By Jaimee Lee Haddad
I have a small confession to make: I’m not usually big on sports. As a pretty uncoordinated and clumsy child, I never brought any trophies home from school sports days and, these days, I totally glaze over when friends and family (namely my football-obsessed brother) drone on about “league tables” or “transfer news.”
However, the Olympics are truly one exception to my sporting ambivalence — at least on the spectating side of things! I marvel at the epic scale of the event, the talent and its history!
But that’s not all for us to wonder at. The stunning Perseid meteor shower is set to take place at this time too. Talk about the stars aligning! So if you’re not that fussed about sports and you’re more interested in stargazing, music or looking for a good laugh, this week’s Breakfast in Bed selection is as comprehensive as ever.
1. What makes Lebanese people so funny?
Lebanon has a great offering of comedians and as John Achkar says, “Being Lebanese is so absurd that it's comedy in itself.” If you don’t have plans this Friday, join the thousands of others expected at Achkar’s stand-up comedy show at the Beirut Waterfront. Otherwise, read about his unique blend of humor and storytelling and how he actively avoids political talk here.
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
2. Lebanon’s Olympic hopefuls
There are some incredible athletes doing the country proud in Paris this year. They represent the biggest Olympics delegation from Lebanon in the last four years! That means the highest probability of taking home a medal too, right? Get to know these athletes so we can all rally behind them and cheer them on to success!
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
3. Cordon Courtine
All that sporting is hungry work! So, if you’re looking for a hearty dinner out — perhaps to celebrate Lebanon taking home a gold medal — Meat the Fish is certainly a trendy favorite among millennials and Gen Z. But does it have as much substance as it does style? Let Cordon Courtine be the judge.
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
4. Don’t miss your chance to spot 200 shooting stars
Make sure to mark your calendars for Aug. 11 and start planning a special weekend of stargazing — the best meteor shower of the year is coming our way! The Perseid meteor shower will be lighting up the skies over Lebanon and we have all the best tips for spotting it.
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
5. Cairokee strikes a chord with Lebanese youth
The iconic Egyptian rock band, known for its protest songs written during the 2011 revolution, made its debut performance to a Lebanese audience last week in Byblos. For those of us not lucky enough to have witnessed the show in the flesh, Emmanuel Haddad paints us a picture and tells us how their revolutionary messages resonate with the Lebanese crowd.
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad