3K Calories in a Single Serving

An average adult male would need between 2000 – 3000 calories daily. I always wondered what these calories would look like in real-time food. What if I was to eat a single day’s calorie requirement in a single meal? What would that look like?

Greatist did the math and found that 30 slices of whole wheat bread, 35 buffalo style chicken wings from Applebee’s, and 14 slices of Domino’s pizzas would suffice a daily worth of calorie intake.

Image: Greatist

Comfort with a Bang

Bahrain’s most expensive hotel room has been opened this Eid at The Domain Bahrain.

The most luxurious rooms cost USD $10,600 per night and the normal rooms start from USD $265. Along with the huge price tag comes an app that lets hotel guests interact with each other through common chat groups and enable them to create private chat rooms for private conversations.

Image: Domain Hotels

The high-end rooms come with a personal manager and a private butler available to the guest around the clock. Some of the suites have a 360 degree view of both the old and new Manama. The luxury is not limited to the above but there are restaurants, gyms, spas, pools, guest services, etc with a unique taste.

My personal review will be up the next time I visit this Kingdom 🙂

Source: Ameinfo

Fliike My Business

Fliike is a real-time counter that shows your Facebook likes in real. It has a built-in chip with Wi-Fi that is connected to your Facebook page. The counter resembles that of an old train station style clock from classic Hollywood movies.

It ‘Fliike’s‘ every time your business gets a like on Facebook and can display up to five digits which means that once your business page hits 100k, you will have to open up a new page to keep using the counter (major bummer).

It will be available for sale at the end of the year for a decent $390.

Image: Smiirl

While on the subject, like my Facebook page shown here

Escape from Mid-Air

I came across this video on YouTube where daredevil Anthony Martin escaped from a locked box at 14,500 ft after being dropped from a plane yesterday in Ottawa, Canada.

It was the recapitulation of a dangerous stunt he did 25 years  ago that his friends and admirers regard as his most dangerous one.

Photo: Fox News

In the stunt, his hands were cuffed to a belt around his waist and one of his arms were chained to the inside of the box. Given the 14.5K height, he had around 40 seconds at 120 mph for free-fall before he launched his parachute for a safe landing.

Two professional skydivers jumped alongside the coffin to stabilize the coffin in mid-air but were not equipped to open the box and rescue Martin if he failed to escape in time.

Throw-Out or Trade-In?

A couple of days back my dad asked me to help him get rid of the old desktop that’s been taking space in my bedroom (now a spare bedroom). I posted an ad on Craigslist but haven’t got any response regarding the ad yet which makes me wonder how useful Craigslist is in Kuwait.

I don’t mean to go all ‘Mr. American’ over here but if there is anything I need to sell in the US, I post an ad on Craigslist and I get immediate responses within a day, if not earlier.

In Kuwait, I’ve noticed that the idea of recycling has not yet made an impact. Everyone that I know either store their old stuff (cause they don’t want to ‘throw’ it out) or they give it away for free when that ‘stuff’ could bring in some pocket change.I also have friends who buy new cellphones every year and sell their year old ones for 10%-15% of the original value at shabby electronic stores.

We usually donate old clothes, shoes and accessories to the nearby church as donation but what do I do about a desktop computer, old phones and processors?

Image: Amazon

So, I came across the Amazon trade-in program. By trading old electronics, books, movies, music CD’s and video games, the trader could get an amazon gift card in exchange. The value of the gift card would depend on the re-sale value of the product. For instance, if I want to trade-in my desktop monitor, CPU and keyboard separately, I would probably get a higher value since all three are of different brands (Philips monitor, LG CPU, Creative Keyboard). The shipping is absolutely free and the trade-in is not restricted to electronics alone. This service helps to get rid of the old stuff and the chance to get something else in its place.

Coffee and Caffeine: What is your Limit?

I think it’s time for another trip into the world of caffeine, or more explicitly, explore the world of coffee. Sadly, I consumer at least six cups of coffee and some more cups of tea any given day. Whether I’ll be flying, driving, walking or space-walking, I’d still be thinking about my next cup of coffee.

I am not addicted to caffeine per se but I love the taste of coffee and how it deceives my stomach into feeling full so that I don’t grab the tasty muffin from the bakery next door. I usually take my coffee with very little non-fat cream and no sugar. The taste is stronger this way and sends a jolt to my brain to stay alert till I need the next cup. 

I am not a regular customer at any specific coffee location since I haven’t yet found my perfect blend but I’d choose a Philz over Starbucks any day. There used to be a Philz in the apartment complex that I lived in as a senior and it was where I spent most of my paychecks. I think the closest I have come to my perfect taste is the extra creamy Sooooo Good from there.

Philz at San Jose Downtown

Having been in the Middle East for the last two months, I have tried to explore the many stores that aren’t common in the US like Caribou, Second Cup, PappaRoti, Nestle Cafe, etc. Outside the US, Starbucks has a huge competition and a simple Peet’s or Tully’s ain’t their only rival.

Image: PappaRoti UK

With all these caffeine and choice of store talk, how much caffeine is a drinker actually consuming from each brand. Take a look at this pic below and find out what you drink everyday (or once in a blue moon).

Image: Coffee Lovers

In-Flight Drama

‘Flirty’ hostess kicks out two Saudi passengers

This news article was published a couple of days back and it’s managed to create some stir since then. Mainly because cultural etiquette is a highly debatable situation on international/local flights.

In this scenario, a flight attendant (not mentioned what nationality) addressed a male passenger (not addressed what nationality again) as ‘habibi’ on a Saudi Airlines. Habibi roughly translates as ‘my dear’, ‘darling’, ‘beloved’, etc.

Two Saudi Arabians heard her using this term with a male passenger and created an issue regarding its inappropriateness in the Islamic country.

The reason why I found it interesting is because flight attendants may not necessarily be a citizen of the country that the flight originates from. I have traveled to India a dozen times on Kuwait Airways, and I can’t remember the last time the female flight attendant was an Indian. It’s the same scenario that I experienced flying with Qatar Airways, Etihad and British Airways from the Middle East. The flight attendants are usually from the European countries and the way they talk and welcome passengers might be a little off-set with the country’s rules but who is to complain over the matter of a few words.

Now, if choice of words is an issue, I wonder why many (if not all) air-crafts carry alcoholic beverages even though alcohol is strictly prohibited in almost every Arab country? Some carriers serve pork (which is banned in Muslim countries), wines, champagne, etc. on-board.

It is a highly sensitive issue and I think the authorities at the Saudi Arabian airport realized it too since they removed the offended passengers and let the flight carry on to their destination.

Saving Your Calories at the Doorstep

The Arabs have proved that they’re lovin’ it because McDonald’s is about to commence home delivery in the Emirati city of Dubai.

I have to admit that fast food tastes better in the Middle East than anywhere else in the world and McDonald’s does have a reason to expand their services with a huge number of loyal customers. While their market share continues to slump in the US, fast food joints have seen a sliver lining in the Middle Eastern market. With McDelivery service, Dubai residents can now order their burgers, nuggets, drinks, deserts and salads either via phone or online.

A major reason for this personalized service is to compete with the new and younger restaurants who offer the same taste in the area. With over 60 locations in the tiny city of Dubai, McDonald’s need to step up their game to match with other American joints like Chili’s, TGIF, Applebee’s, Rodeo Steakhouse, etc.

Another reason might be to focus on customer expansion than their physical locations. Real estate prices have climbed steeply in the last two years and restaurant chains might have to settle for alternate measures to boost customer service and satisfaction.

All in all, another good reason for me to stay at home and consume oily grub.

Uncle Sam Does It Better

After spending four long years in the US, there are certain things that I miss when I come back home to the Middle East. I have tried explaining to my friends in the US who haven’t yet traveled internationally that US is not the ultimate mother of all luxuries or comfort and that is not why foreigners opt to stay there. I would say that life is more relaxed and less stressed in the US than living in some other countries. Here are some popular reasons why I prefer US to the Middle East or India.

1. Opportunity:

Be it part-time or full-time jobs, vacancies are always available. As a Californian student with a part-time job, I could afford living in downtown, dine out twice a week, hit the movies every now and then and basically do everything that a full-time employee could do with a slightly less consistency. Part-time jobs are hard to come by in the Middle East and its unheard of in metropolitan Indian cities.  Even if there were opportunities, the pay and the cost of living would never be as favorable as it was in the US.

2. Weather:

I could talk a lot about the Californian weather and how it’s amazing all year round with no extreme conditions. But the good part of the country is that if you’re tired of the snow on the east coast, you could always fly to the warmer west coast and enjoy sunny beaches without ever crossing international boundaries. If you need humidity – there is Florida, if you need to ski – there is Utah, if you need to hike and camp for days, there is the Yellowstone national park, Yosemite national park, the Grand Canyon, etc

3. 24 Hour stores:

If I had a nickel for every time I got hungry at midnight, I could open my own 7-Eleven. The concept is in the name – stores that are always open and never closed to the public. These stores are a lifesaver for college kids and if you are a college student who haven’t bought a beef jerky at 4AM, you haven’t seen it all.

4. Refills:

Since we are talking about stores, let me also mention that refills are absolutely free in most places. No more explanation needed.

5. International Relations:

Foreigners are always welcome and never discriminated, at least in most parts. If you haven’t been to the US, don’t bother packing any ethnic food or spices whenever you plan to visit. The country is filled with foreign delicacy on every corner and you’d be lucky to run into an American joint amidst these foreign places.

Every country has it’s ups and downs, but fun and comfort is not the only aspect of life. Struggle is a part of life and will be experienced regardless of where you go. In terms of struggling in above average living conditions, I prefer the US 🙂

Roommate Catalogue

Having lived with over 15 roommates during the four years of my undergrad, here are the different roommates I’ve come across.

1. The Romeo: Talking to your girlfriend at 10PM in the living room every night. What’s worse? – Talking to your girlfriend at 6AM since she’s traveling halfway around the world.

2. The Clean-Getaway: There is always this one guy who does his laundry once in a blue moon and then leaves it there for a week. Kind of makes it our duty to dump it on the floor after the four-day deadline

3. The Crumb Dropper: Unless you have a pet rodent, please don’t leave crumbs on the kitchen counter after your morning toast or bagel and pretend you don’t see it later.

4. The Reminder: Leaving a note on the refrigerator door asking others to clean up after themselves. Uh- I think the mess you see is yours bro!

5. The ‘For-Him’ repellant: The guy who sweats like a pig even if he’s just sitting still but won’t use a deo claiming it’s bad for the skin.

6. The Believer: I’ve had my share of vegetarian roommates who won’t even consume eggs claiming it as a non-vegetarian delicacy. Respecting their belief, others refrain from cooking non-veg at home. Yet, he will hog down all the mayo, cream, pancakes, casseroles and cake in a flash.

7. The Washer: If you’ve stayed with roommates, you’ve definitely had at least one roommate who piles his/her dishes in the kitchen sink until there is no more space left.

8. The Moocher: Eating like it’s a competition to finish a week’s grocery in less than a day.

I know college is a fun and care-free phase of life, but what you also need to know is that you don’t live at your parents anymore. Respect everyone’s space and hygiene.