A New year eve for 2004, receipe for Love

1. Happy 2004. Once again another year becomes old and as a reuslt we are getting older, hopfully wiser!
I am going to choose my top three essays I have written this far as a tradition for end of year.
New Year, New world, New Start...

2. I am big fan of Jazz music and of course Mr. Harry Connick Jr., I used to listen to this song specially during any new year!
So, the lyrics are:
Recipe for Love
A little bit of me and a whole lot of you
Add a dash of starlight and a dozen roses, too
Then let it rise for a hundred years or two
And that’s the recipe for making love

It doesn’t need sugar ’cause it’s already sweet
It doesn’t need an oven ’cause it’s got a lot of heat
Just add a dash of kisses to make it all complete
And that’s the recipe for making love

And if you’ve made it right you’ll know it
It’s not like anything you’ve made before
And if you’ve made it wrong you’ll know it
’cause it won’t keep you coming back for more

I didn’t get it from my grandma’s book upon the shelf
I didn’t get it from a magical and culinary elf
No, a little birdie told me you can’t make it by yourself
And that’s the recipe for making love

Presentation in one of universities in Tehran

I am supposed to give a lecture on biomechanics to group of professors and students in one of the universities in. In any case, I was called in right at lunch time by a lady who wishes to tell me something about this presentation, today. Conversation goes like that:

Lady: Hi, I am calling from …University in regard of your presentation this coming Thursday. I am told to arrange everything you require for this event. I have couple of questions, may I ask you them.

Me: Hi, please go ahead ask.

Lady: what is the title of the presentation you wish to present? Can you translate it in Persian? Can you present your lecture in English?!!

Me: hum, I gave out a summary of my work to dean (head) of Biomedical department! Have you seen it? When did you become a person who takes care of this arrangement? Do not ask me to translate it in Persian since I have no idea what they mean in proper Persian! You do it yourself and if my help needed please let me know. Sure, I can give the lecture in English. May I ask why I should give this presentation in English?

Lady: ok, sure, I become aware of your presentation yesterday!!… Head of our department feels it is better to give out this presentation in English… ok, so, we do the translation… hum, Can I see you in person?!?!?

Me: see me in person? Sure, you will see me in person on Thursday! E-mail me if you need to consult me!!

Lady: Ok, then can I reach you at this number!

Me: sure! But I think everything is already arranged since I have talked to Mr. … about it!

Lady: ok, see you soon!!!

What next…after quake…

1. When I was in Dizin resort one thing captured my eyes. It seems that IRI has announced grounds higher than 1000 meter are free zone! It was good to see how young girls were sking without scarf with or without hat! The good thing was no one really paid attention to it!

2. Everywhere I go every space in virtual environment I read people are talking about Bam’s earth Quake. But almost no one has talked about how and what can we prevent this type of natural disasters from occurring again and again?!
Are not we supposed to maintain a standard in construction and buildings based on Iran geotechnical characteristics? (Not just use a blind eyes on American or European standards)
Should not we establish an inspection or professional association with power of investigation on our engineers who perform act of negligence? (In My opinion something like PEO)
I think we should look into new solutions and see how disasters like this quake can be prevented before ever occur.

Anyone wishes to share a view? Looking forward to hear yours.

Relief efforts for quake victims

1. Group of foreigners as a relief workers are heading to Bam relief groups heading to Iran.
2. If you wish to help read how and where you can help in Persian
It is quite sad seeing many pictures of this devistating earth quake around us. Hasan Sarbakhshian

First Ski trip to Dizin

1. My condolences to all relatives and remaining relatives of Bam earth quake. It is so sad and I wished our engineers as well as our governors would pay more attention to standard of building construction when it comes to natural disasters similar to earth quake. Unfortunately, they don't!
2. I like this expression:
Weakness is Tiring
But strength is exhausting!

3. Today, for the first time in this year I went skiing in Dizin resort. I went along with a friend who kindly provided the ride there from upper route (Rahe bALA). This route goes from Northeast of Tehran to Lashkarak and Shemshak and then a road to Dizin resort.
I have to admit after paying attention to this road for the first time in 11 years I realized a great improvement in regard of road pavement. Though, still there are lots of holes in the asphalt! The streets are widened; however there are much work need to be done. The upper route, which connects the Shemshak to Dizin, has had a reasonable improvement since 12 years ago.
What has captured my eye more than anything else is the development of villa and houses around the river and the areas were once not being allowed because of closeness to the creek. All over the road to Dizin you could see real-estates offices selling lands all over Fasham, Oshan, Shemshak, and Meygon!
Moving on, On our way to Dizin we stopped at Kohestan restaurant and had breakfast there. A few meter apart from Kohestan restaurant a school of ice climbing has started to work. When we were passing I saw about 30 people who were trying to climb the ice bars!
we finally arrived to upper part of Dizin resort. First of all, I realized they have started charging cars for parking per say, where they want to get to the resort. They charged us 500 Tomans! There is no real parking, though. You should park just beside the road which used to be for free! We got prepared and put on our equipment and went to buy tickets. The tickets were sold to us for 5500 Toman for each!!
Skiing was great and the fresh mountain air was comforting and peaceful. Getting on the ski lifts were another issue, though! Since today was Friday, there were so many people there, who many of them were truly acting uncivilized! The queues to get into lifts were trouble. In line-ups you were pushed around! Getting so close to the people in the line ups I realized many of them were half or full drank! They had drunk alcohol and they were quite proud of it! (I am not against drinking alcohol, just contrary, however, I am against drinking alcohol where your life or many others may be threatening because of some one’s impropriate judgment or acting due to toxication).
Another scenery, which I found it quite shameful, was when we went to take the life to the pick of the mountain to return to our car! We were standing in the queue when I saw there was a man with his little girl a few meters in the line up in front of us. A Dutch man with his wife was in front of them and there were couple of young fellows around them. Because of the huge crowd people were shoving and pushing around each other. I realized many of my young fellows without any attention to that little girl continued shoving and pushing! When the Dutch guy started to shouting towards the people in line up and telling them there is this small girl here, “please don’t push”!! To My surprise nobody even pay attention to him!!! Thank god we helped her to get into the safe area and get on the telecabin.
Over all, a great experience and I still love skiing, big time:-))

4. I love stories where there are a lot to learn from. I am not a big fan of action movies. I am not sure how many have read the book named !!! Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens. This is a great book and I got an opportunity to watch a movie based on it. I highly recommend it. It is a typical Charles Dickens stories with a little twist where you learn, If you ever try to bring down someone, you may be brought down yourself without knowing of it

The house of Sand & fog

Tehran Weather report: Last night we received some snow. and today the temperature is around 2 degrees.

1. I read couple of reviews about this movie: The house of Sand & fog and I felt it worth mentioning them. Apparently, this a must see movie. First in the Iranian.com, Right direction and second in Gloom with a view. Shohreh Aghdashloo has apparently received a nominee for best supporting actress.

2. Magazine of the year...

3. Xmas Carols: I recall the first time I learned about Xmas carols was in Germany. I used to school there and we had to prepare a program for city hall. In any case, I learned to play drum and sing jingle Bells. To all good old days:-)

Xmas Wishes

First of all I wish everyone who are celebrating or aren't celebrating Xmas a healthy and prosperous Christian New year.
May all your wishes come true in this year of 2004:-). May Peace prevail for all in the World...
.....
I felt to putting up this lovely lyrics for Xmas occasion:
It's Beginning to look like a Xmas Turn on your speakers and sing along:-)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in ev'ry store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.


A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

When a cellular phone becomes equal to a Stone!!

I have this cellular phone from Iran Telecom. I came to work today and interesting enough since around 9:00 am. I can't dial anyone and no one can call me!!!
I believe this is when we say a cellualr phone with value of one million Toman From Iran Telecom has a value of a simple stone!!:-) Happy Shab-e Cheleh when there was no technology!!!

Shab-e Yalda

Tehran Weather Report: windly, about 10 degrees in the noon. Night is colder, must be around zero degree.
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1. Ms. Shohreh Aghdashlo Achivement in U.S. I would like to congradulate her on the award she has received. Read it here; Shohreh Aghdashlo

2. Once again Yalda has arrived. This is perhaps one of the most celebrated occasions of Persian Calendar. About a while ago I was sent an e-mail about the Yalda from a good friend of mine. I felt this essay could provide us an insight into this celebrated occasion. Happy Shab e Cheleh.

The writer of this essay is Massoume a social anthropologist and a human ecologist from London University, Kings and University Colleges. She currently lives in Canada, where she works with women's groups and runs a business. She
is also a free lance writer.

SHAB E CHELEH (YALDA FESTIVAL)
Yalda, a Syriac word imported into the Persian language by the Syriac Christians means birth (tavalud and melaad are from the same origin). It is a relatively recent arrival and it is refereed to the "Shab e Cheleh Festival", a celebration of Winter Solstice on December 21st.
Forty days before the next major Persian festival "Jashn e Sadeh"; this night has been celebrated in countless cultures for thousands of years. The ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia (God of Agriculture, Saturn) and Sol Invicta (Sun God) are amongst the best known in the Western world.
In most ancient cultures, including Persia, the start of the solar year has been marked to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and the renewal of the Sun. For instance, Egyptians, four thousand years ago celebrated the rebirth of the sun at this time of the year. They set the length of the festival at 12 days, to reflect the 12 divisions in their sun calendar. They decorated with greenery, using palms with 12 shoots as a symbol of the completed year, since a palm
was thought to put forth a shoot each month.
The Persians adopted their annual renewal festival from the Babylonians and incorporated it into the rituals of their own Zoroastrian religion. The last day of the Persian month Azar is the longest night of the year, when the forces of Ahriman are assumed to be at the peak of their strength. While the next day, the first day of the month "Day" known as "khoram rooz" or "khore rooz" (the day of sun) belongs to Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom. Since the days are
getting longer and the nights shorter, this day marks the victory of Sun over the darkness. The occasion was celebrated in the festival of "Daygan" dedicated to Ahura Mazda, on the first day of the month "Day".
Fires would be burnt all night to ensure the defeat of the forces of Ahriman. There would be feasts, acts of charity and a number of deities were honored and prayers performed to ensure the total victory of sun that was essential for the protection of winter crops. There would be prayers to Mithra (Mehr) and feasts in his honor, since Mithra is the Eyzad responsible for protecting "the light of the early morning", known as "Havangah". It was also assumed that Ahura Mazda would grant people's wishes, specially those with no offspring had the hope to be blessed with children if performed all rites on this occasion.
One of the themes of the festival was the temporary subversion of order. Masters and servants reversed roles. The king dressed in white would change place with ordinary people. A mock king was crowned and masquerades spilled into the streets. As the old year died, rules of ordinary living were relaxed. This tradition persisted till Sassanian
period, and is mentioned by Biruni and others in their recordings of pre-Islamic rituals and festivals. Its’ origin goes back to the Babylonian New Year celebration. These people believed the first creation was order that came out of chaos. To appreciate and celebrate the first creation they had a festival and all roles were reversed.
Disorder and chaos ruled for a day and eventually order was restored and succeeded at the end of the festival.
The Egyptian and Persian traditions merged in ancient Rome, in a festival to the ancient god of seedtime, Saturn. The Romans exchanged gifts, partied and decorated their homes with greenery. Following the Persian tradition, the usual order of the year was suspended. Grudges and quarrels forgotten, wars would be interrupted or postponed.
Businesses, courts and schools were closed. Rich and poor became equal, masters served slaves, and children headed the family.
Cross-dressing and masquerades, merriment of all kinds prevailed. A mock king, the Lord of Misrule, was crowned. Candles and lamps chased away the spirits of darkness. Another related Roman festival celebrated at the same time was dedicated to Sol Invictus ("the invincible sun"). Originally a Syrian deity, this cult was imported by Emperor Heliogabalus into Rome and Sol was made god of the state. With the spread of Christianity, Christmas celebration became the most important Christian festival. In the third century various dates, from December to April, were
celebrated by Christians as Christmas. January 6 was the most favored day because it was thought to be Jesus' Baptismal day (in the Greek Orthodox Church this continues to be the day to celebrate Christmas).
In year 350, December 25 was adopted in Rome and gradually almost the entire Christian Church agreed to that date, which coincided, with Winter Solstice and the festivals, Sol Invicta and Saturnalia. Many of the rituals and traditions of the pagan festivals were incorporated into the Christmas celebration and are still observed today.
It is not clear when and how the world "Yalda"; entered the Persian language. The massive persecution of the early Christians in Rome brought many Christian refugees into the Sassanin Empire and it is very likely that these Christians introduced and popularized "Yalda" in Iran. Gradually "Shab e Yalda" and "Shab e Cheleh" became synonymous and the two are used interchangeably.
With the conquest of Islam the religious significance of the ancient Persian festivals was lost. Today "Shab e Cheleh" is merely a social occasion, when family and friends get together for fun and merriment. Different kinds of dried fruits, nuts, seeds and fresh winter fruits are consumed. The presence of dried and fresh fruits is reminiscence
of the ancient feasts to celebrate and pray to the deities to ensure the protection of the winter crops.
The Iranian Jews, who are amongst the oldest inhabitants of the country, in addition to "Shab e Cheleh", also celebrate the festival of "Illanout" (tree festival) at around the same time. Their celebration of Illanout is very similar to Shab e Cheleh celebration. Candles are lit; all varieties of dried and fresh winter fruits will have to be present. Special meals are prepared and prayers are performed. There are also very similar festivals in many parts of Southern Russia that are identical to "Shab e Cheleh" festival with local variations. Sweet breads are baked in shape of humans and
animals. Bon fires are made; dances are performed that resemble crop harvesting. Comparison and detailed studies of all these celebrations no doubt will shed more light on the forgotten aspects of this wonderful and ancient festival, where merriment was the main theme of the festival.

A long weekend?

Couple of quick notes:
Weather report: weather is getting warm here in Tehran. It seems that an Indian summer has arrived!
1.This Saturday is a national Holiday. Emam Jafar is passed a way and therefore, we have got a long weekend per say.
I think we should start increasing our holidays! or just simply stop working! Ph, we are tired!!!:-)
2.I am not sure if I have had a chance to talk about one of my favorite fields. That is Biomechanics and biomedical engineering.
Mr. Marco Viceconti is a biomechanicst in Europe. He has started to publish a
biomechanic weblog. He has also created a true virtual
community, the Biomechanics European Lab
3. I like this song of Bee Gees, it is knownas I started a joke:

I started a joke which started the whole world crying
But I didn't see that the joke was on me oh no
I started to cry which started the whole world laughing
Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me

I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said
'Till I finaly died which started the whole world living
Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me

I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said
'Till I finaly died which started the whole world living
Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me
Oh no that the joke was on me

Two quick news

Weather report: quite cold, however, sunny!

I am a little busy today, so, two news captured my eyes:
1. Andre Agassi "regrets" speaking no Farsi: German weekly
Andre Agassi
2. It has been a few feww that Mr. Abtahi has started his weblog. I congratualte him with couple of weeks of delay. I should tell you that I have meet him once in a book store and find him quite charming! he was with suite, no traditional clergies cloths! Mr. Mohammad Ali Abtahi

Can you provide a solution…?

1. Weather Report: Snow flicks bombarded us for the beginning of the day. In the afternoon, we have got this cold front, which has taken us to –4 to 0 degrees.

2. This goes back about 4 years ago when I was a teaching assistant and lecturing for an industrial robotic class. I used to supervise the students for a chosen project in that class. I used to drop by robotics laboratory and look at the development of the projects and direct them with better possibilities to continue their projects.
I used to get into room go over each project and look for problems and bringing them to the group’s attention. For instance, telling them this beam is too small to be used here, do not use this type of sensor here and so on.
Once there was this great student of mine who was definitely older and wiser than me, told me: Ali, I know that our projects have lots of problems however, you have always told us the problems and dilemmas that we have encountered; though, you have hardly provided a solution to these existing problems!
This was a big bang in my head for this kind of approach! From then after, I had learned to not bring up the problems without providing a working solution! I truly learned a lesson where I was lacking before. I believe I am a different person, now. Whenever I see a problem I try to provide a solution while overlooking for different aspects of the problem. Not just seeing the dark side of the problem, which is mostly known to us.

Late night Bubbling!

Snow has started in Tehran. White flicks are slowly coming down. It is so nice to go for a walk, though, it is windy and quite cold!
I am going to write about couple of restaurants that I have gone in Tehran since my arrival.
Apache: A fast food restaurant quite similar to burger King, though it is not a chain fast food, it is just sole store; they actually have happy meals!).
The white tower (Borjeh Sefid) restaurant & coffee shop: it is probably the first rotating restaurant in Tehran that I know of. You get 360 degrees view of Tehran. Quality of the food is all right, i.e. satisfactory. The café shop you can sit there for more than hours and nobody will bother you. If you wish to talk with someone, a good place to go.
Jame Jam Food Court :You can find Chinese, Mexican, Italian, French, BBQ and many other cuisines there, it is food court, da!... the coffee shop has a great Tiramisu for chocolate lovers!
I’d better get some sleep, now!

Smoke Free Environment, Official Apologies!

Weather report: today morning we had some snow at the beginning of the day. Later sun came out and it is getting quite cold around Tehran. It is the forecast to have rain and snow until Monday. Temperature is around 0 to 5 degrees.

2. Smoke free environment: Something has been constantly bothering me in Tehran: People who smoke right beside you in indoor environments. I have been exposed to cigarette smoke in many places to name a few houses, taxi, hospitals and many other public areas. The funny thing is when the smokers see that smoke is bothering me, they would ask: Do you get bothered by the smoke? When I reply: yes! They say, don’t worry, Tehran air is more polluted than the smoke you receive from this cigarette and they usually continue smoking!!! I really miss North America in this respect. Almost all public areas were smoke free environment!! This afternoon, I had been invited to Iranplast convention in Iran international Exhibition Place. If you wonder what is Iranplast. It is a convention related to all industries involved with plastic materials and manufacture. I went to one of the booths that a friend who had invited me. A cool dude was right there beside me who started to smoke. I showed my uncomforted face to him however; he just smiled and continued to smoke. The good part was that he took off and left about a few seconds!

3. I am not sure how many have seen the movie called Devil's advocate. There is a scene in it that Al Pacino tells: Vanity is definitely my favourite sin.
This was an introduction to tell something about myself. I took a long walk in this chilly day to reflect my journey in past few months. A while ago a good friend asked me a question. I had two choices: tell the truth; do not tell anything and move on! However, I took the question and twisted it and then answer it the way I wished to be heard!! I know this is called telling lie! Volia. This is, of course, an inhonorable act!! I never did such an act before and people who know me know this fact (perhaps telling this is worst than not saying it). Now the truth is revealed, I know you would say now: I feel regret. So, I feel I owe her an official apology. So, here I offer my deepest regret about this issue and officially apologize for anything I did. Perhaps, putting it up in public may help to clear the air.
and I dedicate this song of michael Jackson to all and specially to myself:

There's A Place In
Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
And This Place Could
Be Much
Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try
You'll Find There's No Need
To Cry
In This Place You'll Feel
There's No Hurt Or Sorrow

There Are Ways
To Get There
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
Make A Better Place...

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

If You Want To Know Why
There's A Love That
Cannot Lie
Love Is Strong
It Only Cares For
Joyful Giving
If We Try
We Shall See
In This Bliss
We Cannot Feel
Fear Or Dread
We Stop Existing And
Start Living

Then It Feels That Always
Love's Enough For
Us Growing
So Make A Better World
Make A Better World...

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

And The Dream We Were
Conceived In
Will Reveal A Joyful Face
And The World We
Once Believed In
Will Shine Again In Grace
Then Why Do We Keep
Strangling Life
Wound This Earth
Crucify Its Soul
Though It's Plain To See
This World Is Heavenly
Be God's Glow

We Could Fly So High
Let Our Spirits Never Die
In My Heart
I Feel You Are All
My Brothers
Create A World With
No Fear
Together We Cry
Happy Tears
See The Nations Turn
Their Swords
Into Plowshares

We Could Really Get There
If You Cared Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
To Make A Better Place...

You And For Me
You And For Me

Love vs hate ; Win vs Lost,

1. Weather report: Tehran was quite polluted today! A cold front has approached Tehran and the temperature has dropped about 8 dgrees. I heard that tonight we may get some frost or perhaps snow.

2. This is an interesting expression from Moliere I read it today: Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for the love of it, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money.

3. I am not an expert in love issues. I have read a little and heard about being in love. As far as I know love is not something that we are able to describe it or define it. There is no proper definition to my knowledge for the love word. As many people said being in love is something that you tend to know! You’d feel special! If a mutual relationship arises, it is important to develop four ingredient of great happiness; Love, Trust, Indulgence, and Hope. It is mandatory to develop all these four all along in your relationship. As I said if the trust is dismissed, love will not last long and hope will get lost in no time. However, a trusted relationship requires that both parties, during many ups and downs of their life, have indulgence even if they are correct in what they say and mistakes are her/his partner's fault. . A relationship is mutual expression. As we hear in mathematics, it is an expression with necessary and sufficient (if and only if) condition. You tend to give and receive. A one-way love cannot continue for long. One-way relationship usually goes to a break up mood. Having said that this is where we stay broken hearted. It is no cure for loving someone except time. Time usually is the only remedy to heal the pain.

4. A young person saw a heart of an old man. The young person asked: "I see broken pieces and empty spaces in your heart, what has happened to your heart?" The old man said: "all along your life you meet people, during these relationships you usually give a way part of your heart. The empty spaces belong to those people who took a part of my heart and never returned a similar piece. As a result, the parts I gave them a way never got filled with their similar heart pieces, So that is why you see as a empty spaces in my heart."

5. This is a great story of a man who believed in a work to benefit all, I quite loved it. It is about a man who worked hard and keep saying: In a land of free, plant a tree!
...Around 1971 a brush fire burned a substantial portion of the chaparral in the hills above the golf course and just behind the Los Angeles Zoo. Amir was saddened by the damage the fire inflicted. One day he approached Griffith Park authorities and, to their amazement, asked whether he could get permission to create a garden on top of the hill behind the golf course. He was not taken very seriously at first but when he discussed his plan they told Amir that the ranger station could grant him a permit but that was it. No water, no shovel no plants and no help. Amir accepted with delight... read the rest her. Amir's Garden. Thanks to Iranian.com.

The grass on the other side is always greener or!!

Another sunny day in Tehran. I wish to say hi to all who read these pages either those one I know and those I don't know!
...
Today, I read the following story at Alex blog. I beg you to read this story. It is a great one.
.....
That night, I slept in her guest bed, under a canopy of pink and I thought how shabby my home was next to this. How unspecial it was and how I couldn’t provide such hospitality because I wouldn’t know how to put a home together like this one. Although I adore pink more than any girl I know, I’m not so good at being girly, especially when it comes to decorating and matching pastel colours, flowers and cushions. I started to think less of my home because I knew it couldn’t be like hers.
Read the rest here on Dec. 8/2003
.....
In one of the comments I was asked to explain more about the web and internet convention. I think by browsing this link you can find more information Internet fest

Sunny day arrived!

With one day of delay. After seven straight days of rain, Tehran is visited by sun Lady:-). The air is still clean and fresh and mountains on North of Tehran are covered by snow illustrates a pleasant scenery.
...
My Best wishes and congrtulations goes to Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam, an Iranian born, who was representing Canada in Miss World 2003 contest. She become the first runner up of this contest, good for her:-) Read the rest here
Interesting enough that Miss Ireland the world crown holder is nobody than daughter of Chris De Burgh the famous singer. Good for her, too!:-)

Rain: Seventh day!

It seems that we are quite blessed in Tehran. This is seventh consecutive day that we received rain! Seven days we have not seen sun shine! It is a record I suppose in Tehran. At least to my knowledge! Right now it is still raining!
*****************
This was send to me by a good friend of mine:
Do not marry a person that you know that you can live with, only marry someone that you cannot live without!
*****************
This is one of the strangest news I have recently heard: German confessed to killing and eating a willing victim in a case that could make legal history, telling a shocked courtroom the experience was "like taking communion" in a religious service. Human-eatting tragedy staged in Germany.

Dead Poets Society

Today I went to Mahak-charity food fair for kids with cancer. What a crowd! It was nice to see so many enthusiastic people who care. From young to old they all were amazing and friendly. I spend more than 3 hours there. I think I will go to every event they may have from now on!

While thinking about such events I recalled this part from dead poets society movie and the fact that we should seize every possible moment in our life before we regert it:

Every day opportunities await us
and we must decide whether to take the chance or play it safe
I encourage you to take the risks
for nothing is gained without them
...It is this "Carpe Diem*" spirit
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*Seize the day
See a picture of the crowed here

Rain keeps coming…Tehran sees rain for six consecutive days!

Amazing, not that I complain, this is for six consecutive days and rain keeps coming in Tehran! The air quality is pleasant, clean, and fresh. Temperature is about 5 to 8 degrees centigrade:), in a case you wish to know about the weather!
I remember this poem from second grade, it goes:

Rain again, rain again, with the sound of music
With drops similar to pearl
The impact of drops on the roof
Sweet and good; I was just a little 7 years old kid, fast and agile…

The Persian version is:
Baz Baran, baz baran, ba taraneh, ba goharhaye faravan
Mikhord bar bam-e khaneh, khobo o shirin
Kodako 7 saleh bodam, josto chabok…

Ok, I can’t recall the rest, anyone can?
An great news:
The first ski resort in Tochal is solely opened for snowboarders. And apparently, Yesterday, Tochal has re-opened its resort for ski lovers. Yopi, hopfully, this year I can go more skiing!:-)

Food festival-82: A charity fair

I have been notified about a charity fair in this coming friday by Mahak organization. Thanks goes to a friend who kindly send me this poster.

Second consecutive day in Tehran Convention Centre :-)

Ok, Ok, I did go to Tehran International Convention Center for two consecutive days! But this time was not for the Internet and web convention. It was for Air-conditioning convention and no, the purpose was not for the Chocolate and pastry convention, I just had this half opened eye on that convention and it just happened that I went there!! (Ya, you right!!) In any case, I once again learn a lot! After visiting all air conditioning booths and changing lots of productive ideas, I, of course, learned how companies try to extend their technology brain storming to women! I learned the true meaning of "Instrumental usage = Estefadeh Abzare (Thanks goes to a friend who reminded me of the word instrument for translation!)" of women!! To my surprise, many of these companies had hired women a few weeks before the convention takes place and if you would ask them a question, they kindly would reply: Dr. or Engineer X knows about technical details! So, I let you to talk to him!! Of course, after so much enjoyment (do not think personal, by enjoyment I refer to air conditioning equipment, nothing more:-)!!) we decided to pay a visit to the Chocolate and pastry booths! (It just happened, no planing what so ever!!)
This one was a different experience! Besides the simple and of course better instrumental usage of women, the aisles were overwhelmed from visitors! It was quite difficult to move around!
There was this scenery that made me to be shameful and of course a little entertaining! One of chocolate companies booth started to open up the chocolate containers in front of their booth!! All of the sudden, I saw a crowd of 100s start running, similar to how football players run for the ball in American football, and almost killing one another for just a few chocolates bars!! My god, it took only less than a minute before the entire area was up side down! And I am not sure but perhaps couple of people got injured!! What the experience it was!
********
For fourth consecutive days Tehran sees rain. It is quite nice, though. I recalled this song of Everly brothers (A-ha has sang it, too) called Crying in the rain!
Crying In The Rain - Everly Brothers
I'll never let you see
The way my broken heart is hurting me
I've got my pride and I know how to hide
All my sorrow and pain
I'll do my crying in the rain

If I wait for cloudy skies
You won't know the rain
From the tears in my eyes
You'll never know
That I still love you so
Though the heartaches remain
I'll do my crying in the rain

Raindrops falling from Heaven
Could never wash away my misery
But since we're not together
I look for stormy weather
To hide these tears
I hope you'll never see

Some day when my crying's done
I'm gonna wear a smile
And walk in the sun
I may be a fool but til then darling
You'll never see me complain

I'll do my crying in the rain
I'll do my crying in the rain
I'll do my crying in the rain

Web Convention in Tehran cont's.

I went to this web convention. I got amazed with so many enthusiastic people I met! I could tell the weblog booth was one of the most crowded booths there. I had opportunity to meet couple of fellow of webloggers:
1. Vaheed A nice fellow who has been in editorial board of a book called: Veblag-estan-e shishi! I bought it, though!
2. Two energatic and enthusiast fellows Sara Darvish and Neda
3. A cool dude who I had seen his website: Dizi
4. You can see photos of the convention here at Rootoosh bashi
Over all, a geart experience. However, I have to talk about something that I felt the entire system was lacking.
1. There was no internet connection what so ever based on booths I talked to!
2. Many of the jobs these people did was like virtual university or training centre requires High Speed internet access!
Realistically, we have no high speed access, So, many of them were useless for Iran per say!!
****************
moving on, a good friend sent me a joke from US:

An Italian, French and Iranian went for a
job interview in England.
Before the interview, they were told that
they must compose a sentence in English with three
main words: green,
pink
and yellow...
The Italian was first: "I wake up in the
morning. I see the yellow sun. I see the green grass
and I think to myself,
I hope it will be a pink day..."
The French was next: " I wake up in the
morning, I eat a yellow banana, a green pepper and in
the evening I watch the pink panther on TV...
Last was the Iranian, "I wake up in the
morning, I hear the phone "green green", I "pink" up
the phone and I say "Yellow"

Web convention in Tehran

Today, I am hoping to go and see web convention in Milad building in Tehran International Convention center.
hopfully this afternoon I can do this...
By the way, I would like to thank all those who e-mailed me in past couple of weeks and commented me on my blog! I haven't seen many of you in person, however, thanks for comments and e-mails. I respect your opinions.
So, enjoy this rainy day in Tehran.
This is voice of Alireza (oppss sorry I meant writing), I am in Tehran reporting!:-)