No no, I'm not talking about those damn flip floppers. I'm talking about flip flops! I wore flip flops today! YAY!
Granted... I did do crazy things during winter -such as wearing flip flops on cold days - but this is the first time in months I've worn flip flops without worrying about losing my toes! I'm absolutely giddy. (it might hit 60 today!)
Spring is here. (Happy belated Norouz to those who celebrate it). I have never been so excited for Spring. I never really understood what the big deal was. Spring doesn't mean anything in Southern California. Spring is... when you change the clocks and lose an hour of sleep (Spring ahead...).
But after experiencing my first real winter, I get to experience my first real spring. And now, I GET IT. The days are getting longer, the weather is slowly warming up and it just seems like everything is coming back to life. People are back out on the lawn reading, napping, talking on their phones. The flowers in the yard are blooming... and pretty soon i'm sure the trees will be all green too.
Earlier this week, as I walked out of class, I noticed that people are back on the river. The Charles was frozen over for the last few months but now its flowing again and the crew and sailing teams are back out there in their boats. I don't think it's possible to look out at the river - with all the sailboats and their white sails - and not get happy.
I guess seasons give you something to look forward to. For now, I'm going to enjoy spring - light jackets, 50-60 degree temps, and pretty flowers! And I'm sure, come June, I will be eager for summer. And, after enduring a few weeks of heat and humidity, I will likely be ready for the fall - changing colors and cooler temperatures. And, once the leaves are all gone, I will eagerly await the first snow. How wonderful!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
English as a requirement to vote
I know many of you (including a few in my top 8 - you know who you are) will be in disagreement with me over this but I'll share my views regardless.
The Glendale City Clerk recently issues the sample ballots for the upcoming elections. To the horror of many Glendale residents, the sample ballot was in 4 different languages!
I can only quantify this as a backlash against the immigrant population. I went through my days of, "damnit, if you live in the US, you must learn english!" - but, it was my own resentment of having to sit through spanish class. And now its a resentment of "minorities" "taking over" glendale. Even my Armenian friends who disagree with me on this mostly disagree because they hate walking around glendale and hearing everyone speaking armenian. So, before you attack my views, examine your disagreement - could it be founded on your own animosity towards a person? I've heard my armenian friends complain about some armo who didn't speak english but its often the rude assholes - not the really sweet lady (whether 35 or 65) who says, "I'm sorry dear. I don't speak english very well... can you please...." (its more like the "Ara, kuro, help me because i'm armenian and you have to" that draws criticism). Moreover, when we choose to deny a non-english speaker of their right to vote, we're doing so because we feel they do not deserve it... but, again, that is our own bias. that individual still pays taxes (unless they are a crook - which is a different story of course) and they are still affected by the same laws that govern us!
Anyway, back to the ballots. Whether you agree or disagree, california mandates that "elections materials" be provided in the language of the voters. So, wherever you stand on principle, its what we gotta do.
People have written statements such as:
"We our losing our identity as Americans. I want all people to have the right to be American citizens, but I want them to remember that they are citizens of the USA.
By allowing other languages to be represented on American voting ballots, we are telling people that you don't have to adhere to American policy. And that is not right.
Please, change the language to English to make sure we don't forget who we are."
WTF? Forgetting who we are? We are imposing McDonald's on every country in this world. I promise, no one is forgetting who we are. And btw, who are we?
"I do not think it is the responsibility of government to provide rudimentary instruction at the polls, on election day, for those who have failed to prepare themselves for this important civic responsibility."
Um, well then, next time i'm at a polling place and a 45 year old, fluent english speaking "American" asks, "wait, which box do i check? how does this work?" - i'll just respond with the above quote. (Actually, I almost agree with that - because if you can read the instructions in english and still don't get it, you have NO excuse!)
Anyway, below is my way too long response - don't worry - i'll be cutting it down eventually....
I have been a little dismayed with the recent slew of letters in the Glendale News Press denouncing Glendale's efforts to embrace its minority population and include them in the electoral process.
I, for one, commend Mr. Kassakhian for his efforts to include all U.S. citizens the opportunity to be an informed voter. But lest you think my opinion (as an Armenian – American) is biased, I'd like to point out a few facts.
We must all recognize the ideals on which this country was founded. You may recall, from grade school, the phrase, "No Taxation without Representation." I am not so naïve to believe that our founding fathers truly believed in a utopian democratic society, as these individuals were the same ones who maintained a cruel system of slavery for centuries and provided for the electoral collage. But regardless of their concept of equality, it is undeniable that this country was founded on the principle of representation.
Nearly a century after the founding of oldest democratic society, the concept of equality finally made its way into our constitution with the end of slavery and the addition of the 14th amendment which provided for the "equal protection" of the laws. And finally, nearly a century after that, the civil rights movement gained momentum as the Supreme Court of the United States brought an end to an era of Jim Crow laws, legal segregation and voter disenfranchisement.
I am not suggesting that the language barriers are necessarily equivalent to the Jim Crow laws of a century ago, but it does seem counterintuitive to retreat on the progress we have made as a democratic society. Those who do not speak English are governed by the same laws as those who are fluent. Are we advocating a return to taxation without representation?
Moreover, though the Constitution was written in English, the founders conspicuously omitted a language clause from the Constitution. This leads me to draw the conclusion that representation (for which they fought a war) was of greater concern than speaking English. Aside from facilitating communication, what other reason do we have to make a mandatory language requirement? If communication is the goal, then why are translations such a crime?
Regarding the U.S. citizenship test, it is important to note that the test does allow for translators based on certain criteria. Furthermore, the test asks questions such as, "What are the colors of our flag?" This quite different from, "The degree to which we can educate our children today will directly impact the future of our community…." I'm not sure how many native English speakers would be able to read a similar sentence in French, German or even Spanish (a language which many of us are familiar with). And, though we all have an opportunity to learn about candidates throughout their campaigns, many of us rely on the sample ballot to learn about more complicated ballot measures which we rarely hear about.
Of course, if this does not seem convincing enough, perhaps you'll be more convinced by California's own election standards. The California Voters Bill of Rights says, "You have the right to election materials in another language, if there are sufficient residents in your precinct to warrant production." The "Bill of Rights" goes on to state that any person who believes they have been denied one of these rights may call the "fraud or misconduct" hotline. Our City Clerk is doing his DUTY and saving our city from lawsuits. If you are in disagreement with the multilingual sample ballots, you should be complaining to the Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, rather than the Glendale News Press.
Lastly, there are countless individuals who not only speak English fluently but have also been voters their entire lives, yet they are still confused by the voting system. Unlike their non-English speaking neighbors, these individuals may turn around and ask a poll worker what to do. It is only fair to allow non-English speaking individuals, including those who have taken the time to educate themselves about the candidates, the right to ask questions at the polling place!
I am in agreement that learning English in today's world is essential because our world is increasingly becoming a global society with English as the common language. Those who do not learn English may find themselves at a loss. But, it is quite paternalistic for me to force someone to do what I believe is "best" for them. And, it is against our country's own ideals for us to advocate the denial of anyone's rights. Many of these voters did come from the former Soviet Union and Iran and are thus much more unaccustomed to and alienated by the election process. Shouldn't we welcome their desire to be a part of a democracy with open arms rather than slammed doors?
The Glendale City Clerk recently issues the sample ballots for the upcoming elections. To the horror of many Glendale residents, the sample ballot was in 4 different languages!
I can only quantify this as a backlash against the immigrant population. I went through my days of, "damnit, if you live in the US, you must learn english!" - but, it was my own resentment of having to sit through spanish class. And now its a resentment of "minorities" "taking over" glendale. Even my Armenian friends who disagree with me on this mostly disagree because they hate walking around glendale and hearing everyone speaking armenian. So, before you attack my views, examine your disagreement - could it be founded on your own animosity towards a person? I've heard my armenian friends complain about some armo who didn't speak english but its often the rude assholes - not the really sweet lady (whether 35 or 65) who says, "I'm sorry dear. I don't speak english very well... can you please...." (its more like the "Ara, kuro, help me because i'm armenian and you have to" that draws criticism). Moreover, when we choose to deny a non-english speaker of their right to vote, we're doing so because we feel they do not deserve it... but, again, that is our own bias. that individual still pays taxes (unless they are a crook - which is a different story of course) and they are still affected by the same laws that govern us!
Anyway, back to the ballots. Whether you agree or disagree, california mandates that "elections materials" be provided in the language of the voters. So, wherever you stand on principle, its what we gotta do.
People have written statements such as:
"We our losing our identity as Americans. I want all people to have the right to be American citizens, but I want them to remember that they are citizens of the USA.
By allowing other languages to be represented on American voting ballots, we are telling people that you don't have to adhere to American policy. And that is not right.
Please, change the language to English to make sure we don't forget who we are."
WTF? Forgetting who we are? We are imposing McDonald's on every country in this world. I promise, no one is forgetting who we are. And btw, who are we?
"I do not think it is the responsibility of government to provide rudimentary instruction at the polls, on election day, for those who have failed to prepare themselves for this important civic responsibility."
Um, well then, next time i'm at a polling place and a 45 year old, fluent english speaking "American" asks, "wait, which box do i check? how does this work?" - i'll just respond with the above quote. (Actually, I almost agree with that - because if you can read the instructions in english and still don't get it, you have NO excuse!)
Anyway, below is my way too long response - don't worry - i'll be cutting it down eventually....
I have been a little dismayed with the recent slew of letters in the Glendale News Press denouncing Glendale's efforts to embrace its minority population and include them in the electoral process.
I, for one, commend Mr. Kassakhian for his efforts to include all U.S. citizens the opportunity to be an informed voter. But lest you think my opinion (as an Armenian – American) is biased, I'd like to point out a few facts.
We must all recognize the ideals on which this country was founded. You may recall, from grade school, the phrase, "No Taxation without Representation." I am not so naïve to believe that our founding fathers truly believed in a utopian democratic society, as these individuals were the same ones who maintained a cruel system of slavery for centuries and provided for the electoral collage. But regardless of their concept of equality, it is undeniable that this country was founded on the principle of representation.
Nearly a century after the founding of oldest democratic society, the concept of equality finally made its way into our constitution with the end of slavery and the addition of the 14th amendment which provided for the "equal protection" of the laws. And finally, nearly a century after that, the civil rights movement gained momentum as the Supreme Court of the United States brought an end to an era of Jim Crow laws, legal segregation and voter disenfranchisement.
I am not suggesting that the language barriers are necessarily equivalent to the Jim Crow laws of a century ago, but it does seem counterintuitive to retreat on the progress we have made as a democratic society. Those who do not speak English are governed by the same laws as those who are fluent. Are we advocating a return to taxation without representation?
Moreover, though the Constitution was written in English, the founders conspicuously omitted a language clause from the Constitution. This leads me to draw the conclusion that representation (for which they fought a war) was of greater concern than speaking English. Aside from facilitating communication, what other reason do we have to make a mandatory language requirement? If communication is the goal, then why are translations such a crime?
Regarding the U.S. citizenship test, it is important to note that the test does allow for translators based on certain criteria. Furthermore, the test asks questions such as, "What are the colors of our flag?" This quite different from, "The degree to which we can educate our children today will directly impact the future of our community…." I'm not sure how many native English speakers would be able to read a similar sentence in French, German or even Spanish (a language which many of us are familiar with). And, though we all have an opportunity to learn about candidates throughout their campaigns, many of us rely on the sample ballot to learn about more complicated ballot measures which we rarely hear about.
Of course, if this does not seem convincing enough, perhaps you'll be more convinced by California's own election standards. The California Voters Bill of Rights says, "You have the right to election materials in another language, if there are sufficient residents in your precinct to warrant production." The "Bill of Rights" goes on to state that any person who believes they have been denied one of these rights may call the "fraud or misconduct" hotline. Our City Clerk is doing his DUTY and saving our city from lawsuits. If you are in disagreement with the multilingual sample ballots, you should be complaining to the Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, rather than the Glendale News Press.
Lastly, there are countless individuals who not only speak English fluently but have also been voters their entire lives, yet they are still confused by the voting system. Unlike their non-English speaking neighbors, these individuals may turn around and ask a poll worker what to do. It is only fair to allow non-English speaking individuals, including those who have taken the time to educate themselves about the candidates, the right to ask questions at the polling place!
I am in agreement that learning English in today's world is essential because our world is increasingly becoming a global society with English as the common language. Those who do not learn English may find themselves at a loss. But, it is quite paternalistic for me to force someone to do what I believe is "best" for them. And, it is against our country's own ideals for us to advocate the denial of anyone's rights. Many of these voters did come from the former Soviet Union and Iran and are thus much more unaccustomed to and alienated by the election process. Shouldn't we welcome their desire to be a part of a democracy with open arms rather than slammed doors?
Sunday, March 18, 2007
My first st. patty's in boston
So, yesterday was my first st. patty's in boston. first real st. patty's i guess. It was madness. We started out at a classmates house a little before 9:30 am (yes, AM). Of course we began drinking right away - on an empty stomach. In fact, I was playing flip cup while my bagel was getting toasted. We continued to drink and play while the crowd got bigger and bigger... and by 1 or 2 pm, we were finally ready to head out.
Unfortunately, it was a little too late. When we got into the city, it was madness. Crowds of people and lines everywhere. There was not a single bar without a MASSIVE line. A lotta bars were charging covers - some were a bit crazy (I heard some place was charging $30! - in boston! places here don't have cover and if they do its like $5). Anyway, it was just insane. We finally gave up on the idea of going to a bar and we headed to another friend's house. I think I drank some more at the house - i might have even tried to play beer pong but I couldn't see straight - not sure what I was thinking... and then I passed out for good. Well, for a few hours at least.
Woke up around 8 i think... ready for round two! (except, by this point in the day i looked like a crackhead - seriously - make up smudged and all). We grabbed some pizza then headed to a bar... once again, long lines and since no one was leaving, the lines weren't moving. We finally found one place (bar/club) that didn't have a line! And, best of all, they had two pretty good dj's spinning together (records, not cd's). Maybe I just thought they were good because I was drunk....
Anyway, the night ended with lots of dancing.
9am - 1am. What a St. Patty's day!
(I'm glad it's only once a year because my body would kill me if I tried to do that again anytime soon!)
Unfortunately, it was a little too late. When we got into the city, it was madness. Crowds of people and lines everywhere. There was not a single bar without a MASSIVE line. A lotta bars were charging covers - some were a bit crazy (I heard some place was charging $30! - in boston! places here don't have cover and if they do its like $5). Anyway, it was just insane. We finally gave up on the idea of going to a bar and we headed to another friend's house. I think I drank some more at the house - i might have even tried to play beer pong but I couldn't see straight - not sure what I was thinking... and then I passed out for good. Well, for a few hours at least.
Woke up around 8 i think... ready for round two! (except, by this point in the day i looked like a crackhead - seriously - make up smudged and all). We grabbed some pizza then headed to a bar... once again, long lines and since no one was leaving, the lines weren't moving. We finally found one place (bar/club) that didn't have a line! And, best of all, they had two pretty good dj's spinning together (records, not cd's). Maybe I just thought they were good because I was drunk....
Anyway, the night ended with lots of dancing.
9am - 1am. What a St. Patty's day!
(I'm glad it's only once a year because my body would kill me if I tried to do that again anytime soon!)
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Random Blogging
.... because i'm in.... yes, you guessed it, property.
Why do I never pay attention in property? Well, I walked into class today and this was written on the board:
"To Christina for her life, then to Haley and her heirs if Britney is bald one year from the time of effectiveness of this grant, and then to Jessica and her heirs if Britney is not bald one year from the time of effectiveness"
and
"To Christina for her life, then to Haley and her heirs, but if Britney is not bald one year from the time of effectiveness of this grant, then to Jessica and her heirs."
Do you sympathize?
Thanks
So. I had to do a little bit of shopping yesterday. I headed over to Downtown Crossing and as I was heading home (around 4 pm) I walked past Ballys and noticed the sign outside said, "-10 C"
For those who don't know what "-10 C" means, let me give you my "conversion" - "-10 C" = "ears falling off" (in human terms). Of course, thats about "14 F" for some. But, that wasn't taking into account the freezing cold wind.
BTW. When I say wind - I don't mean "cool wind" or "warm Santa Ana's" - I mean - 40 - 50 mph gusts of freezing (f*#$ing) cold WIND! Wind that finds its way through your layers into your hood and to your EARS.
The weather forecast has described this weeks temperatures as "very cold" "bitterly cold" and "FRIGID" - when have you read weather reports that say frigid?
Our overnight low was "2" with the "real feel" of "-25" (thats not celsius folks!)
Of course, I'm a silly Californian. As I left the house in the morning I thought - "Oooh, nice sunny day" (HAHAHA). I realized ten steps out the door that not grabbing gloves was a big mistake but I was late so I didn't turn back. Instead, I kept my hands in my pockets and hustled to the T.
After class, my friend asked me to help her carry some stuff from her car to school. We got to her car and I realized - hm... I have to carry a box which means, I can't stick my hands in my pockets... uh oh.
It was a 1 block walk from her car to campus - and honestly, I was scared to death that I wouldn't have fingers. I mean, I've said that before. I've told many people, "I took my gloves off and I thought I was going to lose my fingers" - but this was bad. This was no gloves for like 5 minutes. My fingers were burning and throbbing... then semi numb (in fact, I couldn't even grip the box anymore) and when I got into the building they went back to throbbing and burning - my fingertips were a funny color.
Moral of the story - CARRY GLOVES WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES! Five minutes felt like 30... it was just incredible... Bright, Sunny, Gorgeous - Fingers Falling Off - the two just don't seem to go together.
Anyway, I'll end my post with two fun quotes from school:
"Harvard, Harvard. Everyone is always talking about Harvard. Forget Harvard. We're at BU. Better. Thats what the B stands for. Better University." (Professor Maclin)
"I take it the proposition is that I should cancel class on Friday so you can all run off to Florida.... (some convo).... Done" .... "History suggests the Friday before break is not the time to do perpetuaties (sp?)" (Professor Lawson)
And Selmi... something along the lines of, "I was thinking of cancelling class but... (interrupted by applause from class)... okay." (Student... "what's the but") "Well, since there was such an enthusiastic response, no but."
Why do I never pay attention in property? Well, I walked into class today and this was written on the board:
"To Christina for her life, then to Haley and her heirs if Britney is bald one year from the time of effectiveness of this grant, and then to Jessica and her heirs if Britney is not bald one year from the time of effectiveness"
and
"To Christina for her life, then to Haley and her heirs, but if Britney is not bald one year from the time of effectiveness of this grant, then to Jessica and her heirs."
Do you sympathize?
Thanks
So. I had to do a little bit of shopping yesterday. I headed over to Downtown Crossing and as I was heading home (around 4 pm) I walked past Ballys and noticed the sign outside said, "-10 C"
For those who don't know what "-10 C" means, let me give you my "conversion" - "-10 C" = "ears falling off" (in human terms). Of course, thats about "14 F" for some. But, that wasn't taking into account the freezing cold wind.
BTW. When I say wind - I don't mean "cool wind" or "warm Santa Ana's" - I mean - 40 - 50 mph gusts of freezing (f*#$ing) cold WIND! Wind that finds its way through your layers into your hood and to your EARS.
The weather forecast has described this weeks temperatures as "very cold" "bitterly cold" and "FRIGID" - when have you read weather reports that say frigid?
Our overnight low was "2" with the "real feel" of "-25" (thats not celsius folks!)
Of course, I'm a silly Californian. As I left the house in the morning I thought - "Oooh, nice sunny day" (HAHAHA). I realized ten steps out the door that not grabbing gloves was a big mistake but I was late so I didn't turn back. Instead, I kept my hands in my pockets and hustled to the T.
After class, my friend asked me to help her carry some stuff from her car to school. We got to her car and I realized - hm... I have to carry a box which means, I can't stick my hands in my pockets... uh oh.
It was a 1 block walk from her car to campus - and honestly, I was scared to death that I wouldn't have fingers. I mean, I've said that before. I've told many people, "I took my gloves off and I thought I was going to lose my fingers" - but this was bad. This was no gloves for like 5 minutes. My fingers were burning and throbbing... then semi numb (in fact, I couldn't even grip the box anymore) and when I got into the building they went back to throbbing and burning - my fingertips were a funny color.
Moral of the story - CARRY GLOVES WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES! Five minutes felt like 30... it was just incredible... Bright, Sunny, Gorgeous - Fingers Falling Off - the two just don't seem to go together.
Anyway, I'll end my post with two fun quotes from school:
"Harvard, Harvard. Everyone is always talking about Harvard. Forget Harvard. We're at BU. Better. Thats what the B stands for. Better University." (Professor Maclin)
"I take it the proposition is that I should cancel class on Friday so you can all run off to Florida.... (some convo).... Done" .... "History suggests the Friday before break is not the time to do perpetuaties (sp?)" (Professor Lawson)
And Selmi... something along the lines of, "I was thinking of cancelling class but... (interrupted by applause from class)... okay." (Student... "what's the but") "Well, since there was such an enthusiastic response, no but."
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Change
On my T-ride home today, I was listening to Boston by Augustana. I really haven't listened to this song since last August/September. I sorta over played it back then and was pretty sick of it for a while.
Today as I listened to it, I remembered the thoughts that went through my head when I first heard it... i remember how I felt when I was getting ready to move... when I did move.
I remember in an old blog I wrote about how the song applied but noted that I wasn't necessarily tired of the weather - and snow would not be nice.
Today, as I listened, I looked out the window at the muddy remainders of snow from a week or two ago. You know, some snow was nice. It was different. It was a change.
I realized looking back how much things have changed, how much I've changed. I like to think I do a pretty good job of embracing change. I remember my first night in Boston - the momentary panic that sank in as I thought - oh my god, what have Its done this time!?!?! Lol. I was a bit scared, I'll admit it.
But it lasted for a day - maybe two - and then Boston was home. Things changed, I moved on.
So much has changed for me in the last 5 years. Heck, so much has changed for me since HS. I changed - I went through so many evolutions. I remember being 17/18 and loving the LA party life... or the little of it I experienced. My 5 year plan was set - I was going to graduate at 21, get my credentials by 22 and be a teacher by day, party queen by night. I worked pretty hard back then - didn't have this internet addition yet (that always seems to keep me from what I really want to be doing). My first summer in college was such a DRASTIC change from HS. I want from being a hermit to a social butterfly - a non-drinker to a drunk! I went from bad student to great student; uninvolved to overinvolved. Taken to single.
Then I moved away. I changed. All of a sudden, doing the club thing until i was 30 wasn't my cup of tea. Heck, I began to despise the LA "scene" - suddenly became a fan of beer and bars and "get togethers" at home... dropped the hoochie outfits (perhaps the transfer 30 had something to do with that) for jeans and sweaters.
So much change.
The biggest of course was from "white washed" to "fob" lol - it was more like - apathetic to very involved and concerned Armenian.
Every day at Berkeley felt like something new for me. I loved it. And its the reason I am who I am today - the good, the bad - all of it. Who would I be if I wasn't writing letters to the Glendale News Press every other day? hehe.
Returning to Glendale was more change - but it felt like stagnant change. I went from crazy bars to low key lounges. I went from social to hermit. I went from involved to uninvolved.
And then Boston.
There's just so much. Its not just me, its the world around me. A different bedroom, a different bed, different house, street, friends, school, world, perspective....
perspective.
change can be good or bad. change is not synonymous with improvement. Going from social drinker to beligerent drunk was not "improvement" - but it was change.
But change is growth. Change is perspective.
This all seems like a given right? We all change. Everything changes. The world changes.
But I'm not sure it really is a given. I am constantly amazed at how many people fight change. I know, change is scary - scary as hell - but if you never take that step, where does that lead you?
The world is not as you see it. THe world is never how you see it. You have to see the world through a billion different experiences before you can even pretend to understand it - and even then perhaps you can't.
TO change is to evolve - and evolution is how we've become who we have. If you fight change, you fight your own evolution and you stay who you are... who you have been...
Maybe you like who you are... maybe you have no desire to change that person or the world that person lives in.
But I wish everyone would give change a chance - not just a new haircut or a new outfit - something different... something that scares you.
I dwell on the past a lot - the past was fun. I had some good times, good laughs, scary times, sad times. I'm happy about the past and I like reminiscing - but its not because I don't appreciate the present of believe in the future. I dream about the future constantly. And I try to appreciate the present every second of the day. I walk down the street everyday and say to myself... "I am not in Glendale" - its invigorating just to think about it. I look at the houses that I have now become so accustomed to seeing I could easily ignore them - but I don't. I stop and I look and think... damnit, I love this - its DIFFERENT... its change. The streets, the T, the lifestyle... its freakin Boston!
See, I know that change is constant - and I've made sure to enjoy all of it - because in the blink of an eye - I might not be in Boston anymore - I might be back in LA or god knows where... either way - I won't always walk down this street to Clark Rd (where I live) and I won't always get to walk up three flights of wooden stairs to my bedroom in the back. Someday this too will change - for better or worse, who knows (hopefully better) but I make sure not to take any of it for granted.
I'm ready for more change. There are changes ahead of me that scare the shit out of me right now... but I'm okay with that. I'll learn, I'll grow. I'm sure I'll screw up... but oh well. But thats all okay......
Today as I listened to it, I remembered the thoughts that went through my head when I first heard it... i remember how I felt when I was getting ready to move... when I did move.
I remember in an old blog I wrote about how the song applied but noted that I wasn't necessarily tired of the weather - and snow would not be nice.
Today, as I listened, I looked out the window at the muddy remainders of snow from a week or two ago. You know, some snow was nice. It was different. It was a change.
I realized looking back how much things have changed, how much I've changed. I like to think I do a pretty good job of embracing change. I remember my first night in Boston - the momentary panic that sank in as I thought - oh my god, what have Its done this time!?!?! Lol. I was a bit scared, I'll admit it.
But it lasted for a day - maybe two - and then Boston was home. Things changed, I moved on.
So much has changed for me in the last 5 years. Heck, so much has changed for me since HS. I changed - I went through so many evolutions. I remember being 17/18 and loving the LA party life... or the little of it I experienced. My 5 year plan was set - I was going to graduate at 21, get my credentials by 22 and be a teacher by day, party queen by night. I worked pretty hard back then - didn't have this internet addition yet (that always seems to keep me from what I really want to be doing). My first summer in college was such a DRASTIC change from HS. I want from being a hermit to a social butterfly - a non-drinker to a drunk! I went from bad student to great student; uninvolved to overinvolved. Taken to single.
Then I moved away. I changed. All of a sudden, doing the club thing until i was 30 wasn't my cup of tea. Heck, I began to despise the LA "scene" - suddenly became a fan of beer and bars and "get togethers" at home... dropped the hoochie outfits (perhaps the transfer 30 had something to do with that) for jeans and sweaters.
So much change.
The biggest of course was from "white washed" to "fob" lol - it was more like - apathetic to very involved and concerned Armenian.
Every day at Berkeley felt like something new for me. I loved it. And its the reason I am who I am today - the good, the bad - all of it. Who would I be if I wasn't writing letters to the Glendale News Press every other day? hehe.
Returning to Glendale was more change - but it felt like stagnant change. I went from crazy bars to low key lounges. I went from social to hermit. I went from involved to uninvolved.
And then Boston.
There's just so much. Its not just me, its the world around me. A different bedroom, a different bed, different house, street, friends, school, world, perspective....
perspective.
change can be good or bad. change is not synonymous with improvement. Going from social drinker to beligerent drunk was not "improvement" - but it was change.
But change is growth. Change is perspective.
This all seems like a given right? We all change. Everything changes. The world changes.
But I'm not sure it really is a given. I am constantly amazed at how many people fight change. I know, change is scary - scary as hell - but if you never take that step, where does that lead you?
The world is not as you see it. THe world is never how you see it. You have to see the world through a billion different experiences before you can even pretend to understand it - and even then perhaps you can't.
TO change is to evolve - and evolution is how we've become who we have. If you fight change, you fight your own evolution and you stay who you are... who you have been...
Maybe you like who you are... maybe you have no desire to change that person or the world that person lives in.
But I wish everyone would give change a chance - not just a new haircut or a new outfit - something different... something that scares you.
I dwell on the past a lot - the past was fun. I had some good times, good laughs, scary times, sad times. I'm happy about the past and I like reminiscing - but its not because I don't appreciate the present of believe in the future. I dream about the future constantly. And I try to appreciate the present every second of the day. I walk down the street everyday and say to myself... "I am not in Glendale" - its invigorating just to think about it. I look at the houses that I have now become so accustomed to seeing I could easily ignore them - but I don't. I stop and I look and think... damnit, I love this - its DIFFERENT... its change. The streets, the T, the lifestyle... its freakin Boston!
See, I know that change is constant - and I've made sure to enjoy all of it - because in the blink of an eye - I might not be in Boston anymore - I might be back in LA or god knows where... either way - I won't always walk down this street to Clark Rd (where I live) and I won't always get to walk up three flights of wooden stairs to my bedroom in the back. Someday this too will change - for better or worse, who knows (hopefully better) but I make sure not to take any of it for granted.
I'm ready for more change. There are changes ahead of me that scare the shit out of me right now... but I'm okay with that. I'll learn, I'll grow. I'm sure I'll screw up... but oh well. But thats all okay......
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Homesick for Shalakho
(Fun clips at the end and if you don't comment on the scissor kick dude at the end, I'll be very sad)
After two years of working in the Armenian community, I was almost a bit relieved my first month here. It felt like this pressure had been lifted. I am not sure how to really explain it but for once I didn't have to worry about who was running for what seat, who was saying something racist, what events were going on, what events were conflicting, what events I had to attend vs. what events I wanted to attend.
I finally had this clean calendar. Nothing.
For awhile, it was great. But now, I'm craving some of that stuf. I'm not craving all of it - I mean, if I had to go to one more banquet/gala where Larry Zarian or Mark Geragos were hosting (using the same jokes as the billion other events they hosted), I really was going to strangle myself. At one event, me and the person sitting next to me joked around about how it was almost like a deja vu. Same people at the same tables, same speeches, same catering (Rubina? lol), same decor.... ugh, redundant.
Def. don't miss that.
But I really miss the other stuff. I miss Sidebar - particularly Wednesdays at Sidebar. It was always someone - Gor, Element, (I missed Hooshere - damnit). Starting in the Spring - Fall there is a Harout dinner dance practically every weekend. And if not Harout, at least there's a DJ. There are movie screenings, talks, gatherings.... *sigh*
And, what I miss even more than those things in Glendale is the community in Berkeley. I was browsing some old pictures/videos and found one where Tiko and Nareg are singing something (can't remember) in Armenian... and Has and I are dancing. It was just what we did. Not always but often. I remember one night at Armen's house - it might have been the weekend of the Bazaar - (the other Nareg was visiting) and he just put on some music and boy were we dancing our butts off.
That's not something we did much in LA. Wait no, we never did that in LA. See, in LA everyone is "too cool" to be Armenian. So, they miss out on the crazy vodka inspired Armenian dancing. Oh well.
So, as I was walking home one day I had a sudden urge to listen to some Armo music. I mean, I listen to Armenian music regularly (again, Gor, Element, Alla, Arto, Hooshere and Zulal) but this time, I put on Sako's dance party mix. HAHAHA. He is def not one of the OG greats but its all I had on my iPod. I really had to resist the urge to break out dancing on the train platform in Kenmore.
Then, I got home and was facebook stalking and saw that my friend Allen had posted a youtube video of people dancing the Shalakho. So, I thought I'd introduce the non-Glendalians and non-Armenians to the Shalakho.
Its not a very difficult dance. I can't exactly type out the steps but just take my word for it. The catch is that the music speeds up... ya, Zorba style. Now, typically, the musicians play and speed up a bit at a time - depending on the crowd of course - and then stop when the crowd gets too thin. People are often quick to drop out - especially older people (not always true of course - young people are sometimes too drunk to keep up as well).
But most often, you have the two diehards who dance it out till the end. And, with me... well I don't just dance it out to the end, I make sure to tell the band to keep going. So, between dancing around in circles like a monkey and hopping up and down, I'm usually giving the band hand signals to SPEED UP!!!
(It's usually a bad idea since as soon as the song is over I collapse in a very unladylike manner - and spend about 10 minutes just trying to breathe normally).
Below are some clips. One is a dance group doing the dance... its not too fast but its fun. Another is me and my friend at her bday - note the crowd slowly step out- (I look like a fool but I was also quite drunk so don't laugh! oh ya, it was taken on a cell phone so while its great quality for a phone its actually pretty bad quality/sound) and third is this old Armenian guy doing scissor kicks like a 16 year old cheerleader and russian kicks like no other. If you've ever tried the russian style squat kick thing... you know how difficult it is.
*WARNING: If you haven't heard Armenian music before, we like loud instruments which, to the untrained ear, sound like the most obnoxious thing in the world. Thats just how we are folks. Loud and obnoxious.
After two years of working in the Armenian community, I was almost a bit relieved my first month here. It felt like this pressure had been lifted. I am not sure how to really explain it but for once I didn't have to worry about who was running for what seat, who was saying something racist, what events were going on, what events were conflicting, what events I had to attend vs. what events I wanted to attend.
I finally had this clean calendar. Nothing.
For awhile, it was great. But now, I'm craving some of that stuf. I'm not craving all of it - I mean, if I had to go to one more banquet/gala where Larry Zarian or Mark Geragos were hosting (using the same jokes as the billion other events they hosted), I really was going to strangle myself. At one event, me and the person sitting next to me joked around about how it was almost like a deja vu. Same people at the same tables, same speeches, same catering (Rubina? lol), same decor.... ugh, redundant.
Def. don't miss that.
But I really miss the other stuff. I miss Sidebar - particularly Wednesdays at Sidebar. It was always someone - Gor, Element, (I missed Hooshere - damnit). Starting in the Spring - Fall there is a Harout dinner dance practically every weekend. And if not Harout, at least there's a DJ. There are movie screenings, talks, gatherings.... *sigh*
And, what I miss even more than those things in Glendale is the community in Berkeley. I was browsing some old pictures/videos and found one where Tiko and Nareg are singing something (can't remember) in Armenian... and Has and I are dancing. It was just what we did. Not always but often. I remember one night at Armen's house - it might have been the weekend of the Bazaar - (the other Nareg was visiting) and he just put on some music and boy were we dancing our butts off.
That's not something we did much in LA. Wait no, we never did that in LA. See, in LA everyone is "too cool" to be Armenian. So, they miss out on the crazy vodka inspired Armenian dancing. Oh well.
So, as I was walking home one day I had a sudden urge to listen to some Armo music. I mean, I listen to Armenian music regularly (again, Gor, Element, Alla, Arto, Hooshere and Zulal) but this time, I put on Sako's dance party mix. HAHAHA. He is def not one of the OG greats but its all I had on my iPod. I really had to resist the urge to break out dancing on the train platform in Kenmore.
Then, I got home and was facebook stalking and saw that my friend Allen had posted a youtube video of people dancing the Shalakho. So, I thought I'd introduce the non-Glendalians and non-Armenians to the Shalakho.
Its not a very difficult dance. I can't exactly type out the steps but just take my word for it. The catch is that the music speeds up... ya, Zorba style. Now, typically, the musicians play and speed up a bit at a time - depending on the crowd of course - and then stop when the crowd gets too thin. People are often quick to drop out - especially older people (not always true of course - young people are sometimes too drunk to keep up as well).
But most often, you have the two diehards who dance it out till the end. And, with me... well I don't just dance it out to the end, I make sure to tell the band to keep going. So, between dancing around in circles like a monkey and hopping up and down, I'm usually giving the band hand signals to SPEED UP!!!
(It's usually a bad idea since as soon as the song is over I collapse in a very unladylike manner - and spend about 10 minutes just trying to breathe normally).
Below are some clips. One is a dance group doing the dance... its not too fast but its fun. Another is me and my friend at her bday - note the crowd slowly step out- (I look like a fool but I was also quite drunk so don't laugh! oh ya, it was taken on a cell phone so while its great quality for a phone its actually pretty bad quality/sound) and third is this old Armenian guy doing scissor kicks like a 16 year old cheerleader and russian kicks like no other. If you've ever tried the russian style squat kick thing... you know how difficult it is.
*WARNING: If you haven't heard Armenian music before, we like loud instruments which, to the untrained ear, sound like the most obnoxious thing in the world. Thats just how we are folks. Loud and obnoxious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)