Mind Soup

After it has sent its first delegation to the United Nations 9th Youth Assembly and set a system of representation to the UN HQ, UNYA Lebanon is launching on August 26 2011 the Lebanese Youth Mobility Fund , a leading project to facilitate traveling of young Lebanese artists, activists and researchers around the Arab world in the purpose of circulating their knowledge. This fund will be managed by professionals on a volunteer basis. It is 100% self funded, and this is where your support is very much appreciated. As a fundraising activity and within the enchanting spirit of Ramadan, UNYA Lebanon is organizing "Darawiches" a concert for the Derwiches whirling band of Tripoli, on Friday 26 August 2011, starting 9:30pm, Sunflower Theater -Tayouneh, Beirut. Tickets are for 20,000 L.L. And all profits go to the Lebanese Youth Mobility Fund. More info can be found: On the event Facebook Page. Or by calling 71 717859 Tickets are sold by phone (71 717859), at UNYA Lebanon ...

Photo: Mind Soup© I encountered the funniest thing today. While walking alongside the American University Hospital with my friend, I was joking how hospitals don't have valet parking. That didn't last long. A few seconds later, we see a sign for VALET PARKING on the side of the road. Well it might be a good idea for the emergency division where people don't have the time to find a parking, but to think about it clearly, are we really that lazy? Lazy to the extent of having someone park the car at a hospital? And its not cheap either. Personally, I believe that our culture should depend more on one's self. This type of laziness is what is holding us back from actually achieving something. It is enough that we are bringing maids to our homes to cook the meals and raise up the children, but this? How low can we get? Next thing you know, people will start hiring professionals to help them go to the bathroom or shower. What do you guys think?

London, England (CNN) -- Obsessive, overenthusiastic, fanatical -- call them what you will. They used to be the exception rather than the norm. But these days, devoted fan followings are cropping up with increasing frequency. The latest embodiment of the die-hard fans that have emerged: "Avatards," the loyal followers of James Cameron's wildly popular 3D science fiction film "Avatar." Since the blockbuster epic hit the cinema screen across the globe last month, countless forums, Web sites and wikis devoted to all things "Avatar" have popped up. Enthusiastic fans can go to "Learn Na'vi" to study the language spoken on the mythical world of Pandora. On fan sites like "Naviblue," fans discuss everything from their bordering-on-obsessive relationship with the film to feelings of despondence caused by the fact that Pandora is not real. On fan site ""Avatar Forums," one forum member, Neytiri, offers advice on...

For once, you can take the “@” symbol at the front of a Twitter account name literally. The Twitter name “@arjanelfassed” is not only the Twitter account of one Arjan El Fassed; it’s also the name of an actual location, “@ arjanelfassed tweetstreet,” which is now a street in a Palestinian refuge camp. The Dutch website Jouw Eigen Straatnam charges $146 for each of 200 street names in the Askar camp and gives the proceeds to the Palestinian Child Care Society (PCCS), according to Al Fassed, to fund “cultural and expressive after-school activities” for the up to 1,000 children in the camp at its youth center. Part of the program’s allure, he says, is that the corresponding street signs are temporary. “Since a refugee camp by definition should not remain permanent, selling street names of the camp is a creative way to connect people and support these children after school,” said Arjan El Fassed. “Naming the street to my Twitter account is a symbolic way to connect both online a...

Beirut, I Love You (I Love You Not), a short film by "An Orange Dog Productions" about (fleeting) love & the little pleasures in life, all set and in relation with the very inspiring city of Beirut. A Beirut-ish tribute to Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Amelie Poulain.