I have just finished reading one of the most fascinating books I have ever been introduced to. The book is "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown published in 2003. There are many intriguing aspects to this book since it is a mystery thriller, but the most interesting is that all the ".. descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in the novel are accurate". So, you learn something in the process of going through the exhilaration of chasing the story line.
Here is a teaser quote for you women friends of mine:
"The power of the female and her ability to produce life was once very sacred, but it posed a threat to the rise of the predominantly male Church, and so the sacred feminine was demonized and called unclean. It was man, not God, who created the concept of 'original sin,' whereby Eve tasted of the apple and caused the downfall of the human race. Woman, once the sacred giver of life, was now the enemy."
I really hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Also, there is a new edition out that is accompanied by photographs. I highly recommend reading this version since you see the artwork that they are talking about. This book is also challenging, for you are forced to try to solve codes to uncover clues!
Happy reading,
Talieh Shahrokhi
PS. I would be happy to answer any of your questions... talieshah@yahoo.com
"There is a subtle truth: Whatever you love, you are." - RUMI
posted by admin on:
08/01/04
MUST SEE MOVIE
Hello Doostan e aziz.
Past weekend I saw this "MUST SEE MOVIE"! And intend to see it couple more times. I highly recommend you to see it too.
Directed by William Arntz, Betsy Chasse; Writing credits William Arntz, Betsy Chasse
Genre: Documentary / Comedy / Drama
Plot Summary: "WHAT THE ?BLEEP? DO WE KNOW?!" is a radical departure from convention. It demands a freedom of view and greatness of thought so far unknown...... A very busy essay documentary for personal growth seekers.
The URL for the movie info site is: http://whatthebleep.com
In Southern California area, here are where & show times:
Now showing at:
1) Loews Beverly Center 13---Held Over for 6 weeks
8522 Beverly Blvd. Suite 835, Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (310) 652-7760
1:00 | 4:00 | 7:05 | 10:00
2) Loews Broadway Cinemas 4---Held Over for 2 weeks
1441 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Phone: 310-458-6232
12:45 | 3:45 | 7:00 | 10:15
3) La Paloma Theater---Held Over Indefinitely--- special engagement
Town & Theater are very interesting to see too.
471 S. Coast Hwy 101,Encinitas, CA 92024, Phone: 760-436-7469
www.lapalomatheatre.com
Week Nights 6:45, 9:20; Weekends 4:00, 6:45, 9:20
Take I-5 South to Encinitas Boulevard exit towards Encinitas. Turn Right going west one block to South Coast Highway 101 and make a left turn. Corner of S Coast Highway 101 and D Street.
Care. Azar Nejad :>)
posted by alex on:
03/10/04
U.N.: Credibility at Stake for Rights Commission
(Geneva, March 10, 2004) – Instead of exposing human rights problems, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights risks drawing a veil across some of the worst human rights situations in the world, Human Rights Watch said today ahead of its annual session.
“The commission can still regain some of the credibility it has lost in recent years, but only if governments that support human rights rally together to confront the worst abuses, regardless of where they occur.”
Rory Mungoven
Global Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch
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“Abusive governments have long used their membership of the commission to block criticism of each other’s human rights records,” said Rory Mungoven, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. “But now, some Western governments that profess to champion human rights are trying to shield their friends and allies in the international fight against terrorism from criticism.”
This year’s session will consider proposals for the creation of a special mechanism to monitor the human rights impact of counterterrorist measures. However, the United States, Britain, Spain and Australia have joined India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in resisting the idea.
In the face of U.S. pressure, no EU government has pushed to renew the mandate of a U.N. expert to monitor human rights conditions in Iraq. Meanwhile, the United States and Italy are seeking a resolution that would ignore continuing and systemic human rights problems in Afghanistan.
So far, neither the United States nor any EU member has committed itself to tabling a resolution on China. While early discussions among the commission’s European members suggested there was momentum for a resolution on Chechnya, it is still unclear whether EU states will introduce a resolution.
The European Union has also been split on whether to condemn the deteriorating situation in Iran, and Canada is still weighing up whether to introduce its own resolution. A resolution on Iran was voted down at last year’s session, but subsequently adopted at the U.N. General Assembly.
Governments with poor human rights records have continued their efforts to prevent the commission from criticizing or even discussing human rights violations in specific countries. In particular, Cuba, Zimbabwe and China have in the past used procedural motions to block the discussion of their own human rights practices.
Human Rights Watch warned that the Commission was increasingly offering technical assistance rather than condemning abuses.
“In the case of repressive governments that have no intention to reform, such as Uzbekistan, relying solely on technical assistance is a completely inadequate approach,” Mungoven said.
The United States and some EU members have appeared halfhearted in pressing for the Commission to take action on Uzbekistan.
However, some of the most positive human rights initiatives have now come from Latin American and African governments, Human Rights Watch said. Mexico is spearheading efforts to safeguard human rights in the fight against terrorism. Brazil is championing a new resolution to tackle violence and discrimination against people on the basis of their sexual orientation. African members of the commission are leading an initiative on behalf of children abducted in the continent’s many wars.
“The commission can still regain some of the credibility it has lost in recent years,” Mungoven said. “But only if governments that support human rights rally together to confront the worst abuses, regardless of where they occur.” Source
posted by Brooke on:
01/12/04
Globalization: What Is It?
New era replaces Cold War and Space Age
People around the globe are more connected to each other than ever before. Information and money flow more quickly than ever. Goods and services produced in one part of the world are increasingly available in all parts of the world. International travel is more frequent. International communication is commonplace. This phenomenon has been titled "globalization."
"The Era of Globalization" is fast becoming the preferred term for describing the current times. Just as the Depression, the Cold War Era, the Space Age, and the Roaring 20's are used to describe particular periods of history; globalization describes the political, economic, and cultural atmosphere of today.
While some people think of globalization as primarily a synonym for global business, it is much more than that. The same forces that allow businesses to operate as if national borders did not exist also allow social activists, labor organizers, journalists, academics, and many others to work on a global stage.
Turkish American Association's Art Gallery announces a solo exhibition by Turkish Artist Kaynak Tumer in Ankara,Turkey during the month of January. In his drawings Tumer draws upon the rich treasures of Turkish culture, generally using Turkish handicrafts as his models: copper, brass or silver with a flower, fruit and even a vegetable.
The composition is usually set on a bright, handmade tablecloth or table. Thus, the colors of local handicrafts are reflected on canvas.
Also, Tumer holds first rank in Still Life at an international painting competition, Access to Active Art (UK).
Some of his paintings are exhibited on Tumer's personal web page (www.kaynaktumer.com)
