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Day One: The Show
Monday, April 8, 2002. 8:00 PM
A large number of teenagers were waiting to take part in Sire Wenfatahit
to discuss live on TV their latest common hobby : internet chatting.
I was looking forward for the show with great excitement.
I first knew about the topic about a month ago on zavenonline.com.
Chatting is a hobby of mine. I decided to take part in the show
by contributing as much as I could. The first thing I did was present
my own point of view on the site’s message board. Afterwards, I
decided to give them a call. I was lucky enough to talk to Zaven.
I introduced myself and he was glad to hear what I had to say. A
few days later, I called again to offer Zaven a student project
film on "internet chatting". A week later, I received
a pleasing phone call from the team inviting me to the show.
It was a lady on the phone:
" ...The studio is in Hazmieh, do you have a car to go there?"
she asked.
" No, I'm sorry I don't have a car but I can ask my parents
to give me a ride" I replied.
Then she said "Well it's alright, all you have to do is to
come to the Future TV in Spears. There will be a bus taking the
audience to Hazmieh. You should be there at 7:30 PM."
"Great! I exclaimed.
The next day while I was chatting on IRC , I noticed an advertisement
about the show on one of the channels. I realized that a good number
of teenagers would be attending the show. Things did not look easy
any more.
I prepared myself both mentally and emotionally. Monday finally
came along. It was the big day! I rehearsed what I was going to
say. All I had to do now was wait.
Monday 7:20 pm. I left home.
"I should be there in ten minutes! Hope I can make it!".
I started worrying that I would miss the bus and the whole thing.
I finally arrived at 7:33. I found a couple of teenagers hanging
around in the parking lot. I only knew 3. I briefly said hello and
waited for the bus to leave as the crowd was getting bigger.
A tough guy from FTV started calling "Yalla shabeib, 3al bus!"
In an atmosphere of humour and chaos, It took us 10 minutes to get
on the bus.
On the way, there was atmosphere that really bothered me. To the
bad luck of the lady who was supposed to be organizing the whole
thing, she had to spend the whole time trying to calm them down!
Well, I wasn't interested in taking part. I just sat there in silent.
In ten minutes, we reached Sire Wenfatahit studios in Hazmieh. We
went a long way downstairs. The place was a lot smaller than I had
imagined.
"It's all about optic illusion! " .. I thought to myself.
At first, we were free to sit wherever we wanted but then the stage
manager and took care of our seating. “You up.. you down. You left..
you right.“. He also asked for our names for a studio map in his
hand. He said that Zaven uses this map to identify each person by
his name and locate him without mixing up. I sat in the front row.
Beside me, a man and a lady, spent most of the time talking. I was
listening to what they were saying but decided not to interfere.
A short time later, and after everything seemed to be almost ready,
Zaven came in.
Everyone welcomed him with a strong clap. He had a black suitcase
in his hand, opened it, and there was his laptop. With no delay
at all, he set it up and had all the connections ready.
"..mbayyan aseer..bass jagal " comments from the audience
started following every move he made. I didn't care to comment much
about him. he was just as I pictured him. He had a side talk with
the stage manager and some organizers of the show, who updated him
of the latest preparations. Afterwards, he came right at us and
wanted to get to know us more.
After he was introduced to some of the others. It was my turn.
"I'm Nader.." I said with a smile.
"Inta Nader?? ..el 7al2a kella kenit ta na3ref meen Nader..",
referring to my article on the message board. Everyone was following
what was going on and looking straight at me, wondering what I am
all about. I felt both flattered and thankful for his kind compliment.
It was ten minutes to 9 PM. Time was running fast. The stage manager
was busy making sure that the audience follows the standerds of
live broadcast. It was difficult to control the wild audience. He
lost his temper as he was explaining what stand by means.
" ne7na b studio manna bel saff!" he said this repeatedly,
asking them to clam down and listen to what he was saying.
10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1... Massa Al-kahir!
The two main guests, a sociologist and a psychiatrist, answered
Zaven’s questions. I was very impressed by everything they said.
And I felt lucky when I remebered that my parents were taping the
show at home.
During the first break, I changed my seat because the people sitting
next to me were very annoying. Everyone was standing, some approached
Zaven asking him for an opportunity to speak.
"yalla stand by!" the stage manager yells "kellna
ma7alletna bser3a"
It was time for the "internet chatting" graduate movie.
I was very glad to witness my contribution. While the movie was
being aired, I gave the "thumbs up" to Zaven, who looked
back at me with a big smile.
After the film, I waited patiently. As the microphone circulated
through the audience, I suddenly heard .. "Olsen.. ! "Oh,
that's me!" and this is where I had my chance to speak. One
of the people from the chat room told Zaven that he was surprised
by me after 2 weeks of anonymous chatting. He didn't picture me
as I was. I replied in a very descent and respectful manner. I was
a bit reluctant to express my opinion about him because it was the
first time we meet... so I just said "he's a nice guy, and
I don't mind him being my friend".
During my conversation, I noticed myself talking in a very normal
way. I was very pleased to receive encouraging compliments.
" You were brave with what you said!" one girl exclaimed
to me.
"Thank you" I replied "that's the way I am!"
1:30 AM. Me at home.
My parents were still awake. I played the recorded video and I saw
myself speaking. I told them the whole story, a story that doesn't
seem to have an end in the world of my dreams.
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