I will be heading back home in a matter of a few hours. The whole thing, exactly as I expected it, went so fast (as always!) and needless to say, it feels just like a short dream.
What surprises me the most is that 99% of the times and despite many new experiences in this trip, I felt like this was just part of my everyday and nothing particularly made me realize that I am on the travel and away from home (yeah right, like I have been living my whole life in Tampa and DC!) What I just said could mean that I have been at home in the past 2 weeks but I wasn't.
Home...what a strange word in MY vocabulary!
Where is my home...really?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
American tradition
Being here during one of the most "American" occasions and festivities, I saw/felt/experienced the following...the American way! I am just giving a few words representing the highlights of the past days and needless to say, there are many stories behind each and I am too lazy to write them down, so...here it is:
- NBA game, the high quality of basketball, the ongoing entertainment, the cheerleaders
- Washington monument, WWII memorial, Lincoln memorial, the White House
- Thanksgiving and all that eating, turkey, gravy, mash potato, stuffings, apple pie, the subsequent coma!
- Air and space museum, air crafts and space suits
- Black Friday and the shopping mania, sales and discounts, headache and fatigue
- Buffalo chicken wings, Bison (buffalo) burger, donuts, miller light
- Facial treatment, hand treatment
and many more...
- NBA game, the high quality of basketball, the ongoing entertainment, the cheerleaders
- Washington monument, WWII memorial, Lincoln memorial, the White House
- Thanksgiving and all that eating, turkey, gravy, mash potato, stuffings, apple pie, the subsequent coma!
- Air and space museum, air crafts and space suits
- Black Friday and the shopping mania, sales and discounts, headache and fatigue
- Buffalo chicken wings, Bison (buffalo) burger, donuts, miller light
- Facial treatment, hand treatment
and many more...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
They want to own you
1.
This has been bothering me for a while but I never had the chance to put it into words. Have you noticed that in today's commercials, instead of introducing a product and telling you about the possible advantages of consumption of that service/product, they are actually ORDERING you to start using that junk? It doesn't have to be a junk necessarily but I for one, take offense in the way they are treating me.
Does this words sound familiar?
- Buy now!
- Go now!
- Shop now!
- Call now!
They may even go as far as ordering you to "Save now!"
Obviously, they are going to spend some time on introducing this new junk (allow me to call this thing junk, as they are in most cases nowadays, just for the sake of discussion, and above all, this makes me feel a bit better!) to you and after that they command you to purchase/use that. Hey, what happened to MY freedom of choice? After all, this is my money (that you are after), isn't it? It is my money, my time, my future, my vacation, my everything, my life and "I" want to do whatever that "I" want with it, I don't need someone else decide for me and tell me!
I know they are not forcing me into that but, by repeating these commercials over and over again in the media, which we are all so tragically addicted to, and putting the emphasis in their punch line that is their command, they will get their message through your brain and you find yourself doing exactly what they told you to do!
This came to my attention more distinctly during these past days in USA, the mecca of capitalism whose economy is run by giant corporates and their sale numbers, an economic system who is experiencing one of its greatest crises ever at the moment.
Well, like I said before angrily behind the loudspeaker, we've got to refuse to this dehumanization and show them that we are still intelligent creatures with the ability to think and decide for ourselves with an indefinite FREE will although some favorite philosophers may argue that free will is nothing but a b--ch!
2.
I was sitting comfortably in a flight to Atlanta as the flight attendants started to give out so-called refreshments...that is pretzels and a drink! The paper package of the cheap pretzels grabbed my attention instantly. It said, "HOW TO EAT GOURMET PRETZELS ON A LOW-FARE AIRLINE (SEE BACK FOR COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS)". Being naive by nature, I said to myself ,"Oh I have got to see this since I have no idea how to eat a god damn pretzel on a low-fare airline...it's got to be more than putting the pretzel in the mouth and chewing it!"
Well, here's the exact instructions, you be the judge.
1. Think about our wonderful low fares at ---.com as you open the packet
2. Place a pretzel in mouth. With each crunch, be reminded of our low fares
3. As you swallow, remember again just how low the fares are
4. Repeat until pretzel packet is empty
5. Keep empty packet to remind yourself to book at ---.com, where you'll always find our lowest fares
I rest my case.
This has been bothering me for a while but I never had the chance to put it into words. Have you noticed that in today's commercials, instead of introducing a product and telling you about the possible advantages of consumption of that service/product, they are actually ORDERING you to start using that junk? It doesn't have to be a junk necessarily but I for one, take offense in the way they are treating me.
Does this words sound familiar?
- Buy now!
- Go now!
- Shop now!
- Call now!
They may even go as far as ordering you to "Save now!"
Obviously, they are going to spend some time on introducing this new junk (allow me to call this thing junk, as they are in most cases nowadays, just for the sake of discussion, and above all, this makes me feel a bit better!) to you and after that they command you to purchase/use that. Hey, what happened to MY freedom of choice? After all, this is my money (that you are after), isn't it? It is my money, my time, my future, my vacation, my everything, my life and "I" want to do whatever that "I" want with it, I don't need someone else decide for me and tell me!
I know they are not forcing me into that but, by repeating these commercials over and over again in the media, which we are all so tragically addicted to, and putting the emphasis in their punch line that is their command, they will get their message through your brain and you find yourself doing exactly what they told you to do!
This came to my attention more distinctly during these past days in USA, the mecca of capitalism whose economy is run by giant corporates and their sale numbers, an economic system who is experiencing one of its greatest crises ever at the moment.
Well, like I said before angrily behind the loudspeaker, we've got to refuse to this dehumanization and show them that we are still intelligent creatures with the ability to think and decide for ourselves with an indefinite FREE will although some favorite philosophers may argue that free will is nothing but a b--ch!
2.
I was sitting comfortably in a flight to Atlanta as the flight attendants started to give out so-called refreshments...that is pretzels and a drink! The paper package of the cheap pretzels grabbed my attention instantly. It said, "HOW TO EAT GOURMET PRETZELS ON A LOW-FARE AIRLINE (SEE BACK FOR COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS)". Being naive by nature, I said to myself ,"Oh I have got to see this since I have no idea how to eat a god damn pretzel on a low-fare airline...it's got to be more than putting the pretzel in the mouth and chewing it!"
Well, here's the exact instructions, you be the judge.
1. Think about our wonderful low fares at ---.com as you open the packet
2. Place a pretzel in mouth. With each crunch, be reminded of our low fares
3. As you swallow, remember again just how low the fares are
4. Repeat until pretzel packet is empty
5. Keep empty packet to remind yourself to book at ---.com, where you'll always find our lowest fares
I rest my case.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Coming to America
Yeah I finally made it to the "land of the free and home of the brave"...again!
I took just a bit of hassle going through "that" (definitely not as much as last time though)... and you know what I mean by "that"!
The door-to-door travel took me about 22 hours, felt like a trip to Japan but anyway, I'm being guested with family and feel very comfortable. I think the jet lag is also over as I woke up in 0300 (1000 my time) last night and went to sleep again till 0730 (1330 my time).
I don't think I will have time to see anything from DC area today but I am well rested and ready to go to Florida tonight. I have never been there and all I have in mind is what Michael Moore said about FL in his book "Stupid White Men"...I'll see if I can find his exact statement and put here as reference.
On verai...
I took just a bit of hassle going through "that" (definitely not as much as last time though)... and you know what I mean by "that"!
The door-to-door travel took me about 22 hours, felt like a trip to Japan but anyway, I'm being guested with family and feel very comfortable. I think the jet lag is also over as I woke up in 0300 (1000 my time) last night and went to sleep again till 0730 (1330 my time).
I don't think I will have time to see anything from DC area today but I am well rested and ready to go to Florida tonight. I have never been there and all I have in mind is what Michael Moore said about FL in his book "Stupid White Men"...I'll see if I can find his exact statement and put here as reference.
On verai...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
An open letter to a former GAMTIK
I knew you were going to do that, I f---ing knew that!
I was just hoping, in vain, that maybe this time you wouldn’t be yourself and act differently. Well, you didn’t!
I don’t know much details about how the whole thing went, not that I didn’t or don’t want to know. On the contrary, I still do...very much...but you gave me nothing...and I asked for nothing neither!
I just wished you had relied on me more...like I did on you...through all those hard times, all those strange troubles, all those struggles...everything. I came to you and I let you in during several difficult situations...telling you of my utmost moments of weakness, putting the guard down completely and shared with you...and you never let me down nor did much to relieve me...you just listened and understood what I was going through...no judgment, no disagreement no advice no nothing...just understanding! Would that be asking too much if I asked you to do the same?
That meant a whole lot to me...that strengthened our bond beyond imagination, at least that’s what I think. But when it came to you, you simply shut the door and never let me, or probably no one else, in.
We talked afterward, long before this happened...I told you that it feels really bad for me when you do this, you said this was a habit of yours and I said well this sucks and you agreed! We never talked about that later.
Well, like I said in the beginning, you did that...and that changes my perspective. As a natural reaction, I will treat you the same way that you treated me. Am I having too much expectation? You’re damn right about that...why? Because I “thought” we had a something strong between us, we had something in common, we were brothers, we shared our secrets, and we relied on each other, we had each other back...not doing much but just being there cuz I know that just knowing that someone would be out there should things go wrong, is a invaluable feeling. Obviously, we don’t have that now. That’s how I feel about it!
The whole thing must have been really hard for you, I am fully aware but I wished you could put yourself in my position once, seeing such thing happening in front of you to someone you care and you’re left out. Trust me, it doesn’t feel good...Good? What am I saying? It feels awful to say the least...but most probably you’re too occupied with the main thing and wouldn’t care about this side-effect now...je ne sais plus...
I thanked you once for being yourself all the times, I just wished you weren't this time.
I am not saying maybe I could be able to stop this or maybe I could have helped you to go smoother through this...All I am saying is that if you had not acted according to “your habit”, you would have ended up with one broken bond and one much stronger bond...now you have almost two broken bonds.
I wonder if it matters at all now...
I was just hoping, in vain, that maybe this time you wouldn’t be yourself and act differently. Well, you didn’t!
I don’t know much details about how the whole thing went, not that I didn’t or don’t want to know. On the contrary, I still do...very much...but you gave me nothing...and I asked for nothing neither!
I just wished you had relied on me more...like I did on you...through all those hard times, all those strange troubles, all those struggles...everything. I came to you and I let you in during several difficult situations...telling you of my utmost moments of weakness, putting the guard down completely and shared with you...and you never let me down nor did much to relieve me...you just listened and understood what I was going through...no judgment, no disagreement no advice no nothing...just understanding! Would that be asking too much if I asked you to do the same?
That meant a whole lot to me...that strengthened our bond beyond imagination, at least that’s what I think. But when it came to you, you simply shut the door and never let me, or probably no one else, in.
We talked afterward, long before this happened...I told you that it feels really bad for me when you do this, you said this was a habit of yours and I said well this sucks and you agreed! We never talked about that later.
Well, like I said in the beginning, you did that...and that changes my perspective. As a natural reaction, I will treat you the same way that you treated me. Am I having too much expectation? You’re damn right about that...why? Because I “thought” we had a something strong between us, we had something in common, we were brothers, we shared our secrets, and we relied on each other, we had each other back...not doing much but just being there cuz I know that just knowing that someone would be out there should things go wrong, is a invaluable feeling. Obviously, we don’t have that now. That’s how I feel about it!
The whole thing must have been really hard for you, I am fully aware but I wished you could put yourself in my position once, seeing such thing happening in front of you to someone you care and you’re left out. Trust me, it doesn’t feel good...Good? What am I saying? It feels awful to say the least...but most probably you’re too occupied with the main thing and wouldn’t care about this side-effect now...je ne sais plus...
I thanked you once for being yourself all the times, I just wished you weren't this time.
I am not saying maybe I could be able to stop this or maybe I could have helped you to go smoother through this...All I am saying is that if you had not acted according to “your habit”, you would have ended up with one broken bond and one much stronger bond...now you have almost two broken bonds.
I wonder if it matters at all now...
Sunday, November 9, 2008
O.
1.
He is here!
Yes, he finally came atop his hard-fought battle and broke all those barriers.
Oh, yes sir!
No one believed that he would do that. The man entered a new chapter of history, the man referred to "The One" by some and "That One" by others!
Before his winning night, he was waiving the giant flag of change spreading hope around by repeating his trademark of "Yes we can" and on that night, he touched many people's hearts by accomplishing what was unprecedented.
Now that the climax is over after a couple of days, although many still want to stay in that sweet state of victory, we all stand and wait, asking: "Now what?"
2.
Four years ago, I was lucky enough to meet a great man who was the guru on that scientific field that I was working. We chatted mostly on politics and I will never forget how he looked like the night before the election. My weak words trying to assure him that if he believes his side is right so he should be certain of victory did not help much in enhancing his state. The day after, while trying to get over the harsh defeat he said to me: "We shall win one day...we shall take over" and I was dead angry due to loss so his stark words did not improved my state neither (so much of mutual influence!). Little did I knew that he was actually spreading "hope for a change" back then and I was too blinded by the loss. Indeed a wise man he was!
Well, these days are your days my friend, enjoy your victory to the full. Although I know you can never sit back or settle down for a while. I am sure that you are already anxious about future.
"We are alive as we never settle down (calm down)
We are like waves of the sea, we will vanish from life should we rest for a while..."
3.
For us outsiders, it may not mean that much. However, it is surely good to see someone sympa, young, good looking, basketball player (not to mention "sun tanned" as someone has recently suggested!) take the charge for a while.
At least his name sounds very comforting for us as it means "He is with us = O ba ma (ast)" in Persian!
He is here!
Yes, he finally came atop his hard-fought battle and broke all those barriers.
Oh, yes sir!
No one believed that he would do that. The man entered a new chapter of history, the man referred to "The One" by some and "That One" by others!
Before his winning night, he was waiving the giant flag of change spreading hope around by repeating his trademark of "Yes we can" and on that night, he touched many people's hearts by accomplishing what was unprecedented.
Now that the climax is over after a couple of days, although many still want to stay in that sweet state of victory, we all stand and wait, asking: "Now what?"
2.
Four years ago, I was lucky enough to meet a great man who was the guru on that scientific field that I was working. We chatted mostly on politics and I will never forget how he looked like the night before the election. My weak words trying to assure him that if he believes his side is right so he should be certain of victory did not help much in enhancing his state. The day after, while trying to get over the harsh defeat he said to me: "We shall win one day...we shall take over" and I was dead angry due to loss so his stark words did not improved my state neither (so much of mutual influence!). Little did I knew that he was actually spreading "hope for a change" back then and I was too blinded by the loss. Indeed a wise man he was!
Well, these days are your days my friend, enjoy your victory to the full. Although I know you can never sit back or settle down for a while. I am sure that you are already anxious about future.
"We are alive as we never settle down (calm down)
We are like waves of the sea, we will vanish from life should we rest for a while..."
3.
For us outsiders, it may not mean that much. However, it is surely good to see someone sympa, young, good looking, basketball player (not to mention "sun tanned" as someone has recently suggested!) take the charge for a while.
At least his name sounds very comforting for us as it means "He is with us = O ba ma (ast)" in Persian!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The Truth
"...And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free."
-John 8:32
Will it?
Will it make me free??
Answer me!
-John 8:32
Will it?
Will it make me free??
Answer me!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Rien à dire...
Yes I am breaking my silence again and coming back...so many things on my mind and at the same time, so little to say! Wanna take a peak inside? Here it is:
Pain, fear and inability...that's all my basketball is about now, the only heart warming thing is the rebound...something that I have missed for a while that I have totally forgotten about...nostalgic memories of the past, memories that are lying under a thick layer of dust, memories that I seldom refer to e.g. the feeling before and after each game...you know which games! Will it come back tomorrow? and if yes, will it help me or degrade me? I don't know... A late afternoon practice at a worn and dusty gym at IUST in the east of THR with guys...my guys, my buddies...man we were having the time of our lives....top that with milkshake and sandwiches on the way home...so long ago, so great, so unreachable! ...A dear friend and one-time brother who is so distant now, I wonder what...hell I don't know, I don't care, he's definitely in his "Ether" floating around, he gets by...seems like our bond who felt like a gigantic steel bridge just fell apart, did it? I don't know...Was it because there was no base to that? Noooo, well, you see...ehh...I don't know...
Like I said before, so many things to say and nothing to say at all, I'd better close the lid now as the head may explode due to overflow of I-don't-know-what!
Pain, fear and inability...that's all my basketball is about now, the only heart warming thing is the rebound...something that I have missed for a while that I have totally forgotten about...nostalgic memories of the past, memories that are lying under a thick layer of dust, memories that I seldom refer to e.g. the feeling before and after each game...you know which games! Will it come back tomorrow? and if yes, will it help me or degrade me? I don't know... A late afternoon practice at a worn and dusty gym at IUST in the east of THR with guys...my guys, my buddies...man we were having the time of our lives....top that with milkshake and sandwiches on the way home...so long ago, so great, so unreachable! ...A dear friend and one-time brother who is so distant now, I wonder what...hell I don't know, I don't care, he's definitely in his "Ether" floating around, he gets by...seems like our bond who felt like a gigantic steel bridge just fell apart, did it? I don't know...Was it because there was no base to that? Noooo, well, you see...ehh...I don't know...
Like I said before, so many things to say and nothing to say at all, I'd better close the lid now as the head may explode due to overflow of I-don't-know-what!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The flu game...The utmost inspiring
Premise: 1997 NBA finals, Chicago Bulls v. Utah Jazz
With the series tied at 2-2, Bulls traveled to Utah for a decisive game 5. Jordan woke up in the middle of the night, shaking and sweating and vomiting with the flu. While trainers doubted he would play and he actually needed an IV at halftime, Jordan played 44 minutes of 48 and scored 38 points, 15 in the 4th quarter plus 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block to win the game at 90-88. In the beginning, he was quite pale in the game and didn't have much energy to perform, this led to Utah taking a 16 point lead in the 2nd quarter...at home! But he came back and by doing so and putting up those brilliant numbers, he displayed the utmost inspiring sport performance that I have ever witnessed in my life.
I remember this game clearly even though it's a while ago, waking up very early in the morning to watch the game live at a friend's place who was not that much into basketball with Turkish commentators! "His Airness" was not simply in this world, he was so sick and from the look on his eyes, he seemed as if he didn't see anything around him nor had the energy to do anything about him. Everything he did originated from pure instincts rather his will as he was floating in his own time-space.
Now I clearly remember one game that I had to battle through gigantic migraine headache during a game with our fierce rivals, a low scoring game that we lost sadly 44-48! I remember how painful it was to force myself to play hard, to not letting my guys down and above all to win while I was not functioning normally. Even if everything is fine and working 100%, it takes a little more than that to win. What MJ did at the flu game, against all odds, was far beyond any man's imagination, only a true "Ü
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Midday prayer
"Shine on forever
Shine on, benevolent sun
Shine down upon the broken
Shine until the two become one
Shine on forever
Shine on, benevolent sun
Shine down upon the served
Shine until the two become one
Divided, I wither away
Divided, I wither away
Shine down upon the many
Light our way, benevolent sun..."
Thank you Reverend Maynard!
Shine on, benevolent sun
Shine down upon the broken
Shine until the two become one
Shine on forever
Shine on, benevolent sun
Shine down upon the served
Shine until the two become one
Divided, I wither away
Divided, I wither away
Shine down upon the many
Light our way, benevolent sun..."
Thank you Reverend Maynard!
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