Back in tune

My recent trip to Dubai has been really fruitful for me, cause I got a something that I had been bugging my Dad to buy for a long long time.

There is my new Yamaha FX 310A. Just unpacked. And its got a built in pick, it from Virgin Megastore Dubai, and its expensive.... x)

Before this I had this really cheap Chinese guitar. But its got a story behind it, which makes me sad, happy and grateful. So at those times, I wanted to learn guitar and I had asked my Dad for a guitar on my Birthday. But we were going through this financial problem thing, and he could only manage the Chinese one. But I really love him for that :)

So with the purchase of this new baby, my spirit of being a professional has been renewed. I called up my old teacher. He is this awesome fellow, who's really cool and all. He's like a great friend. But most of all, he is just an awesome guitarist. I mean, when you listen to him play, even a layman would want to hold a guitar and start strumming it.

I had stopped going to him cause he lived far from me. And I have to use the public transport, which is almost no-existent here in Oman.

So I called him and got a good news that he has opened up his own institute near my house. So I got really excited and tomorrow will be my first class after a really long time.

So looking forward to a great and non-stop journey back into the world of music.

Later...

Living at the border

So, I'm in Buraimi. Next to Al-Ain. I can see the fences from my window. Its a totally different place from Muscat. My friend crosses the border everyday to go to college. The only place he has to spend his weekend is across the border.

Buraimi, is still an Omani village. Most of you will know what that means. Its like, there is nothing much, no big malls and cinemas. Not much to do really. So, most of the hang ot places are in Al-Ain.

My friend calls UAE people locals, I can use both Dirhams and rials. They go at a flat rate of 1 R.O. = 100 Dirhams. So, it pretty much a new expericence. Its like Muscat is a different country. The disdashas here are of different, the car plates are mixed. Ahh.. I can just go on and on.

Tomorow is EID, and I'm going to Dubai. So..later.

EID

For people who don't live in arab countries, the whole month of ramadan is like a festival. Don't be narrow minded and think thats all we do. Its about worship and fasting and giving to the poor. But there is also shopping and late night hang out. That I'll miss this the most. In this month its like the whole city is awake till the early hours of dawn. We go around and hang out late, everyday, have shisha (water tobacco). Its soo awesome.

So now as ramadan comes to an end, I'm a bit sad. Everything will get back to its old self. And no more late night hang outs everyday :(

Wishing you all EID Mubarak.

My guitar is gathering dust

I've always considered myself to be music minded and creative. And not one of those over technical and detailed kinda person. But just someone who appreciates good work. Keep in mind the limited exposure. I have never been to an open air concert of any of my favorite artist. I still have that dream, but don't know when.

Since I was 12, I write my own songs and poems. Its a great feeling. I also used to compose them. Its great to find a tool of expression. Now in those times there were no blogs, no forums. I had books after books of lyrics, most of which I have lost. I think I have written songs about every event. It used to rain, something that would hurt me, when I used to be happy, I used to write a song. And I used to date them too. So now when I look back at them (the ones that are left) I know exactly when I wrote them.

I hate giving people gifts with cards that carry someone else's words. You know how everyone gives cards, with a poem written by "so and so" writer. I hate that. I always make it a point to spend some time and write my own. That's just how it is.

So coming to the topic of the title. I had bought this guitar. I just couldn't hold myself to not being able to re-create all the great tunes I hear all around me. And to play that awesome one that is inside my head, the one I just made up. But unfortunately I haven't got the "resources" to learn how to play it at this moment. I try to play it at times, with the limited number of cords I know, but I need to learn a lot more. Maybe later, everything falls into place and I will play my own music.

And so for now:

My guitar is gathering dust.
And so is a part of me,
I still hear music all around
Feel the resonance but can't see.

My guitar is gathering dust
And so is a part of my dream,
How I know there will be a day
That it will radiate from within.

:)

Boring movie to end the boring week

So, Oman can get boring sometimes... OK.... all the time. And so to end this boring week, I decided to watch a boring Hindi movie. Its called "Hijack"

I was beginning to wonder, when will Bollywood make a movie about hijacking a plane. And they did !! Yaa .. (read sarcastic). Its bad how they once again show Islamic terrorists hijack an Indian plane. So hate the stereotype.

There is nothing to talk about this movie. The plane gets hijacked and the hero saves the day. With a few occasional shootings and cold blooded murder. I don't understand why I don't like the tech used in Hindi cinema, its never the same as in English movies. It seems sooo fake. And how they show every single person (from the airport authority to the head of anti-terorism group) is in on the plot. And the hijackers wants to fly to Dubai .. LoL

There are no love stuff here. The hero saves the day, cause his daughter is on board the plane. At the end you come to know its based on some real story. They show a history of hijacked planes, just before the credits roll. Did you know the first case of hijacked airlines was in 1931 ? I guess these were the only interesting thing about the movie.

While coming out, I saw the next change would be "kidnap". They already did "murder" whats left ? Rape ??