Hi folks... long time no post! in the meantime I have moved my 'default' blog over to Wordpress (link below), for various technical reasons not particularly worth getting into here. The following post was created there, and I have ported it back here - but it doesn't seem to display very well; I recommend viewing it, and changing your bookmarks (should you have them) over to the
New Improved Subtle Arts Weblog!...
Anyway, I seem to have missed a couple of months there somehow. Sorry about that... Not so much to report, in reality, as the routine is pretty steady here - I run on the treadmill every other day or so, and soak and steam a bit in the spa (nice work if you can get it); otherwise I spend most days writing and mucking about trying to get the computer to do what I want it to...
occasionally working on some electronic music, or wandering across to Madinat for some tea and a change of scene.
Athanasia came for a visit last week and this was definitely an improvement to the overall situation. 
We managed to get a few days away at a desert resort (run by the same company - meaning, Staff Discount...) called Bab Al Shams. This was really relaxing and beautiful, if a little artificial, but as my dad said, at least it's a copy of something real, something that grew - 
in this case, traditional Arabian fort architecture. It's still a bit surreal, for someone who is not used to ultra-luxury resort hotels, and all that that implies... but nevertheless, hard not to be impressed with the place somehow. It's all very low-rise, two stories and broken up into separate sections by a labyrinth of narrow winding passageways and quiet courtyards, with pools and bubbling fountains here and there. 
The rooms are very elegant and beautiful in a rustic way, all sandstone and wood tones and textures, and the spa is simply sublime.
And then there is an intertwining complex of larger pools for swimming and sunbathing and such, which is pretty superb - very easy to pass a few hours floating around and gazing out at the endless sand. In the late afternoon there are camel rides and falconry shows on the dunes; 
the guys running them were not exactly bursting with enthusiasm, but despite the obvious touristy overtones it's hard not to be a little taken in by the atmosphere.
At night, after the obligatory mindblowing desert sunset - I had forgotten just how lovely it can be, and how deeply one tends to sink into it - the place takes on a more camp-like atmosphere; in fact, the resort's signature restaurant is offsite, 300 metres away in a slight depression so that neither is quite visible from the other; 
it's called Al Hadeera and it has a kind of desert-camp theme, with carpets in the sand and live cooking of quite superb food from around the Arab world. There is also entertainment most nights - music, belly dancing, henna-painting, and so forth - but not on the night we were there, as it was a religious holiday. I suspect it would make the whole thing even more acutely touristy, but that kind of goes with the territory. 
Anyway. A very nice couple of days.
Our time back here at the Burj Al'Arab was quite enjoyable as well; not quite as photogenic, perhaps, but let's see what we can do. We did get out for an early-morning Abra-ride through the canals and waterways of the Madinat development. 
Abras are traditional Dubai watercraft, and the ones plying the waters here are electric, very quiet and reasonably eco-friendly, important since one area of the lagoon is sectioned off as a sea-turtle recovery area. Athanasia had a couple of nights out exploring while I was busy working (cue violins) but mostly we just took advantage of the time together which seems very important when it's in scarce supply
...
Well I guess I should consider getting back to work at some point. Hope someone out there finds the pictures interesting... given the new camera (forgot to mention that!) I will try to find time for a few more before I head back to Berlin. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with one of Athanasia's, from the hotel lobby here, which i think is rather striking...
