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Afshin Mofid onstage with Lisa Jackson, New York City Ballet, 1983. Three thousand people watched the New York City Ballet performance every night, a performance which invariably ended in standing ovations and a crowd that simply did not want to leave the packed New York State Theater. The promising
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My gift to you for Valentine's Day: A "Dessert Menu" in a restaurant in La Jolla, California. Photo by Sara Zahabioun.So, it's Valentine's Day. As you all know, I talk about love, understanding, friendship, embraces, kisses, and expression of emotions for each other all year round, and especially on
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A handmade post card he sent to his mother in Europe.He started attending the Conservatory (Honarestan-e-Ali-Moosighi) with his uncle and his aunt who went on to become a famous stage actor and director.Living with his grandparents, his paternal grandfather, a teacher, an actor, the innovator and director of Shahnameh plays
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In 1977 when he was only 16, on Bijan Kalantari’s urging, his father sent him to New York to attend school and to learn ballet on an international level. Staying with Bijan Kalantari for the first several months, he was attending high school during the day and open ballet
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I searched high and low for him. I could find some small references to his name in New York City Ballet rosters and dated ballet reviews in The New York Times, but there were no pictures of him, and the few leads I found about his whereabouts were dead
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My parents, my oldest sisters, and even my sister who was only two years older than me were all dressed up to go see the play, Shahr-e-Ghesseh (City of Tales) in Tehran. They wouldn't take me. "No little children are allowed." I couldn't understand what made my older sister
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Yippee! I have managed to clean up my garage! I know its organization still leaves something to be desired, but take a look at what it looked like only this morning. You might remember that cleaning up the garage was on my New Year's Wish List. I enlisted my younger
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Tomato harvest in Boushehr's Sana Village, February 2008 (I have cropped this picture).Another beautiful, sunny day is here, and my work on neglected affairs around me continues. A burst of energy has turned me into a whirlwind of activity, and it seems I can't stop myself, not just yet!
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A flower bouquet in a country house in the outskirts of Paris, December 2007. Photo by sweet Mersedeh. It looks like the California winter is almost behind us. Today is sunny and breezy, feeling warmer than it has in a while. All three guys are off to work and
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Nasim Arbabi plays the Kamancheh at Fajr Music Festival, December 2007.It's Friday. So, I hope I didn't worry you too much with my "spicy" story! Judging from your kind comments and the sweet emails sent my way today, it looks like I might have! I'm good as new and back
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Spice Shop Display in Mashad's Bazaar. Photo by Shahireh Sharif. Bloggers are forever struggling with themselves and with each other on whether or not they are honest and forthright in expressing their thoughts and feelings in their blogs. Sometimes people talk about their most intimate, personal things in their
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The beautiful old lady told me in Tehran: "Nazy Khanoom. I have a grandson who is a ballet dancer.....in New York." She reached behind her chair and from tens of pictures of several members of her family performing onstage, picked up a black and white picture and handed it
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Let not the wind into your tresses or I will go into the wind Let not seduction be your way or I will lose mine Drink not with any old contender or I will drown in pain Savor not your wine or I will turn red in sobriety Lock not
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Koloocheh shop in Fooman. Photo by Mr. Zeighami. I'm so embarrassed I can't remember where I got this picture. I promise to look for the source and fix this oversight soon. In the meantime, you should know that Koloocheh Tafazzoli is the best in Fooman. I used to stop by
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Today was California Primary Elections Day. I went to vote in the polling station near my house. Earlier, I had received a notice in the mail, telling me where to go. So, before I went in to work, I went and voted. Any elections day has always been a very
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Flower bush on the sidewalk, Sunday, February 3, 2008.My co-worker, Darnell, tapped on my closed door this morning and came in. In his hands he had $75 which he extended to me. I looked at him confused until I remembered that I had participated in the office football pool
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The sun comes out amidst gathering clouds, Sunday, February 3rd, 2008. View just outside my house. Photo by moi!My brain was fried today! I had been sitting at my computer for the entire weekend, minus sleeping hours, working on my story. My niece came and dragged me out for
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Bruce Springsteen sings "I'm on Fire" in Paris in 1985.Ha Ha, there was something very liberating about staying home all day on a rainy Saturday in my pajamas, working on my story! It feels good to have accomplished as much as I did with the amazing dancer's story after such
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My friend, Hadi, outside my office today at noon.It's Friday. As usual, I will talk about friendships tonight. Before I talk about them too generally, however, I want to talk about them a little more specifically. I would like you all to meet my friend, Hadi. Hadi was the first
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