Scientists for better PCR

If you are a scientist you will really appreciate this.

Via Renee B.

Eid at Summer's Ranch

Photo: summer's ranch 2007

These last three days were are a muslim holiday called Eid-ul-Adha and during this time muslims around the world sacrifice a goat or sheep and distribute a portion among the poor and hungry.

Muslims eat Halal meat and it has to be slaughtered according to strict guidelines. Due to lack of observant butchers around here, we usually send money back to Pakistan and our family members fulfill the obligation of distributing meat for us. This year was especially unique because we found out about a ranch here in Michigan that lets muslims do the sacrifice themselves. In Pakistan and India this is a common practice but it is wonderful to have access to an organic farm where muslims can get halal meat.

At the ranch we stood in line behind a dozen other muslims. Most people had already picked out and paid for their animals. We knew it was going to be a long day but we made the best of it. I even ordered pizza from the only pizza shop in town and it really started to feel like Eid. My cousin brough his kids to the ranch and I am sure it was an eye-opening experience for them. It is difficult to associate the fresh meat at the supermarket with a living animal. Today my parents and the rest of our family distributed the meat amongst family / friends and sent the rest to the poor.

KI BS

Photo: Death ride 2006


I think I messed up my iliotibial band. This is the BEST time of the year to be out running and I am icing my freakin' knee instead. Thanks to Google there is so much great info on the internet about it.

Check it

1. What is iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)?

2. Pre-workout stretches and ways to strengthen the iliotibial band.

Give one Get one

(summer 2007)

This year was my first time taking part a Black Friday shopping adventure. Every year, I hear people talking about the incredible deals they got after waiting in line all night outside a local computer store or mall. I don't think I have the same devotion/time in the day and secondly I didn't really need anything so it was a perfect people watching opportunity.
As it gets closer to the holiday season, there are many more coupons in my already bulging mailbox. The stores seem to be a little busier and people use every opportunity to check off gifts for their family members. I have heard of many great ideas this year but one definitely stands out. One of my friends bought a laptop from the "give one get one" laptop campaign. This project is run by an organization called One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and they hope to provide a laptop for every child in a developing country. Until December 31st you can buy a $399 ($200 is tax deductible) laptop for yourself and they send one overseas to a needy child.
After my last summer of research in Pakistan I got an idea of the conditions in impoverished school systems. These laptops run on a linux based operating system and are designed to work in areas where there is a lack of a good telecommunications network. They build a network with other nearby laptops to provide internet access to everyone.

So this year, if you are having trouble figuring out what to get for that special someone, this is a great option.

p n l

autumn 2007

Autumn would be my favorite season of the year if it didn't ensue the fear of a cold winter ahead.

on two wheels

(a motorcycle in Karachi, Pakistan 2007)

Last night was a beautiful night for a bike ride. I was on my way back from a coffee shop, it was pitch dark on the streets and all I could hear subtle hum of my tires rolling over the asphalt. The speed and the disconnect from the world always puts me in a perfect euphoric state. I get so much thinking done on my bike, but I am not alone in enjoying this blissful state of mind while biking; Kary B. Mullis discovered Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) while coasting on the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Mendocino on a motorcycle.
Dr. Mullis was awarded a Nobel Prize for this discovery and if you have spent any time in a lab you know how important this is in most scientific research. PCR machines amplify small pieces of DNA into millions of copies. Next time you are watching CSI you should thank someone thinking hard on a motorcycle.

Plants for the workspace

Moss 2007


I have a new desk (thanks to my brother) and there is nothing like a peaceful work space. I have been doing a little research on how to add a green to this picture. These are my top four picks

4: Epipremnum aureum (Pothos): I grew up with this plant in every corner of the house. My mom espeically likes it and I think my grandmother have one on her mantle piece. It deserves to be higher on this list but I really need something new and different. I think it might be a good choice because it is so hardy and the green and white leaves contrast so well. It would also be great in low light. Most people plant these in hanging baskets or let them hang down from a table.

3: Crassula ovata (Jade) : OK! This is a popular plant and I have had one for a while and just recently

2: Chamaedorea elegans (bella) : I recently found discovereed this plant, even though I am sure I have seen it around. It is perfect as and office / indoor plant and looks beautiful.

1: Monstera deliciosa (Fruit Salad Plant, Ceriman, Monster fruit, Monsterio Delicio, Monstereo, Swiss Cheese Plant, Mexican Breadfruit) : I saw this plant at my friends apartment recently and my mom had a huge one of these are our old house. With proper care it can grow pretty big and I might not be able to keep it on my desk but it would be perfect for the study room or my office.


If you have other recommendations please let me know because I am going to make the final decision very soon.

pete's dream

So one of my friends just told me that he has been dating Paris Hilton for the past few weeks and has since totally changed his impression of her. I guess in real life she is a really down to earth and even a little insecure. He said that he feels really comfortable hanging out with her and they have had great conversations. Since, my friend lives in Michigan, Paris has been visiting frequently and they even had to share a room with his brother for a few nights.
Of course, I asked the obvious questions about what he thinks about the paparazzi and the constant media attention and he said that he hasn't had to deal with it as much lately. It is incredible how easisly the media can distort our opinion of a person. I hope them the best of luck in the land of z's.

text message from a friend

Khalid! :) i'm getting married in a park by the river on saturday! Don't ask! Can u come? Only close friends and some family :)

Photo: In the field; Pakistan 2007

All scientific work is incomplete - whether it be observational or experimental. All scientific work is liable to be upset or modified by advancing knowledge. That does not confer upon us a freedom to ignore the knowledge we already have, or to postpone the action that it appears to demand at a given time.

Who knows, asked Rober Browning, but the world may end tonight? True, but on available evidence most of us make ready to commute on the 8.30 next day.

Sir Austin Bradford Hills. "The Environment and Disease: Association or Causation?" 1965 The Royal Society of Medicine.

Karachi, Pakistan

I am back from Karachi and slowly uploading my pictures

my british cousins

"no, its W H A T with a silent 'h' and 't'"

radio

I was scanning the radio and I heard some really good techno so I turned it up a bit and the dj goes "put your hands up, put your hands up, put your hands up for DETROIT". There are so many things around this city that remind me of the US. This guy at the university had a Detroit Red Wings decal on his motorcycle, another guy selling paan was wearing a Michigan State University t-shirt. There are McDonalds and KFCs at every turn of the street.
There are awesome coffee shops all around but thankfully Starbucks hasn't (yet) take over this side of the world.

See Pakistan

I really wish I had time to take a road trip from Karachi to Lahore, or better yet if the Blue Barrons made a trip to the Pakitan we could make it a 2 week cross country (literally) bike trip.

I think that is the best idea I have had in a long time

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My friend and I made a list of things to do while I am here in Karachi and I am slowly checking them off.
I really wish I could post pictures with this blog. Today, I am going to try to get some of the negatives scanned.

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I am becoming more of a Pakistani every day
Here is proof:

-I drink called PAKOLA for lunch
-I bargain like a CHAMP
-I speak in punjabi when I joke
-I don't even flinch when a bus 2 feet from hitting the car
-I cross busy roads like I have been doing it all my life

barbers in Pakistan

For the last couple of days I have had bad gastroenteritis because I thought I was hardcore enough to eat street food. I guess there is a little bit of "gora" in me. To freshen up a little bit I went to this hip barber shop. My beard was starting to get a little out of control and many people had recommended that I go there (hidden agenda, who knows?). The barber spent about 20 minutes perfecting my beard. After that, there was a chai break . . . of course!. Next, he started trimming my hair and as soon as he got done a cold glass of Mountain Dew apeared infront of me. I started getting up thinking this had to be it but he sat me back down. The barber gave me a facial and put on a mask. THEN, I got the most AMAZING head, neck, and back massage! Keep in mind, all I asked for was a beard trim but everything else was just part of the package.

So far, I think this has been the coolest thing I have discovered in Pakistan.

I am going back next week.