Blogosphere: June 10

Star Blog: Pitt's designs on Dubai

Another piece of news circulating these days is that Brad Pitt is going to design a hotel in Dubai.

Now that's a very interesting marketing gimmick. The latest hotel in Dubai is going to be designed by not an architect, but by a famous Hollywood actor.

And on top of that, the hotel is going to be environmentally-friendly. I have no idea how a hotel can be environmentally-friendly. After all, the tycoons checking in at the hotels would be flying in by private jets and gas guzzling automobiles, which is hardly friendly to the environment.

But then again, anything is possible in Dubai. So if Brad Pitt wants to design a green hotel in Dubai, he is most welcome to do so. The world will watch with utmost attention and excitement.

http://umarsiddiqi.com/blog/

Baku or dubai

Despite the various differences between Baku and Dubai, it seems that the urge to translate oil wealth into extravagant hotel design projects is just too strong to resist. Thus, plans for the Full Moon Hotel in Baku, a 35th floor, 521foot high behemoth planned for the Caspian waterfront.

http://pearlofdubai.blogspot.com/

A little slice of Fujairah

At a time when restrictions are being imposed on Shisha smoking in the UAE, a Fujairah-inspired 'Hookah House' is hubba-bubbling along in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

The Hendersonville Epicurean, which writes about all things foody in the area, gives the opening hours of Hookah House, posts some photos of the establishment, tells the story of its origins and offers the reviewer's impressions.

Here is a taster: "Owners Allison and Kevin have worked hard to re-open after moving from the other side of Main Street. Their goal is to provide a welcoming space for all ages (during the day) and adults at night."

"Kevin was introduced to shisha while stationed in the Gulf. Living in Fujairah, he observed that the hookah provided a venue for social interaction."

http://fujairahinfocus.blogspot.com/

Claim to fame

And yet again the Lions of Babylon make us proud. I watched the game anxiously against Australia, and the goal we scored at the 28th minute was great.

After the 90th minute, the Japanese referee added another extra five minutes. To me it seemed like hours instead of minutes.

As the game finished with an Iraqi victory, there was continuous gun shots in the air (I can still hear them).

It's been going on for atleast the past 10 minutes. Lions of Babylon, you make us proud. You lift our spirits even if it's only for 95 minutes.

Ninety five minutes of unity!

http://neurotic-iraqi-wife.blogspot.com/

Humidity

Just when I thought I was going to do fine with the heat here (It's been above 100 for a few weeks now and I've been ok), it gets humid.

Last night I went down to the little store on the corner to get ice cream cones for Stu and I and when I came back into our building my hands were full so I leaned against the door to open it with my shoulder and when I pulled away, my skin literally peeled away from the door and made a sick sticky sound!

And this was at close to 8:00 at evening! I laughed because right when I walked outside I thought, "Whoa, it's hard to breathe!" Turns out I have no idea. It's barely June.

http://sydney-itsalwayssomething.blogspot.com/

No time, no time

I'm in a car service on the way home to Dubai from Abu Dhabi. This has happened now on several occasions, so it's worth writing about.

At least four times on the trip between the emirates, with different companies, the driver just randomly pulls into a rest area, side of the road, whatever, to get coffee/ gas/ who knows.

And these are like Lexus-level car services. It's never really a choice for the passenger. They sort of ask, but really don't. Usually they're nice enough to ask me if I want something though.

This happened a couple of weeks ago to me. I was in a particular hurry and had been cutting it close before I had to go to a meeting back in Dubai.

The driver asked me if he could get coffee (same driver, same rest stop, two weeks in a row). I told him that I was in a hurry, but if he was quick he could do it. When he pulled into the gas station, he pulled up to the pump to get gas! Shocking.

http://thebigsand.blogspot.com/

No reprieve

The Saudi Arabia vs Lebanon match held at the King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday had an unusual start after officials mistakenly played the wrong national anthem.

Fans were left shocked and Lebanese players were visibly angry when the Syrian national anthem began blaring from the stadium's speakers. Saudi Arabia went on to win the World Cup qualifying match 2-1.

http://blacksmithsoflebanon.blogspot.com