the serving of Seinfeld!
There comes one moment when you feel the audience is having a great time and if you get off right then, they walk out if the theatre exhilarated. And yet, if you wait just a tidy bit longer wanting to give them more of for their mooney, they walk ot disappointed.
It is my Seinfeld moment, and if I get off now, I have a chance of a standing ovation!
The Sudden Death
It died a sudden, unnatural death after only a few, albeit enjoyable, weeks of its birth. The question is not why it died, but how it came to a point where it was suffocated with such aggression. In actuality, it was only getting to be alive, enjoying inhaling the fresh summer air, admiring the colourful butterflies fluttering across white lilies, birds chirping away, the spectacular colours of the rainbow, and the thorn birds singing their song. It was euphoric to be alive, yet the tango dance in the rain was abruptly cast away. Perchance this murderer of innocence ought to be brought to justice; perhaps the murderer and his psychopathic tendency ought to be shrugged off. Perhaps he ought to be forgiven.
The phoenix shall rise again from its ashes. It shall claim its rightful prize in the second life!
The Height of pointlessness!
Height of pointlessness!
It is said that the absence of something makes one regard its value to one’s life. This applies when one’s lifestyle changes from that of an elite citizen – with a mansion, a fleet of cars, guards, and servants by the dozen hanging at every instruction to follow – to that of living in a cramped apartment alone and doing it all. The laundry, dishes, cleaning, mopping to cooking and working! It is considered one’s basic right to have all these at one’s leisure. After a ten day trip abroad, this reality hit me hard. The smell of the Karachi air felt divine, bring with it the promise of the usual, the knowing with each whip of the cool sea breeze. Yes! I was glad to be home. And that was when I decided that documenting the various flavours of Karachi were important, not just for the foreign eyes but to those Karachites oblivious to it all.
Far from perceived notions, Karachi has spice to life on the offering: an exciting art world – with exhibitions from emerging artists every few weeks, stage plays to creative dance routine classes – cultural events, adventure sports, gaming centers and the diverse food specialties at restaurants mushrooming across the city. Those with an adventurous streak can rent out gear for scuba diving, go deep sea fishing, enjoy ferry rides with servings of crabs and ‘masala’ potatoes as offerings, and have a brilliant time para-gliding, jet skiing, enjoying speed boat rides and enjoy a day at one of the beaches with the family. The tough amongst us have the option to go rock climbing, the playful enjoy a game of paint-ball or go go-carting.
The very perception that Karachi is limited to simply foods and restaurants alone is deceiving, although Karachites love to eat and that’s the reason for the variety of restaurants and cafes that exist.
Karachi boasts of an extremely rich and diverse cultural space, the main reason being that it is the financial hub if the country, providing work opportunities to many from the different cities in the country. This brings with it the contributions from each of the communities.
In the recent couple of years, the Shanakht (Identity) Festival, an initiative of the Citizens Archive of Pakistan, has brought to the public works of different artists in line with the identity as a Pakistani. As has VASL where artists from various countries of the world get together and work on muriels and exchange ideas by portraying their imagery as they see Pakistan or their experience through the interactions with the other artists.
Karachi has been the host for the World Social Forum with a tremendous turnout from individuals from around the world.
Karachi has been holding several talks, lectures, book readings, book launches from renowned scholars and writes at the Mohatta Palace, cafes and academic institutions. The participating individuals is proof that support from individuals in Karachi for verse and prose alike is tremendous. Similarly the theatre scene is alive again with the arts Council and PACC showcasing numerous plays, and stand up comedy sessions. A few months ago theatre groups performed at the Jahangir Kothari Parade for the masses at no fee. Similarly eight years running, the Kara Film Festival has showcased many a film from movie makers from Pakistan to those from India, Turkey, Europe and the United Kingdom – and that at a very nominal entry fee, giving the audience a rich global experience.
So, dear friends, loathe not being a Karachite – just step out of your own little world and enjoy the wonderous world Karachi has to offer!
complications and solutions
Was recently asked by a guy friend of mine: “Why is it that girls make things soooo complicated??” The argument I put across was “You see if girls did not think and make things complicated, what would be the part you guys play in the whole entirety of being. He seemed confused. The one note I made was “Okay so see girls give you scenarios to make you guys use your minds – analytically so.. and if you did not have any problems or complications as you put it – you guys would rot and die. And of course, we do not need you guys, we’ll live happily for we are not the ones who need you guys – its the bloody other way round!!!!!!!
doubt quote
When in doubt, Read!
on a little spaceship…
We travel together as passengers on a little spaceship, dependent on its vulnerable reserves of air and soil; all committed for our safety to its security and peace; preserved from annihilation only by the care, the work, and I’ll say the love we give our fragile craft. We cannot maintain it half fortunate, half miserable, half confident, half despairing, half slave to the ancient enemies of man, half free in liberation of resources undreamed of until this day. No craft, no crew can travel safely with such contradictions. On their resolution depends the survival of us all.
Adlai Stevenson, 1900-1965
American Statesman, 1952 Presidential Candidate
where be my writing instrument?
for words flow not
though thoughts abound
If today was your last day
My best friend gave me
The best advice
He said each day’s a gift
And not a given right
Leave no stone unturned
Leave your fears behind
And try to take
The path less traveled by
That first step you take
Is the longest stride
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Against the grain
Should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize
Is always worth the fight
Every second counts
’cause there’s no second try,
So live like you’ll
Never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride
In your own life
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
If today was your last day…
Would you make your mark
By mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late
To shoot for the stars,
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
’cause you can’t rewind
A moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
’cause the hands of time
Are never on your side
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late,
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
The breeze brushes the trees softly, the dew drops glisten in the early morning sun… Birds are a chirping melodiously… The frogs leap across the blue lotus in the pond… Water slashes down the waterfall o’er the pebbles below…. Butterflies flutter away… New life begins…
This is an inspirational piece after reading a friend’s facebook status of ”I need gentle words’
