Fuel Tank Accident

I didn't know anything about this until I was on Facebook today. I saw a billboard at Billboard Signal that looked like it had been ignited, and commented that 'someone must have run into it'. A colleague replied with this video from YouTube.

So, yep, I suppose someone *did* run into the billboard.

While this is quite a shocking sight, I have to say that it isn't surprising to see here. Particularly whoever is blaring on their horn for the other people to go, or the cars that are still sitting right near where the tanker is about to explode...

Tribute to the Korean Drummer...

Because we all get bored at work from time to time...

The story behind the Korean Drummer is that he was a bit unamused with the songs, so he decided to amuse himself. I've seen other forms of amusement (texting, phone sudoku, writing shopping lists, crossword puzzles, doodling, language drills), but I certainly think the Korean Drummer is on to something.

The lesson, I suppose, then, is that anything is what you make of it.

I do hope he got into a band with some more amusing music...

Alternatively, we could put him in a duet with Miss Star Wars Trumpet Solo...



I love the jumping up and down in this one...

The sky really WAS falling...

Like the time-honored Chicken Little story, where the sky is falling... well...

In Doha we've had blue sky, dusty sky, moldy sky, and now... falling sky!

Image and report courtesy of Qatar Idols, from Qatar Living.




Part of City Center Crashes
Qatar Idols's picture
By Qatar Idols on Sun, 01/02/2009 - 5:22pm

DOHA City Center - one part of City Centre on the 2nd Floor (behind Debenhams near the rest room) crashed down this morning at around 10am.

One Filipina worker who is about to go to work and one Nepali cleaner were running and screaming while the ceiling in 2nd floor were about to crash. It sounded like an earthquake and was a strange feeling when that whole part of ceiling in 2/F totally landed on the floor (in front of Nour Boutique & Otife Coutour).

My dear friend Yroll called me at 10:21am and asked me what happen because he knows that I am working nearby the incident. I answered that I am in the parking area already and about to leave the place. He was at Carrefourre when he called me (for some outside job) when he heard the crash inside Carrefourre. He went out and was supposed to visit me & check what really happen when he witnessed the big ceiling crash and land.

Thank God nobody got hurt by accident.

Dust Storms...

This sand/dust storm moved in literally within a 5-minute time span. I had left the office briefly. When I came back, the whole sky was whitish-grey. The front doors going outside were open, and I could smell the dust already. People outside, walking towards the building, were covering their mouths with sleeves or hands.

This morning I could smell and breathe the dust inside my apartment, and a thick cloud hung near in the downstairs carpark.

While we do get sandstorms here, I've never seen a storm move in this quickly here.

Dust envelops Qatar
http://www.gulf-times.com/mritems/images/2009/2/12/2_272609_1_248.jpg



Palm trees swaying in the wind as a thick dust haze shrouds the Corniche. Inset: A couple caught in the dust storm cover their faces. PICTURES: Jayan Orma


A HEAVY haze enveloped most parts of Qatar as a dust storm swept through the state yesterday.

The condition will continue today but with a lesser intensity, Met officials said yesterday.

The wind is expected to subside for a while before noon but will gather strength once again later in the day. The dust storm is expected to recede by late in the evening, they said.

The Met office attributed the dusty winds to the formation of a high-pressure ridge over the northwestern areas of Saudi Arabia and of its movement to central Iran. Doha was on the path of its movement, said the head of the forecasting department, Abdullah al-Mannai.

“The situation may continue for the next 48 hours,” he said.
The weather office forecast a wind speed of up to 40 knots on the offshore and a high sea of 14-16ft.

Visibility was in the region of 600m to 650m, it added.

The dust storm is expected to move towards the UAE this morning.
Drizzles are possible, Met officials said.

The intensity of dust storms was severe in Ras Laffan, Shamal and Ruweis.
Work at many construction sites had to be suspended as the haze hit visibility badly.

A Qatar Airways spokesman said incoming as well as outgoing flights were not affected.

Meanwhile, work at all Kuwaiti ports has been halted since yesterday morning due to bad weather. Most of the capital was shrouded in a dusty cloud.