The planets, the stars and the moon were all lined up, portending an event that happens once in a million years. The social life on earth as we know it was at risk. It would be worse than the asteroid that brought about the extinction of the dinosaurs.
When the event was announced in July, thousands went into a state of panic. "How are we going to survive?" a friend of mine asked. Others went into fits of anger and resentment before they finally learned to embrace the inevitable. Some sought divine intervention to postpone the day of reckoning, or simply asked for the strength to accept what would come to pass.
Others rushed out for supplies to prepare for that moment and some considered an alternative means of survival. The clock was ticking, and the day the officials proclaimed as the end came closer. But there was some solace to be found in our collective despair. People united in a manner never before observed. They said their final goodbyes and confessed their transgressions, attempting to make amends and ensure nothing was left unsaid.
But as if by magic, people were delivered from what they had most feared. Officials at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority announced that they have come to an agreement with RIM (Research in Motion), the maker of the BlackBerry. Can life ever be the same after we came so close to catastrophe? The prospect of the ban made us consider how tethered we are to the devices and how dependent we are on its tools to stalk our friends and remain aware of their status and whereabouts.
Forget about plots in science fiction movies to implant a GPS transmitter in people's brains to keep track of them. We wilfully agreed to be part of such a project, giving our own movements away voluntarily with the radio signals of our BlackBerrys. Many addicted to their "crack-berries" confess to a dependence on its numbing and soothing effects. It's true that the BlackBerry world is a quieter one. People make few sounds firing away with their fingers rather than screaming into a phone. A BlackBerry ban would have forced us to tolerate again the sounds of those who mindlessly ramble into a piece of plastic. We would have had to actually hear people's voices in order to get in touch with them. Would we have been able to fake enthusiasm on the phone? We are out of practise since our deft little fingers have access to so many different kinds of smiley faces on our BlackBerrys.
Alas, the day is past us now, and we can learn something about ourselves from coming so close to the brink. I myself was in denial, trying to enjoy the last moments before it was too late, changing my status and my display picture in my messenger every two minutes. I snapped pictures of objects from my boring surroundings. Others were worse, refreshing Etisalat's Twitter feed for hours on end, hoping to receive word of their deliverance.
On the other hand, many were hoping that if BlackBerry were banned it would cure what has become a collective compulsion. Perhaps we could find other sources of meaning for the spasms we experience when we glimpse that blinking light from the corner of our eye. We could finally get a full night of sleep and not be woken by curiosities: Has someone contacted us at 3am? We have a love-hate relationship with our devices. They can rekindle relationships but can also keep them going when they might as well die.
Is information really what makes us feel alive?We don't really need all that much technology. And in fact, BlackBerrys provide the same service that the telex used to provide. It's a concise, fast and simple way to get a message across. No one would have thought this sort of technology would come back again after it slowly went into extinction with the rise of the telephone. If Alexander Graham Bell were alive today, what emoticon would he use to mark this day?
Hissa al Dhaheri is a sociologist and cultural researcher
The years Ramadan fell in May
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
