Deutschland über Alles - Part Five

It won’t be easy, you’ll think it strange
When I try to explain how you sucked
That you try to defend after only one goal
You won’t believe me
All you will see, is a team that has lost
And should go back home, with the tears
and you must get used to it too!

Don’t cry so loud Argentina!
The truth is you surly deserved it
When you are better, and you play defensive
You’ll pay the forfeit
And it’ll be expensive!

Have I said too much? There’s nothing more I can think of to say to you
But all you have to do is look at the tape of match! to know that every word is true……..

(Music)

Waiting for a miracle!

In the official website of FIFA, there is a place where you can predict “Who will win the golden shoe”. Guess who’s on top of that list? Shevchenko? Ronaldinho? Klose? Crespo? Well, you’re wrong. On top of that list, there is no one but the former Asian player of the year, Mr. Ali Karimi. That's right!

Since it’s impossible to even imagine that the idea can come from anybody’s mind but that of a megalomaniac Iranian with stupidly naïve excessive optimism, we can confidently conclude that there are at least thousands of Iranians who actually were thinking, or worse, hoping that Ali Karimi would beat Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo and dozens of other great players and would win the world’s Golden shoe!



And it’s not only about football, it’s in our blood. Couple of silver and bronze medals in some scientific Olympiads for high school students; convince us that we’re the most intelligent people on the face of the earth. For no obvious reason, and where the word shameful is not good enough to describe the way we treated Persian-speaking hardworking afghan refugees in our country, we consider ourselves the most hospitable nation in the world. We also think about ourselves as the most cultured, civilized, talented and the list goes on.

Isn’t it the time to forget about Cyrus the great and the glorious Persian Empire for once, and really assess who we are and where we’re standing right now, what’s our real potentials and what we can realistically achieve in a short or long term period?

The inconvenient truth (sorry Mr. Gore!) is, miracles almost never happen and in the best-case scenario, people will achieve what they’ve planed for and they’ve worked for. I suppose we still think too poetic to face this fact!

I don’t know why but I’m feeling a bit religious today!

and the look on their faces…priceless!

Official Announcement

Being civilized…remember that?!

Great…I stayed at home to watch the match, that was expected to be beautiful, but God, what a shame. It was one of the most disgusting, unfair and repelling matches ever. I can’t even say that I’m sorry for Netherlands cause they were horrendous too. The winner of this stupid game is truly England who will play with “Port” which is Portugal without Deco, Ronaldo and Costinha. I think British were the only people who really enjoyed that game.

Anyway, that shameful win was good enough for Montréal’s Portuguese community to come to the streets, dance, drink, and celebrate. As we were going to TamTam, we participate in their celebration, while we were swearing them in Persian “ Khaak too saretoon baa in team etoon!”. Surly with a smile so they think we are appreciating their catastrophic win!

After all, lying down beneath the mild, beautiful sun and a delicious diner at my favorite place, cafe santropol, made the post-game hours, a pleasing Sunday afternoon.

I also bought a cool Tibetan shirt that I’m not sure whether I’ll wear it or not, cause it’s so not my style. Anyway, I might give it a try.

The World's Game!

Frankfurt, Germany

Great Moments in Presidential Speeches

Apart from the fact that he’s screwing our planet, I love that buffoon! He’s so funny. I’d really like to be his friend, being invited to his ranch in Texas. I think I’d have the laugh of my life….

Deutschland über alles! Part four

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah…
That was a nice match…Germany was soooooo good. I didn’t appreciate the red card though. It rather killed the game. The referee could have easily overlooked that foul and let the match continue. It gets on my nerve when the referee ruins a brilliant match, just to be meticulously punctual, just like what happened in the 1998’s match between England and Argentina!

To be a German fan, you have to be as punctual as them. We, my German friend and I, were there, at café Berlin, 10:00 o’clock sharp but it was jam-packed. To be honest, I’d never seen so many white people together anywhere in North America :)

So we went to St-Laurent and we found another great place, where we could watch the match outside, under the sunshine. Beer and Cheer and a good victory.

By the way, to those who’re still so biased that even what they’re seeing can’t change their minds, Klinsmann, even when they were two goals ahead, substituted a forward for another one. I really like to see the same move from those so called “Offensive” teams! So till then, shut up please!

We are going to kick some Argentinean ass next time…

P.S. Why the hell, Oliver Kahn was more depressed than Sweden’s coach?! Cheer up man!

Sleepy cat!

I’m dying to play with a kitty! Anybody knows anyone who has one!

Episode One,
He’s not drunk. He’s just OK, twirling his glass. He loves the color of this scotch, the smoky fragrance and the ice cubes, dancing around inside this fine Glenlivet.
He closes his eyes and imagines himself being those ice cubes. She gets smoother, tastier and somehow better, like this single malt, as he’s melting away inside of her.
He takes a sip, closes his eyes one more time and enjoys, as the scotch warms his throat down to his stomach. It tastes great, so does life!

Episode Two,
He’s still there and he’s still twirling his glass. The sound of the ice cubes inside an empty old fashion glass sooths him. He closes his eyes…again.
Now, she’s just like these shrunk ice cubes. They’re both melting away to something that doesn’t make him feel any better anymore.
“Do you want another glass of that Sir?”
“No thanks…just a double espresso… and the bill…please”
He continues twirling. It makes the ice cubes melt faster but he, just likes the sound.

Episode Three,
Another day, another bar, the same man. Well, almost the same.
“What can I serve you Sir”
He thinks…he clears his throat and says:
“Talisker…straight”

The Lake House

I really enjoy reducing the traditional, mysterious and almost divine concept of love, to a pure bio-physical effect of some hormones (such as endorphin, serotonin, norephinephrin and later on, oxytocin) and genetic congruency but even if that’s the case, we’re missing a very important physical phenomenon here, called timing and the movie, The lake house, looks at this matter, within a remarkable, ingenious and amazingly strange love story.

Alex and Kate, a frustrated architect and a lonely doctor, write to each other everyday in a bizarre and seemingly long distance relationship where in fact two years time difference is what creates the distance. In this odd situation, an old mailbox, a dog and a breathtakingly beautiful lake house are the elements that connect them together and all these happen in Chicago, in front of a carefully picked backdrop of the most prominent buildings of this architecturally rich city. That’s all I can say about the story without revealing it more than what the trailer does.

The plot is well structured, cute and full of surprises and while it’s totally fictional, it strictly develops within its logical frame which makes it, although a bit hard to follow but quite believable. The screenwriter, David Auburn proves that with a little bit of imagination and talent, it’s possible to make something brilliantly unique out of a well worn-out genre.

As negatives, I didn’t appreciate the ending that much and the movie tends to get boring as it moves toward it. The dialogues about architecture, specially after all those impressive images, seem redundant and even pretentious. Performances are not impressive either but since neither Keanu Reeves nor Sandra Bullock are exceptional actors, I didn’t expect more. However, I enjoyed the performances of the supporting actors, Christopher Plummer and Shohreh Aghdashloo who is quite charming in this movie.

The lake house itself, which has been specifically designed and constructed for this movie, is to die for. During the film, I couldn’t stop fancying about living in this house for at least a full year. It’s artistically harmonious with the surrounding environment and voluptuously transparent and exposed.

Final word, I’m still a bit reluctant to call this movie a masterpiece or put it in my favorite list, but it’s a movie, definitively worth watching and absolutely satisfying by all means.

Bordelle Français!

You remember how every Bureaucratic procedure in Iran sucked? Today, I kind of understand why. The modern administrations have been imported to Iran from France and God, what a mistake it was. Like buying red wine from Norway!

Today, Sanam and I, went to Consulat Generale de France a Montreal to pick up our Visas. We were there at 7:00 AM sharp, and we were thinking about maximum an hour and half, two hours waiting. right? WRONG! It was, as French say, “un Bordelle!”. It’s even worse since if a Bordelle wants to work such disorganized, it will be bankrupt in matter of weeks!

It took us 2 hours in line, a breakfast, 2 hours of chatting and having coffee in 3 different places, some shopping, watching a bit football and half an hour walking in McGill College street, looking at beautiful models, who were practicing for the opening night of the Fashion and Design festival starting tonight for 5 days.

Exactly! 6 hours to get our visas stamped in our passports! Their printer had problem and the general consulate of France in Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world, doesn’t have a backup printer!

Anyway, the cons: I missed 4 hours of training for the new software, our company has bought recently and I’m also dying from lack of sleep!

But pros: I really enjoyed this magnificent sunshine and delightful weather, with the company of the sweetest girl I know, according to everybody, myself included!

It’s good to skip work sometimes to somehow remember how days look like! Plus…I got my visa , and my ticket and now I’m looking forward to Arash and Mana’s wedding. I can’t wait to see all my dear friends from l’Auberge Montrealais, once again.…so Paris, here I come!

Antiboredom campaign

Revelation of the very last remaining brain cell

If God and Saints get credit for victories, they should be equally blamed for defeats!

I mean, why the hell, every time we win a football match, they rave about how the triumph was specifically related to the assistance from “God” , “Faateme Zahra!” or “A’emme ie Athaar!” but when we lose, they just dismiss the coach and destroy Ali Daei’s properties?!

I don’t mind if you want to praise your Lord for every trivial achievement but at least, after a humiliating defeat, have the guts to show your dissatisfaction to him by doing something outrageous like… not praying for couple of days… or having pork chops with Vodka… or simply use your brain for a while!

P.S. Having sex with your domestic animals doesn’t count! It’s almost allowed!

Deutschland über alles

Yoohoooo….9 points

I’m not going to check the world cup history, but I’m sure in the past two decades that I’m a fan of Germany; they never managed to get all 9 points even the time they had one of the best squad in the history of the world cup, obviously I mean Kaiser’s team.

Although I have to admit, they never did to us, what Azzurri’s have done and they’re still doing to their fans. Poor Ali! To be a fan of an inconsistent team is like to getting married to an unstable person. It’s even worse, cause you can’t get divorce, so it’s more like a Catholic marriage!

Anyway, my colleague Stephanie and I, are looking for a Bar where we can watch the match together, probably with lots of other fans of Germany. It’s nice to watch the game with a passionate German girl and sing Deutschland...Deutschland über alles

Some really bizarre architecture

It’s quite refreshing…

4. My favorite 101

One of the most brilliant, moving, thoughtful and meticulously executed film that I’ve ever seen, is a Japanese movie called After life by Hirokazu Koreeda

In an old Japanese residence, very much like a school with no resemblance to what we perceive as after life, the deceased individuals are provided with films, photos and slides of their lives, and they should choose one, and only one memory to eternally live that memory. In other word, the poetic concept of their after life is simply to live in the most favorite moment of their lives, forever.

And you’re dead wrong if you think since I gave up the plot, there’s no reason for you to see this movie if you haven’t seen it already cause there are so many beautiful moments, thoughts and ideas as well as sceneries, presented in after life that nobody can ruin the film just by telling you the storyline.

Now, inspired by this movie, imagine that you should pick a composer, and this composer would be the only one you are allowed to listen to, till the end of time. What would be your choice?

For me, the answer, simply and quickly, would be Johan Sebastian Bach. He has made so many breath taking pieces that one really needs an eternal life, only to fully squeeze every drop of divine pleasure out of this heavenly collection of sounds.

So it’s no wonder if I have dozens of Bach’s pieces among my favorite 101. For today, Erbarme Dich from St Mattew Passion, but instead of the original choral version, this lovely arrangement by Yo-Yo Ma, played by himself, from the album Simply Baroque.

It simultaneously satisfies my mutual passion for Bach and the magical voice of my favorite instrument, cello.

Why men are happier than women!

I recieved this today as an E-mail from a lady-friend of mine,

Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple
creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding
plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You
can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white
T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car
mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have
to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too
icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a
bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress
$5000. Tux rental -$100. People never stare at your chest when you're
talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically
expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood
all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about
tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open
all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of
thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still
be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are
more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You
are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face
stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe
decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your
big hips. One wallet an d one pair of shoes -- one color for all
seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can
"do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice
concerning growing a mustache..

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

My Colombian ladies!

According to Francisco Fernandez, the director of the Road safety foundation, distraction, causing around 20% of the road accidents, is the most notorious cause of the awfully higher-than-average number of car accidents in Colombia.
Now read this,

The main distracters are, cell phones with 53% and the presence of beautiful women with the ridicules share of 32%!

Basically, in Colombia, looking at the beautiful women is the main reason of almost 6.4% of the all accidents in the roads!

Absolutely no comment!

Be nice to your neighbors!

Missing!

The picture you see, belongs to a 31 years old, allegedly male! who, from the moment he’s heard I’m going to stay at his place, has left his residency and has not returned.
Since the above mentioned, has a brilliant memory, apparently he has deliberately gone missing!


Any information will be rewarded (and help me to figure out, whether I should pack or not!)


Remember…we want your information…not your name!

9/11 conspiracy

No matter you believe in conspiracy or you don’t, it’s a brilliant work of investigation, worth spending one hour of your time for. Some of the eivdence are downright undeniable even for skeptic like myself!

3. My Favorite 101

The only considerable weakness of mine in front of women is when I confront a charming elegant lady who speaks French with a cute Parisian accent and it’s so serious that if someday I want to live with someone, either she should be a cute Parisian or we should live somewhere quite far from Paris!

Now you can imagine when one of the most beautiful girls in the world, whose exquisiteness alone is a tasteful song for the eyes, whispers this lovely romantic chanson, in French and with her soft, feminine voice, I have no choice but to put her in my favorite list and feel happy, just to be alive to appreciate it.

So today’s favorite is Carla Bruni , singing Le ciel dans une chambre from the album Quelqu’un m’a dit.

Revelations of the very last remaining brain cell!

Dear players in the world cup,

Please do not bug God that much by thanking him for every tedious Goal you score or you save! I mean, do you really think he’s sitting there, controlling every spin on your stupid ball! or somehow bends the bar to prevent the ball from going in?!

Even if you’re a creationist, do you thank the programmers in EA electronics every time you score a Goal in FIFA 2006?!

Fellows, if he’s God, he should be able to perform some automation. You can call it laws of physics. I don’t mind if you want to believe in God but at least give this God of yours a bit more credit!

By the way, if he’s going to bend the rules one day, I really prefer him to spend his talent on solving the global warming rather than help Trinidad and Tobago beat Paraguay!

P.S. I’m really in favor of the ancient system of polytheism. This way, we could dedicate a God only for football and then, the rest of the world wouldn’t become a pain in the ass of the other important Gods, so they could do something about the shit which is going on in the wolrd!

Fifa's World cup rules for some women!

And no one kills the children anymore...

Today is World day against child labor. According to UN figures, some 218 million children all around the globe are forced to work instead of being send to school, as a natural right of every child.

Children as young as 8, are working in copper mines in Sub-Saharan Africa, and yet there are quite lucky compared to those being exploited in growing, profitable international sex-trade market or those who’ve been trained as soldiers, to fight and kill before they get to 14 and catastrophically, the list goes on.

And yet, these statistics do not take into consideration, millions of children, being abused by incompetent parents, mentally, physically and even sexually.

Couple of days ago, I was watching Alan Parker’s The wall again. One can hardly find any work that shows the dark side of the harsh childhood memories on the future lives of the children, better than this Pink Floyd’s masterpiece.

Yet I was thinking, since it’s absurd to even suggest comparing the childhood of Bob Geldof’s Character in The wall with what these poor kids are going through, what kind of people these children will grow up to be and what kind of the world they’re going to make!

The god of children must have been dead, quite long ago.

Today was Diane’s birthday, so we went to an Irish pub for lunch where this hilarious sign caught my eyes.

In contrary to what the sign says, the waitress was a lovely, cute and polite Irish lady who was pregnant too ( well, since I mentioned Irish before, the pregnant part was kind of unnecessary).

I don’t know if it’s the effect of the age or what, but lately, I’m finding pregnant women attractive and even sometimes sexy. That’s new for sure!

2. My favorite 101

I know It’s the least Bob Dylan-type song ever but somehow I like it the most (no offense Bob!)
Since everybody knows both the song and the signer so well, I skip the introduction part. So This week’s pick is Things have changed from the album The essential Bob Dylan

Electronic voting in Florida

That is so great

Curious George…

Don’t miss this fabulous work of Chris Cox

Bill Maher's New rule!

Bluetooth headset users have to do something that lets me know that you’re just on the phone and not a dangerous schizophrenic! Right?! We don’t know if you’re talking to you secretary or the evil leprechaun who lives in your head!
You’re not the chief communications officer of the starship Enterprise, you’re a shoe salesman asking your mom if you can bring over your laundry!
If I wanted to overhear every tedious scrap of brain static, rattling around in your head, I’d read your blog!

Episode one
We were walking in the rain and almost alone in the street. On Saturday afternoon and when it rains like that, there are few people crazy enough to wander around the city but our days was short and even if we were not as crazy, we had no choice.

After an as-always-great brunch in L’avenue, coffee in amazingly unique café esperanza, we were walking in one of those so typical-of-Plateau, super charming narrow back –yard-streets and her shoes were utterly wet so were her socks and her jeans.

Right where most of the girls would nag the hell out of the guy and would kill the day by taking a cab home, she went to a shoe store, bought a 10$ pink rubber boots and a pair of socks.

Ten minutes later, her wet shoes and socks in a bag, we were back on those narrow streets and I was thinking to myself, I could have been the happiest man on earth!


Episode two
We were in Tamtam, almost completely high…she was sitting down on the green grass, my head on her lap. I was enjoying the rhythm, coming from far away, dancing of the leaves above me, gentle breeze on my face, massaging hands of the lately-so-scarce sunshine and most of all, her indescribably-pleasing company.

Then I saw my reflection on her sunglasses, right above her mysterious smile and I saved the moment on the memory card…the moment I knew wouldn’t last but was so beautiful, I didn’t want to imagine it otherwise.


Episode Three
Three is this seat in the bus, exactly over the tires, where right in front of the seat, there is an inclined surface; you can put your feet on. That’s the most relaxing hence my favorite spot in the bus.

She’d just left and I was coming back from Berri-Uquam station and was watching her numerous photos on my camera. Right beside me, there was this polite, classy lady with his super sweet, curious no-more-than-4-years-old boy on her lap and he was dying to see what I was doing.
And I, couldn’t stand him so willing to see the pictures, put the camera on slide show and in front him. Suddenly, he became amazingly quite, deliciously focused on the pictures, passing by every three seconds.
The mother, trying to appreciate my gesture, started asking him questions and he was charmingly nodding.

"Monsieur is so nice…did you thank him for showing his pictures to you?"
"The pictures are great, aren’t they?"
"She is so beautiful, isn’t she?"

Out of the blue, she looked at me and asked in a way, she couldn’t expect anything but confirmation in return, "Is she your girlfriend?"

I paused and then….smiled…I just didn’t feel like to say no…and she smiled back…To smart people, you shouldn’t explain everything and that’s what I like about them.

I looked back at the boy. He wasn’t looking at the screen anymore cause something equally irrelevant had caught his attention and he was so drowned in the new thing, you could hardly believe that a minute ago, he was eating the pictures by his curiosity.

How I wish I was a little boy!

a very funny comercial form Sprint

I just love his analogy!

Do one brave thing today

.. then run like hell

A fantastic place called TAM-TAM

Every sunny Sunday, the eastern slope of Mont-royal, is the place where the coolest people in the world gather, playing Tam-Tam or any sort of percussion that can create a moving afro-rhythm. Then, the rest of the crowd, already big-time high, dancing to this rhythm or just lying on the green grass and enjoying their Sunday afternoon!

The mood is so relax and friendly, you can hardly recall that you’re in always busy North America, and the style of the people, gives the impression of being in 60’s. it’s truly amazing.

Another interesting stuff about Tam-Tam (that’s not the name but that’s what people call it), is a game, very much like a Medieval Paintball in which geeks, dressed in ancient armors, equipped with foam-made war fare, simulate a medieval war! It’s so funny you’ll laugh your ass off…the two groups stand in front of each other, bump on their shields and attacking each other while screaming….
I’m going to gradually update some of the photos that I took from them, in my flickr. So , Check it out

World Cup…

Dear friends, guess the final scores of Iran’s three matches…I will announce the winner at the end of the competition.

A. Iran Vs Mexico
B. Iran Vs Portugal
C. Iran Vs Angola

Rules:
The exact result: 20 points
The winner and the correct goal difference: 10 points
Only the winner: 5 points

Good luck

a Haiku

New Year’s Day
Everything is in blossom!
I feel about average

The snow is melting
and the village is flooded
With children

Don’t worry, spiders,
I keep house
Casually

Issa

This is sooooo sweet!

Uncomfortable situations

That’s an invitation for you to share funny uncomfortable situations you have recently experienced . Be sincere, be impolite, be my guest!

So let me start first…

Public Bathrooms are among the very few places, I believe, should be separated based on genders. Men and women using the same public bathroom, BAD IDEA! and I tell you why.

To start with, every time you want to leave the bathroom to a lady, you’re faced with this dilemma: “Should I leave the toilet seat up or should I put it back down?”. Sounds funny ha?! Now, If you leave it down, she’d think you’re a pig, actually peed on the toilet seat, but if you leave it up, then she’d still be thinking, you’re just a natural stereotype male pig! You see, it’s not that funny!

Anyway, unfortunately mixed bathroom is the case in our office and today, when I entered the bathroom to wash my hands, it was like I entered the site of a medieval battle field where thousands of people got killed and their bodies have been left under the scorching summer sun for weeks! As if the guy had eaten some dead rats for breakfast!

Any way, I washed my hands as fast as possible, while holding my breath, and as I was getting out of the bathroom, guess what? I found myself, face to face with the only girl in the office whom I actually have a crush on, waiting to go after me!

Ok…I’m waiting for your bloopers!

Dear God,
That was a really cheap joke, and it wasn’t even funny!
Just so you know!

Movie of the week - Part Two

Wu ji (Promise)

If you have a reasonable tolerance for a corny Chinese fairy tale, can stand not-so-pleasing-to-the-ears Mandarin for two hours and can overlook some far-less-than-perfect special effects, invite your eyes to one the most extravagant feasts of colors and visual magnificence!

The latest work of Chen Kaige, was so unbelievably beautiful that I was frequently laughing out loud, just to discharge my self from the unbearable endless load of beauty, from heavenly landscapes, to every little colorful details in outfits, armors and even wall papers. Add to those, an exquisite music, and a gorgeous actress, and you will have an exhibition of everything your senses could wish for.

Just sit back, forget about the story and let your senses explore this sensual orgasm. (Why the hell I do sound like the commercials for shampoo!?!)

Movie of the week - Part one

UNITED 93


Remember that glorious scene in Bowling for columbine where Michael Moore, connects some of the most notorious US interventions in third world countries, like Iran, El Salvador and Chile from one side and the creation of Taliban and Bin Laden by CIA from the other side, to 9/11, sarcastically with the background song of What a wonderful world? Or that episode from 11'9''01, in which Ken Loach, who recently won the Palm d’or for The wind that shakes the barely, compares September eleventh 2001 to September eleventh 1973, when the airplane we thought was going to hit the world trade center suddenly turned out to be the one, was going to bomb Allende’s presidential palace? Or Sean penn’s short, overwhelmingly poetic and stunningly beautiful episode in the same movie?

Well, if you wish to see something quite different, see United 93, in which Paul Greengrass , has managed to make an extraordinary documentary-type movie, very much similar to his master piece Bloody Sunday.

The movie is simple, realistic and quite unlike anything else that we have seen so far. There is no love story, no degusting toast, no cheesy emotional speech of any kind, no hero, no irritating wise guy or superman, no criticism, no sarcasm, no bombarding audience with boring facts, and most of all, no demonizing of anyone whatsoever.

It’s just a real story, being told as non-judgmental as possible with performances so natural and believable that you can put yourself in place of anybody, from terrified passengers to puzzled and desperate personnels, in the control rooms.

Paul Greengrass, knowing the event itself has all the necessary elements for an emotional thriller to it, by simply retelling the September eleventh, has created a true masterpiece which is extraordinary observant, emotional and breathtaking.

So far, one of the best movies of the year.

1. My favorite 101

I start my favorites with a song called “Green Grass” by this young beautiful Brazilian, Cibelle, from the album The shine of dried electric leaves .
She sings in Portuguese, obviously, and also in English and French.
Although those in Portuguese, with a hint of Bossa Nova, are more typical of her, I can’t stop listening to this magnificent song, Green grass, which is immensely romantic, simple, melancholic and down right delicious. Very much suitable for this beautiful rainy Saturday evening.

Discussion of the week- Episode one

In most developed countries, a pregnant woman carrying a baby with Down ’s syndrome (the inoffensive term for rather rude and irresponsible word of Mongol!), is allowed to have an abortion. In England as an example, more than 95% of women, trapped in this condition, have used their legal right, terminated the life of their unborn children.

There are many people oppose to that decision, among which many families who have first hand experience dealing with Down’s children. They’re arguing, having a slow or crippled rate of growth, even though in the brain, doesn’t make those babies any lesser form of human being and certainly doesn’t give us the right to terminate their lives and some of these babies, having a chance to lead their lives, can live a long, happy one and can bring joy to their families as well. Depriving them from living, is killing someone just for being different.

Considering the fact that our world is being ruled by people with much more serious brain defects than Down’s syndrome, it seems not a bad argument. (Just kidding!)

On the other side of the spectrum, many believe that the life of the one with this syndrome is a wretched one, not only for the person alone, but for the family who will be doomed to bear an excruciating life-long responsibility. They also argue that, since some of these patients will outlive their parents, the devastating duty will eventually fall off on the shoulders of their brothers and sisters, who had no control over the decision in the first place. So it’s the right of every family, not to be forced, at least, to accept this huge task. Adding to this, most of these children, would suffer from serious physical defects throughout their lives and frequently should be subjected to some painful surgeries, which makes the life even more difficult for them and their families.

What do you think? Should parents be allowed to terminate the life of the fetus, knowing that the baby will be born with Down’s syndrome? And if you were in the same situation, would you do that?

Discussion of the week- Introduction

As an attempt to make this blog, a bit more active and reciprocal, I planed to add another segment called “Discussion of the week”. In this section, you are welcome to comment on a rather controversial topic, introduced by me, every Friday night.
For the sake of discussion, more controversial, politically incorrect, stimulating and even devil’s advocate-type of ideas will be immensely appreciated.

Also to make it possible for the readers to follow the discussions, I’d appreciate that even if you don’t want to put your real name there, make a fake ID and use it constantly but please do not leave comments under the title of Anonymous!

P.S. Since all the ideas and comments will be published uncensored, I will accept absolutely no responsibility over their contents whatsoever.

Check out Iran’s national team super cool football gear in Pendar’s super cool website. A brilliant and talented friend of mine that I absolutely can not figure out, why the hell is studying engineering?!

Maz Jobrani’s stand up. His stuff about being Iranian or Persian is hilarious!

Lonesome George

If someday, you find yourself in island of Pinta in the Galapagos and you come across a giant tortoise, you can confidently call him George!

How come? Well, sadly, he’s the last remaining of a species, once wandering around in the island in huge numbers. This 88 years old turtle is condemn living his long life in total loneliness and his death will put an end, not only to his life, but to a million-years- reach history of his race.

Where the ever-increasing catastrophic story of extinction is being retold every minute on this planet, the rather long life of this adorable creature, will keep us, humans, ashamed for years to come. A burning candle, symbolic of a planet in decay, a constant reminder of the earth, becoming more and more a Dorian Gray-ish! picture of our nice looking civilization!

We’re sorry Lonesome George, This planet was yours too and We will miss you.

Notice

From this week, every Saturday, you will find a small weekly article called “My favorite 101” in which, I’ll list my favorite music titles. Naturally since it will be purely based on my taste, I don’t expect that you’d like every title but you can try a couple of them to see if our tastes match. If they do, you can check it out regularly every week, for 101 weeks.

Also every Sunday, you can find a concise review about a recent movie, preferably still in theatres, called “movie of the week”, as I said before. Although occasionally, I will write about some new releases on DVD too and “Montreal report” will be published every Monday night, from this week on.

That was me, so what’s up with you?!