My View of our new Workplace

Woods Bagot is designing the new workplace for ADTA’s new building and they did a session with us about how the new workplace should look like. Following is my view of what should be in the new workplace.

 

Setting up Google Latitude

Just completed the Google Latitude setup on Blackberry Curve. The process is very simple. I was already using Google Maps 2.0 and just had to download the latest version of the Google Maps and install it, which comes with built-in Google Latitude.

The Latitude is completely opt-in right now and you need to have a Google account and approval from both parties to see each other’s information. A public interface would be good if someone wants to share the location openly on blog etc.

Post-Marriage !

I have been away for a long time I guess, first it was a very hectic month in July. We were working on a System for Classification for Hotels and with an extremely short, infact a nearly impossible deadline. Fortunately, we not only met the deadline but actually did a wonderful Job as well. The quality of work was really good and undoubtedly something which I can proudly boast; also got a good hand on Telerik Controls. Will talk about that later sometime.

On August 23rd I got married in Lahore and everything went great by the grace of Allah. Married life is amazing, though it brings a lot of responsibility it does make you more focused. Finally, after three years of living alone I have someone to go home to

I must say that all the time spent in Dubai/Sharjah/Abu Dhabi during past three years was great. The bachelor life has its own fun and I am lucky to have enjoyed some of that. I will miss all the 1509 gatherings in Sharjah, the late night fun and outings with the guys.

A lot of things change after you get married, suddenly I have now started looking at the clock during the day to see how much time is left, and no more late (very very late) sittings in office . I’ve started having great home made food and you would get fatter, more fatter than you even thought about. You cannot continuously keep looking at Google News, GEO TV or BBC and you will start gettting interested in stories of Indian Dramas / Shows.  Even your Google Web History would start getting affected :P. I was trying to find a link from my Web History and see what I have been searching for . Recepies of Keema Mirch, Hari Mirch Keema.

 

 

I am again seening the clock, its a few hours before I head for the weekend.

Indoor Skydiving

A couple weeks back I had the chance to experience the Indoor Skydiving with some of my office colleagues. It was an amazing experience. I had seen this on TV many times but never actually had a chance to do it myself till now. There is new Skydiving Center opening up in Abu Dhabi and we got an official invitation for that.

Indoor Skydiving involves a vertical wind tunnel which generates air from 80 MPH – 140 MPH in a vertical chamber and you can perform a “body flight” in the chamber in-door. It is safe and specially good for people afraid of height since you only float a few feet (4-8) above the safety net and ofcourse there is an instructor to assist you as well

From Wikipedia

A vertical wind tunnel (VWT) is a wind tunnel which moves air up in a vertical column. It is a recreational wind tunnel, frequently advertised as “indoor skydiving” or “bodyflight”. It is also a popular training tool for skydivers.

Vertical wind tunnels enable human beings to fly in air without planes or parachutes, through the force of wind being generated vertically. Wind moves upwards at approximately 120 mph, the terminal velocity of a falling human body belly-downwards, although this can vary from person to person. A vertical wind tunnel is frequently called ‘indoor skydiving’ due to the popularity of vertical wind tunnels among skydivers, who report that the sensation is extremely similar to skydiving. The human body ‘floats’ in midair in a vertical wind tunnel, and this is called ‘bodyflight’ or ‘body flight’. more

Unfortunately, I only have some blurred pictures taken from a mobile phone but not any good pictures and since it was a trial, they did’nt give us the video etc as well. Maybe I’ll go some time later when the place actually opens up with everything.

A rare sight in Dubai !

A rare sight of the most busiest road in Dubai. Shiekh Zayed road was closed today (Jan-14-08) for the visit of US president. The government had to announce holiday in the state becuase of closed roads. I was’nt off becuase I was in Abu Dhabi

 

 

 

A usual afternoon on Shiekh Zayed Road.

 

Dubai Rock 2006 Concert

This thursday night we went to Dubai Rock 2006, and it was really a great concert. The Singers were Atif, Ali Azmat, Kailash Kher, Call, Noori and RDB.

Though the event was not well organized, the sound system was pathetic and the event started 3 hours late which frustrated the audiance and the singers but Atif Aslam and Ali Azmat were worth the wait.

Specially Atif’s voice and live singing, simply amazing. He made the entire crowd dance and go up, people went crazy when he came on stage. Atif Aslam really rocks !

Ali Azmat was quite cool and was worth watching (specially for me as I am long time Junoon Fan) but he was given the last position and a lot of audiance had left due to nonsence display from Noori and boring RDB and the people who stayed were quite tired since it was 3:00 in the night.

Overall amazing night !

November 1st, 2006

Today I got my new HONDA CIVIC 2006 (black). I ordered a month ago and had to wait for a month. This new model is wonderful, the interior and the overall drive experience is great. Getting a car is an imporant step in settling in UAE, I feel myself very lucky to be able to reach this point.

May Allah Keep me safe and keep showering me with his blessings.

Cheers !

[Update(Nov 6,2006)]  Can see more pics here

Yeh! Passed Driving Test

Today was a great day, early in the morning I passed the driving test for the LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) and got the Driving Licnese. I simply believe that it was due to the grace of Allah. I have failed one before in last month, but even getting License in second attempt is an achievement in Dubai.

Now have to start looking for a good car, but probably after I get back from the visit to Pakistan next week. Yes finally going to Pakistan after 7 months, really excited to meet family & friends there.

Go Vertscape !

Vertscape Infotech (our company) won 3 awards at the Microsoft Partner Conference this year. The awards are as follows

1. Technology Innovation Partner of the Year
2. Winning Customer Award (Application Platform – .NET)
3. CRN Technology Innovation Partner of the Year

See the results here

http://www.microsoft.com/Partner/events/wwpartnerconference/awards_finalists.htm

@ Airport !

Just getting ready to board for Lahore, the boarding will start on 11:45. Never thought will be using Internet from the Airport, was just getting bored sitting near the Duty Free here at the Airport and turned on my laptop and it connected to the Airport Wireless Broadband, so good way to pass time. I should get going, boarding time is getting close.