get ready for a new airport experience

Apparently, Zahara Travels & Service Bureau L.L.C., along with Plaza Premium Lounge Management Ltd of Hong Kong, China have teamed up to create a new joint venture that would overtake the responsibility of Muscat International Airport's consumer experience in overall services, and attainment of products under the name of Zahara Airport Services.

There was a very tight competition between the bidders of the tender for such a 'world class' service and these guys won it. Kind of reminds you of what happened when there was a bidding for the 2nd mobile operator in Oman and Nawras had won in what was locally dubbed as 'you rub my back and I'll rub yours' attempt to allow Omantel into the Qatari market as a second operator against the Q-tel monopoly.

So what should we expect?

Not much, as I can gather from the news brief that the Times of Oman printed this story online. Nothing, that is, other than that we'd probably get the same old lame services from these guys except we'd be stamped 'jackasses for life' if this went over our heads unnoticed.

Honestly, who do they think that they're fooling?

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- Times of Oman: Zahara Travel to operate airport lounge

accepting things as they happen..

In the past, I have been resistant to fate's crashes and sub-crashes of life's systems from illness, studies and work running me into the stone wall of the depression phase.

Now, there's a new me that's looking to pop out.

The one that takes every disadvantage possible and turn it into an advantage. One where there's no agony or pain less than that of suffering and disease. The child-like adventures are over and it's time to get serious since time is running out on our beloved youth in realization of the fact that we're not getting any younger any time soon.

Smiling when it most hurts.

Gripping onto faith in the utmost darkest corners of a lost and wondering soul.

Celebrating the success and defeat - each in their own way by trust one's self in success and applying confidence to one's morality while learning from the mistakes that one makes on this long journey we call life so that we may not repeat them again in the near and far future.

There is a chance that we could make it to the other side all in one piece. But the question that arises is this: which path would we choose: good or evil?

the worst exhibition - ever

I went to visit the GHEDEX exhibition today (Wednesday) to have a look around of what kind of opportunities were in offer, and I have to tell you folks; it was the pits.

I mean, there was barely any representation from any Omani colleges apart from the known ones but what about the institutes? Aren't they part of the solution too to the ever increasing number of annual high school graduates?

Along with that the part inclusion of JOBEX alongside this exhibition was the worst that I have ever seen in my entire educational lifetime. You had one bank which was OIB. Nobody from any of the other banks were there to present offers to students who wanted to join their organization nor was there an adequate representation of any Omani company for that matter.

All in all I counted about maybe some 8 or 10 companies in total who were offering job opportunities.

Is this what it has come to?

This exhibition was on display at the Oman International Exhibition Centre from the 7th to the 9th of April, 2008.

Thank God the embarrassment is over.

everybody says die...

Here's a glimpse of what you can expect in my third poetry book.

Hope you all like it.

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We got orphans living in the streets
We got no food or water to drink
We got bust for not being able to think
And now everybody says die

The atmosphere is giving up on us
The child within begins to curse
All the fools stopped looking for love because of lust
And now everybody says die

Everybody says die
We living a low life
We choose to deny
What dignity we stand to gain but complicate our simple lives

Everybody says die
Because of the life we have to live
Of all the chores we should go on and give
Everybody says die because they just want to give up than cry

Look at the clouds above our heads
Look at the tears we cry in the dust
Look at the children who stopped smiling because of lost trust
And everybody says die

The UN says forgive
Nations just want to have war than to stand and live
Changes in attitude go on but do we ever learn?
The choices we makes are consequences earned
And everybody says die

There is a life we have to earn
A choice of whether to grow or burn
Better than mountains that crumble and turn
But will we ever learn?
And everybody says die

Everybody says die

Everybody says die

Everybody says die

keeping things in perspective

I have mountains of pressure on my head right now. I have no idea what to make of it and what to do with it and trying to sort it out gives my brain a big headache everytime.

So I got sick the last time and again I lost a good amount of time of studies in the College that I was going to and I ended up hitting a wall everytime I wanted to reach a decision because I couldn't be decisive about it. Sitting at home doing nothing doesn't help much either. I was told a couple of times before and now that if everyone who ever got sick stopped going to their daily chores then this world would never move and we would never progress.

Then comes the issue of me working on my poetry book which I am trying so hard to move on with by having it ready before the year's end but my creative sector of the brain has completely shut down along with my passion and emotion.

I see myself as a cold person, someone I had always loathed to be. I never wanted to become this. I can't even laugh right let alone make a joke about something.

But I am trying as hard as I can to keep everything in perspective.

The College will have to bare with me for a little while longer because I plan to continue (contrary to the previous decision of quitting), my poetry book will have to come out sooner or later and when it does it'll bare its fruits and as for my dilemma - well - that's something only time can solve, I suppose.

Wouldn't you say?

common sense & respect...

... are two of the common values that most, if not all the people should always have when dealing with strangers and whatnot.

But does this happen in Muscat?

Hell, no.

Imagine you're standing in line waiting to order something from a fast food restaurant and someone is standing right beside you - a female - in the line. Now your turn has come up and you proceed to make your order but the female skips you and automatically assumes that it's her turn.

Common sense and respect states in this situation that you get an apology from the woman and the right-a-way to make your order.

This was not the case.

In fact, it was completely the opposite. The lady states that she had no knowledge that you never ordered and that she wasn't paying attention to you and that you should respect yourself because you're in front of the softer sex.

The result.

A good shouting at.. that's what.

not easily denied

When man is faced with perils beyond compare, there is always a way out whether they see it or not.

Something everyone - including me - should always keep in mind. As our fears turn against us, they cause agitation; frustration and aches of all sorts to the point that we create an invisible circle or sphere around us that we trust no one to come through or anywhere near.

Dare we say the psychological ipso facto on such an issue is associated with sociology as much as it is with the approach of communication towards the individual.

I was here a couple of times and I am here now.

And it is only a brief amount of time until this phase blows over.

back on track

For those of you who have been waiting patiently for the rest of the blogs that I work upon to resume activity, I have some happy news for you. The Secret Arabian Journal has had a new post added to it some two days ago.

Go on ahead and check it out.

I, Yahya and Jassim would like to welcome you all back.

O.A.S. plans to build 6 more airports

The last time the airports were mentioned, we were told that a total of 5 airports would be developed in Oman with a large fund from the government because they wanted to boost the tourism sector.

Now, the Oman Aviation Services company (which I think partially owns the airports in Oman along with the government - please correct me if I am wrong) is looking to develop 6 airports in the Sultanate and develop both Muscat International Airport and Salalah International Airport by adding new features and developments yearly from the year 2010 until 2019.

If scientists are right that the Earth would be hit by a comet or meteorite by the year 2012, then there's no need for all of this.

Seriously.

The amount that is being spent on these airports should be invested into stabilizing the local economy that is now facing a 'official' 7% inflation, over-hiked prices in general on everything, and low wages and salaries whether you're in the government or the private sector.

It just doesn't pay to get out of bed these days, does it?

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- Oman Tribune: 6 new airports soon, says Al Haremi

KnowledgeOman.com

The first of its kind platform website to raise awareness of the IT industry in the Sultanate of Oman (and in the GCC, if I'm not mistaken) has been launched today by founder and President of the whole concept and 'company' - Tariq Al Barwani.

You can visit the website via this link.

Tell them what you think of it, I personally think it's a great idea and somebody has got to come up with something similar someday to enable several service distributors to reach as many consumers in Oman as possible.

another reason to moan and groan

Not too long ago, the Minister of Economy guaranteed that no such law would be passed onto the population - never, in a million years. That there would be ways to go around it.

There were speculations between then and now that such a move would have to happen eventually.

There was even a strong rumor that both the UAE and the Sultanate were in secret discussions regarding this issue to launch it at an appropriate and simultaneous timing.

But all this was denied by the people from up above.

Now this happens..

The Shura council has approved a draft law of income tax that was passed onto it by the Ministerial cabinet for approval. There were several changes in the law, most of which was only through the naming keeping intact the actual definitions of the law behind them.

The Oman Tribune goes on to say;

" The report included the recommendations and remarks by the committee on the articles of the draft law, which is one of the important laws as it affects the social and economic aspects of people, taking into consideration that tax in general is no more limited to public revenue rather related to achieve the social and economic growth."

So, rejoice Omanis.

Yippee for us.

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- Oman Tribune: Shura approves content of report on income tax law

is there a point?

Experience..

Isn't it a strange thing? We take for granted what we have when it happens that we don't.

I, for instance, know that I have come to a point of fullness of whereby I have taken in everything that could ever be experienced from technology, TV, and certain aspects of life. Which is the reason why I feel nothing these days but plain boredom.

At a point of life of whereby everything is supposed to have a meaning in your life from marriage, love, relationships and career. But none of the sort has surfaced.

I only wish that I knew when this ship would turn around.

Make your own point out of this post, folks..

untimely

I would like to apologize for not writing up a new post during the last few days since there was an untimely death in our family and I had to respect it first and foremost. The second reason why I never wrote up is that I have become really tired - in an unbeilievable way - physically thus restricting my movements quite much.

I hope you all understand.

Happy holidays over the Prophets Birthdate by the way.

the rumor mill: chapter 1

I hate word of mouth. As I am sure that everyone else on this planet does. I mean it really hits you in the spot, sometimes.

Like today, I get told that my ex-tutor from the college is spreading a rumor about me having Leukemia. I mean, of all the maniac things that can be spread about a person, this has to be the meanest that has ever come to hit me.

Other things I hate about word of mouth, is that you hear that a so and so company is rolling out a better service and quality for its expanding customers. Yet you never see that result rolling out. Its like they feed on the roll of the rumor mill to eat off the agitation of the aggression of people's feelings.

Then you have these none stop ever changing surroundings done by a company being paid by the government in order to finish on a deadline. But do you see any progress so far?

Neither do I.

Its like to hell with that, get the better people, pay a little extra, and get paid better quality of service and product.

But what's the worst effect of the rumor mill, is that it actually effects people's lives, look at prices these days, lands, commodities, agriculture and fisheries.

It is indeed a sad sight to see.

But thats what you pay for the price of 'progress'.

Got Nawras? You got e-payment.

If you're signed up with Nawras mobile telecommunications, then you're in luck since Nawras have just launched their e-payment system in accordance with the Electronic Government initiative launched a few years ago by the government of the Sultanate of Oman.

The system allows you to use your Visa or Master Card credit card online only. Unfortunately, those are the only two credit cards that anyone is allowed to use, no debit cards, no others brands.

All you do is log on your MyNawras page online on www.nawras.om; and click on e-payment and follow the instructions.

It seems we're going to say goodbye to long queues.

the plan

Take a note, people. This will the longest article that you will ever come by.

I have realized that I have been a long time gone from writing or typing and its affected me because now I can't think about anything to write for this blog nor for my next poetry book. I had been told to go back into such a habit is as hard as having to let it go. Which, in a sense, is true.

I have changed a lot over the last period.

I have begun to hate watching anything DVD, games, videos, TV or video. Whatever it may be. I have also started to hate listening to music - any music. Which is something quite odd, because I am the kind of person who loves music - any good music.

I guess because I have been into hospital so many times. But this shouldn't stop me, because it won't be the first nor the last time I go into hospital as far as I can guess.

Think about the future. Be positive. Two phrases I hear quite often but have little effect on me. Since I want to do things my own way; which is go against the current.

So why am I making this fuss public?

Well I have to otherwise I'll lose the only thing I am ever good at: Writing.

So what will happen from on? Multiple posts almost everyday about anything qualitative. Several attempts to make it regain the rank it used to have before it went to krsplat! And one last thing: competitive to reach every reader anywhere in the world in any way possible.

Patience

If you're looking for new news, then I have some for you; I am currently working on my third book thats due before the end of the year. I have no title for it yet but will let you know what it is when when I decide.

Prince of Persia is finally coming out with its third sequel (which is actually a prequel) called Ghost of the Past. Coming out on June 2006 in time with the movie Prince of Persia Sands of Time which is in preproduction now.

I promise the development for the blog will come very soon but I said not instantly, but gradually.

I appreciate your patience...

the comeback

da da da da
da da da
da da da da da da

'theme of superman' (in case you all forgot)

Making a comeback is not easy at all.

I have been in and out of things, I have suffered a lot, I have a few decisions - one of which is to totally redesign this boring blog of mine (in case you're all wondering; you can still access the blog through the address www.sleeplessinmuscat.com).

The changes will come in gradually but not instantly, so bare with.

A shout out to every one who kept coming back to see if there was anything new on the blog, you're deeply appreciated.

Til then..

theweek on the web; again?

I'm sure you've all come to see their fancy new website on the address they published in their last issue of their national weekly; if not, here's the link.

I personally think that they were very overdue and this should have come out from day one they started with their publishing of a new weekly magazine that covers almost every topic on Oman. And much easier and hassle free than with having to waste paper, more efficient and very traceable.

'let there be light'

A child
A window
A star
A scared scream into the night

A childish whim
A darkness that hymns
A reversed feeling of sadness
That drives you wild and more wild

But beyond the sun
Beyond the horizon of love
Beyond the horizon of a feeling that knows no length

You find your path on your own
You find the distinct footsteps of which you used to roam
Back from aday
And more than 1001 nights

The child is born again
To say to the world
'let there be light'