Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Overheard in the newsroom: Sandance & Justin Bieber edition

 I think Idris Elba would be a good choice for the next James Bond

Editor A: I want to buy some new shoes.
Editor B: Me too, and I know where they are and how much they cost.

I'm getting tired of Justin though.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Snap caption: Banged up joke suitcase not so different from my banged-up real suitcase




















Love the quirky items at Wamli.com, particularly the 4-wheel crash trolley for Dh770. And since that's how my suitcase looked when it came off the conveyor belt after my last trip home, why not just lean it to the pending damage?

Friday, May 3, 2013

Snap caption: Frosted tips and pink lips at the barber in Dubai

Kuwait Street, Bur Dubai

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Dear Pizza Hut: This crust appears to be breaded, please explain yourself


The Canadian embassy and Tim Hortons want you to go to Justin Bieber

This is adorable. My embassy wants you to "like" their Facebook page and they've paired up with a Canadian coffee institution to make it happen. (Although frankly there are so many Tim Hortons over here now I don't know where I'm at). From the press release:

JUSTIN BIEBER TICKETS FROM THE CANADIAN EMBASSY, COURTESY OF TIM HORTONS !!

Last Chance to win Fan Pit Tickets to see Justin Bieber in Dubai on May 5.

Like the Embassy's Facebook page and answer the question to win !

Pass on the info to your contacts !

http://www.facebook.com/CanadaUAE

Susan Sarandon survives SPiN Dubai

Susan Sarandon and SPiN Dubai co-owner Dani Alyamour 

Is she not gorgeous? Wow oh wow do I hope I look one-tenth that good when I wake up tomorrow. Anyhoo, I travelled down to DXB for the opening of this club, SPiN Dubai, last night. (First off, because I know you were wondering: no, the paddles are not actually that big) I don't often go to events down the road in the big city, because finding things in Dubai invariably frays my very last nerve and also, the city is obsessed with black light. I did not expect black light in a ping-pong club, but there it was, with a DJ and canapes and the smallest lemon cookies I have ever seen (the size of my fingernail, seriously). Black light should be banned and frankly, with all the rules over here, I am surprised it hasn't been. Who wants to feel like Shabby McShabbykins with tell-tale bits of white fluff all over them? Not me, for sure! Also I like to think of Dubai as "the city that was trying too hard" and last night did not disappoint. I saw lots of hip, cool people, but I also saw GOWNS. It's a ping pong club, not a royal wedding! Good lord. Thank goodness I busted out my good shoes. (I will forever love Abu Dhabi's acceptance of flip flops; my distaste for shoes is part of the reason I can't bring myself to leave).

I can report that Ms Sarandon sat in a cordoned off VIP area, right next to the "gold" ping pong table which was "revealed" in a ceremony at the start of the night. On the arm of the sofa, right beside her, was her partner in SPiN (and life?), the very cute Jonathan Bricklin. Who cares if they are going out or not? I just want to believe they are a couple, because the reverse 30-year age gap blows peoples' minds with its different-ness and also I like it when people are happy.

Sarandon, who seemed a little overwhelmed with all the hoopla, was kind and encouraging when my friend's friend waltzed in the VIP area and spoke to her, confessing they would be treating their hangovers today, as they often do, with an encore viewing of The Witches of Eastwick.

Jesse Metcalfe from Desperate Housewives was there, with his fiance, and indeed will be large in Dubai until sometime next week (he is hosting Girls in The City, Cavalli Club's questionable-sounding ladies night, on Tuesday, for example)but I didn't see him. 

In other awesomeness, you don't have to pick up your balls at SPiN! You get giant buckets, and then this guy uses this contraption to pick up all the strays. Genius. Oh, and below, two chicks at the "gold" table. And below that, my souvenir. 








Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Overheard in the newsroom: Justin Bieber edition


Editor A: I want to buy some new shoes.
Editor B: Me too, and I know where they are and how much they cost. 

I'm getting tired of Justin though. 

She took something away from me that day.

I hate self-service.