Saturday, December 22, 2007

Season's Greetings

Wishing everyone a very prosperous Eid-ul-Adha! Have a great time with your family and friends.. May this festive season bring you the best of everything.. Be good and take care! Cheers..

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

December Comes

It's been a good start to this month. I got a job. I mean finally I'm employed. The downside? I have to work with my number one enemy, Shoaib. Work is good. The weather is good. It's been ages with me in front of a keyboard. Busy with one thing or the other at hand. By the way, I work for L. J. Hooker. It's an Australian based company and stands 4th worldwide in Real Estate. A good brand to work for. Anyways..

The other day, my bike was punctured. I was on the way home from work. I parked it aside on the road and decided to walk the remaining 1 km. It was drizzling lightly. Slowly it started to pour. I took refuge from the rain in one of the bus stops nearby. There was nobody around except an old man who was sitting and staring at me from the point I joined him there. Initially I was busy removing my jacket and didn't notice him. After a short while I started to feel uneasy. The man kept up his eerie glance. I made a mental note in the head that I could take him down if there be any need as such. It must have been around 10 pm. The man slowly got up and advanced towards me. I got up, helmet in hand, ready to strike him if necessary. He put his hand inside his jacket and was fumbling for something. I reckoned it must have been a knife. I spoke to him for the first time and asked what he wanted. Instead of replying he just continued to advance. I backed up a little bit. I was confused whether to hit him or just run away. His fumbling ended and he finally removed something and waved it in front of my face. I thought he would had struck me with something. But instead out came a 100 rupee note. The man started blabbing in Kannada. Apparently he wanted change to pay for the bus fare! Cheers..

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Almost A Month Now

It's been an uneventful last few weeks. Got into the Indian system now. Got used to things. Or still getting used to. Getting back in the groove. Well, outside home things have been very dramatic. A turnaround in the state's politics. A government which lasts just for a week. This is India. Anything and everything you could ever imagine happens here. Cricket keeps me occupied. Watching it on the TV as well as playing it with cousins. Gave a few interviews for jobs. Should be working by December 1st week. At least that's the schedule. Let's see. Cheers.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Back in Bangalore..

Well, I flew back to Bangalore and arrived here on 24th October. The city hasn't changed much. Monsoons is on the way out here so there's the occasional rain as well. Traffic is at the epitome of chaos and I need to offer thanksgiving prayers for surviving it every time I reach back home safely. They say things in India don't change. No exceptions in Bangalore. It's like maybe the city moves 1 step towards the right direction and steps back two. Well, it has its positives too. Metro Rail project is in full flow. But then that project has been one of the root causes for traffic woes in some areas! Climate is good. Very pleasant and cool. Festivals are on here. And if you stay in South India then you're blessed with one festival or the other all the time and you get holidays. It's actually nice to be back. It's being in midst of things once again. Anyways..

I'm missing home. Stayed for close to 5 months. Searching for a job here. Should be working by end of this month IA. Hardly get time to come online. So fewer posts from now on. No luxury of time anymore. Cheers.

Monday, October 22, 2007

A Walk Down Memory Lane

The other day I was out with my friend, Asim, for a walk in the neighborhood. With no particular place in mind, we were simply milling around for a while before entering an old park near my home. This park was one of those places where I had spent my childhood. Maybe I was coming here after 7 years or so.

It was an amazing feeling. The park was still kept well but things were falling apart.. The benches, the swings, the slides all reminded of the old days when we as kids use to jump around relentlessly. The grass was still green and the bushes were maintained well. It wasn't exactly a huge park but then, as a kid everything in the world appears so big and daunting. Memories slowly were coming back. The time spent, the friends with whom the games were played, the picnics, the fights. Everything was coming back slowly.

It was after dusk that we were walking and the park was pretty much deserted. Except for a couple of families around nobody was about. It resembled an old forgotten ghost park where everything seems to be old or dusty but gives you the impression that it's still alive. The fountain at the entrance was not working anymore. The canteen where we used to line up to buy the chips and candies was gone. The tiles were coming apart. There was a huge water tower right at the centre of the park. It was still standing tall and strong. It gave a nice pleasant feeling. Reminded of so many things of ages ago. Or rather of what felt like ages. It's strange to think how fast we grew up. Strange because it feels like yesterday but at the same time also feels as if it was another lifetime. This mix-bag feeling usually comes on, when there is a strong physical reminder of a memory. In my case, the park..

It was a good walk. One that made me remember a part of my playing and jumping around days. The park may not bask in it's previous glory but then surely it's there as a nice reminder of events to everyone who have grown up around and with it.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

The Big Man Retires



The end was not what had been anticipated, especially the hasty manner in which it arrived. Ultimately, it did not matter as Pakistan cricket bade a teary, emotional farewell to Inzamam-ul-Haq at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. A world class cricketer in both forms of the game, Inzi was a class act. With him now gone, it has opened a huge gap between two generations not only in Pakistani cricket but also at the International level where all the greats seem to be going off one after the another.

The board renamed an enclosure in his honour and a brief visual presentation of his achievements was shown on the big screen. As he said goodbye to "my boys", his successor as captain, Shoaib Malik, broke down. He wasn't alone.
Javed Miandad's position as Pakistan's record Test run-scorer stays intact, just, and though Inzamam regretted not breaking it, he had 16 satisfied years to look back at.

Arguably one of the best batsmen of modern times, Inzi batted each innings with patience and aggression when required. His deft touch won Pakistan many matches. He was always the silent man, contemplating his next move and executing it to perfection. The world of cricket has indeed bid farewell to a legend who was not only a match winner for his country but also a champion of the game.


One of my all-time favorite cricketers, Inzamam will be missed not only by the sport but also by all his admirers and supporters over the playing years. We all pray the best for him in years to come as he starts building a hospital in his hometown of Multan, just like his mentor Imran Khan who always said that Inzi was the best player of pace in world cricket placing him in the game's elite.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Eid Mubarak!

Wishing everyone a very happy Eid-ul-fitr! May Allah shower his choicest blessings on all of us with all the health, wealth, peace, success, joys and happiness.. Amen. Have a wonderful time, take care..

Thursday, October 04, 2007

The Power to think


Thought is a wonderful tool. I would rather put it as, a wonderful and powerful tool. It is indeed powerful, how thoughts take us to different heights, we are diverted from mundane, trivialities, and taken to lofty ideals. This same power sometimes make us overly analytical that what would have been a beautiful, emotional, natural interaction is reduced to an indifferent exchange.



This is because of that fear of rejection, the feeling of making one’s feelings known, the feeling of showing one’s weakness, one’s vulnerability. Not realizing that such displays makes us even stronger. All said and done, thoughts are the powerhouse. The force behind any individual. It's what separates one from another. I think it's a wonderful freedom of expression, whether in public or private. The ability to think is what makes us human. Your mind is one place where nobody can intervene (unless you're ready to believe in mind readers, mind freaks etc!) or invade. It's your personal space. Thoughts often lay down the foundation for ideas. A thought pondered consciously over time might become our best thought.
The result of positive, empowered thinking might, indeed, be that you are healthier, happier, or wealthier, but the real benefit is that you are a free, empowered person. Negative thinking, which is really synonymous with not having command of your own thoughts, is extremely dis empowering – even debilitating. Why? Think about when a negative thought comes to mind. The emotions and feelings associated with the thought start to rise. Who is in control at that moment; you or the negative thought?

The fact is that people who think for themselves are independent, capable individuals who can achieve just about anything. People who allow societal norms or other people to do their thinking for them (negative thinking) quickly become dependent and unable to move forward in their lives.

When looked at in this vein it becomes clear that the ability to develop, manage, and maintain your own thinking tends towards greater personal freedom. That power to think is the basis on which greater achievement is possible.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

A Ramadan Experience




Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred of the twelve months. It is the time of the year when Muslims around the world fast from dawn to dusk.
Why fast?
-to develop patience and self-control
-to learn sympathy for the deprived
-to cleanse the body and mind
-to gain appreciation for Allah's bounty
-to demonstrate the depth of one's commitment.

Special meals are eaten before and after each day of fasting: suhoor or sehri before the dawn prayers, and iftar, the evening meal often eaten communally and often including dates.

Iftar, refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to consume during Iftar when the fast is broken. Different cultures in the Islamic world have different traditions when it comes to the various dishes prepared. It's the time when traditionally all the members in the household gather near sun down and wait for the time to break fast.

Friday, September 28, 2007

The Final






Ten days earlier, India and Pakistan couldn't be separated in Durban. In front of a frenzied crowd at the Wanderers on Monday, they played out perhaps the best final ever seen in a major tournament. Once again, the ice-cool Misbah-ul-Haq threatened to drag Pakistan back from the brink, but the Indians just about held their nerve to clinch a five-run victory and the inaugural ICC World Twenty20.

After scrapping hard to get to 157 for 5 in the face of some tigerish bowling and fielding, India were inspired with the ball, and Pakistan appeared to be well out of contention with 54 needed from 24 balls and just three wickets in hand. But when Misbah thumped Harbhajan Singh for three sixes and Sohail Tanvir chipped in with a four-ball 12, the improbable became possible.
With Misbah on strike, Pakistan needed 13 from the final over. After a great deal of thought, Mahendra Singh Dhoni gambled on the inexperienced Joginder Sharma. When he started with a wide, Indian fans groaned, and the situation became even more desperate when Misbah pummelled a full toss miles over long-off for six. But with victory in his grasp, his judgement failed him. Moving across his stumps, he went for the scoop down to fine leg. He didn't connect cleanly, and millions on the subcontinent held their breath as Sreesanth came under the ball at short fine leg. When he held it, the stadium erupted.

On such incidents are matches between these two great rivals won and lost. On an enthralling afternoon at the Bullring though, there were no winners or losers, just a resounding success for a format that is undoubtedly here to stay.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Twenty20 World Cup Finale


India are surprise semi-finalists. So are Pakistan. India came into the tournament with just one Twenty20 international behind them, and without three of their leading batsmen and their best bowler. But their progress shows what energy and youth can accomplish. Who would have thought their bowling and fielding would win them a match? Is it a coincidence that India have been involved in four of the most exciting matches so far? The bowl-out against Pakistan was a shame, though.

So, the inaugural trophy eludes Australia. No doubt they're a fantastic side with experience beyond compare but full credit to the Indians. They were aggressive and fought hard in both the innings. And now the final. This one promises to be a thriller. India vs Pakistan is always special and romantic in a sort of way. The Asian fans, and cricket lovers in particular couldn't had asked for a better script in the running. Nothing to choose between the two. Remember both these teams were never expected to reach the semis let alone the finals. Inexperienced leaders, young players and bound to fail was the mantra the experts had predicted. But Dhoni and Malik are men who can carry the mantle well. We've all seen that. This one will be a fight to the finish. Make no mistake. So ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts. We're ready for the final. Expect some fireworks. Anything less, will be disappointing.


Sunday, September 16, 2007

Ramadan Kareem!

Hope this month of Ramadan brings you the choicest blessings of the Almighty with all the health, wealth, peace, success, smiles and happiness.. Ameen.. May Allah accept our prayers.. Wishing everone a very happy and a blessed Ramadan.. Keep up the prayers!

Vote pls!

Log on to http://www.poetry.com/
Enter in search poet, last name: aijaz
Click on poem called, 'Cold eyes'..
Vote for it! It's in the running for the best poem..!


Or, simply click on the link below,
http://poetry.com/voteforme/poemvote1.asp?PID=10442294

July-August 2007


Well, the latter part of June and half the month of July was pretty relaxing.. Riyadh was boiling and I couldn't find doing anything other than sitting under the air con. I met up my old buddies after ages.. Asim and Rizwan.. I was meeting Asim after more than 3 years with hardly any or no contact in the middle! But it was still the same.. Nothing had changed.. The 3 of us back playing billiards and catching up with what had happened..

Our family vacation started on 16th july. We flew from Riyadh to Doha, Qatar. We stayed at the Movenpick Hotel for a night and continued our journey the next day travelling onto New Jersey, USA en route Geneva, Switzerland where we had a couple of hours as stopover. We landed in NJ's EWR airport on 19th morning after almost 19 hours of air travel from Riyadh in 1.5 days!


Later we flew to Buffalo, NY where we stayed for a few days with relatives. A few days later we left for Cambridge, Canada where we were for about 10 days. In Toronto, the landmark easily distinguishable from miles around was the CN tower. Regular visits to amusement parks, trips to Niagara Falls, a US Air force sponsored air show, rock climbing, movies, picnics, tourist places etc all made sure there was never a dull moment during our vacation. Cousins, uncles and aunts took time out for us and made sure we had a memorable time. God bless them all. Without their efforts it wouldn’t had been the same. This trip was a memorable one and something to cherish for years to come. For the first time my brother and me discovered our other cousins and gelled together! We had never met them before and thus hardly knew anything about them. All of us together had a good time and the holidays were never a bore. Before we knew, sadly it was the time to leave and by mid august we were heading towards New York City where in a couple of days we were supposed to fly back to Riyadh. NY is an amazing city and I think it’s one of my favorites right up there with Kuala Lumpur. People from all races, cultures, regions, nationalities etc dwell together in this city. The statue of liberty out on an island is very picturesque. From the top of state empire building, NYC looks beautiful in the night. We stayed for about 3-4 days. Soon it was time to be homebound and we were back.

Looking back, I’ve to say that I learned quite a lot. Other than the part of going to tourist places and having fun it was a different experience watching and learning about American way of things. Whether it’s the education aspect, or the business aspect it’s clear that this culture is a bit different. I guess it all comes down to what perspective you’re seeing things through. Nevertheless, I would rate our 33 day trip the best we’ve traveled together as a family. This was our 2nd visit to USA and Canada but I was too young to recall anything from the first one.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Dreams..

When sleep engulfs the mind..
And allows the body slowly to unwind..

It plunges the conscious into a dreamland..
Everything around is plain like desert's sand..

Dreams are a beautiful getaway, a nice respite..
In the heavenly aura where everything appears to be white..

A temporary relief from the wordly woes..
Where joys, happiness and smiles flow..

Thursday, August 30, 2007

June 2007

Well June was the heart breaking/wrenching/shattering month for all of us.. It was the time when everyone around had to leave each other.. A month of departures, severing ties, tears etc.. Sigh.. Okay enough of sarcasm but then yeah it was sad leavinf friends.. Cos one can never be sure when we would all meet up again the same way.. My room in Indiranagar was the headquarters for everything.. Parties, studies, fun, planning, meeting up point etc all took place in this memorable room.. It was on a nice terrace surrounded by trees which was our evening hangout.. My dad came over from Riyadh twice and stayed with me on both the occasions.. That room carries great memories.. Happy and a few sad ones too.. Anyways.. One by one friends started leaving. It was a strange feeling. Knowing that some of them probably you wont see again. When it was time to part, memories engulfed us all..

January-June 2007

Its been long, no write cos no time.. December 2006 I went home to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and returned soon. I joined work at America Online working as a Customer Care Consultant (CCC).. Soon I was juggling college and work at the same time and it was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on both.. But then I couldn't chuck both so quit work.. Then came February and march.. Both passed away in a whirl and soon it was time for the supposedly important 'pre-finals' in April.. Sigh.. God alone knows what we wrote in that cos the teachers never even bothered to read them nor they gave our results..

Since it was the final semester (exams were coming up) we decided to have more fun and ignored studies altogether now! But one fine day we were all struck by this 'yeah-exams-are-important-and-we-need-to-study' kind of attitude.. We became good boys and started haunting ourselves with so many books and their content.. Sigh.. Finally we wrote exams and by June we were done with BBM..