Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Overheard in the newsroom: The "and we're back" edition, with Eurovision

She wants to talk about Eurovision. She thinks Estonia got robbed.

Editor A: What's a golden carpet?
Editor B: I think it's just a yellow carpet.

The band's name is inspired by elves. No, no, sorry - gnomes. Austrians.

Editor A: I haven't seen your misogynist side.
Editor B: I save that for the weekend.

Wiggling can be fatal in these situations.

Maybe one day people can appreciate Eurovision for what it is.

You could trick yourself into eating a whole packet, to get used to them.

That's the thing about the Chips Oman sandwich.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Look who's also in Dubai: Khloe Kardashian

Hey, we've all been there. Not on a first class flight heading from Las Vegas to Dubai of course. But we've been there.
Also known as "My Favourite Kardashian", 30-year-old Khloe was in Dubai for some hair business: she appeared at at a styling event at Dubai World Trade Centre Monday and launched some Kardashian products at Beautyworld Middle East Tuesday. I expect a club appearance in there somewhere, but so far, no news. During at interview with Virgin Radio's The Kris Fade Show, she said it's quite possible that E! would do one of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians' "Take" series in Dubai, a prospect I am embarrassed to say I find very exciting. She also drinks a lot of water.

I also found it entertaining how the hosts managed to spend several minutes to talk about Khloe's step-dad Bruce Jenner, without ever mentioning what is going on with him. Hey, we've been there too.

UPDATE: And of course she did this, with the niqab.

Shhh, look who is in Dubai: Ellen Degeneres & Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi and Ellen Degeneres at The Act Dubai Sunday night.

It's becoming a full-time job, keeping up with the celebrities who slip in and out of the Emirates (I'm not talking about these sorts of stars, see Tyrese; Kardashians; David Guetta, et al). Of course it's my job to keep track of these things, but it always makes me wonder - what are they doing here, really, and how did it all come about?

Usually the questions are answered: for example we were initially stumped when we uncovered shots of Modern Family's Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy, on one of the consistently funniest shows out there) riding the rollercoasters at Ferrari Worldposing with staff at the local yoga studio Bodytree. But soon it was revealed: he was a guest speaker at a private NYU-Abu Dhabi talk.

And I'm still haunted by the many Stephen Seagall sightings I've been tipped off to, never to be properly tracked down or explained.

All that to say, Ellen Degeneres and Scandal actress Portia De Rossi are in Dubai - and it appears its an entirely private trip, of their own doing. They took off from LAX last Friday and they had what looked like a very fun dinner at The Act Dubai on Sunday.

How to be a happy expat

Because a cloud wall makes you want to take a selfie.  After 10 years living in the UAE, some of that time happy, some miserable and ...