The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
Hi. My name is Daniel Bass, aka Ozymandiaz. I am 41 years old, married, have two daughters, two cats, three dogs and the occasional rescued critter. I live in a beautiful 100 year old country home that my wife and I refurbished with the help of family and friends.

I author the site “Ocellus”. On the site I publish my poetry. I find poetry a wonderful outlet for my creativity and as a medium for my thoughts, ideas, and so forth. Blogging is, to say the least, cathartic for me.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
Oh, I feel I have definitely grown as a writer since I first began publishing poetry online. My current blog is my fourth and the most successful (in acquiring hits at least). I have changed my writing style quite a bit since the inception of my first blog. I had very narrow ideas of what poetry was, how it should look and read. Now I am much more open minded about such things not getting bogged down in form and rhyme schemes. As with any art, though, it is in the eye of the beholder.

The reason this growth is important to me is because this is my prolific emotional and philosophical outlet. I feel to best communicate such things it is important to develop the skills to most effectively get my thoughts presented in the most accurate way.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
Being I haven’t the best memory in the world this one is tricky. I would have to say though that the most memorable things are the other bloggers I have come in contact with. I have developed relationships with people the world wide from countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Oh, and I can’t forget Australia. The wit there is phenomenal.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
Most communications occurs in the comments section of blog posts but some emails do go about. I’m not what one would call socially adept so it’s not like I’ve fostered many intimate relationships though.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
Energy conservation is a hot topic and technology is key.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
Not necessarily. For that matter technology may be counterintuitive to that effort. If anything it may make them more detached and lazy. But ask most Americans and they may express that technology isn’t worth a damn if it doesn’t provide for more leisure time.

What do you think sets your site apart from others?
Me. Plain and simple. In all honesty I feel I have certain views that are quite unique. I don’t believe I have necessarily expressed al the views through my work but I do endeavor to do so. Thus the need for growth as a writer discussed above.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Being a loving and supporting husband. Now this obviously depends on what one would consider as success. To me, having things like money, power and fame do not equate to success. To me, success is obtaining a level of inner peace and happiness. The path for that acquisition in my life has been through partnering. Obviously a level of spirituality is a necessity but that is also greatly fostered in my relationship with my wife.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Most people who have dogs get the fact that when people leave (to go to work, the store, across the street, etc) their dogs believe they are leaving forever regardless of the actual time gone (or so the dogs act) and when the people return it is a moment of extreme jubilation for said dogs as said people have been gone (again regardless of actual time having past) FOREVER. I bring this up as a matter of context as when I take my wife in my arms the universe is a beautiful place and when I must let go all is coming to an end.

Yea, I’m a dog.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Machu Picchu would be choice #1. I love the ancient and the mystical. This one definitely covers both of those bases. Second would be Gambo Utse in Tibet for much of the same reason. I also understand the view there is one of the most profound on this earth. Thirdly I would love to dive on the great barrier reef while there still is one.

What is your favorite book and why?
In Search of Schrödinger’s Cat by John Gribbin. Perhaps an odd selection but it was profoundly responsible for the expansion and shaping of my scientific and spiritual beliefs. Hell, for my entire philosophy for that matter. It introduced me to a world of infinite possibilities.

After that it would have to be “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”(series) by Douglas Adams or “Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut, both for their humor and unflinching look at mankind and his follies.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Depends on what I’m looking for and my state of mind I suppose.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
Oh yes indeed. Mostly from administrators of magazines or e-zines or other publications and/or contests to whom I had submitted writings. Actually quite helpful in the long run. As long as things aren’t taken personally, criticism is a wonderful tool.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Personally, I rob banks. Just kidding. I see allot of sights with advertising on them so I suppose that is one way or perhaps to get syndication would be another. Many bloggers use their blogs to sale stuff.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
At least an awful lot of time to dedicate to their blog as it may well be their business. But to build a “clientele” takes much interaction with a lot of people. If it is a personal blog (as is mine) the best way to increase readership is to spend most of your time on other blogs leaving comments and making contacts. Steady updates and posting are also necessary.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
Simply by espousing the beauty and benefits of peace. By sharing the ways by which peace is obtained and maintained and sharing personal stories of communication as THAT is the key.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
This one is tough. Some of my favorite authors, those whose talents for writing stand head and shoulder above the rest of us don’t necessarily have the best blogs, and some of those who publish really popular stuff aren’t necessarily the most prolific of writers. And then there is the matter of some of the most influential bloggers to me does not blog any longer (or at least sporadically).

OK

Enough with the being evasive. My top five favorite bloggers currently on my blogroll are (in no particular order)…

1. Steven Schroeder (http://steven-schroeder.blogspot.com/) in my opinion is about the best poet out there.
2. Ali (http://silentverses.com/) is another formidable poet. Hers is some of the most personally honest poetry to be found.Rex Venom (http://rexvenom.blogspot.com/) is likewise an amazing writer. Don’t let the ambiance fool you, his writing are deep and profound (sometimes)
3. Paul Squires (http://gingatao.wordpress.com/) is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting and challenging writers I have come across. He is acrostic and humorous.
4. Speaking of funny, possibly my longest standing blogging relationship is with Evyl (http://purefnevyl.wordpress.com/). I have followed him though several blogs. He is very funny and irreverent and most of all he is unapologetic and no holds barred. Don’t visit if you are easily offended. Hell for that matter, if you are offended at all because if it can happen, it will happen there.
   

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
In One particular post I speculated the end of my writing (or at least blogging) and questioned the desire and reasons to write (http://ozymandiaz.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/263/). Being that everyone who responded to the blog post are bloggers themselves the question touched home to all.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
A land of diverse beauties, the land of pure seems to be a historical fulcrum for which powers from east and west have vied through the centuries. This would seem to me to be both a point of pride and angst. Having what other people want offers power but has to be a pain in the butt eventually. Also, having seemingly endless military conflict in the region has to have an integral effect on the shaping of the national psyche. I stay well acquainted with activities in the area (as this is a region in which I believe US foreign policy has pulled many a blunder, I’m sure I don’t have to describe in detail here).

I have had few Pakistani acquaintances, primarily in the professional setting, yet I have found those acquaintances nothing but amiable. A very astute peoples in my opinion.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Bloggers are like snowflakes in that they are all flakey in some aspect or another… I mean there are no two alike. Yada yada yada. In actuality, there are a few bloggers who seem to stand out a bit and there are a few pretty extreme bloggers I have come across but I generally have not been stunned by anyone or anything. I am sometimes surprised at how upfront and open some bloggers are concerning very personal issues.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
The commonality of brutality in developing countries would be the first thing. Not saying by any means that it does not exist in so called developed countries but it is far more prevalent in third world nations. The other aspect would be how women and minorities are treated. To me, the litmus test of whether or not a country is developed is the standing of women in its society, whether or not they are treated as second class citizens or even property. Infrastructure, educations, medicine and such in comparison would seem to be an academic.

What is the future of blogging?
Pretty much the same as it is now, the thoughts and lives of billions of average Joes transmitted worldwide for all to be bored to tears.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Very little. It gives me something to do in my down time.

What are your future plans?
WORLD DIMINATION BABAY! I mean, common, I didn’t take the name Ozymandiaz (I know, it should end with an s) for no reason.

Actually, I just plan on living till I die.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Let not the voice of anyone, ANYONE, usurp the will of your nation. Find strength in the unity of diversification. Most important, each and every one of you think for yourselves. We have too many people over here that do not do this and our nation is having difficulties due to that fact.