hide3's diary

Back to normalities!

2009-09-21T23:50:00.000+09:00

I was happy that the fasting was over and now I can openly drink and eat in front of my staff!

having coffee on my desk in the morning! back to normal!

having lunch at my office! I was too full with a double cheeseburger and fries! belch!
back to normal!

And more important... I also wanted to celebrate my staff's birthday which came right in the middle of Ramazan and we couldn't buy a nice cake for him...

celebrating with a nice birthday cake weeks later from his birthday!

Ramazan was very stressful even though I'm not a Muslim as I always tried to be careful not to cross over the line to frustrate the fasters, including my staff. Anyone who is fasting would surely not like someone drinking fresh water right in front of you as non-smokers hate to have someone smoke right into their faces. Well, the anxiety is over and I can enjoy eating and drinking more than ever!

PS
Summertime is over and we had to rewind the clock one hour back! I have to wake up at five tomorrow and this one hour would really help!

one hour back at 24 o'clock tonight!

Eid Mobarek-e!

2009-09-20T23:59:00.000+09:00

I had to wake up early to watch the Leader's Eid ul-Fitr sermon.

on TV... everybody's there!

It was not a surprising sermon and I was able to return home at around 10:30AM to go back to sleep. I finally woke up again nearly four hours later. I was full of energy and decided to go out for dinner!
It was another rainy day and it was the right choice to take our folding umbrellas with us!

having a steak for dinner...

nobody at the restaurant! all reserved just for the two of us!?

It was raining on our way back and my jeans and socks were wet... When will this rain stop!?

Last day of Ramazan!?

2009-09-19T23:59:00.000+09:00

It was raining crazily with thunder roaring in the city. Actually it was also raining heavily before dawn as I was awakened by the sound several times. In the morning the thunderstorm continued on in the morning and everybody was predicting Ramazan will continue on till tomorrow as the lunar-watchers were supposed to see the moon to pronounce its ending.
Surprisingly, at around 10:30PM, I received a call from my staff that they did announce Ramadan will be over! How did they see the moon!?

From the morning...

hmm... a bad sign...

With the stormy weather outside...

the TV via satellite was dying...

2009-09-19T23:58:00.000+09:00

Today's menu...

hot udon noodles for lunch...

and Yoshinoya style beef bowl for dinner!

Another hectic day...

2009-09-18T23:59:00.000+09:00

We headed to the central area of the city to cover the fervor of the people participating in a anti-Israeli protest supported by perhaps hundreds of thousands all over the world. As it was announced, it was not just being attended by conservatives and fundamentalists, but the opposition and I saw thousands of people against the Government marching. As they chanted anti-regime slogans, the supporters of the regime were swearing against them and everything was getting hectic in the streets. Once again I was able to witness the deep and grievous rift among the people and it seemed hopeless that this country will see the bright sun coming out sooner or perhaps never.

familiar slogans...

Early closing...

2009-09-17T23:59:00.000+09:00

Thursdays' regular hours are over earlier than usual and I encouraged my staff to leave as early as possible as we had plenty of work tomorrow, saying goodbye to another day off.
I even took a short nap in the evening before dinner and tried to improve my physical condition.
But that just made the day pass by like lightning...

PS
It started raining...

hmm... the weather is quite unstable recently...

2009-09-17T23:58:00.000+09:00

PS: Food menu of today...

a Korean style meal my wife fixed...

not bad!

pudding... made in Iran!

not bad!

Cat pics 2nd series...

2009-09-17T23:57:00.001+09:00

hey what are you doing up there!

I'm gonna get you!

hmm... how do I go there...

climbing up!

I'm almost there!

Issue closed

2009-09-16T23:59:00.000+09:00

Any possible trip to New York was officially a closed issue today as I received an e-mail rejecting the proposed trip. One of my fellow correspondents working in Tehran for another organization is going and of course I feel let down, but being employed by a media corps, I have no choice but to back down.
There's one thing I can do and that is to believe this outcome was a preface to a much better route for success that I would be glad I didn't go. I might find out a year later when I decide to go for the next one where there could be a historical event which seems very unlikely this year!

PS
This year all the spotlight will be on this person... at least in Japan...

he's on the headlines of Iranian media too!

Cat pics 1st series...

2009-09-16T23:58:00.000+09:00

oh hello...

ready to go!

I can stay for a while...

someone calling me?

ah, forget it...

don't want me to go?

meow... what do you want?

I give up...

hey...

you...

meow... where are you?

gotcha!

phew... time to relax...

Serious headache...

2009-09-15T23:59:00.000+09:00

I had a headache and though I'm sure it wasn't because I had contracted swine flu, I really didn't like how it was seriously aching. I tried to finish my work as quickly as possible, and fortunately(?) there wasn't anything I had to write today. I finished work and returned to my home to take it easy and relax. It was getting better at night and I really hope it won't return tomorrow!

PS
Happy Birthday to my MOM!
I hope she'll stay healthy!
And I hope I can return to Japan to see her and Dad!

PPS
Hey...

oh you found the best place to take a nap!

and the garden's all yours!

The first time limit...

2009-09-14T23:59:00.000+09:00

Today it was announced that the nuclear talks will be held on the first day of October. As it's almost certain that I won't be able to go to New York to cover the United Nations General Assembly, I was quickly able to shift my short time goal to this new time limit. I was hoping they have the talks somewhere near, hopefully Turkey, as the Turkish FM had said yesterday that they were happy to mediate the talks. Finally there's something to work for!

Nothing was announced at the foreign ministry in the morning... hmm...

at the foreign ministry's press conference room...

2009-09-14T23:58:00.000+09:00

PS
I was very happy to hear my favorite team won!

sadly, I can only watch some of the plays through the web...

PPS
Another nice dish prepared by my wife!

grilled beef...

eating it Korean style...

with another type of Iranian cola...
hmm... Zam Zam Cola is better...

Still no enthusiasm...

2009-09-13T23:59:00.000+09:00

The lingering languidness continued on throughout the day and it was probably the same for all my staff as they all finished work at regular hours and I was alone at 5PM. My wife went out to enjoy tennis and I was left alone at the office. I had no enthusiasm for work and just waited for my wife to return... The day went past quickly and I thought it was a waste... Well, too bad... how can I motivate myself when there isn't anything I really want to do here!

PS
At least my wife tried to motivate me by fixing a meal that waters my mouth...

curry rice... my favorite!

One more day please...

2009-09-12T23:59:00.000+09:00

Working day from today... but to be honest, I really didn't have any energy to motivate myself to do any work... Maybe it's because I did some work yesterday and it's getting harder each day I stay here to go on without any day off...
I asked God please give me one more day to take it easy. Fortunately no one bugged me from Tokyo and in the evening, as we had agreed, my wife and I went out to have a burger!

cheeseburger and fries and salad!
it's a humble gift just to have some time together munching on burgers!

About me... after eight years...

2009-09-11T23:59:00.000+09:00

It's already eight years from the day that changed the world. On that day, I was covering the typhoon that hit Japan at the press club of the Meteorological Agency in Tokyo and was shocked to see live on our news channel, the pictures of the twin towers being hit by passenger planes. The world changed drastically, and though I was able to cover the news going to New York shortly after the breaking news, but I was rather satisfied with the course of my career I had chosen to continue on domestically. There were so many things to learn to be a pertinent reporter, looking for news that I wanted to report on.
After eight years, I'm not satisfied at all with my position and writing about dark and sad news about things that have no vision of happiness is so discouraging. After the news that changed the world eight years ago, I think many pieces of news are discouraging, and only a firm sense of mission or ambitions of being on the center of attention could make the correspondents continue their tasks of covering such discouraging news. I lack both characteristics and my mission still is to cover pieces of news which would not get any attention if I had not bothered to do so. That's what I think we should try to put our efforts into and being a correspondent here, I feel I'm going further away from my mission...

2009-09-11T23:58:00.000+09:00

PS
It was a Friday today and as the Leader of this nation had a sermon before the worshipers, I had to work and watch his sermon. I really didn't want to write about it and though I was not confident, I decided to skip! After spending my time with my wife at home, we went outside to have dinner. Sadly the burger shop we targeted first was closed and the other was full, so we went to the familiar Thai restaurant farther away. I was satisfied, but the day went by so fast! It's already a new week! I hope my depression will ease a bit, but I really doubt it!

the burger shop was full!

to the Thai restaurant... cool enough to enjoy the meal outside!

and the usual "Islamic" beer...

and Thai food!

Wanting to finish...

2009-09-10T23:59:00.000+09:00

It was a Thursday, and I wanted to finish as soon as possible... I just didn't want to work! There's no way I can do sabotage and I didn't want any wicked phone calls from Tokyo, so I decided to stay in my office till at least 7PM... much later than my staff who all left by 3PM. It's still paradise for me to finish by 7PM and return home. With things getting tighter with the international issues and still having dark clouds covering the domestic issues, it's so stressful to be watching the news channel and reading articles written by agencies. Staying away from them is the best way to soothe my withered body after a week at work. From next week, it's going to get worse. I'm already looking forward to leave this city as soon as possible, but I don't know when that would be... not soon I guess...

2009-09-10T23:58:00.001+09:00

PS
Trying another type of Iranian cola...

Pepsi!?

nope... it's Parsi!

PPS
For dessert...

we had ice cream!

Miscalculation lead to misfortune...

2009-09-09T23:59:00.000+09:00

I was thinking, or rather hoping that the proposal will be handed to the parties concerned early... at least while the sun is still high... but sadly it was much later than 6PM. I was invited to a dinner party starting at 6:30PM, but I had to write the story and then wait for the editor in Tokyo to publish it which took until 9PM... I finally reached the venue of the party at 9:30 and we only stayed there for an hour and a half... When I happily accepted the invitation two weeks ago, I had no idea there would something like this today! If it were yesterday, I had no problem! Miscalculations lead to misfortunes... boo...

PS
Another fatal mistake...

I didn't realize I placed the pen in my pocket without putting the cap on the right place...

An empty day...

2009-09-08T23:59:00.000+09:00

There was an announcement that the proposal about solving the long debated issue would be handed in tomorrow and today I just went through the past documents and prepared my radio report that I will record tomorrow morning.
Not having a rough day, especially in the middle of Ramadan, is not bad, but nothing really makes me smile these days and I rather see it as an empty day where many would try to attack me, I've wasted another day. I'm getting really pessimistic... probably coming from depression...

PS
At least my wife made me smile...

getting me a nice melon for dessert!

It's been a while...

2009-09-07T23:59:00.000+09:00

The press conference that was postponed was held today and I went to the President's office complex for the first time in months. I was only thinking of filing a story, but I was told that I should send a report. I was snapped at by my unreadiness and just as yesterday, I was falling into the negative mindset and tried my best just to get it over with!
I really want to cover some story that would make the viewers smile naturally but that's one of the hardest task to accomplish here...

here we go!

Receiving orders...

2009-09-06T23:59:00.001+09:00

Once again, after receiving orders, I decided to write about something I really don't care about. I can't blame anyone, because it was coming from my weakness that I asked for advice and since I did ask... there was no way but to follow the advice...
I'm not a confident correspondent, as many decisions I made were not correct and I really hope someone who would be confident enough to take over my position would stand up and raise his or her voice. I'd happily recommend to take the post!
Though my motivation is at the lowest level, I have to commit myself to accomplish the required work. It's my fault I didn't say I don't want to be here, but who would have known it's one of the worst spots to work as a correspondent!?

2009-09-06T23:58:00.001+09:00

It was getting cooler and cooler...

I declare it's the start of coffee season!

In Dubai!?

2009-09-05T23:59:00.000+09:00

The day passed by peacefully and as the evening neared, I decided to make a tour to a newly constructed spot I was curious to see...
Tied up in traffic, it took about an hour to get to the destination (it was less than 30 minutes to return with less traffic!) which was near the national stadium in the western part of the city.

Our destination...

Hyperstar! the color is different... but as you guessed right... it's Tehran's version of Carrefour! It was part of a shopping center named...

City Star... with the same logo as the City Centre in Dubai!

a large parking...

a large supermarket...

but most stores yet to open in the mall itself...

Some shots of Hyperstar...

electronic appliances from all over the world... just like in Carrefour...

and fresh food from all over Iran...

and lots of customers!! I'm sure they're excited to have a new place to shop around!!

Relaxed Friday...

2009-09-04T23:59:00.000+09:00

Today I didn't bother to cover the Friday Prayers at the University of Tehran and spent my time relaxed at home. Happily, there were no bugging phone calls from anywhere which was the last thing I wanted today!

I woke up at 11AM, so it was already lunch time!

we had some pancakes...

made with magic doe we bought at a supermarket in the U.S!

Snack time... trying a variety of local chips!

German brand made in Iran... 3 out of 5...

Tortilla chips... Salsa flavor!? 2 out of 5...

Chili flavor!? it's rather salty than chili! 3 out of 5...

At night, we walked for about 50 mintues to get to a hotel...

on our way... the moon was already out there...

we saw... McDonald's!? no... it says Moz...

we also saw the Milad Tower...

And our dinner at the hotel...

enjoy Indian food! the food was great!

there was a parrot!? at the hotel...

and the full moon in the sky...

I was a little worried that the guest sitting next to me was coughing as the swine flu rage is catching fire here in Iran too... I hope I didn't contract any viruses.

The real inauguration?

2009-09-03T23:59:00.000+09:00

The voting finally took place... finally! After 5 days, the vote of confidence for the cabinet was carried out at the Parliament and 18 out of 21 ministers were approved. So can this country concentrate on the major issues on deck?

It's so interesting the MPs count the votes right at the floor of the Parliament...

there's no way to rig these votes! (pic from ISNA website)

Alarming...

2009-09-02T23:59:00.000+09:00

There was an alarming issue today. I had some regrets as I realized though I always express things in a pessimistic tone, I may be too optimistic in the root. I must be careful not to be overridden by this optimism. I must remember: what I believe in is not being believed by others, even by the closest ones. I have to think more about how others think rather than thinking how others would probably think. To clarify, all I could do is obviously... to communicate!

2009-09-02T23:58:00.000+09:00

PS
Today's menu...

for lunch: warm soba

for dinner: oyako don

I really have to show my gratitude... Thank you so much...

I also have to remember it's Ramazan time...

everybody's waiting till Azan time to have their meal!

Back to the most important issue...

2009-09-01T23:59:00.000+09:00

I was caught up so much with the domestic issues of this country obviously because the main topics of this year was the 30th Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in February and the Presidential Election of June and its irreversible aftermaths. I was working on the most important issue for several days and then today there was a small development here in Iran just before a meeting that will be held in Germany tomorrow.
The most important issue is of course the future of nuclear talks between Iran and the West and this will be the main theme for the coming months. If I would be able to spend the rest of my mission here smiling or grumpy will all depend what will happen from now on.

2009-09-01T23:58:00.000+09:00

PS
Today's menu...

for lunch: ramen with vegetables!

for dinner: chirashizushi with shrimp!

Thanking my wife for these delicious Japanese meals!

Summer's wrapping up!?

2009-08-31T23:59:00.002+09:00

It seems like summer is wrapping up as it's getting cooler each day and I even feel a little chill in the morning looking for my blanket to warm myself up. It's September from tomorrow and many areas around the Middle East will start waking up. The days of going easy is numbered and I have to gear up for the coming crazy month. I already sense September will become another battlefield that I have to fight through. I better be ready!

PS
All the papers only had small articles about our historical election...

hey, we're importing a lot of oil from your country!

Out in the cold

2009-08-30T23:23:00.000+09:00

Clouds were surrounding the city... predicting a rough day coming up!

It was an important day for politics in this country as the deliberations of the President's choice for his cabinet started in the Parliament. But for the international community, the more influential issue is the historical event taking place in my native country. The opposition is calling it a "revolution" and surely with the reports coming in, the expression fits perfectly.
Sadly, I'm left out in the cold this time from this decisive election for the future of my country. I remember I voted for the opposition last time though the government side had won it in a landslide. This time I wasn't even able to vote as I didn't hand in the necessary papers to be registered. Looking at the news that the opposition has won more 300 seats in the lower house completing its "revolution", I should have been dancing around, but it's makes me more sad that I couldn't participate in the coverage of such an exciting event.

it was news for the Iranian media too!
(from Press TV)

(7PM news on IRIB Channel 1)

watching internet sights along with JSTV broadcasting the special coverage from Tokyo...

Anyways, the true battle has not ended today, it's actually going to be a rough ride for the new government, as there are so many inexperienced people on the roster and incompetence will not be an excuse to handle grave issues in the middle of an economic turmoil and major decisions in foreign policy coming up. I'm sure they're not treading in air at this early stage, but they must realize they're walking on a very rough minefield. The laid mines are the same element that has taken them to power... the people... they will be watching very carefully... if the expectations are not fulfilled, the people... with the help of the media... will crush this victory, just like they have done with LDP's last landslide victory only four years ago!

Going out for Iftar

2009-08-29T23:59:00.002+09:00

Like last year, I wanted to enjoy an Iftar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iftar) and asked my staff to take me to an Iranian restaurant!
Fortunately, it was not a busy day and without any surprising calls, we were able to flock to the south right before sunset and have a nice meal.
I didn't eat or drink anything after lunch, so I was happy to see the dishes!
(of course, the relief is incomparable to my staffs' who are really fasting!)

oh there's the moon!

nobody yet at the restaurant!

the first things to eat! the date being the first one!

and then the nice Iranian dishes...

A rare occasion at the prayers venue

2009-08-28T23:59:00.000+09:00

It was Friday, but many of my colleagues were working from the morning. We met many of our friends at the University of Tehran, the venue for the Friday Prayers, as we had heard that the President was going to make a speech. Right after we arrived, the speech started and many participants were excited, chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel". Since it was a rare occasion to get his speech on film, I did my best to file a story about his comments.

many of our colleagues were here for the man!

It was already around 5PM when the job was finished and the only day off was about to be over. Together with my wife, we went out to shop at the usual supermarket and finished the day watching TV together.

Right when I was about to go to sleep, the IAEA report on Iran came in and though I was desperate to sleep, I glanced through it and saw the complexity of the paper, that I decided to analyze it tomorrow. This report will be on the table of the coming talks and negotiations, but it seems that either side can use it to defend their stances and also attack the other side as well. Let's see how the media will use this report to emphasize their stances!

2009-08-28T23:58:00.000+09:00

PS
Other pics of the day...

Iranian cola... from the Zam Zam bottlers... not bad...

At the local supermarket...

we found these! wow!

oh! and a Taco Bell brand!

Going out to shop...

2009-08-27T23:59:00.000+09:00

In the morning, I went shopping...

shopping for cars!

We're thinking of getting a new car, but it's not a cheap merchandize we're talking about, and I have to think of a realistic way of getting the money. We also have to think about the dimensions of the car as though we would like to have a spacious SUV, it could not fit our parking if it's too big! I see it's not going to be an easy shop to do, but I'll try to think of a great idea to seal a deal!

In the afternoon, I went shopping to a large supermarket, popular to the middle class citizens, together with my wife. Though I'm here for more than 13 months, it was the first time I went to the complex. My wife's already been here several times with her friends. There seemed to be everything here and if you had enough money, there wouldn't be anything you can't get! Well, except nice Japanese food!!

now to the supermarket!

very spacious!

and lots of seafood

Running out of time...

2009-08-26T23:59:00.000+09:00

The "West" is heightening its pressure as the summer passes by as the deadline for talks is set for September. I also am running out of time as I have to make a decision whether I should go to New York like last year to cover the executive leader of this nation to make his fifth visit. The round trip to New York is quite costly and the hotel prices in Manhattan is incredibly high, with prices like $250 a night! I was very lucky last year I was able to file some reports thought there weren't so much attention for the defiant, but I was lucky that not much correspondents cared to attend. But this year the picture is completely different as the G20 Summit will be held in Pittsburgh at the same time frame and many other countries are catching attention these few months. The flu uprise is another issue that would catch attention especially when it is said the second wave would start any time. Would I be able to make any stories that would make my costs redeemable? Just like the nuclear issue, I'm running out of time to make the decision!

PS
Something that is supporting me recently...

some manga books my wife rented from her friend! Time flies by when I'm reading these... uh-oh! it's already 7:30!

Being cautious...

2009-08-25T23:59:00.000+09:00

Waking up at around six in the morning, I went to my office to send off my crew going to the east today where it is still warned by the MOFA that Japanese nationals should not enter. I had already gone once to this dangerous area, but this time I decided not to go and asked my staff to take the necessary pictures for me. I don't think my decision was wrong, but I'm sure it would have better off for my crew as they can have their lunch and drinks even though it's Ramazan as they can be treated as tourists who are allowed to eat and drink.
I was actually more worried about the plane that would take my precious staff as there were several accidents in this country recently and anything can happen. I received continuous reports from them that they were okay and I was very happy to hear they arrived safely in Tehran late at night. I was really relieved to hear that. I hope the air industry of this country will be safer as there's no other way to travel around in this large country. Thank God everything went fine today!

PS
My computer was heated up! I tried the same trick as before...

putting an iceberg on it! I think the speed was a bit faster... only just a bit...

Going slow...

2009-08-24T23:59:00.000+09:00

I can't produce... My work is slowing down and I couldn't make out any story I can sell to Tokyo. Maybe I'm in a slump. Or perhaps everything's in summer vacation recession. I told my wife I'm not being productive and sooner or later, I'll get the slap from my bosses. She just smiles and says why not take it easy when you can!? When you're busy you won't get that luxury at all!
She's right. Okay, I'll take it easy and go slow... Maybe it's the only time of the Iranian year except the Norouz time that I can...

At night, we watched a Persian-Japanese joint film, "Hafez" (Japanese title: "Hafez, Persia no Uta" http://www.bitters.co.jp/hafez/) together.

it was a very difficult film to understand with a complex plot... at least I was able to see completely different aspects of this nation full of varieties...

2009-08-24T23:58:00.000+09:00

PS
We had some...

"reishabu" tonight!
It's quite rare to have these!
Itadakimaaas!

Summer heat exhaustion?

2009-08-23T23:06:00.000+09:00

We call this fatigue and suffering "natsubate" in Japan. I'm not drinking liquid when I'm at my office, but I'm crazily drinking water and soft drinks when I'm at home and sweating it all out when I'm sleeping is one of the causes, but how can I wither away the thirst in this heat!? It's much better than living in Dubai, but much hotter than my native country... Of course, incomparable to the Bay Area!

I was very happy when I saw today's dish on the dinner table!

unagi don! a rice bowl with boiled eel!

I hope this will fight off the exhaustion!

Ramazan in midsummer!

2009-08-22T23:23:00.000+09:00

Ramazan (Ramadan) time has arrived in the Islamic countries! I'm not a Muslim, so I do not intend to fast, but I want to at least show some appreciation by not drinking in front of my staff who are fasting.
I had some regrets when I found out how tough it is not to drink anything in midsummer though we have airconditioning! It would be even tougher when we have to go outside to cover something! I hope we wouldn't have a major press conference for a while!

Today, unexpectedly, we had some flowers sent to us! Wow! Our neighbor gave us these to show her gratitude as we had let her maid stay in our living room yesterday... Oh, we just wanted to help a neighbor and we felt a bit overthanked, but being awarded with flowers feels nice in any circumstanes!

a beautiful flower sent to my wife!

Sleeping... sleeping...

2009-08-21T23:59:00.000+09:00

I went to bed later than usual, but got up even later! It was 1PM when I woke up... We had a guest today... actually we weren't expecting anyone, but a maid working next doors could not get inside her master's room and we asked her to wait in our living room as she had to wait for her master to come back home from outside. They'd just made a small mistake by giving the maid the wrong key to get inside. After our unexpected guest left the room, it was already half past three and checking out the news and talking with a fellow correspondent in Europe, we went to bed again...
It was already half past seven when I was awake again and as we had already decided to go out for dinner, we quickly changed and left our home.

We went to a "pizzeria" for dinner!

a spicy "Mexicana" pizza and Napolitana spaghetti!

After returning home, it was already half past ten... the day went by quickly and I was sure that it would be tough to go to sleep... let's see...

All night long...

2009-08-20T23:59:00.000+09:00

I had to wait all day for the special program which was slated to be broadcasted after the 9PM news. Usually, you can finish earlier than usual on Thursdays, but today I had to watch this program, which the leader of the executive branch talked for about an hour and a half and it was nearly midnight when I finally finished my story for the morning news in Japan.
Well, I think I can take a day off tomorrow after the hard work... (just to write one short story in one week!)

he finally appears... but after he appears, he goes on forever!

Annoucement!?

2009-08-19T23:59:00.000+09:00

I was waiting all night for the final list of the proposed cabinet to be announced. The last news piece was in fact the list was not turned in though the working hours of the Parliament was over. I had to make a decision whether to write the story now or wait until tomorrow. As the day was about to end, I decided to wait a bit longer but for sure, I don't have to report about it urgently. Anyways, I've waited for more than 7 hours for the news, but no progress... Oh, what a waste of time!

According to today's paper...

eeyup! he's supposed to unveil it today folks!

A big difference?

2009-08-18T23:59:00.000+09:00

In Japan, the election starts, in which they say a change in the power structure is evident more than a week before the voting. What if the opposition doesn't win? In our country, it's almost impossible to carry out a fraud, but who knows what could happen in the voting behaviors of my fellow countrymen and women. It will be a very crucial 12 days for my country. I'm a little distressed that I can't participate in this historical election, but I'm too far away from home... I'll just have to watch as a spectator!

General election in Farsi...

entikhabat-i omumi...

Not convinced...

2009-08-17T23:59:00.000+09:00

I can't make a decision. Should I say no just because it will cost us a lot!? I know I have a limited budget and looking only at the price, I only can say no... I really don't like making decisions only because I don't have the money. But right now, any media is forced to cut down on expenses and we're no exception. I'd even use my own money if I had to. If that would be a good experience for us, why should I hesitate?
This is only a soliloquy. I already know the answer, but as always, I just can't convince my mind to shut up!

PS
It was quite a "Japanese" day!

having a "Wafu" dinner...

and a Japanese snack!
(we bought this at the Japanese food in San Jose! my wife's favorite!)

Under pressure...

2009-08-16T23:59:00.001+09:00

Working as a correspondent, I always feel the invisible pressure... The western media always write everything... especially if it's threatening to the West... obviously. And the existence of this nation is already a threat to them... so they write everything! I always receive these wired news and I have to make a decision to write about the same topic or not even before I get the first hand information myself.
Please be reminded that we're not a "western" medium! Why do I have to be intimidated if I don't write about stories that they write! If I'm going to continue my job, I would love to go to Asia, but everyday I'm losing my motivation. I'd rather completely quit what I'm doing and go to the United States, but visiting my hometown last week, I'm fully aware that it's not easy to earn a living in that country.
So for now, all I can do is go on feeling the pressure and hope for the best, that someday I would be able to take a job I would love to engage in!

PS

we shared our Japanese souvenirs with my staff... they're all tasty!
thanks Mom and Dad!

and with some magic liquid, I had my favorite snack at night!

Thinking about the near future...

2009-08-15T23:59:00.002+09:00

I have to admit the recent series of events is boring to cover. I have to think about the near future and plan ahead. I really have no confidence about what could happen from now on, even about tomorrow, but I just have to plan for it.
To be honest, I don't know how I can cover them, but there would be many events coming up, domestic and international, and I have no confidence in making the necessary arrangements for a sensible and worthwhile coverage.
Well, I'll try my best!

a nice dinner prepared by my wife... sushi rolls!

preparing a DVD... copying the tape of my sister's wedding!

Too much sleep!?

2009-08-14T23:59:00.001+09:00

I woke up at around 3:30PM... My wife was alongside me and we both admit we slept too long!
At nighttime, I went downtown to meet a Japanese expert visiting Iran. The day went by too fast. Too much sleep... but I couldn't help it. I was too tired!

nothing on the calendar for a while...
(PS: Ramazan is not from the 19th, but from the 22nd...)

To be continued... in Iran!?

2009-08-13T23:59:00.003+09:00

It was already the 13th when we returned home last night. I decided not to stop by my office as it would make me blue earlier than I wanted.
Working through a pile of newspapers was enough to bring me back to reality and everything that happened the past week felt like a dream.
Today, my staff helped me continue on with my dream as he asked us to paricipate in his brother's wedding party.
It was home party, allowing men and women together, and the younger were dancing like crazy. I missed my sister's dancing party after her wedding, but everything seemed to fit in the picture when I saw young Iranians enjoying their party. Sadly, I had a sore toe since I jammed it on our arrival day in the US, and refrained from dancing, but next time I'm surely going to participate!

food at the party! Iranian food ain't bad too!

One last day to enjoy...

2009-08-12T23:59:00.003+09:00

We woke up in the morning, slightly later than usual, and went out to shop for Japanese food nearby our hotel. We found things we wanted including some frozen eels!

at the Japanese food store...

After having a nice lunch, we also went shopping to a supermarket where we could find things we can't find in Tehran.

my wife's choice... Shogayaki Teishoku...

and my lunch... SUSHI, SUSHI!

We also stopped by the Media City to meet my colleague and soon it was time to leave... We found out at the airport that the plane was an hour late, so we enjoyed another hour at the Duty Free zone...

where many journalists work...

and one last burger at the airport...

and this plane will take me back to... uh...

In the plane, we both watched Bolt because it was shorter than 90 minutes. Still, we couldn't listen to the sound of the film as our headphones were taken away, but we could still understand how the ending was! By the way, they didn't bring me any dinner as they completely forgot about me after they handed out the last set to my wife. Anyways, the Whopper Jr. I had at the airport was enough for me and it helped me concentrate on the film!
When we touched down on Iranian soil at around 10:40PM, I was really feeling blue.

Shortest and hottest night!

2009-08-11T23:59:00.002+09:00

It was after 7PM when the plane touched down and we felt the heat even when we were walking through the jet bridge! Very hot and very humid!
This time in Dubai, we chose a three-star hotel to stay, right near the shopping center that is reasonable.
Right when we left the hotel to go to the shopping center that is just across the parking area, my glasses were clouded among with my camera!

completely smoked!

We once again hunted through the 6 Dirham shop and finished off at the food court!

at the 6 Dirham shop...

they didn't have Burger King, but I wanted to have one particular burger...

yes, the Quarter Pounder! and my wife had Green Curry!

It was very cool in the hotel, and the shower water was lukewarm too. But I really enjoyed the hottest and shortest night of this year!

Time to leave

2009-08-10T23:59:00.001+09:00

This time I wasn't that blue to leave one of the best places in the world to be on vacation. It was partly because this time our plan was only to get ourselves to my sister's wedding and see my family and the mission was complete without any flaws. Yes, I was satisfied!

we had steak who took home with a doggie bag!

Today we also went to a Japanese supermarket and bookstore to find things we will never be able to find in Tehran (maybe at Dubai by doubling the price). And finished off with American style getting souvenirs at Costco (former Price Club to me), and stopping by Starbucks and Burger King for our lunch.

Japanese food store...

and the famous bookstore!

wholesale store!

looking for the BEEF!

and my favorite fast food!

drive thru!

the largest one... Triple Whopper!

We left home at 2PM and we were on the way at 4:40PM out of the airport... After saying farewell to my sister and my mother who will also leave tomorrow with my dad... maybe I fell a little blue... At least we still have one more day at Dubai...

oh... we're almost there...

and that will take us back to the Middle East...

PS
It really sucks that our enterainment system was broken! We were offered another seating, but we heard there was another guest together, so we decided to skip movies and just enjoy the time together. Actually we were sleeping most of the way!

not working!

But there's many ways to enjoy...

number one... BEER!

number two... WINE!

crossing the mountains...

and flying through the blue sky!

One full day to enjoy...

2009-08-09T23:59:00.001+09:00

We only had today to enjoy and share the life of a Bay Area resident. In the morning, I took a walk with my wife around the vicinity to show her the junior high and high school I graduated from. Both, being a Sunday and summer vacation time, were closed as expected, but I'm sure my wife got some of the pictures. Anyways both schools seemed completely different since when I both left them as a gruadate!

"Middle School"!? I thought it was "Junior High"...

yes... yes... it was "Jr. High"... maybe they changed their formal names...

and my high school... I'm sure I won't be able to make my 20th year reunion next year...

After attending a service at the church I went to when I was a school boy, we went to our favorite nice meal, which I always want to have when I'm here in the Bay Area. We then went to a familiar mall where I've been to so many times! I got two pairs of jeans and for my wife, I was finally able to buy birthday presents! She was looking for a watch with "world time" and she also stopped haphazardly in front of a shoe shop to get a nice pair of boots she can use in the winter.
In the nighttime, it was time to get one of the best dinner treats here in the Bay Area! My favorite prime rib dish that I also had three years ago. I left my stomack open for this, so having a 12 ounce cut was no problem! I was happy having all the members of my family together and two of our relatives here!

one of my favorite!

yummy! yummy!

the familiar shopping center...

starting with the nice clam chowder

and the main dish!! yummy, yummy, yummy!!

finishing with some sorbetto...

We finished off the day at a familiar 24 hour supermarket in the neighborhood of our home. Buying chewable Vitamin C tablets were our goal, but we found the cheap generic ones, which is just perfect for filling up our vitamin necessities for nearly a year in Tehran!

At night we had time for the boys! Together with my dad and brother we enjoyed my brother-in-law's collection of Scotch and it was enough to feel happy that I was having enough alcohol for a year. I'm sure I won't be able to enjoy so much drinks in seveal days!

time for the real thing!

Day of celebration!

2009-08-08T23:59:00.001+09:00

I now have a brother-in-law. I'm very happy to have one so trustworthy and reliable. I'm of course happy that both are doing well in their career and even more, they have great friends around them. I've been away from my sister so long, that I never was there to help her in need and I witnessed all the love my sister and her husband has received from all of their companions.
The five hours we spent at the wedding venue made me realize once again that I hadn't given my wife this opportunity to celebrate among her friends and our family. I really felt guilty... but today it was a day to celebrate so I just pushed it back into my conscience. I'll think about it later!
So anyways, congrats to my lovely sister and our new compassionate friend who is the luckiest guy in the world! Congratulations!

Photos...

before everyone was seated... waiting for the great event!

while sunset... after the ceremony...

Longest day of my life!?

2009-08-07T23:59:00.002+09:00

Going to bed after 12:30AM we woke up before 2AM and was already on our way to the airport at 2:30AM. Our flight to Dubai was not on schedule as we had to wait in the plane for someone who had a baggage problem and one female passanger who didn't feel well. We finally took off an hour and a half later than schedule. We were concerned as we only had two hours for transferring to the next flight but the ground staff lead us to the gate in less than thrity minutes and there we encountered a pleasant surprise.

We were upgraded to business class! Our ticket issued at Tehran was a "standby" pass and it was another concern whether we would have the seats, but how awesome to be able to sit in the business seats for a 16 hours ride! I'm sure this flight is the longest direct flight I've ever ridden in my life and we were saying all the misfortune has paid up!

nice seat!

with... all I can drink!

and a steak already! oh, the rich always have this priviledge!?

Watching three films, The Soloist, Bride Wars, and the Confessions of a Shopaholic, the only other things than eating and driking that I'd done in the plane was... sleep!

We arrived in San Francisco International 15 minutes after two, only half an hour late than schedule and we headed straight to the wedding venue where my lovely sister and his superb new husband were rehearsing. There I met my family, mom and dad and my brother together for the first time in years. It was a great chance to reunite my family living in three different countries now. How glad I was to be able to be here!

welcomimg me... yes I'm happy to be here!

After rehearsal, we went to a wine shop where they offer a "cocktail hour" for the guests. It was a mistake I had three glasses of wine in the plane and I refrained of having too much here. Well, my brother had so many glasses he seemed to be happy than ever!

all the great Californian wine on the table!

It's an 11 hour and 30 minute time zone difference from Tehran, being almost on the other side of the globe, made today probably the longest day adding up to 35 hours and 30 minutes! But I'm sure it was spent the best way ever!

home sweet home!

PS
I made a shameful mistake by jamming my toe into the brick of the chimney of our home... It really hurts!!

Making my decision!

2009-08-06T23:59:00.001+09:00

Last night, i finally went to sleep at aruund 3AM, finishing sending my English report voice and I was confident enough to inform my colleagues that I will take my vacation. In the afternoon, though I was a little worried about how the protests the oppostion was twitting on their websites, but I just called Tokyo and infromed my boss about my decision. By now, no one was opposing my plan and happily I informed my family that I would meet them tomorrow far away from home. I finally started packing up late at night and I thanked God about how everything went as planned. This could be my only chance to make my family happy for a while and I don't want to lose it!

getting ready!

had an Iranian dessert... can't have these for a while!

The controversial inauguration

2009-08-05T23:59:00.001+09:00

After working till 2AM last night, I woke up just after 6AM and after fixing up just some of the scripts for today, we headed to the Parliament, "Majlis" of the Islamic Republic of Iran. On our way, I saw tons of security forces getting ready to crush down any opposition that would be defiant enough to go on to protest that was being called on by the green supporters. The ceremony process went on smoothly as I thought, starting around 9:15AM and the only problem I had was getting the simultaneous translation service, but luckily go the earphones right after the Majlis speaker started to give his speech. The speech of the inaugurated President was not fancy, but it was enough to have a story. When we headed out from the Majlis after I took my standing report, it was only 10:30AM. We got back to our office an hour after and I was scrambling to work on the bunch of stories and reports I had to give out. With the help of brilliant colleagues in Tokyo, everything went smoothly. The other concern was how the protests were going to turn out, but it seems that nothing crazy had happened and I felt relived that no one had been killed... according to reports at least... I was getting more and more confident that perhaps I would be able to take my wife out to a trip though it would have been impossible if a major development took place today. After recording my radio report, I also had a request to do my report in English, but feeling much better, I had no problem taking the offer.

in the Majlis...

The next mission...

2009-08-04T23:59:00.003+09:00

It was supposed to be a crucial day today and I had to concentrate on getting ready for tomorrow. I would have to write a story right away after the inauguration ceremony and get ready for the live coverage in the evening, and then work on my report for the morning news in Japan. I also had a radio report!
But somehow, I couldn't get my mind moving and time just went by... very fast!

PS
We bought our tickets for our possible trip from Friday... It's a load of money I've paid and I pray everything will be all right tomorrow...

PPS
Yesterday's news...

tomorrow these two will not appear together, so it will be a very valuable pic for newsmakers!

Endorsement

2009-08-03T23:59:00.001+09:00

It was an important day and we were all set before the TV sets to watch and cover the crucial event for the regime. As we were not invited, we had no choice but to wait for the live coverage. But though we had been alerted from our friends that the event had started, we could not see anything happening on the state broadcast and I was quite disappointed to find out we just had to wait for the 2 o'clock to hear any of the soundbites the President and the Leader have made for the Endorsement ceremony of the executive branch. I was given the opportunity to participate in the broadcast late at night in Japan, but I really didn't like how they hadn't broadcasted the event on TV. Well, the most important will come up in two days and I hope they would not change their minds and not let us in!

the recorded version on TV... why was it not broadcasted live!?

PS
In Japan, I see the lay judge trials were starting. Citizens chosen to be like the juries in Western nations will be deciding on a verdict in four days. If I had stayed in my previous position at the Judicial Press Club, I surely would have been working on this. I had no idea I'd been working on the inauguration process of a Middle East country I had no connection to!

Truly blue...

2009-08-02T23:59:00.000+09:00

It was peaceful today, but a story written by a rival agency dropped me into the bottomless pit... It wasn't a bad day till the report came in, but maybe because I was a loafer today, it was a punishment from Heaven... I had to spend the rest of the day feeling truly blue.

In Japan, I was true blue to my horse betting some money via internet, but sadly he finished 10th... He's already 7 years old and maybe he's in the verge of retiring...

Me too... I want to retire...

Photos of today...
In the afternoon, I went out with my wife to check out...

a handicraft shop...

and into another small shopping center...

with a shop with so many handicraft goods...

It was hot outside so...

we finished off with some cold drinks!

betting on my horsey... but...

Two stories...

2009-08-01T23:59:00.000+09:00

I wrote two completely different stories. One was connected to Japan. The news always catches attention when it's related to our nation and I learned today that I should not be hesitant even a second about topics especially connected to business. The other story was about the recent turmoil. Of course, another one I would never be allowed to miss.
It's okay to write more than two stories in a day. But I had to ask myself... is this really what I want to write about!?

PS
Working till late at night, my dinner was...

cheeseburger... two days in a row!

Another day to relax

2009-07-31T23:59:00.000+09:00

After yesterday's warfare, I seemed like the best day to take a complete day off. I was hoping there wouldn't be anything crazy to report on today and slept for hours. You can't imagine how tired I am recently and I couldn't resist sleeping for more than 12 hours! I even took a nap in the evening after confirming there wasn't anything important that I had missed as someone responsible to send the stories from a nation catching attention.
At nighttime, we went out in the streets, peaceful as always. This time I received no calls from Tokyo when we started ordering our burgers at the same store we went to last week. We took our time shopping in the supermarket and returned back after 10PM. I know it's my fault I was sleeping for so long today, but the day was over so quickly. Again, I have to return to my battlefield tomorrow...

Photos...

we played our favorite tennis game together!

and we finally became "pro"s today!

Going out...

so many people at the park! so peaceful... at least today...

waiting for the burgers...

voila! they're here!

Back in the ring

2009-07-30T23:59:00.000+09:00

The opposition, defiant as always, returned to the fight against the authorities. They never said they will back down so it was no surprise, but though there's many people risking their lives, it's now more like a propaganda warfare and I'm trying to be cool as possible unlike the Western media who don't even have correspondents inside the country. I know there will be no end to this war and my country may have done the same though ours ended when we lost the World War more than 60 years ago. I can't imagine how hard it is to apologize as I always try to be apologetic as I detest people who are angry and threatening. Why do they have to hate each other so much? Maybe anger is the fuel for these people and the propaganda backing both sides is happy to fuel them up for more crashes. I hate even more those people who are bystanders and taking part in the propaganda war. They're surely going to say "we're just reporting what's happening". Yeah sure... Sorry, but I think they're just reporting about what they think what's happening, or rather what they would want to see happen. Being a propaganda machine for their nation's interest, I think they're doing their job correctly, but sorry, I loathe these guys!

PS
Today's late dinner...

some Indian curry my wife brought home!

Demand and Supply

2009-07-29T23:59:00.000+09:00

At lunchtime, I was asked to give out a live report for a program broadcasted at night in Japan and I had to scramble to write my script. There seems to be a shortage in the news in the world as Europe is completely in its vacation mode and I'm sure many people are enjoying their days off. Here it's just as usual, a bit hot of course, but just over 40 degrees Celsius, much cooler than it is in the Gulf. I don't know where the people in Europe would want to go as I would love to go to Europe, even if is the center of work, to spend time leaving this crazy place. I'm hoping I would really be able to take a day off from next week after the important ceremony due to take place one week from today. Anyways, just like the weather, the news of the turmoil continuing in this country is still hot and it seems like Tokyo is targeting me to import some supplies for satisfying the demands to fill in the international sections of the news programs. I know very well that they would switch to a better story especially from the West which bumps in after I send my stories, but it's more like an obligation to send in anything so they wouldn't be worried about the stocks.

After the job was done, I rushed to a party commemorating the 80th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Japan and Iran. The FM of Iran attended and it seemed to be a very friendly party. I talked to many of my Japanese friends who I hadn't talked for a long time after I was preoccupied with the coverages of the election and its aftermath. Many say they will take their summer vacation and actually many already have left the country to take theirs. I always have to be envious about how people can easily take their vacations, but the responsibility I get for being a correspondent is incomparable. I thought I was used to this, but after getting married, it really hurts to realize the position I'm taking. I hope things go the way I hope it will. I really do this time!

heading north to the party...

Sympathy?

2009-07-28T23:59:00.000+09:00

Today, I spontaneously proposed that I would write a story and things were looking good until I found out at nighttime that there were more information coming in after 7PM. It was too ridiculous to write the story over so I decided not to think about it. But I was worried so much that I decided to be on the alert till midnight. Fortunately, I had no calls from Tokyo and though I never feel relieved, it's much better than hearing sarcastic comments via phone calls.
Working under an "absolute" authority, I even feel some sympathy to this person who seems to be defiant to such unconditional entities. I seems like suicide, but maybe like the supporters, you see a hero in adversity which could very well be just a Don Quixote. For me, it would be unimaginable to make such a challenge, but I feel some sympathy in the fact that I would have done the same if I had the guts to fight back the adversities.
Several years back, I think I was accumulating enough expertise to be a bit defiant to my "absolute" organization, but I was thrown out to somewhere completely different twice... and whatever happens twice happens thrice as we say in our country, and here I am. They have ripped off my expertise and even my confidence that all I could do is obey.
Of course if I look at everything positively, I should say these are great opportunities for me to build up more capacity and further develop as a stronger professional.
But was this what I wanted? At least everybody is trying to hypnotize me to believe that this was what I had wanted. But hey, I'm not going to fall into that kind of trap... maybe like... him!

PS
Another one I always feel sympathetic...

he or she always cries for food...

meow, meow
I'm sorry... I don't have anything for you...

Being a puppet...

2009-07-27T23:59:00.000+09:00

I was strongly pressured from Tokyo from the morning, and I had no power at all to resist the indirect orders. It hurts more when I'm told that "everybody here in Tokyo thinks that it should be done", rather than directly being ordered to do something. I'm just some kind of a puppet correspondent and as I'm compensated with money from an organization, I have no right to fight back. There's so many reports from everywhere in the world that workers are being laid off and salary cuts are hitting every person, it's really hard to once again pursue the dream of declaring independence like a while ago. So, though I really had other plans about when and how to write about the internal affairs of this country, I prostrated myself completely to the orders given out implicitly.

Today, I had a chance to talk with my Japanese journalist colleagues and I realized there are many ways of looking at what is going on in this country, and writing a short story about it would not give the slightest idea to my viewers. In fact if there's ten people, there would be ten different analyses and if I ask hundred analysts, there would be hundred analyses! The conclusion: anything could happen in this country now. Anything!

PS
We had dinner together at the same restaurant I went on Saturday...

but this time at the terrace! it was quite comfortable outside after 8PM!

Perfect timing?

2009-07-26T23:59:00.000+09:00

As the second year starts for me, the permits for the press were ready and it seems like they're going to let me do my work... Perfect timing... But what can I cover!?
There were many reports about domestic politics today and still words of protest out in the streets and roofs of buildings in the nighttime... Do you think these issues would be so exciting to cover!?
Well, however things develop in the short term, the target for the moment would be either this Thursday or Wednesday next week!

PS
In the backyard...

family or friend or rival??

hello there!!

UPDATING!!

2009-07-26T01:50:00.000+09:00

UPDATING MY BLOG AFTER THREE MONTHS OF DELAY!
I DID NOT UPDATE MY BLOG FOR MANY SPECIAL REASONS...
ONE JUST BEING THAT I HAD NO TIME TO DO SO...
I'VE BEEN WRITING MY DIARY ON MY MEMOPAD ALL ALONG...
IT'S TIME TO UPDATE THEM WITH PHOTOS...
BUT PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT I WON'T POST ANYTHING THAT WILL ENDANGER MY SECURITY!
A REMINDER THAT THESE ARE JUST PERSONAL VIEWS!!

ONE YEAR ON FROM...

2009-07-25T23:59:00.000+09:00

THE START OF MY LONG JOURNEY...

It's exactly a year since I arrived in this country... already a year! only just a year!
Will I stay here for another year or another two years, I have no idea, but it's going to be a tough year coming up with all of the turmoil I experienced especially in the last month...
Today, I had already decided to go out to have dinner with my staff and once again show my appreciation to their hard work. We also invited a journalist friend who had helped us in many ocasions and congratulate him for his recent marriage.
But abrubtly, we found out that protests were going to be held at a square near our office and once again I felt blue... As a supporter of democracy and freedom of expression, I have no right to tell them that I feel blue that they're fighting for their rights, but also as a human being, I was asking "why today??"
The answer was so simple... they were holding demonstrations calling today the day of Global Action all over the world... okay, can't blame anyone anymore... I just prayed there wouldn't be terrible news that I had to cancel everything!

We were able to go out to have dinner... thank God. We enjoyed the Thai food at a restaurant in a hotel in the north and just for a short while forgot about all of the darkness engulfed around our smiles... It was a great occasion just to smile, so leave us alone!

food on the table... there's no going back from here!

There's still news waiting in front of us... I can't run away from it as it's my job to confront them... I feel the responsibility to tell our viewers about what's happening in this country... I have faith in myself that I can continue... Let's go forward!

Allez!

2009-07-25T23:58:00.001+09:00

PS
The SMS service is back again!

will it be for good or not this time!?

Frustrated... but helpless...

2009-07-24T23:59:00.000+09:00

It was supposed to be an easy-going holiday and as it was hot as ever outside, surely over 40 degrees, we decided to go outside later at night. We spent the day inside and I helped my wife start her blog in a Japanese site.
There were surprisingly no calls from Tokyo and I thought we took the right decision... We left our home at around 8PM and didn't think of going to an ambitious place for dining... just a hamburger shop that my wife said she always wanted to go...
Right when we decided what to order... a call from satan... no... it was from Tokyo. Apparently a plane accident took place in Mashhad and we had to leave without ordering... I was quite frustrated... why did they choose this moment? Why? Well, being frustrated doesn't help at all... feeling helpless I took my wife back and off I went to work!!

right in front of burger shop counter... I received the call...

It was exactly a year after I left Tokyo for this country having worries but slightly having hope that I might have a good time... Please don't ask me if I'm having a great time now. Please don't!

Taking a nap!

2009-07-23T23:59:00.001+09:00

As we finished our coverage by 3PM, I finished working around 6PM! Quite early isn't it!? But on Thursdays, our staff could finish earlier than usual as in this country we only have a day off!
After dashing into my room, I went to bed and slept for more than two hours! It was such a nice opportunity to take a nap as there was no disturbance from Tokyo! I hope there wouldn't be any tomorrow either as I'm thinking of taking another day off!

For dessert...

our favorite cherry! I'm happy my wife never forgets to get the best!

Eclipse...

2009-07-22T23:59:00.001+09:00

While many were enjoying the astronomical miracle in the east, it was a day of worries... it was the end of the fourth month of the Iranian calendar today and our press permits were to be terminated... we had no news of its renewal and all we could do is wait...
I'm sure when you experience a solar eclipse, you would feel how stupid it is to be worried about everyday troubles and ups and downs of life is just an assurance of being alive... Seeing no miracles, I can't view the world so philosophically like great achiever. So I'm going to live everyday being sad, angry, and hopefully... happy!

we had a brief power cut at night... boo...

Something in the ordinary

2009-07-21T23:59:00.002+09:00

Using my spare time, I went out to get a haircut. My wife came along to the shopping center where the barber was and we stopped by an ice cream shop to get some treats for my staff. No major steps in our coverage, but there were indications that the authorities were not thinking of kicking us out as we received another three months visa today.

PS
It was a day of election coverage in Japan, as the major step of dissolving the Lower House took place. From now on, most of my colleagues working in Japan will have to take part in the coverage and we would feel the pressure of filling the news from abroad... do I have enough dough to make a nice report!? I don't think so...

Photos...
Our lunch today!

Super Star burgers!

And...

to the ice cream shop!

6 scoops please!

sharing with my staff!

First day in months!

2009-07-20T23:59:00.002+09:00

It was another precious day that I did not step into my office... A very rare occasion unless I'm abroad and it's physically impossible to go to my office! It was possible as both in Japan and in Iran, it was a holiday!
I spent most of my time together with my wife and taking a nap in the afternoon... what a pleasure! On the other hand, I'm feeling how much weight I'm gaining each day recently... I want to blame it on the fact I'm not being able to do my job of journalism, but it's rather because I have too much stress, I can't stop eating and drinking!

PS
This isn't too much right!?

just some yakisoba and rice!

One day to go till another holiday!

2009-07-19T23:59:00.001+09:00

In Japan they're having a three day weekend. For us it's only a one day weekend and another holiday after three days. I took my first day off in months on Friday and I want to take another day off tomorrow! From Tuesday, another wave of work days... perhaps with no assurance about our future and limited security is coming. Will I be able to find stories that will once again stir up my enthusiasm!? I hope so... or again I have to go on disheartened...

PS
It's starting to hit the over 40 degree mark... It's too hot to go without air conditioning!

hello there! having a nice meal!?
the shadow of the visitor is so clear you can imagine how hot it is out there!

A birthday to celebrate!

2009-07-18T23:59:00.001+09:00

It was my wife's birthday today... It was the start of another week and my staff were here to celebrate! We had pizzas together for lunch...

four different kinds!

And in the evening before the end of the working hours, while we had a power cut, she was congratualted with a cake!

her favorite cheese cake!

And how old she is... ??

a surprise!

and very tasty!

In the nighttime we went out to have dinner at a Mexican food restaurant. All of the visitors were smoking shisha (or ghalyun غلیون in Persian), and it was too smoky for my wife, but the food was good. I hope she had a really fine time in her first birthday in a crazy environment!

too dark to take a picture...

having ice cream bars for dessert!

The turning point or the dead end!?

2009-07-17T23:59:00.001+09:00

We went out from the morning to cover the friday's prayers, but sadly we were kicked out... actually I didn't even get to enter the venue! I'm still lost... without being able to cover anything important...
After today's sermon, I really don't know if the people are still lost... Everybody reports today was the turning point, but for me it really didn't seem so... Will anything change from tomorrow? Or did they reach the dead end? I really don't know, but somehow it doesn't seem a major change will happen soon...

in front of the venue... lots of people... but we were kicked out...

PS
After writing my story, I took my wife out to take part in a farewell party for a Japanese colleague working for another media organization and a diplomet both returning to Japan. They were longer so I have no right to say so, but I'm envious...

we had tasty Iranian food at the party!

Waiting for the new front...

2009-07-16T23:59:00.001+09:00

It's getting obvious that tomorrow is the next day that could decide the near future for this country. Today, I wanted to finish working as early as possible and I told my staff to do the same. It could be a very long day tomorrow and I was sure nothing important would happen today. The day went by quickly and I spent some time with my wife in the nighttime. We even had a chance to play Wii Sports together for the first time in months! Would it be peaceful as it is tomorrow night, or would it not... let's see... it depends on what the people decide and it's my mission just to give the report out!

PS
For dinner...

having spaghetti my wife made using the leftovers from lunch!

Suddenly!

2009-07-15T23:59:00.002+09:00

I went to a lunch meeting with Japanese business people and it was supposed to be another ordinary day, but... As I received an urgent call from Tokyo that the agencies were writing a plane crashed, I thought they were kidding, but when I saw the English state TV broadcasting screen I saw the eyecatching words: BREAKING NEWS PLANE CRASH
Our staff scrambled to get information and the crash was confirmed right away and it was a roller coaster experience after that. I decided not to go the scene and concentrate on gathering information as I found out it was a plane model, Russian one, that would not be used in Japan. Rather than thinking of getting our footage it was important to get as many information as possible to fill in the evening news in Japan.
The battle was over at nighttime, but I was once again shivering to realize how dangerous riding planes in this country is... Actually we took the same airline and perhaps the same type of plane when we flew to Tabriz in October. I was relieved to feel how lucky I am to be alive and I told myself I have to cherish what I have... my life... my family... I don't want to lose it now... or the near future!

PS
I went through my picture library... I found it...

it's the same type of plane we took in October!

2009-07-15T23:58:00.001+09:00

PS
In the morning, the installment of satellite receivers were done...
I was lucky I had it done before the plane accident!

K... Konishiki!

setting it up!

PPS
I was looking enviously at the visitor in our backyard...

meow...

Nothing special...

2009-07-14T23:59:00.001+09:00

There was nothing special I can do today and I even went through my accounting papers... which I would if I had nothing else to do! I was making some papers requested from Tokyo and that was it for the day... Nothing fun happening and I was seriously thinking about what I can do from tomorrow... what should I do without any way of getting permission to film!?

PS
The Islamic beer (=non-alcoholic beer) my wife had...

it's apple flavor! she never drinks beer, but she thinks it's okay!

Unsatisfactory

2009-07-13T23:59:00.001+09:00

My life has also hit the downturn like the reformists... I can foresee nothing that could make me feel excited and it's quite depressing... One thing can change that drastically and that's if I would be able to take some time off and go visit my family which is the only wish I have at the moment. Will it be very risky to leave this country now while there's no way that the authorities would issue a visa for anyone? I don't think my wish is too ambitious after all the crazy work I've gone through! Anyways, no one would care and all that would be left is an unsatisfactory sentiment that would ultimately lead to depression. Please help me out of this mess... please!

PS
Oh please help me!

take me out of here! meow!

PPS
1USD was exactly...

1 Khomeini (10,000 Rials) today!

Generous tip?

2009-07-12T23:59:00.002+09:00

As I was turned down my plan to offer my staff a reward for all the pains they have gone through these two months, all I could do is use my private money as the bureau chief to show my appreciation for their services...

Going to a restaurant serving "Caspian" food!

starters...

mahi (fish) my wife had!

and the kyabab I had!

dessert!

This is always my way of showing appreciation to them, but maybe it would only be a small tip for them... I'm trying to make it generous as possible... natural as possible... humble as possible... and hope they would understand I'm happy for their performances... though my bosses in Tokyo wouldn't care at all...

2009-07-12T23:58:00.001+09:00

PS
We had power cuts in the daytime...

completely dead...

PPS
Watching closely how the change of power in Japan is taking place...

democratically!

Weekday but...

2009-07-11T23:59:00.001+09:00

It was a start of the week and I was at work, but mostly like a dead body... I really didn't want to work, but I had to sit in my seat as the chief of my bureau. I just prayed nothing crazy will happen... it didn't and in the evening I went out with my wife to a party we were invited to. They celebrated my wife's birthday along with another younger, and I was glad that there was nothing to bother me tonight! I'm really sorry, I couldn't spend so much time with my wife, but I hope I can compensate a bit from today... I really do!

PS
In the afternoon, we also opened up a gift sent from the US a while ago...

the familiar See's Candies gift pack!

Day off... at the 70th day!

2009-07-10T23:59:00.001+09:00

Today, I briefly went to my office, but just to see if everything's okay. It was my first day off since May 1st... That's 69 consecutive days at work! I finally took a day off! I was very sorry for my wife, but I used most of the day sleeping! I was too tired to wake up in the morning, and after going out for lunch with her and stopping by my office, I went back to sleep! The day went by reeeeally quick! Sadly, it's Saturday again, but I hope my staff had enough time to rest themselves! Foo...

having a burger at a nearby restaurant!

Another turning point?

2009-07-09T23:59:00.001+09:00

There were plans of demonstrations today and I was ready with full force. Some who had said that they did not participate in the protests earlier said they would take part in this one and evidently it was seen as a turning point for further activities. It was notable that today was the tenth annversary of the student protest that took place in 1999 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_student_protests,_July_1999) and it was surely the best excuse to catch attention of active dissenters.
Though we're not able to go and cover ourselves, many witnesses have sent us reports about how the protests were and according the them, the number of participation could have been limited. It's hard to see what really happened until the next day (maybe I'll never find out...) but obviously the number is not hundreds of thousands. (maybe not even thousands!)
I think the opposition has completely hit the wall and as everybody says, it's going to be an underground battle from now on. From now on, I think the real confrontation starts...

PS

having donuts for a light snack!

A kind of public holiday!

2009-07-08T23:59:00.001+09:00

It was the second day of "a kind of" public holiday. I doubt that it was really a public holiday as the newspapers were printed and the courier service brought mailed goods to the office as usual. But it seemed like some people were taking the announcement seriously as my wife told me some of the shops were closed when she went shopping with her friend.
Well, I'm one of those who decided to take it seriously and announce these two days were holidays. It was a good opportunity for my staff to rest and I asked our temporary assistant to help me out today. Fortunately there were no big issues today though I had to record a radio report late at night. Not too much work, but it would have been better if I were able to take the day off completely!

PS
My favorite dish again for lunch!

ramen, ramen!

Ridiculous!

2009-07-07T23:59:00.002+09:00

Another indication that this country is far from getting productive! Because of the dust that is blown from the west, originating in Iraq, they suddenly announced it was a day off today. They also announced tomorrow would be a day off too! Would Japan close its offices because of the Asian Dust (yellow dust/sand) originating in China? It would be ridiculous to stop things so suddenly! Well, it's not my country and I have to pay my respect to whatever the government decides here, but I first thought only the governmental organizations and offices were to follow the "order"... but it seems like they have announced it as a "public holiday" for "one or two" or even "three" days! How vague can you be when you order people to take a day off!? It's like a joke!
Well, I decided to let my staff take a rest, because they had enough work these two months. I'm having a temporary assistant helping me and even though it costs me money, it could be the wisest way to use money now!

After the 9PM news, the state television broadcasted the President's address to the nation. He surely did not talk just to his citizens, as he attacked his "enemies" as always. I had to work until midnight and it was not a holiday at all for me! It was also sad that while I had to put all myeffort into finding a soundbite I could use for my story, the television on the side was broadcasting the King of Pop's public memorial ceremony which billions around the world must have been watching... I hope at least millions were watching what I was watching!

I checked it out from the roof...

well you can see the Milad Tower... barely in the middle...
but you can see all the buildings nearby!
what's the problemo, señor!

2009-07-07T23:58:00.001+09:00

PS
Two of a kind in our garden... meow...

PPS
A nice dinner!

futomaki my wife made!

Birthday of the 1st Imam

2009-07-06T23:59:00.001+09:00

It was a holiday and there were plans for a small demonstration, so I had to be on the alert from the evening. But it was the first time in months I was able to sleep until noon... well after noon! It was 1PM already when I finally woke up and went slowly and hesitantly to my office.
The demonstration did not develop into a masive one and I was able to finish early. Things are starting to be back to normal, but I know there's so many people who can't return to normal lives. I'm sorry to admit I'm very selfish... I really want things to be back to normal!

PS
There were reports that China is now in turmoil! Since the reports say it's the Uighurs in protests, it's more of a racial issue, but it's also notable that they are Muslims. The news has completely shifted to the east! I think...

PPS
Internet under control...

it's still very hard to see the sites...

forbidden...

Quiet...

2009-07-05T23:59:00.001+09:00

It was very quiet today. Nothing to do but to be alert nothing will happen! It's really hard to do nothing but I want to do nothing!

Of course my wife did not say she wanted to do nothing, but I offered to take out some kyababs for dinner. Not bad to do so once in a while!

kybab we had for dinner!

PS
Today my colleague's sincere gift reached Tehran safely!

my wife's really happy to get her Kewpie mayonnaise and dressing!

The cakes we had today...

a bit too sweet...

A fresh week...

2009-07-04T23:59:00.001+09:00

Three weeks have passed after the ugly developments unfolded... I'm sure it's not going to be a stable week, but at least it's a start of another one. I'm so tired that now, even sleeping for more than 8 hours seems not to help at all!
My staff, except one of them, are taking days off by turns and I've also asked an assistant to come part time for help. It's too bad, no one can take my position so I could take some days off... It's really sad to know that's the position I took and as long as it's impossible to let anyone get a visa to enter this nation, I will just have to work until my batteries run out!

PS
A nice dinner!

oinari san!

At the prayers not praying

2009-07-03T23:59:00.001+09:00

I went to the University of Tehran for the third time to visit the Friday Prayer three weeks in a row. It was a very quiet day and I was wondering why this peace will not return... I have no intention of intervening, so please finish whatever conflicts and get it over with! It's your problem and don't get us involved! I just want to do my job! It's of course my job to cover the turmoil and unlike me, I'm sure many are smiling with so many troubles happening, as it's always better for news coverage something "BAD" happens. I can't agree to that, though that would not be considered a good view as a journalist being paid by covering troubling issues, I really can't!

at the prayers...

2009-07-03T23:58:00.001+09:00

Hoping for a chance to spend some private time with my wife, I made a decision to take her out to dinner... walking for more than 30 minutes to a hotel in the north and eating at the familar restaurant!
On the way back, we also stopped by the supermarket where we're frequent visitors... there wasn't anything necessary to buy, but why not... it's always good to do something that is connected to our living!

Photos of the day...

my wife brought us a treat! ice cream!

laying out the roach killers... I hope they work!

there were stalls set up in the nearby park...

many enjoying shopping!

yum yum... Thai food!

Goods I found Japanese at the supermarket...

tofu... 56,000 rials!

and many Japanese deodorizers!

Being a manager...

2009-07-02T23:59:00.001+09:00

Why did I become a reporter? The depressive state that I'm in right now, makes me think about many things. I know if I complain about the situation I'm in today, everybody will say they're envious that I'm in the middle of a historical event. I surely am... watching everything on YouTube and Iranian state TV. What a great witness of history I am!
I'm also asked to be a great manager to run a bureau, but each time I find out the cruelty of being a manager, I find it a great burden that I have to be one. One small issue that makes me feel malicious or powerless working under an organization, I feel I'd rather take the burden being a manager for a company that I own myself and take all the responsibilities myself. Going bankrupt or not would directly be my fault, but I'd take the responsibility. Here I'm just a middleman but told to be a good manager! I didn't become a reporter to become a good manager!
Working in Tokyo, in the social news division, I was starting to feel a pull of some sort that I was becoming a reporter that I've wanted, though I had many complications at that time too to find out a solution for doing all the work I really didn't want to. I was finally sensing that I was doing the job I've always wanted to... pointing out the problems that our society had and reporting to make things better. I know I wasn't going to be some award winning journalist, but I was finally starting to be what a humble reporter should be.
I don't care at all showing my face on TV or being a celebrity... it's the last thing I want before death... it could help to show I'm doing fine to my worried parents in Japan, but it surely would be much better for them if I can show up directly! So please, I don't give a damn about exposure... let me do the job that I was finally starting to get a hold of... please...

PS
I had a major headache again today... I decided to stop working and go to bed early... I hope no one will call me saying "Are you going to write about what's written on Reuters? AFP and AP also..." oh... shut up please!

PPS

The SMS service seemed to have recovered... but there were still some malfunctions...