Before I started to drive, I found it strange how some people would rather go round and round the parking lot for quite some time looking for a spot that's close to their destination's entrance. "Why don't we just park over there?" I told someone a couple years ago as I pointed out an area that was a bit farther away. "No, let's find something closer," with closer being a mere 10-20 meters away from that sought after spot. I remember thinking, "Would I become like that when I start to drive?" And the answer is no. Sure, if I find a spot that's close by I'll slink right in but in general, I usually park my car at one of the first spots I see and end up happily walking more than I could have which is fine (actually great) by me. What kind of parker are you? I mean, if you're one of those who'd rather score a really "great spot" close to wherever you're going, what really is the point there with the exception of women who'd rather get a "good spot" due to safety reasons? I see it as a waste of time if you sit around waiting for a hot spot to be vacant and plus, we rarely do walk in public here so why not make use of that little opportunity?
A good friend of mine is working on a project and she asked if I know where she can buy large (think 2 meters and more) flags of different countries. I couldn't think of anything off the top of my head.
I don't know if Dasman Center has them. I thought about "Soug El Qmash" (cloth souk in downtown Kuwait) although I've never seen them being sold there.
So, do you know where someone can get large flags here in Kuwait or should my friend resort to websites on the Internet? I'm guessing it'll be less costly if they can be found here.
You can submit your answer in the comments section below or via email at erzulie1985@hotmail.com Thank you once again!
I'm currently supervising the revamping of my company's website which is now basically an easy-to-use CMS system. There's a bit that has the latest news section scrolling on the right.
My question is this: Is there some sort of program that detects the latest news regarding my company from local news sites and automatically adds them onto the scrolling latest news menu depending on the language of the page at hand?
For instance, let's say I work at Banana United. I would want to install a program that detects current news regarding Banana United on the English version of the website and the Arabic. For the English website, the main news sources that this program will use to pick up on current news concerning Banana United would be from the online news sites of Kuwait Times, Arab Times and Al-Watan Daily. For the Arabic, it would be from the online news sites of Al-Qabas, Al-Rai, Al-Watan, etc.
I asked the website creator if such a program exists but he said that he has never heard of anything like that before. But I'm left here thinking, "There must be other people in my shoes who would want such a program because typing everything out manually every week and linking it to the actual news source online is rather time consuming."
If you have the answer to this, please share it in the comments section below or email me at erzulie1985@hotmail.com. If you don't and you know someone/a company that might help me out, let me know of that as well. Thank you.
Grandiose Movie Review Based on (some) Bloggers' Recommendations
I while ago, I wrote a post about my inclination to watch foreign films rather than mainstream movies and blockbusters. Although I was delighted by Slumdog Millionaire, entranced by Mickey Rourke's terrific performance in The Wrestler, a role which I think was made for Rourke alone, was amused by The Readerand loved seeing Anne Hathaway's performance in Rachel Getting Married as well as Sean Penn in Milk, I would rather go back in time and disclose my personal feedback on the films that were recommended to me by relatives, friends and bloggers.
Bob Dylan with David Blue, Robert de Niro & friends (1977) Bob Dylan Archive
I wasn't there. That's my review. The problem is that you have to know every minute detail about Bob Dylan's life to really appreciate this movie. Needless to say, I didn't do my research prior to watching this film and in the end, I ironically found it to be a little bit off tempo. My rating: 6.3/10
I actually liked the naturally awkward mood that wrapped this film up into a neat little package filled with off-beat humor, personal insight on the characters' lives and the subtle yet defining moments that highlighted the significance of family ties and history. Although I don't think this movie is above and beyond, it's a good, amusing piece to watch if you're up for something to smile quizzically at. My rating: 7.7/10
If you're inches away from committing suicide and you need a little push that'll make you drag a knife across your wrist before you jump in a water-filled bathtub, I would suggest you watch this film that was created by Uber-Depression Productions. 'Nuff said. My rating: 5/10
My sister, a fan of romantic, dramatic films (think Unfaithful to Bridges of Madison County), was on my ass about this 80's classic for the longest time. A highly emotional custody battle between Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, this tear-jerker shows you how far a parent can go for the love of his/her child. My rating: 8.5/10
I really liked this movie. A friend of mine said that it's not Almodóvar's best film but I think it's at least one of his best. I'm a big fan of unconventional and familiarly sarcastic humor. This might not be the best adjective to describe this film but it was, in general, pleasant, mostly because of the strong sisterly and family bonds. There is a twist in the film that I did not figure out until near the very end. For people who saw this movie, I think you know what I'm talking about. And last but oh so not least, Penelope Cruz is absolutely gorgeous in this film. I seriously don't understand how she gets better looking with age! I saw her in Jamón, jamón with Javier Bardem and she looked pretty at seventeen years of age. But fifteen years later in Volver, she was simply a stunner. My rating: 7.9/10
I've been wanting to see this movie for the longest time ever. The main characters and their quote-friendly dialogue are very memorable. This just might be the warmest film the Coen brothers ever made with quirky humor alongside gory scenes. If you're all right with bloody films so to speak, I'd definitely recommend this piece. It's simply raw, funny, smart and unique. My rating: 8.4/10
Baraka - Recommended by a friend Created 15 years ago and shot on 70 mm film, this beautiful, non-narrative film is a purely cinematic poem that links the mesmerizing wonder of humankind to nature. A definitive must-see. My rating: 9.3/10
Trainspotting - Recommended by a friend This 1995 pseudo-cult film is the sort of thing that lingers around three days after you're done watching it. It may be because I didn't know that the movie was about the self-destructiveness heroine had in mind for its users; at times it was confusedly morbid yet humorous, fatal but hopeful and in a lot of moments, disgusting. I wouldn't recommend this movie for those who're weak at heart; I certainly would've liked a heads up before I watched this flick. Then again, it is considered as one of the classics that slip right into cult films that glamorize sex, drugs and violence such as Pulp Fiction and what not. If you want to watch something new that will give you a little shock, I'd give this a go. My rating: 8.9/10
There were a lot of other films that were mentioned on the previous post by Ms. Baker, Zeecu, Angelo, Dalal Arch, The Universal Refusenik and Bodie Broduas, and I do plan to order and watch them. So, thanks to the aforementioned bloggers :) And if the rest have any suggestions on what to watch, let me know!
One day, I was chatting with a dear, astronomy obsessed friend of mine who's more or less the kind of person who knows everything about anything, the ultimate aficionado of miscellaneous information if you might. As usual, we were talking about random topics when the date December 21, 2012 came up.
Friend: There are actually a lot of prophecies about the world ending on December 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM universal time. Me: Excuse me?
Being ultra-curious and extremely superstitious by nature, I obviously wanted to know more about how the world and we will be obsolete.
Friend: For the first time since 25,800 years, the earth will be in alignment with the sun and the Milky Way, a formation called the "Sacred Tree" by the Mayans. The Mayan calendar, which has predicted minor and major wars and other catastrophes and was also a base for Nostradamus' predictions, ends at that specific date, claiming that that will be the end of the world. Me: What does this so-called sacred tree have to do with the end of the world? Friend: There will be an extreme pole shift on that day. The hemispheres' positioning will change very rapidly. That day actually marks the beginning of the 13th cycle of the earth. Me: What cycle? Friend: You know how we had the Ice and Stone Age and such? Well, think about the human body. It cleanses itself on a regular basis. Now think about the earth. Me: So the earth is basically cleansing itself from us and all of our makings. Friend: Precisely. Me: Well, sounds like we're responsible for bringing hell onto ourselves. Friend: Possibly.
Our discussion continued while I stared with widened eyes, thinking about what I might be doing at that supposedly cursed date while at the same time trying to remember every detail of our conversation so I could relay everything to my parents over lunch.
Friend: Our own calendar is based on the Mayan calendar. Now you have to know that the Mayan civilization were extremely keen on astronomy. Their whole civilization is actually based on their calendar. For instance, they recorded every single detail regarding a person's date and timing of birth, under which stars and planets the person's birth fell upon, etc. Such records helped direct individuals to the professions that best suited the supposedly innate nature and character they were born in. And it worked. Me: So if they're so into this whole foretelling of the future bit, how the hell didn't they see their own demise when the Spaniards came along? Friend: They did. Me: Well that's clever.
Apart from other civilizations, religions and individuals throughout history who have all prophesized astoundingly similar events happening in our time, the Mayans too stated that the century we're in right now will be going through many destructive wars and drastic environmental changes that will forever affect all life on earth.
Friend: Of course, this could all be a coincidence but if it's true, no one knows if it will happen on December 21, 2012 or if it's actually happening gradually. Case in point, Hurricane Katrina, the Tsunami, an increase in war and disease. Me: Well isn't that lovely…
Needless to say, I made a virtual trek and found a lot of information about this topic. The most well-sourced and thought-inducing one is this documentary from The History Channel titled "December 21, 2012 – The End?" Although my dear friend did mention most of the prophesized changes, the documentary does site other sources that predicted the same things as the Mayans such as Ancient Chinese texts, a Native American tribesman, Greek and Roman oracles and more. My suggestion is to let the YouTube videos load while you take a shower and by the time you're done, you'll be ready to watch them before you sleep comfortably in your bed – for now ;)
