one lawyer closer

One lawyer closer to getting this situation handled. Unfortunately for me the law doesn't apply to certain people.

More later.

waiting for..

5 weeks of footage
Months of research
Now I'm waiting for a phone call.
If I don't get that phone call you will learn more about what I'm talking about.

Propaganda at its worst

If you haven't heard yet, tiny speedboats can "threaten" huge American warships. I smelled hoax immediately when I read this story. Unfortunately the international press picked up this story and went to town without any critical commentary of such a ludicrous idea. I'm glad that I am far from the broadcasts of Fox News who were probably designing a new animated title for the "Battle of Hormuz."

Let's see some more theatrics like we saw at the UN in 2003 with the "satellite images" of nuclear- WMD- terrorism pie ovens.

p.s.
It's really cold here.

Preparing for Moharram

Tehran is preparing for the annual commemoration of Moharram. Many bazaar shops are selling banners, flags, posters, and other items referencing Imam Husayn. The colorful feathers and shields are designed to be fit on large alams and displayed on the street. The appendages of the alam are meant to represent the heads of the Imam and his followers which were placed on the tops of spears after the battle and paraded to Syria. The alam is generally operated by someone from a Zurkhane who can lift such a huge device.

Zurkhane

We have shot at 4 different zurkhanes in the last week. Every time we go to a new place we are invited to another. I have been learning the different styles and training along with the regulars at each of them. Morshed Hamid and Omid's wife's uncle, Daie Husayn, have been my trainers. Shooting in these spaces is a major challenge and not being behind the camera for the majority is a bit stressful.

Tehran vs Mashad

Monday night was the madness. Upon arriving to the gym about 10 bboys from Mashad came to practice. The obvious battle ensued, Tehran vs. Mashad. I'll give it to some of the Mashadi guys for being on the beat more and a few of them have some footwork but for the most part Tehran's power and blowups overpowered them. I was excited to be a part of the battle with the Tehran team. After the battle we talked about forming a national team composed of bboys from both sides to train for BOTY and IBE. The sports federation here will sponsor the team if we can get our act together.

Me and the Mashadis.

Shooting in Tehran

Shooting in Tehran has been challenging but exciting to say the least. Our camera operator, Agha Valadkhani, is amazing and has worked on some serious shoots here in Iran. In addition is mustache is cooler than most people's lives. We acquired an official liaison, Agha Sayfi, who has been tagging along for the last few days. Our days have been packed with locations. Between shooting all of the city footage, working out in the zurkhane, and bboying my body is quite upset with me. Unfortunately, I officially ran out of Advil this morning :(.