The Chowk Jam!

Yes, let`s give the poor guy a break. I think many of us have gone throught similar experiences. However, my qualm with the story is that it just hasn`t been told well. Good writing should invoke pathos without being pathetic.

Ciao

Re: Temporal post # 70 (LXX)

Cool down? only Chowk mela?

Berlin Wall was only a wall; Ho Chi Minh trail was only a trail; Omaha beach was only a beach...

On more sombre note, Omaha Beach was a disaster and the Ho Chi Minh trail was too costly in human lives and the Berlin Wall was just a bad idea!

Maybe, you`re right!

Shandana:

Rain checks?

Anita:

Looking forward.

Feroze:

Yar cool down! It is only a Chowk Mela.

Majnoon sahab:

Goostakhi darguzar!

Re: Zehra post # 63

Yes, that is the right e-mail address.

Re: Temporal post # 60

Conserve my efforts for something practical?

Temporal, you have to understand that in cases like this, I love the process more than the outcome! All those long hours devoted, living on coffee and stomach acid and then in the end, nothing, but a feeling abject weariness when your 110% was not good enough!

This is a mental challenge...putting all the pieces together...taking the impossible and making it seem probable...keeping one eye on the time and other on its twin conspirator, my own limits....trying to seek a happy compromise between time, place, schedules and each a variable that defies a confluence and conflicts with others.....hell, this is what I live for!

This is like planing a military campaign....so many imponderables and no matter how well the plan might be, you always know that the minute it is put into effect, something will happen and nothing will go as planned! This is crisis management at its worst and at its best and why I love it!

Adapt, Improvise and Overcome!!!!!!! My battle cry!

re: temporal

Bhai, JB sey tou roz baat ho jati hai. Ab zara garmiaN huN tou aap ki taraf aaeeN.

A

Bina and Shandana,

I didn`t think it would be worth your while to make a transatlantic trip just to shoot the breeze with losers like us. On the other hand, you two are the obvious center of gravity (along with the mythical Kaneez) for a Chowk get-together in Pakistan.

Incidentally, Anita and I will be in Karachi later this year and would love to meet you.

Saad

Hey Shandana and Bina,

We`ll be there in August. Let`s all have a party, Kaneez Rahman included.

P.S I have a sneaking suspicion that you are married to my former dentist`s son!!

Anita

re bina..

excellent idea! the thing is (much as i`d like ari f to be part of our toyboy celebration) arif is going to be in lahore for the next 5 days..perfect time to do it yes? i`m sure kaneez would be happy to join us..maybe they can work the paper bag into the jumping out of a cake routine.

re all (especially temporal and his partner in sin)
anyone who`s going to be in karachi over the next few months is invited to come and stay with us. we`re in the process of moving into a space much too large for the two of us and need someone to answer the door and cook. if that doesn`t sound appealing..come and stay with us anyway and experience firsthand the hospitality of a psychotic pakistani couple and the luxury of living in this city.if you`re a serial (conversation) killer and you wish to take advantage of this innocent invitation to find gullible victims, go and visit temp.
(offer valid only as long as these castles in the air stand)

re cheeno..

i got married to cloak my inherent promiscuousness in a shroud of respectability of course. why do you think i was so gushy about (little) javed memon of `that jelly bean kinda feeling`?

shandana

Well, Shandana, you and I can just have our own party. Arif can be the DJ - which ensures the best music anywhere - we can hire a team of toy boys to amuse ourselves with; we can invite Kaneez Rahman but I think she might come with a bag on her head, and we can invite all the people across the border in India - they can utilize the new bus service from Delhi to Lahore! What do you say?

to open this reply i quote :

It`s like a big party, an open rendezvous

A conduit, receptacle for you and you and you

To throw out ideas or pick up something new

To agree or disagree about a thing or two

cheeno`s idea of what chowk is..a BIG OPEN party...

i am in the process of emailing ferozk ( dude, whats your email address? i tried frkhan@chowk.com..is that right?) and perhaps the two of us can see what the possibility is, what places, time and locations are good and even get in touch with the chowk staff and see whats up...for those planning private get-togethers and stuff, its all good :) but lets see if we can get one big ole weekend planned.

cheeno..i thought the comment about the rippling pecs identified you as a man..guess not :) im feroz`s height so i guess its not so short..

rizvi

Cheeno, right on Chowk Survey is the only way to get feedback from diverse people living in east to west coasts before organizing a Chowk picnic. And yes thanx for doing izzat. keep `em up :)

reagrds.

MAK

Shandana:

IF (capitals inntentional) there is a Chowk Mela Bina can be persuaded to attend it. As for you and Arif, did we not hear it somewhere your are still planning a honeymoon?

Wonder if your dare (about ANY man) will be picked up by others. Not one, you say?! Pity!

Quaid-e-Sagheer Feroze:

Stop in your tracks. Listen to the sane, cynical voices. Conserve thoughts and energies on more doable projects.

JB:

Our little project is on. Place is agreed upon, Time to be decided soon for logistic reasons. Confirmed attendees three. Am probing 1-3 more. The additional folks must be agreeable to you three.

TO OTHER CHOWKIES:

My partner in sin, who is not a Chowkie, and I have agreed to host a Toronto Pow wow. To maximize the gupshup factor, we agreed that they will stay with us. Space constraint allows us three spare bedrooms. That means we can comfortably host three couples or six adults only. They will be here from 3-7 days depending on their time constraints. The reason I am breaking the radio-silence over this is simple. This is the way Chowk pow wows should grow. Then perhaps one day...........

regards

Shafqat: Thanks for the AKU site ref. You guys make a good-looking couple!

About the `picnic,` I think the logistics are pretty overwhelming, which is probably why the Chowk staff is mum on this. Before doing anything else, I think we should ask the Chowk staff to at least hold some kind of survey to see how many people (Chowk visitors) will be interested in something like this. That should be the very first step. And then they should suggest three getaways (after feedback from us) and ask people to pick their preference. It would be great if they`ll do at least this much for us. After these two steps, we can appoint a couple of volunteers to take it from there (Feroze leaps into mind) and report back regularly for feedback and to keep the rest of us up to date.

SR: ``I have no qualms about `exploiting the capitalist market.` It is the BEING exploited that I find revolting.``

HILARIOUS. But again, as you so aptly put, `lost on` some readers.

``constipation of the head and diarrhea of the mouth.``

Gut-heaving imagery; really funny again.

Anita Zaidi: Saw the AKU website. The only thing I had right about you is your facial expression.

Feroze: If this thing ever jells, you`ll be our man, bud.

Shandana: tsk tsk, such below-the-belt shots. Btw, what`re you doing asking about interesting young men so soon?

BG: yoohooooooo....

MAK: I`m here, I`m here. Crazy weekend, so gotta hurry this up. Young and single? A student? Aur main vaysay hee teree ithnee izzat shizzat kar raha hoon. Anyway, sorry for mistaking you for an older guy.

Zehra: You...you I imagine as a feisty young thing, short-medium height, large, beautiful eyes. So, you consider yourself beautiful! Great (not that I don`t)!

``its alright, i had thought you were a woman.``

Did I say I wasn`t?

Gotta run...more later.

*smiff *.. *sob *
fufuFINE
me and bina`ll just stay in pakistan and do some knitting shall we.do send us a postcard,a picture and an interesting man..if there can be any at a chowk gathering (meoow:). don`t know how bina feels about sharing though.

shandana

Re: Shafqat post # 55

To All, sorry for this long ``blueprint``.

In this case, I am going to bite my lip and opt for observer status. My reasons are simple, if I take this as a ``special project``, everyone on Chowk will dealing with deadlines and soon there will be a crunch time to make a hard decision. Being result oriented, there is a great deal of probability that some Chowkwallahs might be offended by what I call my ``issue specific focus``. Right now this discussion is merely an academic one testing the feasiblity of the idea. If we go any further than that, then there is the internal dynamic of the issue to be considered and the self-momentum which this will generate.

Also, being a political operative, I have a tendency to step on toes and push people to get things done. I will ``work the problem``, but not unless there is uniformity of a consensus on my taking this proverbial ball and running with it.

For starters this what I would recommend:

1) We need to determine if this idea is a ``go`` or ``no go``.

2) We need to determine the scope of this event- how many people are willing to attend.

3) Having established that, we need to discuss this with the Chowk staff if this event should be identified as an offical Chowk event or a Chowk related event.

4) Then location needs to discussed keeping in mind the point of departures for event-attendees. Two options; event should be held in a region from where most of the attendee are originating from and secondly, it should be within a radius of half a day`s flying time from the point of departure.

5) Travel arrangements. Who is in charge of that and whether this should be centerally planned or each person makes his her own travel arrangements. If option is group travel, then possible group rates must be discussed. In either case, arrangements need to be organized; collecting and depositing arriving event-attendee in a specific location and transort them to their destination must be considered. Again, who will do this; should it be a group or an individual responsibility.

6) Reservations. There has to an early research into likey site options, keeping in mind the travelling parameters, and some sort of decision has to be arrived. Cost analysis needs to done and again; the question should this be a group option or should it be done on an individual basis needs to be answered.

7) Date of the event. A date needs to decided, based on the availibility of accomodations. There should be enough lag time for people to create ``windows`` vis a vis arranging their work schedules to make this possible. Critical requirement should be to move scheduling priorites around the date of the event and not move the date to facilate work schedules.

8) Finances. Who is in charge of the financial responsibilities for arranging group travel and collecting monies for reservation deposits. In other words, who is the ``point person`` for this event?

9) There needs to be clearly defined delegation of responsibility. Given the nature and scope of this project, key decisions will have to be made on the spot and time constraints may not allow a ``full discussion`` on the matter. There has to be a person who needs to act inter alia in deciding matters as they may arise.

The other thing which I would suggest is this. To the Chowk staff, I would say to take down the current survey and put this survey up so there is point of understanding on the feasibility of this idea and to leave the survey on for a week.

Your response to a Chowk Get Together is:

A) Yes
B) No
C) On Opinion

Also; using the Chowk surveys, we pose questions and get immediate feedback on this issue.

Like I said, you do not want me in charge.....I love working under stressful conditions and this seems like a dream come true...

Ferozk:

You are taking the initiative here in a most impressive manner. With your professional political skills, you probably have the best chance of pulling this off. Sohail is shying away from this idea, so perhaps you, Zehra and Cheeno should get together, recruit volunteers, and market a plan. Getting the Chowk leadership on board would be an initial step, I think, followed by time, location and logistics. I am available to help.

Saad

I noticed in couple of days that despite the feasibility of the `get-together` not more than half of a dozen people agreed on this idea and even the Chowk has not announced officially the self-announced `Chowk picnic` by some friends seems to have a `jhol`. Remember `Wishes Never Wash Dishes` and without motivating Chowk staff and noted people this effort would remain a proverbial idea. The best way is to have an offical survey conducted by Chowk to estimate the number of attendees, the date, the venue and the boarding arrangements. Then the result of the survey should be announced so everyone would know and decide whether to particiapte. In a democratic system specially on Chowk where everyone equally has a right to describe his/her opinion one or two persons preference of time, venue etc. would avoid a majority of `interestees` to let us know their ideas. Let them speak.

Anyway again this depends on the Chowk whether they think the idea is reasonable and feasible of holding a picnic and posting a survey. I admire the sincere efforts by Ferozk and Saad. Where is Cheeno by the way???

regards.

MAK

yaar, tum loog saab dar pooke hou..why do you feel a gathering in a larger scale can not be held? do realize that the complaints lodged against the regular contributors would continue since you will be then making it exclusive, but then again. meeting without the chowk umbrella is all up to the individuals interested in meeting each other. i for one, still think it could work out very nicely.

ferozk has some great ideas already lined up and with registration on some chowk page it cannot be too hard to keep the headcount under control. khair, its up to the chowk staff and till we hear from them its silly to plan :)

ciao,

rizvi

Re: SR post # 51

Agreed. Organizational logistics will be problematic. Need to keep head count manageable. Topic under advisement and hence, premuture to dicuss options presently.

South Carolina sounds interesting, but I will be more interested in touring civil war sites than sharing tea! Prefer a western region; Whitefish, Montana or Deervalley, Idaho because then I can do a little tracking and some shooting! I opt for open skies and open spaces. The east is too crowded for me!

Like I said, this is still in a pre-lim stage. If I can help, please let me know!

The cynic in me says that this is an utopian pipe dream and common sense is a wee bit shy of the idea, but curousity is all for it! Which is why I am scared!

Zehra post # 48

Discuss away! Toss that old idea ball around and see how it bounces!

One recommendation though, come up with some sort of Robert`s Rule for the suggestions and dicussions. Do not allow open-ended discussion, or submission process, but set a time limit for submitting and discussing suggestions. When deadline passes, the committee should decide and post its choice. Need to move on this if you and others are serious about this idea, otherwise inertia and time will derail the process and this whole incentive will be sine die!

Will be assuming observer status for now and tuning out of this discussion!

Re: Cool and nerdy types.....I am nerdy, but prefer the title dorky and not so sure about being cool! More like a little midget with an attitude! :)

I agree with Sohail on this one. I don`t think having a LARGE retreat under the Chowk umbrella is a feasible idea (yet anyway). An evening of Qawalli on the other hand sounds great. The question is where?

Re: Sohail

``I have no qualms about ``exploiting the capitalist markets``. It is BEING exploited that I find revolting.``

But then aren`t you doing to others what you yourself find revolting - or is that what `reformed marxism` means :-)

Re: cheeno

Anita: 5``5, maybe? short-medium length hair, can`t stop talking (remember, l o v i n g l y).

Way off! I am barely 5 feet, with really long hair!

Anita

shafqat Reply #: 32

[``…a retreat over a long weekend… to some remote and quiet place, like the idyllic Appalachian mountains…under one roof ?…``]

My first instinct says that this Chowk-based get together `in flesh` may not be as good an idea as some may think. I`m not quite sure why I say that. Its more intuitive than well thought out. I think, if a group of people who happen to have `met` here wish to form a private picnic party and arrange to do so on their own (without the umbrella of the Chowk) that may be a better idea. This cyber space behind the mirror (ref: Alice in Wonderland) is like a dream world that does not match well with the world of the flesh. Thats just my instinct. Personally, however, I have no qualms whatsoever. On a practical plain, though, I`d say that any `official chowk convention` will have to take place in or around Silicon valley and will be restricted to an evening function with chai and pakoras followed by qwalli...

Now personally, I`d go to Jackson Hole or Grand Cannyon or Mesa Verde or Four Corners or anywhere else, but everyone is not a vagabond. Most people here lead productive lives and cannot go off on wild goose chases like the one being proposed. My thinking is that most participants are from the East Coast so destinations out West may not be as practical.

Shinning Rock Wilderness Area in the Pisgah National Forest (not too far from the Great Smokey Mountain) in North Carolina would fit the bill. It`s off the beaten path, pristine and breathtaking. Primitive log cabins are available there, though I`ve always camped out. Within an hour`s drive there are white water rivers and, if you desire modern amenities, fully equipped cabins are also available. With the little baby I`ll vote for creature comfort now a days.

In conclusion, I think the practical thing that can happen is that small groups of `like minded` people form small parties at different times and different places and get together. Those experiences are then (at least in some cases) announced and thus the `meeting in flesh` begins to get fashionable and gathers momentum.

[``…set up a committee to do a feasibility …on the committee, I ...nominate Sohail Rabbani, Zehra Rizvi, Wasiq Bokhari, Safwan Shah and Cheeno Agha, with Sohail probably serving as chair…``]

I don`t like people sitting their butts down on me, so I refuse to be a chair. As far as committees are concerned, lets form the Committee of Public Safety and start calling Umair, Danton and Safwan, Robespierre instead. (: but watch out for those rolling heads.

anita zaidi Reply #: 30

[``…INVESTMENTS!!! in other words exploiting the capitalist market…``]

Yes, absolutely. You see, `reformed` Marxists understand the capitalist game better than the born capitalists themselves. For one thing, they see through the system for what it is without getting hung up in its romantic notions.

I have no qualms about ``exploiting the capitalist markets``. It is BEING exploited that I find revolting.

Cheeno #: 28

[``…Little Gabru sure is one lucky fella to have you for a dad. Hope he`ll bring you all the joy you truly deserve…``]

That is a very sweet thing to say and it is extremely kind of you. Thank you. I sure hope to give him unconditional love and support and help him grow up to be a decent, kind and happy person.


[``…Speaking of tiffs, I remember ..one between you and SR …You said , ``...women …shaking butts in smoky bars....`` then SR …Mairaj/Zionist conspiracy scenario…``]

Gosh, you do have a long memory. Nevertheless, that was not a `` tiff ``, it was an acute divergence of views that was expressed in a polite but tongue-in-cheek sarcasm on my part. The sarcasm, alas, was lost on the recipient. The person in question was propounding 7th century cultural values to which a rational response would have been as futile as spitting in the wind. However, since he had previously touted his credentials as a physics or engineering person, I proposed a `theory` (as a satire) that rebuked the theory of relativity on grounds that the incident of miraj contradicted it (BTW, I`ve expanded it to a longer thesis). To my utter amusement our friend, reconciling his scientific literacy with his religious convictions, came out with an ingenious conclusion. He said that since the Almighty, after all, was the one who made the Laws of Physics therefore if He wished to suspend them in order to accommodate the incident of miraj he could do as He damn well pleased. That ended the discussion. There was no `` tiff ``. The only mud-slinging that I`ve (regrettably) gotten involved in was with a certain Sapoot e Pakistan. That guy disapproved of something I`d written so he went off on a personal hate filled diatribe to which I retorted with words to the effect that he suffered from a ``…constipation of the head and diarrhea of the mouth…`` The message was indeed written in anger and I should not have done that. Thankfully, the Chowk Staff has erased all traces of that exchange.

BTW, you were very polite to suggest a `thinning hair line`. Try `bald headed`. (:

bg (#: 29)

[``..there is no light at the end of the tunnel, but i`m working on digging a hole in the side…``]

Dig fast, my dear friend, and dig hard. Also, make sure you have an escape hole before you see the light, for surely, any distant light in the tunnel is bound to be that of a fast approaching train.

Eternally optimistic (:

…SR

Cheeno writes:

``(Saad): 5``10-11, sanvla, moustache (sometimes), glasses, worried about your hair loss--and gotta work on that little bulge in the abdominal area that us 33-year-olds have to watch like a hawk!``

Moustache and hair loss ? Wouldn`t bet on it. Look up www.akuweb.com/Eid.html and see how right you were :-).

Zehra:

Please yaar! From what I have seen of you, you`ll be anything but token :-).

Saad

ferozk...round glasses..i am beyond intrigued...

(yes i admit it..i have a weakness for the cool looking nerdy types).

so, wyoming along with the air deal and lodging deal sounds great to me..why not we set up a suggestion box right here on chowk and have our different interactors ( those ever present and those who like the read only option) drop in their suggestions for us to look over. at a set time, the committee members can get together ( taking into account time zones etc) on some chowk channel with a password that only `we` (committee members whoever they might be) know and talk about it, discuss the feasibility etc...also the best deal :)

so, saad, i would be the `token` female then on the proposed committee? tsk tsk.

cheeno..no guesses about me..how dissapointing...its alright, i had thought you were a woman..imagine my surprise at that one..

later

z rizvi

cheeno said : ``So, we all won`t be as beautiful as our words reflected,...``

zehra says: speak for yourself babe. zehra also suffers from a high self esteem.. *sigh * becharee.

saad.. :-) i would love to get this get together on the road..lets give it another shot..but perhaps, if you recall who was trying to set up the first one..lets see if we can get those people on board also..they probably had ideas that could very well heave us into action. can the chowk board hear us?

hello? caaalling chowk board, hello..awaz nahi arahee hai..tohra zoor say bolaiN.

p.s all: the AKUweb seems to be pretty good about loading the boston eid pictures fast. 2 down...how many more to go?

z

Sorry for the double play....

Re: Majnoon post # 37

Sir:

I found your post be highly informative and particularly well suited to the discussion going on about the idenity of Chowk and on the personas of its InterActers!

I appreciated your comments and your observations on the nature of Chowk. As you mentioned, you visit Chowk occasionally, and I would humbly suggest that such an observation, based on a few selective trips, can not fully delve into nor can it fully explain what Chowk is.

It is akin to saying that you disagree with a culture or a country and its population just, because of what you experinced in a few short trips. Chowk, in my opinion, is like a country. You have to live within its cyber thoughts, walk through its cyber alleys and get to know, but more importantly, accept its cyber personalities on their own merits without any conditionalities attached. Just like an immigrant elsewhere, you first have to accept Chowk and its ways and have to make yourself welcome in this forum.

When I first migrated to these cyber shores, I was a little lost, a bit confused and would wonder how I would fit in. Everyone on this forum is far more educated than I am and that thought weighed heavily on my mind. I was defensive in my first interacts, but as I learned to relax and discard my preceptions about Chowkwallahs, i became comfortable in interacting with other Chowkwallahs. By interacting, I carved an idenity for myself on Chowk and now everyone either hates me or likes me because of that.

I agree with the five points by which you identified your dislike of Chowk and its contributors and InterActers!, but then sir, that is what life is all about! As Shakespear said it: all the world is a stage and we strut and preen for a time and then are heard no more! As to the issue of age, age has nothing to do with being a Chowkwallah.

Chowk is, in more than one way, a state of mind and what you see in the InterActs! is a reflection of what we think and yes, some times life creeps into these interactions and colors our personalities. After all, sir, we are all creatures of our environment and experiences.

Sincerely and Respectfully,
Feroz R. Khan

Cheeno! your memory is commendable but imagination requires more practice specially in my case. ``Aray aik young student ko (aur wo bhee strict) Father banadya!!!``. I am slim 5`10`` with glasses and most of all evergreen Single ;)

Re: Chenno post # 43

Chenno! What are you about!? :)

Curly black hair.....you gotta be kidding me....try salt and pepper styled ala Marine Corps recruits...like a convict`s...shorn real close to the scalp! Easy to air dry and maintain!

Slim, right you are on that one! Fair skinned, don`t know that one, but can pass off as a California tanned American....helps to attract women in this cold forsaken land by being tan all year around! Some times for a joke, walk around town wearing a yarmulke! Easily mistaken for a Jew. American friends think that my last name is spelled Kahn!

Height real close, but off by an inch...5`5``!

Dress: Prefer open collars and seldom suit or ties. Like to dress casual....Mostly oxford button downs and chinos and Timberlands! GAP, Banana Republic, or Eddie Bauer favorites! Even when at work...prefer computer nerdy casual styles to republican stiff necked stuffed shirts! Opt for scuffed bomber leather jackets over dress overcoats. My favorite is an old Royal Navy duffle coat navy blue faded and worn out with a maroon scarf: Colors of Karachi Grammer School!

Glasses: round accountant like Giorgio Armani torquoise shell gold rimmed. Am suffering from a Napoleon complex though....like to show off! Favorite past time: getting drunk and tying a blindfold on the dog and having fun watching him stumble into objects and spaz out!

Still interested in meeting me; I am telling ya all, I am nerd, a dork and a freak!

Majnoon Sahib: (re # 37)

Gar ijazat hou tou aap kay kuch nooktouN ka jawab diya jai?

To understand the interacts better, I would refer you to my interact # 82 on another article, Growing up in America.... by Zehra Rivi elsewhere in this issue. In a nutshell, Chowk is like a cyber Cruise Ship one can net-visit at any time.

1: Skip the boring replies. That goes for articles too that do not interest you.

2: The `core` group you refer to has perhaps jelled together, share one or more things in common. If you visit Chowk ir-regularly you can notice such things, but if you visit regularly you tend to overlook.

3: Each person interacting here has a unique persona. In fact, Chowk policy discourages dead persons from using the interacts!

4: That someone you referred to is this khaaksaar. I posted those couplets. The tashreeh came because it was requested. Your post doe not indicate clearly whether you are somewhat angry at me for the tashreeh or at Ghalib for writing those couplets. If your irritation is directed at me, I apologise. If not, Chacha Ghalib can fend for himself.

5: I know what you mean, sir. One of the individuals I think is Ferozek. He is known to have disturbed too many hornet nests. I am surely you will presently hear from him too.

6: Aray qiblaa aap old fashioned nahiN haiN. Is daur maiN jo bhi meh-noshi ( aur woh bhi bihari kebab kay sath) ka zauq rakhta hay woh sada jawaan hota hay.

Goostaakhi maaf,

Just saw Ferozk`s post. Jackson Hole, Wyoming - excellent idea, my friend!

Sohail, what do you say ?

Zehra:

You were nominated for good reason. There must be at least one woman on the committee. This is just a feasibility committee, so you don`t have to have organizational skills (wouldn`t hurt, though). Good old common sense is the main requirement, and from what I have seen, you`ll do nicely. I also thought of Bina Shah and Shandana Minhas, but they`re in Pakistan. Also, I agree with MAK that Anita would be a good choice, but she`s too busy.

The names I had suggested were for the following skills:

Sohail Rabbani - ability to cut to the chase.
Wasiq Bokhari - no-nonsense wisdom.
Zehra Rizvi - perspective balanced by common sense.
Cheeno Agha - author of the idea in its current form.
Safwan Shah - the real brains behind Chowk.

Waheed:

The rationale for having a Chowk get-together is to experience `in the flesh` (as Cheeno put it) what we are already enjoying in cyberland. You make a good point about the anonymous amongst us, but I think these individuals could still attend a live Chowk get-together. They can come in pardah or fancy dress, for example. Alternatively, Umair could call them up on speakerphone with all of us assembled and we could all have a little chat.

Temporal:

I`m all for inclusivity. Everyone would be welcome, of course. However, there does need to be some framework to prevent chaos. This would be something for the Feasibility Committee to thrash out.

Saad

PS: Safwan, are you there ?

Re: Zehra post # 38

To: All Chowkies

Concerning Chowk get-together....here is my idea, but first I have to respond to Zehra`s post!

Your place....okay with me!

Montréal or Québéc City....no way in hell am I spending time with some French speaking wallahs!

This is what I would do.....

First I put select the date: In this case, I would opt for late August and for a weekend on or near Aug. 14. Since that was the day of Chowk`s birth and our eventual meeting of minds, it seemed the right date to choose. Also, a weekend in August would give everyone time to check and organize their schedules and allow them to plan for such a get together.

Next would be the location. I would pick Jackson Hole, Wymoming. One, it is a ski resort and in the off ski season of August, the hotel rates would be down and there would be no crisis over reservations! Also, Jackson Hole is located within the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem and we all can take a day trip to Yellowstone and have a Chowk BBQ there! The real reason for picking Jackson Hole is that I know owner of a bed and breakfast there - the same person who just bought a travel agency and I think that I can talk him into giving Chowk a group rate on both the airfare and rooms! A group discount plus off season resort costs are in very one`s financial interests!

I know that some will think this to be an example of self-display on my part and they would be right, but I don`t give a damn. I could be modest and could have kept quiet about it and we could have paid more for the get together! This is about our time and money - a topic which we all care about, so please excuse me if I am not modest!

This is just my suggestion and it is up to the committee, whenever it is formed, to consider this.

Shafqat: Saad, yaar, I admire your extroversion! By the way, I`m all for it. What`s the worst that can happen? So, we all won`t be as beautiful as our words reflected, and we might see some disappointed expressions when we extend a hand (``Hi, I`m Cheeno.``

``YOU`RE Cheeno? I expected a 6`` 2` hunk with rippling pecs.``

``Actually, on the inside, I am just that...``)

And we might not all hit it off. So what? If things don`t work out, those of us who want to, can go about their own business, and have a vacation exclusively with their family or something.

Here`s how I imagine some of the regular players here (and I say all this lovingly):

Feroze: on the slim side, about 5``8/5``9, curly black hair, fair skin (by Paki standards).

You (Saad): 5``10-11, sanvla, moustache (sometimes), glasses, worried about your hair loss--and gotta work on that little bulge in the abdominal area that us 33-year-olds have to watch like a hawk!

BG: tall, thin, dark, beautiful, too much energy!

SR: short-medium height, thinning hair, relaxed, easy demeanor.

Anita: 5``5, maybe? short-medium length hair, can`t stop talking (remember, l o v i n g l y).

MAK: a strict father.

etc. etc.

Can`t wait to see how WRONG I am!

Feroze: Hey, please, DO save us money, if it means showing off till you`re blue in the face!

Majnoon: Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I just think you gotta lighten up a bit. Actually, how can people be out to make an impression any more on an electronic forum than in real life? In a forum such as this, many people operate under pseudonyms, so the showing off factor doesn`t really stand. And most of the others are probably never going to see each other anyway. Oh well. To each his own. By the way, I insist you come in case this get-together thing ever materializes. Sha... sh..., okay, kababs on me!!

BG: would you come?

Cheeno

re: chowk get-together..

if you all are serious, im game. i am curious to ask why i was nominated...who`s been whispering about my great organizing skills here?

just a thought..how would our interactions change after meeting in the flesh? would we all be obliged to be `nicer` or would things be just as they are? how would it affect the interactions for those who would not be able to attend...chowk should never be seen as some private club that only some can be a part of..

suggestions for a location: (1) my place, i have a pool. (im kidding, my parents would have a cow cuz it would actully have to be at their place, `my` place is a tiny apt). (2) montreal or quebec city, its just gorgeous there. (3) morrocco..just cuz ive always wanted to go there. (4) SF, NY or Seattle...why not soak up some culture while we are at it? (5) Vermont..some nice ski resort or sumthing (6) some lake place..(7) any place that guarantees that we can sit around, drink chai and soak up some sun during the day and sit around a fire at night, all the while talking...any throat irritations can be cured by anita, saad and sohail. herbal tea could also do the trick.

temporal: rationality is for losers anyway :) you are talking to a piscean..we don`t believe in rational :)

rizvi

I am an occasional visitor of Chowk. In the beginning I enjoyed a few articles, but the quality of articles have deteriorated considerably. Then, I stumbled upon the replies. The first time I read the replies I felt odd about the tone and the mannerisms of the participants. Since, I am not particularly fond of such forums and find then somewhat tedious, I attributed this weirdness to my distaste of the forum. On insistence of a friend I read a few more replies. Although, most of the replies were very interesting and informative I still did not enjoy reading them and continued to have the same feeling. I tried to analyze the reasons for this strange feeling, now bordering on dislike. I wrote a long email message to my friend on whose insistence I got involved in Chowk. In this message I tried to explain the reasons for my dislike of Chowk like forums in general and promised my friend that I will communicate my feelings about Chowk replies to other contributors. After reading a few more replies sessions I came to the following conclusions, which I want to share with you:

1. Most of the replies are posted by the same group of people, which tends to become boring after a while.

2. This core group of people has a great interest in finding personal information about the other people in the group. This is very distracting to the other readers/contributors.

3. Most replies are written in a pretentious manner. The terms like yar and bhaijan seem forcibly injected. Even those people who write in somewhat simplistic form, seem to be putting on a persona.

4. Some contributors have a tendency to preach and be pedagogic. I was particularly incensed by an instance when someone referred to a couplet from Ghalib and then went on to explain the meaning of various words.

5. The people of the core group seem to have an incredible need to impress others with their knowledge of other topics, languages, cultures, etc. Most of the times such ostentatious show does not contribute anything to the ongoing discussion.

6. It may be that the average Chowk contributor is much younger than me and I am too old fashioned to fully appreciate the communication behavior facilitated by modern technology. I still prefer meeting my friends once or twice a week for a good gup shup with sharab and kabab.

Your suggestion of get-togther is quite interesting and several times I came across this idea. I fully endorse Saad`s recommendation with an addition of Anita in the committee (I know Saad you`ve been so humble).

MAK

You`ve got good memory and mine is not too bad. I have been busy writing and then presenting paper in a conference in San Jose, Costa Rica and what a fabulous and exciting the trip was!! I would love to write what I observed in a small but live city.

regards

MAK

Re: Chenno post # 28

Yiddish....makes sense!

Self modesty is a virtue which I can`t afford! On this score, I stand guilty.

Hey, next time you`re in town, give me a buzz. We will find ourselves a kosher deli and share a bagel with some schmeer. Perhaps, a little Irish coffee with a touch of Bailey`s Irish Creme. After I am drunk, we`ll both say a little kaddish for the soul of Pakistan!

Would love to talk with you. You got what the Jews call menschkeit! All you now need is a little chutzpa. Remember, the world is full of schmucks and putzkopfs with their yodels hanging out of their hosens! Just show some chutzpa and tell those yadzts to mind their own scheiss! You will go a long way!

Oh, I just speak one language English....the German and the French is interest related to couple of other things!

Vos Vydinia Tovorvich!

Cheeno & Anita:

I am not too keen on costumes. What if the contest is over Hijab? (Sorry Zehra, can`t let go of rationality, can we?!)

Anita:

``....extenuating circumstances`` hmmmmmm!

Saad:

Great idea! I second with a proviso. Each participant be granted ONE veto over guest list. Afterall we wouldn`t want every ALif,Bay or Tay there, would we?

Regards

Cheeno Agha writes:

``How about having a little Chowk get-together in the flesh ?``

An excellent idea. I believe this idea has been previously floated but did not gain momentum. Some kind of a retreat over a long weekend can be really fun. We could go to some remote and quiet place, like the idyllic Appalachian mountains. Can you just imagine exchanging notes on life (and solving the world`s problems) with the Chowk gang under one roof ?

I`m all for pursuing this idea and hereby propose that we set up a committee to do a feasibility study (seriously). For serving on the committee, I would like to nominate Sohail Rabbani, Zehra Rizvi, Wasiq Bokhari, Safwan Shah and Cheeno Agha, with Sohail probably serving as chair.

How about it, you guys ? Let`s get together to get the show on the road!

Saad

Re: Cheeno and temporal

``...A little suggestion on costumes: loincloths for men and Xena: Warrior Princess get-ups for the ladies...``

I second this! No contestant can appear in purdah - got to let it all hang out!!!

Anita

Re: SR

``I am presently self-employed and working full time (managing private investments and monitoring a couple of small enterprises), however, being unemployed is my distinct preference.``

INVESTMENTS!!! in other words exploiting the capitalist market, Sohail:-)

Anita

re cheeno

``when are you sending in something to soothe our parched eyes``

i defer to SR`s spurts theory. going through some serious burn out due to over work. there is no light at the end of the tunnel, but i`m working on digging a hole in the side :)

First of all, my GOSH I misspelled ``wary`` (shouldn`t have been ``weary``) and cringed the two times it was quoted. FerozeK: Yaar tu kithnee zubanain boltha hai? Impressed, even if you do show off. Did a little digging and finally found the correct spelling: it`s VAKLEMPT. I`m no linguist shinguist, but have been around a couple (SR: +/- 1) of Jewish people, which is why I know this is a Yiddish word meaning stuffed, crammed, or very full. In our context, it means overcome with emotion, rendered speechless due to fullness of emotion, etc. etc. Happy? Who wouldn`t be with all those sweet nothings murmured in French, all that wine, and so much sex....ooosh, all that sex!

BG: ``...you, or your poem...``

Glad to be the vessel for your relaxation, my dear. Any time.

``...nahin, nahin, i insist, you must jump in whenever you get some time off...``

Okay, okay, baba, if you insist. By the way, when are you sending in something to soothe our parched eyes?

Temporal: Zabardust idea, yaar. A little suggestion on costumes: loincloths for men and Xena: Warrior Princess get-ups for the ladies. What say you?

RR: Thanks. Oh, I know most of these are well-educated people. And I guess SR is right about most of them appearing in spurts. I`m just aware of my addictive tendencies, so I try to steer clear unless totally `necessary.`

SR: Thanks for answering my questions. The reason I asked them was because I have come across very few desi men like you. Little Gabru sure is one lucky fella to have you for a dad. Hope he`ll bring you all the joy you truly deserve.

MAK: Thanks for writing in, Sir-ji. Haven`t `seen` you in a while. Speaking of tiffs, I remember I came across one between you and SR a while back. I don`t remember which piece it was in response to, but it was classic! You said something to the effect of ``...women wearing light clothing and shaking butts in smoky bars....`` (forgive me if I didn`t quote you exactly). And then SR with his UNFORGETTABLE Mairaj/Zionist conspiracy scenario. Fabulous!

To All: How about having a little Chowk get-together in the flesh?

RE: SR post # 25

A hundred jurors, Chowkmanagers, trial by InterAct evidence. Sounds like a good idea....I think Ken Starr is looking for new job opportunities.

This thing keeps getting fine tuned and refined the way it is, soon there will be a Chowk bureaucracy. Then we will be debating BG`s conceptulization of politics with special interests fighting for a slice of the Chowk. The decision making process is going to be narrowly defined by the Chowk Club, a group of interacters who will control the content and volume of ``Chowkspin``. Who is going to write the Chowk Bill of Rights? Who will draft the Chowk consitution?

I agree with Temporal`s solution to this problem and to which I will add this thought: after the mortal battle, lets shoot the victorious gladiator too!

Anita bibi; I am not merciless just indifferent!

Cheeno Reply #: 17

[``…a couple of personal questions …
What do you do for a living,
and how much time do you spend reading?
did you grow up in a liberal family?…``]

First of all, these are 3 question, so I am at a loss to determine which ``couple of `` them you want me to reply? So I`ll flip a coin on each, head: I answer, and tail: I don`t.

1) I am presently self-employed and working full time (managing private investments and monitoring a couple of small enterprises), however, being unemployed is my distinct preference.

By way of clarifiction, I`ve had no involvement with the medical sciences or public health since the late 1980s, and yes, Anita was right that I am not (have never been) a member of the AMA (or any other organization).

Unfortunately, over the last year I`ve made some horrendously costly and unprofitable moves that have compelled me to start taking economic life very seriously once more. Had it not been for that, I`d still be semi-retired, as I`ve been for several years. Instead I`m reduced to spending round-the-clock time slaying the money dragons around the globe. And yes, still having fun.

2) Tail. (Any way, these days all I get time to read is reports, analysis, charts, models, statements etc., etc. Literature, history, philosophy, current affairs and technology etc., are just nostalgic memories.)

3) I wouldn`t exactly call my family `liberal` but there was never any real zeal or pressure growing up, either religious, or social or academic. My parents (especially dad) were relatively old when I was born. They were busy with their very active lives and they were indulgent and undemanding so no `performance pressures` were ever there.

[``…is a lot of fun, but it makes me wonder where people get all this time in a rat-race society such as this. I`m a bit weary of getting addicted myself, so I`ve vowed to keep my interactions limited…``]

Yes it is fun and that is the only reason any of us ever log-on. Where people get the time from is a question that we`ve all asked. At any given time it appears that a corps of people is actively involved and spending all their free time on-line. But this is usually an illusion. It only appears that these people have nothing else to do. A closer looks reveals that the cast of characters keeps changing as `regulars` fade in and out. Some do become `addicts` but for the majority it is simply short-lived spurts of on-line activity followed by periods of relative inactivity. At least that is how it is with me.

There are times when a discussion comes up that I feel like participating in, but time and energy constraints do not permit involvement. Time and energy are the most precious (and finite) resources and their expenditure has to be rationed and prioritized. In the process a lot of compromises have to be made. There is, for instance, a fascinating thread on evolution going on right now, jumping from article to article, that I find very inviting. Wasiq and Saad have done a great job and others have made very valuable contributions (in particular, one of Wasiq`s posts, IMHO is the most brilliant and outstanding ever - he just keeps getting better and better). In situations like these, I feel, one should check references and verify particular facts before making a comment. When the time and energy are not there one is better off simply being a passive reader than being a participant with little of value to contribute.


To ALL, Re: Trial by voting:

When I suggested the `jury trial` idea it was motivated by finding a way to put `peer pressure` on feuding parties so that they AVOID personal `tiffs`. The ``for`` and ``against`` vote and the public apology ideas, of course, are fraught with peril as pointed out by the some of the titans. I think temporal`s (gladiator style duel) idea is far superior, plus it has the advantage of being `decisive`:).

It was not my intent to pursue this voting thing seriously, but since many have commented (unfavorably) it needs some more refinement.

First we should have a pool of one hundred registered chowk jurors. These one hundred will be randomly selected from the current readership and invited to serve on the jury. Once we have a hundred jurors, they will be asked to vote whenever a trial is held. The Chief Editor shall serve as the Chair during the trials. Then we should have 13 chowk managers (with one-year terms) who scan all the InterActs and find instances of transgressions being committed by various chowkwallas. These 13 managers will bring on the trials. Only a 2/3rd majority of jurors can convict the wrongdoer. No prosecution or defense will be permitted. The 100 jurors will only base their vote by reading the feuding parties` InterActs which have formed the basis of the trial.

helpfully yours,

...SR

re cheeno
``I`m a bit weary of getting addicted myself, so I`ve vowed to keep my interactions limited to times when one of my writings is posted ``

yaar, cheeno, if all of us did that then whom would you respond to? nahin, nahin, i insist, you must jump in whenever you get some time off from the rat race.

Re: Cheeno,

Don`t get me started again, yaar...I can`t afford to have the merciless FRK on my wrong side - the bromides may kill him :)

To address the BROADER issue of whether I think it is my right to know if the same person is operating under more than one name (or two people are connected to each other) - I would say only under extenuating circumstances...

Btw, are you a man or a woman? someone called you Ms.

As for temporal bhai`s gladiator suggestion, that, in my opinion is the best one so far. At least we`ll all get to see whose behind the pseudonyms:)

A

You expressed the purpose of establishing Chowk in a precise but effective way that one would want to spare more space. This is the elegance of the Chowk that everyone is welcome with any race, color and creed where knowledge is shared and appreciated, ideas and logics are weighed, discussed, accepted and rejected. The combination of such a diverse backgorunds erected the Chowk to an open place where no one would want to walk without evesdropping. Good work.

regards

MAK

SR/SS/FK/BG/ and others:

Instead of voting process that maybe inherently flawed, can I humbly suggest another decision making process that can satisfy both the contestants as well as the participants?

Let us have a gladiator like contest, with the weapons of participant`s choice. The Cricket or Football stadiums can serve as the coliseums. All spectators should be charged ongoing major league
ticket prices, with proceeds going to charities.

regards

SR writes:

``Whenever such a things happens, all readers should get a chance to vote ``right`` or ``wrong`` in favor of or against the fuding parties. :)``

A well-intentioned idea, Sohail, but I see some problems:

1. Popular opinion is not necessarily the right one. Perpetuation of slavery and election of Benazir are good examples.

2. Jury opinion is not necesarily the right one. O.J. Simpson verdict is the clearest example.

3. There is no way to ensure that ALL readers will cast a vote. The poll can be highly skewed if one party inspires more visceral support.

4. Because of fictitious names and hotmail accounts, there is no way to ensure one man, one vote.

Saad

dear cheeno,

i dont know if its you, or your poem, or the weather,(probably all except the weather) but the interactions in your poem are hilarious and light hearted, and i`m certainly enjoying them.

re SR
i know you were not entirely serious when you suggested voting, but forgive me while i respond a little sersiously because i am interested in the conceptualization of `democratic` decision making.

you know on the face of it voting sounds like a good `democratic` idea, but here are the problems:

1. very easy to rig with bogus votes
2. extremely divisive politically -- forcing people to take sides and silencing the minority view point or `dissent`, which could ultimately lead to resentment becuase the minority is merely silenced and not convinced. especially, if the minority is forced to make a public apology !! :)

i am personally in favor of consensus based decision making. more work, but works better.

sorry for the tangent.

`later,
bg

Re: Chenno post # 17

Just what word is ``Vfehlempt``? What does it mean? If you know the meaning, maybe I could help you.

There is a German word, or as they say, ``ein deutschen worten`` called ein fingerspitzengefuhl which in English means a sixth sense. Is that what you were after in regard to SR`s insights, because it does imply an uncanny sense, of finding the right pulse, of a situtation. There is another one called ein logikpermanenz, which suggests an undying source of knowledge or logic.

If there is a world called, ``vfehlempt``, chances are that it starts with a ``F`` and not a ``V``. Since in German, ``V`` is pronouced with a ``F`` sound. For example, the German word ``von`` as in Count Clemens von Metternich is pronounced as Count Clemens fon Metternich. Also, in case you are wondering, the German word ``von`` means ``of`` in English. Example, Chenno von Chowk simply means Chenno of Chowk; Temporal von Toronto; Fraulein Zehra von Hijabistan!

As to your other suggestions: No! No! No! No! and and No! No! No!

Please don`t encourage Frau Doktor Anita Zaidi to discuss BG and Random issues again! I beg you in the name of a merciful Allah, please don`t even think that, because it is like decending into Dante`s inferno; there is no end to it and it is beyond all tolerances of human suffering!

As to your idea of a High Court of Chowk ajudicating InterActs, where Chowkwallahs can bring defamation charges for libel and slander and be judged by a jury of Chowkwallahs; it is good idea, but a bad starter. First of all, there is going to be an instant backlog of cases, since Anita, BG and Random are going fill up the court`s schedule with their periodic and on going libel and counter-libel suits.

Secondly; by doing this you will be in effect be creating a class of lawyers on Chowk. An idea which is extermely verboten; forbidden. Otherwise, we all will be running around Chowk quoting Shakespear: kill all the lawyers!

Lastly; Some of us like the anarchy of Chowk and folks like Temporal and myself can not afford legal representation everytime we make a statement.

I know and I understand your intentions were noble and honorable, but then again, Brutus was a honorable man too! Besides, we all know where the road paved with good intentions ends......

Auf Wiedersehen mein Freund!

I haven`t been around much lately but I see a lot has been going on as usual. It`s good to see the chowk community is alive and well (and kicking each other.)

Great poem Cheeno. Welcome to chowk! I must say that your reply #17 about having time is very interesting. I sometimes wonder about it myself. But I do know that most of the chowkwallas are well educated professionals with high-paying jobs. Many people go to bars, cafes, etc to socialize. We come here to do the same. Only its more convenient.

My father sometimes talks about the early days in Pakistan when intellectuals, poets, writers and students used to gather at cafe Sheezan in Sadar, Karachi. Most would come and go after a brief sitting and a cup of tea. And some would sit there for long hours and debate about the issues of the day, politics, religion, poetry, literature, waghera waghera. Of course, they didn`t have jobs but they were the idealists who never cared a damn about money. I sometimes wish I could`ve been there with them. Like I wish sometimes I could`ve been around in the 60s here in the US. Anyhow, chowk is the closest thing to Sheezan. Have some chae, it`s on me. :)

---Rehan

An interesting suggestion regarding `tiffs` between various Chowk personalities.

Whenever such a things happens, all readers should get a chance to vote ``right`` or ``wrong`` in favor of or against the fuding parties. :)

Thus we can have a special vote (annonymous if possible) like the survey is, where voters take sides and give the verdict. Then the ``looser`` makes a public apology and life moves on. What do you say, Ms Agha? You started this, so take the lead, if you please.

...SR

Re: cheeno

``I`m reeeeeally curious about something--would you indulge me? Tell me something: do you really think you have a right to know whether Random and BG are the same person, or are you carrying on just for kicks? I would love to hear an honest answer, although I`m having fun either way!!``

Aha, so the true motivation comes out! And here, we`ve been trying to bury the hatchet!!!

No, I don`t think they are the same person, but beyond that my lips are sealed:)

Anita

Poetry is usually about feelings therefore words simply cannot do it justice. This poem, however, is an exception. Its a very apt and timely portrayal of the InterActions and the players involved on Chowk. You have depicted the goings-on in this cyber kanji-house very astutely with great insight. Absolutely remarkable.

...SR

SR: I`m vfehklempt (sp?), yaar. A huuuuge fan of your writing, although I`d say your strength lies in your replies (as opposed to your posted articles). Can I ask a couple of personal questions before proceeding to the question of votes? (Of course, you can just refuse to answer anything, and I`d understand perfectly). OK then. What do you do for a living, and how much time do you spend reading? Also, did you grow up in a liberal family?

Yaar, this whole feuding thing truly is a lot of fun, but it makes me wonder where people get all this time in a rat-race society such as this. I`m a bit weary of getting addicted myself, so I`ve vowed to keep my interactions limited to times when one of my writings is posted (okay, maybe also if I see something I absolutely love and feel the need to `shabash` the writer).

The voting part is a great idea, although I don`t know whether the egos involved will ever submit to `public` apologies. I think Chowk readers should be allowed a for/against vote and a few lines of commentary, all of which should be posted eventually on the front page for all to see. What fun!

anita zaidi: Come on, unseal those lips! So you think they`re related, then? Also, I actually asked whether you thought it was your right to know, or you were just having fun.

anita zaidi: Doctor Sahiba, I forgot to mention earlier that the bigger ``tiff`` going on between you and BG and Random also provided a big chunk of the fuel for this poem. Glad to know you liked it. I`m reeeeeally curious about something--would you indulge me? Tell me something: do you really think you have a right to know whether Random and BG are the same person, or are you carrying on just for kicks? I would love to hear an honest answer, although I`m having fun either way!!

Cheeno

Re: Zehra

Trying to keep this thread within this discussion, thanks for eludicating on the ``meaning of brown``. Yeah, I would concur on that too, I like my friends like my tea: brown and sweet!

BTW, what do you mean....remind you not date me! :)

Just what did I say that promted you draw that conclusion....

A) Labelling you as a Chowk activist
B) My Valentine`s dating options
C) You having the hots for Alan Greenspan
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Zehra, just think about it....after dating me, you`ll be appreciative of any guy who dated you! Isn`t that worth the risk? :)

ferozk: the dating options for valentines :) i like to actully be heard when im talking and if people are going to say things like no, really? you`re kidding! uh huh..i stop speaking (you are taking notes right?) anyhow, is carnival over? i really wanted to see bonhomme carnival fer real instead of my french book this year. challo, mebbe next year...

cheeno..tiff? koon sa tiff? kaisa tiff? ``you aint seen nothing yet`` (c. ferozk). we`ve come along way baby.

z for zesty rizvi

Re: Cheeno,

Great start, Cheeno! I`ll now have to go and see what Feroze and Zehra have been saying to each other in the ``Growing Up`` article :)

Anita

re cheeno
``even though I think
you tend to go to looney extremes sometimes``

that really cracked me up. thanks for the candor. i have been accused of that before, but gotta keep pushing the envelope.

welcome.

Re: Chenno post # 7

Bravo Chenno! Welcome to Chowk....where have you been hiding yaar! Compared to your poem, a gourmet meal, my post on the Chowk was like British food - boiled and bland with a dash of salt and pepper for taste!

Good show! Glad you could join the regiment!

Tiff with Zehra....? You ain`t seen nothin` yet!

Don`t be shy, look me up if you get the chance...I am always in the neighborhood!

Thanks everyone. Zehra: I agree it`s a little ``cutsie,`` but whatever`ll get you published, right? BG: I`ve noticed you only reply if (a) you have something good to say or (b) you want to take part in a discussion. Thanks for liking this (or at least that one line). I`m a big fan of yours (even though I think you tend to go to looney extremes sometimes), and coming from you, it feels reeeeally good! Ferozek: Feroze yaar, you`re some character! In fact, it`s the little tiff going on b/w you and Zehra that inspired me to write this. You seem like a real interesting guy--so-o-oooo much knowledge (hard facts recorded in your head) and such intersting and often zany ways you string them together for conclusions/analyses! If I weren`t such a chicken about certain things in life, I`d certainly look you up--try to get together or something.

Anyway, thanks y`all, and keep up the ``discussions.``

Cheeno

As per instructions, I will pick up the discussion here!

Re: Temporal

Omissions rightly pointed out! There never any intention to minimize others, like Saima Shah, Wasiq, Rad, as you pointed out or leave of my Indian friends out of the credit loop either!

SS Chowk; I would have thought that in this age day of cyberspace, you would have opted for Starship Chowk: its continuing mission to find out new thoughts and new insights...to boldly go where no Chowkie has gone before....

Re: Zehra

The article by Chenno Agha was extemely well timed given the tangent I posted! It vocalized what I was aiming for with a laser`s intensity!

Just one question: you seem pre-occupied with the color brown....what is up with that? Just curious...

Re: Godot

Welcome back! You were AWOL for a while there....
In future, will keep my e-epistles brief, but no promises! :)

Bravo!!!!

Ras

(SPILLOVER FROM INTERACT #82 @ ZEHRA`S GROWING UP ARTICLE)

S.S. CHOWK

Cheeno nice jammin`
floatin`, thinkin`, cruisin`
nudgin`, movin`, stallin`
statin`, extendin`, overblowin`
dreamin`, courtin`, sulkin`
soundin`, reasonin`, debatin`
freezin`, shootin`, breezin`
and exclaimin`
goodness gracious Chokin`

re cheeno

``It`s words that spatter, ooze, and burn--impassioned bloodless splashes``

love that imagery.

how prefectly timed this is...just when freozk was starting on what chowk means to me on the relpy section to ``growing up an american muslim``. nice stuff cheeno...a lil cutsey but still nice. :)

rizvi

Love it.