NATION 06
MUSCAT DAILY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009 GAMING REVIEW
Adding depth to the original
A MUSCAT DAILY COLUMNIST
RESULTS IN LIFE CHOICE OR LUCK? Kevin Abdulrahman Kevin Abdulrahman is an in-demand leadership development and performance acceleration speaker and trainer
Imagine a full circle representing life’s I’m blessed because the nature of my work usuknowledge pie. There are three main segments ally has me in constant discussions, trainings to this circle. The first segment is what we and speaking engagements with smart people know we know. Then there is what we know we and high achievers. Across the world, I’m condon’t know. Lastly, there is the third segment stantly introduced to the best of the best within which is what we don’t know we don’t know. groups and I get the chance to rub shoulders How these three segments are divided is interwith them. esting. What I’ve found has been very interesting I would like to suggest that most high and completely against the myth many believe achievers would agree that what they know is in. The myth is that those seeking to learn more only about one per cent of the 100 per cent are the ones who aren’t high achievers. In my possible knowledge and information that is out early days I also incorrectly assumed that those there in our world, if that. What they know they who sought more knowledge and information don’t know accounts for another one per cent. either didn’t know their industry well enough or And the reason they are always were new to their field. I realised it to be the con- ALWAYS SEEK TO LEARN seeking to learn and improve is because they know that there trary. AND IMPROVE is a full 98 per cent of knowlI have found that those who edge and information out there that belongs to are usually underachieving are in fact more rethe segment of not knowing what they don’t sistant to learning. They think they know it all. know. They really don’t feel that they are missing out Whenever I attend any event, meeting or get on any new information and hold on to that betogether, I seek to learn something new. It lief with all their might, whereas winners think could be a new tip, it could be a new way of differently. Winners know that the more they thinking, or may be a variation on what I albegin to learn about a topic, the more they reready know. When you truly understand the alise how much they don’t know. In fact, the scale of how much you don’t know you don’t highest achievers and the smartest people are know, then you will understand the importance always seeking to learn more because they unof being a student of life. derstand this truth. They know that what they There is so much to this world, so be open know needs to be constantly refined. They are to learning in both your personal and profesaware that what they know is only the tip of the sional life. iceberg and what they don’t know far exceeds You will never know enough. As any winner what they know. Because of it, they believe that would, always seek to improve in order to get things can be taken to new heights, and what to your destination. is deemed impossible today, is possible tomorHave a Winning Week. row.
Richard Thomas Muscat
The soon to be released Sith Edition has expanded on the initial Force Unleashed, by providing all those that have a slightly dark side complex an enlarged game and storyline to lose themselves in. The Star Wars franchise has spawned a number of good, bad and ugly computer games, covering all the main genres in console and PC gaming. Role playing gamers have had their fill with Knights of the Old Republic 1+2, MMOG's in Star Wars: Galaxies, and large scale battlescapes on Star Wars: Battlefront and its sequels. The expansion is supposed to give a little more depth to the original Force Unleashed, with the
Russell’s solo efforts stand out Patrick Pringle Muscat
The London record label Soul Jazz has recently re-released their comprehensive retrospective of Arthur Russell, which features not only his club hits with various bands and production outfits, but also some of his solo material. The compilation opens with his heavy, percussive, minimalist
production as part of the seminal band Dinosaur L, entitled Go Bang! The compilation then rolls out some of Russell's seminal dancefloor hits such as Loose Joints' Is it all over my face? The most remarkable aspect of these tracks is how closely they resemble a kind of proto-house or techno sound, with big thudding kick drums, electronic blips and echo effects, all years before the drum machine
time period around that of the Empire Strikes Back film in the Star Wars universe. Potentially, this will give gamers who have previously played the game something more to explore and delve into the immersing storyline and history of the franchise, and will be welcomed by the avid fan. What can it do for the layman, really unconvinced about the whole idea? Well, it kind of depends on what kind of games you like. The plot will be good, well told, albeit a little obvious. What new things it can bring to a franchise that is possibly creaking under its own weight, and has a slight whiff of a money spinner project, is unknown.
The rumours and excited comments from fan sites say that this edition will sell well to real fans, and given that there are millions of them around the globe, this game will make some money. LucasArts haven't produced a bad game yet, and chance are that The Force Unleashed: Sith Edition will follow the same path. The gaming will be slick. The graphics clean and suitably sci-fi. The monsters are menacing. The bad are very bad. The good are sickly sweet. So its fun to play the bad guy and get to put the boot in from time to time. Just don't spend too much money on buying it. Better still, rent it.
What would have been the biggest comeback for King of Pop Michael Jackson has now been encapsulated in a 112-minute documentary film. Jackson’s journey towards the series of 50 concerts in London will now serve as the musician’s final goodbye to millions of his fans. This Is It – a film that documents over 100 hours of the pop star’s rehearsals and backstage action – is set to release in Muscat on Thursday, and his fans couldn’t be more delighted. “This is the last we will see of him and I think it’s going to be a priceless film to watch and own,’ said a fan. “I have never watched Michael live in action. A film like this would give an insight into how he prepared for his concerts,” said another fan. Advance booking for the film will open from Wednesday at Al Shatti and a special premier show is planned for Wednesday night. “From Thursday we will be holding three shows of this film,” said Neha Chitnis of Oman Arab Cinema.
JUMP, THEY SAID Maryam al Bulushi, Student Muscat
Something will go thump in the night Our Correspondent Muscat
changed the face of dance music. And yet, some of the most sublime tracks on the compilation are some of Russell's solo efforts, with tracks such as Keeping Up and A Little Lost, which showcase his very moving, slightly otherworldly voice, with polished, adventurous cello lines threading in and out of the mix. This compilation is a snapshot not only of a genuinely talented and idiosyncratic musician, but also of the New York club scene in the early 80s, when musical definitions were loose.
Our Correspondent Muscat
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Sith Edition Produced by LucasArts and Aspyr Released: Worldwide this winter Available on: PS3, Xbox360, PC, MAC
You can mail him on kevin.abdulrahman@apexstuff.com
MUSIC REVIEW
MJ fans await ‘This Is It’
Hats off to those lucky enough to have sorted out tickets and costumes for the Vice Rave in the Ramee Hotel's Mirchi Ballroom on Thursday. Organised by BMB Events, this party is being organised to celebrate Halloween, with revellers all dressed up in ghoulish outfits. DJs Cee J, Dub Bass and Bakh Inamov will be letting loose with a range of music, such as house and techno. The doors open at 9pm and beverages will be available until 2.30am.
“Jump,” they said to him. He thought “What the heck? I can jump and I’ll just show them how much I can.” He stood up and jumped as high as he could but when he landed on the seat, the whole bus practically vibrated. They laughed their heads off, and I did too, merely for the fact that the boy hadn’t a single idea on why we were doing so considering his young age. Yes, you’ve guessed right. He’s an overweight child and his friends were making fun of his shape. Parents are the one to blame here, I believe. Generally, individuals are responsible for their own behaviour, but this is an innocent child we’re talking about, who’s
barely seven years of age and who also happened to gain all of this weight after consuming chips, macaroni, and other kinds of junk food being sent along with him…to school! Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not pointing fingers at this kid only, because I’m sure there are others out
there in the same situation. Genetics plays a huge role in this situation, of course, but what I’ve been observing for the whole of the past year proves my point. Parents may want to shower their kids with everything their little hearts desire, but a line should be drawn between the two to keep a balance and to avoid health problems that affect the child, not to mention being insulted by his peers. Here’s a wake up call, parents: chalk out a balanced and regulated diet for your kids with the essential elements that a healthy diet needs. Provided that you are 100 per cent sure of the benefits of doing so.
A-Z LISTING BOOKSHOPS Borders Family Bookshop, Qurm Madinat as Sultan Qaboos Oriental Islamic Bookshop Turtles House of Prose (used books) MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL ASSOCIATIONS Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Muscat Amateur Theatre Judith Razek Su Pattison Muscat Singers, Kate Clarke RAH Music Ensemble Katherine Cole
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