My New Love

That's a DELL Inspiron 1525 Notebook people. A budget-machine that packs enough punch for a non-gaming machine to be branded cool (especially for college students like me!). This baby's got 3 gigs of RAM along with 250GB HD among a host of other cool features like Integrated web cam, card reader, DVD writer and not to mention Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor running at 2Ghz. So, all in all, it was a pretty good deal I got at best buy and am extremely happy with it so far.

Needless to say, it is the object of my affection these days. It has a sleek silverish look to it that I really really like. You can read its full review here.

So, Mushy Goes

So, Mushy finally gave in to all the pressure and decided to leave his post before they put him on trial. Let's make one thing clear folks, I used to be a die-hard Musharraf supporter back in his early days because the country enjoyed a lot of stability in those days, and in turn, we made great strides economically. All this talk of impeachment just puts a wry smile on my face. Sure, I have left no stone unturned in speaking out against Mushy on several occassions -his insidious emergency plus action, his approval of NRO, his support for MQM in their inhumane display of strength, his dismissal of Chief Justice among others. But the fact of the matter remains, the very people that are governing right now are far worse than Mr. Mushy himself and if anybody must be put on trial, it is these very goons. They've looted hundreds and millions of dollars worth of state wealth, not to mention distributed acres of land amongst themselves, which is partly the reason they are yet to restore the judges. Justice, apparently, cannot prevail in this country because if it did, it would open a door that would reveal 60 odd years of rampant, unabated corruption by the people in power!

Musharraf sahib, you gave us some real good years, but then you turned into something I did not like. I don't know what it was - the lust for power, the support of America or maybe something else. But some of your actions just defied belief - even if they were under your much-publicized slogan of "Pakistan First" (which I do wholeheartedly agree with tbh).

I would like to see you given a fair trial, but not before the very people you've forgiven via that hideous NRO bill.

Look Who's Talking

Some quotes you can't help but chuckle at:

"Russia has invaded a sovereign state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century."

“With its actions in recent days, Russia has damaged its credibility and its relations with the nations of the free world. Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century,” - George Bush

So its ok when they do it? Lying and falsifying evidence to invade a sovereign nation (Iraq) and threatening, bullying and intimidating another sovereign nation (Iran) when it all it wants to do is pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Jon Stewart was so right when he said on The Daily Show that: "Russia is soo 20th century! This century is all about preemptive strikes!". Watch the video here.

The world knows better than to be lectured by these goons - who have a long history of
meddling in other countries' affairs and invading them whenever they liked. I totally agree with David Remnick of the New Yorker when he says that: "Why would any leader, much less Putin, respond to moral suasion from Washington? That is America's tragedy, and the world's."

Des Pardes

I'm finally where I had been planning to come since my last year of Bachelors. Going back to school can be a pretty daunting task, especially when it's in a foreign country - USA, in my case. So, here I am, in a totally new country with totally different norms and lifestyle itching to get started on my degree. It sure is an exciting time! Wish me luck people- one thing I sure need a lot of in the next few months.

First impressions are the great courteousness of the natives, and the fantastic road network. I believe 'Thank You' is THE most common word spoken here, something sadly not even worth contemplating back home. Speaking of home, it appears I won't be able to rant anymore about all things dysfunctional back home - be it the inane leadership we're cursed with or some random spottings on the streets of Karachi. I'm now officially a desi in exile - which is great, but it's not until you leave home that you realize how much you took it for granted.

Oh, and that logo you see there belongs to my school - N.C. State.