The Pakistani Spectator

I choose to go through life with rose-colored glasses, denying the negative forces in front of my nose in favor of the optimistic attitude. According to mythology I am the goddess of love (no denial). Of course it is on the audience entirely to worship and adore me, and my assurances that I will strive to get that. I live for love and romance. Life without love would be a living death!! (and that suffocates most people) There is a lot of learning about life from books, from my friends, music, movies, philosophy, and I owe a thing or two to the men in my life (namely my father, my ex best friend & my ex-husband). I have ample wit and I am not ashamed to show it off. My God has chosen me to face constant dilemmas such as “those shoes or those or just both?”. “I am alive like you, and I am standing beside you. Close your eyes and look around, you will see me in front of you. (Gibran’s epitaph)” p.s. goes without saying I am one of you! I blog here.

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?
My first time around blogosphere was 2004. The only inspiration, My Passion for Words!

What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?
There is not a single blog I am maintaining, I have 4 for now and each a window opening to a different view.
What sets them as ‘different’, is how each maintains a flavor, ambience, tone, and melody.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
My ability to see the bigger picture has undoubtedly been the key to all my achievments. Personal or profesional.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Moments where I smile and am grateful to God are all my happy moments. In case of the happiest moment, I think it was then, when I wrote my first poem, an ode to my mother. The gloomiest is yet to come, or maybe it did but some happy moment over-shadowed it, hence I don’t recall.

Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?
I am not an avid Urdu reader, hence I don’t share the same enthusiasm as some might. It does have a potential maybe but I am too inclined towards the English language because it is much more Universal.

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?
Old Europe, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and any other place that can promise me a relaxing vacation with scintillating views and a soothing atmosphere.

What is your favorite book and why?
It is hard to pick just a book, when every one of them has a treasure. A Love Story by Erich Segal is probably the the bestest love story told with the right proportion of highs and lows and yet a complete story unfolds. I have read it at least 15 times.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?
Favorite Meal is the desi Dal [Lentiles] Chawal [Rice] and Mashed Potatoes.
Favorite Dress is Saree.
Favorite Sport is definitely Soccer.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
The ATTITUDE is my first concern. I have learnt how to measure the Warm and Cold ones.

Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?
English Blogs definitely. The circle I am in finds it appealing to not just limit around the borders of the country, but reach out far and beyond English is the language which helps us connect beyond borders.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
I am sorry but I have not looked into it as a means of ‘financial benefits’ as yet.

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?
I have not really been around Pakistani Bloggers as much as I should or could. I blog for my own passion and passions are limitless and out there. For starters maybe everyone is a bit hestitant, because it is a whole new world and hence the self imposed restrictions but every good thing happens gradually, might as well wait and watch.

What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
It is breaking all bounderies and the silence which has been casted for a very long time. There is an echo which is boggling more minds everyday and everyone is seeking to be part of it.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
Kay [http://lifemeansdrama.blogspot.com/]
Madeeha Syed [http://bandbaji.wordpress.com/]
Khizzy [http://cloudkhizzy.blogspot.com/]
Yawar [http://herekar.blogspot.com/]
Jammie’s Jar [http://jamdesigns.wordpress.com/]

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?
Kay [http://lifemeansdrama.blogspot.com/]
There is something about Kay that inspires me and leaves me lingering around in her space for hours. As ‘I balance’ most of the time, Kay’s Blog has the right visual and read which as a reader I find very appealing.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
With the free mindsets and the hunger to be a voice heard, there is a whole new world that I see as far as blogging goes.
You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
As said, I am a woman of passions. My personal and professional life the two legs of my passion, have no conflicts because they both walk, dance and move around writing.

What are your future plans?
I will like to Quote the lyrics of a song which will explain things better.
“Take one step at a time, There’s no need to rush, It’s like learning to fly, Or falling in love, It’s gonna happen when it’s,
Supposed to happen that we, Find the reasons why….” it’s the future, it will come only when the present is lived.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
A Spectator without a Say is a Curse for any Nation.

Your motivation, is my pay check. Keep reading and commenting!