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