Things are fine (in case you're reading/care). Maybe I'll start writing again soon.
Maybe I won't.
Or maybe I will.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Interlude
I just realized my blog doesn't really have an identity... it's a little bit of all over the place. It's also very sporadic... ages of dormancy interspersed with brief periods of fervent productivity. It sounds like me, actually... strange.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Grandmother
She called me last night, from Karachi, where she lives, and in between the usual prayers and hopes and admonitions (I'm not allowed to go on boats any more, apparently), she mentioned that she hadn't been able to get my brother on the phone.
Me: "Oh, he was in South Dakota this past week on some University trip. He's probably busy getting ready for school tomorrow."
GM: "Oh... is South Dakota safe?"
Me: "It's as safe as Karachi!"
GM: "Then WHY did he go!!??"
...
Me: "Oh, he was in South Dakota this past week on some University trip. He's probably busy getting ready for school tomorrow."
GM: "Oh... is South Dakota safe?"
Me: "It's as safe as Karachi!"
GM: "Then WHY did he go!!??"
...
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Nessun Dorma
This is several kinds of powerful and wonderful. And the YouTube clip below is one of the best versions of it I have heard...
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o, Principessa,
nella tua fredda stanza,
guardi le stelle
che tremano d'amore
e di speranza.
Ma’il mio mistero e chiuso in me,
il no me mio nessun sapra!
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo diro
quando la luce splendera!
Ed il mio bacio sciogliera il silenzio
che ti fa mia!
(Il nome suo nessun sapra!...
e noi dovrem, ahime, morir!)
Dilegua, o notte!
Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle!
All'alba vincero!
vincero, vincero!
Nobody shall sleep! Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, o Princess,
In your cold room,
Watch the stars,
That tremble with love and with hope
But my secret is hidden within me,
My name no one shall know...
No!...No!... On your mouth I will tell it
When the light shines
And my kiss will dissolve the silence
That makes you mine!...
(No one will know his name
And we must, alas, die.)
Vanish, o night!
Set, stars!
Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win!
I will win, I will win!
If you like, watch this clip of Paul Potts on Britain's Got Talent... it's a great story too. He went on to win the thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
(Couldn't embed - the embed code was disabled.)
A piu tardi.
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o, Principessa,
nella tua fredda stanza,
guardi le stelle
che tremano d'amore
e di speranza.
Ma’il mio mistero e chiuso in me,
il no me mio nessun sapra!
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo diro
quando la luce splendera!
Ed il mio bacio sciogliera il silenzio
che ti fa mia!
(Il nome suo nessun sapra!...
e noi dovrem, ahime, morir!)
Dilegua, o notte!
Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle!
All'alba vincero!
vincero, vincero!
Nobody shall sleep! Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, o Princess,
In your cold room,
Watch the stars,
That tremble with love and with hope
But my secret is hidden within me,
My name no one shall know...
No!...No!... On your mouth I will tell it
When the light shines
And my kiss will dissolve the silence
That makes you mine!...
(No one will know his name
And we must, alas, die.)
Vanish, o night!
Set, stars!
Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win!
I will win, I will win!
If you like, watch this clip of Paul Potts on Britain's Got Talent... it's a great story too. He went on to win the thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
(Couldn't embed - the embed code was disabled.)
A piu tardi.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Sunday Afternoon
I just did my taxes. For some reason, I owe the state of Illinois 3 dollars... I can't quite figure it out. Turbo Tax hinted that I might get as much as $30 back, but my math doesn't make it so.
I didn't want to pay Turbo Tax $34.95 to e-file the state tax return for me in order to get $30 back. Make sense? So I did the paper arithmetic thing. And apparently, I'm not as good at paper arithmetic as I thought I was... I don't care any more. They can have their $3, or their $33. I've spent all afternoon looking at these numbers. I'm tired of it.
Other things I am tired of: Pakistani politics and politicians, especially those named Bhutto, Zardari and Sharif and anyone and anything associated with them.
Sidrah sent me this. It makes me happy and sad. It has English subtitles, for you illiterates.
Laal always has a powerful social message in its songs (well, the two I've heard so far anyway). Let's hope the message translates into action somehow... I feel like such a fraud saying that, sitting here in Chicago... but a brother has to get out of debt. And have a plan. In debt with no plan doesn't equate to driving positive change.
What does?
I didn't want to pay Turbo Tax $34.95 to e-file the state tax return for me in order to get $30 back. Make sense? So I did the paper arithmetic thing. And apparently, I'm not as good at paper arithmetic as I thought I was... I don't care any more. They can have their $3, or their $33. I've spent all afternoon looking at these numbers. I'm tired of it.
Other things I am tired of: Pakistani politics and politicians, especially those named Bhutto, Zardari and Sharif and anyone and anything associated with them.
Sidrah sent me this. It makes me happy and sad. It has English subtitles, for you illiterates.
Laal always has a powerful social message in its songs (well, the two I've heard so far anyway). Let's hope the message translates into action somehow... I feel like such a fraud saying that, sitting here in Chicago... but a brother has to get out of debt. And have a plan. In debt with no plan doesn't equate to driving positive change.
What does?
Monday, February 09, 2009
25 Things About Me (11 - 25)
11. For the first three months of my life, I was blond. Believe it.
12. My father used to call me "gol mol" meaning round. That stopped when I transformed from a chubby ball into some type of twig around the age of 3.
13. I listen to pop music.
14. I like using metric system measurements to confuse people in the United States. (*honh honh honh Stupid Americain honh honh honh*)
15. Reality TV either makes me sick or sends me to sleep, depending on my mood.
16. I've always thought Botswana was the most unfortunate name for a country... or anything.
17. I watched the first three seasons of LOST in two weeks flat... right before finals week at the end of the first year of business school. 15% of my life that fortnight was spent on that show.
18. I can count to 100. In Urdu. Strangely enough, not many people can...
19. During a game of basketball, I rejected a shot attempt of Clay's so masterfully that he fell flat on his behind. All ball. And Clay is 6' 2". That is probably still my finest basketball moment...
20. When I was in the single digits, I would pray for Germany to win field hockey games (even against Pakistan) to the extent where I would read verses from the Quran. My dad would make fun of me and say "Even the Germans themselves aren't praying this hard!"
21. I've always wanted to dye my hair red.
22. I'm ashamed of losing my British spelling ability... colour, favour, programme... one day we shall reunite.
23. In an attempt to increase my general knowledge, I once memorized the distances of all 9 (well, now 8) planets from the Sun. I don't remember any of them... thank God.
24. I used to think the words "Super Trouper" in the Abba song were actually "Suicide suicide..." I wasn't a disturbed child. I promise. It was just an auditory mistake... a big one. But still.
25. I took way too long over this stupid list.
12. My father used to call me "gol mol" meaning round. That stopped when I transformed from a chubby ball into some type of twig around the age of 3.
13. I listen to pop music.
14. I like using metric system measurements to confuse people in the United States. (*honh honh honh Stupid Americain honh honh honh*)
15. Reality TV either makes me sick or sends me to sleep, depending on my mood.
16. I've always thought Botswana was the most unfortunate name for a country... or anything.
17. I watched the first three seasons of LOST in two weeks flat... right before finals week at the end of the first year of business school. 15% of my life that fortnight was spent on that show.
18. I can count to 100. In Urdu. Strangely enough, not many people can...
19. During a game of basketball, I rejected a shot attempt of Clay's so masterfully that he fell flat on his behind. All ball. And Clay is 6' 2". That is probably still my finest basketball moment...
20. When I was in the single digits, I would pray for Germany to win field hockey games (even against Pakistan) to the extent where I would read verses from the Quran. My dad would make fun of me and say "Even the Germans themselves aren't praying this hard!"
21. I've always wanted to dye my hair red.
22. I'm ashamed of losing my British spelling ability... colour, favour, programme... one day we shall reunite.
23. In an attempt to increase my general knowledge, I once memorized the distances of all 9 (well, now 8) planets from the Sun. I don't remember any of them... thank God.
24. I used to think the words "Super Trouper" in the Abba song were actually "Suicide suicide..." I wasn't a disturbed child. I promise. It was just an auditory mistake... a big one. But still.
25. I took way too long over this stupid list.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
25 Things About Me (1 - 10)
Yes, this is Facebook inspired... and, now that I've been "tagged" for the third time, I suppose I'm bound to write 25 things about me... so here:
1. The line from Kipling's Just So Stories, "I am the cat. I walk by myself. And all places are alike to me" was my secret motto for the longest time. And, in some ways, it still is.
2. I watch Man United's games until they take the lead. And then I turn the TV off. My favorite United games are the ones I watch till the end.
3. When I was 15, I ate a pound of peanuts in one sitting while watching a Formula 1 race on TV. Peanuts have never been the same. Or they have. But I haven't.
4. I got my left ear pierced my senior year of college and wore my stud till halfway through my first year of business school.
5. The first woman I ever wanted to marry was Steffi Graf.
6. Each evening, I arrange things in my apartment (down to keys) in such a way that I can wake up as late as possible the next morning and make it to work on time.
7. I never wear open shoes. Too many open shoe foot injuries in my past.
8. When I was in school, I used to read the comics in our daily paper in the order of least favorite to most favorite. I was always upset when they moved the strips around.
9. My favorite colors are red and black. When we made wax hands one weekend in college, my wax hand was red and black. It looked awesome.
10. I like singers with low voices, because then I can sing along and feel only partially inadequate. Damn you, Chris Isaak!
This is taking a long time... the rest later.
1. The line from Kipling's Just So Stories, "I am the cat. I walk by myself. And all places are alike to me" was my secret motto for the longest time. And, in some ways, it still is.
2. I watch Man United's games until they take the lead. And then I turn the TV off. My favorite United games are the ones I watch till the end.
3. When I was 15, I ate a pound of peanuts in one sitting while watching a Formula 1 race on TV. Peanuts have never been the same. Or they have. But I haven't.
4. I got my left ear pierced my senior year of college and wore my stud till halfway through my first year of business school.
5. The first woman I ever wanted to marry was Steffi Graf.
6. Each evening, I arrange things in my apartment (down to keys) in such a way that I can wake up as late as possible the next morning and make it to work on time.
7. I never wear open shoes. Too many open shoe foot injuries in my past.
8. When I was in school, I used to read the comics in our daily paper in the order of least favorite to most favorite. I was always upset when they moved the strips around.
9. My favorite colors are red and black. When we made wax hands one weekend in college, my wax hand was red and black. It looked awesome.
10. I like singers with low voices, because then I can sing along and feel only partially inadequate. Damn you, Chris Isaak!
This is taking a long time... the rest later.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Thoughts on Football and Life
- I about cried with relief when Fernando Torres and his magnificent head (and feet) took Liverpool past Chelsea this morning. I almost blew kisses at the screen as well... stopped myself just in time. Never let it be said that men are incapable of showing emotion.
- A beard worn for the sake of religion is like your favorite football team's jersey. You have to want it yourself. Others can't impose it on you. (Try getting me in a Man United shirt... just try it.) You have to be comfortable enough to be seen everywhere with it. (My Liverpool shirt has been to work, to plays and musicals and to parties.) And you wear it out of love for something greater than yourself.* (Fernando Torres, for example)
- I could be a Premier League referee. I could. For example, I would know that when, during a Premier League game (Liverpool v Chelsea, February 1st 2009) in England (the United Kingdom), a player (Jose Bosingwa of Chelsea) runs at another player (Yossi Benayoun of Liverpool) and boots him (Benayoun) in the behind (Benayoun's behind) to get him (Benayoun) off the ball (a football), it is a foul. Experienced Premier League official Mike Riley apparently doesn't know this. Ergo, I >> Mike Riley. Ergo, I == good potential Premier League referee material.
*(For the record, my beard is grown because I don't like shaving every day.)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Pahari Bakra
I have dabbled in song writing (though it's usually a mistake to call it that in my case) from an early age. And by early, I mean 14ish, when, before school every morning, Moinuddin and I would churn out classics like "We got to cheat, just to make it today" and "In the classroom, in the country, we're doing chemistry."
All our hits paled, though, in comparison to the one monster track, composed in honor of our friend Imran Akbar, who we thought looked like a mountain goat. I could have sworn I had already posted this here, but I can't seem to find it. Anyway, here is Pahari Bakra (Mountain Goat - translation in italics, in case you couldn't tell)
*Opening riff (massive distortion of course):
Jig-jig-jig-jig Jig-jig-jig-jig Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon
Jig-jig-jig-jig Jig-jig-jig-jig Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon
Mein ne pahari bakra dekha
I saw a mountain goat
Woh khet mein ghaas char raha tha
He was chewing grass in a field
Mein ne kaha,"Aye, Pahari Bakra!"
I said, "Hey, Mountain Goat!"
*Repeat opening riff (still with massive distortion)
Pahari Bakray idhar aa!
Mountain goat, come this way!
Mujhe apna munh dikhaa!
Let me see your face!
Aye, Pahari Bakra!
Hey, Mountain Goat!
*Repeat opening riff (don't forget the massive distortion)
Pahari Bakra nah aaya
Mountain Goat did not come
Woh chehra mur ke bhaag gayaa
He turned his head and ran away
Abay jaa, Pahari Bakra!
Fine then leave, Mountain Goat!
*End with opening riff (yes, the massive distortion)
Someday, someone will give me 2 hours of studio time (plus musicians) as a birthday present. Then I will record this baby and go platinum with it.
All our hits paled, though, in comparison to the one monster track, composed in honor of our friend Imran Akbar, who we thought looked like a mountain goat. I could have sworn I had already posted this here, but I can't seem to find it. Anyway, here is Pahari Bakra (Mountain Goat - translation in italics, in case you couldn't tell)
*Opening riff (massive distortion of course):
Jig-jig-jig-jig Jig-jig-jig-jig Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon
Jig-jig-jig-jig Jig-jig-jig-jig Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon Chyaon
Mein ne pahari bakra dekha
I saw a mountain goat
Woh khet mein ghaas char raha tha
He was chewing grass in a field
Mein ne kaha,"Aye, Pahari Bakra!"
I said, "Hey, Mountain Goat!"
*Repeat opening riff (still with massive distortion)
Pahari Bakray idhar aa!
Mountain goat, come this way!
Mujhe apna munh dikhaa!
Let me see your face!
Aye, Pahari Bakra!
Hey, Mountain Goat!
*Repeat opening riff (don't forget the massive distortion)
Pahari Bakra nah aaya
Mountain Goat did not come
Woh chehra mur ke bhaag gayaa
He turned his head and ran away
Abay jaa, Pahari Bakra!
Fine then leave, Mountain Goat!
*End with opening riff (yes, the massive distortion)
Someday, someone will give me 2 hours of studio time (plus musicians) as a birthday present. Then I will record this baby and go platinum with it.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
To Those Who Think
that Israel's war crimes in Gaza right now (and against Palestine for years) are in any way, shape or form justifiable,
I am going to move into your house, force you to live in your bathroom without ever leaving, and kill your children if you protest. Alright?
I am going to take over your playgrounds, tell your children to go play in sewage swamps and dung heaps, and kill your parents if you protest. Alright?
I am going to shut down your schools and colleges, declare to the world that you'll never amount to anything, and kill your brothers if you protest. Alright?
I am going to bomb your place of work, inform you it's your own fault you have no hope and no future, and kill your sisters if you protest. Alright?
I am going to disenfranchise you, persecute you, terrorize you, humiliate you, degrade you, dehumanize you, and kill you if you protest. Alright?
I am going to move into your house, force you to live in your bathroom without ever leaving, and kill your children if you protest. Alright?
I am going to take over your playgrounds, tell your children to go play in sewage swamps and dung heaps, and kill your parents if you protest. Alright?
I am going to shut down your schools and colleges, declare to the world that you'll never amount to anything, and kill your brothers if you protest. Alright?
I am going to bomb your place of work, inform you it's your own fault you have no hope and no future, and kill your sisters if you protest. Alright?
I am going to disenfranchise you, persecute you, terrorize you, humiliate you, degrade you, dehumanize you, and kill you if you protest. Alright?
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Deaf Girl Mute Girl
The following email conversation occured sporadically between the hours of 0900 and 1600 between Chris, me and someone we will refer to as "Soil" (because Clay would be too obvious):
Soil (early in the morning, no doubt stirred from slumber by this realization):
I want a deaf girl. Yes.
They look so quiet, calm and composed in movies.
And they're always damned cute.
Can you imagine the lack of bitching? If they're moody - you wouldn't even know it (most of the time).
Me (during my lunch break):
You don't want a deaf girl, dummy. You want a mute girl.
Soil (an hour later):
Damn. I was hoping no one had responded yet. Yes, I realized my error halfway to lunch with my parents. One of those deaf girls might be the kind that talks really funny and in an annoying manner - might be worse than 'regular'!
Chris (soon after):
Soil... you need help. Seriously.
Me (right now):
Haha. This is going on my blog.
Soil (early in the morning, no doubt stirred from slumber by this realization):
I want a deaf girl. Yes.
They look so quiet, calm and composed in movies.
And they're always damned cute.
Can you imagine the lack of bitching? If they're moody - you wouldn't even know it (most of the time).
Me (during my lunch break):
You don't want a deaf girl, dummy. You want a mute girl.
Soil (an hour later):
Damn. I was hoping no one had responded yet. Yes, I realized my error halfway to lunch with my parents. One of those deaf girls might be the kind that talks really funny and in an annoying manner - might be worse than 'regular'!
Chris (soon after):
Soil... you need help. Seriously.
Me (right now):
Haha. This is going on my blog.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Nostalgia Part Deux
I tend to find new years more depressing than uplifting. All they mean are that we're another 365 days closer to death, no? Not that there's anything wrong with death (as long as they have football wherever I'm going).
Today, I thought a lot about where I've been. And where I'm going. But more about where I've been. And here, for your listening and viewing pleasure, are some songs that were prevalent during some of the key moments in my pre-teenage, teenage and post-teenage years. (I think I had a post like this some time ago, hence the Part Deux... ah, here it is, if you care: Time in my Music)
Santa Maria by Oliver Onions - This is my perfect escape song. When it's on and I close my eyes, I'm four again, playing with my Matchbox cars and only worried that Sesame Street is still several hours away. Growing up is such a b**ch. Ha. (Sorry, no moving things in video - just an album cover with two swarthy Italian fellows, or so it would appear.)
All That She Wants by Ace of Base - The omnipresent tune of sunny days and breezy nights through middle school. Poor girl. She leads a lonely life. I wondered many times what it would be like to meet such a girl... one with a lonely life, who would hunt me like I'm a fox. Gosh, that's rather disturbing.
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth by Primitive Radio Gods - This was kind of a "coming of age" song for me. I listened to it at a time when friends were leaving, when bonds were breaking, and when I realized that I might be my parents' son all my life, but I didn't have much longer left as a child. The whole "Ma Teresa joins the mob" part is classic. Have a listen.
Collide by Howie Day - Sometimes songs have a significance that only a couple of people can grasp. This is one such song. Funny how it's such a happy song. But such a sad song too. (Sorry no video again, just album cover.)
This isn't all of them obviously. I could blog for days about songs that have played a role in my life, but let's face it, I'm in the entertainment business, and nostalgia only does well for so long.
More later perhaps.
Have a happy new year (if you're into that sort of thing).
Today, I thought a lot about where I've been. And where I'm going. But more about where I've been. And here, for your listening and viewing pleasure, are some songs that were prevalent during some of the key moments in my pre-teenage, teenage and post-teenage years. (I think I had a post like this some time ago, hence the Part Deux... ah, here it is, if you care: Time in my Music)
Santa Maria by Oliver Onions - This is my perfect escape song. When it's on and I close my eyes, I'm four again, playing with my Matchbox cars and only worried that Sesame Street is still several hours away. Growing up is such a b**ch. Ha. (Sorry, no moving things in video - just an album cover with two swarthy Italian fellows, or so it would appear.)
All That She Wants by Ace of Base - The omnipresent tune of sunny days and breezy nights through middle school. Poor girl. She leads a lonely life. I wondered many times what it would be like to meet such a girl... one with a lonely life, who would hunt me like I'm a fox. Gosh, that's rather disturbing.
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth by Primitive Radio Gods - This was kind of a "coming of age" song for me. I listened to it at a time when friends were leaving, when bonds were breaking, and when I realized that I might be my parents' son all my life, but I didn't have much longer left as a child. The whole "Ma Teresa joins the mob" part is classic. Have a listen.
Collide by Howie Day - Sometimes songs have a significance that only a couple of people can grasp. This is one such song. Funny how it's such a happy song. But such a sad song too. (Sorry no video again, just album cover.)
This isn't all of them obviously. I could blog for days about songs that have played a role in my life, but let's face it, I'm in the entertainment business, and nostalgia only does well for so long.
More later perhaps.
Have a happy new year (if you're into that sort of thing).
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