The human capacity to make beautiful noise…

The power of human creativity. Or rather, the ability of humans to make noise. No matter the situation, or the tools to hand. This was spotted by @mahreenkasana on twitter. Give a man a glass of brandy, he’ll sing for a day. Teach him how to make brandy glasses sing, and ahhh…music. Observe:

So Artsy, So Culturey, so New Yearsy

Yes, t’is that time of year. When tired old 2011 trots out with head bowed and beard tripping up knobbly knees. On the other side, 2012 will probably behave in the manner of all newborns: kicking, screaming, temperamental, and as full of smiles as poop. So Dubai, you think you’ve got New Year‘s nailed eh? [...]

Why I hate mixology – those molecular bas#ar%s can go to hell

It’s 3 in the morning. I’m relaxing. The week has been tough, what with traipsing up and down to the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Rewarding, but tough. I’m listening to music. And not classy music. In point of fact, I’ve decided tonight is when I take a break from my standard jazz, blues and indie [...]

Displeasing….Shindagah market closed down

It was the oldest market in Dubai. Near the Shindagah tunnel area. It’s now been closed down to make space for Carrefour’s expansion. Emirates Biz 24/7 carried the news – glad to see them inadvertently contribute to the cause of serious journalism. These traders expected Dubai Municipality to provide them alternative space in the city. [...]

So you want to be a copywriter in Dubai -I

It’s been a year now (well, slightly more), that I’ve been copywriting for a living. It’s been mostly fun and awesome. Occasionally it’s been frustrating as all heck. Through it all, I’ve reached some conclusions on the copywriting hustle in Dubai and Abu Dhabi:

Autotuning the dog of war…

As Tripoli is surrounded, and the rebels advance into the heart of Gaddaffi’s realm, a new era is upon the embattled country. Gaddaffi, leader for 42 years, has remained stubborn to the last, and had zero qualms about using heavy artillery, etc, against his own, before these weapons of death were neutralized by NATO strikes. Tomorrow, when [...]

My introduction to Whispering Jack Smith

My introduction to Whispering Jack Smith occurred randomly, as these things occur. He was a baritone singer of the roaring twenties, and enjoyed a faint renaissance in the 40′s. Anyhoo, ‘Gimme a Little Kiss’ is one of his songs that’s been covered by quite a few artists, including Billy West and Sinatra. Check out this [...]

The Unknown Citizen

The Unknown Citizen by W.H. Auden remains a favourite poem. I ran into it recently after quite a while and felt like sharing. Auden wrote it as an ode to a nameless, faceless man who fits the exact centre of the most normal of distributions, who carries his way at the apex of the most [...]

Orchestral rock and sundries

Thanks to the fact that I have an irregular but frequently regular column on all things that pique my interest or attract my ire in the Express Tribune, means that regular barrages are populating hishamwyne.com. Then there was the story on risks journalists face in doing their job in Pakistan, and the fact the ISI [...]

No Juice – why UAE pumps are running out of petrol

There’s a furore. There’s no gas at the pumps in UAE petrol stations. The UAE! Home to oil reserves the size of a small ocean. Yet, commuters are queuing up, and pumps are running dry. Why? Quick and simple, as @rupertbu said on Twitter “It’s not as if you fill up with the crude stuff [...]