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Selected short notes March 2003 * An ad you didn't expect on MTV March 29, 2003 * An ad you didn't expect on MTV
March 29, 2003 * World gone crazy You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a White guy, the best
golfer is a Black guy, The Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the US
of arrogance, and Germany doesn't want to go to war. And the 3 most powerful men
in America are named 'Bush', 'Dick', and -- Forwarded by Massud Alemi from someone in Florida March 20, 2003 * Ants of the world unite!
Dear Friends, Last night, I couldn't sleep because I was bombarded with thoughts that the world has become a terrible place where ruthless thieves take the law in their own hands to achieve their own selfish ends without regard for the masses who simply want to live in harmony. Having just listened to BBC radio live, I thought I should read to get my mind off of the misery of Iraq. I made the mistake of reading another African-American novel, written about slavery and the painful things that people can do to each other by mere words and glances, let alone by actions. I was overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness and anger about the lies and aggression that ruin peoples' lives. But tonight, I went to an Iranian New Year (Noruz) event here in London where I met and laughed and sang and feasted with Iranians and people from many backgrounds who, despite the news about war, wanted to feel happy and proud about an ancient Persian custom that signifies renewal and light and life. Although my mother and father and sister are in the US and not here in London with me, my lovely, sweet brother is and with him and the people at the Noruz event tonight, I felt happy and, at least for one night, forgot all the ugliness that seems to pervade this tiny world of ours. There is so much unfriendliness in this world, especially today. I think back to when Iran was at war, and the fear and worry I and my family felt for our family members back home. I hope you can grasp even a fraction of the happiness that is possible in these cruel times, as I did tonight. Be patient with people, respect them and enjoy life for we are all imperfect, but we all need others to be happy. As for the tyranny of wealth and power, the ancient Persian poet Ferdowsi has this to say: Mayazar muri ke daneh-kesh ast Translation: do not bother the ant who carries seeds of food, for its life is just as sweet to it and yours is to you. Do not hit the weak over the head, for one day you may fall at their feet like an ant. May the ants of the world unite!! Noruzetan Pirooz. Happy Persian New Year, March 20, 2003 * Norooz in Kabul Happy Norooz to you all. Still in Kabul, today was the first day of the "lockdown" for all Westerners. Security measures require all Western personnel to stay in their living quarters for at least the first 48 hours of the war. Tonight (Thursday night) is the night that the Afghans celebrate Norooz and we are having a party with all our locked up Western housemates. I wish you all happiness and peace, especially now that we will begin the New Year on the wrong note. Huddled around the television watching the site and sounds of Baghdad repeated for the hundred time from this morning, our Afghan host suddenly raised from his seat, and complained in English "aaaaaaahhhhhh, we are really sick of this, really sick." I wish we all have this same problem by next Norooz. -- Mahyad Tousi March 20, 2003 * Norooz in calligraphy
Norooz calligraphy by Kamran Abbasi >>> HERE March 18, 2003 * New York's "Nowruz Days"
NEW YORK CITY MAYOR RECOGNIZES NOWRUZ March 18, 2003 * California's "Nowruz Resolution"
March 18, 2003 * Light, back there
There is still a light back there. Full image Happy Nowrooz, -- Sourena Mohammadi, Santa Monica, California March 18, 2003 * Sangsaar
My painting; it represents stoning (sangsaar). Larger image March 18, 2003 * Norooz mobarak
-- Mokhtar Paki March 15, 2003 * Baharan khojasteh-baad reseed mozhdeh keh ayyam-e gham nakhahad maand The attached song, "Baharan khojasteh-baad", contains perhaps one of the most humanistic lyrics in modern history of Iran; the popular belief is that it was written by Karamatollah Daneshian who was executed with Khsrow Gelesorkhi back in 1974. But not so according to Abbas Ali Samakar who was a member of the same group as the above two [in his book "I am a Rebal"]; but apparently Karamat had a hand in composing the music and at any rate enjoyed singing it until the last days of his life. Listen and enjoy as it talks of the coming Spring! March 15, 2003 * Helen of Tus
Slide show of my grandmother, Helen Jeffreys Bakhtiar. As I was watching it last night, I was thinking, "These are my relatives?" >>> here Here's my other grandma, Zinat Javid. March 15, 2003 * How about Jaffar Khoshdast? More advice in my search for a tennis partner: JJ joon, Unfortunately, we are too far away, but I have found some candidates for you who are willing to be partners in tennis and maybe more. 1. Jaffar Khoshdast = 34, male, 70% jaan-baaz, missing two fingers on right hand and a complete left hand. 2. Tamara Lottery =19, female, has just received her Green Card through the lottery system; is looking for a place to live in and around LA. Albany is not too far. Interests: tokhmeh shikastan o kose sher goftan. 3. M.K.L = 45, male, recently left saazmaane etellaaato aminiyate jomhooriye eslaami, is into ping-pong, and shekanjeh az ghabile nakhonkeshi o kaabl zadan beh aadamaaye too gooni. March 15, 2003 * My name is Bijan. I am American My parents named me Bijan after a Boston U. student from Iran whom they knew in the late 1950's. However, they and I are American. I read online last week that Ferdowsi was married, and that he was asked (before
he began the Shanameh) during a bout of insomnia to tell his wife the story of Bijan.
Does the story predate his writing of it? Has the story of Bijan and Manijeh any
factual basis (the rulers and sultans involved, the rivalries, famous forbidden loves?). I learned of the Shanameh in 2000. I don't think my parents told me about
the work. March 6, 2003 * Her views will be missed Many of Maral Beheshti's letters have appeared in iranian.com. It was sad to hear the news of her sudden death from cancer. I still can't believe that her name will never appear in my inbox again. What I will miss is reading a different view than mine from one person less. I mean it. As I was updating the letters section, I looked to see if there were any of her emails I hadn't published. I found this from September 2002:
March 6, 2003 * Tennis partner: Traditional girl looking for a husband On the bottom of the Today page, I've put a note about looking for a tennis partner. I got a few responses. One was from my sister saying I was lucky we aren't living in the same town because she could probably kick my ass, now that she's super fit and plays several times a week. Here's another response: Salam Jahanshah, March 6, 2003 * Belaanesbat Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed. -- Quote sent by Mahdiyeh Javid March 6, 2003 * Axis dance, amazing
Agha watch this!! (Since 1987, AXIS Dance Company has created an exciting body of work developed by dancers with and without disabilities.) March 1, 2003 * Terrorist: At the photo place in Tehran
March 1, 2003 * Marriage: It aint all tadeeg A male married friend's warning about marriage: "Dude, it's not all khoresh and tadeeg."
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