Starbucks CIO

Yesterday, LAU gave it's students the privilege to interview Mr. Gillet  online.

Mr. Gillet is the CIO "Chief Information Officer" for Starbucks, and happens to be Lebanese. I thought that was quite cool, its ironic that a top level exec in a Zionist enterprise is an Arab and a Jallad. Yes the family name Gillet is originally Jallad, which makes more sense, him being a Lebanese and all...

Any how, I honestly enjoyed reading the conversation despite the geeky technical computer language which I understood non of.

But the fact which I liked the most about him is being a gamer. I feel its like an F. U. to all the mediocre people who say that games are an utter waist of time!

Journalism Meh

On Monday the 17th of October, we were asked to audit a journalism course which should have been interesting because we were about to experience long distance learning with one of the leading journalists in the world, and he lived in the UK !

The experience was not interesting but the course instructor was, well at least her looks were interesting... A veiled university instructor with facial piercings was not something you see every day.

Back to distance learning, well, it appeared to me like a regular Skype conversation with a middle aged man that was just listening to ideas from university students that are trying too hard...

Conclusion: the experience was Meh, and for those of you that do not know what Meh means, Meh means I could have done without it because it was so uninspiring and lame ...

Lebanese Blogs: The Good, The Bad, The Average

Image Source: http://www.pangeic.com/images/Shakespeare-Hamlet-To-Blog-Or-Not-To-Blog.jpg


Blog Baladi

The Good

The Good: Rich in Topics
The Bad: Tacky Layout

What attracts my attention about Blog Baladi is the quantity of different topics it tackles, and they still manage to keep the topics relevant to the Lebanese society and up to date.

Another aspect which I liked about it, is that most of the posts are funny as hell and boldly stated. Oh and before I forget, they also agree that LB Beer tastes like beer Tang, so not only are they funny, they also know what to drink!

What I do not like about the blog is use of the ripped cardboard which complements, well, their name. However, I would have found it more interesting if they used a more modern layout design, it would have created more contrast between the content and the name.

All in all, I really like this blog ...

 Half Eaten Man2ouche

The Average

The Good: Interesting Title
The Bad: Retro Calendar on Side Bar

I guess whomever did this blog was really bored out of his/her mind, how else would someone think about naming something a half eaten man2ouche? However, it is a strategy that works and the proof is that I am talking about the blog now.

On another note, why is there a calendar on the side bar? When I see it in a blog or a site for that matter, I am reminded of Quintin Tarantino's movie "Pulp Fiction"... God it's so retro!

Topics are decent, there are some that are interesting and that are not, either way, you are compelled to check it out, due to the name.

All in all, its Ok


Beirut Drive-By Shooting

The Good

The Good: Lots of Pictures
The Bad: Posts are not labeled

Having a lot of pictures in your blog is a good thing and it works. People would rather check out pictures than reading long posts like this one.

I really like how most of the comments on the ads are spot on, they can't be expressed any better...

However, despite me liking this blog, I really did not like how the posts are not labeled because it has a lot of ads that are different, so people might want to see what's going on or what went on in a specific industry, but they can't ...

All in all, I like it, but please label your posts

Beirut Daily Photo

The Bad

The Good: Nice pictures
The Bad: It's not daily !

What I like about this blog is that it's well organize, although it can be more organized, but still, it Ok

However, what's monumentally annoying is that the title is Beirut Daily Photo and there hasn't been a post since December 2008. It would have been better if they called it Beirut Yearly Photo and spread the existing photos over a decade!

Also, a lot of the photos posted are not taken in Beirut, and the subtitle says "daily photos from BEIRUT .. a way to visit LEBANON where ever u r". So a more proper name for the blog would be Lebanon Daily Photo, that is if it was actually daily.

All in all, I think there's a long way to go in order to make up for the photos not posted

Beirut Beauty... "There Are No Ugly Women... Just Lazy Ones" 

 The Bad

The Good: Nothing
The Bad: Very Random, pointless

To start with, the title of the blog is very sexist and I am a guy who is not that fond of feminists. It's too misogynistic... However, I might be able to relate to what this blogger is trying to say it the content was any relevant, it's not!

You can find a multitude of topics in that blog which are totally unrelated, making this blog a total mumble jumble of crap...

All in all, please deactivate the blog !

Conference: Healing the Wounds of History: Addressing the Roots of Violence

November 11–13, 2011

Lebanese American University

Byblos campus

This conference is proposed jointly by the Centre for Lebanese Studies (CLS) at the University of Oxford and the Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace (GHFP), in partnership with the Institute of Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation (IDCT) at the Lebanese American University (LAU). It will be hosted by LAU at its Byblos campus. The main aim is to explore the socio-psychological and deeper roots of violence in present-day Lebanon, and to identify new modalities in reconciliation and dialogue, between both individuals and groups.

Visit: http://www.healingwoundsofhistory.org

Vinifest 2011

All wine lovers, fun and culture are invited to share moments of celebration in the Beirut hippodrome from 5 to 8 October, 2011.


Over the years, the event remains true to its reputation by presenting excellent vintages and a wide variety of wines.

Placed under the theme “Heritage and Wines from Lebanon”, VINIFEST invites you to discover the variety of grapes grown or specific to the Lebanese terroirs.
The rich history of Lebanese wine will be enhanced through various exhibitions and screenings during the festival.

This event grants Lebanon its real value by placing it as a major producer of wine. It promotes the cultural heritage of Lebanon by encouraging the promotion of wine, economy and agriculture of the country.

Around the glass of the friendship offered by wineries, restaurants, exhibition stands and tasting will be meeting with cultural and musical activities.

Objectives of the festival
Attract the public to come and discover the various sides of vine and wine.
Initiate people of all categories to appreciate wine as a healthy spirit.
Develop the notoriety of the terroir wine and the local productions.
Promote the image of wine and reinforce its positioning.
Share moments of conviviality with the wine professionals.
Promote Lebanese industry.
Promote the country”s economy and agriculture.
Highlight all the quality products that blend with the elegance and refinement of the wine.
For more info: 01-28085 | 03-260986
Ticket Solo: 15000 L.L.
Ticket Duo: 25000 L.L.

Tickets available in all branches of the library Antoine