Of puzzles and relationships

simple yet so pertinent:

"You know when you're doing a jigsaw puzzle and the piece looks like it should fit exactly, but it doesnt? So you try to squeeze it in, but you know it's not the right piece. But you're lazy, so you leave that piece there. U really should find the right piece." -ellen degeneres

Mystery Man

A couple of weeks ago I discovered how to check the status and location of recent visitors to this blog; iKuwait has readers from all around the world and that made me giddy like a little school girl hehehe, anyways, this post has a point, there's this one guy that frequently checks this blog, I call him the "mystery man" cause he lives in the ocean.. yep the ocean, in the Atlantic south west of Africa...see for yourself



Dude, if you are reading this who and where are you?

Fighting sexism...

... through road signs?

In the town of Fuenlabrada, on the outskirts of Madrid, half of the stick figures displayed by traffic signs and traffic lights will be of females with dresses and ponytails. The initiative is called "Equality also in road safety" and will start with broken or damaged signs.


This two-dimensional display of girl power will affect everything from "Road Work Ahead" to the little green and red figures that flash on traffic lights, says Rosalina Guijarro, Fuenlabrada's traffic and safety councilor.


On taking office, prime minister Zapatero, made sure half his cabinet was female and pushed through a law last spring giving preferential treatment to firms appointing women to their boards. Last year, the government added a clause to civil marriage contracts that required men and women to share the housework and childcare.

here's to hoping this overall pro female attitude rubs off on other countries, especially towards the south-east.

Please don't say that

kuwait is small. every now and then, u run into a person from the past. i mean from waaaay back - 10-15 years back. then u start throwing the oh my god's and the how've u been's, each party racing to inquire about the other's outcome and well-being; and then suddenly..

"you haven't changed one bit, u look exactly the same !"

seriously. i'm insulted.

Dingbats 2

Since my previous post on Dingbats was popular, here's some more for all ya'll.

Answers:

1. Paradise (pair-o-dice)
2. Ace in the Hole
3. Little League
4. Lying on the Job
5. Headless Horsemen
6. Sandbox
7. Pizza with everything on it
8. Turn of the Century
9. Snack between Meals
10. 3 Degrees below Zero
11. Touchdown
12. Scrambled Eggs
13. Misunderstanding between Friends
14. I see you are too wise for me
15. Convincing
16. Hole in One
17. Square Meal
18. I Understand
19. Tricycle
20. Neon Light

Cookies n' Cream

Updated with menu

ZED's review:
I'm extremely impressed. This place has outdone itself, I'm a huge cookieholic and once I heard about Cookies 'n Cream I had to try it.

So I drive to the store which is pretty easy to get to, park my car and walk in. It's a small cozy place made for taking your cookies out, no place to sit just the counter and the display. Extremely friendly service and very generous I must say, they made me sample out at least 4 kinds, anyhow I only went for cookies this time cause I knew I'll be going back again soon, that's when I'm gonna try out the rest of the goodies they have, their list of desserts is never ending, from cookies, fudge, cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, brownies, pies, tarts, muffins and more, and everything looks mouth watering.
I bought a couple of dozens and gave some to friends, and they all had positive feedback. there's just one downside to the place, the thing that everyone complains about - the prices..Cookies are 250 - 350 fils each, I never tried Choowy Goowy for comparison, but I know that Fuddruckers has great chocolate chip cookies and they are only 1KD a dozen, then again you can't compare apples to oranges.

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Facts:
Cookies 'n Cream is owned by a local family
They don't deliver yet, but soon will have that service
Tel: +965 252-6714
Add: Bneid Al-Gar, Mohammed Rafie Marafie St.
Block 2, Next to Al-Arkan 2 Building
Email: cookies.n.cream2006@hotmail.com


JOUD's review:
i can't rate the store itself nor the prices because zed's the one who went over there and i only had the pleasure to steal sample some of the cookies he brought back.
- the 'snicker bar cookie': it's pretty good; i'm not so crazy about snickers but i imagine that snickers fans will really like it
- there were round rice crispy bites, which were delicious; they're small and taste a lot like rice crispy treats (from what i remember) which i really like. to add some oomph it also has bits of m&m's
- the ' mom's choco chunk ' (chocolate chip cookie) was my favorite; the good thing about it is that the chocolate chunks are huge. i broke it in half to share with a colleague (foolish i know) and saw that they were pretty generous with the chocolate, which itself was rich and not too sweet - very tasty
- the 'rollo coaster' - with rollo candy inside - wasn't bad at all
- there were also chocolaty bites filled with walnuts and darker chocolate, with sugar sprinkles on top; they were ok - the type of average dessert bite you would find next to your coffee at a good coffee place / restaurant

so voila. if i could get a dozen cookies right now i would get 5 mama's choco chunk cookies, 5 round rice crispy bites and 2 snicker bar cookies.

i have yet to try the brownies, fudge, cheesecake, pies... they also have cupcakes but I'm not crazy about cupcakes in general so I'll leave that to zed.

all in all, definitely go check the place out because it has some pretty tasty treats.

Kuwait deserves

Kuwait

NATIONAL DAY
National Day (February 25) celebrates the creation of Kuwait as a nation in 1961. The day is marked national celebrations which include public meetings and get-togethers, firework displays and a spirit of celebration that imbues every Kuwaiti.

LIBERATION DAY
Liberation Day (February 26) celebrates the liberation of Kuwait by a multi-national force from seven months of traumatic Iraqi occupation on February 26, 1991. Each year the day is marked with public gatherings and get-togethers. However, the day is also tinged with sadness as Kuwait remembers and honours the martyrs who lost their lives fighting Iraqi oppression and the 605 Prisoners of War still held captive in Iraqi jails.

Happy Holiday Everyone

For a change

where i will be for the next couple of days....

The Golden Arches

I'm putting my foot down on this decision, I'm Boycotting McDonald's once and for all.

I'm not a big fan of fast food restaurants but just like anyone sometimes I am forced to grab a bite at Burger King, McD's, Hardee's, etc.....When I do eat fast food, Hardee's is my favorite.

Last night I was at a food court that didn't have a Hardee's and I didn't feel like having BK cause it's too heavy, I decided to go for McD's combo no. 4 (two cheese burgers, fries and a coke), so I take my order to the table but damn ... I forgot to get some mayonnaise, so I go back for some mayonnaise.

Zed: can I get some mayonnaise, please.

Employee: 50 fils.

Zed: HUH??

Employee: 50 fils, sir.

Zed: what??

Employee: 50 fils, sir.

Zed: for what, mayonnaise????

Employee: yes sir.

I was so frustrated I just took my 2 packs of mayo tossed 100 fils on the counter and left, it's never about the money, it's the concept.. you're charging me 50 fils for mayo now, what will come next? the Ketchup

I bet if they increased their prices to include the mayo, it wouldn't have bothered me, but to bluntly charge me extra for mayonnaise..... that's hurtful ....

I know that The McDonald's Corp couldn't care less about one less customer, but I'll be doing my best to convince others the same.

I'm NOT lovin' it....ta ra taa taa taaaa

"Why innovate, just imitate"...

...which i suggest should be the motto for all Arab countries, since we're doing a great job applying it.

I was at City Center Salmiya (bowling at Cozmo) last week and I noticed this! I am positive that the same corner was a New York Fries the last time I was in City Center Salmiya (bowling at Cozmo), probably not the original New York Fries but it made me laugh and I just had to stop and take a picture of it (using my Nokia E50 1.3mgpx Cam).

What's next????

Perhaps New Hampshire, if Jersey doesn't work out.

I think I'm gonna hurl again

Why do I keep bumping into these things, remember a couple of weeks ago I posted about the dishwasher soap I saw at a friends, remember the name?

Now check this out, are these guys trying to run their business into the ground? The problem is that they are a catering service (Bakers, Sweets & Pastries hehehe)

Another WHACK moment brought to you by iKuwait

Sonic Bomb

This is definitely going to be the next item I purchase online.
I might even need two for assurance.

Costs only $39.99

Find the intruder

cute ad for cat food :->

More Fun Facts (2)

1. Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times. (we33)
2. Grapes explode when you put them in the microwave. (I know, hehe)
3. Those stars and colours you see when you rub your eyes are called phosphenes.
4. Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
5. Everyones tongue print is different, like fingerprints.
6. Cats, camels and giraffes are the only animals in the world that walk right foot, right foot, left foot, left foot, rather than right foot, left foot. (interesting, next time i will try to give a damn)
7. Onions help reduce cholesterol if eaten after a fatty meal. (good to know, you'd be healthy but friendless lol)
8. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting.
9. Contrary to popular belief, a swallowed chewing gum doesn't stay in the gut. It will pass through the system and be excreted.
10. At 40 Centigrade a person loses about 14.4 calories per hour by breathing. (this is why i love Kuwait)
11. There is a hotel in Sweden built entirely out of ice; it is rebuilt every year.

Guess who ?

yep it's britney, a bald britney.

The Chosen One

A cool stick-figure animation.

Interdiction De Fumer

People will just have to move to the Middle-East to smoke in public places.

Reuters Link.

Cookies n'Cream

i got a text message about a new place in bneid al gar a couple of days ago. i haven't been there yet but it sounds heavenly - so if u happen to go there before me let me know what's the scoop !



"we invite u 2 visit cookies n'cream at bneid al gar, block 2, mohamed rafie ma3rafie street, 2nd right turn after new flex. tel: 2526714. we have cookies, cheesecakes, fudge, muffins, cupcakes, brownies, chocolate popcorn...etc our working hours daily from 12pm up to 9pm. looking forward to see u guys. for any further inquiries send email to cookies.n.cream2006@hotmail.com"



i mean they've got chocolate popcorn, come on !!!!

i love chocolate, and i love popcorn, so i think i need to make a stop there soon....

The Greatest

Event

Name: Tiesto in Dubai
Tagline: Strictly White
Host: The Lodge

Time and Place
Start Time: Thursday February 22, 2007 at 7:30pm
End Time: Friday February 23, 2007 at 3:00am
Location: The Lodge - Dubai

Tickets on Sale NOW in all Virgin Outlets

locked up...

... at home


those guys took over most of my thursday.. 5 episodes.
was it worth it ?

hell yeah

Addicted to smacking the penguin

Check this game out (Link), hilarious and it's one of the most addictive games I've played recently, I wasted so much time at work and I still can't beat Joud's score 323.5
My score 322.9

First posted 10th December 2006.

3 things

3 things i like about kuwait:
1. it's always sunny
2. it's laidback
3. it's so small

3 things i dont like about kuwait:
1. strict social rules
2. the way movies are censored in the cinema
3. it's so small

Sports Illustrated

Beyonce on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2007 Issue.

I'm not a big fan of Beyonces looks, but the amount of airbrushing that's been done to her !! I'm impressed with the editors of the magazine, not Beyonce.
The photographer and digital editors get my respect for a job well done.


Click on the pic go to the thumbnail index.

Face Lift

Within the next couple of week Joud & myself will be doing some changes to iKuwait's layout, we think it's time for a change.

val-NOT-ine's day

Happy val-NOT-ine's day everyone, this day I created for all you selfish single people out there.

Reward yourself on this special occasion.

Go out, have fun, buy gifts, do whatever you wanna do cause this is your day.

Test Yourself

Get a pen & paper cause this won't work if you just think about the answers.
(click on the pic for the link to the answers)

My funny valentine

good night.

Love prank

i got an email from an aquaintance, one of those generic mass emails containing a
link to a 'crush calculator.' it so happened that my levels of boredom, curiosity, silliness were aligned and so i clicked the link to check it out.

if u've already gotten this email before then u know what i'm talking about; if not, here's what would happen if you were to play this game:

it seemed like a fun way to kill 2 minutes, so i entered "moi" in the name field, and "whoever" in the crush field; not that i don't have crushes, but i'm usually a skeptical person and never give out personal info for free ;)

it really does send out what was typed to the mentioned email - i tested it from the prankster's side and got an email which led to:

anyway, as silly as it is this can also be embarassing, so i thought i'd put a warning here to our readers... with valentine's coming up, the luv ambiance might prompt u to actually play this game so beware :o)

Dingbats

I've always been a huge fan of dingbats, a nice way to test your lateral way of thinking.

Magic number

u feel like your state of passive euphoria is being shattered. u clench your eyes in an attempt to fight the familiar outburst of uneasiness about to invade you mentally as well as physically. u've been there before, u know this unpleasant feeling all too well. u ignore this unwelcomed interruption for as long as you can, and just when u're about to give in, u realize there is a way out. a temporary way out: the snooze button.

u extend your arm without moving the rest of your distraught body; as if on autopilot, your arm autonomously heads for the magic button without knocking anything off of your nightstand. and just like that, the shrieking stops. u unconsciously smile and dive deeper into your pillows and covers to savor the newfound bliss, completely oblivious of what's about to happen in 5, 7, or 9 minutes.

and right when u start to fall back into deep exhilarating sleep, it happens all over again. and again. and again.

i have a love & hate relationship with my snooze button. and i can't decide whether it was a good or evil invention. it's like a perpetual cycle of torture and relief.

who am i kidding, i take it all back. i love my 9-minute snooze button.



what's your magic number - how long is your snooze ?

I'm a Scatman

Remember this guy, I can't believe we used to love this cheese. The effects are so 90's haha.

Honestly, It still makes me wanna dance.

Valentine dilemma

when it comes to valentine's day, people seem to be divided into 2 camps: the hopeless romantics who buy everything and anything red and heart-shaped; they pre-book way in advance for dinner, pre-order chocolates and roses, make a valentine's day music mix, stock up on aromatic candles, and send out greeting cards to everyone. some of them go as far as wearing red for the occasion.

then u have the cynics. they hate everything about 'hallmark day', think everyone is stupid and naive for buying into this evil carefully planned marketing war waged by greeting card makers, confectioners and florists every year to defraud the poor consumers out of their hard-earned money.

if you don't want to be bound to any of these 2 extremes, then join my camp. i don't believe in valentine's day per se, but i do believe in taking any opportunity to show that you care, including the 14th of feb. so if you feel like it, buy presents/flowers, go out to dinner, just don't overdo it.
my camp stands for moderation in love bahavior on valentine's day; it rejects extreme corny behaviors as well as extreme cynical attitudes on that day. it's for moderate people who don't like extremes, kind of like the new 11th of march political movement in lebanon ;)

so happy moderate love day everyone !

Googlicious

Free mp3 Downloads from Google. With this simple trick, you can get tons of mp3 download links using just Google

All you have to do is search for this..

"Band or Artist name here" last modified mp3 "index of" -html -htm -php -asp

For example i want to get some Aerosmith songs...

"Aerosmith" last modified mp3 "index of" -html -htm -php -asp

Ya'll can thank me lata ;)

No Comment

Tagged by Zed - 10 things u don't know about me

i asked zed not to tag me, and yet there was my name - in capital letters.

10 things u don't know about me:

1. i'm a cat person
2. i love brainless celebrity gossip magazines
3. i'm half lebanese
4. my favorite lebanese singer is carole samaha
5. i speak german
6. i genuinly believe in karma
7. if i tease u a lot it means i like u a lot
8. i secretly like some britney spears songs
9. i'm pro-choice
10. joud is not my real name

good night

10 Things You Don't Know About Me - Tagged by Kinan

This my first time being tagged, and since I'm a noob when it comes to the blogging game I'm taking (tagging) everyone down with me heheh

10 Things You Don't Know About Me

1. I am a licensed Scuba Diver (Advanced Open Water)
2. I have the middle child syndrome
3. I'm a major obsessive compulsive (comes with being a Virgo)
4. Neat Freak (my wife will love this side of me)also comes with being a Virgo
5. A movie buff (total movie addiction, I watch all movies & memorize them)
6. I love the outdoors (beaches, pools and il bar)
7. I have a tattoo
8. I'm the biggest grouch in the morning, specially before I have my first cup of coffee.
9. I can only smoke grape flavored shisha
10. I'm a very happy drunk

I tag JOUD and everyone on our blogroll (Chikapappi, Diigmaa, Enigma, Fonzy, Jewaira, Laialyq8, Elijah, The Critisizer, Maze, Moocherx, All the Ratlab Scientists, Serendipity, Tat the Don, Yazeed)

My first crush

i was about 6 years old.

his name is frank, and he's a cartoon.

recognize him ? he was flona's brother.

in case this is all jibberish to u, flona was a cartoon dubbed in arabic which ktv used to run in the mid 80's. more on flona (it turns out her real name is flone !)

Emarati humor

i love it ! and i wish more people would agree

* for non arabs, it roughly translates to "better a cute camry than an indebted range rover" - but it's much cooler in arabic 'cause it rhymes :)

Hopeless

More Fun Facts

1. Chewing on gum while cutting onions can help a person from stop producing tears. Try it next time you chop onions. (or don't chop onions)
2. Until babies are six months old, they can breathe and swallow at the same time. (Indeed convenient!)
3. Offered a new pen to write with, 97% of all people will write their own name. (I tried it on ppl, it works)
4. Male mosquitoes are vegetarians. Only females bite (damn bitches)
5. The average person's field of vision encompasses a 200-degree wide angle.
6. To find out if a watermelon is ripe, knock it, and if it sounds hollow then it is ripe. (every arab knows that)
7. Canadians can send letters with personalized postage stamps showing their own photos on each stamp. (WOOHOO)
8. Babies' eyes do not produce tears until the baby is approximately six to eight weeks old.
9. It snowed in the Sahara Desert in February of 1979. (apparently is snowed in Kuwait too)
10. Plants watered with warm water grow larger and more quickly than plants watered with cold water. (osmosismisniss)

The Kingdom

More bad propaganda for the Ayerabs.

This looks like a good movie, but as usual the Arabs are the terrorists and the Americans are the Heroes.


The Kingdom
In theatres September 28th.

Why she shortens her skirt?

My favourite arabic song at the moment, till something new comes up.

Only in Kuwait

I think I'm gonna hurl

I saw the dishwasher soap at a friends place. (I'd love to meet the genius that branded this product)

40 Things That You Would Love To Say Out Loud At Work

1. I can see your point, but I still think you're full of shit.
2. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
3. How about never? Is never good for you?
4. I see you've set aside this special time to publicly humiliate yourself.
5. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.
6. Who lit the fuse on your tampon?
7. I'm out of my mind at the moment, but feel free to leave a message.
8. I don't work here - I'm a consultant.
9. It sounds like English, but I don't understand a damn word you're saying.
10. Ahhh. I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.
11. I like you. You remind me of myself when I was young and stupid.
12. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
13. I have plenty of talent and vision; I just don't give a damn.
14. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
15. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
16. Thank you! We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
17. The fact that no one understands you does not mean you're an artist.
18. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
19. What am I? Flypaper for freaks?
20. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
21. It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of karma to burn off.
22. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
23. And your cry-baby whiny-ass opinion would be?
24. Do I look like a f **king people person to you?
25. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.
26. I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.
27. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
28. If I throw a stick, will you leave?
29. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.
30. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.
31. Oh, I get it. Like humour - only different.
32.A cubicle is just a padded cell without the door.
33.Can I trade this job for what's behind door number 1?
34.Too many freaks, not enough circuses.
35.Nice perfume, but must you marinate in it?
36.Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is finally done
37. How do I set a laser printer to STUN?
38. I thought I wanted a career! It turns out I just wanted a salary.
39. I'll try being nicer if you try being smarter.
40. Wait a minute! I'm just trying to imagine you with a personality.

Single no more

al-waseet doesn't only solve your plumbing and electrical problems....

they should include this kind of wisdom in school curricula

* btw out of curiosity where is this phone number from ?

Vote for Petra

The New 7 Wonders Foundation has launched the first-ever global vote to choose 7 wonders out of 21 nominated ones. Petra is one of the nominees and therefore; this is a call to all of us to vote for our heritage to be one of the chosen 7 wonders.


The voting has already started and it will last for a full year. The results will be announced in July 2007, so do cast your votes now. YOU can help Petra Claim its place in history!
you can vote online through http://www.visitjordan.com/


Click on the picture for a little surprise.

Let me sleep

' they' say that adults need an average of 8h of sleep per day.

so why is it that no matter how much i sleep, i feel like it's mission impossible to get out of bed every morning ?

the people who get up all smiley and perky, how do they do it ? HOW ?

Before 30

Inspired by two things:

1. 30 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do Before Turning 30 (book)

2. bintbunaz's post (blog)

I decided to list some of the things I wanna learn & do before I'm 30, and since I'm running out of time, I have to get started soon.

1. Make a million Dinars
2. Have something named after me
3. Learn how to hotwire a car
4. Buy a motorbike (Yamaha R1)
5. hope that some of joud's wisdom rubs off on me
6. Get my DiveMaster Scuba Diving License (PADI)
7. Purchase a PowerKite and pick up Powerkiting as a hobby
8. Keep a plant alive for more than a year (not cannibus)
9. Discover my superpower
10. Go watch a live soccer game (World Cup)
11. Run a marathon
12. Get in shape (tone up abit) and maintain it
13. ..... I can't believe I'm drawing a blank at 13.....no i'm not superstitious, I don't believe in that crap and 13 isn't bad luck.

I know there's more I wanna do & learn, I will probably update this post a couple more times and I will keep everyone informed of my progress.

Chat lingo

here's a site which lists chat abbreviations / acronyms. there's a lot more than i thought.

my favorite one is YGBSM, and now i finally know what LMAO means !

the site also has a cool section on smileys, i thought these 2 were funny:

:-.) Cindy Crawford

(_8() Homer Simpson

cool huh :)

Whacked Moments

A while back I came up with is idea to take photos of the weird/funny things I encounter on the streets of Kuwait, and I did shoot a couple of things. however since I am currently using my 1.3mgpx phone cam (my digital cam isn't in its best shape), I never posted them....after reading The Criticizer post today, I was motivated to start what I'm calling "Whacked" Moments....why you ask??? 'cause some things are just WHACK

Today's Whacked:

Try to make out what the bumper sticker on the Envoy says.....

Iff u wer evar a fan uf TWO BACK Shakur, at lees tri to speel his naem corekly