Its not a good sign when one blog reads Back and Back Again in a space of just a handful of posts, that said, I have a dam good reason to have been negligent towards the content of my online sanctuary of blurbs and babbles. You see Lappy, my dear old laptop since 2003, passed away roughly two months ago. The pain was unbelievable, the poor soul had a serious issue with its display and the cost of repair was just a wee bit shy of a new machine. It took me all this time to pull the plug on lappy and find a suitable replacement for it. After having flirted with the notion of replacing Lappy the Laptop with an oh so pretty iMac, I finally found a worthy succesor to Lappy in another Toshiba notebook. Hence the coronation of Lappy The Second took place my at its throne, my study table, just last weekend. And after going through the initial orientation, I took the time out today to log on to the katha of my life and blab out all that had been in store for the last little while.
So as I listen to a new band from Lahore called Overload, I think of all that I wanted to scream and wail about over the past months. The Karachi bombings, the hoard of friends deciding to tie their knot this summer, my job that gets suckier by the minute or that pretty persian girl at my gym who makes me weak in the knees, all topics that although improtant, have lost their moment of glory. Enough has been said about the bombings, marriage is generally inevitable, my job is a lost cause much like the persian bombshell who would continue to be my inspiration to go to the gym where I would occasionaly run into her by the water fountain or the treadmills just to exchange a brief "Hey, how are you!".
One thing that has got me super pumped though is my soon to happen trip to Karachi. Yeah, C'Mon! As Kay once said and her picto-blog things - Karachi My High, Karachi My Low, To Karachi I Must Go. Everytime I think about that trip I have a smile from ear to ear. Its been three years since I left Karachi, and much like cigarettes, I went cold turkey on the place. Havent been there since 2003 and word has it that city has gone through some major social, cultural and economic changes as well. I heard story about there being Pizza Hut on Zam Zama that has valet parking and a dress code - for crying out loud - what in devils name is happening there. its stuff like this thats got me on the edge to check out my beloved city.
Its going to be funny to be a guest in your own home. Ever since the folks decided to board that flight to NY, I dont really have a house in the only place that I can call home. But its time like these when good old friends give you that "hum hain na yaar" wali line. So I have been cordially invited and agreed to crash with my buddies Kabeer and Kiran. I wish they would have named their son with a K as well, then I would have called them KKK or simply the Klan. However they decided to name their son Basim. With all due respect to all the Basims of the world and the parents of all those Basims, it isnt the coolest name out there. Like a resume with Basim on it would likely be overlooked. It doesnt really scream, you would want to know me but is more like a me too name. I have had this conversation with KK and they werent too thrilled about my observation and blatant expression of displeasure with the said name. Ah well, not my child - so cheerios to Basim, may you not hate your folks for that name. I look forward to frolicking with the little bugger when I am home.
On another note, the time away from Lappy made me realize how much time, the computer and internet suck out of ones life. Its amazing how much time I had to do things like read, write and most of all watch boat loads of movie. I even got lucky when I found a great deal ona DVD box set of all Oliver Stone movies ever made (except Alexander) at HMV. I mean $50 for 14 classics is a serious steal.
I had a blast watching Doors and Wall Street and Platoon and the first Oliver Stone movie I had seen in my O Levels, Natural Born Killers. I recall an incident surrounding that movie that involved shaving my head with a few friends, however thats better left for another post. While on movies, a few wicked foreign movies that deserve a mention are The Battle for Algiers - a 60s BW French film about the fall of Algiers during Operation Champagne, The Leopard - another 60s flick staring Burt Lancaster about the life of an Italian nobleman at the time of revolution, Run Lola Run a twisted german movie about a girl who needs to make a 100K in 1 hour and the spanish movie Sex and Lucia which although a bit graphic, tells a beautiful story of an unusual love triangle. All these are must see movies.
So that is what yours truly was primarily upto all this while ago. It feels good to be muttering into cyberspace once again. I think of it as my shrink that doesnt charge a dime and that thought in itself sets the mind at ease.
So with that peaceful thought and a commitment from myself and Lappy the Second to be more frequent on this channel, I bid you all adieu - live long and prosper in all that you do or want do!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
And Then She Left
I wrote this ages ago and for some reason that I cant think of, I never hit the "publish post" button on this one. Better late than never eh!
A ray light, just shining bright
headed my way, lighting the path
that lead to the smile the lips had forgotten
Her eyes, with their quiet smiles
and her lips that sealed and concealed
the emotions that had been stirring in our heads
Just gave it away, gave it all away
the reason, the sense, the need
for her to be with me, for I to be We
Just when I thought that the light would spread
to the nook and crannies and dark alleys of life
she blinked her eyes and maybe changed her mind
And Then She Left
I still remember those silent moments
where hands clasped hands and we breathed as one
staring deep into each others eyes talking in the language of silence
I recall the times when a chat lasted for hours
and sitting down for a talk meant dedicating a day
when even the snap of fingers had a meaning
and I cant seem to forget those moments
where words fell on deaf ears, when all the voice
and all the noise, made no sense at all
all the blanks, the commas and the exclamations
just took the shape of a period, a full stop in true meaning
then the silence spoke again and this time it wept
And Then She Left
A ray light, just shining bright
headed my way, lighting the path
that lead to the smile the lips had forgotten
Her eyes, with their quiet smiles
and her lips that sealed and concealed
the emotions that had been stirring in our heads
Just gave it away, gave it all away
the reason, the sense, the need
for her to be with me, for I to be We
Just when I thought that the light would spread
to the nook and crannies and dark alleys of life
she blinked her eyes and maybe changed her mind
And Then She Left
I still remember those silent moments
where hands clasped hands and we breathed as one
staring deep into each others eyes talking in the language of silence
I recall the times when a chat lasted for hours
and sitting down for a talk meant dedicating a day
when even the snap of fingers had a meaning
and I cant seem to forget those moments
where words fell on deaf ears, when all the voice
and all the noise, made no sense at all
all the blanks, the commas and the exclamations
just took the shape of a period, a full stop in true meaning
then the silence spoke again and this time it wept
And Then She Left
Friday, January 27, 2006
Plight of the Pakhtuns
After having spent some dough on a home entertainment system the past weekend I started looking for a decent video library around my place, blockbuster just doesnt cut it for me. I eventually came across a gem in ZIP they have fantastic service with the deepest collection and the best part, I dont have to move an inch to look it up its all over the internet. I signed up for their 2 week trial but rest assured, I am checking in long term with these folks. So having come across a collection so deep, I started testing it out with random searches, putting in Keywords like Karachi and Pakistan. It was then that I came across a classic that I had seen as a child but had very little recollection of. It was called Traffik, a british mini-series about the heroine trail between Pakistan, Germany and England.
It was quite a treat watching the old 80s world. Its changed so much in the last twenty years. The funniest thing however was the Hollywood movie "Traffic" with Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro and Catherine Zeta Jones, is a complete copy of the original Traffik. Pakistan has been replaced by Mexico and the US has subsituted for Europe. Scene by scene, word by word, the movie is a redo of the mini series. Given that Sorderbergh made some revelant changes with regards to the cultures and geographies of his movie, but it still surprises me that a director of his calibre would copy so blatantly. Its Hollywood, not Bollywood!
The older version got me thinking. Replace heroin with terrorismt, replace the UK with most of the western world and replace Talat Hussain's character with one of the fundamentlist mullahs out there and we get pretty much the situation that prevails in NWFP at present. I dont think we or any one before us, may it be the British or the forces of Alexander, have really understood these people. I think that they have a talent, a talent of being able to utilize the sparse natural resources to make the most of it.
Take opium for example, who would have thought that the beautiful green sticks with a pinkish bud could produce heroine. Even to date, the best drugs or the raw materials for it, come from this part of the world. The Pakthuns basically cultivated the crop and then passed the bud onto people who would process it into heroine. Our governemnts response to situation was burning down the poppy crop and and forcing the farmers to grow seasame seed. Is it just me, or is that a massive economic blunder ?
Here we have one product, opium, thats known to produce the "soothing" effect to the mind. It sells for a lot more as well because it doesnt grow all over the world. So lets take a look at that supply chain and instead of killing the farmer, nab the people who process opium into heroine. If it can create heroine, then I am certain that it can be used in several medicines. Instead of wasting resources on setting fire to the crops, the government should have seriously considered researching other areas in which opium could have been used.
So now lets look back at these poor Pakthuns. They have lost their prize crop. They grow seasme seed which doesnt get them half the price of what they used to get with opium and right next door there is a civil war going on in Afghanistan. Any war needs two things, soldiers and ammo. And hence the cottage industry of arms and ammunition manufacturing gets a major boost. People start learning and making weapons and a new mafia evolves thats dealing in arms export. It doesnt take long for them to find international clients who would be interested in buying cheap good quality weapons on the black market and so it spreads. Now everyone can not make guns can they? So some people took to the maderssahs to get educated and have a safe shelter while they went through their education. Its no surprise that Maulana Sami Ul Haqs biggest Maderassah is not in the big cities of the country like Karachi or Lahore, but in a town near Peshawar. And hence their comes into being a supply chain for the Taliban which has multiple upstream feeds of figthers and arms coming from the same location.
Fast forward to present time, and these are the very institutions that the west has an issue with. The capability of the Pakhtuns to be the best at what they do. So the question that exists now, is should they Maderssahs be destroyed, should the Darra be raided and abolished or should those governing the country look at this region and its people as a competitve advantage that needs to be utilized and harnessed in a manner different than the present?
It was quite a treat watching the old 80s world. Its changed so much in the last twenty years. The funniest thing however was the Hollywood movie "Traffic" with Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro and Catherine Zeta Jones, is a complete copy of the original Traffik. Pakistan has been replaced by Mexico and the US has subsituted for Europe. Scene by scene, word by word, the movie is a redo of the mini series. Given that Sorderbergh made some revelant changes with regards to the cultures and geographies of his movie, but it still surprises me that a director of his calibre would copy so blatantly. Its Hollywood, not Bollywood!
The older version got me thinking. Replace heroin with terrorismt, replace the UK with most of the western world and replace Talat Hussain's character with one of the fundamentlist mullahs out there and we get pretty much the situation that prevails in NWFP at present. I dont think we or any one before us, may it be the British or the forces of Alexander, have really understood these people. I think that they have a talent, a talent of being able to utilize the sparse natural resources to make the most of it.
Take opium for example, who would have thought that the beautiful green sticks with a pinkish bud could produce heroine. Even to date, the best drugs or the raw materials for it, come from this part of the world. The Pakthuns basically cultivated the crop and then passed the bud onto people who would process it into heroine. Our governemnts response to situation was burning down the poppy crop and and forcing the farmers to grow seasame seed. Is it just me, or is that a massive economic blunder ?
Here we have one product, opium, thats known to produce the "soothing" effect to the mind. It sells for a lot more as well because it doesnt grow all over the world. So lets take a look at that supply chain and instead of killing the farmer, nab the people who process opium into heroine. If it can create heroine, then I am certain that it can be used in several medicines. Instead of wasting resources on setting fire to the crops, the government should have seriously considered researching other areas in which opium could have been used.
So now lets look back at these poor Pakthuns. They have lost their prize crop. They grow seasme seed which doesnt get them half the price of what they used to get with opium and right next door there is a civil war going on in Afghanistan. Any war needs two things, soldiers and ammo. And hence the cottage industry of arms and ammunition manufacturing gets a major boost. People start learning and making weapons and a new mafia evolves thats dealing in arms export. It doesnt take long for them to find international clients who would be interested in buying cheap good quality weapons on the black market and so it spreads. Now everyone can not make guns can they? So some people took to the maderssahs to get educated and have a safe shelter while they went through their education. Its no surprise that Maulana Sami Ul Haqs biggest Maderassah is not in the big cities of the country like Karachi or Lahore, but in a town near Peshawar. And hence their comes into being a supply chain for the Taliban which has multiple upstream feeds of figthers and arms coming from the same location.
Fast forward to present time, and these are the very institutions that the west has an issue with. The capability of the Pakhtuns to be the best at what they do. So the question that exists now, is should they Maderssahs be destroyed, should the Darra be raided and abolished or should those governing the country look at this region and its people as a competitve advantage that needs to be utilized and harnessed in a manner different than the present?
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Back On The Blog
As I found myself sitting aimlessly in front of the my laptop on a lack lustre sunday evening, I thought it would be a good idea to update the good old blog. I am not sure for what or whom but its become an obligation of sorts to occasionaly spew something into the WWW.
So I put on some Noori, (Peeli Patti is a great album- aint it?) and pulled my thoughts together.
The last month or so has been quite happening. Ever since I sat behind the wheels of the U Haul in Windsor to pretty much last friday, life was taking constant turns at warp speed. Plans werent met, targets were reset and activities were realinged. Christmas saw mom coming into stay with me for three weeks and it was an awesome three weeks. I bonded with her like never before. Plus, it was the first time that she came to 'my house' so things had to be made perfect. Thanks to a couple of friends who helped me tirelessly in even till a few hours before her arrival, that the place looked ship shape and I earned awes for being able to put together a reasonably decent place. The concept of downtown living is still not that cool with my suburban mother. She kept putting ideas into my heads about moving into Mississauga (read Miseryssauga) but to no avail.
I was initially some what tense about her trip since it had been quite a while since she lived with me. But things went seamlessly, I guess both of us have to some extent understood the individual needs we have. I hope she is able to come live with me soon.
As for people living with me, my partner in crime, Adnan left for Pakistan for good. We were supposed to share the dwelling that I currently have to myself, but Adnans sudden decision to pursue a lucrative opportunity in Pakistan left me to be king of the hill. His absence has however created a certain void. Much like the past few years since I have known the bloke, our last few weeks together were all about love, hate, laughs and curses. I was rather sad when he left but I guess thats life, people come, people go, we learn somethings teach somethings and move our own sepearate ways with memories of the time well spent. But that bastard still owes me money, so Adnan, till you dont pay me off, I am not going to friggin glorify our friendship. You Suck!
Along with Adnan, my Montreal buddy Alina, took the jet plane back to Karachi. Our relationship had grown in the most unusual of ways over the past year and to some extent, I found her to be my twin in experiences and aspirations. Yet another good one of to home.
While my desi friends have been moving out of Toronto. My gora friends are heading back. For a bit I had felt that with all the people moving around, my social circle would contract drastically. Yet life has maintained a ying-yan of sorts. As my mother quipped one weekend during her visit when I took leave to go out with my friends, once a socialite always socialite!
So thats pretty much it. The new year has seen a new relational alignment. All I have to do now, is regain my focu on life, that I have felt slipping away lately. Play life, instead of life playing me and all would be back on track.
So till next time.
Rock On!
So I put on some Noori, (Peeli Patti is a great album- aint it?) and pulled my thoughts together.
The last month or so has been quite happening. Ever since I sat behind the wheels of the U Haul in Windsor to pretty much last friday, life was taking constant turns at warp speed. Plans werent met, targets were reset and activities were realinged. Christmas saw mom coming into stay with me for three weeks and it was an awesome three weeks. I bonded with her like never before. Plus, it was the first time that she came to 'my house' so things had to be made perfect. Thanks to a couple of friends who helped me tirelessly in even till a few hours before her arrival, that the place looked ship shape and I earned awes for being able to put together a reasonably decent place. The concept of downtown living is still not that cool with my suburban mother. She kept putting ideas into my heads about moving into Mississauga (read Miseryssauga) but to no avail.
I was initially some what tense about her trip since it had been quite a while since she lived with me. But things went seamlessly, I guess both of us have to some extent understood the individual needs we have. I hope she is able to come live with me soon.
As for people living with me, my partner in crime, Adnan left for Pakistan for good. We were supposed to share the dwelling that I currently have to myself, but Adnans sudden decision to pursue a lucrative opportunity in Pakistan left me to be king of the hill. His absence has however created a certain void. Much like the past few years since I have known the bloke, our last few weeks together were all about love, hate, laughs and curses. I was rather sad when he left but I guess thats life, people come, people go, we learn somethings teach somethings and move our own sepearate ways with memories of the time well spent. But that bastard still owes me money, so Adnan, till you dont pay me off, I am not going to friggin glorify our friendship. You Suck!
Along with Adnan, my Montreal buddy Alina, took the jet plane back to Karachi. Our relationship had grown in the most unusual of ways over the past year and to some extent, I found her to be my twin in experiences and aspirations. Yet another good one of to home.
While my desi friends have been moving out of Toronto. My gora friends are heading back. For a bit I had felt that with all the people moving around, my social circle would contract drastically. Yet life has maintained a ying-yan of sorts. As my mother quipped one weekend during her visit when I took leave to go out with my friends, once a socialite always socialite!
So thats pretty much it. The new year has seen a new relational alignment. All I have to do now, is regain my focu on life, that I have felt slipping away lately. Play life, instead of life playing me and all would be back on track.
So till next time.
Rock On!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Windsor Again
Its 8:45 in the AM and I am in Windsor today. Its funny how the city keeps pulling me back. I came here last night right after work (the boss was gracious enough to let me off an hour before due). The 4 hour train ride proved to be the ideal setting for me to go through the book that I had picked up a few days ago. Its called Samarkand and what a book it is. Its set over a centuries of Islamic history with several parables and parallels to our current day and age. A must read by all.
I am to Windsor amidst melting snow and positive tempratures. Woopie Doo. It seems our dear friends celebrating christmas would not be able to cherish a "white christmas" this year. Thats good news for me. Since I have a huge drive ahead of me today, highway 401 is a bitch to drive on in the snow.
The reason I am in Windsor is that a good friend is moving back to Pakistan and I am (despite my protests) the designated U Haul driver to Toronto. For those of you less familiar with U Haul and who have bothered clicking on the link back there, its kind of a small truck/lift van custom made for moving housings from point to point, or in my case city to city. Rest assured, an adventure beckons.
Windsor hasnt changed much since I was last here, some 2 months back. The thick smoke still hangs over the town. It reminds me of walking into a friends room who used to smoke 24/7. He also had the habit of smoking anything that could be lit cup and gave a buzz. We use to joke that if we leave several open bowls of water in his room, there may condensation and rain. Windsor is pretty much like his room. The Detroit river and Lake Erie are throughs of water that cleanse the air occasionaly with its rain.
So I got thinking today that everyones going back, well all my Pakistani friends. Either I have befriended those Pakistanis who were all set to return or for some other strange reason all the Pakistani friends I made in Windsor are moving back. Its kind of nice, that I would have some buddies from Canada in Karachi and Lahore when I go there but at the same time, its going to be somewhat of a pisser to not have them around in Canada. I guess thats a part of life.
On a lighter its reminds me of line from Samarkand when Princess Shireen says "Who knows, our paths may meet again."
So might as well make the most of what we have now and save the rest till the time when the paths meet, again!
I am to Windsor amidst melting snow and positive tempratures. Woopie Doo. It seems our dear friends celebrating christmas would not be able to cherish a "white christmas" this year. Thats good news for me. Since I have a huge drive ahead of me today, highway 401 is a bitch to drive on in the snow.
The reason I am in Windsor is that a good friend is moving back to Pakistan and I am (despite my protests) the designated U Haul driver to Toronto. For those of you less familiar with U Haul and who have bothered clicking on the link back there, its kind of a small truck/lift van custom made for moving housings from point to point, or in my case city to city. Rest assured, an adventure beckons.
Windsor hasnt changed much since I was last here, some 2 months back. The thick smoke still hangs over the town. It reminds me of walking into a friends room who used to smoke 24/7. He also had the habit of smoking anything that could be lit cup and gave a buzz. We use to joke that if we leave several open bowls of water in his room, there may condensation and rain. Windsor is pretty much like his room. The Detroit river and Lake Erie are throughs of water that cleanse the air occasionaly with its rain.
So I got thinking today that everyones going back, well all my Pakistani friends. Either I have befriended those Pakistanis who were all set to return or for some other strange reason all the Pakistani friends I made in Windsor are moving back. Its kind of nice, that I would have some buddies from Canada in Karachi and Lahore when I go there but at the same time, its going to be somewhat of a pisser to not have them around in Canada. I guess thats a part of life.
On a lighter its reminds me of line from Samarkand when Princess Shireen says "Who knows, our paths may meet again."
So might as well make the most of what we have now and save the rest till the time when the paths meet, again!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Worst Day @ Work
If some one was to call me today at work and get my voicemail by some freak of nature (i am just shooting shit today at work) they would hear me say "...as surprising as it may seem, some of us do work a day before the holidays". Yes, the christmas/holiday season is starting from tomorrow and most organizations have the rest of the week off. That means no work till Jan or as we would amuse ourselves as children, no work till next year.
The wosrt part about a job like mine i.e. account management/business development/sales etc is that you are dependent significantly on other people. Your clients determine your routine, they determine when you get to work and when you leave. This point is further pushed by bosses who push the idea that what we earn is what our clients pay us so me must work with them. In terms of Porters 5 forces (yes I am a geek) we have 0 power.
So even if it is one crazy stupid client who has no life and works on the day the rest of the country is out shopping, we have to be at work to care of that SOB. The server he needs to configure cant wait a few weeks, those software licenses arent going to get to him till next year anyway and its time like these when I feel like telling the guy, dude, get a life, go get laid or something. However, the imperialist cycle of self fulfilment that I have stepped into deprives me of indulging in such simple pleasures.
To make things interesting in the absolute DUB style (thats what we call the company are the last alphabet on its initials) there is a competition going on the idea is that if can convince at least three of our clients to buy something worth $5000 we can take the rest of the day of. THis is where I draw the line. I didnt take the ethics course for nothing. Unfortunately, myself and others who find this exercise to be rather tasteless are stuck in the office. The others who pursued and succeded has been leaving as soon as their targets matched.
We have managed to retain our sense of humor though, balls are flying across the cube farm people are taking turns at telling jokes and ur bosses abviously are featured in some.
It times like these that make think where the hell is the world heading, I mean this is not what life is all about is it ?
Sadly some feel that way. Sadly it is all about making a buck or two even at the expense of others. It is a rat race, the cheese has a strong stench and and slowly but gradually we all flot towards with our eyes closed lavitating on the lognitudnal waves of cheese odours.
The silver lining is that I am writing this post from work. I am being paid to diss my job on the internet. Thats way of getting back at the man, 1 blog post at a time!
The wosrt part about a job like mine i.e. account management/business development/sales etc is that you are dependent significantly on other people. Your clients determine your routine, they determine when you get to work and when you leave. This point is further pushed by bosses who push the idea that what we earn is what our clients pay us so me must work with them. In terms of Porters 5 forces (yes I am a geek) we have 0 power.
So even if it is one crazy stupid client who has no life and works on the day the rest of the country is out shopping, we have to be at work to care of that SOB. The server he needs to configure cant wait a few weeks, those software licenses arent going to get to him till next year anyway and its time like these when I feel like telling the guy, dude, get a life, go get laid or something. However, the imperialist cycle of self fulfilment that I have stepped into deprives me of indulging in such simple pleasures.
To make things interesting in the absolute DUB style (thats what we call the company are the last alphabet on its initials) there is a competition going on the idea is that if can convince at least three of our clients to buy something worth $5000 we can take the rest of the day of. THis is where I draw the line. I didnt take the ethics course for nothing. Unfortunately, myself and others who find this exercise to be rather tasteless are stuck in the office. The others who pursued and succeded has been leaving as soon as their targets matched.
We have managed to retain our sense of humor though, balls are flying across the cube farm people are taking turns at telling jokes and ur bosses abviously are featured in some.
It times like these that make think where the hell is the world heading, I mean this is not what life is all about is it ?
Sadly some feel that way. Sadly it is all about making a buck or two even at the expense of others. It is a rat race, the cheese has a strong stench and and slowly but gradually we all flot towards with our eyes closed lavitating on the lognitudnal waves of cheese odours.
The silver lining is that I am writing this post from work. I am being paid to diss my job on the internet. Thats way of getting back at the man, 1 blog post at a time!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Happy Festivus
On This Day A Castanza Declared A Merry Holiday - A Festival, A Celebration! Festivus, for the rest of us.
Happy Festivus Every One :D
Good Times From Seinfeld !
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Zinda by Strings
Heard the new song by strings called Zinda - and it had such strong lyrics, I was compelled to put them up her. Get the song, its definitely worth a hear.
YEH HAI MERI KAHANI
KHAMOSH ZINDAGANI
SUNAATAA KEH RAHA HAI
KYON ZULM SEH RAHA HAI
IK DASTAAN PURANI
TANHAI KI ZUBANI
HUR ZUKHM KHIL RAHA HAI
KUCH MUJH SAY KEH RAHA HAI
CHUBTAY KAANTAY YAADON KE
DAAMUN SE CHUNTA HOON
GIRTI DEEWAROON KE AANCHAL MEIN ZINDA HOON
BUS YEH MERI KAHANI
BAY NISHAAN NISHAANI
IK DARD BEH RAHA HAI
KUCH MUJH SAY KEH RAHA HAI
CHUBTAY KAANTAY YAADON KE
DAAMUN SE CHUNTA HOON
GIRTI DEEWAROON KE AANCHAL MEIN ZINDA HOON
BAJAYE PYAR KI SHABNUM MERE GULISTAAN MEIN
BARASTAY REHTAY HAIN HUR SIMT MAUT KAY SAAYE
SIYAHION SE ULAJH PARTI HAIN MERI AAKHAIN
KOI NAHIN KOI BHI NAHIN JO BUTLAAYE
MEIN KITNI DAIR UJALOON KI RAH DEKHOON GA
KOI NAHIN HAI KOI BHI NAHIN
NA PAAS NA DUUR
IK YAAR HAI DIL KI DHARKHAN
APNI CHAAHAT KA JO ELAAN KIYE JAATI HAI
ZINDAGI HAI JO JIYE JATI HAI
KHOON KE GHOONT PIYE JATI HAI
KHWAB KAANTOON SE SIYE JAATI HAI
AB NA KOI PAAS HAI
PHIR BHI EHSAAS HAI
SIYAHION MEIN ULJHI PARI
JEENAY KI IK AAS HAI
YAADON KA JUNGLE YEH DIL
KAANTOON SAY JUL THUL YEH DIL
CHUBTAY KAANTAY YAADON KE
DAAMUN SE CHUNTA HOON
GIRTI DEEWAROON KE AANCHAL MEIN ZINDA HOON
YEH HAI MERI KAHANI
KHAMOSH ZINDAGANI
SUNAATAA KEH RAHA HAI
KYON ZULM SEH RAHA HAI
IK DASTAAN PURANI
TANHAI KI ZUBANI
HUR ZUKHM KHIL RAHA HAI
KUCH MUJH SAY KEH RAHA HAI
CHUBTAY KAANTAY YAADON KE
DAAMUN SE CHUNTA HOON
GIRTI DEEWAROON KE AANCHAL MEIN ZINDA HOON
BUS YEH MERI KAHANI
BAY NISHAAN NISHAANI
IK DARD BEH RAHA HAI
KUCH MUJH SAY KEH RAHA HAI
CHUBTAY KAANTAY YAADON KE
DAAMUN SE CHUNTA HOON
GIRTI DEEWAROON KE AANCHAL MEIN ZINDA HOON
BAJAYE PYAR KI SHABNUM MERE GULISTAAN MEIN
BARASTAY REHTAY HAIN HUR SIMT MAUT KAY SAAYE
SIYAHION SE ULAJH PARTI HAIN MERI AAKHAIN
KOI NAHIN KOI BHI NAHIN JO BUTLAAYE
MEIN KITNI DAIR UJALOON KI RAH DEKHOON GA
KOI NAHIN HAI KOI BHI NAHIN
NA PAAS NA DUUR
IK YAAR HAI DIL KI DHARKHAN
APNI CHAAHAT KA JO ELAAN KIYE JAATI HAI
ZINDAGI HAI JO JIYE JATI HAI
KHOON KE GHOONT PIYE JATI HAI
KHWAB KAANTOON SE SIYE JAATI HAI
AB NA KOI PAAS HAI
PHIR BHI EHSAAS HAI
SIYAHION MEIN ULJHI PARI
JEENAY KI IK AAS HAI
YAADON KA JUNGLE YEH DIL
KAANTOON SAY JUL THUL YEH DIL
CHUBTAY KAANTAY YAADON KE
DAAMUN SE CHUNTA HOON
GIRTI DEEWAROON KE AANCHAL MEIN ZINDA HOON
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Murphs in Australia
my best buddies are touring australia. check out their blog. Its just a wicked journey to be on.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Eid & Other Boring Weekends
It was an uphill battle. Either I kill the weekend or it would kill me. Alas humanity prevailed, a couple of friends and a great movie called Jarhead saved the day.
Friday, October 28, 2005
I never thought I was so fragile from the inside, but the earth quake in pakistan shook something deep inside of me. My sudden response has been to do something to help my countrymen. So i jump in whatever direction I can, what ever I think will make a difference. I have been so tied up in this stuff that some of my colleagues at work think I run a small business on the side. I occasionally ask myself why I am doing this? why sell the wrist bands, why work with charities, why talk to the PSAs, why argue with customs, and the only answer i get is I have to. Its like a must, like one of those things that we do out of habit. Like we know that when someone falls down our reflex is reach out and help them back on their feet.
I guess its just my internal insecurity. I think that while I was growing up and living it out in Karachi I had a blind eye towards everything else. I mean having never personally been effected by a natural or other forms of disaster, my mind was closed to the concept. and then all of a sudden seeing these people, hundreds and thousands of them on their own helpless, clueless, shelterless, everything-less just made me realize how wrong and short sighted i was.
ALthough its only been three weeks yet it seems like a life time. If thats how I feel, I cant even imagine how the victims feel. Would they even want to wake up everymorning to the same drudgery do they have the will to survive to move on. Its amazing just to see them stand there and do something, anything, it really is.
I guess we all have a responsibility at this point to support our people in any and every possible way. Its like how the body works, when a part of it is infected, the internal defense mechanism fights the infection till it exits the system. I guess thats what we all need to do as well. Help bring the victims back to their feet, tell them they are not alone, show them support, give the hope and help them dream sweet dreams again.
I guess its just my internal insecurity. I think that while I was growing up and living it out in Karachi I had a blind eye towards everything else. I mean having never personally been effected by a natural or other forms of disaster, my mind was closed to the concept. and then all of a sudden seeing these people, hundreds and thousands of them on their own helpless, clueless, shelterless, everything-less just made me realize how wrong and short sighted i was.
ALthough its only been three weeks yet it seems like a life time. If thats how I feel, I cant even imagine how the victims feel. Would they even want to wake up everymorning to the same drudgery do they have the will to survive to move on. Its amazing just to see them stand there and do something, anything, it really is.
I guess we all have a responsibility at this point to support our people in any and every possible way. Its like how the body works, when a part of it is infected, the internal defense mechanism fights the infection till it exits the system. I guess thats what we all need to do as well. Help bring the victims back to their feet, tell them they are not alone, show them support, give the hope and help them dream sweet dreams again.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Help Us Help Our Nation
Lets Help Out Our Friends In Pakistan In Their Hour Of Need. If You Are A Pakistani Student in North America Contact Your PSA About The Pak Quake Relief Wristbands or Click Here for Details
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Phir Kiya Hota ?
Agar woh hota jo mein chata
tu kiya phir hota, woh jo ho gaya
Tum bhool gaey, mein bhool gaya
Tum rooth gaey, mein kho gaya
Jahan chalta raha, zindagi guzarti rahi
mein chul para aur tum waheen rahi
hum nay shayad khoshish bhi ki
kuch yaad rahi kuch baat hui
pur waqt humara dost na tha
tumhari subha mein mera sooraj na tha
meri ratoon mein tumhari chandni na thi
jo baat wahan mein shayad keh dayta
yahan kehtay kehtay reh gaya
Jin bahoon ko shayad thaam sakta
unko dekhnay say bhi reh gaya
phir yeh suna kay koi aur hai
tumharay khwaboon mein tumhari batoon mein
tumhari muskurahat mein uska naam hai
aur tum mein jaisay uss ki jaan hai
jub yeh suna tu mein huns para
kuch apanay aap pur, kuch waqt pur, aur kuch jazbat pur
aur hunstay hunstay mein nay socha
Kay agar woh hota jo mein chata
tu kiya phir hota, woh jo ho gaya
tu kiya phir hota, woh jo ho gaya
Tum bhool gaey, mein bhool gaya
Tum rooth gaey, mein kho gaya
Jahan chalta raha, zindagi guzarti rahi
mein chul para aur tum waheen rahi
hum nay shayad khoshish bhi ki
kuch yaad rahi kuch baat hui
pur waqt humara dost na tha
tumhari subha mein mera sooraj na tha
meri ratoon mein tumhari chandni na thi
jo baat wahan mein shayad keh dayta
yahan kehtay kehtay reh gaya
Jin bahoon ko shayad thaam sakta
unko dekhnay say bhi reh gaya
phir yeh suna kay koi aur hai
tumharay khwaboon mein tumhari batoon mein
tumhari muskurahat mein uska naam hai
aur tum mein jaisay uss ki jaan hai
jub yeh suna tu mein huns para
kuch apanay aap pur, kuch waqt pur, aur kuch jazbat pur
aur hunstay hunstay mein nay socha
Kay agar woh hota jo mein chata
tu kiya phir hota, woh jo ho gaya
Followed the link of Samarkands page to the leadership test and the results, surprisingly, are
I dont think JFK was much of a risk taker, some commentators have usually been critical of his abilities to "pull the trigger". Who knows ? I am not sure if I like been compared to an American President.
I have been wildly busy in the past few weeks, driving all over the place between cities and flying to US and back. As always, I have some interesting thoughts that I would post shortly. For now, I have just moved into my new place in Toronto earlier today and am awfully busy setting it up.
Till next time.
Cheers
MKA
I dont think JFK was much of a risk taker, some commentators have usually been critical of his abilities to "pull the trigger". Who knows ? I am not sure if I like been compared to an American President.
I have been wildly busy in the past few weeks, driving all over the place between cities and flying to US and back. As always, I have some interesting thoughts that I would post shortly. For now, I have just moved into my new place in Toronto earlier today and am awfully busy setting it up.
Till next time.
Cheers
MKA
Monday, September 19, 2005
On My Own
Yesterday, I rented my first apartment. Holy shit I am an old frigging bloke now. Its a funny thought to say "Mera Ghar" and mean it. I have been renting apartments and rooms for the past two years but they were always temporary. I knew that in a semesters time, maybe in 8 months I would be moving out to a new place. But this time its totally different. This place is probably going to be there for a while. Its not going to be a house, but a home. That fact, added to the additional responsibility of maintaining the place like a home, furnishing it to my taste, repainting the pasty walls to a more vibrant colour -basically just giving it "my touch"-make this an adventure with mixed emotions.
So the place itself. Its almost like my dream apartment, except that its not on a 20+ floor nor does it overlook a body of water, but its very roomy with wooden floors and a great neighbourhood. The landlords are a fabulous italian couple with two really cute children. Theres a park right infront of the apartment and the neighbours are very friendly. Its a stones throw from the subway line and around the corner from the highway. Since I would just kill myself if I lived alone, I agreed to inherit the apartment with a room mate. The dude is a really nice Indian kid who is studying to be a film maker.
So on October 1st, I make the big move of going on my own. Earning some, loosing some, saving some and still trying to party like it was 1995 (good old O Level days). Its quite symbolic that all this is happening in October, since thats when I turn 26. So how about three cheers for my big move ;)
So the place itself. Its almost like my dream apartment, except that its not on a 20+ floor nor does it overlook a body of water, but its very roomy with wooden floors and a great neighbourhood. The landlords are a fabulous italian couple with two really cute children. Theres a park right infront of the apartment and the neighbours are very friendly. Its a stones throw from the subway line and around the corner from the highway. Since I would just kill myself if I lived alone, I agreed to inherit the apartment with a room mate. The dude is a really nice Indian kid who is studying to be a film maker.
So on October 1st, I make the big move of going on my own. Earning some, loosing some, saving some and still trying to party like it was 1995 (good old O Level days). Its quite symbolic that all this is happening in October, since thats when I turn 26. So how about three cheers for my big move ;)
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Only A Pakistani
So these days, while waiting for my work permit and all to come through, I am killing time in Windsor by hunting for apartments in TO, looking up cars and insurance rates, and playing cricket. I hadnt played cricket in almost 6 years when two weeks ago I took up a friends offer to join him for some cricket in the quad. Considering that frosh week was about to start, I went to the quad hoping to meet some hot new comers, but ended up getting totally involved in the game that I would play religiously as a child.
That led to me being a part of a team of friends participating in a cricket tournament today. The students association at the unviersity organized the tournament (in a soccer field, but still something is better than nothing) as a part of the Frosh Week. My friends put in a team and I played along. It was'nt much of thriller, since our team was way stronger than the others there, but it was still a good way to kill a lazy sunday afternoon. After the match ended there were five us, all Pakistanis, heading for our car, when we come across a huge tractor tire lying in the middle of our way. It was being used by the soccer team for some training exercise and they had not kept it back. For some reason, we all instinctively thought that we need to move the tire to the corner, so two of us put the tire up and started rolling it towards the corner of the field.
Our soccer field at the University rec center is made in an unusual way. Theres the parking area and then a grassy incline that plateaus into the soccer field itself. While we were rolling the tire to the corner, yours truly opined, wouldnt it be fun for someone to sit in the tire and roll down the incline. Everybody laughed, we made jokes, asked for volunteers and made fun of each other about rolling down in the incline in a bigg ass tractor tire.
Five minutes later, the tire was held upright by two of us, while a third person, Hasan, was taking position in the tire. We had two engineers among us, and they decided the best position for a person to sit and what would be the best position for the tire to begin its descent. Myself and one of the engineers were asked to play the role of a break at the end of the incline. Our job was to stop the tire from rolling into the parking lot. Two people took position at the "launch pad" and one person was all set to roll down the incline in a Good Year tractor tire.
The fun began when the tire started rolling down. We could clearly see Hasan with expressions of panic and curiosity as he held on to the tires inner wall. I was the first break, Salman was my back up. The tire was initially rolling very slowly, but gained momentum as it rolled further down the incline. I was all set to grab a hold of the rolling monstrosity when I realized that it could actually run me over. Behind me, I could hear Salman saying oh, its suddenly gotten a lot faster. I was feets away from the tire, when I decided to jump of to the side. Salman miscalculated the speed and by the time he moved away, the tire crashed into the side of his body bruising his shoulder. It fell off the path, onto the grass, and we could all hear Hasan laughing out loudly inside the tire.
Although the ride did not end as planned, yet it was still a great thrill. Everyone caught on and soon all five us were ready to roll down in the tire. We figured out a better braking mechanism and decided to use cricket bats in tandem, instead of bare hands. For the next 30 minutes, five Pakistani men, in their early and mid twenties were rolling down an inclince in a tractor tire.
What makes this even more funny is that there some caucasian, some indian, some sri lankan and bangladeshi people before us who had walked past the tire, but it took someone from Pakistan the brains to figure out that a tractor tire on an incline makes for a great time. Hence our unainomus conclusion was that no matter how good people from any other country are in any other field, no one can take the cake from Pakistanis when it comes to screwing around. :D
That led to me being a part of a team of friends participating in a cricket tournament today. The students association at the unviersity organized the tournament (in a soccer field, but still something is better than nothing) as a part of the Frosh Week. My friends put in a team and I played along. It was'nt much of thriller, since our team was way stronger than the others there, but it was still a good way to kill a lazy sunday afternoon. After the match ended there were five us, all Pakistanis, heading for our car, when we come across a huge tractor tire lying in the middle of our way. It was being used by the soccer team for some training exercise and they had not kept it back. For some reason, we all instinctively thought that we need to move the tire to the corner, so two of us put the tire up and started rolling it towards the corner of the field.
Our soccer field at the University rec center is made in an unusual way. Theres the parking area and then a grassy incline that plateaus into the soccer field itself. While we were rolling the tire to the corner, yours truly opined, wouldnt it be fun for someone to sit in the tire and roll down the incline. Everybody laughed, we made jokes, asked for volunteers and made fun of each other about rolling down in the incline in a bigg ass tractor tire.
Five minutes later, the tire was held upright by two of us, while a third person, Hasan, was taking position in the tire. We had two engineers among us, and they decided the best position for a person to sit and what would be the best position for the tire to begin its descent. Myself and one of the engineers were asked to play the role of a break at the end of the incline. Our job was to stop the tire from rolling into the parking lot. Two people took position at the "launch pad" and one person was all set to roll down the incline in a Good Year tractor tire.
The fun began when the tire started rolling down. We could clearly see Hasan with expressions of panic and curiosity as he held on to the tires inner wall. I was the first break, Salman was my back up. The tire was initially rolling very slowly, but gained momentum as it rolled further down the incline. I was all set to grab a hold of the rolling monstrosity when I realized that it could actually run me over. Behind me, I could hear Salman saying oh, its suddenly gotten a lot faster. I was feets away from the tire, when I decided to jump of to the side. Salman miscalculated the speed and by the time he moved away, the tire crashed into the side of his body bruising his shoulder. It fell off the path, onto the grass, and we could all hear Hasan laughing out loudly inside the tire.
Although the ride did not end as planned, yet it was still a great thrill. Everyone caught on and soon all five us were ready to roll down in the tire. We figured out a better braking mechanism and decided to use cricket bats in tandem, instead of bare hands. For the next 30 minutes, five Pakistani men, in their early and mid twenties were rolling down an inclince in a tractor tire.
What makes this even more funny is that there some caucasian, some indian, some sri lankan and bangladeshi people before us who had walked past the tire, but it took someone from Pakistan the brains to figure out that a tractor tire on an incline makes for a great time. Hence our unainomus conclusion was that no matter how good people from any other country are in any other field, no one can take the cake from Pakistanis when it comes to screwing around. :D
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Life Is A Highway ...
...and I am driving in the express lane right now. The past few weeks have been BRUTAL to say the least. Interviews, shifting, setting up the new place followed by the anticipation of the response from the interviews. Plus the fact that right now I am camped out in a friends living room doesnt make things peachy to begin with.
One thing I have perfected in over the last four months is what I call doing the Superman. Doing the superman is all about changing clothes quickly in a place other than a house. Now dont think that its about stripping down in the middle of the street and then quickly putting on another set of clothes. Heres an exmaple of "doing the Superman". Last week on Monday I had an interview in the outskirts of Toronto at Noon. Living in Windsor, Toronto is a 4 hour ride at least. So I hopped on the 6AM train to TDot (as some people affectionately call toronto) and reached downtown toronto (Union Station) at 10:30. I was wearing a pair of shorts, my favorite led zepplin t-shirt (its my lucky charm) running shoes and cap.
Prior to leaving Windsor I had shaved and I had showered. All I needed to do was my hair, and put on the interview attire. I also enjoy travelling light, so I had carefully folded my trouser, shirt and tie into a small duffle bag and I was carrying the coat on a regular mettalic hanger with the cleaners plastic wrapping still on. As soon as the train came to a halt, I picked up my stuff, jumped of the train, dashed to the mens room and quickly changed into a "pro". The technique is to pack your stuff exactly the way you are going to take it out, shoes and socks, followed by the trouser and the belt followed by the shirt and the tie in the end. Its a quick change, out of one dress into the other. A quick wet comb and a dab of hair gel further complement the look and the cologne adds the finishing touches. From a skid to a debonair in five minutes, thats a good feat eh.
Anyway, thats how lifes been everythings been moving quick. When it came to shifting I had to help my friend move in so that I could move in with him and he has a boat load of stuff. We eventually had to rent a truck and since he doesnt have what they call a "G" (meaning graduated) License in Ontario, I was required to drive the truck. It wasnt one of those small U Hauls that you see here and there it was this bigg ass F-450 which this huge carry on that can pass of as a lift van. So there i was rigging through Windsor at odd hours of the night. towing stuff from one place to another.
To make matters worse, it was the very the night that the remains of Katrina were hitting the Mid West, including Michigan, so it was light showers all night long. Adding fuel to fire was the fact that the condo that we were moving too did not allow shifting stuff after 8 at night. So waited out till past midnite and actually sneaked in our stuff, including matresses and couches, at 3 in morning with a constant drizzle drenching us.
And now that all that is done, its the really bad wait and see period. I have had a few job interviews, a couple have the potential to reach fruition, but the wait to actually hear a yay or a nay is absolutely nerve wrecking. Every time the phone rings between 9 to 5 on a week day my heart skips a beat I say Bismillah before answering the calls only to realize it some person irrelavant to my career prospects. This coming week holds the key, its make or break time. I have raised the ante on two opportunities, what I need now is a straight flush.
One thing I have perfected in over the last four months is what I call doing the Superman. Doing the superman is all about changing clothes quickly in a place other than a house. Now dont think that its about stripping down in the middle of the street and then quickly putting on another set of clothes. Heres an exmaple of "doing the Superman". Last week on Monday I had an interview in the outskirts of Toronto at Noon. Living in Windsor, Toronto is a 4 hour ride at least. So I hopped on the 6AM train to TDot (as some people affectionately call toronto) and reached downtown toronto (Union Station) at 10:30. I was wearing a pair of shorts, my favorite led zepplin t-shirt (its my lucky charm) running shoes and cap.
Prior to leaving Windsor I had shaved and I had showered. All I needed to do was my hair, and put on the interview attire. I also enjoy travelling light, so I had carefully folded my trouser, shirt and tie into a small duffle bag and I was carrying the coat on a regular mettalic hanger with the cleaners plastic wrapping still on. As soon as the train came to a halt, I picked up my stuff, jumped of the train, dashed to the mens room and quickly changed into a "pro". The technique is to pack your stuff exactly the way you are going to take it out, shoes and socks, followed by the trouser and the belt followed by the shirt and the tie in the end. Its a quick change, out of one dress into the other. A quick wet comb and a dab of hair gel further complement the look and the cologne adds the finishing touches. From a skid to a debonair in five minutes, thats a good feat eh.
Anyway, thats how lifes been everythings been moving quick. When it came to shifting I had to help my friend move in so that I could move in with him and he has a boat load of stuff. We eventually had to rent a truck and since he doesnt have what they call a "G" (meaning graduated) License in Ontario, I was required to drive the truck. It wasnt one of those small U Hauls that you see here and there it was this bigg ass F-450 which this huge carry on that can pass of as a lift van. So there i was rigging through Windsor at odd hours of the night. towing stuff from one place to another.
To make matters worse, it was the very the night that the remains of Katrina were hitting the Mid West, including Michigan, so it was light showers all night long. Adding fuel to fire was the fact that the condo that we were moving too did not allow shifting stuff after 8 at night. So waited out till past midnite and actually sneaked in our stuff, including matresses and couches, at 3 in morning with a constant drizzle drenching us.
And now that all that is done, its the really bad wait and see period. I have had a few job interviews, a couple have the potential to reach fruition, but the wait to actually hear a yay or a nay is absolutely nerve wrecking. Every time the phone rings between 9 to 5 on a week day my heart skips a beat I say Bismillah before answering the calls only to realize it some person irrelavant to my career prospects. This coming week holds the key, its make or break time. I have raised the ante on two opportunities, what I need now is a straight flush.
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