This week’s editorial musings from magpie’s nest<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quote<\/mark><\/strong> It took me 15 years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn\u2019t give up because by that time I was too famous Peter Benchley<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Musical notes<\/mark><\/strong> Dubai Opera\u2019s big musical Singin\u2019 in the Rain<\/strong><\/a> is in its last couple of days (last performance is 14 December) and there\u2019s a whopping 70% off tickets if you use promo code EMAAR70 at dubaiopera.com<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 tickets are normally AED 340 to 890, but this deal means you can get a seat (admittedly right at the back) for a bargain AED 102.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last-minute Christmas<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0If you\u2019re stuck for a gift for a local, think about a membership to the NYUAD Arts Center<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 lasts for a full year from date of purchase, available at multiple levels from a starting AED 350, gives advance bookings plus discounts and special member-only events.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Top words<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Oxford\u2019s Word of the Year is\u00a0brain rot<\/strong><\/a>, defined as \u201csupposed deterioration of a person\u2019s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging\u201d. Not exactly<\/em> a word as such … Elsewhere, Merriam-Webster went for polarization<\/strong><\/a> as its word of the year, which seems a lot more serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Art now<\/mark><\/strong> Several new shows are opening in the next few days. Three we like the look of: The Third Line’s group show<\/strong><\/a> on the tension between the public and the private,\u00a0fear and fantasy … Farhad Ahrania<\/strong><\/a> on the flip side of the 80s … Z\u00e9 Tepedino<\/strong><\/a>‘s Hassan Sharif-like ways with found materials …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saudi money talks<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Saudi Arabia\u00a0has pledged\u00a0\u20ac50 million\u00a0towards the \u20ac262m refurbishment of the\u00a0Centre Pompidou<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Paris, due to begin later this month. As part of the deal, France will assist Saudi Arabia with several cultural initiatives including a new photography museum in\u00a0Riyadh, restoration of several heritage sites, and conservation work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notre-Dame insights<\/mark><\/strong> The New York Times has a brilliant interactive feature about the restoration of Notre-Dame<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 “each day we have 20 difficulties. But it’s different when you work on a building that has a soul. Beauty makes everything easier”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Burj NYE<\/mark><\/strong> A team of more than 110 from 11 countries is working on \u201cthe most captivating New Year\u2019s Eve celebration in Dubai\u2019s history\u201d \u2013 a nine-minute performance called Beyond Dreams<\/strong>\u00a0featuring original music, lights and lasers, and of course fireworks. You can see it for free from the usual spots, but if you want the special treatment you can pay AED\u00a0580<\/a><\/strong> to park yourself in Burj Park. Sounds expensive? Well, you do get \u201cuninterrupted views of the NYE celebration and shows\u201d and one F&B voucher worth AED 60 …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smell like a winner<\/mark><\/strong>? I\u2019m just going to leave this here: here’s a line of perfumes aimed at \u201cpatriots who never back down, like President Trump. This scent is your rallying cry in a bottle. Featuring Trump\u2019s iconic image and raised fist, this limited-edition cologne embodies strength, power, and victory …\u201d Fight Fight Fight Perfume For Women<\/strong><\/a> costs $199 (so does Fight Fight Fight Cologne For Men<\/strong><\/a>, but it\u2019s on pre-order). Perhaps predictably, Victory By President Trump<\/strong> (perfume and cologne) is sold out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brown nose<\/mark><\/strong> Your Pantone Color of the Year<\/strong><\/a> (a colour that captures \u201cthe global zeitgeist … reflecting collective desire in the form of a single, distinct hue\u201d) is Mocha Mousse<\/strong><\/a>, \u201ca warming, brown hue imbued with richness\u201d. Hints of comfort eating and some alpaca wools \u2013 or Nazi uniforms and poo? Take your pick …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bluesky starter pack of the week<\/mark><\/strong> A collection of major news outlets that have joined the Bluesky platform (including The Guardian, Reuters, NPR, Financial Times, WSJ, and Wired) is here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something for the weekend<\/mark><\/strong> Match the synonyms here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things we didn\u2019t know no.94<\/mark><\/strong> Your brain burns 400-500 calories a day.\u00a0That\u2019s around 20-25% of your total energy requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earworm of the week<\/mark><\/strong> Ramones : Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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