Once a Paindoo, Always a Paindoo Shirin:

Maraasis (musicians, dhol wallay, bhaands) are ppl like lohaars (ironsmiths), nai (barbers), mochis (shoe makers) etc. When u enter, our giraan, you `ll first pass through the `mochia di galli`, you would still find men sitting outside their homes embroidering tilla on leather. These `Tillay wallay khussay` are world famous.Coming back to maraasi, well they are just maraasi, music is what they play, and live in the same village.Odd jobs they manage, and on such occasions like `shaadi` veghaira they earn there living! In the same way `nai` in our village have dual professions, they not only cut the villagers hair, they cook the food on festivals and shaadis.

Talking of marasi, i am reminded of yet another cheeky comment of my nano`s...We would be shopping like lunatics, buying everything and witout thinking,ofcourse coming from the God forsaken town bannu, Liberty seemed like NY at that moment,and nano would be like: `lo marasiyan kol paisay agayne...`!! plz shirin dont ask for translation, i dont think i would be able to do justice to it:) Urstruly perhaps you can take it from here..... :))

And shirin, yes you are most welcome.Our family would be just the right sort to show you paindoo ways:))

Once a Paindoo, Always a Paindoo Urstruly:

`Hala tay Malkaani ji Tala Gang nay hun. Wut tay asaN nay garayeeN ho (sort of). Ji ayaN noo Chowk tay.`

Thank you for the welcome.Nice to know we are garayeeN (sort of).btw, have u ever been called a `wat-watiya`? A guy from Mianwali at my work place, speaks punjabi with the same wat wat, and calls himself that!!

Once a Paindoo, Always a Paindoo anNy & Romair:

ah jehlum cantt ....what a truck-load of memories u guys have stirred...

we lived at 134-River View Road (the corner house that you can even see from the GT road)I went to Presentation Convent there.My dad was posted at the borders, bhimbhar/padhar area...and yes i remember the Churrassi bazar and the candle bakery, and the golf course, and Dina, and kiyani express....and ...and... *sigh * i cant go on, this is too many memories, at the same time...

Once a Paindoo, Always a Paindoo whoa...I dont know whats more shocking....

To actually see your written word posted, or to see 37 replies to it at once!!!!!

I just saw my article, and nearly jumped outta my skin. Thank you for the welcome, encouragement, and praise.I am glad everyone liked it, but please give me a few min to get over it.[Right now i am contempleting whether its wise or not, to jump around and shout in the development hall infront of other 40 techies, and ruin my one year old dignified and sober personna!!!!]

Of Men and Cars Amusing read... reminded me of my best friend in school,who`s interesting comment on cars i would like to share:`Driving a car is like making love to a woman...`His more explicit description i cant exactly post, but all i can say is that he got a whack on his head and had to do my calculus assighments for a whole week:)

And since there`s an online survey taking place regarding the four wheelers that chowk readers drive...i drive a blue daewoo (or as my mum would correct me..`i fly a blue daewoo` !!)

-Hana

Drive-By-Baggings Hey panini plz dont go...man we want more!!

`yeh dil mange more`

-Hana

The Sage Hey, i really like it...

I have read it twice and i am sure later readings will reveal greater meaning and wonder!!

-Hana

Refusing The Sitara-I-Imtiaz I dont know krashid why u are so upset because of these lallu punjoos??!!And i fail to understand why we are having this heated argument between armywallahs and non armywallahs??!!Its like as if these army ppl are not part of us, as if they are some imported guns, or aliens...arent we all the product of same system?? Arent we all pakistanis??Arent we all here to talk abt Professor saab`s decision to not accept the award??Or am i missing the point here??

-Hana

Refusing The Sitara-I-Imtiaz I guess mateen saab you stole my words:(

Well, thats another one with the below mentioned views!

Drive-By-Baggings Simply Superb !!

Really enjoyed this one ,though the german psy. and his rubber parrot left me eternally confused.....oh well `jaahil` me:(( but this one was really thought provoking, and funny:)

Looking fwd to more of your writings...

-Hana

Just Another Stupid Love Story Hai Shirin, thats so cute!!

Urstruly, you lucky * * * * * as if it wasnt enough that you write better than me, you get poems dedicated to you as well :(

Soulmate? Eklavya you talk sense!

The Ancient Art of Making Gurrha Reply : Urstruly & shirin

I remember the time when i didnt like mangoes either. I would eat falsas, bairs, jaman, kachay amruds everything but not mangoes (God knows what was wrong with me???)But now i am actually looking forward to summers and mangoes and water melons and `Rauh`...After reading all these ramblings about gurr from all these ppl, i feel as i have missed out on something good in my life yet again (first being mangoes)so gurr here i come...!!!

The Ancient Art of Making Gurrha hey where`s my reply i posted this afternoon????

A Nocturnal Battle Yeah, tell me about it ...(buzzzzzz)

I fail to see this poem (Ouch) as anything other than what it is...(scratch, scratch)

Die machar, Die!!

Just Another Stupid Love Story Highly original (nobody can create such a story!!)