Alphabet Soup

I heard of this term "Alphabet Soup" for the first time in Sesame Street, several years ago. It was referring to a "soup" that contained the English alphabet characters floating in a liquid. 

Some time ago i saw something that that instantly made me utter "alphabet soup". It was nothing like what i had seen in Sesame Street. The sight was a jumble of English alphabets and i couldn't help myself but label it as such. 

Here is what i saw: 

Alphabet Soup

Believe me it is a real genuine document that initially contained real genuine words of English. And then suddenly it underwent a "transformation". 

So do you also agree with me when i call it "alphabet soup"? Or would you rather call it a "flock of larks" or a "swarm of flies"? *giggles*

Happy Birthday Dear Quaid e Azam

Dear Muhammad Ali Jinnah, 

 We wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. However, we are sorry that we never actually considered you "Quaid e Azam", otherwise we would have adhered to every word you had said. We hope and pray that maybe some day Allah will bestow upon us all the necessary enlightenment. Only then we would be able to realise the meaning behind your words, and act upon them.

Yours truly,
Monazza Talha
Representative of the Nation of Pakistan

Inflation is Affecting Me: Anecdote of a Mobile Balance Recharge

Till some time ago, when I used to recharge my mobile balance with a scratch card of Rs. 300/-, a sensual female voice would announce that my credited amount is Rs. 285/-. Getting 15 rupees cut off just like that did use to make me feel bad but i was coping nicely; rather very nicely. 

Today when i was recharging my balance I noticed that the sensual voice providing instructions had changed. It was still the voice of a female but perhaps a different one. I didn't mind that at all. And why would I. But once the recharge process was finished and the lady announced my credited amount i was ENRAGED. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! 

That announcement was no less than a bombshell for me. I was told that out of my precious, hard-earned, dear 300 rupees, i got only "Doo Soo Sain-taa-lees Rupay" (Rs. 247/-). WHAT! 53 rupees cut off JUST LIKE THAT! There has to be a limit to deducting money just like that! I am going mad just thinking about this recharge just like that! 

I tried to look this up on Google to see if there was some mistake. But alas, to my dismay, the deduction was correct. At least i think it was. I found an information page on my mobile phone service provider which listed the following taxes: 

• 5% service charges (on recharge face value)
• 19.5% FED 
• 10% Advance Income Tax apply on all charges
• 2% operational fee will be applicable on all recharges

I couldn't make head or tail of this tax list as i didn't know which taxes were cut during my recharge, but i sure am annoyed. I think this annoyance and rage will last till the next few recharges. And then perhaps i will get used to it; just the way i am getting used to the other brutal atrocities committed against me, the Pakistani Citizen, by the government.

Lunar Eclipse, December 2011

Lunar Eclipse, December 2011 Originally uploaded by Monazza Talha

There was a lunar eclipse on December 10, 2011. In addition to other parts of the world, it was fully visible in Pakistan as well. I witnessed it from the city of Rawalpindi. The moon looked really awesome.

It is a pretty common phenomenon i guess but i am always intrigued by it. I am always excited to spot and eclipse and even take pictures of it.

But one thing i always forget during an eclipse is to see it from beginning till end and keep taking pictures of the various stages. I am planning to do this during the next eclipse so that i can make a collage of all those moon pictures.

I wonder when "IS" the next lunar eclipse. Better go check the NASA calender. :-)