Abu Nidal
The full story: http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100128/FOREIGN/701279930/1186/enewsletter
(Image: credit)
How to Photograph Cliff Diving
9 hours ago
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Something Fishy
“Isn’t it ridiculous that fishermen are required to buy fish from other fishermen, in another country?”
Abu Nidal
The full story: http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100128/FOREIGN/701279930/1186/enewsletter
(Image: credit)
Abu Nidal
The full story: http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100128/FOREIGN/701279930/1186/enewsletter
(Image: credit)
Monday, 25 January 2010
Mensa Words
Guys.. I received this list via e-mail not so long ago. It really made me laugh. It's also quite sophisticated, so my simple mind did not understand every single word. However, I hope you'll find it fun and interesting.
The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
Here are the winners:
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7.. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido : All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.
And the winners are:
1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.
6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms. (I presume you get this "Oy" reference.)
15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.
The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
Here are the winners:
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7.. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido : All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.
And the winners are:
1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.
6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms. (I presume you get this "Oy" reference.)
15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Muslims in Mecca
I read this article and it made me sad, and made me think:
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100120/BUSINESS/701209871/1186/enewsletter
They are opening a brand new luxury hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and the VIPs from the hotel's management cannot attend the ceremony since they are not Muslims. Perhaps they should consider temporary conversion, just like some Muslims use temporary marriage to justify sex with prostitutes. Both are frowned upon obviously, and I'm sure that the former is punishable by some pretty painful stuff in Sharia law.
Anyway, the point of this post is why does Mecca exclude non-Muslims from visiting? It even gives Iranians a lot of difficulty because they are Shia Muslims and considered almost from a different faith.
Why does Saudi Arabia have the right to apply this rule? Isn't Mecca (and Madina) Muslim cities for all the Muslims? Why shouldn't Muslims have a say about this, and I don't mean only those in the Saudi Government? I am sure that moderates in Iran, Morocco, the UAE, and Egypt would allow non-Muslims. After all, the big mosques in those countries are all open to non-Muslims.
What does this say about Muslims and Islam? We have something to hide? Of course so! I've been to the Vatican and La Sagrada Famiglia and probably a hundred churches and a few synagogues too. They don't ask for your faith, but for your respect. Most mosques actively welcome non-Muslims, but again, they ask for your respect.
(Image taken by BuJ, Barcelona, Catalan, Espana 2007)
I'm sure that the Prophet (PBUH) would support this, because he never actually banned peaceful non-Muslims from Mecca or Madina. In fact he actively traded with Jews and respected Christians (who respected him back). Jews and Christians are considered "people of the book" and should be protected in Islam. All of Judaism's and Christianity's prophets are revered in Islam.
Perhaps it's time for Saudi Arabia to wisen up, and open up.
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100120/BUSINESS/701209871/1186/enewsletter
They are opening a brand new luxury hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and the VIPs from the hotel's management cannot attend the ceremony since they are not Muslims. Perhaps they should consider temporary conversion, just like some Muslims use temporary marriage to justify sex with prostitutes. Both are frowned upon obviously, and I'm sure that the former is punishable by some pretty painful stuff in Sharia law.
Anyway, the point of this post is why does Mecca exclude non-Muslims from visiting? It even gives Iranians a lot of difficulty because they are Shia Muslims and considered almost from a different faith.
Why does Saudi Arabia have the right to apply this rule? Isn't Mecca (and Madina) Muslim cities for all the Muslims? Why shouldn't Muslims have a say about this, and I don't mean only those in the Saudi Government? I am sure that moderates in Iran, Morocco, the UAE, and Egypt would allow non-Muslims. After all, the big mosques in those countries are all open to non-Muslims.
What does this say about Muslims and Islam? We have something to hide? Of course so! I've been to the Vatican and La Sagrada Famiglia and probably a hundred churches and a few synagogues too. They don't ask for your faith, but for your respect. Most mosques actively welcome non-Muslims, but again, they ask for your respect.
(Image taken by BuJ, Barcelona, Catalan, Espana 2007)
I'm sure that the Prophet (PBUH) would support this, because he never actually banned peaceful non-Muslims from Mecca or Madina. In fact he actively traded with Jews and respected Christians (who respected him back). Jews and Christians are considered "people of the book" and should be protected in Islam. All of Judaism's and Christianity's prophets are revered in Islam.
Perhaps it's time for Saudi Arabia to wisen up, and open up.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Lane Dis-cipline
The subject here is obvious. It's the lack of lane discipline in this country, the UAE. We have amazing roads, really world-class, but completely shite drivers. When you have more than one lane, you need to observe lane discipline. I'm not going to explain or define what that is, because most people should know it (if you have a driving license) and because the name is self-explanatory.
We have two kinds of morons on our roads. First is the type that use the 2nd fastest lane (they usually have light trucks or mini-busses, painted white) and they drive 40% slower than people on either side of them. This is very unsafe since it creates an island, and drivers have to overtake from either side. Obviously under-taking is illegal, but when the road is busy, many drivers do it. Sometimes you have no choice. My friend was once penalised (fine + points) for undertaking in the UAE because the car in front of him in the fastest lane would not move. Seriously, Police, you should fine the people who do not understand the concept of land discipline. We need to educate people, starting with the Police. You cannot apply a rule without understanding it first, no?
Anyway, back to the first type of morons. What happens when you have an island of traffic in the middle of the road is that it just confuses everyone and is a huge hazard. The Police recently published some publicity about honouring drivers who have not had a single penalty in the last 50 years. Have you seen the roads in the 1980s and before? Not a single radar. Not a single traffic jam. No wonder, there are no fines. Then these folk are probably too old to drive now and yet have a driving license (there is no maximum age law in the UAE), and most do not pass driving/eyesight tests to drive. Anyway, I criticise the Police, they need to look at all aspects of driving and not just focus on speeding or the use of a seatbelt. Oh yeah, the demographic of this first group of morons are the ever-popular Indian Subcon people, as demonstrated in the picture above taken from India (image credit: Picasa)
The second type of Moron is he who drives in the fastest lane and yet is the slowest driver. I won't waste much time on this, because it's obvious how dangerous that is. Sadly, as mentioned above, the Police do not penalise them and penalise those who overtake from the wrong side (undertaking) to move forward. These people usually become non-responsive if you use your high-beam to indicate your need to overtake, or your horn. They usually have stickers written in Arabic on the back of the car, and they are usually Emarati with a driving IQ between that of a goat and a 13-year old dog.
(image credit: here)
Note that we have minimum speed laws on the motorways here, but no one is aware of them, especially the Police. If they are reading (doubt many of their types can read English), then please note and take action. We're a laughing stock to the world, we have the best roads and the worst drivers and a lack of smart policing.
We have two kinds of morons on our roads. First is the type that use the 2nd fastest lane (they usually have light trucks or mini-busses, painted white) and they drive 40% slower than people on either side of them. This is very unsafe since it creates an island, and drivers have to overtake from either side. Obviously under-taking is illegal, but when the road is busy, many drivers do it. Sometimes you have no choice. My friend was once penalised (fine + points) for undertaking in the UAE because the car in front of him in the fastest lane would not move. Seriously, Police, you should fine the people who do not understand the concept of land discipline. We need to educate people, starting with the Police. You cannot apply a rule without understanding it first, no?
Anyway, back to the first type of morons. What happens when you have an island of traffic in the middle of the road is that it just confuses everyone and is a huge hazard. The Police recently published some publicity about honouring drivers who have not had a single penalty in the last 50 years. Have you seen the roads in the 1980s and before? Not a single radar. Not a single traffic jam. No wonder, there are no fines. Then these folk are probably too old to drive now and yet have a driving license (there is no maximum age law in the UAE), and most do not pass driving/eyesight tests to drive. Anyway, I criticise the Police, they need to look at all aspects of driving and not just focus on speeding or the use of a seatbelt. Oh yeah, the demographic of this first group of morons are the ever-popular Indian Subcon people, as demonstrated in the picture above taken from India (image credit: Picasa)
The second type of Moron is he who drives in the fastest lane and yet is the slowest driver. I won't waste much time on this, because it's obvious how dangerous that is. Sadly, as mentioned above, the Police do not penalise them and penalise those who overtake from the wrong side (undertaking) to move forward. These people usually become non-responsive if you use your high-beam to indicate your need to overtake, or your horn. They usually have stickers written in Arabic on the back of the car, and they are usually Emarati with a driving IQ between that of a goat and a 13-year old dog.
(image credit: here)
Note that we have minimum speed laws on the motorways here, but no one is aware of them, especially the Police. If they are reading (doubt many of their types can read English), then please note and take action. We're a laughing stock to the world, we have the best roads and the worst drivers and a lack of smart policing.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Mundo dos Sonhos - The World of Dreams II
I had to share these new works of art from the talented Edna Spennato
http://mundosonhos.files.wordpress.com/
http://mundosonhos.files.wordpress.com/
Sunday, 17 January 2010
What's wrong with Arabia?
What's wrong with Saudi Arabia?
First, this Saudi man cuts off his own penis (then goes to intensive care) because of a disagreement with his father over marriage. Perhaps he should have done something to his father rather than himself?! Or maybe it wasn't that useful anyway.
Read here:http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-man-cuts-off-genital-after-blocked-marriage-plans-1.569368
Then, Saudi Arabia cancels the Islamic Games (which have only been around since 2005) because the Iranians called it the Persian Gulf. WHO CARES?!?! Maybe if the Arabs got off their fat backsides and did something, things would improve. Or are they scared Iran will beat them in every single game? Ok, we have our differences with Iran, but pulling out of the games should be a last minute resort. I read the news daily, and I was not even aware that the games even existed, or that there was a naming disagreement. All I got was that something I didn't know about was cancelled. Whoo hoo!
Come on, you hold games between GCC States and Iran and you don't expect a naming issue?! Dumb. This should have been agreed in advance.
Read here: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/islamic-games-cancelled-over-persian-gulf-name-1.569378
(Image credit: http://www.iran2009.com/)
First, this Saudi man cuts off his own penis (then goes to intensive care) because of a disagreement with his father over marriage. Perhaps he should have done something to his father rather than himself?! Or maybe it wasn't that useful anyway.
Read here:http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-man-cuts-off-genital-after-blocked-marriage-plans-1.569368
Then, Saudi Arabia cancels the Islamic Games (which have only been around since 2005) because the Iranians called it the Persian Gulf. WHO CARES?!?! Maybe if the Arabs got off their fat backsides and did something, things would improve. Or are they scared Iran will beat them in every single game? Ok, we have our differences with Iran, but pulling out of the games should be a last minute resort. I read the news daily, and I was not even aware that the games even existed, or that there was a naming disagreement. All I got was that something I didn't know about was cancelled. Whoo hoo!
Come on, you hold games between GCC States and Iran and you don't expect a naming issue?! Dumb. This should have been agreed in advance.
Read here: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/islamic-games-cancelled-over-persian-gulf-name-1.569378
(Image credit: http://www.iran2009.com/)
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Odds of Terrorism!
Following the crazy news of an African man wanting to blow up his balls for Christmas, I found this interesting and informative poster below. Obviously bear in mind it's "targeted" at an American audience :)
Source:
www.boingboing.net
(please click on picture to view in the correct size)
Source:
www.boingboing.net
(please click on picture to view in the correct size)
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Burj Khalifa - Officially Opened - Pictures!
Dear Readers,
Finally, Burj Dubai, or Burj Khalifa has been officially opened by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai last night 4 Jan 2010. Which also marks his 4th year as Ruler of Dubai.
Here are some pics I took when I went up the Burj, and some pics from the opening night as well. Enjoy!
Pic from the opening night, with the fireworks doing their stuff!
More Fireworks from 4 Jan 2010!
This was taken from the 124th floor, or the observation deck. The highest floor is 158.
You can see how small other skyscrapers below are!
My favorite picture! The shadow of the Burj intersects SZR Junction 1, or the Defence Roundabout (old name).
A good view of the Business Bay
How small is Dubai Mall from this altitude?!
Ok, the engineer in me had to take this shot! The cleaning cradle is seen here from level 124 all the way to the supports much higher up. Cool view :)
This is a pic of the Address hotel (that I hate so much, but that's another story)
Enjoy and copy with referencing to this blog, coz these pictures are all mine.
Finally, Burj Dubai, or Burj Khalifa has been officially opened by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai last night 4 Jan 2010. Which also marks his 4th year as Ruler of Dubai.
Here are some pics I took when I went up the Burj, and some pics from the opening night as well. Enjoy!
Pic from the opening night, with the fireworks doing their stuff!
More Fireworks from 4 Jan 2010!
This was taken from the 124th floor, or the observation deck. The highest floor is 158.
You can see how small other skyscrapers below are!
My favorite picture! The shadow of the Burj intersects SZR Junction 1, or the Defence Roundabout (old name).
A good view of the Business Bay
How small is Dubai Mall from this altitude?!
Ok, the engineer in me had to take this shot! The cleaning cradle is seen here from level 124 all the way to the supports much higher up. Cool view :)
This is a pic of the Address hotel (that I hate so much, but that's another story)
Enjoy and copy with referencing to this blog, coz these pictures are all mine.
Mundo dos Sonhos - The World of Dreams
I was honoured to receive an e-mail from Edna Spennato who is the authour of:
http://mundosonhos.wordpress.com/
Edna is from Brazil, a compatriot of the great Carlos Latuff that has been mentioned earlier at several places at BuJ Al Arab. Actually Latuff coined (or used) a very strong phrase called "copyleft" which encourages people to copy his work and spread the word.
For more Latuffian info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Latuff
I first stumbled on Edna's blog when I was researching apt pictures for my post, Arrested Development:
http://bujassem.blogspot.com/2009/12/arrested-development.html
However, it seems Edna has found my blog and since we share the same views, I welcome you to visit her excellent blog using the link above. Edna is from Brazil and speaks Portuguese. Mundo dos Sonhos means World of Dreams.
Here below are some of her recent works. Enjoy.
http://mundosonhos.wordpress.com/
Edna is from Brazil, a compatriot of the great Carlos Latuff that has been mentioned earlier at several places at BuJ Al Arab. Actually Latuff coined (or used) a very strong phrase called "copyleft" which encourages people to copy his work and spread the word.
For more Latuffian info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Latuff
I first stumbled on Edna's blog when I was researching apt pictures for my post, Arrested Development:
http://bujassem.blogspot.com/2009/12/arrested-development.html
However, it seems Edna has found my blog and since we share the same views, I welcome you to visit her excellent blog using the link above. Edna is from Brazil and speaks Portuguese. Mundo dos Sonhos means World of Dreams.
Here below are some of her recent works. Enjoy.
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