Umar Pirzada a.k.a UTP

Switched to WORDPRESS

2007-10-05T12:21:00.001+05:00

Yes people, I don't know if anyone visits here anymore, but even if you do....here are the details,

http://umarpirzada.wordpress.com is my new blog area .... I have exported all blogs from the following blog addresses over there....

http://mrumarpirzada.blogspot.com
http://cricketumar.blogspot.com
http://the-point-of-view.blogspot.com

Amazing eh? Wanted to have as minimum areas to write as possible...for better management...so now I have TWO blog addresses....ONLY!!!

http://umarpirzada.wordpress.com (for serious BLOGGING)
http://umarpirzada.spaces.live.com (my space...personal stuff...)

See your around....

Switching BLOG ADDRESSES....

2007-04-27T14:25:00.000+05:00

People, I also like lots am leaving BLOGSPOT. I am going to use my MSN Spaces Area from now on. Here is the link....

http://umarpirzada.spaces.live.com/

Please update blogrolls (:$) and I hope to see you there....more often...

THANKS.

I AM BACK!!!!

2007-04-26T23:40:00.000+05:00

Didnt want to sound CLICHE'd but I am BACK!!!

Finally internet installed at home. It took me 2 months in Dubai to bring focus on this. Lots has happened. Lots developed. I will get into it gradually. For now, I am re-entering the blog world again and getting back in touch with everybody.

It will take some time cleaning up grievances etc, but knowing my charming personality and the big hearts that my fellow blogger friends have....I think I will get back to bloggin' in no time...

The best thing from the blogging perspective in Dubai is that blogspot works...so no inconveniences...accessing...it...

But I am still considering moving....to spaces.msn....lets see...will explore...
before deciding...

DUBAI...its great....I love the job and thats the best part....that was what I was here for so since that is settled...everything seems ok too...I got wife & kid here pretty soon and that solved a lot of the loneliness problem....things felt in place the day they landed at DUBAI airport....

I ll get back to serious bloggin slowly and gradually...and that will ensure the DUBAI stories coming out as well....

Limited Internet Connection

2007-04-13T20:22:00.000+05:00

Its too limited to write more...than this... :(

Will be back soon...

Mixing in...

2007-03-16T00:42:00.000+05:00

When I was coming to Dubai in fact way before that....when I was interviewed I was continously told to be weary about Indians....Its my nature that I dont accept anything until I go through it first...and there were stories by different friends and people I met beware of politics...office politics and you wont move up the corporate ladder....these Indians wouldnt let you and so much to say....here I say...PLEASE THINK AGAIN....

Look at yourself first and then comment on others...yes there might be religious boundaries which you cant cross but you can definitely extend an hand of friendship and just have a good attitude towards them...

I was interviewed by 2 Indians and then again by another in the second interview...I was suggested by people that I should forget about it...you wont get selected...interviews of others are just formalities...I proved them wrong...Allah had kept my RIZQ here so I am here....now I am in a dept which has all Indians including my boss...and I am the only Pakistani and I havent worked in a more congenial environment before...You can learn explore and perform....see I think the problem that we have is we have forgotten that our RIZQ has been written in our fates ....its not people or companies who provide us...with salaries...or bosses who promote us etc etc....its only ALLAH. Once you get in that frame of mind you look at everything differently...more positivity...

I am jumping ahead of myself but I have had no problems with my colleagues as yet....some may say its early days but I have been welcomed in the nicest possible way...Alhumdulillah...

Today, I was invited to a dept BBQ party...everybody was there with their families and kids....and it was a wonderful affair to say the least...there was food of course but there was CHANGE for everyone....families meeting each other...I took my time mixing in but they wouldnt let me be the loner one side...there were games played such as 'Dog & the BONe' and 'PITTOO GARAM'....it was funny at the beginning seeing all grown up people running around but after a while when I saw my boss run around and slip on the grass...it was me who was once again left aside... so I joined in leaving all of my weary brainwashing thoughts aside and enjoyed to the fullest...

I ve got great colleagues...who are taking time out to teach me and train me to the full...so at this moment in time, I dont agree with anyone who has tried to advise of being negative about Indians...its how you behave....you can keep your distance just like you do so with anybody really...and yet make good professional relationships...

After today, I can surely say...its a mixed world out there and you can set your objective straight and chase it also but dont have negative feelings about some nationality before even giving them a chance to welcome you....most of us dont even let the borders of friendship open up....how can we ever get to peace in this world?

So all those people who feel Indians have taken away their jobs...please think real...its Allah who provides for everyone....and if a promotion is there in your fate its gonna come...dont blame it on the Indians....I loved mixing in with office colleagues and their families and children....its nothing different really....all the same culture...mothers respected....bhabis around...children calling you uncle....and then the games....WOW!! It was a very healthy activity....was wishing I had my wife and kid around to boast in cuteness also heheh....but I guess there is still some time in that....

Anyway, just had to let this be on the blog...you ve got to respect to gain respect...you cant let different nationalities hinder your progress....just be honest with your job and let Allah provide...keep the FAITH!!!

Things in place...Alhumdulillah...

2007-03-13T20:46:00.000+05:00

DEBIT...CREDIT....Its been that since the day I joined...more with the training...ehehe...I was prepared for this so it isnt really that big a problem. The good thing is I have started to think FINANCIALLY...if there is such a thing...I have never been a FINANCE person professionally so thats an achievement in itself...

Tomorrow, we are supposed to go to eat chinese with all the training participants and my dept colleagues including my manager...its going to be fun and am looking forward to it...

Other than that...I am now a Resident of UAE Alhumdulillah...all procedures complete....so thats something out of the way...I can get on with other stuff now...Inshallah...everything should work out as it has uptil now...prayers required here for ease of completion...

Today Pakistan plays the West Indies to open up the WORLD CUP....unfortunately no TV around to watch so am stuck to my cellphone to at least hear it on the radio...its ok I can manage...but do miss watching...

Anyway, everything is in place....sleep wasnt which I covered up for yesterday...the tough part of settling in Dubai are the timings...its not linked with jetlag as that is not much of a difference than Karachi...its the official work hours of 7:00am to 3:30pm...I love the working hours but the adjustment to them is still on its way....its like your breakfast time goes even earlier hence you get hungry around 11:00am but you actually eat only around 1:00pm then dinner at 8:00pm even though you get hungry by 7:00pm. You can stay up late...late being 10:00pm hehhee....cos you ve got to reach work at 7:00am....so its about switching to almost 3 hours before the normal timings in Karachi...

But overall its positive that you are home by 4:00pm with ample time to relax and do things with family...its more natural to your namaz timings as well so thats a big plus...Alhumdulillah....I have obtained regularity in Namaz and Tilawat-e-Quran...which was my objective since the day I left Karachi...ALHUMDULILLAH....

Havent had the time to wake up the intellectual side of me....its just been to busy...I think once I settle in and get a serious internet connection will I get time to relax and bring out the observant side of me...there is a lot to be said about the culture and environment...the mindsets of people...talking with various people.....taxi drivers, waiters, colleagues...and many more from all over the world gives a great insight to Allah's creativity of people...its amazing....more on this when I am in a more settled frame of mind...

Nazar....Nazar...

2007-03-11T22:53:00.000+05:00

I was recommended by someone as to not open up too much on my blog...as "NAZAR lagti hay"...It got me thinking...I am one of the most paranoid people for Nazar and keep reciting Teesra Kalma and 4 Quls unconsiously....and I didnt think of that...

Where does one draw the line? Does anybody else think the same way? Serious bloggers blog about anything and that include their personal lives as well....

I was thinking about it and I think the recommendation is right....need to be a bit conservative on the blogging...its after all my personal life...more towards life and my version of experiences from now on....

Nothing much to tell today....other than the fact that the training started...and its just wonderful Alhumdulillah...enjoyed as I was getting it heheh...Its almost more fun when its that way...the 9 other people in the training are from various countries so quite an experience interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds....

Continues tomorrow...

Hum tou hain PARDES mein...

2007-03-11T00:52:00.000+05:00

Hum tou hain...Pardes mein...Des mein Nikla hoga CHAAND...
Apni Raat kee CHHAT pay Kitna...Tanha hoga CHAAND...

Yup those are the feelings...the weekend was great, went to sharjah and stayed both chuti nights at a friend's place...watched movies and gup sessions...thursday night all but 3 of our batch mates in Dubai/Sharjah got together...a huge gathering...at a restaurant...it was fun...got to meet everyone...

Second weekend gone...and I have finally managed to meet pretty much everyone...I know...It will get a bit more routine and normal now...I think...training from tomorrow...and lots to look forward to in the coming week...

The plumbing work at the new place couldnt get over with so no safai and no buying of new stuff...but since I got the extension at my temporary accomodation, its not a real issue...I was planning to stay here anyway...but I need to go there everyday to put pressure to get things done quickly....Went to Rashidya today and off to the nearby mall to see what actually is available. It was quite amazing to say the least, every damn thing...even TV, DVD players and grocery and mattresses....one stop shopping it seemed...good to have something like that nearby...

The extra week gives me some time I think to get my advance salary which I had requested for....the delay in plumbing is actually a blessing in disguise...the residence visa has been stamped and I will collect it alongwith my staff id card on the 13th...then I can apply for my family's visa...do pray that it goes smoothly and quickly....

I can also now apply for a driving license and a bank account....driving licenses are tougher to get than before...they take 40 or thereabout driving lessons before you can actually sit for a test...and if you fail the next attempt takes another 6 lessons and a month...each class costs 40-45 AED...so its costly business....anyway everything is happening on its way...this should also...Inshallah...

My newly wed friend who I stayed with over the weekend is planning to buy a car and bring in his wife...we saw some cars today...it was tiring and like accomodation the prices are pretty high on the car end as well....well I shouldnt say high when compared to Karachi cos they are not....but high when it comes to the market that was 2 years back and how it is now....he plans to go for a leasing plan...lease rates are great here....new cars can be got on as low as 4.5% interest over 4 years...its quite cheap...second hand good condition cars depend on the brand but a civic is costing from anywhere between 27k to 35k depending on model and milage...Not thinking about that right now....there is enough going on...already...We just had a heart to heart talking budgets and sanity and I think it helped both of us...nobody else could get it as the situation in life is different for most of our friends...being bachelors...so the conversation helped...

Helped 2 friends move out of a home and shift in a new place as well learning the technicalities of it with shifting trucks and how to get things done etc....lots of happening things and trying to get involved with everything so that I get "HANDS-ON" experience to the full.....heheh...

Well its late and should go to sleep now, happening weekend but a tiring one as well...but just had to blog...hehehe...

Life's a toughie!!

2007-03-07T20:00:00.000+05:00

Its tough...and unexplainable ....its fluctuating...great at times...mellow and quiet at other moments...but its BUSY...thats one thing thats the same...BUSY!!

There are big time gaps in my posts...as I have just not have had time to do anything other than CRITICAL stuff...here is what I have been upto...

Firstly, WORK ...its great...Alhumdulillah....great team, great boss, great work environment...I have got onto learning about the Airline industry in a jiffy...with my colleagues conducting internal training sessions everyday....I get a big gulp of knowledge everyday and try to digest in the evening...not always possible...but I am trying...its a very interesting industry. Being in the Financial Systems & Procedures dept, I have access to all the business logic and experience I could ever need and hence there are no stoppages in the learning process. I can go up to pretty much anyone and ask what I want. I have never been an accounts/finance person and they all know that. So the stupidest of questions are answered with extreme patience....I am putting in more effort also to put it all together...and Alhumdulillah...I get more confident by the day...a formal training starts next week for 5 days...that should set me up in the role a bit more....lets see...what develops...

Secondly, ACCOMODATION...oh yeah the first big problem in the UAE these days...new place, new environment and the rates going sky high....its very difficult to find a decent place in reasonable rent....bachelors share rooms, studio apts etc...families look for individual studios or partitions in villas...I got great advice from people around me. I had asked for help from Allah from the day I left Karachi and it came a bit slow but when it came....it came in the disguise of angels from everywhere...can't thank The Lord enough....Anyway most people advised that I should concentrate on looking for something near my office in order to save myself from the agony of traffic...Al Rashidiya was the area suitable from every point of view...So there I went searching in a newspapers on Saturday (another recommendation from an old friend) and then also had looked on the Famous Emirates Intranet....calls made...places seen...nothing making sense...frankly speaking....I was on the verge of losing it...I went to Rashidiya directly from office on Sunday and Monday. I didnt know which bus to take and taxis are expensive so I walked...it was at least a 1 hour walk and when I reached there I was told I had come on the wrong way for at least 30 minutes...so a combination of taxi and another 40 minute walk got me INTO Rashidiya. Saw a place...too tacky and uncomfortable...then picked up more numbers from the grocery shop bulletin boards (another recommendation from friends here...) and then went back with no idea...what to do...

I decided I will not take a shared room any more and look for something independent. Bear the extra rent for 1 or 2 months and then bring family. An angel said...I buy mental peace with a few more bucks. It made sense. Later, I could even keep someone with me with my own preference for 2 months if I feel like it, until I am in a position to call family. That was another great advice. On Monday made some more calls and went again...this time in a bus which got me there in 15 minutes...and I laughed over my stupidity the other day...heheh...anyway after being dissapointed again I was 2 minutes from getting on the bus and going back home when I decided, I dont know why, that I will make one more call...and that was the one...SIGN OF GOD....I was waiting for...I liked the place...cosy and independent and at an OK rate as well....furnished with a little furniture too...moreover very near to the bus stop, shopping mall, restaurant, laundry, pharmacy, hospital, post office, bank, western union, park, mosque, you name it...all the facilities one could think of at a 2-5 minutes walk...Alhumdulillah...but what ifs started coming.... Anyway a second opinion is always better....so Allah sent his angel...for that....after lots of positive talk and discussion the DEAL was done....I move there on the 10th...Inshallah...

I have suddenly realized this is going to be a long post hehhe....anyway...

Thirdly, DUBAI....its an ok place....I dont hate it as yet...but havent really fallen in love with it either...miss my wife & kid a lot and just the thought of how tough it is for them...without me there...makes me think twice about everything...I want to enjoy life with them...alone is no longer what I like...I have met a lot of my friends around Dubai in some way or another...been to City Centre in Deira and Pak Ghazi Restaurant in Burjuman area...then have been around RASHIDIYA of course hehhe....the traffic is FAST to say the least...I have been walking to and from work for two days...its a 30-minute walk....its ok for now as the weather is fine...but it will all end when I move in Rashidiya since I will be taking a BUS...Its not a big city but its a city with BIG Buildings and BIG roads...so remembering them takes some time...Driving License and a car is a neccessity here as its costly to more around in taxis and inconvenient in jammed crowded buses...with petrol cheaper than ever...only the license is an issue as it takes some time to get it....otherwise....should be able to get the car soon after the license...other than that...its ok...

I will be doing my first independent laundry this weekend so already taking some directions from my wife via email...unfortunately I do not have external email access from work or the training residence so have not been able to check my yahoo, hotmail or gmail emails....so apologies if I havent replied to any mails...in the past week or so...hopefully nothing important....

Its a gradual process...I have to get an AC, a cupboard, iron & table, mattress & pillows, a laptop & internet connection, washing machine, fridge...etc etc...priority list has been made....step by step...bit by bit...the resident visa process continues in the background...but its more settled now...the mental tension for a living place is gone...Alhumdulillah....I had got an extension on the stay at the training residence also so I will utilize that until my training next week as the training area is very close to my current residence....I can move into the new place in Rashidiya after that...

So it was more about mental pressure than anything, I feel much relaxed now Alhumdulillah...short on sleep but still relaxed mentally...lots of prayers from myself and family back home...and guidance and advice from angels over here worked wonders for me...its all set to be built on now...Alhumdulillah...

This weekend, I ll get some things settled at the new place and get the keys....again Angels will help me vacuum and clean up the area....Its actually getting a bit embarassing now...I have always tried to help people out and never been in a taking help situation too much and he said but I am thinking of this as those good deeds coming back to me... send out prayers for everyone who has helped me here...

I will be trying to blog more regularly now...TRY is the word....rest only Allah knows...if will be able to or not...Salams and wishes to everyone who reads this....thank you for all your prayers...believe it or not THEY ARE WORKING....keep em coming....

I am back...

2007-02-27T20:45:00.000+05:00

Yup, finally after quite a while...I am back to the blog world....this time from DUBAI...

Yes Alhumdulillah, I reached Dubai this morning and will join work from tomorrow Inshallah. It was a joy ride...and am staying at a classy accomodation as well in a training residence of my employers. I will write more about my actual job once I join and know more about it tomorrow...

It was a fun few last days in Karachi...with household chores going on till the last evening...and packing taking right till late night....my family was here from Sukker so we were all together, enjoying chit chat and trying to avoid the thought that I am leaving Karachi...for quite some time...

However, you cant avoid the truth which is very evident that I will be in Dubai for quite some time before going back on a vacation...lots to do here...though and it has kept me busy...

Firstly settled into the cosy room that was given to me....its great...with its privacy and all the facilities of a 5-star hotel....other than the great balcony view...Wonderfully ...its right next to the Dubai Tennis Courts where an international tournament started just today...I managed to sneak peak a match between Youghzny and Neimenin....apologies for spelling mistakes....it was fun...and especially for no cost...I watched from the sidelines....behind a fence....so my first real live tennis match experience....took place...

Attended asar & maghrib prayers at a nearby beautiful Mosque...and plan to continue to do so...whenever possible....

Headed to meet a few friends in a while....and also might see my permanent residence when I move from here....the current facility is a temp. accomodation for 14 days...so have to find a place for myself...before that....

Allah has been very RAHEEM through all of this and the last month passed by and I was able to do all that I wanted to along with the preparation for moving to Dubai....Alhumdulillah...Allah is great...

Will be posting updates....whenever I get time....1st day of work tomorrow...excited and a little nervous...

UTP - Mr. Busy Bee...

2007-02-08T13:52:00.000+05:00

Well yeah its been that.....busy busy...buzz...buzz...a buzz here and a buzz there....moving to another country is not easy ... so much to do...think, plan...act....but Alhumdulillah...all is working out fine...and fitting in place...

Well was busy with a lot actually firstly, company leaving issues...my previous company is in bad shape...to be honest...and the 5th resignation (mine) within a month led to a real frustrated attitude from the management (read SETH) heheh...I dont blame him...the CFO, the Plant Manager, Marketing head and now the IT guy leaving...is not an easy thing...to swallow...unfortunately I was the last of all the resignations...and it all came OUT upon me...

But here I found out some negative things about the guy who really inspired me...with his dream when I came to work for him...he is crossed his sane age....like big time and his decisions are going to lead to the downfall of the company...I know its a big claim to say a thing like that but...its not me...saying that....I am only quoting the top executives of the company....who have all left other than a few...who are also looking around...

I need to take out my dissapointment somewhere....I guess it can be here...on my blog...the SETH decided to avenge something...and I was the punching bag....first waived off my notice period....and crossed out my salary for the notice period with a clause...from the policy...which in my books has no value since the SETH, who is the CEO as well which means a salary paid employee breaks a lot of rules from the policy as well...so really that policy manual has no INTEGRITY if you know what I mean...

Anyway, so that amount is not going to be paid...I did not retaliate...so he came forward with another 'KAMEENI' harkat to say the least..."The leave encashment is going to be paid in DUE COURSE OF TIME"....what the ****...I dont know what to say...why take it out on me bhyee? Top executives of the company deserted your company and took their final settlement on the last day of employement...but you take it out on me...poor soul?...but not me...I am going to wait when the company is able to pay off my few thousand bucks!!! hehehe....its just so...SMALL of them...It seems the company would suddenly start running by holding my settlement money? Well I hope it does....if thats what is required...this sorry state shows big hints about the cashflow as well....I am really worried about my ex-colleagues ...hopefully...they can take the right decisions as well, career wise...cos if the company is afraid that paying off a final settlement of an employee is going to hit the cashflow then its scary for the people who work there....currently....May Allah do the best for all of them and everyone else as well...AAMEEN...

I wouldnt waste my post any more on this (even though I already have...heheh)...as I have planned to move on...to something better and want to enter in a positive frame of mind...Its too SMALL a thing to waste time on...I shouldnt stoop at the same level as they have...

Have kinda hit the books again also...no not IT books but accounting and finance books...yes the new role requires my brush-up on my basic accounting concepts whatever they might be...so...am trying to sneak some time out for them...really excited to say the least...

Havent been able to spare time for blogging or visiting other blogger's developments...but hopefully apologies would be accepted. I have limited internet connectivity and also without a PC/laptop...well yeah its a tough few days in the middle here...an IT guy without his tools....I feel so incomplete...but have realized we can actually live without checking email in the morning!!! hehehhe....

Will post more updates...as I get time and internet availability...am off to my home city for a few days to spend some time with parents...and then back to some official work like attestations on educational certificates...before I leave...

Dubai Chalo...

2007-01-22T12:26:00.000+05:00

Yes people, its time to open up the BIG news. I am going to Dubai...

I have found a good job over there and have decided to move to Dubai. I just resigned today from my current workplace and the notice period to serve is a month. So, I should be in Dubai by end of Feb or start or March.

Here I look for heaps of prayers of my fellow bloggers....as its a tough tough situation...to make such a switch...its already a difficult thing to switch jobs and this time its much more than that. Its a change of environment and country...leaving your loved ones here....

I plan to go first and try and settle in and then bring along my wife and kid...

The planning begins...and a new phase in life as well....

Alhumdulillah for this blessing Ya ALLAH!!!

Tagged - 5 Weird Things About Me

2007-01-19T09:56:00.000+05:00

So this is my first instance of getting tagged...Here are the five Weird Things About me,

1) I can stay up a whole night playing EA Sports NBA Live ...

2) I have more prettier feet than most women in this world (awww...shucks...)

3) I have changed my cell number 4 times in 3 years...and my mobile phone 5 times in 3 years...and plan to do so again...soon...

4) I have a higher IQ than 95% people in this world....results of a latest recruitment IQ test I went through....recently....(unbelievable for me as well...)

5) I have 10 pair of socks in a rotation policy and I have no idea why...(I think I can do with 3/4)

I guess not a BIG WEIRDO...Even though I dont like the TAGGED game and it sounds pretty lame but ...."I tag everyone who reads this..."

Baba's Little Pwincess is a BIG GIRL now...

2007-01-17T09:47:00.000+05:00

Happy Birthday to You....Happy Birthday to You.....Happy Birthday Dear Mahnoor....Happy Birthday to you...May you have many more....May you have many more....May you have many more...DEAR...Happy Birthday to you....

Sigh....Mahnoor turned 1 yesterday....I was happy ALL day yesterday...so happy that took a day off from work...oh yeah it was too special a day to waste even a minute at work...

Mom had come along on urgent basis from Sukker....reached in the middle of the night at 3:00am yesterday....and that added more 'SPECIAL' to the day....my baba couldnt make it....just couldnt...sad but thats life ....

Anyway...somehow Mahnoor also knew....its just my feeling or maybe its the truth that she was a bit extra excited with jumping around and a happy mood all around...she even walks a bit also...and was on her feet by herself roaming around the house from morning....Mashallah....Alhumdulillah...

My idea was to send over invitations to DadaDadi and NanaNani....a special card made just for them...saying...'Daak Babu....Daak Babu....Mera Khat lay jao...Dada Dadi...ko Day aao....AAJ MERI GURIYA KEE SALGIRAH HAY!!!' and similiar for Nana Nani....and guess what? We DID sent it....the joys of marrying a graphic designer....my wife made the loveliest of cards and we sent it on the 12th so it reaches in time....I wanted to send it via our traditional post office....and not courier ....to bring out the DAAK BAAABU effect hehhe....

Then we had planned for birthday caps for everyone...they were these long pointed ones....

I also wanted to have CLOWN noses but couldnt manage to find any in time and neither could I get ping-pong balls to colour red....so that idea didnt work...it was only POINTED caps for everyone....including me & my wife...nana nani...5 mamoos....phupo and chachu....and of course Mahnoor herself....

Another special thing were the little CUP CAKES...yes there were cup cakes for everyone with their names on them....other than the birthday cake....

Looking STUPID? Hehehe....Well I ENJOY being the BABA...and thats 'my' CUP CAKE...so that everyone knows...heheh...

We decided to put Mahnoor to sleep during the afternoon so that she could wake up fresh for evening....BAD IDEA...!!! She woke cranky from the middle of her BEAUTY NAP and took a while before coming to a JOYFUL mood....she was looking a cutie....though...but in a CRANKY mood...when she woke up....

It took quite a while before she settled into a small chair and everybody around started singing the birthday jingle...that is when for the first time during the day, I think she realized that this is HER day...a confused look at every KNOWN face with Baba on the side....all singing and clapping...looking at her...and my pwincess realized....she needs to break the ICE and POSE a bit....and that was it....no more CRANKY...she started enjoying the whole THING that was happening....

There was a time in the middle where I thought maybe I should celebrate a birthday once in a few years also....like seriously...CHECK OUT THE GIFTS hehhehe....yes I found the kid in me and posed in front of my DAUGHTER's gifts...

I know its all pinks and girly colours...and they ARE my daughter's gifts but no harm in posing in front of them right? Heheh...

Dont mind looking stupid or kiddish on my baby's birthday....AT ALL...say whatever you want...

Finally, cake time and my baby knew exactly what she needed to do....

and so did I...slobbering cake all over her nose and cheeks....Please dont think she is a messy baby....its the antics of a MESSY BABA Here....We all enjoyed a well-made cake and I am glad the birthday girl liked the cake as well...Doesn't SHE LOOK A DARLING?? By the way this is the first time her pics are online...I was vary of NAZAR all this while...I still AM (TEESRA KALMA HERE EVERYONE...)

All in all...it was an eventful day...I haven't enjoyed a birthday like this for ages....the gifts were all well thought....from educational toys to make-noise toys to battery operated stuff to ....drawing boards, clothes what not....great gifts...I wont lie here....I was more excited than anyone...about the gifts....My wife all NAFAASAT begum...gently pulling off the wrappings while I and Mahnoor tearing off like JUNGLEES....its more fun that way?? Right...? heheh....

The day ended with tiredness from the excitement and activities...and also a bit of sadness for me...as the thoughts of my daughter now being a BIG GIRL...coming...1 year in a jiffy and soon the next ones would follow similarly....sigh...

It was a well-spent day...Alhumdulillah...May Allah grant my daughter all the happiness in the world....AAMEEN!!!

Un, Ill, Dis, Mis, Not Oriented...!!!

2007-01-11T11:34:00.000+05:00

Just couldnt think of the correct opposite of Oriented. Still cant...

Anyway thats how I feel lately... just a temporary phase where...there is nothing to do heheh...Its amazing. Just a month or so back I always had this sword of my MS hanging on top. So when I went home...I always watched TV with a sense of 'I should really give my Research some time...' you know feeling apologetic to myself...

And now...after completing everything else...I just go home and dont enjoy watching TV...heheh...its true...since there is no sword hanging on top...and no pressure of something...sometimes One needs that in life....

As for work...I never take it on so hard that I get pressurized. Its a relaxed job also frankly plus I am a great time manager. When I get things done...they stay DONE. Thats an advantage I have.

Anyway, so what is it....UN-Oriented...still cant get it. Maybe I should open MS Word and write 'Oriented' and click SHIFT+F7....not going to do that....This post would lose its...CHARM hehehe....

Just waiting for something and then the ball will get rolling really quickly. I ll go real short on time then. So, should just sit and enjoy a bit. Good times don't last forever.

DAMN!! We humans never get satisfied now do we?

Dis-oriented...arright yeah thats the word I think...There is so much to do....
yet I am not thinking straight...I guess thats how my mind works...I am looking forward to something which is going to happen...but since its dependent on someone else at the moment...I have nothing to do? Well its something like that...maybe I should get out and get some things done which I havent for quite some time...example....umm...BASKETBALL!!!

heheh...yeah...thats right...umm nah..I gave my basketball to my younger brother-in-law...ummm....then what....get a movie...oh yeah Pirates of the Carribean....wanted to see both of the parts together...hmm maybe...I dunno....its just a few days then my Daughter's birthday, then wife's birthday and then our anniversary...and then....the BIG NEWS....not that many days....

Ok so just a few more days of Dis-oriented Agony...Maybe I need to take a vacation or something....nah cant, shouldnt....need to save my annual leave....for encashment...sigh...

Dis-oriented agony it is...for the time being....and I know...I know....

WHAT A DIS-ORIENTEDLY STUPID POST??? Apologies...please apologies...

A FAST-friend's GET Together

2007-01-08T13:32:00.000+05:00

It had been so long since some FAST friends had got together in one spot to enjoy a few laughs and memories...life is just so busy it seems. Anyway, I had decided on EID that there is going to be a get-together and its gonna be my place...and so it was...

With invitations sent out via email/sms...it was set 7th Jan 2007, 5:00pm Hi Tea...my place...

I havent got a big place at hand so was only able to invite 25 odd people. 20 were expected only 14 came. Anyway, it was enjoyable to see all of them at one place, hopefully they had a bit of change as well. Unfortunately, it wasnt really a catching-up-on-old-times event which I had imagined it to be. It was more of a whats-up-these-days event....and of course the occasional leg-pulling here and there...

My wife was at her best...with her hunter-beef sandwiches, cholas, brownie cake (yummy!) and the best coffee in the world. Some friends even had a second round of coffee...

The best part of the evening for me was seeing all of my friends grown up a bit...from the last time we met like this at my place....exactly 5 years back on 7th Jan 2002. The last 5 years changed us a lot...and it was showing... There were the same old crude jokes and the squeaky laughter that one of my friend is really famous for... but overall there was hint of maturity (finally) ...heheh...on everyone ....

We all have moved on in our lives...and though there is a definite missing of the old days some where...I think there is more happiness than sorrow and hopefully no regret...none for me at least....Alhumdulillah...

May we all be able to pursue our dreams, do things for our parents & siblings & family according to the teachings of Allah....and still be able to remain in touch...Aameen...

Tribute to all my friends....."Friends Forever"....Inshallah...

Indigestion Mubarak!!

2007-01-03T11:16:00.000+05:00

Heheh...people say its an Eid of Qurbani (Sacrifice)...some says its Bakra (goat) Eid heheh...

I think its always an Eid of Indigestion...oh yes...Eid at ours starts with a bowl of SHEER KHURMA before Namaz....and then a very old tradition of a Heavy Special Breakfast of liver and the 'other' stuff...with PARATHAs....I wont go into details on the 'other' stuff as most people would say YUCK and wont read further heheh...but I love that breakfast and wait for it all YEAR...

Then comes the visits to people...In my hometown...its the men who collect and pay visits in the morning...and the ladies collect and pay the visits later on...all family live very closeby so its a walk all around...its an excitingly different EID than what people do in the big cities....of course on this eid it starts after the QURBANI....hence everything delays a bit more....

With these visits however come the GARBAR GOTAAALAs of FOOD....CHOLAs, Dahi Barha, Nimco, Biscuits, Mithai, Beverage (hot/cold)...at one place and the same things at another house....by the end of the VISIT journey....you have had at least 10 rounds of the same menu heheh...and its only a ONE MAN STOMACH...

Then comes the heavy lunch at home or uncle's and then odd timings of sleep or rather no-sleep....A great great recipe for INDIGESTION!!!

Everybody sleeps on single beds...taking care of their own...FARTS...and frequent visits to the loo...(on that note has anybody read the AUTOPEE post on DILBERT today hehhe...this guy is CREATIVE....)

Do you know who makes the most money this Eid? Qasai (butcher)? Telecommunication Service providers? Food Masala Powders Manufacturers? Hehehe....NO!!

I think its the AIR FRESHENER MAKERS!!! Big Time BABY...hehe...

Anyway....recieving lots of email and scraps...i wanted to reply with a wish for a Happy Indigestion but then decided some might say....what a thankless person I am....hence replied everyone with the CLICHEs....and decided to post here...

HAPPY EID OF INDIGESTION....EVERYONE!!!

Its DONE!!

2006-12-29T16:12:00.000+05:00

That line says a lot considering the things I have been busy with lately....REALLY busy with...to be truthful...

My MS....ITS DONE....yes people Umar Pirzada is longer a simple BCS from FAST....with a few extra credits hanging around...this Umar Pirzada is now a qualified...Masters in Computer Science...from FAST...

For those people who know how tough it was...thank you for supporting me and believing in me...and for those people who "dont" know how tough it was ....ask the people who know...heheh...

Other than I have been running around the city with medical checkups and dental checkups and photocopies and photographs and what not....its nothing serious ... its all linked up with a news which I ll post about soon....smarter people can realize what this might be all about but...please dont put it in a comment...I will delete any guesses on the topic....in order to save my upcoming BIG NEWS post hehehe....

For now Eid is Coming up....am headed to my hometown SUKKER...to celebrate EID with my family...a welcome change amongst a tough few months....The new year holds big things for me and my family and do pray that all goes well...

WISHING ALL THE VISITORS OF THIS BLOG...a HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR and EID MUBARAK....cheers :)

Why does he just lie there...

2006-12-22T09:13:00.000+05:00

Umm...why do u just lie there....? Hey get up buddy....come on its me....your best buddy in the world....wanna go out someplace...walking?...I am fresh arent you.....? Hey look at me....I am doing so much now....I am pretty much done with my Masters Degree... amazing right? Hey get up na....please? .....sigh.....I am doing a job also yeah....5 years now...your Umar...little one...working and making a difference....hehe I know you are happy even if you don't smile...even if you dont even change an expression....

Umm...yeah and I have more ambitions and lots to do also....I am gonna make a difference in this world... and I remember what you told me....ITS BETTER to be a better person...always.....I am gonna be that......cool right.....ummm get up na please....just walk with me for a while....

umm...hmm...ummm......HEY its the full moon....hehe you love it dont you....come on dont tell me even a full moon wont get you up....hey you even kept one of your daughters name...on the moon....remember?...Mahtab....remember ?

Remember ...how you told me the values in life by distributing the mango pieces exactly equally amongst us all....hehe...you dont...I DO...I remember everything...oh great one....I remember how you slapped that building guard just because he lied once..... I feel that slap just as i am about to lie....some things are learnt the hard way....

I remember how you taught me how to do things by myself....be independent....do things by your own hand...remember? Hey wake up na...please....umm just for a while....I got so much to tell....I got stories....umm....

Your Umar has grown up so much.....I am married and have a lovely daughter...I named her Mahnoor....as in The light of the MOON...all inspired from you...doesnt that make you get up and hug me? I want to be told how to do my job as a father better....who will tell me?

Hey you taught me how to play cards remember...those long weekend nights we had....endless games....I ve become a cheeta (expert) on cards hehhee....umm...hey....hey you....I am talking to you....umm...pretty please ...Hey I am really really missing you.......umm....

You haven't moved since I passed matric and entered a college and yeah hehe I remember....You told me right when I passed my Matric....that how your job is done...You said ...oh I so remember....you said....NOW I CAN GET A JAMADAR's position which is the lowest paid goverment job...hehe...well I actually got a job much better than that....I got lucky and studied at the best university in Karachi....amazing right?....I am on a good career path...because of you...

Come on get up see me now na....umm...missing...you....what's so good in this stillness haan? Dont you wanna see me? Dont you wanna talk to me? Dont you care anymore? Dont you wanna take an early morning walk hheheh where we get fruits fresh from trees? Don't you? Dont you wanna go to Cantt station and get yogurt....just yogurt...with sugar ...even after the doctor said...NO SUGAR? I ll let you have sugar ;) promise....no one would know....come on grandpa...sigh....I guess you cant help...it...sigh...

Love you Nana Saieen...

Just missing my grandpa today...really bad...he was my mentor....

How SMALL is this word really?

2006-12-21T09:50:00.000+05:00

I was just having a talk yesterday with a guy who was one batch junior to me....out of nowhere we were talking about kids and he said how is dad was so emotional about little kids....in fact he got real emotional after he was a Prisoner of War (POW) back in 1971...and I was like...so was my dad...

We went on and on, and finally came to the conclusion that there is a big possibility both our dads were WAR MAtes...heheh....I immediately gave a call to my dad and asked him do you know a certain Mr. AQK and he said...yes that name rings a bell...was he in the navy....yes he was....and I was like WOW!!!

The war was a tough tough time for people like my Grandmother...who didnt know any news about my Dad as to where was he? when would he be back? will he be back?

Hence the POWs spent 2 years together playing bridge, getting close to religion through all the torture...and pain...and also through a tunnel making situation which was eventually unsuccessful because of an internal leak....some people might call that adventure...but I think those people would never want it back there....

Anyway...before I really go off-topic...that guy went on and told me a weird situation of 3 weddings he attended on one night and at every wedding....he met 3 other people ...who were there on all 3 weddings as well...so basically there were 4 people attending 3 weddings that night and at every wedding there would be a new network that connected....

Funny eh? 4 people who knew each other from before on...met on 3 weddings on the same night through different business/family/friends networks....so How small is this world really? Too small I should say....suffocating at times...

Been a bit busy...

2006-12-20T15:42:00.000+05:00

Been a bit busy lately with lot of things...firstly my Research Survey. Thank God the presentation is done and only the final things about submission my report are left. I think it should be done by end of this week which will end a long, long MS degree heheh...

Well, all that I can say is that it is still well in time as I can do other things now...my boss I should go ahead and do something different now to target myself as TOP GUY of a big company...and an IT career path will never take me there...unless I join a BIGGIE such as Microsoft, Google, Yahoo hehehe....yeah yeah I know...it doesnt cost a dime saying it...At least it makes you look forward to something big!! Heheh...and frankly...YOU NEVER KNOW!!!

I think I need a finance degree or something finance to be that top guy somewhere down the road...lets see what develops....I only believe in quality so if its gonna be something its going to be something good...I am currently looking into options of MBA(Finance) & CFA.....

I also asked a question from myself about do I really wanna be the top guy? Hehhe...I should've asked that before all that serious thought process right? hehe...well thats exactly what I said but then decided YES, if it doesnt mean a compromise on my religious faith...

Other than that....my mom was here over the weekend on a business trip...so busy with that and have been pretty occupied and somehow whatever is going on leaves me very tired and feeling lethargic....maybe its the weather...I dunno...but I dont really like it....

Planning for a trip to Sukker over eid .... so got to plan in the cold weather with an almost 1 year old baby heheh...YES PEOPLE...MAHNOOR is almost 1 year...Mashallah....time has passed....Jan16th is the day when my princess....moves the year hand on the CLOCK....to 1...Excited? YOU BETCHA...

Worst Fear

2006-12-15T10:57:00.000+05:00

The only way to get stronger than anyone is being stronger than yourself....If one has the strength to beat himself....one is more powerful and stronger than anyone else....in this world....

But how do we accomplish such a feat? The answer..."Face your Fears"....its not easy as those 3 words.....but that is it...The toughest job is identifying and in fact accepting that this is a fear than actually facing it and then eventually beating it....if one can recognize the fear then he has to....treat it like one and respect it....cos anything which can harm you needs attention and respect.....

What is that we fear most? God? Death? hmmm....lets talk about worldly things....

NUCLEAR WAR ?....hmmm lets leave it there...lets talk abt inner stuff ....

Your dad? Your family? Why would anyone fear that....? Hey no direct hits....just pointers....hints...

What is the HUMAN's WORST FEAR? I ll only give my own point of view maybe other people have different ones....

I think FAILURE is the worst fear anyone has....the fear of failure....is what kills me....makes me tremble...gives me sleepless nights....discourages me....makes me HATE everyone.....when I try to face it I cant....I hide...behind walls...behind other people...behind myself.....I cant face it.....it eats you from inside...the fear ofFAILURE.....

How do we overcome this....? The solution is FLYING heheh....yeah....FLYING off from this world...in thoughts.....in emotions...just take yourself away from this world....remove materialism....from yourself...away from this worldly goals....thats the solution....in fact thats the solution of most fears.....But thats a cowardly way? Right?

How about? Taking it on, believing in yourself...and still if it doesnt work just know you gave it your best shot and FAILURE is what is better...After all Allah only means everything for the better....its fate...lets live with it...

There are ways to overcome your worst fears and each one might have different ones according to their nature....but one needs to find the solution...and needs to think about them....cos no one in this world can claim that he has no FEAR...

Replies and complete discussion on The Point of View blog

Embarassing moments...

2006-12-12T11:33:00.000+05:00

At 5:30pm yesterday, a guy got up from his seat and left for home...walked a 2 minute walk to the main road, crossed a busy 4 lane main road and then another 4 lane road to the other side to get to his bus....waited for around 5 minutes and when the bus came, he got on...

Stood for a while as there was no seat to sit in...was so lost in thoughts that someone had to indicate that a seat got empty and he could take it....he thanked and sat on the seat...and thats when that same guy poked him again...

In MIME talk he indicated that....HIS ZIPPER IS OPEN!!!

and he was like ??? He checked and zipped it up...and couldnt face that guy or anyone else who turned around on the 'ZZZippp!!' sound....for the whole journey of 15 LOOOONG MINUTES!!!then he got lost in thought as to since when it was open...hehehe....

He realized it was at least from 4:45 pm when he last went to the washroom....DAAAIEEEM!!!

Yesterday it was one of those days...

Honour

2006-12-08T10:32:00.000+05:00

Honour...

A word which has lost its meaning a bit...in this material world around us...

There used to be a time....when ppl would give their lives for honour....as in they would give their life to die with honour than to live with shame....Nowadays we see people running after and making their bosses happy no matter what they have to do....wrong or right and label it as part of the job....

How many people would stand in front of their bosses and tell them I wont do that...as it is against my principles or simply because it is wrong? I dont think the number would be too big...

I am not talking about huge crimes or something and rather am talking little stuff like backbiting and stuff like that which eventually become big....

Anyways...just watched this movie an old one...again...'A Few Good Men', Tom cruise fighting a marine case....and I heard him say a very nice thing at the end....honour doesnt come with uniform....it comes with STANDING UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN....I totally agree....I think sheer satisfaction would only come if you can sleep at night assured that you didnt compromise on what you believe in....

I know that is tough at times but that is the HONOUR part of life....I would say....I hope I die with honour....rather than live in SHAME....

Have me met some place before?

2006-12-07T12:36:00.000+05:00

People who work some place and meet a lot of people in their work lives...would ve heard or used this line a lot...

"Have me met some place before?", "I know you from some place right?" or "Now where have I seen you before?" etc...heheh...

I was wondering what do we really mean when that line is used. I ll put in my two cents. I can assure the number of times we actually mean it is very low as compared to the other situations.

Ok here is something....we see someone... we remember the person but dont want to be the first one to say...that we do...its like why give the other guy more importance? He should recognize me also and he should initiate the conversation....Some of these people look at the person...recognize yet dont even use the above line...saying...he is not that important...hehe...

Another situation would be when you actually want to make someone important ...realize, you remember him. Thats when you really mean it. Its rephrased to..."Hello Mr. So&So..." showing you remember the name as well.... "We met at there and there...remember?"....heheh...

Yet another would be...when you DONT know the person and just wanna start a conversation? hehehe...ever done...that? Trust me it works like a charm...its like you know the person through another reference or maybe through the news and...then...come up and use the MAGIC NETWORKING line....it works but not always....you cant go up to a very famous person and use the above line....hehehe...he might as well...brush you off his shoulders ....

This is perfect...when the person is relatively famous and important, for example corporate people...in senior positions...easy start for a conversation...

Oh the...sneaky ways of increasing BUSINESS CONTACTS...but Business Networking is an art which one should always keep developing....the people who climb up the ladder are the ones who are good at this skill...

Best of fate future ENTREPRENEURS....

Dressing up like an AUNTY...

2006-12-06T09:49:00.000+05:00

Yup its another one of my DAUGHTER stories heheh...

The winter is here and out come her sweaters and comforters and the quilts...and they are the cutest...last winter she was only a new born...Now however much bigger and hence more experimentation from MOM possible...not that Mahnoor enjoys the experimentation but she's got to bear with her MOM on this now...

So here she comes all dressed up like an AUNTY...oh yes that buttons-in-the-center sweater make her look more like an AUNTY heheh and then her 4 tooth, yes people, the teeth are in a hurry....they are 4 already....She looks a cutie with the whole dress up scenario...

To add to that she's started another thing...the COMBing heheh...yes she picks up the comb from the dressing table and gives it a few strokes on her own head then hangs up her hand with the comb for me to take...i do a little comb and give it back then we go to and fro until she gets bored of this....such a cutie...and she knows the combing is done IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR so thats where she looks as she combs...and all this at 10 months? Mashallah Mashallah!!!

My wife keeps telling me she is gonna be 'Head-Turner' when she grows up and I go all in thought as to when I will buy that RIFLE to shoot the first guy and every next one...who turns his head to have another look...."LISTEN UP!! All you 10 month or guys around that age....:$ out there....Dont you even think....ok Not even think about having another look...you can be almost sure that Mahnoor's DAD i.e. ME is lurking somewhere...near you...BEWARE!!!"

Anyway, blogspot blocked, pkblogs doesnt open the comments box, inblogs also sucking up...dont know how to reply to your comments people so please excuse...until it fixes up or something....

Expectations & Dissapointments

2006-11-29T14:02:00.000+05:00

All of the people who know me by now would know that I am kind of a free-minded writer...

I was just thinking....and...I realized how dissapointing dissapointment really is....and the root cause is expectation....

If we stop expecting...there wont ever be dissapointment...but expecting is one of those things which one can't avoid....We are close to our parents and vice versa ....You expect....They expect...its only natural...

If one likes someone, the closer your get, both people start expecting stuff naturally..... husband and wife have expectations from each other....but if someone can set the mind somehow to not expect...then he would never be dissapointed...amazing eh?

But what drives expectation....? It's LOVE...so if one starts avoiding expectation.... its possible that he also starts avoiding love....which means that even though he would never be dissapointed...he would never love or be loved either ...sigh tough situation then...

A father expects from his son to obey whatever he says no matter what....a son expects the father to understand....but not many fathers & sons get satisfied do they?...... they usually are dissapointed ....

The thing is....expectation is good....cos....we are not the sole human beings on this earth....and expectation is...supposed to be associated with someone else.....if you dont expect....you would usually be surprised hence....expecting is ok....but only if it is positive....

If negativity rules then for example one would expect to be fired from work everyday.... he would never be able to work to his potential....On the other hand if one expects that....a certain person is non-trustworthy and hence he can't trust him...then the same expectation becomes a power for us....

One cant be blind all the time....as take things for granted but in some places... there is no harm in having blind trust and expecting....so what if....your wife isn't how you like her to be...look at the good points.....so what if your parents dont understand that you ve grown up and need your space.....Did you understand that they are making sacrifices for you when you were young and you needed guidance...and help to even walk....

It is all a world of expectations and dissapointments....

Solution...None....

Expectation and disspointment go with one another...and if one keeps a negative attitude about it.....he will be expecting dissapointment and a lousy life to live....On the other hand a positive attitude will keep him expecting....trusting everyone even the strangers which might be a harmful thing.....

So lets bring in religion here...which is teaches the lesson of BALANCE...the middle path....

The "1 Dollar" Story

2006-11-29T12:19:00.000+05:00

Asalam-o-alaikum...

How are you....? Where have you been?

I missed you so much in the times when I needed your prayers. Just the aspect of you looking at me and wishing me to have a happy happy life....I missed that...

I love you for the care and the love you provided me...Where have you been...?

Oh ho Mr. Buttering-Me-All-Over...I have been to America to visit my elder son, I hadn't seen him for so long....

Oh ok...nani can't question that....well as long as it was just a visit I dont mind, dont ever leave me ....again ok.....

Hehe my son also expects my love and affection right?....Acha forget everything, look at this... I brought you something....

You mean from America....?

Yeah yeah.....from America....

Wow!! ....Does it have that America wali khushboo (scent) hehhe....?

But of course .....

Wow!!....Come on let me have it then....plz plz....

Ok here it is...1 dollar for you.....Wow!!....That is so cool Nani....Look mom look what I got from America....1 dollar....thats so cool Umar....hehe...I will save it....and never spend it, it will be in a sort of a dua (prayer) bag for me....hehe....You are such a flatterer Umar....

hehe...So i am....So I am...

So like Umar how much does it cost to study at FAST....Well whatever it is, it is less than 1 dollar...huh? Less than one dollar? Are you crazy....? I am not lying buddy....its less than one dollar...Umar you are crazy... have to say the most confusing things....

Oh Umar first job eh?...and all in this time of job saturation in the market.... 9/11 dude?.....You are lucky man...so how much is the package....well its less than one dollar...huh? Yes dude... its less than one dollar....you are never serious Umar....what is this ONE DOLLAR story.....everything you buy is less than one dollar....you earn less that one dollar also huh? How come...?

Oh Umar lush cell phone yaar....How much?....Nothing much buddy yaar... its less than one dollar....hahaha....yeah right... dont fuss ok no one is stealing it from you....I am very serious my friend....it is less than one dollar....oh please umar...

Hey Umar you bought a new car....yeah I did car financing...oh cool how much did it cost....? Oh less than one dollar....No way!!....I am not lying pal...its less than one dollar....If you dont wanna tell then say you dont ....why are you...creating such a fuss....oh my brother...I am telling as it is...it is actually less than one dollar....FINE ...Thank you that helped hehe....

Now what do I say to them? It is absolutely true ...all of the above is all true .... and the person who gave me that one dollar when I was young is my nani....and this post is a tribute to her love and care....This is still an ongoing cute habit of mine when she asks me what do I want for my birthday or any other moment....I say I havent recieved a dollar for quite some time....have been able to collect 11 notes of $1 each and savour them....knowing that they hold prayers from the deepest of places...of my Nani's heart...

In fact now that I write I remembered my Nani got real sick a few months back and I left 1 of the dollars with her....as a prayer back...so am left with 10 now....that should last a life time right? Hehe...

Love your elders and cherish their prayers....then see what happens in your life...just make them pray for you....Stuck to their feet and beg for prayers.....and see what happens....I am the most satisfied person I ever was....just after reminding myself about this all over again....Alhumdulillah!!!

In the words of Baba Bulley Shah....

2006-11-29T10:10:00.000+05:00

Well here is something that some of the new friends I have made through the blog world wouldn't know...I am a big fan of Bulley Shah...Havent read him as such but have just listened to him through...Abida Parveen....big fan of hers as well...in fact HUGE...fan...

Frankly, not all of it makes sense to me...but I try to ponder and make some sense out of it...the language is difficult but you can make it out if you know a bit of Sindhi and Punjabi....

Anyway, here is an excerpt....from Bulley Shah...sung by Abida Parveen in "Sadhe Weray..."

Jay Rab Milda naa tyan tou tyan
Tay Rab milda dagooyan Machyan noo

Jay Rab Milda Jungle phiryan
Tay Rab Milda Gayyaan Bachhyan noo...

O way Mian Bulleya Rab Unhaan noo milda
Attay Diliyyan sachyan acchyan noo...

Umm...basically the explanation is that if you are trying to find Allah meaning...understand Him...get Him into your heart then...you need to have a Pure & Clean heart...

The simplistic way of putting this was by Baba Bulley Shah telling that if Allah was to be found then He could be found in nature, in fishes etc Baba Bulley Shah is talking to himself and saying that I tried to wander around in jungles and if Allah were to be found there I could also try to find him in cows and buffaloes...meaning different parts of nature...Then comes the punchline...

Bringing to life a comment to himself 'O Mian Bulleya...' Allah is only found by people who have got a pure and good heart...The bottom line...there is no requirement to search for Allah in the life around you cos Allah lives inside your own hearts....its just about purifying it and keeping it clean so that you could find Him there...right there...inside you...nothing more closer...to you than Allah Saieen...

May Allah help us clean our hearts so that we could find Him and rather feel Him right where He really is...OUR HEART!!

A Man is known by the Company he Keeps

2006-11-28T09:25:00.000+05:00

Just copy-pasting some stuff from something I wrote on The Point of View yahoogroup quite a while back. The complete discussion with comments from others is available on The POV Blog.

Dated: 30th Jan 2004

A thought crossed my mind...about how non forgiving the nature of a human is....Rememver the proverb "A man is known by the company he keeps" , "birds of a feather flock/fly together"....

Look at the following scenario which I think everybody would be familiar with....Some guy has a real bad reputation, people know he has been bad/crooked, has hurt people and overall he is someone who's company u can surely do without....who would be easily be a bad influence on anyone....

After a little while that bad guy grows up and realizes his mistakes and regrets on them and wants to be a different person....He gets in touch with a completely opposite natured person to him who is nice and respected in society and very much loved by people. The kind of person who everyone wants to be friends with ....usually such nice people are very forgiving and after listening to a sob story and how the bad guy has transformed....the nice guy would say ok so you have changed and I dont mind giving our friendship a shot. He would want to help him make that transition....but....

What about us, the bystanders, the world? When we see them as the best of friends what would we think....Would we think that the good person has finally given into the demon and has become a bad person cos after all 'thats the company' he has these days....or would we say that the bad person has turned over a new leaf...

A new person who knows the nice guy would think that the bad guy is a good person also. However if someone doesnt know the good guy (and knows the bad guy) he would assume that since he is around the bad guy's company....he must be similiar in nature too.

Can we change that natural attitude we have?....I mean if God can give a second chance to us every time we show the least of regret....Cant we even be a little more caring and try and let go of hard feelings?....I think we can if we try.....and that would definitely make this world a better place to live in with more good people than bad.....

What usually happens is that ths transition period for a bad person fails cos we, the people dont accept him as that different person....which is trying so hard to be...We r so cruel...

This was just my version. If interested, read the complete discussion on The POV Blog.

"PAPA! Aap ka phone hay!"

2006-11-27T12:30:00.000+05:00

What ringtone do you have? Is it the Nokia Tune? Or a DESI CHEAPOO Indian Filmi Song maybe? hehehe....

Ever since the evolution of CellPhones we have got ringtones. It started as just something that comes with the phone. Practical people just like myself look for simple ringtones, as long as they could hear its ringing or if there is an sms. I basically have set phone profiles which I keep for different places...Outdoor, Office, General and Silent. I also have a Meeting profile and also use it during a seminar i m attending etc. Sounds hectic switching profiles everytime I switch to one of those situations but with shortcut keys and habit, its cool. I dont disturb anyone with my tones and rather just make sure I know it rang or beeped.

Unlike people who make sure everyone knows they have a cellphone with the oddest of tones. Of course that has reduced with the mobile snatchers on the lookout. But still you get to hear the most funny and strangest of ringtones while travelling in a bus.

The one ringtone that made me write this post is what I am going to end this post with as well...hehe...I was travelling in a train yesterday and there it went "PAPA! Aap ka phone hay!". I thought its a cute little daughter cutely telling her father that the phone is ringing but it went again repeated with the same scale and tone and I realized this guy is amazing. He recorded his daughter's voice with the whole sentence and kept it as a ringtone...cute daughter with a cuter DAD. Now thats what I wanna be too...hehe...

Can't wait for Mahnoor to start talking...the first words become the RINGTONE as well...

"BABA! Tahaan jo PHONE AAHAY! " (Sindhi version...)

HABIT - Putting things on Hold

2006-11-24T10:59:00.000+05:00

Putting things on hold has been one of my oldest habits that I do regularly. Umm lemme elaborate a bit to clarify. There is a natural thought process for me that when I get something new umm....for example a new coffee mug (with the lid), I would say I am looking for a job anyway, I will launch this mug with my new job and not use it now. If I have to get me something for example new shoes...I say I ll get them when things are better financially (even though I can afford the shoes now) and when I have a new job...I will buy em.

When it comes to buying a new belt, new clothes, similiar thoughts go through my head.

What does this do? It makes me wait and wait and try to use things more than their actual usable life normally. Shoes become real shaggy until I decide on ok....whether the job comes or not...I need to get new shoes now to make this job look good anyway.

I think it contradicts another natural thought which says "Live life as it is by the minute..." The above habit doesnt let me do that now does it? In a confused state about this... What if the better days never come and am stuck with shaggy stuff all my life?

I also just noticed...I couldnt give any examples of something other than 'Looking for a new job...' even though there are heaps of others ...umm...well arright arright so I am looking for something of a more challenging a job role these days, that is true...Heheh...thats allowed right...? But still there are no another examples to tell....

Does anybody else have a similiar habit?

Stupid post with no head or tail...I just noticed... I guess one can have their off days. At least I didnt start with 'dont know what to write...', or 'havent you noticed that sometimes you are at a loss for words....' hehehe....religious bloggers...recognize this? heheh...

The Point of View

2006-11-23T11:31:00.000+05:00

Sorry folks, but just have to promote these two other blogs which are close to me. I have to do this once and never do it again. Then if somebody finds it well and good, I wont promote it on my diary again.

The Point of View started as a yahoogroup and still is there. I took over the name in Feb 2002 and the next member came in around September 2002. The idea was to get rational thinkers out there, hopefully young so that positive dialogue could take place. The 'off-the-usual' type of discussions to healthy conversations for solutions. It took a while to get people to join as I wasnt sure if it was a loserly idea or a great one. Anyway I decided to go on with it and got in some good friends of mine and they loved the idea. The Point of View evolved with healthy discussions on various topics. It was fun.

It was slow but it was fun. We eventually managed to get some get togethers in as well and it was pretty good. With orkut evolving I managed to make it more public with a community as well. But unfortunately, priorities changed and tough work schedules and advanced studies led people to move out of the scene and POV is headed towards a silent death.

The Point of View Blog is an honest effort to revive the discussions and also make our conversations available for public viewing and comments. In this process, also trying to find newer members who would be interested to actually post on the blog.

So, thats that, a brief boring promotion. At least pay one visit. I have posted some conversations and contributions from different people from the yahoogroup on the blog to at least get it started. Lets see how it develops. I wont let it die its silent death though. Hopefully, there would always be someone to post or comment.

Thanks for going through this post till the end. Means a lot.

Published Articles on Sportingo

2006-11-22T12:09:00.000+05:00

Its an amazing feeling. I have published some articles on Sportingo.com. Never imagined, it could get as serious as that. Well, I recently separated by Cricket Comments ("Rantings") from my personal blog to another blog address, CricketUmar.

Even though I never promoted that blog seriously, but I enjoyed getting my EXPERT comments on cricket out and about for public view. I managed to attract some attention from an editor at Sportingo from that blog. Guess what I have started publishing expert comments on the game. Have been making the big headline in the cricket section for two straight days. Its just an amazing feeling. I never imagined it go as serious as that.

Basically, I blog on CricketUmar and copy-paste on Sportingo. They fix it up a bit (read 'A LOT') for publishing and then it gets published. Its fun and good to get the attention as well. Learning the roads of serious writing as well.

If you are cricket fan maybe you could become a regular reader of My articles at Sportingo. Not marketing the website, rather am sharing what I have been enjoying for the past few weeks or so... hehe and marketing myself a bit too....there is no harm in that right...

Will be sharing something about another one of my writing & group activities...in my next post. For now, I have managed to created a blog address for that as well. Its called The Point of View. More in the next post.

Today Cute...Tomorrow CUTER...

2006-11-21T11:07:00.000+05:00

Didnt know how to express the cuteness of my daughter in a title...she is Mashallah heading towards exploring each and every corner of the CUTENESS domain. With more sense coming into the head she now has the ability to decide what is cute and what is not.

After doing something new like picking up something to eat of the floor, or pushing something off the table...she has this LOOK of trying to guess how people react...if they react...'AWWW....such a CUTIE baby..." well she makes a mental note...'THIS IS CUTE!!'... Smart Kid eh? Well its in the genes...

Today another cute move...I would say the cutest as yet from my point of view...

I was leaving for work and mommy was carrying her as both of them come for the usual goodbyes...today however...as I started the wave of my hand...rather than her usual waving back...she started CRYING...well...it was more of 'PLEASE DONT GO....WHAAANN!!...WHAAAAN!!" Damn...the work...and the job...Why do I have to leave my kid in distress hehehhe....

But walked on...realizing...shes got to learn...if Baba doesnt work...then...who will sponsor her diapers !!! hehehe...well take it for me...diapers are the most heart-affecting expenditure of the month even though they are not really that big but somehow the peers who create peer pressure...talk about 'DIAPER BUDGETs' and keep diapers as seperate Entity as soon as the kid comes to life...so She's got to know...There is no such thing as a DIAPER tree...

Anyway, thats the CUTENESS for today...will chip in with more...cant help it...I guess...its a great experience...FATHERHOOD...

P.S. For those people who are asking for Mahnoor's PICS...LAY OFF ok...my daughter doesnt come on the internet with her pic....NAZAR LAGTI HAY!!! I have been strong on it as till now...She is too cute for public view...

FHEW!!!

2006-11-20T14:10:00.000+05:00

The long awaited MS Research that I was trying to complete is in. I have submitted it to my advisor just now. I am sure there will be some scrutiny and not-meeting-expectations advice but just sending in the first version has set me on my way.

Believe it or not, I should have completed my MS degree around 3 years back. Call it laziness or as I put it...lower priority for a while as I started by married life...its been a thorn in my back for quite some while. All wasnt my fault also. There were 3 changes of advisors and 3 different topic changes as well due to various problems. Details would only make me suffer once again, hence wont go into them.

I have finally managed to complete something and am hoping the blood and sweat I have given to my university both as employee and student can find its way somewhere. I really need the extra consideration this time to get this over with.

Lets see what develops but guess what? If all goes well I will actually be a "MS degree" holder from FAST NU. Isnt that an achievement? Well it is for me...cos only I know how tough it has been.

FHEW!!!!

Take a break from perfection...to enjoy the BUMhood...

2006-11-17T12:12:00.000+05:00

Nice subject eh? Take a break from perfection...to enjoy the bumhood...

Well frankly I enjoy being a BUM at times...just waste time do nothing, watch tv, sleep, play games on my PC and be unknown to the world...its refreshing at times...Although not always possible to do. Some people get so stuck with their lives & routine that they cant seem to take a break and eventually exhausting themselves each day...not being able to enjoy the small things in life...advice to those people...take a break....perfection is a great thing to look for but its not really possible...we are only human...might as well take some time out from the routine to enjoy the good things...

BUMhood according to me is not a bad thing...its not the literally explained BUM that is a waste of life...and rather its just a little timeout...its very addictive though and there is a very fine line...in avoiding a situation of taking a break towards BUMhood and to try and get something done heheh...

Routine is a great thing but only if you dont have to compromise on the good things of life...the joy aspects...enjoying the smile of your kid...the 'romantic' in the husband-wife relationship...the expression of love for your parents...the much-look-forward-to brotherly talk with your siblings...

Saying all that all of the above are as important as your own life also...spending time with yourself is as important as anyone else and this all can only be done if you take a break from spending that extra effort on making something PERFECT...which really has no real meaning in life if the people around you have missed you all their lives cos of your priorities....

Mental Note: GIVE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO MYSELF....

Problems with the Beard on DADDY

2006-11-16T14:28:00.000+05:00

My plan of growing a beard a bit longer has gone to vain. At least for the moment. My daughter turned 10 months today and it was a decision of growing a longer beard or spending some 'GOO GOO GA GA' talk time with my daughter. I have decided on the latter.

You see when you talk 'babytalk' with a baby its better that she is carried in your arms to make a closer eye contact and nothing else in between. But the closer she gets to your face, the closer she gets to PULLING YOUR BEARD!!! OUCH!!!

Yes people, the plan is a flop for now. I havent called it quits but I have realized this plan needs to wait until she grows to understand that IT HURTS. Scolding and too much snubbing is a bad idea for a growing child as told by experts. So the beard growing plan is off for now.

I got the beard trimmed to more of a SHAIKH level...heheh...actually a bit more. My wife says I have also trimmed 2 years off my face. It was a comment in the most 'monotonous' of tones not giving any impression if that was good or bad. So far there werent any indications of her expressions on the beard. Maybe I will find out in a week or so, what she REALLY thinks heheh...

Anyway, the longer version of the beard is out....and a trimmed one is stuck to my face for now...

A RAT RACE

2006-11-15T10:31:00.000+05:00

I feel in this world of today....a world of high speed running and no looking back....we all are part of a race, a rat race....

A race which starts from a conventional start line....but the goal is not to get to the finish line....but just....to get ahead of the person next.....no matter who....no matter what....its not about finishing the race cos the race only ends with death....the objective is to go ahead of the person ahead of you...

This could be by jumping over, crumpling the person ahead or giving him a hard nag in the ribs to make him stop and gasp for breath....no rules apply...

What this does is that we lose focus as to what we are here for......there is supposed to be a reason right?

Where are we heading....as Muslims....?
Where are we heading....as Pakistanis....?
and Where are we heading....as Humans......?

Do we really know...? or for that matter do we even care? Is this what we are here for....?

What if the finish line is the same as the start line just like most races.....are....? What are we running towards?

Do we know where we are going....It is important to explore and find out....

Believe me its important....to know where we are headed....just running wildly with a materialistic/worldly....approach....is not going to get us anywhere...

Men are just Happier People

2006-11-15T10:13:00.000+05:00

Men Are Just Happier People.

What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack.

You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 23 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

(Source: http://www.jokes.com)

Say a little prayer for ME!!!

2006-11-14T16:33:00.000+05:00

I have been waiting for something to happen for quite a while now. No details now, but it is something that I really really want to happen. I usually pray for 'BEHTRI' (meaning for the better) from Allah and in this case have been doing the same for quite a while. But there are those days when my prayers really mean 'ISSI mein BEHTRI' (better in 'this' only) :$ ....hehehe...

So a request to whoever gets to read this...'Send out a little prayer for me...for ISSI mein BEHTRI!!'...Thanks...

Daaaaieeemnn the desperation...

The First Step

2006-11-13T15:59:00.000+05:00

Every journey begins with a first step...well good news...my daughter is off on the journey of life now...OH YEAH!!! The first steps are in...

After weeks of focus by all family members the fear of falling is gone...she can get off a seat and walk at least 10-12 steps. Its an amazing feeling...inexplainable...

Almost 10 months now, she is mashallah growing up nice and fine. 2 teeth out as well, it was a happening weekend to say the least. Last week she would stand up from the seat and scream with fear and cry with a sense of being unsure of what to do next. Its amazing nature how she wanted to get up and take that first step and the next followed automatically. Called all 4 of her grandparents immediately and let them know how it all happened. They deserve the happiness more than anyone.

On a sadder note...10 months have passed so quickly...sigh...so will the upcoming ones...hopefully I can enjoy fatherhood to the full...

Alhumdulillah for this blessing...

A tribute to a great man - M.A. Razaq

2006-11-10T14:39:00.000+05:00

Arright people pay tributes to superstars and heroes and celebrities etc and for various reasons which could include their inspirational character, their work, their services to society etc. My tribute today is for the CEO/owner of my company. No this is no buttering attempt to get me a raise hhehe...I have his attention due to my contributions anyway, Alhumdulillah. This is more of how he made a difference in my life today.

Mr. M.A. Razaq is a man with a dream. An ex-employee of 28 years from General Motors, this man came to Pakistan to give something back to the country of his origin. Its as simple as that. I could go on and on about how he could have invested money anywhere but he came to Pakistan and etc etc but I wont. Its today that he made me realize so much about life and how to achieve content and pride in what you do.

Without going into details, yesterday was a mentally tiring and frustrating day. A day which brought low self-esteem and dissapointment. I had asked Allah to send some motivation to bring me back to life again, I needed it bad. Guess what? An AD-HOC meeting called by the CEO to address the whole company this morning.

I hadnt realized this was the answer to my motivation call from Allah until Mr. Razaq reminded everyone of the values of our company. Words like Integrity, Pride in your work, Respect, Discipline etc are the core values of our company. He brought me to a revision of so many things I believe in and I wanted to thank him for that.

Due to the nature of work and the environment we live in, any form of appreciation might just be taken as a buttering attempt and negative politics would step in. Hence I decided I blog about it. I dont think we have any bloggers in my office at least and even if they are, its my blog I can write what I want without any material benefits expected.

There is much more to this man than what it shows, its an honour to share his dream and be part of it. Nobody knows how much I live or how long I work for this company but Mr. M.A. Razaq, you have made a difference at a very crucial moment in my life. So thank you and may ALLAH bless you and grant you a fulfillment of your dream of a progressive Pakistan. You have played your part Sir, you surely have.

TV - You can actually live without it

2006-11-08T12:11:00.000+05:00

Yeah you read right...I have just realized that we can live a life without a TV. A thought unimaginable a few days back. Its very recent that our TV malfunctioned. Now call it laziness or rebellion but I havent gone to get it fixed.

I just realized what a different person I could be without a TV in my life. Talked to my wife and she has no problems as long as I get her PC fixed. Thats going to happen very soon also. But leaving all that I ve realized I spend more 'attentive' quality time with my family, I get a good night's sleep, too good in fact hehe...getting late to work for the last few days....and more importantly I get less lazy for prayers. In fact on most times I am ready for prayers before the time, which is great.

Not that I was someone who would watch just anything on TV, but I had enough of my fixed TV channels to be labeled a TV BUM if I get the time. The last week has showed how the quality of life could be improved.

Even after saying all that, I think I will get the TV fixed cos I have decided I might just sell it off for a TV Tuner box. We need the sports, news and religious channels to stay in touch with the outside world but can do without a TV, I think. We could hook up the TV Tuner card with PC for the same. I dont want to sound like an extremist and deprive my family of a normal life but role of the TV in our lives can definitely be reduced than what it is currently.

Besides that I could use the extra dough saved from the sale of our TV as well.

In fact anybody interested in buying a 21" Flatron, Dawlance TV. Outside warranty but only used for 21 months so it is quite fresh. Been to the workshop only once... hehehe....CONTACT ME...

Time is so Precious...or is it?

2006-11-06T13:59:00.000+05:00

I am sure everyone is familiar with the phrase 'Life in Karachi is too busy, no time at all...' We get to hear that a lot no matter who the person is or what walk of life he is part of. In fact we use to our own advantage where the situation arises but is that really true?

I seek to question that phrase after visiting a late night valima reception on Friday. We reached at 10:30pm much late according to my standards and we entered an empty lawn. We were maybe the 4th couple to enter...It was well after 1:15am that we were able to quickly have dinner and leave and reach home by 2:00am. Apparently the night before, the shadi which we did not attent took an hour longer than this. Are we the same Karachiites? So busy that there is no time at all? I DONT THINK SO!!!

There is no consideration for somebody else's time. The sad thing was that this wasn't an emergency delay but rather a 'well-planned in advance' delay. Almost 4 hours were wasted which could have been only 1 or maybe 2 at the max. Everything goes untidy the next day, my young daughter's sleep schedule, our own sleep schedule and a tired and lousy saturday. Chores left unattended and postponed to next saturday and what not? No wonder our country and people arent progressing...we waste too much....and time is not the only thing...

WASTE NOT ...WANT NOT....is the thought for today....

SHAY DAY

2006-11-03T11:57:00.001+05:00

INSPIRATIONAL STORY

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?" The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe,that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity torealize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child. Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning." Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay" Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet and were screaming, "Shay, run home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.

That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

What was it that led to all children playing taking such a decision? It was a realization of a the softness part of our Human Nature. Dont you think we need to realize that much more often? Make at least one person happy every day. Name that person 'SHAY' and call that day a 'SHAY DAY'.

Then see how many SHAY DAYS did you have in the last month/year/decade?

As the child grows...

2006-11-02T17:02:00.000+05:00

Mahnoor, my daughter is over 9 & a 1/2 months old now...and is finally teething...I say finally cos we have been at it for 6 months now heheh...just because my sister was in a hurry to teeth in 3 months the ramblings and warnings have been going on from our peers for 6 months now....anyway...tough days for all of us...when Mahnoor gets all rowdy and doesnt eat anything at times...but she is more mellow and smiles more often that not...

Other than she has started standing on her own with some table support, runs around in the walker and yesterday took a few steps as well....soon come the days when she wont come in hand....and keep running all around the house...

and sigh very soon she will be off to her own home getting married and all....OK OK...SNAP!!! SNAP!! its still a long time for that....plan to enjoy DADDYHOOD to the most...its a blessing ALHUMDULILLAH....

FLU - FLY - FLO - FLUM...!!!

2006-10-31T16:51:00.000+05:00

Am struck with the FLU for the past few days...couldnt get it off me so decided to BLOG it away hehehhe...maybe it gets scared or something...it started...with a disturbance in the throat and I could imagine the VICKS monster in my throat...hehe....a tough day SUNDAY...on the bed...didnt want to do anything...bummed around...JUST need a reason for that eh...hehehe...

Next day...lethargically to work....but that was a good decision as that got some oxygen working and better recovery...feeling a bit better today...with the throat itching gone...and the HEAVY headed ness phase ON...hopefully should end by tomorrow...

FLU does get you to realize how...Health is everything...the smallest change in the body gets you a bit slower than usual...and distracted too...

Hopefully...things get back to normal...soon...

Honesty aint the best Policy...if its with WOMEN!!!

2006-10-30T14:39:00.000+05:00

Honesty is the best policy...but not when it comes to communicating with WOMEN. Especially when its answering questions about their ADJECTIVES such as FAT/THIN, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL, OLD/YOUNG, SAD/HAPPY, etc etc.

A man must be ready with every answer possible. The answer must be 'No Comments' without using these two words. Play the middle man or something like the COMIC might happen.

Women...one of the most difficult-to-understand SPECIES...

EID as it was...

2006-10-27T12:41:00.000+05:00

EID Mubarak to all who read this...

This year EID was spent at my home town in SUKKER with my parents. An eventful one I must say...starting right from the speculation of the MOON. The unfortunate moment in PAKISTAN's history where our UNITY is so good that we had 3 EIDs. Some kept 29 rozas some 30 and no matter how much they claim it wont happen again we all know...it becomes tough to talk about unity when we cant even have one day for eid in the country.

Anyway, its either this or we should not make an issue out of it at all. A local committee should decide maybe in every province whether its there or its not there. It shouldnt be a federal decision and rather be a provincial decision.

Otherwise, a happy eid spent with folks you dont get to meet usually cos you live in another city. Internal family misunderstandings have led to a disjoint EID this year and I couldnt meet with a few of my cousins. SAD but true...so it wasnt really the perfect eid...as it should have been. Lots of prayers for a better one next time...and hopefully grown ups learn to move on and reach a consensus so that children dont continue with the hatred for years to come...

My daughter's first EID and all glittery with her sharara and bangles...a DAME ...quite a sight...Allah keep her from NAZAR....

We did however get a shock due to my Baba's high blood pressure rise on Chand Raat. A scare to say the least but we moved on. Indications for a high priority engiography as soon as possible and a decision being made. I would request all readers to PRAY for the better.

Hopefully everyone had happy moments of their own as well.

Younis Khan - A Potential Great Captain

2006-10-18T10:06:00.000+05:00

Yesterday's win against Sri Lanka went on to say a lot about the leadership we have been lacking all these years. Inzimam has done a great job inteh recent past about bringing the team together and keeping them there. The religious influence and all has changed the whole outlook of the team and through all the controversies and pressure, its the 'TEAM' that has come out well 'TOGETHER'.

Now, its time to move on to a real decision making captain. No offence to INZI but he is very mellow in his approach just like he is as a batsmen. He is a slow conqueror oozing with confidence when it comes to batting but captaincy is a different ballgame. We need a person who can take quick decisions rather than sit-and-wait. Younis brings that to the table.

Its time we realize that INZI can be a better resource as a pure batsman and Younis can take over the captaincy. He has proved it time and again. Talking about yesterday, the toughest spot for a team to loose their new ball bowlers one day before the match. Already without their current captain and with so much going on board level, it was to just give in. The team needed a leader who could inspire...a win was unlikely...I was expecting just a good fight to at least show we are here to play, superstars or not. We ended up winning, just shows the atmosphere that Younis brings to the dressing room.

He reminds me of Imran and the team of the 1992 world cup. Not many stars, a severe shock of losing Waqar weeks before the tournament brought a dent to the bowling attack. The team relatively new and undiscovered players. Imran led the team. He wasnt in his best years but he brought out the best in everyone and thats the job of the captain. He may not be the best performer but he is the best manager and leader.

I think we should be thinking about promoting Younis to the captaincy and estabilishing INZI at one down position. He is definitely the best batsman in the lineup. By best I am underlining DOMINANT. Teams fear him until he gets out. The best player should play at No.3 so that he could be the sheet anchor. I think INZI needs that kind of a responsibility with younis and yousuf playing 4-5 as required. That should be a solid change and a good one to take to the upcoming world cup.

Great going PAKI team, keep it going....

Ramadan - Lucky to get it...

2006-10-16T10:36:00.000+05:00

Well I should have had a Ramadan post much before than this but I guess its never to late to talk about this Blessed Month. The month in which you have the best chance of asking for forgiveness of our sins and with the big-time treasure chest of forgiveness available with Allah, you can actually expect to get forgiveness as well.

When believing that the time of death has been written the day we were born, it could come any time and then talking about getting the opportunity of one more Ramadan it sure is the topic of asking "Are we lucky or are we lucky?" Just think about the unfortunate who die just before Ramadan and according to this concept the ideal time for death is right before the end of Ramadan :) but you cant ask for death, thats a sin also.

The devil is kept behind closed doors during this month but guess what, we still have the urge to waste time and still commit sin, or things that are not liked by Allah. It makes you wonder did the devil find a backdoor and still manage to divert us from right....well NO!, it is only due to our training the whole year that we find it difficult to utilize this blessed month.

With so many opportunities waiting to be taken, every good deed counting for 70 times, every NAFL getting the level of FARZ, its just amazing, how much one could gather? It could never be enough after all the sins we committed the past year now would it? Sigh...

I think the best thing that we can do use, firstly utilize the month to the full and aim for the forgiveness more easily available than normal days and secondly try and continue the routine that we have in this month. Taraweeh, Tilawat, Tahajjud...and also the basic things such as keeping away from lies, fraud, during fasting...continue it further in the year as well as much as possible. If you feel like losing your way...FAST for a few days as NAFL and you can get back on track. Its possible...I am going to try it this year...

May Allah give us the strength and focus to walk along on the path He likes...and help us gain the maximum from this Holy Month of Ramadan....AAMEEN...

Logging Back IN...

2006-10-13T12:25:00.000+05:00

Have been out of the picture for a while from the blog-world...THIS IS TOUGH MAN...how do serious bloggers do it...

Anyway, lots has happened so have no intentions to write about it all...some things are in secret...will publish when they materialize...other than that...its a happy go lucky life....

Immediate priority is my MS Degree. Have been threatened by the authorities to finish it by the end of this semester otherwise the MS program stands terminated...so that is all i need to hear...this is it...its taken too long...

Otherwise all is good...did anybody see 'THE REAL NEWS' on Channel Play....liked their jokes...also got to listen Jerry Seinfeld at a STAND UP COMEDY thing on audio...AMAZING GUY!!!

The ICC Trophy is up and running....the inzi thing is done for and my favourite captain currently is captain after a bit of controversy....resignation of Chairman PCB and Manager Zaheer Abbas....i m glad whatever happened did not effect younis khan in the end....

we ve got a good team going and Inshallah it would be a good performance....

Ramadan is going great...Alhumdulillah....routine Ibaadaat, Taraweeh, Roza...Alhumdulillah....May Allah accept it all...AAmeen...

Will be coming in with interesting things soon....this is just a LOGGING BACK IN BLOG ....

SEE THE GUTS!!!

2006-09-13T15:24:00.000+05:00

Once upon a time, three army generals were on a same flagship. One of them was American, another was Russian, and the third one was a Pakistani. Over the dining table, they had a debate on which one of them has tougher, and braver soldiers? They all ended up with one test. The American general called one of his soldiers and asked him to jump in the sea, to swim around the flagship thrice, and come back. The soldier took 5 minutes for this. The Yankee general said "See the guts...!!" The russian general asked his soldier the same, and the russian soldeir took merely 3 minutes. The Comrade general said "See the guts..!!!" The Pakistani general called one of his soldiers, and asked him to jump into the sea, swim around the flagship thrice and to come back. The soldier replied "TERE BAAP KA NAUKAR HOON KYA? " The Paki general said "See the guts...!!!"

One foot in the PAST the other in the FUTURE...

2006-09-11T12:31:00.000+05:00

Got the pleasurable experience of watching 'Rang De Basanti' yesterday and by far it was one of the more inspiring movies I have watched in recent times...The movie helped me a decide a long term unanswered question...AAMIR KHAN is by far the more talented KHAN out of the Indian Film Industry...Shahrukh comes in next...Yes the BOY TOY Shahrukh has a more fan following and more screen appeal but he does monotonous roles and is enjoying the sunshine...while AAMIR experiments and definitely INSPIRES...

The blog name comes from the dialogue...'Ik paaon past mein hay aur doosra future mein....tabhi tou AAJ par MOOTH rahay hain...' translated to 'One foot in the past, the other in the future...no wonder we are peeing on the present'. As much as it sounds despicable, it holds a great reality if seen beyond the words...

Those people who watched the movie would know that it was a good hit at the Indian culture but I could see reflections of similar problems over here in Pakistan as well...some people are stuck in the past and cannot settle old scores...it will go on and on somehow...a never ending war say it between tribes, families and on a more common note politics. Also when we talk about another set of people who are stuck in the future.....hoping the good days would come....not doing anything about it...just waiting...and sometimes even running away from the problems and waiting from abroad....

But what about the present? The problems are here...in the present...all problems in the past are bygone...problems of the future?? I don’t think anybody here has that much foresight and for the sake of comment...considering we are giving no attention to the present I am worried that we don’t even have a FUTURE??

A big time revolution is required it seems, well that’s what has been said for all these 59 years...of independence...the movie hit the right note in my head...and I think that is not the requirement...a big time revolution isn’t one entity. It is a collection of deeds by various people and is actually a collective term....if everybody decides on making a difference...just as simple as making a difference ...the collective result would be much bigger and could be termed a revolution....

It sounds all hypothetical but after watching the movie...I could relate to it...and it is really possible....all one needs is a CANDLE to be lit!! The flame can travel and transfer to other candles...I think all we lack is the INSPIRATION?? We need someone to come out of the wilderness of their daily routines and INSPIRE the people of this nation...once the ball starts rolling and the objective defined...I think we can get back on track....

After LAGAAN, I felt AAMIR Khan was very close to making the perfect movie...'Rang De Basanti' did it I think...He is definitely one of my best All-Time favourites...and there arent many...in the list...

Mohe tu Rang De Basanti...!!!

Ball Tampering...Whats the big deal anyway?

2006-08-23T10:28:00.000+05:00

Following the Oval debacle...a new sense of interest has been generated all over the world and why shouldn’t it be this way? In the 129 year history of the gentleman's game, it was the FIRST time that a test match was forfeited in this nature...this is a hit on the whole Pakistan team's pride and Pakistan a country which is crazy about cricket...some people rate it as religion....being virtually labeled as cheats is a direct hit on the PRIDE of the Nation....that’s why this is a HUGE ISSUE...

I somehow have a feeling that everything will calm down very soon and the same norms would be followed...Inzi penalized in whatever way possible and Darrell Hair, once again getting away with murder...of the Paki Pride...there wouldn’t be any proof available cos if there was the briefest hint of anything...SKYSPORT's 26 cameras would have caught it and being an independent body than the ICC, PCB or ECB it would have taken it out on the media and generated huge revenue out of it...there is not a single proof to show that Pakistan tampered with the ball....so its a 'my word against yours' issue...and in this case it is a big allegation and to come out of it wearing a dignified umpire's WHITE coat...and getting away with defaming the whole nation...I DONT THINK SO!!!

There are lots of things to consider when we talk about a case...Darrell Hair can only provide the scuffed up ball...and his thoughts on why its ball tampering...no CRUDE EVIDENCE...while Inzi and the PCB can take this whole match from day 1....first innings...Pakistan bowling...beautifully taking wickets with the new ball...and same with the old ball...no issues...England getting hit around with the new ball blowing the lower middle order and tail with the old ball...NO ISSUES? Why, when Cook got out, a similar situation where the ball had been roughed up with play over 50 overs.....its bound to get scuffed up and start to reverse....obviously...a fear of being bowled over ENGLAND...had something to do with it...I wont go into saying anything about speculation...if we start that so can....Darrell Hair...

Sometimes I wonder....if England can win the ASHES...with Simon Jones' reverse swing...it is then the ART of Reverse Swing....and when all the bowling greats like....Imran Khan, Sarfaraz Nawaz, Wasim, Waqar bring it on....its CHEATING?? By the way the ART of reverse swing was invented by Pakistanis. We had the perfect conditions in our country, dry, hard and dusty wickets. The ball can naturally get scuffed up. To add to that we had the most talented FAST bowlers of those times. Why couldn’t INDIA who had similar conditions work on that as well? I think their attack has always been spin dependent. Other than the great Kapil Dev, they can't really mention another great FAST bowler of their history...and KAPIL did reverse the ball...

Its just a question of hitting the NATION's PRIDE....you just can't get away with accusing someone for that matter a whole team of ball tampering....WITHOUT ANY PROOF....and get away with it? This is definitely a BIG BIG DEAL!!!

The Oval Debacle...Racist, Biased & Darrell 'HAIRY' Umpiring...

2006-08-21T15:39:00.000+05:00

Ball tampering...Oh NO!! Again?? Yes, Pakistan has been caught tampering with the ball yet again...by none other than Mr. Darrell 'Famous PIG-Headed NO' Hair...heheh no that’s not my creativity...I picked it from an English Columnist...

Amazingly....this time Mr. Darrell 'NO' Hair is planning to get away with not having any proof as well...WOW?? How does this happen? Are the umpires in such a position to accuse anybody of cheating and with no proof as well??

A 55 over old scuffed-up ball...none different than the first two innings when the ball started to reverse swing...for both teams as well...and this time the ball was tampered with???...At 2:14pm (English Time) Alistair Cook got out with a beauty from Umar Gul in the 50th or 51st over...the umpires have to have checked the ball then...as its their duty...every over they get a hand on the ball and have it checked. Then at 2:30pm they took action without even warning or discussing with the captain on the field...BALL TAMPERING!!! Change of Ball!!! Five run Penalty!! And all this after Kevin Pietersen had hit the balls to the fence a number of times...nothing different than an ORDINARY thing now to have a scuffed ball with the advertisement boards all around...and to add to that...NO VIDEO PROOF out of 26 AVAILABLE CAMERAS???? Isn’t it visible as to what is going on??

Just cos the Umpire thinks so he can take an action without any proof? I don’t think so...what followed next well I wouldn’t comment negatively on that as it was well by the book and no complaints...the match awarded to England cos Pakistan delayed their entry showing a protest after tea....no issues there...

Now we come to what happens next?? My question is...doesn’t the ICC have an UMPIRING PANEL? Aren’t Umpires Evaluated?? Darrell Hair has been under scrutiny for controversies for ages now and yet he is part of the ELITE PANEL....Its not about favoring Australian Umpires its about the CHARM of the GAME...these umpires are bringing a bad name to the game...its evident that at the end of the all the drama a lot of people were deprived of a good day and a quarter of a good test match....isn’t that what matters in the end?

And why doesn’t Darrell Hair have had any issues ever with an Australian, English, South African ...hey for that matter even West Indies?? Whenever there is a controversy involving Mr. 'NO' Hair...there is always a SOUTH ASIAN involved as well...Paki, Indian or Sri Lankan...DOESNT THAT RING A BELL???

I have no idea what action is going to be taken...all I know is that respect for a Paki is the utmost thing in his life and someone abusing that and without any proof too...is just not only unfair but...rather crooked too....

Saying all that INZI played the perfect role at that time of taking care of his temper...he played on until TEA made sure that nothing has happened...he must have watched and got info from Television people that there was nothing on tape as well as no other proof....it was just a scuffed up ball and Mr. Hair’s THOUGHT PROCESS? That’s when a protest was raised during tea...another captain might have walked off like Ranatunga did to protect Murali against Australia...a few years back....

I think if Darrell Hair made a mistake and accepts and apologizes then maybe things should go on otherwise the PCB should bring the team back home....and stage a serious complaint for FIRING of Mr. 'NO' HAIR....India and Sri Lanka would definitely support in this as well....

Thinking about that even if Darrell Hair accepts his mistake...we should recall a Paki Umpire who was termed as CHEATING when he made a mistake....so that should be brought into the picture as well...a mistake by a Paki umpire is cheating while a mistake by an Australian...a MISTAKE??

It’s high time some action is taken against this BULLY RACIST....and he is taught a good lesson...

People think that the cricketing administration is ruled by Australians and English...and South Asian countries don’t have a say....I don’t think that’s true any more...With the big-time commercialization of the game and so much money generated a boycott by The Sub Continent including Sharjah is a BIG LOSS...so if this is not taken seriously....ICC will be answerable for a lot more than RACISM and BIASEDNESS...they will have to find a way to generate some money as well....I am hoping for a good decision by the ICC as there is no evidence at all...none whatsoever...in this regard anything less than an APOLOGY and FIRING of Mr. Darrell Hair would be unacceptable....

Its all clear as water this time...Mr. Hair...YOU HAVE MADE A BIG BOO BOO....this time....

RAINY, DARK & SCARY...17th August 2006

2006-08-21T14:17:00.000+05:00

17th August 2006, I broke my own record of being stuck in traffic...from 4 hours a few years back to 5!!! I am sure many people would have their own stories about the day as the lightning and rain struck right at the time most office people start leaving their offices....

We saw the rain for a little while from our office doors and windows and when it settled at around 6:00pm we left the office. Trying to avoid pools and waterfalls inside PECHS we finally managed to hit Shahrah-e-Faisal expecting a running traffic...well it was a running traffic but only till Baluch Colony Bridge after which there was a deep swimming pool almost 5.5 feet deep. No kidding as a guy was waving his hand till his neck when he came from inside the pool....

That was the place we got stuck for 3 hours...a stand still...a big reason for the jam was that all lanes on the other side of the road normally used to U-turn and go back towards Cantt Station was jam packed with cars coming in the wrong direction...there were 6 lanes and all filled with WRONG-WAY cars...hence the jam...also people had left their cars not expecting any movement of the traffic causing even more problems...a water in the carbonater problem is differnt but parking and leaving after coming WRONG way is....AMAZING....

Anyway they were able to clear the tail from FTC and we managed to find one lane out of those 6 and snuck our way home....but not before the clock had moved from 6:00pm to 11:00pm...

Lots of questions....not many answers...

Don’t we people have a common sense to come wrong way? Don’t we have any foresight? I am sure there are quite a few who would disagree...and I trust them to the full. I say this because I was told by many people who had come wrong way that it was actually the TRAFFIC POLICE who was sending them wrong way...so the traffic police was sending everyone wrongly to avoid traffic in THEIR area...so they were able to show CLEAR ROADS in front of AGA KHAN Hospital and TARIQ Road...heheh...well they were bound to be clear cos both ends of the roads were in too deep a pool for anyone to go through....

The Clifton area, Bath Island and the underpass...I was told were too much flooded... and these are recent developments...there is apparently no rainwater drainage system...its about time we do have that....there were 28 recorded deaths due to electrocution, one in the baluch colony swimming pool....it was scary to say the least....and heaps of deaths would have occurred inside ambulances carrying people stuck in traffic....hospitals like Jinnah, NICVD and Child Ward having pools in front of them...and many to follow due to the dangerous toxic waste adding to the drinking water and many diseases generated from collected swimming pools...

And I am not even mentioning the poor people whose houses fell down or water poured into their homes...

Who is to blame? The government, previous government? We, the people? Traffic police? Or is there no one to blame...and someone has a solution...?

Well I know for one thing that the whole city cannot be dug up to have an drainage world under the roads of Karachi...that doesn’t sound practical considering the fact that it would be a 10 year project and the frequency of government changes and the killing of all projects started by the previous government wouldn’t let us ever be able to completely build such a drainage system....

Does anybody know how much money the city of Karachi generates each day?? The next day had to be a public holiday keeping most offices closed and most people couldn’t reach their offices which were open...I know that when a war is on...the targets are such locations such as bridges, big office towers and only reasons are to break as much communication as possible to bring the city/country in a cut-off state...communications were pretty much terminated with most cellular networks having big problems...as well...along with stuck road traffic...

well the rain did a much better job than any other nuclear weapon I have heard of...it deemed us WASTED... countries in a cold war with us should not have a Nuclear plan. They should start working on a RAIN creation project in which they could create artificial rain and send it over through artificial winds...we are doomed...

Its amazing how cities like Islamabad and even Lahore have such great rainwater plans...yes it rains more over there so they have good drainage systems to counter that but its not like KARACHI is a desert and it would never rain here....there should be a drainage system EXISTENT at least...and I am not talking about the GUTTER drainage system...I am more hinting towards a RAINWATER drainage system...

Sad state of affairs...and we can’t really do anything either it seems...or can we?

Abida Parveen - The Inimitable

2006-08-15T16:11:00.000+05:00

Abida Parveen, a legendary folk singer and one of the great assets of Pakistan. People copy greats like Madam Noor Jehan, Mehdi Hasan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and what not. After all its just the voice that sells, so if someone can imitate a great voice well, he might as well minting some money then. However, when it comes to Abida Parveen she is just simply uncopyable and unique. I dont think anybody can copy her style, the only reason being that she is as true as it could get. Talk about the poetry, the music, the 'raag' and the whole ambiance thats around her performance its as close to reality as it could get.

I was lucky enough to listen to a live performance at Karachi Club this last weekend. It was by far the best I heard comparing from 2 others I have heard before. Only accompanied by a harmonium, a tabla and a dhol, Abida jee created a trance-like atmosphere. Bulley shah, Sachal Sarmast, Amir Khusro, you name it she got it. She has sung a whole album of Faiz. She is as versatile as you could get. From Ghazal to folk, its a complete musical learning experience.

One should prepare to let go of himself when he comes to listen to her. She gets on a magic carpet and asks you jump along if you want...then you can go all the way up to another floor out of this world...where its relaxing and its pure...its a place where your questions start getting some answers and this life and the world starts making a lot more sense than it usually does...

Sufism and sufi music is a simple expression of the truth about life...and Abida Jee is definitely the best portrayal out of them all... where bulley shah left it...abida jee delivers it to a further audience...making more sense...

'Chhaiti Aaween o Tabeeba...nai tay mein MARR GAYYAN...!!!'

Get a grip on your problems...

2006-08-09T14:06:00.000+05:00

ZIGGY has done it again. Deep thought and speaking about reality in a COMIC box. Sometimes I wonder what a great job these comics writers do. Say a lot in a few words and in a humorous way too. So getting a grip on your problems is really about knowing when to let go!! Well said...

Real Estate - The 'REAL' Story

2006-08-07T10:46:00.000+05:00

The Real Estate business is one of the most craziest businesses I ve ever seen. All these people really do is have HUGE telephone bills and manipulate...the customer. They are supposed to just evaluate the market and be ready for any questions from a potential buyer or investor but they actually go much farther than that.

A real estate guy might say that he is getting only 2% from the deal you make but that is at least 4% as he said the same to the other party as well. There is a buyer and there is a seller. So if a property is sold for 100,000 he actually made 4,000 and not 2,000 as he claims. He got 2k from the buyer and 2k from the seller. Not bad eh? Considering the fact that all he did was make two parties meet and do the deal. By the way the deals are made in at least 8 digits these days...when we talk about the current market in Pakistan...

All the above sounds pretty normal doesnt it? It gets nasty when they try to manipulate you. An average person would do a property deal in what 5 years on the average at least. So you can't expect him to know how the market is doing or what the property values. You trust your estate agent. Unfortunately, they use that to their advantage.

I can bet most people will agree that you can never get the BEST price through a Real Estate Agent. It may be a good price but it will never be the BEST price, it just can never be. I think its cos BEST is a relative term depending on who's perspective it is.

Whenever you go to sell your property you get things like 'Oh the market is down these days...' and if you are a buyer.... 'Oh prices are on a hike!!...' Its just so confusing. I am at the start of building up serious life and when it comes to finances I am at my first BIG BUY state as I call it. So all i see around me is that prices are so high and everything. I dont see myself ever making that BIG BUY...will the price ever come down?? How does anybody make that BIG BUY?? My father says...you need one good break and that doesnt really come unless you go against your will...he says people who actually make their own home either get it from inheritance....or they make at least one crooked thing to make the break....it doesnt have to be a ROBBERY...hehe...its just something that the person wouldnt normally do....

There are also real estate agents who work on MAKE CUSTOMERS strategy...they will get a person a BIG BREAK on his first deal and make up on every next one...only the first deal is the GREAT one....the rest are just average...ones...

Its a complex story...and a complex business....still waiting for the BIG BREAK...to get some lumpsome cash in hand...lets see....what develops...

Different Ways to ANNOY PEOPLE!!!

2006-08-04T10:15:00.000+05:00

1. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go."

2. Learn Morse code, and have conversations with friends in public
consisting entirely of "Beeeep Bip Bip Beeep Bip..."

3. Speak only in a "robot" voice.

4. Push all the flat Lego pieces together tightly.

5. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch
paper, 98 copies.

6. Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.

7. Leave your turn signal on for fifty miles.

8. Name your dog "Dog."

9. Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all
weather conditions "to keep them tuned up."

10. Reply to everything someone says with "that's what YOU think."

11. Forget the punchline to a long joke, but assure the listener it
was a "real hoot."

12. Practice making fax and modem noises.

13. Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and "cc:"
them to your boss.

14. Make beeping noises when a large person backs up.

15. Invent nonsense computer jargon in conversations, and see if
people play along to avoid the appearance of ignorance.

16. Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with the
prophecy."

17. Wear a special hip holster for your remote control.

18. Do not add any inflection to the end of your sentences, producing
awkward silences with the impression that you'll be saying more any
moment.

19. Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over
your ears.

20. Disassemble your pen and "accidentally" flip the ink cartridge
across the room.

21. Give a play-by-play account of a persons every action in a nasal
voice.

22. Holler random numbers while someone is counting.

23. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and
insist to others that you "like it that way."

24. Drum on every available surface.

25. Staple papers in the middle of the page.

26. Ask 1-800 operators for dates.

27. Produce a rental video consisting entirely of dire FBI copyright
warnings.

28. Sew anti-theft detector strips into peoples backpacks.

29. Hide dairy products in inaccessible places.

30. Write the surprise ending to a novel on its first page.

31. Set alarms for random times.

32. Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a "croaking"
noise.

33. Honk and wave to strangers.

34. Change channels five minutes before the end of every show.

35. Wear your pants backwards.

36. Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their
complimentary mints by the cash register.

37. Begin all your sentences with "ooh la la!"

38. ONLY TYPE IN UPPERCASE.

39. only type in lowercase.

40. dont use any punctuation either

41. Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole
streets.

42. Pay for your dinner with pennies.

43. Repeat everything someone says, as a question.

44. Write "X - BURIED TREASURE" in random spots on all of someone's
roadmaps.

45. Repeat the following conversation a dozen times: "Do you hear
that?" "What?" "Never mind, its gone now."

46. Demand that everyone address you as "Conquistador."

47. At the laundromat, use one dryer for each of your socks.

48. Wear a cape that says "Magnificent One."

49. As much as possible, skip rather than walk.

50. Stand over someone's shoulder, mumbling, as they read.

51. Pretend your computer's mouse is a CB radio, and talk to it.

52. Inform others that they exist only in your imagination.

53. Ask people what gender they are.

54. Lick the filling out of all the Oreos, and place the cookie parts
back.

55. Routinely handcuff yourself to furniture, informing the curious
that you don't want to fall off "in case the big one comes".

56. While making presentations, occasionally bob your head. like a
parakeet.

57. Lie obviously about trivial things such as the time of day.

58. Change your name to "AaJohn Aaaaasmith" for the great glory of
being first in the phone book. Claim it's a Hawaiian name, and demand
that people pronounce each "a."

59. Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to
see if they slow down.

60. Chew on pens that you've borrowed.

61. Wear a LOT of cologne.

62. Listen to 33rpm records at 45rpm speed, and claim the faster
speed is necessary because of your "superior mental processing."

63. Sing along at the opera.

64. Mow your lawn with scissors.

65. Ask the waitress for an extra seat for your "imaginary friend."

66. Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn't rhyme.

67. Ask your co-workers mysterious questions, and then scribble their
answers in a notebook. Mutter something about "psychological
profiles."

68. Stare at static on the TV and claim you can see a "magic
picture."

69. Select the same song on the jukebox fifty times.

70. Never make eye contact.

71. Never break eye contact.

72. Make appointments for the 31st of September.

73. Invite lots of people to other people's parties.

74. BLOG THE ABOVE!!!!

My BIRTHDAY blog

2006-08-02T12:47:00.000+05:00

2nd August 1981....A person was downloaded from heaven...he was named Umar Tariq Pirzada...It wasn't going to be that...if my Grandpa had had his way...it would ve been........umm......wait....lemme tell the background...

Starting over again...2nd August 1981...it was not just an ordinary Sunday it was also...1st SHAWWAL of the Islamic Calendar....yes people Umar Tariq Pirzada was born on RAMADAN EID!!! The night before EID...CHAND RAAT my mom wore bangles and had a normal CHAND RAAT as everyone...and I wasn't expected for another few weeks...I was just in too much of a rush I guess to download on EID....!! My Grandpa wanted to name me....EID MOHAMMAD or EIDU!!! Lucky me...my father looked at me as a Darwesh SON and was also a Big fan of Hazrat Umar (RA). I was named after the great Caliph...Alhumdulillah...

Today 25 years later....I have a good SILVER JUBILEE under my belt...an important milestone to sit and relax and look back on a well lived life Alhumdulillah....lots of faults, defects, but hey....nobody can speak about perfection...

Without making this a LONG LONG BLOG...I would just like to thank the people who remember this day and wish me every year...its just amazing ....I know I am not a good person when it comes to remembering and even if remembering, not good at wishing...people...but all you guys are amazing...its a tough tough job....

I have always wanted one thing when I talk about doing anything and that is 'Making A Difference...' Whenever I meet someone, talk to someone, listen to someone....my objective is to make a difference....and that works well towards building relationships and friends...

Today all the people who remembered me....made a big difference for me in an otherwise....ordinary wednesday....another 2nd August....THANK YOU ALL....

Do pray for me and family whenever I am remembered....I hope no one keeps any negativity about me cos that would disturb me....Whenever I am remembered, I want to be remembered as a good guy...who made a difference....

Rain Rain GO AWAY...

2006-08-01T09:50:00.000+05:00

Karachi has been hit by MONSOON rains and I attended a MONSOON wedding yesterday. The father of the bride, young at heart but definitely age has taken his toll on him looked exhausted yet relieved at the joyous occasion. It wasn't a dream daughter's wedding. The ground booked weeks ago was no longer in the category of MARRIAGE LAWNS it was more in the MARRIAGE PONDS category or maybe a POSH word...'POOLSIDE' heheh...

Anyway, a few calls here and an empty pocket there...he managed to get a hotel hall...to get things back on track...GREAT JOB!!!

The prime minister had asked the people to pray for rains...cos its the season where crops require water and there is big shortage...well I AM SURE...there are quite a few believers here...cos Alhumdulillah Allah does listen...but umm...was this really a blessing?....now we have water everywhere....LITERALLY...

In fact it was the first time I saw a MOSQUE filled with water inside...I got off for the Zuhr Jammat and saw the whole road in front as a POOL and the mosque filled with water... my question of 'What about the Jamaat?' was answered in the best possible way... The Maulvi Sahb was near by... 'This IS a chance for Jihad!!'... he pulled up his Shalwar and down he went...doing everything but swimming towards the MOSQUE...way to go Maulvi Sahb...I skipped Jamaat yesterday...

It is almost like, we dont deserve it...or we cant handle it...14 people died...the electricity system is in disarray and not to talk about the POOLS!!! Underpasses FILLED UP....FELL IN!!! Traffic jams....delays...and what not? The most revenue generating city of Pakistan to a standstill...hey we dont need war....or nuclear attacks....JUST SEND US SOME RAIN!!!

So is rain really a blessing?? Food for thought...

A Beard in my Life...

2006-07-27T15:18:00.000+05:00

Most people who havent met me for a while dont know that I am trying to grow a beard...yes it is more out of necessity than anything hehhe...A few incidents happened which made me think of ways to look a little older...Hence the beard...

One day a few months back, I was bumming around at home on a Sunday and the doorbell rang. A BURQA clammed Woman said...'Beta!! Ghar mein kissi baray ko bhejo... ' and I was like 'Mein khud Barra hoon ghar ka...as in IN PERSON'...'Oh acha beta, phir tou aap kay ghar mein koi 6 months say kum ka bacha nahi hoga...' and I was like 'HAY!! Laikin POLIO kay drops hochukay hain...come next month...'

CLosed the door but was RED with embarassment. Do I look that YOUNG??

From that day, I decided on the beard and I am trying to grow one...SLOWLY...umm...OK VERY SLOWLY!!! hehhe...IT WILL COME, I HAVE MY FAITH!!!

A few friends pray that it is a religious move and I keep it for that reason, well thank you wellwishers...keep at it...it just may make me more inclined towards religion as well...

LIFE - Different Views

2006-07-21T11:17:00.000+05:00

No matter how much I think about it, how much I talk about it, how much I hear about it....the topic of LIFE is always interesting to spare some time to...

So what is life? Why is it? Simple questions but books have been written, philosphers have spent their best chain of thoughts explaining, exploring but it is such a huge and deep topic...the thirst is never quenched...

A few days back I heard an interesting comment from a senior scholar...

'Life is an experiment...we were given brains and ability to think and take decisions to see what we do...its all an experiment, there are results, readings noted...do we learn? Or do we do the same and say history repeats itself"

hehe...it was quite interesting to ponder on the thought...

My own version is...

"Life is a rat race...there is no start or finish...as in of course there is life and death but as with most races, the objective of life is not reach the finish line before anyone else...rather it is to get ahead...and thats that...why is the next person ahead of me...its a struggle to be the best...but you can never be cos there will always be...life is made to keep is unsatisfied...we will never reach the best...cos when we reach the so called best...the definition of best changes and we want something else....hence we keep running and running...until we die...."

Another version of mine... (copy pasting from where I wrote earlier....)

"Life is like a slot machine....u keep entering coins hoping...u ll hit the jackpot...u keep entering....sometimes getting nothing....sometimes...getting a bit...but since the more u invest u feel like getting it all back cos its all urs....why should some stranger just come and sit on ur seat and take all ur money which u invested while gambling...what if he hits the jackpot....that keeps u sitting at the machine...and running the machine again and again....

Sometimes....u get the first dial BINGO...the second dial BINGO and in anticipation for the 3rd BINGO....it gets stuck in between....no jackpot...u look left u look right and try forcing...the machine....for ur LONG AWAITED jackpot....some ppl get lucky and actually the bingo does fall and they hit the jackpot but what do they know...it wasnt meant to be and was rather forced....so it might not always work out even with all the money....

Some ppl are clever...they wouldnt spend a dime...and would rather wait in the corner for someone to put in all his money and when he runs out get his SEAT and trying using up all his investment for himself...its still a gamble but its more bigger rewards...."

A friend's version...

"Life is like swimming in deep sea. In winter the water is calm yet there may be storms inside the surface that are devastating. In summers where the sea is rough and rigid, inside you will find peace and serenity. You keep on swimming, through calm and rough. Sometimes you swim with the waves sometimes you swim against it. Half of the times you swim in daylight, half the time in dark. But you keep on swimming, a never ending fight which eventually you have to loose, but if you drown before your time has come then you miss out so much in life. People swim along you, some move ahead some you leave behind. Some drown on the way. "

Just to end it...I remember another good version...

'Life is like a journey on a long long road....there are bumps and hurdles and weather changes...you may change your car or get a life partner to accompany you...but the journey goes on...you meet and wave people....some people drive with you for a while...some just go away after a wave....there are crossroads, forks...etc...

The objective of life is non-existent at the beginning, there is no end to the road...but with time and more focus the objectives become more and more visible...when you reach a goal...its not the end...you immediately move on from that...setting new goals and it keeps going on...."

Fatherhood - Such a Blessing

2006-07-17T16:01:00.000+05:00

Being a father is one of the great blessings that a guy could ever have in this life. Its not only about having a cute daughter/son as a baby to cuddle but also the acceptance of a much much bigger responsibility than running a household. The guy is not only the bread yearner now but also someone to look upto. A guide, Superman, the person who has all the answers, the protector and what not. I remember me missing my dad all my life as he was usually away sailing. A tough life no doubt as a Mariner but that can't stop the son for not missing him.

I on the other hand am available and plan to be there all my life for my family. All my plans have to revolve around me being around whenever required. After all, no matter how much you work or earn, who is it for? If your answer is myself then there is no use reading on. This is written on a different frequency. You have to give up your own likings, desires when you get married. I would rather spend a few good hours with my family than spend it with friends. Of course, not all will understand until someone actually is at the same status in life as me. I wait for that dreaded clock hand to strike 5:30pm and I could wind up and go home to the best smile in the world. Its a great feeling to go home, say 'Assalam-o-alaikum...' out aloud and see your little kid turn around and smile in recognition of "BABA's" voice...wow...what a feeling...

Its a great feeling and I am definitely blessed. All you guys out there, who wish for having some worth in your life.... get married and have children and from then live for them... ITS WORTH IT ALL!!!

Alhumdulillah for this blessing God... let me be fair and do justice to this very very responsible role in life... AAMEEN...

Classic ZIGGY

2006-07-14T12:47:00.000+05:00

As classic as ZIGGY, now thats a a good analogy...its been 35 years since ZIGGY was born and he hasnt aged.

The jokes are as fresh as ever too...the norms of society, the mice, the parrot and the cat...the stock broker, the MOM's diner etc.

Those who know what I am talking about would appreciate it as well...

Anyway, here is what I read today... Funny in a nice way...

First Blog

2006-07-14T10:55:00.000+05:00

Arright...FINALLY!!! Umar Pirzada i.e. ME...has entered the BLOG WORLD...Lets see what develops...

firstly I thought blogging is for people who are dying for attention hehehe....then I read some blogs of a few friends and then being an NBA fan read again and again how MARK CUBAN the DALLAS MAVERICKS owner...wrote his blogs and got FINED heheh...man that is asking for trouble...

I finally realized...I am going to give it a shot...whats the worst that could happen...?? I hope that doesnt mean anything hehehe...

Finding a blog URL is tough man....so so many people...most names already taken... now how many people would have the name Umar Pirzada in this world and how many spell it that way well apparently the ideal blog address http://umarpirzada.blogspot.com HAS BEEN TAKEN...and TAKEN MY FOOT there is nothing opening there...I know its a loser who has blocked the entry or something or a corruption in the BLOGGER Database...

Having gone through....heaps of names for my URL...I finally came down to...guess what.... hehehe....

http://mrumarpirzada.blogspot.com

that makes me laugh...how desperate for attention am i? Well OK so now I will be known around the blog world as MR. Umar Pirzada heheh...I bet no one thought of that...I m going to try to search mrjohndoe and mrbillgates after I am done with this....hehehe....

Anyway...next step...TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT....so off I go....

Oh one more thing...almost forgot...I saw this on other FIRST POSTS....

'My Blog will contain technical articles, stuff about me, jokes and everything that inspires me....'

Hehhe....stereotypical eh...WELL SO THATS THAT....

Thanks for reading till here...and hope you will come back...again...