Dubai

It’s been a week in the garden. Busy moving, proving my identity, and dealing with rigid rule enforcers.

We are customer service connoisseurs and when the service is lacking we’re all over it. Had several instances this week, but the prize goes to the Storage Nazi.

Storage Nazi and her spouse are two vile robots that run a large complex and I’m sure they have their trials. They spew the RULES “CUZ THEY DON’T WANT ANYTHANG TORE UP!” Their rudeness is appalling and embarrassing. Most times, I try to be respectful and hold my tongue, but earlier this week they tested my patience.

Let’s move on.

Last week we wrote about customers that want to be buried with their pets. Today, we spoke to a lady who was putting her pup down and wanted her pet to be interred with her. She bought one of Terry Bloodworth’s beautiful blown glass pet urns.

Wow, Alex McIlveen really is my hero, not only did he kick a jihadi in the balls, his good name drove a lot of traffic to this blog! Who knew?

And speaking of jihad, In Repose had an interesting post on the Flight 93 memorial design proposal.

I’ve had my head in the sand lately, and haven’t been following the news, elevated fear and loathing factor every time I turn it on.

Speaking of sand and RULES, I found this interesting post on Secret Dubai Diary regarding freedom of speech.

America is indeed the land of the free: free (or practically free) communications. The sweet ease of being able to access Skype.com and videochat with friends and family overseas without having hordes of angry TRA officials banging on ones window waving camel whips.

The sheer delight of being able to make a two minute international phone call that don’t cost more than a labourer’s annual pay packet.

And the general joy of being able to access any website at any time at a speed light years faster than a lame carrier pigeon ferrying 1s and 0s back and forth from ones computer to Etishite.

So while America may have a president so unpopular that one can currently buy a calendar in Borders to count the days until he leaves office, at least people have the freedom to express their loathing and the communications to convey it.

Whereas in the sandlands, according to the UAE Publications Law Chapter 7 Article 76, it is actually forbidden to “blemish” the president of any “friendly state”. Which means that as the US is a UAE ally, we may only express loving praise for George W Bush and the wonderful progress he has made in Iraq and for world security in general.

So perhaps it really is the United American Emirates after all.

Another story of interest is the execution of China’s Head of Food and Drug Administration.