Sireen Malik 's World Wide Footprint

Chicago

2011-12-26T09:57:00.001-06:00

The name Chicago is derived from an Algonquin word “Chigagou,” which translates to “onion field.”

Chicago is home to...

2011-12-26T09:52:00.000-06:00

An estimated 2,695,598 residents
More than 200 theaters
Nearly 200 art galleries
More than 7,300 restaurants
77 community areas containing more than 100 neighborhoods
26 miles of lakefront
15 miles of bathing beaches
36 annual parades
19 miles of lakefront bicycle paths
552 parks

How To Perform The Perfect Golf Swing

2011-04-27T20:48:00.001-05:00

Making the Perfect Golf Swing.
"http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-perform-the-perfect-golf-swing"

Roadtrip from Dallas to Las Vegas, LA and San Fran

2010-12-06T22:15:00.009-06:00

In August this year, I finally made the long overdue road trip to the west coast. I always wanted to see America by road but never came around to actually doing it. My sisters visit acted as a catalyst. Both our families decided to make the jump and "just do it". Here are some of the pictures from the trip:

Life obliges...

2010-02-20T08:32:00.000-06:00

Human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but...life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves."
— Gabriel Marquez

Invictus

2010-02-07T01:05:00.000-06:00

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Day after Yesterday

2010-02-05T08:34:00.001-06:00

Fantastically head-spinning sore!

Under the knife

2010-02-03T19:41:00.003-06:00

So: I am going to have my gb removed tomorrow! Let's see where this takes us?

Work

2010-01-22T01:22:00.000-06:00

Back to the normal routine of work, work and work!

Think....

2010-01-07T22:34:00.001-06:00

The perfect God created an imperfect world; the imperfect man wants to create a perfect world!

Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

2010-01-01T12:31:00.004-06:00

From the eyes and mind of the greatest storytellers of our time, the master artist:

"To him she seemed so beautiful, so seductive, so different from ordinary people, that he could not understand why no one was as disturbed as he by the clicking of her heels on the paving stones, why no one else's heart was wild with the breeze stirred by the sighs of her veils, why everyone did not go mad with the movements of her braid, the flight of her hands, the gold of her laughter. He had not missed a single one of her gestures, not one of the indications of her character, but he did not dare approach her for fear of destroying the spell."

Nietzsche auf Anklage des Christentums

2010-01-01T11:51:00.002-06:00

Der Antichrist [Kapital 62]: "Diese ewige Anklage des Christentums will ich an alle Wände schreiben, wo es nur Wände gibt, - ich habe Buchstaben, um auch Blinde sehend zu machen… Ich heiße das Christentum den einen großen Fluch, die Eine große innerlichste Verdorbenheit, den Einen großen Instinkt der Rache, dem kein Mittel giftig, heimlich, unterirdisch, klein genug ist, - ich heiße es den Einen unsterblichen Schandfleck der Menschheit"

Sind die starke Worte nicht relevant fuer andere Religionen auch? Die ewige schandenehit?

Deutsch Automobilhersteller

2009-12-30T23:25:00.006-06:00

The search is over: finally the Germans won over Japanese and American car manufacturers. The Bimmer is indeed the ultimate driving machine...man that Sport shift...turns machine in to a beast... mmmm mmmm mmmm...love it!

Return from Canada, and Vacations 2009-2010

2009-12-27T00:05:00.003-06:00

I am back in Plano, having finished the long project in Canada; it started on Jan 1, 2009 and ended on Dec 18, 2009. Canada is a nice country: Open, live, happening, culturally advanced, and interestingly it is a bridge between USA and Europe (could I have asked for more?). I would certainly like to visit it again.

I took a couple of weeks off; it's one week in to vacations already. We are having a great time: eating out, socializing, watching movies (saw Twilight II on kids insistence!), gossiping, dieting and failing, checking out shops for sales and bargains, etc.

To top it all, it actually snowed in Plano, giving the good people of Texas a white Christmas. A bit unusual but what is usual these days anyway?

We are now looking for a second car, the decision of which is both enjoyable and head-spinning, at the same time: SUV or Sedan? German, Japenese or American? Old or new? Lease or Finance? With so many variables in play I'm finding it a bit hard to model it in my head: the optimization is indeed challenging. I want to actually put this on paper but am happy playing objective and subjective factors against each other. Probably end up buying an old Beetle in the end!

Meme

2009-12-12T17:28:00.003-06:00

A meme is .... a unit of cultural ideas, symbols, practices, etc. which can be transmitted from one mind to another through speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena...the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes, in that they self-replicate and respond to selective pressures. Richard Dawkins introduced the word "meme" for discussion of evolutionary principles in explaining the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. Examples of memes given in the book included melodies, catch-phrases, beliefs (religious beliefs), clothing fashion, and the technology of building arches.

Some Insights into Pakistani search habits..!

2009-12-07T20:23:00.005-06:00

Playing with Google Insight real-time search, I found out a few interesting things that are at the top of Pakistani minds. Here’s Pakistan’s position in the Google search index:
Islam, # 3;
Quran, #1;
Sex, #1,
Girls, #1;
XXX, # 1;
Terrorism, # 1;
Canadian Immigration, # 1;
Indian films, #1, ...

How shocking this is? If Bipolar Disorder was a social disease, I'd say Paksitani's suffer from it -- badly!

Bambi Effect

2009-12-06T20:32:00.002-06:00

It refers to the human emotional reversion to the killing of animals by humans or other animals. The effect is credited and tied to increasing awareness about pollution and environment.
Common usage: Customers can not eat a whole fish...its the bambi effect...they dont want the eyes to be staring back at them!

Oprah Winfrey for (Vice-) President

2009-12-05T22:43:00.002-06:00

Is it possible?

She is one of the most visible media personalities in the world. She has the charisma. She has good track record, a known philanthropist, influential, rich, ..., knows how to act and make a great speech. Why shouldn't she? If Reagen could do it, so could she!

San Antonio

2009-12-02T23:56:00.003-06:00

Places to see in San Antonio, Tx:

Map Riverwalk

Articles of US Constitution and its Preamble

2009-12-01T23:46:00.003-06:00

The US Constitution consists of :

- a preamble
- 7 original articles
- 27 amendments,
- and a paragraph certifying its enactment by the constitutional convention.

The Preamble: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Semi-Black Thursday and Black Friday

2009-11-27T13:35:00.010-06:00

I am flying out to Dallas in about an hour. Right now, sitting in Toronto airport's departure lounge, I am watching the first snow of the season; it would probably melt by the time anybody mentions it! The brilliant cycle of the last 24 hours: the company of friends, laughs, stories, jokes, talk of old-loves and would-be loves -- fantasies of old men getting softer and older -- content with what has been achieved, and mischievoulsy grinning at what might yet be achievable. Life could not be any better: I am getting happiness anxiety! Thank you for Your special eye.

First Amendment: The Establishment Clause

2009-11-18T22:58:00.004-06:00

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion by the Congress or the preference of one religion over another, non-religion over religion, or religion over non-religion. In the middle and later years of the 20th century the Supreme Court began to interpret the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses in such a manner as to restrict the promotion of religion by state governments: Government should not prefer one religion to another, or religion to irreligion.

American Liberalism (and bleeding-heart liberals)

2009-11-18T16:54:00.004-06:00

JF. Kennedy gave two different definitions of liberalism:

“What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label 'Liberal'? If by 'Liberal' they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer’s dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of 'Liberal'. But if by a 'Liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a 'Liberal', then I’m proud to say I’m a 'Liberal'.

Bleeding Heart Liberal: A person who is considered excessively sympathetic toward those who claim to be underprivileged or exploited. The use of pejorative terms such as "bleeding-heart liberal", "knee-jerk liberal", "tax-and-spend liberal", "cut-and-run liberal", ... is a common political tactic in modern American politics.

A useful life

2009-11-17T13:05:00.002-06:00

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

-- Emily Dickinson

Political Correctness

2009-11-17T11:19:00.003-06:00

Politcal Correctness is the new social contract.

On one hand, it mitigates language, freedom of speech, suppressive, etc.

On the other, it enhances the harmony and stability of a _pluralist_ society.

In practice, it does not work so well as the theory suggests. Though, there is one place where it works extremely well: the 9-5 office environment. One hint of aggression and the lawyers get involved. For example, in my office, I can not use _any_ of the politically incorrect words or phrases; can not use _any_ four letter words; have to be very very careful of sexual harrasment, etc. etc.

Reason: any action or expression by an employee should not create a hostile work-environment.

Because it works for me, I extend the same civility to everybody else around me.

By the People: The Election of Barack

2009-11-17T09:50:00.002-06:00

Saw "By the People: The Election of Barack" last night -- one word: Brilliant. Reminds me that night in Dublin, far far away from Chicago, when I sat in front of Tele and Web till morning ... and wooped and danced a solo dance when this man won (my wife shouted from sleep: what's wrong with you?). A man whose struggle and rise to the top I have followed closely: a source of continuous inspiration.

God bless you Obama for spreadng a little hope, and inspiring ordinary people like me.

Yes, we can!

"Stop all the Clocks" by W Auden

2009-11-14T11:54:00.007-06:00

"Funeral Blues" by W Auden, made famous when it was recited in the movie "Four Weddings and a Funeral". Its simplicity, honesty and depth of grief clenches the soul and brings pouring forth personal emotions:

...was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The poem was written to be sung by the soprano Anderson. Here is the complete poem:

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Fort Hood, Tx

2009-11-11T20:45:00.004-06:00

Last week, a suicidal fundamentalist opened fire on innocent people, killed 13 and wounded many; he was taken down by a courageous police-woman -- bringing his killing spree to a stop. This is not the first time this has happened, it is not the last either! Ford Hood, Tx was just a small stop on the path of this blood-thirsty group of mad-men -- muderers and thugs which have brought down a religion to its knees, in disrespect and in shame.

Makes me wonder: What lies behind the blood-thirstiness of Jehadists? Why 'their' religion brings only death and tears?

Makes me think: What does my religion really preach? Is there a solution to this madness in Islam? Why is that after 1400 years of history the same wheel of violence spins again and again?

US Constitution for Dummis - Part I

2009-11-04T22:03:00.011-06:00

The US constitution -- adpoted on sept 17, 1787 and ratified by each state in the name of 'the people' -- is the foundation and source of authority underlying the existance of Unites States and the federal government. It separates the power into three government bodies: bicameral congress (house and senate); president's executive branch, and the supreme court.

Thurgood Marshal

2009-11-03T21:58:00.002-06:00

On June 13, 1967, T. Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court. President Johnson, at this appointment, made the famous statement: "the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place."

Scarlet Letter

2009-11-03T21:44:00.002-06:00

Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'magnum opus': 'The Scarlet Letter', written in 1850, set in the puritanical society of Boston, about a women who committed adultery and gave birth to a child; she was made to wear 'a rag of scarlet' on her dress which assumed the shape of capital letter 'A'. The story spings around themes of sin and guilt.

In recent years, the term has been used as a noun to refer to the method used to brand or label a person in a certain way. For example, Hitler's order to pin Star of David on jewish population during Nazi era would be considered a 'Scarlet Letter'.

Food racism: Is it really a big issue?

2009-11-01T14:21:00.003-06:00

A recent remark by ESPN's Bob Griese about Colombian motorsport champion, Juan Montoya, that he is "out having a Taco" has earned him a week's suspension. It has also brought again in focus the debate about stereotypical "food racism".

But really is it that big an issue? A little sense of humor has not killed anyone, so should we be making so much fuss about "a taco in teapot" !

Montesquieu's influence on American founding fathers

2009-10-30T23:50:00.002-05:00

Montesquieu (1689-1755), famous for his articluation of the theory of 'separation of powers', formulated the golden words: "government should be set up so that no man need be afraid of another."

He had a huge influence on the American founding fathers, especially James Maddison, 'the father of constitution'. They strived to form a stable government based on the idea of clean separation of powers.

Montisqieu is also famous for coining the terms 'fuedalism' and 'Byzantine Empire'.

Somalian Radical Islamists

2009-10-30T21:25:00.004-05:00

Al-Shabaab a militant orgnization, outlawed by the US, is implementing its interpretation of Sharia in Somalia. In recent days, 150-200 people, including women who were wearing visible bras or were not wearing socks or headscarfs, and men for chewing khat leaves, have been flogged and detained by the radical Islamists!

This is the progress we have made in 1400 years of our history!

Clarity

2009-10-29T21:43:00.005-05:00

Reaching inside, searching through the fog, looking for answers; avoiding traps of space and time, sometimes with success sometimes without; fingertips touching the skin of a vision that keeps changing, morphing, twisting, writhing with emotions of the past clashing with hopes of the future--the eternal search for clarity!

Healthcare reform bill

2009-10-29T13:34:00.004-05:00

The 894 billion dollar bill was unveiled by House Democrats today. It has the controversial public health insurance option, and promises to cover 96% americans. It would also ensure that insurance companies do not turn any patient coverage down, because of any pre-existing condition(s).

Let's see what becomes of it?

Terrorist attack in Peshawar, Pakistan kills 101 people

2009-10-28T22:30:00.006-05:00

This news breaks my heart: 101 people were slaughtered in Peshawar today! What kind of savagery is this? Who are these people murdering their own brothers, sisters and children?

But then the history of Islam is filled with examples of such slaughters. Is it not cannibalism, self-decimation? It is a 1400 year long bloody trail; its latest 'victory' the pile of mutilated bodies and limbs of women and children butchered for 'the supremacy of God'.

I dont want to know _that_ God!

A passage from one of the books that changed my life: Brothers Karamazov (Ch: The Grand Inquisitor)

2009-10-27T22:34:00.003-05:00

"'Is it Thou? Thou?' but receiving no answer, he adds at once. 'Don't answer, be silent. What canst Thou say, indeed? I know too well what Thou wouldst say. And Thou hast no right to add anything to what Thou hadst said of old. Why, then, art Thou come to hinder us? For Thou hast come to hinder us, and Thou knowest that. But dost thou know what will be to-morrow? I know not who Thou art and care not to know whether it is Thou or only a semblance of Him, but to-morrow I shall condemn Thee and burn Thee at the stake as the worst of heretics. And the very people who have to-day kissed Thy feet, to-morrow at the faintest sign from me will rush to heap up the embers of Thy fire. Knowest Thou that? Yes, maybe Thou knowest it,' he added with thoughtful penetration, never for a moment taking his eyes off the Prisoner."

Defining yourself _again and again_

2009-10-27T00:52:00.003-05:00

Some days are stranger, a bit more odd, than others: sun rises too early, and sets too late; feet drag through the day; discussions become predicatable; news become static; thoughts become chaotic; but the mind keeps searching for new something -- anything that takes away the monotony, and gives to life meaning anew.

You know then: time has come to move on; open the mind even wider to let even brighter colors seep in, and polish and oil the rusted cogs of creaking thought-machine. Yes, you must move on with even more vigor, and perhaps a little more madness to spice up the things!

NFL

2009-10-25T21:30:00.000-05:00

NFC teams:

East: Dallas Cowboys, NY Giants, Phil Eagles and Washington Redskins
West: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AFC teams:

North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
South: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts,Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots,New York Jets
West: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

The NFL season features the following schedule:

* 4-game exhibition season (or preseason) running from early August to early September;

* 16-game, 17-week regular season running from September to December or early January; and

* 12-team playoff tournament beginning in January, culminating in the Super Bowl in early February.

2009 Season Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/schedules?seasonType=REG&season=2009#Week

Manifest Destiny

2009-10-25T17:56:00.000-05:00

It's an 18th century term that provides the theoretical basis, and justification, for American expansionism across the entire American continent: Canada, Mexico, etc. An American journalist, John O Sullivan used the term in 1930s to argue annexation of Texas to the United States. Later, the scope of Manifest Destiny broadened to European countires and beyond.

The term designates the belief that US is destined, and even ordained by the higher Diety to expand, occupy and bring higher moral values like democracy, human-rigts,etc. to the rest of the world. It has fallen out of fashion in recent decades; some argue that the belief continues to influence the American foriegn policy.

American Exceptionalism

2009-10-25T01:23:00.001-05:00

American exceptionalism is a multi-dimensional concept. Its dominant interpretations include four different meanings: (1) Supernatural exceptionalism (2) Geographic exceptionalism (3) Genetic exceptionalism, and (4) Republican Ethos. In the following, each is touched briefly.

Supernatural exceptionalism: It essentially means that causal potency of God in selecting the USA to act as an example for the rest of the world.

Geographic exceptionalism: The distinctive nature of American political economy, social setup, location, climate, availability of natural resources, etc.

Genetic exceptionalism: It emphasises the distinct racial traits, gender and ethnicity of the American people; America has a multiethnic multiracial traits owing to its immigrant population

Republican ethos: In this view, America is inextricable connected to equality and liberty; it is founded on the republican ideals.

In my opion, this is a path that America needs to tread very carefully: an over-interpreation of "exceptionalism" feeds into the neocon agenda of importing and installing American idea of justice and democracy in the rest of the world; it engenders an International-Police attitude towards other states.

Terrorism

2009-10-24T14:15:00.001-05:00

The real intention of terrorism is not to damage a few buildings or kill a few people. It's "raison de etre" is to collapse the system by engendering people's distrust of their Government; creating chaos and disorder, and provoking a wide-spread sense of insecurity.

On illiteracy in Muslims

2009-10-23T12:53:00.000-05:00

There is an intrinstic contradiction in Islamic approach to education that needs to be reconciled, if ever we want to bring up Muslim literacy.

Fear is an important part of religion, similar to any other major social system. Take out the fear of law, Hell or Lords wrath over our sins, and there is really no regulatory mechanism left at the level of an individual, for moderation and self-control.

History tells us that religion is dominant in agricultural and war-busy societies. The lesser the opportunity to control one's destiny the bigger the reliance on higher powers. History has also shown us that "industrialization" diluted the power of religions. Why? Because an individual has more power, more opportunities to control his destiny. Education empowers an individual; people can create and model their lives without any help or guidance from Priests, Rabis or Mullahs--religion weakens.

So why would the thought-leaders of a religion preach something that ultimately dilutes their own authority? Why would a Priest or Mullah encourage people to get educated?

That is the paradox, the intrinsic contradiction.

Interestingly, in Islam, whereas other activities such as Jihad have clear-cut instructions and depiction of rewards, education does not even come close to the same level of importance! So I ask, is that the reason for 70% illiteracy in 1.6B Muslims on this planet?

Something has to be written down!

2009-10-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is a complete sentence; this is another. I hereby declare this blog open!

Family is back in Dallas; workplace has settled in to a manageable rythm, and I can not sleep more than five to six hours per day, anyway. So I have a bit of time on my hands these days, and I am spending it all on the Internet!

It's mostly reading news, and commenting on friends' status updates on Facebook. There is a lot to read; for instance, Wazirastan, Pakistan; Afghanistan elections, US healthcare reforms, NFL, stock market, secular blogs, health and medicine, IEEE, etc. If I come across anything interesting I usually post it on my Facebook page--a page now heavy with news and stories of all kinds! But too much browsing is spreading me too thin on the Internet. Therefore, I have started this blog, to write down my thoughts and impressions about the things I read.

So here goes....