Tame Impala and Phil Collins

It was Mike Tyson dancing on ‘In the Air Tonight’ in the Hangover movie which introduced me to Phil Collins. Since then he has existed on my every device which can play music the latest being my Ipod. ‘Take me Home’ is another classic of his. His paradise song is very famous but didn’t strike me much.What I can say for sure is that he will be part of playlist forever except if I stop listening music at all. Phil possesses a unique voice which is hard to put away. Lyrics are powerful. Tame Impala’s album Currents has found his way in my laptop and Ipod. Listening it always reminds me of Phil Collins.

Review: The spy chronicles

The spy chronicles by A.S. Dulat
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Last night I was watching an Indian movie by the name "The Attacks of 26/11" based on a tragic event by all means. Apart from all the gruesomeness shown there was one scene which reminded me once again how much is common between India and Pakistan. The scene was about the MUMBAI TRAIN STATION showing passengers waiting for tha train.

This book is a nice collection of arguments about how both countries at subject can benefit from a healthy relationship. The name might depict something else for many because it has to pass an deep seated animosity filter on both sides. Some might have expected something of a spy thriller believe me they are to be disappointed. Or if you are a media addict you must have been expecting your top intelligence guys have become traitors selling secrets on books. Once again media fails as always. For me this book was very reasonable as I have been in favour of peace collaboration between India and Pakistan for as long as I can remember. I often encounter people ready to go head to head with me on this. The main conflicts have been discussed in the book with some very practical solutions given by both sides. Both sides need to let go their past resentments and move forward together. Peace is in favour of both countries.

My first remembered encounter with Gen Durrani is watching Al Jazeera's Head to Head. He surely loves Pakistan very much. I might not agree with him on many things but his calmness and acceptance of opposing arguments are qualities worth admiring. AS Dulat's name was new for me but not anymore. I am looking forward to reading his other work.

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Facing oblovion

Cliff Martinez has written themes for many movies including Eddie's Dead for Kafka back in 1991. For me that theme is gripping and an entrance to a timeless realm. I escape from the grips of materialism and finiteness and start treading on the path towards immorality.
On 7th of June this year my 23rd year of life completed. Confronting life has never been easy for me. The thought of that this all we have been struggling for is nothing, except for what we are gathering for next life, which many don't even believe in, gives me shivers when I'm sitting alone thinking about it. I have always been the victim of fear of oblivion. 

Iqbal in his famous 'javed nama' ponder on the earth and all things around us which have no life. So how can they have a heart if they are not alive. How can we love things which don't even have a heart. Love must be to who at least has a heart. 

I don't know what inspired Cliff to compose a beautiful theme but I sure use it from time to time to remember something. Even if others don't.

WHAT ARE WE

One of my teacher used to say "we are what we do when we are alone". He was a maths teacher and I don't know whether to trust him on this topic or not. But i haven't forgotten these lines since the first time i heard them. Giving such a generalized statement for all humanity is dangerous. Human beings are unpredictable. Still, this statement holds some worth.
PTV used to broadcast a serial regarding the time stopping watch. You just had to press one button and time will stop. Everything and everyone around you will be stop for a time period. You can do anything and no one will see you. Who doesn't want such liberty from time to time. We haven't been able to achieve

A writer on writing

In search for a path or some guidance, about a month ago, I started searching for best essays and articles over the internet. My search led me to some very good places. I started reading. Some I read full, some I read partially and the others just few lines. Interestingly enough I also looked up for pieces of writing onn writing to help me aid in writing myself.
This post is about an article on writing which has completely overwhelmed me. Has made me realized that I am not alone. I am a part of some invisible, strange writers club.
It is as if something strange led me to discover this article. This happens once in a while in your life. If I had the slightest idea that she is the writer of EAT PRAY LOVE, I wouldn't have opened it. Somehow I had developed a bad image of this movie even without watching it. It's strange how much goodness gets shadowed by pride, prejudice and our perceptions. LET THEM GO. Yes it's Elizabeth Gilbert. Here is the link to her article
One of my favorite articles

It happens everywhere

We left our bus and started searching for a currency exchange shop. As we approached a shop after a long search as it happens in new places if you are out of luck, it just suddenly closed. They just won't let us in. Someone from us who has been to Jeddah before told us that it is the time of prayer. Everything must be closed. So we resorted to roaming here and there trying to find some still opened shop. Not finding any me and two other separated from the group to move on our own or to just wait in front of the other shop. After some time we realized that we have SIM cards here I.e nothing to remain in contact with the group. We started searching for the group which has somehow managed to disappear. During that search I gave the idea that we first offer prayer and then resume our search.

There was mosque right in front of us. So we moved towards the mosque. As I approached the gate of mosque a teenager gave me a very strange look. I ignored it. I shouldn't have. Well we placed our shoes outside the mosque and entered. After completing prayer we came out quickly to save time as we were not having much of that. To my surprise my shoes were gone. My almost new NIKE were gone. Those were the most expensive shoes that I have ever bought. Around $100. Then I realized that the teenager out side the mosque had also given a strange look to my shoes as well which I had completely ignored as well.

Just writing this I have come to a realization that he was the same person to whom I went for balance the next day. OMG!!!While asking for balance I was thinking I have seen this boy somewhere. You bugger why just why. Well they are gone now and I am back in Pakistan. I just missed those shoes from time to time. They were a blessing.

A tribute to my Nike Shoes whoever the hell is in possession of them now.

Mountains

This post is regarding the wonder and amazement I feel seeing mountains. The beautiful texture and design imprinted on them, they look like masterpieces of Nature. I have had the opportunity to see mountains at different places and all of them have been a source of pleasure for me. Big beautiful giants. Someday I would like to hike all the highest peaks of the world.

An interesting history/rise/normalization of fellatio aka blowjob

The other day I was watching Hamza Yusuf's video on Lust and Desire. 25 minutes covers one of the problem in our modern world. During that lecture he mentioned an article by Christopher Hitchens on blowjob. I looked it up and found it July 2006 edition of Vanity Fair. Now I am a Muslim. I might not agree with Hitchen's religious views, totally acceptable to me. But after reading this article he has earned my respect. He has a unique and beautiful prose style. One I might want to adopt if start to write eventually. 

Here is a link to the article mentioned above.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2006/07/hitchens200607

My first video uploaded on YT

Hi blog,
Its been long. Don't think I have left you lonely. I was just away somewhere.....

Today I uploaded my first video on YT. It deserves a post. It was hard just to pull myself to start. Took me so long. Today I just thought to myself lets just do it. I mean its just for myself. So I did it.
You can watch the video here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tEIkFqunkM

There are many other things going on in my life. Life is just like that, for everybody. It is not easy. It is not supposed to be easy. These laughing people selling brands on media or wherever are lying to themselves and to all of us as well. But happiness is easy, life may not me. Think but don't overthink.

Review: Muhammad

Muhammad by Karen Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I should have read this book earlier when I bought it about an year ago. Enlightening.




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