JANUARY 2013
THE FIRST MAGAZINE IN THE REGION TO USE MOBILE TAGGING THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE
FAST AND FURIOUS: UAE RALLY DRIVERS
PG 12
BADER AL JABRI AND MAJED AL SHAMSI PLUS+ GO FISH: FISHY FARE ABOUT TOWN BABY DOWNTIME | DISCOVERING THE TREE OF LIFE | VIEWPOINT
www.tempoplanet.com
04 notes & cyberchatter 05 uspace 06 what’s hot 07 hello 2013! 08 tempo’s top 10 songs / on my ipod 10 city bites 12 cover story – fast and furious 14 youth talk 15 game hedz / tech talk 16 my blueprint 17 viewpoint 18 baby downtime 19 people calendar 21 doc in the house / remixing rumi 22 planetarians 24 media 25 Tamakkan 27 discovering the tree of life 29 horoscope 30 just a thought
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This past year has been chockfull of events and happenings, both locally, regionally and internationally. At Tempo we focused on reaching out as never before, presenting real stories about real people; inspiring members of our community engaged in creative projects,setting up businesses, and working on social initiatives that helped others. We also promoted conservation and sustainability, and on the personal level the importance of personal initiative, integrity, and international citizenry. We talked about 'us', a huge colourful patchwork of nationalities living in this generous country; and we celebrated the wonderful attributes that we all share as citizens of this amazing planet. For 2013 we leave you with prayers that I hope translate well from Arabic: may you have a long life, filled with happiness, health and properity... with children who are principled and God fearing. May your parents live long to see their grandchildren's children, and may all obstacles melt away in your path. It sounds far more elegant in Arabic :)
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Happy new year UAE, kul amm wa antum bkhair.
Sana Bagersh Managing Editor bagersh@tempoplanet.com MANAGING EDITOR Sana Bagersh
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
FEATURES WRITER Dr. Alma Kadragic
Manisha R. Manikuttan Manar Al Hinai Ian Mason Azza El Masri Saniya Ali Ahmed Samir Emma Kirkman Blakniss Shahid Saeed Dr. DMS Dorian ‘Paul D’ Rogers Samarpan Chakraborty Justin Thomas Amnah Qasim Sanah Chauhan
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Ajir Shujahi
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MARKETING DIRECTOR Manjul Abhishek DESIGN & LAYOUT Mark De Castro PHOTOGRAPHER Angeli Castillo DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Melaku Muluneh
DESIGN BY }
ADDRESS To reach editorial at Abu Dhabi Tempo email: editorial@tempoplanet.com. If you need to find out where you can pick up your copy call: 02 491 8624/25 or check out the list of Tempo distribution points on our website.
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TALKING BOOKS
By Azza El Masri
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WELCOME 2013:
INCARNATE
By Manisha Manikuttan
by Jodi Meadows 2012
WITH THE SECRET OF SUCCESS!
Tweet@abudhabitempo Like us on Facebook
UAE News @UAENews - UAE is world's 4th most attractive location for infrastructure investment #UAE #Business The National @ TheNationalUAE - #UAE makes it compulsory for women to be on every company or government board, as Cabinet rules. Grace @Sandierpastures @ Abudhabitempo knows a great shawarma shop in Abu Dhabi. Bahareh Amidi @ BaharehAmidi - What is a poem? It's when you don't have to write all the way to the side of the page :)
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Tempo is an amazing magazine which is crowded with stuff for youth and more of local happenings -Tariq Badarudeen
FUN FACT: DID YOU KNOW...? By Suzy Page
Did you know that all these seven words have one thing in common! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Banana Dresser Grammar Potato Revive Uneven Assess
As the year 2013 begins, a critical question that we will all be thinking about is, how can I have a more successful life?
RESULT OF LAST MONTH’S VOTE:
Tempo asked, how do you go to work?
30.0%
MY OWN CAR
25.0%
BUS
25.0%
TAXI
15.0%
CAR POOL
5.0%
OTHER
THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: HOW DID YOU WELCOME THE NEW YEAR? 1. 2. 3. 4.
With friends With family By yourself Being at work
Similarly all of us can wander aimlessly through life unless we know where we are going. Indeed, goals are necessary to move forward towards success. They help us to focus on our talent and create ideas. If we don’t use the power of concentration, we cannot achieve our target, whether it is studying or building a business. The problem is that there are so many distractions around us that it is often
Often false beliefs act as obstacles on the path of success. Thomas Edison once said “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. Be confident in the tasks you perform, and in your own efforts. Try to get over depression, mood swings and bad moods. If you want to increase your chances of being a successfulperson, then you must develop your self-confidence. Fear is another obstacle of success as it prevents you from trying. Don’t get me wrong, the road to success will be full of pain, hard work, disappointment, but believe me, the journey of trying will be worth it. Overcome your weaknesses and embrace the habits of successful people. Happy New Year everyone– I wish you all great success in 2013!
MY QUESTIONS By Samarpan Chakraborty
Are you the strange calm when I stare at the bright sun? Are you the bliss of the wind when I run? Are you the one who holds my being beyond imagination? The celestial one, the creator of all infinite creation He looked back to see a child, smile and run Never wiping away that smile brighter than the sun Looking at his youth, he then saw a frown The life in him had suddenly drowned The old man now wondering where those years had gone by How his smile was became a faint memory
Where is the child in you who lived in glee? Why isn’t there a smile that pure living in you and me?
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Let’s think about the fundamentals of successful… What do you need to be successful, and what are the skills that we can learn to achieve success? But before we ponder all these questions let me tell you a story: A young man stopped an elderly man at an intersection and asked him: “where does this road take me?’’ The elderly man asked him: ‘‘where do you want to go?’’ The man replied: “I don’t know”. The elderly man said: “then take any road. What difference does it make?”
difficult to concentrate on what we need to do. Being able to concentrate on a task is an important life skill. Another important principle of successful life is to stay motivated. Success consists of going from failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm. You have to take lessons from the experiences of wrong decisions and make new steps toward towards life.
The world is a neverending cycle: with every birth, there is a death; and with every death, a new life is breathed into a new soul. But what if I told you that you are reincarnated over, and over again? You die, yet you live to experience a fresh start, time and time again. Welcome to the world of Incarnate, also known as Range. There are dragons, sylphs, mysterious temples, and a pulsing city (literally). Come set foot into this mystical world: it begs to be explored! Jodi Meadows creates a mystifying world where a million souls that have been reincarnated since the dawn of time see the birth of a ‘newsoul’, and the death of one of their own. We are introduced to this land through the eyes of the ‘newsoul’ Ana, an apprentice that seeks to understand, just like us. However, some fear Ana – even her own mother has kept her away from society - thinking that she is a bad omen, a ‘nosoul’, that explains the dragon and sylph attacks. As Ana breaks away from her mother’s hold, and ventures into the city of Heart with Sam, he is the only one who believes that her birth is a good sign, and is the only one to stand up for her. As their relationship evolves and blooms, the question of the mysterious disappearance of the soul still nags on Ana’s mind and she is determined to find an answer.
I ask you this now
Answer: In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word!
Farrukh Naeem @ Farrukhnaeem - @ AbuDhabiTempo Thank you for one of the most inspiring, provoking and refreshing sessions for writers, artists and caretakers in Abu Dhabi.
MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE:
Have we all become the victims of our own dream? Is it not better learning from a child than teaching them anything? To me my friends, they are those beings who are closer to life than you and me Closer to that state of euphoria that we all wanted to be So let go of them in an open field Only then to you shall the joy of life be once again revealed.
A beautiful story that raises a thoughtprovoking question, Incarnate will surely satisfy your appetite for mystery and intrigue….at least until the release of its sequel, Asunder (which will be out soon). Surrender to the mystery of this new world, for it’s a world you would never have encountered before. An enchanting read, Jodi Meadow’s debut novel succeeds to both fascinate and put you on the edge of your seat. www.tempoplanet.com | 05
HELLO 2013! www.tempoplanet.com
YOUR GUIDE TO THIS MONTHS’ HOTTEST EVENTS
AS WE SAY GOODBYE TO A YEAR FULL OF MUCH HUMAN, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DRAMA, WE WELCOME A NEW YEAR WITH GREAT HOPE FOR A BETTER WORLD. TEMPO CHATTED WITH SOME OF OUR READERS TO GET THEIR THOUGHTS…
WHAT ARE YOUR WISHES FOR 2013? By Amnah Qasim
“I would like the situation in Egypt to become more stable and to graduate from the university with good grades.” -HALAABU SAYED DSF 2013 January 3 – February 3 Dubai
WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT January 15 – 17 ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
Dubai Shopping Festival 2013, an internationally acclaimed festival and a big annual tourism draw for the emirate, will mark its 18th year with the upcoming event. Between January 3 and February 3, the 32-day extravaganza will paint the city with a festive mood through its broad range of family entertainment combining shopping and entertainment. For more details, visit
The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2013 will bring together global leaders in policy, technology and business to discuss the state of the world, develop new ways of thinking and shape the future of renewable energy. For more details see Tempo’s special Planetarians feature on the event and visit
Ecoscape is a new exhibit for children and audiences of all ages. It features a variety of hands-on craft and art-making workshops, interactive demonstrations that inspire the imagination, as well as live performances that explore the fascinating ecological themes of Eco Future.
AL AIN MOTOR SHOW (MOTEX) January 17 – 20 Al Ain Convention Centre The Al Ain Motor Show (MOTEX 2013) will showcase the latest models of cars including spare parts, car accessories and other related products. Definitely worth a visit for car enthusiasts and weekend mechanics.
www.worldfutureenergysummit.com
For more details, visit www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae
www.dubaishoppingfestival2013.com
ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 January 17 – 20 Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhil The giants of golf return to the capital at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Join the off course action at the championship village, which features a fantastic range of attractions including prizes, games, competitions, live performances and familyfriendly fun. And if you want to try your hand, there’s also the HSBC interactive zone putting area. www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
For more details, visit www.motexuae.com
MOHAMMED RASHID
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
INDIA
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF 2012? Getting my driver’s license. WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR IN 2013? Personally – I wish to graduate with honors Globally – I hope that poor people get better life and live in peace. WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? To focus on my major so that I graduate with high grades.
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF 2012? The highlight has to be my wedding which took place on 01.01.2012. WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR IN 2013? Personally – To be able to spend more time with family. Globally - I hope all the problems all over the world are resolved without any more bloodshed. WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? Honestly I don’t make any New Year resolutions because every day is new - so I welcome each day with a smile and live each day as it comes.
“To get above 3.6 in my studies and to get a new car because it would make my life easier.” -AYMAN QASIM “My biggest wish for 2013 is to cut down my weight.” -ALIA AWAD “To live peacefully and to be a better Muslim.” -AMAL HARB “To get married.” -KHADIJAH ABDUALLAH
“To have a nice and comfortable life with my husband and to start a family soon.” -AMAL HIJAZI “Peace in the Arab region primarily. Success academically and trying to help others.” -ZAINAB AL BASHARI
STANDARD CHARTERED DUBAI MARATHON January 25 The Pavilion Downtown, Dubai The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon and Dubai Half Marathon have always been a popular event on Dubai’s sports calendar. Organised in the city since the year 2000, it is open to anyone with a yen for running in January’s beautiful cooler temperatures.
For more details, visit
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ECOSCAPE: AN ART AND SCIENCE EXPERIMENT January 16 Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
SAKINA ABDUALLAH
For more details, visit www.dubaimarathon.org
THE BRIDE SHOW 2013 January 30 ADNEC Halls (7,8,9) The annual Bridal Abu Dhabi hosts a glamorous catwalk of dresses from some of the biggest names in bridal and evening wear. With dedicated wedding dress sections from elegant modern designs to the more extravagant traditional styles, Bride Abu Dhabi is a wedding dress emporium that caters for everything a bride needs as she prepares for her big day. For more details, visit www.thebrideshow.com/abudhabi/
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PIERRE HOUSSIN
SOFFIA DIOP
FRENCH
SENEGAL
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF 2012? Gangnam style!!!
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF 2012? Changing jobs.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR IN 2013? Personally - Still be with my one and only. Globally - Make people understand that saving the environment is an everyday thought.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR IN 2013? Personally - to travel more Globally – that there is less gossip and more action with regards to global/environmental issues.
WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? My resolution is no resolution!!
WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? To do more volunteer work.
“Going to an empty island and simply live another year!” -LINA JADALLAH “Start up of my own business” -RANEEN “Wish to walk on the red carpet and to get as many signatures as possible I can from all the celebrities” -MURAD www.tempoplanet.com | 07
MUSIC
View the #1 song in the UAE
TEMPO’S MUSIC CHART LETS YOU DISCOVER THE LATEST TOP 10 SONGS IN THE EMIRATE, WHILE KEEPING EYE ON YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS.
LITTLE THINGS
1
ONE DIRECTION
I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE TAYLOR SWIFT
TROUBLEMAKER OLLY MURS FEATURING FLO RIDA
LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN BRUNO MARS
DRINKING FROM THE BOTTLE CALVIN HARRIS FEAT. TINIE TEMPAH
DNA
FARHEEN FEROZ is a 19 year old student who finds her peace in music and loves dancing in her head.
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1. Beneath your beautiful– Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande 2. Little things –One Direction 3. Chasing cars –Snow Patrol 4. Superhuman- Chris Brown feat. Keri Hilson 5. Wipe your eyes –Maroon 5 6. Save the world- Swedish House Mafia 7. Here without you –Three Doors Down 8. Changed the way you kiss me -Example 9. So far away - Staind 10. Your guardian angel –Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
3 4 5 6
LITTLE MIX SCREAM & SHOUT FEAT. BRITNEY SPEARS
WILL.I.AM
DIAMONDS
7 8
RIHANNA
BEAUTY & A BEAT JUSTIN BIEBER FEAT. NICKI MINAJ
SHINE YA LIGHT
9 10
RITA ORA
1.
The Power of Love – Gabrielle Aplin
1.
Impossible – James Arthur
2.
Locked Out Of Heaven- Bruno Mars
2.
Scream & Shout feat. Britney Spears – Will.i.am
3.
Troublemaker- Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida
3.
Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
4.
Beneath Your Beautiful – Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande
4.
The Power of Love - Gabrielle Aplin
5.
Diamonds – Rihanna
5.
Troublemaker- Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida
6.
Little Things – One Direction
6.
Diamonds – Rihanna
7.
Die Young – Kesha
7.
Beneath Your Beautiful – Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande
8.
Try – Pink
8.
Stay Featuring Mikky Ekko – Rihanna
9.
Gangnam Style – PSY
9.
Little Things – One Direction
10. Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys feat. Nicki Minaj
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10. Kiss You – One Direction
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PRESENTS
GO FISH: FISHY FARE ABOUT TOWN By Saniya Ali
Tempo went fishing to review some of the most well-known seafood bistros in town. And here’s the catch.
To start with, as soon as you’re seated you get served a basket of their trademark cheddar bay biscuits, which taste so good you’ll forget your mom’s food! When it came time to place my order I was torn between the Ultimate feast and the Garlic Grilled Jumbo shrimp. I eventually settled for the Ultimate feast because of the variety in the dish. When my food arrived, it’s safe to say I wasn’t disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and was pretty full by the end of the night. RECOMMENDATION: Amazing variety in seafood. Would love to go back for more!
WHERE: FINZ SEAFOOD RESTAURANT WHAT: Pink Peppercorn Crusted Sako Tuna Steak BUILD: Pink Peppercorn, Tuna steak, lime coconut sauce, parsnip mousseline COMMENT: Romantic yet pretty pricey; with beachy ambience and a breathtaking view. Located inside Beach Rotana, we asked to be seated outdoors on the beachfront balcony. The waitresses were very helpful in recommending and helping us decide on our meal for the evening and soon I had set my heart set on the pink peppercorn Tuna steak. My steak arrived on a sleek white platter artistically embellished with rich sauces. I took a bite and the tuna disintegrated deliciously in my mouth. The pink peppercorn was sweet yet came with a spicy kick. The tuna’s texture was smooth and the food was way beyond excellent. RECOMMENDATION: Definitely worth the money. (Full wallet please).
RATING:
RATING:
WHERE: FISH WORLD WHAT: Captain Abou Hammour BUILD: Breaded fried local hammour filet with a choice of chips or rice, salad Comment: This somewhat underrated restaurant is located in Khalidiya mall, perhaps because of their branding and the names they give their dishes. Fish World not only serves fish, but also squid, shrimps and mussels. With a separate menu for the kids, the entire family can enjoy a decent range of underwater treats. I chose the Captain Abou Hammour and my order was served to me in a mere 20 minutes. The crispy hammour filet was fresh and the lemon juice I squeezed over it only enhanced the salty, well-cooked fish. The meal was filling and my appetite was satiated. RECOMMENDATION: Really good food for an amazing price.
WHERE: LONDON FISH AND CHIPS WHAT: Mayfair BUILD: Fresh battered Tiger shrimps. COMMENT: This chain of seafood restaurants doesn’t have the biggest variety but it has enough to satisfy any serious seafood lover’s craving! I visited the Al Wahda Mall outlet and ordered the Mayfair, which consists of 12 pieces of Tiger shrimp. My meal arrived in a matter of minutes, and as I sat down to eat the smell of the fresh shrimp smacked my nose and my mouth watered in great anticipation. The crisp exterior worked well with the soft juicy shrimp inside. Cooked to perfection and generous portions. RECOMMENDATION: The best tiger shrimps in town! Can’t wait to go back.
WHERE: RED LOBSTER WHAT: Ultimate Feast BUILD: Tender split Maine lobster tail, steamed snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi, Walt’s favorite shrimp. COMMENT: Located in busy Dubai Mall, this seafood restaurant receives a lot of attention and for very good reason too.
RATING: RATING:
10 | www.tempoplanet.com
for the Spain rally! And in the Portugal rally, we placed first and second. That was by far our greatest achievement. We owe it all to the brilliant team we had that year, everyone from the racers, their co- drivers and even the mechanics who worked together so efficiently.
FAST AND FURIOUS:
UAE RALLY DRIVERS BADER AL JABRI AND MAJED AL SHAMSI By Sanah Chauhan
Rally racing is a motor sport which takes place in all terrains including snow, gravel, asphalt, (and yes, desert sand), and under all weather conditions. The cars used are specially modified or produced and each racer takes along a co-driver to help him or her navigate. Drivers win purely through speed, so the sport requires not just excellent driving skills, but smart decision-making and top-notch navigation skills as well. Though rallying is a well-established motorsport worldwide, it is relatively new to the UAE. Bader Al Jabri and Majed Al Shamsi are two Emirati emerging rally stars, who drive together for the same team. Introduced to the world of rally racing in 2004, they started racing in 2008 and have been representing Abu Dhabi in various rallies all over the world ever since. Tempo caught up and chatted with the two racers ahead of their big race, The Qatar International Rally which takes place from 24-26 January.
Then in 2011, we upgraded to a Subaru, a turbo charged four-wheel drive, which is faster and more powerful than the Fiesta. That wasn’t easy for us as we were used to the smaller Fiesta, but we managed somehow. We will be continuing with the Subaru in 2013 – as practice makes perfect!” BADER AL JABRI: “I am 28 years old and currently work with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. I’m also studying at Al Hosn University and will graduate with a degree in Industrial Engineering in January 2013. I started racing for fun, but it has now become my passion. I live with my parents and five sisters. My family has been extremely supportive from the beginning. My mother (who can’t help but be concerned about her only son) makes me smile every time she asks me to “Take care and drive slowly” before every race!” MAJED AL SHAMSI: “I’m 32 years old. I reside in Dubai with my wife and two daughters. I have a degree in Naval Science and served in the navy for 10 years before I started rally racing. My family too is very supportive, especially my two girls who love that their father is a racer”. Bader: “My sisters and Majed’s family came to support us during one of our rallies in Australia. That was the first time they saw us in action”. MAJED: “That really meant a lot to both of us. We hope that they will be able to see us in more events and to cheer us on in the future”. BADER: “We started in 2008 with the Middle Eastern Rally with a Ford Fiesta and then went on to the World Rally in 2009 where we competed in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy International. There I finished third and Majed came sixth in the standings.” MAJED: “I would say 2010 was our most successful year. We made it to the top five
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MAJED: “Finland and Spain are my favourite so far. Finland is like the grand prix of rallying. Bader is the tarmac specialist, I prefer gravel.” BADER: “...which is why I prefer Wales.” BADER: “We’re open to all sports, we don’t mind anything” MAJED: (Laughing) “Yes, anything with a steering wheel!” Tempo aside: Be sure to check out the Playstation game WRC 2, where both young racers are featured and gamers get a chance to drive for Team Abu Dhabi. BADER: I started playing video games only after this game was launched. Seeing our names on- screen made us so proud!” BADER: “Rallying is an extremely risky
sport. A small stone on the road can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and go off- track. I dislocated my arm thrice in the same place at the Dubai rally but still continued the race. Some people, once they crash quit rallying due to shock or fear. Others are determined to continue. Fortunately, I’m one of those who choose to continue.” MAJED: “I too injured my back in a rally in 2011 and till today it hasn’t completely healed. When you’re passionate about something like rallying, injuries are bound to occur but they should only make you stronger and more determined.” MAJED: “Support from the government is huge. They have been very generous in terms of participation in events. But there is a limit to how much they can support us. In most rallies, drivers are way ahead of us in terms of participation and experience. Lack of practice affects our progress. We need more sponsors so that we get all the support we need and are able to practice and reach World Rally standards and represent our country. That is our dream! ” BADER: “We are both extremely grateful to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Abu Dhabi Racing for their support. For aspiring racers we offer this advice: find a sponsor or forget about it!” www.tempoplanet.com | 13
game hedz
tech talk
Blakniss | Original game head from Atari to XBox!
Shahid Saeed | Talker for the Non-Techies
LG OPTIMUS L7 LG Optimus L7 is a handsome entrylevel android 4.0 smartphone, and the largest smartphone in LG range. It has 1GHz Cortex A5 CPU, 512 MB Ram, 4.3” WVGA IPS display and only 8.7mm thick. Optimus L7 is running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich along with LG’s new UI 3.0. It has up to 4 GB Internal memory and a Micro SD Slot for up to 32GB memory card and also includes a 5 mega pixel camera, FM Radio, Wi-Fi (b,g,n)+Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC, Assisted GPS, Accelerometer and a 1700 mAh battery. It is available for sale at Carrefour UAE, priced at Dh 999 (with Dh 100 voucher).
NEW YEAR, NEW GAMES FIVE TOP GAMES FOR 2013!
If you’re reading this then the Zombie/Mayan apocalypse has not wiped us all out and we can continue to game away in 2013! Either that or you’re one of the lucky few survivors - so might as well get your game on. Here are the top five games to look out for this year: FEBRUARY 5 & 8: DEAD SPACE 3- is released in the US and Europe respectively. This is going to be pretty awesome with customisable weapons, drop in/drop out two person co-op and the conclusion to Isaac Clarke's horrific Necromorph slicing journey. More action oriented than the first two installments, you get cool new combats moves, new enemies and hopefully, some answers to all the deadness in space. (Horror Survival, XBox, PS3) MARCH 12: GOD OF WAR- Ascension. Kratos is still an angry demi-god and continues to mete out some serious butt whooping. Seeking freedom and revenge for all the things that were ultimately his own fault...he will kill a lot of... things, so you know it will rock. (Hack and Slash, PS3) MARCH 19: GEARS OF WAR- Judgment. The welcome prequel to the Gears of War trilogy features Damon Baird's journey, along with Augustus 'Cole' Train, shortly after monstrous creatures emerge from below the ground; Emergence Day we call it. It comes with a campaign and multiplayer, and lots as shooting and killing. Oh yeah ! (TPS, XBox) MARCH 26: BIOSHOCK INFINITE- Making it a trilogy, a new dystopian adventure sees Booker trying to find, save and return (to whom we don’t know) the mysterious Elizabeth who is kept captive by a giant terrifying bird (a finch perhaps). It all happens in the floating city of Columbia and promises to have that disturbing combination of good wholesome values and maniacal insanity that make the Bioshock series so awesome. (FPS, Xbox, PS3) MAY 7: THE LAST OF US- I have this PS3 exclusive as one of 2013’s most anticipated games, and think it has potential for Game of the Year if it lives up to the trailers and game play demos seen thus far. Grizzled Joel must take young Ellie across a USA destroyed by a plague that turns people into zombie-like creatures (again with the zombies!) But the most dangerous enemies are other human survivors. The story, game play and the characters look top class. (Survival, PS3) We are well aware that there are a bunch of other worthy games, including Tomb Raider (March, Xbox/PS3), Beyond: Two Souls (Q2, PS3), Metal Gear Rising... we could go on, but that’s what February is for. Happy New Year and Happy Gaming!
MY FAV APP } JOLYWIN RODIL
DOORS & ROOMS Have you ever found yourself struck some place trying to figure out how to escape? Doors & Rooms is a puzzle game with some scary elements. The game is largely about escape, though why you're locked away is never made clear. Some levels feature things like bombs, which can kill you and end the game. The game's focus is squarely on the puzzles, but it's largely a fun game that will make you stop and think. While some puzzles seem a bit unfair (hint: keep notes about the keys on Level 1), others are quite logical -and the game's learning curve is very gentle. Available for free download on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android and Kindle Fire.
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SAMSUNG GALAXY S DUOS [DUAL SIM] This is yet another midrange smartphone with remarkable hardware. The Galaxy S Duos a sleek and stylish phone has 1 GHz Cortex A5 Processor, Adreno 200 GPU, a 4” 16-M colour TFT LCD capacitive touchscreen, 768 MB of RAM, 4GB Internal Memory and Micro SD Slot for up to 32GB memory card. The device is running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with TouchWiz 4.0 UI and has a 5 mega pixel camera with LED flash and a front facing VGA camera. It also includes FM Radio with RDS, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, GPS with A-GPS connectivity, digital compass, accelerometer, proximity sensor and 1500 mAh battery that supports up to 470 hours stand by and 8 hours talk time. This is a very good midrange device for geeks who want to keep one phone but two numbers. Available at Carrefour UAE, priced Dh 1099.
NEWS & GOSSIP HACKTIVISTS GHOST SHELL DUMP 1.6M LOG-IN DETAILS ON WEB According to BBC, log-in details from 1.6 million accounts have been posted on the web by hacktivist group Ghost Shell. The group gathered the data during a series of attacks on Nasa, the FBI, the European Space Agency and many other government agencies and contractors. Included in the dump were log-in names, passwords, email addresses and CVs, plus the contents of online databases. The group said it had sent messages to security bosses about 150 insecure servers that it had targeted in the attacks. POLICE WARNED ABOUT APPLE MAPS Inaccuracies in Apple Maps application, which is poorly designed, could be life-threatening to motorists in Australia, according to a BBC report. Officers in Mildura, Victoria says they found many drivers stranded after following software’s directions. Some of the drivers were without food or water for 24 hours. Apple’s software was also heavily criticized by users when it was released in September, TIM Cook Apple’s CEO admitted Apple had “screwed up” and was working Follow me on to improve the software. @shahidaasi
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TEENAGE PHILOSOPHER: LETTER TO MYSELF By Ahmed Samir
Dear future me, As another year wraps up and another begins, I realise that I have gotten a bit older. I don’t know you yet, but I imagine you will be a lot like current me, although I cannot render an accurate image of you if it were to save my life - or grant me the riches of the world (though I use that phrase with abject hesitation, because riches don’t interest me). You see, I can’t know what you will be like, but I certainly have hopes for you (me, that is). My expectation may be inherently faulty, and given the complexity of life, happenstance, coincidence and occurrence, whatever approximation of your character and likeness I can construct may be inaccurate or erroneous to the point of complete falsehood. But that won’t discourage me. I’m writing you (me) because, as subtly insidious as it might be, I have hopes for you. I wish things upon you, because eventually these will be upon me. If I don’t join the ranks of those who die young, I’ll become you. Are you taller? And if baldness really is genetic, I hope the gene skipped a generation like it did with your cousins. If not, fret little, you can always shave yourself completely bald. (The shiny-head look is de rigueur). I wonder if you’ll ever gain weight, too, but that’s a small concern, because you’ve always had the metabolism of a Russian weightlifter, and you’ve always eaten like it was your last day of life and you’ve never grown heavier than your spindly thinness. Everyone’s quick to tell you to “eat!” and ask “do they ever feed you at home?” and you’re always quick to reply that you do, and they do. It runs in the family, that excellent metabolism, but of course you always knew that. I hope you’re less confused than current me. You will have had plenty of time to efface out all the inconsistencies, and to arrive at a coherent sense of self. Do you remember your confusion? If time has done its job
(and it never fails to so it very likely has), I’ll remind you – There are feelings, far from momentary, that are completely distinct and immediately recognizable, like sadness and happiness and fear. The quintessential quality of happiness is that overpowering lightness it brings the mind, and that of fear is its shocking immediacy. That of sadness is that slumping of the mind, and confusion, like those aforementioned and it feels like screaming disorientation. I couldn’t hope more than that has ended for you. I hope you continue trying to figure out everything in life, and fail you may still unequivocally every time you try. I don’t say this out of masochism, but to feed that inquisitive nature that I’d hate for you lose. Though you might not find the answers you seek (often because there weren’t any), the road of your failed attempts is rewarding, and hopefully flings you towards areas interesting and thoroughly worth the visit. I hope you continue to see the beauty of life, despite the all too obvious disparity of the ugliness that blemishes its face. Out of some sense of self-love that I don’t think is wholly outrageous, I hope life doesn’t
disappoint you. Even if it doesn’t take the course you imagined or hoped would be taken (which is likely). I hope that you are continually and mercilessly proved wrong by life, because that will better your understanding of things. Those who spend their lives clinging to the knowledge they acquired in their youth also cling to gross naivety and are crudely simpleminded. Always realize that you might be at fault. I hope you grow to become deftly discerning and logical, insusceptible to fallacies of logic and mental misconduct, and that you continue to value your mind as your greatest asset. Speaking of your mind, I hope you continue to feed it relentlessly. About being wrong, maybe upon reading this you’ll realize that this set of hopes is plagued by the same youthful ignorance that I warned you about earlier. It may be just another attempt at intellectualism and amateur philosophy that pretended it was something great but was ultimately nothing more than puerile intimation. In which case, disregard everything I just said, and just be yourself.
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www.tempoplanet.com | 15
NICOLA WARWICK 27 } MUSICIAN
FUN AND TRENDY WITH ELEMENTS OF ROCK
PERSONAL STYLE: Daytime: Comfortable, colourful, funky and energetic with rockish undertones. Night/on stage: Modern Rock
TOP PLACES TO SHOP IN ABU DHABI: Marina Mall has got everything.
For the earliest evidence of leopard-skin garments we have to travel to prehistoric France (where else for fashion?). Here in the 1960s, at a Neanderthal cave site, archeologists unearthed the remnants of a leopard-skin garment thought to have been worn more than 60,000 years ago. Similarly, in central Turkey an archeological cite known as Catalhoyuk is totally dominated by leopards. One of the more famous artifacts from this ancient site is the iconic figurine of an enthroned woman with her hands resting on the heads of two leopards.
DOES ABU DHABI HAVE STYLE? I rarely see originality or stylish people in Abu Dhabi. There are so many malls and good places to shop. And with style network and fashion magazines it should be much easier to dress trendy nowadays. In the clubs I see more effort and style, but I feel that the girls need to concentrate on dressing for their body types as well.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY: ANGELI CASTILLO 16 | www.tempoplanet.com
By Justin Thomas
Why has this creature, the smallest of all the big cats, become so iconic? Its spotted pelt associated with divinity, royalty and military prowess throughout the ages. Today, this elegant predator's distinctive markings bestride the catwalks of the big four fashion capitals, and adorn the wardrobes of millions people around the globe.
FAVOURITE BUY OF THE PAST MONTH: My studded shoes and jacket from Zara
*Showing too much flesh is never sexy.
LEOPARD PRINT IN FASHION
Walking around the cathedrals of consumption we call malls, I'm struck by the longevity and omnipresence of leopard print. Adorning bags, shoes, even abayas! The iconic markings of this predatory feline are everywhere. What is it about the leopard that has made it so cross-culturally appealing?
FASHION STATEMENT:
FASHION PET HATES: *Crocs. They’re the ugliest shoes ever. How can anyone look at them and say, yeah, I'll wear that.
CALL OF THE WILD:
Each year, coach loads of visitors descend on the Catalhoyuk site from all over the world. Many of these visitors are women from the "Goddess community�. For these intrepid pilgrims, some from as far away as California, the leopard represents female power, sovereignty and divinity. If the lion is king, then the leopard is queen.
FAVOURITE STORE IN ABU DHABI: EVERY store is my favorite store. I'm a dedicated shopper and I'll spend hours in malls or walking in the streets of Abu Dhabi to find something I just have to buy. However, I do tend to shop at Splash more often than I would like to as I live right above a Splash store. Very tempting. Other than Splash, it would be H&M, Bershka and Zara. Shoes would be Aldo and Converse.
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Catalhoyuk isn't alone in its love for the little-big-cat; we find symbolic representations of the leopard throughout the ancient world. In Egypt we see leopardskin clad high-priests performing sacred rituals. In Greece the leopard was associated with Cybele, Dionysus and Eros amongst
others. In China it carried lunar and imperial connotations, and was said to be worn by Fu Hsi, a Chinese hero figure associated with the advent of writing. Similarly in India and Africa the leopard is repeatedly associated with military power, magic, royalty and divinity. Not all commentators give the leopard high praise; the animal is often cast as the slyest of hunters. Leopards are undoubtedly first rate predators, and there are a few isolated cases of injured leopards actually turning to the easy pickings of human flesh. One particularly bad-kitty, referred to as the 'Spotted Devil of Gummalapur', is reported to have killed at least 42 people before being thoroughly exorcized by three shots from a hunter's trusty Winchester. This less than complimentary view of the leopard as a stealthy man eater is perhaps reflected in the association between leopard-
skin clothing and the idea of the predatory seductress. This connection may partly be based on the leopard's actual mating habits. Female leopards generally engage in 'overlap promiscuity', which basically means, the female will mate with any older male she encounters (any male whose territory overlaps with hers). This may be a succession of males. The female leopard will give birth and raise her cubs alone; she requires no male protection or resources. Perhaps this female independence is another of the leopard's celebrated symbolic attributes. www.tempoplanet.com | 17
JAN my january to do list
1 2
HAPPY NEW YEAR
“It’s my Birthday”
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The Big Weekend Wednesday @ Boudoir, Dubai Marina Beach Resort
Bersabeh Melaku
Electronic Warfare GCC 2013 @ Abu Dhabi 8-9
ARABPLAST 2013 @ Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai 7-10
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Chic Lady Show @ ADNEC Convention Centre, Al Ain 8-12
Ecospace- Art & Science Experiment @Saadiyat Island
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6th World Future Energy Summit & International Water Summit @ADNEC 15-17
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MRO Middle East @ Dubai World Trade Centre 22-23
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DSF 2013 3-3 Feb
10
Steel Fab 2013 @ Sharjah Expo Centre 14-17
3 4
Abu Dhabi International Dance Festival @ Radisson Blu,Yas Island 3-5
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Black Light & Shadow Show @ DUCTAC, Mall of Emirates
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12
Cycle Yas @ Yas Marina Circuit 18
Fairy Tale Weeks Film Screening @ Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, Abu Dhabi 7:00 PM
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Quiz night @ MAXX, Citymax Hotel Al Barsha(next to Mall of Emirates)
Heritage Village Festival @ Breakwater Corniche
Porsche Driving Experience @ Yas Marina F1 Circuit
Social Media Communications and PR Seminar @ Dubai 6-10
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HSBC Golf Championship @ Sas Al Nakhl 17-20
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HARDWELL Live @ NASIMI Beach Club, Atlantis, Dubai
Zeeshan Razzaqi
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12th Abu Dhabi ITF Junior Tennis Championship @ Country Club 14-19
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Sherlock Holmes’ Birthday
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2013 @ Abu Dhabi 13-17
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SGI Exhibition @ Dubai World Trade Centre 20-22
www.InfantMassageCourse.com.
2nd Al-Ain Motor Show MOTEX 2013 17-20
Kate Grasell can be reached through:
my january eco pledge
18 | www.tempoplanet.com
“The great global problem is our sedentary life style. At an early age we (I mean parents) can do a lot to prevent kids from developing back problems, weak belly muscles, flatfeet and joint
“I have conducted business research and unfortunately noticed that infant massage is not known nor practiced here as widely as in my country. The medical benefits of infant massage are underestimated too. I hope to promote it to families and to work with nurseries and pediatrics departments to spread its benefits.”
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“My infant massage course is private. My work assumes confidentiality and discipline. It means for a short period I become a family member, a
“Infant massage and swimming are very popular in Russia as they are the first medical therapy and first physical activity in which the kids interact with the parents. Moms everywhere can do with a professional advice giver and skillful coaching to manage their kids to grow healthy and strong in this environment. All this thinking urged me to start this service here in the UAE.
Big Boys Toys @ Atlantis, The Palm 31-2 Feb
“Massage is very important for babies since it helps to calm them, improve and strengthen their bodily functions, as well as reduce discomfort and contribute to their psychological development. From birth to three years of age kids learn so many important movements and actions, which affect their life in the future. This is why it is very important to help your baby to learn the correct way to crawl, sit up and sit down, stand up and walk. Massage and gymnastics help to improve posture and motor skills, speech function and mental development.
diseases. My course includes swimming which makes babies feel more comfortable in the water and gives them a great workout.
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Amin
“I have been living in Abu Dhabi for more than four years now and it took some time for me to get used to the life style here as it is quite different from my homeland – Moscow, Russia. I am a certified massage Kate Grasell therapist and recently I obtained certification in Pediatric Medical Massage and Infant swimming and started to work with Emirati families privately. And yes I love kids.
Al Marmoum Camel Racing @ Dubai Al Ain Road 20-21
Brid @ e Abu A 30- DNE Dhab 2 F eb C, Abu i Dh abi
By Ajir Shujahi
close friend and an ally. I teach parents and help them to bond with their baby. The massage helps to enhance all body function and the immunity system. The changes in the baby’s system from birth to three years of age happen tremendously fast. Almost all the time babies feel anxiousness and discomfort and many suffer from colic and digestive pains and we all know that their crying can and irritate their parents.
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TAWDHEEF Recruitment Show @ ADNEC, Abu Dhabi 29-31
INFANT MASSAGE THERAPY
We’ve all of course heard about massage and gymnastics…but for babies? Tempo heard about locally based “baby whisperer” Kate Grasell and was intrigued. Kate has just launched an Infant Massage Course in Abu Dhabi to keep your bundle of joy strong and thriving…
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Omega Dubai Desert Classic @ Emirates Golf Club 28-3 Feb
HEALTH
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Dubai Latin Festival @ Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel 24-27
BABY DOWNTIME:
Richard Brown
Jonita Balawen
doc in the house
remixing rumi
Dr. DMS | A doc from the Bronx
Dorian ‘Paul D’ Rogers
LIGHTS AND SIRENS: SAVING A LIFE
A POET’S TWIST ON THE ANCIENT CLASSICS OF RUMI. PAUL D’ TAKES A CLASSIC POEM AND REMIXES IT TO GIVE IT A CONTEMPORARY SPIN. How Did You Get Away? By Rumi How did you get away? You were the pet falcon of an old woman. Did you hear the falcon-drum? You were a drunken songbird put in with owls. Did you smell the odor of a garden? You got tired of sour fermenting and left the tavern. You went like an arrow to the target from the bow of time and place. The man who stays at the cemetery pointed the way, but you didn't go. You became light and gave up wanting to be famous. You don't worry about what you're going to eat, so why buy an engraved belt? I've heard of living at the center, but what about leaving the center of the center? Flying toward thankfulness, you become the rare bird with one wing made of fear, and one of hope. In autumn, a rose crawling along the ground in the cold wind. Rain on the roof runs down and out by the spout as fast as it can.
What’s the quickest way to get to the hospital in an emergency? Is your automatic answer to call 999? That may seem like a reasonable suggestion, but does any motorist here care if there is an ambulance behind them with blazing lights and sirens? It doesn’t seem like it - from my observations.
Talking is pain. Lie down and rest, now that you've found a friend to be with.
In the UAE, there is actually a legal obligation of drivers to give way to ambulances (check the back of your driver’s license), but whatever the law says and what people do, are obviously disconnected. (Consider the arbitrary speed limits, ubiquitous tailgating, driving with no indicators, passing in the shoulder lane - all surely illegal, but what do I know?). If there is no ambulance priority respect, then why bother with the ambulance at all?
My job is not to remember. My sole function is to decide which memories I dismiss. Of all the useless relationships that lay discarded by the dump like limbs and pine straw from a season ago, you were the most difficult to forget. How did you get away?
Isn’t it just a reasonable motorist obligation to move out of the way of an ambulance when it is charging to and from the scene? The ambulance’s service is to provide immediate assistance to sick and/or dying patients and to get them to hospital as soon as (reasonably) possible. And so why would you place yourself in a position that inhibits this? What if you or a relative were in that ambulance? If that doesn’t change your perspective, I have to assume that you have been desensitized and are used to this behavior. Or worse, horribly self centered. Let me assure you that we could offer much better care for these sick folks if we could see them as soon as possible - rather than when they enter into the “spiral of death”. I often see ambulances stuck in traffic, and no one makes any effort to move out of their way. Maybe no one moves because this would require cooperation amongst total strangers. Cooperation and courtesy seems to be a foreign concept amongst some of folks that I have met here. You say that you want to do something good for this world? Well, sunshine, this could be your moment…and a very small gesture at that. And think, if everyone felt this way, imagine the help we could offer our brothers and sisters in their time of need. A tangible example of the “butterfly effect”.
Cornu Ammonis by Dorian "Paul D" Rogers
I am selective amnesia. Every move you make is being recorded and may be looped and recorded over if nothing eventful happens today in the corner store of your mind. Label this as spatial profiling What's your orientation? Oranges placed on the left side of the kitchen. Mop in the corner. Mildewed tips tinged by what looks like creek water. I think it had a red handle but I discarded that with the 2314 other thoughts that I thought you didn't need. Right foot on pedal. Picking a quick petal. The generalizations that swirl as a homeless man peddles puzzles somewhere on a street called Nevermind. Generic, romantic greeting card magnetized to the refrigerator. Candles and candies on the mantle, wick buried in the middle. I can rid you of any unwanted memory. The fresh bouquet from an unrequited lover can vanish if you will it, the solicited whispers in the ear of one turned bitter, blisters on ballerina heels heal after the thrill of first recital. And all that is remembered are the roses frozen in time right before they hit the stage. I'm the catharsis forgetting brings What suits you best? Denial or regret? Forgiving and forgetting are both specialties of mine. So help me out and tell me, one more time, what's your name again, and, more importantly, how can I help you?
www.tempoplanet.com | 21
almost over, and, on a global scale, firm action needs to be taken in the search of solutions, be it government regulation, product innovation or knowledge sharing between experienced and new players in the water market. The stark reality is that if we don’t do something to manage our consumption, capture and efficient re-use of water, then there’ll be nothing coming out of our household taps in a few years’ time.
SPECIAL FEATURE: THE PLANETARIANS
ABOUT ABU DHABI SUSTAINABILITY WEEK Sustainability is woven into the heritage of the United Arab Emirates. Since its inception, the late President and Founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was adamant about conservation, and encouraged the reduction of the UAE’s environmental footprint. Today, his spirit and belief in sustainability continues to drive Abu Dhabi.
ABU DHABI FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABILITY: PONDERING THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET In the spirit of welcoming a new year, Tempo, an an enthusiastic proponent of conservation and sustainability, presents The Planetarian’s special focus on the capital’s January events Peter McConnell, Show Director on how we can save our planet through saving energy, resources and recycling. The global spotlight turns to the UAE capital this month with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (13 – 17 January), which includes the sixth World Future Energy Summit and the inaugural International Water Summit, both hosted by Masdar. Tempo spoke with Peter McConnell, Show Director for event organizer Reed Exhibitions, about the build-up to the International Water Summit, from 15 – 17 January. 22 | www.tempoplanet.com
By Ian Mason & Emma Kirkman
TEMPO: Peter, what do you think makes a successful exhibition? PETER: An incredible amount of work! We have been planning the International Water Summit for almost 12 months. Firstly, there is the programme planning which requires a great deal of thought from a number of people, including our Steering Committee. Then, we have to contact potential speakers who can take months to confirm, then there are the onsite logistics: from exhibition design to broadcast vans to signage. And then there are things like publicity, visitor promotion, show marketing, catering, media, collateral, visa coordination, sponsorships, exhibitors, accommodation…the list goes on and on.
TEMPO: Do you conserve water at home? PETER: (Laughs) Yes, I do – all of the things that the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi tells us. Things like turning off taps when brushing teeth, minimal water in the basin, full loads of washing instead of several loads and those types of things. My wife and I are well trained now!
TEMPO: We are exhausted already! What are some of things that can go wrong during the show? PETER: Well, you can never control everything, but we have a highly experienced team putting the International Water Summit together, so we have come across most things that could go wrong and have contingency plans for them.
TEMPO: What do you hope will be achieved from the International Water Summit? PETER: Greater collaboration between the key stakeholders, including the matching of investors and innovators in our Sustainable Solutions Village. Also, to continue to raise the issue of sustainable lifestyle and business decisions at the top of the personal and corporate agenda.The time for planning is
TEMPO: Were you a water expert before you became Show Director of the International Water Summit? PETER: No, I was not a water expert. But, I am a keen environmentalist. I don’t own a car, I try not to eat meat and fish often and I have been actively involved with non-profit conservation organizations.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global platform that reinforces the role Abu Dhabi is playing as an international energy hub – assembling the most influential decision makers to explore new ideas and collaboration opportunities that will usher in an era of sustainability. ADSW is the combination of five global gatherings happening in Abu Dhabi: 1) The 3rd general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency; 2) The 4th International Renewable Energy Conference; 3) The inaugural International Water Summit; 4) the 6th annual World Future Energy Forum, and 5) The 5th annual Zayed Future Energy Prize. Uniting more than 30,000 participants from 150 countries, ADSW will gather leaders from academia, industry and government to tackle the business, technology and financial challenges required for sustainable development and renewable energy adoption. ADSW is a testament to the commitment the United Arab Emirates has for sustainable development and the new energy economy.
GET YOURSELF INVOLVED, START SAVING OUR PLANET! Every small thing that an individual does to conserve water, electricity, recycle paper and glass, all adds up to a huge cumulative effect on the amount that we consume as a nation. It is not just the large companies and industry that are solely responsible for the amount that the UAE consumes, but each and every one of us. GREENING THE HOME The World Future Energy Summit is open to the public and will showcase, amongst other things, an Eco-Home, showing just how eco friendly your home can be, no matter if you rent or own it, and a Green Ideas Fair, so be sure to check these out. PRACTICAL LIVING Practical tips can be integrated into our daily lives and with time can be positively habit forming. How much paper do you use, as an individual, both at the office and at home? Every tonne of paper uses 24 trees. Imagine if we all recycled more, or printed less, and how much an office of 100 people could save in a month, let alone a year. By using less water in the ways that EAD recommends, such as turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, and only using the washing machine when it is full, we can all do our small but significant part in reducing the stress that we place on our planet.
TECHNOLOGY’S ROLE Technology is also playing its role in helping us to reduce the burden that we place on our planet. Many companies are developing small, waterproof gadgets that can be used in the shower to help reduce the amount of time spent in the shower, and the amount of water that we use through it. Although showers use less water than baths, that only depends on not spending all day in it, no matter how much we may like to in the morning! WATER, WATER...NOT EVERYWHERE Although the UAE relies on desalination to produce much of its water this requires a huge amount of energy, which makes it a very costly process to the environment. Some of the discussion at the International Water Summit which runs alongside WFES will be about developing sustainable desalination solutions for global use. Pressures on water supplies will be one of the larger factors in the coming decades around the world, not just the Middle East but in many parts of Europe, Australia, South-east Asia and North America. So the beginning 2013 is the perfect time to start conservation in your family, and if you don’t do anything else at least use less water!
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media
tamakkan
Dr. Alma Kadragic
Ian Mason
MOMENTS OF TRUTH: EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE
Soul of Dubai Press
"Wadjda" movie poster
ARAB AND REGIONAL CINEMA: FILMS, FESTIVALS AND THE FUTURE
According to Carlzon, ‘moments of truth’ occur at every point where there is customer contact, no matter where it is in the sequence of service or the chain of command.
Dr. Alma Kadragic is a university professor and an author
Film festivals in the UAE should be focused on films from the region even though glamorous big budget Hollywood-style films like Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Life of Pi make for opening night galas that attract local VIPs, especially when stars like Tom Cruise show up. The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) that ran from December 9-16 doesn’t need the imported glamour anymore; it has enough to offer from the Middle East and North Africa as well as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia that is of increasingly high quality. And that’s where the focus should be if the intention is to make the UAE the centre of the film industry in the greater Middle East. For various reasons the Egyptian, Lebanese, Syrian and North African film industries that were dominant at one time have slowed down or stopped due to political developments, economic or other restrictions. The UAE in the film industry (as in the airline business) has the advantage of having no legacy structures to drag it down. Just as Etihad and Emirates Airlines deploy the newest equipment and excellent crews without the burden of 20 24 | www.tempoplanet.com
year old planes and labour agreements, so too can the film industry develop all new in a taxless and welcoming environment. The only drag on the industry could be censorship, but that need not be fatal. The arts can exist and thrive within artificial limits. Directors in Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia managed to produce outstanding films during the communist era when politics was as delicate a subject as it can be today in the Middle East. A Separation, last year’s Iranian winner of the Best Foreign Film Oscar, provides an illustration of what can be done in a climate of political and social restriction. During the 9th Dubai Festival, 158 films were screened, counting full length features and documentaries as well as film shorts. Out of 158, some 83 competed for the various Muhr Awards: Muhr Emirati, Muhr Arab, and Muhr AsiaAfrica. Inaugurated in 2006 and expanded to AsiaAfrica in 2007, the Muhr Awards distributed USD 600,000 to the winners. Wadjda, the story of a girl determined to ride her bicycle in conservative Saudi Arabia, took first prize as the best Muhr Arab Feature. A German, UAE, Saudi Arabia coproduction, Wadjda also earned the Best Actress prize for its child star. As DIFF was winding down, the Dubai Culture
One of my favourite business books is ‘Moments of Truth’ by Jan Carlzon, a Swedish executive who, 30 years ago, changed the fortunes of Scandinavian Airlines with some fundamental customer service principles.
and Arts Authority announced a new initiative to promote Dubai by financing three films: 15-30 minutes long, by a trio of young Emirati directors who already have a track record in the industry. Under the theme The Soul of Dubai, the films will be shown at the Gulf Film Festival, April 11-17, and then at international film festivals. Ali Mostafa who directed City of Life is preparing Don’t Judge a Subject by its Photograph, which is set in the Al Quoz art district. Nayla Al Khaja who directed Malal will create The Neighbor, which is about a new resident who bonds with an Emirati. Khalid Ali’s contribution is The Night, which highlights local culture in following an Emirati family as they celebrate a night of religious significance. The Soul of Dubai sounds like an excellent project. Every country and city that stands out also attracts criticism; some of it justified, some of it the result of misunderstanding or jealousy. Rather than answering external criticism by heated responses in newspapers and social media, people who love Dubai need to show the world what it’s like. Most people can’t afford to travel to the UAE to experience it directly. Films can reach and inform a broad and ignorant audience through festivals and internet streaming. Eventually, Dubai may become like New York or London - a city that may be criticized but never ignored.
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Each moment of truth decides whether a customer looks favourably on the company or not, and it only takes one poor moment of truth to unravel any previous excellent customer contacts. Carlzon helped transformed SAS by embracing these moments of truth and actually empowering staff to handle incidents without referring to supervisors or managers up the line. In short, he gave frontline service staff the authority and capability to handle customer issues that arose on a day-to-day basis. Everyone in the organisation who has contact with a customer – whether it be a buyer or a supplier, internal or external – was delegated the responsibility to deliver excellent customer service. Sadly, many service-oriented companies miss out on maximising moments of truth, especially in areas such as HR, Accounts and Marketing, but that’s for another column. The empowerment approach has many benefits. It provides opportunities to deliver outstanding customer service, nullifies potentially explosive situations, and gives employees a real sense of responsibility. For example, the Starwood hotel chain practises this concept through a programme called
Starwood Cares. When I was a shift manager for a busy Sheraton restaurant, I was allowed to use my initiative to responsibly solve customer complaints. This didn’t necessarily mean writing off the cost of the whole meal; it could have been a free dessert or drink, or even something as simple as offering the best table in the house or an upgraded beverage. Complaining customers don’t always want something for nothing, despite perceptions to the contrary. They often just want a little attention, and their complaint should be fully encouraged as it allows the company to provide outstanding customer service. Starwood Cares inspired responsibility and initiative from frontline staff, safe in the knowledge of support by senior management. In general, I find that ‘moments of truth’ are not always handled well in the UAE, mainly because managers do not empower their staff to solve issues immediately and effectively. I can’t tell you how many times a simple request is met with a response like “I’ll have to ask my supervisor”. This is incredibly frustrating and a
waste of time from a customer’s perspective. For me, it’s usually a ‘don’t come back’ moment. Providing excellent customer service typically means throwing out the customer service manual and acting on instinct – doing what is right for the customer, not the company. I became exasperated during my customer service training workshops when attendee after attendee said they would get into trouble if they make unauthorised decisions, even if it meant doing something extra special to delight the customer. I completely disagree with this management style. If you have hired the right frontline staff, let them do their job. Give them authority to handle small issues on-the-spot, so the complaint letters never reach your desk. Sure, set a monetary limit and give authority boundaries, but offer your staff some room to shine by allowing them to act with initiative and responsibility. A ‘moment of truth’ is an absolutely critical point in your customer service culture. Managers, your moment of truth is now – how will you handle it?
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DISCOVERING THE TREE OF LIFE: HEALTH
SOUL, MIND AND BODYTREE
By Sanah Chauhan
showcasing their paintings and photography on dedicated art walls within the studio. NOT ALWAYS A BED OF ROSES Nadia looks back at her experience starting the venture. “We have faced so many challenges. It’s impossible to go through them all! Setting up a small business in Abu Dhabi is a challenge for a variety of reasons but it has been so rewarding that we continue to work at it.” With the new location, their responsibilities too have increased. At BodyTree the staff strive to meet clients’ expectations by focusing on their needs and wants. “We take each obstacle as a challenge and continuously strive to overcome them because we believe so strongly in what we do. We also like to focus on moving forward and try to avoid dwelling on past obstacles,” says Nadia.
Nadia leads a workshop for kids
Family and fitness come first for Nadia Sehweil, founder of BodyTree. The 33 year old Palestinian mother of two has found a way of achieving balance between her family and her passion for holistic exercise and wellbeing. “I love things that uplift the soul. My parents and husband are my role models and mentors, and I turn to them for guidance and advice constantly,” she says.
Dhabi, says Nadia, whose vision was bolstered further after she met Elina Nykanen Rozycki, a yoga instructor who shared her vision.
SOWING THE SEEDS Nadia describes BodyTree as “a place where like-minded people can congregate.” A graduate of the University of Montreal, Canada, Nadia has over the years developed a real passion for Pilates, yoga and dance. “We actually started Soma Pilates and Yoga Tree in 2007 but expanded into BodyTree in 2011.” Her interest in holistic healing began when her mother met an inspiring Pilates instructor who helped her through her recovery from cancer, using Pilates and yoga. She found an instant affinity with their healing properties and was inspired to try Pilates and yoga for herself.
“We view BodyTree as a holistic centre that takes you through a journey. For instance, you can start pre-pregnancy, continue with classes throughout pregnancy, then return for post natal and mommy and baby sessions. You can later enrol your babies and kids in our music and dance programmes and even bring husbands in for men’s evening classes,” says Nadia.
So after graduation from university Nadia decided to take the training required to be a Pilates instructor, and soon after that she and her mom thought of starting a small Pilates studio in Abu Dhabi. It would be a unique concept as there was nothing like that in Abu
REAPING THE FRUIT Finally in 2007, Nadia and her mother joined forces with Elina and together formed Soma Pilates and Yoga Tree. And in 2011 they expanded and rebranded into BodyTree, and then in June 2012 moved into a new location three times the size of the previous studio. This allowed the trio to have the kind of holistic fitness centre they had always envisioned.
“We are also launching our healthy juice bar this month to serve our clients before and after sessions and we have added a small retail component and sell a variety of props, organic yoga wear as well as recycled mats whose partial proceeds go to planting trees. We believe in giving back to our community and in working on charitable initiatives that inspire us.”
BRANCHING OUT The BodyTree team is purposely working towards making their studio more of a community centre. Their aim is to educate people on the different options available to get healthy, fit, and relieve stress. They offer integrated healthy solutions through their classes, creative workshops and, very soon, their juice bar as well. Their future goal is to expand the reach of their services, “We’ll also be offering outdoor classes in our backyard soon and might even consider a second location in the future. But for now we’re very content with BodyTree and its new location.” Nadia at the studio
Left to right: Elina, Sharifa and Nadia
The BodyTree team also reaches out to the community through their support for the arts. They promote local artists living in the city by www.tempoplanet.com | 27
horoscope Aries: Luck will be high this month. You will be religiously inclined. Travel will bring in gains and career progress would take off and you will do well at work. Governmental sources as well as people in authority would favor you well. You will be in control of all you do and exert authority. Taurus: Low energy will continue this month. Some unnecessary ego in speech as well as issues with the extended family possible too. 14th January 2013 onwards you will find very good growth as well as rise in your luck. There would be higher income and better health. The dip in energy will give way to a robust period. Gemini: Pressures in joint areas of work would remain high till the middle of January 2013. There would be issues in marriages too. You need to cross this period cautiously. There could be lower immunity, which could create some challenges in health matters. Avoid very heavy commitments for the second of half of this month & the first fortnight of the coming month. Cancer: Work would do well and you will find growth in most of the areas that you work on. You should avoid animosity with people close to you. Aggression with superiors in work environment could back fire. Partnerships could feel some amount of ego & issues. Ego hassles with spouse could rise too. Leo: Ego & general level of conflict possible during this time. You will make some good gains in older investments now. Caution about the relationship with father & children should be continued and a rise in support from your seniors possible too. Issues could come up with friends later. Virgo: Issue could continue with family while you will make good progress at work. Your status would rise despite pressures. Worry about children and marked rise in ego possible while you will find some very smart gains from investments during this time. Be cautious about the relationship with your father now. Libra: The month would open with a positive outlook as you will be in an outgoing mood and have an easy ability to promote work. There would be change after as you will find strength in what you do and be able to take a stand. There could be issues with the extended family while there would be gains in real estate. Happiness about home, cars etc possible. Scorpio: Issue could continue with family while you will make good progress at work. Your status would rise despite pressures. Worry about children and marked rise in ego possible. You will find some very smart gains from investments during this time. Sagittarius: Ego & general level of conflict possible during this time till the 14h January 2013. You will make some good gains in older investments now too. A rise in support from your seniors is possible. Issues could come up with friends too. Capricorn: The period of low activity, low immunity and energy would continue. You should continue keeping away from controversy connected with high placed people. Ego would remain high, while there could be issues about competition with people close to you. Anger & diet should be controlled. Aquarius: You will enjoy life and get gains from various aspects at this time. Friends would be high on your agenda. You might feel tired or sleepy often. Expenses will rise. You should avoid too many commitments or expenses. Avoid the tendency to get into arguments with influential people. Pisces: Career progress will be high & you will make your point & position in life very clear. This would be a very good month. You will make all round progress. Gains & income will jump up. Socially it would be a rewarding period as you will have a great time socially as well as with friends. You will make gains from government or high placed officials too.
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just a thought
Manar Al Hinai | A Khaleeji girl who overthinks a lot and loves to write
Sumptuous cakes designed, baked and built at La Torta.
SWEET SUCCESS: LA TORTA
Starting a business should be a piece of cake, right? Well Tempo met with cake queen Reem al Nowais and owner of the hottest new bakery in town La Torta Cakes and Sweets to find out if this was true. Reem talked to us about her passion for baking and the challenges she faced setting up her own business. MAH: How did your passion for cooking begin? REEM: My passion for baking started when I was a child. I lived in Austria where the best authentic Viennese desserts are found. This passion kept growing every year and I’ve always dreamt of having my own cake shop. I’m very thankful that my dream finally came true. MAH: What inspired you to open La Torta? REEM: My family was my greatest inspiration. They believed that I should work towards my dream and not stop till I achieved it. MAH: You work in the marketing field, so did you have to take any professional culinary classes? 30 | www.tempoplanet.com
REEM: I’ve taken fundamental courses that helped me learn some of the essential culinary techniques. However, my mother is the best teacher there is! Practicing and continuous reading is a tool of success that I took as a habit. I have also enrolled in the French Culinary Institute in New York where I will soon be apprenticing under the most famous experts. MAH: Did your marketing background help you with promoting your small business? REEM: Yes of course. My experience and background in the marketing field was a guide that I applied in promoting my own business. I basically do everything on my own, without any kind of outsourcing. MAH: What sets La Torta apart from all the bakeries in Abu Dhabi? REEM: The quality of cakes, the extraordinary creations, innovative ideas and the exquisite taste. I make masterpiece cakes, tailored to every client's needs and desires. I personally put the effort to design each and every cake, from shape to the smallest element and detail. I constantly add new creations and secret recipes to make the desserts taste as good as they look! It's all done to perfection! MAH: What is your favourite dessert, and your favourite cuisine?
REEM: A classic mille-feuille, and Viennese cuisine. MAH: What advice would you give to young aspiring bakers? REEM: Read well, practice right, and bake with passion. MAH: What was your biggest challenge when launching your business? REEM: I would probably say being engaged with many other things, which made it hard for me to give my business enough time to manage. MAH: What was the best advice you got? REEM: The best advice came from my parents who said, “Be patient; you’ll face a lot of challenges and difficulties, but the most important thing to do in a business is to stay calm, and focused in order to win, pass or succeed.”
VISIT LA TORTA Near Al Mamoura building on Muroor Road Tel: 02-4412223 Instagram: LATORTA_UAE