Overheard in the newsroom: Monday edition

In a land of no taxes, this is your cultural tax.

UAE National Day festivities include Violent Lips

Should you dare, the appliques are Dh75 and available through Sisters Beauty Lounge.

The UAE's massive carbon footprint: This building may have something to do with it

Construction on this building off Hamdan St and Airport Rd (near the Central Market) finished about three months ago. I know, I live quite near there. Anyhoo, it doesn't appear to be fully occupied, or occupied in any meaningful manner. And even if it was, I doubt it would be full of people working feverishly with all the lights on at 9pm on a Sunday night. So why are ALL the lights on, so many nights of the week? I am not exaggerating when I say that this virtually empty building has been lit up like a Christmas tree for long stretches (once for more than a week) ever since this summer.

Today in yum-yums: Grandma's Cheese Cake

I passed by this kiosk in Abu Dhabi Mall the other day (it's across from The One) and finally decided: it's cheesecake time! What a great move that was: the piece I had was stunning. Caramel. Just two bites, really, of pure goodness. Creamy, sweet, with a delicious graham crust.

For about Dh10? Totally worth it.

A side note: I recently lost 10 pounds (almost a stone, for all you Brits; about 4.5 kilos, for everyone else) and it was both very difficult and quite easy. Difficult because I had been trying to for quite some time, without success, and easy because once I started losing it, it kept coming off.

But one key, I found, was eating much less of things, but still eating things I like. This tiny little portion of cheese cake is an excellent example of that. And the best thing is, even if you want to go back for a second one, as I did while looking at candles in The One, you won't because the guy will remember you and you'll feel silly.

Expat Blog Awards 2012: Thanks for all the comments!

Thanks to everyone who wrote such nice things! I know I asked you to, but it still warms the cockles of my heart. There is still a little bit of time if you are so inclined: go here.

I like to write: Did you see Argo? Want to read my interview with former Iranian ambassador Ken Taylor?

In which he talks about hanging out with Ben Affleck, his role in helping six escaped hostages get to freedom in The Canadian Caper, the tragedy in Benghazi and why Canada should have kept its embassy in Tehran open? What a guy. Anyway, it's all here. 

And by the way, if you haven't heard, the movie is well worth your time. Just don't look for a nuanced portrayal of Iranians at the time. (Although I liked the little history lesson at the beginning acknowledging America's oil-inspired interference with Iran's democratically elected government in the 1950s, which played a major role in the whole crappy mess.)

Snap caption: Specially decorated Eid fingers get the job done

Mooch: Not just a great name, but a fabulous drink

My dream came true: someone combined mint and chocolate milk. Thank you beverage gods!

Got a minute? Can you spare a kind word for A Canadian in Abu Dhabi?

So typical of a journalist used to working on deadline, the nice people at Expat Blog Awards 2012 told me A MONTH ago that my blog had been nominated. They also gave me a nice badge, which you can see has been prominently placed on the panel to the right.

I remembered this today of course and I see that the deadline for readers to leave nice comments about what they like about the blog is SUNDAY at midnight. So, if you feel like it, don't be like me and delay. Go here now (and by now I mean before the end of November 11) and give me a virtual thumbs up.

If you feel like it. That would be nice. Thank you very much in advance.