Continuing my tryst with Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers

...continuing my tryst with Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers....

Last year sometime in December, I stumbled upon the Iraqi Bloggers. It was an insight to the world of Middle East Politics especially with the current scenario in Iraq...the views & perspectives without any kind of censor. The Bloggers are from all walks of life and some quite young! blogging from inside/outside Iraq.

The Blogs are pretty interesting but the comments more so, where everything is dissected bit by bit and any other topic which comes up, even if it is not relevant to the Post. I see that there are mainly 2 school of thoughts here but I would not like to label myself into one. There are certain things which I agree with one and not with the other and vice versa.

In one of the Blogs that I frequent, a Blogger (#1) wrote "Sometimes, I'm amused by commentators and bloggers lack of knowledge....." This was posted below my comment wherein I had said that I was appalled with what I was reading (on Iran). I wondered if he was referring to me and shot off a reply that I was glad to amuse him....my good deed for the day! Hope he took the dripping sarcasm with his morning cuppa.

Later another Blogger (#2) comments that he does not think that this was directed at me....maybe he was being kind? Though I must say, this particular Blogger (#2) has always tried understanding me and my views and have been very supportive. It's nice to have a friend?!

I know there's so many things that I do not know. Wish I had more hours in a day to read and learn but whenever I get the time, I intend to google and read more on Iran and Women...as suggested by another fellow Blogger. Perhaps, I would do a Post with my findings.

London Times Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense

'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral, because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.'

I couldn't resist posting this forwarded by someone to me....living far far away. I deeply mourn Mr.Common Sense's passing away....especially here in the Middle East!

Facebook - Friend Request

Recently I have been flooded with "Friend Request" on Facebook. (Oh! "flooded" sounds nice, I know.....but seriously less than 10 in a span of a month!) It would have been interesting if these were from people whom I know or from someone whom I knew ages back. Alas, this is not the case.

These requests are coming from guys who's sole interest I can see is to collect "friends".... from the fairer sex. The sprinkling of guys that I see on their profile, I can safely assume must be their friends or relatives. Their Profile boasts hundreds of friends! Is there a contest that I am not aware of? What could be the purpose of adding "friends"?

I do not mind making new friends provided we share an interest. After all "Friends are but strangers waiting to be met."......someone said. I also find it very impolite not acknowledging, hence I try to....after all you never know.........he could be a friend!

Below exchanges really took place.....on Facebook.

Request #1
Me - I do not seem to recall knowing you. Have we met before? Please let me know as my memory fails me!
Him - hi, i do remmber that y r the most pretty girl i was ever know

Uhhhhhh??? Give me a break!

Request #2
Me - I am positive that we have not met. Why do you want to add me to your list?!

This one never came back! Thank God!

Friday 13th

I was just browsing the news when an article caught my eye....

Friday 13th safer than an average Friday
13 Jun 2008, 0014 hrs IST, REUTERS

Unlucky for some?

Dutch statisticians have established that Friday 13th, a date regarded in many countries as inauspicious, is actually safer than an average Friday.

A study published on Thursday by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics (CVS) showed that fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays.
more....

Now why this article interested me was not only because I like reading about myths and prejudices or that numerology fascinates me but because this particular day holds a very special place in my heart. This was the day I arrived on this Planet. Yes! I was born on Friday, the 13th!

I have had those funny looks on people's faces when I declare that I was born on Friday, the 13th. Frankly speaking, I love getting those looks! I am different! Personally, I think it's a great day to be born. It's the weekend! Everyone is more chilled out, relaxed and in a celebration mood!

In Astrology, Friday is connected with the planet Venus. This associates Friday with love, peace and relaxation as well as with emotional intensity and quashed dreams. Hmmm.....

As for the number 13, what can I say!? Lucky 13! I am born! However there's an interesting note that I read on this number.

In Sikhism, the number 13 is considered a special number since 13 is tera in Punjabi, which also means "yours" (as in, "I am yours, O Lord"). The legend goes that when Guru Nanak Dev was taking stock of items as part of his employment with a village merchant, he counted from 1 to 13 (in Punjabi) as one does normally; and thereafter he would just repeat "tera", since all items were God's creation. The merchant confronted Guru Nanak about this, but found everything to be in order after the inventory was checked.

Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum).....I rest my case!

So far so good!

It was this day last month that I arrived here to this new country. One whole month! How time flies! My job's fabulous! Work's real challenging as we have to re-structure the entire Retail Division, put process and procedures into place where there was none. Being part of the process and part of the team implementing the changes is real interesting and fulfilling.

I always wanted to be dealing with the high end Luxury Brands....and here I am with a whole lot! Prada, Gucci, Ungaro, Paul Smith, Loewe, Zilli, Nina Ricci, ......I could just go on. Part of my job would be to eliminate the Brands which are not working. Hmmm, I can already see the Buyer not liking the suggestion but then the bottom line is the Sales. If the Brand is not selling then we would just have to let it go!

Haven't explored much or (should I say) at all, apart from going to all my Stores for a "Store Visit" and to a mall nearby for my daily needs. Even then the country is much friendlier than the previous one and people here have been quite helpful!

I'm liking it here! So far so good!

Bytes that I don't understand

The long absence in posting was purely due to the fact that my line was disconnected because I ran up a bill of approx $ 877.000 in 3 days...about 18 hours usage I was told! I fail to understand how could the Bill be so much in this time and age when internet/mobile phone is dirt cheap all over the world! I am not even living in a remote area where net service is not available!

I asked for an explanation and I was told that they would register the complain and someone would get back to me! Well, the short of the long story is, nothing happened. No one got in touch with me and the deadline for the payment loomed large. So this morning, I went and paid in full. I am upset as I do not think that the amount is reasonable no matter how many bytes I sent or received! Yes! I am told that my limit was 1GB and the data exchanged was more, hence the high bill! This is simply ridiculous!

I asked that the line be canceled but I am told that I would need to pay for 3 months as that's the minimum. If I am paying, then might as well use it.....that's why here I am ranting about the ridiculous high internet price...and I can see the meter ticking... 45 MB already!

At Last!

At last! I finally changed my job! I changed my Company and I moved into another country! Still in the Middle East but a country where the locals are much much nicer and with a broader outlook!

Currently staying in one of the company villas. The best part is that the compound has a swimming pool! My first day in the country and I get to swim! My life is already changing!

Maa Salaama Q8!

My bags are packed and I am ready to leave. Tomorrow this time I would be winging towards my new destination!

I remember, it was the 29th of Sept 2002 when I arrived here in Q8 to live. I had never planned Middle East......it just happened. Actually I was all set to go to South Africa! What is it that they say? "Man proposes but God disposes"?!

Kuwait has been a learning experience to the Middle East Culture. I learned "waasta" (having connection) is a must if you want to get things done quickly. I also learned that I need to have oodles of patience as no one would/could tell when things would get done. The answer always was "Inshallah" (God Willing). And silently I would pray that God willed.

It's a pity that I have yet to speak Arabic but I do know now the Basic greetings/words and hopefully will improve!

"Maa Salaama Q8!"


PS:- Just the day before, 5th of May, my other brother became a proud father of a daughter, his first born! Yippee! Welcome Baby Girl!

My last day at the office

Today was the last day at my office. The Goodbye mails were done on Thursday. Now, I just had to collect my Final Settlement cheque.

Believe me it wasn't easy.....as I wanted it today itself. Why should I come another day and collect my payment? That's what I was being told as the paper traveled from one desk to the other with me in hot pursuit! Finally at 4.30pm I got my cheque!

Whew! Am I relieved or what?! To tell the truth, it has yet to sink in that I am no longer with the Company. Perhaps tomorrow when I no longer have to wake up and drag myself to work? or perhaps when I finally leave the country on Thursday, 8th of May? or perhaps when I finally join my new company!

PS:- I may not be able to post for a while as I would need some time settling into my new job and the place.

Dark chocolate keeps the Doctor away!

I love chocolates! Who doesn't? If anyone who says he/she doesn't.....then either he/she is crazy or simply does not have good taste....according to me!

The white chocolates (chocolates are brown & not white!) or the milk chocolates, I never did like. For me, the darker the better and with full of nuts.....hazelnuts or almonds I love! Now, why am I thinking of chocolates? Reason being, I just read an article in the "Times of India".

Dark chocolate keeps blood-pressure at bay!
27 Apr 2008, 0926 hrs IST, Julie Steenhuysen

Chicago: According to German researchers - a nibble of dark chocolate a day helped lower blood pressure without packing on the pounds.

Prior studies have shown that foods rich in cocoa, like dark chocolate, offer heart benefits, but researchers are worried the added sugar, fat and calories would cancel out any good the chocolate might do. Now it seems just a 30-calorie (0.126 kilojoule) bite of dark chocolate, equivalent to 6.8 grams or a quarter ounce, can lower blood pressure without weight gain or other side effects. "Regular intake of small amounts of dark chocolate can help to lower blood pressure," said Dr Dirk Taubert of University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, whose study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
more

I have been trying to cut my indulgence as I am waging a war against the fat that has crept up on me so silently that before I realized.....it's all settled in those unwanted areas and I am now having a hard time getting rid of it!

Reading this article, I am feeling less guilty of my indulgence! So, lets all eat Dark Chocolates and keep the blood-pressure in check!