Up And Down In Dubai

Dubai has been known as the world's richest city in past decades, mainly because of its abundant oil and gold resources. However, a recent project of building man-made islands off its coast known as "The World", fell short on funding as a result of the city's recent economic downturn. The crisis comes as a result of Dubai's real estate market crashing by 50 percent. Dubai's government recently received two bailouts from neighboring city Abu Dhabi at a combined price of 25 billion dollars-money that is supposed to help pay back the loan taken out to finish the semi-built utopia.


Dubai World, the corporation that is planning the project feels some relief that the cash injection will help offset their enormous debt. Although pay back seems to be increasingly difficult as the remaining 75 billion dollar balance due continues to weigh the Emirates government down. The crisis caused all major construction projects to halt, yet they are insisting on building Burj Dubai, the world's largest tower.

The plan for Burj Dubai was revealed in January by the company Emaar. The announcement is creating skepticism among critics who feel it will only add to Dubai's increasing debt. In opposition, the Dubai government claims its sole purpose of erecting such an enormous building is for stimulating the local economy. Ten percent of units are already sold nearly six years before its official grand opening. This gives the city hope that more wealthy people will want to purchase space in the extravagant, 160 story tower. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, is proud of the Burj Dubai and what its construction will do for their long-term economy. He will hold a special celebration the day it opens.

Dubai's newly opened Metro Network, a driver-less rail system, is another potential sign of the city's re-emerging economy. The Metro is already becoming a success as millions of tourists and work force commuters utilize the world's most advanced transit system on a daily basis.

Despite skepticism of the The World's future island construction, high hopes of the Burj Dubai and the Metro Network, many now feel that the previously wealthy city has lost its reputation because of its financial bailout and their incessant need to keep blindly creating unrealistic projects without money to back it. Only time will tell what the economic outcome of Dubai will be.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/01/03/dubai.worlds.tallest.ft/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8462218.stm

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/dubai-metro/

photo courtesy of morguefile.com/Khalednj

D.O.E. All Spent

Due to limited funds within the Department of Education, the institution canceled after school tutoring, made less hours for Professional Part Time Teachers, and started furlough Fridays. In the past, DOE implemented school programs such as early morning care and A+ to assist local residents in before and after school child care. However, this year alone has seen the most furlough days and budget cuts the state has ever seen. Hawaii ranked 48 out of 50 states in student achievement scores, ultimately revealing that public school education may not be a top priority in Hawaii.

After Governor Lingle issued the budget cuts of nearly 500 million dollars, results have been increasing furlough days and school consolidations. These are only some of the threatening realities Hawaii's education system is currently facing. The majority of non-certified teachers are the first to be let go as they are easily replaced. Therefore Part-time Teachers (Hawaiian, Music, Art, PE etc,) face the second wave of cuts.

Federal funding for Special Education Services are still going strong by keeping their recommended minutes such as physical, occupational and speech therapy. Parents also receive training on how to cope with DOE administration’s inconsistencies such as misappropriation of funds and school days lost from budget cuts. My roommate is currently on Department Directed Leave with pay till the end of the school year due to a minor allegation. His main concern is how can they afford to pay a substitute teacher AND him when the state is facing tough economic times? What about the children? This example shows a glitch in the education system and improper procedures at the state level.

http://doe.k12.hi.us/news/furlough/index.htm

Good Vibes to Playing Dives

It is not that often I get to play REALLY GOOD MUSIC with more than a few like-minded individuals. Last week, some friends and I collaborated at Vibe Asylum, a recording and rehearsal studio off Ward Avenue. It is the best public studio on the island because each room is fully stocked with top-of-the-line musical equipment and ice cold air conditioning. For a drummer like myself, the latter makes a world of a difference! Tracy gave great customer service too by loaning out pairs of drum sticks and allowing drinks inside the room. Thanks Trace!

The jam comprised of Girish (gear-ish) on psychedelic guitar, HPU Ian on thumping bass, Joey Zeez on drums, old man Neil on the fluttering sax, and Dizzy Darren on keyboards. All of us were equally as hyped to play because we knew it was going to sound amazing, and it did! The mixer levels were perfectly preset, so my friends plugged right in as I threw down some funky drum breaks. We blended Reggae, Blues, Funk, Soul and Hip Hop with each of our own diverse improvisational styles. It sounded better and better till we finally tore the roof off!

My mission was to record the jam on my friend's MacBook but was not working with the PA and mixer. I was only able to record a few songs on my phone, therefore only crappy sounding versions exist. It is okay because I knew we would meet again soon...

A week later on May 8th, we had a chance to play inside Bar 35. Everyone was stoked again, but this time I was exhausted from school, printing, and selling at First Friday the day before. Despite my condition, we constructed some good improvisational jams to the soulful singing of Capp on the microphone, whose vocals complemented our overall sound very nicely (Capp performed with Mykah 9, featured on my Jazz Minds and Rhymes blog).

After jamming for an hour straight, my limbs started tensing up. I was determined to finish strong so I clenched my hands tight until that last chord struck. Then wow! I was spent, and could not imagine trying to carry the drums back up four floors.

For compensation they gave us gift certificates in which we used immediately on pizza and beer! Whew!It was all down hill from there.