Breeze

Simple math

2008-06-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Here, in Spain, they pay you 2500Euros for each baby.
There, somewhere, they pay 15 million to Angelina Julie for a picture of her twins.

Conclusion: 2x2500 = 15000000

Eurovision 2008

2008-05-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well, Eurovision 2008 is finished with some strange results. Russia is now the winner and perhaps will stay there forever. Why, you just need to take a look at the results. All ex-russian countries vote for it!!!

This is somehow stupid. Russians for Russia, Scandinavians for Scandinavia, Spain for ...
During the contest, the Spanish presentator could predict more than 90% of the votes saying this one is going to vote for these, ...

And the contestants, a majority of them, were singing in English. Why?

Not sure if people vote for meaning, seems that things are changing...

It's all over. Lets wait for the next year and comming songs...

Lento

2008-04-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

In Spain, nothing goes fast, even at a rather acceptable speed.
You know, after two years of being here, they attached our names to the office entrance. However, seems that they forgot to update the data bank, you know. The names belong to the people who left here more than a year ago. Then perhaps our names will be added next year. Exactly when we are leaving.

Las cosas van lento aqui en españa. Tranquilo...

Arrival

2008-04-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

I came to Barcelona two years ago. I had a connection in Paris but missed the flight due to the tight schedule. After arriving in BCN, I started to look and search for my name to see if someone is there to pick me up (In fact, they told me so). Nobody was waiting...

- "Thanks God, my iranian mobile works here. Lets call my colleague", I told myself, and called him.

- I was there waiting for you. But as you missed the flight, could not wait anymore. Now you can take a taxi to this address: ....

....

....

....

After reaching the destination:

- The taxi driver told me that he does not know the address. So he was moving along the street, turning...

- He fooled you. I'm sure he knew. He has been moving just to charge you more...

Semana Santa

2008-03-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Spain is a religious country. Here, you can find a lot of holidays with religious reasons, you know. It may look hilarious but last year we received a calendar with a lot of holidays. A monk gave it to us while he was collecting money for his church. Every single day was full of occasions and it was confusing you know.

Going to the main topic, I wanted to say that the ceremonies of semana santa (Easter, saint's week) are almost the same as what we have in Ashura. All those shows of the people in especial wearings are the same as Ashura ceremony in Iran. You know, they are of the same root.

There is, however, one big difference...

Happy NOWROUZ (Finglish)

2008-03-18T02:46:00.000-07:00

Ye saal e dige gozasht. Saali ke mogheye oomadanesh, khosh haal boodim o kolli aarezoo dar sar daashtim. Migoftim ke khodaayaa, too saale jadid, be man ino bede va ino; inaa (?) ro ham doost daaram daashte baasham, komakam kon ke in kaar ro shoroo konam yaa oon kaari ro ke shoroo kardam tamoom konam.

Va kholaase kolli harfaa ke mogheye tahvile saal mizanim yaa hadde aghal too delemoon hast.

Kheiliaa tooye in ye saal, be kheili az chizaaee ke mikhaastan residan. Khodaa ro shokr.
Kheiliaa ham be ba'ziaash residan o az inke natoonestan be ba'zi az ahdaafeshun beresan gele mikonan.

Khob ye saale dige oomade o ye forsate dige. Na!!! Ye saale dige oomade o ye omre dige. Pas hich jaaye negaraani nist.
Yaademoon baashe, too in saale jadid, mesle hameye saalaaye ghabl, khodaa hameye oon chiz haaee ro ke mikhaaim behemoon mide. Faghat baayad ye kam havaasemoon ro bishtar jam' konim. Va yaademoon nare ke age baraaye chizi talaash kardim vali giremoon nayoomad, khob shaayad talaashemoon be andaazeye kaafi naboode. Shaayad ham be dardemoon nemikhorde va hamoon behtar ke giremoon nayoomade vagar na ye dardesare dige be hameye dardesaraamoon ezaafe mishod.

Bahaar daare miaad, va kheili chizaa ro baa khodesh miaare: Salaamati, sarsabzi,... va az hame mohemtar, khaateraatemoon ro: Eidi , Barnaameye koodak, maahie ghermez, shirini o aajil, mashghe eid , hamkelaasi haaee ke chand roozi nemididimeshun va delemoon baraashun tang mishod (raasti kojaan?), va faamil ke dige haalaa saali ye baar ham be zoor mibinimeshun...

SAAL E NO MOBAARAK

Re-start

2008-03-18T02:38:00.000-07:00

I'm back to you, after a long time. There is no excuse. It was just something like no mood for blogging or no time to think.

The other reason is that I was so busy. In fact, I had to push my projects ahead. It was my first priority. Now, it seems to be another chance to re-start.

I was told that the new posts are not as good as before. Then I needed some time to think more. Now, I have decided to move it ahead with new posts on my experiences in Spain. Perhaps the motivation is that I'm not sure if I'll stay here for a long time. Then, it is better to write it as you feel, you know.

Happiness (worldwide!)

2008-01-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

Ruut Veenhoven, known as professor of happiness, has spent more than 30 years on happiness. He has categorized all those happy and unhappy countries. Happiest ones are Denmark, Switzerland, Austria,... while unhappiest people are listed to be Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Moldavia, Ukrane, Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Russia (Ref. Metro daily, Spain, 18 Jan 2008).

He introduces three factors which are deterministic in making a nation happier than others: Democracy, Living status (health,...), and creating a climate of tolerance in the whole nation.

But do you believe that such kind of formulation is the right one?
I doubt it because for example Spain is ranked as number 26 in this listing.

What factors determine the state (or level) of happiness?

New year

2007-12-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

New year, to us, may mean a lot of things; new life, new chances, new friends,...
And perhaps that's why we celebrate it happily.

To us, Iranians, new year starts when the spring starts, when the nature wakes up after those cold days of winter. And it brings hope, freshness, happiness,...

To Christians, the new year comes with cold winter. And perhaps the most beautiful thing is the snowfall which brings freezing days with, making it memorizing especially for the kids who receive great gifts from their parents.

Feliz navidad...

BURGERKING

2007-12-14T04:31:00.000-08:00

32 years ago, when the first BURGER KING of Spain opened in 1972, there were interesting reactions (Ref: QUE!, Dec 13, 2007). Some people didn't know why they had to pay in advance, and some people where looking for spoon and forks for the sandwich!

By the way, did you know that in Spain, still fork works best and in many restaurants, you can not find spoons and forks put together? In the restaurant of our university, you can always find stainless forks and small plastic spoons.

Good luck

2007-11-29T09:56:00.000-08:00

In the News, there was something about an unlucky winner. This, in fact could be a paradox and seems stupid to call a winner unlucky. But, sometimes, inevitable.

You can read the whole story here. Just in brief, it is about someone who wins a lottery when he is not allowed to.

You know, sometimes things come but not in a right time, or at least, when you are not ready for it. Then it hurts more!

Or maybe it is just because you do not deserve it? Or...

But what if it could change your life?

Time

2007-11-19T07:25:00.000-08:00

Time will solve everything but itself...

Civilization

2007-11-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a colombian guy asked an Hindu friend:
- Do you have TV in your country?

And this was a click to start a long discussion as he was trying to prove that his opinion about india is wrong.

You know, we live in a world of media. Who runs better, can affect more. This Colombian guy has all his mind full of things coming out of TV News. He believes that India is a country of millions of people who do not have anything, no civilization.

To him, civilization, perhaps has another meaning: Music, sex,...

Then, what are we supposed to tell him?

Where is our destination?

2007-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

- Do you have ...?
> Yes, we do. But where are you from?

- Iran.
> Great, I have been there. I have seen Chabahar, Bandarabbas, Kerman, Shiraz, Salmas,...

Above, is a typical communication we have here in Pakistani shops. They always look happy to see us. Seems that we have been great hosts for them.

They are telling the truth, about their long journey. And it is all about their path to west. You know, almost all of them have the same experience. Pakistan-Iran-Turkey...

Where do we go?

Copy forbidden!

2007-10-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Many people just copy the other people's life. They follow what their friends do, and try to be at the same level without considering many parameters; mainly, differences.

This, surely, is not a perfect way of living, you know.
Last week, when I opened the player of the blogger, I found an endless collection of pictures which were uploaded by bloggers to be viewed by public. These pictures, apparently, are endless; you know, there are lots of photos uploaded every second worldwide.

To me, this has another meening: If you want to find out what the rest of the world see (or think, or have seen before), you need an eternal life. Then, how is it possible to make copies of their life? And why?

The art of criticism

2007-10-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

It is sometimes dissapointing when you read the reviews of the readers about books, articles, albums, etc.
This happens especially when when reviewer does not have enough technical information on the subject and just wants to say something.
Today, before listening to the new album of Caty named "atr-e nur", I noticed that many reviewers had said things like: nonsense, bad voice, black&white era,...
This made me listen to the full album; and I found it great from some aspects.
Any how, what I would like to say is that, if something (an art, essay,...) does not attract my fancy, it doesn't mean anything more than that. It is just something that I don't like but others may do.
Also, for writing a review, you should have enough knowledge in that field. Or, if you can not find what you are looking for, then leave it to the others.

A simple goodbye

2007-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

The day I met him, I did n't know that he is going to be one of my best friends.

Feras, in fact, came to form a chapter of my life. A chapter in which I learned a lot.

Last friday, when we met for the last time, I felt quite sad though it was my birthday; coz I was almost sure that this is the end, he is packed up heading his country.

And he left, in the simplest way: goodbye...

To be

2007-09-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

It all began with a pain...
Do not remember when it was; and nobody knows.
But I believe that it is not so important. The important thing, however, is "to be" which is defenitively better than "not to be".

And I'm happy...

Tall

2007-09-14T06:08:00.000-07:00

They announced that the world's tallest building is under construction in Dubai exceeding 555 meters for which, the final height and number of stories are kept secret.

Maybe they have lost something there, in the sky; Or...
But is it tall enough?

Here again

2007-09-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back to the virtual world and will upload as of tomorrow!

Copyright

2007-07-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

It is something which we should care about, you know. The nightmare I mean. millions of babies which all look the same and ruin everything. Shrek perhaps could feel it.

OK. Let's put it this way: Chinese are simply copying everything. A few days ago, I read in the media that Chinese have established a city (!) Named Kashan and started to copy Persian carpets. You see, they can copy almost everything.

Imagine, if one day, they copy:

You: You meet yourself in the street !!!
Polititians: More and more wars !!!
People: are they the original ones?
....

I think people need to have a copyright or something...

The end of the world

2007-06-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

A friend said: You are really lucky to be here, coz the life standard and style is very similar to Iran; you can communicate with the society without any problem. The culture is not very different and...

He also said: A majority of those who left Iran to Canada and US just to have a better life, ...

The end of the world? Then where to?

Saint Juan

2007-06-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

Last year, when I wrote about Saint Juan, I had no idea what it is about.

Actually, I knew that they celebrate it through making fires and jumping over them. Making fireworks,...

The occasion, according to our teacher, is somehow nice: 24th of June (Saint Juan day) comes with the shortest night of the year. That's why they celebrate it here in Catalunya.

We, in fact, have the same thing in Persian culture: "Yalda" which is the longest night of the year. We celebrate it because it gives us a feeling of hope, tomorrow is on the way; brightness.
And the darkness has to go; no way...

The other point is the celebration style which resembles our "charshanbe souri": Jumping over fires.
Here, they put all their old burnable things in a public place, burn them, sing and dance. In Persian culture we make fire, sing and jump wishing a safe and healthy year for ourselves, our family, ...

My name is myself

2007-06-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

How do you feel when they pronounce your name in an incorrect way?
You know, there are some limitations in languages; for example, Japanese can not say "Cyrus" and change it to "Shirusu".

When you know that this is just a matter of language and is due to the character limitations in a language, then it is fine. This post, however, is about those who change their names themselves just because of some (stupid?) reasons.

Look:
Javan turns to Johan
Davod turns to David
Ramin turns to Robin
Pahlevan turns to Paulo
...

And here is the question: Why do we need to change our names? Just because we want to be accepted by the societies? Or we want to erase our nationality or...

Books in Fire

2007-05-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

In the News:

"Tom Wayne has amassed thousands of books in a warehouse during the 10 years he has run his used book store, Prospero's Books."

"Wayne began burning his books in protest of what he sees as society's diminishing support for the printed word."

Serious questions:
How much do you spend on your TV(s)? How many TVs do you have? How about game consules?

Which one makes you go mad: When you can not find your TV's remote or when you loose your book?