Living in a Triangle

They must be the oddest couple on earth. Depending on the location from where you are looking at The Emirates Towers, they seem to share anything from a cold distant share to a warm union.

Despite the not-so-cost-effective idea of using a triangle as the design base and it's similarities with another structure , this building never ceases to amaze me. The sense of geometry and style becomes evident as you explore each and every corner of this unique Dubai landmark. Here are some photos I took on such a visit.

Canon EOS 300 D - Colour corrected/cropped in PS

Ethics Test

In these troubled times how would we react to situations and incidents that demanded instant decisions of life and death?

Take The Ethics Test.

This test only has one question, but it's a very
important one.

By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you
stand morally.

The test features an unlikely, completely fictional
situation in which you will have to make a decision.

Take the Ethics Test Now

From Virtuality to Reality

One of the great things about the UAE com blog is that it brings together so many from what appear to be different backgrounds--all with different styles, different temperaments, different motives, etc. Something of who we are and a lot of what we think comes through in our posts--even behind our somewhat cloaked identities.

Part of the strength and lure of this community is its relative anonymity and also the fact that it offers a platform often larger than our own individual blogs. I propose that any bloggers who feel so inclined consider an adjunct form of doing what we all like to do--that is to broadcast our thoughts and opinions, but in a different format.

As was introduced in an earlier post--podcasting is something new to the region. To keep things brief, the idea would be for a few bloggers (2 or 3) to gather in the podme studio and just go at it--perhaps around a selected topic, with as much or as little scripting as the participants would desire.

I throw this out. Hit me, follow bloggers, with your thoughts in the comments... (BTW, there are podcost studios operating or starting up in other places like the UK, the US and India, so the UAE com blogger may take part even if out of country.)

Attention Bloggers!

Got your attention? Hope our wonderful blog's originator (SecretDubai) won't object. There's a raging debate going on at the comments section of her latest post which offers tribute to our long suffering laborers. (Hope that doesn't sound paternalistic). Check it out!

Public can now contribute to Lebanese aid effort online

Dubai eGovernment is the latest entity to get involved in the aid effort for Lebanon, following the launch of an online donation campaign. - Gulf News

Let's join hands and help Heal Lebanon

A Greener Dubai

Green Landscaped Housing in Dubai - Uploaded by efatima

Its amazing and worthy of admiration of how much investment the Emirates community makes to turn the desert green. This is the private residental Mirdif area.

Monopoly Dubai Edition - Beta release

The Dubai Edition is finally out.

As you can see, the beta version is incomplete and requires your inputs and additions. I am confident we can beat the Ras Al Khaimah edition in terms of gameplay.

Players who opt for Hybrid Moda, beware. You will be transferred to Caterpillar Road in the Sharjah Edition.

Updated.

Add the blue ribbon to your blog

I don't know whether this has been posted previously. But have a look here and display the blue ribbon on your blog to promote free speech online.
Maybe we can start a UAE chapter...?
http://www.eff.org/br/

Quite Rational-Related Thoughts!

Is it quite rational that I will be 24 in two months?
What if you know that this is when my baby brother will turn 2 months! And my baby sister will be 2 years old ! (btw Mom is still 40 years old+ I have an older brother)

Is it quite rational that one old quite rich lady donated all her money for a shelter?
What if you knew that its for homeless animals! I'm talking about BILLIONS!

Is it quite rational that USA supported Lebanon against Syria?
What if I added that it is supporting Israel against Lebanon now !

Is it quite rational that our maid likes me?
What if you knew that she wrote a song about us = me and her! (This is the second maid that have a crush on me)

Is it quite rational that our girls like to be "style" updated?
What if you knew that I was followed twice (separate incidents) by a girl who was literally running into me and asking were did I get my shoe from! (btw I got that famous shoe from a VERY modest shop in Banniyas!)

Is it quite rational that I can speak English kinda well now?
What if you knew that when I went to sign up in college, a teacher entered the room and said to me: "Hey, What's up?" I looked up and said "The Ceiling?", he laughed and pointed with his finger saying "Hahahaha good one!" (I wasn't kidding I thought that was the answer and that he was fool, but I still say it now as a joke)

I still have plenty weird thoughts of this kind but I want to open a room for your rational suspicious thoughts !

UAE top in penetration

UAE TOPS: Mobile penetration 120pc claims Etisalat.

These figures were arrived at after the results of the official census of the UAE population was announced, which showed that the total population of the UAE stands at 4.1 million. Etisalat’s mobile customer base has exceeded 5 million, the company said. Previous figures indicated that mobile penetration in the UAE had touched 100 per cent, positioning the UAE as second after Bahrain, which has achieved more that 105 per cent penetration, it said. “Previous figures used unofficial population estimates, and this has now been updated,” said Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, chief operation officer, Etisalat.

In other words, this is an incredibly rich country and many people own more than one phone. Even children. Many own more than two phones. And many - earning less than 500 dirhams a month don't have a mobile phone at all.

Wouldn't the accurate way to measure penetration be to count the number of inhabitants who do not have a mobile phone?

Penetration has multiple meanings. I am reminded that a feminist economist once argued that a female would never have written the phrase "penetrated by constructive and rigorous thinking" to describe the scope of the Econometric Society. Perhaps the meaning that evoked for her is what it evokes for a telecom in a monopoly position.

A More Recent Shot of Dubai Marina

The photo (source) shows some of the Marina towers from the vantage point of Dubai Media City. The marina waterway is (out of view) just beyond the tower at center--Marina Heights tower.

Beep Beep!

Ras Al Khaimah Monopoly.

The Dubai Marina

A couple of inspiring photos posted by eFatima prompted me to post this photo I took of the Dubai Marina, sometime towards the end of 2004.

From the 34th floor of a building under construction, the view was quite simply breathtaking. Two years on, and with a 100 more buildings completed or under construction, some residents find it breathtaking for entirely different reasons.

Canon EOS 300 D - Colour corrected/cropped in PS

An American at ZU

A professor of journalism writes about what it's like teaching at an all-female university in Dubai.

Tuesday's Mystery Quote of the Day...

On February 3, 2002, our mystery person said:

"But first, let me be very clear. I condemn the attacks carried out by terrorist groups against Israeli civilians. These groups do not represent the Palestinian people or their legitimate aspirations for freedom. They are terrorist organizations and I am determined to put an end to their activities."

Was it George W. Bush? Tony W. Blair? Ariel W. Sharon? Click HERE for the answer.