Wednesday, August 31, 2005

The Play Place fun...

Last weekend i tried something very unusual...

Although, anyone would disqualify me in terms of my age and height (not to mention my weight) to allow me into those McDonald's play places, however, on my li'al brother and smaller cousins' insisting, I hopped into the plastic Play Place at one of the McDonald's in my town.

When I came out, I was amazed to find the structure standing perfectly upright; it withstood my weight... Those who know me wont believe me though!

I bet you wont have tried it since you turned 14...

You and your Boss...

When you take a long time, you're slow.
When your boss takes a long time, he's thorough.

When you apply for leave, you must be going for an interview.
When your boss applies for leave, it's because he's overworked.

When you don't do it, you're lazy.
When your boss doesn't do it, he's too busy.

When you're on a day off sick, you're always sick.
When your boss is on a day off sick, he must be very ill.

When you make a mistake, you're an idiot.
When your boss makes a mistake, he's only human.

When doing something without being told, you're overstepping your authority.
When your boss does the same thing, that's initiative.

When you take a stand, you're being bull-headed.
When your boss does it, he's being firm.

When you overlooked the rules of etiquette, you're being rude.
When your boss skips a few rules, he's being original.

When you please your boss, you're brown-nosing.
When your boss pleases his boss, he's being co-operative.

When you're out of the office, you're wandering around.
When your boss is out of the office, he's on business.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

The Saints get their stadium thrashed...

The sturdy stadium, designed to withstand 200mph 320kph winds, suffered from the elements even as people sheltered inside, wind and rain ripped protective tiles from the roof.

Superdome stadium, the home of the NFL's New Orleans Saints and now a makeshift shelter housed thousands spending the nights under the 77,000-seat stadium as Katrina knocked out power and submerged part of the low-lying city in up to 6ft (2m) of rising water. .

Part of the roof of the stadium was also torn apart by the catstrophic storm.

News Correspondents in the city say walls of water have been running down the skyscrapers like waterfalls. Palm trees have been felled, shops wrecked and cars hurled across streets strewn with shattered glass.

A miser's wife...

There was a man who had worked all of his life, had saved all of his money, and was a real miser when it came to his money. Just before he died, he said to his wife, "When I die, I want you to take all my money and put it in the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlife with me."

And so he got his wife to promise him with all of her heart that when he died, she would put all of the money in the casket with him.

Well, he died. He was stretched out in the casket, his wife was sitting there in black, and her friend was sitting next to her. When they finished the ceremony, just before the undertakers got ready to close the casket, the wife said, "Wait just a minute!"

She had a box with her; she came over with the box and put it in the casket. Then the undertakers locked the casket down, and they rolled it away.

So her friend said, "Girl, I know you weren't fool enough to put all that money in there with your husband." The loyal wife replied, "Listen, I'm an honest loyal wife, I can't go back on my word. I promised him that I was going to put that money in that casket with him." "You mean to tell me you put that money in the casket with him!!!!?" "I sure did," said the wife. "I got it all together, put it into my account and wrote him a check. If he can cash it, he can spend it."

Monday, August 29, 2005

Getting started of Potter...

Atlast, after a delay caused by my semester finals, I have just started the latest book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince...

Many of my fellows have finished it in a day or two, however, i will try to enjoy reading it through a span of a week or so...

I'm not a die-hard Potter fan, however, I really fancy the fascinating world of the non-Muggles created by Ms. Rowling. On the other hand, I have some serious reservations regarding stupid sort of behavior of some of the characters of this world and a few baseless situations in which the characters are sometimes put into.

Still, I hope to enjoy this read and i can still guess what's going to be the end of this latest installment.

A drowned paradise...


A firefighter crosses a flooded street in the Swiss capital, Berne, after heavy rains paralyse many areas of the country.

Picture coutesy of BBC News

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Standards of Living...


You always talk about poor standards of living of millions of human beings all across the world.

Nobody does even care about these poor chickens!

Friday, August 26, 2005

Finally, It's Over...

After a hectic one-week full of reading, cramming, screeming, phoning, early wakeups, headaches, toothaches and sleepless nights; at last, it's over and I'm free.

I just went through my 6th semester's final papers and hope to do well too, Inshallah.

There are a lot of pending tasks to be done including clearing the mess of rough pages, notes, books and notebooks plus rearrangment of my own cupboard and wardrobe...But, for now, I just want to chill and rest.

After all, you donot get semester breaks very often.

And does not everybody need a break!

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

The soothing shades of green...


The canal is to Lahore just as the Thames is to London, although not in sense of its commercial importance. It is the most beautiful piece of nature that runs all through Lahore...

When the sun blazes down on the Earth and as you travel home after a hectic day, the shades of trees kneeling over the canal water give your eyes a very soothing effect...

Friday, August 19, 2005

A Tribute: My moments with the Eggs (Anday)...

In the morning they help you fill your all-night hungry tummies; in the afternoon, when you have egg-fried rice at a Chinese restaurant for a business lunch, you dont think about them... The cycle continues as you shop for more in the evening and put them in a chilling magical casket named Fridge....

How can we be so selfish and not think about this tasty-yummy-humble-dead-but-alive thingy named "An Egg".

O Egg! I thank you for all the hards-chills you have to face just to satisfy my selfish-always-hungry taste-buds....I salute you and admire your service to the whole of eating human kind...

Thank you so much...

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Pakistan's mystical Islam thrives

I loved this article by BBC's Karachi correspondent, Asim Butt.
Hence, I'm sharing it with you...

the link is: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4746019.stm

Hope you will like it too...

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Are you talking to me!


Hey you! Are you talkin to me....

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Lahorites spent Rs.500 million on Independence Day!

According to Daily Jang, Pakistan's most circulated newspaper, Lahorites spent Rs. 500,000,000 ($ 8,300,000) on Flags, Decorations, Lightings, Badges and other "Pakistan" labelled merchandise as they lavishly & enthuastically celebrated Pakistan's 58th Independence Day on 14th of August...

Whole-sale markets in Lahore sold some 15 million Flags, 150 million small paper flag packs (Jhandian) & 20 million badges as part of the celebrations.

Lahore is the provincial capital of Punjab province and the second biggest city in Pakistan...

Monday, August 15, 2005

I'll go for "Hockey"


A House; supporter of "Hockey" candidate...

The Election Nights...


It's the scene of the skyline in small towns, cities & rural areas of Punjab these days. Elections are in full swing and upsized electric-lit Election symbols can be seen on top of the supporters' houses. When you look around while standing on your house's rooftop, the sight is pretty enjoyable...

Vote for "Paggrri" (Turban)


As the local council elections approach, campaigns are at their high... Above is a poster for a candidate named Chaudhry Ishfaq Ahmad Jiggar whose election symbol is Paggrri (Turban) that can also be seen on the upper right of the poster.

Paggrri itself is a symbol of pride and honor in rural Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan....

Caption the Ducklings...

Saturday, August 13, 2005

About all that's "Happening"...

As the National Independence Day approaches, spirits of people are at all-year high. In addition to the Independence Day buzz, local government elections have given a new kind of "nightlife" to the city...

Yesterday, I had a chance to visit the local marketplace near my house. It was unusual for this place to have this much acitiviy. I observed several Land Cruisers and Hondas painted with the election candidates' slogans and "election symbols" pass by me. There were a lot of people sitting on chairs enjoying cokes as they cheered to support their candidate. People continued to enter and exit a "tent" set up for the supporters.

On the other hand, One could see children gathered at a make-shift stall buying Pakistan flags, badges and other decorations. The melodious patriotic tunes jingling all around. "Yeh tera Pakistan hai, yeh mera Pakistan hai", "Watan ki Mitti, gawah rehna", "Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan".

Whatsoever the problems be, this occasion surely makes one feel proud to be what we are and gives an extra boost to our love for our Country...

In short, it's pretty enjoyable to go out in the evening to have a stroll and observe people cheer for their candidates and enjoy the happiness of being independent these days. It's just because we donot have much reasons to celebrate, so when such occasions come, we should enjoy them to the fullest...

Friday, August 12, 2005

Three Steps forward...


Three steps forward & One step back
What happens if it's the balance I lack

The war against no one...

Following the course of events, including the London bombings, that followed 9/11, we can predict that this "War on Terror" will not last any sooner. And we can predict a lot more innocent victims to this stupid, baseless war.

Even if this was carried out by Muslim extremeists, it's nothing unexpected. Afterall you have to pay a price for being United States' closest ally in a war that Mr Bush himself called as a crusade against the Muslims. And as long as US soldiers keep on desecrating the Holy Quran, you cannot expect Muslim extremists to remain calm.

I strongly condemn attacks on civilians, even those carried on the Israelis. But can you think of just one Palestinian or Iraqi family and the sufferings that they had to face from Israeli and American forces.

Why the lives of 55 Londoners are precious than thousands of innocent Iraqis, Afghans who died in this war without committng any offense? Can you think of the brutal act in which dozens of the same family died in bombing by the American Airforce on a wedding party in Afghanistan earlier? ....

It simply is "Tit for Tat". You stop this illegitimate War on Terror and so will the extremists stop attacks on the "Civilized" world.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

My "Big" Problems...

My first"Big" problem is that I am "Big" in size which may cause "Big" health problems in future, only if, I donot plan "Big" exercise sessions at the "Big" jogging track near my not so "Big" house. Secondly, I also have a "Big" problem of committing "Big" mistakes that have resulted in "Big" blunders and became the "Big" cause of some "Big" heart-breaks. Still, the "Big" problem persists as I continue to like "Big" burgers, drive "Big" cars and have a "Big" passion for "Big" skyscrapers, "Big" planes and for the "Big" love that is still lying dormant in my considerably "Big" heart. My "Big" heart, itself, is in search of a "Big" tenant to occupy its "Big" empty space. Another "Big" problem with my "Big" heart is that it hardly follows the "Big" orders from my not so "Big" mind, which, still has "Big" ideas stored in its "Big" imagination. It prompts me to think "Big" and to have a "Big" desire to make it "Big" in life. And, finally, I have a "Big" wish that may I be blessed by God the "Big" who has all the "Big"ness in His "Big" qualities and Who created this word "Big" itself....

Tracks & Trails


This picture was taken by me when i was travelling on a train through Changa Manga Jungle Reserve & Resort near Lahore...

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

The Feeling of Flying Free


As the Independence Day approaches, the celebrations are gearing up. From the street vendors who sell "Pakistan" labelled merchandise to the youthfulls who are participating in the preparation for these celebrations with full zeal and zest...

Still, when I close my eyes, I can not have the feeling of flying free like this bird . I do imagine myself flying; but with my wings clipped with corruption, my claws tied with red-tape, poverty stuffed in my mouth, my beak thirsty for a drop of literacy and my chest stamped with the word "Terrorist".

Yet, I can see my destination far across the vast seas I'm currently flying over. Hope is in my eyes and my heart is filled with determination & the will to fight....

I still have got a reason to celebrate "Independence Day"...

My Favorite Jingle these days...


Roshni Ka Safar, Chahe Lamba Sahi;
Hum Ne Thaani Hai Yeh, Hum Ko Thumna Nahin

(The road to light is, although, too long;
Yet, we are determined to reach there)

Aao Sajaein Kushion Kay Melay;
Bol Kay Lub Azaad Hain Teray

(Come and Join us as we celebrate Happiness;
And speak as your voice is set free)

Jo Sapna Tumhara, Wohi Hai Hamara;
Sitaron Se Aage, Thikana Hamara

(Your dream is our dream;
Our destiny is far beyond the stars)

Telenor; Ab Chaho Kuch Barh Ke
(Telenor; Expect More)

This jingle for Telenor-Pakistan has been beautifully sung by Faakhir and I simply love the commercial...

When the drains overflow...


When the rain continues coming down for hours; this is how our city's drainage belly overflows.....

However, this may have helped many of us by giving a free car-wash to our moving machines...

Monday, August 08, 2005

Recalling my Schools...

Throughout my childhood, I've traveled and lived at different places across the country. If I remeber it right, I have been to almost nine different schools in eight different cities for my primary education...

Attending so many different schools enabled me to interact with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Apart from that, I had an opportunity to make many school friends...

I do miss all my schools and fellows with whom I have lost contact...

Maine Phone Kyun Kiya... (Why the hell I phoned Aishwarya?)


He better be regretting the damn phone call that he made to Aishwarya....Shouldn't he?

Suggest a Caption...


Oops! Next time, do drive carefully...

Pakistan's forehead touches the foot of heaven...


Three of the earth's mighty mountain systems - the Hindukush, the Himalayas and the Karakoram adorn Pakistan's forehead; while 40 of the world's 50 highest mountains and five of the 14 highest peaks, including 8,611 meter world's second highest K-2 or Mt. Godwin Austin, are located in Pakistan.

With an assemblage of 35 giant peaks over 7,315 meters, Pakistan's northern region is regarded as the climbers' paradise. Pakistan has more glaciers than any other land outside the poles.

The abundance of glaciers, large lakes and green valleys combine at places to produce holiday resorts, including Gilgit, Hunza and Yasin in the west and the valleys of Chitral, Dir, Kaghan and Swatin the east, where glistering silver rivulets meander through the valleys, profusely dotting them with scenic spots, thick forests of pine and junipers and a vast variety of fauna and flora and earning the reputation of being the most enchanting tourist resorts on the earth.

from an article by Alauddin Masood

I am still looking forward to an excursion to the Northern Areas; the land of breath-taking views and overwhelming natural beauty...

Sunday, August 07, 2005

It's Raining Man...

The weather, here in Lahore, has been so refreshing as it rained for a good many hours.

The rain started off nearly 4:00 in the morning and resumed again at 11:00 AM. It's been the third rain since we had the first monsoon downpour.

Today's rain has been followed by a cool breeze that had a soothing effect on all of us who have been expecting suffocation due to humidity after it. Blazing sun surely needed a break apart from relieving heat-stricken Lahorites.

It's been a pleasant change from the intense July summer.

Happy Friendship Day

To all those who cherish friendship, I wish a very Happy Friendship Day!!!

God gave us relatives;
Thank God, we can choose our friends...

Saturday, August 06, 2005

If you miss a shot...


In case, you miss a shot, the only thing you can do is to see the ball go down and down like this....

Playing Tennis on top of the world


As long as i am wearing a parachute, I would really love to play there too....

Friday, August 05, 2005

"The Sahara" expands north...


According to a recent report in Newsweek, it was noted that almost 40,000 Europeans died of the heat during the blazing wave of 2003...

Ever-rising temperatures, melting glaciers caused by the Global warming are raising water levels in the Mediterranean and causing droughts all across Southern Europe.

Additionally, urbanization has resulted in loss of thousands of hectres of farmland and reduced agricultural output. In Spain, rising heats and building of golf courses that consume water enough to support a town of 13,000 have resulted in dried rivers, severe water shortages and desertification warnings.

Again, this year Spain and Portugal are suffering of the worst droughts in decades. In addition, water shortage & decreasing rainfall has resulted in raging forest fires that have resulted in loss of thousands of acres of green lands and killing of endagered species of animals.

All of these are signs of the climatic changes as a result of Man's havoc that he has been wrecking onNature, now for millenniums.

There's enough evidence of Sahara expanding north of Africa across the Mediterranean right into the Southern Europe that could turn Milan into the next Timbuktu in less than a century...

Thursday, August 04, 2005

The dirty Rain...

The Monsoon is here with the first full-swing rain yesterday.Although, it feels great to see that water pour down, however, the after-effects are nothing to celebrate. As the rain stopped, Lahore was drenching in water and suffocated by humidity. The weather really became uncomfortable alongwith an invasion of weird insects that mark the arrival of the monsoon.

The Jungle paths...

I visited Pakistan's largest artificial forest a couple of months back. Can you guess the place....It's Changa Manga. If the weather goes by your plans then visiting Changa Manga with friends and family can be fun....There are pretty good jungle paths to be explored and trekked at Changa Manga. But, mind you, forests can be dangerous sometimes, especially when you get lost in there...

Monday, August 01, 2005

I love to Dunk In Donuts...


This Sunday afternoon, when none of my friends turned up at Nando's for a reunion lunch, I decided to sip some Alaska Coffee at liberty Dunkin Donuts on my way home for it is my favorite at Dunkin Donuts.

It's been a while i visited this place. It has been through a complete makeover. Now, it has become a much more cozier and comfortable with those red and orange soffas all around.

The place smelled great of the aroma of coffee beans and the chocolatey donuts. A cup of Alsaka Coffee, a Chocolate Sprinkles donut and a Chocolate Frosted with a scoop of Vanilla ice-cream on it, chilled the heat out of me.

There were quite a few people sitting around. As i enjoyed my breakfasty brunch, i listened to the discussion about Advertising going on among a group of girls that were sitting on the sofa just behind me. On my right, I could see a couple out on Date for sure as they kept on whispering among themselves... A foreigner (perhaps a British woman) enters with her friend or husband, i dont know...A in-a-hurry mother orders donuts for her three little children after asking their choices of flavors in a democratic way...

Although, i didn't meet my old friends that day, however, this experience refreshed me for the rest of my Sunday, or perhaps for the whole week...

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia dies


King Fahd, Saudi Arabia's ruler since 1982, has died.

Saudi state television announced Crown Prince Abdullah, his half-brother, had been named as King Fahd's successor.

King Fahd had been frail since suffering a debilitating stroke in 1995 and had delegated the running of the kingdom to Crown Prince Abdullah. Members of the royal family have pledged allegiance to Abdullah. An official ceremony confirming him as king is due to be held on Wednesday.

King Fahd's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday.

Defence Minister Prince Sultan is next in line to the throne after Abdullah, his half-brother, and was named crown prince.


Inna-lillah-hai-wa-inna-ilahe-rajiyoon

May Allah bless the soul of the late Khadim-e-Harmain, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

I condole the Saudi people and the whole of ummah on this event of great sorrow...

Hasan

Not a bright day...

Today really wasn't a bright day for me. It was all in the University where Electricity kept on playing "Aank Machooli" with us. Although, the weather was surely something to celebrate, however, there were many other things to worry. Today, a month-before planned seminar got postponed due to the inadequate supply of Electricity in our part of Lahore. The invited guest was a respectable Regional Manager at a well-known multinational who kept waiting with us for about two hours in vain.

It wasn't a day i enjoyed despite the refreshing weather of today...

Lahore Metblogs