Evil Knievel

Gute Nacht

2011-05-24T17:19:00.001+03:00

Die Sonne ist untergegangen, die Nacht beginnt.

Sonnenschein der in mich eindrang und mein Herz beruehrte,
Sonnenschein der mein muedes Ich erwachte,
Sonnenschein der meine Seele streifte,
Sonnenschein der mich sehen lies,
Sonnenschein der sich selbst gefiel,
Sonnenschein der lachen auf Gesichter zauberte,
Sonnenschein der die Nacht nicht zum Zuge lies,
Sonnenschein der Kraft gab,
Sonnenschein der Monate lang anhielt.
Doch nun ist die Sonne untergegangen...
leise... ohne das es jemand zu bermerken scheint.
Sie scheint wohl weiter ohne mich.

Jetzt scheint der Mond.
Kalt, trotzdem freundlich.
So erschreckend vertraut.
Macht mich muede und traurig.
Laesst mich denken und gruebeln.
Ist die Nacht gar schoener?
Wo scheint die Sonne jetzt?

Der Sonnenschein kommt wieder...
mit gleicher Macht.
Er laesst sich Zeit die Nacht zu verdraengen,
denn er kommt von einer anderen Sonne.
Bis dahin...
Gute Nacht!

First posted Sunday, May 18, 2008

JUNA - a typical story

2009-03-14T15:11:00.000+03:00

"Juna escaped from two separate sets of people - her employers and a couple who picked her up on the road promising to take her to her agency. Instead she was taken to their home and locked up. Juna says little about these episodes other than that they were ‘bad people’. Her escape from the 3rd floor resulted in fractured spine and legs. During her treatment it was discovered that Juna was 3-4 months pregnant.

After Juna was discharged she was sent to Rumaithiya prison because her sponsors had filed a case against her for ‘running away’. Prisons are not equipped to deal with pregnant women and Juna suffered much spinal pain from her recently healed fracture and her pregnancy.

The police assured us that the deportation center she was going to next, was a ‘hotel’ for the maids with beds and proper facilities. But when we saw it, we were aghast at the conditions – no beds, filthy mattresses lining a wet floor, cramped with women, guarded by men who looked at them only in one way. Some of them had been there for months – one lady even going mad and removing her clothing and walking around. Two Filipino maids had been there previously and in spite of having tickets to travel, were not allowed to go – the tickets eventually expired.

We were told that if we purchased a ticket they would let Juna fly as her passport was already in hand. With donated funds we bought one and handed it in. In the mean time Juna was visited and given a back brace for her spine.

A day before the flight we went to the deportation center just to check on her – we were told she would not be flying because they had entered her name on the list as Nuna not Juna. And they refused to do anything about it...Men told us to get lost, go away and not come back, they asked us who we were in relation to Juna and even referred to one of our African volunteers as ‘Sudani’. Some just said ‘we are not going to help you’.
On the actual day of the flight, verbal fights occurred with our ids being asked for and the threat of deportation looming. One of our members simply refused to budge until something was done. She yelled Haram angrily and caused a public scene. After a long time, simply out of anger and frustration, they guaranteed that Juna would be sent to the airport that night at 7pm , 3 hours before her flight. Our member did not believe them and stayed in the deportation center from 6 onwards.

At 7 – there was no movement. 8 no movement. At 9, one hour before the flight, someone arrived and Juna was transported to the airport, with a volunteer trailing the car to make sure it did not deviate.

At the airport, Juna was on crutches as her pain had gotten very bad. Numerous times she was offered a wheelchair by Airport officials. A cleaner was so enraged that she was walking he offered to pay any costs to get her in a wheelchair. But the Deportation escort refused. When she sat down in one, the man said motioned with his fingers – get up. He forced her to walk painfully all the way from the airport entrance to her gate.

People from the airport looked on in shock as a pregnant woman with a spinal injury was forced to go without a wheelchair because he wanted it that way and had the authority to make it happen. We pleaded with him that she was pregnant and injured, but his face only said that we were wasting his time with the whole ordeal.

Although the case of Juna should be considered a victory among cases that are never even addressed, the shock of individuals who wilfully want the suffering of others to continue, makes it anything but."
Written by a very concerned and very much involved Expat in Kuwait

This is just one out of a few hundred cases EACH MONTH!!
The above story is just one... there are thousands of them! Spread the awareness and involve as many people, news agencies, embassies, governments and help organizations as possible.
I will start by sending this article to the Human Rights Watch, the U.N., the German and the American Embassy and Amnesty International. But the more letters and stories reach these authorities the better!!!

Pictures from the Kuwait International Rally Championships 2009

2009-03-10T10:28:00.009+03:00

Here are some of the Rally Pictures...
I hope they inspire you to come for the next Rally! :)

Final Results of the Kuwait International Rally 2009

2009-03-09T11:15:00.003+03:00

The final results of the Kuwait International Rally Championships can be found here.
Several cars did not make it thru the Rally... running out of fuel, technical problems and unfortunately also accidents.
One of the most likable drivers, A Sheik from Oman (Sheik Hammad Althani), had a terrible accident on 'my' stage in which his car flipped over several time and his Co-Driver (Arif Yousuf, UAE) received injuries to his neck and shoulder. As far as I know, both had to be carried to the Hospital for treatment. I don't think he will ever read this blog, but I would like to wish both of them the best for their recovery! The Kuwait times mentioned the accident today with a two line quote without giving any details or names.
Another car flipped causing the total destruction of the car but thanks to the safety gear both passengers got away with no or minor injuries.
"My" team and I had lots of fun helping at the event and taking care of timing, safety and other things for 2 stages of the Rally (Salmi and Mettla).
One rather funny fact of the Rally is that the 0 (zero) car got stuck on the stage in Mettla in a rather bad position. Now the 0 car is the last car of the organizers that is checking the stage for safety and the race is not supposed to start until it reaches the finish and reports that everything is clear. The stage was cleared despite the fact that the 0 car didn't make it all the way to the finish. 4 Rally cars where already on the stage and 1 of them already finished it and just 30 seconds before I was about to start a Kuwaiti team, the stage was closed to get the 0 car out of the way. It took them over 30 minutes to get it out of the deep, soft sand close to the finish. That gave us plenty of opportunity to chat with drivers and co-drivers. We took plenty of pictures with them and in return gave them water and cigarettes (I hope FIA doesn't read this... :P ... No one is supposed to smoke during the rally, specially not close to the cars!). One of the Kuwaiti drivers (I think it was Meshal Alnejadi, a super friendly and like able guy) told me I am his good-luck-charm since i started him on another stage the other day were he drove an amazing time and he asked me if I couldn't start him on ALL the remaining stages...
A British driver (David Scialom) even found the time to invite me to the after party 30 seconds before I started him.
All in all it was a great experience and worth waking up at 4 am in the morning to prepare the stages for 5 days. I got a decent tan, a lot of great memories, met great people and can proudly say that me and 'my' team made this Rally happen despite some organisational problems!

In a few weeks the local Kuwait Rally Championships will be held and I am looking forward to assist again... maybe at a different position this time! :)

P.S. I will post pictures and maybe some videos soon! Just need to collect the good ones first! :)

When to be where to see the Kuwait International Rally Championships 2009

2009-03-05T11:27:00.003+03:00

The organizer, Kuwait Racing Club, put up all information on their website.
Everything you might want to know you will find there incl.:

- Maps
- Time Tables
- Regulations
- Live GPS tracking of the cars
- Results
- ...

Click here to see all the info's.

See you there!

Rally Start TODAY!

2009-03-05T11:23:00.003+03:00

At 4.30 pm today the Kuwait International Rally Championships will start at the Kuwait towers. According to the time table, the 00 and 0 car (kind-a-like test cars) will be on the stage at 15:50 and the first Rally Car is supposed to start at 16:30...
i bet you that it will be quite difficult to find parking... so try to come early!

"Lane of shame!"

2009-03-03T18:24:00.000+03:00

Based on my earlier post... I introduce to you:

THE LANE OF SHAME!

And just as a reminder... THIS is what a EMERGENCY LANE is used for!

I think we are OK...

2009-03-03T16:15:00.000+03:00

... with leaving the crane up! Or ... ??
Guess not...

This accident caused a big traffic jam on Sunday on Highway 50 / 1st Ring Road

Stage Inspection / Kuwait International Rally

2009-03-03T13:50:00.004+03:00

Today was the first time the drivers and co-drivers were allowed on the first 2 stages of the Kuwait International Rally 2009 in Salmi and Atraf. Each driver was allowed twice on the stage to scout the terrain and to complete their road book (telling them where the can drive how fast and what turn will come next). We were expecting 15-20 cars but 33 showed up. Even the event organizers where surprised by the amount of drivers taking their chances today.
This was the first time for me to be part of an oficial Rally and it was great!
We met very very early at the Kuwait Shooting Club and then left to the Salmi stage. Without getting too technical (and too proud), I am on a position called SSS (Start Super Special) and my job is basically to start the cars! :) You know, counting down form 5 and giving them the "go"!
Tday we didn't do that since it was not a race but a inspection of the stage... maximum speed for the drivers is set to 60km/h.
I met a german fellow (which whom I practiced my german again) who provided GPS tracking systems for each car. With this system Race HQ can see if they used a short cut and the respective speed at any given time and place on the stage. He's been doing this since 6 years in Europe, Middle East and Africa... another dream Job! :)
All drivers and co-drivers seemed really nice and I was surprised by the high number of Brits taking part... (mostly as co-drivers).
At noon we closed all stages and went back...
Tomorrow we'll have the same, just on differnet stages. :)

Thursday is the start at the Kuwait Towers!! Try to be there!!! Bet you I will be nice!
Friday and Saturday is the actual race... I put a time table earlier (here) but I will try to give you some more info on where exactly to go and where you see best!

Teams arrived for the Kuwait International Rally Championship

2009-03-03T13:26:00.003+03:00

First of all sorry for being absent for a while and not coming back to all questions asked from my previous entry.

These pictures were taken yesterday afternoon in front of the Kuwait Shooting Club on 6th Ring Road just before the Doha Spur exit. As you can see, some of the bigger teams have already arrived and started preparing their cars. All of them are super friendly and didn't mind me taking pictures at all.
The Qatari Team (picture on the very top and middle) came with a total of 5 cars with mostly young talented drivers. The Abu Dhabi Team showed up with 3 cars (picture at the bottom).
If you pass there today, you will see much more teams with their cars, all busy setting the cars to the stages they will find in this Rally. Go pass by, say hello and wish them luck! :)

Kuwait International Rally 2009

2009-02-17T11:27:00.003+03:00

Kuwait International Rally Championship 2009

5 - 7 March 2009

Only a few days left until the Kuwait International Rally gets going. Yesterday was a Marshall's meeting set with very low attendance (only 3 out of 19 registered!). So you can see that we are still looking for volunteers to assist in this event! Volunteers will have access to ALL of the stages which are otherwise off limits for the public. The jobs that would need to be performed are of high importance but not really difficult to perform. It will allow you to get experience and exposure to real racing events, since this is only the beginning of this season and many more events are already scheduled such as: National Rally Championship, Motocross Racing, Quad Racing, Cart Racing, etc. etc.
Volunteering means you will not receive money for your duties but there are other benefits you could get from it. The Cart Circuit is almost ready to be opened and you as a new member to the Kuwait Racing Club will get special benefits there as well as the chance to use the club house features.
To register as a volunteer, contact Mr. Abdulla Albarqawi under 6652 3032 or fax to 2461 3402

Also they are still looking for sponsors who could get great exposure with relatively small investments. It will be covered from several national and international TV stations and newspapers and hopefully it will attract a big crowd. Details for sponsorship can be found on the Kuwait Racing Club website.

Obama prostesting ?

2009-02-16T13:56:00.004+03:00

Found this picture in the Kuwait times today. Looks like U.S. President Obama has a younger brother who is concerned about the working class in Jakarta! (or is it him?)
And no... this photo is not tampered with... the funny drawing is the sign he holds up at the demonstration!

Scool nieds haelp !!

2009-02-16T13:47:00.003+03:00

I got a big car and I am special!

2009-02-12T11:30:00.000+03:00

This sight pisses me off EVERY DAY !! Standing in the traffic jam going home on 30...
The slow traffic has two reasons:
1. A lot of people going to their homes in Salmiya at the same time
2. Idiots that are driving on the left lane all the way to their exit (most likely 4th Ring Road) and at the last moment cross all 3 lanes and block traffic coming from behind.

And then you have these Idiots shown above... Why are the cops not doing anything against them?!? ITS THE EMERGENCY LANE !!! FOR AMBULANCES / FIRE TRUCKS / POLICE !!!
I guess there are around 5000-10000 cars in the traffic jam and all of us are WAITING IN LINE to pass it... So WHY CANT YOU $&*^@#%$ DO THAT?!?!

NBK's amazing customer Service

2009-02-12T11:11:00.002+03:00

NBK - named as the best bank in the middle east / praising their customer service / making close to a billion Profit last year

Until yesterday I would have agreed with all of this but then this happened:

Most of us have to pick up their new ATM cards this month since the old ones will expire end of February. So yesterday I wanted to pick mine up... even though I don't live there my branch is in Quortoba. So after work I was fighting my way thru the dust storm. I arrived at 4:50pm and had to park some meters away from the bank. i knew the bank would open at 5pm so I waited in the car. When it was time for them to open I got out of my car and walked over to the bank. It was still closed. I thought I just wait a little for them to open up... 5 minutes ... 10 minutes ... then I called their hot line... asked them for the opening time of this branch... they confirmed that it should open at 5pm... so I waited another 10 minutes until some man walked up to the entrance ... read a small note in Arabic next to the entrance ... grumbled and walked away ...
I called the service hot line again and they told me that all their branches are closed due to the sandstorm! I figured that this was written on the small note...
WTF!!! What is wrong with you guys?!?!?

Why the hell are you closing your branches because of the sand storm? We are in Kuwait and it's quite common to have a sandstorm! After all, we are surrounded by the DESERT!!!
If you don't want non Arab speaking customer, just say so... I am taking my account somewhere else in a heart beat!! Else have the brains to put up a note in English as well!! Or were you in such a hurry to get home and enjoy an unexpected day off?!?
If you can afford to close your branches you seem to make enough money... then please share some of it with your customers as well!! Not only with your spoiled employees!

I logged a formal complaint, let's see how they react to it...

Big guys no brain?

2009-02-12T10:44:00.003+03:00

It has always been said that body builders and so forth have a low IQ. Looking at this ad in the Kuwait times today you might wonder if it is rather the people who promote them who have a small IQ.
Whats so difficult about proof reading?!?!
Well, let the ring decide! Let's all go to the Stedium!!

Kuwait Cartoon - Sultan Center

2009-02-07T13:59:00.003+03:00

Porn, Superbowl and exploding cell phones

2009-02-04T15:32:00.000+03:00

Porn Interrupts Super Bowl Broadcast
(Newser) – Tucson-area Super Bowl viewers were startled when coverage suddenly cut to a very different kind of action in the final minutes of the game, the Arizona Daily Star reports. The game was interrupted by some 30 steamy seconds from a porn channel, featuring full male nudity. Only Comcast customers were affected and local station KVOA is investigating.

Exploding Cell Phone Kills Man
(Newser) – A man in Guangzhou, China, was killed last week when his cell phone blew up and severed an artery in his neck, the Times of London reports. The young shop clerk is believed to have put the phone in his breast pocket straight after charging a new battery before it exploded. Police are investigating whether the phone or battery were counterfeit and warn that consumers should always use original batteries.

Claiming that this is the ninth cell phone explosion recorded in China since 2002, a local paper offered these other tips on how to avoid being injured or killed by your phone:

* Never modify your phone
* Do not expose your phone to high temperatures or direct sunlight
* Avoid long phone conversations
* Keep your phone in a bag, not a pocket

Identical twins, a bathroom and a lot of fun!

2009-02-04T13:11:00.000+03:00

Hilarious Bathroom Mirror Prank

Man kills himself... TWICE!

2009-02-04T12:46:00.005+03:00

"Security sources said an Indian committed suicide after he hanged himself with a rope at his residence in Jleeb. Police said the mans body was discovered by his roommate and that he denied knowing the motive behind the mans death."
Kuwait Times, 4th Feb 2009

Let's put this poor guys motive out of the picture...
He hung himself and THEN committed suicide??
Weird stuff that!

Rocket propelled Mini Cooper

2009-02-04T10:53:00.001+03:00

This is not the only reason to drive a mini ... :)

Did you shave your baby lately?

2009-02-01T14:17:00.005+03:00

I wonder which genius came up with this?
But one thing is sure...
THIS baby NEEDS shaving!! :P

2 saw whats in my trunk and 7 came to help

2009-01-29T12:03:00.003+03:00

I think I need to be more careful about the stuff that I write on this blog!!
First I tell all of you about the traffic in Kuwait and decide to draw just ONE comic about it myself. Then a few days later I tell you about Jinxed... Good thing I skipped the two entries in between!!!

So this is what happened yesterday:

Driving home from work after picking my car up in the morning from service.
I reached 5th ring road on the Fahaheel Express Way (30 for the guys that haven't been here that long) and the usual traffic jam occurs.
I stay on the left lane since I need to go past the 4th ring to get my exit...
Drive 200 meters ... stop ... drive 200 meters ... stop ...
Then I reached the exit to 4th ring road ... I am underneath the bridge still on the left lane. The car in front of me stops. So do I. No squeaking tires or anything like this ... just a stop like all of us on the highway at this point did 20-30 times since passing 5th ring road.
Out of pure curiosity I look into my review mirror and see this car getting bigger and bigger in my mirror...
I let go of the steering wheel .... lean back against the seat ... my head against the head rest ... BAAAAAAANG !!!!
The car behind me failed to brake ... popped open my trunk ... smashed the rear end of my car ... the front end of his ... I drive to the EMERGENCY lane... so does he... 5 guys get out of the car and 3 start walking away (Indian labor) ... he starts telling me stuff in Arabic I don't understand ... but I got something like that it is my fault because I was breaking so hard!!! That's when I asked him if he or his friend speaks English. When both denied I let go a barrage of insults and complaints. he still insisted it's my fault.
A cop car (number 7 in my cartoon and even on the same side of the road as in my cartoon) stopped at another accident that must have happened a few minutes before mine... I wave to the cop and signal him to come over to help us out here.
Another cop car comes and stops in front of us ...
We talk a little ... BANG ... BANG ... BANG ... BANG ... another 5 cars just ran to each other...
After waiting till the cops filled out the initial report, I am off to the Maidan Hawally Police Station. After maybe an hour some mandoob tells me that before I can speak with the detective I need to get copies of all the paperwork. So across the street there's a small INSURANCE company who probably make more money with copies then with insurances.
Another 20 minutes later the detective has a few minutes for me and finds out that me is German. "Danke" he says ... "Bitte" I reply ... asking him if he was ever in Germany. So he gives me that he is really busy with a BIIIIIG case and if it is OK for me to come back tomorrow ... just to pick up my paper work since it was clearly not my fault. Sure thing!
Informed the rental car agency about the incident and they said they can only assist as soon as the police report is done. How nice of National Rental Car to have someone with you in case there are issues at the police or something and to offer the replacement car as mentioned in the contract... I seriously think National needs some ass kicking!!! And so does that imbecile that hit me!

Proof that girls are evil !!

2009-01-28T14:45:00.002+03:00

click on the picture to see it bigger

Digg for blogger.com

2009-01-28T13:04:00.004+03:00

A great way of getting traffic to your site is by having your readers digg your post!
Blogger doesn't let you add Java Script in your post or anywhere, but this is the only way to get a button with script from digg.
As you can see in this post, there is a workaround for this.
I found this very helpful blog explaining it step by step here.

So please ... if you like what you read here... DIGG IT !! :)

Jinxed !!!

2009-01-27T12:37:00.002+03:00

"Today, I get two texts from my girlfriend. First one says everything was over. Second one says that the other message wasn’t for me. Jinxed!"

"Today, I see a friend on the street. He doesn't see me, so, just for fun, I call him on his cell. He took his phone out of his pocket, sighed, and didn't answer. Jinxed!"

"Today, I was having a romantic dinner at my place with this boy I've just started dating. My phone rang, but i decided not to pick up. The voice mail started recording, and we could hear "hey there, quit f**king and pick up the phone, it's your dad, hahahah"Jinxed!"

More of these great stories you can find here!

Be carefull what you wish for...

2009-01-26T13:16:00.005+03:00

Complaint lodged
"Police said a bedoon man filled a complaint against a female citizen after she threatened him for his unwillingness to meet her. The man alleged that the woman would call him at all hours of the day and night and tell him that she wanted to see him, but he ignored her. After the woman threatened him, the man took his phone to police and showed investigators the recorded messages."
Kuwait Times 26th Jan 2009

Poor guy!!
Some evil person seems to have given his number to this woman!!
i say search the evil guy and display him for public spitting!

16 hours dead in a chair

2009-01-26T13:06:00.004+03:00

" Death reported
Security sources recently said that an Egyptian man was recently found dead sitting in a chair in Fahaheel. Passerby noticed that something was wrong with the man after they found him sitting in the same position from 6:00 pm until 10:00 am. Paramedics arrived at the scene and confirmed that the man was dead. His body was sent to the coroner for a forensic examination."
Kuwait Times Jan 26 2009

After 16 hours already?!?! That's quick thinking!

Kuwait Cartoon - Jam on the highway

2009-01-26T12:39:00.000+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

This is my first try to complete the series of Kuwait Driving lessons...

IT'S ALL SCAMS

2009-01-25T14:11:00.003+03:00

This is a new blog with the aim to reduce the damage caused by internet scams.
If you receive any obvious scam email like the ones I have already put in here, please feel free to forward them to 'my' email address itsallscams@hotmail.com.
I already thank you in advance for your submissions and comments on IT'S ALL SCAMS!

Kuwait Cartoon - Race Driver

2009-01-25T13:50:00.003+03:00

click on the picture to see it bigger

Kuwait Cartoon - Crash and Burn

2009-01-22T12:10:00.000+03:00

click on the picture to see it bigger

New on the PS3 / X-Box / Wii /PC!
I has great potential!!! Anyone interested in making it?!?

Kuwait Cartoon - Why taking the bus

2009-01-21T12:42:00.002+03:00

click on the picture to see it bigger

I swear I have seen this cab. It was driving every morning from Mangaf to somewhere downtown... It's orange and belongs into a museum!

REFERENCE NUMBER #: BMWL/001/007598590000/11

2009-01-19T11:48:00.003+03:00

FROM: Esther Rieger-Fackeldey Esther.Fackeldey@kbh.uu.se
TO: undisclosed-recipients: (a few hundred thousand people that is)

REFERENCE NUMBER #: BMWL/001/007598590000/11 WINNING TICKET #: 564-7600-545-188

This e-mail is to congratulate you as your email address has won you a cash prize of £750,000,00 GBP and a New BMW 2008 X6 xDrive series 35i M Sport Saloon Car in our Online Lottery Sweepstakes Promotion held in London 2009. To file your claims, contact;

Fiduciary Claims Agent: Mr. George Wesley.
E-mail: assigned_georgewesley01@hotmail.com
Tel: +44 70457 43979.
+44 70240 85691.

Note: You are required to tender your Full Name(s) & Reference # (same as above) Full Address, Country Of Residence, Occupation, Age, Sex, Telephone Number to the Fiduciary Agent, via email for a valid response. Congratulations from all members and staffs of this program. Thank you for being a part of this online lottery promotion.

This is SCAM people... Don't fall for this! See my other posts labeled FRAUD for similar cases!

Kuwait Cartoon - Desert Camp

2009-01-18T14:32:00.002+03:00

click on the picture to see it bigger

Kuwait Cartoon - No Fear...

2009-01-17T12:38:00.000+03:00

click on the pictures to see them bigger

Kuwait Cartoon - Wrong Number

2009-01-16T12:32:00.001+03:00

click on the picture to see it bigger

Have you ever received a wrong number call from a person who insinuates that it is your fault?
YES!! PLENTY!!!
(and all where guys!)

Kuwait (Jahra) Cartoon - B*TCH !

2009-01-15T12:28:00.004+03:00

click on the picture to see it bigger

Edited the title to pay respect to your comments... :)

Kuwait Cartoon - Paki Flaps

2009-01-13T12:01:00.000+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

Seen from November till February...

Random Quote #1

2009-01-12T17:54:00.000+03:00

"The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to stop the man touching the equipment."

WARREN BENNIS

That would make my job sooooooo much easier!!

Kuwait Cartoon - Wanate

2009-01-12T14:43:00.000+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

A small update on this here.

Heat up the kettles !!

2009-01-12T14:23:00.002+03:00

'Carbon cost' of Google revealed
Two search requests on the Internet website Google produce "as much carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle", according to a Harvard University academic.
US physicist Alex Wissner-Gross claims that a typical Google search on a desktop computer produces about 7g CO2.
However, these figures were disputed by Google, who say a typical search produced only 0.2g of carbon dioxide.
(read the full story here)

Wow ... I am boiling a lot of water each day !!!

I found more KUWAIT CARTOONS !

2009-01-12T12:50:00.001+03:00

Going thru my archives I found more cartoons about Kuwait.
Some of them related to driving others to general things an expat will notice about life here.
i will start posting them later today... :)

Kuwait Driving lessons part #16 "That Rainy Day"

2009-01-11T12:10:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"That Rainy Day"

That was is for now with Kuwait driving lessons. If you have more ideas on what topics should be included, give me a traffic fine... :)

Kuwait International Rally Championship 2009 UPDATE

2009-01-11T11:48:00.003+03:00

Got a car and want to participate?
Always wanted to look behind the scenes and assist?
Wanted to wave blue/yellow/checkerd flags??

The organisation team for the Kuwait International Rally Championship 2009 is still looking for volunteers and if you and your car qualifies also for teams to participate!

You can go here and contact Aliaa Hassan or here.
You can also fax a short CV with some notes what you would like to do to 2461 3402

See you there!

Bushism's

2009-01-10T17:42:00.001+03:00

Bush is about to leave his office as president of the U.S.A., one thing he left behind is the creation of the word "Bushism".
Here are a few:

On himself

"They misunderestimated me."
Bentonville, Arkansas, 6 November, 2000

''I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe - I believe what I believe is right." (video)
Rome, 22 July, 2001

"There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again."
Nashville, Tennessee, 17 September, 2002

"There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm clouds on the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead."
Washington DC, 11 May, 2001

"I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today. He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."
Nashville, Tennessee, 27 May, 2004

On foreign affairs

"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times."
Tokyo, 18 February, 2002

"The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorise himself."
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 29 January, 2003

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." (video)
Washington DC, 5 August, 2004

"I think war is a dangerous place."
Washington DC, 7 May, 2003

"The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the - the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
Washington DC, 27 October, 2003

"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."
Washington DC, 17 September, 2004

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."
CBS News, Washington DC, 6 September, 2006

On education

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"
Florence, South Carolina, 11 January, 2000

"Reading is the basics for all learning."
Reston, Virginia, 28 March, 2000

"As governor of Texas, I have set high standards for our public schools, and I have met those standards."
CNN, 30 August, 2000

"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''
Townsend, Tennessee, 21 February, 2001

On economics

"I understand small business growth. I was one."
New York Daily News, 19 February, 2000

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
Reuters, 5 May, 2000

"I do remain confident in Linda. She'll make a fine Labour Secretary. From what I've read in the press accounts, she's perfectly qualified."
Austin, Texas, 8 January, 2001

"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."
Washington DC, 19 May, 2003

On healthcare

"I don't think we need to be subliminable about the differences between our views on prescription drugs."
Orlando, Florida, 12 September, 2000

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."
Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 6 September, 2004

On technology

"Will the highways on the internet become more few?"
Concord, New Hampshire, 29 January, 2000

"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber."
Washington DC, 10 April, 2002

"Information is moving. You know, nightly news is one way, of course, but it's also moving through the blogosphere and through the Internets."
Washington DC, 2 May, 2007

Out of left field

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Saginaw, Michigan, 29 September, 2000

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 18 October, 2000

"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."
Tucson, Arizona, 28 November, 2005

"That's George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three - three or four books about him last year. Isn't that interesting?"
Speaking to reporter Kai Diekmann, Washington DC, 5 May, 2006

On governing

"I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together."
Bartlett, Tennessee, 18 August, 2000

"I'm the decider, and I decide what is best."
Washington DC, 18 April, 2006

"And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are never read by anybody. To show you how important this one is, I read it, and [Tony Blair] read it."
On the publication of the Baker-Hamilton Report, Washington DC, 7 December, 2006

"All I can tell you is when the governor calls, I answer his phone."
San Diego, California, 25 October, 2007

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."
Washington DC, 12 May, 2008

Get a glimpse of me...

2009-01-10T15:36:00.000+03:00

No photoshop ... just an amazing photographer! :)

So I won again!

2009-01-10T13:36:00.002+03:00

CONFIRMATION FROM LOTTERY BOARD.

From: wwsm2008@aol.com
To: undisclosed (but I bet you it went to a few thousand people)

Dear Sir/Madam,
We are delighted to inform you of your prize release on 3rd January 2009 from the British E-mail Lottery programme.
This is fully based on an electronic selection of winners using their e-mail addresses,your email was attached to ticket number 56475600545 188,serial number 5368/02.
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE,
Your winning details falls within our UK/EUROPEAN booklet representative office as indicated in the draw system and we have forwarded your winning details to ourUK/EUROPEAN processing agent for the processing of your documents.
Simply contact our fiduciary agent,British E-mail Lottery Fiduciary Agent:
Mr. Williams Smith

Email:wwwsm@live.com
+44-704-571-7872

1.Name:
2.Address:
3.Marital Status:
4:Occupation:
5.Age:
6.Sex:
7.Nationality:
8.Telephone:

Fill in the details above to your claims agent for verification.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Carol Ronin
(co-coordinator).

Isn't that great!?! Just because I have an email I won! I have no clue how much but I WON!!!
This is what a few thousand people might think when they get the email above... hastly filling in their contact details to make way for more personalised scams.
To make it clear: THIS IS FRAUD!!! Just like these here!
Anyways ... I will send them some details to see what happens next... let's have some fun with them! :)

Kuwait Driving lessons part #15 "Synchronized U-Turns"

2009-01-10T12:10:00.002+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Synchronized U-Turns"

Kuwait Driving lessons part #14 "Stealth Mode"

2009-01-09T12:10:00.002+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Stealth Mode"

BOINC

2009-01-08T18:52:00.005+03:00

If you are interested in finding E.T., a cure for cancer or AIDS or help predicting the climate change you should continue reading this post.

I am sure some of you might have noticed this little graphic with some cryptic stats at the bottom of my blog. It's my stats for BOINC.

BOINC is an open-source software platform for computing using volunteered resources on PC's/Mac's/Linux/Solaris/... systems.
The basic idea behind this project, thats been going on for a few years already, is that there is a lot of unused computing resource thruout the world. These computers could be used to do something useful while on idle or while not being used.

All started with a project called SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence). A giant radio telescope produced so much data that it was not posible for the scientists to go thru all of it. So they came up with the idea of involving the public by having them download parts of the data and having their computer do the work for them and then submitting the results back to the scientists. This is the basic concept that stands behind BOINC (Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing). BOINC has almost 565,000 active computers (hosts) worldwide processing on average 1.287 PFLOPS as of December 2008, which tops the processing power of the current fastest supercomputer system (IBM Roadrunner, with a sustained processing rate of 1.026 PFLOPS).

With this enormous computer power it is possible to calculate very complex things like climate change or physic theories.

By now there are plenty of projects in which BOINC users can participate. From searching for ET to a cure for cancer and AIDS or the prediction of climate change or ... or...
All you need to support them is a computer with internet connection and their software running in the background.

It's safe, secure, and easy:
Choose projects
Download and run BOINC software
Enter an email address and password.
Or, if you run several projects, try an account manager such as GridRepublic or BAM!.

Currently there are 88 people registered for Kuwait. Unfortunately they are not all active.
Here are some of the results of various projects run by BOINC.

Hope you'll participate and give your free computer time to science! :)

Apple to end music restrictions

2009-01-08T15:08:00.000+03:00

WOW !!!
I thought...
I was hoping that it will be easier to 'share' your music now using your iPod... you know... like synchronicing your iPod at your friends place and taking his music or him taking yours from the iPod... then I continued to read the story...
It might be easier to now to share your music with friends... but still not as easy as I was hoping it will be!

Kuwait Driving lessons part #13 "Spontaneous Backing"

2009-01-08T12:10:00.002+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Spontaneous Backing"

Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon

2009-01-08T12:01:00.002+03:00

BBC

At least three rockets have been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon, raising fears that the current Israeli offensive in Gaza may spill over. Israel's army responded with artillery. It is not clear who fired the rockets, and no-one has yet said they did it.
The exchange came as Israel reportedly launched 60 air strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight, targeting facilities used by the militant Hamas group.
Correspondents say this is a dangerous moment in the current conflict.
The fear in the past few days has been that the violence in Gaza could spread to northern Israel and the Lebanese border area, says the BBC's Mike Sergeant in Jerusalem.
...

continue to the full story here.

Is this what some of you asked for??
An escalation of the war that now might involve Lebanon again?

I think I am getting old

2009-01-07T15:46:00.000+03:00

Not only that I passed 30 for sure now, but there are other signs that make me go hmmm...

1. Losing hair...
Seems to be an unstoppable process that's been going on for quite a while now. I keep my hair very short so you don't see it that much. But I hate pictures of me from behind or from above... looks like I am bald, specially when taken with flash light! So please don't do that to me! :)

2. Grey/White hair...
I don't really mind that... It's not taking over and it makes me look mature and wise. (I hope!)

3. Driving slower!!
That's probably the scariest part yet! I used to race everywhere and kinda took it personal if somebody overtook me... now I drive (almost) normal... 130 on the highway / 60 (if possible) anywhere else...

4. Music
I remember tracks coming out in the years some of my friends were BORN! And also I tend to say:"The original is much better and it was performed by... in ...".

5. Movies
See 4...

6. Knowledge / "Wisdom"
Some of my friends refer to me as ****pedia (first part removed to protect the authors anonymity). But this is actually something I really enjoy! Too bad I can't put it to use in the last board game I was gifted (UK Edition of Trivial Pursuit... too much crap asked for that is too UK specific).
And then there are these moments when you watch news or something and go: "Hold on!!! Didn't this happen before?? Ohh yes!! That was in 19xx in ...!".

7. Stories
The older you get the more stories you can tell... and I fear that my friends have to listen to too many stories of my life! :P
Also a lot of the stories I hear from others I've heard already...

8. School friends
Isn't it amazing what some of your school or even Kindergarden friends are doing now?? Some of them are in senior positions, others made it big and probably retired already and A LOT will have children that are almost legal of age (or at least think they are already). I recently got in touch with a lot of them on something like a German 'Facebook" site... It's amazing what some my friends from back then are doing now or have done in the years between!

9. ...
There are plenty of other things that make my recognice how 'old' I am... some small... some big ...

However... you are always as old as you feel! So I am somewhere in my 20ies... :)

Are you getting old as well?

Kuwait Driving lessons part #12 "Parking"

2009-01-07T12:10:00.002+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Parking"

Tagged to be honest

2009-01-07T10:45:00.001+03:00

I've been tagged by NEOARK
Honest Tag
The rules are simple: write 10 things honestly about your self and tag 7 blogger to do the same.

The rules might be simple but the tag ain't. Anyways... here we go:

1- On a flight from New York to Boston in a tiny ass prop jet I fell asleep drooling right next to one of the hottest women I ever met. Since then I was never lucky again with my seat neighbor on a flight!

2- In front of my boss I pretend to work much more then I really do. Not only to look good and to hope for a raise, but also to have more time to goof off at work!

3- I was afraid of losing my life several times. Once or twice while driving and two times when I was in the military stationed in Croatia and had to go on a convoy thru Bosnia in 1996. But I never feared flights! Even tho I had a near crash experience on a military flight in a C-130. I always start smiling when everyone else in the plane starts to panic.

4- I started smoking Cigarettes in complete secrecy. Not even my closest friends knew for over one year. Now everyone knows I am smoking (too much).

5- I was as tall as I am now when I was 15. 192cm ...

6- I had no clue about Kuwait when I signed the contract to come here other then the amount of money I was going to make and that it was right next to Iraq. It was a pleasant surprise when I walked into the arrival hall at the airport and saw all the fast food and Starbucks. It got even better when I was driven to my apartment with 170km/h listening to RKFM and my Boss telling me that speeding as a foreigner working for the US military is not a really an issue in Kuwait...

7- I don't drink alcohol! Never did (except once in school i took a sip out of a champagne bottle to celebrate the birthday of a girl I had a crush on)! Was never tempted... I have other things that make me happy and smile. But I will drink together with my dad when he will retire. A small beer!

8- When I am out of Kuwait I start missing it after a few days. When I am in Kuwait I complain about it almost every day!

9- The fastest I was ever driving was 318 km/h in an Aston Martin Vanquish S owned by a Kuwaiti who had no clue that I am driving it! Funny enough it was in Kuwait and not in Germany where speeds like this would be legal on some highways. To be exact, it was on Highway 51.

10- I sometimes wish I could turn back time to do things different. Still, I don't really regret the things I did in my life.

I should tag 7 people... fell free to be tagged!
Who I would really like to see doing this is Flaming Carrot! Feel free to do it in comments (traffic fines)...

How cute is this!?!

2009-01-07T07:40:00.001+03:00

Child elopers' Africa plan foiled

Two German children - aged five and six - have been stopped by police from eloping to Africa to tie the knot in the sun, reports say. The budding lovebirds, identified as Mika and Anna-Lena, packed bathing costumes, sunglasses and a lilo and headed for the airport.
They even had the presence of mind to invite along an official witness - Anna-Lena's seven-year-old sister. The three got as far as Hanover railway station before police intervened.

...

Officers persuaded the children they would not get far without tickets and money, but consoled them with a free tour of the police station, where they were shortly picked up by relieved parents. Although any marriage plans have been put on hold for now, police did not altogether rule out the possibility of an African wedding.

"They can still put their plan into action at a later date," AFP quoted the spokesman as saying.

Get the full story here.

Some bad ass beauty queen!

2009-01-06T22:01:00.001+03:00

As you can see Laura Zuniga doesn't really have a bad ass... infact she's got a quite fine one! She is the reigning beauty queen of Sinaloa/Mexico. When she was heading out for a shopping trip with her friends to Bolivia, some evil cops arrested the poor girl.

Get the full story here or here... and at a lot of other places as well!

A New Cigarette Hazard: ‘Third-Hand Smoke’

2009-01-06T15:00:00.000+03:00

By RONI CARYN RABIN
Published: January 3, 2009
New York Times

Parents who smoke often open a window or turn on a fan to clear the air for their children, but experts now have identified a related threat to children’s health that isn’t as easy to get rid of: third-hand smoke.
That’s the term being used to describe the invisible yet toxic brew of gases and particles clinging to smokers’ hair and clothing, not to mention cushions and carpeting, that lingers long after second-hand smoke has cleared from a room. The residue includes heavy metals, carcinogens and even radioactive materials that young children can get on their hands and ingest, especially if they’re crawling or playing on the floor.
...
Among the substances in third-hand smoke are hydrogen cyanide, used in chemical weapons; butane, which is used in lighter fluid; toluene, found in paint thinners; arsenic; lead; carbon monoxide; and even polonium-210, the highly radioactive carcinogen that was used to murder former Russian spy Alexander V. Litvinenko in 2006. Eleven of the compounds are highly carcinogenic.

Taken from here.

I think I just shot me in my own foot with posting this article! OUCH !

"WANATE"

2009-01-06T13:35:00.005+03:00

MacaholiQ8 and mentabolism commented on my last post and I have to share this with you! :)

Here is what MacaholiQ8 had to say:

We call that type of trucks "WANATE" because the first model ever arrived in Kuwait had a license plate with the number "18"...

Which brings up the forumla...

18 = 1-8 = One-Eight = WANEIGHT

Hence the name is WANATE!

AND

mentabolism said...: The wanate is a corruption (sic) of vanette.
The Vanette was a pick up truck which used to be manufactured by Nissan and is popular with the unorganized market.
See a picture here.

I really thank you for sharing this with us!

Kuwait Driving lessons part #11 "Not Easy Rider"

2009-01-06T12:10:00.002+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Not Easy Rider"

Kuwait International Rally Championship 2009

2009-01-06T11:33:00.005+03:00

Kuwait International Rally Championship 2009

5 - 7 March 2009

Rally Program

OPENING DATE FOR ENTRIES

Saturday, 3 January. 2009

DATE OF ISSUING OF RALLY GUIDE

Saturday, 7 February 2009

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES INCLUDING Co DRIVERS DETAILS

Wednesday, 20 February 2009 at 18:00

PUBLICATION OF LIST OF ENTRIES ACCEPTED BY THE ORGANIZER

Thursday, 21 February 2009 at 10:00

REGISTRATION FOR RECONNAISSANCE, COLLECTION OF TIME CARDS AND FITTING OF GPS TRACKING UNITS

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Monday, 2 March 2009

Time: 18:00-20:00

DATE OF ISSUING ROAD BOOK 1 AND MAPS

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Monday, 2 March 2009

Time: 20:00

DATE OF RECONNAISSANCE

Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Time: 08:00 18:00

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Time: 08:00 18:00

DATE OF ISSUING ROAD BOOK 2 AND MAPS

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Time: 20:00

OPENING DATE OF MEDIA ACCREDITATION CENTER

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Time: 10:00 – 20:00

DATE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHECKS

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Time: 16:00-20:00, individual times can be agreed with the Rally Office

DATE OF PRE-RALLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Time: 20:00

SCRUTINEERING - SEALING AND MARKING

Location : Shooting Club

Date: Thursday 5 March 2009

Time: 08:00 – 13:00

Scrutineering will be carried out according to the individual time table as per Article 12 of these regulations.

SHAKEDOWN

There will be no Shakedown at this rally.

FIRST STEWARD'S MEETING

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Thursday 5 March 2009

Time: 14:00

PUBLICATION OF START LISTS FOR VARIOUS LEGS

Location : Official Notice board Rally HQ

Leg 1/Sec 1 Thursday 5 March at 15:00

Leg 1/Sec 2 Thursday 5 March 2009 at TBA

Leg 2 Friday 6 March 2009 at TBA

Ceremonial Start Location : Shooting Club

Date: Thursday 28 February 2008

Time: 16:00

Official start and start of the Super Special

Location : Jaber Al Ahmad Int. Race track

Date: Thursday 5 March 2009

Time: 16:30

PRIZE GIVING

Location : Finish Podium, Shooting Club

Date: Saturday, 7 March 2009

Time: TBA

DATE OF POST EVENT PRESS CONFERENCE

Location : Rally HQ, Shooting Club

Date: Saturday, 7 March 2009

Time: TBA

DATE OF THE FINAL SCRUTINEERING

Location : Shooting Club

Date: Saturday, 7 March 2009

Time: 19:00

PLACE AND TIME OF PUBLICATION OF FINAL PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION Location : Rally HQ, Official Notice Board

Date: Saturday, 7 March 2009

Time: 20:00

OK... anyone wants to sponsor a car for me?? I promise I'll treat it good and return it!!!

I will try to get some more info's and (should I get any) will post them here.

Taken from here! (but a little edited and corrected)

Kuwait Driving lessons part #10 "Middle Of The Road"

2009-01-05T12:11:00.002+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Middle Of The Road"

Back to work

2009-01-04T12:40:00.002+03:00

Today is my first working day in 2009... hurray ... :(
I was supposed to work yesterday already but due to some unforeseen events I couldn't make it.
It's effin cold in my office and the heater doesn't really do anything to change that. The tiles on the floor are so cold that the cold seeps thru my shoes and sends cold shivers thru my body.
Besides the cold there is really nothing new happening... the market for our product is still down and it seems that this will not change within the next few months.
I have this technical guy here from a computer company that is supposed to give me a quote on WLAN hardware for a link to our new office. I told him now 6 times that all he needs to do is give me prices on the hardware I asked for. Still he wants to do a 'site-survey'... No idea why he keeps on insisting to do so even after I told him that there where already 3 guys here and all of them quoted the same hardware independent from each other... But since he made the long way out here I showed him where the stuff needs to go and so on... but when he insisted that I should climb our chimney with him to show him to where the WLAN link is going I refused.
First of all it's effin cold (I think I mentioned that already a few times) and secondly I been up there myself already 3 times and I can guarantee that no buildings have been constructed that could block the clear line of sight after my last climb up there.
I guess he's pissed a little now ... but WTF ... all I want is a quote for hardware!! he's downstairs in his car waiting for 'his big boss' to arrive... I wonder if this guy also wants to climb chimneys with me... I don't want to get unfriendly with him as well. :)
So as for now ... I should have stayed at home!

Kuwait Driving lessons part #9 "Lock-U"

2009-01-04T12:11:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Lock-U"

2009-01-03T20:23:00.004+03:00

Kuwait... the land of sunshine and temperatures above 50 degrees celsius...

Yeah right ... take a look at this:

Taken 6am this morning close to Arifjan.

Despite the warning of my car, there was no ice... yet...

Kuwait Driving lessons part #8 "Honkies"

2009-01-03T12:11:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Honkies"

Kuwait Driving lessons part #7 "High Speed Snake"

2009-01-02T12:11:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"High Speed Snake"

Kuwait Driving lessons part #6 "Gulf Road International Raceway"

2009-01-01T12:15:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Gulf Road International Raceway"

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

2008-12-31T23:59:00.000+03:00

Wish You all the best for 2009 !!!

May it be a year of health, love, success, fun, stability, ...

Kuwait Driving lessons part #5 "Gridlock"

2008-12-31T12:14:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Gridlock"

Kuwait Driving lessons part #4 "Flat Rock"

2008-12-30T12:10:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Flat Rock"

Kuwait Driving lessons part #3 "Flashers"

2008-12-29T12:09:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Flashers"

Kuwait Driving lessons part #2 "Choke 66"

2008-12-28T12:06:00.003+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Choke 66"

Kuwait Driving lessons part #1 "Camels"

2008-12-27T12:01:00.007+03:00

Click on the picture to see it bigger

"Camels"

PS: This is part 1 out of 16! So come back everyday around 12:30 PM to see the new ones...

Kuwait Cartoons

2008-12-27T11:54:00.001+03:00

I am about to start a series of cartoons that are portraying life in Kuwait from the perspective of an American contractor living here in 2003-2004.
Unfortunately I am not blessed with painting skills ... but therefore I have Internet! :)
I found these a few years back and kind of forgot about them. Now I would love to give credit to the original artist but I have no clue who/where he is.
Anyways ... give me the credit for showing them and him the credits of making them ... :)

I would like to ...

2008-12-20T15:15:00.000+03:00

... post some pictures and stuff ... but my 'create post' page is not loading correctly ... anyone else got the same problem?!?

Where to BBQ in Kuwait

2008-12-07T13:30:00.003+03:00

I BBQ'ed at home on my balcony, on the beach front in Salmiya, in a 'traditional' tent, on Kubbar Island, at various chalets... but somehow I haven't found the perfect spot yet.
i was thinking about going to Muttla Ridge for a change. Trying to find a spot where you can see downtown Kuwait (if the weather lets you) and the sea. Or maybe somewhere towards Bubyan Island on the beach (I could fish at the same time...)?

Where is your favourite BBQ place in Kuwait?!?
And what's your favourite BBQ food?? (and can I have the recipe please?!?!)

Such a generous Employer!

2008-12-06T16:03:00.002+03:00

Not only do I get the two days off for Eid (Monday and Tuesday) but noooo... I get to go home 2 hours early tomorrow...

WOW !!

Anyways... Happy Eid !!

5000 +

2008-12-06T09:31:00.001+03:00

I know ... small number for some of you but for me it's a lil success!

Get In Terms With It!

2008-12-04T09:46:00.002+03:00

free⋅dom [free-duhm] - noun: The power or right to act, speak or think as one wants WITHOUT hindrance or restraint

Do not oppress bloggers for they seek freedom,
Do not harass bloggers for they seek support,
Do not verbally abuse bloggers for they expect respect.

We don't mind criticism. We enjoy your feedback's and comment almost all the time. But resorting to personal attacks and threats is not acceptable. Thinking that you have a say over what topics we can and cannot post is delusional thinking, you do not have a say when it comes to that.

Blogging is fun, let's keep it that way.

Stolen from here.
had some problems with the arbic part so i took it out ... :)

Wataniya followed!!

2008-12-03T14:59:00.004+03:00

After Zain and Viva, Wataniya now followed!!
I just received a message from them stating that all incoming call (local and international) are without charges for the called person!

Here is what it says:

"Dear Customer,
Wataniya is proud to accompany you into Kuwait's new telecommunication era in which all your incoming National and International calls are free!"

I LIKE !!!! :)

New phone?!?!

2008-12-02T14:08:00.003+03:00

I want a new phone!
I currently have the Nokia E90 and I am not happy with it anymore... Maps stopped working properly (and yes... i do have a valid subscription), generally slow in response, ...
i never had a mobile phone that was not Nokia... if I remember right, my first one was a 2110 (back in '95!)... loved it!! Simple and indestructible!
Ok ... today I obviously expect more from a phone then what I did back then...
So now... should I take the step and try another brand?? I am thinking of an IPhone 3G or maybe another Nokia... maybe the N97 that was just introduced...
Maybe you can give me some alternatives to my current E90... it should have bluetooth, GPS, WLAN, 3G or 3.5G, Quad Band and maybe UMTS, a decent cam for pics and video, compatible with MS Outlook, BIIIIIG memory for music and stuff, ... well ... in short .... I want the meanest mobile on the market! Any ideas?!?!

I stumbbled over this ...

2008-12-01T13:59:00.003+03:00

Funny how they emphasize the experience with Volvo Vehicles in his past ... he never did work for Volvo before!! I hope all the Volvo owners made sure that their spare parts are really new and not some used crap! And if you are a female Volvo owner ... don't give too much on his flirting ... he does that with every woman that's not out of his sight by the count of three.
Anyways ... Volvo got smarter now ... even though they should have seen it long time ago ...

Taken from the Arab Times Online. See the full article with picture here.

P.S. Can you tell that I really don't want him to stay in Kuwait and continue with his bullshit!?

Don't you ever learn ?!?

2008-12-01T13:14:00.006+03:00

Who used to be a good friend of mine long time ago got fired AGAIN...

He was caught stealing used tires from his employer and there was another issue of using the company driver to take care of his personal bullshit... (Volvo / Kuwait)
Before he was fired, being the GM, for making promises he couldn't keep / bad mouthing the CEO in public, with suppliers and customers / abusive language against the owners daughter / trying to take the business away from the owner and jump to another employer to continue the same crap just for better money / basically for not performing at all... (Wiesmann and Nano Refinement / Kuwait)
Before that he was fired for not working together with the rest of the management / for making deals at the side with customers and suppliers / bad mouthing his company / for not keeping his work times / for failing to put in reports / for fooling customers / for not complying to standard company procedures... (Aston Martin / Kuwait)
Before that I think he was fired as well ... but I don't know the reason ... but I bet you it went along with all the other Jobs he had... (Mercedes Benz Trucks / Kuwait)
Before that he was fired for not performing / bad mouthing / racial comments / and a few other things ... (Oshkosh Trucks / Kuwait)
Before that he left Germany with a few thousand Euro debt that the German Government would still like to collect from him ...

It's unbelievable how little you learned within the few years that I know you...
2 years ago I would have done as much as I can to find you something. Now, being smarter and having my fingers burned on you, I hope no one makes the mistake of hiring you again. Kuwait is small ... very small in fact... and you caused enough damage for the little German community that we are here! You ruin our reputation with your non existing ethics... Besides that ... there are not too many Car Dealerships left in Kuwait who don't know you! I think you are trying with Bebehani right now?! Good luck ... because if I know whats going on with you ... they should know as well!

And I better not start with your private bullshit that you fabricated in less then 5 years!!!
I just hope that you treat N. the way you are supposed too and you are not playing games like you did before!

Sayonara *** !!

P.S.: Sorry to everyone except *** ... just had to vent out a little ...

I am very tempted ...

2008-11-30T11:54:00.002+03:00

... to do the same:

Dear J.
Thanks so much for meeting me this morning. I know your time is precious so just a quick note to clarify my position. Sadly (and I think you know what's coming), I've decided not to take up your offer of more money and a new Peugeot. Actually, I'd rather like to spit on your offer of more money and a new Peugeot. You've got balls; I'll give you that. But what's the point of having big balls if you've only got a weenie bat (Janet told the whole office). What sort of idiot do you think I am to even consider accepting your trifling gesture, this pittance, this worst of kind of tokenism?
Anyway, take this as written notice. I'm off; outta here, following my yellow brick road (in a Mercedes Convertible) to pastures new and greener. I'm going to a bigger agency (don't ask me where - I don't need a reference) who are paying me even more money and who are kindly providing me with a whopper of an expenses account. Job satisfaction? Who needs it? Haven't you read The Bonfire of the Vanities? They're giving me a clothes allowance, a season ticket for Stamford Bridge and free corporate gym membership. Salubrious stuff I'm sure you'll agree.
And so, at last, I must bid you a fond adieu. I'll miss your long-winded internal memos intensely although I'll never forgive you for sending me so few of them. Finally, I would certainly recommend a deodorant to you but I don't care enough. I wish you all the best for the future.
Kind Regards

Why did you resign?
I was offered another job with a better car than my boss's

What are you going to do next?
Going to work for a competitor who is going to double my salary

Find more hilarious resignation letters and advise on http://www.i-resign.com/uk/home/

CONGRATULATION ALLAH HAS CHOOSE YOU TO HELP THE POOR

2008-11-30T11:11:00.003+03:00

From: Habib Mohammed [habib_mohamedchambers@yahoo.com]
To: me and probably shit loads of other people
Subject: CONGRATULATION ALLAH HAS CHOOSE YOU TO HELP THE POOR

FROM THE DESK OF BARRISTER
HABIB MOHAMMED LAW CHAMBERS
LEGAL SOLICITORS/PRIVATE
LAW 15 JALAN TELUK DATAI
KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA
PHONE +60132642260

ASSALAMUALAIKUM ,

Your e-mail address came up in a random draw conducted by my law firm, HABIB MOHAMMED Law Chambers in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
My name is HABIB MOHAMMED MAHMUUD (Esq.) A personal attorney to our late client Mr. ABDUL SAAZ who worked with an oil firm in Malaysia, Mr. ABDUL SAAZ a well known Philanthropist, before he died, he made a Will in our law firm stating that $7M (Seven million U.S. dollars only) should be donated to any Philanthropist of our choice outside Malaysia (Overseas.)
The beneficiary of the Will as stated by our late client is deceased. Paragraph 3, page 7 of the Will had a clause in the Will which give us the express right to appoint a beneficiary by way of a balloting system ,we conducted a random draw which was supervised by the ministry of justice and the bank that holds the money, and your e-mail address was picked as the beneficiary to this Will.
I am particularly interested in securing this money from the Bank, because they have issued a notice instructing my chamber to produce the beneficiary of this Will within two weeks which happens to be you or else the money will be credited to the Government treasury as per law here.

Upon taking custody of the funds, it is compulsory that you donate 60% of the total Estate value to charity. This is clearly stated in the Will by our late client while you retain 40% for yourself.

It is my utmost desire to execute the Will of our late client. You are required to contact me immediately to start the process of transferring this money to any of your designated official account. I urge you to contact me immediately for further details bearing in mind that the Bank has given us a date limit please contact me urgently.
CONGRATULATIONS,
Regards,
BARRISTER, HABIB MOHAMMED MAHMUUD Esq.
ENDEAVOR TO USE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED

One more email from the Barrister guys... wonder how much money they actually make with these bullshit emails! I bet you they life quite good from the stupidness of others!!
Anyways ... by not responding to this email my money would go to the government treasury... so herewith i give aaaaaallll that money to Malaysia! have fun spending it! :)

Speechless ...

2008-11-29T10:33:00.002+03:00

Boston.com The Big Picture
November 28, 2008

Mumbai under attack
Late Wednesday night, Mumbai, India found itself the target of a ferocious terrorist attack, and the situation remains unresolved even now, three days later. According to reports, upwards of 60 young men entered Mumbai in small inflatable boats on Wednesday night, carrying bags filled with weapons and ammunition, and spread out to nine locations to begin their attacks. Lobbing grenades and firing their weapons, they entered hotels, a railway station and several other buildings, killing scores and wounding even more. As of this moment, the identity of the attackers has yet to be definitively determined, though there are reports indicating some of the gunmen were Pakistani - at least nine of them have been killed, nine more arrested. As of this writing, there were a reported 151 people killed from 11 different countries - though nearly 100 were Indian. More than 300 injuries have also been reported - those numbers may yet rise as several hostage situations still exist in the city. (35 photos total)

More links and information
Indian Forces Battle Pockets of Militants - NYTimes.com 11/28
Virginia man, daughter among Mumbai terror victims - Boston.com 11/28
Mumbai Attack Sites - NYTimes.com graphic
November 2008 Mumbai attacks - up-to-date current event Wikipedia entry

Wish me luck ...

2008-11-26T10:15:00.003+03:00

... tomorrow from 9am onwards! Let's try this intercessory prayer thingy that ktdp was talking about!
Going for an interview that could make my worklife in Kuwait interesting and fun again!
I can't stand my current Job any longer... I feel like puking on my bosses desk every day!
I never worked for someone with such low moral and dignity! He is the Kuwaiti that all expats like to discribe if we want to portrait a bad picture of Kuwait...
I am sooooo looking forward to turn in my resignation!! And especially the reasons that I will put in there! :)

I feel like I am naked ...

2008-11-25T10:34:00.007+03:00

... without it!

I left my home without it this morning when going to work and can't get it back till this afternoon. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!

What a stupid typo I had in the posts name ...

Farewell Z!

2008-11-24T12:19:00.003+03:00

My good friend Z will leave Kuwait tonight.
I wish her all the best in her new life in the US with her soon to be husband.
May she find as many friends like she found over here and never lose her smile!
I'll miss you but I am happy for you that you finally made your wish come true to leave Kuwait and to be with your love!

One more in Kuwait ...

2008-11-23T13:18:00.000+03:00

... already here! Wiesmann MF4 ...

So sad...

2008-11-23T11:04:00.003+03:00

RESPECTED SIR,
THIS IS ATUL ***** ******, BROTHER OF BABALU ****** WHO IS WORKING IN YOUR COMPANY. I AM A SOFTWARE ENGINEER IN IFFCO FOUNDATION.BEFORE TWO DAYS I WAS COMMUNICATE WITH MY BROTHER,HE WAS TELLING ME THAT DUE TO MARKET BAD CONDITION,YOU ARE RETURNING ALL THE EMPL0YEES. SIR, I AM REQUESTING YOU TO PLEASE CARE TO MY BROTHER, HE HAS NOT DONE ANY THING FOR HIS OWN, HE SPENT ALL THE MONEY FOR MY STUDY. SINCE BEFORE FIVE MONTHS I HAVE JOINED IN IFFCO FOUNDATION, DUE TO THIS I CAN'T CALL IN MY COMPANY, BUT AFTER SOME TIME I WILL CALL HIM, BEFORE THIS PLEASE STAY MY BROTHER IN YOUR COMPANY. SIR, THERE IS NO ONE WHO UNDERSTAND MY PROBLEM, PLEASE CARE TO MY PITIABLE CONDITION, TRY TO STAY MY BROTHER IN YOUR COMPANY.I WILL EVER PRAY FOR YOU FOR THIS WORK. SINCE MY BROTHER ALWAYS PRAISE YOU AND HE WANTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU BUT DUE TO LACK OF ENGLISH, HE DOESN'T COMMUNICATE WITH YOU.AT LAST, I AM AGAIN REQUESTING YOU, PLEASE GIVE SOME TIME TO STAY MY BROTHER IN YOUR COMPANY, I WILL EVER PRAY FOR YOU FOR THIS WORK.
THANKS & REGARDS
ATUL ***** ******
SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Ok ... here is the deal. My company is effected big time by the worlds financial crisis. Prices for our product dropped by over 60%. So in order to keep the company running we had to stop working in two shifts and therefore had to send quite a lot of people back to India... These are the kind of letters you are getting asking you to keep them or their family members employed.

IF I COULD DO SOMETHING, I WOULD !!!

I owe you ...

2008-11-22T13:38:00.004+03:00

... some pictures of my latest family member. So here they are:

If anyone has an idea what breed this might be ... please tell me!! :)

Soon in Kuwait ...

2008-11-22T12:57:00.002+03:00

IF ... someone wants to have it! It's a Wiesmann MF5 ... 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds without doing anything to it. Driven by a BMW M5 engine... Would love to see it participating in the next Gulf Run!

Let me know and I'll give you a price.

Call of Duty: World at War

2008-11-15T11:28:00.005+03:00

I was waiting for the release of Call of Duty: World at War (or CoD5) for quite a long time .... Finally it's here!
I bought the PS3 version on Wednesday and I was thru with the game on Thursday afternoon...
I played it in 'Veteran' difficulty just to see what the game is like and to unlock the levels.
It is GREAT! I was hoping for a much longer single player game but then again it has some very very pretty graphics. It is using the same engine that CoD4 was using with different textures of course and much much better maps. Your are playing the story of two soldiers.
A Russian that is fighting the Germans that are portrayed really evil and bad in this game (and some of them were in reality as well). You are accompanied by some Russian commander who's pushing his soldiers to be just as bad as the Germans are. In one scene he is asking you to shoot 3 German soldiers who surrendered. I refused to do it so he threw a Molotov Cocktail (one of the available weapons being a Russian) on them!
The other soldier is a US Marine that is fighting the Japanese. They are also shown as real savages and attack you several times with banzai (suicide) attacks. Traps are waiting for your comrades laid by the Japanese and they are very deadly. The US Marines are behaving 'good' in the story, meaning they do not kill POW's or other ridiculous stuff. BUT... they are putting a really gruesome weapon to use ... the flame thrower!

They throw some actual film footage from both fronts into the game in between the levels. Very graphic ones as well... German officers being executed ... burned Japanese soldiers ...

It's definitely nothing you should let your kids play though since it's very graphic when it comes to injuries and killing people. Specially with a flamethrower, grenade or a heavy machine gun. No wonder it is rated 18+ !!! But I guess that's what makes it even more interesting for the kids...

I am looking forward to play it on the PC in my favourite "Game Center" since there is a new 4 player coop mode! You are going thru the same story as in the single player mode... just with your friends by your side. Also the multi player maps seem to be quite cool! They are big and have real nice graphics. Vehicles are back in the game! So you can take control of a tank with your buddy mounting the MG in the turret.

Call me a weirdo ... but I like Ego Shooters that are as real as possible ... and CoD: World at War is!!

BTW...

Two of the screenshots are NOT from some video scene!

They were made during game play !!!

For all you tech Guru's out there!

2008-11-12T16:05:00.002+03:00

I would need your help on this one ...

How can I combine serveral (at the moment two) Internet connections in ONE gateway!?

What I am trying to do is to get my Windows 2003 SBS to use two Zain Ego Routers for connecting to the Internet...

Any ideas?!?!

Time to use your Nokia Barcode Reader ...

2008-11-12T16:01:00.000+03:00

Still too slow .... Need more speed!

2008-11-12T09:09:00.002+03:00