Went out to the camel races today. It was a really odd experience. Don’t know why I was expecting something similar to a horse race, but it was rather different. We didn’t sit in the stands. We were in a bus that was on a roadway on the inside of the track. When the camels started we would follow along the way in the bus (or others in a car). They also don’t use jockeys anymore. Instead they use robotic riders with remote controlled whips. The owners ride along on the outside of the track in their SUV’s with the remotes whipping the camels to hurry up. I checked the speed of the bus and we were going 35-40 kph following along with the lead camels.

Here is a picture of the start of one of the races where I got out of the bus:

2009 is almost over and I look back on the last year to see how things went. Well it doesn’t really compare to last year, but it wasn’t too bad.

Spent the year here in Doha. I have really enjoyed the job. The students are great and the equipment is great. Working to put all of that together to get the school started here in Qatar seems like an accomplishment. I am glad that it is off to a good start, and I have been very impressed with the quality of the student work.

Made a couple of trips to the states. First in April to check out the Evanston campus and attend NAB in Vegas. Both provided a lot of useful information that was used in preparing the equipment list for here at NU-Q. The second trip was to LA for a week of RED training at their first official REDucation week. Very informative and gave me a great understanding of the RED one cameras that we are using.

Financially the job has been great. I achieved my resolution of getting out of debt. That is a huge weight lifted from my life. I remember how close things were to collapse in 2008, and don’t want to be back there again. Now I need to start saving.

I have learned a lot this year. Learned new programs, audacity, InDesign, soundslides, and others. I became more familiar with Journalism and Cinematography. I am really comfortable on the RED work flow. I didn’t make it to certification classes for Final Cut Studio (almost made it this month), but it looks like I might be able to do that early next year.

Creatively, I have been writing a poem everyday since April, but it hasn’t really felt satisfying. They aren’t very good and just feel like a hassle. I’m on 264, so only about 100 left. I plan on finishing up, but I wish it had lead to the goal of getting the creative juices flowing again. Other than that not much has happened creatively this last year.

I haven’t done much for my health this year. Pretty much staying level, but I need to get better with that.

Probably have to give myself a C+ this year. I’ll have to step it up a notch next year.

I just started a new website. It is a pop culture and arts zine. It will have articles on Music, TV, Movies, Arts, and Nightlife. Check it out and let me know what you think. Sounds and Colors: Arts and Culture Zine

Al Jazeera English did a story about Qatar’s goal to become less reliant on an Oil and Gas economy. Part of that mission is why Education City is here. The story features some of the students that I work with here at Northwestern. I am even in there for a brief second.

Paycheck just got deposited in my account. There was a little extra money in this one to make up for some tax stuff. It was just enough to give me more money than I owe. I finally have no money. Woo. It is nice to be back in this position finally. I haven’t spent any money in the last year in hopes to be debt free by the end of the year, and it looks like I am a couple of months early.

Been writing poems everyday for 183 days now. I am half way to my goal of a year. Some are good, most are bad, but at least I am writing something. I think I’ll start looking into picking a few to rewrite and polish. Still have plans to put a book together of some of them when I am done.

In a surprising vote, the Chicago Olympic bid went down first in today’s vote. Rio took the top spot and will host in 2016. I kind of thought they might get the games since they have never been held in South America before, but I thought Chicago had a stronger shot. I didn’t see them going out first. I don’t know where I will be in 2016, but I was thinking I might be back in Chi town by that time.

I guess I’ll just have to settle for a Cubs World Series. I’m sure that will happen soon.

Virginia has posted a lot of new pictures on Joy’s website. Check them out at JoyAlisonParis.com. Joy is such a cute kid and always looks so happy. She is growing up so quickly.

The days keep going by in Doha. It is the start of Ramadan. The students start back up to work tomorrow, and we have another person to help out our department. I think that it is going to be a good year. I am looking forward to seeing the progress of the old students, and getting to know the new ones.

I am in LA for a workshop. Workshop starts tomorrow morning, so I had some time to get out today.

Went out to the Museum of Contemporary Art today to check out the Robert Frank exhibit. They had prints from his book The Americans. Great to see his work up close and personal. It has been 50 years since the book was published. He was doing things that were new for the times, but have become mainstream today.

After the museum, I went out to get some food. Got on the subway and wound up at Universal City for a burger. The place is like a themed open air shopping mall. Not the best place in the world, but the kids seemed to like it.