Broken Wings

Ah... I wish someday I can play this. Here is the note!
It is simply marvelous...

It is ALIVE!

God knows how much I missed my PC and finally it is all back and alive with a new body ofcourse:

* MB Gigabyte P35-DS3R
* CPU Quad core intel Q6600
* RAM 2 GB Kingston PC2-5300 Dual Channel
* Mouse Razer chopperhead 2000 DPI
* HDD 1.5 TB + 80 GB (OS)
* GC NVIDIA Geforce 8600 GT

Welcome back to the world! :)

DirectCanada + Purolator = Bad choice!

composed by you at 08:53 AM Oct 22, 2007 I think this was the last time that I am going to order parts from your shop. I filled my order 6 days ago and used your fast air shipping which is supposed to take one day. Previously I asked why my previous order is on pending and oddly enough I did not receive any answer. While your prices are competitive I rather pay extra 5-10$ for companies with better customer care like NCIX. Please feel more responsibility. Thanks.

reply from DirectCanada Support at 01:42 PM Oct 22, 2007 Hi Alborz I apologize for any inconvenience that was caused, I can see that your package is already availible for pick-up, here is the tracking number, i'm sorry you didnt recieve a tracking number, but this package was shipped on time. Purolator Air FCY0028280

reply from you at 06:08 PM Oct 22, 2007 Ok so here is the real story! PUROLATOR tried to give the package to me on 17th and I was not home. They did NOT leave any notice. Since you did not update the shipment section of the order (it is sill not updated even for my previous package!) I did not have any access to track my package. Now after one week they are telling me that they tried to CALL me but could not find me. Now they say, that they can attempt another delivery tomorrow between 9 AM - 5 PM and they can not shrink this gap. This means I have to stay at home the whole day for one package! It is really unfortunate!!! Bottom line is that if you dont want to irritate your customers and lose them after 1 or 2 times of shopping: * Send the tracking number to the customer ASAP through the email. * Switch from PUROLATOR COURIER to Canada post or some other courier who feels more responsible!

Hoo haa! Roomba!

OK, it might be a bit weird to hear it from a person from Comp-Sci but this little fella can sweep! Every time I want to go outside, I would just push the button. When I am back, it is on its charger and the room is cleaned. I would be really happy if it will continue like this for at least a year without requiring iRobot's maintenance!

What's up?

I went to Calgary on Wednesday and came back today. As usual, I went to Atlas with my friends (Sina, Ali, and Ali (the new one!)) to have a nice persian cuisine. Another night we went to a place called pizza 3000. Why 3000? I really don't have any ideas but the pizza was delicious, especially with unlimited toppings! My US visa appointment was fast and easy. The officer was nice and he did not ask any question. I am waiting for my clearance though. The road was also nice specially with nice music (my mama knows what I am talking about!) and neighbor cars who matched up my exact speed! Don't ask about the numbers! ;) About my PC, all of the parts, aside from my CPU, is here. I can barely wait for the last item to rock with my new PC!

UPS (based on a true story)

Act 1:
Opening the door, a UPS notice caught my attention. "We tried to reach you today on 1:30. but you were not home. Another attempt will be made on Monday between 10:30-2:00."

Act 2:
- UPS customer service. How may I help you?
- I am calling regarding a failed package delivery attempt on Friday. I am going to miss the next attempt as well since I am not going to be home!
- Just sign the back and ask someone else to receive the package.

Act 3:
-Hi Hesam! Are you going to be around on Monday 10:30-2:00 ?
- Yeah
- Can you receive my package from UPS?
- OK

I signed the notice and noted to deliver my package to Hesam.

Act 4:
I saw another notice of failed delivery on the door! Calling Hesam, I realized that UPS ignored my previous notice and put up another notice. They will try the final attempt on the next day 200-5:00 PM. I called UPS customer service right after.

(Explained the story)
- Sorry, I realize the frustration. An agent will call you within an hour.
The phone did not ring that night!

Act 5:
- Hi, Is this Alborz?
- Yeah
- I am calling regarding your package which is scheduled for today.
- Great! I was wondering if you can ship the package after 5 instead of 2:00-5:00.
- Oh! Actually the driver is already out and I wanted to confirm with you to be home around 11-12!
- What?! there is no way that I can be there. The notice mentioned 2-5!
- Yeah, but the driver is coming from Quebec. So ... OK, I will try to contact the driver and let him know. I will let you know after 11.

Act 6:
(11:00 AM)
- Hey Alborz! where are you?
- In the department. Whats up?
- There is a package for you and they need your signature! I met the UPS guy by luck.
- Ah damn it! Can you do it?
- I will try.

Act 7:
(11:30)
- Is it Alborz?
- Yeah
- I am calling from UPS to inform you that your package was successfully delivered to your destination.
- Thanks!

Seasons' Call

I'm against to the tangling wind
I am looking for the lost season
slightly but my way aims towards your eyes
pushed by a shining memory

How many cuts should I repeat?
How many fates should I accept?
Does it have an end?

You always coursing through all my body
So I won't have fear, Even tomorrow
Because I always feel you in me.

the good of you crossing my dry throat
dampens to my heart
How many cuts should I repeat?
How many fates should I accept?
Does it have an end?

far away the aspect of that bird
that it would go away jumping towards the sky
always informs me about a huge love
Because I always feel you in me.

You taught me how to love. I feel.
I can do anything.
I'd like to expand the world that you draw in a dream ahead your eyes
So I won't have fear, Even tomorrow
My beloved season calls me.
Because I always feel you in me.

Waiting ...

My motherboard is here, BUT it does not support my AGP 8X card anymore. Darn! I need a PCI-E graphic card. I ordered a new one recently hope to get it soon. I am waiting to receive:
* RAM
* Graphic Card
* Driving License
* Mouse Feet (Nice for reviving old mice)
* Roomba

PS: Next week is my Visa appointment with US Embassy in Calgary. Wish me luck! :)

Updates on the catasrophy

Pentium 4 3.0 GHz √
2 GB Kingston RAM √
Ari Radeon 9800 Pro √
Gigabyte 8PI1000 Pro 3 x

Thanks to Charls (our department's hardware staff), I could diagnose some of my computer parts. I could not believe what I saw. If you look at the board (top picture), you could identify the left bottom dead capacitor which also leaked some stuff on the top. We could also find some other dead parts such as regulators. On the back (bottom picture), you will notice the top right part of the board with a different color. Yes it is true, it was burned from the heat! I will go ahead and ask Gigabyte for more clarification on this. I used the Zalman P4 cpu fan which is known to be pretty descent, also my case is usually open so the air circulation should be enough ...

Too many things are happening

It has been crazy since my last post:
* I had an accident with my bike and I was lucky to be in one piece with a few scratches and bruises: The bike's seat broke. No further questions will be answered ...
* Right before the long weekend my computer died! At first I though it was my power supply, but it was worse. It is my mainboard or CPU or both! :( I started to buy some stuff to make it alive again. I bought 2 GB of new DDR2 Kingston RAM and Gigabyte Mainboard. If I find my CPU to be broken as well I had to buy another CPU too ... Sigh I feel I am getting broke!
* During the process of buying those part I was tempted and finally ordered this as well! If you are in computers you know what I mean.
* I had an eye exam to be able to wear contacts during skiing. Damn it is so hard to put them in!
* My visa appointment is on 18th of Oct. in Calgary. I better start preparing documents.
* My aunt finally posted the Roomba to my address. I cant wait to have my hands on it! >:)

Geile Zeit

English Translation

Awesome Time

Have you thought - have you hoped,
That everything is getting better,
Have you cried - have you prayed/begged,
Because everything is different,
Where is the time - where is the sea,
It's missing - it's missing here
You ask me where it stayed,
The nights come - the days go
You turn and go on your way,
Haven't you seen the broken pieces,
On which you go further,
Where is the light - Where is your star,
It's missing - It's missing here,
You ask me where it stayed
Is everything becoming different - Is everything becoming different - Is everything becoming different

Yeah, I know it was an awesome time,
For us it was not a path too far - Your missing here
Yeah, I know it was an awesome time,
Hey, I'm sorry - It's over

You want away here - You want out here
You want the time back,
You breathe in - You breathe out
Yet nothing changes,
Where is the night - where is the path,
How far - How far still
You ask me where we were,

The lights are out -
It is hard to understand,
You watch helplessly as the clock hands are turning,
You see your star,
It can't be destroyed any more,
Because you know that it was awesome,
That it was awesome,

Iran's cartoon on Columbus Dispatch

Cartoon disrespectful of Iran, its people

Monday, September 10, 2007 3:25 AM

"The editorial cartoon by Michael Ramirez in Tuesday's Dispatch that pictured Iran as a sewer with cockroaches coming out of it was extremely offensive. Iran, once known as Persia, has a long and cultured history.

I am not a Muslim nor of Middle Eastern descent, nor do I like terrorists. But to reduce a nation of men, women and children to a sinkhole spewing out insects is disgusting." CAROL JEVREM

I am speechless. Why on earth should anyone disrespect a country like this? I am wondering about the reaction of Michael if somebody does the same thing to United States or Japan, his mother's homeland.