For The Love Of G-A-M-E

an interesting read ...
Source: Shoutwire!

In 1961 the minds at MIT unvieled a groundbreaking diagnostic program for the PDP-1 mainframe.Instead of churinging out mathmatical soloutions as evidence of a properly functioning processer, the program allowed the user to verify functionality by dogfighting an opponent in space. It was SpaceWar, and it was the first video game ever created.

A full fourty five years later, video gaming has grown into a ten billion dollar a year industry. The technology has grown exponentially, we’re in the fifith generation of consoles, and usage is prevalent among the general population. So why, after all of these years, am I still hesitant to admit in mixed company that I’m a gamer?

Fifteen years ago such an admission would be unthinkable. Videogames were the exclusive domain of adolescent males and social degenerates. To admit as an adult that you were spent eight hours on Saturday night making your final run at Hilter (Die, Allied Schweinhund!) in Wolfenstein 3D would have been a social debacle. Images would flow through the mind of your confidant. Images of you sitting in your mothers basement with your only company being the pale glow emmited by 16 frames per second of VGA graphics, images of your inevitable fate of being a 30 year old virgin, images of a person unclean. You, sir, would be a nerd.

Today, even though an estimated 43% of gamers are adults, this stigma still lives on. To admit that you’re a gamer, to some, is to admit that you waste valuable time on an unproductive, childish hobby. Yet, for some unexplainable reason, not an eye is batted if you spend your evening in front of the television in the throes of prime time ecstasy. It is more chic to passively wonder who America’s next Idol will be than to involve yourself in a stimulating, interactive, and – more often than not – cognitive video game experience.

In an age where videogames have overshadowed the film and television industry as entertainment king, we gamers are still, for the most part, a sadly persecuted lot. We contend with the eye rolling of mothers, the sighs of girlfriends, and the disparaging comments from elders. We have been mocked and ridiculed and deprived of our rightful place in the genetic pool for far too long.

We game because we love it, and we almost represent the majority.

I think it’s high time we come out of the basement.

Non

Hear,

indistinct resonance

Echo

distress signal

Voice

me.

Weapon

Is a horse shoe,

Shield

Is teeth

Sheath

me.

Adamant

all beliefs

Weak

is the heart

Constricted

approach

Caught

me.

Eldritch

Is the stance

to

Dig deep

-er

Swimming

To Sink

me.

Happen

its been a while will be an understatement.

I havent been doing what i usually do. At least not for sometime now. All for the good though. Infact for the VERY GOOD (Alhumdulillah). Lately so many things have happened that, according to a friend, I always have a sentence with GUESS WHAT when we chat. MashALLAH. Allah's blessed me with things I havent even imagined. And it scares me. May be I am getting all this in compensation of what I am going to loose in the Hereafter. May Allah forbid. and May Allah Bless.

SO the no.1 most important thing that happened lately, was the Award. Award for scoring the highest In my Design and Tech Alevels Exams all over the WORLD!! ..

Unbelievable I know. Unexpected, very much! I couldnt digest the news until I had it in my hands at the prize distribution ceremony. I am pretty much still in the state of awe and there isnt any limit to thank ALLAH for such an accredation.

This really made me question my decision for changing lines. It was like a cold nudge which had a loving warmth in the heart of it, making me know how good I can be (alhumdulillah). Nonetheless I have moved on and I would like to think God has made me create a benchmark and change sides.

Speaking of moving on, which I have surely gone deep into and continuously sinking; I have joined KPMG as an intern. KPMG is the no.1 auditing firm (client wise) in UAE and the 4th largest in the world; thereby forming part of the BIG 4 of the world. The offices are in Emirates Towers ;) .. but thats just the perk which does not over shadow the 12am-4am sessions of the Audit Assistants and Seniors in those offices. Its one hell of a tiring schedule the people have got and each one's competing to be the best in the better. A golden under-rule in the firm states 'Join KPMG = Forget Life'. And it's pretty obvious, coz nothing starts at 3 in the morning.

Nevertheless, the badge that KPMG brings and the honor of being an auditor who can just clean sweep a company's ass is SWEETAH! I know if I am ever to join as an employee I'd be fried to the point that I'll have to let go of the gaming passion. But like they say 'Kuch paanay kay liye Kuch khona parta hai' = 'To gain something you gotta lose something'.

Likewise though there hasnt been any art flowing from anywhere of myself. I havent drawn in months and poetry's become a different language. Seems like the 'switch' has taken a toll on me. At the moment its just, Me KPMG Classes and Game Review. Internet has become a gettaway but it doesnt last long.

And oh yeah, I got my license! :D and so much awesome to drive my mom's accord :D! MUAHAHA! Its been less than a month, and I am already flashed! I got a speeding ticket last night 1:45 in the morning, Sheikh Zayed Road. It was a 100kmph road, and I was at 140kmph. I have no idea how much will it be, anyone got any idea? And even though it was more of shock struck situation when the camera sparked a white tube on my windscreen, it was kinda nice to see how it flashes ;) .. :P But I wouldnt want to be ticketed again thats for sure. Although I think i will ask them to gimme the picture (dxb police dept) and will put it in my cupboard as the very first CAUGHT ON CAMERA ;) :o

Till whenever I am free again. Ma3salaam and tc

Quote of the day:- Coat for the day

:P

The Return

THE PROPHET MOHAMMAD'S (PBUH) LAST SERMON

This Sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat )


"O People lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usuary (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) be waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al Harithibn.

O'Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calender in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope of that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have right over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with his permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in ernest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers fast during month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute o ne brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belogs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

PS: WOAH its been over a month now. I never realised, or well I did but never bothered. This can wait, I always thought when I had a feeling to write something; coz I was due 6 essays (350 words each) for a friend and felt guilty utilising my time on the blog. Anyhow, now that you know the particular reason, the part reason is my laziness:D Thank you. There is alot to talk about but since I got this in a mail (by comicsans19) I thought it would be a wonderful thing to share, special thanks to the last line. Also let this be the kick start to the one month vacation this place has been having from my rants. AND ALSO, let me gather back all I wanted to say for such a long time, my views, my thoughts, my achievments, my life, my everything :P

Ma3salaam and good bye for now.

some random tests

Thanks to Reza, i stumbled over a few TESTS sites. Here's what THEY SAY, about ME.

What Classic Movie Am I ?

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

What Famous Leader Am I ?

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

And I also took a few BLEACH personality tests. (Bleach is an anime btw).

This is what I get after a long que of questions .. :@:Po.O?

What Vice Captain am I ?

Which Bleach Vice-Captain are You?

brought to you by Quizilla

What Bleach Personality am I ?

Conclusion = These computer generated tests are big chunks of shitwads. (except the nerd one ofcourse ;) ). Bloody they changed my gender! Fake Fake Fake Fake ..

EiD

EiD was good. OK. But most of it was boring. Mostly coz we didnt go anywhere.

Did the sacrifice thingie. Did almost all of the preps and after things except namely for the sacrifice itself. Kinda n00bed out. I think.

2nd day was pretty good, nice fun at Pervaiz Bhaee's and Sarwat Aunty's.

Today just came back from the Jabal-e-Hafeez and Green Mubazzar Trip. What was MAJORLY different was that we were in a Hyundai Van. No.2 - No parents .. :D. As in .. NOT AT ALL .. :D ;)

So by 12 30 we were off, carrying bits and pieces of friendship badge holders in the van. Many of the bigger badger holders, couldnt actually make it - their loss. A 2 hr long drive passed in switching Mp3 Players and DiscMen from the cassette converter's /adapter's jack. An hour later, the cassette converter had lost the battle. Omar was held responsible; his seriously sick mixes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, had spoiled the adapter bad.

Then, it was just talking and blabbering about random shit, about current affairs which are actually 'cool' and 'hip'. Muddu (our driver and arrangement manager) made sure he wasnt disturbed at all. His concentration was focused on the wheel and the meter and the lenses.

All my conversion and ripping of audio files and Russell peters went down the gutter. But I wasnt majorly disappointed about it, there was just too much to talk about. Then we were taking photographs, positioning, posing. It was like we had borrowed traits from the other gender or Ameen (;)) for that matter, for a certain time. :P

Then we paused half way up for some lunch break, prayer break, football break, and the most interesting of all - NO OFFENSE break.

No Offense was actually, Maaz's idea. A hand puppet in Muddu's van of a bunny, made way for a TRIUMPH like show, where Maaz would ask us questions and make it snappy and funny and well, insult us. A mere, 1-2 minutes shows were conducted with everyone, recorded on Talha's mobile. Some were funny, some extremely pitifully lame. But fun, whatever.

Up on the highest cliff of the UAE, things started to get chilly. Nonetheless it just added to the ambience of sheesha and sunset. Absolutely wonderfull to see the sun sink into the mist. My meager digital camera couldnt recapture the beauty, but it tried its best to catch a glimpse.



So after that we spiralled downwards to our previous spot, for prayers and some ice cream and peeing. And then we spiralled down once more to what was our last stop. The Green Mubazzar.

Have had wonderful times here, memories and fun. This time round though, the Municipality had planted its minions on the small climb-able hills. Did'nt let us climb from the front or the back. Kept screaming about a 600Dhs Fine. Miserly as we are, or better put, Careful and wise as we are, dropped the plan and played some football.

My rusted feet and hands motioned with pretty good reflexes. We won 7-3 of what was a very enjoyable match. We kept changing positions, nevertheless, it didnt spoil any of the fun. Had left over biryaanee after that and then off back to dubai.

Way back was still uber fun. Truth and dare. LMAO, it was as if the ladies mode was switched on again. We were playing a game what I have always seen women play. And because we were storming at 140kmph in a car and noone wanted to see anyone naked, noone was allowed to choose Dare. Thus, it was a TRUTH AND TRUTH game we played. What we did find out, is not here to discuss about.

Now I am back home.
A few pictures from the trip ...

View from the top

Lighted Green Mubazzar.

Ipod and Love =/

Quote of the day :- "His unfailing ability of destroying the things he loves - King Kong."

by gone

This happened some time back ..

I dont remember the date, but it was the first night it rained in Pakistan. It poured to the extent that my cousin got scared, but they had fun. Accross the city some one else was experiencing everything contrary.
A grand-father in relation was being rushed from hospital to hospital, in search of space and facility to operate. 12:30 PST, they found one that had both, and the operation began.
He came safe out of that, but his condition was still hanging on threads.
My parents got their tickets, were ready to leave the next night. Next morning though, he was reported dead.

Wierd, it was. I was already very weary of his survival when I heard they are searching for a hospital in the middle of the night. I knew it was serious then. But somehow I'd assumed he's gonna stay up till mom and dad got there. Theyd see him and probably then he'd die. How naive of me. For sometime there, I'd totally forgotten it was God's game, and his call too.

I never loved him. It was merely a respect relationship from my side. Until this time when i wen to my country, though. It also had fun involved. We used to play Ludo against each other. Cheat, when he didnt look. It was fun this time.

Then again its an absurd thought that I get all the time when I think about him. Its like he's still going to be there. He's still going to be sitting there watching T.V. all day long, and in my heart, i'd be feeling why doesnt he move away somewhere else. Why doesnt he go talk or sleep, I want the lounge to my self for sometime. Yeah I used to think about him like that. Now, I cant think. There is no him anymore. I dont miss him, but I am sad. How abrupt the end was.

A full stop, in the wrong place (for our thinking), in the right place for the believers.

May he be granted the gardens of Jannah - Amen.

TEST RESULTS

Overall, you scored as follows:

20% scored higher (more nerdy), and
80% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:

High-Level Nerd. You are definitely MIT material, apply now!!!

ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS!!!!! MUAHAHAHA .. :D
I am
t3h
N3Rd

Make/Break/Huh?

..... On Wednesday night when Wahaj had already gone back to Abu Dhabi after our discussion about ACCA and My First Accounting Exam over sheesha, I reached home and started dialing. I dialed Mudassir, but he never picked up. Then I dialed Wahaj to take his, and Haider's recomendation, only to hold onto a call Wahaj got from Mudassir, asking him to ask Saad to call me back.

I did and we both had a similar 'Shit nooooooooo' expression in our voices. We both wanted to postpone our exams, the dates of which we can choose as they are Computer Based Examinations (CBE).Upon parents permission, I called up the institute to forward the date. 'Cant do it!'- answered Mr. Faisal.

I was 4 Major chapters and 2 normal chapters far from completing the 24 Chaptered 1.1 Book; it was time to get ready. I mean, to get my PARENTS ready. So I started feeding them with how tough it is, and how 3 years of portion is squeezed in a 3 month period and shoved into our pink squishy brains. And how its my first time. *And all this is geniune OK! IT IS TOUGH!*

Anyways, so my parents were ready for the failure, even though they thought I'd make it hopefully, InshALLAH.

The morning, I was shit tensed. I was still 2 (major) chpts away and had not even TOUCHED the ALL IMPORTANT revision kits. Mudassir came along in the morning. Said we'll do some revision. We did, but I was getting freaked.

What got me even more stressed and anxious, was the fact that if I fail this, it would be my first ever! I joined Acca with frequent failure in mind, but not like this. Not the very first one. The thought even started poking my ambition-bubble. Such are just wonders of what tension can do to you.

SO 2 hours prior to the exam, we put on .. MUNNA BHAEE MBBS .. :D .. HHAHAHAHA .. all the heat is cooled!

In the Exam Hall, which is actually a room with a few PC's, the tension bar was up again. A friend had just failed :S. Another someone had passed though, but humans tend to take in the negative.

A whole load of prayers and recitation of every surah that came to my mind made me start a little later than 1:20 but no worries, computer based papers start timing after the click. Then on, I just did it as it came. It wasnt very tough, but so was the case of some of the questions I had solved before. The questions arent difficult, but the answers turn out to be different.

THAT thought kept me tensed all along apart from the 4 questions on GoodWill Calculation. However, what was even tougher was to control my farts. See, when I get real tensed and nervous, my stomach does shit with me, and my butt wants to exit some whistles and air. So it gets pretty shitty to control the flow, rather, stop it.

I closed my eyes as I clicked the exit button. 10 seconds of black blinding patience. The worst part with CBE is real time results. You know its now or never. Its gonna hit you NOW like a BOLT or A SLAP or A CRICKET SHOT or whatever. Make or Break.

68%-PASS

ALHUMDULILLAH, I made it! AAAAAH (i let go of my tightened buttcheeks ;) ). HOOooooh, through 1. 1 more to go. May Allah Help Us ALL!

Quote of the day:- "A war is not about dieing for your country, but making sure the other bastard dies for his!" - CoD2

changes in smoke

Even though, very recenlty, I had a lot on my mind to write about; its somehow just flewn off. Rather scattered so well and deep in my CURRENT thoughts, that I can hardly remember what I had to remember. So although I intended to write something intellectual this time, you are probably going to be served with an over cooked chinese dish.

First things first. I need to clean my keyboard. Gone very sticky and there have been a lot of instances where the space bar gets stuck (coz of the stickyness).

There has been an added perk to my review job. I got the CoD2 and Q4 to review about, and boy are they addictive. I was actually a little disappointed with Quake4 but .. CoD2 has got me sitting and spending hours just enjoying the game play and the exquisite sound of World War 2. This is probably the best I have played in war fps. I havent tried Battlefield though.

All this was even more enjoyable considering the fact that my DVD-RW ROM screwed up and made me stay awake all night in pain and anguish of loosing a loved one :P. Yeah I love my pc. Finally found out it wasnt screwed even though there was something wrong with it. But Alhumdulillah its allright now thanks to Ibi's olderRom.

SO, exams are on their way. 8th and 13th, 1.1 and 1.2, respectively. I have a pretty normal time table which I am following in a very wierd fashion. I study from 3 at night to 10 in the morning and then play some game pray and sleep :P Get up in the evening and well play some more, do some stuff, play, meet people watch tv/anime .. Then start studying

I have to say though, I am begining to like this subject. Or probably, its just growing on me. Statistics, money, checking, capital, credit all are words that make my ears stand up, specially Audit.

Did you know, AUDIT is actually related to audio and audience. Its not just the AUD but more. I was recently at a job interview at Sajjad Haider & Co. (thanks to a reference from a real nice bajee) and the interviewer explained:-
Audio = SOUND
Audience = Listeners
Audit = Listen, according to his story, KINGS used to have people which would count their sheep and cattle and camels etc and the king used to stand and listen. That is Auditing.
I faired well at the interview for the temp job, but I couldnt start before exams, dad had prohibitted. Thereby, i dropped the offer.

Anyhow so I was saying I am getting interested in all this and wierdly enough, I am begining to get ambitions related to the field rather than the art and design theories that I had earlier.

Hell I am watching BUSINESS TODAY now days.
*The voice inside my head* - What the ..... ? OOooh EMMMm EFF JEEE ?

Anyways, all success is in Allah's hand. May he bless us with what we deserve. Amen

Quote of the day :- A metal heart may be impenetrable, but it can still be broken.