Behind the White Coat

Madrid

So I have long since returned from our long and amazing vacation in Spain, but alas, I have failed to keep all my 4 (or maybe 5) remaining blog readers up to date in my adventures.  So I will now fill in some of the details of the rest of our trip!  The fact that I am writing this indeed means I am not in a foreign prison, and did not get detained (well at least not that long) by immigration and homeland security (but more on that later....)

So Madrid.  As I left off, we were in Madrid sans bags.  We eventually did get our bags (not till about 2am that night by the way), but survived most of our first day with the clothes on our back....  Madrid is kind of like the New York of Spain.  Very city-like, and a lot of close quartered city action.  The city is indeed beautiful though.  A lot of charming little winding streets with commercial and city buildings, amidst gothic cathedrals and older buildings with many plazas and squares.  Endless tapas bars and cafes lining the streets, and a lot of action on the streets.  We stayed at Hotel Europa, right next to Puerta del Sol, which is the main square in Madrid, right in the center of the action.  Actually a cool place to stay, very central, and very Madrid. 

The main attractions of Madrid is certainly the museums.  The two we hit were the Prado and the Reina Sofia.  The Prado is probably the most famous, the building itself a work of art in itself.  It houses all the finest works of Diego Velazquez, El Greco, and Goya (to name the most famous ones).  A lot of fantastic artwork from the days of the royal families of spain, as well as a lot of religious imagery from both Christianity, as well as the myths and Gods of old.. Some of my favorite pieces were Goyas "black paintings", and of course Velazquez's Las Meninas, a masterpiece indeed! 

The Reina Sofia was more to my taste.  Contemporary Spanish artists like Picasso and Joan Miro dominated the stage at this museum.  The piece de resistance being of course Picasso's Guernica. Truly spectactular to see in person, and with it came all the sketches and drawings that Picasso did to lead up to the masterpiece.  Many of PIcasso's works were also on display, and during our visit, the Paris museum's exhibition of Picasso was flown over and we were lucky enough to catch that as well. I am indeed more of a Picasso fan now I must say.  My second favorite was Joan Miro.  A lot of influence from Picasso's later works of cubism and modernity, and certainly caught my eye.  The museum itself was truly a modern work of art itself.

We chowed down on some awesome Paella in Madrid as well. I couldn't tell you the name of the restaurant we hit, but it was recommended by our hotel, and it was truly excellent.  Though there are plenty of amazing Paella joints in Madrid, and definitely no shortage of Tapas joints lining the streets from here to there!  Madrid also holds the "oldest restaurant in the world".  Whether it is true or not I dont know, but it supposedly is still serving up banging Spanish cuisine. We checked it out, but didn't get a chance to eat there. Right by Plaza Mayor, it is Sobrino de Botin, in case anyone is ever in Madrid, perhaps you should check it out!  We also partied in Madrid of course.   Our night took us to some random club that had us raging till 6am.  We met a bunch of fun peeps at the club, who actually turned out to be American students in Madrid! It figures, since we could barely speak any Spanish, and our game with the locals was quite weak (only in Seville did we get to chat it up with locals).  But we certainly had our fun with the Cali girls we met!

Other highlights of Madrid were the Palacio de Real, Plaza de Oriente, and my favorite, the wall Arabe, which was the last remaining moorish structure in Madrid.  It is actually nothing but a 20 metre wall, but hey, it is the principle that counts!!

After Madrid, we woke up late, made a run for the train station, and literally RAN to the platform after buying our tickets 5 min before the train, boarding just bout 30 seconds before departure... That is just how we roll!

Barcelona

Ahh Spain.
So I it here now in Madrid on day 4 of our trip.  In our hotel. With no clothes or anything, as our bags were not put on our plane from Barcelona to Madrid by Spanair.  A 50 min flght that happens several times a day. Now we are 9 hours after arrival, with no bags. Unbelievable!  It had to happen after our last night in Barcelona, raging till the wee hours of the morning, with no sleep and jumping on the plane to get to Madrid.  Now we remain dirty, tired, with no clothes or toiletries.  Lovely.

So Barcelona was the first leg.  Great times there. We stayed near Plaça Cantalyuna, just where Las Ramblas begins, off to one of the small side streets.  We rented an apartment, and it was such a great idea.  Beautiful place with a balcony and central location.  Las Ramblas is the famous road in Barcelona which is now flooded with tourists.  Hectic and packed, running down through the old city to the port, it is fun to see, especially roaming in the late night, but we got tired of it quickly, devoting our time to the real Barcelona.  On the late nights, the street has all these Pakistani men selling 1 EUro beers on the street to the raging alcoholics looking for cheap fixes. It was quite funny.  Good to see our people taking care of business.  The Pakis also ran all the subway news stands, blaring hindi music whenever you get out!  The rest of Las Ramblas at night was crawling with hookers. All over the place by the lower part of it!  And most of them were black, which was strange cause I saw very few black people in the city otherwise! We also happened to be there during a big football match between FC Barcelona and the Celts, I think from Scotland, judging by teh thousands of soccer hooligans roaming the streets drunk from morning till, well, morning again! These kilted Scots were MAD I tell you! With there blaring songs and chants and all out belligerence!  But guess the big matches draw in the soccer hooligans from the UK wheenver there is a big match.

Barcelona is a beautiful city!  With it´s very European Spanish style, and very cosmopolitan.  Full of style, high end food, culture, archiecture, and partying of course.  We hit all the Gaudi sites of course, from the everlasting construction of the Sagrada Familia, and the funky design of the Park Guell, as well as a few other buildings.  We roamed the streets and alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, which was very cool, admiring the amazing buildings and designs.  The Picasso museum and The Cathedral were other sites.  Then of course we partied, which in Barcelona doesnt begin till 2 or 3 am!  We got to the Sutton Club on a Sat night at 2am, and it was empty, until about 330am, after which it was ragign till at least 7am.  I think we didn´t sleep till at least 6am each night, and we certainly paid the price for that, but alas, that is Barcelona!

The food here is difficult to get a hold on. For the first two days we couldn´t find the right food to eat! The tapas are plentiful, as are the pork products, which posed another problem!  All the real good restaurants are very high end, or very popular, adn we failed at getting reservations at most.  And we were there from Sat to Mon, and Sun and Mon almost everything is closed for the days of rest!  But luckily we found some friends who have been in town that took us to some good places in the end, and we got our fix of Catalan Tapas to get us moving... But I know I better learn all the words for Pork in Spanish, because they love it here!  But our 3 days is to an end, and i look forward to coming back to Barca at some point to fill in all the gaps and enjoy it even more...

So now after our last night of partying we make it to Madrid. And our bags are STILL not here.  I can only hope they will arrive sometime soon, because I need to brush my teeth, shave, and change my goddamn clothes. Damn that Spanair....

Off to explore Madrid. In clean clothes or not!...

From Pakistan to Spain

So as a break from the U.S. elections, we finally had the Pakistani elections the other day.... The results, as I am sure you all know, reflect that the "people have spoken", and also seemed to prove that for once, we had fair, unrigged elections, that also came with no violence or bloodshed!  I think that in itself can be seen as a positive victory, and a step forward.... Now the subsequent deliverance of democracy and the start of a new age that could (and should) be expected in this "movement" is indeed questionable.... So now what? Musharraf is out (more or less...) And who is in?  Well in case you don't know, the two oppositon parties won the most seats, with PPP coming in first (the late Benazir Bhutto's party) and PML-N  (the exiled Nawaz Sharif's party).  The PPP is  basically headed now by Asif Zardari, Benazir's husband, who carries his own history of corruption and deception and other shady business.  Nawaz Sharif also has his own set of skeletons, corruption, and is still techincally exiled from the nation.  So in overthrowing the army dictator in a sense, we are left with what?  Two corrupt civilians?  Pakistan's history of civilian leadership in the 90's wasn't exactly the best of times for the nation on many levels, but at least we can say that there was a vote and voice involved by the people, and some distribution of power within the government.  And oddly enough, in efforts to bring change, we've come 360 degrees around right back where we started.  But now left with a mess of anti-terrorism campaigns, intense U.S. foreign policy, continued terrorism within the nation, and all sorts of religious factions applyin pressure from all sides.   Can this implementation of "democracy"  direct  Pakistan towards a "better" path?   I don't know honestly.  We can only hope.  Now as for Asif Zardari, all his corruption history aside, I don't know if he is even experienced enough to run the nation, particularly this day in age with so much going on with the terorrism issue both within our country and with U.S. policy.  Perhaps the coalition was a move to bring the country's opposition parties and people closer together in a common effort to really do good for the nation and the peopole and our freedoms and the entire democratic process.  Once again, we can only hope.  We'll have to see what kind of deal and decisions are come to with the party heads, and what they do with Mush in the end, and then hope that we start to move in a positive direction and good things indeed happen.  I feel they can start by undoing some of the damage and laws created by Mush during the emergency, and reinstating many of the judges, setting an example that the new government intends to undue some of the questionable moves  by Mush, and then show us that this "coalition" is indeed the right thing for Pakistan..... But again I am weary.  It is only in Pakistan that one can hope not for the better leader, but the one who is least corrupt!

Anyway, more on that later.... I am finally taking my USMLE step 3 exam next week, which I need for my medical license.  I will then be a licensed physician!  (Scary I know....)  Next friday I also depart for Spain.  That's right! 2 weeks with 2 friends taking us to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Marbella.  I am very excited!  Too bad the dollar sucks compared to the Euro, and I have no money... It's gona take a lot of moonlighting to pay this trip off!  But it will be worth it...

So in the end I ask if anyone will be in Spain for the first two weeks of March, or has any cool friends there, do let me know.  Moreover if you have been to Barcelona or anywhere else, give me some not-to-miss restaurants, lounges, districts, etc....

Superbowl Sunday to Super Tuesday

Before my political ramble, I just want to say HOW BOUT THEM GIANTS!!!!  I am a huge Giants fan, and knew they could beat the Pats, but never thought it would actually happen!!! Amazing game. It is never the best team that wins on any given Sunday, it is the team that plays the best.  The Giants clearly played the best, made the fewest errors, and wanted to win more.  Our defense is the MVP in my eyes.  We clobbered Brady!  We hit him, we hurt him, we sacked him, and I have never seen such fear in his eyes.  Amazing!  And WE are reponsible for the 18 and 1 record. Don't forget it. GO BIG BLUE!!!
Now from Superbowl Sunday, on to Super Tuesday...

So... Clearly I (hopefully I can replace "I" with "we" and have it apply to most of you who read this) am voting Democrat in the Super Tuesday primaries, the question is, for who?  This is actually the first time I have voted in a primary.  I've voted in 2 presidential elections, but never a primary.  Which is strange, because this year out of most, I would be more happy with either of the candidates than in prior years.  Perhaps I have matured enough that I feel obligated to vote in the primary, or I didn't have time in previous years (don't remember), or I just feel I need to be a part of potential history...

So who to vote for?  One can make valid and strong arguments for either candidate. Policy wise they are clearly more similar to each other than compared to any Republican candidate, but there are differences when it comes to health care, education, etc...  I was originally an Obama supporter.  The man knows how to speak, thats for sure, and we all know it.  An amazing orator, who gives you those senses you get when you hear recordings of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak.  He reaches out to his listeners like Bill Clinton reached out (obviously in his own way, if not better).  And Obama is somebody who is building his platform on change, and a new path of governing, and a future that can potentially unite the nation.  Then again, can he do all that?  Sure he is a great speaker, but what has he DONE that can prove to us he is the one?  Where is his experience? After all McCain could be double his age!  Other things, which was the main reason I got off the Obama "bandwagon" (which doesnt mean im gungho Hilary by the way), was some of his foreign policy thoughts, particularly that of Pakistan.  He is advocating unilateral strikes against Pakistan, despite what the Pakistani "government" (in quotes for my own reservations of the status and legitamcy of our government, but thats a whole other story) may agree with, or do, or cooperate to.  He is for just attacking and bombing the shady northwest territories where all the pro-terrorist factions, tribes, and activity lie.  Which is quite a retarded statement if you know what the situation is there, and what is going on, and how things function.  I clearly dont think that the Pakistani government is doing everything in their (or should I say "his") power, or using the millions of dollars to their best interest, but how is unilateral strikes and bombing a solution??  My thoughts are he said that to look "strong", and not "weak" in efforts to gain votes from many Americans, but still....

Hilary is clearly experienced, from her positions in the senate and first lady.  How many senators have even been elected president? I can think of Kennedy off the top of my head, but not many senators have experience in positions of administration, and executive power really, not as much as governors and VPs.  Though Hilary's stint in the white house is a huge plus I think.  She has more experience, and has good insight in her plans for reformin health care, education, housing etc. etc... But so does Obama, sure... But I still value her experience over his.  The other question is, who can beat McCain?  I think Hilary is more likely to than Obama.  Another reason perhaps she is the better choice.   A woman or a minority?  Who would more likely win as well? Another good question for which I don't have an answer.  Of course the other issue with Hilary is the Clinton dynasty.  People want change. Many are sick of the Bush's, the Clintons, the Kennedies, people are tired of these family dynasties of governing, and they want change. Obama is huge on that.  And he makes a great point.  So many things to think about.....

My dad is for Hilary. He thinks Obama is all talk, and doesn't do anything, and hasn't shown he can do anything.  My mom is for Obama.  She feels he can bring the country together, he has the vision and ideals for the best interest of our nation.  My sister is stumped.  And me?  I tell you, it is close. I voted today, and even at the last minute I thought about it....  I'll be happy whoever wins the primary, because I will gladly support them.  I won't even tell you who I voted for, because in the end, part of me wanted to vote for the other candidate! 

Anyway... I look forward to the results of Super Tuesday!

Per Se

Yesterday I went to Thomas Keller's masterful New York City restaurant, Per Se.  Owner of the enouned French Laundry over in Napa Valley, Per Se will provide you not only with the most amazing food and service in New York, but an unforgettable dining experience.

The decor is elegant and modern.  On the 4th floor of the Time Warner Building, with a terrific view overlooking Columbus circle, in a sleek, spacious, and trendy environment that fits the whole nouveau french/american theme.  The service is impeccable. With 8 people we had about 5 different types of servers, and all courses coordinated for all the guests.  And of course, the food.  With a prix fixe meal of $275 per person (which can easily climb to $450 depending on some of the choices you make), it does not come cheap.  Somewhere to go for occasions, or on an expense account. (Luckily I wasn't paying) The menu changes daily, with a few signature dishes that are always there.  A 7 course meal (plus some extra complimentary treats) that will take your palate to amazing places! 

We chose a lovely bottle of Pinot Noir from the Russain River Valley (in Napa), the name I am forgetting (Chibo? something like that), but it was great.  The first course was their signature  "oysters and pearls", greek island oysters w/ tapioca and sturgeon caviar.  Simply marvelous, and is always the first course on the daily changing menu.  A few small complements followed including an amazing little salmon tartar cone, and a gruyere cheese ball that was an explosin of flavor in my mouth!  Next was a risotto, with fresh black Perigord truffles shaved on at tableside. Then came a seared scallop.  This was probably my least favorite of the dishes (but in itself so good), only because it was nothing more exciting than a scallop, yet cooked to perfection.   This was followed by another complimentary dish served in an egg shell, that was some mix of egg, truffles and somethin else. Never tasted anything like that! Smooth texture with such a unique taste!  Next came the foie. gras. tAhhhh the foie!! Even if you are not a fan of foie, I think you would become one.  A thin crisp surface, with a rich, flavorful chunk of foie gras that just melted in your mouth. YUM!  After that was the choice of lamb chop or the weygu steak.  My friend and I got one of each.  The lamb was tender, juicy, and not a hint of the harsh lamb odor, only rich in flavors.  The weygu steak as out of this world!  A type of Kobe, it was a sirloin cut of steak, and it melted in my mouth almost like the foie!  I wanted to run in the back, steal the steak, and run!  The tail end was a cheese plate, followed by the freshest guava sorbet, and my dessert was a divine banana pudding cake.

What is amazing to me is that the menu changes DAILY.  And it is always amazing dishes, with beautiful presentations as well.  The service I re-iterate, the best I've had.  The bill for 8 people (i snuck a peek) came out to about 2500 or something like that. Not bad eh?

On another note, I screwed up my back again.  Yes, the gimp is back.  I was good for 2 months, but of course didn't start my second course of physical therapy, or start my Yoga.  Ugh.  Now I threw it out again, and my lower back is in severe spasm.  I been lying at home for 3 days, missing work, and hobbling around with a cane.  Popping muscle relaxants and pain killers with a heating pad and back brace to deal.  When the fuck will this end?? I guess its partly my fault for not getting into a proper exercise program for my back.  Doctors are the worst patients.. Enough is a enough, I need to get my ass into gear before fellowship....

Desis in Europe

I'm sure you guys have heard about the European Terror Plots: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/27/spain.europe.terror.plot/index.html.
What a great time for a Paki and two Indians to be goin to Spain. Great.  I think we should probably stagger our boarding of the plane.  I've even shaved my beard down to a goatee, but my friends say they won't fly with me unless I go clean shaven.   Please!  Hopefully we won't get the suspicious stare downs while walking in Barcelona, or get thrown in some sort of jail by overzealous racist cops.... We will see!

I also came across this http://www.virginmobile.com.au/services/duti.html.  A service that will prevent you from drunk dialling people on those late drunken nights!!  Genius.

More Gross Stories from the ER

I cant seem to keep up with my blog these days.  There seem to be plenty of things going on, from disturbing illnesses in the hospital, to countries in peril.  I just don't got the time!

I had 2 weeks of being in the ER almost everyday. I'm not a fan. Too tiring, and it is just non-stop work, with maybe two 15 min break to eat throughout a 12 hour day. (I'm sure I've bitched about this before).  It's probably because our ER is the busiest ER in the North East U.S., and it shows.  Pain. You do see some crazy shit though. I don't work in trauma at all, so no gunshots or stab wounds (occasionally though), but all kinds of other problems, ailments, and diseases.  I had this one guy come in.... Well. This story may be a little grotesque for some of you, so go ahead and skip the paragraph if you don't want to hear gross disturbing stories.  Anyway, this  54 year old guy came in with a complaint of not being able to urinate for 3 days. When talking to him, he also revealed he has this swelling and pain in his penis for the last 3 months. (Skip down now unless you are ready....)  On his exam, he had a very assymetrically swollen and enlarged member more towards the tip. It was even quite hard in certain points (probably a bad choice of words). He also had a phimosis, which is why it was more painful and he couldn't pee. But what the hell was going on? So we called the Urology resident. They came down, put him into a room, gave him some sedation (thank god), and performed a penile block (so the nerves down there get numbed...)  Then (you ready?), they took a scalpel and they sliced upon along the top of the shaft, from the tip, to releieve all that tension, get rid of the skin, to try and find the tip of the glans.  While they were cutting all sorts of blood and pus was oozing out (he was clearly infected as wel).  It was almost difficult to delineate the actual arcitecture of the normal glans. But out came this fungating, angry, hard mass, that pretty much encompassed the majority of the poor guy's manhood.  For months he has been ignoring a terrible penile cancer.  It was definitely one of the grossest things I've seen, (even the Urologist said so).  So they cut it open, sent a biopsy, but in a foley catheter, and sent him to follow up in a day.  The guy pretty much is going to need a total penectomy/orchiectomy (everything is coming off), and an aggressive inguinal lymph node dissection, which cuts into the guy's groin and his lymph nodes, which will leave him not only without the goods, but with chronically swollen and screwd up legs from hacking away at all those lymphatics and vessels.  He probably has a pretty poor survival given that its likely metastatic. Wow.  Terrible. Poor guy. Talk about quality of life for your remaining  days. Makes you think twice about complaining about any ailments that you get on a yearly basis!

Benazir Bhutto's Assasination

I have sadness. I have anger. I even have some embarassment on the part of our country. How could this happen? When things could not be any worse, once again, as is so engraved in the history of Pakistan, some heinous act of mindless terrorism must occur.  It doesn't matter if you were for or against her, this is a painful blow for Pakistan on many levels.  Now I may not have agreed with everything she has done, but she was important for the country.  She was important for democracy.  She did have a vision, and I believe she could have done a lot for the country.  (And please dont start commenting and reciting about all her faults, corruption, and all her other criticisms. We all know about it. But it is really irrelevant at this time) 

Yes I am upset. She was also a family friend. It's a terrible thing that has happened for the whole world. But I also have questions. Many questions....

1. Where the hell was the security? Why didn't Mush provide adequate security for Benazir? When Mush and Shaukat Aziz roll out, nobody can come near them. There are professional security police around them. Where was Benazirs? And who would let her stick her head out of the sunroof like a target? Especially after the near successful attempt via suicide bomber just weeks ago?  If you ask me, even though Musharraf wasn't behind this attempt, he "looked the other way" enough in my eyes by failing to protect her.

2. Gunshot. No shrapnel. No... Sunroof.  Are you serious?  What is the deal here? All these differing accounts, stories, and statements.  If you ask me, I believe what I see, what I hear from the people right next to her, and from the initial statement by the doctors and officials. And that is that it was either a bullet (which is what I believe), or shrapnel from the bomb.  You do not fracture your skull in three places (do you know how much forced that takes?) by bumping your head on the sunroof. Bullshit. I saw that sunroof. I saw the "x-rays". They are trying to deny her a martyrs death, for the interest of.... who? the government? Certainly not Pakistan.

3. On that same topic. How can we find out the truth? How can we really find out who did it? Am I to believe that a statement given the NEXT day by officials, who claim they are "certain" about the person behind the attack, that Al Qaeda operative.  Really now? You can be THAT sure, SO soon?  Why not say "investigation is continuing..."  Or we are "highly suspicious of..." Or something to make me think you are making an effort and trying to find the truth.  Shady. Don't just throw out a name based on who you think, or who you want, or even more scary, who you knew was responsible. 

4. So why refuse aid from the UK, the US, the UN to try and probe an investigation? Clearly Pakistan's governemnt is on top of it. Yeah right. Just like all the evidence we have from the bombing, given that fireman hosed clean the entire area hours after the bomb went off. CSI? Please.  So much shady business. So many questions unanswered. Only digging a hole deeper for the credibility of Pakistan, and it's "government" (I put it in quotes, because I don't think dictatorship is a government).

I could go on... but you get the point. Needless to say I don't trust the Pakistani government right now.  I think we cannot let them ignore the issue, refuse everything, and let the whole thing pass by.  The world deserves some sort of UN initiative to try and probe an external investigation.  I honestly don't think Pakistan is able to conduct an appropriate investigation on this matter, and I think to the rest of the World, they don't have the credibility to say "we got this one, but thanks for offering".

Karachi Dakus

I am not talking about the store this time.... I'm talkin bout the real deal.  Karachi is a shady place. It doesn't matter if you live in Defense, or Clifton, which are the neighborhoods where the well-off middle class predominate.  That probably just put you at greater risk for being targeted, and obligates the need for better security!  Things like robberies, car jackings, and even the occasional violent acts are not rare.  It may be the most liberal and cosmopolitan city, but also seems to hold enough crime, drugs, and violence (both political and non), to make it not particularly "safe".  In fact, a cousin of mine and his wife had a pretty scary experience happen to them just last week...

They are newly married, and were already living in Karachi for few months.  They got a new apartment somewhere in Defense (or was it Clifton?), and they were in the process of moving in.   There is no guard, only a locked gate in this complex.  They were going back and forth from their truck, moving stuff in throughout the day.  Then at some point, a few guys slipped in through the gate, and went up into their apartment, which was left open as they were moving things in.  Clearly they were watching and waiting for their moment of attack.  So they barge in with guns drawn. I think like 3 or 4 of them (I'll call them the "Dakus").  Drunk as hell, vodka in hand.  For the next 2 or 3 hrs they were basically fucking with their heads.  They poured the booze all over them, and made them drink the vodka. Especially my cousin's wife, getting them drunk and asking them all kinds of weird questions trying to get more information out.  Luckily my cuz kept his cool during the whole situation, and abided best they could.  They then made them cook food for them! While they sat there, looking around the house, seeing what they could take. Then the neighbor got suspicious, because the gate was left open, and lots of noise was coming.  As he knocked, they didn't answer, but he continued later on. So the Dakus locked my cuz and his wife in the bathroom and went to deal with him...  In the bathroom my cousin called his sister (luckily he had his phone!) in Islamabad, who told their dad, who promptly called the authorities.  Cuz also tried to break out of the bathroom window, but even if he had, he was a few stories up!   While this is happening, the Dakus answer the door, and there stands the neighbor. Wondering who the hell is this guy? He starts abusing them, cursing them off.  He also happened to be an ex-cop, so he had this tough-guy persona going on.  After some arguing, the Daku pulled out his gun, and shot him twice!!  Insanity!!  Ex-cop goes down, his wife comes in screaming later.  After all this, the Dakus realized it was time to go.  So they took everything they could.  All the jewelry, diamonds, and everything else they could grab (all the post-wedding stuff had not been locked away yet).  They took watches, cash, even my cousin's brand new suits!  They took and they ran.  Authorities came later.  I doubt anyone will ever get caught....

A scary ass situation, but thank god they are ok!  Keeping his cool saved them both I think.  The fact that they shot the neighbor, means one slip up, and these trigger happy felons would not hesitate.  I thought to myself what if my cousin had a gun? (Like a lot of Pakis do in the house).  That could have been a REAL bad situation, if shit went down, and shots were exchanged. How scary is that? Goes to show perhaps having a gun may do more harm than protection....  I guess this tells you, gotta have security guards. With Guns.  Though from what I hear, even some of those agencies organize inside jobs.  So what is one to do? Get private security. Or leave nothing valuable in the house or apt. 

Thoughts on Pakistan

Everyone knows about the political situation in Pakistan.   It is bad.  We are not a "democracy", and we have little outlets in terms of potential leaders to correct our situation without having other sacrafices, like economy, safety, foreign relations etc.... What is going to happen?  So Mush stepped down as the army chief. Great. Who do you think took over? Someone who is against him? Not really...  Mush lifted the state of emergency. Great?  Well not after dissolving the entire judiciary branch, replacing them with his own people, and not before changing a slew of laws deemin everything he did legal, and having nobody question his authority. Whatever happened to checks and balances?  His supporters quote the improvements in Pakistani economy and trade, and improved safety, etc... Is that Mush? Or is that the United States aid? But what about our democracy? If thats your argument, would you rather be a well fed prisoner? Or a hungry free man?  Anyway.. Just food for thought.  I can't say we have a solution, because there is no one candidate up for our "fair" elections that can save Pakistan.... Unfortunately...

Lets talk about safety. Is Pakistan safe?  Suicide bombers seem pretty common these days.  Fine it is in areas of dispute. It is targeting political figures.  What about the people? How bout you and me living in Pakistan, are we safein our daily lives? What if we steer clear of dangerous areas, and bad people, and away from political figures targeted by opposition parties... Are we safe just living life in Pakistan? Hah! I think not... Lets talk about Karachi... (After I take a little break for dinner....)