Yes We Can!

'Yes We Can Heal This Nation.. Yes We Can Repair This World.. Yes We Can..'

If he doesn't win in the U.S., I will have him as chairperson of PPP any day!

The Saga Continues

Been following the YouTube situation closely. According to the Federal Minister of IT and Telecom, they made the decision to take it off air on Feb 16 when they found blasphemous content on it. The fear was that in a country where things are already rather volatile, any such proliferation of sensitive material (in context of some Dutch movie) could create a security situation. In some ways, I feel like their heart was at the right place - after all, the case for prohibition is always a complex one.

Unfortunately, let's be honest.. Members of our cabinet aren't quite your average YouTube surfers! So I imagine the discussion went something like this:

Minister 1: 'There's some bad things on this website my son told me about yesterday'
Minister 2: 'Really? What sort of bad stuff? FUN bad stuff??'
(..Loud Laughter..)
Minister 1: 'No man, seriously.. Some bad stuff about the Prophet and all'
Minister 2: 'Dude that's messed up as hell.. What we do?'
Minister 1: 'Well, let's just block it. It's only 1 website. I've heard there are billions on the net. No one will even notice'
Minister 2: 'Sure.. Blocked, it is then! Next on the agenda.. Food Inflation Crisis.. Ohh.. that's a toughie! Wish we could just block that too!'

So block, they did. Unfortunately, the funny thing is that our guys are soo darn good, they ended up blocking it in a manner that the entire world lost access to YouTube for about 2 hours! My My! Google Must be pissed!

Anyway, so the minister, according to the interview last night said that they are the govt of Pakistan and aren't going to contact the owners of some random private website (=Google, Inc.!) to discuss it even if the objectionable material was removed at their request. Their way is to block it! And if the owners of the random private website (=Google, Inc.!!) were concerned, they could talk to us! Haha.

The funny thing is, I don't know what happened since, but YouTube is BACK as of this afternoon, babyyyyy!

So let's hope we've seen the back of that crisis! Thank you all for sharing all those 'anonymous surfing engines'. You can now return to using them for your own illegal purposes! hehe!

And really, what is up with the dirty tricks being pulled on Obama with that picture with the Somali Dress, btw? You have to be pretty low to play people's feelings on races in this manner!

Anyway, in other news, I am rather shattered about AIESEC Pakistan having lost the bid for IPM 2010. It was something extremely dear to many of us and while we expected it, with the political uncertainty making headlines all over the world.. Yet, I know that we're capable of having run a legendary conference and it would have been a great point to meet all those people that were part of creating the AIESEC Pakistan 2010 vision.. and those that are motivated by it to continue to work in this organization every day. I guess it's the knowledge of that capability that counts! But in the end, I am pretty bummed about it, still..

So, all my friends that were planning to visit Pakistan someday with me (read: all my friends), we'll just have to find a new date and venue, people! :)

Keep it good. Cheers.

YouTube Blocked!

I was trying to blog a vid and was surprised to notice that youtube wasn't accessible.

YouTube has been blocked in Pakistan!!! The reasons being given are ranging from culturally inappropriate content to blasphemous material. This could be permanent or temporary. A year ago, Blogger was also blocked..

Most people are speculating that in case the government has actually blocked it and it isn't some weird technical fault, the actual reasons are not the Dutch MP's comments on the cartoon issue, but the recently uploaded videos of MQM rigging the elections on polling day!

If that is the case, this is blatant abuse of our rights, you b******s! What you gonna block next.. Google?

The Plot Thickens... Or Unfolds?

As the latest poll results come in and a large majority of seats are finalized, it has become quite clear that the opposition forces of PML-N and PPP have swept into a massive lead. The pro-Musharraf ranks are either disappearing from the public scene or loudly proclaiming how Musharraf's delivered on his promise for free and fair elections. I'll hold the analysis back for a little bit as I summarize some key results -

Nationally, PPP leads but not with enough majority to go by without forming a coalition. Provincially, the case is ditto for PML-N. PPP is going to form government in Sindh, ANP in NWFP and PML-Q in Balochistan (which will play a factor when electing the Senate), the way it looks now. In all provinces, PPP has the leading or the second position. There has been a large amount of winners that are independent and non-partisan. They are likely to play a large factor in coalition creation. Most women that were standing for National Assembly seats have also won. Is that going to be a factor?

Over the next few weeks, the future of the country will lie in a balance as will President Musharraf's. Behind closed doors, there will be making and breaking of many coalitions and this process is unlikely to help the stability of the country. The final outcome of talks between PPP and PML-N will of course be a driving factor to what happens next. In the leadup to the elections, the two parties have supported each other and have adjusted their candidates so as to beat the incumbent government comprehensively and not divide each other's vote bank. Will this, however, lead to a coalition between parties that still hold historic grudges? Perhaps the fact that Benazir and Nawaz Sharif are not directly running for the big position of PM would help soften the hardline position that they usually take against each other.

However, these parties do differ on certain very important issues: restoration of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice, the restoration of the constitution October 1998, and their position on working with Musharraf. So far, PML-N has been pro-restoration of judiciary and pro-removal of Musharraf. PPP has not taken any positions on the issue of judiciary and have hinted and their willingness to work with Musharraf as president. Perhaps PPP will align with some pro-Mush forces to get an edge enough to form government. Lots of question marks..

In my opinion stability and any positive change will only come through agreement of the two parties. Should this happen, Musharraf could be packing his bags. But an equally likely scenario is a parliament that with the big parties fighting with each other and making any functioning government a distant reality. Of course, Musharraf can sit back and enjoy should that happen.

Furthermore, it will be interesting how Mr President reacts to this state of affairs. Some hint at his resigning as a proactive approach gaining an element of popularity for staying true to his word and respecting the vote of the people of Pakistan. So far, he's been continuously talking about his willingness to work with whoever forms government. Will he still be able to hand over the power he's exercised for the largest part of the last decade in this manner?

Everyone including observers from 13 countries have been awed by the relatively peaceful environment this has all occurred in. Has it been heightened security or the willingness of extremists to see the incumbents go, that has resulted in this? What will become of these radical forces? Are people shunning them away or are they waiting it out for round 2? Do they think that the government will ease on The War if Musharraf's gone or have they too conceded defeat? In any case, he's a lame duck unless the big parties decide to fight it out against each other, and he would just sit back and use the infamous 58/2b article in the constitution allowing him to dissolve parliament. Ironically, if they cooperate, they can get rid of this article itself.

What about the issue of rigging? While irregularities in voting (Check out Teeth Maestro and the SAC site) have been seen across the country, no major incidents of mass rigging are apparent. Has it been the media, the civil society and the international observers that have prevented the establishment from foul play? Could it be that the new COAS is making a clear statement of staying out of politics and ensuring his intelligence agencies do the same for now? Have the US and other international players given up on Musharraf as his popularity and effectiveness wains or is there more to it than the eye can see?

The reality is that this election is being won through the sympathy vote and the anti-govt vote. That being the case, the positive election is that no differing manifestos will act as a major obstacle to cooperation, but it does leave the future stance and agenda of the formed government out to anyone's interpretation.

As a friend of mine put it, 'The cycle [PML-Q] gets hit by the proverbial suicide bomber of Paki democracy'! Let's just hope it's not really a 'suicide' bomber but a remotely detonating mine!

The Tables Turn

Major upsets are being faced by the ruling party. The chairman of the Q-league, Ch Shujaat Hussain has lost in his hometown and so has a leading minister Sh Rasheed. It's looking like the entire cabinet isn't even getting their own seats! Speaks volumes for people's reaction to their performance.

PPP is now leading nationally overall, with PML-N trailing closely. The liberal moderates ANP is winning in the Northern Province, which is a ray of hope against extremism. Still lots of results to go, but a trend is forming. So far, PML-Q (ruling party) has only 1 secured National Assembly seat.

Feeling optimistic about the way things are shaping up and thankful to a largely peaceful day. Special mention goes out to the media for leading an awareness campaign and policing the elections so far.

Preliminary Results

According to unofficial reports pouring in, the incumbent, pro-Mush party PML-Q is losing across the board. Currently, PPP is looking to be leading across the country and PML-N is going strong in Punjab.

While there have been numerous reports of irregularities around polling, many people are saying that there will be just enough rigging to prevent a 2/3 majority. Many are also saying that should this trend be true, it is in some ways a referendum for Mr President and he would have to pack his bags soon. Too early to state with any certainty what is going to happen, and what the overall voters turnout was like.

Fingers crossed.

Cheated. Robbed. Rigged!

As I write this, I struggle to keep control as a barrage of emotions gush through me. I feel wrong, cheated, frustrated, and very very angry. This is what the feelings of many of us today are. Many who have been grossly denied their right to a political identity. Our right to be a citizen of Pakistan. A right to voice our opinion. To be empowered. To own a part of this vast country. It's all stolen.

Like many of my fellowmen, I cared enough to break through the barriers of apathy and risk physical harm by going out to vote today. Over the last few days, there was a lot of confusion about the registration of my vote as I was a first-time voter, too young to have voted in the last national elections. It's not everyday that one gets to practice democracy in this country, so filled with excitement and a form of pride, my dad and I headed to the polling station. On the way there I was pleasantly surprised with the number of people that had braved it. Perhaps it was the sentiment to vote out the establishment. Whatever it was, I continued to accumulate positive energy while reiterating to myself the reasons why I was going to vote the way I was for the National and the Provincial Legislature. I impatiently waited to carry the inkmark on my thumb as a medal proclaiming: I Voted. I challenged Inactivity. I voted.

I did not.

Upon getting to the polling station, there's a number of different 'stalls' outside of different political parties. They have the lists from the National Database of all those that have a vote. Pakistan is one of the very few countries in the world that actually have a national identity card scheme where anyone that is over the age of 18 has a computerized ID card. Everyone. The list was merely a list of everyone in the constituency that had an ID card, their names, ages, and addresses. We walked up to the first desk and sitting in a relatively advanced setting at the PML-N office, we got to check our name out at the computerized kiosk. It wasn't there. Now, my dad's always voted at elections so he was extremely surprised at this. We were told that it was evidence of rigging but being distrustful of our technical expertise, we headed to the PML-Q booth that had a printed list. Nothing. According to this genius, no one from our address existed in the database. We then headed to my grandma's which is my registered address. She'd voted. Hmm. So that guy was certainly wrong. We left again to check up a PPP booth - the last resort. Having gotten there we decided to go through the lists ourselves and were shocked to see that only two names of the 14 people in that house with IDs were in the list! We wanted to fight with someone, just simply didn't know who. We were left stranded without a lifeline. We were not happy. Many people standing there were as furious since the case of the 'missing' IDs was a rather common one, it appeared. Where were these missing numbers? They had to be counted somewhere. In favor of someone... Where? Who? I looked to my right to see a woman screaming and fuming off saying 'To hell with this election. To hell with Musharraf. I don't have a vote. Why don't I have a vote?'

According to the workers, house is registered (circled below) but I'm not, although the address is clearly stated on my fancy ID Card (above) complete with visual recognition bars

Many have voted though. I hope it leads to something constructive, but I grow skeptical.

These elections were hailed as being centralized and automated. The website of the election commission fails to recognize me as a citizen of Pakistan

I came back home and switched on TV to watch Fatima Bhutto (Benazir's niece) giving an interview with a voters list in her hand. To my shock, that list had names, but no ID numbers. Which essentially meant that there was no way of verifying anyone's identity. Furthermore, her mom was fighting over a mismatched ID-name issue.

Lists, Lists everywhere.. But no vote..

Last night Musharraf made a statement that his favoring PML-Q was going to win. Even before the 'free, fair and transparent' elections! Later the presidency denied having made any such official statement.

At this point, I feel a strong association to Imran Khan that decided to stay out of the sham election. More than shame for this statement of national affairs, I feel lost. A friend of mine asked me why I was even surprised. I don't know why. Perhaps I still had some faith. All I have now is disgust. More than ever before I feel a strong inclination to change things. To fundamentally transform the foundations of the system. To right the wrongs of the future.

The Campaign Trail

Despite the forecast by many to the contrary, the infamous elections are finally here. Over the last couple of days, I must be honest I've been rather distracted on the road by all the different banners and posters with electoral symbols flashing in my face. Cutting through the tigers and the arrows and the bicycles and the kites and of course the odd hukka (village sheesha), I made the grave mistake of trying to locate some form of manifesto.. anything that would entice me to vote for a certain individual or a party. It appears, though, that none of that really matters and the candidates are of the firm belief that their faces are reason enough for them to be voted in.

Competition is stiff. Even for poles to stick your banners! Many have multiple party banners.

You have to pay no one if you're using your vehicle as advertising space!

With the onslaught of violence, both actual and perceived, political rallies have been non-existent. Given the lack of content available in political speeches I don't think we missed much. All opposition politicians are continuing to ensorcell their followers with one common message - Anti-establishment. Unfortunately, this has been the only message that has forever characterized the politics of Pakistan. That, and lack of memory of the constituents. Combined, these two factors have resulted in a very simple pattern in Parliament: No party gets re-elected for a second term, and the same people will come back to form government with a gap of one term.

'We spread love before, We'll Spread Love Still' - Reason enough for a vote?

I've been going around trying to also figure out how people are voting. While there are a number of people that are showing the positive traits of saying that they'll vote on basis of the candidate's performance and character, rather than his party (unless he's from the incumbent Q-league - Biker Boys - refer to reason above), most individuals are trying to find the party that is relatively the least worse. It's really a race to the bottom in that sense.

Major players worth a mention:

PPP: Largest party in the country. Has the sympathy vote. Negative element is the leadership of Zardari, who is hated widely and across the board. Is benefited by the division of Punjabi Vote between the two PMLs and the lessening popularity of religious parties in the NWFP. No outlook on who is going to be their Prime Minister candidate (a position that drives a lot of emotion in Pakistan's voter). Chance of an internal rift in the party post elections. Not likely to have enough majority to form government on its own. Trying to join hands with PML-N. Not hardline anti-Musharraf.

Election's striking a note for all ages. This kid did freak out after I took his pic and removed the poster!

PML-N: Trying to capitalize on it's anti-Musharraf stand. Has the moral high with promoting the judiciary. But most people feel that's a false promise and that they don't really want to form government for two main reasons: 1. If they really were in line for govt, they wouldn't be rooting for a free judiciary that would hamper their functioning. 2. Both the Sharif brothers have been barred from running for Parliament. There is no third person in the party that they will trust with the PM position. Taking fire on their coalition attempts with the PPP as they would be losing their political identity. Has the traditional Punjab vote which is instrumental in any bid for the govt (as it's the largest province in population).

PML-Q: Incumbent government and despised by many. Has had some good initiatives to back them but on the whole has a negative rating. It's leadership is seen as malicious and subservient to Musharraf. A text message I got today sums up the feeling of many rather aptly: 'PML(Q) has changed its symbol from 'cycle' to 'condom', because it reflects its political stance. A condom allows inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects pricks & gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed!' I find that quite hilarious actually! Anyway, despite that they have some strongholds in Punjab as well as a grip on the intelligencia, who would be instrumental in any form of rigging that may occur. They do have lots of (taxpayer) money at their disposal for the campaigning.

Giant 'Cycles' all over Lahore. Who's paying, you ask?

Other parties - ANP, MQM, ...: They rely on a traditional vote as well as some performance based vote. They will come into play during the formation of any coalition government.

Empowerment for All, he says. 'All' don't even know what the word means! He's been in Exile since 1992.

Some parties such as the JUI (Religious party) and the PTI (Imran Khan's party) have opted to boycott the elections, but are now being widely criticized as would have been the case unless other major parties had boycotted too. They feel that upon allegations of rigging coming true, many losing parties will join them in the fight against the state.

A couple of important trends to note:

1. Musharraf's approval rating has suffered recently. This could make it more difficult to get away with rigging for any pro-establishment party.
2. Osama bin Ladin's approval rating (yes, there is one!) has also diminished drastically in the last year as many of those empathetic to 'the cause' have been sickened by the violence seemingly emitting from the extremist gang. While people remain confused on a stance on The War, they're getting inclined to vote away from the religious rightist elements.
3. Anti-Americanism, while prevalent in the society, is not overtly visible in the speeches by the leadership of any party. They've somehow made peace with that influence on Pakistan.
4. Active military personnel have virtually been pulled out of all civilian institutions by the new COAS. This is either a move to build confidence about the Army's return to the barracks or an attempt to renew an oath to the New General, should drastic measures need to be taken in the near future.
5. A strong media, and Civil Society Organizations such as the Students Action Committee as well as international observers (not all independent!) are going to be keeping close watch at these polls and it should be interesting if that affects the dynamics and the outcomes.
   

Most political analysts (which is practically the majority of the voting and non-voting populace of the country!) see a hung parliament coming into place that will be ineffective leaving big man Mush on top without a threat and there will be a call for premature re-elections. The big question mark is how much violence will accompany and follow these elections as the positions of all major players will be shaped by that.

On a more personal note, despite the obvious feeling of uncertainty and terror, I find myself a little bit excited about these elections. If done right, this could be the first step towards building the foundation of something extraordinary. Conversely, this could also be the last blow to a wall separating us from complete anarchy and an impending revolution.

7 Days to V-day!

Today is Valentine's Day. Lahore's colored in the good shade of red. Heart-shaped candy, roses, romantic music, balloons… it's all in the air. In Pakistan, this is a very recent phenomenon and while a lot of people from my parent's generation view it as a disgusting export from the West, I can’t help appreciate the mood. With 4 days to Elections, I love seeing people indulging in the finer things in life. Café’s and restaurants full of young people, many hiding from their parents to meet their special someone. I actually got stuck in ‘V-Day traffic’ today! Insane number of cars occupied by lovey dovey couples with visible balloons in the backseat, cramming up all the food joints on my way to LUMS..!

For anyone that might take this post as one of those hopeless romantic reflections blog, please be at ease. Be at ease also, if you are in no mood of reading a politically charged blog. That too shall come soon, but not today. No V-days and E-day's, the theme of today is B-day #23.

One of the things I have always taken pride in is how different and utterly exciting each one of my bdays has ended up being, in spite of (or perhaps as a result of) the fact that I'm not so big on celebrations. So as a friend of mine was sweet enough to remind me, 'In summary, every budday you have different experiences, a different surprise, a different age, but the loop invariant that matters most is that every year you have the same friends wishing you'. And if there is any reason for me to celebrate it's that.

But this year really does take the cake in so many ways. While the day itself was celebration of a very different kind, most of what made this year extremely special occurred the weekend before and the weekend after the actual date. So, let's take this in chronological order.

Feb 3: I'm sitting at a friend's place, watching an incredible comedy featuring a superb ventriloquist, chillin’ with a bunch of very cool people, and I see one of my friends walk in with a stack of plates and a cake.. Bursting with random energy I exclaim: 'Hey! Whose Bday? Let's celebrateeeee!'. They turn to me. Awkward moment of absolute silence...

‘SurprAAAAAAAIIIseee'! Gahahahah! Well done, gentlemen, Well Done! You guysssssss!!! :)

Feb 7: I'm on a train to Karachi. This 16 hour trip will of course be 24 hours long. It is. But it's probably my last trip on a Pakistan train.

It's good closure for this experience that's been an integral part of the last two years and has been the venue of much randomness, productive creativity and bonding! I'm usually quite grumpy when I travel alone, but this time, I decide to retire my 'look-at-me-and-I'll-bite-your-head-off look' and substitute it with a pleasant smile.

It's an okay ride (except for the ridiculous cold, reminding me of my first train trip in this part of the world). Someone makes a comment about the book I'm reading and how it's delightful to see someone indulging in literature. Huh?! (Believe it or not, reading isn't the medium of choice when it comes to long travels. Browsing through annoying cell phone ringtones is!). I look forward to a weekend marking return to AIESEC, to work in general and to a break from the break at home. I’m feeling quite special with all the b’day phone calls from around the world (and for the singing!) and am secretly admiring my facebook b’day wall exploding!

Feb 10: Am at a wonderful hut with an equally wonderful bunch of people from all over the world. It’s a gorgeous day to be at the beach.

The right amount of indulgences, and many different kinds of friends around. Last night proved to be quite a ride featuring my first meeting with the MC as an SG member, followed be Poker Night!!

3 Generations of AIESEC Pakistan MCPs

Highlights include getting to know my grandson in AIESEC and hearing about all the exciting stuff AIESEC in Pakistan’s been up to! I’m standing next to a bonfire, fantasizing those marshmallows roasting and thinking to myself that the day cannot possibly get better…! ‘SurprAAAAAisSEEE!’…! (and some bday chants I best not write on a public space)! Cake n candles and the works, I’m truly blown away!

This officially sealed the deal! I’m still all smiles!

Murphy, Murphy, He's Our Man!

The control freak in me learnt an invaluable lesson today - the hard way: When Uncle Murphy is out and about, thou shalt wrap yourself up into a quilt and sleep the day off.

Allow me to elaborate on one of the yuckiest days ever in some details:

11:00 - Wake up (It's a national holiday, yay! Not that it matter to me nowadays. Oh wait, I will be in solidarity with Kashmir today)

12:00 - Fight with parents needlessly.

(So far the day goes by as usual!)

1:00 - Decide to get my dinky (previously 'car') a wash

1:10 - Realize that dinky doesn't want to start today. Kick it. It starts.

1:30 - No service station would do it. It appears everyone in the city's picked today for a carwash!

1:50 - Get back home determined to clean her up myself.

1:55 - Begin search for vacuum cleaner

2:23 - Find vacuum cleaner buried deep in the storage room (God bless marble flooring)

2:35 - While trying to extract vacuum cleaner, end up pulling too hard and ensuring that a mountain of (very heavy!) boxes collapse on me like a house of cards.

2:50 - Still under the boxes, I have a feeling today's one of those days. Nonsense!

2:53 - Free again, I pull the vacuum cleaner down to the car. Break its suction rod in the mean while. Bah, who needs it anyway!

2:59 - After finding kilometers worth of extension cables, the vacuum is ON! Hurray! Murphy's got nothin' on me!

3:00 - Blackout. F***.

3:09 - Find an old brush to substitute the vacuum. Brush ends up dirtying the car further.

3:10 - Start washing. No water.

3:12 - Find a creative solution to reroute water from neighbours water tank to my car! MwAha!

3:22 - While applyin soap over a tyre, I see it's punctured. Argh! With soap all over the place, I drive her off to a tyre fixing place.

3:51 - Fight with tyre guy! He made me an offer for my car! And the price he offered, was an insult! Come back home. Resume Washing.

3:58 - Still washing.

4:00 - Electricity's back! Oh wait. I'm all wet and the vacuum's old as shit. Get electrocuted.

4:11 - Still washing.

4:15 - Fight with parents again since I'm grumpy and no I don't want lunch.

4:38 - Come back into house.. Cold, wet, incredibly hungry.

4:50 - Eat. Change. Head for gym. A work out ought to change the course of the day.

4:51 - Shit! The tyre's still flat. It's cool.. I was gonna jog anyway.

5:28 - Reach gym. Gym's closed. Public holiday, you moron!

5:50 - Get back home. Get into a hot shower.

5:58 - Nothing makes me happier than a nice loongg hot shower.. Mmmm!

6:00 - Blackout. Shower's gonna have to be cut short!

6:45 - Call a friend I was supposed to see. Plan's off. No surprises.

6:46 - Call another friend I haven't hung with for a bit. Today will be the day! Murphy doesn't work after office hours, right? Plan's confirmed.

7:20 - Get a frantic call from a friend studying at Yale, that he needs help with economics homework! Wtf, if I have to help you, why are YOU at Yale?!

8:35 - Finish helping him. Email to check up status of my work permit. Need a new life.

8:37 - Pulling my hair out as I get a quick response saying that it's stuck somewhere cos of further information needed from the company. Email company.

8:40 - Another quick response. It'll be sorted, but this just cost me 2-3 more weeks!!! B*** C***! This means I'm stuck here jobless and won't even make it to the conference I so wanted to chair in Europe.

8:50 - Quick dinner.

9:03 - Running down the stares! Looking forward to a drive in the sparkling clean car.

9:03(and a half) - Correction: Sparkling clean car with a flat tyre.

9:15 - Change tyre. Head out.

9:32 - Reconcile with tyre guy. Pay him a fortune. Secretly wish I'd sold him the car.

9:40 - Nice casual drive. Ah!

9:50 - Get pulled over by traffic cop. Apparently one of my headlights isn't working.

9:58 - Negotiate my way out of it! :) Now he just wants to see my driver's license and I'm off!

9:59 - Where's my driver's license? Oh yes, in my wallet. Where's my wallet? I do not know.

10:20 - Negotiate my way out of it. Wait, 'beg' would be a more appropriate verb.

10:35 - Get to college where I need to pick up the friend. Call her. No answer.

10:38 - Call her again. She's in bed and ill.

10:52 - Make this post, praying that I can just get back home without event and that tomorrow would be a better day..

(This post will probably get corrupted while publishing and I will have to redo it all)

Back to the Future

I remember when I first picked up a copy of 'Back to the Future' many a decades ago, it was a concept that completely escaped me. How could one go back to the future?

Anyway, so over the last couple of weeks, I'd been thinking about a massive blog that would be a deep insight into my own past - a summary of events that have significantly shaped the person that I became. I hoped that the exercise would also help in reflection of sorts and would be a pleasant trip down memory lane. I was further inspired by reflections from a friend.

So, equipped with my camera and scanner, I proceeded to empty out my locked drawers and sat in the middle of a pile of stuff consisting of small item - handwritten notes, photographs, a badge, a metal spring, random papers, a black box.. - each narrating a small part of..well, me!

Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with the volume of intense memories and the realization dawned upon me that this was simply too large a project to be undertaking! I am going to have to re-focus and return.

I guess that completes a rather interesting day that included a surprise b'day bash that absolutely rocked! (hehe! since it wasn't my bday, I was naturally surprised! but I love these guys!), a broken car (t's becoming quite a norm now) and a reminder about how tiny this world is!

Parting thought: Aitezaz is back in detention. The law in this country is a joke!

Caterwaul

Having started, erased and restarted this post numerous time is classic evidence of my current state. I argue with myself.

It's a common misconception that a good argument must have remarkable content at its foundation. Quality comes not from the words spoken but from the worth of your opponent. I argue with myself.

Currently, as the brainwaves I emit transform into language represented by mere optimal symbols, I try to write, but inspiration is in contention with the numbness at the tips of my cold fingers. In essence, I argue with myself.

The blog's been had a foliage worth of different stories and thoughts for all those that care. This is simply a rare leaf of characteristic pleonasm is only for myself. Panic not, sooner than later, normalcy will be restored. Always does.

However, right now, nolens volens, I argue with myself.