#amira zafar

[holbyfess]

[holbyconfessional]

Holby City S21 E11 & 12 - A Simple Lie - Parts 1 & 2

So, since scheduling pushed these two episodes to consecutive days, and since they’re essentially one story, it seemed practical and convenient to put them together here (not to mention the fact that I’m a week late!)

So, Holly.  I am so, so grateful that they finally let her have some peace.  Whilst I have every sympathy for the family dealing with an unimaginable situation, to carry on with nothing but false hope and fake promises was painful.

That it should be set against the backdrop of Ric, and Kofi and Darla’s religious beliefs was well timed.

The Frieda and Zosia relationship was interesting, I had forgotten that Frieda had been ‘in love with’ Ollie, I thought initially it was to do with Elliot or something!  But I am glad they found their detente, Zosia might not be around for long, but I do like her and I want to enjoy her time there.  (Still think Ollie could be the father of her baby though).

The appearance of Chloe’s ex was... curious.  So, he’s heading in permanently, right?  I’m not sure where he’s going to fit in, to be honest.  Certainly didn’t feel any chemistry there.

Donna and Xavier’s mum.  Well, Xav’s mum is deliciously conniving, isn’t she?!  The question is, can she do it?  Can she split them up?  I am fine either way - I like to see conniving people get stamped down, but then I’m fine if Xav and Donna split too, so I guess I’ll just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Theo’s disappearance was the oddest storyline ever.  I mean, I get highlighting the problems with the protesters, and I get why you might want to throw in a misdirect, but something as random as bringing Amira back for a single episode just to have made her the kidnapper seemed frankly pretty nonsensical.  Ah, well, someone somewhere clearly thought it was a good idea.  Have to admit, that this entire storyline didn’t really grip me, although I did enjoy seeing a hint of the Jac and Fletch dynamic.  (Speaking of - I am really NOT enjoying the potential Flange set up.  I do NOT see Fletch and Ange together under ANY circumstances!!!)

[madam-wakefield]

Way to go Amira!

[srbachchan]

DAY 3401

Jalsa, Mumbai                 July 20,  2017                Thu 11:52 PM

Birthday - EF - Sunanda Pandey .. Amira, Egypt .. Shiv AB Ef .. Friday July 21,  2017 .. be the birthdays of these wonderful Ef .. all so prominent and loved .. Amira from Egypt, who has been a constant from the 1990-91 visit of mine to Cairo .. Shiv from Assam .. and Sunanda with great art work she sends ..  

Another dear family friend leaves us .. a student of my Father, a writer and litterateur himself, a learned individual that worked with my Father on many of the publications and the proof readings, and was lately working with me on the poems that he and I were collaborating on for translations to be done .. so sudden and disturbing .. one by one they all go .. some of the last to have been close to the family and my Father in particular .. a entire wealth of information and detailing of the works of my Father, gone with his demise .. where do I go now ?

And age and time keep telling us the years gone by .. and suddenly on something quite obtuse, you are in realisation of it .. a property on set is being used for the scene that I enact and I am in shock to learn that no one on set, knew of how to operate it, or whether they had ever used one of them ..

Its the record player of yore, the gramophone player, that played vinyl records through that arm carrying the needle which when placed on the record started to play .. after winding the spring inside the machine .. so fascinating .. yet, no one on set had ever used one, let alone heard of its presence ..

Suddenly reminded me of what age I was and what age I was living in .. 

Here it is :

And every time I look at one of these - incidentally they are coming back into fashion again ; a record company presented me with one and several vinyl records of the times of old - I am reminded of the one we had .. rather my Mother had .. and one that she had brought along with her when she married my Father .. in fact as far as I remember, that was all that she brought across from her very affluent Sikh home in erstwhile Punjab and Lahore, now Pakistan, to my Father’s modest home after marriage. It was the same mechanism, but a larger body .. almost the height of say about 4 feet from the ground, had the winding system and the needle to play the records .. many a moment has been spent by me with it throughout my early years as it travelled from Lahore to Allahabad, to Delhi in our homes .. it was quite a sizeable package .. and all the popular film songs my Mother, an enthusiast, would get and we would listen to .. one particular record of a famous ghazal written by one of the last Moghul Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar .. .”Lagta nahin hai dil mera ....do gaz zameen bhi na mili, kuun-e-yaar mein “ .. ‘लगता नहीं है दिल मेरा  ... दो गज़ ज़मीन भी ना मिली, कूँ -ए- यार में  ‘ still rings in my ears .. that and Tchaikovskys ‘Swan Lake’ .. incredible composition  ..

My Father found it a distraction from my studies and was very strict about its usage, but when he was away I would stealthily use it, to my Mother’s great amusement .. !!

Oh .. !!! and the most loved by me another number ..’the Portuguese Washer Woman’ .. what music it had .. I would dance to it in my room all by myself, imagining a partner with me .. hehehahaah .. those were such fun and innocent days .. the song was the inspiration for a Shammi Kapoor ji song in one of his earlier movies ..

And there was one other record that my Mother always played .. i can remember the tune but not the words or the history of it  .. aaahhh ... it just slips my mind all this .. there was a time when I could remember all and more .. age is such a pacifier .. !!!

I watch as I undergo my routine workout and gym physio, the channel that plays all the songs from all the films in operation now .. and I am so impressed to see the dance and the music and the choreography and the locations .. and all these young fresh and bright faces of this generation of artists .. and I lament the fact that I would never be able to be a a part of this .. this fanfare, these great presentations, those movements and the handsome and pretty ladies and men .. those years of the past are past .. now its 102 years of being not out .. and the prosthetics and grey and white hair and beards and stooped walk and false teeth and slow and measured steps and speech .. and characters that shall eventually either perish or be overcome by the young other .. I love what the new generation does, how they do and love the energy and exuberance they display ... and sit back and wonder .. !!

Love good night 

Amitabh Bachchan

[strike-back-now-info]

I THINK ILL POST THIS ONCE A DAY, EVERY DAY, UNTIL NOV. 6, 2020.

HERE GOES: This is how many muslums serve in public office

HANG ON TO YOUR SEATS!!!

Rashida Tlaib (D) MI 13th Congressional District WON

Keith Ellison (D) MN Attorney General WON

Ilhan Omar (D) MN 5th Congressional District WON

Andre Carson (D) IN 7th Congressional District WON

State-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sheikh Rahman (D) GA State Senate District 5 WON

Safiya Wazir (D) NH State House Merrimack 17 District WON

Robert Jackson (D) NY State Senate District 31 WON

Nasif Majeed (D) NC State House District 99 WON

Mujtaba Mohammed (D) NC State Senate District 38 WON

Mohamud Noor (D) MN State House District 60B WON

Jason Dawkins (D) PA State House District 179 WON

Hodan Hassan (D) MN State House District 62A WON

Charles Fall (D) NY State House District 61 WON

Ako Abdul-Samad (D) IA State House District 35 WON

Aboul Khan (R) NH State House Rockingham 20 District WON

Abdullah Hammoud (D) MI State House District 15 WON

Abbas Akhil (D) NM State House District 20 WON

County--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sam Baydoun (D) MI Wayne County Commission District 13 WON

Sadia Gul Covert (D) IL Dupage County Board District 5 WON

Sabina Taj MD Howard County Board of Education WON

Mohammad Ramadan NJ Passaic County Board of Education WON

Cheryl Sudduth CA West County Wastewater District Director WON

Babur Lateef VA Prince William County School Board WON

Assad Akhter (D) NJ Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders WON

Abdul “Al” Haidous (D) MI Wayne County Commission District 11 WON

Municipal---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Salman Bhojani TX Euless City Council Place 6 WON*

Dawn Haynes NJ Newark Public Schools School Board WON*

Yasir Khogali MI City of Plymouth District Library Board WON

Mohamed Khairullah NJ Prospect Park Mayor WON

Mohamed Al-Hamdani OH Dayton Public Schools Board of Education WON

Mo Seifeldein VA Alexandria City Council WON

Maimona Afzal Berta CA Franklin-McKinley School Board WON

Jihan Aiyash MI Hamtramck Public School Board WON

Javed Ellahie CA Monte Sereno City Council WON

Hazim Yassin NJ Red Bank City Council WON

Haseeb Javed VA Manassas Park City Council WON

Farrah Khan CA Irvine City Council WON

Ali Taj CA Artesia City Council WON

Alaa Matari NJ Prospect Park Borough Council WON

Alaa “Al” Abdel-Aziz NJ Paterson City Council Ward 6 WON

Aisha Wahab CA Hayward City Council WON

Ahmad Zahra CA Fullerton City Council District 5 WON

Salim Patel NJ Passaic City Council WIN

Sabina Zafar CA San Ramon City Council WIN

Judiciary-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shahabuddeen Ally NYC Civil Court, NY County WON

Sam Salamey MI District Courts, District 19 WON

Rabeea Collier TX District Courts, 113th District WON

Halim Dhanidina CA Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Three WON

George Abdallah Jr. CA Superior Court of San Joaquin County, Office 12 WON

In breaking these down by state, Deplorable Kel formulated a list.

California

Cheryl Sudduth – West County Wastewater District Director

George Abdallah Jr. – Superior Court of San Joaquin County, Office 12

Halim Dhanidina – Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Three

Maimona Afzal Berta – Franklin-McKinley Board of Education

Javed Ellahie – Monte Sereno City Council

Al Jabbar – Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees

Ahmad Zahra – Fullerton City Council District 5

Aisha Wahab – Hayward City Council

Ali Taj – Artesia City Council

Farrah Khan – Irvine City Council

Sabina Zafar – San Ramon City Council

Florida

Amira Dajani Fox (R) – State Attorney

Georgia

Sheikh Rahman (D) – State Senate District 5

Illinois

Sadia Gul Covert (D) – Dupage County Board District 5

Indiana

Andre Carson (D) – 7th Congressional District

Iowa

Ako Abdul-Samad (D) – State House District 35

Maryland

Sabina Taj – Howard County Board of Education

Michigan

Rashida Tlaib (D) – 13th Congressional District

Abdullah Hammoud (D) – State House District 15

Abdul “Al” Haidous (D) – Wayne County Commission District 11

Sam Baydoun (D) – Wayne County Commission District 13

Adel A. Harb – Wayne County Circuit Court

Sam Salamey – District Courts, District 19

Minnesota

Ilhan Omar (D) – 5th Congressional District

Keith Ellison (D) – Attorney General

Hodan Hassan (D) – State House District 62A

Mohamud Noor (D) – State House District 60B

Siad Ali (D) – District 3 member of the Minneapolis Board of Education

New Hampshire

Aboul Khan (R) – State House Rockingham 20 District

Safiya Wazir (D) – State House Merrimack 17 District

New Jersey

Assad Akhter (D) – Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Alaa “Al” Abdel-Aziz – Paterson City Council Ward 6

Mohammad Ramadan – Passaic County Board of Education

Alaa Matar

HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW????!!

[autumn-elwood]

The Reunion

Sorry, this is late.  April was crazy.

Also available on: Blogger

Kain couldn’t help but feel bored for some odd reason. He honestly shouldn’t be feeling bored with the number of adventures Cyrus and himself had been on together since they took up the pseudonyms, Castor and Pollux, and joining the cavern of Hermes.

They had made tons of new friends in Eris, Apollo, Thanatos, and Persephone. They had raided a slave auction and dug up objects and tomes from the buried pre-rest buildings in the dunes of the Estival Desert. They had even met up with Lady Alma to make sure she was getting on alright, for crying out loud. Kain was safe from Lord Zafar. Cyrus was safe from Lord Zafar. They got to transcribe books and sell them in Apple-polish market.

Why was he so bored?!

“Um… Are there any titles you would recommend?” a familiar voice queried.

He looked up to see a man with short blond hair and a scruffy beard. He looked familiar too. Had he met this man before?

“Oliver Twist’s pretty―,” he began before cutting himself off, the man’s identity becoming shockingly clear.

“You bastard,” Kain growled, eyes filled with rage.

The bastard blinked in surprise, unsure of how to respond to Kain’s sudden insult.

“Pollux,” he heard Cyrus say with a sharp a sharp warning before making apologies to the customer.

Kain clenched his fists, his anger rising even higher after realizing Cyrus didn’t recognize the bastard in front of them. And even worse, the no good lying son of a bitch didn’t recognize them either. Kain threw a hand in front of his brother in a clear sign for the younger boy to be quiet. Cyrus’ voice faded off and he stared at his brother nervously, wondering what Kain was going to say.

“How dare you show your face here in front of me after what you did!” Kain sneered.

The man looked flustered as he glanced around the market at the stares they were attracting. “Sir, I believe you have the wrong―”

Kain slammed his hands on the front of the stall, cutting the man off.

“How dare you show your face after you abandoned your wife and children to the mercy of Lord Zafar!” he screamed, a mixture of hysteria and anger coloring his words

Cyrus gasped as the meaning of those words sunk in.

“Kain,” the man proclaimed in shock.

Kain slugged him straight in the nose.

Sick satisfaction filled him as the bastard stumbled back and landed on his ass. The bastard let out a short “fuck”. Cyrus stiffened and let out a squawk like he wanted to shout “language!” but didn’t because he wasn’t sure if it was appropriate.

“Pollux, Castor, what’s going on?” asked the hurried and stern voice of Captain Hephaestus. His coat was rumpled like he had just woke up and the goggles on his head were crooked. His were slightly frantic with concern. Were the boys in danger? Had Zafar’s men come for his boys?

Cyrus let out some sporadic unintelligible attempts of explanation before settling with staring at his… father. The father he hadn’t seen for years. The father he hadn’t seen since before his mother died. The father whose face was a blur and decaying photos hidden in the fabric of their suitcase. The father he could hardly remember. He couldn’t believe it: what were the odds that they would run into their father at the stall they were working at, in a town about 60 miles from Zafar’s manor. It seemed so improbable that it was impossible, yet here we are. Talk about a shock you never thought you’d receive. He would be less surprised if his mother rose from the grave to tell him he was pregnant.

He desperately wanted to hug the man. He wanted to run away into the desert and be buried in the sand. He wanted to cry. He wanted to ask him why he had never come back for them. But above all that, Cyrus just wanted to throw up.

“Just an unruly customer,” rumbled Kain’s muffled voice.

“Do you really expect me to believe that, Pollux? You just decked a customer…”

Cyrus stumbled toward the fallen figure. His… father looked up at him. Confusion, embarrassment, and fear were held captive in his eyes but there was no recognition. He didn't recognize Cyrus. He didn't recognize Kain. Cyrus’ vision began to blur and a hot flame consumed his chest.

A series of “I hate you" ‘s forced themselves through his lips. His throat felt tight like he couldn't breathe.

Cries of “Castor" echoed in his ears. A glint of gold light grabbed his shoulder. He flinched away. Gold bracelet- it’s only Athena, he thought in panic. She backed off and started humming in his ear, a surprisingly gentle thing for the stoic assassin. Persephone’s green hair flashed in his peripherals as she wrapped him in a hug. His low moan of “no" and the burning arms disappeared.

Eris was nowhere in sight. Perhaps she was behind them in her dark scarves, twisting her hands together nervously, unsure of what to do. That was for the best in this instance.

A confused and angry murmur rose from the voices of Captain Hephaestus, Apollo, Thanatos, and Kain. His family.

“Why did you leave us?” He wailed quietly.

Kain pushed past Hephaestus and began yelling at their father anew. The Captain wrapped his arms around his brother, barely stopping him from grabbing their father by his clothes and shaking him down.

“Answer him you piece of garbage or so help me I’ll cut off your genitals and feed them to a lion you absolute fuck beaver!”

“Why!” Cyrus asked firmly, trying to pull himself together.

Tears began streaming from the man’s golden eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I came back but As far told me you had all died… That he had killed you. I’m sorry… Please, where is your mother? Where is Amira?”

He looked so pathetic that it tore at Cyrus’ guts. He wanted to say it was okay but… the explanation felt hollow and tasted like spoiled milk on his tongue.

“Liar!” Kain shrieked. “You left us and never once looked back. Mom died and you weren't there. I lost my leg and you weren't there. Cyrus almost died and is permanently scarred all over his body and you weren't there. When we needed you there, you weren't, you were just gone and you don't get to say you're sorry and say you thought us dead, like that'll fix anything.”

“Kain… I’m–"

“No. No more ‘I'm sorry.’ Pick a book, buy it, and get out of here. We don't need you anymore!”

Cyrus violently wiped away his tears. Their father’s eyes looked broken. Kain needn't have been so sharp but he was right. The man needed to leave. It was too late for them to be a family and Cyrus didn't handle having this man back in their lives. He could forgive the man’s actions but he just could not forgive the man. He couldn't. What does that say about me, he thought bitterly, dewdrops trying to sneak from the corners of his eyes.

“Please… sir. Go,” he whispered hoarsely.

”Are you okay, boys?” Captain Hephaestus asked after… Tarea left.

Before either of them could spit out a lie, Apollo cut in, “That’s a stupid question. Of course, they're not okay. Jeez, way to be sensitive.”

Hephaestus flushed. “Well, what was I supposed to say?”

Thanatos crossed his arms, a frown etched on his face. “I don't have anything better but not that.”

“Do you need some space, perhaps?” Eris suggested, moving forward with confidence, relieved the tears were gone.

Kain’s mouth was set in a firm line and his eyes were alight with concern. “I think that would be an acceptable question to start with but I have never been very good at comforting.”

He paused and took a deep breath. “Do you need space, Castor?”

“No-o, Brother. I’d rather not be alone right now.”

Athena gave his hand a tight squeeze and Persephone pulled him into a sidearm hug, wary of making him uncomfortable again. “Oh, honey,” she whispered.

Athena glanced at Hephaestus from the corner of her eye.

“We should close the stall. Head back to the Library.”

Hephaestus turned to the stall in dismay. The novels lay on the ground covered in sand from where they fell when Kain smacked the stall. Kain turned ruby and rushed towards the books.

“I'll pack up for today.”

He dropped down shakily, almost dislodging his prosthetic.

“Pollux, you…” Hephaestus started.

“Let him,” muttered Thanatos. “He needs something mundane to calm his nerves. He hasn't had to yell like that in months. He hasn't felt so in danger in months either.”

Hephaestus bit his lip and nodded.

Cyrus wondered what he was thinking. Captain Hephaestus really cared for them, more than anyone had in years, they all did. The caravan was truly like a family. Captain Hephaestus was like the father with Athena at his side like a mother. Thanks and Eris acted like the anti-social uncle and aunt who really cared for the family but were left confused due to never having had their own children. Apollo was like the cool big brother and Persephone the caring older sister.

Kain and himself were the youngest of the group at 16 and 17. The babies of the family.

Cyrus had never been happier. He finally understood why the group didn't need to tell each other their identities to trust each other. One’s past did not define you if you didn't let it.

“It's time to go home,” Apollo shouted.

Cyrus blinked.

Home.

A home. A home with a mother and a father. A home with an aunt and an uncle. A home with three caring older siblings that would all die and live for one another. A home where it was safe. A home where no one would hurt you.

Cyrus felt a smile bloom on his lips.

“We’re coming,” he shouted, pulling Athena and Persephone up as he stood.

“Cas,” Persephone laughed. “I’m going to kill you.

He smirked at her and broke into a run.

“Try to catch me, Sister.”

Thanks for reading!

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[holbyconfessional]

Holby City S20 E11 - The L Word

Ooh, where to start?!

Going to start with one of my faves - Hanssen.  Firstly, and I know I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating - I am so pleased that despite his sabbatical from the hospital, they’re finding ways to keep him present.  I found the scenes in his apartment quite devastating - with his murder board, and the evidence of his severe PTSD.  I think it’s totally in character that he blames himself for Fredrick’s actions, I think he’s always almost prided himself on being aloof, and it’s all come crumbling down around his ears, and shaken the foundations of everything he believed, in that by staying away from Fredrick, he was protecting him from Henrik’s own depression.  I’m glad that he has Roxanna to keep an eye out for him, although I’d like to see Serena trying to do that too sometime, because I’ve always enjoyed his friendship with Serena.  And turn about is fair play.

BUT.  I sincerely hope that I’ve read far more into the gesture than was meant, but I felt a moment of fear when Roxanna reached out for his hand in his apartment.  It’s totally reasonable for one friend to comfort another thus, but there was just something that worried me; perhaps the music, perhaps the oblique reference about Roxanna losing interest in other options after meeting David (implying Henrik was then an option?), perhaps just the knowledge that soaps like to rush in where angels fear to tread.  Let it be said now, I am NOT on board for any form of future Roxanna/Henrik romance.  I think one of Hanssen’s strengths is his a-romanticism, and whilst it could be construed as a huge untapped well of storytelling potential, it would shake the foundations of everything <I> believe, and I’m not sure I’m ready for my own PTSD!!!

Moving on.  I’d like to take a moment to talk about Serena’s styling.  I wasn’t on board with today’s shirt.  It was not a good colour for her, she rocks blue-based colours, and today’s was most definitely yellow-based.  Having said that, the early shot of her standing in the corridor - the full length shot - shirt aside, she looked mighty fiiiiine!

She also made me want to kiss her when she told Xavier what for, when leaving him to oversee the ward.  She’s got his ticket, oh, yes indeed!

Which begs the question, how naive is Nicky?  I mean, after the way Xavier has treated her so far, how could she possibly believe that he’d offer to give her credit for his diagnosis, without some knife twist?  He’s definitely Isaac 2.0, but with less of the velvet gloves and more of the playground bully mentality - in that his abuse is far less subtle, although just as sly.

Glad they found Amira.  Just hope it helps.

I’m also incredibly glad that Roxanna finally explained to Ollie what happened on the day of the shooting.  I appreciate that Ollie’s recovery storyline isn’t particularly humorous, although I did appreciate the humour of the declaration of love amid Keller, whilst feeling so terribly sorry for him too.

The Lofty/Dom relationship/not relationship continues to chug along.  I hate to say it, because I think that Dom is selling it really well, but I just don’t feel even the tiniest hint of chemistry from Lofty.  He managed a few believable looks in the early days, but now, just seems so terribly uncomfortable.  I’m afraid it’s losing me.

There’s nothing so cruel as time.  Thanks for that, Henrik.  I won’t be dwelling on that, at all ;-)

[madam-wakefield]

What a bitch!!!

Is she purposely trying to get him sent down

[madam-wakefield]

They called Amira to the prosecution!