HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AWNI!

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Today, the 20th, is my dear friend, Awni Nabulsi's birthday. Awni was a roommate during one year of college (you know, back the 80s, the first time I went!) And even in the other years, he was a running buddy and a friend. He lived on the floor in the Castillian our freshman year. And he lived in Austin for several years after we graduated, then in DC. Tom and I saw him there several times.

Awni is a Jordanian Palestinian and he probably taught me as much about challenging my ways of thinking as anybody--back in the day of this conservative, fairly prejudiced high school kid, coming from Sherman to Austin. We didn't always agree on everything, but he taught me that there are two sides to the story, perceptions, etc. And, that America is a wonderful country, but it does have propaganda and it does lie to its people sometimes and it does do bad things sometimes. Until that point, I remember having a pretty much USA! USA! mentality.

Thanks Awni, for all that. Very much!
And for just being an all-round nice guy, who is also a lot of fun and a great friend.

I had a great trip visiting him and his wife, Amira, (and his oldest son, Najati, and Awni's mother and sister, etc. and even his cousin, Omar, who also went to UT with us) back in 2002. I can't believe it's been 8 years since I went to Jordan! Wow. That was a magical trip. Something about Jordan got under my skin. Note to self: must go back someday soon!

Awni came here last year to do business in the States and to see my play and visit Austin. He says, the whole family may come to the States this year. Let's hope so!

Meanwhile, I hope you have a great Bday!

Cheers!
,m