One Year - 365 Days - #365

Year 1 Stats:

60,000 visitors
6,000 pictures taken
500 hours spent on this producing and maintaining blog in year 1
365 processed shots posted
50 weekends taking photos
27 new inspirations and connections that I hope to keep (in a random order) - eric, lisi, halfmanhalfbeer, ham, crankyputz, alexander, Secret Dubai, edwin, natalie, miguel @ sfdailyphoto, littlejimmy, dubai sunshine, m&j, Jing, Jazzy, Zsolt, Keropokman, kiwi boy, luggi, 'roon, michel, samuri sam, elaine, gail's man, macky, basil, jez's dad, and many, many more...
9th on google for dubai photo search
3rd on yahoo for dubai photo search
3 National newspaper quotes and 1 national feature
1 'roon there's only 1 chuckeroon
1 shot exactly per day every day for 365 days

1 happy but very tired Bluey...

Dubai Daily Photo has to take a break.

We plan to return... sometime...

Short, Back and Sides a/k/a Al Sakeena - #364

The Barber Of Bur Dubai...

Parking For Praying - #363

... where as I'm quite often praying for parking... ok, that was a cheap line... although I will admit that I'm somewhere near being athiest. The one thing about that club is nobody is out to protect your rights. I think that's a bit of a relief, I don't like people speaking on my behalf all the time... having said that, this mosque is slapbang centre Bur Dubai and in traffic mayhem - so fair play to the parking protection for those seeking to pray.

Respectful Is A Good Word - #362

I know, another water fountain shot. I really am a big fan of them and they really are all over the place if you look.

Notice that the really nice metallic cup here is not attached in any way to the fountain - i.e. very easy to steal. And for who knows how long, it has remained here. I really like what this says about the society here... respectful is a good word.

Spokes. Flip Flops. Crank a/k/a Pedi-couture- #361

Spokes. Flip Flops. Crank.

I liked the colours, the mechanism and the aerated pedi-couture from my gutter position...

The Pretentious Antidote - #360

I think I can be reasonably be accused of being pretentious on occasion... however sometimes there are things that are too genuine, too human and too individual to worry about photographic technique... and this is one of them (I think).

I just saw this and snapped it. On a street. On a Dashboard. In Bur Dubai. On A Friday.

Bur Dubai Bus Station - #359

Mid afternoon scene in Bur Dubai bus station. It looks pleasingly shaded, however it must have been about 43 to 45 degrees C.

Can't wait for the temperature to drop a little...

It's Getting Close.... - #358

Reading The Palm - #357

This is the main "trunk" of the Jumeriah Palm. This is the reclaimed land that has become pretty infamous and some what synonymous with Dubai.

It seems like an interesting novelty now, I just wonder what it'll be like once all the fronds have been occupied...

An Art Deco Vista - #356

I liked the symmetry of this foyer...

The Fountainhead - #355

It's a neccesary addition to the city, the water fountains. However I do also think it's one of the best civic amenieties in this city.

Perhaps Ayn Rand would be fascinated with Dubai, although I wonder what the (fictional) Mr Howard Roark would have thought...

The Hyatt Of Luxury - #354

The is the entrance of the Grand Hyatt Dubai.

In a city of hotels, this one stands out as a peaceful and impressive location. I love the restaurants, the grand foyer and the best value brunch in Dubai at Andiamos.

Caught Between A Hard Rock and a Place - #353

Hard Rock Cafe Dubai - once upon a time this was at the end of the Earth. The tallest and most isolated building, before the Marina madness took hold.

Now it's surrounded by 50+ towers and looks a little quaint and it looks like Spiderman or King Kong should be scaling its diminutive, yet splendid visage.

Saladicious - #352

This is a nice newish cafe called Saladicious located behind The One store in Jumeriah.

I recomend it, funky place and good for some lunch.

Signage - #351

Effervescent Waves - #350

A little salty froth for the end of the working week.

Bluey Kool Aid Acid Test - #349

Bluey Kool Aid Acid Test.

Number Of Hours Worked 23,315,160 - #348

Some pretty interesting / impressive / illustrative stats for the construction of the world's tallest structure.

I'm kind of geeky about the Burj - it maybe the Deathspire, but I kinda love it already...

Gaps And All a/k/a Self-portrait Viewed Via A Third Party - #347

Self portrait. Bluey. The One. Jumeriah. Dubai. 2007

It would be very strange to see the gaps in ourselves that others see. Big, huge, glaring chunks of yourself just not there... We all feel we are the rounded, complete person that our within experience is our all. Yet when we see anyone else we only experience what is there to be seen, found or granted...

So here is my self portrait viewed via a third party. I hope you like me. Gaps and all.

Freedom To Create - #346

The butterfly symbol at the entrance of Dubai Media City freezone. The message here is Freedom To Create.

Certain freedoms should be automatic, not by granted by decree. Although freedoms should be celebrated where ever they can flourish.