RuthM | ExpatWoman.com
 

RuthM

RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 23:17
Sorry I am kind of with Gorobattie on this. On the downside she obviously hadn't read the post properly but then the same can be said for others earlier on this thread. Luckily for the OP she can take another route, however if this was not possible (i.e. the cat was right outside her front door) and this problem cat with or without kittens had to be passed daily then Gorobattie's advice is sound. It is not cruel it is a standard negative reinforcement aversion training tactic to deter the cat. The cat may not like it but that is the point. But you simply cannot have a feral cat with or without kittens attacking dogs passing by and if the cat is this close to the street who is to say that an unsuspecting toddler may startle it and receive the same aggression. Children are unpredictable which is why animals fear them in a different way to adults and why children are more commonly bitten and scratched by animals. Removing this cat from her current location to a foster home where she can then be neutered and the kittens put up for adoption is the preferable option. However if this is not possible then deterring her from coming onto the street whilst she is this aggressive is not a bad thing to do. It may not be the OP who disturbs this cat next time, it may be someone who hates cats, they may kick the cat, injure her or even call the municipality to have her destroyed immediately. It may be an aggressive dog, frankly if a cat attacked one of our dogs he'd yowl his head off, but the other dog would have it for breakfast. Changing the route is helpful for the OP but it doesn't actually help the cat. I would not advocate negative reinforcement for a pet cat but this is not a pet this is a feral cat. Conditioning her, even using negative reinforcement, to not come onto the street when there are passers by would actually help her, protecting her from people who may see the aggression and actually do her some harm. The very best thing for her to learn at the moment (if she cannot be fostered) is to stay away from humans and their pets. For her and her kittens own safety.
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 20:43
Wondering if anyone can follow up with what they think of Foremarke? We want to get baby's name down for schools as early as possible. Is it as large as Repton? What are the class sizes like? Is it worth double the fees of everywhere else?!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 16:11
If you're looking for something immediate: Meydan Beach Club on JBR Walk currently runs a promotion where the daily entrance fee during the week (no consumption included) is 150 AED! Quite a good deal considering their normal charges. Weekend however is 495 AED incl. some consumption voucher (forgot for how much). Promotion runs I think until end of this month but better call them to make sure. Ooo might have to try that one, looks really nice. It will probably be our last couple beach day before baby arrives so perhaps we'll save Jebel Ali for a family day once baby is here. Thanks again, hopefully promo will still be running when we go in a few weeks. (don't really trust the TimeOut suggestions some of the ones suggested on there in the past have been quite shabby, sometimes I think they're just paid to plug.)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 16:01
Quietly confident it is the Marvel theme park. Part of the forever delayed City of Arabia. I think one of the kids TV networks might also have something there and some kind of dinosaur thing. http://m.thenational.ae/business/industry-insights/property/dubai-theme-park-featuring-marvel-superheroes-takes-shape
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 15:57
Thanks for the suggestions, Jebel Ali was the one I was most looking at as another option. Didn't realise the Fairmont on the Palm has a beach club too, might be worth a look. Thanks again.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 12:39
I've now investigated without dog. And the same 'crazed' cat was lying content behind a pole with its kittens. Just protecting its babies. Definitely changing our walk now :-). If you are able to help, then I would still suggest contacting Bin Kitty via Facebook to see if homes can be found for the kittens and the mother spayed once the kittens are old enough to be separated.
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 07:40
Some jolly nice responses here, perhaps people should also consider what would happen if a small child were to 'invade' this cats territory? Stray cats do not rule the streets, they should not be attacking dogs walking down the street minding their own business. A different story if the cat was chased and cornered by the dog but this cat sounds decidedly dangerous. We had a similar problem with our dog. A cat took up residence in our garden whilst we were on holiday and attacked our very gentle dog whilst he was eating his dinner. It nearly took his eye out and he was literally screaming. Our other dog went berserk and went on a killer cat rampage this cat was lucky to escape as she is very very fast (catches birds and mice). Luckily it got the message and hasn't come back, sadly our two dogs who were previously fine with cats (in fact previously lived with a cat) now both absolutely hate cats. https://www.flickr.com/photos/90163622@N04/13708318015/ So here is some actual useful information: You have two options. Firstly you could contact the municipality, they will almost undoubtably trap the cat and destroy it. Another option would be to contact a charity like Bin Kitty or Feline Friends. Bin Kitty are usually quite helpful on Facebook. If you are prepared to spend a little money they may offer to lend you a trap to capture the cat and have it neutered (this may help it's aggression). Otherwise perhaps they can advise on relocating it. It's possible the cat has kittens nearby and is trying to protect them, in which case Bin Kitty may be able to help finding a foster home for it and ensuring it is spayed and the kittens are found forever homes. <em>edited by RuthM on 08/04/2014</em>
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2014 - 22:33
I have a close friend who has a brain tumour and is having surgery shortly. She did the rounds of surgeons in Dubai but never felt fully comfortable with the advice she was given. As my family are nearly all medical (Doctors, Dentists, Radiographers etc.) and we have many good friends who are medical and quite high up in the NHS I asked some of the professionals I know. From three independent doctor friends I was told to advise my friend there is only one place for neuro surgery in the UK, Queen Square in London. It is a leading neuro hospital in the world and certainly the leading one in the UK. They recommended looking for the Director for Neurosurgery and starting from there (try to find the leading surgeon that deals in brain tumours rather than spinal). Many surgeons there are able to provide consultations over Skype and you can FTP/Dropbox your scans etc. to them. http://www.uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/OurHospitals/NHNN/Pages/Home.aspx http://www.qspcr.com/queen-square.html As for recovery it all depends on the size, location of tumour, type of removal etc. There are several ways to remove a tumour craniotomy, endoscopically, aspiration, stereotactic and more. They all involve different surgery times and recovery times. (details) http://www.advanced-neurosurgery.com/#/brain-tumours/4576460420 http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/brain-tumour/treatment/surgery/about-brain-tumour-surgery A surgeon should be able to advise the best choices for your type of tumour after seeing your scans. He should also give you all the details regarding expected recovery, long term risks, statistics for your type of surgery etc. If possible you may find it helpful to have an online/telephone consultation with a Queen Square surgeon to give you some advice. After my friend had a consultation with a surgeon there she definitely felt much better and knew more about what was going on, her partner also found it hugely helpful and informative. <em>edited by RuthM on 07/04/2014</em>
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 April 2014 - 00:29
Heavy rain in ranches now.
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 20:21
We got a really nice metal one from Crate and Barrel. Although we don't use it anymore DH bought a Vestfrost wine cabinet as he found the wine was going off too quickly (he keeps good wine for a while) probably due to the fluctuating temperatures and the lack of humidity when aircon is on which can dry corks out and cause wine to oxidise.
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 16:43
Tool Time service the air con every quarter. Not exactly sure what this entails but normally it seems to require a part being replaced and at least one room not working for weeks afterwards (so wish our LL had not got this maintenance contract). I keep the blinds closed and the only electronic items in the bedroom are two bedside lamps both using low energy (and low heat) CFL bulbs and two iPads. DH is banned from using the halogen lights fitted in the house (I am trying to get these changed to LED - low energy and heat) and we rarely turn on the ceiling light. As for the thermostat issue I'm not exactly sure how to operate it manually at night? Set an alarm to wake myself up to turn the aircon on and off during the night? At the moment we have the thermostat set to 22, the room apparently reaches this temperature (although I get cold very easily and it feels nothing like 22, closer to 24) then the air con switches off, that's it. I wake up at around 4am baking hot and have to reset the thermostat. The weird thing about the thermostat issue is that it will read 22, then I switch it to manual and the air con switches on, then within a few minutes it will read the actual room temperature (normally 27ish - this is when the room is actually cooling so it should go down not up!). The thermostat in the spare bedroom actually works perfectly. Just most annoyingly the master bedroom (where baby will sleep at first) and the room we intend on using as a nursery (which is next to the master bedroom, hence why we would prefer this room as a nursery rather than the spare bedroom at the other end of the house). The thermostat in the bedroom was replaced twice by Tool Time in the last three weeks, the panel has also been replaced once in the last month. It seems we have Tool Time in our house every day at the moment. Perhaps if I keep on bugging them they will eventually send someone with a brain. Otherwise I guess will try Emrill and see if they are any better, but frankly I'm not keen on 'maintenance' companies they don't seem that bothered about actually fixing anything. Are there any good companies that work on a pro rata basis (i.e. if they don't fix something you can refuse to pay until they do - a little incentive to get them to actually do the work). Perhaps a company with actual trained staff instead of 20 guys who just fumble around replacing parts? <em>edited by RuthM on 03/04/2014</em>
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 12:12
Where is F&M? On the walkway between the Address Downtown and Dubai Mall/the roundabout next to the fountains by Bateel and Starbucks. <em>edited by RuthM on 03/04/2014</em>
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 11:50
OP please contact Fortnum and Mason in the UK to advise them their brand is going to get a bad reputation in Dubai if they don't deal with the teething issues and train their new staff here appropriately. I have found with a large number of stores here contacting the parent company often solves problems very quickly. A store here even implemented a new training program from a complaint I made a few years ago regarding the lack of knowledge on their sales staff. I recently contacted a restaurant here regarding the fact that two members of staff told me on two separate occasions their mozzarella was pasteurised, then a third (my husband was ordering whilst I was in the restroom) adamantly told my husband it was not. Leaving me very concerned regarding my previous visits there. The International Operations Manager from the UK returned to me with a very detailed email regarding all the cheeses on their middle east menu. He also assured me that he will advise the team in the middle east to brief their staff accordingly and that they should always consult with a manager if still unsure when asked regarding cheese on their menus. It may seem silly complaining to the parent company but it does seem to help immensely to make improvements in the future.
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 11:43
Otrivin is great short term but cannot be used long term or you risk a rebound reaction. If you are acute taking it for a few days before starting nasonex will clear the airways to allow the steroid to get in and do it's job better when you start taking it. Nasal rinses (with or without neti pot) do work very well for allergies. I recommend rinsing a little while before taking nasonex that way you clear much of the dust out and can take the steroid almost dust free. Definitely have someone in to do a thorough clean of your air con units and consider a humidifier. The dry air in your home dries out your sinuses which causes inflammation. Also you need some thin/free flowing mucus to pick up the dust and drain it out.
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 20:31
Thanks Singarosa and thanks Ruthm for the detailed reply, do you remember how much it cost in 2009? I don't know about vet and DEFRA costs but the freight charges with Emirates were as follows: Based on a container with dimensions (102x69x76 cms) the following charges will apply based on a chargeable weight of 178 Kilos. (this was two Labradors so charge is total for two crates) * Freight Charges – £9.19 p/kg x 178 = £1635.82 * Fuel Surcharge – £0.38 p/kg x 178 = £67.64 * Security - £14.69 * Airline Handling - £19.50 * War risk - £0.09 p/kg x 178 = £16.02 * Customs Charges - £33.90 * AVI Check - £28.00 * Documentation - £12.50 I believe Virgin was £1200ish for both. <em>edited by RuthM on 30/03/2014</em>
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 18:26
Cheapest is to arrange yourself: - Do vaccinations etc. get Pet Passport and rabies serology cert from your local vet make sure the put the stickers from the vacs into the passport book - Measure dog buy a plastic airline approved crate as per IATA guidelines (we used a sky kennel, ordered online quite cheap, lined with vet bed) - Get quotes directly from airlines cargo (based on crate volume) in 2009 Virgin were marginally cheaper than Emirates, BA were astronomical, we went with Emirates for Gatwick convenience, once chosen then book flight - arrange import documentation, we used DKC but it can be done directly - contact DEFRA for DEFRA fit to fly cert they will sent form to local approved vet (if still a requirement) - take dog for final check at vet, DEFRA cert plus appropriate medications (worming etc) before flying - drop dog at airport - take import paperwork to collect at other end if not using an agent Tip: get the dog used to the crate before flying. I had our two sleep in their crates and gave them lots of treats in their crates, the guy at cargo said he'd never seen two dogs so happy to go into their crates some dogs have to be shoved and dragged in.
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 15:41
Thank you all ladies for your concerns and advice! Thing is Diva didn't have any problems until recently and she is on the same food since the beginning! We don't give her any home cooked food, just dry food combined with Butch or Simba and she had no skin issues! We-re using now the medicated shampoo prescribed and we have a Monday appointment with Safa vets, although our regular vet contacted us today via email and we might just give them another chance :) :)! Dogs develop allergic symptoms at any time. The way allergens work in dogs is they begin by creating a mild allergen response which may go unnoticed. But then every time the dog is exposed to the allergen they create a bigger response until it reaches the point when they become symptomatic. If continually exposed to the allergen the symptoms become more and more severe. Our Labrador didn't develop allergies until he was four. Butch black contains beef as a primary ingredient a well known allergen. Lamb and chicken and soy are also key ingredients and also can be allergens although less common. The dry food may contain wheat which is another major allergen. The three main things to look for are beef, wheat and dairy. Other less common allergens are lamb, chicken, fish, egg, rice and soy. The best way to diagnose a dog for allergies is to try changing food. I would suggest four options: 1) try a beef free food with potato not grains you may get lucky 2) try a hypoallergenic food from the vet 3) try Ziwi Peak venison if it works and is too expensive to continue indefinitely pick the food you want to use and add individual ingredients from this food (say potato, egg etc.) one at a time until the allergen is identified 4) try feeding home cooked food, but recommend potato/sweet potato, venison and vegetables to begin with as other options are known allergen sources can reintroduce additional ingredients same as option 3) if wishing to go back to a dry food at some point (feeding home cooked food with hard to obtain ingredients indefinitely could be costly and time consuming and there is the possibility you will not get the balance right) Of course an allergen can always be environmental, pollen, dust, dander etc. which you can consider once food is ruled out. In the meantime however you can also look to use mild detergents in the home (if not already) or even just cleaning with ecloth and water in case detergents are also an allergen trigger. Here is some information on dog food allergies: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/food-allergies-101/15131 http://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2011/coates/food_allergy_myths-11862
RuthM
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 13:37
Hi there simorlau44, have you tried changing the dogs diet?? Had same issues with our Old English Sheepdog. We stopped all packaged/canned/processed food/treats (including products from vet) and replaced with home-cooked rice/vege/chicken and supplements they needed. Magic!!! Your doggies will thank you for it! Changing the dogs diet is a good idea. However with our itchy lab we went grain free and it has really helped. I wish we could get Orijen in Dubai but it is not available there are two high quality grain free brands one is Taste of the Wild, the other is Ziwi Peak (very expensive). We have our boy on Taste of the Wild Wetlands Formula and he is faring well, better than he did on the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic diet. The only bad thing about this brand is the manufacturer has had a few recall issues (due to contamination with other brand foods by the same manufacturer). So if you do decide to switch look out for those on the recall website for pet food. Luckily as it is shipped half way round the world by the time it gets to us I suspect any contaminants will have been identified in the country of manufacture. I discussed allergens with our old vet in the UK and his recommendations were to avoid grains (rice, wheat etc.) stick to potato and meat based diets, obviously no dairy either (not that you'd find this in a good quality dog food). He added that he has noticed a number of dogs also being allergic to beef so that is another thing to look out for, lastly low allergy lamb and rice diets have also been known to cause problems, it's unsure if some dogs have also developed a lamb allergy or if it is simply the rice so that could be removed additionally to be sure. Personally I would avoid home cooking food for dogs, my grandmother did this with her two dogs (chicken and rice) and both died prematurely from renal failure, getting the balance right is not as easy as it may seem. However it could be worthwhile to try a home cooked elimination diet. Potato, sweet potato, alternative meat such as venison, although where you'll find this in Dubai I cannot help (avoid beef, lamb, chicken, pork - all are known allergens). If successful reintroduce other foods one at a time to see which could be causing the allergy. Then try to identify a processed food that matches your dogs requirements. Another option could be to try Ziwi Peak Venison even if only temporarily (as it has few ingredients you could use it for an elimination diet). If successful and too expensive to continue permanently with large dogs then add other things into the food to identify the allergen. Ziwi Peak does contain some fish which can be an allergen but may be worth a try. He are some food reviews with details of food ingredients: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com If I could find it I would most likely put our two dogs on Orijen. Otherwise Wellness or maybe Blue Buffalo or Acana. <em>edited by RuthM on 30/03/2014</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 08:40
I was absolutely slammed for saying this last time but I'm going to say it again. Nad Al Sheba is very good, all the vets we have seen there have been very thorough and we would not go anywhere else. However... when we were on holiday our dog had a skin complaint of the type that escalates very very quickly (goes from the size of a dirham to the size of your hand in 12-24 hours) and in this instance it was very close to his eye which we were concerned about, he was scratching non stop and trying to keep the 'cone of shame' on him was not happening, he was also crying a lot and clearly in much discomfort. Sadly there were no vets available to see our dog for several days. Our friends looking after our dog took him to the Polo club on this occasion as it was local and there was no option for our usual vet. The vet there treated the skin complaint which was fine except... when we returned we took him to Nad Al Sheba and found the Polo club vet had missed the most important thing which was why he had scratched his face and introduced the skin infection in the first place, he had a severe ear infection. The Polo club vet did however diagnose him with a load of other things and wanted to do some surgery or other (not sure it was necessary, he seems fine without it). I also have a friend with a cat she took to Polo club which was misdiagnosed with a number of ailments for months. So from personal experience I'm not sure I would recommend it unless for emergencies. Although Nad Al Sheba are sometimes very busy we have always found the vets there very thorough once we manage to get an appointment. In addition in the last year or so there does appear to have been a number of new vets starting and it does also seem easier to get appointments. Despite the new staff they still appear to maintain the same high standards of medical care as always.
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Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 07:05
I did mine a few weeks ago at the DNATA centre on Sheikh Zayed Road. I queued for about 10-15 mins and once seen it took about 5 mins. The Emirates ID area is up the escalator and round to the left. A few notes. You need your passport (with visa), Emirates ID card, an ID photo and they only take cash (I think it was just over 200AED).
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Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 06:58
Most stores in the UK allow you to try on underwear over your existing. It all depends on how much coverage your existing underwear gives as to if you can 'see' it underneath. Unless they were trying on thongs I do think you would have to examine someone very closely to see if they still have their own underwear on. Some web stores (Figleaves) offer returns on 'unworn' underwear with the proviso it was tried on over existing underwear. As for bras well that's always straight on neked skin, no shop I know of refuses bra returns, and bra fittings are often offered complimentary by trained assistants. Actually I'm going for a fitting for maternity bras myself in a few weeks. <em>edited by RuthM on 30/03/2014</em>
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Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 06:42
I've has sinusitis since 1994 (a long time before I moved to Dubai), had three related surgeries, although the first sinus surgery in 1999, which cleared a blockage, did stop my acute infections which were once per month in winter. I find my sinusitis is made worse by the dry aircon in summer, sadly even with sea air I think it unlikely I would spend enough time outdoors in summer. This said a day next to the beach definitely does help my sinuses. Other things you can try are: Speak to your doctor about a low dosage daily steroid inhaler such as nasonex Netii pot neti pot neti pot (cannot emphasise this enough!) otherwise a saline nasal spray or simply nasal rinses Things recommended I haven't tried: Try a salt air inhaler Try a humidifier in your room Ensure your air conditioning is kept dust free and cleaned regularly. Look for other potential allergens, dust mites (wash bedding at 60+ degrees), feather pillows/duvet, keep pets (if any) out of bedroom etc. You will find over time these suggestions should help to give you some relief, however none of them are overnight solutions.
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Latest post on 28 March 2014 - 23:49
But er if your baby is on your lap whilst your driving that's okay right? lol...
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 23:36
Thank you all for your kind and helpful responses. Lolacat is right we cannot leave the dogs outside as they will die from heat exhaustion. Nice dog, who we call nice but dim, also loves to lie in the sun. He is so stupid he will literally lie on the boiling hot patio and sunbathe for as long as you let him. We drag him inside and his fur is too hot to touch. Pretty silly for a dog breed that was descended from a Canadian dog then bred specifically for jumping into freezing cold water in Britain to retrieve ducks in mid winter! Psycho dog just barks if another dog or person passes. Luckily she only growls at other dogs, she absolutely loves people, she is actually well trained, biddable and obedient. She won novice gun dog class for Sussex retrievers when she was younger and never had issues with other working spaniels and labs. Just anything else she is terrified of, the trainer in the UK put it down to her only having lived with working dogs (in a big dirty communal pen, which also explains her toiletry habits) and being unable to understand other dogs, she won't play with other dogs. Nice dog is a little hesitant with strangers but psycho dog is anybody's, if you pet her she's yours, forever! DH is in touch with critter sitters so I am really hoping to get a positive response from them. Fingers crossed. Thanks to those who suggested them and for those who offered assistance thank you very much, it's very kind, I will be in touch if critter sitters doesn't work out, with it being such a long period (potentially with baby birth not being a precise timescale) I would prefer not to impose on people. But it is very nice to know people will help out if they can. <em>edited by RuthM on 23/03/2014</em>
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 13:36
Saturday lunch times? I think I can help. I'll be moving soon but only to JVC. What are you looking for? 30mins-hour? Play? Just fed, let out for toilet and a little petting. They're old dogs (nearly 10 and 11) so not very energetic, they sleep most of the day. I can't confirm dates precisely yet though, it depends on pregnancy. But I leave Dubai 25th April and DH will stay as long as possible but probably head to UK late July/ early August (baby due August 14th). I suspect we'll be in the UK for a month after the birth before heading back.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 13:17
I can recommend Positive Paws, as hopefully it wasn't them you tried originally. It's who we are trying next once the trainer returns from leave, hopefully it will resolve the issue but we need to have another plan as we will not be here July and August and that us a short timescale to sort things out, unfortunately I cannot delay the baby for dog training. Besides which I now cannot find a daycare centre in any case! edited by RuthM on 23/03/2014 They are very good and have now opened up a second day care centre which is a great help. Hopefully they may have some room for you once the agression is sorted out. Sadly they only day care until 1:30pm on a Saturday so we are looking elsewhere for daycare. I just cannot believe how hard this is: Maid goes to church on Saturday from 8am - 330/4pm. So need the dogs checked in at let out at lunch time. Homely Petz will only do either full time pet sitting and we have to get rid of the maid, or maid care where the maid has to be there so it's a no go. Urban Tails don't do summer doggie day care, besides which dog is aggressive. Positive Paws only do doggie day care until 130pm on a Saturday besides which dog is aggressive. Half the population of Dubai is away in August and we can't ask a friend to come to our villa every Saturday throughout the summer. Worst ever timing for having a baby. Sorry didn't realise it was a Saturday you needed. Where do you live? Arabian Ranches. Sorry can't be any help out there, but I was hoping we could have managed something for you. Okay thanks anyway. I think we're just going to have to crate the dog for eight hours at this rate. It's so frustrating, we don't want to be unfair on the maid it is her day off and she should be able to attend church as she wishes, at the same time we don't want to torture the dog, eight hours is a long time to be crated.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 13:06
I can recommend Positive Paws, as hopefully it wasn't them you tried originally. It's who we are trying next once the trainer returns from leave, hopefully it will resolve the issue but we need to have another plan as we will not be here July and August and that us a short timescale to sort things out, unfortunately I cannot delay the baby for dog training. Besides which I now cannot find a daycare centre in any case! edited by RuthM on 23/03/2014 They are very good and have now opened up a second day care centre which is a great help. Hopefully they may have some room for you once the agression is sorted out. Sadly they only day care until 1:30pm on a Saturday so we are looking elsewhere for daycare. I just cannot believe how hard this is: Maid goes to church on Saturday from 8am - 330/4pm. So need the dogs checked in at let out at lunch time. Homely Petz will only do either full time pet sitting and we have to get rid of the maid, or maid care where the maid has to be there so it's a no go. Urban Tails don't do summer doggie day care, besides which dog is aggressive. Positive Paws only do doggie day care until 130pm on a Saturday besides which dog is aggressive. Half the population of Dubai is away in August and we can't ask a friend to come to our villa every Saturday throughout the summer. Worst ever timing for having a baby. Sorry didn't realise it was a Saturday you needed. Where do you live? Arabian Ranches.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 12:59
I can recommend Positive Paws, as hopefully it wasn't them you tried originally. It's who we are trying next once the trainer returns from leave, hopefully it will resolve the issue but we need to have another plan as we will not be here July and August and that us a short timescale to sort things out, unfortunately I cannot delay the baby for dog training. Besides which I now cannot find a daycare centre in any case! edited by RuthM on 23/03/2014 They are very good and have now opened up a second day care centre which is a great help. Hopefully they may have some room for you once the agression is sorted out. Sadly they only day care until 1:30pm on a Saturday so we are looking elsewhere for daycare. I just cannot believe how hard this is: Maid goes to church on Saturday from 8am - 330/4pm. So need the dogs checked in at let out at lunch time. Homely Petz will only do either full time pet sitting and we have to get rid of the maid, or maid care where the maid has to be there so it's a no go. Urban Tails don't do summer doggie day care, besides which dog is aggressive. Positive Paws only do doggie day care until 130pm on a Saturday besides which dog is aggressive. Half the population of Dubai is away in August and we can't ask a friend to come to our villa every Saturday throughout the summer. Worst ever timing for having a baby.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 12:52
can you not ask the maid (bribe the maid) to be home by 3 pm throughtout your leave, maybe complensate her with an extra month's salary or give her two weeks extra leave when she goes home. We need her home by 2pm latest (this will be 6 hours of the dog crated). The issue is she goes to church every Saturday and it is miles away. I don't feel we should interfere with her religious obligations and social day out. She has offered to come straight back after church but it won't be until after 3pm maybe even closer to 4pm, I think that is asking enough of her already, especially over such a long period of time.
RuthM
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 12:50
See a doctor and get referred to a physio or osteo (whichever you prefer). Beware they don't try and get some money out of your insurer with MRIs, neurosurgeons etc. they love their knives out here. Unless of course you have had an acute injury in which case a scan is advisable. In my experience a physio will take longer to resolve issues but the results will be longer lasting (less visits back) if you keep up with your exercises. An osteo will be able to give more immediate relief but you may need to go back. That said there seems to be a greater cross over of osteo and physio these days. My summary from my personal experience with all three is: Physio - works primarily with soft tissues, muscles etc. to retrain the area and allow joints to stabilise/realign over a period of time but will do some manual realignment expects lots of homework Osteo - works with a mixture of manual realignment and soft tissues expects a some homework Chiro - works primarily with manual realignment, may give immediate relief but rarely long lasting for chronic issues, may be perfect for acute issues, expects little or no homework In question to your headaches, if you have a cervical disc issue they can certainly cause severe headaches. To describe how a bulging cervical disc would be you could have limited mobility moving your head left, or right (looking over your shoulder). Most likely putting your chin to your chest will also be hard there may be some tenderness where the neck meets the head. Up and Running have a good osteo (Naomi Hart), I believe their physios are good too. I see Craig at Motor City simply because it's local and he is pretty good as well.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 12:35
I can recommend Positive Paws, as hopefully it wasn't them you tried originally. It's who we are trying next once the trainer returns from leave, hopefully it will resolve the issue but we need to have another plan as we will not be here July and August and that us a short timescale to sort things out, unfortunately I cannot delay the baby for dog training. Besides which I now cannot find a daycare centre in any case! <em>edited by RuthM on 23/03/2014</em>
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 12:14
have you tried getting a dog behaviourist in to see her? We had some woman who was recommended on this forum. Within 10mins of arriving she caused a confrontation between our dog and a guest dog that we had finally got her to tolerate after him being there for a week. She thought it was a good idea to take a toy throw it to the guest dog but send our dog to fetch it, both dogs collided and much growling ensued. She then gave us two hours of nonsense from one too many Caesar Millan tv shows, contradicted herself four times and luckily then left. Her theory was to fight aggression with aggression. 'Checking' the dog when she reacted to other dogs. For fear aggression this is futile, imagine if you were terrified of spiders, someone put a spider on your face then when you screamed they told you off for screaming. Yes maybe after a while you might afraid enough of being told off that you stop screaming, but you'll still be afraid of the spider eventually one day without any screaming (as you're not allowed to scream anymore) you might just crush that spider without any warning. Needless to say we didn't invite her back for more 'behaviourist training'. The trainer we saw at the day care centre was a qualified behaviourist (university educated) and I believe the training she was attempting to do, which was desensitisation based, was the right way forward. She was very informative on the way our dog was reacting and how to interpret the signals she was giving. Sadly she didn't realise the husky she was using was food possessive and was using food as an incentive. A small growl from our dog and the husky attacked her. We are trying another place shortly but don't hold out much hope for getting her right in time for the summer. In any case it seems many day care centres close for the summer. Looks like psycho dog may just have to be crated all day at this rate.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 11:41
What kind of pet do you have? If a dog have you considered day care cetre for it? Day care would be great unfortunately we have one friendly dog we had from a puppy and a rescue who is a psycho and goes ballistic at any other dog that comes within 10ft of her, she's also the one who we cannot leave all day, the maid can get back by 3pm and the nice dog would be okay for that. But psycho dog thinks the house is her toilet when no one is there and all the doors are shut (it's not separation as she will go out if the doors are open), we don't like giving them garden access in case they bark and disturb the neighbours so we have to crate her whilst out and don't want to leave her in the crate for more than 6 hours. We've had her at one of the day care centres for fear aggression desensitisation but it resulted in her being attacked and bitten by a husky. Not the best training experience being that her aggression is already fear based and she'd never actually had a physical confrontation with contact before. We have a friend coming in at the moment but it seems a bit much to ask for 6-8 weeks, sadly our neighbours don't seem to like us much since we politely advised them (in case they hadn't noticed) that their small children had climbed up the fire escape on the side of their villa and were about to get on the roof (we thought it was dangerous, they were like blah whatever). All a bit of a predicament. Unless we leave psycho dog crated for eight hours.
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Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 11:19
Sorry just to clarify: Kenwood and Kitchenaid both do a food mixer for mixing. Magimix, Kenwood and Kitchenaid all also do a food processor for more tasks, (although not as good for mixing for cakes etc. where you need to allow air into the mixture).
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Latest post on 22 March 2014 - 23:40
Although not the most highly recommended (they are not no.1 but do generally get good reviews) I have a Kitchenaid which I really like, and it matches my other appliances! The really highly rated ones are Magimix and Kenwood. But imo any of those three brands should serve you well.
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Latest post on 17 March 2014 - 18:38
Bah my mother gets suckered in by these all the time . It's taken me over five years to finally stop her clicking on links on emails and 'confirming' her bank details due to a security issue that will result in all her accounts being frozen. I must have cancelled ten credit cards for her and had to reset her bank log in details at least give times! It would appear the only thing she has given to this person is your husbands work address. In many cases this address would be openly available on a companies website in any case. I doubt very much the phisher will be able to attain identity fraud or bank account details from this. I would look for some guidelines on phishing emails and speak to her about it. Get the exact details of what information she has given him to ensure your families personal details are secure. It is highly unlikely a case is going to turn up, most likely she will receive another email saying she needs to pay $10,000 to clear the case from Malaysian customs but it will all be worth it as they'll refund her and more with the $480,000 they are sending. If you are really worried and can get the exact words sent for this scam then you can quite often google it to see what they are up to.
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Latest post on 14 March 2014 - 13:14
Can't help you with a 'man' that knows, DH struggles to turn the router on and off. First thing is to isolate the issue. Do you have a second laptop in the house you can use or can you ask a friend to see if theirs works on your router? Likewise can you test your laptop on another router? Another test you can do is turn the wifi off on your laptop and plug it into the router with an ethernet cable. Finally advise what router, operating system and machine model you are using.
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Latest post on 14 March 2014 - 08:59
As TimTam said try restarting your router as a first option.
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Latest post on 14 March 2014 - 08:58
Hi RuthM,Very interesting post.Thank u for the detail explanation.I have D5200 nikon with 18-105mm lense.I would appreciate if u could tell me which lense is best for this as im thinking of buying another lense for my camera.Thanks a lot It depends on what you want the lens for. Unfortunately I know little about Nikon lenses but I can give you a list of lenses I have/want for Canon and you can probably look for the Nikon equivalent and check some reviews on it. Here is some general lens info: Prime (fixed focal length) lenses are generally smaller than zoom lenses and give better optics however obviously less versatile. The f number is the aperture and is how much light a lens lets in. Lower f number lets in more light but is normally a bigger more expensive lens. They allow you to use faster shutter speeds at night as they let in more light than smaller aperture lenses. They can often also autofocus a little faster and more precisely for the same reason. Everyday walkabout lens: Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM (for crop frame only - crop factored length 27-88mm) Slightly wide but nice fast lens, good for low light. I use this as my city holiday lens and for group photos with friends at BBQs/dinners etc. It can sometimes be a little shorter than I'd like. Canon 24-105 f/4 IS USM (for full frame) 5D kit lens is a great all rounder. Nice versatile lens especially on a full frame. Canon 24-70 f/2.8 USM Nice fast lens, also good for low light. A bit longer on a crop body than the 17-55 and better (pro) build quality (although the 17-55mm is pretty good quality for an EF-S). one of Canons most popular lenses. Unfortunately a bit weighty. Short Telephoto (for portraiture and some wildlife/sports) Canon 70-200 f/4 IS USM Great lens for portraiture in good light. Fairly compact, well priced my most used lens. Is a little long on a crop sensor but worth having to more around looking for a better shooting position. Would absolutely love this in a full frame. However the f/2.8 version is most highly regarded but build (and weighs) like a tank. Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM Amazing fast lens for portraiture, sports, action etc. but very very heavy both in weight and on the wallet. Prime lenses (lighter and better quality that zooms but more restrictive) Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Good for a natural lens (35mm is as the natural eye sees it) or a street photography lens on a crop sensor. (also look at cheaper non L versions) Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Good for street photography can be used for some portraiture on a crop sensor but be aware of lens distortion. (also look at cheaper non L versions) Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Perfect portrait lens. (also look at cheaper non L versions) Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (Also look at non L version) Nice compromise portrait and macro lens. The non L version is probably almost as good for less money. For a true macro the 180mm is a better length (long enough to not block light) If I were very rich and very strong (because my camera bag would weigh a ton) I'd probably buy the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8. If I had a specific task in mind a prime would be better (lighter and typically better optics) but these two lenses should cover almost all bases. I haven't mentioned ultra wide angle lenses it's not something I use very much at the moment, due to distortion they are not massively versatile although can do some fantastic interesting shots. However I do have the EF-S 10-22mm (crop only) wide angle it was one of my first lens purchases but hasn't been used as much as I'd like.
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Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 17:44
I'll try and post a link to some good books when I'm at home. In the meantime house training. Never scold the dog for going in the house, just clean it up quickly and use a specialist product that removes the smell. If possible take her out every hour or so to begin with, take her on the lead to a designated spot where you want her to eliminate. As she goes use a command like 'toilet' then give her lots of praise. When indoors keep her with you at all times, watch out for signs she wants to go such as circling or leaving the room and take her our immediately. If you are leaving her alone it is best to confine her to a small area some people swear by crating dogs when left alone which is an option. I would suggest work on her recall as well as soon as you get her home. A dog will naturally approach a human who is crouching. Frequently call her name followed by 'here' or 'come' crouch down and open your arms, when she comes praise her. Never chase her if she doesn't come or scold her. She is a retriever mix so there is a good chance she will pick things up, carry them around and even chew them. Very important you do not scold her for this, it will only mean she will pick things up and run off with them. Use the recall, when she brings the item to you remove it gently praise her and replace it with a permitted item. Do not give her old socks, clothing or personal items of yours (with your smell on) as toys. She will struggle to tell the difference between new and old items. I recommend the tuffie toys (Nad Al Sheba vet have them) if she is a chewer. We have a big basket of toys next to our front door that the dogs know are theirs. Occasionally they will still pick up a shoe but it is rare, luckily they always bring things too us for praise and never run off and hide them. Try not to leave things lying around that you don't want her to pick up, prevention is the best way. Finally feeding. I recommend training her to take her food on command. Have her sit and do not let her eat until you have given her the command. This will also help reinforce the sit command later. The command we use for eating is 'go-on'. To begin with you can only put a small amount of food in her bowl tell her to 'go-on' then have her sit again, add a small amount more tell her to 'go-on' again etc. do not make her wait too long to begin with as it is better she only waits a moment rather than going on without permission. Our two will wait forever (someone looking after our dog once couldn't remember the command for her to eat and she sat staring at the bowl for nearly half an hour before they gave up and hand fed her one piece of kibble at a time), but start easy. Likewise with recall start with short distances. As for lead I recommend a fixed length lead personally am not a fan of harnesses. If she is not leash trained I suggest getting her to somewhere like Positive Paws ASAP as untraining a dog that pulls is harder the longer the dog is permitted to pull. I have always trained mine by using the recall whistle and walking in a field rapidly changing direction. But this is more aimed for training a guy dog to walk to heel off leash, there is probably a better way for non working dogs. It may sound like a lot of hard work but as long as you are firm and consistent it will be fairly straightforward. When my father passed away I inherited a field trial champion spaniel. Despite a lot of experience with dogs I still took her to a spaniel novice class as I had never handled a field trial dog alone before. The trainer knew Sadie well and used her for many of his demonstrations in the class. Others asked why is this dog in the class? The trainer replied because Ruth needs training! So remember it isn't just the dog who needs to be trained in obedience but also the owner who needs to be trained in how to handle a dog. It will all pay off and you will not regret a moment of bringing her home, dogs will be loyal companions for their lifetime and once you've had her for a few months you will wonder how you managed to come home in the past without a happy wagging tail waiting to greet you!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 13:22
I found this store in a London had some lovely clothes, it says they ship worldwide too although not tried their international service. https://www.seraphine.com
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 11:33
Sight hounds can be problematic with chasing issues. Their genetic makeup is to chase and take down prey by sight. Dogs that hunt by scent are not so problematic as a cat or small dog does not smell like a rabbit. You cannot remove their instinct to chase, of course as a cross she may not have this instinct (retrievers use scent). What you can do is train her to control the chasing instinct. I have not dealt with sight hounds before but instead gundogs. Gundogs have a flushing instinct and will go crazy after any game scent. Our spaniel was nuts over rabbits, after a few months of training sessions and frequently walking her through a rabbit pen we were able to control that instinct. Six months is an ideal time to start this kind of training. However you need to know if she has in the past been permitted to chase other animals. If she has already experienced the fun of a chase then it will make training harder. Without any specific experience with sighthounds I cannot give accurate advice. However with gundog breeds the tendency is to never allow them to pursue prey until they are wholly under control. This means several months of training with recall and hand signals before letting them catch any scent at all. Just allowing them to chase and catch something once can throw their training back to square one because once they know what that feels like they want to do it again and again. Forget about sit, stay, roll over etc. there are two commands your dog will need: Stop (sit, hup, hand signal, one long whistle blow) When she stops she sits and stays until told not to stop anymore. Come (here, come, two short whistle blows) She turns around fast and comes straight back to you. If she has any retriever instinct in her you can allow her to retrieve. However I do not recommend throwing a ball away from you and letting her chase it. If you are alone have her sit next to you and stay whilst you throw the ball. Once the ball has stopped moving she may retrieve. Alternatively drop balls as you walk and let her go back for them. If you have a partner they can go out ahead of you and throw the ball upwards so the dog sees it drop then you can send her to get it. As I said this is more gundog style training, I am sure there are some books on sighthounds that can be quite informative. But the most important thing is to never allow her to experience the 'chase' in the first place, it will make training much easier if you don't have to undo that experience. As for the cats, I recommend getting some advice from somewhere like Positive Paws for a safe cat introduction (they are also recommended for general dog training). We have had gundogs with cats but they were not introduced as adults and gundogs go by scent not sight in any case. Good luck with your adoption and thank you for thinking of taking on a rescue dog and saving a life.
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Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 11:11
Thanks for the replies! Uff, was hoping I could do it at the airport as got to do an airport run tomorrow anyway! I HATE going to immigration. Its quite possibly my least favorite place in the entire universe!!! :( Are boarder runs at Hatta still possible? Anyone know how long it takes to do the round trip from New Dubai and the cost of the border crossing? Thanks! I think you can do it at immigration at the airport. We did mine on Sheikh Zayed Road Immigration but they failed to put it in the system and then immigration at the airport (after much dispute) managed to do it for us. But the implication was they could do it there in the first place. The office we went to was in Terminal 3 downstairs at the back of the terminal on the right (as you're facing into the terminal). You should be able to get a 30 day extension for about 700AED. After that you cannot extend again and have to go out and in again. If you get a visa extension make sure they type it, take payment for it AND they stamp it in your passport as well as entering it onto their system! Another option is a flight to Muscat. I think FlyDubai does specific in/out visa runs. Or a Hatta run I believe is still possible if you are not into your grace period. Oh just one thing, not sure if there is a typing centre at the airport, perhaps someone else can advise. <em>edited by RuthM on 13/03/2014</em>
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Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 11:04
Interestingly my post has been deleted. I used to direct people who were moving to Dubai to this forum. But the last couple of times I have done so they have come back to me with exactly the same points as the OP. One of the ladies I directed here has been an expat in other countries for over eight years and said she has never come across such nastiness on a forum. She was concerned all women in Dubai would be like this and I had to convince her otherwise. Recently DH was headhunted for a job in Asia and I myself posted on a few forums there asking questions and had nothing but positive and helpful responses. I expected the same sort of backlash received here but instead saw nothing but helpful, constructive and kind comments. It is a shame EW cannot be the same. I am not talking about home truths here, I am talking about people asking probing questions and making uncalled for judgements on others or personal attacks. Not so long ago someone posted here asking if there was any help or where to look for help caring for her dog. She was returning to the UK for an extended period for personal reasons and her DH was staying in Dubai but occasionally had to travel for work. The dog was elderly (I mean seriously old) and unable to travel and the return to the UK was expected to only be temporary in any case. The responses she got were frankly quite horrifying. A small number of people started speculating, are you having a trial separation? Sounds like you're getting divorced? All very upsetting for her. This is the kind of thing I think the OP is talking about. This person came on here looking for genuine assistance and advice but instead some people started practically quizzing her on her personal life. What business is it of theirs? She was asking about a dog not for marriage counselling. This is why now I sadly no longer direct any newcomers to Dubai to this forum, girls will be girls is absolute nonsense. People on here are not little teenagers they are grown women. Luckily this forum is not indicative of people in Dubai, in fact of all the women I have met in Dubai only one so far has been as judgemental and unpleasant as some of the comments on this forum. An expat forum is not meant to be a tough fighting ground like a schoolyard, it is meant to be a helpful exchange of information. Perhaps before posting some of these comments posters should reconsider, is this really the impression they want to give of Dubai?
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Latest post on 10 March 2014 - 12:56
The Fuji X100S, Nikon Coolpix A, Leica X2 and Sigma DP3 are all compact cameras with a sensor size similar to an entry level DSLR. The Canon G1X is marginally smaller and the Sony RX1 is a full frame compact! So if you don't intend on making full use of all the manual features on a DSLR and/or don't intend on investing thousands on lenses then one of these may be an alternative option. Many professional photographers often keep one of these compacts in their bags as backup cameras in any case. Azaiba - As TimTam commented, can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon. A lot of my friends started with the Canon 450 to 650D series and all have been very happy. Most have stayed with that series for years without a need to upgrade. RuthM - very interested in your post. I have a Canon DSLR but looking at a compact back-up so will research your recommendations. Which one would you choose? Difficult question. The Fuji has been raved about which leans me towards that. However as a Canon user I would like to see how similar the menu system etc. is on the Canon, it may be easier to use with Canon experience. But the Sony is full frame! The. The Leica, it's a true Leica made in Germany (however I did have the X1 for a short period then decided it was way to much to spend on a compact camera). In all honesty I think it will come down to the highly acclaimed Fuji or maybe the Canon for me. The Fuji is probably the Japanese equivalent to the Leica X2 and has a faster lens (although apparently a bit soft at larger apertures). Both are not the quickest to autofocus however, a common issue with these types of compacts I don't know how well the Canon AF system compares. But right now I am watching the reviews and waiting to see what prime lenses come out for the Sony Alpha 7R. It's a full frame mirrorless system camera. Another one with low light focusing issues but I am hoping they will resolve this as it would be so much convenient than lugging around a DSLR.
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Latest post on 10 March 2014 - 09:27
I had mine removed as an adult I was 26. Not due to tonsillitis but due to chronic sinusitis and post nasal drip which left my tonsils in a permanent state of infection. The NHS in the UK would not remove them because they were not enlarged (their general requirement) but my private ENT who I had been seeing for years had done all he could to correct my sinuses and I was still suffering with bad breath, fatigue, general unwellness. When he removed me he informed they were not enlarged because basically they were completely rotten and shrunk up and disgusting. Since having them removed I have felt better, not radically but certainly better. I do still get some sore throats and take longer than others to recover from coughs and colds etc. I don't however wake up with a disgusting yellow tongue every morning anymore and no longer need to spend 10 minutes every day scrubbing my tongue with a tongue cleaner (or credit card lol) and thinking about how gross it is! The bad. After the surgery I had eustachian tube dysfunction, this could be due to my severely messed up sinuses but it is agony. I mean serious uncomfortable pain. Basically if sitting upright all is okay but the moment you lie down it feels like someone is putting hot pokers in your ears. Unfortunately I decided in my infinite wisdom to have a bone tumor removed from my foot at the same time as the tonsillectomy. A bad idea as trying to keep your foot and your head elevated at the same time is not the easiest thing to achieve. I would wake up at night having slid down the pillows and painkiller had worn off and I would be in agony for about 30mins until the next one kicked in. The good. After the pain in my ears, my throat really wasn't that sore. Just avoid eating fruit and other acidic things milk, ice cream, yoghurt (make nasty mucous and you can't cough) and rough foods (crackers etc.) are also not good. But pasta, bread, slow cooked stews and other soft plain foods all seemed to be okay. I cannot recommend a surgeon in Dubai unfortunately. I'm actually pretty terrified of surgery in Dubai in general based on the lack of connection to teaching hospitals. In the UK I have always gone private but always with a surgeon who is in a good position in an NHS teaching hospital as well never someone who is wholly private. If you are going to look for a surgeon in Dubai I would recommend looking for someone that hasn't been here long and doesn't plan on being here long. Someone who has worked in a teaching hospital in their native country at a reasonable level. This is because Doctors 'practice' medicine. As in are always learning which is why most Doctors will, if possible (and if they are happy settling into the culture), head to a location with good teaching facilities so that they can continue to learn throughout their profession and even teach others later. Dubai healthcare appears to be more like pure private medicine, that is purely money driven, however there are some good doctors here, some people will come for a few years for the experience or due to family commitments or because of the Islamic culture etc. you just need to be very choosy.
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Latest post on 10 March 2014 - 07:45
I use Canon but in all honesty between Canon and Nikon there is not that much difference. Sony have also entered the DSLR market with some nice cameras as well however Canon and Nikon are still neck and neck between the pros. But the camera itself is not the most important thing. All the pictures in the glossy brochures Canon have with the entry level DSLRs are all taken with the best glass (lenses). With this in mind you need to look seriously at what lenses you want to spend money on and what you want the DSLR for. You can get some good quality prime lenses quite cheap but the moment you move onto zoom lenses prices start going up fast. As other people have said a course at somewhere like GPP is advisable in order that you can learn to use the camera properly, using a DSLR on the auto function with a kit lens will most likely not give you photographs any better than an advanced compact camera with a large sensor. The Fuji X100S, Nikon Coolpix A, Leica X2 and Sigma DP3 are all compact cameras with a sensor size similar to an entry level DSLR. The Canon G1X is marginally smaller and the Sony RX1 is a full frame compact! So if you don't intend on making full use of all the manual features on a DSLR and/or don't intend on investing thousands on lenses then one of these may be an alternative option. Many professional photographers often keep one of these compacts in their bags as backup cameras in any case. With regard to lenses you will be looking at around 50mm for street photography, 85mm for portraits, 100mm macro for product photography, and larger for birds, sports and wildlife. For crop sensors you may wish to lower these (divide by 1.5/1.6 accordingly) however beware of lens distortion at the wider end. Finally you can also look at system cameras. Olympus PEN are a good option as are the Sony NEX series (slightly larger sensor than 4/3) the Fuji X-Pro1 has also been receiving some favourable reviews from professionals who have stated it to be akin to a Japanese Leica M9.
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Latest post on 09 March 2014 - 08:00
Try searching for dinner jacket, here's one I posted a while ago (although we ended up couriering DH's DJ from the UK as he didn't like the hire ones and couldn't find suitable shoes - such a snob!) http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/topic195725-dinner-jacket-black-tietuxedo-emergency-hire.aspx Might be out of date information though, hopefully there will be somewhere. The most common recommendation is Murad Boutique Men’s Wear (upstairs in the Al Ghazal Shopping Mall - may have moved). Just of note does the event say Black Tie or Black Tie Preferred or Black Tie Optional? Black Tie - unfortunately means he can only wear a dinner jacket or decline. Black Tie Preferred - if he really cannot find anywhere to hire he can wear wear a lounge suit. It should be a plain dark colour (i.e. no pinstripes) and he should try to wear a plain dark tie also. A dark grey suit with a dark grey tie and a plain white shirt would be an option. Plain lace up Oxfords are a good shoe choice loafers are not always considered formal enough although some types are okay and with black tie he can wear Prince Albert slippers as another option (opera pumps are reserved for white tie) but patent leather lace ups look really nice with black tie imo. Black Tie Optional - means business casual you can expect lots of people in casual suits and chunky loafers. Sorry for rambling on DH is a little formal menswear obsessed.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 March 2014 - 01:02
We ordered from Amazon and had it shipped to DH office address / PO Box it was far more economical than shop and ship and arrived promptly. Amazon did in fact use a courier for these items (seven orders total), but they do advise that it depends on the item as to what shipping service they use and they cannot guarantee courier. The other good thing with Amazon is they calculate the duty and take the money, then if you are not charged duty (as we were not) they refund it back, they guarantee the duty will not be more than what they have quoted so it is great to be able to pay it upfront first. Another thing to note is if you use shop and ship and there is a problem with your order you will end up having to pay for shipping again. If you can ship direct and there is a problem with the order (damaged or missing items etc.) We currently have a shop and ship delivered package with an item missing and are loathe to pay postage again for the replacement.
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Latest post on 08 March 2014 - 14:37
I find Rib Room has better food but Asado's better location. This said we ate at Asado's recently and had a very good meal with excellent service. I cannot rate MJ's the steak we had there was good but not great and the last time we visited we had the chateaubriand which the server hacked up completely against the grain and made a complete mess of. For atmosphere I would rate: 1. Asado's 2. MJ's 3. Rib Room For food: 1. Rib Room 2. Asado's 3. MJ's We have only eaten there once but we also really enjoyed West 14th on the Palm as another option? <em>edited by RuthM on 08/03/2014</em>
 
 
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