What would you do?

Unable to sleep after claiming to have a headache all day as usual, i lay in bed thinking (as usual again) about past events, my day, people i met and so on, and i keep asking myself "waai3, laish sawayt chithy?" OR "S**t why did i say that?". All in all i keep trying to make the day better in my head (no luck so far with that). SO i decided to add a new thing to the blog, which is called WHAT WOULD YOU DO? ill ask a series of what would you questions and see what im trying to get to with your kind answers (although my luck is bad with the lack of comments AND it seems even though im a marketing major, i suck at marketing my own blog)

1) What would you do if you realize that the people you called friends were not, and the people you didn't did?
2) What would you do if you lived in a country that did not suit your personality even the people in it?
3) What would you do if you ate a KFC Zinger supreme and turns out to be another sleep over in your own bathroom?
4) What would you do if your favorite team lost and again your the mockery of the day?
5) What would you do if after all these years you finally remembered where you left your favorite toy?

FINALLY

6) What would you do if you feel like nothing in life is real?

deep questions with a couple of random light hearted things. Just keep your head spinning. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A DEPRESSING SUBJECT - its supposed to enlighten yourself.

Signed, Sealed & POSTED
Mr. Funky Camel.

ZAIN - SMS Report service

Well if they thought this will bring our worlds closer then they are definitely wrong !
It is enough that with the Blackberry you have the stupid "D" & "R" to know if your messages have been delivered and read by the receiver. Well what if i DONT want him to know that o read or received a message from them? suppose they are an annoying person we are trying to avoid?
He / she WILL KNOW that we tried to avoid them and they can argue "yes you did receive the message".... just going to put us in awkward situations.

ALSO they say its for free and i will shave my SHANAB if its really for free ! they'll just try to sneak the service fee somewhere along with your 5000 night phone calls or your 10,000 SMS messages during the day (yes i know exaggerated, but thats what they do).

GOOD LUCK TO ALL who seek to avoid annoying messengers.... your days are numbered... so are your excuses.

Signed, SEALED & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel

The BLUE Bloods.

I remember when i was a kid i was so ignorant to family names, and heritage & who comes from where and what. I remember the only reason my dad or mom asked me about my friends family names was so they could feel safe that i was going out with a well raised son (mo shar6 weld ba6enha aw 3nda efloos). Now even the kids start shouting out "you know who i am? you know what i own?"
1) i don't give a rats ass who you are, i still don't like you.
2) you could own a whole freaking island and see if i care.
EVERYWHERE i go all this nonsense about my great grandparents were from here & there, my family married into this family, yes i am royalty. No your not, your just another insecure little bastard who thinks that to improve his self-esteem he/she should wave around their wallets and passports.
I got news for you, as long as you & me both hold the Kuwaiti passport & citizenship you can shout all you want, but don't ever think you can wave your big head my way and start mouthing off your heritage.
Yes your dad did this, your grand dad did that, and your past family owned whatever, but the question is "why the hell are you bragging about other family members accomplishments?"
When you start up a new company that had nothing and build it into a well tuned engine that is a force in the nations economy, ONLY THEN.. MAYBE... MAYBE i might respect you. Also IF I DO respect you, it is because of who you are not what the passport says or what name is written in your Civil ID.

I keep telling my friends how i hate rappers because all they ever sing about is money (heres a famous line used on ALL of their songs - "i got my mind on my money, my money on my mind" - idiots).
Kuwait sadly is turning into those rappers, all they think about is money, and funny enough if you have a couple of Million in your bank account, that makes you a fully fledged, blue blooded, nations royalty.

What a wonderful world we live in....

Signed, Sealed & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel.

"6ay7aw el Qirooth" ??!!! No wonder !

For the past couple of months i have been working part-time at one of our local banks. Before working with the bank, i worked for an Insurance Company ( so basically i have robbed and scammed so many in just 4 years, working with the most & best scam artists in the business, i am not proud).
When i worked with the insurance company i always was surprised with the clients that come and beg to reduce the bill if not by at least 50KD, and how they beg for pardon or special circumstances and so on. I used to say come on, its just 50KD or a 250KD, the rest is paid by the insurance company (although now i know how they feel as i just fixed my cars gear for 900KD).
Now that i work at the bank, as a call center agent, i recieve many & various phone calls from all sorts of clients. From the clients that ask what happened to the 50 fils that has been deducted (ya3ni abi aj3as) to the most heard question "CHAM YESTI7EQLI 7AG EL QARTH?" (translated to english: How much loan credit do i deserve?)
i have realised (in a very sad way) that i think 60% of Kuwait's population are living off debt. It is in no wonder that they keep calling "BO RAMYA !! sh9aar 3ala 6ay7at el qirooth??!" (translation: what happened to the loan pay off from the government?)
i for one am against it, why? because it is unfair to the people who DID NOT take a loan, who have worked their butts off to pay bills and support their family, while these folks take loans to buy fancy cars, pay for expensive trips and so on.
60% of this nation are in debt!! that is alot!!
In my opinion, Personal Loans should be stopped for the next five years (not corporate loans, since the banks do need some sort of income, i am generous in that matter) . People need time to settle their debts if not atleast pay off some load. Just watching the numbers makes me feel bad, like this whole load on my shoulders, no wonder many call shouting & screaming, but i do blame them, they put themselves in those situations. Albeit that many really do need those loans, but those people are a rarity.

STOP THE LOANS!! WORK HARDER & LIVE WITHIN YOUR OWN MEANS!! it is this shallow society that we live in that really pisses me off, people have to have the latest cars, mobiles, houses, and looks is everything. I can get you a guy driving around in an Aston Martin who has only 15 KD in his bank account (10 KD belonging in the account, so 5KD is only available for use) & a guy driving around in a Toyota Corolla with MILLIONS in his bank account.

Its all about self confidence and how much you appreciate money and the life you live.

Fellow Camels, Looks is not everything, because it never lasts. That in my opinion is the biggest rip off in the history of business, something called "ITS THE NEW THING IN TOWN". I call it, the new blood sucking invention.

Signed, Sealed & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel

STORY : Epilogue

Before i post the chapter, i decided that with my reviews of restaurants and movies and books, i will post on a weekly basis a chapter of a story i am writing. Enjoy.

------
“Defend thee stranger from thy enemy, defend thee friend from thy stranger, and defend thee family from thy friend.”


“To the bearer of this letter,
I write this letter, my will, my testimony or better said, this is my confession. A confession that one-day will either bring great shame to my name, or hopefully a bards song.
It has always been a philosophical debate whether the end does justify the mean. I have always stood in the middle concerning this matter, different situations require different methods and each method has its own. Some matters require extreme means to acquire the needed result, while others need small well thought plans to get it.
A simple example of that is, one has a chicken farm that is daily raided by hungry coyotes that not only attack he chickens but also tend to harm the farmer and his family;
1) As an extreme measure you decide to grow potatoes and therefore kill all the chickens in the farm, preventing both attacks on chickens and your family, this is a case of extreme measures.
2) You build a well-supported strong fence around the hen, while also employing the eyes of a watch dog, a case of simple thought that saves the luxury of your chicken farm.
In both cases the end was meant but in option one, the farmer lost his ambition of being a chicken farmer and changed his trade in order to rid himself of the wild coyotes. In this circumstance the farmer should have opted for the second alternative. A well thought out plan with few casualties and maintaining of the chicken farm.
This is where my story begins, in my current state of affairs, although it Is my high belief that should anyone be reading this it means that something has befallen me and I am no longer able to explain it myself.

It is always my belief that a father knows what’s best for his child, and it is his duty to care for that child with each father executing his own unique technique into raising that child and molding him into a person ready to serve both family and community.
A leader, a king is the same concept. Rule justly, provide care, provide rules, benefits and rewards, all those will benefit the community both morally and for the future. To know that one has a higher power caring for them and helping them necessarily is a comfort that everyone is entitled to.
Sadly that is not the case in my city. In my city money hungry tyrants rule us, a royal family that has plagued this city and its people with harsh treatment and ill care. One cannot even utter the words unfair, unjust, to do so one must face criminal penalty usually death or my favorite banned from the city.
You might say that being banned is far better off than death; I disagree. When one is surrounded by pure desert, without any supplies and the nearest place you can call a village is 300 miles away, my dear reader you are already dead without knowing it.
It was the third year of King Soliman’s reign. I was born into a traders family, my father was the local raw materials importer. Whatever the local shops needed for raw material, my father provided, so you could say we did well enough, especially if you count the taxes, and a third of the profit goes to the royal family.
This is not a diary; this was a small taste of what the people and my family went through under this royal family.
Through the years I have devised a plan, so great and yet that had me pay such high penalties that I believed will change the city forever. It did.
Through this scheme, I have been disinherited by my family, I have lost all my friends, and I have lost myself.
The confession that you have been waiting for reader is this….
I, Qaiser ambassador to the city of Madeeha, have completely over thrown the royal family.

Qaiser Theab
Madeeha Ambassador

Freezing our a** off ?

Yes the weather these days is beautiful, light breeze with a hint of cold air. BUT COME ON !
What's with all the winter coats and jackets ?? what's with the winter fashion so early ?!
I was sitting at college and i see people coming and going and i am really suprised to see people actually sporting the winter season clothes !!
WTH ?! you get a light breeze and you suddenly rush to the closet for a jacket ? I don't see you wearing a jacket when you're in your house and the AC is on 15 Degrees ?? its barely 28 outside & people are wearing a jacket..... just sad.
I told my friends that if you want to know the people who are desperate for winter to come because during the summer they were shopping their butts off for winter (and we get winter only for 2 months a year, REAL winter i mean) and they cant wait to show off their new STYLE and glamour and limited edition whatever.... again so sad.
SO BEAR IN MIND that whoever is wearing winter clothes these coming weeks, that they had just bought whatever they are wearing and they barely have the patience to wait it out.
It is nice weather, slight chills, but NOT cold, and NOT freezing enough for the guy to wear his new navy blue Abe&Fitch zipper jacket.

Signed, Sealed & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel.

Why women should NOT drive.

Now you know....

This has been a public safety warning, you have been warned.

Signed, Sealed & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel.

Travel Destination: Cape Town, South Africa.

The Eid is coming, and many people are travelling and looking for places to go to (my family is leaving me behind for India). And if you're one of the lucky ones with the extended vacations (unfortunately i am not one of them, damn work) and you do not know where to go, then this place is for you. CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. (best place in the world.
Book your stay at the Table Bay Hotel, fantastic view, fantastic service, great concierge with touring packages and a great place to just relax for 5 - 10 days (i can live there if i had the option). Also one MUST pay a visit to the beautiful Table Mountain, shown in the pics (you will realize why it is called TABLE mountain). Words cannot describe this place, so i will just show you the pics.
ENJOY !!

RATING : 5/5 *****

Signed Sealed & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel.

Book Review: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

I was thinking on how i should start to write this post, but i must say one word comes to mind, disappointed.
I am a big fan of Dan Brown and his books (before the movies came out people). Surprisingly i read Angels & Demons before The Da Vinci code in which he is most famous for, then again in the end i did read his entire book list. I loved all of his books, because they all had that gripping thriller and no end to all the plot twists and suprises but always leaving you with a happy ending.
Then comes his latest addition, The Lost Symbol. Dan Brown has dug himself too deep into this whole Religion vs Science war and in his latest book, some scientific terms were very too well scientific, most of the audience i think were dumbfounded at the terms used and Space age fans with all their knowledge on gizmos and gadgets were caught by suprise.
This book has failed to deliver on its promise, lacks the thrill its predescors had, lacks the quality in story itself (although the potential was there) and the ending was just sad, very very annoying.

RATING: 3/5 (very generous, i would give it a 2.5/5 but i like him and hope he does better next time.)

READ IT YOURSELF.

Signed, Sealed & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel

UPCOMING MOVIE : Prince Of Persia

I always loved the video game, ever since the PC game on Windows 95 (yes i am old). I hope the movie turns out to be good, only downside is Disney is the production company (maybe a cliche family film more than an adventure bloody one it deserves). Also what i was really disappointed to see was that Jake Gylenhall is going to be the Prince himself, i was hoping for more of an authentic look like get a real asian to act (they originally wanted Amir Khan - too bad that didn't happen) anyway check out the trailer. Looks good (although all trailers do)

Pure Entertainment

Hello Fellow Camels, its been a while yes,
in my case you have to thank the lovely folks at the University for placing so many Mid-terms in one day, AND my last thank you goes to work, who in light of my epidemic studying situation have failed to give me a day off. THANK YOU.
Now onto more interesting things, for the best 4 years the Market in Kuwait in watching T.V. series and shows have gone way way up. Prison Break, Lost, Heroes, Desperate Housewives, House, One Tree Hill, The OC and so on and so forth.......
Even people i know who hate watching T.V. or the effort it takes to buy a DvD and watch it have been going on and on about these shows.
But i have something even better ( i always do, do not deny it ). I am a huge fan of the Japanese Culture, and also their entertainment. First you have to understand, that in Japan shows with stories like the shows in the U.S. exist in a more gripping and sensational manner, the only difference is that its not live action, its an anime. Yes grown people in Japan watch cartoons. Not just any cartoons, but ANIME. Did you know they had Anime that only showed at midnight? those shows usually attract a more mature 18+ viewers, yes my fellow camels... Cartoons for people aged 18+. And i for one have watched many and many of those, and i think they are far more entertaining than the shows shown on T.V.
F.Y.I - Cartoons like Khomaasi, Voltron, Grendizer, Ninja Ninja, are all ANIMES from Japan, but those usually target the smaller generation. But the ones that are for 18+ are not usually translated to Arabic and shown on Space Toon.
Therefore i will give you guys a small taste of what kind of world of entertainment that exists on the other side of the world.
This show is called DEATH NOTE, it is a show that ends after 37 Episodes each episode being 25 min Long. I have to say that thank god i watched it during the holidays because i was stuck in my room for 3 days glued to the T.V.I have to say that it is one the best shows out there, with great imagination to create the story as well as the characters.
I have received many critics not because the show was bad, but because i am a 23 year old who watches cartoons. Simple folk really. But heres a small plot summary of what the story is about.
Yagami Light is an ace student with great prospects, who's bored out of his mind. One day he finds the "Death Note": a notebook from the realm of the Death Gods, with the power to kill people in any way he desires. With the Death Note in hand, Light decides to create his perfect world, without crime or criminals. However, when criminals start dropping dead one by one, the authorites send the legendary detective L to track down the killer, and a battle of wits, deception and logic ensues...

RATING : 5/5
CHECK IT OUT !

Signed, Sealed & POSTED
MR. Funky Camel

Genius + Spare time = THIS

No Comment, Seriously.

"Free Trade Zone" - Not So FREE.

While in class today, studying about "Business Ethic & Law" the class entered into a heated discussion with the professor about foreign investment and how Kuwait's Commercial laws & regulations protect the interest of the locals from foreign invasion.
We all know the "51% to 49%" of ownership rule, the higher percentage always going to the Kuwaiti Sponsor. Also there are such rules that foreigners do not have estate purchase power, and the 15% income tax that has been enforced ( which was an astounding 55% just a couple of years back ! ) All these rules were placed to protect the greater good of our beloved Camels.
Along Came the KFTZ ( Kuwait Free trade Zone ) to save the day.... not. Here is a brief description of what the KFTZ is all about.
"Kuwait's newly privately-managed FTZ is located in Shuwaikh and ALLOWS 100% foreign ownership within the ZONE ( Nice work gents, very clever ). No Import Duties& foreign corporate income TAX FREE ( sounds fishy but OK ). All commercial, industrial & service licenses are available WITHOUT the need of a Kuwaiti Sponsor ( Ok too good to be true ). -http://www.kishtpc.com/Free-En/free_kuwait.htm
They have their own site which is www.kuwaitfreezone.com which is yet to operate. ( Excellent Customer Serivce )
Speaking about customer service they HAVE THEIR OWN HOTLINE !!! just simply dial : 1802808 ( Doesn't work, or nobody picks up, i wonder how many tried to actually contact them but could not )
The real question fellow Camels, how come this sweet deal exists and yet when one enters the FTZ all he/she sees are shops, cafe's, offices and so on ALL sponsored by Kuwaitis? Why aren't there any foreigners? oh and the Ministry of Higher Education have 10 buildings in there ( although i did hear it was temporary until they move into their new building in South Surra, Good luck to who lives there )
So i leave you fellow camels to think for yourselves and voice your own opinions on this matter ( please do comment, let me hear your thoughts ).
i inquired to the current situation of the FTZ and heard that it belonged to a family group, then it changed owners to a single person nicknamed the "White Lion" ( never heard of him, but going to find out )
I believe its high time that Kuwait realize that no matter for how long they protect the local interests and try to persuade them to invest locally, they are not, and Kuwait has the potential to be the best, and yet development is still underway with the many complications stopping the construction. Open the doors to the outside world, since they can do a better job than us ( especially since i just heard that the 25th largest bank in the world, which is german has enough assets that is worth all the banks together in the Arab World, thats just the 25th guys )
Kuwait was the G.C.C., now its Kuwait is back at a desk job. We MUST improve.

Signed, Sealed & Posted.
MR. Funky Camel

MOVIE REVIEW : District 9

If you hate space, if you hate aliens, then GO TO THIS FILM !! 

Before going in to see it i was not looking forward to it, the only thing that got me hooked on seeing it is that Peter Jackson ( director of Lord of the Rings, King Kong ) was the producer. Nonetheless i was still not that excited because i thought it was going to be one those "Jack get the TX-3980 laser beam shooter of the future" kind of thing.  It wasn't.

Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp made a superb film.  The characters are unforgettable, very emotional script, and well developed, considering its an independent film, and one of the things i focus on is the OST or movie scores, the movie did not fail to deliver.  Brilliant movie, Brilliant unknown cast. A MUST SEE !

Anything with Peter Jackson or Quentin Tarantino on it is a must see in my opinion.

RATING : 4.5/5

Signed, Sealed & Posted

MR. Funky Camel.  

Food Review : 86 Bistro

Before i start, i would like to say one thing.... 

Fellow Camels, we all must admit that we are all pretenders.  You will understand at the end of this post.

"86 BISTRO" in all ways serves its purpose, that purpose being unique.  A unique menu, with a unique chef.  The atmosphere was nice, not too crowded with a certain buzz around the seated customers; the service was excellent, the waiter kept checking up on us and asking us our opinion... although i know it wont last since this is its opening months.

I headed over there looking forward to all the hype of those "Cheese burger Spring rolls", extremely disappointed, not a shred of beef, just oily and cheesy.  The sauces placed with the entree's we ordered were all tasteless and no flavor ( i must admit i am a saucy guy - lame i know, get over it ).  

The chicken dishes tasted the same, although the Beef Mignon was FANTASTIC !! Crispy from the outside, buttery and juicy within.

Halfway through the meal, ( this is the pretender part i mentioned earlier )...  a waiter approached our table with a dish we did not order, i was like "OK, don't even think about saying i ordered it when i did not."

But the waiter destroyed any ill thoughts in my mind with two very simple words...... "Complimentary Dish"

"OK my friend !! set it right here !" - We camels, like to pretend that we have cash and we like to spend, but the day we get something FREE we go crazy and say GOD LOVES US !! its my day !!

Anyway, back to the dish which was a mix of Mashed potatoes and Grilled eggplants dressed in some tasty flavory sauce (YUMMY).. i hope it becomes set in the menu.

MY RATING : 3/5

TRY IT OUT !!!

signed, sealed & posted.

MR. Funky Camel.

A New Blogging Angle !!

Welcome to the Funky Camel blog !! 

Yes you read it correct, Funky Camel.  If you're a Kuwaiti, or a non-Kuwaiti, it does not Matter ! 

As Long as you all live in this lovely, over heated, over dry, over humid, over dust, over drought... well you get it, of a country THEN you ARE all Funky Camels.

Now now, don't get too excited at the word funky.  Being Funky can be a good thing and a bad thing at the same time, its up to you !!! to decide where you belong ! 

FOR EXAMPLE fellow camels : your smell is funky <---- BAD SIGN !!!  

 

So my dear new readers, ( well i hope i marketed this damn blog right )

This blog has been created with a base of humor, a dash of sarcasm, and a lot of love for the public.  Most blogs usually look like a cool version of a news center, what's new, what's not and so on with the blogger posting his opinion.....  i would like to say i am more of the type of person to see the humor in everything, this is what this blog is all about seeing the humor in everything.

SO WITH ALL YOUR ATTENTION i thank you for reading, and i hope you enjoy what's gonna come your way and please fellow funksters please spread the word.

Signed, sealed, & posted

MR. Funky Camel.