michelle's dairy

Thanks ATO!

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:34:00 GMT

How incredible are tax returns?

I haven't seen one in 3 financial years!

“Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.”—Anonymous

Lost in the music

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:14:55 GMT

At lunch today, the conversation turned to music and stuff they play at Cheese (retro/indie/british classics), Creamfields and KissFM mix CDs, "big" nights that happen here - Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Nick Warren, Fatman Scoop..

I dont know how many times I would've said "rubbiiiissssh"

Then Robin and I sang to Cassie's 'Me & U' that was playing on the sound system.

Race Time

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:38:11 GMT

One of my projects was "officially" unveiled today in all the papers!

The National

Gulf News

7Days

It doesnt mention the hotel specifically, but you can see it in the pictures!
(Photo 8 in the Gulf!)

Money Talks 3

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:42:30 GMT

Exchange rate down to 2.37

OMGZZZZ.
I wish I had some money to send back!

Traffic Jamz

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:26:25 GMT

I’ve heard about the traffic problems here.. I’ve even seen photos and on TV. The closest I’ve experienced it is seeing it on the other side of the road as I’m pretty lucky that I travel against the flow and it takes me 10-15mins to get to and from work or generally about 20mins to get to most places. The worst traffic for me would be waiting for more than 2 sets of lights at the Union Co-Op intersection.

I started thinking it was bad when the new toll gates opened on SZR at Safa Park during Ramadan and Al Wasl Rd started getting a major increase of traffic due to the “salik dodgers”. All this to save 4 dhs?

Yesterday was the day I experienced what hundreds, maybe even thousands of people deal with here every day. I re-found the joy of screaming obscenities like “What the fuck are you doing?” and “Pick a fucking lane, asshole!” Luckily noone here drives with their windows down, unlike having pedestrians on the streets of Sydney city either laughing or looking at you being so rude.

I planned to head to the stone factory to pick up some samples before work, which allowed me time to sit in my room and eat some toast casually. I drove up to the Barsha overpass and just as we got over SZR I was stopped in traffic. All the way around the bend and up to the first set of lights. 400m in 25mins

I ended up having to go to the main factory up in DIP and on my way back I got caught up in a couple of of the huge roundabouts, but that’s nothing unusual because theres so many big trucks travelling on Emirates Rd. Instead of going back through Barsha, I decided to keep going and cut back up to one of the other roundabouts.

I missed the turn off for Defence Roundabout, but saw the one for Trade Centre Roundabout. So I took that and BAM! Traffic. It ended up being backed up all the way from Dubai-Al Ain Rd to Trade Centre. Thanks stupid Citiscape exhibition. 2kms in 1hr 10 mins

After work I was off to the gym and on my way out after 8pm, I hit it again! This time out of DIFC to Defence Roundabout. 2kms in 45mins.

I can walk faster than that, seriously.

The Singing Budgie

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:14:26 GMT

I just bought Kylie tickets for a concert here in November!

Shake Your Booty

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:28:50 GMT

I was just sitting here minding my own business when Inga noticed that her chair was wobbling. So was mine. Earthquake!

We had a bit of a laugh and got on with it.. next thing you know, Aditi has called me freaking out with a lot of "get out of the building!". Apparently everyone else in the whole building was evacuated and we were all just sitting here.

------
Tremors from an earthquake registering 6.1 on the Richter scale 60km south west of Bandar Abbas in Iran were felt in Dubai today, prompting the evacuation of high-rise buildings on the Sheikh Zayed Road and in the Dubai Media City...

The earth tremor hit a triangular area between Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Dubai. This follows warnings from local UAE academics that earthquake faultlines in Iran could have serious implications for building stability in the UAE.

Summary:
Magnitude Mw 6.1
Region SOUTHERN IRAN

Date time 2008-09-10 at 11:00:37.9 UTC
Location 26.95 N ; 55.78 E
Depth 30 km
Distances 57 km SW Bandar-e 'abbas (pop 317,946 ; local time 15:30 2008-09-10)
42 km W Qeshm (pop 16,691 ; local time 15:00 2008-09-10)

------
6.1 magnitude is pretty massive, especially as a 5.6 was able to devestate Newcastle in 1989.

We noticed on another Seismological Centre website that there was another 4.9 quake about 1/2hr later in the same spot

Summary:
Magnitude mb 4.9
Region SOUTHERN IRAN

Date time 2008-09-10 at 11:33:14.0 UTC
Location 26.93 N ; 55.89 E
Depth 30 km
Distances 50 km SW Bandar-e 'abbas (pop 317,946 ; local time 16:03 2008-09-10)
31 km W Qeshm (pop 16,691 ; local time 15:33 2008-09-10)

Money Talks 2

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:30:17 GMT

2.96

DAAAAAAMMMNNN.

Ramadan Day 1

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:58:33 GMT

Erik comes in saying that 'in the spirit of Ramadan', he is opting to give up coffee.

Good for him.

A little while later, he remembers that he has decaf and wonders if this constitutes as a non-coffee product.

My arguement is "no, it IS a coffee product. Are you trying to give up caffeine?"
Erik: "Err.. yes. I am giving up the addictive qualities, but not necessarily the enjoyment"

I think he's just created a loophole for himself so he can drink it.
In my opinion, this is both soft AND half-arsed. Muslims give up ALL food AND drink. Even if it is for daylight hours, but thats pretty long here especially as its summer.

Office Ramadan Timing

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:03:21 GMT

This is their nice way of saying "We have shortened your working hours (to normal hours that everyone else gets), but you can work longer if you want to. And the guilt trip is to count yourselves lucky that we give you Christmas and Boxing Day off!"

------
From: HR
To: Everyone-dxb
Subject: Ramadan Timing

To: All Staff,

Please note that during the Holy month of Ramadan the official office hours will be reduced to 9.00am to 5.00pm in line with UAE Labour Law.

However the office will remain open with support staff cover as normal from 8.00am to 6.00pm so that those of you who wish to work additional hours are able to do so if your work commitments require it. Working hours for site staff will be dependent on specific site arrangements. Please note that as per our normal office practice we shall be giving everyone additional holidays for Christmas day and Boxing Day.

We expect the holy month of Ramadan to start from 31st August or 1st September. The exact start date will be announced in the local news paper or radio.

Best Regards,

HR Manager

Schmap

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:36:22 GMT

:: Schmap Canberra Fifth Edition: Photo Inclusion

Hi Michelle,

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo
has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fifth
edition of our Schmap Canberra Guide:

National Museum of Australia
http://www.schmap.com/canberra/tours_tour1/p=146757/i=146757_26.jpg

If you use an iPhone or iPod touch, then this same link
will take you directly to your photo in the iPhone version
of our guide. On a desktop computer, you can still see
exactly how your photo is displayed and credited in the
iPhone version of our guide at:

National Museum of Australia
http://www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=canberra&sid=tours_tour1&p=146757&i=146757_26

Canberra Schmap
I'm in the National Museum set of photos.

I'M FAMOUS.

ANOTHER blog

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:09:50 GMT

well, the reinvention of a previous:

http://handsup-thumbsdown.tumblr.com/

Roll #7

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:33:54 GMT

After being disappointed that Rolls 4, 5 and 6 had various complications.. I was super pleased that roll 7 ended up working, especially as I'd found a shop that stocked Fuji Superia 400!

Photos: Lomo Roll 7

Now to find somewhere that sells Agfa CT Precisa.

GG

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:56:42 GMT

My sister arrives tomorrow night.

Yay!

We are going to eat horrendously expensive food at (Gary) Rhodes Mezzanine because Verre (Gordon Ramsay's restaurant) isn't open on a Saturday night - outrageous!

Partially Un-blocked

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:23:44 GMT

They seem to have unblocked my access into the site but my Friends page is still restricted.
SO STOP POSTING RUDE STUFF.

Meanwhile..
I got some blog withdrawals so started ANOTHER one

HANDS UP / THUMBS DOWN

Its meant to get me back to using my digi cam after I keep getting disappointed by the lomo. The iXus is on its way out too though.. it just forgets to focus!

I wish... from Urban Outfitters

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 07:11:25 GMT

iPod Boombox

Grande Headphones in Raspberry

Holga CMY

Mini Leica

Wall Map Mural

I wish...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:59:13 GMT

* Passengers wouldn’t slam my car doors so hard.
* People should get the hint when you turn to get back to working and they keep talking to you
* You’d soak the bowl with water if you’re going to leave it in the sink with food scraps in it... and if by chance you decide to wash your plates.. why don’t you use the sponge with washing up liquid so they aren’t greasy or have crumbs stuck to them?
* For good times and jamz like when Tash + I were at Flosstradamus @ V fest.
* I could go on holidays. Preferably somewhere with less than 20°C weather
* The next time I go to Ski Dubai, I miraculously become a natural at snowboarding
* 30,000dhs would appear in my bank account.
* I had access to a gym.
* My bananas wouldn't ripen so quickly.
* I could find a good book to read. (This year so far, I reckon I've read more books that I have in the past 10 years)
* I had something exciting planned for the weekend.

Homesick

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:46:55 GMT

Its weird to think that its good to see photos of the rain in Sydney.

I'd swap a week of rain if someone took away this 40+ degree weather. If only for a day or 2.

3 days Mourning

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:50:33 GMT

ABU DHABI: The Ministry of Presidential Affairs on Tuesday announced the death of Shaikh Nasser Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the brother of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Shaikh Nasser died on Monday night when the helicopter carrying him and his colleagues crashed over Gulf waters.

In a statement, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced a three-day mourning period starting on Tuesday.

Offices in the government, public and private sectors will continue to work as normal, an authorised source at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs said.

Inga, our resident ex-pat brat, said that when a relative of the Sheikh dies, we usually get 3 days off for the mourning period. This is probably the first time (in her knowledge) that people have continued working (not to sound insensitive). All the radio stations are playing opera music or instrumental tracks. Apparently it should be dry too.. so there goes drinks with the boys on Thursday night.

Do Buy or Not to buy..

Mon, 26 May 2008 10:32:32 GMT

I posted new pics in my Do Buy.. album.

I have quite a collection going on..
Look and laugh!

LOMO

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:39:29 GMT

LOMO
Originally uploaded by mishwahrox

This is my LC-A.

Your jobs a joke.. you're broke..

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:19:35 GMT

Your love lifes D.O.A!!!

/me lookin all casual hanging out at the local Central Perk Cafe.

The new guy, David, arrived almost 2 weeks ago. His first weekend was a pretty quiet one as we'd all had a massive one the weekend before for Ben's farewell. He came along to MoE with Emma and I and hung about while we did our 2nd snowboarding lesson.

The beginner's slope was pretty packed as the Discovery class had about 20 people in it! (we only had 3). So our cute (but looked about 15) Essex instructor dude thought we could make it down from the top of the slope.

I hate chairlifts. It makes me realise that I could develop a fear of heights. It gets pretty high, but I guess not as high as the ones in real life.. outside. I actually came off it ok.. until I felt Emma's hand on my back.. so I freaked out and we both fell over.

The view from the top was pretty steep. Just had to keep telling myself it was like the beginner's slope, but about 20 times longer. I made it down falling-leaf-steez pretty well.. until i got to the flat bit.. dig my toes in too much and fell on my knees. Emma was struggling so I waited on the half way till she made it down.

Thats Emma on the way down

Thats the instructor ready for the bottom half of the slope.. which is a bit more hilly and has a jump on the left side about half way down. I went down slow and kept an eye on Emma behind me, but she fell and had enough so unstrapped and walked the rest of the way down!

I was pretty pleased with that effort. My report card says I'm ready for Level 1, where I'll learn how to do heel-to-toe turn. Emma was told she should probably do the beginner lesson again. So will probably wait till she's caught up!

The week has been pretty easy. I'm not doing a lot work-wise.. just helping everyone else out on bits and pieces till my projects come back from review. So I've touched on every project in the team now! Pretty proud of that.

Its been getting warm.. hitting about 40 in the day and staying above 30 at nights. Its almost getting to the point where you can do a lot outdoors anymore, which is a bit depressing. Its kinda hard to get your head around the seasons being switched.. I'm meant to be hibernating in winter!

Anyways.. my free hour is running low.. so signing off.

Stupid Analog

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:53:40 GMT

I finished my roll of Kodak Colour Plus 200 yesterday and found it a bit strange that it re-wound (re-winded?) so quickly. Maybe the film didnt take - AGAIN? I thought about re-shooting the roll.. possibly doing double exposures, but the film was wound back onto the cannister and I couldnt get it out. (Is there a trick to it?)

I took it straight to the local photo shop.. and half an hour later found that there was not ONE SHOT. I was even more devastated after I took out my little makeshift notepad from my bag - that I've been using to keep track of the settings I used - only to read about the possible great shots I might have had.

Including pics of housemates and Ben (before he left), work people, the games parlour at Safa Park, Burj Dubai site..

/tear

ROCK

Sun, 11 May 2008 05:09:10 GMT

Near the end of last year, I went to a party that had a dress up theme of ROME.

This time around, the theme is ROCK and I'm wondering if you have any ideas?

They made a movie clip [mp4](Rupert is a video producer), that I have yet to see because EVERYTHING IS FREAKING BLOCKED HERE.. or I'm not allowed to load the appropriate software.

So any ideas much welcome.

Also, you have to remember that there is nothing here like Vinnies or op-shops, so I have to make use of what I got or buy really cheap crap stuff from something like Big W.

Music.. makes the peoples.. come together

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:16:34 GMT

I was replying to a thread on my old RA Forum stomping grounds commenting about the DJ Yoda FabricLive thing as this other dude, who was so on my wavelength, was saying that people like Klever, Tittsworth etc should do FabricLive stuff. Then I was all like "YEAH! A-trak should do the next one!"

I hit up google to see if he's played at Fabric, as I thought that I read he had recently off the Fools Gold Blog.. and lo and behold, the lucky punters in London get to see him next week playing at Fabric and YoYo.

And then this caught my eye:

Friday 2nd – FABRIC LIVE (ATRAK FABRIC LIVE MIX CD COMING IN APRIL 2009)

Like WOAH.
If this is true.. SUPER EXCITING!! Especially with his own release album out soon as well! YEEEEE.