F1 at Yaz Marina Circuit - United Arab Emirates
Look out Monaco Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates with its spectacular Yas Marina Hotel just may outpace you in terms of lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-famous. This weekend, Abu Dhabi hosts their third Formula One auto racing event, and it’s sure not to disappoint. Today, these cars which are the pentacle of motorsports technology will practice, tomorrow they will qualify for grid positions, and Sunday they will race. One aspect that makes this race unique is that it begins at sunset and runs under state-of-the-art lighting into the night. The effect is stunning as the race cars hum along looking more like liquid than a solid. Another dazzling feature is that the track circuit literally runs through the middle of this amazing, five star, Yas Hotel. The building is shrouded in a network of lights that slowly shift colors: satire blue, magenta, gold.
We Tivo the sessions off Speed Channel. If you can find coverage in your area, I recommend checking it out, especially on Sunday.
Now for a joke. I hope nobody finds this offensive, but like all good jokes, somebody probably will.
Three men go to the Middle East on a business trip, an Irishman, a Scotsman, and an American. Their meeting is such a success that afterwards the three go out and get drunk to celebrate. Staggering back to their hotel at the end of the night, the Irishman stops at a bush to relieve himself. The other two follow his lead. Before they can finish, they’re surrounded by the local police, handcuffed, and taken to jail. The next morning, the befuddled businessmen are presented to the local magistrate, a formidable man with fierce eyes.
The magistrate addresses the Irishman first. “Irishman. You have defiled my country and for that you will get ten lashes.” To the Scott he said, “Scotsman, you have defiled my country and for that you will get ten lashes, but I like your accent, so I grant you one wish. What do you wish for?”
“Ye a kind man sir. I’d fancy a downy pillow for me back, if it be possible.”
Last came the American. “American,” the magistrate said with a stern voice. “American, you have defiled my country and for that you shall receive ten lashings.” But then he cocked his head, pursed his lips, and struggled to subdue a smile. “American, you will get your lashings, but you know, I like you Americans. You’re brave, funny, and clever. Because I like you, I’ll grant you two wishes. What will they be?”
The American thought for a minute and then asked for his first wish. “Sir, I’m sorry for what I’ve done, and I’d like you to whip me one-hundred times.”
“Oh! You Americans are crazy, but you are also strong. I like that. What is your second wish?”
“Put the Irishman on my back first.”
Have a great week, and I’ll post again next Friday.