A look back at 2007

2007 has been a year of changes... good changes. I wanted to make a short video to reflect on all that has happened this year. It truly has been amazing.

Pakistan's National Art Gallery

Interesting editorial which highlights a side of Pakistan you generally never see publicized in the west.  Nice to see the positive comments from the readers below as well.

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/17/364847.aspx

AJ

Random Vehicular Madness

As you grow up, many of the things that you used to find awesome and wondrous become mundane and ordinary. As we become more educated throughout our lives, the magic of the unexplained is somehow lost. For me one the exceptions is airplanes. Even though I know how they fly, it still boggles me to see planes actually fly. How so much heavy metal actually gets airborne is still amazing to watch. Checkout these amazing vids of planes landing super low at St Marteen airport right above people's heads (literally!)

In other vehicular madness, checkout this pic of a superyacht slipping off it's sling right before plunging into the water. Note the guy holding on for dear life at the back! The full story is here.

Pakistan Independence Day

Pakistan, India 60 years on - Focus on Pakistan - MSNBC.com

In Honor of Pakistani Independence Day (Aug 14) and the upcoming Indian Independence Day (Aug 15) I wanted to share this interesting and balanced article from MSNBC. It is pretty amazing to think that in my parent's lifetime, the countries were one and now they aren't. So much hate, bloodshed, and violence all to get us to the point we are at today. Nice to see things have come so far and that the neighboring countries can have an amicable relationship finally.

Pakistan enables first Nationwide Wi-Max network

In lieu of Pakistani Independence day on August 14th, I saw this story on Motorola's home page regarding Pakistan being the first country in the world to deploy a Wi-Max network. (I used to work for Motorola back before they spun off Freescale as the semiconductor standalone unit). Wired infrastructure is difficult to maintain (people steal the copper) and expensive to deploy. With wireless technologies the infrastructure hurdle is overcome and cutting edge technology like this can be deployed.

Anyway I thought it was nice to see my country represented in a different light from what the media generally portrays it.

Filipino Prison Thriller Remake

This is absolutely hysterical and made my morning. I love the "damsel" in distress! Who says correctional facilities don't work?

Sameer and Mitisha's Wedding Weekend Video

Chicago, IL
July 26 - 29

Awesome weekend in Chicago with ~25 Austin-ites making the trip to Chicago. Dancing, sight-seeing, high-jinks and adventures below.....

The Worst City Names in the World

The Worst City Names in the World

Some of these are a little rude, but really funny nevertheless. Middlefart? Haha

I'm a little surprised my own home town of Lahore (as in French hooker) didn't make the list.

Hotter than Habanero!

‘Ghost chili’ takes you out of this world - Diet & Nutrition - MSNBC.com

Looks like there is a new king in town for the worlds hottest chili. The Bhut Jolokia is almost twice as hot as the now tame habanero pepper! And I thought the spicy wings at pluckers were hot!

Awesome Commercial....

You have to watch it till the end.... very effective and cool.

New Kanye West Video

Looks like an homage to Akira... I like the beat even though the robot voice is from a Daft Punk song

Amazing stunt driving

Apparently this is from Disney's Stunt show in Paris. Reminds me of a car version of the Blue Angels... like synchronized driving!

Mommy can I trust the government?

Apparently the answer is no....


White House rejects subpoenas - Politics - MSNBC.com

"The doctrine of executive privilege exists, at least in part, to protect such communications from compelled disclosure to Congress, especially where, as here, the president's interests in maintaining confidentiality far outweigh Congress's interests in obtaining deliberative White House communications," Fielding said.

"Further, it remains unclear precisely how and why your committees are unable to fulfill your legislative and oversight interests without the unfettered requests you have made in your subpoenas," Fielding said. "Put differently, there is no demonstration that the documents and information you seek by subpoena are critically important to any legislative initiatives that you may be pursuing or intending to pursue."

Obama Smeared As Terrorist Again On Fox News

Think Progress » Obama Smeared As Terrorist Again On Fox News

Wow, I have no idea how anybody could view Fox News as a "News Channel" after this farce. The scary thing about Fox is that it's broadcast internationally and people abroad think that all American's think like this. It's a real pity that people base their opinions on what someone tells them to think rather than forming opinions of their own. The same goes the other way too when western news only show hardship, in-fighting, and brutality in the Middle East. The whole place is hardly going up in flames and the vast majority of people living there are kind, hopeful, generous and beautiful individuals.

The old adage "Don't always believe what you read" is more tru today than ever before.

World's Highest, Fastest, Steepest Zip Line!!

This just got added to my "Things to do before I die" list!! 100mph over the African brush.... where do I sign up?

Pakistan Represent!!!

Kashif Zindabad!!!! (Long live Kashif)

Gotta love this guy's enthusiasm....

Shuttle Launch

Ever wonder what a shuttle launch looks like from a plane?

25 Web Sites to Watch

25 Web Sites to Watch - Yahoo! News

Really cool article detailing sites that could be the next big thing!

Japanese Tradmill

Run Forrest Run!

How Great is Texas?

HOW GREAT IS TEXAS ??!!!
 
    Here is a list of actual places to travel in Texas .
 

    Need to be cheered up?
 
    1. Happy, Texas 79042
    2. Pep, Texas 79353
    3. Smiley, Texas 78159
    4. Paradise, Texas 76073
    5. Rainbow, Texas 76077
    6. Sweet Home, Texas 77987
    7. Comfort, Texas 78013
    8. Friendship, Texas 76530
 
    Love the Sun?
 
    1. Sun City, Texas 78628
    2. Sunrise, Texas 76661
    3. Sunset, Texas 76270
    4. Sundown, Texas 79372
    5. Sunray, Texas 79086
    6. Sunny Side , Texas 77423
 
    Want something to eat?
 
    1 Bacon, Texas 76301
    2. Noodle, Texas 79536
    3. Oatmeal, Texas 78605
    4. Turkey, Texas 79261
    5. Trout, Texas 75789
    6. Sugar Land, Texas 77479
    7. Salty, Texas 76567
    8. Rice, Texas 75155
    And top it off with:
    9. Sweetwater , Texas 79556
 
    Why travel to other cities? Texas has them all!
 
    1. Detroit, Texas 75436
    2. Colorado City, Texas 79512
    3. Denver City, Texas 79323
    4. Nevada, Texas 75173
    5. Memphis, Texas 79245
    6. Miami, Texas 79059
    7. Boston, Texas 75570
    8. Santa Fe, Texas 77517
    9. Tennessee Colony , Texas 75861
    10.Reno, Texas 75462
 
    Feel like traveling outside the country?
    Don't bother buying a plane ticket!
 
    1. Athens, Texas 75751
    2. Canadian, Texas 79014
    3. China, Texas 77613
    4. Egypt, Texas 77436
    5. Turkey, Texas 79261
    6. London, Texas 76854
    7. New London, Texas 75682
    8. Palestine, Texas 75801
    9. Paris, Texas 7546
    10. Nazareth, Texas
    11. Scotland, Texas
    12. Iran, Texas
    13. Dublin, Texas
 
    No need to travel to Washington D.C.
 
    Whitehouse, Texas 75791
 
    We even have a city named after our planet!
 
    Earth, Texas 79031
 
    And a city named after our State!
 
    Texas City, Texas 77590
 
    Exhausted?
 
    Energy, Texas 76452
 
    Cold?
 
    1. Blanket, Texas 76432
    2. Winters, Texas 79567
 
    Like to read about History?
 
    1. Santa Anna, Texas 76878
    2. Goliad, Texas 77963
    3. Alamo, Texas 78516
    4. Gun Barrel City, Texas 75147
 
    Need Office Supplies?
 
    Staples, Texas 78670
 
    Men are from Mars, women are from
 
    Venus, Texas 76084
 
    You guessed it * it's on the state line ...
 
    Texline, Texas 79087
 
    For the kids...
 
    1. Kermit, Texas 79745
    2. Elmo, Texas 75118
    3. Nemo, Texas 76070
    4. Tarzan, Texas 79783
    5. Winnie, Texas 77665
    6. Sylvester, Texas 79560
 
    Other city names in Texas , to make you smile..... :
 
    1. Frognot, Texas 75424
    2. Bigfoot, Texas 78005
    3. Hogeye, Texas 75423
    4. Cactus, Texas 79013
    5. Notrees, Texas 79759
    6. Best, Texas 76932
    7. Veribest, Texas 76886
    8. Kickapoo, Texas 75763
    9. Dime Box, Texas
    10.Telephone, Texas 75488
    11.Telegraph, Texas 76883
    12.Whiteface, Texas 79379
    13.Twitty, Texas 79079
 
    And last but not least* The Anti-Al Gore City
 
    Kilgore, Texas 75662
 
    Have a Good Day!
    P.S. Whoops, left out
 
    Muleshoe, Texas 79347
    Cut n Shoot, Texas 77303
    Hoop And Holler,
    Ding Dong,
    Clyde
    and don't forget......
    Farewell , Texas 79325

Shoot an Iraqi in Real Time

Most of the time I forward crude jokes or funny pictures but in this case I thought you may find this political art project of interest.  This Iraqi performance artist has a bedroom setup with a paintball gun attached to the internet where anonymous people can shoot at him.  The political and social subtext is not very subtle but still very effective.  Checkout the Chicago Tribune slideshow for commentary from the artist, Wafaa Bilal, himself. 

http://gridskipper.com/travel/chicago/shoot-an-iraqi-in-real-time-259733.php

Compelling food for thought as you head into the weekend.....
Be safe

- A

Sawadee from Thailand!

It's been a while and a lot has happened! Here's a vid from my new year's trip to Thailand with my MBA class. Good time and great memories.....