ISIS Conference 2010 - Fri 5/28/10

"Women World in Qajar Women" was the topic of the the first session I attended today. I have always been curious about Qajar women and my interest was deepend as I read Mrs. Foroough Shahab's "Sehezar O Yek Shab" followied by Masoud Behnoud's "Amineh". So you can imagine how thrilled I was, when I read in the program, that one of the first sessions in the conference is dedicated to this subject.

Dr. Nahid Mozffari reported about a digital archive project having been started at the Harvard University and its main goal is to locate and digitalize as many material related to the Qajar era as it can. Their website, www.qajarwomen.org, has just been established a couple of weeks ago to share the first batch of digitalized documents and pictures with the public.

She had a slide show while sharing amusing stories about some of them. They are interested in locating and digitalizizng documents and photographs, letters, wedding and legal documents, art works, films in pirvate family collections as well as in libraries, old books in bookstores, and even oral history about the Qajar era in general and Qajar women in specific.



Dr. Mozaffari was able to trasport us to a different time and place and share fascinating stories in the short time she had. I so look forward to exploring the website to continue the journey on my own.

ISIS Conference 2010

I have attended many Iranian as well as American conferences. The International Society for Iranian Studies (ISIS) conference I attended in Washington, DC 6 years ago was the best one I had ever experienced. That is why when I read that their biannuall conference is going to be just down the street from me I couldn't contain my excitement and I registered two months ago.

I went to the first gathering last night and will keep you posted about my experience this time in the upcoming days.

Video Report About Shoosh

I just sat there and watched this short video in disbelief and learned how the government of Iran simply signed away the right to the French, in the 19th Century, to excavate in Shoosh and keep priceless artifacts!
My disbelief was bombarded with another feeling, PAIN, as I watched half way into the video and learned what had been done to a 12 ton stone head figure, in order to be able to transport it to France. I remember having seen this piece at the Louvre and here is a picture of it after restoration.
The short documentary manages to give out a lot of information in just a few minutes including referring to a castle that was built there by the French, "Acropol or Shoosh Castle".
The physical pain I felt in my chest has subsided but the wonderment has not been lifted yet!

No Wonder Even Michelle Fell For Justin Bieber!

I had heard his name and seen his pictures.
I even knew he has millions of fans, including Michelle Obama!
But I just saw the video “Baby” for the first time.
Hellllloooooooooo…
No wonder he is the phenomena that he is!
He’s got the looks, talent and charm to demand an audience.
Enjoy: “Baby”

‘… Oh oh For you, I would have done whatever
And I just can't believe we ain't together
And I wanna play it cool
But I'm losin' you
I'll buy you anything
I'll buy you any ring
Cause I'm in pieces
Baby fix me
And just shake me till you wake me from this bad dream
I'm goin down, down, down, down
And I just can't believe my first love won't be around…”

And Let It Begin

I am getting more excited by the minute. My five and a half year old niece, Naomi, is coming to LA for the first time and I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am and how much I am looking forward to it.
Fortunately, due to her age, she is NOT looking at "vacation" as a time to rest and relax because boy o boy am I filling her "dance card"!
My thrill transfers through my fingers as I am Googling my way through cyber space looking for exciting activities for her.

So far, I have come up with these:
Beauty and the Beast : A play for children. It is not as elaborate as the Broadway production but it is the same story.
Bob Baker Marionettes : A magnificent marionette show. I saw it years ago and it made an indelible impression on me. I feel so lucky that they are still around and I get to share it with another generation. Bob Baker and his puppeteers have been transporting children to wonderlands for the past 50 years. Wow....
Raging Waters : What can I tell you? A few years ago Mona and I spent THE BEST DAY of our vacation in Wild Wadi WaterPark in Dubai and we still talk about that day more than many other cities and countries we have visited together! So, let the truth be known. I will probably enjoy playing in the water just as much, if not more, than Naomi.
California Science Center : A great place to spend a day with or without children. And it is free! Can you believe it?

If you have any suggestion, appropriate for her age group, please let me know.

Come to think of it, the poor thing is only going to be here for about 10 days. I guess she will need a long "vacation" by the time she gets back to Miami!

A little "Melting Pot" Of My Own

It has been said that the "Melting Pot" is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous. Although it is principally used to describe the assimilation of immigrants to the United States but I am using it to describe the little potluck brunch we had at our building today.


I live in a building that has 7 units and although there are only 15 of us but somehow we have managed to have quite a "melting pot". We have people of different generation, gender, race, sexual preference, religion and not to mention origins and as far as the education is concerned we have a college freshman all the way up to a Harvard graduate physician.


But If you think the ROOM was colorful, you should have seen the table: Italian, Persian, Indian, American, Chinese and Greek food had created this colorful, aromatic feast that simply mirrored the diversity of the people in the room.
As J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur put it in his "Letters From An American Farmer": "What then is the American, this new man?... that the American is one who leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the government he obeys, and the new rank he holds.... Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world....." (Added note: he/she and men/women)
So today, my neighbors and I unknowingly personified what Crevecoeur wrote over 200 years ago. We enjoyed this "melting pot" so much that we immediately set the date for our next get together.

You would've loved it; The food, the atmosphere, the subtle sense of camaraderie and THE FREEDOM...

We Really Don't Know One Another....

With apologies to my English speaking readers. I may occasionally have articles in Farsi. This one is a piece about gender issues in Iran today. Please indulge me and thanks for your patience and understanding.

ب" بسیار دور از هم قد کشیده‌ایم . هر یک بر فراز صخره‌ای بلند و دره‌ای عمیق؛ میانمان که با هیچ خاکستری پر نخواهد شد. جدایمان کردند؛ از روز اول مهر. با پوشش‌های متفاوت. مانتو و مقنعه و چادر تیره بر من پوشاندند و تو را با لباس فرم و کله‌ای تراشیده به ساختمانی دیگر فرستادند. من را به مدرسه‌ی دخترانه و تو را پسرانه . دانشگاه هم که رفتیم جدایمان کردند. با ردیف‌های دور از هم . نیمکت‌های خانم‌ها و آقایان. با درها و راهروها و ورودی‌ها و خروجی‌های خواهران و برادران . جدایمان کردند و ما بسیار دور از هم قد کشیدیم . در اتوبوس با میله‌ها و در حرم و امامزاده با نرده‌ها و در دریا و ساحل با پارچه‌های برزنتی... آنقدر دور و غریب از هم بزرگ شدیم تا تو شدی راز درک ناشدنی‌ای برای من؛ و من شدم عقده‌ی جنسی سرکوب شده‌ای برای تو. تا هر جا که دیگر نتوانستند جدایمان کنند، در تاکسی و خیابان، از زور ناداني و بیماری و عقده‌های جنسی، من در پي يك نگاه و توجه و متلك از تو باشم ... و تو خود را به من بمالی و برهنگی ساق پایم حالی به حالی‌ات کند و نگاه حریص‌ات مانتو ام را بدرد . جدا و بسیار دور از هم قد کشیدیم انقدر که تا پایین تنه هایمان معذب مان کرد خیال کردیم عاشق شده‌ایم و چون عاشق هستیم باید ازدواج کنیم و بعد هم با هزاران عقده‌ی بیدار و خفته به زیر یک سقف رفتیم . بسیار دور از هم قد کشیدیم. انقدر که دیگر نگاه‌مان نیز یکدیگر را خوب و درست ندید و نگاه‌های انسانی جای خود را به نگاه جنسیتی دادند درهمه جا. در محل کار، در محافل فرهنگی و علمی و حتی جلسات سیاسی . و من باید تقاص همه‌ی این فاصله ها را بپردازم . تقاص دوری از تو و بر صخره‌ای دیگر قدکشیدن را . تقاص تو را ندیدن و نشناختن را . باید که تنم بلرزد وقتی هوا تاریک می‌شود و من تنها در خیابانم؛ وقتی دنبال کار می‌گردم؛ وقتی تاکسی سوار می شوم . اینجا یک مستراح عمومی است به وسعت یک کشور. آخر سالیان است که در همه جای دنیا، فقط مستراح‌ها را زنانه و
مردانه کرده اند "
ویدیو در فیس بوک است
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=126320707378979

Help Me Make a Decision!

"Those who are afraid to risk, won't get anywhere."
افرادی که از ریسک کردن میترسند، به جایی نمیرسند

We don't know how bad the oil spill crisis is going to get, or how much it is going to cost. But British Petroleum is one of THE big guys in the picture.

Let me ask you something: Some say it is time to invest in BP (British Petroleum), and some of the financial advisers say: "If you have BP stocks, bail out while you can." While others say: "Hold your nose and buy Bp stock".

Since the oil rig exploded last month, BP's stock as gone from $61 to about $51. I was gonna put an order through today to buy at $48/share (Its 52 week range had been $44.62 ~ $62.38). I didn't. I guess, I sort of chickened out!
That's why I am asking you. What do you think? Should I buy? At what price?

Lets say we had bought 105 shares at $48 today. That would have been $5,040.
I will watch the stock and will add to comments so you know how it is doing.

I am waiting.......

PS. As of the close of today (Wed 5/12/10), BP rose to $48.50 and the market value of OUR SHARES would have been $5,092.50

"I'm Just Thankful I'm Here"

This piece is in honor of Mother's Day. May we grow old and have a spirit like this 80 year YOUNG woman.

'Britain's Got Talent' hosted a 80 year old mother of 7, grandmother of 13 and great grandmother of 4, who blew the audience, as well as the judges, away by her rendition of the French legend Edith Piaf's Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (in English). You watch and judge for yourself.

When Simon Cowell asked her:"How many years have you waited to do this?" Janey Cutler simply replied: "I'm just thankful I'm here."

Live and enjoy your life everyone and grab on to ANYTHING that raises your spirit. I hope this short video touches you so....

Happy Mother's Day

Something New To Be Concerned With!

A friend had posted this video on her wall on Facebook. I watched it in disbelief and it reminded me of something I witnessed many many years ago in Tehran.
One of my cousins owned "Daftar Machine" in Iran and it had the exclusive right to import, sell and service copy machines from a certain manufacturer. The biggest client was the government of Iran and the one with the biggest number of copiers was THE SAVAK (Secret Service Agency, Pre-revolution). First I must tell you that I have always been quite curious (heheheh) and now the rest of the story:
One day when I was at "Daftar Machine" and was looking over the technicians' shoulders as they were working on the various machines, one of them noticed that one page of document had been left in the machine, face down, on the glass. The problem was that the machine belonged to SAVAK. The young technician was so excited and said, "Oh, what are we gonna do... Let's just throw it out as though... " I was very young and I guess naive. I said, "Don't worry. I'll just call them and let them know that they have left a page in the machine." And that is exactly what I did without even TOUCHING the paper. I guessed that they will send someone over to pick it up! My guess was right in theory. I just didn't know that they will send as many men in several cars to come to pick up ONE SHEET OF PAPER!
True story...
I never did find out what was ON the paper though. So maybe I am NOT as curious as I think I am! ;) :)

Where and when the "River Ran Red"...

I am looking forward to seeing "River Ran Red", a documentary made by J. Michael Hagopian about the genocide of the Armenian people in early 20th Century.
http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2764374553/

Tomorrow, I will let you know how it went.

Heavenly Foods

A non-Iranian friend once wrote in an email to me: " it is all about food in your language, dear :) "
She was soooooooo right and she didn't even know half of it!

If you want to try to make if for yourself, here is a link to "Iranian Recipes" in English.
Bon Apetit :)

Fire of Love

<<<=== Look into the fire...



Fire Of Love
by John Laset

Fire is love and love is fire;
And the fire is within me,
Burning brightly - lighting my way
Every day.
I know now where heaven is on earth;
And it is in your arms, warm and soft -
Full of the fire that burns our soul,
Making us one, making us whole.

It Was Like Visiting Old Friends...

I am not a
"Trekkie"
but I must admit watching the latest movie "Star Trek" felt like visiting old friends I hadn't seen in a long time.

This latest movie, "STAR TREK" starts with Captain James Kirk's birth when he was simply "Jim" and works its was through how and under what circumstances he meets the other members of the crew of the SS Enterprise. It is quite interesting. We get to watch how each person gets to be on the ship and what makes them bond together and create the atmosphere we all got to watch in the TV series, "Star Trek". I mean the original one. The one that was created more than 40 years ago and it is still going strong.

Well, if you haven't watched it, I strongly recommend that you do, regardless of whether you are a "Trekkie" or not. If you get nothing else out of it, you will witness the formation of valuable and unique friendships.

Live long and prosper,
Nahzi,
Out.

Just simply adorable....

My friend just emailed me his son's pictures. I wish he had given me some kind of warning. Can you imagine how I felt when I opened the email and saw THESE pictures? They just took my breath away. This is Luca the son of my friend Jean Paul and his lovely wife, Diana.

We have a saying in Farsi, "Baray-e laay-e Baghali Polo khoobeh". It cannot be translated literally but the message is: It is good enough to eat. Of course, the Farsi version is much yummier than the English one! But what matters is that at the end we get to eat Luca one way or another! (I hope his parents aren't following this web log!)

Amistad

It felt quite different to watch "Amistad" this time around. I guess the ever present memories of the recent experience of the "Green Movement" in Iran over shadows my thoughts as well as my feelings, whether I am aware of it or not. I sat there clinching my fists at times, shedding tears at others and longing for those who have ever lost their lives for freedom.
In passing, one might think the movie is about some slaves on the board of a Spanish cargo ship: "Amistad" but lo and behold IT turned out to be one of the historical elements that developed to become the turning point of the American history in the early 1840s.
The ex-president, John Quincy Adams, represented the Africans in the case,
United States of America Vs. Amistad at the Supreme Court.
I wept uncontrollably as he turned to the Justices and said, "We desperately need your strength and wisdom... to triumph over our fears, our prejudices, ourselves. Give us the courage to do what is right. And if it means civil war, then let it come. And when it does, may it be, finally, the last battle of the American Revolution."
Is this what lays ahead in Iran? Is this what Iran and Iranians need?
Freedom cannot be given. It is our right at birth. But there are moments in time when it MUST be taken.

Her first trip to the wild wild west...

My niece, Naomi is coming to LA for the first time and I am sooooo excited....

First message sent from my cell phone as a text msg!
over & out,
Techno Naz.... :)

Hello Cyber World!

Hello everyone,

This is where I intend to put my thoughts on "paper" and share it with you.

I have been writing all my life.

<<<=== Not quite at this age but since elementary school and I have shared them with people in many differnet ways, syber space is simply the latest. Who knows, maybe other ways of communications will be available in the near future. Meanwhile, let's go with this one:

Welcome to Nahzi's Corner

This is not my first picture but it is of the farthest time I remember! I have to start this blog from somewhere and what better place than one of my oldest memories. My mom tells me that one of our neighbors owned a DeKaVe (brand of an European automobile) and IT (DeKaVe) was one of the first words I have uttered! Perhaps that explains my lifelong fascination with cars, especially fast ones.

Another thing I remember about this picture is the color and softness of the coat. It was light lemon color, sort of close to beige and it was very soft and warm. I feel its warmth and comfort as I am typing these words. Sometimes, your mind can play funny games with you.

I leave you with this first of many entries to come. I will share with you my daily experiences, thoughts & memories and will try to have pictures for you too .

Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

With much love, Nahzi (Sat 5/1/10)