Break
Today there was suppsoed to be a rant here, one that I started writing, but stopped, because, well, it sucked. And I may not be much of a writer, but I hate it when I write something that sucks, so I am not posting it. If anything, I have been having a serious case of apathy/writer's block/ depression/ annoyance/boredom/ Life just sucks syndrome lately. I find myself sharing Sally's sentiments that, as much as I try to joke about all the shit that is happening around the world, I am pretty much fed up for the moment about how incredibly stupid everything is. And while you all may be getting the same sentiment, it's even worse when you live it. It's worse when you actually have to explain to people that "No, you can't get birdflu from running water" or that the danish cartoons are not part of "the zionist conspiracy to defame and attack islam and muslims", or even having to explain to your friends that people like Irshad Manji or Iyaan Hirsi Ali-or shit, even Deeyah- are not posers who profit from "dragging Islam's name in the mud" or using it as a publicity stunt because there is no profiting in death threats nor is any publicity worth having your life threatend till the day you die by the Jihadis (Ask Sayed Al Qimni or Farag Foodah about that, will ya?). You would think it's obvious, but for some reason it is not, and I just don't have the energy anymore. This sandmonkey is tired. He is tired of ranting, tired of explaining, tired of fighting a lost battle. My energy is depleted, and I have been running on empty for a while now, and i am this close to giving up. I need some rest. This won't be a long rest though, because, let's face it, I am a blogaholic. But the truth is, I need to relax. I have been doing this without a break for 14 months straight and I am winded. It could be a day or a week, but chances are it won't be longer than that. I have other things that need to get done (I know Jesse, I know, I am an asshole!) and I have to get on it. I have to set my priorities straight for a minute, and get my life in order, something that I have been trying to do for the past month and failing miserably at it. So, as you can see, I need this break for other reasons as well. So it won't be all relaxation over here, but let's hope that doesn't extend the break any longer than it has to be. It won't be permenant either, so don't open any bottles of champaigne or anything ya Mo, will ya? In the immortal words of Piglet: Ta Ta For Now! The Sandmonkey
posted by The Sandmonkey @ 2/26/2006 04:48:00 AM
57 Comments:
Um, actually, TTFN was said by Tigger not Piglet. You must be accurate about these things!
And I just put you on my news bar.....
;-)
Valerie
A few notes:
1) You don't write for them. If they were smart enough to understand you, they would be smart, which they aren't. Vicious circle.
2) You write for us, showing the rest that note everyone in the Arab world turned crazy. Hey, and this aspect, you didn't fail at all. So head up.
3) Human stupidity is global. We had a nice day with cartoon violence, now it's Catholic rioting in Ireland. Hahaha. What a welcome change.
Ah, and I forgot something:
T-h-a-n-k y-o-u for everything so far :-)
anna, I thought everyone on winnie the pooh said it. My memory is dodgy. Apologies if I am mistaken. Would make sense though, cause Tigger was always my favorite!
Have a good rest, SM, and come back with renewed vigour. It is not a lost battle. Lovers of freedom will surely win because they cannot afford to lose. I think that this is the secret of all victories.
I'm sorry, in a moment of despair the other day I said that not only were we fighting a losing battle, we weren't in the battle. You live this Sam, I don't, my country is UTC+8 away from you but I still hold out hope. You are the voice of reason in a place where a lot of people in the west hold no hope. Remember this though, in the early 60's we had the Cuban missile crisis, then there was Vietnam. We've had the Balkans war and all the rest, so if we all stop being Islamo-centric we might find that the world has continued to orbit around the sun and we will not all die tomorrow. Yes it's tough BUT it's always been tough and a Sergeant in the British army(seconded) said "if you don't have a sense of humour, why did you join ?". If you want a holiday come and stay at my place..you have my E. BW48
Hey -
Give yourself the time to rest and relax, we all deserve it from time to time. Yes, you are trying to save the world and rid it of its foolishness, but that's a pretty big task, don't you think?
Take a break, and come back fresh and revived and ready to take on the 'stupid people', because they'll still be here, trust me.
Thanks for your help, S,
Alice
SM,
I have also just started reading your blog a few weeks ago. I recently moved away from the Middle East after living there most of my life because I couldnt see a future for that part of the world and, as crazy as this may sound, I have found a bit of sanity thru your blog which belongs to my "must read" list every day now (up there with Der SPiegel and the NY Times). Pls come back soon and don't give up... I did and it sucks because you are always haunted by thefeeling of having let "them" win.
SM,
You need to move back to the US and enjoy freedom which you absolutly appreciate and deserve!
Surely you can't go on hiatus without at least mentioning something about Jimmy's engagement! Don't leave us hanging for too long.....
Why dont you board the plane to copenhagen, denmark, and see for yourself the hospitality of the danish? I'll be happy to show you around!
A dane
Against stupidity even the gods fight in vain... old latin proverb
You are not alone.
As you can see from the above you have your readers with you.
Take a break and have a rest..
We all feel tired from time to time, so you are not alone in that either.
I wish you all the best.
i would also be hapy to show you denmark. I think I know somebody that knows you. Just give us the word.
take a rest and take care.
All the best
Sam,
take a brake, there is no point of saving the world if you can't have fun in the prosess:)
I have a picture on my wall of the Berlin Wall being demolished, it reminds me that even the impossible is possible. Before Gorbie came into power nobody thought the BW was going down in the forseable future, but down it went. It doesn't mean the fight against the dimwits is over, after all there is one born every minute, but it does mean that after all it is worth it.
And remeber, you have many friends aroun the world.
K from Oslo
Thank you. You are a good writer and I will miss your insight and humor. I am leaving your bookmark right where it is and I will be checking often to see what you post.
Blogs-an addiction??!! Ha , you bet. And I just read them, running a blog has to become a high. Two other of my favorite blog writers burned out, so enjoy your R&R, we will be waiting. Thanks for reminding us that some Muslims are not overboard. I enjoy your site and it's addictive ranting.
SM, you did right. I have a prescription for writer's block: if you can't write about what you originally wanted to, write about something else that motivates you.
A tale of one such writer: he graduated from college in the 80s determined to be taken very seriously. He wanted to write a very serious novel about nuclear war, the military-industrial complex, and how crazy the whole system of Mutually Assured Destruction was. He felt he was doing his part to convince the American people not to support Ronald Reagan in America's struggle against the "Evil Empire".
After many months he finishes his novel and shops it around. Publisher after publisher rejects him!
Finally, even his girlfriend dumps him. In a fit of complete lunatic madness he scribbles out a two hundred page rant: One Hundred Ways to Kill Your Girlfriend's Cat.
Would-be author goes to the office of the last publisher on his list:
"Well, I've skimmed your war novel. We don't think we can make it sell."
"I'll take it back, then!"
"There you go. Hey, all this stuff dropped out of your briefcase!"
Publisher glances at pages, starts reading, cracks up. "Hey, this is great! We'll take it!"
So would-be "serious" writer became known as the best-selling author about how to kill your girlfriend's cat. (But he never managed to publish the "serious" novel he slaved away for months on.)
Hang in thereou
You've gone to your limit.
Back off a bit and take a breath.
When you start again, push until you sense your limit, go no further until you've become aquainted with the space that lies between your limit and where your sense of it.
That space is where growth occurs- be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.
If we go to our limit, we can go and grow no further, and when that happens, we begin to die- or give up.
Care for yourself.
Hope to see you back soon.
Get some rest, dude. It is well earned. We'll be here waiting for you when you return.
"Ta Ta For Now" doesn't appear in the original Winnie The Pooh books at all. It comes from a 1940s BBC radio comedy show called ITMA (It's That Man Again). I guess the Disney script writer(s) got it from there. (The Pooh books are 1920s.)____Have a good break. Relax.___Good relaxing CD "In the Heart of the Moon" - Ali Farka Toure, 2005.
sm,
chin up, stiff upper lip. tommorrows another day. point break is an excellent movie to watch at just such a time of crisis. remember life is just like the wave, its crest will crash, but there is always another wave . ride it. if you really need hope i recommend 2 movies. 24 hr. party people and the last second. both british both true.
p.s. tell us more about egypt....we know about our countries we want to learn more about yours....when you talk about libertarianism it reminds me of whities talking about buddhism, not culturally grounged, and slightly out of focus. p.p.s. are you a practising muslim, or an athiest? because if its the latter its a tad jejune to comment on faith,,,, since its not your bag. may the road rise up to meet you, good night and good luck.
Oh dear, like several others have said - I've only been reading yur blog for a couple of weeks!
Don' stay away too long...but have a good rest.
Kind regards
I don't blame you for being tired and needing a break. I think just about everyone needs a couple weeks off at this point. Then we could all come back in time for the massive civil war in Iraq that will eventually be blamed on the jews.
-Mike
Sem Sem,
1- I don't know how you can manage not to be involved emotionally when you post that much about nasty politics.
2- Did you consider contacting the Guiness world records to apply for the highest numbers of posts in the blogsphere?
3- Eventhough I disagree with 80% of what you write heheheee I think you should keep writing otherwise soneone is gonna get hurt :)
4- You write beautiful and you should never stop writing.
6- Get your Egyptian butt here in the US asap.
T.
I feel exactly the same - have a nice break. I can relate the most to your blog, and I feel it is one, if not the best one out there.
The world is such a mess - it is the devil's playground for a just little longer.
Joanne
Nutz - for just a little longer.
Joanne
Dear Sand Monkey
until the cartoon-thing got crazy I never visited any blog or knew anything about how this kind of conversation with people form other parts of the world wnet on. Your blog changed that, as I found a link to your blog througt the the news. I have read about, how the world looks like from your point of view daily since.This is my fist enterence in real life blog, but I simply hat to comment on you leaving and saying, that you lost the battle. For me you changed the anger from seeing riots/hate/my flag being burned over cartoons even I dont like into somthing else: I can imagine, just like John Lennon, that one day all the people. So for me, you were the right man doing me a great favor. I appresiate your comments very mutch.
Dude,
If you wanna fly over to Western Australia for an R&R break, let me know. It is summer here now. I live on the beach. You can crash here for a little while. You can kill a few brain cells with some good local beer, visit the local cat houses, go sky diving, and just go bonkers.
Can't wait till you get back to writing!
Ron
See SM, I warned you about that pretzel thing. Go take time to "unwind".
Thank you.
Since I started reading it a few weeks ago, your Web log has been fascinating. My co-workers liked it as well.
Thanks, Sandmonkey! Enjoy your rest.
Daniel
Texas, USA
Hey there, how can I email you? I've got some new that MIGHT cheer you up.
When the mind and the body claim a rest, give it to them, they need it, deserve it...
Nobody is superman...
Relax, then come back, cheers.
SM, we are all burned out. This madness is hard on anyone. Take a well-deserved rest on your laurels knowing that in a few short months you have grown into one of the best-loved bloggers in the world.
Sandmonkey!
The battle is NOT a losing one! It's just a long, hard, discouraging one. And you are a human being, and you get drained.
So do what you have to do to get your energy back. And then COME BACK! Because it's the ones who keep coming back, and who don't give up, who give reason and liberty the best chance of winning.
And, possibly more important than that, when you speak your honest mind, you do wonders for your own self respect *and* make contact with those who can nourish your spirit - and vice versa. You find the good people/they find you. And whatever bad might happen as a result of the madmen in life, you know that you have been true to your mind, your reason, and to all that you love. Including all those people who love what you love, too.
No matter what the baddies and the dummies do, you *cannot* lose at the deepest level, if you are true to your honesty and intelligence - even if the baddies do succeed in ruining the world for awhile.
Courageous, honest minds *can* make a difference in a big way. But just to be true to the truth while you're here - that's a big achievement even if nobody else is listening. Maybe even especially if nobody else is listening.
And even if the bad guys wind up taking over and doing you in.
But don't underestimate the good guys, and the power of persistence, reason, and having the right and the brains on your side.
I've only just started reading your blog in the last couple of days. Hey - I've spend way more time than I should here, over this weekend! And I've recommended you on my own blog and have told my friends about you.
I'll be reading your archives while you're away.
Take care of yourself.
Three-hundred cheers for the Sandmonkey!
Sydney K.
(Sydney of the female kind.)
My wife (Sydney Kendall) and I have been enjoying your comments greatly.
Keep up the great work! :-)
I know how you feel, SM. I'm in the same place right now. The situation of the whole damned world sucks and all we've done is for naught. Good thing this has happened before and soon I'll be back and so will you.
And the world situation will still suck!
Love your posts. Get good rest
A friend
Sugarland, Texas
http://dontdatehimgirl.com/home/
Where am I going to get all my news from now on? :(
okay SM,
a week,
maybe two.
recharge the batteries. relax. don't listen to the news, try not to read any papers...
...and then come back to us as sharp and as enthusiastic as ever.
your voice is important to a lot of people.
Peace Shalom Salaam
Dry Bones
Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973
This is the best blog on the internet, no doubt. Have a good rest and I look forward to your return, Sandmonkey.
SM, I just discovered your blog, and I must say that it is one of the best I've seen. But take a break, man. You deserve it. I will look forward to your return. And don't despair, we're all fighting the "long defeat."
Hey SM, I've always been amazed at how much and how frequently you post. Your energy always amazes me. You really do have one of the best blogs, especially in terms of mixing insight and humor. So take as long as you like and come back when you feel you are ready. But we'll all keep checking back every day anyway.
Perhaps you can just skip the rants for awhile. I'm sure they take a lot out of you. But however you decide to approach it, I appreciate all the time you have given so far and I hope you'll just take your time and approach your blog if and when you are ready.
You've made me chuckle and often laugh out loud these many months. You've reminded me that laughter is indeed universal and that there are many things that cross all boundaries and induce us all to scoff and roll our eyes.
Enjoy what you can on your break and know that when you get back I'll still be willing to read what you've got to say.
I hear you on the overload, this last batch of madness seems to have tipped my scales too and I live in comfortable suburbia. If I had to hear what you hear on a daily basis I would likely go completely postal.
Hi Sandmonkey,
Think of this:
If people hadn’t resisted during WW2, then perhaps Hitler’s son today would have ruled Europe, the people of Europe perhaps would have been slave workers for “Das Reich”, and all the Jews would have been wiped out.
Don’t think for even one second, that what you do doesn’t matter, because it really, really does! I’ve wondered how you could find time and energy to do all that research and writings in your blog. No wonder that you need a rest, please take care of yourself, we really need people like you in this world. Thank you so much for what you already have done. Now some sayings:
Albert Einstein: A man's ethical behaviour should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."
Kiki goes on: Man would indeed be in a poor way, if he had to shut up because of fear of punishment from extremists with a severe lack of brain cells, who believes that killings will be rewarded with 72 virgins after death.
And Kiki again: Where is the victory in forcing people into something, into silence, it is a false victory, because the thoughts are still there, the only difference is that now the thoughts aren’t spoken out.
I hope that some day freedom loving people will start an international organisation to fight extremists, who wants to force their homemade rules upon people; an organisation to spread out and protect the right of free speech, the right to be critical, to ask questions, to live the way you want, to marry whom you want, to sing whatever you want - even dressed in a bikini. If people don’t like that, they can close their eyes and ears, they certainly aren’t allowed to kill or force their way of living upon anybody.
I’m in for that, how about people on this blog – can we do something together?
Kiki
I'll like to join everyone else in hoping you get the rest you deserve and need, and decide to come back.
I cannot emphasise how important your blog has been to me. It has changed my perspective of not only Egypt but muslims. With you, I realize there we DO have a chance to make things work out here. It's not all crazy on-sided people on the muslim side.
Thank God for people like Sandmonkey who with his humor and insight gives the world a chance to reason.
I really hope you decide to return after a nice long break.
Irshad is a smart cookie.
While you are resting up to rant somemore, here is one of my favourite rants:
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mercerreport/turks.rm
SK
Dear Sandmonkey,
As you say, it sounds like you need a break. So why not take one and enjoy live, :-)
Love reading You. I think you are great.
Kind regards,
Per, Sweden
I´m adding up to the others; Thanks for now and take care of yourself!
But as someone above said: please check-back-regularly so we know that you havn´t been whacked by some of your own! Who knows - that might start a whole new riot - wouldn´t that be fun?!
You might not get any major star in the Imam heaven for your writings, but you definitely have prevented a large number of western people from getting totally incurable Islamophobia!! And ain´t that something at least?
Cheers
/Lena from up north
I will patiently wait till you return and do what you do so well. Showing me as a reader that we have way more in common than I thought. And totally ruining my understanding of the ME in a very very good way.
Take care and have fun - if it's possible for you to do both.
Take a break. Just take a week away to start with. Even one evening and watch a movie or get some new input. Go for a long walk and the next day...do the same.
We all get stale and jaded when we've been at it too long and especially, as recently, when the news seems to be all bad. But there are hopeful signs.
Though not as many Western news services published the cartoons, enough did and the message is clear that we will not bend to Islam. We will not knuckle under or go quietly into that good night. No, No! We'll rage against the dying of the light and that is good to know. The bloggers, once again, held up the standard the MSM had dropped. As Glenn Reynolds calls us in his new book: "An Army of Davids!"
Take a well-earned rest. These 'peaks' like the Danish cartoon thing (before that there was CBS' fake but accurate memos) really take it out of you, especially if you are actually at the centre of the storm.
s.m. do what you must but do come back. You will be missed for how ever you will be gone.
shalom ubaracka peace & blessings
Hey SM,
Bravo! You've got a great blog!!! I've been reading for a few weeks now (must be part of that 30,000 hits in one day wave :-), and am very much impressed! You write extremely well, and I have to say I agree with most of your comments and observations.
Enjoy your break, and looking forward to your return. Hopefully you can see (by all these comments) there's a lot of people who follow you and appreciate what you do.
Cheers!
Lincoln (from Spain)
aIf yaa'll keep inflating Sam's head, his tired ol' legs'll go all wobbly on us and he'll fall right down on his behind....
Have a seat Sam...
Why do Arabs always think the good cause is lost? Perhaps too often they see it actually losing?
Anyway, there is something dull in a winning cause, isn'n it? Pure middle-class boredom. Any fool and coward can support it. Lost causes are different. They are romantic. They are cool. They are sexy. Let's have high spirits at the Lost Causes Club!
(This is meant both for the Sandmonkey and the first commentor.)
Maya Markova, Sofia, Bulgaria
Didn't you get it losers?
he's asking for donations!
scroll up and click the: Support the Neo-con American Right-wing Zionist Christian Imperialist Conspiracy in the Middle-east!
in the right column.
SM: and Finally ana gebtak 3een!
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