"you know you live in doha when..." written by Ladycroft on estrip.org

Category: about doha

11/30/08 05:37 - 27ºF - ID#46888

you know you live in doha when...

You're not surprised to see a goat in the passenger seat

You need a sweater when it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit

You believe that the definition of a "nanosecond" is: the time interval between the light turning green and the guy behind you blowing his horn

You understand that 'wadi bashing' isn't a criminal act

You make left turns from the far right lane

You send friends a map instead of your address

You think "Mamsir" is one word

You think it perfectly normal to have a picnic in the middle of a roundabout at 11pm

You know exactly how much alcohol allowance you have left for the month

You never say Saturday instead of Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday anymore

You accept that there is no point in asking why you are not allowed to do something because there is no good reason why

You expect queues to be 1 person deep and 40 people wide

You carry 12 passport size photos around with you, just in case

You can tell the time by listening to the local mosque

Phrases like 'potato peeler', 'dish washer', 'coffee maker' and 'fly swatter' are not household items but actually job titles

Habibi isn't just the ex-president of Indonesia

You say "Insha'allah" when you actually mean "No f**king chance!"

Permalink: you_know_you_live_in_doha_when_.html
Words: 213
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: halloween

11/26/08 05:45 - 33ºF - ID#46843

quick pic

I finally got the Halloween pics, but I don't have enough time to post everything right now. Here is a quick picture from Halloween as Morticia and Gomez. I'll post more pics next time, as well as fancy ones from the St. Andrew's Ball this weekend!

Happy Turkey Day in advance!

Permalink: quick_pic.html
Words: 53
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: adventure

11/18/08 03:07 - 28ºF - ID#46743

i'm popeye the sailor woman

Toot-toot!

I started sailing lessons a few weeks ago. I'm so excited to be learning a new sport that has been on my life list for a looooong time. It is SO much fun!!! The weather is beautiful out these days, not too hot, not too cold, not too humid - just right.

Anyhoo, here are some pics from last week's lessons.

Rory falling out of the boat - we had to practice capsizing so we know what to do when we inevitably do so.

You have to get over the ropes and swim behind the boat, then put your weight on the dagger board to flip the boat upright - which is what Rory was just about to do.

Then you oh so ungracefully yank yourself back into the boat with out capsizing it the other way- as I demonstrate here.

Ta-da!

Simon (our friend and instructor) gives us a briefing on how to use the 'fun boats'.

And we're off!

Between the 5 of us we only had a few minor collisions, and an incident where an ass-tard jet skier decided to tow another jet ski right in front of me and Rory - and then yells at me to "stop my boat". What an ass monkey.

Such a pleasant way to spend a beautiful afternoon!

Permalink: i_m_popeye_the_sailor_woman.html
Words: 231
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: photos

11/13/08 03:36 - 53ºF - ID#46675

cambodia...so awesome

I'm finally working on Cambodia and Vietnam photos! I swear it. See?

Permalink: cambodia_so_awesome.html
Words: 14
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

11/09/08 09:35 - 42ºF - ID#46611

IBS i still hate you!

Ugh. My IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) has been acting up something FIERCE this week. I'm probably much more stressed with work than my mind believes, thus my body is reacting with vengeance. Meep. I even took a day off work I was SO sick...and that's unusual. I hope it gets better soon.

I started another 'Life List' activity this week; Sailing lessons! I've always wanted to learn to sail and now I'm finally taking a course. It makes me so happy to finally be doing all these things I could only dream of before. My life is turning out to be just great! I forgot my camera this round but I'll be sure to bring it next week and get some action shots, presumably of me capsizing my little boat.

Meanwhile we celebrated 7 months together yesterday!

Permalink: IBS_i_still_hate_you_.html
Words: 137
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Last Modified: 05/31/13 04:48

Category: halloween

11/03/08 04:55 - 53ºF - ID#46484

halloween

Well, thanks to everyone who posted photos of the Halloween party! I'm so sad I couldn't be there, it's always one of my favorite nights of the year.

I had a lot of fun at the Gangsters and Molls Monster Ball. Although I'd say about 80% of the guys were all dressed alike: black pants, black shirt, white tie.

Apparently I did a good job cutting my wig because people thought it was my real hair and asked if I had gotten a special haircut just for the event. They didn't believe me when I told them there was golden brown locks to the middle of my back tucked neatly under that short,short bob! Yah...I know what you're thinking...LOOOOOOOOOTS of bobby pins, that's how.

The next night we did Morticia and Gomez Adams but I was disappointed so few people dressed up. LAME. The Tina Turner impersonator was entertaining and Rory knows everyone who works there so we go to eat for free. I guess I can't complain there!

I'll get photos put up very soon! Happy Halloween everyone :)

Permalink: halloween.html
Words: 181
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

10/28/08 06:08 - 42ºF - ID#46380

SCUBA

Finally! You are now looking at Doha's most recently certified open water diver :) Woohoo! That has been on my life list for quite some time, I'm so happy to have finally accomplished it! So now I can actually go diving in all these fabulous places instead of just snorkeling. Yay!

In the news lately are stories of workers in Dubai being left at the airports without money or passports and basically turned into slaves. It's really very sad. The situation is the same here in Doha. If you go to the airport you'll see dozens of men sleeping on the concrete right outside the terminal, with no one to claim them. The way they treat workers here is so horrible. It took me a long while to realize why they were so awe struck any time I showed them kindness, or said thank you, or GAVE them something.

When I was in my other office I used to lend my tea boy books all the time and at first he didn't want to accept it. When I smile and say hello to the cleaners in my building, it's like a light shines through their eyes because someone is acknowledging them as a human being and appreciating the work they do. Sigh. Sometimes you just feel so stuck because you want to change things and you know it will probably take 50 years, if it happens.

Permalink: SCUBA.html
Words: 234
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Last Modified: 05/31/13 06:44

Category: halloween

10/27/08 05:57 - 43ºF - ID#46361

costumes, costumes, costumes

Update on previous post:

I found some photos of flapper dresses with feather trim, and I was able to find feather trim, so Im gonna sew feather trim on my dress! I looked through the souqs but I just couldn't find fringe. I did found a bit of sequin to trim the neckline with. We'll see how it looks all put together!

Last night I gave my wig a haircut. I made poor Rory wear it because I needed it to sit on a real head. It's not perfect (because cutting a wig with big honky scissors isn't easy) but in a darkened room it will probably look very real. I gave it a nice short bob to go with the flapper theme.

I was going to dye my other dark brown wig black for Morticia, but since I am running out of time, decided it was best not to attempt. More so because I realized it would make a great Lara Croft piece. While my hair works for that now, I DO plan on cutting it as soon as it's long enough to donate again. I'll have a safety net for playing my favorite Heroin!

Permalink: costumes_costumes_costumes.html
Words: 196
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

10/09/08 08:31 - 56ºF - ID#46010

busy busy beeeeee

Holy crapola I have so much catching up to do with my journal!!! Here is the super brief version:

I'm getting my SCUBA certification this weekend, FINALLY!

Just got back from Ireland.

Guinness DOES taste different there.

Rory and I celebrated 6 months last night at an awesome Italian restaurant. We're hoping to celebrate 1 year in the Maldives :)

I went to Hanoi and Halong Bay in Vietnam.

I went to Siem Reap in Cambodia - and the people are awesome!

Will get photos posted to my site very soon!

Josh/Jason - I just found your birthday card in my closet when I did a cleaning fest yesterday! Woops. Will send it soon.

Ciao!

Permalink: busy_busy_beeeeee.html
Words: 113
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: travels

09/27/08 04:40 - 74ºF - ID#45808

the seychelles, aka the twilight zone

Wow. I have a lot to say about the Seychelles. This was the holiday to the twilight zone. For serious. I wish I had more time to tell you the whole story now but I have a massive amount of work to do before heading off to Ireland. However...I did want to give you a teaser photo or two. I know haven't even gotten pics from Cambodia or Vietnam up but I'm working on it. No plans to go anywhere for at least a month once I return next week, so I should have time to work on that stuff.

Guinness Storehouse, here I come!!!