Sounds like a shithole to me. Why the hell would your parents settle there, given their mobility? It aint the only place in the world for jobs..and, iirc, the jobs there suck ass - and of course you have to deal with the local potentates......I'm just not seeing the allure.

I had hieroglyphic Egyptian, not modern Egyptian Arabic, in mind but am interested that you said the Egyptian Arabic is what Hollywood uses. I didn't know that. The foreign guest workers in the UAE, I take it they occupy a role similar to the Mexicans and Guatemalans who come to the USA, though we have birthright citizenship and can't deport someone who was born here of foreign parents.

What's curious is that al-Jazeera in Qatar is able to take up religion, sex, drugs, and so on although they don't go nearly as far with it as western studios do. I'm curious what causes the differences in attitudes. Is it something the kings prescribe, or is it tradition that binds even kings?

If they accept and like it in the UAE, then science fiction might be a good genre to encouch controversial themes in a futuristic, coded form that is usually inoffensive on its surface. Asimov and Heinlein did this in the USA back when you couldn't write frankly about sex.

(May 11, 2015 at 10:46 am)Rhythm Wrote: Sounds like a shithole to me.  Why the hell would your parents settle there, given their mobility?  It aint the only place in the world for jobs..and, iirc, the jobs there suck ass - and of course you have to deal with the local potentates......I'm just not seeing the allure.

Since its a tax-free environment, high salary + perks, is the reason why people come to work in the Middle East, especially in UAE, KSA & Qatar. Here in Dubai, they treat Americans like kings. Europeans like Queens. Filipinos and Indians like servants. Although, it is a fact that over 80% of UAE population consists of Indian and they basically took over the entire job market. I am currently working as a freelancer, or on project basis. 

---

(May 11, 2015 at 11:36 am)Hatshepsut Wrote: I had hieroglyphic Egyptian, not modern Egyptian Arabic, in mind but am interested that you said the Egyptian Arabic is what Hollywood uses. I didn't know that. The foreign guest workers in the UAE, I take it they occupy a role similar to the Mexicans and Guatemalans who come to the USA, though we have birthright citizenship and can't deport someone who was born here of foreign parents.

What's curious is that al-Jazeera in Qatar is able to take up religion, sex, drugs, and so on although they don't go nearly as far with it as western studios do. I'm curious what causes the differences in attitudes. Is it something the kings prescribe, or is it tradition that binds even kings?

If they accept and like it in the UAE, then science fiction might be a good genre to encouch controversial themes in a futuristic, coded form that is usually inoffensive on its surface. Asimov and Heinlein did this in the USA back when you couldn't write frankly about sex.

I have read about the hieroglyphic Egyptian, love to learn it someday. It's interesting.

Well, last month the police arrested a group consists of 28 people who where having sex party + Alcohol on the Yacht. Probably it has to do with religion attitudes, according to Islamic laws they must be persecuted. Read the below article, it shows the hypocrisy in the Islamic world.

Site: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/police-off...ex-parties 

The only place where Arabic movies are made in the Middle East, is in Egypt. In the whole history of UAE films, one great movie was made, in fact its the only one, it's called: 'city of life'. The film depicts the life of an Emirate, an Indian and a British characters. It talks about the rich and poor, and the pursuit of happiness. 

Anyway, thanks for the tip. I will definitely look into it, Science Fiction doesn't sound like such a bad idea.

(May 8, 2015 at 9:06 am)Prince Wrote: One lonely night, I was a sleep, a spirit of the Lord visited my room, the Angel pinched my leg, then I immediately woke up from sleep, I abruptly opened my eyes and behold "I saw a 'Ghost, an Angel of the Lord". My first reaction was a total silence I couldn't scream or yell, I was 'calm as a cucumber'. 5 seconds, only 5 seconds all it took me to witness a beautiful Angel, whom was sent down from heaven by God.

I began to examine the evidence of what i saw was a truly an Angel, or was just a figment of my own imagination.

Sleep paralysis

It's a fairly well-understood phenomena. It has all of the symptoms you mention. The same thing happened to me once when I was a kid. At the time, I chalked it up to "a dream that I only partially woke up from". After learning more about the world, I realized this was what happened.

UAE International: New to me; thanks for introducing it.

I assume the yacht went 12 miles out to international waters but came back too soon? It seems they could have wound down the party and sobered up before heading home. I dunno. Even in the USA they might have been arrested for boating while intoxicated; on small boats alcohol limits apply to the passengers as well as the helmsperson. A year in jail seems pretty excessive though it's not out of the range for alcohol offenses in many states here.

But hmmm...tax free? Rush Limbaugh and the Ayn Rand gang over here would love that. They don't like "big government."

(May 11, 2015 at 3:17 pm)Hatshepsut Wrote: UAE International: New to me; thanks for introducing it.

I assume the yacht went 12 miles out to international waters but came back too soon? It seems they could have wound down the party and sobered up before heading home. I dunno. Even in the USA they might have been arrested for boating while intoxicated; on small boats alcohol limits apply to the passengers as well as the helmsperson. A year in jail seems pretty excessive though it's not out of the range for alcohol offenses in many states here.

But hmmm...tax free? Rush Limbaugh and the Ayn Rand gang over here would love that. They don't like "big government."

No, the Yacht remained in UAE soil, Dubai Marina is a place inside Dubai, a lovely place. where is the beach, bars and nightclubs. Those guys have organized illegal sex party, alcohol is legal in UAE but under strict law. In fact, once i was trying to buy a beer from a local liquor store, which is the only place where you could purchase alcohol here in Dubai. Upon entering the store, the owner asked me for my liquor license, I said: "I don't have one", he then replied: "well, If you are working in Dubai, you must ask for a permit from your Boss/CEO, a document approval to buy liquor". Although, i could still buy liquor from inside a bar, as they already have license.

The guys whom got arrested were Arabs, and many of them didn't carry a liquor license + it was sex party to begin with. 

Well,, if they love the blazing summer heat... Dubai is a fantastic destination. 

---

(May 11, 2015 at 2:52 pm)RobbyPants Wrote:

(May 8, 2015 at 9:06 am)Prince Wrote: One lonely night, I was a sleep, a spirit of the Lord visited my room, the Angel pinched my leg, then I immediately woke up from sleep, I abruptly opened my eyes and behold "I saw a 'Ghost, an Angel of the Lord". My first reaction was a total silence I couldn't scream or yell, I was 'calm as a cucumber'. 5 seconds, only 5 seconds all it took me to witness a beautiful Angel, whom was sent down from heaven by God.

I began to examine the evidence of what i saw was a truly an Angel, or was just a figment of my own imagination.

Sleep paralysis

It's a fairly well-understood phenomena. It has all of the symptoms you mention. The same thing happened to me once when I was a kid. At the time, I chalked it up to "a dream that I only partially woke up from". After learning more about the world, I realized this was what happened.

Yes, I guess it was just a classical case of 'sleep paralysis', although it felt real, in a manner of speaking... Anyhow, my mind is clearer now. 

I have no doubt it felt very real! I'm very glad to hear you are getting your head around it now I'm happy you came here to share your story.

Way to go, Prince! Letting go if comforting illusions can be tough, but it's necessary

(May 11, 2015 at 5:12 pm)robvalue Wrote: I have no doubt it felt very real! I'm very glad to hear you are getting your head around it now I'm happy you came here to share your story.

I am glad that I shared this story with you guys. I still got a bunch of crazy ideas for threads regarding religion and life experiences. I just want to get it out of my head and spread the word.

Recently, actually before joining AF.org. I was debating with theist on YouTube regarding Islam. I have started a crazy debate against Saudi Muslims, a whole week, I was receiving a hate messages & comments, threats of all kinds. They wanna torture me for criticizing Islam, and by exposing the true nature of their believe.

I have performed this YouTube experiment twice, one in English and the other in Arabic languages. I have received the same results everywhere, so i figured its time to join a well civilized society at AF.

Keep poking the haughty bastards, lad. Let them blink and snarl at the sun in their impotency, and let the facade of civility continue to slip
Just, you know, don't get killed.