notes + notes + notes = ?

Music, music, music. What would we do without music.


What would I be without music.


I guess this is just a simple appreciation for something so amazing and wonderful as music.

Getting Arty........

Having lived in Dubai for the last 7 years, I can tell you, when I moved here there were not many choices of outlets where you could enjoy ART. However, that has thankfully changed. We now have countless art galleries (ok so not all of them could/should be called 'ART' galleries, but hey they try!) and we also have many events where art in its many and various forms is celebrated.

To name a few:

Art Dubai
Art Dubai takes place every March at the Madinat Arena. As the first contemporary art fair in Dubai, the Fair has become a cornerstone for the rapidly growing art community of the Middle East. Various art galleries from different corners of the world attend and it's an eclectic mix of many different artists. Very interesting and well worth attending, even if it means flying over! But, make sure you book your hotel/flights in advance because hotels in Dubai get booked extremely fast!
For more info: http://www.artdubai.ae/

DIAC - Art Center
Today we remain quintessentially a non-profit community centre, with a 'safe-haven' feel, enriching the local art and culture scene, with over 1,500 members of 67 nationalities, representing a mini Dubai in colour. For the artist and art enthusiast DIAC offers an integral space equipped with the tools necessary to experience the real thing and develop a personal artistic journey. By organising biannual members exhibits and craft fairs the artists are empowered to market their work and form links to the public and media. For the art lover DIAC expands the horizon by organising opportunities for a closer encounter with art through inviting artists and collectors to speak or by organising visits to studios, galleries, and museums in Dubai and abroad. For local and international artists DIAC offers a platform to make an individual mark by exhibiting in its professionally run Gallery 76.
For more info: http://www.artdubai.com/page.cfm?page_id=15

Artspace
Artspace Gallery was founded in 2003. The Gallery is located on the 9th floor of The Fairmont Hotel, Dubai. Art Space is dedicated to promotion of Contemprary Middle Eastern Art and Artists.
For more info: http://www.artspace-dubai.com/

Courtyard
This gallery is a bit of the unconventional gallery in Dubai and boasts a really interesting line-up of artists from the region. Well worth a visit, with an art store and some smaller galleries attached to it as well.
For more info: http://www.courtyard-uae.com/

The Third Line
Contemporary, very chique and very now. Has a very interesting line-up of artists from across the region.
For more info: http://www.thethirdline.com/index.htm

Jam Jar
What started as a small space close to Lamcy where you could go and paint has now also come to mean a gallery. It also moved to Al Quoz area to offer bigger space. Very welcoming, interesting and different.
For more info: http://www.thejamjardubai.com/

Creek Art Fair
Taking place for the second time, the Creek Art Fair (CAF) takes place in 20 houses of Bastakiya, the historical district of Dubai. Running in parallel to Art Dubai and the Dubai World Cup, the CAF focuses on new and emerging talents. As so often with fringe art fairs, the CAF is a satellite platform that aims at drawing attention to young and innovative artistic talents.
For more info: http://creekartfair.com/

And many, many more...............list is too long to post on here.
But at last Dubai is placing itself on the cultural and artsy fartsy map of the world.
And we are all rejoicing.

Yiipppieeee.

It's that no-money-no-funny time of the year again!

Yes people....it has come to THAT* time of year.

Did I save up for this time of year?
NO.

Did I at least buy some of the stuff I knew I wanted to get for this or that person when I first thought of it (back in May or whenever it was)?
NO.

Did I not suffer enough from bankruptcy last time around, when I literally had to eat tuna, baked beans and eggs for a whole month**?

Well, apparently NOT.

Yes - it is indeed true.

I am broke, even before I have gotten through buying half of the x-mas presents I am intending to buy.

How very, very inconvenient.

Ok, so at least I have the option of using my smiley-faced credit card?

No, it was maxed out while on summer holiday and has not been paid back ever since, cause of pure and utter procrastination.

Am I in deep shit?
YES.

*x-mas-present-buying-stressful-frenzy

**not necessarily in that order or in that combination for that matter

AVRIL = EXTREMELY ANNOYING

I am not sure you had a chance to read Avril Lavigne's latest interview in Q Magazine.* If you didn't, I can spare you the time and effort and give you a short and sweet summary of it. AVRIL LAVIGNE is increasingly annoying and seems to think she is some sort of super human chick with incredible talents. If you can read this article without wanting to vomit everything you ate last night, then I salute you.

1. Deal with It - she claims that she was "born to deal with her fame" and to deal with the hundreds of heads that turn to look at her when she enters a room. So humble of her. We love her down to earth attitude.

2. On her IMMACULATE image - she claims that she got it all, beauty, brains, talent - the works. What we like to ask is, Avril did you not take off those glasses your mom gave you when you were 5? You know the ones that make everything look pink and nice?

3. Better to get "even" than get mad - She claims that she has learned how to channel all the negative energy she gets from the press into her songs and so we are to assume that is why her songs are so "mad"? Wake up girl, you are singing about Skater boys..........MAD?

4. Party hard, but not too hard - Oh, really? And it really takes someone like Avril to teach us that. We didn't know that drugs and booze was bad for you. Thank you Avril for enlightening us. It has really brightened up our lives to have you around. And we also have to admit that you have always been the icon of "the wholesome girl".

5. Practice good karma - She apparently told her assistants to give some of her clothes to the (and I quote) "Hurricane Thingy......send it to Katrina" You're so well informed Avril. It really sets a great example. Plus, what are the Katrina victims supposed to do with your clothes, some torn fish net tights, some jeans with holes in them and some suspenders? Really.

6. Be grateful - That's easy coming from a girl who is making millions stealing songs from her former song writers and releasing shitty music. No pain with lots of gain. Seriously Avril. You are so not the right person to say BE GRATEFUL. And to top it all off, she mentions that "poor people should be thankful for what they have."

7. Be spiritual - Apparently our little skater girl practices Feng-Shui and calls herself spiritual. How convenient. You employ someone to Feng-Shui your whole house and WHOOPS you're spiritual.

8. Extend yourself - She wants to get into acting but has not gotten into it yet cause all the roles that were offered to her were not good enough. So she is waiting for the big break, the big cahuna....where she will be able to act and then get an Oscar. Ok Avril. You're still wearing those pink glasses.

9. Find Mr Right - Aha. Sure. And that is something we all can plan. Good thinking Avril. Did you ever think that you might end up getting divorced?**

10. Love yourself - ok - we like this advice. But we don't like her comment: "People love me or people hate me, but I am comfortable in my own skin and that's what counts. And anyway, if you do hate me, you're the loser, not me."***
People do I really need to comment on this one?


* Q Magazine in the UK
** Didn't you just mention the word Karma? Ring any bells?
*** Gazillionth reason to hate Avril even more.

Obsessed, Distressed & Jaw-Dropped

Yes.
You could definitely say that I am a damsel in distress.
An obsessed and jaw-dropped damsel in distress actually.

It has been confirmed.
21 concerts in ONE CITY.
And not a city on the other side of the cute little world we are living in.
No, a city which is reachable by plane, from Dubai. By one single comfy, cute little flight.
A flight that doesn't take a lifetime to reach its final destination.
To the city of Jack-the-Ripper.
Yes LONDON.
Prince is going to have not 1, not 2, but 21 concerts in LONDON in August!!!!!!!!!!
When I heard the news I thought I was going to spit my hot tea all over my colleague.
(Maybe I should have done that anyway?)
Conclusion: You now know why I mentioned the word "obsessed".

I am now planning, thinking, contemplating, plotting, sometimes not sleeping, sometimes not focusing on work so I can focus whole-heartedly on this issue**, having-palpitations-nervous, so that I can find a way to GET THERE for at least ONE of the concerts.
Conclusion: Now you know why I mentioned the word "distressed".

The guy, apart from being a GENIUS, is also now becoming more human, more humble and more nice as compared to the cocky, snobbish Prince from the 80's and 90's.
He is selling his concert tickets for a very humble amount of 31.21 GBP***! So that the price would be more "affordable" as he said himself in the press-conference in London.
Conclusion: Now you know why I mentioned the word "jaw-dropped".

You got to love this guy.
He continuosly re-invents himself.
And he remains the Prince of Pop, Funk, RnB, Soul, Blues and of course HIS OWN STYLE OF MUSIC.
For anyone of you who has doubts about this guy, give his music a try.
It's a genius' work and a pity to miss out on.

I am so going to put my shiny party shoes on for this one.
LONDON HERE I COME (hopefully ehrm...)


**Don't hate me cause I don't focus at work, it's practically Weekend....

*** The reason why he added the .21 is cause it's directly related to his last album called 3121. And if you add that up, you get the number 7. The man is in love with number 7. Don't ask me why, I am still trying, after 23 years to figure out why this obsession with number 7.

This is a woman's world........

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
There is nothing that can cheer me up like a pair of shoes.
Ok, there might be SOME things that could cheer me up more, but those are more hard to come by, need time, might not be available or just don't exist.***

High heeled, low heeled, flat, sneakers, sandals, slippers, boots.
Whatever shape or form they come in, I LOVE THEM.
I love the feeling of new leather. The way it feels and the way it smells.
How come there is no perfume that smells like leather does.
We would all wear it you know.
Just to reminisce of when we buy a new pair.

Do I wear all the shoes I have?
Well probably not.
Scientifically speaking, after doing some research the past month, I have now come to the conclusion that I probably only wear 20% of all the shoes I own.
Now why would I then go out and buy more shoes?
Well, that is beyond logic.
Don't try to understand.
It is a vice. One just C A N N O T get rid of.

You could say I am kind of overloaded by my shoes.
But in a good way.
Although that would be a weird thing to say.
If I could take ONE thing with me on a deserted island, I would want to have my one favorite pairs of shoes with me.
Although it would then take a helluva long time to decide which pair is my favorite......
Can I take all of them with me? In my favorite suitcase...?

It's a sickness.
Incurable one.

*** Don't ask me what I am refering to.