Anyway, she's a childhood friend of someone I know who doesn't wanna be named here, but it's very weird to sit in a restaurant with a celebrity. She had lots of people who wanted to come up and talk with her, get pictures with her, and get her autograph.

She handled all the requests gracefully. She was in San Jose to film a Persian concert and get a tour of Silicon Valley.

We chatted a bit while my son drew more Star Wars pictures.

She says that there's a revolution starting in Iran (she says her show is popular there, although it's illegal to watch it). She says she can't go back to Iran because she'll be arrested. Someone she knows who worked for the TV network is in jail for 10 years just for going back to Iran.

She says the kids are tired of the rules. No alcohol. No parties with the opposite sex. You gotta wear a scarf whenever you go outside.

She says that the revolution there feels a lot like the revolution 20+ years ago.

I searched for nearly an hour for a weblog or web page about her. I couldn't find one, although I know she's on the Iran TV Network.

Oh well, starting tomorrow when you search Google for Elham Elahi, you'll get my site and I can't tell you much more about her.

It also tells me I won't get my camera until Monday. .

Yesterday I bought a Nikon SB-50DX flash from San Jose Camera and a Bogen monopod.

Ever use a monopod? It's a little trick I learned from the photojournalist classes I took at San Jose State. It's basically a stick that your camera gets screwed onto.

You'll get sharper pictures if you use one and your arms won't get tired during long shooting sessions.

For $40 it's one of the better photographic deals out there.

Oh, I got screwed on the batteries. San Jose Camera charged me $17.90 for two batteries for the flash. On the DPReview Nikon forum I learned I can buy them on the Internet for about $2 a piece.

I hear the professional reviewers are getting their cameras now too, so if you're looking for a great digital camera, you should have tons of information about the Nikon 5700 (and competitive models -- the Minolta 7i is mentioned often, along with models from Sony and Fuji. Most people admit that the Nikon has the best features and quality, though in the $1200 price range).

I can't wait to get it.

By the way, as of yesterday San Jose Camera hadn't received any 5700's yet. So, the only way to get one right now is to buy a grey market camera.

I like living dangerously. No warranty for me.