A big shout out this week goes to Matthew Weiner, he is the prodigy behind Mad Men. This week AMC aired the season 5 finale of Mad Men. I highly, highly, highly recommend everyone (especially those that work at an agency) to watch the show. Aside from the show’s talented cast, excellent costume designer and dramatic story line, Mad Men perfectly depicts the agency life like no other TV show or movie in Hollywood – especially in terms of handling clients, staff and everyday work life. I propose our office dress up as the cast members, call ourselves Edel(Mad)Men and nickname Iain Twine and Justin Westcott as Roger Sterling and Don Draper, respectively.

(Source: Pinterest)

Insha’Allah option on Facebook coming this November, Insha’Allah?

Moving along with TWTW, in my last Arabian Bytes blog post I talked about the new Facebook updates and this week I have more updates to share – no pun intended. According to PanArabiaEnquirer.com, Facebook users across the Middle East and North Africa will be given the option to reply to an event invitation with ‘Join’, ‘Maybe’, ‘Decline’ or ‘Insha’Allah’. For our global readers, Insha’Allah means God willing or if God wills (permits) it. Devoted Muslims use the phrase to make a point about a future plan to do something (basically, requesting God to bless the activity). Our local readers know that Insha’Allah is commonly used by locals, Arabs and increasingly more western expats to give a ‘maybe I will, maybe I won’t – who knows’ answer.

(Source: Panarabiaenquirer.com)

The other addition to Facebook will spark particular interest from the Dubai community because it’s all about VIP, exclusivity and high-class service. Facebook will introduce ‘Platinum Upgrade’ specifically for the GCC markets, a premium option for 50 exclusive social media users. The feature will offer 5-star services such as a ‘bespoke wall’ and 24-hour status concierge facility. Who will be invited to the Facebook Platinum Upgrade this November? We will want details.

Insha’Allah, these updates are coming soon.

Unfortunately, we just found out the exciting news was all a joke. Nice (fake) buzz story, Pan-Arabia Enquirer.

A .com domain is circa 1985! 2012 is all about .abudhabi, .dubai and .etisalat.

If you read the front cover of Gulf News this morning, I’m sure you spotted the headline news about UAE organizations grabbing 46 domains in the first wave of special addresses. The internet regulator, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, introduced new domain names to the internet, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi have both submitted their applications for the new generic top-level domain (gTLD) – estimated cost is $185,000 with an annual fee of $25,000.

Dubai – the city known for being the world’s greatest at breaking the world’s finest records

World’s tallest building: Dubai Burj Khalifa – CHECK
World’s largest shopping mall: Dubai Mall – CHECK
World’s tallest skyline: somewhere in Dubai – CHECK
World’s only “7-star” property: Burj Al Arab – CHECK
World’s second cheapest metro transportation system: Dubai Metro – CHECK
World’s largest man-made harbor: Port Jebel Ali – CHECK
World’s longest sandwich: 2.667kms sandwich in Dubai – CHECK
World’s biggest gold ring in Dubai: Kanz jewellery showroom in Dubai – CHECK
World’s first Arabic Calligraphy skateable art form: Tashkeel Dubai – CHECK?

Latest breaking record : World’s most expensive billboard: $1.3 billion billboard for Skydive Dubai and Go Fast – CHECK (as of June 13th, 2012)

World’s most expensive billboard YouTube video

And that is your dose of the week that was…