Quick: Let us Panic!

As the end of the world is nigh! Eeek!

Or is it?

I do apologise, I’m aware I’ve become a little languid in my approach to all the serious shit that’s been going on lately. As I’ve been told over and over in my hate comments from Indian readers (which by the way, end up in my spam list).

Not to answer to my spammers but moreso regular readers, I do have an excuse for this and I’ll explain it in a bit.

Firstly, do people give a shit about the content of my blog? I for one, do. Not only of my own blog’s content but that of friends within this invisi-network of me and the blogging friends. For instance, I was consumed with anxiety over the Gaza attacks earlier this year (they still haven’t stopped and I still care), I remember how much it upset me that there were fellow blogger-friends whom I had emailed and requested to express some solidarity over what was going on: only a small portion responded.  Whether it was a silly thought or not, it still affected me. But then, how can I try to measure up how much these people may secretly care, how much they are doing to help and maybe I was superimposing on them to blog something they didn’t feel like blogging? Maybe they feel it doesn’t affect them at all. I mean who do I think I am, right?

Since then though I do realise when you start blogging your socio-political concerns, there is suddenly this baggage responsibility to continue expressing your feelings on almost everything that goes on in that field you once covered. And if you don’t; you feel you’re ‘turning a blind eye’ towards something quite important.

My excuse is; I’m so tired. I can’t express how much of a chore it’s become to do those basic kind of things I can otherwise do with my eyes closed. But it’s not entirely physical, it’s more mental exhaustion. I get like this after certain intervals (every 1-2 years), when the day-to-day facade I put up becomes tiresome. You see, I have lost my incentive to look forward to tomorrow. He was my incentive. I do try though, but it’s difficult, even for someone as ’strong-willed’ as me. It tires you down. But it’s ok, I know as soon as my energy is replenished I’ll be back at it fast. Anyway, enough of that.

Of course I care about Pakistan and all of what goes on there. But I’m sick of the generalising. One person robs a bank, suddenly the entire nation is one of bank robbers! One person f-cks up, every single one of us takes the flack. And it’s not only outsiders who come out with it, our own join in with them. Next time someone has something to say about all Pakistanis in general: Speak for your fucking selves only, I’m Pakistani too, but not one of you!

What do I honestly think of the Taliban?

I’m terrified of any bunch of nomadic hormonal weapon-wielding men imposing dead-with-the-dinosaurs rules on people. And most of all the fact that they have hijacked my religion and an Islamic law system which I once saw in a fonder light. I sought Shariah guidance for my divorce. I hold the Shariah law of yesterday in a high esteem. But the Taliban’s bastardisation of my religion and its law, it scares me. It should scare every single one of us.

But if there are still people out there who don’t see the above as a threat, they will do soon. I don’t blame them for seeing America as the bigger threat. Sorry if I sound oh so passe. But the bitterness of Bush and co’s crimes are not ones I’d forget so soon. I can’t begrudge people who still deem America’s government a bigger threat to our peace and security than even the more immediate danger the Taliban currently poses. They have every right to feel that way.

The Shanaakht Festival kerfuffle.

I just saw the piece of ‘art’ the whole fuss was over and honestly, I was offended myself. I wasn’t even a massive fan of BB,  yet I was disgusted. If I had been there I would have probably reacted by smashing a few valuables to smithereens too. Not that that’s the right thing to do, of course. But saying that, I do feel the mob overreacted, it needn’t have had gone that far. A simple (seething, bitchy) written or verbal complaint could have sufficed I’m sure. It’s a shame really.

About the panicking part:

Come on dudes, it’s not the end of the world just yet. (Big Hug.)

And me trying to sound all wise and comforting — I need to get over myself.

Some Eye Candy

I know, I know. I’m perfectly  aware of how bad things are these days and I will (hopefully, one of these days) stop being such a girl and actually start blogging my thoughts on something a little more substantial.

As in I’ll try my best impressions of a total whiney bloke who simply rants against the institutions and thus think he automatically qualifies as an ‘intellectual’ or something…

(I’m not joking, there is actually a blogger who calls himself ‘an intellectual’ on his blog description. Which, in my books is just as blasphemous as calling oneself ‘attractive’ and/or ‘golden rock-hard’.)

But, enough of that for now. Onto the eye candy I promised.

I love it when my superstar crushes appear in commercials. Some of these may be barrel loads of cheese, but let’s be honest: who cares about  content?

I’ll take three of each!- if it means I can get any of these dreamboats in the deal!

First up is French League (Ligue) player Youssouf Hadji in a Morroccan Bank Ad.  (Hadji is so underrated a player – when he scores your heart leaps up to your throat – he’s truly that good.)

Takeshi Kaneshiro – the actor in a cheesy but loveable (pun unintentional) Sony Erricsson ad.

And again in an advert for Sony Vaio, that he also composed the music for and directed himself.

Thierry Henry in that classic Renault Clio ad campaign. ”Aye Bobby what’s the French for Va Va Voom?”

And for Pepsi he outsizzles even Claudia Schiffer.

Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton’s (garish, tacky, blurgh!) Blason Jewellery.

I also recall a Zidane advert for Adidas back in ‘98 with Fatboy Slim’s ‘Right Here Right Now’ as the background score. Even the memory of it gives me goosebumps.

But then aside from adverts I also enjoy those quirky fan-made videos one can easily find in abundance on youtube;

Desmond of Lost, Johnny Depp and this gorgeous Takeshi Kaneshiro one (yes, him again).

Be Still, My Heart

Uh oh! I think I’ve just fallen madly in love with Japanese-meets-Chinese  (and a sprinkling of Taiwanese) hybrid actor, one of the biggest stars of the Hong Kong film circuit – Takeshi Kaneshiro.

If they ever made a film version of Tekken, he would make the most perfect Kazuya Mishima.  Alas, that is probably unlikely. Even if the film is made at all, it’d probably be made via. Hollywood and Hollywood it seems is still keeping with the age-old nepotism-esque tradition of sticking with their own (white folk) to fit their casting needs, thus painting their faces and things to fit the story’s character requirements. They can be suitably Negro-looking (think old Hollywood), or Persian (Jake f-cking Gyllenhaal? You’ve got to be kidding me!?) and the calamity that is the film adaptation of Dragonball Z.  (Oh! It’s just too much! I think I’m going to cry.)

Hands up, anyone else who strongly believes some of Hollywood’s casting directors need to be lined up and shot? Or at least slapped silly?

But now’s not the time to be cynical; it’s time to rejoice at the gorgeousness that is Takeshi. He’s also undoubtedly a  pretty fine actor.  Dynamic and versatile, he can be rip-roaring hilarious during comedy sequences and awe-inspiring in martial arts sequences but generally he’s known as the obscure misfit who never gets the girl a la Chungking Express and Fallen Angels or as the lovelorn geek who misses his chance in Anna Magdalena.

Can I be your girl Mr Kaneshiro? Oh please, please, I promise I won’t run away with Tony!?

But then how can I isolate the other loves: Johnny Depp, Pharrell Williams, Youssouf Hadji? Surely four different obsessions at the same time  is healthy, right?

p.s. If any of you folks think I’m being slightly pervy blame it on Kurri, she’s a bad influence.

WKW’s As Tears Go By

This has to be  one of my all-time favourite films.  And shock horror! It’s not Hollywood. It’s by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai. The latter is celebrated world over as a creator of art films. But the idea of ‘Art films’ to my uncultured mind sounds a little too hobnobish.

I like a simple underlying story but for it to still  (miraculously) move away from those typical done-to-death formulas.   WKW,  is the man to do it, he certainly likes to experiment with various approaches towards filmmaking. And this in my opinion is his best work, for its simplicity goes one over his other works like; the ‘Days of Being Wild/In the Mood for Love/2046 trilogy and the much-endorsed-by-Tarantino duology; Chungking Express/Fallen Angels.  ATGB is actually part of WKW’s earliest work too, made in 1988, before the five aforementioned hit-flicks.

Plot: Andy Lau (is it me or did it just get hot in here?) stars as Wah, a small-time gangster. He’s tough as nails, slick, slyly clever and has the ability to charm the pants off any living creature to boot.  For these exact reasons he’s a favourite with the mafia bosses and selected more often to take on all the big high-risk jobs, for which reason he also falls prey to the jealousy of fellow gangsters. Not that he really lets that bother him.

His achilles heel however is his younger brother Fly (played by Jacky Cheung) who is the complete opposite to him. Fly feels like a complete failure as a gangster in comparison to Wah, but in his naivety he still tries his  best to prove himself yet keeps landing himself and his big brother in serious trouble.

With little warning, in steps cousin Ngor (Maggie Cheung) visiting Hong Kong from a far-off small town, in order to recieve medical treatment for a condition she suffers from (Asthma, or some other non-fatal breathing condition). Following her aunt’s directions to stay at Wah’s flat until the treatment is over.

Neither of them have met the other previously, so it’s extremely awkward for both. Wah has no choice but to oblige. He is gentlemanly enough to let her take up residence in his home. But that doesn’t mean he is pleased with her having invaded his private space and he is every bit rude and dismissive. The geeky and mild mannered Ngor is quite frankly stunned as to what she has got herself into. She nevertheless quietly does as she is told but can’t help but be a little curious to what exactly it is that her cousin does for a living.Her curiosity is soon quenched when Wah comes in drenched in blood after a street brawl with a rival set of gangsters .

 And no, she doesn’t tend to him like a sick puppy or mop his sweaty brow, I did hint this wasn’t cliched.  Even the scenes when he is initially rude and throws tantrums at her – if she so much as tries washing his dishes – are done in a non-threatening way. Almost as if they’re inwardly friends and understand each other in spite of the apparent clash in personality types. Gradually the unlikely duo do end up forming an attachment with each other. When her treatment is over Ngor sets off home and some weeks after, Wah follows her course in order to finally initiate some romance between the two.

Big mistake, as business back in Hong Kong is busy as usual and he is beckoned back there almost immediately and at this time he is also made aware that his little brother has gotten himself embroiled in something yet more dangerous during the short time Wah’s back was turned.

My thoughts: This pretty much fits into the gangster and crime film genre. If you enjoy American-made gangster films like Scarface (but sans the crudeness), Carlito’s way (sans the OAP), Bronx Tale and Goodfellas you will enjoy this film. Though the beautiful Maggie Cheung does a really good job of adding some dream-like innocence into this otherwise dark tale of street life.

True to the nature of the Hong Kong film genre, no matter how serious a film is meant to be, it still doesn’t allow for it to be taken seriously enough and hence, thrown in are a few brilliant gaffes here and there.   Like where Wah forces Fly to stay out of danger and take up a ‘proper job’ -  as a kerbside sheesh-kebab vendor that is. And whenever members of their rival gang go by, Fly pretends he’s merely loitering nearby, only then to get himself arrested by police for acting suspiciously and eventually for setting up trade illegally and then there are those action sequences!!!

This film came about during the time of the Top Gun hysteria, therefore it also features a Chinese-language version of  ‘Take my breath away’. I’d sooner listen to a chinese version I can’t understand where we see a young Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung in that very simply shot train station scene -which truly ‘takes my breath away’ - than the English version with that sofa-jumping Scientologist and that frizzy haired monobrowed weird lady which features in the ‘86 flick. Anytime. My big sister used to love Top Gun and watch it repetitively almost every weekend. Yuk!

From all the reviews I’ve read of this film, there’s no critic who hasn’t lauded the train station scene for its simplicity in execution yet with that element of surprise which truly makes your heart leap.

p.s. I really want you guys to watch this. 

The Real Thing?

Setting aside the inundation of soppy, mushy films, love songs and romance literature clouding your judgment for just a moment,  see if you can answer this:

Can love between a non-related male and female really exist? If so, can it be overcome so they can go on to resume normal, healthy lives apart without mentally and/or physically disintegrating?

Or is it all a figment of our imagination, believing so strongly in something that was never quite real?

Tag | Lover Turn Me On

I just found this on some Japanese guy’s blog as I was googling ‘As Tears Go By’ the film (my review of this film to follow this, as per Jenn’s request – hey girl!).

I didn’t note his blog details, so won’t link back. Fine! Call me a thief.  It’s just much more unique than other tags and had to give it a try. Here goes.

——————————

Here is what you need to do:

1. Put your MP3 player/ iPod/ itunes library on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

——————————–

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Love changes – Kashif & Marisa Morgan duet.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Love in this club – Usher & Beyonce remix. (Goodness me!)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

Mahi - Abrar Ul Haq (Whoops! You caught me!)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

Clubbin’ – Marques Houston feat. Joe Budden. (No comment.)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

Mehndi ki raat – Vital Signs. (Que?)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Ms. Officer – Lil Wayne feat.  Bobby Valentino. (Haha! Good one.)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Erm, it’s a relaxing Kashmiri folk – string instrumental!?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Yeh jawani, yeh jawani, yeh jawani – Naseem Begum. (uff! I’m so paindoo.)

(It’s some some old filmi sultry item number.  One of my favourite item numbers actually.)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Nazar – Aunty Disco Project. (Very apt actually, since I seriously have the hots for the lead singer of this band – oye oye!)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Precious – Co-VEN. (I f-cking love this, but life story? Eek!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Ashes and Wine – A Fine Frenzy. (Wait, that doesn’t sound right?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Reunion - Rohail Hyatt – KKL Soundtrack. (Waah!)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING

Zehr – Azal. (I’m surprisingly not in the least puzzled!)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Shaaman Paiyan – Coke Studio – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. (What the..? How morbid.)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST??

Together in Electric Dreams – Phil Oakley

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Umeed e Sahar – Laal. (!?)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

I wanna sleep with Common People – Pulp. (Gasp!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Tumhara aur mera naam – Vital Signs.

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

Lover turn me on – Kashif. (Who’s an American 80s old-school soul singer by the way.)

I tag all of you, my blogging buds. Let’s do this, it’s fun!

What does it take to Move On?

Sometimes you just need to get things out of your system and this blog which I have had running for two years now has proved a good friend for that purpose.

A few of you read a post of mine about a guy called E and his marriage proposal which came at a really bad time, despite my incessant refusal – which is hard enough - he just won’t take no for an answer.

I’ve been pretty assertive and calm with dealing with him and yesterday I just broke down after he called me stubborn and insulted me in a similar tone ‘I’ had used on me 5 years ago.

The indignance of crying in front a guy is too much to bear. If you act tough as nails they think you’re superficial and uncaring (good, so what?). But, if you make the mistake of breaking down they think you’re weak and thus a fragile little girl who clearly can’t think for herself and needs a big macho man to steer her life for her.

Despite trying to use up my quota of tears completely engrossed in  tearjerker films so I don’t embarrass myself in public, I go ahead and cry in front of him. Actually I think it was a relief as I didn’t have to try so hard thinking of yet more excuses. He asked me if my refusal was because I was still hung up on my ex-husband (if only), I just nodded silently. Let him think whatever he wants. He just went on to say he’ll give me more time to make up my mind.

Of course I’ve made up my bloody mind!   He knows the answer, yet he’s piling on the pressure, piling on the pressure. I can’t think straight and I’m praying I stay true to my own alleged ’stubbornness’ and don’t give in to him.

He’s a handsome enough man, he can find any other girl he wants. It will never be a problem for him, I know.

He’s right about one thing though, I do need to move on.

But what happens if I don’t want to, maybe the prospect of celibacy; becoming a lonely old woman who owns lots of cats and occasionally leaves her house to howl at the moon doesn’t sound so bad.

I can’t live like ‘I’. He’s living a psuedo-existence, one where he simply goes through the motions, he’s nowhere near the guy he used to be. I can’t live that life, I’ve tried and I failed.

That’s another thing, I percieve things I can’t control as my failure. I was watching my sister in law yesterday, struggling to tie my baby nephew’s nappy, as he squiggled about giggling. I know both my little neices were the same at 8 months, they just can’t stay still, and when they used to squiggle about as I’d try to tie their nappy – I’d feel really embarrassed and all flustered if anyone was watching as I’d fear they’d see me as incompetent.  Yet my sister in law yesterday made a big fuss about him and had my mum help her hold him down and no one said anything about her being incompetent. Then I wonder why I think like that – I’m such a fool. Maybe it IS ok to ask for help once in a while.

I remember the first time me and a girl who went on to become a friend met, we were at the train station on the induction day of university about 2002 it was. I could tell she was itching to approach me and kept looking my way really insecurely. That kind of stuck with me as my first impression of her, that she was insecure. She is actually, very insecure. But one thing she always says to me is that the first time she saw me she thought I was a girl who really ‘looks after herself’. I actually found that made me sound concieted and selfish. Then I brushed it off as a superficial comment she’d made based on my then ability to groom myself well, yes I can be a little vain and I was very vain back in my student days, ugh! Funny actually, I work in an office now and I walk in looking a complete trainwreck, but as a student I was all pristine and polished.

Anyway after speaking with her again the other day, she brought it up again, and I laughed saying I had barely brushed my hair that morning and she replied, ”not looks-wise idiot, I mean your persona, you’re shy but still, there’s something in the way you come across as a person.”

That was a nice bit of encouragement actually, her judgement may just be questionable but you know what, I feel she’s right I don’t need another person to depend on. I look after myself well enough. I think I’d do really well living a celibate life.

That feels like a massive relief. I can always pretend I was scarred by my ex-husband divorcing me. In honesty I wasn’t at all but anything to save me from the obscurities of;

”When are you going to get married again?”

Never, thank you!

”You’re not going to get any younger you know?”

Oh really?  Of course on my next birthday I’ll go from 26 to 21, you psycho!

”You need to move on, the guy you’re so hung up about, he’s no angel you know? He’s probably out there —ing some other girl – because men are bastards like that.”

Yes, now I really do feel the compulsion to marry a bastard, my life depends on it! Thanks Z!

”Why don’t you find a guy online. Have you tried Shaadi.com?”

Uh, no offence to the people who have used this medium but WTF?

I’m so sick and tired of the same old questions, as much as I’m used to hearing them – they feel like a big blow to my stomach everytime.

For all the ladies who are subjected to this kind of ridicule, I feel your pain.
I hate the word ’single’, it tends to come with the affix; ‘and desperately looking’, and besides it’s stigmatised – as if the person has a handicap or something fatally wrong with them, I just hate it.

I am otherwise perfectly content living in this little dream-like bubble and if I can live in it forever I will,  I can’t be having the likes of E trying to prick at it and burst it for me.

UPDATE: So sorry for sounding like such a self-pitying wimp.According to my friend I should be counting my lucky stars, but I don’t know from what angle she sees this. This is a lifetime commitment, not just some dare to date a guy for one day or something.

To snap out of it, I called him a bit ago deciding to handle things like a grown up, but instead it turned into a semi-comfortable chat with no real direction. I always get really nervous and anxious when we’re face to face, always ready to run. I calmed myself down before dialing his number and decided to ask him some questions about his ideas of our future together (though not in exactly them words). He’s Palestinian-Arab originally from a place called Haifa, he settled here in the UK with his family almost two decades ago.   His ‘plans’ are for us to marry, live in our city and throughout the length of our lives we wait until the people of his beautiful homeland are liberated (exactly how likely is that?). My plans are to resettle in Pakistan, particularly Islamabad within the next few years.  Heck, if I don’t even have to remarry, my uncle and aunt have promised me to adopt me, haha – though that’s not ideal – as sweet as they are. My family are split up over this; my dad is going to retire soon and is definitely moving back to Kashmir, and out of us five siblings only me and youngest brother are happy to resettle.

Not that there is anything wrong with England, it’s a great country. I have enjoyed my time here and I’m grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way but from the bottom of my heart I have never belonged here – I may have looked the part but it’s not home.

I was hoping hearing of my plans he’d be a bit put off, but he surprised me by saying; for me, he could give it his best shot. If so, he’d probably be the only Palestinian in Isb.  He also went on to joke (that’s a first from him) that our kids will be ”Pakistinians”. Oye hoye, He’s getting a bit ahead of himself there.

But I’ll leave him with them thoughts to mull over for a while. If he’s still happy I may give him some thought, if I feel so inclined.

Oh God, save me from a long marriage of boredom and zero laughter.

What To Review, What Not To…

I spoke too soon when I said I’d have fazool time. Really, I should be flattered that I’m in such high demand that sitting in my room at my PC is a real luxury I can only partake in no sooner than 12 midnight, ever since my break began.

It’s almost bloody 3am and I’ve only just got to my room. No I haven’t been partying. It was my mum trying having a heart-to-heart chat with me , which is a rarity. Not only because I don’t usually have the time but because me and her have always been on different wavelengths and she’s not the archetypal loving, cuddly mother, not to me anyway.  Plus, I have to be up at 8am as  my friend who is a full-time-mother has finally found an opportunity tomorrow for quality ‘me time and  wants to whisk me away somewhere for the day and it’s a surprise, hey, I’m not complaining, but 8am!?! I can hardly drag myself out of bed at that time for work – for money! Nevermind on my day off!?

But since I never back away from a challenge, I know I’ll be bonkers enough to do it.

Anyway, moving on swiftly (since I need to get as much sleep as possible) :-

Remember I reviewed three Wong Kar-Wai films and failed to elicit much of a response from you regular readers?  If that was because these films are hard to come by, then, fikar not dosto, yeh dekho!

Complete with English subtitles! You can watch the entire trilogy from this very same link. Just follow the links for ‘In the mood for love’ & ‘2046′ which you’ll find on the site’s right-hand side.

If you like a little romance and drama but refreshingly different and definitely without the cliches, you’ll love these.

I’m looking to review, very soon:-

As Tears Go By - also by Wong Kar-Wai which is honestly one of the best films I’ve ever had the honour of clapping my eyes on.

Ehsas – starring Rahat Kazmi, Marina Khan, Sabiha Khanum and more – I’ve honestly never cried so hard watching a play. Had to reach for painkillers to take-away the headache of excessive crying believe it or not. A box full of tissues just isn’t enough to get you through.

THIS is the mama of all tearjerkers. And if you watch it, there was no pun intended there.

Pal Do Pal – A Haseena Moin play – so I simply had to grab this one – It stars a very young Nadia Khan, Ali Azmat (yep, that’s right, there’s only one Ali Azmat), Adnan Siddiqui and Andleeb-something… or simply the girl from this Vital Signs video. It’s really bloody good, but I personally have a developed a serious gripe with Haseena khala about something with regards to this play – it’s a recurrent theme within almost all of her better plays actually.

Zikar Hai Kai Saal Ka - A play starring Rahat Kazmi, Atiqa Odho and Ali Kazmi as a gawky teenager. It’s a must-see. Someone’s been kind enough to upload this one on Youtube. Check it out sometime. It starts off a little audacious but gets better as it progresses. I promise.

Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat – starring Babra Sharif and Ghulam Mohiyeddin. This film was so loved by the Chinese when it was released circa ‘75, that they made statues of the two romantic leads. I just had to check this flick out for that reason. Did I like it?

No, I f-cking love it! But now I can’t watch this song clip without breaking down and sobbing. Yes, I really can be that bad. Babra Sharif is such a doll, honestly.

Meharbaani – Hilarious movie starring Nadeem and Babra Sharif. Brilliant, makes a break from the usual tear-filled melodramas. Not that I have anything against the latter, I abslolutely <3 tearjerkers, as is bloody evident.

Magnificent Natural Fist – is a martial arts flick and I have yet to watch it, but OMG, I want to review this so bad, just for laughs – of course.

Now people! Please be courteous enough to drop me a line and let me know if you’d LIKE me to review any of the above for you, these reviews take time and effort, I’d want a teeny weeny bit of appreciation for them, if not a medal or two.

And if you say you don’t like my style of reviewing, please leave  a comment for that too, and I’ll just edit it so that you look completely gay, try me.

Just a Quick Note

Nothing important, but as I was saying some posts ago I want to wean myself off serious topics for for a bit and just blog entertainment and fun-ish stuff.

I think it just becomes embarrassing for myself when I think I have a fair idea of a topic and write a semi-serious blog post, only to re-read it a few days later and cringe at my own very apparent lack of knowledge. Of course a blog is personal reflection and there are no rules, but still, for my own sake at least, I will refrain. For now atleast.

I finally have a week off thanks to work-life-balance (which is a European work initiative that rocks my socks). I used up all my leave for my visit to Pakistan last year and I was weary and run-down going so long without a break, but I managed to make up enough flexi hours to make up a week of holidays. Result!

So now I have a bit of fazool time to completely relax and stay indoors watching and reviewing films and PTV classic dramas.

Guys, please do keep checking back if you have an interest in these things. Cheers!

WTF?

Acroyms, I tell ya!

And just to be a little mindful; the WTF in the title means double-yu-tee-eff.

If that’s not tickled you (helloo..? Do you have a pulse?), then read this, I just found this on virginmedia.com:

”Mariah (Carey) was overheard telling some waiters in a restaurant in France how nice her meal was, in French. On translation, what Mariah actually said was, “That meal was so thrilling I’ve just wet myself.” Nice.”

That above is downright hilarious, I don’t know if it’s just me or do Americans in Europe just look so dumb, it’s like an oxymoron.

I was out shopping in the city yesterday and while queuing at the till in my local H&M, there were two girls behind me, in a very exhibitionist style they were talking extremely loudly and excitedly in American accents – it’s so bloody annoying! I did turn around in a very snooty Englishy manner and glare at them to shut up but unfortunately for me,  it didn’t work.

Memo to me and the bestie:- Not to act like complete dickheads with our foreignerness when we hit Paris and polish off what little French we still remember from high school.

Mahmood Khan – ‘Funk’aar

My good friend Nen introduced me to the works of Mahmood Khan, a relatively unknown musician (by musician I mean the whole works; composing, singing, songwriting, playing the instruments etc). At first I was a little taken aback as to his rather ‘exquisite voice’ but that was only until I came across one of his numbers by the name ‘Tere Baghair’.

From gems like Tere Baghair, it becomes evident that where his vocal dexterity may be lacking (ok, so this is purely subjective), he more than makes up for it in his song compositions.

As my older blog readers may know, I’m an aspiring playwright ala (vintage) Hasina Moin or even Enver Sajjad (and so I keep on dreaming) and whilst I  was between dreaming up that perfect story and jotting down its various scenarios a lot of inspiration was drawn from the wondrous number that is ‘Tere Baghair’.

I think you’ll have to hear it to believe it, and I don’t know how to upload audio clips, but. Forget that, i found it!

The lyrics go something like this;

Tere baghair, mere shehar mein koi roshni nahin.

Tere baghair mere shehar main koi zindagi nahin.

In English that translates as;

Without you, my city has no light.

Without you my city has no life.

And to put it frankly; I fudguckingly love it! It was just that piece of inspiration I was craving for, for years!

So now I got my bit out of the way, onto the important bits…

Several months ago, I caught the elusive MK on AAG with this new single.

He has previously worked with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, remember the song Teri Yaad? That was MK and that is a good example of his brand of music.

I can’t really describe his brand of music well enough to do it any justice, ecxept that Nen has just branded it; ”MahmoodKhanFunk”, hence the way I spelled the title of this entry. Funk it is.

He recently performed in Sydney Opera House – which by the way is quite the achievement for a Pakistani! Atif’s Royal Albert Hall appearance has nothing on this:

Your Renewed Thoughts on Zardari Please?

Success or Failure?