This has been a great few days of baseball. I was born and raised in Chicago and played high school ball there. I am a huge Cubs fan, and today they clinched the NL Central. I moved to Boston 14 years ago and have slowly become a Red Sox fan. Talk about torture. Well, a few days back, they clinched a wild card spot. If the Sox and Cubs make it to the World Series, don't even ask who I would root for. Couldn't tell ya..

The usual stuff is happening in the Boston area. Concerts, lectures, plays, etc. Of note is the Sayat Nova Dance troupe on October 5th. It's their first show in 4 years. Also, in LA and SF that weekend, Gor will be playing at various locations.

I don't have much to say these days, so, I'll call it a day here.

As I commented, I am going to devote an entire log to this AYF 70th Anniversary thing. Not to promote, not to advertise, but to draw attention to a very interesting event, a first, if I may.

All year long, chapters have been throwing their own 70th Anniversary events, as this year marks the 70th Anniversary of the AYF. However, the designated location for the entire region is Philadelphia. Well, this Philly chapter has created quite an event for this thing. The line up is such: Friday night a combo of Aravod and the Michael Gostanian Ensemble. Recently added to the line up is Karnig Sarkissian. Saturday night will be a back and forth between Harout and band, and Onnik and band. I've seen interesting combos, but never quite like this.

I know I'm all against barahandeses, but this is no simple barahandes. This is pure entertainment. All the usual suspects... together. It's like the movie... you have your usual crimes with individual criminals, but put them all together in one room and you get a legendary story. Well my friends, this will be a legendary weekend of music. The weekend is mid-November, so if you aren't there yourselves, I will be more than happy to report the details as they unfold. Stay tuned!

THE BEST DC WEATHER I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!

It doesn't get better than this... the temperature is perfect, the skies are blue, humidity is down, and a hurricane just came through to clean out the polution, so the air is clean! Though I believe 100,000 houses are still without power, 8 days later. It's a huge issue here. I'm just surprised our house got power after a day. Ours is always the first to go during a storm. Perhaps our people got so used to fixing our power, they have it down to an art. :)

Anyway, this week is nice and calm in DC. Congressman Pallone just got up on the House floor and spoke against Aliyev... didn't catch what it was for. I've been getting a lot of interested people calling in about our program... helping people get jobs in Washington. Apparently there's more Armenians out there than I thought interested in working for public policy offices. I love it.

Last weekend was Paul and Karnig, this weekend is Adiss. As much as I want to skip, I think I might owe it to someone. I might just get suckered into going.

It's been a while since I seriously thought about my next trip to Armenia, and I think it's about time. It's officially been too long. But the question is when. My head spins every time I think about the next few months. Either it's a barahandes or Seminar or meeting. Until January, I'm swamped. Ah, but where there is a will, there is a way!

Not much else going on. Sort of a boring few weeks, so I might be quiet for a while. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Isabel is gone, but the effects are not. Many still have no power, 4 days after the storm. I have no cable, but I'm not crying since now that I live in DC, Redskins games are aired on network channels every week (a nice change from seeing Redskins games only when they played the New England Patriots). I'm just sad I had a chance to watch a game that they lost... in overtime, no less.

I did manage to get out of town Friday just after the hurricane, with no problems at the airport. I went to Chicago for a meeting. It's been a while since I made a trip out there. I used to go regularly to Chicago, but not lately. So I got to see a lot of faces of people who have disappeared off the face of the planet... or rather, the Armenian community.

I also went to the HMEM dance, featuring Paul & Karnig. It was very interesting to see the crowd that this dance brought out. There was an overwhelming number of out-of-towners. I'm starting to feel like one of them since I've seen Paul 3 times in 3 different cities this year already... let's set this straight... for OTHER purposes, coincidentally his dances fell on the same weekends as other meetings and events.

Though none of those performances compare to this one. We had the pleasure in Chicago to see Paul change his shirt on stage. Some of the guys printed t-shirts with a photo of Paul on the front, gave him one and sure enough, Paul took his shirt off and put on the other shirt right there. I couldn't make it up if I tried.

I discovered a large community of Baghdadzis at this event. My God it's true what they say. These people are crazy. Having revealed the fact that my father was born in Basra, they went NUTS. Oh, another Baghdadzi... no, Basra... BAGHDADZI!!! Crazy nuts. Gotta love 'em.

I believe they are planning to travel this weekend to either Boston for Karnig again, or DC for Adiss. Remember my "death to the barahandes" log? Yeah... still the same sentiment. Though I'm growing a fondness of Kebab nights/Tavloo Tournaments.

If you're in L.A., or you have the capability of being here next weekend.. you MUST go to the Alex Theatre to see the "Sounds of Armenia". I went to see it Sunday night, and it was absolutely AMAZING!!! First of all, the performers are all incredible. Each of them bringing their own style, but collectively giving an excellent performance. Just to name a few of the singers -- Anoush, Inga (the sisters), Arsen, Sona (she's 10)... and there's more. There will be one more show next Sunday at the Alex... so be sure to go, cause these kids are great.

Other than this, my weekend went very well. I was busy all days, but got to relax at the same time. It just worked out well. I'm almost ready to go to bed and start a brand new week in the morning... although I feel like the weeks are passing SO fast! Tonight while I was talking to Arsen, one of the singers, we were discussing the day we wen to Noravank and then had a picnic in Yegheknatsor... and it seems like it was just last week I was in Hayasdan. I was somewhat saddened, but then I look at it this way -- it's good that time passes fast in LA, cause the sooner it passes, the sooner the time will come for me to go back to Hayasdan. ... And on a random note - going back to the show - I was so touched by the performance, because I felt like these singers brought a piece of Hayasdan here for me to enjoy for an evening. I'm seriously thinking of going again next week. :)

ok.. time for bed...
TSUH! :)~

Musical Piracy, Part 2

I've gotten a lot of private emails with regard to the topic of CD piracy. It's also generated a fair amount of comments. So, I hope can wrap this thing up with a few more words. More comments are welcome. So, here is the deal:

I am going to experiment with a few things on our 6th CD release in Spring 2004. The music to Lav Eli: Underground Armenian Rock is all set to go, but, we are going to wait until Hover's Six Fables CD starts to sell a bit and Gor's new CD is launched in November. What Pomegranate is going to do is print local CD's for Lav Eli in Armenia. The packaging will be bare bones and the product will even look like a bootleg copy. It will have Armenian script throughout and we will sell it to wholesalers (if there is demand, of course) for about $1.50 for a retail price of $3.00 in local currency (dram). It will probably cost about $1.25 per CD to press. We will end up breaking even with no profit. Additionally, we will look into pressing cassettes as well and offer them at similar prices. The content on the CD will be a bit different (haven't decided exactly how yet), and those people who shell out the cash for the real product will probably have full lyrics, more music, and maybe even a video or two included. A little added value for a $10-$12 real CD product. The goal with the cheap CD's made in Armenia is to offer the music to the masses at a price that the local population can afford (Diasporans and Armenian Residents). The other more ovbious reason for the price war is to beat the Pirateers to the punch.

The gloves are off, I am ready to rumble with people who steal the music of independent Armenian artists, and my label. See you in the ring.

Ok... No Isabels in L.A. really.... but if there are interesting earthquakes.. you can be sure I'll write about them. Which reminds me.. how come we don't get to name our earthquakes? Not fair!

Work is in full swing, and I don't have as much time to do all the things I'd like to do in the day. I'm usually at my desk around 9:30am, and I have to get as much done as I can before I have to go pick up my brother from school at 12:15, then go back to work, and if it's a Tuesday or Thursday - leave work again to take my brother to another class he takes at a different high school at 3:30...then go back to work.... then decide what's for dinner and make it... and then if it's Wednesday, Thursday or Friday... go to a meeting. Uffff... hoknetsa just writing about it! So as you can see... I'm so busy during the week.

We're also in a moving frenzy at home.. trying to find empty boxes from here and there and we've already started filling them up. This morning I woke up cause of the loud sound of a saw, right outside my window... the crew was here working on the roof. Not a nice sound to wake up to.

More and more I'm wishing I was in Hayasdan rather than here. I'm starting to plan my New Year's trip... so at least that gives me some hope.

In October I'm going to be going to a FABULOUS Armenian opera called "Zvart" by Tigran Tchouhadjian. (there are 2 shows, Oct. 18 and 19). I think it's gonna be amazing and I'm VERY excited. I hope I can get a picture to show you guys!

That's all for now...
TSUH! :)~

Juan, I am tempted to visit Buenos Aires myself.

Well, today is the anticipated day. Hurricane Isabel is coming to visit. Though most of Washington was closed down, I managed to get in a good day of work. Of course, the ANC office was in full swing today. We managed to get out around 3:30, just as the winds started picking up. As I was on my way home with a friend, my mom called to say the power went out. Luckily, after a couple hours at home, the power came back, so I'm trying to fit in all the stuff I can do with power before it goes out for good.

Amazing how much you appreciate power when you could loose it in a second. I think I have more power outtages here than in Armenia.

Looks like Hover is making a splash in the UK. Here is a 5 star review of their first performance there. Hover Review

ARMENIA STREET Vol. 1

Ohhh! Raffi was a bout to hang me up. Sorry you all. I had lots of problems (i still have) but the compromise is stronger. Log Log Log!!!
Anywayz...
Levon Mardikyan, a friend that visited Buenos Aires started to send me some photos that he took here. The Photos are about the Argentinean Communtity of Buenos Aires.
The loco thing about here is that all the institutions and clubs are places one next to the other in the same quarter, exactly on Armenia Street.
The photo you see is about NOR MARASH Club. The Marashtsies of Argentina built it up long time ago. Some years ago was a place to play backgammon or dancing parties but now has an enormous cultural and educational activities. There are two other Regional Armenian Unions with its buildings: Nor Aintab and Nor Hadj?n. (actually Nor Aintab is like "closed" status)
Every year the Marashtsies prepare the traditional Madagh to remember the Resistence of the City when Atat?rk re-attacked it at the beginnings of 1920...
On the other hand, there is a new book on the Armenian Genocide "EL ARBOL ARMENIO". Its a spanish book written by Mr. Guarch and the Preface done by the Judge Baltazar Garz?n. The book will be presented in Hamazkayn next Friday. An idea about the Genocide issue...Lets be wise, if USA and IRAN relationships get worse the Armenians might have good relationships with Turkey, there will be no option. (think that Georgia is pro-NATO nowadays) We know that the Genocide Cause was always a fight of the Diaspora but the Armenian Citizen will have to receive and commerce food with Turkey if Iran gets the Iraqian destiny...
Just some thoughts...

Today I had an interesting discussion with one of the people going through the program I direct at the ANC office. He's interning in a Congressional office and a group of us went down to Richmond today for a picnic at the Armenian church down there.

Anyway, on the way back, we had a long talk about a bunch of things, but he asked me a question that took me by surprise. He asked (in all good intensions) if I was involved in anything outside of the Armenian world. In otherwords, do I do anything at all that has nothing to do with Armenia. I was surprised to realize that my answer was no. Aside from having a few friends from school who I keep in touch with via e-mail, and one friend from my old job who I still talk to once in a while, my entire life revolves around Armenia.

I remember a time back in school that my life revolved around graphic design, I was one of the more involved people in my college, I was friends with everyone at school, my neighbors, and so many other people that had nothing to do with Armenia.

So he asked me what happened to all that and it was then that I realized moving to Armenia for the breif time that I did had completely shifted my priorities. It was then that I realized I didn't have to keep up this act of being something I'm not. I'm a graphic designer, yes. Do I care to succeed as a designer in the US? I did until I realized I didn't have to... when I realized my path is to move to Armenia.

He understood and didn't judge me, which I appreciated, but I think this is something that quite a few people struggle with... this expectation of having a life outside of being Armenian. All my life I battled with two identities, and I think at some point, I just gave up on it. Some people struggle and end up choosing their American identity, which is fine. I think my brother pretty much went that route.

American-Armenians are facing a very big challenge that doesn't exist much elsewhere, such places as Lebanon, Iran, Syria, etc., because they stick together and have no choice but to maintain their culture. America poses a different challenge. To stay Armenian, to balance your life and share your time between school, friends, career, and the Armenian community, volunteer work, hai tahd, and the struggle to stay Armenian, whatever that may be, can be a blessing and a curse. Some might think I'm anti-American. I'm not. I just think I'm fortunate to have discovered what I was meant to do.

By the way, here's a sneak preview of some of the photos from AYF Olympics that will appear in the Armenian Weekly special 16 page insert in this week's issue.

Well, I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Musical pirating has struck Pomegranate Music. I have received word from Gor that "Yeraz" was spotted in Yerevan for about $3 and it was obviously bootlegged. Since I am not in Yerevan, I can't claim to have seem the bootleg myself. However, the most distressing part of it is that it was spotted at "ArtBridge", a poplular hangout owned by a Diasporan. I've bought pirated CD's and tapes in Armenia myself, so, I am guilty as anybody in contributing to the process. However, I had some time to reflect and research this topic over the last year and here is what I think. In brief:

Consider this timeline. The artist creates the music and commits it to a CD. The CD costs money to produce. Selling the CD to the public allows consumers to hear new music and get reimbursed for the cost of the CD manufacturing. Then, the artist has an opportunity to create another CD and make a few bucks to live on etc. The effect of the pirating is quite devestating to independent Armenian artists. If an independent musician or label in Armenia scrapes up enough money to put his/her/their music on a CD and can't recover the money the result is 1. the artist may have trouble creating another opportunity to make a CD and thus the general public will most likely not have an opportunity to hear new music. 2. the artist may leave the country to pursuit a career outside the homeland. This creates a brain drain and perpetuates a currupt system. However, the most devestating aspect of musical piracy of independent artists is that it retards musical growth in Armenia and does not provide hope to emerging artists. In the end, society gets cheated.

So, if anyone in Armenia is willing to do this, go to ArtBridge and demand that the owner (from Boston of all places) stop selling pirated music. Instead, tell her to buy the real thing from artists or labels directly so in the future we all can continue creation and presenting music for the public. This is also a wakeup call for labels to lower their prices. I will do my part in the future to lower prices on my own label.

It's been a busy month. I can't even remember what my last log was about. My appologies to Kojian. However, I did make an effort to log last week and just as I finished a LONG log, my computer crashed on me. Darn PCs. It's good to be back on my Mac at home. :)

So one big thing to report on was the AYF Olympics in Providence 2 weekends ago. It was a memorable one, mostly for the mere reason that Detroit got beat out into fourth place. For those who follow AYF Olympics, Detroit has won the last three years and have fought with Providence for first or second for the last 20 years. This is quite a development.

But the major news is that there was no damage to the hotel, the events ran smoothly, Paul replaced Harout Friday night, and the Armenians danced... my God they danced!

The Harout to Paul switch... I think it was interesting to try something new, but I think it's time to bring back Harout. My favorite part of the weekend? THE TRACK! I know I'm sick in a twisted way, but while all the teenage girls are shopping for their Sunday night dress and all their many outfits for different times of the day, I anticipate the track. There's nothing like standing around a bunch of athletes, all your friends, and doing photography all day. Of course, I don't compete. But the way people are glued to the TV on Superbowl Sunday, I follow AYF Olympics. And despite weather reports that predicted rain all weekend long, the skies were blue and the weather was just perfect. The hot dogs were some of the best I ever tasted, and the stands were filled with families and friends. The highlight of my weekend.

So it was worth the 12 hour drive through traffic in a big black suburban filled with Armenians blasting Tata and Harout all the way up. Then the 10 hour drive back again through traffic. No other way to travel than in bulk.

Now I'm back in DC. The Capital Gateway Program is running well, as our first group of people have arrived and already are interning in Congressional Offices. We just held a GREAT reception at the ANCA office. We expected a 40 person turnout and ended up with 75 people we could count.

This weekend I'll be going to a picnic in Richmond. Next weekend I'm in Chicago for "Paaauuul" again, the next weekend perhaps NY for AYF duties, the next weekend at Camp Haiastan for AYF Senior Seminar. At some point I have to go to LA... just because it's time. I've stuck to my "every 6 months in LA" pledge, I don't plan on breaking it. Maybe Montreal.

And of course, Armenia will soon fall in that mix of travel eventually. Ah, it's good to be travelling again! I miss.... anything outside of DC. My hair has been one big frizz ball for the last 3 months with this crazy humidity.

Well, that should catch me up!

Being from the East Coast here in the States, we usually aren't privy to how best to ship stuff to Armenia. Of course, there is always giving it to a friend or relative to take with them in a suitcase, but, shipping product or goods in large quantities to Armenia seems to be a mystery to me. I would assume UPS or DHL, but, I often wonder if there are any Armenian-owned companies who ship from Glendale, etc. If anyone knows how that whole thing works, drop me an email.

There are the usual cultural Armenian events coming up here in Boston somewhere in October. Nune Yesseyan will be here (I may or may not go), and then there is a few classical music concerts. I'll try to post these on the Cilicia.com calendar. So, it seems like it will be a nice fall for the arts here in Boston. I think an Armenian themed movie by a Watertown filmmaker was shown at the Boston Film Fest recently. Can't remember the name of the movie, but, it was something like "Lost and Found" about a pawn shop.

On Saturday morning, bright and early at 8am, I went to Pilibos (Armenian School in Hollywood) where the Cleanup was going to begin. There was a sea of orange shirts in the school yard, which made me feel better - I wasn't the only one who had woken up at 6:30am on a Saturday to come clean streets. About 400 people ended up showing up by 9-9:30, and after a few speeches (Der Hayr praying for us, City Councilman Eric Garcetti's message, Armenia's Consul's message and the AYF's message) we were lined up, split in 3 big groups, and sent off to different parts of Little Armenia carrying rakes, brooms, trashbags, shovels, gloves, and masks.

Overall, the event went REALLY well. No major problems...and I have to say that it was quite fun! Most of the people on the street were of course Armenian and were glad to see us clean their sidewalk. :) At one point, we were inspired by a homeless sev dude to use a shopping cart to carry all our products and water, instead of having to lug them around...(see pic). It got REALLY interesting when one of the little kids in our group, Eric (see his shirt), got hold of the megaphone and entertained us by singing "Jan Bales Bales", "Yerevani Aghchignere", and other Tata/Aram songs. He closed the Cleanup for us with "Mer Hayrenik". Cute kid!

After the Cleanup, we drove to Fresno to go to the AYF's Harout Barahantes there. The night went really well and of course, Harout was as entertaining as always - except I don't really like him without his beard.... it's not Harout.

Busy weekend! Now... I'm getting ready for another busy week!

TSUH! :)~

Nothing much to report here from Boston. School has started again and we are in the midst of releasing two CD's in the next month. I spent some of the weekend watching the Nalbandian tennis on TV and both Armenians lost and did not get to the finals. Nalbandian's improbably victory over Roddick looked all but certain as he served for match point in the tiebreaker up two sets. But, downhill from there. Then, Agassi was upset by Ferrero.

Right now I am in the process of getting the stores and outlets the new Hover CD for sale. The official release date is September 16th although we have sneak preview locations to buy them in limited quantities. Abril Bookstore in Glendale, CA, the Hairenik Bookstore in Watertown, MA, and www.narek.com all have copies for sale. The CD hits the Tower's, Virgin, Barnes and Noble, etc in October...

Today is my first day at work. It's only 8:15am and it already feels like this is gonna be a long day. I'm starting to work at a mortgage lending office, doing processing (what I used to do when I was 19-20 years old). It's actually pretty interesting, especially since both my parents work in the field.

This weekend I went to a wedding and had a great time. I think I'm finally used to time change... but definitely not used to the difference of life here. We started packing our house, since we'll be moving at the end of the month or early October at the latest. I'm very excited.

There's a lot happening this weekend. Harout barahantes in Fresno, which I will most probably attend since I haven't seen my Fresno cousins in forever. There's also the AYF's "Little Armenia Cleanup". If anyone's interested in registering to help clean the streets of Little Armenia on Saturday, September 6 go to Register and sign up. You'll get free lunch, water, and a t-shirt. I really think this is an excellent idea... I'll let you know how it goes.

Time for work...

TSUH! :)~