The mysterious case of Banker Bawarchi and the Treleche!

 A couple of weeks ago a colleague of mine, now popularly known as ‘Banker Bawarchi’ made us taste his decadently delicious sponge cake, that I am assuming he made himself. The small bite of heaven, that I could fight for, was basically vanilla sponge with cream and hints of cinnamon. What made the cake divine was the amount of condensed milk that was absorbed within the sponge. So since my nephew’s birthday was coming up, immediately an impulsive order was placed! And boy did I NOT regret the impulse!!

Now the cake has a really cool name that I can’t pronounce for the life of me named Treleche and the pricing is really good, its affordable and you can collect it from the residence (like most home based bakers and cooks). Yesterday was the day when we got my order and we had a go at the cake. Now since we all had at least two slices each, I can safely guarantee that it was really good, like literally, really good. The condensed milk soaked sponge with the cream topping and cinnamon powder was literally the new ‘death by vanilla’ idea for me!

Would totally rate it a 5 because it is like a bakery cake but with the homemade appeal! 

#BankerBawarchi #Treleche #cake #spongecake #vanilla #condensedmilk 

The flopness of Brite!

I think advertisers today are losing their minds. Most of the ads that we see don’t make sense. One such ad that I would rave and rant on and on about would be the Brite ad. It’s not only lame, its completely off the bucket. Literally.

The ad commences with this nice well-groomed lady, who looks at an article of clothing and tends to renaissance on the past where a waiter dropped food on her, and while she kept lamenting that the stain wouldn’t go away, the manager not only struck of their bill, but also advised the lady to ‘try Brite’. Low and behold the next screen shows the lady with her daughter-in-law who is none other than the restaurant manager.

This ad is so so sooooo wrong on so many levels (at least in MY opinion, you’re entitled to yours if you like it). The first shot of the ad shows the lady in a nice airy room. Looking at her, you can see she belongs to the upper class with her persona and surroundings. She has her son’s (or husband’s) shirt in her hand and is remembering the past when she went with her family to some restaurant for dinner. The next frame, shows the same woman whining and complaining to the waiter for dropping food on her … (which okay honestly speaking we would do as well, while demanding to see the manager). Within the same frame the manager (a female) is standing in the corner noticing the scene and comes to the table (like any manager would), here the aunty’s son does the ‘pehli nazar maaf’ thing and looks at the girl … or rather has an eyeful of the girl!

If you look at the female manager she is impeccably groomed with flawless hair and makeup and HONESTLY I have yet to see PERFECT party make up on female managers when we go to restaurants. Anyway the manager apologizes, the next line would have irritated any normal customer, but this aunty went a step ahead and said that the stain won’t go. The manager not only cancels the bill, but also advices the lady to use ‘Brite’. Now the issue here, atleast for me is that in any NORMAL scenario, if someone dropped food on us, we’d simply ask for the manager and they wouldn’t give a freebee meal, but would cut a percentage of it, also if they were to ‘advice’ us to use a specific detergent, most of us would get really pissy and tell them to shove their advice where it belonged. Secondly, MOST of the managers are male … so they don’t usually do this … I hope!

The final scene that bungles my mind the most is that the girl (manager) is now the aunty’s daughter-in-law! Seriously?! I am not being mean or heartless but all I want to clarify here is that usually girls from low income backgrounds usually work as restaurant managers and thus to show one married into a high end family is seriously off the rocket. The whole concept is completely cliché. Not all stains have a story, actually most often than not stains DON’T have a story, be it a sibling dropping food on you, or you yourself dropping food (other anything else)! Not only this it DOES NOT lead to marriage. The only thing that can be said over this rant is that please choose advertising agencies for this quality of work NOT because they have been in the market for long or are considered as major brand names.

Try new agencies, I am sure they will give better ideas, after all businesses need new blood (in this case it needs a complete new body!)

#Brite #Rishta #washingpowder #restaurant

Free bird

Over the past few days the feeling of being stuck in a trap that refuses to let me go has become stronger and stronger. It feels like I am stuck in a vortex where people are pushing me to my limit and I don't know what to do, who to believe and who to let close to me. Life is supposed to be simple and easy. So why ans what does it make it so complicated? Is it greed? Hate? Lust? Desire? Jealousy? I wish I could understand but I don't. I want to fly free like a bird that has no worries, fearlessly slicing though the air like there is no tomorrow. Spreading my wings and feeling the wind pass through the outspread feathers making me one with creation. How I long for a life well lived, with no stress and tension, no worries and fear. I hate the fear of the unknown. It claws at my soul and makes me want to run. Run away from this life and start again. To right all the wrongs so that the mind can be free and at peace.

That is the only thing that the heart desires.

The mind boggles

My mind is a jumble of words that are bursting to come out in a flow of words that may or may not be understood, but when I actually start, well that is the time everything goes blank and it seems that all emotions and thoughts are forgotten and I stare blankly at the screen trying to understand where to start from and what to write. The mind is a confusion of thoughts and ideas with stories from the past and present that are bursting to come forth and be known to all. It is life itself that brings about the randomness of ideas that make us believe what we want and how we want it to be. so you see … to be or not to be … that it definitely the question. 

HBL ki Rosheen Khan!

It’s been a while since I wrote (or maybe not), but HBL is at it again it seems. First it was the lady (Samina Baig) that climbed the mountain and that’s all she did (we are still trying to figure out if HBL sponsored her climb or was using her as an endorsement or neither!) and now it is the diver – correction scuba diver named Rosheen Khan who is making her mark on the ATL score.

The ad opens with a cute little girl looking sort of gloomily at the fish (can’t decide whether she wants it as a pet or just eat it I guess) and lands in a boat with a “I’m the king of the world” action … to show that she’s enjoying the air maybe … with the voice over that talks of dreams that have to be fulfilled. Suddenly we’re underwater and everything is about “under the seaaa ... under the seaaaa … darling its better down where its … take it from me!”

The moment of pride is when we get to know that she is the first female scuba diver (go girl power!). Oh completely forgot there is a moment of almost ‘fear’ when a shark swims by and she … sort of sinks … but rises from the depths all triumphant and proud. The ad ends with the, “Khawab kisi ameer ya ghareeb ki jagir nahi”.

Overall the ad seemed really blue (pun intended). It seemed to have a sort of melancholy outlook to it. It is understandable that the underwater scenes would obviously be blue. Yet it lacked the brightness (may the marine life or the fact that cartoons like “Little Mermaid”, “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory” have given me a brighter perspective of the underwater world!) kind of giving it a depressive tone to the ad. Shouldn’t she be happy that she is the first female to do this? It seems that she is sidelined and not really the main person for the ad … but a spectator herself trying to absorb what is happening about her.

Finally throughout the ad I see zilch of what HBL did for her … except maybe have their logo on her costume. Nothing what-so-ever is highlighted about the bank or how it facilitated her during the hardships that she may have faced during her training. IF HBL really wants to talk of ‘enabling dreams’ then they should focus on people who are up starts, make something out of them and then proudly proclaim that THIS is the person who WE have enabled in achieving their dreams. 

Ad Rating: 2 winks. 

HBL anyone?

HBL has recently celebrated a completion of 75 years. We have been seeing the HBL “75 years” logo in all different print ads that have been shared over a period of time. But since the past few days their building has been gloriously bright with their signature green color and lighting effects as well. (Funny even UBL plaza has taken on the color green, I guess in part to show unity with HBL. To be called a part of “I am HBL”).

Coming back to HBL and its 75 years, the celebrations have print ads showing the tall HBL plaza building or rather a white sketch of HBL Plaza on a palette of different green shades (fifty shades of green maybe). Now when I look at the message all I can think is off a tall, proud old man who is standing in this patriotic garb screaming out how he has changed lives and is boasting of nothing more that empty promises of ‘enabling dreams’.

The final call, “I am HBL” doesn’t resonate with me. Why? Because I am truly not a part of HBL. Do they even know that their services have completely gone to the dogs? I wonder when was the last time they carried out a customer survey or awareness program to know what people ACTUALLY think of their bank? They need to have a true eye opener that through they maybe an ‘old’ bank they are definitely not the best around town.

PS: apologies about the literally off image that is shared. HBL has no other images to offer on google that could be added for 75 years!!

Zalimmaaa ab tu ponstan khila dei!

Coke has been affiliated with music for quite some time now, with its coke studio going strong to season 9 along with singers and songs that are over the roof and have driven the nation to enthusiasm. The same is seen with its ad, the new in thing called, “Zalima coca cola pila dey”. Social media is bombarded with this line with memes and comics that have literally made not only the youth, but the old sing it out as well. The original piece, sung by Madam Noor Jehan (more so ear piercing than the modern counterpart) has paved its way now for Meesha Shafi and Umair Jaswal to sing it as well.

Looking at the ad it begins in a studio where yours truly the popular Meesha Shafi (looking all preppy), Umair Jaswal (not to preppy) and a cute sort of guy that seems to have a squint are sitting in the studio and the cutie starts to play the tabla (I think it’s the tabla). This prompts Meesha I guess to notice Umair and ends up eyeing him drinking (gulping) a coke instead! So she starts off with, “Sooonnaaayyaaa coca cola pila dey”. 

The candidness begins and he gives her a cheesy smile and keeps the bottle on a big red button (that OBVIOUSLY) makes them go on air (mistake tha jee) so that he too can partake in the singalong. Mr. Umair starts off with the zalimaaa bit and the scene goes to hottie 2 in a kiryana store where he does the pulling dance (you know the one where your roping in the person and pulling them! Disclaimer: Done at mostly all dance functions to showcase excite or the lack of dance talent!) with a bewildered shop owner starring at him (the expression can clearly be translated to, “has idiot has completely lost his mind or is high on something I didn’t get!”).

The ad seems to flow between various scenes like the one where there are two students in the library, both apparently listening to this on their headphones and the girl offers the guy her coke that he (literally with a shy smile) takes as well. Out of the blue, btw, there is a complete band as well, whom look like foreigners, playing to the songs beat as well. Within the ad day passes to night (with these guys still going strong on the Zalimmaaaaa) and a projector screen is seen with Misha Shafi moving to the beat (I thought they were on radio and the song was being aired by mistake but oh well) and a complete concert starts with people making the beat with the coke caps and empty bottles. The scene (finally) goes back to the studio were we see the three again and Umair realizing that the ‘On air’ sign was on hence rushing to remove the bottle from it thus ending the concert as well (I guess).

The concept and the song I love. Truly. But now the ad is a bit of an irritation than something that is fun to hear and enjoy. Coca cola (coke) has always come up with new ideas and concepts that literally create a pull and appeal to attract their consumers, but this ad when you literally forget the music for a bit and look at the scenes, tends to be a bit hopscotch. Maybe this was made to promote Coke Studio Season 9 or the concept of music that they are trying to get to but honestly … I just liked the concept of ‘sharing happiness’ better.

Ad rating: 3 winks.

Welcome to the world of Chaiwala

It has been a while since I gave a review about the eateries that have been popping up especially those near Khayaban-e-Muhafiz (I think) area. That line is populated with famous dhabas that have gained popularity over time and are favored by all and sundry not only to relax but to have business meetings and big business plans carried out as well.

One of these dhabas that has grown in significance is Chaiwala, a name that now resonates with the best tea and parathas in town. Truly Chaiwala’s popularity has hit the roof (if they had one because here the sky is the limit!). To those of you who don’t know, Chaiwala is an open aired parking lot based dhaba of sorts that has quite an elite gentry going to it.

The dhaba opens at night (I think because I haven’t bothered going in the afternoon or evening to know!!) an the open air, truck art graffiti on the wall and plastic chairs and tables in the empty plot along with the plot right opposite to the dhaba full of cars with waiting customers just about adds to the ambiance of the place.

Before I go on about Chaiwala, let me point out that right next to it is another eatery by the name of ‘Dandees’ and yet another by the name of ‘Chai Shai’ that has their own artwork and graffiti as well. These two have also gone on to have a booming business here though I don’t think they give ‘Chaiwala much competition (or maybe they do).

Coming back to the point, my recent trip there was to pick a quick order and as usual we landed in the car park/waiting area to be bombarded with waiters from all surrounding eateries but ‘Chaiwala’ itself. Upon asking for the waiter from ‘Chaiwala’ we waited a good 30 minutes (yes we timed it), and finally got fed up only to take the car in the lane right next to it so that someone could see us and serve as well!! Finally when a poor waiter did come he couldn't understand head or tail of what we wanted, but I'll give the guy his due he immediately sent another waiter (well trained) who took our order with a promise to give the take away items within 10 minutes (something that all eateries including this one says but never does!).

One thing before I go on is that Chaiwala's tea aka chai and parathas are phenomenally delicious. It has to offer a wide range of tea and parathas to choose from that are not only mouth-watering but hygienically served as well (I have no idea how clean the kitchen itself is an I don't really care as long as there is good hot food to stuff in the face).

Their Nutella paratha is to die for and the chicken cheese one topped with a cup of doodh patti or Kashmiri chai is simply delish!

We had ended up ordering their plain paratha, hummus paratha, cheese, chicken cheese and anda cheese parathas. By the way they have an amazing variety and I could go one an on but you literally need to go an try for yourself to know. The order took a good half an hour to 45 minutes before it finally reached us. But hey its food, good food so you can compensate on timing a bit I guess if you are a happy go lucky person.

Happily, on my way with the order, we had a blast with our taste buds especially with the tangy spicy cheese an chicken paratha an the hummus one.

The only downside (well 3 downsides) to this place are that firstly the service is slow (almost dead), secondly the ample amount of beggars there to fleece you and thirdly if by chance you sit in the open air area the mosquitoes that come along with the ambiance as well.

On the whole Chaiwala has done quite well and till date I think have managed to maintain their quality and taste as well (or maybe it’s my luck that I get good food whenever I go!).

Rating: 4 stars!

Fallen dreams

She dreamed a dream … a perfect dream

Of roses and rainbows and mystical lore

Where angels ruled and life was true

With honesty and love and faith and trust

Of summers and sunshine and smiles and giggles

Yet Life has a way of playing different riddles

Even dreams turn tables and lodge despair

The thorny ridges rise and evil plays

Where darkness rules which life doesn’t spare

Then comes the lies, the hate and the terror

With darkness and dread in the winter air

With anguish and tears the glittering eyes awake

For all was a dream and dreams always fail

The Bitten One

I’m a super sensitive person who gets upset or sad at every small thing that happens around me. There I said it. I’m not proud of it, but it’s a part of me and I can’t change it. When I love, I love with all my heart and when I hate, trust me even if you go through hell and back I still won’t see your face again. That’s just the way I am.

Friends are people I get attached to and care for just like that malnutrition person, Gollom, from Lord of the Rings who goes around saying “my precious”.  But having said that, if the very same friends turn out to be two faced, blood sucking parasites with nothing better to do in life then to make you feel like you’re the bestie one minute and then the most outcast person the very next, then sorry but you don’t deserve to be a part of me. A part of my life that is. (yes I know the sentence is too long).

A particular set of friends are based on gossiping with malicious in the name of innocent passing of information, about everyone else’s life and happenings not realizing that details shared may be personal or at times hurtful (mark harmful) as well. They tend to have a habit of simply sharing information at the ‘right’ time, so that suspicions can rise and after a series of fights and cold shoulders the friendships frizzle out and die. Lies play a major role too. To show supremacy (and look for jealousy maybe?) lies are spun to such an extent that at the end of the day one never knows what’s right and what’s wrong. But as a person I know says, “such is the way of the Samurai”. Friends are supposed to get you out of your misery not put you back in it. No one is interested in a random XYZ’s break up or make up, professional or personal life. Let them live their life and a nice suggestion; live your own life as well.

When working the biggest lesson that you can gain is that no one is your friend. No one. They don’t care if your dead or alive, happy or sad, angry or agitated. All they want is to live in the fake cloud of happiness that they create and fly by it. As long as they are a part of the popular or cool crowd the skies are sunny dandy for them, but the moment an uncool person comes along, the clouds turn dark and the skies seem to pour cats and dogs on them. I seriously at times wonder what the definition of cool is in their minds? Is being cool going out to renowned expensive eateries, wearing branded wear that half the people can’t even pronounce (Louis Vuitton and Gucci are main examples), or traveling abroad? Heavens forbid if you can’t do that. Or is being cool a part of reflecting your grooming, looks, thinking 'Urdu' is a language that is beneath you, and above all how well you can cuss out in English?

Friends are supposed to stick out with each other, not ignore, have fall outs and ultimately become people who are acquaintances with ‘smirky’ smiles and sarcasm in the name conversations. So this is an not just work based but otherwise as well.

The crux of all this is that stay alone and be at peace, don’t get close to anyone till they are as crazy as you and have the same madness as you have. After all you came alone and you will go alone as well. 

From the Bitten One. 

Off love and heartbreak

If I was the "bestest thing that ever happened" to someone ... then why the lies to ruin what we had? If I was supposed to be so "giving and loving" then why is it that i got no love in return? I never wanted anything but love, care and honesty but all i got was lies, deception and piece by piece of heart break till nothing remained but shattered pieces that left me with nothing but emptiness and pain. Lots and lots of pain. You broke me.
You have made me into a demon. I don't trust, I'm suspicious of everything, I think love is a lie. You proved to me that there is no such thing as love. It's a lie.
You said i made you into a "better person". Why did you change me into the worse possible being alive? Why did you ruin love for me? Why did you make me a lie to all? I lie that I am happy. I'm not. I'm broken and no one can fix me.
A game of deception played not by one but by many that are present. Everyone you knew played a part.
You have made me believe that everyone lies even if they don't. You made me so insecure that I don't have faith in anyone. You made the word marriage a joke. Now I can't trust anyone when they talk of marriage, it makes me unsure of myself. Your flings in the name of friendships with the opposite gender have made me doubt all kinds of friendships. Then you asked me to forgive you.
I guess some part of me has forgiven what you did, but then there is another part of me cannot forget what you did so who do I recover from that? I feel like, love an any other related emotion is fake. The demons you have given me keep telling me everything is a game. Your mind games were well played. So yes you were the first and last person who broke me.


A personal ode to love. 

The night I lost you

Sometimes, like today, I got scared, I needed you today but you weren’t there. I didn’t want to speak of love or marriage. I just wanted your support, but you weren’t there to give it. You said right after dinner I could call yet an hour later you were not bothered. All I needed was a little care. Nothing more nothing less. Your game was more important than my worry. I was upset and crying yet you seemed cold. I was shaking and needed warmth you seemed aloof to my pain. I know I’m not pretty, I’m far from it. I know you have other options better than me, but I know one thing you will never find a girl like me. No one will love and care for you like I have. No one will stand by you like I have. I care for you like my husband, my soul mate, in short my life. I am willing to give my life to be with you, but are you willing to do the same? I doubt it.

Everyone says positivity is important, but you know what I have been hurt so many times that I no longer am happy or positive. I feel like a lost soul. Useless and unwanted. 

One of a kind affair

I am having an affair. There I said it loud and clear. No longer am I going to hide it. The affair is getting to consuming for me. The danger, the thrill, the secret meetings. It gives an adrenaline rush to the bones. The heady feeling when it touches the lips, the sweet and tangy taste, the hot and spicy mood, the crisp and light touch all make me weak in the knees. What can I say? When something is so good looking, almost delicious and yum to look at. The heart tends to skip a beat. The love keeps growing it cannot stop. It just keeps growing. What do I do?

It soothes me, consumes me, gives

me comfort when I need it. The moment there is a tightening in the stomach, it compels me to unwind and feel the peace. To enjoy every bite every nip every lick and every suck. What can I do? I truly love food!

Remembering 2014 ... Welcoming 2015!

With the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, this year has proved to have its own turmoil for me. From love to life, from work to fun it has given me good times and bad times, fun times and sad times all in a basket of emotions that if not have matured me, have definitely given me lessons to from.

I have laughed, fought, cried, smiled, dreamt, feared, and above all have learnt to honor life for what it’s worth. The year began with domestic trips and a new place of employment that I came to love (with its ups and downs and lack of sparks in me! :D). It bought on new friends and some renewed owns too!  It also bought along a line of friends that became acquaintances followed by becoming strangers in my life. 

To my friends who have stuck on with me, I love you all, you’re the best people in my life cause you have clearly understood me and have decided to be in my life no matter what! Be it a simple cup of tea, ice cream rounds, food street rounds, running around all of Lahore or road trips, you guys are the glue I need to keep me sticky and happy!

This year I loved again and loved with all my heart, and will love till the very end of time for sure. From a simple poke to a bond stronger than friends, you’re a pillar that I can always lean on for support no matter what. With fights and forgiveness, understanding and care, at times the hurt and despair you have become life and one that means the world to me and for the next year and years to come. You are life for me a part of my soul that I can’t afford to lose.

I lost loved ones, towards the end of the year, words cannot express how I feel and how much I miss you. The secret trips to the café at the corner, our round up trips to itwar bazaar, the late night bitching sessions, the fights and the advice. I can’t believe your gone.

To my mother who has been there for me through thick and thin, I hope you remain so for the rest of my life, silently watching over me and guiding me. You bear my tantrums better than anyone else and wipe my tears when it feels like the world has ended for me.

To my sisters, close and far, and their little ones, the movies together, the gossip sessions, the advice shared and the fact that for you guys I’m still the baby. I love you all!

The last day, that is today, and new found respect for my dad. The support he shared with me today made me feel stronger than ever before. Our relation has its own little space where we fight more that talk, but you have and always will be someone I love and adore.

Now for the year 2015. I welcome you with open arms. I hope you turn out to be even better than the last with new lessons (good ones) and news that is full of happiness, joy and lots and lots of love! I want to see prosperity, happiness and eagerness for each new day as it rolls from tomorrow onwards. I want it to be my year! I’m no mother Teresa but I want happiness for all and prosperity for the one I love and care about with a pray that only the very best is given.

Welcome 2015.

Verde ... the new exclusive..!

A nice exclusive cafe that can be found in the very heart of Clifton (Near SZABIST) is a definite place to add on the "to visit" list if you haven't been  there already. Upon entering the small green gate you get a lovely refreshing view of the garden (where I believe they grow most of their vegetables), fountain and lights that present a cool at the same time creative ambiance for the place. Sheesha is also served these with a variety of flavours (we had mint and watermelon), but that is served on the deck area that has been made not inside (a small hall surrounded by glass to see the view outside).

The service (when we went) was excellent with the food coming in on time without us having to wait or worry about the time. We had ordered Pizza (Beef Pepperoni) that had a thin crust and an amazing layer of cheese with beef pepperoni. We polished on the slices, savoring the taste of melted cheese and beef and the deliciously crispy yet somehow soft crust. The dessert was a bit of a disappointment though. We had mainly ordered two desserts - Chocolate Lave and Crème Brulee. The first to be served was the Chocolate Lava, and though it looked highly appealing (I am a chocolate lover so anything that has chocolate has my vote), the serving size was incredibly small and the lava of chocolate didn't ooze out like many that I have tried in other restaurants/cafes. On the whole the sweetness was just right as along with the ice cream that complimented it well.

The Crème Brulee on the other hand was a complete disappointment. Served in a small bowl, it too could fall under the minute portions list (if ever any would be made), and the taste too was not as well considering the fact that the sugar was burnt from the sides more that it should have been and the middle was too soft. Over all on a scale of 1 - 5 I'd give it a 4; that too because of its outlook, ambiance, soft lighting and overall look that it projected.  

“Where have all the cowboys gone?” An exploration on the changing self-identity of urban Pakistani men.

Time changes everything. As time goes on not only do trends change, but so does fashion, etc. so with time the tall, dark and sexy man whose ruggedly handsome and suave

A man how doesn’t worry about his looks . All this seems to describe a man soon to be outdated and obsolete thanks to the changes that are taking place in this ever evolving society.  

Television is seen to be the greatest development of the 20th century (Ige, 2004). Many arguments exist in favor of the influence of television on people as well as the personality factors that are seen as being common to television viewers. Television viewers are seen to want to know about the ongoing culture of society through the television and are less active than non-television viewers both in house chores as well as outside home activities such as going to museums and movies. They are able to achieve satisfaction with doing lesser number of activities than non-television viewers (Jackson-Beeck & Robinson, 1981).

Television, along with peers of consumers, appears to be an important agent in adolescent consumer socialization and increases interaction of adolescents with parents for consumption related queries (Churchill Jr. & Moschis, 1979), meaning that it could aid in increasing the influence of family in socialization. It also is seen to help in the construction of a mental picture of the real world (O’Guinn & Shrum, 1997). We might therefore come to believe how others live and behave without ever actually meeting them and because of the presence of more affluence in television programs, television viewers would believe that more affluence existed in the real world as well, and feel disadvantaged. Thus they might want to buy more fashion clothes as a result of watching television channels.

Television usage could also increase the awareness of the incidence of crime for television viewers (Wyer Jr., Shrum, & O’Guinn, 1998). Consumers might not think about the source of any information with regards to television and would in fact treat it as being true even though it might be false, unless they are made aware of a possible bias.

Television advertisements are also seen to have an impact on consumer role perceptions as well as sex-role perceptions (Moschis & Moore, 1982). Over a period of time, increased advertising exposure causes a person’s behavior to be less socially desirable (Moschis et al.). It might make them buy products such as cigarettes which are of no social value. One thing to remember is that ads have to be placed in likeable programs to get more positive product impressions (Murry Jr., Lastovicka, & Singh, 1992).

Therefore a good ad might be useless unless it is placed in the proper television timeslot of programming.

The influence of advertisements is shown through the use of premium offers along with the product itself (such as reusable containers or gifts), which is seen to influence consumers to like or desire the product (Shimp, Dyer, & Divita, 1976).

What Females think: 

Historically, consumer and market researchers have viewed women in the traditional roles of wife, mother, homemaker, and hostess, or single girl preparatory to these roles (Venkatesh, 1980). A Pakistani woman’s place in society can be seen in light of this study on the changing roles of women, which although very old, would help shed light on adolescents views. In our view, the traditional Pakistani woman’s role is reflective of the traditional American housewife of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Among the three categories listed by Venkatesh, the study on feminists is of particular interest since they are closest to our sample characteristics. They were found to be younger, better educated, and revealed a greater sense of independence in terms of how they perceived themselves within the household, more self-confident, and less prone to television viewing (Venkatesh et al.). Other studies have shown that females have a stronger orientation toward their peers than do males (Churchill Jr. & Moschis, 1979).

In a study on male and female processing strategies (Meyers-Levy, & Maheswaran, 1991), it was found that a female processing often entails substantial, detailed elaboration of message content, sometimes resulting in female’s heightened sensitivity to the particulars of message claims (Meyers-Levy et al.).

Deliciously Despicable!~

Secrets are dirty, devious and notorious gossips that may not be told to anyone, yet presently be shared and told to everyone with the famous line perfected with age, "don't tell anyone!". We all have our set of skeletons some we can share and some we can't. We worry, ponder, stress, with a million other emotions for whom names may not be known. Some secrets are too deep those that cannot be shared at any cost. It may be a lie or a simple truth that may destroy the person or could be such that the person may rise pure and honest, no longer the cunning and devious character he or she was assumed to be!
It seems as though our secrets are now what make or break us, providing most often a malicious of heart that can only be attributed in kind to the hate that may arise for the person; later turning into a form of pity (not sympathy) that makes you wonder why you ever met with the person in the first place.
Lies are the key. They help you make a life for yourself that you may not have been living before, but in your mind and your own surrounding you now live to perfection. No matter the number of relations you develop, no matter the amount of friendships you harm, ultimately it is YOU who end up scorching your soul branded for life with the lies that consume you and provide you with a darkness that feeds on the very perils of your dreams and hopes.
Assumptions are the locks to the keys that are so readily developed. An assumption that the person may not share, an assumption that the person may not be offended, an assumption that truth will never reveal itself. No matter, but when the truth does creep up and stories are exchanged, the malicious behavior and inept desire to ruin relations is foreseen. It clearly presents the mind's devious 'cleverness' that formulates the lies catering to the life that is developed in a deliciously despicable manner folding and unfolding a series of events, however misfortune, to friends and family clearly dissolving the mask of innocence and revealing the bitter, shriveled and gruesome face inside. 

Inaam Ghaar ... the new Ghaar for 2014!

The year 2014 began with a new outlook to hosting shows provided by GEO TV with their now famous, well publicized and spoken off show - Inaam Ghar. Officially aired on the 18th of January, 2014, the show with its illustrious and famed host, Aamir Liaquat Hussain, began with a bang in Karachi with its first group of participants winning uncountable prizes that ranged from mobiles, clothes etc. to bikes as well.

The show opened to a set that was well lit with an array of lights, colors and "gaming" corners and a stage center that had a game board (that of snakes and ladders) present). The show had something for everyone from children to adults alike from cooking, health habits and games alike in different segments such as "Mufta" and "Khel kay Jeeto" etc that also kept the audience enthralled and captivated throughout. 

Aamir Liaquat is a personality well liked and genuinely appreciated by the audience with a general audience appeal that he has managed to develop over time with this religious and infotainment shows. He is well known by the masses and liked by all because of his enthusiasm, charisma and knowledge along with the quick wit that he shows during the show itself. 

This show is being aired every Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and is a definite view for those who like shows that are light and humorous 

The crown of all - a meeting with a King!

After many a lost chances to savor the ever heard off and constantly showed off taste of Burger King, I finally ate the King Whopper and well, I can't seem to understand what all the hullabaloo was about. Seriously.

To say the least from the night of its opening, opposite the ever famous and well remembered Mr. Burger, till date all chances of actually going there to eat were nipped in the bud because of something or the other, so finally yesterday my family and I went to Dolmen mall to stuff up on the burgers.

So we reached the food court and settled the parents on a table before standing in line (a long but fast moving one for sure), when my turn came we already had decided what we wanted (well there were only two options of which the whopper looked filling). Other than that everything that seemed appealing (onion rings for one) was on the coming soon list of goods.

Other than that we had a minor setback well managed by the lady at the counter, their cash counter stopped working but she efficiently managed the issue and gave us not only the change but also our food.  The burgers are ordinarily priced (same as or close to McDonalds and KFC even Hardees to some extent) so nothing missing there!

Now the fries were good and different, they were thicker than the usual "on a diet" McDonalds and KFC fries, and the Heinz supported tomato sauce was good and complimenting the fries, the burger on the other hand, had a lot missing. The cheese for one was completely non-existent (since all whoppers ordered where to be with cheese), and the patti was somewhat fry, lacking the juiciness that sort of makes you want to gobble the burger whole.

Well conclusively I guess I won't be rushing off to any outlet of Burger King for a while yet till all the "coming soon" have finally come!

The "Kolachi" Experience

When getting together with friends after a long time, a place where one can "catch up" for old times' sake (well not that old) , enjoying the ambiance and of course the food is of importance as well. So, yesterday we did just that when after a long drive we ended up at a restaurant at the "Du Dariya" area.

Let me give a briefer first, I hadn't met my friend Krum* for a while now and so it was decided that Kay*, him and I would meet for dinner. Now Kay, my very particular foodie friend, had told us that food at "Kolachi" was apparently really good and worth the experience (compared to the one we had at Sajjad's). So she was kind enough to get the reservations and that's where we ended up last night.

Now Kolachi in itself is very well managed. The ambiance, the soft music that would  have sudden bursts of loudness, the nice cool air, the soft hum of the sea all added up to make it a pleasant experience for anyone. When we reached there, at the entrance we were asked if we had a reservation and as we did,  were within guided over a small mini bridge, to the main reception area where white comfortable sofas were kept,  for our table. Guided to the 2nd floor we reached our table and settled down, taking in our surroundings overlooking the sea to one side with its green and blue hues of color, and the main reception to the other, but more so the presentation of our table. My friend and I were glad to notice that a proper hand sanitizer was provided ("Dettol" a brand that is well known and reputable in the market), along with cloth napkins and cutlery.

The waiter came immediately to take our orders and upon mutual decision we ordered Lahori Fried Fish as the appetizer, Seekh Kabab and Paneer Reshmi Kabab in a handi for the main course along with garlic and regular Nan.  Krum ordered a chilled Pepsi and low and behold within 10 minutes of being seated we were served with the fish and his chilled Pepsi. Personally I am not a big fan of fish unless its fried, and well, this one was really good, the fish was nice and crunchy on the outside (thanks to the batter) and soft and melts in your mouth on the inside. It didn't take us long to eat all the pieces of the plate along with the fries that they were served with.

Once done with the Fish, the waiter bought in the main course with the nans all the while removing our soiled plates and bringing in new and clean ones. Now THIS Paneer was a different story all together. Unlike the pasta sauce I had earlier, this has the zing of cheese, nice smooth sauce and a light amount masalas (so to speak) that gave a burst of taste in your mouth. The chicken pieces were well cooked not over nor under making them juicy when you bit into them with Garlic Nan. The Seekh Kababs were nicely wrapped in a foil so as keep them fresh and that they wouldn't lose their moisture (apologies not a seekh kabab fan so didn't have them).

The waiter kept coming and going, asking if we needed anything, to the point when even one of the floor managers came by to ask if we were enjoying our food and whether all had been up to the mark or not. For a change, yes for us it was. When we were done with our dinner the waiter even asked us if we wanted dessert or "sheesha" (Hookah), which we politely refused.

The thing about this place is that it allows you to relax and enjoy yourself. To the point that even the chairs are comfortable, allowing you to sit for more than a while to actually like the company your with and the surroundings you are in. We were done within an hour with our dinner, but the atmosphere along with our own jovial moods allowed us to sit on (even though we had paid the bill) order tea and have that as well.

Now the tea wasn't that that great, agreed, but the serving manner, their cups and the unique style of providing the sugar in separate bowls was a different, did make me appreciate the service if not the taste of the tea.

For us (Kay and I that is) we found it worth the wait to actually get a reservation and go in to eat at a place where yes the clients are treated specially, with delicious food and a relaxing atmosphere!

*Names have been changed.