Greetings, inferior mammals. It is I, The Hamster, your illustrious leader and personage also seen pictured at the top of the screen. And in case you doubt my powers, that barbell actually weighs 200 pounds. Sterling.
I am gracing this puny blog with my presence to inform you of some hitherto unknown information about this Binje person. I have interviewed him and found the results to be of relevance. Please note the following transcript.
Hamster: So, Mr. Binje, if that is your real name… what are you doing here?
Binje: Wha? Me? Here in the blogistan?
Hamster: No, I mean in my cage. You’re mussing up the cedar chip. Go sit on those newspapers instead.
Binje: Yessir.
Hamster: You, Binje, what is your fascination with ice-cream? And what was the best ice-cream you ever had?
Binje: Ice-cream is juss ice cream, and thass all i need to say about that. The best ice-cream i ever had was at this Baskin Robbins in Saudi where i knew the guy who ran the place. He kept ...
Posts
Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar
I dunno, its just weird. I've been meaning to update for ages but havent had the energy, or the brainpower to morph the thawts (as ye old owlie put it) in my head into actual words. I still cant to be honest. Before anything else, I'd like to first of all thank and give credit to the incredibly talented Abez (say Masha'Allah) for making this awesome layout for me (Thank u sis) and ofcourse for including the good ol' hamster up there as well... (btw, she did make the first layout as well and me being me, i.e. awesome grouch, she realized it and changed it as well. Double thanks to ye sis).
I've just started randomly typing away and the first thawt thass come to mind is that of a music video i recently saw. It was a cover of the song Father and Son, (which i believe was originally a Cat Stevens song). Anyhooo.. the cover has been sung by Ronan Keating, the guy who used to be lead singer for some girlie yipeee yahoo band ages ago or something...
Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar
I dunno, its just weird. I've been meaning to update for ages but havent had the energy, or the brainpower to morph the thawts (as ye old owlie put it) in my head into actual words. I still cant to be honest. I've just started randomly typing away and the first thawt thass come to mind is that of a music video i recently saw. It was a cover of the song Father and Son, (which i believe was originally a Cat Stevens song). Anyhooo.. the cover has been sung by Ronan Keating, the guy who used to be lead singer for some girlie yipeee yahoo band ages ago or something. Anyways, I'm watching the video (for the sheer reason that it was on) and then all of a sudden, none other than Mr. Cat Stevens himself pops up. And I'm thinking this Ronan guy aint outta his mid twenties, so how's Mr. Stevens, beard et al, in the video. Then I realize, it isnt Mr. Stevens but indeed Yusuf Islam himself. In the end of the video it actually sez Ronan Keating featuring Yu...
I need a flux capacitor!
Ever get the feeling where its like you've been completely left out?
Its like you've made the plans but forgot to include yourself in them.
Its like you're at the platform clutching your ticket but the train's already left.
Its like everything you do just is never enough.
Its like you're first in the queue but there's no one at the counter.
Its like you're on your way but dont know where you're going.
Its like you're can almost touch it, but dont know what it is.
Its like you've got a million people around you yet you're invisible.
Its like you're in a land where no one understands a thing you're saying.
Its like you're in solitary confinement for life.
Its like you have amnesia.
Its like nothing has changed yet you cant recognize anything.
Its like you try to say something yet the words dont come out.
Ever feel like life's just passing you by?
The Exies - Ugly
Are you ugly?A liar like me?
A user, a lost soul?
Someone you don’t know
Money it’s no cure
A Sickness so pure
Are you like me?
Are you ugly?
We are dirt, we are alone
You know we are far from sober!
We are fake, we are afraid
You know it’s far from over
We are dirt we are alone
You know we are far from sober!
Look closer, are you like me?Are you ugly?
Turn a blind eye
Why do I deny? Medicate me
So I die Happy
A strain of cancer
Chokes the answers
Are you like me?A liar like me?
We are dirt, we are alone
You know we are far from sober!
We are fake, we are afraid
You know it’s far from over
We are dirt we are alone
You know we are far from sober!
Look closer, are you like me?Are you ugly?
I don’t care, you don’t care
I’m bitter, you’re angry
You don’t care, I don’t care
You love you, just like me
I blame you, you blame me
I’m bitter, you’re angry
You don’t care, I don’t care
You love you, like me
We are dirt, we are a...
I've got a feeling
I used to know this guy a few years ago. Probably one of the biggest loudmouths I've ever come across. He would juss shout at the top of his lungs when he felt like it... people usually found it either funny or hugely obnoxious. He was a pretty nice guy, very friendly... I think he got along with just about everyone he knew and he got along well with them. Always willing to lend a hand, always happy to be there for people. He cared... really did... worried for others... He did try to be a pretty decent Muslim too...
He had his downsides too obviously... even though he acted all cool and stuff.. deep down was a bit of a wuss though. Still, I dont think its a bad thing, just that he wasnt as 'macho' as he may have liked. He wasnt as religious as he may have wanted to be, but I know he did try.. maybe not always.. but he did. A huge pessimist... always doubted everything he did... and self esteem... any lower and he'd be fossil himself (ok tha...
One small step for Ozzy, One humongous annoyance for blogistan
225 posts, 10 kilos, 2 templates and an umpteen number of booring posts later, I am still around in blogistan. Islamically it's been 2 years since I started blogging. By the gregorian calendar, it'll be a couple of weeks before my bloggie is 2 years old. I'd love to say a special thanks to Pumpkinaa (whom some of you who have been around long enough may remember) as she was the reason and inspiration for me to start blogging. Even though she isnt around in blogistan no more (i hope she does come around occasionally), her blog's main page is still around (and its still the first link on the left there).
Admittedly, 225 posts isnt a huge amount and people with blogs less than 6 months old could probably put me to shame for both quantity and quality but hey... someone's gotta have a booring blog around here huh? The template on the blog has only been changed once.. started with one, then changed to ...
May the faloodah be with you
This is what was posted by our friendly neighbourhood Abez ... "you'd be surprised what kind of things you appreciate more when you can do them with your brain on. It's like being awake after sleep-walking for a while.
I dont know about the being awake bit.. but sleep-walking? I do that most of the time anyway.. I have to admit when 2 coherent thoughts decide to share space in moi noggin at the very same instant in time, I can tell you I feel hyper for the rest of the day!
I think I'm rather happier when I'm hyper cuz my slow days are very common. Hyper days being few and far between are more enjoyable for myself, albeit at the expense of those around me who start thinking I've lost my cotton picking mind! (which funnily enough they think I've done even when I'm not hyper)
And at this very second I've lost my train of thoughts (hence indicating i'm not hyper today) so I have absolutely no idea what to do...
Day Walker
For once I decided that I'd update during the daytime... even though it's not known of me to do so but I thought aah what the hey. I was just sent this which I thought was cute.
I was listenning to the audio post by Yaz and Princessprettypants (dammit woman get a shorter nickname) and I must say I was hella inspired. I've decided (being the lazy bum that I am) that its easier for me to do an audioblog as opposed to typing stuff out. I mean instead of having to sit here and type whatever whatever, I can simply call up and do my audioblog thingy. Now ofcourse the question begs to jump up and hit me on the side of the head as to why I aint doing it now. The most simple and logical explaination is, I cant find my cell/mobile. Its supposed to be somewhere around here but for the life of me I dont know where it is. I'm sitting in my room next to the landline and a friend just called saying he's been ringing my mobile for the last 15 min. I was like...
Just to get up that hill
Ok so its nothing new, I'm a lazy good for nothing when it comes to updating my blog.. ok ok stop rolling your eyes! Anyways, thass yesterdays news... i'm also the person who
* dropped popcorn in the cinema
* nearly walked into a glass door which wasnt open (thank god for the reflection in my glasses)
* converted a friend into believing olives are good on pizza (yes there are people like that out there)
* needs to get his finances sorted out.. (so what else is new)
* actually broke the button off my cargo pants today... (boo hoo)
* needs more icecream
* am going to go get some now... *wanders off*
* am back with some mint chocolate icecream cuz someone juss told me they're having icecream with their dad... grrrrr
* am not going to share my icecream
* got a new phone as an upgrade and gave it to bhai
* dont know what i'm typing and why i'm typing it
* miss my friends
Anyways, as you can tell, i dont really have anything t...
Outta my way!
It is just incredible how people's way of thinking can change soo much. Or maybe i'm just noticing it too much lately. It seems when someone leaves from Pakistan to go to a different country, they are going to either get a job or if they are going to certain countries, get an education. The concept of just going for a holiday is alien to most. In the same way, someone living outside going to Pakistan can only be going for one reason and that is to get married.
Thats the question I've been asked time and time again for the last couple of weeks since more and more people have come to know that I am going to Pakistan. The first question is, how long are you going for. 2 weeks. The second is, oh so you're getting married right? And my response is always... huh??? Cant a guy just go to see his relatives.. I mean it has been 5 years after all. Just the other day I bumped into a colleague who used to work at my last place of work. This is how the conversat...
Whackness Galore!
Hey ya lovely blogistanis... Yeap, I've finally decided to post... mainly cuz people have been pressuring me and I found the perfect way to get them off my back (for now). I'm going to put up an email I just wrote to a friend.. well not the whole thing.. but enough to let you know why I'm up at this time of the nite/morning. Oh and before I forget, I'd like to say a thousand thank yous to everyone's favourite blogistani baji for doing that guest audioblogger post for me. And believe me, if you didnt laff after listenning to it, you should be shot! Anyways, on with the email.....
"Hey yaar...
How you been...long time no see... or hear... or chat.. u know what i mean.. juss been busy... well not for the past week really.. been bored outta my head, feeling a bit lonely too... parents and bhai all in pakistan you see.. i've been sittin here like an a** on my backside and quite frankly its beginning to hurt a little now.
Anyways, th...
Here I go again on my own
All I can say is Alhamdulillah for good parents who teach you the right stuff and tell you the stuff you need to stay away from (not that I always listen but sometimes I convince myself). The riff raff I'm about to describe started at around 10:30pm today.
Basically we have these family friends (well dad's known 'em for like 30 odd years), who's son is Masha'Allah getting married. Actually I think he has gotten married, they just havent gotten the wife over from Pakistan yet (waiting for visas I think). Anyways, they had this thing at their place for women today. They had informed us a week ago and invited mom to come. They're like oh yeah its females only but bring Omar and Usman along. I'm like mom, I'll pass... my brother aint the type either so we ofcourse didnt go. It was all young females and uncles and what not.
Skip to 10:30 when I go to pick 'em up. I get there, door's open and some punjabi tunes bl...
Center of my Heart
Yesterday started out just as any normal day would. Since I had finished getting ready for Juma and had a good half an hour to kill (an hour before khutbah, not the actual Namaz mind you) so I thought I'd log on and see who's around. So I'm around being bothered by an un-named blogistani when Gul logs on. Now before anyone starts going oooooh.. gul huh? who's she then etc... Gul was/is my baji from Cyprus. I got to know her early on in Cyprus and we were pretty cool friends. She always called me her bacha bhai (she learned a few urdu words from us).. Did i mention Gul is a cypriot. And I began calling her Abla (meanin elder sis in turkish) and later baji (as in the urdu word). So anyways, life went on, was very cool... got to know her whole family, relatives, fiance (who ofcourse is now her husband)... the whole 9 yards.
She got married in the last year of university (she was a year my senior). A year after I moved back Gul had a miscarriage a...
You say we're not responsible... WE ARE
The title for this post comes from one of the songs off the soundtrack for Spiderman2. It is an awesome song, not you're regular lovey dovey crap... which is why it sorta appealed to me. If nothing else, just find the lyrics to it... (i'm too lazy to go look for 'em right now). One thing that I have come to know is that the Soundtrack will apparently have a track from the Pakistani band Strings in it.. I mean come on.. Strings is like my favourite paki band if there ever was one... (junoon is crap for anyone who didnt know it already). And Strings on the spiderman 2 soundtrack.. how cool is that? Apparently the track is played during the movie a bit as well... The official launch date for the soundtrack was the 7th of July (yesterday/today cuz i still havent slept) but we've had the soundtrack at work since last week. But then I've never really looked at the track listing but I'll definitely be doing that tomorrow....
9 to 5
Man people in blogistan really are pushy arent they? I mean come on, cant a guy ignore his blog in peace anymore?? tsk tsk.. whats this world coming to... Oh well.. since I am here I mite as well make the effort eh?
I watched the mummy returns the other day. Pretty cool movie. I still say brendan fraser is one of the most underrated actors around. I mean come on the guy and pull off gags like no other.. And ofcourse his guest appearances in scrubs had me in fits always.
Anyways (yup this is the part where I go ballistic on the movie). For anyone who's seen either of the movies, they will know that the arab guy is the coolest portrayal of an arab dude in ages. And ofcourse the strong silent type thing going on is soo awesome (as opposed to the usual 'death to all infidels' portrayal u usually see in movies). And its cool he actually speaks arabic in between too (if only one sentence at a time). Like when they're facing the evil dust made army of tall we...
Batter UP!
Something about driving home late with an awesome breeze blowing, Najam Sheraz going 'SONA CHAHTA HOOON' and green traffic lights all the way that just makes a guy wanna shout at the top of his lungs.
Over the recent weeks, small things have become much more important and yes it does feel good to be alive Alhamdulillah. Granted there are the probs you face in life (but hey who doesnt?). Special message to Carlos (if you remember who u r) things are still the same but Jazaka'Allah for listenning! :)
As I said, small things in the past coupla weeks have done wonders for the soul. Plus then I met up with some people, saw old friends, went to the Motorshow, beat 3 other guys at WWE Smackdown (on playstation2... rockin wrestling game) in the elimination chamber.. Anyone who's a fan of senselessly beating wrestling characters to a pulp.. definitely give this a whirl!
Anyways, I gotta go bother a few people! LIFE IS GOOD ALHAMDULILLAH! :)
P.S. Got a ...
Whatever It may take
Right people, I was watcing "Gone in 60 seconds" the other day... (not the original, it was the Nick Cage version). And even though i've watched it like a million times before, this time I noticed a boo boo they made.
Now if y'all get the chance to watch it, watch carefully when Nicholas Cage is driving "Eleanor" (Ford Mustang Shelby GT500) and he's just lost the cops. He stops at a junction and sees a cop at the other end of the street. To avoid being spotted he backs into the street hitting his passenger side mirror so that it juss dangles around. Then the car stalls(which would be typical of a bollywood movie.. not that I watch those but u know what I mean) and he's trying to get it going again. Ofcourse just as the cop ambles into view (in true hollywood style) Eleanor starts up and away Mr. Cage goes... Miraculously, the side mirror which was dangling a second ago is now fully fitted and up and looking just as flash ...
Destination Anywhere
After that (thankfully) very brief invasion by bob the builder in my last comment box, I'd like to continue with the irregularly scheduled riff raff that is my blog.
I probably juss spent a good half hour typing away like mad on a post. I typed anything and everything that came to mind... and yet when I finished, I read it once, copied it into a word document, saved it and am posting this up instead. I dont know, even though I wanted to let that out.. dont think I can. No wonder people tell me I'm a nutcase/pagal/deli/ghabi and that I take longer than women to make up my mind.. (no offense intended to you good women folk).
Indecision, thou art my best friend.
(added after I had finished my re-written post). I just read a featurette on some guy in Iraq who is a dentist and has new found freedom blah blah blah... good on u man.. what is worrying is that when I was reading, his age was down as 24. When I read that, I was like damn man, he's...
Life For Rent
I've just been armtwisted into updating. Luckily I did manage to secure the fact I'd be writing mindless dribble.. so here goes! y45Y%DR&%^&N%*FTIHKMUG/RTE$%#%#%^H*^... hmmm.. didnt quite work did it... oh well.. lets try than shall we...
Oh yeah.. I juss remembered.. I was talkin to a friend today who invited me along to this get-together he was going to. I'm like yeah i'm down with that.. whass the occassion? He's like oh some of these people from a forum of some sorts are getting together.. You should come along too.. I'm like errr.. I dont konw.. and I definitely dont think so.. (here's the topper) He's like come along man.. there's gonna be like 9 girls and 5 guys there... I'm like and that makes a difference how??? (to anyone wondering: I dont swing the other way... but I dont juss run after girls... anymore :-p ). And he was like.. man girls man.. come on.. I'm like oh yeah.. images of a supermodel coming ...
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
Man you people are all so pushy arent you!? I mean come on, I wasnt feeling all that well till yesterday and people juss pushin for updates.. Nah I'm kiddin.. I have to be reminded of everything I need to do... which is why I've discovered that mobile/cell phones have this very useful feature where u can leave reminders for just about everything. What will they think up next eh???
Oh and before we go any further I have an announcement to make. Its one that I'm sure will put a smile on your faces just as it did on mine. Yeap, its finally happenned. They day everyone always said would come but I defended saying it wasnt possible... (no its not about marriage again... i'm definitely sayin thass not possible) My results have come in for my graduation project (the one i used to whine a lot about) and Alhamdulillah I've passed... WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO! Hip hip Icecream for me! I mean hip hip hurray.. and all that Ja...
This could happen to you!
(Warning : This is a LOOOOOOOOOONG post. Readers not used to long posts from me are recommended to sit down with soda and chips to enjoy this one.)
Ok, maybe the bit in the title isnt that likely to happen seeing as not many of you live in Saudi Arabia or indeed are old enough to drive (or some of you who are but shouldnt be!! LOL, I was juss kiddin there. Yeah so anyways, I was just reminded of this little errm... incident back in Saudi Arabia around... (gosh its been over 6 years now.. how time flies). Let me put this into a proper perspective.
I began driving at the age of 14 (without a license ofcourse) back in Saudi Arabia. So if anyone is really crap at maths like I am, it would take them somethign like half an hour to figure out I've been driving for 10 years now. I only got my license last year. Before that, I've driven in Saudi, Pakistan and cyprus... but never with a license. Again, to put this story into better context, when I...
Proper Post
For the past 2-3 weeks, the only thing I have done in my spare time (at reasonable hours ofcourse) is fix computers for people who I dont see except for on Eids (and some who always call me my brothers name before they realize they're talking to the bespectacled goatie bearded shorter one). Oh well, such is life as they say. I'm just a bit tired of people calling up only when they need something. I mean thats one thing I've never been able to do, if I havent been in touch with someone, or if relations have sorta soured (you know how it goes) then I will definitely not turn around and ask them for a favour. And NO, it's not about my over bloated ego! It's cuz I would feel bad if I did. But seems like for some people it doesnt matter. Oh well, enough of being a sentimental weirdo!
I'm still being told I'm a dunce by like 30 people cuz I havent watched any of the lord of the rings movies... (side note : My nick on msn is lord of the bling... ...
Mujh ko bhi to lift karadey!
Another post.. another dollar... actually i'm in england.. so cant be expecting dollars can i??? Anyways I juss thought I hadnt replied to any of the comments from before so I shall be doing that here. Jazaka'Allah for all the people who had such kind words to say on me turning 24.
Anju : As Yazzie mentioned (being the stalker she is!!) this topic has come up numerous times.. My name has a Bin in the middle too.. so like once a friend (back in the old days when i was knee-high)... started calling me Bin ji ... (you know like Usman ji kaisay hain) kinda thing.. and since then it stuck and over the years has changed and evolved. Its currently either Binji or Binje.. And yes Anju, you are a new born!!! :-p
AWK : Yeap I did grow up all by myself this year! :)
Jaded : Me noggin be in a weird state..but me continues to march forth for all that is good in blogistan! And I not be a pip squeak.. those be people who is under 5'5. *hint**hin...
Divided we stand, United we fall
Every now and then, people should be allowed to do something for themselves. Yesterday I did something for myself and even though I'm not sure whether it was the right decision, I pray insha'Allah it is... This is where you guys come in and do a dua for me too.. :) I dont know, I'm really not used to doing stuff for myself (ok we're talkin like big stuff.. not like eating and drinking and stuff ok!!) I think its been ages since I took a decision that had (in my mind) a somewhat positive effect on my life. Well, lets see how it goes.
So far, its been an ok ride, I know there are probably a million things I could've done differently. Plus there's tons of things I'm happy to have done. There's always room for improvement isnt there... In my case I could probably do with a lot more... hmmm... *looks at post... thinks about deleting it* I'm not sure.. my blog just isnt the same as it used to be. I really dont get t...
To Blog... Or not to Blog... Bah.. I think I'll go have some choc chip cookies instead!
Ok so I couldnt come up with a better title.. deal with it yo!!
Hmmm.... Man somethings in life you're just not prepared for. One moment you may be on a happy high, sorta like a weed high only without the intoxicating effects... (not that i'd know what a weed high feels like *innocent look*). I'm kidding people... Cigarettes is the worse it gets.. anyways, coming back to the story (anyone notice how I always get side-tracked when i'm telling a story??? I juss did). I mean I was like yay cool man, Alhamdulillah things mite be looking up for once. And then BAM! Things just went belly up. Well ok I'm making it sound like something bad happenned, which it didnt necessarily, but like it wasnt the most entertainning experience either (Obviously I cant say what it was). Its just weird what this world is coming to...
Apart from that... Its been pretty cold down here in goo...
JUMP!
Another day, not much different from yesterday, or the day before. But Alhamdulillah atleast I can say I did get the chance to live it. Havent been feeling very well these days... no physical ailements Alhamdulillah... just a lot of thinking as to where I'm going and what I'm doing... (and the rest of the drabble that a person in my position would go on with).. I'll skip the booring parts...
Went to Sainsbury's to pick up some bread for Amma and the artery clogging product which many people are trying to ban in the UK. For the people who have seen the ads on TV against them, it aint a pretty sight and yet it goes on eh... (wait a sec I'm going off topic here.... *screeching sound of tires and 180 degree turn*) ok back to the topic. So I hobble on back to the car, get in and uncharacteristically put on my seat belt before starting the car, put the stereo head into place, quick glance at the mirror. Turned the key to switch on the engine and I hear a wome...
Randomly
I'm sick and tired of it all man. This studying crap just aint for me. I mean hell there must be an easier way to be unemployed for heaven's sake!!!
Now that i've got that off my chest... *breathes**breathes* someone told me counting to 10 helps too.. lemme try that... 1...2...3..4....errr..6..8..5...31.. damn this aint working.. oh well.. Here I am again, as usual with my brain shot and every muscle in my body telling me I have to understand the concept of resting (was that the right grammer and stuff???) Oh well, its my blog.. so 2 fingers to grammer... (the pinky and the ring.. DEVIL SIGN!!!)
Can anyone tell I feel like I'm on crack right now... and before anyone sez it, its the halal kind.. My dealer in cali knows what i'm talkin' about... heck. Anyways, I'm still around, and yo my people in blogistan, I will be back to normal (if there is such a thing as a normal 'me') sometime next week.
The biryani cravings have starte...
Am I really here?
I was just wondering how often it is that I start a new post by saying sorry for not posting for such a long time :) Since I avent been able to get much done today, I thought I might as well try to update.
Just that things havent been going exactly to plan as of recently, and to top it off, the nostalgia of the trip just doesnt seem to want to go away. So ummmm, its a bit of a rollercoaster ride right now. (Oh and I have a huge headache right now as well). Either way, I'm sure I must've missed like a ton and half of stuff in blogistan.... Oh well, I'll try to catch up...
Oh one more thing before I go, I had biryani by the truckloads there, so no one will find me moaning about that for say.. one more week!
I wish I was back in Maryland *Clicks heels*
Hmmm... didnt work... oh well. Was worth a try huh? I'm back Alhamdulillah safe and sound. I have to say the past 2 weeks were something I had needed since the time I had come here. I mean from the moment I got on the plane (and the Arab girl next to me started talking to me) to the time I got to the airport to come home, it was all one big amuzement park ride. Huge ups, huge downs... it all added up to one heck of a holiday Alhamdulillah.
I swear Greenbelt, the place where i stayed, was the perfect setting for where I'd like to live. Uncluttered spaces, no hectic lifestyle, jammed up roads... Suburbia does have its charms. And the Muslim community there Masha'Allah. So very varied. My mamoo goes to the Masjid everytime he can (unless he's at work ofcourse), even Fajr. And I'd go along if i was around... The usual congregations are small but the community at the Masjid, people from all backgrounds, all levels, its...