RAGMAG Golden Gates Issue | DEC 2011 | Issue #19 by RAGMAG Magazine

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

GOLDEN GATES INTERNALIZE (AU) GOLD

Paul McCartney SIR

GOLDEN TICKET

BREAKING THE

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

Publisher Gina Gabriel El-Fady Editor in Chief Fida Z Chaaban Creative Lead Odette Kahwagi Managing Director Georges Yarack

Photograhers Christian Harb Odette Kahwagi Jason Zamora Teddy Habib Samy Harb Selected images Shutterstock

Webmaster Youmna Chagoury Stylist Jony Matta Public Relations Coordinator Lea El-Alam Marketing Advisor Daniella Tayar Admnisitrative Coordinator Teddy Younes

Contributors Lara Ariss Liliane Assaf Stephanie Aoun Jonathan Cainer Amal Chaaban Youmna Chagoury Rabih Feghali Alice Hlidkova Sarah Hourany Matthew Hussey Maria-Elena Kassab Imogen Kimber Chris Lambert Sabina LLewellyn-Davies Maha Majzoub J.E.N. Nour Obaji Jacques Tchabarian Adam Volk

Media Representative PINKOD s.a.l. Nada G. Farha General Manager Jdeideh Chalet Suisse St 444 Center 3rd floor P.O. Box 90-1462 Lebanon Tel: 01 87 16 63 Ext 103 Fax: 01 87 16 64 RAGMAG Alex Gabriel Building Rue Colomn de Sahel Sahel Alma, Keserwan Tel: 09 916 222 / 09 913 777 lea.elalam@ragmaglive.com

Printed by Raidy Printing Group

Distributor Lebanese Distributor Company Hamra, Axa Middle East bldg. Tel: 01 368 007

w w w . r a g m a g l i v e . c o m

@RAGMAGLebanon RAGMAGMagazine Opinions expressed are based solely on personal opinion and expericence, not reflective in any way of RAGMAG, a division of Raycon s.a.l.

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES GOODWILL GIFTS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD 86 GLITTER LIKE GOLD CLAP YOUR HANDS FOR PAVONI 92 COPYCAT REAL LIFE RUNWAY 102 DONNING GOLDEN GARB OUR FASHION SHOOT 62

OUT + ABOUT GOING FOR THE GOLD BEIRUT MARATHON 142 A GOLDMINE OF INFO BEIRUT COOKING FEST 56

DOLLARS + SENSE THE GOLD STANDARD WHAT IT MEANS FOR LEBANON

CULTURE CLASH GOLDEN OLDIE REVIVING LOST LANGUAGE 20 THE SHINING CHELSEA DAVINE SHOUTS GLISTEN UP 24 WASTED GOLDEN EGGS INTERVIEW WITH AMI MCKAY 28 KING MIDAS HISTORY OF ARMENIAN GOLDSMTIHS 30 GOLD RECORD BREAKER SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY 44 VOTE FOR THE GOLDEN TICKET HAYDA LEBNEN 162 FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD P!NDOLL 18

YOU + YOUR COUNTRY THE GOLDEN KEY OPENS ANY DOOR HEMOPHILIA IN LEBANON NEEDS YOU

THE FINAL FRONTIER NOBEL PRIZES ARE THE GOLDEN ACCOLADE SCIENCE 126 THE GOLDEN MEAN TECH 36

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128 129 130 131 132

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

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EDITOR’S OPINION THE GOLDEN YEARS OUR EDITOR WANTS TO BE A KID AGAIN

FOR HIM THE GOLDEN RULE WHAT NOT TO BUY HER

MON AMOUR, MON AMI GOLDEN BOYS WHERE HAVE THEY ALL GONE?

50 54 60 64 68

MIND, BODY + SOUL HELP ME NOUR + RABIH ADVICE SEIZING A GOLDEN OPPURTUNITY MATTHEW HUSSEY GOLDEN GLOBES BENEFITS OF ALTRUISM WEAVING GOLDEN THREADS DREAMING + PSYCHOLOGY THE GOLDEN ELIXIR HONEY

FML 144 TRAIN TO BE A CHEF GOLDFINGER AT THE FOUR SEASONS 66 70

THE GOLDEN DOMES OF

MIRROR MIRROR IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GOLD FEATHER ROSA SPA SILENCE IS GOLDEN FEET FIRST AT ZA ZEN

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY 140 AS GOOD AS GOLD BEIRUTRESTAURANTS.COM 148 RESTAURANT REVIEW TABLE FINE 150 HEART OF GOLD 152 CHEF ROBERTO BULLIAN GOLDEN TABLE HOLIDAY SEASON RECIPES 134 TAKE ME WITH YOU KIEV’S GOLDEN DOMES TRAVEL 158 BRAINFOOD QUIZZ. DINGBAT. CROSSWORD. SUDOKU.

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publisher’s letter

FASHION SHOOT MAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAMY HARB CHECK OUT THE VIDEO MAKING OF ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

I’m writing this short and hopefully useful message as a start of the front page of RAGMAG magazine. Before I begin to read this month’s issue I should tell you guys that it’s a ONE HELL OF AN IDEA this 3D! I mean woah! And I’m going to add one thing, I think the mag took a place in my heart from the first time I walked inside the living room and saw it lying on the table. I was like yea something to look forward to this evening! So thank you for that. Also, It was a first to find articles about LSD in a Lebanese magazine. I was always curious to find out more about it and although I searched several sources they were all from abroad. That was a very interesting article- thanks for that enjoyed every part of it.

I’m a fan of RAGMAG magazine, although I have just recently discovered it. I picked up my first issue from Couqley restaurant in July and I’m now a big supporter :) I just finished reading November’s issue and to be honest with you, I felt compelled to complete it, by reading all the articles and making sure not to miss any as they were all very inspiring. I usually like reading, particularly magazines and articles which are of interest to me, however, there’s something special about RAGMAG. It covers a bit of everything, especially culture, psychology, social subjects (my favourites) in a light and fun way... It is rare to find a local social/cultural magazine nowadays with interesting subjects. I am always delighted to read it, it is a true inspiration. Thank you for putting it up together and good luck.

Joanna Elias Bou Daher

Elise Safi

RM has decided to ring in the festive season and bid farewell to the year 2011 dressed in gold and looking sexy and smart as usual. I am sure that you have not heard anyone call a magazine ‘sexy’ before, but that’s exactly what I think of it every time. With RM nothing is deja vu, not even our Golden Gates Issue. I would like to say thank you to SWAROVSKI and to L’OCCITANE for the beautiful reader rewards. I consider it a privilege to be able to give our readers such beautiful prizes and I enjoy watching them compete for it. I would like to thank Ms. Joanna Bou Daher and Ms. Elise Safi, for writing to us about RM. As promised we will be giving you each a 6 month subscription, delivered straight to your door. On that note, I would like to keep encouraging our readers to keep writing in to publisher@ragmaglive.com

with your comments about the magazine, and for Christmas you too will be getting a free 6 month subscription. If you’re on Twitter please talk to me @GinaGabriel1, I look forward to hearing from you. Follow RAGMAG on Twitter as well @RAGMAGLebanon. All what’s left for me to say is have a Merry Christmas everyone, and hope you welcome in the new year safely.

Gina Gabriel El-Fady Publisher

READER IMAGES WITH VARIOUS ISSUES OF RAGMAG. THANKS FOR SENDING THEM IN- THE MORE THE MERRIER! TAG US ON FACEBOOK OR TWEET US.

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SUBSCRIBE TO SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 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 09 916 222 / 09 913 777 RAGMAG Alex Gabriel Building, Rue Colomn de Sahel Sahel Alma, Keserwan

w w w . r a g m a g l i v e . c o m ON OUR COVER PHOTOGRAPHY ODETTE KAHWAGI STYLIST JONY MATTA Neck piece by NICOLAS JEBRAN Head piece by MISSAK HAJIAVEDIKIAN MODEL Mira | Lips Agency

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@RAGMAGLebanon RAGMAGMagazine

editor’s letter

GOLDEN GATES BECAUSE RAGMAG IS OPEN TO EVERYTHING I want to talk a bit about our November 3D issue. We thank you all for the tweets, the emails and the pictures you’ve sent our way. It is great hearing from so many people especially on our Facebook page. We’re also really enjoying watching the competitions for our reader rewards. RAGMAG readers definitely know how to keep their eye on the prize! Usually we get feedback about specific articles. This time around it was generally about the 3D theme. Big shout out to our readers for making us the most talked about mag in Lebanon and look for next year’s 3D issue. The Golden Gates issue is our way to celebrate the holiday season. We’ve got gold on the brain in everything from economics to fashion. We looked at gold in art and in science and thought about all the ways we could tie a golden knot, so to speak. In our RAGged Gold Facts there are some pretty cool ideas that could have been explored on their own but for lack of space, the mini mentions will have to suffice. My personal favourite this issue is Sarah Hourany’s look at the psychological benefits of giving in her article Golden Globe. It talks about the mental aspects

of altruism, something everyone should learn about and reap the rewards from. My second fave article? Youmna Chagoury visits the Four Seasons and gets behind the scenes as a Goldfingered Chef. She made a special gold truffle with Executive Chef Charles Azar and they’ve shared the recipe here for all of you foodies to try at home! For those of you who have missed an issue here or there, you can download the PDFs or read them online at www.issuu.com/RAGMAG. We endeavour to make our content as available as possible to our readers and we love when you pass us around! Don’t just follow me on Twitter, talk to me on Twitter @fidachaaban Write to me at letterstotheeditor@ragmaglive.com Finally, follow the magazine on Twitter for news, updates, and contests @RAGMAGLebanon and join us on Facebook at facebook.com/RAGMAGMagazine Fida Z Chaaban | Editor in Chief

IMAGES FROM AGONISTIK GALA HELD OCTOBER 31 WITH DIRECTOR NAGY SOURATY AND A BEVY OF PERFORMANCE ARTISTS. SUPPORT THE ARTS IN LEBANON.

PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

letters to the editor FOR OUR NOVEMBER 3D ISSUE WE HAD LOTS OF FUN ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION AND HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

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

IF YOU’RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE A PIC WITH YOUR FAVORITE ISSUE OF RAGMAG, SEND IT OUR WAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OR EMAIL! WE’D LOVE TO SEE IT- WE’VE GOT SOME READER PICS ON OUR PUBLISHER GINA GABRIEL’S PAGE THIS MONTH- CHECK THEM OUT. RAGMAG reserves the right to edit for clarity and content

RAGMAG loves reader interaction so we paired up with Swarovski and ran a few different contests on our social media platforms- Facebook + Twitter. We posted the teasers for the different Swarovski rewards on our Facebook Fan page a few days beforehand then started the contests. That’s not all: We’re also showcasing some of their collection on the next page! You can find the reader rewards in all Swarovski shops around Lebanon: ABC Achrafieh, ABC Dbayeh, Dunes Center, Downtown and CITYMALL.

Congratulations to three RAGMAG readers! Maya Maalouly was our first Facebook winner! She was the first person to get 25 likes on her fill in the blank post that rewarded her with this cool Swarovski USB key. She had to go back to the teaser, find the right answer and get 25 likes on her post that said, “Made with 54 Indian Siam crystals, it holds 4GB of info! What a heart stopper!” The red silicon heart definitely had some stiff competition. Great work, Maya! Value 165.000 LBP Liza Zamroud was our second Facebook winner. She’s taking home Swarovski’s Loveheart pendant! Liza had to get 40 Likes on her post that was also a fill in the blank. Checking the teaser first, she posted, “This Loveheart’s chain is rhodium-plated and made with fuchsia coloured crystal! I LOVE YOU, RAGMAG- GIMME THAT SPARKLE!” We love you too, Liza- congrats on your reward! Value 315.000 LBP

Rawan Annan was our Twitter winner! We told readers they had to Like the image of the Swarovski Nirvana ring and then tweet 3 separate sentences that began with “@RAGMAGLebanon I love Swarovski because___” and fill in the blank. Rawan was the first to tweet that she loved Swarovski because they’re pink and shiny and Swiss? No, they’re Austrian but good guess! Rawan’s new Swarovski Nirvana ring is crafted in trendy Amethyst crystal and is silver-plated. Congrats! Value 360,000 LBP @Liberate2Create 12 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

SWAROVSKI’S NEW HOLIDAY COLLECTION HAS US ALL SHOOK UP! THE ELIOT AND ERIKA SNOWGLOBES ARE THE COOLEST THING TO COME AROUND IN A WHILE. THE COLLECTOR SWAROVSKI ITEMS COME ON A RHODIUM-PLATED CHAIN AND THE BEST PART IS WHEN YOU SHAKE THEM, THEY ACTUALLY ACT AS SNOWGLOBES! GET AUTHENTIC SWAROVSKI THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH THESE FUN AND FUNCTIONAL ACCESSORIES. GET ONE AS A GIFT AND KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF. RAGMAG IS CALLING DIBS ON ELIOT!

Swarovski ABC Achrafieh | ABC Dbayeh Dunes Center | Downtown CITYMALL

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editor’s opinion

GOLDEN YEARS WHEN I GROW UP... I WANT TO BE A KID AGAIN

STREET ART BY BANSKY

often wonder if RAGMAG has helped our readers think out of the box. I am not sure because I wonder, are the people who read the mag the ones who already agree with us? Equal rights, non-sectarian, prochoice… the list goes on. I know our staff agrees on all these points, but do our readers? And if not, have we helped sway them a bit in the liberal direction? That’s what RAGMAG is really about: Watching the pendulum sway and learning to adopt a new perspective. In past issues I have used my opinion editorial to try and convince our readers of certain things. I cloak the opinions in pop culture and I use examples from abroad so unless you’re reading carefully, you aren’t necessarily getting the underlying point. That is fine since the more obvious points serve the same purpose, albeit outside of Lebanon.

Usually, the colloquialism “golden years” refers to post-retirement when you are free to enjoy life and live without burden. I beg to differ- my golden years were when I was a child, when I had only a vague notion of all the torrid things that went on and a cartoon was just that- a cartoon. Some of the greatest “kid’s stories” aren’t kid’s stories at all and we all stand to learn from them. Just like I don’t want you to take my op ed at face value, these shows and movies aren’t to be taken at face value either.

Who’s Who Most people are familiar with Family Guy, The Simpsons and finally South Park: 3 animated series that have adult cult followings. The third on the list, South Park, developed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, is actually labelled as an adult cartoon. All 3 series are

THESE 3 CARTOONS [FAMILY GUY, THE SIMPSONS, SOUTH PARK] ARE FOOD FOR THOUGHT, IF YOU BOTHER TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE AND SUSPEND YOUR INITIAL FEELINGS OF OUTRAGE AND SHOCK 14 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

tongue in cheek and address subjects that are considered taboo. Things they depict often go untouched by mainstream television and other forms of media. Sometimes they take current events and formulate their stories around them and if you aren’t on the ball, you’ll miss all sorts of cultural references from history, art and science. Some astute members of the media have posited that you aren’t really “someone” unless you’ve been parodied or featured on one of these shows. Taking a quick look at Wikipedia can help you decipher some of the hidden secrets you may have missed in your favorite episodes and if you’ve never bothered to watch any of the 3, I promise that you are missing a slew of relevant information. You may not agree with their medium of delivery, especially since it can border on cruel and even vulgar, but all the same you will learn something new every single time. These 3 cartoons are food for thought, if you bother to give them a chance and suspend your initial feelings of outrage and shock.

Play it Again, Sam When Tom Cruise lost his marbles, South Park went at him full force for a few reasons: His weirdo obsession with Scientology (for more on that revert back to August’s issue where we looked at the Church of Scientology’s Upside Down Logic) and his very public decline. After all, this was Tom Cruise, a face many of us have grown up idolizing. If you didn’t see Cruise’s exceptional blockbuster performances, you were pretty much living under a rock. When a bona fide superstar like Cruise picks up a crazy cause like Scientology and promotes it with fervor, the best way to fight it

is through satirical art. The South Park episode featuring Cruise was called “Trapped in the Closet” and in response threats were issued by the movie star’s camp that he wouldn’t fulfill his contractual obligations (both Comedy Central and Paramount Pictures are owned by Viacom). Parker and Stone quickly issued a farcical statement that they were under the rule of the “dark lord Xenu” as a sharp jab at Cruise and the Church of Scientology. The episode itself was nominated for an Emmy Award and listed as one of the TV Guide’s “TV’s Top 100 Episodes of All Time” among other accolades.

WHEN TOM CRUISE LOST HIS MARBLES, SOUTH PARK WENT AT HIM FULL FORCE FOR A FEW REASONS: HIS WEIRDO OBSESSION WITH SCIENTOLOGY AND HIS VERY PUBLIC DECLINE

WATCH THIS VIDEO BY SEARCHING SOUTH PARK STUDIOS WEBSITE EPISODE 0912

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editor’s opinion

Home Alone

Fair Game Stone and Parker call themselves “equal opportunity offenders” meaning that anyone and everything is subject to their wit. This was proven when they flouted censorship of the Prophet Mohammed’s image and continuously used the touchy subject in several episodes. They frequently released statements saying that any censorship of the images and mentions were done by Comedy Central and without their agreement. The Simpsons are also equal opportunity offenders, even attacking their own network (20th Century FOX) and their production in the viral Banksy episode. The opening segment and the famous Simpson’s “couch gag” were both created by Banksy, who was quoted in The Guardian as saying it was “inspired by reports that Simpsons characters are animated in Seoul, South Korea.”

The Guardian’s article also stated that “the sequence is said to have been one of the most closely guarded secrets in US television – comparable to the concealment of Banksy’s own identity.” Banksy depicted Simpsons paraphernalia and artwork being created in an Asian sweatshop, basically commenting on the outsourcing of one of America’s best loved TV shows and the deplorable conditions that come with outsourcing to Asia in general. A representative for the Korean company decried the episode and said the animators worked in a “high-tech” environment, clearly missing Banksy’s point. The Simpsons has attacked their own network in the past and has created controversy reaching to levels of worldwide government bodies such as the episode where Bart visits Australia (also mentioned in our August Upside Down issue).

In Lebanon, we’ve got a couple of famous cartoon characters of our own on TV stations that poke fun at various politicians and jest about current events. This is widely understood to be adult material and a voice to express the thoughts of some to a viewership of many. The cartoons that I have mentioned above do the very same thing, but they are a much richer source of information and a better platform of dissent for obvious reasons: They’re based in countries where free speech and safety of your person is a given. We are not. RAGMAG tries our very best to be a Simpsons, a South Park and a Family Guy in Lebanon. Revert back to your golden years of childhood with us (we’re pretty retro), but don’t be a kid again like me- try to read between RAGMAG’s lines- it’s the only way we can deliver the information that may otherwise land us in hot water

“THE SEQUENCE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY GUARDED SECRETS IN US TELEVISION COMPARABLE TO THE CONCEALMENT OF BANKSY’S OWN IDENTITY” WATCH THIS VIDEO BY SEARCHING YOUTUBE.COM SIMPSONS BANKSY

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cultureclash

GOLDEN

OLDIE KEEPING DWINDLING LANGUAGES ALIVE BY IMOGEN KIMBER

‘LANGUAGES ARE JUST A PART OF A CULTURE BUT IF YOU LOSE A LANGUAGE YOU VERY OFTEN LOSE THE CULTURE’

isiting my family over the summer I realized the reason my father’s mutterings had become so incomprehensible was because he was constantly practicing his Cornish. He is one of approximately 400 people in the entire world who is keeping this ancient language (and so he believes), his culture alive.

ONE FOR ALL...

When I invariably get asked where I am from I always explain that I am English but I am also Cornish, which means unlike the English I am not Anglo-Saxon but of Celtic heritage. If I have the misfortune of mentioning

this within earshot of another English person they often find it pretty funny that I see myself as a slightly different ethnicity. The Cornish have a flag, a delicious collection of regional food, specific dances and sports, a long heritage with plenty of archaeology, and this one is usually the clincher, a language. For many having a language can be used as a defining point in an ethnicity and is part of their personal identity. “Languages are just a part of a culture but if you lose a language you very often lose the culture. People don’t identify with themselves and their culture if they lose their language, for some reason,” my Father argued.

‘PEOPLE DON’T IDENTIFY WITH THEMSELVES AND THEIR CULTURE IF THEY LOSE THEIR LANGUAGE’ 18 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

... AND ALL FOR ONE

Cornish language tutor Jerry Jefferies holds lessons up and down the county with at least 100 people on his register. Jefferies is adamant that we are seeing the very early beginnings of the Cornish language growing in strength and use. Cornish is in fact the fastest growing language in Europe, this is a slightly distorted fact though namely because doubling low numbers still comes out with relatively low numbers. There seems to be a unanimous agreement between the folk I have spoken to, the majority thinking it is a reaction to the homogenized direction people perceive we are heading in. Meaning they want to preserve their culture and, and as my Dad echoes, language is an all important element in this quest.

Cornwall has been usurped as part of England for over 700 years (previously to which it was a Kingdom) nonetheless Jefferies sees the creation of Europe as a push to many nationalities wanting some level of autonomy or at least recognition. “We have seen the effect of the over centralization within the EU specifically which keeps to standardize everything and make everybody the same. The influences that come from outside of Cornwall are an over centralizing philosophy. They have had enough of being seen as one European whole and they want a more regional identity. People are focussing on their regional difference as they are becoming a homogenous blob,” Jefferies eloquently put it. Perhaps a difference is that unlike Cornwall many areas never let their languages die and in the case of Spain never let go of their autonomy to the same extent. In Brittany, France, where they speak Breton, a language extremely similar to the Cornish, an elderly gentleman from Cornwall with a pasty and a pint of cider can converse with an elderly gentleman in Breton as he plays boules and drinks their own cider with a galette. Catalan is another famous example with its capital being Barcelona and

there is the much more contentious Basque Country (which crosses France and Spain) and still presses for independence.

KERNOW ONEN HAG OLL

Meg Lamond who is Cornish but has lived in Wales is learning Welsh: “I’ve decided to concentrate on learning Welsh first then Cornish, as I can learn it more naturally, by osmosis, and as I have more friends who speak Welsh fluently.” Jerry made a similar point, that not only is it uninspiring to learn a language which you cannot function in but it is also far more difficult. For Cornish this is one of the hardest battles. While adults think that it must be the children that learn Jerry argues exactly the opposite for this very reason. If children learn it at school it is as relevant as learning Latin as it is not something they hear at home.

have been producing much of their documentation in both languages, and the council have agreed that when road signs need replacing they will be done so in both Cornish and English. One simple reason that pushed my father, was it is a native British language that is at risk of dying and if people don’t learn it and don’t speak it, it will die altogether. “There doesn’t need to be a reason,” said Jefferies, “it’s an expression of the national identity of the people who use it. It doesn’t need to be anything more than that [...]. If people use it lives, if they don’t use it dies and with it people lose their sense of nationality.” Seems a tad bit like Arabic in Lebanon

Jerry sees the way for the language to come back to life is by slipping its way back into society in real life, and by this he meant in businesses. Saying it is at the very early stages is perhaps a little generous, but Jerry was able to point out that a few years ago the supermarket Asda wrote all of their signs in Cornish, a branch of solicitors are producing legal documents in both languages, since 2009 the Crown Prosecution

ABOVE, TOP TO BOTTOM: CORNISH TEXT, ARABIC TYPOGRAPHY BY TAREK ATRISSI TAREKATRISSI.COM

‘IT’S AN EXPRESSION OF THE NATIONAL IDENTITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO USE IT. IT DOESN’T NEED TO BE ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT’

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

THE

SHINING

20 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

THIS PAGE: SEEP 60 ACID, WATER, GOLD LEAF ON STEEL 110 x 110 x 4 cm PRIVATE COLLECTION

CHELSEA

DAVINE SHOUTS

GLISTEN UP BY MAHA MAJZOUB

cultureclash

etween a mass of artwork huddling together under one roof, your eye is most likely to turn to an artwork by Chelsea Davine if the British artist is exhibiting. Regardless of culture, education, and class, the eye unconsciously likes shiny things, whether around your finger, in your wallet, or on your walls. And Davine’s art never disappoints in the shine department. Shining neither like a trinket nor like a diamond, Davine’s art probably falls somewhere in the middle. It is both superficially beautiful and conceptually profound.

With a touch of bling, Davine’s art is a commentary on life, time, and death. But you have to scratch the surface to get there – if you want to get there. And there are lots of surfaces. Davine loves layers. She also has a soft spot for metal – steel, copper, rust, you name it. But there is always some warmth in the end result despite the roughness of the materials in use. The endless interplay of red, brown, and gold always exudes that warmth. Sometimes, it’s more than warmth – it’s hot, it burns. The canvas burns, the message burns.

Scorching her canvases with diluted nitric and hydrochloric acid, Davine stands there and watches it burn, and she likes the way it hurts. She likes her medium to corrode. She wants it to corrode, because she knows everything will corrode and wash away the beautiful, shimmering exterior. “Charred”, a 100x100x2.8cm oil and gold leaf on canvas, underscores “the wear and tear of life” that Davine constantly endeavors to capture. She does that again with “Encrusted 1”, which would have been of identical dimensions and media as “Charred” had it not been for the single addition of varnish.

CHARRED GOLD LEAF, OIL, VARNISH ON CANVAS 100 X 100 X 2.8 CM

EXUDE POLYUTHERANE, OIL, GOLD LEAF ON CANVAS 90 X 90 X 2.8 CM PRIVATE COLLECTION

SHINING NEITHER LIKE A TRINKET NOR LIKE A DIAMOND, DAVINE’S ART PROBABLY FALLS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE. IT IS BOTH SUPERFICIALLY BEAUTIFUL AND CONCEPTUALLY PROFOUND

ENCRUSTED 1 GOLD LEAF, OIL, VARNISH ON CANVAS 100 X 100 X 2.8 CM

Davine professes an unyielding fascination with the passage of time and the relationship between objects and their environment, a la Andy Goldsworthy style – a fellow Brit who literally collaborates with nature to make his creations. “‘Listen, time passes, listen,’” she says, quoting a favored line from Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s play “Under Milk Wood”. “All things will pass. Our time here is limited and to be enjoyed or to make a positive difference to the people you love and hopefully to others you don’t,” she argues. “I love the layering of time and the richness of texture, which wisdom gives the way you think.” That is why she is not interested in the purity or permanence of the metal. That is what we as viewers look at. Davine is more interested in how metal ages. And once we evolve from viewers to followers of Davine’s art, so will we.

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METALHEAD Metal for Davine is not a medium; it is the canvas, which lets her trace the corrosive effects of time, water, and oxygen. Pouring acid acts as nature; it gently destroys the oily surface that preserves the steel exterior. And scratching acts as the hand of time, encouraging rust. From there, Davine applies and scrapes away layers. She smacks on the paint, layering subtle gold leaf – a mainstay in her recent artwork. The interaction of rust with gold, the raw with the shiny, the dark with the light, accentuates the brownish effects of life as we go along. It’s first beautiful and later painful to the eye, like aged wood, which draws mixed feelings from us after spotting the cracks. In many cases, Davine’s pieces resemble aged wood, not just metaphorically. This is what happens with “Caramel”, a 60x60x3.5cm diptych of gold leaf, oil, and aging varnish (see opposite page).

They are “three-dimensional abstracts or paint sculptures”, as she likes to call them, merging textures and colors, which change with the heaviness of the light. Davine also mixes techniques. The London-born artist, who trained as a sculptor at the old Hornsey Art College in North London, has also worked as a designer. She always flirts with both disciplines without forgetting to pay homage to an older generation of sculptors and land artists, the likes of Richard Wentworth and Antony Gormley. While she is grateful to her tutors, who, she says, “encouraged me to follow a career in art”, it is not the classroom that has had a formative impact on Davine’s artistic practice, but being

outside, experiencing life firsthand, with all its rust and gold. When she was a student, Davine would take fieldtrips to a coalmine in Wales, to stone quarries in Portland, Dorset, and to the former shipyard, Swan Hunter, northeast of England. She would stand numbed in the foundry, gazing at the metals as they became malleable through pressure and heat. “I can still feel the freezing cold, and recall the color and intense heat of the furnace and the smell of molten metal,” she remarks. It was then that Davine knew she wanted “to bring out the whole harmonious, elemental process in her work” as well as “make something beautiful and delicate out of something as uncompromising as steel, stone, copper or lead.”

METAL FOR DAVINE IS NOT A MEDIUM; IT IS THE CANVAS, WHICH LETS HER TRACE THE CORROSIVE EFFECTS OF TIME, WATER, AND OXYGEN CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: HARVEST MOON OIL, GOLD LEAF ON CANVAS 150 x 150 cm UNTITLED OIL, GOLD LEAF ON CANVAS 168 x 130 cm REVEAL GOLD LEAF, OIL, VARNISH ON CANVAS 120 x 120 x 2.8 cm PRIVATE COLLECTION

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cultureclash

THE INTERACTION OF RUST WITH GOLD, THE RAW WITH THE SHINY, THE DARK WITH THE LIGHT, ACCENTUATES THE BROWNISH EFFECTS OF LIFE AS WE GO ALONG

BEAUTY AND THE EAST What further cemented her infatuation with metal, which with time would become a grounded love, was the travels of the Western European to far flung locations. Her father was a former British army officer in Oman and later spent time working with NGOs in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Africa. When she was on the mountainous terrain of the Khyber Pass, which links Pakistan and Afghanistan, her attention was on such things as the abandoned and rusty Russian tanks and other poetically decaying structures.

“OMAN IS ALWAYS IN MY MIND, THEIR JEWELRY, STRUCTURES, PEOPLE – SIMPLE, STRONG, AND DELICATE – AND THE SHAPES AND FORMS OF THE DESERT”

And since moving to Barcelona with her family in 1998, Davine, now a mother of two, has also been seeing the lights and hues of Spain in her artwork. “In London, I used concrete and grey; in Barcelona I use steel, red, and gold,” she says. As a European artist with a foot in the Mediterranean and memories of the East, she feels this fusion of oddities has been an absolute blessing, one that has shaped her oeuvre by taking a little something from everywhere she’s been. “Oman is always in my mind,” she says, “their jewelry, structures, people – simple, strong, and delicate – and the shapes and forms of the desert.” She also points to Russia as having been deeply influential to her cognitive and visual development, “its icons, gold leaf, cracked surfaces, churches, subdued colors, and native artwork.” She takes England everywhere with her, she stresses, “as I always carry my identity inside and its shoreline.”

CARAMEL DIPTYCH - GOLD LEAF, OIL, AGEING VARNISH ON CANVAS 60 x 60 x 3.5 cm PRIVATE COLLECTION

Davine recently paid tribute to home with a series of stunning oil and gold leaf Union Flags. She doesn’t leave out the “expansive history of art, religion, warmth, and color” of her adopted home of Spain, where she is represented by Tasneem Gallery. Tasneem Salam, of Tasneem Gallery, which specializes in African and Asian art, says Davine’s “ability to celebrate the mundane along with the vibrancy” of her palette and the richness of her texturing is what “underpins the unique allure of her work”. “Chelsea’s work, with its wonderful juxtaposition of texture and color, is an affirmation of the beauty of life, if we know how to look for it,” Salam indicates. Davine’s work undoubtedly shines. It shouts glisten up, but what you see and hear is up to you without any dictates from the artist www.milk-gallery.com

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

KILL THE GOOSE LAYING THE GOLDEN EGG New York Times

BESTSELLING AUTHOR

AMI MCKAY EXPLORES DETERIORATION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION BY AMAL CHAABAN

Amal Chaaban talks to bestselling author Ami McKay exclusively for RAGMAG In “The Birth House”, superstition is rife along the bay. Do you think that those superstitions are a human’s way of controlling or explaining events around them over which they have no control?

Ami McKay’s debut novel, The Birth House was a #1 bestseller, winner of three CBA Libris Awards, nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and a book club favourite around the world. Her new novel The Virgin Cure, is inspired by the life of her great-great grandmother, Dr. Sarah Fonda Mackintosh, a female physician in 19th century New York. Born and raised in Indiana, Ami now lives in Nova Scotia. @SideshowAmi www.amimckay.com

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I really do think you are on to something when you talk about explaining things, especially things that they can’t control and in this part of Canada and the world, the natural surroundings and also the seasons of the year really dictate how people live their lives. Even today, a lot of people who live here are farmers or fishermen so they are really at the will or whim of the seasons and of nature. That is where I think a lot of those stories come from. There is also a lot of truth in there too even though they are using this idea of magic or superstition to explain something. What I learned in doing research and talking to people who had lived here all of their lives was that how they sort of impart knowledge to the next generation. They have a really great saying about watching the sky, ‘Red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning”. It holds true if you see the sunset or sunrise colouring the day’s weather.

The hypocrisy of Aunt Fran with her pious attitude and self-righteousness stands in stark contrast to a part of her true nature. Do you think that some people hide behind a veil of piety to keep their darkest parts hidden?

Yes, and I think also because they are fearful. They are really afraid of maybe even themselves or to tap into who they really are especially when you think that society is dictating or expecting you to be a certain way. Whether that is your community or a religious affiliation or your family, it can be really difficult if that is not how you really are to break out of that and be something else. In fact, it could possibly wreck your life to a certain extent to go in a certain direction and be someone else. I think that people’s fear keeps them from doing that. The sad part is, if you could only find the strength to do it then you would be immeasurably happy because then you would find your true self and probably your true community too. It takes a lot of courage to step outside whatever your society is expecting of you and it takes a lot of risk. I think a lot of people aren’t willing to do that. There are more people like Aunt Fran than there aren’t.

‘WHETHER THAT IS YOUR COMMUNITY OR A RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION OR YOUR FAMILY, IT CAN BE REALLY DIFFICULT IF THAT IS NOT HOW YOU REALLY ARE TO BREAK OUT OF THAT AND BE SOMETHING ELSE’

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‘SO MANY OF OUR ANCESTORS WORKED SO HARD FOR US TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE, TO OWN PROPERTY, TO HAVE JOBS OF OUR OWN CHOOSING, THE CHOICE TO BE A MOTHER OR NOT, A WIFE OR NOT AND YET IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE WILLING TO TEACH OUR DAUGHTERS OR OURSELVES THAT IT IS OK TO BE A PRETTY OBJECT AND NOT LOOK DEEPER’

The women in “The Birth House” are mistreated in a myriad of ways from condescension to abuse. Was that a norm in the behaviour?

I think it was definitely normal for there to be a divide between genders. A lot of it had to do with the choices that women would make and at that time period, with the rise of [the suffragist movement] and the idea that they wanted to have more choice in their lives. They wanted to be able to vote, they wanted to be able to work outside the home if that was a possibility or to break the standard of getting married at an early age and having a family. If that wasn’t the life that they wanted, it was very hard for them to go ahead and make that choice. I think that within a small community as depicted in ‘The Birth House’, it was fairly common for the male population to react that way because they felt threatened to a certain extent. Also, for many years in Canada, when you signed a marriage contract, you become what is called “chattel”.

You were almost like property or you belonged to your husband so you can imagine, if it is set up that way in society and women weren’t allowed to own property and vote. The prevalent attitude [was] that the woman wouldn’t necessarily try to assert her ideas or independence in the home. Many men saw that as misbehaviour or they felt very threatened by woman who would act otherwise. The status of women in both “The Birth House” and “The Virgin Cure” is truly abysmal. Was that hard for you to research, acknowledge and then write? Do you think that with our current regressive society much has changed?

It was really something that led me to write both books was not only the research - when there were times that I was just in tears reading an account of how a woman was treated or in reading for ‘The Virgin Cure’ how these young girls were treated like commodities – it was difficult and it was also difficult for

me especially because I was studying my own family history to think about my great-great grandmother being a doctor on the streets in New York during this time period when there were 30,000 homeless children under the age of 15 on the street. She is trying her best along with a few other people [but] there were not nearly enough hands to help all the people who needed help. I felt like seeing that through the eyes of history made me realize that in some aspects we have come a long way. We have laws in place that raised the age of consent, we have other laws that can protect us from certain things but at the same time images of very young girls, 11, 12 with so much makeup on and wearing clothing that you know someone has made a conscious effort to make that child look like a woman far before her time and these girls are sort of acting out in ways that are provocative. I think they don’t even understand the ramifications, they seem to crave the attention but not understanding that they are not going to be paid attention to in a way that really acknowledges who they are and who they can be. It’s all appearances, all facades. So many of our ancestors worked so hard for us to have the right to vote, to own property, to have jobs of our own choosing, the choice to be a mother or not, a wife or not and yet it seems like we are willing to teach our daughters or ourselves that it is ok to be a pretty object and not look deeper.

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‘I HAVE WALKED DOWN THE STREET IN NEW YORK, IN HALIFAX, IN JUST ABOUT ANY MAJOR CITY IN NORTH AMERICA THAT YOU CAN THINK OF AND AGAIN, IT IS A REFUSAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOMEONE YOU SEE ON A STREET CORNER WHO IS ASKING FOR A HANDOUT AS ANOTHER HUMAN BEING’

The poor are looked upon with distaste in “The Virgin Cure” and at one point Moth thinks about how the beggars are thought to be lazy. Do you think that in today’s high achievement mentality, we still look on the poor the same way?

In “The Virgin Cure”, the struggle for survival is paramount amongst the poor. Do you think it is still like that?

I think we have a lot of what I would call working poor in our society today especially with the crash of the economy. There are people who never thought they would lose their homes and yet lost their homes and are living with extended family members or in shelters or have become homeless. It is a story that gets told over and over again and I think we do start to lose track of it because we hear it so often that we have sort of become numb to

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it. I have been following online this really great guy who has travelled across all of North America. His name is Mark Horvath. He writes for Huffington Post sometimes but he tweets as @invisiblepeople on twitter where he not only gathers up supplies and takes them to shelters, he interviews these people so that you can actually find out about them. You can hear their personal stories and you realize how fortunate you are if you do have a roof over your head and you can pay your bills because it is very tenuous in many places all over the world.

Absolutely- I have heard people say it. I have walked down the street in New York, in Halifax, in just about any major city in North America that you can think of and again, it is a refusal to acknowledge someone you see on a street corner who is asking for a handout as another human being. It is much easier for anyone to just walk by and not acknowledge that or to somehow judge that person’s situation because what that does is that keeps you from feeling responsible right? You feel like you don’t have a role in it, this is not your fault, this person is in that situation all of their own doing… I think that is a very dangerous thing for a society at large to start to buy into

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cultureclash

BY IMOGEN KIMBER

n a desk strewn with diamond studded earrings and gold rings, Garo Krikorian lovingly treasures a few scraps of paper with some sketches on them drawn by his 10-yearold son. Krikorian is a compassionate man, caring about his family, his craft and his heritage in equal measure, gold being intertwined in all of them. For Krikorian, gold has been a driving force in his life. His father was one of many Armenians who opened up a gold factory in Bourj Hammoud, he’s now one of the biggest. For thirtyeight years his family have made their livelihood from shaping the soft precious sparkling metal that is gold. Krikorian sees gold as having offered both his family and the Armenian community as a whole a multitude of opportunities: He describes it as a trade when they had no other and an art form in a formidable world.

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REACH OUT + TOUCH SOMEONE

Krikorian’s pride in his son’s drawings that lay upon his desk stems from more than just Fatherly hubris; Krikorian points out the geometric symmetry and accuracy in his 10 year olds’ drawings. “It is in his blood,” said Krikorian, referring to his natural artistic ability, fine skills with a steady hand and tendency towards graphic design (he has already designed a ring representing him and three of his siblings for his Mother’s birthday on the suggestion of his father).

Though the bloodline Krikorian speaks of is more than just his immediate family, he sees his son’s artistic nature as something inherently Armenian. “We began as sculptors,” Krikorian explained, “We [Armenians] lived in the Caucuses. It was not an easy landscape; there were no riches, no diamonds or gold but we used stones to [make] sculptures. We are artistic people.” In amongst his practical outlook he has a romantic notion of the work, “When we mould the gold we are not just forming a shape but we are creating a decoration for a women’s finger.”

BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: CARVING ON ARMENIAN CHURCH, ARMENIA’S CAPITAL YEREVAN + MOUNTAIN ARARAT

For Krikorian this artistic nature was turned into a malleable trade which could be taken anywhere and used by anyone with talent. “You don’t need much, just your head and your hands; a pen, a magnifier and a table and you can work. It isn’t even expensive,” said Krikorian and relates this to his collective history, “We are people who have been forced to move many times so this is something we can take with us.”

HARD CURRENCY

A chain of events: Swiss refine the gold, Arabs in the Gulf buy the jewellery, Lebanon providing the link in the middle, transforming the gold and acting as the trade portal that Lebanon has long been. Back in 1918 when the Armenians began to come to Lebanon in large numbers escaping genocide in Turkey, Krikorian’s Grandfather was one of these. It was from here that the industry began to build and laid the solid foundations for what it is now.

When civil war gripped Lebanon, other industries which were previously stalwarts of the economy, such as agriculture and tourism, were hard to maintain but the goldsmiths continued. Of course it is a risky industry to work in an unstable country but Krikorian shrugged, “When they come for you, they come. A hold up is always a risk in the gold industry.” He used the same method then as he uses now, to him it

was simple, to me entering his workshop was like entering Fort Knox. To have not only survived, but actually come from such hardships makes it seem as though Krikorian and his fellow goldsmiths are impregnable. For Krikorian what would pose him a problem is if the clientele dries up, otherwise he continues, and he obviously hopes that the day he does put down his chisel it will be taken up by his son

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OPPOSITE PAGE: SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY PERFORMING IN ABU DHABI FOR THE FORMULA 1. IMAGES COURTESY OF FLASH ENTERTAINMENT

You’re starting the tour with your first ever show in U.A.E Is it somewhere you have always wanted to play?

“Abu Dhabi? Yes, it’s interesting, I don’t quite know what to expect. It may be a lot of ex-pats, or maybe a lot of local people, or maybe a mixture. So, I’m into it. I like good weather and I think we can expect some there! I think the particular excitement of going to Abu Dhabi is the F1 aspect. For me and particularly for some of the members of our crew who are F1 fans.” Are you a fan?

“Yeah, I am but the crew are avid. It’ll be good. I hope to see some if we have time. We’ve been trying to get some of my guys into the pit.” Have you been to a Grand Prix before?

“Yeah, with The Beatles. I’ve been to Monaco - that was good but loud! Even louder than our show.”

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This tour will see your first trip to Italy since the legendary Coliseum show in 2003. Are you looking forward to going back to Italy and do you have any lasting memories of that night?

“Yes, it was a brilliant, romantic, beautiful night. I mean, being in Rome is always fantastic, but being in front of the Coliseum with half a million people enjoying a free show was fantastic. We had a great time so I look forward to going back. I can still remember the people on the balconies above the street. Having their dinner to the sound of our music!”

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32 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

You’re also going back to the O2 in London. Did you enjoy performing there in the past?

“Yes, I love the O2, it’s one of London’s great venues. I think one of the things I like about it is that before the O2 arena was built, we rehearsed in what was then the Millennium Dome. I remember my promoter bringing round an American guy who said, ‘We are going to build an arena within this dome’. And we all thought it was a great idea, and now that it’s a reality, it’s especially cool to play. I’ve seen some good people there. I saw the Zeppelin reunion that was there. That was amazing. I’ve seen it from both sides and it’s a great place to play. It’s always great to play in London. It’s the home ground and it’s always nice to be home.”

You will also be touring Sweden and Finland for the first time since the ‘04 Summer’ tour. You spoke to the crowds in their own language - can you remember the language or are you going to be doing some crash courses?

“I will be brushing up on my Swedish and Finnish. I can remember a little but the good thing is that those people speak such good English. But yes, I will be relearning some local phrases, because I like languages - it’s always nice to speak to people in their own language but I will be brushing up.”

Talking about difficult languages – the tour will also see you going back to Russia. Is it important for you to go to places that The Beatles were not allowed to visit?

“It’s interesting because most places in the world weren’t denied The Beatles, so it’s strange that in some places The Beatles were illegal - it adds a certain fascination to realize that you are playing to a group of people that once weren’t allowed to listen to you.”

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Do you have any lasting impressions from when you played there previously?

ABOVE: THE BEATLES ‘BACK IN THE U.S.S.R.’ LP COVER

34 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

“Yes. In Russia, playing in the Square, it was amazing. It was great to play ‘Back in the USSR’ twice to the audience, because I’d always wanted to go and play that song. Other performers had gone to Russia before I got there and they had played it. Looking around the architecture of Red Square and The Kremlin was amazing because you’ve seen it all in books. St. Petersburg was a complete eye-opener because I think that in Britain, years ago, we would have thought of it as kind of a grey place. To go and to realize that Catherine and Peter the Great made this incredible city - just to think about the money that must have gone into it. You have to appreciate what a beautiful place it is and then of course, finally, the people. You know Russians are cool!”

You’re closing the tour in Liverpool a year to the day since your Intimate Show there last year, was that a conscious decision?

“No, I actually didn’t know that until you told me. I think that the idea of going back to Liverpool - when you play Lima, Peru, Santiago, Chile, Brazil, Buenos Aires and then you go to Yankee Stadium, NY or Wrigley Stadium in Chicago - there is always that feeling of ‘it would be good to play this for the home crowd’. Just to show them what we’ve been doing all year, so now it’s become a bit of a tradition, to have a bit of a homecoming. Obviously for me that’s Liverpool. Most of the people in the audience would be friends of mine. We love it, and the audience does too. So that’s an unbeatable combination!”

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

the final frontier

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SAUL PERLMUTTER, BRIAN SHMIDT, ADAM RIESS, QUASICRYSTALS, DAN SHECHTMAN

THE GOLD SYMBOL OF ACHIEVEMENT NOBEL LAUREATES 2011 BY J.E.N.

he Nobel Prize is an award of the highest order. The prize is the brain child of Alfred Nobel who started paying tribute to outstanding individuals back in 1901. Every year since then, the highly anticipated Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Peace are announced to the world. RAGMAG takes a look at the scientifically gifted laureates in 2011 awarded the golden symbol of achievement. The Nobel Prize in Physics went to Saul Perlmutter and jointly to Brain Schmidt and Adam Riess “for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae” (Nobelprize. org). In 1998 Perlmutter discovered that the expansion of the universe was accelerating. When the initial data was compiled it took Perlmutter 4 months of analysis to come to this conclusion. He was caught in the dilemma of between being first, since there were other teams doing similar research, and making sure the findings were correct. At first the scientific community greeted the findings with a pinch of salt, but when another rivaling research team announced similar findings 6 weeks later, acceptance grew. Now the

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question is what is making the universe expand faster? What energy or force is propelling it? And finding the answer might call for the development of new telescopes and equipment. In an interview with Adam Smith (Editorial Director of Nobel Media) Schimt commented: “I think that the idea of the accelerating universe, indicating that there was some other big thing in the universe, other than things that have normal gravity, meant that a lot of the problems that existed in cosmology back in 1998 were suddenly solved if this stuff existed. So there was a lot of people, especially theorists, who wanted the universe to be geometrically flat, which means it had to have a lot of stuff in it that we just didn’t know was there. And this stuff solved that problem. It gave the extra matter in the universe that needed to be flat.” And yet there is still a lot of uncertainty since dark matter is still a mystery. Riess describes the research process as “it went from ‘Oh, this is a terrible mistake’ to ‘Oh my God, this might be the right answer!’ So, it was very exciting.” The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was given to Dan Shechtman “for the discovery of quasicrystals” (Nobelprize.org). A quasicrystal is a crystal that has an orderly pattern but the pattern never

repeats itself (unlike regular crystals). It is a structure that no one had thought possible up until Shechtman stumbled upon it in 1982. Shechtman struggled to get credibility: While furthering his research he was faced with skepticism and was even expelled from the lab he was working at. In an interview with Smith, Shechtman stated that the whole experience “taught me that a good scientist is a humble scientist, somebody who is willing to listen to news in science which are not expected. Because discoveries today are really not expected – if they were expected they would have been discovered a long time ago. So something new, that is forbidden by some laws ... people have to listen to this. In most cases, the news is not really news. But in some cases, discoveries are made and should be listened to. So, I think the main lesson that I have learned is that a good scientist is a humble scientist who is open-minded to listen to other scientists when they discover something.” And the Nobel Prize does just that. The golden achievement is not just about the award, it encourages scientists to have an open-mind and to push boundaries. It highlights the importance of going that extra mile and not being afraid to make a difference

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

GOLD FACTS Math Path

The Golden Ratio (also referred to as the Divine Proportion) is one of the most widely researched and cited numbers in the history of the world. Often represented as Phi , the Golden Ratio equals 1.618033988749895... Everyone from artists to architects has used the ratio in their designs believing it to be pleasing to the eye. It is also used in financial market analysis and research.

Flawed Facts The Da Vinci Code by bestselling author Dan Brown incorrectly uses the Golden Ratio and has been widely disputed by mathematicians from reputable universities. Phi is found in proportions of the human body and animals, in the solar system and even in DNA. Many of Leonardo Da Vinci’s paintings use the Golden Ratio such as the Vitruvian Man. The mysterious Mona Lisa is also said to use the Golden Ratio but this is not supported by any of Leonardo’s writings.

400 The weight in ounces of the “Good Delivery” gold bar held and internationally traded by central banks. A list of specifications to render the bar “Good Delivery”is found in “The Good Delivery Rules for Gold and Silver Bars: Specifications for Good Delivery Bars and Application Procedures for Listing”. GD bars must be 995.0/1000 fine gold and be marked with refiner hallmark, serial number and year of manufacture. Gold bars that do not meet these requirements are stamped with NGD which stands for NonGood Delivery. 38 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

250 250- The weight in Kilograms of the world’s largest gold bar. Manufactured by the Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, the bar is 551 lbs. and was displayed at the Toi gold mine on July 11, 2005. Valued in 2005 at 400 million yen (approximately $3,684,000 USD) at the time, is it now worth approximately $15.3 million USD. This amount accounts only for gold weight at $1,900 per troy ounce and does not factor in the added bonus for being the world’s largest gold bar.

Say I Do Wedding rings have their history rooted in ancient Egypt. The symbolic circle meant eternity and the space inside represented gateways to the unknown reportedly. The tradition of giving gold rings to a bride did not evolve until much later (some report early Rome as the first instance). Dates are unclear as to when exactly they became part of ceremonial vows as initially they were part of betrothal contracts.

Treasure Trove Leprechauns, Irish mythical creatures, acted as cobblers and dressed as such. According to folklore, they spend all of their time in shoemaking endeavours and store their coins in pots of gold at the end of a rainbow. Upon capture, leprechauns are capable of providing 3 wishes to barter for their release. The modern day renditions of leprechauns (taken from the Irish word leipreachán) are frowned upon by the Irish themselves who consider it to be stereotypical and often farcical imagery.

Picture Imperfect

One such rendition is Notre Dame University’s Fighting Irish mascot. Perpetuating Irish stereotypes of aggressive behavior, the name originated from the Irish battalions who fought in American Civil War. The mascot is depicted as a leprechaun with his fists up. A raging debate about the propriety of Native heritage used as sports team names led one late night comedian to jest that if the Natives thought they had problems, they had only to look at his ancestry (Irish) to see them represented by Notre Dame as “drunken leprechauns”!

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dollars +sense

THE

GOLD

WHAT IT MEANS+ HOW IT AFFECTS LEBANON BY MARIA FRANGIEH

STANDARD

EACH COUNTRY’S MONEY SUPPLY IS TIED TO THE GOLD RESERVES IT HOLDS. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS

CURRENCY BACKED BY GOLD

he gold standard is defined as “a commitment by participating countries to fix the prices of their domestic currencies in terms of a specified amount of gold. National money and other forms of money (bank deposits and notes) were freely converted into gold at the fixed price,” according to the Encyclopedia of Economics and Liberty. Therefore each country’s money supply is tied to the gold reserves it holds. Let’s take a look at what that actually means. This month’s Dollars + Sense is going for the gold- helping you understand the financial speak behind it and what that means for Lebanon.

Countries under the gold standard were able to freely convert their money into gold at the fixed price. In this case countries will be setting a price for gold; each unit of the country’s currency will be exchanged with gold. The gold standard provided a security system against inflation, and allowed a higher level of trust in the currencies redeemed in gold. The gold standard allowed the monitoring of a country’s money supply.

DROPPING THE BAR

During the World War I, the Gold Standard broke down due to the inflationary finance and was replaced by the Gold Exchange Standard from 1925 to 1931. Under the Gold Exchange Standard all countries could hold reserves in gold, dollars or other currencies, except in the cases of United States and United Kingdom whose reserves were only in gold. In 1931, due to the large outflows of gold and capital, the United Kingdom decided to drop the Gold Exchange Standard and as a result the Standard broke as well. Bretton Woods1 system was installed between 1944 and 1971. During this period, the different countries backed their currencies to the dollar or to the pound but the United States redeemed its currency in gold. The gold standard was abandoned in the United States in August 1971 by President Richard M. Nixon. Even after abandoning the gold standard, many countries find it interesting upon inflationary pressures.

1 The Bretton Woods system of monetary management established the rules for commercial and financial relations among the world’s major industrial states. The Bretton Woods system was the first example of a fully negotiated monetary order intended to govern monetary relations among independent nation-states. (Wikipedia, 2011)

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KEEP ‘EM OR LOSE ‘EM?

Gold is tangible, difficult to carry around unlike money, which limits robberies, and retains its value over a long period of time. Gold standards were adopted mainly for their characteristic of limiting inflation. When countries are under gold standard they need to back each additional printed dollar with gold, and as gold is not easily produced, these countries will benefit from low inflation. Another plus of the gold standard is to limit the intervention of the government and Central Bank in the money supply. Prosperous economies with high productions were directly rewarded when the country was under the Gold Standard. Higher production led to higher exports of goods, allowing the country to accumulate a larger gold reserve. In this case printing more

money will boost investments in the profitable industries, leading to higher growth. On the other hand, countries under the gold standard did not have flexible monetary policies, which limited the government’s economic power. Governments use their monetary policies to fight deflation and recession. When governments aren’t under the gold standard they can print money to cover their debt, which leads to the undesirable circumstance of inflation. Major gold discoveries will have a havoc effect on the economy, countries won’t be richer but money supply will automatically increase, leading to inflationary pressures. In some cases, especially when economies are growing, it is healthy to allow the money supply to grow the level of production.

Recently world economies are changing due to globalization, international shocks and other factors. If these economies are under a gold standard, it would be very difficult to keep the exchange rate stable, and the gold standard is considered an impediment to international trade and investment. In 1930, the gold standard was first questioned as the Unites States observed the gold standard but sunk into the Great Depression. It is important to note that the Great Depression was not only caused by the inflexibility of the monetary policy, many other factors led to this drastic situation, but the gold standard was a contributing factor.

THE GOLD STANDARD IS CONSIDERED AN IMPEDIMENT TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT

WHEN COUNTRIES ARE UNDER GOLD STANDARD THEY NEED TO BACK EACH ADDITIONAL PRINTED DOLLAR WITH GOLD, AND AS GOLD IS NOT EASILY PRODUCED, THESE COUNTRIES WILL BENEFIT FROM LOW INFLATION THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

dollars +sense

LEBANESE LIRA BACKED TO GOLD? After its independence in 1943, the Lebanese economy was characterized by a young Lebanese pound, the value of which was a concern to the Lebanese authorities. After the Bretton Woods agreement was implemented, the European currencies were linked to the gold-backed Dollar. As a result, Lebanese authorities purchased a lot of metal to improve the value of the Lebanese pound at the price of $35 per ounce. When the United States delinked its currency from the gold standard, the Lebanese Parliament ruled out the possibility of selling the gold without its approval. This decision could have resulted in the devaluation of the Lebanese currency after the civil warespecially that acting Prime Minister Salim el-Hossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1987 proposal to sell 20 percent of the gold reserves in exchange of $800 million was declined.

The Lebanese gold reserves reached $17 billion in August 2011. Many Lebanese economists and policymakers face the dilemma of selling the gold reserves to pay off the debt, however, they all agreed on keeping the gold reserves untouched. This dilemma resulted from the $52 billion public debt that is draining half of the yearly government revenues. Liquidating the gold reserves will allow the Lebanese government to relieve 31 percent of its debt and invest nearly $1.3 billion in public spending. The problem that arises in this case is the absence of confidence in the Lebanese policymakers and their uses of the collected money, not to mention that the gold reserves of the country were not meant to be accumulated to pay off the debt.

The gold reserves made the Lebanese pound a strong currency facing the different crisis it went through under the rigid fixed exchange rate system. This as well represents a threat, as the current strength of the Lebanese pound is based on the high price of gold. Questions crop up like would the Lebanese monetary authorities partially or fully liquidate the gold reserves? How would these authorities maintain the credibility of the Lebanese pound under such continuous political wavering? Would it be better to default on the debt without liquidating the gold reserves? Previous experience has proved that many countries liquidated their gold reserves and defaulted on their debt, while others defaulted and returned to normalcy. In the era of financial crisis, it may be recommended to keep the gold reserves for desperate measures

WOULD THE LEBANESE MONETARY AUTHORITIES PARTIALLY OR FULLY LIQUIDATE THE GOLD RESERVES? HOW WOULD THESE AUTHORITIES MAINTAIN THE CREDIBILITY OF THE LEBANESE POUND UNDER SUCH CONTINUOUS POLITICAL WAVERING?

Timeline of Gold Standard 1500

1880-1914

World War I

1925- 1931

1931

1933

1944-1971

1971

Gold was recognized as a standard medium of exchange for international trade

Classical Gold Standard

Breaking down of the Gold Standard

Gold Exchange Standard

Breaking down of Gold Exchange Standard (UK dropped it)

Roosvelt allowed gold to be privately owned

Bretton Woods System

USA abandoned the Gold Standard (Under President Nixon)

42 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

cultureclash

HAYDA LEBNEN’s

VOTING

FOR THE GOLDEN TICKET BY SARAH HOURANY

hen I say,“Christmas”, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? If you’re a true Lebanese, there’s a 90 percent chance that you’ll shout out,“Gifts!”. Don’t get us wrong, we are not saying that we’re greedy, shallow or in any way different from the other nationalities, but let’s be honest - the answer to this particular question in this particular country is to a large extent, unfortunately very predictable. After all, “thewbor” is a Lebanese characteristic that isn’t exclusive to Christmas. Jeita’s Grotto competition in the 7 New Wonders selection process was not the first nor will it be the last event that encourages us to VOTE. The propaganda was so pervasive that we didn’t even dare ask if the competition was legit and whether the criteria to

44 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

win was clear and objective. Some bloggers called attention to this fact but weren’t acknowledged much for their truth search. If we were to accept the rules of that particular competition: (the site that gets the biggest number of internet and SMS votes wins) then by sheer numbers any 7ajerten in China, the world’s most populous country would be listed as a 3ajibe, and we dare you to say otherwise. Not long ago, municipal elections in 2010 were also all about VOTING, but voting men naw3 2akhar: who has the biggest family in the day3a, who attended the biggest number of weddings and funerals and who is or is not 2abaday bil 7ay. I really do not recall hearing about any serious development plan in any of the campaigns. In my opinion, this was no different from the famous parliamentary elections in 2009: VOTE,

JEITA’S GROTTO COMPETITION IN THE 7 NEW WONDERS SELECTION PROCESS WAS NOT THE FIRST NOR WILL IT BE THE LAST EVENT THAT ENCOURAGES US TO VOTE

DURING CHRISTMAS, WE’RE AUGUSTUS GLOOP, THE GREEDY BOY WHO LOVES NOTHING BUT EATING (TYPICAL CHRISTMAS EVE BEHAVIOR!) VOTE and VOTE for the zefet, for the wasta and for the za3im. But if these elections happen once every few years, l kerse resides in the beauty pageants and artists “elections”- the popularity contests basically. Enno really what do producers of these programs really think when they urge people to choose (elect) their MISS by sending an SMS? Is there a study that links the measurement of beauty to the number of SMS votes? If you randomly pick a girl who happens to have a large extended family, a significant amount of friends and enough resources to push people to vote, would she be beautiful then? Walla if the contestant in the “pick-a-star” show happens to come from a wealthy Arab country where kelfit el ittisalat is comparatively low and TV viewership is high, does he automatically have a stellar voice and a charismatic performance?

Sadly, during the holiday season, we become characters from Charlie and the Chocolate factory - without loveable Charlie! If you have ever read or watched one of the many movie versions, you will probably be able to identify yourself as well as your family members and friends, with one or more of the Chocolate Factory characters. During Christmas, we’re Augustus Gloop, the greedy boy who loves nothing but eating (typical Christmas Eve behavior!). We’re Veruca Salt, the spoiled brat, who is only good at demanding and expecting people to meet her endless requests (alla yse3id the parents and Santa!). We’re Violet Beauregarde, the selfish and competitive girl who wants to be ranked as the number 1, no matter what the circumstances are (min lebis a7la chi?).

RAGMAG is hoping that this Christmas you’ll find Charlie again. Charlie, the little boy who never asked for more than he was given. Who wouldn’t eat if it meant depriving his loved ones. Who didn’t complain of poverty and hopelessness. Charlie, the child who appreciated the small things. Who wouldn’t trade his values for the fortune of the world and finally, the boy who never lost faith and hope. Charlie was the unlikely Golden Ticket holder and so all is well that ends well in the Chocolate Factory. But what about in Lebanon? We urge you to VOTE for the real Christmas by tweeting“Hayda Lebnen’s Christmas” @RAGMAGLebanon, because unless we mention the word “vote”, no one will rush to do anything about the lost Golden Ticket- the Christmas spirit, ma hayda Lebnen ya 3ayne!

What does this have to do with Christmas? “Vote” and “Christmas”, are both words that activate our “thewbor” behavior. When hearing either of these two words we instantly become manipulated and engaged in the huge propaganda push that we end up neglecting what really matters in both cases. During Christmas masalan, we become hypnotized by consumer oriented words like food, drink, and of course gifts. The birth of Jesus Christ, love and compassion, and most importantly charity acts are all forgotten, ma wala di3aye bte7ke 3anon!

VOTE, VOTE AND VOTE FOR THE ZEFET, FOR THE WASTA AND FOR THE ZA3IM THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

for him

THE GOLDEN RULE WHAT NOT TO GET YOUR GIRL FOR CHRISTMAS BY MARIA-ELENA KASSAB

o you “[…] hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring ting tingling too”? Is your girl launching herself into sultry renditions of Santa Baby? Is your mother humming “Do You Hear What I Hear?” all the time? Are you surrounded by red ornaments, green trees, silver tinsel? Is your home invaded by stuffed reindeers, dancing candy canes and Santa Clauses that laugh every single time you walk past them? Then you know it’s Christmas and you’re probably procrastinating the nightmarish task of buying presents. Just in case you do wander into an over-crowded mall and brave the thongs of penniless parents, sulking teenagers and tantrumthrowing kids, here’s what NOT to buy the women in your life if you want to survive.

46 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

BE NICE, NOT NAUGHTY

Imagine this scene: you left a cheeky present in your girlfriend’s room as a surprise and her mother found that it was so prettily wrapped, it should go under the Christmas tree. Imagine the look on everybody’s faces as she tears through the wrapping and finds something that makes her blush madly (something along the lines of an explicitly illustrated book on various sex positions, flavored body creams and/ or lubes, novelty condoms, iBuzz…) and her father have a heart attack, grab his gun and go after you. Not only will this present embarrass her, you and the entire family, but you’re suggesting that all you could think about for Christmas is how great she is in bed. That’s a present for you, not her, so we suggest you keep Christmas nice and Valentine’s day naughty.

BE THOUGHTFUL, NOT FUNNY

(Understand that your idea of funny is not our idea of funny. Just saying.) T-shirts that say, “I’m with sexy”, key chains that say she’s the playmate of the year, funny-shaped ice cube trays, smart-ass underwear… these will be frowned upon and considered to be last-minute gifts. It looks as though you were on your way to her house to kiss her under the mistletoe and, halfway there, you remembered you hadn’t thought of a present, so you pulled into a 24/7 gas station minimart and bought the first thing that made you smirk. This is Christmas, not April 1st.

THESE WILL BE FROWNED UPON AND CONSIDERED TO BE LAST-MINUTE GIFTS

BE SWEET, NOT HELPFUL

If you EVER think of buying your girl a scale for Christmas (or on any other occasion for that matter), you’re a sad, sad specimen of the male race. Basically, buying us things like scales, self-help books, fitness sets (think Pilates DVD set or the Wii Fit), Spanx, low-fat low-cholesterol cookbooks… sends us a clear message: “You’re fat and unhealthy, which is unattractive. Please get in better shape before I dump you.” Want to keep celebrating Christmas with all your ten fingers and toes still attached? Steer clear of the self-help aisle.

BE CREATIVE, NOT BORING

A cute teddy bear? Been there, done that. It’s wearing a Christmas hat and sings Christmas carols? Great, another Christmas ornament for next year. A warm blanket? Got that from my grandma every year since I was three. A lamp for my room? It can join the other thirteen lamps you’ve gotten me since we started dating. A lava lamp,

you say? How cute, just like the one my teenage brother got me. A box of chocolate? I just bought this for myself. A bouquet of flowers? That’s a great present that’ll last me a grand total of two days. A house plant? DO I LOOK LIKE YOUR GRANDMOTHER? Try to step away from the usual presents you get her or the super-duper cliché ones unless you want her to rage, rant or cry.

BE CREATIVE, JUST NOT THAT MUCH Do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to buy your girl lingerie or clothes. You’ll never get her size right: if you get her a size larger than hers, she’ll think you think she’s fat. If you get her a size smaller, you never pay attention to what she looks like. And don’t try to go snooping in her closet: girls have “fat-days” clothes, “sexy-days” clothes, “I-feel-like-a-slob” clothes… And remember, if a sweater looks good on your waif-like sister, it might not look good on your girl and if your mom thinks a reindeer sweater is adorable, please leave her and run away.

BE CARING, NOT STEREOTYPICAL

Do you consider your girl to be a cook, just a cook and nothing but a cook? Do you think her rightful place is in the kitchen, slaving over the stove and making you the world’s greatest sammich? No? Then under no circumstances should you get her a kitchen appliance on Christmas. She will take this the wrong way, even if that particular blender is all she could talk about since Halloween. Some cookbooks can make good presents, but absolutely no kitchen appliances!

If you survive the malls, the traffic, the endless Boney M songs, the food, the chocolate, the whining and crying, the slightly creepy mall Santa’s… you still have to survive the present debacle. We’ve given you all the advice you need. Merry Christmas!

A LAVA LAMP, YOU SAY? HOW CUTE, JUST LIKE THE ONE MY TEENAGE BROTHER GOT ME THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

mon amour, mon ami

GOLDEN

BOYS BY LITTLE MISS SINGLE

ately my Facebook newsfeed has been abuzz with people getting engaged, married or having children. The status updates and photo uploads never fail to amaze me because it always brings up the same question: Where have all the good men gone? My friends still living in Lebanon and I have been single for years (eons to be more precise). We’re all hardworking, well-travelled, fit, educated women in our early 30s and yet we go through seemingly never-ending dry spells where no man asks any of us out for months. And when we get asked out, we’ve only been greeted by disappointment time and time again.

48 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

You must think that I’m super picky and hence why I’ve been unsuccessful. On the contrary, I have a 3 date rule. I say yes to every guy who asks me out if he seems to have even a glimmer of potential and give him 3 dates in which he can impress me. If I’m still contemplating suicide by date 3, then he’s out of the picture. Why suicide? Because I’ve had the oddest dates. I went on a date with a guy who spoke about carrots the entire time, highlighting their nutritional value, the ways you can cook them and how rabbits like carrots. After Carrot

Man, I had Church Guy who tried to convince me to go to church every Sunday, fly to the Vatican to see the Pope and attend youth group talks organized by his priest. This was after I stated that I was not Catholic or much of a believer for that matter. Then came Buzz Lightyear who loved his car (an Infiniti) more than anything else. We never had a real conversation since all our outings involved clubbing… and when we finally did talk he had nothing interesting to say. He also made it clear that he wanted to marry Muslim (which made me wonder what he was doing trying to woo me).

I’ve dated Mr. Gay In-Denial with his great metrosexual sense of style, love for art and design and obvious crush on his male neighbor. His catchphrase was “if I were gay” and I hope by now he’s realized that there’s no “if” in that statement. I’ve also had to contend with my fair share of mamma’s boys. One of them still lets his mum buy his clothes (I didn’t venture to ask if that included underwear). It’s not very reassuring to see a grown man who’s incapable of thinking for himself. Plus dating someone who is ruled by his mother can be a bit of a headache. And while we’re on the subject of headaches (read: hangovers), I’ve tried to date a few foreign men and their heavy drinking was a deal breaker. My sushi date with the Karate Kid was another unique experience. It started off rather well but then the illusion started to split at the seams. His first question was, “How much do you weigh?” The great start was

followed by insulting my mum for choosing to be a homemaker when she only has one child (me). We debated for a while and then he then karate chopped me over the table to force me to eat the sushi pieces in the order he wanted. That was that. That came after a failed attempt with Macho Man who was highly recommended. Great on paper: MBA, tall, handsome, a good job and mutual friends. We were out one night and he rocked onto the scene 2 hours late. My friends left and after an hour or so I asked Macho if he would take me home. “No, you will leave when I want you to leave,” was his unsmiling reply. I asked if he was joking and when it was clear that he was serious, I called a taxi and left. He looked surprised. And I was surprised that he was surprised. Those are the single ones. I’ve encountered quite a few in relationships too, like the ones who want a FWB (friend with

benefits). The fact that they think such a suggestion is normal is very distressing. The Dog in Heat vibe is pretty common here as often when I’m on a first dinner date with a guy I’ve just met, he seems keen to jump my bones before the night is over. Some guys are self-respecting (don’t get me wrong) but a significant portion get too touchy-feely too soon. I’m not an old-fashioned prude but a guy has to earn that kiss and the privilege of intimacy. And so where have all the good men gone? Are they hiding somewhere, lost amongst the archetypes of dating catastrophes? Are they all abroad? Are they all already married, caught by early birds? Are local men spoiled rotten because of their upbringing and the way some women let them behave? Who knows. In the meantime I’m going to enjoy life, continue to build my career and cherish my friends and family. And yes, I’ll keep up the search for the Golden Boy

THEN CAME BUZZ LIGHTYEAR WHO LOVED HIS CAR (AN INFINITI) MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. WE NEVER HAD A REAL CONVERSATION SINCE ALL OUR OUTINGS INVOLVED CLUBBING… AND WHEN WE FINALLY DID TALK HE HAD NOTHING INTERESTING TO SAY

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

mind, body + soul TO ASK A QUESTION send your problems to helpmenour@ragmaglive.com

TO JOIN THE READER RESPONSE PANEL and give feedback to women across Lebanon, 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.

help me

NOUR+RABIH BY NOUR OBAJI + RABIH FEGHALI

RECENTLY WE STARTED HAVING PHONE SEX AND SHE TELLS ME IF SHE HAD THE CHANCE SHE WOULD DO THAT IN REALITY I have been with this girl for four years now. We used to be friends before but I started having feelings for her and when I told her she refused because she thought it was a dead end because of religion, family, and job (she already graduated and got a job and I’m still in university). But all this time we have been getting into the relationship and breaking up and going back to being friends and so on. Recently we started having phone sex and she tells me if she had the chance she would do that in reality. She tells me she has feelings for me but she doesn’t want me to work hard to bring us together... What should I do? Alexandra, 36

“This is a tough one for me. My first instinct is to tell you to walk away because women can use men in the exact same way that men use women. It sounds to me like she is stringing you along and making you her back-up when she has no one else on the line. Her method of keeping you around is stringing you along with a promise of sex sometime in the future. Time to cut this girl loose because you sound like you deserve far better than that behaviour.” Serene, 28

“You might feel a connection with this person and what keeps pulling you back is the long history you’ve got together, but clearly you’re not happy and you’re not getting what you want out of this. Indecisiveness is not sexy. If someone doesn’t make a genuine effort that means they are not that into you.”

50 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

Joanna, 21

“Love comes and goes. This girl doesn’t take you as her one true love because if she did she would be able to overcome the religion barrier standing in the middle and she’d fight and search for a way to be with you. As for the sex part, if you guys have sex, you’re only harming yourself. I think you should step forward and leave this behind you.”

Nour’s Vote Don’t hate the player, hate the game. To begin with this story has way too many twists and turns. You were friends then you were dating then you were broken up and now you’re having phone sex? WTF. Look, she is clearly playing the practical role: She likes you but she is waiting for her stock to improve. What this means is that when she meets a guy who is from the same religion and makes decent cash, she will drop you like a hot potato. The truth of the matter is that she isn’t willing to put her neck on the line for you and just because she’s throwing a dog a bone (willing to have phone sex and real sex with you) doesn’t mean you should take her up on her half-assed offer. Ditch her now and find someone worth your time since you seem sincere. Sincerity doesn’t deserve this sort of game playing- choose this for yourself because you are the only person who will be hurt in the end.

Rabih’s Vote

SOME WOMEN DEPEND ON SEVERAL SIMULTANEOUS MINIRELATIONSHIPS TO KEEP THEIR EGOS GOING – IT’S JUST HOW THEY’RE BUILT

SOME PEOPLE ENJOY SEEING OTHER PEOPLE GET HURT – THAT’S JUST LIFE

Looking at it from a 10,000 ft. view, I am inclined to deduce that this girl is all talk and no action. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has other men that she plays around with. Some women depend on several simultaneous mini-relationships to keep their egos going – it’s just how they’re built. I suggest you ditch this girl, and find yourself a nice girl that shows she wants to be with you - and one, who may, under the right circumstances, have sex with you.

My friend loves to joke, and sometimes his jokes are mean. When I try to tell him that his jokes are hurtful, he tells me I don’t have a sense of humour and keeps on joking. How do I make him understand that he needs to stop? Mary, 24

“If the jokes are truly hurtful, then give your friend an ultimatum (this friendship or your jokes). If they only bug you a bit and the relationship means a lot to you, then suck it up. You might also want to observe your friend to see if jokes are only directed to you. If he jokes with everyone the same way then that’s his personality. If these jokes are only directed to you, then there might be hidden meaning behind it.”

Leila, 25

“A person who is so self-centred that he doesn’t listen when people are clearly telling him that he is unfunny and hurtful is a person who has issues. Perhaps he is doing this to hide his own shortcomings or perhaps he really thinks he is funny, in the end, who cares. He sounds like an ass.”

Nour’s Vote At first Nour wanted to dismiss this question but it actually is something that people deal with on a daily basis so we’ve decided to address it. Your friend sounds like he’s got more than one mean bone in his body. He doesn’t sound like the type of person anyone should hang out with if they want to keep their self-esteem intact, you included. If you’ve told him time and time again and it’s fallen on deaf ears then maybe it is time to reconsider what you’re looking for in a friend. Nour did it once for the very same reason: Meanness is not an admirable quality and I like to surround myself with people who bring positivity and good things into my life, not the opposite.

Rabih’s Vote I think I would be one of the most qualified people to answer this question – mainly due to the fact that as a jokester myself, I tend to consciously ignore my limits. At the end of the day, it’s all about the “reaction” that the jokester is seeking. Some people enjoy seeing other people get hurt – that’s just life. It seems that you have not asked this person to outright stop joking with you – and that all you have expressed, is your opinion about the joke. Be frank and direct: “Zakhya , please stop your jokes – I don’t want to hear them anymore, otherwise you’ll risk losing me as a friend” -this should do it.

HE DOESN’T SOUND LIKE THE TYPE OF PERSON ANYONE SHOULD HANG OUT WITH IF THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR SELF-ESTEEM INTACT, YOU INCLUDED

PERHAPS HE IS DOING THIS TO HIDE HIS OWN SHORTCOMINGS OR PERHAPS HE REALLY THINKS HE IS FUNNY, IN THE END, WHO CARES. HE SOUNDS LIKE AN ASS THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

mind, body + soul

I’m in my fifth year of university and I’ve gotten several amazing job offers abroad, but I’m also in a serious relationship. I am not willing to put a hold on my career but I don’t want to lose him, either. What do I choose: Love or professional success?

Nour’s Vote

someone more likeminded. Clearly Rabih disagrees with my vote, but he always thinks men come first.

Sana, 36

Hmm, love or professional success? Why are the two goals mutually exclusive? Why can’t you have both? You are basically saying that women have to make that ill-fated choice and you’re making it sound like you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. If you want to see some happily coupled successful women, take a look at RAGMAG’s staff. They’re career oriented and most of them are in long term relationships and some are even married. If you want to look at the glass half empty, then your cup in life is going to be half empty. Do it all and do it better than anyone else -long distance or in the same city- negating it off the bat is going to cripple your chances. Incidentally, if your current significant other isn’t willing to do the long distance thing, you can always meet half way and if that isn’t a possibility then find

“Why do you have to choose? If this relationship is as serious and as strong as you say, your partner may try to go abroad with you. You should take one of these offers because 20 years down the road, the memories of opportunities you gave up for a relationship that may not have lasted will be bitter regrets. The other thing that I would advise is that once you go abroad, you may find your tastes evolving and changing, thus changing you as a person. This may not bode well for a relationship you are in in your present form.”

INCIDENTALLY, IF YOUR CURRENT SIGNIFICANT OTHER ISN’T WILLING TO DO THE LONG DISTANCE THING, YOU CAN ALWAYS MEET HALF WAY AND IF THAT ISN’T A POSSIBILITY THEN FIND SOMEONE MORE LIKEMINDED

Hiba, 33

“It depends on what your priorities in life are. If the guy really loves you, then maybe he will move abroad with you.” Celine, 23

“Who said you can’t have both? Look around you. Are you wearing a huge, poofy skirt and a collar top? No, because this isn’t the ‘50s. You seem like a smart girl and smart girls know how to multitask and have both a great career and great sex.”

LOVE OR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS? WHY ARE THE TWO GOALS MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE? WHY CAN’T YOU HAVE BOTH?

52 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

Rabih’s Vote This is one of the most important questions facing all modern-age Lebanese women. In my opinion, if you are very happy with your man– hold on to him and put your career on hold. You seem to be quite a good catch for these companies, so a year or two can be worth the wait, especially if you’re looking at the bigger picture. Good men are hard to find nowadays, let alone good men that are willing to commit. However, I do suggest that you have a semi-serious conversation with your main squeeze and make sure you’re both on the same page. Take his opinion seriously since he already knows where he’s going with the relationship, most men do.

CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOUR PARENTS’ OPINION DOESN’T REALLY MATTER TO YOU AND THAT YOUR MIND IS SET ON BEING WITH THIS CHAP

My American boy is moving to Lebanon to live with me in 7 weeks. I haven’t told my family yet because they don’t approve of our relationship. We broke up over a year ago and they don’t have any idea that we’ve been talking since then. My parents live in the States, but I’m really worried about what they’ll do and how they will react when I tell them. I’m worried if I wait too long that their reaction will be more dramatic, but I’m also worried that if I tell them too soon I’ll have to deal with hellish fury until he gets here. What do I do? Rola, 23

“Why don’t they approve? Think about the reasons and accordingly think of ways to defend your relationship. Since he’s coming to live here anyway, you’re going to have to deal with things eventually and the sooner the better. It’s best for you to face the storm then for him to come and be greeted by a flood.” Leena, 37

“Well, time to put on your big girl panties and deal with it. Simply put: you are making a major decision as an adult, therefore, hiding it like a child is not agood idea. I think if this is important to you then you have to be willing to fight the battles you are facing without trying to put it off until the last minute.”

Nour’s Vote It is never easy to cast your own lot in life. Nour can’t say this is a cut and dried situation. You say they don’t approve but you don’t say why. The fact that you mentioned he’s an American suggests this is part of the problem. Nearly every issue Nour gets a question about interfaith relationships. I always advocate either biting the bullet and doing it or cutting your losses and keep moving if you can’t bring yourself to do it. You seem to be biting the bullet except you haven’t dealt with the barrel of the gun. Your family has it locked and loaded so best to deal with it now rather than exacerbate a bad situation. The longer you wait, the worse it will get. I don’t agree with Rabih’s vote at all (nothing new there). Keep us posted on how it works out. Good luck.

Rabih’s Vote Your parents sent you to Lebanon so you can finally meet a Lebanese man and stop dating those American boys. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me that your parents’ opinion doesn’t really matter to you and that your mind is set on being with this chap. If that’s the case, do not mention it to them. When the time comes, they will learn about it and if they see that you are very happy with a man that has a good head on his shoulders, they won’t be too harsh. At the end of the day, your parents want to see you with a man that will love you and treat you well

TO ASK A QUESTION, send your problems to helpmenour@ragmaglive.com

TO JOIN THE READER RESPONSE PANEL

and give feedback to women across Lebanon, 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.

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

SEIZING THE

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T OVERTHINK THE CRUCIAL MOMENTS BY MATTHEW HUSSEY

THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL EVERY VARIABLE OF THEIR LIFE IN ORDER TO AVOID UNCERTAINTY Overthinking stems from a fear of making decisions. When we indulge in thinking over a situation again and again, we are able to keep our minds busy without getting anything done. Whilst thinking too hard might seem to be a fairly harmless indulgence, if we get stuck inside our own head we become obsessed with assessing, planning, and scrutinizing every tiny decision in our lives to the point of paralysis. Overthinkers also tend to be obsessed with control. They are people who want to be able to control every variable of their life in order to avoid uncertainty. In other words, we can be so afraid of making bad decisions that we settle for making no decision at all! This habit can set us back years if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t learn to control it. Every time we dwell in a past we cannot change, or a future we cannot predict, we are missing out on opportunities today! So today I want to run over some strategies for eliminating overthinking so that you never hesitate over another golden opportunity.

54 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

mind, body + soul

FIRST STEP

THE CONTROL TEST

Ask yourself this question – How many hours have I spent in life worrying about things I cannot control? The chances are, you’ll realize that a lot of your overthinking comes from worrying about events so far in the future that you couldn’t possibly plan for. The fact is, we just don’t know where a single decision will land us in five years, which is why we have to adopt a more short term perspective…

SECOND STEP

FORGET THE GRAND LIFE PLAN Most of us overthink because we attempt to fit every decision we make into some grand life plan we have. We ask big questions like: “Does this opportunity fit in with where I want to be in twenty years?” This question doesn’t help us; all it does is put huge pressure on every decision you make. Forget about the grand life plan, they’re overrated and give you no flexibility. The only question that matters is: “Will this opportunity bring me closer to the lifestyle I want to live?” To make it even more simple, just ask: “Is this right for me at the moment? Will I enjoy this?” These are the only real questions worth asking. Planning for twenty years from now is a waste of energy, because it tells you nothing about what you want to do today! But what if you make a bad decision? What if you take an opportunity and it doesn’t work out? This brings us to our third tactic.

THIRD STEP

LEARN TO LOVE FAILURE

We have to learn that failure is not the worst thing that can happen. In today’s society, we have become so obsessed with success that we become terrified of facing screw ups along the way.

But embracing the risk of failure is the only to seize those golden opportunities when they present themselves. See, if overthinking results from a fear of failure, then the best way to stop overthinking is to lose our fear of failure. From now on, start feeling excited at the possibility of making mistakes. The mantra I always adopt for this is: If I’m failing, I’m learning. Remember that seizing any opportunity will always, always carry a risk of failure. An opportunity is never a guarantee of success, it is simply a chance to acquire it. That’s why it is called an opportunity! If we only ever took action on the sure things in life, we would never do anything worthwhile.

And finally

ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF ACTION

Always opt for doing something over nothing. You can always tweak mistakes as you make them, but if you miss the opportunity altogether, it’s nearly impossible to get it back again. So if in doubt, take a chance. Look at it this way, the sooner you make the mistakes, the sooner you learn how to get it right next time. And once you take them opportunities, play full out! If it’s a job opportunity, don’t sit and wait to be asked to begin. Just start working on something. Never wait for permission to start seizing the opportunities presented to you. If you hesitate, the window will close and you’ll have to wait all over again. And if you’re still unconvinced then look at it this way: If you take action and fail, at least you learn something. If you overthink and do nothing, you fail to learn anything. If you don’t feel like listening to me, at least heed the words of Tony Soprano: “More is lost in indecision than in wrong decision”

YOU CAN ALWAYS TWEAK MISTAKES AS YOU MAKE THEM, BUT IF YOU MISS THE OPPORTUNITY ALTOGETHER, IT’S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT BACK AGAIN

RAGMAG brings you the best in selfimprovement. Matthew Hussey is one of the leading talents in behavioral change and success. As a Life Strategist he has founded two coaching companies working with thousands of individuals across the globe to show them ways of making dramatic shifts in their lives. Matthew’s success has been built on finding out what people want, and showing them how to make it happen in the shortest time possible. He is currently a weekly columnist for Now magazine, providing expert advice on dating and relationship issues for female readers. In addition, his coaching has been featured in the London Metro, Evening Standard, The Sun, The Independent, Men’s Health, Glamour magazine, Cosmopolitan, and Elle magazine. A highly sought after public speaker and executive coach, Matthew has consulted companies including Accenture, Virgin, Morgan Stanley, Weil & Gotshal, and CB Richard Ellis, as well as over 5000 individuals and organizations ranging from directors of FTSE 100 Companies, Universities, international investment funds, artists, and royalty.

For more information on Matthew Hussey´s worldwide coaching programmes visit www.matthewhussey.com today.

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

out + about

GOING FOR

THE GOLD WE RUN THE CITY!

RAGMAG GOT OUT + ABOUT AND COME ON, JUST A BIT BREATHLESS FOR THE BEIRUT MARATHON. LEBANESE TOOK TO THE STREETS FOR THE ANNUAL MARATHON ON NOVEMBER 27TH IN SUPPORT OF A NUMBER OF GOOD CAUSES. SPONSORED BY EVERYONE YOU CAN THINK OF, THE BEIRUT MARATHON IS AN ANNUAL EVENT. CHECK OUT THE IMAGES BELOW FROM THEIR 10K FUN RUN. LOOK FOR US THERE NEXT YEAR! PHOTOGRAPHY TEDDY HABIB

56 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

www.beirutmarathon.org www.facebook.com/BeirutMarathon @BeirutMarathon

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

you + your country

FUNDING + EDUCATION CRUCIAL FOR HEMOPHILIACS IN LEBANON BY FIDA CHAABAN

“

just want to have a normal life. I’m a normal guy! There’s nothing wrong with me,” says Rabih Mourani passionately. “He’s a young man like all the other guys out there,” agrees his mother Fadia Mourani, looking at her son. “Ninety-five percent [of people] don’t get it, my own Father doesn’t!” What they don’t get is hemophilia. Twentyone year-old Rabih is one of Lebanon’s medical anomalies: He has hemophilia and that condition, like many others is Lebanon, is widely misunderstood and sometimes, altogether unknown. “People always ask me if it’s permanent. They don’t know it’s chronic,” explains Rabih alternating between Arabic and English. “I explain the condition and then they’re too afraid to interact with me! I just wish more people understood because I can’t even find a job,” he says fervently. Fadia asks me to share that “it doesn’t bar him from doing anything! He’s fine, he’s a normal boy; we just need them to understand that he can do

58 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

everything. My own brother would rather have him stay at home than work because he thinks he is fragile,” she continued. Rabih is tall, robust and handsome. He’s got a great force of personality and tells me he’s pleased to be speaking to the media if even just to teach a few people about hemophilia and the social stigma that the genetic disorder brings along with it. Hemophiliacs basically lack the clotting agent in blood that stems blood flow and require injections to replace this missing agent. Complications from unchecked internal bleeding can lead to joint issues and other debilitating circumstances. Hemophilia (and other bleeding disorders) affects approximately 1,000 documented Lebanese with over half of that number under the age of 18. Due to its low prevalence rate and even lower level of public attention, they face severe discrimination plagued by fear of the unknown. “It hinders your chances in life. Ninety-nine percent of people discriminate because they don’t know

what it is and the one percent that doesn’t is the special medical community. Here [in Lebanon] they consider it a sickness that affects your life. I can’t get married because I can’t get a job to save money,” says Rabih, giving examples of things people have said to him. “I prefer to tell them [potential employers] because sooner or later they’ll know. Look, it’s simple: I bleed, get an injection, return to work and then I’m fine.” I ask Fadia what her own experience has been when trying to educate her friends and the public at large and she shakes her head, “They don’t have the motivation to even understand. How can they understand anyway if there is no education campaign?” What do hemophiliacs need first, from a parent’s perspective? “The overall treatment is what they need! Rabih needs 2,000 units per injection at least once a week. He is given 1,600 units [from the government] and the rest we take from the Association. If we had that and some public awareness he would have a great life.”

The Association she is referring to is the Lebanese Association for Hemophilia (LAH), a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has been operational since 1992. LAH provides comprehensive out-patient care for those with hemophilia and a quick tour of the center reemphasizes the danger to joints- one of the main features is a physiotherapy cage onsite with equipment for both preventative measures and rehabilitative treatment. Receiving “insufficient care in their youth has resulted in joint deficiency in 65 percent of the center’s adult patients. This in turn leads to motor skill deterioration,” says Solange Sakr, LAH President. According to Sakr, the main concerns for people with hemophilia are as follows: •“Lack of comprehensive care that will allow them to live a normal every day existence. This is tied to the quantity and continuity of the drug treatment.” •“Three pillars of management: education (including self-treatment), physiotherapy, and public awareness to make things easier [in society].” •“Dealing with the establishment. Lawmakers and legislative bodies” to encourage better care and campaigns of information.

Sakr explains that the quantity allotted to each patient is “never adequate.” I am quick to enquire about the government method used to assign quantities of the coagulation protein to each person. What I am given is an explanation based on what sounds like an archaic system of dose allocation. Apparently, only “only 3.5 to 4 percent of the national budget is allocated to health spending. Why are other chronic conditions covered more consistently?” asks Sakr. The injection Rabih needs at 2,000 units is compensated at 1,600 units. The remaining 400 units are $1 each which means that he faces a minimum cost of $400 weekly. This is a staggering amount especially in Lebanon where $1,200 monthly is considered an excellent income. Besides the obvious societal ramifications, economic woes seem to be a hemophiliac’s vicious circle- you can’t earn a stable income because you’re discriminated against for having the condition and therefore, you’re depending on LAH for the remainder of your needed dosage. What happens when the NGO’s supply stream dries up, I wonder. What about legal recourse for the lack of fair employment opportunities? This is where law number

220/2000 comes in. Issued in December 1999, 220/2000 supposedly extends protection and quotas of employment for people with conditions but won’t extend to hemophilia unless they become disabled- so the absolute worst case scenario basically. Sakr is adamant that the “law is very important. Awareness campaigns are needed to change the public mentality and ease integration and transmit knowledge.” As for Rabih, the stigma extends to every area of his personal life and this is perhaps one of the most debilitating things about hemophilia. Bleeding can be treated with the injections (providing he continues to receive the extra boost from LAH) but emotionally he is bitter. “My friends have pity for me. I tell them I’m a guy like everybody else and I don’t need their pathetic looks,” he says. As he stands to bid me goodbye, Rabih towers over me and smiles. Had he not told me of his condition, I never would have known- he IS just like everybody else and I hope this article helps him make people see that. The only exceptional thing about him? He’s got to petition for his rights

HEMOPHILIA (AND OTHER BLEEDING DISORDERS) AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 DOCUMENTED LEBANESE WITH OVER HALF OF THAT NUMBER UNDER THE AGE OF 18

Lebanese Association for Hemophilia Antelias, Lebanon +961 4 713 055 THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

GOLDENGLOBE THE BENEFITS OF ALTRUISM

SO CHRISTMAS IS FINALLY HERE AND SO ARE ITS LONG AWAITED GIFTS. WE ENJOY RECEIVING BUT WHAT ABOUT GIVING? THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, RAGMAG URGES YOU TO LEND A HELPING HAND AND DO YOUR PART AS A GLOBAL CITIZEN: IT DOESN’T MATTER WHETHER YOU ARE DONATING TIME OR MATERIAL GOODS. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SIDE OF GIVING- THERE ARE MORE BENEFITS THAN YOU KNOW! BY SARAH HOURANY

LIFELINE

Jordan Grafman, Chief of the Cognitive Neuroscience Section National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, examined brain functioning during the donation process using “functional MRI”. By scanning 19 healthy volunteers playing a game that offered cash as a reward when winning, the results were consistent with the team’s expectations: Following the reception of the cash, the structures in the brain that were associated with the release of dopamine, the hormone of pleasure and reward, were lit up. However, they were surprised to note that when the same volunteers were asked to anonymously donate (rather than take) the cash received to charities, the same brain circuits were more active and other areas of the brain were also triggered. Oxytocin, known as the “cuddle hormone”, was also secreted during the donation process. What this means is that you get more pleasure when you are giving rather than receiving, scientifically speaking.

60 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

BY DONATING, WE’RE SUPPORTING POSITIVE BRAIN EVOLUTION

Another interesting study in Germany endorsed Grafman’s results: Researchers examined data collected between the fall of the Berlin wall and the country’s reunification, only to find out that Eastern Germans, whose volunteering opportunities decreased dramatically during that period, were less happy compared to a control group who experienced no change in their volunteering status. Happiness and higher levels of selfsatisfaction are not the only two benefits of donating. Improved

physical and mental health was also noted in several other studies: When retired senior citizens were asked to do kindness acts 3 times a week for a period of three weeks, less anxiety and depression as well as improved health and a reduction in stress-related hormones were registered among these volunteers. Similarly, people who engaged in donation activities during their high school years were less likely to suffer from HIV, multiple sclerosis, and heart problems, and thus were more likely to live longer!

GIVING BEHAVIOR

INSTINCTIVE OR LEARNED?

The Christmas Eve scenario is the simplest answer to this question: Kids are excited to receive their gifts while parents enjoy offering them. This suggests that altruism or more specifically the donating behavior is learned rather than innate. As people get older, they gradually use a sophisticated set of processes to help them empathize with others: The greater their ability to empathize, the more they altruism they exhibit.

Nevertheless, you must be persuaded first to donate, and that is exactly what we are doing here at RAGMAG. Trust us, if you do it once, you’ll do it again because you will experience an incomparable feeling of pleasure and joy. Plus, as Grafman explains, the frontal lobes of the human brain are not only the most recently evolved organs but they are also still evolving. By donating, we’re supporting positive brain evolution.

AS PEOPLE GET OLDER, THEY GRADUALLY USE A SOPHISTICATED SET OF PROCESSES TO HELP THEM EMPATHIZE WITH OTHERS

GOLDEN GLOBE CELEBRITIES OPRAH WINFREY

“YOU GET FROM THE WORLD WHAT YOU GIVE TO THE WORLD”

One of the most successful anchors in American TV history, a producer and business guru, Oprah is also considered one of the most-giving celebrities, reportedly donating millions of dollars to charity. She also has three foundations: The Angel Network, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation. In 2007, she inaugurated the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls that aims to provide education for South African girls who exhibited leadership traits. Oprah recently received an Honorary Oscar (the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award) for her outstanding humanitarian work, “I never imagined myself receiving an Oscar, especially for what I’m considering my calling,” Winfrey said.

BILL GATES

“AS WE LOOK AHEAD INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, LEADERS WILL BE THOSE WHO EMPOWER OTHERS” Besides being one of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates, the founder and former CEO of Microsoft, is a well-known humanitarian. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aims to reduce poverty, enhance healthcare and education opportunities. As of 2007, the foundation has donated over 28 billion dollars to charity. Named by the TIME magazine as the “person of the year” in 2005 and ranked as the top on their list of billionaires that have given the most to charity, Gates continues to make a positive contribution in the world. He has reportedly pledged to give his fortune to charity rather than leaving it to his own children.

ANGELINA JOLIE

“I’VE BEEN RECKLESS, BUT I’M NOT A REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE”

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie channels her fame to great causes. As the UN Goodwill Ambassador, Jolie traveled around the world to meet with refugees and displaced people in Iraq, Haiti, Pakistan, Tanzania and many more places. In 2006 she formed the JoliePitt foundation, with her long term partner Brad Pitt, dedicated to eradicate extreme rural poverty and protect natural resources. Their new foundation donated $1 million to Doctors Without Borders, $2 million to help fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Ethiopia, $340,000 to pay for healthcare for children left homeless in war-ravaged Somalia and $2 Million Gift to Namibian Wildlife Sanctuary, among many other generous donations

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

GOODWILL GIFTS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY SABINA LLEWELLYN-DAVIES

You just can’t go wrong with a socially minded gift. A meal voucher for an elderly person in need, or a gift basket with delicious local produce to support rural farmers, is bound to touch the heart of both givers and receivers. So, stop telling yourself that someone else should take care of those in need in Lebanon and start to make a difference all by yourself… and buy responsible gifts that give back to the community.

ASPREY

Angelina Jolie, actress, UNHCR goodwill ambassador, wife to Brad Pitt and supermom to six children has teamed up with her husband to design a selection of high-end gold and silver pieces, the Protector Collection, for renowned British luxury goods firm Asprey. All net proceeds from sales of the collection will go the couple’s charity, Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, founded in 2006. The charity raises awareness and funds to educate child victims of war, conflict and natural disasters. The Protector Collection comprises silverware, from picture frames to rattles, egg cups and spoons for babies; also, stunning diamond studded rings, pendants and bracelets for adults and children. asprey.com

ARC EN CIEL is a non-profit

organization dedicated to helping those with disabilities, economic or physical, and has been making a difference in people’s lives all over Lebanon. To raise much needed funds it set up a ceramic workshop for unique personalized crafts. Pass by the Jisr el Wati center and check out the wide range of ceramic items which can be decorated, from mugs to plates and ornaments, all make great presents and the proceeds from the sale go to a good cause. Arc en Ciel also sells rural agro-food products in straw baskets, such as jam, golden olive oil, and sundried tomatoes, which make wonderful and healthy gifts instead of the usual chocolates.

www.arcenciel.org

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AFDC

(Association for Forest Development and Conservation) motto is “For Nature. For Life,” and in order to boost nature in Lebanon support their ongoing campaign for planting native trees. To support the program you can sponsor a tree, a project, or even become an AFDC partner. The AFDC center in the Chouf region of Ramlieh is well worth a visit just to see the vast tree nursery. And while you are there buy some of their delicious honey. Or even extend your visit to an overnight stay in the center which has spacious modern double rooms. www.afdc.org.lb

EDUN is a clothes brand founded

by Hewson, the wife of U2’s front man Bono. She was so touched by the extreme poverty in Africa that she decided to make a difference and came up with an exclusive range of contemporary designed clothes. All clothes are made in Africa from organic and natural material and by local people, providing them with a much needed income. Hewson and Bono have long campaigned against poverty in Africa and hope that by raising the profile of Edun, they will encourage more in the fashion industry to follow suit and do business in Africa. Support their cause and order conscious clothes online. Edun is available at ABC department store and the environmentally responsible shop Green and Glam in Achrafieh, Beirut.

TETA’S WISDOM is a little gem of a book, by author Hiba El Chaarani and illustrator Angela Nurpetlian, which gives readers a glimpse into a Lebanese Teta’s (Arabic for grandma) world. Published by Beirut’s Turning Point, the book is filled to the brim with legends, delicious traditional food recipes, as well as useful tips on different topics ranging from wellbeing to family life. And the good news is that fifty percent of the sale proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association Lebanon. A wonderful stocking filler.

tpbooksonline.com

BETA

(Beirut Ethical Treatment of Animals) takes in abused or neglected pets, mainly dogs and cats, which have been dumped out on the street. The animals are taken to their adoption center. Unfortunately, the center has taken in so many animals over the past year that it is unable to cope with any more intakes and so will be only too pleased to hand them over to a loving home. All the animals have had a full checkup by a vet, and are vaccinated. You can go online to fill out an adoption form or visit their center to take a look at the animals but watch out as your heart is sure to melt at the sight of these neglected pets. betalebanon.org

www.edun.com

EARTH MARKET

BASSMA

in Beirut gives a lot of food for thought and features small-scale producers from all over Lebanon. They set up their stands in a narrow alley next to Bread Republic in Hamra once a week. Apart from certified organic fruits and vegetables they also sell unique artisan laurel oil soaps and traditional cooking pots which make great presents all year round. The market takes place every Tuesday morning from 9 am to 2 pm so don’t miss this opportunity to support the country’s small-scale farmers and producers.

is a non-profit association set up to help Lebanese families in need regardless of their political affiliation or religious confession. Once the families in need have been identified Bassma arranges for donations of food as well as clothes, blankets and various other essentials such as school supplies for children. And many elderly in need are provided with hot meals several times a week. You can donate money to support Bassma’s worthy activities or give your time to help deprived children with their homework or help out at the mealtimes for the elderly.

earthmarkets.net

bassma.org

SOS Children

is the world’s largest orphan and abandoned children’s charity helping more than 78,000 children in 518 children’s villages in 125 countries. They began working in Lebanon in 1966 and just three years later the first SOS Children’s Village was established in the mountain village of Bhersaf. It is now home to 108 children. To raise funds the association sells lovely cards with designs drawn by the children available from major bookshops and they can even arrange delivery for larger quantities. soslib@dm.net.lb

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

mind, body + soul

THREADS OF

SILVER +GOLD LUCID DREAMING WEAVES DIFFERENT PLANES OF CONSCIOUSNESS BY ALICE HLIDKOVA + ERIC JOSEPH REITMEYER

ustina Lasley helps her clients understand the meaning of their dreams. The author and dream consultant believes dreams are storybooks written by the unconscious mind, and by interpreting them, she can help her clients make the necessary choices that will ultimately lead them to live a more spiritual or fulfilling life. She uses the technique of lucid—lucere in latin meaning “shine”—dreaming that allows individuals to dream while consciously awake. It is a co-created experience wherein dreamers direct themselves through the dreaming process without actually controlling it. Once they cross the boundary from conscious dreaming to conscious waking, she can identify the source of their trauma, and through talk therapy alleviate any suffering.

The act is meant to mitigate her client’s nightmares. Some cases are completely resolved, while others will only see their symptoms become less severe. The latter includes many Vietnam War veterans, most of whom suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), a key symptom being post-traumatic nightmares. The knowledge of nightmares and lucid experiences are extremely subjective and vary among individuals. We create nightmares from the raw materials of our own fears that affect our waking and dreaming lives. They are normally treated with sleep therapy, meditation, or scientific experiments at sleep laboratories. “If our physical bodies are influenced by events of the lucid state, then a consciously aware dreamer can

‘IF OUR PHYSICAL BODIES ARE INFLUENCED BY EVENTS OF THE LUCID STATE, THEN A CONSCIOUSLY AWARE DREAMER CAN HEAL HIS OR HER BODY IN A LUCID DREAM’ 64 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

heal his or her body in a lucid dream”, argues International Association for the Study of Dreams President Robert Waggoner. His thirty years of research indicates that the lucid experience can end or mitigate recurrent nightmares associated with PTSD, and that “experienced lucid dreamers have reportedly healed themselves of physical ailments while lucidly aware.” It is a means to overcome anxiety and depression, as well as certain phobias, by directing sound energy, chants, or affirmations toward the client, and also, imagery creation, and talk therapy. Curing himself of nightmares, the dream expert and author supports lucid dreaming as having “practical application for mental health, and possibly physical health,” adding “considerable value to the science of psychology.” He also thinks that lucid experiences can potentially revolutionize para-psychology, the individual ability to interact with the environment in ways not yet explained by science, and support theoretical physicists on their views of space and time.

Professor of psychology at Saybrook University in San Francisco, Dr. Krippner and his students have worked with hundreds of PTSD sufferers. He says that the nightmares “overwhelm their coping mechanism.” He has estimated, based on feedback, over fifty percent success rate among PTSD sufferers when he and a group of students introduce certain techniques like re-dreaming and excessive art. Re-dreaming allows patients to review their dream and give a different ending, to “resolve the dream,” while excessive art involves reworking their emotions. These techniques proved more successful than serotonin stimulators and antidepressants such as Zoloft and Prozac.

theories, psychologists trained in clinical programs heavy with quantitative research, disregard healing possibilities behind lucid dreaming. More importantly, psychiatrists, brain scientists and academics with a heavy science-oriented background view dream therapy as controversial for treatment of serious illnesses. Siding with conservative schools of thought to support their arguments with quantitative data, professors like Allan Hobson at Harvard University will not make any claims since no controlled study has been done.

Despite the research and statistics lucid dreaming has yet to be considered a credible, licensed therapy. The reason, according to Lasley, is that psychologists don’t fully understand it. “Most psychologists are not trained in transpersonal psychology—meaning that no thought or action is separate from the body—which focuses on the mind-body-spirit connections,” she says.

He provides an explanation in his book, Dream Life, where he takes a scientifically biological rather than psychoanalytical approach to dream science, describing the functional and frontal splitting of the brain during lucid dreaming. He concludes that dreams—“a mental state that tells us something about our consciousness,” he says—are meaningful links between one state of the brain activated in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and another activated in waking state, which contradicts Freudian dream theories.

Since transpersonal psychology attempts to describe and integrate spiritual aspects of the human experience—such as religious conversion and mysticism, altered states of consciousness and trance—within modern psychological

In contrast, a team of European scientists at Germany’s Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry have been successful in testing Lucid Dreaming Treatment (LDT) on patients suffering from chronic nightmares not related to PTSD.

‘THERE IS A LOT OF POWER IN DREAMS… A LOT OF THINGS YOU CAN’T PROVE IN LIFE’

Randomly placing patients in two small control groups, they found that LDT is a useful alternative for patients not suffering from repetitive themes. However, the effects of LDT continues to be limited to nightmare evaluation, as there are no randomized control trials for PTSD patients, due to lack of funding, too few available scientists, and good alternatives. Due to extensive empirical evidence, the treatment-of-choice for PTSD sufferers is Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT), points out team member Victor Spoormaker. Both Spoormaker and Lasley have knowledge of such trials showing effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy using techniques like imagery rehearsal to diminish nightmare frequency. However, Lasley firmly stands behind various lucid treatments, convinced of its therapeutic qualities and access to unconscious layers of information, that someday will cure her clients. “There is a lot of power in dreams…a lot of things you can’t prove in life,” says Lasley, levels of awareness both writer Allen Edgar Poe and German theoretical physicist Wolfgang von Goethe once agreed upon and obsessed over. How much validity this all holds still remains to be explored by the scientific community

OPPOSITE PAGE AND BELOW: STILLS FROM THE MOVIE “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” 1999

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

mirrormirror PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

SILENCE IS GOLDEN ENTERING ZA ZEN FEET FIRST BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

ocated on one of the Genesis Health Club floors, the Za Zen Wellness center is the new Spa in town. Contrasting with the busy and noisy street of Verdun, the tranquility that welcomes you upon entering is already a factor for your well-being. The reception is entirely soundproof, protecting the center from the hurrahs of bodybuilders training downstairs. One section of the center is dedicated to “regular” treatments like face and body therapies, laser hair removal and nail treatments. As for the second section, it’s a whole new concept. Za Zen, Japanese for “to sit down” and “silent meditation”, introduces the Feet First Chinese concept, a reflexology oriented therapy. You enter the Feet First rooms silently, on tiptoe to avoid disturbing clients, whether they’re being pampered or jumping on the occasion of a 1 hour massage to meditate. The lighting is subdued and the rooms are entirely decorated with dark wood and candles, enhanced by the scent of potpourri vases and miniature wooden boats.

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The nicest thing about the Za Zen Wellness Center is its authenticity. Their Feet First therapists are Chinese, and if that implies a small language barrier, then so be it. They know exactly what you sign up for, and there’s no need for small talk while you’re being treated. They use Chinese massage techniques that consist of many different movements. The reflexology treatment is a pressure-point massage focusing on specific nerve locations on the feet, hands and ears. These points are connected to organs and nerves throughout the body. When the therapist presses on the reflex points, tension is released and energy flows, encouraging healing. Another example of their Feet First experiences is their De-stress Massage. Concentrating on the neck, back and shoulder to relieve stiffness, tension and tired muscles, the therapist will start by pressuring opposite parts of your body to relieve tension. Then you’re asked whether you’d prefer a soft or a hard treatment. I recommend you try the hard treatment. It might

seem a bit harsh at first, but you will feel your muscles relaxing almost immediately. Using essential oils, the therapist massages you by pressuring not points, but lines on your body, from the top of your neck to your lower-back

MUST TRY

THE EXPRESS HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER MASSAGE A relatively short massage (15 minutes) that doesn’t use massage oil. Very suitable for those who have stiff necks and shoulders due to work stress, especially after spending long hours in front of the computer. Also great for those who have little time to spare since it’s short- Great alternative to a nap or a coffee break.

Za Zen Wellness Center Genesis Health Club, Verdun Street 01/812213 | 01 812212 za.zenwellnesscenter@hotmail.com Za Zen Wellness Center

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

mind, body + soul

LIQUID HONEY WORKS ITS MAGIC BY ELODIE BARAKAT

or thousands of years, honey was a sign of wealth and considered a substance of deities. Now affordable for all and with all the mystical stuff gone, we still have to admit that nature does it best.

Elixir of Life

Egyptians used honey to embalm their dead. It’s not going to keep you looking 20 forever but the first clue as to why it was used can be found in the antioxidants. Honey contains mostly flavonoids which curb cellular decline. A study in 2002 by the School of Medicine of The Johns Hopkins University in Maryland even found a link between honey consumption and breast cancer prevention, but that is an embryonic hypothesis. Compared to other products like pomegranate, honey doesn’t have a huge amount of antioxidants but it has other benefits too.

RAGGED HONEY FACTS 30

The percentage of time that honey reduces elimination of alcohol from your bloodstream according to a 2005 study by the Department of Medical Biochemistry Delta State University in Nigeria. Honey makes a great cocktail, it also reduces the effects of alcohol by 4.4 percent.

Double Time

Thyme honey can heal a wound 2 times faster than an ordinary dressing.

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Household Cure

The most stunning properties of honey? Healing and antibacterial agents. Used since antiquity to cure wounds, it was even used to heal soldiers during both world wars. Today, medical science seems to be in a “back to basics” mood and several studies have recognized its healing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s now used in some hospitals to heal burnt and wounded patients. Studies found that its tackiness, its low pH, and the hydrogen peroxide and formic acid it produces naturally have a big role in its favorable performance. Furthermore, honey is useful for treating ulcers, digestive troubles such as diarrhea... For big stuff, ask your doctor first. Honey is also good to maintain beautiful skin, but not easy to use (a bit sticky). Better choose products already prepared.

Golden Oldie

Bees are an 85 million year-old species

200

The price of the most expensive honey on Earth. Jujube honey, produced in Yemen, can be worth $200 depending on its quality. This 24K honey is also said to be a surprising aphrodisiac.

80 Percentage of the amount of sugar in honey. It’s more or less 20 percent water.

1.5 The number in millions of tons of global honey production in 2009.

“HI HONEY, I’M HOME!”

Since honey comes from flowers, its properties vary depending on the plant. Check out our cheat sheet. Remember, the darker the honey, the more antioxidants! Honey contains a lot of sugar and can also induce teeth decay so don’t forget to brush your teeth!

CUTS + ABRASIONS

Make sure the wound is clean and dry. Apply a thin layer of honey. Cover it with a bandage. Redo the dressing two to three times a day until the wound is healed. If it dries and it’s hard to remove, simply wet it with warm water until it comes off. Thyme honey is suggested to be the most effective in this case.

DRY COUGH + SORE THROAT

Three times a day, take a big spoonful of honey with drops of lemon or vinegar. It will soothe your throat and release your bronchial tubes. Eucalyptus and pine honey are reportedly very good in this case.

SLEEPYHEAD

By increasing secretions of serotonin and tryptophan- hormones involved in wellbeing and sleep, honey helps you get some rest. Have a glass of hot milk with a big spoonful of honey 30 minutes before bedtime. Orange blossom and lavender honey are very the best varieties for this.

Insider Tip

Better use a non-transformed honey. You can keep it 1 to 2 years, away from heat and light. If it’s not pasteurized, keep it in the fridge. The more liquid the texture the honey, the younger it is. As it gets older, it crystallizes and gets sweeter

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PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

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LIGHT AS A FEATHER IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GOLD AT FEATHER ROSA BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

‘WE NEED TO REALLY PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR THE GOLD MOLECULES. WE FIRST CLEAN IT ON THE SURFACE, THEN WE GO A LITTLE DEEPER WITH THE MICRO-EXFOLIATING POWDER’

hen Fida first told me I had to find a spa treatment fitting the “gold” theme of this issue, I immediately thought of the Feather Rosa Spa. I had never tried their massages or body treatments, but I used to get manicures done there, finding the nail bar relaxing and their friendly service really good. I decided to go for the Umo Gold facial they offer, only knowing it involved gold leaf and a facial massage. Upon entering the Spa, I ask the receptionist about my appointment and all the clients around me stop talking. Time stands still for a few seconds, and I can see stares of envy and excitement. I am starting to enjoy the attention, getting the feeling this is an exceptional treatment. As I’m taken to my treatment room and get comfortable on the massage table, I start asking my therapist Samar about this special treatment. “The Umo Gold Facial is the best glow therapy you can

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get. It also has hydrating and antiaging properties, but these are nothing compared to the glow you’re going to get after the treatment.” I am starting to wonder if I’m just going to look tanned, and think that I could have just gone for a salon tanning session at a few dollars per minute instead of the $500 facial mask. However, it is too late for me to change my mind, as Samar is already cleansing my skin and removing my make-up.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT “This is part of the first step,” Samar explains. “We need to really prepare your skin for the gold molecules. We first clean it on the surface, then we go a little deeper with the microexfoliating powder.” The latter is mixed with a solution and then applied with a brush. Samar massages me a few seconds and removes it: my skin is now ready for Step Two – The Hydration

SHE PUTS THE PARCHMENT PAPER RIGHT ON THE PART SHE WANTS THE GOLD LEAF TO ADHERE TO, AND SLOWLY REMOVES IT. SHE THEN REMOVES THE TOP PARCHMENT PAPER. SAMAR REPEATS THE PROCESS UNTIL MY FACE IS COVERED The Umo Gold therapy uses very specific products, for a specific amount of time and it’s part of why it’s more expensive than regular treatment (let’s not forget the gold, but let me get there). Samar breaks a GammaPGA phial and applies it on my face while massaging me for 5 minutes. “The product I’m using now is ten times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid and far more elastic than collagen. It is also 100 percent natural, biodegradable and non-toxic.” As far as I’m concerned, I already prefer this treatment to any other facial, because of the natural, eco-friendly product. A cold steam machine is then directed

to my face, helping the Gama-PGA penetrate and firm the skin. When the hydrating product has reached its full effectiveness, Samar applies a massage cream, also specific for the Umo Gold treatment. She shows me the bottle so I can see what is so special about it. Labeled “Carrier for Gold”, this massage cream combines serum, lotion and emulsion cream. It easily penetrates the skin, hydrating it to the max and preps the skin to receive the gold leaf. A little bit more cream is added every few minutes, for 15 minutes, all the while being gently pushed deep down the several layers of my skin by Samar’s fingers.

TIME TO SHINE I can now hear Samar struggling with the first gold leaf. This product is actually very difficult to handle, as it is extremely thin and tears easily. Plus, it quickly sticks to anything, and once it touches any other surface, she can’t use it on my face anymore. Samar uses what looks like wood sugar tongs to pick the leaf up and move it. When she comes near my face, I can see she’s not allowing contact between the gold leaf and her skin, and not even with the tongs. Treating the material with all the delicacy it is due, she has “wrapped” the leaf with two square parchment papers: one on top of it, one under it. She starts with my right cheek: she puts the parchment paper right on the part she wants the gold leaf to adhere to, and slowly removes it. She then removes the top parchment paper. Samar repeats the process until my face is covered. “I’m going to put the cold steam machine on again.” she explains. “It is going to reduce the gold molecules down to seven times smaller than your pores, so they are really absorbed.” I still can’t believe I’m having gold penetrate my skin, and I can’t wait to see the results.

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10 minutes later my therapist announces the final step: the ultimate massage. Using a massage cream, she is going to help the gold molecules on their way through my skin. She begins rubbing my face, massaging it with circular movements, until the entire gold residue is gone. I can finally take a look in the mirror. Even with the subdued lighting of the treatment room, I can see the difference. My face is indeed glowing and has a very particular golden shine. I just wish I had a skin cleansing before the treatment: the gold had done such a good job that my little skin problems like redness were showing now more than ever!

RAGMAG’S FAVORITE TREATMENTS

• The Turkish Bath and its cleansing and relaxing properties. We like the fact that the Feather Rosa Spa offers many packages with it: mud wrap, massage, or henna- your choice! • The Pampering Body Rituals. The Chocolate Body Experience for a soft younger skin, the Green Tea Slimming treatment for reshaping or the Vanilla Hydramoist Ritual for a hydrated skin (and a pleasant smell) are 3 must-try treatments.

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• The Nail Care. We love the Spa Manicure and Pedicure. Their therapists really know how to get rid of those cuticles and have magical hands when it comes to massaging your hands and feet. Look out for their metallic colours nail polish collection, they even have silver and gold!

WHAT WE LOVED AT FEATHER ROSA SPA

• The Spa offers a multitude of packages for HIM + HER, like their Bridal Bliss, Gracious Groom, New Mom baby shower, and Spa Parties for a relaxing time with friends. • They have new offers every month. You can get a free facial with every body massage, one Permanent Hair Removal session with every 3 bought, and so on.

Feather Rosa Sahel Alma Highway, Jounieh +961 9 912 433 www.featherrosa.com info@featherrosa.com

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LIVING THE FRAGRANT LIFE Our best pick for L’Occitane’s Délices des Fruits collection is their home fragrance that comes with fifteen natural diffuser sticks and one refill. With several scents to choose from you can look forward to mornings with white blossoms, evenings of winter forest and afternoons of candied fruit! We’re also loving the calisson-shaped candle, so one of them will be going to three readers (check out the next page).

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You can choose between Citron & Clémentine Shower Jelly in 250ml or their blended frangrant soap also in calisson shape. Finish off with the Citon & Clémentine Body Gel-Cream to hydrate and give you this scent of candied citrus peel. Keep their Citron & Clémentine hand cream at home and at the office to stave off dried out hands. For your besties, you’re going to pick up their bath ball so they can soak it up in grand Provence style.

FYI For all the gents out there, L’Occitane hasn’t forgotten about you. We’re big fans of their lavender range that could easily go male or female. They do have a large men’s range made with high quality ingredients such as natural plant extract. Next time you decide to rub-a-dub-dub hit up your nearest L’Occitane location and try out some of their products targeted at you. We like this holiday gift set. Get it before it’s gone!

WIN

Three lucky readers will be taking home a six piece gift set courtesy of L’Occitane. Inspired by the intoxicating scent of rose and violet petals “draped in sugar”, the Délice des Fleurs collection comes in a variety of different products. In your gift you’re getting a combination of Délices des Fleurs and Délice des Fruits products. The eau de toilette in a 75ml frosted bottle will be your new best friend with top notes of

orange and berry. The base notes of vanilla and sandalwood give it an allure all its own. If you love it enough to take it to go you can also purchase the Délice des Fleurs 10gr perfume solid for your purse. This brand has long been recognized for its superior hand creams and this year they’ve put out a great sampler set of three formulas for you to try! The Délice des Fleurs Rose & Violette hand cream will match your fragrance perfectly

ARE YOU READY TO PLAY? The first three readers to email letterstotheedito@ragmaglive.com with the phrase “L”Occitane is high octane!” will be rewarded with the six products pictured on this page. We’ve only got three sets to give away so head to your inboxes as fast as your fingers can get there! Happy holidays! xoxoxo RAGMAG

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Caudalie gives word of mouth a whole new meaning. We gave their products a try and we can’t help picking a few faves. We’re passing on the good word of mouth because you can’t hear too much about a good thing. Based in France, Caudalie’s compositions are known to use extracts that pack a punch- like their Vinoperfect Day Perfection Fluid with SPF 15. Use a sparing amount all over the face every morning for best results. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you don’t need SPF- play it safe with this multi-benefit product for all skin types.

TRIPTYCH We were hard pressed to choose a gold medallist of these 3 gorgeous Caudalie scents but come on? Who can name a champ when it’s good, better and best? If you’re looking to get gifts for many that are the same but different, pick up these 3 crowd pleasers that each have a subtle allure of their own. Third time is a charm!

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If you’re like RAGMAG, then you love high quality fragrance. We’re gold diggas through and through when it comes to J’Adore for the holiday season. The fragrance has been a bestseller for years now, but a good thing never goes out of style. Every so often, Dior

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does us one better and introduces a limited edition version of the floral delight. Have you gotten yours yet? The golden elixir is a popular pick and yes, while we have itwe’ve got an all-mine attitude so we won’t be sharing this one!

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TINSEL When you’re watching the clock and counting down to New Year’s Eve, you’re going to want to do it in holiday glitz. Get Dior’s newest collection ‘Rouge Or’ since it fits the razzle dazzle requirement. Timeless Dior for the glitter-filled moments in your life. 10, 9, 8, 7…!

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We’ve struck gold with Dior’s Prestige range. The concentrate, Satin Revitalizing Nectar, is a power-packed boost for your lacklustre winter skin. Start with a thin, even layer and apply it all over a cleansed

skin. Follow with the moisturizing Satin Revitalizing Cream – a small amount goes a long way. Using your ring finger, tap a small amount of the Satin Revitalizing Eye Cream around the eye contour. Voila, you’re golden!

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VALENTINO’S GOT POETIC JUSTICE

Fronted by the famous and flirty model Freja Beha Erichsen, Valentino’s newest creation is called Valentina. Swedish Director Johan Renck created the TV campaign in short film style, capturing Freja’s personality

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beautifully as Valentina. We think she was the perfect choice as the face of this campaign. The video is definitely worth watching- Google it online and tune in to see Freja bring Valentina to life!

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Gentlemen, are you out there? The House of Lanvin has created a new scent for those of you who shine a bit brighter than the rest. We picked the adjective aurum for Lanvin’s latest fragrance- it’s Latin for

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“shining down” (also where the chemical symbol for gold originated: Au) because it really is the gold standard. If you’re the leader of the pack, get Avant Garde for your holiday events.

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emperor’s new clothes

We got out + about and all fashion flash-tastic for Pavoni’s Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk. Held at Whiskey Mist in the Phoenicia Intercontinental, Pavoni’s haute couture inspired us to get decked out this holiday season. The brand’s founders, Mike Derderian and Gianni Falcone, chose the Italian word for peacock to represent their daring line. We don’t think there is a more fitting description for gowns (short and long) that encourage you to strut your evening stuff! Check out the next page over for celebs out + about in their favorite Pavoni creations. Bravo, Pavoni! PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

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CELEBS IN PAVONI CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CARRIE UNDERWOOD, LINDSAY LOHAN, SHAKIRA, NATALIA GANTIMUROVE (MISS RUSSIA), KATE PERRY

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emperor’s new clothes 1. LOUIS VUITTON LEATHER BOOTS 2. JIMMY CHOO SANDALS 3. EMILIO PUCCI STILETTOS 4. YVES SAINT LAURENT BOOTIES 5. YVES SAINT LAURENT PUMPS 6. CHRISTIAN DIOR BOOTIES 7. YVES SAINT LAURENT PLATFORMS 8. EMILIO PUCCI STILETTOS 9. JIMMY CHOO SANDALS 10. JIMMY CHOO SANDALS 11. JIMMY CHOO SLINGBACKS

SHOW 1

4 5

11 6 7

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emperor’s new clothes

1. EMILIO PUCCI FUR HANDBAG 2. SWAROVSKI CLUTCH 3. YVES SAINT LAURENT BAG 4. JIMMY CHOO GOLD METAL CLUTCH 5. JIMMY CHOO NUDE SATIN CLUTCH 6. JIMMY CHOO BLONDE PYTHON BAG 7. CHRISTIAN DIOR FUR HANDBAG 8. JIMMY CHOO METAL BOX BAG 9. EMILIO PUCCI SHOULDER BAG

BASH

BASH 2

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VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FW 2011/2012

MIX N’ 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 STYLED BY STEPHANIE AOUN

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emperor’s new clothes

Marigold

Yves Saint Laurent cuff

Jimmy Choo champagne glitter leather bag

Swarovski Protect ring

Golden Retriever

Ella Luna sweater Taten $399

Ella Luna silver tunic Taten $399

BALMAIN FW 2011/2012 CHRISTIAN DIOR FW 2011/2012

Yves Saint Laurent necklace

Star Power Jimmy Choo Start nude glitter acryllic clutch

GUCCI RESORT 2012

Golden Girl

Red Valentino cardigan Taten $615

Creamfields

Pair this beautiful Kara Ross clutch with those platforms by Ruthie Davis, and you’re good to go! Clutch $1037 Platforms $1023 Available at Taten

Yves Saint Laurent stiletto

Jimmy Choo Falcon champagne pixelated leather stiletto

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Yves Saint Laurent belt

Color Craze Emilio Pucci scarf

BURBERRY PRORSUM SS 2012

Loosen Up

H&M wide legged pants

Emilio Pucci sunglasses

Christian Dior handbag

Robinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Egg

Pants by Nuj Novakhett, Label Queen $220 Yves Saint Laurent handbag

H&M FW 2011/2012

Chain Mail Yves Saint Laurent bracelet

High Five

Go for these funky high waisted leggings by En Ville Label Queen $120

Ring Bearer

Yves Saint Laurent knee high boots

Swarovski Powder ring

Green Machine

Emilio Pucci booties

Harem pants by Supreme Being The Union $126

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MAISON RABIH KEYROUZ FW 2011/2012

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STELLA MCCARTNEY FW 2011/2012

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Damas Oasi collection

Give Me My Mittens Check out this bobble hat and mittens both by Wesc available at The Union $63.73 each

NANETTE LEPORE FW 2011/2012

Heartbreaker Grey Eyedoll knit with hearts print, available at Taten $330

Christian Dior sunglasses

Frayed Fun

Funky and warm, this Ashish chunky knit will add some edginess to your wardrobe. Taten $600

Knit dress by Maurie and Eve Label Queen $270

Emilio Pucci scarf H&M FW 2011/2012

Balenciaga handbag Yves Saint Laurent handbag

Star Bright Wildfox sweater Label Queen $260

Locked Links

Geox boot in off-white

Swarovski Prime Time bracelet

Buckle Up Emilio Pucci stiletto boot

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FESTIVE SEASON

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FESTIVE SEASON

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Photography by ODETTE KAHWAGI + CHRISTIAN HARB Styled by JONY MATTA Fashion Set Direction ALEXANDRA KAHWAGI Makeup by ELIE ESTEPHAN from institute HALA AJAM | Hair by ROGER GABRIEL Models ALINA + MIRA | LIPS AGENCY, ALEX | LONDON MODEL MANAGEMENT

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HEAD PIECE BY MISSAK HAJIAVEDIKIAN FOR RAGMAG

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GOWN BY MISSAK HAJIAVEDIKIAN

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GOWN BY MISSAK HAJIAVEDIKIAN

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HEAD PIECE BY MISSAK HAJIAVEDIKIAN FOR RAGMAG

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FOREGROUND MODELS DRESSED BY KRIKOR JABOTIAN, BACKGROUND MODEL DRESSED BY MISSAK HAJIAVEDIKIAN

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HEAD PIECE BY MISSAK HAJIAVEDIKIAN FOR RAGMAG

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STILETTOS MT STUDIOS

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new + now

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY Tiffany & Co. this week launched its first annual web-based Corporate Responsibility Report. The website (www.tiffany.com/ sustainability, #tiffanycsr) details the Company’s long history of environmental and social responsibility and Fiscal Year 2010 sustainability performance. “Our position as a leader in the luxury jewellery market gives us the opportunity and the responsibility to set an example for the industry and to conduct our business in a manner that is consistent with our core beliefs—protection of the environment, respect for human rights and support for the communities in which we do business,” said Tiffany & Co. Chairman and CEO Michael J. Kowalski.” The report provides insight into Tiffany’s standards and operations regarding the sourcing of precious materials. Website visitors learn that gold, silver and platinum used in Tiffany’s workshops are sourced from responsibly mined metal deposits and recycled sources in the U.S. to minimize environmental and social risks. In addition, Tiffany works with nongovernmental organizations as well as the mining and jewellery industries to improve mining standards, and is working to protect areas such as Bristol Bay, Alaska. Visitors also learn the specifics of Tiffany’s diamond supply chain and how the company works to purchase diamonds either directly from

a mine or a supplier that only sources from known mines. Believing that diamonds should benefit the economies and societies of diamond-producing countries, Tiffany has invested in manufacturing operations, as well as employee development and training programs at Tiffany & Co. cutting

and polishing facilities in Belgium, Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa and Vietnam. For the full Corporate Responsibility report, and to learn about Tiffany & Co.’s commitment to sustainability, please visit www.tiffany.com/sustainability.

BREATHE AGAIN Mr. Mario Moretti Polegato, founder and chairman of Italy’s leading casual footwear brand GEOX, held a press conference with the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Giuseppe Morabito, to discuss the growth, evolution, technology and design behind ‘GEOX’. Polegato came especially from Italy to meet with Lebanese media, in an event held at the Four Seasons Hotel on November 11, 2011. Mr. Jamil Rayess, General Manager of HST Co, said, “HST Co is glad to welcome Mr. Polegato for the second time in Lebanon. We are proud of GEOX’s evolution and continuous innovation and it brings us great pleasure to be able to offer such distinguishable products to our customers.” He continued to say, “HST Co understands its customers’ needs for high quality and fashionable products and so we strive to offer only the most innovative brands at all times. GEOX perfectly fits that category

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and we hope our partnership continues to bring great fashion wear to Lebanon.”GEOX, an Italian brand of footwear and garments, is known for using a patented technology of small holes in the sole of the shoe which allows air out, but serves as a barrier to water from the outside. The Group was founded in 1995, when Mario Moretti Polegato himself developed and patented the

rubber-sole technology. With its popular slogan “GEOX, the shoes that breathe”, the brand has conquered an international stage and currently does business in 103 countries, distributing its products through over 10,000 multi-brand points-of-sale and a network of almost 1,080 singlebrand GEOX shops.

NATURE + NURTURE Reem Acra’s fall 2011 collection, “Into the Woods”, was inspired by the colours of the woods when the sun hits the trees, the look of the water when a pebble hits its surface and the animals and insects that all live happily together. “When I was a child, I loved to explore in the mountains of Beirut. This collection is inspired by the beauty of nature and the creatures that co-exist happily in it.” The botanical gardens of Reem Acra creations feature a wide array of the colours found there. Deep browns, grays and greens of the fauna and then the jewel tones found in the flowers and small insects that live amongst them. Royal green and blue peacock feathers turn into beaded bodices, oversized blooms adorn necklines and waists and tiny silk threads are hand woven into animal print patterns that add ever increasing layers of texture to the surface of every handmade dress and gown. The Reem Acra woman loves sumptuous materials. She looks to Reem Acra to express her individuality and distinct personality. Acra says, “Whether it’s the lush greens and browns of the jungle or the regal jewel tones of a flowering garden; I have in mind a woman who appreciates the beauty in nature all over the world. My new collection is an affirmation of our need for all to live in harmony with nature”. Reem Acra Boutique Foch 94 bldg, Foch area Downtown Beirut, Lebanon T +961 1 989 803 www.reemacra.com

WAVE YOUR FLAG Marni is pleased to announce the opening of its new flagship store in partnership with Aïshti in Beirut. The design of the 105 square meter boutique keeps Marni’s objective to reflect in each store the culture and personality of the city in which it’s located.The existing turn of the century floors of antique wooden parquet and mosaic, anchors the design in the history of downtown Beirut. In contrast, the rest of the shop is sleek and modern with a mirror polished stainless steel wall forming the backdrop to the main accessories display, punctuated with an array of fiberglass modules for bags, shoes and jewelry. A large sculptural stainless steel rail, scaling up in size to highlight the double height ceiling at the entrance, winds up and around the space presenting the ready-to-wear collections. The full height and minimalist finishing on the façade offer clear views into the interior, framing and accentuating the composition within. Consuelo Castiglioni has worked closely with architecture firm Sybarite to create a clean and elegant setting, to provide unexpected and captivating ways of presenting the Marni ready-to-wear and accessories collections.

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new + now newSPEED + now DEMON

McLaren Automotive marked the official launch of its Middle East network with the opening of its flagship Middle East showroom and the regional show debut of the first in its range of models, the MP4-12C at the Dubai International Motor Show. On November 9th, guests attended the exclusive opening of McLaren Dubai, the highlight of which saw 2008 Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, arrive in a 12C. Hosted by McLaren Automotive and Al Habtoor Motors Group, the company’s retail partner in Dubai, marked the opening of the first showroom in what will be a region-wide network covering the GCC.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

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The new McLaren Dubai showroom is located in The Lofts on Emaar Boulevard overlooked by Burj Khalifa. Speaking at the launch, Lewis Hamilton commented, “The UAE has one of the greatest car cultures in the world and you can really see the appreciation for new, innovative and high tech sports cars. The 12C is perfectly suited to this market and I’m sure customers in this part of the world will get the same thrill from driving the car as I have.’’ The MP4-12C was one of the stars of the Dubai International Motor Show, where it made its regional show debut. The stand also featured a specially customized 12C, prepared by McLaren Special Operations, incorporating bespoke treatments including a stunning satin matte Volcano Orange finish, diamond cut finish wheels and a range of carbon fitting.

Visitors were rewarded by having the unique opportunity to see the F1 car driven by Lewis Hamilton in the 2007 F1 season, the MP4-22. This car was renowned as the most competitive of the season and was pivotal in Hamilton recording five wins and six pole positions, on the way to becoming the most successful rookie in Formula 1 history.

For Chevrolet’s 100th year anniversary, IMPEX, the exclusive Chevrolet dealer in Lebanon, has decided that rather than celebrating with the standard gala event, IMPEX will donate 100USD for every new Chevrolet purchased over a period of 100 days to help children fight cancer. The donations will go to the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), CHANCE (CHildren AgaiNstCancEr) and Kids First. The 100-day period began October 11, 2011 and will continue till January 18, 2012. “This initiative is one that is uniquely Lebanese, and we are proud to contribute to this cause which is very close

to our heart,” said Samir Homsi, IMPEX Chairman and CEO. IMPEX is driving social responsibility to promote a cause that they strongly believe in, and Chevrolet is celebrating its birthday by championing a noble fight that deserves all the traction and exposure it can muster. “Through this exceptional promotion, we hope to not only make a difference in our consumers lives with a great quality and attractive product, but to also better the lives of the many young cancer patients that are helped through the associations that we are partnering with,” Homsi added.

The first model in McLaren’s new range of sports cars, the 12C is powered by a bespoke McLaren ‘M838T’ 3.8 litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600bhp, all of which means the 12C can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.1 seconds, and on to a top speed of 330 kph.

NUIT BLANCHE In sculptural white, the famous Grand Marnier® bottle has been revisited for this contemporary and sleek edition. Its traditionally static red ribbon breaks away from convention in an elegant and natural flightrepresenting the dynamic nature of the brand and faithfully reflects its spirit of innovation.The respect for the original shape of the bottle - round, generous, with its timeless seal - celebrates tradition, excellence and the unrivalled expertise of the brand. Meanwhile, the immaculate white gloss offers an unexpected aesthetic backdrop, open to creativity. This white, a synthesis of the whole solar spectrum, serves as a symbol of the rich and complex aromas of Grand Marnier® liqueur. Light and free, the ribbon wraps itself around the bottle, continuing the lineage of 130 years of history as if to liberate itself from it. Simultaneously chic and cheeky, its elegance embodies the sophistication of this assemblage. Red Ribbon, the new Grand Marnier® Limited Edition is an original work, staying loyal to the past while looking to the future. TRY THEIR NEW GRAND COLADA For the Red Ribbon limited edition, Julien Lafond, bartender for Grand Marnier® UK, has developed a chic and exotic recipe. A new take on the Piña Colada, the Grand Colada is a cool and smooth long drink whose flavours are enhanced by the vanilla and caramelized notes of the cognac that composes Grand Marnier® . The smoothness of the coconut milk combined with the fullness of the orange essence give the Grand Colada a unique and original taste.

INGREDIENTS •4 cl (2 parts) Grand Marnier®, Cordon Rouge •2 cl (1 part) Rum •6 cl (3 parts) Pineapple juice, •4 cl (2 parts) Coconut milk (or 2 cl of coconut cream) 2 METHODS OF PREPARATION • Put all the ingredients in a mixer and mix for a moment or use a shaker with a few ice cubes. Serve cold in a tall glass filled with ice. • Pour the liqueur into a tall glass filled with ice, then add the rum, pineapple juice and coconut milk. Stir and serve immediately. Garnish with some red berries (strawberries, raspberries or blackcurrants).

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the final frontier

THE

GOLDEN MEAN BY J.E.N.

GOLD IS, SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH, IN CALCULATORS, GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM UNITS, MOBILE PHONES, PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANTS AND MORE MALLEABLE, SHINY, DUCTILE, SOFT, NONTOXIC AND DENSE, GOLD HAS ALWAYS HELD A CERTAIN FASCINATION. THE FINEST JEWELRY HAS BEEN FASHIONED IN GOLD SINCE ANCIENT TIMES. GOLD HAS LONG ADORNED PALACES. IT HAS EVEN FOUND ITS WAY INTO OUR SMILES VIA GOLD FILLINGS AND TEETH. AND WITH GOLD PRICES STEADILY RISING AND AT A HIGH, THE LOVE AFFAIR CONTINUES. BUT GOLD IS MORE THAN AN INVESTMENT OR JEWELRY. IT IS A GREAT LITTLE INGREDIENT IN ELECTRONICS, COMPUTERS, THE MEDICAL FIELD AND AEROSPACE.

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Electronics benefit from gold since it is a great conductor of low voltages and currents and doesn’t corrode. This is why it is utilized in switch and relay contacts, connectors, connecting wires, soldered joints and connection strips. Gold is, surprisingly enough, in calculators, global positioning system units, mobile phones, personal digital assistants and more. A lot of the larger electronics in our homes, such as TVs, have gold hidden away in them. The amount of gold used is rather small and yet the amount that goes to waste and isn’t recycled is significant given the sheer number of electronics produced every year and their short life span.

THE FAST AND PRECISE TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION IN COMPUTERS AND LAPTOPS IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO GOLD BELOW: GOLD USE IN CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU), PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARMINO TAURUS

The fast and precise transmission of digital information in computers and laptops is made possible thanks to gold. Its proven efficiency as a conductor justifies the higher cost incurred by its use. Connectors like edge connectors (used to mount microprocessor and memory chips onto the motherboard) and the plug-and-socket connectors (used to attach cables) use electroplated gold combined with other metals to boost resilience. This all just goes to show that a touch of gold that yield shiny results!

While gold might be great at making our tech-loving daily existence better, can it improve lives? Yes. The medical field uses gold in several ways and can treat a few medical problems. Injections with a tad of gold can treat rheumatoid arthritis; a radioactive gold isotope can be used to treat certain cancers; and tiny bits of gold can be implanted in eyelids to cure Lagophthalmos (a condition that renders people incapable of closing their eyes properly). This super metal can even be used in diagnosis (injected and then tracked), life-support machines and other electronic medical equipment. Gold is also used in alternative medicine and cosmetics (prestige creams). The reliability of gold reaches to the stars. There’s nothing like some bling to ensure your trip to outer space will be safe and need less maintenance.

Gold is used in NASA’s space vehicles in circuitry to gold-coated polyester film that stabilizes temperature and reflects infrared radiation (thus preventing the space craft from absorbing heat). It is also used as a lubricant since organic based ones can’t hold out in space’s unforgiving conditions. Gold is a precious commodity with tons of potential but because it’s pricey and limited, the metal is only used when and if a substitute can’t be found. Locating a substitute that can work just as well as gold can be very challenging. This is why the use of gold in technology has increased in the past few decades rather than decreased. And given the demand for electronics, computers and medical treatments, and our passion to explore the universe, gold seems to have a prominent role to play for years to come

THE MEDICAL FIELD USES GOLD IN SEVERAL WAYS AND CAN TREAT A FEW MEDICAL PROBLEMS THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

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see, speak, +hear no evil

CHECK BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN

Ceremonials FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE When Florence emerged on the music scene with her debut album “Lungs” back in 2009, she was hailed as one of the new modern women singer/ songwriters in the same breed as Cat Power or Feist. Nobody anticipated the amount of success, airplay and television time that would follow, which made her a semi-household name whereas the other two didn’t cross over to popular cult status. Enter album number two, which represents these days a break it or make it status for an artist in this ever changing global music industry that we live in. But fear not for Florence (or

her Machine), for what she has to offer us this time around surpasses in some ways even the genius of her first disc. Bigger and more audacious then “Lungs”, the new album wraps you with dreamier organs, overwhelming guitars and percussions that seem to surround you from every direction and dimension. The best weapon in use here for your aural pleasure is her voice that ranges from an air raid siren to a pagan gospel. Florence reaches out to her audience with the agility of a mystical wizard. Excellent gift for a spiritual person.

Lulu LOU REED / METALLICA Those of you who anticipated a lot of confusion and a “Where do I stand on this album” attitude were right all along. I myself was expecting (holding back on my enthusiasm a bit) to be swept away by the power that such collective minds would be able to put forward. I’m not swept away would be the safe thing to say, and I’m sure both Lou Reed and Metallica fans have or are still scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to feel about this album. Not that the music provided by Metallica is not great or the vocals and lyrics of Reed are not up

to his usual standard, but things don’t seem to gel to well together. Some songs being over 10 minutes in length don’t help matters much either- “Junior Dad” clocks in at around 19 minutes. Reed wanted muscled guitars on his tale of a woman who is corrupted by her contact with men, and the band do the job superbly in this area. It’s in the more subtle and theatrical parts however, that things don’t work perfectly, the mood and backdrop not being subtle enough for Reed’s vision. Better put this album in the weird section of your library.

Camp CHILDISH GAMBINO Whenever a TV or movie star branches out to singing, and in this case rapping, eyebrows are raised and questions are asked on whether it’s a good idea or should said star stick to what he or she does best. However, Donald Glover (AKA Childish Gambino), manages well in the skin of a rapper it seems, delivering an interesting album as easily as starring in the hit series “Community” alongside Chevy Chase and others.It all started when Glover was looking for someone to deliver vocals for the beats and music he was creating in his spare

time, later on deciding to do the job himself. He manages in the process to take indie Rap/Hip Hop to new levels combining witty lyrics with humour and suave commentaries (as one would expect). The project is produced by renowned producer Ludwig Goransson which brings Glover’s off the wall tales of shining in the moment or self-doubt to a colourful plateau where humour and wisdom compete to get your attention. Just listen to tracks like “Fire Fly” or “All The Shine” and you’ll know what I mean.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS The younger Gallagher brother (Liam) released his post Oasis album a few months ago and now is the time for the older brother to do the same. Comparisons and scrutiny of the two albums will be surely executed by the music press but it is noticeable after a first spin that this record seems more balanced and disciplined. A lack of discipline and a full-fledged raucous Rock ‘N Roll life on behalf of Liam is what brought the end of Oasis, one of Britain’s most successful bands, according to his older brother. Noel felt free this time around

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to compose the songs without the distractions and childish behavior (as he says) of his younger brother. The final result is a well-crafted album with all the right elements in place, but not a million miles away from the familiar Oasis sound, something that is not altogether that bad. But one doesn’t fail to realize that the two brothers seemed to put out better work when jamming together, in terms that both albums seem to be lacking the other’s contribution. Liam’s missing the discipline, Noel’s missing the instinct. I’ll let you be the judge.

see, speak, +hear no evil

watchout BY ADAM VOLK

Release dates based on amazon.co.uk

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 | DVD & Blu-ray

| 130 mins

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson Release Date: December 2

All good things must come to an end -- and sadly, bespectacled prepubescent wizards are no exception. With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, so ends one of the biggest Hollywood franchises of the past decade. And what an ending it is. Out of the eight Potter films to grace the big screen, The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is hands down the Golden Snitch of the series. Spectacularly shot by director David Yates, the film offers up a satisfyingly epic conclusion, while still managing to work as a standalone feature. And

sure, there’s plenty of jaw dropping special effects to be had (particularly in the climactic battle sequences), but the film’s real heart rests in its tight script and solid performances from its now grown-up leads. Of course, Potter maniacs need no convincing, having probably already seen the film a half dozen times in theatres while wearing their home made Gryffindor costumes. For the rest of us though, The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 marks a fitting end to a pop culture phenomenon. Hogwarts Class of 2011 forever!

The Hangover Part II | DVD & Blu-ray | 102 mins Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis Release Date: December 5 Sometimes it helps to know when to stop. That’s a lesson that applies not only to the hard-partying characters of The Hangover Part II, but also to the film itself, an incredibly unfunny and pointless sequel plopped out by the Hollywood movie machine. Don’t get me wrong, the first Hangover was a brilliant work of R-rated comedy gold, thanks to its novel premise, smart casting, and razor-sharp dialogue. Hollywood could have left well enough alone, but instead, like a binge drinking louse at an open bar, it decided to go back for another

Rise of the Planet of the Apes | DVD & Blu-ray

unnecessary round. Set in Thailand, the boys from the first flick are back to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of their best pal Stu. Of course, obligatory comic hijinks ensues when they wake up with, yes, another hangover. The end result is a sequel that offers the same rehashed jokes and literally the exact same plot. If you’re still jonzing for another fix, either re-watch the original Hangover or take two Advil and avoid this movie like that weird pervylooking dude hanging out at the bar.

| 105 mins

James Franco, Freida Pinto, Andy Serkis Release Date: December 12

If you had told me a year ago that a Planet of the Apes prequel would not only be an entertaining flick, but one of the best sci-fi actioners of 2011, I’d have wondered what kind of banana-infused pharmaceutical you’d been smoking. I mean, let’s face it, after the absolutely awful Tim Burton remake, a prequel seemed about as appealing as watching as a baboon scratching its angry red butt for 90 minutes. Instead, this film manages to score points as a genuinely gripping Hollywood blockbuster.

As the rather on the nose title suggests, the story follows the rise of a new species of apes that have been genetically altered by a powerful pharmaceutical company. Of course, the situation soon spirals out of control when the apes’ increased intelligence causes them to revolt against their human creators. The end result is a solid action science fiction film that seems like it should stink worse than an uncleaned monkey cage, but instead is an entertaining flick you’ll actually want to get your damn dirty hands on.

Captain America: The First Avenger | DVD & Blu-ray

| 142 mins

Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving Release Date: December 5

It’s that time again! It’s been exactly three point eight seconds, which means it’s time for another super hero film. Hooray! This latest spandex-clad outing features the classic spar-spangled Marvel comic book icon, Captain America. Refreshingly though, the film is set entirely in the 1940s, and follows the rise of Steve Rogers, a patriotic dweeb and army reject who jumps at the chance to serve his country as part of a secret medical experiment. He’s then transformed into an uber-ripped ass kicker who must stop the Nazi’s from unleashing what else? - a doomsday weapon.

Unfortunately, the film’s also little more cheesy than it needs to be, and despite being about a dude in blue tights, it could have grounded itself a little more in its World War II realism. Still, as far as super hero films go, this is one of the better offerings, with great action, decent performances and a still rock solid origin story, proving once again that there’s never been a better time to be a comic book nerd.

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see, speak, +hear no evil

playNICE BY ADAM VOLK

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Publisher Activision | Developer Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games Platforms Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii If you’ve ever wanted to know just how popular video games have become, ponder this little geek-flavoured tidbit: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the latest entry in the blockbuster franchise, just raked in an estimated $500 million dollars US in sales in the first 24 hours after its release. So does the game live up to the hype? The answer is a resounding… pretty much. It’s a solid first-person shooter, but it isn’t exactly ground breaking in terms of what it has to offer. Instead, it’s really the same frenetic, button-mashing action fans of the series have come

to expect and hey, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. The game has made some minor improvement in terms of graphical polish and a couple of gameplay tweaks, but that’s about it. The single-player campaign is also pretty much the same, ditching plot in favour of massive Michael Bay-style explosions. Fortunately, the multiplayer experience remains as addictive and fast-paced as its predecessors. Modern Warfare 3 isn’t exactly a huge leap forward, but what is lacks in originality it more than makes up for in high ordnance action.

Rocksmith

Publisher Ubisoft | Developer Ubisoft Platforms Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 If you’ve ever wanted to become a real-life guitar god, but don’t know your frets from your power chords, Rocksmith may be just the game for you. At first glance the game seems like another music title riding high on the success of the popular Rock Band and Guitar Hero series. But wait! There’s a twist! Rather than mashing brightly coloured plastic keys on a fake instrument, Rocksmith will actually teach you how to play a real guitar (which may be a deal breaker for those of us who aren’t willing to fork

out the extra moola for a working instrument). Of course, Rocksmith isn’t just instructional software, at its core it’s still a game. Like Guitar Hero, it’s about matching the frets on screen and scoring points in order to unlock a slew of popular rock songs. The end result is a solid game and a musical instruction system that offers enough content to appeal to both noobies and seasoned axe-wielders alike. Spend enough time with Rocksmith and you’ll be melting faces and nailing groupies before you know it.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Publisher Sony Computer Entertainment | Developer Naughty Dog | Platforms PlayStation 3 If you’ve never heard of Nathan Drake before, think of him as the Indiana Jones of video games. He’s a veteran treasure hunter who might not be sporting the skimpy short shorts of Lara Croft, but more than makes up for it with his quick wit and even quicker fists. In Uncharted 3, the wise cracking Drake is back and this time out he’s hunting for the mythical Lost City of Ubar. Like the previous games in the series, Drake is soon jet setting around the world, traversing ancient ruins with parkour-like grace, and getting

into intense firefights with legions of enemy goons. Also like its predecessors, the game’s visuals are absolutely stunning, from sand swept deserts to untamed jungles. At its core though, Uncharted 3 is all about the story, with the game’s quirky hero and sharp script as strong, if not stronger, than most Hollywood blockbusters. Uncharted 3 also ups the ante with solid head-to-head and cooperative multiplayer modes. The end result is an action-packed adventure, with X marking the spot for another solid outing in the Uncharted franchise.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Publisher Bethesda Game Studioss | Developer Bethesda Game Studios Platforms Xbox 360, PS 3 If the idea of taking on a dragon in fiery head-tohead combat sounds even remotely appealing to you, then prepare to crap your pants in amazement at the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a game which quite literally has to be seen to be believed. Don’t let the game’s incredibly nerdy title throw you though. If you’ve never played any of the previous entries in the series before, Skyrim is the perfect jumping on point. You take on the role of a lone hero wandering the fictional land of

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Skyrim, a mountainous, snow covered land that’s home to the Viking-like race of warriors. With some of the best next-gen visuals ever to grace a console, a gripping epic narrative, and finely tuned gameplay, you could easily spend over 100 hours playing Skyrim and still not see everything the game has to offer. If you aren’t already a gamer living a geek-filled hermetic existence, prepare to lose a good chunk of your life slaying dragons in one of the greatest action role-playing games of all time.

and The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

Allison Hoover Bartlett

weep read’em BY AMAL CHAABAN

Why you should read this book

Antiquities theft is not just about paintings and sculpture

Each year, untold thousands of dollars of rare and fine books are stolen; heavily sought after first editions disappear, not through fire or natural disaster, but via larceny. Allison Hoover Bartlett takes us into the world of bibliophiles (yours truly) and bibliomaniacs where books are coveted and obtained regardless of price or methodology. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much is the story of John Charles Gilkey: A man who loved books so much, he was willing to go to prison for them. Gilkey,

a man of average beginnings with no education of note, managed to scam thousands of dollars of books with a truly simplistic scheme that is quite the head-shaker. Even more perplexing is the lackadaisical attitude of law enforcement and how he managed to do it repeatedly despite having been incarcerated several times over. As the author takes us down Gilkey’s path, you can feel her being drawn into the world of bibliophilia and drawing the reader in with her.

The Virgin Cure

Ami McKay

Why you should read this book

Poverty doesn’t kill hope but it does breed desperation

The world in the early 1900’s was a very different place than it is now. In her stunning new novel, award-winning author Ami McKay takes us back to the early 1900’s in New York City. Poverty and corruption were rife, human life was cheap and the class system was very much in place. Moth, McKay’s main character, is a girl who had the unfortunate luck of being born into a life of poverty, sold into a life of servitude by her mother and later, uses her wits to try and escape. She

happens upon a girl who takes her into a home where all is not as it seems: She will be given everything to transform herself into a lady, only to have her virginity sold to the highest bidder.Moth is beautiful in her dream of elevating herself from the life she is born into and practical in her belief that she must work hard to get that life. Like every young girl, she dreams of a way to make it better but in this story, better is not always great. Watch out for the end of this rainbow.

Bonnie

Iris Johansen

Why you should read this book Every story needs an ending

Fiction doyenne Iris Johansen has been writing books for a very long time and is well known both for her romance novels and her suspense fiction works. In Bonnie, she brings her long running series (featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan) to a heart stopping conclusion. Many years ago, Eve Duncan’s daughter Bonnie was kidnapped and never seen again. All points led to her being killed and Eve made it her life’s work to both find her killer and the remains of

her only biological child. Along the way, she falls in love with Joe, adopts Jane and gains a coterie of admirers. This novel ties all of the many pieces of the story together tightly but not so neatly as to seem contrived. There is real action here and when Eve starts to feel the hope of finally finding her daughter’s remains, so does the reader. A caveat on this novel:You must read the whole series to get to this book or it may not have the same satisfaction and closure.

We Need To Talk About Kevin

Lionel Shriver

Why you should read this book

It’s hard choosing a side when everyone is the bad guy

When journalist and author Lionel Shriver wrote this book, she had trouble getting published. “It’s too dark, no one will publish it,” was the rejection she heard most often. The people who dismissed this novel were both correct and incorrect. This is a very dark novel; the characters are not your run of the mill protagonist/antagonist with an affable sidekick thrown in. In fact, none of the characters are particularly likeable and that is what makes this novel stand out. A boy named Kevin commits mass murder at his school and is additionally

complicit in dividing his parents into camps: A mother who was ambivalent about pregnancy from the beginning and a father who wilfully blinds himself to what was going on. Written in a series of letters from Eva to Franklin, the novel moves through the narratives of their life together including their time with Kevin and Celia, a daughter born later. When reading this novel, one thinks on motherhood, the ongoing nature vs. nurture debate, and finally the parents of those who commit school shootings and what they experience. THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

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WORLDVISION BY LILIANE ASSAF

RAGMAG IS PLEASED TO GIVE THE ONLINE COMMUNITY SOME MUCH DESERVED PRINT SPACE. THIS IS THE SIXTH INSTALLMENT IN A PERMANENT COLUMN DEVOTED TO BLOG REVIEWS BUT THIS TIME AROUND, LILIANE HAS CHOSEN TO TALK DIRECTLY AT THE BLOGGERS WITH A SORT OF CODE OF ONLINE ETHICS. WE WILL RESUME OUR NORMAL FORMAT IN JANUARY.

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see, speak, + hear no evil

ike everything, blogging is double edged sword: It can be quite the helpful tool, and it can be a harmful one as well. The harm can come in 2 forms, destruction of “something” or destruction of other people’s brain cells because what you just read probably decreased your IQ by 2 points. And this is where we decide to curate blog posts and distinguish golden bloggers from others. Editor’s Note If any of you out there have met Liliane, you’ll agree that she has quite the sharp sense of humour LOL- such as the above decrease in IQ comment. I make it my habit to edit as little of her work as possible as this column is dedicated to the online community who is unedited normally. When in Rome…

One of the great advantages of blogging is that it’s on a free platform and done for free. There are some exceptions: Some people get paid to blog and some get perks and invitations. Barring this, the one and only aim of a blogger should be to always maintain their credibility (sustained by the trust of their readers), because we owe it to our audience.

We’ve reached a point where any average Dania or Rajy can have their say about anything. Blogging has made this possible and their work and opinions are transmitted to hundreds and even thousands in our own small community not to mention the worldwide potential. And this is powerful. Blogging is a tool that can help ordinary people make a difference. When I started blogging back in 2002, I had 10 readers maximum from all over the world who had no idea what my real name was and how I looked. Now my parents, family living abroad, school friends, colleagues and complete strangers read it. And because of that, I am now fully responsible for what kind of information I convey. It’s true that everyone reserves the right and choice to stop reading your posts, and everyone has the ability to tell whether you’re delusional or rational. Nevertheless, if you’re blogger with an established reader base who has subscribed to your posts and immediately receive and read what you’ve written, you should make it a habit and duty to abide by a code of ethics to provide accurate info and

well researched facts. You can also convey a sense of humor and an added value when providing an opinion about something. As bloggers, you must not pollute the public consciousness with wrong or weak material. Instead try your best to inspire, educate, raise awareness about a cause or at least elicit a laugh. Some bloggers shine like gold from afar, but upon closer scrutiny you realize they’re not the real deal. You don’t want to be one of these bloggers and you don’t want to read such bloggers. I started Lebanon Aggregator as a hobby in December 2006. Five years later, it had evolved into a community of influential, smart, talented and educated people. Many of these bloggers are the authentic golden bloggers, and Lebanon Aggregator makes sure to keep shining the spotlight on them. Some have already been featured here in my monthly RAGMAG column, and there will be many more throughout 2012. Make sure you continue to read every issue and meet 3 new golden bloggers. The images you see here are past Golden Blogger choices who have appeared in previous issues of RAGMAG. Happy holidays!

THE GOLDEN RULES OF BEING A BLOGGER 1. Earn your reader’s trust by maintaining your credibility. (See Rule 2) 2. Don’t lose your readers because a brand has given you something just so you can blog about them in a positive way or because you just want garner more attention. Research well before you state facts, it supports your arguments better. 3. Always state the sources of facts you mentioned, it adds to your credibility. 4. Don’t imitate, people like you for who you are. 5. Be consistent. Readers liked a certain aspect of you, and they come back to see it again and again.

6. Blog regularly! Don’t disappoint your readers and leave them hanging. 7. Be different, be unique, and bring in your added value. 8. Blog passionately. If you have a passion for whatever you’re blogging about, it will be reflected and people will see through it. 9. Don’t be cheap, be generous with your thoughts and share what you believe will be inspirational, helpful and meaningful for your readers. 10. Last but not least, raise the bar! Don’t settle for mediocre content. Instead, Raise THAT bar.

www.lebanonaggregator.com Lebanon Aggregator @LebAgg

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take me with you

LEFT: PECHERSK LAVRA MONASTERY IN KIEV

THE GOLDEN DOMES OF BY ALICE HLIDKOVA

Yellow 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.

some almost 1,000 years 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.

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 colorful 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 NYC’s Fifth Avenue and Paris’s Boulevard du Crime.

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, more than nine hundred years-old.

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—

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 THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

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THE GOLDEN DOMES OF 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 Cathedral’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 now the man who perpetrated the Orange Revolution fraud, is 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 hideous concrete renovations. Recently Ukraine caught the European Union’s attention after winning the joint bid with Poland for the 2012 European Soccer Championship. Furthermore, the EU is giving Ukraine a thumps down for the trial and imprisonment of its former prime minister for her secret oil and gas deals with Russia. The event has stalled a free trade agreement ratification, and EU integration. During my October visit, stampedes of protestors awaited patiently for the verdict as the SWAT-like teams of policemen locked arms along Vul Khreshchatyk. Yulia Tymoshenko supporters and opponents erected a “makeshift tent city,” enjoying free political expression along the boulevard.

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 Osama bin Laden stacking dolls called matryoshky.

ST. SOPHIA’S CATHEDRAL, A SYMBOL OF THE ORTHODOX WORLD ORDER AND SIMULTANEOUSLY A BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURAL WONDER, IS THE CITY’S OLDEST STANDING CHURCH CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ST. SOPHIA’S CATHEDRAL, FC DYNAMO KIEV SUPPORTERS BURNING FLARES DURING THE GAME AGAINST FC METALIST KHARKIV, STACKING DOLLS CALLED MATRYOSHKY

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ST. SOPHIA’S CATHEDRAL INTERIOR, INDEPENDENCE SQUARE, RESTORATION OF CHURCH DOMES

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take me with you

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THE GOLDEN DOMES OF OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ST. NICHOLAS ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, THE MONUMENT OF FOUNDERS OF KIEV CITY (KYI, SCHEK, KHORYV AND LYBID), BUSY DOWNTOWN ROAD IN KIEV

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 childhood imagery of Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia. 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. Compared to most transitory systems of government that spoil the fun for its citizens, foreigners like me find the various changes entertaining. Inside high-speed 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. 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 twenty-five years ago, radioactive waste from reactor no. 4 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 no.4 reactor, and the EU is currently 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 gem stone, and from tourists whom no longer feel frightened by its pragmatic way of life

PUBLIC MONUMENTS SERVE ADDITIONAL REMINDERS OF THE HAMMER AND SICKLE INSIGNIA BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: THE HOLODOMOR MEMORIAL, DOWNTOWN KIEV

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eat, drink + be merry

AS GOOD AS GOLD

HOLIDAY DINING BeirutRestaurants.com for more great suggestions

RAGMAG and BeirutRestaurants.com have teamed up to bring you the absolute best in holiday dining. To really help you eat drink + be merry we’ve compiled a list of places in Lebanon for you + yours to enjoy this festive season. We love a good meal and we love having the inside info from BeirutRestaurants.com They’re RAGMAG’s goto site for a great night out. (We suggest you make reservations and avoid disappointment. Planning is everything!) From Christmas dinners to New Year’s Day brunches, try our top picks – they’re as good as gold.

@b_restaurants

RIKKYZ

BASSILIO

EM SHERIF

COCTEAU

CAFÉ LA JOIE

LES VILAINS

LE 1700

LA TABLE FINE

BREAD

MYBAR

LE MAILLON

LA ESTANCIA

Kfardebian, Faqra http://www.rikkyz.com/ +961 9 301010 +961 3 120201

Sodeco, Beirut +961 1 616617 +961 3 603003

Kfardebian, Faqra http://le1700.com/ +961 3 441700

Berytus Parks, 1344 Park Avenue, Beirut http://www.mybar.me/ +961 1 999608 +961 70 608999 @mybarbeirut mybarbeirut

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Rue Gouraud, Gemmayze, Beirut www.basillio.com +961 1 444410 +961 71 059459

Saifi, Achrafiyeh, Beirut +961 1 338010

Jounieh,Keserwan +961 9 919666 +961 70 919666

Block C, Centre Sofil, Achrafieh, Beirut http://www.lemaillonrestaurant.com/ +961 1 336536 +961 1 336736

Victor Hugo Street, Monot, Achrafiyeh, Beirut +961 1 207207 +961 70 919119

Rue Baroudi, Achrafiyeh, Beirut http://lesvilains.com/

Rue Gouraud, Gemmayze, Beirut +961 1 566506

8th Floor, Zihenni & Tirs Bldg, Rue Gouraud, Gemmayze, Beirut http://www.laestancia-lb.com/ +961 1 442282 / +961 1 448447 +961 1 449033 / +961 3 236206

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out + about

PHOTOGRAPHY TEDDY HABIB

GOLDMINE OF INFORMATION T

he Beirut Cooking Festival attracted more than 1,000 visitors on the first day,” said Randa Pharaoun, Marketing Manager, Hospitality Services, organizer of the event, a first for Lebanon. “Food lovers appreciated the diverse program of events as well as the exhibitor products on display.” The country’s food and beverage professionals showcased their products to the general public who came out en mass despite torrential rain and traffic to check out this celebration of food and drink. Master classes and chef demonstrations, wine and olive oil tastings, floral arrangements and book signings made the event an entertaining experience for all. Chef Maroun Chedid, Medi Resto corporate executive chef and USJ Culinary Art Education head, introduced his Flavor Dynamics to a mesmerized audience utterly taken in by the chef’s charismatic show. Karla Philippe Sabbagh, an artist and jewelry designer, was simply fascinated. “I loved Maroun Chedid’s presentation. He introduced new dishes and gave some real practical advice,” she said. “I will defiantly try the recipes out at home for myself.” RAGMAG featured Chef Maroun last September.

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BEIRUT’S FIRST COOKING FESTIVAL TINGLES THE TASTE BUDS BY SABINA LLEWELLYN-DAVIES

Beverages also featured highly on the agenda and Najib Motran, (featured in our May 2011 issue) wine specialist and agro-economist, gave an interesting presentation on the techniques of wine tasting and introduced a nicely chilled Beaujolais Nouveau, always a tradition during the month of November. Aram Aslanian, bartender at ThreeSixty Le Gray hotel, performed a one man show on how to mix original cocktails using herbs and, my were they delicious, particularly the Basil Smash and the Ginger Gin Fizz. And, for those of us who are always utterly confused about which fork to use first during a formal dinner, Richard Khoury, director of banquet operation at Staff Gate’s workshop on the basics of table setting and etiquette was a real blessing. The most common question from the audience was which type of soup plate to use. According to the experts it all depends on the type of soup served. “The table setting events are always popular with the general public, as many people are often at a loss regarding formal table etiquette,” said Maggy Daccache, organizer of this event for Hospitality Services.

The Beirut Cooking Festival featured major food and beverage suppliers as well as smaller ones such as the wonderful Little Cake which makes the most exquisite chocolate toffee apples and iced cupcakes, fit for any holiday table. And, in the rush up to the festive season, goodwill should always come to mind (see our section on Goodwill Gifts) and the organizers donated space for initiatives such as Auxilia and al Younbouh, nonprofit organizations devoted to helping the needy in Lebanon. They sold chocolates and other tasty items. “This event is a great way to raise awareness for our initiatives,” says Judith Faycal, PR officer and fundraiser for al Younbouh, “and we are grateful to the organizers for their support.” And last, but not least, a new book, Armenian Cuisine by Aline Kamakian and Barbara Drieskens, was released at the show and the charming ladies were on hand to sign copies of their hardback filled to the brim with delectable recipes and magnificent photos, a perfect gift for anyone who loves good food

THE BEIRUT COOKING FESTIVAL 2011 TOOK PLACE AT BIEL FROM NOVEMBER 17TH TO THE 20TH

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

LIBATION GIFT GUIDE

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FML [f*ck my life]

GOLDFINGERED AT THE FOUR SEASONS BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

hen Fida called me last month for my FML, she was laughing so hard she couldn’t have a proper conversation. She ended up talking to Gina, because apparently, our Publisher could understand her. I could hear them both rolling on the floor laughing, and I suddenly heard the words “marathon” and “pastry”. Fida was actually considering both options for my FML: I would either run the Beirut Marathon for RAGMAG or become a Goldfingered chef at the Four Seasons. I tried blackmailing Fida and Gina into choosing the second option, since running the marathon would kill me, but I had to wait for their Highnesses to decide on my fate. Editor’s Note What she actually did was go straight to her Twitter account and report the newest headline: “Writer killed by crazy Editor”. LOL Follow her on Twitter for more comedy @youmnachagoury

A few days later, I was sentenced. I would enter the Four Season’s famed Grill Room kitchen and work with their Executive Pastry Chef Charles Azar. Being a cooking fan (I even watch the Food Network) but a really terrible pastry maker, I thought this could be cool for many reasons: First, it’s not

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a physical assignment. Second, it’s the Four Seasons Hotel. Third, who hasn’t dreamed of taking a look at a professional kitchen? And finally, maybe my learning sources for pastry weren’t very good, and it was the reason I didn’t know how to bake a cake. Upon entering, I’m welcomed by Suzan, Director of Public Relations for the Four Seasons. I recognize her immediately because of the white chef uniform she’s holding. We head to the Grill Room, where I’m invited to put it on and wait for Chef Charles. Jason can’t help but laugh really loud at me and makes me pose for funny pictures. I pray Odette and Fida have enough good sense to keep these pictures private and don’t print them.

Chef Charles comes in and starts explaining the process and the difficulties of the recipe. “People think that truffles are the easiest pastry to make when in fact it’s not that simple. Of course they might look and taste good on the very first day, but they tend to dry out the following day.” We enter the Grill Room huge kitchen, divided into many smaller kitchens. It is loud, people walk quickly, not really noticing me – I have to say, with my uniform, I fit right in there. I follow Chef Charles and we arrive at his territory: the pastry area. For time purposes, he had already prepared the ingredients and weighed them. In other words, he had done the dirty work, and I was here for the fun part!

PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

Chef Charles starts by running through the whole recipe and then goes into detail as we go through the steps. We melt a few chocolate pieces in the professional microwave –I couldn’t figure this one out, he had to press the buttons. Chef Charles then lights up a hotplate and a few seconds after we place a pot of milk on it, it boils. There is absolutely no time to waste in a hotel’s kitchen! My Master teaches me how to infuse a liquid –#TipOfTheDay: you do not cover a pot with a plate. Use a transparent film because it’s the most hermetic product you can have in your kitchen, and wait for it to first form a ball, then a big hole on the inside. That’s when it’s ready. Editor’s Note I have no idea what Youmna is talking about. Infuse a liquid? Hermetic products? She’s starting to sound like one of them.

And that’s when the hard part begins. Chef Charles takes a minute and tells me why his truffles are better than other truffles. 1) People use normal sugar, while this recipe requires trimoline (inverted sugar). Chef Charles says it keeps the truffles soft and supple, and it keeps them from drying out. Epicurious. complains that trimoline is created by combining sugar syrup with a small amount of acid and heating. This inverts –breaks down- the sucrose into its two components, glucose and fructose, thereby reducing the size of the sugar crystals. Because of its fine crystal structure, inverted sugar produces a smoother product. 2) The second reason resides in the technique used: the emulsion. Used when mixing two or more liquids that are normally un-blendable (think of mayonnaise!). The emulsion step in

the truffle making process is the blending between the milk and the chocolate. The milk fat should be evenly dispersed in the chocolate, and vice-versa. I’m basically doing a chemistry course, in a chef uniform, in one of Lebanon’s most beautiful hotels. Chef Charles explains to me that this technique is still quite new and that he’s been using it for only 2 years now.

I’M BASICALLY DOING A CHEMISTRY COURSE, IN A CHEF UNIFORM, IN ONE OF LEBANON’S MOST BEAUTIFUL HOTELS THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

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FML [f*ck my life]

I “had to” use a regular rubber spatula but it usually requires an appliance. Chef Charles starts pouring 1/3 of the infused milk in the melted chocolate and tells me I should under no circumstance move my spatula from the center of the bowl. The 2 liquids start mixing as he adds the second third parts of the milk. My arm hurts from having to mix using the exact same movement. “Your technique is very professional!” says Chef Charles. “Thank you, but I just want to hand you the spatula back. You do it. You’re stronger,” I reply, very happy about the compliment, but really tired of stirring. Editor’s Note Great work, Youmna! Way to find a way out of the physical exertion haha!

After the ganache has rested in the fridge, it’s time to form the truffles. Using a pastry bag, I have to form small, regular, and beautiful little balls of chocolate. Charles shows me a few examples and then it’s my turn to try. I try. Again. And again. My truffles look so repulsive that I think I’ll do everyone good by stopping and just observing him make his pretty truffles. Jason thinks it’s hilarious and feels the urge to shoot the plate with my deformed truffles next to those of Chef Charles.

the truffles, while the other will roll them in the powder. If the same person does it all, the liquid and powder chocolate might mix and the truffles won’t be as smooth as they should be.” I take my role very seriously but can’t help losing focus by watching him work the truffles so quickly yet so delicately. After the cocoa powder, a small surprise awaits me. Chef Charles, being aware of our December theme, decides to coat the truffles in powdered gold leaf!

Chef Charles decides to coat truffles he had made a few hours beforehand. We melt chocolate pieces again and prepare a bowl of cocoa powder. “Your role is as important as mine now. This is a two person job, because one is going to dip

We sprinkle a few grams of the luxurious product on the truffles. Thanks to the melted chocolate we dipped the truffles in (with a back and forth movement), the truffles quickly become an amazing gold color. Chef Charles leaves the kitchen for a minute, and like a thief, thinking Jason wouldn’t notice, I quickly grab a truffle and take a bite. It’s creamy, velvety and it is full of flavor! I can’t believe I finally achieved at making a pastry. And not just any pastry. A Golden Truffle. PS: A minute before we leave, Chef Charles comes and congratulates me on my good job. As a reward, he hands me a little black box, full of the Golden Truffles I helped him make. A week later, they are just as soft and tasty as they were when I stole one. Editor’s Note Umm Youmna, you actually stole one? And you even put in print? Won’t the Four Seasons be pleased to hear that! Haha You’re more a klepto than a chef!

CHEF CHARLES, BEING AWARE OF OUR DECEMBER THEME, DECIDES TO COAT THE TRUFFLES IN POWDERED GOLD LEAF! 146 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

CHEF AZAR OF THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BRINGS A TWIST TO THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES. HE SHARES HIS RECIPE WITH YOU HERE. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

JASMINE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

TRUFFLE INGREDIENTS •190g milk •10g Jasmine tea •2g Orange Blossom •20g inverted sugar •100g milk chocolate* •185g 66% dark chocolate •45g butter *Chef Azar and his staff use Valrhona chocolates. I had the chance to taste a few of their creations like the Caramelia Chocolate. Its soft texture, the caramel flavor at the end, the way it melted in my mouth made it the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted.

COATING INGREDIENTS •400g cocoa •1kg melted 66% dark chocolate

METHOD Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Meanwhile bring the milk with the inverted sugar to boil. Infuse the cream with the Jasmine Tea for 10 minutes. Pour it over the melted chocolate while mixing it. Add the orange blossom. When the mixture temperature is at about 50°C (It is still hot when you hold the bowl, but it doesn’t burn anymore), add the butter and mix. Pour the mixture in a bowl, cover it with transparent film. Let it rest for an hour in the fridge. With a pastry bag, form small balls with the chocolate jasmine mixture. Rest for 2 hours in the fridge in order to crystallize the balls. Dip the truffles in the melted chocolate and coat them in the dark cocoa

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PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

GOLDEN FARE ON A SILVER PLATTER BY YOUMNA CHAGOUARY

remembered friends and family members telling me about this great restaurant in the Jounieh old souks and its three-time starred Michelin French chef, Jérôme Serres. I decided to give it a try because of the stars and also because I knew some of the dishes had gold leaf (in keeping with this issues theme). I drive in the narrow Jounieh streets, looking for a big bright sign, when I notice a tiny one in the U-Bay center. I ask myself why a nice gastronomic restaurant wouldn’t give its entrance a more elaborate signage? I’m welcomed and taken to my table on the restaurant’s big terrace. It is divided in two parts: the inside, with its modern setting, an amazing huge chandelier and decorated walls. The white part of the room projects elegance and a feeling of cleanliness. The terrace is covered by a wood ceiling, and big bay-windows look out on to the beautiful Jounieh bay. Chef Jérôme Serres had prepared a sampling menu so I could taste a bit of everything Table Fine has to offer.

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From the tapas with an unforgettable marinated mussel, a fresh and smoked salmon filled potato and a beef tartar, to the foie gras, lobster guacamole and mushroom cream with Black Angus raviolis entrées, I am already conquered. I feel like I don’t even need to taste the dishes that followed: truffle oil pasta and a grilled grouper fillet. I did however taste them and I finished my plate, despite being already full. The highest praise goes to the beautifully presented dessert: a chocolate shell adorned with gold leaf. It melts after the server pours hot chocolate sauce on it, unveiling pieces of pears and vanilla ice cream. The restaurant presents itself as Mediterranean and I could actually find that in most of the dishes. For example, fresh rosemary came with some of the dishes, providing a different taste every time. The grilled fish came was accompanied by grilled vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers and a basil and tomato sauce with olive oil. As for the beef tapas, a few capers on it gave a whole new definition to tartar.

I highly recommend Table Fine, for dining there was a one of a kind experience. The restaurant got it right: they don’t need a big, shiny sign. Their dishes are enough to pack the restaurant even on a Wednesday night The +

+ Impeccable service. The waiters were friendly and looked really well-trained from the moment I entered the restaurant to the moment I left. + Food quality. It’s fresh and so well measured that you can actually taste every single ingredient used in each dish. Plus, it looks just as good as it tastes. + Foie gras. Chef Jérôme Serres prepares and presents it in a way you could never say no. With a thin layer of pear and red wine jelly and gold leaf, a hot and fluffy brioche and perfectly cooked asparagus with a peanut sauce, it is the apotheoses of gastronomy. + Wine list. Table Fine offers a variety of Lebanese and French wines, from the very affordable to the very rare.

The –

- The lobster guacamole. This was my “least preferred” dish. The cucumber soup and the citrus fruits sauce accompanying it gave it an unpleasant, sour taste. - The furniture. The chairs are made of white wicker and even if that fits the Mediterranean theme, it gives it a cheap look, not complimenting the level of the restaurant. Table Fine UBay | Jounieh Souks 09/9 919555 | 70/919555 info@ubayclubresto.com

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LIVELY VENETIAN CHEF SPREADS A LITTLE LOVE ONTO PALATES AND PLATES BY SABINA LLEWELLYN-DAVIES

“

ooking is my passion,” says Chef Roberto Bullian, sipping on an ice-cold Caffe Scecheonto. “Do you want some? Bring her a glass,” he calls out to one of the waiters. “By the way, this is Bob, my assistant chef. A little bit slow, but, a very nice guy all the same,” he jokes. Chef Roberto is getting psyched up to show off the art of pasta making. Out comes the iPad, dusty with flour, and on goes the music, Africa by Toto, as he rolls out a sheet of pasta dough. “I always listen to music when I prepare food,” he says. “Mainly 70’s and 80’s music, also jazz.” While Roberto bops away to the music, Bob admits his fear that his boss may slip and break his neck on the marble floor; so the anxious Sous Chef scatters some rice flour onto the floor.

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Chef Roberto is clearly a man with gusto. He arrived in Beirut three years ago to take up an executive chef position at a restaurant in Beirut. After some soul searching he decided to open his own restaurant, Basillio. “I named my restaurant after Chef Basillio who taught me everything I know about the art and craft of pasta making,” says Chef Roberto. Born in Venice, he left his hometown aged just thirteen jumping onboard a ship. “I had no idea where I was heading. I eventually ended up in Madagascar and for the next decade I cruised the world working in ship kitchens.” He trained under Chef Basillio onboard one of the ships and learnt the secret of pasta making. Roberto’s journeys around the world continued for forty-six years and he has

cooked in every imaginable country, from Vietnam to Russia to Mexico, without ever undergoing any formal culinary training. “Life at sea was my culinary school.”

eat, drink + be merry

PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

If you come to Basillio don’t expect any salt and pepper pots on the table. “I want my diners to eat the food the way I prepared it and not to change the taste in any way,” says Chef Roberto. He admits that he once removed a plate from a customer when he saw her pouring the dressing from her salad onto a plate of pasta. “I believe that if I am happy with what I cook then the customer will also be satisfied.”

“It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you, there’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do, I bless the rains down in Africa, I passed some rains down in Africa,” thuds out from his floury iPad and all of a sudden the skies open on Beirut. As I watch some daunting puddles of water collect on the street outside, I remember that I am wearing flimsy sandals. “Don’t worry, I will carry you to your car,” says the gallant Chef Roberto, reminding me of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was rewarded with a knighthood when he took off his cloak to spread it across a large puddle for Elizabeth the Queen of England to cross. He lends me his precious trademark hat, “Don’t worry I have many,” for rain cover and walks me to my car. “Come back soon!” are his parting words. For sure, benvenuto a cucina emozionale!

Pasta making is clearly his obsession and a live demonstration from this fervent chef is quite an experience! He squeezes a mushroom puree onto each square and wraps them up carefully, like special little gifts. The Tortello Varieguto al Porcini is sent off to be cooked. Then, out come a couple of oversized white plates.

“I WANT MY DINERS TO EAT THE FOOD THE WAY I PREPARED IT AND NOT TO CHANGE THE TASTE IN ANY WAY”

“I like to offer women flowers when they come to eat at my restaurant,” he says. “But, I cannot bring each of them a fresh bouquet, so I paint for them.” Ahhh.. how sweet! “His work top is lined with tiny bottles of edible paint and he chooses green and red. He picks up a thin brush and with it paints a flower onto a plate. He spreads it out with a palette knife and then sprinkles on some gold colour. A self confessed art-lover, Roberto draws from his passion to deliver what he calls cucina emozionale. Bob places the dessert, Fondente al Cioccolata con Sorbetto di Zibibbo, onto the decorated plate and invites me to taste. I do. It is bellisimo! “Every time I cook it’s different,” he says. “It’s like making love, every time it should be different, you know,” he confides to a bemused Jason, the photographer present for the shoot.

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FESTIVE DINING FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH LARA ARISS

EACH EDITION OF RAGMAG, LARA ARISS WILL PRESENT A MEAL IN SEVERAL COURSES THAT YOU CAN TRY AT HOME. LARA IS A LEBANESE EXPAT IN TRAINING 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 more great ideas, check her out on the web http://www.mylara.me @laraariss bylara

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eat, drink + be merry

Chestnut + Dried Cranberry 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.

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Christmas

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 with room for air to circulate around the turkey. Place in a pre-heated hot oven, 220°C, for 40 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 170°C for 3½ hours.

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• 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, then the turkey is done. Cover it loosely with foil and allow it to rest for about 45 minutes before serving. • 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 200C. 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 200C. TIP: THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THE BIRD IS READY IS BY USING THE TESTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, SINCE OVENS AND TURKEYS VARY.

eat, drink + be merry

Red Wine

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.

Cranberry

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 then bring to the boil. Stir in the cranberries, and then 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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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. 156 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

STOLLEN

PREPARATION TIME 90 MINUTES COOKING TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 10 - 12 LEVEL MEDIUM

INGREDIENTS •100 ml warm milk •2 teaspoons dried yeast •A pinch salt •1 teaspoon caster sugar •225 grams all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting •Pinch of ground cloves •½ 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

METHOD • 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 dough. • Knead the dough for 5-6 minutes, then 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 3-4 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 then serve in slices.

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

157

quizz ROUND #1

ROUND #2

Entertainment

ROUND #3

Trivia

1. In 2003 which female pop star released a children’s book titled “The English Rose”?

History+Geography

1. What drink’s name, if translated 1. Who were the President and Prime to English, means “Aunt Mary”? Minister of Lebanon in August 1970?

2. What is the name of the 2. What is the longest river in France? English magazine releasing its 19th issue this month? 3. What was the name of the aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb? 3. How many teeth does a normal 3. In which city were the 2002 person have? 4. What country was formerly known as Winter Olympics held? Southern Rhodesia? 4. In brewing, what do the letters 4. What is the length of the pole ABV mean? 5. Who was the Prime Minister of used by a Pole Vaulter? France who became President in 5. What are the words spoken to 1995? 5. How many people were there in open Ali Baba’s cave? the Village People? 6. How many funnels did the Titanic 6. What mythical bird is said to have? 6. What was the title of the 4th rise from its own ashes? book in the Harry Potter series? 7. In which country did that Rastafarian 7. According to a survey carried religion begin? 7. Which writer created the out by Cosmopolitan character of Dracula? Magazine, what is a woman’s 8. What is the name of the fault that least favourite place to have causes the earthquakes around San 8. Who composed the song sex? Francisco? “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”? 8. According to Scottish law, can 9. In which modern day country would 9. In which sport are half the a man marry his widow’s sister? you find the ruins of Troy? participants considered to be 9. born on the 1st of January? Who was the only competitor 10. What is the largest desert in the to be excused a sex test at the world? 10. In the Austin Powers film, 1976 Montreal Olympics? Dr. Evil had a cat. What was its 10. name? What colour are the geography questions in Trivial Pursuit? 2. In volleyball how many times can a team touch the ball before it must be put over net?

ROUND #4

Movies

1. What was the highest grossing film of 2008? 2. Who were the two main stars of the musical Mama Mia? 3. Who wrote the music for the film The Lion King? 4. Who provided the voice of the mouse in the Stuart Little films? 5. Who sang the theme tune to the Bond film Thunderball? 6. In the original Pink Panther films, who played Inspector Clouseau? 7. Is James Bond MI5 or MI6? 8. In which series of comedy films would you find Inspector Drebin? 9. Who played the character of Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music? 10. In the first Batman film, who played the part of the Joker?

dingbats PULL

STRAW STRAW PICKING THIS IS STRAW BAD LUCK! STRAW

123 456 ROUND#1 ROUND#2 ROUND#3 ROUND#4

HOT COLD

A POLICEMAN’S ORDER?

START AGAIN

SURCARANCE

WALAYINGIT

A SHAPED MEMBER OF THE CLERGY

VERY CHANGEABLE!

DO DRIVERS HAVE THIS?

IS IT AN AMBUSH?

STAND S D A E H

OK! GOT IT!

LOOK OUT!

1. Madonna 2. Three 3. Salt Lake City 4. Sixteen feet 5. Six 6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 7. Bram Stoker 8. Mozart 9.Horse racing 10. Mr. Bigglesworth 1. Tia Maria 2. RAGMAG 3. 32 4. Alcohol by volume 5. Open Sesame 6. Phoenix 7. In a car 8. No, he’s dead 9. Princess Anne 10. Blue 1. Charles Helou and Rashid Karami 2. The Loire 3. Anola Gray 4. Zimbabwe 5. Jacques Chirac 6. Four 7. Jamaica 8. San Andreas Fault 9. Turkey 10. Sahara 1. Dark Knight 2. Pierce Brosnan and Meryll Streep 3. Elton John and Tim Rice 4. Michael Fox 5. Tom Jones 6. Peter Sellers 7. MI6 8. The Naked Gun 9. Christopher Plummer 10. Jack Nicholson

PULL OVER - BLOWING HOT AND COLD - ARCHBISHOP SHORT STRAW - CAR INSURANCE - I UNDERSTAND GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE - LAYING IN WAIT - HEADS UP

158 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

brainfood

DOWN

1. English Scotch tape? 2. The act of lifting up. 3. Bing’s Dream? [Two Words] (5,9) See 41

14 16

18 19

21 22

27 29

33 35

37 38 39

51 52

55 56

59 60

64 66

65 68

67 69

74 76

78 79

81 82

ACROSS

4. One of the gifts from the Kings. 7. Not old enough. 8. We see them on the tree? 9. They hope for snow here. 10. The birth of Jesus. 12. Santa’s wife? 17. Are we in this century? 18. Jesus’ bed? 19. An old school playground? 20. French Father Christmas?

sudoku 5 4

9 5 5 4 8

3 9 2 8 1 6 7

7 1 6 3 9 9 3 6 2 4 8 8 4 5 7 1 5

8 6 2 7 3 2 5 4 7 5 1 4 3 9 9 6 8

5 5 4 8 1 4 8 9 6 7 9 3 7 2 2 1 3 6

1 9 9 4 2 3 4 1 5 8 6 3 5 8 2 7 7

4 2 5 6 8 7 7 5 3 4 2 9 1 6 8 9 3

3 8 1 7 5 2 6 9 4

2 4 8 2 5 1 9 8 1 6 3 5 6 7 7 3 4 9

6 7 1 5 4 6 2 3 8 9 7 2 9 8 3 4 1 5

Ghost. [Two Words] (4,7) See 17 Down. 61. A prickly bush? 64. To enclose. 65. O come all ye faithful.(Latin) [Two Words] (6,7) See 73 Down. 68. A ghostly figure.

EASY

4 3 6 9 7 8 1 6 7 6 9 7 2 7 9 4 3 8 7 1 6 5 1 2 9 3 7 8 5 9 4 6 2 4

57. Joseph’s mother. 59. The first. 60. The Father, Son and Holy

[Two Words] (4,4) See 51 Down. 39. This can be known as a climbing variety. 43. It can get you drunk. 46. A fortified tipple. 48. Time from Dec 24th till Jan 6th. 49. Marley’s partner. available for Jesus. 52. A short Christmas? 34. The last word of a prayer. 53. Not square. 36. They watch their flocks. 55. They won the first soccer 37. Medically dry. world cup. 21. A soft, furry material. 23. Jesus’ birth place. 29. Do we kiss under this? 30. Rudolph’s horns. 32. This type of bed was not

9 3 9 7 7 8 6 7 4 1 5 4 2 6 1 5 2 8

5 4 4 6 2 3 9

5 3

8 6

6 6

7 9

7 5 4 9 1 6 8 2 3

9 2 6 8 3 4 7 1 5

6 3 7 5 2 1 9 4 8

4 4 6 2 4

2 5 7 4 9

7 9 1 4 5 8

8 8 3

6 2

5 4 2 6 8 9 3 7 1

4 6 3 1 7 8 2 5 9

1 7 5 2 9 3 4 8 6

2 9 8 4 6 5 1 3 7

1 9 3 7 4 6 8 2 5

4 2 5 8 9 1 6 3 7

6 7 8 3 5 2 1 4 9

9 8

7 8 1 9 3 4 7 5 6 2

4 7

2 8 9 6 3 5 4 7 1

3 1 4 2 8 7 9 5 6

7 5 6 4 1 9 3 8 2

5 3 2 9 6 4 7 1 8

3 8 6 7 1 2 3 5 9 4

9 4 1 5 7 8 2 6 3

Down. 5. Very polite. 6. There were three of them. 11. Shiny decorations. 13. Decoration at the top of the tree. 14. Used to cover your gifts. [Two Words] (8,5) See 50 Down. 15. They make greeting cards. 16. Sent at Christmas.[Two Words] (9,5) See 28 Down. 17. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. [Two Words] (4,7) See 60 Across 22. Joseph worked in this medium. 24. Part of a traditional English Xmas dinner. 25. They are Santa’s little helpers. 26. We indulge in taking this at Christmas. 27. He gave gifts on Saint Stephen’s Day. 28. Sent at Christmas. [Two Words] (9,5) See 16 Down. 31. Pulled at Xmas? 33. Etoile de Noel? 35. He tried to steal Christmas. 38. Is it a sledge? 40. Not mine. 41. Bing’s Dream?[Two Words] (5,9) See 3 Down. 42. We see them on the tree. 44. Announcement of death. 45. An injected poison? 47. SONAR is one of these? 50. Used to cover your gifts. [Two Words] (8,5) See 14 Down. 51. French Father Christmas? [Two Words] (4) See 20 Across. 54. A wonderful occasion. 56. Lotus make this type of biscuit. 58. Praise the Lord. 62. Let’s all be this at Christmas. 63. Past times. 64. An elaborate structure. 66. God’s first home. 67. They tell stories. 69. He wrote “A Christmas Carol”. 70. Santa’s transport. 73. O come all ye faithful.(Latin) [Two Words] (6,7) See 65 Across 75. The number of gold rings given in the song. 77. They sang for help.

71. Got. 72. Frozen drips. 74. Doubtful. 76. Took off the head? 77. A place to put small gifts? 78. Not used for light on trees now. 79. Santa’s fifth alphabetical reindeer. 80. Hung on the door for Xmas.

ACROSS 4. FRANKINCENSE - 7. UNDERAGE - 8. FAIRIES - 9. LALUQ 10. NATIVITY - 12. MRS CLAUS - 17. TWENTIETH 18. MANGER - 19. QUADRANGLE - 20. PERE - 21. VELVET 23. BETHLEHEM - 29. MISTLETOE - 30. ANTLERS - 32. CRIB 34. AMEN - 36. SHEPHERDS - 37. XEROTIC - 39. IVY 43. INTOXICATING - 46. SHERRY - 48. YULETIDE 49. SCROOGE - 52. XMAS - 53. OBLONG - 55. URUGUAY 57. RACHEL - 59. INAUGURAL - 60. HOLY - 61. HOLLY 64. ENCOMPASS - 65. FEDELES - 68. SPECTRE 71. ACQUIRED - 72. ICICLES - 74. QUESTIONABLE 76. DECAPITATED - 78. STOCKING - 79. CANDLES 80. DASHER - 81. WREATH - 82. BANDAID

DOWN 1. SELLOTAPE - 2. LEVATION - 3. CHRISTMAS 5. COURTEOUS - 6. WISEMEN - 11. TINSEL - 13. STAR 14. PAPER - 15. HALLMARK - 16. GREETINGS - 17. TRINITY 22. WOOD - 24. TURKEY - 25. ELVES - 26. LIBATION 27. WENCESLAS - 28. CARDS - 31. CRACKERS 33. POINSETTIA - 35. GRINCH - 38. TOBOGGAN - 40. YOURS 41. WHITE - 42. LIGHTS - 44. OBITUARY - 45. VENOM 47. ACRONYM - 50. WRAPPING - 51. NOEL - 54. JOYOUS 56. CARAMALISED - 58. HALLELUJAH - 62. MERRY 63. RECREATIONS - 64. EDIFICE - 66. STABLE 67. NARRATORS - 69. DICKENS - 70. SLEIGH - 73. ADESTE 75. FORTY - 77. DRAB

crosswords

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

159

astro

Zodiac forecasts FROM JONATHAN CAINER

December.2011

DECEMBER BEGINS WITH URANUS, JUPITER AND MERCURY ALL SEEMINGLY SLIPPING BACKWARDS. IT THEN BRINGS A POWERFUL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON. WE CAN EXPECT MORE STRESS THAN THE USUAL, PRE-HOLIDAY SEASON TENSION. PROBLEMS WITH TRANSPORT, COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATION MAY SURFACE. DRAMAS IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES MAY ALSO INTENSIFY. BUT BY CHRISTMAS, THAT ECLIPSE WILL BE LONG FORGOTTEN AND THOSE PLANETS NO LONGER RETROGRADE. WHEN WE LOOK BACK, WE’LL SEE THAT 2011 WAS THE TRULY TOUGH TIME FOR THE WORLD. 2012 FOR ALL ITS REPUTATION, IS GOING TO BE SURPRISINGLY GOOD FOR ALMOST ALL OF US.

MILLA JOVOVICH

CAPRICORN

BRAD PITT

December 22 - January 20

‘Every move you make, I’ll be watching you.’ So sang Sting. This is, is, depending on how you choose to interpret it, a tender promise of protection or a stalker’s anthem. But, then, the line between appropriate and inappropriate affection, is not always as clear-cut as we might wish. Nor is it only in the realm of love that desire can turn to lust. Somewhere in your world now, there are lines that really need to be redrawn in different places. Some are too fuzzy and some are clear enough but wrong. December brings your chance to make essential change. FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

SAGITTARIUS November 23 - December 21

What’s missing? What are you short of? Or have you just convinced yourself that life would be better if only you had something else? You need to establish the answer quickly because soon you may well have your wish granted. It may then prove difficult to return the gift that the cosmos has given you. Furthermore, nature abhors a vacuum. For as long as there is a gap in your life, there is a chance it can be filled. But once you put something in that place, you no longer have a space. It may be better, in December, to accept an absence than to force a presence. FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

AQUARIUS

January 21 - February 19 Seasons greetings. Here, courtesy of a kindly cosmos is some seasonal advice. Stop caring. Stop investing so much hope, faith and determination into a temporary situation. You are clouding your judgement by allowing a sense of need to overwhelm you. You have an objective and you somehow feel that success with this is the be-all and end-all. Ironically, you are more likely to get the right result if you can only persuade yourself to believe this a little less. Perspective and patience are the keys that can open every locked door in December. FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM

160 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

February 20 - March 20

March 21 - April 20

ARIES

TAURUS

Do adventurers ever sleep easy? Must they not remain forever alert to danger? It depends on what kind of adventure they are having. When hunting tigers, they are indeed, wise to keep a constant eye out for stripes. Much, in your life, has lately been stressful. Whilst you have handled your challenges well, you are keen to avoid a repeat of some old drama or difficulty. In an effort to remain diligent you are mounting a constant guard on the weaker areas of your empire. But none of this is necessary. December brings a real chance to ease off and enjoy life more.

‘Your attitude, not your aptitude will determine your altitude.’ Not everyone agrees with Zig Ziglar, the legendary motivation guru. Some would say attitude isn’t everything. But none can deny it counts for a lot. You now have strong feelings about a particular matter. These are causing you to see problems where none need exist. Adjust your perspective. Try not to care quite as much. Though passion can sometimes be a sword that hacks you a path through a jungle, it can also be the spade that digs you a hole. Just be calm and confident in December.

In libraries, people are asked to be quiet. At stadiums they are expected to make big noise. When we do the right thing according to the circumstances we find ourselves in, we are applauded. We are frowned on when we make a faux pas. You now fear that you are acting inappropriately. Others may suspect this too. But this month, there is more to find out about the situation that you are a part of. Once you discover this, you may well decide that you have been having the perfect response. You don’t need to succumb to pressure in December.

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

PISCES

GEMINI

CANCER

April 21 - May 21

LEO

May 22 - June 22

June 23 - July 23

July 24 - August 23

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

VIRGO

LIBRA

September 24 - October 23

October 24 - November 22

If people are talking behind your back, that’s wonderful. It means you do not have to listen to them. And you most certainly don’t need to be sensitive to your own fears about what people might (or might not) be saying. Think, in December, about what matters to you and why. While Mars remains in your sign, think too about what you’re prone to take too seriously and allow yourself to get anxious about. Then think about how you, just by thinking differently you can solve a problem, heal a wound, overcome a fear, deepen a bond and have a truly wonderful Christmas.

We all tend to think that ‘doing nothing’ is not an option. But at times it can be the very best option. Far too often we meddle and fiddle with processes that are best left to run their natural course. At best, our intrepid activity makes no difference. At worst, it gets in the way. It holds back positive forces that might otherwise be released. Perhaps, eventually, you’ll have to take action. First, though, it may prove wise to leave everything much as it is. Give the dust a chance to settle in December. Wait till you see what’s truly needed before worrying about anything.

We all want someone or something to look up to. We need to feel that we belong. We need to feel that our life has purpose. We need to feel loved. We also need to feel that we are connected to some higher intelligence with a smarter plan than our own. Sometimes, this need causes us to abdicate responsibility for our own actions and choices. Watch out now for a state of dependency that may be doing you no great favours. Trust your own wisdom. Grant yourself permission to be yourself and to love yourself. In December, that’s really all you need.

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

What do you feel you need to say? Why do you feel you need to say it? Who will benefit if you fully express yourself? Is it really likely that someone will hear you, take heed and bring about a constructive change as a result of listening to you? Or will you simply feel better for a while, having got something off your chest? In December, you need to consider the potential outcome of a sensitive dialogue before you enter into it. Remember that ultimately, if you want to be heard, it always helps to use language that others actually enjoy listening to.

August 24 - September 23

I have always loved you. Our relationship means more to me than life itself.’ When these words are spoken to us by the person we adore, we feel we are walking on air. They are not so impressive, though, when they come from the parking attendant or the person behind the counter in the bakery store. We should be even more concerned if we hear such sentiments being expressed by someone who is trying to sell us a car or an insurance policy. Watch for what’s appropriate this month. Keep a clear head and December will yet be wonderful.

When things don’t go quite as you were hoping, you can rage and rant, worry and regret, fear and fret, or smile and celebrate. Why might you decide to do the latter’? Well, if you truly trust the cosmos, you will credit it with some intelligence. So you will wonder, if it throws an obstacle in your path, whether it is inviting you to take a diversion which might ultimately suit you better. You won’t, this month, chicken out of a plan at the first sign of trouble. But you will be flexible and willing to learn. You may not know it now. But you are winning.

SCORPIO

THE GOLDEN GATES ISSUE

161

cultureclash

INDIE BAND

P!NDOLL IS EARMARKED FOR SUCCESS

PHOTOGRAPHY JASON ZAMORA

RAGMAG got out + about and sound checked at p!ndoll’s latest performance. You aren’t in Kansas anymore Dorothy, not with music like Beirut has never seen. Quickly becoming one of the most recognized local Lebanese bands today, p!ndoll is notable for both their classic setup of guitar, bass, drums, and vocals, and their strong stage presence. The band members first met around 11 years ago, but nothing really materialized until a decade later. Lead vocalist Erin Mikaelian is an attention-grabber with

162 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011

her strong and striking vocal work, performing music’s golden era (“40s and 50s” stylization) saying that, “That era was most influential in shaping the music to come, so it made sense to start from there and find our own way.” They’ve already released an EP of 3 cover songs for streaming as part of the Beirut Studios Sessions with longtime producer and engineer Philip Tohme. p!ndoll is beginning to record their first album as of this month with a scheduled Spring 2012 release www.pindoll.net www.facebook.com/pindollband @pindollband www.soundcloud.com/pindoll

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164 RAGMAG | DECEMBER 2011