Things Around Here

Still we hear about the earthquake all around us, and still our hearts are with those who lost their loved ones. We must still do what we can to help them, by our donations, but I think it is time to stop crying and whining and feeling awful for those who died, these feelings will not help no more. Although I will continue to help in building a campaign for donations here in Waterloo, I will try to be happy, and enjoy the last few days of the holidays, I do not have an income, and I have realized that my donations should have a limit to it. Yesterday I went to Toronto with my friends, we went to a shoe museum, an Iranian restaurant, and watched a movie. "The House of Sand and Fog" the movie with Shohreh Aghdashloo in it, a movie about an Iranian family who leaves Iran and starts to build a new life in America. Although I did not think that Aghdashloo's acting was outstanding enough to win an Oscar, I still think that the movie is a must see for Iranians. It portrays an American viewpoint of Iranians in an American society. Interestingly it is a positive viewpoint. Today is December 31st, the new year's eve, and people are planning their night out, as for my friends and I, I don't think we will be partying, but perhaps spending the night at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square where there are performances for the general public in the streets. This new year is not my new year, I am not as excited, but again why not use it as a means to be happy, and reincarnate our inner beings?

Promotions, commercials & advertisements

Have you ever been commercially harassed?! Salesperson calling you trying to sell used electric massagers? The other day I'd be sleeping, and it'd be around 12 or 1 P.M. being all tired and sleepy from the night before at Louie's, soar feet and smelly hands! and the phone rings. I'd be jumping out my bed thinking it's something important and while trying to fix my sleepy voice I go: Hello?! so this lady says: good afternoon sir. May I speak to Mr. Hamed Bahador?! Now I had already been thinking swear words, being pissed off and all woken up early in the morning! But I go: Yeaaah.....ummm...sure....may I know whose calling? Yes, I am calling from Bell Telecommunications. --Wait a minute is this a promotion?! Uhhh...Yeah. – Look lady, we're all sleeping now, call later!

It's really funny with all this promotion stuff, the last day Hootan was here he lost his cell phone, so he calls Rogers to block it, and while he's all pissed off and all, the man says: oh yeah, now that you have lost your cell phone, allow me to introduce this new offer, you see we have this new deal which has 24 hours of long dis.. SHUT THE HELL UP MAN! fix my freakin' phone first, I want none of your stupid deals! I'm pissed off now!

But this advertising is no easy task, no no, don't you ever think it is. I mean not advertising for men at least. I mean no offence but if you watch the commercials on TV that are for women, they're all nice and simple, it'd be this chick smiling with a new lipstick on her lips and she'd be whispering: "You will get all the attention at this week's Saturday night party"...."REVLON". Commercials for guys on the other hand, ho ho! Geniuses would be there sitting, planning this cool ass commercial, it'd be playing with your mind and all with a space ship in space and gravity and turning wheels and computers and famous actresses. Like the Honda commercial. It is a 2 minute video, was made with 606 takes, no computer graphics or digital manipulation, the cost was 6 million dollars and took 3 months to complete. Click here to watch it for yourself. If that link didn't work, try this one.

Let us cry

I remember that one night I woke up crying. I couldn't stop crying. It was a bad dream, a nightmare, but what was it? I tried to gain consciousness; I dreamed that I've lost my father. I cried harder, and harder, I kept telling myself that it was just a dream, but I couldn't stop. My parents woke up, ran to my room, sat next to me on my bed, and calmed me down. Today, we read that the death toll in Bam reaches 30,000. Many families gone altogether, leaving the relatives mourning, but many losing their closest, the most loved ones. Some mothers lost their children, some kids became orphans and some women turned into widows. It is not a dream. Not a nightmare, no one is there to relieve their pain, to calm them down. Think. Close your eyes, and fly there, feel it, put yourself in their shoes, feel the pain. Cry. Yes, cry. Let the tears wash your stoned hearts. Hearts that have ignored. Hearts that have walked away. Hearts that have forgotten, others exist. Let us do something about it, let us do the best we can. I should punish myself. Why should I scream in laughter watching a Comedy on Fox, while others are dying in sorrow, in pain? Life is not fair, and I am fortunate to be at a side where I don't suffer. But how about those who aren't on my side? Let us cry, let us feel bad, feel guilty, let us make a move, let us do our best to help those in need.

Earthquake in Iran

The 9/11 attack killed 3000 people, and the media all around the world mourned for the U.S.. It has been estimated that the earthquake in Bam, Iran, has killed 20000 people. TWENTY THOUSAND people. What would be the reaction of the international community to this tragedy? How much attention is Iran going to get? How much help? Who's going to care? As Iranians, are we going to unite in helping our people as much as Americans did? Are we going to mourn for them? To feel with those remaining? Is it going to move our hearts? If we want a better Iran, if we want to get even one step closer to what the U.S. has, we must do something. Sitting at your seat and reading the news and feeling sorry will not help. DO SOMETHING TODAY. For God's sake, for the sake of humanity, for the sake of your people, your country, yourself.

Missing Tehran

It is 1:11 AM , December 25th , 2003 . I really miss Tehran . Perhaps, it is my greatest wish that I was in Tehran right now. Sometimes, I call myself a loser, for escaping from my country, and living where I am "free". Living abroad, is an opportunity for me. I do like Canada , and I liked Dubai too. But I always missed Tehran. All the time. I'm not depressed over here. In fact, I think Canadians are extremely friendly, and I have very good friends over here. But something is missing, I don't belong here. This place seems to be working out the best, but something is missing. When would Iran change? At some nights in Tehran, I would stand next to our window in Ekbatan, and look at the city lights, and just cry. Cry for myself, cry for my people. Many people dream of what I have, and yet I dream of what they have. Seems like people don't appreciate the things they have. Iran has got to change. I don't blame the previous generation for changing the regime, perhaps we would do the same. The other night, Saeed was arguing that Iranians have many problems, us in ourselves are the cause for our misery, and this will not change for a long time. This might be true, but surely it is something I hate to believe in. It is bitter, but I hope it's not the truth. Sometimes I go to one of the chatrooms, and ask people whether they are from Tehran . Where in Tehran? Is it cold now? Where do go to school? Where do you work? Is it close to the streets I know? Is it close to the places I used to hang out? Vanak, Mirdamad, Ekbatan, Ariashahr, Fereshte, Niavaran. Iran has got to change. We must live in our own country. We must have equal rights, we must get free. Sometimes I envy Canadians. They are so patriotic too, like us. They wear T-shirts that reads I AM CANADIAN. They have much to be proud of. What are we, us Iranians, proud of?

Free Will

I believe that humans don't have free will. Click here to read my paper.

How Canada Can Improve Your Health (Clinically Guaranteed!)

Prior to my migration to the land of snow, I did not know what a toothbrush was! As my university acceptance arrived at the door of my house in Sheikh Zayed road, my father took me to a corner and whispered in my ear that I am growing up. At that time, I did not know the difference between pubic hair and a mustache, and I could easily mistake one for the other! However, I did not panic, I immediately referredto our official religion and opened a book labeled "Resaleye Ayotallahollol-Ozma Roohollahe Khomeini". In the journey to discover the steps of growing up, I discovered that I have to brush my teeth, and in fact in that book there was clear directions of how to perform this very task. The first thing I had to do, was to find the bark of a palm tree. It was said that Prophet Mohammad used this leafy material to brush his teeth. So I did, and living in the land of palm loving Arabs, I could easily find such material. Days passed by and technology improved, and by the day that I had reached Canada, I had advanced so much that I was using a manual Oral-B toothbrush to brush my teeth (Image top right). But yesterday, I entered Wal-Mart, and as I was passing by the many products at shelves, happily prepared to be sold for the Christmas holidays, a specific product grabbed my attention. Oral-B's electrical toothbrush!! Wow, technology has indeed advanced for lazy people. I mean one day you'd be sitting in your car, while it automatically drives you to your destination and simultaneously an electrical shower, washes your body! Isn't that great?! But don't be mistaken, by no means I bought this hi-tech toothbrush because I am lazy, in fact, I carefully studied the specifications: "...developed to effectively remove plaque from your teeth. It has been designed for daily use for the whole family." GREAT! now the WHOLE family can brush their teeth with one toothbrush, how hygienic I am impressed indeed.

Living like an owl, living as an Iranian

Last night, I mean this morning, I slept at 7:00 AM ! I have completely become nocturnal ( Animals that sleep during the day, and hunt food at night ). Oh and the marks came out! 3 of them, I will be finally be transferring into CS as of next term. A year and a half in math major should be enough.

We celeberated "Shabeh Yalda" on Sunday night, at Mona's house. And it was a great night. I felt proud of being Iranian once again. (Note to Saeed: Yes I want to be born as an Iranian AGAIN). I like Iran. This is a good question actually. That night Saeed asked us the following question:

If you were given the chance to be born again and this time choose your nationality, what would it be?

I personally believe that for philosophical reasons, this is an invalid question that cannot be answered, but for many, it is simple and straight forward. Do you think being a Canadian, or Japanese or Australian is better than being an Iranian? How do you define Iranian? Or Persian?

Think about it, perhaps you will better discover who you are and who you want to be.

Baby when the lights ( and fire alarms too ) go out!

1400 hrs, December 15, 2003. I am walking towards the Physical Activities Center (PAC), to write my CS134 exam along with 1000 other students.

1500 hrs. everything going smoothly, until... VIEEEOOOOOOOOZ....and the lights of the whole campus go out! People writing exams all over campus. The PAC cheers in chaos, as the proctors attempt to keep the crowd calm.

1600 hrs. Lights are still out! I am sitting at the far back of the hall. Furthest point possible from the only two windows at the top of the 20 meter walls of the PAC.

1615 hrs. everyone's annoyed, some sleeping, some trying to see and write, most people nagging about the condition. Announcement is made, CS134 students are allowed to either get up and leave, cancelling their current exam, or to continue writing until lights come back.

1630 hrs. Lights finally come back, and the proctors announce a one hour and a half extension to the exam time limit! YESSS!

1720 hrs. I finish writing and I leave the exam hall.

1723 hrs. I enter the Health Services on the UW campus.

1730 hrs. The nurse sees me:

So what's wrong?

- Nurse, I was writing an exam in dim light coz the lights went out, and my eyes hurt and I have migrine and blah blah blah...I can't write my exam which is in an hour or so. I would like to defer it please.

I'll give you an Advil, you'll be fine, we cannot defer exams of anyone who has a simple headache!

-GODDAMMIT give a doctor's note!

OKAY, I'll give you a "slight one"

1810 hrs. Student Life Center (SLC), Navid and Mahdi, arrive. We study, then go to DC to write the exam.

1900 hrs. Exam begins.

2015 hrs. Everything going smoothly until.... BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAAA........ The fire alarm in the whole Davis Center goes off. The class cheers in chaos. The professor panics, and we hear people running outside class.

2015 hrs. WE HAVE TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING! Everybody out!

2017 hrs. All Iranians gather in one point around the book. WHAT WAS THE ANSWER TO THAT ESSAY QUESTION? QUICK QUICK!

2025 hrs. Still exchanging answers.

2030 hrs. Waterloo fire department, with all of their "NEW" fancy clothes, turns off the alarm. Doors are cleared for entrance.

2035 hrs. All exam sheets have been removed from the desks. The exam will not be continued. You might have to write it in Spring. WHAAAAAAAAAT?! I'm not gonna even be here. OK! Check the website, tomorrow at noon for more accurate news.

2100 hrs. 10 Iranians (names withheld for security reasons) arrive at Harvey 's to eat.

2200 hrs. Math & Computer building (MC). We are all studying for our exams tomorrow.

2300 hrs. Let's steal final exams.

0001 hrs. December 16. I'll watch this hall, you watch that, as he helps him climb over that!!!?!

0046 hrs. It's not easy. They might see us.

0100 hrs. Too risky. Let's go back to our books.

0200 hrs. Still studying. 1 soldier down. Leaves MC for bed.

0500 hrs. Another 2 soldiers down. They leave MC for bed.

0630 hrs. Still studying hardcore.

0700 hrs. The two of us decide to get a 3 hour sleep.

0705 hrs. We find free food in one of the empty classes in MC. We start eating it.

0710 hrs. We're still eating!

0715 hrs. We enter Graphics Lab with a stolen password. And sleep on the couches.

0900 hrs. Phone rings with the loudest possible ringtone! GET UP GET UP GET UP.

0930 hrs. Wash up ... eat up. Beagle with tea. (Thanks guys ;)

1330 hrs. Meet Navid at SLC.

1400 hrs. Entering the 1000 student exam hall. Start writing the exam.

1500 hrs. SHARP! Everything silent until....... BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAAABABABAAAAA...Fire Alarm! AGAIN! 1000 students in shock, yet all still at their desk. No one moves. Navid & I talk, for 15 minutes. Checking answers. until the false alarm turns off.

1700 hrs. Yesterday's cancelled exam gets rescheduled for Thursday, December 18.

No problem...another alarm would do...Just spread the word ;)

Nightmare

What a frightening nightmare. It is not the first time that I dream of war, dream of the scenery out my window of warplanes circling above my head, and dropping bombs and rockets at my house. This morning, I woke up with sweat all over my body, and the horrifying thought of those images once again. I cannot wipe the memory of that gloomy night, when I stood on the rooftop of our house in Tehran along with two of my cousins. I was only five years old, when the three of us stood still, as the Iraqi plane slowly passed at a high altitude above our head, and the bloody red blinking lights of it shone in the darkness of the sky. I can never forget the images of that rocket coming down, and hitting ' Imam Khomeini Hospital ' a few hundred meters from our house. The memory of it is imprinted in mind. And the terrifying sound of that siren, over and over again, each night, echoing in me as if it was yesterday. Those nights that I would shiver in the arms of my parents, in that damp, cold basement, waiting for the silence after the explosion. The bombs and the missiles coming down, rocking the body of our cities, and taking hundreds and thousands of the lives of the people of my country.

Perhaps, it was the disturbing images of Saddam on TV yesterday that caused this dream, or, it was yet another occasional notice by those dark memories of my childhood.

Exams' Week

9 days, 5 exams... I will write my last exam on December 16th. The site will be periodically updated once again, after that. Right now, I gotta start studying Philosophy. Wish me luck.