Changing Lanes

Lately when I think of a poem, it stays in my head for a very short period of time and I forget about it before I can write it down. Luckily I had my mobile around the last time I though of a poem in my head and quickly typed it out on my phone(All hail Qwerty keypads on mobiles).

Posting one after a very long time and this one is quite simple/basic in comparison to my older poems though the depressing theme continues...

Dreaming Again
30/10/2008

I wish I could say what I want to say
But those words are too harsh for your tender ears
These days go by dreading that determination
That will hit you someday
After it annihilates me...

I stand here waiting in astonishment
How could this happen to us
Watching the time rattle away
Are we getting closer to the end
Or maybe I'm just dreaming again...

-Stained

Taken on my way back homeShooting Date/Time : 10/30/2008 2:11:43 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/400
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

A 4 shot vertical panorama of the building called 'The Tower' on Sheikh Zayed Road.Shooting Date/Time :10/26/2008 7:32:38 PM
Tv( Shutter Speed ) : 5secs - 25sec
Av( Aperture Value ) : 8.0
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 200.0 mm

Taken of the foot bridge that passes over the Sheikh Zayed Road.....Shooting Date/Time : 10/26/2008 7:46:11 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 10 secs
Av(Aperture Value) : 8.0
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

My dad got grapefruit for my sister. So I cut it up and made a glass of juice for her...Shooting Date/Time : 10/24/2008 1:06:27 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/200
Av(Aperture Value) : 2.8
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : EF50mm f/1.8
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

The Baynunah Hilton Towers Hotel in Abu Dhabi used to be the tallest building in UAE before the Burj al Arab was built in Dubai. Now it is dwarfed by several buildings in Dubai though it still remains the third tallest(completed)building in Abu Dhabi. This picture was taken by me a year back. You can also see the tallest building in Abu Dhabi, The Abu Dhabi investment authority tower in the background on the left sideShooting Date/Time : 10/13/2007 6:15:09 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/15
Av(Aperture Value) : 3.5
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 800
Lens : EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

Shoot with manual focus to get this out of focus look.Shooting Date/Time : 10/16/2008 8:27:04 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/25
Av(Aperture Value) : 2.8
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 400
Lens : EF50mm f/1.8
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

Attended my cousin's son's marriage reception at the Sheraton in Abu Dhabi. They had this huge 5 storey cake that had a groom and bride doll on top. I was really surprised the family wanted this on top. This is the first time I've seen it at a Indian wedding reception. Very Weird!!!!
Anyway they didn't know I existed, i.e. I could have been the official photographer, not that they'd pay me so I ended up taking some candid shots after my dad asked me to.Shooting Date/Time : 10/18/2008 8:35:07 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/50
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 800
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 200.0 mm

I tried a night panorama, hand held. Basically had the 50mm f1.8 mounted onto the camera and was too lazy to mount the 18-200 so took about 16 pictures to create a panorama but ended up using just 8 of them.Shooting Date/Time : 10/16/2008 8:13:21 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/60
Av(Aperture Value) : 2.8
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 400
Lens : EF 50mm f/1.8
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

Shooting Date/Time : 10/15/2008 1:01:38 AM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/400
Av(Aperture Value) : 8.0
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 200.0 mm

Life sucks right now....Big time!!!

As I walked through a large empty lot full of sand shrouded in darkness I look up to the sky hoping to wish on a shooting star for everything to end as unfortunately I can't end it myself. After being disappointed with the lack of stars in general I bring my attention back to earth and I see a man sleeping on a sheet with what seemed like a bunch of clothes wrapped together to make a pillow. I continued to walk while feeling a little better about my own condition. As I looked back I realised I could hardly see him. I looked around and saw no one else seem to notice him lying there. He had conveniently place himself in such a way that you couldn't see him unless you knew he was there...so for now he will sleep there unnoticed...and for now I live on....

These two songs are stuck in my head....

This one is solely for Abid...Enjoy!!!Shooting Date/Time : 10/2/2008 8:22:37 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 2.5
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Focal Length 18.0 mm

Some more shots from my outing yesterday.

1) Intercontinental Hotel and Crowne Plaza Hotel. I used a long shutter speed shot to get that smooth water look.
Shooting Date/Time : 10/2/2008 8:11:55 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 10
Av(Aperture Value) : 20.0
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

2) Business Bay Bridge. This was also taken with a very long shutter speed to get that particular look of the water. Also check out the street lights starry look.
Shooting Date/Time : 10/2/2008 8:11:16 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 10
Av(Aperture Value) : 14.0
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

3) It was a big pain to get Festival city and the fireworks together.
Shooting Date/Time : 10/2/2008 8:20:25 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 2
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

4) According to my sister this looks like a bouquet with three flowers. I agree!!!!
Shooting Date/Time : 10/2/2008 8:22:17 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 6.3
Av(Aperture Value) : 2.5
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

5) Really like the reflection in this shot.
Shooting Date/Time : 10/2/2008 8:22:43 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 6.3
Av(Aperture Value) : 2.5
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

I took about 50 pictures of the fireworks during those few minutes. I can't wait for New Year's when I'll hopefully see a better display of fireworks just like last year...

With great excitement I went to capture the fireworks that took place at Festival City to celebrate Eid. In the end it was quite disappointing as the display lasted just a few minutes...Here's a quick edit of one of the shots....Shooting Date/Time : 10/2/2008 8:20:33 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 2
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

On Eid, we usually cook a few dishes for the guests who come over. These Kababs that my Mom makes are the best of the lot and I keep hoping the guests don't eat them all... ;)Shooting Date/Time : 10/1/2008 6:24:50 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/60
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Focal Length : 173.0 mm