Lounsbury: November 2005 Archives

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November 29, 2005

An amusing hospital room conversation

First, context, I had my office number forwarded to my cell phone last week when I was quarantined on suspicion of having tuberculosis.

Second, of course, still alive, not dead.

[Update Weds 30 Nov]
Afraid that today's convo with the specialist was somewhat discouraging, although it brought clarity. I will be medically evacuated shortly, may be out of touch. I have a tumour that has shown rapid growth.

Well, I suppose I shall be forced to do something healthy or whatnot.

Regardless, will be back in the game as soon as possible of course, and banging on about the MENA region and private equity might keep me suitably distracted from other things. Apologies to my host eerie for this small inconvenience and distraction from the real purpose of 'Aqoul.

Now, a side note to my co-authors:

My Dear Semi Useless Lazy Scum Colleagues & Co Authors

Just because I am fucking off for a bit doesn't mean you can laze about and do nothing. Someone has to indulge in self-indulgent MENA centered rants, commentary and otherwise keep 'Aqoul useful. If I can't bloody well count on your useless selves in a pinch, when can I, eh?

While I shall doubtless be around, I probably can use a hand, you know. I promise to be less abusive. Of course my promises are perhaps to be discounted at a MENA private equity rate, but that's up to you to generate, after all you're not just fucking chimpanzees with bananas.

Yours Truly,

Collier "The Lounsbury"

[end update Weds 30 Nov]

Continue reading "An amusing hospital room conversation"

Posted by The Lounsbury at 01:04 PM | Comments (32) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

November 25, 2005

Afraid I have to go missing

The Drs are somewhat concerned about this whole bleeding nonsense and insist I have to be hospitalised, as of, well my packing my bags.

May have to be silent for a bit, but no problems. Sure the expensive hospital will either send me away or charge me much dinero.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 07:51 PM | Comments (19) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

November 24, 2005

Al Jazeerah & Bombing, Odd Backdrafts

I've noted some odd backdrafts from the UK threat to papers publishing detials, etc. of the (frankly silly) Al Jazeerah Bombing threat from Bush. That is to say, suddenly the story is being talked about and considered seriously around here.

Foolish move by UK, unless the transcript is truly horrifying (which I suppose one can not exclude, given the dimwittedness of Ibn Bush), it would have been far better to merely let it out.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 08:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Jazeera-Arabia , Politics - US FP

November 23, 2005

It amuses me

To share this warm message from the parental units:
Congrats on the [joint venture closing], and good luck with the possible tb.

See, no whinging and shrieking.

I also am happy to report that not so much blood today. Clear improvement, although on the other hand for a bit I thought my hand was a pen.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:26 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

November 21, 2005

Well, this is most unpleasant

Hmmm. The initial diagnosis, to be confirmed by a TB test, is.... TB.

It appears the poor little lungsies are having a bit of hemoraghing.

This is most inconvenient.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 01:07 PM | Comments (30) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

In other matters

The Fund has made its first solid offer, via mail which I just got. Small degree of carry and junior partner.

Not ungenerous as the first solid offer. The cash is lacking though. Shall see. Of course, they have to close this bitch as well.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 12:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso Biz Notes

November 20, 2005

أرصدة حسابات المتوفين

A disturbingly large number in this category (أرصدة حسابات المتوفين
) in the accounting. A disturbingly large number for the Iraqi branches.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:18 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso Biz Notes

As to the Fund and Investments

I would like to share my sheer bemusement at the reporting I am looking over from this bank.

By their internal accounts, I can't tell what kind of depositors they have, but in their assets, I know the value of towels bought for branches and headquarters.

I have to say, this is the sheer sign of a nudgey little accountant not knowing what an investor would care about. Towels. I suppose were the towels line huge, one might be concerned. Now, I am sure, on the towels line we really mean, Towels and Other Things Like Towels, but nevertheless, a fine example of the culture of reporting not being well understood.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso Biz Notes

November 19, 2005

And bloody rotted things

Bloody coughing up blood this morning. This is really annoying, I have a lot of work to do. Wonder if I should see a doctor or follow my 24 hour rule... I think I shall wait, although it is most disturbing to cough up blood, even if it isn't bright so must be some lung things getting whacked at night by this evil disease.

[Sunday]
Hmmm, continues, this blood thing. 24 hour rule did not help, must see an actual Dr. then. I hate seeing Drs., tedious exercise and I am busy. However, the coughing up blood is a bit disturbing to say the least, makes one feel genuinely ill.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:35 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

November 15, 2005

Headaches

Begin when the interpreter doesn't show for an important meeing and you get to play interpreter between two of your peeps and five local bankers. Nothing like trying to render on the fly terms like "interest rate buckets," "asset haircuts," and the like. (And the inverse from the other side)

I have a pounding headache, a sore throat and now I realise I recall nothing from the meeting. Fucking interpreters. Early to bed or I am fucked for tomorrow's meeting (where I have to suspect the fucker won't show again).

Posted by The Lounsbury at 07:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso Biz Notes

November 13, 2005

Maghreb, how it is different, Media

One will not see on prime time in the Machreq a special on their Jewish heritage on the national heritage, and certainly not on the universality of the lessons between the Jewish and Muslim religions.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:03 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Filed Under: North Africa

Sajida

Arabiyah and Jazeerah carrying the interview with the wife of one of muderous suicide bombers (what is that idiot phrase the US right was pimping a while ago?).

Interesting, very interesting. I predict her bloodless tale will have some impact, the wedding party angle alone being influential.

As for the lump herself, she can burn in hell.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 07:11 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Politics - Islam(ic)

November 11, 2005

On language expression and real communications for public diplomacy and business

An amusing side note. In conversing with my Italian colleague who is in town, about an analysis of a financing issue, a language issue arose. Or rather an amusing (for me at least) arose. My colleague, I should note in advance, is perfectly trilingual between Italian, English and French (well her French is slightly weaker on a professional level).

Continue reading "On language expression and real communications for public diplomacy and business"

Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:03 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Biz - Private in MENA

In other matters, what is underdevelopment?

Underdevelopment is perhaps lack of capacity in planning. An illustration follows.

Continue reading "In other matters, what is underdevelopment?"

Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:20 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Biz - Private in MENA

Bloody Hell

My bloody local Director just resigned. He wasn't supposed to do that until January. Fuck, these bastards might ask me to take over. I'd rather resign.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso Biz Notes

November 10, 2005

Too close

My fund mates were in the Hyatt for negotiations on some closing issues. Barely escaped.

Well, my little Fund venture almost ended last night. It's a bit shaking you know, a bit shaking. I guess Kuwait might be out now, the mates are obviously a bit rattled.

Well, none of us are children.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:26 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso Biz Notes

November 09, 2005

Jordan bombs

Suicide or similar attacks on against the Hyatt, Radisson and Days Inn hotel in Jordan. All three are classic hang outs of mine. I have to check on friends and the like. Abu Aardvark has this: http://abuaardvark.typepad.com/abuaardvark/2005/11/jordan_terroris.htm

I have often joked about the same, but of course this is serious. Well, have to check in, bloody scum.

And for all my Jordanian comrades, friends, etc. Allah hafithkoum. May God curse the murderers.

I leave the updating to others, I need to check on people.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 09:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

On Arabic

My dear Pratike has a comment, trivial and a side item, but moves me to comment: "In any case, it isn't "classical Arabic" that they're speaking on Arab sats but rather Modern Standard Arabic or Fusha, often sprinkled with "amiyya al-muthaqafeen" or "the colloquial of the intellectuals." "

I note for his benefit that the differentiation, although a good one, is not recognised as valid by many Arabs or Muslims. I also note that the 'intellectuals' colloquial' is something of a rather too precious American University in Cairo construct, and I wouldn't bandy the phrase around too much. Many people consider it ridiculous.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

Bah, busy means stupidity.

Bloody hell, checking accounts today I see I managed, due to excessive business, to forget about a wire transfer and end up going debit on one of my accounts and far over target credit balance on the other due to pure lack of coordination. Fuck, even with electronic reminders....

Posted by The Lounsbury at 09:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Perso

November 07, 2005

On France, interim comment

I am afraid that my further commentary on this issue - of deep interest to me due to its Maghrebine connexions and profound longer term implications - is on hold for the moment, I have two conference calls with the United States scheduled this evening and a metric fucking ton of bloody revisions to a completely messed up technical translation to effect.

(Bloody translators, however inefficient it is to use my time on this, they're so fucking incompetent there is little other choice but have polishing).

In the interim I would like to direct you to Dave Schuler's blog (whose name irritates me but I am an irritable fellow then, am I not?) who has, thanks to literacy in the Language of Moliere, had reasonable commentary and updates.

I intend to return to plunge into this from my perspective looking across the Med and my connexions with the Franco-Maghrebine business community - it should I hope be of utility, at least far more so than that blithering idiot Totten and his typically illiterate blundering commentary.

When, of course, depends on rather more immediate interests, like my greed.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 04:57 PM | Comments (15) | TrackBack
Filed Under: North Africa

November 06, 2005

Back Again - Some random observations on idiotic ignorant blithering on about France and the riots

Back in from a fine longish weekend for the Eid l-Fitr and working diligently on some work projects as well.

I see from my limited access (bloody telecom monopoly having issues) that there is something of a firestorm about the riots in France. The American conservative Know Nothings seem to in particular have their ill-informed knee-jerking panties in a bunch over some completely imaginary "Islamist uprising" - bloody ignorant morons the lot of them.

However, I shall have to expand on this later as I have deadlines to hit. I will add for the moment that seeing the French riots as some kind of Salafiste uprising is such utter tripe as to be laughable, and rather like an outside observer watching the United States in the late 1960s opining that the urban racial riots reflected an incipent Communist insurgency in the United States because a few Commie sorts inserted themselves. Completely ignorant navel gazing idiotic tripe of the most ill informed absurd and utterly domestic politics driven sort. No wonder I have such contempt for the American right. Bloody ill informed ignoramuses.

(As an added bonus, for those of you with a moderate literacy in French, you may read this article from the conservative Le Figaro L'islam ne joue pas un rôle déterminant dans la propagation des troubles. Frankly anyone who can't read the bloody thing without translation shouldn't be fucking commenting.

PS: Were there literate American right wing commentators out there not taken in by the idiotic Islamophobe bleating, they might profitably look at the real explanation for the issues facing France, which reside squarely in the realm of France's sins against liberalism (the classic kind), a sclerotic economic system and systematic discrimination against people with the wrong kinds of names (if one does not know to what I refer, I would suggest some research on a series of stings with French employment agencies that demonstrated systematic discrimination against job seekers with 'non-French' (read African and North African) names), and a general employment system geared to protect the priviledges of the 'labour elite' at the expense of real job creation.

An illiberal, statist society is the angle, not ludicrous fantasy tales about Islamist intefadas.....

PPS: One item for the French literate to look for is the queer habit of the French commentators to use "immigrant" to refer to 2nd and 3rd generation African and North African French citizens. Look for it. It's interesting.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:53 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
Filed Under: MENA Region General

November 04, 2005

F**king off for the Eid

[Editor's Note: Apologies, have had to repost this entry due to proxy issues for certain MENA readers re the word F**k in the URL]

Won't be posting, taking long weekend to work and the like out in the city of Essaouira.

I note, for the record, that as of today the joint venture process is completed and I am officially tied into this thing.

I suppose I shall take this Eid weekend to drown my sorrows (or celebrate as the case may be).

Should have actual items of value when returned next week.

I should add as well I have found out that some charming piece of scum has stolen my identity and is living well on fake accounts in California. I look forward to equally charming conversations with the drooling morons in the various credit agencies as I explain to them I have not lived in the US in years and don't even like having to visit, so clearly I would not be opening up accounts in California.

Added thought. Per Italian colleague, I have a Lord Byran chic.

I have no idea if this is compliment or an insult. Perhaps both? What the fuck does it mean?

Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:13 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Blog Notes - Admin

November 03, 2005

F**king off for the Eid

Won't be posting, taking long weekend to work and the like out in the city of Essaouira.

I note, for the record, that as of today the joint venture process is completed and I am officially tied into this thing.

I suppose I shall take this Eid weekend to drown my sorrows (or celebrate as the case may be).

Should have actual items of value when returned next week.

Added thought. Per Italian colleague, I have a Lord Byran chic.

I have no idea if this is compliment or an insult. Perhaps both? What the fuck does it mean?

Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:53 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Blog Notes - Admin

November 01, 2005

The Traditional New Month Readers Survey etc. etc.

Afraid I remain frightfully busy and thus of lowest added value here, but regardless adhering to my self-indulgent tradition of the open forum of reader compliants (which I will of course willfully ignore if I feel like), observations (probably will ignore), introductions (oddly more fascinated by this), suggestions (you know the drill), rants and the like.

Else, my scheming with the Fund closing remains immensely time consuming, while my proper job is spinning out of control as my director here has offered his resignation and assigned me to communicate with New York, for, as he said, "If I talk to those scum again, I will explode."

I share the sentiment but suspect my own head will explode.

Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:24 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Blog Notes - Admin