I know how irritating it is to be jammed in traffic while waiting for the VVIP to pass by with siren wailing police cars speeding ahead and behind. The few people who enjoy all this are the VIPs and the security personnel escorting them. Last night I got a chance to enjoy the high speed escort process as well. No, I wasnít the VIP or one of their security staff, I just simply tucked my car ahead of the last police mobile and that was it, not much of a security if you ask me. But then again, maybe it was a small time VIP and the cops guarding him were also just going through their routine, but for me it was fun as I get to speed through the red lights without a care as to someone would come from the opposing direction smashing into my car. It acts better than coffee to pick you up after a tiring day and you get home all energized cuz you donít get much of a chance to drive at high speed in Karachi these days.

Just recently I had the opportunity to go to Hyderabad via the Superhighway. A number of people had said that it was an improved project with close to decent roads, I had also heard that the Highway Patrol strictly enforced a speed limit of 110 km/h and if you happen to be caught well above that you would land with a Rs. 700 fine on the spot.

My trip was far from pleasing, the highway patrol was around, but found lazing in the shade stretched out legs from the car windows and both officers in the patrol car taking an afternoon siesta. Construction was underway on two sections measuring a good 15 km each where the traffic flowed at break neck speed while sharing a single road for both direction of traffic.

Speeds were significantly high especially by the bus drivers plying on this sector taking a very rash and an aggressive attitude almost willing the oncoming driver off the road. The experience was not pleasing and only wonder how we can improve such rash driving attitude by these people.

Ahhh! I love alien landings. I love meteorite showers. I love the movie Armageddon. But this unidentified flying object, captured by Inspirex’s early bird brother this morning, happens to be a…
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These two images were taken at approximately 7:15 am on December 26, 2005.

Seems like a very distant object falling from the sky. Its exact location would be east of the airport my vantage point.

Once again, this is very distant, and the possibility of its falling into the Arabian Sea (far beyond Korangi) cannot be ruled out. It is even possible that it was a large object, just crossing our atmosphere…

Edit 1:
This is not a plane, thats definite, cos only falling from the atmosphere would give anything a burning red glow, anything else burning, would also have smoke, which is not visible here….

Any of u seen the news, papers, NASA, anything?

Just a coupla days ago, an acquaintance with whom I am discussing the plan for a group adventure outing in Balochistan remarked: “I have realized that Karachi people are not that adventurous.”

I am a rather frequent family adventure traveler to the Northern areas. His remark confirmed some of my own observation. I just got this little hope though that this is because Karachiites don’t have as much access to adventurous areas as people in the northern part of the country. The north being the north – with hills, mountains, deserts, and rivers – offers more variety and opportunity for adventure. The theory is, if given a proper plan and a chance, Karachiites will jump on to it.

But could Karachi people actually plop down and sink deeper in to the couch at the invitation for an adventurous outing?

Is Karachi actually, really, sadly, WIMPISH!?

Have you ever realized what is the highlight of Christmas every year? It’s the gifts that are exchanged! All year long kids wait for Christmas anticipating the gifts that they would get from their parents, siblings, uncles, and all those who love them. But it’s not only kids. Everyone gets some something from someone.

There is this Hadith by Prophet Muhammad whose summary is that exchanging gifts increases the affection amongst people. It’s ironic that other religions are doing exactly that and we as Muslims have not realized its significance.

Now take a look at what we do in our religious events, the two Eids. We just give some eidi to the kids, and that’s it. Most of the time kids have no idea what to do with that money and they end up wasting it in useless stuff. I have always felt wrong about receiving eidi when I was a kid and now giving eidi to my younger siblings and nephews and nieces. I know it’s been our tradition forever but I think it would be better if we gave them gifts instead of money. We could give clothes, toys, books, gadgets, shoes, something to match everyone’s mood, something that can actually be useful for someone.

Just think about it for a while. We celebrate two Eids in an year. Imagine the love we can spread if we start the tradition of giving gifts as eidi instead of money. Imagine the thought we would put before buying something for each one in the family, wouldn’t you automatically feel closer to them? Just imagine the joy on the faces of the kids on the day of eid when they would get something they’ve always wanted. You cannot achieve that through money.

Just imagine, and think about it.

I was at Forum tonight, and happened to pass by Teens ‘n Kids. What surprised me was the number of warning signs, which can be evidenced in the following pic:

There were a total of at least 8 signs proclaiming things such as “No guarantee of items”, “Fixed price”, “Ne eating and drinking”, blah blah. The most hateful of all signs that I see anywhere are the ones that proclaim “For families only”. What if I, being a male, decide to visit there with my brother or my cousin. The shopkeepers wouldn’t let me enter, event hough we are family. What they should really write is “Only for couples”. Man I love fighting with these jerks who try to stop me over here :)

I remember that once in Dubai, my father and I went to Global Village. The guards did not let us enter saying that this was “Families Only”. My father ended up arguing with the guy and finally calling the manager and demanding him to either change the sign to say something in the lines of “Couples only”, or demnded for us to be let in. Needless to say, we went in that night!

Wow. Went shopping today [technically the 25th] and every mall was festooned with christmas lights, the tree – the whole glitz and glamor. Personally, it felt great to hear Jingle Bells on repeat in a crowded mall, even if it did get on your nerves after an hour. The point was to celebrate an occassion with fellow citizens of another religion, and I was proud to see that the entire city had rallied together, to make it feel like Christmas for everyone. Kids lining up to greet Santa, people oohing and aahing over the decorations…the Santa Claus at Park Towers even looked the part! I love you my fellow Karachiites! :)

Interesting wordplay……
Last time i checked, we had Quaid e Azam International…