Lately I've been pondering my thoughts around helping others in the field I am expertise (well, sort of... In my humble opinion, no one can claim they are expert in a certain field). I love computers and anything related to software, hardware and operating systems. I myself have 3 computers (2 desktops and one laptop) and planning to buy one by august when DELL releases it's new range of laptops with new processors.

 

Forgive me for my geek talks. I am geek by nature and I am lost when I talk about anything other than gadgets and technology (oh yeah, nature is another topic I can talk endlessly).

 

Having this many computers of which one might become disposable by august when I get myself another one gave me an wonderful idea. Definitely, I am not the only crazy in this country and so there will be definitely lots of people who are willing to give away their old computers (PIV, PIII) for free.

 

So, this is my idea (still in conceptual level)... Why don't I collect those computers, do minor replacements if ever required and donate to people out there in mission field? Well, it sounds fantastic, but there is one huge hurdle to overcome. The replacement components requires finance (which to a certain degree I can handle it by myself). Most importantly the logistics involved. That's huge so far.

 

Yeah, I know you are asking about the software costs (like operating system, word processors, etc). Well, I can't be thankful enough to the open source community for giving away the operating systems and softwares free of cost (no licensing). Because of their sweat and generosity, those needy kids will be toying and learning with cutting edge operating systems and softwares.

 

I personally use open source softwares (including the operating system- Gnu/Linux) and I have to tell ya, they are amazing. I can't understand people shelling out crazy big bucks to borrow softwares from the companies (well, borrow is the right term when it comes to proprietary softwares and media materials such as DVD, CD because you never own them... Logically, If you own them, then you have complete freedom to do whatever you wish with that piece of your purchase. Since you are not allowed to do that... well, you never own them). Instead, I donate some money (whichever I can) to that particular open source community and use their open source & free (in freedom and price) softwares.

 

Sorry for getting back into my geek talks again. Our church is involved in mission works in Africa (Uganda especially) and there are lots of students studying in schools without computers (Unbelievable that they study computer subjects without computers). The discussions so far haven't been fruitful with no one willing to step up regarding logistics issues. I haven't spoken to my pastor yet (he is not keeping well for past 3 weeks) and that's my agenda next week when I meet him.

 

Well, in coming weeks (next 4 weeks) that's going to be my task. I will give regular updates regarding my crazy idea whenever I can. God bless you all. Have a great day & life ahead.

Finally the signs of winter have arrived and I am so excited to visit places since it's just around 25 degrees during winter. I guess you all know that we have only two climates here in the place where I live for past 4 years. They are summer (normal day time temp will be 48 and night temp will be 43 degrees Centigrade) and Winter (Min temp will be 4 degrees; inside deserts and max will be 25s).

 

My ususal exploration starts on Winter beginning (next month will be the ideal winter here coz right now it's in transition phase from one climate to another). I spend most week ends visiting places and taking photographs. After being idle for about 6 months, finally my camera will have some purpose... the next whole 5 months is going to be entertaining. This time I have planned to go into desert and shoot pictures... I've bought new pair of lenses, one 300mm and another 150mm and so this time I will have even more fun.

 

I guess I've become more geeky thanks to my office works and my personal works for past 1 year. I realized that when a girl told me that I am running short of topics on anything else except computers. Mann.... I need a break. Anyway, it's not end of the world... First thing first: I am visiting India (my motherland... wow I love that word) on January (actually my original plan was on december, but I am needed here for the finishing touch for the project and the launch, so it kind of got postponned).

 

I have lots of places to visit in my country (I haven't seen 98% of places in my country... mainly due to language problem... not everyone speaks english and I don't speak their languages.... its like each state has it's own language... now you can understand why I am reluctant... but this time I am determined... with help of some other friends who knows more languages to travel inside india...)

 

So... that's pretty much happening with me here at the moment apart from work. Nothing is of current, but all future plans.

 

Hope your lives are enlightning and wonderful.

 

See you all later

Adios.

Hi Amigos,

 

After long intervel finally I am here. There are numerous blogs to catch up and numerous things to share.

 

Past 5 months (or less than that) has been really busy (well, not daily - I did have some days off) with many activities together starting from trips to couple of middle east countries regarding projects, sickness (same old sickness), laziness and so on. Also, after starting the other technical blog, I am tied up with it, writing technical articles, giving suggestions to solve others problems, etc and etc.

 

But I did miss Space Live, so here I am back. I believe everyone had wonderful time (and some bad time) with yourself, friends, relatives and family. I was in constant touch with Tina, my mom Gail and occasionally in touch with Cassie and Shelley. Completing my one year with this company, now I am looking forward for my vacation. First I thought i'd take summer vacation, but then I didn't want to travel to Eurpean country either. I am a person who like cold climate and so I postpond my vacation to December.

 

I have applied for 45 days leave from December first week till January 2nd week.

 

So far, after lots of surfing and re-planning, I've decided to go straight home on first week, then my native (it's a town), meet my childhood friends, college friends, college lecturers, ex-collegues before heading for Maldives for 5 days, Tibet for 3 days and then possibly London to meet a friend of mine or else, will spent rest of the vacation in India, visiting other place I have never visited before.

 

This vacation I've planned something which I have never done before.... buying a house for myself.

 

Two weeks back my friend along with his family was here in dubai for some shopping and it was nice to meet him after 5 and half years. It's all weird to meet your childhood friends after long time since there is no more childish behavior attached to any of them and the past doings appears silly and funny most time. Anyway, after spending 3 good days with him and his family, it felt nice.

 

Now that summer is started here (about 46 degree C during day time and 42 degree C at night), except for some odd days out roaming, I am at home mostly. It's nothing new for me anyway, but I hate it. I have to wait for another 3 months for this climate to change anyway.

 

This time, I guess I will be in constant touch with blogs.

 

Until next few days, god bless all of you.

Love & Regards, Me.

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband.

Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!

There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights.

There is, however, a catch. ... You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. .

On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord.

******************************************************

The second floor sign reads:

Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.

******************************************************

The third floor sign reads:

Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are extremely good looking.

" Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

******************************************************

She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead good looking and help with the housework.

"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

******************************************************

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:

******************************************************

Floor 6 - You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please.

Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!

Well, it seems that I will never be same again. But at least I can be in touch with all my beloved amigos isn't it?

Lately, for about 4 months now, I was bit by blog bug which sucks the blog desire of a person (be careful about this bug... it's deadly) and I am yet to recover.

 

Also, I am not in touch with mama gail for long time. But lately another one msn space buddy had added to my msn messenger and she is Tina (Coffemate Corner Tina). Well, she is another best blogger i know who has the same problem... with blog bugs. Anyway, now I am in touch with her on daily basis after 9pm on my place. It's exactly 12 hours difference between me and her. I mean, it's time for me to go to bed when she wakes up for the day and vice versa. But, since I sleep really late (as late as 2:30 A.M), I get to chat with her daily.

 

So, apart from her, I am not in touch with any of my blog buddies. First, I thought about sending Invitation to join MSN messenger list to Cassie, Shelley and Abs, but then i gave up the idea coz they may not like it. Let me know if I can invite you. I have time to say at least a 'hi' in messenger if not long chat. I like dropping in and saying a hi to my buddies.

 

After long time, I caught my mother (gail) online, but then my niece Bella gave her some work and then she had to leave chat to take care of her... Mama... you never came back.

 

Well, if you wanted to know what I was up to for past 2 weeks, nothing much except my regular geek stuffs. I've become almost an Linux/Open Source evangelist, but I wish I have the same passion for Bible and God, I would have become an amazing preacher. Well, maybe the day is not far :-)

 

I attended one of my friends' wedding on March 01 in Le Meridian here in Dubai. It was a grand wedding and we had quite good time. I met some of my very old buddies (Tina – not the coffematte tina), her sister after long time and most importantly, I spoke to her (well, we had a small clash and we don't call each other for past 8 months) and her husband. Ouch!!! she is pregnant for second time and this time she has put on considerable weight. She was perfect till he first child, hope she don't get too fat.

 

Thursday our church youth band got a chance to perform for half and hour in the colleges event here in Dubai and it was wonderful coz most of the students are non-christians. i am working on the band website now since we don't want to loose the start we've got.

 

Meanwhile, I've signed up an account at 'Multiply', community blog site, introduced by Tina (my online buddy). It might surprise you how am I gonna maintain that blog when I am irregular to my only other blog. Well, they have this facility of pulling blogs from MSN Space so that I don't have to write anything.

 

As of now, it has all my MSN Space blogs and Pictures. I will set it up slowly.

 

And, I am taking this Open Source outreach seriously and I am going to revamp my rhonald.com website to include blogs and keep writing blogs about Open Source and Linux. Well, since it's technical, i might write regularly.

 

Apart from these, SORRY FOR NOT VISITING my sweetest friends. Well, If you don't mind me inviting you as MSN Messenger buddies, let me know. I can at least say a 'hi' on daily basis on messenger.

 

Have great day.
God bless you.
Adios.

Oh yeah, I know I am getting too technical in my past two blogs… But I am sure you can bear me for this one which I thought about sharing.

Well, it’s about the owning a desktop/laptop without much spending and being totally legal with the products you have in it.

 

I remember the budget I put for buying software not long back until I start looking around and educated myself about Open Source, Linux based products.

 

I have news for you. I own a laptop, 2 desktops with absolutely ‘0’ investment on products (of course, depends on what product you want). Oh no, don’t get me wrong, I don’t use pirated softwares. I don’t bother people using pirated software’s of some products because of the unjustifiable price the software companies charge.

 

I know most of you people are so reluctant to try anything other than Uncle ‘Bill’s products. But I feel I have to give a little detail on what I learnt and I use for my daily use.

 

I work on Microsoft platform at office and my company buys the product so I don’t have to pay anything. But when it comes to my personal, I don’t rely on Microsoft platform at all. So, I decided to switch to Linux. I started the effort by switching to Open Source & Free (Not all the Open Source are necessarily to be free of cost) equivalent products in Windows year back and now I am completely in Open Sourced & Freely available products.

 

First I replaced my Internet Explorer with Mozilla Firefox and then quit from using Microsoft Word and start using Open Office (sure they are not as flashy as Office 2007, but what’s the point? At the end of the day, it’s just for my typing and some formatting… It satisfies most of the hardcore typing people with its extensive options that match Office 2003). Being satisfied with this, I switched from IIS to Apache for my programming and from ASP.NET to Perl and SQL 2005 to MySQL.

 

I don’t use Email client, I prefer checking my mail online and so I don’t have issues over that. Now, after a year of using these software and get used to it, I decided to switch to Linux completely (I use partially since last 4 years though). Oh yeah, I forgot to mention about Torrent software too. In windows I used BitComet and in Linux I have BitTorrent.

 

I like the Novell SuSE Linux distribution so much and I downloaded the SuSE Linux 10.1 from their website. It’s one DVD ISO Image which I can burn in a DVD and use it. There is a much popular distribution called Ubuntu, but I prefer Novell’s since I know this company since my school (We had Novell’s netware during those days).

 

Installation is far easier than Windows XP (I swear, since windows doesn’t recognize a damn hardware in my laptop and I didn’t have to install a single driver for linux in my laptop, it recognized all by itself) and 80% of the softwares comes in it by default. Email Client, Chat Client, Browsers (Linux doesn’t rely on single browser), OpenOffice, Firewall, IDE for my perl development, Apache web server, MySQL Database Server, Music players, DVD Players, CD/DVD Authoring tools, Photo manager, Photo editor (GIMP or GIMPShop that matches Adobe Photoshop) & so on.

 

But mp3 and certain video formats are not enabled out of box due to patent issues. I had to work out on this area, but it’s not that pain. Since I have broad band, I found the repository where I can get these plug-ins and within an hour, I had my robust, trouble-free dashing desktop that satisfies all (most of) my needs.

 

Only problem is that there isn’t much games available for Linux at the moment, things are changing slowly though.

 

I am not saying anything to anyone, but people who can’t afford spending money constantly, please feel free to check out some linux distributions, or free softwares that are available for Windows too (most linux free softwares are available in windows too). You may save some bucks for something else more useful.

 

Well, at least you can give that money to your church or some poor next door.

 

If you want to give a shot, there are some Live CD (Whole operating system that runs from a CD instead of getting installed in a PC, but of course, performance is so slow, but you can check out and get used to it.) you can try.

 

Ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com – for help, just type Ubuntu help in google, you’ll get millions of help on anything). Ubuntu is a very famous, leading linux distribution for desktops.
openSuSE (http://www.novell.com/products/opensuse/) from Novell, second leader linux distribution.

 

 

OpenOfice (www.openoffice.org – replacement of Microsoft Office)
GIMP (www.gimp.org – replacement of Adobe Photoshop for Image Editing)
Firefox (www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ - replacement of Internet Explorer)
Thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/ - replacement of Outlook)

 

 

Take care, save money, God bless you.

Hi,

I am back to my routine after the rocking 4 days off, spending with my cousins and friends at Dubai. The New Year this time was with my family members rather than my friends as in every year. I usually don’t feel that comfortable joking and mingling with lots of elders in crowd, but this time it was a bit different and everybody is so surprised to see me joking and pulling everyone’s legs by teasing them.

 

All that most of the elders out there had to say was “I can’t believe that you could be so funny”. Well, I guess this is one of the effects of me being a geek. I look so calm, quiet and boring all time and it’s so unusual for people to see me going high in excitement with laughs and jokes.

 

The first day went off with me catching up with my youth group buddies at church, having some fun, music and photographs and then back to Dubai to meet my other, Syrian, Pilipino friends and then back to my cousin’s home getting settled.

 

The second day, me, along with my cousin’s and their family friends went for a park called Zaabeel here in Dubai (You won’t believe that it’s some sort of desert country – I’ve posted pictures). We had good day there playing, joking, catching up with old stories and so on.

 

The third day was New Years’ eve and we met at night with cousins and their friends, had some fun, jokes, quizzes for kids, games for adults and then New Year wishes, cake and dinner at early morning 1.

 

Then today, we had church, cool games, debate between elders and youth (the topics are ‘is dating a Christian way’ and ‘is tattoos and piercing okay’). The first topic they won by the clear definition of what they mean by ‘date’ and what they don’t permit as a conduct of a good Christian when meeting a girl whom he is interested.

 

The second topic, we won by aggression but however we were explained to have a line which we can’t cross. Well, it’s big debate and so I can’t type everything here. But anyway, we had good debate, then some games and then breakfast for the whole church with us catching up with new faces of church.

 

After the church, we went to pastor’s house and took some time rest before going out for lunch and then a movie and finally, I parted from them and came back to my ‘Home sweet Home – Abu Dhabi’.

 

I hope you all had blast new year. God Bless you all.
Adios.

First, I am so sorry for my long time disapearance. I was on leave for 5 days (finally, I got the leave) for 2 reasons. 1. my friend's wedding, 2. youth event at my church combined with another curch uth. 

I gotta say, it's quite rocking the whole 5 days. I hardly slept (I guess, I need a break from my break), but still was energetic the whole 5 days until yesterday where I felt extreme sleepy coming back to office and so my christmas day is gonna be sleepy (I woke up just 10 minutes back and it's half day of christmas over already). 

I have posted the pictures on the side (yeah, finally I have posted pictures). There will be lots of albumns missing since those are old and I've deleted them all (msn space suck... they don't have any facility to delete the whole albumn and so I had to open each albumn and delete pictures one by one). 

 How is the christmas going? It's boring here for me since most of my friends ran out of fuel by the end of Youth conference and we are having peaceful christmas and also I have no friends here where I stay, so I am at home, planning to go for lunch outside in another 1 hour and then my sisters house and then for a movie and then back to home to watch a hindi movie which I downloaded days back. Sparing couple of phone calls, this is my christmas... Yeah.. I know it sucks.. But never had good christmas bashing since i came to this country. 

 Hmm... I thought about splitting the blog since it's gonna be a long one; but then decided against it and so you are gonna read a long one (if you continue to read) according to my standards. 

First, I have one big complaint against travelling... I gotta carry at least 3 bags... One my laptop, the next camera and then my stuffs... I hate that... Planning to buy a huge backpack and make all the three into one thus less bags while travelling. I look like a cliffhanger otherwise. 

Well, between the rush of my project launch, my departure from Abu Dhabi was not like what I liked to be. But anyhow, I reached Sharjah by night along with my cousin and had a good sleep there after watching a tamil movie. 

The next day, first I left home and reached Chris, Cal & Rach's home. Rach & Chris were not there, but Calvin was. I put all my stuff, transfered some files to and fro (exchange) and then we made few phone calls to make our plan for the day. Then we both sat for a movie (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)... lot's of swearing... gosh... when will they stop swearing in movies? Gotta strictly censor these excess swearings in movies. 

The movie was not that great, but anyway we killed 2 hours and finally christopher arrived from his exams and we left home in another 1 hour, by 1:45pm. We reached CityCentre by 2:15pm. Watching a movie was one of the agenda of the day. First, we have to do the shopping. 

The show was at 2:30 (Eragon) and so for sure we can't go for the movie and then shopping since we put the whole suit thing under risk because it may require adjustments and we might run out of time since it's wedding the next day and I am the Best man. 

So, we decided to go for 4:30 show and started shopping. We checked 2 shops, starting from Debanhams (I was amazed that they didn't have black suit) and then I finished my suit in the next shop (I have the principle of choosing the first best I see coz I hate spending hours at looking for things like others do). I finished buying suit in 20 minutes and gave for minor adjustment. 

For the next things, I know the location and so we directly went to Giordano. I got my white shirt & etc there and the guys did some shopping there too. Spending 15 minutes there we left for next shop looking for a leather jacket for Christopher for the concert. Cool... for the first time, we church guys are doing a concert. 

We checked into shops until 4:15 and decided to have our lunch (well it's quite late I know), but then it's too late for the 4:30 since it's open ticket. So, we picked up stuffs from there and got into the theatre. The movie was not that exciting as Lord of the Rings and I could see Lord of the Rings having lots of impact on this movie. 

After the movie, I left those guys and headed home. Between the traffic, I reached my cousin's place where I stay for the day in 1 hour (it's just 12 kilometers in fact). Morning I left home and joined Christopher, Calvin and other guys to Wedding Hall. The rest of the day until 6pm went for arranging things, setting up guitars, little practice for the guys & girls. Evening I got dressed up for the Best man. The wedding started with wedding march at 7pm. It was am amazing wedding and it's good couple, both are funny people having tons of humor inside them. 

After a little dull start with most of the crowd being elders, it got electrically charged with presence of our church youth and our close guys as time went by. To cut short the long day which I've kept for another blog, we had really great time along with  the couple until early morning 3:30 not leaving them to sleep and have private time. Then we left their hotel room, hiding alarms in space of every one hour. 

Once the wedding was over, now it;s time to worry about the concert and so the guys started preparing big time for concert. Me, travelling up and down from Sharjah & Dubai for various reason finally settled in Sharjah Church hall where the settings are taking place. We guys spent the whole night with little or no sleep arranging things along with the hired people. We left home at 7:30 morning, had a brief sleep, got dressed and left to the church. 

I got a volunteer tag to get close to the stage for photographs. There were lots of last minute registrations and the youth crowd added upto 500 people roughly when the even started. DJ started his work right from 8am until 10:15 am, time for our concert. Guys spread over the stage setting things quickly while Shaan doing the talking and gettting the crowd engaged. In 10 minutes things were set and the event started. 

The first part of the concert (first 30 minutes) was not that excitingle among the crowd since there was a little problem with the sound system which suppressed the vocals a lot. But when the band came out for after the break and the adjusted sounds, the crowd gone mad. It's great to see there are these many youth willing to come for a christian event. The band went on for another 60 minutes before they hung up their instruments, tired. 

 After some talking by shaun (Pastor of Church United) to keep the crowd engaged, the girls started their dance. The dance was really cool with little preparation. Some guys & girls were invited for freestyle to the stage after the dance and before lunch time. Not bad, we have some good people who does freestyle. 

After an hour break for lunch we came back for the next set of events, freestyle dance. We've invited the UAE freestyle guys and they were good enough to come for a church youth conference. Next 15 minutes were stunning with those guys doing their freestyle. Once it's over, the Church United worship team came to the stage and the crowd started from where they left. This time they are really wild dancing, jumping and screaming. 

After repeated demands for more songs, the worship team went on for about an hour before our pastor came for his message. The message was about smoke, drugs and sex in youth life and their fancy thoughts about these things. It was hard to make the youth listen to something like this especially after they are really charged up. I am not sure whether anyone took the message serious coz all I can see it that they are recharging themselves for the next event. 

 After another 1 hour of music and dance, our guest pastor came for the message. Amazingly he pulled the tired crowd by his message. I guess the fact that he and his wife were one of the people who witnessed the September 9/11 made everyone listen to it. It was a good testimony and message. After the 45 minutes message got over, we had a small 15 minutes break and then back to the stage for the final part of the bash. 

Our band guys got into the stage with heavy metals to rock the crowd. After another demanding final session by our guys for an hour, the concert came to conclusion introducing all the volunteers and thanking the well behaviour (except some here and there, minor) of the crowd. We were able to finish 30 minutes before the planned time. 

Though there were lots of problems right from the beginning the concert went really good and the organizers were really happy about it. 

I, packed my things and left Sharjah in another 3 hours towards Abu Dhabi. The next day at office was really sad, I couldn't stop from falling asleep. 

I will get back to you all soon. take care amigos... sorry for not being frequent.

 

 

Before I close, HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

This week I have no much to say since I am busy with the project as usual with lot more intense and screwing up lots of team members’ daily social life along with mine except some occasional phone call to the girl.

 

Hi, Yeah I thought things will be normal and I will be blogging daily once I get the internet connection available at home, but it’s not that easy I guess. Cassie I must admire your spirit on having two blog spaces since you were so let down weeks before. I guess the season change hasn’t occurred for me yet.

 

I have prepared the photo to host on my blog, but haven’t done it since my old picture were still there and I haven’t found a way to clean those pictures yet (Gosh… it’s so complicated to host just 10 pictures?).

 

I had good chat with my cyber mom the day I got my internet connection (well she’s missing since then… mamma where are you?). Haven’t heard anything from Tina so I guess she is still in Blog burnout.

 

So, what else is the news? I have some. My photography hobby didn’t go as per I planned so far resulting the freaking expensive camera I bought lying in my cupboard snoring loud. It’s not my fault (what an excuse) that it’s raining outside at least 3 days per week (especially week ends) as I didn’t expect the rain to be this long in this country.

 

Then… O gosh… I have to buy my suit, watch, shoes for my friends wedding… I am the best man… and the wedding is on 21^st of this month. I have to buy this week end.

 

I know I am making this blog too short. Forgive me amigos… It’s just I am not yet recovered from my blog burnout. I will visit you all though, I promise.

 

I will host the photos as fast as I can.

 

Have great day. God Bless You.

Adios.

I had a rocking week end this time with the only problem being the rain (Yes!!! It rained heavily here in United Arab Emirates as we all got soaked in the rain). Finally, I bought my new Sony Alpha D-SLR 100 and took about 420 snaps in just two days (still I couldn't even drain the complete battery – I recommend this camera if someone wants to be a hobby photographer).

 

I tried my level best to read the complete operations manual in one day but couldn't do it resulting in approximately 100 pictures I took were dark or bright or blur. I have to learn to use it in professional way and have to know all the features... It's a big task for me considering the less time I get for my personal works.

 

But anyway, my new camera broke my resolution and made me to publish the photos. Well, as I've told, I didn't take photos of mine (except in group photos) but I've got lots of pictures to post. I've been requested not to post solo photos of the girls (my friends here) and so I won't be posting the solo photos of them. However I can post the group photos. I hope you have enjoyed my first bunch of photos.

 

But I have to apologize for not posting any outdoor photos. The rain was unexpected which lasted for two long days (my entire week end) and so I couldn't take any pictures outdoor.

 

We had out church anniversary with our Youth group performing one of our last minute prepared skit which illustrates the struggle and war of Christians against the dark. Our creative person is so strong and sometimes she amazes me coming up with this ideas and basic scripts within minutes.

 

This time I didn't participate in the skit, instead contributed doing one poster for the skit with the girls (special commandos) morphing into the poster of Commandos game (I've posted in the blog). We prepare for skits in different way. We don't have any pre-written dialogs. Instead, the whole skit will be explained and the roles will be assigned. It's upto the individual to deliver the dialog matching the scene.

 

We made the whole church laugh to death with some serious thinking dialogs. I believe that's the best way to deliver some serious message. I mean, we all are so used to the taste of the sweet. So it's no harm giving medicine in the mold of sweet, isn't it?

 

But the sad part is that some of our old buddies were not able to make it to our fun because of their work, we missed them.

 

The first day of my week end I reached when message part is going on in church. I sneaked into the back row (otherwise my pastor will call me out after the church and demand an explanation for being late and then I have to pretend with sad looking face) with the Gangsters (we call ourselves as gangsters because most of the guys behave like one – well not the violent part, just our greeting is violent).

 

After the church is over, we all youth who are free decided to go to the restaurant since we didn't have our lunch (church is during the lunch time 1 – 4). We mobbed into a South Indian Vegetarian restaurant for a change and occupied 1/3^rd of the restaurant. I finished my lunch sharing from everyone. I just love that than eating from my own plate.

 

After the lunch, we moved to pastor's house for skit elaboration and small rehearsal. We spent good time there knowing the scripts and practicing them with lots of spontaneous humor (we missed lots of funny things we planned on the stage, instead we made up with lots of other spontaneous parts).

 

But anyway, overall, we did a great job.

 

Before concluding, now that I’ve got my internet connection at home (yeah… finally) I will be bugging you all on daily basis… so my dear amigos… be prepared. See you tomorrow.

 

Ps: last minute change… I will be adding my image gallery tomorrow since there is a problem with it.

Hmmm... The last week was a relaxing one after a long time. But it is weird that you get this feeling that you don’t know what to do after getting some unusual time off the work for yourself. But anyway, I rediscovered my movie watching habit by going to series of latest movies + lots of downloaded movies. My latest daily routine is watching Lois & Clark: The new adventures of Superman; a television series which was aired on 1993 starring Teri Hatcher (best known as star of Desperate Housewives) & Dean Caine (Superman).

 

So far I’ve finished watching one and half series which contains approximately 35 episodes, each 45 minutes longer. Then, I watched my all time favorite movie ‘The Schindler’s List’, followed by ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’, ‘Fistful of Dollars’, and ‘For a few dollars more’. Finally, this week end I managed to go to Al Ain and met that girl. We just had a good long walk in the park, had dinner (early dinner – about 7pm) and then finally I bid good bye for the day and returned to my place.

 

My ambitious move to buy a professional SLR still digital camera (in short Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dslr_a100-review/) is being delayed for another 2 days until Wednesday, but I am not in hurry. So I will have to start making tour plans every alternate week to try out my photographic talent (?). I would love to go to a place called Fujairah where it’s surrounded by mountains.

 

Last time when I went, it was with couple of my family members and so I couldn’t enjoy most. But this time I’ve planned to take her since she’s willing to come. Or, I can take couple of my friends because I hate taking my pictures and I have hardly 20 snaps of myself from my entire life until now. Yeah, I don’t like to take picture of mine, nothing superstitious, it’s just I don’t like.

 

So most probably you’ll be seeing photos of Mother Nature in desert, my friends and everything else except me (well, miracles do happen and so I might have my photo posted). By the way, I have a full fledged photo album online during pre MSN Live Space era and then I deleted everything from it and re-created it.

 

This week will be extreme hectic as I’ve been already informed about the deadline (also I want to conclude this project before December 15th because I’ve been asked to be Best friend in my friend’s wedding here in U.A.E). Now, I’ve to buy suit (I was told to buy black – but I will look perfect blend with the suit color) and, planning to buy lots of things new this time coz I’m being Best man for the first time.

 

Well, actually there are very little eligible bachelors in our church at the moment and this guy knows me for past 4 years also he has no other better bachelor guys to pick up from my church. Gosh… coming January 6th, I am turning 29 years…. Unbelievable… pity that I haven’t conquered even 1% of my dreams. I am not going to worry about that anyway… Not a good example, but Hitler was begging in front of a church in Germany when he was 30 (I guess… correct me if I am wrong) with dreams of becoming the leader of Germany before finding his destiny.

 

As I said, it’s not a great example, but it definitely tells me something… relax… keep dreaming and when you see an opportunity, grab it. So I am going to wait alert.

 

Finally before close, thank you all for the sweet comments. In fact I believe you are all the only friends I’ve got at the moment.

 

Take Care, God Bless You.
Adios.

 

 

 

Hi (read the caption in Arnold style),

 

I think most people go through these phase in their blog life. Suddenly you wake up one day and realize that you are spending more time on blogs and less time with your real personal life itself. But definitely none can deny the number of good friends they get through the community sites, well, at least I got a mom, couple of sisters and friends, so I kind of like it. I think November is the month of Blog Burn-outs.

 

It started with Tina who disappeared after realizing that she's spending considerable time on Internet than her family itself and then Cassie, a real Internet enthusiastic who got this Internet Burnout and decided to spend less time blogging and visiting. Then Tracie for some time and then Yvonn for a short time and then my mom (mama, your blogs are becoming byliner... he he he) and finally me; I disappeared from Blogersvile for couple of days (actually 8 days approximately).

 

But I, unlike many of my best on line buddies have very little people in my friends list and so that I can be really good friend of them and I can know better about them than just a hi and bye. Well, I kind of like that rather than going for bulk friends (shit, this msn space doesn't have option to delete an contact from list, coz I have no idea about this Little Fish, occupying my quota of 10 friends).

 

Well, my disappearance has nothing to do purely with Blog Burnout, but more of my project deadline. The deadline has become too narrow because of my one week rest at hospital, couple of weeks back and so, I had to catch up with it. It's not done yet, but it will be over in next 3 weeks god willingly.

 

But I did have some time to post something (space filler really to inform that I exist) and visit my friends' home. We sometimes take oath that we'll spend just an hour a day on blogs, but ultimately have to ditch the oath because frankly now days this is the only social gathering we do; at least it's true for me because I don't remember the last time I socialize with people except my office mates and clients. Yep, in between I had good time with that girl, but socializing with people? Well, I kind of forgot what does that mean.

 

Anyway, I don't think I can disappear from this blog land because I have more good friends here than my real life and most importantly they are from different parts of world which I might meet at some point of my life, god willingly and I feel more comfortable communicating with them about me than my friends I have here (well, I don't have much close friends here to talk personally anyway, so either my school friends or my blog friends are the only ones who knows more about me).

 

Finally, I've decided to listen to my passions and I've put my first step to buy a digital still photographic camera [Sony Alpha (α) DSLR-A100 ]. I've missed lots of best things which are my favourite, like: drawing (not painting – I am bad at colors, so I just do pencil drawings), writing articles (they suck, but still I keep writing and improving), taking photos (so far haven't tried with professional camera, now I am putting one step to buy such, so I guess you will have to see a photo gallery in my blog soon... well, it's amazing that no one had noticed that I don't have photo gallery... it's another story...)

 

But the expensive part in photographs is Lens rather than camera itself. Then I have to make it a point to travel to some place (so far I haven't explored this country, but have already allocated monthly budget and now I have a girl to accompany me, not alone like before) and then unfold my imagination. Let me see how am I able to capture my imagination.

 

And, another one of my favorite thing is, don't laugh, it's comics. I love comics, you just give me bunch of comics and leave me alone for even months, I will be still reading this. I have to reinvent this habit. But this country sucks... the comics availability are very limited. I think I have to subscribe to DC Comics and our local language comics (Tamil) in India.

 

Well amigos, it's really great meeting with you all again after long break. I promise not to make long disappearance once again.

 

I love all my on line friends. You are one of the best friends I've ever had (well I sound crazy isn't it?).

 

Take Care, God Bless you. Do spent time with families because they are more precious than anything.

Adios (Well, no one asked why am I caught up with Adios Amigos, he he he... it's clint eastwood effect).

 

 

 

 

Some W a c k y Quotes

 

Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it
seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an
hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S
relativity.

- Albert Einstein

 

The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working
the moment you get up in the morning and does not
stop until you meet a beautiful girl .

- Uzair Sait

 

The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's
there to appreciate it.

- Franklin P. Jones

 

We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain
the success of those we don't like?

- Jean Cocturan

 

It matters not whether you win or lose; what
matters is whether I win or lose.

- Darrin Weinberg

 

Life is pleasant.
Death is peaceful.
It's the transition that's troublesome.

 

Help a man when he is in trouble and he will
remember you when he is
in trouble again.

 

Complex problems have simple, easy to understand
wrong answers.

 

It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it
creative problem solving.

 

Whoever said money can't buy happiness, didn't know
where to shop.

 

Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but then again,
neither does milk.

 

Most people are only alive because it is illegal to
shoot them.

 

The number of people watching you is directly
proportional to the stupidity of your action.

Dont worry that the world ends today, it’s already
Tomorrow in Australia!

Yesterday night I was caught up with surprise and the rest of the tenants were with shock when we heard the building committee’s decision to pull down the building because it has served its life time. Well, in this country, the lifespan of any building is 20 to 30 years in general and they pull down and construct another one after this time period. But I hate the way these people deal with others.

I am fine because I am single (what an advantage), ultra portable and can leave just like that and get some other apartment. But how can the families find an apartment within their budget and leave within next 15 days? Still worse, you can’t sue these people and demand respect because government will stand by them at all cost because they are the nationals.

After living in a democratic country, you will find hard with certain rules these people impose. But still I find United Arab Emirates is mild on rules and laws compared to other Islamic countries. Because here you can at least roam with trousers and women don’t have to be extremely covered unlike other Islamic countries.

Speaking of the rules, I have to tell an Incident that happened to one of my ex-colleague one year back. He was driving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai (180kms approximately) and on his way he hit a camel (he applied the break and the impact was too negligible) which got into the road unexpectedly. The worst thing is that a cop saw that from distance.  Can you believe that he had to spend 10 days in jail because he hit a camel?

I mean, first, the camel is not supposed to be on a highway where cars usually speed around 160 kilometers per hour. They are supposed to throw the owner of the camel in jail for that. Also, imagine he is a freakish driver who likes to drive above 160 kilometers like me and happen to bump over the camel? He would have been killed. This guy was able to control the speed and was able to almost stop by the time he hit the camel because he was driving at 120 kilometers per hour.

So, you’ve got another incident about the imposing of rules in an Islamic country added to the blog which I posted million light years back. I love democratic countries and mainly non-Islamic countries and I am glad that I belong to one of the biggest democratic country in the world where I have my own rights which I can boldly claim if it’s not given to me, whether I am a person or criminal.

Update for Yuvonn: Can you believe that I’ve never asked her about her birthday and I am such a dumb that I didn’t get her hints on her birthday. But gladly I happen to call her yesterday and her friend picked up her mobile who asked me what I have planned for her birthday as they are celebrating it at the moment at office.

I lied to her friend that I am preparing a big surprise and everyone will come to know in minutes and kept the phone. The only thing I can do from here is at that moment is, I can order flowers to be delivered there in minutes. I know couple of flower shops who has branches all over the emirates and so I went and ordered a really huge and colorful one (with almost all the lovely flowers in this planet and as big as a garden).

She was extremely excited when she got those flowers and I heard about a million ‘thank you’ over phone and I had to impose my rule of ‘don’t thank me if I am your friend’ because I get so uncomfortable with too many ‘thank you’ and ‘please’. Then later that day, I flew to her place to give another surprise and took her out for dinner.

My return back to Abu Dhabi was least tiring because I was on phone talking to my old buddy who is passing by Dubai and later talking to her for an hour.

That’s all from my yesterday’s life. Have a blessed day.

Hey, I’ve thought about posting my 10 favorite Christian songs for a change and here is the list:

Above All Powers (Studio Version) – Michael W. Smith
Famous One (Chris Tomlin) – Not to Us
Let the Weight of Your Glory Fall (Steve Merkel) – Jerusalem Arise
Open up The Heavens (United) – More Than Life
Beautiful One (Tim Hughes) – When Silence Falls
Amazing Love (Bebo Norman) – WOW Worship: Red Disc 1
We Fall Down (Kutless) – Strong Tower
Trading My Sorrows (Darrell Evans) – Iworship Disc 2
Better is One Day (Kutless) – Strong Tower
Ancient of Days (Petra) – Petra Praise

Well, that’s it. It is not in Top 10, but just 10 Christian songs I listen often. Lately I listen P.O.D, but I kind of stick to these old version and mild songs than hard rock stuffs.

Have a blessed day.
Adios.