hard work and achievments

the pain of hard work and achieving something is not limited to the actual work, but also to the fact that you sacrifice other opportunities, achievements and joy while working on the task.

the fortunate sole

in this moment of 36th, i feel lucky that i have loved and have been loved decently. it's my most important asset.

Walking into 2012

It's a peaceful and quiet farewell moment to 2011. A year which started in Dubai for us in another peaceful night. Now, Em is dealing with a cold and has crashed on the couch. We had a decent Indian dinner with sangria and then watched the entertaining fuck documentary which has made its way into our library recently. With its simplicity it's probably my most relaxing new year moment in the recent years.

It's another moment to look back and revisit the quick passage of life in year 2011. Unbelievably rapid with so much events.
I have been lucky to enjoy myself, make some advancements in my work, personal life, life of my family and a few friends and visit a few new places in the world. Finally after 29 years, this was the year that we were able to change our family apartment in Tehran. Yes, there is so much of financial mess to be resolved in my family. Work has its up and downs and certainly far from tier-1. But what can I do more than what's my capacity after all? Which aspect of life is perfect that I make this one perfect?

Witnessing some of the changes in the middle east in one of its most eventful years of modern history has been a great opportunity. I remember when I read about the first series of protests in Tunisia in late 2010 and talked to Abdo about them. And we were still not taking them serious. But finally in the new year, media broke its silence and from there the roller coaster started and hasn't stopped in this region. So much discussion, optimism and pessimism that we hear from our Arab friends these days.... At the middle of all these events, it's really tough to judge what's reality, and who lies or exaggerate! As I am getting more mature, I realize how difficult it's to have an ultimate and final word about a phenomenon, specially when it comes to political matters. And the events in the middle east boosted this vision. But what's clear that our dreams for peace and happiness of humans are universal and have been expressed over and over in art and literary works.

So much to do and maybe worry in the year, but there is that inner mysterious word which reminds me that one way or the other things will work out, personally and globally. that is probably the essence of the life.

Film: A cube of Suger (yek habe qand)

Reza Mirkarimi's new feature film is a fresh breeze in Iranian cinema. Yek Habe Qand is an excellent demonstration of an Iranian dialogue between traditions and modernity. The story is around a traditional family in the Yazd province who are preparing for the long-distance wedding of their daughter (whose to-be husband is in the US). A suite of characters who resemble the Iranian society are present in this large family. This is a nice reminder of Ali Hatami's Madar). Through a dramatic set of events, the plot switches from the livelihood of a wedding to a new livelihood of a mourning preparation. In both settings we observe a colorful image of Iranian customs and cuisines in each of these occasions.

Mir-karimi's direction is mostly solid. The only turn-offs are the few slow-motion sequences. These over-dramatic scenes (with their over-melodic music) weaken the powerful narrative of the work. All together the movie presents a novel Iranian view of the familiar destiny theme. The script and acting are well above the average and make the film a great success.
This film along with Farhadi's powerful film (A Separation) are the nice surprises of the struggling Iranian cinema.

between two worlds

It's a short 2 hours flight from Tehran to here. Yet, there is so much difference between the two lives of mine on two sides of the Persian gulf. After getting back from Iran, I have the same post-hyped feeling that I had when I was going back to the US.

One thing is clear: After 14-15 years of being away, I'm still very attached to streets of Tehran. People keep telling me about poverty, corruption and demoralization of Iranian public in the past decades. But after all, I feel so much home as I walk down the Meidane Valiasr or Karimkhaan Street and deal with the merchants and ordinary people. It's pretty much same as before and I don't like to miss that feeling ever.

Living through history: Libya

I can write hours of these golden days of the middle east. But the highlight of all these events is observing the humilation of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya. His moronic character and dystopian ruling has been a collection of ignorance, idiocy and manipulation that has only brought poverty and humiliation for a country with vast amount of oil capital and only 8 million population. He's one of the few who can put Ahmadinejad, Bush, Berlusconi, etc. into shame and defeat in lying and public manipulation. Can't wait to see his fall and further humiliation.

It started!

Today: Nov 29th 2010! The end of an excellent beginning!