a lighter shade of gray...

Seasonal Paranoia

2011-02-01T10:30:00.001+02:00

Seasonal paranoia

A trait unique to the Middle East.

Takes on a cyclical form that has no definite start and finish points but, that nevertheless, recurs several times a year with varying durations.

Symptoms may vary.

Nausea and anxiety are expected.

Avoid excessive abuse of liquor despite urge.

Do not exceed prescribed medication dose.

Occasionally, might result in actual change in social and political conditions.

Rare. But does occur.

Fingers crossed. Breath held in.

Seems like we are experiencing the rare.

On a different note.

I watched Love and Other Drugs two nights ago.

I declared myself officially depressed when it ended.

Call it a chick flick. Call me a sucker.

I don't care. I stand by my choice.

Some more work below.

Some more music on the side.

Details in the Fabric- Jason Mraz feat. Ben Howard

happiness and light

2011-01-23T09:59:00.002+02:00

Words to the wise:

Do not, I repeat, do not, wallpaper a 4m high wall when bored and restless on a saturday night.

Revert to casual sex instead.

The adventures of an amateur furniture restorer continue. My hands hurt. My fingers bleed. I strip out of my clothes at night and crash from exhaustion, only to wake up in the morning and realize I had slept with paint splotches on my legs and arms. But I laugh. Oh, do I laugh.

I had a beautiful photoshoot in my house a couple of days ago. It's amazing how much more beautiful things can look through someone else's lens. The beauty is already there, all around you, but at times it's not that clear until someone frames it for you. I wish I could walk around with a set of 5D lenses and a lighting kit. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to have a looming, automatic and continuos photoshop render over your head either.

Courtesy of David Habchy

Or maybe I just need to close my eyes, breathe, and then open my eyes again. That's it. Shift the attitude. Change the perspective.

And smile

La vie est belle.

round 2

2011-01-12T19:17:00.000+02:00

perseverance is key
just know when to fold your cards and call it quits

I have written several blog entries as of late only to press the delete button and close my laptop shut. I believe I have done it quite so many times that even when I thought I had saved the last entry to actually publish it, I couldn't find it. I guess delete became quite automatic. How sad. Somehow, I always found a reason not to post. They didn't sound like good ones. Not even to my own ears.

Self-censorship is the worst.

So some counter action is needed ~

I am starting to post some work up here. Furniture mainly, for now and later on to be followed by some film work that has proved quite successful this year. For once, I am quite proud of me.

Vintage lamp shade

Whimsical bathroom cabinet

Water washed writing desk

Brass door knob on water washed writing desk

Vintage solid wood desk.... fit for a writer (yes, you can pretend!:) )

Stylized vintage mirror that has a voice of its own

today is another day

2010-12-31T10:56:00.003+02:00

Ben Howard - These Waters

A close friend of mine has been nagging me relentlessly, and for quite a while now, to set up a blog. My answer - for that long while - had become unwaivering and standard: sure, I will... yalla, this weekend... I promise. (quite like an automated out-of-office response)

Every weekend I was convinced this would be the weekend I would. Literally convinced.

Naturally, it never happened.

Till today.

I am not very sure why I kept shying away from doing it even though the mere idea of owning a blog really makes me feel like I can smile inwardly somehow. I have a sneaking feeling my friend believed it would do me good... kind of like self-therapy.

I guess my main concern was what to say and what to share. Why would anyone want to read my silly thoughts? I, for one, am a religious follower of a few blogs that I believe are really worthwhile and inspirational.

http://taniasnotes.blogspot.com/

http://theterroristdonkey.blogspot.com/

and also

http://jerseyicecreamco.blogspot.com/

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

http://www.cityist.com/author/marquita-harris/

I wait to see what these people have posted and can't wait to share THEIR thoughts with everyone else I know.

I am well-aware that there are many more amazing blogs out there. Discovering a new one always feels like a flea-market find to me (for those who do not know me, a flea market find is my personal equivalent to a million dollars... ok not a million, but still... a whole lot :) ) I get a short-lived high and read on and on relentlessly for a couple of hours. Then I even bookmark the page. Then I check it again. Then I forget all about it.

I have way too many bookmarks on my laptop that I am quite unsure what they were for and what kind of high they had initiated in the first place.

But today.... today is another day.

I recently started renovating old furniture at home for the purpose of having it owned by someone else (even though the strong desire to keep them here in my own space has been tormenting me). And so, I think this blog can help me keep track of what I have been up to. My brain doesn't seem to be doing the job. - Short-term memory perhaps? -

I will write on and on relentlessly for awhile. Then I will even bookmark my own page. Then I will check it again. Then... let's see how long it will take me to forget all about it.

Fayrouz Drink - Commercial

2009-09-05T20:54:00.000+03:00

Fayrouz Drink Commercial
Produced by Mad4Films
Art Director Petra Abousleiman
May 2009
Dubai

Khalijia TV Program Promos

2009-09-05T11:08:00.000+03:00

Khalijia TV Program Promos
Produced by Workshop Productions
Stylist Petra Abousleiman
February 2009
Beirut, Lebanon

Coast Underwater

2009-09-05T00:02:00.000+03:00

Coast TVC
Produced by Mad4Films
Art Director/Stylist Petra Abousleiman
July 2008
Egypt

Coast SkyDiving

2009-09-04T20:22:00.000+03:00

Coast TVC
Produced by Mad4Films
Art Director/Stylist Petra Abousleiman
July 2008
Dubai

La Reproduction Interdite

2009-09-04T20:05:00.000+03:00

Film teaser
Directed by Chadi Zeneddine
Production Design by Petra Abousleiman
~ Set construction
Shot on 35mm
November 2005
Lebanon

Al Nadwa Commercial

2009-09-04T19:38:00.000+03:00

Al Nadwa Commercial
Produced by Mad4Films
Art Directed by Petra Abousleiman
July 2008
Lebanon

2009-09-04T15:49:00.000+03:00

A Dying Breed

2009-09-04T13:59:00.000+03:00

Feature Film
Directed by Katharine Collins
Production Design by Petra Abousleiman
Shot on HD
Mar-May 2007
London/Scotland

Falling From Earth

2009-09-04T13:35:00.000+03:00

Feature Film
Directed by Chadi Zeneddine
Production Design by Petra Abousleiman
Shot on 35mm
2004-2008
Lebanon

Duet for Cello

2009-09-04T13:15:00.000+03:00

Directed by Wafa'a Halawi
Production Design: by Petra Abousleiman
Shot on 35mm
May 2008
Beirut, Lebanon