Kohapanootyoon

I think this year is the first year that I've actually reflected on what I'm TRULY thankful for. I gave my students a "I'm Thankful for..." essay to do, and while reading some of them I realized how we used to think when we were 10. What was important to us then? What's important to us now? And most of all I realized that there are A LOT of people in the world who never see beyond a 10 yr old's thankfulness for (orinag) PS2 ... funny thing.

Armenia Fund Telethon.... it was a great day! I spent the second half of my day at the telethon, doing different things (actually I just worked wherever they stuck me). I answered phones for a while, and I spoke to so many enthusiastic people who were just thrilled to be part of something like this. It really was an amazement feeling being in those studios... so many different people had come together. There was ONE goal for the day... raise enough money to complete the highway. It didn't matter what you were doing, whether you were answering phones, calling people, entering data, MC-ing, performing, supervising, serving food, just a part of the audience... you were working towards that ONE goal. Thaaaaaaaaat was the most amazing feeling. Bravo to all the organizers and all the volunteers! I can't wait to use the highway we all built together! :)

This weekend was also the west coast's AYF Olympics (much smaller scale than east coast). Of course it was our luck that it rained most of the day.... but my chapter won the volleyball championship.. yaaaaay Zartonk! :) The Hollywood Musa Dagh chapter won the basketball championship... bravoooo!

I'm VERY excited about going to Hayasdan next month....I can officially say there's LESS than a month! :)

TSUH! :)~
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. For everything in the world, the cravings of sinful man and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone. I love this extended weekend every single year for the multiple reasons of getting together with friends, some family (new ones in my case), football, food, and now the Armenian Telethon. Today, I watched the telecast via webcast. I have to say that the Armenian Telethon looked very professionally run, had some great music, and was very informative It's a great uniting event that raised over $11 million dollars. Just getting back from Karabagh a few months ago, I can really appreciate the North-South highway goal that the Telethon is reaching for.

As far as my "Armenian Life" is concerned, it is pretty much wrapped up in (I am sure you can guess) the record label. I am trying to put the finishing touches on the Iakovos Kolanian "Armenian Folk Music for Guitar" tour for 2005. I have partnered up with Stepan Partamian of Garni to present Mr. Kolanian at the Barnesdale Theater and Gallery in Little Armenian Hollywood on both March 4 and 5. More details to follow.

I was up in the great city of Montreal last weekend with my wife for a quick vacation to do nothing but listen to music and watch movies. I really love our Canadian neighbors to the north. We just crashed in our hotel and went to Basha's for dinner, etc. I saw the "Incredibles", a tremendous movie that left me pretty blown away. I am not really into animated film, but this flick was, well... incredible. I bought some great music. 1. Rufus Wainwright- Want Two, 2. Khaled- "ya-Rayi", and 3. Emeline Michelle- "Rasin Kreyol". And, on Tuesday, I went out a purchased the new U2 album. The U2 was the weakest out of the the four discs, but pretty fun. My wife and I will head back up to Montreal in two weeks to see Rufus live in concert. I remember seeing him first perform at TT The Bear's in Cambridge, MA about 6 years ago when my friend Arto Payaslian opened up for him. Ever since, we have been hooked on his tunes. Check it out if you get a chance.

Starting Monday after work, I will be back in production mode for the new Pomegranate CD, "Fortress City: Armenian Songs from Nagorno-Karabagh". Arsineh and I have some time challenges in order to get this CD out by X-Mas. Given this is our 7th project together, I think we can pull through. We just received the liner notes from Parkev Srpazan of Karabagh in the last few weeks and just got them translated. It will be an amazing product that will give people a glimpse of live in Shushi from the musical front. Here is a picture of the Varanda Youth Choir of Shushi and their fearless leader Mr. Zakar Keshishian.
Varanda Children's Choir of Shushi.bmp

There are few times when I truly can say that so little work produced major results when it comes to Hai Tahd work. Last weekend was one of the most productive weekends I’ve had in a while (outside of the daily work).

An intern of mine from 2 summers ago started this trend. She was determined to find ways to push the Armenian Genocide subject into classrooms throughout the US. She found the perfect outlet, a social studies conference in Chicago where teachers go to find materials to introduce in their classrooms. Well, we helped her prepare a booth last year, and this year we did even more. This year the conference was in Baltimore, Maryland, just an hour north of DC. So we did all the preparations here. It was a 2 day conference and with just a handful of people, we managed to distribute near 1000 packets of information to teachers from all over America, passed out postcards with www.teachgenocide.org to well over a thousand teachers, and even sold some books.

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You wanna talk about an audience that would be most receptive to your cause, this is it. These people almost seemed hungry for the information we were offering. VERY few people passed by without inquiring and walking away with information. Some people approached us DESPARATE for material because they have been teaching the subject already, but didn’t have enough resources to use. I even had a long conversation with a gentleman who inquired extensively about the subject, happy that we were there and hoping we would get the recognition we deserve, but also inquiring about Kharabagh. He asked, playing devil’s advocate, if we consider what Armenia did to Azerbaijan in the Kharabagh conflict to be similar to the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turks. I gave him a very diplomatic response explaining the history (Stalin-drawn borders, Sumgait massacres, etc.) and he appreciated the insight and said it now made sense. It was when he started to ask about the Dashnags, Hnchags, and Ramgavars that I realized he knew more than the average Joe. That was when he told me his parents were Turkish, but he considers himself an American and never identified with his Turkish roots. Imagine, the one Turk you run into at something like this is in 100% support of your cause. That’s the type of weekend I had: busy, but ever so rewarding.

The conference ended with a lecture by Samantha Power speaking about her book “A Problem from Hell” (now out on paperback). She was invited to talk about the importance of teaching about Genocide. There couldn’t have been a more appropriate tie-in to our subject. We managed to pass around our postcards to everyone in the lecture as well. And of course, I bought a book and had it signed by her, and took a photo with the other 2 volunteers with me.

The previous week was also notable… there was a great AYF Dance in Philly with Nersik Ispirian and hundreds showed up. During the day, I also went to a breaking event (see photos at www.digitalrailroad.net/Arsineh), a new and exciting experience.

This weekend is Thanksgiving… very low key this year as the whole family is dispersed and will be here for Christmas (sister and husband, cousin and fiancé, etc) so I can’t complain. But it’s very quiet and creepy around here these days. Good time to catch up on work.

Good news, you can now listen to Armenian music 24/7, 365 days a year at www.pomegranatemusic.com. The station is called PomegranateRadio and you can access it by clicking on the "Listen Now" button on the PomegranateMusic.com website. Enjoy, and piss off your boss by listening to it at work all day long. (Especially you Hagop B). The service is free and you don't need to subscribe. Obviously, there are selections from my music label catalog, but, there are also songs from non-Pomegranate artists and albums. Some of the music is rare and isn't available for purchase. The program is about 3 hours long with over 45 songs shuffling all day. I will change the program every 2 months with new stuff.

Aside from the usual work and school (it really never ends), right now I am busy doing a few things for the label. The first project we are getting out there is the Armenian guitar CD by Iakovos Kolanian. There will be a U.S. tour in February and March. I need some help in the LA market in spreading the word and overall advice in terms of how to market the concert. The tour dates are on my website.

The next project we are ready to go to print with is our Tufenkian/Pomegranate joint venture entitled "Fortress City: Armenian Songs from Nagorno Karabagh". 30 songs, all recorded on location in Shushi, great sound quality and interesting liner notes from Barkev Srpazan over there in NKR.

Next month, we should be under way recording the new Lilit Pipoyan album in Yerevan at VEM studios. Can't wait.

When it rains it pours.

Well, the election-mania is over, but the aftermath looks as gloomy as before. I have intentionally avoided the subject of politics in conversation for two reasons: a) I've had enough of it, and b) I'd like to move on and enjoy all the freedoms available to me. However, it seems that some people have not let go. This has happened on a few occasions: I have raised completely unrelated subjects with people, often Armenian, often sports, and I've been accused of being un-patriotic and un-American. I'm not kidding, even after the election, I'm getting these comments from people. Either I'm too Armenian, or I don't care enough about American values because of how I live my life. How I live my life? I'm straight (though perhaps I might be considered going to hell for hanging out with gay friends), I'm Christian, I haven't had an abortion, I love good ol' American football, I'm counting the days til Thanksgiving for some yams and pumpkin pie, I take part in the political system respectfully, and I pay my taxes. The one thing that drives people crazy is how proud I am of being Armenian. Really? Is that so offensive to you?

I'm not going to share specifics on these accusations, but I want to make something very clear. I am no less of an American than anyone. I was born in Washington, DC. I grew up in Virginia. I went to school in New York and Boston, and now I work within the political system. Just because I don't wave a flag wherever I go or praise the president for saving our country does not make me un-American. Have your opinions about anything else, not this. I'm more than happy to hear all the views that differ from mine, and I even like when people comment on my log respectfully disagreeing with me. But people, you have to stop judging others for what they hold dear to their heart. There's no doubt that I feel a very strong connection to my Armenian culture. That's my right, let me keep it! Folks, we're turning back the clock on racism, let's remember why the civil rights movements took place. I saw a bumber sticker this morning that appropriately addresses this issue: "Hate is not a family value!" This couldn't be more true right now.

Now for something completely different. I'm going to Philly this weekend for an AYF dance with Nersik Ispirian performing. My road trip buddy is apparently going to a breakdancing party while we're there, so I'm going to tag along and take some photos of quite a new experience for me. Looking forward to it.

Where do I begin. I was hoping I could delay this until somehow the world turned and somehow a magical event would reverse the decision to elect Bush. But I think the most disturbing thing that so many of us are realizing right now is not just that Bush was "re"-elected, but that the majority of our fellow Americans believe him and believe IN him. My only source of comfort these days comes at 11pm every night. I don't watch TV much, but there is one show I wont miss: The Daily Show. Jon Stewart is officially the funniest man on the planet. Two nights in a row he (and Lewis Black) have reinforced all the frustration going through my head. Alas, I am not alone.

Already Bush has started his arrogant remarks and misleading the country. Mr. President, you gave a gracious speech the other day reaching out to those who voted for Kerry. I really truly wanted to buy into your message. I wish I were so naive. Sadly, you have already commented in ways to completely disregard my views and the people who share them. So my message today is this: I will not sacrifice my values to please the right-wing majority. I will no longer hide in shame for my liberal views. I will no longer tippy toe around the extremist who label me extreme. I am not a radical extremist, I am not a hippy, I am not the enemy. I am an American citizen. I hope this country doesn't forget to respect that for the next four years, but sadly the not so naive side of me already realizes that it is wishful thinking. It is a truly grim future we face and I hope people will join me as I react with action to expose the truth to the masses in hope that the next election will be based on the truth, not the value issues that have completely distracted the people from the failing war that is killing so many of our men and women. I'm tired of appologizing for my compassion and liberal ideas. I'm tired of shying away from caring for my neighbor as much as myself. And I'm tired of listening to people justify limiting the rights of others that in no way, shape or form take away from their own. These are MY views and I'm keeping them. President Bush, you may have a vision for this country that is based on specific Christian values, but speaking as an Armenian (the first Christian nation) American, I do not and will not share your values.

And finally, I hope Americans realize the reality of our President's inability to improve their lives and secure the people. If you are waiting for Bush to strengthen the economy for those WHO NEED IT (not the elite... and I still can't believe the democrats are being labeled as the elite that the blue collar republicans turned against when it's the elite who benefit the most from this guy), to unite a VERY divided country, and to win a war on terror, I will wait for you in the real world when you come to realize that he is not going to deliver. If I am wrong, I look forward to being proven wrong. Please President Bush, prove me wrong.

Voting Frenzy

Yes, the lines are long.... Yes, it's somewhat of a hassle... Yes, it MAY be pointless... but we're all voting! In my entire life, I've never seen SUCH a big deal about an election. Correct me if I'm wrong (since I'm not all that old to begin with). haha :) I think I might be the only American not glued to the TV, listening to different news channels reporting on the election. In fact, this morning I heard that DirectTV was offering a pay-per-view channel where you could watch 6 news channels all at one time, covering the election. Craaaaaaazy business!

Now, something else I'd like to log about. When I read Hagop's log.. I seriously felt my own blood pressure rising. What do you MEAN you never went back to work cause of your Turkish supervisor???? I wrote in the comments section, and I'll repeat myself here, because I think this is such an important thing. First off, I know you're not the only person who this has happened to. It happens to a lot of Armenians... so what do we do when it DOES happen? Second, I'm so sorry that you're once again jobless. Third, I'd like to tell you about something we used to do with our badanees once every few years. A couple of years ago, when I was an assistant advisor with the badanees (youth group), we asked a friend of ours to come to the meeting and act as though he was a Turk and tell the kids (ages 9-16) that all these years they've been lied to. He showed up dressed in a suit, looking professional. He started telling them that there was no Genocide, and in fact soooo many Turkish people died.. etc etc. You get the idea. I have to say that the reaction from the kids was INCREDIBLE!!! Some of them started crying(out of frustration)... some started asking us "Why did you bring this guy here?" in Armenian. But most of them stood up, looked that guy straight in the face and started arguing with him... with facts! They remained calm... so they WERE listening all those times we gave them educationals about facts and historical events. They knew so much, I was even surprised!

Hagop (and other people who face similar situations), I know that if one of those badanees sat in that room while your supervisor said those things, they would've known exactly how to respond.... Fight it to the bone! Think about it like this, more than a million of our ancestors died...and if you were going to be fired for sticking up for them... isn't that the least you could do? The reason why it's SO hard for Armenians to have a rational discussion about the Genocide with a Turk, is (in my opinion) because the Genocide is something SOOOO personal and close to our hearts. It's part of our own personal identity... especially in the diaspora. It is the reality that began our existance. When the Genocide is questioned, our own personal identities are indirectly questioned too.... we go into "panic" mode, automatically relating "no Genocide" with "I don't exist". And that's what some of the kids were feeling.... It's important for us to be able to step outside that emotional approach to the Genocide, and work on ways to confront and have open dialogue about it.

Just my $.02 for today....

TSUH :)~

It comes down to this - the day we've all been waiting for. I was up at dawn ready to vote. The weather is beautiful, sun shining, people smiling and everyone is energized to vote.

So I stood in a VERY long line. These photos are shots of the line after 30 minutes of wait... there was another 30 minutes to go. I happened to be in the section of the alphabet that had the longest line. They were letting A-G through, P-Z, but H-O was the longest. The woman behind me casually commented that she regrets having her name just because she had to wait. It was a harmless comment, but the man behind her in a wheelchair, obviously a war veteran (probably from Vietnam or so) kept putting her in check saying, "Atleast we're not being shot at."

Here's my fear. I'm not in a particularly threatened area in terms of my vote being opressed. If you look at the lines, it's all white men and women... upper class, etc. They checked my ID, they did all the right stuff, but I still feel uncomfortable that I didn't get a receipt or any printout recording my vote. The electronic process was very easy and simple, but who's to know if my vote will be accounted for?

Anyway, will post later with the results!

HALLOWEEN

Today was Halloween. You'd think it's just like any other day, and it did actually start off like that. In the late afternoon I went over to my cousin's cousin's house, which on this VERY popular "trick-or-treat" street. People who live on this street go ALL OUT, and mind you - they spend over $200 on candy because of how many treaters come by!!!! (That's a flight to Canada!)

So anyway, this whole Halloween business started to make me think. I thought about what a stupid thing it really is. Kids dress up in violent costumes (not too many clowns), they watch scary movies on TV all weekend, and eat WAYYYY too much sugar. HUH? Aside from that, the streets are filled with psychos (more than usual), and bottom line: It's just SOOO stupid.

There are people dying in the world, children starving, families living in mud shacks, people sitting around not doing anything.... and here we are walking around our neighborhoods like people who have NEVER seen candy before and trying to collect as much chocolate as humanly possible in one night. Filling bag after bag... only to throw them away, or even worse EAT them all!

I also thought about something else. We always talk about the Armenian Genocide (how Armenian of me to stick this in somewhere completely random), but tonight I was thinking about this Halloween "normalcy" of life. I was wondering, in October of 1915, there were probably American children going around trick-or-treating while Armenians were being massacred. I also remembered the many news articles found in different newspapers of the U.S. about the genocide.... Aren't WE reading articles of the same sort TODAY about what's going on in Sudan??? (We are) And what do we do about it? We, people who think about what others were doing while we were being murdered.... how are we making a difference?

I had so many random thoughts tonight. A project that I and some other very special people, have been working on - is collecting warm clothing for children and adults. The clothing must be decent and clean. Like if you wouldn't wear it with that tear... why should someone in Armenia wear it??? We plan to somehow collect donations and ship this stuff to Hayasdan so we can then pass it out to people who need it (personally). This also goes along with our little Knitting Project which is going really well! It's growing! (Read about us in the Asbarez soon).

Well, other than that.... I bought my Armenia ticket! WOOOO HOOOO! Nor Dari in hayasdan for the 2nd time! Come on, it's gotta be GREAT! I'm beginning to like the winters better (no annoying tourists-- minch ayt, I think I may be in that group).

VOTE on Tuesday!!!!

TSUH! :)~