Silent Night

I kept walk, 'twas a silent twinkle
Shifting me collar, a frozen night
Lonely road, footsteps are single
Not a soul, neither left nor right

Stopping, 'heard a mournful cry
'neath the dim lit lamp
Strange creature, fouls a sigh
Momently mine thoughts lie damp

Should my boots heed the heel?
The urge is not to go back
There is a lot being said
One answer, is all I lack

Far away, a cracked smile on the moon
Mocking my uncertainty, how dare thee?
There is no going back, not soon
Finding myself, I am after me.

------------------------------------

Poem taken from 'Black Rose'
Copyright 2006 Abs

Back to Basics - Driving Lessons.

It's been a while since I failed my last test in driving, thanx to me, myself and my stupid silly mistakes. It's actually been 3 exact years since I sat in a car to drive. You see, immediately after my last failed test, I went back to the UK to finish off my final years in UNI.

Now am back and my driving oddessey starts again, right here in Oman. Today was my first day back on the steering wheel. Was I nervous? Hell no, but I was certainly rustic. In the beginning I was shifting wrong gears, from 2 straight to 5 instead of 3 etc. And then while taking corners and roundabouts, I was panicking very quickly. But half an hour into my first lesson, I was back to my smooth best (atleast that's what I think), although the guy next to me was kind enough to let me know, I still needed lots of practise. But at the end of it all, I was quite happy withmy first day back behind the wheel. I feel I need about 10 lessons more, before I'm ready for my first test. Pray for me guys.

Until laterz
Adios.

Eid Mubarak Oct 2006

Here's wishing eid mubarak to one and all. I hope you have a peaceful and enjoyable eid with family and friends.

Love you all.

Abs.

Death

I treaded the path once often stepped
Shifting breeze, uneasy glance
Distant thunder, silently clapped
I kept walk, not looking back, not once.

Memories burning with each step
None around, no sound serene
Paths make way to open gap
Should I take it, am I keen?

Twice looked around
Leaves withering, as if to cry
In bewilderment I am unfounded
Twice looked at heavens, I try

Something is wrong I sense
A cold wind snaps my inner
And it dawned just like that
It's the death of summer
Winter starts.

Copyright 2006 Abs.

From Oman with Love - The Story So Far

The going so far can be described in three simple words - Hmmm okey dokey. It's been a brisk two weeks out here in the haven of the middleeast. Time just flew by so fast and with it comes an eagerly awaited eid. Wow, did I even do anything meaningful this far, apart from simple eating grand iftars and walking down the road to Al Fair and Kargeen?!

Ehem, im not that bad either. Let me recount what all meaningful I have done:

Cricket - Yup the first and foremost. As soon as I literally touched down to Omani soil, I switch on my cell, and holy shit, I've got a message saying there's an urgent team meeting. Me taking it as a good sign of team bonding, went ahead. The meeting was held at the grand gardens of al amirate near the amirate cricket ground. I was actually half an hour early, so I took my time walking around the garden and exploring it. There were loads of other walkers like me, trying to digest their well earned iftar. Lots of beautiful chicks too (ok please do not overcrowd the garden now guys). Half an hour later, Im seated with 20 pure Omani cricketers enjoying coffee and enjoying the free spirited chat with the "locals". I say locals because expatriates suck in our Omani cricket. Time they were booted out. So thus began my cricketing odessey once more in my beautiful land. What's more, there was a Floodlit Ramadan cricket sponsored by NBO and I was asked to play in it. We ended up losing in the quarter Finals. Too bad, but I've enjoyed my first stint of Cricket in Oman. Time to look forward to the new season in Oman.

Job - Ok ok ok, let's admit it. I'm not a good saver of money. I had worked my arse off in UK earning money like holy shit, and suddenly when it was time to leave I found none of it in my bank. Holy cow! I was broke! Now u can imagine the limits to my spending. So I reach Oman peniless and depending on family. But there was one trick. I still had my card from the UK, which meant I could use it to withdraw cash from my account in UK. So what if the balance went into the red? If I go back to UK, I'll work again and put it back to green! So im rich again! Holy mother! Rich kid, poor kid, rich kid. I hate this life. In any case, I decided I was going to apply for jobs, and hence started making up my CV adding all the qualities that only a gentleman like me can have, ehem (pun unintended). The CV was a success, the first and only place I applied to, I got the interview. I went over on the appointed time, and I get greeted with the receptionist who probably is too shy to speak to handsome guys like me (ehem again I apologise for unintended puns), so Im called in and this arrogant manager starts off nicely but ends up talking way too much. When it came to salary, we couldnt agree much. It was too low for someone with my experience and quality (this time I aint joking fool). We parted with him offering me the job, and me promising to sleep on it and let him know of my decision in the coming days. Apparently he was giving me commision on my work completed and apparently I would have earned about 2000 OMR a month. Me knowing it was bullshit, spoke to him the next day anyway and generously declined. I wasnt willing to slave for anyone. I'm my own destiny. In any case, I decided to stop applying, and wait for Eid to end, and then when everything comes back to normal, I come in BANG! Pray for me everyone, I dont want a high salary, I want something reasonable.

A love story - Ok if it happens, you'll be the first to know my lovely blog visitors. Promisey.

Lol, if you've reached this far reading all that nonsense from me, well done. I've got more to share, but it's rather personal. Time in Oman is going great, im hoping to settle down and start the party!

until laterz. Chiao and let's kill the fat lady!
Abs;)

Short Cake - Layer 2

Salim was a rough driver. He could kick on the accelator to 140 km/ph and hold the steering wheel with just one hand. To him, driving a car was a mere pleasure that he could not be bothered with. Just about three years ago, Salim and his gang of other friends where involved in a horrific crash which left him dangerously close to death. But Salim somehow fought off death and came back from the ashes. He had a huge scar on his belly to show it.It was a terrible sight, and a soft prayer was said by Abbas as he absorbed the cool air coming out from the vent of the air conditioner. He would not argue with Salim to slow down. He silently hoped that Salim had learnt his lesson.

Abbas' thoughts wavered to his present. Just two days ago he was in Great Britian, packing his bag, excited to see his family and friends. The long year before had been terrible, long and eventful, with it being his final year in university. He had just completed his undergraduate degree and he swore silently, that it was his toughest year in life. He could not do any more of studying and assignments. He needed a break. And he promised himself not to work for another year. A whole year, which would compromise of relaxing at home, going out with friends, and ofcourse, learn the language he most craved - arabic. He needed the language real bad. He was Omani after all, and he considered it a shame that he couldnt speak his supposed mother tounge. Evening classes were the real deal, and he needed to find out about one such class that would make him stand out as a real arab. The best part of it all, he thought, was that he had real arabic speaking friends around him. It was high time he ditched the english he spoke with them. Time to make a mark for myself,he thought, a target. Arabic.

"So how was your flight back home? Any pretty air hostess?", Salim brought him back to the present.
"Uhuh, a couple of them. More like your average aunties", Abbas laughed.
"Man it's good to see you back", Salim guestered, one hand still on the wheel, doing 110 km/ph.
"Same here bro. Looks like nothing much has changed?", Abbas enquired.
"Nothing much. They've got building a huge flyover near the airport and that's pretty much it. This is Oman for you."
"Aren't they sick and tired of flyovers and roads and shopping centres? When will they build a real monument? Look at other countries, they all have something or the other to show off. The empire state building, the two towers in malaysia, hell even our neighbour's got the burj. Beats me!".
"Yeah but who really gives a damn down here. Everyone's just busy with wasta and pocketing money into their big bellies. Bless our father though. He does all his best for his people".
"Crap".
"Man, welcome to the 18th century. Love it or hate it", Salim laughed.

Abbass kept his gaze outside the window. Long barren roads filled with luxurious cars. He knew he wanted one of thos for himself one day. Which one would it be? Mercedes? BMW? Ferrari?

"So what we doing today?", Abbas asked?
"Let's get to PDO, they're making barbeque today. Zubairs calling the gang around. What you say?"
"Sounds good."

They crossed Qurum and came into PDO. Abbas had not been for a long time.

Am I in Love?

I sit for a while and sigh a deep mellow breath
Pondering for a moment, am I awake or am I asleep?
I silent breeze wake not my thoughts
For I wish to be here, serene in my world

Am I in love, or am I not?

I'm coming home!

Finally, yes finally I'm going back to Oman and i've never been as excited before. It feels so good. Just the thought that I'll be spending quality time with parents and brothers and sisters is just so cool. Plus, after a long long long time, I'll be fasting at home (Ramadan), celebrating Eid at home, and celebrating birthday at home! The last time I did all that dates back to about 8 years ago... Gosh time does fly.

I've been so lazy recently. I dont know why, maybe it's just I havent been able to relax much (I work the night shifts during weekends as a receptionist - Travel Inn) or it's just me getting very old. I have hardly been able to bring myself to do anything at all! Hell I cant even be bothered to pack right now, considering day after tomorrow I leave for Oman!

I've been working on a website titled "www.omanicricket.com" which I'm planning to run as a small mini business on the side to earn a few bucks while I get a suitable job. Hopefully when I'm done working on the website, I hope to receive a substantial amount of advertising money:) Fingers crossed. Not to forget, I'll be reporting all Omani cricket action from all over the sultanate! So watch out for that space folks. By the way, I hope I can still ball and bat!

Until laterz,

Abs.