keane

"The only permanent thing in this world is change..."

Haven't been in touch with the blogs lately...been really busy with work and stuff. Sorting out everything with two hands yet having a hard time which one to deal first... with work and stuff in between, its manic...after all, I only have two hands and there is only so much I can do...

Did you ever come to a point where you see constant change? People come and go? Business closes down and another opening up? Getting fired from a job then finding a better one? Kids growing up and parents finding hard time educating them? A friend growing his hair long and getting a fat belly?...You see a lot of these changes and yet have you asked yourself if you have made changes in your life so far?

A pretty tricky question but unfortunately sometimes, its very hard to answer. You can say that you have changed growing or losing a few pounds in the last months but that's not really change is it? Physically yes...but mentally and emotionally, have you gone mature tackling things? That's another question..

Everything changes in this world and we all have to realize that... I've come to terms with it as I go along the way, sometimes its hard to adapt and comprehend but I have to, one way or another...and no matter how much we stay in one place, we are still on shaky grounds...

Yes, the only constant thing in this world is change... we just have to move along with it...
After all, we don't want to be stuck in the middle, do we?

crunch...crunchier...crunchiest...

This morning while I was reading my morning paper on the web, few bits and pieces of news here and there, gains and losses in the stock market, a rapper feels remorse for attacking a woman and the biggest concern for all is the current economic situation. Sadly all over the world, we have heard thousands of lay offs and sudden closure of establishments and companies. It's not at all walk in the park anymore. People still need to survive this credit crunch...and how do you think we're getting on?

Probably at this time, many must have been cutting costs on everything. If you're used to splurging on every little thing, then you must be feeling the crunch by now- cutting down on your shopping sprees but unless you're a son or a daughter of the rich and famous, then you're on the exempt. But for middle class peeps, its really hard these days.

Some maybe feeling a bit depressed as they lost their jobs. Some are even thinking of going back to their motherland and give up their desert dreams. Some are still waiting for something good to happen. Some are just plainly being a bum.

For us, we're hanging on ...even if sometimes we feel we're already on the edge...

Tough times...Tough breaks...

filler....killer...

Amidst a place of serenity
As I watch beyond the horizon
Thoughts of bliss pass my mind
Its another day that has gone by…

I look high above
To see the forlorn moon
Wondering if there was something
This dark night can offer…

I ask myself to this day
Why do I feel so fray?
When I’ve got all I have
And have nothing more to ask for…

I stumbled down
Laid my feet on the ground
At the stops and turns
I finally knew….

masakit na pala tyan ko...

tawag na ako ni Tiyo Doro...

Random thoughts for a Red Alert day

“I know its crazy, but its true”

“Get ready for my coming”

“I love you and I will tell you everyday…”

“Forever ever…forever ever…forever ever??….” (with matching tilting of the head on the side from a tune of Kanye‘s Diamonds are forever)

“Nothing really changed… nothing…” (really?)

“You think you know, but you have no idea”

“ish my life, ish now or never” (from the song It’s my life by bonjovi)

“Wizz”

“Greggs, Dans and Normans…boys night out”

“This is my church…this is where I heal my hurts” (from a Faithless song)

“You asked me what was wrong…. And I answered, everything!”

“I’m the songbird of my generation”

“He’s the Godfather!”

“Red bull? You like red bull?..I tried Red bull and I liked red bull…red bull is good!! (from Yes Man)

“OMG!”

“Every time I see her, my world stops” (heavy!)

“Is that your final answer?!” (You know from which game show this is, don’t you?)

“Baby….I’m a faggot” (oh please!)

Oh yes, it’s the day of the cupid as its aiming the hearts of all the lovers around the world. Spreading all the love and painting the town red… In Dxb, there are a lot of couple I know who will be celebrating the night in the warm lighting…

A few I may suggest to celebrate this love day in the city…

- Dinner at a fancy resto…. If you have budget, take her to Hilton Creek and dine at Vierre…Gordon Ramsey’s popular fine dining restaurant… kung wala naman, either take her to Chili’s or TGI Friday’s… pero kung gipit ka talaga ngayon, buy 2 shawarmas and chais lang ok na… tipid pa diba?

- Watch a movie…. Ok medyo tricky… as there a not much good movies around… but if you still insist in watching but would want to save a dirham or two, well, try calling your suking “Kippin DVD ten dirham” so you can choose various bootleg titles… tipid ka dito, just make sure your dvd player plays “pekeng” dvds..

- Buy her a flower…. Kahit isa lang ok na…. thought counts ba! 7 dirhams one rose sa may Al Maya… if you want the thought to come across, buy 3... 21 Dirhams lang, nakapag I love you ka na!

- Chocolates…. Ok cliché na nga rin talaga ito pati flowers, pero girls like chocolates… ang mahal na Ferrero kahit 16 pcs, ok na sa kanya yun…however, may Kinder na 1 dirham lang… masarap pa!

- A walk around memory lane… you can take her to Al Rigga Road and have a glimpse of the busy street.. As in busy coz of the construction of Dxb Metro around…

- Or if you’re girl is a party goer, you might as well take her to Chikka Grill, Regent, Ratsky or Delmon… there are a lot of Pinoy bands to watch so you can enjoy a pitcher of draft and you’re good to go…

- Abra adventure,,,, eto one dirham lang ang pasahe na sa Bur Dxb ka na in 10 minutes… well, why not?

I can still add more stuff but make it cheap or expensive treat, short or long, tall and stout, it does not really matter, as long as you’re together with your hubby having a fantastic time..

Whatever...

shimizu

I just found out that one of my friends got laid off from work here in DXB. Sad tale but that’s reality, we are all in a bunch of boxes full of chocolates and we don’t know if were ready to be eaten or not.

Life goes on for one of these friends of mine; thank God being optimistic was one of his attributes. I can honestly say he will find again another job, he has to, and he has no way to go but sort out the highway and find comfort in being employed again.
He is a part of the recession muddled employment sector in this side of town.

Whose next? We will never know….

8-2 (in favor of Mr 9)

Ok, most people I know that when it comes to billiards, I never bow down nor when I lose, I always have my reasons...
But tonight, I must admit, if I know how to win, I should also know how to accept defeat!
Like I told Mr 9, he's earned it and worked hard for it... no crappy strokes of hitting just the nine... He's taken over the whole game! Ain't that cool, Mr huh?
Good game mate....good game!

until we break balls again....

Ruby Tuesday

Phone rings…

G: Hey how’s it dude?
D: Im alright mate…how’s things?
G: You wanna catch up for some coffee?
D: Why not? …What time are you off?
G: Im out by 6...
D: Cool, let’s meet up after work then…say 7-ish?
G: Sure….dinner perhaps?
D: Lovely! I know a place in Dxb mall that’s already open…. Tis called Ruby Tuesday.
G: Great! See you then!

At the mall..

D: Hi mate!
G: Hey…how are you? (giving D a pat in the back- almost a hug)
D: So, hungry?
G: Yeah…lets go!


At Ruby Tuesday…

G: Menu looks good
D: I know!
G: Wanna share pasta?
D: We could..which do you prefer? White sauce or Bolognese?
G: Whichever…as long as we’re sharing that’s fine…
D: How sweet! (Smiles back at G)
G: Let’s order shall we?
D: Yup!


Still at Ruby Tuesday
(Dinner is being served)

G: So, how’s work going?
D: Its ish…can be better…how’s yours?
G: Same shit different day;;;
D: Its always been like that anyway..
G: And its never going to change…
D: Did you see the new shop next door?
G: Yeah I did… I found a nice shirt that fits you..
D: Really? There’s this cool jeans that I checked out as well…will look good on you..
G: Shall we get it later?
D: Sure do!


At the shop next door…

D: So this is the one then? (referring to the shirt)
G: Yeah, looks nice isn’t it?
D: Its lovely! OMG!
G: I know you’ll love it!
D: Wait here’s the jeans I was telling you about…(pointing out the dark tailored denims on the corner)
G: Geez! It’s really nice! I love it! I’’ll take it!
D: Cool, I’m ready to swipe!
G: Me too!

In the mall … trying to decide where to go next…

D: Are swamped or wanna go for coffee?
G: Got an early day tomorrow…so I’m just gonna head home.
D: Ok
G: So, I’ll see you then…
D: Yeah, it was a lovely dinner
G: I know! We should do it again some time…
D: Yup, well my car’s this way…
G: Mine’s upfront…see you!
D: See yah!

At G’s house…

G: Damn! Im tired! …(turning on the TV, sitting on the couch as if like waiting for someone to arrive)
Doors open…

D: Hi mate! Good drive home?
G: Yeah few road blocks but all ok….kinda tired though…
D: Shall we go to bed?
G: Definitely... need some rest...


OMFG!
Wizz!

A day out with Mr Pooh and Mr 9...

Last Friday, while my buddies and I hang out at the flat, watching the re runs of Simpsons marathon, we’ve decided to have a change of environment. Actually, we were just meant to go to the supermarket, do some grocery shopping and cook lunch. But since it’s a Friday and all, why not go somewhere we haven’t been to. And so finally, we decided we’re off to the mall…

So took a shower, dressed up casually and got in a cab to go straight to the mall. Ok, please note that we’re not really mallrats …we’re actually haven’t been to Dxb mall ever since it opened in September last year. It was named to be the largest mall in the Middle East. And it also has the biggest aquarium ever built. Just bare with Dxb as it always wants to have the biggest and the tallest written on its name.

Ok just some bits and bobs of what I remember when we’re there…

6:45 PM - Cab ride to Dxb mall
7:00 PM - Arrived at Dxb mall
7:15 PM - Checked out the ice rink with Café Nero beside it (Coffee Ramon!)
7:30 PM - Went to this touch screen information system to find where Starbucks and CPK (California Pizza Kitchen) is
7:35 PM - Info system got a slow interface…so ended up asking the security guard instead.
7:40 PM - Security guard directed us to the 1st Floor Grand Atrium for Starbucks and Lower Ground level near the management office for CPK (like we know where ever that was!)
7:50 PM - Trying to decide where to go first…. Starbucks or CPK?
7:51 PM - Ok Starbucks then!
8:01 PM - Arrived at Starbucks seeing our other buddy. Mr B - taking his 30 min break..(He’s off to the Food Court!)
8:11 PM - Guided us to the aquarium to see the enormous school of fish…can’t believe the sting ray is huge!
8:15 PM - Try to take pictures but way too crowded to have a good view…
8:21 PM - Just decided to go to the Food Court instead to grab a bite
8:30 PM - At the Food Court ordering some gourmet fries and burger
9:00 PM - Eating and having a chat with Mr. Pooh and Mr 9 while Mr Bs ordering some take aways
9:02 PM - Done with the fries and ready to stroll…
9:10 PM - Got a map (just incase we get lost)
9:11 PM - Mr Pooh had to go to the loo
9:20 PM - Waited to Mr Pooh to finish
9:25 PM - Back to strolling
9:30 PM - Walking and checking out some shops (some of them are still closed though)
9:35 PM - Mr 9 to the toilet…
9:45 PM - Mr 9 done…
10:05 PM - Walking towards CPK…decided we’re famished and needed to eat dinner…
10:18 PM - Inside CPK..browsing the menu and ready to order
10:20 PM - Ok, having Thai Chicken Pizza (as what the friendly server suggested) and Pastas like Chicken Fettuccine with white sauce and Spaghetti with Salmon. For drinks, the usual sparkling water, lemon ice tea with kiwi and cocktail sorry-I-forgot-what’s-in-it drink (but no alcohol)
10:35 PM - Mr Pooh had to go to the loo (again)
10:40 PM - Dinner is served
10:42 PM - Chatting with Mr 9 while waiting for Mr Pooh
10:45 PM - Mr Pooh back…
10:46 PM - Chum, Chum. Chum… good food here!
11:15 PM - Done with dinner…got the bill and left CPK
11:16 PM - Ready to stroll again …actually, going back to Starbucks for a cuppa (Mr B, my free cappy!)
11:20 PM - In Starbucks…waiting for cappies and frappy…
11:22 PM - Went outside for a puff (it’s a NO Smoking Mall)
11:30 PM - Back inside and sipping my fave frappy…
11:35 PM - Thinking of going back to the aquarium ..peeps must have gone home by now..
11:40 PM - Back at the fish tank… got a nice view to take pictures…
12:20 PM - Had enough of the bloody fish…
01:10 AM - Ready to go home
01:15 AM - Queing for a cab
01:20 AM - Got in a cab
01:35 AM - Back home…..snooze…snooze…snooze….

All in all the experience was so - so ..there’s not much to see there yet…SEGA Arena is still not open, so will wait for the next visit for that… Ice Rink is a bit crowded, Aquarium is only for the sea enthusiast and kids as well, shops are way too big - somehow good because it’s the shopping festival so everything is on sale. But when they say that its massive, I can definitely agree.

You can check it out yourself…