A bloody 2007 comes to an end

So the year 2007 finally comes to an end. It was an year marred by extreme violence in Pakistan and by the looks of it, things are set to get worse. With horrendous incidents like May 12, July 10(Storming of Lal Masjid), October 18 and now December 27! The year also witnessed a record number of suicide bombings across the country. Taking a look at the South Asian Terrorism Portal page for violent incidents in Pakistan since 1988, it is indeed shocking to see that over 60% of the page lists incidents that occurred in 2007 alone! Sad!

Hence, keeping all the recent bloodshed in mind I wish you a safe and peaceful 2008! May we emerge a stronger, united and a fully democratic nation come December 2008. Lastly, here's a nice excerpt from a new year wish I received:

The New Year is set before us like an unwritten volume--- all its pages blank. Let us write upon each day's page things that at the end of the year we will look upon with rejoicing rather than regret. Let us look behind us with understanding, before us with faith, and around us with love. We are given a fresh start not only at the beginning of the year, but every morning when we wake up. We have the chance to start anew and make things right. Keep the books with your soul at the close of this year as it is a good preparation to start the New Year. May God help us to be kind, fair and wise in all of our affairs. May we say "I love you" with deeds of kindness and acts of caring.

Amen!

All hell breaks loose as BB is assassinated

I'm speechless.... don't know what to say really. When I heard of the attack, I wasn't really shocked since suicide attacks have now sadly become the norm in our country. It was when the news broke of her death, thats when it started to sink in. Bhutto was dead - a name revered among millions in Pakistan (especially here in Sindh). I have been critical of her in the past, but shit, this is just plain barbarism ... the height of intolerance! Do they not realize that the very existence of this great country has now been plunged into danger by this heinous act!? Who is behind the killing? What are their motives? Who is supposed to gain from all this?!

Meanwhile, all hell's breaking loose here in Karachi. Factories, hospitals, cars being burnt ... god knows how much blood will be spilled tonight. I sincerely hope you and your loved ones are somewhere safe because I know many people are still stuck outside and have been unable to reach their homes. There's just one advice for the people of Karachi right now - stay the @%$ put!!

Bakra Eid Mubaraks!

I'd like to wish everyone around a very joyous Eid and hope your qurbanis are accepted by the Almighty. I don't wanna sound rude or anything, but there seems to be an increasing trend of showing off whenever this Eid comes around. Maybe, I should just my trap shut about this but I can't help but wonder if people have so much frigging money, why don't they spend on something more useful - for the society, helping the poor et al.

Lastly, it was saddening to hear of Amin Gulgee's murder yesterday. A society bereft of artists has been robbed of its crown jewel. And then there was that train accident near Mehrabpur - again, one that happens every year or two sadly. Everywhere you look, there is death; people are dying. Echoing Dehog's call, are we doing anything about it?

Lost in Semantics

I don't usually post emails on my blog but this one too damn funny! =)

SOCIALISM: You have 2 cows and you give one to your neighbor.

COMMUNISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM: You have 2 cows. The Government takes both and shoots you.

BUREAUCRATISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both, shoots one, milks the other and throws the milk away...

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyze why the cow dropped dead.

A FRENCH CORPORATION: You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called Cowkimon and market them World-Wide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 2 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION: You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the numbers.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You worship them.

Try to understand what your boss trying to say actually

Having started working professional since May of this year, and then reading this list below, I now KNOW how valid these points really are. Read away ...

1."We will do it" means "You will do it"

2."You have done a great job" means "More work to be given to you"

3."We are working on it" means "We have not yet started working on the same"

4."Tomorrow first thing in the morning" means "It's not getting done "Atleast not tomorrow!"

5."After discussion we will decide-I am very open to views" means "I have already decided, I will tell you what to do"

6."There was a slight miscommunication" means "We had actually lied"

7."Lets call a meeting and discuss" means "I have no time now, will talk later"

8."We can always do it" means "We actually cannot do the same on time"

9."We are on the right track but there needs to be a slight extension of the deadline" means "The project is screwed up, we cannot deliver on time."

10."We had slight differences of opinion "means "We had actually fought"

11."Make a list of the work that you do and let's see how I can help you" means "Anyway you have to find a way out no help from me"

12."You should have told me earlier" means "Well even if you told me earlier that would have made hardly any difference!"

13."We need to find out the real reason" means "Well I will tell you where your fault is"

14."Well Family is important; your leave is always granted. Just ensure that the work is not affected," means, "Well you know..."

15."We are a team," means, "I am not the only one to be blamed"

16."That's actually a good question" means "I do not know anything about it"

17."All the Best" means "You are in trouble"

The World’s Most Famous Photoshop Fakes

While that might be a creative opportunity for artistic photographers and designers, for news editors, it can all be a bit of a nightmare — and for readers too when the photos skip the newspapers and land straight in your mailbox. Here are seven of the most famous photoshop fakes.

read more | digg story

Merriam-Webster Add w00t to Dictionary

Congratulations World of Warcraft addicts. Give yourselves a pat on the back, Halo-ers; you and all the other gamers and internet fans out there have collectively legitimized 1337 speak. Teachers weep, meanwhile, w00t!

read more | digg story

My Gmail goes LEET!

:)

For those who don't know what that means, read this.