After reading the 42 responses to Arsineh, I must say that there are a lot of strong opinions out there. However, anyone who actually knows Arsineh personally would have no doubts about her full commitment and dedication to Armenian causes, political and artistic. I think some of the postings brought up by a select few were in poor taste, despite the feeble attempt at stylistically trying to seem sophisticated.

The Armenian activities in the Boston area are heating up with one very interesting program on April 24, 2004. It is the performance of the Shoghaken Ensemble from Armenia featuring Dudukist Gevork Dabaghian. The concert has been organized by the music label Traditional Crossroads and Harold Hagopian. This is the first time in recent memory authentic traditional Armenian music is being presented here in Boston with musicians from Armenia.

I head out to Armenia sometime in March and I can't wait. My first task will be to meet with all of the artists on Pomegranate and try to formulate a plan to get them more exposure. I will also be on the lookout for new music as well. However, after a few years away from Hayastan, I will be hoping to just relax a little with some good friends. Well, as much as one week will allow.

Well, I've been home all day realizing that TV is full of junk... home sick. How very depressing. But I already feel better.

So not I can give my update. Since the latest log, there have been a plethora of meetings. Between AYF Olympics (for 2005 in DC), April 24th community meetings and regular AYF and senior and junior meetings, it seems like not a single night of the week is open anymore. But last weekend there was no stopping me. Despite the Friday night Senior meeting, I was determined to find my way to Montreal. I hopped on a 7am flight from Baltimore to NY to connect through to Montreal. I had a nice little 5 hour delay in NY, but finally reached Montreal where my dear friends Lalai and Perouz awaited... thanks guys. Having no obligations whatsoever, I simply enjoyed a nice evening with my friends... until... Ah, that's right, the Harout dance. Though my trip was not designed around the dance, I coincidentally picked the weekend he was there. So, when in Rome... go to a Harout dance.

We had a blast as always, not to mention the many other Philly and DC folks who showed up. Now THOSE guys are loyal fans.

The ride back was a simple 10 hour drive with 4 others from DC. Not as bad as I thought it would be, but next time, I think I'll just schedule my flight WELL in advance and get a simple roundtrip ticket for a decent price. Yikes.

Important issues, I'm still overwhelmed by the cowardly attack in Budapest of the Armenian military official by his Azeri counterpart. There is a lot of discussions sparking up about what direction this is going to take and what this means for Kharabagh.

And of course, it is almost impossible to avoid the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's new movie "The Passion of the Christ." I have to say that I am a big fan of his, Braveheart... I've seen about 100 times. Every day it seems like freedom of speech is disappearing from this country. I'm going to see this movie... probably with my eyes closed half the time because it's suppose to be so violent, but I love Mel.

Of course, everything has to come back to the Armenians. Apparently during Gibson's interview with Diane Sawyer (I think) he mentioned the Armenian genocide. The segment was removed from the final aired interview, but he did mention it as a part of history. If only he made 40 Days of Musa Dagh. But it would probably be too similar to Braveheart, I suppose.

Me again...

I'd like to respond to some comments about my last log. First off, to the anonymous commenter, who said that moving to Armenia wasn't about song/dance, walks, artibridge, yevayln.... Well, my dear friend, to me... it is a part of why I dream of moving there. The fact that those things are available to each person to do in their daily life...no matter who they are (repat or not) is great! In L.A., how often do you walk down the street on your way to meeting someone (possibly for work) and hear Armenian music and just feel this great sense of belonging and rest. Ummmm NEVER. These are the things we lack in our daily lives here, which we enjoy in Armenia... and trust me, I'd switch being deprived from the little meaningful experiences with having conditioner in my hair cause the hot water finished, anyday! Most people are not willing to make that trade... maybe someone reading this log (much like the author of that article) could not imagine a life where they would have to plan on how to do laundry, or figure out how to dry clothes when it's below freezing outside...

Here's how I look at it. If everyone would rather NOT live in our little landlocked - blockaded - corruptly governmented (ya, i make up words) country... then let's assume that our population would probably be FIVE. And with 5 people, we'd be sayin' "byebye Hayasdan", and we'd really not have a country. 10-15 years later, our children would learn about this country we USED to have, and how people just decided to stop living there cause life there was a little tougher than life in other countries. Would our kids wonder about who those idiots were? And what about all the other people who have sacrificed A LOT more than their "security" for the sake of keeping our little Hayasdan? Doesn't each Armenian feel that burden? Obviously not... so why not? How could I expect other Armenians to live in Armenia and keep my country for me, so that my kids will learn about an existant Armenia? I am willing to participate... and if that means I'd have to somehow figure out a way to survive there - then that's what I would have to do.

I agree that this challenge is not for everyone... so I'm not saying EVERYONE should just get up and go to Hayasdan. But there are people passionate enough, not just about Hayasdan and its future, but about life in general. I know they exist... I see their eyes when I talk to them about Hayasdan... they're waiting for someone to encourage them to make the change... to take the first step. Sure, the life of a Diasporan Armenian living in Armenia is going to be VERY different than the lives of those who were fortunate enough to be born and raised and living in Armenia today. We are different people, but at our core... we have that one special ingredient... let's not forget this! We have come so far in 12 years, and we will get even further in the next 12... if the treatment of "average" people is bad in Yerevan as Aram said, then do we just state that and deduce that living there would be impossible... or not worth the trouble? No. If you don't believe that you can change that... I do. :)

TSUH! :)~
--back to work--

It looks like a March 2004 trip to Hayastan for about a week. It will be my first time back since February/March of 2002. I look forward to seeing old friends and maybe meeting some new ones. There is supposed to be some chess summit in Kharabagh with Boris Spassky attending and playing in a tournament. My friend Aram is fanatical about chess and I will probably be roped into "watching chess". Like paint drying... but, I supposed it's good for the region. Actually, I am sure the Azeri's are pissed about Spassky attending this tournament. I like that.

I've been listeing to Alla Levonyan a lot lately. Her latest CD is my first exposure to her music, although I've heard of her from a lot of friends. She's got a great voice and the arrangements are pretty good. Other CD's I've run into is Yo-Yo Ma's live recording "Abrigado Brazil: Live in Concert". I had a chance to grab a reviewer copy from Sony and have really enjoyed his crossover work with Brazilian and Latin American musicians. Unbelievable musician.

If anyone is interested in helping build the next generation Pomegranate Music website please let me know. Volunteers are VERY welcome. You will get a lifetime supply of Pomegranate Music CD's and free concert tickets for any of our artists anywhere in the world. I will even buy you/y'all a beer or two. Gotta love grassroots indie world music.

Tomorrow is Lilit's concert in NYC. Haven't decided if I am going to cut out of work and make the trek down for the show. She is leaving the States on the 21st back to Armenia. We will check out recording studios in Yerevan when I visit in March.

Kojian, what happened to my place in Lori! Are we going to get it or what :)

Arevortiks I...(Son of the Sun)

While the Argentinean people is on vacations, the Armenian Community of Argentina is planning a new year of activities. A huge Khatchkar arrived from Armenia, it will accompany a fountain in the PLAZA ARMENIA (Armenia Park) at Av. Figueroa Alcorta & Pampa St., in one of the most beatiful places of this huge city. Plaza Armenia is situated in the Palermo Forest, which is one of the biggest green places of Buenos Aires. Thanks to Karagozian family Karekin II will appreciate the debut of this new monument dedicated for the armenian people.

www.birthrightarmenia.org I received their e-mail asking to complete a long survey. Does anyone know about this movement? It seems like a big organization after the "Tebi Yergir" slogan. The survey was ok, but i think that there were many obvious questions and other interesting ones, too. I hope they will contribute to enforce the Armenia-Diaspora bridge.

I remember something that Richard Hovannisian told me on his last visit to Argentina. There has no been any congress in Armenia with diasporans about the study to unify a concept for the Armenian Genocide. Not only about this Genocide issue, but in many others about history, too. Pan-Armenian games has been a great strike of propaganda and a super excuse to increase the tourism in Armenia and to unite the diaspora as well. Now, why can´t we organize lots of other intelectual activities to focus the diaspora on Armenia?

Diaspora and Armenia, mutual enrichment...mutual enlightment...

A song of Rush tells

"Spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission"

The Armenian Knights are ready, no matter where are they living...
They are just waiting...
For their mission.

It's about 1am (technically Friday), and for this or that reason, I can't sleep. So I decided to log about something I recently read. Let me preface the story by saying that, obviously as someone who hopes to move to Armenia soon (and strongly believes that it will happen), I find it difficult to have discussions with people who are pessimistic and unencouraging... so basically judgemental and unaccepting of others' views. Let me also say that I've been thinking A LOT about this issue of "Tebi Yergir" and how a movement can start in today's world...

Several months ago, I was reading an article that this southern Californian born and raised person had written. The title of the article was "Tebi Yergir", so of course it caught my eye. I started reading, and at first, the article seemed like it was really going somewhere. Then, it just left me with my mouth open, wondering how I could find this author and enlighten the poor soul. Basically, the article spoke about how absurd it was to think that someone who was born and raised in America (especially Southern Cali) could just leave and go live in a country like Armenia. And the article goes on and on about a few reasons why this would be something that the author would NEVER do... how s/he could never leave their bubble of L.A. and venture out to experience another life... especially not one in her/his homeland. This person even stated in the article that s/he had never even been to Armenia, and MAYBE could go for a visit, someday. I'm not going to state specifics...

I have to say that I was deeply saddened after reading the article. I put the magazine down and just wondered how it was that someone who has never been to Armenia could even write such an article, attempting to pursuay readers that living in Armenia is a big crock. I don't know why this bothered me so much, but it did. It might be because I myself want to move there soon, or maybe because I do know a lot of people (loggers, just to name a few) who have "sacrificed" the "luxuries" that author so clearly cannot live without, to live in our homeland... breathe Armenian air... see Ararat everyday...once in a while get harassed by that kid on Abovian who always has a sick sibling to beg for...run out of hot water while there's still conditioner in ur hair...hear the beautiful music of an accordian player across the street from Artbridge playing "Sari Siroon Yar"....saying "bless you'' to someone (cause they sneezed) at an internet cafe and getting weird looks... etc. These are the little experiences that make up my "Armenia"-life... and it's funny how each one is just perfect. You know, sometimes I think about all the things we end up HAVING in our lives here in the US, and I really don't see this freedom that we keep talking about and having to "fight for". Sure, there must've been that freedom idea a long long time ago, but there is no freedom for anything nowadays... especially not with things like the patriot act, etc. Take the smallest example. If you turn on the radio... to any popular radio station, you listen to the same 20 songs that certain people have decided you're going to listen to. For a land that's soooooo free, we surely don't use that freedom... or maybe we're just too busy running around in our lives to even realize we crave it. Another thing... today a weird, unfamiliar car was parked in front of our house...and it had become the biggest deal. Who was that young person who comes and goes inside the car? What was he doing in our neighboorhood? Is he going to burglarize one of the homes and murder the people inside? ... My god... what is this fear that we live with?

I've digressed.... I guess my point is mainly, there are always positive and negative aspects of living in a particular place. For example, for some people the positives of LA life outweight the negatives, so they are happy here, and could not imagine (like that author) living anywhere else.. whether it's Zimbabwe or Hayasdan. There are other people who see more negatives in LA-life (or actually they see the reality of life here) and so, living somewhere else will be better for them. It's not for everyone. But let's not sit there and judge people for seeing the good in our little Hayasdan and deciding to keep it strong for us, while we're on "vacation".

"Welcome to Hayasdan... Pessimists keep out!" -- new sign coming at zvartnots (when I'm President one day.. he he he)

TSUH! :)~

Right now, the need to visit Armenia again is pretty strong. Since Lilit Pipoyan performed here in Boston, I have once again turned my attention to new artist development in Armenia. I am happy to say that Lilit and I have tenatively agreed to release her 3rd CD on Pomegranate. While she is an established musician, there are others that have immense talent in Armenia without an outlet. I hope to visit Armenia in March for about 7 days to sign a new artist. If you know of any unique talent in Hayastan, please email me. I can tell you that kemancha players, female folk/pop vocalists, avant garde classical music, and traditional folk ensembles are on my hit list this time around.

Getting our products into distribution can sometimes be a headache. Right now, I am soliciting this UK company called PROPER to get our stuff in all of the UK stores. If you have a big catalog, your chances increase. If you have a small catalog, the stuff better be good and sell. Here in the States, there is a crisis in the recording industry. Selling CD's for $18.99 won't fly anymore and there is a major backlash. Some ways labels try to get around this boycott is to offer the music online at iTunes or MusicMatch for around $9.99. Downloads are the way to go. Or, simply selling CD's for around $13 does the trick as well if you want the booklet. Either way, the industry is tanking and major changes need to take place.

Bootlegging in Armenia. I have finally submitted to the reality that we will have to offer our products in Armenia for about $4. No way around it. That should start in the summer...

Peace.

A quick note from me (I am still in Armenia, don't worry!)

I am looking for new loggers for this page. We have 3 pretty active loggers from the USA, and one logger in Argentina. What I am looking for is preferably as follows.

Geographically:
Europe (including CIS), Mid East, Australia, Latin America are preferred
Age:
Any age if you are located in one of the places, otherwise over 40 would be good for variety.
Marital Status:
Married with Children would be interesting, but again, if you are in the geographic areas above, this is not important.

What I am interested in are people who can log once or twice a week. If you are not in the USA, I do not mind if you type with an accent :-) Interesting loggers are much more important that great English. I just want you to share your daily life, and write about life where you live, and your community.

Also, a quick, public thank you to the current loggers. They have been doing such a great job I didn't realize they were so few in number! I just want to add some diversity though, since these guys are all about 30 years old (give or take), single, and mostly in the USA.

This shouldn't really count as a log, but just a little quick note.

So today I was home since I wasn't feeling all that great, and I was vegging/resting in front of the TV. My dad came home and of course the channel went straight to CNN. They were showing the primaries in Tennessee (i'm pretty sure that's where it was-- or maybe virginia), and when John Kerry went up to give his speech, this BIG sign went up behind up... like someone held it up.. and GUESS what it said! "Armenians for Kerry". It was the funniest thing. Of course my dad had to call everyone and inform them to watch CNN cause the word "Armenians" was on national TV. hahaha

I wonder who that was........

TSUH!:)~
for now

Right Here, Right Now ! ! !

Shame on you JUAN!!!
Life is now giving me time to breath. I had no vacations, i was right here, in the city i love, Buenos Aires...
Many things happened since December.
Firstly, i want to tell that the visit of Professor Vahakn Dadrian was great. He is not only a great intelectual but a great person.
He gave GenocidioArmenio.org lots of advices and new information about what is happening with this issue. Let wisdom never leave him !!!

2004...The Vehapar Karekin II is coming here (maybe on may). I'll be honest, i really don't care about it. Its like, i think is time for the Armenian Church to review its attitude of the last famous 1700 years "governing" the Armenian nation. For example, here in Argentina, churches are getting really empty. It's not only a shame, it's deeper than that. When a community gets empty of spirituality, it becomes weaker. Maybe the christianity is loosing soldiers on the whole planet. Anahid...has your time come to reappear???

Hey ! ! ! While I'm writting this words, i am listening to this canadian band, RUSH, and i Think...I MISS ARMENIA. Yes, i really miss it. I want to visit Yerevan Punk City once more. But this year, i have other plans...

www.padus-araxes.com <---- VENICE 2004. Time to learn and enforce my armenian. So maybe i'll be near Hayr Levon Zekiyan, studying armenian on the summer course he offers in Venice, at the Ca' Foscari Unviersity. Lots of Armenians of many parts of the world go near H. Zekiyan to improve or to learn our antique and richfull language. What's more, Venetik or Venedig (Venice in armenian) is one of the oldest diasporan settling of armenians. Since Abad Mekhitar and the Mekitarist Fathers founded their monastic Catholic Church, they built an Tresure Island of the Armenian History. Apart from that, Venedig is one of the most active places of armenians in Italy, we can add Milan and Rome, too.
It's interesting to discover the old and pure diaspora places as the Balkans or India. If we investigate, armenians in Calcutta (India), Transylvania or Buccarest (Romania), Varna or Sofia (Bulgary), have left the Armenian or Anatolia since year 1300. So imagine what you could find in those places...

For those who like the punk rock, i make a formal presentation. www.hashishpunk.com is already ready, in spanish and in english. My band is growing "gamatz, gamatz" so time to time.
During December we have been playing and getting ready to offer our stuff to the record companies. It's hard while you work and study at the same time.
In the web site you will find lots of photos, some audios and a new style to understand a diaspo-patriotic-progressive-punk-rock-band, hahhaha. On the news section you have a Guestbook, leave a message if u want, and click on the cilicia link as well!!!
;-)
Enjoy it and promote it!!!

Shing-Shang, the bad and the good, Black and White, Light and Dark, Heaven and Hell...oh, i forget one Diaspora and Armenia !!!
Duality is one, vibration is eternal !!!

I'll try to log more often, big bachikner to all of you.

So much has happened since my last post. I'll start from the beginning. The AIPRG (Armenian International Policy Research Group) Conference was held the World Bank on January 18-19. I attended briefly on the first day only to hear the banking session. While there were some interesting mentions of mortgage options and teaching Armenians to save, I hardly understood a single number. The next day was the more Diaspora focused sessions which I attended. It was a success, but it was also last week so the thoughts aren't fresh in my brain. Sorry.



Following the conference, we went to a friend's house to catch the AFC Championship game where the Patriots claimed their win to move onto the Superbowl.

The week was crazy busy. The big news was the Protest for Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan's visit. He has begun a more aggressive approach to not only denying the genocide was a genocide, but actively attempting to remove the entire event from the history books. So the AYF in DC coordinated with the Kurds and protested outside of the American Enterprise Institute where he spoke. All Thursday morning through lunch we chanted and made our presence very well known. The New York Times published an article on us, the Turkish press was there reporting on our protest, and the people on the street couldn't help but inquire what was going on. We had flyers of info ready to distribute which flew out of our hands. It ended once all the Turks left the building. Little did they know the same greeting was waiting for them up in Boston the next day during Erdogan's visit with his son at Harvard University.



Though I didn't get there in time for the Boston protest, I did arrive in Boston soon after. I caught up with my good friends Baykar and Narine and then crashed on Raffi Meneshian's futon as he watched Oz. The concert was Saturday night and I was mezmorized by Lilit. Her performance, her presence, her voice, the Chamber Quartet, Aharon, the whole night was spectacular. I can't say much else than that. We had a reception after the show where I had a chance to congratulate her and talk about a possible show in DC... keep an eye out for that. Otherwise, she is a very down to earth and sweat character.

Next morning I jumped in my car at 6 am and got back on the road down south. I picked up my passenger in Providence on the way down and only stopped once for some coffee. Otherwise, it was a straight 8 hour drive to DC where a nice Superbowl Party awaited. I invited all my fellow Patriot fans and then some to watch the game on my not so big, but decent size screen. WHAT A GAME!!!! Though I am a Redskins fan before anything, when the Skins are out for the count, I direct all my obnoxious competitive football fanaticism toward the Patriots. That and Tom Brady is one big hunk of gorgeous. ;)

So GO PATRIOTS!!! Another win, but sadly this time I wasn't in Boston to celebrate with all of New England. Have a good party up there and don't get frostbite standing in line at the Rack after the Pats Parade... you wont get in, believe me.

I've been idle... I know. I think it's mainly cause there isn't much of anything going out lately, that's worth writing about anyway. I go to work everyday... go to meetings... nothing spectacular there.

Apparently I missed a REALLY awesome evening on Friday, put on by the ANC-Proffesional Network. I can't believe I missed it, for no reason other than pure laziness... I was told it was a great evening listening to Harout perform songs he never sings at barahanteses and weddings... and on TOP of all that, Gor performed too. What's wrong with me? Guess who was kicking who where when she heard! Anyway, good job... I hope it becomes a tradition. :)

There's really no exciting news to report here. I start my class at CSUN tonight ... the one I need to be DONE. It's gonna be a long 5 months!

Wishing I was in Hayasdan...

TSUH!:)~
p.s. - thanks for the concert info. :)