HAPPY BDAY....... Shoo

This is to celebrate's Shoo's 18th Birthday on the 14th of April. Yep! It's all about being LEGAL :D lol jk!!!! I know I was supposed to write it yesterday, but unfortunately, the connection was down the whole day.. sooo.. Happy Bday once again!

U ROCK!


peace...

Random pix!

As you all know, I am a camera freak. Unfortunately, the following pics were not taken from my cam. But that's ok :) . There are around 18 pics, all were nice, but I chose the ones that I liked the most. Some pics are taken here in Oman while other are taken at UAE.

Special thanks goes to Shayz for the exclusive efforts ! :)

Enjoy the pix!

KEWL!!!

Kewl!!!

http://www.gewgle.com

for those 'valley people' .. OMG it works!!! Like.. TOTALLY!!!!


peace..

Salalah!

February 13-14... Been to salalah with 2 other peeps from work, for a business trip (Site visit). Stayed at the hilton, lived like a king for 24 hours! :D Weather was perfect.. i mean.. PERFECT.. 20 degrees.. during the day and nite.. i loved the long palm trees! Damn it's amazing!! pix can explain more..

:D

peace!

Tagged by Mimi

~ Seven things to do before I die: (or atleast try)
1. Dye my hair (i had some brown highlites 2 yrs back, and i'm going for an upgrade to full dye)
2. Spend $10,000 on some trivial stuff in one night
3. Learn how to speak Japanese
4. Live in Bermuda for at least 5 years after I retire
5. Atoob!!! :P
6. Ride in a submarine
7. Be a celebrity (what a dream)


~ Seven things I can't do:
1. Write with my left hand
2. Whistle (using any of the fingers)
3. I cant stop from drinking suntop and Tang orange!
4. I can't leave ANYWHERE (not only the house) without A cell phone! ;)
5. I can't be filthy rich
6. I can't think of more things that i can't do
7. Sit in a place more than an hour!


~ Seven things I always say:
1. Daaaaaaaamn!
2. Laaa walla??
3. aha
4. mmhhhmmm!!!
5. Agooool
6. tarteeb
7. Whats Crackalackin'!!


~ Seven books I loved:
1. Animal Farm
2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
3. Tom Clancey's...... Rainbow Six
4. Yearbook 2001! (this shows how much i read books)!
5. Catcher in the Rye
6. Shakespeare's A Midsummernights Dream
7. Annie
( i know some of these are pretty lame)


~ Seven movies I love watching over and over:
1. Man On Fire
2. Out of Time
3. Badboys I+II
4. Resident Evil Apocalypse
5. Dude where's the Party
6. The Rundown
7. Van Helsing


~ Seven things I get attracted to:
1. Anything Red
2. Lemon
3. Women in dark or black clothes
4. Smell of board markers
5. Fire
6. CD's
7. Sharp things.


~ Seven people I wanna tag:
1. Kamakazy
2. Mindazi
3. Chef Raw
4. Kazablanka
5. G12_girlz (S.Hay)
6. Anonymous (u know who u r)
7. Don't have anyone else in mind..

Muscat Festival 2006

Today's the final day of Muscat Festival 2006!! As if I felt that there was a festival at the first place!! It's my first time going to the festival on sunday feb 6, after 8 years of rejections and denials to go to the fest!! I didn't want to go, but with some peer pressure, I managed to. The purpose of going to the festival was partially to experience what the cousin of sleep feels like. Thanks to kamakazy and his absolute courage in riding the 'sling shot'. I really recommend you guys NOT to ride in any of these amazing rides that are customly built for MCT fest!
One of the rides that kamakazy rode had some technical problem while he was 40 meters above the ground! hmmmm sounds goood for an adrenaline overdose buzz, as kamakazy puts it! you can feel the excitement from deep inside when there's a technical problem..


pshhh if i was paid to ride in any of those, i'd simply reject!
anyways, here are some pix of the fest!
ENJOY..



Mr T, Mohammed, Moatasim and Sultan smiling at the cam




Kamakazy getting ready to ride!








MOI looking excited!





Anywhos, today's the last day of the fest!




Peace :)

Love is in the air

OK first off let me set some rules and regulations before I start talking about this subject:
1) I don't mean to offend anyone.
2) It's just a personal view!

Well, after 8 straight months of living in Oman, I have JUST started to adjust myself to the environment here. The thing that still does not click thru my head is.... (let me give you an example) --- (Allah yester 3alaihum .. i won't mention any names because it won't sound good)

When I first arrived here, one of the first priorities is my network. This includes friends, family, relatives and what not. I was really concerned about our past relationships because I've been out of this country for more than 8 years. Anyways, so I made some friends, from different style, different lifestyle. The only problem is... the opposite sex! I still don't understand whats up with the girls here in Oman. Actually, the khaleeji girls in general!
I once got to know this girl, through a friend (who's a girl too). Anyways, we were having a cup of coffee at Starbucks. So she's like you know Ali, we should meet up in the future. I was like OK sure. We exchanged numbers and all that, and so I gave her a call the next day to say hi and what not. She didn't respond. I didn't care. I just forgot about it, until the weekend came, and the other girl, the one i knew before called and was like hey Ali let's meet up again. I was like sure who's coming with you? She's like so n so.

We met up, at the same location, started talking, and that same girl told me. Oh Ali I couldn't answer your call last week because I had some issues with my boyfriend. I thought it was OK to ask what happened, but she gave it to me straight in the face. "none of your business". Jeeez! Whats up with this attitude! I called her back after we left, still didnt respond. I called her one more time the next day. She answered and we started talking. Then all of a sudden, just outta the blue she told me "Listen, I don't know what do you want from me? If you want to meet up then call my other friend and we'll meet up, but just calling me is not right!". I just told myself : WHAT THE F**K is wrong with you. Anyways I didn't wanna bother myself with bullshit, so I just didn't call her since then.
Thats one example.


Another example that recently happened to me is that here in Oman, MOST (not all, but MOST) of the girls that I know shayfeen nafes-hum and met3aqdeen. They think that I need them for something. They think I want them for something. Maybe they had bad past experiences, but don't generalize things. If I wanted a girl for something I'd go straight up to her and ask her directly! But just assuming that I want something, and making 7arakat and I dunno what is just bullshit!

Oh and let's not forget, the loooove conversations on msn!!!!! How complicated can it be. It's true! I'm not making this up! :D (check out this typical example)

GUY: Hala
GIRL: hala
GUY: How are you?
GIRL: Ok, and u? Where have you been the past few days?
GUY: Oh I've been busy, but I MISS U LOTS
GIRL: Me 2. I (presses enter) Mi (minimizes the screen to check if anyone is around the house, comes back) Miss (presses enter) U (presses enter) and closes the msn window, and goes out the house to check if her parents came back.
GUY(talking to himself): It took her 8 weeks to say I miss you. Wow. Scratches his head. How much longer will it take her to say I love you? Yel3an abu el sa3a eli jeet!

OR... pick me up situation. (on the phone) =)



GUY: Hey sweetie what time shall we meet up?
GIRL: In 1 hour. Pick me up from the back door.
GUY: Ok
1 hour later, he's behind the house waiting for her. The guy calls up the girl.
GUY: Where are you?
GIRL: Oh I can't go out today because.. because.. oh because I have something due tomorrow and I didn't know about it not until now. I just checked my agenda a few mins back. And plus no one's in the house. ---- *to herself* ma fathya...
GUY: Ok
GUY *talking to himself*: Yel3an abu elsa3a eli jeet!


OR... not the right time situation.. the girl calls up the guy, and she KNOWS that he's busy doing something. Let's say, invited for lunch over at a friends place :)


GIRL: Hey sweetie are you free now?
GUY: Not really, why is there something wrong?
GIRL: Oh you know, I'm really sorry about last time. You came and I couldn't make it, so I was wondering if you can come now.
GUY: But I'm invited for lunch over at my friends place!
GIRL: But this is the ONLY time that I can leave because I told my parents that I'll be shopping, and they agreed. Otherwise, I won't be able to see you for another 2 weeks. You know, my car's in the garage, and my family from dubai are coming.
GUY: Ok i'll call you back in a few
GUY*to himself*: Yel3an abu el sa3a ili jeeet!


I'm just laughing right now! because whatever I said is true! At the end of the day, I just got used to how complicated the girls here are. But at the end of the day, you can't live with them, and you can't live without them! Also, it's because of the local traditions and the local customs here. You can't do stuff as if you are in the states or latin america. And you can't limit your fun as if you're in an extremist nation. Just enjoy life, and have fun :) . To the girls, I'm more than happy to hear a similar story from a female point of view! I just looove drama, and trouble!!! Once again, I'm not saying that khaleeji girls are bad and I don't mean to hurt anyone. No. KHaleeji girls are educated, respectful, smart, and most of all, better looking than western and other arab girls. SOOO, you ppl are wondering why the hell is this guy writing all this? Hmm.. Valentine's day is coming up, and I just wanted to start a "pre- valentines environment!" by talking about something related to L.O.V.E! annd.. just to tell you whatever's happening in my life!

love y'all :)

peace!!!

Breaking up my mind

I've been working for the past 5 months or so, plus an intensive training of 3 months. That gives a total of 8 months. I started in the heart of the summer, which basically demotivates you from working because of the 'deep heat'. Anyways, it's time for me to start thinking about holidays! Yep I'm trying to ask for a 1 week break. The thing is with Omani companies, is that you always have to plan what other people are going to think about you, just like when a guy calls a girl for the first time (yea I did some planning too). You know what I mean!! Anyways, so its Feb 06, 2006. My mind is starting to lean towards holiday mode, or at least, GOTR mode (its not God of The Rings, but its Get Out of The Region mode). So yea.. I need a holiday whatsoever! And I need to get out of the Gulf Region as soon as possible, more importantly, as FAR as possible.
I didn't enjoy my 4 yrs in college because I was under 21 back then. Soooo, what I'm planning to do is to do whatever I didn't do in those 4 years (whatever that means :P). Well I still didn't plan where my target is.
Good news: Just got the US visa. This time as a tourist :( .. OH well!!!

For all of you who are under 21.. TUFFF! :D

peeace!

Mysterious Miss

Have you ever recieved text messages from people you don't know? Have you ever wondered why the hell is that person sending me an sms? Did it come through your head that there's something behind it? Do you want to continue reading/listening to the rest of the story? If you answered yes to any of the questions, then this applies to you.

I have received several calls from people I don't know. I usually do not answer phone calls from weird numbers. Three weeks ago, I got a call from a strange number at around 11pm. And again a week later, from the same number at 3pm on a friday. I thought about it for a second. Why would they be calling me? Could it be that they're mistaken? Could it be that...umm.. nevermind! Yea that made me curious. So, I called that same number this past Thursday. I told the other party that they called me twice. They denied it. Seems like everyone is curious who's the "other party"? Yea it's a female. So I was like ok it might have been a mistake. So we hung up. An hour later (around 3:30pm), I received a text from her saying that she was sorry. I replied back telling her that it's ok don't worry about it.
Next was the ICE BREAKER Q . "Who are you? You sound so familar?". I just gave her my first name. She's like oh I know alot of Ali's, so what's your family name. Now that made me quite puzzled as why does she want my info. I thought about it for some time, and found out that basically, one of my friends, who's a girl (i hope she stays like that), is trying to test my level of "playness". I don't know why is she doing it at the first place, but she was public enemy number 1. Suspect number 1. So I asked this cryptic girl, do you study at Majan college?

"I am working now, but why from all the colleges, did u chose majan?"
"Just a random choice, so you did study there!", I said.
"What do you want from me? I am engaged", she replied back.

What the fuck was that all about?? First she calls me twice, then she's curious of who I am. I "obeyed" her rules lool, and answered her q's, and now she's asking me what do I want from her?? I seriously don't get it what's up with this attitude? And to fire up the situation she added that she's engaged. Oh so that means "please dont try to make a move", or "Don't you ever think about it". I couldn't care less, it was just fucked up. So I asked her "Do you know G******"?
"Why are you asking me about her? Do you want something from her"?
I's like nothing. Thank you for your cooperation.

A summary of what's going on: This friend of mine, is trying to test me (i dont know why), if I talk to other girls or not! Pshh.. like I would tell her "oh no you're the only one I talk to, I'm so innocent" bla bla bla and all that crap. So out of no where, she asks her friend to call me and see if I would call her friend and make moves. NOW, her friend (the cryptic one) forgot about the situation, and she's just messing around or doing something else.
First I am not trying to make moves with any of the two! Second, I hate it when people do stuff behind my back or just suspect something about me, when they really know who I am and what I'm like. That was a reaaally bad move.
Third, if miss cryptic is trying to play hard to get, then SCRAM!!!


So yesterday night cryptic girl sends me this "love" text sms!!!


AWWWWWWWWWWWWW HOW SWEEET!!!!!
I still don't get the whole story! :P

I hope some of you do!

Peace!


-- Long time no see, just been busy with some work!

:D

Special Tribute/Thanks to KAMAKAZY

Special tribute/thanks to kamakazy for :


-- finishing his first exam (1 more to go next sun)
-- helping out with some "recordings"/supplies
-- assisting others and myself as needed..

k some of these point dont make sense.. please do make them! this sounds more like a resume.. lol, i guess ill put some of these points in my future resume

peace :)

What did you do for New Year's?

Anyone did something interesting for New Years?
I wanted to go to any of the hotels, but they're all full, with the exception of the InterContinental. I heard from a couple of friends who have been to previous new years eve parties at the inter that it sucks really bad because it's full of old people. So that discouraged me!
I ended up eating shawarma at some gas station, met up with some high school friends until 12 midnite. YAY!

I just saw a sedan full of girls in it (who were celebrating), and were chased by no less than 15 cars full of guys! What an interesting chase. Roads were blocked by the cops! WOW !!

hehe sounds kinda bleak n lame.. but it was fun.

so what did you guys do? :D


peace

MCT-DXB Rally

This past Thursday, the 29th of December was one hell of a nightmare. I woke up from a fresh n natural alarm, (moms' screaming). Right after lunch, I find myself trapped in between 2 different speakers. Sounded more like a Dolby Surround System. Mom's screaming at the maid for some trivial thing that happened, and dad's screaming at something that's happened recently. I got used to the screaming and shouting at our place. There wasn't much that I can do at that moment. All of a sudden, I just felt like leaving the house..hmm..the neighborhood.. the city.. the WHOLE COUNTRY.. that day was really bad..I had to do something to make them understand that there are human beings living. It was 2pm, if I can make it before the sun sets, it'll be great. So I called up one of my cousins, Mr.T (or T). Without any hesitation, I received a YES IM DOWN FOR IT!

3:30, we hit the road to dubai! I didn't tell my folks that I was going there. I had packed my "sports" stuff, so that they would think that I'm going to the gym and would be returning within a few hours.. Anywhoos, half way thru, he's like "hey ali, I think we should go to al3ain, and return at night around 2 or 3 because I didn't tell my parents" etc etc etc.. I's like ok sure.. So we reached the amazing Sohar Roundabout, and from there we had a last chance to decide if we should continue straight to dubai, or divert to al3ain. I was flexible with anything, as long as we leave the country. He insisted on going to al3ain. So I diverted to al3ain. The road from sohar to buraimi is pretty shitty. 1 lane, no lights, in between 2 wadis. Soooo, let's say you lose control, you immediately lose your life. Oh and let's not forget, most of the drivers are jolly 17-18 yr olds, so you'll be getting some wonderful stunts while driving. :)

7pm...arrived at al3ain..cruised around at the famous mall, al3ain mall. The city is much smaller than muscat, but the traffic is as busy as muscat, which is not bad. The mall was OK, bigger than the ones we got here, and has most of the international famous retail store outlets and brands. I craved for some Burger King and off I went to order my fave Double Whopper Meal! Damnnnn I miss BK!!! :D
8pm.. Mr. T's like "Hey ali, al3ain is boring dude, let's head to dubai and come back tmr"! I got soo fukkin' excited!! We hit the road then.. took us around 1 hour to reach there (not bad)..
I still didnt tell my folks about anything. My mom called and was wondering where I was because apparently I was the designated driver without payment at that day, so I told her everything. She didn't say anything. My adrenaline is starting to pump up real fast. More like an adrenaline overdose. !!
9:15pm, reached T's apartment.. took a shower n what not, n off we went to do some club hopping..we used cabs as the means of transportation because you know dubai's traffic.. and on a thursday night.. just can't handle it!
Clubs that we went to :
--Boudoir (owned by Al Zawawi) --> really nice medieval style environment, with dance music. Couples only but the bouncer pencilled us in. ;)
--Mina Alsalam club --> Kinda like a house party because everything is legal there.
--Amnesia (next to the hardrock) --> Different music (arabic, dance, hip hop), very high standard. around 10 rial entrance fee. However, it's full of prostitutes. ugh!

All 3 clubs were amazing. I really recommend you go there at least once.

Soo yea we didnt get hooked up well, but we had fun. We reached the apt at 4 am n hit the bed.



Dec.30
Woke up at 11, went cruising for a bit, ate lunch and came back to Oman
arrived at muscat--> 7:30 pm.
What a ta9neeefa!!!!

All in all, it's a memorable trip! Parallels with the Dakar Rally because you don't really know where you're going! I should've stayed an extra day to celebrate New Year's but I was slightly dumb to come back. Oh well! Next year inshallah!!

I brought my cam with me but I was too occupied n busy to take pics.. Sorrryyy :D However I have one "souvenir" to share with y'all:





Wadi Al jizi Vehicle Exit Fee Reciept!
Dec 29 2005


What a ta9neefa! What a journey!! :D BESTT!






Peace!!

Radars

TRAFFISTAR S 340 (MODULAR CONCEPT FOR SPEED MANAGEMENT)

The stationary speed monitoring system TraffiStar S 340 can be used to permanently defuse accident spots that are beset by excessive speed. Without the need for any personnel, the measuring system operates fully automatically. Synchronous frontal or rear pictures can be taken for conclusive proof of guilt of motorbikes, and powerful flashlight technology gurantees an optimum illumination of the object field in unfavourable lighting conditions. The TraffiStar S 340 speed camera is equipped with a ROBOT SmartCamera, which documents traffic violations and makes it possible to control and monitor the entire system at the same time using an integrated PC.

http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/contractors/photo_enforcement/robot/index.html

These radars have been installed throughout the main highways in the Sultanate. I believe reaches until the Oman-UAE border too. With the extensive efforts made by the ROP, we , as Omani citizens congratulate them on their support and care for the Omani citizens and residents.

For speedy drivers, there is a way to avoid getting punkd by the advanced radar. In Oman, there are always ways to avoid you from being put into hard-like situations. If you see the radar photo again (scroll up), at the sides of the radar there are "fins". You cannot see them in this particular photo, but you will know what I mean if you check them out in the street. If you see the "fins", that means that the radar will take a snapshot from your side of the road. Therefore, with that particular same camera, the opposite traffic can enjoy speeding.

I am not a speedy driver. However, there are things called "emergencies" and getting punkd by the radar for a 1 time emergency can cost you lots! Try this technique at night to see for yourself!

Drive over the speed limit. 140km/hr will do fine. When you approach the radar with fins, let it take a snaphot. (you'll have to pay the fine when you renew the car's registration unfortunately). Continue driving with the same speed until you approach another radar with fins, but this time, slow down to the speed limit BEFORE YOU pass the radar. This is a 100% guaranteed pain free technique!

Remember, the ones that do not have fins will NEVER EVER take a snapshot, so no need to slow down! I don't know why I'm calling them fins, but they look like fins!

I'm not encouraging people to drive fast, but just in case you have an emergency, this definitely will help.

Still, DRIVE SAFELY!!!!

Peace!

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peace!

What a weekend!

I had to do some changes and adjustments this weekend. First of all I had to change my "hanging around" crew or gang whichever you want to call them. So this wednesday a couple of friends from work decided to have a get to gether again. I agreed on going. This time, its more of a chill kick back chillax type of environment. Location is the most important thing to me, so I handled that. How many were we.. 5 people from work, and 3 outsiders. So 8 total! 1 left after he sat for 10 mins..So 7 people .Yep, all guys! No girls hehe.. ANYWHOOOS!!!
So we met at the bar, had a couple of drinks, and 4 of us got wasted.. What a shame .. (WRONG STORY :P)
just kiddin'
We met up at the most popular coffee shop in town, known as the kargeen. I'm starting to hate it as much as I hate freaks because of the crappy service that they offer. It took them 20 mins to get some charcoal. I can light up my ass and put the whole place on fire in 20 mins. sheesh!
Among the 8, 4 were having sheesha, while the rest were trying to avoid it by fighting for political control over who can sit in the corner in order to run away from the smell. We orded some food n drinks, the usual stuff too.
Everyone started to show off some of the new technology that they have..by switching on their BLUETOOTH. Just imagine the scene right here. 7 people sitting in a circle, each one of them has his cell phone on. I didn't like the sawalif that was going on, simply cuz we sounded like desperate 16 year olds, but I had to go with the flow. The person who was sitting next to me on my right.. no names mentioned, was the one who was keeping me busy with what's happening. Other than that, the rest had their eyes on their cell phones, or booties.. I don't blame them, but at least, they should just take it easy u know.
ugh..

After we left, that same person next to me needed a ride home, so I dropped him. I drove back home as slowly as I could. It took me 20 mins from qurum to shatti. I just felt like driving like im on top of an egg (translate that literally). Didn't call the night girl :P .. Didn't feel like it! (YEA RIGHT).. I just switched off the cellie anyhows, and hit the bed.
End of Wednesday


Thursday was more of an adventure. I woke up at 9, went to the bank so that I transfer some money to my US bank account. I still didn't pay my credit card debt! The bank has been emailing and calling my friend over there so much, that they decided to file me to court! OUCH! hehe.. One piece of advice to those who are studying abroad: DO NOT get a credit card whatsoever, even if the bank is willing to pay u! It's a real pain! I enjoyed parking my car at the "paid parking area" because I got to use the very new and convenient parking payment, thru sms (slow message speed).
So that was handled properly.
One of my relatives decided to go out for a coffee.. I didnt mind that. Long time no morning coffee. So we starbucked for an hour or so, and each one of us headed back home.. I still had to change my hanging around crew. The evening approached, was kinda BLEAK and repetitive.. dinner, maqha, and the usual, I have to tune in to the Oman English FM at 9 to listen to the stand up comedy show with that DJ. Faisal is his name I believe. That show has the highest number of prank calls ever in 1 night. I lost track on the number of pranks that were made! But that's not the reason why I tune in. The main reason is because of this cryptic "omani daakhel" type of person named mohammed sale7. I know the person very well. He's really nice n friendly, but the only problem in him is his accent, and he admits that! You should listen to the radio more often every thursdays and fridays from 9pm until they close (they should operate 24 hours, we're in 2006 now -- almost). I sound so boring! lol!!

So at 12 midnite sharp, he (mohd) received a call from a weird number, and picked up. I was with him at that time. It was the DJ from the radio station!! He wanted to invite Moh'd to the show. We both were speechless. Even more, he insisted on meeting up with him at that moment!! In the middle of the night! Poor Moh'd, he didn't have anything better to do except to meet up with him. I was his bodyguard in case he got raped. Meeting location: Qurum Natural Park. (Where murders and rapes originate). Now we both got suspicious. WHY this location in particular.. but who cares anyways. The probability of me getting killed was much higher because I'll be standing right next to that DJ (if it was really him)!!! So.... he parked the car RIGHT next to the street in case anything happens. Hehehehe
Along came the so called DJ, n we introduced ourselves.. DJ was like "you've been calling up my show EVERY week since august, and after your call, everyone is asking about you.. you have a special taste in the show, i'll have to bring you to the studio one day"
Moh'd got all jolly and excited, and got a wonderful Vitamin W (participating at the radio station, which was one of his dreams). I'm really happy for him, n I really support him even with his messy accent!.. ALL HAIL FOR MOHD!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!! Please support him!

End of Thursday



Friday: Today, woke up to write this blog. 12:30pm. Mom n sisters are coming from dubai...they just crossed the border.. Ugh! 2 hours to go. God help me!

Soo... I'll hook y'all up with more updates soon. Hope you enjoyed this fanciful tale, farfetched story.

Peace V!

Trying to be nice!

Driving is a privilege. It is an assett to your daily skills. Buying your own car, or rather, having your own car (whether it's owned by yourself or by your parents), is also a privelage. I have to admit, it's far too exciting. I used to be one of those crazy ass drivers, but not anymore. Oh well, let me just go to the butter of the subject (zibdat el mawthoo3). Apparently, I'm a designated driver without payment recently. I can't enjoy my lunch hour every other day. My colleage has also volunteered to join the hell that I'm living in, and I really thank him for that. It's not that I'm cheap or anything, no, it's just that I don't have the ultimate freedom to move around wherever I want, whenever I want. I now feel how the drivers feel when the owners just tell them to get a can of pepsi (just 1 can of pepsi) at 3 in the afternoon. Or to drop someone at 6 am or to be familiar with a certain neighborhood at 11 pm or whatever it is. It's always a WRONG timing. BAD timing! You have to cancel all your other commitments and priorities and just deal with the current situation to keep your positive image of being helpful. Although it won't give u the path to get a promotion, it just keeps your image positive. It's been nearly 10 days working as a designated driver without payment, and within a few days, I'll just have to let some people get screwed. No need to mention names or anything. It's just getting in my nerves.

"Ali, can you please drop me to the nearest taxi stop and I'll take a taxi from there"... THATS SIMPLY MEANS ALI CAN YOU PLEASE DROP ME!!! There are taxis everwhere, you'll even find one cruising at the sand dunes! If you were in China or Ghana, and just wave your arms at a cab he'll stop for you. It's universal! What's so hard about it?

Another daily example is, when the weekend comes, random people come up to you and start asking you about what's happening and what are your plans and that sort of stuff. When do they ask you? Wednesday or Thursday night, and simply tell you "oh why not come join us" or "OK we should do something this weekend". Helloo? The weekend ended! It's already thursday night. Why didn't you tell me before. That simply means "THERE ARE NO PEOPLE COMING SO WHY DONT YOU JOIN".
I am starting to write things that I don't understand hehehe.. This article isn't meant to offend anyone, it's just what I view things. And I don't read people's minds its just a thot.

Now after stating this problem, there has to be a solution to it. The only solution is simply to .......................... that's right. Be direct!
Mujamalat are no good anymore.

Peace ! :)

End of Probation Period

Saturday the 17th of December marks a new era of change. A new era of improvement. The end of the probation period at work. I just started working as an official employee from the 17th of September. I was like a prisoner before then during a 3 month training period. No proper lunch, no proper concentration, no proper fun no proper talk no proper nothing. I wouldn't want to comment on the officials who participated in this training program for 2 reasons. The first reason is that I don't want to get fired, but I'll tell u in a year or 2! The second is that I can't stop talking about them.

I was bombarded with lectures, seminars, workshops, and all different types of shit. However, my life went smoothly during those 3 months with 7 other friends, who also felt the same way. We all passed the training period, and each one of us separated into their own path. Oh yea I just turned 21 (so I'm legal now :P) the first day of training and they didnt even bother getting me a samboosa! Anywhoos, so 17th of September. Mr. Ali Al- Rahma. No department, no title! CRAP! What the hell am I supposed to be referred to? Couldn't care less, as long as Benjamin$ is pa$$ing thru I really didn't care much what department I was. It was more like someone pushed me in a large pool where I don't know which direction to swim to. So what is a probation period?? Well it's a period where you are stranded in 2 places, office and home. Nowhere else. You do not have the right to vote, the right to fight back, the right to make decisions, the right to fully participate in all aspects. But, you have the right to get fired, and the right to leave with no questions or no warning! How smart can this definition of a probation period be??

December 17th, end of the probation period. I am now entitled to all the rights. How the hell am I entitled to all these rights? If they were rights, then I SHOULD HAVE them at the first place. But nevermind! So all in all.. WOOO HOOOO!!!! *Calling for a large celebration*!!!!

:D
peace!

More pix from bbq

RIGHT---> : Yousef, Mohd and Sami preparing.






Below: Salim, Nabil and myself ... no comments :D

Pics from the bbq gathering

<--LEFT: Sami, Ahmed and Nabil just sneakin' inside the cam like never before!!!

ABOVE: Nabil ready for some beefin'



<---LEFT: Shabab lookin' hungry and worried! It was goooood :D










These were some of the pics that were taken (from my cam), sooo dont get too sad, other pics will be published very very veryyy soon. I should've taken a snapshot of the moon cuz it was a full one last night. People look different on shorts n tees!
Good job guys!!

BBQ at Ghubra-Athaiba Beach

I still don't know where we had our bbq get together. Ghubra? Athaiba? Ghuthaiba!
Anywhos,
So a couple of peeps from the company decided to have a bbq at the beach. They waited until last nite so that they could enjoy the light of the full moon (and with that light you can clearly see whether the bbq is cooked or not)!

First was the location. It took 3 days to decide until there was a compromise and an agreement by all parties that it will be held at Athaiba beach (ill be using athaiba for my own convenience). So we all had a meeting together to confirm whether everyone was commited or not. As usual, people try to give excuses the last minute even though they have been informed 9 months ahead about a particular plan. But still, we were going to have this bbq anyhows! I believe 10 people were supposed to go. 1 person had an excuse beyond his control. So we're left with 9. 1 hour before the occasion started, another person couldn't come because again,it was beyond his control. While the fire started, I got a call from a third person telling me that he wont be showin up, whether it was beyond his control or not was questionable. (it was cuz he's stuck in traffic in Amerat).

So each and every one of us took a bbq stick full of meat and just slammed it at the stand. Damn that smell, and the sound..It's so amazing. The problem is, that Omanis are never patient! We just put the bbq in the fire, and 15 mins later, everyone's like.."let's eat"! If you wanna eat right, you gotta be patient! Its just like fast food.. easy come, easy go! ugh!! dont want to remember that. I had to share the celebration by eating the first round of half cooked meat. Second round was the same process. I didn't eat at the second round. Just waited for the final round.
I created my own style, well not my own style, but like, just went and handled the bbq while the others were chewing the half cooked meat (which was ok, but could've been better!). 30 mins later, everyone started to gather around the bbq stand.. and I then realized that hunger had striked their bellies. So, within an instant flash, we finished the last round of bbq!

Clean up time was smooth. I drove back home, the car smelled like kerosene (which was dripping for some reason. Just freaked out a little bit and threw the lighter outta the car.. n thasss it :D
pix n vids will be posted soon...soo stay tuned!
Special thanks goes to : Mohammed, Yousef, Kamakazy, Nabil, and Sami
and to the ppl who supported.

Peace out y'all. Pix n vids will be submitted soon. If I don't forget!