Salam, Salam!

My friend, Hamed Nikpay, sings Madhoosh, from his new album All Is Calm.

Salam, Salam! I must have worried you guys! I'm well and kicking! I've just been overwhelmed with my life, working too hard, and concentrating on some volunteer work I am committed to finishing. I am going to make at least a small entry every day now to give myself something to look forward to and to let my few remaining friends (yes, that includes you!) to know that I'm alright!

I have been writing some stuff, too, believe it or not! Some of my work is routinely published on Iranian.com. But blogging in my own blogs is where I write my personal stuff, and I miss doing that very much.

My sons are well and thriving. I see my older son every couple of weekends when he comes home to crash and eat and visit with me and his brother. We are all trying to get used to this new phase of our lives. Here's a piece I wrote about something that happened this past weekend in our household. If you can't access Iranian.com, let me know and I will post the story here. It's called "The Ghormeh Sabzi Thriller" and it's in two parts. Take a look. I promise to be back again tomorrow.

The Ghormeh Sabzi Thriller Part I, and Part II .

Be good everybody and have a good Wednesday!

Hamed Nikpay

My talented friend, Hamed Nikpay sings "Deceit," or Fareeb from his new album, All is Calm. Some of this clip was filmed at Berkeley's Persian Center! I will be writing about Hamed again soon. Have a wonderful Sunday everybody!

Hamed Nikpay

My good friend, Hamed Nikpay, a talented young Iranian composer, instrumentalist, and singer will be appearing at the 1st Winter "Solh" Fest on Friday, December 6th, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. The event also features the Kiosk band as well as a new singer named Arjang Rad. For more information about the event, visit Beyond Persia's website. Many of you remember the pieces I have written about Hamed, as well as the interview I did with him for San Diego Persian Cultural Center's Peyk, in Farsi (Page 17), and in English (Page 17).

Hamed is one of the first Iranian artists to embrace World (or fusion) music. You can listen to samples of his songs on his website, or here and here. Listening to Hamed's music is divine, but knowing him and his beautiful heart and soul is a true privilege and pleasure. Seeing him on a stage is a treat you shouldn't miss if you live in these parts. He usually plays several instruments and his sweet and well-trained voice fills you with memories of our beautiful Iran.