Starry Starry NIght

One of my all time favorite paintings is Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night. I sort of liked it initially, but a friend in Dubai made me listen to Starry Starry Night by Josh Groban, which is a semi tribute to Van Gogh's genius and insanity (he killed himself eventually!) The painting took on a whole new meaning after listening to the song, and soon after I fell in love with it. It's purely bewitching!

It's a dark painting, but at the same time a very bright one. The small sleepy town is totally engulfed with the bright night sky filled with stars and the glowing moon. A tall structure on the left seems like a large figure over looking the town, protecting it from anything. The lights are on in the houses. But it's the swirling skies that bowls me over. Van Gogh, you were a genius! 

Welcome back!

Hey friends,

SO much has been happening in my life in the last so many years or so. I've jus been so caught up with a lot of things I didn't get time to blog. But I think I will summarise the last 4 years here and then proceed to carry on with my blog like I used to.

1. Had several amazing holidays, including Phuket, London, Istanbul as well as Indus river and Cholistan desert.

2. Great things at work- my boss being kicked out and me taking his place is the highlight for me.

3. Pakistani elections, the Pakistani style was something of a massive eye opener for me.

4. Start of Supper Club- a brilliant bunch of people who share the common love for cooking (and eating).

5. Cultural activities in Lahore, starting from cinemas, exhibitions, concerts and all.

There have been loads of great stuff happening, and I look forward to start my blog once again on a more regular basis.

Mansour 

Eye to Eye

So the entire nation of Pakistan is in a state of frenzy now. They are all beaming with delight and laughing. They are constantly talking about it. Facebook and Twitter is so full of it. It's even being seen at Mehndi functions now. You may be wondering what it is that has united the entire nation? It's one man. His name is Taher Shah.

Taher Shah came out with a song several months ago called Eye to Eye and it was aired on televisions. No one paid any attention and he disappeared into obscurity. Some wise guy decided to post the song video online, and before you could blink your eyes, the video went crazy viral everywhere. 15,000+ hits in only two days testifies to the power of the song.

Taher Shah is one of those people, like Meera and Veena Malik, who enjoy being made fun of. They speak bad English, talk funny and carry out such performances that makes us all stand up and watch and pay attention. His song Eye to Eye is being made so much fun of, that I think he is part of the game, as is evident by his responses on his own Facebook account. His replies are like "thank u. let me love you with my eyes."

You can read the entire lyrics here on this website. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, however, watch his interview on Aaj TV and he takes the time to explain the meaning of the lyrics. One questions the meaning of "spectrum eyes" while others question the meaning of "without you, I am like a butterfly..."

We may not get him, his song and his video, but we can surely thank him for providing us with entertainment and making us laugh. Amidst all the depressing news of Pakistan, Taher Shah came at such a time where everyone is smiling and laughing.

Mansour 

Lahore Film Club

Dear All!

So I've finally managed to start my own Lahore Film Club, which I had initially christened Lahore Movie Club. Since I have a home theatre at home (duh!) I thought why not start a film club where I can have movie maniacs come on over and enjoy movies in a group. The idea came from the time where we all watched Insidious on my birthday and that was a quite an experience!

So I've basically left the option open to everyone as to what kind of movies we can watch. The first one we are watching is Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (the old one) which I feel is a great movie to watch on the big screen. A lot of the younger lot havent really seen this movie and I think it will be great exposure to them all to be able to see such classic movies. There is a lot we can talk about Pyscho, and I am hoping we can have a fruitful discussion about this movie.

There are so many movies that we can all watch (The Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me, The Breakfast Club, Dirty Dancing etc) and I think it can be a fun thing to do: watch movies in the comfort of your own home on the big screen.

Mansour 

Happy Sh*tty Valentine's Day!

Hey friends!

Aah. It's that time of the year. Time to fret. Time part ways with your hard earned cash. Time to make bookings. Time to please your better half otherwise face hell. Yes, it's that time of the year when cupid strikes, and in all honesty, I've seen men and women more worried, tense and scared as opposed to loving, in love or being loved. Happy sh*tty valentines day everyone.

Lahore has seen a burst of flowers everywhere, not the kinds you see planted in green beds, but in shops, restaurants, stalls, and florists (duh!) The prices have been jacked up, and suddenly the amount you pay for a bouquet has already doubled from last week. Everyone is out there claiming to have the best package and are even ready to have the package delivered to your loved ones.

Restaurants are going berserk promoting their Valentines deals. They are coming up with innovative ways to lure you in: eat at our place and ein vouchers and prizes. Courier companies are giving you offers to send packages through them. In short, Lahore has been transformed into a city love (amidst all the roadworks, beggars, pollution and noise!)

I don't plan on doing anything this year. Every year it's been madness trying to get bookings and flowers done. Why should I have reserve the expression of my love to this one day? I also fail to understand when this culture got imbibed int ours. Valentines is a massive marketing gimmick which unfortunately a lot of us have been sucked into, including me, till this year.

I say, if you love your wife/ husband/ girlfriend/ boyfriend, say you love them on all days of the week/ month/ year instead of waiting for 14th February each year.

Happy Sh*tty Valentines Day everyone! Lol!

Mansour 

Cell Phone Services Down

One of the most annoying things to happen in Pakistan is when our Interior Minister chooses to shut down cell phone services because it poses as a security threats on occasions. So whether it be Eid, or Muharram, as in the case today, Imam Hussain's chehlum, cell phones services are completely down.

The reasoning for this is, according to our Interior Minister, is the terrorists use cell phones as a bomb device and a way to coordinate with one another where to attack and so on. I don't completely buy this at all as it shows how incompetent our security situation is, not to mention how inconvenient it is for the rest of us who rely on cell phone to get our jobs done. So basically, today, no cell phone services, and in addition to this, Pakistan is playing India in One Day cricket in India, so the nation will pretty much be focused on the match anyways.

Cheers. 

Life of Pi: Movie review

Dear all,

So much has been written about Life of Pi the movie and I for one was one of the most excited human being on the face of the planet waiting breathlessly for the movie to come out. Long ago, I had written a book review on Life of Pi and since then have been re-reading it and recommending the book to a lot of people. My own original copy was stolen by a very unkind guest at my house. :-)

I knew I would be experiencing a visual treat with the movie version of the book. Everything, in my opinion, was spot on. The acting, especially by Suraj Sharma, who plays the young Pi stranded on the boat, and Irfan Khan who plays the adult Pi, is top notch. Other notable mention is Tabu, who plays Pi's mother, in a short but effective role.

However, the stand out of the movie is Richard Parker, and I would forgot completely that the Bengal tiger we see on screen is computer generated. The entire movie is a visual masterpiece, and one is completely immersed in the movie. After Avatar, Life of Pi is that one movie where the technology of 3D is justified in the movie.

I won't get into the story, since everyone knows about it anyways, but I will say that it's an emotional and moving one, with an amazing message brought to screen in a very non-preachy way: There is a God who exists and is in control of our lives.

This is how Pi would spend his time on a lifeboat, attached to the smaller boat. The glow in the dark jellyfish just made for a spectacular scene. 

The Blue whale jumping out of the sea! 

Towards the end, when Pi is on an island, he waves his hand in a pool of freshwater, only to ignite the glowing jellyfish. 

From 2012 to 2013- Happy New Year

Hello friends, 

So we have finally entered the year 2013 and the world didn't end. 

It's been a very eventful 2012 for me, and honestly I don't even remember what resolutions I made in 2012 and this time I have made a resolution to not make any more resolution. I remember something about losing weight, being more diligent in my prayers and giving my best at work among others (I also remember something about reducing my consumption for chocolates and chocolate milk). 

Happy to say I did manage to lose about 8 kgs over Ramadan break and that made a whole lot of difference in my life. People complimented me left right center, and I was able to get back into my pants, jeans and shirts that were becoming tight for me, however, I have not reduced my consumption of chocolates/ chocolate milk. Though happily I've worked my butt off at work and have been asked by my chairman to take over greater responsibilities in place of my immediate boss. On the other hand sadly my diligence for my prayers has been wayward- somedays I manage to pray all 5 prayers on time, other times it not like this. 

However, the highlight of my life has been meeting a new friend B in July 2012 at the gym I go to. There are some people who come into your life for no good reason, while there are others who come into your life and completely turn it upside down and make you a better, happier person. B is one of them. B was the one who recommended I keep a stubble, and from that stubble I managed to keep a goatee. It's been the best suggestion  as much to everyone's surprise, they all loved it and told me I've become a completely different person in a much better way. It's because of him that I started enjoying life and seeing things in a new perspective. Watching movies, doing sheesha, eating out and doing things together has just been wonderful for me. 

In addition to this, I have to say that I enjoyed my annual vacations to Istanbul, Turkey. Having heard so much about it, I just fell in love with the city: the people, the culture, the weather, the food, the sights just the whole experience- including the Turkish Hammam. It was a brilliant trip and Istanbul sits right up there in one of my favorite cities in the world along with San Francisco and Damascus. :-) 

Another highlight of my life in 2012 has been me joining this Supper Club, where a bunch of us foodies get together to eat home cooked meals. We've had two opportunities- where one time we had Mediterranean cuisine and the second time we had oriental food. It will be my turn next and I can't wait to host everyone over at my place. 

I spent last night calling up all my friends world over- from Karachi, to Dubai, to London to USA. I called up others too in Saudi and Africa but calls were not going through. 

I do want to start my blog again, and even though I wish I could blog my heart out, there are two things I will not blog here: my marriage and my work place. However, I will try my level best to take my blog back to what it is was before: fun, informative, realistic, rib cracking and all the rest that goes with it. 

In the meantime, hope you've all have a fabulous 2013!

Mansour