Dubai - City of Dreams?

Modern Dubai

Does the city have a dark secret? Is there something beyond the glitter and decadence of Dubai that most people overlook?

The Burj al Arab - Dubai
One of the most visionary hotels on the planet.

The Burj al Arab in Dubai is one of the most hospitable hotels available anywhere and the service is considered to be superb with attention to detail. Every suite has two levels with every modern convenience. It's a fusion of finery and the fantastic! The dining experience is world class in all respects.

Dubai Skyline

Dubai is a modern city with a twist. There is no sewage system that anyone would recognize as such. Sometime when you're building a monument city you forget the tiny bits of infrastructure that hold the whole thing together.

A lot of honey wagons are required to keep the whole system in motion in Dubai. A lot of curry, indeed.

surreal...

Grand-parenting

Some of you know (or care) that I have three grandchildren living in my house. Sometimes the noise is deafening. Sometimes the hassle is daunting. And sometimes it all seems very cool.

Boy Toys (Part 2)

Is being a scooter tramp (professionally) a sin? I think not. See cut (right). However it does tend to raise the bar in the boy toy department when you're talking about putting something exciting between your legs and being an outlaw. Yes, I rode with the big boys (meth and firearms distributors) for almost two years. It taught me a few things, not the least of which was that there are better motorcycles out there than the old tried and true Harley Davidson.

---With the exception of the old rigid frame knucklehead Harley, which is a rough darned ride, but they are still impossibly cool:

1936 Harley Davidson Knucklehead

One problem with owning a 1936 model year motorcycle is that the woman that comes with it (every motorcycle should come with a woman) is also a 1936 model -- or so I've been warned. 

2013 Yamaha V-Max

Thus the 2013 Yamaha V-Max does have a few advantages over the 1936 Harley Davidson. And nobody expects you to wear your biker colors when you're riding the V-Max. In fact, if you were to do that you would only paint yourself as a dinosaur.

Nothing says "I want to eat you for dinner" like a V-Max

The V-Max design has not changed much over the years since it first rolled out. There are peculiarities in handling with any motorcycle and the V-Max is no exception. Slow, sharp turns are simple on the Knucklehead because of its low center of gravity and if you try that on a V-Max with the same simple grace, you'll dump the bike onto the pavement. But when it comes to raw power and ruling the road, the V-Max stands with few challengers.

Women's Issues

Women's Issues in Finland

This story of laser treatment was carried on the evening news in Finland (video at attached link - above) and by the press in Mexico. Because it's a woman's issue, I felt that I should share what the news covers in Finland as sort of a public service here on My Journey. It's also apparent that the Mexicans have an interest in the same issues as the Fins do. Therefore this could be considered to be my cross-cultural outreach of the week.

For clarification:

Not this kind of laser.

Not this kind of laser either.

I never considered going into the laser business, however, the video has given me pause. I think that I may have wasted MY ENTIRE LIFE by undertaking other, less important pursuits.

Looking for Love?

This is how it works in Shanghai.

SHORT FILM: Shanghai Love Market from CraigRosenthal.com on Vimeo.

Boy Toys (Part 1)

Toys I'd like to have but can't afford.

Mercedes Benz Unimog

New MBZ concept Unimog

I am a big fan of the Mercedes Benz Unimog primarily because the rig is built very tough and will go almost anywhere - with a certain panache.

Mercedes Benz doesn't import many new Unimogs into the US. If you want to buy one here, this is what you're limited to:

Forty year old German Army Surplus.

Whose World is it?

That's right. It's a man's world.

This is a man's world, this is a man's world...
But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl.

Life and Living

In France, a car struck a female sparrow as it swooped low across a road. A photographer recorded the following as it unfolded. This series was published by a newspaper in France. It's a tragic story that unfolds around us both in nature and among we human beings as we make our way through life. There is no hidden message here beyond a general comment on the condition we experience as life.

The bird's condition is fatal.

The bird's male mate brings her food and
attends her with love and compassion

He brought food again, but she died during his absence.

He tried to move her and wake her up

He cries in profound sorrow and sadness.

Another view of Hillary Clinton

It's April 1 and that means that it's time to take another view of Hillary Clinton, who wants to succeed Barack Obama as President of the United States.