Hooman's Blog

New Photos: Iran Summer 2011

2011-09-25T13:50:00.001-04:00

This year I was lucky enough to visit Iran twice on the same year.
Here's a new set of photos. Enjoy.

Iran Summer 2011

P.S. My pictures are now more mobile-friendly if you access my site on your mobile phone.

Persian Theme for Google Chrome

2011-05-29T01:41:00.002-04:00

I was looking for a new theme for Google Chrome and couldn't find one I liked, so I made thisPersian Theme for Google Chrome (and ChromeOS).

It's based on my own photo collection from last year. Photo of the Persian archer is from Apadana Palace in Susa, Khuzestan, Iran. The inscriptions in the toolbar are from Tehran National Museum.

Enjoy!

New Photos: Iran 2011

2011-04-08T00:08:00.002-04:00

I've uploaded a new set of photos. Enjoy.

Iran 2011

Amsterdam 2011

Happy Norooz!

2011-03-19T12:10:00.001-04:00

Photo: Haft Seen from Mazandaran

UN General Assembly Recognizes Nowruz

2010-02-24T09:46:00.005-05:00

UN General Assembly Recognizes 21 March as International Day of Nowruz

According to the preamble of the resolution on the International Day (document A/64/L.30/Rev.2), Nowruz, which means new day, is celebrated on 21 March, the day of the vernal equinox, by more than 300 million people worldwide as the beginning of the new year. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.

The text was introduced by Azerbaijan’s representative, who said that, as a holiday celebrated in many parts of the world with themes important to all humanity, Nowruz encouraged intercultural dialogue and understanding. Speaking after the Assembly took action on the draft, the representative of Iran marked its adoption by quoting lines of the Persian poet Jalaluddin Rumi that expressed the holiday’s theme of rebirth “on our planet and in our souls”.

Finally...and just in time: Happy Nowruz in advance!

A Journey To Iran's Musical Past

2010-01-25T09:56:00.002-05:00

I just listened to this interview with Monica Jalili on the Subway:

Here On Earth: A Journey To Iran's Musical Past

I'm sure you'll find it interesting too.

Vanished Persian army said found in desert

2009-11-11T09:51:00.004-05:00

Bronze weapons, a silver bracelet, an earring and hundreds of human bones found in the vast desolate wilderness of the Sahara desert have raised hopes of finally finding the lost army of Persian King Cambyses II. The 50,000 warriors were said to be buried by a cataclysmic sandstorm in 525 B.C.

more...

Updated (Nov 27 ,09): New article & Photo: We’ve found the lost army of the King of Persia

Undercover Fashion in Iran

2009-05-13T11:08:00.001-04:00

For a related video, check out Iran's Young Rebels (CBC News: Sunday).

Virtual Museum of the Achaemenid Empire!

2009-04-17T00:28:00.004-04:00

musée achéménide (Achaemenid Museum) is a virtual museum dedicated to the Persian (Achaemenid) Empire.
The site is mostly in French but the navigational stuff are available in English.

First day of Spring is officially Norooz in Canada

2009-04-03T10:58:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to all Iranians and all those who celebrate Norooz!
It didn't make it for this Norooz but as of next year, first day of Spring is officially recognized in Canada as Norooz (or "Nowruz" as they've spelled it). See Bill C-342.
Here's an email statement from Dr. Reza Morifi MPP:

Dear friends:

I am extremely happy to inform you that on Monday March 30, 2009, the House of Commons (federal parliament) passed a motion and proclaimed the first day of Spring "Nowruz" in Canada. This is a great news for the Iranain community and to all other communities that celebrate Nowruz.

This proclamation of the House of Commons was followed by the proclamation of Nowruz by the Parliament of Onatrio a year ago.

Since Mr. Michael Ignateiff became the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada a few months ago, I began negotiation with his office on this matter and Mr. Ignateiff personally took ownership of this symbolically significant matter for the Iranain community and moved it forward.

At the final stage of the process, following negotiations with other parties, Mr. Ignateiff managed to gather the unanimous consent of all parties required for passing this motion by the House.

My good friend and my federal counterpart, Mr. Bryon Wilfert, also played a key role in this process by putting forward the Nowruz motion.

I wish to thank Mr. Ignateiff for his leadership in this matter. I also thank Mr. Wilfert and the Liberal Party of Canada. The Iranain community of Canada will remember them for ever!

Reza Moridi

A Taste of Iran (BBC Documentary)

2009-03-08T12:20:00.001-04:00

Rick Steves' Iran (PBS Documentary)

2009-02-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

Norouz - New Day on UN Calendars

2008-12-02T10:08:00.002-05:00

Norooz is not only the oldest, most important day in the Persian calendar; it is also one of the oldest traditions of the world. Over 300 million people celebrate it today. Yet it is not yet listed in any UN calendar.
Let the secretary general know, sign the petition!

Just sing or hum and the computer finds the song

2008-10-24T09:53:00.003-04:00

Ever heard a song that you really liked but didn't know the name or even the singer to help you find it?
With midomi all you have to do is sing or hum the song (even play it with an instrument) and it'll find it. I tried a few songs and it worked great. My choice might not have been the first result it returned, but it was on the main page. No special software is needed, all you need is a browser with Flash enabled and a microphone.

For those interested, the technology behind it is called Query by humming.

Golshifteh Farahani's Interview (Body of lies)

2008-10-12T10:31:00.000-04:00

Kamkars @ Nobel Piece Prize Concert '03

2008-10-06T00:18:00.001-04:00

New Pictures

2008-09-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

I have posted new pictures including Iran 2008 .

The world's youngest professor

2008-04-30T17:51:00.002-04:00

Meet 19-year-old Alia Sabur: the world's youngest professor!

Ontario Government Acknowledges the 21'st of March as Norooz

2008-04-22T08:55:00.001-04:00

The Fifth Iranian-American Persian Day Parade, New York

2008-04-03T00:20:00.002-04:00

The Fifth Iranian-American Persian Day Parade took place in New York this year. This parade takes place every Norooz in New York.

Santoor: "Tamana" by Parviz Meshkatian

2008-03-27T17:57:00.001-04:00

10 Most Historically Inaccurate Movies

2008-03-23T10:33:00.001-04:00

Remember 300? I just found it on The 10 Most Historically Inaccurate Movies on Yahoo Movies.

Happy Norooz!

2008-03-20T01:48:00.000-04:00

Happy Norooz to every one.

Toronto Iranians Calendar of Events

2008-03-15T12:00:00.002-04:00

I have prepared a calendar of all Iranian events in Toronto. Some events (including holidays in the second version) are in Persian:

Persian Gulf

2008-02-21T11:07:00.002-05:00

Try searching for arabian gulf on Google and click on the first result.

Santoor and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra

2008-02-19T20:10:00.000-05:00

Santoori in Toronto and Vancouver: 3rd week, Don't miss it

2008-02-08T09:49:00.000-05:00

If you haven't got to see Santoori by Dariush Mehrjooie, don't miss it. "Santoori: the music man" is the story of a Persian musician and his journey from stardom to drugs. It is made based on traditional Iranian music and follows the same emotional roller-coaster ride from sad to cheerful moments.

Locations and Show times

Empire Empress Walk: 5095 Yonge St. (Empress Ave.), North York
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu,Fri: 3:40, 6:30, 9:30
Sat, Sun: 1:00, 3:40, 6:30, 9:30

Granville 7 Cinemas: 855 Granville Street, Vancouver
7:20, 9:35

Updated (Feb 12, 08) - Some youtube clips about Santoori

Behind-the-Scenes:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TP0agNiWfWU&feature=related

Songs:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oZsSVrlWsvo&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vo_MjciYUnQ&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sj9FnrlM_bk&feature=related

Previews:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cqnSHxFj_Jc&feature=related

Watch/download here:
http://forum.iranproud.com/download-movie-persian-santori-c8-f1715

Omid Djalili: Pride and Racial Prejudice

2008-01-27T00:34:00.000-05:00

Kandovan: Iranian Town Carved From Rock

2007-12-29T10:46:00.000-05:00

Watch the video on National Geographic.

Most of world's famous men in a single photograph

2007-12-22T01:13:00.000-05:00

The Story of Stuff

2007-12-20T09:55:00.000-05:00

Do you know the disaster we're causing by buying cool electronic gadgets and most of the other stuff we buy? Then watch The story of stuff.

Matt Lauer in Iran

2007-11-07T11:31:00.000-05:00

(In 4 parts)

A must have for those with "unlimited incoming calls" mobile plans

2007-10-07T13:16:00.000-04:00

In Canada, wireless companies introduced plans with unlimited incoming calls. In many countries incoming calls to mobile phones are paid for by the caller. In both cases generally, making calls from mobile phones is not free and in fact relatively expensive.
A very nice trick to make cheap calls is to use a "callback service". These services call your phone, wait for you to answer, then call the other party.
I've been comparing callback services for a while and the best one I have found so far is Tokiva because it has great call quality and a small program you can install on your phone to initiate the call very easily. It's not perfect (you can only deposit $20, no Paypal, they never answers your email and there is no number to call for support) but relatively it's one the best (for now).
You still need to see if the rates are good for your country. But in North America the rates are great.
Sign up for Tokiva

The beauty of fall

2007-09-29T10:59:00.000-04:00

(Photo from Valens Conservation Area)

New pictures of Iran and Paris (2007)

2007-09-02T22:16:00.000-04:00

Lots of new photos:

Pictures of Iran 2007

Paris 2007

Plus, you can now browse Pictures of Iran by Location !

Finally, there also some new Background Pictures.

Hope you enjoy!

The ancient art of Persepolis

2007-06-07T00:18:00.001-04:00

The mouse...

2007-04-10T14:18:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder why that thing you surf the web with is called a mouse?

Live Miniature

2007-03-25T12:13:00.000-04:00

This video from ShahreMa TV shows Master Alijanpour (one of Master Mahmoud Farshchian's students, living in Toronto) paint a quick but very beautiful miniature.

Happy Norooz 86

2007-03-20T20:07:00.000-04:00

عمو نوروز و ننه سرما

Persepolis Recreated

2007-03-18T01:11:00.001-04:00

This is a clip from the documentary Persepolis Recreated:

This trailer is the first 9 minutes of the actual video with a narrator:

The real Xerxes mentioned in "300" vs the history is also in both videos (the person behind the king - i.e. Darius the great - with similar outfit).

A similar project is 3D Parse.

Misconceptions about Iran

2007-03-15T11:17:00.000-04:00

A very interesting article on Misconceptions about Iran from a Wikipedia user.

"300" vs the history

2007-03-08T15:00:00.000-05:00

You've probably heard of the movie "300" which is coming to theatres tomorrow. The movie, which is about the Battle of Thermopylae between the Greek and the Persians is closely based on a comic book by Frank Miller (the author of Sin City).
Update: What I said below is not correct since according to Wikipedia, the director has claimed the movie is 90% historically accurate!!
While neither the book nor the comic book specifically mention anything about being based on a true story - and they're nothing like the really or what is documented of it - the movie does somehow give the audience the impression of an epic movie based on the history of Persian-Greek wars and because the movie is extremely inaccurate showing Persians as savages and ogres I thought I should include a few links to historical facts, namely:
- gary leupp- 300, A RACIST AND INSULTING MOVIEAdded April 03, 07
- History and the Movie “300”
- the Wikipedia Discussion of the movie
- and Xerxes of Persia
- Also see: 300 the movie (A nice collection of artwork and articles related to "300" and ancient Persia).

One thing to add, according to history, Xerxes (son of Darius the great) was nothing like his father or Cyrus the great... however he was not a pierced savage either!

* In the picture above, Xerxes is the prince and not the king yet. In the full picture shows him standing behind his father Darius.

* You may also want to see the video in one of my previous posts (In Search of Cyrus The Great) that explains greek authors have introduced Persians as savages.

- Even the Greek are outraged: Sparta? No. This is madness (Added on March 15 from The Toronto Star)

- I posted some very interesting videos of the Persepolis (including Xerxes) in Persepolis Recreated.

Persian Piano Clip

2007-03-04T10:34:00.000-05:00

I found this while looking for random music videos on YouTube. Enjoy.

Read this Avery Wan!

2007-02-23T17:15:00.000-05:00

Caller: Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan ?
Operator: Yes, you can speak to me.
Caller : No, I want to speak to Annie Wan!
Operator: Yes I understand you want to speak to anyone. You can speak to me. Who is this?
Caller : I'm Sam Wan. And I need to talk to Annie Wan! It's urgent.
Operator: I know you are someone and you want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter about?
Caller: Well... just tell my sister Annie Wan that our brother Noe Wan was involved in an accident. Noe Wan got injured and now Noe Wan is being sent to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan is on his way to the hospital.
Operator : Look, if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital, then the accident isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious but I don't have time for this!
Caller : You are so rude! Who are you?
Operator: I'm Saw Ree .
Caller: Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name!!
Operator: That's what I said. I'm Saw Ree ..
Caller: O h ......God!!! !

The Drunken Bridge!

2007-02-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this on Tehran: Mega Capital of Iran which was previously mentioned here. I don't know if this is for real but I'll find out. Pretty cool!

Sheet Music Exchange

2007-02-16T13:16:00.001-05:00

The Sheet Music Exchange project that was previously mentioned here has a new permanent address:

http://www.sheetexchange.com/

(The old address will still work for now but please update your bookmarks.)

Thanks to everyone who helped, I have added features and fixes and have even started a small blog with latest changes and more.

While at least for now the project is focused on Persian music (because there already was a site for other stuff) anyone is welcome to add a list of their sheets.

Welcome to the mystic island of Kish

2007-02-13T19:18:00.000-05:00

I found some really cool photos of Kish island... I can't believe I've never been there!

I will love you forever...

2007-02-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

... Oh, not YOU! I was talking about this:

All I know about this photo is that it was probably taken in Italy.

Toronto Iranians Norouz Event

2007-02-10T10:38:00.001-05:00

Toronto Iranians Norouz Event is being held on March 3, 2007. All proceeds will be donated through Pardis charity group. Tickets are $25 ($30 at the door).

A new address for my blog

2007-02-04T00:11:00.000-05:00

You can now access this blog at http://blog.hoomanb.com!
This older address still works, but it redirects to the new one.

In Search of Cyrus The Great

2007-01-31T14:57:00.000-05:00

In Search of Cyrus The Great is an unfinished film by Spenta Productions about Cyrus the great.

They are asking for donations to complete the production.

I'm at work and haven't watched all of it yet but it looks very good.

Oh those Americans!!

2007-01-14T23:10:00.001-05:00

Happy 2007 + History in 50 Seconds!

2006-12-31T17:32:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone.

May 2007 be the best year of your life YET.

Speaking of new year and time, it may be a good time to learn 5000 years of history in 50 seconds.

Warning: Even 50 seconds of history can be boring to some viewers, so come back after your new year parties and see this :-)

Enjoy this "relaxing" video!

2006-12-27T16:50:00.000-05:00

Music Sheet Exchange

2006-12-23T11:14:00.000-05:00

Updated

Video: Simpsons Voice Actors (Part 1 and 2)

2006-12-18T11:46:00.000-05:00

Video: Traditional Persian Concert (Niaz)

2006-12-06T23:55:00.000-05:00

New Look...

2006-12-01T00:13:00.000-05:00

As you can see (unless you're reading the feeds) I have completely changed the look of the blog. This is still work in progress: the template needs to expand and I don't like all the green in the design. Your comments are welcome.

Amazing Photos of the Wild...

2006-11-28T00:02:00.000-05:00

Just see them for yourself

Mermaid-like creature found in the Persian Gulf

2006-11-23T09:13:00.000-05:00

I was told a few years back they had found a mermaid-like creature in the Persian Gulf but I couldn't find anything on the web not even a picture. Then a few days ago I found this:
Watch the Video

Are you pissed at your boss?

2006-11-15T12:20:00.000-05:00

- Did you get fired?
- Did you not get that raise he promised?
- Makes you do unpaid over-time?

This little Flash game might help you kick his ass!

Video: Think models are hot?

2006-11-10T23:55:00.000-05:00

This is for you model wannabes out there:
Model Transformation

A picture may be worth a thousand words, BUT...

2006-11-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

... It never hurts to add comments...

Which is why I've added comments to most of my Background Pictures, specially those taken while traveling.

I want a Firefox Extension to ...

2006-11-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

This site has a list of most Firefox extensions (aka addons). It's the same ones as those on Firefox's official site (and perhaps less) but the difference is you can browse them by their application.

Video: Persian concert at Trinity Church

2006-10-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

Watch the video

8 Reasons NOT to come to Canada

2006-10-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

This is taken from Settlement.org's discussion board (which actually took it from NotCanada.com):

8. Discriminatory and Dishonest Immigration System.
Immigration to Canada is based on a point system, obtained with your education, qualifications and job experience. Points are good enough for immigration, but in Canada, they are not good enough to get a job in your field. Amazing, how the credentials that qualify you to come to Canada are the same credentials that don't qualify you for your profession in Canada. The reason is, Canada only wants immigrants to do the labor jobs - pizza delivery, driving taxis, factory work etc.

7. Out Of Control Cost Of Living.
From rent, to utility bills, to shopping, to phone, internet and cable bills, to gas, to car insurance, to eating out, to basically anything you have to pay for or buy, the cost of living in Canada has become astronomical. Recent immigrants are astonished as to how expensive everything is. It is estimated that compared to most countries around the world, the cost of living in Canada is on average five times greater.

6. Health Care Crisis.
Practicing physicians in Canada are in a shortage, 1 in 4 Canadians cannot get a family doctor. Canadian doctors are leaving to move permanently to the United States. Statistics Canada and the Canadian Medical Association both have identified that for every 1 American doctor that moves to Canada, 19 (nineteen) Canadian doctors move to the United States! Doctors in Canada are overworked and underpaid, and there is a cap on their salaries.

5. Very High Taxes.
Yes, you have the GST, the PST, totaling 15%, on practically everything you purchase and many other taxes taken out of our weekly paycheck. You have to pay a whopping amount to the government, out of your hard earned salary, so that the government can turn around and give it to beer drinking, hockey watching welfare bums. Fair? It does not matter, it's Canada.

4. Money Hungry Government.
Canadian Embassies around the world lie to foreigners, painting this picture that Canada is Utopia, because they want them to come to Canada. Why? Because foreigners bring money! So after being deceived, these foreigners come. They must bring with them at least $10,000. Canada has an immigration quota of 250,000 per year. So please do the math, 250,000 multiplied by $10,000 each equals a whopping 2.5 Billion dollars that Canada gains from immigrants every year.

3. No Culture.
Unlike almost every other country in the world, Canada has no culture. Actually American culture is what dominates Canada. When was the last time you had some 'Canadian' food? There are no Canadian traditions and there is no national identity. What does it even mean to call yourself a 'Canadian'. . .nothing really. People living in Canada, still identify themselves with the country they 'originally' came from.

2. Worst Weather.
Yes, Canada has the worst weather conditions of any country in the world. Freezing cold temperatures, snow, ice, hail, winds, storms etc. From the Prairie provinces to the Maritimes, from the Territories to southern Ontario, the weather is so horrific and disgusting that many Canadians leave Canada simply because of this reason alone.

1. No Jobs.
Yes, coast to coast, there are no jobs. Immigrants are highly qualified (MD's, PhD's, Lawyers, Engineers etc.) but they are driving taxi cabs, delivering pizza's or working in factories. Even people with bachelors degrees from Canadian Universities cannot find jobs after graduation. This is the tragedy associated with immigration to Canada. I feel sorry for those immigrants who are stuck in Canada for the rest of their lives. It is indeed a very sad and hopeless future.

More pictures of Iran (not mine)

2006-10-21T12:35:00.000-04:00

Enjoy pictures of Iran and few other countries..

A. Ansari on Opera

2006-10-17T23:11:00.000-04:00

A must see: Video of Anoushe Ansari on Opera.
Fun experience... to bad I'm 60 million $s short!

My European Sailing Ship!

2006-10-17T16:34:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture of a little European sailing ship I assembled the other day. I wasn't sure if it would make a nice background or not so I put it here rather than my background pictures section.

Narges Cartoons (Persian)

2006-10-15T11:20:00.000-04:00

There's hardly anyone in Iran you hasn't seen the popular TV show Narges (which is now playing on Jaam-e-Jam network). If you have you might like these cartoons as well:
Narges Cartoons

Behind the Waterfall

2006-10-09T13:44:00.000-04:00

I finally managed to go behind a waterfall, one of my lifelong dreams (OK maybe one of the smaller dreams). A unique and fun as the experience was, I can't share it with you using pictures. But you can check out the view of the waterfall. Actually, this is a different waterfall, the picture of I one I'm talking about is in pictures.

Enjoy!

New pictures of Iran and Amsterdam are up!

2006-10-04T17:53:00.000-04:00

I finally got a chance to put my new pictures on the web:
Pictures of Iran (mainly of northern Iran, coast of the Caspian sea)
Pictures of Amsterdam (city, canals and Amsterdam North)
All Pictures

President Clinton Last Days in Office

2006-09-30T11:31:00.000-04:00

After months for giving you a dead blog I bring you this funny video:
President Clinton Last Days in Office

PayPal Buyer Protection - Don't Count on it!

2006-06-03T15:04:00.000-04:00

This is part of the email I received from PayPal regarding a complaint I filed for an item I never received:

"After careful review, we have concluded our investigation of the Buyer
Complaint described below.

We have decided in your favor, however, we were unable to recover any funds
from the seller's account. As stated in the PayPal User Agreement, recovery
of funds associated with a Buyer Complaint cannot be guaranteed."

I am Iranian

2006-05-31T00:15:00.000-04:00

I'm leaving for Iran in a day (which could also mean this blog will not be updated for a while)...

Since that's all I have to say in this post, I'll post this old but funny Persian version of the famous Molson Canadian commercial from a few years ago...

I am Iranian

O, I am not a terrorist nor a wife beater, I don't live in a tent in a desert and camels are not our way of transportation (we drive cool European cars like Peugeot 206).

I speak Farsi, not Arabic (they don't even have the same roots)

Iran is pronounced "EERAUN" and not "I - ran" (it's not track & field, got that pisses me off)

News flash: Iran and Iraq are two different countries; Middle East is a region and NOT a continent (it's all in Asia).

Belly dancers are NOT strippers (no sex in the Champaign room; anyways, belly dancing is an Arabic dance, it never came from Iran! although they do hire Arab dancers in Persian restaurants in Canada).

Each time you play a game of chess to improve your intellect, keep in mind that it was Persians who gave you your game.

Iranian women are just as outspoken (if not more) and liberal as the European women (and more than North American women).

And what the hell is "soccer"?? We also call it Football like every one in the word (except Americans).

Cyrus the great is the one who started "Human Rights"

Allow me to introduce myself:

I AM A PERSIAN. MY LAND IS IRAN!

--- THE END ---

Related links:
- Tehran like you've never seen it before...
- Pictures of Iran (2005)

Escher-like paintings...

2006-05-21T15:15:00.000-04:00

These paintings are very much like paintings by Dutch artist M. C. Escher. If you don't know Escher, it's ok, just take a look I'm sure they'll mess with your mind just the same :-).

Facts

2006-05-13T14:59:00.000-04:00

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for Blood plasma.

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.

The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.

The King of Hearts is the only king WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. (Probably why Venus is normally associated with women!)

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

Most dust particles in your house are made from DEAD SKIN!

The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer. So did the first "Marlboro Man."

Walt Disney was afraid OF MICE!

PEARLS MELT IN VINEGAR!

The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs... but, not downstairs.

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

Spring's arrived in Toronto - with 45 days delay!

2006-05-06T09:04:00.000-04:00

45 days is pretty long time to look at dead trees waiting for flowers to show up while in many other places in the world people have been enjoying the beauty of spring since 20th of March. On the bright side, they've lost all the pretty flowers by now and we have fresh flowers in Toronto. I've posted a few pictures of spring including this widescreen background:

Enjoy!

P.S. Did you know these yellow flowers actually have medical purposes? Wish I remembered the name to post some info on that but if anyone knows the name, please help me out!

A great tool to avoid RSI

2006-04-28T16:53:00.000-04:00

After reading Official Google Blog: Avoiding RSI I started looking for a good tool to avoid RSI (aka Repetitive strain injury, a disorder affecting bone and muscle from repetitive movements) and found Workrave. Now I can't stop using it:
It has 3 break timers:
1. Micro Breaks (asking your to stop and rest for a few seconds)
2. Rest Breaks (A few exercises follow by a few minutes away from the computer)
3. Daily Limit (Tells you when to stop working for the day)
All of the above are fully customizable and optional. If you spend a few hours or more on your computer you should try this great tool. It makes a big difference.

Tehran like you've never seen it before...

2006-04-20T09:51:00.000-04:00

Tehran - Mega Capital of IRAN has great pictures of the Tehran that you won't get to see on TV, not in North America anyway.

Tech: The Ultimate Proxy Guide

2006-04-17T09:55:00.000-04:00

The Ultimate Proxy Guide is a guide to existing proxy servers, finding new proxy servers at any time using Google and starting your very own proxy server!
(BTW Proxy servers are those sites that allow you to by-pass internet filters and access blocked web sites... in case you didn't know.)

Create your own South Park character!

2006-04-11T13:05:00.000-04:00

South Park Studio is a little tool that lets you create your very own South Park character. I don't wantch South Park but these are cute, definitly check it out. Here's mine:

Watch out for fake Paypal e-mails!

2006-04-01T12:53:00.000-05:00

This is nothing new, but since it's a clever one, I thought I post it to the world!

Here's how it goes:
- Mr X receives an email from a Paypal email address telling him about an unauthorized access to his account.
- He freaks out, and clicks on the login icon to fix the issue ASAP without checking where the link points to is not paypal.com. One of the links even reads "https://www.paypal.com/us/" but if you move the mouse over the actual link, of course it's not paypal.com.
- They ask him for his Paypal login (which of course, they store and use later to take money out of his account!)
- Then they log him in and ask for his credit card info: Credit card number, expiry and even The PIN and the security code. Now at this point Mr X should realize what has happened and change his Paypal password ASAP. But if he's stupid enough to give his PIN to a company (you shouldn't even give your PIN to the bank) then he really deserves what's coming!
- Finally they log him in to the real Paypal web site. Since Mr X typed in his real PayPal login, he's now logged into PayPal. Once he's into his normal PayPal page he looks up sees the PayPal domain on top of the browser and doesn't even know what hit him until the credit card statements come in!

Here's a copy of the e-mail itself (Paypal's really fast in taking these fake sites down, so don't expect the links in this sample to work):

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "service@paypal.com" <service@paypal.com>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 8:57:52 AM
Subject: PayPal Notification: Re: Unauthorized Use of Your PayPal Account !

Unauthorized access to your PayPal account!

We recently noticed more attempts to log in to your PayPal account from a foreign IP address.

If you accessed your account while traveling, the unusual log in attempts may have been initiated by you. However, if you are the rightfull holder of the account, please visit Paypal as soon as possible to verify your identity:

Click here to verify your account

You can also verify your account by logging into your PayPal account at https://www.paypal.com/us/.

If you choose to ignore our request, you leave us no choise but to temporaly suspend your account.

We ask that you allow at least 72 hours for the case to be investigated and we strongly recommend to verify your account in that time.

Thank you for using PayPal!
The PayPal Team

Please do not reply to this email. This mailbox is not monitored and you will not receive a response. For assistance, log in to your PayPal account and choose the Help link located in the top right corner of any PayPal page.

To receive email notifications in plain text instead of HTML, update your preferences here.

PayPal Email ID PP468

"Shahre Moosh Ha" on Google Video!

2006-03-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

I just found out the you can Watch Shahre Moosh Ha on Google Video! The quality's not too good if you're watching it on your computer screen but if have TV out, it'll look much better. Enjoy!

Pictures and Videos of Norouz Festivals in Toronto & New York

2006-03-23T20:27:00.000-05:00

BBC Persian has Videos of Under the Azure Dome Festival that took place in Toronto Harbourfront Centre.

A little further down in New York there was a huge Persian parade like no other: Pictures of Iranian New Year Parade in New York

Speaking of Norouz and Toronto, there's a great web site with information about Norouz and Iranian New Year traditions: Norooz.ca

Happy Norouz 1385!

2006-03-20T09:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Norouz to everyone!

Under The Azure Dome starts Today!

2006-03-17T19:08:00.000-05:00

Under The Azure Dome Under the Azure Dome - A program to celebrate Norouz (Persian New Year) at Harbourfront Centre, Toronto will take place from today (March 17) until March 19, 2006.
Today there will be a concert but on Saturday and Sunday there will be lots of programs such as dance, comedy, movies and more concert.
This is supposed to be the biggest Persian event in Toronto yet so don't miss it!

Persian Festival of Fires (Chaharshanbe Soori)

2006-03-10T18:40:00.000-05:00

This year Chaharshanbe Soori (Persian Festival of Fires on March 14) will take place at two locations: in addition to the usual Sunnybrook Park, it will take place at Mel Lastman Sq. at 5100 Yonge Street (North York).

The program at Mel Lastman is completely different and is planned to have DJs, Music, Food and of course fireworks...

Update: Initially I thought the even is taking place at Mel Lastman only, but according to ShahreMa TV (Sun March 12) the even at Sunnybrook park is still on and like last year there will be buses to commute between the park and the free parking locations at Eglinton/Leslie. I'm actually glad, Mel Lastman is nice but Sunnybrook is old-fashioned and I really prefer to keep the jump-over-the-fire tradition... But nevertheless Mel Lastman sounds good too and it sponsored by more people...

Update2: I went to Mel Lastman Sq. They tried to do a good program but it just didn't feel like Chahar Shanbe Soori. I mean no jumping over the fire and even worse they even banned sparklers! I really hope next year we do it at Sunnybrook Park again or I'm done with Toronto!

Once again,
Time: March 14, 2006 6:30-9:30pm
Location: Mel Lastman Sq. (5100 Yonge St, North York)
Info: (416) 938-3373 and (416) 428-6024
More info (Farsi)

Also don't miss Under the Azure Dome, Persian New Year Celebrations (March 17-19) at the Harbourfront Centre, Toronto.

Tech: Google Interview Questions

2006-03-10T18:18:00.000-05:00

Q: "You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?"

Q: "How would you find out if a machine's stack grows up or down in memory?"

Q: "Explain a database in three sentences to your eight-year-old nephew."

Q: "How many gas stations would you say there are in the United States?"

How to Make a Goldfish Live for Decades - WikiHow

2006-03-05T18:44:00.000-05:00

Last week I read in an article that a goldfish should live for 10 to 25 years or longer if it's given the proper care!

The Guinness Book of World Records cites a goldfish named Tish that lived 43 years after being won at a fair in England in 1956!

I'm lucky if one of the fish I buy on Persian new year make it to day 13!

How (not) to ask for a raise!

2006-02-25T12:49:00.000-05:00

This is the transcript of an employee's letter to his boss asking for a raise...

Dear Bo$$

In thi$ life, we all need $ome thing mo$t de$perately. I
think you $hould be under $tanding of the need$ of u$ worker$ who have
given $o much $upport including $weat and $ervice to your company.

I am $ure you will gue$$ what I mean and re$pond $oon.

Your$ $incerely,

Norman $oh

The next day, the employee recieved this letter of reply :

Dear NOrman,

I kNOw you have been working very hard. NOwadays, NOthing much
has changed. You must have NOticed that our company is NOt doing
NOticeably well..

NOw the newspapers are saying the world`s leading ecoNOmists are
NOt sure if the United States may go into aNOther recession. After the
NOvember presidential elections things may turn bad.

I have NOthing more to add NOw. You kNOw what I mean.

Regards...

Tune-up your Windows XP computer

2006-02-19T18:54:00.000-05:00

I believe it has been over 3 years since I last published a Windows tip but the Windows XP 15 Minute Tune-Up is not to be missed by Windows users, so have a look. Many of the tips are those I've done myself for years and simple as they may seem, they really do make a difference in your computer's speed.

Zoom In!

2006-02-14T20:29:00.000-05:00

Secret Worlds: The Universe Within will take you from a view of the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth into subatomic particles in seconds.
Very cool!

Museum of Hoaxes

2006-02-04T18:48:00.000-05:00

Museum of Hoaxes is an interesting (and I must add: huge) collection of hoaxes. You find just about everything from retouched photos you've already seen in your inbox to April Fool's Day jokes from centuries ago.

Miss your favorite classic games?

2006-01-29T21:28:00.000-05:00

Remember those simple but fun games you used to play in DOS?
DOS Games Online has collection of free DOS games to download.

Come from the Commodore 64 era? You can even play your favorite Commodore 64 Games online!

Body Worlds 2: Don't Miss Out!

2006-01-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

Body Worlds 2 is an exhibision of real human bodies. The second version of the Exhibit called Body Worlds 2 is in Toronto until February 26, 2006.

I finally got a chance to visit exhibition last week (it's been on since September) and I absolutely recommend it to every one. While you may not find all the different body positions as interesting as anatomist do, watching a black smoker's lung, or a cross section of an obese person compare to an skinny one, will sure make you think twice about your unhealthy habits.

The exhibition is at the Ontario Science Centre (Don Mills and Eglinton).

Tech: Free Online Computer Courses (Beginner to Advanced)

2006-01-08T09:29:00.000-05:00

At the HP Learning Center you will find lots of computer courses from Microsoft Office or Linux Administration. One of the best learning resources I've found online so far.

New Year Tech Tip 2006!

2006-01-01T11:33:00.000-05:00

First, H a p p y N e w Y e a r!

Here's a quick tech tip to protect you in the new year: You might receive emails from Yahoo! or other big name companies about your account. With some of these there's really no way to tell real email from virus. Except you should know, these companies never send you any information as an attachment. So if the email's professional and has an attachment there's a 99% chance that it's a virus. In fact don't ever open attachments until you can absolutely be sure that they come with a private message from people you know.

Internet Users: Fantasy vs. Reality

2005-12-31T17:30:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder who you're really chatting with when you're in a chat room or on a message board?
This article might make you think twice before spending endless hours on the Internet looking for the perfect match! You might just find yourself spending more time on social networks like Orkut instead ;-)

My 100th Post & 100 Things We didn't know last year...

2005-12-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

To mark my 100th blog entry I'm posting this interesting article from the BBC:
100 Things We Didn't Know Last Year