On Top of the World

They have sold almost 500,000 in the US and 800,000 world-wide in the first week of their album release. Just thought I'd share.



Meanwhile, some interesting news items: Yesterday Bush was talking about the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline opening and had some interesting strong concerns about the security of the pipeline due to Iham Aliyev's unstable and corrupt rule. Analysts have been saying that while this will poor a lot of money into Azerbaijan, it will also expose many of their hidden secrets with all of the attention. This should be interesting.

Otherwise, There was a vigil yesterday for the Darfur genocide infront of the White House at Lafayette Park attended by a wide mix of people, about 100 in attendance. It was organized by ANCA with Africa Action. Congressman Frank Pallone showed up to speak, but one speech that stood out was Elizabeth Chouldjian's remarks on how our priorities are so out of wack when a genocide is taking place with death tolls growing every day, and the biggest news item of the day in the newspapers is Jay Leno testifying in the Michael Jackson case. I'm speechless.

Randomness

Ok, here are some random thoughts.

I'm very excited that there are 28 days of school left. Which means 33 days till I get to Armenia. HOOOOORAAAA! The year did not pass fast enough. Well it sort of did, because I can't believe it's already a week away from June. Wow!

My students (and I) are getting quite "antsy". None of us feel like doing any work... but of course, I'm a mean teacher, so we do LOTS of work (my theory is that it makes time pass faster).

My parents will be coming to Armenia with me! It's their first time, so it's important for me to have them experience not too much, but "just enough"... making them crave more! :) hahaha (evil laugh)

May 28 festivities coming up. We have a half day of school on Friday, and from 10-12pm we will be celebrating May 28 with food, music, dance, etc. There are also some events in the community, like the May 28 Picnic.

Last week I took my students on a field trip. The whole year they've been thinking we're going to a Museum, but on the morning of the field trip I told them we're going to a Dodgers game! They were shocked! I expected yelling, but they just stood there with their mouthes open. hahaha They kept asking, "But when are we going to the museum?"! I kept saying.. "We're not!!!!" It was funny. Needless to say I became the favorite teacher for about a DAY, and then they forgot.... oh well.

That's pretty much all that's going on with me.

TSUH! :)~

Hello Anoush

I didn't get to go to the Armenian Music Awards this year, but I certainly got a call from Raffi that night telling me I won the award for Best Album Cover and Design. I have no other news yet, but I hope Raffi will share. I have been preoccupied with something a little more personal lately. Last week my grandmother passed away. I'm not quite sure how to put this into words because it seems like anything I write isn't enough to memorialize her. One thing I will try to say is that she is remembered for the incredible dedication and commitment to Armenia, and I hope to carry her spirit through in my work. Having said that, I'm lecturing at the AYF Junior Seminar taking place in Butler, Pennsylvania this weekend on the subject of Armenia's progress since the establishment of an independent and democratic republic. Vague? Yup. But it's hard to get too specific with 12-16 year olds. 400 kids usually attend this 3 day weekend Seminar for jam-packed education. It still boggles my mind that it's such a popular event, but I'm not complaining.

Rave Review on Mezmerize

I'm about to step out for lunch/buy my copy of Mezmerize, and I just stumbled upon this incredible review. I confess, I had a chance to listen to a bootleg copy of the album days before its release, despite my adamant stance on not illegally downloading/copying music. But I gotta say, this guys praises are right on the money. I was indeed Mezmerized. I simply suggest that anyone buying the CD, listen without expectations and you will be blown away. It's not their typical stuff, though it has some of that too. What it is is REALLY GOOD!!! I don't care if your Armenian, not Armenian, democrat, republican, fascist or socialist, there is one undeniable fact about this band that has been proven in their new release: they are incredible musicians that have consistently created new styles of music and continue to innovate while keeping their integrity on so many levels. Ron is right, fans should be thanking them for being the first band in a long time to deliver pure and honest music. Enjoy the review... and go BUY the album... all you Glendale Armenians with your illegal copies can only redeem yourselves buy actually purchasing the CD!


SOUND BITES: Audio reviews
The Associated Press
Updated: 5:21 p.m. ET May 16, 2005

"Mezmerize," System of a Down

One sign that you've got your hands a great album is the fact that you've listened to it three times on the first day and it's not even noon yet. I'm guilty of such activity and it's all System of a Down's fault. The Southern California band's latest album, "Mezmerize," is simply that good.

This is the first of a two-disc "set" (the second disc "Hypnotize" is due to be released in the fall). It covers love, politics and mass media implosion set to the hardest brand of rock you could imagine.

And it is, at times, a stunning work.

You can feel lead singer Serj Tankian's brain spinning in irony on the war-questioning track "B.Y.O.B." as he sings "Everybody's going to the party have a good time/ Dancing in the desert blowing up the sunshine." This song confronts turmoil in the Middle East, calls leaders to task for sending the poor into battle, and does it all at a breakneck speed that the band is known for.

System of a Down packs a wallop on each track, but stops just short of pointing an accusatory finger in any one particular direction. To do so would pigeonhole them artistically and politically. Rather, they correctly chosen to lay bare a series of emotional vignettes and let listens draw the conclusions.

"Lost in Hollywood" is another great song, an odd homage to Tinseltown and its curious allure that can prove fleeting to failures. "Look at all of them beg to stay/ Phony people come to pray," Tankian sings. His vocals are stellar as usual, only at times giving way to a shrill whine that's a little too close to Les Claypool for comfort.

Guitarist Daron Malakian continues to amaze. One moment he's delivering a scorching lead, and the next he's providing a staccato crunch of guitar so raw that Suicidal Tendencies fans would be proud. How fast can he play? Use your imagination -- then double it.

But here's where the group excels best. It's one thing for an artist to nudge listeners into a certain direction of thought, as Green Day did with the election-timed release "American Idiot." It was a listenable but ham-fisted call to defeat Bush. It's another matter altogether to offer true artistic depiction of the world's political landscape, and not just the landscape you'd like to see flourish.

System of a Down takes the more honest approach, and music fans should thank them.

-- Ron Harris

System in DC

Incredible. Even though the whole band was sick, they delivered. I can only suggest that everyone try to make it to their shows when they come to town. Whether you like them or not, it's an experience you have to have. If you do like them, you wont regret it.

Check out all my photos at www.digitalrailroad.net/Arsineh. Sorry if it seems like I'm promoting my website too much, but I've just been very photo driven lately.

Bizarro

God works in mysterious ways. In my log last Friday, I wrote, "Can't wait to see them on SNL, and then eventually in DC! Guys, seriously, when are you touring... we need dates!" about System of a Down with anticipation that they would come to DC for a show. Literally the very next day, they announced that they are performing in DC on Wednesday.... this Wednesday. Dude, were you guys reading my log? That's just creepy. Immediately I went to buy my new zoom lens and flash. Anyway, I will be there snapping photos. I'M SO PSYCHED! I love that it's a small venue. Will share my photos soon after.

YAY MAY!

First, most of my photos from April 24 events have been updated, but there are more to come. Check them out at:

www.digitalrailroad.net/Arsineh

Moving on... I've been slaving over computers for the last... two years now and I've decided to take a break. Tomorrow will be a computer-free day and I invite anyone to join me on this. I plan on not touching my computer tomorrow, except for a couple occasional email checks to make sure the world didn't blow up without me knowing. 'But Arsineh, what will you do?'...the voice in my head keeps repeating. I wake up at 7:30 am for the ARS Walkathon tomorrow benefitting their scholarship program and the ANCA Capital Gateway Program. I know nothing other than we are walking around DC for a bit and me and my friends will probably give out after an hour. I'm sure a nap will be involved midday. Though this may sound silly, you have no idea how desparate I am for a day like this. A nap will do just fine.

I have a couple small errands to run, but nothing to kill my day. Later on, more friends are coming over for a viewing of "Sideways" for all those Armos who missed it in the theatre, My favorite scene is on the golf course when they chase the other golfers. And then of course, the day will end with Saturday Night Live and our dear friends Serj, Daron, Shavo and John. Lots of buzz going around about the new System album. Can't wait to see them on SNL, and then eventually in DC! Guys, seriously, when are you touring... we need dates!

Sunday will be a nice day at the ol' ball game... going to an Orioles game with a friend in town from Chicago. Still haven't made it to a Nationals game. There's still time. A bunch of us are trying to get up to New York to see "Beast on the Moon" this month. And of course, wedding season has begun. All the showers and engagements and weddings have begun filling up the weekends. Sense my sarcasm as I shout "yipee." Sorry folks, not a fan of weddings unless it's someone REALLY close to me.

On that note, it's good to have April behind me and a summer ahead of me!