Sunday, July 17, 2005

This guy just took the essay out of my mouth!

Once again Mr. Siamack Baniamiri wrote an essay which I wanted to write! I totally agree with him on these parts:
...
A democracy is made for those who are willing and ready to embrace it and not for people who are out to screw each other at any chance they get, who hate law and order, who are dictators by culture and custom, who lie and cheat with ease, who have no respect for others' space or opinion, who settle a traffic accident with a good fistfight and who are corrupt and easily bought. We have serious problems here folks and lack of democracy is not one of them.

or

Ganji doesn't know that Iran's youth, supposedly the vanguard of progress towards democracy, are more interested in sex, drugs and rock and roll and everything Western than a meaningful change of government.

The most internet savvy twenty-something in the Middle East, according to the TIME magazine, spend almost all of their online hours searching for Britney Spear's pictures, illegal downloads of DVDs and music and indulging the marvel of internet: porn sites. There is nothing wrong with that. That's what a healthy youth of any society should do.
...
So, read the rest
here.

Renovation and new look of Alireza_ab weblog!

I finally decided to transfer my writings to a new template. I believe this new template is more comfortable and easier to follow. There are couple of features here. Like the letter at the bottom of the each post. Now, if anyone wishes to send each post of mine to an e-mail of his/her choice. Now, I have track back link for links which are interrelated.
And of course, the heading of each post is posted to the left column so, you can choose to read what. Now each post has its own dynamic link, too.
So, Alireza has got new hairdresser!!

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Arash the Iranian phenomenon

Arash is all over the European music charts and TV.
who is Arash?
Full name: Arash Labaf
Age: 27
Born: Tehran, Iran
Lives: Malmö, Sweden
Family: Mom, Dad and 2 Brothers
Profession: Singer, Producer & Songwriter
Hobbies: Diving, Basketball, Skating,
Collecting Hats and Caps.

why am I fascinated with him. becasue many clothing stores and even Swiss national TV plus MTV show and play his hits in Particular, Boro Boro.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Motivational speech

"Those who best manage change are in the best position for success."

"In the middle of difficulties, lies opportunities."Albert Einstein

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Following terrorist act of suicide bombing this is a funny article...

Mr. Siamack Baniamiri is hilarious dude!
He has written a new article which I found quite funny! Before anything I have to say that I condemned any terrorist act.

...That's only fair. I also expect an apology from the bomber for the inconvenience and for sending me to heaven without asking. You never know... I may have plans to go to hell...

read the rest.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Interesting and short

1. First of all have a look at this part of an old Eteleaat news paper.
interesting that people can say things like this...

2. Download one of my favorite song.
it is a song by .Michael Buble.

3. In Zurich currently they are showing Turtles can fly by Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi.
teddy

Monday, July 11, 2005

Festival of Ball-room dancing and The Origin of Teddy’s Bear

1. I was yesterday in Zurich. I usually take a train to the main station that is called Hauptbahnhof. When I arrived I noticed there was a stage for musical group plus huge wooden area for people to dance has been erected. I looked around and understood that there is going to be a Ball room dancing (Tango, Swing, Salsa, etc). The occasion: just to celebrate 30 years of long tall Ernie Rock’n’Roll dance club. Actually, I think the whole thing was just an excuse to have fun or as I put it “A group enjoyment and entertainment”.

The program started around 7:30 pm and was supposed to be finished around 2:30 am. I could not stay for the entire program, of course because I was quite tired and second was not fun to be there alone.
It was interesting to see how nice these people gather and dance without boundaries of any kind. Old and young side by side from different colors and races were there and dancing. I received quite lots of pleasure from that. This is what in my opinion promotes culture of tolerance and living in harmony in a community this is in my opinion we are lacking in today Iran. This is what I believe how women and men, in general, learn to interact with one another and have fun, simultaneously.
On the other hand, what do we teach to Iranian children today? I think we teach them issues like: whose girls uniform are shorter or longer than others?! Our president will employ restrict rules on women’s uniform or mingling of the young crowd! Whose girl has talked to this guy who has not! How 1450 centuries ago people were crying and beating themselves because someone holy was murdered!

2. Swiss people think that there are three “great” mysteries: Love, beauty and time. They call it great because it is what makes life meaningful. I think these guys have mastered the tool that uses the last one: watches. Trying to master the other remaining one, I think!

3. Moving on, from these occasions:
As I said Zurich is in Teddy fever this summer. It is quite interesting the way these guys get everyone to work. According to the booklet I found. Following lions, cows and benches in the past years, this summer is teddy summer. I visited Zurich when they had cow all over the town about two years ago.
What I meant by creating job and getting people to participate in their city well-being. According to this booklet, they have invited all the artists around the Zurich municipality to design and make these teddies. Who will pay for it? The businesses that are sponsoring the program and promote their stores or banks by having the artists make one bear out of many at least expressing something about the sponsoring businesses. So, this way many artists and people who are involved with them get to work. Of course, these have incentive for many who take part directly or indirectly.

4. Ok, that was how to create jobs, moving from that topic. This handout, explains how teddy has become the teddy that we know today.
The story explains like that:

More than 100 years ago, on the 14th of November 1902, the 26th President of the U.S.A., Teodore (Teddy) Roosevelt was in the south to settle a border dispute between Louisiana and Mississippi. As he was a passionate huntsman, a bear hunt was organized in his honor but the hunt was unsuccessful as no bears were to be found. The beater managed at last to find a young, injured bear and used line to bind him to a tree, so that the president could shoot him. The president refused to bag his prize in such unsporting manner. A caricaturist named Clifford K. Berryman captured the hunting scene on the paper and provided it with a caption making reference to the territory dispute reading: “Drawing the line in Mississippi”. This caricature appeared in the November 16, 1902 edition of the Washington post. The caricaturist continued to include the little bear in all of his later caricatures of the President, thus making it a symbol for Mr. Roosevelt. Rose and Morris Michtom were among the readers of the newspaper and owned a little shop in Brooklyn, N.Y. inspired by the drawing, they created a little toy bear and placed him in the shop window along with the caricature. At the same time, they wrote to President Roosvelt to request his permission to name the bear “Teddy’s bear” after the President own nickname. The bear was a success and so well marketed that in no time all the small shop grew into the first American Teddy bear factory. The ideal Novelty and Toy Company. Also in 1902 in Germany, Richard Steiff, the nephew of the famous Margarete Steiff developed the first jointed bear. In the following years to bear was mass-produced and before long was also available in Switzerland. That was the beginning of the teddy’s campaign to win the world!
Two pictures of the event:
teddy


teddy

Thursday, July 07, 2005

There is always a good reason!

Last night, I watched another DVD called Capitan Corelli’s Mandoline. This is a move about a orchestra music player (played by Nicolas Cage) who has taken his duty for the war time (second world war) and destiny puts him in small village in Greece. It is a romantic simultaneously tragic movie which has interesting scenes.
The opposite character is played by Penelope Curz. She is daughter of the local medical doctor in the small village who has the beauty and class.
It is interesting that at the beginning of the movie she falls in love with a local boy who does not appreciates her values and acts like not a grown up person. Right at the beginning they promise to get married in later time after war is finsihed. While her father insists that he is not good for her, because she has to get married to a dentist from Denmark!! or a foreigner from up North country. Later The father says that he thinks that his daughter deserves a man who is knowledgeable, appreciates arts and music as well as her that is what he meant!

There is part that the father tries to write a letter to Capitan Corelli’s Mandoline. He writes the following which I found a good part for the screen writer or the original author of the book. I would credit both.
… I am not a religious man but I believe this:
If there is a wound we must to heal it.
If there is some one who is in pain we can cure, we must search till we find them.
If the gods have chosen that we survived, it will be for a reason…

Overall, a good movie to watch and entertainmenting.

teddy


teddy

More teddies from Zurich.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Soon I will have internet connection

I complained so much that these guys going to connect ADSL access for where I stay!!
So, starting next week Thursday I should have internet access, which makes my like easier!
ok, for the time being these two pictures from Switzerland.

teddy

This summer Zurich is known as Teddy city. all over the city in different looks there are of these teddies.

Zurich

Zurich from above!

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Greetings from Switzerland

I am finally in Switzerland. The land of Chocolate, Watches and Banks plus high tech.
I have so much difficulty typing with Eurpean keyboard that it kills me.
unfortunetlely where I stay there is no internet connetion. That is why it is difficult for me to write.
for the past few days here the weather was so hot that it was almost unbearable. These dudes have no A\C since it consumes too much energy and it is no good for the environment. (I can't findexclaimation sign on this keyboard).
anyway, this is for now.
:)

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Iranian election and a paradox

So be it. I am guessing that I and people like me were not convincing enough!
Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mr. Ahmadi Nejad were two candidates who are going to the second round. I think I can talk for myself. We deserve whatever we get.
My next writing won’t be in Tehran.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Live 8

It was in July 13 of 1985, I first saw the Live Aid band which was trying to gather money for Africa in Germany. I can vividly recall where I was in Germany when I watched this concert. I recall the highlights of "we are the World" or "Phil Collins" playing in England and US in one day by flying to Philadelphia from London in less than few hours.
Today, Bob Geldof once again is puting together a concert. This one is called Live 8. It is going to be held on July 2, 2005. If you look at the line up I think it Persuade you to watch the concert for sure!
I found this interesting that Pink Floyd Once again with all old members is gathering to perform in England for Live 8! BBC writes about this.
Here are some of the line up.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Sean Penn in Iran!

1. Good to know that no one reads my weblog anymore. This is a relief! So, no one leaves any comment, either!:-)

2. Monsieur Sean Penn was spotted last Friday in Iran for Friday Prayer!!
.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Iran Presidential election and why do we have to vote in my opinion

The following is my opinion on why I think we should vote in this coming presidential campaign in Iran. So, people are entitle to their opinions and I am, too.:-)

In less than 11 days Iranian government is holding its ninth presidential election. The number of candidates selected from original 1016 people are now 8. These eight people were given the green light by council of guardian, a body that oversees on many political and lawful issues in Iran to have no discrepancies to Islamic law and government rules. Whether they represent all different spectrum of ideas in Iran is not something that I am not here concern with. What I am concern with is the fact that we should vote so, this way we show to the world that we can practice democratic rules if we are given a chance.
The candidates are something that no other place to see them! In their campaign they act like they have never been in Iran for past 26 years not to mention they hold top positions in the government. If someone does not know these people s/he feels that these candidates are dudes from outer space! Or a foreign country!

The people who are currently involved and trying to take the position are as follows:

1. Mr. Mohsen Rezei , an ex-military person who was in charge of Islamic republic of Iran guards a militia group started to be a parallel entity along national Army. His son Ahmad flee to US a few years ago according to his interview because “he has been tried of repression and despotism directed on him and he wishes to wear freely whatever he wishes so. I think those who can read farsi can read more on him on the given site above and This one on BBC

2. Dr. Mahmood Ahmadi Nedjad A radical fellow who believes everything must follow Islamic rules and if we say that we are Islamic state that should be really implemented. He is currently Tehran Mayor. He is the one who closed down many cultural centers established during Ex-mayor of Tehran. He does look ugly!

3. Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the ex-head of security forces in Iran, A person that was in charge when students demonstration crushed and were beaten by plain cloth militia. He is quite funny in his ads around the Tehran. You see a big sign with a 10 years old boy smiling and waving, written on the placard, Hi Dr.!! and other funny thing is that he has this big placard with many people in it but there is no women what so ever! and slogan says: Irani Irani you are champion!!
In his interviews you feel that he has never been in Iran and he has just arrived from a foreign country and he is going to fix everything for sure!

4. Mehdi Karroubi the ex-head of parliament, who named Ayatolah Ali khameni letter as a “state order” to stop any further discussion on bylaws and statuary rules related to mass media.

5. Ali Larijani the ex head of Iranian radio and television. He is born in Najaf a city in Iraq. So, to my understanding he can’t become Iran President since he is technically was not born here.
6. Mr. Hashemi Bahremani (Rafsanjani) I think has no need to be introduced he is known to everyone. What makes me wonder is he is still under international arrest inquiry but he wants to become president! By the way, where is his site!!

7. Mohsen Mehralizadeh ex-head of sports and Olympic committee in Iran. Who is quite unknown. I am not sure what is with this sports and Olympic committee whomever goes there loves to be part of presidential candidates in Iran. Like Mohsen Hashemi Taba.

8. Mostafa Moeen, Ex-head of research and higher education. A person who in my opinion does not have the charisma or any strong personality. But still on side of reform. He has started to establish a group under human rights body.

So, these are the candidates. Why do I think we should vote and we should vote for Moeen.
Because many of the above candidates belong to radical wing of the right spectrum. If any of them becomes president the entire virtual (I call it virtual because technically president has not much of power) government and state goes to the hand s of conservative.
I think if Moeen wins the following messages are shouted:
1. Iranians love to obtain democracy but not with another revolution or bloodshed.
2. Reform must be accomplished within Iran not from outside.
3. Finally, between no alternatives, Moeen is all right for the time being. Better will come later.
So, I think we should vote, because if we don’t they will pick someone for us. But this way we have said something.
I personally do not believe if 60% vote for Moeen then Hashemi becomes president once again!

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Suspension and Controlling Characteristic

1. Once again our beloved government of Iran has decided to block many sites for instance z8un or Iranian. . If anyone can provide me with solution to bypass this blocking problem please let me know. e-mail me please.

2. This guy black who used to sing in late 80's and early 90's has a nice song is called Wonderful Life.

Here I go out to sea again
The sunshine fills my hair
And dreams hang in the air
Gulls in the sky and in my blue eye
You know it feels unfair
There's magic everywhere

Look at me standing
Here on my own again
Up straight in the sunshine

No need to run and hide
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to laugh and cry
It's a wonderful, wonderful life

The sun's in your eyes, the heat is in your hair
They seem to hate you
Because you're there
And I need a friend, oh I need a friend
To make me happy
Not stand here on my own

Look at me standing
Here on my own again
Up straight in the sunshine

No need to run and hide
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to laugh and cry
It's a wonderful, wonderful life

And I need a friend, oh I need a friend
To make me happy
Not so alone

Look at me here
Here on my own again
Up straight in the sunshine

No need to run and hide
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to laugh and cry
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to run and hide
It's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to run and hide
It's a wonderful, wonderful life


3. I heard the following story from a psychologist whose name is Dr.M. Dr. M. explained about a couple who came to see him about a problem that wife was claiming about. Wife was around 83 and man around 92.

“These couples came to see me, the man was quite slim with boney face who seemed to me that he had not eaten for ages! On his boney face he had this old fashioned glasses on. The guy seemed very down and depressed but delicate. As soon as they walked in to my office, woman started to say: “Dr. I suspect this guy is cheating on me!”. Dr. Asked ma’m would you tell me how did you come to this conclusion?

Ma’m: He teaches English and French to girl students and I see his students come in and flirt with him! They treat him with respect and bring him water and tea. They are quite kind to him. But I can see there is something going on. Apparently she goes on and on about how he and his students do things in inproper manner which was nothing sexual! Dr. M. Asks: So, have you seen them doing something sexual or intimate? She replies: No, but what is more needs to be seen, I can sense his relationship with his students, not to mention with neighbor’s wife!! At nights when I am sleep he goes to neighbors wife for full contact!
So, in the meanwhile the 92 years of age guy asks if his wife is finished with her speech, allows him a chance to talk. And he goes like this: Dr. I am 92 years of age, with such a ugly face and skinny figure. when I see myself in mirror, I wonder about myself and think of how ugly I am. I am so skinny when I stand in front of mirror naked I get ashamed of myself and wonder what happened to my proper figure. Not to mention that my penis can not be erected for ages not even with an industrial crane! I am sure if there are 10 men in this room, I am the last person to be picked by a woman in that room. My wife wouldn’t even pick me! I am not sure what my wife is suspecting from.
Dr. M. investigates the matter further and both patients go under full check up. Then Dr. M. realizes that the wife has Alzheimer plus controlling issue. So, he puts her under treatment. It is interesting that Dr. was saying patient who think they are quite well, have hard time to accept medication or take them. So, we usually tell them that these are important medication for your diabetics or prevents you from other problems.

Talking about controlling issue; today My mom and I walked out the house main door to get on a car. I saw our superintendent’s wife who was sweeping the floor. I said hi and she quietly said hi. All of the sudden my mom jumps in and asks if I have said Hi to her and goes even further asking her whether she has said hi to me or not! Then, I told my mom now I know where we, my sister and I have received the controlling problem from!

According to many psychologist controlling and suspicion are issues that many believe it is genetically involved with people. Some people do not control at all and some do! But what we have to do is to how the other persona who has been controlled feels!