Deep Fry Philosophy

Personal - Midhfa in Birmingham

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:24:28 GMT

Midhfa Naeem (Midhu) makes it to Birmingham today. Maldivians in Birmingham therefore roamed around the city in delight. For more pictures click here.

Personal - Maldivians in Birmingham

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:57:46 GMT

A few years ago when I enquired from Maldivian Students Association if there were any Maldivians living in Birmingham I remember Jaa saying that Birmingham was a big blank in MSA membership. It turned out so true; there were no Maldivians in Birmingham in the first few years I spent. Occationally Saud who is reading for his PhD at University of Surrey visits me but then that was it.

Thing began changing late last year. Dr. Fazana Firdous spent a few months in Birmingham and we happen to meet a few times. Also late last year Samah and Saeed came by for a few months for seasoning.

It is a lot different this year. We have Anil and Shiru for three or more years, Vuly for four long years. Saeed is of course back in Birmingham for a month. Relative to zero Maldivians in Birmingham as it once was, we at the present time have a count of 5 including myself. So we decided it is time we got together for some fun. That’s what we did today.

I know of a few other Maldivians living in cities nearby and look forward to meeting them one of these days. Attention Sodiq in Coventry and Midhu living in Warwick, if you are reading this post, note that I will see you in your own city soon.

In the picture: from left - Shiru, Saeed, Vuly and myself. More pictures in photo section - click here.

Politics and Economics - I am voting for change

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:56:02 GMT

I am voting for change because I want a brighter and better future for all Dhivehin (Maldivians).

Personal - First few days with a brand new Nikon D90

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:34:14 GMT

These are my first few days with a brand new Nikon D90 with the 18-105mm kit lens. D90 is a good consumer class camera and is ok with me because I am neither a photographer nor a flikr-grapher. For me it is about freezing memories and experiences.

I now carry my D90 on exploratory trips I do mostly on Saturdays. Last weekend I visited Manchester to learn a bit about British history and I took some pictures too and they look stunning. Want to see them? Re-sized pictures are now in the subfolder ‘Exploring Britain’ and can be accessed via the main folder ‘Beautiful Places’ in Photo section. In the very near future I will be visiting Cambridge and Bath, but first I am visiting Museum of Welsh Life and Cardiff this Saturday.

I am content with the kit lens so far but I wish to lay hands on the new 10.5mm DX - fisheye lens that promises a 180° view - now that is a picture. I really love good 360° panoramic photography. I have already made provisions in my photo section for 'Panoramas' and as and when I capture some, I will insert them.

Exploring Britain - An Eighteenth century British Toilet, a Photo by Abdulla Yasir for the World Toilet Day

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:12:39 GMT

Back in 1733 factory workers who worked at Quarry Bank Mill were housed in Styal Village just minutes from the factory. Widows couldn’t afford luxury and chose the cellar while families occupied the ground and first floor. The black colour door at the far end was a school for the children (See Pic.1). The toilet for each house is in the back garden and generously open (See Pic. 2, it is "private" though).

19 November is just a month away and if World Toilet Organization announces a photo competition for the World Toilet Day - its a done deal - this photo will be my entry.

Picture 1: The houses and the school

Picture 2: The toilet.