Friends, foes, one and all, here's a story about a man named Sameer. My name is Sameer, as most of you already know. Friends call me Sammy, or Sam for short. Even went by the name, "AC/DC" back in school. And no, it didn't have anything to do with my sexual preferences. Used to be and still am a huge fan of AC/DC - The greatest rock and roll band in the world. I go by with lots of other aliases but who gives a hoot, right?

I'm from Nepal - the country with the funny flag, sandwiched between India and China. If you don't know where that is, go look into an atlas. I've had my share of explaining to people where that is. People think it's in Europe! uh, DUH!! I've been called South American, Indonesian, Filipino, Turkish, Indian, Lebanese, Italian and even French! When I tell them I'm from Nepal, they go, "Huh? Where's that?" God help me! Then follows my explanation. YUP! I'M A TRUE NEPALESE! If I sound patriotic, I'm not. Patriotism is not in my blood.

Nor is religion. It's a touchy subject so I won't go into that. I have a Muslim name - Sameer, I was born in the only Hindu country in the world - Nepal (ninety five percent are Hindus, and I am one of the remaining five percent. Talk about being unique!), I spent ten years in a Christian school, my parents are Buddhists, and I'm an Atheist. I can get away with any religion if I want to. So religion is definitely not the issue here. It's just that I don't believe - period.

If you're looking for a tall, dark and handsome guy, I ain't it. Dark and handsome - maaaaaay..be. But tall, THAT I ain't. But hey, look at Napoleon. He was shorter than me and look what he did. Hitler was shorter than me and look at his followers. They both almost conquered the world. Even my hero Angus (for those of you non-rock fans, he's the lead guitarist of AC/DC), he's just 5'4" - shorter than me. So I'm not complaining. Life is short and so am I. As they say, Big surprises come in small packages. I may not be special yet but wait and see, my friends. I shall lead you beyond the horizons to lands untread and ye shall follow.

That's it about myself. Love me, hate me - I don't care. I've got enough problems to worry about. But that's another story.........

PS: Someone pointed out that I used the phrase "God help me" and then I say that I'm an atheist.... hmmmm... let me tell you this - I feel no presence of god there. Sometimes it's just a phrase you say, or a word you use when you can see the shit getting ready to obey the law of gravity and fall into the fan. AMEN !