Saturday 31 January 2009

Another Step

It's hard to describe the immense feeling of satisfaction when you work your socks off for something and live long enough to see the fruits of your hard work. The past week has been a massive leap for me, personally and professionally. I was so pleased with myself that I took my family out for dinner and bought myself a digital camera as a treat for what I think was a remarkable piece of work!
Perhaps I shouldn't make this sound too grand lest I disappoint the readers with what may seem rather normal. In the run-up to the Iraqi provincial elections, I conducted a number of telephone interviews and tanscribed them. Their publication on BBCArabic's front page meant the world to me, especially given that this was my very first attempt at compiling a piece of meaningful journalistic weight.
Whilst recent hiccups of the heart have blighted my ever-idyllic view of the world, this proved an invaluable boost; one that will, hopefully, be an incentive to be equally diligent in other aspects of my life.
The pouty-lipped, full-cheeked Suhair Al Qaisi better watch this space. If, in a few years time, you notice that Min Al Iraq ("From Iraq" is a weekly program on Al-Arabiya TV that discusses the latest political happenings in Iraq) is presented by a slender dude with a sweet tooth for lady-guests, make sure you come here to congratulate me.
Many thanks go Touta's and Abbas's way for assisting me in getting the names and numbers needed for the piece. You guys are great!

6 comments:

Touta said...

" I shouldn't make this sound too grand lest I disappoint the readers with what may seem rather normal"
laaaa, inta tishtugul for the bbc hisa ya abu big shot...wa rihat al front page! :)
congratulation, wa bil afya.
Itha itrooh al min al iraq, expect prank calls. Mu mini dabaan.
Wa gheer shee...
*whilst kulish ahmar dem* (wakhir ismee, ma sadeetak bil article wala shee) :D

Violet said...

Hello Iraqi Signor,
It's very nice to spend time with family, It can mean you own the whole world, so what do you think if it was in london?!:):).I think it's fantastic.
yes, today the provincial elections took place . it was kind of interesting thing for me. it's my first voting,hhh.
Stay safe and try to have wonderful-long time with family:).

Anonymous said...

Well done M.Mehdi.

A magnificent feat, it must be a utopian feeling to see all your endless endeavour and graft come into fruition, in the form of a FRONT PAGE ARTICLE ON THE BBC (oa oa). This is just the first step terreh, success breeds success, and next thing you know you'll have developed into a less masonic but equally tyranic Iraqi Rupert Murdoch. I envy your passion for writing enormously. Also your self confidence, in that 1) you dont question whether your interesting enough 2)nor are you afraid in opening up about your life. (both digs at myself) Your obviously driven and seem quitely competitive, but in a reserved way-which is the best way!. You probably dont care but im proud of what youve achieved I remember the days in year 10, where we'd try an out do eachother constantly by cro-barring as many long words as physically possible in a paragraph, in order to impress our English teacher (ooway) but now ofcourse your a published author, and on an unattainable level and your diligence merits you to be put on a pedastool above the rest of us, because i can fully appreciate (or only imagine) the kudos of having a piece of writing actually published by the flippin BBC. Something personal, yours, displayed in front of potentially millions. This is some eulogy by the way, i hardly ever wax lyrical about anyone or anything seeing as im a "cynic" but like i said you deserve it, and i appreciate the gravitas of this achievement so therefore you need to be commended. but i dont know whether it means much to you these days.
anyway gotta sleep now.

Well done again.

Your no1. blog groupie

(allow exposing myself ppl wud probably think im a poof after reading this)

Ihsiin said...

Ah, I remember when we were all young(er), harbouring dreams of journalistic stardom. When we'd write this and that and then slyly show off the latest sentences we were proud of (you still do that, actually).
And now the cogs of time have turned and you're bringing the dreams to life. You make me proud, man, and you've filled me with new motivation. Our dreams are meant to be achieved.

Nadia Ahmed said...

Been a long time since my last visit, glad to read the good news! Kudos to you mate, I'll be waiting for the slender guy on tv! ;)

some one from there said...

i know it's toooooooooooo late .... but congratulations .. i wish u all the success and happiness in ur career... i'm really so proud to know such a person like you..
yours,