i have been following the news on obama and his team after election. he's been already criticised for what he have not done and have been blamed for financial aid mess, where it has often been overlooked that the financial aid package was implemented by previous administration.
regardless of all that, i believe he had shown sparks of brilliance and (i can say) i believe he is leading the US to greater times. it would be a different US than we all have seen from 80's onward ( my info about pre-80's era is too little to include it here).
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
seven circles - the tea party
the tea party had become an important part of my life ever since i came to know them. their sophisticated tunes along with powerful lyrics had been everything i could ask for in a modern music. for me the tea party, along with pearl jam, sound garden and blind melon are the best rock bands (or better to say rock influenced) of 90's and after.
it is quite obvious foundatio of lyrics and songs is a well informed take from a lot of information and knowledge (about cultures, music from around the world and especially middle east and iran, sophisticated literature) .
the tea party's last album - the seven circles - was not appealing to me at all at the beginning. the feeling continued until very recently that i some how gave myself a chance to listen to it and i have to admit that my view of the whole album was not a good and accurate one.
here's one of my favourite in that album.
too bad they disbanded (although two of the three members claim they are on temporary leave!)
ocean
where are you going
can i follow
because distance is hard to swallow
you should stay a while
let's have a drink
let's have a laugh
you feel power
and no worries
if that's so
then what's your hurry
if you've got to go
there's just one thing i've got to ask
if i promise an ocean
would you care for the notion of
staying here and resting your weary head
it's all that she said
well the sky's changed
that's for certain
you smile says
what you working
time heals all
this we know
we'll work it out
and if i promise an ocean
would you care for the notion of
staying here and resting your weary head
and would you come back and see me, or
angel am i dreaming because
heaven knows that i'll miss you so
and that's a fact
look now where i'm at
i miss you so
look now where i'm at
i can't let go
there's more questions
than there's answers
i'm not taking any chances
because i need to let you know
just how i feel
and if i promise an ocean
would you care for the notion of
staying here and resting your weary head
and would you come back and see me, or
angel am i dreaming because
heaven knows that i'll miss you so
and that's a fact
look now where i'm at
i miss you so
i can't let go i miss you so
it is quite obvious foundatio of lyrics and songs is a well informed take from a lot of information and knowledge (about cultures, music from around the world and especially middle east and iran, sophisticated literature) .
the tea party's last album - the seven circles - was not appealing to me at all at the beginning. the feeling continued until very recently that i some how gave myself a chance to listen to it and i have to admit that my view of the whole album was not a good and accurate one.
here's one of my favourite in that album.
too bad they disbanded (although two of the three members claim they are on temporary leave!)
ocean
where are you going
can i follow
because distance is hard to swallow
you should stay a while
let's have a drink
let's have a laugh
you feel power
and no worries
if that's so
then what's your hurry
if you've got to go
there's just one thing i've got to ask
if i promise an ocean
would you care for the notion of
staying here and resting your weary head
it's all that she said
well the sky's changed
that's for certain
you smile says
what you working
time heals all
this we know
we'll work it out
and if i promise an ocean
would you care for the notion of
staying here and resting your weary head
and would you come back and see me, or
angel am i dreaming because
heaven knows that i'll miss you so
and that's a fact
look now where i'm at
i miss you so
look now where i'm at
i can't let go
there's more questions
than there's answers
i'm not taking any chances
because i need to let you know
just how i feel
and if i promise an ocean
would you care for the notion of
staying here and resting your weary head
and would you come back and see me, or
angel am i dreaming because
heaven knows that i'll miss you so
and that's a fact
look now where i'm at
i miss you so
i can't let go i miss you so
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Mykonos - Fleet Foxes
i recently found them. i remember it was another early morning in tripoli and i had to go to work. i was not feeling well at all. it was during my february 09 spell here, which was by far the toughest time i had to pass in tripoli and i had my TV on for a long night, with little sleep with a busy and rustrated mind. i somehow connect with the music. it's not hard to like a good music. i didn't look for the CD while i was in dubai, which is a shame.
anyways, i could find their video clip on facebook and had a look at the lyrics of this song and it was shockingly speaking of a familiar experience.
it reminds me of the day that security forces and militia took my dad away at early years of revolution (it was fall of 1979). this line resembles that very very grey day:
"i remember how they took you down
as the winter turned the meadow brown"
here it is, to my father:
the door slammed loud and rose up a cloud of dust on us
footsteps follow, down through the hollow sound, torn up
and you will go to mykonos
with a vision of a gentle coast
and a sun to maybe dissipate
shadows of the mess you made
how did animals in the snow tipped pines, i find
hatching from the seed of your thin mind, all night?
and you will go to mykonos
with a vision of a gentle coast
and a sun to maybe dissipate
shadows of the mess you made
brother you don't need to turn me away
i was waiting down at the ancient gate
you go
wherever you go today
you go today
i remember how they took you down
as the winter turned the meadow brown
you go
wherever you go today
you go today
when i’m walking brother don't you forget
it ain't often that you'll ever find a friend
you go
wherever you go today
you go today
anyways, i could find their video clip on facebook and had a look at the lyrics of this song and it was shockingly speaking of a familiar experience.
it reminds me of the day that security forces and militia took my dad away at early years of revolution (it was fall of 1979). this line resembles that very very grey day:
"i remember how they took you down
as the winter turned the meadow brown"
here it is, to my father:
the door slammed loud and rose up a cloud of dust on us
footsteps follow, down through the hollow sound, torn up
and you will go to mykonos
with a vision of a gentle coast
and a sun to maybe dissipate
shadows of the mess you made
how did animals in the snow tipped pines, i find
hatching from the seed of your thin mind, all night?
and you will go to mykonos
with a vision of a gentle coast
and a sun to maybe dissipate
shadows of the mess you made
brother you don't need to turn me away
i was waiting down at the ancient gate
you go
wherever you go today
you go today
i remember how they took you down
as the winter turned the meadow brown
you go
wherever you go today
you go today
when i’m walking brother don't you forget
it ain't often that you'll ever find a friend
you go
wherever you go today
you go today
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
nuclear threat of iran
it's funny how politics work and how much in fact it is affected by economic drives, specially lobbying, tradition, etc.
for instance, the nuclear stand off between iran and US-EU alliance lately coupled with arab nations of persian gulf and middle east. they have been putting so much effort on having iran abandon it's nuclear programme and how iran is a threat to regions stability and the worlds safety. so many sanctions that had made our life, and specially our life as iranians more miserable. these are all where, next door in pakistan, one of the most politically fragile governments, they own nuclear facilities, had clearly stated that they are not in favour of demolishing nuclear weapons by not joining NPT, they own ready to use nuclear heads, they recently recognised the so called "Taliban" group of murderers and gave them authority, who could at anytime launch an attack on the nuclear facilities and steal nuclear warheads! and yet iran is the danger to world and middle east? am i missing something?
for instance, the nuclear stand off between iran and US-EU alliance lately coupled with arab nations of persian gulf and middle east. they have been putting so much effort on having iran abandon it's nuclear programme and how iran is a threat to regions stability and the worlds safety. so many sanctions that had made our life, and specially our life as iranians more miserable. these are all where, next door in pakistan, one of the most politically fragile governments, they own nuclear facilities, had clearly stated that they are not in favour of demolishing nuclear weapons by not joining NPT, they own ready to use nuclear heads, they recently recognised the so called "Taliban" group of murderers and gave them authority, who could at anytime launch an attack on the nuclear facilities and steal nuclear warheads! and yet iran is the danger to world and middle east? am i missing something?
devided nations
observing UN for sometime now and how they come to a dead end recently on most of the issues and the fact that they don't really act as if they have any authorities whatsoever, i suggest we change the name to Divided Nations so there would be no more confusions and the most importantly no expectations!
where are all the warriors?
after more or less three months, UN managed to issue a report on Ghaza offensive and surprisingly condemn Israel! (see http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/03/23/israel.gaza.un.report/index.html )
so unlikely of the "sacred whore" called UN!
what was more shocking was the content of the report where it says: "on January 15, in a town southwest of Gaza City, Israel Defense Forces soldiers ordered an 11-year-old boy to open Palestinians' packages, presumably so that the soldiers would not be hurt if they turned out to contain explosives, the 43-page report said."
this is not to forget that Hamas also used human shield. how chicken one can be to use another life to protect himself?
well done soldiers, if i could call you soldiers. you sound more of a chicken than a soldier. there was a time that soldiers would have gone to distances to save a life. now, they rather see others die! where are all the warriors?
your existance is only sad and sick.
so unlikely of the "sacred whore" called UN!
what was more shocking was the content of the report where it says: "on January 15, in a town southwest of Gaza City, Israel Defense Forces soldiers ordered an 11-year-old boy to open Palestinians' packages, presumably so that the soldiers would not be hurt if they turned out to contain explosives, the 43-page report said."
this is not to forget that Hamas also used human shield. how chicken one can be to use another life to protect himself?
well done soldiers, if i could call you soldiers. you sound more of a chicken than a soldier. there was a time that soldiers would have gone to distances to save a life. now, they rather see others die! where are all the warriors?
your existance is only sad and sick.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
ocean
today i spent few hours on a yacht in persian gulf. it was quite an interesting and exciting experience. it reminded me how it brings me to peace of mind. i had the ocean all to myself, while everyone was having a blast on board. it was serene.
i could also find time to isolate myself from the crowd and look at the ocean, the sky and the clouds. it makes one humble and alive. it is amazing that how much the oceans have seen. they contain loads of lonliness, looks of the sailors and passengers on board at the horizons thinking of the missed ones and the ones who gone missing, adventures, so many lives lost and saved, the serenity of the longest of existence, etc. one can go on forever and ever on that.
i really like the ocean and can stay next to ocean and look at it for hours and just enjoy it just as much i was enjoying it the first moment.
i could also find time to isolate myself from the crowd and look at the ocean, the sky and the clouds. it makes one humble and alive. it is amazing that how much the oceans have seen. they contain loads of lonliness, looks of the sailors and passengers on board at the horizons thinking of the missed ones and the ones who gone missing, adventures, so many lives lost and saved, the serenity of the longest of existence, etc. one can go on forever and ever on that.
i really like the ocean and can stay next to ocean and look at it for hours and just enjoy it just as much i was enjoying it the first moment.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
presidential candidacy
i read today that Khatami former iranian president (before ahmadinejad) had decided not to run for presidency. it was a bad news on my own personal terms. i personally trust him and finds him a good man and someone who is fit for the office.
he will now be supporting the former vice president Mousavi i believe. he had already said only one of the two would run for presidency and since Mousavi is insisting on candidacy, he will resign but will help the campaign. it could however be a good. Mousavi is also moderate and reformist with less resistance from hardliners. so he might have a slightly better environment to work at.
i wanted so much for Khatami to run for election and i would have liked to work for his campaign. now, i am not sure. i feel a bit deflated, which is not a good sign.
he will now be supporting the former vice president Mousavi i believe. he had already said only one of the two would run for presidency and since Mousavi is insisting on candidacy, he will resign but will help the campaign. it could however be a good. Mousavi is also moderate and reformist with less resistance from hardliners. so he might have a slightly better environment to work at.
i wanted so much for Khatami to run for election and i would have liked to work for his campaign. now, i am not sure. i feel a bit deflated, which is not a good sign.
Monday, March 16, 2009
hyper
walking in between spaces
through different dimensions
i have been
humbeled by crimson god
burnt paitiently like sun
eternal
travelled from sun to sun
following your light
that outshined the stars
AG 15 mar 09
through different dimensions
i have been
humbeled by crimson god
burnt paitiently like sun
eternal
travelled from sun to sun
following your light
that outshined the stars
AG 15 mar 09
Sunday, March 15, 2009
lesson learnt
today we had a drama in our office and i learnt a big lesson. wife of one of my colleagues was here talking to our contracts manager over their house and payments issues. the colleague is one of the best people i have ever worked with. such a nice man.
their conversations heated up as he entered the office of contracts manager and then the wife started to shout and cry!
i was a bit shocked by the scene but i tried to play it cool,for it was not my concern. he came out and i looked at him and said hi and asked how he is.
he looked at me while smiling and said, other than teh house issue everything is fine and i have been told not to interfer, so i won't and he asked me about my weekend.
i was like wow. i don't know what would i do if i were in his shoes! i might have blown as well. what a great man he is and how much respect he has for his wife.
i hope i could be like that in each and every way, patient and respectful.
their conversations heated up as he entered the office of contracts manager and then the wife started to shout and cry!
i was a bit shocked by the scene but i tried to play it cool,for it was not my concern. he came out and i looked at him and said hi and asked how he is.
he looked at me while smiling and said, other than teh house issue everything is fine and i have been told not to interfer, so i won't and he asked me about my weekend.
i was like wow. i don't know what would i do if i were in his shoes! i might have blown as well. what a great man he is and how much respect he has for his wife.
i hope i could be like that in each and every way, patient and respectful.
beggars & conscious
i was at a photo shop to get a picture size passport. a girl covered and speaking in good english took my picture and i left the shop so i return later to get them. as i was leaving the shop, this guy came in. he was obviously begging while talking in arabic. i couldn't understand, but he then followed me and start o speak in english! that he has 4 kids and he's sick and jobless. i chose to walk away and don't pay attention. i can never tell which of them tells the truth? i chose to walk and now it is eating me up. i don't know how could i help him or if i could help him at all, but the fact that i ignored him has not left me alone ever since that encounter. there are two scenarios to this. either he was telling the truth or lying. in any case, i wish i could have done something or at least listened to him! but what should really be done in such situation. if you give money, it's not reasonable, if you chose to walk away, then it's again not fair.
i still can't get rid of the image of that african boy who was staring at me few months back, when i finished shopping for fruits and grocery. i could easily walk up to him and give a bag of oranges or apples, but i chose not to. why? i'm ashamed to say that i was thinking what others would think.
i still can't get rid of the image of that african boy who was staring at me few months back, when i finished shopping for fruits and grocery. i could easily walk up to him and give a bag of oranges or apples, but i chose not to. why? i'm ashamed to say that i was thinking what others would think.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
special friends
one of the benefits of having special friends is that they have a lot to offer and it is out there for you to pick, there's no price tag on them and some of the are priceless. i am lucky to have 2-3 of them around.
one of them just had a baby boy and he's one of the cutest that even though 6-7 months old, had already taught some lessons to his daddy, which then i had learnt from my friend. a couple of them is amusing and stunning:
- how to enjoy every details of your surroundings
- how to stare to someone you love for hours
it's however depressing how we forget that we have a lot and we cannot enjoy them anymore. a joy without hassle.
one of them just had a baby boy and he's one of the cutest that even though 6-7 months old, had already taught some lessons to his daddy, which then i had learnt from my friend. a couple of them is amusing and stunning:
- how to enjoy every details of your surroundings
- how to stare to someone you love for hours
it's however depressing how we forget that we have a lot and we cannot enjoy them anymore. a joy without hassle.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
new year
our new year is approaching and there's nothing like it here in libya. it's not fun. it's even worse than the time in dubai. at least back tehre i had many iranian friends and we celebrated the norouz together. now, it's even emptier.
i used to love this day very much.
i used to love this day very much.
oppressed (mos'taz'afaan)
my mind is pretty busy with upcoming elections and can say i monitor it as close as i can through the media, only though. today i read that mr. Mousavi, a foundamentalist but a reformist, had announced his candidacy. he's somewhere in between. not a reformist but a reformist, with values of fundamentalism but a fundamentalist!
he's a reasonable individual. i don't know if how he handled the situation, at the time he was prime minister, was the best and we sure did suffered, but it worth considering we were in war and even tehran which was 1000 kilometers away from baghdad, was being bombarded and missiled.
i read part of his candidacy announcement article today. it was a flash back to 20+ years ago. here's what he said:
مهندس موسوي در اين بيانيه با اشاره به اين موضوع که "مستضعفان مطمئنترين پايگاه براي ارزشهاي برآمده از انقلاب اسلامي هستند" تلاش کرده است بر نقش ميانه خود در ارزشهاي اصلاح طلبي و اصولگرايي تاکيد ورزد.
(link to article here)
translation: mr. Mousavi stated that oppressed (mos'taz'afaan) are the most reliable base for revolutionary values (to protect them) and he had emphasized on his balanced approach toward fundamentalism and reforms.
the phrase was very discomforting and disturbing. what's not clear here is the definition of oppressed.
30 years ago, by the time of revolution we had a definition of oppressed, which could be very different from what we have today. there's a senselessness in the phrase. the profile of oppressed had changed. i wonder whether he understands that or not. that's what i am scared of. someone living in 20 + years ago who intends to run for presidency. however, at the end i think he would do a much better job than the incumbent!
he's a reasonable individual. i don't know if how he handled the situation, at the time he was prime minister, was the best and we sure did suffered, but it worth considering we were in war and even tehran which was 1000 kilometers away from baghdad, was being bombarded and missiled.
i read part of his candidacy announcement article today. it was a flash back to 20+ years ago. here's what he said:
مهندس موسوي در اين بيانيه با اشاره به اين موضوع که "مستضعفان مطمئنترين پايگاه براي ارزشهاي برآمده از انقلاب اسلامي هستند" تلاش کرده است بر نقش ميانه خود در ارزشهاي اصلاح طلبي و اصولگرايي تاکيد ورزد.
(link to article here)
translation: mr. Mousavi stated that oppressed (mos'taz'afaan) are the most reliable base for revolutionary values (to protect them) and he had emphasized on his balanced approach toward fundamentalism and reforms.
the phrase was very discomforting and disturbing. what's not clear here is the definition of oppressed.
30 years ago, by the time of revolution we had a definition of oppressed, which could be very different from what we have today. there's a senselessness in the phrase. the profile of oppressed had changed. i wonder whether he understands that or not. that's what i am scared of. someone living in 20 + years ago who intends to run for presidency. however, at the end i think he would do a much better job than the incumbent!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
nothing else -Archive
Archive, quite an impressive band. their trip-hop, rock altervnative mixed tunes are dark and yet intense. it becomes more attractive to me as an iranian, when i listen to their earlier works, which sees singer and archeologist Roya Arab as singer. her voice and lyrics are quite a complement to the music. this song is from the album Londinium:
my angel clipped wings i know
wonders in darkness on grimy ground
in a forest unclean unsound
everything everything's gone wild
make land for the cows to graze
leaflets scatter around to advertise sell out
a swamp in it hands stretched out
to catch a passing dime
donations to the rich widened
pavements for the poor
somewhere else to lie
but my friend the carriage door
stands slightly ajar
and i know clipped wings make uneasy flight
but we've got to reach
a place where the feast never ends
a moment when the music celebrates
and a time when darkness belongs
to night skies and nothing else
tomorrow my spirit seen
fears today my mind
soul aches so deep
always craves my body to reach
my angel clipped wings i know
wonders in darkness on grimy ground
in a forest unclean unsound
everything everything's gone wild
make land for the cows to graze
leaflets scatter around to advertise sell out
a swamp in it hands stretched out
to catch a passing dime
donations to the rich widened
pavements for the poor
somewhere else to lie
but my friend the carriage door
stands slightly ajar
and i know clipped wings make uneasy flight
but we've got to reach
a place where the feast never ends
a moment when the music celebrates
and a time when darkness belongs
to night skies and nothing else
tomorrow my spirit seen
fears today my mind
soul aches so deep
always craves my body to reach
Monday, March 9, 2009
Election
for iran's future, next iranian preseidential election, i blieve, is more important and decisive than the one back in 1995, when khatami got elected for the first time. maybe the most decisive ever. i truely believe those who run for presidency now are selfless and very very dedicated. socially, the situation is much worse than it was before; economy is down and investors are not even near to keen on investing in iran.
i believe khatami is the best choice and i don't agree with most of people around me that it's a choice between the bad and the worse, it's the choice between a reasonableness and lunacy.
i do hope that khatami and the rest of reformists come to an agreement and run united. they need to play everyone and need to attract the unions, especially teachers and labour unions and use them to attract votes. external affairs in this capaign, is decisive.
i believe khatami is the best choice and i don't agree with most of people around me that it's a choice between the bad and the worse, it's the choice between a reasonableness and lunacy.
i do hope that khatami and the rest of reformists come to an agreement and run united. they need to play everyone and need to attract the unions, especially teachers and labour unions and use them to attract votes. external affairs in this capaign, is decisive.
10 years after
10 years after is probably one of the most underrated bands in rock history. they never get the commercial recognition, i personally belive, they deserved but definitely had a good part in forming the rockmusic of 70's during 60's. the name is claimed (by others and not themselves) to be a milestone of their existance which was 1965, 10 years after elvis. other says it was taken from a radio station in UK with the same name. the riffs, effects on guitar and progressive nature of their work was well ahead of their times. they were had performed in newport jazz festival & wood stock. their first comemrically successful solo is i'd like to change the world. a conscience decision to move towards more commercial music. it's still is a great song for me. being commercially successful doesn't necessarily mean it is a bad piece
here's the lyrics:
everywhere is freaks and hairies
dykes and fairies,
tell me where is sanity
tax the rich, feed the poor
till there are no rich no more
i’d love to change the world
but i dont know what to do
so i'll leave it up to you
population keeps on breeding
nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
life is funny, skies are sunny
bees make honey, who needs money, monopoly
i’d love to change the world
but i dont know what to do
so i'll leave it up to you
world pollution, there's no solution
institution, electrocution
just black and white, rich or poor
them and us, stop the war
i’d love to change the world
but i dont know what to do
so i'll leave it up to you
(source: wiki)
here's the lyrics:
everywhere is freaks and hairies
dykes and fairies,
tell me where is sanity
tax the rich, feed the poor
till there are no rich no more
i’d love to change the world
but i dont know what to do
so i'll leave it up to you
population keeps on breeding
nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
life is funny, skies are sunny
bees make honey, who needs money, monopoly
i’d love to change the world
but i dont know what to do
so i'll leave it up to you
world pollution, there's no solution
institution, electrocution
just black and white, rich or poor
them and us, stop the war
i’d love to change the world
but i dont know what to do
so i'll leave it up to you
(source: wiki)
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