Dubai Treasure Hunt Drive!

(FYI: I have some few pictures in my previous post about the horrific race....)
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Hey everyone,

Having recovered sufficiently from yesterday's horrific ordeal and embarrassment, I was looking forward to the Treasure Hunt in Dubai today. "Wake up Mansur" the message shouted in my phone which my friend sent me at 7am! I got ready in 15 minutes and made my way over to her house. Anita and Ziad were waiting for me at their place, and we left Sharjah at 730, and got to the Dubai Creek Park at 8am so we could register our team and got our goodies bag. The race was to start at 10am, and the first group who made it back in the fastest time would be declared the winner.

The newspaper that we purchased in the morning had 21 clues, which we had to decipher. So that gave us an idea, and we started solving the clues. Four of the clues were such that we knew the answer and just had to fill in the space. The other clues we had to decipher, and figure out the location in Dubai, and reach and get the stamp. So, we had an hour and half to spare and over breakfast, myself, Anita, Ziad, and Anita's friend Maria with her husband Amir and their young son also joined us. We were armed with a map and started figuring what route would be best to take, where to start, what the locations are and so on. Ziad would be the driver, and Amir knew all the place. I was armed with the newspaper which I would have to take to the people who would have to stamp my newspaper as proof that I visited the place.

Come 930, about 100 or so cars are lined up at the Creek Park, and at 10am, the start off! I felt like pretty much like the contestants on The Amazing Race. Our start time was 10:07am. We decided to begin with the places which are the furthest from Dubai's city center, and work our way inwards. Our first destination was a furniture store at the other end of Dubai in Jumeirah.


(We passed this new mall, which has the skiing slope. This mall opened this past Wednesday, albeit a partial opening.)

We had already made a wrong turn somewhere and lost about 30 mins. Anita was upset. Others were calming her down. We finally got to the place, and got our stamp. There were other contestants rushing in and out of their cars. The tension began to develop. Some of us in the car became competitive. Ziad drove the car amazingly well. Amir gave perfect directions.

Soon, we were getting more and more stamps on our paper. On top of this, when we left the starting point, we were handed a clues sheet, which were extra set of things we had to answer or get. So one had to get a ticket from a weighing machine, another had to get a picture of a celebrity. As we were seeing other contestants out on the roads, we started panicking as we had one hour left, and several more stamps to get. Anita and Ziad erupted into a fight in the car. I tried pacifying them. It wasn't helping. The atmosphere in the car was one of fear, tension and such competitiveness. Some of us gave up hope, and figured we were losing. We heard on the radio one team was 15 minutes away from completion. Another were close. We felt we lost the game, but Amir gave us the encouragement. BE POSITIVE.


(Passing through Dubai Marina)

Near Dubai Museum, which is located in Downtown Dubai, complete with small interconnected roads and paths. We were looking for one of the photo developing studios. There were people running here and there, and I got out. Running in and out of the lanes, holding the clues sheet, people were asking one another where the shop was. Such level of tension made me panic, and I realized the shop was elsewhere. I left and got back in the car and it took a while for us to find the place.

Then we headed over to our last area, where three stamps were close to each other. Anita ran inside the mall to get the ticket from the weighing machine. Maria looked for the picture for the celebrity. I called up the police to ask for the answer for one of the clues. Ziad was driving like a formula racer. Finally, we made it to the park, and realized we had to run inside into the park and submit the form. We had done all this within two hours, and there was still 40 minutes for the deadline. We all sighed a huge sigh of relief. We all thought we did good.


(Creek Park, where we sat and enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon.)

It was an amazing experience for me because such times calls for team-work, team coordination and good communications. When the big fight took place in the car, we all had to keep our heads and egos on the ground level and not let the situation get the worst of us. I certainly learnt new things about my friends, as such situations exposes our characters and how we would react.

There was about an hour and half for the declaration of the final prizes. In the meantime, those who made it early were given the opportunities to participate in the smaller games they had prepared. I went up to one which called for the "hairiest leg -male." I thought I was hairy, when I saw the other boys and men expose one side of their legs...and they made my leg seem hairless. One Indian boy, probably a teenager, did not even raise his pants up to his knees, and when he did raise it a little, he had gorilla haired leg. GASP! We all just walked away knowing he would win the gift certificate!


(Games!)

Other categories included largest tattoos, longest hair, man-woman coordination games, etc.

15 mins after 3pm, they announced the winners. We were team 202, and all we had to do was keep our ears open to hear the three numbers: 2-0-2.

"The first team, in 5th place" shouted the man into his microphone, "is, 1-3-5!" Applause erupted from the audience. Ok, we still have a chance. "The fourth place goes to, wait for it, team 2....0...." We all sat up in our chairs- is it us?? "2...0...5!" Another group close to us shouted in joy and ran to get their prizes. Don't worry, we still have a chance, we told ourselves. "The third place is 2...8..3." 3rd place was gone. "The 2nd place goes to....1...8...4...." Do we have any chance...? Myself, Anita and Ziad were gripping our chairs. Is it us? Is it us? Please! Let it be 202! 202! 202!

"The team that wins the 29" television, microwave oven, watches.." the host trailed on. We don't care, is it us? Is it us? "The team that came in first is....hold your breath ladies and gentlemen, is...2......." Tension!. ".....0....." We literally gasped. We need to hear the number 2 now. Is it us? Come on! The host started laughing, and deliberately postponed the final number. I got up from my chair. "The number is, 2....0.......zerooooooo!!!!"

I sat back down. We were a little disappointed.

However, despite the brief intial disappointment, I think the experience in itself was good enough to go through. I would do anything to do something like this again. It was fun, it was exciting, it was challenging, and it was certainly much much better organized than that poorly organized hopeless 6km run by McDonalds yesterday! Dubai does it better. Even the host spoke in English to satisfy the different nationalities there. The organization was top notch. We all left with a huge sense of achievement. What would have been a lazy Friday morning otherwise, turned out to be one fun-filled, adrenaline rush, action packed treasure hunt as we dashed into and out of shops and malls, frantically filling out the clues, asking other contestants out on the streets for answers and loctions, making phone calls, searching for the stampers and raced through the Dubai roads, giving us a chance to see Dubai from a different perspective.

Mansur

HUMILIATED, INSULTED AND DEGRADED!

HEY EVERYONE,

PARDON ME FOR WRITING IN CAPS, BUT I HAVE BEEN HUMILIATED, INSULTED AND DEGRADED TODAY. I WENT TO THE "FUN DAY RACE" EVENT SPONSORED BY MCDONALDS, AND HERE IS A BLOW BY ACCOUNT OF EVERYTHING THAT WENT WRONG.

1--- THE MAP SAID THE START FOR THE 6KM WAS BEYOND THE TAWUN MALL. WHEN THE TAXI DROPPED ME THERE, I BUMPED INTO THREE FILIPINOS, WHO WERE ALSO LOOKING FOR THE START POINT. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE START POINT WAS BEFORE THE MALL AND NOT BEYOND THE MALL. WHOEVER MADE THE MAP SHOULD BE FIRED BECAUSE WE HAD TO WALK THE EXTRA KM AND GOT THERE LATE.

2--- SO WHEN WE FINALLY GET THERE, WE SEE BUS-LOADS UPON BUS-LOADS OF SCHOOL KIDS. THERE WERE ALSO FEMALE STUDENTS, COMPLETE IN HIJABS AND ABAYAS! ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU WILL RUN 6KM IN YOUR ABAYA IN THIS HEAT? I GIVE CREDIT TO THOSE WHO DID! SO, WE GO UP TO THE REFEREE, WHO UPON US PRODUCING THE PORTION OF OUR APPLICATION TO RECEIVE THE CAP AND TSHIRTS REFUSED TO TALK TO US. IN HIS THICK ARABIC ACCENT HE TOLD US "KHALAS! BAS!" I WAS INSULTED. I BEGAN LOSING MY MENTAL STATE OF MIND FOR RUNNING THE RACE.

3--- I TOOK MY PHONE OUT AND ASKED HIM FOR THE NUMBER OF THE ORGANIZER. HE REFUSED TO TALK TO ME. THE WHOLE TIME I WAS KEEPING MY COOL AND TALKING PATIENTLY WITH HIM. HE IN TURN WAS BEING RUDE AND MEAN WITH ME. I FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE WHO WAS ABLE TO TRANSLATE FOR ME, AND THIS SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT YOU CAN RUN AND AT THE DESTINATION YOU CAN GET YOUR REGISTRATION DONE AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRIZES. I WAS SKEPTICAL BUT I DECIDED TO DO IT ANYWAY.

4--- "YALLA!! SHABAAB!! YALLA!!" THANK GOD I KNOW ENOUGH ARABIC TO UNDERSTAND IT WAS TIME, AND I TOLD THE FILIPINOS TO JOIN IN. IF THIS RACE WERE MEANT FOR THE ARAB-SPEAKING PUBLIC, THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD US.

5--- SO THERE WERE FOUR GROUPS OF PEOPLE. (A) FEMALES WHO WERE ASKED TO STAND WAY BEHIND THE MEN (TALK ABOUT UNFAIR!) (B) PEOPLE LIKE ME AND THE FILIPINO WHO CAME HERE FOR FUN. (3) SCHOOL KIDS WHO WERE HERE TO HAVE FUN AND CREATE HAVOC. I OVERHEARD A CONCERNED INDIAN DAD TELL HIS TWO STICK-THIN SONS "SONS, PLEASE BE CAREFUL. THIS CROWD WILL GET ROWDY AND PUSH YOU AROUND!" (D) THE SERIOUS MARATHON RUNNERS, COMPLETE IN THEIR RUNNING SHORTS AND ALL. SO, I WAS THINKING "IS IT A FUN DAY RACE, OR IS A COMPETITIVE MARATHON RACE?"

6--- GUNSHOT! PEOPLE RAN AS IF THEIR SHORTS WERE ON FIRE! LOL! I WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE. I THOUGHT I WOULD LET THESE TROUBLE MAKERS GET IN FRONT OF ME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY WORK OUT WHO IS THE WINNER. SOMEONE AT THE FRONT OF THE RACE COULD BE RUNNING, AND SOMEON AT THE BACK COULD BE RUNNING AT THE SAME PACE, BUT THE ONE IN THE FRONT GET'S THERE FIRST BECAUSE HE WAS FRONT IN LINE. UNFAIR.

7--- SO WHILE WE WERE RUNNING, SOME OF THE RUNNERS WERE CHEATING AND GETTING CAR AND BUS RIDES TO GET TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE. EVEN THESE GIRLS WERE DOING IT. CHEATING! I WONDER IF THEY GOT THE FIRST PRIZE OR NOT. I MEAN, IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO 6KM, DON'T. WHY RUN 6KM AND CHEAT IN THE MIDDLE?

8--- ALSO, THERE WERE NO PROVISIONS FOR ANY WATER OR DRINKS AT ANY POINT OF THE RACE. THERE WERE POOR STUDENTS WERE FALLING ALL OVER, HAND SIGNALLING THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE CARS TO GIVE THEM WATER. ALL THEIR PLEASE FELL ON DEAF EARS. LUCKILY I HAD MY BOTTLE OF WATER. THE FILIPINOS EVEN HAD THEIR BANANAS.

(The ambulance that was just going up and down, ignoring the runners who were falling all over the place. You can see the Coke stand, who charged money for the drinks at the end! Totally sad!)

9--- OK, SO WHILE I WAS RUNNING, THE CAMERA CREW WAS WHIZZING UP AND DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH WAS A SANDY AREA. SO WHEN HE WAS DRIVING UP AND DOWN SO FAST, HE WAS THROWING SAND AND DIRT INTO MINE AND OTHER RUNNERS' FACE. I DID NOT COME HERE TO RUN TO HAVE SAND AND DIRT THROWN INTO MY FACE. TOTALLY DEGRADING.

10--- THERE WERE NO PROPER MARKED DIRECTIONS. SOON, SOME OF THE RUNNNERS WERE RUNNING ON THE OTHER ROAD, WHICH MADE IT A SMALLER RUNNING DISTANCE FOR THEM. WHERE ARE THE AUTHORITIES TO CHECK ON THE CHEATING?

11--- HALF WAY THROUGH, WHEN I HAD DONE 3KM OF RUNNING, THERE WERE TWO INSPECTORS STANDING THERE. THEY WERE MARKING THE LIST. I STOPPED TO MAKE SURE I WAS ON THERE. "MAFI MANSUR." I LOST IT THEN. I REALIZED TALKING TO THESE CLUELESS, BRAINLESS ORGANIZERS WAS LIKE TALKING TO A THICK CONCRETE WALL. THE REFEREE EARLIER WAS LIKE EVEN THICKER THAN A CONCRETE WALL.

12--- SO I WALKED THE REST OF THE WAY. SOME OF THE RUNNERS STARTED SWIMMING IN THE LAGOON. SOME STARTED TO WADE IN THE WATER. WHAT KIND OF MARATHON IS THIS? SOON, I HEARD "YALLA!! YALLA!!" FROM BEHIND ME. A RUNNER TOLD ME I HAVE TO HURRY UP AND GET TO THE END BECAUSE THEY WANT TO PLEASE THE CHIEF GUESTS SITTING AT THE DESTINATION, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE IT ON TIME THERE SO HE DOESN'T FEEL THE HEAT. WHATEVER!

13--- SO I GET TO THE END. THERE ARE ALL THESE VIPS SITTING ON THE LEFT SIDE. THERE IS A GROUP OF UAE FEDERATION OF ARMY SITTING ON MY RIGHT SIDE. THEY LATER TURNED OUT TO BE A BAND.

14--- I WALK THROUGH THE FINAL GATE. "NO, YOU DON'T GET CERTIFICATE BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO NUMBER OR CAP!" BAS! I LOST ALL HOPE IN THIS PATHETICALLY ORGANIZED EVENT. I FELT INSULTED AND HUMILIATED. I RAN 3KM, WALKED BRISKLY FOR 3KM AND I AM NOT APPRECIATED FOR MY EFFORTS, WHILE ALL THESE CHEATING GUYS WERE WALKING AROUND WITH THEIR CERTIFICATES.

15--- SO DRINKS WERE THERE AT THE END. THANK GOD. WHAT? I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM!!!! FORGET IT MAN! THIS IS WHAT I GET AFTER 6KM!

16--- THE WHOLE PRIZES CEREMONY WAS HELD IN ARABIC WITH ALL THE AHMEDS AND MOHAMMADS WINNING THE PRIZES. IT WAS TOTALLY INSULTING, EVEN FOR THE FILIPINOS. THE ARABIC GUY WHO TOLD ME AT THE BEGINNING THAT I WILL GET MY THING AT THE END WAS EMBARRASSED HIMSELF.

(The prize-giving ceremony. I was told 3000 people signed up. Does this pic show 3000 people? Hardly!)

SO TO CUT IT SHORT, I FELT INSULTED, HUMILIATED AND DEGRADED IN ALL WAYS POSSIBLE. I WENT TO MCDONALDS IN THE EVENING AND TALKED TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER HIMSELF. HE APOLOGIZED AND APOLOGIZED TO ME. HE EVEN SAID HE WILL GIVE ME THE CAP AND THE TSHIRT. I TOLD HIM THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT THE CAP AND TSHIRT BUT ABOUT HOW I WAS TREATED THERE.

HE CLARIFIED TO ME THAT MCDONALDS WERE CO-SPONSORS, THE REAL SPONSORS WERE THE UAE ATHLETICS FEDERATION. I REALIZED THEN THAT I HAD TOO HIGH OF MY HOPES TO EXPECT SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL FROM THIS ORGANIZATION.


(If I could do ANYTHING to strangle this Ronald McDonald guy, I would! I need a gun! I need some heavy artillery machines! I need to drive something through him to make him go through what I went through!)

SURE ALL THE SCHOOL KIDS HAD THEIR SHARE OF FUN, OF CHEATING, GOING IN THE WATER, GETTING THE CERTIFICATES AND TROPHY, BUT PEOPLE LIKE ME AND THE FILIPINOS WERE FEELING TOTALLY INSULTED. IS THIS THE WAY YOU ARE TREATED, WITH IGNORANCE AND HUMILIATION?

I SHALL BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS EVENT TO ALL THE NEWSPAPERS IN DUBAI AND SHARJAH, AND WILL PERSONALLY TALK TO MR. DAHEM OF THIS ORGANIZATION TO GET AN EXPLANATION FOR SUCH BLATANT HUMILIATION.

TO TOP IT OFF, MY TAXI RIDE HOME TOOK ME PAST THIS PLACE WHERE IT SAYS IN FLOWERS: SMILE YOU ARE IN SHARJAH!

YEAH RIGHT!


This was the only comforting thing- to reflect on nature, and be in amazement of the God who created such wonderful moments, which are more powerful than the pathetic moments I went through in the race!)

(Oh, also, just so you know, Sharjah has the Sharjah Eye, taken from the London Eye. It looks very impressive, but it isn't that popular!)

MANSUR

Too Much...For One Weekend!

Hey everyone,

Have you ever had days when you wish you had loads of things to do, but there is nothing to do? You wonder how you can fill your day up by doing stuff which you never had a chance to do. You wonder whatyou can do to make your day more exciting. Well, yesterday, and today are days that I know will makeup for all those days where I had nothing to day.

Let's see, what happened yesterday. In the morning, I was supposed to go to the doctor to get the follow up check but did not do so. I should've but didn't as I had other committments at the work place. Then, from the work place I got chatting to a friend and we discovered something new on the Yahoo Messenger. In YM, there is an option to upload "environments" which basically give a theme to your screen. So, we got the Doodle one, where my friend and I could doodle on the screen and playgames and do drawings and all. It passed a good two hours easily! lots of fun and crazy laughs along the way.

Came home, and had to get ready for a presentation in Dubai. My father is involved with a group of people inPakistanm who are developing a housing project in Lahore, Pakistan. The project is called Sukh Chayn Gardens, which means Peaceful/ Serenity Gardens. It was invitees only presentation, and I asked another friend of mine to come along with me, since I did not want to be there alone. See, what happens is that if I am alone, I have to somehow meet up with all the uncles and aunts there and then having to face questions and more questions from them. It puts me in an embarassing spot, especially when someone asks me either what class I am in, or when my marriage will take place. Aarrgh!

So my friend and I watched the speaker talk about the project, and watched a documentary. I wish I could post the documentary here since it was so informative, and the minute they showed it, I realized how much I was missing my hometown Lahore. I so badly wanted to go there and savor the pleasures of living in the cultural capital of Pakistan. Lahore' s culture makes Dubai's culture look so pale and devoid of anything remotely cultural. The presenatation was over and the floor was open for questions. Ok, even as I am writing this, I am suffocating, because when I think about the questions the people asked, I was infuriated.

One of the guys who was questioning was a student with me at university, and he has a repuation of being a perfectionist. He started off in a fake american accent, " Yes, I have a question, which is actually a two part question." Everyone in the hall groaned. After his two part question were answered, he grabbed the microphone, and said "Sir, I have two more questions." Everyone groaned more, and his fourth questions had several sub parts to it. I began suffocating, because this questioner was dissecting this project as if it were an academic project. Why do you have to make a fool out of yourself by asking questions which seem intelligent but actualy make you look like a fool? The people who were invited here were people from well to do background and educated. Why do they have to ask dumb questions, totally irrelevant to the whole project. It's beyond me!

My friend and I had to meet a third friend of ours, and since everything was late, we had to leave the rest of the question and answer session and miss the dinner. We had dinner at Automatic restuarant, which I will affirm as the best arabic restaurtant in Dubai. Then, the friend was invited to Zinc over at Crowne Plaza Hotel, supposedly one of the better clubs in Dubai. So we headed over to Crowne Plaza hotel, where my friend's friend came down and talked to the bouncer and let us pass through the waiting list. We climbed up at least two floors and entered the club.

"Zinc also has a live band, which performs the latest R n B tracks from the previous weeks. This band is highly talented, and can really attract the crowds. The drinks, are about 22Dhs here, nearing towards £4. You may think that this is very expensive, but if you make sure that you goto a pub first, which I will advise you on shortly, you will not have to spend so much money. I will mention that Zinc has a very stringent entry code. You must wear fashionable clothes, and if you are obesely overweight, or for example have bad acne, you will not be allowed to enter (which I think personally is very prejudist). Also, as is everywhere in dubai, it is stricltly over the age of 21. So even if you are 20, forget it (you may get away with it in most of the other clubs in Dubai)"

My friend and I were very lucky that we were dressed smart, since we are at the presentation function earlier at another hotel. Otherwise I think we would have been rejected from the club. My friend and I could not even stay for 15 minutes. Amazingly loud music that made the whole body shiver. People falling all over each other. Girls doing ruanchy dancing. Men ogling at the women. The Filipino singer trying to sing like the black rappers. We had enough when one of the guys who was obviously drunk fell all over my friend. "That's it! We are leaving!" So, within 15 minutes, my friend and I left Zinc and headed back home.

It was quite interesting to see what Zinc was all about. It's supposed to be one of the better and cleaner clubs in Dubai. If Zinc was like this, I wonder what the others would be like. This was probably the third time I went to a club in Dubai the whole time I have been here since 1998. I know I am not missing out on anything.

So, I got home, and I watched E.T, which my friend had on DVD and I borrowed.

So today, I got up at 9am and had to go to a colleague's house, where they were having something for the kids and he asked me if I could help him out. So, I was there from 10am to 1pm, helping him out with the kids. Good grief! I tell you, when you have hyperactive boys aged 7-8, it is extremely difficult to keep them under control.

And, oh, today afternoon, I am participating in a fun run that McDonalds has organized. I will be running the 6km part of it. There will be prizes give aways as well, so I am kind of excited about it. I have never run 6km, but I know I can do it because I can walk 6km and more.

Goodness, for all those days when I had nothing to do, here I am having loads to do!

Mansur

Literally High Thrills!!

Hey all,

I stumbled across this place to check out the roller coasters. Las Vegas is a huge theme park and since the last time I was there, they have done some amazing renovation. I remember before entering Las Vegas, we had a small pit stop at Reno, where the world's highest roller coaster was. It was 8pm in the evening, and I so badly wanted to get on it. I was told that they closed it down for the day because the tracks are so high up that they literally wobble due to the desert winds. I was so disappointed.




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But now this Stratosphere Hotel Tower have two new rides that I have set my heart on. There are also some cool videos to watch.

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"At 866 feet, X Scream is the world's third highest thrill ride. Shaped like a giant teeter-totter, X Scream is an open vehicle that propels riders head-first, 27 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower and dangles them weightlessly above the Strip before pulling it's riders back and over again for more!" Sounds absolutely thrilling!



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"Insanity-The Ride consists of an arm that extends out 64 feet over the edge of the Tower and will spin passengers at up to three 'G's.' As the ride spins faster and faster, the riders are propelled up to an angle of 70 degrees. Riders will experience the thrill of being flung over the edge of the Tower and literally facing downward at the City of Las Vegas below. The ride is programmable with various ride options. An unobstructed view of historic downtown Las Vegas rewards those riders brave enough to experience three 'G's' at a height of more than 900 feet." Sounds abolsutely more thrilling.




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Here there are all the major rides...check out the second one. I would do anything to sit atthe front seat of that ride, and be plunged forward from the tower, knowing there is nothing between me and the ground below me.......goodness!!!



Gosh, now I have two awesome reasons to visit Las Vegas! Is there anyone out there who has been on these two rides?

Mansur

The Beautiful Blue Box...

Hey everyone,

Yesterday, when I was in Dubai, I went into the local supermarket to get myself something to drink (chocolate milk as usual) and then I saw something that was so beautiful. It was one of those moments where all the beautiful memories come rushing to my mind. I was grinning the whole day.

It was a rectangular shaped box, blue in color. It had orange colored writing on it. My mouth started salivating a bit, and without further ado, I picked up the box. It was the last one left. For the first time, I found this box here. I always had this box in London whenever I was there. I would be literally be addicted, and at times would have two boxes per day!

What am I talking about? IT'S THIS: ------>



oh goodness, now I am weakening, and I am feeling hungry....ok, they are so good that "you'll never eat them alone..."



But then, they are sooo good, so much so, I will not eat them alone. So I will give one to you, and three for myself! LOL!.



And also, they are extremely delicious, as I bite into the soft biscuit, covered with chocolate. Yummy. The coolest part: the smashing orangey bit. Goodness. The delicious orange part in the middle takes my heart away. And I have decided, the next time you are over at my place, I shall place this box in front of you and others, to remind them that the box is mine, and mine only!



All right guys, the first thing when I get to London next time will be making up the last two years of not having these awesome Jaffa Cakes. I envy the people in London now! :-)

Mansur

Ouch! Tagged!

Hey everyone,

My friend Xena over at the other end of the world has tagged me all over my body! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! So, here are the answers! LOL!

Q1) Can you cry underwater?
A1) No. I cannot cry underwater. Why would I want to cry underwater?

Q2) What piece of clothing represents you the most?
A2) Jeans, crisp white tshirt and Teva sandals. All this represents the cool, calm, relaxed side of me. I absolutely hate wearing anything formal..and ties, I shall pray to never have to wear that!

Q3) 2 things you want to achieve this Ramadan.
A3) Forgiveness of my sins. Diligence in keeping up with reading the Holy Book!

Q4) 2 things which really irritate the hell out of you.
A4) Hypocrisy. People who cut lines in grocery stores, banks, elevator line etc etc..bus, they just make me fuming mad!

Q5) 2 things which bring a smile to your face or make your day pleasant.
A5) My photopgraphs. Chatting with a certain friend of mine.

Q6) If you knew you had like a week to live, what 3 very important things would you do?
A6) Go back to Jeddah to be with my family and tell them how much I love them. Call certain people up and ask them to forgive me and clear up any misunderstanding. Spend time in repentance.

Q7) If ur house caught on fire, who would u choose to save first and save last?
A7) I would save myself...since I am living alone. LOL!

Q8) If I were to do a random search in your bedroom, what would be the one thing that you do not want me to find?
A8) Ok, I have a secret box under my bed which contains letters and photographs and cards which I have collected over the last 8 years. I don't want any of that to be found by anyone.

Q9) Oceans apart day after day, And I slowly go insane.., complete the next 2 lines of this song... (that's if you know it, and i'll give answer in the comments box, so u all dont cheat easily)
A9) I know its the Richard Marx song, so it goes like: Whatever you say, whatever you do, I will be right here waiting for you....

Q10) Your all time favorite proverb is....
A10)Never judge another till you have walked a mile in their shoes.

Q11) The one person you can tell your deepest darkest secrets to.
A11) I cannot tell you because it's a secret. All I can say is that the one person is a female.

Q12) If you had to change your name and come up with a new one, what would you call yourself?
A12) Let's see. It would be something short, like Zain. Although I love Mansur because it means Victorious.

Ok, phew. Now I am going to tag: Jowhara's Chamber, Jawaher, Nash, Saudi Jeans, Peace,Bruv, Muscati, Ancient Poem and anyone else who wants to tag him/ herself, please feel free to do so.

Mansur

Randomness...

Hey everyone,

Just a bit of "random news" that caught my eyes and imagination. Hope you enjoy reading them.

1. Xena has written this post about Lost, the drama series about survivors stranded on an island after their jet crash, all the while there is a "beast" lurking there. Sounds so intriguing, I want to watch it NOW!

2. I went to Dubai today morning. It took me two hours to get to my destination, from Sharjah to Dubai. A distance which could be covered in mere ten minutes otherwise. The morning rush hour traffic was horrendous. The whole time I was treated to constant jerks and brakes, and then sudden speeds and twists and turn. Maybe they should advertise, alongside Desert Safari, for a true Dubai experience of driving through the rush hour traffic. It is scarier than a roller coaster, and more riskier than bungee jumping and more life threatening than being on a plane.

Thats beside the point. When I get to my destination I paid the fare. The driver and I had agreed on Dhs50 (too much but I had no other choice in the morning to find an alternative trasnport.) So, at the Emirates Towers, I give the driver Dhs100, and he hands me back Dhs40. Now, it was 940am, and I had an appointment at 10am. I was not going to sit and argue with him. However, I argued with for five mins. "What happened to all that 'we are pakistani brothers' talk you made earlier?" I asked the driver. He and I just logged into each other like rams head banging with their horns. I was pressed for time, and so I left telling him that he "lied" to me and that he should be ashamed of himself wearing a huge beard, white cap listening to Quranic tapes, and cheating passengers.

3. 7 Days reports that a child who is hearing impaired cannot get admission into a regular school, and is forced by the country's policy to enroll into a special needs school, despite his ability to function as well as regular school kids.

4. An Indian man in Sharjah killed his wife and four kids, one of whom was only 8 months old, for things were not going well for him. This has been recorded as the most horrific incident in the history of UAE. Cases of suicides are prevalent among the middle to lower income people from South Asian countries for various reasons.

5. Ruby aka Rania Hussain, the famous Egyptian singer has had a war of words with one of the Kuwaiti Islamists, as he says "the singer has become famous by shaking her bottom." She replies, "I don't know what makes this MP, who should be interested in people's cases and concerns, interested in my assets [bottom]." Absurdity!

6. The absurdity that goes on in Makkah still prevails. Why are women pilgrims are confined to a quarter of the floor space. When one of the signs says that there will come a time when for every man, there will 50 women, why not give these women the required space? Why push them away?

7. A Saudi journalist is forcibly removed from the bench he was on to watch a show. The kid and the nanny who removed him turned out to be the son of the organizer of the show. Hilarious article revealing how kids can speak volumes about their parents.

8. And, so what if I take the Happy Meal from McDonalds? There is no rule that says only kids of a certain age can take Happy Meals. Happy Meals are for everyone. So there is absolutely nothing wrong if I choose to take a Happy Meal (of course the new erasable drawing board is way cool!) Lol!

Ok, I am out of here. Y'all have an awesome day!

Mansur

The Real Eye Story

Hey everyone,

So after all the medications and eye treatments, here is what really happened.

One fine Wednesday morning, I decided to wear my contact lens, that had been lying in the case for a couple of days. I use Johnson & Johnson's Acuvue Weekly ones. I have been wearing contacts on and off since 1997, so I know I am experienced. Well, I thought I was.

So, I had my contacts in all day Wednesday. After an exhausting evening, I was so tired, I did not bother to remove my contacts, and so slept in them. I did not think anything would be wrong, because back in the 90s, I once actually had the weekly contact lens in the whole week, without removing them once. I slept, showered, swam did everything whith the contacts in.

So, I get up Thursday, and went about the usually activities. Come Thursday night, and I remove my contacts. The right one came out after a little bit of fidgeting around. The left one was not coming into my grasp. My two fingers were trying to pull the lens out, but it had dried up and was little sticky. I think the dusty weather and humidity may have played a part in causing the lens to dry up. So, I wet my left to make it easier. I did not want to put the lens solution liquid right into my eye. About fifteen minutes later, I finally managed to get it out, but I did not realize that I had scratched the surface of my eye.

It was much later into the night, when my eye started to bother me. I did not realize what had happened, but when I looked into the mirror, I saw bloodshot red eye. I knew I had scratched the surface, but where I was not aware of. Four four days I self-treated myself to eye drops and all. It was when my eye developed a small white spot and became ultra-sensitive to sunlight that I forced myself to see the doctor, and he said I have Cornea Ulcer. (Xena, I know I should have listened to you.)

So, a second opinion confirmed that it is Cornea Ulcer, and had the scratch been any closer to my iris, I could have been partially, or even completely, blinded. The doctor said I can wear the contacts again, but I would have to be very careful to use new pairs each time, and to not wear lens that are days old. So I learnt my lesson the hard way.

I have been asked to get the Lasik surgery done, but I am not to sure about that. A friend in Jeddah is about to get it done, and she is excited about it. An aunt in Pakistan got it done, and she is really happy with the outcome. No more eyeglasses or contacts. I would personally rather wait to get it done, should I wish to, because my eye sight number isn't that bad. It's minor.

What I have learnt through this whole ordeal is that my eye and health are more important that the looks. My eye is not worth damaging over few hours of not wearing glasses. A friend told me, "God created us the way we are, and when we try to alter His design, we will suffer such consequences." If you wear contacts, please insert and remove them carefully, and make sure you clean them overnight, as well when inserting them. Also, consider how old the contacts may be, because the older they are, the higher the chances the lens would be damaged thus hurting your eyes.

Having said that, the one thing almost everyone compliments me on are my eyes. I can remember when I was as young as 8 in London, and I had accompanied my cousin to her workplace, and all her colleagues were cuddling me up telling my cousin about my eyes. Since that event, I had let it go to my head that my eyes are my best features, and I chose to highlight that on special occasions by wearing contacts. Even today, a friend calls me Mr. Sexy Brown Eyes.

So, this whole situation of mine recently, brought my ego back to the ground, and at the back of my mind, I somehow feel that someone has thrown the curse of the evil-eye on to me, which of course would call for another article.

Mansur

Saudi National Day!

Hey everyone,

My dad left Dubai today for Jeddah. For a while I wish I were on the plane. I was talking to my friend last week and was telling her how much I wanted to just get out of here and just go to Jeddah, for a drive down to the Khalidiya (Filipino) Market, and then grab a movenpick chocolate chip ice cream and then drive down Jeddah's corniche. Gosh! I miss doing that, and I just cannot wait when I go back in December so I can live out my desire to do this!

Well, there is an added bonus to my dad. He has no work tomorrow. For the first time Saudi Arabia is getting a public holiday because of its National Day. The whole I was in Saudi growing up, the only times there would be a public holiday would be on Eid. If a prince died, no holiday. A queen died, no holiday. Recently King Fahd died, and there was no holiday. So, in many ways, this idea of getting a holiday is a big landmark for the Saudis and expatriates in Saudi Arabia.

Khalid Maeena's article Let Every Voice Within Our Midst Be Heard is an excellent article on what the Saudis should be doing on this special day: look back, learn from what they have and have not done, and prepare for the future. He basically touches upon the issue of how over 50% of the population are youth, and something needs to be done to prepare for their future. He also says that "the Saudi woman is smart, educated, cultured and capable [and] any society that ignores women and their contribution to economic and social development does so at the very risk of its existence." He also points out how the governance needs to head in a new direction, where "accountability and transparency are high on their list of priorities."

Mr. Al-Maeena mentions how we should also take the opportunity to be thankful for a lot of the things the Kingdom has given to its people. According to him, in order for all these changes to take place, there needs to be a dialogue.

"Every voice within our midst should be heard; no matter how small. And we should show compassion to those who are lesser privileged. It is no use displaying a false sense of patriotism. Scoundrels throughout history have been doing that. What we truly have to ask ourselves on this day is what can we do for our country.

An honest answer will determine our future."

Congratulations to all Saudis in the Kingdom and those living abroad.

Mansur

Two New Books...

Hey everyone,

I finally bought two new books today. One is Michael Palin's Himalaya. My brother and his wife had been watching series of documentary/ travel program on BBC and were all praise for Palin's Himalaya, where he spent 100 days plus traveling though the region of the Himalayan mountains, starting from Pakistan to somewhere in China. I saw the hardback edition, and it had all these amazing color pictures and all. Today I found the paperback edition, which still has pictures, although its in black and white. I think it would be an interesting read for me as I travel along the Himalatan regions and discover entirely new groups of people with their peculiar customs and traditions.

The other book I picked up is A Bed of Red Flowers, when I saw the familiar face of Nelofer Pazira. She is the one who made and starred in the movie Kandahar, where she returns to Afghanistan after getting a letter from her friend that she will commit suicide at the eclipse. I developed an interest in Afghanistan after I had read The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini. I also have a friend, who's married now, who is spending his life in Afghanistan. He and his wife left the comfort of their home in the United States, and are spending their lives in a small town in the Northern part of Afghanistan. So, I hope her book is also a good read. It's part auto-biographical, part story of her friend whom she tries to re-connect with.

As soon as I am done with them, I will post my reviews.

Mansur

Burger King Controversy

Hey everyone,

Check this out. A 27 year old married Muslim man in the UK got so offended with the new designs of the Burger King ice cream lids, he called for a jihad against Burger King. Here is the whole story:

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Burger King is to withdraw thousands of ice-cream cones because the design on the packaging resembles the Arab word for Allah. The company has acted after the coincidence was spotted by a Muslim customer, Rashad Akhtar, at its Park Royal outlet last week (6), who later telephoned its head office to say that the packaging was sacrilegious.

The Muslim Council of Britain has backed the change. A statement by Burger King (BK) to Eastern Eye said: "The design on the lids of our cones represents a spinning ice-cream cone.

"However, as a result of the feedback we have received, our supplier is amending the lid design."
The US fast-food giant said it would withdraw the packaging in "the near future" once an alternative has been designed.

But the action has failed to satisfy Akhtar, who wants the designer sacked and is calling on Muslims to boycott the fast-food company. Akhtar, 27, of High Wycombe, who is married and a business development manager, said: "Them [BK] recalling this product is not sufficient. It should be taken away from the stores now. "I have had no correspondence from Burger King.

"These people who have designed this think they can get away with this again and again. This is my jihad. How can you say it is a spinning swirl? If you spin it one way ? to the right, you are offending Muslims. I ordered my food and then got talking to a worker, a French guy. He asked me: 'Are you Muslim?'

"He showed me the cone.



"I felt humiliated."

The design change is likely to cost Burger King a lot of money. Even the small restaurants, such as in Whitechapel Road, order about 80 ice cream packages a week.

MCB spokesman Inayat Bunglawala said: "It is true that seen from a certain angle, the design on the BK ice cream lid could be read as closely resembling the word Allah in Arabic.

"We commend the sensitive and prompt action BK have taken to prevent any hurt being caused to the religious sensibilities of others by this."

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Ok, now, I honestly don't think that Burger King did this deliberately to incite hatred towards the Muslims. I honestly think it is a coincidence. However, I am curious to know if Akhtar did eventually eat his ice cream or not. Is this story crap? Or is he right? Is it wasting everyone time and resources? Or should Muslims be more stringent and active in checking out for double coded hidden messages in all product designs?

Like Fox News says: I report. You decide.

Mansur

Back...

Hey everyone,

I am back on to the world of blogging. I think I needed the much deserved break after the havoc that my eye had caused. My dad flew into Dubai, and he was downright shocked how leniently I had taken my eye injury. He called up his brother here, and asked which doctor is good. Another called was here to meet my dad, and he was even more horrified to see me in this state: half closed, blood shot colored left eye. I was wincing the whole time I got a lecture about how more serious I should have been with my eye. I got them even more furious when I told them I went to a pharmacy and he told me to use these drops.

So anyways, I went to another doctor, this one a Pakistani. Also, a lot of people balked at the fact that I had shown myself to an Egyptian doctor. So, here I was at this new doctor for a second opinion. This Dr. Ahmad started off by telling me what a miracle it was that I am able to see and that my vision is not damaged, or even completely gone! WHAT? I was certainly shocked now! He told me that had the scratch on my eye even been millimeter closer to my iris, I would have certainly be at least partially blinded. Goodness! He was like thank your lucky stars!

So, that doctor appointment was a big jolt to me. How horrific it would have been if I had actually lost my left eye. Doctor Ahmad told me that the white spot will leave a small mark on my eye, but it will not be visible to someone else who would not know about it. Thank God. I was most scared of having that white spot stay behind.

So now having realized the seriousness of my situation, I have to say to Xena: I should have listened to you from day one! I am sorry I did not. God forbid should anything like this happen next time, I know I can trust Xena's judgment.

Still, I went to the Egyptian doctor today (don't tell anyone!) and he said that the ulcer has been healed, and all we need to do now is get rid of the redness. Golly! Now, I am seeing two doctors, using about six different kinds of eye drops and ointments. I will see Doctor Ahmad tomorrow again, and that should hopefully be it.

A big thank you to all for being patient with me. To all those who left comments in my absence, and to those who checked on my blog while I was away, a thank you!

Oh, also, I have sworn off my contact lens. The last two remaining pairs I had left, I chucked them! I have decided that I will not wear contacts again, except on my engagement day, my wedding day, my kid's first birthday, you get the idea...lol!

You all have a great day!

By the way, who is the anonymous commentor who left me such spaced out "come back" messages?

Mansur

Movie :: Salaam Namaste (Hindi)

Hey everyone,

Last night a bunch of us went to see Salaam Namaste, which one of the highly anticipated movies releasing this year from Bollywood. When I came out of the theatres, I was highly disappointed. The movie had a great story, but could have been handled so much better. At times the movie was not sure what genre it wanted to be: an out and out comedy, a serious drama, a rom-com, or making a statement of the ethics and moral of the Indians living abroad. It seemed like as the director mashed in all the ingredients into one film, and this leaves the viewer confused what the movie is really about.

Nikhil, aka Nick, is an architect turned chef who now runs his own restaurant Nick of Time in Melbourne, Australia. Amber is a medical student, who supports her income as a radio jockey on the program salaam namaste. She is scheduled to interview Nick, but he doesn't show up and so she demeans Nick of Time, hurting the restaurant business. Nick and Amber fight over the phone for two days, and end up at the same wedding, where they realize three days later that they both had been fighting with one another earlier.

To cut it short, Nick and Amber don't want to commit to one another to any relationship, and so decide to move in together, but live in separate bedrooms, in order to get to know one another to see if they are compatible. After the initial tussles and fights, they eventually end up in the same bedroom, and spend too much time together.

One fine day, to complicate matters further, Amber finds out she is pregnant, and Nick asks her to abort the baby. So, they are again fight with one another, and drift apart. So the rest of the movie shows how they resolve their misunderstandings, sacrifice their dreams and beliefs and learn to be more tolerant of one another.

While the subject matter is very bold, what with Nick shown shirtless and in boxers for than half the movie as well a full lips on lips kissing scene by the lead actors, the way the story was messed about with was not fun. Typical stereotyped characters of South Indians and Bangladeshis were out of sync. A guest appearance towards the end was totally uncalled for and ruined the mood of the movie. One song (What's Going On?) should have been totally eliminated. Plus, a whole lot of inconsistencies were glaringly obvious (Nick is refused a bank loan for his restaurant, yet he goes on to buy a very expensive ring from a very expensive shop!!)

The one good thing about this movie was that there were no families involved and no in-laws involved- which is typical of Indian films. Instead, this movie is about two individuals and how they deal with certain obstacles in their lives. Mention also has to be made of two comic turns in this movie, who provided the necessary laughs, Ron, as Nick's friend, and the Evil Landlord. Indian movies are very slick and technically top-notch. Camera angles, music, costume design and all are done very well. But the script, story and the directions remains the most challenging part.

However, on the whole, Salaam Namaste was a golden opportunity wasted.

Having said that, if you enjoy senseless, brainless Indian movies, then you will enjoy this.

Mansur

Movie :: Red Eye

Hey everyone,

I saw Red Eye over the weekend. I had been waiting a while for this movie to come out primarily for two reasons. One, it is directed by Wes Craven of Scream fame, and two, the premise.

Red Eye is about Lisa, a hotel managress, who bumps into Jackson, a sweet, charming man at the airport, where her flight to Miami is delayed. While waiting for her plane, Lisa and Jackson chat up over drinks. Unbeknownst to her, Jackson ends up being Lisa's seat-mate on the plane. Everything seems hunky dory, as Lisa is clearly seen to be enjoying Jackson's company. Lisa is an aviophobic and Jackson manages to distracts her by talking about her family.

While up in the air, Jackson asks Lisa to make a phone call to her hotel to change the room for one important political figure so Jackson's comrades can assassinate him. Otherwise, Lisa's dad will be killed!

It's an interesting premise. What would I have done if I were taken hostage in a plane. With limited opportunities and places to go to, I would be stuck. The sense of tension and claustrophobia is used to the full here. Lisa turns out to be no dumb girl, and eventually manages to think of her get away from Jackson.

It's a superb suspense movie, with no cheap effects, side kicks or implausible going on. Sure, there are a couple of goofs in the movie, but I think it should be over-looked. Coming from Wes Craven, we are supposed to take his movies as having a good time, and I was having a ball of a time with Lisa and Jackson on the plane.

The action is shifted to Lisa's home after touchdown, and the suspense continues to play on high. Lisa (Rachel McAdams- of The Wedding Crashers) is a competent actress, but I think she will be typecast eventually into playing these damsels in distress kind of roles. Jackson (Cillian Murphy- of 28 Days Later) did a tremendous job, of playing a charming man, and then an intense hostage taker. His chilling blue eyes and receding cheekbones made him look all the more creepy.

Watch it for fun. Don't over-analyze the movie, and just have a good time!

Mansur

Movie :: The Skeleton Key

Hey you guys,

I had a bunch of movie reviews ready to be posted, so here they are.

The Skeleton Key is about Caroline (Kate Hudson) who is a nurse working as a hospice caretaker. She is called to work at a plantation deep south in New Orleans. Caroline is to look after Ben (John Hurt), who is paralyzed after "that incident" in the attic. Violet (Gena Rowlands), Ben's wife, is the other person living in the house. Caroline and Violet don't exactly hit it off initially but the friendship is strengthened with the help of Luke, the lawyer taking care of the real estate business.

In short I must say I enjoyed this movie immensely because of the way it was handled. The creepy atmosphere, the eeriness of the house, the music and the foreboding tension that creeps up to you. Caroline is given the skeleton key, which means she can open any doors to the house. However, there is one door in the attic which doesn't open, and Caroline's determination leads her into that room where she discover startling things.

Through her discoveries of what really happened in the attic, Caroline realizes, with the help of her friend Jill, that Hoodoo (not voodoo), a mysterious religion is practiced heavily here. So, in an attempt to to bring Ben out of his curse, she attempts to uncurse him through Hoodoo. "What I don't believe in, can't hurt me, right?" Well, fearing is believing! Caroline ends herself up more deeply than she ever wanted to.

The movie does pose an interesting question: can something you don't believe in hurt you still?

The ending is a very smart one, and will not leave you cheated. You don't know what's cleverer: the ending, or the twist. It's a smart, intelligent movie pretty much like The Others. I would watch this one again.

4 out of 5.

Mansur

Sick Leave

HeY EvErYoNe,

i Am SiCk....



sEe YoU lAtEr...

mAnSuR

Open Road

My life is extraordinary bare
I fought the fear and chased the pain
My life doesn’t need to be explained
I chose to walk the line as one

Sometimes I live upon my island
Cut off from emotion and it’s pain
Ohh, that’s when I am tempted by the waters
The waters that I can take me far away

So I’ll just keep on walking down this open road
Hoping someone somewhere needs me
So I’ll just keep on walking down this open road
Talking to the man who knows me
Yes he knows me, the man is me

My life was once full of people’s faces
Brought to me by love which isn’t strange
Oh my life had the goodness of blue waters
A day’s a day for all I used to say
Sometimes I can sit and cry my heart out
Drowning in my autocratic ways
Oh, that’s when I am tempted by the waters
Waters that can take me far away

So I’ll just keep on walking down this open road
Hoping someone somewhere needs me
So I’ll just keep on walking down this open road
Talking to the man who knows me
Yes he knows me, the man is me

My life is now full of people’s faces
Within the light of change I pulled away
My life shows that no man is an island
I’ve exchanged the piece of life I cut away
Now you won’t see me alking down that open road
I’ve found someone now who needs me
No you won’t see me walking down that open road
I’ve found at last the man who knows me
Yes he knows me and the man was me
The man was me

--- Open Road, Gary Barlow

First Ever UAE Film!

Hey friends,

This week is a landmark in the film-making world for the UAE. Three Emirati actors are acting in a film called Hilm (Dream), which basically reflects the Emiratis' own search for identity amidst the huge mix of foreigners in their own country. As one of the actors says in regards to the fast developing city of Dubai, "This building, itÂ’s a building in a UAE-style. But if you walk inside maybe you will be the only UAE man walking there, and thatÂ’s very strange. After a while you will raise the question, who am I? Is it my country or am I a tourist?"

I think it will be an interesting movie. I am glad that UAE film making industry has done something like this, because it gives them an opportunity to speak out and project their identity on a very popular medium. I saw the trailer for this movie last week, and the most surprising thing for me was the female lead interacting quite well with the two male leads. The three of them were acting like best friends, with a lot of touching and back-slapping.

I was confused whether she was an Emirati woman or not. The director says, "It will be a surprise for audiences to see Emirati women who have cast off their traditional conservative dress for the more revealing attire of most of the country's residents. "I haven't made anything up, it already exists," Shaibani said, denying he was promoting a more liberal aesthetic for women. "Most women here are different from this, but the story includes women who are free. It's in the story itself."

So, according to him, those women who don't "cast off their traditional conservative dress" are not free?

Mansur

Doctor's Visit- Update

Hello,

I went to the doctor again today and I was jabbed with that same piece of paper again. He said that the white spot is moving away and will soon be removed entirely within a week's time. That was the whole reason why my eye has been watering all day long...it is removing the ulcer. I still find it irritating to blink though, as I feel like my eye is rubbing against a piece of sandpaper. I will go see him tomorrow morning, and then Saturday morning.

Mansur

Rents Falling in Dubai

Hey everyone,

in about 5 years time, rents will stabilize in Dubai. That's great news. The reasoning for such absurd rents right now is "It was natural for Dubai landlords to try to make as much as they could during this period of high demand, and limited supply, he said. “They are businessmen,” he said. “This is their time.”

So, there you have it. There is a silver lining on the cloud after all.

Oh, also, check out 7 Days for alternative news to Dubai, as it is more open and vocal about issues. It's also less censored, so the real voices can be heard.

Mansur

The Jeddah Fountain!

Hey friends,

One of the major highlights, or landmarks, of Jeddah is obviously the fountain itself. It is something that can be seen from almost every corner of Jeddah. It is something that can be seen from the airplane when you fly into Jeddah (depending on which side you are sitting on).

Which is why I was so excited to read the whole story behind the fountain in this special supplement. I really encourage you to read it, for the history behind it is simply fascinating.

I love the fountain. I think it represents the progress of Jeddah. It also represents the artistic side of Jeddah, for Jeddah is truly a city of art, with all the outdoor sculptures and art work, including calligraphers and Quranic verses.

I love the fountain, so much so, I have that as my profile picture!

Mansur

Mayada: Daughter of Iraq

Hey friends,

There is a new book that I have seen out everywhere called Mayada: Daughter of Iraq. I have always not bothered with it because it is written by Jean Sasson who wrote Princess, the infamous novel about the Saudi princess who gave an expose of the Royal family.

But this review in Arab News is very positive, and I am intrigued now. Has anyone read this book? Is it worthy? I am looking for a new book to read, and someone suggested Clinton's My Life.

I shall decide by this weekend which one I will start reading.

Mansur

Earthquake in Makkah

Hey everyone,

"The earthquake that shook Makkah’s Al-Otaibiyyah neighborhood, about two kilometers from the Grand Mosque, at 2 a.m. on Monday has engendered a sense of shock and vulnerability in the citizens of Makkah."

This is news to me. An earthquake in Makkah. Thankfully no casualties or damage. Dogs were barking before the quake began."Jeddah and Makkah lie close to the edge of the Arabian plate and are therefore subject to a surprising number of earthquakes, albeit minor ones, every year."

The good news is that "Jeddah and the west coast of the Kingdom are protected from the shocks of the seismic activity in the Red Sea by a fortunately positioned shock absorber. Running at a depth of some hundreds of meters below the coastline from Obhur Creek all the way to Jizan is a thick layer of evaporite — a rock composed of minerals laid down by the evaporation of a solution; in this case seawater leaving behind wet salt."

So, essentially there is no need to be alarmed or worried.

Mansur

Guilty? Innocent?

Hey everyone,

I am trying to find out the name of an Indian film, which is quite old and in black and white. I don’t know the name or when it was released, but the story grabbed me in a very profound way that I am trying to track the movie down.

The story is about a married couple that ends up in poverty after the city hits an economic disaster. They lose everything, including their house and possessions, and are reduced to living in slum dwellings. One fine day, the husband is walking down the market place, where he sees an ad that catches his eye. The ad claims that a certain businessman will buy fertilized embryos from people for money. So the husband rushes home and informs his wife. They go ahead with the plan, and soon after at the hospital, they receive in a special container a frozen, fertilized embryo of their supposed child.

While transporting this embryo to the office of the businessman, the couple are caught up in yet another strike, a demonstration, led by the public demanding for the government to do its job for providing for the people. In the madness, the husband accidentally drops the container, and out comes the frozen embryo. The fertilized embryo is crushed. They couple lament and mourn. They weep out loudly, till a passerby asks them what the matter is. “All our money is down the drain!” the man cries. “Why, what’s the matter,” the passerby asks. “We had a perfect embryo which we were going to sell to make money.” Unknown to the couple, the passerby was no ordinary passerby, but a pro-life advocate.

The passerby accuses the couple of murder for killing a child. The husband and wife protest. They are dragged into the court and charged with the murder of a conceived baby. When does life begin? The second the egg in a woman is fertilized? After few weeks when the embryo starts forming in the womb? Or when it is born? Is the couple guilty? Are they set free?

I don’t know and this is one burning thing I have at the back of my mind. The premise is so interesting, and for an Indian movie to capture it years ago must have been remarkable. It is for sure an ‘art’ movie, with none of the melodrama in the regular Indian movies today.

Anyone out there? What’s the name of this movie?

Mansur

Cornea Ulcer

Hey everyone,

I am back from the doctor! The one I went to originally was on holiday till Friday and so I had to go to an alternate doctor. This place I went to is in a new place, and I was patient number 516, and my name is Monsoor, because that's how the Filipina nurse wrote my name down.

Before I went to see the doctor, the nurse took me to the eye examination room, where I had to put my face on this chin rest thing, and look into the machine, one eye at a time. I was expecting to look into a light source, but was pleasantly surprised to see a full stretch of a road in a desert, with a multi-colored hot air balloon at the end. That made it easy for me to look straight. So, the machine flickered several times when I look directly at the hot air balloon. Why did I do this? So the nurse could take down my number for my eye. -1.75 for my left eye. -2.0 for my right eye.

Then, I was summoned to the doctor Omar. He was from Egypt (I wanted to run away, but realized it was too late and my eye was more important than the fact that I have an Egyptian doctor!) He made me do an eye check with my right eye, with glasses, and then with my left eye. Again, I had to rest my head on this chin rest device, as he looked directly into my eye. After examining it for a while, he took a small strip of paper, which was coated with some orange medicine at the tip. He jabbed the piece of paper into my eye, from the underside. Gosh! I did not feel anything after that initial jabbing, but he was now looking at my eye with a blue light. I figured he inserted some kind of dye to see whether there was any pus or excess liquid that is not water.

After looking my eye with a blue light, and then the white light, and then again the blue light, I became scared. What if it's serious? What if I need surgery to remove my cornea? It was with much relief when Dr. Omar told me that all that has happened was that the surface of my cornea has been scratched off, as if it were being peeled off. So, because of that, the white spot has developed. Not to worry!! he said, it will all heal up. All I have is a simple condition known as Cornea Ulcer, and it is completely heal-able and recoverable. Thank God for that! He said that the contact lens I inserted must've been damaged which scratched the surface after I removed it.



If you look on the left side of the pupil, you will see a small white spot. That is where the surface has been peeled off.

So, now I have to take two strong eye drops, and rub ointment into my eyes for the next two days. The drops have to be inserted every hour for the next 48 hours, except for when I am sleeping. Hopefully soon, over the weekend, my eye should be back to normal. I am swearing off my contact lenses. To heck with them!

As I glance more and more at my eye picture, I just could not fathom how intricate the design is, and how amazingly well structured a human body is designed. I am just fully blown away at how intelligently we are deisgned, with each part of our body. I mean, look at my eye. Isn't is amazing how it is held in its pocket? Isn't it amazing that there is a mechanism, a tear duct, that gives out water to wash away any debris? Isn't it amazing how we have eyelashes to prevent any dust, or other debris, from entering our eyes? Check out how all the red arteries lead up to my pupil. It's like a piece of art!

Mansur

The Future of Dubai...!

Hey everyone,

Check out some of the Dubai's projects. It's amazing what's happening here....

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The World. With nearly 300 artificial islands, seen from the sky it will form a planisphere. If you want to acquire one of these islands, it will cost some to you between 6,2 to 36,7 million dollars. Work of fill, already begun, should be completed at the end of 2005. Insider Info: Each island purchased can be used to create anything you want, provided you stay within the norms of Dubai's cultural, religious and moral policies. So all those ideas of creating a casino because it's offshore Dubai should be put to rest.

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Space Science World. Space is one of the subjects exploited in the immense park within Dubailand which has the ambition to become the largest tourist park and of attractions in the world. Insider Info: Dubailand also announced a "realistic" Jurassic Park, which sent people scurrying all over in excitement, but it turned out all the dinosaur will be animatronic.

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Dubailand Ski Dome. This ski resort indoor, will comprise a ski slope and tracks of snowboard (with 6 000 tons of true snow). "Pinguinarium," aquariums with four seasons, spa cold and hot... are also envisaged with the program. To all you ski-enthusiasts, it will not open this month in September as advertised. :-( Insider Info: It will cost you Dhs90 for 45 minutes of skiing, and this includes the time you spend making your way back up to the top. Also, be prepared to rent out jackets and pants, which will be shared by everyone there.

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Palm Island. Three artificial islands in the shape of palm trees will shelter nearly 500 apartments, 2 000 villas, 25 hotels and 200 shops of luxury. Palm Jumeirah, the most advanced, will be completed as of the end of 2005. Hundred twenty-five kilometers of coast additional will be thus created. It also includes a line of poetry from one of the Dubai's ruler poetry which he penned himself. Insider Info: The sheikh "gifted" the luxury signature designed villas to people like David Beckham and Shahrukh Khan- these celebrities did not actually buy these villas.

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Old Town. It is the final district of the building site located at the foot of the tower Burj Dubai. This great real complex will include the highest tower of the world, the greatest shopping centre of the world as well as a gigantic residential district. So in a few years time, the Bur Dubai, the original downtown Dubai will be relegated to the mainly Asian expats living there. This new Downtown will cater to the the more rich people. Insider Info: The world's largest mall will be in close proximity.

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Madinat Al Arab. Here's the representation of the one of the districts of the future greater sea front in the world, Dubai Waterfront. This sight accounts for the architectural ambition and the spectacular development of real constructions with Dubai. I am most impressed with this, although there is never any time when the weather is such you see reddish-purplish sky.

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Hydropolis. Entirely assembled in Germany, this underwater hotel will be immersed within the waters offshore of Dubai at the end of 2006. It will comprise 220 continuations whose panoramic windows will give on sea-beds. The price of a room for the night would rise with 500 dollars. Let's hope they don't come up with any of the silliness like they did with the "underwater submarine ride" at Burj Al Arab, which in reality was just a simulated room ride.

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Golden Dome. With its 455 m height and its 2.2 million sq2 of total surface, it will be one of bulkiest and higher buildings of the world. It will shelter 500 000 m² offices, commercial spaces like 3 000 residential apartments. Interesting shape. No comments.

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Dubai Sports City. This immense sporting complex of 7.5 km² will accomodate sports such as the cricket, the golf, rugby, football, track, and interior (tennis, handball, volley ball). Hotels, residences and villas are also envisaged.

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Burj Dubai. This phenomenal tower from which construction began last January and will end in 2008 should reach the 800 meters height. The final height is still not declared, because Shanghai has announced they are making the world's tallest tower. This building in Dubai, built in three parts around a central column, finishes in spiral. It will count 160 stages. They claim that when seen from above, the tower resembles an opening up of a flower. Insider Info: This design was originally proposed for the city of Chicago, but was not accepted there.
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Well, there you have it. I think it would be exciting to visit Dubai in about 10 years time, when all these projects are made and completed, so one can enjoy all these buildings. Sheikh Mohammad said about two years ago that he has only seen 10% of his vision realized, and that he has 90% more to do for Dubai. I for one am very intrigued for the other projects as grand as these to be announced.

Mansur

Cornea Scratch- Update

Hey everyone,

Xena sent me this article about scratches on my eye. Today I discovered that while the redness has almost gone, there is a small white spot developing where the scratch is. I am finally going to the doctor. I did not want to be in a position where I wished I had gone earlier before things get worse. Will report back to you on my condition.

Mansur

Here is a good information on eye-injuries.

(The following link will take you to the original web-page, and I copy-pasted the question/ answer directly here)
How do I treat a scratch on my eyeball?
Dear Reader,

Ouch! Scratches on the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eyeball, can be quite painful. This injury to the eye can also result in tearing, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and/or increased involuntary eye blinking. Eyeball scratches, also called corneal abrasions, can be caused by a number of things:

damaged or badly fitted contact lenses, as well as improper sterilization and leaving a lens in for too long tiny objects and bits of debris, such as dirt, insects, or sand
larger foreign objects, such as fingernails, toys, sheets of paper, balls and other sports gear, combs, or tree branches.

It's important to see a health care provider or ophthalmologist as soon as possible after receiving a corneal abrasion, preferably within 24 hours, since untreated eye injuries can become seriously infected and may threaten your vision. Until you get yourself checked out, avoid the activity that caused the abrasion. If you think your eye's hurting from a contact lens, don't put the lens in again until a health care provider says it's okay to do so.

With the right treatment, corneal abrasions usually heal quickly, within 1 - 3 days, and are generally easy to deal with. A health care provider or ophthalmologist may first use harmless, fluorescent-staining eye drops and a special light to look for scratches. After examining you, s/he can remove any foreign objects remaining in the eye and prescribe treatments, including:

antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent infection
medicine to dilate the pupil and promote healing
a temporary eye-patch to shield the cornea and minimize irritation

While some of these treatments may be available over-the-counter, make sure you see a health-care provider or eye-expert rather than attempt to treat yourself.

The health care provider might also suggest wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) light protection, to help minimize any discomfort while the cornea heals and/or to cover an eye-patch, if this is preferred.

For more information on eye health, take a peek at the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Here's lookin' at you,

Alice

No Comments

Hey everyone,

I am a little confused about something. It seems like that comments on my articles seems to have died down. I wonder if people only comment when I write about controversial stuff, and don't bother to comment on other every-day stuff. I know I primarily write stuff here for my own self, but I got dragged into the commenting business. I fell into the trap of thinking that the more comments I had the more popular my blog was. I looked back at those posts with the highest number of comments, and they all are controversial topics. Of late, I have decided to stay away from controversial topics, or simply from speaking my mind. Let's see how long I can last without writing about something that will stir people up. :-)

Is there someting I am doing wrong? Is there something I need to do right?

Mansur

My Eye

Hello all,

Keep in mind, this is my eye after two days of treatment, so it's faring much better. Sorry if they gross you out.

Mansur

Beating Kids...

Hey everyone,

As I was walking over to the internet cafe, I saw a dad beat up his young with a stick. It wasn't a light beating, but a severe one with a metal rod. He beat up the kid so bad, the kid's right hand was literally bleeding. The kid, about 7, carrying his heavy school bag, was just standing there, weeping while clutching his right hand. His dad was indifferent to the boy's situation, and was only shouting "yalla! yalla!" [hurry up!] I just went up to the kid and asked him if everything was all right, and realized he did not speak Arabic. Because of the intensity of the situation, I forgot my Arabic so I could not ask him in his own language. Before I could give him some tissue paper I had in my bag, this man just came up to the boy, grabbed hold of his school bag and dragged him away. The kid was only clutching onto his bleeding hand more tightly while crying away. I so wanted to pick up a fight with the man, but then thought the language barrier will create more frustration.

Not only this, about three days ago, as I was going up my elevator in my building, a man was in there holding one of his son in his arms, while the other was sitting on the floor of the elevator. I entered and pressed the button for my floor. The little kid on the floor got up, and in his excitement, pressed the "open door" button. I smiled at him, and pressed the "close door" button. But the kid's dad raised his leg up and kicked the little boy right on his back side. He went flying across the tiny space in the elevator and hit his head on the side wall. He fell down and started crying. I so wanted to kick this dad myself. Then the kid got up, and he just started laughing then. I imagined that this kid must be so used to getting kicked around like this.

It's sad but these moments are not the first time I have seen parents do this. Many times I have seen parents hit, beat and merely abandon kids in malls, play areas, mosques almost everywhere. Last year in Jeddah, while I was out at one of the local outdoor markets, a bedouin family had simply beat their daughter up and left her on the dirt floor, while they were eating their dinner on the table. The girl made attempts to join them, but she was pushed away by her dad's foot. Another time in a new mall in Jeddah, a dad had literally dropped his son on the marble floor. The kid just sat there crying out in the loudest way possible, while the family just walked on paying no attention.

I don't understand why parents would do this?

I wonder if it's in the psyche of the adults here in this part of the world to treat children like this. My parents have never beat me, or my brother or sister. They always explained situations to us out of love. They did discipline us, but never at the cost of hitting or beating us. Does it have something to do with the idea that parents are supposed to beat their children if they are not praying regularly by the age of ten? I can get into the whole debate of what the Quran has to say about all this but will not do so because it will ruffle everyone's feather and will lead to name calling and so on (most likely I will be called a sinner once again!)

However, I must say that it sickens me to see parents beat, neglect, hurt, kick and mistreat their children in public places.

Mansur

No Kissing of Hands

Hey everyone,

Years ago, back in the mid-eighties, when my uncle was staying with us in Jeddah, he asked us why everyone had to kiss the hands of the then King Fahd in the palace. All we could tell him was that it must be a sign of reverence and respect. My uncle equated this bowing of head and kissing the King's hands as similar to the way Indians bow down and touch the feet of the parents. He thought it should not happen this way. Yes, King Fahd was the king, but kissing of hands was not appropriate, because you already kiss on the cheeks, so why go a step further and kiss the hands.

Well, today, King Abdullah has called for a stop to the kissing of hands. The kissing of hands is "alien to our values and ethics." I agree with him. Even I personally did not like this business of kissing another guy's hands. However, the King has said that the only people whose you can kiss are your own parents.

Mansur

Pakistan & Israel

Hey everyone,

I was pretty amazed to read the recent piece of news that my own country Pakistan has been engaged in talks with Israel for years in secrecy, and has only made it public. I grew up in Saudi Arabia with everything with Israel was banned. The encyclopedias where Israel was mentioned was blacked out with a marker. We all grew up with knowing that Israel was banned and we are never to hear of it. The Pakistani passport did not allow for the Israeli stamp on it.

How ironic now that Pakistan has pursued an engagement with Israel. Pakistan is stressing that it is pursuing engagement talks, and not diplomatic talks with Israel, primarily after the Gaza withdrawal. It is not recognizing the state of Israel, and will only recognize Israel when the state of Palestine is created. The Islamists are very angry at the President, saying that Pakistan has drained away all that Pakistan stood for. The President is saying that it is only but natural to have talks with Israel at the Istanbul talks. Are they friends now?

It all remains to be seen what the outcome will be of these engagement. Is it happening because Pakistan wants to show its support for the US indirectly? Or is it a genuine talks with Israel? Is Pakistan following the steps of Turkey to maintain relations with Israel?

What's even bigger news to me today was that Indonesia has also been in talks with Israel in secrecy since the 1960s! There are already a handful of Muslim countries in open relations with Israel, Palestine and Turkey included.

All those times that I was told Israel is bad, and banned and should be boycotted, and now here is Pakistan engaging in talks. It's definitely an exciting era in the field of International Relations, because of the ramifications of such a talk.

Mansur

Gmail versus Hotmail!

Hey friends


I had made a switch over from Hotmail to Gmail, because a friend convinced me to. I was skeptical initially since I was so comfortable with Hotmail. I had become familiar and accustomed to the format for Hotmail. Why should I go through the hassle of changing my email and then informing everyone in my address book about the change of email address? Well, I finally made the switch and I am most pleased with Gmail. Here’s why:

1. Gmail has lots more storage. Hotmail has only 2mb. Which meant I had to start deleting my older emails to make space for new ones. Gmail claims to have enough storage to last you a lifetime.

2. Gmail’s emails are placed together as a “conversation.” So, when I send an email, and I receive a reply, that replied email will be placed along with my original email. This creates a conversation. It might sound confusing, but it’s actually a cool feature.

3. When I receive pictures in Gmail, I see them in thumbnail format, and then can decide which one I want to download. In Hotmail, when I received pictures, they would show up in its original size, thus slowing down the opening of the email.

4. When I log into Gmail, I am directed right to my emails. In Hotmail, I would have to go to the Welcome page, and then onto the emails page.

5. In Gmail, at the end of each email, there is a quick reply box, where I can send off a quick reply. In Hotmail, I had to click on the reply button, which is somewhat a lengthier process.

6. Gmail has very minimal ads. Hotmail always had that huge ad on the right sidebar, and on the top.

7. Gmail’s interface is lot less cluttered, and much cleaner looking.

8. I can search for my email in the search box. That way I can dig up the email that was sent to me on a particular day, or a particular subject.

And if you are a Gmail user and know of any more cool features that I may have missed out on, let me know.

Since Gmail is in its Beta phase, it is not yet officially available. So, in order to create an account, you need to be invited. I have 99 invites left, so if anyone out there is interested, let me know and I shall be happy to send you an invite.

Also, Gmail is operated by Google, who also operate the Blogger. So there might be a useful feature later on whereby I can write an email and send it to blogger, where it will automatically post my article to my blog.

Google is also my favorite search engine, and one of their coolest program is the Google Earth, which I mentioned earlier.

You all have an awesome rest of the day.

Mansur

Cool Pictures

Hey friends,

A friend sent these pictures. I don't know if they are doctored images or not. They are cool to look at, but I am somewhat skeptical of them, especially the cat and the teddy bear one. What do you think?

Teddy Bear in the Sky


Sleeping Cat


Heart from the Sky


Angel in the Sky


Crocodile Island



---Mansur

Blogging in the UAE

Hey friends,

An article Blogging in the UAE in the Tabloid section of Gulf News. Interesting read, particularly about the point being mentioned--- "Before, because there was no space to complain elsewhere, people used the only outlet [blogging] they could to express their negative thoughts. Now, I think you are going to find a wide variety of opinions.”

That's the whole idea, isn't it? To express your opinions and thoughts. The articles mentions that "if there is such a thing as a typical UAE blog, it bears some resemblance to a teenage girl’s diary." But that is changing now after the imfamous blocking of Secret Dubai Diary. People are writing a whole lot more than just their everyday activities.

I think it's awesome that we can now get to hear from the people directly about their experiences, anecdotes and other things, rather than read the moderated views in the newspaper. One Pakistani blogger based in the UAE says "Blogging has been good to me,” he says. “Through it I have met a lot of great people and travelled a lot. It has opened a lot of doors… but I know people in the UAE who have married people they met though blogging.” Intresting isn't it? I remember mentioning months ago that blogging your thoughts, and expecting feedback in comments is like a more elaborate form of chatting on programs like MSN or Yahoo Messenger.

One of the common fears bloggers have is that of being caught by the authorities. I sometimes have that fear too, but then I read random blogs coming out of Dubai, and see they have much worse stuff than me, I delight in the fact that I am far from controversial stuff.

You all have a good day!

Mansur

Me Left Eye

Hey friends,

Last night, as I was removing my contact lenses, I realized that they had somewhat dried up since I was out the whole day. I managed to get the right one out, but the left was bit more difficult. It eventually came out, but while watching The Apprentice later, my left eye was bugging me a whole. I thought maybe I needed to wash out the dirt or something. Or maybe one of my eyelash was stuck under the lid or something.

After watching the show, I checked out my eye, and I noticed a small incision right under my pupil. I freaked out! I had no idea how it got there. It was midnight already, and I did not feel like going out to get my eye checked. I was in constant pain the whole night, and I realized that the only way I could be painless was to keep my head upright. If I tilted my head, there would be a shooting pain from my eye to my ear, jaw and head. So I tried sleeping sitting on my futon. That did not help, and I eventually dozed off lying down.

In the morning today, I could barely open my left eye, as it had become sensitive to the sunlight. Oh no! I had to wear my sunglasses inside my own house. I took a quick shower, and then went to the pharmacy, where the pharmacist gave me strong eye drops with painkiller, and eye patches. I was told to relax my eyes, stay indoor and use the drops for a couple of days.

Now, I already had plans for brunch, and so I had to go wearing my eye patch. Of course I had a lot of questions and explaining to do. I ultimately realized how difficult it is to walk around with one eye. My perception of things changed somewhat as it became difficult to assess distance with one eye only. I was not bi-focal any longer. I understood how difficult it would be for blind people to navigate and make their way around the house and outside of their house.

As it is, my sense of balance is already not perfect because on an imbalance in my inner ear fluids, and so walking with one eye made it all the more confusing. It became very tough, I eventually went against the doctor’s prescription, and removed the eye patch because using one eye created a greater strain on my right eye and created a huge headache. It was funny that the artificial indoor lighting was not hurting me, but as soon as I stepped out, the natural sunlight hurt me so intensely.

I realized more deeply how well designed and perfectly made we human beings are. God's designs are indeed perfect, and I am in awe of God's intricate and complicate design of a human body. No building can ever match the complex structure that is found in the design of a himan body, right from the structure of the DNA upto the perfect proportions of the skeletal structure, to the skin covering the whole skeltal frame, holding all the muscles and body parts inside. It can't get any better than this.

Mansur