The Black Iris humbly began on a winter’s night in late Feburary of 2005. Mahmoud Abbas had just won his first and last landslide victory in Palestine and The Beatles were all the craze down in Kerak. Fast forward 33 months later and as of a few days ago, The Black Iris has logged just over 1,500 posts. I almost missed it and so this post is in fact, post number 1,506. Ok, actually, I think, it’s the 1,682nd post but that’s counting the posts from the old blogger site, before I moved to my own domain of black-iris dot com.
Also, I’m a procrastinator.
I’m also not much of a celebratory person but I suppose 1,500 is considered a milestone of sorts.
Yes? No? I dunno.
Anyways, before the orchestra plays me off I’d like to mention a few quick things.
One: I have tried my best to offer my readers posts with these questions in mind: is it substantial? Does it add any value to anyone? Is it a part of my atmosphere that I think is worthy of sharing?
Two: This whole adventure called The Black Iris is the number one reason why I am not in a strait jacket or off starting revolutions in Central America.
Three: I am extremely grateful to each and every reader. From those that have just become acquainted with it, to those who’ve been here from the start, to those just passing by.
Lastly, I still have no idea where this blog will go or if it will keep going at all.
Though like I wrote once upon a time: I hope somewhere good.
Good stuff..
keep it up Nas, I love your blog ๐
The first post I read? The one when the gallab hit that guy on share3 almatar (or did it hit your car?) and I’ve been hooked since.
This is awesome!! Fantastic … well done!
Ya3teek Alf oo 500 3afyeh ๐
It’s such ab anazing effort coming to think of it. Keep up the good work
Nas, I love your blog so much!
The fist post I read was a rant about the high prices of Shawerma back home, and I thought, “why on earth is this guy complaining?.. i’d pay inshalla 10 dollars to have a tiny shawerma sandwich over here, hehehe ๐ Anyways, I kept your post in mind, especially the part about your sister smuggling shawerma for you to Canada, so I begged my friend who was coming from Jordan at that time to get me a couple of sandwiches, claiming that it worked with some other people :D.. guess what? it worked with her.. and I had a Shawerma celebration, thanks for your post!
Ever since then, I became a regular reader of your blog ๐
Regarding the questions you ask yourself when blogging, “is it substantial? Does it add any value to anyone? Is it a part of my atmosphere that I think is worthy of sharing?”, allow me to answer your questions (I speak solely for myself).. Yes, yes, yes! I believe your posts are full of substance, they added/add a lot of value for me, and I’m sure the issues you blog about are worthy of sharing, if they weren’t I know you wouldn’t have blogged about them first place.. I trust your judgment! ๐
Keep up the great work!
It’s always always and I mean always thought provoking reading for you, Naseem! You offer me the ‘absolutely,’ ‘You’re so right,’ ‘WTF?!’ ‘Duh!’ ‘Ahh, I see,’ ‘Perfect,’ ‘Ahh, yes of course,’ ‘Hmm, something to definitely consider,’ moments…
You’re way of delivery is very appealing… Simply put, you rock Dude!
Keep us stimulated!
Remember the news box on Jordan Planet’s side bar? You and Deeb were the ones added right before me ๐
It’s amazing to think how far blogging has come in Jordan, you were one of my top favorites when you first started, and you’ve gone higher up throughout.
Keep blogging ๐
keep blogging, you are one of few that i read for without thinking if the title of the post is “attractive” or not ๐
Lina Ejeilat is another one too.
Yay Nas, yes yes yes on all counts.
As far as where you are going, and I want to see you in parliament someday. Khallas.
Many of the bloggers I enjoyed in the three years I have been reading blogs have stopped, but the Black Iris rocks on.
1500 mabrook, o 3o2bal il 1 000 000 mabrook kaman.
oh and, if you ever thought of starting that revolution in Central or South America for that matter, count me in!
๐
Congrats man, no one can deny that you’re one of the best -if not the best- bloggers in Jordan.
I’m considering starting my own blog soon. Maybe at January, 2008.
Wish me luck ๐
thanks for the sentimentality (and nostalgia) everyone ๐
7aki: actually it was my parents who got hit ๐
secratea: lol glad the shawarma crisis worked out for ya!
iman: lol now you know the kinds of moments i go through on a regular basis ๐
Lina: lol i do remember the box! lol and yeah i remember when i was added and when you were added as well! those were the good ol’days
eyad: ill try and do something about the attractive post titles ๐
kinzi: parliament? me? no, no, no…keep me away from that dark and depressing chamber/dome!
Khalid: i’ll make sure to get you involved in the manifesto-writing.
Awartany: that would be very cool! good luck with it, and i’m looking forward to reading.
Thanks man… Hoping that I can add or change something…
Awartany, Cool! I’m looking so forward to reading for you!!!! consider starting sooner than 08, please!
I’ve been reading for you for 4 years now
is it substantial? Always
Does it add any value to anyone? Always
Is it a part of my atmosphere that I think is worthy of sharing? Elmo loves to share
For me it gives me a window to Jordan..from very far away and great insight.
Mabrouk! And I’m not even going to ask how did you manage writing 1500 posts!
Off topic,Toujan Al Faisal is being barred to run in the upcoming election in Jordan.
For more details ,here is Jordan’s first woman MP barred from seeking re-election
Don’t you dare ever think of stopping, your blog is inspiring and adds tremendous value
Iman; I will satisfy your passions soon, 2008 will be a great start and extraordinary for me. It is not that far, approximately a month. A new addition will take a place, wait for the big surprise! I’m working hard to attach significance and distinctiveness to my Blog.
This is my favorite blog. It also happens to be the thing I first check in the morning, somehow it brings home closer. I even got all my friends hooked he he. Great job ๐
Actually i never liked to read blogs but a few, but eversince i’ve tripped here i was trapped. I’ve never missed reading it but never commented either.
Your blog i would say is exquisite,awewsome and wonderful.
Keep the brilliant job up.
Allah yazeek al khair. I have only been reading a few months, but I try not to miss it each day. I finally feel like I have a tiny clue about what is going on out there in Amman. Being a foreigner who doesn’t watch any Arabic tv or read any Arabic newspapers, isolation is a constant problem here. Your writing is concise and clear and thought provoking. I am hooked. God help you, don’t quit. May Allah reward you.
I just want to salute you for such an amazing and an inspiring blog! Any reader cannot but feel entrapped in keeping up with it…
Well done… Keep blogging…
Maha: thanks! you’re one of my favorite readers ๐
Pheras: with grace ๐
AlurduniAlhurr: umm…thank you?
Hani, D, Ashraf, Um Omar, Tala: thank you all. much appreciated ๐
Salaam ‘Alaikum
I don’t remember how I found you (Jordan Planet, I think), but you’re my fave Jo blogger. Because I have very little access to the newspapers and the talk on the street, I often don’t know what is going on politically until I read your blog.
Dont worry your readers arent counting your posts some of us are barely keeping up with you. ๐
I have been a so called silent reader rarely commenting but usually present. Its been a great read since you started this blog.Ive learned so much and have had thoughts stirred up that I never saw coming. thanks for that.
Keep ’em coming! I can always use Jordan news break!