| For sufferers of acute and chronic political fatigue, a double dose of 'what's not to love?'
Feeling down about Lebanon's exacerbated political instability and perpetual existential dread? Two just-published books offer effective antidotes to the latest outbreak of the Beirut blues. The first revels in caustic humor, the second in the do-good spirit of encouraging the next young generation to appreciate its history and culture - ancient culture, that is, because contemporary culture is as down in the dumps as everyone and everything else. As adept at irony as they are prone to narcissism, the Lebanese love nothing more than to see themselves reflected on screen (witness the phenomenon that was Philippe Aractingi's film "Bosta") or in print and to laugh just a little or a lot while doing so. The sequel to Michael Karam and Peter Grimsditch's uproarious book "Life's Like That!" is likely, then, to find a healthy audience."Life's Like That!" was published late in 2004 and was tagged "Your Guide to the Lebanese." It was a runaway success, necessitating a second print-run and lodging itself onto Virgin Megastore's bestseller list in seeming perpetuity.
Stem cell research lab coming up in Jaipur
Jaipur, Feb 9 (IANS) The Sawai Man Singh (SMS) medical college here will set up a stem cell research laboratory by April to undertake research in biotechnology, genetics and stem cells. The laboratory, to be part of an advance research laboratory to come up in the state government-run institute, has been taken up under an Rs.70 million-project approved by the central government's department of science and technology. Ashok Pangariya, principal of the SMS college, told IANS: 'Not only would it enhance the diagnostic facilities in the city, the stem cell research would also make treatment of degenerative diseases easier.' The laboratory would provide a platform to the college faculty to understand the advances in research on diseases, he said. A special stem cell bank would also be created at the medical college.
An obsession with cosmetic surgery
Helen Leon, 32, is a pretty young thing. Bebe Neuwirth with a dash of Gloria Estefan. In December, the Miami real estate agent had breast implants, rhinoplasty and a blepharoplasty (fat sucked out of the lower eyelid). Ballpark: $17,000. "I figured I'm in my 30s now, it was time for a tuneup," says Leon. "My puffy eyes always made me look exhausted, and my chest was so flat that clothes didn't fit." Leon's nose, a problem since she fractured it a few years ago, is a major improvement. The results from the other procedures - done in one day at the Miami Institute for Age Management & Intervention - are less remarkable. She's so skinny it's hard to know what her breasts would be like if she gained a little weight. And her eyes looked fine before. No matter, she's a changed woman.
Plastic surgery website launched
Britain's top medical officer has launched a website to warn the public of the dangers of using cowboy plastic surgeons. Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson is hoping the website will prevent patients suffering botched operations, such as mother-of-three Lorraine Batt, who died after undergoing a stomach tuck. The website offers patients considering cosmetic surgery detailed information about standards of service, what questions to ask surgeons and to check whether medical staff carrying out the procedure are qualified. Sir Liam said: "Good public information on cosmetic surgery is essential." Harry Cayton, national director for patients and the public at the Department of Health, is looking at the regulations surrounding the cosmetic surgery industry.
'Female Thing' gives bad news, but no blame
Sprinkled among the novels and political tracts I received for Christmas was a clothbound piece of candy called "The Female Thing." It was written by Laura Kipnis, a Northwestern University professor best known for 2003's "Against Love: A Polemic," and its cover is a frontal photo of a woman's toned, depilated thighs, hips and belly, one hand posed sassily on her hip and the other holding a thin leaf over her privates. Naturally, I plucked it from the stack immediately, leaving Richard Ford and Jimmy Carter to lie in pitiable wait. It's not my job here to review books, so I won't get into too much detail about the contents of "The Female Thing." Which is probably good, because while I found it a little bit fascinating and a little bit exasperating, I'm not entirely sure what the book is trying to say.
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