From the Editor

H3y there!@!!

hOw y3w al r doin!? Ow's da vacations goin on? V!s!ted ne place? V hOpe dose ov U who Go 2 skools R done wid their hom3work. YeaH rite, V agree wid u. homevurk SUcks! Y can't these teaChers lets Njoy our hol!dayz as in REALLy NJoy Dem.Wid0ut havin 2 w0rry bout homewUrk n al da stuff…

HUH!

So, how long did it take you all to read the above paragraph? And more pertinent is the question: how long did it take you to understand what's written?! Now tell Us, dear readers, do we not deserve a standing ovation for the (tough) job we do every week – editing the magazine! Well, it's not that all the write ups that we receive are like this – there are some very sensible writers who send us their contributions in a very proper form. BUT! No matter how many times we request (well, beg) you, there are some people who love to give us a tough time and make sure that they don't spell a single word properly.

So, this week's cover story is dedicated to those of you who can't help using chat language or 'chat lingo' as it is commonly known. One of our emerging star writers, Jasir Jawed, writes about the menacing trend of using chat lingo which is, unfortunately, no longer restricted to Internet chatting. Jasir narrates an incident where students have used this horrid lingo in their exam! Guys, it's somewhat acceptable to use chat lingo for online purposes and in your text messages, but using it in your exam! That is a big NO.

In the end, we must confess to a li'l unethical crime that we committed this week. We received an illegible greeting by a reader who wanted it printed on the 'Greetings' page, but since his contribution was such an excellent example of the usage of chat lingo, we couldn't resist putting it with the cover story. Our sole purpose of doing so was to discourage other readers from using chat language while sending us their contributions…

We leave you with the magazine and hope that you enjoy reading it.

Till next week,

Tata!

Dear Editor

What is the word count!!!!!!

Dear Eddy,

I have started reading your mag recently. It is absolutely great and fantastic. Keep it up! But one suggestion that I want to make is that the 'Music Page' should be removed as it is very boring. You should replace it by an 'Arts Corner' because I like arts.

Secondly, please tell me what the word count for a story is because I want to send some stories. I have already counted the words but got lost in the way!

Thirdly, do print the latest poster of Daniel Radcliffe, please. I do hope that you'll print my very first letter.

Abdul Wasay, Muzaffarabad

No word count for stories.

Another candidate for Guru's post…

AoA Eddy,

First of all let me thank you for printing my first letter in Us. Honestly, I was so happy that I couldn't stop tears flowing out of my eyes (you know, tears of happiness).

The issue of June 13, 2008 was really something to read. The cover story by Kanza Tariq was a real treat. I would rather call it sugar coated sarcasm. Though 'Sneak-outs…' was a very nice effort, I still couldn't change my opinion that guys don't face problems for such things!

What actually made me write to you was the story 'The One Step' by M. Awais Aftab! I just wonder why guys have this attitude that even after a bad break-up, they can still be friends... Duuuhh! Anyway, this is what we call life and this is how one gains experience.

Another thing was a letter in 'Trust Us' by Calling Friend. I guess the solution given to the problem was an absurd one. Instead of telling the girl to be optimistic, Guru told her that the guy must be flirting with her. Come on, girl! Ask him directly what his problem is. Maybe he is going through a bad patch! And leave the rest to God! By the way Ed, why don't you hire me as the Guru?? :p

Hope to see my second letter in print soon!

Tayyabah Shaukat, Peshawar

Your number is 28464859 in the list of people who want to replace Guru! Happy waiting :p

Laraib's feedback

AoA Ed!

It's been a long time, hasn't it? What with the exams and err...my health, I haven't been able to write to you guys. But don't worry, I've been reading all the fantabulous issues that you have been sending out. The issue of June 13, 2008 was a good one and I'm glad Us hasn't lost the "charm". 'The Ultimate Experience' by Sara Sultan was a good effort though a little confusing. What really made me write to you was the article by M. Umair Tariq who wrote about the dating scenario. It was excellently written and very enjoyable. I believe I should be siding with Noor, as she described the "Herculean" task of sneaking out from a girl's perspective, but the way Umair told it from a guy's point of view, I've just got to say, hats off to you, buddy! It was enjoyable reading what it's like, me being one of those who haven't been through this challenging experience! And after reading both the articles I have decided to refrain from it in future! :-D

On a serious note, the letter's section used to be one of my favourite pages, but now it is disappointing me. I will quote an example. "Why should we read over and over again about child abuses and all the related stuff? Hope you will think about it and will improve the quality material in your magazine." I don't even feel like arguing on this topic. And if this was not enough, the letter's section has now become a battlefield! Everyone is at daggers with each other! Fine, it is OK to correct a mistake, but adding a sarcastic comment doesn't add spice to your letter, trust me! Us is our magazine and we are here to comment on the articles, to make people's days by an enjoyable write-up and to encourage the writers, not to fight with each other!

Lastly, keep up the good work, Us! Cheers!

Laraib Qureshi, Rawalpindi

A silent reader speaks up…

Dear Ed,

I have been a silent reader of your mag since 2004, but what made me write to you is the lack of news about fashion in your mag. I am really disappointed. The 'Movie Page' literally stinks and there is no gossip about celebrities! I think you guys should work on that and I hope to see some improvement in the next issues. By the way, I loved the issue of June 13, 2008. It was spectacular!

I have one request and I know that you will fulfill it. Please print the poster of Daniel Radcliff. I am his biggest fan.

Keep on working hard like that and don't forget my request as I have made only one in those five years. And remember, don't throw my letter in that hungry bin of yours.

Rija

Us was good because…

AoA Editor,

Thanks for publishing my book review. The issue of June 13, 2008 was wonderful, because it had my book review :p  The cover story by Kanza Tariq was awesome. Hats off to you, Kanza. Labeeb's letter was as usual thought provoking. I agree with you, Labeeb. Pakistan will remain on the map of the world as long as it has young people like you. In the end, congratulations to Us team for another great issue.

Unsa Athar, Sheikhupura

Dating is bad

Hi Ed!

The June 13, 2008 issue was a treat. It really made up for the last issue (ahem, ahem). Everything from the cover story to 'Graffiti', to M. Umair Tariq's take on dating scenarios and especially M. Awais Aftab's 'The one step' was absolutely fantastic. In short, Us completed my Friday like never before.

I particularly want to comment on Umair Tariq's conclusions about the dating scenes. I think it was a wonderful effort and I thoroughly had a superb time reading it. But I thought the writer's "food for thought" was a little vague. According to the writer, what is really condemnable about the whole dating scenario is the way girls treat boys and make them pay through the nose to cater to their every whim and wish. Moreover, he also goes on to say that girls who follow their family's choice in marriage are being totally unfair to their boyfriends. I think this whole girlfriend-boyfriend chakkar is totally and completely wrong from the outset, not only because our religion forbids it (which should be reason enough) but also because more often than not it is to the detriment of the education and other social relationships of the people involved.

Moving on, I really liked M. Awais Aftab's story. It was a really thought provoking piece of writing. And yes, Ed, we did learn the lesson it intended to convey.

Faiza Hameed, Lahore

Novel competition???

Hi Eddie,

Oh God, your Us rocks! It is really a good mag and I always read it. I want to give you a suggestion that please start some novel competition.

Neha

Something for you…

Hi Ed,

I just wanted to say that your mag is awesome. It contains everything and I especially love the 'Graffiti' page as it really makes me laugh. I'm sending a contribution and I desperately hope that it becomes a part of your superb magazine. Keep up the good work!

Hiba Kazmi, Rawalpindi

A suggestion for Ed!

Hello Ed,

The letter by Azeem Zeekrya (June 6, 2008) compelled me to write to you. First of all, since when was Pakistan a Muslim state, considering all of the stuff that has been going on around here? And secondly, does Us 'unintentionally mislead the youth into following the western ways'? How come? If you are referring to the music or movie page, then just what is wrong with that? Our youth is itself engrossed in such things, thanks to the English and the Indians, who have succeeded in influencing us.

Well, I've got a really nice suggestion for all those who think Us is boring, or that the mag's quality is becoming poor. Ed, why don't you squeeze in a page (use the poster's page, for crying out loud!), where there would be debates held on topics that concern our youth (kind of a forum)? You could even have polls, for instance: Should there be an Arts Page or not? :) And then your mag will be no longer boring; it'll be more fun and controversial.

Farheen Ghaffar, Karachi