Pedestrian

The Envelope

Jan 13th, 2010 by pedestrian

After a mind numbing few weeks, I am glad to say I’m back. I’m sorry I have been AWOL, and will hopefully get things going soon.

But the rapid wave of terrible events that hits Iran doesn’t wait for anyone. Yesterday, a physics professor, a man who many of my friends know and have had class with was killed. We are all in shock.

But while we hear the news of his murder, and watch the images of the explosion, the images we do not see are that of those very students getting up in the morning, eating breakfast, catching a cab or driving to school. Going to class while in shock, writing their projects, … living their lives. In Iran, our lives have always been a paradox of obeying the tyrants and risking our lives defying them. That is nothing new, but much more noticeable under more excruciating conditions.

People don’t forget, but they don’t stop living, or studying or working or … You can walk in the streets and not even know that anything has happened …

Unless you watch the walls observantly for arguments which are everywhere, unless you listen intently to the quiet conversations at the grocery store. Or, take a look at this envelope which entails a little leather good bought from a local artist in the marketplace:

green envelope

The Green envelope

The back of the paper bag in which he gave his hand made leather works says: “koor shavam, laal shavam, kar shavam, leek mahal ast keh man khar shavam … SABZ BASHID (in green ink)”

(I might go deaf, dumb or blind, but I will never become a fool … STAY GREEN)

This man is risking his business, and maybe even his life for this … but he does it anyway. It won’t change the world, it will certainly not change the thugs who rule Iran today, but if you look, people have found so many intriguing ways of connecting their common cause and that is truly marvelous to watch as you walk around in the city.

It is creative, beautiful and humbling to watch.

Posted in Another Murder, Gestapo, Heroes | 31 Comments

31 Responses to “The Envelope”

on 13 Jan 2010 at 8:36 am1Kellie

Welcome back, I’ve missed your commentary.
on 13 Jan 2010 at 8:40 am2pedestrian

Thanks Kellie! Glad to be back.
on 13 Jan 2010 at 8:55 am3Siavash

welcome back. Thx as always for the post
on 13 Jan 2010 at 9:42 am4Pirouz

Hi Ped. Hope your studies have been going well (if that’s what you’ve been doing.)
on 13 Jan 2010 at 9:56 am5pedestrian

Siavash, thank you!

LOL Pirouz … I’m laughing so hard. Studying is – part – of what I’ve been doing
on 13 Jan 2010 at 10:26 am6christinA eijkhout

Welcome back. Your posts show me always a different look.
on 13 Jan 2010 at 10:30 am7pedestrian

Hi ChristinA, Thank you!
on 13 Jan 2010 at 10:34 am8Publicola

YOU AAARE BAACK !
on 13 Jan 2010 at 10:36 am9pedestrian

YESSSSSSSS!
on 13 Jan 2010 at 11:10 am10roozbeh

nice to see you are back! now I have something to read and that keeps me out of streets!
on 13 Jan 2010 at 11:12 am11pedestrian

roozbeh, the streets are always a great place to be! But thank you!
on 13 Jan 2010 at 11:17 am12roozbeh

well where I live is extremely grey and wet (not cold though). So you better stay inside… (enough clue where I live!
on 13 Jan 2010 at 11:21 am13pedestrian

wet and grey but not cold … i can think of a few places
on 13 Jan 2010 at 11:24 am14roozbeh

hahahahahahahahahah!!
on 13 Jan 2010 at 11:57 am15Lola LB

Glad you’re back . . . been thinking of you.
on 13 Jan 2010 at 2:12 pm16Publicola

You definitely have not lost your “notorious” breathtaking sense for – quick, though friendly – repartee, at all !

[very delectable and delightful, indeed]
on 13 Jan 2010 at 3:57 pm17naj
on 13 Jan 2010 at 4:31 pm18uberVU - social comments

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by seaofliberty: Pedestrian: “The Envelope” – http://bit.ly/4Th9yi – #iranelection #iran…
on 13 Jan 2010 at 4:59 pm19Peace Maker

Great to have you back .
Now we have reinforcement ; )
This is a GOOD augur .
on 13 Jan 2010 at 5:01 pm20pedestrian

Lola, and I you!
Publicola, you write, I will respond! always

naj, I’ve missed you!

peace maker, thanks!
on 14 Jan 2010 at 5:32 am21parvati_roma

Welcome back – you’ve been greatly missed!
on 14 Jan 2010 at 8:53 am22inna

Sale no mobarak, ped
on 14 Jan 2010 at 1:03 pm23Eowyn9

So glad to see you back Pedestrian. I’ve missed your posts. Hope things have been going well with you…
on 14 Jan 2010 at 7:53 pm24pedestrian

inna, saaleh noyeh shoma ham mobarak!

Eowyn9, thanks! I hope you’re good too …
on 14 Jan 2010 at 8:09 pm25sar

yeay! your back! im excited!
on 14 Jan 2010 at 8:23 pm26Islam

Welcome back!

I hope your dissertation is moving along fine.
on 15 Jan 2010 at 8:06 am27pedestrian

sar, merci!

Islam, it’s going ok. But I missed it here!
on 15 Jan 2010 at 12:29 pm28:)

Akhjooon!
You are back. Welcome <3
on 15 Jan 2010 at 3:26 pm29AMERICAN MAN

Ped,
WELCOME BACK!!
I echo the others here in saying we definately missed your very thoughtfull insites, and witty reparte.
I too have checked in here repeatedly to see if you were back to blogging. I love the things I have learned and am learning about Iran and its wonderfull, thoughtfull, and facinating people.
Keep giving us a place to learn and opine if you can.

your friend,
John
on 15 Jan 2010 at 4:14 pm30pedestrian

John, thanks so much! I am learning too! Iran is a complex place and we are all learning.
on 15 Jan 2010 at 7:24 pm31inna

ped, no ’shoma’ please

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The sidewalks of Tehran in quest of glory.

The Envelope

31 Responses to “The Envelope”

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