Happy New Year 2009.

* As the year draws to a close[ 7 minutes away,yes i am at home(my conscious decision!)],i was just reminiscing about the good times & the bad...i have had during this year..

It has been a tumultous year..I have been loved by some...hated by others..I made some really good('kick-ass") decisions..and some "doomed" ones too..

I hope the year ahead brings joy & peace to me & the world around me..I hope people stop fighting for silly reasons..I hope there will be no war anymore..I hope we all leave our ego behind and work for a common good..I hope things change for good..

HAPPY NEW year every1

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...

Writer's block..

Here i sit staring at the laptop screen..i try to punch in  a couple of words...then hit the backspace key,to erase everything...i have changed the title of this post 3 times already..

Is this writer's block!!?? 

Wikipedia say it's due to anxiety or depression...Which one is affecting me?Cmmon man..i don't want to see a shrink to reach a diagnosis!!!

Lightening Crashes..

Things i recall , i did today...

* Watching the lightening strike across the horizon from a 10th floor flat(my friend's place) in Al qusais..

* Binge drinking..Kronenbourg 1664..."occassionaly laced with johnnie walker's red label (citation needed)"

* Making comments on the lovely weather numerous times..

* Watching a movie "In Bruges" starring Collin Farel...Amazing movie,good humor & drama..The "F" word has been used excessively..but it is fuckin' effective!

* For the first time this season,turning on the heater on in my car..brr..it was cold..

Signing off...crashing..

Doha...u wanted me to stay back?

HAPPY NATIONAL DAY

Thanks to Doha's visa rules(there are 41 very specific professions,that are entitled to Visa on arrival @Doha Airport)..i was turned down from the check-in counter at the Dubai airport this morning..

Now i can continue bitching..but i know i lack planning(i don't remember booking a hotel in advance,changing currency before departing or checking the weather)..i should have known the rules upfront..

Other people who were not allowed to board :- 3 people had their UAE residence visa expiring in less than 6 months,1 guy forgot his credit card,and din even remember the Cc number(ok...this is sad,specially when u paid for the ticket,why are they so strict about it..)

What better to Celebrate UAE's National Day..The Locals are so dressed up today-->,caps,bandanas,mufflers,ribbons,abayas,head-scarves,..every1 is sporting the Uae flag..The cars have flags,some even had graffiti on 'em..Buildings are adorning glittering lights..Red,Green,white..U can feel it in the Air..

The Moon is a Beautiful Crescent tonight..

I am hoping that this country navigates itself well throught the Global Crises,people stay safe & jobs are secure..I have been here for more than 3 years now..and i don't want to leave this early ;-)..

Off to Qatar

I am off to Qatar for a couple of days..It's already mid week..sigh..and i am working on National day..I don't know where i'll be staying..who all i am supposed to meet..I am just going,to explore the possibilties(that's what it's technically called!).

Thursday & Friday nite...i was at the Irish Village..Just hung around with pals..Good Live Cover music,they had a nice stage setup in front of the pond..the band was good(played covers from oasis,eagle eye cherry,greenday,red hot chilly peppers..just to name a few)..People were drunk(post Rugby 7's)..Taxi que was L O N G..i was back home early both days..Work resposibilties etc..

The weather is getting better..my window is open in the nights..no more artificial aircon for me..I need the fresh air on my face when i wake up!!

More exhibition

Exhibition...handing out bags..giving 'em catalogs..acting goodie-goodie...social smile always on..

Common Questions asked @ the exhibition.

• Do u manufacture in the UAE?
  
• Yes we do.
  
• How are your prices?
  
• They are very competitive sir,
  
• Do u have an agent in Qatar,Bahrain or even Sudan for that matter?
  
• No sir,we are searching for strong partners.
  
• How is the quality?
• It's very good sir..we have the following certifications..1.2.3......

That's Exhibition business for me...PLUS ...u get to see a lot of hot looking girls...;-)..

But it's exhausting..i am glad it's over..here i am back@ home..feeling lazy and comfy..The weekend is here..sadly just 1 day...i don't have the priveledge to work in 5days-a-week company!!..

The Big 5

I am pretty tied up this week at the BIG 5 exhibition being held up at the World Trade center..Welcome to the largest construction exhibition in the middle east..And not to mention..The massive traffic snarls,the tedious taxi ques,parking the car 1 km away from the venue..everything goes hand in hand!!.

They have an exhibitor's party on the first day..Pass allows ONE,Booze & Buffet Dinner on the house,People from atleast 30 different countries..Venue was Dubai Marine's Club next to Barasti..

The shuttle buses were the BIG BUS tour buses..since the weather is fine..i sat on the upper level..and enjoyed the view on the way back.

The breeze tonite..

The twin towers(also called Rolex towers)

The weather tonite is really good..

I am back from a short drive,in my "lil" baby(any small car enthusiasts here!,sadly few in materialistic Dxb!),with both the windows open,and FM stereo blaring(shuffling between Dubai 92,103.2 & 104.8). It felt nice to feel the breeze on my face..For a moment i was lost..all my work-related worries were left behind..

On my way home..I saw..** An African man wearing a bright blue suit,with stars on it! ** A Chinese girl jogging past the Iranian Launches("big wooden boats"),by the creek.

Dubai..truly cosmopolitan..

What is love..

I have been trying to figure out this for quite somewhile now...

It's just a state of feel-good when u are around some1,thinking of him/her,reminiscing of good times spent together..It can be with reference to any1,even your parents,pets...It's just there..

When i was in college..i had friends head over heels in LovE with each other..I used to think,"Man..this is the perfect couple,nuthing can do them apart"...Over the years..i am sad to say..all my predictions were not very accurate..Many of them have moved on..different countries...some married other people..some have moved on to new relationships...some are still single in remorse..

It simply..is strange..how things change in this fast moving world..Where has the love gone?..Or was it ever there>?..Is it just a way to spend good "temporary" time..while it lasts..Is it a day out for "butterfiles" in ur stomach..Is it a day-dream...Does it keep getting better..till u realize it's too late...

Just a bunch of random thoughts...

It has been a debate with poets,historians,psychologists,song-writers..Numerous other people from all walks of life..have been singing-dancing-talking LOVE all the time...Each one has his/her own viewpoint..

** Welcome to the planet--welcome to existence---Dare you to Move by Switchfoot"** -->Heard this song on Fm,while cross the Floating bridge..

Bahrain,Arak Haddad & Other stories.

Ok folks(if any1 ever reads my blog!)..i was in bahrain for a couple of days on a
"not-so-fruitful-recession-prone" business trip..This is what happened...

** I took the cheapest booze available on duty free on my way there...18 bucks for 500ml Arak haddad(Jordanian liqour with approx 45% Alcohol content)..it sure hit me!!

** I had the getaplana@nando's bahrain (adilya area)..after getting drunk...faint memories though!!

** I roamded around the streets listening to random Fm stereo(bahrain has voice of america & AFN europe on Fm),on my Creative zen..

** I watched "Almost Famous"(repeat watch) and " Under the tuscany sun"..on hotel Tv...Almost famous sure is a different kinda movie..must watch!!..

Sadly no pics to post.!

Corona Extra.

Hmm....

Corona Extra with lemon..it's a pleasure of it's own kind..The taste just lingers on...It's umistakenably different....Apart from the rest...Friends & foes together....The jewel beer...Games are for losing,life is for livin'!...Missin'g Good friends...Living in the moment..Did ur heart decide?...

Corona PR/Marketing guys are u listening..I think i have coined enuff punch lines here...some1 please hire me..;-)

Atlantis@the Palm

This week has been dreadful at work..So i decided to take my evening off & headed for the world-acclaimed ATLANTIS last evening...

* Only the Aquaventure(water park) & the lost spaces( portion of the aquarium,which has special breed of fish!) have a ticket entry of AED 285 & AED 100 respectively..The Rest of the portion is open to all visitors..In fact last evening it seemed more like a mall,with people & kids roaming around..window shopping & fine dining at the numerous outlets there.

* Truly a marvelous architecture..Amazing lighting..it sure feels like fantasy land..

*The Club@ATLANTIS --"SAnctuary"..the Biggest in Dubai..It definitely was huge & EMPTY..the staff said it's getting people on weekends..(i doubt)..>But it surely has the potential to be one of the most sought after night spots in Dubai.

* The Aquarium@Dubai Mall(yes,i visited that too on inaugral day,what better to do during recession times!)..has more species of fish than Atlantis..my first instance verdict.


Why am i babbling about fish..:-*...

On a personal front...it's been pretty stagnant..am bored & lonely all the time..:-(

Random thoughts

Random thoughts-->

* I want to live my life by the beach,listening to all good mellow music..from norah jones to subtle indie rock..to acoustic guitar tracks..not wanting to worry about what the next minute holds...

* I want to be loved for what i am..

* I want to be good & do good...

Signing off..

Qd's@Dubai Creek Golf Club..

Dubai Creek Golf Club

This evening i visited Qd's at the Dubai Creek Golf Club(just take the first Right exit from floating brige). with some of my friends..I was there early..around 7 pm.

A nice place to have a drink or shisha..I had cocktails-->I had a pitcher(yes a pitcher!)..of Creek Party followed by a pitcher of Qd's Mule..followed by a pint of Fosters..

I am hungry now!!

Lazy..

My latest fav..Mojito

This strange lazy feeling is setting in...The weather is getting better,work is pretty slow..Perfect time for a lazy vacation..

I need to get away from the office air con,and sit by the beach..feel the breeze..for a week..and then come back to work..!

Deep Inside of you

Look Deep inside of you..and you will realize..-->

*What you were worrying about last nite..is nothing but an illusion..

*The schoolmate you had a crush on..the one you dream' t of marrying and living ever after with, was nothing but a loosing game..

* What old & wise people say on many occasions can be the secret of a lot of bewildering mysteries.

* Life is long..it has it's ups & downs..what is important is to be stable & be calm through tough & easy times...

* Ok..i love this song...-->

"Deep Inside Of You"
3rd Eye Blind

When we met light was shed
Thoughts free flow you said you've got something
Deep inside of you
A wind chime voice sound, sway of your hips round rings true
Echo's deep inside of you
These secret garden beams changed my life so it seems
Fall breeze blows outside, i don't bring stride
My thoughts are warm, and they go deep inside of you
Oh yeah
And I never felt alone
Alright, alone...alone
Till I met you
Friends say I've changed
I don't listen cause I live to be
Deep inside of you
Slide of her dress, shouts in darkness
I'm so alive I'm
Deep inside of you
You said boy make girl feel good
But still...deep inside...STILL!
I've never felt alone
Till I met you
I'm alright on my own
Till I met you
And I'd know what to do if I just knew what's coming
I would change myself if I could
I'd walk with my own people if I could find them,
And I would say that I'm sorry to you,
I'm sorry to you, but I don't want to call you,
But then I want to call you cause I don't want to crush you,
But I feel like crushing you and it's true
I took for granted you were with me,
I breath by your looks and you look right through me
But we were broken and didn't know it
But we were broken and didn't know it
But we were broken and didn't know it
But we were broken and didn't know it
Right...oh, what's right?
Something's gone you withdraw and I'm not strong like before I was
Deep inside of you
I can go nowhere I burn candles and stare at a ghost
Deep inside of you
And some great need in me, starts to bled
I've lost my self there's nothing left, it's all gone
Deep inside of you
Deep inside of you