An interesting story in the news here.
A woman has been charged with the attempted murder of her husband. She tied his arms and legs to the bedposts, wrapped his head in Saran wrap, and proceeded to hit him over the head with a dumbbell.
He thought she was initiating some fun kinky sex.
She said, "I just wanted him to shut up."
Well, I guess that's one way to go about it.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Home
I've come home to the US for a business trip - and then a family wedding on the back end.
Right now, I'm dealing with the early morning wake ups if jet lag. Don't know why - even though I wake up at 3am, I'm still more awake here than I am when I have jet lag back in Dubai.
I've been reading a book, Shantaram, that has been keeping me occupied in the early hours. Luckily it's over 900 pages - so even though I have hours to kill, I'm just barely half way through the book. Another huge tome about India. Evidently, I can only read books set in India if they reach the 1,000 page mark. But again, totally enjoyable. And now I really really want to go to Bombay.
Before I left Dubai, we worked on Lyra's Halloween costume. She decided she wants to be a cocoon this year. The challenge was how to make a costume without it looking like a turd. Russell found an image of what I think is a monarch butterfly cocoon. Anyway, she used the image as inspiration. We had found a paper lantern to act as the "body" of the costume and then she painted the decorations. She's very proud of her results. I'm sure we'll get a few "And what are you?" questions.
Right now, I'm dealing with the early morning wake ups if jet lag. Don't know why - even though I wake up at 3am, I'm still more awake here than I am when I have jet lag back in Dubai.
I've been reading a book, Shantaram, that has been keeping me occupied in the early hours. Luckily it's over 900 pages - so even though I have hours to kill, I'm just barely half way through the book. Another huge tome about India. Evidently, I can only read books set in India if they reach the 1,000 page mark. But again, totally enjoyable. And now I really really want to go to Bombay.
Before I left Dubai, we worked on Lyra's Halloween costume. She decided she wants to be a cocoon this year. The challenge was how to make a costume without it looking like a turd. Russell found an image of what I think is a monarch butterfly cocoon. Anyway, she used the image as inspiration. We had found a paper lantern to act as the "body" of the costume and then she painted the decorations. She's very proud of her results. I'm sure we'll get a few "And what are you?" questions.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Smelly Place - Part 2
Russell was telling me that maybe I should edit my previous posting to explain that the smelliness isn't that common. That mostly Dubai doesn't smell. That usually you cannot detect the aroma of sewage. Perhaps I'm chasing away any interested visitors by overstating the smelliness. And, coming from Bay View where we are within "whiffing distance" of the Milwaukee water treatment plant, I can vouch that Milwaukee has it's occasional smelliness too. I agreed that maybe I should tone it down a bit.
But what headline should greet me this morning? Pools of sewage forming around buildings in nearby labor camps. Essentially, a "labor camp" is an area where there are hundreds of apartment buildings (2 or 3 stories) clustered together housing 6-10 men to a room. The men sleep and eat dinner at the camps and then are picked up in buses to be transported back and forth to their work sites. The tanker trucks that are supposed to come take away the sewage in the collection tanks have not been arriving with enough regularity. Hence the overflow into sewage ponds collecting in the labor areas. The laborers have been calling the city for weeks without any response. Luckily for them, the press have picked up on their situation and maybe now they can get someone to pay attention.
What did they think - a few cholera outbreaks here and there wouldn't do any harm?
But what headline should greet me this morning? Pools of sewage forming around buildings in nearby labor camps. Essentially, a "labor camp" is an area where there are hundreds of apartment buildings (2 or 3 stories) clustered together housing 6-10 men to a room. The men sleep and eat dinner at the camps and then are picked up in buses to be transported back and forth to their work sites. The tanker trucks that are supposed to come take away the sewage in the collection tanks have not been arriving with enough regularity. Hence the overflow into sewage ponds collecting in the labor areas. The laborers have been calling the city for weeks without any response. Luckily for them, the press have picked up on their situation and maybe now they can get someone to pay attention.
What did they think - a few cholera outbreaks here and there wouldn't do any harm?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
This Country Smells
One of the "3rd World" aspects about Dubai is that occasionally it smells like sh*t. Literally.
When we first moved into the house - some of the bathrooms had a rank odor emanating from the toilets. We put it down to having air in the pipes. So, we flushed and ran some water down the pipes to clear out the smell. And that helps - usually. But sometimes - for some reason - the odors are able to come up into the house. It's especially noticeable if you leave the bathroom door closed for a while and then go in and "whew" - it's a bit ripe in there.
There are times, when walking down the street that you "catch a whiff". It can be in the poshest shopping mall. It can be getting out of the car in our driveway. I wrinkled my nose walking into Lyra's school the other day. I don't know why, but sometimes Dubai smells like poo.
All over the city, sewage is stored in huge tanks that are scattered around neighborhoods. In our neighborhood, the closest one is about 2 miles down the road. If the wind is right - oooh baby. I cannot imagine living in the villas that are right next to that lot. I've taken a walk down that way - and you can smell it coming. Tanker trucks drive by daily to take the sewage to the treatment plant that is about 10 miles from our place.
Every day, 10,000 tankers head to the same sewage plant. And as the city has grown and as the neighborhoods have been built and the population has sored, the number of tankers queuing up outside the sewage plant has grown. Every day, there are hundreds of trucks stretched in both directions waiting to deliver their load of raw sewage. Truckers can be in line for 18 hours awaiting their turn.
So, what have these truckers started doing? They're dumping their sewage into the storm drains. Yep. Tons and tons of raw sewage is being dumped into the storm drains to the point that they've had to close the beaches here. Imagine the horror of tourists as they find out that their "vacation in paradise" has become a paddle in the local toilet. A scene from Caddyshack comes to mind.
The municipality has started to crack down hard on the drivers and their companies. 50,000 Dhs fines have been levied. And they've started to weld shut the manhole covers. And they're keeping a close eye to catch all violators. So, does this stop them? Of course not. Now there are reports that truckers are opening their drain valves as they drive along the roads - leaving sewage strewn across streets. Or they're heading out into the desert and dumping in the sand.
I'm sure this dumping has been going on for months or years. It's just that recently they had to close beaches and of course now the public knows what is going on. It's a big problem - and I have no idea when there's another sewage treatment plant planned. In the meantime, the queues just keep getting bigger and bigger - and crafty truck drivers are going to try and find a way to avoid them.
When we first moved into the house - some of the bathrooms had a rank odor emanating from the toilets. We put it down to having air in the pipes. So, we flushed and ran some water down the pipes to clear out the smell. And that helps - usually. But sometimes - for some reason - the odors are able to come up into the house. It's especially noticeable if you leave the bathroom door closed for a while and then go in and "whew" - it's a bit ripe in there.
There are times, when walking down the street that you "catch a whiff". It can be in the poshest shopping mall. It can be getting out of the car in our driveway. I wrinkled my nose walking into Lyra's school the other day. I don't know why, but sometimes Dubai smells like poo.
All over the city, sewage is stored in huge tanks that are scattered around neighborhoods. In our neighborhood, the closest one is about 2 miles down the road. If the wind is right - oooh baby. I cannot imagine living in the villas that are right next to that lot. I've taken a walk down that way - and you can smell it coming. Tanker trucks drive by daily to take the sewage to the treatment plant that is about 10 miles from our place.
Every day, 10,000 tankers head to the same sewage plant. And as the city has grown and as the neighborhoods have been built and the population has sored, the number of tankers queuing up outside the sewage plant has grown. Every day, there are hundreds of trucks stretched in both directions waiting to deliver their load of raw sewage. Truckers can be in line for 18 hours awaiting their turn.
So, what have these truckers started doing? They're dumping their sewage into the storm drains. Yep. Tons and tons of raw sewage is being dumped into the storm drains to the point that they've had to close the beaches here. Imagine the horror of tourists as they find out that their "vacation in paradise" has become a paddle in the local toilet. A scene from Caddyshack comes to mind.
The municipality has started to crack down hard on the drivers and their companies. 50,000 Dhs fines have been levied. And they've started to weld shut the manhole covers. And they're keeping a close eye to catch all violators. So, does this stop them? Of course not. Now there are reports that truckers are opening their drain valves as they drive along the roads - leaving sewage strewn across streets. Or they're heading out into the desert and dumping in the sand.
I'm sure this dumping has been going on for months or years. It's just that recently they had to close beaches and of course now the public knows what is going on. It's a big problem - and I have no idea when there's another sewage treatment plant planned. In the meantime, the queues just keep getting bigger and bigger - and crafty truck drivers are going to try and find a way to avoid them.
Monday, October 13, 2008
I Vote to Move the Election Forward
I'm obsessed. I can't seem to stay focused on anything but the election. First thing I do in the morning is check the US headlines. Then, when I get home, I log in to view the clips and videos from the day.
Every new poll, every new editorial, every new "outrage" at who did what to whom - these are my newfound obsession.
In the middle of an email I think, "I should go check the news".
In the middle of a meeting I check my Blackberry to see if there are any new headlines.
I wake up early to go check on the status of the debates.
I go to bed late after watching too many news clips.
I'm missing NPR on my nightly drive home.
I'm missing Frontline analysis.
Thank god (or as they say here "Thanks god" - don't ask me why it's just is how they say it) for the internet - for the online versions of newspapers and TV.
But - I don't miss the non-stop ads, TV pundits, and telephone canvassing. I don't miss the fear mongering played up by the local news programs. Believe me, I've seen the ads. I've seen the pundits. I just don't have to be bombarded with them.
Can we hold the election tomorrow please?
Every new poll, every new editorial, every new "outrage" at who did what to whom - these are my newfound obsession.
In the middle of an email I think, "I should go check the news".
In the middle of a meeting I check my Blackberry to see if there are any new headlines.
I wake up early to go check on the status of the debates.
I go to bed late after watching too many news clips.
I'm missing NPR on my nightly drive home.
I'm missing Frontline analysis.
Thank god (or as they say here "Thanks god" - don't ask me why it's just is how they say it) for the internet - for the online versions of newspapers and TV.
But - I don't miss the non-stop ads, TV pundits, and telephone canvassing. I don't miss the fear mongering played up by the local news programs. Believe me, I've seen the ads. I've seen the pundits. I just don't have to be bombarded with them.
Can we hold the election tomorrow please?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Hey, Sarah Palin
Who would Jesus incite to violence? Huh?
A little reminder in case you'd forgotten. Christian means "Christ-follower".
The apostle Paul in writing to Titus said (Titus 1:16) "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."
I heard the best quote from Sarah Vowell - "She's (Sarah Palin) like a beauty pageant contestant, but without the desire for World Peace."
A little reminder in case you'd forgotten. Christian means "Christ-follower".
The apostle Paul in writing to Titus said (Titus 1:16) "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."
I heard the best quote from Sarah Vowell - "She's (Sarah Palin) like a beauty pageant contestant, but without the desire for World Peace."
Economic Crisis
Well, things here don't seem to have hit the same levels of panic as in the rest of the world. Although there have been huge drops in the Dubai Financial stock exchange, I think most of the folks here don't have their wealth tied into stocks the same as in the US.
Nervousness here is more tied into the real estate market. Values here have been going up by 20% to 50% per year for several years now. Recent reportings have about 140,000 new properties coming onto the market in the next 18 monts. I'll repeat one hundred and forty THOUSAND new properties. That alone would make folks think there might be a softening in prices (or perhaps bursting of a bubble). The credit crunch has also hit here, too. So, getting loans to buy the new properties has started to be a concern. But really that's only a concern for the small-time buyers. Big buyers here are so flush with cash that there's very little need for loans. Still though, the government here injected US$18 billion to help free up the credit market.
A second concern would be a bottoming out on the price of oil if there was a depression. For sure the economies here are driven by oil prices. The boom of the past several years has been fueled by the high prices the rest of the world is paying for energy. I've seen estimates of something like US$3B surplus cash per day is generated in this region when oil is at US$90/barrel. So, if prices drop, then the surplus starts to dry up - and that would certainly slow things down.
But the reserves of cash here are pretty vast. And people/governments are looking for ways to invest that cash and make returns. For oil rich nations, Dubai is an attractive investment destination. It's a muslim country that actually welcomes them (as opposed to the "welcome" they get in the US as evidenced in the recent mob-scenes at McCain rallys).
Certainly a financial crash around the world will have its impact here. There'd be no way to avoid it. How much certainly remains to be seen. But it does seem that this region is better positioned to recover.
Nervousness here is more tied into the real estate market. Values here have been going up by 20% to 50% per year for several years now. Recent reportings have about 140,000 new properties coming onto the market in the next 18 monts. I'll repeat one hundred and forty THOUSAND new properties. That alone would make folks think there might be a softening in prices (or perhaps bursting of a bubble). The credit crunch has also hit here, too. So, getting loans to buy the new properties has started to be a concern. But really that's only a concern for the small-time buyers. Big buyers here are so flush with cash that there's very little need for loans. Still though, the government here injected US$18 billion to help free up the credit market.
A second concern would be a bottoming out on the price of oil if there was a depression. For sure the economies here are driven by oil prices. The boom of the past several years has been fueled by the high prices the rest of the world is paying for energy. I've seen estimates of something like US$3B surplus cash per day is generated in this region when oil is at US$90/barrel. So, if prices drop, then the surplus starts to dry up - and that would certainly slow things down.
But the reserves of cash here are pretty vast. And people/governments are looking for ways to invest that cash and make returns. For oil rich nations, Dubai is an attractive investment destination. It's a muslim country that actually welcomes them (as opposed to the "welcome" they get in the US as evidenced in the recent mob-scenes at McCain rallys).
Certainly a financial crash around the world will have its impact here. There'd be no way to avoid it. How much certainly remains to be seen. But it does seem that this region is better positioned to recover.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Rolls Royce's are Ugly
I could have lived my whole life in Milwaukee and never seen a real live Rolls Royce. Even in London, I think I only saw one or two. And in Dubai, home of extravagance galore, they aren't that common. And there's a reason for that - they're butt ugly.
I saw one on my commute home the other day. I glanced in my rear view mirror. Even though it was night and I could only see the silhouette I said to myself, "What's that?!!?" My suspicion was that it was a Rolls. I was able to confirm it when it lumbered past me. Man - those things are heavy! Are they using 1/4" steel for the body? Holy cow, you can hear the ping-ping-ping of the gas pump as it cruises pass. A Sherman Tank looks sprightly and zippy compared to these behemoths.
Who would buy these ugly things? Unless you live in fear of being shot at, there's no reason. Get a Bentley if you need ostentation.
I saw one on my commute home the other day. I glanced in my rear view mirror. Even though it was night and I could only see the silhouette I said to myself, "What's that?!!?" My suspicion was that it was a Rolls. I was able to confirm it when it lumbered past me. Man - those things are heavy! Are they using 1/4" steel for the body? Holy cow, you can hear the ping-ping-ping of the gas pump as it cruises pass. A Sherman Tank looks sprightly and zippy compared to these behemoths.
Who would buy these ugly things? Unless you live in fear of being shot at, there's no reason. Get a Bentley if you need ostentation.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Everyone's Back
And the traffic is horrible.
Summer traffic was light while a large set of the population left to escape the heat (us included). Plus, the traffic for school runs stopped in mid-June. Then, when we all came back from summer, Ramadan started and businesses reduced their hours. And with Eid, tons of folks went on vacation.
All of the above has led to several months of smooth sailing for me as I commute to and from work. I've appreciated this most especially in the evening. In heavy traffic, it can take me 40 minutes just to get from my parking structure to the first intersection. I did finally bite the bullet and start using the toll-bridge. This road is usually free flowing and I've found I can reduce my commute by at least 20 if not 30 minutes. For 4Dhs (just over US$1) it's worth it.
So now, my biggest back up is as I approach the last intersection - a left turn at the light into Mirdif. Now that traffic has resumed, I'm backed up for nearly 1 mile waiting my turn. Of course there are lots of folks who feel that waiting doesn't apply to them. They will stay in the "go straight" lane and then cut in to turn just before the intersection. Always slows every else down.
I'm struggling to get used to it. Still a bit surprised to see the traffic mass outside my parking structure as I leave for home. I'm hoping, since this is the first week, that things will still settle a bit. I can appreciate the folks who long for the "old Dubai" before traffic became such a horrible mess.
Summer traffic was light while a large set of the population left to escape the heat (us included). Plus, the traffic for school runs stopped in mid-June. Then, when we all came back from summer, Ramadan started and businesses reduced their hours. And with Eid, tons of folks went on vacation.
All of the above has led to several months of smooth sailing for me as I commute to and from work. I've appreciated this most especially in the evening. In heavy traffic, it can take me 40 minutes just to get from my parking structure to the first intersection. I did finally bite the bullet and start using the toll-bridge. This road is usually free flowing and I've found I can reduce my commute by at least 20 if not 30 minutes. For 4Dhs (just over US$1) it's worth it.
So now, my biggest back up is as I approach the last intersection - a left turn at the light into Mirdif. Now that traffic has resumed, I'm backed up for nearly 1 mile waiting my turn. Of course there are lots of folks who feel that waiting doesn't apply to them. They will stay in the "go straight" lane and then cut in to turn just before the intersection. Always slows every else down.
I'm struggling to get used to it. Still a bit surprised to see the traffic mass outside my parking structure as I leave for home. I'm hoping, since this is the first week, that things will still settle a bit. I can appreciate the folks who long for the "old Dubai" before traffic became such a horrible mess.
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