The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

Laowiseass began in 2004 at the suggestion of a Chinese friend, ironically, since I use the space to lampoon China. Living in Chis is no cakewalk. I needed to vent and I’m a writer by trade but can’t use the news to say what I really want. The blog was my solution.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

I have become a better thinker and a better writer. I’ve also become more conscious of photos that might accompany blog posts. If you compare the oldest post to the newest, you’ll see a huge stride.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

There are too many to list. Some posts have been quoted or cited in major media. I’ve made the “blog rolls” of other sites. I’ve been taken to task for getting my stuff wrong. Two commentators started fighting with each other once, maybe twice. And my father discovered it.

I like debates in the comments section, especially when they put my original blog post to shame and teach me a few lessons. That’s a free education for me.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

My company, Reuters, has a blog policy and I’ve lived within it, though somewhat at the margins. I don’t mention Reuters on the blog itself. My wife has also asked to be omitted, though references are hard to avoid.

What are your future plans?

I plan to keep up the blog, tweet each new post for more exposure and maybe some day compile the posts into a book, which surely no one would read.

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

If you don’t already, blog!