THE JUNIOR V BY ON S’EN FOUT The Junior V is a 3D printed blackbird screwed on to the band of a square-shaped, textured black leather clutch. This mini handbag can be held through the band as a clutch or with a belt around the waist through the loops found at the back of the bag. Email an image of a blackbird to letterstotheeditor@ragmaglive.com and tell us why you chose that particular image in 50 words or less. Get bonus points if you include the name of the blockbuster movie where Johnny Depp calls his female co-star blackbird.

GIMME THAT BAG! ON S’EN FOUT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

On S’en Fout Bags will be available at The Cartel boutique in Dubai beginning mid January 2014. They’ll also be available at www.carnetdemode.com and on www.notjustalabel.com for those of you who prefer to shop online. The price range of On S’en Fout begins at 447 Euro and goes up to 2300 Euro. www.on-sen-fout.com

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onsenfoutparis

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Paris, New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Madrid, Beijing, Beirut, Seoul www.isabelmarant.com DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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06.24.2013 07.09.2013 08.16.2013 08.24.2013 11.19.2013 For the fifth time this year, I am forced to address the subject of death and mayhem at the hands of the few who would destabilize this beleaguered nation for the many. We, as RAGMAG, would like to express our sincerest condolences to the victims and to the loved ones of the most recent bombings in Bir Hassan, Beirut. The dates of all the 2013 bombings are commemorated here as well. No drop of innocent blood that has been spilled has been forgotten.

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As you are all aware, it is RAGMAGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy to respectfully address these tragedies by observing silence on our social media platforms. In my last condolence letter, published all too recently in September of this year, I expressed deep regret that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to enact this policy repeatedly. I had also admitted to our collective fear for our nation, and our wavering hopes that these horrendous outpourings of senseless violence would cease. There are no words and no images that can convey our sorrow. We are with you, Lebanon.

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IS THE KINDLE PHONE JUST A RUMOUR?

The rumour started in 2012 and despite a statement from Amazon that the company would not be releasing a phone that year, it is still ongoing. Amazon successfully released their Kindle Fire tablet in November 2011 and according to TechRadar.com, it seemed “only natural that the company would turn to smartphones next.” The moment the rumour really started gathering steam is when Amazon hired Charlie Kindel, former general manager for Microsoft’s Windows Phone. Kindel’s LinkedIn profile reads “Director at Amazon. My team is hiring mobile and cloud developers!” which only feeds speculation about Amazon’s next move. Several articles about a potential collaboration with mobile and tablets manufacturer HTC have also been popping up with the company refusing to comment. Will Amazon really pose a challenge to other market-established companies?

WHERE WILL THE DISPLACED PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES GO?

RAGMAG’S VOTE UNLIKELY

FIVE QUESTIONS THE WORLD IS ASKING

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We stopped counting the number of times we’ve addressed natural disasters this year. Last month, Southeast Asia was hit by Typhoon Haiyan, a powerful tropical cyclone that wreaked havoc in the Philippines. According to The Huffington Post, “The death toll has risen to 5560 with 1757 others missing. The United Nations said at least 14 million people have been affected, including 1.8 million displaced children.” Weeks after the disaster, the Philippines is now facing health-related issues -according to The New York Times, “Three Philippines Department of Health officials said in separate interviews that acute respiratory infections, including pneumonia, were the biggest public health problem to emerge since the typhoon”- but also a lack of security. The military work “was, and continues to be, hampered by a lack of provisions including food, heavy equipment and communications technology.” In addition to transporting supplies and evacuating people, they’re also “responsible for helping the Philippine National Police maintain security during natural disasters.” However, cases of looting, extreme violence, murder and alleged raping are being reported, adding to the country’s instability. How long will it take the Philippines to get back up on its feet? RAGMAG’S VOTE TROUBLING THE NEBULAE ISSUE

WHAT’S WITH THE KIDNAPPINGS LATELY? While the Cleveland kidnapping case where three women were held for 10 years is still making headlines, last month an even more horrifying story emerged, this time in London. According to The Guardian, “A 69 year-old Malaysian woman, a 57 yearold Irish woman and a 30 year-old British woman were all rescued by detectives from the Metropolitan police human trafficking unit.” Two suspects, a man and a 67 year-old woman were arrested for an “investigation into slavery and domestic servitude.” The investigation is ongoing but gives rise to a wave of speculation and perplexity as to how “free” the kidnapped women were and if they had any contact with the external world in three decades- one of the women is believed to have either been born in captivity or captured when she was still an infant. The women were freed after “media coverage on forced marriages gave them the courage to contact a support charity” (The Huffington Post), and the charity then contacted the police. Their liberation took place over several days as both the charity and the police tried to plan their evacuation for times when the suspects were not at home. Cleveland’s kidnapper was sentenced to life imprisonment (he ended it by committing suicide in September). How could these people have gone unnoticed?

RAGMAG’S VOTE NIGHTMARISH

DOES SUNDANCE HAVE ANY SURPRISES IN STORE? The Sundance Film Festival’s 36th edition kicks off in January 2014 in Utah. One of the largest independent film festivals in the United States, Sundance is known to have given big breaks to many famous independent filmmakers –think Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh to name two that went on to become household names- and garnered attention for movies like Little Miss Sunshine and, in the festival’s very first edition, A Streetcar Named Desire. The festival has grown both in popularity and quality- at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, nine films collected 15 Oscar nominations. Movie-buffs can bide their time for Sundance by distracting themselves with the Dubai International Film Festival this December. Many directors did not receive a Sundance award yet sill became the

next big thing the year they screened their productions, with distribution houses buying their often small-budget work for millions of dollars and gifting them with a much wider audience. Who’s going to win big this year? RAGMAG’S VOTE EXCITING

DUBAI WON THE EXPO BID AND NOW WHAT? It’s official: Dubai will be the first Middle Eastern city to host the World Expo. The news wasn’t exactly surprising, as Dubai has positioned itself as a modern city, with a lot of tech, strong infrastructure, and a very diverse population (think expats from all over the world). According to BBC, “Dubai authorities say the Expo 2020 will bring in around $23bn” while the six-month event will cost the city a total of $8.4bn, “with the government spending around $6.5bn on infrastructure projects.” The numbers are a good indicator of how Dubai’s win will transform the city’s economic landscape with new jobs and possibly higher rent and an inflated cost of living. However, the real question is whether Dubai will try to break

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its predecessor 2010 Shanghai’s record of over 70 million visitors, an attendance level China had set and met. The problem is that the numbers may not be organic. According to The New York Times, “state employees and government bureaucrats from virtually every part of the nation were ordered to pile onto buses, trains and planes and head to the Expo 2010 in Shanghai” or they would have their wages cut. Shanghai’s Expo was bathed in controversy when “17000 [people were] relocated to make way for the $4 billion expo grounds,” according to CNN. Will Dubai be forced into the hot seat like Qatar’s World Cup 2020 labour scandals? RAGMAG’S VOTE CERTAINLY

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CULTURE CLASH

MONA ABOU HAMZE BY FIDA CHAABAN

OPPOSITE PAGE: STILL IMAGES FROM “TALK OF THE TOWN” SHOW ON MTV

THE MIDDLE EAST’S NUMBER ONE FEMALE INFLUENCER

AS A FEMALE MEMBER OF THE PRESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, I HAVE REAL DIFFICULTY WITH THE WAY THAT BOTH PRINT AND BROADCAST JOURNOS ARE, IN MY OPINION, SEXUALIZED. IN THIS REGION, IT IS A HUGE CHALLENGE TO EXUDE PROFESSIONALISM, DRIVE HOME A POINT, AND BE IMPACTFUL- WHILE KEEPING YOUR SEXUALITY OUT OF THE PICTURE AND I SAY THIS SPEAKING FROM FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE. FOR THE NEBULAE ISSUE OF RAGMAG THAT REFLECTS OUR UNIVERSE, WE REQUESTED THAT MONA ABOU HAMZE TALK TO US ABOUT MANAGING TO MAINTAIN HER IMAGE OF AN ELEGANT INTELLECTUAL WHILE STILL BEING ACCESSIBLE TO HER AUDIENCE- AND KEEPING IT ALL STRICTLY BUSINESS. Uniquely positioned in the Middle East media as the “smart female broadcast journalist”, other female celebrities, specifically Lebanese journos, might do well to emulate her lead. As the biggest draw to MTV, Abou Hamze has successfully reached her regional audience both via her hit program, Talk of the Town, but more importantly, her use of social media platforms. It’s a very fine line in the Middle East, I personally have struggled with this as a print media journo and I’ve been able to say that watching Mona skilfully walk the line has been both interesting and educational. A lot of this interview will be presented anecdotally simply because Mona is an amazing narrative speaker and a charismatic persona. Talk to her yourself and find out. MonaAbouHamzeOfficial

@MonaAbouHamze

MonaAbouHamze http://monaabouhamze.wordpress.com

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y action to take up social media was actually a reaction,” says Mona. To her surprise, her fans had already begun a Facebook page for her with over 55000 devotees. “I’ll be honest, the huge demonstration of support on Facebook surprised me since it’s usually performers who get this kind of fan attention not anchors,” she explains. Basically, Mona’s entire social media presence was a reactive behavior- people were treating her as a role model so she knew being able

to communicate her views directly to her followers had become a need. The fans perpetuated Mona’s adoption of social media with their constant interaction with her first, thus prompting her to address her audience’s need to hear from her directly. “The initial communication was so surprising to me- it was all so overwhelmingly positive and it surpassed my expectations! I love the direct interaction that is happening with my audience, and since then I’ve always continued on the same vein.”

“I LOVE THE DIRECT INTERACTION THAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY AUDIENCE, AND SINCE THEN I’VE ALWAYS CONTINUED ON THE SAME VEIN” THE NEBULAE ISSUE

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CULTURE CLASH BOTTOM OF PAGE: STILL IMAGES OF MONA ABOU HAMZE, CANNES, MAY 2013

“CONVEYING THE SUBSTANCE OF MY WORK AND MY BELIEFS ABOUT SOCIETY IS MUCH MORE RELEVANT THAN CONVEYING A PHYSICAL IMAGE” What does Mona personally support on a societal level? “Social, political and cultural awareness. It’s so important, I cannot stress how much. In the social regard, I believe in human rights, freedom of speech and the right for everyone to have cultural awareness,” she says also discussing the importance of compassion both in professional and personal spheres of her life. She says that as a Middle Eastern broadcast journalist, one female globally in the same field that she immensely respects is Oprah Winfrey. “I love that Oprah represents the people and she’s of

the people- as one of them. She’s able to represent them despite the fact that she’s one of the most influential people in the world. She peaked in her career, but continued to represent the average American citizen; she hasn’t forgotten who she speaks for and where she comes from.” Having studied political science at the American University of Beirut, Abou Hamze’s educational background wasn’t geared toward a career in broadcast journalism. As someone I consider part of the “new school” of Middle East females in journalism, I think her poly-sci back-

“PEOPLE DON’T SEE ME AS A CELEBRITY, THEY SEE ME AS A CONDUIT TO CONVEY HOW THEY FEEL. I’M KIND OF LIKE THEIR CONFIDANTE”

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“I LOVE THAT OPRAH REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE AND SHE’S OF THE PEOPLE- AS ONE OF THEM”

ground must’ve shaped her direction quite a bit. The press refers to her respectfully -there’s no mincing words with Abou Hamze- and despite the fact that she’s attractive, which can unfortunately hamper credibility in this part of the world, she isn’t playing the sex symbol card. Is this the reason that her very loyal fan base is equally female and male? “In fact, I have more female followers than I do male. I think this is because I position myself as a friend and not as a sex symbol. I think conveying the substance of my work and my beliefs about society is much more relevant than conveying a physical image.” I tell Mona that in my opinion, presenting herself intelligently and not exploiting her sexuality is one of the reasons she continues to be outside the mold of journos here, thus garnering the support of people who are looking for someone to look up to. “I think it’s also because I always try to follow my own advice as well. The press should always remember that they’re interviewing a human being, while respecting both sides.” Essentially, Mona says that

THE NEBULAE ISSUE

MONA ABOU HAMZE | THE MIDDLE EAST’S NUMBER ONE FEMALE INFLUENCER

as an anchor she’ll question people during interviews, but while doing so makes it a rule to respect their right to integrity and dignity. It’s her journalistic code of ethics, and one she says that she reminds herself of often. And where does social media fit into all of this? “The comments that come my way on Twitter and other mediums – even tons of emails- is that my audience identifies with me; my audience considers me their voice. There’s no barrier between myself and my audience on Twitter,” adding that she “always receives private confessions. I’m honoured that people trust my opinion on such personal matters in their lives. I’m constantly getting asked my opinion on life struggles and personal crises of my audience. I love that people see me as a friend, a sister, a mother- people don’t see me as a celebrity, they see me as a conduit to convey how they feel. I’m kind of like their confidante, this ideal for me.”

“I HAVE MORE FEMALE FOLLOWERS THAN I DO MALE. I THINK THIS IS BECAUSE I POSITION MYSELF AS A FRIEND AND NOT AS A SEX SYMBOL” Mona is unpredictable- during the course of this interview I ask her to reveal something about her personality and what I get throws me for a bit of a loop: apparently she’s good at impersonating people and she’s got a real knack for it. All jokes aside, “I’m constantly taking a comedic turn on events in my life that don’t necessarily go my way- I like to use humour constantly- it’s a part of my personality that people don’t get to see on Talk of the Town and even on my social media platforms- if my audience could see me on a day to day basis, they would get this vibe from me.” What does Abou Hamze suggest to other female journos using social media? “I think the right way to convey a strong and intelligent image on social media is that everyone should be themselves. Be honest with your message and believe in it,” she says firmly. Her extremely popular pan-Arab show, Talk of the Town, is region-

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ally influential- Mona’s already an opinion leader so what does she plan to do next with it? “We’re in the process of widening the scale of the program. We’re always thinking in a global respect- there’s no reason why we shouldn’t see everything in a global light and continue to bring relevant personas from here and abroad to my audience.” As for goals, what does the regional star set her sights on? “Happiness. I think everybody in the end strives for happiness, but that can’t be achieved without freedom.”

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YOU + YOUR COUNTRY

DEAR LEBANON

AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR @HMATomFletcher

ear Lebanon, I wanted to write to say Happy 70th birthday. I know that in reality you have been around thousands of years, and were trading and writing long before my ancestors. But that moment of your birth in November 1943 was special, different you took your first steps as a new nation founded on uniting principles rather than lines of division. I’m proud that my predecessor, Edward Spears, was there to support that, and that we believed as strongly then as now in the idea of Lebanon. The thing is, Lebanon, do you still believe in that idea? This is a question only you can answer. Without doubt, it has been a bumpy seven decades, with troublesome teenage years and plenty of midlife crises, to put it mildly. You now face another tough year, and rising anxiety that regional rifts can drive you apart once again. We have been reminded this week that there are plenty of people who want that to happen.

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I hope that you’ll forgive a bit of feedback, from one of your admirers. You’re so much better than you admit. Look back at those seventy years. Your writers, musicians, thinkers and businesspeople have conquered the world again and again. Your mountains, valleys and coasts are the envy of all of us. You have an extraordinary unquenchable spirit. You have found a way to move on from a devastating civil war, almost as though it never happened. You are the world’s best networkers, in a century that will be run by networks. You are also the most exceptional hosts, not just to ambassadors but also to the hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees who have arrived in the

last two years. Whatever your religion, there are few more beautiful sounds than the intermingling of the call to prayer and church bells. Every day I meet extraordinary Lebanese people doing great things against the odds. So, let’s be clear, I’m a fan. But I’m also frustrated, and I know that many of you are. Your politics are dynamic on the surface. Yet broken and paralysed beneath it. You talk of unity. Yet often say things like ‘Lebanon would be wonderful if it wasn’t for the Lebanese’, ‘it will always be like this - this is Lebanon’, or ‘they (insert different group) are just too different’. You have an impressive ability to absorb hard-

DON’T FORGET YOUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS. YOU MAY HAVE DIFFICULT NEIGHBOURS AND A TENDENCY TO FATALISM. BUT YOUR LOCATION AND DIVERSITY PUT YOU AT THE HUB BETWEEN CONTINENTS AND CULTURES THE NEBULAE ISSUE

DEAR LEBANON | AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR

RIGHT: AMBASSADOR TOM FLETCHER DELIVERING AN ADDRESS BEFORE LEBANESE AVIATION SECURITY OFFICERS.

MAYBE IT IS TIME TO RENEW THOSE MARRIAGE VOWS, TO SPEND A MOMENT REFLECTING ON WHAT YOU ADMIRE RATHER THAN WHAT INFURIATES YOU ABOUT EACH OTHER. YOU’RE STUCK TOGETHER I’M AFRAID, FOR RICHER OR POORER, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE ships such as power cuts. Yet you rarely confront the causes of them. You invest more than any country in the education of your youth. Yet they feel excluded from changing the country for the better. You have been a beacon for women’s rights. Yet only elect a tiny handful to parliament. You were the first country in the region to stand up against dictatorship and tyranny in the 21st century Middle East. Yet your voice in calling for your own rights and those of others seems to have fallen silent, and in too many cases been silenced. So here’s some unsolicited advice. First and most important, start ignoring advice from outsiders, including me: this is your country. Second, celebrate the success that is all around you - yes, the talented and inspirational athletes, thinkers, explorers and activists. But also the grafters who tell me on the school run, in the street, shops, schools or hospitals – ‘this is our country, we share it, and carrying on our lives is the best response to violence and division’. Third, why not use this 70th anniversary of independence to remember what independence meant and should still mean - that you’ll prioritise national interests, Lebanese interests, over those of foreign patrons? And demand that your leaders do too?

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Fourth, maybe it is time to renew those marriage vows, to spend a moment reflecting on what you admire rather than what infuriates you about each other. You’re stuck together I’m afraid, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse. Finally, don’t forget your collective strengths. You may have difficult neighbours and a tendency to fatalism. But your location and diversity put you at the hub between continents and cultures. Your history gives you a resilience and free spirit that others in the region would die for, and are dying for. Many of us are rooting for you. The UK is doubling trade, increasing tenfold our support to the army’s stabilisation effort, and running our largest ever humanitarian effort to help you cope with the refugee influx. The Security Council, far from fighting their battles here, have come together repeatedly to prioritise your stability, and to provide peacekeepers, aid, political support. For many of us

you’re too important, and too special, to let fail. If coexistence proves impossible in Lebanon, how can we be confident that it will work elsewhere? I’m still buying shares in Lebanon 2020. All I encourage, humbly, is that you do too. You’re at a moment of jeopardy. 70 is too young for a country to retire. You can’t just botox away the cracks. Whether you make it to 75 depends on whether you can find a way to regroup, to focus again on what unites rather than divides you. That is not something that you can leave to outsiders. You have to decide whether you’re on the side of those who are fighting over Lebanon. Or with those who are fighting for it. Happy Birthday. Happy Independence Day. Happy One Lebanon Day. Mabrouk, bon courage, and solidarity. Yours affectionately, Tom

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CULTURE CLASH

THE LOSS OF A CULTURAL ICON WADIH EL SAFI’S LEBANON IS EVEN LESS LIKELY THAN BEFORE BY KAREEM CHEHAYEB

n October 11, 2013, Lebanon lost a cultural icon: Wadih El Safi. After fracturing his leg and surgically repairing it in 2012, his health had significantly deteriorated. One of the nation’s most highly-acclaimed performing artists, El Safi passed away at age 91. Wadih El Safi was also known as the “Voice of Lebanon”, and sometimes called the “Frank Sinatra of the Middle East” (although we disagree with that moniker). Like almost all Lebanese expats, I grew up being told that Lebanon’s best qualities are its food, its natural habitat, and its cultural scene. Every Lebanese expat turns into a smitten patriot once they recognize the strains of a Wadih El Safi song, and I’m not exaggerating. Think about this for a moment. Think about all the typical patriotic jargon you hear over and over again from relatives who have lived before the civil war and in terrible Ministry of Tourism advertisements. Wadih El Safi has been kindling the flames of nostalgia for generations!

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Musically speaking, I was never really convinced by claims of Lebanon’s cultural creativity. This was due to what I heard on the radio growing up; an autotuned Nancy Ajram (and other similar artists who had just enough muscles and/ or plastic surgery operations to get them into the business). Thankfully my parents had quite a few cassettes by Wadih El Safi and many other legends, including Fairuz. I came to truly appreciate Wadih El Safi’s music once I took my music playing to a new level and starting writing my own material. Granted it was mostly rock and metal, but his music basically showed the merits of thinking outside the box as a musician. On a shallower note, compared to the contemporary crap I heard on the radio, Wadih El Safi simply made me able to appreciate Arabic music… though I guess Fadel Chaker was okay until his recent lifestyle transformation.

That said, I sometimes wonder whether we really understood what Wadih El Safi was trying to say in his music. Born in Niha, Mount Lebanon, Wadih El Safi’s career took off in 1938 when he was just 17 years-old. He won a singing contest on the radio, marking the beginning of what would become an incredible and prolific legacy. El Safi is easily among our musical and artistic legends, he’s part of what I call the “Renaissance Era” of Lebanon, alongside the likes of Fairuz, Marcel Khalife, and the Rahbani clan. These are the artists that we fall back on whenever we want to talk about how imaginative the Lebanese are (though we are also creative when it comes to prolonging civil wars). Did Wadih El Safi really spend his entire adult life writing thousands of songs wanting his listeners to feel nostalgic? I think that he would have wanted us to move towards the Lebanon that

HE SAW LEBANON SLOWLY CRUMBLE AND DETERIORATE TO THE STATE THAT IT IS IN TODAY THE NEBULAE ISSUE

WADIH EL SAFI’S LEBANON IS EVEN LESS LIKELY THAN BEFORE

he longed for, and that we try to do just that, given how much we connect to his music. He saw Lebanon slowly crumble and deteriorate to the state that it is in today. He grew up during its “glory days” as the Paris of the Middle East, and he saw what it became after the civil war and the so-called reconstruction period.

Wadih El Safi lived a dynamic life, and one can easily mark the evolution and progress of his music over time. Being formally trained, he combined the traditional music he grew up listening to with more contemporary elements to create a modernized form of Lebanese folk genre. Another factor that contributed to this was El Safi’s experiences abroad; he lived in Brazil from 1947 until 1950 and found himself traveling again after the Lebanese civil war started. He also had short spells in Egypt and London, before finally settling in France in 1978. After the civil war, he collaborated

PHOTOGRAPHY WALID HOYEK | WWW.WALIDHOYEK.COM

EVERY LEBANESE EXPAT TURNS INTO A SMITTEN PATRIOT ONCE THEY RECOGNIZE THE STRAINS OF A WADIH EL SAFI SONG

We all talk about how nothing can be changed in Lebanon, and then revert to his music as an example and lament that we “miss the old days”, even though most of us are too young to know what they were like. It’s almost as though we use the qualities he used to describe Lebanon as a mask to hide the bad qualities that we have refused to confront. I think he wanted us to change. He wanted us to stop finding new ways to create internal divisions. I think he wanted us to reflect on ourselves and on society when listening to his music- I doubt we’ve done much of that.

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and performed with international artists, most notably Spanish singer Jose Fernandez. Wadih El Safi has performed in multiple languages in addition to his native Arabic, including French, Portuguese, and Syriac. Throughout his long career, Wadih El Safi has written over 3000 songs. Wadih El Safi’s impact is still quite visible today; just take a look at some of the new musicians and bands emerging in Lebanon! More and more bands are taking an interest in adding Lebanese (or Middle Eastern) elements in their music, whereas before they would only look to Western influences. Their lyrical themes cover social issues in Lebanon, none of that “7ob w gharam” nonsense. Take, say, Mashrou’ Leila, for example (queue collective groans and swoons). Setting their Western folk and indie influences aside, their local influences clearly stem from Lebanon’s gold-

PHOTOGRAPHY WALID HOYEK | WWW.WALIDHOYEK.COM

BELOW: WADIH EL SAFI AND ZAGHLOUL AL DAMOUR, MARCH 2013

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WADIH EL SAFI’S LEBANON IS EVEN LESS LIKELY THAN BEFORE

I THINK HE WANTED US TO REFLECT ON OURSELVES AND ON SOCIETY WHEN LISTENING TO HIS MUSICI DOUBT WE’VE DONE MUCH OF THAT en era of artists, which includes Wadih El Safi. Many bands in Lebanon and across the Arab world decided to skip the “Arab pop” musical generation which many (myself included) find bland, dull, and boring. It’s an era that did not continue the creative spirit that the Great Ones had and I think it demonstrates the longlasting impact that Wadih El Safi left on the Middle Eastern music scene. We live in a Lebanon where most of us take pride in how our culture incorporates both East and West. Despite that, most don’t notice about how all of this is slowly but surely ebbing away. I don’t think they’ve noticed the institutionalized abandonment of our Eastern influences or the destruction of natural and historical sites in the name of “development”.

Wadih El Safi, through his music, wanted to inspire us to work towards achieving the Lebanon that we all seem to long for. I think that we use his music as way to distract ourselves from the problems we face in our day-to-day lives here. Fortunately, it looks like a new generation of musicians are carrying that cultural mantle and are relaying the creativity and impact of Lebanon’s senior generation of musicians. Thus far, they’ve been quite successful. As a Lebanese expat and musician, I like to think that this new generation of bands is going to help us, not only in bringing back the cultural fusion that we love to brag about, but also in using art as a way for us to better society rather than distract us from doing so

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CULTURE CLASH

SEARCHING FOR

LEBANON’S

SEA-DERS

EDITOR’S NOTE Searching For Lebanon’s Sea-Ders was inspired by the 2012 documentary Searching for Sugar Man about 70s singer and musician Sixto Rodriguez. After his lengthy disappearance from the music scene, determined fans from South Africa began researching his whereabouts. They managed to contact him and subsequently released Searching for Sugar Man, received with strong critical support. Abi Assi and Batrouni follow a similar format with Lebanon’s Sea-Ders for their article, written for Project Revolver and printed here in an edited format with permission. Find the article in its entirety on their blog. www.projectrevolver.org ProjectRevolver @ProjectRevolver

CO-WRITTEN BY LINDA ABI ASSI AND BERNARD BATROUNI FOR PROJECT REVOLVER

THE VERY FIRST ROCK ACT TO EMERGE IN LEBANON AS EARLY AS 1962 DESERVES A SPECIAL MENTION. CALLED TOP 5 AND THE SEA-DERS, THE BAND’S MUSIC MASTERFULLY INCORPORATED THE BYRDS’ PSYCHEDELIC HARMONIES AND THE DISTINCTIVE VOCALS OF THE BEATLES’ FRONT MEN... WITH A MIDDLE EASTERN VIBE

eirut, the early 1960s- a time of growing religious and political tensions in and around Lebanon… But something else was brewing then: the rise of rock n’ roll. Circa 1964, the Beatles erupted unto the international scene. With the Fab Four’s breakthrough, Lebanese and Arab bands playing psychedelic and garage rock started to emerge in the 60s and 70s: Dark Eyes, The Kool Kats, The News, The Nomads, the Vultures… catchy names that have since been forgotten and whose music isn’t widely available on the Internet today. But one of them, the very first rock act to emerge in Lebanon as early as 1962, deserves a special mention. Called Top 5 and The Sea-Ders, the band’s music masterfully incorporated the Byrds’ psychedelic harmonies and the distinctive vocals of the Beatles’ front men… with a Middle Eastern vibe.

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THE EARLY DAYS We tracked down the Sea-Ders’ drummer, Zouhair Tourmoche, better known by his stage name, Zad Tarmush. More than 40 years after the band’s dissolution, he still goes around fervently commenting on YouTube videos of their songs, even once taking the time to correct a YouTube user who had the audacity to claim they hailed from Israel. He doesn’t need much convincing to reminisce about the past, starting with his teenage years in Beirut’s Ain El Mreysseh. “In those days, I used to hang around and wait for the girls to come back from school,” he remembers. “I had a friend who one day warned me that I couldn’t spend my entire life picking apples and waiting for girls to smile at me… and that I should try studying music instead.”

So Zad took up drumming at the Saliba School of Music on Sadat Street, in the Ras Beirut district. He met the other band members in 1961. “Back then, in the late 1950s, early 1960s, there were no radio stations playing rock n’ roll in Lebanon.” Instead, he eagerly waited to listen to Radio Cairo on Friday nights, hoping to catch his favorite band, Cliff Richard and the Shadows. “I was hanging in a music store one afternoon and in came these two short guys, Raymond Azouri and Joe Shehade. Fats Domino’s Blueberry Hill was playing and I started drumming along to it on a wooden bench. Ray and

“BACK THEN, IN THE LATE 1950S, EARLY 1960S, THERE WERE NO RADIO STATIONS PLAYING ROCK N’ ROLL IN LEBANON” THE NEBULAE ISSUE

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MUSIC MEETS ISLAM

Joe were impressed that I could keep up with the rhythm, and they asked me to join their band.” By 1962, the guys went by the name Top 5 (with Raoul Hajj and Joe Samaha on lead and bass guitar respectively) and became the first ever rock band to appear on stage in Lebanon. Top 5 soon developed a following, performing in hotels and universities in Beirut and, on weekends, in special clubs where there were no drugs and alcohol allowed, “just Coca-Cola and good old rock n’ roll music.”

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The 1960s saw profound transformations both in Lebanon and the region: the rise of Nasser’s Arab nationalism, heavy Palestinian migration into the country and latent repercussions of the short-lived 1958 civil war. It was in this context that the band came about, but with no particular message in mind. “While people were talking about politics and religion, we didn’t get involved. All we wanted to do was play music,” says Zad. Still, he recalls the country being structured along two distinct groups: Muslims and Christians. “If you were born Christian, you’d tend to suffer little or no hassle if you followed a musical career inspired by European influences. However, as I was the only Muslim in the band, I had to endure a great deal of insults, verbal abuse, and all other forms of stupid prejudices, all of which were hinged on one idea: that a decent Muslim boy would never abandon his culture and follow decadent Western behaviour. One day, my older brothers lectured me about abandoning my culture and dragged me to our local barber who,

in turn, gave me a shit-jibe on how to be a good Muslim, all the while butchering my Elvis Presley hair.” The band managed to make a name for themselves in Lebanon as skilled “imitators,” capable of replicating the Fab Four’s sound and looks. “They even called us The Beatles of Lebanon,” Zad recalls.

“WHILE PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT POLITICS AND RELIGION, WE DIDN’T GET INVOLVED. ALL WE WANTED TO DO WAS PLAY MUSIC [...] AS I WAS THE ONLY MUSLIM IN THE BAND, I HAD TO ENDURE A GREAT DEAL OF [...] VERBAL INSULTS AND ALL OTHER FORMS OF STUPID PREJUDICES” BELOW: THE SEA-DERS IN 1966

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LONDON CALLING In 1966, the band started to write their own material. “Ray and Joe cobbled up a deal for us to produce our own record in Lebanon,” Zad explains. “This is where the politics come in, which I did not entirely agree with,” he adds. The band’s first offspring, Thanks a Lot, went on to sell well in the country but Zad wasn’t part of the decision-making process. “I was the shy musician in the back, I just went with the flow”- a prelude to the rest of the band’s career, during which he never interfered with internal politics. With the song getting good reception in Beirut, things started to pick up. The record ended up on the desk of a man named Dick Rowe at London’s Decca Records, who promptly offered to sign them. In-

terestingly enough, Rowe is infamous for rejecting the Beatles, even though he displayed a tad more flair when he later signed the Rolling Stones. In August of 1967, the band was ready to leave Lebanon. “We had spent almost five years revolutionizing the Lebanese rock n’ roll scene, we challenged our traditional society with our long hair and our frayed bellbottom blue jeans, we endured much criticism for adopting a Western style, and as more and more local bands were starting to emerge, we decided to explore new musical frontiers,” Zad explains. All with a brand new name: The Sea-Ders, decidedly Lebanese, as the band started to veer into a more Middle Eastern direction. Members left and others joined, notably

“WE WERE YOUNG, WE WERE HIPPIES AND WE FELT LIKE WE BELONGED TO THE ENTIRE WORLD CULTURE”

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Albert Haddad who played the buzuq, an instrument that soon became ubiquitous to the band’s sound. “It wasn’t intentional,” Zad explains. “We wanted to be a true rock band and never once thought of adding an Oriental twist to our music. In those days, people in Lebanon thought that anything that wasn’t Western wasn’t worth listening to. We didn’t really have the feeling that we had to promote our culture,” he adds. “We were young, we were hippies and we felt like we belonged to the entire world culture.” The producers at Decca had different plans. “From the get go, they told us, ‘Look, you’re Lebanese so play Oriental music.’” The band quickly attracted attention. During a three-month gig at the PickWick, a club in Leicester Square, actors Victor Spinetti and John Hurt even came to hear them play. And then there was the night Paul McCartney and George Harrison stopped by to see the band playing “this weird instrument.”

THE NEBULAE ISSUE

SEARCHING FOR LEBANON’S SEA-DERS

OPPOISTE PAGE: THE SEA-ERS’ FIRST EVER GIG AT THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT, 1963

“WE SHOULD HAVE EXPLORED OTHER MUSICAL AREAS– LIKE JAZZ-FUSION, HEAVY ROCK AND HEAVY METAL, WHICH WERE THE NEXT LOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AFTER THE BEATLES” The Sea-Ders released For Your Information, their first single, in the UK in 1967 but the record never made it to the charts. Still, Decca followed it up with the release of an EP, which included eight original songs. “It was a complete and utter failure,” says Zad. Why such a flop? Zad says that it’s all about luck in the music industry, but sometimes, it’s also about knowing the right people. “For instance, there’s a rumor going around that when the Beatles released Love Me Do, Brian Epstein bought all the records himself, to make sure it would do well in the charts.”

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SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK N’ ROLL? In the 1960s, rock n’ roll became associated with a much less inhibited attitude toward drug consumption, especially among musicians. But Zad candidly swears he was never tempted: “We were turned on by the music. A lot of people don’t believe me, but this is why, at 68 years of age, I look like I’m 29 going on 30,” he laughs. Even after the move to London, the band remained impervious to illicit substances. Thrown into a whole new world, Zad says he was “scared” at first. “Everyone was taking LSD and acting weird. We kept a semblance of reality, maybe because we were brought up in a different culture. I don’t think any of us ever touched that stuff.” After their EP’s commercial failure, Zad’s memory becomes a little fuzzy. “I think we made a second record, followed by another thing… and then we disbanded,” he quickly sums up.

So what went wrong exactly? Looking back at their short-lived career, their glory days in Lebanon, playing songs that weren’t theirs, and their (forced) foray into a more Middle Eastern sound in high-flying London, Zad feels like that latter musical shift nipped their growth in the bud. “We should have explored other musical areas– like jazz-fusion, heavy rock and heavy metal, which were the next logical developments after the Beatles. That’s what bands like Cream, Jethro Tull, Vanilla Fudge or Jimi Hendrix were doing at the time.” Could the Sea-Ders have succeeded? After all is said and done, it feels like a serious case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, they boast an impressive track record and leave behind a remarkable, albeit limited collection of songs… and a whole lot of wasted potential

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REIGN OF TECHNOLOGY

The ďŹ rst Social Media oriented magazine in Lebanon and the Middle East

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cloud961mag

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THEVOICE OF AN ANGEL LEBANESE FILM GHADI BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN YOU BY IMOGEN KIMBER

WHEN LEBA LEARNS THAT HIS SON WILL BE BORN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HE HAS TO OVERCOME HIS OWN FEARS AND PREJUDICE TO BE ABLE TO HELP OTHERS FACE THEIRS

C “

inema is a mirror to society,” said Amin Dora as he described why he makes films. The award winning Director of Shankaboot has released his latest film and first full feature length Ghadi. The film is set in a fictitious village in Lebanon and tells the tale of Leba who has a son with special needs. Leba has to first accept his son himself before he can begin convincing everyone else around him to do the same.

HERO IN DISGUISE

While Ghadi takes the title role of the film “it is Leba who is the hero,” said Dora. “It’s Leba versus the society.” A curious young boy himself, Leba is born with a stutter and has to make sense of the world and find his own way to communicate. Later when he learns that his son will be born with special needs he has to overcome his own fears and prejudice to be able to help others face theirs.

THE FILM IS SET IN A FICTITIOUS VILLAGE THAT ACTS AS A MICROCOSM FOR LEBANESE SOCIETY. WHILE THE STORYLINE TELLS OF A REACTION TO A BOY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, IT IS REALLY A BROADER COMMENTARY ON SOCIETY DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

The film is set in a fictitious village that acts as a microcosm for Lebanese society. While the storyline tells of a reaction to a boy with special needs (which is to hide it away), it is really a broader commentary on society. “It is first and foremost examining human behaviour,” said Dora. One clear trait, which we see in the reaction to Ghadi, is that the people have fixed ideas on how others should behaving. Leba is only just married when the villagers are telling him he should have a child, then it is two and that he needs to make sure it’s a boy. When his third child does turn out to be a boy, it’s a refrain of: ‘How sad for poor Leba to have his only boy like this... It must be a curse from God.’ Besides their combined prejudice against special needs and sexism, their ignorance of the other extends to their racist attitudes. We also see domestic abuse, petty theft, prostitution and family pressure than can ruin relationships and how people

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LEBANESE FILM GHADI BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN YOU

ANGELIC EFFECT

place adhering to a contrived set of societal rules takes precedence over figuring out what their own dreams are and finding happiness. Yet all these serious issues are carried across using light heartedness and a touch of comedy, demonstrated as the audience in the movie theatre laughed along. Dora adds that writer Georges Khabbaz wrote truthfully as the characters represent people that everyone knows. “He keeps them real,” said Dora, which felt accurate, as part of the comedy was in hearing lines recited that you have heard on the street or by someone’s Aunty.

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Dora is “curious to know how people will react.” For him part of the success of the movie will be in whether there is knock on effect, “[If] everyone will watch it and get a small idea ...” he said, hoping that this idea would make them question their actions. This knock on effect has already started. Dora said that Emmanuel Khairallah, the actor that played Ghadi, was positively affected by the whole experience and his parents said his sisters

found they could relate to him on a new level after seeing the film. The final scene nicely summarizes Dora’s point and sees the people of Leba’s village having made serious progress. Without giving away the ending, not only have they moved on as people thanks to Leba and Ghadi, they can recognize this and are grateful and want to continue to be “better people.” Earlier in the film Leba’s wife, Lara, said “But we are not lying Leba, we did create an angel,” which appears to be true, they created an idea that acted as an angel

WITHOUT GIVING AWAY THE ENDING, NOT ONLY HAVE THEY MOVED ON AS PEOPLE THANKS TO LEBA AND GHADI, THEY CAN RECOGNIZE THIS AND ARE GRATEFUL AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE “BETTER PEOPLE”

THE NEBULAE ISSUE

ABSOLUT ORIGINALITY SETS A NEW STANDARD FOR LIMITED EDITIONS

Following its long-standing tradition of introducing cutting edge designs, Absolut is proud to present Absolut Originality. This elegant limited collection features four million individually designed bottles, each made into a one-of-a-kind work of art with a drop of cobalt blue infused into the molten glass during production. Absolut has always experimented with new techniques and gone off the beaten track to develop innovative and artistic products. Following last year’s spectacular launch of Absolut Unique, the journey continued in order to find a daring new concept for the next limited edition.

The ambition was to capture the soul of Absolut, expressing creativity and quality as its cornerstones – and the experiments paid off.“Absolut Originality presents our iconic bottle in its most classy form to date,” says Mathias Westphal, Global Brand Director at Absolut. “We took inspiration from traditional Swedish glass craft, and made it available to the world. When we watched a drop of cobalt sink into the hot glass the first time, we didn’t know what it would look like. But the very first bottle looked amazing, and what started as a playful experiment ended up as four million one-of-a-kind pieces of art.” Releasing a drop of cobalt blue into the glass only takes a millisecond. It’s added just as the molten glass goes into the mould at 1100°C. At that temperature, the cobalt is invisible, but as the glass cools off, a beautiful and unique blue infusion appears inside the glass of each bottle. “The streak of cobalt forms a sophisticated contrast to the crystal clear glass, and the blue colour makes each bottle unmistakably Absolut. This classy remake celebrates the original thinking that has always been the Absolut creed and pays tribute to the world’s most iconic vodka,” continues Mathias Westphal. With Absolut Originality setting a new standard for limited editions, Absolut also raises the bar for cutting-edge mixology by introducing a series of cocktails that are perfectly in tune with one of today’s most cheerful and happening bar trends.

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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CASTLE IN BELGIUM

STUNNED INTO SILENCE ODINS RAVEN POIGNANTLY CAPTURES ABANDONED GRANDEUR

BASED IN LONDON, ENGLAND, PHOTOGRAPHER ODINS RAVEN IS ACTUALLY A GRADUATE OF ZOOLOGY FROM ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY. HIS BOOK, STATES OF DECAY, WITH DANIEL BARTER, SPANS A CHILLING ARRAY OF ABANDONED STRUCTURES ACROSS NEW YORK AND PARTS OF THE US. THE 33 YEAR-OLD CURATOR SAYS THAT HE’S “ALWAYS TAKEN PICTURES FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER,” BUT DIDN’T GET HIS FIRST SLR CAMERA UNTIL 2009. SEE MORE WORK BY ODINS RAVEN

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ODINSRAVENPHOTOGRAPHY

ODINS_RAVEN

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CHAMBRE DU COMMERCE IN BELGIUM DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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STUNNED INTO SILENCE | ODINS RAVEN

OPPOSITE PAGE: PHOTOS TAKEN IN THE US CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: STATES OF DECAY BOOK COVER, HOTEL, ASYLUM, THEATER BELOW: BATH IN AN ITALIAN CASTLE

“HAD A FAIRLY HECTIC TIME IN ITALY WHEN THE ABANDONED CASTLE WE WERE TAKING PICTURES OF WAS STORMED BY LOCAL POLICE WITH SUBMACHINE GUNS” RAGMAG What kind of camera do you use? ODINS RAVEN I use a Nikon D700 and

I would say my favourite lens are either my wide angle or my 50mm. RM You’ve been arrested? OD That was actually a misquote

by a UK paper. I’ve been caught over 20 times but that’s over five or six years and 400 or so explores. I’ve never been arrested for trespassing. In the UK trespassing is currently a civil offence so if you agree to leave there’s not much trouble you can get in. For the book States of Decay we travelled to the USA where trespassing is illegal, but we just made an extra effort not to get caught.

RM What was your worst experience with law

enforcement?

Had a fairly hectic time in Italy when the abandoned castle we were taking pictures of was stormed by local police with submachine guns. None of our party spoke Italian so that took a long [time] to resolve.

RM Your favorite image of this selection? OD Probably the bath in the Italian castle

as it’s the last shot I took before the police stormed the building RM Are you a loner? OD No, I generally

go exploring with three friends. It’s a bit safer that way and it’s more fun with good company.

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RM In your opinion, which city is the most wel-

coming to artists, specifically photographers?

Going to have to say my home city of London as there’s so much to see so photographers of all interests can get what they are looking for in an image.

RM Do you like your own work? OD Tough question. Sometimes

yes, but other times no. Depends how happy with the image I am really but I’m quite critical of what I do and am always trying to improve. RM Three photographers that you think are

RM What do you think of photo journalism and

worth watching?

the recent trend of showing disturbing images, like graphic war images?

I think it’s important to document everything and images will become more graphic and disturbing the more we become desensitised by the internet.

Going to have to say my three exploring buddies: Andre, Dan and Martin are all worth looking at. Each [of them] with a different style. ANDREGOVIA | D-KAY2009

SUBVERSIVEPHOTOS |

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STUNNED INTO SILENCE | ODINS RAVEN

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STUNNED INTO SILENCE | ODINS RAVEN

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DOLLARS + SENSE

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IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV | THE CITY OF THE FUTURE

THE MOST AMBITIOUS MAN IN THE WORLD IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV IS BANKROLLING THE CITY OF THE FUTURE... SINGLE-HANDEDLY BY FIDA CHAABAN

IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV LAUGHS A LOT; HE’S ALWAYS SMILING AND HE’S EXTREMELY ANIMATED. APPARENTLY HE’S ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY. HE’S IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A MEGACITY AND THE ESTIMATED COST THUS FAR IS 100 BILLION DOLLARS. THE NEW YORK TIMES DESCRIBED HIM AS “FAUX-PROFOUND” AND DEBATED WHETHER OR NOT HE IS A “BRILLIANT STRATEGIST OR SOMEONE WHO JUST HAD THE CAPITAL” AND THE CONNECTIONS TO MAKE THIS FIELD OF DREAMS A REALITY. IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME… AT LEAST THIS IS WHAT IBRAHIMOV HAS SET OUT TO PROVE.

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DOLLARS + SENSE

IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV | THE CITY OF THE FUTURE

“I’M THE ONLY BUSINESS MAN IN THE WORLD WHO IS CONSTRUCTING A CITY BY MYSELF”

will bring the world to Baku,” says Ibrahim Ibrahimov, reclining back onto his off-white leather coach. His wife, perched more formally and seated next to him, merely nods at this as though this is completely feasible. This is nearly the end of my two days in Azerbaijan, the bulk of it spent with both Mr. Ibrahimov and his staff, including his “Deputy”, Shahin Talibov. “They will come to Khazar Islands and they will see it as a city of the future.” This city of the future is well under construction and it must be seen to be believed. It was one thing entirely to examine the maps and the images, but when you actually step foot on the development property it becomes real and tangible. Much of the globe is flocking to see and participate in Ibrahimov’s reality; during my two days there he was interviewed by French press and he was also showing a group of Moroccan engineers around. The former had come to report on the project and the latter to hear and see the engineering that Avesta Concern -the company that seems to operate as an umbrella for the billionaire’s many different business endeavors- is undertaking for this mammoth new world order.

Once we arrive at the head offices of Avesta Concern, I am shown around: “There’s security over there. The entrance is there,” says Shahin Talibov gesturing to various doorways and covered corners. “At the entrance of the garage and at the side entrance too. But Azerbaijan is very safe. All the people know where he lives. The ground floor is all a spa with a swimming pool.” Shahin is sort of Mr. Ibrahimov’s right-hand man when it comes to Avesta Concern and other aspects, both personal and professional. My first meeting with Ibrahimov takes place at his office, steeped in gilt and the trappings of extreme wealth. The many decorative accolades are addressed to Hacı Ibrahim

Nehrəmli Ibrahimov- his proper name with the prefix of “Hajj” (meaning he’s visited Mecca) and Nehremli (his home area of Azerbaijan) incorporated. He also often uses his late father’s first name as a middle name and this is reflected in the décor as well. Shahin, as Ibrahimov’s second in command, serves as my translator and de facto escort during my stay. This impeccably turned out representative of Ibrahimov’s came to collect me from the Four Seasons Baku in a tailored European suit and a fine timepiece in a black stretch Mercedes. He stands at attention, reminiscent of the Soviet vibe I am getting all through Azerbaijan. I am initially tempted to salute him when I see his formal greet-

RIGHT: IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV BEING INTERVIEWED BY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FIDA CHAABAN OPPOSITE PAGE: 3D RENDERING OF THE KHAZAR ISLANDS PROJECT

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ing. Instead, I lean in and do a traditional Lebanese three-kiss greeting which he accepts, albeit frostily. Judging by Shahin, I am expecting a staunch comrade-like welcome by Ibrahimov, but instead I get a joyful and joyous hearty handshake and almost immediately, I’m privy to an optimistic and devil-may-care take on life from him. I control the urge to point all this out and just launch into interview mode despite my extreme inward surprise at the sharp contrast between the two men. We begin by discussing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that includes Azerbaijan, five of the “Stans”, Ukraine and powerhouse Russia. During the course of my first sit-down with Ibrahimov, we discuss which of these nations (many of them drowning in new money post their Soviet days) have people that are likely to invest in Khazar Islands. I tell Ibrahimov that $100 billion is a scary amount of money and this elicits an indulgent smile from both him and Shahin, “I feel even bigger than this,” he says sharing a chuckle with his second in command. In his office, I see Ibrahimov’s first sketch of his city framed and the subsequent architectural rendering that was drawn by a local architect seven days later- the Islands are meant to host one million people. Shaped like a lobster, Khazar Islands at the time of its completion will have 250,000 flats to house 800,000 permanent residents. The other 200,000 is a tourist window and these people will be serviced by the 18 hotels that Ibrahimov has planned for the sprawling set of islands. Ibrahimov shrugs off the fact that most of the biggest luxury hotels already have prime

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“THEY WILL COME TO KHAZAR ISLANDS AND THEY WILL SEE IT AS A CITY OF THE FUTURE” spots in downtown Baku, he says that Khazar Islands will have its own airport and yes, a Formula 1 racetrack. The Azerbaijan Tower, Ibrahimov’s crown jewel of the development, is going to be taller than any existing global structure, and it will be flanked on either side with islands replete with everything from shopping malls to a luxury golf course. I grill Ibrahimov mercilessly on the comparisons to Dubai and I even tell him that environmentalists are already lamenting the destruction of the mountain being used to build the foundations of his islands. None of this fazes him in the least, “Only one third is for buildings- it will be a green city; so much green space. We are not disturbing the environment.” The reports suggest that the Caspian in heavily polluted, Ibrahimov maintains that he has had the Caspian water tested personally and that the relevant Ministry has backed his claims that “you can drink the water. The Minister himself came to the project and double-checked and confirmed that the water is pretty clean.”

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DOLLARS + SENSE

Ibrahimov offers up that he is receptive to constructive criticism: “I am open to suggestions, I like to hear these things,” but I wonder how true that is, since undertaking a project of this scale dictates that you harbour and act on a vision of epic proportions- regardless of feasibility. Critics, myself included, point out the lack of tourist footfalls; it’s hard to get a visa to Azerbaijan, even for citizens of developed nations, and there are human rights concerns in addition to press-freedom issues. Shortly before my trip to Azerbaijan, reports surface that 13 journalists were arrested amidst a myriad of rumours. All of this is coupled with the facts that not much is known about Azerbaijan and that Baku isn’t considered a global destination as yet. On the note of Dubai’s highly transient population and the perpetually empty skyscrapers, Ibrahimov firmly says that Khazar Islands will not be this way: “I am creating these islands for people to live on. I’m building a city where people would love to live. It’s a city where you don’t need to leave because everything will be present. Later people might copy this project, but as of now there’s nothing like this in the world.” Ibrahimov has wild ideas about why people will want to live there. “The beauty and quality of this project. There are 78 islands, 150 bridges to connect these islands and there’s a boulevard on each island. From residential areas to everywhere else there are subways. Each freeway will have seven lanes coming and going. There are 12 meters

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IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV | THE CITY OF THE FUTURE

“I’M BUILDING A CITY WHERE PEOPLE WOULD LOVE TO LIVE. IT’S A CITY WHERE YOU DON’T NEED TO LEAVE BECAUSE EVERYTHING WILL BE PRESENT” on each side for public transportation and emergencies. These roads never cross and there are no traffic lights on the project,” explains Ibrahimov gesturing to the 11-foot map that sprawls the length of his conference table. He has grand visions of a constant hum of efficiency and user-friendly existence, apparently gleaning the absolute best mechanisms from each city that he’s visited and some logistical mechanisms that don’t even exist spawned from his imagination, like underground garbage collection and underground road maintenance for an out of sight out of mind quality of life. The subway system will be built by an Avesta Concern subsidiary, it seems that much (if not all) of the project is sourced and attended to by Avesta, down to the granite lining one of the 150 bridges that I walk across later when I visit the Islands.

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THE QATARI PRIME MINISTER AND HIS ENTOURAGE APPARENTLY VISITED IN EARLY NOVEMBER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KHAZAR ISLANDS, BUT IBRAHIMOV DIDN’T SPECULATE ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD INVEST Ibrahimov owns mines and tons of other things that he uses to his advantage and to the advantage of Azerbaijanhe boasts of a number of philanthropybased successes that were done at his own personal expense. One such undertaking was bringing running water to the village where he grew up, now his namesake. A patriot, his offices and home are bedecked with images of Ibrahimov with various Azeri members of government, and huge images of current President Ilham Aliyev. Ibrahimov is a hard-line supporter of the recently reelected Aliyev regime that’s been in power since 1993. President Aliyev was preceded by his father, former president Heydar Aliyev who was in power for 10 years. When Ibrahimov tells me that he “love[s] the

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president”, I am forced to wonder why, since the difficult tourism restrictions and the questionable international reputation is the Achilles Heel of this multi-billion dollar project. It’s worth mentioning that The Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook notes that “OSCE observers concluded that the [2013] election did not meet international standards,” and it also states that President Aliyev was reelected with “84.5 percent” of the vote. All of this could serve to detract big investors from this project. Thus far, it hasn’t hampered Ibrahimov’s progress, and he seems to have the backing of the Azeri power-base. I pepper Ibrahimov with these ideas and all things ultimately lead back to Khazar Islands- regardless of the line of questioning. I ask Ibrahi-

mov about the Soviet days of Azerbaijan and I’m treated to a number of humourous anecdotes about his time as a young man in the Soviet army digging ditches for the now-Ukrainian railway and how he was forced to bathe in the snow. The modern-day Azeri army also has conscription, and Ibrahimov is pleased that Shahin completed his service and he is very insistent that his sons Hassan and Hussein will also serve their time in the Azeri military: “It will make them men.”

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IBRAHIM IBRAHIMOV | THE CITY OF THE FUTURE

“LATER PEOPLE MIGHT COPY THIS PROJECT, BUT AS OF NOW THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THIS IN THE WORLD” He is, without fail, a proponent of the greatness of Azerbaijan and the limitless potential of the nation. When quizzed about Shiite and Sunni tugs of war and whose money he expects to see more of in the context of Iran versus the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, he skirts the question by mentioning the recent visit of Qatar’s Prime Minister. The Qatari Prime Minister and his entourage apparently visited in early November to learn more about Khazar Islands, but Ibrahimov didn’t speculate on whether or not they would invest. “I’m the only business man in the world who is constructing a city by myself. The biggest support from the government is the permission they gave me to do it. My aim with this project is to serve my government and my nation,” he says with pride. But how will the Azeri public wrap their heads around this new version of Azerbaijan? I point out that the country seems quite insular and that almost everyone outside of the tourist zone

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“I WILL BRING THE WORLD TO BAKU”

seems quaint, almost unsophisticated, unlike Talibov and the rest of Ibrahimov’s staff. “The people are not always ready for surprises or upcoming things. This has to grow. In the beginning there must be something to attract people. If you start off correctly by informing and showing your progress, they will become ready for it. Our country accepts new things very easily. The new skiing project that opened last year is fully booked all season even though we never had this before in Azerbaijan.” I find this the opportune time to tell Ibrahimov that during my previous visit to Baku I asked everyone I encountered whether or not they understood the scope of Khazar Islands. I expect irritation when I explain that all the comments that I received conveyed the notion that the Khazar Islands are fantastical and unrealistic. Instead, he laughs and tells me that when he first began telling people of his idea, “the only two people that believed I could do it were my wife and my friend,” whom he declines to name when pressed.

Ibrahimov is charismatic and dynamic, radiating self-confidence when discussing anything related to the Khazar Islands. He’s dapper and energetic: he’s apt to leap off of the table mid-sentence and punctuates his stories with whole-body movement. He uses all of these things to bring you into his world; if seeing is believing, then you must visit for yourself. The long stretch of manicured greenery at the arch entryway of the project is adorned with lights and palm trees. The buildings have taken on a new-agey shape in the style of Zaha Hadid and her ilk, and overall, Ibrahimov says that his wonderland is right on schedule and that things are going according to plan. He’s aiming for a small soft-opening in 2016 and says that the entire project, infrastructure included, will be completely done by 2020. The city of the future is only seven years away, and I’ve already been there. If Ibrahimov has it his way, you’ll be there too and so will everyone else. His field of dreams has room for us all, and he’s sure that you’ll love it as much as he does.

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RAGGED NEBULAE FACTS LOST IN SPACE If you ever happen to throw together some dust, plasma, hydrogen, and helium gas and mix them all up in outer space, you get an interstellar cloud that forms when parts of the interstellar medium collapse and clump together because of a little something called the gravitational attraction of the particles that make them up. This is called a Nebula. Originally, this term comprised all diffuse astronomical objects beyond our Milky Way, such as our neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy. Don’t confuse Nebulae with Magellanic Clouds (or Nubeculae Magellani), irregular Dwarf Galaxies in the Southern Hemisphere, which have a high nebulae population.

1979

The year Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was released. In it, Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox and his companion Trillian aim for the Horsehead Nebula, but find themselves instead in Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha. Many works of fiction mention Nebulae –Contact, Treasure Planet, Alien, The Fountain, Andromeda. The Nebula Awards recognizes Fantasy and Sci-Fi books published in the US, awarding authors like A Song of Ice and Fire’s George R.R Martin (A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords), Neil Gaiman (American Gods), and Terry Pratchett (Going Postal, Making Money).

TO BOLDLY GO The canon universe of Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry, comprises the original TV series Star Trek with its spinoffs Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise, as well as the Star Trek movies. This Sci-Fi universe is considered to have inspired some elements of modern technology, but we all know the ships were the coolest part. With ships belonging to classes like the Andromeda class, Nebula class, Excelsior class, Kelvin class, Sequoia class and 54 other Starfleet ship classes, Trekkies all over the world boldly accompanied their favorite characters and went where no man had gone before. LLAP.

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#257

In this issue of Marvel’s Avenger comics, published in July 1985, an alien super villainess named Nebula, a pirate and mercenary operating in space, was added to the roster of villains trying to take over the universe, and faced Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, and Sersi, who escaped the attempted second Big Bang that Nebula had started to destroy the Universe. It has been confirmed that Nebula will be played by Karen Gillan in the 2014 live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy. Don’t confuse her with DC Comics’ Nebula Man (first appearance, Justice League of America #100-101), a villain responsible for the disappearance of the Seven Soldiers of Victory.

ZETUS LAPETUS!

STRATOCUMULUS CLOUDS OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN

THE MILE-HIGH CLUB Before it meant complex space stuff, the word Nebula simply referred to clouds. We all know clouds are visible masses of liquid droplets or frozen crystals of water and other liquids, suspended in the atmosphere. And contrary to popular (children’s) belief, they’re not fluffy and bouncy, and actually have names. There are 10 main categories of clouds, divided into High Clouds (around 20,000 feet), including Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, and Cirrostratus clouds; Medium Clouds (between 6,500 and 20,000 feet), including Altocumulus, Altostratus, and Nimbostratus clouds; and Low Clouds (below 6,500 feet), including Stratocumulus, Stratus, Cumulus, and Cumulonimbus clouds.

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Based on the 1996 book Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century by Marilyn Sadler (illustrations by Roger Bollen), the Disney Channel original movie (1999) of the same name was supposed to be a pilot episode for a potential series, but liftoff never happened (pun intended). It starred Kristen Storms as Zenon, and Raven Symone (of pre-That’s So Raven fame), as her best friend, Nebula. With a catch phrase like “Zetus Lapetus”, a band called Microbe (lead singer: Proto Zoa), and a plotline revolving around a 13 year-old girl living on a space station in 2049, the movie was a Disney hit and spawned two sequels.

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THE FINAL FRONTIER

THE UNIVERSE ISN’T

GETTING BIGGER? WTF IS GOING ON! BY JEN

“AS THE UNIVERSE EXPANDS, MASS AND TIME ARE CONVERTED TO LENGTH AND SPACE AND VICE VERSA AS IT CONTRACTS”

as the Big Bang theory gone out with the Big Bang? The way we understand the universe has changed significantly over the years. What once was fact can become fiction... and now has the theory that the universe is expanding been cast away? Is the universe really just gaining mass? Before we jump in, let’s clarify what the Big Bang is: “[it] describes what is commonly understood to be the instantaneous birth of the universe 13.7 billion years ago as an ultra-compact, yet rapidly expanding, fireball” (Discovery). The standard theory that has ruled supreme for nearly a century is deeply rooted in the Big Bang and posits that the Universe is expanding. It’s like the Universe is a balloon that is constantly getting bigger and the distance between galaxies is continuously growing.

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In 2010 an article appeared in MIT’s Technology Review detailing “a new cosmology [that] successfully explains the accelerating expansion of the universe without dark energy; but only if the universe has no beginning and no end.” The Big Bang theory, while widely seen as the most plausible way of explaining how the universe came to be, has always been questioned. No viable alternative explanation ever emerged to convincingly replace it though. Yet the work of Wun-Yi Shu at Taiwan’s National Tsing Hua University came up with substantial food for thought. In a nutshell “as the Universe expands, mass and time are converted to length and space and vice versa as it contracts.” This theory was greeted with much interest but it isn’t utterly flawless. It is important however since it marks a challenge to common perceptions.

In 2013 another new cosmology rocked the scientific world. Christof Wetterich, a theoretical physicist from the University of Heidelberg, shared a paper which hasn’t been peer-reviewed yet. In it he posited that the Universe is not expanding; instead mass has been increasing. While his hypothesis resolves some of the issues with the Big Bang theory, it can’t be proved... or disproved for that matter. And yet it is being greeted by some positively. “I think it’s fascinating to explore this alternative representation,” says Hongsheng Zhao, a cosmologist at the University of St Andrews, UK. “His treatment seems rigorous enough to be entertained.”

THE BIG BANG THEORY, WHILE WIDELY SEEN AS THE MOST PLAUSIBLE WAY OF EXPLAINING HOW THE UNIVERSE CAME TO BE, HAS ALWAYS BEEN QUESTIONED THE NEBULAE ISSUE

THE UNIVERSE ISN’T GETTING BIGGER?

RIGHT: RENDITION OF THE HIGH REDSHIFT QUASAR ULAS J1120+0641

REDSHIFT RENDITION IMAGE CREDIT- ESO

IF ATOMS GAIN MASS, THEN THE PHOTONS EMITTED WOULD BE MORE ENERGETIC WHICH MEANS THE FREQUENCIES WOULD BECOME LIGHTER AND REDSHIFTED To get to grips with the new theory, we need to first understand redshift. Redshift is “a shift in the frequency of a photon toward lower energy, or longer wavelength. The redshift is defined as the change in the wavelength of the light divided by the rest wavelength of the light.” There are different types of redshifts (doppler, cosmological and gravitational) and each obviously have different causes. This leads us to Hubble’s law which states “the generalization that the speed of recession of distant galaxies (the redshift) is proportional to their distance from the observer.” The redshift observed in Hubble’s law and by other cosmologists is what gave rise to the idea that the Universe is expanding. Wetterich now draws attention to the idea that the mass of atoms can also play a role in the light. How? If atoms gain mass, then the photons emitted would be more energetic which means the frequencies would become lighter and redshifted. As Jon Cartwright from Nature, the International Weekly Journal of Science, explains “Because the speed of light is finite, when

we look at distant galaxies we are looking backwards in time... If all masses were once lower, and had been constantly increasing, the colours of old galaxies would look redshifted in comparison to current frequencies, and the amount of redshift would be proportionate to their distances from Earth.” This translates into galaxies looking like they’re receding when they might not be. So this new view means that the Universe underwent “inflation” (a short phase of fast expansion) but that before “inflation”, the Big Bang would extend in the past over a basically endless time period. So the current cosmos could be static or could even be starting to contract.

Wetterich’s theory can’t be tested since the only way we can measure mass is by comparing something to something else, which is anything but simple given what needs to be weighed! On Earth, mass is easy to measure and the original kilogram used to set the standard is safe and sound in a vault in Paris. But change is in the air as physicist Arjun Berera at the University of Edinburgh, UK explains: “The field of cosmology these days is converging on a standard model, centered around inflation and the Big Bang... This is why it’s as important as ever, before we get too comfortable, to see if there are alternative explanations consistent with all known observation.”

WEIGHT LOSS?

The official metric kilogram, a small lump of platinum-iridium in a vault in Paris, has slowly lost weight since it came to existence in 1879. This is a veritable mystery especially since this standard of mass is kept under lock and key to prevent any sort of contamination. Once every forty years, the original Paris kilogram and the copies based on it throughout the world are brought together to be weighed and calibrated. They used to be the same weight, but not anymore. Now the quest is on to find a better way to measure the kilogram

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epresentatives from all corners of the globe this morning called on the Syrian Electronic Army to please hack into Kim Kardashian’s Twitter and, according to one, “stem the tide of mindless, self-obsessed toss.” The hacking group, which is aligned with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has so far managed to briefly take control of the Twitter accounts of US President Barack Obama, The Guardian, Associated Press, The Onion

and Domino’s Pizza. But now social media fans are urging the activists to “do something that could genuinely benefit mankind”. “Just think, were the SEA to hack into Kim’s account, we could be free of the relentless self-promoting, the pouting selfies and gratuitous arse shots, the links to shite Kardashian-branded products and mindnumbing screams of ‘Are you ready?’ whenever her reality show is about to air,” said Gabi Handford.

“SOME 18 MILLION ODD FOLLOWERS MIGHT SUDDENLY BECOME AWARE THAT THERE IS A WORLD OUT THERE BEYOND WHATEVER FREE LUXURY HOLIDAY SHE’S BEEN SENT ON”

KIM KARDASHIAN IMAGE © FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK

WORLD CALLS ON SYRIAN ELECTRONIC ARMY TO HACK KIM KARDASHIAN’S TWITTER ACCOUNT “Although we might not agree with much, if any, of the SEA’s political grounding, by sending messages about Syria via Kim’s account, some 18 million odd followers might suddenly become aware that there is a world out there beyond whatever free luxury holiday she’s been sent on,” added Larry Rigamortis. “The internet would be a much better place.” A spokesman for the Syrian Electronic Army said that, while the group was “certainly interested” in Kardashian, it currently had its eyes on a different target. “Right now it’s all about hitting the biggest possible audience with our pro-Assad statements. Sure, his followers might mostly be pre-pubescent girls, but as there’s some 48 million of them we’re next going after Bieber.”

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IRANIAN SCHOOL GIRLS PROTESTING PHOTO CREDIT AP/EBRAHIM NOROOZI | DAVID GUETTA CONCERT IMAGE COURTESY OF MIX FM | DAVID GUETTA BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO BY NABIL ELDERKIN

IRANIAN HARDLINERS MODERNIZE “DEATH TO AMERICA” CHANT WITH DAVID GUETTA REMIX TEHRAN: A group of Iranian hardliners last night unveiled a revamped version of their Death to America chant at a concert held on the site of the former US embassy in Tehran. Death 2.0 America, by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, has been modernized by popular French house DJ David Guetta and features, according to a statement, a “reworked thumping dubstep bassline” and “catchy electro-tooled hands-in-the-air chorus”. “Death to America has for 34 years been the manifestation of our nation’s determination and resistance against the dominance of the oppressive and untrustworthy United States,” the group said on its official sephanews.com website.

“As some politicians move to improve relations between the Islamic Republic and the Great Satan, we felt it necessary to bring our message into the next generation. Guetta was the perfect choice to give it that 21st century hook.” Despite the new remix, Iranians are increasingly split over whether it is still appropriate to chant Death to America at official ceremonies, weddings, birthdays and bar mitzvahs. “You know, it can really dampen the mood sometimes,” said events planner Abbas Velasquez.

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“AS SOME POLITICIANS MOVE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC AND THE GREAT SATAN, WE FELT IT NECESSARY TO BRING OUR MESSAGE INTO THE NEXT GENERATION”

The Pan-Arabia Enquirer is the Middle East’s second most popular source of satirical news behind Iran’s Fars News Agency. Head to www.panarabiaenquirer.com to see what all the fuss is about. For exclusive* content on its exciting social media channels, check out the Enquirer’s Facebook page (just type in Pan-Arabia Enquirer, you’ll find it) and follow it on Twitter @arabiaenquirer. *Not always exclusive.

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CULTURE CLASH

‘

HAYDA LEBNEN S

SELF-PROCLAIMED

STARDOM W MSADD2IN 7ALNA! BY SARAH HOURANY

sychologists believe that people suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) tend to have difficulty establishing or maintaining friendships, close family ties or even careers. Given that they have an excessive sense of self-importance (2ana 2aw la 2a7ad), a compulsion to satisfy personal needs above all other goals (Men ba3ed 7mareh ma yenbot 7ashish) and a lack of empathy for others (El beb yali byeje menno ri7, seddo w stri7), they would be unable to live with other human beings. Yet, as we have previously noted and proved in RAGMAG, psychological, social, political and economical theories do not hold when considering the case of Lebanon. 2enno if the NPD theory was 100 percent accurate, then how would you explain the fact that four million narcissists are, ma 2a7lehon, living together in 10,452 square meters? Hala2 ntebho, NPD is not necessarily a bad psychological condition and we’re truly not criticizing anyone. Rather than feeling offended ya dear Lebanese (Walaw? Ne7na obsessed with ourselves?), save your energy and read more about your NPD symptoms below, categorized by 3e2ad and gender.

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RABB EL SHEGHEL WOMEN You tend to introduce your son/ husband/boyfriend/brother as a “Moudir” 7atta law ma 7adan sa2alik. Halla2 moudir 3a two employees walla 3a 500, moudir dekken walla moudir real estate development company, el mouhem shou? Moudir. This is usually followed by the two famous statements: “Ma byet7amal ykoun fi 7adan fo2 rasso,” (ah sorry!) and “Fi shi miten tlet mit shakhes ta7et 2ido,” (seriously, bil dekken?), bass kamen ma 7adan sa2alik.

MOUDIR 3A TWO EMPLOYEES WALLA 3A 500, MOUDIR DEKKEN WALLA MOUDIR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, EL MOUHEM SHOU? MOUDIR.

MEN You tend to use the “Shou bta3melle $750 bil shaher, 2anja2 benzine w mobile phone bill w daherten 3al khafif,” argument to justify why you rejected the last three job offers. You also consider yourself brilliant for having that undergraduate degree in business administration (from a low-ranked university) and therefore you refuse to work sheghel 7ayala. “7ayala” is usually defined as “anything below a manager position”. Oh yeah, and then you complain about rising unemployment in the country.

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HAYDA LEBNEN’S SELF-PROCLAIMED STARDOM

WE HATE TO TELL YOU THIS BUT YOU ARE NOT KIM K., THEREFORE, PEOPLE ARE NOT OBSESSED WITH YOUR NAILS (333 PICTURES), NEW HAIRCUT (58 PICTURES) OR DAILY BREAKFAST (45 PICTURES)

SAYDALI YA SAYDALI WOMEN You’ve always helped with household chores at your parents’ home (shatef, teknis, temsi7), yet “el san3a betfout 2able 3al bet,” is one of your marriage requirements. Yes, dear star, you can’t cook or wash the dishes, byentez3o dafirik w btotla3 ri7et sha3rik tabekh. Plus, imagine tetle2e bil 3alam (AKA fans) looking mankoushe, fi image bil da2!

LIKE ME HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE WOMEN You think everybody has seen that black dress you wore on your brother’s graduation dinner (in July 2012) as well as those red shoes you bought last summer (yalli fala2te el 3alam fiyon on Instagram) and therefore you decide that you can’t wear them ever again. Ya3ne, in other words, you assume that your 1569 Facebook friends ma 3andon shaghle wala 3emle than to check your 10598 photos, memorize what you wore and to which occasion, and publicly criticize you if you attend two different events in the same outfit (eh ma tkoune Haifa Wehbe w mesh 3arfin). You are also obsessed with the number of “likes” you receive on every picture you post on your social media accounts and waste your day analyzing possible reasons behind the decline in the number of “likers”: Bass 63 likes 3a hal soura? Mbash3a

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shi? Mbayne nas7a bi hal dress? Lon sha3re mesh zabit… We hate to tell you this but you are not Kim K., therefore, people are not obsessed with your nails (333 pictures), new haircut (58 pictures) or daily breakfast (45 pictures). MEN You select your Facebook profile picture in a way that clearly shows that you are wearing a Burberry, Lacoste or Ralph Lauren polo. Ma 2enta shou beik, ma 3andak T-shirts 3ade, kello signé… well, at least on your social media accounts. You also enjoy posting pictures of your brand new car, your expensive cigar, and your David Beckham sunglasses. W 3a siret your sunglasses, you wear them everywhere, literally: in the university’s cafeteria, in shopping malls w 3a shway in nightclubs. El hay2a msadda2 ennou 3anjad paparazzi are stalking you.

MEN You are no Chris Hemsworth yet you want your future wife to be sha2ra, tawile, d3ife (yalli byesma3ak bifakkerak you’re buying a full-option car) since “imagine 2odhar ma3 we7de besh3a,” is your worst nightmare. After all, being a manager, wearing brands and ennak tshangil top model are all stardom requirements. To sum up, narcissism is a personality disorder and treating it can be quite challenging. While some consider individual psychotherapy to be the best treatment for the disorder, RAGMAG thinks that extending Christmas for a period of 12 months is the only efficient treatment for it, well at least in Lebanon. Our research has shown that the Lebanese’s NPD disappears during Christmas to let Santa enjoy his stardom… bi Christmas w bass bi Christmas (he is after all carrying presents), ma hayda Lebnen ya 3ayneh!

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I’M SO PAULO

RIGHT NOW LEAVING RAGMAG WITH NO SAFETY NET BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

I AM NOW STANDING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN PERFORMING ARTIST DRAKE AND DUMBASS WRITER PAULO COELHO. I AM YOLO-ING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND SOMEHOW LEAVING MY FATE IN THE HANDS OF THE UNIVERSE (WELL, ALMOST) I, THE UNDERSIGNED YOUMNA-THE-CONTROLFREAK, HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I AM NO LONGER... NO LONGER WHAT? NO LONGER YOUMNA? I have become a hybrid creature. I’ve become someone I’ve been yearning to meet forever but was too scared to. I am no longer rational Youmna, whose idea of a dangerous and unpredictable life is driving 10 meters without a seatbelt or tasting different types of soymilk. I am now standing somewhere between performing artist Drake and dumbass writer Paulo Coelho. I am YOLO-ing all over the place and somehow leaving my fate in the hands of the universe (well, almost). I’ve become my greatest dream and my biggest nightmare, a Draulo. I am leaving my job, and I have no idea what I’m doing.

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I start writing for RAGMAG in May 2010 for the very first issue and over the months, I pitch ideas (some good, some very bad) and receive assignments that sometimes overwhelm me, in a good way. I remember writing about homosexuality and disability in Lebanon, features that take me several months to write because the research isn’t easy and because I’m working to improve my writing skills. But my Editor (Fida) never turns down a badly written piece- instead, she teaches me. As a writer with French as a mother tongue, I learn how to correct my grammar, my syntax, work on my flow and write for an English-speaking readership. The first year RAGMAG is working on defining its own identity and I’m learning what the magazine is about. We’re growing together.

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Right after I graduate, RAGMAG has already taken the social media plunge but has yet to work on their website. My Publisher (Gina) hires me as the magazine’s Webmaster. She believes I am skillful enough to manage the newly-born website and make sure the online audience has full and easy access to our content, and I don’t let her down. I do my job and I do it wellthe website is up and running, we have new unique visitors everyday and our online presence brings RAGMAG even closer to its readers. I am still writing for the print version of the magazine and I still enjoy it. Fast forward a year and I’m offered a new, higher position as the Assistant Editor- I basically help my Fida do her daily job (writing, editing, managing writers, assigning, coming up with themes and topics worthy of print space in RAGMAG, and so on). I am 25 and this is my dream-job. It’s the last step before the ultimate writing position, and I’m happy to see that my hard work and countless overtime hours paid off.

IT’S THE LAST STEP BEFORE THE ULTIMATE WRITING POSITION, AND I’M HAPPY TO SEE THAT MY HARD WORK AND COUNTLESS OVERTIME HOURS PAID OFF

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I LEARN EVERYTHING FROM HANDLING DIFFICULT CLIENTS TO WRITING SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING. I LEARN HOW A MAGAZINE WORKS, HOW TO MEET A DEADLINE; I LEARN ABOUT DAMAGE CONTROL AND MARKETING STRATEGIES; I LEARN ABOUT WRITING A LOT- AND IMPROVE MY SKILLSET- A LOT In the first few months, I learn more than I have learned in five years in university and I have to admit, it’s really tough. I learn everything from handling difficult clients to writing something out of nothing. I learn how a magazine works, how to meet a deadline; I learn about damage control and marketing strategies; I learn about writing -a lot- and improve my skillset- a lot. The magazine is everything I like, from the fashion category to the science pages. Every issue is a new challenge and I get to learn about myself and how much pressure I can handle. I am thrilled –and sometimes shocked- at how much one can learn. The readers’ love for the magazine push me to try harder every day and both they and my superiors recognize my work- it’s extremely fulfilling on a personal and a professional level.

At least it was, until I realized that my job has become just that- a “job”. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t happen overnight. It’s my understanding of what my life had become that came all of a sudden. I was feeling trapped and couldn’t find a way out- I didn’t even know where to look for one. I was deeply unhappy and it took me months to admit that my perfect-on-paper job was a huge part of my unhappiness- blame it on my former un-Paulo-like attitude. No matter how well I was doing my job –I can humbly say that I did it well, always meeting expectations and sometimes surpassing them- it wasn’t rewarding anymore. Even when I wrote a great piece and received amazing feedback from the readers, when they showed their support for the magazine and even myself as a writer

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LEAVING RAGMAG WITH NO SAFETY NET

MY WORK SUCKED EVERY OUNCE OF GOOD ENERGY THAT I USED TO HAVE, LEAVING (AND SOMETIMES ENHANCING) ONLY THE BAD. RIGHT BEFORE I RESIGNED, I WAS THE WORST VERSION OF MYSELF AND I HATED IT and a person, it just wasn’t enough. Not enjoying one bit of your workday isn’t enough when you’re 27 years-old. I don’t think it’s enough when you’re 40 either. My unhappiness at work took a toll on my personal life- my health and my friendships were deterioriating, and even my relationship took a blow.

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So yes, I’ve taken YOLO and Paulo to a whole new level. I’ve decided that yes, my life was too short and wasting it on something that makes me an angry and bitter person is not worth it. Waking up crying everyday for two months is not worth it. My work sucked every ounce of good energy that I used to have, leaving (and sometimes enhancing) only the bad. Right before I resigned, I was the worst version of myself and I hated it. And as Paulo would surely say, “If you hate something, change it. There is no space for hate in the universe.” Well you know what? That’s very fucking true. There is no space and there definitely is no time, and everyone knows it except so few people admit it. In my extreme YOLO phase, I put up a sign as my Facebook profile picture, an amateur sign that

said “YOLO – Youmna Only Lives Once.” Bombarding likes, comments and private messages prove to me that somehow, everyone could relate. I even made friends some signs because they, too, were “living it.” Even though we joked about it, our feelings and perception of our respective lives were authentic- it was both joyous and sad. RAGMAG’s December issue will be my last. After that, I know I’m going to Cotonou, Bénin. It’s where I grew up and it’s where I want to be right now. And that’s pretty much it. I have no idea what I’m doing and though I’m ashamed to admit it, it’s perfectly fine by me because for the first time in months, I feel good. Like really good. I am leaving my first real job (love?) of three years and I’m not even scared- or maybe I am, just a little

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

BUILD YOUR

POSITIVE

UNIVERSE CONTROLLING YOUR EMOTIONAL ATMOSPHERE BY MATTHEW HUSSEY

ave you ever noticed how sometimes your friends can also be your worst enemies? How about your family? How those closest to you can be like a king’s cabal: close conspirators against your success and mental well-being, even if it is unintentional. Science and psychology are becoming increasingly aware of how dramatically our lives are affected by the company we keep. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have played their part as well, ensuring that we are always virtually surrounded; you can barely navigate anywhere online nowadays without bombarded by opinions, gossip, and, thanks to constant status updates, we are constantly reminded of the daily mood swings of our closest (and not so close) friends.

WHETHER THIS EFFECT IS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE WILL ENTIRELY DEPEND ON THE PEOPLE WE CHOOSE TO SURROUND OURSELVES WITH

RECENT SCIENTIFIC STUDIES HAVE SHOWN HOW JUST ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES FLUCTUATES FOR BETTER OR WORSE ACCORDING TO THE HABITS OF OUR CLOSEST FRIENDS, FROM OUR DRINKING AND SMOKING HABITS, TO THE AMOUNT OF HOURS WE EXERCISE PER WEEK, OUR DIET, AND EVEN OUR LUCK IN RELATIONSHIPS So does all of this affect your daily life? According to modern psychology, yes. But whether this effect is positive or negative will entirely depend on the people we choose to surround ourselves with. Recent scientific studies have shown how just about every aspect of our lives fluctuates for better or worse according to the habits of our closest friends, from our drinking and smoking habits, to the amount of hours we exercise per week, our diet, and even our luck in relationships. And more alarmingly, our mood is just as susceptible

to this toxic effect; a few negative people in our lives can completely damage our self-esteem. Just picture it; if you spend every day with friends who complain about their jobs, feel negatively about their future, or bemoan the tragedy that is their love life, sooner or later their pessimism is going to become contagious. And what’s more, the moment you try and better yourself, or try to rise above your station, those same friends are going to do everything they can to pull you back down to their miserable level.

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CONTROLLING YOUR EMOTIONAL ATMOSPHERE

DECIDE WHO IS WORTH LEARN TO SAY NO – KEEP THE IT SOUNDS SIMPLE, BUT IF OUR LISTENING TO NETWORK CAN BE A TOXIC FORCE IN Whether in our careers or relationships, TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS AT BAY what’s the best way to deal with OUR LIFE, THAT MEANS IT ALSO HAS many of us take life advice from just about So those other friends? The ones who pull worst people imaginable. Remember, you down and want you to stay miserTHE POTENTIAL TO BE AN ENORMOUS the just because someone is a friend, does able so they can feel better about themASSET. SEEK OUT THE PEOPLE YOU not mean they are the most qualified to selves. Quite simply, one of the greatest you on anything. Make a decision paths to happiness is to learn to say no. WANT TO EMULATE. WHO SEEMS TO advise about the people you are going to allow Learning to say no puts you back in the EXUDE THAT POSITIVE ENERGY YOU to have input on the way you think and driving seat of your life. A friend wants you to stay out all night when you have WANT TO POSSESS? WHO MAKES feel on a daily basis. work tomorrow? Say no. Your work colYOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF? SURROUND YOURSELF league suggests that you ditch the gym Why? Because they are afraid of losing you. Always remember, this behavior comes from a place of fear. Friends like this will always worry that if you climb too high, they are going to feel worse about themselves, and what’s more, you might get tired of their attitude and decide to move on with your life. So, how do we eliminate this kind of toxic negativity from our lives? Though I’m not going to tell you to instantly break off all of your negative friendships, we do have to think seriously about the kind of people we want to affect our mood on a daily basis. With that in mind, here are a few ways to start purging the more damaging relationships from your life.

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WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE WHAT YOU WANT

It sounds simple, but if our network can be a toxic force in our life, that means it also has the potential to be an enormous asset. Seek out the people you want to emulate. Who seems to exude that positive energy you want to possess? Who makes you feel good about yourself? When we pick the right peer group, our daily mood can skyrocket. We find ourselves more productive just because they encourage us, and what’s more, when we surround ourselves with who live on a higher level, we instinctively climb to greater heights. This is because a good peer group expects a lot of you. Find people who keep you hungry to achieve more.

tonight and eat pizza instead? Say no. It’s hard to say no the temptations of our friends. It makes us feel like we are rejecting them, that we are being unfair. But it is in these moments that it’s so important to stay on the path, or else be a slave to being an eternal people pleaser, always trying to adjust your behavior to fit in with the people around you. There’s no need to ditch your friends, but it is time to start drawing boundaries if you want to eliminate those toxic relationships from your life. Make the decision to create a good emotional space for yourself so that you can begin reaping the rewards of achievement

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

CREATING

AWARENESS BREAST RECONSTRUCTION IN LEBANON BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

“BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE PART OF THE GENERAL TREATMENT OF THE PATIENT AND THEY TOO, NEED TO BE AWARE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE AFTER MASTECTOMY”

e have a huge awareness problem when it comes to breast reconstruction. The patients have to be aware that this is possible and second, the surgeons who do the mastectomy should be aware that a decent reconstruction can be performed and does not interfere in any way with the treatment, if the patient needs treatment.” Dr. Bechara Attieh is a member of the Lebanese Society of Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (SLCP) and he’s basically saying that the Lebanese medical community does not work hand in hand. According to Attieh, some of the general surgeons that perform mastectomies on cancer patients are still “very conservative” and perceive breast reconstruction as a minor issue compared to breast cancer.

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There’s been improvement over the years as to the perception of cancer and its treatments but the progress has been noticed with the public more than it has been among surgeons. If some of them don’t really bother with the psychological wellness of their patients and don’t discuss reconstructive surgery with them, others go as far as performing breast reconstructions- when it’s not their area of expertise. Dr. Bechara Attieh shows me pictures of a cancer patient’s breast after reconstruction by her general surgeon and the end result doesn’t look good. She’s now consulting Attieh and planning another breast reconstruction surgery to fix her general surgeon’s mistake, who “chose the wrong size and the wrong shape of implants. It’s not his job, he’s not supposed to be doing that.” But how come patients don’t know any better? Attieh explains that many cancer patients put all their trust and faith into their general surgeon- if the latter doesn’t offer several options and refer her to skilled plastic surgeons, how do you expect her to know better and do it on her own? “It’s not the patient’s fault, breast reconstruction should be part of the gen-

eral treatment of the patient and they too, need to be aware that something can be done after mastectomy. Health is not only physical, it’s also mental and whenever a patient is mentally fit –they might never be 100 percent fit- she should consider it. When a woman comes out from surgery without being mutilated, she will accept the steps that will come later in terms of treatment better, be it radiotherapy or chemotherapy. She will feel better, she will be more cooperative.”

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CREATING AWARENESS | BREAST RECONSTRUCTION IN LEBANON

“NOT ONLY DOES THE GOVERNMENT NOT COVER IT, BUT PRIVATE INSURANCE PLANS USUALLY DON’T EITHER. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, IT’S EXPENSIVE” As Attieh points out, cancer treatments are covered by the National Social Security Fund but breast reconstruction isn’t and the high cost of the surgery doesn’t help the situation either. “Not only does the government not cover it, but private insurance plans usually don’t either. And make no mistake, it’s expensive. The hospital is expensive, our fees are not cheap… and consider the cost of the implants too.” Attieh gives me a rough idea of how much a breast reconstructive surgery runs- it varies depending on the hospital, the type of surgery and the type of implant if any. “Some hospitals I work with bill the surgery as breast enlargement, which comes out cheaper at $1000, $1500. There are affordable implants but the best quality ones, part silicone part salted water, cost $1200 each. Some hospitals only allow the surgeons to buy their patient’s implants

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through them, which also adds cost. Finally, some type of reconstructive surgeries like flap surgery is extremely costly, around $4200 for one side.” Knowing that some people can barely feed on minimum wage, it doesn’t come as a shock as to why certain women don’t opt for breast reconstruction. “It’s never an easy decision to take. It has to be discussed with the general surgeon, the plastic surgeon and most importantly, it has to include the patient.” The surgeons know what the best options are, but they’re not the ones paying for it and going through heavy surgery. “When you read the relevant literature, you know flap surgery using your own tissue is superior to using implants, but what about what the patient thinks of paying a lot more and adding three to four hours of surgery and anesthesia. It’s a lot more painful too.”

Whatever the choices are to be made, the first step is taken at the general surgeon’s. Attieh says trying to raise awareness among general surgeons and educate them is not an easy task as they often have a “Who are you to teach me?” attitude but at least the SLCP is trying to work on an awareness campaign to tell the patients that if they have a mastectomy, reconstruction is possible. They just need to know

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

HELP ME

NOUR+RABIH

TO ASK A QUESTION send your problems to helpmenour@ragmaglive.com TO JOIN THE READER RESPONSE PANEL send your name, age, and email address to helpmenour@ragmaglive.com subject line: Interactive Panel We will contact you if you are chosen to participate.

BY NOUR OBAJI + RABIH FEGHALI

I met a foreign guy who is staying for one month in Lebanon. We really like each other, but I made it clear that nothing physical will happen between us and he still wants to go out and spend this month together. Do you think it would be worth it knowing it will end very soon? “So in other words, from your question, if nothing physical happening, it is not worth your time? Never mind that you will have experiences and memories, never mind that you could actually (insert gasp here) learn something from him. Clearly the guy thinks you are worth his time even if nothing ‘physical’ happens. Why not just take a chance and do something crazy like actually spending time with someone and getting to know them just for the sake of doing it?” Abby, 26

YOU SOUND REALLY PURITANICAL AND ALMOST LIKE YOU ARE ASSURING US THAT YOU AREN’T GOING TO JUMP INTO BED WITH HIM. WE DON’T CARE IF YOU DO, IT’S YOUR PREROGATIVE NOUR’S VOTE This is thoroughly ridiculous on many fronts. Firstly, even if something physical does happen, what’s the big deal? You sound really puritanical and almost like you are assuring us that you aren’t going to jump into bed with him. (We don’t care if you do, it’s your prerogative.) Secondly, why all the confusion? If you like him, spend time with him. It is a very straightforward concept. Thirdly, you can Skype and chat to your heart’s content every day if you so choose, so even if the guy is from overseas if you click, you can stay in contact. Easy does it.

RABIH’S VOTE If you’re the weak type, don’t bother– but I do know quite a few women that are very much able to separate themselves emotionally and enjoy the temporary company at face value. Anyway, thanks to Facebook and a million other platforms, you can stay in touch and if you really end up liking each other, he’ll be back.

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I still think about my ex that I broke up with almost five years ago for no serious reasons (we were just too young) to the point that I think I can’t be in a long-term relationship with anyone else, hoping we will end up together. Do you think I should let it go or try to go out with him again to see if it is an illusion or if I really have feelings for him?

RABIH’S VOTE If he’s not already in touch with you, trying to get with you often, it means he’s not interested in version +5.0 of the girl you have become now. But you never know, maybe he is the man you’re meant to be with and it’s worth a shot. In this case, you should start liking his status updates or commenting on his pictures on Facebook. If he’s interested, he’ll take it further and initiate solid contact. If not, he’ll just keep to himself.

“We always think about the one that got away... It’s in our nature. Leave the past in the past and move on.” Badiha, 35 “It’s completely normal to still think about him especially since according to you there was no serious reason for the breakup... So probably whenever you look back at the relationship you had, all you have are good memories and this makes you long to get that back. What I advise you to do is to try to get close to him again, not necessarily date or anything you could just hang out a couple of time with him and see what he’s like after all these years, you might want to keep in mind that many years have went by and people change greatly with time. This should help you better understand how he’s like now, and if you really miss him or just the relationship you had... Keep us posted on what happens.” Hiba, 29

YOU CONTINUE TO WALLOW IN THE PAST FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS YOUNG AND FRESH AND NEW. I THINK YOU’RE WANTING TO EXPERIENCE THAT FEELING AGAIN MORE THAN YOU’RE WANTING HIM NOUR’S VOTE Your first real love is always the hardest to move past or forget. Unfortunately, you have to move onwards and upwards. Five years is a long time and people change. You have changed and you continue to wallow in the past for something that was young and fresh and new. I think you’re wanting to experience that feeling again more than you’re wanting him. Move forward, meet other people and expand your horizons. You might be surprised at what you learn about yourself. The Interactive Panel is divided on whether you should give this another shot, and Rabih’s Vote suggests some passive-aggressive behaviors that I disagree with. You don’t need to flirt online and wait for him to make the move- send him a text or an email asking him out for coffee if you really want to revisit this relationship.

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I am 33 and still single... Do I still have the chance to meet Mr. Right? “Why is this even a question? It is the year 2013 not 1911 and you are not on the shelf at 43 never mind 33. Let me tell you what will kill the chance to meet Mr. Right: the desperation of wondering whether or not you will at 33! You see, men can smell desperation and worry a mile away and they run from it. Not only do they run, they tell their friends who also run. The other danger of wondering at 33 is that you will start to look at every guy as Mr. Right instead of just a new experience. Then, when he doesn’t turn out to be Mr. Right, you will be horribly let down and quite possibly bitter. The final and most serious thing about wondering and worrying? You will settle. You will convince yourself that the guy whose habits or hygiene drive you up the wall is in fact the one. He isn’t. All for what? So you can meet some imaginary age limit that isn’t really there and never was? Own your age, don’t let it own you.” Alia, 35

NOUR’S VOTE This is really R & R: repetitive and redundant. What exactly is your idea of Mr. Right? That is so subjective! I can’t possibly tell you because I have no clue as to what you consider the “perfect” man. Nour regularly gets questions pertaining to being alone and of a certain age. For starters, 30 is the new 20. If you want children then sooner is better than later, but why are you panicking? Of course you have the chance to meet your ideal mate, unless your ideal mate is beyond realistic expectations. When I say that, I mean do you want to marry Johnny Depp? Or is the guy that works in the next building over a possible option? Figure out what you want, if you’re looking for superstar come superdad, than no, you’re not going to meet anyone! I think Rabih’s Vote (although he sounds like an asshole) makes sense. Are you going for men that are out of your league? That’s something else to consider.

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

HELP ME NOUR + RABIH

RABIH’S VOTE If you’re 33, and have never been married, it can only mean one thing: you have unrealistic expectations in terms of what type of man that a woman with your level of education, social/family status, kindness, beauty and charm, can attract. I’m not asking you to settle, but if you don’t change your mindset and start opening your heart and mind to the more attainable men around you, you’re going to live a long, lonely life.

My best friend and my cousin got together and then had a messy breakup after a year-long relationship. How can I be supportive to both of them without getting dragged into the ex-bashing cycle of hell? I love both of them, but I can’t take sides!

THIS IS WHY NOUR RARELY PLAYS CUPID. ONCE THE TWO PEOPLE YOU ARE CLOSE TO BREAK UP, YOU’RE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. IT IS LIKE A TUG OF WAR WITH EACH PERSON TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU HOW WRONG THE OTHER WAS. IT IS EXHAUSTING AND JUST DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA “The best thing to do when they start bashing is firmly state you are Switzerland. That means you support neither of them in the bitter war of words that is sure to follow a messy breakup. Given that it is your cousin and your best friend, you don’t want to alienate either of them in any way, see? Switzerland. If they can’t understand that, then you need to change the subject every single time that one of them mentions the other. By doing this, you save yourself headaches and you save your friendships with both.” Ilham, 29

NOUR’S VOTE This is why Nour rarely plays cupid. Once the two people you are close to break up, you’re stuck in the middle. It is like a tug of war with each person trying to convince you how wrong the other was. It is exhausting and just drama, drama, drama. I don’t know about you, but I’ve got enough problems so hearing ad nauseum that Haysam did this and Leila did that is lost time and crying over spilled milk. The answer is tough love. The next time Leila tells you how Haysam fucked up, tell her that in the name of sanity she needs to move on to facilitate her healing process, and that you will no longer be party to the bashing session. Tell Haysam the very same thing and they’ll have to either shut it or shove it off. I don’t agree with Rabih at all here.

My sister just got back together with her ex-boyfriend, and she’s convincing herself that he’s the one for her even though he’s making the same mistakes that perpetuated their first break-up! How do I open her eyes to this? “You can’t open her eyes to it, you’re not living your sister’s life. Everyone needs to learn on their own. Don’t take on extra stress that you don’t need.” Vicky, 27 “You don’t. The harder you work to convince her he is an ass, the more she is going to dig in. Sometimes people refuse to see the reality of the ones they love because they have invested a lot of time, effort and emotion into the relationship. Maybe they think the person has undergone a miraculous change in personality. The only thing you can do? Be there when the rose-coloured glasses are ripped off because the second go around is way worse than the first.” Betty, 26

NOUR’S VOTE Break up, make up, break up, make up. How many times can I say it before I begin to sound repetitive? I see the pattern. You see the pattern. We all see the pattern. So why doesn’t she? Because she doesn’t want to see the pattern. This is the first part of the problem, it’s not that she doesn’t know, it’s that she doesn’t want to know. Therefore, you don’t need to open her eyes. What you need to do is take a step back and remove yourself from the situation because it is none of your business. The girl doesn’t have amnesia and if he is doing things that were a problem before, she hasn’t suddenly forgotten or readjusted her view of what exactly constitutes a problem. That is the second problem, that she herself is part of the problem. So back off, she’s a big girl and she knows what’s what.

MEN DO NOT CHANGE– NO MATTER HOW HARD A WOMAN TRIES

RABIH’S VOTE

Messy situation. Were you the introducer? If so, then you do have to get involved and support them both. You took on this burden the day you set it up– and yes you do have to take sides (at least in the beginning). I would say you make your cousin (who I’m assuming is a guy) understand, that you are going to be on your friend’s side and then ride the wave until the storm subsides and it will subside, sooner or later.

As human beings, after a while of being separated from a former lover, we tend to forget/ignore the negative experiences that we associate with them. This is normal. Men do not change– no matter how hard a woman tries, it just ain’t happening. I have a feeling your sister has started to accept those mistakes as a norm and is maybe willing to move forward regardless and if that’s the case, let it be. If that is not the case, you must do everything in your power to make her leave him

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Let it snow softness, this season!

, perfect care for special fabrics DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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MON AMOUR, MON AMI

PHOTOGRAPHY © DAVII RANGDA

FIGURING OUT

MY PLACE

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS?

s it where the heart is? Have you found out where that is? Will you be sleeping there tonight? If you’ve answered “yes” to all three of these questions, then you’re doing it right. I’m still working on my own answers. Over the years, the quest for home became a recurring theme in many random conversions, late-night ramblings, lunchtime debates and drunk tirades at the bar. This taught me that I am not alone, and that there are many ways to be a 21st century wanderer, some of us stranded in between airports, others in a birthplace that no longer makes sense. There is also a longing to find the person who would make any place home, and those who know exactly who that is, but still have a long way to go before they’re together. So many of us are homeless, and the coping mechanisms we come up with can seem

BY CONSUMEDLY

surprising. One example of this is my friend who has lived in over 10 countries, first because of her parent’s job and then to follow her own career ambitions- she told me that IKEA is her only real home. Everywhere she goes, she gets exactly the same furniture again, and again, and again. Completely psychotic behavior but that’s where she finds sanity. Another one of my friends was born and raised in Jeddah, like so many children of parents who fled the war in Lebanon and found refuge in the then-new Eldorado that was the Arab Gulf. After completing university in Beirut, she was more than happy to return to Saudi Arabia, this time because her husband found a job there. She is now raising her children in the closed and protected environment of a Saudi residential compound, similar to her own childhood home. She

loves it there, but it’s not easy to be so attached to a country where you will never become a citizen, and ultimately never be given the chance to settle down for good. Because of that, she’s force-feeding Lebanese culture to her kids, sending them to Grandma’s every chance she gets, in the hope that, unlike her, they won’t grow up feeling displaced in their ancestral land.

THERE IS ALSO A LONGING TO FIND THE PERSON WHO WOULD MAKE ANY PLACE HOME, AND THOSE WHO KNOW EXACTLY WHO THAT IS, BUT STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THEY’RE TOGETHER

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FIGURING OUT MY PLACE | HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS?

I also often discuss the idea of “home” with a university classmate. The daughter of an Iranian dissident who grew up watching her mother waltz in and out of jail, she once told me how important it was to make sure her mom always had her burgundy slippers with her. Knowing she had that precious piece of home made distressing moments more bearable for the whole family. The slippers would make prison less cold- perhaps both literally and metaphorically.

“IF YOU’RE NOT A HARDCORE SUPPORTER OF SOME DELUSIONAL POLITICAL LEADER, THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” I guess you don’t need to travel to feel out of place. I think I felt lost and out of place to begin with, even in the familiar comfort of my grandfather’s big and dusty Beirut apartment, filled with pictures of me and of people more or less related to me. Let’s face it, at its best, Lebanon can be charming, but we’ve all had days where we felt it was telling us, “If you’re not a hardcore supporter of some delusional political leader, then what are you doing here?” I tried to fit in, to make my home feel like home by joining any community I could find: Scouts, youth service groups, artsy clubs… and then one day I just boarded a plane. It’s been a weird back and forth between Lebanon and other places ever since, any place really, because… I still don’t know where I want to grow old. I’m not done boarding planes and it’s been both fun and scary, feeling so light, so unattached.

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I NEVER REALLY OWNED FURNITURE, WHAT’S ALREADY IN THE FURNISHED APARTMENTS I RENT IS USUALLY ENOUGH, EVEN IF THE CURTAINS ARE INEVITABLY HORRIBLE Sometimes leaving is hard, there’s unfinished business, untold feelings lingering around, conversations I’m not done having, and people I still want to see every day. It can feel impossible to board that plane. I also know that the moment I’ll land in that new place, there will be so much to do that turning the page will come naturally, inevitably. I usually have a checklist prepared for the things I need immediately (phone number, apartment, tax number, the address of a decent Lebanese restaurant) and by the time I sort out

the essentials, a month will have gone by and I will probably never hear again from half the people I had planned to stay in touch with. Everything in my life is temporary: my current employment contract (11 months), my lease (six months), and “Home”, as always, is temporary. My Facebook feed is full of people I will never see again but I’ll meet new people, and we’ll make memories together, and support each other in times of trouble, all the while knowing that it’s all temporary, that next year we might all be somewhere else.

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Every time, it feels like the “permanent” in my life is getting smaller and I’m afraid that if it disappears, I’ll disappear too. If I die tomorrow, then by this time next year, only five people will remember my last name. This includes my parents, and a handful of good friends who actually matter. Even the amount of physical objects in my life is shrinking. With every move, I get more efficient in packing and leaving behind countless cool shoes and fun coats. I’m left with a purely functional wardrobe; so much so that I recently felt the urge to tell a new acquaintance, “This is not me! I have awesome bracelets and sexy tops that didn’t fit in my suitcase! Please don’t judge me before I have time to shop again.” I can’t even remember where I left those bracelets and my favorite jewelry -the kind that’s really valuable either monetarily or emotionally- is safely kept in my mother’s drawer. With me I have nothing. I never really owned furniture, what’s already in the furnished apartments I rent is usually enough, even if the curtains are inevitably horrible. When I do buy stuff, it’s always the cheap kind: second-hand coffee tables instead of the designer beauties I fantasize about, cheap silverware and the cheapest, most generic wine glasses in

FIGURING OUT MY PLACE | HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS?

the store because why bother, it’s all just temporary anyway. I don’t think I have it in me to be a nomad for much longer because I really, really want a nice couch, the kind you buy to last 10 years. I’d love to decorate a house, seriously decorate, not just hang a few posters and add a table runner. I guess what I want is a home, but I still have no idea where in the world that is. Maybe it is Lebanon after all. The farther I get away from it, the more passionate I feel about this little mess of a country, this crazy unlikely dream we call Lebanon. But a place is not enough, home implies people too, and something to do, a whole life. The ideal home I dream of is somewhere in the countryside, it smells of zaatar and freshly ground coffee and the man I live with is a chef. We live in an old farm that we renovated together and transformed into one of the best restaurants in the country, a hidden destination for connoisseurs from all over the world.

I’ll help greet the guests but I’ll also take time to write my novel in my office decorated with a handful of well-chosen works of art. We might or might not have kids but the house will always be full, with friends and parents and we’ll have great wine all the time, in beautiful Bohemian crystal glassware, like the ones I once saw in Prague but never bought. Nothing, absolutely nothing in the house will come from IKEA and I’ll have many beautiful couches everywhere, and anyone who sits on these couches will immediately feel… right at home. I will grow old on these couches, because they were made to last. He will grow old with me as we cook and write and drink wine together. This is my dream home, the only home I want. Well… everyone’s got to have a dream. Right? Read more of Consumedly’s thoughts at www.consumedly.wordpress.com @Consumedly

I DON’T THINK I HAVE IT IN ME TO BE A NOMAD FOR MUCH LONGER BECAUSE I REALLY, REALLY WANT A NICE COUCH, THE KIND YOU BUY TO LAST 10 YEARS

I’M LEFT WITH A PURELY FUNCTIONAL WARDROBE; SO MUCH SO THAT I RECENTLY FELT THE URGE TO TELL A NEW ACQUAINTANCE, “THIS IS NOT ME! I HAVE AWESOME BRACELETS AND SEXY TOPS THAT DIDN’T FIT IN MY SUITCASE! PLEASE DON’T JUDGE ME BEFORE I HAVE TIME TO SHOP AGAIN” 82 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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RAGMAG

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

2013

THE ULTIMATE YULETIDE SELECTION FOR HIM + HER

SINCE WE ALL SUDDENLY RUN OUT OF IDEAS AROUND THE HECTIC HOLIDAY SEASON, RAGMAG HAS COMPILED A SELECTION OF OUR BEST BETS FOR GIFTS THAT WILL PLEASE THE LOVED ONES ON YOUR LIST. WE’VE SELECTED A RANGE OF FINE QUALITY GOODS INCLUDING ELECTRONICS, COSMETICS, APPAREL, AND EXPERIENCES SO THAT YOU HAVE A WIDE BEVY OF CHOICES TO PICK FROM WHEN DRAFTING YOUR SHOPPING LIST. SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM US TO YOU!

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RAGMAG HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013

01. LOUD+CLEAR SAMSUNG

The new Samsung wireless portable speaker takes home entertainment to the next level. The sleek metallic design features neodymium speakers for superior sound quality, the Samsung NFC technology allows you to easily connect your devices (Bluetooth and audio input

are also available), and SoundShare enhances the sound of your TV for a great audiovisual experience. Last but not least, the battery life is everything you can expect from Samsung with 12 hours of continuous playtime.

02. SURROUND SOUND BRIT FLOYD CONCERT For the third consecutive year, the official Pink Floyd tribute band, brought to you by the party mavericks at Poliakov Vodka Lebanon, will perform in Lebanon on December 21st. Get two tickets before they sell out and take your bestie to see P•U•L•S•E 2013- this is an unsurpassed audio and visual performance so count yourself in. Tickets are available at all Virgin Megastore branches. POLIAKOV.Vodka.Lebanon

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THE ULTIMATE YULETIDE SELECTION FOR HIM + HER

03. LEAVING ON A JET PLANE TUMI For the jetsetter on your list, Tumi’s Fall 2013 collection offers a wide range of travel pieces, from backpacks to carryons, passport covers, and attaché cases. Everyone, and we really mean everyone, should have at least one Tumi piece if they travel more than three times a year. Make their travel time better with Tumi’s roomy interiors and durable exteriors. A guaranteed win.

04. BUSINESS CLASS BLACKBERRY For the workaholics on your list, you’re going to snatch up the newest in the BlackBerry 10 range: the Z30 and the P’9982. With a huge screen and apps galore –including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Economistyour busy bee is going to love being on the move with the slick and surprising Z30. If they’re Porsche Design fans (let’s be honest who isn’t?) splurge on this sexy new edition- it’s beautifully engineered and as high tech as it gets. The Porsche Design BlackBerry P’9982 comes with a premium stereo headset, a polishing cloth, USB cable for high-speed data transfer and an international charging kit.

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

05. THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW RAY-BAN RAGMAG loves Ray-Ban the most. There, we said it. There are no sunglasses on earth that compare to the eternal cool of Ray-Ban Wayfarers. They’ve even been immortalized in song: Don Henley describes the object of his affections resplendent in the sun with “those Wayfarers on, baby.” Get your shady loved one a pair of these folding Wayfarers in a slew of different hues at Sunglass Hut.

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06. WINE + DINE LA CAVE DE JOËL ROBUCHON Wine enthusiasts will enjoy receiving a La Cave de Joël Robuchon gift set. La Cave de Joël Robuchon offers a premium wine selection and has created an exceptional trio for the season. Choose from several sets of three or six bottles in a leather box- we like Trio Bordeaux Prestige, a selection of Château Pape Clément reds (2001, 2002 and 2004) and Concerto Languedoc, a selection of six red and white wines from the Languedoc French region.

07. TREMENDOUS TIPPLE POMMERY Bring one of our two Pommery Champagne favorites to your Christmas dinner. Pommery presents seasonal champagne and we’ve chosen Wintertime Blanc de Noirs to pair with traditional winter meals by a warm fireplace. Go with the Gold Pop Vintage 2002 bottle of Grands Crus Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with the disco wrap to ring in the New Year!

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THE ULTIMATE YULETIDE SELECTION FOR HIM + HER

08. CUP OF JOE NESCAFÉ DOLCE GUSTO We’ve found the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life: the sleek, easy-to-use Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee machine. In addition to their Espresso capsules, Dolce Gusto offers other capsule choices for homemade coffee-based drinks like Cappuccino, Grande Intenso, Chococino and Cappuccino Ice. Dolce Gusto recommends certain settings for each drink but feel free to customize them to your liking! The Melody edition futuristic design will look great in your space- opt for the Genio edition if you’ve got limited space.

09. GET COOKIN’ MEZZE: A LABOR OF LOVE Get Mezze: A Labor of Love for your all-thingsculinary pal. Barbara Abdeni Massaad’s cookbook features a collection of mezze (think recipes with fresh, seasonal ingredients and most importantly, easy techniques that even the least experienced amateur chefs can enjoy). The author gets personal and shares memories about each dish and all of them feature cool illustrations by Pascale Hares.

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RAGMAG HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013

10. TRIPTYCH DIPTYQUE PARIS For the Holiday season, diptyque presents a limited-edition line of scented candles for higher-end interior spaces. Designed by Tsé & Tsé, the range features three new scents and colourful designs- Orange Chaya with scents of orange, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, Écorce de pin with scents of hinoki, cedar and patchouli, and Encens des Indes with scents of incense, myrrh, rose and cornflower.

11. RUB-A-DUB-DUB LUSH COSMETICS This winter, Lush has released what is possibly their most scrumptious collection yet. We like the entire range, but a few of the pieces are great for both large arrangement gifts or stocking stuffers. We like Santa Baby Lip Tint and Santa’s Lip Scrub. In the shower gel selection, we’ve picked up Lush Ponche (plums, oranges, cinnamon and vanilla) and Lush Rose Jam (argan oil, goji berry juice, Sicilian lemon, rose oil and rose absolute)- in addition to a terrific texture, the bottles are made from recycled plastic. Finish with their Celebrate Body Lotion.

12. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN PARS The surprisingly simple paRs collection is a great gift for the women on your list who give you a boost; the brand’s motto is “Make it happen” which is imprinted on the back of each piece. Choose from a range of three shades: brushed silver, brushed gold or brushed rose gold and also with or without embellishment around the rim. On the front of each paRs medallion, one of twelve words is imprinted. Choose “Joy”, “Believe”, “Faith” or “Blessed” for the devout on your holiday wishlist. If you’re celebrating life, choose “Success”, “Dream”, “Smile” or “Love”. pars.charms

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13. WISH UPON A STAR ZAITUNAY BAY’S FIELD OF STARS Lend a helping hand this holiday season with Zaitunay Bay’s Field of Stars. By purchasing a star installation, you’ll be helping children in need spend a merrier end of season. In a spirit of solidarity with the less fortunate, all the funds collected will be divided equally between 24 NGOs like the Lebanese Autism Society and Ibtissama, as well as charities of note. Visit their Facebook page for more information, and see the installation at Zaitunay Bay. fieldofstarsleb

14. WRAPPED UP RIGHT JOUD BY CCCL Looking for a trinket or two as stocking stuffers? Go the altruistic route with these fun and funky pieces. Other than the colourful and trendy bracelets depicted here, they’ve also got a selection of holiday themed items like ornaments and quote-frames. All of the Joud items are affordable and make a great gift-giving option- let your loved one know that 100 percent of the proceeds from all of the sales go to the treatment of patients at the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon. JOUD by CCCL Specialty boutique for a noble cause AUBMC Visitors’ Parking Bldg. 56 Terrace +9611351515 or +96170351515 www.cccl.org.lb | CCCLebanon

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RAGMAG HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013

15. SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND DORi MZANNAR + ALIA MOUZANNAR Meant for your nearest and dearest, DORi MZANNAR and alia mouzannar present their collections for the House of Aziz & Walid Mouzannar, respectively Meteor and Arabesque. Two designers of the same House with extremely different art ethos approaches to fine jewels, both conveying their individual personalities through their work. Choose one of the coup de coeur statement pieces. With a storied past, the House of Mouzannar’s unparalleled eye for quality will bring special festive sparkle.

16. DON’T RUN OUT OF TIME LA MONTRE HERMÈS La Montre Hermès almost makes clock-watching pleasurable with these two distinctive desk pieces. La Pendulette 8 Jours with a white gold base and white gold dial is a symbiosis of elegance and modernity- no need to sacrifice one for the other. Crafted in Switzerland, La Pendulette 8 Jours boasts an anti-glare sapphire crystal and caseback. The Atmos Hermès clock is a collaborative effort between three of the most revered brands in history: the House of Hermès table clock presents a Jaeger-LeCoultre mechanism and a crystal exterior by Les Cristalleries de St. Louis. With only 176 Atmos table clocks in the world, the no battery, no electric current and no winding function of this master-crafted piece literally “runs on air”; a scientific triumph using its environment to power it via shifts in temperature.

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17. ROUND THE BEND BOUTIQUE 1 For their holiday gift guide, the most comprehensive collection from global designers of note has been assembled for the Middle East at Boutique 1. Adorn your loved one in these handsome scarves designed by the brands you lust after year-round. For women we’ve selected Diane Von Furstenburg, Lily and Lionel, and Missoni. For men we’ve selected Kenzo and Missoni scarves and a knit hat in shades of charcoal.

DIANE VON FURSTENBURG

MISSONI

LILY AND LIONEL

MISSONI

KENZO

18. SHARPEN YOUR QUILL CHOUX À LA CRÈME Fine stationary that’s environmentally-friendly? Yes, and it’s even available in Beirut! Choux à la Crème by Rouba Mourtada is a boutique design and stationary studio with an art-eye approach to your correspondence and paper goods. Launched in 2010, every occasion is suitable for these interesting illustrations and clever sayings. Some of the range is embossed in metallics, so opt for these when you want to jazz things up a bit. The entire line is letterpressed with gold or silver foil, a signature characteristic of the brand, and the printing method is called letterpress, done on a vintage antique press from the 50s by hand! Get Choux à la Crème Lebanon Papercup Orient 499 UAE Bloomingdales | O’ De rose Galeries Lafayette | D. Tales www.chouxalacreme.com chouxalacreme

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MIRROR, MIRROR

IT’S PERSONAL! THE TAILORED FRAGRANCES OF JO MALONE

THIS SEASON, JO MALONE TREATS US TO NEW RELEASES BOTH FOR THE SELF AND FOR THE HOME. PREPARE TO ENVELOPE YOURSELF IN LIFE’S PLEASURES- ARTFULLY BLENDED WITH THE FINEST IN ESSENTIAL OILS.

COME HOME TO ME

I WANT TO SURPRISE YOU

The new range of English Pear & Freesia candles, diffusers and room sprays will give your home a pleasant fragrance without the sharp after-scent. An added bonus is Jo Malone’s limited-edition Scent Surround™ Hanger and Sachet to infuse your clothes and linens with subtle freshness.

Jo Malone introduces a new, unusual note with the new fragrance, Peony & Blush Suede. The red apple top note makes room for the peony heart note, leaving an unexpected suede base note on the skinthe latter gives the fragrance its warmth and texture while adding subtleness to it so it’s not overwhelming.

IT’S NOW OR NEVER We like the limited-edition, cologneonly fragrance Osmanthus Blossom for a more floral boost. Pairing petitgrain, peach, orange flower and wood with Osmanthus blossom gives the fragrance a surprising scent contradiction.

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THE TAILORED FRAGRANCES OF JO MALONE

SIGNATURE SCENT

If you thought combining two different scents at once was a bad idea, think again. Each and everyone of Jo Malone’s fragrances is designed to be worn alone and also to be layered with another fragrance from their collector range. The Fragrance Combining™ concept allows you to successfully pair two scents that you like and play around with the fragrances to find one that suits your mood, just like you would mix and match several pieces of clothing. Chris Wyatt, Jo Malone Fragrance Director, encourages you to “combine scents that speak to you, enabling you to create your own scented statement. Something that’s entirely personal to you.”

SHOW ME HOW Start with a body lotion to get a delicate base that you can enhance with a cologne and once you’re more familiar with the scents, you can go as far as combining two colognes.

RAGMAG’S BEST ENGLISH PEAR & FREESIA BODY CRÈME + OUD & BERGAMOT COLOGNE RED ROSES BATH OIL + PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE COLOGNE PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE COLOGNE + SAFFRON COLOGNE INTENSE OSMANTHUS BLOSSOM COLOGNE + NECTARINE BLOSSOM & HONEY COLOGNE

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

CHRIS WYATT IS JO MALONE’S MAN Meet Jo Malone’s Fragrance Director. He’s also one of the geniuses behind the success of Fragrance Combining™. Having worked in the beauty industry with both fragrance and cosmetic brands for nine years –he’s got 14 seasons at London Fashion Week under his belt- he joined Jo Malone in 2010 to develop and deliver training programs for the brand worldwide.

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MIRROR, MIRROR

HOLIDAY SCENT-SATION FOR MEN GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT SETS FOR HIM

GIVE THESE GREAT FRAGRANCES TO THE GENTLEMEN ON YOUR LIST FOR A GIFT HE’LL REALLY ENJOY! GUYS, TEAR THIS PAGE OUT AND HAND IT TO THE RIGHT PERSON TO MAKE SURE RAGMAG’S HIT LIST ENDS UP UNDER YOUR TREE.

PRADA LUNA ROSSA

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HOLIDAY SCENT-SATION FOR MEN

PRADA AMBER HOMME

RAGMAG’S NEBULAE STAR PRODUCT

CAROLINA HERRERA CH MEN SET INCLUDES A 100ML EDT AND 100ML AFTER-SHAVE LOTION

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MIRROR, MIRROR

STARS COME OUT AT THE

NIGHT THE HOUSE OF DIOR SHINES BRIGHTER THAN ALL OF THE REST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO VISIT 30 AVENUE MONTAIGNE, BUT THE HOUSE OF DIOR IS ADAMANT THAT YOU CAN TAKE HOME A VALUABLE SOUVENIR OF THEIR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF.

Launched for the festive season, J’adore l’Or is an expression of luxurious refinement- the indulgence of excess. The absolute accords of this fragrance are essences of blooms harvested exclusively at Domaine de Manon for the House. The unique meeting of mountains and seascape at Domaine de Manon create a specific interaction effect on the blooms, ensuring they are of singular, unparalleled quality. The special edition 400ml bottle of J’adore l’Or is topped with a glass pearl, the signature of the original fragrance. For those of you who really want to feel the Dior ethos, a Prestige Edition of this fine fragrance is adorned in gold and encased in Baccarat crystal, an industry hallmark of quality and tradition. Hand-sculpted by a master engraver, the Prestige Edition is for the true Dior devotee. We’re immersed in the star-studded universe of this French House, and François Demachy, Dior’s resident magician would have it no other way. The holidays are truly dorés. 98 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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ABSOLUTELY DIOR

Have you ever noticed the sillage of a fragrance at a holiday party? It’s the hypnotic wafting scent that trails behind the fragrance-wearer. For J’adore l’Or, Master Perfumer François Demachy has ensured that Dior’s holiday spell will enrapture all those who encounter you with their use of absolutes. With Jasmine Grandiflorum and Centifolia Rose (known as May Rose), Tonka Bean Absolute and Tahiti Vanilla Absolute, J’adore l’Or is the centrepiece of any fine fragrance collection. Only the highest quality of fragrance is referred to when discussing sillage- historically these particular scents are produced by the most reputable houses, and Dior’s lengthy list of perfumes are often mentioned by specialists in this area. Captivate the room with your very own l’Or.

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MIRROR, MIRROR

THE

GOLDEN WINTER DIOR GLAMOUR IN LIMITED EDITION

FLIRT SHAMELESSLY WITH STRIKING RED, DANCE WITH A DUO OF MAGNETIC METALLICS, AND ENVELOP YOURSELF IN RARE ROSE GOLD. THAT’S HOW DIOR SEES YOUR HOLIDAY OUTINGS THIS SEASON: IN DRAMATIC COLOUR. THE GOLDEN WINTER LIMITED EDITION RANGE CONVEYS THE OSTENTATIOUS BEAUTY OF YOUR ROMANCE WITH THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

This New Year’s Eve, ring in 2014 with the heart-stopping Dior number 038 on your lips, aptly named Marilyn. Your eyes will be adorned with Diorshow Waterproof Liner in Rosy Gold number 738, followed by layers of Diorshow mascara in riveting black. Complete your look with the scented Diorific Poudre Compact Illuminatrice in 001- the perfect finishing touch to an evening face. On perfectly manicured hands, opt for the eye-catching Diorific Duo Manicure in shades of exciting gold and silver.

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DAYTIME DIOR For festive daytime events this season, we suggest you choose the limited edition Diorific lipstick in Etoile number 041. On hands, we see an elegant manicure with the beautifully understated Diorific Vernis shade Winter number 128.

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LIVE THE

DREAM COLOUR YOUR WORLD YOUR WAY! After years of research, Lanc么me has demystified the art of correction- struggle with pigmentation no more with DreamTone! Their research laboratories have isolated three types of pigmentation profiles: Profile 1 for lighter skin tones that are prone to redness flare-ups, Profile 2 encompasses medium skin tones that tend toward a more sallow cast, and Profile 3 addresses darker skin tones that face the challenge of blemish marks. Tested for all skin types, DreamTone is suitable for sensitive skins as well.

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LIVE THE DREAM WITH LANCÔME

For their DreamTone campaign, shot by photography superstar Mario Testino, Lancôme chose Anaïs to represent Profile 1, Hilda to represent Profile 2, and Jasmine to represent Profile 3. Without massaging in the product, apply a thin, even layer of DreamTone on a perfectly cleansed skin. If you are an Advanced Génifique Serum user, you will layer DreamTone after your Génifique application. Dryer skin types may opt for an application of moisturizer after DreamTone. Get your pigmentation issues in check, and feel great doing it. It’s your world! DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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DON

OPPOSITE PAGE: MARILYN MONROE APPLYING CHANEL N°5 AT THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL IN NEW YORK ON MARCH 24TH, 1955 BEFORE THE PREMIERE OF “CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF” BY TENNESSE WILLIAMS, AT THE MOROSCO THEATER ON BROADWAY

MARILYN’S

FRAGRANCE GENTLEMEN PREFER CHANEL

BRING BACK HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR

OVER THE YEARS, CHANEL N°5 HAS BECOME INTIMATELY LINKED TO MARILYN MONROE, AN ICON OF FEMININITY. IT ALL STARTED WITH MARILYN’S CANDID DECLARATION OF ONLY WEARING A FEW DROPS OF N°5 TO BED AND SINCE, THE STATEMENT HAS BECOME SYMBOLIC OF THE STAR’S GENUINE LOVE FOR THE FRAGRANCE.

A true emblem of fragrance history, the singular N°5 has always been the hallmark of Chanel and it’s only fitting that the House is featuring retro images of Marilyn for their newest campaign. Back in 1921, Gabrielle Coco Chanel said of the bold fragrance, “I want a woman’s fragrance that smells like a woman.” What better way to represent Chanel’s timelessness than Ed Feingersh’s photography of Marilyn with a bottle of N°5 held close to her décolleté? 104 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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PHOTO ED FEINGERSH © MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES / GETTY IMAGES DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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MIRROR, MIRROR

INFINITE

ALLURE CHANEL’S ENCHANTING EVENING

THIS SEASON, CHANEL INTRODUCES LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTION NUIT INFINIE DE CHANEL, A SOPHISTICATED COLLECTION FOR EVENING MAKEUP. THE COLLECTION WORKS FOR BOTH AN INTIMATE SETTING AND A SWINGING BASH, IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WEAR IT.

METAL MACHINE We like the House’s new palette, Charming, featuring five eyeshadows for endless combinations. We’re going for a striking look with Illusion d’Ombre’s Fatal, a silvery violet plum taupe iridescent eyeshadow with a pearly finish. This is our party product: wear it alone on the eyelid to form a colour block and pair it with Bronze Platine, Nuit Infinie’s mascara in a metallic bronze shade, enhancing your eyeshadow’s colour. For a more intimate gathering opt for a subtle look: apply a nude eyeshadow on your eyelids and use Ligne Graphique de Chanel Bronze eyeliner in deep khaki bronze- it will make your eyes more luminous.

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INFINITE ALLURE | CHANEL’S ENCHANTING EVENING

PEARLY PRIDE

Illuminate your face and décolleté in pearl shimmer with Chanel’s Poudre Universelle Libre Moon Light. The golden and bronze pearlizers add the final touch to your makeup. Ready, set, go!

RED HOT FANTASY For the lips, Nuit Infinie presents three new lipstick shades in burgundy, pink and red. We like Rouge Allure Velvet in La Précieuse- it has a velvety, matte texture that adds depth to the bold, vibrant pigment. The prepping process is key when it comes to red lipstick!

FIVE STEPS TO THE PERFECT RED POUT 1. Prep with a gentle exfoliation of your lips and lip contour and rinse well. 2. Moisturize by dabbing on a hydrating lip balm. Lip colour adheres better to a moist mouth. 3. Primer ensures your colour will stay put and dramatically improve the wear of your lipstick, eliminating the need for touch-ups. 4. Use a lip pencil when you wear red to prevent your lipstick from bleeding. Choose a soft pencil that glides on smoothly. 5. Paint the town red! Match your lips and your nails with Le Vernis Rouge Rubis, a scarlet red lacquer for a dramatic look.

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HYDRATE YOUR

WINTER

SKIN

Looking to have fresh, luminous eyes for your New Year’s Eve? There’s only one way: Hydra Beauty Gel Yeux. Chanel’s eye-treatment gently revives the delicate eye-contour area while helping to prevent dark circles and fine lines from forming. It contains moisturizing, protective, and anti-puffiness properties for a fresh-looking eye contour, even after the first application. Hydra Beauty Gel Yeux’s formula contains a combination of active ingredients including Camellia Alba PFA, Blue Ginger PFA, and a Chanel exclusive Eye Complex. It restores moisture balance, protects the eye contour

from free radicals, and erases signs of fatigue. The smooth-texture gel stimulates microcirculation, thus lightening dark circles and diminishing puffiness. Another stellar piece from this range is Hydra Beauty Essence Mist- it works as an energy booster that instantly awakens dull and tired skin. Also using Camellia Alba PFA and Blue Ginger PFA, the mist also contains Vitamins C and E for a dynamic energy boost. Apply Hydra Beauty Essence Mist to entire face and neck, over your regular skincare or makeup. Hold the bottle 15cm away and spray with a circular movement.

SUBLIME SKIN SUBLIMAGE LE FLUIDE

For a glowing complexion and a smooth skin, we choose Chanel’s new Sublimage Le Fluide. Combining Vanilla Planifolia, which contains regenerative molecules, and the Zinc PrécisphèresTM technology that identifies which areas of the face need to be mattified, Le Fluide corrects all the signs of aging- wrinkles and fine

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lines, skin slackening, dullness, dehydration, and dark spots. The light and silky formula regenerates the skin, facial contours appear more defined, and you get a matte finish all day long. Bonus: Le Fluide is excellent for prepping skin for makeup application, it improves hold and keeps makeup even all day long.

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MIRROR, MIRROR

MEN GET BACK TO BASICS

MEN

GET BACK TO BASICS NIVEA MEN’S ORIGINAL SHAVING KIT

We like NIVEA MEN’s Originals shaving range, meant to protect and moisturize your skin both before and after shaving. For an irritation-free shave, the Originals Extra Moisture Shaving Gel contains vitamin E and moisturizers to help prevent moisture loss and keep the skin healthylooking. Using the new Ultra glide Technology™, the gel improves razor glide and helps protect against micro-cuts while providing a close and comfortable shave. Our skincare advice? Don’t use high concentrate alcohol-based after-shave or cologne, as it will dehydrate your skin. Instead, we recommend rinsing your face with cold water to help close pores and apply a soothing after-shave product like the Originals Rehydrating Moisturizer or the Originals After Shave Balm. These products will soothe any discomfort and actively hold moisture in the skin, preventing it from dehydration- it’s a win-win situation!

SQUEEZE, SCRUB + GO

PURE IMPACT SHOWER GEL If you don’t like collecting all sorts of products in your bathroom and wish you could have just this one bottle that will do everything, NIVEA MEN has got you covered. Pure Impact Shower Gel is a 3-in-1 deep-cleansing body, hair, and face wash with extra-fine scrub particles and NIVEA’s Hydra IQ formula to deep-cleanse and keep your skin hydrated all day.

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

RAGMAG RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR MEN

FENDI FW 2013/14

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RAGMAG RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN

PRADA FW 2013/14

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RAGMAG RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR MEN

JOHN VARVATOS SS 2014

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

RAGMAG RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN

JASON WU SS 2014

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YOU’VE GOT THAT GLINT IN YOUR EYE Photography by DAVE KAI PIPER Dressed by HENRY HUNT

HAIR BY DAVID DIOR - COLONEL MUSTARD | BEAUTY BY JO PRIESTLY - MUFU MAKEUP MODELS: ROSIE ASHLEY (BOOKINGS MODELS) & LAURA BROWN

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

REAL LIFE

FASHION WEAR IT YOUR WAY

THIS ISSUE, WE’VE CHOSEN A REAL-LIFE FASHION FAN WHO HAS REALLY GOT THE MIX ‘N MATCH THING DOWN PAT: THIS IS HOW YOU WEAR HIGH STREET PAIRED WITH YOUR STATEMENT PRESTIGE PIECES. LADIES AND GENTS, CAN YOU DO THIS? LET US KNOW BY TWEETING YOUR FAVORITE MIX ‘N MATCH OUTFIT AT US @RAGMAGFASHION WITH THE HASHTAG #RAGGEDREALTIME. YOU MUST BE WEARING ONLY YOUR OWN PIECES. WE’LL CONTACT YOU VIA TWITTER IF YOU MAKE THE CUT… YOU MIGHT BE OUR NEXT REAL LIFE FASHION FEATURE!

WHO Roula Nahas

@RoulaNahas

WHAT SHE’S WEARING All pieces are her own BRANDS Select clothing items from Vero Moda, booties by Andrea Wazen, handbags by YSL and Jimmy Choo, paRs medallions, Mauboussin ring, all scarves by Hermès, stilettos by Jimmy Choo and Prada, watch by Rolex. MAKEUP Suzie Haddad HAIR Bahaa

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REAL LIFE FASHION | WEAR IT YOUR WAY

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gucci ss 2014

COPYCAT MIX Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MATCH REAL RUNWAY ragmag shows you how to replicate that runway trend! see our takes on how to make the ready to wear, actually wearable

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LEAVE ME ALONE

CRESCENDO

oscar de la renta gold-plated leaf necklace

lanvin marie-laure gold-tone crystal and resin ring

haider ackermann ss 2014

ANDROMEDA faith connexion metallic coated sweatshirt

PAINT IT BLACK

nina ricci radzimir and tulle dress

versace haas brothers curator project clutch

SLIMMER THAN SLIM j brand metallic stretch-leather skinny pants

helmut lang eros leathertrimmed fil coupé top

chloé embroidered tulle and mesh maxi skirt

STRAIGHT AND NARROW saint laurent leather pumps

tom ford ss 2014

DRAW THE DRAPES louboutin plitz clutch pochette en satin

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arceau h cube by la montre hermĂ¨s

STRATOSPHERE

chopard grey pearl earrings

dior haute couture fw 2013/14

lanvin one-shouldered eveningwear

EMERALD CITY lanvin rouched eveningwear

RING-A-DING-DING lanvin gunmetal tone crystal ring

RENDEZ-VOUS

missoni ruby red v-neck sleeveless eveningwear

BIG BANG givenchy antigona envelope clutch in gunmetal leather

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT erdem ss 2014

MIDNIGHT BLUE

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salvatore ferragamo open-heeled strappy stiletto

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emporio armani fw 2013/14

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

BACKSTAGE PASS

RAMI AL ALI BRINGS OUT THE ART OF SEDUCTION It’s metallic and it’s multi-faceted. It’s also slightly signature Rami Al Ali with his elegant use of geometrics. For his FW13/14 collection, the designer has drawn on the pervasive work of historic Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. Something truly hypnotic about the designer’s newest creations? The respect paid to the female form with gowns that simultaneously heighten and flatter an hourglass shape. The key embellishments of this range are a mixture of draping and the strategic use of gold- it’s especially arresting on a midnight black. The structured use of sheers gives this collection a sensual wearability reminiscent of an intimate kiss, The Kiss that is.

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IT’S ALL RIGHT,

IT’S OKAY Starring MAYALINE HAGE of LUMI PHOTOGRAPHY BY ODETTE KAHWAGI DRESSED AND STYLED BY

| MAKEUP BY M.A.C COSMETICS

HAIR BY ROGER GABRIEL

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SASS & BIDE DRESS OPPOSITE PAGE: FARAH KHAN DRESS MAWI LONDON BRACELETS AMRITA SINGH BRACELETS TRUSSARDI BOOTS

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6 SHORE ROAD DRESS MARTI RINGS OPPOSITE PAGE: AIDAN MATTOX DRESS AMRITA SINGH EARRINGS

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ASHISH TOP 6 SHORE ROAD PANTS AMRITA SINGH EARRINGS OPPOSITE PAGE: NICOLE MILLER TOP AMEN SKIRT SERGIO ROSSI SANDALS LE BOY BAG IPHONE CASE MAWI LONDON RING

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NG STYLE DRESS NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD PUMPS CARA COUTURE NECKLACE OPPOSITE PAGE: DAY BIRGER ET MIKKELSON JUMPSUIT STARS BY P NECKLACE

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SASS & BIDE DRESS OPPOSITE PAGE: TART COLLECTION DRESS INDULGENCE LONDONE FUR JACKET

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FARAH KHAN DRESS AMRITA SINGH BRACELETS MAWI LONDON BRACELETS OPPOSITE PAGE: TART COLLECTION DRESS NEON EAGLE CRYSTAL NECKLACE NEON RESIN SILVER CUFF

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TAKE ME WITH YOU

SPEND CHRISTMAS

IN KIEV BY ALICE HLIDKOVA

ellow mini buses zoom along highways bending around residential slabs of concrete. They are haunting relics of the Soviet regime, the fabric of their totalitarianism still woven into the Ukrainian landscape. The monstrous Brezhnev-era leftovers disappear in downtown Kiev, but are replaced by the grim hospitality of the former Soviet Union. Fortunately, young women add colourful flavors to such appearances, with their full lips painted red, their brand name boots shaded silver, and posh fur coat lining dyed purple. During WWII the main boulevard of Khreshchatyk housed booby traps for German soldiers. Today the pedestrian zone has become an unlikely runway for expensive tastes rivaling those of NYCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fifth Avenue and Parisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Avenue Montaigne. Gold-capped churches add to the palette of downtown. The eastern Orthodox denomination is responsible for erecting thousands of these round oniony structures across the country. In Kiev, gilded turrets, spires and domes -some almost 1,000 years

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old- laminate the city, setting the stage for a beautiful fairy-tale. Foundations for new churches rise at the feet of many apartment complexes, which on average house up to five hundred devout residents. More lavish examples can be found throughout the historic sections of Kiev. The Kievo-Pecherska Lavra, a cluster of churches nestled on the grassy hills above the Dnieper River, contain world-famous catacombs and channels of underground medieval caves, some of which supposedly stretch as far as Moscow. Entering the caves by the Church of the Raising of the Cross, many descend into a labyrinth of candlelit corridors that serve as tombs for hundreds of mummified monks, almost a millennia old.

ABOVE: PECHERSK LAVRA MONASTERY OPPOSITE PAGE, CATHEDRAL INTERIOR, FOOTBRIDGE IN WINTER, PANORAMIC CITYSCAPE

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TAKE ME WITH YOU

SPEND CHRISTMAS IN KIEV

BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: GOLDEN DOMES OF THE HOLY CROSS CHURCH IN PECHERSK, KIEV DETAIL OF THE GOLDEN LAVRA BELL OPPOSITE PAGE: INDEPENDENCE SQUARE

St. Sophia’s Cathedral, a symbol of the Orthodox world order and simultaneously a Byzantine architectural wonder, is the city’s oldest standing church. During the Rus Empire, the predecessor of modern Ukraine (and not, as locals emphatically point out, of Russia), the cathedral became an intellectual center for its educators and literates. The kingdom of Rus preserved its many mosaics and frescoes, originally dating back to the 11th century, until the Mongols sacked the city in 1240 destroying the ancient city’s main entrance, Zoloti Vorota, modeled after Constantinople’s Golden Gate. Similar to the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, the Cathe-

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dral’s decor has maintained its original design. Significantly, Kiev is the birthplace for eastern Slavic civilization which covers the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. In the past decade Kiev has been hit with western waves of modernity. In 2004, the Orange Revolution marked a rift with the previous era as Ukrainians made their pro-democratic demands on the central Independence Square. The new government was extremely ineffective and disappointing, but less corrupt, and the man who perpetrated the Orange Revolution fraud, ended up becoming president. The Western-leaning order formed new markets and free-

trade agreements. The real estate industry began incorporating lighter materials like brick and glass into their blocky construction projects. Hyatt and Radisson hotels adopted these materials, but older ones were left with outdated concrete renovations.

IN 2004, THE ORANGE REVOLUTION MARKED A RIFT WITH THE PREVIOUS ERA AS UKRAINIANS MADE THEIR PRO-DEMOCRATIC DEMANDS ON THE CENTRAL INDEPENDENCE SQUARE Despite recent reform, remnants of the Soviet past continue to survive. Old vendors, most likely former soldiers, adorn the Andriyivsky Uzviz. The historic descent connects the city’s Upper Town neighborhood to the medieval and merchant Podil neighborhood. Along the uneven cobbled walkway, below the blue St. Michael’s gold-domed monastery, they sell goggles and helmets, medals and uniforms borrowed or stolen from the former regime. A few of them resort to cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin shirts and they had a thing for Osama bin Laden stacking dolls called Matryoshka.

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LEFT: CHIMERA HOUSE, ADORNED WITH SEA CREATURES CARVED OUT OF CEMENT BELOW: HOLODOMOR MEMORIAL

MANY POLITICAL DESCENDANTS KEPT THE STATUES, SECURED NEW GOVERNMENTAL POSTS, AND PRIVATIZED INDUSTRIES. THEY HELD RECEPTIONS INSIDE THE CHIMERA HOUSE, ADORNED WITH TERRIFYING SEA CREATURES CARVED OUT OF CEMENT Compared to most transitory systems of government that spoil the fun for its citizens, foreigners like myself find the various changes entertaining. Inside highspeed Kievan metro stations, old women known to Eastern Europeans as babushkas still wear their head scarves, and warm their palms with sleeping kittens. Another flashback to old Czechoslovakia: markets dressed with woolen vests and slippers imported from Mongolia and Belarus, gardens adorned with beehives and black currant handpicked by babushkas, and forests overgrown with mushrooms.

Public monuments serve additional reminders of the hammer and sickle insignia. Former President Viktor Yushchenko nearly exhausted public funds to build the Holodomor Memorial, dedicated to close to seven million victims of an artificially induced famine created by dictator Joseph Stalin. Meanwhile, the titanium statue of Mother Homeland, with her raised Sword and State Emblem, hovers over a distinctive memorial of carved WWII heroes. The soldier’s and workmen’s chilling expressions bring back my childhood imagery of Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia.

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Many political descendants kept the statues, secured new governmental posts, and privatized industries. They held receptions inside the Chimera House, adorned with terrifying sea creatures carved out of cement- a tribute to the owner’s daughter who lost her life to seaside waves. Similar to the gargoyles leaping from the baroque churches of Prague, the stone creatures cast a frightening glare. In those days, old comrades feasted on scarce black caviar and built villas along the riverbank. Like the oligarchs they bought tons of fur and parked their cars inside pedestrian-friendly squares. Meanwhile residents were forced to listen to the noisy refrigerators and paid high rent for crumbling concrete.

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SPEND CHRISTMAS IN KIEV

In contrast, mushrooms found in chestnut forests near Chernobyl grow the size of footballs. Located just two hours from Kiev, the city operated Soviet’s notorious nuclear power plant. But 27 years ago, radioactive waste from reactor number four spilled into nearby waterways that headed downstream towards the capital. Clouds carrying dust particles spread across Europe causing many children to develop radiation related diseases. First response firefighters perished within hours, civil workers within months and formers residents within a first few years. Looters sold scrap metal, furniture and jewelry for Kiev markets, poisoning many as a result of the radiation. A concrete and metal sarcophagus exists over the number four reactor, and at the time of my visit, the EU was raising funds for a new cover. On the bus ride back from Chernobyl, I couldn’t stop thinking of Stalin’s grotesquely magnificent power, of foul reputations haunting the country, of the women and Orthodox gold that lift the city from its dull Soviet mold. The country deserves a chance, at least from some Slavs who shyly reference Kiev to a precious gemstone, and from tourists who have so much to enjoy both historically and culturally. Bundle up and spend the holiday season with the people of Kiev

TODAY THE PEDESTRIAN ZONE HAS BECOME AN UNLIKELY RUNWAY FOR EXPENSIVE TASTES RIVALING THOSE OF NYC’S FIFTH AVENUE AND PARIS’ AVENUE MONTAIGNE

GET THERE DXB to KBP From anywhere in the Middle East, getting to Kiev’s Boryspil Airport (KBP) is easy. Book departing Dubai and that way you’re going to need just over five hours flying time. The daily direct flights executed by flydubai depart from Terminal 2, and it’s serviced by efficient staff. You can spend both the trip there and the trip back watching inflight entertainment- it’s a buy-on-board process with a huge selection of blockbuster new releases and oldies but goodies. There’s definitely enough legroom and it’s pretty spacious. For those of you who want a premium flight experience, flydubai has commenced their Business Class route to Ukraine. If you’re flying Business Class, you can expect your inflight entertainment in HD, as well as time-savers like priority check-in, fast-track through security at selected airports and priority baggage collection. In Business Class, the checked baggage allowance is a nice bonus. If you’re flying economy, you’re able to choose how much baggage you want to take with you at affordable rates; opt for the maximum (40kg) of checked baggage at 150 AED which is roughly $40. www.flydubai.com

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

LIGHTEN UP PATCHI BRIGHTENS YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

his year, Patchi plans to lighten things up- literally. For the first time in 39 years, the Lebanese purveyor of fine chocolate is lighting a tree, and quite a special one, in the heart of Beirut. The unusual characteristic of the Patchi tree lays in its eco-friendlinessit’s created with a “metal steel frame and artificial PVC that are non-toxic and non-flammable. The main reason behind selecting such a tree is its originality– a philosophy that is central to Patchi in terms of its business and product line offering. The tree has never been seen before in the Middle East and is custommade for Patchi,” explains Mrs. Vera

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Hassan, Patchi’s Marketing Manager. The 15-meter tree is imported all the way from Russia, as it is “using a mechanism that is not found anywhere in Lebanon or the region.” In four decades, the brand’s approach to seasonal festivities “has drastically evolved.” At first, Patchi used to release arrangements in new colour combinations, before transitioning into whole new collections with “designs for seasonal festivities which had to be developed a year ahead.” More recently, Patchi “started developing suitable chocolate flavors for the season, such as the Tasali Collection for Ramadan and the Marron Glace and truffles for Christmas.”

Household name brands usually opt for charitable initiatives during the festive season, so this year, Patchi decided to take a non-traditional approach. However, they do contribute to many charities and have been doing so “even before the CSR initiative picked up and started to be a successful brand-marketing tool and a trend,” adds Hassan. What they really wanted to do for the 2013 festivities is give back to the community by “sharing the generous spirit of [the holiday season] with everyone.”

THE 15-METER TREE IS IMPORTED ALL THE WAY FROM RUSSIA, AS IT IS “USING A MECHANISM THAT IS NOT FOUND ANYWHERE IN LEBANON OR THE REGION”

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Over the years, Patchi has become the number one destination when it comes to chocolate gifting for special occasions and they now want to thank their customers “by offering them the Tree of Moving Light which further reinforces the spirit of joy, happiness, getting together, and sharing.” Patchi have their customers in mind, but also the city of Beirut, where Patchi “launched its business with a single boutique in Hamra.” According to Vera, Beirut is “the region’s reference for cre-

WE’D BE CREATING A REGIONAL [ATTRACTION] THAT WILL ENTICE MORE PEOPLE TO VISIT THIS CITY AND ENJOY ITS END OF YEAR FESTIVITIES DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

ativity, style, trends, fashion, and the like so by placing this tree in the heart of Beirut Central District at the main entrance of Beirut Souks, we’d be creating a regional [attraction] that will entice more people to visit this city and enjoy its end of year festivities.” By placing their tree in Beirut Souks, Patchi is hoping to reach out to as many Lebanese as possible and make the city “the region’s destination for end of year festivities,” as “it is visited by all Lebanese from up North to down South. It is also the destination for all Arab and international tourists. Solidere’s Beirut Souks stands now as Lebanon’s central destination for commercial, cultural and entertainment activities year-round.” This might be the first time Patchi approaches the festive season this way, but it “is only the start and there is so much more to come in 2014.”

GET PATCHILICIOUS! www.patchi.com Patchi Patchi patchichocolate

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HIDE + SEEK L’AUTRE BISTRO BY MARIA-ELENA KASSAB

ucked into a hidden alleyway off Hamra’s Bliss Street, L’Autre Bistro is an enchanting little place that has all the elements to keep you coming back for more: a great setting, laid-back atmosphere, and most importantly, amazing food. L’Autre Bistro welcomes visitors to a renovated old house, complete with stone steps, an iron railing, and large windows. This charming, rustic setting continues inside: wrought iron chairs with throw cushions in various patterns, an old clock hanging on the wall, lanterns providing muted lighting (not too dim, not too bright). It feels like you’re sitting on a terrace in your home village, with trees, plants and shrubbery protecting you from the outside world. The knowledgeable staff is quick to recommend entrées and salads based on our choice of main course, and we trust their judgment with incredible results. We wait for our food while munching on herbed bread and balsamic vinegar.

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I kick things off with the Chèvre aux Baies salad, spinach leaves, cranberries and goat cheese tossed in a sweet and tangy raspberry vinaigrette, and a Crème Brûlée au Bleu– I know what you’re thinking, how does dessert work as an entrée, especially one made with blue cheese? The dessert recipe is adapted with a salty twist, we’re told, and is even a favorite of people who do not like blue cheese. I belong to that category, and find myself falling in love with the almost decadently smooth cheese topped with balsamic vinegar. Sarah picks the fresh and colorful Tartare de Saumon, and we wait for our main course while sipping a crisp white wine. We savor the Blanc de Poulet, which is tender, moist, and served with a delicious old-fashioned mustard sauce, with grilled vegetables and the world’s most amazing mashed potatoes on the side. But the Salammina pizza is truly the star of the show. There is no ketchup on that pizza, but actual tomato sauce, topped with

spicy pepperoni on a delicately-herbed, thin and crispy dough that has us almost fighting for the last piece. We end our meal with the delightful Chocolat Mou and lavender-infused Crème Brûlée. I leave the restaurant promising the staff we will be back with reinforcements. If you want to hang out in an enchanting restaurant while tickling your taste buds with great food, L’Autre Bistro is the place you’re looking for.

THE +

DECADENT The Crème Brûlée au Bleu is beyond amazing. Cheese lovers, this one’s for you!

THE -

SPELL CHECK The menu is peppered with mistakes, and there is no consistency between French names and English descriptions of each dish. We’re big fans of grammar at RAGMAG!

L’AUTRE BISTRO Makhoul Street, T H E N EHamra BULAE +9611742501 Lautrebistro

ISSUE

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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FESTIVE DINING FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY LARA ARISS

Each edition of RAGMAG Lara Ariss will present a meal in several courses that you can try at home. Lara trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, England. This issue, Lara has compiled an additional list of Christmas menu recipes that can be found on her website to compliment and complete this holiday meal. For her menu selection, check her out on the web http://www.bylara.me @laraariss

bylara

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laraariss

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FESTIVE DINING FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

CHESTNUT+ DRIED CRANBERRY

APPLE STUFFING

PREPARATION TIME 30 MINUTES + COOLING TIME SERVES 10 - 12 | LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 40 grams salted butter • 1 onion, finely chopped • 2 celery sticks, diced • 3 granny smith apples • 200 grams roasted chestnuts, roughly chopped • 150 grams dried cranberries • Zest of 1 orange • 50 grams walnuts, finely chopped • 1 tablespoon sage, finely chopped • 150 grams white breadcrumbs

METHOD

• Heat the butter in a large pan and gently cook the

onion and the celery for 10 minutes until softened. Place in a bowl and leave to cool. • Peel, core and dice the apples. Add the diced apples, chestnuts, orange zest, walnuts, dried cranberries, sage, breadcrumbs, and salt and pepper to the cooled onion mixture and combine. • Set aside until ready to stuff the turkey.

CRANBERRY

SAUCE PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 10 - 12 | LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 150 grams light muscovado sugar • 150 ml orange juice, fresh or from a carton • 375 grams pack fresh or frozen cranberries

METHOD

• Pour the sugar and orange juice into

a pan and bring to the boil. Stir in the cranberries and simmer until tender but still holding their shape. • The sauce will thicken as it cools; bring to room temperature before serving.

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CHRISTMAS

TURKEY PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES LEVEL MEDIUM

METHOD FOR A 6.5 KG TURKEY

• Remove the giblets, which should be in the body cavity and

weigh the turkey. Place the uncovered turkey on a plate in the lowest part of the refrigerator. The night before, take it out of the fridge so that it will be at room temperature by the time you cook it. • Stuff the turkey with the pre-made Chestnut and Dried Cranberry-Apple Stuffing. Place about 2/3 of the stuffing in the neck end between the flesh and the skin, then tuck the neck flap under the bird’s back and secure it with a small skewer. Place the rest of the stuffing in the body cavity. • Spread 175 grams of softened butter all over the bird and season with black pepper and salt • Arrange two large sheets of foil across your roasting tin, one widthwise and the other lengthwise. Lay the turkey on its back in the middle of the foil then loosely wrap it: the parcel must be firmly sealed but

COOKING TIMES FOR OTHER SIZES OF TURKEY

3.5 - 4.5 kg 30 minutes at the high temperature, then 2.5 – 3 hours at the lower temperature, then a final 30 minutes (uncovered) at 200°C. 6.75 – 9 kg 45 minutes at the high temperature, then 4 -5 hours at the lower temperature, and then a final 30 minutes (uncovered) at 200ºC.

with room for air to circulate around the turkey. Place in a pre-heated oven at 220°C for 40 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 170°C for 3 ½ hours. • After this time, remove the turkey from the oven, uncover it and discard any excess foil. Baste with the juices then increase the oven temperature 200°C. Cook the uncovered turkey for a further 40 minutes. • After the final 40 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven. Pierce the thickest part of the leg with a skewer then press the skewer against the leg to see if the juices run clear without any trace of pink– if the juices are clear, the turkey is cooked. You can also give the legs a little tweak– if they feel like they’ve got some ‘give’ in them, the turkey is done. Cover it loosely with foil and allow it to rest for approximately 45 minutes before serving.

TIP THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THE BIRD IS READY IS BY USING THE TESTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, SINCE OVENS AND TURKEYS VARY.

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

FESTIVE DINING FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

RED

WINE SAUCE PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 10 - 12 LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • Juices from the roasted turkey • 240 grams butter • 12 tablespoons flour • 250 ml red wine • 750 ml turkey stock

METHOD

• In a saucepan, pour the juices from the

roasted turkey and add the melted butter and flour. Stir continuously until the mixture is browned. • Gradually stir in the wine and then the stock. • Allow the mixture to come to a boil and thicken slightly. • Strain into a jug and leave aside. • Reheat before serving.

ROASTED

POTATOES PREPARATION TIME 25 MINUTES COOKING TIME 90 MINUTES SERVES 10 - 12 | LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 1.5 kg potatoes • Olive oil • 3 sprigs rosemary • Salt • Ground black pepper

METHOD

• Preheat the oven to 220°C. • Peel the potatoes and

cut into large chunks. Boil in boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Drain and toss in the pan to roughen the edges. • Put a generous amount of olive oil in a roasting tin and put in oven, until smoking. • Carefully take the tin out of the oven and add the potatoes to the hot fat, basting them as you do so. Sprinkle rosemary and season with salt and ground black pepper. • Put the tin back in the oven and cook for about 1 hour until the roast potatoes are golden and crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. Turn them over from time to time whilst they are cooking to make sure they colour on all sides.

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STOLLEN PREPARATION TIME 90 MINUTES COOKING TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 10 - 12 LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 100 ml warm milk • 2 teaspoons dried yeast • A pinch salt • 1 teaspoon caster sugar • 225 grams all-purpose flour + extra for dusting • Pinch of ground cloves • 1⁄2 teaspoon grated nutmeg • 1 teaspoon mixed spices • 200 grams sultanas • 25 grams flaked almonds • 50 grams unsalted butter • 1 egg, beaten • 250 grams marzipan TO FINISH • 25 grams butter, melted • 50 grams icing sugar

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• In a large bowl, sift the salt, sugar, flour, mixed spice, cloves and nutmeg into a large bowl. • Add the sultanas, almonds, milk, yeast, and butter and mix well. • Add the egg and stir well to make a dough. • Knead the dough for 5 to 6 minutes. Cover and leave to prove for 20 minutes in a warm place or in the oven at 50°C. • Uncover the dough and turn out

onto a clean, floured work surface. Using your hands knock the dough back to reduce the volume, then knead the dough for 3 to 4 minutes. • Push and roll the dough out by hand. Weigh and divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. • Knead the marzipan until soft and cut into 12 equal parts. • Flatten the dough slightly and then put a chunk of marzipan in the center. Fold the dough around the marzipan and roll into a fine ball. Repeat with the rest of the dough and marzipan. • Place the balls on a greased baking tray side-by-side to form a circle. Cover and place somewhere warm to prove for one hour or in the oven at 50°C. • Preheat the oven to 180°C. • Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden-brown and cooked through. • To finish, remove the Stollen from the oven, brush with the melted butter and dust with icing sugar immediately. • Allow the stollen to cool and serve in slices.

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SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL

CHECK

BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN

Lady Gaga Artpop Lady Gaga has deployed her biggest arsenal yet in the creation of her third full length Artpop. If the previous album was intended mainly for her little monsters (as she lovingly refers to her fans), this new one is unleashed upon the entire world with the purpose of bringing art into Pop music, as opposed to artists who try to incorporate Pop into the art world. A heavy task you might say, but one that only Gaga could pull off, if we’re counting her past achievements… or can she? As mentioned earlier, Gaga has trotted out the big guns during the recording of this album with a team of über producers who bring out the best sound quality and song

arrangements, creating tracks that are set to dazzle and throw glitter to your face, and make you feel like you’re in wonderland (or Gagaland). Sometimes this effect is superficial and doesn’t go below the surface- the music is no more the purpose and the emphasis, but rather the glam and her persona. Most of the time though, these 15 tracks offer us Gaga at her best: from continuous cabaret themes exploring sexuality throughout the first half of the album, passing through the eccentric world of fashion and shimmer to the frightening excesses of cocktail drugs, the listener is engulfed in a world straight out of a vaudeville movie. Grandiose indeed.

Wooden Shjips Back to Land Fuzztone guitars, eerie organs bathed in Krautrock, and Golden Age era Garage Psychedelia. No idea what I’m talking about? Check out Wooden Shjips’ latest release, the high and mighty Back to Land, an album that sounds as fresh as today’s milk even though it fuses music that was pioneered in the 60s and the 70s. What is remarkable about Wooden Shjips is the fact that when the band first got together in 2003, the idea was to assemble a group of individuals who played instruments but were non-musicians, the thought being that these people would have a fresh unconventional approach to creating music based

on their collective extensive influences. The plan worked marvelously, and even though ten years down the line the guys have become experienced players and composers, their creativity remains as intact as when they first got together and tried to make it work as a group. Spaced out guitars are the predominant sounds one would come to expect on a Psychedelic album- listeners won’t be disappointed as there is an abundance of it whether in rocking riffs or laid back licks, making These Shadows, Servants and Ruins small delicacies to enjoy. A true example of a good Rock album.

Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2 The cover of Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP that came out in 2000 featured the rapper sitting on the steps of his childhood home, a home that was still open and habitable. Since then, he’s watched his beloved hometown (Detroit) go partially bankrupt and his childhood home boarded up, as depicted 13 years later on the cover of The Marshall Mathers LP 2. This note of nostalgia aside, Eminem is more concerned with the present on his new album, concentrating on current events and making things happen as a nowover-the-40-mark rapper. Here, he revisits the hate and depression that Marshall faces all of the time, his

never-ending squabbles with the critics, the self-abuse that leads you to the road of self-destruction or even the homophobic or other politically incorrect lyrics as on Rap God. The beats are as big as ever and the lyrics just as sharp, with Eminem pouring out Marshall’s feelings of angst with a master’s handle, getting the help of a few friends to send the message. Skylar Grey appears in Asshole, Kendrick Lamar in Love Game while Rihanna helps out the tormented character with the voices in his head on The Monster. It’s remarkable how the angriest and saddest parts are the best moments on an Eminem album.

Tough Age Tough Age There’s a new noteworthy band I’m adding to the “New Wave of Canadian Indie Bands” list that started with Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade and other Canuck luminaries- they’re called Tough Age. As opposed to Arcade and Wolf -who were formed in Montreal and have a more subtle indie sound- Tough Age hail from Vancouver and call their music Culmination Rock, and even though I also don’t quite understand the naming, it is suffice to say that these renegades dwell in Surf/Punk/Indie Rock, which is definitely very exciting. One of the driving forces behind the 164 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

band are the vocals of Jarrett K, whose clear but edged voice and positive attitude is a perfect match to the fast fuzzy guitars which draw influences as much from Dick Dale as from Velvet Underground, the roaring bass and pounding drums completing the aura of a brilliantly heavy sound. All this can be easily enjoyed with one listen to The Heart of Juliet Jones, Sea Horse or the optimistic take on life’s possibilities on Open It Up, the rest of the album not fading in prowess and energy in any way at all. Great for a drive on a cold day across Winnipeg.

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read’em + The Circle Dave Eggers

Why you should read this book

weep BY AMAL CHAABAN

Privacy is the hottest commodity on the planet

There is no denying it, we live in a social media world where everyone relentlessly posts random thoughts, feelings, and pictures day and night. What is interesting (and at times intensely creepy) is Dave Eggers’ vision of what our social media landscape is becoming and turning us into (hint: the word boring is used). The reader is introduced to a company called The Circle, a social media/search/connectivity company that endeavours to have all of its users plugged in at all times and most especially their employees. Our hapless heroine is reprimanded more than once for

not documenting every minute of her existence and it becomes apparent that unless you conform to the true believers faction of social media, you are never going to fit in at The Circle. This book successfully conveys what is likely meant to be a satirical take on what the world is becoming with our obsession with all things social media. It also shines a spotlight on how valuable and fleeting privacy is becoming. When phrases like “privacy is theft” and “secrets are lies” are thrown around, the reader gets the idea of where the mindset is going. This is the book to read before you post that next selfie.

Hitler’s Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields Wendy Lower

Why you should read this book

Women are just as capable of genocide as men

When women are written about in war, it is usually in the narrative of the gentle caregiver, the brave warrior or the woman who waits faithfully at home. This is never the full picture and Wendy Lower aims to explore and change this tired narrative by taking a look at one of the greatest crimes of our time and the women who actively participated in it. The women of the Third Reich have rarely been researched (or investigated) as actual participants in genocide. Instead, they were mostly treated as low level worker bees who could not have known what was happening.

Lower takes that myth and shreds it to pieces by tracing the lives of at least six women who stood out in barbarism and cruelty. The teacher, the lover, the nurses, the secretary and the housewife: each of them became a grotesque parody of their function and evinced bottomless cruelty. This reviewer has always found it interesting that the roles of women in war are often glossed over. In Hitler’s Furies, Wendy Lower attempts to rip the veil off of women in times of war and genocide and she succeeds somewhat only failing in providing a why with the how.

Dark Witch Nora Roberts Why you should read this book

It’s mind candy: fun and light

Iona Sheehan grew up never quite fitting in with her family until she moves to Ireland to experience a different world and way of life with her cousins. Enter the old family curse, the handsome man and the group of sidekicks that Roberts always sketches in so well. Iona is the first of the three cousins who must face an old enemy and in order to do so, she must battle her own demons down first. This book follows the narrative of so many of her other trilogies that she likely has it down to a science, but

it still works. Long-time readers of Nora Roberts will know that she creates certain characters to be rough, certain to be gentle, and certain to be heartbroken. We find all of those here, but nonetheless the formula hasn’t grown stale. Reading a Roberts book is like cuddling up with your favourite blanket on a cold night... comforting and entertaining. This is not a book for someone looking for something new from the doyenne of light reads, rather for someone who likes to revisit her character archetypes.

Beirut Nights Jasmina Najjar Why you should read this book

You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince

Dating is never a fun-filled endeavour and when the dating pool is coloured by things like cross-culture misunderstandings it gets even worse. Toss weird people into the mix and communication difficulties due to language barriers, and it becomes a minefield. Our author is an expat who has compiled an anthology of dates she or her friends have had and come up with satirical gold. There is Mr. Panadol, the walking talking pharmacy, Mr. Macho Man who thinks the world revolves around his schedule, and my personal favourite, Mr. Wrong Symbol and Colour. They say that truth is stranger than fiction and in the cases of DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

these gentlemen, it would absolutely be the truth. Our intrepid author and her compatriots did far better than some in tolerating the idiosyncrasies that make up the Lebanese dating scene and they show exceptional bravery by continuing to dive into the dating pool over and over again. This reviewer would have loved to see more of the male point of view as I am sure there are some horror stories out there involving Lebanese women and their sometimes ridiculous expectations of what a man should do. Our recommendation for this read is to make a night of it and compare notes with your friends. www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 165

SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL

playNICE BY ADAM VOLK

Super Mario 3D World

Developer/Publisher Nintendo Platforms WiiU It’s a-hem… Mario! Yes, everyone’s favourite toiletunclogging Italian stereotype-cum-video mascot is back in his umpteenth adventure. And yes, that’s as glorious as it sounds. This time out Mario and friends find themselves transported from the Mushroom Kingdom to a land inhabited by fairy-like creatures known as “Sprixies” (I know, just go with it, okay?) and are soon butting heads (and bouncing on them) with the evil Bowser. In terms of gameplay, 3D World owes a lot to its predecessor 3D Land (which was released for the handheld Nintendo 3DS). There’s an

open world to explore in addition to the familiar 2D side-scrolling platforming the series is famous for. The game also lets you take control of four characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad- with a secret unlockable fifth character for hard core completionists. Each character has their own special abilities, adding a bit more depth to the overall multiplayer experience. There’s also a ton of new items to collect, hidden areas to explore and some rock-solid new WiiU visuals. The end result is another bonafide bouncing hit for the little plumber with the heart of gold.

Ryse: Son of Rome

Developer Crytek | Publisher Microsoft Studios Platforms Xbox One Rome wasn’t built in a day. Of course, it might very well have been destroyed in one, if Ryse: Son of Rome has anything to say about it. The ultra-gory sword ‘n sandal slash ‘em up puts you in control of General Marius, a humourless Roman soldier sent to defend the Empire from the howling barbarians at the gate. In addition to hacking your way through enemies as Marius, you’re also able to take control of the soldiers around you, issuing commands and employing various tactics. As an Xbox One release title, much has been

made about the game’s integration with the new Kinect motion control system. Unfortunately, it’s a better idea in theory than it is in execution, with many of the commands being incredibly repetitive and at times even dull. Visually, the game looks great, taking full advantage of the new graphical capabilities of the Xbox One. It’s just the rest of the game that feels a little flat. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears”… and wait until Ryse ends up in the bargain bin before picking it up.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Developer/Publisher Nintendo Platforms Nintendo 3DS

You’ve got to hand it to Link – the plucky protagonist of the Zelda games – the dude wears a giant green sock on his head, is followed around by an annoying fairy and still manages to hook shot the ladies. That’s pretty much the case with A Link Between Worlds, the latest Zelda game for the Nintendo 3DS. Set in an all-new kingdom, players once again take control of Link in an epic quest to defend the land from the forces of darkness. Gameplay uses a top-down 2D view that also incorporates the stereoscopic 3D

effects that are the bread and butter of the Nintendo 3DS. As you help Link on his quest, you’ll explore dungeons, encounter an array of nasty creatures and collect magical weapons and items. The end result is not only a welcome addition to the series, but a game that manages to improve on the Zelda franchise. It’s proof once again that when it comes to rescuing princesses, chucking boomerangs and yes, wearing questionable headwear, nobody does it better than Link.

Forza Motorsport 5

Developer Turn 10 Studios | Publisher Microsoft Studios Platform Xbox One I’m going to be honest with you: I’m a terrible driver. In fact, the first time I took my test for my driver’s license, I completely bombed. That’s why I love titles like Forza Motorsport 5, a game that lets me give in to my automotive fantasies without worrying about plastering any little old ladies to the front of my Dodge Prius. As the latest entry in the popular racing simulation series, Forza Motorsport 5 is a car nuts dream come true, featuring over 200 real world vehicles from 50

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manufacturers. There’s also a ton of new racetracks to choose from, again offering real world locations throughout Europe. You can tinker obsessively with your vehicles, challenge other racers online and take on a ton of extra game modes. Visually, the game is jaw dropping, showing just what the Xbox One can do with its fancy, schmancy new hardware. It’s the ultimate way to experience the thrill of high-octane racing – even if you are a danger behind the wheel like myself.

THE NEBULAE ISSUE

watch out BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN

About Time

| 123 mins | Romantic Comedy

Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

Traveling back in time to right your wrong in matters of the heart? This might be something any of us would give a lot to be able to do and this is what Richard Curtis, the king of romantic comedies, is exploring in his newest movie About Time. The talented director who gave us brilliant rom-coms (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually) hits another home run with “timetravel”. The last time it was used in this genre was in the 80s for the more than average flick Peggy Sue Got Married. Domhnall Gleeson, best known for his role as Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter series, plays Tim, whose

father (the marvelous Bill Nighy) reveals on his 21st birthday that all men in their family have the ability to travel in time. Instead of using this gift to build up great power and fortune, Tim decides to put it to use for the sole purpose of love, mainly Mary’s love, a girl he’s met on a literally-blind date that takes place in a restaurant where you eat in total darkness. The main characters are easy to like and what makes the movie even better is the performance of the supporting actors - they bring more colour and zest to the dialogue and help carry the two lovers with a solid funny script.

Dallas Buyers Club | 117 mins

| Drama Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto

Oscar alert! Oscar alert! That’s the first thing that comes to mind when you watch Dallas Buyers Club and see the riveting performance given by one amazing Matthew McConaughey. He’s lost an immense amount of weight for this role and would probably be unrecognizable if he passed you on the street. The year is 1986 and Mathew’s character is a “grab the bull by the horns” kinda guy: Texan Ron Woodroof. He’s been diagnosed with AIDS and since it’s the 80s, it’s still a relatively new disease with very few treatments available. After consulting a few doctors who give him no hope, Woodroof hears of a certain Dr. Vass and his drug cocktail that proves

to have some effect combating the disease. What’s the catch? Vass practices in Mexico and the drugs he uses aren’t authorized for the US. Woodroof decides to import them anyway, both for himself and other patients and creates the Buyers Club. The great thing about the script is that it’s more about Woodroof’s will to live; his humor and flourishing character don’t let up for a single minute, even during the worst moments of his sickness. His interaction with his second in command played by Jared Leto (who’s also unrecognizable here) is nothing less than a sheer pleasure to watch. Possible candidate for movie of the year.

Last Vegas | 90 mins | Comedy

Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman Picture this if you can: The Hangover, played by elderly gentlemen. Got your attention? Right. Just take the cast of said movie and replace the four main characters with Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, Morgan Freeman and Michael Douglas. Now create a different storyline, but with the humor and attitude of The Hangover, and you have an idea of what to expect in Last Vegas. Billy (Douglas) is a successful businessman who’s about to propose to his much younger girlfriend and his best friends come down to Sin City to throw him a big bachelor party. This is great except that each

of Billy’s pals has an ulterior motive for being there: Freeman wants to escape his overprotective son, Kline is miserable in a doomed marriage and De Niro is a widower who resents Douglas for not showing up to the funeral. Director Jon Turtletaub, known for his work with Nicolas Cage, relies on each actor’s individual experience in the comedy genre (they’ve all done their fair share) and squeezes out their best wit and humor. This is all channeled through a script that was specifically created taking their age under consideration. Predictable but fun.

Ender’s Game | 114 mins | Sci-Fi Action Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Asa Butterfield

Gavin Hood had a significant problem to deal with while directing the Sci-Fi action flick Ender’s Game. The director of X-Men Origins: Wolverine had to present to the public the delicate subject of children being trained for the art of war and ruthless politics- he chose a path of no compromise and gave us things as they are (and would be) during times of unrest. Earth has been at war with an alien race known as the Formics for the better half of a century; the International Military believes the outcome of this conflict will be in the hands of bright young minds. The chosen children are to be groomed for this purpose from an early age; they’re Earth’s hope DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

of ending the battles. Colonel Graff, played by Harrison Ford, has been given the task of recruitment and his quest takes him to Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield reunited here with his Hugo co-star Sir Ben Kingsley) who shows great potential to be the leader of this new warmonger generation. What follows is a series of trainings in battle schools with realistic combat scenes taking place in zero gravity rooms. It’s here that the youths slowly lose their innocence and become hardened war machines. I’m told that this screen adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s novel is not as gripping as the book, but I found it to be a very entertaining movie. www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 167

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BRAINFOOD ROUND #1

Trivia

1. In a US Court, what does a

witness plead if he/she wishes to remain silent?

2. Of what bird is it said that a

sailor will have bad luck if he kills it?

3. What is the circumference of a standard CD in cms?

4. How many square meters are there in a Hectare?

5. What dessert’s name means “Burnt Cream”?

6. What is the national airline of Australia?

7. What is the name of the girl of Lebanese heritage who was chosen as Miss USA?

8. Where will you find the name “Philip Morris” displayed?

9. What is the word used to

indicate that a person has been made a saint?

10. What is the largest country in

the world that has only one time zone?

ROUND #2

Science and Tech 1. What device produces the

microwaves in a microwave oven?

2. Conduction and Radiation are two of

the means of transferring heat. What is the third called?

3. Some vehicles are said to be fitted with DOHC. What does DOHC mean?

4. If something is subjected to a

pressure of 3 bars, how many pounds/square inch is that?

5. What is the term given to marking

on bullets that are produced by the rifling in the barrel of a gun?

6. What are the four strokes in a four stroke engine?

7. What company advertized as having produced the 1st LED 3D TV?

8. Two measurments, one is 9 square meters and the other is 9 meters squared. Which is bigger?

9. What is the name of the force

produced by a rotating motion?

10. How long does it take for blood to circulate the human body?

ROUND #3

History and Geography

1. What’s the capital of Ethiopia? 2. Prior to 1995, who was the

last British Prime Minister that did not have a wife?

3. The Gulf of Bothnia seperates Finland from which country?

4. What was the name of the

North Sea oil rig that was completely destroyed by fire in 1998?

5. What name is shared by a

lake in Africa and a state in Australia?

6. In what year was Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule?

7. What natural feature lies

between the two Great Lakes of Ontario and Erie?

8. Who disposed King Idris in 1969?

9. The city of Naples is built around the base of what volcano?

10. Which of the Queen’s children was the first to get married?

ROUND #4

Famous Quotes 1. Which Amercian President said: “I am not a crook”?

2. Which poet wrote: “T’is better to

have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”?

3. Which French millitary leader said: “A picture is worth a thousand words”?

4. “Mme you are ugly. Sir, you are

drunk. Yes Mme, but in the morning I will be sober”. Who was speaking to Lady Astor?

5. Who said, “All the world’s a stage,

and all men and women are merely players”.

6. “Every man loves two women, one is the creation of his imagination and the other is not yet born”. Which Lebanese poet said that?

7. “I have nothing to declare but my

genius”. Whose words are these?

8. Which actress said, “Women can

fake orgasms but men can fake a whole relationship”?

9. “I have not failed, I’ve just found 10 thousand ways that dont work”. Which scientist said that?

EASY

ROUND#1 1. Fifth Ammendment 2. Albatros 3. 37.7 cms 4. 10,000 5. Crème brûlée 6. Qantas 7. Rima Fakih 8. Marlboro, Benson & Hedges, Parliament, Virginia Slims and Merit 9.Canonized 10. China ROUND#2 1. Magnetron 2. Convection 3. Dual Overhead Camshaft 4. 44.1 lbs/sq.in 5. Striations 6. Induction, Compression, Ignition and Exhaust 7. Samsung 8. 9 meters squared is bigger 9. Centrifugal 10. 23 seconds ROUND#3 1. Addis Ababa 2. Margaret Thatcher 3. Sweden 4. Piper Alpha 5. Victoria 6. 1997 7. Niagara Falls 8. Colonel Gaddafi 9. Vesuvius 10. Princess Anne ROUND#4 1. Richard Nixon 2. Alfred Tennyson 3. Napoleon Bonaparte 4. Winston Churchill 5. William Shakespeare 6. Khalil Gibran 7. Oscar Wilde 8. Sharon Stone 9. Thomas Edison

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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5 6

ACROSS

11 12

20 21

22 24

25 26

29 30

31 32

42 45

57 58

64 65 67

70 71

72 73 74

82 83 84

86 87 88

1. The Daleks do this. 3. Made a risky trade for profit. 8. Enjoys giving and receiving pain. 9. Feeling morose. 13. Convey a thought. 17. Definitely needed! 18. Begins to grow. 20. A feeling of embarrassment. 22. A shady resting place in the garden. 26. The study of law. 28. The first creature in the dictionary. 30. A badly maintained building? 37. Basic. 38. Not a giving type of person. 39. Found on the bottom of a ship. 41. A fine writer? 49. One hundred satang make one of these. 50. Suggested for a position. 51. A riding event. 54. Spineless? 56. Leave. 58. Used in whale hunting. 61. Slightly wet! 63. Walked like a duck. 64. Wonderful. 66. A person in a state of moral decay is said to be this. 68. Diversify. 71. Slowed down. 72. Lifted. 73. A rich man’s car? 76. Curved in shape. 77. Against. 78. A way to kill pests. 81. Has both male and female organs. 82. Viscous. 83. Little statue in the garden? 84. A pilot’s safety device? 85. Has sympathy with. 86. Insignificant thing. 87. Cut your nails. 88. Gives up control.

DOWN

FINANCIAL AREA?

HOTEL WORKER?

43. Listened to. 44. Not taken. 45. An instrument for measuring the different colours in a solution. 46. A fly’s larva. 47. Not poison poisons. 48. He steers the ship. 52. Parts of jaws in insects. 53. For wiping your mouth? 55. Military student. 57. Hesitated. 59. A place for a telescope.

A LIGHT SNACK?

60. Lowest room in the house. 62. Trinidadian folk music. 65. A shop assistant? 67. Computer picture file. 69. A type of moon. 70. Animal stuffer! 72. Oxygen carrier? 74. Not for cars! 75. Worked it out. 77. A written notice of death. 78. Not successes. 79. An elephant’s tusk? 80. Tasteless.

NOT FOR MAC!

FILM COMMUNICATION DEVICE

A NAME

SEXY CLOTHES

ON DRUGS?

WALL STREET - BELLHOP - FLYING HIGH - FRENCH TOAST - THE LAST SAMURAI - TONY HANDCOCK WINDOWS UPDATE - MOBILE PHONE - MINI SKIRT

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

ACROSS 1. EXTERMINATE - 3. SPECULATED 8. SADOMASOCHIST - 9. DYSPEPTIC 13. INSINUATE -17. ESSENTIAL - 18. GERMINATES 20. ABASHMENT - 22. GAZEBO 26. JURISPRUDENCE - 28. AARDVARK 30. RAMSHACKLE - 37. FUNDAMENTAL 38. UNCHARITABLE - 39. KEEL 41. CALLIGRAPHER - 49. BAHT - 50. NOMINATED 51. EQUESTRIAN - 54. INVERTEBRATE 56. ABANDON - 58. HARPOON 61. DAMP - 63. WADDLED - 64. MAGNIFICENT 66. DECADENT - 68. VARIEGATED 71. DECELERATED - 72. HEFTED - 73. LIMOUSINE 76. PARABOLIC - 77. OPPOSED - 78. FUMIGATE 81. HERMAPHRODITE - 82. GELATINOUS 83. GNOME - 84. PARACHUTE - 85. EMPATHY 86. BAGATELLE - 87. EXUNGULATE - 88. RELINQUISHES

23. Talked foolishly. 24. Leftovers. 25. Has the knowledge required. 27. You will find lots of scrap here. 29. It has the same atomic number but different mass. 31. A manual computer? 32. Parts of the fingers. 33. A witch’s cooking pot? 34. A car’s instrument panel. 35. The study of birds. 36. Roman 24. 40. A maze. 42. Constantly stealing.

DOWN 2. INSERTED - 4. EYRIE - 5. KIBBUTZ - 6. TABASCO 7. JAPE - 10. PACEMAKER - 11. EARLY 12. TEMPERAMENTAL - 14. NYMPHOMANIAC 15. LATITUDE - 16. JOLLIER - 19. CABBAGE 21. KSHATRIYA - 23. BABBLED - 24. REMAINDERS 25. QUALIFIED - 27. JUNKYARD - 29. ISOTOPE 31. ABACUS - 32. KNUCKLES - 33. CAULDRON 34. DASHBOARD - 35. ORNITHOLOGY 36. XXIV - 40. LABYRINTH - 42. KLEPTOMANIAC 43. HARKENED - 44. UNACCEPTED 45. DICHROISCOPE - 46. MAGGOT - 47. VENOMS 48. HELMSMAN - 52. MANDIBLES - 53. NAPKINS 55. CADET - 57. FALTERED - 59. OBSERVATORY 60. BASEMENT - 62. CALYPSO - 65. SALESPERSON 67. GIF - 69. IO - 70. TAXIDERMIST 72. HAEMOGLOBIN - 74. WATERWAYS 75. FATHOMED - 77. OBITUARY 78. FAILURES - 79. IVORY - 80. INSIPID

2. Put in. 4. An eagle’s house? 5. A place to live? 6. Hot sauce? 7. A practical joke. 10. Used for heart problems. 11. Not late. 12. Moody. 14. Has high sexual desire. 15. Lines around the earth? 16. More happy. 19. Germans pickle this. 21. An Indian caste.

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Zodiac FROM JONATHAN CAINER

December.2013

THIS TIME LAST DECEMBER, WE WERE EDGING TOWARDS THE END OF THE MAYAN CALENDAR AND A CONJUNCTION WITH THE GALACTIC ALIGNMENT WHICH, ACCORDING TO SOME, COULD BRING ABOUT SOME KIND OF DRASTIC ‘END-TIME’ FOR US ALL. I REMEMBER GOING OUT OF MY WAY, BACK THEN, TO REASSURE PEOPLE ON BOTH ISSUES. I’D NOW LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING SIMILAR ABOUT THE MORE GLOOMY PREDICTIONS THAT WE’RE ALREADY STARTING TO HEAR ABOUT 2014. THINGS ARE NOWHERE NEAR AS BAD AS SOME MIGHT LIKE TO HAVE US THINK. AND THIS MONTH, IN PARTICULAR, LOOKS MOST ENCOURAGING FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE.

MILLA JOVOVICH IN ATELIER VERSACE AT AMFAR BENEFIT | IAN SOMERHALDER AT “LOST” LIVE: THE FINAL CELEBRATION, ROYCE HALLL, UCLA, WESTWOOD, CA. 05-13-10

MILLA JOVOVICH

IAN SOMERHALDER

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 20

Too often, we say what it is easy to say. We say what we think people want to hear. Or we say what we think we ought to be saying. We get so good at meeting expectations that we forget our true needs and feelings. Who cares, as long as we are playing to an appreciative audience. Yet, you are not an actor now, and you cannot keep up a pretence much longer. The trouble is, you feel that your secret aspiration is unreasonable or unrealistic. You fear that if you confess it, you will get little support. Be brave this month. FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

SAGITTARIUS November 23 - December 21

AQUARIUS

January 21 - February 19

Close your eyes. What do you see? Now, open them again. Er, hang on a moment. How were you able to read that last instruction if you had your eyes shut? You have stretched the rules, haven’t you? You have chosen to do what you think is best, regardless of the instruction you have been given. Good. As you have done here, so you should do with any command issued by an apparent authority in December. Wherever you are being told something by someone who cannot hear you, it’s time to ensure that your voice is heard.

The right thing to do is rarely the easy thing. We can’t automatically conclude that there’s virtue in difficulty, but we probably ought to be suspicious of solutions that seem surprisingly simple. Somewhere in your world now, a convenient assumption is being made. It sounds persuasive but it fails to take an important factor into account. You are right to be cautious and to insist on checking facts that others seem happy to accept without question. In the long run, there will be a dividend for all your December diligence.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

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PISCES

ARIES

TAURUS

Inspiration is rude and badly behaved. It strides boldly into our life without knocking and, once it forces its way into our mind, it acts as if it owns the place. Then, when it feels inclined to depart, it just vanishes without so much as a by-yourleave. It won’t, though, ever come when we call for it. This elusive force gets away with such outrageous activity because it knows that it is always welcome. Here’s a clue. If you want it to stick around when it starts to show its face this month, try not to criticise it. Make room for hope.

What’s the difference between success and failure? Well, some people seem terribly successful, yet have low self-esteem. Others have little to be proud of, but you wouldn’t know it from listening to them. And then there are the endeavours where we think, at first, we have succeeded, only to realise later that we missed the point. Or the failures that we regret for ages before suddenly seeing how good for us they have been. Don’t judge yourself - or others this month. Just be ready to learn a lovely lesson.

Most things in life happen for a reason. Few, though, happen for exactly the reason that we initially feel inclined to attribute. This may sound like an odd thing for someone like me to say but we have to be careful about what we read into omens and portents. We tend to use them as an excuse to support a prejudice. We can be too quick to let them buoy up our hopes or feed our fears. The absence of a useful asset should not be a reason to give up on a key idea. What’s needed this month is not pessimism but perseverance.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

February 20 - March 20

March 21 - April 20

April 21 - May 21

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

Are you doing the right thing? Let’s ask that question again in another 25 years. By then, you will have gained just about enough perspective to know. Until then, well there’s simply no way of telling! So you may as well stop worrying. Either it’s the right thing or it isn’t. If it really isn’t, events and circumstances will make that clear. Meanwhile, this month, unless you receive a signal so strong that you cannot possibly doubt it, work on the assumption that all is as it should be. You are doing your best to be sensitive and wise.

It’s funny really. You have to hear a criticism only once and you will remember it for all time. Yet people can praise you until the cows come home and you will still feel inclined to wonder whether they really mean it. You already know that a recent choice has been wise. Yet a part of you remains unsure. You continue to fear that you have been foolish - not least because the words of a judgemental individual still ring in your ears. Yet December is your time to be strengthened and to be supported. Be your own best friend this month.

How broad are your shoulders? How much of someone else’s emotional baggage can you take responsibility for? We all want to be sympathetic to others, to forgive them their shortcomings. Or at least, we all say we want to. Some of us are far too quick to judge and some (I think you know what I mean here) are too slow. We put up with more than we should. There is now something or someone that you need to put down. Develop a fresh perspective. Then, if you really still want to, you can pick it all back up again.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Will you be playing Santa Claus later in December. You will certainly find it helpful this month to think of yourself as a secret invisible angel, whose very presence creates opportunity in the lives of all who are nearby. Even if your own life doesn’t seem particularly well favoured, you have a profoundly positive influence on others. Meanwhile, in your world now, something that seems unremarkable or perhaps even downright undesirable, is serving a secret purpose. Strong support is nearer than you think.

Rarely do you stop once you have started. Even more infrequently do you embark on a project that you cannot complete. You know your limitations. You know that if you really push yourself, you can do almost anything! So it’s never so much a question of, ‘Can I do this?’ as, ‘Can I be bothered?’ You have lately been making some good things happen. Soon, you’ll get the chance to work another apparent miracle. Prepare for a great deed to go all but unnoticed but expect to feel pleased by how things turn out in December.

December brings the discovery that you are not alone in your desire to sort out a difficult problem. You have friends in unlikely places. You may not agree with these people about everything - but in one key area, at least, you have a common goal. You won’t find this out though, unless you embark on a process of communication. You don’t just need to listen to what’s being said, you need to ask questions so that you can make sure something actually gets said. Be candid and clear, and you will make great progress.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

May 22 - June 22

August 24 - September 23

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

June 23 - July 23

September 24 - October 23

July 24 - August 23

October 24 - November 22

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Zodiac FROM JONATHAN CAINER

January.2014

THE YEAR 2014 MAY CONTAIN MORE OF THE CLIFF-HANGING DRAMAS THAT MADE 2013 TRICKY. WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF SEVEN RARE RIGHT ANGLES BETWEEN URANUS AND PLUTO. IT IS AROUND EIGHTY YEARS SINCE WE LAST CAME UNDER THIS INFLUENCE AND THERE ARE MORE OCCURRENCES THAN USUAL IN THE CURRENT CLUSTER (WHICH BEGAN IN JUNE 2012). IT IS AS IF THE PLANETS WON’T REST UNTIL WE ALL RECOGNISE THE FLAWS IN TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS (SUCH AS BANKING AND POLITICS) THAT NORMALLY GOVERN OUR LIVES. BUT THERE’S STILL SCOPE FOR HOPE AND JOY, AS MANY OF US WILL DISCOVER THIS JANUARY.

LIAM HEMSWORTH

AQUARIUS

January 21 - February 19

Think of your fear as a wound that is slowly healing but producing a terrible itch. It’s not a good idea to scratch it. In the absence of sufficient self-control, you should cover it with a plaster. Put a barrier between yourself and the irritating thing - or factor - or person. Steer clear. Create distance. Fight that urge to keep peering into (and poking around) in some scenario that makes you restless. In 2014, time needs to pass - and you need a better way to pass time while time passes! Focus on something inspiring this month. FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

CAPRICORN December 22 - January 20

PISCES

February 20 - March 20

They say, ‘No news is good news’. They also say, ‘What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve’. Mind you, they say too that, ‘knowledge is power’. They say far too much, whoever ‘they’ are. Who cares what they say? Your first priority in January 2014, is to decide whether there is something that you believe because you know it to be true - and not just because ‘they’ say it is. Why should you bother what ‘they’ say, or think? Why would you try to remain ignorant of a fact? Don’t be afraid. Be sure of yourself.

What have you got to be proud of? Plenty! It’s funny how some people are so full of their own self-importance, while others are so apologetic. We all have areas in which we see ourselves as weak, and others where we are sure of our strengths. For some reason, at the moment, you are conscious of what you perceive to be a shortcoming. You feel you could have done better in your effort to solve a problem. You don’t yet know, though, whether you have really done badly. The events of January 2014, will bring fresh inspiration.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

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LIAM HEMSWORTH AT THE GALA PREMIERE OF “JIMMY P. PSYCHOTHERAPY OF A PLAINS INDIAN” IN COMPETITION AT THE 66TH FESTIVAL DE CANNES. MAY 18, 2013 CANNES, FRANCE

CAMILLA BELLE

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

People talk a lot about anger and aggravation. They have plenty to say about the things they disapprove of. Somehow, it seems, we find less time to sing the praises of all we appreciate and admire. That’s partly because words invariably fail to do justice to our deeper experiences. It’s partly, though, because we feel a little silly about sharing that which is dearest to our hearts. As you begin 2014, regardless of the practical problems you must solve, make sure you express some tenderness and compassion to ensure a jubilant January.

You are capable of far more than you realise. One reason why you have lately been using less than your full potential, is that you have become locked into a stable but stale habit pattern. It has been all too easy for you to ‘coast’ through life without stretching your imagination or expanding your horizons. As you enter 2014, though, it is as if you are being shaken out of a trance. You may resent the rudeness of the awakening but you will never regret the way your life alters as a result. Embrace the new like an old friend this month!

When it suits us, we all play dumb. If there is something we don’t want to see - or if there is a situation we want to avoid, we pretend to be oblivious to a factor that actually, we are fully conscious of. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with this as long as we know what it is that we are doing. Trouble comes when we try to kid ourselves that we haven’t seen something that we have seen. Either deliberately ignore what you want to ignore - or face it bravely. But don’t enter the New Year telling yourself a story you don’t believe.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

March 21 - April 20

April 21 - May 21

May 22 - June 22

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Things are getting better. You can’t see any evidence of this? That’s because it’s all happening behind the scenes. It’s as if you are in front of a curtain, putting on a performance and playing for time whilst a crew of stagehands dismantles one set and puts up another. Even if you try to lift the veil now, you will merely reveal a situation that is in some disarray. It needs a little more time to sort itself out - but it is definitely moving in the right direction. Just do your best with confidence as you enter 2014, and all will be fine.

Creativity is wonderful stuff. It picks us up, turns us around, surprises us and inspires us. We often speak of ‘creative types’ as if they were a world apart, but even if we aren’t all writers or designers, we are born to be creative. It is a need within us, as powerful and as real as the need to sleep and to eat. So where is the outlet for your imagination? Are you conjuring up unnecessary fears just to keep the inventive side of your brain busy? Look instead for a brilliant new way to go forward, into a brilliant New Year.

Fold it up. Tidy it away. Do something else instead. Focus your attention elsewhere. Anywhere. It hardly matters. But allow some kind of a distraction to enter your life. This is the only way in which you are going to attain a sense of perspective. Right now, that is what you need more than anything else. You are too close to a sensitive situation. Because you don’t have objectivity, you are dwelling on details that are confusing. Your first priority in January 2014 is to become clear. Then you will have a real victory!

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Critics can find fault with anything... and anyone. Deep within us all, there is an ‘inner critic,’ a carping voice - willing to tear any plan or proposal to shreds. We have to be careful not to pay this too much attention. It is one thing to have high standards and another to demand perfection at every turn. You can see much that is unsatisfactory in your current situation. As you enter 2014, you are right to acknowledge the existence of the problem, wrong to feel that this negates the value of all that is happening in your world.

What does the phrase, ‘feeling at home’ mean to you? It might be simpler, as you enter 2014, to consider the whole world as your home, which in the most literal sense is true. If you are going to follow your calling to explore ideas, places and people, you need your feet and your ideas about life to be a little looser than normal and to move more freely. You are not looking for anything in particular, but you will know it when you find it. And in January, you will find that wherever you feel love is where you can call home.

Remember, ‘The time it takes to talk about doing something is often longer that the time it takes to do it!’ Remember, too, that ‘The idea of a chore is often worse than the reality.’ Then, while you are remembering things, remember that, ‘It’s easy to criticise but much harder to create something truly worthy of criticism.’ As you enter 2014, you can conjure up, with surprising ease, smart solutions to pressing problems. But you can only do any of this if you stop dwelling on the downside and start making your very best effort.

FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

June 23 - July 23

September 24 - October 23

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

July 24 - August 23

October 24 - November 22

August 24 - September 23

November 23 - December 21

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OUT + ABOUT

A RIFF TO REMEMBER RED BULL SOUNDCLASH

RAGMAG GOT OUT + ABOUT AT RED BULL’S SOUNDCLASH ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 2013 AT FORUM DE BEYROUTH. OVER 2300 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE EVENT THAT SAW WHO KILLED BRUCE LEE FACE MASHROU’ LEILA IN A MUSICAL BATTLE. EACH BAND HAD TO PERFORM SONGS FROM THEIR REPERTOIRE, COVER A SONG WITH THEIR OWN MUSICAL STYLE, AND THEN FINISH A SONG THE OTHER BAND HAD STARTED. A REAL SOUND CLASH!

SOUND SYSTEM WHO KILLED BRUCE LEE

WhoKilledBruceLee @WKBLband VS MASHROU’ LEILA

Mashrou3Leila @Mashrou3Leila GET WINGS YO

@RedBullLEB

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DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014