That Bloke In The Big Smoke

DID YOU KNOW? -- 55% of the London Underground network is actually above the ground!

The UK is/was under imminent attack this weekend, but you'd've found it difficult to believe the same on the ground. I traveled around the city by bus, train and even underground, but there wasn't any noticeable increase in security, or decrease in passenger volumes. If anything, the tube journey from Kings Cross to London Bridge on Saturday morning/afternoon, was busier than usual. Life goes on.

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The ATM celebrated its 40th anniversary on June 27th. What's really cool is that the world's first ATM was installed at a Barclays Bank branch in Enfield Town. And who banks at Barclays Bank in Enfield Town? Me and my family! As it happens, the first ATM my dad ever used (in 1980) was the same one installed by John Shepherd-Barron in 1967. (Well, not exactly the same ATM, but the updated version in the same location). I have also opened my first British bank account at the same Barclays branch and what's more, its historical ATM is the only one I've used since arriving here. Each time I use it, I feel like I'm a part of (its) history. (See pic below)

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Thanks to living in the UK now, I've been able to watch Wimbledon LIVE, online, and for free! And it's not just one match, but three separate live streams. There's even a separate stream for watching specific-day summary capsules. How cool is that? Apparently, the Beeb relays all its sporting broadcasts for free online, but it's a pity they don't have a monopoly on British sports anymore. That said, Channel 4 has a free online service as well but I don't think they show sporting stuff. Either way, with a new registration at UK Nova and the existing free services, I can delay getting a Tele and paying those damn license fees.

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Last weekend, I went out with some friends to Central London. We ate dinner at this American Steak House called Bodean's. I recommend it for anybody who loves meat and American sports. They show all major NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA games LIVE. It's just off Soho. Later that night we went to a nightclub off Oxford Street called Mo*vida. It's not your typical nightclub as entrance is either members-only or £20 ($40). Luckily for me, one of my friends saved the life of the owner's son last New Year's (no joke) and got a year's worth of free membership. The membership normally costs £500 ($1000). My friend can take one guest for free and it happened to be me that night! Anyways, usually when you pay such a high cover, you expect the drinks to be somewhat reasonable. Not Mo*vida. Heineken's are £5 ($10) each and a shot of tequila is £8.50 ($17). It's expensive but classy and very popular with celebrities. On the night we went, I saw Michelle Yeoh and Jesse Metcalfe. Stupid as I was, I spurned an opportunity to hit the VIP room just as we were waiting in line to get into it. What was I thinking? Prince William could've been there. He's known to hit it up from time-to-time!

And finally, as I had promised some weeks ago: the first installment of pictures I've taken from around the world. The theme for this post is Dubai which my family and I visited at the end of last year! In the next installment, look forward to some Shanghai!

Till then, Cheerio!

( Pictures! )

Today is the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Plassey.

Tata Steel wins race for Corus
Five Pence Gives India a Pound of UK!

If you cannot recognize this man now, it's about time you did. Ratan Tata is the head of the more than century-old Tata Group and on Wednesday, his company made Indian business history. Tata Steel, the flagship company of the Tata Group made the largest ever foreign acquisition by an Indian company. Tata Steel is only the 56th biggest steel producer in the world but it managed to upstage its Brazilian competitor in a fierce contest spanning three months to takeover the world's 9th largest steel company. Together, the merger has the potential to create the 5th largest steel company in the world, and now, 2 of the Top 5 steel companies in the world are run by Indians.

India Inc, take a bow. The world is watching and perhaps not convinced; and maybe it was overpriced... but one thing is for sure: We Have Arrived.


Jai Hind!

/end irrational patriotic exhuberence

A friend of mine recently introduced me to the music video for Prodigy's Smack My Bitch Up.

He loves it so much that he's decided to choose his friends according to whether they love the video or not. I must admit, it was different and pretty cool indeed. Or am I just sucking up? :)

Either way, check it out if you haven't already. Another one of those things everybody has already seen and I'm like the last person on the ball. :P

Ramadan Karim to all those who partake. Back in Oman this would mean no eating in public during the daytime. In my high school we wouldn't be allowed to eat outside during lunch breaks, but sometimes (often?) we'd finish class early. Those fasting would often leave the room and this would continue for a lunar month, at the end of which there would be a nice-long weekend known as Eid Al-Fitr. Lots of people from Oman use the opportunity to drive across the border to Dubai or go on wadi-bashing and camping excursions...

But for me, I know it's something special when I find this and this in the local newspaper. Maashallah. :)

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Note:
Ramadan, and just about every other Muslim holiday, occurs/starts one-day later in Oman than most other Muslim countries. This is because the majority of Omanis are neither Sunni nor Shi'a and as such like to do things differently.

Only 1% of the 1.2 billion Muslims are neither Sunni nor Shi'a. Instead, the predominant sect in Oman are the Ibadhis who make up approximately 2 million or 85% of the Omani Muslim population.