RAGMAG The Loose Ends Issue | November 2013 | Issue #41

MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2013

TASK MANAGER

YOUR BUSINESS APPS WRAP IT UP QUICK

SPEND SIX MINUTES WITH

NATALIE PORTMAN * EXCLUSIVE GETTING THE JOB DONE RIGHT

CHRIS

HEMSWORTH STARS IN THOR: THE DARK WORLD NOVEMBER 2013

THE LOOSE

ENDS ISSUE starring

ZEID HAMDAN +GIHAN EL-HAGE

SOLVE ART WORLD MYSTERIES MASTERPIECES NEVER RECOVERED

STICKING TO AN AGENDA

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FOR LUSH

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MAGAZINE

Contributors

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

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

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

RAGMAGMagazine @RAGMAGMagazine RAGMAG #RAGMAG

Selected images Shutterstock

Stylist Jony Matta

Media Representative

Public Relations Coordinator Lea El-Alam

Nada G. Farha | Cofounder-MD Jdeideh Chalet Suisse St 444 Center 3rd floor Tel: 01 87 16 63 Ext 103 nfarha@pinkodsal.com advertise@pinkodsal.com

Marketing Lead Daniella Tayar Administrative Coordinator Teddy Younes Responsible Manager May Ziade Printed by Chemaly & Chemaly

RAGMAG Alex Gabriel Building Rue Colomn de Sahel Sahel Alma, Keserwan Tel: 09 916 222 / 09 913 777 lea.elalam@ragmaglive.com

www.chemaly.com

RAGMAG is a division of Raycon s.a.l.

Copyright RAGMAG 2013 All Rights Reserved

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

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

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NOVEMBER 2013

ANDROID

ON OUR COVER: CHRIS HEMSWORTH Š FEATUREFLASH

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

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES 92 COPYCAT REAL LIFE RUNWAY

80 HITTING THE ROAD OUR FASHION SHOOT

78 MARC JACOBS TIES IT ALL TOGETHER BACKSTAGE PASS

CULTURE CLASH 46 EVERYTHING IS OUT OF CONTROL HAYDA LEBNEN

22 UNSOLVED MYSTERIES ARTWORK HEISTS!

26 NATALIE PORTMAN

SIX QUESTIONS IN SIX MINUTES

28 GETTING THE JOB DONE

CHRIS HEMSWORTH IS BACK AS THOR!

FML 52 FEAR FACTOR

SHE’LL JUST NEVER GET OVER IT

FINAL FRONTIER 42 BUSINESS APPS TECH

40 WEB WONDERS SCIENCE

CHRIS HEMSWORTH GETS THE JOB DONE RIGHT FOR

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126 127 128 129

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

EDITOR’S OPINION 16 YES, MILEY CYRUS HAS A VAGINA POLY GIVES HER TWO CENTS

MON AMOUR, MON AMI 104 CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS! SECRETS SHOULD STAY SECRET

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36 MIND, BODY + SOUL 96 HELP ME NOUR + RABIH ADVICE

100 THE HOW-TO GUIDE OF GETTING IT DONE MATTHEW HUSSEY

102 WHAT’S THE SOURCE? LIVING WITH ANXIETY

MIRROR MIRROR 64 FINISH UP!

GET YOUR LOOK TOGETHER IN FIVE MINUTES

72 FREE AT LAST!

CHANEL’S INDEPENDENT MAN

70 GOING GOLD

DIOR PRESTIGE BOOSTS YOU UP

68 ECO FASHION COLLAB

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FOR LUSH

60 PRETTY IN PINK

BRIGHT-EYED LILY COLLINS

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY 116 NO COOKING QUICKIES RECIPES

115 CHECKPOINT CHARLIE

HITTING

THE ROAD STARRING ZEID HAMDAN + GIHAN EL HAJJ 6 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

RESTO REVIEW

OUT + ABOUT 56 OUR EDITOR HITS THE TOWN BAR THREESIXTY

62 DON’T STOP THE MUSIC RIRI IN ABU DHABI

TAKE ME WITH YOU 108 BERLIN TRAVEL

121

BRAINFOOD QUIZZ. DINBATS. CROSSWORDS. SUDOKU.

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Following the launch of our RAGMAG app last month, we were happily surprised to see the figures going up, it shows us love however it’s NOT ENOUGH! WE WANT MORE! For those who have not yet downloaded our app, what are you waiting for? Go to iTunes or Google Play.

Digital reading has become easier each issue for iPhones, iPads and all Android devices. Scan the QR code that will take you directly there and enjoy RAGMAG wherever you want, whenever you want.

As RAGMAG’s Publisher I feel the need to start every issue with a happy and uplifting word, yet this month I am struggling to find the words or the feelings to lead with a happy note. The daily struggles and challenges we are facing on a daily basis have become very tiring, and have taken away the excitement we need to give back. I’m not sure if we’re burned out, homesick or just simply tired but now more than ever we need you! Help us make our lives more exciting by interacting with us on all of our social media platforms and get to know us more by talking to us @RAGMAGMagazine @RAGMAGFashion and @RAGMAGMusic. We enjoy talking back- it’s the reason our online presence is so pervasive!

This issue I would like to thank Ford Middle East for ‘Warriors and Pink’ and On S’en Fout* for the beautiful rewards that get our readers competing to win every issue.

Keep your letters coming to publisher@ragmaglive.com and follow me on Twitter @GinaGabriel1, always happy to hear from you.

Gina Gabriel El-Fady | Publisher 8 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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EDITOR’S LETTER

THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

BECAUSE THERE’S A LOT TO GET DONE

So it seems that our readers are definitely Steve Jobs fans, and only tolerated Ashton in his role as the late Apple magnate. That said, a few of our staffers had comments about Ashton which reinforces my opinion that he’s got it: “sexy” (Junior Graphics Eliane), “cute” (Assistant Ed. Youmna), and “handsome” (Creative Lead Odette). I’m sure that more than a few of our readers felt the same way, whether or not he played Steve. Two big favorites last issue were pieces by two contributors from outside of Lebanon: Arie Amaya-Akkermans and May Rostom. More than a few people mentioned their articles and one person said Arie’s piece gave her “shivers”.

Thanks for the feedback. Most of all, I appreciate all of you sending in your cool images of the mag. You cannot imagine how great it is when you’re going out of your way to send us pics and Instagram the mag. Hashtag us #RAGMAG so I can find you.

This issue… well it’s pretty obvious that RAGMAG is into pop culture and the Marvel Universe just keeps giving us an excuse to get even more involved in graphic novels and comic myth than ever before. Chris Hemsworth is on our cover and the interview is pretty cool- we’ve got loads of news on Hollywood’s man of the year. In addition to starring in Thor: The Dark World, he’s doing some pretty cool stuff in another film, Rush. What else is up? We’ve got Poly, Lebanon’s do-it-her-way performer, sounding off about the entertainment industry and how female sexuality ties in (yes, Miley Cyrus is one of the main points of discussion).

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We sent Sarah Hourany to scale a mountain (okay, an indoor mountain), and we had Amal Chaaban delve into the world of stolen (and never recovered) works of art. I hope you like this issue, it is as always, developed cover-to-cover by our team.

Talk to me on Twitter @fidachaaban and follow @RAGMAGMagazine for updates and reader rewards that are meant to thank you for being part of RAGMAG. If you haven’t joined us on Facebook and Pinterest yet, we’re looking forward to seeing you on those mediums as well.

Email me at letterstotheeditor@ragmaglive.com to send me your thoughts and opinions about this issue. Finally, I want to encourage you to subscribe to RAGMAG and make it a part of your life every month. We are the only magazine in Lebanon that talks back and you can find us on the web too at www.ragmag.co We’re here because of the support and constant encouragement of our loyal readers.

It’s Your Magazine.

Fida Z Chaaban | Editor in Chief

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READER REWARD

WIN THIS!

THE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS GROUP AT FORD MIDDLE EAST ARE REWARDING THREE RAGMAG READS WITH THESE COOL WORKOUT CLOTHES. EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE ONE OF THE TOPS AND ONE SCARF AS SHOWN HERE. THE T-SHIRT WAS DESIGNED

BY JENNIFER ANISTON WITH AN ILLUSTRATION RELATING TO THE MOVIE AND DETAILS OF THE WARRIORS IN PINK SYMBOLS ON THE BACK. “MY T-SHIRT STANDS FOR A FUTURE IN WHICH WE NO LONGER HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR OF CANCER,” ANISTON SAID. “I’VE HAD AN AMAZING JOURNEY WORKING ON FIVE, AND IT WAS ONLY FITTING I WAS ABLE TO BRING THAT ENERGY INTO THE DESIGN OF THIS FORD WARRIORS IN PINK T-SHIRT. I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST BREAST CANCER AND JOIN THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE BATTLING THE DISEASE AS WE SPEAK.”

HOW TO WIN

Email letterstotheeditor@ragmaglive.com a downloaded symbol of courage from this link http://www.warriorsinpink.ford.com/symbols-of-courage and tell us why that symbol reflects your spirit in 25 words or less. Here’s our Editor’s pick of the Warriors in Pink® Symbols of Courage. The Plant symbol represents “life, growth and survival”.

FORD MIDDLE EAST Warriors in Pink® Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative

Warriors in Pink®, powered by Ford is dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness across the globe and Ford is proud of its 19-year support of breast cancer awareness through many global initiatives. Launched in 2006, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign recognizes the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer. Shop and give back to the community– 100 percent of the net proceeds goes toward the cause. www.warriorsinpink.ford.com FordMiddleEast

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@FordMiddleEast

FordMiddleEast

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

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

IF YOU’RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE A PIC WITH YOUR FAVORITE ISSUE, SEND IT OUR WAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OR EMAIL! YOU’RE ALL SO PINTERESTING, SO PIN US. RAGMAG It’s Your Magazine!

RAGMAG reserves the right to edit for clarity and content

We’re showing off some of the best images that our readers sent in via email and Twitter. Thank you to all of the readers who sent us tweets and emails of their copies of RAGMAG.

WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU SO KEEP IT UP!

Congrats to Hisham Abou Nasr Assaad on winning the Sunglass Hut voucher valued at $150 (225,000 LBP)!

We asked readers to share images of their current pair of shades and why they think Sunglass Hut should reward them with a voucher to help them update their look!

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EDITOR’S OPINION

“YOU HAVE A

VAGINA. THERE IT IS ” POP MUSIC, WOMEN + SEXUALITY

BY FIDA CHAABAN + POLY FOR RAGMAG

TALK TO POLY

OfficialPoly

@FollowPoly

PolyOfficial

PolyOfficial

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FOR THIS ISSUE, OUR EDITOR INITIATED A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF CHART-TOPPING SEXUALITY IN POP MUSIC AND THE CONTEMPORARY ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY WITH POLY. IN ADDITION TO BEING A CONTROVERSIAL FEMALE PERFORMING ARTIST, WE FELT THAT POLY WAS IN THE CORRECT POSITION TO ENGAGE IN A COMMENTARY WITH US ON FEMALE SEXUALITY IN THE MUSIC SCENE SINCE SHE CLOSELY FOLLOWS AND EXAMINES POP CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TRENDS. FIDA Let’s talk about pop music, women

POLY I personally think that the amount

and sexuality. It seems that Miley Cyrus has caused a flurry of discussion reopening the old debate about how much is too much in show business. This girl, who in my opinion appears to be very young, has unsettled people with her overtly sexual behavior. Unsettled is an understatement I guess- more like she caused global shock waves with her Video Music Awards (VMA) performance and subsequent antics provoking even highbrow Vanity Fair’s blogger to take a shot (or several) at her. I think that her youthful appearance, coupled with a heavy dose of misogyny is behind this. Poly, you’re a young female performing artist and you also post material considered risqué on your social media platforms- what do you think the source of hate and criticism is in Miley’s case?

of hate and badgering she is receiving is disgusting/hilarious. I think the public has really shown themselves to be hypocritical, sexist and sexually frustrated, especially over something that has been done a million times. Most people don’t want to let go of Cyrus’ character Hannah Montana and most people also think that her “transformation” happened over night

IT’S BEEN COMING FOR A LONG TIME, BUT MILEY WAS NOT OVEREXPOSED ON RADIO AND WAS NOT PLACED NEXT TO OTHER POP FEMALES THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

POP MUSIC, WOMEN + SEXUALITY

VIDEO STILL IMAGES TOP TO BOTTOM: MILEY CYRUS ‘WE CAN’T STOP’ MADONNA ‘GIRL GONE WILD’

and that she’s just gone crazy. In reality if you take a look at her album covers it’s been coming for a long time, but Miley was not overexposed on radio and was not placed next to other pop females because she used to cater to a much younger audience. Most people never heard her music or watched her music videos before her BANGERZ era, they only knew her as Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus.

When she launched her first single off her new album We Can’t Stop, the lyrical content and music video sparked controversy because of prejudgments. I’m pretty sure if we got a new artist on the grid doing exactly what she’s doing it wouldn’t be a big deal. As for her VMA performance, what people fail to comprehend is that the VMAs is about celebrating your music videos- it’s really a let-go kind of night

in the pop music industry. If you’ve seen Miley’s We Can’t Stop video and Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines video, you wouldn’t have expected any less from either of them. Why are the headlines like “Miley Twerks Robin Thicke” as opposed to “Robin Thicke Dry Humps Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus”? I find this to be really a class A sexist issue. And sexually? Lady Gaga opened the VMAs with a thong and seashells on her boobs, enough said. Madonna has done it, Britney has done it, Ke$ha’s career depends on it, and countless other female pop artists use the sex factor in their brand.

Miley Cyrus and I are born the same year -in my opinion she does not look that young- and the girl is free to do whatever she wants in her shows and in her life.

Just the way it was “cool” to call Justin

YOU CAN ACTUALLY PUT ANY FEMALE POP ARTIST NAME IN THE TITLE AND THE PIECE WOULD BE JUST FINE, THERE’S NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN Bieber gay it is now apparently “cool” to trash Miley because she was nude on a wrecking ball or twerks every chance she gets. I hate the hate bandwagon. I’m actually a fan of Miley’s new material, both visually and sonically. In her first two singles and their music videos, she is comfortable with her sexuality and she is doing her best to shed the Hannah Montana shell in the eyes of the public; I imagine it’s not easy to grow up a celebrity.

People expect her to stay a child forever, she is rebelling in her own way and her unapologetic attitude is something I really like about her. If you are asking me what I think of Miley Cyrus? As per usual, an artist (and everyone else) is free to do whatever they damn well please. If you are asking me about the reactions of the audience and media, I think it’s basic, sexist and primitive, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, I personally would love to see more objective and mature opinions and articles (especially in 2013!), are you serious? Have you heard of Madonna?

I’m not a critic and this is just my personal view on the matter.

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EDITOR’S OPINION VIDEO STILL IMAGES BELOW: LADY GAGA ‘JUDAS’ OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: MADONNA ‘GIRL GONE WILD’, CHRISTINA AGUILERA ‘NOT MYSELF TONIGHT’, LADY GAGA ‘APPLAUSE’

FIDA I think you’ve raised a few really

salient points. I, for one, know Miley as Hannah and then a whole segment of her life went unnoticed until recently as you said with BANGERZ. When I think about it, it’s almost as though for me (and now I’m beginning to think for everyone else as well), she went straight from cute country bumpkin to salacious starlet. You also pointed out something that I think is extremely relevant: why was Robin Thicke not vilified and strung up by the media and audiences globally? Going back through the press coverage, you are right. The man is much older than Miley and he was as much a part of the VMA performance as she was. I think like anything else, the blame (if blame is necessary here- I’m not entirely sure that it is), should be shared. Further, in our initial

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conversation about this on Twitter, I said that Madonna’s book Sex was considered very vulgar and inappropriate by some, and avant-garde and experimental by others at the time of its release. This was 1992 and for those of you unfamiliar with Sex, it depicted Madonna and other notable stars of the day (Vanilla Ice is one), in varying degrees of nudity and sexual positions. It’s a given that Madonna was much older at the time than Miley is now, but again Miley is actually an adult by legal standards and therefore is free to do as she pleases. A blog post by Vanity Fair’s Juli Weiner entitled What Does Miley Cyrus Want Us to Say So That She Knocks It Off Already? was released on August 26th of this year. Weiner asked her rhetorically just that- what does Miley need to hear from audiences to take it down a notch? One of

IT GOES BACK TO FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION: YOU ARE FREE TO FEEL WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT THE WORK AND I AM FREE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT I WANT WITH IT her suggestions was, “You have a vagina.

There it is.” and another was, “The nude colour of your outfit is suggestive of unclothed flesh and that is why it is provocative.” Both of these sarcastic statements

THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

POP MUSIC, WOMEN + SEXUALITY

IT COULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT MADONNA, BRITNEY SPEARS AND CHRISTINA AGUILERA, WITH THE TWO LATTERMOST BOTH EX-DISNEY KIDS

by Weiner and many more throughout the piece (even the ones not related to sexuality like, “Your lyrics suggest you seem to have previously experimented with drugs.

Fine.” and “Many of your friends are not of your race.”) could have been about

NOVEMBER 2013

Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, with the two lattermost both exDisney kids. You can actually probably put any female pop artist name in the title and the piece would be just fine, since as you pointed out, Lady Gaga wore a nude ensemble this year and so did Britney a few years back. There’s nothing new under the sun, so to speak, and I agree with you when you say that Miley is the new focus of the hate bandwagon.

business, I do what I need to do, what I feel is right and what I believe in at the moment and the rest is history. I’ve done so many things considered “too much” in some people’s opinions, but that has no effect on what I do or what I will do next, it’s actually irrelevant. It goes back to freedom of opinion and expression: you are free to feel what you want about the work and I am free to do exactly what I want with it.

POLY I hear you, replacing the article

FIDA I think that you’ve summed it up

header with many pop names right now would make sense. It would make sense, but would not make the article a good one in my opinion. It’s not about what the media says it wants from an artist, for us to “take it down a notch”- it works the other way around, we put out our work, views, visual and sonic expression out there and then the media can do what they want with it. Personally I think what the media says about me is none of my

quite well: the output of artists or the work they put forward is often looked at as though it was created to please the mainstream media and audiences when in fact it’s not. People, myself included, tend to forget that artists issue what they feel is appropriate and we shouldn’t expect otherwise. Thanks for sharing your views with RAGMAG. It’s important that we remember that it’s your show Poly, and you’ll run it the way you want to.

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For the month of October, graffiti artist Banksy announced a month-long open-air exhibition of his art, Better In Than Out, in New York City. Between Day 1 (October 1st) and Day 31, Banksy showed off one work per day including graffiti, installations, statues, a pop-up store selling original pieces for $60 that only attracted three buyers –definitely a reflection on the “real” worth of a piece of art in the industry- and a declined op-ed column in The New York Times that the artist later posted on his own website. On October 23rd, Banksy updated his website with a post stating, “Today’s art has been cancelled due to police activity.” The NYPD has been trying to catch Banksy since the beginning of the exhibition and NYC’s Mayor Bloomberg has voiced displeasure with the artist’s illegal exhibition, “calling him a vandal, not an artist” (New York Post). According to The Verge, “it’s unclear exactly what the police activity may be that Banksy or members of his crew have encountered,” but several websites show images of his Ronald McDonald’s statue with a shoeshine boy- an actor of Banksy’s that was nearly fined for participating in the installation. Banksy has been successfully anonymous since his debut but with a whole NYPD department –the “Vandal Squad”- after him, scrutinizing every single surveillance video of the areas he’s been placing his work, could this be his last US visit?

RAGMAG’S VOTE DISAPPOINTING

CAN A VIDEO CHANGE SAUDI ARABIA’S VIEW ON WOMEN? Over six million views in four days. That’s how viral the No Woman, No Drive video went this month. Saudi Arabian self-described “artist and social activist” Hisham Fageeh posted a new –satirical- rendition of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry “spoofing his country’s practice of forbidding women from attaining driver’s licenses” (The Washington Post). The

FIVE QUESTIONS THE WORLD IS ASKING

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hilarious video of Fageeh and some friends addresses the nonsensical arguments of prodriving-ban activists –“Ova-ovaries all safe and well / So you can make lots and lots of babies”- and pretty much sums up the only way Saudi women can get around town– “Of course the driver can take you everywhere / Because the queens don’t drive / But you can cook for me my dinner / Of which I’d share with you”. Fageeh posted the video in response to the late October protest by activists- according to The Guardian, activists have claimed that “more than 60 Saudi women got behind the wheels of their cars as part of a protest against a ban on women driving in the Kingdom.” Photos and videos of said women, sometimes supported by male family members, have been posted and shared. All of the videos haven’t been verified as yet, but could this be the start of a social change in Saudi Arabia?

RAGMAG’S VOTE HOPEFULLY THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

BANKSY: WWW.BANKSY.CO.UK | LAURI LOVE: US MILITARY STAFF AT THE PENTAGON- LOVE IS CHARGED WITH HACKING INTO SECURE NETWORKS TO GAIN CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. PHOTOGRAPH- RICK WILKING/REUTERS

WHY ISN’T BANKSY WELCOME IN THE BIG APPLE?

WHAT WILL BECOME OF LAURI LOVE? Yet another hacker has been caught. According to The Guardian, Lauri Love has been “charged in New Jersey with hacking into thousands of computer systems, including those of the US Army and NASA, in an alleged attempt to steal confidential data.” A few days later he was also charged for allegedly hacking the FBI’s computers, more precisely the organization’s “digital forensics lab and training center’s [computers] in order to collect personal data on FBI employees. […] If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, in addition to the potential 10 years for the charges already filed in New Jersey” (The Telegraph). As stated in a US government release following the arrest, “the purpose of the attacks was ‘to disrupt the operations and infrastructure’ of the federal government” (Huffington Post). In fact, Love is not accused of selling information or acting for financial gain. He’s been allegedly working with two accomplices in Australia and one in Sweden- they haven’t been charged yet and their names were not released. No trial date has been set yet but will he decide to work for “the other side”? We all remember Sabu, is there a chance Lauri Love will go the same route?

JAPAN’S NATURAL DISASTER: (C) COPYRIGHT THOMSON REUTERS 2013 / © NASA

RAGMAG’S VOTE UNCLEAR

WHAT’S WITH JAPAN’S NATURAL DISASTER STREAK? Nature has been going wild –again- specifically around the Japanese islands. According to CNN, “at least 18 people have died and [dozens] are missing after Typhoon Wipha pummeled the Tokyo area” mid-October.

“Heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides that blocked roads and crushed houses in Oshima, a small island 120 km south of Tokyo.”

A second storm, about to “hit the area […] where emergency teams are still dealing with the devastation caused by Typhoon Wipha,” (BBC) is being monitored. According to Russia Today, “Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant is bracing itself for Typhoon Francisco […] by quickly securing new storage space for contaminated rainwater that has already taken up the facility’s entire storage tank capacity.”

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) – the plant’s operator- has been trying to “keep radiation under control ever since the nuclear

disaster that took place March 11, 2011” but natural catastrophes capable of creating major nuclear accidents could just as well reduce all efforts to nothing. UPDATE As this issue went to print, worst-case scenario has been avoided.

Francisco faded away bringing “only” heavy rain to Japan, but it was the season’s 27th storm.

How many more can we expect and how can Japan withstand it?

RAGMAG’S VOTE FREAKISH

WHO’S GOING TO WIN THE YSL MOVIE WAR? A current trend in the cinema industry, two biopic movies of the legendary couturier Yves Saint Laurent are being released in early 2014: Saint Laurent and Yves Saint Laurent. The problem?

Only the latter has the artistic blessing of Pierre Bergé, Saint Laurent’s ex-partner and guardian of the designer’s creative legacy. According to The Telegraph, Mr. Bergé “nicknamed ‘the Dean of Yves Saint Laurent’” is “notoriously protective of his ex-lover’s image and reputation.” Starting with a promo image battle between the two production teams, it escalated quickly when Bergé tweeted in French, “Two films on YSL? I hold the moral rights over YSL’s work, his image and mine and have only authorized Jalil Lespert [Yves Saint Laurent director]. A trial in the cards?” The businessman had stated he supported Lespert’s movie by granting him

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access to the Fondation Pierre Bergé Yves Saint Laurent’s collection (35000 sketches, 5000 dresses and 15000 accessories). Saint Laurent’s director Bretrand Bonello didn’t back down, stating he would carry on in the name of freedom of speech. Bergé’s lawyers also haven’t backed down either, forbidding him to touch on his private life or use his image or any Saint Laurent creation. Saint Laurent is still planned to launch May 2014, giving the Bergé-endorsed film (set to launch in January 2014), a major head start. If the two movies possess similarities, only Saint Laurent explores the dark side of the couturier’s life, including his addictions. Will Pierre Bergé win the war and what does it say about permitted biopics?

RAGMAG’S VOTE ENCOURAGING

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UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OPPOSITE PAGE: LE PIGEON AUX PETITS POIS

BY PABLO PICASSO

TO CATCH A THIEF

BY AMAL CHAABAN

THEFT OF ARTWORK, ONE OF THE MOST LUCRATIVE AND HIGH PROFILE TYPES OF ORGANIZED CRIME, IS ALSO ONE OF THE HARDEST TYPES OF CRIME TO SOLVE. WE’VE CHOSEN FIVE OF THE MOST SOUGHTAFTER WORKS OF ART BY HISTORICAL MASTERS THAT WERE TAKEN, AND YES YOU GUESSED IT, NEVER RECOVERED. WANT TO MAKE MILLIONS OVERNIGHT? HELP THE FEDS LOCATE ONE OF THESE MASTERPIECES- THERE’S ALWAYS HEFTY REWARD MONEY ATTACHED TO ARTWORK RECOVERY. A FEW OF THESE FIVE HEISTS ALSO SOUND LIKE INSIDE JOBS… WE’RE NOT POINTING FINGERS!

LE PIGEON AUX PETITS POIS PABLO PICASSO HEIST 2010 PARIS MUSEUM OF MODERN ART STATUS NEVER RECOVERED

Sometime during the night of May 20, 2010, the Paris Museum of Modern Art was robbed of five paintings including Le Pigeon aux Petits Pois by Pablo Picasso. The thief had no problem entering the museum as the alarm was shut off due to technical difficulties and once inside, when the thief removed the first painting and no alarm sounded, he told investigators that he “wandered around the national museum for more than an hour,” with no one noticing that he was there. Police convened a task force which eventually netted three people: a 56 year-old antiques dealer, a 34 year-old watch repairman and a 43 year-old Serbian man identified by his nickname “Spiderman” (for his ability to scale walls to look for things to steal). The three were apprehended, but the watch repairman (only identified as “Jonathan B”

by French media) advised that he panicked and threw three of the five paintings (including the Picasso) in a public trash bin in Paris where they were presumably taken to the dump. The paintings have never been recovered and the police do not believe they were thrown out.

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POPPY FLOWERS VINCENT VAN GOGH HEIST 2010 MAHMOUD KHALIL MUSEUM STATUS NEVER RECOVERED

The Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Cairo, Egypt is a small three-story museum with art worth an estimated 1.2 billion dollars and apparently very lax security since only seven of 43 cameras were functioning [poorly] on the day of the theft and none of the alarms attached to the paintings were. On August 20, 2010, with a museum full of employees, two people were able to climb onto a couch and cut Poppy Flowers out of its frame. With only 10 visitors to the museum that day, suspicion immediately fell on two Italian tourists who were thought to be acting suspiciously and who tried to board a flight to Italy the same day. The Egyptian culture ministry issued a media release saying the painting had been recovered only to recant it hours later. In the ensuing investigation, several employees of both the museum and the ministry were detained by police and charged with failing to discharge their employment duties. No verifiable information was given as to the fate of the Italian tourists. Interestingly, this is not the first time this painting has been stolen. It was stolen previously in 1978 only to be later recovered in Kuwait.

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UNSOLVED MYSTERIES | TO CATCH A THIEF

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UNSOLVED MYSTERIES | TO CATCH A THIEF

NATIVITY WITH SAN LORENZO AND SAN FRANCESCO POLIDORO DA CARAVAGGIO HEIST 1969 THE ORATORY OF SAN LORENZO STATUS NEVER RECOVERED

On October 18, 1969, two men entered The Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo, Sicily and stole several pieces of art, gilded pews and most importantly, a painting by Baroque master Caravaggio. The painting itself is thought to be worth over $20 million dollars, but would never fetch that on the black market due to the difficulty selling something so highly sought after by law enforcement. There are several stories surrounding the theft and the fate of the painting but the most credible seems to come from a mafia informant named Francesco Marino Mannoia who testified that he took part in the theft and the painting was damaged during the theft so as to render it irreparable. There have been some denials of this by the Italian authorities who state that Mannoia actually helped steal a different painting that night and that was the one recovered (so damaged that it was essentially destroyed). Another mafia informant advises that the painting has made the rounds of the leading Mafioso families but after the purges in the 90s, the painting went underground and stayed there.

VIEW OF THE SEA AT SCHEVENINGEN VINCENT VAN GOGH HEIST 2010 PARIS MUSEUM OF MODERN ART STATUS NEVER RECOVERED

On December 7, 2002, a pair of hapless thieves used a ladder and climbed 15 feet to the first story window where they broke through and stole View of the Sea at Scheveningen and Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen valued at just over $3 million.

When they climbed back down, they left behind hats and the cloth they used to cover their hands while shattering the window. The police later caught and convicted two men, Octave Durham (AKA The Monkey) and Henk B, using DNA found on the hats. Although they were apprehended, the paintings were never recovered and it is thought that the thieves might not be so hapless after all. There are theories that say the thieves may have hidden the paintings since a loophole in Dutch law says that after a certain period of time, the art thieves can become the owners of the paintings they stole in the first place. Dutch lawmakers are looking at ways to close the loophole, but it may not be grandfathered in to old crimes thus making two men the owners of two very valuable paintings.

THE CONCERT JOHANNES VERMEER HEIST 2010 PARIS MUSEUM OF MODERN ART STATUS NEVER RECOVERED

On March 18, 1990 as Boston was busy with Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, two men dressed as police officers gained entry into the museum, trussed up the two security guards and proceeded to steal thirteen pieces of artwork valued in the hundreds of millions.

One of those works is The Concert by Vermeer, one of only 34 known Vermeer paintings to exist in the world. The thieves also made off with various other artists as well as a vase and an etching. The FBI has a dedicated webpage to this theft and a $5 million reward is being offered for information leading to the return of the paintings in good condition. This year, 23 years after the original theft, the FBI announced a break in the case by stating that they knew that the thieves had ties to the mafia on the east coast of the United States and had traced the paintings as they made the rounds through organized crime circles but the trail had gone cold. As part of a public awareness campaign, the FBI re-released images of the paintings and reiterated that there is a reward in order to recover the art. What was buried in the fine print was the fact that the statute of limitations on art theft has passed so even if they arrest the thieves, they may not go to jail.

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NATALIE PORTMAN SIX QUESTIONS IN SIX MINUTES

W

hat is it like to be reprising the role of Jane Foster for Thor: The Dark World? Where is Jane at the beginning of this film and what has changed for her?

It’s really fun to get to come back and play her again. I think it’s rare to get the opportunity to play a female scientist in this kind of movie, so it’s nice to have a little foil for the Super Hero. Jane is hard at work in London. She’s missing Thor still but forging on with her research and trying to date again and get her life back together. Jane has moved, so she’s now in London, not in Santa Fe anymore. Obviously she has gone through missing Thor and also being upset at him because he didn’t come knock on her door when he was on her planet. She’s definitely been getting over that and trying to move on.

“IT’S ALWAYS SO FUN TO WORK WITH CHRIS. HE’S REALLY GOT THE BEST ENERGY”

What was the most fun day?

The most fun for me was in Hayes, London, when I did the rig where I get sucked into the wormhole. They put me in a harness and I just went back and forth. It was really a lot of fun.

What did you think about the script when you read it? How did you find the relationship with your co-stars?

I was really happy that Jane got to be a little funnier. The joy of these movies

is that they are these action movies but they’re also very light. You want to go because it provides an escape and is incredibly entertaining. I was so lucky this time to get to work with both Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo. They’re two actors I so admire, and they were so incredibly lovely—like beyond your wildest dreams lovely. So warm and normal and so impressive, doing really wonderful things with their scenes that I never imagined while reading them.

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“MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD” THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH) AND JANE FOSTER (NATALIE PORTMAN) IMAGE FILM FRAME © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

LEFT: NATALIE PORTMAN ARRIVING FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF “THOR: THE DARK WORLD” AT THE ODEON LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, OCT 2013

“MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD” JANE FOSTER (NATALIE PORTMAN) AND THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH) IMAGE JAY MAIDMENT © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED “MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD” JANE FOSTER (NATALIE PORTMAN) IMAGE FILM FRAME © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

NATALIE PORTMAN | SIX QUESTIONS IN SIX MINUTES

“IT’S RARE TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY A FEMALE SCIENTIST IN THIS KIND OF MOVIE, SO IT’S NICE TO HAVE A LITTLE FOIL FOR THE SUPER HERO” Why do you think audiences relate to Thor?

How did you find working with Chris Hemsworth again?

Thor is someone going through very human struggles with his father, with fate, and with what he’s meant to do with his life. These are classic themes that are part of many classic stories and part of our lives. They are definitely easy to relate to.

It’s always so fun to work with Chris. He’s really got the best energy. He is so enthusiastic about the work and so sweet to work with and so good. It was just really fun.

What about the evolution of your wardrobe?

The sets are incredible. You walk on set and you’re like, ‘Oh wow, we’re making a movie’. You feel like it’s really like the old days of cinema because the scope is just so, so grand. Huge columns and all;

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it’s just incredible. It’s fun to be on that kind of set and see the craftsmanship that goes into it. The Hall of Science set on Asgard was really, really beautiful. It was definitely new to be in the Asgard clothes and luckily I think my character should feel uncomfortable in them, so, any discomfort I had could be part of the character’s feelings as well. The funny part was combining the clothes because we have the Barbour field jacket that I wear. It was my Earth jacket over the Asgard dress for much of the film, so that’s the combination that always makes people laugh.

He’s also fun to be around and he and Chris have a great rapport with each other. They’ve got sort of a brotherly thing.

They really enjoy each other and annoy each other in a loving, joking way and it’s fun to be around SEE THOR: THE DARK WORLD IN THEATRES NATIONWIDE AS OF NOVEMBER 7

Can you talk about working with Tom Hiddleston?

Tom is wonderful. He plays Loki, of course, and he’s just an incredible actor who finds so much humour in his evil.

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IT’S HAMMERTIME

CHRIS HEMSWORTH GETS THE JOB DONE RIGHT FOR

THOR: THE DARK WORLD

BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CHRIS HEMSWORTH? I, FOR ONE, DIDN’T KNOW MUCH UNTIL I CULTIVATED AN INTEREST IN THE MARVEL UNIVERSE AND ITS CINEMATIC ADAPTATIONS. I REMEMBER SEEING HIM IN SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN OPPOSITE CHARLIZE THERON, BUT THAT DIDN’T MEAN MUCH TO ME UNTIL HE PICKED UP A CELESTIAL HAMMER AND DONNED SOME NORSE DEITY GARB FOR THOR. THIS MONTH, THOR: THE DARK WORLD IS RELEASED, AND CHRIS HEMSWORTH IS BACK FOR A NEW COSMIC ADVENTURE. AFTER ALL, IT TAKES A CERTAIN MEASURE OF SKILL TO BELIEVABLY SAY THINGS LIKE, “IF WE DO NOTHING, THEY WILL DESTROY US” AND MAKE AUDIENCES FORGET THAT THEY’RE WATCHING A FICTIONAL CHARACTER.

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“MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD” THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH) IMAGE JAY MAIDMENT © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

IT’S HAMMERTIME | CHRIS HEMSWORTH

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“MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD”..L TO R: THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH) AND ODIN (SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS) IMAGE JAY MAIDMENT © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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IT’S HAMMERTIME | CHRIS HEMSWORTH

THE DARKER SIDE OF GROWING UP

BELOW, LEFT IMAGE: CHRIS HEMSWORTH AT THE EUROPEAN PREMIERE OF ‘THE HUNGER GAMES’ AT THE O2 ARENA, LONDON, MARCH 2012

CHRIS HEMSWORTH IMAGE © FEATUREFLASH/SHUTTERSTOCK | THOR IMAGE © 2013 MARVEL

I

love playing [Thor]. I love the fact that he is a god but that could be very bland and one-sided. But each time we get to break him down and find his human qualities and his vulnerable side it’s interesting because he has such a tough exterior and an unbreakable feel.” The Marvel character is not your regular superhero. He can “fly and split the earth in half with his weapon.” He’s stronger than the strongest man (he’s not human), and he’s also not your regular Greek or Roman god.

He comes from the Norse legacy and we can all agree they’re pretty badass when it comes to who’s who on the spiritual myth plane. All this is pretty much business as usual for the superhero, except that he’s developed feelings for a certain Jane Foster (and that’s very human of him). Thor: The Dark World, the sequel to the Marvel Studios movie Thor (2011), portrays an undecided superhero facing a “real conflict about where his place is. Is it with Jane on Earth, or is it here in Asgard? His senses are now awakening and he’s having a greater understanding of the world and its problems.” Wait a minute, did he say “here in Asgard?”

Well yes, because Chris kind of is there- living it, so to speak.

This time Thor has to fight to prevent chaos and destruction at the hands of vengeful villain Malekith- he wants to plunge the universe into darkness. That’s not all there is to it, Chris sees another dimension to the plot: “a darker transition into adulthood for Thor and him becoming king, and the darker side of growing up.

“ANTHONY [HOPKINS] IS ONE OF THOSE RARE ACTORS THAT I COULD JUST BE AROUND AND WATCH ALL DAY LONG” NOVEMBER 2013

You start to see the shadier side of the royal family.” What sounds like a very obscure storyline has won Marvel fans over (they’re praising both the film and the cast), reinforcing Marvel Studios’ reputation of taking risks and investing in lesser-known actors who end up captivating audiences. Before Thor, the 30 year-old actor, born on August 11th, 1983 in Melbourne, Australia, had a recurring role in Australian soap opera Home and Away for which he won a Logie award.

In 2009, he appeared in J. J. Abram’s Star Trek with a supporting role, portraying James T. Kirk’s father Captain George Kirk but it was his leading role as Thor that propelled him to the Hollywood hit list. After that, the roles just kept coming- The Cabin in the Woods (2012), the aforementioned Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), and he even came back for a Star Trek sequel. Hemsworth landed a leading role in Rush (2013), Ron Howard’s take on the 1970s rivalry between two F1 racers. Chris, who successfully depicts Thor as an energetic and authoritarian god, proves that he can play different roles and portray very different characters. All that said, it really is Thor that he knows inside out, whether it be his personality, his evolution or his dynamic with the other characters. “In the first film Thor was a young spoiled teenager, about to take on the throne and be king. He’s full of ego and attitude. During that film, he is humbled. [Now] Thor’s trying to work through as opposed to just being there and being central to the situation. You’ve got to make sure that he’s not just there to

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IT’S HAMMERTIME | CHRIS HEMSWORTH

“[TOM HIDDLESTON] BROUGHT SUCH EMPATHY TO LOKI THAT AUDIENCES WERE CONFLICTED. HE’S THE VILLAIN BUT WE KIND OF LOVE HIM” step in at the very end and save the day. You want a journey.” He also manages to portray a more empowered and physical Thor who actually uses more of his fighting skillset. In the first film, “a lot of the time we have seen him just fighting hand-to-hand combat like a Viking but I think we needed to embrace that he has far more advanced skills than that.” I want to mention here that he also flies far more often in this movie than in Thor, but he doesn’t discuss this much, only alluding to more “wire work”.

Hemsworth’s role in the first Thor installment garnered five different nominations, and for his role in The Avengers (2012) he received five more nominations, two of which he won.

Thor’s appearance in The Avengers alongside Robert Downey Jr. certainly was a hit (with a gross of $1.5 billion), but Chris felt it wasn’t really the same, as “in that film you didn’t have your individual arc or journey. The arc of that story was the group, whereas this is certainly each of us, and we each have our own specific story. And for Thor, it really is picking up from Thor in a lot of ways, with the same questions he still has about his brother,

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about why and how they ended up here and what happened to their relationship.” Here too, the characters and the relationships that bind them are different from The Avengers where “it was us yelling at each other and butting heads.” Their brotherhood evolves into “a far more interesting dynamic [where] Thor is able to confront Loki and say, ‘It’s about time that you recognize your role in this. You know, it wasn’t all everyone else’s fault.’” Everything’s not cut-and-dried in the movie, including the audience’s connection with Loki. Hemsworth credits co-star Tom Hiddleston who “brings so much to the part; people love that character. He brought such empathy to Loki that audiences were conflicted.

He’s the villain but we kind of love him.” Despite the ongoing sibling discontent between Loki and Thor, it seems that Chris and his brothers don’t have any of the same rivalry issues. Younger brother Liam, who most recently appeared in The Hunger Games (2012), generally sparks a lot more tabloid controversy especially in light of his recent break from Miley Cyrus. Older brother Luke, also an actor, is primarily focused on small screen endeavors such as TV shows and mini-series. Luke is rarely mentioned in the Western mainstream media other than as an appendix to his younger brothers’ careers.

While the movie explores the fractured relationship between the two brothers, it also zeroes in on Thor’s relationship with Jane, played by Natalie Portman, who has “been wondering where the hell he is and where the hell he’s been. She comes to understand that he’s been saving the universe, so that’s not a bad excuse. But the two of them have to figure out whether or not this is a realistic relationship.” It’s not just about the way they feel about each other in the movie, “for Thor it certainly becomes then about the darker side of him taking on the throne,” and how that will affect his relationship with Jane. What about his real life romance? He and his spouse of just over two years, Elsa Pataky, a Spanish model, actor and sometimes producer, have one child together and were married in 2010. If internet gossip is to be believed, Chris was spotted during a Thor promo wearing a dog tag that said: “In case of emergency call Elsa”. Prior to marrying Hemsworth, Pataky had dated a few big Hollywood names, Adrien Brody included. Having discussed his family life in several interviews, Chris definitely suggests that both his wife and child are a major priority and that yes, even Thor needs some time off. That doesn’t look like it’ll be happening anytime soon, since his next Marvel film is currently in production.

What does Chris think of his other co-stars in Thor: The Dark World, like Anthony Hopkins who plays Thor’s father Odin? Having worked with Hopkins on the previous film, he doesn’t take it for granted. “Anthony is one of those rare actors that I could just be around and watch all day long. There’s such a weight and depth to everything he does, no matter how subtle.” As for Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis) and Natalie Portman, they “certainly have a ton of

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OPPOSITE PAGE: MARVEL’S THOR THE DARK WORLD..BEHIND THE SCENES WITH CHRIS HEMSWORTH (THOR) AND DIRECTOR ALAN TAYLOR..PH JAY MAIDMENT..© 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS PAGE: IMAGES © FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK

BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: CHRIS HEMSWORTH AND ELSA PATAKY AT THE 2012 GQ MEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LONDON TOM HIDDLESTON AT THE LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS 2013 AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

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THOR & JANE: “MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD” JANE FOSTER (NATALIE PORTMAN) AND THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH) IMAGE JAY MAIDMENT © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THOR & LOKI: “MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD” L TO R: LOKI (TOM HIDDLESTON) & THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH) IMAGE FILM FRAME © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | LOKI ON THRONE © 2013 MARVEL

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“MARVEL’S THOR: THE DARK WORLD” THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH) IMAGE JAY MAIDMENT © 2013 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2013 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THOR THE DARK WORLD CHRIS HEMSWORTH ON SET WITH DIRECTOR ALAN TAYLOR.PH JAY MAIDMENT © 2012 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2012 MARVEL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED IMAGE COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS

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humour in this and some great dialogue. [The humour is] through their observations of how wacky our world of Asgard is. The two of them are just so good at it.” The humourous beat of all Marvel films including this one is “what ties them together. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. In moments, it’s serious enough, but any chance you get to laugh takes the pressure off of having to believe that there’s a guy with a big hammer and a red cape flying around the place.” Marvel movies invest a great deal in their characters’ costumes and accessories, which all help to cultivate the overall persona. This time around, they’ve amped it up, even shooting in surprising locations to give the movie a more “realistic” feel.

One of my favorite elements, the dark elves, is a point of interest for Chris: “The whole world that they’ve created for them, from the sets and the locations to shooting in Iceland, just made it feel so possible. There’s an epic feel to their world, but a grounded quality as well.” To make a story like this somewhat believable, a lot of attention to detail is given, even Thor’s trademark hammer “has been taken and roughed up and beaten a bit and scratched, so it looks like it has been through thousands of years of war and battle and it’s not straight off the rack. The sets, the costumes, the hair, the makeup—all of it was about making it look more realistic.”

The “real” dimension of the movie is something Director Alan Taylor –the film marks the first time that Hemsworth has worked with him- was keen on. Fresh from cult-series Game of Thrones, Taylor drew on some of that realistic-fantasy vibe for The Dark World: “There was grounding in reality no matter how mythical the world got. There were a lot of exterior locations and a lot of the sets were built outside with less blue screen, which I think is great. Asgard does look like a place you could visit.” Most importantly, Taylor stayed true to the Marvel Studios take on the Marvel Universe. Adapting iconic comics on the big screen is no easy task and “staying true to the comic books and these characters was something we were mindful of from the beginning. These characters already existed and had a fan base that was a lot more knowledgeable than we were, so you don’t want to let anyone down in that sense.”

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IT’S HAMMERTIME | CHRIS HEMSWORTH

“THOR IS STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF KING, AND HE NEEDS TO PROVE THAT HE DESERVES TO BE THERE AND ALSO UNDERSTAND AND COME TO TERMS WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT BECOMING KING CARRIES” Thor: The Dark World appeals to comic fans as well as a broader audience, who can somehow relate to Thor and the experiences that the characters are going through. When it all comes down to it, “It’s a father with two sons battling for their father’s affection. Or there’s a Romeo and Juliet quality to it of two different families with children who want to be together and everyone thinks it’s ridiculous,” explains Chris.

It’s again the human dimension that makes the Marvel movies so pervasive with audiences worldwide. According to Forbes, Thor: The Dark World is expected to do just as well with young females as it is with males. They’re basing this on the idea that it stars Chris Hemsworth (and possibly because Natalie Portman is his leading lady), so it has the elements of a crossgender pleaser. Chris’ physical appearance is certainly a factor in the way that he appeals to the public, even though he seems quite shy showing it off. In an interview with MTV, Hemsworth expressed that he wasn’t keen on stripping down (in the scene where he returns from battle), despite the fact that he is in exceptional shape. The MTV interview goes on to say that the idea came from Joss Whedon, who will be directing the sequel to The Avengers, as announced during this year’s Comic Con in San Diego. The new sequel, titled The Avengers: Age of Ultron will feature Hemsworth as Thor and is slotted for release May 1st, 2015.

As this issue went to print, reviews for Thor: The Dark World began to roll in. Most write-ups have been primarily out of England with reviewers pointing out extensive use of CGI, a whole wallop of action, and a bit of jaded cynicism perhaps due to comparisons with the first film in the franchise. We’ll have to wait and see what the reception is like both in North America and here in the Middle East for this newest big screen adventure. Is there a bigger picture here? Chris says that there is: “potentially Thor is stepping into the role of king, and he needs to prove that he deserves to be there and also understand and come to terms with the responsibilities that becoming king carries.”

Chris Hemsworth has gone to Asgard and he’s come back to tell the tale. All hail the king

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OUT+ABOUT

F1’S MAGNA CARTA

HOLY GRAIL

JAY Z IN ABU DHABI AN ASTONISHING 37000 PEOPLE. ONE MAN. ONE NIGHT. JAY Z’S APPEARANCE FOR ABU DHABI’S F1 AFTER-RACE CONCERT WAS PURE PANDEMONIUM. THE GLOBAL INFLUENCER BROUGHT THE UAE AUDIENCE TO NEAR CHAOS AT DU ARENA WITH HIS BEST-LOVED TRACKS INLUDING EMPIRE STATE OF MIND, RUN THIS TOWN AND THIS YEAR’S HOLY GRAIL. WHAT ELSE HAPPENED? NONE OTHER THAN TIMBALAND SHOWED UP TO KICK IT WITH MR. SHAWN CARTER ON STAGE. IT’S JAY Z, SO WHY ARE WE SURPRISED? FLASH ENTERTAINMENT’S AFTER RACE LINEUP JUST KEEPS GETTING STRONGER… THIS IS GONNA BE ONE TOUGH SHOW TO TOP!

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NOVEMBER 2013

FLASH ENTERTAINMENT www.thinkflash.ae www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 37 FLASHEntertainment @ThinkFlash

RAGGED LOOSE ENDS FACTS IT AIN’T OVER

A lot of artists have left unfinished work behind, either by choice or by circumstances outside their control, perpetuating speculation about the final form the work of art would have taken. The two best-known unfinished pieces of classical music include Ludwig Van Beethoven’s hypothetical work, Symphony Number 10, which was later completed by Barry Cooper; he based his work on Beethoven’s fragmentary sketches (to some controversy). We also have the famous Requiem by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who died before he could complete the piece.

$40 BILLION

I’M OVER IT When a loved one dies, particularly if it is an unexpected death, those left behind have a tendency to sink into denial, finding the reality of the loss overwhelming. Some psychologists posit that it is unrealistic to expect people to get over a loss completely, suggesting that closure and acceptance are myths. Some add that grief is not something to get over, because the memory of a loved one will always conjure up at least a twinge of sadness while others still say that closure provides false hope, because it entails forgetting even the good things about the ones we lost.

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The size of the lawsuit filed by Enron shareholders following the scandal which led to the company’s bankruptcy. Founded in 1985, the Texas-based energy company hired Jeffrey Skilling. He led them in hiding billions of dollars in debt resulting from failed projects, used accounting loopholes, poor financial reporting and other methods to keep everything under wraps. The company’s CFO, Andrew Fastow, convinced auditor Andrew Andersen LLP to keep mum about the shady operations. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is a documentary about the financial fiasco released in 2005.

THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

RAGGED LOOSE ENDS FACTS

25.06.2009

At the age of 50, Michael Jackson died of “acute propofol intoxication with a contributory benzodiazepine effect” (according to multiple sources) after suffering a cardiac arrest, based on toxicology findings performed on samples taken from the singer’s body at the time of autopsy. The LAPD did not immediately state they suspected foul play, but launched an investigation and were later joined by the Drug Enforcement Administration. They subpoenaed medical records from doctors who had treated the King of Pop, looked into drug-use allegations, and finally placed the singer’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray on trial. He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in jail.

INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE When a person strives for perfection and takes pleasure in her or his endeavor to be perfect, but doesn’t allow flaws to affect self-esteem, they are labeled “normal perfectionists”. A person who sets unrealistic goals and feels worthless when failing is a “neurotic perfectionist”, according to specialists. While perfectionism has a positive side (driving people to achieve), its downside includes negative self-branding, overstating the negative, anxiety issues, clinical depression, chronic stress, and the tendency may even contribute to heart disease.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST? The 13th season of the French version of Survivor was never aired, not because of poor ratings, but because a twofold tragedy struck the reality TV show. On March 22nd, 25 year-old contestant Gerald Babin died of a heart attack while being airlifted to a hospital. Babin had complained of sore arms and fatigue during a challenge and reports surfaced that allegedly his symptoms had been ignored and his treatment delayed to respect filming schedules. The backlash directed at the show’s physician, Thierry Costa, was so great that he took his own life, leaving behind a suicide note stating that he had treated Babin in a respectable manner.

NOVEMBER 2013

HERE TO STAY

When you die, popular myth dictates that you’ll see a white light and naturally head towards it. Believers say that some people don’t make it there, and decide to remain in our realm as ghosts because of “unfinished business”. When people are murdered, haven’t completed a vital task, think they’re too young to die, aren’t buried properly or just want to haunt enemies, their disembodied spirit supposedly remains on our plane of existence, manifesting themselves through paranormal phenomena and general spookiness. The Sixth Sense (1999) starring Bruce Willis and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, based its entire plot on this premise.

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THE FINAL FRONTIER

YOU’VE GOT IT DOWN TO A SCIENCE FIVE COOL SCIENCE SITES THAT ARE RAGMAG CERTIFIED

DO YOU EVER WONDER WHAT IT’S LIKE INSIDE THE HUMAN BRAIN? OR HOW EXACTLY APOLLO 11 LAUNCHED FROM EARTH AND LANDED ON THE MOON FOUR DECADES AGO? DO YOU EVER WONDER HOW BIG THE UNIVERSE IS AND HOW SMALL SOME OF ITS COMPONENTS ARE? WE CAME UP WITH FIVE INFORMATIVE, INTERACTIVE AND SUPER-COOL WEBSITES TO QUENCH THE THIRST FOR GETTING YOUR GEEK ON!

www.wechoosethemoon.org Relive the groundbreaking Apollo 11 moon landing in real time with this project website put together by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in 2009. Users can follow the mission through 11 stages from launching to landing, with astronaut-like commentary in the background.

RAGMAG LIKES Users can visit the website’s gallery with actual pictures and videos of the 1969 mission. It doesn’t get more authentic than that!

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

FIVE COOL SCIENCE SITES THAT ARE RAGMAG CERTIFIED

www.ocean.si.edu This website focuses on “everything ocean”- literally everything. Whether you’re researching unusual water creatures or regular marine organisms, looking for ocean-inspired art or want to know more about current marine explorations, this is your go-to website.

Part of the Smithsonian Institution –the world’s largest museum and research complex- Ocean Portal even has a historic category about fossils and ancient seas including slideshows and videos.

RAGMAG LIKES The website educates us about the threats on marine life- overfishing, habitat destruction, the effects of climate change and the like.

www.sci-ence.org Maki does it right by mixing two of our favourite things: comics and science. Basically, he draws comics about science, technology, video games, and everything from acupuncture to astrology. The artist now moved to another blog, making this one an archive- to see his new work, visit www.popsci.com/blog-network/boxplot but do check this one out.

RAGMAG LIKES The comics address science topics in a way that anyone even remotely interested can understand and enjoy.

http://jvsc.jst.go.jp/find/mindlab/english/ This one is complicated. Just Google “jst virtual science center mind lab” and click on the first link you get.

It’s a mind-blowing website that helps you explore the functions of the brain with visual illusions and phenomena. With four sessions and 16 experiments, users can learn about 2D and 3D images, motion, time and colour perception.

RAGMAG LIKES The platform is user-friendly and every experiment is very well explained. The trials will question everything about the brain that you ever took for granted.

COOLEST ONLINE ANIMATION

THE SCALE OF THE UNIVERSE Okay we’re cheating. This is not a website per se, it’s an animation that can be found on several websites. Created by 14-year-old twins Cary and Michael Huang, The Scale of the Universe 2 takes you on a wild ride through the universe. Yes, the whole universe beginning from the estimated size of it, to the tiniest components, passing through the Eiffel Tower, depicting dinosaurs and of course, human beings.

RAGMAG LIKES It’s really awesome to see every single iota of the “universe” in perspective and in relation to one another but this version is even better than the first one, with popup information when you click on any image.

NOVEMBER 2013

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THE FINAL FRONTIER

MAKE YOUR SMARTPHONE EVEN SMARTER

FIVE FREE MOBILE APPS TO HELP YOU CONTROL YOUR BUSINESS AND LIFE WITH ONE THUMB

BY RANI NASR

IF YOU’RE READING THIS IN THE MAGAZINE, THE WEBSITE OR ON OUR MOBILE APP, CHANCES ARE YOU PROBABLY HAVE A SMARTPHONE OR MAYBE A TABLET, AND YOU NEVER LEAVE YOUR SAFE ZONE WITHOUT ONE OR BOTH. WHILE SMARTPHONES ARE OFTEN UTILIZED FOR THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA CAPABILITIES, THEIR ‘SMARTNESS’ EXTENDS FURTHER THAN JUST POSTING YOUR SELFIES ON THE WRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM WITH THE CORRECT IMAGE FILTER AND HASHTAG. WHETHER YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS PERSON OR AN OVER-THE-TOP BUSY EMPLOYEE, YOU’RE THE REASON THESE SMARTPHONES WERE DESIGNED. FOR THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE, WE’VE COMPILED A LIST OF FIVE FREE MOBILE APPS THAT CAN TURN YOUR SMARTPHONE INTO YOUR PERSONAL ASSISTANT, YOUR ACCOUNTANT, AND THE HUB FROM WHICH YOU CONDUCT ALL YOUR WORK FROM OR A MAGICAL BOND CONNECTING YOU WITH YOUR TEAM. THESE APPS ARE A DEFINITE PLUS TO HELP YOU DEAL WITH YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

APP EVERNOTE PLATFORMS Android, iOS, BlackBerry

WHY WE USE IT Evernote is the best way to document your thoughts, make these documents available and searchable everywhere (mobile, web, desktop). It basically lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders, chop content from the web, write, edit and store them all in one easily accessible corner. This app is essential if you work in any creative field or a business with just lots of content creation or collection.

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

MAKE YOUR SMARTPHONE EVEN SMARTER | FIVE FREE MOBILE APPS

APP GOOGLE DRIVE PLATFORMS Android, iOS, BlackBerry

WHY WE USE IT Google Drive is the place to store your files in one place, access them anywhere (on any device), edit them and share them. The best thing about Google Drive is that you don’t need to have office installed, you can do everything from the app itself and you can edit files simultaneously with other users allowing the edits to appear to other parties instantly. This app is the best solution for team works and file synchronization. We know what you’re thinking: why is it better than Dropbox?

Well, Google Drive gives your more free space upfront, a cheaper paid storage plan. It can also open any document and edit it online and its document searching capabilities puts Dropbox to shame.

APP ANY.DO PLATFORMS Android, iOS

WHY WE USE IT There are a bunch of to-do list apps out there, but Any.DO is one of the best. It’s slick, very easy to use, and good looking to boot. It can be personalized to serve super complex projects with subtasks and folders that can go from weekly meeting preparation lists to an automatic grocery store list. It syncs across all your devices and offers features like sharing, and reminders. Beyond that, Any.DO has a bunch of cool extras, like turning your emails into tasks, sending quick text messages, and reminding you to return missed calls. Our favorite thing about it is the daily Any.DO moment when it asks you to plan your day and gives motivational comments when you get tasks done.

BlackBerry Users

Although this app is still not available for BlackBerry (at the time this article went to print), BlackBerry 10 offers a worthy alternative. Remember has basically most of the previously mentions features excluding synchronization but adding colour coding and “Remembering” any item on your mobile device.

APP MINT.COM PERSONAL FINANCE PLATFORMS Android, iOS, BlackBerry

WHY WE USE IT Business is all about the money, after all.

This app allows you to collect all your personal finance accounts into one place for you to manage your money from anywhere. It can also track your spending, create a detailed budget, and keep you on track of where to spend and where not to spend to actually save more. No need to run out of cash mid-month, now you can track your money spending habits and work your financial problems out consciously. One hitch for Lebanon: since it’s not linked to bank accounts here, it doesn’t exactly do what it does everywhere else. Bank Audi is the digital leader these days, so we’re hoping they’ll pick it up soon.

NOVEMBER 2013

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THE FINAL FRONTIER

MAKE YOUR SMARTPHONE EVEN SMARTER | FIVE FREE MOBILE APPS

APP FLIPBOARD PLATFORMS Android, iOS, BlackBerry

WHY WE USE IT It brings together customizable news feeds and social media network feeds in a single beautiful magazine format. Pick your topics or whatever feeds you need to stay on top of, and simply flip through them with a single swipe. If you come across things you want to keep, you can create your own magazine and collect all your findings in it by simply tapping the plus (+) button on any page. Whether it be a Twitter feed, a website, a topic, an online magazine, just add it to your Flipboard and swipe across it all with your morning coffee.

It will simplify your life and keep you on top of what’s going on.

EDITOR’S PICK* BLACKBERRY TRAVEL For BlackBerry 10 users, their app BlackBerry Travel is one of the most useful and business oriented task managers around. It keeps track of your flights, boarding passes, rental cars and accommodations by scanning your emails and messages automatically. Once it detects any relevant material (which it does without fail), it automatically incorporates it into the scheduler with all of the relevant information and sends you an automated email to let you know that it’s now been added. If you are a frequent traveler this app will be your greatest asset.

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

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CULTURE CLASH

‘

HAYDA LEBNEN S

OUT OF CONTROL

STATE OF AFFAIRS THE SEQUEL

BY SARAH HOURANY

WE ARE LEBANESE AND THAT GIVES US THE RIGHT TO PRETEND THAT WE KNOW EVERYTHING, EVEN IF WE DON’T!

T

he analysis of the ideal statecitizen relationship lies at the core of political science studies.

This is why RAGMAG decided to re-examine this particular relationship in Lebanon for our November issue. Yes, dear readers, we are experts bi kell shi, even when it comes to political issues. After all, we are Lebanese and that gives us the right to pretend that we know everything, even if we don’t!

Theoretically, every state wants maximum control over its citizens, while the latter seek to enjoy the highest possible degree of freedom. Since this is mostly an impossible feat, certain compromises must be made in order to reach an equilibrium point where both sides are equally satisfied. This equilibrium should ensure that the state enjoys a certain amount of control over key issues so that it can function properly, while granting citizens the degree of liberty needed for their well being.

But it seems enno none of us are aware of it. Wa2ella we wouldn’t be constantly fighting over this privilege called “control”.

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Enno bisara7a, we don’t exactly see our government as an institution that we can rely on for safety, law and order issues. Metteklin 3a 7alna! Our families have military wings, our prisoners hold the Internal Security Forces as hostages and our members decide whether new laws are beneficial or not.

For instance, when the government decided to “protect” us by enforcing the use of the seatbelts, we insisted that this piece of fabric does nothing but tja3lik el tyeb w tdayyi2 el khele2! Ba3den, “fi wa7ad ken khallas from death law manno 7atit el seatbelt” was a very valid argument we proudly used then (ignore the research studies, kellon bala ta3me). We also refused the implementation of speed radar across Lebanon two years ago. Not that we did not want to reduce the number of vehicle collisions per day, but we were convinced that ma 7adan bimout iza ma ejit se3to. Lashou n7atton then? Plus, with all the traffic jams that we have, mesh na2esna nemshe 3a mahel. Time is money, you know?

“FI WA7AD KEN KHALLAS FROM DEATH LAW MANNO 7ATIT EL SEATBELT” WAS A VERY VALID ARGUMENT WE PROUDLY USED WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO “PROTECT” US BY ENFORCING THE USE OF THE SEATBELTS THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

HAYDA LEBNEN’S OUT OF CONTROL STATE OF AFFAIRS | THE SEQUEL

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE NEW LAWS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL TRY TO IMPOSE, SURPRISINGLY, RANDOMLY, AND OCCASIONALLY

THE GOVERNMENT NEVER GAVE UP ON ITS RIGHT TO BE IN CONTROL OF CRUCIAL ISSUES IN THE COUNTRY. “SO7ETKON BETHEMNA,” EH MBALA!

ENNO WALAW DE2IT BI 3AYNKON HAL ARGUILE? MA BTA3RFO THAT THE ENTIRE LEBANESE ECONOMY IS BASED ON THE DEAR ARGUILE? All this and the government never gave up on its right to be in control of crucial issues in the country. Last year, it imposed a smoking ban in closed public places. Consequently, those breaking the law are subject to a $90 fine while the owners of the offending establishments will have to pay a penalty ranging between $900 and $2700. Of course, it could have tried to control the waves of kidnappings, the bank robberies or the recurrent airport road closures. But it chose to control the smoking habits of the Lebanese citizenry. “So7etkon bethemna,” eh mbala! As expected, we’ve refused to obey it as we had little say in the drafting of this law. 2enno walaw de2it bi 3aynkon hal arguile? Ma bta3rfo that the entire Lebanese economy is based on the dear arguile?

NOVEMBER 2013

W ma btokhlas el 2ossa hon. Even if the government decided to implement a law that we initially wanted, as opposed to the cases mentioned before, our nkeye instinct would make us defy it again and again. Ya3ne, let’s say for example that the Lebanese authorities finally 2araro ya3mloulna addresses metel el khale2 like those found in developed countries, like. dividing regions into small areas called “zones” and assigning specific “numbers” to the streets, ra7 n3ar2ellon yeha. Yes, we will, mna3ref 7alna, even if this project would allow us to buy our favorite brands online and actually receive it. Eh ma hiye: “Btousal 3a Jounieh, ba3ed m7attit el benzine, btekhod awal mafra2 3a shmel, 50 meter btousal 3a falafel Abou Koko, deghre men ba3do, mesh awal mafra2, wala tene mafra2, telit mafra2 3al yamin, nzal fi

w btousal 3a rond-point 3leh souret Mar Charbel, betlefo w betdall tali3 ma3 wejjak la 7adit ma tshouf Institut Lilo, wsal w 7KINE COZ MA RA7 TA3REF TOUSAL,” is much easier than “Jounieh, Red Zone, Street 2, Belle Vue Building, Block B”. Ma hayda tourasna, why would they want to ruin it? Not only does it promote our location’s most important locations (Coiffure Milo, Forn Sa77 El Nom, Garage Salli7 w Rakkib) but it also helps in developing social connections: “Mar7aba 3amm! Wen bisir beit Mrad?” Or “Habibe bedde 3azbak, bineyet Naim wen te7didan?”

Let’s call things as they really are: a spade is a spade. The story will never reach a happy ending. The battle for control will never be won by either side.

There will always be new laws that the government will try to impose, surprisingly, randomly, and occasionally. And they will always be rejected under the tired mantra: “Bass fi eshya aham.”

Meanwhile, every reform attempt is doomed to failure… ma hayda Lebnen ya 3ayneh!

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CULTURE CLASH OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM RIGHT: BANKY’S ARTWORK OCTOBER 8 AS PART OF THE BETTER OUT THAN IN SERIES #BANKSYNY WWW.BANKSY.CO.UK

PAULO

COELHO THE SEQUEL WELL, NOT REALLY

BY YOUMNA CHAGOURY (PRETENDING TO BE PAULO COELHO)

FOR THIS ISSUE, SINCE WE’RE FOCUSING ON TYING UP LOOSE ENDS, WE DECIDED THAT A MUCH NEEDED SEQUEL TO ALL OF PAULO COELHO’S PLATITUDES WAS NECESSARY. ANYONE CAN PRETTY MUCH SAY ANYTHING NONSENSICAL AND SOUND LIKE THIS BESTSELLING AUTHOR. HE’S ACTUALLY THE MASTER OF SAYING THINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO SOUND DEEP, BUT MEAN NOTHING AT ALL. WE GAVE IT A TRY AND THIS IS WHAT WE CAME UP WITH. IF WE DIDN’T TELL YOU IT WASN’T PAULO, WOULD YOU HAVE KNOWN? OUR GUESS IS NO. “Your life is a battle and you are a warrior.

At the end, you will survive, but you have to fight for it.”

No dude, at the end, you die. Unless you find the Philosopher’s Stone, you’re not going to survive. But suppose you’re given the gift of immortality, if at the end you’re going to survive, why fight? Why not just sit on the porch and sip on cocktails and keep waiting?

“Love is your all, and it takes your all. You have to give it to receive it.”

Clearly, you’ve never been stalked by a psychopath that gave you his “all” when you didn’t ask for it and definitely didn’t give anything in return.

“Love is a waterfall. It can look scary, but once you’re in it, it’s the most beautiful feeling in the universe.”

I went under a waterfall once. It hurt like a mother fucker. It’s basically just water hitting your head with very strong pressure, giving you a headache and a possible concussion. Nothing beautiful in that.

“Silence is words waiting to be spoken. Pay attention to the silence surrounding you and you will learn from it.”

I wish you would listen to the silence surrounding you and shut the fuck up for a change. For a guy that talkative, I don’t understand how you can even address the topic.

“Your happiness is sacred. And sacred elements of the universe are austere. “ There are several things in life that make (or would make) me happy: travelling the world, buying beautiful books, tasting a high-quality wine, renting a water villa above a Maldives lagoon. And these, my friend, require money. End of debate.

“Listen to the child within you. Years of living in an adult society have buried him, but if you listen close enough, he’ll show you the right path.”

I think a whole lot of the people I know actually need to grow up. They’ve been listening to their inner child for too long- whether it’s the guy who can’t plan a weekend one week ahead of time because he’s a commitment-phobe or the 50-something mother who wears her teenager daughter’s mini-skirts and crop-tops

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

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PAULO COELHO IMAGES COURTESY WWW.PAULOCOELHO.COM

REIGN OF TECHNOLOGY

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

info@cloud961.com - www.cloud961.com

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cloud961mag

@cloud961mag

THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

CULTURE CLASH

“The garden of your life is made of flowers seeded by yourself. Be kind and it will be full of roses. Be uncaring and they shall wilt.”

Roses have thorns. Just saying. This is just a what-goes-around-comes-around-slashkarma mantra said differently. And I think the original sums it way better than you do.

“When you’re left alone, disappointed and you lost all happiness in your life, remember: the universe is here for you. It creates the right life for you. It will watch you fall, but will make you get back on your feet. Forever.”

That’s a joyous life perspective... I think the universe has better things to do than watch me fall and get up and so on. If I’m “alone, disappointed” and unhappy, I’ll kick my own ass and get over it.

“Just like the sun sets every night and rises every morning, your life renews itself everyday. Everyday is a new day. Feel it. Enjoy it.

Embrace it.”

This looks to me like a “take each day as it comes” quote. Well, sorry but I re-

ally can’t. I think quotes like these are the reason many people live miserably, because they weren’t able to maintain jobs or relationships, or plan a future (near or far) whatsoever. I’m all for being spontaneous but there’s a right time and a right context for that. And it’s not every single fucking day

THAT’S A JOYOUS LIFE PERSPECTIVE... I THINK THE UNIVERSE HAS BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN WATCH ME FALL AND GET UP AND SO ON

PAULO COELHO IMAGES COURTESY WWW.PAOLO COELHO.COM

“The eyes truly are the mirror of the soul.

You only see the truth when someone looks you in the eye.”

I’ve lied a hundred times. I’ve lied to my own father while looking him straight in the eye- it worked. Your eyes do not reflect your personality nor your actions.

They’re here so you can see things, watch a movie, and keep ’em on the road.

PAULO COELHO | THE SEQUEL

NOVEMBER 2013

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FML [F**K MY LIFE]

FEAR FACTOR FIVE

RAGMAG MAKES ME DO IT, AGAIN!

BY SARAH HOURANY

IF YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH THE MAGAZINE’S FML SECTION, YOU CAN AGREE THAT FIDA IGNORES THE FACT THAT RAGMAG HAS BEEN USING THE EVIL SIDE OF TWITTER WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNICATING WITH ITS CONTRIBUTORS

S “

ince inception, RAGMAG Magazine has been actively engaged with the Lebanese social media community,” said our dear EIC Fida during a press conference held in Beirut to announce the finalists for the First Annual Social Media Awards a few months ago. “We also assign scary assignments to our writers through social media,” she apparently forgot to add. If you’re familiar with the magazine’s FML section, you can agree that Fida ignores the fact that RAGMAG has been using the evil side of Twitter when it comes to communicating with its contributors- take a look at Elena’s or Rani’s FMLs. If you’re not, then you must check out my most recent FML. In fact, we have to gather as many informed readers as we can to force Fida into revealing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth next time she’s giving a speech about social media!

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THE TWEET On October 8th, 2013, Youmna tweeted: “So, @SarahHourany we’re sending you rock climbing for your FML in next month’s issue! Are you happy: D?” Happy? Seriously? Why would I be “happy”?

Should I be “happy” to break my nose and/or my arm and/or my leg? Would I be “happy” to be stuck up in the air, if heights scare the hell out of me? No, Youmna I am not “happy”, but thanks for asking! Fida’s reply isn’t much better: “This should be interesting lol.” Fida knew what was going to happen -trembling, screaming, et cetera- and she turns out to be right. I must admit, she does know me by heart. At RAGMAG, The Tweet is often followed by The Call. I’m always happy to receive calls from the office and get sent to the coolest events in town but the last thing I want after that tweet is to see the magazine’s number flashing on my phone. “I’m calling you to

set a date and time for your FML. Oh, and it’s going to be indoors due to weather concerns,” Daniella assures me. “Indoors?

It must be my guardian angel looking out for me!” I whisper to myself.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Sarah, you are such a Tinker Bell! You’re the only person I know who would find this assignment terrifying. Everyone else was envious that you got to do something fun and cool!

THE TORTURE The first thing I want to do when I see the huge climbing wall at Rebound Center is leave, but my U Rock Climbing instructors Seto, Jean and Jad were so friendly, patient and supportive that I decided to give it a shot (sorry if I annoyed you guys).

Seto shows me the required equipment for my upcoming adventure that consists mainly of the carabiner -a set of straps used to bind the climber to the rope-

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

FML [F**K MY LIFE]

ROCK CLIMBING IN LEBANON

“LEAD” CLIMBING IS A CLIMBING TECHNIQUE USED TO ASCEND A ROUTE WITH THE ROPE RUNNING DIRECTLY FROM THE BELAYER TO THE CLIMBER, WITHOUT ANYTHING IN THE MIDDLE. AS THE CLIMBER PROGRESSES, HE NEEDS TO CLIP THE ROPE INTO THE QUICKDRAWS THAT ARE ALREADY ATTACHED TO THE WALL. “TOP-ROPE” IS A CLIMBING STYLE WHERE THE ROPE GOES FROM THE CLIMBER TO AN ANCHOR AT THE TOP OF THE WALL AND DOWN TO THE PARTNER WHO BELAYS THE CLIMBER and climbing shoes (you can’t climb with your running shoes). He then explains the difference between “lead” climbing and “top-rope” climbing. The first is a climbing technique used to ascend a route with the rope running directly from the belayer to the climber, without anything in the middle. As the climber progresses, he needs to clip the rope into the quickdraws that are already attached to the wall. The second is a climbing style where the rope goes from the climber to an anchor at the top of the wall and down to the partner who belays the climber. The latter is the climbing technique that most people are introduced to in indoor rock climbing as it’s both physically less demanding and psychologically easier than lead climbing.

I, however, don’t really care: I’m scared of rock climbing regardless.

After Seto’s theory session, Jean guides me through the practical part of rock climbing and I’m pretty sure he regrets it…

ATTEMPT 1 Complete failure. I’m able to climb literally 50 centimeters while repeating, “I can’t do it” with every step.

The most terrifying part is getting back down again. I just can’t let go of the rope and let myself fall despite Jean’s constant encouragement.

ATTEMPT 2 Disaster. “Let me down!” I scream, beg Jean to come up, hold me, and help me get down. I even stay up there (up = one meter) for 10 minutes before taking the risk of “falling” back on the ground. But hey, before you judge me, just remember that the fear of falling is a natural and basic human instinct, okay?

NOVEMBER 2013

EDITOR’S NOTE

Sarah, now I’m going to have to send some of the other staff to prove to these guys that we’re not all delicate-afraid-of-my-shadow types!

RAGMAG is balls of steel! Walaw?

THE HERO As Jad is trying to comfort me insisting that there’s nothing to be afraid of and that I’m fully equipped with the finest climbing safety equipment, I’m already preparing to leave. Before I can make good on my escape plan, I see a five yearold girl, Anaïs, climb all the way up. It’s her first time and she manages to reach the top- like a boss. My embarrassed self decides to try climbing one last time: if she can do it, then I can do it! She is, after all, five. I am, after all, not five.

ATTEMPT 3 I finally do it! Ok, I don’t reach the top, but I climb up then get back down to the floor with “the mute button”, meaning that I don’t nag, I don’t scream, and I don’t beg for people to help. Thank you Anaïs, my inspiration and little hero!

This was the hardest FML I’ve ever been through, but it was probably the best one too. So, I’m sorry if I disappoint you Fida, but I enjoyed my FML… as usual!

P.S. Seto, Jad and Jean, thank you for the great FML, U guys Rock!

EDITOR’S NOTE

Sarah honestly, I need to put you in some sort of courage training. This is, as always, ridiculous. Thank you to the cool group from U Rock, you guys must have the patience of saints.

I would’ve thrown her off the top

LIKE A ROCK U ROCK CLIMBING Rebound Center, Pierre Amin Gemayel Street Jdeideh, Lebanon | +9613807854 www.urock-climbing.com | info@urock-climbing.com www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 55 URockClimbing

OUT+ABOUT

CROWD

CONTROL BAR THREESIXTY LE GRAY MADE MY NIGHT

BY FIDA CHAABAN

T

he season shifting means residents of Beirut look for indoor venues to spend their evenings at, and in the spirit of fall (I actually find it quite warm out still), I decided to visit Bar ThreeSixty at Le Gray Hotel downtown. I suggested it to a few nightlife-savvy friends and made a reservation for 8pm. All of my guests asked the same questions: “Is it open? Is it good? I’ve never been.” I’d been to ThreeSixty last year, but this year it had just reopened so I warned my friends that we may very well be the only people there.

No one minded since we had planned on chill drinks and a few light snacks, depending on the menu.

ATMOSPHERE IS HANDS-DOWN MY FAVORITE PART OF BAR THREESIXTY. THE MUSIC BY DJ SAMIR WAS TERRIFIC -HE PUT EVERYONE IN A GREAT MOOD I arrived at 8:45pm –I know, lateness is in excusable- but my guests were amusing one another and I was pleasantly surprised to hear some very cool tracks and see a 75 percent full venue. I was greeted graciously at the door and escorted to the table (which I appreciated since sometimes walking into a semi-dark nightlife venue can be disorienting). Incidentally, the lighting is a major plus- it’s a permanent twilight in there with a sort of navy blue-ish cast, so it really sets the mood for a night out, even early on in the evening.

Before I can even look for a server, I’m attended to and he suggests several nice options for wine both by the bottle and by the glass. Further, we’re brought the bar menu which has a selection of shar-

THE LIGHTING IS A MAJOR PLUS- IT’S A PERMANENT TWILIGHT IN THERE WITH A SORT OF NAVY BLUE-ISH CAST, SO IT REALLY SETS THE MOOD FOR A NIGHT OUT, EVEN EARLY ON IN THE EVENING 56 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

ing nibbles and also mains. I decide on an Italian wine suggested by the server, and the ladies on the table all agree it’s refreshing and just flavorful enough. One of my guests was enjoying sangria (of which I’m normally not a fan), so I took a sip and found it delicious.

One of the men had ordered whisky and was pleased that it was brought with bottled water on the side: “This is how pros serve whisky. I always try it first without the water, then later I add the water in. I like that he asked and suggested that.” After asking a few men, this seems to be the general consensus but since I’m not a spirits expert, I’ll let you judge the relevance. We order Crudités (a selection of veggies served with grissini Italian-style breadsticks and dips), Tuna Tartare Crostini presented as very tasty three-bite-sized servings (about six or so are served), and their International Cheese Selection, which presents a number of cheeses that gave every-

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BAR THREESIXTY LE GRAY MADE MY NIGHT

one on the table enough portions each to try them all. We were all enjoying the light snack selection, but on the menu there are a few mains that sound amazing (Seared Atlantic Salmon and Black Angus Fillet) so next time I’m thinking it should be dinner and drinks, since both these and the rest of the mains sound worth the visit.

THE BAR MANAGER (JAMAL) WAS PERSONALLY VISITING EVERY TABLE AND ASKING THE GUESTS IF EVERYTHING WAS TO THEIR LIKING

NOVEMBER 2013

I want to mention one thing that I found very important: the bar manager (Jamal) was personally visiting every table and asking the guests if everything was to their liking. I also saw him walk by more than once, casting glances at the tables to ensure that our drinks were fresh and that everyone was happy. I think it’s important that the bar manager speaks to guests, as often in these types of venues the servers can miss subtle cues that guests may be displeased.

Food and beverage being one pillar of a good nightlife venue, the third has to be atmosphere in my opinion. This is handsdown my favorite part of Bar ThreeSixty.

The music by DJ Samir was terrific -he put

everyone in a great mood and the highly unlikely happened- I actually stood up and began dancing at about 10:00pm.

He was upbeat and spinning tracks that the entire crowd was happy with! A hotel high-end cocktail lounge very rarely gets this hyped up, and all of my guests had such a great time that they were giving the DJ thumbs up on the way out.

The night was such a success that the next day when I was looking for somewhere to have Eid cocktails and snacks with a friend visiting from Riyadh, we ended up there. He too was impressed and surprised at how cool the vibe was and said he’d definitely be back for another evening at ThreeSixty during his visit

BAR THREESIXTY LE GRAY HOTEL LeGrayBeirut +9611962888 www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 57 bar360@legray.com

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BELOW: LILY COLLINS AT ‘THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES’ PREMIERE AT SONY CENTER ON AUGUST 20, 2013 IN BERLIN, GERMANY

LILY COLLINS IS PRETTY IN PINK HOLLYWOOD’S IT-GIRL IS THE NEW FACE OF LANCÔME

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go to her head- in the same interview, Lily says she wants to “be grateful and not get jaded, because it can be so easy. I want to keep being surprised by what I get to do.” With her career on the rise, we’re not surprised she landed a role in Stuck in Love and more recently, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, the adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s New York Times bestselling fantasy book. So far the starlet, who’ll celebrate her next birthday on March 18th, has played very different roles and she’s managed to pull them all off.

Lancôme, known for choosing both traditional beauties and edgier personas for their campaigns while always conveying elegance, continue with this 24 year-old Hollywood trend-setter. She’s the woman who managed to pull off a Bambi print sweater at Paris Fashion Week and one of the very few actors whose career choices have gotten better by the year.

Editors dedicate both columns and entire pages to her forward fashion wardrobe and her often-nude makeup, highlighting her elfin features. In Lancôme’s new campaign sneak-peek of the spring makeup collection French Ballerine, she looks like a modern-age Audrey Hepburn- yes, the waif is back. Commenting on the new contract, Françoise Lehmann, General Manager of Lancôme International says

that Lily Collins “is the perfect embodiment of femininity [and] brings a renewed sense of radiance and youthfulness” to the brand. 2014 seems to be a good year for Lily- apart from her Lancôme campaign, she’s also starring in rom-com Love, Rosie. The feature film is adapted from the novel Where Rainbows End by Irish author Cecelia Ahern.

SHE’S THE WOMAN WHO MANAGED TO PULL OFF A BAMBI PRINT SWEATER AT PARIS FASHION WEEK AND ONE OF THE VERY FEW ACTORS WHOSE CAREER CHOICES HAVE GOTTEN BETTER BY THE YEAR For an actress who’s also a model, landing such a contract is “a dream come true,” says Lily. “I have always admired the brand’s unique and distinctive appreciation for inner beauty and grace, elegance and utter radiance. I feel incredibly lucky to be included among the most inspirational women ambassadresses for one of the most prestigious brands in the world.”

Lily Collins has reached the end of her rainbow, and she’s done it like a prima ballerina

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LILY COLLINS AT MOVIE PREMIERE © JOE SEER / SHUTTERSTOCK

L

ily Collins is many things. Some are fated, like being the daughter of megastar Phil Collins, and others are the result of her hard work on both big and small screens. Unless you’re a fan of reality TV shows like The Hills where she appeared at a Bal des Débutantes, you’ve first seen Lily in Oscar-winning movie The Blind Side alongside Sandra Bullock- she played Collins Tuohy, Michael Oher’s adoptive sister.

Appearing opposite American sweetheart Sandra Bullock was just the beginning; two years later she co-starred with Julia Roberts in Mirror Mirror. The two actors now share more than just a movie, as Lily Collins is the newest Lancôme face.

Her choice to pursue a performing arts career is rooted in her star-studded childhood, with a father in the music scene and a role at the age of two in the British series Growing Pains. Having toyed with the idea of a career in the media, Collins enrolled in broadcast journalism in USC. In an interview with ELLE Canada, Lily says she grew up with a “respect for the arts in me. I’ve always loved being a part of storytelling. When I was a kid, I loved reading books and disappearing into my head- to take someone else on that journey is what I’ve always wanted to do.” Her apparently easy ascension didn’t

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OUT+ABOUT

RIHANNA

DON’T STOP THE MUSIC THE DIAMONDS WORLD TOUR IN ABU DHABI RAGMAG got out + about for Rihanna’s first ever appearance in the Middle East! As part of the Diamonds World Tour, Rihanna took to the du Arena stage on Yas Island to put on a real show. Thousands of fans came from across the Middle East to see the recording artist perform up close and personal. Opening the performance with Phresh off the Runway, the six-time Grammy Award winner mostly focused on her latest studio album Unapologetic. Rihanna, also a seven-time Billboard Music Award winner, got the crowd all fired up by performing chart-toppers like What’s My Name and Rude Boy. Riri’s encore track? Diamonds –her fastest-rising single to date- and ballads like What Now and Stay reinforced her reputation for a strong set of pipes.

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FLASH ENTERTAINMENT www.thinkflash.ae FLASHEntertainment @ThinkFlash

RIHANNA FOR M.A.C

JUST IN TIME FOR HER CONCERT IN UAE, M.A.C COSMETICS LAUNCHES THEIR LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION: RIRI HEARTS M.A.C! IN THIS SHOT RIHANNA IS WEARING A DARK PLUM SHADE, APTLY NAMED TALK THAT TALK AFTER HER HIT SINGLE. GET YOUR OWN RIRI LIPSTICK AT M.A.C COUNTERS ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST.

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MIRROR, MIRROR

GET YOUR

LOOK TOGETHER

QUICK AS A FLASH MORNING MAKEUP MADE EASY

BY M.A.C COSMETICS

YOU’RE RUNNING LATE FOR WORK, YOU SPILL YOUR COFFEE, PUT A RUN IN YOUR STOCKINGS, AND CAN’T FIND YOUR EARRINGS. YOUR MORNING RUSH IS LIKE BEING TRAPPED IN A SWIRLING TORNADO OF CLOTHES, HAIRBRUSHES, MOBILE DEVICES AND MISMATCHED ACCESSORIES. LET RAGMAG SIMPLIFY AT LEAST ONE PART OF YOUR LIFE

BY GIVING YOU THE STEPS TO A PERFECT FIVE-MINUTE-FACE. OUR GUIDE WALKS YOU THROUGH THE BASIC STEPS OF A CLEAN AND SIMPLE “EVERYDAY” MAKE-UP LOOK THAT SUITS ANY OCCASION AND GOES WITH ANY WARDROBE STYLE. WHETHER YOU’RE HEADING OFF TO SCHOOL OR A DAY AT THE OFFICE, THESE BEAUTY BASICS WILL MAKE YOUR MORNING MAQUILLAGE ROUTINE A SNAP!

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

ONE MINUTE

ONE MINUTE

COLOUR CORRECTION Even if you’re not a big foundation wearer, a little goes a long way in making your face look more “finished”. For those of you who need a speedy solution, opt for M.A.C Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm SPF35. A few strategic swipes and you’ve banished blemishes and evened out your skin all in one step.

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BEAUTIFUL BROWS Doing your brows is one of the easiest things you can do to give your face a more professional finished look. Even if you have full brows, you’ll be amazed at what a little touch from a brow pencil will do to help refine their shape, give them more density and make you look more polished.

Try the self-sharpening and self-propelling M.A.C Eye Brow pencils.

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MORNING MAKEUP MADE EASY BY M.A.C COSMETICS

STEP THREE

EXCELLENT EYESHADOW

THIRTY SECONDS

You love wearing it, but an eyeshadow application in the morning can be time consuming and require more concentration than you are capable of at that time.

We recommend going with a fast and easy cream shadow that can be swooped on in hurry with your fingers and requires very little blending like M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pots.

STEP FOUR

MARVELOUS MASCARA

THIRTY SECONDS Mascara is a must but we suggest you get the most out of your mascara by choosing a formula that does it all. Pick a product that lengthens and volumizes all in one step. We’re big fans of M.A.C Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash.

STEP FIVE

BRING ON THE BRONZE

ONE MINUTE

Bronzer can save your life on mornings when you’ve got the blahs but need to fake some radiance. Choose a formula with minimal shimmer for daywear to avoid looking like a tanned disco ball.

Apply your bronzer with a really good, full bronzing brush for best results. Opt for M.A.C Bronzing Powder and the matching brush for best results.

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MIRROR, MIRROR

STEP SIX LUSCIOUS LIPS ONE MINUTE Choose a product that does double duty.

Mornings are about maximizing your efforts, so be sure to choose a product that goes above and beyond in terms of performance. This last step can be done just before you run out the door, after you’ve taken that last swig of your much needed morning coffee! Try M.A.C’s Retro Matte collection in the shade you prefer.

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MORNING MAKEUP MADE EASY BY M.A.C COSMETICS

TIME SAVING TIPS • Keep all your products out and accessible.

Invest in a nice tray or vanity organizer so you don’t have to waste time fishing around for everything.

• Be sure to start with a perfectly cleansed skin. Keep cleansing cloths close by for quick clean-ups or to freshen up in the morning.

• Choose skincare that does double-duty, like cleansers with built-in exfoliating beads and moisturizers with added SPF. • Do what you can the night before! Lay out your clothes, jewelry and accessories so you can stop rummaging through your closet at the last minute.

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CAROLINE SEIKALY FALL-WINTER 2013/2014 COLLECTION AT PLUM

The bewildering lyrics & melodies of «Florence & The Machine» are the inspiration source of the «CosmicLove» Autumn - Winter 2013/2014 collection.

NOVEMBER 2013

Midnight blue & deep black in contrast with pure ivory silks, laces and jacquards mirror the singer’s eclectic musical style.

Caroline Seikaly’s subtle sensual lines are ever present through her diaphanous gowns, while her beloved lace styles are echoed in tattered lace prints on delicate silks and rich jacquards.

Plum, Berytus Building | Corner of Park Avenue & Avenue Française | Beirut Central District | Lebanon www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G (961) 1 976565 – 976566 | www.plumconcept.com

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MIRROR, MIRROR

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FOR LUSH

ECO FASHION CONTRIBUTES TO THE CLIMATE REVOLUTION

WE LIKE GETTING OUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING DONE IN ADVANCE AND WE’VE FOUND THE PERFECT GIFT! THE GRAND DAME OF DESIGN, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, HAS CREATED A LIMITED EDITION 100 PERCENT ORGANIC COTTON CLIMATE KNOT-WRAP. ALL PROFITS FROM THE EDGY KNOT-WRAPS GO TO SUPPORT THE DESIGNER’S INITIATIVE CLIMATE REVOLUTION. AVAILABLE AT LUSH STORES WORLDWIDE IN CAMEL OR LIGHT PINK AND PRINTED WITH CLIMATE REVOLUTION IMAGES DESIGNED

BY WESTWOOD, THE KNOT-WRAP CAN BE WORN AS A HEADSCARF OR A NECKERCHIEF. BEST WAY TO USE IT? LUSH IS SUGGESTING THAT YOU WRAP YOUR LUSH GIFTS WITH IT AND HAVE A GREENER CHRISTMAS!

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VIVIENNE WESTWOOD DISCUSSES HER COLLABORATION WITH LUSH FOR CLIMATE REVOLUTION “I am an art lover and a reader. My ideas come from the past, which is where all ideas come from: we are the past and through engagement with painting, sculpture, music and through reading we put ourselves in the place, stand in the shoes of others who have lived before us and we see the world through their eyes.

We also see the world geographically; we see the beauty of different people in different environments and who belong, like us, to the past. I use my skills -my most significant skills are in the development of cutting principles- to represent through my imagination the things I discover from the world that exists (and that includes the past). The result is that every garment tells a story.

For the wearer the clothes bring theatre and glamour, this means to discover another aspect of their personality, to become more intense, more “who they are.” Of course in the present precarious situation of the life of our planet earth and the destruction of our habitat on earth by ourselves is also part of my story; my fashion reflects the world we live in. I use my fashion as a medium to express this –mostly through graphics- I am grateful for the opportunity fashion gives me to open my mouth and talk of these issues.” - Vivienne Westwood

NOVEMBER 2013

BATH TIME MADE BEAUTIFUL

“Frozen” might not sound like something you’d want to do in November, but these shower gel capsules gently cleanse and refresh the skin. Why are we addicted? The Frozen Shower Jellies combat fatigue, so bye bye jetlag! We like Whoosh with grapefruit, rosemary and geranium essential oils that give you a olfactory boost, and lemon and lime cocktail to stimulate circulation and detoxify your body. For a soft post-shower skin choose Sweetie Pie, a seaweed gel with a blend of coconut infusion, cherry infusion and cassis absolute.

Get Lushy www.lushlebanon.com www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 69 LushLebanon @LushLebanon

MIRROR, MIRROR

STRIKE

GOLD DIOR PRESTIGE ELEVATES YOUR SKIN HEADS ABOVE THE REST

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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RAGMAG STAR PRODUCT

ANTI - AGING BOOSTER SESSION

Choose between Dior’s hydrating Le Grand Masque, meant to re-oxygenate the skin, and their Satin Revitalizing Firming Mask in sheet mask format. It helps to sculpt and redefine features with a lifting action.

BOTANICAL EXPERTISE

ANDRÉ EVE FOR DIOR PRESTIGE

“The Rose de Granville Garden is the jewel of Dior Gardens. Everything there is brought into play to exalt the powers of this rose and turn it into an exceptional active ingredient,” says Patrice André, Director of the Active Biology and Cosmetology Laboratory at Parfums Christian Dior.

The Rose de Granville, named for the gardens of Christian Dior’s youth, took eight years of cross-breeding after examining the results of a study about seven generations of cliff-top roses. This study, a collaboration between Dior and foremost authority on ancient roses André Eve, established that this unique bloom has a “cellular vitality twice that of a classical rose.” Rose de Granville Nectar in Dior Prestige is remarkable for its anti-inflammatory properties, soothing and repairing the skin. The nectar is a revitalizing agent, delivering a plump and supple skin while providing total protection.

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MIRROR, MIRROR

AT LAST

BLEU DE CHANEL FOR THE INDEPENDENT MAN “The scent of a man with an independent spirit�, Bleu de Chanel is a fragrance in three acts. The notes include classic fragrance staples like sandalwood, vetiver and cedar (all used historically by the best fragrance houses), and the unlikely pink pepper, frankincense and labdanum. Available in four Eau de Toilette sprays of 50ml, 100ml and 150ml, the 20ml travel spray comes with two refills. The best part? A full bodycare range is available for men who prefer not to mix scents including a Bleu de Chanel Deodorant Stick or Deodorant Spray, Shower Gel, and a choice between After Shave Lotion and After Shave Balm. Men looking for a boost should opt for the invigorating 90ml Lotion, and those looking for soothing and reparative action should opt for the 90ml Balm. Let loose gents!

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MAN OF THE MOMENT

OLIVIER POLGE JOINS THE CHANEL FRAGRANCE LABORATORY Chanel recently announced that Olivier Polge joined them as Perfumer in the Chanel Fragrance Laboratory in September of this year, alongside Jacques Polge and Christopher Sheldrake, Director of Research and Development at the Chanel Fragrance Laboratory. Olivier, a Perfumer at IFF since 1998, was awarded the “Prix International du Parfum” in 2009. Having worked with international brands and fine houses, Olivier Polge will be replacing Jacques Polge as Creator of Chanel Fragrances.

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RAGMAG RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN

MISSONI SS 2013-2014

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

RAGMAG RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR MEN

PAUL SMITH FW 2014

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RAGMAG RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN

MARC JACOBS FW 2013-2014

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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

BACKSTAGE PASS

MARC JACOBS TIES IT ALL TOGETHER

It’s dark- borderline gothic you might even say. It’s also slightly retro with a touch of contemporary. Marc Jacobs mixes textures and styles for his SS14 collection, featuring Victorian gowns and cropped shorts, large floral prints and wide-shouldered cropped jackets. The ultimate detail? Lampshade tassel-like fringe that highlight almost every piece of this collection. From outfits to accessories the fringe is a key embellishment- they’re even on the walking sandals he pairs the clothing with. Jacobs plays a game of layers, lengths and dark hues for his Spring/Summer collection- the ultimate paradox!

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THE ROAD STARRING

ZEID HAMDAN

+ GIHAN EL-HAJJ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ODETTE KAHWAGI STYLED BY JONY MATTA

MAKEUP BY ELIE ESTEPHAN | HAIR BY ROGER GABRIEL

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TOTAL LOOK ZARA

HITTING

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TOTAL LOOK MAX MARA 82 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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TOTAL LOOK ZARA NOVEMBER 2013

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TOTAL LOOKS ZARA | SUNGLASSES GIHAN’S LOOK MAX MARA 84 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

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TOTAL LOOK MAX MARA NOVEMBER 2013

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TOTAL LOOK ZARA NOVEMBER 2013

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TOTAL LOOK MAX MARA NOVEMBER 2013

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AASFEH 03:58 YALLA 2OUME HAGE M3ALLAKA 3AL CHECHE RASIK FADE AFKARIK MGHABBACHE TA3E NROU7 NKASDER 3AL RAOUCHE FI AASFE JEYE FI AASFE JEYE EL MOJ 3AM BIEHJOM 3AL SKHOUR EL HAWA 3AM BIEL3AB BIL TOUYOUR EL NASS KILLA A3DE MKHABEYE FI AASFE JEYE FI AASFE JEYE CHITI CHITI, BEIRUT KILLA 3AM BTIKHTIFE ARBE ARBE ARBE ARBE MARR2E CHFEFIK 3ALA CHFEFE MA 7ADAN CHEYEF ARBE ARBE ARBE ARBE DA2IT ALBIK 3A DA2ET ALBE

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JIMLIT MOUSI2A ARBE ARBE ARBE ARBE YALLA 2OUME HAGE MSATLE BIL FARCHE YALLA 2OUME HTAMME B7ALIK 7AYETIK WARCHE LEICH AFKARIK BIT DAL AFKARIK MCHAWACHE FI 3ANDE MACHROU3 MA BIE7MOL DMOU3 EL NA2 MA RA7 YEKHEDNA LA B3ID YALLA OUME FI 3ANNA MWE3ID KHABRE 7ALIK ENOO RA7 EN GHIB FI AASFE JEYE, FI AASFE JEYE BEKE BEKE CHOU BEKE BEKE BEKE LEH MLABAKE? BEKE BEKE CHOU BEKE BEKE BEKE LABAKE 3AM BTEFERTE LEH

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TOTAL LOOK ZARA NOVEMBER 2013

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prabal gurung ss 2014

COPYCAT 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

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cartier ring collection paris nouvelle vague. white gold, onyx, lapis lazuli, diamonds credit vincent wulveryck © cartier 2013

cartier pendant collection paris nouvelle vague pink gold, diamonds credit vincent wulveryck © cartier 2013

versace ss 2014

GOLDEN GATE lanvin cocktail dress

ZIP IT tod’s mustard hard-body bag

agatha collier ruban tressé & maille gourmette

BE CENTER STAGE peter pilotto anita printed silk-blend skirt

fendi printed silk-blend cady gown

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT peter som ss 2014

GET TO THE POINT

I DOUBLE DARE YOU

versace patent leather stilletos

vero moda vest

CHAMELEON COLOUR NOVEMBER 2013

missoni mutli-tone evening bag with hardware

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real feather polyester and metal statement necklace agatha paris gucci fw 2013/14 dries van noten fw 2013/14

SKIRT CHASER gucci embellished mesh and satin skirt

AN EVENING AFFAIR oscar de la renta feather and crystalembellished tulle gown

HOLE HEARTED everyours collection earrings of etched jade with cabochon rubies set in 18k yellow gold by mukhi sisters

BLUE BLOOD

cartier ring collection paris nouvelle vague yellow gold, lapis lazuli, chrysoprase, diamonds credit vincent wulveryck Š cartier 2013

PINPOINT

dsquared2 feather and crystal brooch

ann demeulemeester feather pendant necklace

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INTO THE ETHER matthew williamson floral lace feathered dress

BLACK AS MY HEART versace patent leather multi-texture embellished ankle stiletto bootie

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louis vuitton ss 2014

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

HELP ME

NOUR+RABIH

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

BY NOUR OBAJI + RABIH FEGHALI

I always like many guys at the same time. Do you think I won’t end up getting married? Or is it just that I haven’t found the one who will make me forget all about the other guys in the world?

“You just haven’t found the right guy who’s captured you. Enjoy playing the field while it lasts, and it’ll happen.” Rita, 37 “Some people are not made for monogamous relationships and others are just not ready to settle down with one person. Find out what you want- if you happen to like many guys, maybe you’re just not ready to commit, let alone get married!” Roula, 26

WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE THAT BRINGS OUT A FEELING OF DEVOTION YOU WILL COMMIT. AND WHAT’S WITH THE ANXIETY OVER MARRIAGE, YOU’RE EVEN GIVING ME ANXIETY! TAKE IT DOWN A NOTCH “When you finally meet The One, you will know. You will know because while you can still look at a good looking man appreciatively, it will be just that: looking. It has nothing to do with being married or otherwise, it has everything to do with meeting that one person that just clicks.” Zeina, 28

NOUR’S VOTE Nour herself often likes many guys at the same time. Who cares? It isn’t as though this is detrimental to your health, mental or physical. Like whoever you want, whenever you want. If someone really special comes along, they’ll blow all of your other flings out of the water. Nour doesn’t think this is the reason you aren’t married. When you meet someone that brings out a feeling of devotion you will commit. (And what’s with the anxiety over marriage, you’re even giving me anxiety! Take it down a notch.) The Interactive Panel and Rabih echo my opinion, so this is a unanimous vote.

RABIH’S VOTE I don’t know how to advise you on this. Let’s turn the tables: a guy that is always ‘liking’ many women at the same time will eventually fall head over heels for one woman that’ll make him forget all the rest.

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My husband thinks he’s 18 again... He’s coming home drunk every weekend and partying with the wrong crowd. All his friends are single and are always with different girls. I’m afraid they will rub off on him?

“Has he been acting this way for a long time? If not, maybe it is just a phase, the one most men go through when they start fearing getting old.” Leslie, 26

YOU MAY HAVE TO JUST SUCK IT UP AND START JOINING HIM AT THESE PARTIES- UNLESS, HE IS DOING IT TO SEE OTHER WOMEN RABIH’S VOTE

“You didn’t mention how old your husband is so I can only guess that maybe he is making up for something he didn’t get to do when he was 18 or letting off steam? Regardless, his behavior is juvenile and unacceptable. You say that he is partying with the wrong crowd, do you mean wrong crowd because you don’t know them, don’t trust them or do you mean that they are actually a crowd that could get him into something that could potentially be damaging or harmful?

Do you trust him? Because from the tone of your question, you don’t.

You’re afraid they will rub off on him but I think it is more a question of trust. You need to have a good chat with him and talk about how you are feeling about this. You also need to find out what is behind this behavior posthaste.” Stephanie, 27

“Every weekend” is excessive. If that’s the case, then there is definitely a problem. Sit down with him and explain that you miss hanging out with him and that you’d like to hang out with him more often. After all, this is your marriage, devote some time into re-acquainting yourself with your husband –you may have to just suck it up and start joining him at these parties– unless, he is doing it to see other women. And if that’s the case, there is a whole other side to this story, and I don’t want to get into it.

“Face the facts, your husband and men in general will never really grow up. Discipline is love, you need to teach him that this behavior is not acceptable and that if it continues you will cut down on the ‘candy’. More importantly, you need to really try to find out what has made him turn to drinking and other social distractions... and get to the root of the cause if you really want to resolve the issue.” Mary, 25

“She’s your best friend! I don’t even get the fact that you’re worried about telling her. It is hard for her, but she’s gonna love that you’re pregnant.

Waiting till she ‘discovers’ it seems more like a betrayal to me.” Selena, 35

NOUR’S VOTE Grow up. That is my advice to him and to you as well. If you don’t know how to communicate with your husband on a basic level, this advice column is not going to help you. This is how you approach things as an adult married couple: speak to one another. Tell him that his hard partying and the less than desirable company he keeps makes you uncomfortable. Have a rational conversation pointing out some of the things that bother you, and the things you are worried about. For once Rabih’s Vote sounds rational, go for it.

NOVEMBER 2013

I am pregnant and my best friend can’t have children. I’m so happy, but I don’t want to depress her. Should I stay quiet until she sees the bump?

“If your best friend won the lottery would it depress you? Or would you be happy for her? If the answer is not a positive one then you are not really best friends. It’s natural human behavior to feel a little bit of jealousy but you soon get over it. Of course you should tell her, I’m sure she has already dealt with her own misfortune and would love to share your euphoria.” Zeina, 31 “That wouldn’t be nice to hide from her; you’ll just make her feel worse.

Since she is your best friend you don’t need to worry about anything, she should be expecting this. She might be upset at the beginning but eventually she will overcome it especially when you actually have the child. I am sure she will treat your baby as though it was hers!” D, 28

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

MIND, BODY+SOUL

HELP ME NOUR + RABIH

NOUR’S VOTE This is a delicate situation. Nour, the Interactive Panel and Rabih’s Vote are all one in the same: tell her and do so sooner rather than later. This will prevent her from having hurt feelings and feeling as though you pity her. (Incidentally, you do sound as though you pity her and this is not nice. Sympathy and empathy is a yes, but pity is a no.) Honesty being the best policy is a cliché, but it is a good rule of thumb to follow.

RABIH’S VOTE Tough situation. This is not a good question to get a guy’s opinion on. However, being that I’m a guy, it gives the ability to look at a “girl/ girl” issue in its simplest form. So I’d say just tell her. If she’s truly your best friend, she’ll see it as a positive thing and that a new baby is coming to both of your lives. In fact, I reckon she’ll be really happy for the two of you.

TELL HER AND DO SO SOONER RATHER THAN LATER THIS WILL PREVENT HER FROM HAVING HURT FEELINGS AND FEELING AS THOUGH YOU PITY HER. HONESTY BEING THE BEST POLICY IS A CLICHÉ, BUT IT IS A GOOD RULE OF THUMB TO FOLLOW I went out with someone for six months and we ended things because he was not ready to be in a relationship. I’ve dated other people since, but whenever he calls me, I kind of fall for him again. What should I do?

“What you should do is not take his calls. You say flat out in your question that you broke up because he wasn’t ready for a relationship and you were. Clearly you are at cross purposes.” Rita, 37 “Why is he still calling you? Keeping you as backup? My bigger question for you is why you would allow someone who is not wanting the same things you are to continue to be in your life?” Naj, 23 “You are simply falling for him because he rejected you. That’s painful!

But at the end of the day, you can’t ignore your feelings so I would suggest trying to reconnect with him in a more social manner and see where it takes off from there. By doing that, you kind of rebuild a friendship and you might see a side to him that is different to the side you used to know.

Give it a shot, it might not be what you expected!” Josie, 37

RABIH’S VOTE My oh my... you sound like one of the girls I’ve dated (in my past life of course... I am a good boy now). Lord knows how many times I’ve kept ex-girlfriends in limbo, for two main reasons: because I could and because it was an easy booty call. I had no intention of ever being in a committed relationship with these girls and it was not because I was not ready. My advice to you is to categorically stop taking his calls, under any circumstances. Why? Because as a woman casual sex outside committed relationships is like recreational heroin- it doesn’t stay recreational for long. That’s due in part to this thing called oxytocin- a bonding hormone that is released when a woman a) nurses her baby and b) has an orgasm, especially with a guy that you fancy. It’s why you can be fuck-buddying with an ex-bf who is “not that into you” and the next thing you know, you will be forever strung out on him. And you have no idea how it happened. And since nature can’t discriminate between real relationship material and Charlie Sheen, you’re going to have to start ignoring him like the plague

AS A WOMAN CASUAL SEX OUTSIDE COMMITTED RELATIONSHIPS IS LIKE RECREATIONAL HEROIN- IT DOESN’T STAY RECREATIONAL FOR LONG

NOUR’S VOTE This is one of those times that Rabih and I agree (four times in one issue? Shocking!). This is about you and treating him like the one that got away. Some people aren’t in a place for commitment and no matter how long you wait, they might never come around. It is hard not to jump back on the merry-go-round when you have major chemistry and strong feelings for a person, but it is just that: a circle. You’ll like him all over again and probably get hurt all over again. Take a dating breather and wait until someone really remarkable comes along so you can give it a fresh chance. If, as Rabih says, you’re just buddying up, this is a minefield of disappointment since you clearly have strong feelings for him. On a lighter note, never date Rabih.

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

GET IT DONE

RIGHT THE HOW-TO GUIDE

BY MATTHEW HUSSEY

IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOURSELF CHALLENGED IF YOU WANT TO MAXIMIZE YOUR STRENGTHS. IF YOU NEVER EXERCISE THEM, AND STAY IN ENVIRONMENTS THAT OFFER NO REAL DIFFICULTY, YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF STUCK AT THE SAME LEVEL FOR YEARS

D

o you ever feel like you aren’t putting your talents to their best use? Too many of us in life suffer because we fail to (a) identify our strengths and (b) put ourselves in situations that allow us to use our strengths to their maximum potential. What’s more, it’s equally important that we don’t find ourselves constantly let down by weaknesses that we wish we didn’t have. With that in mind, let’s look at some time-tested methods for getting the best out of your natural talents.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO ELIMINATE WEAKNESSES, JUST LEARN TO MANAGE THEM Some people fall into the trap of thinking that to achieve their full potential they have to rid themselves of all their weaknesses. They assume that they can be an all-rounder in every area of their career, their relationships, and their health. This is a waste of energy. You will always have areas in your career or relationships that you find more difficult than other people do. The trick is to manage your weaknesses, so that at the very least you can curb their worst effects. One way to do this is through a technique called modeling. All this involves is seeking out people who are strong in areas you are weak in.

For example, if you have a problem with lateness or meeting deadlines, find people for who are consistently early for everything. The more time you spend with them, the more you’ll learn the different ways they behave which enable them to be so punctual with their work. Being around these people puts a certain social pressure on you to conform and manage your own behavior to keep in line with theirs. So don’t bury your weaknesses and hide from them; find people who love the things you can’t stand or that you are bad at. These people are going to be the perfect complement to your own talents.

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

GET IT DONE RIGHT | THE HOW-TO-GUIDE

ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE AROUND YOUR STRENGTHS – IT STARTS WITH PASSION! If you want to play to your strengths, it’s best to begin by seeking out the kind of work that you are passionate about, since these are likely to be the things that you will get very good at. This is because if you start by having a burning passion for the work you do, you will be more willing to put in the extra hours it takes to master it.

But make sure that when you think about your passions you are very specific.

For example, don’t just say you are passionate about writing, since this is still a very broad area. Think more narrowly: what kind of writing are you good at? Are

you good at coming up with the ideas or are you better when you are told what to write? Do you work better with creative freedom or with specific project outlines? These kinds of questions are going to make your strengths clearer, and will also save you time fumbling around with things that aren’t suited to your skill set.

When you figure out your passions, your job becomes so much easier. Figuring out your passions is about finding “the path of least resistance”. By this I mean, the things that your brain just seems to be able to do naturally, those things that you have an immediate instinct for, and feel able to contribute to in meaningful ways.

If something feels like pure drudgery, it probably gives you a sign that you are not playing to any of your strengths.

SEEK OUT ENVIRONMENTS WHERE PEOPLE ARE BETTER THAN YOU It’s important to keep yourself challenged if you want to maximize your strengths.

If you never exercise them, and stay in environments that offer no real difficulty, you can find yourself stuck at the same level for years. One quick way of getting to the next level in any skill is to find people who are better than you in the area you want to develop. If you want to get to the next level in anything, you need to be surrounded with people who are at the top of their game. This applies in every area; find people with the best relationships, the best physical fitness or the career you want. All of these people are going to keep you striving to make your strengths even stronger.

DON’T BE SHY ABOUT VOCALIZING YOUR STRENGTHS! Last but not least, all of this is no good if you don’t have the confidence to tell people what you are good at. Don’t be overly modest; if you happen to be perfect for a certain task in your job, tell everyone that you can handle it. The more you keep people informed of your strengths, the more they are going to give you opportunities to show them off!

IF YOU WANT TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN ANYTHING, YOU NEED TO BE SURROUNDED WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME. THIS APPLIES IN EVERY AREA; FIND PEOPLE WITH THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS, THE BEST PHYSICAL FITNESS OR THE CAREER YOU WANT. ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO KEEP YOU STRIVING TO MAKE YOUR STRENGTHS EVEN STRONGER NOVEMBER 2013

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MIND, BODY+SOUL

THE UNBEARABLE

ANXIOUSNESS

OF BEING AN ESSAY FOR THOSE WHO’VE STILL GOT SOME FIGURING OUT TO DO

BY MARIA-ELENA KASSAB

A

nxiety. All those problems I’ve been having –the breathing difficulty, the persistent nausea, the constant exhaustion– have all been chalked up to anxiety.

I used to have anxiety problems when I was a child; they were so debilitating that my pediatrician and my parents decided to treat me for it with pills usually reserved to, inter alia, treat schizophrenia and mellow down post-traumatic stress disorder.

We went through unrelated tough times at home after that, and I’ve been told I used to cry all the time, but I can’t remember any of it. All I remember is an insistent pulling at my stomach, feeling that all these problems in front of me were trying to claw their way out of -or even into- my stomach, my throat, my mouth.

Years have passed, and I am seemingly a calm person. I became a good public speaker, able to quash my nerves, still my shaking hands, steady my quivering voice and appear like I had been making speeches on stage my entire life. I volunteered anywhere I could, and more than once, found myself leading groups of people through my stress and working best under pressure.

I chose a career that is built on stress, deadlines, speed and a steady voice.

When I’m in a booth, waiting with bated breath for the speaker to start spewing whatever statements he or she has carefully prepared, waiting to see if this is going to be a turtle-speaker or a devilat-my-heels, submachine gun speech, my hands –especially my right one– trembles.

I squeeze them together to stop the shak-

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THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

WWW.YELLSACCANI.COM PHOTOGRAPHY © YELL SACCANI

ing. I put on a brave face, smirking at those who ask me if I’m nervous, waving off concerns that the speech might be too difficult. The first three sentences are always the hardest: the speaker starts listing the people he or she would like to thank, the organizations responsible for holding the conference, the he and the she and the it and who and why…

I choke on the first words. My voice comes out high-pitched and breathless, and I end up sounding like a child, long enough for me to dive into the speech and forget who I am, who the speaker is, focusing solely on the conduit that I am. My task is to listen, to analyze, to translate and to speak. I am no longer an individual with an opinion. It all goes smoothly until I freeze on a number, forget how to pronounce a name or mix up words. This is when all the anxiety comes rushing back and for a moment, I can’t breathe. My heart rate speeds and I feel the waterworks gearing up for a flood.

My throat squeezes up and I’m sure I’m

NOVEMBER 2013

going to fail miserably until whoever is in the booth with me hands me a lifeline –writes the number or the word down for me.

I speak. I’m back to being the conduit. I breathe. The anxiety leaves me and stays away until I’m alone again. This is when the tears come back, breathing gets harder and my hands fly up to my chest, trying to make my heart calm the hell down.

Anxiety doesn’t quietly stay in my professional life, but decides to seep out into my personal life whenever it finds the chance. Anytime I’m faced with a change of anything –change of plans, rooms, classes, environment– I feel the cold hands clawing at my stomach and my throat again, I feel the tears forming behind my lids. I’ve learned to slap those hands away and swallow my tears back, but they only stay at bay while I’m in front of people. As soon as I’m alone, they come back with a vengeance, often bringing cramps and migraines, to make it a real party. The best part is that

AS SOON AS I’M ALONE, THEY COME BACK WITH A VENGEANCE, OFTEN BRINGING CRAMPS AND MIGRAINES, TO MAKE IT A REAL PARTY I cannot pinpoint the source of this stress, this worry. When doctors ask me what’s been stressing me out, I can’t tell them, not because I’m ashamed, but because I haven’t the slightest idea.

Meditation sometimes helps, and a bear hug, more often than not, temporarily soothes the stress, but if this gets worse with time, I’m anxious (oh, the irony) about what I’ll have to do in order to be able to face my problems and my life without panicking every night

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MON AMOUR, MON AMI

CLEAN UP YOUR OWN

MESS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TOLD ME “EVERYTHING”

BY FIDA CHAABAN

T

here are two things I try to do all of the time: I try to never lie, even in small capacities and I also try to never be mean or unkind.

This is not something that I am preaching about, it’s the rationale of my life that I try and mostly succeed at applying. When I received an email two days ago, both of my personal mantras were put to the test. The email tested my patience, my loyalty, and even my critical thinking skills- basically the ability to remove myself from a situation and try to see it from the point of view of someone who is not in the thick of it. Here’s what happened, and you all will have to decide whether or not I kept those unseemly behaviors (judgement, meddling, and telling untruths) in check.

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Two days ago I received an email with the subject line, “Hey Fids” from someone extremely close to me. The body of said email proceeded to tell me about a clandestine relationship between the email-sender (call him John), and someone else extremely close to me (call her Jane). Apparently, if John’s version is to be believed, a long-distance relationship took place between the two of them. There were phone calls and messages and even a visit that spanned eight days. Apparently the relationship began in May of this year and ended badly (according to John) just shortly before I returned home in September or thereabouts during my visit. The email stated that while I was staying with Jane, John was forbidden from calling her so that I wouldn’t become “suspicious” and ap-

parently, John says that Jane began “acting differently” for no apparent reason.

It needs to be said before I go any further with the story, that neither of these people are in any way related to me via a romantic relationship- it is strictly familial type feelings with both. I say this so that no one can misconstrue this as a love triangle situation, it is not.

THE EMAIL TESTED MY PATIENCE, MY LOYALTY, AND EVEN MY CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS- BASICALLY THE ABILITY TO REMOVE MYSELF FROM A SITUATION AND TRY TO SEE IT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF SOMEONE WHO IS NOT IN THE THICK OF IT THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TOLD ME “EVERYTHING”

Jane left John in the dust suddenly and according to John, she “talked a good game,” which I assume means that he thinks she played him. After reading half of this long email, I closed it. I was experiencing many conflicting emotions and I didn’t want to continue reading when I was flooded with so much new information. I asked myself why I wasn’t told by Jane or John, only to remind myself that what these two people choose to do together is none of my business.

I asked myself if I minded the secrecy and then reminded myself that ignorance is bliss, especially since I don’t like being caught in he-said/she-said situations.

I asked myself if I, as a woman, would mind an ex of mine contacting a middleman (or middlewoman) in the event that we broke up, and found that yes, I would definitely mind. I then read the entire email and went over more questions with myself, mostly revolving around the

ethics of secrets and the motivations of John’s email. John maintains that it was Jane who demanded the relationship be kept from me. In his email, he says that the reason he decided to tell me was because I should know and that he didn’t want to lie to me, and so on and so forth.

I answered John’s email today and I sent Jane a message today. My response to John explained that while I felt that his heart was in the right place, it’s ultimately none of my business and that while I appreciate the transparency, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to indirectly force Jane into speaking to him. If the latter is the reason (John may not even be aware as it could be a subconscious motivation), it’s nothing short of blackmail and manipulation. At least that’s how I would feel if I were Jane. Since I haven’t heard Jane’s version of how it all went down (I’m not actually sure I want to), I cannot say

where the “fault” should be placed, if anyone is at fault at all. I messaged Jane thus: “John sent me an email,” knowing she would know what that meant. She replied with: “He sent me a message saying he wanted to talk last week.” I don’t know who isn’t telling the truth, since John clearly stated in his email that he had called Jane and told her he was sending me this email. (It sounded like a threat to me when I read it.)

TAPED LIPS PHOTO © TODD PAGE

IT’S NOTHING SHORT OF BLACKMAIL AND MANIPULATION. AT LEAST THAT’S HOW I WOULD FEEL IF I WERE JANE

BELOW: PHOTO © TODD PAGE

NOVEMBER 2013

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HAND

IN

HAND

TO

A

SPECIAL

MEMORY

LIVE THE EXPERIENCE GIFT CARDS EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT PHOENICIA HOTEL +961 1 369 100

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PHOENICIA@PHOENICIABEIRUT.COM

WWW.PHOENICIABEIRUT.COM THE LOOSE ENDS ISSUE

MON AMOUR, MON AMI

I told John in the email that I sent to him today that had he asked my opinion before actually dating Jane, I could’ve told him that it was doomed to fail and not to bother, knowing how different their respective lifestyles and personalities are. I also said that I was sort of glad that I wasn’t asked my opinion so that he (and she) could find out for himself (themselves), because one never knowsunlikelier couples have gone on to lead long and happy lives together. What I didn’t say to him was this: from what I know of him, I know that John is looking for a family and for a savior. John is emotionally fucked. From what I know of her, I know that Jane is looking for dynamic distraction. Jane is looking for entertainment and not much more, being more career-oriented and less inclined to the committed, long-term relationship direction. Jane rationalizes this “deception”

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TOLD ME “EVERYTHING”

(if that’s what it is), by a rule that many women have: who she sleeps with is her business. Jane too, is emotionally fucked.

But aren’t we all? Everyone I know has some sort of personality glitch, and I personally have at least five.

I wish I could’ve said all those things but, some things are better left unsaid.

I think it would have been better if John didn’t send me his tell-all email. It would’ve been better for everyone involved, especially since I am wondering how much I don’t know about both Jane and John that they could find solace (maybe?) in one another either for boredom’s sake or a give-it-a-shot sort of situation. One person wants one thing but isn’t clear enough (Jane wants a distraction), and the other wants something else but also isn’t clear enough (John wants a wife). Dear John, it is not for you to make the decision to let the cat out of

JANE IS LOOKING FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND NOT MUCH MORE, BEING MORE CAREER-ORIENTED AND LESS INCLINED TO THE COMMITTED, LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP DIRECTION. JANE TOO, IS EMOTIONALLY FUCKED. BUT AREN’T WE ALL?

NOVEMBER 2013

IF MY INTENTIONS WERE BAD, THIS IS HOW I WOULD HAVE YOU BY THE BALLS the bag for the both of you. Truth be told, I am closer to Jane, and who she sleeps with is her business and it doesn’t matter to me if her partner is someone I know or someone I don’t. You should not have told me everything. You are, like many other men that I know, failing to see this situation from a woman’s perspective.

Dear Jane, I am a bit confused about your reasons for not telling me about your liaison with John, but I respect your privacy and it honestly was better when I didn’t know because I don’t want to be privy to these kinds of secrets. Dear both of you: I hope it works out for the best, whatever “the best” is.

Everyone, please keep your secrets from me. I don’t want to know “everything” about you, especially since I try not to judge people and hearing only one version means that I’m not getting the whole picture. It’s one of the few times where knowledge is more harmful than it is helpful, and if my intentions were bad, this is how I would have you by the balls. Don’t test me- I’m trying not to lie and I’m trying not to hurt anyone. अहिं सा Ahimsa

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TAKE ME WITH YOU

SO MUCH TO SEE, SO LITTLE TIME

THE BEST OF

BERLIN

BY ALICE HLIDKOVA + ERIC JOSEPH REITMEYER

P

ast the empty brick factories and deserted train yards, Europe’s largest and most modern train station, the Hauptbahnhof, welcomes travelers into Berlin.

Amongst the tourists, city dwellers wait on the platform with stoic faces protected beneath the collars of their leather coats. They accept the early days of autumn with resignation.

They’re primed by experience with attitudes akin to Londonersthey take the steel landscape in stride.

HAUPTBAHNHOF IS AN ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL; A TOWERING STRUCTURE OF GLASS AND BEAMS WITH TWO TRANSPARENT CYLINDERS SPROUTING FROM ITS SIDES. IT IS PROUDLY KNOWN AS EUROPE’S LARGEST AND MOST STATE OF THE ART NEXUS OF TRANSPORTATION 108 | R A G M A G | www.ragmag.co

Hauptbahnhof is an architectural marvel; a towering structure of glass and beams with two transparent cylinders sprouting from its sides. Its modern design floods the station with light, and although its wealth of shops and eateries resembles a shopping mall, it is proudly known as Europe’s largest and most state of the art nexus of transportation, with tracks running on multiple levels and all directions.

Several hundred yards away sits the Reichstag dome, another glass structure within one of Berlin’s Parliamentary houses. It is a prominent landmark, and attracts hundreds of visitors daily. Once the top of the dome is reached tourists are

ABOVE: THE HAUPTBAHNHOF, EUROPE’S LARGEST AND MOST MODERN TRAIN STATION OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: REICHSTAG INTERIOR, EAST SIDE GALLERY, USED AS A CANVAS FOR ARTISTS CALLING FOR NTERNATIONAL PEACE

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TAKE ME WITH YOU

UNDERGROUND CORRIDORS CONNECT THE REICHSTAG WITH OTHER PARLIAMENT HOUSES OF THE BUNDESTAG. THE TUNNELS WERE CONSTRUCTED TO EASE THE PASSAGE BETWEEN BUILDINGS, THOUGH THEY ARE STRICTLY FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. GUEST PASSES ARE RARE, BUT IF YOU SUCCESSFULLY OBTAIN ONE THE REWARD IS A REMARKABLE JOURNEY THROUGH A STERILE YET FUTURISTIC PANORAMA OF CEMENT AND STEEL granted a 360-degree view of the Berlin cityscape. A modern feature is the large mirrored cone within the dome, which directs sunlight down into Parliament’s rooms below, thereby reducing the need for energy and effectively decreasing Berlin’s carbon footprint.

Many stories below, underground corridors connect the Reichstag with other Parliament houses of the Bundestag. The tunnels were constructed to ease the passage between buildings, though they are strictly for members of Parliament. Guest passes are rare, but if you successfully obtain one the reward is a remarkable journey through a sterile yet futuristic panorama of cement and steel.

Outside the large windows is the Spree River, which brings life to Berlin as it courses through the city. Movement along the river is swift and constant, as water taxis, dinner boats, and tour vessels snake along the narrow waterway. Watching the boats navigate is an entertainment in itself, as the captains nimbly thread their way through the channel.

The merriness of the Spree sweeps onto the riverbank as Berliners revel in waterside restaurants and cafes. They sit behind iron tabletops, clutching draft beers and hot cocoa, and feast on an assortment of German sausages dipped in mustard and sauerkraut. Another waterside attraction is the Badeschiff, a float-

THE REICHSTAG DOME IS WITHIN ONE OF BERLIN’S PARLIAMENTARY HOUSES. IT IS A PROMINENT LANDMARK, AND ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF VISITORS DAILY. ONCE THE TOP OF THE DOME IS REACHED TOURISTS ARE GRANTED A 360-DEGREE VIEW OF THE BERLIN CITYSCAPE ing swimming pool located in the East Harbour section of the Spree. Originally started as an art project, the pool is now open during the summer months, allowing residents and tourists alike to swim in a sanitary environment along the river.

Spirit remains high at Alexanderplatz, the city’s favorite public space. On weekends the flea market offers home-made goods and good German food. Its many wooden stands sell fried potato patties, baked apples, and grilled sausages. Handwoven lace handkerchiefs make great souvenirs as do the wool hats and rabbit and fox scarves on display for upcoming winter. On the fringe of the marketplace sits a small chalet, The Salzburg Restaurant, serving the best of homemade German eats.

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THE BEST OF BERLIN

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: THE REICHSTAG DOME , THE HAUPTBAHNHOF TRAIN STATION THIS PAGE: UNDERGROUND TUNNEL AND MODERN REICHSTAG

NOVEMBER 2013

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TAKE ME WITH YOU

THE BEST OF BERLIN

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: WORLD CLOCK IN ALEXANDERPLATZ AND TV TOWER IN BACKGROUND, EAST SIDE GALLERY, BERLINER DOM OPPOSITE PAGE: AERIAL VIEW OF BERLIN, EAST SIDE GALLERY

Behind Alexanderplatz stands Berliner Dom, the city’s grand church of the Evangelical congregation. The awe-inspiring atmosphere inside the church comes to life with a rich musical program, as numerous concerts and choirs are featured regularly. The Dom is also one of many sites for the annual Lights Festival. Light

NO TRIP TO BERLIN IS COMPLETE WITHOUT VISITING THE EAST SIDE GALLERY. THE GALLERY IS A SECTION OF THE BERLIN WALL, WHICH NOW SERVES AS AN INTERNATIONAL MONUMENT FOR FREEDOM NOVEMBER 2013

projectors all around the city beam design patterns onto many city structures, including Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, and the TV Tower. These colourful patterns flood each facade with elegance, turning the great monuments of Berlin into bright, beautiful ornaments.

The need for food draws visitors to Hackescher Markt, another public square lined with restaurants. Built within the brick archways of an elevated train station, the Markt is a popular destination for tourists, containing cafes, boutiques and galleries. Outside, the courtyard is brimming with outdoor tables under bright red canopies. The cozy atmosphere is enhanced by hanging straw chairs built for two, and scores of red lantern space heaters.

No trip to Berlin is complete without visiting the East Side Gallery. The Gallery is a section of the Berlin Wall, which now serves as an international monument for freedom. Though it will always be a constant reminder of a tumultuous past, it is now used as a canvas for local and international artists calling for international peace. The number of paintings is over 100, and it’s the largest open air gallery in the world.

Germany, while still known for their cutting-edge design and engineering, has changed. The modern architecture and attitude of Berlin symbolizes the attempt to dissociate from their dark past, and as the Berlin Wall and Hauptbahnhof suggests, to strengthen the emphasis of a united Germany and a more integrated Euro zone

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

LASS UNS NACH * BERLIN GEHEN GOING EAST. NO WAIT, WEST

BY MARIA-ELENA KASSAB

H

ave you ever dreamed of visiting Germany without the hassle of visa appointments, crowded airports, and an uncomfortable flight? The guys behind Hamra’s madly successful February 30 have granted that wish with their new Uruguay Street venue: Checkpoint Charlie. Named after the famous checkpoint situated between East and West Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie is Beirut’s newest concept bar.

The restaurant is divided into East Berlin and West Berlin- we chose West.

The decor is glitzy, the chrome lighting reflects on the mirror-covered ceiling, the seats are repurposed everyday objects (boots, crates…), and a mosaic wall is lit up with the Prussian Eagle. Looking over to the Eastern part, the difference is stark: a frugal decor, graffiti all around, and a feel of the bare necessities. Even the bars are different, with West Berlin offering a modern-looking sleek slab of shiny black, and East Berlin bartenders working behind a simple wooden bar. * Let’s go to Berlin NOVEMBER 2013

The drinks menu is a German passport, a Reisepass for Checkpoint Charlie, stating its date of birth (October 2013) and passport expiration date of never (which sounds good to us!). Our waiter, decked in military-inspired garb, recommends a few specialty cocktails -they’re presented on the menu like passport stamps- and we’re onto the food menu: a manila folder, made to look like a soldier’s file (complete with personal information and pictures of said soldier). It offers international food and German/Bavarian-inspired items. We try a Bruschetta Ricotta and the Red Wine Sausages, thick pieces of fresh Barolo wine sausage served with a creamy German potato salad, topped with sweet caramelized onions. Our next course is the Jägermeister Burger –the Lardo and Fichi Mostarda relish is what makes it different- and our favorite item on the menu is the Schnitzel. You thought thin, crispy and tender weren’t compatible?

Think again. Made with Argentinean Striploin, it is presented with red currant jam and a side of crispy Cajun French fries.

There was not an empty seat in the house, and not a frown, either. Checkpoint Charlie is good food, good drinks and an incredibly good idea, the trip to Berlin is well worth the drive to Beirut.

THE +

COHESIVE

The Checkpoint Charlie experience extends throughout the entire venue: the washrooms are located one floor above East Berlin and the frugality follows you there. They even used a two-drum washing machine/wringer as sinks!

FOLLOW UP

Their social media team talks to you throughout your visit if you tweet their way.

THE -

SOUND OF MUSIC

A few German songs interspersed between the Deep House tracks would be nice.

Checkpoint Charlie Uruguay Street, Beirut +961989811 www.ragmag.co CkpCharlie @CkpCharlie |

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| 115

DISHES BEST SERVED

COLD

BY LARA ARISS

Each edition of RAGMAG Lara Ariss will present a meal in several courses that you can try at home. Lara trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, England.

For this issue of RAGMAG, Lara has chosen a selection of recipes that don’t involve cooking for quick-fix meals. For her menu selection, check her out on the web http://www.bylara.me @laraariss

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bylara

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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY

BANANA + GINGER SMOOTHIE PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 2 LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 1 banana • 170 grams vanilla yogurt • 1 tablespoon honey • ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger

METHOD

• Place all the ingredients in a food processor and

process until smooth.

OPEN-FACED TUNA + FENNEL SANDWICH PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 4 LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 500 grams marinated tuna, drained • 3 tablespoons capers • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar • 1 medium fennel bulb, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 50 grams fresh parsley, roughly chopped • 1 large baguette

METHOD

• In a medium bowl, combine the tuna, capers, 3 tablespoons

of oil, and the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• In another bowl combine the fennel, parsley, and the remaining oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Cut the baguette in half lengthwise, then quarters crosswise.

• Serve the tuna and fennel salads over the bread.

NOVEMBER 2013

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DELI ROAST BEEF + GOAT CHEESE SALAD PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 4 LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 2 small heads romaine lettuce, torn into pieces • 340 grams sliced deli roast beef • 1 tomato, cut into wedges • 1/2 red onion, sliced • 100 grams soft goat cheese, crumbled • 40 ml olive oil • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

METHOD

• Divide the lettuce, roast beef, tomato, onion, and goat cheese among bowls. • In a small bowl, whisk together the

oil, vinegar, and mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. • Drizzle over the salad and serve.

STRAWBERRY MOUSSE PREPARATION TIME 2 HOURS + 20 MINUTES SERVES 4 LEVEL EASY

INGREDIENTS • 300 grams finely chopped strawberries • 115 grams sugar, divided into 6 tablespoons + 1• 5 tablespoons water, divided • 3/4 teaspoon powdered gelatin • ¼ teaspoon salt • 2 egg whites • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract • 120 ml heavy cream

METHOD

• Combine chopped strawberries and 1 tablespoon of sugar in the

bowl of a food processor. Let stand for 10 minutes and process until smooth. • Pour 2 tablespoons water in a large bowl, and sprinkle with gelatin. Set aside for 5 minutes. • Place 6 tablespoons of sugar, the remaining water, and the salt in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring just until sugar dissolves. Cook, without stirring for about 4 minutes. • Add the egg whites to the gelatin mixture and beat with a mixer at high speed until foamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar, beating at high speed until soft peaks form. • Gradually pour the hot sugar syrup into the egg white mixture, beating first at medium speed and then at high speed until stiff peaks form. Beat in the vanilla extract. • Place cream in a large bowl and beat with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. • Gently fold one-fourth of the egg white mixture into the whipped cream then fold in the remaining mixture. • Fold in the strawberry mixture and divide the mixture into 6 dessert glasses. • Chill for two hours or until set.

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BRAINFOOD ROUND #1

Tivia

1. Which famous female singer died on 17th May 2012?

2. What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

3. Why were people celebrating in Paris on the evening before Bastille Day in 1998?

4. What are the International

registration letters for Iceland?

5. The “World’s Biggest” what was

made in London in 1998 to celebrate the re-release of Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp”?

6. A famous male singing star died on 20th May 2012. Who was it?

7. What does the “D” stand for in the acronym CAD?

8. What colour golf balls are used on the golf course in Antarctica?

9. What was the name of the British

singer who was spotted with his boyfriend at BO18 on the 18/19th of May 2012?

10. What was the name of Michael Jackson’s second wife?

ROUND #2

Food and Drink 1. What breakfast food gets its

name from the German word for “Stirrup”?

2. On what vegetable did Ancient Egyptians place their hand when taking an oath?

3. What drink did the Coca Cola Company launch in 1982?

4. Roquefort cheese is made

ROUND #3

Entertainment 1. What was the name of Clark

1. What organ regulates the blood

2. In Longfellow’s poem about

2. How many tentacles does a

Kent’s childhood sweetheart?

Hiawatha, what was the name of Hiawatha’s wife?

3. What were the first names of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

4. From which country did Agatha

from what animal’s milk?

Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot come from?

5. What are the top two selling

5. What was the name of the girl

spices in the world?

6. Wax moulds of which French Queen’s breasts supposedly led to the design of the shallow champagne glass?

that Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, loved?

6. What Shakespeare play opens

with the lines “Now is the winter of our discontent….”?

7. What fruits were crossed to

7. In what film did Jodie Foster play

8. What is the largest fruit crop

8. In “The King and I”, the king

9. What animal’s milk is used

9. Who was Elton John paying

10. What cocktail is made from

10. Who starred opposite Geena

produce the nectarine? on earth?

to produce authentic, Italian mozzarella cheese?

Coke, Tia Maria and Vodka?

ROUND #4

Science and Nature

FBI agent Clarice Starling? ruled which country?

tribute to in his song “Candle in the Wind”?

sugar level? squid have?

3. What is the scientific name for the windpipe?

4. What animal’s skin is the true source of Moroccan leather?

5. The heart has how many chambers?

6. What is the term used to

indicate that a satellite is always in the same position above the earth?

7. What does the chemical formula Fe2O3 indicate?

8. How many colours are there in

the spectrum when white light is separated?

9. In the formula e=mc2. What does C represent?

Davis in the film “The Fly”?

EASY

ROUND#1 1. Donna Summer 2. A meteorite has fallen to earth 3. France had just won the World Cup 4. Is 5. Bowl of spaghetti 6. Robin Gibb 7. Design 8. Orange 9.George Michael 10. Debbie Rowe ROUND#2 1. Bagel 2. Onion 3. Diet Coke 4. Ewe 5. Pepper and mustard 6. Marie Antoinette 7. None 8. Grapes 9. The water buffalo 10. Black Russian ROUND#3 1. Lana Lang 2. Minihaha 3. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde 4. Belgium 5. Esmerelda 6. Richard III 7. Silence of the Lambs 8. Siam 9. Marilyn Monroe 10. Jeff Goldblum ROUND#4 1. Pancreas 2. Ten 3. Trachea 4. Goat 5. Four 6. Geostationary 7. Iron Oxide 8. Seven 9. Speed of light

NOVEMBER 2013

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DOWN

25. Ships tie up here.

26. A tidal movement.

28. It didn’t go off!

29. Makes the least noise?

30. A policeman’s truncheon?

32. We do this to express doubt.

33. Substance identical to hemoglobin.

36. Not completely invisible!

37. An old English coin.

38. Found in X-PLOSIV. 44. Got older.

45. Drug addict.

48. False teeth.

49. Gets on to.

52. Two pints in this.

53. A lot of mixed sounds!

54. A small piece of meat?

55. Prevent from moving.

60. Momento.

62. To try to do something!

66. Easily seen.

67. A large whirlpool.

68. Found on the lower part of the face.

69. Priests?

72. The state of being located in a certain place.

73. A strong want of something.

75. Belief that politics and religion should not mix.

79. Organized.

81. Made with eggs.

83. Signs up for.

84. A short expressway?

85. Cannot stop stealing.

86. Fawning.

87. Found on a computer screen?

88. Decorated.

CUT THE CRAP - OUT ON A LIMB - CLOSETED PERVERT - IF I RULED THE WORLD - DRINKING UNDER AGE - CROSSWORD - SITTING ON THE FENCE - HALF TIME - HOLE IN THE WALL NOVEMBER 2013

ACROSS 1. MUTILATED - 6. JAILBIRDS - 7. XANTHOXYLENE 10. WHISKY - 11. BUNGALOW - 13. EXPOUNDS 14. PHASM - 16. GAUGED - 18. AMBLED 20. DECRYPT - 22. BOLOMETER - 25. WHARVES 26. EBB - 28. DUD - 29. QUIETIST - 30. COSH 32. HUMPHED - 33. MYOCHROME - 36. FAINTISH 37. GROAT - 38. TAURINE - 44. AGED - 45. JUNKIE 48. DENTURES - 49. MOUNTS - 52. QUART 53. CACOPHONY - 54. NOISETTE - 55. IMMOBILIZE 60. KEEPSAKE - 62. ENDEAVOUR 66. NOTICEABLE - 67. MAELSTROM - 68. JOWLS 69. VICARS - 72. UBIETY - 73. YEN 75. SECULARISM - 79. METHODIC - 81. OMELETTES 83. ENROLS - 84. EXPWY - 85. KLEPTOMANIAC 86. OBSEQUIOUS - 87. CURSOR - 88. GARNISHED

1. Disfigured.

6. Prisoners.

7. Aromatic oil from a Japanese tree.

10. A Scotsman’s drink?

11. A small, single story house.

13. Explains in detail.

14. An apparition.

16. Measured.

18. Walked slowly.

20. Work out the code.

22. Used for measuring radiant energy.

DOWN 1. MUUMUU - 2. FANGS - 3. ARTICULATE 4. KNEE - 5. IMPURE - 8. XENOPHOBIC 9. UNMANNED - 12. LYMPHATE 15. HYDRODYNAMICS - 17. GNAW - 19. BIFARIOUS 21. KOWTOWING - 23. HOUSEBOATS - 24. QUAVER 27. BLACKHEAD - 31. RECIPROCATING 34. UNDERRATED - 35. FACINOROUS 39. APOLOGUE - 40. IDES - 41. LATRINE 42. QUESTIONABLE - 43. INSIGNIA - 46. OCCUPIED 47. LAZARIST - 50. ZIPPERS - 51. YAKKED 56. YELLOWFIN - 57. GRANULAR - 58. HISTORICIZE 59. KNOCKOFFS - 61. AZOTURIA - 63. BRASSERIE 64. GERIATRICS - 65. HAGGLE - 70. HEMIPLEGIC 71. CATARACT - 74. NUMBNESS - 76. IMPELLER 77. DEBUT - 78. ZEST - 80. ZEPHYR - 82. ENJOYS

ACROSS

1. A long loose dress.

2. Sharp teeth?

3. Able to speak.

4. Joint between thigh and lower leg.

5. Bad thoughts?

8. Doesn’t like strangers.

9. Some space flights were this.

12. Scared into madness.

15. The study of fluids.

17. Chew on.

19. In botany, has parts arranged in two rows.

21. Showing deep respect.

23. Floating accommodation?

24. An eighth note.

27. A skin blemish.

31. One type of engine.

34. Valued too low.

35. Hugely wicked!

39. A moral fable.

40. Caesar was warned about these in March!

41. Toilet?

42. Not confirmed.

43. A badge.

46. Busy.

47. Member of a religious order founded by St. Vincent de Paul.

50. Handy fastening devices.

51. Talked continuously.

56. A type of tuna fish.

57. One kind of sugar.

58. To make it old?

59. Stolen goods.

61. Excess of urea in urine.

63. A place that serves alcohol as well as food.

64. Medicine for old people?

65. Barter.

70. Paralyzed on one side only.

71. A large waterfall.

74. Feeling nothing.

76. Can be found in a water pump.

77. His or her first performance.

78. Skin of an orange?

80. An old make of car.

82. Likes.

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Zodiac forecasts November.2013

NOVEMBER BEGINS WITH THE FOURTH IN THE SERIES OF SEVEN SQUARES BETWEEN URANUS AND PLUTO. THESE REFLECT PATTERNS OF CHANGES THAT PLAY OUT EVERY 40 YEARS OR SO. MUCH RECENT TENSION AND DRAMA ON THE WORLD STAGE CAN BE ASCRIBED TO THIS CURRENT SET OF ALIGNMENTS... AND WE’RE ONLY JUST STARTING TO SEE HOW A ‘REVOLUTION IN ATTITUDE’ WILL AFFECT INDIVIDUALS AND NATIONS OVER COMING YEARS. WHAT ONCE SEEMED UNTHINKABLE IS NOW ONLY TOO EASY TO IMAGINE AND WHILE SOME OF THAT’S BEEN BAD, WE’RE JUST NOW ENTERING A PHASE WHERE PREVIOUSLY UNIMAGINABLE YET WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES REVEAL THEMSELVES TOO.

GERARD BUTLER

ANNE HATHAWAY

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 - December 21

We do, for our loved ones, what we might never dream of doing for ourselves. We bravely go beyond barriers that we might otherwise be trapped behind. We fight battles, make calls, challenge authorities and negotiate agreements about which, on our own behalf, we would be much more inclined to shrug our shoulders and accept. November’s instalment in the soap opera of your life, involves a close companion who is now going through a time of great tension. You can help them; they can help you. Everybody can win.

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

SCORPIO

October 24 - November 22

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 20

Life is a gift. Each moment, each breath, each thought that passes across our mind, each feeling that wells up in our hearts. Each experience. Each encounter. Each second. A gift. An incredible, amazing, gift. How often do we stop and remember this? We just get on with our lives. But we don’t just get on with appreciating and enjoying. We get on with worrying, arguing, feeling afraid or dealing with responsibility. These are gifts, too. See them as such, in November, and you’ll see their solution.

When TV shows are repeated, we soon complain. ‘Don’t show me this,’ we say. ‘I’ve seen it before.’ What a shame that we’re not so critical about the thought patterns that run over and over again in our minds. We watch the same old movies in our heads. We play out the same old fantasies in our dreams. When, for one reason or another, we find ourselves unable to trundle down these well-worn tracks, we grow disconsolate. Yet the change that November brings is precious. Once you get used to it, you’ll never look back.

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

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

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GERARD BUTLER AT THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO / GETTYIMAGES | ANNE HATHAWAY ARRIVING FOR THE EE BAFTA FILM AWARDS 2013 AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON. 10/02/2013 PICTURE BY: STEVE VAS

FROM JONATHAN CAINER

AQUARIUS

PISCES

ARIES

Don’t engage in a pointless debate. Indeed, don’t engage in any debate you can avoid, regardless of how much point you can see in making your argument. November suggests the potential to waste valuable time and energy getting caught in a drama that’s best left alone. This is a month in which you have something of a far more constructive nature to do. Be discriminating, restrained and, above all, wise. Only if an idea or an opportunity looks simple, sweet and clear is it worthy of your attention.

It’s easy to talk; not so easy to listen. It’s easy to be right; not so easy to say the right thing. It’s easy to be afraid; not so easy to overcome a fear and replace it with a profound understanding. By such criteria you have a difficult month in store!

You are going to do a lot of listening. A lot of clever, careful talking. A lot of courageous shadowboxing. You are going to get the better of a habit or an attitude that, for too long, has prevented you from fulfilling your true potential. Challenging issues will arise but all will leave you better off.

Some people believe that with enough faith and dedication, you can achieve anything. They are almost right. Some things actually are impossible.

It doesn’t matter how much wishing you do - or how hard you try. You won’t attain success if the objective in question is simply beyond reach. But it is rare for anything ever to be entirely beyond reach. Usually, it’s just tricky to reach for and likely to take much time and sacrifice. Much depends, in November, on how much of yourself you are willing to invest in an ambition.

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

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

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

January 21 - February 19

February 20 - March 20

March 21 - April 20

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

You may be preoccupied now but if you turn on the TV and catch a new episode of your favourite show, how easy will you find it to turn it off again?

Enjoyable diversions and distractions are fine but something is wrong when our fears take such strong hold of us that we can think of nothing else. Events in November show you how susceptible you have become to a major source of worry and aggravation. It isn’t worth the time and attention you are giving to it. Life is about to present you with a much more inspiring picture.

People don’t always hear what we are trying to tell them. Nor do we, in turn, always properly hear what others want to say to us. We get so caught up in our own beliefs, we twist the messages to match our expectations. Or we get so wrapped up in our feelings, we forget to think about what we are saying. But whenever we fail to be conscious of how we are communicating, we risk problems.

Everything that needs to be understood and agreed can be sorted out in November... as long as you’re slow and tactful.

Your bathroom mirror may not yet be reflecting a different image - but then, we always notice change in others before we see it in ourselves. It is our friends and loved ones who say to us, ‘something is really changing in you’, because they tend to spot the signs long before we do. So, if you really want to know how much wiser you are growing, how much more attractively confident you are becoming and how your ability to attract success is positively radiating out of you, ask someone close by. You ARE blossoming this November.

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

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

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

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

Everyone seems to be expecting something from you now. You are keenly conscious of your obligations. Understandably, you want to do all you can, yet you must recognise the danger in trying to do too much. Even if you go that extra mile, there will still be a further mile to cover. Make as much effort as you comfortably can, then resolve not to worry.

You don’t need to be superhuman in November. You simply have to be yourself and be sincere. A problem that now looms large will soon fade away all of its own accord.

Some questions never get satisfactorily answered. There are two ways to describe a situation that makes less sense, the more you think about it. The first is an enigma. The second is an annoyance! What’s the difference? The difference is whether or not you feel desperate to do something practical. If you are just standing back and looking from a distance, it is all an amazing mystery. Right now, though, you need (or feel as if you need) something. In November, all you need do is care less, and you will achieve more.

From a surprisingly early age, little children know what they want. Rarely, though, do they know what they need. We watch them, amused by their antics, and forget that adults are similarly inclined. We use long, clever explanations to justify our dubious choices. It is never quite so easy to see through these pretences. There is something you now very much want. November offers no guarantee that you will get it. You may yet, though, find out why you don’t need it. And that may make you very happy!

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

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

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

April 21 - May 21

July 24 - August 23

NOVEMBER 2013

May 22 - June 22

August 24 - September 23

June 23 - July 23

September 24 - October 23

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SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL

CHECK

BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN

Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 Is it really worth reviewing the second installment of the 20/20 Experience album? I can hear Timberlake’s fans shrieking at the suggestion, but worry not as I have reasonably nice things to say about this album.

Launching six months after part one, Timberlake continues on the same path: delivering tracks created with his usual partners in crime, mainly Timbaland and Jerome Harmon, a man who has collaborated with everyone from Cher to Chris Cornell. Justin also follows the same construction blueprint for the songs, although it’s mostly half-bred slow tunes with some

Soul and Blues injected for diversity. True Blood is one of the best songs of the two installments, with a funkier side and a good energy to it- even though nine minutes is stretching it. Drake makes a delightful appearance on Cabaret, a typical Timbaland signature composition, while Take Back the Night brings about a Disco mood (feet stomping can’t be avoided even if you try). If Timberlake had taken the best of the two releases and issued one solid blockbuster album, it would’ve been artistically more consistent, but fans would’ve been cheated of the remaining tracks.

Lorde Pure Heroine Ella Yelish O’Connor (AKA Lorde), a native of New Zealand, was only 16 when she started penning material for her debut album Pure Heroine. Her first single Royals made its way across the global charts and Elton John even used it to set an example for Lady Gaga, suggesting that this is how a good song should sound, instead of the rubbish Gaga has been putting out these days (his words not mine). Often compared to Lana Del Rey in the media because of her youth and the theatrical romantic overtones of her songs, Lorde’s music leans more towards passionate

Goth (feeling, not style) and less towards the Del Rey “glam.” She also sees herself as more of a poet who puts her emotions and feelings into her music, as witnessed in the aforementioned track, but also in Glory and Gore and the antagonistic White Teen Teeth. The scent of rebellious teen anxiety permeates the rest of the album tracks, as if she’s digging into the deepest recesses of her young soul. Like Del Rey, there are many detractors who would rather see her fade away into the musical ether as quickly as possible, but I think that Lorde is here to stay.

Moby Innocents I don’t know if it’s because of his beliefs or his vegan activism, but Moby seemed to have been insular in a way, making very personal albums in the past few yearsmainly 2009’s Wait for Me and 2011’s Destroyed.

2013’s Innocents continues along the same vein, as if part of a trilogy. The album is very intimate with almost all instruments played by Moby himself (you can’t get more intimate than that). His move from the East Coast to the West Coast prior to recording the album hasn’t affected his composing mood, with a slight change of hiring moderately known names to apply some vocals

rather than relatively unknown singers. To my ultimate surprise and delight, Moby has enlisted the talents of two of my favorite vocalists, Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne and Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees and sometimes Queens of the Stone Age. These two and others transform the mid-tempo sounds laid by the Electro/ Alternative man into tales of urban endurances, with hedonism and apathy coexisting in the narrow tunnels of human psyche. This album is best appreciated in the solitary confinement of your home, where your thoughts are free to roam endlessly.

Dizzee Rascal The Fifth Dizzee Rascal seems to have lots of reasons to grin on the cover of his fifth official album, conveniently titled The Fifth. The UK rapper explained in an interview that he had a lot of fun rapping on this album, benefitting from immaculate production, making things shinier and prettier than beforeleading some to argue that the reason behind such sumptuous production is to penetrate the tough US market. A bold move if that’s true, and even though I doubt that Rascal will ever be elevated to the deitylike status of Tupac and Jay Z, his new record is nonetheless quite enjoyable. His fan base probably

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won’t drastically multiply, but the existing ones will happily gobble up Dizzie’s newest musical effort.

The man soldiers on with his distinctive Garage Rap (with a bigger hint of Pop this time around), his British accent full of swag and dominating the tracks peppered with appearances by peers like Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Sean Kingston, will.i.am and even Robbie Williams. All these beautiful people make Superman, the Disco-esque Goin Crazy and the harsh H-Town a delight, and ensure that Rascal maintains his UK standing. As for the US, we’ll just have to wait and see.

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read’em + The Returned Jason Mott

Why you should read this book

weep

BY AMAL CHAABAN

Not all reunions are happy

What would you do if you could have more time with a loved one (or an enemy) who had died? What if they suddenly reappeared in your life decades after they had been lost to you? That is the premise of The Returned, and it works well for Mott. The story opens with people all over the world returning from the dead; to be clear, these are thinking, feeling people, not the mindless zombies we are seeing so much of right now in popular fiction. The story focuses in on a small town in the United States with newsflashes from around the world

interspersed throughout. The reactions of the people in the town vary from hopeful to wary to violent. It is these reactions and the subsequent interactions that make this book so interesting as it really becomes a study in human nature and how we react to the things we can’t explain. The crux of this book (in this writer’s opinion) is not the phenomena of The Returned, it is the reactions of those who have had people returned to them. This is the book to read when you want to explore your own reactions to adversity.

Omens Kelley Armstrong

Why you should read this book

Family isn’t always who you choose

Olivia Taylor Jones leads an enviable life as someone who is the heiress to a great fortune and is in a relationship with a man who is by all accounts a great catch. All of that comes to a screeching halt when she finds out that she was adopted as a child and her biological parents are infamous serial killers. Under siege by a voracious media, she leaves her family home and moves to a small town in the middle of nowhere called Cainsville. At first too preoccupied with her own problems to notice the oddities around town, she soon becomes aware of them as weird things seem to

happen around her. Things only get stranger when she goes to visit her incarcerated biological mother (who insists that she and her husband are innocent) and agrees to have a group that deals with the wronglyconvicted look at their case. This is a very interesting start to a new series written by an author known for strong series novels that never get stale. Armstrong took a huge risk ending her wildly popular Otherworld storyline and it has paid off richly. If she continues with the same strength of voice with this new saga, she’ll have a winner on her hands.

The Silent Wife A.S.A. Harrison Why you should read this book

Silence isn’t always golden

Meet Jodi and Todd, a couple who have been together since their early 20s and who seem to have an idyllic and strong relationship. As a therapist and the owner of successful construction company respectively, Jodi and Todd are enviably positioned in their 40s or so it seems for underneath all of that, Jodi is a mass of neuroses and Todd is a serial philanderer. It is Todd’s philandering that shatters nirvana when he hooks up with a woman 20 years younger and she manipulates him into becoming a father and leaving Jodi. The catch? The other woman is the daughter of his lifelong

friend. The relationships in this book are complex and fraught with things unsaid, be it Jodi and Todd or Todd and his best friend. Todd eventually comes to see that what he had with Jodi is what he craved and the side piece should have stayed that... a side piece. On the other side of it, we see Jodi falling apart as she realizes things are not going to go back to normal. This book is full of sly psychological references that readers who have a background in psychotherapy are going to love.

This is the book to read when your partner is starting to look a little worn around the edges.

I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban

Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb Why you should read this book

The pen is truly mightier than the sword

By now, the story of Malala Yousafzai from the age of 11 forward is known the world over. The years before that shaped this amazing young woman weren’t shrouded in mystery so much as they were left out of the narrative that the West decided to show. This book takes care of that in spades as we are introduced to both her immediate and extended family (replete with interesting people) and given a glimpse into how her love of education was formed. Perhaps more important than even all of that is the imagery she imparts as the Taliban’s ever creeping conservatism starts to take over her area of Pakistan.

The details she provides give a bird’s eye view of just NOVEMBER 2013

how much life truly changed with the emergence of the Taliban (and not for the good). She provides detailed accounts of how the drone wars are pushing people towards ever more radical interpretations of Islam. Easily the most harrowing scene in the book is the day of her shooting, but she doesn’t allow it to take over the narrative. Interestingly, her grandfather is an Imam and the impression transmitted through the pages is that he would not have approved of the rabid ignorance that flows through the Taliban’s veins. Read this when you want an account of how the actions of the few affect the day to day lives of the many. www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 127

SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL

playNICE

BY ADAM VOLK

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

Developer/Publisher Ubisoft Platforms Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, WiiU Being a pirate isn’t all treasure chests, parrots and awesome eye patches. There’s also a reasonably good chance you’ll end up walking the plank, contracting scurvy or getting shot in the head by a Navy SEAL after kidnapping Tom Hanks. Fortunately, you can live out all your piratical fantasies thanks to Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag. An expansion to the latest entry in the popular silent-but-deadly action series, players take on the role of Edward Kenway, a British privateerturned-pirate who commands his very own ship. As a combination of naval combat and land-based battles,

the game offers action and swashbuckling adventure a-plenty. You’ll also get to meet a who’s-who of real world pirates, including Blackbeard and Calico Jack, not to mention the chance to visit historical hotspots like Havana and Kingston. The game also offers plenty of open world freedom, with the ability to explore shadowy jungles, enemy forts and native villages, as well as hunt wild animals and build your very own crew of lovable cutthroats. The end result is a treasure trove of gameplay that’s pretty much guaranteed to make you shake your ill-gotten pirate booty.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Developer Infinity Ward/Treyarch | Publisher Activision Platforms PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One It’s that time of the year again. Yes, millions of video game nerds around the world are about to call in “sick” to work the day after the new Call of Duty game gets released. The latest entry in the shoot-em-up franchise, however, doesn’t deviate much from its familiar formula of big guns and first-person carnage.

Taking place in a near future which has seen the sun set on America, you take on the role of a group of ragtag special forces soldiers known as the Ghosts who are tasked with safeguarding what little remains of Uncle Sam. The story is cheesy Hollywood jingoism

at its finest, with plenty of brainless one-liners and explosive set pieces. Most gamers, however, are probably going to pick up Ghosts for its multiplayer action, and here the game excels with a variety of new game modes and some impressive maps. Call of Duty: Ghosts isn’t exactly the finest example of what video games are capable of, what with its pointless violence, lame story and largely rehashed gameplay formula, but it’s still mostly entertaining and likely to keep gamers butts around the globe firmly plastered to their couch cushions.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

Developer TT Games | Publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Platforms PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One Whether you’re a kid or someone with the maturitylevel of one, chances are you’ll probably dig any of the games in the popular LEGO series. The latest block-filled entry in the blockbuster franchise offers a super powered dose of action taken from the Marvel comic book universe. The game lets you take control of a staggering 150 different “LEGOized” versions of Marvel characters, with comic book nerd favourites like Wolverine and The Hulk mingling with lesser

B-level heroes – each with their own unique powers and abilities. Your goal is to battle villains, solve puzzles, collect LEGO game pieces and explore the world around you. Of course, in typical LEGO game fashion, you can do it alone or get your Avengers on and team up with others of the Earth’s mightiest heroes. The result is a fun, fast, funny and incredibly addictive allages experience that you’ll love, no matter what size of Spider-Man underwear you might be wearing.

PlayStation 4

Developers Sony It’s heeeeeeere. After years of hints, delays, misinformation and press leaks, Sony’s latest video game console has finally hit shelves. So does the next generation console live up to the hype? You bet your dual shock controller it does. Featuring some kick ass hardware and high-powered processors, video games have literally never looked better or played better than they do on the PS4. The system also boasts some new social features, like the ability to share live footage with friends and play games in the cloud. Sony fanboys will also be delighted

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to learn that the PS4 is a bit cheaper than Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox One and has less restrictions when it comes to playing uses games (the Xbox One will likely only let you only register a game to one system). On the flip side, the PlayStation Network requires a subscription to be able to play a multiplayer games and there isn’t a particularly large library of games just yet. Still, as the next generation video game console war begins to heat up, it looks like the PlayStation 4 may very well be the King of the Hill… at least, so far.

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watch out

BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN

Captain Phillips

Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi

| 134 mins | Drama

An adaptation of Captain Richard Phillips’ book A Captain’s Duty, the movie tells the story of the commander (Tom Hanks) of Maersk Alabama, a ship overtaken by Somali pirates during passage along the Horn of Africa.

Over the years, Hollywood has been searching for true stories for the big screen (with creative license) since they attract moviegoers –they could happen to you too- but what’s surprising here is the director’s method of tackling the big issue of social class differences. As we witness the courage of a man trying to protect his

crew against horrible adversity, Paul Greengrass takes us inside the tormented world of those pirates who sometimes adopt a life of crime as an escape from daily misery and despair. The action scenes are kept to the minimum as the focus is more oriented toward the human aspect; two different worlds collide and the subsequent consequences which is applicable on many different sides of our modern day societies. Superb acting from Tom Hanks and a chilling performance from newcomer Barkhad Abdi. A must see.

Machete Kills

| 107 mins | Action Danny Trejo, Mel Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez Let’s make it clear right off the bat: if you didn’t like the first Machete, chances are that won’t change with part two and vice versa. Machete Kills is the second installment of Robert Rodriguez’s tale of a violent antihero that plays by his own rules with little regard for the authorities. Danny Trejo (Machete) is asked by the President of the United States himself to help out on a mission to track down a Mexican drug lord who has stolen a missile and is threatening to use it against the US. A silly plot? That’s the point of this tribute to old Grind House movies of the 70s and 80s that Rodriguez and his never-too-far-away colleague Tarantino grew

Enough Said

up watching and appreciating. Something quite rare in the movie biz, the sequel is surprisingly superior to the first installment- action scenes are more meticulous, the sequences are more clever and the cheap special effects more enjoyable despite a small budget. A group of big names asked to collaborate on this movie, but only a few were chosen including Mel Gibson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michelle Rodriguez and Sofia Vergaraactors that understand the good fun and silliness of the film and the importance of not taking oneself too seriously. An enjoyable film, although I wouldn’t recommend it to your grandma.

| 93 mins | Romantic Comedy

James Gandolfini, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Toni Colette The main reason I wanted to review this movie was to pay homage to the great James Gandolfini who departed abruptly last June after suffering a heart attack.

Although best known for his Mafiosi role in The Sopranos, Gandolfini appeared in numerous movies and Enough Said is the first one to be released posthumously. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (of Seinfeld fame) plays the role of Eva, a divorced masseuse with a college-ready daughter, who meets good-humored divorcee Albert (Gandolfini) at a party. Things being what they are, a love interest grows between these two marriage-scarred adults. Things

are great initially, but Eva becomes friends with a poet who continually bitches about her ex, which turns out to be none other than Albert. Throughout the film we’re immersed (in parallel to the main plot), into the inner lives of the two characters’ daily quirks and insecurities as well as their pleasures and habits, illustrating the reason why each one wasn’t able to maintain their respective marriages in addition to what they’re looking for in a new partner. Dreyfus and Gandolfini match perfectly onscreen as actors- you need to see for yourself if they’ll remain in blissful coupledom at the end.

Romeo and Juliet |

118 mins | Romantic Drama Hailee Steinfeld, Paul Giamatti, Stellan Skarsgard When a friend suggested that I review this new Romeo and Juliet movie, I was reluctant at first- what new perspective could be offered in this rehashed William Shakespeare story? Some surprises in the cast and direction angle convinced me go ahead with it. Main characters Romeo and Juliet are given a fresh look by youngsters Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth, but the cherry on the top is the presence of Paul Giamatti and Stellan Skarsgard, two of the greatest actors alive (in my humble opinion) who help the two youths carry the movie. The second novelty in this version is the script by screenwriter Julian Fellowes who combines NOVEMBER 2013

passages from the original text with a more mainstream dialogue, which surprisingly works well and keeps you interested in the events without losing the sometime overwhelming Shakespearean prose. It’s obvious that production was developed to be more appealing to a young crowd (usually dubious towards any heavy work of the genre). That said, tradition has been also preserved so as not to estrange the puritans with the director finding a middle ground pleasing to both sides. In a sense, this is far removed from Zeffirelli’s 60s adaptation masterpiece, but you can get a new perspective from this newest version. www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G | 129

NEW + NOW

TAKE NOTE! Samsung Electronics, the global leader in digital technologies and digital convergence, and Cherfane Tawil & Co. (CTC) Samsung’s official distributor in Lebanon announced the launch of GALAXY Note 3 and its first smart watch GALAXY Gear in Lebanon. The new Samsung GALAXY Note 3 infuses innovative features to everyday tasks, presenting a larger and clearer screen for the best viewing experience and better multitasking features, in addition to a significant improvement on the S Pen. Launching alongside the GALAXY Note 3 and working in synergy with other GALAXY devices, the Samsung GALAXY Gear combines smart device connectivity, tailored technological features, and stylish design as a single premium accessory. CEO of Cherfane Tawil & Co Mr. Eddy Cherfan said that, “The Lebanese market proved its willingness to absorb new technologies and innovations launched by Samsung Electronics. As the Note Series smartphones affirmed its success and uniqueness in the field of large size mobile phones, which suit different segments varying from businessmen, engineers, students and many others.” Samsung GALAXY Note 3 features a wider (5.7inch) full HD Super AMOLED display, yet slimmer (8.3mm) and lighter (168g) hardware design, and more powerful and longer lasting (3,200mAh) battery. Also, equipped with a 13 megapixel rear camera with Smart Stabilization and high CRI LED flash. Samsung GALAXY Note 3 will be available in Jet Black, Classic White and Blush Pink.

STYLE OVERHAUL The fashion-clothing label BCBGMAXAZRIA celebrated the reopening of its flagship store in Downtown through an event held on August 27th that gathered guests from fashion, society, culture and media. The event featured a presentation of the Fall 2013 collection inspired by empowered women who walk the line between fashion-forward and professional looks, bringing everything from relaxed, sport-chic separates to sharp, tailored suiting, mixing impactful prints and textures throughout. The remodeled store offers a unique shopping experience to every woman looking for glamour, elegance and femininity.

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