Changing Lanes

I fell sick last week. I was expecting the usual 'weather change viral flu' that I get every single year (twice every year to be exact). Fever, cold, headache and cough were the usual suspects but unlike the other times, it didn't last just one night. As I write this, I'm still sick. Instead of getting better, it's gotten worse as I've started wheezing and coughing out pieces of phlegm. Add difficulty to breathe, nose bleeds and life seems to be a struggle right now. Breathing is literally an exercise *breath in - breath out*. Gone on a strict diet avoiding anything oily or cold which basically means almost everything. Anyway I hope to get well before Fotoweekend or else I'm screwed.

Btw, shifting homes this week plus a friend from the UK is flying in plus got photos to deliver to clients plus two day work related vacation to Abu Dhabi (I know it's next door, but it's a break from home) so the first 10 days of November are going to be busy so worst time to fall sick...sick leave from life should be an option... -_-

Camera Model : Canon 7D
Shooting Date/Time : 10/26/2010 17:58:57 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 0.8secs
Av(Aperture Value) : f10
Metering Mode : Pattern
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : EF 24-105mm f4 L
Focal Length : 24mm

Note: Forgot to blog this a week back so even though the moment has passed, I'm blogging it anyways....

He breaks into fits of laughter; she looks on wondering how she could stop him from hurting. He falls off the bed, laughing so hard that he's got tears in his eyes. He thinks about all the ways he can destroy but then looks at her worried eyes and calms down. She moves forward to comfort him but he moves away. The jokes on them and he start laughing again. In a single blow, death shall meet the breaker...

SJ got access to the Arenco building in Dubai Media City as her dad works there in order to do some photography for one of the magazines she works for so I tagged along. This was shot with a Florescent white balance to get that wonderful blue/purple colour in the sky.

Camera Model : Canon 7D
Shooting Date/Time : 10/26/2010 18:08:43 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 20secs
Av(Aperture Value) : f18
Metering Mode : Pattern
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : EF 16-35mm f2.8 L
Focal Length : 16mm

19.10.2010
12:15am

Reminiscences
Tumbling down
Twice the detestation
On the hitch
Flick over
Buoyant
Twice the affection
Glittering through
Stare at me
A vision
Appearing alone

This is what the restaurant bill looked like after a quick (read 20mins) lunch at Tiffin bites.

1 Karahi Chicken Tiffin  :  AED 38
1 Chana Masala Tiffin    :  AED 32
2 Mango Lassi              :  AED 36
1 Butter Naan             :  AED 12
                                 ---------------
Total                            AED 118

We were in the mood for some Indian food as SJ is trying to stay off non-veg food for a week and we needed it to be quick cause we were getting late for the GulfPhotoPlus photo walk briefing. So we headed into Tiffin Bites at Jumeirah Beach Residence.

SJ had done some photography work at Tiffin bites for the magazine she works for and I had covered their annual group shot/award ceremony a month or so back so we were kinda keen on tasting what they had to offer. Annoyingly for me, I think the manager (called Pavan I think) recognised SJ but not me. Anyway we ordered the Tiffins cause according to the waitress, it would take just 7 minutes to prepare though the food was served in a mere 5 minutes.

The food serving looked small initially but as we dug in, it seemed quite large. I ordered mine to be mild spicy due to my new found love for spicy food which I balanced with a very thick mango lassi. The butter naan was just perfect.

Anyway coming to the reason for this post, the waitress got the bill that I was trying to pay with an AED100 note and some cash from SJ's bottom less purse while SJ was busy flashing her credit card wondering if they accepted plastic money. While we were still busy contemplating how to pay, the manager rushed in and took the bill from me insisting that the meal be on the house. Then ensued a smiling slightly embarrassing conversation where we kept insisting that he let us pay for the meal but the manager didn't budge and said he'd let us pay the next time we visited even though he did somewhere in the middle mention that our next meal would be free as well. We plan to go there again, pay for the food and tip them heavily as well...

Once again he breaks down; tears streaming down his cheeks. She sits next to him patiently waiting to put a smile back on his face. She's just reciprocating all that was given to her; taking care of him just the way he took care of her. A special bond that out shines everything else; a bond of trust and understanding as complicated as the lives they've lived. Haunted pasts strengthening the present they believe in. Holding each other trying to survive the dreams they've broken. They try to name it but all they come up with is friendship. She sits next to him wiping away the tears; 'Everything will be all right' she lies again...

Drove this beast a week back when I was photographing it for DriveArabia. Loved the way this car looks on the outside and the sound of that engine is drool enticing. The interior on the other hand is disappointing to look at though is feature packed and well laid out. The interior space is huge in a 2 door car sense as SJ managed to sit behind me and she's not really that short. Can't really comment on the cars handling as I didn't want to push it so apart from a small side way slide, I didn't really get to enjoy any side ways fun if you know what I mean. Acceleration was what you'd expect from a mammoth 6.1L Hemi engine while the braking seemed a little on the softer side. Overall, loved the experience but for a price tag of AED200,000...it's a bit of a novelty and honestly I'd buy a second hand M3 instead... -_-

Camera Model : Canon 7D
Shooting Date/Time : 09/26/2010 12:20:10 AM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/1600
Av(Aperture Value) : f2.8
Metering Mode : Pattern
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : EF 50mm f1.8
Focal Length : 50mm

A must for most photography hobbyist in the UAE, the FotoWeekend is back. If you want to learn more about potraiture, it doesn't get better then Bobbi Lane while anything photoshop, David Nightingale is the person for you. Haven't seen the other three photographers (Bert Stephani, Carol Dragon, Martin Prihoda)  before so can't really comment on them though if they're in the line up, I'm sure they'll be fabolous. In fact, I'll be at this event assisting one of them. Anyway for more information, click here

Sometimes you keep walking even if you don't know where you're headed...
Sometimes you're looking back and falling over...
Sometimes those tears are the only truth...
Sometimes is begging to differ...

The stench, the disgusting effects, a path never to be taken, a company not to be kept...but the stench is coming from me, I disgust myself as I've taken the path and kept the company. The world is going in circles and life is meant to be destroyed in interwoven conspiracies. The death of one, the life for another. A precious moment, a life long scar...