And now the tongue-in-cheek map to accompany the Arab Spring, which pretty much passed right over the fat and happy UAE. This is a quite clever bit of work, and I will endeavor to help explain it, for those of you who may not have been paying close attention to the upheaval/tumult this year in […]

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It’s a nice story of redemption, and all that. From federal prison to starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, early Super Bowl favorites. But should the Eagles have signed him for six years and $100 million? I’m thinking “no.”

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A sneaky/lousy thing that gmail does … is jam a one-line advertisement along the very top of your “inbox.” I don’t notice most of them, I must admit. The 21st century homo sapiens has become quite adept at allowing ads to blow past him without any imprint on his gray matter. But this one caught […]

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Two major religion-based events coming up this week in this part of the world: 1. The end of the fasting month of Ramadan, during which Muslims are not to eat or drink from dawn to dusk — 14-plus-hour stretches, this time of year. 2. The start of Eid Al Fitr, one of the biggest holidays […]

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I don’t know much about making money. I’m a journalist. But this strikes me as a good investment opportunity. No, really. Libya!

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Excellent news today: Vin Scully said on the air that he intends to be back for his 63rd season of announcing Dodgers baseball. As he always has, in the times I’ve spoken with him in the past decade, Vinny, who will be 84 (!) in November, made sure we all understand he assumes nothing. As […]

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Yes. Real basketball, involving Duke University, a serious American college basketball team. In Dubai, in the UAE. Almost an out-of-body experience. Coach K sitting at courtside. Austin Rivers, Doc’s highly regarded son, starting for the Blue Devils. A plethora of Plumlees. ESPN cameras. A near-capacity crowd to see Duke win 86-66. Never thought I would […]

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Rather a strange turn of events, even by UAE standards. Duke University’s men’s basketball team running and dunking at a small, stuffy gym at the Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai as Mike Krzyzewski conducted an impromptu coaching clinic with about 30 guys sitting in the stands. “Sorry, I’m a little hoarse from yelling at […]

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… has been found. The 50-plus pounds of luggage in a big ol’ canvas bag that did not arrive in Abu Dhabi along with us and our other bag, turned up two days late and ended up safely in our apartment. With all of its original contents. If only bags could talk! What a story […]

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I don’t think I am particularly susceptible to jet lag. A day or two of minor issues, and then I’m fine. Usually. People who complain of jet lag after a three-hour time change from New York to Los Angeles or vice versa … I find that amusing. Never had a problem with that. But an […]

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