Perhaps there is truth in this illusion...

I went to see the illusionist, with very low expectations, since a friend of mine had advised me against watching it. Well, I have to say that I'm happy I didn't listen to him! It certainly was not the greatest movie ever, but it had strong acting, and an interesting story, two things I like to see in a movie!

The movie is based on a short story by Steven Millhauser, 1997 Pulitzer Prize winner, about a young boy with extraordinary talents who falls in love with a girl from the High Society. he grows up to be this well-known magician, "the illusionist". Anyway, he meets the girl again, who's to be wed to the Crown Prince, a typical villain with twisted moustache and pointy beard. Long story short, the whole movie revolves around this love/rivalry triangle. Then of course there's the Chief Inspector who tries hard to find out the truth behind all the illusions.

I loved the magic performance scenes, and the way the story started folding up... however, I still can't decide if I liked the ending or not! I mean all through the movie I was trying to choose between my never-ending love for wizardry stories and the hope to find a logical explanation for everything that was happening. so at the end, i couldn't quite decide whether I should be disappointed or happy! But regardless of all this, if you like Edward Norton (and you should) and Paul Giamatti (Sideways), you're gonna see some very interesting interactions between the two, so don't miss out!

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Bleu

Not only it's one of my most favorite movies of all time, it's got one of the best soundtracks ever too...

When I get a real job with a real pay cheque, I'd buy a super fancy sound system, just to listen to this song at the highest volume possible (in my super fancy mansion, of course!)...

Title: Song For The Unification Of Europe (Julie's version), By: Zbigniew Preisner

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Waiting sucks...

You know why you should never have expectations? Because they keep you waiting... and waiting sucks. Waiting for a phone call, for an email, for Holidays, for next year... things will happen anyway, just learn not to wait, damn it!

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Freedom of thought

I watched Good night and good luck last night. The movie shows a period from the career of Edwar R. Murrow, an American journalist who worked for CBS during the 40's and the 50's. The movie focuses on (probably) the most controversial conflict during his professional life: opposing Senator Joseph McCarthy on his campaign against the Communism. I thought both the movie and the story were very strong. George Clooney has done an amazing job in my opinion. The movie pointed out some very interesting issues that are still valid in today's world with the ever increasing stupidity in our mass media. (For a very funny touch upon a serious related issue read Shirin)

To see that by opposing a person in a higher position, Ed. Murrow exposed himself to threats and false accusations, I realized once again how similar situations can be when your not on the side of power, be it in the United States - the land of freedom -, in Islamic Republic of Iran, or in any other country.

I definitely recommend watching this movie, especially if you're a fan of black and white movies and enjoy Jazz music! because did I tell you? the soundtrack is one of the best.

Here are some parts of the speech Ed. Murrow gave on october 15, 1958 that I found interesting [omitted sentences are replaced with "..."]:

"Our history will be what we make it. And if there are any historians about fifty or a hundred years from now...they will there find recorded in black and white, or color, evidence of decadence, escapism and insulation from the realities of the world in which we live. ... We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late."

Title: When I fall in love [instrumental], By: Dianne Reeves

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Just one of those nights...

Little things can help you have a great time: a bottle of good wine (ok, maybe two!), good background music, a good movie, a well-prepared "ghelyoon", maybe a couple of cigarettes, ... but what's most important is having friends close to you, starting discussion when your head is spinning and making nonsense conclusions, taking out-of-focus pictures ... and somewhere in the middle of all that, missing all those who are not there... you were all missed!

Title: Just one of those things, By: Diana Krall

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Healthy diet...

- "Can I have a tall non-fat non-sweet Chai Latte?"

- "sure, anything else?"

- "yeah... and a butter croissant please!"

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So says the fortune teller who works for Orkut:

"Your talents will be recognized and suitably rewarded"

hmmm, when excactly?

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"Is it me...

- ... or does it always cool down this fast?"

- "it's you!"

- "yeah, I thought so!"

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Can't think of a title!

- "If you were sure there was an after-life, and if you knew in that life you two would be together, would you die now?"

- "... hmmm, can I think about it?"

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I want to break free

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ...

... And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

From A return to Love, by Marianne Williamson

I first heard this quote in "Akeelah and the Bee". (Not the greatest, but worth watching). I think for most people (not ALL), what Williamson says is true. We do not see ourselves worthy of being loved or admired above a certain limit. We fear that if the people who love us find our flaws, we will lose them. So, we try to somehow prove to them - and to ourselves - that we're not as great as they think... We lose them... and think we proved what we wanted to. This self-destructive loop goes on without us ever getting a chance to act differently. Are we brave enough to break free?

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The hills are alive... with sound of music

I've been meaning to add music to this blog for the longest time now, and finally - many thanks to Mayssam - I'm able to stream the music I like here. Haven't decided on how I'm exactly going to do it, whether it's gonna be in individual posts or as a part of my template, but whatever, it's here and at least I like it :). So yeah, enjoy!

Title: Between the devil and the deep blue sea, By: George Harrison

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And I wonder

You ask me what is it that we're doing. I don't know. We're just going with the flow I guess. You're afraid that you might hurt me, I'm afraid to lose you. I can't stop it, but it can't go on either. You think I will hate you for this later, you don't know I already hate you for it. Don't they say there's a thin line in between?... You know what's funny? The fact that it'll all be over before we even know it. I'll be reading these in a few months and won't be able to remember how it felt. You'll be in someone else's dreams, I'll be dreaming of someone new.

So here's my answer: we're doing what seems to be the easiest way to let our feelings die away. Promise me though, that you won't let us get trapped in the illusion of this being anything more than what it is: an illusion.

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Got foot?

Have you ever tried a pedicure? Do you use lotion to moisturize your dry feet? Have you ever stopped to notice your feet at all? Those two lovely little members that help you go places? Are you showing them enough attention? if not, maybe it's time to reconsider...

Negar has started the "feet right movement" to open everyone's eyes, and to recognize the importance of the unappreciated blessing, called "foot".

Everyone, feel free to participate! :)

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Crying is for men

I don't like to cry... that's what I've found out recently. That doesn't mean that I don't cry, I cry a lot actually, but I'm not comfortable doing it. I prefer to cry when no one can see or hear me, and even then I try to stop the tears so hard as if my life depends on it. Why do you think that is?

I think it's mostly because I associate crying with weakness. It's wrong, I know, I know... but that's written somewhere down in my unconsciousness. The funny thing though, is that I've always admired men that cried comfortably. I've always told my male friends that crying is not as bad as they think and it's very brave to be able to cry when it helps you in some way. So why is it that I can't accept it as easily myself? Every time I cry, I feel I'm weak and helpless and that the person who's watching me thinks less of me because of that. To summarize my random ranting, I think I believe it would be better if men cried a bit more and women cried a little less. I do need a therapist badly!

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Damn you, memories! (or my random complaints about life - reader warning: boring!)

You say there's nothing we can do. That we should forget. I know. As a matter of fact, it's easier than most people think. I've already forgot how the grip of your fingers felt, and I can't quite remember what colors your eyes were, unless I look at the pictures, of course. Were you taller than me? What perfume were you wearing?

You'll see, I'll forget in no time. Except I still remember the feeling of being close, being watched, held, admired, spoiled, and scared by you. Don't worry though; I'll forget in no time, you'll see.

Don't you just hate your brain? It never memorizes the important things, like your appointments, or your course material, or the speech you're supposed to give in front of the class. But then it goes and remembers every single detail of a random night in a random place with some random stranger and bugs you with it for the rest of your life. If only we could choose which memories to keep... life would be a lot less complicated than it is now.

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Back to school

So here I am... 25 days, four states, and probably an extra two pounds later, back to my normal life (normal?...let's not talk about that!).

I had the greatest vacation you could have without going back home, and once again realized how much I love my friends. I met so many new people, interesting and wonderful and crazy too. Think I actually liked the States despite all my efforts not to! I mean I still can't say I prefer to live there, but almost all my friends from undergrad school are in the States and there's so many more options and opportunities. If it wasn't for the country being a big pretty jail, I would probably consider moving there.

School has started and I've already lost interest after my first class! It's probably just a post-vacation depression phase which will be over before the midterms, or at least I hope so!

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A short story about three strangers who went on a trip

It all started one night when the three of them were sitting in front of a TV, watching Harold and Kumar go to White Castle. Now, that's not exactly the type of movie that you'd think would make people bond or anything like that, but somehow it worked! He had suggested the idea of going on the trip before, but not a lot of people thought it was doable. After all, it was an eight hour drive each way, and they had to be back in two days. She couldn't say if it was the movie, or the fact that it was two o'clock in the morning, or something strange in the air, but all of a sudden it sounded like the best idea ever. They even convinced him to join. Next evening, they were on the road, with enough supplies of water, smokes, and music... it turned out to be the most wonderful trip ever.

They never imagined it would be such a magnificent place. Arizona certainly had the most beautiful skies she had ever seen, watching the sunrise on the Canyon was a once in a lifetime experience, and she remembered once again that spontaneousness creates the most memorable moments.

Desert View

View from Mather Point

Kaveh

Mayssam (photo by: Kaveh)

Saba (photo by: Mayssam)

P.S. Thank God for ipod, Monster, Marlboro, and Chevy HHR.

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