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Nov 10

Why is it that when a politician amongst us walks – he/she is greeted no less than an Emperor (or Empress)? They are NOT above us. They are simply men and women elected by us – for us. However all that changes once they win. I recently was told of an incident where a voter (a very educated person) was trying to seek an appointment with his MNA of his locale. All but in vain. Finally after 19 days of trying when he did get an audience, the entire stage and experience upset him. The politician acted no less than royalty. When my good-natured friend questioned the MNA about his activities and what he has done, etc. the entire situation turned ugly and bitter. My friend left wondering how now it is almost a crime to ask your elected representative as to what they are doing whilst in power?

MNAs and MPAs, et. al. today act like they are above the law and everything else. Like they are not accountable. Like we (the very people for putting them in power) are stupid. That we are gullible (I have to agree on that), that we simply need to be told and kept in the dark. Do MNAs/MPAs obey traffic rules? Get cited for breaking them? How much ‘free/complimentary’ stuff/services do they get? Do they report the same? Do we have a log / progress report of our elected priests/priestess of how many minutes they spent debating or how many hours they have logged in the National or Provincial assemblies? What was their attendance rate? What’s the ‘progress’ report? How effective / efficient have they been since in power. Do they set an example of what they preach in rallies? Why cannot an MNA/MPA be held accountable for the people, by the people? Why must one shudder at the very thought of questioning an elected official. Does anyone have the balls to go up to an MNA or MPA who is driving with guards – and ask them to produce the license for their weapons? And what about the violation of displaying of arms in public? Can they be charged for it? What about petrol theft (you would be SURPRISED at how many MNAs and MPAs get free petrol/diesel – its not actually free – but consider that to be the way – as the elected official is not paying for it).

Why cannot we hold our politicians accountable? Why must we restrict our conversations regarding our disgust for elected officials at luncheons and dinner parties. Why not in a more accountable manner and platform? Even a neutral TV appearance with a simple Yes/No list of 20 basic questions would be a good start. I know this is wishful thinking – but it would be a start.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , ,

Nov 07

A good friend of mine sent this to me - I simply had to share…

World Clock : http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

Work Safe.

written by FK \\ tags: , , ,

Nov 05

Kashmir. I was born in 1970 – and it was not until I was 12 years old, did I even notice something called disputed territory on our map. It wasn’t until I went to college that I really found out what the fuss is all about. Over the years I have been reading a lot about Kashmir silently. Listening to people’s opinion about the matter (both on this side of the border and across it), and where ever applicable, also from a Kashmiri themselves.

We have been brought to (or maybe it is just me) to think that Kashmir will ALWAYS be ours – it is a rightful part of Pakistan. To think otherwise would be unpatriotic. Well, I’d like to speak my mind. These are my opinions and what I found out – slowly but surely, a lot of people share this too.

Kashmir happened before me – so I really don’t give two hoots about it. I was led (read: brain fed) to believe it is our most important problem. It is absolutely not. It certainly ain’t on my radar anywhere. Never was – probably never will be. We have four provinces: Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Does – adding a 5th one make us any better – no. I don’t think so. In fact if we did not have Kashmir altogether, we’d we far better off. We spend Billion of Rupees a year (if not Billions of Dollars) for the past god knows how many decades to wage a guerrilla war, proximity war with the Indians and they do the same. What the fuck for? So we can plan a flag in the valley and say – this too now is ours? I don’t think so.

I don’t suppose a visit to the valley will change that either. Sure, I would probably be blow away by its beauty, etc. but so will a visit to Christchurch. Kashmiris always have referred to themselves as ‘Kashmiris’… I have NEVER ONCE come across a Kashmiri who considers themselves a Pakistan.

I for one say – let it go – surprise the daylights out of the world and more importantly the Indians and let it go. Fuck Jamaat-e-Islaami who will bitch and crib about it. These Mullah Monkeys will eventually settle down. Forget the Army Jawan who has now perfected killing – yes, he will have to be laid off. Lets for once close our borders. The Kashmiris can wage their own battles with the Indian and their law/rule. We have a problem at hand keeping a hold of our 160 Million or whatever the current population number is, what are we going to do with the absorption of more people. More trouble if you ask me.

Let Kashmir go,

Let us concentrate on the problems at hand, which are economic in nature. We keep striking for Kashmir and Palestine, etc. One will get rid of Kashmir – and when it comes to Palestine, do the Arab really give a flying fuck about Kashmir? I bet you they cannot even point their compass in the right direction let alone locate it – and the same goes for our politicians who have used Palestine as a reason to bitch and crib about. This ‘Muslim’ brotherhood we keep talking about is more shattered than the Dracula’s glass. Who are we fooling? I need the Government to concentrate on economics. To concentrate on development. To concentrate on getting a new land-law in place. To work on alternative energy. To start a ‘jihad’ against illiteracy. To have a massive drive to increase our sciences and engineering penetration in our scholastic youth. We need scientists and engineers in order to possibly survive the next 50 years. MBAs and Lawyer movements will simply not survive. As an engineer - I view this simply as BS. At the end of the day today, EVERYTHING you touch is either made possible by a scientist or an engineer. Think about it – everything.

I really don’t want to hear how Kashmir is our problem. It is not my fellow Pakistanis – it never was. The Kashmiris can have their own Kashmiristan or whatever the they want to call it. I would like to just say – Not In My Backyard (NIMBY).

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , ,

Nov 02

With all the talk of alternative energy - I accidentally stumbled upon this website. Its a company based out of Lahore that sells Solar Powered based solutions called “Solarplus Energy (Private) Limited“… pretty nifty I thought. No affiliations with them… just was very pleased to find a company specializing in this field.

I wonder what their prices are. Even something small, like powering a small sized UPS for your computer and Cable/DSL Model - if that can be charged via sunlight, how cool is that!

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , ,

Nov 02

I was reading through Tech Crunch and came across a blog-comment from someone from Confiz, so decided to check out their website - I thought it was cool, neat and it seems these folks have concentrated their efforts on the cutting-edge development niches out there.

Good luck to them (and for the record, no I’ve never met them or do I know of them).

written by FK \\ tags: , , , ,

Sep 22

Bay adab Bay mulahiza Hoshiar Baighairat-e-Azam, Badshah-e-Rishwat, Zaleel-ul-Mulk, Shehenshah-e-Jowa, Sardar-e-Dakait Asif Zardari Zabardasti aa rahe Hain!

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , , ,

Sep 16

Well – here is the thing. When people sit in my car, I ask them to wear a seat belt. You would be surprised by sheer number of people who have never worn one, and get it all wrong. I wonder what the heck do these guys do with a condom? I’m sure there must have been a time when they were trying one on for the first time around and it must have been intuitive right? I mean you can ONLY tear it or wear it inside out. You probably won’t slip on up your toe or attach it to your elbow? (well okay, maybe some of your are really f***ed up and you will).

Well – wearing a seat belt is almost intuitive…. That is until you see some of the people who have sat in my car and attempted to wear one. I wish I could show you photographs… but then sometimes I think, let it be this way, I should discuss the benefits of a seat belt and why it is so important (I’d be discussing this with my fellow passenger) and then go bang the car into something – just so they feel the pain of wearing one incorrectly.

What peeves me off even more is when they sit in my car the second time around and they forget it?!?!?!?! I mean wft? You don’t do that with a condom – why with a seat belt?

written by FK \\ tags: , , ,

Sep 13

Every now and then you come across a piece of information that is absolutely dazzling. I came across this video on TED. Simply worth watching.

written by FK \\ tags: , , ,

Sep 08

To commemorate the ascension from jail bird to the Presidency, Pakistan Post has officially launched a new Rs. 100 stamp.

People of Pakistan are confused which side on the stamp to spit on!!!!

Courtesy: SFI

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , , ,

Sep 08

Har kuri di phli psand PREETO BRA…. Hun 6 sizan wich.

1. Nika
2. Darmiyana
3. Wada
4. Balle Balle Billo
5. Hai o Rabba
6. Oh Tadi Pehn Nu!

Courtesy: Fahim Inaam (aka Maestro)

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , ,

Aug 13

To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In light of your failure in recent years to nominate competent candidates for the office of President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy).

Your new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will appoint a Governor for the colonies without the need for further elections.

Congress and the Senate will be disbanded.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

(You should look up ‘revocation’ in the Oxford English Dictionary.)

1. Look up aluminium, and check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.

2. The letter ‘U’ will be reinstated in words such as ‘colour’, ‘favour’, ‘labour’ and ‘neighbour.’ Likewise, you will learn to spell ‘doughnut’ without skipping half the letters,? and the suffix ‘-ize’ will be replace dby the suffix ‘-ise’.? Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels.? (look up ‘vocabulary’).

3. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises, such as ‘like’ and ‘you know,’ is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as US English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter ‘u’ and the elimination of -ize.

4. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

5. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you’re not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can’t sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you’re not ready to shoot grouse.

6. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

7. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables.

Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

8. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly L1 per litre. Get used to it.

9. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat,and dressed, not with catsup, but with vinegar.

10. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. South African beer is also acceptable as theyare pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth - see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as United States Near-Frozen Gnat’s Urine (whose initials may be arranged to spell FUNGUS), so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

11. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie MacDowell attempt English dialogue in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ was an experience akin to having one’s ears removed with a cheese grater.

12. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies). Don’t try rugby - the South Africans and Kiwis will thrash you, like they regularly thrash us.

13. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a league which is not played outside of North America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the South Africans first to take the sting out of their deliveries.

13a. World Geography will be required for secondary school graduation.

14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty’s Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 pm with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (not cookies), cakes and, when in season, strawberries with cream.

God Save the Queen!

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , ,

Aug 11

Ever wondered what the online map looks like, well, wonder no more….

Here it is:

Click to Enlarge

Courtesy: xkcd

written by FK \\ tags: , , , ,

Aug 11

Bored at the office?

Here is a perfect time-waster… work safe.

http://mazzanet.id.au/ball.php

Goal is to click on the ball.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , ,

Aug 11

Check this unique Human Tetris out…..

Work Safe.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , ,

Aug 11

Believe it or not, sculpting done by using typewriter parts.

Check this dude out: Jeremy Mayer

Work safe. No Nudity.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , ,

Jul 28

After smoking for 20+ years, I have decided to give it up (rather gave it up yesterday). I usually smoke anywhere from 10-12 to 16-20 cigarettes a day, but never actually crossed a pack-a-day mark, but did come darn close to it.

Why did I decide to give up? Very simple, I looked at my daughter and thought - would I still be living to see her grow up, or will these white-sticks of tobacco kill me before that. I guess I don’t want to find out the hard way!

Cigarette smoking is a habit, nothing more and nothing less. Take it from me, who used to love smoking. I’ve quite two times previously - back in 1993 and then again in 1998. Both times for about a period of 10 months, and at that time it was done just for the heck of it. I was also not married at that time.

This time around, I have some very good reasons as to why I should quit.

written by FK \\ tags: , ,

Jul 20

I accidentally came upon this site, and its really cool, its self-submitted images of people ‘then’ (young) and ‘now’ (old).

http://colorwar2008.com/submissions/youngnow

Work safe.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , ,

Jul 14

Every year I write about this ritual that takes place in South America, 1000s of miles away from us. A family in Buenos Aires, Argentina will snap a family picture of themselves this year… so what’s the big deal? Well they’ve been doing it every since they got married and its a time-sequence from 1976 to date. Just click here and have a look… you will be pleasantly surprised.

But this year 2008 there is a surprize! :) [scroll down to Year 2008 and click on Nicolas' photo]

Don’t you wish you had had this idea before….
No nudity / work safe / No sound.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Jun 26

Have you ever wondered how lawyers in Pakistan survive financially? Here’s how…

A recently graduated, young lawyer who had taken over his father’s practice rushed home totally elated.

“Abu jaan, you are not going to believe what I am going to tell you, you know that Khandawala case that has been pending for like 15 years now????”

“Haaaannnnn…. kiya howa us kaa” goes the elder Lawyer

“Abu jaan - I finally resolved it and settled it!!!” says the beaming young lawyer!

“Settled it!” bellowed his father. “Olu kay phtaay - chutia ho gay ya hai? We’ve been living off
of that money for over fifteen years now aur tu nay settle kar liya hai - tay ri maa ko may…”

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , ,

Jun 24

As reported in Daily Times….

Edhi rules out accepting foreign aid
LAHORE: Renowned social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi said that he would not seek financial support from any country other than Pakistan for his causes. Edhi said Iran and the United States had offered him a lot of financial assistance but he turned down the offers as his own people were helping him. He announced to launch schemes at all Edhi centres to feed the poor. He added that he had asked the US to play its role in maintaining the ceasefire in Lebanon “otherwise Israel would be wiped off the map”. daily times monitor

Can Mr. Edhi kindly return his “Green (greed) card” that he so very much values. As the last time I checked, America was the “Big Evil” and the “Brother of the Zionist” regime that Mr. Edhi so much hates.

…which brings me to another question, if Mr. Edhi doesn’t want foreign aid then why the heck does he travel to US for fund-raising? Can you say oxymoron!

…and since when did the champion of our great social services (national gatekeeper I might also add) decided that accepting foreign aid for the good of humanity is not required? Care to ‘enlighten’ me on that too Mr. Edhi!

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , , ,

Jun 23

Am updating this article: Have setup a website that now has all the relevant information:

http://OnlinePaymentsGuide.com

A lot of people continuously bombard me with the questions as to who the best online payment processor is, from where can I get an online merchant account for their website to accept payments, is there an alternative of Paypal, How can I get a paypal account, etc.

So here is my condensed list. Over the days, I will slowly make public the reviews I had done on each and everyone of these payment processors / gateways, etc.

For now, be content with the list, hope it helps. If you know of any other, please do write it down in the comments section.

2CO
Alert Pay
Alter Gold
Authorize.net
Bank of America
Blue Pay
Cash U
CC Avenue
CC Bill
CC Now
CDG Commerce
C-Gold
Charge
Concorde FS Net
CyberBit
Dao Pay
Durango Merchant Services
eCharge
EBS (Processor for Indian companies only)
EC Suite
Echo Online
E-Gold
Elavon
Electracash
Entropay
ePassporte
Face Book Payment
Application

Fail Safe Payments
Fastspring
First Pay
Gate2Shop
GloBill
Go Real Time
Google Payments
iKobo
InstaBill
Internet Secure
iTransact
Liberty Reserve
Link Point
Miva Merchant
Money Bookers
Money Gram
Net Billing
No Chex
Pay Omo
Pay Pal
Pay Pay
Payoneer
Pecunix
Planet Payment
Plimus
Plug n Play
PS Bills
PSI Gate
RegNow
Revolution Money Exchange
Robo Xchange
RTWare
Safe Charge
Safe Pay Card
Safe Pay Solutions
Skip Jack
Trans First
Via Klix
Western Union
WM Transfer
World Pay
W-Pay
Xcoin
Xoom

Entries in Bold, needless to say are the most well-known ones.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jun 17

Britain says high risk of attack in UAE DUBAI, June 16 (AFP): Britain has warned that there is a high risk of a terror attack in the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement posted on its embassy website. “There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE,” said a travel advice posted online on Saturday. “Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests,” it said. It informed Britons in the oil-rich Gulf state that they should “maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.” The embassy said that over a million British visitors travelled to the UAE in 2006, and more than 100,000 British nationals are resident there. (Posted @ 13:00 PST) - Courtesy DAWN.

If you’ve lived in UAE long enough and know friends who are locals (i.e. Emiratis), then you would know for sure that it can be cited with confidence, that almost one-in-four Emirati works &/or reports to the domestic Emirates Domestic Intelligence Services. If you listen close enough, and have candid enough relations with Emiratis you will know that it is rumored that the State of Emirates pays through its nose to terrorists to make sure nothing happens on their soil.

It is not by virtue of example that UAE has not had a terrorist attack. It is becuase they pay that such shit doesn’t happen in their country.

Any attack on the UAE soil would have serious economic reprecussions for the Govt. of UAE. What’s my point? Draw your own conclusions.

written by FK \\ tags: , , ,

Jun 15

A teacher is explaining biology to her 4th grade students. “Human beings are the only animals that stutter”, she says.

A little girl raises her hand. “I had a kitty-cat who stuttered”, she volunteered.

The teacher, knowing how precious some of these stories could become, asked the girl to describe the incident.

“Well”, she began, “I was in the back yard with my kitty and the Rottweiler that lives next door got a running start and before we knew it, he jumped over the fence into our yard!

“That must’ve been scary”, said the teacher.

“It sure was”, said the little girl.

“My kitty raised his back, went ‘Fffff, Fffff, Fffff’…And before he could say “Fuck”, the Rottweiler ate him!”

ROLF!

written by FK \\ tags: , , , ,

Jun 15

As many of you know the popularity of Nintendo’s Wii. Well the Japs who are tech crazy have some up with something even more crazy for the console. Its called Super Pii Pii Brothers - in short, A video game for the Wii that simulates a male urinating. Its all the craze in Jap-on! Eve women love it (I wonder why - perhaps its a ease of taking a piss while standing up!) :)

Check it out…

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/superpiipii.html

Also contains a video. Presumably not work safe, but then again depends where you be working.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jun 13

Here is a perfectly safe video to watch…. it’s a 5:17 minute video of an autistic man drawing the
Roman skyline from memory, after only seeing it once from a 45 minute helicopter ride. He’s phenomenal! You will be amazed at the details of the drawing and the accuracy. The end-result is a 5 yard panoramic paper with a highly detailed pencil sketch.

http://my.break.com/content/view.aspx?ContentID=353759

Work safe. Contains Audio.

written by FK \\ tags: , , , , , , , , ,