111 Huntington Ave, Back Bay, Boston - part of the Prudential Center.
30 June 2006
3rd best skyscraper..
…of the Year in 2002 according to Emporis.
111 Huntington Ave, Back Bay, Boston - part of the Prudential Center.
111 Huntington Ave, Back Bay, Boston - part of the Prudential Center.
25 June 2006
Time travel
It looks like any other business park in North America, but the flags tell us we’re in Canada, and the building sign is for IBM. IBM Canada has the longest corridors that we’ve ever seen in a building!
Life’s a blur these days. In the past 4 weeks, J has travelled Dubai – Frankfurt – Berlin – New York – San Francisco – Boston – London – Berlin – Paris – Berlin – Stockholm – Utrecht – Berlin – London – Toronto.
M has travelled Dubai – Frankfurt – Berlin – New York – San Francisco – Auckland – Nelson (NZ) – Singapore – Dubai – Frankfurt – Berlin – London – Toronto.
We get tired just thinking about how much time we spend in planes – and also how much time we waste going through airport security and travelling to/from airports. It truly is a case of planes, trains and automobiles!
Being on the road may sound so glamorous, but it has its downsides. When we travel, we’re always attending shows, meetings and conferences. Our normal day-to-day work continues to pile up – mostly in the form of emails and tasks that we do, and which still have to be done. Usually it takes up our “free” time to do this – as it has this weekend in Toronto. Venturing out of the hotel twice in 2 days to breathe some fresh air, clear out the cobwebs and walk the city has been a luxury.
We went up here….
...to look down there. 
One of the most pleasant moments was accidental. While walking, we came across some tents that have been set up for the Toronto Jazz Festival. Venturing closer to one of them, we heard the sounds of musicians setting up. We casually sauntered into the tent and sat down to observe.2005 Canadian Vocalist of the Year, Molly Johnson was on stage with her ensemble to perform a sound check.
We were delighted to sit in on the couple of songs that they played, and to forget about our workloads for a while. M even managed to get a few reasonable shots on her little point and shoot Canon Ixus 400! 
Tomorrow, we’re on the move again.Boston – here we come.
18 June 2006
Football Fever in Berlin
Berlin is in the sweaty clutches of World Cup fever.
The area around the Brandenburg Gate is sealed off for pedestrian access only, and there are huge viewing screens in place down the length of the avenue.
Today was fun. Arriving at halftime in the Croatia-Japan match, the place was hot and alive with fans of all nationalities and ages – everyone having a party time in the sun and cheering the action on the screens.
We enjoyed wandering through the crowds and taking images of the loud and boisterous fans – many of them happy to pose for us.
What an awesome atmosphere.
We have a big screen of our own. J’s house in Berlin is equipped with a drop-down screen, a large projection unit and surround sound, so we watch every match as if we were in the stadiums!
Here are some images of today’s crowds.
The area around the Brandenburg Gate is sealed off for pedestrian access only, and there are huge viewing screens in place down the length of the avenue.
Today was fun. Arriving at halftime in the Croatia-Japan match, the place was hot and alive with fans of all nationalities and ages – everyone having a party time in the sun and cheering the action on the screens.We enjoyed wandering through the crowds and taking images of the loud and boisterous fans – many of them happy to pose for us.
What an awesome atmosphere.
We have a big screen of our own. J’s house in Berlin is equipped with a drop-down screen, a large projection unit and surround sound, so we watch every match as if we were in the stadiums!
Here are some images of today’s crowds.
16 June 2006
Palm removal
The palms are being removed from the middle of the Dubai Marina Road – I guess that it’s being done in anticipation of more road works.
Oh well – as they’ve almost finished with the beautification of the Jumeirah Beach Rd, I suppose they have to find something to do.
I have 2 hopes that:
1. at the end of this project, the road will be safer for residents and visitors to exit the marina accessways without fear of being broadsided/wiped off the planet by speeding vehicles.
2. the palm trees are being replanted elsewhere and not being dumped to die.
As a teacher of mine was so fond of saying, “We live in hope.”
To me, hope describes what I feel when I’m not in control!
Oh well – as they’ve almost finished with the beautification of the Jumeirah Beach Rd, I suppose they have to find something to do.I have 2 hopes that:
1. at the end of this project, the road will be safer for residents and visitors to exit the marina accessways without fear of being broadsided/wiped off the planet by speeding vehicles.
2. the palm trees are being replanted elsewhere and not being dumped to die.
As a teacher of mine was so fond of saying, “We live in hope.”
To me, hope describes what I feel when I’m not in control!
Busy, busy world
It’s time for another marina update photo. I last did this in January.
Click on the image to enlarge it in your browser.
Just as it got quieter around here with the completion of most of the closer projects, and we (erroneously) believed that we could again sleep at nights without being woken by construction noise, it’s time for the next round.
Ding ding!
In the red corner, Cayan is constructing their twisted Infinity Tower on the marina entrance across from Grosvenor House.
In the blue corner, Damac is wedging their twisted Ocean Heights Tower between the Emirates Crown Tower (currently receiving its domed headpiece) and the Infinity Tower.
Yeesh - which planning guru gave permission for 2 twisted towers to be built at the marina entrance? If they both get built to plan, at 80+ storeys each, they'll both be 25% higher than the Emirates Crown Tower and ridiculously out of scale in comparison to the other buildings around them. I hope that wind tunnel tests have been completed to assess the effect of high winds swirling off the towers and affecting the rest of the environs.
The Emaar office has been demolished, apparently to make way for a new lowrise hotel.
In the background left, the Jumeirah Beach Residence towers are being topped off and the cranes are starting to disappear, and in the background center/right, the Palm Jumeirah continues to be filled with villas stacked cheek by jowl in uneven lines along the branches.
If beloved children’s author Richard Scarry was still alive, he would find a whole lot of good ideas in Dubai to spin off a Middle Eastern version of his Busy, busy world stories. But then he’d have to find replacement animals for his favourite porcine and canine characters!
Click on the image to enlarge it in your browser.
Just as it got quieter around here with the completion of most of the closer projects, and we (erroneously) believed that we could again sleep at nights without being woken by construction noise, it’s time for the next round.Ding ding!
In the red corner, Cayan is constructing their twisted Infinity Tower on the marina entrance across from Grosvenor House.
In the blue corner, Damac is wedging their twisted Ocean Heights Tower between the Emirates Crown Tower (currently receiving its domed headpiece) and the Infinity Tower.
Yeesh - which planning guru gave permission for 2 twisted towers to be built at the marina entrance? If they both get built to plan, at 80+ storeys each, they'll both be 25% higher than the Emirates Crown Tower and ridiculously out of scale in comparison to the other buildings around them. I hope that wind tunnel tests have been completed to assess the effect of high winds swirling off the towers and affecting the rest of the environs.
The Emaar office has been demolished, apparently to make way for a new lowrise hotel.
In the background left, the Jumeirah Beach Residence towers are being topped off and the cranes are starting to disappear, and in the background center/right, the Palm Jumeirah continues to be filled with villas stacked cheek by jowl in uneven lines along the branches.
If beloved children’s author Richard Scarry was still alive, he would find a whole lot of good ideas in Dubai to spin off a Middle Eastern version of his Busy, busy world stories. But then he’d have to find replacement animals for his favourite porcine and canine characters!
13 June 2006
Patting eels
For those of you wondering what the eels looked like that were mentioned in the comments section of the last post, here's a pic.
They were very cute!
Am leaving on a jet plane bound for dxb via Singapore in about 5 hours. See you on the other side!
They were very cute!Am leaving on a jet plane bound for dxb via Singapore in about 5 hours. See you on the other side!
10 June 2006
8 June 2006
Almost Altogether
The unbelievably beautiful NZ winter weather continues as M moves further south to the top of the South Island of NZ to Nelson.
With the exception of J who continues to travel for business, M’s immediate family – mother, father, 2 brothers, respective partners and nephew - is together to celebrate little bro’s 30th birthday.
Click on the images to enlarge them in your browser.
We’re staying at Te Puna Wai Lodge which is owned by M’s other brother and his partner. Te Puna Wai is a stunning property nestled on Nelson’s Port Hills and overlooks the picturesque Tasman Bay. The view is a constant source of entertainment with the changing light and various vessels sailing to and fro.
One of the biggest pleasures for M has been to make the acquaintance of her 1 year old nephew whom she last saw as a 6 week old baby in San Francisco in June 2005. He is a joy to have in the family and is blessed with intelligence and good looks! This is one special kid for all of us!
With the exception of J who continues to travel for business, M’s immediate family – mother, father, 2 brothers, respective partners and nephew - is together to celebrate little bro’s 30th birthday.
Click on the images to enlarge them in your browser.
We’re staying at Te Puna Wai Lodge which is owned by M’s other brother and his partner. Te Puna Wai is a stunning property nestled on Nelson’s Port Hills and overlooks the picturesque Tasman Bay. The view is a constant source of entertainment with the changing light and various vessels sailing to and fro.
One of the biggest pleasures for M has been to make the acquaintance of her 1 year old nephew whom she last saw as a 6 week old baby in San Francisco in June 2005. He is a joy to have in the family and is blessed with intelligence and good looks! This is one special kid for all of us!
4 June 2006
Emaar invades the US
It’s not ok for a UAE company to manage the US Eastern Seaports, but it is ok for a UAE company to sell US houses.
Emaar has acquired John Laing Homes, the second-largest privately owned US Real Estate company.
In a tidy deal where a cool US$1.05 billion exchanged hands AND is sanctioned by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Emaar will begin its earnest foray into the US Real Estate Market, running John Laing Homes as a full subsidiary of the Dubai-based company.
In a wise move, the top management has been retained in longterm contracts to continue in their roles.
Read more in Emirates Today and on the Laing Homes website.
In another related article, the amount of UAE investment into the USA increased from 2004's US$519 million (Dh1.9bn) to US$1.93 billion (Dh7.1bn) in 2005. This Emaar deal should see that figure significantly increase for the 2006 total.
Emaar has acquired John Laing Homes, the second-largest privately owned US Real Estate company.
In a tidy deal where a cool US$1.05 billion exchanged hands AND is sanctioned by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Emaar will begin its earnest foray into the US Real Estate Market, running John Laing Homes as a full subsidiary of the Dubai-based company.
In a wise move, the top management has been retained in longterm contracts to continue in their roles.
Read more in Emirates Today and on the Laing Homes website.
In another related article, the amount of UAE investment into the USA increased from 2004's US$519 million (Dh1.9bn) to US$1.93 billion (Dh7.1bn) in 2005. This Emaar deal should see that figure significantly increase for the 2006 total.
2 June 2006
100% Pure New Zealand
M has arrived into the most stunning NZ winter weather - blue sky days that are still very cold, but so much better than windy, wet ones. So far the time has been spent catching up with friends and old workmates and shopping, in between thawing out in front of the fireplace.
Things that were taken for granted when M lived in Auckland are being seen through fresh eyes, and today she made the “tourist trip” up to the top of Mt. Eden to gaze over Auckland and drink in the green and blue.
Very refreshing - 100% Pure New Zealand!
Dubai is in the local newspapers with reporters interviewing Kiwis who live there. Their message is that no one should expect to come to Dubai with the expectation of getting rich in a hurry – that like any country/city, it takes a lot of hard work, and although they love Dubai, they’ll still be coming home to NZ to settle back down and regain some of the quality of life that they miss in Dubai, such as their extended families and outdoor sporting and recreational activities.
Now if we could only drag NZ closer to the equator so that it was warmer!
Things that were taken for granted when M lived in Auckland are being seen through fresh eyes, and today she made the “tourist trip” up to the top of Mt. Eden to gaze over Auckland and drink in the green and blue.
Very refreshing - 100% Pure New Zealand! 
Dubai is in the local newspapers with reporters interviewing Kiwis who live there. Their message is that no one should expect to come to Dubai with the expectation of getting rich in a hurry – that like any country/city, it takes a lot of hard work, and although they love Dubai, they’ll still be coming home to NZ to settle back down and regain some of the quality of life that they miss in Dubai, such as their extended families and outdoor sporting and recreational activities. Now if we could only drag NZ closer to the equator so that it was warmer!
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