"Things fall apart, the center cannot hold"

WHY can I never access Buzzvines???

2009-08-31T19:19:00.001+06:00

HELP!!!I just saw an article on Bloggers.Pk posted on Buzzvines that I really want to read but as usual I cannot open up Buzzvines. Someone help me!!

The best Iftar deals in town!

2009-08-30T00:15:00.002+06:00

Come Ramzan and you'll be able to see hordes of hungry people clam,ouring for food around 8.00 PM. No, this is isn't a scene at sone langar or soup kitchen, but what happens at fashionable restaraunts and eateries throughout Karachi. In Ramzan.
Anyway, I'll be publishing a whole series of guides (I hope) on the best places to eat and drink in Ramazan for Iftar, Sehri and dinner.
So, the first guide I've written is tentatively called "The Best All You Can Eat for Iftar Buffets". Enjoy.
Note: It'll be published in a later post.

Ramazan comes to town!

2009-08-30T00:05:00.001+06:00

And so, the first week of Ramzan ends. However, I still have to see the traditional Ramazan spirit of tolerance, piety and peace among the general public, who are still enthusiastically cursing their way through town.
I'll be publishing a definitive guide on Iftar and Sehri deals in town soon....Stay tuned!

Unilever mess up; one dead.

2009-08-29T14:20:00.002+06:00

The people over at Unilever had been behaving VERY badly recently. So bad, in fact, that they deserve to be put in the doghouse. It has surfaced recently that in their quest to reproduice a thrilling reality TV show, Unilever ended up killing a guy. Father of four, Saad Khan, lost his life when the host of the show (and also a top model) Amina Sheikh gave Saad Khan an underwatere challenge. Saad accepted but he ended up losing his life in the stunt.

Only the poor and substandard arrangements made by the cheapskates over at Unilever, and their agency, MindShare, who are the producers of the show, are responsible for the killing of the young man.

My Life Is Desi.

2009-08-21T20:57:00.004+06:00

Thanks to some random friend on Facebook, today I discovered a website called My Life Is Desi. Apparently, its a spoof of F My Life but its still hilarious. On it, Desi people post their real life experiences regarding Desiness. Here's a few quotes:

"Today, my mom told me to steal some chopsticks from the chinese restaraunt because she wanted to use them to make seekh kebabs for the guests coming over tomorrow."

"Today, we were eating and I spilled my drink and I asked my mom for some napkins and she hands me napkins you would find at any McDonald's."

"Today, my mom threw an impromptu chai (tea) party. She threw it not to see her friends, but to finish the milk that expired yesterday."

"Today, my cousin wouldn't let my mom FedEx some cloth directly to her in New York from Houston. Instead, she is having my Khala (aunt) take it on her trip to Karachi and then have her friend pick it up and bring it on her way to New York."

"Today, my mom came home and told me she got makeup for me. it turned out to be chai-flavoured lip gloss."

"Today my dad proudly wore my brother's T-shirt which says "jackass" on the front because he accidentally thought it said "jhakaas" and he showed it to all his friends."

Happy Birthday Pakistan!!!

2009-08-14T01:10:00.001+06:00

Congrats, Pakistan you now 62...Happy Birthday!!!

Real Smart.

2009-08-01T16:22:00.005+06:00

A friend of mine posted a link to this picture on facebook. Its a problem posted by a boy on some site where you post a question and someone answers it. Well worth reading!

Twitter!

2009-08-01T16:19:00.001+06:00

I finally signed up for Twitter!!!Follow me at www.twitter.com/faizkhalil.

Two years ago today-The beginning of the end.

2009-07-10T15:53:00.003+06:00

Exactly two years ago, today was the day paramilitary forces stormed the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad after a week-long standoff with the militant clerics holed up inside with dozens of hostages. It also marked the start of the end of the reign of then-President General Pervez Musharraf. After the Lal Masjid operation ended, peace deals that forces in the restive tribal areas were supposed to sign with the government were scrapped and a wave of attacks started. The lawyers movement also started in earnest after President Musharraf woefully misguaged public sentiment and sacked the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Choudhry. Mind you, it also started the process that brought that idiot Zardari into the Presiential Palace. Anyway, President Musharraf was eventually forced to resign by a powerful coalition of political parties, the lawyers' movement and the citizenry. Later on, the same mix (minus the PPP) forced "President" Zardari to reinstate the Chief Justice.

So anyway, two years ago was the beginning of the end. In the process that began that day, Benazir Bhutto was killed, the PPP was brought into power, Musharraf was forced to resign, Zardari was made President, and a new wave of insurgency took hold in the northern and north-western areas of Pakistan. And so we ended up sending in the army and fighting a war against our own populace (albeit those who have chosen to wage war against Pakistan). What will happen next as a part of this process? No one knows. Lets just hope that its for the best.

WiFi hotspots in Karachi-Part II

2009-07-05T22:32:00.003+06:00

As promised, Ive updated my original list of WiFi hotspots in Karachi (the original can be read here). As most of us know, WiFi, or Wireless Fidelity technology is widely understood to be Wireless LAN (even though there are certain differences). So basically, we in Karachi can use WiFi certified devices to move aorund and still be able to use internet without the hassle of wires. My updated list of WiFi hotspots in Karachi includes:

SZABIST, in Clifton.
CBM.
FAST-NU.
Bahria University.
Royal Rodale Club.
Time Out at The Forum.
Hot Spot.
Beach Luxury Hotel.
Costa Coffee.
Evolution and Purple Haze.
Karachi Broast.
McDonald's (Clifton).

Apart from these, there are hundreds of other,private WLAN/WiFi networks that may or may not be password-protected. It all depends on how lazy/stingy the Karachiite in question is. Do leave a comment if you know of any more WiFi/WLAN hotspots in Karachi and i'll be sure to include them in this post at the earliest possible time.

A fun alternative to your regular political news show- Hasb-e-Haal!!

2009-07-04T19:32:00.003+06:00

A few days ago, as I was doing my nightly surf of the 100+/- channels on cable TV, I came across a program that happened to be just what I was looking for. Its called Hasb-e-Haal, and is aired by Dunya TV. Hosted by Aftab Iqbal, the show also incorporates Sohail Ahmed (who, btw, is hilarious) and Najia. The aim of Hasb-e-Haal is to discuss current event and happenings in the political, economic and social life of Pakistan. Aftab Iqbal acts as the main anchor, and Sohail Ahmed (called Azizi) gives the program most of its comedy with his witty remarks and funny anectodes. The show is funny, but unlike Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain (aired on Geo) and many other programs, it does not comprise of loud, slapstick humour. A must watch!

P.S-Thanks to the good people over at PakPoint, Hasb-e-Haal can also be watched online for free at www.pakpoint.com.

A Tribute to Pakistan Cricket Team.

2009-07-04T19:22:00.005+06:00

This video, with the editing done by Zohaib Waqar and the concept by Xoobie Krispy, is an awesome video tribute to the Pakistan Cricket team, who by winning the T20 World Cup have brought a smile to the faces of nearly every Pakistani.

Awesome partying.

2009-06-23T15:04:00.003+06:00

After Pakistan won the T20 WOrld Cup, spontaneous celebrations started in Islamabad. I was there at the Jinnah Super market along with fellow swimmers from the Sindh and NWFP swimming teams and we just got carried away. Dancing and shouting slogans in the streets, we tired ourselves out. Here are a few videos of the celebrations which took place at Jinnah Super. I think me and my mates are somewhere in there. Enjoyed it a lot..:D

Pakistan have indeed made a come back..

2009-06-23T14:44:00.002+06:00

After facing a long run of defeats, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and claimed their first ever Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday night. I was in Islamabd at the time representing Sindh at the 49th National Swimming Championships and I saw the end of the match on a small public TV in the middle of Aabpara market. And I can say that I have never before seen the enthusiasm amongst the populace which I saw after Pakistan won the T20 World Cup. I was part of the spontaneous celebrations at the Jinnah Super market which continued late into the night and the level of enthusiasm and suport there among the people surprised me.

I am SO back.

2009-06-23T14:37:00.002+06:00

The last post I published was on the 9th of May, 2009. Its been over a month since I posted anything on my blog. In that time, I've given 3 O Level exams, been to Islamabad, Lahore and then Islamabad again, participated in the National Swimming Championships and been invited to swim for WAPDA. And I also partied my butt off at the celebrations in Islamabad after Pakistan won the T20 World Cup. And I can say, it was FUN!!!

Sorry ppl...

2009-05-09T16:18:00.003+06:00

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates recently.My O Levels are about to start soon and I'm swamped by studies.
Anyway, I'll be back soon with new stuff....

December 2009-An unmeetable obligation.

2009-04-22T15:23:00.003+06:00

Last year, we all saw the T.V ads by the government which said that the electricity shortage and loadshedding problems would be wiped out by Decembeer 2009.
There is absolutely no way in hell they can do that!!These days the shortfall has soared, widespread loadshedding is being carried out and the industries have been crippled.
The government has managed to talk the talk, but it seems that it is failing to walk the walk. Consumption is growing at an almost exponential rate, and the gap between demand and supply is ever-widening. It has grown to over 2,500 Megawatts. This situation is unacceptable, as most of the residents of karachi are too poor to arrange or afford backup systems like generator and UPSs. As I write this, the generator in my garage yammers on and consumes expensive petrol, while the government doesn't appear to give a whit. Why should they? THEY don't have to endure 10-15 hours of loadshedding a day.
Lets see what happens. I personally don't think that we will get rid of loadshedding by December 2009.

WiFi hotspots in karachi

2009-04-22T14:47:00.003+06:00

Three years after buying my trusty Sony PSP, I have just discovered that IT CAN BE USED TO SURF THE 'NET!!!!! So now, I go around karachi tapping into various WiFi hotspots and getting FREE WIRELESS INTERNET in Karachi!! The WIFI hotspots i have discovered so far are:
1-Jinnah International Airport.
2-Pearl Continental hotel.
3-Sheraton Hotel.
4-Avari Towers.
5-Hotel Mehran on Sharah-e-Faisal.
6-Karachi Club. (Free but password protected)
7-Karachi Club Annexe.(Free, but password protected. The password is "Annexestaff")
8-PNSC.(That huge container terminal on your right as you go down the PIDC bridge)
9-Park Towers.(The Food Court).
10-Cafe Evolution/Purple Haze.
11-Wired Up Cafe and Gaming Zone in Zamzama.
12-Hotel Marriot.
13-IBA City Campus in Saddar.
14-Regent Plaza.
15-Dunkin Donuts. (Tipu Sultan road).
16-Cafe Espresso.

These are the WiFi hotspots I've discovered so far. If you know of any other ones feel free to comment on them and I'll include them in this post ASAP.
A major concern is obviously taking out one's laptop or PDA in the car or in any other public area. The law and order situation is bad and this is likely to get you robbed or killed. Do be careful.

Get fresh content from my blog straight to your email address

2009-04-22T14:12:00.002+06:00

Click on the following link and sign up to get fresh content from Faiz's blog delivered straight to YOUR email address.

Subscribe to Faiz's blog by Email

All about the Iphone...

2009-04-22T14:08:00.002+06:00

The Iphone, released some time back by Apple, is one of a new generation of touch-screen smartphones. anyway, this good friend of mine, Shayan Tejani, has started a great blog in which he writes all about the Iphone, including how to get free Itunes as well as how to get free Iphone applications. Visit shayantj.blogspot.com or just click here.

The World Challenge-an international ray of hope.

2009-04-22T12:05:00.005+06:00

For the last five years, an international competition called The World Challenge has, in association with Shell, Newsweek and the BBC, found projects and small businesses from around the world which show enterprise and innovation at a grassroots level. The winner each year gets a substantial grant.

The World Challenge winner in 2008 was the Plan Bee Project, ruin by the Hashoo foundation, which is run by the Hashwani family, the hotel tycoons of Pakistan. The Hashoo foundation encourages female beekeepers of the remote Gilgit region, which is traditionally male dominated, to keep bees and harvest their premium honey. The Hashoo Foundation processes and packages their honey and sells it in luxury hotels at premium prices. The profits go directly back to the female beekeepers of the remote region. The Hashoo Foundation's Sarah Hashwani explains, "We're not interested in just helping them earn more money - we want to see that their children are better educated, that they have access to healthcare, that the have better sanitation in the houses and that they have better nutrition."

Visit the Hashoo Foundation here.

Visit the World Challenge website here.

The Plan Bee Project:

Deaths in "Rancholain"..

2009-04-20T22:47:00.002+06:00

Just saw that deaths have been caused due to firing in some area of Karachi called "Rancholain". First time I'm hearing of that area. Watch ARY OneWorld for more info.

Taliban marriage bureau

2009-04-20T21:34:00.002+06:00

Looks like even the Taliban in the Swat Valley have had to become modernized. According to the BBC Urdu Service, the Taliban have opened up a sort of marriage bureau called "Shuba-i-Aroosat", headed by Taliban commander Abu Ammad. It arranges love marriages for couples denied marriages of their choice by their families. Taliban spokesman, Muslim Khan has said "The love marriage aspirants contact the bureau on a fixed telephone number. The Taliban collect their particulars and then contact their familites to arrange these choice marriages,” he said, adding that Islam allows every adult to get marry according to his/her own choice.

He said, “Most of the girls, or their families, who contacted us wish to marry ‘militant’ Taliban.”

It is claimed that they have already gotten 11 couples married, while more than 300 boys and girls wait for their turn.
Amazing!

Death of a student at LUMS...Again...

2009-04-20T21:19:00.002+06:00

It seems that LUMS (the Lahore University of Management Sciences), one of the top universities in Pakistan, has been suffering a little bad publicity lately. Only last year, a student tragically took his own life. And today early in the morning, 3 students went out of the gates and were smashed into by a drunk driver in a Pajero. One student has been pronounced dead, another has suffered major injuries, while the third one is relatively OK. As usual, the hospital had to deny medical aid to the critically injured student initially as it was a "police case". The teachers and students at LUMS have protested, and rightly so, and classes were cancelled for the day at LUMS.

I ask you to call the police chief Lahore, DIG Pervez Rathore and have your voices heard, for the police, as usual, seem determined not to deliver justice.

Call him at:

0301-4093189
042-9202976
P.S. Please spread this around. Remember every phone call counts!

Im baaackk...

2009-04-17T21:28:00.002+06:00

I have been busy like crazy for the last two weeks cuz I was studying like crazy for my mocks and signing up for Second Life. But I am SO back....