Whoosh

It's quite a significant day today. You might not think so, but it is. Today represents the 3rd anniversary of me landing in Dubai. It certainly has passed very quickly. One that fateful night 3 years ago, I just wanted a job.

I had finished my Masters and had an excellent job in Perth. It was part-time however and I was commuting 2 hours in each direction everyday to do it. It wasn't ideal but it was totally fine given my circumstances. The opportunity arose to join Emirates which, really, was the only job on the horizon. It's funny, because after the interview I didn't particularly think that I would get it. In fact, my future Boss actually left the interview about half way through as he had other things on. I felt that was a very bad sign, but in hindsight, it may have been because he had seen enough and had decided that I would do. Thankfully, I got it. After about 3 months, I was off to Dubai.

I didn't really think I'd still be here after 3 years. In fact, I didn't really have a big 'plan' as such. I wanted to work as well as I could and see what happened. There are aspects of the job that I'm happy with but others I am less so. I do what I can, I think that's all I can say. I'm not always the best or most effective but I'm certainly not the worst. There is always room for improvement. I feel I should be more proactive. I guess I work as well as I can in the given circumstances however. Perhaps that is a cop out. 

Outwith my job, Dubai is a place of superlatives. It isn't the best place in the world, nor is it the worst. It's managable. I can get everything I need and some so in that respect, it is totally fine. I don't necessarily see myself here in 5 or 10 years but who can say. I'm neither ruling it in or out. I've definitely done a lot in and around Dubai, but more so in the past 7 months since a certain lady had the courage and strength to move out here. For that, I'm eternally grateful for.

I could go on and on about what's happened but who wants to know that?

All I'll say is, that's 3 years down. Not the longest in one particular location but definitely the longest full time position I've had in my not-so-long career.

Potassium

And that was Valentine's Day. Yes, the great money making bonanza for retailers the world over. And we buy it. We buy into it and we obey. Relationships have no doubt collapsed because one or other of the couple haven't complied with it. Essentially, it's open the wallet and get something for the significant other, or expect a degree of unpleasantness. Or a fight. How bizarre.

And what exactly did I do?

Had I been single, I would have done nowt. But, I'm not single and I bought into it all!

I obeyed.

A card and a reservation for a lovely Friday afternoon brunch at a high end hotel this coming weekend.

Yes, I know, I know...but it is for that special lady!

Slalom

I was in a right bad mood for most of Sunday. I don't really know what started it off exactly, but as soon as I woke up, I just knew that the day was going to be a struggle. We work on Sunday's so it is was the first day of the working week.

By the time I got to the office, I was already unimpressed. I usually have the keys to the office and I just let myself in. One this occasion though, I had to leave the keys with the guys in the next office over the weekend. I fully expected to go in and collect them. But, were the guys from the next office in? No.

The first reason for being unimpressed.

I had to wait about 20 minutes for the office to be opened up. And since I had lost that time, I was in a rush to get organised for my first class of the day.

The second reason for being unimpressed.

Finally, I managed to 'catch up' and went to class as normal. After the class however, I only had a short time to get ready for the 2nd class. This class is a totally unnecessary class and is for 1 guy only. He had been promoted under false pretenses and our department had to rectify the situation. On top of that, I've got a hundred and one things to be getting on with which did not really include this particular class.

The third reason for being unimpressed.

Those weren't the end of the reasons but I don't want to dwell on them.

Let's just say, I was delighted when home time arrived. I was out that door quick sharp. I guess it was just one of those days which we all get. I haven't had one like that for awhile though. Hopefully, that'll be it for a while longer.

Stool

Goodness. Another 6 nations weekend, and another bloody defeat for Scotland. I know I shouldn't be surprised by it but it does bother me that it happens so much. This week, it was the turn of Wales to beat us. At home. We were 16 points down after as many minutes. I was following it on the Beeb and when that score came up, I knew it was time to switch off. And so it proved. 24-6. Shocking.

Consistency is always important and good teams have it. We don't. We are dreadful when it comes to being consistent. Last week against the French, we played well in parts. Gave them problems which is what you want. Last year we beat World Chams, South Africa and beat Argentina away twice. In contrast we got stuffed by New Zealand. It's frustrating, let's just say that.

Who knows what Scotland will turn up in the next game? If we're not careful, it'll be the wooden spoon which was be depressing particularly given the fact that the World Cup is later this year.

Please Scotland, can we get a win?

Nut

Oh there's nothing quite like a wee glass of Merlot on a Friday evening. Not one mind, but two. Nice. It's a sign of age I think having wine instead of a pint but sometimes a glass is all you need. Beer is totally fine and has it's place. The same can be said of cider or even spirits but the fruitiness of wine hits the spot. I can't say that I prefer one or the other. I'm not that 'good' or even that knowledgable. I just like what I like I guess. It's very easy to have a couple of glasses and all of a sudden, a whole bottle is gone. That's dangerous. But easy to do. It's the weekend though, so why not?

Prosaic

I did it. I went to the dentist. Now, that doesn't really amount to much it could be argued and you'd be right. I haven't been for nigh on 3 years which is frankly scandalous. I guess it's a male thing in the sense that if you ain't ill then there's no real need to visit either the doctor or the dentist. It is wrong and because it's wrong, it needs to be righted.

This time, I booked in with a dentist up in Bur Dubai, on the 21st floor of some big tower. I've never been to a dentist so high up. Have you?!

In the end, I was only there for about 20 minutes or something. The dentist asked me a few questions - last time at the dentist, smoker, blah blah. She had a little look around and a little poke here and there. She then proceeded to tell me that everything was looking pretty good. No sign of decay or anything. She recommended that I get a polish and that was fine with me. And that was it. I was quite happy to hear that. I do brush twice a day without fail so it's not as if I don't look after my teeth but to have them 'ok'd' was good. The polishing didn't take too long and it's quite surprising how much difference it made. I don't have pearly whites but certainly they look a bit better after it.

And that only cost me £75. Bargain. I think.

I think that I'll go back to the dentist in 6 months time. I'd rather do that and get a polish or whatever than leaving it as long next time. Besides, with a wedding to come and a lot of photos likely to be taken, I might as well have as nice a smile as I can. Not that I'm all that handsome when I'm smiling!

Preposition

A good win for Scotland. And away from home. Always a bonus. In fact, it was our first win away from home since 2008 which is shockingly bad. Granted it was 'only' Northern Ireland but 3-0 is fairly comfortable at International level.

I've not seen the goals or anything but by the sounds of it we looked pretty comfortable. That marks a big change from the Prague debacle in which we didn't field a single striker. The difference is though, we need to do it when it really matters and that would be in the Euro qualifiers. We're in a fairly poor situation in the group at the moment so any improvement would be good.

It's interesting to see a lot of younger guys coming through which is pleasing. What is more pleasing is that they are generally playing for their teams regularly. Not only in Scotland but in the Premiership as well. A few years back, that certainly wasn't the case. In that respect, progress is being made.