The Pakistani Spectator

 Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
I am passionate about many things and I intend to blog about them all openly and freely here. Come and join in on the conversations and add as many comments as you like.  The more people that comment the more interesting and fun it will be. I encourage you to be open minded as there are a lot of topics that are discussed here, as well as a variety of beings, human and otherwise that leave comments! Don’t be shy… At the very least you will definitely be entertained!

 Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
I have been told that my writing has greatly improved since I started writing on a daily basis for almost a year now.  It is always important to me to grow in any area that I am involved in. Writing is no different.

 I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging? 
For me besides the daily experience of being able to communicate with so many different people from all over the world, it is the fact that I can have an impact on others through what I write…that  because of my readership and the content, I can get the word out on important issues that I feel people need to know about. When I can bring about change in a positive way then it is definitely memorable.  Of course, I have some very interesting characters commenting on some other worldly topics, and some very interesting events that have taken place on my blog. Too incredible to explain; one must just peruse the site and read.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
I have to say that I do not keep up much communication with other bloggers as much as I’d like to.  Only a few of my  commentators have their own blogs and those I do read.  I of course use tags and categories and I try to visit new blog sites and comment as often as I can, but my time is limited.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
Anything that has to do with the net: youtube, personal sites, networking sites.  And the fact that information is available almost instantaneously.

 Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
They are for me and I would assume more so for the younger generations that have grown up with their faces glued to the computer; they rely on it as a means of communicating.  The internet is a wealth of information at our fingertips and for that I am grateful. I use it constantly to learn and gather information, which enables me to be more proactive.

 What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
I would say my content. I do not run a  blog that is content specific.  That would be too boring for me. I want to be able to talk about everything and anything that I am interested in.  My topics range from politics to porn,  from cooking to culture, from books to badinage etc. I also have some very interesting commentators that visit my site.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
I am pretty tenacious and I do what I say I am going to do.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
I have many happy moments, too many to pick just one.  The gloomiest? I can’t recall.

 Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?
Politicians are people too - why shouldn’t they use every avenue available to get there face out there, especially now. There is so much vying for our attention, unless they keep up with it, they may get forgotten.  These days to be noticed  and to stay on top, you have to be in everybody’s face all of the time consistently.

 If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Africa/Egypt, Cuba, Peru/Machu Pichu  in no particular order.

 What is your favorite book and why?
Right now it is “A new Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle.  In short, it is about living in the present moment and dropping the ego which is a major reason why this world is in the state it is in. Greed is a strong force of the ego. Happiness and joy is created from within, not from the circumstances in ones outward life.

 What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Physically, their eyes and smile. On a deeper level, how comfortable they are in their own skin.

 Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
No, but I never really wrote before I started my blog.

 How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
By marketing, displaying ads, sponsored links, and self promotion.

 Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
What do you consider successful?  Monetarily? Then my blog isn’t successful.  (At least not yet in that area! ) I feel my blog is successful in content and readership.  But I do not have a lot of time on my hands. I keep busy with other things in my life, however reading and writing do take up much of my time.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?
Like I mentioned above, I don’t peruse many blogs but the advantage is information is powerful. The disadvantages are whether the info is on spot or not and if the Information is factual.  Is the source solid?   The writers point of view can dilute or aggrandize the information.  One needs to take it all with a grain of salt and ask questions.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
By being open to all comments; hearing both sides. Be clear. So much can be misconstrued on a blog that it is important to pay attention to the details and write and explain yourself clearly as best as you can. Follow blog rules of conduct if there is one.  And if you don’t like what you are reading then move on and find a blog that suits you.

 Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
Again I don’t peruse too many blogs but these I like to read:

http://bdgroupllc.blogspot.com/ - Passionate and informative. Written by Doug Boggs
http://edgy1.wordpress.com/  - fun and personal.  Written by Zen Lill

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
Actually quite a few but here are two:
http://michellemoquin.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/zeitgeist-you-must-watch-this/
http://michellemoquin.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/calling-all-womenwe-need-your-support/

 What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
I am a world citizen.  I feel the same about people in Pakistan as I do people in the United states or any other country.  And although I think of us all as  world citizens, I respect your sovereignty.  As long as the Pakistani people are good to their country and the rest of the world. It is what I expect of any country.

 Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
I don’t know if stunned is the right word, but I will say that I am constantly delighted by the uniqueness of people in general and that includes bloggers.

 What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
A developed country can get complacent and take for granted all that one has. Greed steps in and materialism becomes an avenue to happiness.  Or at least one thinks. Separateness and competition happens between the people and right before their very eyes human rights are slowly chipped away. Unless the people ban together as one and support each other they actually regress as a society.   A developing country knows exactly what they have and they continue to strive and fight for their basic human rights.  Cooperation and a sense of community happens between people as they unite by coming together as a strong force and fighting for those rights.

 What is the future of blogging?
I think it will continue to grow and change. Into what? I have no idea.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Personally, my blog has allowed for me to self analyze in ways that I might not have before.  It has helped me to grow by exposing me to a variety of interesting, and educated people who have discussed topics that I may not have discussed had it not been for my blog. It allows me to be open and vulnerable, compassionate and creative, introspective and interested.  I peruse the net more and I read more searching for topics to learn and write about.
Professionally? Hmm… not sure haw it has affected my professional life yet….we’ll see when I write that book and it becomes a best seller.

What are your future plans?
To continue blogging and being  a ‘creative expressionist’ in as many areas in my life that are possible.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
I am interested in knowing more about your country and what you think of my people and  country.