Rediscovering my passion

I'm a 22 year old radio/tv/film major at San Jose State. Although i was a business major just 2 months ago, a very pivotal car accident caused me to re-evaluate things. I decided to change my major from marketing to film studies. I made a number of other decisions, decided to not be friends with those that constantly hurt, agitate or bothered me. When u have a fractured tibia, shattered ankle, extensive skin defects and a ruptured stomach, 5 surgeries, many many narcotic medicines, and alot of anesthesia mediciine for surgery, it really gets you to start thinking aout life. I decided that maybe having a bunch of friends was not as important or good as maybe having less friends, but at least knowing those friends were truly there for me. I am very thankful that during my 42 days in the hospital, i realized that i have an amazing circle of surrounding people.

My parents, Afsaneh and Reza, truly broke their backs for me, and were there for every moment of my agony, stress and experience in the hospital. My aunt, Elaheh (Elli) was there just as much, she literally did not miss a day, even when she was tired or sick or herself, and i admire her amazing self-less-ness. My grandma, Maman Forough, could not stand the hourly updates she was receiving, and surprised everyone in Iran, by getting up one morning, booking a ticket, and arriving in San Francisco within a day. These 4 people are truly a blessing.  

I'm also thankful for my best friend Nima, who despite battling dealing with medical school applications, dealing with his last semester at UCLA, being vice president of a fraternity, and many other things he has going on, still flew back to town, mostly to see me, and spent his last night in the bay area at the hospital with me. I love this guy from the bottom of my heart and will fight any war, cross any path and basically do anything for him as i saw he was willing to do for me. His loyalty is unmatched and im lucky to have a brother like him. He truly is, as i like to call him, "my brother from another mother". I also thank his girlfriend, Parastoo, whom i only met once, but was very touched by the fact that she contacted me n cared alot about what was going on. I'm also very thankful for his parents, who basically treated me like their own son. His mother, Soheila, an angel in my book, came to visit me over 20 times in the hospital, brought me food several times and would even come on her 30 minute lunch breaks. His father Shahbaz was also there throughout, and witnessed some of the ups and downs, including my delusional reaction to some of the narcotics, where i spoke to him about me playing basketball and Barack Obama being on my team.  

I'm also very thankful for my stepmom Mahshid, whose support and care was unconditional throughout this process. Her kind words and constant motivational tone was helpful, as well as her Lasagna which even the nurses who tried it in the hospital said that it was one of the best lasagna's they have ever tasted.

I'm also very thankful for my cousins, Setareh and Sahar, and their parents Mahboobeh and Mahmoud. This family also looks after me, cares and was there as if i was their son. They have always had my back in the past and continued to do so this time. Both Sahar and Setareh came to visit many times, despite Setareh working and Sahar dealing with medical school applications, MCAD's and both of them preparing for my eldest cousin in that family, Sepideh's wedding (congrats again Sepideh!). Their parents Mahboobeh and Mahmoud came to visit after work so many times, and their presence truly lightened my spirits. I will always remember this and forever be thankful for their kindness, as they had done in the past by letting me stay with them on vegas trips, sleep over at their house after clubbing, and overall being one of the cornerstone of my family life in Northern California.  

I'm also very thankful for good buddies of mine like Marcus Abadi, a true gentleman, who came to visit me in the hospital so many times, despite being a very busy guy who works, looks after his dog, and has quite the social life. Marcus you are a g, and forever one of my best friends. I'm thankful for one of my best friends, Nima Farakesh, also my boss, who came to visit and never stopped caring despite having a very hectic job and life of his own, him and his brother Reza were also a great help in this process. 

I'm thankful for my Milpitas homeboys, Khoa Do, Kevin Lee, Alonzo Fitz, Jose Torres, Wendell Escalano, Franny Davis Jr. (dont remember u last name my ninja), and Justin Wardley, who visited me and also lifted my spirits. Also thanks for the dvd's Khoa, truly helped me get through all of this, I'm really thankful for Khoa big-time as i've known the guy since i was 9 and he is truly one of the best friends I have ever had, and one of the coolest, most humane people i have ever encountered, a true OG. I'm thankful for my homie Kevin Dao, who was my ninja at San Jose State, and also came through quite a few times. I'm thankful for Herant Azizian, one of my best friends, who came the very next day after he found out, and was kind enough to help me line up my beard which had gotten quite out of hand, he is one of my best friends, and i'm happy to have known the guy for 13 years.

I'm super thankful for my cousins Siavash and Sohrab, who flew out from Arizona right away to come be by my side. Both of them have been a huge help and i am so thankful that we are as close as we are. Sohrab, its ya niggga ARMOULAK AKA ARMOUL, AKA CHAPO RAST givin u some props .

Im also thankful for Tanjit, Amy, Shawn, Fardad, Bill Sereda, and Anthony for coming by and keeping me company, also thanks for the DZ kabab Fardad, maro khejalat dadi, and it was the best persian food i have had in awhile! I'm thankful for my boy Dean Latrine, his presence was a blessing, this guy his hilarious and just hanging out with him brightens my spirits, also the magazines were great for getting my mind off things. I'm also thankful for Annette Tran for her kindness, as well as the cupcakes and stuffed animal haha. Thanks to Han Ly for her kindness, care and bringing me Kabab when i most needed it :)... too sweet, too sweet.  

I'm also thankful for my brother Arash, who came to visit a bunch of times despite having a hectic life of his own and living 40 miles away. His presence helped me deal with my issues. Also his care and voice of concern through calls and text messages re-inforced the fact about how much he truly cared. Thanks Arash, kheyli aghayee.  

I'm also thankful for my family across america and in Iran, my 4 uncles, Mehdi, Khosro, Anoush and Peyman, my uncle from my father's side, Mr. Ghanian, his wife, and their sons Saeid, Massoud and Hamid and their families, my cousin Parastoo, my grandma's sister, Khaleh Pari, my cousins Mikey and Leyla and their mom Lupita, and anyone else i failed to remember. I'm also thankful for all of my mom and dad's friends who came to visit, there are so many, and each one of these people spent hours with me and helped me get through this. They are all special in their own right, and their presence was pivotal in my recovery. Thank you Jamileh an Paul, Fereshteh and Hashem, Babak and Lisa, Marlene and Kamran, Homayoon and Tayebeh and Ronak, Maria and Kambiz, Soori and Aziz, Behjat, Mrs. Ghamari, Bijan, Khosro (forgot his last name), Arjang and Arash Kalbali, Mohammad, Nora, Farzad, Anahita, Mehrdad Bani-hashemi, Reza Samadi, Hossein and Mojgan, Ziba and Shirin-Dokht, Tannaz and Nasser, Mahnaz Carun, Marjan and her mother, Vida and Changiz,Reza and Hamid Asayesh, Taraneh Talieh and Mitra, Mahnaz and Ali, Hossein Akhavin, Mohammad Khoshnood and his wife Delshad, Majid Khostavan and Maryam and their son Amir-Reza, Mr. Javad Fardis and his wife Mali khanoom, Arash Riazi. Also thanks to those who called and talked to me such as Dena, Ali Riazi, Rashaad, Bahareh, Bobby J. and others.

Thanks to my homies from San Jose State such as Devon, Chauncey, Brad, Ali,Evan, Ashley, Lani, Jimmy, and others who were kind enough to express their sympathy. Thanks to the likes of Rouge, Neil, Elliot, Rose, Karl and Mike from b-ball, Carlos, Mike Vu, Hector and his girl Lily and many others who coudnt make it to the hospital, but still helped me out through their words. Thanks to my buddies at PSAC, UCLA, and alumni such as Babak, Milad, Keyvan, Kaveh, Nasser and others who expressed their sense of worriness. THanks to all the other people i failed to mention. There are others for sure, but i can't recall right now and i'm really sorry if i forgot anybody. Anyway the point of this was to say thanks to everyone, its because of these people that i had the strength to allow myself to keep a positive outlook and not le.t my medical situation (which was pretty fucked up to say the least) get me down.  

P.S. if you are tagged but not mentioned in the note, that means you are my true friend n somehow i didn't contact you or wasnt able to call you (lost my phone in the accident), but if ur tagged means ur my peeps. 

On a brighter note, i am going to start reviewing films I see, whether new or old, and also reviewing some films that i have seen many times before but are among my Top Movies of all-time (right now the list is 400+). I will create blogs once or twice a week to review films, and also select best Movie of the week, Actor of the Week, Cinematography of the Week, Editing of the Week, Casting decisions of the week (overall cast) an Writing of the week. Kinda like my own personal oscars, without the politics, okay maybe with some politics, i can imagine Robert DeNIro will be winning best actor quite often.. ;). Stay tuned.... for now, "That's all folks".  

http://filmcritiquecentral.blogspot.com/ 

Arman Mahmoudi  

AKA Newly motivated, re-incarnated film-critic, enthusiast and future Film school Student.