We’ve all had that friend – the one who wouldn’t enter a restaurant unless she was present. And if somehow he/she were coerced into entering a place where she doesn’t exist, he/she would make your evening unbearable. He/She’s simply “hook”ed.
This meme has been submitted by Agnes.
Anyone else wondering what those Italian restaurants that offer hookah with your pizza will do when the smoking ban is enforced?
Seeing as the launch of Pottermore has been delayed and there’s still a lot of interest in how to register, I figured I’d show people what the Pottermore experience comprises – or at least part of it.
Once you log into your pottermore account, you are greeted by a welcome page.
This welcome page then takes you to your gateway, from which you will have full control over your account, as features get added the more you progress into the story.
Then you start your Pottermore journey via chapter one of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone. The chapter is retold in a new interactive way to make it interesting for those who have read the books.
As the story moves on, you will receive your letter and be taken to Diagon Alley, with an extensive shopping list (including a wand):
Once your wand has been selected, you will be taken to Hogwarts to be sorted. The sorting consists of a series of questions with a variable number of answers. The questions will vary from one user to another and I have decided not to include the questions I was asked.
Ravenclaw pride!
The most interesting part about Pottermore is undoubtedly the new material sprinkled here and there by J.K. Rowling. Here’s a taste of what awaits you:
These are probably the least interesting new material in Pottermore. There’s a whole backstory on Minerva McGonagall, a very fascinating read to say the least.
On the overall, if you are a Harry Potter fan, you will have fun exploring Pottermore. You will also be able to brew potions, compete against other players in duels, thereby gaining (or losing) housepoints, as you help your house win the house cup.
The site needs fixing here and there, notably the addition of music, but on the overall it’s a very interesting experience. You won’t get off your computer until you’ve finished whatever book you were in – it’s a fast process to get through chapters and the new material is easy to find.
Until Pottermore becomes available for everyone, I hope this has satisfied your craving, somewhat.
Edit: Many pictures were removed upon request.
Egyptian football teams have taken their rivalry to a whole new level. In fact, this level that Egyptian football and sports has reached is probably new to mankind. Give it to the Egyptians, still breaking boundaries 4000 years later.
Except unlike the pyramids and other monuments the Egyptians can be proud of, this is something that is of such a magnitude you’d think it’s straight out of a horror movie.
Soon after Egyptian football team Al-Masry won over Al-Ahly (for the record, I had never heard of the former and only heard of the latter because of its constant rivalry with Al Zamalek), the supporters of the former invaded the stadium in celebrations. The fireworks they fired led to a massive fire.
Police were nowhere to be found – probably still busy checking women’s hymens in Tahrir. As a result, over 73 people died because of a football game. Some had been found with stab wounds, obviously murdered.
I am a fan of football but this is not football. This is not sports, this is not something you can politically explain, as some people had suggested as it being a remnant of the former Mubarak regime because, simply put, this will not change the dismal state of politics Egypt has gotten itself into. This is not something you can really describe and find any words to without sounding absolutely cliche.
I’m not sure what measures the current Egyptian authorities will undertake. But if it were me, I’d suspend the whole football premiere league, enforce sanctions on both teams and start hording people left and right in jail.
73 people dead…. One can simply summarize this in one phrase. Football excitement level: Egyptian.
The following actually happened. It’s straight out of a soap opera and it’s simply hilarious. It’s also very sad. In short, this picture is the life of two German couples – or six months of it:
At least this is more interesting than many movies churned out by Hollywood. Also, 72 times… that’s some dedication for someone who’s not enjoying it, don’t you think?
Well, what do you know, this little blog has turned one today. The appropriate thing would be to wish it happy birthday, no? I guess my Beirut outing later tonight will serve as a double purpose then.
I am actually proud of what A Separate State of Mind (Facebook page) came to be. I remember wanting to get 10,000 hits to feel like I’ve accomplished something. And now, one year later, I have over 300,000 hits and 3200 comments to top it off. Bloggers who tell you they don’t care about reception are liars. You need to feel there’s an audience for you out there – that people want to know what you have to say. And I’ve felt that throughout this past year. This blog has become my medium to communicate my ideas and thoughts. And there’s always someone’s reading and listening. It makes you feel good.
Throughout this year, I’ve had help from many people. Very good friends have helped me many times with posts, especially when it comes to sensitive subjects where I tend to tell it like it is, without being very diplomatic. So thank you awesome people. You know who you are.
For all matters and purposes, I think it’s been a good, successful year. Thank you for those who stuck with my long posts, my rants, my country music reviews, my political posts with which they don’t agree. Thank you for those who read everything, regardless of length or anger or music genre or political opinion.
Here’s hoping 2012 turns out just as good, if not better. 
A Separate State of Mind | A Blog by Elie Fares 