WEBNEGAR

2008-02-01T16:09:00.000-05:00

امتخان میکنم

Gay Bomb

2007-10-05T22:09:00.000-04:00

I was listening to a show on radio about ig Nobel prize. It is an annual prize. The Ig Nobel Prizes are an humourous imitation of the Nobel Prize and are for ten achievements that "first make people laugh, and then make them think."

The ignoble Peace Prize goes to US Air Force scientists who pondered a "Gay Bomb" which would make enemy soldiers irresistible to each other. It reminds me of a book, which I read when I was a child “Greenfinger Tistoo”. It was about a young boy, Tistoo, who had a power to turn everything to flower as soon as he touchs them.

There was a chapter about war between Tistoo’s country and their neighboring country. Tistoo’s father had an arm factory. The factory manufactured all the guns for the war and also some for export. Other countries bought these arms and sell it to the other country involved in the war.

One night Tistoo went to his father factory and touched everything and turned all the guns to flower. The day after, both sides of the war were throwing flower bouquet to each other. After a couple of hours both countries declared truce. I guess the Gay Bomb suppose to work with the same philosophy.

Ten Minute Play

2007-06-25T19:16:00.000-04:00

As some of you may know, I was volunteering at a 10minute-play festival. I experienced it last year and really enjoyed it; it's like reading short stories versus 'War and Peace'!!! I didn't expect to get so much in such a short time.

It's a fairly new festival in Toronto. Nobody is sponsoring it and it pretty much relies on individuals' help. I contacted one of my friends, Ali (who wrote a play for the last year festival) and asked him if they need any help. He introduced me to Dominik, artistic director of the festival, an amazing guy with a passion for theatre, he is the brain (and I guess, everything ells) behind this festival, his goal is encouraging people to write.
I really like the way he talks to people, before criticizing people he tries to point out some good things in them, then he slowly moves to the flairs. For example he says 'I love the way you moved your head there and the look in your eyes was amazing, if you could work on your voice and project more, that would be great'. He is manager of one of YMCA (2) branch in Toronto, he studied business but later on he found out of his passion for writing and then got interested to production. Believe it or not, he is doing this entire festival thing with his own money, time and effort, just because he loves it.

He liked the idea of the 10minutes play (apparently it's big in the States). He wrote couple of plays three years ago and somehow performed them, last year he invited other people to participate, he organized the first 10minutes play festival in Toronto with 6 plays in 3 shows, this year, at the second year of the festival there are 14 plays shown in 10 shows. He has come a long way, doesn't he?
He is really energetic and talks really fast. He has this superstition to wear a particular floral shirt and necklace at the opening night of each show.

The process of choosing the plays starts with inviting people to submit their plays. Dominik scans them and chooses the best ones, this year he received 200 plays. After selecting the plays, and inviting the directors, audition for selecting actors begins. It takes couple of weeks for them to audit people and select the most appropriate candidate for the plays, this year they had over 120 audition; Dominik had to rent a place for the audition and rehearsal. As you see it's a one man show.

All the plays were performed in a very small and down to earth saloon with almost 50 seats, and the least facilities. The saloon is a former garage; wich is rented by Simon, a man with a passion for Shakespeare.

The first time that Dominik contacted me and talked to me about available positions, he offered me two jobs, 'production manager' and 'light and sound technician'. He needed four people to fill out this two position for two weekend performances.

Those of you, who know me, probably know by now that I am afraid of the word 'Manager'. Everything that requires me telling others what to do and what not to do scares me. So I decided to go with 'Light and Sound' position, What a mistake!!! Having word technician, sound and light in one sentence, I thought to myself "that can't be hard, I just have to turn the light on and off, it's just a switch, on, off, on, off…" , but it's not just a switch, I have to listen carefully and be prepared. I have to press the bottom and ring the bell before the actor says, "oh, who is it? Coming"
I have to watch carefully and press the light bottom almost as soon as the actor act as if he is turning the light on. I have to fade of the 'rain' sound before the actor says "oh, look the rain stopped" I have to switch the light in the fireplace slowly as soon as the actor lit the match. Yes, it is just turning the switch on and off, but almost 60 of them and at the right time and right place. It takes a lot of energy; I think I might have lost weight too.

All the people involved in this festival have amazing personality. Simon, a man with a passion for Shakespeare, is an actuarial (1) , he is really smart and knows a lot about the world around him, he was such an interesting guy to talk. His famous quote is: 'Shakespeare is like heroin, if you try it once, you will be addicted for the rest of your life'. He is founder of the theatre and he himself has directed lots of Shakespeare's plays. He lives with his two cats in a small suite at the back of the theatre.

Chuck, one of the directors is an entrepreneur consultant; Samantha is working for an insurance company. Craig is from England who was working in London as a director, mostly on Shakespeare pieces, he had a Canadian fiancé, so he moved to Canada couple of months ago, they got married in December. He has applied for his immigration, now he is working as marketing manager of Rogers (3). Not knowing anybody in his new country he decided to participate in this festival to know the people in the industry.

Eve, originally from Israel, is a film director; this was her first professional experience with theatre. She got very exited when she found out that I am from Iran, she said she had never met an Iranian, which I have found it kind of strange, especially after understanding she was living in L.A. (aka Tehrangeles) for 5 years.

Ken is an amazing guy, working as an employment consultant helping disables to find a job. He started his acting career with 'second city'. He is very polite, and has a very powerful voice; He is acting as a man looking for a job, what a coincidence!!!

Most of the actors (or as Dominik calls them, communicators) are young university student. All directors and actors are working for free; the only people who get paid are the play writers.

Not having the word 'passion' in my vocabulary, meeting and knowing all these fantastic people who took their passion seriously was an amazing experience.

Despite me telling the actors 'Good Luck' (4), the show went well, and everybody was happy.

*For those of you who are not familiar with North American culture:

(1) A job in insurance field, involve with statistic and math, and it is between the top 10 high paid job in North America
(2) A well-known recreational center in north America
(3) One of the telecommunication company (cell phone, TV cable, Internet and etc.) in Canada
(4) Apparently telling actors 'Good Luck' before show is considered bad luck, more common phrase is 'Break a leg'!!! (which I have found out later)

Go Iran, Go

2006-06-11T01:52:00.000-04:00

It is world cup again. This time not only I am not in Iran, but also Iam in a country whose people don't care much about football (or according to them soccer).But I am more exited than other years. At office everybody is thinkingof his/her grandparents and great-grandparents and where they came from, so some are die hard for Italy, some for England, some for Argentina,and some for Brazil (actually just one). Some people are just against a team because their in-laws are from that area. I missed the old good days that all girls were Italy fan, I rememberthat we carved Maldini, Janini, Bedgio and ... on our wooden desk at high school. I remember the days that I was a big fan of Somalia coach.
Now I am cheering for Iran, I ordered a T-shirt with Iran logo, I changed my desktop wallpaper to Iran. This ime I really mean it, I really like Iran make it to second round.
GO IRAN, GO.

Working Mom

2006-05-20T09:26:00.000-04:00

There is this 38 year old girl in our office. Her only family here, inCanada, is her husband.
She just got her first child 4 month ago, and now she is back to work. I believe they are not well off, that's why she hasn't used her one year maternity leave. Today, I was in bathroom (doing my thing), I saw her feet on the adjoining cabin, and I heard some noise, she was pumping her milk. I don't know why, but I felt really sad.

Googling X-rated fish

2006-03-03T13:38:00.000-05:00

These days I am designing a bridge. I have to read an environmental and fishery report about the different species of fish and their life. I need to know if they are cold water fish or not, when and where they lay eggs. I usually get these information from Internet. I look for the fish’s shape and length. Some of them have really funny name such as ”hornyhead chub” or “white sucker”. Every time I look for their image I am afraid to press enter. I am afraid that one of that really sexy picture shows up.
Imagine if my manager passes behind me and sees one of strip club add. or x-rated pictures on my screen.

LONG TIME, NO POST.

2005-08-14T18:07:00.000-04:00

I was browsing other blogs, and I thougt it's a long time that I have not posted anything.
O.K. What's new?
We have moved to our new place, a townhouse in the middle of nowhere, oakville, a small, quiet town close to Toronto. I guess every step in this immigration make me to know myself better, and the new lesson is " I hate living in suburb, I hate it's peacefullness".Before moving everybody told me that I will get use to its tranquity. But I will not. Every day I wake up with this resolution: "I will come back to the city".
I can't blame on anybody, nobody forced me to buy this house.
We are living in our new place for 2 months now, but we have not phone yet. Before comming to Canada I thought such things just happen in third wourld country. But apparently I was wrong.

HIJAB

2005-05-22T12:26:00.000-04:00

I was surfing in Internet and I found this.
A project about hijab and its evolution in Iran. An Iranian girl made this wallpaper from 3000 tiles to show changes in hijab. I had not noticed such a big progress in colour.

If my colleagues see these photos they will not ask me how come I am always in dark outfit.

Although it’s not all colourful yet, But there is a big change in the way that women dress.
I may go and see it. If so, I will take pictures and post them later.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2004-12-27T11:25:00.000-05:00

Guess what I’ve gotten for Christmas!!! Yaaa, a Persian Bible …….
One of my colleagues who is very religious and strict gave it to me as Christmas gift.
On Thursday he came to my office with a package and said he had bought me something, I told him I bet it was a Bible. He said yes. He was worried about my reaction. But I said that was very kind and thoughtful of him. He asked me to read it and then we can have discussion during lunchtime or he can come to our place and talk with Hadi and me about the book.
I told him that I was kind of busy with my PEO exam and I would not have time for couple of weeks. I am wandering what excuse I can find after PEO exam.
I liked to tell him for 30 years a bunch of people in primary school, secondary school, high school, and university, at work and in TV and radio tried to teach me these stuff but they all failed, now I doubt he can do it.
I believe the best day of his life is the day that I tell him that I convert to Christianity.

HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO YOU!!!!

2004-11-09T10:14:00.000-05:00

Today is November 9 (19 Aaban), my little brother’s birthday. I remember 23 years ago, I got up in the morning, MAMAN was not there, she used to braided my hair every day, but that day she was not at home. I asked BABA where she was; he told she just delivered a baby. I asked if it was a girl. But the answer was NO. I felt betrayed, for 9 month I was praying for a sister. Then Kaveh told me it was because of him. All these month he had pretended that he had been praying for sister, but deep down in his secret, he had asked for a brother. And God had listen to him not me. For a while I was upset why I had not prayed like Kaveh. I believed that God listen to secret wish more than the loud one.
Now I am really happy that God did not listen to me.

Siavash joonam:
HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO YOU.

"I LOVE YOU" IN PERSIAN

2004-10-20T21:32:00.000-04:00

One of my colleagues, Greg, wanted to impress me. he had found this website and had started to learn Persian by his own. But he couldn’t keep his secret, so he told me about his new experience and showed me the website.

In the website there are some expression with their exact meaning and the similar expression in English. One of the sentences is “JIGAR-E TOE BIKHORAM”. The exact meaning that was written for it is “I will eat your liver” and the explanation is “a romantic way to say I LOVE YOU”!!!!!!

Tonight, he is going to say “JIGAR-E TOE BIKHORAM” to his wife. I am glad that his wife is not Iranian.

BABY

2004-10-17T01:09:00.000-04:00

Why you don’t have a child?
Do you have any plan to start a family?
See, Mery got married 2 years after you did. She is pregnant. Now it is your turn.
My turn!!!! Having a baby isn’t a game. Is it?

I listen to this sentence 100 times a day. It makes me furious.
What can I say? I bear and grin. Every time somebody asks me about having child I try to change the subject and talk about weather or something else.

Why people compare me with others, we did not live same way, they all left Iran in childhood and went to Europe or U.S. They do not need to adopt themselves with new environment. They should not learn English at age 30. They should not start working in junior position with the minimum wage while they have 6 years experience. They all come from wealthy families. Besides even if we were in same situation, I would not feel ready to have a child.

I wish I could say these things to them and asked them not to talk about it anymore, but I should be nice and show my respect to people who are older than me. So there is no way I could stop them.

MY FIRST SUITOR

2004-10-14T20:20:00.000-04:00

Couple days ago, at office

I was going to make some copies, when I met a lady. She looked like Indian. Here is our conversation.

I: good morning
The lady (with light Indian accent): good morning, how are you?
I: good, you?
-: Not too bad, thank you …. excuse me, I have a question … where are you from?
-: What do you think?
-: Spain.
-: Ha ha, no I am from Iran
-(With big smile): are you Moslem?
-eeeeee well, kind of…
-When did you come to Canada?
-2 years ago
-Are you here alone?
-No, with my husband
-Oh, no
-What? Why “no”?
-Actually I am looking for a girl for my son. I liked you very much.
-Are you looking for a Moslem girl?
-Ya
-Why?
-Because I am Moslem and Moslem girl are bla bla bla…..

I wanted to argue with her, but then I thought it is not my business and I can’t change her mind, so I didn’t insist.

The lady: but if you know a lovely Moslem girl like you, please tell me.
I: what does your son do?
The lady: he is a project manager
I: how old is he?
-:24

I smiled, but did not tell her that I am 31.
I asked: are you Indian?
-No, I am from Pakistan.

Come on ladies if you are looking for a husband with Canadian passport, take your chance.

That’s funny, in all these 30 years in Iran, nobody wants me for her son, I did not have even one suitor, and now in Canada where people criticize arranged marriage, I have found my first suitor. Big step. Isn’t it?

STUPIDITY

2004-09-15T22:15:00.000-04:00

James’ wife is pregnant; they are expecting their 9th child. He has 6 girls and 2 boys. He is not Iranian, Indian, Arab or from any of these third world country. He is a white Canadian, and his ancestors are British. He is an engineer not an unrefined, illiterate person.

Today when he announced the news in break time, there was a pause, everybody was speechless for a moment, and then all my colleagues said: “again”. James said: “you are supposed to say congratulation not again”.
He is catholic; I believe that they should not use any birth control. Being extreme in every thing is crazy. Extreme religious or extreme atheist, both are crazy.
I know it’s a free country and people can do whatever they want as long as they do not hurt others, but don’t you think they are hurting their other children?

TWIN TOWER

2004-09-10T09:39:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Sep. 11 third anniversary. From early morning, there is especial programs on T.V.
I was watching one of them while eating breakfast. It was about a man who lost his two sons (firefighter) in the crash. The father and his family have met president in white house, they appriciated them, it was a respectful ceremony. All the time I was thinking of Javadnias*, and how they were remembred. Most people believed that the father was crazy. They not only did't get any respect, but also were humiliated. I was thinking how we treat our heros and how americans do. Huge diffrence!!!

* Javadnias was a family in our neighborhood who lost his 4 sons during war.

MOSSADEGH

2004-09-08T22:17:00.000-04:00

I am exhausted, can't post anything. But for today, just check this and listen to the music.

FREAKY FRIDAY

2004-09-05T14:21:00.000-04:00

In our company, usually we work from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. but during summer it was changed to 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., and on Fridays we could leave office at 11:30. That was very good I had 2 and half days weekend. Yesterday was the last Friday of summer, I had a small job to do so I decided to stay one hour more and finish my job.
Some of my co-workers (engineers from electrical department) told me that they would go to Toronto, and I could give me a ride. I said, “Yes, why not?” I was very happy, cause each way takes 1 hour and half to commute, but if they drove me home I would be home in half an hour, besides, I would save 7 bucks, (each way costs 7 Dollars).
I finished my job and got in the car.
When we arrived to Toronto, they invited me for lunch. Jason (the driver) parked his car and paid for parking until 3:30, we went to a restaurant in downtown and had lunch and chatted for a while. Jason treated us for lunch (55 dollars). Then we came back to the car, what car? It was not there. Jason had paid for parking until 3:30 and we got there at 3:40. Jason called police office. They said his car was towed to a police parking. Jason asked the address. We walked to the parking. It took more than 1 hour. I should mention that temperature was 28 and with humidity you could feel like 35. Finally we got there, it took half an hour and costs 110 dollars to go through all the procedure and take the car. As we felt bad we split the ticket and each one paid 30 dollars. Then they drove me home, when I got home it was 5:30.
As you can see, instead of saving time and money, I lost 4 hours and 30 bucks.

SUSHI

2004-09-05T14:17:00.000-04:00

Every Friday some of my colleagues go out for lunch and they always eat sushi. Sushi is a Japanese food, which is a roll of seaweed (dried jolbak) and rice that in the middle there is a piece of crab, shrimp, raw fish or vegetables. Although I don’t like sushi, sometimes I go with them, and have some other Asian food. I don’t like sushi especially because of seaweed. It smells like morass. Last time I went to the sushi place and I order a Korean food, I can’t remember its name, but it was something like season salad mixed with chunk of row fish. I had tried it once and I liked it, but this time after some bite, suddenly, I had a feeling, I could feel the piece of raw fish between my teeth. I felt like throwing up, I stop eating, I am sure if I tried just a little bit I would vomit. I just sat aside and let others eat my food. And after that day I don’t dare to go with them, I can’t even look at a sushi.

SPOILED DOGS

2004-08-23T21:51:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine whose name is Marjan has adopted a dog. She is 7-months years old and her name is Caramel. Marjan is very busy whit her, she can’t come out with us like before; she acts like a mother with a baby. Marjan and Caramel should attend in some classes to learn how to communicate with each other.

Marjan walks her twice a day, in mornings and afternoons. During these dog walkings Caramel has made some friends, when they play, their owners talk and exchange their experience about their dogs. Last week Marjan was invited to one of Caramel’s friend birthday. Can you believe it, they held birthday for their dogs, invite their friends and the funniest part is, they gave Marjan an invitation, a real written invitation card like an invitation for a wedding.
In Persian when some body has a bad life, we say he/she has doggy life. If doggy life is like this, I prefer to be a dog.

THIRD WORLD WEEKEND

2004-08-23T21:19:00.000-04:00

I had a real third world weekend, sleeping and eating. I got up at 11, eating breakfast, waiting for lunch; I had lunch at 3 o’clock and then sleept again. At 5:30 Hadi woke me up, I had tea and chocolate, and then again sleeping. That’s real life.
Yesterday, I bought lottery ticket, the prize was 21,000,000 $, I was thinking, if I win the lotto I will spend the rest of my life the same as today, just sleeping and eating. I don’t care if I turn to a 400kg woman.
Hadi cooked some cutlets for lunch that was very good, all in one size, almost as good as Maman’s. Cutlets with herbs and salad, if we had sangak bread, it would be exactly like our home in Tehran. It was 11 months since last time, I had cutlets.
Thank you very much, Hadi!!

WEEKEND

2004-08-15T10:23:00.000-04:00

We had a good and relax weekend.

Friday night, we had dinner with Roushan and Jamal.
Saturday, walking, eating Tahchin (eggplant and chicken) and watching two movies, Kitchen stories and Monsieur Ebrahim.
Sunday, a long walk from High Park to Harbour Front Centre, having lunch beside the lake, and taking a massage, I took back massage and Hadi took feet massage.
That was very good and relaxing.

About the movies I should say, Kitchen Stories has a very simple story, it’s about communication and friendship between people, (Kaveh, something like Straight story) it was my taste, but when the movie was finished Hadi said “So what?”
If you love to see car crash, escaping and chasing and a lot of shooting in a movie, don’t waste your time with watching this movie.
I rented Monsieur Ebrahim on Saturday, we invited Ali for Tahchin and movie, but first scene of the movie was sexy, and I was afraid to watch it in companion of Ali, so I changed the subject and said let’s watch Olympic competition. When Ali left us I watched it alone, and I realized that it was just the first scene that was sexy, and we could watch it together, but it was too late. Monsieur Ebrahim is a French movie; Omar Sharif is one of the casts. It’s about relation between a Moslem shopkeeper (Omar Sharif) and a young Jewish boy, I liked it too, but Hadi didn’t watch it, he knows when I choose a movie, it will be boring for him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!

2004-08-14T18:04:00.000-04:00

Kaveh, I am sure you, guys celebrate your birthday there, and MAMAN may cook something with eggplant. I wish I was there, or precisely, I wish you were here and we could celebrate your birthday in a bar or restaurant.
I hope you would be here your next birthday. You can’t imagine how much I miss you.

any way,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND BEST WISHES

ROBERT MCNAMARA

2004-08-11T21:18:00.001-04:00

For many years we call Soosk, Sam Peckinpah
For many years we call Soosk, Wilkinson
For many years we call Soosk, Bademjoon

These phrases sound familiar for the people who have lived with BABA even for a short time.

Yesterday at break time I was sitting with my colleagues, James and Allen. They were chatting.
James said he have bought a book about Cuba Missiles Crises. He continued that the book is about the conversation between J.F.K and Jerry McNamara.
I knew McNamara’s first name was not jerry, so I told James: “His first name was Robert not Jerry”. He said, “Yes, you are right.” Then, Allen and James, both looked at me as they were looking at a very clever and intellectual person, and then asked me “How do you know about McNamara?” I looked at them wisely and pretended that I know everything, but honestly I know nothing about history and politics, I have never heard about Cuba missiles crises. The only thing that I know about McNamara is that “For many years we call Soosk Robert McNamara.”

I should mention that James is in his fifties and Allen is in his sixties and I bet both think I am in my early twenties. As you see, it’s very unusual that an Iranian girl in my age knows first name of secretary of defence of America in 1962. Now they believe that I am a very well educated person.

For those who don’t know McNamara, I should say that Cuba Missiles Crises happened in 1962, during cold war. McNamara was the secretary of defence of America at that time.

See, Vincenzo, I have learnt a lot from you and your nonsenses.

P.S.
I learnt all these information about Cuba missiles crises at that night at home by surfing in Internet. Don’t assume me an intellectual girl, please.

BASTARD

2004-08-09T22:45:00.000-04:00

I read this in an Iranian weblog.

There is an item in the application form for extending the Iranian passport:
-One of your parents should sign here, if you are a BASTARD, the signatory should be your mother.

They used the term of BASTARD (haroom-zadeh), not illegitimate child or out of wedlock child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please read the weblog, to understand what exactly I mean.

GHORMEH SABZI

2004-08-08T22:22:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, we had some companies; Marjan, Hossein, Talayeh, Sam and Rachel came to our house. It was the first time that we invited them, I know it’s childish but I don’t like our apartment and our furniture and I don’t want anybody come to our home.

Rachel is Talayeh’s cousin. She is living in France and has come to Toronto 2 weeks ago to visit Talayeh and learn English. She’ll go back on august 26. She asked Talayeh for Ghormeh Sabzi. But Talayeh did not have herbs, so I decided to cook some and invite them for an Iranian lunch.

That was very good but not as good as MAMAN’s.
MAMAN, Thanks for everything, I couldn’t make it without you.

HAIR CUT

2004-08-07T19:59:00.000-04:00

I have gotten a hair cut this afternoon. I don’t know why everybody got so excited about it, and asked me how I look. May be I was so ugly but nobody dare to tell me. I must say that I had not taken shower for five days, and if it were not for poor hairdresser’s sake I would not do for next five days.

Hey guys, now I am pretty again.

OAKVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL

2004-08-07T19:42:00.000-04:00

Last night we went to Oakville, but not for visiting Rooshan, for jazz festival.
That was good but not as good as Toronto jazz festival, in Toronto people were dancing in street, but in Oakville, population are very snobby and “high class” so it is detraction for them to dance in street.

There was a very cool band whose name was sHuFFle deMoNS, they dresses in a very weird suit, hat and glasses. They were singing bizarre songs and dancing in a very unusual way. The group consists of 3 saxophonists, 1 drum player and 1 bassist. They started their band in the sidewalk of Yonge Street, like the other music players who are playing in streets and looking for pedestrians who spare some changes. And little by little this group became a band that plays in different cities and stages for a lot of event.

We bought one of their CD, and took all 5 players’ signature. Who knows? Maybe some day we would sell in for 1000000$.

NARGES

2004-08-06T18:27:00.000-04:00

Just minutes ago I received an e-mail from Narges, I am very happy that she reads my weblog. It’s nice when you know somebody cares about you.

Tanks Narges

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLAN FOR WEEKEND?

2004-08-06T18:05:00.000-04:00

That’s the question that people ask each other every Friday. Apparently weekend is a big deal in this country. Every time when somebody asks me this question, it reminds me of a T.V. show that was broadcasting 12 years ago, “Nowrooz 72”. One of the episodes was a comedy of Detective Drek. At the end of every session Drek’s assistant was asking him what he would do on weekend. And Derek was answering him that he would go to drawing class or sewing class or …. At that time I was laughing at the joke but now I know that weekend is a very important thing in people’s life.

APOCALYPSE NOW

2004-08-06T17:43:00.000-04:00

Finally, after 13 years I got my driving licence. Although in some cases I did not check my blind spot, although I was driving close to curb, although I didn’t check my rear mirror every 10 second, although I did not watch the car behind me before using the brake, although I was waiting too long for pedestrian who passed the street to turn left, although I parked very close to another car, although I did not grab the steer properly but I passed the test.

Everybody can have 30 little faults. I had 24. At the end the examiner told me “you passed the test, now turn off the engine and get of the car”. And guess what? I got exited and confused; Instead of turning off I turned on and heard a very unusual noise from the car. She looked at me angrily, I said to myself “that’s it, and I will be failed”. But she told me ”I said turn off the engine”. And then she passed me the paper; I looked at the result and figured out that I passed.

I think it’s apocalypse now, when I would get my driving licence, that means it’s the end of the world.

BILL CLINTON II

2004-08-05T22:36:00.000-04:00

I am back. I went to see him and take picture. Obviously I didn’t meet him. Although He was supposed to sign 1000 books, there was a long line, more than 2000 people. Some very old, some disables with their wheelchairs, some with bezzare outfit, you could find all type of people there. Some people had been sleeping in the street, they were well equipped with sleeping bag, food, water and…. I bet most of them have not read the book and some were reading it in the line, they wanted to know if it is worth this much waiting. Pizza Pizza was distributing free pizza between people. And somebody was giving free water. Of course all of this generosity accompanied with a flyer. In North America, It’s all about marketing.

Everything was like American action movies. 3 choppers were flying in the sky of the bookstore. There were several polices standing in street. He came in a car with dark reflect windows. I don’t understand why they are worried about terrorist, who can kill these nice Canadian? I am sure if a group have a plan of terror, as soon as they come to Canada and see people they will change their mind.
I am wondering when Clinton goes grocery; does he have this much security?

I believed the bookstore would be closed but I was wrong. Everything was normal, everybody could go to the bookstore and look around and buy book. But nobody couldn’t take picture. I had my camera; at entrance one of the employee told me if I took picture he would be in trouble. That’s it. He didn’t take my camera, he asked me very politely not to take picture. It reminded me of a day that I took picture of Yassaman, Nima, and Sia in front of a washroom in Chitgar Park, and suddenly a bearded man ran to us yelled and asked for the camera. Apparently we were in free photo zone. I walked to the bookstore and try to see him but because of crowd and more because I have vertically challenge, I couldn’t.

There were people standing in line and there were people (such as me) had come to see the crowd. I saw some pros and cons, some people wore John Kerry pin or they had a flag to support democrats in U.S. Some were protesting (but not loud). They were talking to the people in the line.
There was a guy who had worn a black T-shirt with a logo that mean he belonged to axis of evil. He was explaining for people that Bush has told that “you are with terrorism or against terrorism” the guy said he is against the attack to Iraq, and that means he is not against terrorism so he is a member of axis of evil. He looked at me and asked me what about you I smiled and said, “I am from Iran “the actual axis of evil””. He patted me on shoulder, another one shacked my hand and people others laughed. Then he asked a lady about attack to Iraq and the fact that American has not found any weapons of mass destruction. The lady got excited and said he (Bush) is a liar, then the guy asked about Clinton, the lady said that Clinton is nice. The guy said but he did the same thing in Sudan. The lady said that she hadn’t known about that, so she had no comment. Then the guy said, “So when you reach him ask about that. Somebody said we are not allowed to talk more than 5 seconds, the guy said, “Where is the freedom of speech?” The guy said: “I just wanted to clarify some point”. Then he left the group to talk to other people.

There was another man, roller blading, he was not speaking but had a sign that said, ”The army flourished under Clinton’s hand” (or something like that, I can’t remember the exact phrase)

Anyway, Clinton was in town today and he was supposed to shake hand and have a small talk with 1000 people, at the end he would be exhausted.

GOOD NEWS

2004-08-05T00:05:00.000-04:00

I was listening to B.B.C. today. I learned that police has provided a new service. You can go there and ask for the record of your future wife or husband.

BILL CLINTON I

2004-08-04T22:26:00.000-04:00

He is coming to Toronto. Tomorrow, he will be in one of the bookstores (chapters & indigo) to promote his book, "MY LIFE". People have stood in a line to get his signature from today noon. The signing ceremony will start at 11 a.m. Can you believe people are standing for 24 hours.
I love to go there and take a signed book for BABA, as he is big fan of BILL. But I think I can't meet him, I may go and take picture of the line.
There is a strict security for the bookstore; everybody can have just a book, a wallet and a key. Nobody can talk to him more than 5 seconds or hand anything to him, if you would have any other thing then "NO SIGN FOR YOU".

Today one of my colleague said, “ hey guys, watch your wives, Bill Clinton is in town”.

BEHNAM

2004-08-02T09:56:00.001-04:00

Last Friday, we had some company, Hadi’s friends Ali and Behnam came to our home. It was something like a goodbye party for Behnam. He came to Canada 2 months ago, then decided he doesn’t like Canada and he came back home. I don’t know how he could make his mind in this short time. Some people can’t decide about anything after 2500 years*, and some people can find their way just in two months. How lucky they are.

* quoting from BABA

ANNIVERSARY

2004-08-02T09:56:00.000-04:00

Anniversary
I wrote this post, on Sunday but I couldn’t publish it. Now here it is:

Saturday was our third anniversary. (Can you believe it? Life goes fast.) We had decided to go out for dinner but hadn’t picked a place.
There is a restaurant near our home that I had passed by several times and I really liked it, it has a nice cozy patio and pretty waitresses. I was afraid to try it, seemed quite expensive.

Well, it was our anniversary so that was all right to pamper us. We went there for dinner; Luckily, the restaurant happened to be inexpensive, I was a little bit over-dressed up for that particular restaurant.

My dress was a black polka dot that I have bought it for 25$, but it seems like a 1000 dollar one. Whenever I put it on I feel like Merlin Munro (Magic dress!!!!!!!) Apparently others feel the same, that night the waitress asked me if it’s Benetton. And as usual I degraded myself and told her: “No, it’s Smart Set”. I gave her a look that meant I am not as rich as you think.

P.S.
In Canada, Benetton is expensive and Smart Set has reasonable price.

FIRST VISITOR

2004-08-02T09:28:00.000-04:00

HORAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Finally an anonymous has visited my weblog!
Hey you, Anonymous, you are honored the title of

FIRST VISITOR

PHOTO

2004-07-31T20:24:00.000-04:00

Check this! I think its wonderful.

OUR HOME

2004-07-31T20:19:00.000-04:00

We have bought a townhome in Oakville, I wanted to send MAMAN-o-BABA its plan, but I haven't yet.
For the time being you can see the website, and wait for my letter. The townhoses are beside the pond.
You can't find our home's plan. I promise to send you the plan. I hope next year you would be here and help us for moving.

RAINY DAY

2004-07-31T18:30:00.000-04:00

When I was in Iran and we were playing card I used to save all my aces for rainy day, and once in a while we (Payman and I) lost the game just because I didn' dare to show my aces. Do you remember?
Now I do the same thing with my meatballs, I cook meatballs and freeze them for the day that we won't have anything to eat, but when an out of food day comes, we sleep hungry but don't eat the meatballs, cause they are for rainy days.

SHAHR-E-BAZI

2004-07-31T17:59:00.000-04:00

Please somebody take these guys (Yassaman, Nima, Helen, Armaghan and Ali) to Shahr-e-Bazi. I feel bad that I can' do it myself.

CARIBANA

2004-07-31T17:43:00.000-04:00

Today I went to watch Caribana's parade. It's a festival of Carabian music and dance that is held every year in Toronto. Carabian countreis are south american countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Cuba and ...
I left home to go there, but there was a long line for buses, so I changed my mind and went to lakeshore. There was some other shows, people were dancing Samba and Salsa. That was grate.

Then I walked almost 40 minutes to the Caribana festival. Payman Shorak had told me that it's a grate celeberation, sexy women dance in streets. But I didn't see anything exept very fat and ugly men and women with cheap costume who just moved their bot.
Payman I am not listening to your advise any more, I can't believe I spent 5 $ to see bunch of chubbies.

CHOIR CLASS

2004-07-28T07:57:00.000-04:00

I am attending choir class, I have started 2 weeks ago. It's held by Iranian Association at University of Toronto. They intend to organize a choir goup for Iranian events (such as nowrooz, shab-e-yalda and...).
The class is on Tuesday nights (7 to 10). During the first 4 session we learn how to read the notes. In 5th session we have a written test and people who can pass the test will have a vioce test, then the teacher will decide who can stay in the group and who should leave the class. I really enjoy it, I had no idea about music nad how complicated it could be. Now, I respect Bethoven , Motzart and ... more, I know how great were them.
The teacher asked us to sing at home and be prepared for next session, I have not started yet, I am afraid of our neighbors. I can't look at their eyes in the elevator or street, but I have no other choice I have to start.

B.B.C.

2004-07-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

I usually listen to B.B.C. while working. Yesterday there was a report about Zahra Kazemi and her trial. The court acquited the murderer, and the funny thing was what caused Kazemi's death. Iran justice system has said Kazemi was not killed, she died accidentaly, she was on hunger strike so her blood sugar was low, then she fainted and her head hit a solid things. That's how she died.

I could make a better story.

SMALL BAND

2004-07-27T09:49:00.000-04:00

I forgot to tell u about the small band that we saw in street, after Jazz festival (on sunday) we were about to come back home, when heard a music from far. We looked around to find the source of music, guess what we found?, There they were, 3 10year old boys, standing in front of their home, playing music. One of them was playing drum, sitting in their home porch, and two others playing guitar in front of the home. People were standing in the street and watch them, they played confidently like a famous band. I think even rooling stone couldn't play as confident as them.
I wish I had my camera with me to take a shot.

It's time to get a digital camera.

SPIDER MAN

2004-07-26T21:45:00.000-04:00

I watched SPIDER MAN 2 on Saturday night. Although it isn't my type but I liked it very much, I think it's just because of special effect and sound surrounding system in cinema. If I saw it at home it couldn't grasb me this much.

JAZZ FESTIVAL

2004-07-26T07:56:00.000-04:00

Today morning hadi drove me to the office. I should start working ar 8 o'clock, right now it's 7:45, so I have just a little time to write.
Yesterday we went to Beaches jazz festival. This festival was the 16th jazz festival that is held every July in Toronto. In 3 days 40 band sang on the stage. People were dancing in the park. It reminds me BABA's story about old fat women and men who wore hot pants and tanks . Yesterday, partners were dancing in the street, some of them were in their fifties and I could see layers of fat in their legs and bellies, but they didn't care. I really love these Canadian people, they don't care about their appearance, they want to have fun.
I was thinking of myself and these small happiness that were withheld from us. Small things like feeling wind in hair, walking on the wet grass with bare feet and living as nobody watch us.
There is some moment that I have a strange feeling, something that I have never had in my life, a relief that I have never experience. Just because of this moment I really enjoy living in this country.

BALZAC CAFE'

2004-07-24T17:23:00.000-04:00

Evryone especialy Cia and Kaveh check this, or if u can't see the photo, check this, and go to July 20th's post.

This is the cafe', where Sam, Talaye, Hadi and I streched our legs for a few minutes. jealous?

I pray for a day we could go there all together.

MAMAN-O-BABA

2004-07-24T16:41:00.000-04:00

I talked to BABA last week, he told me he started internet surfing. I think he has found it interesting, it's nice that u can be connected to the world with just a double click. I wish MAMAN would learn "interneting" too.

So, here u are, MAMAN va BABA. Here, u can find something about my daily life. u are my motive.
I hope I would not quit writing here, like all other things that I have quit in my life.

I think it's time for quit quitting.