welcome back . . .

I was just flying back from Amman to Washington DC on United Airlines, sitting at an aisle seat. As I looked to my left diagonally across the aisle, I saw four UA screens playing the same film, Sex in the City (2). (read reviews here, here, and here, though they don't all do justice to it--if you have other piercing reviews, please post them in the comments section. Watch the trailer here). I looked to the lady sitting to my right, and she's reading a book, which seemed to relate to the "Middle East," judging by the "art" atop one of the first pages of a chapter. It was refreshing that a book about the region is being read, nearly 500 pages. When she put the book down, i saw the title Leap of Faith by Queen Noor. As I was walking back to the restroom, pondering the work that lies ahead, by way of the additional unlearning that must be encouraged--heading back to the States and all--I glanced at another passenger hoisting their shiny iPad which revealed the beginning of a movie. on my way back from the sardine-room, i glanced at that same passenger's screen to see what the film might be, right as the title popped up: Eat, Pray, Love (see review). Jesus f. Christ in heaven.

 . . .  لا حول و لا قوة