Interview with Blogger Sami Mughal
By The Pakistani Spectator • Mar 16th, 2009 • Category: Interviews • 6 CommentsBorn and bred Lahori living in Milton Keynes, UK, working as an R&D Engineer. I blog at ‘Randomness Infinite‘
Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember. From the early school days where I had my own versions of Alice in the Wonderland to a brief stint at trying poetry for witches (as in magic spells). When the world of internet introduced itself to me, I set up a page at Geocities (www.geocities.com/smacula) to put up my occasional writings as well as scattered thoughts. A few years later ‘Blogging’ started and it was only natural for me to progress. I started off with a blog that was supposed to be personal and thoughts but it went a bit technical so I changed that to a side blog (Gadgetting away, http://smaculatech.blogspot.com) and started focussing on the current one, which was based on mostly my current thoughts and experiences (Randomness Infinite, http://smacula.blogspot.com).
What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?
I would like to think that my blog encourages people to think. I try to bring forward random ideas and thoughts I get and see what people think about them, whether they challenge them, accept them, or just laugh at them. This mixed with a few personal experiences, and some funny stuff makes it what it is.
If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Not being afraid of who I am. I am different and we all are. The ability to recognize and accept this is what I would attribute to be my favourite characteristic. Or being geeky… lol!
What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Do people actually answer this question? HOW !!! All I can say is I hope I have already gone through the gloomiest moment and the happiest moments are still to come 
!
!Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?
The potential is no doubt huge, but we as a nation rely on English a lot more than most other nations do. It helps us when we venture abroad, but of course at the cost of Urdu skills. Though people who write Urdu blogs are awesome, and have good linguistic skills, the fact that Nastaliq font is not commonly used means everybody sees a very rough font, which means it is hard to read. So action needed!
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?
Another tricky one this! I suppose somewhere with a nice view of the northern lights would be the first on the list, so that would be Canada and would give me a chance to see Niagra falls as well.
I have always wanted to go to New York, and sadly that means 2 out of 3 of my to be list are in the American continent. I suppose the next one could be Dubai, just to go and see what all the fuss is about.
What is your favorite book and why?
Once again a tricky one. I will have to say Lord of the Rings (JRR Tolkien) because that is one book I have read again and again and again, and always look forward to reading it every time I get the chance. Overall the list is too long because I really love to read!
What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?
Nihari, and cricket are two of the answers. Though people may not agree, I do like to dress up sometimes and anything from suits and ties to shalwar qameez goes!
Which are the top 3 places in Pakistan for honeymoon?
I seriously would not know the answer to this. It used to be Swat I suppose but I think that is just a figment of the not-so-distant past. Pakistan is a beautiful place but unfortunately I cannot really point fingers at very ‘romantic’ places.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Depends. Depends on whether I see them from a distance or whether I meet them. If I do meet them, it would be the interface process, the hand shake, the smile, the nod of the head, the hi and the hello. If it is somebody I notice at a distance, most probably it is all to do with their visual appearance, or perhaps their moves.
Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?
Personally I see English overtaking Urdu at the moment.
How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Apart from the usual Adsense route, I think a proper set up could or should be established where bloggers contribute to a certain website or online journal. Or perhaps if some of their stuff is very good that could be published in a book/journal/paper somewhere and the royalties could be paid of the bloggers who contributed. Otherwise, a sort of setup that puts adverts on blogs may be another way to go, but guess both of my answers require serious thinking and investment.
Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centered and really don’t go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style of blogging, or they are still unsure about it?
That statement, if I may dare say, is highly offensive to wonderful talent we have about. The amount of versatility I have seen on the Pakistani blogosphere is immense and very promising!
What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
It is right up there !!!
Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
Paradoxicity… http://paradoxicity.wordpress.com/
It only has one entry there at the moment but having known the works of this young blogger I know it is going to be good.
A Myth in Creation… http://awaisaftab.blogspot.com
Another one of those people who like to make you think!
Cigito, Ergo Sum … http://uglyduckling91.blogspot.com
If nobody can put a smile on your face, this young lad will!
Life ala Shahnaz… http://shahnazness.blogspot.com
As made famous by Alpha Bravo Charlie, her writing creativity keeps me hooked!
PakSpin… http://blogs.cricinfo.com/pakspin
Perhaps people who know Cricinfo know him already, but he is one of my favourite Cricket writers.
Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?
I will have to say Cogito Ergo Sum again. It is out of this world. You go dude!
What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
Not something I think often about, but from what I see, I think it is bright!
You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I have made many friends over blogging and that is a good plus. Since my blog is based on a lot of things I think, sometimes I do think that ‘hmmm this would be an interesting thing to discuss’ but more or less, the blog follows me, and not the other way around.
What are your future plans?
Get rich or die trying… lol. Well the lots I suppose, live a life till I die!
Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
We are all different. Dare to be who you are, and the joy that comes with self acceptance is immense!
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[...] So I got interviewed for PakSpectator.com … and you can read it here… http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-blogger-sami-mughal/ [...]
wonderful my friend!
wonderful!
Wow Sami, very nice your interview, I agree with your answers, you write very well!
Congrats!
Desi… and a thanks once again
Raquel… thank you too
Congrats
Homer Chacha!
You rock dude!