Yes I have been a bit scarce I know. We just had a lovely vacation in Switzerland, and I have also been studying for an exam that keeps being postponed (most annoying) and also organising, with my partner, a “Come Wine and Dine with me” evening for my wine club. So really all go, but no excuse. So without further ado a couple of things that caught my interest for the month.
The third Emirates Airline Festival of Literature opens tonight – in fact the festival is being opened by Michael Palin, British comedian and author, and one of the crazy Monty Python gang (still one of my favourite shows I must say). Unfortunately by the time we realised it was all happening we had lost out (again) as all the workshops we wanted to attend are now fully booked. The festival is made up of 130 events overall including 20 workshops and the opening, and is definitely growing in popularity here in Dubai. If you are lucky enough to be attending one of the workshops please let me know how you get on. The festival runs until Saturday.
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Category: reality
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books, art and Jamie
[from www.clker.com] -
lying cheat (rant)
Previously I told you about a mobile car battery dude that comes to you and replaces your battery on-site.
I had the misfortune to have both cars die on me late last year (heat and sand and batteries not a good combination I guess) and he replaced them both. The one in my Suzuki has a 1 year warranty (haha) and the one in the Pajero only had 6 months.
Being the loving wife I am I took Stu’s car to work today so that I could fill the tank for him before he needs it tomorrow (he has been away on business) and lo and behold it died (again) on me.
So I called said battery guy, who arrived an hour later and replaced the battery (for a Saudi made one this time) and then coolly demanded 570 dirhams.
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happy birthday UAE
I wrote this post for work’s website, but I thought it was pretty interesting so I am going to share it with you here as well (cheeky I know). Think of it as a guest blog, by me. Haha.
If you would like to read it in it’s original setting please click here.
On the 2nd December the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, will be 39 years old. The UAE is a federation of seven states, or emirates (so called as they are ruled by Emirs), which are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The capital and second largest city of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. It is also the country’s center of political, industrial and cultural activities.
[UAE 39th National Day logo]
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speak england deliciously
[from the Business section]
The above Ad was in the Gulf News paper today – I never can get used to some “Indian-isms” that have become widely used in everyday language here, for example:- do the needful. Translation: do what’s required.
- today itself. Translation: today / now.
- shifting. Translation: moving (as in house or apartment).
- top urgent. Translation: urgent.
- tell me. Translation: whats up? (when answering the phone instead of hello).
I am sure there are others – add your favourite to the comments section.
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not my job
There is a vacant lot in Tecom that has obviously been used as a parking lot by tenants of the surrounding offices and apartment blocks.
I had to have a chuckle when I drove past the other day – the bulk of the lot has been cleared of tar except for two spots where cars have been parked, and abandoned.
Its going to be a lot more tricky moving these vehicles now don’t you agree – I wonder why they didn’t just tow them to the side of the street before they started?
Haha!