SoCalPersian

Boss, by Farhad Farnia (Mehr "Jay" Shahidi)

2011-12-18T10:36:00.000-08:00

“Boss”, Finally a Television Masterpiece

A Commentary by Mehr “Jay” Shahidi

Boss is a must-see for all of us who are concerned, worried and outraged about the current shape of our social, economic and political conditions, not only in America but the world. It is a meticulously-crafted cinematic work intended to entertain while simultaneously demonstrating, questioning and wondering as to why we humans are corruptible and have been so through the ages.

It is stimulating and thought-provoking but deftly, subtly and politely leaves the judgment to the viewer.

Not since Westwing, starring the great Martin Sheen, have I seen or heard of a fictional television mini-series with socio-political dimensions, which comes close to the caliber of Boss, an eight-hour Starz Channel production which ended last Friday. The first season will be re-shown starting December 26, 2011 on cable, satellite and direct TV. Or, you can get it on-line. Boss differs from Westwing, in substance, design, intent, mood and outlook. It is much more pernicious and outrage-producing. It is similar to it only as it relates to the lives and acts of political leaders. But, Boss shows us the hidden side. Both productions, however, endeavor to take great strides in elevating the status of for-profit home screen up to the level of public television’s Masterpiece Theater and the best of documentaries while competing with the best motion pictures such as God Father, Platoon and All the President’s Men.

Boss is a different type of made-for-TV movie. It is a fiction but feels like a docudrama. It is also masterfully thrilling, suspenseful, intriguing, and awe-inspiring. Yes, it also has profanity, sex and blood.

Kelsey Grammer, the acting legend of television’s comics “Cheers” and “Frasier”, is now demonstrating his electrifying dramatic abilities as the autocratic and fearsome mayor of Chicago, Tom Cane, the Boss. His performance is so powerful that after watching the first episode my imagination transformed Grammer, the actor, into the indispensable mayor of that city. (I remembered the real Boss of Chicago who ruled in the sixties and seventies). And, after watching the eighth episode diligently, I felt I was in the same daze as when I had read King Lear and Citizen Cane.

The story was created and written by Farhad Safinia, of Apocalypto fame, and he, with the help of luminaries such as Gus Van Sant, Brian Sher, Richard Levine, Lyn Greene, Stella Bulochnikov, Grammer and others wrote the acting scripts and executive-produced it. Most of the initial reviews were so positive that the financiers decided to produce the second series before the first episode of the first series was aired in October. It is a thriller. But it is meant for highly intellectual and mature audiences. This is no film made for TV to increase the consumption of beer and popcorn. And, if you have no patience to watch each show alertly, keep the frequently alternating scenes in your head, and, concentrate to memorize names, dates and places, then, this set of movies is not for you.

Safinia, unlike Shakespeare, uses the colloquial American English esoterically to dissect and expose the current socio-political psyche of America’s power-politics, power-economics, power-corruption, power-control, power-immorality and power-ego-tripping. He brings into action highly profound issues of life, liberty, prosperity, justice and the “promised” democracy. Who rules America and how do they do it? How do our elite pursue their goals? What means do they use? Does the end justify the means? Any means? Is timely garbage collection from the streets more important than the democratic process? Is staying in power for the benefit of the rich and powerful more valuable that the lives of innocent children? Is might, any might, always right? Cane, becomes so drunk with the arrogance of his power that nothing and no-one could or would stand in his way. He even would use his wife and the one and only daughter as instrumental objects to maintain and accumulate raw power. Then, he becomes sick. Would the thought of his mortality transform him into a better or worse person? Watch, analyze and form your own take.

In a preview of the series, Safinia says of the fictitious mayor “he is not a bad guy, but, he does very, very bad things.” What has happened to American politics? Why does a political leader have to do bad things to stay in power? Why do we, the people, or at least most of us, keep silent and acquiesce to the perpetual state of undemocratic conduct and, indeed, tyrannical rule by some members of our elite? Safinia identifies, analyses, and brings to our attention what is and what is not possible. He evokes that notion once uttered by Don Quixote: you realists want the world the way it is. We idealists want it the way it should be.

To call Boss “….a sinister melodrama that defies common sense and cheapens the thrill of bad behavior”, as Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times does, is insulting to the audience. Of course we know that not all politicians, even the late Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, were that way or that bad. Safinia’s job, as an artist and social critic, is not to simply chronicle and report the society’s people and events. He laboriously has created and assembled several plots into his story simultaneously and, at times, he does border on exaggeration and satire, in order to capture our attention and drive his points. And, he does it eloquently. Francis Coppola did not mean that most of Italian American leaders belong to the Mafia and Charles Dickens did not brand all wealthy people as being Scrooge.

Boss is not just a magnificent work of theatrical production. It is a biting critic of our collective social malaise. It is a call to action. It is a courageous indictment by Safinia, and his eclectic cast and crew, of our corruptible nature when we gain power (and/or money). But, it is also an inspiring testament to our resiliency that, despite all odds, we keep dreaming, wishing and trying (the reporter, the daughter, the neurologist).The tale needles our inner being to awaken, motivate and strive for correction. It is a condemnation of the bad. It is a tribute to the good. Cane, himself, vacillates between man the vulgar and man the noble. For a relatively new writer-producer in Hollywood, Farhad Safinia has now proven his extraordinary intelligence to see the dark side of our political/corporate existence and boldly devise an exemplary artistic creation to tell us about it.

M. J. Shahidi is a small business owner and human rights activist living in Minnesota.

Religion and Peace - Can they Coexist? One Man's Efforts

2010-10-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

My friend M Jay Shahidi who lives in Minnesota is a human rights activist among other hats he wares.

I have these Youtube videos following him around and recording some of the conversations and interviews. On the first video congressman Keith Ellison is present and shows his support.

September 21, 2010, International Day of Peace

*** 2nd Video***

***third Video***

*** Last Video ***

A Terrifying 15 Minutes Dream

2009-04-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

I had a terryfing dream.

24; Not and nothing to
do with Jack Bauer!
The following takes place between 11:30PM and 11:55PM (Music to follow: Dang Knock dang dadang dang dadang.
It’s 11:30 PM and I’m fast sleep... I must have fallen sleep soon after going to bed and a short while later fell into deep sleep, the dreaming stage. Here is what I started dreaming of:
I walked in on them and I must have surprised him. But I know he didn’t care (one of them was my old buddy whom I have never met in real life!) There blood all over the sheets on the bed! The room had a totally different look. It was day time, but all the shades were drawn, except on some corners where you could see the light. One would draw that there was daylight and a bright sun shining outside. Very much like a Vegas bedroom scene. Both of them were still laying in the bed, but not sleep. And what a huge bed it is. I must have especial ordered it, because it was clearly bigger and wider than a California King. It was probably the same size that Sahquille O’Neal or Kareem Abdul Jabbar would buy. I must have loved sleeping in it. I quite couldn’t figure what might have happened there the night before or at least most of the night. The room had a different look and smell to it. It was cluttered and messy and I realized that most of my furniture was gone!
I asked, what the hell was going on! As I stretched my hand in front of him, before I finished saying another word, he grabbed my arm and bit me. His bite punctured my arm and I could feel the extreme pain shooting through my spine. I didn’t have time to scream foul! His teeth bit me deep! Blood squished out of my arm just above the wrist, where he had deeply punctured it. He did not let go of my arm or his bite. He and I both knew he had done something horrific and awful, but there were no regret or sorrow in his eyes. He must have known the he’d be infecting me too. He was HIV positive and his open soars were bloody.
He was pissed at the world and anyone who wasn’t HIV positive. He knew that not only I wasn’t gay and not interested in men, I was very careful and my playboy days were long past.
I grabbed his face to relief the pain in anger. The adrenalin rush had just instinctively put me into a defensive fight or flight mode. I couldn’t run since he had a good grip on my arm. As a result I grabbed his face and as much of his jaw that I could. I don’t know why I didn’t punch him on his head or on his face. Trying to separate myself from his tight grip, I grabbed his upper lips and nose. I tried very hard to open his jaws and force his mouth open. I used all the power in my left hand to force his mouth open mean while blood started gushing out but I knew it was too late run. I was fighting back. My left hand’s fingers and his upper jaws were all bloody now. Screaming in pain, from the top of his lungs, he let go of my arm. But now, I was the one who had grabbed his jaws, with all the power in me, was trying to split his jaws, face and skull.

His lover now was frozen and stunned in his place on the bed. I was taken back of how much adrenalin must have been injected into my muscles, to be able to tear his mouth and jaw apart. He was becoming red and blue and his face and was becoming quite disfigured. He was going into shock and losing consciousness. His lover, by now, knew that he had practically destroyed my life and killed me too as well.
I gradually calmed down and realized that everything from my decorative and expensive bachelorette pad was missing!
It seemed I must have had this penthouse apartment for a while. It was single condo with a very large huge dinning & living room. Why the bed was in the living room? I guess it could’ve been a single apartment. I don’t know, but that‘s all I can tell you about it. I didn’t see any other rooms or a kitchen in my dream! But, I had this intuitive feeling that I must have had this place for a while and my friends used to come and party and crash. All of the expensive decorative paintings and the rest of the furniture, except for the bed and night stands were gone. In my terrifying dream, it was easy for me to put 2 and 2 together to realize that “he” (I can’t remember his name from my dream) must have sold them to satisfy his insidious and incautious coke and drug habit.
With my heart beating fast and pounding my chest, I woke up terrified of what had I just dreamed of! It was now 11:55 PM. And all of this was a short terrifying 15 minutes dream! I got up and had a cigarette and pondered about this dream. It had been a long while since I had a such a scary dream.

The Dream of Flight

2009-03-27T23:57:00.000-07:00

Childhood, Adolescence & Adulthood Dreams or just my dreams at nights.
Dreams:
The Knight'sDream by Antonio de Preda
Read about dream here in Wikipedia, but I’m talking about another kind of dream & it’s not day dreaming either!
For the past year or so, my dreams have become so engaging and fun that I really enjoy them. Everynight, I look forward to another episode full of fun and adventure.
The BEST part about it that I become some kind of a super hero-like character. I don’t have any another special powers except the ability to flay and soar above ground at high or low altitudes. I have no special gear or wing or anything either. It’s just a will power & a Superman like flight, but I don't go nearly as fast him. The other nice thing about it is that i'm always involved in a pleasant and fun filled adventure. No crary dreams. At times I wake up and I feel like I could write it all done, but the following morning I don’t remember anything except that I had one of those fun dreams.

I used to have a different kind of dream (not while sleeping) when I was in high school. I never wanted to be an astronaut, but I wanted to be involve in creation and conception of futuristic space exploration vehicle of some sort and perhaps work for NASA. One of my earlier heroes was Dr. Werhner von Braun, the German scientist, the designer of the Saturn IV rocket in the Apollo Missions which took the astronauts to the moon. This reminds me of one of my favorite songs David Bowie’s Space Oddity and hear another gorgeous version by Natalie Marchant.

Here is just an off-the-wall song which has nothing to do with this dream of mine, but it’s a note worthy song, an Artetha Frankling’s Day Dreaming and when I fly above rivers and lakes I’m reminded of this perhaps for when I land and arrested for speeding: Bridge over trouble water

The Dream of Flight

Homeland Security Dependents on God

2008-12-03T18:48:00.000-08:00

Atheists sue over reference to God in Kentucky homeland security law.
See Here or Here

Atheists sue to take God out of state's terrorism law!!!

John McCain - The Manchurian Candidate (2008)

2008-10-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Look for the similarities between the three Manchurian Candidates and draw your own conclusion!

John McCain – The Manchurian Candidate (2008)

Plot Summary

While in captivity in Vietnam, was he brainwashed (became a sleeper agent) by the Communists into believing he can run for the President of the United States? Was he ordered to select Sarah Palin (the queen of diamonds/Alaska) as his running mate, a heartbeat away from becoming the next President of the United States? Won’t this result in the biggest blow that the Communists could inflict on the United States?

Alternate Plot

The Manchurian Candidate 2008 is an American thriller saga about a Republican Party white hair dude’s (John McCain) campaign for the presidency of the United States of America. It is about the Son of a prominent US Navy family who has been brainwashed while in captivity as POW in Vietnam into becoming an unwilling assassin for the Communist Party.

The Communists intend to use McCain as a sleeper agent and using the queen of diamonds (queen of Alaska, Sarah Palin) in a political campaign as a subconscious trigger compel him to have a fatal heart attack 24 hours after he was elected the President of the United States and Sarah Palin as his vice president.

John Sidney McCain III :"(born August 29, 1936) is the senior United States Senator from Arizona and presidential nominee of the Republican Party in the 2008 presidential election.
McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He became a naval aviator, flying ground from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he nearly lost his life in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. In October 1967, while on a bombing mission over Hanoi, he was shot down, badly injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973, experiencing episodes of torture and refusing an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer; his war wounds left him with lifelong physical limitations."

Read about Hanoi Hilton, a name used by the Vietnam War POWs to refer to a North Vietnamese prison here.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962):
"The Manchurian Candidate is a 1959 thriller novel written by Richard Condon, adapted into films in1962 and 2004. It is about the son of a prominent political family who has been brainwashed into becoming an unwilling assassin for the Communist Party. The novel has been banned in communist states "for political reasons" and was "condemned by the American Legion."

Plot summary
"Captain Bennett Marco, Sergeant Raymond Shaw and the rest of their platoon are captured during the Korean War in 1952. They are all brainwashed into believing Shaw saved their lives in combat, for which he receives the Medal of Honor when they return to the United States. Years after the war is over, Marco, now an intelligence officer, begins to have a recurring nightmare in which Shaw murders two of his comrades while being watched by Chinese and Russian officials. When he learns that another platoon member has been having the same dream, he sets out to uncover the mystery.
The Communists intend to use Shaw as a sleeper agent and, using the queen of diamonds in a deck of playing cards as a subconscious trigger, compel him to follow their orders, which he does not remember afterwards. Shaw is controlled by none other than his own politically ambitious and domineering mother, who is working with the Communists in a plot to overthrow the U.S. government.
Film adaptations
 The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
 The Manchurian Candidate (2004)"

The Manchurian Candidate (2004):
"The Manchurian Candidate is a 2004 American film based on the 1959 novel The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon, and a reimagining of the previous 1962 film. The film stars Denzel Washington as Bennett Marco, a tenacious, virtuous soldier, Liev Schreiber as Raymond Shaw, a U.S. Representative from New York, manipulated into becoming a vice-presidential candidate, Jon Voight as Tom Jordan, a U.S. Senator and challenger for vice president and Meryl Streep as Eleanor Shaw, also asenator and the manipulative, ruthless mother of Raymond Shaw."

Plot
"Maj. Ben Marco (Denzel Washington), is a war veteran who begins to doubt what is commonly known about his famous army unit. During Operation Desert Storm, Sergeant First Class Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber) supposedly rescued all but two members in his unit, of which Marco was the commanding officer. While this made Shaw a war hero, gained him the Medal of Honor, and launched him into a career in politics, Marco and other members of the troop feel that while they remember that Shaw didrescue them, they do not actually remember him doing it.
The members begin to come together in the dystopic near-future of 2008 after Shaw, now a United States Congressman, becomes his party's candidate for Vice-President. He is an unexpected candidate, as Connecticut Senator Tom Jordan (Jon Voight) was the leading choice for some time. Jordan is pushed aside by Shaw's mother, Virginia Senator Eleanor Shaw (Meryl Streep), who blackmails the party leaders into nominating her son. An obvious rivalry exists between Eleanor Shaw and Tom Jordan, partly due to a past relationship between Raymond Shaw and Jordan's daughter Jocelyne (Vera Farmiga).
After Shaw is nominated, Marco begins investigating what really happened during the war. Allied with a female FBI agent named Rosie (Kimberly Elise) he links the mystery of his lost platoon to Manchurian Global, a global conglomerate with major political connections, including the Shaw family. Soon Marco discovers Manchurian Global's brainwashing of his "lost" platoon, and their plans to take over the White House with Shaw, under the power of the company and Eleanor Shaw, who is even more power hungry than she appears.
Soon Eleanor Shaw begins to take matters into her own hands, trusting Manchurian Global less and less. Her ruthlessness is shown when she uses her own brainwashed son to assassinate Senator Jordan, who had been contacted by Marco and had begun to support his investigation in an attempt to expose her plan. As she becomes more and more controlling, it is soon revealed that the Vice-Presidential spot is not what she has in mind for her son, but the presidency. On election night, the newly elected president will be assassinated, and the planned assassin of Shaw's running mate is none other than Marco himself, who was also brainwashed in the war. With the help of the FBI, Marco arranges a private meeting with Shaw in a school which he was to cast his vote in. Marco tries once again to convince Shaw of what is happening to him. Shaw seems to agree, and gives Marco his Medal of Honor, which he says he does not deserve. Marco takes it, and Shaw receives a phone call from his mother, who wants to talk to Marco. Marco answers it, and is soon "activated" by her.
Shaw and Marco begin to regain a conscious state even while under Manchurian Global's control. At the election night celebration party, the newly elected Shaw and Major Marco realize what must be done. Shaw leads his mother onto the stage with him, and Marco fires one shot, killing both of them as they hug. Just before Marco can kill himself (which had been part of Eleanor Shaw's plan), Rosie stops him by shooting him in the shoulder. The FBI covers up Marco's involvement, pinning a Manchurian Global conspirator with the shooting. In the last scene, Rosie takes Marco to the compound he was brainwashed in, apparently in conjunction with the FBI investigating. Marco realizes what has happened, and lets the sea take away a picture of the "lost platoon" along with Shaw's medal of honor as if erasing what happened in that compound."

The Secret Oil Deal That Helped Sink the Shah of Iran

2008-10-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

Showdown at Doha: The Secret Oil Deal That Helped Sink the Shah of Iran
Article from Middle East Institute – Middle East Journal
Author: Andrew Scott Cooper
MEI:
“What led to the calamitous drop in Iran’s oil revenues in January 1977? Politics, religion, culture, and economics have been identified as factors contributing to the collapse of Iran’s monarchy in 1979. But, until now scholars have been unable to access documents that shed light on the inner workings of the relationship between senior US officials and the Shah of Iran, who Henry Kissinger lauded as “that rarest of leaders, an unconditional ally, and one whose understanding of the world enhanced our own.”1 The declassification of the papers of Brent Scowcroft, who worked in the Nixon and Ford Administration, marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the origin of the Iranian Revolution. They reveal that in 1976 the US and Saudi Arabia colluded to force down oil prices, inadvertently triggering a financial crisis that destabilized Iran’s economy and weakened the Shah’s hold on power.”
Cooper discussed this article on the MEI Podcast: here

Okay, I guess, since the oil prices are high enough; we can now take our country back!

Also covered on radio on KPCC.ORG – AirTalk hosted by Larry Mantel, Monday Oct. 20, 2008:
A New Look At The Fall Of The Shah Of Iran:
“In a New Report based on previously classified documents, scholar Andrew Scott Cooper suggests that Nixon and Ford administrations undermined the position of the Shah of Iran in the late 1970s and contributed to the country’s Islamic Revolution. The report published Friday on the fall issue of the Middle East Journal, examines the role of the White House policymakers who, trying to roll back oil prices and curb the Shah’s ambitions weakened his position, thus precipitating the takeover of Iran by Islamic radicals. Andrew Scott Cooper joins Larry to discuss his research.”
Link to AirTalk

P.O.V. on PBS: Soldiers of Conscience

2008-10-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Conscientious objector
When is it right to kill? In the midst of war, is it right to refuse? Eight U.S. soldiers, some of whom have killed and some of whom said no, reveal their inner moral dilemmas in Soldiers of Conscience. Made with official permission of the U.S. Army, the film transcends politics to explore the tension between spiritual values and military orders

Desertions
The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have been the occasion for a growing number of desertions — defined by the military as soldiers absent without leave for more than 30 days. In 2006, the Army reported 3,196 desertions, a sharp increase from two years earlier, which saw 2,357 desertions.

POST-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
"Although the symptoms and syndrome of PTSD have been observed in veterans for hundreds of years, PTSD was not formally recognized as a mental disorder until 1980..."

Watching Soldiers of Conscience
Soldiers of Conscience takes a powerful look at a central drama of our time — how a soldier decides to kill or not, and the life-changing consequences that come with either choice. We asked military chaplains, human rights activists and veterans groups to comment on the film.

About the Film:
Soldiers of Consceince

Mehregan 2008 - Orange County Southern California

2008-10-06T23:17:00.001-07:00

October 11-12, Sat & Sunday
Mehregan 2008 Orange County, CA

The Grand Inquisitor's Manual: A History of Terror in the Name of God

2008-09-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

I was listening to Air Talk on NPR (also on KPCC.ORG) today and Larry Mantle was discussing author Jonathan Kirsh’s latest book, “The Grand Inquisitor’s Manual”, with him today. A very interesting discussion, subject, and book. Go figure!

The point emphasized in this book is to show how power and blind faith can turn human beings into vicious animals and terrorist against others under the guise of righteousness. Sounds familiar?

The Grand Inquisitor’s Manual
A History of Terror in the Name of God
By Jonathan Kirsch

"The inquisitorial apparatus that was first invented in the Middle Ages remained in operation for the next six-hundred years, and it has never been wholly dismantled. As we shall see, an unbroken thread links the friar-inquisitors who set up the rack and the pyre in southern France in the early thirteenth century to the torturers and executioners of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia in the mid-twentieth century. Nor does the thread stop at Auschwitz or the Gulag; it can be traced through the Salem witch trials in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, the Hollywood blacklists of the McCarthy era, and even the interrogation cells at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo."

Here is more information from the publisher, Harper Collins:

The twelfth century birthed a new and sinister brand of sanctioned terror, an international network of secret police and courts, an army of inquisitors whose sworn duty was to seek out anyone regarded as an enemy, and a casualty list numbering in the tens of thousands. The original agents of the Inquisition—priests and monks, scribes and notaries, attorneys and accountants, torturers and executioners—were deputized by the Church and their worst excesses were excused as the pardonable sins of soldiers engaged in a holy war against heresy that became the obsession of Christendom. Yet the first rumblings of Western civilization's great engine of persecution provided no indication of the ultimate scope and influence of the inquisitorial toolkit and how the crimes of the first inquisitors were perpetrated again and again into the twentieth century and beyond. Despite the importance of this legacy, the history of the Inquisition remains a subject that has largely been overlooked by general historians.
With The Grand Inquisitor's Manual, national bestselling author Jonathan Kirsch delivers a sweeping and provocative history that explores how the Inquisition was honed to perfection and brought to bear on an ever-widening circle of victims by authoritarians in both church and state for over six hundred years. Ranging from the Knights Templar to the first Protestants, from Joan of Arc to Galileo; from the torture and murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent women during the Witch Craze to its greatest power in Spain after 1492, when the secret tribunals and torture chambers were directed for the first time against Jews and Muslims to the modern war on terror—Kirsch shows us how the Inquisition stands as a universal and ineradicable symbol of the terror that results when absolute power works its corruptions.
The history of the Inquisition is draped in myth and mystery, a favorite theme of both artists and propagandists throughout the six hundred years of its active operations. Yet when we pull aside the veil, what we see are the original blueprints for the machinery of persecution that was invented in the High Middle Ages and applied to human flesh ever since. The Grand Inquisitor's Manual exposes the dangerous circular logic of the Inquisition so that we do not perpetuate its brand of terror.

A Religion IPO

2008-05-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

A new beginning. Let's ask God to come up with a new religion that we can all agree on. In a way an Initial Public Offering for a new religion we can all worship and believe in. An IPO open to everyone!

I like to ask God to please come up with a new religion. Forget about all past deeds and promises. Let’s start with a clean slate and a new religion so we can all share and stop fighting each other.

Let's ponder on that for a while and let me know what you all think. I warn you to keep an open mind and no insults allowed. Imagine that!

Six Under 18 Memes

2008-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by Foreve Under Construction (Homeyra) to list Six Things One Should Do Before 18. Here are the rules of the game:
1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6, or less, people to get tagged and list their names.
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.

So far, I have tagged From Berkeley ,Refusenik (Foulla), TopSpot9 (Nyx), Chakameh on the Web,
Mystery, and
Dreamtree.
I didn't tell them they’re under no obligation to follow up on this tagging round.

Here are my 6+ memes:

1. Expand your horizons/mind. You should spend less time watching TV or playing games (computer or game machines, etc.) and dedicate some time to reading. Try to read a few of the classics, Persian or other, but a mixture is better.

2. Try to learn a musical instrument and even learn to read music. It’ll be much harder if you wait till you’re grow up. It’ll be a great pastime.

3. Become active in sports. I’ve over done this myself.

4. Learn some outdoor activities. Try camping, fishing, hiking, anything that brings you closer to the nature (I’m not sure about hunting!)

5. Definitely learn a second language.

6. Make sure you have a hobby, something you’re passionate about. Something other than reading or already includes in the above list.

7. Last but not least, do some star gazing. Look at the heavens.

Chinese Executions and 2008 Olympics

2008-01-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

Chinese Executions!

Some days, life feels like such a struggle. I’m very moved and saddened when I’m reminded of these sort of news when we all just got done celebrating Xmas, the New Year and all other happy occasions. Life goes on, but I’m afraid not for everyone.

When it comes to capital punishment, I’m sort of an agnostic.

China shows caution on executions; Facing pressure before the Olympics, Beijing's policy is to 'kill fewer, kill carefully.' Activists urge more legal reforms.

I’m not picking on China. Many countries are guilty of this and still practice Capital Punishment.
I just want to say something. How about all those whose punishment should not be death? Once they’re gone there is nothing anyone can do.

Monika Jalili

2007-12-31T10:01:00.000-08:00

Monika Jalili
Monika Jalili: NoorSaaz brings to life the rich history of Iranian culture through its music and poetry. This entrancing selection of songs spans time and place; traditional Persian folk favorites stand alongside love songs from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, a time of great cultural change in Iran. Using traditional and non-traditional instruments, as well as lyrics in Persian, English and French, the artists of NoorSaaz combine their influences to present original interpretations of this music. In this spirit of exploration, NoorSaaz aspires to create understanding through an appreciation of the beauty of Iranian culture.
Vocalist:
Monika Jalili is a classically trained vocalist born in New York City with a degree in Vocal Performance from The Manhattan School of Music and in French Literature from Columbia University. Monika has been a performer on stage and film since the age of 12 and was a student of the late Beverley Peck Johnson. Her performances have taken her to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, The Producers Club, The Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, The Moscow Conservatory of Music, The Starlight Roof at the Waldorf Astoria, The Wortham Center (Houston), Wolf Trap (Virginia), The Shubert Theatre (New Haven) and venues throughout Europe, and around the US. She has performed on and been interviewed on many international television and radio programs worldwide. Monika's great love of Persian music and culture led her to create NoorSaaz with Megan Weeder.
Rest of the bios:Monika Jalili Noorsaz

Listen to here beautiful voice here. These are some great songs:
Solatneh Ghalba-ha
Janeh Maryam
Daryacheye Noor & Gole Gandom

Benazir Bhutto

2007-12-27T19:58:00.000-08:00

Benazir Bhutto
I’m so sorry. I’m speech less. I don’t know what to say. This is a very very sad day for all of us. What is it with these people? Which God can condone this kind of act? What a bunch of savages! Like father like daughter.

I Lost That Recipe!

2007-12-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

I can't remember my oatmeal recipe! Was it, 1 part water, 1 part milk, 1 part oats, a dash of salt, little cinnamon, and some honey, in a pot on low heat slowly warmed and stirred until ready?

This reminds me of this song:

Mac Arthur Park by Donna Summer

This same song, Mac Arthur Park also performed by Richard Harris.

So, is it Checkers or Chinese Checkters or does it matter?

How sad that the new generation, perhaps, only remembers him by his most current roles in Harry Potter as Albus Dumbledore!

Camelot:

With Vanessa Redgrave:

As Professor Dumbledore:

On a totally unrelated subject but somehow a ubiquitous nagging in my head to include it here, I present to you:

Who Moved My Cheese? a “Self-Improvement” book that has nothing to do with cheese, but a lot with your mind that I was once asked to read to help learn to cope and resolve challenges arising from working with and managing people.

A Tale of Two Cities

2007-11-18T20:03:00.000-08:00

A tale of two cities; a tale of two lovers, what an irony!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of understanding, it was the age of innocence; it was the period of belief, it was the time of disbelief; it was the season of happiness, it was the season of misery; it was the spring of confidence, it was the winter of agony; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going direct to paradise, we were all going the other way.

Another chapter in my life.

Desiderata - An Inspirational Piece!

2007-11-18T17:14:00.000-08:00

See and listen to Desiderata – A Very Inspirational Piece. (No Comments!)
Well, maybe just one comment, I can’t help it. Is this another inspirational BS fluff, am I being just cynical, or just more sentimental? Who knows?

By Max Ehrmann, 1924
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, 1924
VERY INSPIRATIONAL PIECE...

(and Our own very 'Inspiration Point' at Yosemite National Park a must see place in California. Checkout California's Yosemite National Park for more info. Here is a picure of Ahwahnee Hotel at Inpiration Point)

The Confused History... (goes with the CONFUSED BLOG)

The Confused History of "Desiderata:"
The author is Max Ehrmann, a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who lived from 1872 to 1945. It has been reported that Desiderata was inspired by an urge that Ehrmann wrote about in his diary:

"I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift -- a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods."

Around 1959, the Rev. Frederick Kates, the rector of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of devotional materials he compiled for his congregation. (Some years earlier he had come across a copy of Desiderata.) At the top of the handout was the notation, "Old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692." The church was founded in 1692. [1]

As the material was handed from one friend to another, the authorship became clouded. Copies with the "Old St. Paul's Church" notation were printed and distributed liberally in the years that followed. It is perhaps understandable that a later publisher would interpret this notation as meaning that the poem itself was found in Old St. Paul's Church, dated 1692. This notation no doubt added to the charm and historic appeal of the poem, despite the fact that the actual language in the poem suggests a more modern origin. The poem was popular prose for the "make peace, not war" movement of the 1960s.

When Adlai Stevenson died in 1965, a guest in his home found a copy of Desiderata near his bedside and discovered that Stevenson had planned to use it in his Christmas cards. The publicity that followed gave widespread fame to the poem as well as the mistaken relationship to St. Paul's Church. [1]

As of 1977, the rector of St. Paul's Church was not amused by the confusion. Having dealt with the confusion "40 times a week for 15 years," he was sick of it. [1]

This misinterpretation has only added to the confusion concerning whether or not the poem is in the public domain.

By the way, Desiderata is Latin for "Things to be Desired."

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Q: Bijan, thou art such A hypocrite! A: Why, can’t one be benevolent and like Lamborghinis too?

Oh Lord! Save me from myself! Can I count on you? Are you Just? Is this true?

Gerard Manley Hopkins
Wiki's own note: It has been claimed that some or all of this article or section is incoherent and not understandable, and should possibly be reworded if the intended meaning can be determined.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89). Poems. 1918.

50. ‘Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend’

Justus quidem tu es, Domine, si disputem tecum: verumtamen justa loquar ad te: Quare via impiorum prosperatur? &c.

THOU art indeed just, Lord, if I contend
With thee; but, sir, so what I plead is just.
Why do sinners’ ways prosper? and why must
Disappointment all I endeavour end?

Wert thou my enemy, O thou my friend,
How wouldst thou worse, I wonder, than thou dost
Defeat, thwart me? Oh, the sots and thralls of lust
Do in spare hours more thrive than I that spend,
Sir, life upon thy cause. See, banks and brakes
Now leavèd how thick! lacèd they are again
With fretty chervil, look, and fresh wind shakes
Them; birds build—but not I build; no, but strain,
Time’s eunuch, and not breed one work that wakes.
Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain

Narcissism

2007-10-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

XLIII. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

About Narcissism:

I picked up that line on this movie, Scoop, one of Woody Allen’s latest movies (the movie (hint: In a party, as he is talking to bunch of new people and he is exif not the last, but I don’t know that for sure and who cares!) with Scarlet Johansson:):);) See if you can pick up that line in plaining describing himself…)

And don’t get me started on her cause I’ll start to moan and groan! Now there is a woman, and I might add a very beautiful, sexy, and young woman after my heart (Not!)

A big lie!

Well ever since I broke up with Heidi, a have been seeing a lot of Scarlet, as much as my schedule and trips allows me. And, I have made it very clear to her to not to lose herself over me, because I’m not into serious relationships. I have my reasons, but that’s for me to know and you to find out;)

And, Scarlet, my dear love, if you happen to read this, please don’t get all upset and pick the phone and ask me to explain, because I know I have made myself very clear. Besides you’re too young for me and I’m not into starting a family all over again. So, sweetheart, I’m sorry to break your heart all over again (if you happen to read this on location), but you should have listened to me. Anyhow, no more about us, since this was mostly about Moi!

You wish!
"Aarezo bar javanan aeib neest", There is no shame to aiming high or you can’t fault young & playful wishes, or something like that!

Old Flame:

Military Attack on Iran - An email from a friend

2007-10-26T01:24:00.000-07:00

email from mjshahidiusa@aol.com

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT:I am sorry to send you this ominous message. And, I beg you to forward it to others.
A U.S. military attack on Iran is about to take place. The U.S. armed forces are waiting for President Bush's "Execute Command" order. Some reporters as well as former intelligence and military official are saying so.

Even though the majority of the American people are against it, a small but powerful lobby is pushing for it.

Please contact your political and community leaders and explain to them that a military attack on Iran will bring retaliation against Israel and U.S. personnel in the area and cause worldwide economic depression. Iran has the capability to do severe damage to U.S. allies in the region. The entire Middle East will be thrown into chaos and bloodshed for decades. Such action, now, would be madness.
There is still time for diplomacy. Let the U.N. and other negotiating groups do their work.

I will explain this issue on Twin Cities Public Television, Ch. 17 or 13, at 10:30 p.m. tonight.

Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods (& more!)

2007-10-24T20:31:00.001-07:00

Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods & there is more to this blog than the title may suggest!

Is this really true? I like to challenge everyone to share their thoughts and beliefs on this subject. You don’t need to limit your comments to just these ten items. I’m even interested in the Oldwives’ tales as well! Are you into Organic Food? What does that mean? What really constitute organic?

Isn’t it, after all, all made out of similar Chemical Compounds? Is Caw shit fertilizer superior to other chemical fertilizers or are all pesticides that harmful? What do you think about companies like ADM, the super market to the world? What about genetically engineered foods? What is the tradeoff here?

Are you into recycling and saving the planet? I am, but my belief is that for anyone of like me, there is one who drives gas guzzlers and pullouts just enough to ruin my efforts. That’s okay too! I assume we cancel each other out and at the end it all balances itself. We can’t all be perfect! Just as there is one war monger amongst us, there is one who does Amnesty International and other peaceful efforts (i.e., Greenpeace organization) to make up for the damages cost for the other. I like what Bono is doing and I admire people like my friend Jay Shahidi who is involved as dedicates time and effort as much he can afford. When I grow up, I like to be just like them! I’m not too sure about Michael Moore though! Well, how about Al Gore?

Last but not least, solar energy and conservation!

Hearst Castle - First Mini Vacation In July

2007-10-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

(Correction after a blogger comment!) + another link to H.C.

Neuschwanstein in Germany (a comment by a blogger pointed out my error?)

Hearst Castle - The Pool:

<
First Mini Vacation this (last) summer in July! Sorry! I’ve been busy! Better late than never! Too many exclamations! Well, I just let the pictures to speak for themselves ;) Hearst Castle in San Simian. A MUST SEE PLACE! (Oomret be fanahe ageh ino nabini!)

First Mini Vacation this (last) summer in July! Sorry! I’ve been busy! Better late than never! Too many exclamations! Well, I just let the pictures to speak for themselves ;)

It’s way back there! These are the binoculars you can use to see it way way back there!

The entry to the onsite store (souvenirs and all kind of neat stuff!)

The life size statutes are awesome. You’ve got to see the indoor/outdoor pool!

FYI: Program & Tour Information:

Hearst Castle

I really can not do this justice. Not to mention, we couldn’t get any tickets that day, on site. You MUST have reservations way in advance. I have been there before, but you never see enough! Just google it and read about it. It really is one of those WORLD MARVELS that you must see. I did take many pictures of the surrounding areas, then again you must see it for yourself to appreciate the magnificence of it.

Salvador Dali's Original Lithographs

2007-08-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) on Wiki. For more info. check out Dali Museum.
Other links: Salvador Dali Art Gallery"

The (my) Two Paintings

Salvador Dali's Original Lithographs

They finally arrived over a week ago and I couldn’t wait to tell you ALL about it!

My two Salvador Dali’s Original Lithographs: Surrender of Breda, Salvador Dali’s Interpretation of Diego Vealzquez's original painting and The Black Devil. Here is some excerpts on Diego Velazquez:

VELÁZQUEZ, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y (b. 1599, Sevilla, d. 1660, Madrid)
The Surrender of Breda (Las Lanzas)
before 1635
Oil on canvas, 307 x 367 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid
It was in 1625, ten years before this picture was painted, that Justin von Nassau, the commanding officer of Breda, surrendered the city to the Genoese Ambrosio Spinola, commander of the Spanish forces. Breda was one of the border fortresses of the Netherlands, a military base which had long been a bone of contention, alternately seized by the Spaniards or returned to the Princes of Orange. After a long siege Spinola learned from an intercepted letter that the defendants were in desperate straits, short of both equipment and food, and he therefore proposed that von Nassau should freely surrender rather than continue the bloodshed. The proposal was accepted and the army withdrew in good order, keeping their goods and some of their arms. The citizens did not suffer any harm at all. This victory was one of the last triumphs achieved by Spain in the period when she was accounted a great world power, and it was also one of the fine instances when humanism prevailed even in times of war.
The main problem of a history painting featuring a large number of figures is the question of how to handle the crowd scenes. Velázquez initially tackles this difficulty by dividing the picture plane into two levels - a higher area of action on which the main event is acted out as on a stage, and an area below it in which we see the city and harbour of Breda and the sea. The stage-like situation is further emphasized by various foreground elements. The two military leaders - the defeated commandant of Breda handing over the keys of the fortress to the Spanish commander Spinola - are immediately recognizable as the protagonists because the view opens up behind them towards the otherwise hidden background, whereas to the right and left the respective military entourage is grouped like stage extras. Yet Velázquez does not portray them as anonymous soldiers. Amongst the group of Spanish victors brandishing their lances, we can make out just as many individual expressions of exhaustion as we can amongst the resigned group of defeated Dutch soldiers.
It is thought that the composition of the picture derives from a contemporary book-illustration of the Bible; this is certainly true of the two central figures of the commanders. In its colouring - the brown masses of the horses, the blue and red garments of the soldiers - we see the influence of Venetian painting, particularly that of Tintoretto.

And last but not least my other lithograph, The Black Devil:

My own pictures:

See the Details

Something Juicy: 68-69

2007-08-20T02:04:00.000-07:00

Number 69." But wait there is more! Phamouse69 Sexy Magazine And there is even more! As in: Summer of 69 Song
How about something on 68? STS-68? Or even this: The year of the four emperors: Galba (68), Otho (69) and Vitellius (69) all govern a very short time before Vespasian becomes emperor. ... 68 on Wiki or perhaps

But for real, jokes aside:

One of my readers (the few that I suppose have) has asked me to TELL him/her something JUICY about myself! I hardly know him/her and intact I’m not very fund of him (I’m just going to refer to IT as HE, just for the sake of arguments.) He knows who he is and I’m not sure you care. A while back, he left, as comment, a set of URL to some grouse sexual sites! I still haven’t checked it for myself, but from what I’ve gathered, according to a friend of mine, it’s just a GARDEN VARIETY porn site. Well, I left it intact, since I strongly believe in Freedom of Speech! But, I realize some people were offended by it. As for myself, I wasn’t even slightly curious to check it out for myself. I’ve seen them before and they DON’T DO MUCH for me. I think of SE Swimsuit issue more desirable or even the gorgeous ladies in the Vitoria Secret catalogues as MUCH more JUICY as any of those porn site which demonstrate and assume men are like animals (perhaps close cousin, apes or orangutans) and women just like to GET ALL NIGHT LONG and THE HARDER and the BIGER THE BETTER bang! And of course they show off SEMAN (come) dripping from their faces, lips or other desirable/sexy (according to their philosophy of what is sexy or what turns MEN on are showed off and displayed like women have a popsicle in a hot afternoon summer day!)

Well, I hate to write about this and I apologize and agree that this subject may be TOO private to some or even distasteful and disgusting to argue about. I agree, but it’s my blog and I’m not arguing BACK with anyone, so there you have it. I think I’ll let the secret out. I adore Heidi Klum! Well, she is not the only one, but ONE example should suffice! Actually she is married now and has three kids, but still looks fantastic. She was on Leno a few nights ago and was adorable and interesting too and when one of the other guests started talking about premature ejaculations, she put both index fingers in here ears and started to sing to block her ears and not hear the rest of the conversations! That was very cute to me. I think she is still married to Seal!

Well, my point or my reason to talk or mention this is that I believe, what’s sexy or juicy to one person may not be as exciting to another. Don’t want to get too philosophical and beat this horse to death! You know what I mean and if you don’t just continue reading. Here is a quick joke: You all know what 69 stand for, right? Quest: “What about 68?” Ans: You give me one and I’ll owe you one:) Sex Position 69

These are the FIVE (actually many more) things that I find juicy, exciting, or even moving: The Victoria Secret catalogue, The Beethoven Symphony No. 9, a good movie, a beautiful scenery (beach or greenery), a NEW GADGET, well, there are many more to name and I don’t want to take the next few pages to recall all of my fetishes or my DEEP SECRETS (there really aren’t many!) Let me clarify one thing about naked women! I think, they should be covered more so to leave more to the imagination! I really don’t like g-sting bikinis either! I don’t like men model in bulgy underwear either! Now you know it! Some modesty, I think, will go a long way!

I just like life & I try to enjoy and have a great day any day I can by surrounding myself with things that matter to me & there are endless things that MOVE me and get my attention (a great painting, a beautiful song, a SMART person, intellectual but not boring conversation – oh well, I said I will not name them all, but here I go. So I shall stop it right here!) Left out Porsches & Motorcycles!

Here is more about Heidi, for those who get it:
Born June 1, 1973, in Bergische Gladbach, Germany, Heidi Klum catapulted to the supermodel scene when she got the cover of Sports Illustrated's 1998 Swimsuit Issue as an unknown at the time.

All this came as a disappointing shock to Caprice Bournet, the supermodel who assumed she had the cover wrapped up. Ever since, Heidi has been flooded with work, the 5'9 35-24-34 vixen had not even thought of modeling until a friend coaxed her into entering a modeling competition called Model '92, after winning several rounds on her way, she eventually was crowned. She then signed a 3 year contract with Metropolitan and has grown ever larger in the modeling scene with each successive year. Heidi was involved in the well publicized Victoria's Secret internet broadcast, largely hyped but much too grainy and miniature to appreciate any of the girl's beauty. 1999 brought another appearance in the SI Swimsuit Issue and also brought Heidi in front of the TV camera's with a 3 episode role in Spin City, in which she played Michael J. Fox's love interest. The year before she saw a bit part in the movie 54, based on the old New York nightclub, Studio 54. … Google her and you shall find the rest!

And for those who also get Porsches:
The 2008 Porsche Limited Edition Boxster that was first shown privately at the New York Auto Show last April will go on sale this September with a base price of $49,990 (Original MSRP $45,800). The higher-performance Limited Edition Boxster S, meanwhile, will start at $59,990 (Original MSRP $55,700).

Dipped in the same eye-popping orange paint as the 911 GT3 RS, the Limited Edition Boxsters also feature the SportDesign package that adds front spoiler lips, a new automatically extending rear spoiler, and slightly altered rear trim to allow for an integrated diffuser. Add to that standard 18-inch black alloy wheels (19-inch for the Boxster S) and additional black trim pieces on the exterior, and you've got a fairly stunning exterior package that overshadows a garden variety Porsche Boxster with ease.

Black carries over to the interior where it's applied to most surfaces including the seats, carpet, dash and door panels. The interior is also trimmed with Alcantara and additional pieces that match the exterior's orange body color. And while the motors in both cars were left alone, each gets a new sport exhaust system that may liberate some extra power by offering less restriction.

The 2008 Porsche Limited Edition Boxster and Boxster S officially go on sale September 28th, and since Porsche is only building 500 examples, you may want to get your deposit in now.

My Other True Love – A Nice Porshce!

ALAF BAYAD BE DAHANE BOZZI KHISH BEYAD!

Or see for yourself & you shall SEE what I mean

How about a juicy Red Ferrari? or Read about it Here!I guess you the old saying, Bigger the Boy, the Bigger the Toy!

Pretenders - Chrissie Hynde

2007-07-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

Pretender's Chrissi Hynde,
a contemporary musician artist and an original song writer!
I miss you very much & I still enjoy your beautiful music whenever I can.
She is a True Artist For the Ages!

Pretenders - Here is some of Chrissie Hynde’s:

Back on the Chain Gang
Brass in pocket (I'm Special)

Did I once think that I should have written and sang this song? YES! At times, I’ve felt so special too. I really have! I really am! There is only one copy of me, if you think of it! Nobody else here is like me! So, I’m gonna use everything … Im special, so special, I gotta have some of your attention. Give it to me!

I’ll Stand By You
I've got you babe
Don't get me wrong

U2 & Pretenders the Hall of Fame induction with the Boss sharing a U2 story.

Her songs were Performed by MANY artists. Here is Carri Underwood of American Idol! Who could not love her?

Here is a funny piece from her appearance on Friends:
Friends –
Angel of the Morning”

Pretenders - Chrissie Hynde A contemporary musician artist and an original song writer. I miss you very much Chrissie! I still enjoy your beautiful music whenever I can. She is a True Artist For the Ages.

Due credit to the author: 1996-2006, By Lisa Benton:
After kicking around the US, UK and France for over a decade, Chrissie Hynde finally wound up on the path that would eventually lead her to the Pretenders. Towards the end of 1977, while living in squats around London, she met Tony Secunda, onetime band manager of such acts as Steeleye Span and The Move.Chrissie, with Fred Berk (Johnny Moped) on bass and Nigel Pegrum (Steeleye Span) on drums, recorded a few demos including The Phone Call. In March 1978, Tony arranged a meeting with Anchor Records' Dave Hill, who was setting up a new label, Real Records, in the UK. The day before the meeting was to take place, Chrissie was on the phone with Secunda, "said something really stupid," and he hung up on her. She phoned Dave to tell him she no longer had a manager and wouldn't be able to make the meeting. He told her to come around anyway and signed her up as the first artist on Real Records. Hill introduced Hynde to a studio drummer, Gas Wild. Gas had recently returned to London from a trip to his hometown of Hereford. While in Hereford, Gas bumped into an old friend, Pete Farndon.Pete had just returned from Australia where he'd been in a folk group, The Bushwackers. Gas phoned Pete the following week to tell him about the band he was in with an American, and to ask him if he was interested in coming to London to join them. Pete jumped at the chance to again escape Hereford and give rock 'n' roll another shot.Pete met Chrissie in a pub. She said hello, then turned around and ignored him for an hour.Later, Chrissie took Pete to her rehearsal space, which he said was "the scummiest basement I've ever been in in my life". The first song they played was Groove Me by King Floyd, followed by a few of her songs - Tequila, The Phone Call, and I Can't Help Myself. Pete was impressed and began the task of working out the odd time signatures in her other songs.It was soon apparent that Gas was not right for the band and they dismissed him. Chrissie had her mind set on Phil Taylor, Motorhead's drummer. To get Phil Taylor in the band, Chrissie and Pete came up with a plan to try to lure him away from Motorhead - they'd ask him to sit in on drums while they auditioned guitarists. To make this plan seem valid, they had to get a decent guitarist for the "audition". Pete had a guitarist-friend in Hereford whom he decided to call. James Honeyman-Scott agreed to go to London for the session.Phil would not be swayed, and stayed with Motorhead. Hynde and Farndon, however, were very impressed with Jim. Honeyman-Scott was less impressed and went back home to Hereford.About this time Gerry Mackleduff came along and, while never officially joining the band, drummed for them as a session player, receiving £10 each time. In need of a guitarist for recording demos, Pete once again phoned Jim to see if he was interested in the job. He agreed and was paid for the session with "£100 and a load of speed". Included on this demo were I Can't Control Myself, Precious, The Phone Call, and Stop Your Sobbing.It was summer, 1978, and once again, Jim happily returned to Hereford. This time, however, Chrissie and Pete were determined to have him in the band. Chrissie knew Jim loved Rockpile and Nick Lowe, so she took the demo to Lowe, an old friend of hers, and asked him to listen to it to see if he would be interested in producing them. He liked what he heard and told her he would produce the single for them. Chrissie then phoned Jim and told him who was going to produce their record. He immediately joined the band. So Jim, Chrissie, Pete and Gerry went into the studio and recorded Sobbing and its b-side, The Wait.A permanent drummer was needed as Gerry was still being paid by the session and not considered to be the right person for the job. Pete and Jim wondered what had become of a fellow they knew from, not surprisingly, Hereford - Martin Chambers. As it turned out, Martin was living within a mile of Pete's place in Tufnel Park. They invited Martin for a rehearsal, and finally everything clicked. Pete broke the news to Gerry and the Pretenders had a real drummer. By the time Sobbing was released, Martin was in the band and Gerry was not. This is the reason Martin's picture appears on the back cover (in applicable countries of release - not including the US) of Sobbing.Their first album was number one in the UK, as was Brass in Pocket, their third UK single. The original lineup released two albums, Pretenders and Pretenders II; a North American EP, Extended Play; and a handful of singles.By the end of 1981, Pete had caused increasingly strained relations within the band due to his heroin use. They finished their world tour in Bangkok in April 1982.After a rest, Chrissie, Martin and Jim got together and decided Pete would no longer be a member of the band as he had become increasingly unreliable due to his drug addiction.Two days after Pete was told the news in June 1982, Jim Honeyman-Scott died in his sleep at the home of a friend. His death was due to heart failure caused by cocaine intolerance.The following month, Chrissie and Martin went into the studio to record Back On The Chain Gang, a song they'd been working out during soundchecks. Tony Butler (Big Country) filled in on bass and Billy Bremner (Rockpile) took over the lead guitar duties.A number of guitarists were auditioned before Chrissie and Martin remembered someone Jim had wanted to bring into the band as an additional member. They called Robbie McIntosh and he came for an audition. He also brought along a bass player he knew named Malcolm Foster.Before the Pretenders were finished recording their new album, Pete died. He'd shot up while in the bath, passed out and drowned.The new lineup made the Learning To Crawl album and, with Rupert Black on keyboards, launched an extremely successful worldwide tour.In 1985, the Pretenders played Live Aid, a benefit concert that was held in the UK and the US simultaneously and broadcast throughout the world. This was the last show this particular lineup would perform together.During the recording sessions for the Get Close album, Chrissie started working with other musicians. Although it was rumoured, it was not until 1994 that the fact that Martin had actually been fired came out. Although the cover shows Chrissie, Robbie, Blair Cunningham, and T. M. Stevens, various musicians played on the album.This lineup began a US tour in 1987 and included Bernie Worrell on keyboards. Only a few weeks into the tour, Bernie and T. M. were fired. Malcolm and Rupert were brought back in to finish the tour. By the time they'd reached South America, Robbie quit and Johnny Marr came in to replace him.In 1990, Chrissie, now the only Pretender left, began recording Packed!, again using various musicians. During this time, there were several lineup changes. The Hynde/Marr/Eller/Hood lineup seems to be the most valid, even though they never toured, and recorded only a few tracks together.In 1993, Chrissie finally began to rebuild the Pretenders. She kept bassist Andy Hobson from the days of Packed! (he does not appear on the album, but can be seen in the video for Sense Of Purpose) and netted Adam Seymour just after the Katydids broke up.The recording for Last Of The Independents was already underway when Chrissie asked Martin to rejoin the band. He did.In 1994, the band toured Europe and the US in support of Independents.Over two nights in May of 1995, they recorded two live acoustic-type shows with the Duke String Quartet. These recordings became The Isle Of View LP.They were asked and agreed to perform at the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio in 1995. The Pretenders received tremendous praise for their performances of My City Was Gone and Neil Young's Needle And The Damage Done.In the US, Viva El Amor was freed into the open arms of critical acclaim on June 22, 1999. The band joined up with Lilith Fair for a month of US Summer dates, then returned to Europe to tour in support of the new album.

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1996-2006 Lisa Benton

More:
Back on the Chain Gang

I do miss her :)

LA VIE EN ROSE," A MOVIE ABOUT PASSION

2007-07-19T01:25:00.000-07:00

Edith Piaf, a great Artist (La Vien Rose) & a wonderful passionate human being.

Final Resting Place of Edith Piaf

The Hours Movie: Director: Stephen Daldry; Cast: Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Toni Collette, Eileen Atkins, Allison Janney, Miranda Richardson, John C. Reilly, Stephen Dillane, Claire Danes
(Paramount Pictures, 2002) Rated: PG-13
US DVD release date: 24 June 2003 (NY/LA)

piaf's songs @ youtube as well
http://youtube.com/watch?v=F1E4eGaCRto&mode=related&search=

Here is a recent article by my dear Friend, Mr., M. Jay Shahidi published by TC Daily Planet":

On 7/17/07, mjshahidiusa@aol.com wrote:

"LA VIE EN ROSE," A MOVIE ABOUT PASSION

By M. Jay Shahidi
July 12,2007

written for Twin Cities Daily Planet, www.tcdailyplanet.net

The life of Edith Piaf, perhaps the greatest of all French singers and a contemporary of Billie Holiday, is the subject of this cinematic masterpiece. It is an artistic creation with class. It is warm, touching, inspirational and educational. It is a vivid depiction of the troubled but valiant life of a real artist. A genuine rags-to-riches tale which does not measure success in terms of only money. The writer and director have taken the mostly miserable and tragic life of an extra-ordinary person and gracefully shown how one's passion for and commitment to "a cause" can protect that individual from the forces of self-destruction and project her out of the darkest of tunnels. This movie, despite its sad and wrenching scenes, meticulously portrays the ultimate triumph of will over adversity, hope over despair, and, excellence over mediocrity.

Some may hesitate to see this film because of French subtitles. Don't. I only know a limited number of French words. And, no one in the world is as slow of a reader as I am. The story is so intriguing and the acting so demonstrative that even I followed it the first time. Dubbing it would have undoubtedly multiplied the viewers but would have diluted the taste of it. I like the fact that the production is very French. Yet, because the message is so powerful, I wish it could also be presented as dubbed in many languages so more of us, especially the youth, would benefit from the life and deed of this great woman.

Born in 1915 to a neglectful and alcoholic mother who barely made a living by singing in streets and and cafes and a father who struggled with poverty by performing in circuses and on street corners as a contortionist, Piaf's transcendence into a super-singer of international caliber and fame during her short life of 48 years is indeed magical. Her genetic predisposition to chemical dependency, which rarely occurs without depression, the despicable physical and social environment within which she was born and raised, a mother with artistic potential, and, an independent-minded father who loved performing but loved her more, created Edith Giovanna Gassion. What propelled her into evolving into Edith Piaf (Little Sparrow), however, was her inner unconditional love for artistic expression combined with an indomitable quest for excellence. Nothing stopped her. Not even acute mental pain and debilitating physical ailment. She won the battle against oblivion.

Great cinema does not always need vehicle chases, blood and gore. This film is true art in that it delicately weaves the biography of a unique human being with the fabric of visual creativity. I want to see it again and again for the sound of Piaf's voice; the Oscar-worthy performance of Marion Cotillard, who must be Piaf's alter-ego; and, the mosaic of scenes of tragedy, filth, despondency, cruelty, compassion, colors, music, Paris, New York, smiles, appreciation, elation, accolades, the sea, love, and death with dignity.
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com .

More result & sources for Edith Piaf

More search results for Edith Piaf

A French Article, regarding Edith Piaf's final resting place for my Moroccan "friend" to Enjoy!

Bijan :)

My Immortal/My Immortal Lyrics - Evanescence

2007-07-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

Evanescence - My Immortal (Live On Letterman)

Something you should know about Evanescence - My Immortal Lyrics

Title: Soundtrack - Evanescence - My Immortal lyrics

I’m so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
’cause your presence still lingers here
And it won’t leave me alone

These wounds won’t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There’s just too much that time cannot erase

[chorus:]
When you cried I’d wipe away all of your tears
When you’d scream I’d fight away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me

You used to captivate me
By your resonating life
Now I’m bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me

These wounds won’t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There’s just too much that time cannot erase

[chorus]

I’ve tried so hard to tell myself that you’re gone
But though you’re still with me
I’ve been alone all along

[chorus]

My Immortal Beloved

2007-05-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

To the best thing that's ever happened to me. Thank you for brightening my horizons & coloring my life with your amazing sunshine & bestowing your magical rainbow upon me & make me believe, that after all, not all "good" guys finish last!

Sorry Everyone, But It's ALL Good :)

2007-05-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone for staying away for so long. I've missed you all too  Don't worry, it's ALL good :)

I apologize to everyone for not answering any comments or not updating my blog. I’ve been very busy lately, but will soon return to “normal hopefully” ASAP ;)

I've got a lot to tell you (mini vacation) & I’ve got a lot of nice pictures to share! :)

* Huntington Library & Botanical Garden (San Marino, near Pasadena in Southern California – an awesome place to visit for a day or more) in San Marino.

* * The Getty Museum (Los Angeles County: Southern California) Soon to go. It’s an absolute must see (even several times!) Actually these are pictures from a while back!
I apologize to everyone for not answering any comments or not updating my blog. I’ve been very busy lately, but will soon return to “normal hopefully” ASAP ;)

* Also, I have bought myself BUNCH OF new stocks in the past week or so… (Day Trading a few excellent solid companies, as a hobby of mine when I’m really bored or adventurous with my money.)

And, last but not least, a new wonderfull person in my life!!! (YES!)

Bijan aka: SocalPersian

2007-04-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

33rd Annual Long Beach Grand Prix

Event Schedule link

Long beach goes vroom! The 33rd annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, to steal a phrase from the LA times.
Long Beach Grand Prix, this weekend, will include fast cars, music, celebrities, and many festivities. Just couldn’t help not mentioning this. I’m very excited. I have gone once before (shame on me) and am going this weekend. You must see/hear this and be there for yourself, even if you are not a speed manic! The thrill, the roar of the engines, quickness and the fast pace they go by is just awesome.

This is a 3-4 day event, so there are practice runs and demos and shows and several other races. For example the pro/celebrity race on Saturday will obviously include many celebrities and “Mr. Hugh Hefner” as the Grand Marshal. The “Star Wars” creator George Lucas as will be the grand marshal of the main event on Sunday. There is a lot of fun things going on at the same time to totally entertain you for next three days here.

Lowe’s Fernandez “at home” in Long Beach read the story here.

LONG BEACH, Apr. 12, 2007 - (KABC-TV) - Race enthusiasts, get ready: The 33rd Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach runs this weekend!

Iran's & France's Nuclear Programs

2007-04-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

Such a coincident on the timing of these two reports, both regarding nuclear power. First one is about Frances pursuit of more nuclear energy to produce electricity power and Iran’s announcement the following day.

CBS’s 60 Minutes program last Sunday (April 8, 2007) was an informative coverage of France's new peaceful nuclear ambitions and major change in directions. It addressed the global warming issue and their steps towards more nuclear power stations than ever before. It covers the French nuclear story, the (green) environmental issues, the new proposed scientific on going research to convert the nuclear waste to reusable nuclear material, and finally the US under ground storage site and capacity issue.

Both stories follows:

Iran Says It's Able To Make Nuclear Fuel.
Iran Says It Is Now Able To Produce Nuclear Fuel On An 'Industrial Scale'

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a ceremony at the enrichment facility at Natanz that Iran was now capable of enriching nuclear fuel "on an industrial scale."
(AP) Iran announced Monday (April 9, 2007) (AP) Iran announced Monday that it has begun enriching uranium with 3,000 centrifuges, a dramatic expansion of a nuclear program that has drawn U.N. sanctions and condemnation from the West.

Yahoo’s same coverage today (April 9, 2007) NATANZ, Iran - Iran announced a dramatic expansion of uranium enrichment Monday, saying it has begun operating 3,000 centrifuges — nearly 10 times the previously known number — in defiance of U.N. demands it halt its nuclear program or face increased sanctions. (Play the Video)
Iran to West: Do Not Stop Nuclear Push Iran announces an expanded nuclear enrichment program, defying U.N. sanctions and drawing ire from Western nations. Uranium enrichment can produce fuel for a nuclear reactor or material for a nuclear warhead. (April 9, 2007)

But here is where the story gets very interesting. I love the timing of CBS program on Sunday, April 8 2007, regarding Frances state of nuclear industry. This is very interesting. How come it’s okay for France, but not appropriate for Iran? What are we going to do when we run out of oil? This is a good argument for Iran’s position on this issue, but I’m not it’s worth the penalties, sanctions, and isolation Iran is going to face, if we continue on the same path. West (perhaps even the Chinese) don’t trust us with the nukes, even peaceful nukes!

France: Vive Les Nukes Steve Kroft On How France Is Becoming The Model For Nuclear Energy Generation, Sunday April 8, 2007,on 60 Minutes program coverage of French Nuclear industry:

(CBS) With power demands rising and concerns over global warming increasing, what the world needs now is an efficient means of producing large amounts of carbon free energy. One of the few available options is nuclear, a technology whose time seemed to come and go and may now be coming again.

For the first time in decades, new nuclear plants are being built, and not just in Iran and North Korea. With zero green house gas emissions, the U.S. government, public utilities and even some environmental groups are taking a second look at nuclear power.

And as correspondent Steve Kroft reports, one of the first the places they are looking is to France, where it has been a resounding success and the attitude is "Vive Les Nukes."
When much of the world spurned nuclear power, 30 years ago, the French, being French, decided to go their own way and embrace it. Paris, the "City of Light," is lit by nuclear energy, which powers just about everything else in France: its homes, its factories, even its high speed railroads.

Nearly 80 percent of the country's electricity comes from 58 nuclear power plants, crammed into a country the size of Texas. Pierre Gadonniex, the head "Electricite de France," the country’s national utility says it all began with a French obsession for energy independence.

"In France, we have nearly no coal. We have no oil. So clearly, nuclear appeared to be the best way," Gadonniex explains. "And 30 years later, it appears to be a very smart decision."

Because nuclear plants emit no greenhouse gases, France has the cleanest air in the industrialized world, and because the price of oil is now around $60 a barrel, it has the lowest electric bills in Europe. In fact, France has so much cheap electricity, it exports it to its European neighbors. French nuclear plants supply power to parts of Germany, Italy and help light the city of London.

"It is a very competitive way of producing electricity when oil prices are beyond, I would say, around $40 a barrel," Gadonniex tells Kroft.

And the rest of the world has taken notice. Nearly a dozen countries, including the United States, are either building or planning to build new nuclear plants, and some of that business will go to AREVA, the French government monopoly that controls every step of its nuclear industry from uranium mining to plant design construction to radioactive waste disposal.

Deep in the wine country of Burgundy, in a massive factory, AREVA is building the first European reactors since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

Bertrande Durrande, the Executive Vice President for Manufacturing, tells Kroft the business is "definitely growing."

Besides the new reactors it is building for France and Finland, Durrande says, AREVA is bidding on a project to build four new nuclear reactors in China.

Asked how many plants he thinks might be built in the next 20 years, Durrande says, "A minimum of 20. Which is quite a change when you compare it to the past."

And some of them will almost certainly be in the United States, which hasn't built a new nuclear plant since the 1970's. With energy prices and global temperatures near their reported highs, and the possibility that greenhouse gases will be regulated, the Bush administration is pushing a nuclear revival.

In many respects, the nuclear industry in the United States has disappeared. Over 100 plants were cancelled in the 1970's.

Kroft talked to Clay Sell, the Deputy Secretary of Energy and the administration's point man on nuclear power. With world energy demand expected to rise 50 percent over the next 25 years, he says it is the only practical option for producing huge amounts of electricity with no carbon emissions.

"No serious person can look at the challenge of greenhouse gases and climate change and not come to the conclusion that nuclear power has to play a significant and growing role in meeting that challenge worldwide," Sell says.

Asked how much interest there is right now in building new plants, Sell says, "There is a tremendous amount of interest. Two years ago there was exactly zero plants on the drawing boards here in the United States. Today, there are about 15 companies talking about building over 30 commercial nuclear power reactors. Now, all of those won't get built. But we think there's a significant chance that many of them will be built."

But so far, no one has signed up to actually build one, an undertaking that requires a huge investment of capital and a certain amount of faith. In the 1980's and 90's political opposition, regulatory delays, cost overruns, and a drop in electricity demand forced utilities to pull the plug on dozens of projects, and the industry has a long memory.

"I recall one story, a man who is a CEO today of one of our leading companies," Sell says, "And he described the pain associated with beginning what he thought would be a billion-dollar plant in the 1970's, and bringing it online as a $9 billion plant 20 years later. And he made the point to me that that is not a lesson that'll quickly be forgotten in the industry."

France is expanding and moving more towards nuclear power, so should we. It’s more economical, it’s more environmentally Green (no CO2 emissions). Wait, I’ll explain what I mean. You are worried about the nuclear waste? Well, French have utilized new scientific processes that reuse their nuclear waste and reduce the expensive and expansive US problem with its nuclear waste storage and danger to the environment. Actually US is behind schedule on creating it’s under ground nuclear waste storage site (many miles under the ground and many a mountain) and it has already exceeded the capacity of the site that not quiet ready yet. Scientist have proposed and are working on even more safer and more reusable options available to safely transform the nuclear waste to something recyclable and reusable. Obviously, it should be very clear that I’m no physicist or nuclear power expert. I’m just reporting (although I’m not a reporter either) what’s available through responsible and creditable media news, information, and other wise available to general public (like moi)

Here is the rest of CBS 60 minutes’ program aired on Sunday April 8, 2007:
Read the rest here.

Iran Expands Uranium Enrichment Iran Announces Expanded Uranium Enrichment Program, In Defiance Of U.N. Sanctions.

(AP) Iran announced Monday that it has begun enriching uranium with 3,000 centrifuges, defiantly expanding a nuclear program that has drawn U.N. sanctions and condemnation from the West.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a ceremony at the enrichment facility at Natanz that Iran was now capable of enriching nuclear fuel "on an industrial scale."

Asked if Iran has begun injecting uranium gas into 3,000 centrifuges for enrichment, top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani replied, "Yes." He did not elaborate, but it was the first confirmation that Iran had installed the larger set of centrifuges after months of saying it intends to do so. Until now, Iran was only known to have 328 centrifuges operating.

Uranium enrichment can produce fuel for a nuclear reactor or the material for a nuclear warhead. The United States and its allies accuse Iran of intending to produce weapons, a charge the country denies.

Sean McCormack, the State Department spokesman, said the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. nuclear watchdog group "don't believe Iran's assurances that their (nuclear) program is peaceful in nature."

The White House also criticized the announcment.

"Iran continues to defy the international community and further isolate itself by expanding its nuclear program, rather than suspending uranium enrichment," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, had no immediate comment on Monday's announcement.

The United Nations has vowed to ratchet up sanctions as long as Iran refuses to suspend enrichment. The Security Council first imposed limited sanctions in December, then increased them slightly last month and has set a new deadline of late May.

"What we are looking for are reasonable Iranian leaders who view the cost-benefit calculation and see that it is not to the benefit of the Iranian people to continue to pursue the course on which they find themselves," McCormack said.

Michael Levi, a fellow for science and technology at the Council on Foreign Relations, was skeptical of the Iranian claims. He said by his calculations, the capabilities Iran has just announced would provide 10 percent of the material needed to run its plant.

"To me, that's not industrial scale," Levi said. "An industrial-scale facility is a facility that can support your industry."

On the other hand, "from a political perspective, it's more important to have them in place than to have them run properly," he explained since the announcement stirs up support and patriotism at home, and the international community has almost no way to verify how well the program is working.

"Iran looks to be moving its nuclear program along on a political schedule rather than a technical schedule," Levi said.

Levi marveled that Iran has the power to cause such a stir with an announcement. He noted that most of the time, world leaders complain they can't trust Iran, "except when they say something really scary, we take them at their word."

In his speech, Ahmadinejad insisted Iran has been cooperative with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, allowing it inspections of its facilities, but he warned, "Don't do something that will make this great nation reconsider its policies" in a reference to the threat of increased U.N. sanctions.

"With great honor, I declare that as of today our dear country has joined the nuclear club of nations and can produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale," Ahmadinejad said.

Larijani said his country was willing to offer assurances that its program is peaceful. But he said the West must accept its nuclear program as a fact: "We do not give in our rights."

On April 9, 2006, Iran announced it had first enriched uranium using an array of 164 centrifuges.

Across Iran, school bells rang on Monday to mark the "national day of nuclear energy." The overnment sent out text messages of congratulations for the occasion to millions of mobile phone users.

In Tehran, some 200 students formed a human chain at Iran's Atomic Energy Organization while chanting "death to America" and "death to Britain." The students burnt flags of the U.S. and Britain.

Experts say the Natanz plant needs between 50,000 to 60,000 centrifuges to consistently produce fuel for a reactor or build a warhead.

In the enrichment process, uranium gas is pumped into a "cascade" of thousands of centrifuges, which spin the gas at supersonic speeds to purify it. Uranium enriched to a low level, at least 3 percent, can be used as fuel, while at a far higher level, more than 90 percent, it can be used to build a weapon.

Also Monday, Iranian state television reported that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general who is under travel restrictions urged by the sanctions visited Russia without any difficulty.

Gen. Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, who is also deputy interior minister for security affairs, was quoted on the state TV Web site as saying that his six-day journey to Moscow, which ended Monday, showed "the ineffectiveness of the resolution."

The resolution urges all governments to ban visits by the 15 individuals and says that should such visits occur _ presumably for exceptional circumstances _ the countries should notify a U.N. committee.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Krivtsov confirmed that Zolqadr visited Russia. He told The Associated Press that the resolution does not prohibit visits by the listed individuals, but calls for heightened vigilance "directed first of all at people who are directly related to nuclear programs" _ suggesting that Zolqadr was not.

Tensions are also high between Iran and the West following the 13-day detention of 15 British sailors by Iran. The sailors, who were seized by Revolutionary Guards off the Iraqi coast, were released on Wednesday, but since then have said they were put under psychological pressure by their captors to force them to "confess" to being in Iranian waters when captured, angering many in Britain.
____

AP writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran contributed to this report.

I guess everyone else is changing their thinking. Germans are very interested too, according to this site: New pro-nuclear sentiment in Germany

In the spirit of copyrights law and protection of intellectual property, I shall give credit to the sources where I got most of this material from. The majority of these reports come from CBS, AP, & Yahoo intermingled with my comments (mostly within block quotes.)

Oh My God!

2007-03-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

Opposing view on existance of God, how can I argue with either one?
A Geneticist atheist turned evangelical Christian and a Biologist turned Atheist. I tend to agree with the later.

Part I of the discussion:

NPR Fresh Air Interviews:
Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'
2007 • In his most recent book, British scientist Richard Dawkins writes about the irrationality of a belief in God, examines God in all his forms and sets down his arguments for atheism. The book is The God Delusion.
Dawkins is a professor of "the public understanding of science" at Oxford University

Selfish Gene:

Part II of the discussion:

NPR Fresh Air Interviews: Francis Collins on 'The Language of God'
Geneticist Francis Collins is director of the National Human Genome Research Project. He is also an evangelical Christian, and author of the book The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.

Dole Bananas - Jokes - Policitcs of Divide & Canquer

2007-03-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

Dole Bananas: Most Persians in Iran pronounce it like “dool” as in “fool.”

Sexy and still around! I know some people will get a kick out of this and brings them fun memories! For myself, I stopped being amazed by this kind of jokes. They don’t appeal to my sense of humor any longer. Either I’ve become older or boring or both. We have a poker game once in a while and some of the guys always tell jokes about somebody’s accent or heritage (Turkie, Rashti, Esfahani, Jewish, & etc.) I know they even go further and substitute Turks for Polish, Isfahani for Irish or Jewish, and Ghazvini for Greeks.
Dole – My older blog reference to Pines in Persian
Shirin’s memorable encounter with Banana in Iran. A very interesting an funny story indeed.

And just to be clear, I don't want this to sound like an obsession of mine, so I will not mention bananas or anything having to do with male or female genitalia again.

Click the picture to enlarge so you can read the caption (joke!)

On Mixing Jokes and Politics
Although I may laugh at some, deep inside I find it disrespectful and perhaps divisive. I wonder if I could blame that on the English as well. I mean why do we pick on each other and have a laugh at the expense of another? Did someone plant the seeds of divisiveness among us to encourage discord and animosity between us? That good old theory of divide and conquer!

Divide and Conquer: Noam Chomsky’s Interview

Divide et impera: Latin term for Divide & Rule in politics, sociology and economics, a strategy to gain or maintain power or an Algorithm in Computer Science
This is just interesting to me and I like the painting too.
Divide and Conquer: The Lord prayed that His people in this world would be one.

Allah Akbar – God is great!

2007-03-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

Allah Akbar – God is great! That may be so, but where the hell is he? How long is he going to condone this?
Iranian Women Activists Gain Momentum All Things Considered, March 17, 2007, from NPR.ORG: Iranian women demonstration for Women’s Rights

Authorities Refused Women Demonstrations
Women Demonstrations Stopped!
March in Europe Demands Abolition of Anti-Women Laws in Iran
As Elections Near, Iranian Women Stage Protest (June 13, 2005).
Imprisoned Iranian activist denounces the crocodile tears of sympathizers!

On and on and on... Year after year after year... Are they signing to deaf ears? You go girl!

Star Wars fete in L.A.

2007-03-16T11:33:00.001-07:00

Star Wars

Lucasfilm Ltd. has chosen L.A. for the 30th anniversary celebration of the release of "Star Wars."
The company will take over the L.A. Convention Center May 23 through 28 for a wide range of events, including back-to-back screening of all six or the space adventures.

The event is dubbed "Celebration IV," because officially sanctioned “Star Wars” conventions have been held in Denver (1999) and Indianapolis (2002 and 2005).

The 17-hour movie marathon begins at 9AM May 23 and will mark the first time in US that all six of the films have been shown in sequence.

May 24 is reserved for official "Star Wars" Fan Club members. Then the convention has its official opening May 25, the anniversary date of the first film's release.

Among events planed during the convention are appearances by Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), a presentation of Charles Ross' "One-Man Star Wars" stage show, "Start Wars" laser tag, "Stormtroopers Olympic" and "XXtreme Droid Challenge."

Tickets to the movie marathon are free to the people who pre-register to attend "Celebration IV" at http://registration.gencon.com/celebration/. For more information, go to www.starwars.com/celebration.

Also getting in on the anniversary celebration is the Postal Services, which announced Thursday that it will be wrapping about 400 mail collection boxes in 200 cities with special covering to look like R2-D2 as promotion for the new stamp to be announced March 28.

See Starwars.com or Star Wars Wikipidia for a more detail information.

Belated Happy PI Day

2007-03-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

Pi, or π, is the mathematical constant equal to a circle's circumference divided by its diameter.

Belated Happy Pi Day!

How could I forget it? PI is approximately 3.14, which kind of coincide with Mar 14 (as in 03/14/07.)

Read about PI day here. This is actually interesting (i.e., Albert Einstein’s birthday is also March 14). So read on.

Check out Pi Day Song and if you "fancy," just Google PI for more links and "stuff."

More Related Links

And another person dear to my heart, Feynam Point, as in Richard Feynman.

The New Movie "300", A Call For War or 300...Kittens

2007-03-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

300 The Site

I would like to list a recent article written by one of my friends, Mehr “Jay” Shaidi. Jay has been very active in local and global politics in the past decades from his base in Minnesota. He has been active in many fronts from his early Student Activist days as the head of Iranian-American Society of Minnesota, to his activities and involvements with Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY), Citizens for Global Solutions, American Refugee Committee, International Student Services, Amnesty International USA, Land Mine Committee of the United Nations Association, and many other organizations, just to name a few. If you Google “Jay Shahidi”, you will see the number of organizations, and many lectures and other volunteer activities he has been involved with over the years. He's also a board member of several organizations. With Running two successful businesses, I wonder where he finds the time.

I am very honored to have him as a friend. Although I have a great appreciation and respect for him, I don’t quite share all his views on this subject, but I’m compelled to support him and list his article here. My initial response was the same, but I don’t quite see it that way. Although I won’t put this propoganda pass the current administration, I fail to see a deliberate act between Hollywood and the warmongers in Washington. I also give the American people much more credit. Please judge for yourself. Here is his article:

The New Movie "300", A Call For War

Though a masterful production, "300" is a slick, conniving and equally masterful attempt on character assassination. Filled with historical inaccuracies, the movie is deftly intended to portray the Persians, today's Iranians, as barbaric monsters even when, by 480 B.C., they had formed “the first true empire before that of Rome," according to P.R.S. Moorey of Oxford University. This distorted plot justifies mythology as history and fiction as fact. It is crafty intended to brainwash the audience.
Yes, Hollywood has always taken advantage of public mood of the time to make profit. The desire for monetary reward is fine but malicious intent is another. This flick is clearly designed to sway the young Westerners into warfare against Iran at a time war hawks are feverishly lobbying for military attack on Iran. It might as well be a promotional video for Neo-Cons. It glorifies militarism and bloodletting as great virtues while depicting the Persians of 2500 years ago as the "Dark Force". It implies that the Persians of today are equally devious.
Firstly, the Persian royalty and military commanders of that era were Aryan and white, of the same stock as the Spartans, Macedonians and Greeks. When Cyrus founded the Persian Empire in 559 B.C., he established the first official code of human and civil rights. The kingdoms of the Empire were mandated to allow religious and racial freedom. After conquering Babylon, Cyrus's first official act was to free the Jews from bondage. Persian monarchs of his dynasty never claimed divinity. This film is an insult to the non-white people of the world (the entire Persian army is black). It is a malicious attempt to influence specially the younger male viewers into embracing warfare as a way of life (the theater was full of teenagers). It clearly pounds on you the notion that white European is superior to others.

300…Kittens, is another informative and interesting take on this from one of my favorites, PhDiav, the conservative American archeologist, Dorothy King in UK. There is also an interesting video of the “300” with added "stuff."

Related Links:
Hollywood Propaganda
A Nintendo view on 300!

Persian Fallacy n+1

2007-03-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

Persian Fallacy #n+1
Don’t sit too close to the TV, you’ll go blind!

Result: I have tried this many times and for many long hours at times with or without adult supervision (I didn’t have to share that.) I have sat in front of a TV set or a computer monitor as close as few feet (36-50 centimeters) to several feet (3-5 meters range.) I have not found that it has affected me in anyway (obvious) over the years. The only noticeable change over the years is the growth of love handles, increase weight gain, and an affection to food specially poop corn and beer during sporting event, love for huge sums of ice cream during romantic or depressing movies or just over consumption of meals with little activities during the activity (programs or shows). It is also commonly observed that one would greatly get hooked on lazy man chair or in my case a comfortable couch with a number of hi-fi or TV remote controls or game controllers.

ADHD is very common with the male subjects and easily noticeable by frequent channel surfing and multi-tasking. Tivo and other recorders have helped with eventual completion and full view of many programs. This condition has been greatly masked, ignored and remedied with the introduction of Netflix rented or purchased DVD’s and the ability to rewind or restart at a certain screen chapter selection quickly. Some subjects have been observed to engage in many activities simultaneously. For example eating, drinking, answering or making phone calls, emailing, IM, blugging, or surfing the internet, listening to pod casts, playing MP3 files, surfing porn sites, gambling, or playing an online game and still functioning at an acceptable rate of accomplishment. Girl friends or significant others are thoroughly annoyed by these habits, but most have been able to work through their problems or engaging in a number of brown nosing and make up activities involving anything from chocolate, romantic dinners, weekend/short trips to exotic places, or even jewelry briberies.

No break up or divorce has been directly attributed to these activities, unless the subject was an AH to begin with or some have been known to lose their jobs for engaging in much of the same at work and not having a clue why they were let go to begin with.

Please feel free to share your own experiences with me.

Disclaimer:

These fallacies are not restricted just to Iranians, but I just like to take credit for them here first.
Most of these fallacies have been proved wrong by the author or professional stunt people under supervision of other adults in a controlled environment and under extreme considerations for safety of everyone involved and even the bystanders. You should not try these at home and I do not recommend these activities by non-professional stunt people. Be safe and would the force be with you.

Cheese Web Cams

2007-03-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

Life is a Cheese!
I had heard of all many girls trying their fortunes in front of Web Cam, but a cheese modeling in front of camera all day 24/7/365! Well I’ve found one. I love cheese, many types and in many forms and especially with crackers and a cold glass of beer (or wine for those wine lovers.)

NPR Radio is where I first learned about this cheese story. You can listen here to the short story Diversion: Cold Toes, Old Cheese, or jump ahead to the link directly to the Web Cam at Cheddar Vision.Tv, to watch a big hunk of cheddar cheese mature in front of your eyes. The best time to watch is around 10AM (local time), when the cheese is turned once a day. You can also learn a lot about the farm in the UK and enjoy other related stories. In addition here is a testimonial on My Space. This cheese even has a My Space site. Isn’t that cool or wacky a bit? About me:

I am a West Country Farmhouse Cheddar cheese, handmade down on a farm in Somerset by one of a small group of artisan cheesemakers. I now have my own website at www.cheddarvision.tv where you can watch me mature 24/7! You can even download a bespoke screensaver of me from my webcam accurate to the very second. I love grapes, oat biscuits, strawberries and even prunes. I live in a cheese store in Somerset and am enjoying my moment in the limelight. I’m looked after by Tom (you can see his photo in the pics section). I will be graded to check I’m growing up to be deliciously tasty in March, June and September. Log on and check this out if you want to learn something new! Spread the cheese love and become my friend!

I also like to mention a favorite of mine in U.S.
Tillamoock Cheese in Portland Oregon where you can also learn about the nutritions, vitamins, allergens, gluten free, hormone free cow milk and details like that.

BTW, I feel your pain! I’m a little Lactose Intolerant myself. But I’ve found these pills, called Lactaid, that I usually carry a few with me, and I just pop one up before a glass of milk, pizza, or just any food with lots of cheese and that takes care of it.

Last, but not least, our beloved Feta Cheese

Godless Dollar

2007-03-07T21:47:00.000-08:00

I knew my prayers were answered!
Godless Dollar

In 1955, the year after Congress inserted the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress required all currency to carry the motto “In God We Trust.”

Atheist challenges ‘In God We Trust’ Pledge of Allegiance foe Newdow sues to remove motto from U.S. currency. Here is another source on Wikipedia regarding In God We Trust history in U.S. Here a lot more historical references and background supporting the sentiments behind this from the Fact Sheets: Currency & Coins History of "In God We Trust" from United States Department of the Treasury.

Iran and America Make Music

2007-03-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

Reza Derakshani-John Densmore
Concert in Southern California: Friday, March 9, 2007 in OC and Saturday March 10 in LA.
Iran & America Make Music

Balance

2007-03-03T14:03:00.000-08:00

A Balanced Life
A Balanced Diet
A Universe in Balance
A Balanced Budget
A Balanced Checkbook
A Balanced Sheet
…
Balance Everywhere

This is my version: Inner-peace, personal wellness, and peace of mind. You have to look and strive for a balance in your life. It’s easier said than done. We go through so many stages in our lives that it’s hard to keep up just with the changes we encounter let alone find a balance. For so many years, we are just followers and not decision makers. We are bound to our parents’ sense of direction and the society or the circle we live in. Our experiences are bound to the environment the surrounds us. This would have been much more limited, but our universe has vastly grown with access to the Internet, for good or for worse. There is a lot more to learn and a lot more to take in and a lot more to deal with now. Hopefully we are smarter too and can avoid the traps we encounter. Then we grow up and seek an education or train for a profession and end up getting into some kind of business with its daily challenges and routine repetitions. Soon we are on our own. We may even seek or find a partner in the mean time. It’s not always easy, but we have more control over our lives if we are fortunate. We should look for a balance and equilibrium in our life. Some can and some never will. Again it’s not easy, but we should at least try and look outside the box and remind ourselves of our options and choices. We may start a family and that’s even more complicated. It’s complicated, because we may lose ourselves to the task at hand. We should find a balance in work, play and family activities. Next to our childhood, these are the best years of our lives whether we realize it or not and we need to make time to cherish it.

What did you think? I’m not a philosopher! Did you think I was going to spell it out and tell you what’s up ahead? Luck is a big ingredient in all of this. You can call it fate if you want. I’m such a pessimist at times. Half the time I look at the glass half full. I’m always anxious that something unfortunate might happened and I may lose it all. I mean, you have to do your best and remain prepared. I don’t have all the answers. I hope you can also give me some advice too. Besides, I don’t think this is one size fits all kind of proposition. Just one free advice, start on your 401k, IRA, or whatever early.

I’m not going to suggest many links, since our needs and interests are different. You know what you need and what you’re looking for. Here is an interesting link, but remember: “Buyer Beware!”
Balance
Healthy Living with a Twist

Is L.A. Marathon Sexy?

2007-03-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

L.A. DOES THE MARATHON,
Los Angeles Marathon, March 4, 2007
Is running the Los Angeles Marathon this weekend sexy? I’m not sure who is responsible for this ad in the paper. Is it NBC TV channel 4, American Honda Crop. or who? They have a full page ad in the L.A. Times Friday, March 2, 2007 paper. There is a guy running looking very serious and two gorgeous and sexy girls, in what looks to me as a one piece swimsuit, running on either side of him. Has anybody ever seen gorgeous and sexy girls run in a marathon? So, what’s the purpose of this ad? Is it, all of a sudden, going to entice all these girls to just get up and join the pack?

L.A. DOES THE MARATHON, perhaps a casual reference to something like,Linda Lovelace Does the Dallas Cow Boys?
Who was Linda Lovelace?
Linda Lovelace the porn start, in the Deep Throat
Linda Lovelace the anti porn crusader
A group of female runners:

Here is an interesting link (video) about a 30 year old female, UCLA Cardiologist, Alice Perlowski, MD, who likes to train hard and run for the Marathon. She is not bad looking either!

Here is Tatyana Pozdbyakova, 2006 Winner:

Wheelchair Racers

I'm Such a Hypocrite

2007-03-01T20:14:00.000-08:00

Scarlett Johansson goes to Harvard. Another case of legally blond or the girl who played a Girl with a Pearl Earring and here is the author's link

I’m such a hypocrite! It’s actually not new. I have been known to disappoint myself before. Wow, it also means I’m a charlatan! Well, I only agree to be hypocrite this week. The same week that Hollywood praised Al Gore and gave him an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth, just to have the media blast him for his $30,000 energy bill on his huge house.

Scarlet Pudding – The Sydney Morning Herald

Al Gore's electricity bill heats up blogosphe

Al Gore’s Personal Energy Use Is His Own “Inconvenient Truth”

Group: Gore a hypocrite over power bill

Bill O’Rielly on the “O’Rielly Factor”, said that everybody can be called upon and called a hypocrite and praised Al Gore on his mission and defended him. Of all people, Bill O’Rielly to say that, I was very surprised. That was a good positive comment coming from, I think.

On the same segment, Dennis Miller Takes on the Oscars, Al Gore, NY times and ACLU.
If interested on the video segment, scroll down to that section and click on the link, “video available here.”

Actually, if you read this whole article, on
FOX News, it is a much more fair and balanced reporting. For example, the fact that the house is old and the are installing Solar Panels to reduced the power used off of the power grid and renovating the house to be more energy-efficient.

I also want to give credit where it’s due. This is one of my favorite sites that I always find interesting tidbits. That’s where I saw this news first. It dedicated to Archeology, but it’s much more than that (what ever the means, and I hope PhDiva doesn’t mind my last comment!)

Let's not Forget Darfur Sudan

2007-02-28T17:13:00.000-08:00

Let’s not forget Darfur Sudan.
Expert Call on U.S. Military Mission in Sudan. Read and listen to NPR.ORG’s All things Considered, February 27, 2007 report.

Here is a link that explains who’s who.

There are stories all over the web to inform you on everything you like to know about Darfur and Sudan.

Chocolate and Sex

2007-02-27T22:22:00.000-08:00

If you haven’t tried sex or chocolate, you haven’t really lived. The order is irrelevant. You can actually mix the two if you wanted. I think chocolate is sexy, but not the other way around.

One word of advice: Neither is a substitute for the other. Moderation is a virtue, specially with chocolate!

Visit Belgium – for Chocolate Lovers and check out Bruges, Belgium Chocolate Festival (April 6-10, 2007)

In Belgium, chocolate is an art. No. really. At the Chocolate Festival (April 6 through 10), master chocolatiers whip up not only plenty of sweets but also chocolate sculptures and paintings. Connoisseurs can dip into history at the city’s Chocolate Museum. This is a quote from the Smithsonian magazine’s March issue this year. Body painted with chocolate:

Leondia Fresh Chocolates
Chocosphere 36
Rose City Chocolates

Is there a sex festival anywhere? I wonder what they serve? Let me know if you know of any. How about Mardi Gras? Perhaps I shouldn't confuse festival with a carnival.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) - new U.S. and other Countries

2007-02-25T20:09:00.000-08:00

2007 U.S. Daylight Saving Time (DST)and other Countries

New U.S. Daylight Saving Time

Everything you ever wanted to know about DST and was afraid to ask!

Don’t for get this year, 2007, it’s Sunday, March 11, @2:00AM and then reversed back to what it was on Sunday, November 4, @2:00AM.

I wonder how much pain it’s going to be with all the preprogrammed equipments, this year (VCRs, Computers, & other smart gadgets.)

You can lookup other countries on When is Daylight Saving Time
Worldwide. I didn’t find Iran. Go figure!

Here I found an article on
Iran’s DST, that might explain why. I’m not sure how up-to-date it is and I hope this site, where you can just check Iran’s local time at any time, is always correct.

Helen Mirren Portraying Queen Elizabeth I & II

2007-02-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603)
Queen Elizabeth II (1926 to Present)

The great actress, Helen Mirren, is nominated for the movie Queen, where she portrayed Queen Elizabeth II, in a short period around the death of Princes Diana. Helen is a prominent British actress with a long list of great roles and credits behind her. Her birth name is Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov.

Helen recently also played in an HBO: Elizabeth I, miniseries (2 parts,) portraying the history of Queen Elizabeth I’s long reign in a troubled and tumultuous time (1533-1603.) She did a magnificent job, truly worthy of an Oscar’s performance, but this was not showed in the theaters. Helen won numerous accolades for her performance in Elizabeth I. Queen Elizabeth I’s life and history is extremely interesting and exciting from how she became a Queen to her conquests and how she protected herself and defended England. She never married, so she did not have an heir. I’m in loss for words over this program or the part Helen played in this movie. Her role and performance, according to my opinion, was far more diverse and dynamic and more worthy of an academy award’s Oscar. I strongly recommend anyone interested to check out this movie.

Queen Elizabeth II's 80th. Birthday

More Links:
Elizabeth I (2005) HBO miniseries
HBO: Elizabeth I
The Queen, the movie, site
The Queen, the movie, UK Site
Helen Mirren Offers Intimate Portrait of "The Queen", on NPR

Queen Elizabeth Rose

Peter O'Toole in "Venus"

2007-02-24T20:37:00.000-08:00

Venus, the movie, starting Peter O’Toole. I Soooooooo want him to win tomorrow night! Let’s see if I can pull some strings! … Okay, or I have to make them an offer they can’t refuse. … I wish!

Here is his interview with NPR, on January 16, 2007. Peter O'Toole and a Young "Venus" He’s great in it. He loves sonnets. You should listen to his favorite Shakespeare sonnets on this interview.
In short, as he put it, it's the story of a dirty old man and sultry young woman. I’ve hear that it’ll be such an irony for him to win an Oscar for playing himself. Good for him! I hope I grow up to be just like him. I mean, still have such a vigor and interest in life, food, wine, and of course the opposite sex.

I really like the extensive information I get on wikipedia these days. Here is more on Peter O’Tool on Wiki, although I HATE the picture. Who’s idea was that? "You’re Fired!” Scroll down and check out his Lawrence of Arabia picture.

Our Beautiful Planet: The Real Macaw

2007-02-24T11:25:00.000-08:00

I saw this wonderful program a few weeks ago and enjoyed it very much and was really moved by it. I’m so impressionable! I felt awful not sending in my donations yet this year. I should do it soon. I like to support PBS.ORG (KCET Channel 28 for me.) This reminded me to also send some money to NPR.ORG (radio program, the best.) I truly enjoy their programs and often. I see or hear many great foundations that usually support these stations. So, I feel small and ask myself how could my few dollars compare with the support they get from the big guys? I realize that I shouldn’t concern myself with them and must just do my part and be happy about it. There are so many good valuable programming on these media, but I can’t talk about all of them. I’ll just mention this one for now: The Real Macaw a Nature program.

It wouldn’t be right if I tried to explain or review it, because I would just be repeating their words and I’m sure they have done a much better job than I ever could. The reporters have done a great job, so I’ll just point you to the site links and you can read, listen, look at pictures or watch the video. I was very moved by this program. It’s nice to know that with all the chaos going on around the world, there are extraordinary solicitous and dedicated people who care about these magnificent birds and make it their lives’ mission to help preserve and promote the conservation and protection of these magnificent wonderful birds. With all the mayhem and obstacles that are laid in their paths I really hope they prevail in defending and protecting these birds from extinction and poachers and the lost of their habitats. Here is a starting point: I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You really should take a look at this story here: The Real Macaw
Of course, these are not the only species in danger of extension. There are many more similar instances. All the species that depend on Amazon Rainforest are also in danger of extension as a result deforestation of their habitat. The over fishing of the oceans, polluting the rivers, disturbance and assault on the corral reefs, are among the many I can name.
I don’t want to sound like an animal rights activist, or give the impression of an over zealous conservationist, so I’ll stop here. All I’m trying to say is that this is the only planet we know of so far, that is so magnificent and one of a kind in sustaining life. We should really me mindful and careful of our planet. We have been given this gift, let’s take global warming seriously and participate and become more active in promoting the health of our planet and its species, in every little way we can. Let’s be kind to our planet.
Here are several links amongst many interesting ones:

The Earth Voice, Protecting the Animals.

The Coral Reef Alliance

Save China’s Tigers

Saves the Cheetahs

Iran Seeks to Save Rare Cheethas

Save the Elephants

US Government – Environmental Protection Agency

About Coral Reefs | Initiatives and Activities | Related Links

A note on U.S. EPA: Many times, you see a lot of contradictions here between their mission and the real policy they follow! I think we should understand and give them the benefit of the doubt that they might have their hands tight behind them but the administration in power.

An anecdotal note on Real Macaw: The ones observed and covered in the Nature program in South America all visit a hill side wall and chew and consume the minerals contained in the dirt to help with their digestion. They all do this on a regular basis, so I wondered to myself whether the ones living far away must have indigestions most days:

HRH Prince of Wales, Prince Harry

2007-02-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

I think as soon as Prince of Wales,
Prince Harry decided to deploy to Iraq, Tony Blair announced withdrawals of the British forces from Iraq. That's apparently a good thing. It also saves the prince from getting hurt or something.

Prince Harry, Royalty
• Born: 15 September 1984
• Birthplace: London, England
• Best Known As: Second son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana
Name at birth: Henry Charles Albert David Windsor
I was going to post this yesterday, when the news of the troop withdrawals was first announced, but didn’t get around doing it. Apparently I was wrong. The Prince has insisted on going to Iraq and that has made many people concerned. Read more about it here. Apparently he turned out to be a very nice fellow now.

Hawa Nagila Hava Nagila... & Circumsision

2007-02-18T21:28:00.000-08:00

Doctoreh Doolboreh Doolchini a good title (a nice Italian sounding rhythmic rhyme) for a specialist whose practice is male circumcision, to be specific (in light of new reports on female circumcision/mutilation, Khatneh, in Farsi.)

In the pre-revolutionary Iran that I grew up, Farsi speaking people referred to it as Doodool and at times Doodool Tala (Golden Pee Pee, if it was their own kid they were talking about ) and for girls a similar slang, calling it Mammas Tala (Golden Wee Wee.) Of course guys enjoyed a little more prestige and enthusiasm when mom and dad also put it on a higher pedestal and called it the Family Jewels too. So you can see that historically Persians placed a very high value on both sexes’ sexual organs. I just hope that the post revolutionary young Persian Pee Pees and Wee Wees enjoy the same clout and respect as did their older brothers and sisters.

As far as I know that practice was never carried out for girls in Iran and for boys, I guess, how should it put this, may be it was because it made it look more holy and respectable, as if it was wearing a turban (excuse my French, pun intended!)

Too much info. on wikipedia, and I don’t recommend it for the faint of heart.

Although I make light of this subject, but this is my way of dealing with it and bringing attention to this very serious subject especially when it comes to women circumcision and gentile mutilation in some backward societies (and not-so-much-backward-cultures around the globe, even nowadays.)

Equal time on Vagina Monologues

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

I found a blog link to some guy (must be Iranian) that proudly advertises and displays his manhood secrets on his car’s license plate.
Dol Tala or Doodool Tala refers to the same thing (Penis in Farsi & Tala is Gold.) Here is an opposing point of view to those women who think a male private part is very ugly. We are very proud of our family jewels and we don’t think it’s ugly at all and I think I’m talking on behalf of all the guys who are not impotent. Fatabarak Allah Ahsanool Khalegheen (My praise on the finest creation,) isn’t that how the Profit referred to women? Most of us guys appreciate our better halves.
But seriously, what about violence against boys and men? You think little boys (and even girls) don’t get abused or even violated or raped? I’m not picking on Catholicism, but I just want to point out an example where these things can go on, right under our noses, of all places, inside some churches? Haven’t many kids been molested by well respected priests? How about child abuse and child labor? Isn’t that a form of violation? What about living under an autocratic government that regularly stumps on your basic human rights and freedom? Who's to claim justice for them? You can't put any value on a life time of oppression and living under different version of apartheid. They are jamming their version of religion down our throats. What kind of abuse do you call that?

Well, enough about serious subjects, let’s just watch something quite funny. Must listen. Hawa Nagila, by the talented Piano Brothers:

Rulers and Leaders

2007-02-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

You go first! No, you go first. Okay, I'll go first! Chicken!

One picture is worth thousand words, more pictures, well even more!

How about him? Was he a good leader? You don’t have to answer. Braveheart, 5 time Academy Award winning historical drama, released in 1995. produced and directed by Mel Gibson.

But, seriously here is a good resource to look up some rulers and leaders if you care: Rulers

A few interesting but forgotten rulers (well, maybe not quiet!) Just to give you an idea.

12 Byzantine rulers
Egyptian Rulers (Kings & Pharaohs)
Women in World History
List of Kings of Persia

Changed my mind, you can comment if you like. Actually, please do.

Science of Love

2007-02-14T01:07:00.000-08:00

Drinking from the fountain of love
The Science of Love
Neuroscientists may be closing in on the physiology of love. At a recent UC Berkeley conference scheduled for just before Valentine's Day, scientists pored over reams of neurophysiological data about love.
Reporters:
• Lonny Shavelson
Sat. 2/10/07 around 6:25PM
California Report on KVCR 91.9 FM Radio (Southern Cal.)
California Report

Please note: I've come across new information after posting this blog. The next two paragraphs do not apply anymore, so please skip to the updated paragraph added below, if you wish.

I listened to the above report on KVCR FM 91.9 (Southern California) regarding a UC Berkeley conference on the Science of Love. It reported that the conference is held just a few days before Valentine’s Day. I really don’t want to take the next drastic step of either getting hold of the reporter or trying my luck with calling someone at UC Berkeley. I've tried my darnedest to find the report but I haven’t had any success. Actually, UC Berkeley has an elaborate event schedule on line and I’ve gone through it, but I haven’t been able to find the event I’m looking for.

Looking at the KVCR site, I was able to narrow down to the hour of the podcast and listened to the report again, but it’s all combined in the report for the whole program segment, which this report is at the end of it. Here is the link to it and the Science of Love, which comes right after the story of Leo McCarthy and another report on Bio-diesel fuel.

Here is also a link to KVCR Programming Page.

One of the principals on this report is Dr. Emiliano Simon-thomas, but I’m not sure of the correct spelling, as I have not been able to reach any reports googling that name. There are other doctors who speak briefly too. The study is trying to show that using MRI and neuroscientist have been able to distinguish brain activities and patterns of people in love and others with emotional connections to someone else. I was able to search and find the following web page on one of the other doctor's featured on this report,
Dr. Donatella Marazziti is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the laboratory of Psychopharmacology at the "Dipartimento di Psichiatria, Neurobiologia, Farmacologia e Biotecnologie", University of Pisa. Listening to the podcast, you can here her explaning her findings on the subject.
So, I’m a little disappointed not being able to post the complete report or the podcast segment of it here. So, if anyone is interested and can lend a hand and find the report or figure how to load the edited part of the podcast, I really appreciate it, because I don’t know how to do that.

Here is an UPDATE added a after posting this and comming accross new information:

Update: Science of Love
Hey! What an honor! Thanks to reporter,
Lonny Shavelson (photo, print, and radio journalist) who did the story and visited this site and was nice enough to leave a comment, I now have a link to the radio broadcast of the story, The Neurobiology of Love (aired on The California Report) . Thanks again Lonny. I should perhaps update the blog and add this to the body of the post as nice surprise.

The Science of Love: Apparently this is a very popular subject (dahh!) and just about everyone has done a story on this topic. Here is some links to Science of Love:
BBC on Science of Love

Forbes on Science of Love
First Love – BBC Science & Nature
KVCR – PBS – Pringboard: The Science of Love – Origin of this post.
Source: Economist (I get a kick out of you) (Oxytocin, chemical addiction and the science of love)
ABC News – Good Morning America

Forget romance, the real reason we fall head over heels with someone is down to chemical reactions in our brains
What is love? According to Shakespeare, it’s a “smoke made with the fumes of sighs,” “a madness most discreet”, “a spirit all compact of fire”. Four centuries later, Erich Segal, author of Love Story, defined it as never having to say you’re sorry.

Here is another report on PBS, a study on a similar subject.
Science of Love on PBS.

Love Really Is “All In Your Head,” Though Intense Romantic Love Looks More Like The Brass Ring Than A Bouquet Of Roses. Another related report from The American Physiology Society

Hate Valentine's Day?

2007-02-13T22:17:00.000-08:00

Hate Valentine’s Day? You are not alone

It’s Valentine's Day. The holiday of love when sweeties across America celebrate with crimson roses, chocolate hearts, cuddly stuffed animals and candlelit dinners for two.
Nauseating, isn't it?
Things apparently haven’t changed much sine last year. Read the rest here on Fox News report.

For me, I don’t have to worry about it this year. I just sent a few Valentine’s Day ecards and I’m off the hook.

Lust

2007-02-13T20:08:00.000-08:00

Lust or Crush?
Lust:
noun
Definition:
1. sexual desire: the strong physical desire to have sex with somebody, usually without associated feelings of love or affection
2. eagerness: great eagerness or enthusiasm for something
a lust for power
Cursh:
noun
Definition:
...
4. short-lived love: a temporary romantic attraction, especially in teenagers and young people ( informal )
5. object of somebody's temporary romantic attraction: the person who is the object of somebody's temporary romantic infatuation ( informal )

I guess if I was younger you could call it just a crush, but it must be lust now. The object of my desires change from on year to another. Well, it actually grows and accumulates new members. It’s like my own (fantasy) Harem! "Welcome to the hotel california, such a lovely place, ..., But you can never leave."

Last year’s favorite (so-goolie) was Charleze Theron, but this year it seems to be Scarlet Johansson for now. Problem is I that I'm probably old enough to be her dad. Besides, ever since Charleze won her academy award, I don’t think she’ll be answering any of my calls anytime soon. See Scarlet Johansson, in
The Black Dahlia (2006) or
The Black Dahlia Movie Site (w/sound effect.) You can also check her in
Islland (2005) the movie or Island's Official Site.

I know, I’m not that loyal, that’s true. Well, I’m single and I don’t have any commitments and it doesn’t cost me any to fantasize. Any man or a woman, who says they only think of YOU and no one else, well they’re lying. And if they’re convincing you, find out if Poker is their favorite card game. It’s like this famous saying. All men know how to swim; it’s just that some never see the ocean.

Just one more tidbit about my imaginary Harem, Heidi Klum has been a VIP member for many years now.

Actually, poor Anna Nicole Smith was a member of this exclusive club too, a few years ago. The year she posed for Play Boy and became the playmate of the year, I remember a friend and I were talking about her, and he said something really genuine. “She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen”, that’s how he put it. He had even gone and even bought the last movie she had been in, Naked Gone 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994.)

I’m gonna let you in on another secret too. What’s amazing is that this close friend of mine always carried himself as an intellectual. He was well educated and was into TM, Yoga and an avid Deepak Chopra fan.

He didn’t want to share his secret lust for Anna Nicole with anyone but me. Once he’d seen the movie, he just wanted to get rid of the tape by giving it to me as a token gift. I didn’t want it either! As I was writing this tonight and went and look for the VHS tape, apparently I didn’t keep it either. He also had the hots for Pamela Anderson too. He had gone to all her movies (I’m not sure how many movie she was in) and I’m pretty sure he became a fan ever since she started on Baywatch. To tell you the truth I didn’t like her that much. She was too slutty for my taste. WE HAVE OUR STANDARDS TOO (Gorbehe dastesh be goosht nemi-reseed va me-goft poof poof boyeh peeyaz mideh!)

Just because she is so beautiful, she disserves another look :)

Tell me, does anyone look any better in jeans?

Missing in Action

2007-02-12T21:55:00.000-08:00

Where is the KID in me? Why have I grown up? I used to do great imitations of Mohandes Billy and Samad (two characters in two older Persian sitcomes!)

I had a great imagination. I used to create plays for kids my own age and make up the Cowboy and Indian stories and narrate the made up stories on the fly. My friends loved to gather around and listen to my stories.

I used to sing when I was in high school. I enjoyed many Persian songs. I even thought I had a good voice although I was too shy to sing in front of anyone. I was a one man show. Well, not all Persian songs. Let it be (such an irony), on of my favorite songs (Beatles), Nights in White Satin (Moody Blues) or Jom-eeha (Fridays, by Fereydon Foroghi), or couple of Dariyoush’s songs. How sad, I can't even remember which Dariyoush songs!

What’s become of me? Have I become that serious and boring that I hardly laugh at many jokes and I find most TV sitcoms boring and stupid?

I don't have any answers, but I just wanted to write these down for now.

Nights In White Satin

Studio Recording - Best Sound!

Let It Be

Beatles

What a Talented Guy!

2007-02-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I’m just too full of myself, especially when I think I’m being funny. Actually, I used to be a good actor when I was little. I could bark just as good as vicious dog and do one other thing that I’m not too proud to admit. I could do a donkey’s bray really well (ar ar, we call it in Farsi.) Many years later, I saw it done in one of the God Father movies, It was when Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) was sent to Sicily to lay low for a while. This is when he meets that Sicilian girl and marries her, but shortly after she is killed in a car bomb. In the movie, one of the Sicilian guards does a great imitation of a donkey’s bray as well too.

But two imitations and acting that I was really proud of was doing Mohandes Billy and Sammad in Sarkar Ostovar (Parvize Sayad). Mohandes Billy’s famous expression, “Yes dear – Areh Joonnam, Areh Azizam,” while he brushed side of his chin with his index finger.

In summer vacations we used to go to Shomal (Caspian Sea beach cities.) My parents always made plans with others friends and relative with kids our age. We used to have a great time at beach and most nights we ate in. Right before the dinner was served, I would put together a funny show with all original monologues. As I recall, I was very funny and creative and everyone really enjoyed it. At any other time, I was so shy that I could never see my self performing or sing in front of strangers. Go figure! It’s all a fond memory. Even up to this day, I still tease my mom and call her “Naneh Agha!”

Samad & Bruce Lee:

Samad, Boorooz Ali va Naneh Agha dar Sarkar Ostovar

Holocaust Reminder

2007-01-31T18:39:00.000-08:00

Iran hosted a conference last month that questioned whether Holocaust really happened or is it just a myth.
Israel’s Holocaust memorial has launched a version of its Web site in Farsi and an Arabic version is on its way. I applaud Israel’s relentless effort in revealing the horror and treatment of Jews by Nazi Germany over 65 years ago.

I’m also reminded of other genocides, ethnic cleansing, and autocratic tyrannical reign of governments over its own people, either currently going on or not too long ago.

Who will speak for them? Who would put an end to hunger, poverty, spread of HIV, child labor, and religious conflicts? Are we ever, as a human race, able to triumph over ignorance, superstition, discrimination, prejudice, bigotry, fanaticism, and radical blind religious convictions?

I’m hopeful one day we might, but it won’t be in my life time. My god, there are so many more wrongs that I like to see corrected.

On top of my wishes is the abolishment of chauvinistic authoritarian practices in most radically religious countries by educating those thickhead misogynist madrasa converts and spread of women rights in most those third world countries and some not so third world.

No blood diamonds either, so you know my last movie too. Since I’m on a roll, let’s all pledge to do our part about the global warming and ozone layer depletion. I have not followed up on the cows’ methane producing excrements and its direct effect on the ozone layer, so I have no opinion on that, but I will look in to it, for sure.

My last immediate wish is to bring the price of tortilla bread (and yellow corn) down so that Mexicans that don’t make it over the border don’t go hungry.

So, which holocaust is worse? Is any disaster, man made or natural, any less heart wrenching than another?

We catch, prosecute, and dish out punishment on perpetrators. How come we never blame God for his part? Couldn’t he prevent the holocaust, any of the genocides, or other man made atrocities?

I had a lot on my mind that I tried to squeeze in one post. I like to mention that in no time, I was trying to make light of the Holocaust that the Jews endured or trying to compare it with any other disaster or event at another time. Every event, an all the items I’ve mentioned or touched upon (even the images) are separate major discussion and topics and deserve their own attention without bundling them into one space. Please forgive my writing style and cynicism as in no way I mean to offend anyone or any group.

Although, I’ll argue that the Muslims who go out on day of Ashura (some time this month) and inflict pain and injury on themselves are perhaps a little misguided. Read about Day of Ashura for yourself.

I was glad to learn that this practice was banned in Iran in 1934, but probably it’s back and encouraged under the current political system. I'm glad that girls are more sensible about it.

Foreplay Lessons

2007-01-23T15:07:00.000-08:00

I was just a kid, perhaps 6 or 7 years old. One day, a bunch of us boys were playing out on the streets in our neighborhood. One of the kids was a couple of years older than the rest of us. I guess he was the designated leader. I don’t remember how or why the subject of sex came up. I’m sure none of us knew what sex was or if it was called that. I think he called it, Horney. Call it what you want, but were discussing it! Everyone was paying careful attention and quietly listening. The older boy said, “Do you know how to get a girl excited?” Everyone had a blank face on and was looking at each other to see who would come up with an answer first. At that, age we were all about competing with each other and winning. But this time, no one had any ideas. He waited for a second and then quietly whispered, “You rub her knee!” One of the kids said, “What do you mean?” Another said “How?” By this time we were all in a huddle around the older boy and eagerly listening. Again, he quietly whispered, “You just put your hand on her knee and start rubbing it, you know?” Now, moving his hand in a circular motion on an imaginary knee and repeating, “You know, rubbing it like this!” We all had a confused smirk on our faces, as if we had just learned a great secret. At least I did.

It was a few years till I had to put my experience to work. After a while the poor girl asked what was I doing rubbing her knees so much and wouldn’t I rather touch her boobs instead? I must admit that never worked on anyone and I slowly retired that practice.

Worries: Back pain & Bad Blogs

2007-01-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

I feel like an old man today and have realized I can’t just write about one thing without referring to another. So bear with me please. Everytime, I want to write and add to my blog, I feel like apologizing and stress that I’m not a blogger as if it is a sin or I’m an imposter pretending to be a blogger. I honestly believe that and I’m afraid it might sound too hypocritical! I like to say it though, without any ill feelings or prompting a negative vibe from the reader. After all I shouldn’t care that much, since I hardly have that many readers.

I’m always concerned about what I want to say on my last blog, because if I ever stop for a while or just stop for good, I want my last posting to be of some significance. So, why am I bothered by that?

I admit I enjoy reading other’s blogs and there are some that I look forward to their new posts. My problem is that when I read something that I like or something that interjects a response then I like to leave a comment, or just for fun to say something funny. That worries me, because then I think the blogger whose blog I have commented on, may want to return the favor and check out my blog. That’s when I feel uneasy and feel that I have to post about something interesting, important, fun, or “deep” to engage my reader. After all it is as if my reputation was on line. Honestly that’s the way I feel, but at the same time, I enjoy reading and finding new interesting people. I guess I’m going in circles now.

I had something else in mind to write about, but I’ll save it for later. Today, like I said earlier, I have felt like an old man since yesterday. I have a bad back and once in a while I feel this muscle tightness in my back that makes it difficult and painful to get up and move around. It started several years ago when I was only 20 and in the middle of a soccer game. I jumped up to head a ball and when I landed, I got the worst muscle spasm ever. I felt I could hardly talk or even breath! In short, that pain puts root canal to shame. I know about both. But the first time it happened I could not move for 48 hours. After some bed rest and lots of Tylenols I went to see a doctor. My doctor at the time told me that was due to a condition I was born with and it would have happened sooner or later. Not a very good explanation at the time. That didn’t stop me, but another pinched nerve and muscle spasm a few years later and a subsequent MRI showed that I had a degenerative disk. Two solutions were offered. Limit my sport activities and exercise to build my mid section and back muscles. I learned about body posture and ergonomics. I learned how to lift correctly and all the crap. I call it crap, because I was too young to face that and because sports were a big part of me. I was pretty good at most sports. I have great reflexes. I was extremely quick and had great hand eye coordination. Participating in sports, made feel great and almost immortal at times! That I blame on my age at the time. I felt like it was unjustly taken away from me. I was very pissed. Why me? That’s pretty much why I hardly ever play soccer, tennis, racquetball, volleyball due to the fact that I’m too scared to get another muscle spasm. There is no pain on earth that could rival that feeling. Trust me on this. You become almost paralyzed and any movement, including breathing can produce an excruciating pain, like a bolt of lightening flowing thru your body. It usually takes 2-3 days to get moving again after some careful exercises. I still ski, but I must be very careful not to do anything stupid.

Nowadays, once in a while in the middle of some activity, all of a sudden, I feel a muscle tightness in my back and I’m reminded of my pack pain quick enough to stop doing what ever I’m doing immediately or face another horrific muscle spasm.. I need to do take it easy and do more warm ups and avoid any sudden moves or lifting anything heavy. So, I’m going to the gym now hoping to return with a little less pain. It will take me a few more trips to feel normal again.

You're So Vain

2007-01-12T18:46:00.001-08:00

Say what you will, but I had to write this down tonight. Something came up and this is the first thing that came to mind. But, really, this is just for fun now, as I’m not him any longer. But, it’s good to be the king once in a while, even if it wasn’t for real. You can always look back and laugh at yourself and what little it took to lift your spirit up. Remember the movie Titanic? Leo and Kate, on top of the world, in the moment. I’m not talking about drugs or alcohol. I’ve never done any. I’ve wondered at times whether I missed out on that. I was just high on life, nothing artificial. I was young, had my own apartment, a fast car, and a part time job. That’s all I needed then. Well school work cut into the fun, but was okay, that’s where the girls were!

I don’t want to sound too presumptuous and vain (truly like Carly Simon’s song), but ever since I was little, I was very popular among my friends, and foes. Growing up in Iran, I went to one of the few mixed (sexes) schools in Tehran. I didn’t quiet understanding it at the time, at least not till higher grades. I thought I was everyone’s favorite, or maybe I truly was. I was very cute too, but I didn’t know that at the time. I knew most of the girls in my class liked me. The ratio was in my favor. So why wouldn’t I think that way? In high school I was very popular too. I was both a very good student and pretty good in sports too. I was also a trouble maker, but I never got caught, because no one ever suspected me. I had this innocent look about me, when I wanted to. I have very fond memories of the college years too. It's funny that I only remember the good times now. I have blocked all the hard work and all nighter study times. As they say, you had to be there. My mom always says, “Javoni Kojayee, keh yadet bekheir” Roughly translates to, “I miss my youth cherished memories.” Please be my guest if you have a better translation.

A while back, a girlfriend and I were looking at some old pictures when I was much younger, with the long hair and the mustache (Cat Stevens or more Jason King kinda look.) She said, but you’re so nice and sweet now, I would have never liked you if I had met you then. (I was thinking to myself, lady, with that attitude, I would have probably never gone out with you either! So vain!) We all change, for good or worst. I guess I’m gooder now.

Carly Simon, You’re So Vain, No Secrets - 1972

Here are the lyrics:
You walked into the party
Like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror
As you watched yourself gavotte
And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

You had me several years ago
When I was still quite naive
Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved
And one of them was me
I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and
You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga
And your horse naturally won
Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well, you're where you should be all the time
And when you're not, you're with
Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you? Don't you?

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you

You're so vain (so vain)
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you? Don't you?

Back On The Chain Gang & 5+ Things about me

2007-01-05T17:06:00.001-08:00

I wasn't very excited about participating in this chain revelation phenomenon that’s going around on the blogsphere. But Foulla tagged me and this for some reason reminded me of the old chain letters and one of my favorite songs, Back on the Chain Gang, by Pretenders, with that fond memory of this song in mind, I was happy to do it. But first, here is the music video followed by the lyrics to the song and my 5. I hope you like the song as much as I do:

Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders, one of my old favorites!

Back on the Chain Gang, Pretenders:
I found a picture of you, oh oh oh oh
What hijacked my world that night
To a place in the past
We’ve been cast out of? oh oh oh oh
Now were back in the fight
Were back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang

A circumstance beyond our control, oh oh oh oh
The phone, the tv and the news of the world
Got in the house like a pigeon from hell, oh oh oh oh
Threw sand in our eyes and descended like flies
Put us back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang

The powers that be
That force us to live like we do
Bring me to my knees
When I see what they’ve done to you
But Ill die as I stand here today
Knowing that deep in my heart
They’ll fall to ruin one day
For making us part

I found a picture of you, oh oh oh oh
Those were the happiest days of my life
Like a break in the battle was your part, oh oh oh oh
In the wretched life of a lonely heart
Now were back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang

And since I was tagged, here are the things you don’t know about me:

- I do not believe in alien abductions anymore.

- When I was in grade school someone gave me a chain letter. I don't exactly remember the rules, but I had to re-write the letter several times and pass it on to several people, within so many hours, otherwise something horrible will happen to me or a loved one. I totally believed it and went thru a traumatic experience at the time.

- I don’t believe in the power or curses of Chain Letters any longer.

- In college, I had lined up 3 girls who would gladly marry me, to keep me in the country, because of my fear of facing the Immegration authorities and deportation, since I had worked while on a Student Visa.

- These used to be my favorite TV shows: Mork and Mindy, Benny Hill Show, Tracy Ullman Show, Cheers, Seinfeld, & Friends & of course earlier SNL’s & still 60 Minutes. I am just warming up to The Office and Grey’s Anatomy now.

- One freebie: I really like coffee, milk chocolate, and ice cream too.

Ps,
I can’t stand this about myself. I must be dyslexic or something. I’m such a slow reader and the worst speller. I can’t be more thankful for spell check, but even then, I still miss a few. My writing is totally cursed. Yah, I’ll blame it on that :)

New Year Resolutions

2007-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

No New Year resolutions here. I’m still working on last year's!

The Veil of Secrecy

2007-01-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

I have come to this conclusion that you can never really know anybody that well. Anyone is capable of doing a 180 on you. You can never really know anyone that well. You might think you know them really well, but they could be fooling you. Not because they are mean or clever or anything, it’s just their personality and there is nothing you can do about it. Just be prepared to be disappointed and not surprised.

Merry Christmas, Merry Xmas, Merry Xmas,

2006-12-25T22:44:00.000-08:00

As a non-Christian, the longer I live here, the more annoyed I become around Christmas. I didn’t used to have a problem wishing people Merry Christmas, but when I now realize what it means to them, I have a real hard time with it. When I utter those words, not only I’m approving and celebrating this nonsense, I’m agreeing with them of my demise as a non-Christian. According to them, I’ll be going to hell unless I accept him as my savior. The hell with his love for me!

Happiness

2006-12-13T19:50:00.000-08:00

Happiness is being content and having all “your needs” met.
Everyone’s needs are different.
My needs are as follows, but not necessarily in this order:
Being healthy to be active and enjoy my life.
Having a good job that I’m happy to do and make good money.
Having a great family and bunch of good friends.
Marrying my soul mate, my true love, and the love of my life.
Having two or more healthy children.
Being able to do good for the mankind.
Having hobbies to enjoy my spare time.
I don’t have a need for spirituality or faith in my life.I don’t believe in reincarnation or after life, so for me, this is it. I have a burning desire to know what else is out there, why, and where I came from, but I know that will never be answered to my satisfaction. I have resigned myself to that and I’m able to accept that and move on.
What makes you happy?

Palestine Peace not Apartheid

2006-12-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

Ex-President Jimmy Carter’s new book, Palestine Peace not Apartheid, has caused a great uproar among Jews and their supporters. I love Jews and I’m very sympathetic to their plight. I like to support them whenever I can, but who do you believe here? Read the excerpts and watch the video here. He answers a question about Iraq and then speaks on Israeli’s confiscating and occupying and taking Palestinian lands. Palestine, Peace not Apartheid, on CBS News. Here he defends, one of, his critics on AOL News.

Ouch! You snooze you lose.

2006-12-09T19:01:00.000-08:00

Ouch! You snooze, you lose. There is another angle to this, a whole long story and somewhat related, but it’ll fall in the category of “Too much information!” I will tell you this much that I had met someone new prior to this and it was amistake and I wished the whole date and dinner had not happened, but it did and it was all my fault. So, how do I explain this? I had often thought about that new book by this guy, former Sex and the City writer and co-author of He’s just Not That Into You, Greg Behrendt. I totally understand it. I have not read the book or need to read it. I get it! There was no fooling myself and I absolutely didn’t want to use her, waste her time, or just string her along until a better thing comes along. I’m not that way. I am a romantic fool. I yearn to be in love and have butterflies in my stomach when I’m dating someone… I really have to like someone and be attracted to her. So, I’ll spare you and will just jump into the real story.

Well, I just couldn’t get myself into picking up the phone and calling her. I did torture myself, thinking about it though. I made a few excuses in my head, but all along I knew if I don’t call her soon, I will regret it. I just procrastinated. I think I felt I was still in mourning as a result of the last fiasco. This is not like doing your taxes. There are people on the other end of this and my decision and indecisiveness will have a cause and an affect. What was I thinking? Did I think I could just take my sweet time and time will just stay still for me? I sat on it until I new it was probably too late. So, just to be sure, I called D again and asked if N is still available. I jokingly asked if she was already married. She told me that she is still available and I should go ahead and call her now. I called N today and she said, “I’m sorry, but you were supposed to call me long time ago and they said you had made problem with the distance and…I already have a boyfriend.” The line wet quiet for a minute and all I could say was to say was to say, “Oh well! I guess it’s my loss! I hope everything works out for you. Thanks for returning my call and bye.” I had never felt so little! I guess I deserved it. I’m sure I will not repeat that mistake again. How much did this lesson cost me? Okay, mister romantic: Could I have missed meeting my true love? I'll never know!

Vanity - It's all about me today.

2006-12-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

It’s all about me today. Today, I finally enjoyed being at the gym. I wasn’t checking the time every 2 seconds. I have slowly worked up my stamina to the same shape as before to the point that I no longer feel like I’m going to drop and die after each regiment and a few sets. Yes, today it’s all about me. My name is Bijan, but not that Bijan the designer. I'm much more handsome, dress better, and I'm much sexier. Don’t confuse me with the violin player and singer either. I can sing much better than him. Yes, it’s all about me today. I’m going to call her (N). She can like me just the way I am. Why did the old date (M) want to see me again? I thought she was using me to get back at her ex-boyfriend (more than a year ago.) I wasn’t about to allow that relationship to continue, once I read her hand. Now after a year she wants to get together again over a drink to catch up on things! Is there any point to that? Should I give her the time of day? I have one weakness and I admit it. I am too considerate and I too nice. I can’t’ be mean, even if I wanted to. Are we that civilized that we just want to be friends now or does she have ulterior motive. Should I even care?. Should I even waste my time? Oh well, this is today and tomorrow is a new day. Let’s not jump to conclusion. Sleep on it and check the mirror again first thing in the morning and see if you are still on your high horse. “It’s good to be the king,” as Mel Brookes said it in, “History of the world.” I love it when I feel this cocky! Is there too much vanity going on around here? Life is good today. Okay, back to the earth! I'm almost done with my xmas shopping too. Just a couple of things and that'll be it. No Vages this year either. Well, at least no plans yet!

Iran - 8 year old caught stealing bread...

2006-12-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone. This story apparently is not true and it was all staged.

An 8 year old childcaught stealing bread in a market of Iran is
punished in a public place.
His arm will be crushed and will lose its use
permanently

I have had it up to here! How can anyone have any peace in their life with all this going around? The other day someone sent me a group of pictures where a little boy was being punished for stealing. Apparently he stole some bread because he was hungry. They forced him to lie down on the ground with his arms extended and had a car cross over his arms. It results in unbearable pain, to say the least, and two broken arms in several places. His arms were crushed and shattered under the weight of the car. The pictures, carefully demonstrated his ordeal as the car got closer and finally passed over his hands. No human being should endure this kind of savagery. He was no older than 8 or 9. What is wrong with these ignorant savages? What kind of God promotes this barbarism? This story (email) was sent to me a couple of weeks ago and I still have nightmares about it. My sister called me the following day and she was blaming the messenger and was subbing over the phone. At first she condemned the sender of the message asking how could anyone send or show something so obscene to another and next she condemned that Iranian regime condoning this form of medieval cruelty. I agreed. At first, I thought she was over reacting, but it’s now I who can’t erase that picture from my mind. The last time I felt this way was the result of another act by this same regime hanging a veiled woman from a crane in public for dealing drugs or something like that. Shame on them!

To Iraq

2006-12-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

To those ignorant souls, selfish bunch of religious neanderthals sects that are killing and blowing up each other in the name of god or a creed. I condemn your religion and that holy dogma that you and your kind hold so dear. You are forever lost.

Is there a God?

2006-11-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about writing this for a while. I’ve wanted to talk about Richard Dawkins. In fact when Thanksgiving came around last Thursday, this funny question came to mind: Do atheists (in US) celebrate Thanksgiving? It sounded amusing to me. I didn’t care and wasn’t curious about the answer. I was just looking for a way to properly address this issue. Is there a God? I think I know the answer to both questions and what an atheist would say, but according to one of my friends, that is the mother of all questions. I think Man has been questioning that for ever (at least some have and I can tell you that I have.)

Now, is this a coincident that I happen to see this program today and other (related, if there is such a thing) coincident I discover looking more in to this? I think it was the Fox news channel today, that was reporting and dedicating a whole program to this (well known) evangelist called Rick Warren and his great success with his book, A Purpose Driven Life. These two people and their belief are on the opposite end of this question. I have a hard time with religion and I find it comforting and reassuring when I find people like Richard Dawkins. I don’t want to think I’m the only person who feels this way. Then I see people like Pastor Rick Warren and his followers, right under my nose, in southern California and I feel despair. PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE I know that this evangelist is not alone and there is a lot of that going around. I just chose not to think about it. It’s equally amazing (to me) the Pastor Warren’s web site mentions Richard Dawkins, as a stamps of approval and as a justification of their deity.

Under PURPOSE DRIVEN CAFÉ, you will find the following paragraph (description, which accompanies Richard Dawkins related stories.) Here it is:
In the magazine Free Inquiry, British biologist Richard Dawkins calls religion a mental virus – a false belief that infects your mind the way a virus infects your body. Consider the symptoms, Dawkins writes. People don’t adopt a religion after carefully weighing the evidence; faith is “caught” the way a cold is...
But of course, in the subsequent paragraphs, the writer of that article is presenting his opposite views and arguing to the contrary.

I mention this because I see myself and free thinkers like me as a minority. The program today showed how religious people follow this (and other) evangelical super stars and subscribe to his preaching and satisfy their spiritual needs. This time of year, this spiritual and jovial feeling, is all around you, with Christmas around the corner. For example, The new Christmas movie, The Nativity Story.

Here is the real story, an article about Richard Dawkins, the Atheist, evolutionary biologist.

Little Appreciation for Art and Finer things in Life

2006-11-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

What is wrong with me? Which genes am I missing? Is it part of your DNA and are you born with it or there is hope and you can be cultured? I am talking about things like Opera, Ballet, Theater, Art, Modern Paintings, Poetry, Literature, Champagne, Wine, and that sort of things.

I don’t know where to start, but it was all triggered by this article yesterday, Friday, November 11, 2006, in LA Times, Calendar section called, “Geffen’s other dream works.” David Geffen is one of the triplet billionaires who own DreamWorks SKG, the giant movie/animation studio. The other two executives are Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, therefore the “SKG” acronym. Any how, he just “caused a stir by selling one painting for a record $140 million and two others for a combined $143.5 million, all within the last two months.”, according to the article. The $140 million is Jackson Pollock’s “No. 5, 1948” and Willem de Kooming’s “Police Gazette”, fetched a cool $63.5 million. Jasper Johns’“False Start” sold for $80 million last month. “As a matter of taste, Geffen mostly favors Abstract Expressionist and Pop Art works from artists such as Pollock, De Kooning, Johns, and Rauschenberg”, reports the article as well. While I’m on the subject I might as well mention the art deal

There was too points to this article. One obviously was the story behind the paintings and David Geffen’s fascination and interest and the depth and value of his collection. For example, the article also mentions De Kooning’s “Woman III”. “The history of “Woman III” makes the clear that Geffen’s collecting has been more than a casual pastime. He wound up with that work after a complex trade in 1994 that involved a handoff in the international zone of the Vienna airport. One side started with a 16th century book of Persian miniature paintings (estimated value: $20 million), the other with the De Kooning. Before long, Geffen had the De Kooning and the book was in the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.” I just mentioned this part, since it’s about Persian Art and Shirin my second cousin is an artist who will hopefully one day have her works valued astronomically too. You can find her here: Shirin in Engelestan That is, she should keep drawing and hopefully, cross my fingers, she may not have to wait 400 years. We have a few other artists and writers in our family and I wish them all luck.

The other point to the story Two, was addressing whether he is raising the $2 billion or so it could cost to purchase the Los Angeles Times news paper. Now why Geffen is interested in buying a major conservative new paper? He is making money left & right making his movies. I’ve heard he is gay. Is he planning to influence and make it a more liberal paper? I don’t know, I’m just guessing.

My point! I am lost and amazed! I don’t see the fascination and interest and obviously the absurd (yes absurd) amount these paintings are sold for. Actually, I like this style of painting too. A few years ago when I bought my place, I spent less than $2000 on several paintings (4 larger and 2 smaller ones) to decorate my walls.

On a related stories today (Sat. November 10, 2006), Picasso art work being repaired:
Wynn Las Vegas’ Picasso painting was damaged while Steve Wynn, the casino mogul accidentally poked a hole in a Picasso while he was showing the 1932 work to several high profile guests. The painting is called “Le Reve” French for “The Dream” and it’s depicting Picasso’s mistress, Marie-Theresa Walter. Wynn paid $48.4 million for it in 1997, and was considering selling it for $139 million to an art collector a few days earlier. His wife said, “This is sign from God that we ought to keep it.” According to an art dealer appraiser, a resorted piece naturally is not worth the full value. It breaks your heart, doesn’t it?

As far as Opera and Ballet goes, I’ve only been to one Ballet and very few operas. Of course, like everyone else, you’re more exposed to them on TV. I have watched some, but I guess it’s not the same as being there. I like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and I have only been to the Phantom of the Opera, once. I say once, because my little niece had fallen in love with it and had gone to see it many times.

I don’t think I can’t stay awake during the Swan Lake as was the case on the last Chinese Ballet I went to last year, thinking I’ll kill two birds in one stone. Halfway thru the middle of the second act, I found I couldn’t keep my eyes open and was trying to hide it from my date. The wine before the show and at the intermission might have had something to do with it too.

I like operas the least. I have a CD of Pavarotti which I enjoy, but I don’t like many others. What’s wrong with me?

I have only been to a couple of plays: Fiddler on the roof, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I liked them both, but William Shakespeare is not that easy for me to understand, but it’s a very cute comedic play. And how hasn’t heard Hamlet’s “To be or not to be…” and the story of Othello? I just wished I liked them more! That is, I just don’t go out of my way to go to a play, or book Ballet and Opera tickets. I was always open to see the Broadway musicals Cats, but less excited to see Beauty and the Beast, for example. I also liked to see Les Miserable, but never actually made any effort to go. If someone had asked me to go I would have, but never made an effort myself. I did also see Elton’s Johns, something musical, but can’t even recall the name. I guess I enjoy concerts more.

At least I lucked out on Classical Music. I must have some of the genes. I do enjoy a variety of it and different composers. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is awesome! I try to go to some classical music concerts usually held at the Hollywood Bowl in LA or at two other outside venues in LA/Orange County area. These outside concerts are a lot of fun. Besides the music, you can take a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and drinks. Most times you are allowed to take the wine as well.

I also enjoy concerts too, but most people do too. This is nothing new or not much to say about it. It depends on individual taste and I like a variety of music and many different bands.

I like Persian poetry more than English. I just don’t relate much to the English poems. I did enjoy some of the Persian poetries we had to learn in school, but that was it. Once school was over, I never went back to read, enjoy, or seek to learn more. It always amazed me that some of the older relatives and friends could rehearse so many and had a right poem for every occasion. I’m jealous of them.

So far, forget about literature. I have purchased some of the classics, but never made the time to read them. I always remember that and think to myself that I might have cheated myself out of something good, by never making the time to read the so many books I collected. I wasn’t as bad with the fictions. I would read some of them at bed time, or here and there.

I envy people who really enjoy drinking a couple of glasses of wine over dinner, an afternoon weekend, or just at some gatherings. I’ve tried most of them, but mostly Cabornet, Merlot, Chianti, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, White Zinfandel, Souvenian Blanc, Riesling, to name a few. I just don’t enjoy them as much the other people do. I get in to the mood, and mostly it’s at a dinner date that we order wine, but as soon as I have take a sip, I start questioning how come don’t enjoy it like others do? I’m much happier when I order a Diet Coke or cranberry ice tea. It’s not easy to find your favorite wine. It requires a lot of research and trial and error. Because you have to try and decide which of these you like best: Dry, delicate, crisp, fruity, goes with red meat, goes with white meat, with poultry, with cheese and crackers, an so on and so forth! If I had to pick any, I would go with the Riesling, a white wine, but then it might not be appropriate with red meat. Who decided that and made it stick? I guess it pays to go to one of those wine tasting trips. I'm reminded of Sidaways, the movie, last year.
Forget Champagne. Every new year, or at birthday party or occasions like that people pop Champagne bottles and seem to really enjoy it. Not me! I don’t care for it. Please don’t take wrong, I feel the same about all other alcoholic drinks too. Believe me, I’m not that boring and I usually order something, but I just don’t enjoy them that much!

When I think of art, I immediately associated it with museums. I enjoy going to them at least one, or sometimes more than once. The Getty Museum in LA is a site to see and a good experience worth more than one trip. Of course, I cannot compare it with the Louvre Museum, since I haven’t been there, but I imagine it can hold its own. Another place that is a must see, is the Huntington Library (and botanical garden) in San Marino (close to Pasadena & LA.) There are other museums in LA area but these two, I recommend the most.

Did I leave anything out? I know I rambled on, but I’m think I will one day return here and read this and reflect on it and ask what the hell was I talking about or why I was acting like a dork.

One update: I just read that DreamWorks was sold to Viacom for $1.6 billion earlier this year.

Also, I forgot to mention musicals, be it movies or plays. There’s only a few that I’ve liked: Moulin Rouge with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, Chicago with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger & Richard Gere (one or more of them was either nominated or got an Oscar,I think), and Evita, with Madona & Antonio Banderas. On all of the above, I liked the story more than the music! I didn’t care for All that Jazz, Bob Fosse’s story with Roy Scheider & Jassica Lange or Lion King’s Broadway Musical and Elton John’s music. I think most of them have won one or more accolades.

Mystery Women - PG17

2006-11-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

Mystery women – PG17
I read somewhere that the there is a linguistic connection between the three words “myth,” “mysticism” and “mystery.” Let me just start by saying that I don’t believe in mysticism, fate, or any thing supernatural. Today I went to the gym for the third time this week and I was very proud of myself for doing so. I really need to lose some weight. It’s affecting everything I do. I just don’t like myself when if I’m over weight and I avoid going places or doing things. I used to do real good, just a couple of years ago. I don’t know what happened. I used to just go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and then I could eat anything and as much as I wanted. Starting this year my metabolism must have changed. I started gaining weight. I went to the gym regularly and also went on a diet for the first time in my life. I had hard time losing much weight. I hate dieting, because I love rice and Persian food. Well, I guess I should clarify that too. I love food, fruits, and nuts (did I leave anything out?). I like Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and others. Let’s just say that I don’t discriminate against any ethnic eateries. I was never much into pastry and sweets, but I seem to even like that now too. I especially love Haggen-Dazs ice cream and blue berry cheese cake. The later goes great with a good Colombian cup of coffee. Any how, since I had gained too many pounds and I had hard time losing or maintaining my weight I asked the experts, my cousins up in San Francisco. They are both handsome guys and middle age like me. I am little older than both, but I out ski them both! They both had become a little chubby, but the last time I saw them, they had lost all the extra pounds and looked just great. They both told me that the secret was exercise and South Beach Diet. I got the book and even though I love to cook, I wasn’t going to follow the book verbatim. To follow their menu, you need a full time chef. I just followed a boring regiment of salad with chicken or fish which consisted of two meals a day and oatmeal cereal for breakfast. I lost about 10 pounds or so after two or three months, but was very disappointed that I wasn’t losing more and faster. So, a few weeks ago, I gave up on the total diet and started to eat a lot of ice cream. I have now gained most of the weight back and I know I will hate myself more if I kept this up. So, starting this week, I pledged to go to the gym on a regular basis and try to watch my diet again.

At the gym I usually do the stationary bike and then some weight and then the Stairmaster and then some back and belly exercises and finally do a few laps in the pool. Today when I was swimming I saw a woman approaching my end of the pool and as I reached the wall, she knelt down to tell me something. I couldn’t hear her since I had my ear plugs on. I stood up and turned my right ear towards her. She said, “I want to thank you!” I think she was in her early thirties and okay looking too and was wearing a one piece bathing suite with a swimming cap on. I had no idea what she was talking about. I gave her a surprised look and asked, “What for?” She said, “I don’t know, I just want to thank you.” I had never seen her before and didn’t know what to think. I just said, “You are welcome”, and thought that I was perhaps admitting or acknowledging something, but didn’t know what. As she turned around and walked away, I looked around and saw no one else in the pool and nobody in the Jacuzzi. I quickly made sure my sandals and towel bag was still where I left them. I have lost towels in the past. She left and I was at a loss. As I continued to swim, I kept thinking she might return and tell me what was going on, but she never did. Finally, I remembered that movie, Play it Forward, with Kevin Spacy, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment. The story revolved around people doing three good deeds to other people and asking them in return to do the same to three other people, in order to make the world a better place. I thought maybe this lady was thanking me for no reason as part of “some assignment” to be nice to people/strangers by thanking them!

Something much funnier happened a few years back. I used to go to Vegas several times a year with a close buddy of mine who loved to gamble. He liked blackjack. I didn’t care much for gambling, but I just tagged along over a weekend and enjoyed each others company. I loved the food buffets at some of the nicer casinos like the Bellagio or Paris. One time, we went there for the New Year celebrations. On the last day of the year, they had closed the Las Vegas strip to all the traffic in the afternoon and if you didn’t have a valid reservation you couldn’t even get to any hotel parking lot. We gambled a little and around 11 PM walked outside to join the crowd on the strip. It was as if the whole city was out! Thousands where walking around and waiting for the fire works to start at the stroke of the midnight. It was a little chilly, but no one cared. By chilly, I mean California “Chilly.” We complain when it gets any colder than 65 degrees Fahrenheit! This was the biggest crowed I had ever seen! The whole place was laud and had a jovial atmosphere. Most people were either drunk or had their drinks with them. All of a sudden this beautiful chick and a couple of her girlfriends approached us. They couldn’t have been much over 21. Suddenly this gorgeous girl knelt down in front of me and pretended she was holding my “private parts” with one hand and supporting herself with the other hand rested on the ground. She then pretended she was "pleasuring me", with her mouth! I could not believe my eyes. I was so surprised that I just froze there and started to laugh. After a few seconds, she just got up and grabbed her friends and started giggling and disappeared into the crowd. I was speech less. I walked around with a big grin on my face as if something had really happened!

And, you will all pardon my language. Ever since I read Shirin’s blogs and learned about the Koala handler pleasuring them manually at the zoo, to get them started (Shirin in Engelestan), or the G-spot adventure in the Khaleh-Soskeh’s story, another one of Shirin in Engelestan funny blogs (Khaleh Soskeh in Farsi شیرین در انگلستان ), I realized that these blogs are at least PG-17.

One of my relatives wants me to meet this girl, but I will not call her unless I lose some weight soon. I have met a few girls in the last year, but none worked out for me. I’ve become very picky. I remind myself of that movie, Shallow Hal, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black.

Ghazal Omid

2006-10-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

I decided to write this blog after I saw a couple of interviews, on the Fox news channel, with Ghazal Omid, the Iranian author of Living in Hell. She was very outspoken about the Iranian regime and its pursuit of nuclear power. This is what her site says about her book: “Living in hell is a captivating insider’s account of life in the Islamic theocracy of Iran as seen through the eyes of woman. It relates how the government uses the name of God to manipulate and suppress people, especially women, in the most barbaric ways.”

The New Atheism

2006-10-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

Cover of the WIRED magazine, November 2006 issue on “The New Atheism.” No Heaven. No Hell. Just Science. Inside the crusade against religion. The New Atheism: A band of intellectual brothers is mounting a crusade against belief in God. Are they winning converts, or merely preaching to the choir?

Today's LA Times Book Review on Mixing Religion and Politics

2006-10-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

Incidentally, today's (Friday, October 27, 2006) LA Times Calendar section had two books reviewed by Maria L. La Ganga. It was under, "Style & Culture", and was called, "Mixing religion and politics." The two books, were "The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America," by Ray Suarez and the other was, "Welcome to Homeland: A Journey to the Rural Heart of America's Conservative Revolution", by Brain Mann.

While I am on the subject of religion and politics, in a future blog, I am thinking of talking about the November, 2006, WIRED magazine's, "The New Atheism", articles and sharing my views on the subject.

On Politics, Democracy, and Religion

2006-10-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

I’m not much into politics, but if I was, I would think of myself as a moderate or middle-of-the-road kind of guy. Here are some of my views. I have no position on Gay Marriage rights, but I don’t like seeing middle age men kissing in the public. I will not vote for or against it. I’ll abstain! It goes the same for the death penalty. I'll abstain on that too. I am pro choice and for women’s rights. I will vote to support it, but I don’t like what Heather Mills is doing to Paul McCartney. I have the same position on embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia. Yes, to Oregon! I will support both of those issues. Some may argue that those are not moderate views. Okay, call it what you want. On issues that I can't take sides, I will leave it to the popular decision.

The biggest news around here is Iraq, North Korea, Iran and immigration problem or securing the borders. We are less than 2 weeks away from the elections here in the US. They say it’s your democratic duty to get involved and have your voice heard. So, I have this guilt feeling if I don’t participate. I have received my pamphlet of California General Election. Since this is the midterm elections, we don’t get to elect the President, but some members of Congress, State Legislatures, and some state governors. We elected our president in 2004. In California we get to elect the governor and other candidates like justices of the supreme and appellate courts (judges), some local officials (mayor, city council members and others) and a vote for bunch of propositions to amend or enact a new law (also called measures.) I am embarrassed to say that I only recognize the governor (the Terminator) and couple of legislators. The pamphlet provides you with all the necessary information, points of view, text of the proposed laws, and the arguments on each side. You may think that’s great, but it’s not. For example, the texts for the proposed laws are so long and written in such a lawyerly lingo that I can barely figure what they are talking about, let alone form an opinion. It is followed by the pro and con proponents’ argument. That doesn’t make it any easier. Both sides are so convincing that you can’t figure who is telling the truth. They usually are proposing to sale more public bonds to fund the law. Well, where is all this money coming from and who’s going to pay them back? California is already so much in debt and in the red that I’m surprised it hasn’t declared bankruptcy yet! They keep delaying balancing the budget and keep raising more money (debt) to cover some of the old debt! So, it’s not that easy to just vote/approve something you like. If I don’t understand a proposed law, I just won’t vote for it. I will abstain! I think Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governator) is going to win the gubernatorial race again. I like some of his positions. For example, he voted against Bush on Stem Cell research in California and didn’t raise the car tax. In 2000, I was totally against Bush, mainly because of his religious views and his stand on abortion. In 2004, I didn’t think it makes any difference who takes the office. Even if a new guy gets elected, we are so deeply involved in Iraq; it won’t make any difference who I vote for. And forget about the TV adds! They are not a good source of information. They’re mostly propaganda, nasty and vindictive. They say that the Republicans are going to lose both houses. We’ll see.

I don’t consider myself an intellectual or very sophisticated. I wish I was, but I’m not. I’m not very well read and I don’t write well either. I usually avoid getting into discussions I don’t know much about. To me, there are always three points to an argument. Not two, but three! You agree, disagree, or you have no opinion. I think you should have the right not take sides. I’ll abstain!

I don’t read much and when I do it’s only short articles. I get most of my news from FOX or CNN. I listen to NPR (National Public Radio) when I can, but most of my information comes from the TV, Google, or Wikipedi, the on-line dictionary. I also think I’m behind times on most things. When I was growing up around the Vietnam era, I was either very naïve or just oblivious to what was going around the world. For example I didn’t understand the Watergate till much later. I didn’t understand what was going on in Yugoslavia at the time and the only thing I new about it was the Marshal Tito had just died. I didn’t know who the Serbs, the Bosnians, and Croatians where. Who has doing the “ethnic cleansing” and which side where the Muslims. I learned some of my history from watching movies like the Lawrence of Arabia or Doctor Zhivago. I was so confused who the Bolsheviks were and or on whose side was Pasha. I thought Julie Kristy was gorgeous. I didn’t know when the demise of Ottoman Empire was. Now, I know how many countries were formed after their demise. Twenty one!

I don’t’ have a strong position on the Arab and Israelis conflict. I don’t know who is at fault. I get upset when I see all the destruction in Lebanon, but I’m not sure who started it. Same goes with the Iraq situation now. I was glad we got rid of Saddam, but I had not expected anything like this. This is a disaster! Darfour, Sudan is another disaster. And what’s with suicide bombings and blowing up the twin towers? Are these people really that naïve to believe there are 70 virgins waiting for them or is this just another western propaganda? What is it with Danish cartoons and the prophet Mohammed? Today I heard 7 Muslim groups had sued the paper in Copenhagen and the judge had dismissed the suite. The reactions over the cartoons show the intolerance of these people. Well, in a way I’m glad they reacted! I think if no one had said anything, the jokes would have kept coming. I don’t see anybody making fun of Jesus or Moses!

I am scared of radical and extremist religions and people that subscribe to it. Muslim extremist, Christian fanaticism or perhaps orthodox Jews can all be very dangerous. To issue a fatwa to kill Salman Rushdie for writing Satanic Verses is absurd! Didn’t anybody learn anything from the Spanish Inquisition or the Crusades?

When I first came to US, I was young and impressionable. I was the product of the pre-revolutionary Iran. Like most people, I was very westernized. Living here, I became more curious and aware of politics and religion around me. I realized I had lived under a dictatorship and I didn’t know it. I was told it was a Constitutional Monarchy! I formed new ideas and took a different stand on religion. Even though I grew up with Muslim parents, I didn’t practice or prayed at all. I don’t think the one time prayer asking God to help me pass my senior year exams in high school cuts the mustard. I was curious about Darwinism (natural selection) and Marxism (and Communism) but I was very scared to check out any books on that subject. I was afraid that the state department may find out and that would be the end of my stay here. So, I never pursued it.

I decided to write this blog after I saw a couple of interviews, on the Fox news channel, with Ghazal Omid, the Iranian author of Living in Hell. She was very outspoken about the Iranian regime and its pursuit of nuclear power. This is what her site says about her book: “Living in hell is a captivating insider’s account of life in the Islamic theocracy of Iran as seen through the eyes of woman. It relates how the government uses the name of God to manipulate and suppress people, especially women, in the most barbaric ways.”

On a happier note, I haven’t changed much on certain things. It always takes me a few seasons to catch on or learn about the hip or popular TV shows. I miss Mork and Mindy, Cheers, Sinefeld, and Friends. I don’t have a favorite this season yet. Well, maybe Grey’s Anatomy.

First blog

2006-10-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

I have updated my first blog (this writing.) I will leave the original intact, but in italics. From the comments I got it was a little personal and that’s perhaps not a proper blog, especially a first. That was the first thing that came to mind. The creative juices had not started to flow yet! The truth is, that I don’t think I’ll be good blogger. Lately I've been the “second personality”, the boring one. Read “About me,” if you don’t know what I mean. For now I think I’ll just enjoy reading others'. If I come up with something good, I will share it here. I am just sorry this one is so lame. I did update the info though (“About Me” and “Interests…”)

Here is the original content:

I missed Niki very much. We don't talk that much. Actually I don't have much to say to her even though she has made the attempt to call me the last few times. I just keep it short and just ask how she is doing. I sent her an email last Saturday and she just sent me a short answer. I guess she doesn't have much to say to me either. She just said she has strep throat, but she is excited that Halloween is coming up. Her first party is this weekend!
"P" (and family) left for Norway last Sunday. God only knows when I'll get to see them again (well I shouldn't use that term, God knows what my beliefs are!) I talked to his mom yesterday and she told me she had joined them in the airport. She also liked the little Elmo doll I got for little "T". Well this is it for now.

Here is Niki and I many years ago. Neither of us look anything like our pictures now! Sorry they came out so small. I'll work on that later. She is really gorgeous in these pictures.