Dear All, its October the 31st which I believe is known as Halloween around the western world, the pagan festival that has been commercialised to the extent that the people of the worlds only super-power has spent $5bn on stuff for this one day..... just amazes me! (if u don't believe me check out bbc online!)
Well I gave everyone a bit of a bumper edition the other day! I hope you enjoyed it!
I have been endlessly busy recently, work is hectic, my sister is still here and it was my nephews birthday yesterday so just been having so much. However my mind is still focused on coming backtot he UK next week, I just cant wait to be going back though i will be doing training! I will get to c Shamina, and its been tough, it will be 2 months since we last saw each other, which is the longest it has ever been, even with all my summer traveling i have never been away from Shamina for 2 months, and its difficult, its hard however thankfully things are going well, partly because i spend a significant amount of my salary on her bday present!! (and who says money cant buy love....???:P)
I am going to be paintballing iA when i go back, i never been before and im kinda shitting it, if anyone has even seen Biker Grove they will know why! however if u havent, then basically Ant+Dec(tv presenters now, previously Newcastle's finest rap/acting group) shooting each other during a paintballing match and one of them going blind and eventually Gay!! that made me go off the thought of paintballing for at least the last 15 years!
Oh before I forget I will inform u of some Beef that occurred the other night here in Doha, well I was in the largest shopping mall in the middle east, City Centre, and the car parking as u can imagine is terrible, however i eventually found a place, however so did a dirty Arab who was behind me, we were both waiting for the guy to move, i told the guy it was my spot but he just ignored me and then when the car left the DICK just went and took my spot, i got out and had a argument, then some other impatient Arab dics, started beeping and telling me to move as I boxed him in, i was so pissed off but as always there are lessons to be learned in these situations, such as the helplessness of life in the middle east. There seems to be no authority.,..
Im listening to a podcast, and there commenting about a extract from Wayne Rooneys autobio, how if he was called a different name how different would his life be, some may think a name would not make a difference at all, however i beg to differ as i feel that in certain situations by naming ur child ur self-fulfilling a prophecy or at least directing them towards one.... an example being Learndo Di-Caprio, would he be as famous as he would have been without a exotic name, however in a footballers case, usually it is the footballers ability that attracts the headlines and not names, so Pele and Maradona would be known the world over even if their name was 'Bill Smith' and 'Sheikh Bin Thanik Thaokum Waleed Haque' or something random, would they still be the legends that they are known the world over....? im so sure that alot of people will have had different lives if their parents have named them differently...
Man Utd had a cracking victory at the weekend, and i jus love the fact my two favourite teams are both top of their respective leagues, Inter milan (being my 2nd favourite team...why i am not so sure, i just loved them since i was about 10 years old, and they had amazing players, my favourite being Janiver Zanneti and Roberto Carlos playing together, was jus phenomenal, in my opion 2 of the greatest fullbacks in modern football, however someone i think that is on the same level as Jannier Zanneti and sometimes i feel better, Gary Nevile, who is one of my favourite players, he lives, breathes man utd, he is solid, works hard and does well, and for those same reasons i respect Steven Gerrad for his love for Liverpool(though he ha been lured by the green, which did make me lose a lot of respect for him...im sure he is bothered), Totti for Roma, and there are many the world over, which is refreshing, because of the ashley cole saga which jus shows how greedy people have become.... If ur not aware of who he is and why he is such a prick, well he was offered a contract of 55,000GBP a week, 2,860,000 a year just to play football, and he wanted more money than that, he isnt worth 55,000 a year however it just goes to show (again in my previous blogs about money wasting) how disillusioned the world is....however I admit i am part of the problem, i pay to go and c man utd, i pay for their tops, souvenirs and i am then indirectly funding rio's coke habbit... or rooneys lust for grandma's....
I am going to go now as i have work to do...take care of yourselves.
Sheikh Asif Mahmood
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Now thats what I call Qatar 13: The nuclear/Islamic world in my eyes(and others)
Dear All,
2 Posts in 1 day, what did you guys deserve to get this?? Not much really, except im bored and thought i would let you know how I feel about things at the moment in the world but before I start http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6086042.stm ,that article is a good article on how Al-Queda is using the internet to promote itself, Its funny how alot of people think of Al-Queda of some random middle-eastern men in thobes(long white gowns)and big beards, who are illerate, uneducated ,fearless monsters, however the fact that they stil exist and do what they do makes you think how the hell do they learn and gain access to use all the weapons and internet and everything else they do...
So I wil copy a email conversation I was having between 2 friends of mine, Richard Valtr and James O'Donogue, where I asked them their feelings about North Korea and Iran... here are their responses...
Richard wrote..
North korea – little man with a gun. Poor bastard wants some attention.
Iran – feeling wronged by history. Pretty rightly so after Britain and US have fucked them around so much, but still, it has a fairly educated population, so I’d expect better than go in for these hard man tactics. It smacks of jilted lovers: there is no real conflict between Iran and the Europeans or even the Americans, it’s just an issue of respect. Though I think Ahmadinejad (or however you spell it) is obviously a clever guy and he’s just doing it the whole ‘invade the rhine’ way (excuse the comparisons with nazi germany, I don’t mean to go there, but just using the whole thing as a template for how a smaller, less powerful nation can try and utilize its potential in an age of international confusion) and he’ll probably end up doing Iran more harm than good. So, yeah, it’s a touch cookie to crack, because China seems to want to become a superpower at all costs, but still remain all-embracing to everyone. It’ll be interesting how that pans out. Especially given Russia’s new resurgence. Sorry, these notes are a little shorthand, but it’s supposed to be a quick reply.
Whilst James wrote...
nk+iran is v. interesting. i was impressed with the UN resolution on NK because china took a firmer line than i thought they would. it shows that they are starting to come out of their shell a bit and realise that they need to move a little in their frosty relations with japan. i think its far more than just attention seeking, as the regime is fighting to keep itself alive at the mo. its a bold move to come out and test the bomb, but can also be seen as a simple evolving of their strategy over the last 15-20 years. dont be surprised if in the next 2 years nk cools off and gets some financial reward for doing so, both from the US/Japan/SK group and china - they just want them to fuck off and stop making trouble, so after the tough words will probably give them what they want so they can get on with the more important business of developing their own economy through easing relations with japan+US.
i dont really think the iran situation has much to with history. the issues there i think centre around a desire to become a leader in the middle east (though dont know how successful they have been coz of the differing religious divides - you prolly know more about that ass-clown). but by offering a strategic deterrent against israel (who not only has vast conventional superiority, but also has the bomb) would go some way to overcoming these divides i think. i also think there is a genuine desire to use the technology for civilian purposes (as well?). the issue about them being a member of the NPT is one that riles me, because while they have a duty not to use any nuclear technology to build weapons and to allow inspectors in, the nuclear weapons states also have significant responsibilities that they simply dont live up to - disarming and providing assistance to powers who want nuclear technology are the main ones. why should iran play ball if the others dont. given russia close links to iran, and chinas dependence on her for energy imports, i dont see such a firm stance being taken. in fact, i dont think a nuclear iran would be such a bad thing, as long as they have the proper command and control mechanisms in place, since it could actually stabilise the middle east. its certainly no less dangerous than nuclear india who the US is actively encouraging to progress like this with its deals, which again flouts the NPT rules.
one thing i will say though is that the 'rights' nk and iran have are real, and each sovereign state should be allowed to do as it pleases. within reason - with rights come duties, not only duties of responsibility to others ( i.e. not destabilising the strategic security environment) as well as duties freely accepted by those states in being signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (i.e. dont make nuclear bombs). equally the nuclear weapons states (as defined by the NPT) have responsbilities to live up to their end of the bargain ( i.e. disarm and help spread technology), but two wrongs dont make a right, and there is also the question of who wronged first?.
I hope they dont mind me showing everyone their views, but i show them because I think they are diverse and insightful. Myself in response to those views wrote the following...
Regarding china and russia, it will be intresting to see how it all develops, as China is becoming increasingly important to the world, and playing a larger role (the olympics in 2k8 being one example) however i still think the middle east will play the biggest role in world politics for at least the next 20 years. Not so much the war on terror, but more the war on Islam, if you look there are battles/wars all over the world and the vast majortiy have muslims involved, you have russia and checyna, the whole usa vs iraq, Nato vs Afghanistan, Kurds vs Turks, Pakistan vs India(over khasmir and other beef), then the most obvious and most dangerous isreal vs palestine/iran/syria/lebonano and egypt and jordon(if they grew some balls again) on top of all that there is a significant muslim populour in China which wants to seperate in the north west and have had many clashes with the goverment, if all means its going to be kicking off sooner rather than later, and for some it will be seen as the holy war, which it already has whilst others it will be a more geographical or political war, however whatever the way people will view it it is going to be mix, and i have no doubt nuclear weapons will be involved. Who uses them i am not so sure, Saladam Rusdie recently said in a article i read that he hopes Gen. Musaraf (leader of pakistan) stays alive a long time not because he likes him but he feels that without him it would just be a group of extremists/fundamentalist incharge of a nuclear weapon, whereas the way I see it personally is that if the muslim world does get attack there will at least be one country who could help defend it. From this view, you can tell i think Iran and N.Korea both have ligitmiate rights to develop anything as they see fit to protect the country, I understand the US, UN and EU have to help police the world at certain times, however if the people of one country belive in something that surely prohibiting that country of its duties to its citizens is a crime?
I read a quote this mornign that pissed me off no end..
Unifil is meant to act against Hezbollah and not against Israel
Amir Peretz
Israeli Defence Minister
This was in reference to the flights that isreal is still doing over Lebanon, which France have deemed to go against what was agreed, it just shows what is wrong in the Middle East, where countries feels its right to abuse the UN when it decides but as soon as someone does something that you dont like, u use the UN and claim innocence, its just wrong, why should a army like Unifil take sides in this war, they are there as peacekeepers and not as Israels personal army, I dont have anyting particulary against Isreal so dont start on that, its just sometimes the arrogance of some leaders in this world astounds me, as well as the people who support and put that leader in power.
Regarding the Taliban btw I absolutley despise them, though I dont think much of the US , the taliban are crazy, they follow such an extreme form of Islam its unbeliveable that it could be called the same thing, some of the things they do are good, like force people to not lie,cheat,steal etc, however the way they treat women, is jus shocking, if any of you who are knowledgeable about Islam I would recommend watchign a Afgani film called Osama, its a very good film but again only for those knowledgeable about Islam because its important to make the differences between the different forms of Islam...
Regarding the whole Nuclear issue I agree with James, the world must either choose collectively to Dis-arm and (therefore UK and USA forget about building all those new nuclear plants and find other forms of energy) or allow every country the right to do as it pleases as long as it doenst infinge other countries. And when I say infringe I do not mean like when Iraq was close of becomign nuclear in the 80's and Isreal bombed its nuclear facilities because it didnt WANT a nuclear neighbour, that is completelty wrong, and if anyone was to bomb north korea or iran without either of them infringing on anyone else then i sincerly hope the UN and the EU would take a strong line against it. The only country I have respite for is South Korea who is in a very difficult situation due to its historical ties, culutural ties and its own economy and social welfare needs to becareful regarding what it should do in regards to North Korea. No other country should be getting involved i feel, but yet USA are involved in the 6 party talks with NK and indirectly talking to Iran(thru the UN), it will utimetly be down to them, I dont begrudge this fact, in fact I think its somethign that we all have to accept that they are and will be for the forceable future the dictator of the world, they are still the only super-power in the world, and as history will tell you, when any country has been dominant in the world they tend to rule with a iron-fist and they do invade and take terrorites and through their weight around, and I am sure there are worse countries than the USA that could play that role, so rather than be a pessimist its always beta to be a opptermist and accept what is going on and just try working with the current parameters in trying to achieve a more harmonious world....
And there you have it my(and others) brief view on the current nuclear crisis mixed in with some of my views on the Islamic world...
I welcome your comments.
Take care
Asif
2 Posts in 1 day, what did you guys deserve to get this?? Not much really, except im bored and thought i would let you know how I feel about things at the moment in the world but before I start http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6086042.stm ,that article is a good article on how Al-Queda is using the internet to promote itself, Its funny how alot of people think of Al-Queda of some random middle-eastern men in thobes(long white gowns)and big beards, who are illerate, uneducated ,fearless monsters, however the fact that they stil exist and do what they do makes you think how the hell do they learn and gain access to use all the weapons and internet and everything else they do...
So I wil copy a email conversation I was having between 2 friends of mine, Richard Valtr and James O'Donogue, where I asked them their feelings about North Korea and Iran... here are their responses...
Richard wrote..
North korea – little man with a gun. Poor bastard wants some attention.
Iran – feeling wronged by history. Pretty rightly so after Britain and US have fucked them around so much, but still, it has a fairly educated population, so I’d expect better than go in for these hard man tactics. It smacks of jilted lovers: there is no real conflict between Iran and the Europeans or even the Americans, it’s just an issue of respect. Though I think Ahmadinejad (or however you spell it) is obviously a clever guy and he’s just doing it the whole ‘invade the rhine’ way (excuse the comparisons with nazi germany, I don’t mean to go there, but just using the whole thing as a template for how a smaller, less powerful nation can try and utilize its potential in an age of international confusion) and he’ll probably end up doing Iran more harm than good. So, yeah, it’s a touch cookie to crack, because China seems to want to become a superpower at all costs, but still remain all-embracing to everyone. It’ll be interesting how that pans out. Especially given Russia’s new resurgence. Sorry, these notes are a little shorthand, but it’s supposed to be a quick reply.
Whilst James wrote...
nk+iran is v. interesting. i was impressed with the UN resolution on NK because china took a firmer line than i thought they would. it shows that they are starting to come out of their shell a bit and realise that they need to move a little in their frosty relations with japan. i think its far more than just attention seeking, as the regime is fighting to keep itself alive at the mo. its a bold move to come out and test the bomb, but can also be seen as a simple evolving of their strategy over the last 15-20 years. dont be surprised if in the next 2 years nk cools off and gets some financial reward for doing so, both from the US/Japan/SK group and china - they just want them to fuck off and stop making trouble, so after the tough words will probably give them what they want so they can get on with the more important business of developing their own economy through easing relations with japan+US.
i dont really think the iran situation has much to with history. the issues there i think centre around a desire to become a leader in the middle east (though dont know how successful they have been coz of the differing religious divides - you prolly know more about that ass-clown). but by offering a strategic deterrent against israel (who not only has vast conventional superiority, but also has the bomb) would go some way to overcoming these divides i think. i also think there is a genuine desire to use the technology for civilian purposes (as well?). the issue about them being a member of the NPT is one that riles me, because while they have a duty not to use any nuclear technology to build weapons and to allow inspectors in, the nuclear weapons states also have significant responsibilities that they simply dont live up to - disarming and providing assistance to powers who want nuclear technology are the main ones. why should iran play ball if the others dont. given russia close links to iran, and chinas dependence on her for energy imports, i dont see such a firm stance being taken. in fact, i dont think a nuclear iran would be such a bad thing, as long as they have the proper command and control mechanisms in place, since it could actually stabilise the middle east. its certainly no less dangerous than nuclear india who the US is actively encouraging to progress like this with its deals, which again flouts the NPT rules.
one thing i will say though is that the 'rights' nk and iran have are real, and each sovereign state should be allowed to do as it pleases. within reason - with rights come duties, not only duties of responsibility to others ( i.e. not destabilising the strategic security environment) as well as duties freely accepted by those states in being signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (i.e. dont make nuclear bombs). equally the nuclear weapons states (as defined by the NPT) have responsbilities to live up to their end of the bargain ( i.e. disarm and help spread technology), but two wrongs dont make a right, and there is also the question of who wronged first?.
I hope they dont mind me showing everyone their views, but i show them because I think they are diverse and insightful. Myself in response to those views wrote the following...
Regarding china and russia, it will be intresting to see how it all develops, as China is becoming increasingly important to the world, and playing a larger role (the olympics in 2k8 being one example) however i still think the middle east will play the biggest role in world politics for at least the next 20 years. Not so much the war on terror, but more the war on Islam, if you look there are battles/wars all over the world and the vast majortiy have muslims involved, you have russia and checyna, the whole usa vs iraq, Nato vs Afghanistan, Kurds vs Turks, Pakistan vs India(over khasmir and other beef), then the most obvious and most dangerous isreal vs palestine/iran/syria/lebonano and egypt and jordon(if they grew some balls again) on top of all that there is a significant muslim populour in China which wants to seperate in the north west and have had many clashes with the goverment, if all means its going to be kicking off sooner rather than later, and for some it will be seen as the holy war, which it already has whilst others it will be a more geographical or political war, however whatever the way people will view it it is going to be mix, and i have no doubt nuclear weapons will be involved. Who uses them i am not so sure, Saladam Rusdie recently said in a article i read that he hopes Gen. Musaraf (leader of pakistan) stays alive a long time not because he likes him but he feels that without him it would just be a group of extremists/fundamentalist incharge of a nuclear weapon, whereas the way I see it personally is that if the muslim world does get attack there will at least be one country who could help defend it. From this view, you can tell i think Iran and N.Korea both have ligitmiate rights to develop anything as they see fit to protect the country, I understand the US, UN and EU have to help police the world at certain times, however if the people of one country belive in something that surely prohibiting that country of its duties to its citizens is a crime?
I read a quote this mornign that pissed me off no end..
Unifil is meant to act against Hezbollah and not against Israel
Amir Peretz
Israeli Defence Minister
This was in reference to the flights that isreal is still doing over Lebanon, which France have deemed to go against what was agreed, it just shows what is wrong in the Middle East, where countries feels its right to abuse the UN when it decides but as soon as someone does something that you dont like, u use the UN and claim innocence, its just wrong, why should a army like Unifil take sides in this war, they are there as peacekeepers and not as Israels personal army, I dont have anyting particulary against Isreal so dont start on that, its just sometimes the arrogance of some leaders in this world astounds me, as well as the people who support and put that leader in power.
Regarding the Taliban btw I absolutley despise them, though I dont think much of the US , the taliban are crazy, they follow such an extreme form of Islam its unbeliveable that it could be called the same thing, some of the things they do are good, like force people to not lie,cheat,steal etc, however the way they treat women, is jus shocking, if any of you who are knowledgeable about Islam I would recommend watchign a Afgani film called Osama, its a very good film but again only for those knowledgeable about Islam because its important to make the differences between the different forms of Islam...
Regarding the whole Nuclear issue I agree with James, the world must either choose collectively to Dis-arm and (therefore UK and USA forget about building all those new nuclear plants and find other forms of energy) or allow every country the right to do as it pleases as long as it doenst infinge other countries. And when I say infringe I do not mean like when Iraq was close of becomign nuclear in the 80's and Isreal bombed its nuclear facilities because it didnt WANT a nuclear neighbour, that is completelty wrong, and if anyone was to bomb north korea or iran without either of them infringing on anyone else then i sincerly hope the UN and the EU would take a strong line against it. The only country I have respite for is South Korea who is in a very difficult situation due to its historical ties, culutural ties and its own economy and social welfare needs to becareful regarding what it should do in regards to North Korea. No other country should be getting involved i feel, but yet USA are involved in the 6 party talks with NK and indirectly talking to Iran(thru the UN), it will utimetly be down to them, I dont begrudge this fact, in fact I think its somethign that we all have to accept that they are and will be for the forceable future the dictator of the world, they are still the only super-power in the world, and as history will tell you, when any country has been dominant in the world they tend to rule with a iron-fist and they do invade and take terrorites and through their weight around, and I am sure there are worse countries than the USA that could play that role, so rather than be a pessimist its always beta to be a opptermist and accept what is going on and just try working with the current parameters in trying to achieve a more harmonious world....
And there you have it my(and others) brief view on the current nuclear crisis mixed in with some of my views on the Islamic world...
I welcome your comments.
Take care
Asif
Now thats what I call Qatar 12: Another Day...Another Riyal...
Dear All,
Today is Thursday, and I have just had 3 days off work for Eid and now I have a weekend to look forward to! Its not a bad life at the moment I'll tell u that!
Yesterday was Bilal and Shaminas bday, and thanks to Bilal Shamina managed to get her present so I was greatful of that, though obviously I would have loved to spend their bdays in England i was here in Qatar earning my Riyals to pay for their presents!! Also it would have been hard to decide whos Dinner to go to, lol, i aint saying who i would pick but im sure u all know who....!
Regarding Money its obviously Imperative to earn money in this commericalised world, however where do u think the trade-off between enjoying urself/life and earning money ends? some take the view of earning their whole lives and working hard throughout...these people tend to be americans, then there is some who take the view of lets work hard for the first 50 years of our lives and then enjoy life after (i would say this a fair reflection on the English) and then there is some who take the view of Lets work a little but lets have lots of fun at the same time(these tend to be the Medeterian people ie Spanish, Italien, Greek) and finally you have the people who just cant be arsed working because they dont need to and that unfortunantly for me is the Arabs.
I see it everyday how these lazy bums, are jus living off natural resources and not doing that much with their lives, its so upsetting, and though a large amount of displeasure is thru jealously, I still think it isnt really living life.
If anyone has seen the film 'Click' with Adam Sandler will know that work/family life balance is critical, i think the film portarys the balance well and though it has its usual Hollywood features especially the ending, it was enjoyable and enabled me to releate to the film now that I am working( though i dont have my own family, i have Shamina and My parents,sisters+nephew) and the balance I have to have between all the parties involved. Its certainly true with ages comes responsbility, because I am feeling it, I already feel the pressure to make somethign of the myself, push myself up the coporate lader, become more family orientated, become a better muslim, its all these things that constantly play on ur mind that gives you little time to enjoy life for what is it. Even on Holidays like I jus had, I am still thinking about work, I worry about this and that, there is never a end, when we were back at school or uni, there was always a end in sight, like you knew at the end of this term that was it for a month/3months, and u cud do this and that, and then go back eventually or you know another chapter in ur life, where as with work there is nothing to look forward to, i mean there is but its ur annual leave or the weekends, and it jus really suxs. However becuase I am on a international assigment i get extra holidays called R+R on top of my annual leave which is for 16days every year(2 sets of 8days every 4 months!) so i have that to look forward to, however right now im jus counting the days til im back in the UK for training in novemeber.
I still havent decided what I am doing when I am back for training or for my bday but will let u know over the next week or so!
Aneway that is it for me for right now but I will be back very soon for one on my views on current world affiars...LOL not one to be missed!
Take care
Sheikh Asif Mahmood
Today is Thursday, and I have just had 3 days off work for Eid and now I have a weekend to look forward to! Its not a bad life at the moment I'll tell u that!
Yesterday was Bilal and Shaminas bday, and thanks to Bilal Shamina managed to get her present so I was greatful of that, though obviously I would have loved to spend their bdays in England i was here in Qatar earning my Riyals to pay for their presents!! Also it would have been hard to decide whos Dinner to go to, lol, i aint saying who i would pick but im sure u all know who....!
Regarding Money its obviously Imperative to earn money in this commericalised world, however where do u think the trade-off between enjoying urself/life and earning money ends? some take the view of earning their whole lives and working hard throughout...these people tend to be americans, then there is some who take the view of lets work hard for the first 50 years of our lives and then enjoy life after (i would say this a fair reflection on the English) and then there is some who take the view of Lets work a little but lets have lots of fun at the same time(these tend to be the Medeterian people ie Spanish, Italien, Greek) and finally you have the people who just cant be arsed working because they dont need to and that unfortunantly for me is the Arabs.
I see it everyday how these lazy bums, are jus living off natural resources and not doing that much with their lives, its so upsetting, and though a large amount of displeasure is thru jealously, I still think it isnt really living life.
If anyone has seen the film 'Click' with Adam Sandler will know that work/family life balance is critical, i think the film portarys the balance well and though it has its usual Hollywood features especially the ending, it was enjoyable and enabled me to releate to the film now that I am working( though i dont have my own family, i have Shamina and My parents,sisters+nephew) and the balance I have to have between all the parties involved. Its certainly true with ages comes responsbility, because I am feeling it, I already feel the pressure to make somethign of the myself, push myself up the coporate lader, become more family orientated, become a better muslim, its all these things that constantly play on ur mind that gives you little time to enjoy life for what is it. Even on Holidays like I jus had, I am still thinking about work, I worry about this and that, there is never a end, when we were back at school or uni, there was always a end in sight, like you knew at the end of this term that was it for a month/3months, and u cud do this and that, and then go back eventually or you know another chapter in ur life, where as with work there is nothing to look forward to, i mean there is but its ur annual leave or the weekends, and it jus really suxs. However becuase I am on a international assigment i get extra holidays called R+R on top of my annual leave which is for 16days every year(2 sets of 8days every 4 months!) so i have that to look forward to, however right now im jus counting the days til im back in the UK for training in novemeber.
I still havent decided what I am doing when I am back for training or for my bday but will let u know over the next week or so!
Aneway that is it for me for right now but I will be back very soon for one on my views on current world affiars...LOL not one to be missed!
Take care
Sheikh Asif Mahmood
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Now thats what I call Qatar 11...VIP Birthday Day....
Dear All,
Its on the eve of one of the most important days in the gregorian calender for myself, its almost the 25th october, where two people close to me have their birthday...Shamina Khanum and Bilal Anwar.
For those who know me i take my and other birthdays a very serious occasion, in serious i mean SERIOUS GIFT GIVING/RECIEVING, and despite my long distance away from these people i have done all i can to ensure I can still give presents. I gave Bilal his before I left, and have ordered Shaminas which she wil hopefully recieve at some point!
So for my birthday I went to a meal with my dad, sister and nephew at the intercontinental, it was a really nice place, and it was a ramadan tent, which is quite common among al the nice hotels here, where they have swirrling devishs(dancers with long piece of clothes that swirl around in a artistic manner, ( i know its not clear, however if you wish to know more I would suggust checking it out on youtube, its quite intresting to see) and then there is live singers and as much food as u can imagine, and its not that expensive, it is expensive for over here but not more than a average-good restaurtant in london, and so when u comepare to the london prices its DEF worth it!
I also been taking my family to many places whilst they have been here, and l been getting a better grasp of DOha, and its certainly growing on me... like i said in the previous emial I just i wish i could share it with many more people! I think quite a few people will start to visit me over the next few months, and my life here is a little crazy already and I am sure it wil get even more so in the future! I have been here since middle of September, and then I am coming back in Novemeber to the UK for training, and then over the New Year I am coming back to the UK, and maybe somewhere else in Europe! And then in Feb I jhave my R and R and intend to go to Saudi Arabia to do Ummrah(which is like the pilgrimage to Mecca except isnt done at the anytime of the year that is not in Hajj) iA. After that I wont be back til at least may, and therefore I expect most of my visitors between that time...or around Christmas..
Im watchign the new episode of Lost, Fantastic! for those who havent seen it, where the hell have u been?u get to get on that mofo...i dont know how the writers and the producers do it, its jus so different to the usual programes its like watching a film, execpt with short annoying week long breaks!
Aneway im busy txting Bilal and Shamina, as I always do i try to get the txt in bang in at 12am,,,i dont know why i get so funny about birthdays, but the way I see it , its for a few reasons firstly I think of the day as special because it is the day God decdied to bring them into this world, and secondly because they have celebreated another year on this plannet, which is a good thing, and deserves to be celebrated!
I best go but I am so happy and in someways im more happy this day than I am no my birthday, as I enjoy giving more than reciving, what do you guys enjoy more?
Take care of yourseleves and enjoy this day for it could and should be a special day...
Asif
Its on the eve of one of the most important days in the gregorian calender for myself, its almost the 25th october, where two people close to me have their birthday...Shamina Khanum and Bilal Anwar.
For those who know me i take my and other birthdays a very serious occasion, in serious i mean SERIOUS GIFT GIVING/RECIEVING, and despite my long distance away from these people i have done all i can to ensure I can still give presents. I gave Bilal his before I left, and have ordered Shaminas which she wil hopefully recieve at some point!
So for my birthday I went to a meal with my dad, sister and nephew at the intercontinental, it was a really nice place, and it was a ramadan tent, which is quite common among al the nice hotels here, where they have swirrling devishs(dancers with long piece of clothes that swirl around in a artistic manner, ( i know its not clear, however if you wish to know more I would suggust checking it out on youtube, its quite intresting to see) and then there is live singers and as much food as u can imagine, and its not that expensive, it is expensive for over here but not more than a average-good restaurtant in london, and so when u comepare to the london prices its DEF worth it!
I also been taking my family to many places whilst they have been here, and l been getting a better grasp of DOha, and its certainly growing on me... like i said in the previous emial I just i wish i could share it with many more people! I think quite a few people will start to visit me over the next few months, and my life here is a little crazy already and I am sure it wil get even more so in the future! I have been here since middle of September, and then I am coming back in Novemeber to the UK for training, and then over the New Year I am coming back to the UK, and maybe somewhere else in Europe! And then in Feb I jhave my R and R and intend to go to Saudi Arabia to do Ummrah(which is like the pilgrimage to Mecca except isnt done at the anytime of the year that is not in Hajj) iA. After that I wont be back til at least may, and therefore I expect most of my visitors between that time...or around Christmas..
Im watchign the new episode of Lost, Fantastic! for those who havent seen it, where the hell have u been?u get to get on that mofo...i dont know how the writers and the producers do it, its jus so different to the usual programes its like watching a film, execpt with short annoying week long breaks!
Aneway im busy txting Bilal and Shamina, as I always do i try to get the txt in bang in at 12am,,,i dont know why i get so funny about birthdays, but the way I see it , its for a few reasons firstly I think of the day as special because it is the day God decdied to bring them into this world, and secondly because they have celebreated another year on this plannet, which is a good thing, and deserves to be celebrated!
I best go but I am so happy and in someways im more happy this day than I am no my birthday, as I enjoy giving more than reciving, what do you guys enjoy more?
Take care of yourseleves and enjoy this day for it could and should be a special day...
Asif
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Now thats what I call Qatar 10: BIRTHDAY EDITION
Dear All,
Its been a while, I say a while, even though its been less than a week, but I'm sure people have been visiting thinking what is going on, I'm in the (mah)mood for a his blog, but he just doesn't up date, well fear not I'm back from my mini-hibernation!
Well you may ponder to think why would I update today, well as some of you will know (especially those reading this on facebook, as you can c it when you log in) its my Birthday.
So I think ill give a BUMPER edition today!
Well this last week has been a 'mare' northern English for hellish/nightmare, I got the flu, I became exasperated with life here, and with the problems of my car, which only just got sorted out further complicated my life...however today is a new day and I shall try not to dwell to much on my anguishes this last week...
I found a shisha cafe last night near where I live, where they were watching WWE(formally WWF) and so I sat down and got a drink and a shisha and watched it, and it turns out they show the football there but I didn't want the man utd game as I had to go and do some things, however guess how much a bottle of the finest Qatari water and a decent shisha was???? GBP 1, not even that with the conversion rate, I was like what, when they said, cuz at first I thought they said 60 riyals, but nah it was 6 and the rate is 6.8 riyals to the pound so I as like SWEEET not only did I get my fix(albeit VERY HEAVILY edited) of WWE but also managed to quench my thirst and my desire to be a Arrraaaaab.
The company have found me a place to live, I am not 100% sure on it, I haven't seen it yet, but some people have said its not all that whilst others love it, so I don't know wot to do...it jus seems its all going down today innit! I have my car(at least for the time being iA) and a place to call 'home' yet im somewhat still dissatisfied...
Maybe its because I am quite lonely here, I mean I have people around all the time, but I don't share my experiences with anyone who means anything to me, its like when you travel on your own, though its cool at times when you can jus do whatever you feel, and ur completely liberated from any responsibility and your ur own timekeeper, however when you see something incredible or experience something terrible you have noone to share it with, and the sense of loneliness makes it hard to deal with issues when things arent going well...so for me, when I travel I have fully evaluated both aspects of traveling and think though independent traveling u can gain much more and learn more about yourself, its no where near as fun as having someone with you whom u know well to share the experience with...At the moment I am experiencing so much, however the number of people I can share it with is limited, and those whom I do share with I can only do it by writing and talking to, but not showing and feeling, and just makes everything that little bit worse...
About my birthday, this is my first blog of iA many on this day, well im the grand old age of 23, and yes im still the youngest guy on the whole of the project, which kind of sucks but then is quite cool in terms of learning, as I have the most to learn, and so I am more of a sponge and therefore I pick up everything a lot more, whereas others older who have been working for longer, are more aware of certain things but then let other things by-pass them, whereas someone new will pick up on things more, anyway yen well im 23 and celebrating my first bday on my own, or am I?? well no, cuz my sister and dad and nephew managed to change their flight and hopefully iA they will be in Doha this afternoon, and then I have booked a dinner at the intercontinental hotel which is supposedly has the best iftar tent in Doha, so hers hoping!! Its weird because I am usually the biggest fan of birthdays, but I don't know why but I have been really subdued today, its weird, im finding it hard I think to find a way to celebrate, like I said in the above paragraph it all comes down to loneliness...
However though I keep bitching about loneliness the funny thing is as soon as im with other people I will want to be alone again which is jus the weird way I am, however who doesn't want what they cant have? its jus a natural human tendency...
Now lets get on to the topic of long-distance relationships, quite a few of my friends are currently involved in those messy type of relationships, like I am, and its hard, its tough, and though like isaid sometimes when u with them u want a break when u live far way the inverse is true, and though I don't particularly love life in London, I would go just so I can spend more time with Shamina, a lot of people fail in long-term relationships however both sides need to make an effort to stabilise the relationship no matter the distance, if one side does all the week then the relationship is doomed, however funnily enough a lot of the time each person thinks there the one doing all the work and the other is doing nothing, well in reality in those situations its very even, but each person is being blind at the other half's efforts, and that in my humble opinion can also be detrimental to the relationship...
I have written a fair bit of random stuff, I was about to say crap(instead of stuff) but I don't want to be judgemental lol!
anyway I will luv ya and leave ya now...
take care of yourselves and enjoy this beautiful day, that God introduced me to the World and thus making the world and all of your lives THAT MUCH BETTER
Sheikh Asif Mahmood
Contract Administrator
Bechtel Civil
New Doha International Airport, Overseas Bechtel Inc,
P. O. BOX. 24117, Doha, State of Qatar
Mobile: +974 585 4924
Fax: +974 467 9583
Email: amahmood@bechtel.com
I threw in my work signature so you can all be like WOW! and show im trying to make something of myself at the age of 23 I still got a lot to learn before that job title turns into CEO....but give it 10 years!!
Its been a while, I say a while, even though its been less than a week, but I'm sure people have been visiting thinking what is going on, I'm in the (mah)mood for a his blog, but he just doesn't up date, well fear not I'm back from my mini-hibernation!
Well you may ponder to think why would I update today, well as some of you will know (especially those reading this on facebook, as you can c it when you log in) its my Birthday.
So I think ill give a BUMPER edition today!
Well this last week has been a 'mare' northern English for hellish/nightmare, I got the flu, I became exasperated with life here, and with the problems of my car, which only just got sorted out further complicated my life...however today is a new day and I shall try not to dwell to much on my anguishes this last week...
I found a shisha cafe last night near where I live, where they were watching WWE(formally WWF) and so I sat down and got a drink and a shisha and watched it, and it turns out they show the football there but I didn't want the man utd game as I had to go and do some things, however guess how much a bottle of the finest Qatari water and a decent shisha was???? GBP 1, not even that with the conversion rate, I was like what, when they said, cuz at first I thought they said 60 riyals, but nah it was 6 and the rate is 6.8 riyals to the pound so I as like SWEEET not only did I get my fix(albeit VERY HEAVILY edited) of WWE but also managed to quench my thirst and my desire to be a Arrraaaaab.
The company have found me a place to live, I am not 100% sure on it, I haven't seen it yet, but some people have said its not all that whilst others love it, so I don't know wot to do...it jus seems its all going down today innit! I have my car(at least for the time being iA) and a place to call 'home' yet im somewhat still dissatisfied...
Maybe its because I am quite lonely here, I mean I have people around all the time, but I don't share my experiences with anyone who means anything to me, its like when you travel on your own, though its cool at times when you can jus do whatever you feel, and ur completely liberated from any responsibility and your ur own timekeeper, however when you see something incredible or experience something terrible you have noone to share it with, and the sense of loneliness makes it hard to deal with issues when things arent going well...so for me, when I travel I have fully evaluated both aspects of traveling and think though independent traveling u can gain much more and learn more about yourself, its no where near as fun as having someone with you whom u know well to share the experience with...At the moment I am experiencing so much, however the number of people I can share it with is limited, and those whom I do share with I can only do it by writing and talking to, but not showing and feeling, and just makes everything that little bit worse...
About my birthday, this is my first blog of iA many on this day, well im the grand old age of 23, and yes im still the youngest guy on the whole of the project, which kind of sucks but then is quite cool in terms of learning, as I have the most to learn, and so I am more of a sponge and therefore I pick up everything a lot more, whereas others older who have been working for longer, are more aware of certain things but then let other things by-pass them, whereas someone new will pick up on things more, anyway yen well im 23 and celebrating my first bday on my own, or am I?? well no, cuz my sister and dad and nephew managed to change their flight and hopefully iA they will be in Doha this afternoon, and then I have booked a dinner at the intercontinental hotel which is supposedly has the best iftar tent in Doha, so hers hoping!! Its weird because I am usually the biggest fan of birthdays, but I don't know why but I have been really subdued today, its weird, im finding it hard I think to find a way to celebrate, like I said in the above paragraph it all comes down to loneliness...
However though I keep bitching about loneliness the funny thing is as soon as im with other people I will want to be alone again which is jus the weird way I am, however who doesn't want what they cant have? its jus a natural human tendency...
Now lets get on to the topic of long-distance relationships, quite a few of my friends are currently involved in those messy type of relationships, like I am, and its hard, its tough, and though like isaid sometimes when u with them u want a break when u live far way the inverse is true, and though I don't particularly love life in London, I would go just so I can spend more time with Shamina, a lot of people fail in long-term relationships however both sides need to make an effort to stabilise the relationship no matter the distance, if one side does all the week then the relationship is doomed, however funnily enough a lot of the time each person thinks there the one doing all the work and the other is doing nothing, well in reality in those situations its very even, but each person is being blind at the other half's efforts, and that in my humble opinion can also be detrimental to the relationship...
I have written a fair bit of random stuff, I was about to say crap(instead of stuff) but I don't want to be judgemental lol!
anyway I will luv ya and leave ya now...
take care of yourselves and enjoy this beautiful day, that God introduced me to the World and thus making the world and all of your lives THAT MUCH BETTER
Sheikh Asif Mahmood
Contract Administrator
Bechtel Civil
New Doha International Airport, Overseas Bechtel Inc,
P. O. BOX. 24117, Doha, State of Qatar
Mobile: +974 585 4924
Fax: +974 467 9583
Email: amahmood@bechtel.com
I threw in my work signature so you can all be like WOW! and show im trying to make something of myself at the age of 23 I still got a lot to learn before that job title turns into CEO....but give it 10 years!!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Now thats what I call Qatar 9...Oh so tired....
Dear All,
I been on a bit of a sleeping marathon, last night i slept at 10:45pm (which is pretty early consdering i normally go to sleep at 12-1am) and when i got back from work i slept as well, so im certainly gettin my shift of sleeps....
I had a fairly productive day at work, did some online courses, and helped my manager/mentor with some stuff, and so was well happy with all that, and with my sleep i certainly aint complaining!!
If anyone knows how to get a counter onto my blog, because i lostmy blog counter when i re-did the whole design (still well pissed about that) and so if anyone could help then i would appreciate it!
I have been feeliing very discontent with the life over here, though it has its amazing features, like the food, the shopping, and just how comfatable you live, however the way the life is so hireacheal, and the way the people treat others is disgusting, i dont maybe this is because i am asian, and it is mainly asians whom are treated badly, they are paid like minimum wage and just treated very badly, however to the credit of the Qataris, there is some things that i think are very commendable like how they arrange iftar(breaking of the fast) for all muslims at the mosques, it allows those whom cant afford maybe to eat nicely, (though the food isnt 5* quality it isnt bad at all) and a couple of days ago I was i was in the car, at iftar time, and there was a guy handing out water and dates to break the fast at the traffic lights, which i just thought was really cool and a nice touch...
these little touches make the biggest differences, and therefore shows me the advantages of muslims living in a muslim country, HOWEVER the prime problems in muslim countries is the freedom aspect,we dont have the same kinda freedom that countires in europe do have, (i would say USA however i belive that is becoming more and more of less democratic state, where everyone is being monitored, watched and buisness is being done with the concerns of the goverment and not the people, if you ask how, well phone lines are being tapped, foreign companies are being told they cant buy this or that, (same as china and russia) and the passenger information that USA goverment wants from all planes flying in USA airspace/or landing on USA, acts like this in my opionon serverly limit the country and therefore make it much more of a theoracy as opposed to the great democratic capitalist state that it claims to be...
Google brought YouTube, which i cant quite understand however when you have that much money why the hell not!! Facebook could be sold for a 1bn, these guys, they come up with relatively simple ideas and the become million/billionaires, but it also shows how fickle the world is in my opionon, where people become Billionaires for setting up a networking website, or video website, or a telephone networking (skype) and they become billionaires, its a joke, how do thesse sites really benefit people, i mean ok Skype i do understand, it brings people together and allows people to communicate whom couldnt afford it before hand, however the other sites though much fun, i just think that people should be paying money to other kinda of ventures that do more to help people, i been reading about proverty in so many countries, and yet at the same time money is being wasted on companies likethis! im sure lots of people will disagree and this is jus the way commerce works, but oh well!
My sister and nephew are coming today to Qatar, but then are leaving to go to Kuwait, so i dont know if i will get to c them!
aneway i best go but take care of yourselves
Asif
I been on a bit of a sleeping marathon, last night i slept at 10:45pm (which is pretty early consdering i normally go to sleep at 12-1am) and when i got back from work i slept as well, so im certainly gettin my shift of sleeps....
I had a fairly productive day at work, did some online courses, and helped my manager/mentor with some stuff, and so was well happy with all that, and with my sleep i certainly aint complaining!!
If anyone knows how to get a counter onto my blog, because i lostmy blog counter when i re-did the whole design (still well pissed about that) and so if anyone could help then i would appreciate it!
I have been feeliing very discontent with the life over here, though it has its amazing features, like the food, the shopping, and just how comfatable you live, however the way the life is so hireacheal, and the way the people treat others is disgusting, i dont maybe this is because i am asian, and it is mainly asians whom are treated badly, they are paid like minimum wage and just treated very badly, however to the credit of the Qataris, there is some things that i think are very commendable like how they arrange iftar(breaking of the fast) for all muslims at the mosques, it allows those whom cant afford maybe to eat nicely, (though the food isnt 5* quality it isnt bad at all) and a couple of days ago I was i was in the car, at iftar time, and there was a guy handing out water and dates to break the fast at the traffic lights, which i just thought was really cool and a nice touch...
these little touches make the biggest differences, and therefore shows me the advantages of muslims living in a muslim country, HOWEVER the prime problems in muslim countries is the freedom aspect,we dont have the same kinda freedom that countires in europe do have, (i would say USA however i belive that is becoming more and more of less democratic state, where everyone is being monitored, watched and buisness is being done with the concerns of the goverment and not the people, if you ask how, well phone lines are being tapped, foreign companies are being told they cant buy this or that, (same as china and russia) and the passenger information that USA goverment wants from all planes flying in USA airspace/or landing on USA, acts like this in my opionon serverly limit the country and therefore make it much more of a theoracy as opposed to the great democratic capitalist state that it claims to be...
Google brought YouTube, which i cant quite understand however when you have that much money why the hell not!! Facebook could be sold for a 1bn, these guys, they come up with relatively simple ideas and the become million/billionaires, but it also shows how fickle the world is in my opionon, where people become Billionaires for setting up a networking website, or video website, or a telephone networking (skype) and they become billionaires, its a joke, how do thesse sites really benefit people, i mean ok Skype i do understand, it brings people together and allows people to communicate whom couldnt afford it before hand, however the other sites though much fun, i just think that people should be paying money to other kinda of ventures that do more to help people, i been reading about proverty in so many countries, and yet at the same time money is being wasted on companies likethis! im sure lots of people will disagree and this is jus the way commerce works, but oh well!
My sister and nephew are coming today to Qatar, but then are leaving to go to Kuwait, so i dont know if i will get to c them!
aneway i best go but take care of yourselves
Asif
Monday, October 09, 2006
Now thats what I call Qatar 8...Helpless in a land far far away....
Dear All,
I have endured an eventful time since my last blog, my 'buddy' (the technical term that Bechtel use for someone who helps me settle in the company) and his flatmate was involved in a serious car crash,where a Qatari Women was put into hospital and for anyone used to the Gulf thats a BIG, FAUX PAS, you never injure a local and u never injure a women, however it wasnt there fault, as two other cars coliaded and then one of those cars spun into their cars, and just highlights the dangers about these roads. On top of this my car had a minor incident, where both tyres on my passenger side blew, something in the road punctured/slashed my tyres, and i had to wait by the road for hours til someone came and helped, (thus the title for this blog)
Today I am breaking my fast with a work-do, there is not that many muslims in the office, only about 30-40 of a team of a 150-200 which isnt that many considering it being a muslim country, then again it could be considered alot considering its an American firm....
Well i have to go shortly but wanted to post some big news regarding myself....lol im coming to england iA in November for a week for training, however on the weekend possibly November 18th, i will be having my birthday party(most likely a dinner) though it is exactly one month late, its beta late then never, so make sure u keep it free, i only maybe intend to merge it with Shamina and maybe Bilal (as they are both born a week after me) but they have yet to be informed lol!
Anyway will let you know more, but get ready for the big bash!!
Take care
Asif
I have endured an eventful time since my last blog, my 'buddy' (the technical term that Bechtel use for someone who helps me settle in the company) and his flatmate was involved in a serious car crash,where a Qatari Women was put into hospital and for anyone used to the Gulf thats a BIG, FAUX PAS, you never injure a local and u never injure a women, however it wasnt there fault, as two other cars coliaded and then one of those cars spun into their cars, and just highlights the dangers about these roads. On top of this my car had a minor incident, where both tyres on my passenger side blew, something in the road punctured/slashed my tyres, and i had to wait by the road for hours til someone came and helped, (thus the title for this blog)
Today I am breaking my fast with a work-do, there is not that many muslims in the office, only about 30-40 of a team of a 150-200 which isnt that many considering it being a muslim country, then again it could be considered alot considering its an American firm....
Well i have to go shortly but wanted to post some big news regarding myself....lol im coming to england iA in November for a week for training, however on the weekend possibly November 18th, i will be having my birthday party(most likely a dinner) though it is exactly one month late, its beta late then never, so make sure u keep it free, i only maybe intend to merge it with Shamina and maybe Bilal (as they are both born a week after me) but they have yet to be informed lol!
Anyway will let you know more, but get ready for the big bash!!
Take care
Asif
Friday, October 06, 2006
Now thats what I call Qatar 7..Dr Love Edition
Dear All,
Good evening to my readers in the great State of Qatar, all 1 of
you.... and good afternoon to those in the UK and good morning to
those in the USA (west coast)!!
So its been a few days since my last update, and I'm pleased to know
there has been quite a few comments about my blog to me, which is
nice, and there are still a number of readers whom are reading my
blog, and though the great medium that is Facebook, that number will
rise....
Talking about facebook, they allowed everyone to join which i applaud,
especially as it allows Shamina to become a member which she has done,
though it means i must check my behaviour now...lol! only joking, i
always behave well! Regarding that topic though, it is very typical
that for couples the issue of jealousy and other girls/guys always
cause a major problem, and the whole x's situation, and it takes a
long time, for couples to get over the whole topic...
Rheanna once told me, that one should never fret about x's or
concerned of the past because we should just be happy,because whatever
has happened has helped shape that person, so for example say a person
has had a 'thousand' flings or just one serious love, whichever it is,
that/those relationships have helped the person you become who they
are, and you may not be with them if they hadn't those experiences so
rather than obsess about the past its vital for any
relationship/marriage you learn to move on, accept each others pasts
and move forward....
Sorry went into Dr Love mode there, but being away from Shamina, and
all my friends and family has placed a a light onto the relationships
i have, with my Friends, family and especially shamina, the distance
is making me put the relationships i have in perspective, and in
retrospect you can c the nature of people, and generally i have found
majority of my friends to be as good as i thought they were in
England, however some people have disappointed me whilst some have
excelled my expectations, one such is Henry, who has been emailing me
lengthily emails fairly regularly, and though we were good friends
before i feel that our correspondence has increased our friendship....
I have been missing my friends alot ,and my family and my nephew
ESPECIALLY (look at my facebook photo album titled Graduation to c the
cutest 22 months old in the world) but honestly i been missing mostly
Shamina, its really hard being away from your partner,. most of the
people here have girlfriends back home in England/USA, and from what
i gather there all finding it tough, but most of them haven't been
with their partner for that long as I have, and they have all been
here longer than i have plus I'm the youngest on the project, so with
those factors compounded I'm finding it hard in that respect, however
its being made easier with the help of Skype (my name is
Stormyasif786, for those who have it add me), and the fact i have
pretty good holidays here and the level of living conditions is so
good here, that it makes the whole situation a little easier to take!!
Anyway i think everyone had there dose of Dr love for this week, and
finally i will end with this news story
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0928/p03s02-ussc.html
which i found to be very intresting and was a surprise in reading it,
but found it funny how the article said that the main factor is
because they share an intrest in 'immigration' where that has nothing
to do with relgion, and hispaniics are quite strong
catholics(generalisation i know), so it did surprise me, however that
many people are converting especially in USA where Islam has such a
negative light, you would assume that there would be very few
conversions, and any in the west do convert, but i guess any publicity
is good publicity, and people have learnt about it alot more, but im
still surprised.
Anyway take care of yourselves
--
Sheikh Asif Mahmood
amahmood@bechtel.com
www.stormy786.blogspot.com
Good evening to my readers in the great State of Qatar, all 1 of
you.... and good afternoon to those in the UK and good morning to
those in the USA (west coast)!!
So its been a few days since my last update, and I'm pleased to know
there has been quite a few comments about my blog to me, which is
nice, and there are still a number of readers whom are reading my
blog, and though the great medium that is Facebook, that number will
rise....
Talking about facebook, they allowed everyone to join which i applaud,
especially as it allows Shamina to become a member which she has done,
though it means i must check my behaviour now...lol! only joking, i
always behave well! Regarding that topic though, it is very typical
that for couples the issue of jealousy and other girls/guys always
cause a major problem, and the whole x's situation, and it takes a
long time, for couples to get over the whole topic...
Rheanna once told me, that one should never fret about x's or
concerned of the past because we should just be happy,because whatever
has happened has helped shape that person, so for example say a person
has had a 'thousand' flings or just one serious love, whichever it is,
that/those relationships have helped the person you become who they
are, and you may not be with them if they hadn't those experiences so
rather than obsess about the past its vital for any
relationship/marriage you learn to move on, accept each others pasts
and move forward....
Sorry went into Dr Love mode there, but being away from Shamina, and
all my friends and family has placed a a light onto the relationships
i have, with my Friends, family and especially shamina, the distance
is making me put the relationships i have in perspective, and in
retrospect you can c the nature of people, and generally i have found
majority of my friends to be as good as i thought they were in
England, however some people have disappointed me whilst some have
excelled my expectations, one such is Henry, who has been emailing me
lengthily emails fairly regularly, and though we were good friends
before i feel that our correspondence has increased our friendship....
I have been missing my friends alot ,and my family and my nephew
ESPECIALLY (look at my facebook photo album titled Graduation to c the
cutest 22 months old in the world) but honestly i been missing mostly
Shamina, its really hard being away from your partner,. most of the
people here have girlfriends back home in England/USA, and from what
i gather there all finding it tough, but most of them haven't been
with their partner for that long as I have, and they have all been
here longer than i have plus I'm the youngest on the project, so with
those factors compounded I'm finding it hard in that respect, however
its being made easier with the help of Skype (my name is
Stormyasif786, for those who have it add me), and the fact i have
pretty good holidays here and the level of living conditions is so
good here, that it makes the whole situation a little easier to take!!
Anyway i think everyone had there dose of Dr love for this week, and
finally i will end with this news story
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0928/p03s02-ussc.html
which i found to be very intresting and was a surprise in reading it,
but found it funny how the article said that the main factor is
because they share an intrest in 'immigration' where that has nothing
to do with relgion, and hispaniics are quite strong
catholics(generalisation i know), so it did surprise me, however that
many people are converting especially in USA where Islam has such a
negative light, you would assume that there would be very few
conversions, and any in the west do convert, but i guess any publicity
is good publicity, and people have learnt about it alot more, but im
still surprised.
Anyway take care of yourselves
--
Sheikh Asif Mahmood
amahmood@bechtel.com
www.stormy786.blogspot.com
Monday, October 02, 2006
Now thats what I call Qatar 6
Well Hellooooooooo there…..
Good morning, afternoon,evening, night to you all wherever you are…and your prob wondering why the hell am I so happy… well no reason really except I got my car so I don’t feel so constrained, though admittedly I been feeling so shit scared about getting my car, because of the crazy driving that goes on here, along with the fact that its an automatic, and finally they drive on the wrong side of the road (YES…u heard me, the proper side is the left hand side of the road!! Crazy countires), added to this the fact that my relationship with Shamina will be determined fairly soon iA means that im in for a intresting set of weeks/month!
So you maybe wondering what you mean my relationship will be determined, well my family like I have said in the past know, however they have started to realize that I am not messing about, and maybe I maybe changing my status to married iA…lol well I prob wont, because I think its more benefical to get a single status as I am able to achieve my dream of working on average 4 days a year!! Lol I do have high aims!
Aneway I had a pretty shitty weekend, more or less stayed in, and jus did nothing a little bit of work but not much else, however did go to the cinema and I watched a very good dark comedy called Click, it reminds of something Jim Carey would do for some reason, I think I just associate him with black humour, but not too sure why….aaahhh yeh I do because of that film Lemony Snicket film which was a cracker of a film one of the biggest surprise films I have ever seen(as in I went in thinking very negative thoughts and came out just full of superlatives) and if you haven’t seen it then DEF go and c it!!
Man utd are back on top of the table (where they belong) and so Im happy about that but my fantasy football didn’t do amazing and now Donners has caught up with me it really sucks!!! But I still have faith in my ability and still belive I can supercede him before the end!!!
Well work load at the moment is slowly increasing and soon I may not be able to write as frequenty as I do but fret not because I will try and through rain and snow (both highly unlikely here) I will continue to write…
Some people in Surrey have been feeling unfair that I have said things about people,that they may not have wanted others to know, firstly u shouldn’t say such foolish things, secondly if u do say them be a man and stick by ur words and thirdly Riaz…..WHERES my IPOD???? (he lost my ipod, but because im such a GREAT guy I never asked for anything in return)….but it does make me think about the topic of Bullying, as people could also deem that some of my entries are like bullying, when I expose people and make fun of people, however this is never my intent at least not in this blog, I admit in the past I have bullied but not for a while I don’t think, and I am a strong opposer to it, and when you c it as a “adult” it makes u cringe that could have been u, I feel really bad for all the people I have bullied (there isn’t that many but there are a couple of people) I wont mention their names, partly because they will never read this so theres no point and in the off chance they stumble upon it I don’t want to further embarrass them by letting others know they were bullied, but it’s a horrible tool. The reason I use the word tool is because that’s exactly what it is, its jus a tool for people to become more populour or seem cool, I have been bullied and I have bullied and though it hurts a lot being bullied when your older u wont have the kinda guilt that a bully has, and u know u were a good person right from the get-go, which is a very admirable quality in young children… with so much hatred and animosity in the youth of today, it is always good to c kids enjoying the simple things in life (a la Tag, Hop-Scotch, Football etc) and not what the papers make u belive (crack, weed, guns etc)with kids from as young as 10 on those drugs…its disgusting and a shameful reflection on society, where people will do anyting to grow up faster and make themselves seem ‘cool’….
Aneway best go but hope you enjoyed todays installment!!
Asif
Good morning, afternoon,evening, night to you all wherever you are…and your prob wondering why the hell am I so happy… well no reason really except I got my car so I don’t feel so constrained, though admittedly I been feeling so shit scared about getting my car, because of the crazy driving that goes on here, along with the fact that its an automatic, and finally they drive on the wrong side of the road (YES…u heard me, the proper side is the left hand side of the road!! Crazy countires), added to this the fact that my relationship with Shamina will be determined fairly soon iA means that im in for a intresting set of weeks/month!
So you maybe wondering what you mean my relationship will be determined, well my family like I have said in the past know, however they have started to realize that I am not messing about, and maybe I maybe changing my status to married iA…lol well I prob wont, because I think its more benefical to get a single status as I am able to achieve my dream of working on average 4 days a year!! Lol I do have high aims!
Aneway I had a pretty shitty weekend, more or less stayed in, and jus did nothing a little bit of work but not much else, however did go to the cinema and I watched a very good dark comedy called Click, it reminds of something Jim Carey would do for some reason, I think I just associate him with black humour, but not too sure why….aaahhh yeh I do because of that film Lemony Snicket film which was a cracker of a film one of the biggest surprise films I have ever seen(as in I went in thinking very negative thoughts and came out just full of superlatives) and if you haven’t seen it then DEF go and c it!!
Man utd are back on top of the table (where they belong) and so Im happy about that but my fantasy football didn’t do amazing and now Donners has caught up with me it really sucks!!! But I still have faith in my ability and still belive I can supercede him before the end!!!
Well work load at the moment is slowly increasing and soon I may not be able to write as frequenty as I do but fret not because I will try and through rain and snow (both highly unlikely here) I will continue to write…
Some people in Surrey have been feeling unfair that I have said things about people,that they may not have wanted others to know, firstly u shouldn’t say such foolish things, secondly if u do say them be a man and stick by ur words and thirdly Riaz…..WHERES my IPOD???? (he lost my ipod, but because im such a GREAT guy I never asked for anything in return)….but it does make me think about the topic of Bullying, as people could also deem that some of my entries are like bullying, when I expose people and make fun of people, however this is never my intent at least not in this blog, I admit in the past I have bullied but not for a while I don’t think, and I am a strong opposer to it, and when you c it as a “adult” it makes u cringe that could have been u, I feel really bad for all the people I have bullied (there isn’t that many but there are a couple of people) I wont mention their names, partly because they will never read this so theres no point and in the off chance they stumble upon it I don’t want to further embarrass them by letting others know they were bullied, but it’s a horrible tool. The reason I use the word tool is because that’s exactly what it is, its jus a tool for people to become more populour or seem cool, I have been bullied and I have bullied and though it hurts a lot being bullied when your older u wont have the kinda guilt that a bully has, and u know u were a good person right from the get-go, which is a very admirable quality in young children… with so much hatred and animosity in the youth of today, it is always good to c kids enjoying the simple things in life (a la Tag, Hop-Scotch, Football etc) and not what the papers make u belive (crack, weed, guns etc)with kids from as young as 10 on those drugs…its disgusting and a shameful reflection on society, where people will do anyting to grow up faster and make themselves seem ‘cool’….
Aneway best go but hope you enjoyed todays installment!!
Asif
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