...is Cadburys chocolate.
As I type this, I am munching on a novelty Chocolate Santa. You know the sort of thing - about 6 inches tall, moulded to look like Santa and wrapped in silver foil printed with Santa's image.
And it's nice, don't get me wrong. Having started it by biting the head off (making sure first that no small children were around to witness such a vicious decapitation), I am admittedly stopping after typing every words... mmm.... of this blog entry to.... mmm... eat a bit more.
It will all be gone in one sitting.
But it was made by Lindt. Not Cadbury's. And therein lies the fundamental difference. Something to do with the creaminess I think, but Cadbury's has some secret ingredient I am sure which is the reason why no other chocolate in the world tastes as nice.
It's something to do with the creaminess I think, but as far as I know it could be some well-kept secret of an ingredient (like the recipes for Coca-Cola or Willy Wonka's everlasting gobstoppers).
Just don't expect a trip to the Cadbury's factory in Birmingham to be as exciting as a tour of Wonka's. It doesn't have a glass elevator for one. And all the Oompa Loompas are from "Wist Bromitch" as I recall. Hardly magical.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas Music (2)
Continuing a previous thread, and before my feelings of despair overtake me regarding the growing inevitability of this year's Christmas No. 1, I seek solace in the warm familiarity of my all time favourite Christmas album.
Yes I know I previously said that my all time favourite Christmas song is Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", but for the complete package I very much recommend to you the 1963 album (and so from an era when Christmas was, well, Christmasy) "Christmas Wonderland" by Bert Kaempfert.
This album, originally my Grandad's, has been the soundtrack to literally every Christmas that I can remember. And although only 2 people have reviewed it on Amazon.co.uk, all 27 people on Amazon.com give it 5 stars. And when I read the reviews there, so many of which could have been written by me ("It isn't Christmas without this music"; "I overflow with nostalgia when I hear this CD"), the feeling of not being completely out on my own on this was very reassuring.
Of course, in younger years it would never have been cool to reveal my love of this music to anyone under the age of, say, my parents. But I absolutely love listening to this album at this time of year. Entirely instrumental, it's not simply the memories of past Christmases that it generates. It just sounds like Christmas should sound.
Bert Kaempfert, a German band leader and renowned trumpet player who died in 1980, may not be familiar to many, but his music has a very distinctive sound. In much the same way that, say, Glenn Miller (who, I'll go out on a limb, and say I also like a lot) did.
You can hear two tracks from the Christmas Wonderland album here and here.
Enjoy. And spread the word. What with downloads now forming part of the UK charts, I hereby start the campaign for a better Christmas No. 1 next year.
Yes I know I previously said that my all time favourite Christmas song is Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", but for the complete package I very much recommend to you the 1963 album (and so from an era when Christmas was, well, Christmasy) "Christmas Wonderland" by Bert Kaempfert.
This album, originally my Grandad's, has been the soundtrack to literally every Christmas that I can remember. And although only 2 people have reviewed it on Amazon.co.uk, all 27 people on Amazon.com give it 5 stars. And when I read the reviews there, so many of which could have been written by me ("It isn't Christmas without this music"; "I overflow with nostalgia when I hear this CD"), the feeling of not being completely out on my own on this was very reassuring.
Of course, in younger years it would never have been cool to reveal my love of this music to anyone under the age of, say, my parents. But I absolutely love listening to this album at this time of year. Entirely instrumental, it's not simply the memories of past Christmases that it generates. It just sounds like Christmas should sound.
Bert Kaempfert, a German band leader and renowned trumpet player who died in 1980, may not be familiar to many, but his music has a very distinctive sound. In much the same way that, say, Glenn Miller (who, I'll go out on a limb, and say I also like a lot) did.
You can hear two tracks from the Christmas Wonderland album here and here.
Enjoy. And spread the word. What with downloads now forming part of the UK charts, I hereby start the campaign for a better Christmas No. 1 next year.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christmas music
At the risk of revealing that I am no longer in that phase of life where I can tolerate BBC Radio 1, I mention again (and for the second consecutive blog post) Radio 2, for the reason that I heard yesterday the Christmas No. 1 challenge being posed this year by Terry Wogan and Aled Jones. Entitled Little Drummer Boy, it is (unusually for this time of year) of course the traditional Christmas song, and a cover of the Bing Crosby / David Bowie version from a few years back. Which was itself a cover I think, but hey, aren't all traditional Christmas songs.
And not just because it is the adopted Children in Need song (and so "all in the name of Charidee"), I really hope that it makes it to No. 1 for Christmas. It's not actually the best Christmas song I've ever heard (I'd even go so far as saying that it's not actually that good), but the thing is I can't remember the last time a Christmas song was No. 1 at Christmas. But since it's only one week of the year, I have always been in favour of the novelty Christmas record, or the Cliff Richard festive favourite achieving the top spot on account of it being Christmasy and/or fun.
Yesterday of course was the final of the X Factor. Aside from the fact that I never quite understand why the second and third place finalists each year don't end up competing (and winning) in subsequent years, I abhore the fact that each series predictably finishes just in time to release the winner's song (which is never a Christmas song) the week before Christmas. But here we are again looking at, what, the 4th X Factor winner taking the Christmas No. 1 spot in a row? How very boring and un-Christmasy.
Sadly, I think that Terry Wogan and Aled Jones have missed a trick here, as their record was released last week and so will peak too early, probably claiming the No. 1spot today, before dropping off in favour of the new X Factor winner in the all important Christmas chart next Sunday. Shame that.
It is a sign of the times though that the Charts are compiled based upon nothing more than clever marketing/release date scheduling. And, even at this time of year, they are incapable of preventing some would-be sub-standard Mariah Carey from triumphing over something traditional.
When I was younger, part of the build up to Christmas was watching to see whether Cliff, Shakin' Stevens or whoever would top the Charts for Christmas Day. Sadly those days are long gone.
Perhaps I should just console myself with the assumption that music producers today recognise that since nothing could ever even come close to bettering Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song' for sheer yuletide perfection, there is no longer any point in even trying. Yes, I'm sure that's it.
And not just because it is the adopted Children in Need song (and so "all in the name of Charidee"), I really hope that it makes it to No. 1 for Christmas. It's not actually the best Christmas song I've ever heard (I'd even go so far as saying that it's not actually that good), but the thing is I can't remember the last time a Christmas song was No. 1 at Christmas. But since it's only one week of the year, I have always been in favour of the novelty Christmas record, or the Cliff Richard festive favourite achieving the top spot on account of it being Christmasy and/or fun.
Yesterday of course was the final of the X Factor. Aside from the fact that I never quite understand why the second and third place finalists each year don't end up competing (and winning) in subsequent years, I abhore the fact that each series predictably finishes just in time to release the winner's song (which is never a Christmas song) the week before Christmas. But here we are again looking at, what, the 4th X Factor winner taking the Christmas No. 1 spot in a row? How very boring and un-Christmasy.
Sadly, I think that Terry Wogan and Aled Jones have missed a trick here, as their record was released last week and so will peak too early, probably claiming the No. 1spot today, before dropping off in favour of the new X Factor winner in the all important Christmas chart next Sunday. Shame that.
It is a sign of the times though that the Charts are compiled based upon nothing more than clever marketing/release date scheduling. And, even at this time of year, they are incapable of preventing some would-be sub-standard Mariah Carey from triumphing over something traditional.
When I was younger, part of the build up to Christmas was watching to see whether Cliff, Shakin' Stevens or whoever would top the Charts for Christmas Day. Sadly those days are long gone.
Perhaps I should just console myself with the assumption that music producers today recognise that since nothing could ever even come close to bettering Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song' for sheer yuletide perfection, there is no longer any point in even trying. Yes, I'm sure that's it.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Reassuringly comfortable TV
Listening to Radio 2 (by internet) this afternoon, I heard on the news that today was the final edition of Countdown featuring Carol Vorderman. Not in itself earth shattering news but, I am pretty sure, the end of an era for an entire generation (my Nan included).
I am certainly not a massive Countdown fan (can't afford to be frankly, having opted instead for a full time job during the day, and an overseas one at that), but on those rare occasions when I happen to be in the UK on a weekday afternoon flicking through the channels, if Countdown is on I do tend to flick no further.
Save for perhaps the colour of the set, the main presenter (since Richard Whiteley died) and Carol Vorderman's hairdo, as far as I can tell Countdown has not changed a bit in the 26 years it has been going. Where other game shows have come and gone (even on Channel 4 afternoons - remember 15 to 1?) it has quietly kept doing what it does so effortlessly. Which is to provide mental stimulation to the legions of pensioners who are sitting down with a cup of tea and a biscuit. It is reassuringly comfortable TV - no agenda, no sense that it will ever change more than the afore-mentioned aspects of the show (nor does it need to).
I remember coming home from school on the days when my Nan and (now passed, but still very missed) Grandad would be staying with us. Countdown was always on. And I would watch it with them on those days. And you cannot help but play along at home. I was never any good mind, but that wasn't the point. Whatever else was going on in the world didn't matter for that 45 minutes or so. For 26 years it has always been there, predictable in its format, but at the same time reliable in serving the needs of its audience. Although I only dip in and out very infrequently, every time I do it has the feeling of something slightly old-fashioned, but at the same time safe and dependable. In that way, very much like the grandparents I used to secretly enjoy spending many a post-school afternoon watching it with.
But now that neither Richard Whiteley or Carol Vorderman remain as hosts, I sense that it will no longer be the same show. The same audience will remain, but you can almost hear them already saying, in unison, "it's not as good as it used to be".
The very worst thing it could do is to use the excuse of changing its presenters to adapt itself further, in the belief that now is the time for a complete overhaul. Fresh is the one thing Countdown is not, nor (since 1982) has it ever been. And that's the point. I hope that, for people like my Nan, it is only the faces of the presenters that change, and not the presenting style or indeed anything else about this tea-time favourite. Including even the cod liver oil and stairlift ads in the commercial breaks.
I am certainly not a massive Countdown fan (can't afford to be frankly, having opted instead for a full time job during the day, and an overseas one at that), but on those rare occasions when I happen to be in the UK on a weekday afternoon flicking through the channels, if Countdown is on I do tend to flick no further.
Save for perhaps the colour of the set, the main presenter (since Richard Whiteley died) and Carol Vorderman's hairdo, as far as I can tell Countdown has not changed a bit in the 26 years it has been going. Where other game shows have come and gone (even on Channel 4 afternoons - remember 15 to 1?) it has quietly kept doing what it does so effortlessly. Which is to provide mental stimulation to the legions of pensioners who are sitting down with a cup of tea and a biscuit. It is reassuringly comfortable TV - no agenda, no sense that it will ever change more than the afore-mentioned aspects of the show (nor does it need to).
I remember coming home from school on the days when my Nan and (now passed, but still very missed) Grandad would be staying with us. Countdown was always on. And I would watch it with them on those days. And you cannot help but play along at home. I was never any good mind, but that wasn't the point. Whatever else was going on in the world didn't matter for that 45 minutes or so. For 26 years it has always been there, predictable in its format, but at the same time reliable in serving the needs of its audience. Although I only dip in and out very infrequently, every time I do it has the feeling of something slightly old-fashioned, but at the same time safe and dependable. In that way, very much like the grandparents I used to secretly enjoy spending many a post-school afternoon watching it with.
But now that neither Richard Whiteley or Carol Vorderman remain as hosts, I sense that it will no longer be the same show. The same audience will remain, but you can almost hear them already saying, in unison, "it's not as good as it used to be".
The very worst thing it could do is to use the excuse of changing its presenters to adapt itself further, in the belief that now is the time for a complete overhaul. Fresh is the one thing Countdown is not, nor (since 1982) has it ever been. And that's the point. I hope that, for people like my Nan, it is only the faces of the presenters that change, and not the presenting style or indeed anything else about this tea-time favourite. Including even the cod liver oil and stairlift ads in the commercial breaks.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Global Economy: why is nobody asking the basic questions?
I studied Economics to A Level and received a 'B' grade - not insignificant.
I don't recall much of it now of course. I remember graphs of demand and supply lines meeting at the optimum price point. I remember micro economics being quite straightforward, but then being floored by the concept of macro economics (once I'd realised that it had nothing to do with calculating the cost savings to be made if you shop at the wholesale discount store Macro).
In particular, I remember only ever having a minimal understanding of the interplay of exchange rates, inflation, interest rates and why, if one went up, it meant the others went down.
I remember strange discussion about people "buying" currency, without ever really understanding if there were currency shops around that I had never noticed before (I was aware of course of the Bureau de Change counter at Thomas Cook, but somehow this seemed to belittle the idea that our teacher was attempting to convey).
To say then that my knowledge of what has happened in the global markets recently is limited is perhaps to understate the issue, but it seems to me that in all the reporting and analysis, a certain section of the reading and viewing public have been ignored. To me, there seem to be certain fundamental questions that are basic in nature, but have gone largely unexplained. For instance:
1. If the UK has borrowing levels of around £21bn at present, how does the PM unilaterally announce that borrowing will increase to around £70bn over the next few years? Where is this money being borrowed from? Who are the lenders? What are the repayment terms? Were any loan terms agreed in contractual form?
If you go to the bank and ask for a loan, the bank will want to know when you will be paying the money back, will want to charge interest, and will want collateral. What does the Government, already heavily in debt, offer to satisfy lenders on this? And, if it is nothing, and they have managed to obtain the loans on the basis of nothing in writing, and with no collateral, what right-minded individual approved this as a good deal?!
2. The US budget deficit is even worse than the UK's? How does this happen? If the US owes so much, how come it has cash to fund defence, healthcare, indeed anything? Again, where is it getting this money from? And does the budget deficit, that has been hanging around for so long, really matter at all given that no-one really seems that keen to tackle it and clear the deficit. If it is merely numbers in a ever lengthening series of news reports which, no matter how big teh deficit gets does not prevent the US government from continuing to spend, then what relevance is the budget deficit? Why even acknowledge it?
3. If the dominant Western countries of the world are all in debt, then doesn't that mean that some countries somewhere have significant budget surpluses? For every billion that the UK owes, some other country presumably had that billion kicking around and available to lend? Why are not hearing who these cash rich countries are (it is surely not just the Arab states), and why are they not being encouraged to solve the global debt problems?
4. Again, if the US government is in debt, where did it suddenly find $700bn for a bailout package? One week it was business as usual, the next the Government has had to put in place a cash rescue package that a few days earlier it had no warning it would need to implement? Where does one suddenly find $700bn?
Reports were stating how the bail out was going to cost each American family around $3,000. Why report this when in reality everyone knows that the Government is not going to come knocking on doors to collect this amount from each American family? There are presumably many families in the US who simply won't have an additional $3,000 to donate to the Government to help pay for a package they had no say over. There is no way the Government will be able to recover this money from taxpayers. And in any event, why should they? Why can't they just announce an increase in borrowing, thereby saving the need for taxpayers to worry, and just add the $700bn to the already colossal but unimportant budget deficit?
And then you have even more basic questions which I'd love to know the answers to:
5. If people are afraid of inflation, why don't all Western goverments collectively decide now that no item anywhere should be allowed to increase in price by more than, say, 2% this year. Just while things stabilise. People will say "you can't stop market forces" but somebody somewhere must be controlling the actual price of, say oil. Investors rely on the big screens at the stock exchange to update them of share prices and oil prices. The papers are full of stockbrokers and bankers staring at big screens of evr changing numbers. Who is actually sitting behind these screens entering the information? Who decides that the FTSE lost 300 points today? If prices of goods in a shop go up, it is because the shop keeper decided that should happen. He went round with his price gun and changed the prices himself. Who is the shopkeeper for the FTSE? Who decides whether oil goes up or down and precisely by how much?
6. And what of confidence? Why can't everyone now collectively agree that they should be confident again. Start buying, stop selling. And everything returns to normal quite quickly. And everyone is happy.
7. And above all else (albeit that it might be all very well for me to sit in my little Dubai bubble saying this), but is the real man on the street actually affected by any of this? Governments bailing out banks - who cares? As long as savings are secure (which they are in the UK up to £35,000 per account, which is probably more than ample preotaction for most people), OK you may have lost a bit on some shares, but by and large I fail to see how most people's average lives aren't continuing exactly as normal. Why all the doom and gloom?
Happy to be enlightened on all of the above.
I don't recall much of it now of course. I remember graphs of demand and supply lines meeting at the optimum price point. I remember micro economics being quite straightforward, but then being floored by the concept of macro economics (once I'd realised that it had nothing to do with calculating the cost savings to be made if you shop at the wholesale discount store Macro).
In particular, I remember only ever having a minimal understanding of the interplay of exchange rates, inflation, interest rates and why, if one went up, it meant the others went down.
I remember strange discussion about people "buying" currency, without ever really understanding if there were currency shops around that I had never noticed before (I was aware of course of the Bureau de Change counter at Thomas Cook, but somehow this seemed to belittle the idea that our teacher was attempting to convey).
To say then that my knowledge of what has happened in the global markets recently is limited is perhaps to understate the issue, but it seems to me that in all the reporting and analysis, a certain section of the reading and viewing public have been ignored. To me, there seem to be certain fundamental questions that are basic in nature, but have gone largely unexplained. For instance:
1. If the UK has borrowing levels of around £21bn at present, how does the PM unilaterally announce that borrowing will increase to around £70bn over the next few years? Where is this money being borrowed from? Who are the lenders? What are the repayment terms? Were any loan terms agreed in contractual form?
If you go to the bank and ask for a loan, the bank will want to know when you will be paying the money back, will want to charge interest, and will want collateral. What does the Government, already heavily in debt, offer to satisfy lenders on this? And, if it is nothing, and they have managed to obtain the loans on the basis of nothing in writing, and with no collateral, what right-minded individual approved this as a good deal?!
2. The US budget deficit is even worse than the UK's? How does this happen? If the US owes so much, how come it has cash to fund defence, healthcare, indeed anything? Again, where is it getting this money from? And does the budget deficit, that has been hanging around for so long, really matter at all given that no-one really seems that keen to tackle it and clear the deficit. If it is merely numbers in a ever lengthening series of news reports which, no matter how big teh deficit gets does not prevent the US government from continuing to spend, then what relevance is the budget deficit? Why even acknowledge it?
3. If the dominant Western countries of the world are all in debt, then doesn't that mean that some countries somewhere have significant budget surpluses? For every billion that the UK owes, some other country presumably had that billion kicking around and available to lend? Why are not hearing who these cash rich countries are (it is surely not just the Arab states), and why are they not being encouraged to solve the global debt problems?
4. Again, if the US government is in debt, where did it suddenly find $700bn for a bailout package? One week it was business as usual, the next the Government has had to put in place a cash rescue package that a few days earlier it had no warning it would need to implement? Where does one suddenly find $700bn?
Reports were stating how the bail out was going to cost each American family around $3,000. Why report this when in reality everyone knows that the Government is not going to come knocking on doors to collect this amount from each American family? There are presumably many families in the US who simply won't have an additional $3,000 to donate to the Government to help pay for a package they had no say over. There is no way the Government will be able to recover this money from taxpayers. And in any event, why should they? Why can't they just announce an increase in borrowing, thereby saving the need for taxpayers to worry, and just add the $700bn to the already colossal but unimportant budget deficit?
And then you have even more basic questions which I'd love to know the answers to:
5. If people are afraid of inflation, why don't all Western goverments collectively decide now that no item anywhere should be allowed to increase in price by more than, say, 2% this year. Just while things stabilise. People will say "you can't stop market forces" but somebody somewhere must be controlling the actual price of, say oil. Investors rely on the big screens at the stock exchange to update them of share prices and oil prices. The papers are full of stockbrokers and bankers staring at big screens of evr changing numbers. Who is actually sitting behind these screens entering the information? Who decides that the FTSE lost 300 points today? If prices of goods in a shop go up, it is because the shop keeper decided that should happen. He went round with his price gun and changed the prices himself. Who is the shopkeeper for the FTSE? Who decides whether oil goes up or down and precisely by how much?
6. And what of confidence? Why can't everyone now collectively agree that they should be confident again. Start buying, stop selling. And everything returns to normal quite quickly. And everyone is happy.
7. And above all else (albeit that it might be all very well for me to sit in my little Dubai bubble saying this), but is the real man on the street actually affected by any of this? Governments bailing out banks - who cares? As long as savings are secure (which they are in the UK up to £35,000 per account, which is probably more than ample preotaction for most people), OK you may have lost a bit on some shares, but by and large I fail to see how most people's average lives aren't continuing exactly as normal. Why all the doom and gloom?
Happy to be enlightened on all of the above.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Which is the best TV show ever?
Without a moment's hesitation, I would argue that it is The West Wing (buy all 6720 minutes of it here for the unbelievably low price of £49.99). Outstanding value.
I cannot recommend this show enough. You need not be interested in American politics (but I am, which made it that much more enjoyable), but the scripting, the casting, the pace, the wealth of issues covered, and just the way that every element of the show fits together to make a complete whole surpasses the quality of anything else that has been on TV ever. Fact. Not even worth debating.
Without a moment's hesitation, I would argue that it is The West Wing (buy all 6720 minutes of it here for the unbelievably low price of £49.99). Outstanding value.
I cannot recommend this show enough. You need not be interested in American politics (but I am, which made it that much more enjoyable), but the scripting, the casting, the pace, the wealth of issues covered, and just the way that every element of the show fits together to make a complete whole surpasses the quality of anything else that has been on TV ever. Fact. Not even worth debating.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
The Good and the Bad of Bond
More exciting this month than even my birthday (on 24th) is the release (on 30th), of Quantum of Solace, the next Bond film.
The trailer looks awesome.
The theme song, however, neither looks nor sounds anything other than awful. Shame that.
The trailer looks awesome.
The theme song, however, neither looks nor sounds anything other than awful. Shame that.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Walking Girl
Emma took her first proper unaided steps yesterday. And once she'd done it once, she kept on doing it.
Or so I'm told. Of course, as with all these things, it happened while I was at work, although fortunately the matinee performance was being repeated in the evening.
It's weird because we've been trying to encourage her to walk for a few weeks ever since she first became impressed with herself at having been able to stand unaided. It would be interesting to know what was going through her mind that made her decide on this occasion she was actually going to give walking a go, rather than allow her knees to buckle such that she collapsed in a heap on her well padded bottom before setting off at great speed on all fours.
But then I guess I'll never understand how her mind works - she may be only 1, but she is of course also female.
Or so I'm told. Of course, as with all these things, it happened while I was at work, although fortunately the matinee performance was being repeated in the evening.
It's weird because we've been trying to encourage her to walk for a few weeks ever since she first became impressed with herself at having been able to stand unaided. It would be interesting to know what was going through her mind that made her decide on this occasion she was actually going to give walking a go, rather than allow her knees to buckle such that she collapsed in a heap on her well padded bottom before setting off at great speed on all fours.
But then I guess I'll never understand how her mind works - she may be only 1, but she is of course also female.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Back to School
A phrase that used to send me into bouts of depression whenever I used to see those big posters of kids in uniform clutching handfulls of coloured pencils hanging from the ceiling of British Home Stores, the whole concept of "Back to School" has proved to be an entirely different experience for Jack.
He started Foundation 1 (effectively nursery still, but nevertheless based at Dubai British School and requiring him to wear a uniform) on Tuesday and he loves it. He went to bed last night saying "But I just can't wait for school Daddy - I want to go now!". I'm sure it won't last.
Earlier in the day I asked him what he had done at school during the day - a random selection of stories, play-doh, outside play and painting it seems, but "tomorrow Daddy, I've got a French lesson". As it turns out, Thursday's is French, Mondays and Tuesdays is PE, and on Sunday he starts Arabic.
That's two foreign languages then. At the age of 3!
However, embracing the idea of having him learn some foreign languages, last night Michele and I taught him how to say "Hello" and "thank you" in French.
And just before bed, when Michele asked him for a big hug and a kiss, his little inquisitive mind asked "Mummy - how do French people kiss?"
We'll leave that lesson for another day I think.
He started Foundation 1 (effectively nursery still, but nevertheless based at Dubai British School and requiring him to wear a uniform) on Tuesday and he loves it. He went to bed last night saying "But I just can't wait for school Daddy - I want to go now!". I'm sure it won't last.
Earlier in the day I asked him what he had done at school during the day - a random selection of stories, play-doh, outside play and painting it seems, but "tomorrow Daddy, I've got a French lesson". As it turns out, Thursday's is French, Mondays and Tuesdays is PE, and on Sunday he starts Arabic.
That's two foreign languages then. At the age of 3!
However, embracing the idea of having him learn some foreign languages, last night Michele and I taught him how to say "Hello" and "thank you" in French.
And just before bed, when Michele asked him for a big hug and a kiss, his little inquisitive mind asked "Mummy - how do French people kiss?"
We'll leave that lesson for another day I think.
The Earth moved for me
We had an earthquake in Dubai yesterday! Well, actually, it was an earthquake in southern Iran, which created what might more reasonably be described as a tremor here in Dubai. Nevertheless, it was all quite exciting. I was sat at my desk when I suddenly felt a little giddy. Thinking it was something medical, I stood up, which was when the lights started to swing and the windows started to creak. And you could visibly see the buildings swaying a little.
It had all pretty much finished by the time we had a chance to realise what it was. But having never experienced it before it was a little weird. Clearly it was a new experience to many of the people in the same and surrounding buildings, all of whom were evacuated to ground level but then decided, in their general milling around pending further instructions (which never came) manner, to take shelter underneath the overhanging parts of the buildings in order to escape the heat. A little bit of sun clearly expected to pose more of a threat than the possibility of the building above them collapsing.
It's amazing how stupid normally rational, professional people become in such situations.
It also never ceases to amaze me that when the directive is subsequently issued that everyone in the area should go home and take the rest of the day off, some still consider their work and client demands to be more important and stay. I knew where my priorities lied and was gone like a shot.
It had all pretty much finished by the time we had a chance to realise what it was. But having never experienced it before it was a little weird. Clearly it was a new experience to many of the people in the same and surrounding buildings, all of whom were evacuated to ground level but then decided, in their general milling around pending further instructions (which never came) manner, to take shelter underneath the overhanging parts of the buildings in order to escape the heat. A little bit of sun clearly expected to pose more of a threat than the possibility of the building above them collapsing.
It's amazing how stupid normally rational, professional people become in such situations.
It also never ceases to amaze me that when the directive is subsequently issued that everyone in the area should go home and take the rest of the day off, some still consider their work and client demands to be more important and stay. I knew where my priorities lied and was gone like a shot.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Missing the family...
For no other reason than to make me smile, I am posting a couple of pictures of the kids. Taken recently, I love these pictures, and love (and miss) the people in them....
Can't wait until Wednesday, when my bachelor summer comes to an end and I get my family back.
Of course, it will be fantastic to see Michele too! (Phew - imagine the grief I would have got if I hadn't remembered to put that line in!)
Can't wait until Wednesday, when my bachelor summer comes to an end and I get my family back.
Of course, it will be fantastic to see Michele too! (Phew - imagine the grief I would have got if I hadn't remembered to put that line in!)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Music
My two great interests in life (family aside) have always been music and films. But a couple of weeks ago these came together in an unintentional, and therefore all the more pleasing way.
Making the most of Michele and the kids being away such that, for the first time in a long time, I could sit down and start to watch some of the many 3+ hour films that I own, I thought I would start with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I'd seen them all before but never felt that I'd really 'got' the whole overwhelming feeling of just how epic these films are always described as being.
The films themselves are of course, really good, but it was as the credits rolled on the second film - The Two Towers - that I was struck by the beauty of the closing song.
Now, at the Oscars, it was the song that closed the third and final film - Into the West by Annie Lennox - that won awards and adulation, and which has since become known as the more famous song from this trilogy of films. The end of the first film also had a song by Enya - fitting for the general mood and theme of that film I felt.
But the Two Towers ends with "Gollum's Song", sung by Emiliana Torrini - an Icelandic singer of whom I had never previously heard. She sounds like a cross between Norah Jones and Bjork (the part of Bjork that isn't mad). And this song, simultaneously hymn-like and epic in scale, is one that straddles the fine line between sadness and beauty. But I love it. You can hear/see it here.
And then of course, being one who loves to immerse himself in new stuff that I've found that I like, and through the power of free downloading (I recommend www.mininova.org above i-tunes any day), I have now found and downloaded her first two mainstream albums, from 1999 and 2005 respectively, both of which are excellent and yet very different from each other.
The first is perhaps more accessible and contains songs like Easy, which is quickly becoming my new song of the moment. Also check out Wednesday's Child.
But if you think I've just been fooled by the very tight production on this album, then the second album is completely different - and yet very chilled. Someone once suggested I listen to the much awarded album 'O' by Damien Rice, but I couldn't get into it. However, Emiliana Torrini's second album is very similar I now realise, and made me immediately understand the appeal. Stripped down to little more than guitar and that very breathy voice with the slight Icelandic accent, I really do feel like I've accidentally stumbled across something magical.
And there's a new album out next month (which those lovely people at mininova have again enabled me to download already, and for free too!).
I'm hooked. Hope you are too.
Making the most of Michele and the kids being away such that, for the first time in a long time, I could sit down and start to watch some of the many 3+ hour films that I own, I thought I would start with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I'd seen them all before but never felt that I'd really 'got' the whole overwhelming feeling of just how epic these films are always described as being.
The films themselves are of course, really good, but it was as the credits rolled on the second film - The Two Towers - that I was struck by the beauty of the closing song.
Now, at the Oscars, it was the song that closed the third and final film - Into the West by Annie Lennox - that won awards and adulation, and which has since become known as the more famous song from this trilogy of films. The end of the first film also had a song by Enya - fitting for the general mood and theme of that film I felt.
But the Two Towers ends with "Gollum's Song", sung by Emiliana Torrini - an Icelandic singer of whom I had never previously heard. She sounds like a cross between Norah Jones and Bjork (the part of Bjork that isn't mad). And this song, simultaneously hymn-like and epic in scale, is one that straddles the fine line between sadness and beauty. But I love it. You can hear/see it here.
And then of course, being one who loves to immerse himself in new stuff that I've found that I like, and through the power of free downloading (I recommend www.mininova.org above i-tunes any day), I have now found and downloaded her first two mainstream albums, from 1999 and 2005 respectively, both of which are excellent and yet very different from each other.
The first is perhaps more accessible and contains songs like Easy, which is quickly becoming my new song of the moment. Also check out Wednesday's Child.
But if you think I've just been fooled by the very tight production on this album, then the second album is completely different - and yet very chilled. Someone once suggested I listen to the much awarded album 'O' by Damien Rice, but I couldn't get into it. However, Emiliana Torrini's second album is very similar I now realise, and made me immediately understand the appeal. Stripped down to little more than guitar and that very breathy voice with the slight Icelandic accent, I really do feel like I've accidentally stumbled across something magical.
And there's a new album out next month (which those lovely people at mininova have again enabled me to download already, and for free too!).
I'm hooked. Hope you are too.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Things to do in Dubai when it's hot...
1. Shop.
2. See number 1.
The family have left me, with Michele and the kids having returned to the UK for 6 weeks to escape the heat (now pushing 45 degrees daily), as is the summer tradition here for many families. A tradition which we vowed, in the pre-Jack days, we would never succumb to. I recall many a time going out for dinner in the summer evenings, Michele and I commenting on the tragic sight that is the single husband, quietly seated at a 'table for 1' with his half bottle of wine and a book. At least I have not got that desperate yet. I prefer to do my lonely drinking at home with a take away pizza!
Still, musn't grumble. Yesterday was my first day as a W.A.N.K.E.R. (Wife Away, No Kids, Eating Rubbish) and I spent the day doing something that I had probably not done since University. I watched a stupid amount of TV. Like, about 18 episodes of the latest series of 24.
And it was great (both the show, and the watching of it). To some (my parents and perhaps even Michele) this would no doubt seem like a pointless waste of a day, and maybe it was. But that was the entire point. I don't intend to spend every weekend I am here by myself being so reckless (believe me - compared to normality, this is recklessness defined!), but when the alternative options of how to fill the day are so otherwise limited, and given that it had been so long since the biggest thing I had to worry about was whether the beer in the fridge was cold enough, I was happy as the proverbial pig in shit.
Of course, I had not set out to watch that much TV in one day, and so once I got several hours in it became a bit of a challenge as to how long I would keep sitting there in my little world of TV heaven. But it being early afternoon (high noon in outside temperature terms) I could find no obvious reason to Turn Off The TV And Go Do Something Less Boring Instead™.
And when, by around 8pm, I had only 4 or 5 episodes left to go, there was a certain inevitability to seeing it out to the end of the series - poor Jack Bauer was getting himself into an unusually high number of very unfortunate scrapes, to say nothing of the fact that he hadn't eaten or had time to go to the loo all day. (Also, note to self: must get myself one of those 'self-charging, never ending' mobile phone batteries that he has). I went to bed at nearly midnight feeling thoroughly fulfilled by the sheer amount of nothingness that I had achieved during the day.
No doubt my reading audience will be split roughly evenly between those who understand (and are maybe even slightly envious - that's right, you with the kids!) regarding what I 'achieved' yesterday, and those who think I have lost a day that I can never reclaim. To the former, I know who you are, and to the latter I say that I'll go to the gym tomorrow to make up for it. Maybe.
2. See number 1.
The family have left me, with Michele and the kids having returned to the UK for 6 weeks to escape the heat (now pushing 45 degrees daily), as is the summer tradition here for many families. A tradition which we vowed, in the pre-Jack days, we would never succumb to. I recall many a time going out for dinner in the summer evenings, Michele and I commenting on the tragic sight that is the single husband, quietly seated at a 'table for 1' with his half bottle of wine and a book. At least I have not got that desperate yet. I prefer to do my lonely drinking at home with a take away pizza!
Still, musn't grumble. Yesterday was my first day as a W.A.N.K.E.R. (Wife Away, No Kids, Eating Rubbish) and I spent the day doing something that I had probably not done since University. I watched a stupid amount of TV. Like, about 18 episodes of the latest series of 24.
And it was great (both the show, and the watching of it). To some (my parents and perhaps even Michele) this would no doubt seem like a pointless waste of a day, and maybe it was. But that was the entire point. I don't intend to spend every weekend I am here by myself being so reckless (believe me - compared to normality, this is recklessness defined!), but when the alternative options of how to fill the day are so otherwise limited, and given that it had been so long since the biggest thing I had to worry about was whether the beer in the fridge was cold enough, I was happy as the proverbial pig in shit.
Of course, I had not set out to watch that much TV in one day, and so once I got several hours in it became a bit of a challenge as to how long I would keep sitting there in my little world of TV heaven. But it being early afternoon (high noon in outside temperature terms) I could find no obvious reason to Turn Off The TV And Go Do Something Less Boring Instead™.
And when, by around 8pm, I had only 4 or 5 episodes left to go, there was a certain inevitability to seeing it out to the end of the series - poor Jack Bauer was getting himself into an unusually high number of very unfortunate scrapes, to say nothing of the fact that he hadn't eaten or had time to go to the loo all day. (Also, note to self: must get myself one of those 'self-charging, never ending' mobile phone batteries that he has). I went to bed at nearly midnight feeling thoroughly fulfilled by the sheer amount of nothingness that I had achieved during the day.
No doubt my reading audience will be split roughly evenly between those who understand (and are maybe even slightly envious - that's right, you with the kids!) regarding what I 'achieved' yesterday, and those who think I have lost a day that I can never reclaim. To the former, I know who you are, and to the latter I say that I'll go to the gym tomorrow to make up for it. Maybe.
Monday, July 07, 2008
What are the odds?
Of course, part of our holiday in Cyprus (see previous entry) was spent celebrating Michele and Emma's joint birthdays, on 1 July. Which is also the date of my Dad's birthday.
Which got me thinking.... not just about how expensive this day is destined to be for me for years to come, but also about the odds of 3 family members being born on the same day. By my reckoning it is 1/365 to the power 3 - which is 1 in 48,627,125. Which is surely about the same odds as winning the lottery.
Which of course (he says, being quick to point this out before someone else does) I have already done in lots of ways by virtue of being related to the aforementioned 3 persons.... (sigh).
Anyway, I know enough clever mathematicians (correct spelling?) to know that someone will no doubt confirm whether I am right or not before too long.
Which got me thinking.... not just about how expensive this day is destined to be for me for years to come, but also about the odds of 3 family members being born on the same day. By my reckoning it is 1/365 to the power 3 - which is 1 in 48,627,125. Which is surely about the same odds as winning the lottery.
Which of course (he says, being quick to point this out before someone else does) I have already done in lots of ways by virtue of being related to the aforementioned 3 persons.... (sigh).
Anyway, I know enough clever mathematicians (correct spelling?) to know that someone will no doubt confirm whether I am right or not before too long.
Ah, Cyprus...
We have just returned from a glorious week in Cyprus. I have been once before, some 10 years or so ago, but it was one of the few places left on Earth that was new for Michele.
And save for the fact that we were unable, on any day, to sychronise Jack and Emma's well earned mid-day sleeps to enable us to have more than about 5 mins to ourselves during any day, it was a truly wonderful holiday. We stayed at the relatively new Aphrodite Hills resort, in this villa. And it was a great change from Dubai. Hot, but with a cooling breeze. And I just love the Meditterannean feel of walking round the streets in the early evening, with no particular purpose or direction, but maybe stopping at a random taverna for a drink, or watching the street artists, or maybe browsing the souvenir shops. Nothing like it for pure relaxation...
Anywhere, some random photos can be found here.
Incidentally, re the last photo, just for the record we are not really accustomed to storing our children in cupboards. They just seem to end up there...
And save for the fact that we were unable, on any day, to sychronise Jack and Emma's well earned mid-day sleeps to enable us to have more than about 5 mins to ourselves during any day, it was a truly wonderful holiday. We stayed at the relatively new Aphrodite Hills resort, in this villa. And it was a great change from Dubai. Hot, but with a cooling breeze. And I just love the Meditterannean feel of walking round the streets in the early evening, with no particular purpose or direction, but maybe stopping at a random taverna for a drink, or watching the street artists, or maybe browsing the souvenir shops. Nothing like it for pure relaxation...
Anywhere, some random photos can be found here.
Incidentally, re the last photo, just for the record we are not really accustomed to storing our children in cupboards. They just seem to end up there...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sink or swim
Somewhat mentally exhausted after endless weeks of work deadlines and stress (see many previous posts I'm sure), Michele suggested I simply leave a little earlier this evening so that I could take Jack swimming before bed time. Since I wasn't much concentrating at work anyway, and haven't done anything more approaching exercise since contemplating a trip to the gym (but not actually going) sometime back in February, I didn't take long to agree this suggestion.
First point - despite having had a working life for 10 years or so now, I still feel slightly reckless at leaving earlier than 6pm. It's like being out of school before 3.15pm. I wonder if this feeling will ever pass.
Second point - for my sins, whilst Jack loved the swimming, I succeeded in having him plunge his thumb into my eye ("It was an accident Daddy"), followed by me taking my (remaining) eye off him as we were drying off at precisely the same moment that he decided to practice his 'walking backwards with towel over head' routine. Needless to say it was the splash that made me turn around to find him, unintentionally, back in the pool complete with towel still over head.
Aside from mild shock (both his and mine I think) he was OK. But I think I should have stayed at work after all. I will not leave before 6 tomorrow.
First point - despite having had a working life for 10 years or so now, I still feel slightly reckless at leaving earlier than 6pm. It's like being out of school before 3.15pm. I wonder if this feeling will ever pass.
Second point - for my sins, whilst Jack loved the swimming, I succeeded in having him plunge his thumb into my eye ("It was an accident Daddy"), followed by me taking my (remaining) eye off him as we were drying off at precisely the same moment that he decided to practice his 'walking backwards with towel over head' routine. Needless to say it was the splash that made me turn around to find him, unintentionally, back in the pool complete with towel still over head.
Aside from mild shock (both his and mine I think) he was OK. But I think I should have stayed at work after all. I will not leave before 6 tomorrow.
Monday, June 16, 2008
What if...
Yesterday, I was talking to one of my colleagues (an American) in the office about the prospects for Barack Obama becoming US president. He was very much of the view that, unfortunately, Obama faces the highest likelihood of being assassinated in office because of his skin colour. This was reinforced by the fact that, despite the rhetoric of America being finally "ready" - whatever that means - for a black President, he (my colleague) was still receiving emails from friends back in the USA who were revealing their true colours (pardon the pun) through their transparent attempts to disguise what was clearly thinly veiled racism, purporting to be presented as criticisms of Obama's policies or political leanings.
It's scary that this issue still matters so much to so many in a country where surely the need to do something about the failing economy, the costs of the war in Iraq and the lack of universal healthcare transcend the skin colours of the men competing to take on those tasks.
It reminded me also of an interesting "What if.." question posed in the paper the other day, which was founded on the fact that Obama is actually only half black - his mother being white American from Kansas, and his father a black Kenyan. With this in mind, the question was posed whether, if Obama had been raised in Kenya instead of America, and was now standing for President of that obviously predominantly black African country, would he be being singled out by the media, and be being subjected to racism within the wider population, for being the "white" candidate?
It's scary that this issue still matters so much to so many in a country where surely the need to do something about the failing economy, the costs of the war in Iraq and the lack of universal healthcare transcend the skin colours of the men competing to take on those tasks.
It reminded me also of an interesting "What if.." question posed in the paper the other day, which was founded on the fact that Obama is actually only half black - his mother being white American from Kansas, and his father a black Kenyan. With this in mind, the question was posed whether, if Obama had been raised in Kenya instead of America, and was now standing for President of that obviously predominantly black African country, would he be being singled out by the media, and be being subjected to racism within the wider population, for being the "white" candidate?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Just a spoonful of sugar...
Michele has been quite ill over the last few days. But to the extent that there is a silver lining to that, it has been that we have been able to rediscover lazy weekends. The kind where we don't run around doing chores like cleaning and shopping and instead spend the afternoon in front of the TV.
Mindful of being slightly weary of having Jack watching too much TV, it was nevertheless with some personal joy that we all sat down yesterday afternoon to watch Mary Poppins. Not least because Toy Story is now beginning to wear a little thin (see previous post), but because I think also for Michele there was a need for some classic 'duvet TV'.
And Jack loved it. Which, in turn, made me go all warm inside. I have to admit that there was always a part of me that was fearful of what might happen if I grew up and had kids that didn't 'get' the magic of Disney. I said to Michele yesterday, imagine how different children's entertainment would be if it hadn't been for Walt Disney. The man was a genius.
And it is through films like Mary Poppins, now over 40 years old, that such magic best shines through. For 2.5 hours (albeit that we watched it with an interval) there was no world outside of our living room. I know I've seen this film hundreds of times, but everything about it (the songs, the colour, the visual effects) combines to encapsulate everything that a family film should be. Jack has been singing at least 3 or 4 of the songs ever since, including (quite admirably for a 3 year old, and quite remarkably nearly pulling it off) "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"! Well - he gets the beginning and end of it right anyway.
And when the film was about 10 mins from the end, it was almost like being awaken from a dream like state, as the realisation slowly crept in that, shortly after the happy family of 4 (hmmm) skipped off down the road to fly kites, the film would end and we would have to return to the reality of daily life.
Oh to live in the magical world of make believe....
Mindful of being slightly weary of having Jack watching too much TV, it was nevertheless with some personal joy that we all sat down yesterday afternoon to watch Mary Poppins. Not least because Toy Story is now beginning to wear a little thin (see previous post), but because I think also for Michele there was a need for some classic 'duvet TV'.
And Jack loved it. Which, in turn, made me go all warm inside. I have to admit that there was always a part of me that was fearful of what might happen if I grew up and had kids that didn't 'get' the magic of Disney. I said to Michele yesterday, imagine how different children's entertainment would be if it hadn't been for Walt Disney. The man was a genius.
And it is through films like Mary Poppins, now over 40 years old, that such magic best shines through. For 2.5 hours (albeit that we watched it with an interval) there was no world outside of our living room. I know I've seen this film hundreds of times, but everything about it (the songs, the colour, the visual effects) combines to encapsulate everything that a family film should be. Jack has been singing at least 3 or 4 of the songs ever since, including (quite admirably for a 3 year old, and quite remarkably nearly pulling it off) "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"! Well - he gets the beginning and end of it right anyway.
And when the film was about 10 mins from the end, it was almost like being awaken from a dream like state, as the realisation slowly crept in that, shortly after the happy family of 4 (hmmm) skipped off down the road to fly kites, the film would end and we would have to return to the reality of daily life.
Oh to live in the magical world of make believe....
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Back!
OK, the problem has been that after such a long hiatus since my last posting, I wanted to make the next post about something really important. But frankly, nothing has come to mind due to the fact that pretty much since January I have been working. And then working some more. Overworked it is true, but not really underpaid to be fair!
But then of course I realised that it was coming dangerously close to a year since Emma was born and I still did not have a photo of the family as one displayed on the front page. So the need to rectify that has led me to type this explanation. And so begins (hopefully) renewed blogging vigour.
So, in short, a few key things that have been happening since last I was here:
1. The kids are growing fast. Phrase of the moment is "To Amphetamines, and Beyond" (a variation on the phrase uttered by Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story - Jack's film of choice at the moment, having replaced Polar Express given that that DVD has almost burned itself into the pixels of our TV due to extreme overwatching - but demonstrative of Jack's inability to correctly say the word "Infinity".
2. We bought a house in Dubai, then saw the show homes, were a bit disappointed with the size, thought of selling it, which proved too complicated, and so have kept it for the time being. Two things about Dubai property: (i) it is increasing in price at a ridiculous rate - literally (and I really mean this) daily, and (ii) building standards are not necessarily as good as one would hope. We put up a stairgate in our current house to stop the now crawling Emma climbing the stairs, only to have the outward pressure exerted by the frame of the stairgate on the walls cause the plaster to crumble and thereby create an additional 2-3mm in the width of our stairs. We are now thinking that if we buy enough stairgates we might be able to rectify our concerns about the room sizes in the house we have recently bought!
3. My two non-family interests of music and films have been greatly enhanced by the discovery of http://www.mininova.org/ where I now download albums and films without any money changing hands. And so it is that I am listening to the new Coldplay album as I write this, 2 days before its public release. And for free!
4. I have become an avid follower of the American election (see previous posts). Am not convinced of Obama's ability to maintain momentum through to November.
5. We are going on holiday to Cyprus at the end of this month for a week - across Michele's and Emma's (1st) birthday, both of which are on 1 July. Then Michele and the kids will fly back to the UK to escape the summer heat for a few weeks and I will become, as is common in this part of the world at this time of year, a W.A.N.K.E.R. Meaning Wife Away, No Kids, Eating Rubbish. As you will have realised.
More to follow (inshallah, as they say here.... if Allah is willing). I suggest, in reality, you check back in around December. I might have thought of something interesting to write by then, and have found the time to write it!
But then of course I realised that it was coming dangerously close to a year since Emma was born and I still did not have a photo of the family as one displayed on the front page. So the need to rectify that has led me to type this explanation. And so begins (hopefully) renewed blogging vigour.
So, in short, a few key things that have been happening since last I was here:
1. The kids are growing fast. Phrase of the moment is "To Amphetamines, and Beyond" (a variation on the phrase uttered by Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story - Jack's film of choice at the moment, having replaced Polar Express given that that DVD has almost burned itself into the pixels of our TV due to extreme overwatching - but demonstrative of Jack's inability to correctly say the word "Infinity".
2. We bought a house in Dubai, then saw the show homes, were a bit disappointed with the size, thought of selling it, which proved too complicated, and so have kept it for the time being. Two things about Dubai property: (i) it is increasing in price at a ridiculous rate - literally (and I really mean this) daily, and (ii) building standards are not necessarily as good as one would hope. We put up a stairgate in our current house to stop the now crawling Emma climbing the stairs, only to have the outward pressure exerted by the frame of the stairgate on the walls cause the plaster to crumble and thereby create an additional 2-3mm in the width of our stairs. We are now thinking that if we buy enough stairgates we might be able to rectify our concerns about the room sizes in the house we have recently bought!
3. My two non-family interests of music and films have been greatly enhanced by the discovery of http://www.mininova.org/ where I now download albums and films without any money changing hands. And so it is that I am listening to the new Coldplay album as I write this, 2 days before its public release. And for free!
4. I have become an avid follower of the American election (see previous posts). Am not convinced of Obama's ability to maintain momentum through to November.
5. We are going on holiday to Cyprus at the end of this month for a week - across Michele's and Emma's (1st) birthday, both of which are on 1 July. Then Michele and the kids will fly back to the UK to escape the summer heat for a few weeks and I will become, as is common in this part of the world at this time of year, a W.A.N.K.E.R. Meaning Wife Away, No Kids, Eating Rubbish. As you will have realised.
More to follow (inshallah, as they say here.... if Allah is willing). I suggest, in reality, you check back in around December. I might have thought of something interesting to write by then, and have found the time to write it!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
From Wokingham to Washington
A while ago I mentioned my parents' imminent departure from Wokingham, and my feelings of some sadness at losing my link with a place that, to outsiders, may seem like just a slightly dull, true blue Tory, market town.
But upon reading that the potential next Leader of the Free World once deemed The Rose pub a not entirely unpleasant way to spend an evening, I feel a certain amount of pride at the fact that little Wokingham can still make itself known on the global stage! It is, after all, the 2007 No.1 place to live in the UK.
Even though Obama should have gone to the Pops (which was, of course, where it was all happening circa 1996!).
But upon reading that the potential next Leader of the Free World once deemed The Rose pub a not entirely unpleasant way to spend an evening, I feel a certain amount of pride at the fact that little Wokingham can still make itself known on the global stage! It is, after all, the 2007 No.1 place to live in the UK.
Even though Obama should have gone to the Pops (which was, of course, where it was all happening circa 1996!).
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Presidential Power
When we first moved to the UAE, some 5 years ago (has it really been that long?!!), it very quickly became apparent that this was still somewhat of an undiscovered country. Not a lot was known about it outside of the immediate Gulf region. Which explained the quite astounding levels of mediocrity that the country was able to attract in terms of celebrities looking to publicise the fact that they were passing through (80s band Level 42 anyone?).
But certain things have changed. Like him or loathe him, the arrival of the Leader of the Free World in Abu Dhabi today, with a fleeting visit to Dubai tomorrow before his departure to Saudi Arabia, has caused something of a stir.
Stir is perhaps the wrong word. A bit of a flap might be more appropriate.
We are used to seeing and (it being an inherently American trait to be over the top at every possibility) accepting an unprecedented level of security surrounding George Bush, and it doesn't take a genius to work out that a tour of the Middle East might not be the safest trip he has ever made, but I was also previously of the view that these kind of trips are planned months in advance, and that the Secret Service presence, whilst noticeable for its pretentious and arrogant looking "black suit and shades" uniform, is also undeniably a slick operation. Whenever 'Dubya' has a need to pass through a random US (or even UK) city, one might expect police outriders to block off intersections for a few seconds whilst his overly long procession of armoured limos steams through. Followed by normal service on the nation's roads a few moments later.
But not here in the UAE, oh no! At 4.30pm this afternoon (the first working day of the week), the Government announced (and UAE chat rooms and email servers were set alight by) the news that tomorrow would suddenly be an unscheduled National Holiday for all, due to expected traffic congestion throughout the city. What traffic congestion would this be? Well, the fact that the arrival of the President of the US was deemed reason enough to shut entirely every major road in the city for a period of 11 hours. That's effectively the whole working day. Announced to the country 90 working minutes prior to the end of the previous day.
It would be unbelievable if it weren't so very characteristically Dubai (where national holidays of any type are rarely known with certainty more than a few days beforehand).
And so when George leaves the comfort of his Abu Dhabi hotel (the 7 star Emirates Palace no less, which for "security reasons" he has booked the entirety of and which, for one night's stay, has been closed to the general public for 5 days) to take a half day trip to Dubai, one wonders who will be counting the millions of dollars of lost business caused by the entire city being forced to stay at home as he whistles through the empty streets wondering where all the people are.
And where will they all be? At home, staying out of third day of continuous rain we are currently experiencing (don't get me started on that either!)
But certain things have changed. Like him or loathe him, the arrival of the Leader of the Free World in Abu Dhabi today, with a fleeting visit to Dubai tomorrow before his departure to Saudi Arabia, has caused something of a stir.
Stir is perhaps the wrong word. A bit of a flap might be more appropriate.
We are used to seeing and (it being an inherently American trait to be over the top at every possibility) accepting an unprecedented level of security surrounding George Bush, and it doesn't take a genius to work out that a tour of the Middle East might not be the safest trip he has ever made, but I was also previously of the view that these kind of trips are planned months in advance, and that the Secret Service presence, whilst noticeable for its pretentious and arrogant looking "black suit and shades" uniform, is also undeniably a slick operation. Whenever 'Dubya' has a need to pass through a random US (or even UK) city, one might expect police outriders to block off intersections for a few seconds whilst his overly long procession of armoured limos steams through. Followed by normal service on the nation's roads a few moments later.
But not here in the UAE, oh no! At 4.30pm this afternoon (the first working day of the week), the Government announced (and UAE chat rooms and email servers were set alight by) the news that tomorrow would suddenly be an unscheduled National Holiday for all, due to expected traffic congestion throughout the city. What traffic congestion would this be? Well, the fact that the arrival of the President of the US was deemed reason enough to shut entirely every major road in the city for a period of 11 hours. That's effectively the whole working day. Announced to the country 90 working minutes prior to the end of the previous day.
It would be unbelievable if it weren't so very characteristically Dubai (where national holidays of any type are rarely known with certainty more than a few days beforehand).
And so when George leaves the comfort of his Abu Dhabi hotel (the 7 star Emirates Palace no less, which for "security reasons" he has booked the entirety of and which, for one night's stay, has been closed to the general public for 5 days) to take a half day trip to Dubai, one wonders who will be counting the millions of dollars of lost business caused by the entire city being forced to stay at home as he whistles through the empty streets wondering where all the people are.
And where will they all be? At home, staying out of third day of continuous rain we are currently experiencing (don't get me started on that either!)
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
We've been found out
Fathers of the world unite. The truth is out.
RIP the "I'll be late home because I'm busy at work" excuse.
RIP the "I'll be late home because I'm busy at work" excuse.
An expensive lunch hour
Finally, after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, Michele and I took a big step towards securing our future today by completing on the purchase of a house in Dubai. It looks like this.
It is, at this moment, merely an expensive mound of sand, which we hope the local Indian slaves.... sorry, workers, will be able to mould into something resembling the pretty artist's impression pictures adorning the estate's website. And soon. Scheduled completion is the third quarter of this year, but realistically we hope to be in by Christmas. And yet we have been here long enough to know that the next New Year is therefore most likely to come and go before we move. But no matter. We bought it as an investment as well, and if Dubai property prices continue to escalate at even half the pace that they have in recent years, we should do rather nicely. "Inshallah", as they say (if Allah is willing).
Still, we are still quite excited by having spent so much for (so far) so little. But tell us the pictures look nice. Please!
Of course, we now have that much extra room to be able to house all those visitors who just haven't yet got round to finding the right moment to tell us that they are coming to visit us. Look out for those discounted summer season rates to be published here soon.
It is, at this moment, merely an expensive mound of sand, which we hope the local Indian slaves.... sorry, workers, will be able to mould into something resembling the pretty artist's impression pictures adorning the estate's website. And soon. Scheduled completion is the third quarter of this year, but realistically we hope to be in by Christmas. And yet we have been here long enough to know that the next New Year is therefore most likely to come and go before we move. But no matter. We bought it as an investment as well, and if Dubai property prices continue to escalate at even half the pace that they have in recent years, we should do rather nicely. "Inshallah", as they say (if Allah is willing).
Still, we are still quite excited by having spent so much for (so far) so little. But tell us the pictures look nice. Please!
Of course, we now have that much extra room to be able to house all those visitors who just haven't yet got round to finding the right moment to tell us that they are coming to visit us. Look out for those discounted summer season rates to be published here soon.
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