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Selected short notes February 2003 Latest Previous * Warning February 28, 2003
* IRAN!? I can't wait Me: "Al, I've been a big fan of yours for years,...and....and your music
means so much to me... and... and... I'm just speechless! Just want you to know that
you have a HUGE following in Iran, and you would easily fill any concert hall in
Iran if you play there.... and... " February 27, 2003 * Warning State Department Warns Americans Not To Act Like Americans. -- Headline, BBspot.com, February 17, 2003 February 26, 2003 * Chatty stranger on the Tehran metro
February 26, 2003 * An offer from Qazvin A journalist from Ghazvin emailed me this; thought this was funny... being published in Qazvin...
-- L.F. February 24, 2003 * Rejoicing is the word I doubt it. But I have a thought. If one tenth the number of people who marched through London streets, hypothetically appeared in the streets of Baghdad, demanding something against their government's policies, many things would be changed in Iraq, or any other dictatorial country for that matter. It would be a revolution then, not a peaceful protest. The problem with this hypothesis is that you cannot find even a couple of people daring to show in a protest against those governments. In one instance, you could take part in a protest, but your voice falls on the deaf ears of representatives you elected, and in another instance you cannot even express your opinion. In both cases the majority of people's wish is practically ignored. There is a bit of practical difference though. "I rejoice that we live in a country where peaceful protest is a natural part of our democratic process," Tony Blair put it this way on the same day the peace protests occurred. It's kind of frustrating that rejoicing the ambiance your opinion has created is the maximum acknowledgement you could get from an elected politician. However, it is kind of rejoicing, at the same time, when you think you can express yourself even if it is in vain. Yeah rejoicing is the word to describe the practical difference between democratic Britain and dictatorial Iraq. On a more cynical note, that is perhaps what Tony Blair could have in mind of bringing about in Iraq: rejoicing future Iraqi leaders while ignoring popular demands. February 24, 2003 * Are WE Prophet Mohammad? Heard from K. at a party in Berkeley, Saturday night: One day a Muslim dies. He appears in front of a gate with St. Peter standing next
to it. February 24, 2003 * Darboon
February 24, 2003 * Sounds just about right Bella commenting to friends about my perception of marriage: -- "He thinks he's going ice skating." February 20, 2003 * Gone "If the phone don't ring, you know it's me" -- "One of the best Country song titles" reported on CNBC February 15, 2003 * Sound bite
Maziar Behrooz, Naghmeh Sohrabi and Payam Mohseni spoke at UC Berkeley last week on Iran and Iranians after 9/11. (Click on each image to see 30-second AVI video clips. Need QuickTime to see it.) February 15, 2003 * Morons Today's Washington Times reports: The three-hour symposium, which will highlight Islam's threat to Christianity, is expected to feature five panelists who are "outspoken" in their negative opinion of Islam, said coalition spokesman Ronn Torossian said. "This symposium is intended to further educate Christians of faith and interested Americans about the true nature of Islam," said Coalition President Roberta Combs, who will give the keynote address. She will be followed by Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum and a critic of Islam, as well as the Rev. Labib Mikhail, an Egyptian who was pastor of Evangelical Bible Church in Fairfax and author of "Islam Is Not a Divine Religion." February 15, 2003 * The mind works There's a man in Tehran who was a student during 28 Mordad (1953), when Mossadegh got removed. He and two others (one of them my uncle) hid in a car after the army opened fire on anti-Shah demonstrations. A bullet hit him and he became paralyzed. He has been bed-ridden ever since. He has written several books, but the authorities have not allowed them to get published. Every two weeks intellectuals of his time gather at his house. You can't walk into his room without stepping on books. -- J.K. February 15, 2003 * Out of business I wanted to send some money to Iran last night. The first thing that came into my mind was esaraf.com, which had been set up as an online money exchanger. But when I went there, I saw this message:
February 5, 2003 * So real it hurts
A couple of people have emailed about the Khatami cover photo. They believe it's a fake. It's not. The one originally featured was spread on two pages of Abbas's book and scanned poorly. Today I went and took a smaller but much better quality copy from his site on Magnum Photos and replaced it. (See: Iran Diary) The thing is, if you don't want to believe that Khatami could possibly make such a gesture, it will always be a fake in your eyes, no matter what. Just understand that Abbas is a professional photographer. This is his life, art and business. He has an impeccable reputation. Still not convinced? :o) February 5, 2003 * We all aspire
Sitting in that movie theater, watching Captain Picard ram his starship into an enemy warbird in the tenth installment of the trek franchise, I began to think about just how much Star Trek appeals to Iranians. First of all, we all aspire. Whether you're in Iran aspiring to leave the country for a better life or if you're in the United States or Europe aspiring to make something of yourself in a foreign land, we're aspiring. Star Trek is the essence of aspiring... that's basically all they do. That and shoot at things. Secondly, Star Trek shows people of all races and colors and they are all accepted into the society in which Star Trek is based around. Most of the "regulars" at Iranian.com are probably living in a land other than our "Vatan", or homeland of Iran. We are outsiders in the United States, England, Austrailia, etc.. Our entire social existence and financial well being depends on us integrating into the foreign society in which we live. It isn't always easy. Some people aren't as welcoming as others (cough --- FRENCH --- Cough), and when watching Star Trek, one can be transported (no pun intended) into a world where everyone and everything is accepted. We can "be" in a nicer world.... even if it is only for one hour. Lastly, an Iranian's worst enemy is an Iranian ;) Habib Zargarpour, a chief computer animator for Industrial Light and Magic, is responsible for many of the special effects shots we see on Star Trek today. The curiosity of mocking another Iranian's work should be enough to drive any Iranian into being a trekkie (I'm only joking, of course). And of course, I highly recommend the latest Star Trek movie, Nemisis. It's a great adventure full of laughs, action (a lot of action... the last half hour is just edge-of-your-seat action), and tears (there's a very emotional scene as well, towards the end). Go watch this movie and you'll see why there are so many "trekkies" out there. -- Reza Shiraly February 5, 2003 * Kathmandu Dear Sir, I am working in a great publishing house ... in Nepal. It's s semi Nepali Government Publishing House and 102 years old. We publishing 2 daily newspaper, 3 monthly magazine. I just participate "Visual Communication Programme 2002" held in Milano, Italy at 8-10 November, 2002. I am working in this publishing house since 20 years. I am Diploma in Computer Management, Diploma in Computer Hardware, Diploma in Computer Application, Diploma in Economics, Printing Technology, Information Technology course. I am also member of Computer Association of Nepal. I will participate a lot of Printing and Computer Programme. Nepal is very small and undeveloped country. I am very interested to visit your office because exchange technical idea to your technical staff. So I request to you please send me invitation letter via my fax number or give me time to visit your office. Thanks for valuable cooperation, -- RD February 5, 2003 * Jackson & Uncle Bruce
My nephew Jackson gets down >>> See video clip. Thanks for valuable cooperation, -- Bruce Bahman February 5, 2003 * Milou
A short animation of Milou. February 5, 2003 * Lamss koneem
-- shadzi.com
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