JerkFace
02-05-2008, 03:30 PM
Introduction..Tell us about yourself
My name is Omar Binno. You can find out a lot about me just by going to my website, but I’ll still do some blabbing here. I’m 36 years old and am a keyboardist/music producer. I was born blind with a condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, which deteriorates the photo-receptor cells at the back of the eye. I got my Bachelors and Masters Degrees at the University of Detroit Mercy; with my Bachelors majoring in English Literature and Writing, and minoring in Communications, and my Masters in Public Relations and Marketing. I’ve been involved in two different sports in my life in which I attained recognition; powerlifting in high school, and martial arts during my early college years. I held powerlifting records in high school, both in the military press, and the deadlift. I obtained a green belt in martial arts and was interviewed on Fox 2 in 1990 as one of the few blind martial artists in the country. I’m currently producing my own original music and have my own recording studio. Hopefully, one of these days I’ll reach Timbaland status. lol
1) Favourites..
Number- 3: Because it represents the Holy Trinity.
Day- Saturday. I work during the day and just chill at night. lol
Smell- Cherry
Food- Hmm, there are so many: Lasagna, Dolma, Kari, Green Beans (chaldo style with the rice,) chicken kabob…
Drink- Chocolate milk!
Celeb- Phil Collins, Elton John, Chicago, The Road Warriors back from the WWE.
Music- Pop, especially from the 80’s
Quote- “Evil labors with vast power and perpetual success, in vain; preparing always only the soil for unexpected good to sprout in. – J. R. R. TOLKIEN
2) Favourite Member/s
Hmm, well this one’s interesting. I’ve been friends with some members prior to joining cc, like Greeneyez, love Renee. I’ve become friends with other members after joining the site like Nibras, Emma, Sam, Bono I already knew though I didn’t know that when first joining, Hadeer, SB717, and Cathy just to name a few. Other peeps who I’ve yet to get to know on a more personal level are: Jerk (how could I leave you out homie,) Caz, Ojeen, and John_524. lol Please pardon if I left anyone else out.
3) Most Interesting Member/s
Jerky, Ojeen, Caz, Sam, Cathy, Greeneye, Renee (although her and I have had our differences,) Hadeer, and how could I forget Bono!
4) How did you find CC?
Greeneye had told me about it for years, and I actually posted on there earlier in 2007 regarding the Chaldean News. After that, my CC journey began! lol
5) In which kind of way do you want the members of ChaldeanChat to always remember about you? (personality traits)
Well, some will like me, and some will hate me. That’s just the way of it – the way of life. For those who like me, I hope they’ll remember me for why they liked me, and for those who didn’t like me, I hope I’ll have at least made some kind of positive contribution in their life, even though they didn’t like my personality. I want everyone to remember that I love Chaldeans, I love being Chaldean, (regardless of its flaws,) and I’ve come to love pretty much everyone on CC, even though I’ve had disagreements with some.
6) What experiences in your life have contributed to who you are today?
Hmm, well, this one’s a good question. My father was killed in his store when I was 3, and my mother passed away from cancer back in 1999, not to mention some of the social, spiritual, and mental struggles I had to face because of being blind. I can say that I learned from all these experiences, and they helped me grow in wisdom, character, and strength. The experiences showed me that nothing in life should be taken for granted, and that no one can truly see what lies ahead of them on their road to God. It brought me closer to Christ and my Catholic faith.
7) How would you feel if the next president was either Afrian American or a Female?
I hate politics! Lol Sorry Danny, I know you were probably hoping for a lengthy answer to this one, but I absolutely can’t stand politics!
8) What misconceptions do you think people have of you?
Lmfao Well I’m going to be blunt here. I think that sometimes, people unconsciously associate being blind with being “different,” (they seem to forget that I’m just as capable as they are of eating, drinking, shitting, pissing, ****ing, sucking, being attracted to someone, etc. Sorry about the frankness, but it’s the reality of it.
9) If given the choice would you play "God" for a day & why?
Nope. God has too many responsibilities for my liking. lol
10) What do you do on your spare time?
I love writing: Whether it’s poetry, stories, and right now, music! I also love working out, hanging out with family and friends, and chatting online on either aim or CC!
11) 3 of your biggest fears?
1. Failing at my musical goals.
2. If I die, my family not being able to accept it. I don’t fear death.
3. Being denied access to chocolate milk!
12) Isn't SB717 just the coolest member around?
I love SB. I think that she’s definitely a very mature girl for her age, and very down to earth. Keep it up kiddo!
13) Do you beleive in "heaven" & "hell"...if so what do you think theyre like?
I believe in both. Well, C. S. Lewis had a very interesting description of Heaven in the last book of his “Chronicles of Narnia.” Allow me to quote a passage out of that book that describes it. “Perhaps you will get some idea of it if you think like this. You may have been in a room in which there was a window that looked out on a lovely bay of the sea or a green valley that wound away among mountains. And in the wall of that room opposite to the window there may have been a lookingglass. And as you turned away from the window you suddenly caught sight of that sea or that valley, all over again, in the looking glass. And the sea in the mirror, or the valley in the mirror, were in one sense just the same as the real ones: yet at the same time they were somehow different - deeper, more wonderful, more like places in a story: in a story you have never heard but very much want to know. The difference between the old Narnia and the new Narnia was like that. The new one was a deeper country: every rock and flower and blade of grass looked as if it meant more. I can't describe it any better than that: if ever you get there you will know what I mean.” If anyone has read the books, then you know that the characters die in the last book and go to Heaven. Lewis uses Plato’s idea that things in this world or universe are just copies of the real ones that exist in Heaven, which have always been there and always will be there. I personally believe that we’re going to be very surprised by what Heaven is like, and it’s something that our imaginations can’t really fathom here on Earth. I believe that in Heaven, we’ll be given a perfect understanding of the stories of our lives. We’ll come to understand the reasons behind all the events of our lives in a “perfect” vision. Lol As Lewis says, “I can’t describe it any better than that.” AS for Hell, I believe that it’s an absolutely empty existence – complete void – absolute emptiness where a person can never experience or feel the presence of God.
14) Are your other senses stronger since your blind?
I would say that they are. My martial arts instructor once said something that I’ll never forget. We can only see 180 degrees, but we can hear 360 degrees at the same time. If you think about it, you can hear things all around you without turning your head, whereas you can only see what’s in front of you or to the side of you. My sense of smell is also stronger. I’ve also learned to depend on my intuition to make judgements regarding people who I meet, etc. Where sighted people use their eyes, I use my hearing and intuition to judge how someone’s feeling based on tone of voice, etc.
15) Do you beleive in reincarnation..if so what form would you come back as?
No, and even if it does exist, I’d never want to come back. Why would I want to give up eternal bliss for this temporal existence; no matter what kind of life I was going to live here?
16) If you were given the choice right now...would you choose to see why or why not?
Wow. Great question Danny! Yes I’d take my sight. I want to see the wonders of God’s creation; the sky, the mountains, the oceans, the faces of my family, friends, and CC members! lmfao
17) What are your pet peeves about people?
Again, it goes back to being treated differently by people who aren’t comfortable at first with my blindness. Now, since everyone on CC is made aware of my blindness, whether through this interview, or through Renee’s post a couple weeks back, lol, I still want to be treated no differently than anyone else on here. If you like me, then continue to do so, and if you hate me, then…well…hopefully you’ll change, but don’t change because you feel sorry for me.
18) Chai or Coffee?
Chy. I hate coffee!
19) If you could be a animal what would you be & why?
I’d be an eagle. I’d love to fly and not be limited by the constraints of being earth-bound all the time. lol
20) How did you end up bein in the line of work your in?
Well, I actually started playing songs when I was about 5 on a little keyboard just by listening to them. So my parents saw that I had musical inclinations, and by 9 years old, I was taking piano lessons which I did for about 10 years. After that, I picked up on the Arabic and Chaldean music, and for years I performed with some of the local bands. Now, I’m producing my own original American tracks.
21) It's Been said the end of the world will be on Dec 21 2012...what will you be doin that day?
Bangin out more beats, chatting on CC, and drinking my OJ with vanilla Stoli.
22) What magical power do you wish to have?
I don’t wish to possess any magic. I don’t want to fall into corruption as a result of being given that kind of power.
23) Have you ever felt like people over look you because of your blindness?
Sometimes, yes. I don’t feel it nearly as much with Chaldos my age and younger as I do with older people. Unfortunately though, it’s the older peeps that influence the younger ones to think the way they do all too often, (negatively and full of misconceptions.
24) What gives you the drive to be successful?
God gave me talents and gifts, and to just sit back and feel sorry for myself or be a lazy **** is to squander opportunities, and in a sense, disrespect Christ for the attributes he’s blessed me with. Also, I’d like people to see through my achievements that blindness is not a hindering factor, nor does it make me any less of a person than any other individual they associate with.
Conclusion...final thoughts
Thank you Danny for the interview! I’m sure you and I would get along just great if we ever met. Sam, you deserve some great props for coming up with the idea of CC. It’s been highly instrumental for Chaldeans all over the world to at least get to get to know about the lives of other Chaldos and Assyrians around the world. To everyone else on CC, love you guys all. We’re all one big family, even though some of us have our disagreements at times. We’re all a part of a community that’s growing, and will hopefully one day be recognized for all its beauty by people who are unaware of it.
***
Omar Binno
www.omarbinno.com (http://www.omarbinno.com/)
My name is Omar Binno. You can find out a lot about me just by going to my website, but I’ll still do some blabbing here. I’m 36 years old and am a keyboardist/music producer. I was born blind with a condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, which deteriorates the photo-receptor cells at the back of the eye. I got my Bachelors and Masters Degrees at the University of Detroit Mercy; with my Bachelors majoring in English Literature and Writing, and minoring in Communications, and my Masters in Public Relations and Marketing. I’ve been involved in two different sports in my life in which I attained recognition; powerlifting in high school, and martial arts during my early college years. I held powerlifting records in high school, both in the military press, and the deadlift. I obtained a green belt in martial arts and was interviewed on Fox 2 in 1990 as one of the few blind martial artists in the country. I’m currently producing my own original music and have my own recording studio. Hopefully, one of these days I’ll reach Timbaland status. lol
1) Favourites..
Number- 3: Because it represents the Holy Trinity.
Day- Saturday. I work during the day and just chill at night. lol
Smell- Cherry
Food- Hmm, there are so many: Lasagna, Dolma, Kari, Green Beans (chaldo style with the rice,) chicken kabob…
Drink- Chocolate milk!
Celeb- Phil Collins, Elton John, Chicago, The Road Warriors back from the WWE.
Music- Pop, especially from the 80’s
Quote- “Evil labors with vast power and perpetual success, in vain; preparing always only the soil for unexpected good to sprout in. – J. R. R. TOLKIEN
2) Favourite Member/s
Hmm, well this one’s interesting. I’ve been friends with some members prior to joining cc, like Greeneyez, love Renee. I’ve become friends with other members after joining the site like Nibras, Emma, Sam, Bono I already knew though I didn’t know that when first joining, Hadeer, SB717, and Cathy just to name a few. Other peeps who I’ve yet to get to know on a more personal level are: Jerk (how could I leave you out homie,) Caz, Ojeen, and John_524. lol Please pardon if I left anyone else out.
3) Most Interesting Member/s
Jerky, Ojeen, Caz, Sam, Cathy, Greeneye, Renee (although her and I have had our differences,) Hadeer, and how could I forget Bono!
4) How did you find CC?
Greeneye had told me about it for years, and I actually posted on there earlier in 2007 regarding the Chaldean News. After that, my CC journey began! lol
5) In which kind of way do you want the members of ChaldeanChat to always remember about you? (personality traits)
Well, some will like me, and some will hate me. That’s just the way of it – the way of life. For those who like me, I hope they’ll remember me for why they liked me, and for those who didn’t like me, I hope I’ll have at least made some kind of positive contribution in their life, even though they didn’t like my personality. I want everyone to remember that I love Chaldeans, I love being Chaldean, (regardless of its flaws,) and I’ve come to love pretty much everyone on CC, even though I’ve had disagreements with some.
6) What experiences in your life have contributed to who you are today?
Hmm, well, this one’s a good question. My father was killed in his store when I was 3, and my mother passed away from cancer back in 1999, not to mention some of the social, spiritual, and mental struggles I had to face because of being blind. I can say that I learned from all these experiences, and they helped me grow in wisdom, character, and strength. The experiences showed me that nothing in life should be taken for granted, and that no one can truly see what lies ahead of them on their road to God. It brought me closer to Christ and my Catholic faith.
7) How would you feel if the next president was either Afrian American or a Female?
I hate politics! Lol Sorry Danny, I know you were probably hoping for a lengthy answer to this one, but I absolutely can’t stand politics!
8) What misconceptions do you think people have of you?
Lmfao Well I’m going to be blunt here. I think that sometimes, people unconsciously associate being blind with being “different,” (they seem to forget that I’m just as capable as they are of eating, drinking, shitting, pissing, ****ing, sucking, being attracted to someone, etc. Sorry about the frankness, but it’s the reality of it.
9) If given the choice would you play "God" for a day & why?
Nope. God has too many responsibilities for my liking. lol
10) What do you do on your spare time?
I love writing: Whether it’s poetry, stories, and right now, music! I also love working out, hanging out with family and friends, and chatting online on either aim or CC!
11) 3 of your biggest fears?
1. Failing at my musical goals.
2. If I die, my family not being able to accept it. I don’t fear death.
3. Being denied access to chocolate milk!
12) Isn't SB717 just the coolest member around?
I love SB. I think that she’s definitely a very mature girl for her age, and very down to earth. Keep it up kiddo!
13) Do you beleive in "heaven" & "hell"...if so what do you think theyre like?
I believe in both. Well, C. S. Lewis had a very interesting description of Heaven in the last book of his “Chronicles of Narnia.” Allow me to quote a passage out of that book that describes it. “Perhaps you will get some idea of it if you think like this. You may have been in a room in which there was a window that looked out on a lovely bay of the sea or a green valley that wound away among mountains. And in the wall of that room opposite to the window there may have been a lookingglass. And as you turned away from the window you suddenly caught sight of that sea or that valley, all over again, in the looking glass. And the sea in the mirror, or the valley in the mirror, were in one sense just the same as the real ones: yet at the same time they were somehow different - deeper, more wonderful, more like places in a story: in a story you have never heard but very much want to know. The difference between the old Narnia and the new Narnia was like that. The new one was a deeper country: every rock and flower and blade of grass looked as if it meant more. I can't describe it any better than that: if ever you get there you will know what I mean.” If anyone has read the books, then you know that the characters die in the last book and go to Heaven. Lewis uses Plato’s idea that things in this world or universe are just copies of the real ones that exist in Heaven, which have always been there and always will be there. I personally believe that we’re going to be very surprised by what Heaven is like, and it’s something that our imaginations can’t really fathom here on Earth. I believe that in Heaven, we’ll be given a perfect understanding of the stories of our lives. We’ll come to understand the reasons behind all the events of our lives in a “perfect” vision. Lol As Lewis says, “I can’t describe it any better than that.” AS for Hell, I believe that it’s an absolutely empty existence – complete void – absolute emptiness where a person can never experience or feel the presence of God.
14) Are your other senses stronger since your blind?
I would say that they are. My martial arts instructor once said something that I’ll never forget. We can only see 180 degrees, but we can hear 360 degrees at the same time. If you think about it, you can hear things all around you without turning your head, whereas you can only see what’s in front of you or to the side of you. My sense of smell is also stronger. I’ve also learned to depend on my intuition to make judgements regarding people who I meet, etc. Where sighted people use their eyes, I use my hearing and intuition to judge how someone’s feeling based on tone of voice, etc.
15) Do you beleive in reincarnation..if so what form would you come back as?
No, and even if it does exist, I’d never want to come back. Why would I want to give up eternal bliss for this temporal existence; no matter what kind of life I was going to live here?
16) If you were given the choice right now...would you choose to see why or why not?
Wow. Great question Danny! Yes I’d take my sight. I want to see the wonders of God’s creation; the sky, the mountains, the oceans, the faces of my family, friends, and CC members! lmfao
17) What are your pet peeves about people?
Again, it goes back to being treated differently by people who aren’t comfortable at first with my blindness. Now, since everyone on CC is made aware of my blindness, whether through this interview, or through Renee’s post a couple weeks back, lol, I still want to be treated no differently than anyone else on here. If you like me, then continue to do so, and if you hate me, then…well…hopefully you’ll change, but don’t change because you feel sorry for me.
18) Chai or Coffee?
Chy. I hate coffee!
19) If you could be a animal what would you be & why?
I’d be an eagle. I’d love to fly and not be limited by the constraints of being earth-bound all the time. lol
20) How did you end up bein in the line of work your in?
Well, I actually started playing songs when I was about 5 on a little keyboard just by listening to them. So my parents saw that I had musical inclinations, and by 9 years old, I was taking piano lessons which I did for about 10 years. After that, I picked up on the Arabic and Chaldean music, and for years I performed with some of the local bands. Now, I’m producing my own original American tracks.
21) It's Been said the end of the world will be on Dec 21 2012...what will you be doin that day?
Bangin out more beats, chatting on CC, and drinking my OJ with vanilla Stoli.
22) What magical power do you wish to have?
I don’t wish to possess any magic. I don’t want to fall into corruption as a result of being given that kind of power.
23) Have you ever felt like people over look you because of your blindness?
Sometimes, yes. I don’t feel it nearly as much with Chaldos my age and younger as I do with older people. Unfortunately though, it’s the older peeps that influence the younger ones to think the way they do all too often, (negatively and full of misconceptions.
24) What gives you the drive to be successful?
God gave me talents and gifts, and to just sit back and feel sorry for myself or be a lazy **** is to squander opportunities, and in a sense, disrespect Christ for the attributes he’s blessed me with. Also, I’d like people to see through my achievements that blindness is not a hindering factor, nor does it make me any less of a person than any other individual they associate with.
Conclusion...final thoughts
Thank you Danny for the interview! I’m sure you and I would get along just great if we ever met. Sam, you deserve some great props for coming up with the idea of CC. It’s been highly instrumental for Chaldeans all over the world to at least get to get to know about the lives of other Chaldos and Assyrians around the world. To everyone else on CC, love you guys all. We’re all one big family, even though some of us have our disagreements at times. We’re all a part of a community that’s growing, and will hopefully one day be recognized for all its beauty by people who are unaware of it.
***
Omar Binno
www.omarbinno.com (http://www.omarbinno.com/)