very bad visitor. . .

Below is a memo I got in my email Saturday at work. . .

Dear All,

Unfortunately we are facing emergency of a very bad visitor ( a mouse ) . I asked *** to get some poison a kind which make it feel hot , blind and run out side to a wider area . I also called the hot line in Muscat municipality to take care of that as *** suggested, but unfortunately they only serve houses . Please till we get red of him keep your papers safely before you leave , close your rooms doors , done leave any food on your desk/office. Let me know if you saw any effects of it or damages. ***** saw some foot prints in her office , I saw some of it’s effects in the upstairs male path room.

CLASSIC


Can anyone guess where this CW is from??


I am happy to report that the next day, one dead mouse was found in the mousetrap. I am, however, convinced there is a another one or few roaming around..... Cause mice never live alone.... right?

First real job

After months of sleeping for what seemed to be my calling in life, I finally got a job. As expected at first, it was a lot of welcome-to-you, filling out forms, signing contracts, direct deposits and orientation programs. In that sense, its hard to measure any real vibes when everyone is hiding behind a veneer of friendly formalities. Given time, I’m hoping to identify the different profiles we all run into in a work environment setting : Kiss ass guy, whinny backstab girl, utter moron, spineless boss, IT guy who-can-get-you-anything, flirty receptionist and so on.

I share an office with two other people. On my fourth day, co-worker 1 (CW1) was telling CW2 how she was having trouble breathing and was having mild chest pains. I was working or possibly facebooking – cant remember (nyaaah no proxies at work access to basically EVERYTHING) so I wasn’t really listening. I look up from my computer screen and CW1 faints and hits the floor. Now lets get this straight, CW1 is a big girl. Like really big. She’s probably 40 kg overweight. My initial reaction was to remove her many layers of scarves to help her breath (God knows I suffocate under mines when I’m wearing it and I’ve been opting not to more often). CW2 is pulling passed out CW1 legs ups and rubbing them?! Till this day I have no idea why. After splashing some water on her face she regains consciousness but cant seem to speak or hear anyone which sends her into a panic frenzy; she starts hyperventilating, crying and going all red. Call the emergency hotline no answer. We decide to take her to the nearest emergency room, now how are we gonna get her to the car? Who’s gonna carry her? With the help of pregnant CW2, receptionist, and CW3 we manage to get her to the car. To cut the story short, Doctor said she had an anxiety attack….. But nothing really provoked it. I was in the office with her for more then an hour before it happened, but maybe she has slow reactions? ?

Out of the eight women in the office; three are pregnant, one is currently away on her honeymoon, one married with kids but is slightly older (AKA the boss/elma3azba), and three singles (including myself). Are we running an underground fertility clinic? Is what I think the real work is just a cover for it? Are they going to tell me about it in the next staff meeting?

A lot of fainting, morning sickness, food, weird craving absent minded pregnant women is what I surround myself with for average 8 hours a day.

Oman’s first Online Donations Portal Launch

ITA in association with the Ministry of Social Development launched the official one-stop-shop online donations portal making it possible for donors to contribute to charitable organizations such as the Association of the welfare of the Handicapped, the Association of Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs, Oman Association for Disabled, Al Noor Association for the Blind and the National Association for Cancer Awareness online.

Great initiative, I wished they had branded it under a more catchy name like Dubai Cares , possibly attached a local "celebrity" face and name to it like any of the national football players.

Interviewed by Mean Red in Muscat

Who doesnt love to talk about themselves? Interview tag I volunteered to do, also because I need to update my blog more often. So here it goes


You have to link back to the original post and also to your interviewer's post and include the following:

Want to be part of it? Follow these instructions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me and leave your email"

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.


5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.


Now, without further ado, the INTERVIEW:





1.You speak often in your blog of your time in Melbourne. Like all of us on foreign shores, you must have had mixed feelings about returning to your home country. When the time came for you to leave Melbourne and head back permanently to Muscat, what frightened or upset you the most, and what exhilarated you?

I had a lot of time to prepare myself, I kept changing my flight dates the last 3 months I was there to a point I was starting to think they would block my calls on the Emirates call center office. I didn’t want to leave for a lot of reason. I had made a life for myself there that included my friends, my little apartment and Melbourne. What frightened me the most was losing that independence I’ve grown accustom to. I was upset to have to come back to wearing the 3abya, curfews, and the staring. Also the relationships I built there I was worried on how they would transition once I’m back particularly with a certain someone. If the success of that relationship was dependent on us being in Melbourne, would it work in Muscat? The first few months back were bumpy I’ll admit but we’ve found a rhythm that works now. At the moment I was and still am excited about starting a new phase of my life and working and finally putting all those years of studying and cramming for exams to use, its been since August - still unemployed and its getting frustrating. But I’m hopeful.

2.Everyone dreams, whether they admit it or not. Recount for us a recurring dream or nightmare you have had, and offer your own interpretation of it.

I always dream of jumping really high into the sky and I get like 50 meters high by just jumping. After looking down for a bit enjoying the scenery and view from above, I never seem to be able to get back down to earth. I don’t fall or gravity doesn’t take over either. I’m stuck and then the freak out/panic attack starts.

This can mean a few things I suppose, I might have high ambitions for myself yet haven’t found the path and means to reach them, I need to set clearer more defined goals for myself.

3.What was the happiest moment of your life so far? What was the saddest?

I honestly cant think of one moment of pure happiness. The easy answer can be whenever my parents are proud of me is when I’m happiest. As humans, we are built to seek love and approval. Saddest moment was a few years ago when my paternal grandfather passed away, I was too young to appreciate him and engage him in conversation like I would now. He was the glue, love and wisdom that held us all together.

4. Reveal to us one of your secrets, something you have never admitted to a living soul before.

It wont be secret anymore if I blog about it! I’m generally an open book and not very secretive or mysterious. What you see is what you get.

5.Two sisters, Blanche and Jane, are attending the funeral of their dear mother. Hidden among the crowd of mourners, Blanche spots someone she doesn't know, the most beautiful man she has ever seen in her life. She gets this feeling deep inside that this is the man of her dreams, the only man for her. She knows it, she is sure. Despite her grief, she decides she must meet this man as soon as possible and give him her phone number. After the coffin is taken away, Blanche races among the people looking for this man, but, alas!, he is nowhere to be found. Blanche and Jane go home. Three days later, Blanche murders her sister Jane in cold blood.
Knowing only these facts, please tell us: Why?

Blance find out that Jane is really her biological mother and that mysterious beautiful man is really her father.

Omaaan wins Gulf Cup 19

WE WON

WE WON!

WE WON!

WE FINALLY WON!

While hosting it too! Against the Saudis, on penalties but we still WON. For the first time since Oman started playing in '74, a long steady road to the top after being the scapegoat of other teams, past tournaments we've proven to be top contenders and reaching the finals twice (lost to Qater in Khaleeji 17 in penalties and lost to UAE in Khaleeji 18). I was being to think 2nd place was exclusive for Oman, but third time's a charm! el thaltha thabtaah

Tomorrow has been declared a public holiday by His Majesty for both Government and private sector. Exams for thanwayia 3amaa have been postponed till another date.
The players and team are on their way to Bait al Barka Palace to greet HM.

Celebrations arent going to end till dawn, careful while you are on the streets.

We've finally deflowered the khaleeji cup and are no longer virign winnners!

Here's to winning again in khaleeji 20 YEMAN.

Glamolox - Loft965

Loft965 has been jumping the list of my favorite must check daily blogs of recent months. I love his short music and fashion related posts. The random quotes and videos. Need a break? Check Loft965.

He's been doing monthly (i think) music compilation lists (think mix tapes) with original artwork which I love having on my iPod touch gallery. Most recent one is Glamolax the track listing is available here.

Download Glamolax

My fav tracks are "Unusual you" and "Make you feel my love", the rest of the tracks I have yet to listen to and might update this section once I've got listen to all tracks some more.

Khaleeji 19

Starting tomorrow Sunday the 4th and till the 17th of January Muscat will host Gulf Cup (Kass al khaleeji). I've lost count on the number of Facebook groups in support of Khaleeji 19 in and Oman winning .

Flags and all kinds of decorations are everywhere, there's a nice spirit of community all around.

One Oman, One Pulse

عمان نبض واحد

Mes-spilled Signs of Boohreen

Eid in Bahrain

I'm leaving on Tuesday to spend Eid holiday in Bahrain visiting friends. Haven't been out of the country since I came back Mid-July aside from a few quick trips to Dubai which I don't count as traveling. I'm really excited and looking forward to this trip. All I keep hearing about Bahrain is the food. Apparently the food and restaurant/dining culture is a big deal there. Any tips and musts sees of Bahrain I need to know of?

Jamming to . . .

The Killers - Day and Age



Duffy - Rockferry



Lady Gaga - The fame



Adele - 19



Radiohead Vs. Kanye West - Reckoner Lockdown


To download Reckoner lockdown click here


Britney Spears - Circus

Oh the things I've seen lately . . .

Things I have seen in the last few days: sharks in a mall – Dubai mall Aquarium, a chihuahua in a lady’s tote bag in Muscat City Center), a dvd of my friend’s knee surgery, the most beautiful sunset, half a dozen lighted cigarette butts flying towards me on the highway on several different occasions I actually ducked the first time I was that freaked out, MOHE offices, and lastly: an over abundance of the Omani flag.

Happy National day.

What time are the fireworks? I’ve got an excellent view.

Jungle Video you there still?

After various complaints and requests to check my template because of a weird pop-up jungle video thingy that wants to send readers special mobile ringtones, I guessed it was time to do a little housekeeping. I like the older theme colors better, this one is a standard blogger template where I changed the colors a bit - nothing original or artsy. Maybe one day when I'm bored enough

So readers, jungle video pop out vanished to the dark or my powers to conquer evil are not strong enough?

You had me at hello KK . . .

Had a job interview early yesterday at 9 am which means I woke up at 7:30, once the alarm rang I realized this was going to be the rest of my life and a little part of me died. I’m just not a morning person. I will never be a morning person.

The job interview went really well I think. I’m hopeful about this one. I was a bit nervous the first five minutes but once I started talking and got a vibe for the place and interviewer it was smooth sailing. I meet with 3 different people from different divisions and I’m probably going to go next week for another in depth interview/meeting.

I had a craving for doughnuts after my pilates class on Sunday so I headed out to Dunkin’ Donuts which I haven’t tried since they open in Oman and was really disappointed. They tasted horrible. Krispy Kreme you had me at hello.

National Day is soon and the streets are being all glamed up with decorations. I missed them last year, personally I think they are nice but its time we let go of them. It’s a lot of work to put them up and take them down. Plus the electricity the lights consume and emission cant be good for the environment and probably expensive. I wonder who pays the electricity bill? H.M? The municipality? Diwan? What difference does it make I suppose? Its all one big pocket right? I only look forward to the fireworks and I’ve got a great view. Wonder when the holiday is going to be, it obviously wont be the same day as National Day (18th of November)cause they like it for people to be in town and in the country for it. But why the secrecy? Why cant they just announce Eid holiday and national day holiday in advance so people can organize and plan their holidays, book tickets and hotel reservations. Build up suspense? Another retarded issue we put up with cause who would we complain to.

This week in kay's world . . .

This week has been great. Less hormonally and pmsy then last week back to sunshine and happy kay despite stupidly scratching my car on Tuesday : ( its just a car its just a car I tell myself. A preventable scratch I have only myself to blame. I was out and came back home to pick up my mother and go out again. I thought it would be rude to wait outside the house for her and so I entered the garage but didn’t go all the way inside which I should have and the stupid electric garage door started to close and scratched the back bumper. I swear I did not know that would happen I didn’t think I was that close to the garage and I didn’t hear the impact so I thought I was safe. It wasn’t till I clicked on the remote to open the garage to leave and it didn’t open I realized something was wrong. The stupid garage door wheels moved out of the rail after hitting my car so it got stuck and dad had to come push it and that chipped the wall. Yesterday dad said he wont fix or replace the bumper once I start working I fix it myself. He’s joking right? He has to be joking. . . . .

I started pilates classes this week for the next 8 weeks. It was very relaxing and I enjoyed it. My shoulders and back felt less tense for two days after the class but yesterday I felt all sort of knots again. What can I seriously do about this chronic back and shoulder pains?

Yesterday I finally got to go to Cafe Ceramique with two friends. Basically it’s a café/ artsy painting place with all sort of different ceramic pieces you purchase and paint in the café. You get to choose seven colors and pick your piece a week later after its been in the oven and glazed. The food was alright and service was friendly, they replaced my thai ice tea I didn’t like with a regular ice tea without charging me for it. The real fun was in painting. Warning I am severely artistically challenged. I have the worst handwriting and cant draw to save my life; the easiest thing was to pick out a mug and just paint different colored vertical lines on it and even I managed to mess that up with uneven wobbly lines.
Check out Bluchi’s review on Café Ceramique ( link ).

Big cities

I miss Melbourne. I miss the lights, the sound, the people. More importantly I miss the anonymity of a big city. I don’t even mind the traffic. I loved being in the city. I miss the street art and performances. I miss the jazz bars and the live music scene. I miss my surrogate family of friends. I miss people watching on public transportation. I miss the restaurants and cafes. I miss the different weather seasons in one day. I miss planning my weekend where there was always more to do then just dine and watch a movie. I miss the diversity of random people.

How did you spend your eid?

Eid Mubarak.

Another Ramadhan has passed and while I love the spirit of Ramadhan and the familyniess after week 3 I was over it. I honestly don’t like fasting. There I said it. Shot me. Its not because I cant drink coffee or smoke cause I do not indulge in either habit, there is nothing to be cranky about like most people who have issues with fasting whine about. It messes up my sleep, cuts back on my water intake and the day is wasted. Plus I just get really tired and dizzy. One time I almost fainted in the shower, could have been the hot water.

L_oman writes a good post on how her family spends their Eid (link) . While ours is almost similar its also a bit different. On the 29th day of Ramadhan we are all glued to the TV waiting for the Eid announcement or if we are fasting 30 days. Once that’s over with, it’s a mad dash to the hairdresser for a quick blow dry. Back home where everyone is making sure their eid clothes are ironed and accounted for. Paint my nails (this year I choose black) and try to sleep early. Eid day wake up at around 7 am in the foulest mood, stay cranky till at least 9iesh. Uncles, aunts, and cousins from my paternal family come over for 3ursia breakfast which my poor mother has been slaving over in the kitchen since fajer prayer (5am). After tea and gifts and money exchange a few family pictures are taken, 3ood and bu5oor mijmar is passed along. Everyone hops into their cars and the tour begins. Driving all around Muscat from house to house wishing family a eid mubarak while trying to compliment the host in eating from their very elaborate eid sweets table. Seriously, how can any expect you to eat so much sweets and 7alwa after 3ursia?? I think I’ve had to explain why I don’t drink coffee at least a dozen times the past two days. Finally, after a long afternoon driving around in the heat we make it to my grandmother’s for lunch stay there till sunset and head home. Sometimes we’d go out for dinner. This year no body made reservations anywhere and after eating the whole day the last thing I could think about was more food. I took a shower and put on my new pjs at 7 pm.

At ten pm I had to go to shatti to pick up my younger brother from the movies. I actually left in my Pjs cause I was too tired to change and franky did not care. Traffic was horrible in shatti and it didn’t seem like anyone was really going anywhere. More then half the guys were just ‘3azing (aka cruising) I kept thinking to myself if you had to pay $80 to fill up your car with petrol there’d be less of you on the streets driving around in your daddy’s menz and ranges. I was quiet amused for the 30 minutes I was stuck in Shatti plaza parking lot people watching. Kids have really stepped it up. I didn’t think I’d see the day teenage boys would be wearing bling bling rapper chains. The tacky vulgar Ed Hardy caps, low low waist jeans with the boxer labels showing, the gelled up hair. Of coarse we cant forget the boy bands in their matching identical outfits. Oh the girls - that’s a whole different post, the hair the makeup and the clothes! And there was kay in her black and white cotton pajama pants and white “I heart sleep” tshirt in flipflops and a headband to keep my hair away from my face and no make up, not even khohl. People must have thought I was the maid/driver hahahaha.

Second day of Eid, woke up at ungodly hour again – 8 am this time – to hit the road to Sharqiah to visit the extended family and have lunch there. I’m not a morning person. I spent the entire car drive of two hours not talking to anyone and listening to my iPod. Once we arrive there, from house to house more 7alwa more meat more sweets more I don’t drink coffee. Lunch and back to Muscat by 5 pm. The weather in sharqiah was at least ten degrees hotter then Muscat and the sun was unbearable. El hawa 7addah ‘3arbee reminds me of this song by Rabi7 Saqar “El hawa Sharqee oo qalbee hawee el shariqaa” he is referring to the Saudi Sharqiah region but we’ve got one too. Went out for dinner last night at Japengo where we sat in the upstairs outdoor section the weather was nice a warm coldish breeze. My only complaint was the music in Japengo its AWFUL. Does not go with the ambiance of the place at all. I think I’m going to make them a mix cd and drop it by on my next visit.

Third day of Eid, I finally get to catch up on some sleep and yaay its Shuwa day.

Tada

Eid is over. Back to work ladies and gentlemen.

Snooze Fest Eid movies

What's up with the crappy movies showing on Eid weekend??

Seriously nothing remotely interesting. Two testosterone intense "action" movies starting Jason Statham and Vin Diesel, a movie about a spoiled Beverly Hills Chihuahua, an animtated Star Wars movie and finally a step up/save the last dance Drama Musical about rapper/dancer from the hood "making it".




Yawn.

Internet upgrade rant

Like all citizens and residents, we all have an Omantel war story or two to share. Personally, I’ve never had any beef with Omantel and their customer service. But the past few months they hit a low with me. I applied for the ADSL upgrade from 512 kbps to 4 mbps in July. I have to mention how retarded and stupid it is that you cant apply for the upgrade online through their website. You have to physically go Zakher mall Omantel showroom, get an application fill it out and apply. You cant even download an application online. Since the account isn’t in my name, I had to get the application, have my dad sign and fill it out and go the next day. Even though I took his ID card with me and I had my ID card with me to prove I was his daughter. The lady at the counter refused to process my application without an authorization letter from my dad!! So for the third day I head back out to Omantel and hand in the application authorization letter. It was a Tuesday, she promised by Saturday upgrade will be in effect. Saturday comes and the next Saturday comes and no upgrade! Typical Omantel. I call their customer service and they mumble something about system being down. I’m sure that’s their default answer for anything they have no answer to. During this period our internet was on and off for a few days. Then the land line on our street was interrupted and of coarse no land line signal n adsl – of any speed. The first two weeks of August I kept calling them but it doesn't go through all they do is keep on insuring me how much my call is important to them. Lying apes.

The icing on the cake, after two months of waiting for the upgrade, we get August’s internet bill 186.573 Omani Rails. SAY WHAT?? You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s 485 USD. I call customer service right away. What the hell is 135 rails for September service charge??



I dial 1313, then 1 for Arabic, again 1 for bill inquires. I ask him and the dude has no clue what I’m talking about. I begin to explain s l o w l y. This time he tried to spin it off that the charges are usage charges. The rest of the conversation goes something like this:

Kay: You think I’m stupid and cant read a bill?? It clearly says ADSL monthly charge for September 135 and the usage a few lines below that at 14 rails

Omantel CSR: Default answer: please go to a showroom and talk to someone there. We only help with technical inquires.

Kay: then why do you have a billing inquiry option?

CSR: we only tell are able to tell you how much your current or outstanding bill is at.

Kay: if I’m calling the internet help desk and I presumably have internet, why would I call to find out how much my bill is at, when I can check it online?

CSR: . . . . . . . .

Kay: ok I’ve got a technical question for you, what is service charge exactly? Line rental? Package monthly tariff?

CSR: Please visit the showroom to get your answers.

Kay: Can I please speak to your manager or someone that can help me?

CSR: allaah esam7ik ( god forgive you, like I was insulting or offending him in some way )

Kay: you don’t seem to be able to help me and I need an answer. Ok I’ve got another technical question for you. I’ve applied for the adsl upgrade two months ago and haven’t gotten it yet. Can you check in your magic systems what package we appear to be on.

After being on hold for a bit.

CSR: 512 kbps.

Kay in her head: you’ve got to be freaking kidding me you %$#^(^%$#

CSR: please visit Omantel nearest you.

I hang up.

After the weekend, I make the visit to Omantel in Zakher where I meet with head of internet customer service. Turns out the 135 OR charge is for businesses and not home adsl plans. Now couldn’t the CSR know this? Billing fault or not. They should know the plans and how packages are billed. Also our upgrade was finally implemented last week. Alas, this isn’t the end of the sage just yet. We’ve only gotten an upgraded speed of 1.3 – 1. 5 mbps when we have applied for the 4mbps! I really don’t want to call 1313 again or go to Zaker to deal with their inefficiency at handling a simple simple upgrade. I’m this close this close to closing my Omantel internet account and applying for Nawras 3G internet.

130 and counting . . . .

I just realized I started this blog June 2005, which means its been 3 years and guess how many posts I've managed to get down? 130 - not including this post. If there is an award for the laziest blogger I present it to myself. Dont worry there is no acceptance speech. I'm too lazy for that kinda stuff. My friend says its a miracle I get out of bed everyday. Trust me, there are some days I wish I hadnt.

Wasteland

- Wake up at 2 pm.
- Tv in the background as I surf the internet
- Iftar
- Sit with the family
- After 8:30 go out till 11evenish (sometimes I stay home)
- Go online or watch downloaded tv shows or movies till 5 am
- Sleep

Repeat tomorrow (or at least till the end of Ramadan where it will be the same just the sleeping and eating schedule will vary)

Freelance What?

A few months ago I read Karen Armstrong’s A memoir and its sequel ; Through The Narrow Gate: A Memoir of Life In And Out of the Convent, and The Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness. As an avid read of fiction, I was intrigued by her honesty and insightfulness. For a while, they made me forget about fiction.

What stuck with me the most was how Armstrong describes herself as a freelance monotheist, drawing nourishment from all three religions of Abraham. To quote “ I can not see in the essence any one of these three faiths as superior to any of the others and certainly do not regard any one as having the monopoly of truth. I suppose one of my hopes in life is to try to get Jews, Christians and Muslims to realize the profound unanimity, the unanimous vision that they share, and to join hands together to stop the kind of cruelty, violence and obscenity, moral obscenity that we saw on September the 11th.” Even more after writing about Buddhism and Hinduism in her more recent books, her comparative studies on the major religions and how these faiths are deeply similar. Each has its own particular genius, each its peculiar weakness. A melting pot, if you wish, of all that is good and generous into one. This idea of a supreme spirituality I really appeals to me.


A freelance monotheist.
This is what I want to be when I grow up.

Karen Armstrong on Wiki

An Interview With Karen Armstrong

Getting rid of old Computers

I have a 2002 Compaq desk top and a laptop (before the HP Compaq merger) and an old HP printer we no longer use at home. Anyone know of any place I can donate them? Or dispose them in an environmentally friendly way?

Thank you for renting your marriage . .

Marriage was once an unbreakable promise. Now, marriage is like renting a car. Thank you for using our service, we’ll pick you up and when you are done with the vehicle we’ll take you home again. Get all the insurance you can get up front, loss damage waiver, whatever, and the risk is nothing. You crash the car, you walk away with nothing to pay. They don’t make no glass slippers no more. They closed that fantasy. The factory that grew pumpkins to turn into carriages shut down. They don’t make no princes anymore.

Its really none of my business and I always tell myself not to judge from a distance, but seriously?? What is up with people getting married so young now? I’m sorry but at 17 you are in no condition or mature enough to make that life altering decision of who you want to marry and spend the rest of your life with. Divorce rates are higher ( I don’t have any studies, stats or articles to back this claim, but all you need to do is listen to a couple stories and women around a cup of coffee and chocolate cake to get the impression). Also, I’ve noticed the stigma once attached with divorce has diminished somewhat, especially, the stigma and shame once attached with a divorce women in our conservative society. A few years ago, not a lot of women had the guts to ask for a divorce. But now women feel more empowered and will not put up with any sort of crap. Of coarse this doesn’t apply to the wider Omani society outside Muscat. Again this is just the impression I’m getting from my surrounding.

Getting married is ridiculously expensive now and getting divorce will not be cheap. Choose wisely and don’t get married because you are horny for someone and it just happened to be the trendy thing now

Smelly Fish

What's up with nasty smelly fishy smell around town? Even in areas not near the beach. The humidity makes it even worse. Someone told me it was fertilizer. Did someone spray the city with it?


* Update : Apparently, the stinky nasty fishy smell is a phenomenon called "Red Tide". Dead sea weeds, dead fish and algae, as a result of hot weather, humidity or other reasons caused by human activity are pushed to the shore, resulting in this "fishy" smell.

The smell is gone now - Thank God. Ever since Guno happened and now this, I'm thinking property by the beach not a good idea. High up in the hills and mountains is the way to go.

Poe Poe in a Box

I’ve only been back in Muscat for eleven days and I’ve been caught by the PPB (Poe-Poe in a Box aka speed detector radars) twice. I was only going 10 – 15 km over the speed limit and not really bothering anyone. The roads were almost empty on both occasions and I am a careful driver. I’ve made a promise to myself not to get caught again for at least two months. I refuse to drive like an idiot and slam the breaks on the highway every 300 meter or so in between the radars just so I don’t get caught. EFT. . . .