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             Book - reading a text-book, is a time-consuming and energy draining job for students. Reading a novel and other non-text type books are hobby for many of us. But writing a book is a herculean task that a very few of us ever undertake. For some, it is a lifetime of experiences that translates into a book. For others, it can emanate from a sudden experience of a few seconds. For example, JK Rowling was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International when she conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series on a delayed train from Manchester to London in 1990. Her first book in 1995 was submitted to twelve publishing houses, all of which rejected the manuscript! Therefore, I like many of my other friends, did not bother to go through this conventional process of publishing. We just submit our work to online people who publish as-it-is! So here is the result of my first such attempt. 

The 2nd Most Difficult Thing to Find in Lahore

So, in the last episode of my Life’s Story, I had a job in Lahore so it was only natural that I would search for some place to live as well. For a while it seemed that the administration at my old place had only one aim of their lives: to kick me out of their hostel. So I said, OK, that is not a difficult thing to do. One just has to search in Google and olx and there are thousands of places with a variety of price ranges. But it was easier said than done. After 2 months of searching, I finally found a place to live. That is not what I wanted and I don't know how will it make me feel but anyhow it will do for now. But the journey is worth sharing for you people to read.

Thanks but No Thanks...

No matter what you do for a living, there is always a complaint that people do not value your contribution as much as they should. You always feel neglected. You feel that others are appreciated while you are not getting what is due. Perhaps, you can look around and change your opinion. Here is a list of 10+1 most thankless jobs (in no particular order) in the country.

Now, Dr. Israr

Anxiety was creeping in as I was waiting for my interview with the science teachers. Finally, when I sat there, the biology teacher asked me why I was interested in studying science. I said that I was good at biology. Or something to that effect, I don’t remember the exact words. He asked, “What is the difference between a plant cell and an animal cell”. I was silent. But thanks to the other teacher sitting nearer, who whispered something in my ear. And I replied, “Animal cell is made of meat while plant cell is made of wood”. Interview was in my local language, Pashto, so it was a lot sillier than it sounds in English. And I was admitted into science class in my high school.

And then it turned two...

Time is making fools of us again. ~ J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter authoress.

Officially April 12, 2011 is the birth date of this blog. But forgive me for being so late in writing the birthday post. Since last birthday, there are total of 13 posts that appeared during the last 13 months. But 3 of those were older posts which I posted again for one or another reason. So, effectively the past year had been quite dormant. And there were some compelling reasons for it to be so. Foremost of which is that it was my last year in PhD and I was (or showing to be) concentrating on my research and dissertation. That thing lasted almost to the end of 2012.

So I am 30 Today...

In the American sitcom, F.R.I.E.N.D.S., episode 7.14, “The One Where They All Turn Thirty”, all the 6 main characters are shown to be quite upset about their being turning 30. The reason is that all of them are well short of their goals that they have set for themselves. Ross has been married 2 times too many while Phoebe has unknowingly skipped one whole year of her life. And on March 24, 2013, when I turn 30, I was wondering how I relate to the whole turning-thirty-and-getting-scared thing? Surely, I had certain objectives that wanted to accomplish before this day.

Our Life - Another 13th Floor Experiment?

A few years ago, one of my friend asked me to do a review of any artificial intelligence movie as part of their assignments. After watching a few movies, I finally decided to review "The Thirteenth Floor". At that time, the emphasis was on the technical aspects of the artificial intelligence used in the movie but now I have trimmed it to be posted on our blog here. Hope you people will like it. And at the end, there is a question for all of us. Think about it.

A Mother’s Tribute to her Son

He was 37. She was 18. They knew each other since last year. She was a nurse in the dispensary run by him. Today they married in simple ceremony. Rejected by seven girls a decade earlier, he had given up on the idea of marrying. But couples are made in heavens and this young nurse was the perfect bride for him. And now after the function was over, they were heading home. I was somehow able to go along, invisible. They were near their dispensary just to check if anyone was waiting for medical help. “Stop”, she screamed. She pointed her finger to the road side and we saw a body, a human body lying around. With 80 million people, this could be expected.  I didn’t understand why a petty matter like this should dampen the moods? We went near the body and it was a 12 year old girl. Badly beaten and bruised, in urgent need of medical attention. Although a nurse she was, but without any instruments, and even a first-aid box, what could have she done? And anyway it was their wedding night. So time to leave the girl where she was lying and head towards home. At least that is what every person would do, especially on their wedding night.

P.S. I Thank You

It was 6^th February, 2008, that I was enrolled in a Masters leading to Ph.D. program at CEMB. And by destiny or design, it was the 6^th day of November, 2012, that I was able to submit my Ph.D. Thesis to the University. I spent a little under 5 years in Lahore and every single day was a new experience. Some bad and some good. Now that I lean back and think about the time, I cherish every single bit of memories that I have. I plan to write some of the moments in chronological order shortly. For now, I am pasting the acknowledgement section of my Thesis as a token of thanks to you people. As most of you are not familiar with the system here, I must add that I am not a Doctor YET. Thesis submission indicates that I have achieved the goals of my Ph.D. research and now the University through its own process will determine whether I shall be awarded a degree or not and that process takes a while. A few months if I am lucky. 

Prince - the Assassin

It was sometime in February, 1973. The Sardar (Chieftain) had another huff from his huqqa (Hubble-Bubble). The expressions on his face told that he was in a very serious conversation. Wind was blowing the flame of the oil-lamp which continuously shortened and lengthened the shadows on the opposite walls. The man on the other side was invisible in the dark. Nobody knew his exact name. In fact he himself did not remember what his real name was. People called him Prince – the assassin. He had his first kill at the age of 13 and after that he counted his age only in terms of killings. From business tycoons to politicians and generals, he assassinated without leaving a trace. His score was 21 kills in 21 attempts! The Sardar was told that Prince never returned and never failed and that is why he took his fee all in advance. Sardar was reluctant but had no choice. After all, he had to do something and there were less than 24 hours left. He could not afford doing nothing.