Oh simple thing, where have you gone?

Is Keane, probably, the best band to come out after The Smashing Pumpkins and Matchbox 20? 

Yes, I can confirm that. I am full of mixed emotions right now. In 29 days, many things will change. 

Change is the only constant as they say. Let's step out of the comfort zone. Please God make it easy. 

I've learned to be as alone as together means.

I've been working from home for the past two days now. My son has a high fever and it has been two days now and still it won't go down. I feel helpless whenever my son gets ill. I wish I could take the pain away. Seeing him sitting there, just starting on the phone or TV and I know that he can barely lift his head breaks my heart. 

One of my best friends lost his dad earlier this week. I was attending the funeral and while there, I saw a couple of my friends holding the hand of another friend, who I last saw more than a decade ago. He had one of them from each side holding his hand and helping him walk, taking a step by step forward, the same way you would help an old person with bad knees or someone who had just gotten out of operation - I know this well because I was in that situation a lot. I went up to him and hugged him because it's been ages, and then I asked him what was wrong and he told me that he suffers from MS (multiple sclerosis) in his legs. I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. He told me he's been living with it for seven years and I kept apologising that I didn't know. Literally, NO ONE told me. Is it because I am off the grid on social media and was living in another country? I kept thinking if someone had texted me about it years back but my memory failed to remember. I don't know if anyone told me and I forgot - but how can you forget something like this. Ammar, which is his family name, and the way we always called him, has always been friends with some of my best friends. Like he was in my extended group of friends. We have each other's numbers, but we never called one another; we always met when others were around. But still, he is someone I would call a friend and not an acquaintance. He seemed content and happy, he is living with his condition and accepting it, going on with life. After the funeral, we were helping him to go to his car with his wife, and I could only imagine how their lives changed, both of them and his kids after he got diagnosed. His wife, despite not knowing her or meeting her before that day, is my hero. I could tell she is a great woman who is taking care of her husband and not one who could have easily walked away. 

After he left, my mind kept playing memories of him sitting with us in the old days, driving his car - I remember he had a cool Kia Sephia, or maybe he didn't? 

We worry about fickle things in our life. I get agitated if I am late for my F45 class, or if I skip a day of working out. We don't know the blessings we have, and we should thank God every day that we are healthy, alive, and happy. 

Remember to be kind, always. Speak soon!

Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb?

Pink Floyd's music is so eerily amazing. It always reminds me of winter nights, in my old family apartment, where I first listened to them through my brother's old cassette tapes. I blogged recently about The Divison Bell in particular, but when I think of it, all of Pink Floyd's music takes me back to winter. 

I was chatting with an old friend a few days back; her mother, may she RIP, passed away last summer. My friend's mother's birthday falls on 11/11 and it has been a tradition for so many years now that on that day, every year, I send her a greeting message. I never forget this because my nieces were born on the same day, and one of my nieces also shares the same name as my friend's mother. This year is different for my friend as it's the first birthday without her mother being around. It's tough, and I know that for a fact after witnessing it with my father - 13 years now, and every year it feels different. My friend lost her dad a few years ago, and she told me, in her exact words, 'I don’t think one is supposed to get over losing their mother..it’s different from losing my dad.' 

It struck me hard. 

I've always been a mama's boy and after losing one parent, the thought of losing another is always on the back of your mind. I pray for my mother all the time. I want her to live forever. I guess we all want the ones we love to live forever, and I am sure we would all stand in front of a speeding van to save our mothers from getting hurt. I always want to please my mom, and make her happy, always. It's like no matter what I do feels enough. I don't want to ever feel that it's enough. I want to keep giving. I want to fight and till the day I die, try with all my powers to make my mom happy.

I think coming back to Egypt and being close to my family, especially my mother, has been the highlight of the previous two years. Being in the same city, even if sometimes a week or 10 days could pass without seeing her, still makes a big difference. I think I read somewhere (or listened to one of the audiobooks) that some people get immense satisfaction from helping/giving to others. Giving doesn't necessarily mean materialistic stuff, but giving support, time, energy etc. falls in that category as well. I think I am one of those people. I think making people happy, and especially my family is what motivates me and inspires me the most. 

I wish I could always make them happy. 

I pray for my friend every day to find the strength and cope without her mom being around. 

I love you, mom. 

SYMETAB.

Pronounced Semi-tab! 

Rewind to 1994, Prep 2 (i.e. Grade 7) in school, class International 2 E. Probably my favourite class during my years at El Alsson School, my 2nd home and my all-time love. Two new kids joined school that year, Basem Magdy and Ahmed Tarek Abdelrahman, aka Farf. Together, they joined forces with us, myself and the others, who were already part of the gang (shella). We decided to have a name for our gang - SYMETAB!

S: Sherif Zaki (yours truly)

Y: Yousef Fakhry

M: Mohamed Aboushady and Mohamed Gabr

E: Eshtakoza (The nickname of Mohamed Napoleon Abdelrehim)

T: Taqui Abdin

A: Ayman Sadek and Ahmed Tarek

B: Basem Magdy

We were inseparable during school, despite Ayman joining the National class and Yousef + Gabr moving to International A, we were still always together during assembly and break times. Some of us are still very close to date and some have disappeared into their own worlds and lost touch with others. We may be on different continents and poles apart but those years between 94-97 will always stand out as some of the best years of our lives as those moments we experienced together, have helped shape our childhood. Memories made, journeys taken, promises broken and friendships moulded.

Yesterday I went to school, this time, as an alumni, to speak with young students about my career and give them some advice on the future and what to expect if they want to have a career in comms. I was inspired by their enthusiasm and attitude. The boys kept asking me about the money - i.e. if a career in comms pays well. How have the times changed?! I don't recall I was thinking about how much money I would make back in the '90s; those innocent years when all I had in mind was to go to school and unite with SYMETAB and play football under the building with a tennis ball.

Go West.

It's hot today. But sometimes it's also cold. Story of my life. I can't function when it's hot and I can't function when it's cold. These mixed signals make me sweat then feel cold and I suddenly get stomachache. I feel the need to hit the bathroom and poop. I am working from home today, right now at a cafe called 30 North that my sister-in-law raves about. She is obsessed with their coffee. My wife's family are all obsessed with coffee, but they all drink coffee with milk. I am an Americano type of guy so really I never notice the difference between one cafe and another. I am sitting outside, and it's hot, and when I complain about hot weather then it's really really hot! I am also wearing shorts and a T-shirt, just Crocs, so I couldn't get more comfortable. If I was wearing a shirt or a suit I would have been drenched in sweat here. 

There are two old ladies sitting right next to me. By old I mean at least 15 years older than me. One of them is using a MacBook and the other is using one of those reversable portable tablets. In the past those with Apple MacBooks were either the graphic designers, Gen-Z, high school students, etc. so it's not very common to see older generations using MacBooks. I am actually proud. 

Speaking of Apple, I converted to Android in early 2018 and it has been fantastic ever since. I don't think I can ever use an iPhone again. I have to admit that FaceTime is cool. BOTIM, the FaceTime app of Android is not cool at all. The waiter just got my Americano and she is not interested at all. I think I told her 'Merci' more than 3 times, thanking her and also igniting a response but she didn't even respond. She is just chewing gum and walking in slow motion. Not very common for waiters, especially in modern cafes like this. 

Ok, the coffee absolutely sucks, and that's coming from someone who likes everything. It tastes worse than normal coffee! It's OK, I miss sitting and working in cafes. On my laptop with my headphones on and typing; people probably think I am a Creative Director or something given my dress code, but they don't know I am actually blogging and waiting to join a work call. Moreover, I am waiting for my car service as I decided to take it for a clean swipe. I remember before getting married, I used to take my car to get cleaned/washed inside out every week. It was part of my routine. How things change with kids. I do need to take care of my car more often, though. 

Stay brave. Be Kind. Make happy moments. Till we speak again. X

This side or the other.

I am a huge fan of Ben Affleck. Like really. I think he is one of the most underrated actors/writers/directors out there. I think The Town is one of the most incredible movies I've ever seen. It's beyond extraordinary. I can't remember how many times I've watched it, and every time I do, I still get goosebumps at the same scenes. Maybe it's because the whole movie is shot and revolves around Boston - a place I've never been to, but has always been fascinated about. The simple storyline. Jeremy Renner, one of my favourite actors, is in it too. The movie has AMAZING written all over it, from start to finish. 

I need to shave my beard. I go to the barber every week to shave my head and beard. If I skip a week, I get agitated as I can't stand too much hair on my face. It makes me cranky. Going for a haircut is part of my 'Me Time' routine, which puts me in the mood, energises me and automatically spikes my happiness levels. 

I finished listening to Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett last Thursday, and as usual, Steven never disappoints. I enjoyed both his books more than I enjoyed his podcast. Maybe because he interviews other people on his podcast that I may not relate to, but when he speaks, solo, is what I relate to the most. This guy is a decade younger than me. When I started my career, he was still 10 years old, but man, he has accomplished so much. I am not talking about wealth and fame, but the level of knowledge and wisdom he has attained is incredible. I've always believed that younger generations can teach us a lot, and this is a living example of it. 

There is one thing I've realised though, is that most people I've been listening to lately, are all agnostic/atheist. Yes, it has become a massive trend in the last few years, people leaving religion, or in other words, freeing themselves from certain ties, and start questioning everything around them, who go on and attain so much knowledge. I am a devout Muslim myself, and religion is very important in my life. I could actually go on and say that religion is everything to me. It's not 'just' very important; it is, the MOST important aspect of my life. Without religion, I would not be who I am. In the past, I would have probably refused to listen to what non-believers have to say, but now, as long as what they say, doesn't interfere with my religion, then I test it out. What I love about Steven is that he doesn't go and bash religion, on the contrary, he talks about how religion played and probably still plays a significant role in his life, despite him being an atheist (according to his first book) and agnostic (according to his second book). But, what I am trying to understand here, is why several people like Steven Bartlett, Naval Ravikant, Tim Ferris (I've always felt he is not religious, but maybe I am wrong), and tons of others who have helped people (millions of people) through their books, talks, advice, have all steered away from religion. I do understand how people would not include religion in their talk(s) while helping others or trying to promote a certain way of thinking - that is understood, but what baffles me is that they kinda link their 'breakthrough' revelations as to when they stopped practising their religion. Maybe I am overthinking it, but it's food for thought. Let's see what my future books will bring. 

In just a little over three months, I've listened to seven books. I am really happy with my progress and the fact that I had never accomplished such a feat in my previous reading life (whether paperback books or Kindle) is a personal achievement I am proud of. 

Cherish every moment. Be the person you've always wanted to be. Don't waste time. Be kind. Never judge. Always smile. Do your best. Don't just try, but do. 

I've faced the fathoms in your deep...Withstood the suitors quiet siege.

I need to write in the morning, the moment I set foot in the office, when there is no one here, no distractions, no gossip, and more importantly, before eating. I just had my breakfast (lunch) at 2pm. I am following a specific diet now that involves a pre-workout snack in the morning at 6am, usually two rice cakes with a spoonful of peanut butter and Healthy Spread (an Egyptian healthy replica of Nutella). I have my 2nd snack at 9am, a protein shake and a protein bar. My first meal of the day is between 1 and 2pm, which is usually a couple of egg sandwiches with salad, and my last meal is when I go home (between 5 and 7pm), which contains salad and protein. 

I write best on an empty stomach. I work out best on an empty stomach. I talk best on an empty stomach. Some people can't function without food, or wouldn't be able to hit the gym without having a big meal a few hours before. Just proof of how we are all different. 

I remember Basem Magdy, my old friend from school, who was an impeccable English writer. He definitely spoke the best English and wrote the best, too (amongst us guys). He once asked a girl from our class out and she told him, 'Basem, we are not the same,' and he automatically replied by showing her his hand, and telling her, 'Jessie, look at your fingers, they are not the same.' It was the first time I heard this phrase, and I remember clapping back then, as a sign of my approval. He was such a smart kid. I am sure he still is. 

We are all different. I keep noticing everyone lately and I guess the more we get older the more we realise the drastic changes between us and others.

Stay true to who you really are. Be kind, and spread positivity.