The Temptress at Barnes & Noble

Are u a lesbian. I am straight though I love lesbians... nicely written, but can be made alot more sensual. Greatjob!

:)

private party...

yeah..no one did comment on it..i wrote the piece in all of thirty minutes. i believe the best work i have is that which i write uninterrupted and with no revisions. i wrote this, read it once, typed it up and sent it to chowk, and it got published a day later..

sensation and feeling was very much there and i wanted it relayed..often times i find that i write and let the writing take over. i look at my work and find facets to it that i didnt know existed or to myself that i didnt know existed. loads of fun to deconstruct what i write. i was a lil surprised at what i had produced but loved that it all fell into place the way it did..

so rubina is not ficticious then? you are the second male to tell me that a woman told him to read this piece...

the things you find in the back gallis of chowk...perhaps this piece will once again find its way to the main street..

rizvi

Hi Zehra, glad you could join. Let me quote some of your words excerpted from this piece. Maybe you`ll find this a mildly enjoyable experience...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I felt a slight stirring...

It was a teasing sensation...

I needed one and had to have one.

Gleaming cream, unadulterated, virginal paper smiled, nay beamed up at me.

I wanted to hug the journal. I brought it closer to my nose and inhaled its fresh manufactured scent.

I caressed the covers of the hard cover journal and smiled at it lovingly till I began to actually imagine my initiation of the

journal.

I was nervous. I had no idea how I wanted to introduce my pen into the sweet and pure pages of this innocent and beguilingly fresh young journal.

The immaculate surface kept beaming at me until I couldn`t take it anymore.

I wanted this journal, I wanted it very badly.

It needed a strong and steady hand. Its unlined status stood out as a challenge.

I dare you to desecrate me it said. I dare you to make me more beautiful than I am. Can you make me shimmer and shine in your words or will you maul me with your unfinessed touch?

My silly heart thought that perhaps I could woo the journal to my bidding.

You don`t know the first thing about how to handle me.

The damned journal seduced me, turned me on, let me hope, fall in love and crushed all my dreams with one look.

The unlined surface mocked my inexperienced and pencil loving self.

Did I still want the journal? Yes, I did. I was passionately in love with it by this point.

It had held me spellbound for ten minutes. I was held completely under the power of the unlined cream smooth paged journal with the brown hard cover skin.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Wow. Such wonderful erotica, Zehra. And not a single person commented on it. I have to admit it was brought to my attention by Rubina who admired it before I did. I took the time to take it apart. Joyfully.

Let`s see more of this soon. :)

-!Kamran Akhtar!-

Re: khuram

Well, it seems that the bookstores u frequent are more along the lines of academic work, rather then ecentric and avant garde work. Im not sure what kind of commentary you were looking for on this, but for not so traditional work i would look for A S Byatts books or Nick Hornby. Arundahti Roy is another favorite of mine ;)

RE: feroz.

That is precisely what i aim to do ( help create a powerful muslim voting block and diminish voter apathy in all people). i am not as naive to assume that only goodwill will get me where i want to be, i realize the importance of money and VOTES! The AMA has been pretty sucessful in getting a voting block going on and a having considerable donations go out to one candidate. Inshallah we can see more of this in the future :)

Re: asad

us polisci freakos will keep on rockin :))

Thanks.

z. rizvi.

Zehra,

Well written-deep...,I agree with most of what you said. Just wanted to add a point that now a days finding something in books, I find a lot told but little said kind of books more. More shelves are filled with ``making money for Dummies`` than ``search your soul`` types. Whenever I go finding books with eccentric ideas or alien thoughts, I end up wasting time on bookstores` computer databases mostly with a reply that `publisher is not publishing it any more`(most of the time with ``don`t waste our time`` type looks). As a matter of fact, most of the book stores` people in my area have started knowing me since I seldom find books worth buying, though when I comeout I am usually completely exhausted by wandering around shelves. Used book stores are sometimes helpful but mostly filled with used books from college students with wierd comments inside the pages revealing about the ancestory of the TA or the teacher. Not complaining, but looks like media image theory has played a role here too, as skin is beautiful but inside is filthy-attractive titles but lowly thoughts.

Comments???

regards.....Khuram

Re: Asad

I`ll take your idea about opening a book store in Pakistan that might stop the violence and the bloodshed, but I do not want the damn thing burned to the ground by some well intentionally misguided morons !

As to AMA and CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), Muslims in America have finally discovered the secret to American political life. Which is, that most American legislators are extermely attentive and respectful to your views when there is money on the table. If the Muslims can unite into a voting bloc and through their financial resourses ensure election victories and re-elections, they will be in a formidable position to influence legislation. The key is overcoming, and I am encouraged that Zehra is working on this problem, Muslim, or for that matter minority, voter apathy.

Zehra, just remember that old French saying: ``Tojour, tojour, audace tojour`` - today, today, show audacity today. Keep the wind in your sails and your rudder steady and rest is just smooth sailing!

re: asad.

Anywhere there is tikka..so am I :))

You caught up on what i am saying about just sitting alllll day and reading, eating and listening to music. isn`t it great? as for a starving student in Barnes & Noble? My visa bill is high cause of Barnes & Noble. i have NO self control at all when it comes to that store. clothes i can pass up, but books?? never!

I spent a cople of my formative years growing up in KArachi, and a favorite place of ours, used to be the British Council. for all karachites, that rings a bell, im sure. it was the place where i saw my first production of shakespeare ( Merchant of Venice) and we would literally spend hours there reading, roaming the halls, checking out guys who were looking for girls, and talking to the `pataywala`. It had always seemed like such a majestic place and it still retains its charm. i went back a year ago to find computers and the internet installed as well as the card catalog computerized. i was about to be impressed when i was mobbed by people for help because i was typing faster then them and seemed to know what i was doing. i tried to explain that i was not part of the library personnel, but somehow it seemed superfluos to all around me. My sisters chuckled away over their 50 rupees an hour computers while i had to give up my precious time and help a young lady find an article on aromatherapy. I dont know how effective a hands across pakistan thing would be given this kind of thing.

The political side u raised...i agree and it is what i had meant and was very pleased to see happen :) Clinton has been good for muslims, though many do not realize it.

z. rizvi

Hello Ms. Rizvi,

I just ran accross your article and, I must say, I was really impressed. It seems as though you have quite a grasp of literature, it will get you far in your education and your career. You will take DC by storm, and your mind and pen will be your weapons.

I want to add a couple of thoughts to the current discussion. First and foremost, after listening to Clinton`s speech explaining the bombings last week, one good thing did come out of his speech. He did dedicate a part of the speech to address muslims, and reminded his audience that Bin Laden`s actions do not accurately represent the views of all Muslims. He also was quick to point out that the `great religion of Islam` (as he put it) does not condone violent actions against innocent people.

Although this forum isnt an appropriate place to discuss the pro and cons, rights and wrongs of his actions, I think it is necessary to point out that a president (a philandering president, but indeed the president) of the United States of America (unarguable the most powerful man in the world) did recognize Muslims and Islam in a nationally televised speech. Has this ever happened? Did George Bush or Ronald Reagen specifically mention anything about Islam or Muslims when Libya was bombed, or Iraq was pummeled? NO.

The fact that this happend, shows how much progress Muslims have made in American politics within the last decade. Kudos to organizations such as the AMA to further Muslims in politics. If it wasnt for there effort, we would still be stuck in 1980 (remember the hostage crisis and how muslims were portrayed? ). They have made noise up in capital hill, enough to have there concerns of the people they are representing answered in a nationally televised speech by the president.

BUT (yes there has to be a BUT) Muslims have a LONG ways to go in order to have an elected Representative in congress and to have there say in the passing and creation of laws. Zehra and the rest of you political science freakos (loving term), continue to work hard in your studies and your career. Dont let any kind of negative responses from other people hold you back. I think our generation can get far, further then what we are now. At the same time I think teaching our kids is also necessary. We cant let them all do medicine or engineering. I think its part of your guys`s jobs as muslims in politics, to pass your beliefs on to your kids. We do what we can now, because we are young, I think our actions will be an example of generations to come.

NOW.. sorry to make this reply long and winding.. the subject at hand. Bookstores. I am an avid visitor of Barnes and Nobles and about every other book store ( I think used bookstores have been lost in the shuffle here, I find as though they have a great deal of appeal too, especially for starving students such as myself :) ). Nothing can calm the nerves like spending a full day at a bookstore sitting on the sofa and having a pile of books and magazines on hand right next to you. Well a cup of mocha is nice also, but our Barnes and Nobles does not allow eating or drinking inside, what a jip. Actually, listening to Dvorak at the same time finishes off the scene.

But my question is.. Why differentiate between a large chain bookstore and a small locally owned bookstore? A book is a book, contains many pages of words put together in such a way to appeal to the person who creaks open the covers. Does it matter what the words are about? Personally, I dont think thers a difference betwen Socrates and Peter Straub, between a book on Sufism and a book on Judaism. The reason Im saying this is because books are meant to please the readers, to expand there mind. I dont think it matters if Barnes and Nobles does not have outdated and rare books, I dont think it is selling out by going to one. A book is a book.

Oh before I sign off, hows this for an idea. Since we are having 2 seperate discussions about Politics and Bookstores, how about we all get together and start a book store chain in pakistan. What better to stop violence then opening a bookstore for people to go in there spare time. hell.. maybe we can even open a tikka stand right next to it. How does this sound? I noticed that karachi lacks good book stores to sit and read in. Im not saying that people are gonna go in to the bookstore, stay for a few hours and then suddenly throw away there pistols and hug there neighbors and form a ``hands accross pakistan`` line. (Although that would be nice, although a bit comical). But its an idea. How about it you guys?

Ill be looking forward to replies. Once again, terrific paper Zehra.

Khuda hafez

re: RR and Anita Zaidi.

I feel almost lame defending these big bookstores that buy out and quelch the little ``real`` bookstores. The truth of the matter is, these bookstores allow access and in fact LURe people who would NEVER think about stepping into a place that has books. I have friends ( i pretend not to know them at times) who HATE to read. I took them to Barnes and Noble and lo and behold, they have fallen in love with the place. It is for them a place unlike the library but with the same purpose. More hip and less a reminder of school. This does not necessarily vindicate a chain bookstore of taking over a real charming place but it is a plus side to them....that and the frappacinos. :)

If we can have a world where people are more willing to spend an evening in a bookstore vs. bowling or bar hopping, why not? *nothing against bowling, i happen to love it *

Rehan, your home sounds wonderful. Can`t wait to have my own place so that i can too, fill it with books and furniture from the Bombay Company.

Anita...so, you don`t take your kids to big chain bookstores to buy books? what`s the alternative when wanting to BUY the latest book from a famous childrens author?

Z. Rizvi.

Re: Zehra

Thanks for your follow up. You seem to have a basic requirement of politics down and that is good, because being on the ball is what politics is all about.

Best wishes !

P.S.: If you need any help, do not hesitate to e-mail me. You can ask the Chowk staff for my e-mail, as I do not like publishing that address for obvious reasons.

Re: Ferozk

My emphasis at THIS point in time is more domestic and dealing with (American) Muslims. I have of late become quite involved with the American Muslim Alliance (AMA). I feel that living in this country, Muslim voters should be more aware of what the issues are out there dealing with us and how to address them. The Muslim voting block has and IS becomming more powerful and its time to make sure that our efforts should be more consolidated and focused. It was intersting to note how Pres. Clinton is his speech ( bombing one) did something that no president has done before. He recognized the USA as the melting pot it IS and will continue to be. he made sure that it was not seen as an act against Islam and even is his presidency a lot of change has come about and alot of recognition of muslims. It is extreamly important that this continue to happen. Even though i say my interest is doemstic, once in the groove, it is more international. Mulsims are world wide and since we are part of this super power, we can change lives and really HELP people. It may sound naive and inexperianced but it is sincere. And i am hoping that this sincereity and willingness to brave new worlds and new rontiers is going to pay off in the long run.

My one hope is that this voter apathy no longer exist within muslim communites across the United States and i hope to work in that regard and keep the issues dealing with Muslims in the forefront and under focus.

Anything else feroz?

:))

Zehra.

Nice work kid! I must say that writing with a pen has its unique feel. I usually don`t, or at least didn`t used to, start writing untill the thoughts in mind were fully ripe, so to speak, to be put down on a piece of paper. Then, I`d sit down and spend the whole night (the best time) writing and wouldn`t stop until I was finished. And I`d always stick with my first draft, whether a story, an article or a term paper.

But ever since I bought my first Mac a few years ago I`ve given up writing with a pen unless writing in Urdu, of course. And now, with computer, I always find something that I wanna change here and there every time I read it. But it has made me a little better writer. I think. So, the moral of the story is...I now drool over the latest and the lightest notebooks and laptops instead of the good old journals.

I`ll tell you one more thing...I don`t venture into the liabraries and bookstores very often. Y`know why...because I feel like such a limited being for not being able to read all the books that I want to read. And besides, once I`m inside a liabrary or a bookstore, only a higher power can force me out. That`s why we`ve got huge bookshelves in every room of our house with hundreds of books on every topic and subject. Keeps me busy. I`m living your utopia kid. And it`s as good as it gets.

And ah! on chainstores... I agree with Anita, they put too much power into the hands of too few people who make all the purchasing decisions. And their bottom line usually is higher margins so they buy titles in bulk, like groceries. Imagine!

Rehan Rizvi

P.S. Good luck in the sin city.

One question Zehra:

What is your emphasis in PolSci; is it domestic or international. The reason I am asking is, because I have a couple of friends on the Hill and I did a congressional internship. Getting into politics, in DC, is hard. Are you linked with congressional campaigns in your area. Volunteer for a political camapign and, you`ll be amazed where you might end up. If you really want to break into DC, you need to identify a policy focus or interest and go for it. If you need help in networking, drop me an indication on this interact. We need intelligent Muslims Pakistanis in the American political system.

Best of Luck !

Dear Zehra,

The reason that there aren`t any good old bookstores, or other bookstores in your area is because Barnes and Noble probably swallowed them up. What I have against Barnes and Noble is that they cater only to popular taste. Try finding a book there on ancient Mesopotamian civilization or on Gandharan art, or the works of modern French theorists, or Espisito`s commentaries on the Islamic world, and you`ll see what I mean. If chain stores is all you have access to, for better coffee and a wider selection of books and music try finding a Borders near you.

As an aside, if you ask me, I would say that the coffee and books association has been taken a bit too far - so now you can go to bookstores and buy coffee or you can go to Starbucks and buy Oprah`s selections!

If you are ever in the Boston area, and in need of a memorable browsing experience, visit Wordsworth or Harvard Bookstore in Harvard Square. And if you want the experience of a lifetime, on your next trip to Pakistan, stop over in London and spend a couple of days browsing the bookshops lining Charing Cross Road.

Best regards,

Anita

Well Barnes & Noble bookstores may be a tad boring back East, but out here in the West, particularly in San Francisco one can enjoy some nice exotic java while leisurely perusing through the stacks of fine & wonderous works. It the ambiance folks, the ambiance .... :-)