Finding Room

Finding Room in Beirut: Places of the Everyday demonstrates why it is worth our while to explore the value and contemporary meaning of urban areas about to undergo complete renewal. Branching off from discourses surrounding the terrain vague, the book argues that large populated urban areas meet the criteria of the vague and constitute a particular perspective from which to build a critical stance in regards to the contemporary city. But unlike a terrain vague, a vague urbain -- inhabited areas where property ownership is usually obscure and informal behaviours a daily affair -- possesses real communities and offers an alternative understanding on how a city can be practiced and how lessons should be learned before its complete transformation. Stemming from a photographic and architectural documentation of Bachoura, a central area of Beirut, Lebanon, the book shows how the vague urbain allows for different ways of inhabiting, ways that are as -- or perhaps even more -- real and anchored in the imagination of the city as those proposed by standardising developments. Building on the intricacies of found situations, improvised uses and local narratives, it is an exploration as to how the meeting of a marvellous realism with l'intrigue, the vague urbain, and temporary architecture can provide opportunities for the emergence of hidden narratives.

"When I made love with him, I used a great deal of energy and afterwards I felt and started not to care about anything that would normally bother me. I allowed myself to feel the joy inside of myself. I felt renewed every time I had experienced deep passion with the man he was. Obviously, there was a direct link between chastity, religion and political orthodoxy. I began to realize that in order to sustain fear and lunatic madness that one has to 'bottle' some powerful instinct and use it as a driving force. This was my mother still alive within me pushing and forcing me to honor the faith and cultural imperatives. ...from "The Affair". This is a gutsy revelation, raw yet tender. We know whereof Sandra speaks. This author belongs to her work.

An inquiry into what it is about our experiences and cultures that brings out the differences and reveals the similarities in us as humans beings, in the vein of Malcolm Gladwell and Daniel Kahneman. Jacob Burak is on a quest to answer the question “are we as human beings, who are separated by different cultures and experiences, similar or different?” Through the lens of behavioural studies, we see how, while our approaches differ and often conflict, we all strive for similar things: love, acceptance, power and understanding. How to Find a Black Cat in a Dark Room offers the latest scientific studies of human behaviour alongside accessible anecdotes to examine the universal human experiences of comparing ourselves to others, the need to belong, the urge to achieve and the anxiety and uncertainty of life itself. More importantly, Burak shows us how, in understanding these behavioural patterns, we learn that we are actually more alike than we are different; that our rivals often make us stronger; and that being trusting can help us live longer. With his inquisitive nature, logical thinking and engaging style, Burak examines whether it is destiny or personality that controls our lives, through intriguing subjects such as: • What are the ten rules for happiness that are entirely under our control? • Why do smart people make stupid mistakes? • What distinguishes bureaucrats and entrepreneurs? • What are the psychological differences between liberals and conservatives? • In what circumstances is it right to surrender our privacy? • Does it pay to trust people?

If you found a cougar lounging in your living room, would you run? Or would you hang out with it peacefully? The way you answer this question may be the difference between being generally happy or generally miserable. How do you find happiness in your current life? It’s a choice, and it starts with you. You taking care of yourself. You doing the work. You trying something and if what you try doesn’t work, trying something else. Forget trite self-help advice about bubble baths and smiling, this is self-care for the real world. “What to Do If You Find a Cougar in Your Living Room” is a collection of bite-sized essays on stress relief, feeling good in your body, managing anxiety, active self-care, mindfulness, setting boundaries and living your best life. Each chapter includes journal prompts to help you think about how to make the information work best for you. Grab your copy today and learn more about how to care for yourself in an uncaring world. Keywords: self help, self-help, self care, self-care, mindfulness, aging, aging gracefuly, humor, funny, yoga, meditation, personal growth, journal, journal questions, discussion questions, workbook, essay, personal essays, creative, creativity, life, life lessons

Based on a true story of hundreds of people with their own issues, who tend to turn to a chatsite to pass the time. You will be introduced to a couple named Martha and Jeb. You will follow their journey thru the chat life, With many twists turns and craziness.