I’m not Australian. But might be a Rockstar?

Really Hard At Work. Really.

Recently, I overheard some associates talk about blogging. I was engaging in another palaver, but i like to think I’m a conversational multi-tasker and can follow more than one conversation at once. “Oh, Renee used to blog” the sidelined conversationalists convened.
Switching repartees, I defended myself as the ROCKSTAR of blogging. Not because I’m top of the charts or wear leather pants or demand high thread-count sheets (actually that bit is true) but because I write with fanfare then hide away for a while, then BAZAAM Batman, I am back … and expect everyone to follow my comeback with gusto.
But it doesn’t really work that way. I’m not a rockstar. I don’t even like karaoke.
So in my quest to be classed a blogger rather than one from the otherside (*shudder*, a non-blogger) I’m going to pick this up. It’s fun. It’s also a lazy way for me to keep the askers updated on what I am up to. And don’t try saying to your associate that said laziness is the reason for my blogging sloth. Remember, I am a CMT.

So here’s 10 facts I’d like to re-begin with to re-introduce my blog:

1. Yes, I am still in Abu Dhabi and I married a Sudanese-Czech-American-Arab after a few months here, and we now have a cat called Suitcase. (Rescued, of course – rockstars adopt African children. I marry an African and adopt a cat).
2. I can now confirm airport-stereotyping: Having an Arab surname does indeed mean more delays at customs. Especially in Melbourne.
3. When at Melbourne airport, it pays not to avoid extra-custom-checks-just-for-people-with-Arab-names with the line: “But we’ve just got married!” (Read: You married an Arab. No champagne nor upgrades; instead scrupulous searches and suspicious Australian stares).
4. Yes, I’ve taken most of this year off. Let’s be honest. I burnt out setting up an offshore office. Thanks to my team for allowing me to sleep 2011 away on my high-thread-count sheets while they carried on the project. It’s looking bigger and better than ever. So rock-ish!
5. I think I am one of the only people in the world who doesn’t want J.K. Rowling to write another Harry Potter book.
6. I am not Australian nor do I sound like one.  For external reference (esp for the annoying guy at the gymn) please view this Flight of the Conchords clip.
7. I secretly am terrible at grammar. Actually, read my blog and it isn’t so secret.
8. I secretly drink a lot of sauvignon blanc in a Muslim nation, even though I’m interested in adopting Islam as my religion. NOTE: because I am not a rockstar I will not be changing my name to Yusuf Islam.
9. I like to think of myself as down-to-earth, although when the electronic cat-litter-box doesn’t function right or the curtains don’t close properly –  I call the maid.
10. I read a lot. I am a New Zealander living in the Middle East. I am a Publisher. These three actualities (along with proving I am not an Australian) are what my blog is based upon.

here, there, and next to abu dhabi

Salam! After a relaxed and beachy entrance into 2010, the year has suddenly entered high-speed. On the speed spectrum I’d be in the speed-of-light category.  A combination of itchy feet, expanding business, a bottle of vino and some executive decision making with the girls resulted in the verdict that I will be off to Abu Dhabi in 6 weeks. A whirlwind couple of weeks in the Emirates. How I love my job.

Not that you’d know it by my consistency in blogging. No awards there. I have been weighing up which excuse to use and narrowed it down to the following…

• I’ve been busy. Christmas sales were astronomical. No complaints, but chaos reigned.
• I was nominated for Young New Zealander of the Year and my peers mentioned that writing so publicly about my love of wine wasn’t teeeeeribbly role-model-ish. Especially when other nominees spend their days digging water wells for suffering children. (In my defence I encourage appreciation of the art of wine and only the most responsible drinking. And I am afraid I won’t be giving up my responsible appreciation any time soon)
• I have been travelling round a few beaches in a campervan learning to surf. My boyfriend has gently suggested I should probably stop proclaiming to everyone that I have a wonderful sense of balance. I don’t.
• The campervan harboured a hostile white-tailed spider, who thought I was delicious (clearly he didn’t care for lack of balance). I received a large bite on my finger which is a perfect reason not to type.
• I have been planning world domination through publishing initiatives. (And international travel).

Plus there is the fact I have been reading a lot (in the campervan, with the spider, while recovering from surfing injuries). I’ve just finished Tony Parson’s ‘My Favourite Wife’ and Mitch Albon’s ‘Tuesday’s with Morrie’. Neither were life changing, although I liked Morrie and his delicious slices of wisdom. More life-affirming than changing. Tony Parsons can usually be guaranteed to deliver a decent page-turner with a little humour and a strong plot tousled with some likable characters. But this one left me slightly disheartened. At about page 200 I thought the story should be over. But there was still 184 pages to go. And worse, I didn’t like the main characters. Feeble. Certainly not worthy of being coined anyone’s ‘favourite wife’.

That’s it for blog 01 in 2010. I am off to book some flights … and learn to dig a water well.