Bushfire Fairytales...

Work 'technically' started today.

I was going around a few stadiums today to cover up any non-sponsor brands that should obviously not be within the venue. I was going around 42" screens, covering the LG logo -- covering the Nescafe boards just outside the regular canteen stall, and the big Omega clock!

The more I think about it, the more I feel like we never 'really' grow-up. Work, as an adult, doesnt become much different from games we'd play as a kid. Just that, back then we weren't so stressed about the games...

It was children's day yesterday, and on the radio, the RJ was saying: "I keep thinking about how much satisfaction I'd have while sleeping as a child, and as an adult, I can still sleep, but that child-like satisfaction is missing, and I can't figure out why..."

I obviously blurted out - "because as a child you never used to think about nonsense, you moron!"

After anti-ambushing the Al Ahli stadium, we headed to the Sports City - the market street (where all our proud sponsors will be showcasing their brands) and then to the Khalifa Olympic Stadium.

The Khalifa Stadium is the central venue -- and will host the opening and closing ceremony.

I have to be honest, work was fairly 'dull' today, but, the few minutes at the Khalifa Stadium made it worth while. We are primarily permitted to enter the Back of House areas of any venue, however, the security guard somehow skipped a brain-cell and didn't stop us from entering the Field of Play.

Fortunately for us, as soon as a we walked out there, they were doing a minor rehersal for the opening ceremony -- just to check the speakers and equipment that had been put up so far.
It's massive!
Just standing there was actually overwhelming somehow.

I guess, standing onsite just somehow makes you realize how 'big' everything around you is (and not just physically).
I've never cared much about opening ceremonies, however, I have to admit, the rehersal made me go "wow" --

The picture is taken from the Tekla website, and was taken much earlier in the construction pahse.


I've also had the chance to finally "read" Siddhartha properly... I think, I got as far to page 28 yesterday, which is impressive for a man of my read-speed. It's a very beautiful book --
"He saw businessmen trading, princes going to hunt, mourners weeping over the sick, priests deciding the day for sowing, lovers making love, mothers soothing their children -- and all were not worth a passing glance, everything lied..."

On that unrelated note, I end this post...

Both Sides of the Gun...

Well, I didn't think I'd post something from Doha -- but, my German neighbours have just started a blog based on heir time in Doha, so, I figured I should pull-off 'atleast' one update. I wouldn't want to lose the client-base I've managed to develop over this year...

Their blog is, of course, in German. So, don't be shocked when you read "Die Doha 2006" -- it actually means "The Doha 2006"...

It is odd that the Germans use "die" as "the"... I mean, it really adds more to that stereotype, I m sure...
For all you know, Hitler was just misunderstood. He must've probably just meant "The Jews" -- and everyone thought he actually meant "Die Jews"...

The picture is Hardy (really nice German guy), Rehan (who has also travelled from Dubai), Christian (my villa-mate, and a fairly temperamental German) and myself, of course.
So, Hardy and Chris are two extremes of the German culture, I assume.

Work is great -- the Asian Games, much like any other hallmark event, is really about a lot of organization culture. The people I am working with are great during day-light hours. Once alcohol enters their system though... (fill in the blanks)

I've had too many seminars and venue tours over the past 6 days -- so, I m mostly very dazed. I am sure most people think I am weird by now (something I was hoping they wouldn't discover for at least another 2 weeks)...
I am the youngest on the sponsorship team -- however, perhaps not the most immature =)

Have a browse through the German blog once at least for the photographs though. The feline pictures are of the kittens our office has adopted ever since their mother ditched them. I know one if called "Promo" based on the name of our office -- "Dentsu Promoseven". They've also put up pictures of the basketball venue we've been to. I, unfortunately, can't put up the pictures I've clicked so far -- but, once I am back, they'll be around of course. I've got a few real good pictures on my trip so far though.

So, that's all for now --

Long December...

I’ve been packing my bags -- preparing to leave once again...

It seems that every time I am about leave home for a brief period of time, I happen to come across a song that somehow becomes my travelling companion -- for at least the start of my journey.

This time it’s a track by Joshua Radin – Winter. Apparently, it’s on the “Garden State” soundtrack. However, I picked it up from Scrubs.

I remember the sound, of your November downtown...
I remember the truth, of a warm December spent with you...

It’s odd – but, I already know that I’ll be hearing that song on a plane in a few hours, and I’ll be thinking about this post and wondering about certain people who might be reading it...

Flying is generally a fairly undefinable experience nowadays. As a kid, it was much simpler. I loved being on the plane – mostly because of the window seats and the in-flight kid’s pack I’d get.

But, now, I am generally in a mix of feelings. I somehow like the loneliness, and yet, it tends to sting when a good memory of a friend passes by... I am generally looking forward to where I am headed, and looking back, missing where I was.
And, most of the time, I just try and watch myself do that – so I can add a bit of the ‘present’ in that whole equation as well.

Soon, Edward Norton’s voice kicks in – and I start to recall lines from Fight-club somehow.
Flying is really such a process in my head...

Well, I am getting ready to leave for the Asian Games in Qatar. I wanted to have a post up before I do – because, I may not be able to put anything up until the end of December.


... Back to the sprinter-lifestyle then.
We’ll meet at the end of the race...