This is my first “I haven’t posted in a while because…” post, and I’m sure there’s more to follow. Well, I haven’t posted in a while because I was a bit under the weather and generally busy. So in true Lifehacker style here’s a roundup of what happened this past week or so.
Last Saturday my wife took her RTA driving test. The real thing, not the assessments / mock that driving schools put you through and on the basis of which subject you to further lessons. Long story short she didn’t pass. Not being there in the car with her I will stop short from saying that the examiner was at fault. It is however very commonly heard that very able drivers are still failed and only manage to get their license after two or three attempts.
On the day I dropped her off at the driving school and, anticipating a very long wait (it turned out to be over 3 hours), I headed over to Times Square where I planted myself in Caribou Coffee and pretended to look busy on the laptop. I enjoy doing this from time to time (wife permitting) – sitting unnoticed in a corner, just watchig people pass by, trying to guess what people do and if they are regulars.
One such instance: A couple of ladies strolled in, one behind an empty pushchair, the other (very visibly pregnant) holding an infant. They were greeted warmly by the staff behind the counter, as always happens, and the manager (or so I assumed due to his lack of uniform and previous shuffling of papers) did the baby-talk thing and held out his arms. The mother without any hesitation whatsoever obliged and handed over the package, to the delight of said manager. He went on to croon and entertain the kid, going over to show him off to the other staff. They spent a good five minutes enjoying the baby’s laughter, after which it was duly returned to the mom.
Now this is what surprised me – in this day and age of H’s and N’s, airport infrared checks, pandemic alerts, campaigns advocating less contact with strangers and fear of the almighty germ, this lady trusted her most precious possession in the hands of a stranger. Granted, she could have been a regular and known the manager for a long time. Also granted, working in a food preparation environment one expects a certain level of hygiene. But still. I doubt that I could have done the same thing. It shocked me in a truly positive way, and left me feeling upbeat. Until I learned of my wife’s exam outcome of course.
On Thursday I had my first serious near-crash experience, through no fault of my own. I was at the exit from Emirates road going to Qusais waiting for lights to change, when I see a Prado coming up fast behind me. It skidded, missed me by an inch and ended up beside my car. Don’t know if the skid took the Prado to the side or the driver’s skill. These are the things that one risks on the roads of Dubai I guess.
Friday saw us meet up with a bunch of cool people I speak to on Twitter at Wild Peeta, for a #wildtweetup. The company was great, met like-minded folk, and the food was brilliantly fresh – both in concept and in preparation. It was the first time I saw an Emirati (actually two – they’re brothers) running the show AND working behind the counter. Had a killer breakfast peeta (at 1pm) and a fusion cold green tea / juice comonly known as the Magic Juice. Now if they can just confirm delivery to my office.
