Wednesday December 2nd, 2009

Happy National Day UAE! 38 years and the worlds biggest everything. Not bad. This week has been strange. Most people have been off, for the holidays, but then yesterday everyone was back and all had resumed, and now everyone is off again. I can’t get my bearings. All I know is it has gone fast, and I woke up with a horrible soar throat, head and ears this morning. I am yet to find out if I will be attending the Rugby 7’s this weekend, I am in the process of planning a certain someone’s birthday (brainstorming, that means) and I’m wondering what airline I should go with for my February trip back home. Also contemplating asking the boss for a night off next week to go and watch the Killers. Plus, finally, have had confirmation a certain night in February I will be invited too. That’s all.

My song of the day – Maroon 5 – Makes Me Wonder

Tuesday December 1st, 2009.

Woohoo! It is December again! I love this month. I’m celebrating with a 12 hour day at work. No time to open an advent calendar today, which is just as well as I don’t have one.

My song of the day – Slade  – Merry Christmas Everyone!

Monday November 30th, 2009.

My Jeep is in for a service today, which means the AC can be fixed. It has been broken for at least 2 months but I have never actually got round to sorting it out. Opting for opening the windows instead, although that doesn’t really work as it is just hot air blowing in to the car. I have been given a newer, more shiny and all round better Jeep as a replacement whilst mine gets looked at, which is nice. I was as well looking at soft tops so that I can get the roof off for the winter. Felt slightly embarrassed as I enquired about ‘leotard’ tops, at which point the entire garage laughed at me whilst telling me it was ‘bikini’ top. Time for a quick exit, and by the look of the clouds, maybe not the best time to go topless after all.

My song of the day – The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go

Sunday November 29th, 2009.

The best and worst of this city. Had a good weekend. Lots of relaxing. And some exercise whilst walking around the par 3 course at Emirates Golf Club. After the Dubai World Championship last weekend, I was in the mood to walk around a nice course, hit some balls (I can’t play golf at all) and enjoy the peace of the fairway. The 2 hours spent, pretty much looking for my ball, were very relaxing, and some nice photos were taken too. However, all the relaxing done whilst playing golf was lost when it came to getting home. Off to the clubhouse we went, asked for a cab only to be told it would be a 2 hour wait! What? For a cab? We were then shown a group of people sitting in the clubhouse who had been waiting for 2 hours! That’s ridiculous isn’t it? One of the world’s most famous golf courses and no cabs? We were then told only 4 cabs were available. Right. I see. So, we began a walk with no real direction or knowing of what the plan was. We found ourselves walking along SZR for 30 minutes before arriving at Tecom. And then we found a hotel before then having to wait a further 30 minutes for a cab. It is just bizarre that a city like Dubai ends up making you walk along a 12 lane road, across sand and building sites just to get a cab.

My song of the day – Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You

Thursday November 25th, 2009.

End of the week, and a long week it has been. But, a good week too. Dan and I have come to the end of our first stint on air together. 5 weeks since The Tom & Dan Show began. Within that time, 2 weeks on Breakfast, Tom & Dan’s Big Bus Tour, The Mix Tape is up to N, Spaceman is the talk of the town, as are our karaoke sessions. Thanks for having us on. Dan is off to London/Paris and Newcastle for the next two weeks. Very nice! My turn to do the airport run, which I always quite enjoy apart from the fact I end up just wanting to go on holiday too! Have you found the secret car park at Terminal 1 by the way? It isn’t secret at all, but it is always empty. And as the normal car parks are always full, it is heaven to find. I can’t possibly tell you which one it is, because then the secret is out. All I can say is, be ever so careful of the speed hump that awaits you just at the top of the up ramp. It’s a killer!

My song of the day – Le Roux – In For The Kill

Tuesday November 24th, 2009.

Catboy and Geordiebird this week have been asking for the ‘word/phrase of the year’ in Dubai. ‘Barasti’, ‘Big Deal’, ‘Recession’ etc. I think for this time of year the phrase has to be ‘I can’t believe its November’. For both the Novembers I have been in Dubai that phrase I have noticed rattles around my head constantly. It is normally followed up by ‘back at home, it is cold, christmassy, wet, windy, dark, yet here, you just wouldn’t believe it is November’. Every year without fail, during November that is what everyone says. Plus, on top of that, the whole debacle of trying to work out when the clocks have been changed to back at home. For me, the clocks in the UK went back in October. But of course, you are disconnected from all of that, until you notice something different at home. They are now 4 hours behind, not 3. This is a huge change. At 8pm in Dubai (the night-time) it is only 4pm (the afternoon) at home. Not 5pm (the evening). It takes as long as it does for the time difference to change to get used to it all. And by the way, next week it is December! What? How can this be? I can’t believe it is almost December.

My song the day – Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone

Monday November 23rd, 2009.

Had a nice journey into work today. Normally, it is auto-pilot mode along SZR, stop at the garage for a bite to eat, so happens there is a McDonalds there so would be rude not to say hello, and then up to Studio City. Today however, I had to go to the bank so decided Marina Mall would be the best option. On my way, took an up close picture of the Hard Rock Café which I have been meaning to do ever since moving to Dubai. Once that was done, I wondered to the mall. Jobs completed and then some lunch whilst sat on the balcony looking over the water. All very nice. The weather is just right now isn’t it? Walks, outside eating, windows on the car open, it’s the best time of year. So make the most out of it, because soon we will be back indoors again. I heard of rain yesterday. Blimey. Get inside as soon as you can, we don’t want to get wet now do we?

My song of the day – Lady GaGa – Poker Face

Sunday November 22nd, 2009.

Good weekend? Yes! Tom & Dan’s Big Bus Tour travelled across Dubai on Friday. And we all had a load of fun. 60 winners, Dan and me, a bus from the Big Bus Company and games. Not forgetting all the sights of course. Have a look at all the videos and pictures here. http://dubai92.com/featured-contents/tom-dans-big-bus-tour-2/

We were so shattered afterwards, so relaxed in a hotel pool with Dan’s brother-in-law and nephew before a taxi ride to Ravi’s for dinner. A pretty rewarding and fun day! Saturday was all about seeing the golf. The Dubai World Championship was on, and I really enjoyed being there. I haven’t done anything like the Dubai World Cup yet, so this sporting event was something I was looking forward to. Had a good spot at the 17^th green and enjoyed the atmosphere, as well as the greenery. How much water is needed??

As for the start of a new week in Dubai. Dan and I back on evenings after two weeks on breakfast. Welcome back CBGB. So a relaxing few hours by the pool again this morning. All was well until I saw a series of grey clouds blowing in from the Gulf. Took me a while to really work out what these grey fluffy things were. ‘Clouds’ a tourist told me. So this weekend, I have seen a load of grass, grey clouds and have been on a double-decker bus. Just like been back at home really.

My song of the day – Justin Timberlake – Lovestoned