2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003

I was just reading Toomz’s post on the new show Nine when I figured I would post on my current TV experience. Yesterday I watched the season premiers for Gray’s Anatomy (S3E1) and CSI (S7E1) yesterday (not CSI Miami or NY, still haven’t watched those premiers yet) and between the two I have to say I enjoyed the CSI episode much more. Firstly, CSI’s plot intro (not the title sequence) was the best intro since LOST episode 1. I had the sound system at full blast and it was just really exciting and fast. After watching a pretty decent episode something big happens near the end and then they said “To be continued..”. So now I can’t wait till episode 2.

Gray’s Anatomy on the other hand was pretty slow and uneventful for a premier, hopefully things will pick up the next episode. The premier episode reminded me of season 2 of LOST, where its all flashbacks from the past, not something I enjoy.

I haven’t started watching any new shows. I am currently catching up on old Family Guy and American Dad episodes, also just downloaded 9 seasons of Seinfeld so need to go through those, I am also going to start catching up on the old episodes of CSI Miami and NY. Finally I am also watching season 2 of Weeds, season 18 of The Simpsons, Gumball 3000 2006 and Prison Break season 2 which really really kicks ass. Luckily its ramadan so I have a lot of free time to watch everything.

update: According to CNN, Gray did better then CSI. [Link]

Today I got set up with an old 650cc Kawasaki bike. Since I was doing so well on the smaller 180cc bike I got moved up to the bigger one. I don’t like this new bike though, its too tall and feels weird. I had two “special” moments with the bike one of which was really scary and strange.

I was turning a curb with the bike going a bit quickly when for some reason instead of pressing the brakes to slow down I pulled on the clutch, then when I realized my mistake I panicked and turned the throttle for more power.. I don’t know why I did that instead of pressing the brakes but my next move was even worse… I let go of the clutch. After that everything went really quick and blurry, I just remember I put my two feet on the ground, then front wheel of the bike lifted up and I did a wheelie and then somehow I managed to control the bike like a wild horse, I pulled it back under me and continued riding. I was in like total shock cuz I should have been thrown to the floor.

The second moment I had with the bike was when I was coming to a stand still and I don’t know what happened but I lost balance and the bike fell down on its side. The problem is this bike was big and heavy so to put it back up was really difficult, but I managed without any help.

Today was Nat’s first lesson, I can’t say anything about it because she threatened to shutdown the blog if I do.. so you can imagine how her lesson went.

What the hell, it took me an hour and a half to get from Kuwait City to Jabriya. It was non stop jam, bumper to bumper the whole way. I think I saw atleast 8 car accidents and most involved more then 3 cars. On the bright side, I finally got my license!

I just found out there are two Lebanese groups in Kuwait competiting against each other. There is LebaneseInKuwait.com which I had previously heard about and there also seems to be another group called Cool-Lebanese.com. Both sites are competiting to get the biggest chunk of Lebanese in Kuwait and I am guessing here, but judging by the websites, it looks like LIK is winning. Although the Cool-Lebanese site is pretty funny.

Picture taken from my office window. A guy got hit by a bus.

Picture 1
Picture 2

I just watched the trailer to Frank Millers upcoming movie called 300. The trailer isn’t officially out and every site that hosts it are being forced to remove it by Warner Brothers including Google Videos and YouTube. I found a site that still has the trailer up so check it while it there. The movie so far looks amaaazzziiinggg! [Link]

I just came back from my first ride out in the public streets. I have been learning how to ride the whole week and I just wanted to get a feel of my Ducati and how much it differed from the Bajaj bike I am training on.

I strapped on my full gear, got on my bike and drove out of my underground parking lot out into the public streets. I circled the block and rode into the old Salmiya, it was around 4PM so there wasn’t much traffic, just a handful of cars but it still was very freaky. The bike is literally a monster. I have been training on the Bajaj Pulsar which is 180cc and pumps out 16.5HP. My Ducati is 618cc and pumps out 83.5HP. As you can imagine the jump between the two bikes is huge and I was prepared for it but it was still very shocking.

The bike stalled with me once and it was when I was nearly back home. Other then that I did fine. I don’t think my ride was very smooth though since I am still not used to the throttle. Just a small twist on the thing and the bike flys off leaving me hanging on like a mad man. The whole ride was just an incredible adrenaline rush but I was really glad when I got home. Next time I take it out it will be after I have more riding hours under my belt.

For some reason today I feel like moving to Luxembourg.

update: OK scratch that, they don’t even speak English there.

Jazeera Airways put up pictures taken at the aiport yesterday because of their “Fly to Beirut for FREE” campaign. Chairman and CEO Marwan Boodai was actually at the airport himself handing out the free tickets. [Pictures]

Note: They now started a 75% off campaign.

Another reason to choose Qualitynet over Fasttelco.

Update: Here are some more sites that were just blocked:
MySpace.com
SomethingAwful.com
TheSuperficial.com
SocialiteLife.com
Jewaira.wordpress.com Local blogger, other wordpress.com sites not blocked

So I passed by the Hawally Traffic Department in Jabriya tonight because the guy yesterday told me to come back today. I got there 5:50PM and waited in line to have my picture taken. After waiting around 20 minutes I finally sat down to have my picture taken when the guy tells me they already have my picture and I need to take my papers to window #6. So I go up to the window and the employee is busy talking on the phone, he signals me with his hand to give him my paper and I do and then I go sit down waiting for my name to be called out so I could collect my license. 6:30PM exactly a guy comes out from the printing room and announces to everyone that the printer stopped working and to come back Saturday. All the employees got up and started leaving.

Now I need to pass by on Saturday. If its Ramadan I should pass by between 1 and 4. If its a regular day I have to pass by between 4 and 7. It will be my forth visit and all I am trying to do is get my license renewed!

This is going to be me in a few weeks on the Gulf Road. [Video]

During ramadan, Dext Xpress will be open from 9:30AM to 2:30PM and then 8:30PM to 10:30PM.

Cool commercial for the Krung Thai Bank. [Video]

Today as you can tell from the posts below is just not my day. I have to put all the blame on traffic. Not just any traffic but Shuwaikh traffic specifically. Shuwaikh traffic has got to be the worst traffic of its kind. The other day on my way to IKEA I got stuck 20 minutes at the intersection just before IKEA. In the end I just parked my car on the side and walked to IKEA.

My motorbike lessons take place in Shuwaikh and the place I take the lessons is also right next to IKEA. Once I am done with my lessons at around 6:30 I have to drive back to Salmiya. The first day I drove back via the 4th Ring Road and the drive back took over an hour. Then I started taking the long way round which is going to Kuwait City and then towards Fahaheel Expressway and that drive takes around 40 minutes.

Getting in and out of Jabriya at that time is also hell as I experienced today. Its like everywhere I went today it was just really packed. Traffic really stresses me out and I tend to snap at the tiniest thing. Anyway enough complaining for tonight.