Interesting read & some regular whining

I did remember reading some stuff derived from similar info over on Sepia Mutiny. But heres the dope from Nytimes on whats happening in Dubai now.

Dubai is a bit of ponzi scheme, you know. No real value creating nucleus - just governmental spending on infrastructure (who in return expect returns because of increasing attractiveness to tourists, investors and such), resorts and the likes - importantly no oil - just the glitz, glass and 800 dhirams a night for rooms smaller than my toilet in Madurai (6.5 grand a night in Indian rupee terms approx)

But i really hope that the whole thing isnt a big bollocksy meltdown or something.

*sigh*

More boring stuff:

In the midst of all this recession, tomorrow, around this time i'l be a proud owner of a shiny new, red or black (me and Idiot sibiling are not decided yet) Suzuki A-star zxi. More dope here. I resisted as much as i could but zeenat wont take another month of me borrowing my uncle's spare car in madras anymore.

More importantly, i do this because i cant stand the sight of my uncle driving his shiny honda civic for work (which does about 8 km per liter of petrol, which is in the same league as old Pallavan buses & old Ashok leyland lorries)

The new A-star is a 'fully loaded' 'sports' model and it has this really rad, ridiculously jutting out tachometer (which shows engine RPM. like i fucken care!) - the positioning on the dashboard im sure was inspired by how Jar Jar binks' eyes are planted on top of his head.

Apart from the downpayment of 150,000 - for the 300,000 that sundaram finance is loaning me - I'l be down about 15 grand a month in repayments - the guy from Sundaram finance tells me - WTF. I'l end up paying about 45 grand more, above the actual cash price of the car as cost of financing it - he assures me that it is at 7.9% p.a because my mother is a VVIP customer - but i cant fucken figure out how 45 grand is 7.9 % p.a for 300,000 in principal - which is diminishng at the rate of 15,000 a month - its more like 13.5% - the guy thinks i am a dork, i guess.

One final attempt at resistance will be made tomorrow. But i have this sinking feeling that Zeenat will prevail.