tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35052262012-01-23T06:14:30.702+02:00REFUGIU PENTRU DEBATERI IESENI IZOLATI, AUTOIZOLATI, ALUNGATI SI DATI DISPARUTIAlexnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8051100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-90642086114665851292011-09-29T01:32:00.000+03:002011-09-29T01:32:06.880+03:00

The Why of It: Cab Chat

Alexnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-21907334700427874652011-09-29T01:26:00.000+03:002011-09-29T01:26:35.239+03:00

The Why of It: The Princess & The Hunger Circus

Alexnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-72387774717807583822011-08-21T10:01:00.005+03:002011-08-21T10:17:39.041+03:00

In April 1992, Christopher McCandless arrives in a remote area of the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska and sets up a campsite in an abandoned bus. At first, McCandless is content with the isolation, the beauty of nature around, and the thrill of living off the land. He hunts wild animals with a .22 caliber rifle, reads books, and keeps a diary of his thoughts as he prepares for himself

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-16403929588644461922011-08-20T12:14:00.002+03:002011-08-20T12:18:48.801+03:00

Critics of CSR ratings, such as Scott Nova, Executive Director of the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), argue that they give audiences a false sense of security regarding actual company progress on CSR in industries in which none of the companies is in compliance with minimum labour standards. Others, such as Tim Connor, former Labour Rights Advocacy Coordinator of Oxfam Australia believe ratings

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-39563704117195032982011-08-17T07:43:00.002+03:002011-08-17T07:46:14.900+03:00

The greatest hindrance in bettering our understanding of the world is our natural tendency to cling to outdated ideas. - The Astrophysics Spectator, May 2006

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-5926241652743977102011-08-06T20:16:00.003+03:002011-08-06T20:23:28.050+03:00

The film features a high concept narrative set in an alternate reality in which there is no such thing as lying and everything said is the absolute truth. In this world people make blunt, often cruel statements, including those that people would normally keep to themselves. There is a lack of religious belief, and the absence of fiction results in a movie industry limited to lecture-style

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-63709183709288534002011-08-04T21:53:00.001+03:002011-08-04T21:53:25.626+03:00

Hellooo!, a photo by kiddonne on Flickr.a closer look at one of the fence's guardians;of course there was posing involved, what would you have expected?wouldn't you have done exactly the same, if you were in their paws?

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-84611459147707985452011-08-04T21:50:00.001+03:002011-08-04T21:50:24.646+03:00

Fence-sitting, a photo by kiddonne on Flickr.described as "a popular activity amongst Sibiu-based cats"spotted in March 2011, at the border of spring

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-39095688095658313692011-08-01T20:10:00.002+03:002011-08-01T20:21:56.993+03:00

Peter used to say that an artist’s job is to make order out of chaos. You collect details, look for a pattern, and organize. You make sense out of senseless facts. You puzzle together bits of everything. You shuffle and reorganize. Collage. Montage. Assemble.If you’re at work and every table in your section is waiting for something, but you’re still hiding out in the kitchen sketching on scraps

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-47922842537728254452011-07-31T13:27:00.003+03:002011-07-31T13:32:38.894+03:00

When explorer Matthew Flinders reflected on Victoria's south western coast he said "I have seldom seen a more fearful section of coastline".These sentiments were shared by many a ship's captain as he 'threaded the eye of the needle' guided by the Cape Otway light. So difficult was this passage, and frequently treacherous the conditions, that more than 50 ships including the 'Schomberg'(1855), '

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-40368504958298216852011-07-13T22:44:00.001+03:002011-07-13T22:45:24.933+03:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-91773570284783145982011-07-12T07:28:00.002+03:002011-07-12T07:46:08.153+03:00

Memories, Dreams, Reflections is insightful and humane and a tale of the humble individual facing larger societal patterns. Or at least partly so. While leaving praising aside, it's quite accessible to understand why Jung became the founder of analytical psychology - and intriguing to learn about the details of his interaction with Freud and the rest of the scientific community. The manner in

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-13885230057220183252011-07-09T16:20:00.002+03:002011-07-09T16:39:39.321+03:00

So one day, quite some time ago, I had decided to give Finnish writers a chance. And what better start than a Nobel prize novelist, right?Thus I chose Sillanpää's Maid Silja, a referential work for the time; also representative for the author's overall distinction of "deep understanding of his country's peasantry and the exquisite art with which he has portrayed their way of life and their

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-69413360847486762982011-07-04T07:57:00.002+03:002011-07-04T08:02:06.978+03:00

That 63-year-old Tracy Kidder may have just written his finest work — indeed, one of the truly stunning books I’ve read this year [i.e. 2009] — is proof that the secret to memorable nonfiction is so often the writer’s readiness to be ­surprised. [...]While reporting his 2003 best seller, “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” a fitfully earnest book about a character almost impossible to love too much —

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-2704386508148959122011-06-24T01:46:00.002+03:002011-06-24T01:49:02.116+03:00

Greg Mortenson is the co-founder of nonprofit Central Asia Institute www.ikat.org , founder of Pennies For Peace www.penniesforpeace.org , and co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea www.threecupsoftea.com , and author of the bestsellerStones into Schools www.stonesintoschools.com .In 2009, Mortenson received Pakistan’s highest civil award, Sitara-e-Pakistan (“Star of

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-47821305693240167322011-06-24T01:08:00.002+03:002011-06-24T01:11:09.504+03:00

that glorious piece of work needs to be done tonight, so..

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-62464272798900338722011-06-22T23:40:00.005+03:002011-06-22T23:45:34.778+03:00

trying to get some work done tonight, I've accidentally come across the Faint's albume (and tune), so here's a remembrance of tonightposting this youtube video reminds me of just how many changes youtube's been through recently; either that, or I might have been neglecting it for prolonged periods of time.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-9018785984387264072011-06-05T10:26:00.002+03:002011-06-05T10:29:08.074+03:00

Consider this topic: Overworked? No Way: 10 Countries With the Best Work-Life Balance. Now consider possible common sense answers. I thought they were pretty obvious.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-4318206674510355212011-06-04T12:59:00.002+03:002011-06-04T14:06:37.474+03:00

Stumbled upon the news as presented by the BBC - which brought back plenty of memories.Later edit: Just as I was writing of stumbling, the SU digest suggested a reading to match: God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian - as mentioned here (at number 10).

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-66844390513173782582011-05-05T13:21:00.002+03:002011-06-22T23:51:04.351+03:00

courtesy of my flickr, certainly

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-28936404410703461092010-07-04T21:39:00.001+03:002010-07-04T21:39:27.264+03:00

DSCN1109Originally uploaded by kiddonneThis was taken during the brief weekend at Siriu.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-87911745161408329142010-03-30T06:29:00.001+03:002010-03-30T06:30:50.060+03:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-77365068189254781202010-03-14T08:46:00.003+02:002010-03-14T08:51:08.363+02:00

Pi Day and Pi Approximation Day are two holidays held to celebrate the mathematical constant π (pi) (in the mm/dd date notation: 3/14); since 3, 1 and 4 are the first three digits of π. March 14 is also the birthday of Albert Einstein and the two events are sometimes celebrated together. [...]The U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution (HRES 224), recognizing March 14, 2009

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-11839929909765114952010-02-28T13:53:00.002+02:002010-02-28T13:59:03.626+02:00

Nigel Farage harangues EU President Herman van Rompuy

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-31391301371136041862010-02-27T22:48:00.004+02:002010-02-27T22:54:53.655+02:00

Or two for the price of one:Hulk Vs is a 2009 direct-to-video animated film from Marvel Animation and Lionsgate, featuring the Incredible Hulk in two short film battles, one against Wolverine, the other against Thor.Keep reading the Wiki entry here, or the IMDb one here.Oh, and of course, this is the Hulk Vs. hub at Marvel.com.I seriously liked the Wolverine one better, despite [or because?] of

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-35724966275396155752010-02-27T17:07:00.002+02:002010-02-27T17:21:38.809+02:00

If you used to think that indoor unwanted puddles may only be removed with the help of a mop and a bucket, then you're in for a surprise. And, admittedly, so was I.First time I've seen this - a couple of weeks ago - I thought it an isolated and something of an amusing event. I smiled on the inside [or at least that's how I meant it] and walked on.But then, to my disbelief, I've seen it again. And

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-81461216479660618012010-02-27T09:37:00.003+02:002010-02-27T09:50:45.998+02:00

Over the last couple of months, there have been several occasions when I've been meaning to make a note of the how annoyingly slow and sloppy the Romanian Postal Services are*, and just how much that bothers me, by getting in the way of my pursuing the Postcrossing path.I only didn't write anything sooner because I was busy with many other items topping my To Do's, and that just didn't seem to be

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-44531957994059377572010-02-26T07:51:00.004+02:002010-02-26T08:03:19.671+02:00

When I first started to watch this last night, I knew it all seemed familiar somehow, but couldn't really put my finger on it until some time after the first 15 minutes. Obviously, Duplicity reminded me of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, 4 years later, only without any weaponry and with plenty of dialogues and interrupted time frames for compensation, i.e. keeping the rhythm up. Which was not a bad thing.The

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-40506763109691224732010-02-24T22:54:00.002+02:002010-02-24T23:03:31.123+02:00

This is the second feat I explore in the recently acclaimed Cool New Way of selecting films, as I first got fascinated with Coraline's soundtrack and then decided to watch it. And sorry I feel not, as this is exactly the sort of tale that I am currently open to ingesting:The mescaline-trip-tinged Coraline is like Pan’s Labyrinth without the self-serious pretense to prestige. Director Henry Selick

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-2286415437759380252010-02-23T19:13:00.002+02:002010-02-23T19:20:12.198+02:00

I'm ill. Really, I am. This should be enough of an explanation.Now, for the practical details:Angels & Demons is a 2009 American film adaptation of Dan Brown's novel by the same name. It is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code, even though the novel Angels & Demons was published first and takes place before the novel The Da Vinci Code. Filming took place in Rome, Italy, and the Sony Pictures Studios

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-72977304205266161822010-02-22T21:03:00.005+02:002010-02-22T21:24:26.131+02:00

1. From the buzz of it, I'm not the only one who thinks that the over-100.000 stray dogs currently roaming the streets of Bucharest are an issue [esp. at night time, when in packs larger than 3-4]; the city's authorities, namely its Mayors, are/ have been [recently] talking this over with an eye on suggesting legislative changes in this respect: in particular insofar as the dogs' presumed owners

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-51428481805617942762010-02-21T22:10:00.003+02:002010-02-21T22:35:51.348+02:00

Should this not have happened to me, in front of my own eyes and as heard by my own ears, the likelihood of my believing it would have dramatically tended towards er,.. none. But that was not the case.The case was [and still is, for that matter] that it is, in fact, possible for a twenty-something Romanian to nonchalantly peruse through a series of positions regarding globalisation, ranging from

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-49023950935859000442010-02-21T10:59:00.006+02:002010-02-21T11:27:19.774+02:00

1. Dutch cabinet collapses in dispute over Afghanistan.2. US officials are investigating whether the crash, involving a plane piloted by Joseph Andrew Stack, was a deliberate attack on a tax office.3. Portugal rushes aid to Madeira after deadly floods.4. China anger at Dalai Lama-Obama meeting.5. Russian ex-police boss gets life for supermarket murder.6. Brothel remark Irish defence minister

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-776861014409848052010-02-19T23:23:00.004+02:002010-02-19T23:31:15.291+02:00

Here's a film where [...] the Coens compare humanity’s relationship-to-God to a rooftop antenna: just as the Gopniks can’t get F Troop to come through clearly, so too is humanity receiving a garbled signal they can’t decipher. Why does God supply us with the potential to ask questions when he won’t give us any answers? Why is he penalizing us when we haven’t done anything wrong? (The Coens find a

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-16370182783213184692010-02-16T15:41:00.001+02:002010-02-16T15:44:51.380+02:00

Moldova's breakaway region of Trans-Dniester has reacted to US plans for a missile defence shield by offering to host new Russian missiles.The US wants to base elements of its missile defence shield in neighbouring Romania and Bulgaria - much to Russia's concern.Trans-Dniester leader Igor Smirnov said Russia had not yet asked it to be a host but any request would be approved.Trans-Dniester is

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-32662078959578277882010-02-14T22:19:00.002+02:002010-02-14T22:22:51.223+02:00

Eager to learn more? Here's the web link.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-41194622301370013982010-02-12T23:28:00.003+02:002010-02-12T23:41:37.921+02:00

There are no regular posts now because there's no regularity in my life; I'm tired and sometimes angry and frustrated, seldom mildly sad, and a bunch of other stuff that are not inducing to writing; I stopped watching films for some time now; and the book is going really really REALLY slowly.I gave myself a couple of inspired pats on the back, but not much more.There's a lot of solitude and

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-72950365329482172282010-02-11T15:07:00.001+02:002010-02-11T15:09:45.643+02:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-25413797680040035062010-02-09T21:33:00.003+02:002010-02-09T21:44:08.024+02:00

Google introduced a new product dubbed Google Buzz on Tuesday that allows users to quickly share messages, Web links and photos with friends and colleagues directly within Gmail, the company's popular email product.Read the entire Reuters feat here, or just check out the Buzz, here.It's now trending on twitter, so if you're curious about the details, have a look.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-8662155700275924562010-02-09T20:56:00.004+02:002010-02-09T21:03:31.679+02:00

Ref: Schmap Paris Tenth Edition: Photo InclusionHi [me],I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released tenth edition of our Schmap Paris Guide:Cluny MuseumIf you use an iPhone or iPod touch, then this same link will take you directly to your photo in the iPhone version of our guide. On a desktop computer, you can still see exactly

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-7211681671375196662010-02-09T06:38:00.003+02:002010-02-09T06:46:16.215+02:00

Yesterday's interaction with the authorities has been brief and unsatisfying; after the compulsory (?) 1h wait, I was sent back to procure 'the original' [i.e. a new document] certifying that my parents agree that I live in their house. And this, my friends, might not have been much of a big deal if the starting situation had been different. But as we stand, and as I've explained the lady behind

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-36036637955235950082010-02-07T13:47:00.003+02:002010-02-07T14:07:47.302+02:00

This is a time when I should be studying up grammar for my upcoming exam, and instead I'm here making notes of last week. But noted it needs be.Having my identity challenged has been the supreme feat:It all started on Sunday afternoon, when my wallet disappeared along the way between the florist's and my aunt and uncle's house. A 10 minutes walk which had been scrupulously scrutinised for the

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-33742084612030634682010-01-31T13:21:00.003+02:002010-01-31T13:30:37.965+02:00

When we met C. & I. at the exit, on the stairs in front Sala Palatului after the concert last night, C. was singing out loud, whilst I. had a gigantic smile in her eyes; K. had been laughing throughout the concert, I could hear her clearly; as for myself, I had been humming along the whole time, and kept doing it throughout the night, possibly even in my sleep.The Bobby McFerrin experience has

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-6364750009779067832010-01-30T11:40:00.004+02:002010-01-30T12:00:28.623+02:00

355 days later, or 1 year minus 10 days after the day I pulled together the guts* to finally upload my first photo on flickr, I'm here to do a bit of computing.It's been a complicated year for me in many ways, and photography has been a hobby growing into a release growing into an addiction, admittedly. Over the past year, I've used various cameras [some Sonys, some Canons, a Nikon, some that I

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-46361519177283144562010-01-29T20:49:00.001+02:002010-01-29T20:51:53.908+02:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-25000228550624311482010-01-28T19:13:00.003+02:002010-01-28T19:23:13.191+02:00

Dear International & European NGOs, Quangos, Organisations and Think-Tanks -- acting in the fields of human rights and environmental activism,I am so sorry. It's been years now, since I first tried applying for work with you. And it's been a more or less uninterrupted endeavour.Sadly enough, you never accepted my applications.It's been a series of heart breaking experiences. Like an unfortunate,

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-31555025427580569222010-01-28T13:49:00.002+02:002010-01-28T13:52:07.000+02:00

AN ARTICLE in today's New York Times on the repair of damaged artwork made me think about the Obama administration. According to the report, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is learning hard lessons about the difficulty of fixing broken masterpieces. Restoration projects often take longer than expected, and sometimes they are unsuccessful. Tonight Barack Obama takes on a role similar to that of the

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-7099108517193065232010-01-28T12:07:00.001+02:002010-01-28T12:11:00.174+02:00

[or: who needs caffeine anyway?!]

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-27534652366864103252010-01-27T12:09:00.005+02:002010-01-27T12:28:06.279+02:00

'Hello, Wednesday! What do you bring about?..' - asked I, unknowingly.'Well, here's what!' [Wednesday grinned, allowing me to continue my perusal of the day's headlines]:Romania has overtaken Russia as the top country of origin of migrant sex workers in the EU, a survey of prostitution across the EU has found.In 2006 the top countries of origin were Russia, Ukraine and Romania - in that order,

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-67109776275966631022010-01-26T15:13:00.003+02:002010-01-26T15:36:26.159+02:00

After a week loaded with films of various genres [from documentaries and the Fantastic Mr. Fox to Bronson and well, yes, Avatar], it was time to recall a different Universe, for a change. We've been at the theatre. [lyrical break, here, suspense is growing...][... still growing...][Is this the right level of suspense, now? OK, I'll take that as a Yes!]Prior to last Sunday's play, I couldn't for

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-29318377108875453222010-01-24T16:29:00.003+02:002010-01-24T16:39:14.266+02:00

Presenting: Derren Brown's Cold Reading [sorry for not having been able to embed the video, it's just not an option; but do bear with it till the end for maximum effects]and: Derren Brown's use of Hypnotism [incredibly funny, btw]Thank you, sister! ;)

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-89946015761653645082010-01-24T16:25:00.002+02:002010-01-24T16:29:09.655+02:00

Events of 1859January 24 – Wallachia and Moldavia are united under Alexander John Cuza under the name Romania (see December 1, 1918 for the final unification, Transylvania and other regions are still missing at that time).[from the Wiki entry, here]

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-40150895537406401992010-01-23T23:23:00.005+02:002010-01-23T23:41:35.508+02:00

1. Sex Traffic [2004]: recommended by my Refugee course coordinator, it's been one of the toughest films I've seen in the recent past.The plot outline -although well and comprehensively written- couldn't possibly reveal all there is to this story: Boston based Kernwell Industries is an American defense contractor. One of those contracts is to deploy 3,000 peacekeepers to the International

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-33205516181398757792010-01-22T20:23:00.004+02:002010-01-22T22:31:09.253+02:00

This is not a review of Mr. Satriani's tune going by the same title, but the sharing of a funny new find of my own: it's on the intricately delicate film-choosing matter.So now that the Disclaimer's all set, here's the how: I've now chosen whether or not to see a particular film based on the said film's soundtrack. Possibly a funny way to do it and perhaps not the most reasonable but definitely

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-58283816926680046682010-01-21T11:41:00.004+02:002010-01-21T12:29:24.599+02:00

This book caught my eye for a different reason than the one which lead me to [finish] reading it; in all honesty, the fault was mine for not having browsed through it prior to buying it, but how could I have resisted a title dwelling on the 'Crimes of van Gogh'?!But before you step right out your door [or open the Amazon or EBay tab] seeking this marvellous novel for yourself, just bear with me

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-84755648851361083052010-01-20T11:19:00.005+02:002010-01-20T11:29:51.908+02:00

Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, as me and the digestive system haven't been in good relations over the past year[s]. So it's now.My efforts to try and take it easy over the holidays seem to have paid off, too bad though that less than 3 weeks into the year the status quo's been challenged.And I still can't tell what it was that got me here. And I wish my face stopped itching for a

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-68491436515828845762010-01-19T12:53:00.005+02:002010-01-19T13:19:13.108+02:00

And this is the tune to go with the images.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-33047612206623661472010-01-16T23:11:00.005+02:002010-01-16T23:29:26.401+02:00

Though this was (most likely) not the most important question on my last job interview, it was the most difficult to answer for me. So why should I care? Well, because I'm wondering whether it's a common question and, if so, how should I prepare for it.So, amongst heaps of other stuff (can't remember 90% of them!), the interviewers (2 of them, insisting) asked:How do your friends see you?, What

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-37635908919757904432010-01-15T16:01:00.003+02:002010-01-15T16:10:09.635+02:00

Timing is a strange thing, if you think about it. Yet usually we don't think about it, unless it's referred to as 'bad'.Not this time! :)Though I'm not really certain whether I've managed to stir your interest when I first wrote on this topic one week ago, I'm pushing my luck with some freshly-out-of-the-oven news:Sarcasm punctuation mark aims to put an end to email confusionExpressing sarcasm in

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-4819633478555456202010-01-15T10:43:00.003+02:002010-01-15T10:50:54.996+02:00

Just a quick note for all of you out there who ever needed to fill in an on-line form.I know I've been doing that quite a bit over the last year and yes, I have gotten well acquainted to the frustration of losing all submitted data and having to start over.So! This is to let you know that, having already used Interclue's main Firefox add-on, I've decided to give their Lazarus add-on a try; will

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-19122682194315154932010-01-14T19:20:00.005+02:002010-01-14T19:43:49.872+02:00

So I just read this message in my flickr Inbox and had an initial outburst of joy. Seriously. I was just writing on this very topic yesterday, wasn't I?!Aaaaand then I looked at the image. Aaaand started to hesitate. Aaaand to somehow change my joyous state of mind.Have I managed to confuse you entirely? :)... Ok, ok, let's start from the beginning. The following is the message I found in my

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-58747134042404703982010-01-14T11:46:00.004+02:002010-01-14T12:05:39.397+02:00

Though I couldn't really put my finger on it, I think that -prior to this one- the last time anyone offered me a book as a present without my prior confirmation or request of the respective book was some time back in junior high.But then came 2009, and with it a world of unexpected events. [Really.].. and this is how "Mes Amis Mes Amours" got to me. Most likely, the only way in which it could

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-4479192998842707202010-01-13T20:41:00.002+02:002010-01-13T21:00:56.869+02:00

Yes!, Statistics are actually able to make people happy!. They've done that to me today, thus the existence of this probability.Without any twitter backup, my flickr stream has registered 223 views today, and 3 favourites.Yes, I'm happy about it. As for someone who enjoys taking photos, external appreciation is the prize.Curious? Here's the link.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-23341754098687294912010-01-12T09:30:00.002+02:002010-01-12T09:37:23.699+02:00

Miep Gies, the last surviving member of the group who helped protect Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis, has died in the Netherlands aged 100.She and other employees of Anne Frank's father Otto supplied food to the family as they hid in a secret annex above the business premises in Amsterdam.Anne's diary of their life in hiding, which ended in betrayal, is one of the most famous records of

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-63960713211953796232010-01-11T19:26:00.004+02:002010-01-11T20:01:36.720+02:00

Just as last week seemed to be all about socialising, last weekend was 2010's 2nd weekend coinciding with my 2nd weekend at someone else's place. There's a bunch of stuff to be appreciated about this and also a few notes of that-which-needs-improvement.Firstly, the good stuff. Moving around and hanging out with others is as enjoyable as can be for me at this point in time, and I appreciate it

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-51316310226141980132010-01-08T11:13:00.005+02:002010-01-08T12:04:36.209+02:00

Not once would I have suspected that I might be addressing this topic in writing, so this is just as much of a challenge for me to write as it will be for you to read.Why so? Because it means the main deliverance here will be that of confusion and question marks, rather than precise thoughts or rants and secondly, because it means wording against my prevalent obsession with [almost-] perfectly

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-27266040631592988892010-01-07T18:46:00.004+02:002010-01-07T19:01:35.923+02:00

It's a wish I made out loud already, having in mind drinks and dance!Having in mind contemplation, if you like..Or just emptying out your thoughts, if that suits you better.In one week, you'll be walking away.. and I'm afraid that this is wistfulness indeed. I'm no longer gutted though, so I take it I've progressed.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-24746222140789440202010-01-06T15:33:00.003+02:002010-01-06T15:38:08.825+02:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-12638951527842060632010-01-04T13:11:00.004+02:002010-01-04T15:06:54.655+02:00

Don't know about you guys, but I haven't been much in a dis-position to blog over the last few days, so this post here is what has emerged as the first opportunity to wish you all the best for the new Decade!If only things were as cheerful and playful for the entire year the way they've been over the last few days, this would have the potential of turning into the most fan-tastic year in recent

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-54898398024499181942009-12-30T03:20:00.004+02:002009-12-30T03:27:22.968+02:00

It's that useful concept which, when properly applied to real life situations, prevents one from tidying up one's room at 3.21 a.m. when in need to be appropriately composed throughout the following day. [Bummer!]It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.quoting Douglas Adams, here.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-83556166983508747852009-12-29T13:04:00.001+02:002009-12-29T13:07:09.578+02:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-26354626590760469322009-12-29T11:04:00.004+02:002009-12-29T11:21:57.788+02:00

[Intro:] Looking back on the last couple of posts and more specifically their titles, I couldn't help realising the happi-fying hues all over this place; and as well good things come [at least] tripled, here's the final bit of the happy posts.So what's this one all about?Well, remember my rants about the last train trip I made, and the disappointment stemming from it? This time, it's all been

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-89466499317061279292009-12-28T09:59:00.003+02:002009-12-28T10:06:39.090+02:00

Linus Benedict Torvalds [born December 28, 1969 in Helsinki, Finland] is a Finnish software engineer best known for having initiated the development of the Linux kernel. He later became the chief architect of the Linux kernel, and now acts as the project's coordinator.Initially Torvalds wanted to call the kernel he developed Freax (a combination of "free", "freak", and the letter X to indicate

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-29798411091257195832009-12-24T11:40:00.001+02:002009-12-24T11:42:47.705+02:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-84493539325190297492009-12-23T22:18:00.000+02:002009-12-23T22:19:56.481+02:00

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-85555230061375078182009-12-22T19:52:00.002+02:002009-12-22T20:06:53.618+02:00

The plan was to make some time and write this nice and thoughtful and elaborate note on whatever it is that happened or did not happen in Romania, 20 years ago.But plans are there to fail us. Reasons are irrelevant.So here are some links, meant as mementos: the BBC's On This Day's 1989's mention of the re-opening of the Brandenburg Gate and the meanings carried within;the disputed Wikipedia

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-87117164230424573422009-12-21T17:27:00.004+02:002009-12-21T17:45:30.931+02:00

The first and most easily discernible thank you is for the storytelling: being a storytelling aficionado since I know myself, I need to be grateful and express my appreciation on this level: Mr. Neagu Djuvara is an amazing storyteller, and I thank him for it. I've seen his words but, most importantly, I've heard them: I've heard their intonation, their fluency, their subtle notes - they are

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-36888676920511358552009-12-21T10:58:00.007+02:002009-12-21T11:15:02.562+02:00

Back in September, I've attended the only Portuguese funeral thus far.It was a very unfortunate day - we even got stuck on the highway for hours on the way back. But I did try to search for that silver lining... ... thus giving these shots to the world - or taking them from it, depending on your perspective.. Here's the entire Flickr set.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-26346775267291209212009-12-20T17:09:00.004+02:002009-12-20T17:34:38.782+02:00

As I was awaiting my ride on the frozen platform yesterday morning, I had already started to dream of the upcoming Sea/s of White - and to regret not having a camera along. That, along with the hopes of a nice afternoon's rest made me expect one very picturesque journey.The facts have however been different. [Aren't they always?..]My dreamy joy was getting squashed minute by minute as the journey

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-29855802468871768342009-12-18T12:14:00.003+02:002009-12-18T12:20:10.049+02:00

A UN-backed tribunal in Cambodia has charged Khieu Samphan, formerly the head of state for the Khmer Rouge, with genocide.The move came after genocide charges were filed against two other Khmer Rouge leaders, Ieng Sary and Nuon Chea.All the genocide charges relate to the men's treatment of Cambodia's Vietnamese and Muslim minorities.All three men had already been charged with war crimes and

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-62087300760708200232009-12-17T13:27:00.003+02:002009-12-17T13:32:43.141+02:00

Simo Häyhä: nicknamed "White Death" by the Soviet army, was a Finnish soldier. Using a standard iron-sighted, bolt action rifle in the Winter War, he has the highest recorded number of confirmed kills in any major war.Here: the Sniper Central list.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-8298239098482422572009-12-17T11:06:00.004+02:002009-12-17T11:41:43.685+02:00

No, not the Disturbed tune.Nor the Richard Cheese and the Lounge against the Machine remake.I'm the one who's been ill, unable to leave the house or manage any of my plans for that matter. Frustrating. Seriously.Instead, I did the only thing I was able to do: watching films. So here are some overviews - in chronological order [where chronological refers to the order in which I've seen them, fyi]:

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-38429147484796303842009-12-16T11:30:00.004+02:002009-12-18T18:01:48.805+02:00

How much fantasy can one bid on a historic re-interpretation of scattered facts and still get away with it? This seems to be the balance that Mr. Menzies is trying to strike in this book - might that be for fun, for curiosity, or for the sake of playing mind games and trying to re-write history at the same time.The fact that the book's controversial is an understatement: its potential is so great

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-46999447968524084802009-12-15T10:55:00.003+02:002009-12-15T11:02:25.979+02:00

I've bought a new moka coffee pot yesterday - and that's a good reason to enjoy coffee. That and the layers over layers over layers of snow outside: it's snowing thickly and smoothly, then it slows down a bit, then it's almost furious .. but independently of how the snow hits the ground [or anything else in its way, for that matter], it'll stay there.Winter has truly come.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-62787601422907991512009-12-13T15:38:00.003+02:002009-12-13T15:51:36.598+02:00

1. As the big metal bird was doing its last landing manoeuvres, all lights stayed off indoors; and I could notice the real tiny flesh-and-blood bird out the window - lost in a world of big metal birds unlike itself. How does this happen? It's the first time I see lost birds on the airport.2. The following day it snowed: it was the winter's first snow -I was told- and I appreciated the gift. I did

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-52255937761181060152009-12-10T15:53:00.005+02:002009-12-10T16:00:22.170+02:00

It's tomorrow: landing at BBU at night.Should any of you be in the mood to pick me up [*should such a mood -in fact- exist, hehe] tell me. The sooner the better.Any such initiatives would be appreciated... but I'll try not to hate you if you don't say anything either.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-544883174649337972009-12-09T21:12:00.005+02:002009-12-09T21:22:58.761+02:00

The first had been slightly heavier, with 12,820kg, but also larger.Hope this time they'll make it to the destination/s without any incidents, i.e. missing items; last time, the tiny box I had sent M. was missing its raison d'etre: the necklace [and I couldn't do much more than register a complaint. The necklace was never found, nor did we receive any explanation for the 2nd layer of duct tape,

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-41134630310157254372009-12-08T20:47:00.002+02:002009-12-08T20:58:48.165+02:00

Before I forget -which is always a danger- here's the short note which had been set in motion, once again, by the fund raising I've spotted the other day. The Cause? One of the many Firemen's Association in or around Lisbon.So here's the thought behind it: Fire fighting is an unpaid -yup, you read right!- voluntary position here in Portugal. Consequently they need to raise funds. As any other

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-56712697041374307852009-12-08T16:32:00.003+02:002009-12-08T16:59:02.721+02:00

About one year ago, it seemed that any new place to which I might relocate would have fully functional construction sites nearby; it's what happened in RO, NL, and then PT. Until last year. All of a sudden, constructions were either done or temporarily closed and it all felt relieving!But this time around, it's a different issue altogether: earlier this year, some very unfriendly downstairs

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-87580498264807600032009-12-07T16:55:00.003+02:002009-12-07T17:03:33.276+02:00

Romania's opposition Social Democrat party says Sunday's presidential election was rigged and plans to contest the result.Official results showed incumbent President Traian Basescu with a winning margin of less than 1%.Earlier, exit polls had predicted victory for his Social Democrat rival, former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana.Both candidates had claimed victory on Sunday night in what

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-59265494412089739342009-12-06T18:48:00.003+02:002009-12-06T18:52:12.154+02:00

Most unexpectedly, St. Nicholas Day brought along presents starting yesterday night [just on time!]: a couple of very nice parents [not mine] came with very large shiny boxes, and a certain phone call was possibly one of the nicest this month - just because it happened.Guess I like certain kinds of surprises: Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-16312346292707669022009-12-05T13:59:00.002+02:002009-12-05T14:07:28.458+02:00

This is one [unnamed] mobile phone company who have taken their 2-in-1 campaign barking up the wrong holidays tree; the Choco-Snowman looks like crap. Literally.... and the Santa Reindeer looks like it's been spending the remaining 364 days of the year hanging around Chernobyl, starting the 80's.That's one seriously sick creature over there!

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-20168637971299100732009-12-04T22:20:00.002+02:002009-12-04T22:54:21.154+02:00

As opposite to many of my Romanian friends [manifesting on blogs, e-groups of various sorts, and Web 2.0's social networking in general], the current presidential elections going on in the home country have passed me by almost entirely: it's for the first time since I am rightfully entitled to my voting rights that I did not use that, nor am I planning to.Now, other than the fact that my limited

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-90534253196178694222009-12-04T11:31:00.002+02:002009-12-04T11:44:17.479+02:00

This has most likely been the year's book in terms of alternative explanations - and that's the one phrase to describe it. Certainly, the year's book is a bit of an unfortunate reference as it has, in fact, been published a while back - but I've only read it now.[This] elegant, calm novel is written in the voice of Idas of Sidon, who long ago changed his name, for convenience, from Judas of

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-15183399759812894172009-12-03T23:42:00.002+02:002009-12-03T23:47:02.992+02:00

Globally, almost one in ten people is a person living with a disability and recent studies indicate that persons with disabilities constitute up to 20 per cent of the population living in poverty in developing countries. Many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to their participation in their communities and are often forced to live on the margins of society. They often face

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-14650556533541404962009-12-02T23:20:00.002+02:002009-12-02T23:22:56.991+02:00

The one way plane ticket's been booked.It's time to put life in boxes, once again. In all meanings you might think of.It started today.

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-23414922574812100322009-12-01T18:55:00.006+02:002009-12-01T23:45:37.350+02:00

No one enjoys feeling ill, even less so when it*'s founded on reality. Yet different cultures have different perceptions and different manners of dealing with illness and its manifestations - hence the "cultural differences" reference in my title above.Now, having already experienced this for a number of times until now, last week's sudden [and unwelcome] changes in my body's overall state of

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-45901745336364148382009-12-01T16:51:00.007+02:002009-12-01T17:14:14.317+02:00

[16th century:] Philip's successors make no attempt to protect Portuguese sensibilities, attempting to rule from Madrid while raising heavy taxes to pay for Spain's wars. The final straw was the attempt by Philip iv (Filipe iii of Portugal) to conscript Portuguese troops to quell a rising in Catalonia. On December 1, 1640, a small group of conspirators stormed the palace in Lisbon and deposed the

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-75129918400569005402009-11-30T12:05:00.003+02:002009-11-30T12:22:04.726+02:00

But it is about a Dust Distribution Theory: MY Dust Distribution Theory.And no, neither is it about charged dust. Unless that charge refers to its quality of making us discontent of having it around.What am I talking about here? - The common house dust.What about it? - I do have a Theory, more precisely a Distribution Theory. What I have been noticing in my observations is that:1. Dust is much

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505226.post-68327132125227136732009-11-29T16:37:00.004+02:002009-11-29T16:49:14.197+02:00

It's as easy as this to get me smiling:[Postcrossing User] wrote you a message:---------------Hello [to me],Thank you so much for your postcard. I love, love, love it! I went to a Degas exhibition in Rome when I first came over from Australia. I studied art for three years and he was one of my favourite artists. You read my mind. Thanks again & Happy Postcrossing![Signature of receiver]----------

Teohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540390991487189384noreply@blogger.com1