Egypt: a conversation with my father

I had a conversation with my father a little while ago about Egypt. We often have these sorts of conversations when big things go on in the world. We are both only partially informed, and there is a lot of speculation, but I always find it interesting.


I asked my father how long he was in Egypt. "I was there three months. Some of the time in Aswan, working on an irrigation project at the Aswan Dam, and some time in Cairo. That was 50 years ago. The population of Cairo was 5 million or so at the time I think."


I asked him what he thought about what is going on in Egypt.


"I feel a little bit sorry for Mubarak. He has worked his whole life for Egypt." I talked about one of the blogs I have been reading, and how it sounded like the older generation has more sympathy for Mubarak, but the younger generation doesn't. I said " It is like the older generation can look with perspective, but the younger generation have simply had enough. They have lived with emergency law all their lives, they are educated and underemployed, they want opportunities. They have waited patiently all their lives, and they have had enough. 
They have no space in their minds rational analysis, they are emotional and fed up."


We talked about what might be an option to move forward. I said "I think Mubarak should resign, but he should resign with some period of notice, and that they should lay out a plan for how a transition would take place, and have independant representatives vetting and monitoring that 'exit and transition'. Maybe they should be monitors from other middle east countries, and from figures that different sides trust." We agreed that there must be a way out of the gridlock, and that it must happen soon or it will get much worse.


I asked him whether he thought Mubarak has all his marbles still. " I think he does, but he is under an immense amount of pressure. We don't know what those with money are doing to influence and pressure him." I said that there is also a good chance that he is a bit emotional about it, and is not as able to think as clearly about it as he needs to. It is hard to let go of something you worked for your whole life."


My father said that he was worried about the rest of the middle east, and said he didn't think it would be a safe place to go for quite a while, after Tunisia, it is now Yemen, and Jordan, and now Algeria also demonstrating. He said " What I don't understand is what is happening in Iran? With things going off all over the middle east, when is Iran going to start? Maybe they are just waiting to see what happens?"

Obviously neither of us has any answers, but there is no one else I can have these conversations with. Sure there are others interested, but no one else who has both a personal connection to the region but is also willing to talk and discuss it.

Inchallah things get better.

Tahrir square/ Tianamen Square?

Opshoperama : on op-shopping

I used to think I was terrible at Op-shopping, that's thrift store thrifting for those of you who need the translation, flea market marketing...you get the idea. My first ever op-shop buy was a very long wrap-around tie-died hippy skirt. That was probably my first and last clothing purchase from an op-shop. I am just not good at it. My friends excel at it, to the point where one girlfriend manages a designer wardrobe (and we are talking heavy duty labels here) on her $10 op-shop budget. Amazing. I stand in awe, and fail miserably beside her. There is something about the jam packed musty all in together nature of the way they display the clothing that completely defeats me. So, no more op-shop clothes shopping.

I am starting to think  however, that I am developing an eye for other finds in the op -shop. As part of my wedding duties for myself (the fiancee has the big jobs - food, alcholol & music) finding the bits and pieces that set the scene at the venue and reception are high on the priority list.

 I think that I'm doing ok out of it.  These little beauties cost me $2, $3, $2, and $5 respectively. I have set myself a $2-$5 budget for the cristal decanters and am doing splendidly. These two are by far the best of the collection, but I now have thirty odd for the wedding. That's half way there with 6 months to go. I had better get a wriggle on.

Meanwhile, the frames! The below picture is actually kind of nice I think, for an amateurish painting. The frame is great too, and I am going to insert either a blow up of Matt& I from the engagement shoot, or the inevitable chalk board ( I know, none of this is particularly original, all the ideas are stolen, but who cares!
It will look good, and will feel welcoming).

I do plan to keep the painting though. I am sure I can find a home for it somewhere in this house, somewhere should work.

And then there is this frame which didn't come with the etching. That's mine.  It's the first one I ever did, and hopefully not the last. But back to the frame. Fabulousness. I love that it has that classic feel about it. I reckon I've done well here, especially when you consider that is a $3 purchase.

So, this morning, on that inspired note, with my free 'RDO' day stretching out before me, it is off to the oppie. The op-shop, for some more crystal decanter and frame hunting! Wish me luck!!!