dictators

What has become of us? Why are we all so engaged in wars? Why do we long so deeply for power and dictatorship? When I was a kid, I thought I could save the world. I played it many times in my mind that I would one day convince all the world leaders that serving people should be their sole intention. I thought that if I could speak to their better nature they too would understand. It was a Walt Disney movie. As time severed, I understood that mankind has desires far beyond my comprehension.

You're probably wondering why I am thinking about all of this a day before the New Year. December was a strange month. First Pinochet (December 10), then Niyazov (December 21) and last night Saddam. All known for their extremist governments, all known for so many crimes against their own people. Maybe we should wish for more Decembers in 2007. Then maybe one day there won't be any dictatorships. Maybe one day we can live together in peace, in harmony, as human beings.

last days

a lot like Xmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart
...

I've had Christmas lights up since the beginning of the month. I added the last touches and the presents today, so it really does look a lot like Christmas now ...

I have to admit, I miss mum and dad, I really do. I remember the Christmas trees we had when we were kids. I guess they probably put up a tree so we wouldn't feel different from everyone else. We even had stockings, and since we didn't have a fireplace, we just hung them on the wall ... Oh God, I hope I can go home for Eid. I miss the warm fuzzy family feeling so much ... I have a set of parties lined up for the holidays, I hope it gets me out of this blue!

penguins

Memphis: What's going on there? What are you doing?
Baby Mumble: [tap dancing] I'm happy!
Memphis: What's with your feet?
Baby Mumble: They're happy, too!

We watched Happy Feet on Tuesday and boy what a jolly cartoon! Forget Bambie and Nemo, Happy Feet is an adorable movie without any of the horrible sketches that are popular in today's cartoons. Just what you need to get into the spirit of the holidays. If you have time, go and watch it ...



I guess aside from the general message animations have that you should never give in, this one reminded you of how we as human beings are affecting the habitat we share with other living creatures. It's good for children of all ages (there were only adults in the theater watching the movie with us) to become accustomed to the idea, we will be hearing a lot more in the coming years ....

* Still photography from IMDB

needle

I was doing some sewing tonight (yes I just admitted that I do that and if you want to mock me I knit too, but that's a whole other story!). Anyhow, I lost my needle. Thinking that I might step or sit on it I started looking for it immediately. I found it on the coffee table where I was sitting, of course, after I had searched the whole room. It had me thinking, I don't have a short range sight in life either, I usually need the distance to see people and the greatness in them ...

گره کور

یادمه که قبلا شنیده بودم می گفتن یه کسی گره افتاده به کارش. اون وقتا خیلی نمی فهمیدم یعنی چی، ولی الان می گم که یه گره کور افتاده به کار یکی از دوستام. باورتون نمی شه چقدر کور. من که دیگه روم نمی شه با خوش خیالیهام بهش بگم حتما خیرت در این نبوده. اصلا سر در نمی آرم، آخه چقدر!؟

something more

I want to take this time to thank you for the love you gave
And from this moment, you've got to know
I never wanted something more
And I never felt so sure
Cause now I've got this chance to be
Everything you saw in me
And even more
Than I ever dreamed before,
As long as you are here with me
I know that I can be, something more.

- Ryan Malcolm

The Logic of Failure I

... Still others have located the source of the trouble in male domination of the society. They distinguish between "serial" male thinking and "parallel" female thinking and identify the later as more appropriate for dealing with complex problems. Indeed, the entire tradition of Western "analytical" thinking is often blamed for all woes.

Failure does not strike like a bolt from the blue; it develops gradually according to its own logic ...

give me the night

'Cause there's music in the air
and lots of loving everywhere
so gimme the night. Gimme the night.

- George Benson

about dad

My dad sent me this! What we think about dad when we are:

4: My daddy can do anything.
5: My daddy knows a lot.
6: My daddy is smarter than your dad.
8: My dad doesn’t know exactly every thing.
10: In the older days when my dad grew up, things were different.
12: O well naturally father does not know any thing about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
14: Don’t pay attention to my father. He is so old-fashioned!
21: Him! My Lord, he is hopelessly out-of-date.
25: Dad knows a little about it, but then he should, because he has been around so long.
30: Maybe we should ask dad what he thinks.
35: I’m not doing a single thing until I talk to dad.
40: I wonder how dad would have handled it. He was so wise and had a world of experience.
60: I’d given anything if dad were here, now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I did not appreciate, how smart he was.

the pig

The test asked me to draw a pig and based on that drawing gave me the following:

• You are positive and optimistic.
• You are direct, enjoy playing devil's advocate and neither fear nor avoid discussions.
• You are analytical, cautious, and distrustful.
• You are secure, stubborn, and stick to your ideals.
• You are a good listener.
• You have a good sex life.

Now who in the world would have thought a pig could tell you so much! Try it.

execute

I always tear up on sad stories about children, but what have I done to help?

stand by your man

Sometimes its hard to be a woman
Giving all your love to just one man
You'll have bad times
And he'll have good times
Doing things that you don't understand
But if you love him you'll forgive him
Even though he's hard to understand
And if you love him
Oh be proud of him
'Cause after all he's just a man
Stand by your man
Give him two arms to cling to
And something warm to come to
When nights are cold and lonely
Stand by your man
And tell the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can

- Tammy Wynette

007

I didn't like the idea of a blond Bond and the movie wasn't that great either; not as catchy, not as smart. Although, we seemed to disagree on the actor; some thought he was quite attractive, just not my taste then ... And the splatter of romance, nothing like the James Bond I had loved for so long. And where was the car? The great famous James Bond gadgets? I know it was supposed to be an early Bond but no fancy car no gadgets just doesn't make it real enough. All in all, it was a little too much Hollywood!

renewal

We stayed up all night and went to bed in the morning like old times. It was fun, we laughed and joked around. I am so glad we still do this, although not as often as we used to. It's one of those small things that says, I am carefree I can be a child again ...

my mistake

Remember I said I might go to Suspension bridge, well, a tree fell on the bridge and now its closed! Where should I plan to go next?

coated

I woke up to see this looking at me through my window. I know, I'll buy a new camera soon, but I guess it does give you an idea ... I thought Summer was the most wonderful time to watch the city. I have to find time to go to Stanley park and Suspension bridge, I'll post more white photos if I get to take any ...

again, Bill

Read this and make sure you get to the ending ...

flakes

It's snowing and I can't pull the curtains because I feel I'm going to miss something. The trees in front of my apartment look like it's Christmas and I can already smell the candles. These pictures are from this afternoon looking out my balcony. I am bringing out the Christmas tree this weekend and I am probably going to have an ornament party again after everything is set!

first snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

indecision

I did it as a challenge to myself, just to prove to myself that I can. But now there is something inside me walking around banging its head against the wall wondering if this was a good idea to begin with. I know that you can never know if you made the best decision unless you are lucky enough to try all the alternates, and that life doesn't usually hand you that.

The past is gone and at this time I really don't care if what I did was the best, I want to know what to do now. Do I go on? I am not one of those people to carry on with something just because I started it. If I continue I want to know that its because I wanted to go on. I have no problem stopping where I am, I just don't want to regret it later ...

pace

Is it me or everything just moving too fast? I can't even keep track of the days!

football

Is there anywhere that we haven't been kicked out of yet?

You needed me

I cried a tear,
You wiped it dry.
I was confused,
You cleared my mind.
I sold my soul,
You bought it back for me.
And held me up,
And gave me dignity.

Somehow you needed me.

You gave me strength,
To stand alone again.
To face the world,
Out on my own again.
You put me high,
Upon a pedestal.
So high that I
Could almost see eternity.

You needed me.
You needed me.

You held my hand,
When it was cold.
When I was lost,
You took me home.

- Boyzone

my arc

How many days did it rain before Noah built the arc? Or did he start before all the rain? We've had endless rain, so last night I proposed we start building an arc and gathering a pair of any animal we want to keep from extinction (don't tell the animal activists but some I just can't take!).
I know, I too thought the Lord had sent the dove and promised Noah this would never again happen and that the rainbow was supposed to remind us of the promise. I hope lightening doesn't strike me, but Noah's long dead and I have a feeling that the deal is off! So come with me my followers, we shall build a boat that will rise above any wave ...

milk shake

It has been about a week now that we have had to boil drinking water. Although the water from the taps in my house doesn't look muddy, it's rather unclear in most parts of the city, and no amount of boiling can fix that. I have three proposals for this situation:

1. The storms are caused by warm wet tropical fronts from Hawaii (pineapple express) hitting the cold mountains in Canada. Since they are sending us the rain, how about they send us some Hawaii tickets to get away from it for a tad? Or at least some of the sunshine they get?
   
2. If the GVRD is not going to improve the drinking water filtration they should at least buy some new machinery that can measure the current turbidity - apparently on Thursday the turbidity was more than 100 times the usual amount and the devices couldn't measure it! I guess because the people who designed it never thought anyone would think of drinking such muddy water, well, another design defect!
3. If the GVRD has monetary problems, how about asking the charities who collect money for wells in Africa so that people can have drinking water to donate some?
   

big black horse and a cherry tree

I was listening to this on the way back home tonight. I think Katherine McPhee had a big role in making this song famous but I may be wrong, anyhow, enjoy!

Well my heart knows me better than I know myself
So I'm gonna let it do all the talking.
I came across a place in the middle of nowhere
With a big black horse and a cherry tree.

I fell in fear, upon my back
He said "Don't look back, just keep on walking."
When the big black horse said, "Hey lady!"
Said, "Look this way, will you marry me?"

But I said no, no, no, no-no-no
I said no, no, you're not the one for me
No, no, no, no-no-no
I said no, no, you're not the one for me

And my heart had a problem, in the early hours,
So I stopped it dead for a beat or two.
But I cut some cord, and I shouldn't have done that,
And it won't forgive me after all these years

So I sent it to a place in the middle of nowhere
With a big black horse and a cherry tree.
Now it won't come back, 'cause it's oh so happy
And now I've got a hole for the world to see

But I said no, no, no, no-no-no
I said no, no, you're not the one for me
No, no, no, no-no-no
Said no, no, you're not the one for me

defeated

I just realized I forgot to write about her. She fell in love head over heels and she was so excited from the start. So excited that it scared me, from the start. I wondered and I held my tongue not to say anything, not to ruin the joy for her, but could see this day. He was cold and I believe he never deserved her. Now she is broken and pale and there is nothing I can do for her ... only that I know she believes she can love again, I'll hold her hand until she needs me to.

georgeous George

Girls, have you heard that George Clooney is thinking of settling down and having a family! Well as far as I know it's not with me so it's bad news! Ah, gorgeous George ...

نقل از نقل

ازوالدو گولیف آهنگساز مشهور آرژانتینی از نوازندگی کیهان کلهر در موسیقی فیلم "جوانی بدون جوانی" اثر فرانسیس فورد کاپولا استفاده می کند

professional help

We met at a friend's party and talked for quite some time. It never occurred to me to ask him if he too was a student or not, since it was my understanding that we were all students and that was how we all knew each other. Conversation somehow got to talking about thesis and I, for some reason, said that I needed help on a subject. He jumped in and started explaining when I insisted that it was neither the right time or place for such talk, so the conversation was delayed until the next working day.

After we had wandered around school talking about everything ranging from concrete to maps, after getting coffee and after meeting and chatting with a mutual friend, we arrived at my office. He sat and patiently helped me out.

I walked with him to the door, shook his hand and thanked him for his help. As he walked away another friend approached. He asked me where I knew the other guy from and what he was doing in our lab. My answer was simple, I needed help on something which he apparently is an expert at, so he dropped by to give me a hand. I saw the grin, my friend calmly said, So now you're past the students and you can only consult the professors? I just realized ... oh well, what better than to talk with the true expert!

when did you fall

When did you fall in love with me?
Was it out of the blue
‘Cause I swear I never knew it
When did you let your heart run free?
Have you been waiting long?
When did you fall in love with me?
When did you fall in love?

Make your way over here, sit down by this fool, and let’s rewind
C’mon, let’s go back and replay all our scenes
You can point out the hints, the clues, the twists and the smiles this time
All the ones that slipped by me
I bet my face is red, and you can hear my heart poundin’
Well I guess it don’t matter now that I realize
‘Cause baby I missed it then, but I can surely see you now
Right there before my eyes
You’re my beautiful surprise

Have you been waiting long?
When did you fall in love?
I kept you waiting so long, when did you fall?
Have you been waiting long?
When did you fall in love with me?
When did you fall in love?

- Chris Rice

drift

I was flipping through the Christmas shopping brochures when I felt a smile crawl on my face. It felt like when I was a kid. We would sit and flip through magazines for hours and we'd pick the jewelry, make up and clothes we wanted. Of course we'd pick all the beautiful models, not even paying much attention to their clothes.

I remember my sister deeply wishing she had long blond hair. She pretended that her hair was "cream" as she called it. After a while she gave up and just started hating her black hair and asking mum and dad why everyone else had "cream" hair. Little did she know that all the teachers at school loved our hair because it was so different. I guess back then people didn't change the color of their hair so easily. My little sister, she's still so fascinated with looks ...

prognostic

Remember the first time you realized there is a future beyond you in which you don't know what will happen? It seemed that until then you always knew what was going on, what would happen next and what you would do. And then the predictable world ended. You had to take a chance and do something and see what the outcome would be.

I thought of that moment today. May be it had happened in small steps, but the realization came to me when I started writing my Master's thesis. Everything felt unsure, and so much was changing. Guess what, it doesn't scare me now. The stress and the indecisiveness are just emotions that I know will pass. And I know that there will come a day when it's all over, when the decision doesn't seem that stressful anymore.

upgrade

They introduced a new beta Blogger version and now Dokhtare Aftab is working again!

rebelion

We stayed up the past two nights until 5am and then slept until noon or even later. I think we all needed to break the daily routine ...

rebelion

We stayed up the past two nights until 5am and then sleep until noon or even later. I think we all needed to break the daily routine ...

Salsa

We were at a party trying to teach a friend Salsa but it just wasn't working. She would resist the guy leading the dance. As I was explaining to the person dancing with her that he should have given her a short lecture on the dance before starting, someone jumped in and said,

It's not like that, the rules change when you start dancing, the guy is always right!

We had a great laugh and believe me, the idea helped a lot ...

sleep methods

My colleague finds it extremely amusing that I have a folder of papers marked as Sleep Methods. Every once in a while he will come up to me and ask what new methods have been added to them or if I could advise him on a better sleep method. True, it's not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about wireless communications ... I have explained to him what it refers to, and yet he finds it continuously entertaining.

celebrate

It's really cool to live in a community which has totally different traditions than you do. Look at it this way, we celebrate in Fall and some months of Winter with people here and we celebrate coming into Spring and Spring itself with our own customs ...

self-conscious

I know this about myself, I take calculated risks, I don't gamble. And when I am getting myself into something I try to have the best understanding of what could happen, so I at least know what to expect if everything goes wrong. I could see myself lingering on the decision and calculating the outcome in all ways, I think it's time to act.

period .

As much as all girls would love to not go through periods, I still don't believe we would be open to the idea of jumping over a couple. Basically, the idea is, women didn't use to have as many periods in their lifetime, both because they had sooner pregnancies and because of their different lifestyle, so the body isn't even designed for this. And, since people more or less plan their pregnancies, they know when they want to be able to bare a child. Therefore, we can medicate the period, i.e. you can have Pill Periods and you can have them less often and to some extent chose when to have them. You can find more information on the topic here.

The answer is simple for me. I won't alter anything in my body unless it's some kind of treatment needed due to a malfunction! Maybe it's just because I don't trust doctors that much or maybe it's because they just don't have the best history of being right about interfering with the normal functions of the body ...

hatred

I was browsing the Telus site for movie information when I bumped into this poll:

Which of the following films with a political theme are you most interested in seeing?
7% Catch a Fire
16% Death of a President
43% Dixie Chicks: Shut up and Sing
28% The Queen
3% The War Within

The Dixie Chicks movie is related to the Bush statement the lead singer meant and from the trailer anyone can tell that it's an anti - Bush film. The Queen is the story of what happened inside Buckingham Palace  after Diana's death. I think this represents the political interests of Canadians rather well.

entitled

We all have to work for what we want. Some of us work harder, some work less. Sometimes we get breaks and sometimes it just seems that no matter how hard you try you get nowhere. That, is the time when you need someone to whisper to you that you are beautiful and that you can do anything. That tomorrow is another day and that you will get another chance at whatever it is you failed at. Maybe you need to take it at a slower pace or maybe you should push harder ...

When you're a kid the person that whispers to you is your mum or your dad. But as you grow up you have others in your life to fulfill that role. So to make sure you always move forward in life all you really need to do is have a good friend to tell you what you need to hear when you need to hear it. And all you need to do to have such a friend is to do the same for others ...

on TV

I saw All Around The Town on the weekend, despite its bad rating I think it was good ...

threats

Researchers have found that both men and women find men more of a threat to their intimate relationships. The reason for women being threatened by other men becoming close to their significant other is that they instinctively feel they have no means of competing with such a rival. Interesting research I should say!

expenditure

It is expected that British Columbia will spend the most money per capita for Halloween this year. And Quebec's going to spend the least, hmm, these Frenchmen!

The fireworks are beautiful and there are so many of them around town ... the lights, the colors, the rush ...

The weather is so crisp that it already smells like Christmas ... and it's only November tomorrow ...I bet it's going to be an exciting cold Winter this year ...

بیستون

یه خبر خیلی هیجان انگیز

joy

The person who puts the smile on your face even when he's not there, the person who can turn everyday chores into something exciting, the person who makes you want to pull through anything, he IS the person you want to be with ...

cold

Jack frost is definitely here, and from the looks of it he's staying this winter!

Arnold

Even Arnold knows now ...

history was made

I won't bore you with all the details of our meeting, let me just say, we had over twice as many voting members present than we needed for quorum.

Special General Meeting, SFU

SGM

Tomorrow is the day, the special general meeting is happening ... finally. So many of us have worked so hard over it. We had the last coordinator's meeting today and ... I just hope the many months of hard work doesn't go to waste. It brought us all so close together ...

definition

You know yourself better when you're in despair. What you do and how you act in those times show a less tainted picture of you. And if you can hold your head up high after it has all gone by and say you did well, you can be proud of your real self ...

all I can do

When you're on your own
When you're at a fork in the road
You don't know which way to go
There's too many signs and arrows
You haven't laughed in a while
When you can't even fake a smile
When you feel ashamed
The uniform don't make you brave

All I can do is love you to pieces
Give you a shoulder to cry when you need it
When the day is long and the night is coming down on you
All I can do
All I can do
All I can do

- Chantal Kreviazuk

boarders

Friendship is a difficult thing between a man and a woman, especially if they share a past.

I agree. Let's start with the first part, that a friendship is a difficult thing. I have many close male friends. Actually, these relations are very easy friendships since guys don't expect much. You can call them up any time and start talking as if you'd been in touch all this time. Simply put, there is usually less of a hassle. I have never felt as if I was going to cross the line with any of my male friends, however, I can't deny feeling it coming the other way. I'd imagine keeping the friendship at a certain level is more difficult for the guy.

Aaa, but about the people you have been involved with. Maybe I am not a good example, I'll try not to think about myself. I have seen people act as if everything is fine as if they are friends, but there is always that little twitch in their words or in their looks.

It wasn't until recently that I thought you could never have a normal relation with someone who'd been special to you for some time. It seemed as if the change in the form of the relationship confused everyone. I had the feeling that years can go by and leave people trying to figure out the boundaries of a past relationship. That has changed, at least a little, a least to the extent that I believe if someone loves you they will struggle and eventually find the line. It didn't happen to me, but I was a witness.

My guess is that as human beings we all have a little glare of hope somewhere to be with the one we love, some people believe they have found and lost the person and some are still looking ... There is one thing I have come to realize though, the transition from a friend to a lover is strong, especially if you don't think of the fact that some day you'll have to walk all the way back!

آرزو

like everyday

It's easy to love someone on a day they are happy and smiley and proud of themselves. The real challenge presents itself on a day they don't like themselves as much and they are neither smiley nor fun to be around. It's a good test to know how much you care about someone. Look deep deep inside yourself and see how you feel about them on a day they are not so perfect. Think about it, it's eye-opening!

Thanksgiving dinner

At thanksgiving dinner you are supposed to thank God for all you have had in the past year. You are supposed to say out loud what made the past year special and what gifts life has given to you. I admire this tradition since it inspires you and reminds you of the special life you lead in a way nothing else can ...

I thank you Lord for the great people around me, for the love I receive ... I am thankful for the beautiful life I have. I know there have been days that have been tough to get through and I know that there are even harder days to come, but I am grateful that you have always given me the means to pull through. I am thankful for the blue sky and the beautiful Sun that shines down on me, even on days I can't see them ...

harvest moon

Last night there was a full moon in the sky, not any moon, a harvest moon. We sat by the water and ate and listened to live music. I had a really really good time ... something about it made me think deeply about my life, as if this was a analogy to all I had done ...

Out the window you could see a soldier as tall as the three story building. And the casino, which by the way I was told wasn't that great of a place, the lights were beautiful anyway. And then there was the moon which we followed all night long ... I went to bed wishing I could relive some of the past. This morning I couldn't remember whether it was regret or enthusiasm ...

prize

Hey! Remember I said I had gone to career days? Well, I got an email saying I won a door prize! I wonder what it is!? Hehe, there is something about a surprise you can never beat, it just tickles inside you ...

splash

Do you do something just because you can or because you've started it? Let me put this up front, I am not thinking of quitting my PhD. The fact of the matter is that in the past couple of years I have discovered so many other things that I am much better at than being an engineer. I would agree I have the eye of an engineer, but I am sure I can put it to use some other place!
I know I should be in public relations, I mean, I can say that is what I was made for. The initial plan was to get me there through engineering, but every once in a while something else catches my eye and tempts me to leave what I am doing as is. I still think whether or not I should have taken one of the job offers I had ...

over qualified

I used career days as an excuse to go and have a chat with a couple of companies who had come hunting for co-ops. There were also people from CSIS, the police force, the army ... and Cactus club!

Despite everyone making fun of me, I know that I want the be a waitress at least for a short period in my life, at least part time. As I was walking out, I stepped to their booth and asked whether they have any restrictions about the people they hire. The lady explained that there are many students who work there and it is fine if I am a student. I told her I was in engineering and her reply was "You have far too much character to be an engineer". I told her that we engineers aren't dull people ... You really don't want to know what she said when I told her I was a PhD student ... I won't say anything about my education if I really do decide to work as a waitress elsewhere, I just have to find the perfect place!

the man

How do you know who the perfect man is for you? After seeing so many fairy tale weddings end up in the dumpster, I really can't force myself to believe that you just know when he's the one. And how do you know what your feelings mean? Or maybe I am saying this because I haven't felt that strong pull towards anyone yet. Hmm, I think I am confused. Not much like me not to know to make of it ... or maybe you should just wait for these things to happen ... although you might end up waiting for ever! I guess it's past my bed time, I'll think about that tomorrow.

false impression

The 2010 winter Olympics are supposed to be held in Vancouver. Although the thought of it is very exciting, when it came down to the actual details I was not a fan. The Olympic games watch group voiced its concerns again yesterday. They want a referendum.

It is now estimated that the games will cost $2.4 Billion dollars instead of the $6 Million presented in the initial budget in 2004! And guess who's paying? Of course we are. The tax money that is supposed to guarantee our quality of life will be spent creating an illusion of a bloom for a couple of years and then dropping us into debt like what happened in Alberta. You don't have to be a genius to figure you don't spend more than you can afford on a one night party!

rock me

I can't get this out of my head today.

Baby baby
Rock me gently
Rock me slowly
Take it easy
Don't you know
That I have never been loved like this before

- Andy Kim

God! I miss dancing so much, and the way this semester looks I won't be getting any dancing any time soon ...

repeat offense

Blogger is acting wired again. I can't post some times and I can't delete some things, is the same thing that happened to dokhtare aftab happening to che kasi?

limited

It's just not me to exercise in a gym. I don't like the machines and I hate the air conditioning! I like to run outside, I want to feel the air going into my lungs. It makes me feel I am inhaling happiness. I know everyone is trying to convince me that the gym is not so bad. One friend offered to come to the gym with me, the other offered to give me weight lessons, another friend gave me a key so I could use their gym anytime I want, so I caved and said I'll try. I will try again too, but I know it'll never make me as happy as jogging in the sun ... that just defines freedom ...

measure

One thing I have never understood is how people compare two people with each other. It wouldn't be the first time someone told me I would be too good for someone!! How can they judge? How can they tell?

If you know two people you might have a slight chance of guessing, but to actually pass judgment on someone you don't know, that's just absurd! And with what quantity do you measure people? meters? hertz? grams? watts? degrees Kelvin? So at the end you come up with a rank and you can tell who is more worthy than others or for that matter more human? And all these years I thought being a human being was a quality and priceless!

NOTE to all those who judge: if two people are happy together, they are fine, they deserve each other and you have no place to choose which one is higher ranking than the other.
NOTE to self: keep ignoring these judgments, they can only make your life miserable.

new life

I noticed my Bamboo has a tiny new leaf on it. I waited 3 months for it to grow a new branch and now it finally has ... if only all things in life came this easy ... today everyone looked tired and unhappy. It was a sunny day so I can't blame the weather. Maybe it's the start-of-school depression that's showing itself ... I really can't think of any other reason ...

روی ماه

میگن دلیل اینکه نتونستن بگن امروز روز اول ماه رمضان هست یا نه اینه که انوشه انصاری روی ماه بوده نمی شده آخوندها نگاه کنن

mystery solved

Now they have a closer photo of the Face on Mars, no more alien stories there ...

fever

Sara thinks our supervisor has cabin fever , she thinks we have been with him for way too long ... I can't disagree ...

equal

This week I had that weird feeling again, like I am living someone else's life. Like I am just an observer and nothing that goes on is my doing or my responsibility. It scares me a little, it feels as if reality is fading in me ... it also gives me the feeling that I can do anything ...

mishap

To tell you the truth I have never liked September. It's just never fun. And thinking of it, I have had most of the hard times in my life in a September!

hilltop

Today, we had the first rainy day of Fall, you know, gray clouds, the whole charade ... and today I realized how some things are more important in life than other things. I realized why you need to have others in your life although you feel free and strong, and I found out why some trees are green all year round. I felt the joy of having my siblings close by and I figured why I always like to keep a soduko puzzle on my desk ... I learnt many life lessons in a day which turned out not to be that bad after all ...

dreadful

I'll have to work hard today and then present my work tomorrow. I gave my supervisor something like a log of my work during the summer, but it seems it isn't such a good idea to hand someone your diary. Although we had talked about it many times it doesn't seem he understood exactly what I had done. In his email he said, this presents a lot of work ... so I have some concerns. Now I have to go and explain it to him, and yes, I dread this ...

P.S. I never believed in horoscopes but as I was flipping through the newspaper I found: Though there will be an intense meeting don't be intimidated. Buy a bit of luxury for your home (I just did!). You'll get some help to pay for it. Hmm, makes me wonder how probable it is for this to happen by chance!

astrology

My horoscope for today says: "People will show respect for your values. You can feel as if the world is in harmony with you. Now is a good time to strut your stuff." So now the stars are telling me to show off?

genuine

I went to a very interesting talk last night. It was about a startup company by couple of very intelligent people who made the smallest motherboard I had ever seen. Their idea was to have open source hardware schematics so everyone could discuss it and either make it themselves or order it from them. Since all three of the founders had daytime jobs, it wasn't intended for profit, although it made a lot. And since they liked what they did, they had such a good relation with their costumers, some of whom were present there. It was such a fresh way of getting things done if you will. It is still the three of them working out of a garage. They custom-make whatever type of board you order, and they work with you on it to tailor it to your need ... maybe some part of what interested me was the fact that the speaker didn't talk like a salesperson, he was a real engineer, something like the image I always had about my future ...

difficult

You know those people who know you just when they want you to do something for them?

angles

calling all angels
calling all angels
walk me through this one
don't leave me alone
calling all angels
calling all angels
we're cryin' and we're hurtin'
but we're not sure why...
calling all angels
calling all angels
we're tryin'
we're hopin'
we're lovin'
and we're hurtin'
we're cryin'
we're callin'
cause we're not sure how this goes

- Jane Siberry

revolving, evolving

Atlantis finally left Earth yesterday ... and we collected over 2000 signatures for the petition. I mentioned there was some crazy politics going on at school ... the president of the student society suddenly decided he wants to take everything into his own hands and spend everyone's money to his satisfaction. I bet he never thought the graduate students (since what he did mostly affects them) would be so together as to gather enough signatures (we needed 1500) to impeach him and his gang! Well, good work everyone and here comes the wave Mr. Hunsdale ...

fair

I have thought many times, what would you say to an innocent person sitting on death row?

آلزایمر

باورتون نمیشه چی شده. امروز صبح حوالی 6 بیدار شدم، نمی دونم به چه دلیل یاد فرانسه حرف زدن افتادم و هوس کردم تو ذهنم یه فعل صرف کنم! نمی خواد بگین چقدر خرخون خودم وقتی هشیارتر شدم گفتم. حالا قسمت جالب قضیه اینجاست که هرچی به ذهنم فشار می آوردم فقط عربی یادم می اومد! همه صیغه ها! ولی دریغ از یک فعل فرانسه! خلاصه یه چیزی خوردم تا کم کم یه چیزایی یادم اومد ... من عربی رو خیلی قبل از فرانسه یادگرفتم و ... امشب می خواستم زنگ بزنم ایران، تا به شماره ای که باید بگیرم فکر می کردم شماره همه کارتها یادم می اومد و شماره این شرکتی که باهاش قرارداد دارم یادم نمی اومد! اما خیلی وقته که من از هیچ کارتی استفاده نکردم و همه اش از خط همین شرکت استفاده کردم!!!! به گمونم این یه نوعی از آلزایمر یا یه نوعی از مالیخولیاست. تنها راه حلش هم اینه که آروم باشم و یه کم فکر کنم تا چیزی رو که می خوام یادم بیاد

Crikey

"Welcome to Crocodile country" was how he started off many shows. I remember watching Steve Irwin as a kid. I can't be sure, but I think he inspired a lot of interest towards animals in me. Aside from the accent, I loved to see him handle dangerous animals, it was all so real, like you were there, like you were a part of nature ... and he had so much fun doing it, it excited you. Being with animals was so natural to him, as he puts it:

"So now what happens is the cameras follow me around and capture exactly what I've been doing since I was a boy. Only now we have a team of, you know, like 73 of us, and it's gone beyond that."

And he died doing what he loved best:

"I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it."

You'll be missed a lot Crikey!

P.S. I took the photos off the web and forgot to keep the link!

haven

Cliff Falls, Kanaka creek, BC

Today is the forth anniversary of my arrival in Canada and I love it even more than day one ...

butter or margarine?

I love the taste of margarine in rice, I also like it as an alternative to butter. It had come up in many conversations whether or not eating margarine is a smart choice; and it's not just us, it seemed to be an ongoing debate among nutritionists. I found this a couple of days ago and I agree with what it says. At least according to the labels (which are controlled by Health Canada) margarine looks more promising ...

good politics

Ralph Klein is among the few faces in politics, let alone Tories, that will be missed. He is retiring after, I think, 14 years as Alberta's premier.

He is known for his blunt speeches and comments and for taking the people's side. When he came into office in 1992, Alberta had a debt of about $23 billion dollars, now they are the working capital of Canada. Their economy is blooming so fast that even the government was caught off guard. As for what concerns me, I can see the flow of provincial money into the universities and the great benefits the students receive.
And it wasn't just the Albertans who benefited, he had a great roll in showing other primers how they can stand up to Ottawa and do what is right for the people of their province ... his successor will have a difficult time stepping into his shoes ...

oops!

I received a phone call from the Canadian Family Action Coalition asking whether or not I agree with same sex marriage. Parliament will be voting on the definition of marriage once again this year. And well, I guess I didn't give them the answer they were looking for, I said: "Why not, like any minority they should have the right to get married." I said this despite the fact that we never came to a conclusion whether or not gay couples should be allowed to adopt, or better put, whether or not a child would benefit from being raised by a gay couple ...

browsing

For now Google is returning George Bush's biography as the top result for search word failure, now that is some definition!

blonde

I discovered that most of the hair style magazines don't have page numbers ...

cup size

We went shopping for underwear ... it used to be that bras would come in sizes A, B, C and rarely you would find a size D - not that I am against a wider range of sizes. We were looking for a bra with no wires or padding. Believe it or not there we no size A's, and this is not just in one store. As if by default people who are a size A should have a wired or padded bra, I guess because everyone knows that a size A is too small!
To my surprise the D, DD and DDD sizes were about the only ones with no padding or wire. It can't be that suddenly all the size A's had decided to wear padded bras, it can only be that like all else we are stuck with a certain silly mind set as to how something should be, the new standard forces some to go above and beyond to achieve what is an acceptable image.

advertising

The Fido URBAN ZONE package says: 400 anytime minutes, unlimited incoming calls in your urban zone and that is for $30. Telus (who by the way I despise) was rather quick to move, they offer: 400 anytime minutes, unlimited incoming calls for $35, the ad says: unlike the other guys, there are no "zone" restrictions. The catch is, Fido offers to add to your plan the suburban zone coverage (the other areas that Telus would cover) for an additional $5, so it comes to the same price. As usual Telus is making a big deal out of nothing, it's just the usual business mumble jumble!

kicked out

Poor Pluto, they changed the definition of a planet and now Pluto no longer belongs! The following is a quote from their website regarding this matter:

Resolution 6A creates for IAU usage a new class of objects, for which Pluto is the prototype. Resolution 6B introduces the name "plutonian objects" for this class. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "plutonian" as:
Main Entry: plu • to • ni • an
Pronunciation: plü-'tO-nE-&n
Function: adjective
Usage: often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of Pluto or the lower world.

After having received inputs from many sides -- especially the geological community -- the term "Pluton" is no longer being considered.

An interesting piece of news from someone who I guess feels like a mother to Pluto.

crude

... so now oil prices are going down? Who would have thought of it, there is so much tension in the middle east and yet more available resources means we don't care about oil that much right now ...

جهان سوم

جهان سوم جايی است كه هر كس بخواهد مملكتش را آباد كند،خانه اش خراب می شود و هر كس كه بخواهد خانه اش آباد باشد بايد در تخريب مملكتش بكوشد.

ناشناس

tickets

Interesting news, I wonder if it will really happen!

چراغ

میگن چراغی که به خونه رواست به مسجد حرومه، راست میگن

bored

The meeting room is like a casino, they blow in cool air and there are no clocks, no wonder people always talk past what they should ...

patriotic

He said: "My home is destroyed, but if I can have my tent in my country I am happy."

visa

If you are a Sharif graduate you probably know of all the fiasco that went on with the reunion gathering in the US last month. All aside, I would just like to quote this from Dr Hojabri's email:

"The concern of US security agencies about Reunion 2006 was not because of SUTA, but because of participation of large number of members from Iran."

That only says to me, they are acting as stupid as always!

student politics

So, here I am after 5 hours of meetings discussing the ongoing issues with the student society! I thought those days were over, I thought that was what you did as an undergrad, I thought I had lost the youthful power to rally, set up meeting after meeting and discuss talking to lawyers and unions, seems not ...

the Collector

There is a series airing this season called the Collector, actually it has aired since 2004 and won a handful of awards, but I just discovered it. It's the story of a monk who became a soul collector for the devil.
The only reason I watched it the first time around was that it was filmed in Vancouver (BTW filming projects are up 23% in Vancouver this year), but it kind of grew on me. Now I really like it. I should say it's rather intelligent for a weekday series, and it brings up some very philosophical issues, neither of which of course it carries forward to a clear answer. However, it is arguable that it's even possible to carry any question of that sort to a straight answer.
If you can set aside some of the religious view points, mostly brought forth by Christianity neither of which I think are intentionally implied but more related to the environmental effects of being surrounded by Christians, I recommend you watch a couple of shows ...

financial analyst

I am getting really good at predicting when and where you should buy property and when you should sell. The truth is that I keep discovering from here and there that the predictions I made were quite true, if only I had the money ...

مشاور

من هیچ وقت اینجوری نبودم ولی الان مامانم رو می خوام. یه کسی رو می خوام که هیچ چیزی بینمون نباشه، یه کسی که هم حرفمو بفهمه هم بدونه چی باید بگه. یه وقتهایی هست که نمی خوای به هیچ چیز فکر کنی، می خوای هیچ فاصله ای نباشه. می خوای یه کس خیلی نزدیک بدونه تو فکرت چیه. اصلا فکر تلفن رو نمی خوام بکنم اصلا مثل این نیست که بشینی کنار کسی و باهاش حرف بزنی و اصلا هم اون آرامش رو به آدم نمی ده

two way

Suppose you are suspicious of your friend's husband having an affair. What is the right thing to do? Well if you ask me, it's to go and let her know of your suspicion and let them sort it out, or is it? I almost did that, but someone stopped me, what if she already knows? What if she would rather not know? I don't know, maybe it's not even my business!

دعا

،سایه ای گذشت آرام و سرد، دستانم تاب مقاومت نداشت

دیرگاهی بود که خویشتن را در پس و پیش راهروها گم کرده بودم

نگاهش آرام بود و کلامش شمرده

نمی دانم این اجابت کدام دعا بود یا مصیبت کدام نفرین

what a mess

Am I supposed to feel ok? Don't you feel the world is falling into pieces? They say you know yourself by the constants in your life, now that everything is changing oh so fast and not for the better, I guess it's ok to feel lost.
There is nothing you can count on, they might revoke your visa like they did with the SUTA reunion. They might search your plane for explosives and actually find some like what happened in Heathrow and now they won't even let you take a drink on the plane. I am sure the people who went to sleep never to wake up after the bombings in Lebanon didn't see it coming. I wonder though how you explain to the children what is happening to their homes, their families. Darfur, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iraq and even our own little university where the student society president has suddenly decided that we no longer need democracy. What is going on with the world, what a mess!

family

wartalk

• It's really your decision which side of the story to listen to but I'd suggest a nice fresh perspective.


• Another reason why people say some things.


• Now these guys are a surprise.
  

P.S. I was waiting for the counteract.

به چمنزار یبا

به چمنزار یبا
به چمنزار بزرگ
و صدایم کن، از پشت نفسهای گل ابریشم

- فروغ فرخزاد

Jews?

Was it me or did everyone see the blue star in the fireworks last night? I mean, Mexico? I guess they had made decisions on what to show months ago, but why would they have chosen a blue Jewish star anyway? or am I just too sensitive to the case right now?

Photos from the event website.

tucked

They ask me why I believe in God, where are they when a power takes care of my every single concern? whatever you decide to call it ...

injustice

Some days I really feel we are just pretending to care about humanity. We made up all these collations and organizations and committees, and yet no matter where you look in the world you can see violent, barbaric acts. My homeland being one of the worst ... it tears my heart ...

inappropriate

I certainly agree that the work place is no place for romance. It seemed so inappropriate to me when one of the guys asked me out after the meeting yesterday. Of course I handled it with delicacy and I made sure he understood that it's not a one time excuse and I am not leaving the option open for later, but I still can't get over the fact that he actually didn't think it was improper.

together

It's common passion that brings people close.

نذر

آدم اگه نذر کنه بعد نذرش رو قبل از گرفتن حاجتش به جا بیاره مثل این می مونه که بخواد خدا رو بذاره تو رودرواسی. تازه اگه چیزی رو که می خوای نگیری اون وقت می تونی شاکی بشی که خدا سهمش رو بجا نیاورده نه؟

margin

It kind of works out that we don't listen to them and they don't listen to us. We gave them a day for our response and they couldn't care less. Now we have an end of August deadline to face ...

P.S. I still don't know what we have promised to China and Russia!

disgrace

If it was a human barrier or if it was the Israelis purposely hitting civilians, it's disgusting. They stopped the air missiles for 2 days and all people could do was run from their homes. All the pain aside, they left everything and ran with their lives ... Bush met with Blair yesterday, Rice cancelled her peacemaking trip and the UN meeting got nowhere. Yes we all cried when the children died clutching to their mothers, but isn't there any thing we could do for those alive? We are the only hope. It doesn't seem we understand that, or we understand and we don't care. Is all this stillness because there are Jews on one side? ... and why did Mel Gibson apologize for saying Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world? I think he really meant it, I wouldn't say he is that wrong. Or maybe he had to because the Jews govern Hollywood ... what's becoming of us?

Summer rain

It just rained the most beautiful rain I had ever seen, and now there's a little hole in the clouds where the Sun is shining down through the fluffy white ... it makes your heart sing ...

... this little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine ...

سایه

دیدین یه وقتی آدم دلش می خواد یه چیزی رو بگه اما نمی دونه چجوری؟ انگار هیچ جمله ای تو دنیا نیست که حرفی رو که آدم می خواد بزنه. مفاهیم تو ذهن آدم گیر می کنن و آدم نمی فهمه از دست خودش عصبانی باشه یا از یه چیز دیگه! اَه این چه وضعشه، برم یه خورده درست فکر کنم شاید فرجی بشه

a letter

Think about it, the guy's title is Chief Statistician of Canada. How cool is that? Their website calls him an extreme statistician, think of the many stats courses he probably took!

smooth

Some things warm you up, some things cool you down, some people do both ...

!ملوان

بالاخره من قایق موتوری روندم! چقدر کیف داشت. حالا باید یه مدت صبر کنم تا کلاس کمک خلبانی، بعدش هم ... دیگه همین دیگه، خاک و آب و باد ... آهان، فضا. اما مطمئنا فرمون اون رو دست من نمی دن

review

So much has changed so gradually that any of us barely noticed. Over the years people come and go and you don't feel it until the time you sit down with a group and think about your memories together ... at some point everyone gasped, we're getting old ...

shattered

It has always been easy for me to be happy. I guess there has never been that great of a dilemma in my life. Sometimes this really makes me feel guilty, or maybe it's more of a worry of loosing it ... when I see people with big problems in their lives I can't help wondering, could I handle that? How would I pull through? I keep a straight face, swallow my tears, and tell them over and over that there are so many ways to keep things moving, yet, it breaks my heart in a way that doesn't heal ...

twilight

How can you tell someone that everything will be fine soon when you don't really know it yourself? How can you give them hope when you might just be showing them a rainbow? I wish with all my heart that things turn out fine, but there is no guarantee; and it's not like any of it is in my control, all I can do is pray. I don't believe that you should ever give up, but is there such a thing as being too hopeful? How much harm is there in failing too many times?

sophisticated

It can't just be an incident that I get things exactly the way I want them. I mean, such details, it blows me away ...

nuclear

So August 22nd is going to be our magic day!

no English!

There was construction so the bus driver couldn't stop at the bus stop. He yielded aside a little further along the road and asked the people who wanted to get off at the stop to come to the front door. Obviously, she didn't understand a word. A Chinese girl turned back and started talking to her but, wrong language! She stared bluntly. The bus got up the hill to school, she got off at the first stop and suddenly realized she had no idea where she was. She got on again. She pointed with her hands that she wants to go back down the hill. The driver started to explain that he doesn't go back down the same route but left his sentence half way, he pointed to her to sit down ...

free

It was past midnight. The music was loud and I was singing along with it. I was driving on a bridge on the highway. City lights were shining on the two sides of the bridge ... it all looked so magical and I felt so happy and free ... I thought out loud to myself, I wouldn't trade this for anything ...

my day

There are people who believe in faith and there are people who don't. I still don't know exactly which side of the line I stand on ... I have lived away from home for 9 years now (WOW! really?) but no matter where I had been all year long, I had always had my parents with me on my birthday. Last year as I was saying that to a friend it passed my mind that it is probably going to change soon ... it was my choice to stay in Vancouver and finish my proposal instead of going home this year, and yes, I thought about it deep and hard. I even reminded myself that it'll be the first birthday without mum and dad. They were a little concerned too, especially dad ... I didn't have my parents with me this year, but I realized once again how many great friends I have. They take good care of me ... since last week I have been getting presents, cards, notes, phone calls and messages, until now I have had 2 birthday parties, 2 more to come ... there is nothing better than feeling loved by so many people to make you feel great on your birthday ... I am blessed, whether it's faith or not ...

upside down

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity

I wanna turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem

- Jack Johnson

perception

With delicacy, I took all the raisins out of my cake and ate it. The next bite I really didn't feel as picky so I just put it in my mouth and anticipated the raisin taste. Turns out it was chocolate, which I loved ... I wonder what else I have missed out on by just making assumptions ...

horizon

I have always known that my doctorate in Engineering is going to be a basis for the work I want to do, and I have always envisioned that I won't be just a PhD. I want to do this for the experience and then start living the dream I have. I guess the further it goes they more determined I become and the more I realize, this is just a phase ...

perspective

I am at my element right now. It's one of those days that I seem to be able to see the bigger picture in life. I feel calm and happy ... and the clouds seem to make to most magnificent scenery in the sky ...

tied

There's the guy standing on the traffic light, those on the ice cream van ,and the naked guy, but nothing beats the Asian girl dancing to the African drums because of Italy's win ... I honked my horn all the way home and what a great time! I wish there was something like this to bring people out every year, it beats the Celebration of Lights ... I can still hear people honking as they pass cars with Italian flags ... the only thing I still haven't figured is why Zidane did what he did to get the red card. It might well be the reason they lost, and it will definitely effect his reputation ...

Photos from Fifa.

Nokia

I am such a Nokia fan that I skipped 2 meetings to meet with the research guys from the real Nokia in Helsinki, and yes, they are COOL!

football

I think the Germans were lacking Klinsmann at the end point, they kept getting the ball to the Italian goal and ending up not knowing what to do with it! Great game anyway ...

sponsors

We checked out the Vancouver Jazz festival on Canada day. Interesting thought, this year the cigarette companies have been banded from sponsoring the festival. Apparently it's bad influence and too much advertisement for them!

Canada day

From the very beginning you could tell that Steven Harper is a politician, and I don't mean that in a good way. A more recent example of it is the Government Sales Tax reduction effective tomorrow. Just think of it this way, 1% tax reduction is a couple of hundred dollars per year for the average income, $60,000. How much difference does that make in the life of the average person? But it's a big score for corporations and companies ... Conservatives!

egg

I can't touch an egg, it came out of a chicken butt!

- Jackie, that 70's show

change

What is this? Do we live to get to love someone or something and then spend a period pulling away from it? Is there no stability? I know he is not moving away, but we won't see each other every day and I am so used to cheering up myself by talking to him ... it'll be rather dull around here without him, I'll miss him a lot ... and soon after someone else from our lab is graduating, then it'll be really lonely and unfamiliar ...

good and bad

Good is good and bad is bad
You don't know which one you had

- Sheryl Crow

tomorrow

... he said: "I do this so the beautiful baby that you bear comes into a wonderful world." It struck me, I had always said that I want children but I had never heard it from someone else ...

consent

I think it's a good idea I especially like the near age exemption clause: The legislation includes a so-called near-age exception of five years. That exclusion would permit 14- and 15-year-olds to engage in sexual activity with a partner who is less than five years older.

have a nice day

Why you wanna tell me how to live my life?
Who are you to tell me if it's black or white?
Momma, can you help me try to understand
Is innocence the difference 'tween a boy and a man?
My daddy lived to die, that's just the price that he paid
Sacrificed his life just slaving away

Oh, if there's one thing I hang onto that gets me thru the nite
I ain't gonna do what I don't want to; I'm gonna live my life
Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice
Standing on the ledge, I show the wind how to fly
When the world gets in my face, I say…
Have a nice day
Have a nice day

Take a look around you; nothing's what it seems
We're living in the broken home of hopes and dreams
Let me be the first to shake a helping hand
Anybody brave enough to take a stand
I've knocked on every door on every dead-end street
Looking for forgiveness and what's left to believe

- Jon Bon Jovi

celebrity

Once upon a time there was Oprah who set up an organization to help the needy. Then it started to grow. There was more and more draw from the celebrities to make the world a better place. Some like Angelina Jolie take interest in other nations, some like Bon Jovi stay home, others like Brigitte Bardot give animals a voice ... no matter how and where they put their efforts, the involvement of celebrities has become an inadmissible part of issues around the world ... at least this is one good thing out of celebrity media ...

movie

I hate that our tuitions keep going up ... they are always making a movie on campus and I am sure they pay loads and loads of money for that. It's usually an action movie and those sell for good money; since it causes students a lot of inconvenience it would only be fair to give them a tuition break because of it ...

angle

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true,
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As I walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was, flying high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

- James Blunt

stander by

He wants to fall in love, there is nothing you need to do, just watch ... if people could learn just to be ...

fit?

Just because I don't wear my head light reddish, I don't put on the ugly make up that she does, and I don't have the slutty clothes she has, she thinks she should talk to me in English. Actually, she's pretty nasty every time I go into the store. Or it might just be that I went into the shop with someone she hates or likes, but she's older than my mum ... or maybe she's jealous of something, or hates something or ... honestly, there is no reason to be such a ... excuse the language ... such a bitch! But then, why should I care? The last time she was the cashier for me was our New Year, so whatever ...

smoking?

There are so many addictions out there, of all of them I picked up narcotics ...

human

... each child that dies on the street, each one of us become a little less human ...

- a child activist

thesis

It happened to my Masters thesis and I think it's happening to my PhD too. Basically, in my Masters I ended up working on what I had initially thought was the most difficult part. Now for my PhD I am reading Information Theory! For God's sake, Shannon wrote that stuff and he was the last to understand it. I have done some reading in this field before and I had found it DIFFICULT and now the course of life has lead me to it again ... what am I to do? You would think that when you are free to pick your topic you'd choose to work on something that's easy and understandable to you, not something you have to work your brain to pieces on!

nightmare

I had a really bad dream last night. My maid (!!) was telling some other people how I was murdered. Then I dreamt I was telling one of my friends about the dream and he frightened me by pretending to want to kill me ... I woke up shaken, looked at myself in the mirror, pale! I could be scared of my own image!
I had never had a dream where I was so rich before, and yet, I didn't even get to live in it. I don't think that was fair. Definitely not worth the scare of going back though ...

pc

There's something wrong with my computer. When it downloads something it asks me what to open it with. How am I to know? I mean that's a real bummer, your computer starts asking you computer questions!

- Last comic standing

to do list

• I finished my jigsaw puzzle today, so much for being patient! I guess that's crossed off the to do list.
  


• I still haven't figured out if I like living alone or if I'd rather have a roommate. The thing is, I feel this place is too big for me. Not that I mind. I usually have company. But somehow it feels like a waste of resource. Maybe I should be concerned about myself a little more and enjoy the time and space I have. You never know what life will put in your way ...


• I have to go and buy myself a better TV antenna, this one only picks up a few channels and none of the ones I am used to. Of course, I don't know if an expensive antenna will do the trick ... and I am supposed to know antennas! Good thing my supervisors don't read weblogs!


• I never get tired of looking out the windows, the city lights are just amazing. The only thing I have come to know is that I should pull the curtains later at night. I need the calm before I go to bed. And that reminds me that the idea of living downtown might not be the best for me, I'd want to stay up all night!
  

abrupt

I don't understand why it always has to be so complicated. Or again, is it us who make it difficult for ourselves and others. Some times I wonder what life would be like if we would all wait and think before doing something. It's not human nature I guess; we are programmed to act in an instant without acknowledging sudden decisions are most commonly wrong ...

jagged

I thought I'd lost a confidential paper and the last time I could remember seeing it was 2 weeks ago! I found it after all, but just think of the anticipation I went through ...

خواب

امروز ظهر که خوابیدم وبیدار شدم حس روزای جمعه رو داشتم. اون وقتی که اینقدر خوابیدی که دیگه از خواب سیر ِ سیر شدی

gratitude

There's a satisfaction in knowing you've made a difference that you can't find anywhere else ...

illumine

If I were the Sun I'd come out too on such a gorgeous day ...

شیشه

می گویند شیشه احساس ندارد
اما امروز که روی شیشه بخار گرفته نوشتم دوستت دارم
آرام آرام گریه کرد
ناشناس -

injustice

He didn't want me to lie for him, he just wanted me to be fair when reciting the incident.

failure

Success, it turns out, is a lousy teacher compared with failure.

IEEE Spectrum June 2006, Books
Success through Failure: the paradox of design
by Henry Petroski

time slot

I just noticed that it had been a week since I last posted something here, I have been very busy!

vocabulary

It astonishes me each and every time how amazingly different people express themselves. You just need to be patient to understand ...

you

I never felt alone, I was happy on my own.
And who would ever know there was something missing?
I guess I didn't see the possibility, it was waiting all the time,
but it never crossed my mind, till you opened up my eyes.

Now all I think about is you, in my life, in my dreams,
in my heart I know it's true, that I belong with you.
Because of you, in my world, in my arms, I have everything
and now I can't imagine what I'd do, without you.

I never thought love could be such a curiosity.
What attracted you to me was so unexpected,
but it was waiting all of the time,
and it never crossed my mind, till you opened up my eyes.

- Tara MacLean

فردا

راستش رو بگم دلم نمی خواد بخوابم. شاید چون دلم نمی خواد فردا بشه، شاید هم ... نمی دونم چیه، ولی انگار همین امروز باشه بهتره

moved

I am sitting here in my room looking out the window to a picture perfect scene. I can see all the city lights and its just amazing ... There are so many things on my mind and yet I am calm. I feel I have stepped out of my body and I am watching everything from above. It doesn't feel as if I am the one living these days, I wonder why ...
My home is about half way done, i.e., I have almost unpacked everything. Next step is to start shopping and sewing and decorating the house. I have promised everyone that it will be done by July. No, I am not building a house, it's just that I have to go to school on weekdays and it's a busy period so ...

altered

Such a complicated day. I don't know if I am happy or sad. I can't tell if I have chosen any of it or it just came to me in life's path. Again and again I have to thank the Lord for the wonderful people around me and the gift he offered to me time and time again. Even when there is no clear picture in my mind, there are people to talk to and others to comfort me ...

دوست

سعی کن بخاطر کسی که دوستش داری غرورت رو از دست بدی
نه بخاطر غرورت کسی رو که دوست داری از دست بدی

font

I need to write a single letter in Euclid in LaTeX and I have been searching for a way to do it for hours! Anyone?

talent

I never knew there was so much talent among the people I see everyday. They have set up a display of art work by the applied science people and what a show! There's painting, sculpture, photography and ...

figured

My 1000 piece puzzle in the lab is about half done and it didn't even take a week to get here. I am doing it again. This was supposed to take at least a month ... I wish there was a job you could get paid for making jigsaw puzzles, my ideal job ... I have to learn to pace myself better ...

in progress

I have lived a long couple of days. It's been so busy ... I had a friend visit, one of my friends had an operation and of course the move and a couple of other things on the side ... Believe it or not with all the work and the ongoing research at school I feel happy, relaxed and energetic and I am loving it!

last day

It was the last time that I stood at this bus stop to go to school. I've been doing it for about 4 years now, WOW, that's a long time! I'm moving to my new place tomorrow and I am so very excited. If all goes well I'll be pretty well settled by workday Monday. And then it's shopping time. I'll be going around buying things for my new home ... goodbye dear home, you've been so nice to me and I appreciate that, thank you ...

قلبی

برای زیستن دو قلب لازم است
قلبی که دوست بدارد، قلبی که دوستش بدارند
قلبی که هدیه کند، قلبی که بپذیرد
قلبی که بگوید، قلبی که جواب بگوید
قلبی برای من، قلبی برای انسانی که من می خواهم
تا انسان را در کنار خود حس کنم

شاملو -

don't talk

I suffered a really bad cold in April and I had a little bit of a, well, let's say I felt a little under the weather these last couple of days. As always my voice was the most effected both times. And God forbid if I take any care of it. Every night on the long weekend I was singing and dancing, the dancing is ok it's the singing or better said, the shouting that stresses the vocal cords. The only true remedy is to keep quiet for a while and let the vocal cords rest. But it's me, I can't stop talking! I'll die! or else I'll loose my voice and then I'll die ...