The world is lost...

(Please read the title of this posting as if you were singing that cool disco song " The world is mine.." la la la. You will see it sounds quite ok and that you have smiled. And smiles are always a good thing.)

Anyways, bottom line is that my Gmail email is full.

Belive it.

I couldnt believe it myself, but it did happen.

Funny is that.. as I deleted emails for the 1st time ever at my Gmail account (its sent first to Trash folder automatically) the following message appears:

Who needs to delete when you have over 2000 MB of storage?!

Apparently, the answer for that question is: ME!!

Ou muito me engano, ou algo esta para acontecer.

Coisas destas nao acontecem por acaso.

Ca para mim eh uma cabala.

E nao digo mais...

Porque eles andem ai...

Ai andam, andam.

(bem, ha quem diga que eles "saltam por ai" mas isso e um topico sobre o qual nao me quero debrucar...
Por enquanto)

The Power of Sunset

I do have to admit that Iftar's are my favourite part of Ramadan.

Probably some of you are actually asking what is Iftar all about, right (certo?? Certo!! (Herman.. volta! Estas perdoado!)

Iftar is when you break your fast, when sunset happens and you can finally eat. You can either know its Iftar simply by watching the sunset (obviously!) or you can rely on the "call for prayer" that comes from every mosque. Alternatively, you can also check it on all TV or on the daily newspaper, where you can also find timings for all daily prayers. Majority of times I have been in the office, so I have had to rely on my nice mobile phone to tell me it is time.

It is so interesting to see how everything and every one's anxiety levels seem to increase as sunset approaches... Its almost as if people start panicking because it is almost Iftar time and you arent home yet.

On the other hand it is also interesting to see how people are calmer. According to Islam, during the holly month of Ramadan, you should also refrain from swearing, being rude, lie, etc. and its interesting to see that this also has a reflect on the way people are driving and the consequent reduction of honking noises.

Anyways, as I was saying... Iftar is also the time when you meet with friends and family to break the fast and I have to admit that is my favourite time... Breaking the fast together, enjoying everyone's smile and laughs are simply unique moments...

My first Iftar this year was at Shady&Holly's place and it couldnt have been more special. The food was SOOOO amazing and the harmony around the table was undescriptible. Maybe it was because I was tired.. Maybe it was because I had to break my fast all alone in the office after a long meeting and already after time... But driving to Mirdiff right after, knowing that someone would be waiting for me with a set table makes you definitely feel blessed by who you have around you.. Thank you.

Good Vibes.

My blog is not necessarily the most active blog in the 'blogosphere' so I have to admit it is a good sign if 3 of the most active people on my blog (me included) are actually writing on it at the same time... (Just noticed that they left a comment at the same time I was writing my previous posting)

This is definitely what I call wave links and the power of friendship beyond frontiers.

You...: I wish you were here to share Ramadan with me once again... But I would have to be extra careful this time not to get beaten or foot injured. :)

And you...: Hope you are enjoying your Ramadan in Egypt and that I will see you soon. Here or there!

Ramadan. Continued.

So, here I am, already on the 3rd day of Ramadan.

Days seem to be passing so fast, even though I am fasting. I remember that last year hours just didn't seem to pass but I guess this year it is slightly different, maybe due to the amount of work to be done.

It is interesting to see how people react when I say I am fasting. Majority gives me the "she must be crazy look" when I say I do it for the cultural experience and for individual reflection. I might just start saying I am doing it for diet reasons soon, maybe it will be easier for people to understand and not feel so embarrassed.

But, besides that, everything goes on as before. People do work fewer hours but things still get done (afterall, we run a 24/7 business and we are always on time :)) and since majority of people in the office (not necessarily in the company) aren?t Muslims you don't really see a big impact. However, it is still restricted to eat or drink at your desk and you must go to the kitchen for that purpose.

One of the things I noticed with the fasting is that my mind becomes strangely clear and focused, even if not at all times (at some times you just think about how hungry you are!!). It is indeed true that you become moodier and even perhaps more aggressive at some point, but in general, you end up having a clearer head to think about your actions and your life and I am appreciating it.

So... It starts now!

Ramadan has officially been declared.

For the second consecutive year I will be fasting in a Muslim country.

To be very honest, I was waiting for it for quite a while... Last year's Ramadan was such a great experience.

So, no more eating or drinking during sun light.

Once again things will change dramatically in the Emirates.

All restaurants and food places will be closed until Iftar (sunset) time, although some of them will still home deliver.

Work timings also change. You can now work 2 hours less, meaning 8-2pm if you dont have "lunch" time break. Not planning to do it thought.. way too much work at least for the next 2 weeks.

Traffic will also change. Hamdulilah. No more chaos on the way home (as everyone will already be home by then) and CHAOTIC/MURDERER traffic around iftar time when everyone is cruising to get home! I still remember the headlines last year with how many traffic accidents occurred everyday around the same time.

It will be a time for reflection, mood swings (while your body is getting used to the new diet and timings) and lots of time with friends over Iftar and Shisha.

Ramadam Kareem!!

Confessions (I)

Sometimes. When I am sad. I change lanes. Without looking.

Some years ago, Yesterday & Today.

I take a walk outside
I'm surrounded by some kids at play
I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear?
Oh, and twisted thoughts that spin round my head
I'm spinning, oh, I'm spinning
How quick the sun can drop away

Was there some years ago. Not there yesterday or today...

Well, I will just pretend I am, while listening to the live CD (one of the few things I couldnt leave behind). Not the same thing at all, though... especially the company... I miss you all!

Another Marketing Story & the importance of TIMING

I keep writing and telling everyone how the UAE and especially Dubai is a paradise for all marketeers and people who love branding/PR/Communications, such as myself.

And here I am with another marketing "story" straight from Dubai.

A couple of weeks ago (probably almost a month ago) a company (or a product) called RUWAAD decided to extensively fill in the city's billboards and taxis with their creative.

The creative was quite simple (not to say boring): White background with company logo in the middle and the word RUWAAD beneath. Nothing more. (I will try to take a photo snap soon). But it definitely cost billions to put that artwork almost everywhere around the city.

A completely innocuous billboard if it wasnt for the fact that no one really knows who/what RUWAAD is all about. Give us (the People) Coca Cola, DHL or Microsoft logos or names and we will recognize it by the second, but RUWAAD is definitely not yet in that level of brand recognition. Maybe the words in arabic in the logo are revealing.. but then again there are also versions of the billboard completely in arabic; that is, with the RUWAAD in arabic lettering. So, considering that at least 50% doesnt read arabic, the english version of the billboard shouldnt be revealing the brand in its arabic part, right?!

Cool, I thought!! Cant wait to see how they will "unveil" the brand further. (We marketing people are like these! always trying to check out other people's marketing work. ahah.) Afterall, there is nothing cooler than having an entire city talking about you without knowing what you are all about and then deliver your message right when everyone is asking about it. Perfect trick when you have the money.

BUT, now the "coolness" level has dropped because of one single element that someone forgot to take into consideration: TIMING.

One month has passed... the city has talked about "what the hell is Al RUWAAD" but nothing/no one came up with an answer - with a nice replacement of billboards with the "truth", full page ads on major newspapers, or something similar. And, suddenly, the timing has passed. People dont talk about it anymore, they just moved on. The bad news for RUWAAD is that they also moved on from the "hype" around the brand and that, most probably, the level of indifference to the brand once it gets revealed will be similar to the moment of time before they went and spend all those millions spreading RUWAAD on my way to work.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe tomorrow will be the big day and everyone will love to know what it is and buy it from the supermarket or buy a new apartment from the real estate.

But, somehow, my gut feeling (the same that told me that the campaign looked fishy because the billboard itself was boring to death, kind of indicating that the product/company would also be boring) tells me that I should be kind of right.

Lets wait and see.