Back safely!

The crisis seemed to have entered the next stage... more of things happening underground where it's would be harder to follow and tougher for me to find the raison d'etre to be here. I need to at least fill in the news for our channels, but that's nothing worth doing to me... personally...
Today, I didn't even fulfill the chore of writing such boring news stories, and went out to pick up my wife returning from Dubai. Work stinks, but my family still remains to be the most important element in my life and I think no one can blame me for being a bit worried about her going out on a trip on herself for the first time.


waiting in the lobby having a burger and Islamic beer!

She came out with only half an hour after the plane landed! Wow! She seems to be fine and I was relieved to see her smile. It's the end of June and I hope the tide will change... please...


she bought me my favorite snack!

Who's story?

Well, the confusion in this country is anyone's story. Though I am the only one from my organization stationed in this country, my wings are clipped and what use is there for a correspondent who has to stay in the office and gather information where everybody can in a warm and safe environment all over the world through the internet!? It's true we're trying to gather information through our channels too, but these everyday events are just for filling up the news. For longer programs they can just take control in Tokyo and analyze everything through their channels... working in a warm and safe environment... this is where the dilemma is when you can't be in the streets being proud that you have the primary sources of information, and many information can just be picked up through YouTube and Twitter... I'm not at all satisfied by the way I'm working right now and only frustrations remain... I hope my broken wings would soon be fixed...

PS
My wife has gladly taken the burden of going out of this country to help us out with an important business task. She safely landed in Dubai and hopefully will return tomorrow. I'm very grateful that I have someone who I can trust to help us out! I hope she enjoys her brief stay there!

PPS
Without my wife at home... I had time to enjoy...


beer! but without alcohol...

More than a brawl...

Now it's getting VERY serious. The west has always been the enemy and there were no exceptions this time and everything is blamed on the US and UK. But it's getting so serious that the UK embassy staff were detained by the security forces and it's not just a brawl between the two countries any more!
I really don't know where this country is heading and I'm sure it's going to take years to earn the trust back!
Well, my trust is gone and I think it will take forever for me to give my trust back... I think nobody cares, but for me, it's a real disaster!

PS

at least it's very peaceful in our yard!

Disappointing!

I woke up very early today and left our office at around 6:30AM, as we were given permission to film an event that was supposed to be attended by the President. Well, when we got there and waited for two and a half hours, we found out that he wouldn't be attending! What!? Are you crazy!?
Actually, this kind of things always happen in this country and we can't blame anyone about things not taking place as planned. With the serious limitations that we have now, you can imagine how crazy it will be to complain now!
There were no developments today and I ended up emptyhanded today... no evening news story and no morning news for tomorrow... Okay, so fire me! I'll gladly take the order!

PS
Another day trying to cheer myself up...

buying cakes will do!

And eating something I like...

somen! yeah!

Friday prayers...

It's been a week already since the strong message was given out to the people! Today, it was a hardliner cleric on board, but I only saw less than a tenth of people gathering last week. Still, it was the first time ever that I've attended the ceremony and if it weren't for the historical events developing the past few weeks, I wouldn't have ever come to see it!
I had a tough time writing a story for the morning news, but I just had to get one through... I know following up on protests will not be the priority from now on, but it was helpful that I had something to write about... Now it's time to get a little professional and compile some information to build a story!

Friday prayer...

religious but political...

Saying goodbye!

My colleagues who have stayed here to help me from May 30th left Tehran today. We were not able to make any moves of extending their visas and as other foreign media have done, we just had to have them leave. It's been quite a battle here, not being able to leave the office for coverage, but they stayed calm listening to my advices and orders, and that really helped. Thank you so much for the help and I hope you'll have a great trip back to Tokyo!
...oh how envious I am...

PS

having an Iranian ice cream bar for dessert at night... not bad!

Who makes the calls!?

It's evident the Leader makes the calls in this country... It's another issue if it is working or not...
In my organization, Tokyo makes the calls. As I'm unable to go out and cover the dramatic issues developing, they receive all the agencies' articles which are sadly too much for me to say that we have better information. I'm sure the agencies have tons of staff to look at a bunch of TV screens and websites where I only have a couple. Tokyo just calls me and tells me I should write what the agencies have reported and I have no way of fighting back. Tokyo also finds a strategy to talk directly to my colleague from Tokyo about possible live coverages and leave me out of the discussions. I'm sure there trying to be polite by not making me busy!
Well, I don't want to be the Leader that makes all the calls, so I'm not going to complain... but you know... it really makes me look like nothing!

PS
Something that cheers me up...

lunch made by my wife!
I have to be strong...

Extension!?

Tomorrow was supposed to be the so called "X-Day" as the annoucement that the election results would be confirmed (or not confirmed) was to be made...
They announced that they would look over the complaints another 5 days! If they have any chance of changing their conclusion, I think everybody should congratulate such a decision, but since they already have a conclusion, this means we will just have 5 more days to suffer!
Sorry for my pessimism... But I'm really getting tired of this...

PS
Today's lunch...


a nice pizza!


orthodox Napolese style!

Shaba!

We use this word when we see the normal world outside from jail... that's what I felt when I was able to see the central part of the city when I was able to attend a press conference at the foreign ministry and ride through the city...
The city looked normal except for several things... I talked about it on my live broadcast, but one thing I didn't talk about was the oppressive atmosphere I feel in the city now... It's making me gloomy and I regret it so much I have to stay here for at least another year or two!
There was another crowd of protesters in the square we had our live broadcast in February. There seemed to be clashes, but all we could do is hear that from witnesses...


everything looked normal... at least here...

PS
My wife cooked us...

something inside the pots...

curry rice! yeah!

Slowly uncovered

We had no idea how many were killed yesterday, and as the day went by, I thought the state media would not even release a clue. They did saying at least 10 were killed and more than a hundred injured.
It would be a lucky guess to say there's perhaps more casualties out there, but as I continuously say, there no way to confirm it!
Working on two live reports, the day went past so quickly. For two days in a row, I had to stay inside and read articles and blogs written by media and reformist supporters... There was breaking news that one of our foreign media collagues were told to leave the country in 24 hours. Will we get that call too!? Who knows... I might get lucky...

PS
Happy Father's Day! I was happy to hear my dad received our gift! My wife selected the wine and I hope he enjoys!

PPS
Cherries... a nice treat...


but the ones on the left was very sweet and the smaller ones on the right were sour...
I surely like the sweet ones which taste exaclty like the American cherries!

Back to violence...

As a foreign media correspondent banned to cover any of the protests, I just had to get a hold of reports from witnesses and watch YouTube materials... Am I a journalist or just a viewer!?
Anyways, the reports indicate that it is heading towards turmoil again and violence has returned to the capital. I see reports of deaths on the SNS and video footage posted... I realize it would have a very tough decision to go cover this even if we were not banned to film! I'm sure things will not unfold till tomorrow, but this is really bad... really!

PS
I had to buy something that would cheer up my staff... and of course, me!

a nice fruit cake!

PPS
Hey!

how are you out there!

PPPS
Recently, with the protests taking place in the evening, the food delivery services are not available, so my wife is making dinner for all of the staff working at night...

she made us some yakiudon and onigiri tonight!

Decisive day!?

I'm not an Iranian and I can't sense how crucial the Leader's message to the people is. Could it be something like our Emperor's message during the second world war in our nation where it was a word of God that everybody had risked their lives for a "divine" cause. If it is, the protests should stop, but there's no indications that it will easily stop.
The Supreme Leader clearly warned that the protests should stop. He even hinted there could be bloodshed. The opposition has a mass demostration ready tomorrow and there's no clear sign of its cancellation. Are we going to see something we don't want to tomorrow?
I don't want to see these people killing each other, but now I think both sides see a "divine" cause in this, and who could stop either!? I don't think I can, so I have to stand put and report about what is going on... impartially!


in front of the University of Tehran


broadcast live!

Where is this going!?

They can march... go ahead and march!
But is there any strategy here? The conservatives seem to not care anymore... well, state television is reporting that everybody is angry that the heavy traffic caused by the protests is hindering their everyday activities. With a huge oil reserve, I really don't know how it could cripple the whole economy of this country, so maybe they are letting these people march all they want...
We still don't have the right to cover their protests, so I just have to stay in my office and wait for any information to come. Today it was a gathering in Imam Khomeini Square in the south that was the center of attention, but I only could get limited information to report on. Do I have to do this forever?
Well at least we know the leader of this nation is going to address the people tomorrow at the Friday Prayers in University of Tehran. They've invited foreign media and I'm sure that means he's got something to say about the recent troubles... Is he going to let the people march forever!? Let's see!

PS
Day of Iranian food...

chips...

and pollo

Crackdown...

We hear about more arrests and I really had to be careful about how to keep our profile low... we can't be cracked down as that will mean the closure of our office! We tried to get information through witnesses, but it's really hard with the mobile phones not reacting with too much people jamming the line... I could not report on what is going on, though if I were there to see it, there would be no problem about timely reporting! I have to calm down and try my best with the restrictions... Oh, how stressful could this be!


the mobile SMS system was completely dead...

PS
I think the Iranian team's chance to get to the World Cup is just over... they were winning 1-0 well into the second half, but a South Korean hero, Park Ji Sung's goal could have finished off any hopes... I heard Japan has lost its last game against Australia... not a good day to watch soccer!


he's finished off the Iranian team...

Broadcasting frenzy!

I had three live broadcasts today... The death toll at yesterday's shooting has climbed to seven... They even announced the number on state media and it was very surprising that they even showed some footage!
Though I didn't go outside to cover anything, it was turmoil inside my office to prepare and talk about the breaking news updated as time goes by minute after minute!

PS
Our correspondent from Tokyo collapsed late last night... we had him go to the hospital first thing in the morning, and again I was very surprised I could have made the wrong mistake not to get him to one overnight... he seemed to have slept fine with some medication and after his treatment at the hospital, I finally felt relieved everything seemed to be fine... phew...

PPS
We had words from the authorities that we are banned to cover any material that is not permitted, especially the demonstration by the reformists... it's in fact a ban on the foreign media including us... I think we're in deep trouble!


this is how use things are censored!


I hope I can rest like you... or pretend I'm dead like you!

Bang bang!

They opened Pandora's box and now it's real turmoil heading our way! Gunshots have killed a protest participant and I could have risked my staff to get into major trouble! It could have been pure luck that it wasn't my staff who had been killed! I really have to be careful about my decisions as I'm in charge of their lives and not just about the broadcasting!
I was really happy to see their faces back in our office and I swore I have to think not twice but ten times before making decisions!

NO PICS TODAY...
HOW CAN I TAKE PICTURES...
IT'S TOO DANGEROUS TO DO ANYTHING!

Broadcasting time! But...

It was finally the date for our special reports about the election was going to be on the air. But I have to admit it was a rigid road to get here as what we had planned was coverage showing the incumbent and the challenger, perhaps in the middle of campaigning for the run-off election. As everybody knows, that's not the case, and even worse, there's unrest in the streets!
The President held his victory gathering and the reformists held a huge demonstration in the street that is very familiar to us... just around the corner from our office...
I have no idea where this thing will head... I'm sure it's not going to finish soon...


everything seemed normal in the city... which I found out later on that it was only at this moment that it seemed peaceful...

END OF PEACE!?

It was nothing but turmoil today... We had to see the results come out all night, starting with a clear and big lead for the incumbent...
It didn't change all day and in the end the supporters of the challenger were so angry they went out to protest... actually more than a protest! There were clashes and the street that I always see with shoppers was now a stage of chanting and beating! How easily could a safe city turn into a chaotic mess!?
I see trouble coming up... real trouble!


completely unexpected... double score finish...

ELECTION DAY!

Time to vote for the people, and for me, time to get ready for broadcasting!
Overnight I had one live broadcast around 2:45AM and I had another one in the evening. I asked our coverage team from Tokyo to go out and film the people voting and I had to stay in my office... I just had time to go to a ballot station that was set at a school just about 30 meters from my office and I saw tons of people lining up waiting to cast their votes!

After I finished my broadcast, news came in that the voting time was to be extended... Well, they should vote as long as they want, but after that... it's time to see what their choice was... a hardliner or a moderate!



the two rivals were waiting patiently for the outcome... foo...

One more day...

It was the last day till the voting, and officially the no-campaign day for the candidates. We had to work on our reports and live broadcasts for tomorrow. One of our guests were leaving today and I asked my wife to take her to a nice restaurant so she won't leave feeling sorry she hadn't seen the nice parts of this city! I think after seeing her and my wife's smile, I understood how nice the lunch was and I felt happy there are places that can satisfy ladies.

PS
I couldn't resist sleeping at 1AM... I had to wake up at 4AM to finish my work to send my script before morning time in Japan! I took a short nap around 9 to 10 in the morning... this really helped to get me through the day!


a late night dinner... my favorite dish! ramen! don't know about ladies, but satisfactory for me!

2 more days...

Time is really running out... I'm happy to be able to secure broadcasting time tomorrow morning and we already have a special on Friday morning...
It's the last day of campaigning today and it was now or never for many people to get the last soundbites. Sadly, I couldn't get any for the challenger and now I regret it dearly that I should have went to one of his provincial visits...
There was a large gathering for the incumbent, but we really have enough of his soundbites... he even appeared on TV from 10:45PM to counter the accusations his opponents gave on their TV debate broadcasts... I really wasn't listening to what he said, but I'm sure he just said all the numbers his opponents are using are false... oh, well... we have to go on with what we have!


energy!

PS
I worked until 5AM this morning... you can't imagine how sleepy I am! Two more days, but will my health bear with this crazy load of work!

3 more days...

The countdown is starting and from now on, I'm sure I have to stay inside my office to coordinate rather than cover. It's really not fun to be the one in charged when everybody is out there to cover this historical event. But I have no choice... I can't ask someone else to take my place!

PS
It's now a habit to stay up all night...

3:14AM in my room... should I get some sleep...

Crazy and conservative!

Conservatives should be more calm... Maybe the word conservatives is not the right word for these people... The meeting by the people was just chaotic and I thought I would fall dead crammed between sweaty guys and if I can, I would never want to attend this kind of meeting... Of course it was an experience that you can't easily have, but uh, I hope this would be my last... really...


really chaotic...


and what was left after the chaos...

PS
We had another guest from Tokyo. She will stay for 4 days and see how the enthusiasm is... I'm sure she's seen enough of these crazy but conservative supporters!

Happy birthday to me in turmoil...

Running out of time for the preperation process, I also fell I'm running out of time in my life to enjoy, as torture had been the past year's best way of describing my work life. Maybe it was a balanced year, because it was a happy one getting together with someone I decided to live my future together. So public and private, I think it turned out to be a 50-50 year. I hope my 37th year will be very rewarding, but I realize already it's not going to start in a pleasant way... well, at least the cake I had together with my staff, my colleagues, and my wife was not bad... I didn't have time to cry, but I'd surely like to when I realize how many people care about me. Happy birthday to me and thank you very much!



And my wife gave me a gift...


with a cute messenger!

PS
It was a nice birthday to hear Vodka had won her 6th Grade 1 race taking the Yasuda Kinen race in a wild finish where she was still behind the runner-up 100 meters before the goal. I was so excited to see her run through the goal first with such a defecit! I'm under great pressure and in an unfavorable situation, but like her, I wish I can run through the goal line first!

PPS
We received an elder colleague today who had been here last autumn too. It's really tough to have so many guests at once at this crazy time, but it's my policy to welcome anyone... No one would want to come if I won't open my hands and smile... please enjoy...

We went out to dinner together...

I had some steak!

Finally getting my hands on...

I was finally able to get the pictures that was necesssary for my exclusive story. I had to wait a long time to be able to convince our friend to give us some time for filming and also I needed my staff who were engaging in other important coverages. I think the pictures were not enough for a really long story, but I hope it would be enough to satisfy Tokyo's requests!

PS
I was really happy to hear my colleagues were given a visa extension! I was so worried that the request could be rejected and they would have to leave after 10 days from their arrival that would be four days before the election day. I really clenched my fist in victory as I really felt relieved... phew...

PPS
Soccer seems to be more important than the election!


but Iran's in trouble!

A week to the decisive vote!

I couldn't resist going to bed as I slept till 3:30AM and woke up to write about our plans about our special report right after the election. After going back to bed just before 6AM, I just couldn't get up from bed till it was after 10AM!
I went to see a small gathering of one of the underdogs in the race, but I think this could be the first and last to cover him. There's not telling in Iran's election who can suddenly emerge, but I'm sure he's not the one... I think...
I went out to dinner with one of my colleagues from Tokyo and my wife. The other colleague from Tokyo is out in the provinces to finish off a story and though I felt sorry, I though it would be a now or never opportunity!


at a mosque in the suburbs of Tehran...

Very important day for the Republic

It was the 20th Anniversay of the demise of Imam Khomeini, perhaps a devil to many Americans, but a charismatic and undenyable figure here in this country. After working till 4AM, after a brief nap, I had to wake up at 5:40AM to attend the memorial ceremony at the Imam's shrine. We had to wait a long time after going through ridiculous security procedures and I was quite angry when we were finally able to cover the event. I thought I was getting used to feeling insulted and treated like a nuisance, but today it irritated me quite a lot. I'm beginning to realize that this is not where I should belong and from my heart, I hope I can leave this place the earliest as possible!
Back in my office, I was able to calm down and return to reality that I have no choice but to hope that I don't have to suffer so much and enjoy my life a bit more. This is the only way I can feel my raison d'etre and also maintain my mental health... I'm getting too tired that everything feels bad so maybe after getting an opportunity to rest, which I have no idea when it will be, I can feel much better about my status.


Imam Khomeini's Shrine...

PS

maki maki sushi... my wife made!

Historical battle on TV

Today everybody was so enthusiastic to see the two top runners in the race fight each other face to face. For us it was a nice topic for a report and we had our team at full force before our television set from 9PM... but suddenly our satellite receiving was greatly disturbed and I almost went crazy as we had to record the pictures and send it to Tokyo for broadcasting. We managed to receive pictures without noise in the other room of our office... Oh please, why do so many crazy things happen this time!?


The TV Debate... (pic from Iranian media)

A mistake on strategy?

I concentrated on covering events and had been doing research to be ready for a program that will be broadcasted right after the election day and many of the information and pictures would be used in the program. For myself, I had to find a story that I could report on myself, but the research is not going well! I'm really scared that I won't be able to nail a story myself and would finish as a coordinator... that's not permissible for a correspondent stationed here so I better start thinking more about myself!

Last night I had to work until 4AM, and tonight I had to watch the first ever TV debate between candidates broadcasted on state television from 10:30PM to midnight... oh this is driving me nuts...

PS
I'm saved by...

my wife's food! at least I feel I'm alive when I'm eating!

PPS
Hello...

how are you!?

Entering the crucial month

It's obvious this month would be the most critical for me, more than the month of February where it was just until the Anniversary day that was crucial. This month, it would be very important to follow up whatever happens on the 12th and it would be quite a journey till I would be able to take a rest... a long journey...


going outside for coverage... in the south part of the city...