born a girl: Hometown Baghdad

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Hometown Baghdad

This is a side of Iraq we don't see on the news. It's a blog and series of videos about a group of 20-somethings surviving in Baghdad. Check it out at hometownbaghdad.com Here's one of the videos...

2 comments:

Logophile said...: Oh wow, Balou, Im so glad you posted this. I feel for them, oh man, can you imagine?; 4/01/2007 9:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Balou: Thanks for posting this. It is (relatively) easy to forget what war does to the lives of people when we are "safe" and comfortable in our own homes.

This video is just so completely... tragic. And real. And brave. And I wonder how we (human race) can keep inflicting this horror on each other and our collective pysches?

And approve of it, or be apathetic about it, or anything other than deeply and overwhelmingly disturbed by it...; 4/02/2007 11:25 AM

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Desiderata
written by Max Ehrmann, 1927

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.