Oct 312011
Oct 292011
While I was reading a New York Times article, I saw a link to a story on an abused adopted daughter. Of course, I had to click on it.
The article is interesting, but am more interested in the section of adoption diaries. Though I haven’t explored it thoroughly, I wonder if all the stories end up having a positive tone about adoption or not. I like a varied point of view, but of course that doesn’t always sell.
Anyway, just thought I’d post it as a new area of adoption to keep up on!
Oct 282011
Last week, or was it two weeks ago now, was a stretch of strange morning weather. Early in the morning until about 9am or so, there was a crazy mist that covered the country.
This made driving to work rather interesting since visibility was as you can tell from the photos.
Of course, most people continued to drive as if they could see for miles, but luckily we weren’t involved in any altercations or accidents. However, there were reports of them.
Thankfully, the air has cleared and brought some cooler temps, which makes the A/C not as necessary, but we’re not out of the freezers just yet. π
Oct 272011
Yes, it is true. There are days when I am at work from 7.30 to 5 or later and to survive the day, a little rest of eyes is required.
The beauty of having my own office is that I can pretend to not be in the office. Also, because of the way I moved the furniture, you can’t see me doing a George Costanza when I need a little rest. π
Oct 262011
On October 13, 2011, B and I headed to see Ms Jackson at the Yas Island Arena.
Now, I had made a decision that this year I would not go to any concerts unlessΒ 1) I got free tickets; or 2) I was willing to pay for VIP seats. Previous concert experiences at this venue reminded me of why I vowed never to go see another fireworks display in Japan. Crowds and rude people – need I say more?
So, when I found out that Janet Jackson was coming, I was torn. Would I pay or not? My decision was easily swayed when B wanted to go as well and was on the same page about paying for the seats.
Thus, we found ourselves at the concert:
Overall, I would say it was worth the money, though I would have preferred if it had been cheaper…. In some ways, I was both impressed and disappointed. Also, at the end, I felt a little bit confused because she paid tribute to her brother, but the crowd went crazier for him than they had the whole concert for her….Wonder how she feels still being in his shadow…?
Anyway, it was a good time and that’s all that matters!
Oct 222011
As if I already don’t struggle enough with keeping up on my blog, but now I’ve decided to add two more sites to my list of “things to do”. π
Well, one was already started, but I’m trying to incorporate it more actively into my regular routine of life – Abu Dhabi POV. I’ve registered it as its own domain now, so instead of it being a wordpress site, it’s now a .com site (abudhabipov.com). I’m now going to start putting together interview questions and hopefully get this really launched as I got positive feedback on the idea when I did a soft launch during the summer. So, here’s hoping this takes off!
The other site, which stemmed from me having to do a paper portfolio for my contract renewal, is an online professional portfolio. I’ve thought about it for a while and have been reading quite a bit about creating online professional networks, etc. However, I hesitated at creating yet another space that I have to maintain. Still, as I am putting together the paper version, I think about how much easier it would be (and greener!) if I were to have a link I could send to my supervisors rather than give them a bulky notebook – which is what I will do. So, I am doing both for the moment and hoping that eventually digital footprints will become bigger as we make smaller the carbon one. π
Here’s the site – http://mstarawaller.com/ – it may not work for a few hours as I just upgraded the domain name for it.
-T
Oct 202011
The last film, I saw at the Fairmont was on Thursday night with my friend, B. We saw Habemus Papam, an Italian film with a different perspective on the weight and responsibility of becoming the Pope.
Despite it’s religious topic, it was not really a religious film. In fact, it was probably my favorite of the three films I saw during the festival due to its very different take on this high-profile religion. The burden of becoming the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church is not one to be taken lightly. Generally, we expect that the cardinals aspire to become the next Holy Father and gladly take on the role with confidence. However, this film shows what it might be like if a cardinal was chosen who did not feel up to the task. What are the implications to the Church? To God? To man as followers?
It was a very realistic film with spots of humor and not at all heavy as might be expected when talking about the Catholic Church. So, I quite enjoyed it.
The film was also preluded by a short film called The Wholly Family, which was an interesting remake of a French story – or so I heard. It had a nice moral and was just long enough to keep it light and interesting. π
Thus ends my 2011 Film Festival experience. I’m glad that I made it this year since I completed missed it all last year. This time of year in the city is full of events as the weather begins to cool. So, I hope to be sharing more activities soon!
Next up will be my post on Janet Jackson, which is a wee bit late… π
-T
Oct 182011
For the first time in a very long time, I do not have words to express how I feel. It’s not that things are particularly bad. It’s not that they are great. Of course, everything could be worse. π
I’m still recovering from a cold sore/fever blisters that strangely appeared on my cheek near my mouth, but not exactly around my mouth, which is where they would normally appear.
I’m quite tired and had a crazy-ass serious migraine today that woke me up at 5.30 this morning and just hasn’t gone away. It’s better now after about an hour nap, but usually my headaches linger for about three days. So, at least I’m surviving that right now.
Still, I’m on edge for some reason….
Oct 172011
Back to the Fairmont on Monday to see The Double, which was a typical Hollywood film starring Richard Gere and Topher Grace.
Sadly, I’ve never been a real Richard Gere fan. He’s had his moments in some of his early films, but otherwise I just don’t buy in to his ‘charm’. Also, I find Topher Grace to be too…’pretty’ for lack of a better word. I cannot buy him as an agent or anything resembling a ‘manly’ role. I know that may sound harsh, but it’s just how I view him in most of his roles.
Anyway, this was the second viewing of the film ever and so that gave it some value. Otherwise, it is what R and I call an airplane movie meaning don’t waste your money in a theatre and not really worth a download either. It could have been much worse, but it just didn’t grab me.
One more to come…
-T
Oct 142011
This week was the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) and to ensure that I would actually make it to some films this year, I decided to make my choices based on location rather than on films. The ADFF had a new venue – the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr – with an outdoor screen, which is only about 15 minutes from my place.
Rather than drive through traffic for a half-hour to get to the Marina Mall or Abu Dhabi Theatre venues, it was an easy choice for location. Based on that, the number of films available to attend were limited, which was great for decision-making. π
So, last Friday, R and I headed out to see Stockholm East – a Swedish love story.
It was quite good, though a little too ‘happy-ending’ for my cynical taste. π I really love moments in the film where there could have been drama, like when the heroine goes to the ex-partner’s home to find the hero and though she could have been nasty or rude, she was civil and cooperative. We could still sense her dislike and annoyance with the heroine and the situation, but unlike a Hollywood film, the subtleties of her demeanor and tone said all that needed to be said to express how she felt.
Will write about the other films in coming posts… π
