Holy Month

Well in case you did not know this month is a holy month here in the middle east and for muslims everywhere. It's called Ramadan. Here is the official word on what happens during Ramadan.

"Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties."

So how does this effect me as a Non Muslim? I am glad you asked.

Well first off, I can not eat, or drink or Smoke out in public during daylight hours, which when I am working is not a big deal other than my drive to work, once I am there I am free from the traditions, I can do as I please on the base.

They have what I was told are Ishtar's in the city that are large gatherings in tents for music and food and good spirits. I am not so sure I would be welcomed into such an envoirnment although I was told that I can and should go to one of these gatherings.

Everything here open's late during Ramadan. The Mall is open till like 2 AM and resturants open after 6ish and close in the AM also. All clubs are not open because alchohol is forbidden during this time. I have alternative methods of being able to party should the mood strike me. Lets just say I stocked up before Ramadan started.


I am almost done with my screenplay, so far I am on page 80 (I am planning to write to around 90+ pages) which is before the editing phase so that may change once I actually finish. I am writing the climax right now and in my opinion it's coming along great. I would post it but I am afraid that someone would take my idea and make a movie and make millions of dollars and all I would be left with is a blog entry. So I choose to keep to myself and should I get the chance to make the movie then you can be assured I will plug the crap out of it on here.

Other than that life has been going pretty smooth. The job is good, the home is good. Although I now have a house all to myself, my previous housemate has moved on and is now someplace else (Contract was not picked back up by the company). It's a huge house and I only really use my room so it's not much different when he was living here. Although today I am downstairs watching television writing this. So I guess now that I have the house to myself I venture out a little more.

I guess that is about all I have to say. Please stop back later, stop back sooner, but please all I ask is that you F$%Kin stop back.. HA!!!

Peace out Ladies -n- Gents..~~!!!!!!

What's going on...

Where to begin. Well for starters I am working my butt off. Which for me is a good thing. I need to keep busy or I get in a rut.

I am working on my latest project a screen play. So far I am about 65 pages into it, so about another 50 to go and I should be at the editing phase.

I would give you the story line but I don't want anyone to get any idea's. What I can tell you is that its a dark comedy where the main character, which is a high school softmore has a very interesting job which he basically falls into. So far the writing is going well. The scene's are coming very easily, sometimes it scares me. I had this idea for quite a while and finally installed my screen writing software to start writing it.

As I said I am working my butt off, 12's to be exact, which suck on some levels but is cool on others. I get an additional day off, but with no car. Oh well I guess I get a limo (upscale qatarie taxi) to go anywhere.

Ramadan is coming soon. I think it is expected to start on or about Oct 3rd. Which means that during the day no food is available anywhere. You can not eat or drink anywhere in public during daylight hours. Then at night the resturants are open to like 3 in the morning or something to that effect. I am not Muslim so you can be assured I am going to eat during the day but not in public.

I hopeing to get some jet skiing in over the next couple of weeks but I think I am going to have to wait till the religous month is over. Not a big deal, this gives me more time to hit the gym which I am sad to say has not been going great. The gym has been going great, its just that I have not been in it. lol


I went to the movies this weekend. I went to see the Transporter 2. Now I enjoyed most of the movie. The action sequences were great, up till the end. Then it appeared that they were just a tad unbelievable. They were doing some Jackie Chan'esq moves which if I wanted to see that I would go see him. But this one part he does these moves with a fire hose end, and it's way over the top. If you go to see it you will understand what I mean.


I think next I am going to see the Skeleton key, which has Kate Hudson in it. I guess its based on voodoo or something like that.


I also want to see "Red Eye" which at first I thought was about a girl who gets killed on a plane but due to a spoiler. I read that she is just involved in someone else's murder, and not by choice.

Oh, a few personal things happened. First my daughter turned 6. She had a birthday party and got lots of gifts. I talked to her after she got home from school and she told me they had a party for her there too but didn't have any candles for the cupcakes, but she still had fun.

My parents celebrated a anniversary so congrats to them. They celebrated by donating some money to the local casino. Sounds like they had fun though and that is all that counts.

Other than that things are just going well.

Stop back some time, I'll leave the light on.

Ya'll come back now ya hear!...

Tales from the Qatarie Hood....

Well apparently I am not updating this enough so I figured why not log on and write a little something.

I turned 32 this past weekend. I wanted to take the day off but unfortunately I had to work, not a big deal it was a easy day, but unfortunately I did not get the chance to go out and celebrate so I think maybe tonight we are going to go.

Local Bars:

In case you were wondering what the bar scene or club scene depending on where you want to go here in Qatar I will give you an idea.

So first you have to ask yourself, do I want to hear, Techno? Rap? Top 40's????

If you want techno, you will get to hear alot of it. They really like to play that type of music at pretty much every place I have been. This one bar, and when I say bar its really a hotel bar, because here in Qatar the only places allowed to sell alchohol are hotels and everything attached to them.

One of the hotels we go to is the Ramada, they usually have a live band which is philipino, and they are quite good. They play everything from Britney spears to Nirvana, so they try to play to a broad range of tastes. Now this bar is mainly a philipino bar, that is not to say that no one else is allowed there its just that there are alot of people of philipino decent there.

Then you have the Interconntenental they have a band on Thursday nights but not on Fridays, and they are usually packed. If you are hoping to meet a stewardess this is the place to go. They seem to flock to this place, not that I went to pick up a stewardess I am just stating the facts.

You then have the Shariton(Not sure if I spelled that right) suits, keep in mind I have never actually went there but I have heard they have a predominately alternative lifestyle crowd. When I say alternative lifestyle I mean one that is alternative to my own which is straight.

There is a small club called Cloud 9, and when I say small I mean you walk in and 5 steps your at the bar, dance floor and tables. I have only went there one time and it cost a bit more than the rest but we just wanted to say we have seen it. (Did not like this place at all.) Frequented by alot of locals which means they play alot of local music remixes.

There is one huge club called Amigo's which is an actual club and they are not attached to a hotel and that I have heard is because they are owned by someone that has some pull in the royal family but that is just a rumor I heard. This place has a humongous dance floor which I didn't go out on only because I am a pathetic dancer and do not wish to show the world how pathetic I can be dancing. Frequented by alot of peaople have only went there once and it was late so it was not as packed as I have heard it usually is.

Drink Prices:

Be prepared to spend some money drinking. A beer costs about 25 to 35 QR (Qatarie Riyals) or 10 bucks. If you want a mixed drink be prepared to pay for the whiskey and the mixer. Example, Jack and Coke, 23 for the Jack 10 for the coke.

Getting to the Clubs or bars.

All you have to do is get a limo, yes I called it a limo not a cab or taxi. See here you have 2 different kinds of transportation, you can get a taxi, which will be a crappy little car with no AC and smells. If you want to travel in style you get a limo which is basically like a sadan with tinted back windows, tons of leg room and usually smells nice and has leather seats. Here is the funny part, for approx 2 dollars more than the taxi you can get the limo. Plus you can negotiate the price long before you leave. If you want to drink then the limo is the best bet and you usually never have a problem getting one as they hang out near the enterences of the hotels.

Ok I guess I have written enough for now.

Enjoy your weekend and in the words of Jules from Pulp Fiction
"I gots my technique down and everything don't be ticklin or nuthin, I am the foot F**kin Master"

Peace OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Long time no Write

Ok its true I have been lazy. Or I could have been busy with my new job which is true.

There is lots to see and do, although I have been told that after 6 months you have seen and done everything there is to do here but I don't think that will be true.

Lets see, what to talk about.

Well in Dec of 2006 the Asian games will be arriving and the whole place is going nuts in perparation for this. First the housing prices have been going through the roof. Apparently the athletes and those who need to be here will be showing up soon and well those that own the villa's can charge more. Now here is the sucky part, they can raise everyone elses rent also.

But Steve, really isn't there some laws that stop them from doing that?

As far as I can tell, NO, they can do what they want. But its ok, because I dont pay for mine anyways.

Oh I bought a Television. Paid 130QR for it, or about 35 bucks, it was a 21 inch but I just wanted something to watch movies. I also got my DVD player for 60QR. I am getting pretty good at getting a deal over here.

I have went down to the Souqes looking for gold and have found a plethera of it. They pretty much sell anything you could want and if you cant find it, just bring them a picture or if you can get it a sample and they can make it. How Cool is that?

I have not seen anything that strikes my eye yet, a few cool things but nothing that I have to get. Maybe someday.

Oh apparently the Qatarie police are cracking down on driving here. What does that mean to me? well from what I saw the other day not much. I have yet to see a cop actually stop a car. I am not sure maybe they just write down license plates and then send tickets. They do stop for accidents which are pretty much a everyday occurance.

Oh BTW I got a parking ticket about 2 weeks ago. I was downtown with a buddy and some other friends, looking for gold and so we parked in what we thought was a good place. Well come to find out that whole side of the street got them and here is the NOT funny part, its $100. I have yet to pay it because my sponsor has to pay it for me and I reimburse them.

OK quick lesson about businesses here.

First off no one who is not a Qatarie can own a business by him or her self. However, they can own 49% of one. Which means that the Qatarie's own the other 51%. So if you want to come here and own a business you need a Qatarie partner. I have heard of some shady stuff that happens like, they ask for more of the business if its going well, or close it and take the profits. I am sure that might happen from time to time but if it happened all the time no one would come here and do business.

If you want to work here you have to have a sponsor. The sponsor is of course Qatarie. My company has another company that is our sponsors. so basically they take care of everything from Visa's to Drivers licenses. So for instance, since I have a ticket, they will pay it and then tell me how much I owe. Currently things are not all peachy with them and the company I work for but I am sure they will work things out.

I found an excellent Indian Resturant located in the Ramada Inn Suits, OMG is it good, talk about one of the best resturants that I have been to. They pamper you from the minute you step into the place and the food was to die for.

I also found another place that I think was called the Old Manor. An English themed resturant with these HUGE comfy chairs and great steak.

I am sure there is a few stories I could be telling but its Thursday and late and I am getting ready to take off and do something, perhaps go out to dinner haven't decided yet.

Anywho here are some pictures for your enjoyment.















Well Hope you enjoy the pics, I will try to get batteries for my camera and get downtown to take some pictures. I PROMISE!!!

Ok, in the imortal words of Scareface from Half Baked.

"F**k You, and F**k you, F**k you, Your Cool, and F**k you,, I'm Out."

Lots too talk about

Well sorry for not updating as much as I would like to but work comes early and I need to get some sleep.

But....

I do have a few things that I am going to talk about in the next few days.

I went out for my first weekend here in Qatar and I will talk about the bar scene or lounge as the case may be.

Finding your way over here is not the easiest thing in the world, but thank god for maps.

Asking directions is mostly a waste of time, as even the locals don't know how to navigate around.

Roundabouts suck really really bad, (Thanks British Empire for instilling that wonderful idea)

Souqes’, (Sukes) little stores where you can barter for stuff, I got about 70 bucks off of a cell phone. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. I had a work phone but it was old and beat up and big, not fun to carry around.

Local telephone service, or lack there of I should say. I have been here going on 2 weeks and have yet to be able to use the phone here in the villa. We called and they told us it was our phone and that we need to get another, even though we have tried 3 phones already. Although I must admit for not even coming to trouble shoot these guys are proficient.

Accidents on the roads. Each morning I see a few cars wrecked on the side of the road. I don't mean that there is a accident each day they leave the wrecked cars out so everyone can see them. We did see 1 motorcycle accident, while leaving a club and one Mercedes up on a wall with 2 of the wheels not touching the ground.

Also the other morning when we were leaving for work a truck popped up on 2 wheels and drove past us, and we thought it was a mistake till he did it again later on down the road. Crazy mofo's.

Malls, malls, and more malls. Oh and stadiums too, there is a bunch here.

Ok all those stories and probably more when I get more time. I also am going to take my camera downtown for some pictures of both day and night. I will admit that the buildings are great, I am beginning to appreciate the middle eastern theme's

Shopping experience

Alright well I can see where I might be considered an infidel here. At least for a brief moment in time.

First let me tell you what it's like shopping here. First off the grocery stores for the most part are located in malls. There are like 3 large ones here and not too badly stocked with stores and what not. pretty much everything you could want as in western attire furniture, music, electronics and so on and so forth and also of course the supermarket.

Its more like a Wal-mart than a grocery or supermarket. Most everything is labeled in Arabic and English. Which by the way most people here speak fluent English although sometimes you really have to listen to what they are telling you.

So this particular trip I needed TP and some other stuff, Cigs and what not and decided to buy a 24 pack of Pepsi.

For some reason Pepsi over here taste better than in the states. They have the old style pull top like Slitz or any of those old beer companies used to use. They coat the inside of the can with plastic so you don’t get that aluminum taste. They also have Glass bottled Coke and Pepsi which is really good. Anyways....

So I go through the line and pay and all that oh side note, here you are to pass anything money or whatever with your right hand, because it is believe here that you are to use your left for bodily functions, I know its kind of weird but my thought is, well I am right handed so regardless what hand you think I use for bodily functions I am a righty.

So I pay and the kid at the end puts my stuff in a cart and I am like, not thanks I don't need it I will just carry my stuff, a few bags and the Pepsi, (Mistake)

Ok before I continue they are having this festival season inside the malls, they have fashion shows, clowns, music theater, all sorts of things, I think yesterday they were shooting a talk show in the center, it was all in Arabic but still kind of cool to see something like that. Anyways it was packed and people all over the place.

So I proceed to the door of the mall, we went down a few entrances (Usually there are 3 or so) and then just as I am about to get near the entrances the handle breaks and Pepsi's go flying all over the place. How embarrassed do you think I was? Here they local's are having fun and dancing or whatever they are doing and then whoosh instant buzz kill.

The guy I was with was saying out loud, how embarrassing I was. (Thanks Budddy)

Well I start to pick it up and then the female Qatari's are helping me pick up the cans. Which I thought was weird but very thankful. So After that, I did not make eye contact with anyone just got the sodas and left. Got outside and laughed about it.

I am sure that even in the states it would have been embarrassing but here it seems to be 10x that.

I guess the silver lining to my story is I have been in the most embarrassing situation thus far so if I screw up now, it wont be that big a deal right????

Stay tuned for more exciting Stories from the "Infidel" in the Middle East. Maybe infidel is too strong so I will just say the klutz....

Peace out!!!!!!

Is Qatar really like that???

Well let me tell you a few things about living over here. First off, let me ask you a few questions?

Do you like to drink alcohol?

Would you like to have unlimited internet access?

Haggle with store owners for merchandise?

Those are just for starters.




First let me tell you about the alcohol situation here in the country. First off yes you can drink, they have all the same types that we have in the US. However there are a few differences. For starters, drinks are very high prices compared to the US.

I have not been out yet and perhaps this Thursday (which is the start of the Qatar Weekend, Su - Th, Imagine going to the DMV on a Sunday, at 8 PM well you can here)

They do not have bars or clubs by themselves, however as long as those are attached to a Hotel they may serve alcohol. There is exactly 1 liquor store available in the country. Yes you heard me right, 1 store, and oh by the way I am located not too far away, go figure right...

But if you think you can just go in and buy something to drink you would be wrong. First you have to be a resident or have residential status. Then after you get that which is a whole process, I am going through that myself, I think it involves like a blood test, and a Chest X-ray, or perhaps that is for my drivers test, (I know, it's kind of funny huh, oh but no driving test, go figure)

Anyways, after you apply for and get your residency, you get to apply for a liquor license. Not to serve it just to buy it. I think the Qatari’s (Not sure how to spell that yet) frown on those who are true citizens drinking although I am told they still do, they just try to blend in.

Well to apply for your license its cost somewhere around $275 or 700 QR. Which is about 3.65QR to $1. But I am told its worth it only because drinks are so expense in the club. Also the amount of alcohol that you are allowed to purchase a month is dependant on how much your yearly income is, which I guess is a good thing that way it keeps some people from spending too much, however from what I heard the allowance is more than enough to last someone the month.

Unlimited Internet Access...

I am not positive on this I have only been told about it, but apparently Qatar watches what web sites are used and blocks those with offensive material. Yup that’s right just like work. I am not positive where they draw the line but one of my villa’ mate’s tried to go to a gaming web site and it was blocked not sure for what reason but he couldn't go there. I might have to test out that theory once I get more clarification on what happens if you do try. Who knows maybe it’s a fine, (They seem to fine on everything)

Oh here is a interesting fact I learned today. It's legal to fight as long as you open slap the other person, apparently multiple fights have been seen with guys slapping each other on the heads and stuff at Roundabouts (Roundabouts are basically an intersections only its a bit circle and you have to jockey for position to get to the turn)

However its illegal to punch and could send you to your local Qatar Prison. Now once again this is just what I have heard and if I find out I will make sure i post it. Most of this is either personal experience or what I have heard. Give me some credit I have only been here for 3 days.

Haggling for stuff at stores....

This I think is totally cool. What if you were in Wal-Mart and saw something you wanted well over here you could say, I think that is too much, how about I pay this much. It's like buying a car, only the car is everything sold here. Well everything might be a stretch, but you get the idea.

Sunday, which is like their Monday, I needed a Alarm clock so I would not be late to work. Well they had a small selection and the one I had my eye on was like 50 QR which is about 10 bucks. So I keep looking and ask to see it and I say, well I guess this one would be good. SO then the guy I am with says for that much only 10 more you can get the bigger one. Which he was right; I could and probably get a better deal.

I gave that, "Um I’m not really sure” Then the guy behind the counter was like I will give it to you for 48 QR. So I saved me some bucks there. I have heard that Gold and Silver are cheap here so I can't wait to haggle on some of that.

Ok one more quick story before it's my bed time. It’s already almost 9 here and that’s like 2pm in the states.

Yesterday was my first day on the job, but I needed to start my in processing. So he picked me up around 7ish and we went out to breakfast. This restaurant you wouldn't think would be similar to American but the whole place was dressed up like a old fashioned diner, complete with the little jukeboxes on the tables and coke posters all over. Even the waiters wore the old apron uniforms. I thought it was a little pricey but the food was really good.

After breakfast we went to get my picture taken at a small picture shop where I just had to sit there and let the guy take my picture a few times facing front then to the side, kind of like a police mug shot only sitting down and no hand cuffs, not that I would know what that is like...

Then we walked down a few stores and then into the clinic which is mostly Indian and other foreign doctors, although I did not see a doctor just a nurse. I was there to get my finger pricked so they could figure out what blood type I was. Well had they just asked I could have told them but no, had to cause the pain.

Well we got up to the floor which by the way is not numbered, 1, 2, 3 it was numbered. 0, 0.1 and 1 the middle floor had a specific name but I forgot what it is at the moment.

We step out of the elevator and to my right is a sign that says “Female Waiting room” and to my left is “Gents waiting room”. I am sure that most have heard that they are very segregated here in most Middle Eastern countries but it’s really different when you see it first hand.

There was a woman ahead of me, I believe she was actually a Qatar citizen and was covered head to toe with only her eyes showing. She was holding a conversation with the receptionist who was also covered but only the top of her head you could see her face. Then it was my turn, she spoke perfect English which, with the exception of the guys working on our complex everyone speaks almost perfect English.

(Side note most of the country is in construction, but when they are finished with stuff its pretty remarkable. Just like the pictures from Aladdin or any of those stories, the houses are very elaborate like palace's even for the normal citizens, I would love to see where the Emir lives, I bet its huge..)

Back to the story, I go down the hall with my little piece of paper for my needle stick. It’s a very small waiting room. I give the woman my paper which if you do travel here, you should ALWAYs pass anything with your right hand, they reserve the left hand for (bodily Functions) (Guess I should keep the fact that I am right handed to myself). She tells me to come on in through the next door, which is open and I can see another woman there rolling up her sleeve to give blood. So my dumb ass self walks right in as she is doing this which is very bad, only the women's husband and father are the only men who are supposed to see this. Well I didn't look I kept my eyes away and then as I entered the same nurse shooed me back into the next room and shut the door. Which just happened to be stuck so she had to sit there and realy tug on it to close it.

I apologized to the nurse and the one that was in there with the other lady, and explained that I just got here and was only doing what she had told me and sorry if I offended anyone. Not like I really cared, its not like I have not seen a fore arm before, however, to someone from here I am sure it would have been a major deal and the nurse probably would have been cussed out by which every Qatari male was there.

So needless to say it was an experience just seeing that and I am sure if the rest of my days are like that I Will have tons to talk about.

Tomorrow I think I will talk about driving in this country which so far I have a bunch of stories to tell.

Till then Peace out.

New Blog Name

I was going to start over fresh with a new blog, but why would I want to do that when I have already wrote so much. Why not just start here and add to what I have already written. Plus it gives those who are new a chance to see what a weirdo I really am. HA!

Well if this is your first time let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Steve and I am currently living in Qatar working on a contract. If you are curious I am a Networking Engineer and that is about as far as I will go concerning my job. Especially with all of the terrorist problems in the world. Even though Qatar is pretty safe and I am not afraid to leave the house, I still would like to use some precautions when writing on here.

First let me tell you a little about myself. I just seperated from the service after almost 10 years. I enjoyed it very much but just thought that perhaps its time for a change and this new job was part of that change.

I don't want to hear any crap about americans coming oversea's for jobs as I am sure some people might think, but all I can say is you don't know my whole story so keep quiet. anyways,..

I started this portion of the blog to talk about stories or stuff that I see and hear over in this country and hopefully you get a laugh or learn something you didn't know. God knows in the first couple of days I have learned alot about this country I didn't know as well as Middle Eastern Culture or Muslim which this country is mostly made up of.

Well enough explaining let me get on to the first couple of days.

Enjoy..

New Place of Sleep

I took some pictures today of where I am laying my head down at night, at least for the time being.

Its a pretty good sized villa here in Qatar, or near the city of Doha. I will post each and talk about them.

This first few is of my room and the house, not much to say except its mostly tile with the bedrooms and the computer room carpet. Its I guess the typical Middle Easter Decore. Oh and check out my Picnic table bed...







This next pic is of the front of a couple of villa's they are very alike aren't they?



This last set is of the back of my villa, as you can see or maybe not off in the distance is a huge stadium. I am gold they hold soccer games and what not, I guess sports that they like to watch in this part of the world. I was also told that the 2006 Asian games will be held there. That ought to be interesting.


OK, I guess we shall have to wait on those, I tried 3 times uploading and would not work. Maybe I am using up too much space on my blog picture thingy site.

anyways, enjoy the few I have been able to upload and look for more.

I still have my travel story to tell but due to the fact I do not own this computer I don't want to spend all night on it. But soon hopefully I will have my own and be able to spend countless hours telling you all about:

Qatar Stores, (Bartering for better prices, HOW COOL)

Qatar Drivers, (Not really Qatarians mostly people from other nations)

Qatar The Night Life (or lack there of, not sure yet.)

Enjoy
Peace Out Ya'll

Qatar finally

I have arrived in country today at 8:50PM local time. Not sure what time that is local to where you are but hey, you figure it out.

The trip was long and tiring but I have a few stories to tell and I shall when I get a chance to really sit down and write.

One of the other contractors in the house is letting me use his computer to write family and friends and I figured why not an entry on here.

Let me pose a few questions though.

Are sweatpants and sweat suits the new travel clothes of women world wide? It seems like that was all I saw, that and Capri pants.

Is there some unwritten rule about bathing before going on a long trip, I would have to dissagree with anyone that says there is, but yet it happens.

British pounds are very expense if your not ready for it, $40 US gets you like 18 (pounds) Not sure if I can do the right symbol.

Ok more on those subjects and others when I return.

Peace Out.