Bananarama

Several months ago, a bunch of my colleagues and I were asked to complete a self-assessment questionnaire. One of the questions on said questionnaire was, "If you were a fruit, what would you be and why?" No, I'm not kidding.

Questionable assessments aside, my response was: "What I'd like to be, is a cherry. They're sexy, cheeky, exotic, and everyone loves them. However, in reality, I'm probably more of a banana. Reliable. But I'm also multicultural, good for you (in regulated doses) and also have a few tricks up my sleeve (splits, flambé, chips.. endless really)."

Which brings us to the real reason behind this post. CONGRATULATIONS @StevenJohnBond on winning my blog 'facelift' competition! Steven's entry, 'Romantic Walks to the Fridge' was the best fit out of all (eight) entries and this is because: what I do doesn't define me, therefore a film-inspired title (thanks Martin and Sanna) wouldn't have been true to my person or the purpose of this blog. I envy super-smart word plays (thanks James, Adam, Ben P.) and adore emotional notions (Ben A.), but again, I'm neither a Countdown aficionado nor a Northern soul-er. 

What I am, is a romantic walk to the fridge. And although that cold mashed potato isn't a life-changing movie deal and the walk isn't on the Grecian seaside, I'm very happy to admit that a long day on the couch with the ones I love, watching films, eating cold mash from the fridge (or something slightly more delectable) and making plans, is what I am about. 

I told you I was a banana.

So again, mucho gracias Steven - even though you plagiarised the crap out of my Twitter bio, dude (joke) - for your entry. You soon will be the proud owner of a hamper of some of my favourite things. I promise I won't send FedEx you any leftovers from my fridge. Blog change coming soon.

Help Me Get a Facelift!

Story of my life.

To all of you here for a freakshow post about cosmetic surgery, the door is that way. Hallo! My baby is turning three! Of course by 'baby' I'm referring to this little piece of the blogosphere - you can exhale now, dad. I started this blog sitting in my aunt's kitchen in Amman, a mere handful of weeks after completing my postgrad, having already been told by two companies in the capital that I was a) overqualified, and b) without enough experience. Swimming start to my professional career, but it explains the blog name.

I wasn't unemployed for very long, but the name stuck. Although incredibly poorly written in parts and totally useless in others, this blog has seen me through many a change, both good and bad. I've ranted about cultural injustices, whined about triathlons and training sessions and produced odes of worship to the world's of fantasy and pop culture. It's been a struggle, at times, to try and express myself in a politically correct manner and I have experienced periods of complete disinterest and frustration with trying to continue this scribe journey.

However, I feel, and for the first time in a long time, that I'm officially in a place that is a lot more stable than I have been in for many years. This is not to say things are perfect. Far from it, actually. Life is probably more confusing and testing than ever. The big lesson here is: it always will be. Why didn't anyone tell me this before, hmm?

So! It is officially time to shed this skin and bring on a new, shiny and, of course, sassy feel to this - my portal to the internets and all thirteen of you, following me. If you've read through to here, congratulations! You now know that I will be giving away a 'mini Reem' hamper, full of my favourite things, to the person who proposes that new, winning title to my blog. Easy. The hamper will include one of each of my fave things, including a film, a CD (yes, I'm serious), a book, a food item (again, yes, I'm serious) and more - photo to come.

How to communicate your entries to me? You can:

a) Tweet me @itssilverfox

b) Leave a message on here

c) Smoke signal

The deadline for this competition is Friday 18th May, which gives you 10 days to make my blogging facelift happen! To help you along, my colleague was telling me about a sandwich called the 'Unlawful Falafel.' I almost immediately changed the blog title to that. Go crazy.

ENTRY UPDATES:

Kevin: Confessions of Perpetual Delirium
Ben P: Desert Fox, Fox in the Desert
James: Shaddady Issues, D-Reem, A Midsummer Night's Reem, Reem Embers, Reem-edial, Dreaded Mash
Martin: Things to do in Doha when You're Not Quite Dead, Requiem for a Reem, The Good, The Shaddad & The Ugly, Private Fears in Public Places
Steven: Romantic Walks to the Fridge
Adam S: A Woman in Heat
Sanna: All Lies in Wonderland
Ben A: Life of a Modern Lover

It's The End of the Wor.. Oh Wait, It's Only 2011

I cannot believe it’s 2011 already. How many times have you heard that one today? It’s true though, this year has quite literally gone by like the blink of an eye (and apparently I rhyme in 2011). I had a lovely send off for 2010, complete with the quintessential New Year faves like parents embarrassing themselves on the dance floor, unhealthy liquor combinations and the delightful smell of cigar in my hair.