Why is it called beauty sleep?
“Sleep,” I muttered from under my blanket and pillow, “I know I forsook you when I was a child, but I yearn for you today, so much.” Who, after all, doesn’t like to sleep? Yes, hardly...
‘The fault is not in our stars... but in ourselves’
It really is ironic, isn’t it? Here we are, having ploughed our way through a couple of petrol ‘shocks,’ a cyclone or two, and a global pandemic, to feel we can begin to relax a little, and what...
The artistic debate is alive and well
What is it about art that polarises us so distinctly? The great Pablo Picasso said, “Art is a lie, that makes us see the truth.” Thus, perpetuating perhaps, the diversity of art, and its...
It’s time to take back the classroom
What is important to Omanis right now? Covid? Yes, but its presence does look to be less threatening every day. The economy? Well yes, we tread lightly, but oil prices are stable, and tourism is on...
Is peace a bridge too far?
Has there ever been a generation, or a century, in which there has been so much change? It’s genuinely unsettling how every day we wake up to new revelations, new discoveries, new faces, new...
A day for love, some roses and chocolates
It’s rather convoluted, but the origins of Valentine’s Day (February 14) as we know it may have been rather divorced, if that is appropriate, from the hearts, and roses celebration it is...
The best mistakes I’ve ever made...
In a genuinely healthy way, music drives my day. I find myself lifted by music, motivated, impassioned, and energised, and from music can often find inspiration in the lyrics and often homespun...
Solitude: An equal opportunity tenant
Loneliness is probably the one thing about the pandemic that can’t be fixed in a hurry, and though I am not clinically depressed about not being able to see, even engage with, and certainly not...
Global warming is cool. Really!
We can’t wait for politicians and legislation to put the world to rights in terms of conservation and the environment, to influence us by their actions. The boot is on the other foot now, and we...
Education’s Pallet of Black, Grey, and White.
The pandemic continues its ‘blitzkrieg’ on the educational experience of young Omanis, which must leave them wondering “which way is up?’ as they embark on another month of online teaching. I...
Shakespeare’s icons, Dylan’s lyrics, love... actually
Shakespeare’s characters are impeccable, each for their distinctive identities, appreciated, not only for the many positive and admirable characteristics they display, but because in their tragic...
What Will You Do... in Twenty-Twenty-Two?
I am no Nostrodamus, God knows I sometimes can’t see what is staring me straight in the eye, but mankind, let alone you, me, our families, and friends, need this to be a better year don’t we? Just...
We were bent, but not broken
Gosh! What a year this has been, make no mistake. I usually have a lot of fun with my last column of the year, a few chuckles at the expense of my friends and colleagues, but honestly, it doesn’t...
‘Most wonderful time of the year’
Christmas is just around the corner, and whilst not celebrated by Omanis, there is the gesture towards Christian observance, in line with the long-standing respect of Islam, for those of the other...
We make mistakes, learn from them
While we all make mistakes, a culture of accountability is an absolute need in all societies, at all levels, in all sectors. We don’t particularly want witch hunts, blame games, or finger pointing,...
Wanna Go Fishing? You don’t need a boat!
Anyone can go fishing in Oman, and what fun it is. You don’t need a boat, or a great deal of sophisticated fishing equipment, and best of all, it is something the entire family can do...
Is this the ‘Golden Bullet against Covid-19?
The onset of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has many of us running for cover, and pessimistic about the immediate future of life after the traumas of 2020 and 2021, but let us not wave the proverbial...
Genuine fashion icons or social media wannabees? you choose
Melody Nouri, of Santa Clara University, looked at the phenomenon of media influencers, and found that in one single critical respect, what she calls ‘micro-celebrities’ influence contemporary...
FC Nizwa Sports Club to host blood donor event
NIZWA,NOV 23Not content with demonstrating a progressive community awareness and assistance programme in the aftermath of Cyclone Shaheen, when a large group of their senior players and supporters...
Is this really where we want to be?
So, if you are from Australia, you can be called an Aussie, from Sweden, you can be called a Swede, from Scotland you can be called a Scot, yet if you are from Pakistan...As the revelations from...