Oh! Ah! A week ago was St Valentine's. How very sweet...how terribly romantic.
I called a good friend, an Iraqi woman with a Masters in Sciences, now working as a manicurist, checking up on her.
She lost her husband in 2006, and escaped Iraq to file nails...the nails of nouveaux riches ladies whose husbands and fathers made their fortune since 2003, since Iraq started spilling blood by the gallons...
"Maysoon, how are you ?"
"Layla, can't talk, it's very busy today, St. Valentine, Sheikh Valentino."
And I can hear the voice of one of the nouveaux riches ladies...
" Noooo, change that color, I want red...bright red…" referring to her nail varnish.
"What's with the red ?" I ask Maysoon.
" Fuck red " she mutters, in her perfect English, "everyone wants red nail polish... what's the matter Layla -- it's fucking Valentine ! "
"Oh fucking Valentine...Happy fucking Valentine to you too" I replied, giggling away.
"To you too" she giggles back, "call you later."
As it turned out, the "ladies" here all want red nail polish because of Sheikh Valentino...
Red on this very special occasion...
I personally hate red nail polish, and even pink...
I find red nails looking as if they have been dripped in fresh blood. OK, maybe it's a reaction to having seen so much fresh blood around...
But frankly, why do women need to paint their nails red? Did you notice the lipstick that goes with it?
Terrible, truly terrible...
Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against women looking their best...but why the red nail polish ? That is my gender - existential question.
I mean is that a turn on for guys, hands dripping in blood ?
Is that like some subliminal reminder of the killing instinct that has characterized Animus since Adam had his bloody fall from Eden ?
Is that a turn on for the modern Adam parading as Mr.Valentino on the 14th of February ?
Never mind the nail polish...hear the rest will you ?
I and and a bunch of single friends went out on that night.
Am all for having fun, it's my survival instinct in contrast to your death instinct. If you see what I mean...
Again, my bloody sense of observation. I noticed 3 of the women with bright red nails.
The guys on the other hand had plain colored nails...but a few had invisible peacock feathers -- multicolored ones...
One talked of his bank account, the other of his properties, the third of his business deals, the fourth of his booming business with...Iraq.
Next to us was sitting what looked like to be a lone guy, early 30's and next to him, a woman, who had so much make up on, you could actually sink your fingers in and take prints -- digital prints. Her eye shadow was very dark grey, she looked as if someone had punched her, and her lips burst with a shiny scarlet red with the nails to go with it bien entendu.
She chained smoked, and ordered diet pepsi, one after the other...adjusting the collar of her black shirt and pulling down her skirt every time it moved up to reveal a pair of legs hidden behind a pull me up/down, sheer tights...
The lone guy who spoke with an American accent, "oh yeah" tinged with heavy Arabic, received a call from his "love"...
" Habibtee, my Darling I missed you so much...so wonderful to hear your voice, my love...Why did you not call me earlier on...I've been waiting..."
Oh so romantic !
Mr.Lone guy babbled on for about 30 mn with his love...then proceeded to chat up Mademoiselle Short Skirt covering Sheer Tights...
Around 30 mn later, Mr Lone guy walked out with Ms.Hooker following him, leaving his "love" fantasizing about what it might be like once she is "legally" with Mr ex Lone on next Valentine's...
I can already imagine Mademoiselle Valentino lying in bed fantasizing about Mr Valentino, and how it would be like once Mr and Mrs Valentino are lawfully wed.
Whilst Mr. Valentino is bonking away Ms. Short Skirt in sheer tights...
Of course you could argue, had Miss Valentino accepted to bed Mr Valentino he would not be with Ms. Hooker. But had Miss Valentino accepted to bed Mr.Valentino prior to Sheikh Valentino's visit, Mr Valentino would have not married her. As simple as that.
Mr Valentino -- you deceitful spermatozoa.
Let's do away with pagans, their gods and saints...
Let's reclaim the Night.
Let's reclaim Love.
Painting : Iraqi artist, Jaber Alwan, 2007
