Met both ladies at Bahrain TV this morning completely by chance, and I am more than flattered by having them as friends who enjoy reading this blog! Hello ladies! 🙂
I’m always amazed that people recognise me and actually want to talk to me! So far I haven’t had any bad or awkward situations, although I wouldn’t be surprised if I do at some point.
Another blogger asked me a week or so ago what the absence of anonymity does to me and how it affects myself, my business and most importantly my family. In a few words, being known is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because through the blog I have generated so much good-will and some good friendships. This must be what “fame” is like I guess, however unlike the regular channels of fame where a person is portrayed in a uni-directional dimention, having a blog where sometimes I share my most intimate thoughts, people get to know not only the person but the persona. And here lies the curse! People reading this blog naturally come to feel that they know me personally and they do. How could you not know someone if you can read their thoughts, aspirations, political position, and some of their private lives quite plainly? Of course you would feel that you know them.
Blogging under my real name suggests another thing as well: I can’t hide! Not that I would want to mind you, I am expressing my own beliefs and feelings. Nothing more and nothing less. I am not an “expert” nor am I a political analyst. I am not a saint, but I am no sinner either. In short, blogging under my real name does not allow me to be a Jekyll and Hyde. It is simply a what you see is what you get situation. I am really glad that I have decided to blog in this manner, it allowed me to develop myself in ways I couldn’t imagine a short year and a half ago.
The downside is the effects it has or might have on my family. For instance the children’s friends all know everything about their lives! They find that disconcerting. They also started objecting to putting all their pictures on the sites and require express approval from them before a picture goes up. That’s fine. They don’t want their pictures to be used as screen-savers by their friends as they have discovered!
My wife is known too through my various posts, and sometimes gets stopped, stared at, or pointed out as “Mahmood’s Wife” which pisses her off somewhat! Her reply is normally: “My name is Frances!” or “He’s Frances’ Husband.” All in all what we are helps too though.. we are very approachable, well contented people.
I have no problem with blogging under my real name. I have no problem sharing our pictures either as evidenced by them being plastered in various locations in this blog. I hope that readers would realise that we’re just average people trying to get on with our lives. We might care a little or a lot more about our environment, our country and our people to rant sometimes, but it’s always with the idea of constructive – rather than malicious – criticism. I am really glad that my writing is taken as such. Like everyone else in the world as well, I hope to make a difference.
If losing anonymity is the price to pay to achieve that goal, then it’s a price that is worth paying and money well spent.
Comments
Friends and other observations
Very well said Mahmoud. I too blog using my real name and share my pictures and the pictures of my family and friends with the rest of the world. I think you get more respect when you use your real name, as it takes a lot more courage to do that than when you hide behind an alias.
I enjoy your writing and above all your stamina. Keep blogging.
Friends and other observations
Well I have been reading this blog for almost a year, and I have to say you are the only one who talks about reality in general, and you tend to highlight the problems that exist.
I myself when I used to live in Bahrain I could not talk openly and I could not even talk seriously, your Blog has given me an Idea to start my own Blog.
Friends and other observations
Dear Mahmood,
You are an inspiration.
هذه مومجامله
Tell Frances, that in my husband’s home town everybody calls me “Marwan’s wife”. Initially I would try to correct people but they would say that my name is too hard to remember. His nephews call me “uncle’s wife”. When I am at school with the kids I am “so and so mother”. When I am at a function related to my husbands work I become “Professor’s wife”. I tell my husband that is the reason I go to work…..at my work I am just Elen, nobody calls me in relation to anybody else. It feels nice to be just me at least part of the time.
Friends and other observations
I think that losing that bit of anonymnity is a good thing. It truly does humanize the writer moreso than a completely featureless blog would. The only danger, of course comes from those who would know who to look for if they want to silence your opinion. Alhamedi over at The Religious Policeman self-silenced with no explaination.
I don’t want the same to happen to you, Mahmood.
Ethan
Friends and other observations
Mahmood – If I didn’t know better – I would say you were watching a NASCAR race in America. Except for the camel, everything looks pretty similar. I think it’s great that you have fame. One of the reasons your blog is so wonderful is because it’s REAL. Keep up the good work. – Kathleen, NJ – http://kitkat92470.bravejournal.com
Friends and other observations
you post is all so true mahmood!…. btw.. i didn’t know you could post anonymous over here… i thought u disabled that function some time ago? 😀 interesting…..
Friends and other observations
post abt disabling anonymous posting was by me ~ strav. 😉
Re: Friends and other observations
Hey congratulations for jumping in Leif! Well done. I’ll make sure that I add your blog to the roll here and more important visit every day!
Re: Friends and other observations
I agree Nat. I can understand why people blog under a false or anonymous names only if I keep thinking with a ’90s brain, as most – as far as Bahraini blogs are concerned that is – still consider themselves “insurgent” and fear repurcussions from the government. I have been blogging and criticising the government for over 18 months now and I’m still around! In fact, you would be surprised at the support I have received directly and indirectly in airing my views from the very people who others fear! Ironic?
The other reason to blog anonymously is possibly because they just do not want to be held responsible for their views. A true Jekyll and Hyde personality, and those I feel are hypocritical.
In either situation, it’s like throwing stones from a hidden place and when they’re ‘discovered’ they think they can say “it wasn’t me!”
Still, with all this said, I am glad that people are voicing their views and fears. Maybe in time they will realise that it’s safe to come out in the open and they will. But that is solely their decision. I’ll support them regardless, as I am sure you would too, as long as they constructively criticise and share some of their feelings with the world.
Re: Friends and other observations
hehe.. thank you Elen, I’ll make sure Frances reads your comment, that will bring a smile to her face for sure!
Re: Friends and other observations
That’s absolutely tree Ethan. When you have a look at any blog whose writer is known, it gets much more personal and I think people get to believe it more as well. Anonymous blogs however lose that spirit as the writers are more concerned with censoring themselves in order not to divulge their identity, that robs a lot of feeling from their writing, and I bet it frustrates them no end as well!
Re: Friends and other observations
heh, so true Kat! and the Camel does look cute too!
On the second day they had him on a carpet, Arif and I saw him and we immediately named him Aladdin on his magic carpet!
The BIC are really trying to ensure that the culture of Bahrain is shown during the race meetings, they have what looks like a permanent cultural tent, Bahraini dancers (both men and women), you can freely go into that heritage tent and enjoy some Bahraini Halwa (sweet) and Arabian Coffee, see some handicrafts from ancient villages and the like. This time they also brought in that camel. I’m sure we will have more Bahraini things happening during future races. This is one aspect of having the Bahrain International Circuit in the first place of course, to promote Bahrain.
Hey, they’ve also just won “The Best Organised Grand Prix” award from the FIA yesterday, so they must be doing something right.. and guess who the force behind this concept is? The Crown Prince! So let the guy loose, he’s got more good ideas that will take Bahrain to the next level.
Re: Friends and other observations
sneaky, aren’t I?! 🙂
Re(1): Friends and other observations
Hey, you reply really quickly (Hahaha! I caught you not paying attention at work!!)..
I didn’t realise that you would be replying that quickly… Anyhow, don’t go feeling that you’re disregarding me or anything, ’cause that’s the last thing I want you to feel, along with feeling guilty and feeling like you have to apologise, cuz you don’t have to, you haven’t done anything wrong… I was just making a point that the fact was funny, that’s all, I wasn’t upset or anything!
hehe, love ya..
Hanan
[i]P.S.: WOOOOOHHH!!! THREE MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!! [b]BOOYAH!![/b][/i]
Friends and other observations
[quote]The downside is the effects it has or might have on my family. For instance the children’s friends all know everything about their lives![/quote]
You know, it’s really funny how my friends practically know nothing about this blog… Sure, a couple know [i]about[/i] it, but it’s not as if they go on it or something.. And there’s maybe about only one or two posts about me, which I’m fine with, since I only want as much attention as I want (which is not all that much, cause I don’t go in for that whole ‘popularity’ thing…), so I find myself thinking (and it must be all of this time off that’s got my brain working) ‘Isn’t it funny how there’s not much on this blog about me?’. So I wonder, is it because I don’t really care what goes up as long as it’s not baby pictures, or is it because [i]you[/i] know that it won’t annoy me that you take pictures of me or put up posts about me (unlike Amna, or Arif, or even Mum), so you try to annoy [i]them[/i] as much as you can and leave me alone?
Anyway, this is the holiday, and I should be putting my thoughts towards my whole ‘t-shirt design master plan
Re: Friends and other observations
I have been remiss my darling, and sorry about that. My fault completely and thank you for kicking me up the butt to recognise this faux pas.
Love you very much,
Dad