Now this is an art form which I have not even come close to perfecting. The summer dishdasha is a very simple and easy matter to choose, I pick the Japanese nonwrinkle type and it works great for months of nonstop use. But the winter dishadahsa is a complex matter with multiple materials and different uses. So that usually takes me a lot of time to pick and choose and get second opinions, honestly I’m the lazy one and my brother does most of the work. One other factor that has taken longer this year is that we even haven’t had a winter this year, its back and forth, but in my case I switched to winter mode and I won’t go back to summer until it gets really hot. There were a few cold days in the morning on the way to work so I decided then to make the switch.

There are some days where its a little bit warm but when it gets a bit chilly I am very happy that I am in winter gear. I honestly do love wearing a winter dishdasha even though its a hassle to choose what to wear in comparison to summer dishdashas, with summer dishdashas you just open your closet and pull one out, no choice in the matter, a very simple process. But in winter you have to choose, black, grey, brown or any other combination and then there are the shirts. Its a tedious process and time consuming, but I honestly love winter dishdashas, they can look good and feel regal while keeping you warm.

Our friend Abdulla at NegativEffect has just been featured in an amazing online site, SpeedHunters. Recenlty at the Bahrain International Circuit the guys went for a track guy and came across something they weren’t expecting. They saw the Toyota Ex-F1 Team testing Formula 1 Tires for Pirelli which was an amazing experience since they were telling them what they do, and explaining them the details of the car. Toyota pulled out of F1 but they are using their F1 team for consultancy services, and this one was contracted out to Pirelli. Abdulla took amazing pictures that you can find on his blog and turns out that he wasn’t the only one that thought his photographs were amazing, SpeedHunters posted about it as well and you can see the link below. I keep nagging him for more photographs because he does an amazing job.

Link: SpeedHunters
Link: NegativEffect

Previously I posted about the issues that Wataniya Airways are going through and that have caused them to drastically change their operations and let go of quite a few people. My preference when flying around the Middle East is still Wataniya Airways and I had a trip to Dubai so I just check Wataniya and book the flights that were available.

Its still the same good service that I am used but the flight times or frequent number of flights changed. Now its only twice a day to Dubai, I hope they don’t change that either. The ground staff is just as friendly, and the plane staff are just as good, the plane was about 70% empty but its a Saturday flight so I wasn’t expecting it to be full.

But you can feel the atmosphere at the airport, it feels desolate and people are not in the best of spirits. Honestly I’m just going to keep flying Wataniya Airways as they are my preferred airlines, and I hope they get back in shape and plane more routes.

I came across this sale after a friend told me she found some couches that I was looking for so I decided to go check it out. She told me it was opposite Home Center, on the outside of Tilal Complex, and it turned out to be a store belonging The One and they had a huge sale. I walked into the place and it was couches in front of me, bed frames on my right, couch sets on my left and more items all around.

It seemed like a bit of crazy sale, what you see is on the floor with discounts ranging from 50% to a little more. Some of the women were seriously going crazy, shouting from across the hall for someone to help them get the couch they want or a table they wanted. Luckily I found the couch I was looking for (Pic Number 5), I couldn’t believe because I saw this couch back in the end of July beginning of August and it was 600 KD then when I went to pick it up in the end of September it was sold out. It was my story with the couch I was looking for, only to find it here in front of me.

It took me about 20 minutes to find someone to help me since things were flying off the store floor, I stood gaurd next to the couch since I really wanted it. Luckily somebody came to help me and they had a newer one in storage which I took and delivery will happen next day. I got it for 269 KD instead of the original 599 KD which is a fantastic deal, I love when the one has these crazy deals, I love their furniture but its overpriced at times and I couldn’t find a couch like it all over town. So if you have a chance go to this sale at The One store in Tilal Complex Shuweikh.

Kuwait has won the Gulf Cup against some tough odds, our guys played well and beat out the competition. I don’t I have been this excited watching football in a long time. Our guys held out against the Saudis who were playing pretty roughly but the game was a really good game, both teams had some good shots but at the end it was a clear goal by Walid Ali to score 1-0 in the first half of extra time. When the whistle was blown I think Kuwait went into hysteria, we went out into the streets and everyone was honking, waving flags, dancing, clapping, and all kinds of fun. It just felt so good that we had something to be proud of at last, we haven’t had good news such as this in a long time that Kuwaitis just want to be happy and having fun. I don’t think there is a country in the Middle East that could have gone as crazy as we did last night, every highway, to every road, to every house was packed and celebrating insanely! Congratulations to the players who made us a very happy country! We are tired of the politics, of the constant problems, the stagnant country, and just all these stupid issues. These players have managed to unite a country in a sea of joy and we will welcome them back with open arms, thank you!

A new blog centering about food and recipies and I am a man that enjoys his food. A simple design with a few recipes, I was enjoy blogs such as Ansams518 which try out all these places and different recipes, I honestly enjoy looking at the pictures when I’m alittle hungry. Now eb6ainiya has come along and seems like an interesting blog to follow.

Check it out: Eb6ainiya

We are sorry to have to inform you that with effect from 5 December 2010, we will no longer operate flights from Kuwait to Amman, Bahrain, Damascus and Jeddah. In addition, we will reduce the frequency of services to Dubai.

This is a very sad day, I was honestly shocked when I heard this information about Wataniya Airlines. I thought things were picking up, they opened up the new routes in Europe and people went crazy during Eid. It just felt like things were coming together for Wataniya Airlines and I was looking forward to flying on it more then before, but turns out they were in more trouble then anyone knew. They stopped 4 destinations, planning to rent out several of their planes, shut down their call center, downsize and fire a large majority of their employees. This is just a shocking step for such an amazing airline, and I completely depend on it for my flights in the Middle East and now I have to go back to either Emirates or Jazeera. Emirates have good service but very high prices, I got used to the spacious planes of Wataniya Airlines. Jazeera are cheap but lots of delays, no flexibility, a fee charged for every little thing, and a huge fee is charged for normal changes. I was honestly very proud of Wataniya Airlines as a Kuwaiti brand but now its in trouble and I really hope they get their act back together soon so we can keep on traveling with them.

GulfRun will be having their second annual Charity Raffle during the GulfRun Carshow to raise money for the Hayat4Cancer Foundation. We had a successful year with support of our readers, blogs, sponsors, and GulfRun participants, and we hope to make it an even better year. And this years amazing prizes include three powerful vehicles:

Tickets to the raffle – which runs until January 15 – are only 5KD. All proceeds of the raffle will be donated to the Hayat4Cancer Foundation. The Ruqaya Al-Qatami Hayat4Cancer foundation was established in 2003 to offer support and medicine for cancer patients. The raffle draw will be on the second day of the GulfRun Carshow at 360 Mall on January 15th 2010 @ 8pm. Please call 97118488 for tickets to supporting the cause and participating in the raffle. We greatly appreciate your support for those who desperately need it.

Link: GulfRun

I want to win one of those machines! I have seen the Polaris and its a ton of fun in the sand!

Now this is an interesting development, it seems that the article published by the Kuwait times was a mistake. I previously posted about the article about a week ago, and I was infuriated, I couldn’t believe that could be enforced or let alone happen in Kuwait. Well I am thankful that it was a mistake based on Kuwait Times’ retraction below and I hope a law such as this is never even considered. Check out the article in the ArabTimes talking specifically about Photography and our Civil Liberties. Link: ArabTimes

On Saturday, November 20, 2010 the Kuwait Times published an article titled ‘Multi ministry camera ban frustrates artists’ in which incorrect information was provided. The newspaper regrets failing to verify the information. The article wrongly stated that a ban on DSLR cameras was implemented by the Ministries of Information, Social Affairs and Finance. This information is false. In a follow up investigation, it was proved that no such ban has been issued. We regret this error and deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Thank you Moayad

KUWAIT: After the ban three ministries placed on photography, most Kuwaiti youth are a bit confused about what to do with their cameras if they can’t use them in public and why such laws were implemented in the first place. The Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance recently came to the conclusion that photography should be used for journalism purposes only. This has resulted in the ban of Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs) in public, on the streets and in malls

Shock and disappointment are the only two words that can describe how I feel when I read the title. A lot of countries have problems in the Middle East and our problems in Kuwait are piling up, but I always have hope, that things will get better that there will be a point for things to turn around. At this point I don’t think we can he any lower, we have hit rock bottom when three Ministries who have nothing to do with each other can decide to just Ban Photography of all kinds. And this is assuming that the law is enacted already, I hope it is not and still there is a chance to have it repelled. I always thought that Kuwait always had something to look forward to, to move ahead, even when we haven’t any major projects for the past decade, the nonstop cases of corruption and nobody getting prosecuted. The one thing I thought we had and that I am proud of is our Civil Liberties, and we pride ourselves with it. When Saudi Arabia is on an uphill battle trying to improve people’s lives and gain more freedom we are heading in the opposite direction. I always wondered what the thought was behind UAE blocking Flickr but now we have surpassed both Emirates and Saudi with the most idiotic law possible. Banning it in public places, in streets, and in malls, doesn’t this law sound illegal to anyone, and malls are private entities so it is illegal for such a law to affect them in this way. So what is the punishment for breaking this law? Getting thrown in jail? I honestly won’t be stopping my photography missions in Kuwait anytime soon. If you are against then please make your voice heard!

Link: KuwaitTimes