When was the first time I bunked a class? I thought for this about a good ten minutes. The answer wasn’t easy and went back to all my childhood days. As far as I recalled, it was in grade 3!! I can’t believe this!
My first ever bunk (as best as my memory serves) was a karate class in grade 3. I also remember the reasons pretty well. It was the karate instructor who thought he was playing with people of his own age while the kids were atleast three times …

This happened on my Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi and the airhostess mentioned below was Australian (arghh!! that accent takes a while to understand!).
Airhostess: Sir, are you willing to help your fellow passengers in case of an emergency?
Me: I hope there is no emergency
Air hostess: Not at all sir, but in case…
Me: Ofcourse, but why am I the only person being asked this?
Air hostess: Sir, you’re seated next to the emergency exit and your co-operation may be needed in case of an emergency.
Me: *looks to his right and realized …

After some 12 highly caffeinated nights and a similar number of slothful days, I’ve finally managed to tweak and modify the theme by Michael Jubel, to suit my needs and replace the older one (also by the same guy). To play around with the theme’s code, I backed up my entire blog on my computer, which in itself was a useful experience. Now, I don’t fear losing any data of mine because of the scheduled back up files that arrive in my mailbox. I never feared losing data before either, …

How many times have you been blinded with extra lights while driving? Or do you really care? I DO!
I feel like getting out of the car and cracking that ultra-luminous light into shards of glass at that very moment. I haven’t done that, yet. But I do take out my frustration and anger on that driver who’s car headlights are the only thing I’m able to see in all three of my car mirrors. What about those who are coming the wrong way with high beams staring right into your …

The problem for me is that I don’t know how to offer condolences. With a huge social circle of my family we’re supposed to visit everyone’s place where death strikes (even their relatives!). But having no affinity at all with the deceased, and feeling no regret (really!) how can I put on that veneer of sadness on my face and say something which is almost futile. I have to say something when meeting them, but what??
What should one say when offering condolences? No words can placate the one in distress …

As I walked out of the air-conditioned building, I was relieved at the low relative humidity level at this time of the day in Abu Dhabi, almost 11.00 pm. I always wear a humidity meter (is there a name for this gauge?!), my spectacles. Walking out of a cold building and suddenly going blind due to condensation on glasses signify a high relative humidity. (Ok, that’s how I measure it)
At this same time of the day, as I walked out, I felt freshly oven-baked air cutting through me. It was …

Ok here is the video of several people getting booked as they cross the road (as we were fined yesterday). The video shows it all! People crossing it happily and hurriedly and just as they reach the other end they are welcomed by the policemen who are ever-ready to book the violators.

Note: For some reason the video is not running on my page, instead the youtube page pops up. I don’t know the reason, so if any web developer comes across this and knows the solution, kindly let me know. …

Yes folks! We’ve been slapped with a 150 Dirham fine for a road-crossing violation, in Abu Dhabi!!
We (four of us) crossed this road as usual from a mid-road zebra crossing, along with many others, who were waiting for the traffic to thin down. When we reached the other end of the road, I noticed a crowd gathered around one man (a rare spectacle here!). Before I could think about the crowd, a young man dressed in low jeans, loose t-shirt and a cap shouted “Come here!”
He moved closer to us …

Dear Customer, as per the Budget announced by the Govt. of Pakistan GST/CED will now be applicable @ 21% on all telecom services w.e.f. 1st July 08.
Sender: Ufone
This is the first message I received on my phone today, sent by the operator.
The GST/CED has been raised from 15% to 21%, and is applicable on calls, text messages and all services. And they call it the budget for poor? The use of mobile services among the poor rose sharply in the past 2 years, and now the beast (aka Government) wants …

After incessant chirping of a very good friend, who doesn’t like to see incomplete (or should I say messy?) works, I have finally added some text to the About page of this blog. This time, it’s more than a one-liner. In fact, it suffices the requirement of this friend, who has no other shut-up switch. I’ve always thought of writing some very detailed essay-like composition for that page, but that though has never made it to my high-priority to-do lists. For now, this just serves the purpose and give an …