The Berries

With all the retarded, few years late craze of the Blackberry in Kuwait, and while thinking of the "habba" factor of our society.. I was wondering, what about Pinkberry? A pretentious yoghurt chain all over L.A.

On a recent trip to the States, I wanted to know what the buzz was all about, so my friends immediately dragged me to the local Pinkberry. Upon our arrival, I notice the long line on the street, with a velvet rope by the door, I squint.. "is that a bouncer??" Yes, my friends.. a bouncer at a yoghurt place! He can only allow a certain number of people inside, even if you're ordering to go. Oh, and no cameras allowed, not inside, not outside. And this isn't your Baskin Robbins 31 flavors, there's only 2 flavors @ Pinkberry: Plain (which is yoghurt.. like real unsweetened yoghurt) and Green Tea. They are however famous for their toppings, which I must admit, was the only thing I ate out of the entire cup! All fresh chopped fruit, cookies, shredded coconut, granola, etc. The presentation is fabulous, and so are the nutrition facts, and the interior design.

After standing in line for about 15 minutes, in awe of what is happening around me.. I was utterly disappointed with the flavor. I didn't understand what everyone in line was talking about, nor did I understand my friends cravings to go treat themselves to what is plain yoghurt dumped in the freezer. I guess even a yoghurt place, like skinny jeans is a trend.

Campaign: Don't Pick Yo Nose Homie

In the greuling heat on a late Friday morning, I wake up craving a Chicken Pesto Panini from Carribou Cafe! Everyone's off in Al-Politika's household so I prye myself out of bed and jump in my car, drive to the Cafe with the warm chicken pesto panini image in my head and its delicious taste in my mouth, making the heat and the inconvenient drive all the worth while.

It was after Salat time, so there was soothing classical music on all radio stations, definately kept me calm, with rosey thoughts.

On my way, I stop at a traffic light, just me and a cab driver, picking his nose like there's no tomorrow! I swear to you, I'm about to gag right now as I am writing this, but I must to prove a point. As the light turned green, I sped like a maniac trying to erase that image!

..stop at yet another light. For some reason took a glimpse of the rear view mirror, and there's a pick-up truck driver going at it with his nose!! I was beginning to get sick to my stomach. This is soooo not what I needed to see while driving all the way to the City just to grab a sandwich!

The light turned green and the truck was next to me now. He was still picking his nose and staring at me! I honked!! Honked honked honked like there was no tomorrow. Honked in disgust. He seemed bewildered as I sped away. If his mama didn't teach him any manners and hygeine.. then God help me I will, to protect myself from these blinding images on a sunny weekend!! Not only did those nose-pickers ruin my morning, but they also ruined my appetite!!

Yes, I have been so sick of the useless laborors who are brought here so those Residency Merchants can make extra cash! There are more expat laborors than locals and I still don't see clean streets and building built overnight like Dubai!

This one time on Mishref walk-way, I saw a laboror peeing.. by the bench! I mean, they bring those people from boon doons and villages and dump them in this country with no guidance nor training! I am sick of it!! I am sick of the taxi cabs honking at me while I'm walking from one shop to the parking. I am sick of having lunch at Chilli's while having a sea view of expat, laborors swimming in their underwear!! Nasty!

I don't know if this sounds like a racist post, but that's exactly how I feel. I don't think Kuwaitis are perfect and we must win the award for the world's craziest, yet dumbest drivers, amongst other flaws.

So... I wanna launch a campaign "Don't Pick Yo Nose Homie!" I wanna design these signs with no words, so they can understand wherever they're from: a nose with an index finger inside one nostril and a huge red line painted diagonally on the nose! I wanna place them on every friggin traffic light in the City. I know there are more important issues to campaign for, but since Friday, this is my most important one! Basic civil behavior, people!!

So, who's with me?