Cactus flowers...

Huntington Library Pasadena CA.

"It would be nice if we could let let the little flowers be in focus, not the thousand thorns!
That is easy when we take pictures; in life, that is a different story..."

BUS 550 Chapter 10 Case study Questions

Myspace Case Study.
Q1:
My space will benefits from advertising revenue from the add sponsors and also making business contracts with larger search engines such as Googol . All those company can benefit from the heavily used/high traffic of visitors on my space and use there targeted adds to attract new online customers. My space members can benefit from exclusive ads offered on that site was well as targeted marketing that suits their preferences and age groups.
Q2:
My space does not create an ethical dilemma by itself, the users do. Having a control on what kind of information is being exchanged between the members, miss abuse and miss information posted by a user is not necessarily responsibility of the website. The role of the website is to create a forum for exchange of information and use technology for facilitating the “communication”. The site can only restrict access and content so much before it is not a networking site any more.
For example (I do not believe everyone who is stabbed by a kitchen knife will sue the knife manufacturer. Because the intention of manufacture was not making a tool to kill but some thing that can help people perform their tasks better… this analogy does not apply to the gun manufacturers to my opinion.)
Myspace is a social networking site and should be used with the discretion of the user.
Q3:
Same reasons and argument as in Q2 stands for this questions as well. Parents and schools should control the access of there children based on their own discretion. Child parental control and limits on the computers. As well as “education of kids” about expositor to the ‘open’ world of World Wide Web should be the main tool to safeguard kids.

Article Review

Google PowerMeter,

Google is now field testing its PowerMeter software with over 10 million customers of eight large utility partners in three countries.
Google anounced it's lining up energy companies so it can enlist the utilities' customers to start using the home energy consumption software. PowerMeter helps consumers monitor their energy use through data supplied by so-called smart meters deployed by utility companies.
Google first announced in February its intention to give users detailed access to their energy consumption information. The idea is to get consumers to make more informed choices about power usage.
"This program is perfectly aligned with Google's mission of making the world's information accessible and useful," said Kristen Olsen Cahill, program manager for Google.org.
The basis for the testing is for the trial users to learn about their own power consumption and provide feedback to Google about their use of PowerMeter software, according to Cahill. Google is providing the software for free to both consumers and the power companies.
The software works with all varieties of smart meters. Google has not yet set a date for more widespread release of the PowerMeter software.
Currently, utility companies around the globe have deployed over 50 million smart meters. Smart meters are expected to reach hundreds of millions in the next few years, Cahill said.
"How the data is used is up to each energy company, but we think that consumers should have access to that data."
What are googols intentions? (Three-Part Goal)
Also sponsoring the testing program is Google.org, the company's philanthropic arm. The project is looking for ways to address worldwide challenges with information and technology. "So this is kind of a perfect fit in that regard. Studies show that just by seeing your information on your energy use, you tend to reduce your consumption by 5 to 15 percent."
One goal behind the PowerMeter program is to get information about energy consumption into the users' hands. Having these details can help consumers answer questions like, "Why am I seeing huge spikes at 3 p.m. every day?" or "Why am I getting spikes when I'm sleeping?"
How It Works?
The participating energy companies install special equipment in their customers' connection boxes. This equipment transmits and tracks energy consumption data right to the consumers' iGoogle homepage, explainsEd Lu, part of the Google engineering team.

Understanding how consumers can make use of this information and compare it to neighbors and electricity use in other homes is the second part of Google's goal, according to Cahill. This will let consumers know if they are high energy users compared to others around them or are relatively energy-efficient, she said.

The third part is giving consumers tools to help them reduce their consumption.

So What?
Distributing free energy software may be little more than a self-serving gesture by Google, Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist for In-Stat, suggested. It remains to be seen whether there is any connection between educating consumers and convincing them to actually consume lower levels of power.

Google's approach is based on the assumption that if you can see your consumption, you will take steps to reduce it. However, other energy-saving steps, such as properly caulking a house, changing the type of light bulbs one uses, installing passive solar heating systems, etc., involve practical steps consumers can take to lower their energy usage.

"None of this is new, revolutionary or unique. This is just another effort to get consumers to focus on changing their habits," said McGregor. "Unless you're going to let the power company control how much power you draw, it really doesn't change things for the consumer."
Good Concept but ...
The concept behind Google's PowerMeter software is sound, but no new technology is involved.
The idea seems to support a good cause by Google, until they start charging for the access to this service. That is one thing to think about!

Sources:
E-Commerce .com
By Jack M. Germain
E-Commerce Times
05/20/09 2:13 PM PT

Matthieu Ricard on the habits of happiness

Hope you enjoy this...

TED ideas worth spreading

Some interesting site with lots of inspiration...
Finally after a very long time I found a website with some intellectual substance, that is worth browsing through.
Hope you find it interesting.

IT Security Issues at Department of VA.

Case study Questions:

Q1:
Some of VA’s IT security issues, were such as:
1- Department of VA did not having clear rules and regulations on handling governing transfer of sensitive clients personal data. And control on where and where not, data can be transported.
2-Lack of electronic data inscription, that would further secure data from unauthorized access.
3-Lack of security measures at VA’s Office, that would have prevented the data to be accessed easily. That would have been storage of data in a special format requiring special software, and only accessible through department secure server connection and only by authorized users.

Q3:
VA did not manage the security bridge well. News on the stolen computer did not reach the chain of command properly and on time.
The incident was reported to the manager, but upper managers noticed of the incident through ‘office gossip’ and indirect meetings, clearly exhibiting organization’s lack communication and contingency plans for such crises.
Finally, it took VA office two weeks before authorities and FBI were informed. That was a long time for starting an investigation.

Q4:
As the case states, utilization of a special data handling software that would be accessible solely through VA’s server based software with passwords would be an effective way to control access to sensitive information. In addition, having a contingency plans in case of security bridge is essential and can help minimize the damage.
They also need to place Standard Operating Procedures that define extend and manners of handling sensitive data outside the organization.

Poor Call-Center Service Angers Indians, Too

With better-paid, better-trained operators working for foreign call centers, Indian consumers are often frustrated by the service they get.
By Mehul Srivastava.
From: businessweek.com, April 24, 2009

This article interestingly points out the quality of service a customer may expect when calling a “call-center” that is outsourced to India. Article describes how, many telecommunication customers are unsatisfied from the quality of services when they are connected to an Indian service center. The issue has reached to the point that some American companies like Delta (DAL) has pooled its call center from India. Similarly Indians are speaking out too, Indian customers are unsatisfied with the service they get from the service centers in India. They complain from poor quality of service and untrained technicians. They also know that employees of call-centers who work in ‘Noida’ (a town 20 kilometers outside New Delhi) for internal Indian customers get paid less, use outdated equipments and get less training compared to their counterparts who work for a western company in the same town. “It makes economic sense, of course; foreign clients pay more than Indian clients do, sometimes by as much as 50% for total contracts, which are often decided by the number of ‘seats’ that an operator has to fill to service a contract.”(1)

Even though broadband Internet, fast and cost effective telecommunication technology has paved the way for globalization and resource utilization from distance, it still has quality issues. The human factor and local skills still plays a great role in success of many aspect of a business, and cannot be ignored.

I recall contacting a service center for resolving a connection issue I had with my XYZ internet router. I was connected to a customer service rep which I Initially thought was a robot-computer, but then I noticed that it was a live person. I noticed he had ‘an electronically altered accent’ that I had hard time understand! He refused to say where he was located and was distressed that I could not understand his robotic accent!
Then I thought, if I would hear his Indian or Malaysian … accent, I would understand him much better, with less frustration (maybe because I have an accent too)…
In my opinion technology is useful but lets not over do it!

Sources:
(1) http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/apr2009/gb20090424_777061.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis

"Simply secure" with Apple.

One of the things that I enjoy about using UNIX OS is the security and protection from viruses.

Before I became a MAC user I had many incidences of virus infection on my PC. Once I even received a message from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, telling me "...Stop infecting our servers... and hacking into our network...' I paraphrased. While I had never even visit their website!
Next thing I knew, was that my computer was long infected and was being used to infect others. Finally when the antivirus software detected it ... the computer went mad. After a long battle with the virus and trying many software to cleat it, my PC was operable again but its window messages were mixed up!
How? For example, when it was asking me " Do you want to save this document? Cancel/OK
OK was cancel, and Cancel was OK!!!!
Imaging what did I go through before I figured that out... I think I started loosing my hair then...
I even tried to donate that PC to the Salvation Army, but they did not take it!

For a few years I was computer free at home and lived a happy life until my wife (who was my girlfriend at that time and was and is a Techie) lured me to get a computer again.

This time I converted to Apple and I am very happy about that. My computer is 5 years old now and still works like a charm .

Here is a little article on apple security for OS X.

Simply secure.
The Mac offers your organization a simple way to protect critical data and systems company-wide, with out-of-the-box security that’s easy to maintain and customize. Built on a proven, fully-compliant UNIX foundation, Mac OS X Leopard and Mac OS X Leopard Server provide layers of protection that are built-in, not bolted-on. This means your organization gets in-depth security at all levels of operation—from hardware to operating system to applications.
The Mac is easy to keep secure with under-the-hood technologies that require minimal IT management—providing crucial security while easing the burden of managing systems across the enterprise. With built-in features such as automatic software updates, application-based firewall, strong encryption tools, and integrated Internet security, systems are secure right out of the box. For easy customization, the Mac delivers robust tools that help IT administrators control system and server safety in just a matter of clicks.

sources:
http://www.apple.com/business/solutions/it/security.html

Marrill Lynch

Q1:
Merrill Lynch needed to update its It services to keep up with the competition and maintain its IT gained revenue and services.

Q2:
Since online data management and service had great revenue for the company and the trend in business was moving fast toward use of internet. It was prudent for Marrill Lynch to consider a strong IT as part of their business strategy

Q4:
It appears that Andrew Brown had finally convinced the management that selling the technology was a money saving strategy for the company but it does not appear that Marrill Lynch eventually had solved its IT issues nor its economical situations.
As a Merrill lynch service user, I do not think their web services are as intuitive or useful as Fidelity for example. And as we all know, the company has been in a grave financial problem recently …

The penny pincher's tool

While working at Amgen I noticed a unique software used by our purchasing group and wondered how help the company while we have a dozen other softwares doing almost the same job for the company?!
Recently I came across this article which directly answered my question. Now it make more sense why Amgen is using services of this company.

Software maker Ariba helps Fortune 500 companies suss out waste, cut costs.
By Jia Lynn Yang, writer-reporterApril 10, 2009: 10:45 AM ETNEW YORK (Fortune)

It used to be that only a few CEOs were known for their obsessive love of cost-cutting -- guys like Mark Hurd at Hewlett-Packard (HPQ, Fortune 500) and Jamie Dimon at JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500). But these days, with revenues everywhere grinding to a halt, everyone's getting into the act. Not surprisingly, a new breed of enterprise software has emerged to help the bean counters. Ariba (ARBA), for example, sells software that helps companies track where they spend money. In your typical big organization, there are thousands of people making purchases individually, and they might be using different systems to track those expenses, especially if there have been acquisitions of other companies over time. The simple act of finding out how much the company spends on ballpoint pens, for instance, can be riddled with red tape. Here's where Ariba comes in. The company can consolidate all that information into one place, so it becomes clear that instead of using seven different suppliers for pens, the company could just use one. Then Ariba sets up a reverse auction for suppliers to bid for business. Or if someone wants to order a huge shipment of pens but that spending would put the company over-budget, Ariba's software prevents the purchase. Voila -- savings. "It's the one area in technology that companies are spending money on because they can make a difference in their profitability," says Mickey North Rizza, an analyst with AMR Research. While software giants Oracle (ORCL, Fortune 500) and SAP (SAP) offer similar services, Ariba is the largest software provider that focuses exclusively on what the company calls "spend management." It works with more than half of the FORTUNE 500. Like Salesforce.com (CRM), Ariba uses the so-called "cloud computing" subscriber model where clients essentially rent access to Ariba's software and can access it online. Analysts at Gartner project that while IT spending overall will drop by nearly 4% this year, "cloud computing" revenues will rise 21.3% to $46.4 billion. Last quarter, Ariba's subscription revenues were up more than 70% from the year before; total revenues were up 12%. Diebold (DBD), the company that makes ATMs and voting machines, has worked with Ariba since 2001. In 2006, Diebold set out a goal of saving $100 million in the next three years. Using Ariba's tools, the company found savings in literally every corner: from office supplies to travel expenses to the supply base for manufacturing ATMs. Before using Ariba, Diebold had trouble making sense of its purchases, which were tracked by different software platforms throughout the company. Ariba's software became "key to understanding who our suppliers were," says Michael Rager, a procurement executive at Diebold. "Its like having a black box that takes English, Portuguese and Chinese and spits out a standard language that everyone can understand." Other examples: Ariba recently helped a major fast food chain consolidate its pickle purchases. And it also worked with a bank to renegotiate its temporary labor costs. Ariba's software revealed the company was spending $40 million on 13 different suppliers with about 30 different contracts. After on online auction, the company reduced that total cost to $30 million. But what happens when the economy rebounds? Bob Calderoni, Ariba's CEO, points out that even after a company finds a new supplier who's helping it save money, there has to be a system in place to make sure employees stick to that supplier. "This never ends," says Calderoni. "As time goes on, [people] use more of it, rather than less of it." Thrift is in, and maybe it's here to stay.

Work Cited:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/10/technology/ariba_saving_costs.fortune/index.htm

Blockbuster vs. Netflix Which Will Win Out?

Q2: Block buster was the business leader for movie rentals for a long time until Netflix came up with a new business model and introduced an online Video/DVD rentals for lower cost and no late fees. Netflix was a forerunner (First in business) and rapidly gained ground on movie rental business. Netflix could efficiently reach customers and conveniently deliver movies to their doors with less overhead cost and bigger variety of choices. Putting Blockbuster stores in a tough position to complete. Blockbuster and Wall Mart both tried to complete by following suit but have not been successful. And now with coming of downloadable movies through other “Network providers” and “Apple” competition has become more complex and vital for Blockbuster.

Q4: Netflix has been so far quite successful in its business strategy, compare to ‘mom an pops stores’ and Blockbuster for that matter. However, with rapid improvement of digital technology and movie on demand they may face some challenges and may loose some of their business to newer technology such as offering of downloadable and writable DVDs.
So far Netflix has the brand name recognition, clientele and subscribers that can follow the company with any new method of movie delivery that Netflix can offer. Company just needs to be quick and efficient in offering downloadable movie option, and not to loose much of the market share.

Q5: Chances of succeeding for Blockbuster or Netflix on this business depends on how fast they can capture larger market share with the help of the latest technology, who can offer more options and availability of new releases as well as hard to find movies...
They need to be on top of their ‘technology game’ and invest on new means of delivery as well as movie rental per see. IT plays a great role in their business and their viability depends on how adaptive they are and how creative they are in using information technology to their advantage.

New Use of this blog.

I will be using this blog spot for a while to post some information and assignment for my Business Information System Course. giving my opinion on some case studies, etc,
So it may not contain much of my fussy philosophical thoughts and photos.I hope it still have some substance to offer.
Cheers
Amir

a sad day ....

My boss a brilliant scientist at AMGEN just passed away this weekend from a sudden and massive heart attack while biking.
He was in better physical shape then I. Life is a strange thing!
I spent in average 8 hours a day with him for the past 3 years and learned a lot from him… he will be missed. It was a great shock, I could not stay at work, I left work after leaving some flowers on his chair….

Changing Seasons in California

Enjoy the little things in life gets me going every day... how about you?!

life

..."And life,

is skinny dipping in the pond of ' now .'

Lets take off our cloths,

 water is a step away." ...

 

-Sohrab S.

Bogie's Birthday

Happy Holidays to all,

Today was the birthday of my very first favorite actor, Humphrey Bogart. I think he was a great movie icon. I love his movies ...

May he rest in  peace.  

A note from a friend,

The day Cyrus was born a friend sent this message regarding the origin of name Cyrus and its link to Indian culture and history. I found it interesting.
This is what she wrote,

"The name Cyrus is derived from either the Persian word "kurush," which may relate to the sun,
or "kuru", which relates to throne. Cyrus the Great was the first Persian ruler;
he conquered Babylon, and is known Biblically for releasing the Hebrews from their captivity there.Cyrus is the name of several saints.
BTW there is a KURU dynasty in Hindu mythology too. And they fought a great war in KURUSHETRA which means Land Of The Kurus...
hmmm....go figure ..........."

-Anisha Verma

Today

Today,
Cyrus is on his way...
what a joy.

If I were God...

“…
If I were God,

I would open the graves and let a thousand wondering spirit,
once again,
hide in the prison of bodies.

If I were God,
…”


-Forugh Farokhzad

Paul Newman, and my Mom!

Last night we were watching the movie ‘Cat On Hot Tin Roof’ with Paul Newman they said that movie was supposed to be in Black and White but just because director did not want to loose the sight of beautifully colored eye Paul and Elizabeth Taylor, they shot it in color. That was also one the only movie these two played together.
I remembered how my mom used to talk about that movie being one of her favorites…
After the movie was over I called my mom to check and see how she is doing. I also told her that we just watched her favorite movie and it was a tribute to Paul Newman who passed a couple weeks ago. She felt sad and said she loved Paul Newman a lot and will pray for him! Then told me a funny story, that when she was pregnant with my older sister, one night she dreamed of Paul Newman kissing her. So she, got up, excited, and told my dad “wake up… wake up, Paul Newman just kissed me!”
I wondered how may dad had felt at that moment!? Anyhow, It was amusing to me to hear that story for the first time…

Namâd Ensemble...

When I was young or even until now that I am pushing through 30s. I was never a fan of traditional Persian music (sonati).
My eclectic taste of music expanse from Opera, Jazz, African, European pop and classics, North African to south American… but never got close to sonati music, it was as if it required a different blood type than mine ...
About two years ago I was introduced to a new band called “Namâd Ensemble”. They have a new, unique and delightful style, while holing on to the traditional music and instruments.

Last weekend we saw their latest concert in LA, introducing their new released album “Ossyan”. The music was very refreshing and vocals as great. They used beautiful poems from Forough Farrokhzad and Siavash Kasraei , something that you don’t hear very often….. with an exhilarating improvisations of traditional instruments.
We got the CD as well and for last few days we have been listening to it every day, that is unfathomable for me.
I just wished they would be there afterward signing CDs or even during the intermission…

If you are a fan of Sonati music or even not, I suggest try this album. You may like it.

Got Wish?

I still remember that scene from 10 years ago… I was sitting in the center of Paseo Noevo mall in Santa Barbra next to two small water fountains, having my lunch, listening to the jazz musicians (hired by the city to play music for the tourist.)
There I saw a grandmother giving her 3 or 4 year old grand daughter some pennies to toss into the water. After the little girl excitedly throw the coins … grandma asked, “What did you wish for dear?” She said “ I wished to become a million dolor ballerina”.

And as my grandma used to say “your wishes come true, so wish for some thing good.”

Now I think if our wish is to become an artist, we need to make sure we state the salary requirement too, like the smart little girl I saw. But in the event that we forgot to put the salary on our wish, it helps to think of our wish as our ‘destination’, and not lose the sight of our journey…

A tastefully landscaped backyard

La Jolla California,
I want to call it "Reaching for the frog"

To a Dad or a Mom

Who were you to do this,
with your heart
with your soul
with your body.

You took off the darkness from my soul,
you burned yourself to keep me warm,
you were burned but you did not moan,

You kept your ashes, your soul alight to keep me warm
so I would not feel the darkness in life.

Tanha

تا روزی که بودم

او هم بود،

و شبها به سراغم می‌‌آمد،

پا به پای خوابم می‌‌آمد.

با من پرواز میکرد،

میلرزید،

از خواب می‌‌پرید،

و دوباره به عمق تاریکی خواب باز میگشت.

گاه گاهی

در آینه او را میدیدم

او را نمیشناختم

می‌گفتم،

کاشکی‌ مثل تو بودم.

می‌ گفت،

دنبالم بیا...

می‌ رفتم و می‌‌رفتم ولی‌ او نبود...

او نبود و من تنها بودم.

today...

برگ شمعدانی ,
از خواب من لطیفتر...

You will be remembered.

I had an uncle, who worked as a school principal for 30 years and in spite of his very handsome features that resemble Elvis Presley, he managed to stay single. There were many attempts to get him to marry but he always managed to walk away.

We often used to go to his place and look for old 'Sepid-o-Siah' magazines, very old books and old journals from decades ago... he had a second floor full of those buried under dusts...
His pastime was reading, especially the encyclopedias! He used to tell us "Did you know that China has that many provinces?... or capital of Congo has that many inhabitants... we often teased him that his references are outdated now and numbers are changed!

Every other Friday all cousins used to go to his place make kabab, play volleyball on his back yard and make clay houses in his garden, play cards etc.
He was not very keen on picking me as his game partner; he used to say "You can't help myself not to show it when you have bad cards or good. When you have a bad hand your legs and arms are in the air... you got no poker face."

He was always nice and used to care for us when my parents were out on a long trip abroad. But after retirement, he became a hermit.
We all loved him and cared for him, and wondered what if he had kids of his own?!
He did not hurt a soul in his life...he passed quietly last week... I miss him dearly, his smiles, his gentleness.
'Sharif Sharifi'. You will be remembered with lot of good memories, that is your legacy.

...Road

Once someone told me "Driving a four cylinder economy car on a rugged mountain road is not a good experience." It was an interesting analogy for many things including life...

Bule Sky

Hearts Castle, San Simeon California.
PS: What you see is what I saw.
no filter, no Photoshop.

Rain,

On the horizon of his thoughts, he was looking for a drop of rain.
To bring life into his dreams.

And the sky,
was free from clouds.

Looking...

I have been looking for this poem of Rumi in Masnavi, but have not found it.
Anyone has any Idea where it could be?

Come, come, whoever you are.
Wonderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come.

phylosophy

And the philosophy of my life,
is same as those who came late, and left early.

What a loss.

My condolences to those who knew and enjoyed Khosro Shakibaie and the legacy he left for Iranian theater and cinema.
He will be greatly missed more than words can describe…

Bikes don't have feelings...

I broke my clavicle in a bike accident few weeks ago ( I mean an accident in a true sense.)
It has been and interesting experience since this is my first time baking a bone, and to see how people perceive me with that. Most people say “what did you do?” Many think that I am a hardcore daredevil who jumped off a big rock and landed badly. Then they wonder when I tell them that ‘it was totally an accident and I had not taken any extra risk’. “I was going my jolly way from work to home very slowly and then suddenly I skid and hit the pavement”.
So far the only interesting alternative point of view I heard, was from my 6 year old niece who had told her mom. “Why Amir had to ride such a bad bike that would crash and break his arm? Why is it that he had a bad bike?!
Another interesting point of view that I learnt from a kid…. what a wonderment kids are?!
Besides, bikes do not have feelings, we can blame them for our misfortunes as much we want!

Emotional Baggage

Last week I saw an 8 year old, sitting on the back sit of a car, tired of her younger sibling singing a same song over an over again. She said to her sister, and I paraphrase ‘I love you … but the song you are singing started to make me sick, please stop it.’
I was amazed and wondered, how some kids have better communication skills than some grown ups?! Then, the other day I had a short discussion with someone about ‘what may be more important when it comes to communications. The sender of message or the receiver?’
For sure one can’t do without another, but it seems as sender play a slightly more important role.
We my not notice this but regardless of how noble or just the purpose of a message can be , if it is sent with a bad tone or a wrong demeanor recipient will not like it and will not take the message . In other words, if we forget that words have ‘emotional baggages’ we more likely hurt peoples feelings.
It was an eye opener experience, made me think about myself too.

Canada Day

A French sailing vessel in port of Quebec.
Canada Day (July 2008), approaching 400th anniversary of founding of Quebec.

I have not figured this out yet...

I often watch classic movies. Recently I saw this movie called ‘Kings Go Forth’ with Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood. It was about two American GIs falling in love with one girl. I can’t say I liked the war portion of the movie. It wasn’t done very well, but that was not the point, it was not about that, the triangle of relationships between these three people was interesting and appealing. There was a part by the end that made me think, and I have been analyzing it in my head for the last few days and coming to believe it.
There is a scene by the end of the movie that, the girl says to one of the GIs “ Every body has a load, it is not the load that is important, it is how we carry it that matters.”
I thought, what a profound thought, it is all about “how”, and that is what makes us the person that we are, the way we deal with things, issues, events and life in general.
Now, when it comes to life some people take responsibility for it. Some like to involve God with it too, taking some of the burden off their shoulders.

I have not figured this out yet. Get crushed when dealing with a heavy load or let the Big Guy carry some of the burden, and move on?

Old school music from your ear

I've liked Jose Feliciano since I was a child. Some of you over the 30's may remember him.
Enjoy.

Another Coral

Last weekend I came across my favorite tree again in La Jolla, could not help myself, so I took a few more shots. I hope I can plant a couple of those in our front yard. They are not very easy to find, and I love them

Two Blue Galaxies

'Sweet' 2003

Who was Romeo I ?

He came home on the day of ‘Juliet’ and since he was a boy, could not call him Juliet, so named him ‘Romeo’.
He lived in a half gallon bowl all his life. He changed his color from blue to red when he got mad and did not like me taking long trips to Europe! So occasionally he would stay under the care of a friend, whom he thought she was Julie(t). He was often charged and energetic after coming home!
He lived for a good long fish life of about 5.5 years and moved with me 4 times.
In his final months he lost his beautiful blue color, and his sight. He could not spot his food anymore... One day 2 years ago he passed.
Rome II is red and continues the Saga…

Romeo II

A new companion, my New Years present....

Little house on the wall

Santa Barbra, CA 2002

Angohran, Bashagard, Hormozgan, Iran

Iron door, Stick walls, Lock on the out side.
1370

'Haft Seen'

I was planing on posting a picture of our 'Haft Seen', but they do not exist anymore?!
Don't know why!

Comme ils disent

Here is one of my very favorite songs of all times.
Aznavour's voice always gives me goosebumps, every time I listen to his songs. Even at his old age. "Comme ils disent" is a rendition of "Idiote je t'aime"
I hope you enjoy it too.

Ventura CA (correction!)

2005...

A great architecteal site in LA

For those who are not aware that Los Angles may have fantastic architectural sites,
here is an example.
Take a look at the 3D view of the interior at The Los Angles Theater if you will.
It is fantastic. A great architectural site.
Enjoy

Dancers by Edgar Degas

At the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.
A museum small in size but great in quality of pieces, with excellent collection of 18th century art. I highly recommend it...
I have visited the place 5 times and took my visitors there, those who were interested .

La Jolla, California.

This morning at 5:50 am, full moon over the big pond; peaceful, graceful and calm.
Merry Christmas to my friends wherever they are.
Cheers

My computer is running much faster now ...

because, I found a good online source for RAM.
I bought a 1G memory from this site (Memory Suppliers Inc.) for half the price of Best Buy or Apple store, and it works like a charm ...
They have a very user friendly site with no Shipment fees or Tax. If you are shopping for memory chips etc, check them out.

PS.
And I am glad to support their business... :0)

Monks on display

September 2007, Gift shop, State Street, Santa Barbara, CA.

An old fashion barbershop

September 2007 Santa Barbra, CA.

Do not Enter...

...the heart alley!
Liege Belgium.

Sun on the drive way.

Sun sat on our drive way and another Fall day was over.

A taste of my eclectic musical prefrences

I was very pleased to see that my most favorite French singer has this performance.
Singing an eternal song from another one of my favorite Francophone singers. Singing that song, was a triple delight....
I will let you enjoy...

Brussels

"Grand Place"
A cloudy September afternoon.
after some rain ...

Grote Markt

Anvers (Fr) / Antwerp (Dutch)
A must see city North of Belgium, a global centre of the diamond trading.
More to come...

Before Sun Rise

yesterday from our front yard...

San Francisco

San Francisco under the clouds when moon is peeking ...

Anacapa Islands

Thanks to a few very kind friends we had an opportunity to take a day trip to Anacapa islands (a chain of three islands) one of Santa Barbra Channel Islands.
It was the nesting season of sea gals and it was interesting to see their chicks hatch in front of us.

A long overdue and much needed trip...

Cheers

Too long

Sorry it is taking too long for me to put up a new post .I just have not had a chance to take a post worthy photo, hopefully sometimes soon.:0)

Haft-Seen

Here is our New Year Haft-Seen which lasted for one day!
For technical reasons we could not keep it very long. But it looked nice.

More Orchids

So far this has been the smallest Orchid I have ever seen and yet so intricade and beautiful.

another

Another old one ...
I have not even touched my SLR camera for over two years, what a shame!

Newport Beach CA

Dec 30, 2006 sunny 75 F
Felt like a day to read a book, sitting on the grass and watching the sailboats pass by.
Strolling along the bluffs, we saw an Iranian grandma sitting on a bench gazing into the ocean. She noticed us, hoping to find something to say, but had none, I saw in her eyes, and she kept on looking. We kept on walking hoping we had something to tell her, but had none…

Backyard

My backyard does not open to the Pacific. I don't get the morning sun, and I don't have red shingles on my roof.
But I am happy to have flowers on my table all the time ...

Shabeh Yalda

So, one of the most successfully popular, and highly regarded blogers (in my opinion), Shirin invited me to join the “Shebeh Yalda Game” by writing five things about myself that not many people know about.
So here they are in five categories:

1. In regard to Politics… I am not a Nationalist, I am a Globalist who do not agree with, or support nationalism. I believe it leads to radicalism and like all other extreme ideologies, can be destructive to mankind.

2. Health… I hate it that I am an insomniac; I wake up more than 20-30 times during the night; it does take a toll…

3. Jobs… In one of my early collage years when I used to go to school all day and work all nights, one night alone, I had to peal and chop 150 kg of Onions … I hated working for food industry!

4. Childhood… My brother has a naked picture of me from the time I was 4 years old playing on the beach of "Orumieh Salt Lake". He never let me lay my hands on that photo! …I will get yooooou someday!!!

5. Unrealistic dreams… My favorite area and lieu are late 1800s in Paris!

Coral Trees grow well in the central coast of California, they look amazing specially in winter when they are nude, no leave, only dried branches with scattered flam lake flowers. They epitomize passion to me…

Directions...

ERT

Hammock at the beach...

Oacean is tossing the trash back at us...

And more sun ...

Sun is fantastically beautiful these days and is brilliant in the clear winter sky... it also creats interesting light settings.

PS: It was quite a challenge to put this post up , I have technical difficulty posting on the blog site these days. As if my browser is going out of date but I keep trying.

Todays dose of sun.

In case you have not looked into the Sun!
I just did that today, it wasn't that bad!

I am not a narcissist...

They say, "Thanksgiving is time to reflect on our past year and be thankful of what we had and cherish, life etc, which we were given".
I have recently come to believe that: in life "Goes around Comes around", so would that mean: what life gives us, is in fact, what we already put into it?!
Does it mean we should be thanking ourselves then? I am not being a narcissist, just puzzled?!

what do you think?

I say this is a mutant phalaenopsis! What do you think?!

Glassy ocean...

Lian Records...

It has been a few days now...
It feel as if I have been very lazy but it was not the case...
So I am writing a few words tonight.

Last weekend we had the privilege of seeing a mystic concert performed by Lian records in LA. It is an eclectic band that plays traditional Persian and Sufi music...
On their program card, they had this poem from Rumi that sounded familiar to me ...
I thought of sharing parts of it with you:

"I am neither Christian, nor Jew, nor Gabr, nor Moslem.
I am not of the East, nor of the West, nor of the land, nor of the sea;
I am not of Nature's mint, nor of the circling' heaven.
I am not of earth, nor of water, nor of air, nor of fire;
I am not of the empyrean, nor of the dust, nor of existence, nor of entity.
I am not of India, nor of China, nor of Bulgaria, nor of Saqsin
I am not of the kingdom of 'Iraqian, nor of the country of Khorasan
I am not of the this world, nor of the next, nor of Paradise, nor of Hell
I am not of Adam, nor of Eve, nor of Eden and Rizwan. My place is the Placeless, my trace is the Traceless ..."

LA'ers...

LA is an interesting city and when it comes to Halloween parties, LA'ers can are really fun and wacky.
Here is one of the coolest costumes I have seen in a party so far.

What were their dreams?! ...

To my dear blogger

Dreams
We live for them...
and when they are lost, we keep looking,
sometimes they never exist but we keep looking,
sometimes they are in front of us yet we keep looking .... and looking and looking and our hands search for them, for that we don't know what,
and we keep looking in dispair so we judge and we blame and we keep envying and looking and looking , pondering why our life is gone and we have not found them?
and it sits there in front of us, and smiles.
Then leaves, and we keep looking...
we keep looking ...
A.

wind

A small canvas and a palette of confused colors … not knowing where to go
Aimless storks of brush.
In my solitude,
“Sittin my chair, sitting and stare”
Memories and dreams …
Hoping for this day
“I sit in my chair”.
Dim lights and damp heavy air,
Thinking of the forks on the road and how many they were.
Forks on the road and yet another one. Every day every day repeating.
Thinking and not knowing where to go
Then comes
“wild is the wind”
...
“Let me fly away with you”
“For my love is like the wind”
Then the wind blows to the heart and takes them all away again …
And Nina Simone keeps singing …

another view

Another view from Hearst

Artifacts from the sea...

Into the ocean...

It looked as if she was sinking into the ocean.

Rose petals....

Tao at Sin City...