I love comic conventions.
As San Diego Comic-Con returns for its first major in-person event since Covid-19, I want to say how grateful I am these events simply exist. While the Californian gathering is considered the most popular of its kind, as it's one of the oldest, there are plenty of other variations that take place around the world.
Colourful cosplay, celebrity meet-and-greets and charming artisan stalls are just some of the reasons why I enjoy them. However, it wasn’t until I began attending some myself that I started to understand just how much of a haven they can be for some people.
Scroll through the gallery above to see images from Middle East Film and Comic Con 2022
The first time I went to such an event I went as any other fan, joining the crowds at the Boston Comic Con in 2013. While I’d always wanted to go, the idea of showing up alone felt daunting at the time, especially since they're normally attended by groups of friends or families.
However, I was offered free tickets and had the day off work, so it seemed like a good time to just do it. I quickly learnt whether you're there by yourself or not, it's easy to make a new friend or two. In the end, everyone is there to share the same pop culture experience, without judgement. It's all about having fun and finding like-minded people.
A few years later, now as a journalist, I attended WrestleMania Axxess during WrestleMania 35 weekend at Pier 12 in Brooklyn, New York, in 2019. Although it doesn’t officially have the word “comic con” in it, it’s the same type of affair — a convention for fans to come together to celebrate the thing they love most. In this case, professional wrestling.
As WWE’s biggest weekend, it wasn’t surprising to see the amount of fans who cosplayed as their favourite wrestler. Even though there were long lines for meet-and-greets, they moved fast and plenty of people were left with huge smiles on their faces. During one of the days I was there, I needed somewhere to sit and made a new friend as we bonded over the weekend's festivities. We still follow each other on Instagram to this day.
Throughout the four-day event, I also met fans from China, Japan, Finland and Kuwait, who were enjoying themselves. Even if we didn't speak the same language, we were there for the same reasons and proudly unabashed about it.
In March, I went to my first Middle East Film and Comic Con in March when it was hosted in Abu Dhabi. This time, I attended as both a journalist and a fan. It felt a little bit like stepping into a different world. The moment I got out of my car, I saw people dressed up, cosplaying as their favourite video game, anime or movie character.
I was able to interview celebrities such as Ming-Na Wen and Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario. While it could, at times, feel overwhelming with how many people were there, it was also a reminder I wasn't alone in my appreciation of pop culture — whether it was for video games, animation or something else entirely.
Being backstage also gave me a new respect for how hard it is to host and plan such an event. Behind the glitz of celebrity appearances and new trailer reveals, it brings people together who share common interests in a safe space while also allowing for a much-needed break from reality, which is something we can all probably agree we've needed the past couple of years.
Welcome back, San Diego. You have been missed.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the best cosplay looks from New York Comic Con 2021
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
