The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

I am 23 years old and located in Singapore. I am currently majoring in Project and Facilities Management in National University of Singapore. I look forward to study Design and Management in Parsons The New School for Design in New York City. Basically, this site Pineapple Pinnacles details my own interests and views, and is my hobby (I’ve moved on since stamps and stickers haha). I put up articles which I feel are interesting, fun at times, important and of relevance to today’s context. The articles I put up are really mishmashes of information and personal thoughts that can range from invoking anger, sadness, happiness, questions, etc – basically I do not think of any specific emotions to be invoked from my readers and I just write as I go along. I do reviews on products, people, things, problems, events, etc – mostly everything which I find myself able to relate to and having a voice on.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

I feel that active writing is important to keep myself alive and consciously checking out and having a voice on events that happen around the world – no matter how big or trivial.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

Being personally asked to do a review on a luxury watch brand; being asked to be a writer for a company’s site; the list of memorable experiences goes on - I love the stuff that goes on my blog. However, the best is still being thanked by my readers. A simple sincere ‘thanks’ would brighten the rest of my day or even week!

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

I do visit blogs which I find interesting and praise those who deserved it on their comments section. Somehow, this encourages them to visit my blog and comment as well – which I love as I would be able to know how they think and how to possibly write better articles in the future.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

The use of YouTube.com to get messages across not just in text medium, but in a visually-rich medium. It’s updated on the minute and thus makes information retrieval extremely effective. YouTube.com is also less prone to censorships as compared to national news broadcasts. It also encourages commoners to participate actively simply by airing their comments via their own videos or via real-time text.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Yes. Very much so.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

My site does not have a fixed target audience and does not have a fixed category of articles that I can be slotted into. I think this makes it different from sites with ‘only-technology’, ‘only-fashion’, ‘only-politics’, etc.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

Being truthful and honest – most of the time at least. I’m not a saint. Still human.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

Happiest = The day I knew I had friends whom I can rely on, who’ll be by my side till the day we die.

Gloomiest = Days when senseless wars continue.

Days when I know how lucky I am to be born in this part of the world while countless people suffer and die.

Days when I see people lie – to me.

Days when I am not financially rich enough to afford something I really want.

But most of the time – I’m contented with life.

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?

1)      Europe – since it’s all expenses paid, I would like to travel all around Europe experiencing being mugged by gypsies, shopping mindlessly at luxury boutiques, absorbing the sights and sounds and smells haha.

2)      North Korea – I am fascinated by how the communist world people actually live and most importantly how they really THINK. At the same time, I want myself to feel terrible about how lucky I really am.

3)      No third destination planned, but if I had to choose – The Bermuda Triangle – To see if I would really get lost and if I do, what is there in store for me.

What is your favorite book and why?

Currently, it’s the Constantiner Collection by Christie’s Fine Art Auctions.

Truth be told, I seldom read books.

I relish mostly in reading magazines – a nice range from Details to Time, as well as autobiographies and newspapers.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Their sense of dressing.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

Just 3 months back, this lecturer said my writing could not make the cut. Gave me the lowest grade.

I still defend what I wrote. I did not approve of the way he taught writing styles.

For the recent exams, I got an A; and this was due to it being marked by another, albeit more competent lecturer.

God knows why he is still teaching.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

I am on wordpress.com which does not allow monetizing of blogs via advertisements.

Thus, for me, it’s perhaps the hope of being asked to write for a column – and getting paid in the process.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

It is true that a quality post can take up a disproportionate amount of time.

It varies person to person I believe.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

Blogger could first brush up on their net etiquette.

Afterwards, promoting and encouraging polite dialogues and extolling the virtues of being courteous online and offline.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

If Google was a huge blog – It would be Google for number one. It contains up-to-date news.

Next I find myself visiting PerezHilton.com for gossip.

Next is my own blog. Haha.

I do not have dedicated list of bloggers to visit – I visit them merely based on content – sorry to disappoint on my pathetic list.

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

Posts on exclusive shopping places would have the top spots.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

I doubt I could give an answer for the entire country.

I’ve only had one Pakistani friend since primary school. He sure was witty!

I would love to make it one of my to-go places in the future.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

No, not really. I’ll tell you again if I do come across any that knocks my socks off.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

The most striking difference is the level of knowledge the people of the country possess.

I find that with lesser knowledge, they end up being more contented (and happier) with life.

What is the future of blogging?

Blogging will be much more interactive I assume.

In the future, people might be able to blog their thoughts out immediately!

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

I do not let my lives affect each other.

If it does happen, I simply take some time off blogging.

It’s very clear-cut. You have to set your priorities right.

What are your future plans?

Travel the world – Europe and North Korea being the top two places.

Help the world in every way possible – every little thing goes a long way.

Get into Parsons.

Get to helm some leather goods company.

Own an art gallery.

Hahaha, I have dreams that soar high. Hopefully they can be achieved before I step into my grave.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Always live a truthful life. Be good to yourself. Cherish those around you more often.

Always do what you think is right – after all, you only live once.

I enjoyed being part of The Pakistani Spectator, thanks so much.

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