9/13/2007

Another "Normal" Day in Berkeley

This has been a busy week. Work has been intense, and I have finally pulled my act together to make numerous lists, crossing off things that I am determined to complete. On the personal front, since Sunday I have met a dancer, a pottery artist, and an author, all very interesting Iranians. Each of them has a story I would like to share with you when I have a chance, or as my faithful reader, Alef Shin has recommended to me, when I have emptied my cup some, and I can pour more into it! Tonight, however, I would like to show this picture of a young woman I saw in downtown Berkeley yesterday afternoon, taking a walk with her pet parrot. I suppose anywhere else in the world, what I did, which was to stop, get over my surprise, pull out my camera and snap a picture, would have been a normal affair. In Berkeley, however, no one ever stops to care! There are so many "different-looking-and-acting" people you see as you walk down the street, you will never be able to arrive your appointments on time! There was something so fun and carefree about a young woman who takes a walk to ATM with her parrot, I couldn't resist it. I am telling you: I love living near this crazy patch of the earth, my beloved, different, unpredictable, and unparalleled Berkeley. In Berkeley, anything goes. Even me.

20 comments:

Tameshk said...

Nazay Joon

Oh my God! She has a Red parrot; Only in Berkeley one can find this much mystery in an everyday life.

Anonymous said...

نازی عزیز مدتهاست که از تو کامنتی نمی گیرم. به کامنتهای خوب و قشنگت معتاد شده بودم. هر چند که مثل همه گرفتاری و شاید همیشه فرصت نوشتن نداشته باشی. نمی دانم در کامنتهای پست قبلی ام خواندی یا نه. حتی بعضی از خواننده ها هم سراغ کامنتهای تو را می گیرند. جایت واقعا آنجا خالیست. دیگه اینکه آیا چیزی از نوشته های تو در ایران چاپ شده ؟ ما از کجا می توانیم نوشته های تو را بخوانیم ؟

Anonymous said...

Nice parrot, did it speak as well?

Anonymous said...

چندی پیش من یه طوطی دستی ( مانند همین تصویر ) رو برای چند روزی داشتم ...
واقعا حس لذت بخشی به آدم میده وقتی یه پرنده ی آزاد کوچولو روی دست آدم می شینه

Anonymous said...

راستی نازی جان برایت ایمیلی خواهم فرستاد ...

Anonymous said...

صیادی عزیز؛ از ناوک مژگان چو دوصد تیر پرانی، بر دل بنشانی ....‏
از شبیر یا فرشاد عزیز خواهش می‌کنم تصنیف صیاد را برای شما در این جا بیاورند.‏

Anonymous said...

What a joyful post. I love California...and I don't care if it's called "Lala land" by the East Coasters.

Anonymous said...

Nazy jan,
If there is any thing in your long list that you may think i can help, let me know. I will be there for you.
I agree. Berkeley is the best place in the world.
I can not wait to come and be there. It turns to a dream, but i leave for my dreams and they will come true.

love u.

Anonymous said...

Nazy jan,
I also had a busy week; however not a very good one! A busy, hard, different, etc… week!
Most news I heard was not good: most depressing! Any way, this week is over and I am left with my long "To Do List" and my low battery due to all bad news that have put me down! It takes time to have another energetic start!
I wish next week would be brighter and happier for all of us. I try not to loose hope although sometimes it is the hardest thing to do!!
I believe there is always a reason behind each happening but sometimes can't figure out if there is any good reason behind things or not!!
Your blog is one of those places which I find peace. Thanks for being there Nazy jan.

Best Wishes,
Pardis

Nazy said...

Salam Tameshk Jan! Yes, indeed. Yesterday I saw a homeless guy who was sleeping in a sleeping bag on the sidewalk at 9:30 a.m. He had next to him a brightly colored purpole suitcase, and he was wearing sunglasses because the sun was too bright for him to sleep, I guess! I was a bit apprehensive to try to take his picture, because he might not have appreciated it. The girl with the red parrot posed for me willingly. I suppose I must look the part of the tourist! Any news about that ticket yet? Be good azizam.

Nazy said...

Dear Beautiful Shin Jan:

Thank you so very much for coming to visit. I come and visit you almost everyday my dear. Sometimes I just read the post and others' comments and go, but I always come. You are one of my most favorite bloggers! You are a talented writer and a professional who is raising a young child. I so love reading your stories and posts.

No, I have no publications in Iran. You flatter me silly! I have only been writing freestyle in my new life in the US. What happened to your and Mr. Alef's book? Are you going to do it? Someday I will write a book. Actually, right now I am writing it in my head. Someday I will get it out on my keyboard. Be good azizam and come back again soon.

Nazy said...

Mehran Jan. I was returning from a meeting with my boss, and she and I were talking when we ran into the "red parrot!" There wasn't time to do "ahvalporsi" to find out if he could talk back! If I see him again, I will ask him if he can talk. Salam-e to ro ham behesh miresoonam! Be good your Majesty.

Nazy said...

Uni-Far Jan,

When my kids were young, we had a parrot in Tehran. He didn't talk and he kept biting whomever he didn't like! Never me or the kids, but their poor father was always bitten badly by Johnny The Parrot! We would give him sunflower seeds and he would eat them and throw the shells out of his cage into the living room! He was one rude dude! One day we took him to a picnic in his cage. The kids got him out and we spent an entire day trying to capture him again so we could go home. I kept telling my kids that he would be so much happier on top of the tree he had chosen to sit to watch us (making fun of us up there, no doubt!), but they wouldn't accept that! Guess whom we sent to the treetop to get him? My children's father! Poor man received five bites in his hands before he got Johnny back into the cage! No more parrots for me Uni-Far!

We had a dog, Gorgi, a cat, Asghar, a turtle, Ghassem, two goldfish whose names I can't remember, two hamsters, Judy and Jack, thankfully not all at the same time, but a complete zoo if you ask me! No more pets. Done. Be good Uni-Far.

Nazy said...

Greetings to Alef Shin:

Since we don't have the "tasnif" yet, how about if you would elaborate on those words you wrote?

Nazy said...

Yes, Serendip, I agree! I have been to Washington DC and New York many times, and though I have excellent memories of good friends there, I never understood the attraction some people feel to those parts, so hot and muggy in summers and so cold in winters! Of course, home is where people feel safe and happy, and that should explain those who love those parts. As for me, this is home, quirky and strange at times, and accepting and accommodating at others. Come and visit me Serendip!

Nazy said...

Leva Janam: Berkeley will be lucky to get someone like you! My life will be perfect, too, when you become my neighbor! Keep wishing and keep planning. Your wish is within your reach.

The long lists had to do with work assignments, Leva. So, thank you, but no, I couldn't ask you to call people and write memos and have meetings with them! They would then know for sure that I have completely lost it! Thanks for your offer my friend. With two exceptions, my lists were accomplished by 5:00 p.m. today, and I am exhausted but delighted! I will have this weekend to recover. Khoob bash azize man.

Nazy said...

Dear Beautiful Pardis, The Engineer, The Shirazi Girl, The Sensitive Daydreamer:

I'm sorry your week has not been a good one. Don't lose heart! The world goes in cycles and a cycle always ends. I hope the weekend is a joyful and relaxing one for you, and that your new week is full of new adventures, good news, and good feelings. Hang in there. I'll see whether I can find something to cheer us all up for my Friday post (no, I haven't planned it, nor done any homework this week, sorry, I was way too busy at work!). Be good azizam and relax. Come back soon.

بانوي جشنواره زمستان said...

نازي عزيز
من بي صبرانه منتظرم در مورد نويسنده و سفالگر و رقصنده تو بخونم

Nazy said...

Salam Bar Winter Festival Lady, Neda:

Thanks for coming again my dear. Certainly, I will write about all of them soon. I will need to tell those stories before I can move on! First I tell of Maz Jobrani whom I saw earlier this month. Be good azizam.

Anonymous said...

:D
چه جالب ...
حیوانات واقعا زیبا هستن ..
می دونی نازی عزیز من با نظر بچه ها موافق ترم ...
اون طوطی هرگز در بالای درخت خوشحال تر نبوده !!!