Or just forget it.

In what looks like Time Magazine’s attempt at mimicking reality TV shows like American Idol or those talent shows, they invite readers and users to vote amongst 200 candidates that should make it into the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Pakistan had/has four candidates. Three of them live inside or in the vicinity of Islamabad. They are Pervez Musharraf, PM Gilani, Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani, and Bilawal Bhutto (Bilawal beats Bush?). Motivated by the recent acclaim received by a Lahori born photographer, I thought this too would be a fun way of doing some national international PR. Sadly, the real goings on are much more grim and need taken care of immediately.

The poll results are based on two values. One being the average rating, and the other just being a simple vote count. Both of these combined form the real ranking value of the candidate. A little fudged, as some would say, but our PM sahib Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani has the second lowest votes but a much higher ranking due to a higher average ranking he received. And obviously, the higher the number of voters, the more converged (stable) the ranking of the candidate will be.

I don’t really know if the polling is still open or closed, but I have this gut feeling that with in a few years we will have candidates doing their gigs on stand and Simon Cowell taking a piss at them. Now that would be entertainment!

BTW, just so know, Stephen Colbert wins (or is winning) the poll, lol.

[Image Courtesy: ShowBizSpy]

It was just last night when I tried to connect to MBL’s public server for COD2, and the server refused my connection. Yeah they have upgraded to Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare.

I am yet to see the game, but the reviews and trailer suggest it to be a good experience. Earlier versions were based on stories and maps from World War II. COD4 MW, as the name suggests, is about modern warfare. There are new maps including those from Middle East. Somebody was telling that you hear the sounds of Azan coming in the background on Middle East maps.

So if you have recently got the COD4 DVD, and are wondering as to whom to play with, there you go. Thanks to MBL for keeping it free.

[ Image Source ]

Don’t you just love that a movie called Zibahkhana would choose to open on Eid-ul-Azha? It certainly appeals to my sensibilities, as did the film itself when I watched its premiere at the Islamabad Club this summer.
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Update: It gives me immense pleasure to tell that we did get noticed by Hasan Mubarak of Metroblogging Lahore here.

Thanks Hasan.

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I did review Cinepax for you earlier.

This time it’s DHA Cinema Lahore.

I watched the movie “The Bourne Ultimatum” on both the cinemas, so my opinion wouldn’t be totally biased. Although Einstein did say that “Common sense is all the biases collected that a person has by the age of 18″. But still I will try to be fair and square.

As you can see for yourself in the following pictures, no doubt that the quality of cinema, seats, washrooms :D, et al is a lot better in Cinepax Islamabad in comparison to DHA Cinema Lahore. What’s not so evident in these pictures is the fact that the quality of sound is better in DHA Cinema Lahore.

But the fact still remains is that if you have been to Cinepax, DHA Cinema will not be able to impress or entertain you to it’s fullest.

Rest is just your own opinion, go there and form your very own.

You might as well like to share it over here.

Best, cheers!!!

The NUST Institute of Management Sciences is organizing its largest fashion show ever on November 26th, 2007. The show is called Schism, and its theme is the merging of two contrasts to make a whole - the Angel and the Demon within every man. According to the organizers, it will consist of a series of segments taking the audience through various stages of a man’s life: the teenager, the man, the innocent, the dark - an exploration of all his hidden facets, all those sides of him that few ever get to see. The tagline of the show is, ‘Know the secrets of life.’
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Let’s leave the emergency in Pakistan for the time being. There is more to Pakistan than extremism and all that crap.

I have watched The Bourne Ultimatum and Harry Potter 5 in the newly built cinema called Cinepax. It’s not exactly in Islamabad but cinemas like this are soon to be built on the Islamabad Club road.

It’s definitely a worth watching experience seeing a movie in this cinema. Not only because it is very aesthetically
built but because of … err… clean washrooms.

I am a very huge fan of good bathrooms and toilets. I have traveled extensively in all provinces of Pakistan(-Balochistan, I have my guilt of not being there). One of the unanimous things that I have observed is that
we need to make new and good washrooms and we need to educate people to use washrooms properly and leanly.

It’s not really a joke. And this, unfortunately holds more in Urban areas than the rural areas( no, I am not talking about Serenas, Marriotts, PCs et al).

Enough of all that, I am attaching some photos from there. Do visit the cinema for movies, there is Mc. Donalds and Papasallis near so you can have a good meal after the movies. For schedule send CPX to 6622 from your cell phone. (SMS charges Rs. 5/- per message)

Never mind the quality.

I saw The Good Doctor yesterday.

It’s not bad, in-fact it’s quite a perfect product!

I will write a review once the play is over, but if you want some entertainment, you should go and watch it.

Obviously, the title is inspired from the Novel. But it has been aesthetically chosen, and excellently advertised.

If you have a knack for acting, try out!

I will definitely be among your audience if you get chosen!

And I WILL write about you on Islamabad metblogs. You have my word for it…

Go ahead, give it your best shot!!!
[Click on the image for a better resolution, full-size image]

Yes, believe it!

We surely are seeing more frequent appearances of women, from Pakistan, into modeling and fashion industry now. Although the opportunities in Pakistan still are a far cry from being anywhere realistic when it comes to the fashion and modeling industry, yet we have our share of first movers too. And they had to move all the way to Canada this time. Case in point Nida Shaheen 21 from Islamabad, who will be competing for the Miss Bikini Universe pageant. This year the organizers are crossing their fingers for a win, if not a title to bring back for Pakistan. To date Pakistan has achieved 5 international titles and is aiming for more

Amidst the glamour and entertainment, Nida is not new to the modeling and beauty peagent industry and has been recipient of other awards. She was the also the Runner up Miss Pakistan World 2007 title. She didn’t stop at that and went away to bag Miss Photogenic award too.

Well finally more representation from Islamabad and Pakistan on the not so famous international front. More details can be found here

If you have a flair for acting, do try this opportunity.

Who knows you might end up there on stage?