Saturday, December 27, 2003

More Games in NHL


Calgary lost to Vancouver last night in Saddledome and it is really strange 'cause the Flames beat them in GM Place last week 4-1.
It's 10:22 PM MT now and I'm watching EDM @ VAN game and you know what? 6-2 Edmonton in lest than 03:30 min. in game!!! I love it.
Edmonton accepted the fist goal in less 02:00 min passed the game and after that Canucks thought there will be an easy win for them. Right now the Canucks are very angry 'cause they are being blasted in their home and fight every min. of the game. Salo, the Oilers goalie performs a great job.
...Another fight in less than 7 sec. in the game. It's finished. Great job Edmonton! Ruined Vancouver 6-2 in their home. The fighting Vancouver guy who was fighting in the last seconds, turned his face to the Oilers bench and said: F**k all of you! The funny thing is the commentator said: He said Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!
(Photo: Tommy Salo, originally from Sweden, started his career in 1994 with the Islanders, performed great tonight against Canucks)

Friday, December 26, 2003

Paris Match

There was an interview on radio once I was driving around, with a Paris Match magazine journalist, who was a woman. I don't remember her name. She was in Baghdad, Iraq after Americans took over. A video clip showed once on TV (I think it was on CBC, don't remember exactly. I saw the scene) It was shown that a plane (a cargo one, I guess) was hit by a shoulder rocket launcher. The clip has been taken by that woman and her co-workers. The interviewer ask the woman: Did you pay the guerrillas to shoot the plane??!!
The woman, who doesn't speak English well, obviously, was shocked and angry!! The plane, was hit on the wing and had to land after minutes from take off.

Love!


Read this lovely lyrics. Robert Plant sang it in Freddy Mercury's tribute in Apr. of 92 at Wembley, London:

If the sun refused to shine,
I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea,
There will still be you and me.
Kind woman, I give you my all,
Kind woman, nothing more.

Little drops of rain whisper of the pain,
Tears of loves lost in the days gone by.
My love is strong,
with you there is no wrong,
Together we shall go until we die.
My, my, my,
An inspiration is what you are to me,
Inspiration, look see.

And so today, my world it smiles,
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done,
For you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad,
Happiness ... I'm glad.
(Photo: Young Robert Plant, the vocalist of the British Band, Led Zeppelin)

Christmas Day

It was Christmas day yesterday and all stores were closed and the city was easier than ever 'cause there's 4 days holiday and most of the people are gone for a trip. Of course not me 'cause I have to go to work tomorrow! I watched School of Rock on my screen and it was awesome, great, a real movie and astonishing comedy. Jack Black gives excellent performance and the kids are unbelievably great too. I believe that it's even better than Bruce Almighty.
M. K., my former colleague in Bojnurd Cement Co. called me yesterday. He is much older than me, probably in his late 40s and lives with his family in West Vancouver. He was asking questions about life expenses in Calgary as he is offered a job here. He should travel to Calgary once a week.

Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve. I took a ride and almost every store were closed, even McDonald's. The only stores which are still open are Mac's and Tim Horton's and some other convenient stores. Streets are very beautiful because of home decorations with lights. I need a tripod to have a photo. I messed up a whole 24 role. I took photos from Tyrrell, eye bird views from Vancouver and some in A. J.'s home with his family. All are gone. Damn!
Canada closed it's border to American beef after a positive result from British lab toward Mad Cow Disease. They don't know how long it takes but it costs billions to American beef industry just like happened to Canada's last Aug.

Retaliation!


Mad Cow disease is back and this time to the south of the Canadian border, Washington state. One single case has been seen in that state and shortly after announcement, Japan and S. Korea closed their border to American beef. The Canadian officials still are waiting for the lab. test response and haven't closed the border to American beef among the others. 9 more countries added to the first 2 shortly after that.
There was a poll in a Calgary radio station and more than 70% voted for retaliation but agriculture minister said they are still waiting for the test result and they sent experts to the US to help them with the case.
(Photo: Cartoon published in a Calgary daily newspaper encourages umbrage!)

Sunday, December 21, 2003

The Colour Orange

Have you seen The Colour Purple (or in American English the color purple)? It's one of Steven Spielberg's movies. Am I going to write about the movie? No! 'cause I haven't seen it either!
The colour orange is the point here. The US Government raised security alert to orange, the highest since Sep.11.01, as seen in the picture. In spite of all facts I still don't believe that Osama Ben-Laden and his group, Al-Qaeda planned and performed those attacks. I think it's Americana's policy among the others. Look to Saddam's story. It was all set up. It was Americans who supported Saddam and supplied him. I will write about all these later. I have a very bad cold today and aching all over.
(Photo: The US homeland security levels)

Commercials

TV commercials are unbelievable here. Although I don't have cable, but most of the time I see so interesting and amazing commercials. I can't help smiling after watching them. The smile comes to my face automatically! It's hard to write about a commercial clip and gives the reader the same feeling but I try my best.
This one is for a watch: A large space rocket is shown and in a second. The engines are ignited and it lifts off while a car approaches the space centre and an astronaut gets out the car and sees it is leaving!
And this unique one is for a kind of cheese:
There's a crime scene with officers, detectives and cops around, investigating, taking photos and searching for finger prints. One sees a dish consisting of different foods. He looks every corner of the room around and makes sure that nobody is around and starts having cheese. Then notices that there's a photo of that dish, shows there's cheese rather to other things. He grabs the photo and pushed it to his pocket and takes another one from the dish without cheese. His boss or may be his colleague arrives and shows him a surveillance camera at a corner!!!

Proud of Their Trip

The Flames had a magnificent trip to the US. Here is the results:
Calgary 3 Philadelphia 1 (OT)
Calgary 5 Boston 0
Calgary 2 Columbus 1
They are the 5th team in Western Conference. The next two games are home games in this week.

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

New Friend

A Russian girl, called Elena, sent e-mail to me a couple of weeks ago and showed interest in me. She is very young, 23, I guess and lives near Moscow. Her English is not very good but I try to understand her. She works as a designer. (clothing?). I hope it continues.
The map of Russian Federation, above, shows where Elena lives. She uses Lenasar as a nickname. I don't know what that means. Should ask her.
Renay the East Indian, nice, pretty and young girl from Edmonton, called me the weekend before and talked to me for minutes. She again asked me to come over Edmonton and showed interest in knowing me and talking about marriage. She also promised me, for the third time, that she will send me her photo. I was waiting the whole last week and didn't c any in my mail box. Therefore last night when I met her online I asked her about her promise and after a couple of minutes talking on the net, we broke up without even one date! She is still thinking of the guy who used to be her boyfriend in Fiji and left her.

Sunday, December 14, 2003

Six Feet Under


Although I went to bed very late last night (Sat. night) but woke up early, around 08:00 AM. Turned the TV on and was shocked! Saddam is captured by Americans in his hometown of Tikrit, without a single shot last night. A very good news. All the TV channels that I access to abandoned their regular programs (mostly about Christmas, started one month ago!) and broadcast reports on Saddam's capture. He was found in a tomb-like hole six feet under the ground. That reminded me of a very popular TV series in North America which has never been watched by me because of lack of cable TV: Six Feet Under. I may watch it trough a DVD-ROM later.
Some say the US violated Geneva convention relative to treatment of prisoners of war. It's also said that Americans did that because Saddam showed American POW and KIA in Iraqi TV.
(Photo: This sketch shows how the murderer, Saddam, was hiding from the Americans and others; in a grave!)

New Prime Minister

As I wrote before Paul Martin is the new Canada'a Prime Minister. Jean Chretien quit his post after 40 years in politics, including 10 years as Prime Minister. He had two more years but prefered to resign and make room for Paul the junior. His father Paul Martin Senior was running PM but didn't make it. Paul junior swore in Fri. morning, Dec.12.03 as 21st Prime Minister of Canada. Martin says his cabinet will works on Canadain defence issues and the ruined relationship with the US, after Iraq's war.

Paul the junior, the 21st Prime Minister of Canada

Curling

Curling is one of popular games here in Canada, especially in Saskatchewan. The game, which is an indoor one, has been invented in Scotland (like many others!) I can't compare it to any game that I already knew and I don't know much about the rules and regulations. All I know is there are two teams comprised of 3 players. One slides something like a pot(!), called rock (or curling rock) on an icy surface toward a target circle, while two of his/her teammates are sweeping the path, in front of the rock. Seems it helps the rock slides smoothly and gets to the target which is the marked circle as seen in the photo above.
But why I'm writing about this. Let me tell you:
As curling is not a hard sport, not like hockey, wrestling or weightlifting, it can be done by men and even women (it's very popular among women here) in old ages. An old man at the age of 76 is complaining based on Canadian charter of rights and freedom to whoever because he's using a delivery stick while it's forbidden to do so by the association. He says he's deprived of his right and while of his knee injury he has to use the stick.
(Photo: A curler at the first stage of sliding)

Saturday, December 13, 2003

The Simple Life

There's a very interesting TV show on CTV, Tue. nights at 09:30 PM MT. It's a real story about two young, pretty, super rich girls from L. A. who travel to a farm in AR to stay there for 5 weeks: The Simple Life. The girls are Paris Hilton, a girl from Hilton family, a tycoon of L. A. and founder of Chain Hilton Hotels and Nichole Richie, daughter of Lionel Richie, the Black singer.
The show is originally from Fox TV and it's very very interesting. Therefor it means you always can watch interesting programs even if you don't have cable! The girls mess up the farm and the small town.
(Photo: Paris, right and Nichole in a scene of The simple life. They are nice here! but don't usually dress like this, especially when they go out!)

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Pot Refugee!


An American has fled to Canada and asked for refugee. It's really funny. The problem is the man, who lives in Vancouver with his family now, is addicted to marijuana, and he says he has to smoke at least 10 or may be less marijuana cigarettes 'cause it helps him to tolerate his cancer pain. He says he has tried everything but nothing has helped him. If he returns to the US, he will be jailed. Canadian officials are still working on his file.
(Photo: Marijuana. That's how it looks. A B-E-A-utiful plant as Jim Carrey says in Bruce Almighty)

So Much to Do and So Little Time

I haven't written here for days. That's because of shortage of time. And also this damn computer has a problem. I think it has a virus. PC Clean 2000 doesn't find anything but I think it's really old and I have to do something before I lose my information and everything here.
I also have to move to deep south as soon as possible. May be at the end of this month. I can save at least 2 hours, I think. I also started my application for M. Sc. The candidate universities are: U of T, U of A, UW, U of M and may be U of C. I prefer not to go to the last one 'cause I wanna a change in my place. Waterloo is good 'cause it's a good school and recognized and also it's close to a major industrial area. Kami H., and Farbod, live there. Toronto is good too. U of Alberta, which is in Edmonton, is another choice. My sweetie, Renay, lives there, although I can't count on her!!
I wrote a letter to Dr. Fatemi, my professor in AKU and asked him a letter of reference. Must wait and see if he answers. Must take a TOEFL (damn it) course too. That's how it is. Tough.

Saturday, December 06, 2003

Another Issue for Martin's Government

The new Canadian government will take over next week, Fri., Dec.12.03. Paul Martin, the current Liberal Party leader will be the Prime Minister. One of the problems that he and his cabinet will have to face with is Same Sex Marriage. Cretien asked the officials to change the definition of marriage, where it's written ...between a man and a woman. Now it seems the new government has to work on it again 'cause there is lot of complain about it.

Damn Quality Reference

I wrote to Quality Progress and informed them that I'm goin' to send them about shitty(!) Quality Council of Indiana's CQE primer. They replied back and said they can only publish short reviews. I may send one.

Galati Quits!

Canadian lawyer, Rocco Galati, gets a death threat over his new client Khadr. He was shocked and seemed very frightened. He said: " We now live in Columbia! "I'm happy that he didn't say we live in Middle East, somewhere! It's said Galati knows the guy. Khadr is the fifth or sixth guy that he accepted his case as a national security one. He gave up all of them yesterday.
(Photo: Galati and his client in news conference)

Canadian Millitary Faces Collapse!

Canadian Forces faces collapse, it is said, and takes a generation to recover! This is one of the major problems that the new Government of Canada has to deal with. There was a very interesting and funny comment on radio when I was driving: The only threat is from the US and Canada can't resist anyway, so there's no need to recovey and spend millions of dollars!!
Serving millitary is not mandatory in Canada and Canadian Forces has its recruitment advertisements all over the place: newspapers, buses, schools (including SAIT) and government buildings.

Friday, December 05, 2003

The Flames Are Doin' Very Well

The Flames are unbeaten in their last 4 games, having 3 wins (2 home games, 1 road) and 1 draw at home. They beat the Canucks in Vancouver. It was great. A 4-1 victory. And just one day after that, tonight they beat the Wild in Saddledome, 2-1. Jerome Iginla scored the winner with only 22 seconds left in the game. Flames is the 8th team in Western Conference now. There's hope for them to make this season's playoff. But nobody can tell 'cause there'll 59 more games in regular seasonand many of them r road games!
(Photo:Pengroth Saddledome in Calgary, home of Calgary Flames)

Thursday, December 04, 2003

Gas Price and Exchange Rate

Gas price is not fixed here. Sometimes it changes even every day. Although it's winter now and we had flurry and it's cold as usual but gas price is goin' down. It was 60.9 on Mon., 60.05 yesterday and 59.9, I guess, today! All prices in cent/liter. I bought gas for 58.4, the night before I flew to B. C. at ESSO. It's very good for people who drive long distances every day. I don't but mine is really inexpensive in gas. About 6 L in 100 km in the city.
Also exchange rate went up to 77.04 cents of Canadian dollar for 1 American. The highest in last 10 years. But it's not good for some businesses which export to the US.

Monday, December 01, 2003

Khadr Case: The Story Continues

A young Arab-Canadian guy is back home after months being detained in Guantanamo Bay Camp. Abdul-Rahman Khadr is from an Egyptian father and a Palestinian mother and is only 20. When he arrived at Lester L. Pearson International Airport and it was shown on CBC - he said he was innocent and the only reason he had been arrested in Kabul and was sent to the camp was because he was originally Arab. But there was another report in The National tonight and he admitted that he had been trained in Afghanistan!! He revealed it in a press conference while sitting beside his lawyer. A reporter asked him: Was it an Al-Qaeda training camp? He answered: No. It was an Al-Qaeda related camp(!!!)
His father was a Taliban financial supporter. Afghans told the CBC reporter that he had packed and left Kabul just one day before Northern Alliance freed the city(!!) The family used to live in Ontario but they moved to Afghanistan when Soviets invaded the country, in order to support the Holy War. His younger brother, Omar, 15, is still in Americans' custody in the Camp. The US has recently begun to free few prisoners from the camp in Cuba. There are hundreds of them there from 42 different countries, without any charge and legal rights.
(Photo: Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The US has occupied it since 1903 and pay $4000 annually as rent!)

Friends Are Back

I talked to 4 of my friends today after months! Kami H., my Oracle Certified friend. He called me and said that finally found a real career in Waterloo, ON in the third biggest insurance company in the world. Keiv The SAIT student. I met him on my way home from library. Sasan, My friend in Vancouver and the student of UBC. I met him online and talked to him for awhile. And Finally Renay, the nice and young East Indian girl from Edmonton. It's nice to have good friends but the only real friends among them are Kami H. and Keiv, although Sasan and Renay are nice people. I haven't met them yet and Sasan is very angry with me 'cause I teased him, kidded him and pulled his leg.

Sunday, November 30, 2003

Anniversary


Yesterday, Nov.29.03 was the second anniversary of my immigration to Canada. 2 years ago I was dropped in Calgary International Airport by Air Canada and went to Super 8 Motel and stayed 2 nights there and the Persian-Canadian version of life began.
Also George Harrison, a member of the most famous rock 'n roll band of all time, The Beatles passed aways 2 years ago in such a day. There are songs of them that are still fresh and lovely and I sometimes listen to them. One of them is: Love me do. The song was recorded in Sep.11.62 and was number 1 on the all the USA charts for 1 week and was in the list of 100 top songs for 14 weeks. I believe that only Pink Floyd, the other British music band is the one which can be compared to The Beatles. Will write about Pink Floyd and The Beatles later.
As yesterday was a special day for me(!!) I thought better to give me a special gift 'cause there's nobody to give me such a thing(!!) So what I did is I stayed overtime for 8 hours(!!) Yesterdays speciality is summarized here: Woke up at 05:35 AM, drove to Anderson LRT station, took the bus, worked from 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM like a horse, had a break for half an hour, started work at 04:30 PM again and worked till 01:15 AM of today while had two ordinary break in between.
So you see that it was a real special day. Ahmad, my Kurdish friend drove me to the station and I drove back home from there. It was 03:00 AM, I guess, by the time I was home. When I checked my mobile voice mail box, noticed have two new messages. The first one was only a Beep-Beep and guessed it's my Mom. The second one was from Renay, the beautifully, young, Indian girl from Edmonton. The message says her mom is passed away. I was very sad. I have to call her today, although she left me without a word. She's very sweet.
(Photo: George Harrison, the former member of The Beatles who died in Nov.29.03)

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

M. J. in Trouble

Michael Jackson is in trouble for the second time in the last 10 years. He was arrested last week and is accused of child molestation. Police raided his ranch in Santa Barbara, CA and searched there for hours, while he was away. Jackson has built that place like a small Disneyland. Shorty after they arrested him and took him to court, handcuffed. He is freed now on a $3 million bail. We should wait and see what happens to this freaky boy!
I strongly believe that he's a loony! Does a normal person do what he has done to himself? Does he look like a human? Last year he dangled his kid, the youngest one, from a fourth floor balcony of a hotel in Germany. Just an insane man does that! After all, I also believe that he is a great pop star. His works like Thriller and The Ghost are astonishing. If it's approved that he's guilty, he will face 8 year in jail. That would be the end for the 45-year-old singer.
This happened to him exactly 10 years ago, in 1993 but the case settled privately. No one is aware of the detail. But seems he can't save his ass this time! Who knows?
(Photo: A handcuffed Michael Jackson is escorted to the court)

That's good Paul...Keep goin' !


Paul Martin, the next Prime Minister of Canada and the current Liberal Party leader critized Americans today, over Arar's case. Arar is a Syrian-Canadian who was arrested by Americans in New York's Kennedy Airport on his way to Canada and was sent to Syria, where he was born!!! The US alleges him of terrorist activities and link to Al-Qaeda network. He has been released by Syrians recently and said that he was tortured there in jail. Syrians accused him of memebrship in a banned group called Muslim Brotherhood!!!
We have to wait and c Americans' reaction to this angry criticism.
(Photo: Arar in press conference after he's back to Canada)

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

The Best in the Trip

The best part of my short trip or better to say the best reason for my short travel was visiting my relatives. I met my cousin and her family after almost 3 years. I was very happy to be with them. All of them were so nice and kind to me and I appreciated. It was Ray's 11th birthday in Sun. evening and there was a small party for that. His friends have been invited and they had fun. Koreans, Filipino, Canadian and Chinese boys.

Vancouver (2)

I didn't have enough time to see the city but what I say about my short trip to Greater Vancouver is it's a very nice city but expensive. There is two kind of taxes: Federal and Provincial which added to 14.5%. It's just 5% in Alberta, which is Provincial, I guess and t it's 15% in Ontario.
B. C. never gets as cold as Alberta, except it's north. When I was there the coldest was -1 C and one day after that (Sun.) It was warm and started raining. There's lots of raining there. It's a very beautiful place. esp. in summer but it's fall is nice too. The other problem is unemployment. There is not many jobs there. So if you wanna really go there, think, plan and then make your mind.

Monday, November 24, 2003

Vancouver (1)

I flew to Vancouver Fri. morning. When I left Calgary it was -17° C and was snowing. I went there by Wes Jet. It's less expensive than Air Canada. But it could be cheaper if I would use an Air Mile Card. I don't have one yet. The flight just took about 01:10. I was beside the left wing and enjoyed the beautiful scene of outside and took some photos.
Vancouver or better to say Greater Vancouver is comprised of downtown Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, Burnaby and Port Moody (And May be more! But they are the majors, I guess) My destination was Coquitlam so I had to take the bus from the airport to Sky Train station. Air bus is a very beautiful, nice and fast train that its track is above the city! I mean above streets, homes, everything. You can see all over when travelling around. I had to change the Sky Train at a station and take the other one and at the end take another route again to get to A. J.'s project site.
The weather was mild and the city is very beautiful. The interesting thing is people were very kind and friendly. When I was in the bus to Air bus Station, a very pretty girl with blue eyes asked if I need a help and when I was getting in to the Air bus a young man helped me to change my route and when I get the final bus the driver started talking to me and said that he knew the north of Iran is pretty much like Vancouver! and all of them were Canadian. You rarely meet such people in Calgary. I think because Vancouver is an older city compare to Calgary and foreigners went there and settled there years ago, Canadians are more comfortable with them. Like I know the first Iranian families settled down in Vancouver almost 40 year ago.

Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Camera Phones

Camera phones are rapidly getting more and more popular in Canada. The price - as far as I know - is not much more expensive than a regular one. But it's goin' to be banned in some public places like gyms, swimming pools, etc. Because you are able to take photo from everyone in every condition and people's privacy is in jeopardy.

The Date Is Set

Jean Chretien will transfer his authority to Paul Martin in Dec.12.03 which is less than a month from now. He has been Canada's Prime Minister for about 10 years. As I wrote before he was supposed to leave the office next year in Feb. but today he announced that they agreed on the said date.

Weather

According to weather forecast, it's goin' to be snowing tonight and continues till Sat. The temperature is also drops down to almost -19 degrees of centigrade. Among 12 months of a year, there are 8 months winter, 1 month spring, 1 month fall (autumn) and 2 months summer in Calgary. City of Calgary (Calgary's municipality) asks all Calgarians to clean their sidewalks. It's mandatory. The main street sidewalks is usually cleaned by small special vehicles or sometimes employees who are on contract with the City.

Friday, November 14, 2003

The End of an Era

Jean Chretien will no longer be the Prime Minister after Feb.04 and last night there was a tribute for him in Toronto and also there was a live show on CBC about him. He is taken over by Paul Martin as Liberal Party leader tonight. (More than 94% voted for him) Chretien was in politics for almost 40 years and has had many responsibilities in the Government. And it's said that the best decision that he has ever made is saying No to Americans. That's why I like him and I believe he did great job. But I can add that decision had a strong effect on US-Canada relationship. Canadians have to follow (or better to say obey!)Americans in many ways. It can be said, Canadians have to obey the US 'cause more than 80% of their export goes to America. Many of the businesses in Canada are ran by American company's. I just name some of them here and these are what you may in your daily life:
1- Wendy's (Fast food restaurants)
2- Esso (Gas stations)
3- GMC (Vehicles)
4- Safeway (Supermarkets)

The Flames Did A Good Job

The Calgary Flames blasted Chicago in their home last night and it's great 'cause Chicago is a very good team in Central division. A rookie was last night's key player: Matthew Lombardi (Sounds French) who scored 3 of Calgary's 6. The Flames is at the bottom of the Northwest division standing though! I'll present the last standing this weekend.

Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Is This Goin' To Dig Out Air Canada?

If you remember I wrote that Air Canada is in trouble and goin' to be bankrupt. A Chinese tycoon, who is a Canadian citizen too and lives in Hong Kong is goin' to by 31% of Air Canada's stock and help it to survive.

Rememberance Day


Today is Remembrance Day and honored all across Canada. People remember and admire the Canadians who lost their lives for their country. Most of people use a pin on their cloths, called red poppy.
(Photo: The war memorial in Parliament Hill, Ottawa, brighten with red poppies)

Monday, November 10, 2003

A. J. Insists on His Job Offer

A. J. called me Sat. afternoon in response to my offline message and asked me to go there and see what the job is. I'll book my seat as soon as I'm sure about my days' off. It will be kind of variety too, leaving Alberta after almost 2 years!

Quality Progress

It's about what I wrote Sun. regarding Quality Council of Indiana. I'm goin' to e-mail Quality Progress, the official magazine of ASQ and ask them whether or not they publish my essay on CQE primer. If they do, It will dishonor those bastards! Good.

Movies

I finally went to movie theatre and watched Alien: The director's cut in Paramount Chinook. There were less than 10 people in the cinema! Paramount Chinook has 16 cinemas and each has seat for at least 200 audiences, I guess. It was cheaper than the previous that I watched there. This costs me $11 while the others were $13.95.
The third part of Matrix is in theatres too but I didn't go to watch that as the second part was nonsence. It's said the third part is sold 45% off. Good. They deserve it.
The very popular movie of todays is Scary movie 3. I have seen the first part but not the sequels. It's a good comedy. There was also the commercial for Alien vs. Predator. It will be in theatres in Aug.06.04. I'll catch that.

Sunday, November 09, 2003

A Disgusting and Uncertain Source for Quality

I used to work in Quality field for at least 7 subsequent years in Iran and took 8 related courses here in Calgary at SAIT and studied different materials in this subject and I'm not like somebody who's in the dark. But this CQE primer by Quality Council of Indiana is awful. There are lots of grammatical, spelling and the most important, material errors and mistakes in it.
I mentioned some of the mistakes in my mail to the council. They accepted some and didn't some other. (mostly the material ones) This time what I'm doin' is I'm studying very carefully and reviewing all the sections (There are 11 of them) and jot down every single mistake and then will send a mail to the council and will give them a tasty, big piece of shit!
For this reason and also shortage of time ,I contacted ASQ and asked them to reschedule my exam. They did that for June.05.04, which is almost 6 months from now!!
So if you wanna study for quality, never go to that damn Council of Indiana. I think I should have bought ASQ reference. Although It's expensive. About US $580, if I remember. Which is almost CND $780!

More on Hockey (2): Sport is a Big Business in North America

whenever I say (I write!) hockey, I mean ice hockey. Calgary is not a good team in NHL, compare to the other Canadian teams. Can say it's the weakest. Don't know why. They didn't go to playoffs in past two seasons. (2001-02 and 2002-03) Edmonton is a bit better. It was present in playoffs last season but lost to Dallas in the first round. But they have a a key player: Jerome Iginla. He was the score leader of NHL in 2001-02 and also a member of Team Canada, (Meaning Canadian National Ice Hokey Team, I don't know why they call it that!) that beat the US in 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
But the point here is hockey and also other sports like football (Not soccer!), baseball, golf and basketball are big businesses in North America.

Saturday, November 08, 2003

More on Hockey: Hockey Night in Canada


Sat. is Hokey Night in Canada. There are two live games in CBC. Tonight's are Edmonton at Toronto and Minnesota at Vancouver. Edmonton lost the game (I'm upset) and the second game's 1st period is over and Minnesota is beaten 3-0 so far. Wow!!
Vancouver is a very strong team. They lost 2002-03 Western semi-finals to this team! (4-6) I watched some of the last games and It was great. Ottawa. They were in 2002-03 Eastern semi-finals too and unfortunately they were beaten by Philadelphia. (4-1).
Right now the TV is on and I'm watching the second live game while writing these lines. The Wilds just lost a juicy opportunity, a one on one. (A Wing against the Goalie) It's a great game tonight. But sometimes actually most of the time it's tiring to watch the whole game. It's long. The whole game comprises of 3 period and each period is 20 pure min. It means all the dead times are discarded. So a game usually takes about 2 hours on TV. if you add commercials too.
Holy Mother of God!! Another score for Vancouver now! It's min. 12 of the second period and it's 4-0 Vancouver.
...Yes I was saying that it's tiring to watch the whole game. I don't know how people sit on their asses for that long! Last year I was goin' to watch a game with Andrew but just a couple of days before we go he canceled it. I may go this year. The ticket price is different. Depends on where you sit.
Will write more about the Coolest game on earth soon.
(Photo: Hockey Night in Canada's logo on CBC)

Friday, November 07, 2003

Battle of Alberta

Ice hokey is the most popular sport in Canada and they believe that It's invented by them. I believe so as well. There are only 6 Canadian team in NHL out of 30 all. the others are American. Best Canadian players mostly play for American teams because they are paid better. Before former USSR, Czech Republic and some other Eastern European countries let their players out, majority of big NHL players were Canadians. Roman Turek, the Calgary Flames net-keeper is Czech and there are many more in all NHL teams.
There was a game between the Flames and Edmonton Oilers two weeks ago and the Flames beat the Oilers in their home, 4-2. The game is always called Battle of Alberta and sometimes it's really a fight. In the last game the Oilers were very angry because they had lost the game in Calgary and were there to beat the Flames in Edmonton. But anger didn't help them and regardless of 3 fights (Between two opponent players) they lost the game. Fighting is ordinary in ice hockey. The referees usually ignore the fight in its first 5 or 10 min.!!! And after the players are beaten up(!!) they step in! It's part of the game and fans like it and cheer and clap for fighters!! The guilty players (Both of them are!!) will be sent to the penalty box for 5 min. Sometimes there are more than two and one team uses Powerplay.

Thursday, November 06, 2003

Royal Secrets Are Revealed!


A book has lately been published by former princess Diana's butler. The book's called A royal duty. It's said that the Royal family is very irritated by the book.
I'd like to add this: Last weekend I went to a Chapters bookstore. I guess it's the major one in Canada. You can find small bookstores in the city too but they usu. just sale used ones. It's like every other businesses! Big companies run mostly everything. There's a Starbucks coffee-shop in every Chapters and people come in and drink and read and then the put the book back and leave!! That's how they motivate people to read. Books are usu. expensive. I just have bought one non-text book since I came to Canada so I'm not very familiar with the prices but text-books are really costly. I bought a book about Eng. drawings, last weekend and It cost me almost $82. You can buy your 3 weeks grocery with that much money. That time was not my first time to Chapters but just wanna say that you can find any book from any category there and you may also order it online. Like I found more than 5 books with the title of Star Wars!! another good thing, for folks have no where to go on Sun. Evenings!! It's open till 09:00 PM.

Wednesday, November 05, 2003

Stampede Photo

The above picture is one of the photos that I took in Stampede this summer. Stampede is the biggest show in Western Canada and thousands of people from around the country and the US come to see this event. The photo is shows how Indians prepare their food: Meat and bread. Indian is the phrase used for aboriginal people in North America. When Christopher Columbus discovered the new continent in 1492, he thought he's in Asia. So he called the aboriginals, Indians and this name still being used everywhere in Canada (and the US too) although everybody knows that's not correct! I wonder what kind of people they are. I mean, Americans and Canadians. They have been using a wrong phrase for more than 200 years!! The funny thing is they call the real Indians, East Indian!! And it comprises Indians, Bangladeshis, and Pakestani people. And this one is true 'cause these countries used to be one!
It reminds me of 1492: Conquest of Paradise. The movie is a fall for it's producers. The theme song is very beautiful one By Vangelis. It was shown in Iran (I didn't go to watch it) and I heard on that time that they completely removed Sigourney Weaver who acted as Isabella, from the movie!
Imagine the reaction of Weaver when she finds out what has happened to her role in the movie!

Tuesday, November 04, 2003

Upredictables!

I received a responce mail from Mahsa, my former colleague in EIED (A devision of OIEC) after almost 7 months! I sent her a Norooz, e-card and also a birthday one but haven't received answer till yesterday. She's a pretty girl, very straightforward, energetic and cleaver. She's majored in Industrial Eng. from Elm-o-San'at University. She finished her M. Sc. in the same field in a branch of Azad University, when I still was working for EIED. She has a twin sister who is somewhere in Canada. She must be in Toronto for sure. Like most of Iranians!

Monday, November 03, 2003

A Job Offer From B. C.!

I called A. J., my cousin's husband, in Vancouver, Sat. and he offered me a job as a Construction Coordinator or something like that! That's good but I can't trust him. He wanted me to go there and see the job. I told him that I'd be there this weekend. I must take the following Mon. off. If I fly Fri. evening, will spend Sat., Sun. and Mon. there and I'll be home Mon. night. I should go. Haven't seen them for 2.5 years, I guess. Don't remember exactly!
It's -12˚ C now and there's a light snow. Vancouver never gets this cold and have snow, not often.

Sunday, November 02, 2003

Saeedi Sirjani


One of the girls that I used to talk to on the net or phone, among many, was Saye Saeedi Sirjani. She lives in Davis, CA. Once I read a short article in Gooya news, written by a woman called Faranak Irani. As her e-mail address was there I sent her a feedback about her writing which was about Zahra Kazemi and her stupid behavior in Tehran!
She replied back and revealed that she is Saye the daughter of Ali Akbar Saeedi Sirjani who was murdered in Tehran (Refer to this article for him and others who were murdered) years ago. She gave me her phone number and insisted me to call her.
I was very happy to find such a girl but after I found she was married, I was upset. You never know girls and never be able to predict their behavior!
(Photo: An undated photo of writer and poet, Akbar Saeedi Sirjani who was murdered in 1994)

Friday, October 31, 2003

Film Industry

New movies are released every day by Hollywood based companies. If you wanna catch a movie, you have to move fast 'cause a new one replaces in a short time. Like I was goin' to watch Bruce Almighty but as I was late I found out that a new movie is replaced! actually you can go to special movie theatres that just show old movies and they are really inexpensive. There's one besides Pacific Place but I've never been to. I watched it later through KAZZA. A movie which is very popular these days is Kill Bill, directed by Quentin Tarantino. I was goin' to watch it but after I found out that it is a martial art oriented (!!) movie I changed my mind. The only reason I was goin' to watch it is Quentin Tarantino. He has a great performance in From Dusk Till Dawn.
Anyways... I'm not goin' to miss Alien: The Director's Cut.

Anger Management!

Dave Finn from CT called me Wed. evening and asked why I had not shown up in the first training. And I told him why but seemed he didn't like my answer and finally:
Dave: Are you comin'?
I: No. I'm not.
Dave: Very good.
Me: Good!!
We said good bye and I hung up.
I hope it was a good piece of advise for him and CT. Bastards wanted me to attend a one month training and will just pay me $7 for every f**king hour that I spend there and then there are exams and if I don't pass, I'm out.
But that's not the only reason. The main point is I can't get days and weeks off for my studies and exams.
Note: Anger Management is the title of comedy. I haven't watched it. Seems something average.

Wednesday, October 29, 2003

Alien Legacy

I didn't believe my eyes, when I was reading what is written in Yahoo! Movies. You know what it is? Alien 5!!!
I'm a great fan of Alien legacy and have Alien and Aliens on DVD, Alien 3 on CD and Alien Resurrection on my hard drive ('cause it's too big to copy it on a CD and I don't have a DVD burner) and I've watched all of several times and that's my favorite sequel movie. It's not like Terminator series. The last one, T3, which I watched it in a movie theatre is not good at all. But Alien series is something different. unbeatable.
So what's written there is they're gonna make the 5th part with Sigourney Weaver but not nothing has been set up yet. Check it to learn more. I, myself am waiting for that.
The last news is Alien: The director's cut will be in theatres in Halloween but in limited theatres. I hope I can watch it here.

Calgary's Winter Starts!

The real Calgarian winter started yesterday afternoon. There was a fog that limited visibility and at about 06:30 PM started snowing. And when it's snowing it's snowing horizontally!! and it searches for a way to go through your eyes! It's -7 C right now and goin' to be colder during the week. I checked the other provinces (Check wherever you like) and found out that it's in Alberta, Saskatchewan and part of Nunavut, the new Canadian territory (Since 1999) only.

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

The Medical

I went for a medical examination of CT and passed it. There was a joly, nice and kind British physician with a strong accent which was not easy to understand. As I wrote before sometimes you find some people that you can't believe your eyes and he was one of them. The trainer called me in the afternoon and told me that there will be training in Wed. and Thu. and one whole month, starting Nov.03. But I'm not goin'. That's because there will be an exam. after the training and also it crosses my studying for CQE Exam.

Sunday, October 26, 2003

How do Canadians Behave Toward You as a Non-Caucasian?

You get different treats from Canadians here in Calgary which is known as Redneck City. Sometimes you meet very nice people who kindly talk to you, smile at you and you never get such a behaviour in anywhere else. I can name Serena, the young pretty marathon girl whom I first met in Sears in Downtown Calgary and If I had not been this much stupid that I am(!), I would have had a good friend now! And Katie the blond, blue-eyed pretty nurse and a few more. Today I was studying in Tim Horton's and an old lady, came to me and started talking. She asked what I was studying and then introduced herself as a teacher and thought I was Lebanese. I told her that I wasn't and she was so kind to me and introduced me to her sister and when I told her that I was studying for ASQ she said that they'd pray for me!
See? That's how some Canadians are. You can't predict. Some are very nice to you and some ... better not to say. But I think if I were them I might behave the same. I'll write more about this later.

Rather Stupid Idea of Toyota

I drove over the curb while I was turning to 17 Ave. and after about 200 m. (Which is pretty long!) I noticed something is wrong and the car is like being pulled to the right side of the road! I turned to 17A St., pulled over and turned on my double-signals. Found a flat tire!
But why I'm writing such an usual event here. The point is Toyota provides an emergency tire that you can not use it as a regular one!!! It's narrower and of course lighter. It's written in the manual that the driver should avoid the bumps and such obstacles and not drive faster than 80 km/h!!
Imagine what will happen to you if you are on a trip! For example you are driving in Highway No. 2 from Calgary to Edmonton and you have a puncture. You change the tire and start driving and you don't dare drive faster than 70 km/h while the speed limit is 110 km/h. Although it's written that there's a road service (A toll free number) for Toyota but when I called them the recorded message stated that they are off!
I've to talk to the dealer about that. Tomorrow.

Saturday, October 25, 2003

Traveling Across Canada

There's a big project for connecting Windsor in Ontario to Montreal in Quebec via VIA. Traveling by train is very expensive in Canada. It seems trains are very comfortable and also high-class. Once I was thinking of goin' to Vancouver by rail and checked the VIA website and I hit the ceiling! You can get a single or double bedroom and the fares are $700.85 for a single and $1051.81 for a double!! And the interesting thing is, it was sold out! The lowest fare is $210.79 called economy best fare. I have heard that the route is scenic. If you travel by air it's much more cheaper. And one more thing: There's no service from Calgary!! that was why I checked the fare from Edmonton.

Friday, October 24, 2003

A Correction and More About El Al Case

I mentioned that John Manely, the current deputy minister of Canada was going to be the next Prime Minister and has a very powerful opponent. The man is Paul Martin and seems he will be the next. Jean Chretien will no longer be the Prime Minister in 2004, I guess.
Tonight, in CBC's The National it was confirmed that there was a possible attack on El Al plane. But nobody asks if there was (or actually is) any and why anybody talks about residential terrorists in Ontario?!! Who are they? How are they being supported and supplied? How could they get that kind of weapon in Canada? These and many more have been never mentioned in the news. Did I understand the nature of the event?!
It was told the commercial jets can be equipped with flares, which has been using in military aircraft for years. But the issue is it costs millions of dollars and it doesn't seem that airliners can afford this.
If I remember correctly Air Canada has already cut free lunch from his flights and once it was shown in the news that people are buying food from airport buffet or carrying burgers in their sack!!

Deep Dish


There's a music band called Deep Dish, comprised of two Iranian (Persian) guys from Tehran. They are unbelievably amazing. Specialized in Dance and Electronic music. I downloaded a live from them and must confess that it's a hit. If u r interested in this kind of music, I highly recommend it. Excellent.
(Photo: Ali and Shahram (Who is who!?) are comprising the band)

A Permanent Threat To El Al!!

An El Al (Israeli airliner) plane from Tel Aviv headed toward Toronto diverted from its destination twice and had to landed in Hamilton! Passengers then were driven to Toronto by a bus! Good lessen for mean Jews!
An official said there was a SAM-7 threat to the plane!!! It means somebody aimed the plane with a rocket propeller!! And the point is that person must have been somewhere in Canada!!
It reminds me of a movie: Behind Enemy Lines. Although at the end of movie Americans save the survived navigator and the director shows another American propaganda but I like the movie because an AF/18 is hit by Serbs and they execute the pilot. I don't think it's a true story but in Balkan War, Serbs downed an F-117, a high-tech, stealth jet.

Thursday, October 23, 2003

Canadian Dollar And More...

Canadian dollar has jumped up recently. Loonie buys US $0.78 which is the highest rate in last 10 years! We must wait to see what the consequences are. The US and Mexico have opened their border to Canadian beef so it's predicted that beef industry could compensate part of its loss. 70% of Canadian beef industry is located in Alberta and the rest is in Saskatchewan and B. C.

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

I'm Confused!

I have to go for a medical the following Mon. This is what I was asked for by a phone call from CT interviewer. I consulted Ali Mehraban about this and he said I have to take 1 month off from my current job and attend the training courses 'cause if I fail I have to leave. I have to make up a story for Cargill. I got my Juran's QC Handbook I have to spend more time on my studies. Haven't studied well since Sun.!

Monday, October 20, 2003

One Step Closer

I had a message in my mobile voice mail box today. CT wants me for medicals. That's great. It means I'm one more step closer to the new job which gives me more free time and takes less energy.
I finished section 7 of CQE primer and the last 2 weeks of Oct. is for reviewing of sections 2 to 7. I'll try to finish sections 8 to 11 in Nov. (Each week for a section) and have a final review with emphasis in last 4 sections in the first week of Dec.
I also went for a ride yesterday afternoon after almost 3 months. I made it in 01:23:05 which is a good time. I also find an Iranian girl on the net yesterday! She left Iran with her family 25 years ago and currently lives in S. C.

Sunday, October 19, 2003

Out of Mind

The Canadians whom I know are all crazy! For example the new guy, Al, once I saw him with something like a dried plant in his hand, doin' something. I asked him about that and he said that was Marijuana!! And added if somebody has more than 30 grams s/he'll be in a real trouble. You can see boys and girls smokin' pot all over the place, especially during weekends.

Friday, October 17, 2003

Missionary Man

One of the songs that I like very much and had its live performance on VHS in Iran, is an old song from EURYTHMICS. I think it was sung first time in 1986 or earlier. The song called Missionary Man. I write the lyric for you here. This is one of the song that I listen and listen and listen. outstanding! Enjoy:

...Well I was born an original sinner.
I was borne from original sin.
And if I had a dollar bill
For all the things I've done
There'd be a mountain of money
Piled up to my chin...

My mother told me good
My mother told me strong.
She said "Be true to yourself
And you can't go wrong."
"But there's just one thing
That you must understand."
"You can fool with your brother-
But don't mess with a missionary man."

Don't mess with a missionary man.
Don't mess with a missionary man.

Well the missionary man
He's got god on his side.
He's got the saints and apostles
Backin' up from behind.
Black eyed looks from those bible books.
He's a man with a mission
Got a serious mind.
There was a woman in the jungle
And a monkey on a tree.
The missionary man he was followin' me.
He said "Stop what you're doing."
"Get down upon your knees."
"I've a message for you that you better believe."


I try to put the song here too.
(Photo: This should have been taken during a live performance of the song)

Thursday, October 16, 2003

CT Interview

I went for CT interview yesterday. There were 2 men and there was just 5 questions. I didn't do well, I guess. I don't know what will happen. One of them said I'll be called anyways. No matter if I passed the interview or not. There will be a medical exam. and 4 weeks training for the successfull employee.
In the evening I went to a Tim Horton's and studied reliability part of CQE primer. It's better there 'cause there's no Internet, no fridge and no nothing to bother u. I studied well, although it was crowded. That's what I'm ganna do.

Sunday, October 12, 2003

Is This a Trick or a Real Girl!?

For almost a month I received e-mails and offline messages from a girl with a dr_hellen ID in YAHOO Messenger. Once there was an opportunity to talk to her on the net, through the Mic. She (Named Sara) told me that she was 29, currently a dentistry student in Tehran Azad University and has two more semester to finish it. And more. We talked for at least 1.5 hour. But that's not something extraordinary. I've talked to many on the net and phone. The point is her voice was so clear and instant that I think she lives somewhere in Canada or the States and it might be one of A. J.'s tricks! I mentioned that and never heard from her since.

A New Buddy

Have started to talk to a Canadian guy called Al. His real name, as he said, is something else. An aboriginal, or native name. He introduced me Excel Canada, a cheating (!!) company like ABC Canada which I was introduced to by that lady in Vancouver. We went to a meeting in Blackfoot Trial with an English woman. She drove us there.
Same shit as previous one but there were three speeches. One by a Canadian woman in her early 40s. And two by an American couple from the South with totally different and interesting accent, especially the woman. She was trying to be funny too but she was not, except two or three times. But Canadians were very happy and were laughing their heads off. I used the opportunity and teased her but I think she didn't hear me. Some of the audiences heard me and laughed. I tried to stopped it. I mean I didn't want to make a trouble but couldn't help it. She was bullshitting and I don't like this kind of propaganda.
Once she said " We're goin' to knock off Telus " (One of the major Canadian telecommunication companies). I said " In your dreams " There was an old woman sitting at the left side and she turned her face toward me and gazed at me in an unfriendly way!
The other time she said " I love you all and I wish I could take you all with me " And I said " Just take me "
You know these things sound hilarious to Canadians! And again she said something about Lethbridge and said " I can't pronounce it, tell me how " And I yelled " You won't learn! "
Regardless of this stupid American propaganda and exaggeration, I liked that meeting. It was a good opportunity to listen to a different accent and talk to people, especially that English lady.
The American woman who said she was from Arkansas had a very interesting accent. For example she says GAZ for Guys and ASScreem for Ice Cream! I wish I could save her voice.

Getting Closer To Having A New Job

I had my second phone call from CT and am invited for a 45 min. interview on Wed. Oct.15.03. This is the second interview in Canada and a real one, I suppose. Although I have applied for 16 positions since Jun.01.03, but haven't had even one single interview in my field. Let me tell you what two of them answered me:
One is a recruiter in Edmonton and I applied for a position there as a Quality Control Clerk and he replied back: The client needs someone who lives in here!!
What kind of fool do u think I am, you stupid embryo? If you don't wanna give me the chance of an interview, that's OK. But don't bullshit me, u idiot.
And the other one who is the Quality Assurance Manager of a company in SE Calgary (Probably one like Carlos, the nasty Filipino guy, I may write his story later) Wrote me: I reviewed your cover letter and resume and don't feel u fit this position!!
What the f**K? what's the feel, you moron?! You don't feel anything?! May be that's because you have had to many before!! It just makes me frustrated and tired of this nuts.

Monday, October 06, 2003

A Real Funny Day in Canada!

I called Cargill, in the morning and said I couldn't make it today. I know they will suspend me for at least one day. shortly after that I had a phone call. I think it was 06:00 AM. Was surprised. Who in Calgary calls me at 06:00 in the morning? (I have caller ID for my mobile phone) I found out later that It was from Cargill. They might wanted to tell me that if I don't show up, they'd suspend me.
I went to CT building and wrote the exam. with at least 13 to 15 other persons. It was one of my happiest day in Canada! You may don't believe this and ask why. They showed video clips about different short stories in a bus and then asked a silly question about the situation. It was so funny that I could't help it. There was a big Canadian woman besides me and guess she was angry with me but said nothing.
There was stories about everything that may happen in a bus and were all hilarious. For example there was a scene of a drunk girl steps in the bus and then had fight with a drunk guy who was trying to wrap his arm around her. Gays, asking for a date from a female co-worker and other ridiculous situations. The funny thing was nobody were laughing except a Polish guy in the left side of me and just may be two or three times.
People were mostly Canadians. There were also 3 East Indians, including two Sikhs, one an old man with white beard and a light brown turban. He didn't even know how to use the coffee machine and asked me to help him. It was clearly written " Push Down " I wonder how he was able to read the questions and answer them. When I was goin' out I found him driving a cab! There was a Polish moron, as usu. they r! Also cab drive and said is here for a part-time job. He thought I'm French! Because of my accent. Two women. Both Canadian. One Eastern European. I have no idea where the hell he was from. And all others Canadians.
You don't have to look at their (Canadians) face or cloths to recognize them from other people. They walk around with a bottle of Coke or Pepsi in the summer and with a cup of coffee in the winter!! And it usu. takes at least one hour to finish that cup!
We were told that if we receive a phone call by 04:00 in the afternoon in Wed. it means that we've passed the exam. and should proceed to the next step which is interview, I guess.
Ali Mehraban, who works for CT and is also a musician told me almost everything about CT. He also works for Moores. I have to call him again and make some things more clear. May be tomorrow night.

Sunday, October 05, 2003

A Response After 4 Months

I had a phone call today from Calgary Transit. I applied for a job as a driver in June and this is for a 3 hours written exam. in tomorrow at 01:00 PM. I'll go.

The Second Anniversary of Sep.11.01 on CBC

There was an interesting show on CBC in the 2nd anniversary of Sep.11.01. Although it's about a month but I'm gonna tell you about that. John Manley, deputy prime minister, minister of finance of Canada and also a member of the Parliament, who is being said that is the next prime minister of Canada, regardless of the fact that he has a very powerful competitor (I don't remember his name!) was in a plane on his way home while the first plane crashed to one of the WTC towers. Canadian officials were very worried about planes which were headed toward Canadian cities. Each single plane was a possible suicide tool. So what they did is they guided almost all planes to remote airports of the country like the one in N. F.
When the pilot acknowledged what had happened to some flights in New York City, he asked Manley about what to say to the passengers. He suggested say nothing to them until they have to. CBC showed a narrow runway in a small airport, filled with tens of planes parked side by side with all passengers inside. They were tired and agitated after hours in the planes and were asking hosts and hostesses about what was going on.

How Extraordinary and Unpredictable Are Some Girls?

Let me tell you what interesting has happened since I started a new life here. I wrote about an East Indian girl from Edmonton who found me on the net and insisted me to call her. She was very interested. First she, Renay, was very passionate and encouraged me to move to Edmonton and asked me to send her my resume and said that she helps me to get a job there, sent me kisses and talked about love and marriage and asked for my photos. She were supposed to come to Calgary to visit me. But after a short time, she became a completely different person. Although she continued calling me but didn't show that first interest, never. I guess she found an East Indian guy there in Edmonton or her ex-boyfriend called her or found somebody. from Fiji. That's how most of girls are. They just come to u when u have big money, a luxury car and u r available, especially when they need somebody to have sex with.
Also there was a very nice and pretty Persian girl in L. A. who I used to talk to her last year on the net and sometimes on the phone. Sara, used to send me kisses and hugs and talking of coming over Calgary in summer. But when found that I don't have a car, (I didn't have one last year) and I don't have a good job, stooped talking to me. She lied about everything, like what Renay did. But she was very kind, nice and pretty Persian girl.

Sunday, September 28, 2003

A Trouble for Troublemaker!

I was caught by the cops the day after I get my car! I was driving to Anderson C-train Station and noticed that a police car is behind me. I didn't have the registration, my license still has my previous address on it and the serial number of insurance card doesn't match with the serial number of the car! So I'm a potential money maker for the police.
I slowed down and continued to drive while I was looking at my rear-view mirror. When I reached a cross section and it was green I stopped and waited for their reaction while was thinking of my mistake. I didn't find anything wrong with my driving so started driving and passed the cross section. As soon as I did that, the police car turned it's lights on and also a big bright light! I got timid and pulled over immediately while using my signal.
I knew from before that when I'm caught by the police, should not leave the car in any circumstances. So stayed in the car and was waiting for him or her. Actually both. 'cause there are two crew members usu. in a vehicle. One man and one woman. It seemed the police officer was afraid too as it took more than usually to get to me. There was a moustache man who was holding a flashlight and walking toward my car slowly. I asked " Did I do something wrong sir? " He asked for my registration and license. I saw the other one at the other side of the car. A young pretty girl, gazing at me. I gave him my license and insurance card and explained that I'm goin' to get the registration paper today because I didn't register the car and the dealer forgot to gave me the paper. He told me that my tail light is off and I have to turn it on to make it possible for the other motorists to see me from behind. I did that and apologized for what I have done. He didn't noticed that the address on license is different from the address on the insurance card! and asked if I still live at Taraglen and I said Yes! He could give me a ticket, I guess but didn't and let me go!
This is the 4th time that I face the police in Canada! The first time was just a couple of weeks after my arrival. I get off the train and faced two transit police which asked me for the fare. I had an expired one. Showed it and as there are a man and a woman together, the lady was goin' to give me a ticket but the guy stopped her. I explained that I'm new to the country and don't know the rules and regulations, although I knew that rule very good! The lady explained how to use a ticket machine and they let me go! I was lucky 'cause I found out later that the ticket is $150 and it's kept as a record!
The second time is not important to mention but the third time, I get fined for my accident which I wrote before. A $69 ticket. Must be more careful!
One more thing: It's mentioned in my license that I have to use glasses or contact lenses while I'm driving but the police didn't notice that too! How much have I saved!?

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Brand New 2003 Toyota Echo

As I promised, (Did I!?) I'm writing the postponed important events. After my visit to Royal Tyrrell Museum I called Heninger Toyota to talk about a Toyota Echo which I paid for last Feb. Actually I just had paid a little amount as deposit but never went to get the car although they called me and left messages at least 3 times. I made an appointment and talked to the Chinese guy, the sales rep. Although it's a Japanese car but there are many Chinese guys in there.
Anyways I made up an story for them and excused for my 7 months delay! I added two more options (Air Conditioning and power door lock) and get the car after all necessary bureaucracies on Sep.16.03. I asked for a silver one and the second choice was black. So what I got is a black one. It's a regular car and compare to what I have driven after I had my driving license in Canada, is something ordinary. I have driven Chrysler Sebirg, Jeep Grand Chrokee, Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac Grand Am and Pontiac Firebird. The last one is the car which I had accident with! I crashed a brand new Honda Civic 2003 in my way home in 33 Ave SW. The driver told me that he had bought it 2 weeks ago! It was a really magnificent car. I got a ticket of $69 for that. But fortunately it was a minor and didn't effect my insurance bill.
All cars I used to drive as a rental car were automatic but I bought a standard. It's a bit cheaper and I paid the difference for A/C, 15" tires and power lock, which is a package.