Rolling Along with Business Projects

(image credit)

I’ve just capped an amazing week “off.” An interesting one, too.

I got involved at high levels with two Filipino organizations, viz. Philippine Business Council - Abu Dhabi and Filipino HR Practitioners Association.  Each one affords me really good opportunities to get active and advance multiple priorities, especially supporting the Filipino community, connecting with key people, building my network for “Taas Noo.” I had great conversations, e.g., at Agnes’ home on Friday evening.

I joined the American Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi, and attended my first event last night:  the 4th of July celebration, and what a celebration, indeed.  I met Ambassador Grace there, after having met her just for the first time during BizTalk (23rd June).

I met with George at Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. After all these months, I believe I’ve connected to the person who can advise me effectively with my business.

It looks like there could be some interesting business and social possibilities in working with BRS (Mersad, Mahmoud, and Farhang).  In Iran, no less.  The three seem to be fine gentlemen.

I’ve had good Skype calls with Tom, and things look good for finally getting my SJCM website up-and-running.

I met with Sree (Professional Speakers Association - Middle East) for lunch last Thursday, and this, too, presents some interesting business possibilities.

I even completed a rough draft of my Anime storyline (love and conflict, loss and renewal). Plus, I conceived my ‘poetic opera,’ probably on Mozart’s “Requiem.”

Unhappy Hoteling at the 'W' in Doha

My room at the 'W' looked like this

It’s a stylish hotel, for sure. But there are clear problems with their setup and service:

I could not use my ATM banking card, as a credit card. This hotel and the previous one I stayed at, in Doha, also required a cash deposit for incidentals. But the fact that I had to withdraw cash was an inconvenience, imposed on a guest of a 5-star hotel!

They had the remote control practically hidden on a lower shelf by the bed. I had to search for it.

Its shower system needed a bit of figuring out, which was fine. But after a night of hot-and-cold chills, I resented turning it on, at first, and having cold water come pouring on me.

Like the Ritz-Carlton in Bahrain, which was worse after its renovation, this hotel had very little surface. By this I mean, its various table top was crowded with stuff already, such as little signs, items, pamphlets. I had no place else to put its two book-size folders, so I just tossed them on the floor. The sitting table was a bit small to begin with.

At lunch, their waiters were practically vultures. They were buzzing around us, ready to pounce on our table and take our plates and items away. But four or five times, we had to tell them, “No, we’re not done, yet.”