This week in pictures!

I am too lazy to write today..so i decided to edit some random snaps taken during the past few days.

And as the laziness fades away..Things that have been happening in my life -->
** My hair is turning grey...stress,the weather,water,incorrect shampoo --Who do i blame?
** The Strange "Spatial" Relationship featuring Mr User/Loser & Ms. User/Loser..i still don't know which one applies for whom,hence the "Bi-variate".
** A trip to Spain by the end of this month could be on the cards...i am keeping my fingers crossed...


PS:- Has any1 tried the "TIKKI PUKKA PUKKA" at Trader's vics(Madinat,The Marina walk,Crowne plaza)..And better still the "TITANIC",which is not mentioned in their menu..(..just ask for it,and they happily get it).
Both of the above are potent enough to knock your socks off!

First week into the New Year

Shiny- Happy- People Still Care!!:- Saw this beautifully written notice on a supermarket window in Bur Dubai.

It's been one week into the new year..How has it been for everybody..My General update:-->

* Am simply loving my new Nokia E71..Have subscribed to etisalat pushmail[cheaper alternative to blackberry,specially intended for non-serious business users ;-)..just aed 40/month,for unlimited email access!]..Can email any pic taken in an instant..So the next time i see anything crazy..me gonna snap it & post it here..

* I can write a very very long paragraph..on how work is dull & tiring & affected..but i don't want to..there's more to life than just whining about all the sad things!..

* As i read my point(*)#2,how my heart want's to pour out all the crap that's been happening with me..and how my mind is stopping me..or is it vice Versa!..

* Music..i am simply loving 2 tracks by Kings of leon ->"Use somebody" and "Sex on Fire"..None of them actually depict who i am ;-)..i just like these tunes,i like the guitar riffs and the vocalist is great too!..

* The other day i was thinking..what should i aim for in life.."have little & be content"(be the lazy chill-ass dude,happy go lucky kind )..or "Aim high & get there"(be the ultra focussed,cutting-edge f**-ass,no-more-shit kind)..I am sure every1 goes through similar thought processes..or am i the only one who is DaZed & conFused here!

Barry's bench,2:23 am walk & other stories..

Quesadilla- looks good,smells good & tastes even better!

I head out for Barry's Bench@ The Arabian Courtyard hotel tonite..It's a pretty neat Tex-mex place..They had soft Christmas music playing and the interiors are pretty relaxing.

My 4th time there,and i simply love the food,and they have some pretty cool promotions on drinks too(sorry Thursday is no promotion day)..and free valet parking(u don't expect to find parking in Bur Dubai even if there is a earthquake or a killer virus quarantine-warning or whatever!)..

This was followed by nite walking on Deira streets at around 2:00 am..it felt good..with music in my ears(random fm)..feeling the winter breeze..watched people getting into Macdonald's to have their late nite-bite...some just for the late nite AED1 ice-cream!...And i think they are moving HSBC bank from where it was in Nasser Square..they have removed the landmark HSBC Sign board..


Other stories :-->* Was a hectic week * It's a strange contradiction..the weather is getting better..i am generally best of my moods during this part of the year..but work-wise the much talked about economic recession is just beating the crap out of me! * Being single in this wonderful weather is definitely not what i want to be!! * I should be cutting down on my alcohol intake..Liver cirrhosis..Not me!!

Sleep...

RTA's Water Bus Initiative Vs Abra

This Evening,i was just having my usual stroll by the creek(Deira side).I pass by the Abra Station,which is really crowded at any time of the day,with people getting off & getting on Abra's.

The convenience of taking an Abra to cross to Bur Dubai & vice-versa is unsurpassed.I know at peak traffic times,to get to Bank Street,i would rather walk after crossing the creek via Abra.

Around 6 months (or even more)back the RTA launched the Water Bus,in order to cater to the needs of high end consumers or better still,earn more revenue.But it simply hasn't been working out well.Even today,i saw a total of 3 passengers on board the Glamorous Over-hyped Water Bus,as compared to the crowd of passengers who used the Abra.

I know the reasons :-

* Why would any1 go through the hassle of buying a ticket(more expensive than the 1 AED Abra ticket),from a booth and then wait for the Water Bus to arrive.

In Contrast U need not buy a ticket aboard an Abra.Just pay 1 Aed to the Abra Driver,and Hey Presto..It's Paperless!!

* Who would pay more bucks for an Air conditioned & Tinted Water Bus.

There's nothing like feeling the breeze on your face,while aboard an Abra.As you gaze across the horizon,you see the Sun setting down.The orange reflection of the sunset off the sea,or off the Glass on NBD building!, has been one of my most pleasant evening views.

General Update

Gifted t-shirt

I think it's about time,i blogged about random thoughts that come to my mind..

* Ramadan is over..Eid was here..ok it's gone already.Back to the grind.How was Ramadan..actually pretty chilled out.Used to get free from work early..say around 2.00 pm or so..Used to have a nap,then headed for the gym(yes,i am apparently a member of Fitness first for the past ,god knows how many months..they have this strange membership plan,which entices you to join in the beginning,but then they just keep debiting your credit card each month,and if u wanna quit,it's even more difficult..and if are a procrastinator like me..sigh..things can never change!!)..

So i finally decide to put it to good use,and have been gym ming religiously for the past month..What's interesting is what happened after the gym..I used to Booze around( i strangely discovered that u tend to get on a high,even if you have a single pint of beer after gym!,maybe it's a strange mix of the endorphins released after a workout + alcohol in your system)..I can safely say i have consumed more alcohol in the past month than my usually monthly intake..

The Equation--> Lost Calories at Gym = Gained Calories from Booze. So basically i am back at square one!.

Ps:-A good place to head out for a night out in Ramadan in Long's Bar @ the Towers Rotana on Sheikh Zayed Hotel.They had Happy Hours running all night long..

And Never Mix Vodka with Beer in a Cocktail..It simply doesn't work!

* I finally finished watching "Seven Years in Tibet".It was lying on my laptop for long..And it has taken around Seventy days to Finish it!!..Have been watching it in bits & pieces..Though i must say,it's a ncie movie.

* I have discovered a good radio station to listen to :--http://www.oldiesradionet.com/classicrock.asx

* Peanut Butter Jam is starting from tonight..It will sure rekindle my love for Good Live Music.

* The other night,i was reminiscing about the few times i had been to the Indie Rock Nights @iBO(a garage club at the Millennium Airport Hotel which has closed down now,because they wanted to build something there)..Those were truly amazing head banging nights with Free entry..

I was wondering if similar nights do happen elsewhere now..


* On a serious note,i am hoping the World Economic Recession,doesn't affect Dubai.I am praying people don't lose jobs,and the bubble doesn't burst..'Coz as long as it's intact we all are living a good life...

Does music touch you...#1

Good Music has managed to send chills down my spine..I will be covering and writing about a few songs that have really moved me..This could be a series,as there are just so many..

You get the goose bumps..It's that moment..the lyrics just touch you somewhere deep inside,or u just feel nostalgic about a past event..u just connect with the song..that guitar,bass or sax solo resonates within u..the singer's emotion gets u engrossed..

Below are just 2 really good songs by THE BOSS himself(a.k.a Bruce Springsteen),that i associate with..all the words above just hold true with these...


Secret Garden-Soundtrack from Jerry Maguire
There's someththing about the sax solo in the outtro that really hits me..i wish it could continue for 20 minutes..



Streets of Philadelphia - soundtrack of the Tom Hanks starer "Philadelphia"
The drum beat..the lyrics..this song is just fabulous..he has put some true emotion in this song..

Easy Listening and the Jebel Ali shooting Club..

Last Nite it was the Jebel Ali shooting Club..My first time to that place(no,i am not a member as shooting is the last thing on my mind ;-)).

* As soon as we enter,there are ample notices explaining how "Delayed & short-supply of Ammunition" restricts shooting activities to members only!!It's still kept me wondering how such a massive Shooting Range is short of Ammunition Due to Late shipments!!Maybe it's just a way to hype the whole "shooting experience".

But Then u request,and try to emphasize[sir we have come a long way & want to try our hand !,and sir i think guns are good],and after signing up on a wait list(which also was hyped i think!,as it was mostly empty)..They give us a 8:30 pm slot.. AEd 125/ 25 shots...

It was good,i managed to get 2 out of 6 clay pigeons..Others did better..

* Other 'well-noticed' notices --"No Alcohol consumption before shooting"..Just next to an amazing bar cum restaurant,incidentally also named "SHooters",with the most extensive Cocktail list i have seen!!

* Ask for "Tin Soi"@the Shooters,that's the name of the cheerful Burmese waiter who served us.He sure had some nice serving tricks up his sleeve..and even managed to get us complimentary iceream..And some nice take away gifts too..

Let's get it on..Jack Black(High fidelity)

Music Room-->the best music in town

Good Music..at it's best

In my continuous hunt for places that play good live music in dubai,i can confidently say that the MUSIC ROOM @ the Majestic hotel ,Bur dubai is amongst the best.The entry is situated on the ground floor,from outside the hotel,

The good points:-
** Large spacious pub,unlike the other cramped up 1's..
** Two absolutely fabulous bands " Flipside" (Brit band-->they play really good music ranging from jazz & soul to hard rock,has a versatile guitarist and an equally good keyboardist..On numerous occassions i have enjoyed theie extended extempore solo's on songs like Hey joe & black magic woman) & "the Rock spiders"( eerie sounding name,but this pinoy band put's up a real good show..the 3 female vocalists are good,guitarist excellent,and they cover some really good songs..specially Ironmaiden & G 'n' R)
** Happy hours till 8:30 pm..
** The food a'int bad either.

The bad points:-
** WHY WHY the cover charge on thursday nights>..they started it some 4 months back,and this has turned it into a proper hooker place on weekends..!
** Dress Code..the bouncers tend to stop u if in slippers/sandals>>??..what else Is Good rock music supposed to mean.Freedom Of Expression & walking in like a Caveman right!!

Verdict :- A ++ if u want to have a couple of beers & wish to soak urself in some good live music!