TimesofOman.com: Digital Rights Management

Below is the latest column in the series of articles that are published on the TimesofOman.com online website.

If you feel you have any queries about the topic or suggestions or comments, please do so.

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Digital Rights Management

We are now living in the age of modern technological breakthroughs and information technology expansion. So, it is only understandable that this would have an impact on us all; whether it is now or at a later point in time.

One of these advancements in the technology field is a system that helps artists and media companies alike manage their copyrights in terms of being stolen or robbed of the intellectual property rights they hold for the hard work within the bounds of an electronic system – Digital Rights Management – or DRM, for short.

Although it is understandable that this system protects the author's rights for their hard work, it also has bad implications, too. Such implications are restriction of using the media purchased on different operating systems, and players in comparison to just the one player that would 'legally' play those types of files.

DRM also has the customer who buys the protected piece of material 'by the chains', as it bounds the consumer from copying the material bought to their system for a limited time and also holds the possibility of stopping users from probably enjoying their purchased song because it needs authorization every time a part of it is played.

Copyrights are one thing, but restricting access to purchased material is altogether uncalled for. As it hinders the actual image of art of which carries the message of peace, hope, love and unity through the many emotions we discover in our world in our almost daily listening to music or watching a TV programme or ever reading a book. Not only that, it also puts an obstacle of putting restrictions on what the user of the bought material wants to do with and possibly pushing him into committing into something illegal like downloading a crack file that would allow him to access the 'legally' purchased file.

Bottom line is that most of the companies who favor using DRM in their various media types aren't all exactly about protecting theirs and their artists' rights. But, rather, they are more into the monetary schemes behind it – namely stopping individuals from downloading these various files over the Internet and accessing the files illegally. Thus, maintaining the upward curve in their sales figures and keeping the money flowing into the organization.

Many people who believe in the first amendment say that this very much so but have no power over such acts in the media industry.

It is pretty much up to the people to decide in that field.

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Link:

- TimesofOman.com: Digital Rights Management

have we changed?

It is said..

That the world we live has not changed.. It is we who have changed.. And this only due to us - human beings - being more aware of how our world revolves around us.


Would you agree?

DRM: it's so on

Let me break this topic down simply for you guys.

For those of you who are media lovers and more in touch with music, movies and electronic-books, DRM (Digital Rights Management) is the last person you would ever want to invite to your party.

DRM is basically the Advanced Access Content System organization's little present that it gives you within every single newly made CD, DVD or electronic system that has acquired its services for the sole purpose to stop the likes of you folk from copying the entirety of the contents onto your mass hard disk system.

Now, you would think after spending so much money on such a product, the least you could do with it is share it amongst those friends of yours that you would recommend it to, or perhaps just copy it on your hard drive to have faster accessibility to it instead of having to stick that CD/CD-ROM into your CDs/DVDs optical drive every time you want to check it out.

And now, because bloggers from the infamous Digg website are retaliating in full force along with the owner of the website against the AACS organization, it is now vowing to bring down every single one of those bloggers and the site owner because of such an action.

Question is now; who will you side with?

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Links:

- Advanced Access Content System

- DRM group vows to fight bloggers

some people have no sense of humor

I bumped into a long lost friend of mine today around morning time as I was off to the Ministry of Housing to complete the necessary steps to put the land allocated to me under my name. It was nice to see a friendly face at last since I had no idea of what to do there.

We collected up on the past and updated on anything new on both our lives and all that la di da.

Something I did notice with him is how he became so serious all of a sudden. And I don't mean all of a sudden. He was serious all the time. He just would not take a single joke I threw at him. Which, to me, seems very unfortunate. I like to have fun even at the most serious times - to loosen up and create the atmosphere.

Which brings me to the point behind this post.

I have noticed all over these last few weeks at my College, that there is not one single person in this establishment that would put a smile on their face.

I mean, I would be the only one who laughs, smiles and makes jokes and everyone's bolted at me like I am doing something utterly wrong.

For God sake's, it doesn't hurt to smile or laugh if someone looks your way, does it now?

Smile, people!

SMILE!

apologies

I would like to apologize to every single person who reads my blog, as I made a mistake.

I had published the 'proposed' Horizon newsletter foreword on the assumption that I had already gotten the approval but, unfortunately, they called me up today and said they cannot publish it because it contains 'sensitivities'.

I tried to enquire as to what these 'sensitivities' were, but all they could say to me was to send them a new foreword immediately within the next two days.

Therefore, I apologize to all of you because of my misassumption.

I hope this will not deter you from coming back to review anything on my blog.

guess what?

According the Oman Arab Cinema website, Pirates of the Carribean 3: At World's End will debut on the 23rd of May, 2007 in Muscat.

If you check your calendar, that specific date is a Wednesday.

Yet another blockbuster movie that is being delivered on a global simultaneous release, as the official date for the movie's release is 25th May, 2007 - a Friday.

Is the best summer or what?

huh?

According to recent media reports, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is about to start issuing internet and audio text provider licenses beginning the 2nd of June, 2007.

And although this would mean that such an action by the TRA would break the monopoly held by OmanTel and it's subsidiary - Oman 'Net; as one of the conditions of giving the license, the TRA has set a condition whereby the new Internet provider would have to use OmanTel's existing cabling network infrastructure - ultimately targeting all revenues towards the older monopoly.

The TRA, through the various news reports in the local media, has admitted that such an action is to break the monopoly held by OmanTel, and its insufficient network that has reached a subscriber base of 65,000 subscribers and create employment opportunities.

So, how is the new company meant to make any profit if all traffic is pumped through OmanTel's crappy network? And how is this breaking the monopoly?

Seems to me like the TRA is up to no good through this strategy.

At least, that's my opinion.

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Links:

- TRA to issue Internet licenses

- TRA opens doors to all: Mohsin

proposed - Horizon newsletter: The Effect of Tourism on Oman

Below is the latest article that is used as a foreword in the Horizon newsletter for the Sultan Qaboos University. Do read it up and let me know what you think about the topic and the strength of the discussion.

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The Effect of Tourism on Oman:

Tourism has started to boom in the country. Tourists are flocking into the Sultanate of Oman more than ever in any time period. And what's more, is that our country is now a hotspot for many European and American travelers.

This is all due to the relaxation of visa norms in Oman by the government and their representative authorities. But it is also due to the heavy advertising campaign that the Ministry of Tourism, here in Oman, is implementing to let people know that Oman has opened up its doors to the world for everyone to enjoy a lovely vacation and a laidback rest in one of the safest cities of the world.

However, this strategy has its disadvantages that don't go undetected.

Some of these disadvantages are the impact it has on the society; this is through opening up the country's population to a culture shock that many are not ready for, even with all the rules and regulations that are put into effect.

Tourism may well provide income for the country and allow it to diversify its portfolio but its evident and ultimate task is to help push the economy forward through many infrastructure projects that are much needed here in Oman but it has also pushed the economy to make sure it can better receive the next few thousand of tourists by expanding the different roads networks, easing up traffic, preparing the Seeb International Airport for a full renovation and the most obvious of them all; expansion of the real estate industry all over Muscat, in specific, and Oman in general.

The Sultanate had this approach coming, one way or another, as it was inevitable. Nothing could have stopped from ever happening because of the state our economy is in now and how the Sultanate of Oman has become so dependent on the one natural resource that has been with it for the past 36 years since the renaissance.

The impact of tourism does not stop at the point of physical change but it also comes with changing of the culture and with it, change of the surrounding environment. It is to that day that we must heed our ears to the winds of change and perhaps, one day, answer it back.

We are slowly progressing, thankfully. And it is to that slow progress that we should thank our lucky stars because had it been the other way we would have plunged ourselves into a mistake that we would always regret for the rest of our lives.

We not be a developed country – but we are a proud nation.

intelligence - Garfield style

what people say

I don't know what's worse; teaching yourself the fundamentals of life that you try so hard to get accustomed to or identifying with the fact that you are in yourself a unique individual that no matter what anyone would say or do can ever attempt to change you in anyway they may think is possible.

Some people think they have you all figured out from the start - somewhat like an open book. However, it is those open books that you immerse yourself so deeply into that you would end up with the shock of your life: that there's always a twist of fate within.

I have learned that I should never assume and that if there should ever be something that I don't understand that I would go ahead and ask about it even if it seems a bit too obvious for me (which, again, would be a presumption on my part). Therefore, keeping my thoughts to myself no matter how badly I would like to share them with.

But in the even that I am presumed something else than what is truly in my nature.

So, then, why is it that people around me feel the need to dampen that mood just to fulfill that yearning desire to say what they feel about me, presume what they will about me, and spread the false lies about me, when they don't know me at all?

issues - part 2

Here's another thing I'd like to throw at you.

Have you ever noticed how the law is applied here in Oman?

We may not be a developed country but that shouldn't mean that we follow the people who drop themselves off the cliff. We are far more civilized than anyone could ever imagine to be if only we exercise the pressure on the people that have that authority in their hands to keep it in the hands of justice.
A lot of you may seem confused by what I have laid down as a thesis in the above said. But, what would you say if you ever heard that a country applies its laws on a lot of the folk and leave them with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a bad reputation while others who are in far higher authoritative positions are left to wonder freely without a worry or a care?

I know Oman is not a case by itself and that this is found in many countries worldwide, but, again, that doesn't mean that we should follow the pack - should it?

issues

Here's something I don't get here in Oman.

And I'll try to make this post as brief as I can so I wouldn't have to go into details so that I wouldn't get into trouble for putting such information on the 'net.

I've noticed over the years that I have grown from being a child to what I am today, that there a number of issues in my country (for the first time readers; that would be the Sultanate of Oman) that I love, cherish, adore and wouldn't change for the world.

But, on the other hand, we have a variety of other issues that need more attention but no one seems to care about whatsoever. And I imagine that these issues exist in most of the world's countries, let alone Oman being being the exclusive 'state of the world'.

And the one issue that keeps coming back to irritate me further and further, year in, year out is the amount of bull that we hear about how public and private organizations taking things seriously in matter of management, quality control and employment. The seriousness of these organizations' attitudes reflects onto the world media about how things are really done in the country.

I'm talking about how you're asked to pay under the table to get your papers finished in a jiffy; or even being put on top of the list because you're a friend/son/daughter of the Chief-Executive-Officers of the so called organization.

I'm not blaming anyone in specific here in this post, so think twice before you run speed-dial on that no-good-attorney of yours about what I am trying to say here.

What I am saying is basically, we need to start acting on what we preach. Something that most, if not, all Omanis are known for - preaching. Telling the others what they should be doing when it is us who is in need for the very advice we give away - and for free.

I'd say don't rely on others to see who you are and act on that reflection, but do look at yourself in a hard manner about what you seem to be like, what you would like to be and what it is you need to do in order to achieve your goal.

So in order to become better we need to put a radical stop to all these mishappenings and at the same time introduce a new system that would push your drive range to the maximum.

Believing in yourself is only part of the battle - the rest is up to you.

SQU Open Day

Information has been passed onto me about an Open Day gathering at the Sultan Qaboos University, here in the Sultanate of Oman on the 10th of May, 2007.

The open day will have many participants from various countries around the world such as the United States of America; the United Kingdom; several Arab countries and other countries that the Sultanate enjoys neighborly relationship along with. Since the Sultan Qaboos University is hosting this even, it is only normal to keep in mind that, it, too, shall have a stall there, too.

Each participant will have items to be sold from their country or possibly show their culture or even heritage or tradition or anything else from their country.

The said open day will be held between 5pm until night-time (I was given the time, but forgot what it was - so will update this post later) at the Sports Arena at the Sultan Qaboos University.

For more information, please call the Sultan Qaboos University phone number: +968 24141111.
(while all possible effort has been focused to have the information in this post correct to the time of posting, the writer shall not be held responsible for any un-notified changes in the programme or functions in this here open day. Thus, I regret any incovenience, if any, in advance.)

wowsers

I've hardly had any time for myself ever since I started College studies and the tutor over there isn't exactly perfect so I'm also having some difficulty coping with understanding the subjects that we being taught.

However, that's not to say that I am not having a great time. In fact that would be an understatement. I'm having a wonderful time. Sociality could not be any better there and you get to have fun in your own unique way (mind you; when you're me, you always have fun).

We're about to have a test this upcoming week on the subjects of different types of insurance; not to mention that I have my IELTS exams dates approaching at around the 3rd and 5th of May, 2007.

Amongst other non-academical chores, I have to prepare 3 articles within the weekend, go in for a meeting about part-time job and give my books to be sold on an open day at SQU.

Spiderman 3 premiere - part 2

If you hadn't already noticed, I am obsessed with this year's summer blockbuster opening with the Spiderman 3 movies. And yes, I am anticipating it madly.

If you hadn't done it already, by the way, you could possibly still get your chance to get some free tickets to see Spiderman 3 by buying something of over an amount of 10 Omani Rials at the TOYS 'R' US store in Markaz Al Bahja mall located in Seeb.

The premiere will be off to a kicking start tonight (Tuesday) at 7:30pm at the Al Shatti Plaza; Plaza number 1.

The poster you see for this post is the artist impression of Venom transformation after being covered by the creepy black substance that enhances agression onto Topher Grace's character as direct rival to that of Peter Parker's at the newspaper he takes photographs for.

You can find the official song for the Spiderman 3 soundtrack by Snow Patrol, titled 'Signal Fire'.

See you at the movie!

Muscat Municipality discusses taxes, & smoking publicly

According to the Oman Tribune, Muscat Municipality headed a discussion about several issues such as the possibility of banning smoking in public places (have we not heard about this before?) and banning also vehicles from carrying advertisements that promote tobacco products.

There was also a discussion on increasing Municipal taxes and fees to cope with the 'impressive developments in Muscat', as the fees would be used towards funding Municipal services all over the capital. This could mean that there is a bigger rise in taxes that are being implemented on corporations on which would pass this burden down upon the consumer. So you could possibly see a rise in product prices somewhere along the way.

It is of note that such discussion are held in joint committees that involve various organizations headed by Muscat Municipality and any other organizations that are involved in projects related unto.

It is probably due to the economic boom that the Sultanate of Oman is now seeing that these panels of joint discussions are being held more frequent than they were in the past, which was only 2 or 3 times a year.

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Link:

- Smoking ban in public areas likely

TimesofOman.com: Giving back to society

This is the newest article in the series of articles that I have published on a weekly basis on the TimesofOman.com website.

Do leave a comment if you feel like it.

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Giving Back to Society

There are many charitable organizations in Oman that take care of several health and elderly cases here. To pinpoint every single one of them would need a dissertation just to give each one of them the credit that it deserves for a job that is more than well done.

Many of these organizations have been set up by sole individuals and other groups of people who had one common goal that they wished to reach in the aspiration that they could make this society a better place. Some of these organizations, if not all, are privately funded, except for the matter of special funding that each of them receives, thankfully, from the government of the Sultanate of Oman.

But there seems to be two issues that these charitable institutions lack and are in desperate need of –– charitable donations from the public and volunteer helpers.

When I say charitable donations from the public, I speak about more than the just regular ‘zakat’ that the public in Oman gives out for charity about once a year due to religious obligations. We are talking about funding them for more than just the bear necessities like food, water, accommodations and other utility bills.

I speak about how they are in need to feel that they are part of the society as well by joining them in frequent visits, strolling them around to enjoy the beauty that Oman has come to in the current day and time. It isn't just about the money, its also about how you reach out to a person and touch their heart to show them that you are here for them and that they are not alone.

Volunteer help is a matter of utmost importance here in the country, too. Instead of letting our teenage and adult-aged children wander off to just 'hang around' and do nothing, they can be motivated to help out at these organizations that are in desperate need of any type of help they can get their hands on.

Whether it is in terms of labour, or assistance to the residents at these organizations or just helping out with the regular chores. There is a need to educate our youth that while it is great to get something that they yearn for, that it would feel a lot better when they gave back to the society in return. It would also be a matter that changes their future perspectives on various subjects and in turn making a profound mark in their lives forever.

If we start with our children, they would pass on this education to their children and those to theirs and so on; thus, having a meaningful and positive effect on future generations to come.

Shouldn't we start now?

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Link:

- TimesofOman.com: Giving Back to Society

Indian worker dies of abuse in Malaysia

An Indian worker employed in Malaysia has just died a while back after being brutally abused mentally and physically, if that is the word to be used here.

I would have rather used the term 'torture'.

This man was left without a decent meal for a period of 8 months without anyone knowing the condition or the state how he was being treated by his employer or his employer's family.

"They hit me with sticks, rubber hose and iron rod. I was also deprived of food and water. They chained my hands and legs before locking me up in a dark room in their house every night," he was quoted as saying - Oman Tribune.

It is tragic to see how people seem to see themselves superior to the other races worldwide and not just in this region. I have not heard of any case in the Sultanate of Oman nor in the entire GCC or the Arab world - let alone the Middle East. But to fathom that you can have a stone cold heart to treat another human being in the manner that you only treat dirt and Earth is simply and undeniably a taunting task in itself.

This brings me to the question of how badly we Arabs abuse the Indian labor workforce that work more harder than any Omani I have ever known or seen. How we seem to treat them as trash or low lives just because they have the skills and professions that we can't seem to do on our own because we think too proudly of ourselves.

I've seen people I know - unfortunately for me - that disgust these races as being 'inferior' and 'slaves' to them and treat them with utter disrespect that even I feel sick sitting or standing next to them that I just have to give them a piece of mind.

It's completely infuriating.

And what does anyone do about it?

...nothing.

Boy; are we civilized..

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Links:

- Malaysian employer may face murder charge after death of Indian worker

- Worker 'dies of abuse' in Malaysia

- Report: Malaysian family may face murder charge after abused Indian worker died

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best of what?

You've all no doubt have all read all these Omani magazines and newspapers that commend from time to time certain establishments in the country for being the best in business, or best customer service or perhaps even just the best product ever?

But have any of you ever considered when they do elect these organizations (i.e.: private organizations) that how are these votes carried out and howcome you never got to participate being you - a citizen of the Sultanate of Oman?

Like, BankMuscat gets chosen almost every year to being the best bank in the GCC or the Middle East region? But ever fathomed as to why? For all I know, BankMuscat, to me, is the worst bank that anyone could ever come to have an account with. They never transfer on the date that you agree with them upon, they never send you your monthly card bills (whether its a debit or a credit), and mostly when you send a question to them through their online portal - BankMuscat - you never get a reply.

That to me says worst bank ever. I'm even considering transferring my entire funds and starting up a whole new account with National Bank of Oman; NBO.

I could use the OmanTel example, along with Oman Mobile too, but you've all gotten a bit too bored with that and probably know the outcome, too.

TheWeek's entire Oman Restaurants Awards is a crap idea from the beginning, since I was told that in order for you to participate, you have to pay to be enlisted. If you're planning up an awards ceremony on behalf of the restaurants in, say the Muscat area, you'd be organizing it by encouraging people from all over the dinner table, so to speak, to participate and not make it exclusive to people who are willing to pay only. Right?

Main point here is that the validity of these 'awards' is just about as good as my days' old socks.

I just cant stand them.

inspired: Dirt & Love

'Dirt falls off and is swiped with the wind
Love is called upon but misses the beat
Blood is drawn but there's not one way to deny
The dream I built with you was just a lie'

He'd pass by and gaze her way
She would look, pause, and smile away
His heart would miss a beat
His defenses - defeat
A child within him, screams
Someone to say hi to, to call your own, to your feelings - be discrete

'I didn't know that it's your hear that I was aiming for in the beginning
I like your looks
The way you posed
And your confidence in your solitude

But to say that I am the one
Whom you built your dreams upon
And cherished, all those nights long
And torn apart, one by one
Is just your way to make sure that someone else takes the blame'

'As I walk past the halls, I'd see your face
You'd be with your friends, laughing, giggling like there was nothing to worry your day
I'd walk past and feel so sad
I'd be diminished by false hope and pretense
I'd crawl within my own soul, if I could
I'd tear a hole in the time continuum, would it serve this good

Yet, me being tortured this way
A cause for valiant display
Sadness dispersed of instead of being happy
A challenge to my heart, it would be

I still walk the halls in the thoughts of your past
And I still wish the time would come on and tell me why
But to repent is to pay for your crime
And truth to be told, I still have no idea as to why'

confessions

I've noticed quite a change in my style of 'posting' on my blog (i.e.: Sleepless In Muscat).

I've become more obsessed with the news about the world, which, although is something commendable, it is also somewhat influencing my thinking pattern by closing up other creative avenues for me like my old posts which include poetry; my often rant about my own life; and my other time to time focus on local worries that I tend to raise that are in no way related to the news in the local newspapers.

I'm starting also become more aggressive than I was before, and I'm not just talking about when I am online posting or otherwise. I have become more or less someone who is, as the phrase would be; more possessive over the right to be just that - being right. That whenever I am confronted with something, my immediate reaction would be to deny it completely. That I would defend my opinion to the point where I would shove my own foot into my mouth so far, I could feel coming out of my own ass. Something that is just not too comfortable for me.

And although I have become more and more occupied with my college and my part time odd jobs here and there (that I have yet to announce, of which will come at a later stage), I still find the time to blog but I feel as if it is become just about that - just to blog. It's like, gone the days whereby I used to blog for the feeling that it would give me, the sense and joy from just ranting on one issue or just the need to express how I felt at that specific time or whatever it was.

I guess I'm not enjoying it that much anymore. Maybe because I am considering more of a chore more than it would be a hobby; again, something I am not too comfortable with.

Starting now, I am reviewing my entire blog for further development into the future to get back to the roots that it started it out to be the success holder back in the old days.

Starting also now, I will stop posting videos from YouTube unless it would be something about Oman that I would personally record. I am sorry to the others that feel this is a wrong decision to be taking but I feel that video posting on a blog just does not define the actual term of blogging unless it speaks about a certain issue that I feel is worth posting about. If any of you have any suggestions as to how I could make this blog a better one, feel free to drop a comment here.

And just in case those who don't have nicknames or blogger accounts feel discouraged that they can't post anything here, I am glad to announce that anonymous posting is back and here to stay. However, I will delete any comment I see that deviates from the topic and leans towards slander and insults. You guys have a chance; use it well.

Cheers..

accident? call the insurance - not the ROP

Beginning June of this year (i.e.: 2007), the Royal Oman Police will experiment with a new strategy to ease the mental and physical stress that is laid upon the drivers when it comes to matters of minor accidents and simple car damage in the Muscat governate - ranging from Bait Al Baraka roundabout to the service roads inside Muscat, itself.

What this means, is that if you should have a minor accident with your vehicle within the Muscat area, then you would immediately (you and the other party that had the accident) proceed to your own insurance company to file a claim.

This new strategy is due to be experimented for a 3 month period, upon which, the decision to make it permanent would be made by the ROP pending the results of this experimental period.

I have two questions though; 1) How would they know whose telling the truth between the two parties? and; 2) if they hit a lamp post, for instance, how would they get the other party to sign over a no claims admittance? :P

On a serious note, though; details have not been released for this specific piece of news. I am guessing they will probably come to that once the date looms closer to the ingratiation of the so-called new strategy.

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Link:

- Insurance companies take over accident claims from ROP (in Arabic)

inspired: Shattered

She breathed a sigh
Looking up at the starlit sky
She wiped a tear that fell from her now red eyes
All she could do now, was let it all out with a sigh

She kept herself that it's not for her to say who or when
She kept telling herself that it's just not meant to happen
She tried to convince herself that what had happened was only meant to happen
But all she could do was let it all out with a sigh

Now..

Now she walked down a lonely street
She met people holding hands
Couples looking into each other's eyes
But all she could was hide her emotions by stopping herself from starting to weep

Shattered in devotion
She went on with her sad notions
She asked herself why this was all happening
And sighed

She sighed so heavily
That the wind stopped for a moment
The moon looked down upon her
And the stars lit her way to her home

Heartbroken, facing the truth
She said, 'Crying over you, is like walking naked through and through'

Back To The Future

"Do you remember .. the future?"

The classic line to the every Back To The Future movie that ever came out in all its glory back during the late 1990s.

The movie site (http://movies.go.com) rated this trilogy as the third in line between 10 movies that had 'it' in terms of time travel.

Seeing as I don't agree at all with that rating, I thought I would post this tribute video for the trilogy that is put together one great fan - of course, all the clips in the video are from the Back To The Future trilogy.

Hope you enjoy remembering it, as it can be bought on DVD now.

Spiderman 3 premiere

I met my best friend someplace today and to my surprise he presented to me with two free tickets to see the Spiderman 3 premiere at Al Shatti Plaza on Tuesday - 1st May, 2007.

Apparently, what happened was that he bought some items from TOYS 'R' US for over R.O. 10 worth and they gave him the tickets free of charge. He told me that he wasn't going to be able to see the premiere and that he would catch the normal global release on the following day - Wednesday, 2nd May, 2007.

So, now I have two free tickets to watch Spiderman 3, and I'm thinking - who am I going to take with me?

Hmm....

tongue tied

I can't think.

I have so many things to be done at one time that I am unable to think one single straight thought. And I can't come to confess about what's on my mind because it would seem unprofessional of me.

I wish I could take a break, but there's no way I can.
God help me.

It's Not Over - Chris Daughtry

Chris Daughtry, ladies and gentlemen.

A great solo singer that got voted off American Idol for no good reason (not that I follow that program).

But you should listen to his other tracks they are just simply amazing.

Horizon newsletter: The World of Media

This article was meant to be in the Horizon newsletter at the Sultan Qaboos University by yesterday, but because of my ever busy schedule that has me by the neck, it was submitted only late last night and is still to be reviewed this morning.

An initial 'go' was given for the article pending the review of the content, so hopefully you will see it in the foreword of the late issue of the said newsletter.

I hope you enjoy it.

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The World of Media

When was there ever a time that you ever watched program or read an article or even heard a radio show that had a profound affect on you and your life?

This is something that we forget think about in the conscious sense up to the point that we neglect the various effects and disadvantages that it may have in effect on our life, whether or not we realize those changes is something up to our perception and our lifestyle of living.

In the past it used to take a month or more for information to cross from one country to another let alone another continent, and in contrast, nowadays, all it takes these days to learn about what is happening on one side of the globe is the flick of a remote control.

Information has become the new weapon in the current period of time that we live in now while technology is merely a factor about increasing the velocity of it reaching from one end to another.

Chances are, in the current time, that we learn more from the media than we do from affirmative and established older sources for real news. Ranging from politics to latest teen rave that is now in trend; information controls our choices; our voices, and our very pattern of thinking, too.

If we play our cards right, then we stand a chance to filter out the right information that involves the positive influence on us as a society and community. But if the latter were to happen, then we can only behold the power of information controlling the country and caging it within its own fears and fictitious demons that hold no existence in our world of reality.

How is it then that we control the effects of this powerful two sided sword, then?

The first and most important method is self-censorship; not only does this filter out the wrong type of information that may affect us negatively but it also develops the sense of responsibility within ourselves and towards our society. Another suggestive method that could be used is to cut the path of this negative piece of information from its source.

But in the end, should the person really feel the need to find that piece of information in complete disregard to its nature – good or bad – then there's a large possibility that probably nothing would stop them from finding it out.

I Will Survive

This is a really good animation music video for the hit single 'I Will Survive'.

Although it is quite old, I still find it funny.

There's another one on YouTube that depicits Jesus, but that as - of course - too blasphemous for me to be posting here.

Enjoy this video.

nice to know

It's nice to know that you're blog's comments are so empty because people who feel interested in reading the articles that you post online think that they are either 'too heavy' a material to read or just 'interesting' as a read and go.

I appreciate all the interest you folks take into consideration about reading my blog.

Thank you..

Love is..

Link: - Love is..

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 - At World's End

Yet another blockbuster movie that you don't want to miss this summer.

Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End has a wide release on May 25th, 2007.

There is rumor that, however, there could be a plan to make two more sequels to the movie franchise.

Good news/bad news?

the cost of modern development in Oman

Qurum, Madinat Qaboos, Seeb, Khuwair and a number of other Omani vital areas within the Muscat governate are all suffocating from one epidamic: modern development.

The recent rush for the real estate sector has probably pushed the government to start make better use of the money involved of selling land sectors all over the Sultanate in terms of making better road networks, better sewage systems and a more proper grouping of residential and commercial villas and flats altogether with their main services attached.

But it is this push that is creating a bottle neck all throughout the capital where not a simple 3km drive between one area and another do you see one development project or another from the Qurum - Naseem Park express highway, the Al-Amerat to Quriyat interlink, the flyover project at Seeb International Airport and the Muscat City Centre.

Modern development may have been what Oman and its residents have been asking for all along, but to have several projects start up simultaneously at the very same time each with a specific deadline, the citizens and residents of the capital are having a hard time accepting it as it creats bottlenecks, traffic jams and most of all, accidents that none of us hope to ever be in.

Not only that, it has also gone to the lengths of invading the privacy of people's private homes and causing noise pollution, too as some of these projects - such as the Qurum - Naseem Park express highway passes by just parallel behind a few private homes and the construction of its roadworks is being conducted through breaking down mountain slopes behind a few others.

Muscat Municipality issues the Tenders to these projects, and gives out the requirements to specific construction company who specialize in those necessary fields. My question would be to Muscat Municipality; could this all not have been better planned?

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Update:

The information within this post has been corrected respectively, as the only organization in the Sultanate of Oman that has the authority to look over road development projects throughout the Muscat governate is Muscat Municipality none other. Hence, the necessary ammendants had been made therefore.

TimesofOman.com: Looking back

Below is the new article that has now been published onto the online edition of the TimesofOman.com website.

You will also find a link to the article below under the post in case you are unable to read the font on this blog.

Do join in with your opinions.

Enjoy.

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Looking back

Student life is a wonderful thing. At least, that's what I believe from my experience.

I may be quite old to be talking about such a topic, but believe me when I say that there would come a day in your life when you would go back in your mind to say 'I wish I could relive my past days'. Perhaps, even now, you are saying that to yourself. And it's only natural that you should, because plenty of people have been where you have been and done what you did (to some extent).

It's all part of human nature that God has bestowed upon mankind. Like happiness, sadness and anger. This human notion is what science would call 'reminiscence': calling up on past memories to remember the emotions those we lived through in that specific date and time; possibly to the point of overpowerment. Something, that none of us should ever allow ourselves to succumb to.

My parents used to tell me – when I was younger – to not only work hard in my studies, but to also cherish the days because those would be the days that I could never return to or ever repeat in the future. I took advantage of that and had my fun in a responsible way, though.

But I also had great fun, enjoyed the friendships that I accumulated over the years and probably lost a few, too. In the end, it was an experience to endure and of personal benefit. Opening up my eyes to the world; the people; the environment that surrounded me; and the many various ways of life.

But it does not end there.

Your experience as a student goes on further beyond the borders of books; lectures and the relationships that you forge.

It is passed on to the new generations through the lessons of life that we teach and are still taught along the way.

The experiences that make us into what we are today formulate tomorrow's generations. And it is in that sense that we must act responsibly in our lives to learn to become better role models to the youth of tomorrow.

Is that not our ultimate goal after all?

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Link:

- TimesofOman.com: Looking back

Russel Peters

Who doesn't know this genius?

If you're interested in obtaining the DVD it's called 'Russel Peters Outsourced'.

Enjoy the video.

the invasion of privacy in Oman

From advertising pamphlets on your house's gate, and others that are left under your windscreen wiper to the annoying junk emails and worthless SMS you get in your mobile phone; the invasion of one's privacy in Oman has become a common tendency for companies that are seeking to woo customers to try out their services and products at special introductry prices and the such and all in the name of business.

Has it become the common practice for a business to invade someone's privacy to annoy you with phone calls at inappropriate timings throughout the day just to find out if you are interested in listening to their sales and marketing representative? And since when has it ever been seen in any telecommunications company around the world that if a certain business is targetting a certain segment of the society that it is allowed to convey the information that would allow or help such a business to get to the right people?

Such questions that need to be answered by the Omani Consumer Protection Agency instead of having them fight a useless battle that is being argued by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce to be a clear violation of consumer rights when most - if not all - Omani businesses serve the policy of 'goods once sold shall not be returned or exchanged' in matters of printed bills or motion of selling products.

If a person was to buy a certain garment, then most likely they would try it out at the same time to find out if it works out for their size or not before choosing to buy it. Whereas the example that is looked upon by the Consumer Protection Agency is that whatever the goods that are sold the consumer should always have the option of exchanging or returning the product no matter what the reason may be.

Sounds a bit daft, doesn't it?

In any case, it is the beginning of having to make it clear that the Omani Consumer Protection Agency is indeed in the business of protection consumer and customer rights, nationwide. A message, that was meant to be sent off ever since the formation of the said Agency.

Better late than never.

Oman Tribune mocks BBC reporters' kidnapping

"Johnston is privileged. In life or death, he will be revered as a hero. If he is alive and is freed from captivity, he is destined to sit on a mound of money for telling his story. And if his murder is confirmed, paeans will be sung in praise of him and his heroism. Members of his family may not have to worry about their financial security. The BBC no doubt will contribute generously towards their welfare. Other too may pitch in to help."

This is what the Oman Tribune writer Mr. Raphael feels as he writes in the local newspaper about the incident that has occurred over a month ago that involved the kidnapping of the BBC reporter Mr. Alan Johnston.

He - Mr. Joyce Raphael - feels that there is some sort of predijuice against Third World country journalists versus that of the already Developed country journalists. Where such cases would include media hype and over reaction towards their own reporters but amidst the dying flames, no one is to care about the other few hundred journalists that had died in the Philippines, Iraq, for instance, to name a few.

Apparently, what this columnist in the Oman Tribune asks for is quite clear, as he states;

"The western media monopolies have to grasp a single sacred truth: All journalists are fighting the same battle. They cannot leave some to the vultures and put others on a pedestal."

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Link:

- Western Predijuice by Joyce C. Raphael

Rush Hour 3

For some odd and peculiar reason, the person who posted the Phil Collins music video went and changed his mind to disable embdedding the video and thus not allowing anyone to post it on their blog.

So, I've had to change the video and gone and replaced it withe trailer for Rush Hour 3.

Rush Hour 3 is due for a wide release on 10th August, 2007.

Horizon newsletter: The Kahlil Gibran Experience

This would be the foreword that you would, inshallah, see (or have already seen) in the new edition of the internal Horizon newsletter for the Sultan Qaboos University.

I ask that you would leave your opinion about it in a constructive manner.

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The Kahlil Gibran Experience

A few sentences read from a book that collects together all the astounding and rather mesmerizing in the sense that it takes you on a journey that truly and without a doubt a whole new world. Escape would be the keyword here. As Kahlil enchants us to his honey well of poetry that describes almost everything in his own perspective from life, to love, to pain and heartache and the world he drowns himself into - the world of fantasy that he succumbs to himself and in turn encapsulates the reader into.

By this time and century, almost everyone on this planet has a pretty much good idea about who Kahlil Gibran is (although in the proper English Language, that is clearly not the way you would pronounce his name, but that is beyond the point here) and what was his role in this world as an artist and a person that has the qualities of a leader in his field; poetry and literary.

As it is known, Kahlil Gibran was Lebanese poet that migrated to the United States of America. It is not apparent as to why he chose to migrate, but, perhaps chose it for its chosen title amongst the hype of being known 'the land of opportunity'. And although he had migrated to the land where some of the people who do learn to forget what background they are from and how they got to be where they are – Kahlil clearly does not. For he shows this all throughout his workings such as 'The Prophet'; 'The Three Earth Gods' and 'The Madman' to name but a few.

To read the works of one of the greatest Arab artists that the world has ever known in time, one comes to realize the true meaning of professionalism, all this before the time of our modern civilization's revolution, perhaps. But, with it, marking probably the beginning of an era for other modern poets to follow into the footsteps of, a legacy, if you like.

While Gibran's work has no comparison to other English Language poets such as Shakespeare, he asserts for himself a certain standard that only he can attain and only he can ever come to - setting also a challenge for every living poet to write such wealthy material such as his; but to no avail, of course.

It would be an understatement to say that Kahlil Gibran was a genius in his time only. He was genius for all time as his work speaks for him as much as the plays and other media related inspired workings do the same, too.

we're all going on a summer holiday..

...Are we really?

With many factors playing against us, it seems our only chance for survival this year is just to stay home or our home away from home.

Recent happenings around the world have been building up to the point of catostraphy, with deaths rising in the Middle East region, the recent and unreasoned Virgina massacre, global weather changes due to the greenhouse effect that is in full effect now down to the simplest and probably the most effective of all factors - the media and their blockbuster sequel summer for the year 2007.

Natural calamities have taken quite a toll beginning the year with a Tsunami in The Solomon Islands only 2 years after the biggest ever Indian Ocean earthquake ever to hit the face of the Earth in 2004 leaving a toll of over 100,000 dead victims and millions other injured and without food, natural water resources and most of all, shelter. Forest fires and ice storms had been reigning in on Australia, and some parts of the USA. But what was more stranger was the strong 100 mph winds to hit the city of London, and the flooding of Southern Malaysia by overnight rainfalls drenching the city and its sewer system.

Perhaps it is nature's way of saying that it's fed up with mankind not responding to its plea of bring down the CFC and other gas emissions on a global scales like many countries around the world should be especially those who pulled out of the Kyoto treaty.

This is where it - nature - forces the people to stay at their homes and attend to their own needs and try to escape from everyday life routine and its boredom. Thus implementing the cue for the media in Hollywood, Bollywood and Honeywood (Egyptian cinema) with sequels coming out like potential golden eggs from Hollywood starting it off with Spiderman 3, The Bourne Ultimatum, Pirates of The Carribean: World's End, Rush Hour 3, Live Free or Die Hard (Die Hard 4), and Shrek The Third, to name but a few.

With all these reasons and temperatures rising a few degrees every summer should there be any more reason to leave the comfortability of your air-conditioned home?

Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It

This would be my mobile's ringtone.

So bring it on - Big Willie style. :P

remember this?

I had posted not too long ago about the not so distant kidnapping of a BBC journalist by the name of Alan Johnston.

Having gone back to the BBC website, they have added a way for bloggers to help support the cause of releasing Mr. Alan from his ordeal, and I think you will all agree with me that this is the least any of us can do given the circumstances that he is in and our limited physical ability to do anything else.

If you feel you are interested in knowing how to help; please visit their how to help page to learn more.

I urge all of you, even if you are in the process of opening up a new blog to help out with this cause. Just think; if it was you, we would have all done just the same.

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URGENT UPDATE:

Missing BBC Correspondent alive!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

You Had Me by Joss Stone

Once upon a time, there was a great singer who had all the guidance in the world to show her the right path to achieve her dreams of becoming a true star.

But she impatient and threw that all away by the time she thought she had it all by announcing herself as an executive producer for her third album and throwing herself off course from a successfully set career path that was drawn for her in her album 'Introducing Joss Stone'

Too bad.

She was doing so good.

neighbors

"Neighbors
Everybody needs good neighbors
With a little understanding
You can find a perfect friend

Neighbors
Should be there for one another
That's when good neighbors
Become good.. friends"

At least, that's how it should be. But apparently, it's not the case here in Oman.

Our fine neighbors behind us have decided to blow out their steam - or whatever it is - in their own fashionable way. With a bang.

It was around 5pm when I had left the house today for some errands and coming back home at around 10pm, to my surprise, they were partying, like it was 2999.

You'd think there be some sort of decency because of the type of neighborhood and culture that we adhere to here in Oman and that the people who live across you would ask you about such things. But this is very uncommon.

Perhaps their foreignors. Then again, maybe not. That's the not the point here.

Courtesy calls for respect in all manners of life. Especially in neighborly relationships.

I guess no one thought about that when they started building that flat apartment behind our house that these kind folks are now partying in.

Now tell me that this has nothing to do with Muscat Municipality or the Ministry of Housing's plans.

Fumbling Away

'So, I fumble and fumble'
I hear her say
'I think about the future
And come what may'

She looks surprised to see me smile
She twitches her fingers lets out a sigh
'Forgive me', but for what?
I only see her Angelic face in my daydreams, my thoughts

She chooses to push me away
To say that she cannot deal with it
I can't let go of her, for its my heart she stole
To let go would be taking out my own soul

calling all Omani Spiderman fans!

Are you a Spiderman fan?

Do you live in Muscat, Oman?

Do you want to catch the premiere on the 2nd of May, 2007?

Leave your comment and contact details here before April 20th, 2007 so that you can join in with other people to enjoy the premier of Spiderman 3 here in Muscat and a large group of dedicated fans.

*Please be prepared to pay up R.O. 2.500 on behalf of every person to join in.

is there a doctor in the house?

Today, there was a small insight by a columnist at the Oman Tribune about how inadequete the health system is to our doctors and in turn resulting in malpractice towards the patients because of the pressure excerted on the physicians.

According to the article, a lot of doctors (whether or not they are Omani is not mentioned) at our local hospitals are attending over 32 hours of continued shifts thus resulting to symptoms of utter fatigue, accidents at the emergency room whilst treating patients and poor performance of the doctors themselves. Some of them are even working 50 continuous hours in some departments.

These shifts not only endanger the lives of the patients and the doctors themselves, but also result in the doctors losing out on much needed rest with many of them having accumalated leave days over the years that are still to be spent away but can't get a moment's rest even when they are on holiday because they would be called in for emergencies.

An oath maybe something sacred that a doctor would need to take, but to be serious how would anyone expect a doctor to cope with that much pressure and still develop their skills and be at their top performance level at all times when they are very rarely given the chance to do so?

Something that has sadly been going on for several years here in Oman and is still yet to find a solution, unfortunately.

When will there be any action taken in this issue of utmost importance?

----------------------------------------

Link:

- Doctors reveal their sorry plight

Thriller: wedding version

You really have to appreciate the people's passion behind rehearsing for these dance sequences.

I think I might do something similar at mine. :P

free Alan Johnston

It is absurd to even think that someone has gone to provide pain for anybody else in the world through disaster or mayhem than to have kidnapped someone very dear to them just because they were doing their job.

Alan Johnston is the BBC Gaza Correspondent since 2004 and was due to finish his work there by the end of March, 2007 for a safe return to his home in Scotland, UK. Unfortunately, though, he was abducted for over a period of one month ago and since then no news has been given about his whereabouts or his welfare.

His parents are both worried sick about his health status. His colleagues at the BBC office in London had staged a rally in support of his case to call out to his kidnappers for an immediate release. People all over the world have joined in to make his cause the number one priority.

And although it has not been verified; there has been news that his so-called abductors - the Tawhid and Jihad brigades - had already 'carried out a death sentence' on him in exchange for the release of their fellow Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

Now, let's take a small look at this situation, here..

I am an Arab and I do not approve in the very least of what had happened in the very beginning of kidnapping an innocent person that has no relation to the issue between the Palestinians and the Israelis in the first place; let alone that he is a man of the media which only serves their image as a very bad reflection of the Palestinian cause to the world over no matter how this may end with all our hopes that Mr. Johnston comes out this alive, healthy and safe by God's grace.

The least we as bloggers can do is to spread the message in honor and tribute of our brother in media and make it well known that none of us will go down as cowards in the face of threat against our very lives.

Sign the online petition to help save Alan Johnston's life; so that he may return to his family - safe and sound.

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Links:

- Free Alan Johnston Petition

- BBC man's 'killing' not verified

- Parents of BBC man plead for son

- UN Chief urges release

- Timeline: Alan Johnston missing

Spiderman 3

Sandman.

The Lizard.

And Venom.

Spiderman 3 comes out in May 2nd here in Oman. So keep that date open no matter what.

TimesofOman.com: Life is what you make of it

Below is this week's new article that you can find on the TimesofOman.com's online website.

Hope you all enjoy it.

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Life is What You Make of it

Have you ever thought about what life is truly all about?

I have had my times in the past when I used to think about it all the time but now I couldn't care less – something that I will explain as to why later on. But, focusing on the point of what life really is all about; we should be asking ourselves one very important question – what do we really want to achieve in our life?

It is in my experience that should you want to understand what life is all about you must identify the way you wish to take down that long unpaved road to where your future may lie. Some people associate life is their career, relationship or perhaps their continued course of higher-education to obtain a better position in the job of their dreams. Whatever it may be, that would the one thing that would show you what your life is about in your perspective.

Forget about the scholars, the people who you read quotes about and the such. They are there for one reason and one reason only; to inspire. But the real originality in coming up with a true goal of life lies within your very soul. The passion that drives you to become who you want to be.

Take me for instance; I want to become a writer. I would like to become a writer and while I know that that goal is unachievable unless I develop the skill day after day without stopping for one minute; one hour; or one day from the habit of taking a pen and just jotting down what I feel, think and see. As far as I recall, I read from the Internet a quote by someone – who, for the life of me I cannot come to remember their good name, for some reason – saying in a matter of speaking that to become a writer you must ask yourself are you doing it for fame. For love? For glory? For recognition? Because none of those matter in this field because when you are writing, you are writing because there is a passion inside of you that pleads you to let it out. To let out the pain and the sweetness of the emotions that erupt inside of you. And to write for any other purpose is just sheer hypocrisy.

You see, the way I see it is that when you know what you really want to become or achieve in your life you will then understand what life is all about. Something, which some people in this world take a whole lifetime just to understand. Whilst others figure in a small matter of time. Others may never come to know what their true calling is and end up being at a loss

And believe me that no matter what that decision is that you make, it will always be the 'right decision' because – simply – it came from within your heart. And whatever your heart chooses, it chooses because it wants that particular thing. And if you are really attached to it, then your mind will help you along the way.

So the conclusion?

Life is just what you make of it.

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Link:

- TimesofOman.com: Life is what you make of it