We received a letter from Lyra's school last week. The Ministry of Education has declared that the week of December 7 is a holiday and all schools are required to be closed. The reason for this is a Muslim holiday coming up, Eid al Adha. The school had already planned 2 days into the calendar for the Eid holiday, but in the last week, the Ministry has decided that the full week should be off. They did this at the beginning of the school year too, during Eid al Fitr.
So, now the school has had 2 unexpected week-long breaks in the calendar. At Lyra's age, this isn't any big deal. But for the high schoolers who are prepping for exams this is now interfering with the exam schedule. So, to make up for the days, the school now has 3 Saturdays scheduled as make up days. My first thought was "Wooo-hooo!" I'm already excited about having some days to goof off with Russell.
I was imagining how this would go down in the US. The schools write you a note that in two weeks, the school will be closed for a week. My dad was once on the school board and I can tell you that his phone would have been ringing non-stop for a week with complaints from parents. Here, you just have to go with the flow. No use getting up tight about it. If you called to complain, you'd have very little sympathy.
The call would go something like this:
Julie: I'm calling regarding the recent changes to the school calendar.
MoE: Yes, madam.
Julie: This is a huge inconvenience to our family.
Moe: Yes, madam.
Julie: Why would you have waited until the last minute to make this announcement?
MoE: No, madam.
Julie: No. WHY would you wait until the LAST minute to make this announcement?
MoE: No, madam.
Julie: How am I supposed to arrange for last minute child care?
MoE: Yes, madam.
Julie: No. HOW am I supposed to arrange for LAST MINUTE childe care?
MoE: Yes, madam.
Julie: AGGGGHHH - never mind.
MoE: Yes, madam.
I'd end up even more frustrated than when I started. Not that little old me is going to influence the Ministry anyway. And besides, I'm psyched about the days with Russell.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Turn off your TV
Happy people watch less television: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/health/research/20happy.html?em
The study doesn't say if watching television makes you more unhappy or if being unhappy makes you watch television. But I say, give it a go - turn off your TV - see if you aren't more happy. I think you'll find that there's so many other things to do. Life is certainly more interesting without TV.
When we moved here, we didn't get ourselves signed up for television. We thought we'd try it out for a while and see how it goes. Now, nearly 18 months later, we have no desire to get it. We have set up a flat screen so that we can watch DVDs. And we do watch a few shows on-line. And of course, there's Russell's addiction to YouTube (which is kind of like watching TV). And we like it that way. Life seems so much more relaxing.
By coincidence, we live next door to probably the only other family in Dubai without television. Juliette was telling me that other school mums always say to her, "Oh, I wish we didn't have TV." Hmmm - that's not so difficult. If you don't want it, unplug it.
Try it for a month, you'll be amazed. You'll have games nights, you'll read, you'll make a nice dinner, you'll spend more time with the kids at bed time, you'll have a glass of wine with your spouse - it's liberating.
The study doesn't say if watching television makes you more unhappy or if being unhappy makes you watch television. But I say, give it a go - turn off your TV - see if you aren't more happy. I think you'll find that there's so many other things to do. Life is certainly more interesting without TV.
When we moved here, we didn't get ourselves signed up for television. We thought we'd try it out for a while and see how it goes. Now, nearly 18 months later, we have no desire to get it. We have set up a flat screen so that we can watch DVDs. And we do watch a few shows on-line. And of course, there's Russell's addiction to YouTube (which is kind of like watching TV). And we like it that way. Life seems so much more relaxing.
By coincidence, we live next door to probably the only other family in Dubai without television. Juliette was telling me that other school mums always say to her, "Oh, I wish we didn't have TV." Hmmm - that's not so difficult. If you don't want it, unplug it.
Try it for a month, you'll be amazed. You'll have games nights, you'll read, you'll make a nice dinner, you'll spend more time with the kids at bed time, you'll have a glass of wine with your spouse - it's liberating.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Turkey Day
I'm thinking about Thanksgiving. My sister and aunt are coming again - YEAH. They'll arrive late on Thursday - actually, they'll probably arrive into our house in the early hours of Friday morning. It will be a small gathering. Probably just the five of us.
Thanksgiving dinner is always traditional for me. With Christmas dinner, I'm willing to experiment with the menu a little. But not with Thanksgiving. I've got to have some dressing (sage & onion), must have cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, gravy and of course the turkey. Last year, we had so many left overs, we were eating it for days afterward. So, I'm thinking about how to cut down a little. But I don't want to leave out anything critical from the menu.
The local Organics store had fresh turkeys last year. Maybe Russ can take a trip down there this week while I'm in Saudi. One year, when we were in London, we paid GBP 40 for a turkey. That's about US$60. Whew - we weren't expecting that when we picked it up from the butcher. The same butcher that Russell saw a customer pay US$100 for a crown roast. That year we told everyone we had a "40 pound turkey" - heh, heh. I'm sure the fresh organic turkey will be a bit pricey, but none of the shops have a 29 cent/pound special on the Butterballs. My mom used to stock up on the turkeys during those specials. She'd buy two extra and have the butcher saw them in half. A couple of times a year, she'd pull out half for our dinner. So, if you have a deep freeze, get a couple extra turkeys!
We can pretty much get anything we need for the traditional dinner. Even cranberry jelly - but I think we have a can of that left over. Actually, I prefer a relish made from fresh. Last year, Amy packed a bag in her luggage. Canned pumpkin is also available here - it's popular for a lot of Indian curries and soups.
Sounds like some shopping is in order tomorrow to see what we can pick up.
Thanksgiving dinner is always traditional for me. With Christmas dinner, I'm willing to experiment with the menu a little. But not with Thanksgiving. I've got to have some dressing (sage & onion), must have cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, gravy and of course the turkey. Last year, we had so many left overs, we were eating it for days afterward. So, I'm thinking about how to cut down a little. But I don't want to leave out anything critical from the menu.
The local Organics store had fresh turkeys last year. Maybe Russ can take a trip down there this week while I'm in Saudi. One year, when we were in London, we paid GBP 40 for a turkey. That's about US$60. Whew - we weren't expecting that when we picked it up from the butcher. The same butcher that Russell saw a customer pay US$100 for a crown roast. That year we told everyone we had a "40 pound turkey" - heh, heh. I'm sure the fresh organic turkey will be a bit pricey, but none of the shops have a 29 cent/pound special on the Butterballs. My mom used to stock up on the turkeys during those specials. She'd buy two extra and have the butcher saw them in half. A couple of times a year, she'd pull out half for our dinner. So, if you have a deep freeze, get a couple extra turkeys!
We can pretty much get anything we need for the traditional dinner. Even cranberry jelly - but I think we have a can of that left over. Actually, I prefer a relish made from fresh. Last year, Amy packed a bag in her luggage. Canned pumpkin is also available here - it's popular for a lot of Indian curries and soups.
Sounds like some shopping is in order tomorrow to see what we can pick up.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Iskender
It is Turkish for Alexander.
It also is a great dish made of spiced lamb grilled and served with a big dollop of yogurt on a freshly baked pita (or pide as they spell it in Turkish). In Istanbul, it was garnished with a generous portion of still bubbling melted butter poured over the top. On the side: baba ganoush, tabbouleh, hummous, and moutabel (a great mixture of roasted eggplant and tahini) scooped onto oven fresh pita. Yum!
Russell's plotting how he can open an Iskender shop in Bay View. Menu options would be Small, Medium, or Large. Well, since it's Bay View - he'd probably need to offer some sort of meatless Iskender, too. But the Istanbullers will be rolling in their graves at the thought of their home dish being tainted with meatless spiced-lamb.
I say he parks a cart on the corner of KK and Lincoln from 11:30pm to 2:30am. He'll make a killing.
It also is a great dish made of spiced lamb grilled and served with a big dollop of yogurt on a freshly baked pita (or pide as they spell it in Turkish). In Istanbul, it was garnished with a generous portion of still bubbling melted butter poured over the top. On the side: baba ganoush, tabbouleh, hummous, and moutabel (a great mixture of roasted eggplant and tahini) scooped onto oven fresh pita. Yum!
Russell's plotting how he can open an Iskender shop in Bay View. Menu options would be Small, Medium, or Large. Well, since it's Bay View - he'd probably need to offer some sort of meatless Iskender, too. But the Istanbullers will be rolling in their graves at the thought of their home dish being tainted with meatless spiced-lamb.
I say he parks a cart on the corner of KK and Lincoln from 11:30pm to 2:30am. He'll make a killing.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Expressway Sightings
I no longer find these sightings odd or startling:
1. A man riding his bicycle against traffic up the freeway.
2. A group of men perched on the edge of the expressway waiting for an opportunity to dash across 12 lanes of high speed traffic. Often they are pushing their bicycles.
3. Impatient drivers working their way past a traffic back up by trying to straddle the paint lines and drive in between the lanes of cars.
4. Cars flying up behind me, flashing their lights from more than 200 yards away, coming up on my rear so closely that I can no longer see their headlights or number plate.
5. Impatient cars taking off from the lanes of traffic to head through the sand trying to find some possible cut off into the neighborhood.
6. The same car 5 minutes later driving along the highway in the sand trying to pass up the traffic queue.
7. The same car 5 minues later forcing his way into the front of the queue to get back into traffic before his exit.
8. Buses parked in the right hand lane (no, not on the shoulder) to let off or pick up their passengers - this is the right hand lane of the FREEWAY!!
9. Cars backing up to try and get over to an exit that they missed.
10. Men sweeping the freeway with a broom. Another man watching the sweeper. And another man watching the watcher.
Edited to add:
11. Drivers driving with a toddler or baby in their lap.
12. Kids with their heads poking out the sun roof as the car roars past at 140kph.
1. A man riding his bicycle against traffic up the freeway.
2. A group of men perched on the edge of the expressway waiting for an opportunity to dash across 12 lanes of high speed traffic. Often they are pushing their bicycles.
3. Impatient drivers working their way past a traffic back up by trying to straddle the paint lines and drive in between the lanes of cars.
4. Cars flying up behind me, flashing their lights from more than 200 yards away, coming up on my rear so closely that I can no longer see their headlights or number plate.
5. Impatient cars taking off from the lanes of traffic to head through the sand trying to find some possible cut off into the neighborhood.
6. The same car 5 minutes later driving along the highway in the sand trying to pass up the traffic queue.
7. The same car 5 minues later forcing his way into the front of the queue to get back into traffic before his exit.
8. Buses parked in the right hand lane (no, not on the shoulder) to let off or pick up their passengers - this is the right hand lane of the FREEWAY!!
9. Cars backing up to try and get over to an exit that they missed.
10. Men sweeping the freeway with a broom. Another man watching the sweeper. And another man watching the watcher.
Edited to add:
11. Drivers driving with a toddler or baby in their lap.
12. Kids with their heads poking out the sun roof as the car roars past at 140kph.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Fairies Come Out at Night
Yesterday's conversation with Lyra.
Lyra: Mama, you know Raven (a friend back home) had sparkles on her. And she showed me her sparkles and said it was from her fairy. But I don't think it was a fairy. I think it was just sparkles.
Me: Hmmm. . . you don't think it was her fairy?
L: No, it was just regular sparkles. Because fairies aren't real. Only the Sandman, the Toothfairy, and Santa are real. Just those special fairies are real. Other fairies aren't real.
M: Why don't you think fairies are real?
L: Well, because there aren't any unicorns. . . or . . . or . . . other things that aren't real, so there can't be any fairies.
M: [can't really argue with that logic] Maybe you're right.
L: [backing off a little] Well, if there are fairies, then they only will come out at night. Because they're shy and they don't want you to see them.
M: Yeah, maybe they only come at night.
Lyra: Mama, you know Raven (a friend back home) had sparkles on her. And she showed me her sparkles and said it was from her fairy. But I don't think it was a fairy. I think it was just sparkles.
Me: Hmmm. . . you don't think it was her fairy?
L: No, it was just regular sparkles. Because fairies aren't real. Only the Sandman, the Toothfairy, and Santa are real. Just those special fairies are real. Other fairies aren't real.
M: Why don't you think fairies are real?
L: Well, because there aren't any unicorns. . . or . . . or . . . other things that aren't real, so there can't be any fairies.
M: [can't really argue with that logic] Maybe you're right.
L: [backing off a little] Well, if there are fairies, then they only will come out at night. Because they're shy and they don't want you to see them.
M: Yeah, maybe they only come at night.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Splish Splash
This morning, as I neared the time that my alarm would go off, I was having vivid dreams that I was sleeping in my bed in Milwaukee. My dreams included a rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning. Back home, my bed is in the attic and the sound of rain falling onto the roof can be clearly heard overhead. The gentle sound of water running down the gutters and the swish of car tires driving down a wet street are sounds I don't hear any more. In my dream, I heard the gentle roll of thunder and the lashings of rain against the window.
It was so vivid that I was jolted to reality when my alarm went off and I awoke shocked to find that I was back here in Dubai. But the feeling of being in my bedroom in Milwaukee stayed with me all morning as I got ready for work. I was pining for home and the sounds of a cold rainy autumn morning. In my imagination, I enjoyed leaping over rivulets streaming down the street and curbsides filled with soggy unraked leaves. I imagined the twinge of wetness as my shoes landed in a puddle while running to my car. But alas, I am living in dry arid Dubai.
Imagine my pleased surprise (and total disorientation) when I went out to the car - and it was raining. I dodged the rain on my way to the car and laughed at myself as I struggled to unlock the gate and get into the car without drenching my clothes and hair. I had a brief flash of curiosity about what might be hanging on the clothes line in back. But, too late to do anything about it then.
It wasn't a dream after all - or was it?
It was so vivid that I was jolted to reality when my alarm went off and I awoke shocked to find that I was back here in Dubai. But the feeling of being in my bedroom in Milwaukee stayed with me all morning as I got ready for work. I was pining for home and the sounds of a cold rainy autumn morning. In my imagination, I enjoyed leaping over rivulets streaming down the street and curbsides filled with soggy unraked leaves. I imagined the twinge of wetness as my shoes landed in a puddle while running to my car. But alas, I am living in dry arid Dubai.
Imagine my pleased surprise (and total disorientation) when I went out to the car - and it was raining. I dodged the rain on my way to the car and laughed at myself as I struggled to unlock the gate and get into the car without drenching my clothes and hair. I had a brief flash of curiosity about what might be hanging on the clothes line in back. But, too late to do anything about it then.
It wasn't a dream after all - or was it?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Rememberance Day
Tuesday was Remembrance Day. I looked at my watch at 9:50am, but forgot to look again until after 12:00. So, I missed it.
At home, Veterans' Day has lost some of its significance. There are still many gatherings of Veterans. But mostly it is Veterans remembering one another. Fellow soldiers taking a moment to honor their buddies lost in battle. A few people pick up a poppy to wear on their lapel from the local American Legion or VFW post. I can't say that I've ever been to any Veterans' Day event. It's sad really. Somewhere along the line, although we respect our soldiers in America, I think we've forgotten to honor them.
In the UK, Remembrance Day is a big deal. All public officials and television personalities proudly display their poppies in their lapels. Kind of like the recent US Flag lapel symbolism, it would seem unpatriotic to not have a poppy on your lapel.
The national events are televised live on all the channels. The Queen hosts visitors from all the Commonwealth countries. Wreaths of poppies are laid at the Cenotaph - a memorial to all servicemen and women who have died in the war. And at the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month, there is an observation of 2 minutes of silence. Even in the office, they would interrupt the day to have everyone observe the silence. You would never believe the complete stillness that decends upon London - and across the country - during those two minutes. It's pretty impressive that they've been honoring their soldiers in this way for 90 years.
I was always drawn to watch the television broadcasts of Remembrance Day. Appropriately, November 11th always seemed to be a drizzly, dreary day. I was humbled by the enormity of the honor that the UK continues to bestow upon their soldiers. It is quite a contrast to what I grew up with.
At home, Veterans' Day has lost some of its significance. There are still many gatherings of Veterans. But mostly it is Veterans remembering one another. Fellow soldiers taking a moment to honor their buddies lost in battle. A few people pick up a poppy to wear on their lapel from the local American Legion or VFW post. I can't say that I've ever been to any Veterans' Day event. It's sad really. Somewhere along the line, although we respect our soldiers in America, I think we've forgotten to honor them.
In the UK, Remembrance Day is a big deal. All public officials and television personalities proudly display their poppies in their lapels. Kind of like the recent US Flag lapel symbolism, it would seem unpatriotic to not have a poppy on your lapel.
The national events are televised live on all the channels. The Queen hosts visitors from all the Commonwealth countries. Wreaths of poppies are laid at the Cenotaph - a memorial to all servicemen and women who have died in the war. And at the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month, there is an observation of 2 minutes of silence. Even in the office, they would interrupt the day to have everyone observe the silence. You would never believe the complete stillness that decends upon London - and across the country - during those two minutes. It's pretty impressive that they've been honoring their soldiers in this way for 90 years.
I was always drawn to watch the television broadcasts of Remembrance Day. Appropriately, November 11th always seemed to be a drizzly, dreary day. I was humbled by the enormity of the honor that the UK continues to bestow upon their soldiers. It is quite a contrast to what I grew up with.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Things and Such
During my break in blogging - much has happened.
First of all - what a relief that the election is over. And how totally awesome that Obama won. So, Russell and I can stop talking about a pending move to Canada or Mexico in order to escape the madness. And now we're missing all the excitement at home. I'm catching a bit of the hype on-line, but that doesn't really give a real sense of how people are feeling. We caught our plane home to Dubai on election day at 9pm. The results from early states were just starting to come in, but the suspense hadn't started to build. By the time we were landing in Dubai, the TV announcements of his victory had long-ago been made and his victory speech in Chicago was over. We had a brief announcement from the flight attendant as we neared for landing.
Everyone in the office is excited as well. Many of them watched Obama's speech in Chicago and were really moved by what he said. For most outside of the US, although they have heard of Obama, they have never really listened to one of his speeches. So, it was a real introduction for them to the person that the US elected.
Although people are hopeful that there will be a change in tone with regard to US and Middle East relations - they are mostly realistic. There's a long way to go until there are real changes in policies. But certainly a negotiation or meeting where the US recognizes that it's not as black and white as has been portrayed for the last 7 years would be a good starting point. So, my news obsessions have abated, but I'm still following closely. Thanks to on-line versions of The New York Times, Washington Post and MSNBC - I keep up.
Enough about politics.
While we were in Florida, we attended our neice's wedding. Lyra was the flower girl. She totally grooved on being a part of the wedding party. If Jaclyn and Brian thought this day was about them - they forgot the cute-factor of a very sociable flower girl to divert attention. She was just perfect. Since she was flower girl at my brother's wedding 3 years ago, she was pretty sure that she knew what she was doing. So, very few nerves on her part. It also helped that the Matron of Honor was a former babysitter who lived a couple blocks down the street from us in Milwaukee. So, a bit of a reunion for Lyra and Nicole (or "Micole" as she says).
As the preparations were occurring, the petals that she was to sprinkle on the aisle came out. "Where's the basket?" Lyra asked. The wedding assistant went off to find something and came back with a basket shaped something like a church collection plate or bread basket. "That's not what I was picturing," Lyra said. "I'm thinking it needs to have a handle - kind of like an Easter basket but not the same colors as an Easter basket." Of course she was right. And luckily Jaclyn had a cute little basket for her to carry.
From there, we went to visit some friends in Weston (about 40 minutes away). We had met Chip and Karen when we were in India earlier this year. We totally hit it off with them and they said, "If you're ever in Florida. . ." We told them, "Actually, we'll be there this November for a wedding." So, we hooked up. They live on the eastern edge of the Everglades. We went out for an airboat ride - which was totally interesting. Saw 4 fairly sizeable aligators, some turtles, and lots of sawgrass. But for Lyra, the highlight of our stay with them was feeding the ducks that are in their back yard. She continuously would ask for pieces of bread so that she could go out to call them in from the lake and toss bread to them. Surely, at least one loaf of bread was fed to those birds in the day that we were there.
So, now we're home. I was brutally reminded of the fact yesterday when a construction crane fell into the road just a block or so down from my office. It blocked traffic for nearly 12 hours. Luckily, no one was hurt. I'm sure we'll never know or hear why the crane fell. Traffic was horrible for tons of folks. Many in our office reported more than 4 hour commutes in the morning. Luckily, I avoided this - well since I commute in at 6am I rarely run into nasty traffic.
First of all - what a relief that the election is over. And how totally awesome that Obama won. So, Russell and I can stop talking about a pending move to Canada or Mexico in order to escape the madness. And now we're missing all the excitement at home. I'm catching a bit of the hype on-line, but that doesn't really give a real sense of how people are feeling. We caught our plane home to Dubai on election day at 9pm. The results from early states were just starting to come in, but the suspense hadn't started to build. By the time we were landing in Dubai, the TV announcements of his victory had long-ago been made and his victory speech in Chicago was over. We had a brief announcement from the flight attendant as we neared for landing.
Everyone in the office is excited as well. Many of them watched Obama's speech in Chicago and were really moved by what he said. For most outside of the US, although they have heard of Obama, they have never really listened to one of his speeches. So, it was a real introduction for them to the person that the US elected.
Although people are hopeful that there will be a change in tone with regard to US and Middle East relations - they are mostly realistic. There's a long way to go until there are real changes in policies. But certainly a negotiation or meeting where the US recognizes that it's not as black and white as has been portrayed for the last 7 years would be a good starting point. So, my news obsessions have abated, but I'm still following closely. Thanks to on-line versions of The New York Times, Washington Post and MSNBC - I keep up.
Enough about politics.
While we were in Florida, we attended our neice's wedding. Lyra was the flower girl. She totally grooved on being a part of the wedding party. If Jaclyn and Brian thought this day was about them - they forgot the cute-factor of a very sociable flower girl to divert attention. She was just perfect. Since she was flower girl at my brother's wedding 3 years ago, she was pretty sure that she knew what she was doing. So, very few nerves on her part. It also helped that the Matron of Honor was a former babysitter who lived a couple blocks down the street from us in Milwaukee. So, a bit of a reunion for Lyra and Nicole (or "Micole" as she says).
As the preparations were occurring, the petals that she was to sprinkle on the aisle came out. "Where's the basket?" Lyra asked. The wedding assistant went off to find something and came back with a basket shaped something like a church collection plate or bread basket. "That's not what I was picturing," Lyra said. "I'm thinking it needs to have a handle - kind of like an Easter basket but not the same colors as an Easter basket." Of course she was right. And luckily Jaclyn had a cute little basket for her to carry.
From there, we went to visit some friends in Weston (about 40 minutes away). We had met Chip and Karen when we were in India earlier this year. We totally hit it off with them and they said, "If you're ever in Florida. . ." We told them, "Actually, we'll be there this November for a wedding." So, we hooked up. They live on the eastern edge of the Everglades. We went out for an airboat ride - which was totally interesting. Saw 4 fairly sizeable aligators, some turtles, and lots of sawgrass. But for Lyra, the highlight of our stay with them was feeding the ducks that are in their back yard. She continuously would ask for pieces of bread so that she could go out to call them in from the lake and toss bread to them. Surely, at least one loaf of bread was fed to those birds in the day that we were there.
So, now we're home. I was brutally reminded of the fact yesterday when a construction crane fell into the road just a block or so down from my office. It blocked traffic for nearly 12 hours. Luckily, no one was hurt. I'm sure we'll never know or hear why the crane fell. Traffic was horrible for tons of folks. Many in our office reported more than 4 hour commutes in the morning. Luckily, I avoided this - well since I commute in at 6am I rarely run into nasty traffic.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
It's the Little Things
I was just home in Milwaukee for a couple of days. It was nice to be home and nice to get in a little bit of autumn weather. It's the little things that make a place feel like home!
Driving home from work, I instinctively avoided the potholes and road patches on Bay Street. I was impressed that my body remembered they were there when my brain didn't.
It was great to see the huge piles of leaves as big as two cars forming outside on the curb. There hasn't been much rain in Milwaukee, so all the leaves are still crunchy and blowing about. I love walking down the sidewalk and hearing a satisfying crunch as leaves disintegrate under my shoes. I'm inordinately disappointed when a leaf turns out to be wimpy or soggy. What a waste of stomping energy!
I remembered to bring some jackets and scarves to keep myself warm outside. However, I forgot how cold it gets inside. How did I forget this? I should have brought some slippers and a robe or house coat.
I missed the Halloween excitement. Milwaukee had Trick or Treating last Saturday. Milwaukee has always been a bit odd that way - scheduling Trick or Treat on a Saturday or Sunday. I always love seeing the costumes. Hopefully, Lyra will get in a little Trick or Treating here in Florida tonight. We're supposed to go to the rehearsal dinner for my niece's wedding, but hoping to sneak in a little trip down one street before we go over there. I'll soon be posting pictures of our little cocoon.
Lyra's already plotting her costume for next year. She had considered caterpillar to complete the triumvirate of cocoon, butterfly, caterpillar. But now she's reconsidering. I've told her she has plenty of time to make up her mind.
Driving home from work, I instinctively avoided the potholes and road patches on Bay Street. I was impressed that my body remembered they were there when my brain didn't.
It was great to see the huge piles of leaves as big as two cars forming outside on the curb. There hasn't been much rain in Milwaukee, so all the leaves are still crunchy and blowing about. I love walking down the sidewalk and hearing a satisfying crunch as leaves disintegrate under my shoes. I'm inordinately disappointed when a leaf turns out to be wimpy or soggy. What a waste of stomping energy!
I remembered to bring some jackets and scarves to keep myself warm outside. However, I forgot how cold it gets inside. How did I forget this? I should have brought some slippers and a robe or house coat.
I missed the Halloween excitement. Milwaukee had Trick or Treating last Saturday. Milwaukee has always been a bit odd that way - scheduling Trick or Treat on a Saturday or Sunday. I always love seeing the costumes. Hopefully, Lyra will get in a little Trick or Treating here in Florida tonight. We're supposed to go to the rehearsal dinner for my niece's wedding, but hoping to sneak in a little trip down one street before we go over there. I'll soon be posting pictures of our little cocoon.
Lyra's already plotting her costume for next year. She had considered caterpillar to complete the triumvirate of cocoon, butterfly, caterpillar. But now she's reconsidering. I've told her she has plenty of time to make up her mind.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Honey - Please Shut Up
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Nepal's New Kumari
Nepal's Maoists have selected a new living goddess (Kumari). She is a 6-year old girl who, according to tradition, the goddess Durga inhabits her body until puberty. In order to be selected, she had to meet several criteria - some of which inlcude:
- A neck like a conch shell
- A body like a banyan tree
- Eyelashes like a cow
- Thighs like a deer
- Chest like a lion
- Voice soft and clear as a duck's
The most recent Kumari was dishonored by visiting the US. This visit was deemed to have "tainted her purity". Luckily, she was able to undergo a cleansing ceremony to restore her goddess state. But now that she's 11, Durga has vacated her body. To symobolize her return to mere human status, she was married in a ritual to a piece of fruit.
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