After a while..... you learn!

After awhile you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to understand that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head held high and your eyes wide open.
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
You learn to build your roads
On today because tomorrow's ground
Is too uncertain for plans, and futures have a way of falling down in midflight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate Your own soul, instead of waiting For someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure,
That you really are strong.
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn...and you learn
With every goodbye you learn.

Veronica A. Shoffstall

KBC fever and something on Indian (Bollywood) Actors from Lahore

Some actors occupy the state; few rule it. Some actors hold an audience; few possess it. Some actors light up a scene, few ignite the entire film. These combustible few blaze with extraordinary factors of acting-intensity,
intelligence and authority. There is a charisma apart from the role itself and when, they tread the screen, the co-stars are as mesmerized as the audience. Though Paki people are so so far away from Indians in many senses. But I could never understand (and actually interestingly became crazy to see) why a small girl from Lahore can be so much emotionally attached to the infamous Amitabh Bachan aka Ameet ji. The girl that happens to be my cousin sister, a Lahori school going kid at just the age of 12, a mind-bogglingly drowned under Start Plus craze had kept her screen name on her MSN as: Please pray for “my” ameet ji, he is in hospital. (I wonder if any kid of her age back in 1948 has ever prayed so intensely for Quaid-e-Azam?!)



Anyhow, the Amitabh Bachan who had experienced heart trouble during the past few weeks. Needless to mention he is a amazingly seamless actor with an profound personality. Worked on countless (not to be forgotten) hit films. Life goes on, one day everyone will just poof out of this world but it will take time to fade away the memories of “Computer ji.. Lock kar diya jaye” soon. Good news for the KBC lovers, he’s back! But all the WORLDCALL viewers, tsk tsk tsk, with the latest BAN on StarPlus channel, we won’t be able to watch any of KBC-2 show, not sure for how long. But yes, I’m happy that there won’t be any of the ‘Saas bhi kabhi jin bhaoo thi’. :D.

Its been an eminent rumour roamed around the town for ages that AB is from Lahore. Though it was confirmed later as a rumour. But Lahories have produced many famous Indians actors/artists like:

Kabir Bedi, Rajendra Kumar, Vinod Khanna, K.L. Sehgal

Prem Chopra born at Lahore lived at Amritsar. Mohammad Rafi born near Lahore went to Bombay long before partition. Not just that, the famous Devdutt Pishorimal Anand (aka DEV ANAND), the actor went on to graduate in English literature from the Government College, Lahore. One can undoubtedly say: Lahore kai paani mai kuch hai (it produces talent).

Anyhow, been busy with my exams lately and ofcourse at my office. I’m forcefully not letting me divert my attention too much on writings these days. More to share a bit later. Till then, happy enjoying chilled Lahore! Cheers. -- Omer Pervaiz (Opee Dec 30, 2005 1:50am)

Lahore, Lahori aur Chacha Cricket…

They came, they saw and then they will soon leave again. Although the One-day internationals (ODIs) haven’t started yet, Pakistanis have certainly made an impression at the Last Test in Lahore.

The England supporters’ contingent numbered only about some hundreds on this trip, but what they lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm and noise. They brought to Pakistan their English flags, songs, facepaints and a whole new attitude to watching cricket. As the match progressed they added beagle (baja), drums, guitars and flute-like instruments and an assorted array of headgear. The display of the infamous two cartoon characters (Sylvester and Tweety?) amused everyone.

As always, the Lahori crowds were led by Sufi Jamil Ahmed aka 'chacha cricket' (Uncle Cricket), their green-clad flag bearer who, bizarrely, lives in Sharjah. He follows the Pakistan team all over the world and made frequent appearances began with the World Cup in 1999.



He is very popular with cricket fans, leading them in their chants for victory. He is also quite the TV star, as he used to feature in (a few) Pepsi's commercials in Pakistan. I don’t know what happened later on, as PEPSI now have Reema in place. Huq ha, who will care (kon janay, kon samjhay) about my chacha cricket when her khuli zulfain are there. :). Tsk tsk tsk.


(see the typical cheering natives trying to move into the frame whenever they see a cam taking some pictures!) *giggle*

There was a great atmosphere between the two sets of fans throughout the test match. There was a lovely moment on the final day when everyone virtually knew that Pakistanis victory is inevitable, the Pakistan fans began to chant "Engerland, Engerland, Engerland." The English fans, in response, tried the Pakistani chant of "jivay, jivay, Pakistan" (live forever, Pakistan), much to the amusement of the crowd. The sound of Ra ra, Ri ri, Roo roo, Ra, hoo ha hoo ha, would remain in everyone’s ears for quite some time.

There is a display of matches on teeni weeni TV sets common throughout the city especially in small khookha’s (kiosk) and small restaurants. Everyone stops by especially to see the climax, the final and most complex moments of the match. Life practically stands still till we hear a big roar, jeet gaya!!! Or if Pakis Loose, Hamain pata tha, paisay lagay howay thay. :) hehe.

Lahoris, be ready for one day matches. When there’s cricket, no one can beat Lahorites in Josh and Walwala. -- Omer Pervaiz (Opee Dec 06, 2005 5:34am)

Chilling Lahore and Static Charge

Did you guys notice many foreigners roaming around the city these days. May be there are here for the Cricket Matches being played between Pakistan and England or because of World Performing Art Theatre. Whether it is Anarkali bazaar or Mall Road, Liberty or Main Boulevard. Fortress or Lahore Fort. They are seen everywhere with their backpacks and most of the times wearing funny shalwar with t-shirt on top of it. Or GORI MAIMs wearing dupattas in a very unique way. Did you see so much foreigners roaming in Lahore in any of the previous matches? At least I didn’t. Whatever the case is, it feels somehow nice, to see (and hope), that they are enjoying the hospitality of the people with there stay here.

Lahore is chilling these days. It has struck so late but not gradually at all. It swathed too quickly. Lag pata jaata hai when you have to take a bath in a shower. Hoof. Now in the evenings, if I don’t wear shoes (with socks of course) while using the PC my feet gets completely icy and my hands start to shiver. In a typical day of a worker (not necessarily a computer) but typically an officer working at desk job must have felt static shock numerous times while shaking hands of even touching the metallic objects. I don’t know the actual reason behind this static current, but for me and my colleagues it has become severely annoying. We literally touch walls before greeting each other so to earth the static charge if there is any. This typically arrives along with cool breeze of winters. The possible reason could be the introduction of too much nylon in our daily lives. Sweaters, carpets, chair clothing, even the mouse pads we use. The use of synthetic material and fabric is everywhere. Two days ago one of my colleagues Kamran told me that he went to his home and when he went to pick up his 2 months old nephew from his cot, he got a *tich tich* shock : .. Everyone has become so electrified these days :) ..

Be sure next time you visit Siddiq Trade Centre you have your body earthed with a wire or something. Trust me, no wonder you’ll get loads of static shocks which you would’ve not experienced so far in your life. :)

The good old days

Close your eyes, and go back in time.... Before the Internet, VCD and DVD. Before semi-automatics machine guns, joyriders and crack .... Before X-Box, PS-2, SEGA or Super Nintendo or Video Games... Way back....

I'm talking about Hide and seek (Chhupan Chhupaee) in the park or on streets of Lahore. The corner shop, Butter Scotch Candy, Mitchells Milk Toffee, Jubilee, football with an old can, jumping in enormous puddles, Building dams. The smell of the sun and fresh cut grass. Mayfair bubble gum. A POLKA ice cream pop cone on a warm summer night,

Wait......Watching Weekday 5pm evening or Saturday Morning cartoons... short commercials, The Tom and Jerry, He-Man, Captain Caveman, Waltron, Walligator, Danger Mouse and Pink Panther. Or watching 7pm NTM transmission blasting off with Thunder Cats. Staying up late for Night Rider, Air Wolf or Power of Methew Star. Watching nice Urdu Plays like Un Kahi, Tanhaiyaan, Sunehray Din, Aangan Tera.

Remember that?

When around the corner seemed far away, and going into down town or Liberty Market seemed like going somewhere. A million mosquito bites, wasp and bee stings. Sticky fingers. Walking to school, no matter what the weather. Running till you were out of breath. Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.

Jumping on the bed. Pillow fights. Climbing trees, building igloos Ice Lolies out of tiny amounts of snow. Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for the giggles. Being tired from playing... The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team. Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.

I'm not finished just yet...

Eating raw jelly, orange squash, ice pops, chocochums, top pops

Remember when...

You knew everyone in your street - and so did your parents! It wasn't odd to have two or three "best" friends. You didn't sleep a wink on EiD Chaand Raat or Christmas eve. Afraid of Neighbor’s dog-bite. When 100 Rs. was decent pocket money. When you'd get a coke for 4 Rs. When nearly everyone's mum was at home when the kids got there from School. It was magic when dad would "remove" his thumb. When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at real restaurant with your parents. When being sent to the head's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.

Basically, we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! And some of us are still afraid of them!!! Didn't that feel good? Just to go back and say, Yeah, I remember that!

Remember when....

Decisions were made by going "eeny- meeny-miney-mo."... "Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest. Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly". The worst thing you could catch from other person was germs, and the worst thing in your day was having to sit next to opposite sex. Having a weapon in school, meant being caught with a catapult.

Nobody was prettier than your Mum. Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better. Taking drugs meant orange-flavoured chewable aspirin. Ice cream was considered a basic food group. Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true. Abilities were discovered because of a "double-dare". Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.

If you can remember most or of these, then you have LIVED!

My first blog!

Finally here is my first blog post - and the only blog post for the time being! :)