By George Tarabay

If you are a bazaarian (Editor’s note: It’s bazaarite, George, but okay), you may have noticed that, for the past nine months, I have been smearing this beautiful magazine with my randomness, one page at a time. What does that tell you as a reader? It could say: George has been writing some messed up articles, or it could also say: Seriously, who is this guy?

To me, it says this: bazaar magazine is still a solid platform that encourages expression in the best way there is (No. This is not something I was asked to write. Well, kind of, if you take into account, the voices inside the left side of my brain.)

If, like me, you grew up in Kuwait, you know for a fact that bazaar is one of the neatest publications out there. I always considered them as a definitive reference to all the cool things happening in this beautiful land.

Never in a million years did I think, that one day, I would be allowed into their offices, let alone write eight articles (this being the ninth) for them. Something I never divulged to anyone, including the team at bazaar, is that I always had a fear of expressing myself. Because let’s be honest: Who cares? I mean let’s face it, an early retired engineer, ‘wanna be’ comedian, kind of a marketeer/filmmaker, wants to produce literature? I would not take a chance on myself ever, because my persona is a recipe for a definite disaster.

Yet, by some ill-fated hand dealt to the bazaar team, we met through a common friend, and a friendship was sparked as a result of that encounter. I did not hesitate to ask them if I can write an article for them, and without skipping a beat, the exact words I heard were “Of course, you can!” Always ask, you never know until you do.

Those four words, seemingly common, meant the world to me, and throughout this nine-month period, I have developed my skills, guided by their team, to which a hats off is due.

It is a very hard job what these guys do. Working with many people, preserving each individual voice, packaging it in one magazine while maintaining bazaar’s own voice. Don’t think that’s hard? Try making a sushi burger with beans while preserving the taste of every bean, then let’s talk, because this is what these people have been doing for years, successfully and deliciously.

I often find myself driving there unconsciously, because they have such a great atmosphere that it’s almost unfair that other businesses don’t learn from them. To explain what I mean, allow me to reference my articles and how they are related to bazaar magazine:

1 – Comedy therapy for the crowd or the performer: The team spirit there is very therapeutic. They care, not only about their pages, but also about the people behind these pages too. I often find myself in discussion sessions with this team, not only about worldly issues, but also personal issues. I could say this without hesitation, they’ve helped me avoid several stupid decisions and I always leave their office laughing and happy.
2- In a world full of negativity, be kind or be quiet: To say this team lives by this motto is an understatement. They have a beautiful way of criticizing you, while also helping your grow. Never have I felt more welcome in any team more than I do with them.
3- Horrible bosses, a catalyst for success: Led by the “Adly” himself, they all are great leaders. In a sense that they push the best out of you, always listen, and take into account what you are saying to them.
4- Working with humans, a simple guide: Work once with this team and I guarantee that you won’t want to collaborate with anyone else.
5- You probably won’t read the last line of this article (clickbait rant): With this team, what you see is what you get, and in a world filled with deception, they stand out from the crowd.
6- Cash you inside, seriously don’t leave your room just yet (new artists rant): If you have talent or a passion, get in touch with bazaar. Not because they will highlight you if you are worthy, but they also help people grow by introducing them to new people and keeping them always at the top of their thoughts in future projects.
7- Is intellectual property important: The bazaar team is one of the few teams out there that strive to preserve every individual voice, they are very ethical and strive to guide their collaborators into higher levels.
8- For Pete’s sake, stop posting everything (social media rant): They don’t, and to that I say, a gazillion Thank yous.

In short, thank you team bazaar, I feel great knowing that I am part of this family and knowing that whatever life throws at me, I have a team of individuals ready to support me on every personal and professional level.

This article is too emotional for me, because I am being sincere. (Editor’s note: who knew sincerity could make George emotional?) Thank you a million times for being a great magazine, for being a beacon of kindness in these dark times, for being true artists in your craft. I am grateful as a writer, a reader, but most importantly: As a human (If I can be called that. Ok, I had to throw in a little joke, I am about to cry here!)

Photo by Mari Helin-Tuominen on Unsplash