Drink This Read That

Here’s another installment of drink this read that. Because when you got a good read in hand nothing like smooth drink to go along with it.

So what are we having today. Well how about some beer…root beer that is. Not just any root beer, think heavenly elixir incarnate:

 

 

Just the packing alone lets you know you are about to embark on something extra special. This is a very tasty root beer and found only at specialty stores. If you do come across it I would highly recommend it.

Now what to read when you got one of these bad boys in tow. For you introverts out there don’t ever be ashamed of who you are. Embrace who you are and don’t waste your energies being something you are not. Learn how you can do this in this thought provoking book:

I found a lot of useful insights into the extrovert and introvert paradigms. Introverts tend to get snuffed out by their boisterous extroverted peers. Never being able to fully express themselves they feel repressed. Their shyness sometimes becomes invitations for bullying. If you feel like you have been bullied at school and that feeling of hurt and guilt has followed you into your adult life it may effect how you function at work as well. This can be damaging if you need to move up the career ladder.

The great thing about being an adult is that you can reason with yourself and overcome self doubt. Learn how to perfect this skill to the fullest read the book. God Speed.

I am back!

Hey guys, I know…I know I haven’t been around here for a while. You may be wondering where has he been and why he’s bothering put up this post in the first place. Well a few things. I have started my new life with GF in earnest. Been busy adjusting to family life while at the same time holding down a job, plus I am filling up my spare time studying for a tech certificate. So not too much time to hang out here.

So why don’t you go study? What are you doing here? We were fine in hiatus mode. I know I know…normally I would be studying but circumstances have pulled back into the blogosphere. The main catalyst was the impending closing of the Microsoft small business hosting service. That is kinda important for me as they have the keys to my domain name, which is associated to all my content that I so painstakingly made. So I started working on the transition. Which really got me excited…I remembered all the good times I had maintaining my blog. And writing my stories…so my heart led me back here.

Let’s see where we go from here…

(No this isn't an april fools gag!)

A Look Behind the Scenes

It's not easy maintaining a media empire, especially since you only get the weekends to do so. But on occasion you hit pay dirt. Like I did this past week. Check out the stats from my smashwords account:

How cool is that? I just wish they gave more info. Like who actually bought my book. I guess they can always contact me via email if they want to. Again thanks for the support! Also see what people are searching for, here's the latest from google analytics:

First of all I am not running a cooking school folks. This must have to do with some of my posts that detailed my cooking adventures. I only do that out of necessity because no one is here to cook for me, mainly MW. My other option is starvation. I did feature some paintings but they're not by world renowned artist Sadequain. And with the recent hooplah over IBM's new super computer, Watson, which was featured on the game show, Jeopardy as contestant I've been getting hits because of that. Although I am sure this post is setting off the web crawlers.

So that's the look from behind the scenes, until next time.

UPDATE: Hey! Hey! Hey! Look whose looking!

Nice to see I am being read outside of the US. Brazil has held the mantle of second place for the longest time but now Malaysia is narrowing the gap, Indonesia being the next ranking Muslim country. Which is pretty kewl. Of course maybe 2/3rds of the US hits is just me updated the site but hey whose counting. So keep it up you guys! France needs a leg up!

What's going on?

Well for starters we have passed the 10,000 hit mark. Thanks you guys, for making it possible! So the corresponding net worth of the blog is now 100 pakistani rupees as indicated by the updated rupee/hit counter. How do you arrive to that conclusion? Well I read somewhere that every 100 hits that you get is like getting a penny. Using the current exchange rate that's like getting one ruppee. Ergo you have your answer.

People really liked the java applet that I put up. According to google analytics it was the most viewed page this past week! Which is awesome. It even garnered a new follower. From the looks of it she's a hardcore WoW player. Which is great since I want to attract as many gamers as I can. Expect more functionality in the applets in the coming months.

The blog now also ties into my linkedin profile. So every time I write a new post it will show up as new entry on my profile. Great way to generate traffic around these here parts, planning to do the same for my facebook profile. A lot going on guys. Lot's more responsibility at work, which is great, free high endurance mental workouts. Plus moving MW's immigration case along is a full time job. So yeah lot's of stuff to juggle. But no worries it build character. Besides I am going to blow off some steam by watching the superbowl, you should to, Go Packers!

I Seeeee You!

Lurkers! Lurkers! Lurkers, I know you're out there! I can see you with my magical powers, also known as google analytics here's what I dug up:

Apparently I am getting traction in South America, especially Brazil which is awesome. Brazilians are so cool. Some interesting keywords have been sending traffic my way. At number 4 we have people who want to know what hupshi means, it means African in Urdu so there you go. Still at number one we have people inquiring about religious hierarchies in Islam. For the life of me I don't know why that has been the number one keyword for the entire year.

Well if you must know there are no religious hierarchies in Islam. We are all equal in the eyes of the lord it is only our good deeds and piety that sets us apart. Also if you are thinking we have some kind of churchlike setup you're wrong. We only require an Imam to lead prayers and a Muezzin to call the Azan. Other than that we have scholars who study the Quran and Hadiths and offer guidance to the masses. Who you choose to listen to largely depends on your outlook on life and your cultural upbringing. Hope that settles it. Next?

• Also don't be a stranger decloak and leave a comment, that way i get to know you better.
• Check out the rupee/hit counter. Keep the hits coming, we are nearing a dollar!
• Lastly we got a new follower, welcome to the crew take your shoes off and grab a seat!

PS: Can you tell I turned on the "Blogger in draft" feature now I have a richer interface to work with. Who needs fat client software when we are all working the cloud?

UPDATE: I am not kidding about Brazil, revel in the awesomeness:

Oh and while I was digging in the back end I found people were mystified by the blog title. 786 represents bismillah the blessing Muslims say before starting any activity, especially eating. It means "In the name of God" so I hope that clears up the mystery. Also folks help me welcome another follower (i wish blogger would stop using that word makes me feel all weird and prophetic) and I'll be updating the rupee counter soon. Tata for now.

UPDATE 2: Wow a new follower every week? Awesome! Plus a hundred hits per week? teh awesomeness knows no bounds!

new links

Check out the side bar for some new links. Under the tech biz we have IGDA. A forum for game developers (yes I am getting serious about my game, its based on the universe I created in my fiction...shhh)

And under political activism we have Sufi News. Which share current events in the world of the sufis. Also if you are following the Afia trials (which is the equivalant of the OJ trial for the Pakistani community) you'll know they have reached a verdict. Many have cried foul, on the most part I agree with the outcry but don't have a strong conviction in the matter and can be swayed either way. Although I do think the government is trying to cover up attempted rape with a bucket load of crap.

Trivia

Can you guess what the Pakistani rupees to the right represent? I'll give you a hint...the total sum is tied with hit counter.

Damn! I said too much

Thanks for the hits

To commemorate over 5,000 hits at IDK (the lowest count in the UCF :D [probably my unabashed paki patriotism has something to do with it?] If you had grandparents who survived the bloodbaths you would understand where I am coming from, plus these custodians of Islamic ideals are considered great grandparents but certain youngsters).

I am giving readers a gander at our illustrious forefather. He looks dapper even on the fifty if I do say so myself. According to current exchange rates 50 rups equates to 63 cents, because $1= PAKRP. 80. Of course the one pictured on my blog is from the 70’s. That’s Urdu on the right and Bengali Sanskrit on the left (err, some things weren’t meant to be?) The currently issued 50 rupee note comes with anti-counterfeiting measures including some nifty holograms and uh no Sanskrit, sorry!

And here are some more stats that continue to fascinate me, brought to you by the folks at Google Analytics:

Also I know I have not been visiting other people’s blogs as frequently as I used to. That is because not only I am I planning my wedding, plus my move back to New England but I am also taking care of Dad. I have my family and relatives to help out but due to the demanding schedule I had to quit my job and help out with rehabilitating my father. He’s doing much better now but still has a long way to go. I like to give a shout out to the folks at Aga Khan University Hospital for doing a bang up job. I was pleased to work with such gentle and qualified professionals. Once again thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Also a shout out to the “Drug Dealers” for importing a smoother blend of chemo medicine from the UK. It’s much more effective yet gentler on the body. We’re so used to hearing horror stories of cancer patients losing their hair during treatment but my dad was saved from this fate thanks to the good work of chemists everywhere, especially refugees from a certain city ;) ;)