The 13th day

I've been sedentary for as long as they've been mobilized.

I've been captivated by a movement that left me still.

It's been 12 days that they've been chanting, marching, fist-pumping, fighting, singing, and cheering.

It's been 12-1 days since I've exercised; tomorrow, the 13th day (the 12+1), I will work out,
and, I pray, he will be out-worked.

I have never paid so much attention for such an amount of time: at home, at work, on line | anxious when I'm away from access for too long. A smoker out of money and down to my last drag: I cringe at the uncertainty of when my next fix will come.

I'm unable to get bored enough to change the channel--even if the Al Jazeera broadcast is being repeated. And, yes, Al Jazeera, or Al Jaz (as I've been calling it these past 12 days) and I have cultivated a relationship: born out of necessity and longing for raw truth; driven to the point of obsession and fatal attraction. I've announced our status loudly--on FB, at work. The CEO of my company knows->I'll be found typing and listening, and, sometimes, just listening. The article will get written, and I'll remain comfortably in-the-know.

For 12 days, I've looked at Cairo/Al Cahira and Alexandria/Askandaria more than I ever have--including the semesters of Art History that made me learn the stories behind and beyond and within the wondrous and iconic pyramids: boxes of index cards to date the hieroglyphics and identify the pharaohs busts.  I appreciated the art and the history, but I left it alone as often as I could. I can't leave alone Egypt now.

I've heard Egypt more than I ever have in these 12 days--and for anyone familiar with popular Arab culture, that is saying a lot: generations have quieted before Om Kalthoum's microphone or Abdel Halim's serenade--their melodies and love-drenched lyrics pipe up instantly at the first breath of the name "Masr." But even they have been hushed. "Ir7al, ir7al, ir7al!"--that is the verse reverberating now at the volume of 1,000,000 decibels. The people's song is loud and lovely.

A lovely 12 days ::: In 12 days, Egyptians became the champions of their nation, overshadowing the pharaohs and the kings and queens of song and stage. Egyptians became the champions of our nations. The people have given other people the rush and have garnered respect that no art history book or concert could inspire. Their spirit has been remarkable.

A deadly 12 days ::: In 12 days, Egyptians have sacrificed much: warmth, food, water, facilities, life. Intermittent civil standoffs have pitted the spirit of good against that of greed on the ground and in the government. Egyptians gave to receive; they are still giving, and waiting.

It is 5 hours into the 13th day there now. Al Jaz is still visible over this laptop's top, and it's audible in surround-sound. Egypt is streaming through the screen and my sedentary soul. I've been sitting, and staring, and praying psalms.

When my 13th day comes in, I'll meet it with a work out. I hope Egypt will meet one too.