Noulo Net

In the hollowness of time

2010-06-01T17:32:00.002+01:00

I got my PhD, and that post is yet to come. Sorry about that. I am having a great time lately and a great time is no posting - exactly like good news are no news.

Last weekend I was in Vilnius visiting I. and her family as well as an old friend of mine, N. Both encounters made me thing once more of time, and its properties. A beautiful thing about time - very clear when you are on mushrooms, and harder to see some other times - is its hollowness.

hollowness

1. the state of being hollow: having an empty space within

- emptiness - the state of containing nothing
- solidity - state of having the interior filled with matter
2. hollowness - the property of having a sunken area
- concaveness, concavity - the property possessed by a concave shape
3. hollowness - the quality of not being open or truthful; deceitful or hypocritical
insincerity, falseness

- hypocrisy - insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
- untruthfulness - the quality of being untruthful

Time, and its constant passing by, keeps us small - it is hard to fight this hollowness over and over again, and make every little instant count.

Thinking about time, I recalled a letter I sent to my mamma a couple of light-years ago. In this letter I was saying that big projects are not harder than small projects. The are both sequences of small steps, just the big projects are longer sequences.

I was also saying that my friend N., who worked as a teenager in picking up strawberries, was back to his home country, he found a girlfriend he adores and he decided to settle down and make a family. Me, on the other hand, hadn't picked up my strawberries just yet - that was two years ago and I really felt I had to travel, go around, do and see more, before settling down somewhere.

I also met I's family, and they are settled down. They could barely speak English, but were fearless to give it a shot and move to Los Angeles - that sounds like a big project to me. And then at the end of the day I saw N. again. Single, happy, and determined to go look for some strawberries again. In the US, in London or Moscow.

And there I felt once more the hollowness of time. And saw how these people are ready to fight with it again. And actually, settling down for a while and enjoying life, which is what I do right now, is not such a bad thing. It is just recharging my batteries before fighting once more in the hollowness of time.

Greek Special Forces and the Banana-Kingdom

2010-03-29T11:10:00.003+01:00

On March 25 and October 28 Greece is celebrating the war of independence against the Turks, and the war against the Axon forces in the second world war. An interesting thing is that we celebrate the beginning of the war, and not the end --- in contrast with most countries that celebrate the finalising treaty for example.

On those days, the schools (age 10-17) and military of march in the centre of the city. In Athens and Thessaloniki, special forces also take part in the parade. Here we see the most hardcore marines, the underwater-destruction team.

They were shouting the following things in the middle of Athens:

Ελληνας γεννιέσαι, δεν γίνεσαι ποτέ, το αίμα σου θα χύσουμε, γουρούνι Αλβανέ

You are born Greek, you never become, I will shed your blood, Albanian pig.

Θα γίνει μακελειό, μετά θα εκδικηθώ, όταν θα προσκυνήσετε σημαία και σταυρό

There will be a blood bath, and my revenge will come, when you worship the Flug and the cross (we have a cross in our flug --- bad grammar and syntax in Greek as well)

Τους λένε "Σκοπιανούς", τους λένε Αλβανούς, τα ρούχα μου θα ράψω με δέρματ' απ' αυτούς

They are called Skopians (Macedonians), they are called Albanians. I will sew clothes from their skins.

Needless to say how embarrassing this is for me. Greece is a country at the limits of bankruptcy, with an enormous need to STOP spending money on weapons, and with an even bigger need to legalise ALL the immigrants to save its pension schemes. And here they come, the Uruk-hai of the Greek army, to shout their retarded political ideas in the middle of the city.

Unfortunately, this country IS collapsing. They will be unable to discover any responsibilities in the special forces of the military, where hierarchy is so clear. In any organised country, the minister could have punished the responsible people before the end of the day! Just call the general and told him he will be fired, unless he can point to the responsible person. He will do the same to the next commander or sth, and at the end of the day you have a name. It might be each one of these Uruk-hais. I don't care. Kick them out of the military.

Greece is, unfortunately, a banana-republic...

Ta-ra-raaaaaaaaaaa Ta-ra-raaaaaaaa

2010-03-12T11:38:00.005Z

The title obviously comes from the theme song:-).

YES! I am finished! My defence date is out! 19 of May 2010. I will become Dr Noulo :-). Every reader is welcome to my defence, please comment here or email me for more details!

Tarara tara-tara taraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Cool. Today it is a C-friday. That is, I am commenting my files which will be connected to the central tree:-). It is really boring, but in between commenting, writing my report and running hundreds of experiments, I also had some time to write about the Greek riots during my lunch break (riots = strikes = no journalists working = no news to read).

This week AGAIN Greece was on strike. People have the following demands:

1) We do not want to pay for the Greek debt crisis

2) Revive the economy

3) The markets must serve the people, not the people serve the markets

Once more, I am completely opposite to these ideas/demands. I am pretty happy I left the place, since it seems I really can't fit in... In detail:

Demand 1: There is a debt. That is a fact. IT WILL BE PAID. This can happen in three ways. First way, is the way government does it: through taxes and salary cuts. Second way, is through bankruptcy. In this case, Greece goes bankrupt (see previous post why this can't really happen) . The people of Greece will pay then again, e.g., by not getting pensions. Third way, is others to pay it, e.g., we attack a small rich country like Cyprus, or Malta. That's the only alternative, so please put at your placards: ATTACK MALTA! (I hope you see my tongue on my cheek)

Demand 2: Believe me there is nobody who would like to boost the economy more than politicians. If they manage to do so, they WILL get re-elected in a place blooming with business and thus profit opportunity for them. Their problem is that our economy is not competitive. Before the euro zone, they would devalue the drachma - in this way we all got 10% poorer, but we didn't know. A devaluation would lead to the Greek products being cheaper, the foreign more expensive and that would boost economy! Thus, they used to boost the economy ON OUR EXPENSE. Now the only way to boost our economy is to work harder!

Demand 3: The markets are after profit. They have nothing against people. They are like casinos! When they offer you a loan, it is NOT in your favour, otherwise they wouldn't offer it! If they serve people, they will acquire a debt, and get bankrupt - and this brings big shit for everyone as we show with the world wide financial crisis.

What is the common drawback of Greek demonstration's demands is that they focus on mentioning the problem, but not on proposing a solution. I just focused on the problems of the demands, and, in contrast with typical Greeks, I will propose a solution. I think the demands should be:

1) Thorough checks to all the people that held a space in the parliament over the last 20 years. Check the belongings of them and their family (cars, yachts, houses, land). Now check their legal income over the same period. If the numbers don't add up, confiscate 90% of their property.

2) Help the London Greeks to come back to Greece. Lower the tax for highly skilled jobs to 10%. Why should the accounting and finance headquarters of EMEA be in the Netherlands, with terrible weather and expensive land? Turn our beautiful islands into a paradise location for accounting, auditing, trading and so on. That's the type of economy we want to produce, in order to keep the natural beauty and tourism intact, and in order to absorb the thousands of Greek unemployed postgraduates

3) Teach finance in high-school! Actually, finance is not such a complicated issue. I think that proper education would show kids how important it is NOT to take a loan to buy a house unless they plan to die in it! How important it is NOT to buy milk when its price has risen 20% the last month!

Greece, Fame, and Bankruptcy.

2010-03-06T14:23:00.004Z

Hi there:-)

I sent a letter last week to a Greek show - Al tsantiri news. It is the show that makes the biggest numbers, 2.780.000 people watched the last show. I didn't expect it, but the guy actually read the best part of my letter, and mentioned my name :-). This means at least 3 million people where even a little bit affected by my opinion, which of course makes me happy.

In short I was saying that western Europeans do not want to help Greece because Greeks are making inexcusable mistakes, i.e. they don't pay taxes, they try to make a country where nobody pays anything, and worst of all they do protest and demonstrate without asking for the obvious: judge the politicians who stole the money.

Anyways, I closed with a romantic expression: Lots of love from Holland, which right now has no government but we all pay our taxes.

I will try to get the video, cut it, put subtitles and upload it on my blog:-). But that's gonna happen later. Here I will try to explain why Greece will not go bankrupt.

The actual crisis started in Greece when the new government (PASOK) came to power. They opened the books and show that the previous guys where lying. Our deficit was not 5.5% but 12.7%. I don't blame anyone here, the previous guys (ND) did the same when they took power from PASOK in 2004.

The problem with high deficit is that your debt grows. The debt is measured as a percentage of the countries GDP, which is the value EVERYTHING a country produces, services, products or ideas. When your debt grows a lot (it is more than 100% in Greece), people are afraid you might go bankrupt and they are more reluctant to borrow money to you - money you need to finance the interest rate on that debt! Thus, if your debt grows to 110% you have to pay DOUBLE the money that you would pay at 100% - because your borrow with worse rates.

Greeks thought that in case shit like this happens EU would support us. Our prime minister also thought so, and that's why he didn't take the necessary measurements right away. However, help didn't come - instead came pressure! Germans and the rest of the EU citizens forced our prime minister to cut down almost 10% of the public servants income, increase the taxes on cigarettes and petrol enormously, the VAT by 1% and the age of retirement by 3-10 years!!!

The questions are why did they push him so hard and why did he need that push?

The Europeans push because if Greece defaults then it is European banks that will loose money - they bought the Greek bonds for example. Lehman brother's collapse create a huge issue in money markets, imagine if a country at the size of Greece collapses. The Lehman Brothers debt was less than 200 billion dollars, while Greece's over 500!

Our prime minister, on the other hand, had to be pushed. The - necessary - legislation he applies has a huge political cost. Many people will have to face reality - and they don't like it. Right now he bets on blaming the "markets", "Germans" and "profiteers" for the measures, and it seems it might just work!

And I say might, because yesterday we had the first riots. But that's gonna be the next post;-)

Back. The Greek Crisis

2010-02-23T16:20:00.002Z

Hi all.

I have been working for almost 50 days now. That's half the time Obama (and Papandreou) asked to save their countries, so it is not little:-). The main reason I haven't written anything is that I am actually pretty happy. I like my job, I feel I have much more time than during my PhD, I go to the gym and for a beer or movie almost every day. The only problem is that I can't stay up late ( I try to be at bed by midnight, usually make it by 1:00), but, on the other hand, I started liking mornings too :-).

So, the reason I am back is the RIDICULOUS debates on Greece's financial crisis. If I keep on getting angry I will write more posts. But for the moment, I will just respond to the most popular theory right now in Greece.

"Yes we are in trouble! But the poor shouldn't pay. It is the politicians and the rich who got benefited by the EU funding, they should pay!"

Well, I agree it is them who benefited the most. But as I see in Wikipedia for the two major parties (who are the bad guys) the election results were:

1981, 84%

1985, 86.7%

1989, 90% (Lefts on the government too)

1989, 86.9% (No lefts this time)

1990, 86.5%

1993, 86.5%

1996, 80%

2000, 86.5%

2004, 85.9%

2007, 80%

2009, 78%

Therefore, it seems to me at least 80% of you should shut the fuck up and pay.

Phew. That made me feel better already.

Now, in a calmer state of mind, I can also give my input on the changes that should come in effect as soon as possible:

Equalise men and women age of retirement. And set it equal to the European counterparts. 67. Oh, and what about those who can't do their job till 67? Well, they should try hard to get into a more managing and less acting level by then. If not, sorry, you will get less pension. We need you to be able to offer your knowledge and expertise to the society.
Find multiple use for public servants. Teachers for example CAN NOT HAVE AS MANY HOLIDAYS AS THEIR STUDENTS. A simple solution would be to help with administration in other public services during the holidays. Yes, they will need time to learn. But the next year(s) they will really help out:-).
CUT DOWN MILITARY EXPENSES. They are not very useful. If there is a war with Turkey, we and the Turks are not really going to decide who wins. And if you are that worried, cut them down, boost the economy, risk for 10 years, and if you make it you can buy the new shit then. One fighter plane of 2020 will be better than 10 planes of 2010!

I know people will give me "smart" ideas like force people to pay taxes, and fight corruption in the public service. I will be pessimistic and say that it won't be proving fruitful any time soon. Let's take care of survival first, and looking sexy later...

There is no school like old school

2009-12-13T18:14:00.004Z

Yes.... After a (long) weekend in Thessaloniki with my two best friends from high-school and university years I can guarantee that there's no school like the old school. Here goes the (long) post.

I met them on Friday night. I was coughing, had fever and a heavy head. I had already started medication. Friend 1 (they don't want me to mention their names:-)) was working for 12 hours already. Friend two would only finish later, a bit before midnight.

Friday 23:15

The team was in bad shape.

Friday 00:30

We had a few drinks in a crowded place. Caught up with our lives, heard a live band playing old rock songs, and went to a bar a friend of mine is working.

Friday 2:00

The bar is nearly empty. We enter and there are three friends of ours there. For no apparent reason we had a bottle of Vodka and a bottle of Tequila. In shots. In less than two hours.

Friday 4:00

With heavy heads we had some low quality food on our way home. The weekend was just about to start...

Friday 5:00 I am at home. The low quality food leaves my body :-).

Saturday we spent the day outdoors. Coffee, jokes, football. Regretting those last 5 shots or so :-). I get back at home at 22:00, under the agreement to meet as soon as possible. And the old school starts...

Friend 1 is going for a shower, and he promises to wake me up in half an hour. I fall asleep...

Time goes by....

I half wake up. I look at my watch 00:10. I am sooo tired. I should get up. I really want to sleep! Is my friend dead? What happened? And then... Something inside me tells me "We are not old yet!"

I crawl to the bedroom...

-Man, are you alive...?

-Angggghhh

-Let's go, we are not old yet...

-Fuck nooooooo!!!!

We have a shower in the car, and we are down town by 1:30. We meet the other guy in a cheap fast-food chain. A girl gets a burger.

Friend 1: Nice ass.

Noulo: Yep. 7.

Friend 1: Why 7?

Noulo: Where would you give a 10?

Friend 1: To me.

Noulo: You have never *actually* seen you ass..

Friend 1: I have. In the mirror.

Noulo: Mirrors deform stuff :-).

We are back! YOU KNEW IT!

We have a burger and go to a bar. Crowded. So so.

We hit a second. Looks full. I am trying to get in... The doorman is giving me a copliment - nice hair. Is it possible? Is there hope in Greece? Will they understand my haircut at last?:p

We enter - people are dancing. Friend 1 makes a move on two girls. Friend 2, stays with me. I try to push him there. He doesn't go. I am drinking, dancing, having the time of my life :-). A song plays (also selected here Summer hits):

Important part:

Εγώ ο μικρός, ο αμνός του θεού

I, the young lamp of God,

Ξεχασμένος στο νότο, γεννημένος αλλού

Forgotten in the sount, born elsewhere,

Ξέρω πάντα η Τροία, θα μιλια μακριά

will always know that Troy is miles away,

Κι η ωραία Ελένη, θα 'ναι τώρα γριά

And the beautiful Helen is old by now

---------------------------------------------------

Noulo: I love this song

Friend 2: I dunno why, but it always reminds me of you!

Noulo (smiling) : Seriously?

Friend 2 (smiling, like a father would): Of course. :-).

Second copliment in one night... Not bad at all.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Friend one, is talking to a girl. 24. Still three courses for her BSc. Living with her parents. Having an attitude.

Friend 1: Could you please help me advise a girl friend of mine? (not gf, just girl and friend)

Girl: Sure.

Friend 1: She is 27. Quite pretty and quite fit. Finished a BSc and an MSc, the latter abroad. She is fun, lives on her own and has both a great career and great prospects. She likes this 24 year old average dude, still in his BSc, living with his parents.

Girl: Oh, come on, she shouldn't bother with such a guy. She deserves much more!

Friend 1: You see? I SO can't take your attitude.

Girl: Leave me alone.

--------------------------------------------

Noulo: Man, give girls a break, they have their own insecurities.

Friend 1: Fuck this. I have mine too. But I try to meet new people, I stay positive and I am always polite. I can't remember the last time I just went out with a girl to have fun, and see what comes along. I can't remember the last time a girl told me something that I hadn't heard before...

Noulo: I think I understand. Life is a bitch, but when you bring yourself to the top 5% of the bachelors out there, you need to wait 20 times more (on average) before the right girls shows up.

Friend 1: :-)

We get home. Oh, of course terrible food again. Of course it leaves my body 30 minutes later. There is no school like old school.

I play this song...

Can you tell me a story that I don't know ?

Can you show me a picture that I haven't seen before ?

Can you do one thing for me, just let me oooonn !

Can you tell me a story that I don't know ?

Can you show me a picture that I haven't seen before ?

Can you do one thing for me, just let me oooonn, just let me ooooooon... just let me ooooooooooonn... (?)

Can you give me a reason why to stay behind ?

Can you say to my face that I'm not wasting all my time ?

Can you do one thing for me, just let me ooooonn !

Can you see the way I'm having ?

And the story that is ending

And my final place to be

need some quite energy

Can you show me one more time, just words of love

Forgive me

For leaving you alone.

Forgive me

For not saying anymore...

Forgive me

For leaving you alone (I can see a word game here...)

Forgive me

For not waiting anymore

Forgive me

For leaving you alone

Forgive me

For not waiting anymore.

Kavala City

2009-12-09T15:19:00.003Z

Back in my homeland of Greece. Back in Kavala. Back in the bar on of my best friends (Stelios) used to work, and now co-owns :-). We are getting older but that's not necessarily bad :-).

Drinking till 6 am, driving to the airport to pick up my uncle. Kavala is a 60.000 people city, but on a Tuesday night you can find 3-4 places full till 6 am. I love this country :-).

Anyways, the best of are these:

-------------

00:15

Tasos: Noulo, what will you drink?

Noulo: Whatever. (In Greek it is three words, ό,τι να 'ναι, something like, anything there is)

Tasos orders, the barwoman brings drinks. All but mine. Then, when she sees I am the one without a drink she says:

Barwoman: Hello, your friend ordered something for you, what did you ask for?

Noulo: Whatever

Barwoman: How do I make it?

Everyone clapping for her brilliance. She brings me an Havana - Ice Tea Peach. Not bad.

Noulo 1. Barwoman 0.

--------------

2:15 Place already crowded. Mostly couples, many of them are kissing.

Noulo: Many couples eh?

Stelios: Yes, and they kiss all the time.

Noulo: Why?

Stelios: They live with their parents, they feel it's private enough here.

I look around for a minute or two.

Noulo: Girls close their eyes when they kiss

Stelios: Yes, so it's even more private

Noulo: Men don't

Stelios: Some do

Noulo: Which ones?

Stelios: The ones thinking of their ex-es.

-----------------------------

4:10

Noulo: Want a drink?

Tasos: Yes.... Bring me a bit from everything (απ'ολα, sth like a souvlaki order)

Noulo: One whatever, and one everything

Barwoman: O.K.

She brings back 2 Havana - Ice Tea Peach.

Noulo: These are two whatevers, where is my everything?

Barwoman: I thought you shouldn't mix drinks.

Noulo 1. Barwoman 1.

------------------------------------------

5:30. Hard times. Avoid operating heavy machinery.

Noulo: What's the barwoman's name?

Stelios: Rania.

Noulo: Your name is Rania right?

Rania: Yes!

Noulo: You don't remember me, right? (first time I ever see her)

Rania: Let me think...

Noulo: (pulling back my hair): Really?

Rania: I remember you, I just can't recall from where

Noulo: I am that guy ordering whatever all night

Noulo 2. Rania 1.

The music becomes early 80.

I hear a song, so beautiful, so Greek. Like no other. I will give a shot to translate it, and explain some of the parts. It is not easy - follow the refs AFTER you read it all.

Αν θέλεις βόλτα βραδινή στην πόλη

If you want to go out tonight in the city

Αν θέλεις cinema

If you want to go to the movies

Αν θες χορό εκεί που τρέχουν όλοι

If you want to dance where everyone is speeding [1]

Ξενύχτι και λοιπά

Stay out till late, and the rest

Αν θέλεις κούρσα ως την παραλία

If you want a crazy ride till the seaside [1]

Ραδιόφωνο στο full

The radio playing in full volume

Αν πάλι θέλεις στη γνωστή γωνία

Or if you want in the well known corner [2]

Απλά ένα ραντεβού

Just a date

Πες το κι έγινε

Ask for it and it happened [3]

Πες το κι έγινε μωρό μου

Ask for it and it happened baby

Μέρα έφυγε

The day is gone

και τι έγινε μικρό μου

So what my little one

Νύχτα αρχίζει και

The night start and...

Πες το κι έγινε

Ask for it and it happened

Αν θες να αλλάξω τα παλιά μου ρούχα

If you want me to change my old clothes

Να αλλάξω και μυαλά

Change my theories (mindset)

Αν θες να διώξω την αγαπή που'χα

If you want me to send my old lover away

Κι ακόμα πιο πολλά

Or even more

Αν θες να πάρουμε μαζί τους δρόμους

If you want us to take the street

Τις Εθνικές Οδούς

And the high ways

Να βρούμε αλλιώτικους δικούς μας κόσμους

To find different worlds of our own

Χαμένους θησαυρούς

Or lost treasures...

Πες το κι έγινε

Ask for it and it happened

[1] In Athens there is a highway next to the sea. Everyone is speeding there. I had the rear luck to get there in the early 90s (being sth like 12) with my crazy uncle and a Yamaha XT. We would race from one traffic light to the next along with so many other cars and motorbikes. SO FAST. And break. And race. And break. The temperature is like 35 during the night, the air feels it comes from a hair drier on your face! And about helmets... Oh well. we will just make sure we don't fall.

[2] EVERY group of friends (party, or fellowship or sth like this, there is no english word for παρέα) have they corner. It doesn't even have to be a corner. It's just the place they meet.

[3] Ask for it. In simple present. And it happened. In simple past. That is, I will make sure we do whatever you ask for, as fast as possible. Just ask for something and we will have it.

Even at 6 am. In a small city like Kavala. People are out there, because they said at eleven last night, πες το κι έγινε. And their friends asked to go out.

P.S.: Oh, and at the end of the night we go to have breakfast. The place is closing down, they are cleaning. We walk in.

-Sorry we are closed. We can't prepare sth because we are sterilizing the crepe machine and the toasters. However, we have some bougatsa, cheesepie, croissants and sandwiches left - get whatever you want for free!

Because Greece is poor, but it is not cheap.

Crying

2009-12-06T02:12:00.002Z

Short post. As it should be.

On Wednesday I received a good-bye card from the people of the group. I spent four and a half years with them. More than in my MSc, more than in the BSc more than in each of the two high schools. Compared only to grade school.

And I spent all day. Every day.

I took the card and run out. Went to my car. And cried. A lot. I hadn't cried since my dad passed away. It feels weird, I had almost forgot the feeling.

On Thursday, at the good-bye cakes I was wearing my every day face.

PhD is officially over. First of February I will get my defence date...

Similes

2009-11-25T11:33:00.004Z

After a lazy morning at home (woke up, breakfast, read the news, replied to emails) I watched some youtube videos. They were snapshots of sports-shows in local TV channels, in which people can call and insult the presenters live. The presenters insult them back. And everyone is happy.

I know that this sounds funny to most of my foreign friends, but consider that Greece has 14 sports newspapers. Daily newspapers writing ONLY about sports. This must be a -per capita - world record :-). Anyway, that's not the topic today.

I realised that such a show can be so amusing, and so intellectual at the same time because of the type of insults people use in Greek. In English, and I guess most northern Europe languages, you insult someone personally, e.g. wanker. In southern Europe, you typically swear at someone's relatives, e.g. his mamma.

Well, in Greek, you do swear like a southern European. But moreover, you use similes, i.e., a figure of speech comparing two unlike things, often introduced with the word "like" or "as". And this made me realise, the part of speech that I miss the most from Greek. It is these similes.

If you check the examples in the wiki, there is something like:

He fights like a lion.

What is the problem with this example? Well, lions don't really fight. Yes, they are strong, yes they are considered the symbol of a warrior. But then, why not say

He fights like a warrior.

Which is direct, and of course doesn't look pretty at all. What people often miss in English is that you are supposed to use a simile to stretch a situation. And manage this through an example which is familiar to everybody. In the same example:

He fights like a boat against the storm.

And because we have been doing this shit in Greece for more than 3000 years (Homer did it a lot :-)) we make really beautiful similes. Sad, brave, warm, touching. And often, a simile hits my mind, but it's rarely appreciated around me. And I am suffocating, like a small cloud in the blue sky...

This was take by:

Οι καταιγίδες με αγαπούν

The storms love me

Με βοηθάνε να σταθώ και να σωθώ

They help me stand and save me

Απ' τη νωθρή γαλήνη του καιρού

from the the lazy peace of time

Που με ρουφάει και με κρατάει υπνωτισμένο αιχμάλωτο

That sucks me and keeps me prisoner

Οι νύχτες μου χαμογελούν

The nights smile to me

Ποτίζουν με αίμα τον γλυκό μου πυρετό

They water with blood my sweet fever

Και οι μέρες όλες με καλούν μέσα απ' το στόμα τους να πιω

And the days call me to drink from their mouth

Τον μυρωμένο τους αφρό, κι όμως εγώ

Their odoriferous foam, but I...

Διψάω σαν ψάρι στο βυθό

am thirsty like a fish at the bottom of the sea

Κι ασφυκτιώ

and suffocate

Κι ασφυκτιώ σαν συννεφάκι

and suffocate like a small cloud

Μέσα στον καθαρό ουρανό

In the blue sky

Posting...

2009-11-22T13:05:00.003Z

It's been a while since my last post. Many things happened in between, and I will rather try to sum them all up. In one sentence I am in trance...

I signed my contract for my new job. As planned, at the age of 26 (recently 27), I start working for the MAN. I am pretty happy with the choices of both the job and the man. Time will show, but my first feeling rarely betrays me.

I am finished with my thesis. Wrote all the chapter. Finished the conclusions. This week I might send it out to the committee (I will have to force people in the group to proof read it for grammar and spelling mistakes first).

These two make me think I should close this blog, no PhD any more. Maybe start a new one? We will see...

Back to reporting, I am going to Greece for December. Probably the last long vacation for the next years. Yep, I know one day I will read this last sentence and think it was pronounced too lightly:-). But I feel it is time to work, produce and achieve.

Other than that not much. I got clamped and paid my fines (once more:-)). I went to a crazy party with my little sister. This type of parties, that you don't describe :-D. And read something moving after a while...

"Modern people are so afraid of death, that they pay as much as they can to avoid it. They don't believe in faith, they don't believe in destiny"

Well, I think there is no destiny, and there is no faith. BUT, these terms have indeed a very important function. They make us less scared of the consequences of the - inevitable - death. And only when you are not afraid of dying, you can really live your life.

Or maybe, it's just one more Sunday morning...

Flowers of the forest...

2009-10-04T13:47:00.005+01:00

Beautiful Sunday morning after a raining Saturday. Somehow it feels sweet. And it deserves a song:

And the lyrics (it's been a while, since the last translation, has it not?:p)

Ξύπνα λουλούδι του δάσους
πουλί του λιβαδιού
που σεργιανάς στον ουρανό
που ‘χεις τα μάτια μικρού ελαφιού

Wake up flower of the forest,
bird of the valley,
that takes strolls in the open sky,
that has the eyes of a young deer,

Σαν τα λουλούδια που πίνουν δροσιά
έτσι χορταίνω όταν με κοιτάς
σαν ευωδιά λουλουδιών πρωινή
σαν ευωδιά μαραμένου φύλλου
είναι η ανάσα σου

Like the flowers, that drink dew,
that's how I get full when you look at me,
like the morning smell of flowers,
like the smell of a dried leaf,
your breath feels to me

Κοίταξε με, κοίταξε με
αίμα της καρδιάς μου
Η γη χαμογελάει
τα νερά χαμογελάνε
τα σύννεφα στον ουρανό
όλα χαμογελάνε
αγαπημένη μου

Look at me, look at me!
Blood of my heart,
Earth is smiling,
water is smiling,
the clouds of the sky,
are all smiling,
my darling

Ξύπνα λουλούδι του δάσους
ξύπνα ξύπνα αγαπημένη
wake up flower,
wake up love!

I really like this song. Its the only Greek cha-cha I have danced, and every time it brings in my mind all the forest flowers of my life.

Talking about waking flowers, yesterday I was once more at an Awakening party. I advise anyone with an ear for electronic music, to check these parties out! Good music (techno), amazing lighting effects (even for the non-believers:-)) and a very active and well mannered crowd. Not too young, not too old - perfect:-).

Recollecting one's coolness

2009-09-30T18:22:00.002+01:00

Straight to the music

The job interviews are postponed for mid October. That's not that bad - although till I am settled I will be worried about it.

It shouldn't worry me though - cause after all I am very cool :-).

That was the last party's revelation. I remembered I am very cool and therefore I deserve good treatment:-). And even more. You are also cool, and you should treat yourselves better! Forget the constant "stay humble", "don't show off", "who do you think you are". You are cool!

Yes, you might be infinitely small. And live so little that, for the universe, it is not even an instant. And probably, your life affects only a few things around you. But on the other hand, from your personal point of view, you are the most important person! You are the first role of the movie. You are the star. And as a star, treat yourself with the following things for next week:

Before you do your job set the end time. Then, start and finish without letting anything interfere. Then, don't let your work affect the rest of the day either.
Don't push yourself to make other people happy.
Arrange one less TODO per day. Use the remaining time each day to:

Cook a good meal, and enjoy it at the proper temperature, with the proper friends and the proper wine.
Call the people that care for you. Talk about their life as if you have nothing else to do.
Give a long evening to your partner. Lick them. Taste them. Hear their breath and look in their eyes.

Yep. This stuff might not mean much for the universe, nor for the rest of the world. But how does your viewpoint feel like right now?

Yes... Cool... So cool...

I am back, you knew it!

2009-09-22T14:39:00.003+01:00

Back back back...

After a long summer vacation (yes, almost two months!) I am back in Amsterdam, and back in blogging.

I am not going to write about Mexico or Greece right now. One was better than the other, but, the happenings, stories and ideas will pop up in future posts. As they should.

One of the most interesting facts is that I moved in with VasiL, a figure sometimes closer to fiction than reality, a figure that gives rise to many interesting posts. Lately, he suggested me buying a voice recorder and record where I would like to live - he claims this changes constantly.

I am not going to buy anything, don't forget I am unemployed right now, but instead I will spend a post on this interesting topic.

Currently I am 26 (almost 27). The next big thing in my life is working for the Man. That is, work for someone else. Consequently I would like to live in a place where I can work 40 hours a week, have at least 25 days of a year and earn a salary that will allow me to live as I want and save some money. Anything else comes second to that.

In this perspective, I have looked for (and will probably get) a job in the Netherlands. The working conditions are great, during my interviews I met some very interesting people from whom I can learn a lot, and the salaries offered to me so far are more than satisfactory. Yes, Berlin or London could also be the place, and they will be if I don't find the job I am looking for here:-).

At some point, unless Fate things otherwise, I will be 40. By that time it would be great to have a family and, moreover, not find myself working for the Man - but rather be the Man. Obvisouly I will have clients for whom I work, but I would see myself more as an associate or manager of a company rather than an emploee.

The second factor that affects my life at that point will be the Woman. She will probably be making a carreer[1] and I would love to have the freedom in terms of working hours to stand by her and raise my kids properly. Moreover, I should be able to communicate with her.

These observations make the ideal place to live more involved:

1) A place where I can be the Man

2) A place where I can communicate with the Woman in the main spoken language

3) A place where I feel safe to raise kids

4) A place where the Woman can make a carreer

Under these circumstances, the potential places are English-speaking (e.g. London, U.S.A.), German-speaking(e.g. Zurich, Berlin) and Greece.

Yes, maybe I will learn Dutch by then and Holland might enter the equation - or maybe Mrs Noula takes the family to Australia. Remember that the question is where I would like to live:-). What am I asking for? A chance to go to paradise;-)

Phew, new category added: Voice recorder

[1]I like women with a past and men with a future ;-)

Little Sista'

2009-07-20T23:35:00.006+01:00

In between all the mess, I have a little sister. Or "little sista' " as people would call her in the 'hood. And I have to get her married, before I can settle down myself.

The post is obviously flooded with delirious happiness - I am off to Greece tomorro, and I will see my mum and my little sis. After a long discussion with a stoned friends, watching football, we both proposed are favorite groom. One is african-american, one is african-african. She can choose for herself:

Simao Mate Junior vs. Mike Batiste!!!

SIMAO:

BATISTE:

Our choices are clearly affected by the second stupid song we were listening to in Manchester:

Basically the song story goes like: I fell in love with an African, who came to Greece from Africa on a canoe.

We fell in love, he was a god in bed. I started sleeping with his friends too. He found out, and he beat me up. Now I am also black (bruised)

singer Efi Sarri ... little Greek slut :p...

The chorus:

African, African,

let's connect :-D

Summer hits

2009-07-17T10:37:00.003+01:00

Ah, summer is closer - it is actually only a few days away.

On Tuesday I fly to Greece, and summer will be waiting for me there:-).

I remember last year, Urbanek visited me in Greece. I asked him when did he last go to the beach, and he told me 3 years ago in Holland! Oh, my god! I though quitely... HE HAS NEVER BEEN TO THE BEACH :-). Because if you consider the dutch August and the dutch coast, summer and beach respectively, you really don't know the meaning of these words. In any case, Urban did find out the meaning of these words, and I had the best summer of my life.

It had been a while till my previous really good summer. It takes time to get used to the loss, but that's a whole other story - and I need at least 60 sessions with a good therapist to start talking about such things.

I pushed myself to write a post this morning, I don't want to loose my rythm. Jobs keep on calling in, and appointments are made with Executives. This gave me again a feeling of comfort that everything will turn out great. And when I am happy, I don't feel like writing.

This morning, I was procrastinating, and here I am with an idea! I will put a list of songs for the summer. These are songs for the car, songs you can hear when you drive back from the beach - or the club:-). Or when you drive to an island very far away. The translation is too long, so I will only write the chorus:-).

"Far, very far I away, I wish to travel,

and the sun will find us alone (not in a crowd)

you will smoke your Camel cigarettes,

and I will be in a corner (withdrawn) drinking whiskey"

(she tells her car)

"Don't drive me by home,

do you listen?

TAKE ME TO GOD,

you smell like catalyst,

but you are the only one who loves me!

Time (as if time is a person), you punk,

you pull apart people and loves,

DON"T BRING ME HOME,

do you listen?

take me somewhere else"

"La ra laaaaaa

Na ra na naaaaa

The king of powder!"

"The whole island,

a pebble between your legs,

the whole earth,

lying in your arms"

That's about it - just four so YOU LISTEN TO THEM NOW!

Manchester...

2009-07-12T23:20:00.002+01:00

So many things to write about these days...

I spent my weekend in Manchester - and I saw some old friends. Good old friends.

The first guy has a gf. They will move in together. He has a high profile job as a consultant. It seems that's exactly what he is looking for - if you'd ask him two years ago. And he is so stressed. So unhappy... His life passes through his fingers like sand. It is the third time I see him since he started working. And the third time I see him like this :-(. Either he didn't know "what he wants" or ... I dunno what... :-( I tried to give him some hints to snap out of it - but I have never been good at psychological comfort and shit... If things with him change after my advice, I will report it here. He is going for vacation back to Greece

The second dude, pretty versatile. Working in the public sector of the UK government. Going up, little by little. Unfortunately, his social life seems like a desert. On the bad side, it has mainly been a desert the last years. On the good side? He knows about it, and he looks determined to change things - even by small everyday things, like playing football, or inviting me to London to talk to girls for him:-p. He is not going to Greece this summer.

The last, but definetely not least, is trapped in Manchester. Working the last months on an internship salary, under the typical excuse of the crisis. He tries to be ironic about it "I am xp-ing, not farming" in warcraft terms (for the newbies, this means he is not playing for gold, but for experience). It is always hard to understand if this is lack of ambition, or realism. I hope for the latter, but believe in the former. He is going back to Greece this summer - and maybe permanently this October.

I spent some thought on them. Well, they are not doing that bad. At least they are trying. The issue, here, is whether it is worth to try at the expense of your happinness. I don't know. It seems to me that the foreign lands have drained them, made them older, and, ultimately, used them. But then again, none of the would change their life for the life of our friends who never left Greece.

Or maybe, it is the fact that they haven't really left Greece that tortures them. The people who will go back, have a harder time. Maybe that's the problem.

I am going back to Greece, and the situation doesn't feel that bad for me. I had the second interview and went fine, but since my blog is connected to my personal website, and that to my CV, I have to keep work-related staff off-line, at least until I decide what I am doing next.

Back in Manchester, we spent the first evening at home. The second evening we bar-crawled till midnight. We were not allowed in bars after midnight - " No-trainers policy, mate! ". I forgot how bad it feels to be fashion-measured by the worse dressed up nation of the world. And being found short!!!

In any case, we chatted, and drunk (a lot...) and that's the general vibe (one more song coming on tomorro's post, the order is random):

Short translation:

You want tra la la

I want tra la lo

You like lolipops,
And ice creams in cones

You want tra la la

I want tra la lo

I will be your girlfriend

to play tra la lo.

Yes, I am happy and I am glad I met my mates:-p.

- to be continued from previous- agents in the Netherlands:

I have been speaking with agents. Some I liked, some not. I wanted to be long on this, but the CV->site->blog chain does not leave much privacy. I am just wondering with my simplistic mind...

How can an agent judge better than the employer if we should talk? Next time, the groom should ask the priest: Will I marry her?

Why should the agent arrange the salary? It is going to be an issue in the future - if I am the employer I definitely want to see how someone deals with this staff before hiring him. The priest doesn't take part in the discussions of a couple, does he?

Why are agents ALWAYS lying? Let me answer this one:

Have you thought, that agents are lying on purpose, in an obvious fashion? Then, all the little lies they have said, seem like truth in comparison?

Bottom line, and tip of the day regarding your job search: Trust only your employer/employee. The couple is happy because of the marriage. The priest is happy because of the wedding.

Selling Out

2009-07-07T23:51:00.005+01:00

Intro:

sell out

1. To put all of one's goods or possessions up for sale.
2. Slang: To betray one's cause or colleagues

The rejection was hard, but it already in the past. As Rocky said, (Rocky VI which is not that bad:-) ) In life it is not about how many [punches] you can give, but about how many you can take and keep on going!

So noulo goes on. One door is closed, and this actually opened all the others. Most of them, are doors of multinational companies and trading firms. Companies that can welcome my skills but not my attitude. And since I decided to sell out, I sold out compeltely. Thx to Ieva for the pics:

Corporate Noulo Vs. Academic Noulo

I don't think I look that bad on the left - I might have actually hired the dude on the left myself. But buying this suit I though all the hope is gone. I am ready for a life of smiles, PR and executives, instead of papers, conferences and parties.

I uploaded my CV to efinancail careers, and many "good friends of mine", a.k.a. agents, called me to offer me positions. I turned down some, some turned me down - in one way or the other. And three of the cases looked pretty interesting. An internet startup, a company a friend works, and a random company an agent proposed. Three interviews to go. Three interviews to see, who is willing to buy what I am selling out.

The first interview was with the random company, and looked the least promising. The guys had no website. I arrived there 10 mins late (THANK YOU AMSTERDAM FOR THE ENDLESS WORKS ON THE STREETS). To be honest, I thought it would be good training - nothing more.

And then... LIGHT! From the last horse of the race. The least favourite!

It turns out, they are a group of smart kids - PhDs, in Physics and Biology. Oh, and one trader. And they work as a team. And they are a small team, but they are willing to teach and be tought, share their knowledge and acquire yours. Talk and listen.

And I feel for the first time, I might enjoy working in the industry. I might actually make friends there - and learn! It might not be that bad after all, and it is probably good that since Berlin is off, I will check out what's going on outside the Unis.

Hey but that's enough for tonight. More on my options, after all three interviews. One thing is for sure - I got really happy from the interview I expected the least from. The guys coming up, that DO have expectations, must do great or dissapoint me :-).

And the show goes on...

P.S.: Soon on noulo.blogspot.com :

Agents in the Netherlands. Who are they and what do they do. What do I think about it.
Good questions for an interview, for all these employers that read my blog. Donations welcome.
If time allows, Sensation White afterefect.
Feedback from the interviews.

P.S.2: So many friends sent a good word after my last posts:-). Thank you all!

Berlin Zwei

2009-07-03T14:11:00.003+01:00

Once more about Berlin... This time, the rejection is not that fresh and I have taken a look to my options. Regarding the latter, the market seems to welcome me, but more on that on the next post.

I would like to focus now on the remarks of my friends about it. More specifically, a guy told me "worse things can happe", and the regretted it. He though he sounds cold and doesn't sympathize with me. A girl said I shouldn't worry, I would rather be a househusband anyways. I know I say so, and I would love to be one, but this is not connected to Berlin really. And I think if she reads the comment twice, she won't like it that much anymore...

I though about it for a moment. Both of these friends love me, and they don't mean any harm. Then why does my heart feel so bad?

I colncluded that the reason is I had never shown to the people near me how much I wanted to go there - and I did! More importantly, I never shared all these little dreams I made on my own about it. Dreams that are not going to be true. I am pretty closed by nature. Time to open up, and share these little dead dreams...

1) I was checking daily the prices of a used A5 cabrio in Germany. Yes, I did save money for it. And I got as much as I could from my insurance. And yes I planned to go to Greece, sell my loyal Auris and get the A5.

2) I was dreaming of announcing the good news to the guys of the group. I checked on line to make sure my German haven't let me down. I was planning to say I am coming, ask help with housing and with my German - specifically I would as if "Haben Sie Shampoo für Locken?" is correct :-D (Do you have shampoo for curly hair?)

3) I checked the housing information. Aparrently there is a multifloor building next to the Uni, with parking, and super low prices.

http://www.tu-berlin.de/abz/menue/internationale_gaestebetreuung/unterkuenfte/parameter/en/

and the upper three floors are given to visiting researchers. The rest to students! Does it get better?

4) Well, it does. I asked around how I can get soundproof floor cover to make sure I can play music in my flat there - it is not that hard actually. Great view, students ready to join the party, view from the 8th floor and noulo spinning...

5) I checked back with the institute I studied German in Kavala, if my favourite teacher (Elisaver:-)) is available for private classes this summer. She is not. That's really bad luck;-)

6) I planned to spend September here in Amsterdam, seeing friends, taking it easy and writing a facebook applet I have in mind.

6 little dreams. Dreams on which I invested time, hope and expectations. It's not that the dreams will not coem true that I mind. It's just that my heart feels so bad. [:(]

Moutza from Berlin

2009-06-29T10:46:00.005+01:00

Moutza, or in Greek Μούτζα.

Moutza is a gesture coming straight from ancient Greece. In the image, the lady gives a moutza to the dude. In ancient times, it meant that I wish you loose all your five senses (therefore the five open fingers). In modern Greece it is used very often but means disaproval of ones actions. For example, I asked for funding to go to Berlin, and they gave me a moutza. When somebody is moutza-ed, this typically brings bad luck.

As you can see at the picture, the dude takes it with Stoicism (another ancient greek philosophy school). The stoics considered destuctive emotions to be the result of errors in judgement, and that a sage or a person of moral and intellectual perfection would control such emotions. That's more or less what I try to do at this point :-).

I can't say I am not dissapointed, but I can't say it is the end of the world either. It would have given me the possibility to take it easy for two more years, learn by a great researcher and upgrade my research CV. It wouldn't however be the solution to any problem - rather a postponing to facing real problems like a job.

I guess time will show if it was for the best. The only thing I can be sure of was that I was not ready (good enough?) for it. And as the song says, first you take Manhattan, then you take Berlin:

Leonard Cohen - First We Take Manhattan

They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'm guided by a signal in the heavens
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those

Ah you loved me as a loser, but now you're worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me, but you don't have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I don't like your fashion business mister
And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'd really like to live beside you, baby ...

And I thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night, now I'm ready
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I am guided

Ah remember me, I used to live for music
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
Well it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

P.S.: the song is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFBKV0zVXSE&feature=fvst and embedding is disabled by request (the bad luck of being moutza-ed we were talking about).

P.S.2: Thanks to romfea for an embedded link:-)

Leonard Cohen - First we take Manhattan
Geüpload door beautifulcynic. - Muziek video's, interviews met artiesten, concerten en meer.

Vreidag

2009-06-19T08:59:00.002+01:00

In the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it is Vreidag. You don't have to be an expert to see that this means Vrei + Dag = Free + Day. Unfortunately I have to work, and so do most of the people here.

Surpassing this morning flair of stupidity, I get to the main point of this post. Being an allochtoon. Allochtoon is a Dutch word straight from ancient Greek, derived from Greek ἀλλος (allos), other, and χθον (chthon) earth/land, literally meaning "originating from another country".

A friend of mine complaints in her blog about being one. She is Greek, moved from England to Holland, and turned from foreigner into allochtoon. Well, here I am, in an optimistic post after a while, presenting 10 reasons that being alochtoon is cool:

You don't feel guilty for anything. If Greece does something racist, you left. If Netherlands do something racist, you are an allochtoon.
You can speak just a few words, and still look sophisticated. You memorise a few dutch expressions like a parrot, and the autochtoons (locals) treat you as a intellectual
You can try whatever you want in bed. And then say, what's wrong with .... ? In Greece we do it all the time. (e.g. ... = coming in your face)
You don't know when the holidays are. So, when they come you are happy, without all this longing for the public holiday!
You don't have to know namedays, birthdays etc. I don't know why this works like it, but people always take it lightly, if you are an allochtoon
You are trully cosmopolitan. Once more from Greek, Cosmos = world and Politis = citizen. Citizen of the world. Such a beautiful thing.
You meet other cosmopolitans - allochtoons. Yes, locals also have foreign frinds. But believe me, if locals are racist ones with the allochtoons, international people are really looking down on the locals.
You have better chances for a happy wedding! Yes, when the main issues are "shall the kids speak English, Greek or ... ? And should they go to Greece or ... for the summer vacation? (e.g. ... - Lithuanian :-) )You avoid troubling yourself over divorce-bringing topics.
You take it easy with the police. I am a tourist, sorry:-)
You enjoy the city you live in! I have never been in museums in Thessaloniki. I have been going out in the sam eplaces since ever in the cities I grew up. Every day is a new challenge here in Amsterdam, or back in Edinburgh, or at the nect stop of the noulo train:-)

I would also mention, you can always go for vacation in Greece and speak the language, but the non-Greek allocthoons do not find it that easy. Apart from the blond allochtoon, who pretends to be light-brown, and will do so with me.

Life is not that bad after all. Fourth chapter finished. One (?) left to go...

European Elections 2009

2009-06-15T09:45:00.006+01:00

A few days ago the elections for the European Union took place. In Netherlands and the EU as a whole the right-winged parties prevailed. I hope this map will be working for a while:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/19a261f2-5399-11de-be08-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=a0a64c2e-395c-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

Consequently, I will reflect here the reasons I believe turned EU so blue...

1) The socialists\humanitarians had the keys for the previous 20 years. They tried to rule EU listening to everybody, being liberal in terms of competition but socialist in terms of public welfare. As a results, they didn't do much.

2) It is a time of crisis. The rich blue banana residents know that someone will pay for it. Right winged parties mean that the poor will be left in their fate...

3) The modern left wing parties have nothing - NOTHING - to say! The labour party in UK is falling apart (everyone is quitting after the scandals, Brown proved insufficient for the prime minister position). The socialists in France can't deal with the internal problems. Italy? No comments here. It can't be that hard to beat Silvio, no?

However, two results are particularly sad for me.

Here in the NL Geert Wilders got a stunning 16%. In the country of samenleven (living together) and tolerance, this is too high for a radical right winged joke. I will mention 3 of his 10 main ideas:

"A ban of five years on the founding of mosques and Islamic schools; a permanent ban on preaching in any other language but Dutch. Foreign imams will be forbidden to preach. Radical mosques will be closed; radical Muslims will be expelled."

"Educational standards will be restored, with an emphasis on the educational value of the family."

"The present Article 1 of the Dutch constitution, guaranteeing equality under the law, will be replaced by a clause stating the cultural dominance of the Christian, Jewish and humanist traditions."

And I am left to think... IS IT POSSIBLE? Myself, I am not a fan of the Koran. I was touched particularly by the realisation that my son will never play with little Fatima (or put any other girl muslim name here). I don't think it is tolerance to allow them to treat women so badly - and unfortunately, I don't think this maps to a minority. But this Wilders guy? How much brain do you need to see he is a fascist?

Back in my beautiful homeland it is summer. And people swim rather than vote. But still 7.8% voted for the right winged Wilders of Greece. The reasons there are slightly more Greek:p.

1) Right winged dissappointed with the current -right wing- government, couldn't but vote for the extreme right winged. Anything else would have them admitting they made a mistake.

2) Lately there are multiple incidents with muslim immigrants in Athens. He was the only one to offer a clear solution: kick them out.

3) The left wing parties in Greece are unacceptable. In every single perspective.

Summing up.

Do I worry? Yes. I am an immigrant. And I strive to respect the culture of my host country, but I can't accept the ingegration or deportation dillema.

Do I expect things to change? Nope. At least not in the next 10 years. EU has a fame of taking it easy, and radical changes against foreigners will look like backward steps. And these are steps politicians are most afraid to make.

Is there hope? I dunno. I think I might be living outside NL next year. If not, it is high time to learn the language and try to live the dutch way (cycle to work, pay all the taxes, and drink beer). If I leave, I will preferrably do Germany: Merkel is the first woman, the first East German and the first scientist to be chancellor as well as the youngest post-war German chancellor. I don't think any of these qualities (East German, scientist, woman, young) have a positive bias on being a chacellor, but at least people give it a shot...

Macedonia

2009-06-10T20:51:00.005+01:00

Motivated by the previous post, I will shortly describe what is going on with Macedonia. First the Greek song for it:

Famous Macedonia,

country of Alexander,

you sent away the barbarians

and now you are free

You were and are Greek

The pride of Greeks

And we, the greek children,

make a coronal for you

Macedonians can't live as slaves

even when they loose everything

they keep their freedom.

The music by now must have given you a clue. It is a war-like song. And yes, for my international friends, in Greece we still make those. The peace since 1974 (35 years) is the longest my people have ever lived. And we fought each single war. Against the Germans, the Italians, the Turks, the Bulgarians - even if aliens arrive to earth, with superior technology we will fight back.

So, back to the main isse, Macedonia was a kingdom in ancient Greece. Now that's where the main problem occurs. Ancient Greece was not a country. It was an area where people shared the Greek civilization (language, religion, customs). Here is a map of "Ancient Greece":

As you can see, all the modern Greece is in there. Also south France, a place in Spain I think (Alicante), of course south Italy, Corsica and also some Africa, Russia and a lot of Turkey. Once more, keep in mind that this was not a country, but many different kingdoms that most often fought with each other.

It is a convenient time to start counting for Greeks. First, the area is pretty large. Second, no other civilization, still existing , tried to claim these areas. For instance ancient Egypt stayed in modern Egypt. Illiriy and stuff either didn't try or dissapearred in the route of time.

Around the 5th BC, this civilzations did pretty great. Most of the ideas you conenct with Ancient Greece (Democracy, Theater etc) were developed then. This civilisation ceased to exist officially in 146 BC in the battle of Corinth. It was replaces by the Roman, and influenced it a lot! For instance all these areas kept on speaking Greek as a main language, and all the roman empire started beleiving in Zeus and the rest.

The first instance of Macedonia is a bit earlier, namely 400 BC. At that point, a smart megalomanic King, called Philippos managed to take under control the whole are of modern Greece. Basically he either defeated everyone, or they just became his minions. In any case, they were no trouble. In parallel he trained his son from young age to become a super warrior king.

At some point, Alexander became King. More or less, he got his army and defeated the Persian Empire, and this playing away (in Persia):-). In a nutshell he took over all the known world to the East, including Egypt and arriving eventually to India, fighting at the fron row in EVERY SINGLE BATTLE. Alexander's adoption of the styles of government of the conquered territories was accompanied by the spread of Greek culture and learning through his vast empire. He died pretty young, leaving no sons, and soon his empire got split in small pieces.

Few. That's about it for ancient history.

What happens in middle ages history?

Well, this area turned into East Roman Empire and changed name to Byzantium. There, people spoke Greek and were orthodox Christians. They were a long-living empire, more than a 1000 years. I think pretty disastrous waste of years for the human kind, but that's another topic. During this period, slavic tribes come in the balkans, and they get the Cyrillic alphabet, which is a slight modification of the Greek one, and it was constructed by two monks. That's why it has so many letters :p. In any case, in 1453 the Turks take over Istanbul and soon the whole empire, and create the Othoman Empire.

In this empire different races try to free themselves. In the area of the kingdom of Macedonia (it was calledmacedonia in the Othoman Empire as well) many people lived. These were NOT Bulgarians, Greeks or Serbs - these countries hadn't existed yet. They were rather orthodox-speaking-Greek (Greeks) orthodox-speaking-slavic(Buglarians), Jews and so on.

The thing that discriminated the citizens of the empire as slaves was their religion (Christians \ Jews) as opposed to the Muslim turks. It is generally agreed though that muslims were the poorest people of the empire - low educated and usually farmers. The empire lost most of its territory betwen 1827 and 1922, and then regained some parts of modern Greece.

Greece, in the modern sense got free in 1821 and soon got bigger and bigger (even "freeing" Instanbul at some point). The part of Greece that belongs to what used to be the kingdom of Macedonia is called Macedonia. Upon freeing it (1913) it was called so. At the same time, the allies of Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria also got some piece of Turkey. They called their pieces Macedonia as well. We proved to be the smartest country, and got the most, including Thessaloniki which didn't have a Greek majority at the time.

Things were pretty quiet at the region till lately. At that point a country called FYROM, Macedonia or Skopia, became independent of the former Yugoslavia. Now Greece doesn't recognise them with the name they want (Macedonia) and doesn't let them in NATO. The latter makes Americans really angry and that's why I like it :-D.

NOW. Some questions and the right answers. Don't ask me how I know the right answer, I just know:

1) Is Macedonia Greek?

Macedonia doesn't exist any more. It was an ancient kingdom. Thus we use the term Macedonia and not Greece when we refer to it. The Greek part of Macedonia is Macedonia. The Bulgarian part is also Macedonia. The FYROM part is also Macedonia. But Macedonia doesn't belong to anybody.

2) Was Macedonia Greek?

Macedonia was an Ancient Greek civilisation Kingdom. At some point it was the pimp of all the Ancient Greek cities. If Athens was Greek, and Sparta was Greek, Macedonia was Greek too. That simple.

3) Are the FYROM people Macedonians.

This sound very funny to me. They don't speak Greek. They don't believe to the 12 Gods of Olympus (I don't think they can even pronounce their original names). They don't have anicent Greek traditions. So, they are not Macedonians.

4) Can they call themselves Macedonia?

They are free people. They can call themselves as they wish. New York, Macedonia, Zeus whatever.

5) Was Alexander the Great a Macedonian?

Yes,

6) Is there a macedonian dialect?

NO. People call like these a greek-slavian dialect which evolved in the area after 600 AD. Macedonia existed 1000 years earlier. It is stupid to call it Macedonian dialect - not because you shoudln't but because it is confusing. The language of Macedonia (aka Macedonian) was (ancient) Greek.

7) Who does the term belong too?

I believe noone. Greeks use it as their own, since they pretended they revived ancient Greece, which is pretty catchy, back in 1827. This was also stupid, since they revived a civilisation (?) as a country. This is not reviving, it is mutating. You revive a country as a country or a civilisation as a civilisation.

8) Why do FYROM people want to be called Macedonians?

There are many reasons. It sounds cool, you automatically get a cool history, a cool flag and that's it. They are a newly made country and they need something to define them. That's what they liked and what they picked. I would suggest them to change the official language to greek and religion of the country to 12 gods of olympus ASAP, and add horse riding at shools too.

9) Is FYROM under the term Macedonia a threat to Greece?

NO.

10) Why do Americans want them in NATO?

Because they are a nice base in the Balcans and FYROM people will happily do what the Big Sheriff commands, in return to some money and a name.

We Greeks, and that is one thing I am proud of, have never licked the americans' ass. We don't "bend over". Unfortunately many ex-communistic countries (Baltic, Yugoslavia, USSR) were used to the idea of a pimp for many years (Russian, Serbs etc) and they didn't mind bending over to the Sheriff in order to feel safer. What is the main problem with it (ask the naive stupid people of Georgia) is that if they are in trouble, nobody will save them. There is no big daddy to help if Russia or Serbia decide to take this territory back - the only way out is to learn to fight for themselves.

Thus, and since I know all the prime ministers of Europe read this blog, advice for the future:

Each place belongs to the majority nation in that place. That's a bit scary for the Dutch and the growing muslim population, but that is not my problem. I will come back to it asap.
Macedonia does not exist anymore and does not belong to anybody
Greeks can associate to it more to it due to language. But this means nothing to me.
FYROM, Greece and the rest need EDUCATION. So that no stupid fuck can persuade them to go to war for no reason. There is no such thing as ancient inheritance, only maintaining the highest possible standards of living in the modern age.

That's all I guess. Comments welcome. Especially from FYROM people and European prime ministers.

The song of the gypsies

2009-06-08T23:38:00.005+01:00

Starting with the song... I don't know what the main word means. Balamos. I always took it as "desire"... Corrections came from Pawel, and I specially thank him for it!

Δεν έχω τόπο, δεν έχω ελπίδα,
δε θα με χάσει καμιά πατρίδα
και με τα χέρια μου και την καρδιά μου
φτιάχνω τσαντίρια στα όνειρά μου

I have no homeland, I have no hope,

I will not be burried by any country,

and with my hands and my heart

I build huts for my dreams

Νάις μπαλαμό, νάις μπαλαμό
και το λουμνό τ'αφεντικό
νάγια δόμλες ατzέι μπαλαμό

Leave white (greek) leave white

and the strict boss

don't accept, him, the white

Και τα γκανίκια μας όταν χορεύουν,

And our favelas, when they dance
με χασταρώματα που σε μαγεύουν,

with getting-lost perfumes that bewitch you,
κουνάνε σώματα και τα πιτέ τους,

they move their bodies and dresses
μέσα σε κλείνουνε στις αγκαλιές τους.
and hug you in their arms

Leave white (greek) leave white

and the strict boss

don't accept, him, the white

Once more, I feel homeless. I can't say I am a gypsy (or I don't wanna feel like one), but I really have no country. Three Greek people made me feel like it:-).

Guy 1, name T. Acquaintance. 26. White. Higher Education. Greek Orthodox.

Guy 2, name N. age 22-28 no information other than Greek Orthodox.

Girl 1. name M. age 22-28 No information other than Greek Orthodox.

In short (I would copy paste but I can't)

T: Greeks are stupid. They elected a green party traitor representative.

Me: Why do you say so (real curiosity, never heard the guy before) I read an interview and he looks ok. link_to_the_interview

T: Are you stupid or can't you read? He says that Thessaloniki didn't have a majority of Greeks in 1900.

Me: Well, that's true. I checked wiki (link) and it says they had 49% Jews, and only 12% Greeks. Even in 1914, after the cleaning of all the nations started in the area there were 30% Jews and 25% Greeks

T: Jews are not a nation. In a bit you will say that Macedonia is not Greek.

Me: Yes they are. They have religion, customs and language of their own. They have national consciousness. Macedonia was Greek. Now I don't think we are continuation of ancient Greece, rather Byzantium.

The fun just starts:

N: Jews had made a nationalistic move along with the Turks and killed all Greeks in 1821, that's why there were so few!

M: Macedonia is Greek. People of FYROM picked this name 10 years ago to gain control of the area.

Me to N. This is racist. Do you have any sources?

Me to M: That's completely wrong, they do so since late 1800, and they managed to be called so since 1944 (link)

M removes her comment. Stops talking to me.

N: You are a traitor faggot, how dare you call me racist? Take this: "600 Jews helped Ali Pasa (can't find the name) in the destruction of Naousa"

Me to N: Where did you find this?

N: In the GREEK DICTIONARY OF THE 1821 REVOLUTION, word: JEWS.

Me: Is it possible to use a dictionary written by one side of a war, during the war that discriminate people based on their ethnicity? This is the definition of racism.

N: You are worthless of communication (he didn't speak again)

T: What kind of drugs do you take? Jews are only a religion. Ethnicity requires language and tradition. They don't have those. FYROMS are slavs. Did Alexander the Great speak Slav or Greek?

Me: Do you REALLY think you are a descendant of the ancient Greeks? You don't share the same traditions or religion! Do you really think that the Jews have no language (Hebrew) or traditions (circumsized for instance:p)?

T. Fuck you traitor! He removes me from friend, I can't talk back in the thread any more (it is in his status which I can’t access).

Excellent. I had

The person that says it is not racism to discriminate people based on their race, given one example 200 years ago
I have a girl that reproduces something completely false, probably heard it on TV, and when corrected deletes her comment
And another guy, who swears at the Greek green party (first time ever over 3%) and blames them as national traitors. And then blames me for supporting him, denying me the right to talk back!

The funny thing is that I didn't vote at all, and honestly got motivated from his status to check the guy out! And he didn't look that dangerous:-).

Unfortunately this is the majority of the people in Greece:

The two biggest stupidest parties, proves to be stealing money for the last 20 years, got 36.5 and 32.3 %! Let me repeat, there are proofs that both parties have been stealing. In the national elections they will get around 40% each!

And if I go back there, I will be surrounded by Ts, Ms, Ns, and I will have the government they prefer!!!!! Is it possible?

I will come back to the Macedonia issue in the next post. And my scary observation about how responsible these blue-banana Europeans really are...

Angry [:|]

2009-06-03T08:55:00.006+01:00

Lately, I felt like a robot. [:|]

I add a beautiful 4-shots comic personally tailored by my sister:-)

Work work work, in the same pace, with no creativity. Even the final experiments I run, come out perfect - no hassle, no need to think, no thrill...

Bracket 1 - Rejection

On top of that, I got a paper rejected yesterday, and I have never been so dissapointed. I sent it two days before the deadline (which is really early for me:p) and emailed the editors regarding a "cover letter" they were asking. These people tend to be busy, so I was very polite, sth like if I need to take any action before acceptance please let me know. No response - no action. After a month or so I got worried. Thus, I uploaded the email as cover letter (I guess they would see it there). Nothing. Oh, after that sumbission I got an automated response that my paper is assigned to reviewers... Of course, no reviwers arrived on time, and one month later, I bugged them again. And yesterday? Oh la la! An automated email that my paper is out of context, and won't be reviewed, and missed the deadline submission fo the journal! :-(

I had to say these things, they are constantly in my mind. Most probable scenario, my first email was ignored. Then, when I uploaded the cover letter my paper was automatically forwarded to reviewers, who denied reviewing so late. Again the editors ignored me. Now that I bugged them (ccing my supervisor) they rejected the paper --- because it was late!!! Anyways, this comes with the job I guess, and I hope it won't affect my PhD thesis writing that much.

Bracket 2 - Thesis

The latter, is going well. This week I hear revies from Frans (head of my group). The usual reviewing process, in programming terms goes as follows:

write a draft;

while(Gwenn.isNotHappy()){

improve the draft;

}

send current draft to Ben;

Ben.restructures(draft);

rewrite the draft;

while(Ben.isNotHappy())&&(Gwenn.isNotHappy()){

improve the draft;

}

send the final draft to Frans

Thus Frans is like that final boss in any video game. And he received the first three out of six chapters last week, and he comes back to me this week. If he is happy, that's really good news --- the fourth chapter is almost ready, and the sixth is just conclusions.

Back to being an angry [:|]

And all these things made me an angry robot. I think I should publish that, I am the first robot with feelings! But looking deep inside me last night, I found out why I am really angry for. Because the last 4 months I haven't been to the gym. I haven't been going out much. I haven't been doing any novel research, read or learnt anything new. I have only been writing my thesis and I really don't know what for.

Is it for me? For my parents? For my future?

I guess, four years earlier, I had a clear view in my mind. Four years PhD, party-girls-travel, a few years working in large institutes all around the globe (preferrably financial), and back to Greece for my military service and to start a high-tech service company with my dad (probably trading). How more Greek could I be?

And now? Greece means nothing to me other than the place where my mum lives. My dad has passed away. And my friends there live lives, that in the vast majority, I don't want to live. And I am striving here, to finish on time, as if I have anything waiting for me. A job, a person, a goal.

As Vashil told me yesterday though, I got struck (stricken) down. Overworked, overstressed, overpressed. But I have seen runners many times. No matter if it is the marathon or 60 meters, you have to run your guts out in the end of the race. Even if you finish last --- even if noone is watching. And I know I have heard the bell. And I know I am getting there. And I am allowed to be stricken down. But I am also obliged to get up and finish this race.

Back to work.

Today...

2009-04-13T16:18:00.002+01:00

Haven't written again for ages. I am writing up my thesis, and this drains my energy. Plus giving some private classes- I really like this actually. A friend came from Greece, Sofia. She works in a high-school. And I heard a song, devoted to an unlucky Greek student, who died in the earthquake in Italy.

Let's get to the song. I don't think that was the reason, but it was the excuse to write this post.

Today, my whole life today

Σήμερα, η ζωή μου όλη σήμερα

Yesterday wasn't thinking so

χτες αλλιώτικα σκεφτόμουνα

I was dreaming of tomorrow

τ' αύριο ονειρευόμουνα

Today, all my life today

Σήμερα, η ζωή μου όλη σήμερα

You came and stood by my side

Ήρθες πλάι μου και στάθηκες

You left but didn't dissapear

έφυγες αλλά δεν χάθηκες

My life goes by and gets lost

Η ζωή μου περνά και χάνεται

Life goes by and gets lost, lost

η ζωή περνά και χάνεται, χάνεται

The moment can't be caught

η στιγμή που ποτέ δεν πιάνεται

You can't catch the moment, sweetheart

η στιγμή ποτέ δεν πιάνεται μάτια μου

One moment, and you l leave me alone

Μια στιγμή και μ' αφήνεις μόνο μου

One moment and I am alone, alone
μια στιγμή και είμαι μόνος μου, μόνος μου

May I see you, and let my time end

and let my time end sweetheart

Να σε δω και ας τελειώσει ο χρόνος μου
και ας τελειώσει τώρα ο χρόνος μου μάτια μου

Today, my whole life today

Σήμερα η ζωή μου όλη σήμερα

All that pass by and don't remain

Όσα πέρασαν δεν μείνανε

and all those that were coming, but didn't happen

και όσα έρχονται δεν γίνανε

Today, my whole life today,

Σήμερα η ζωή μου όλη σήμερα

Yesterday wasn't thinking so

Χτες αλλιώτικα σκεφτόμουνα

I was dreaming of tomorrow

τ' αύριο ονειρευόμουνα

May I see you, and let my time end

and let my time end sweetheart

Να σε δω και ας τελειώσει ο χρόνος μου
και ας τελειώσει τώρα ο χρόνος μου μάτια μου

Phew. Kind of sad song. Well, I heard it watching at the picture of the dead student. Couldn't feel differently I guess.

On the other hand, since yesterday, one more think hurts inside. Sofia told me that anyone who wants to get a job in Greece as a informatics school teacher will do so. And that I shouldn't worry for my friends that don't have a job, they all want to get such a job and they all will.

I realised once more how foreign my homeland is. And how much I miss my mum and sister, the two things that still make that place special to me.

I haven't updated much the blog lately - I was in Berlin to discuss the possibility of working there. Right now it seems like the best option, but my application to the NWO for funding has to go through. Odds? 1/3. So it is two times more probable not to make it...

If it doesn't work? I don't know. I really don't know. I feel homeless. I could stay here in Amsterdam. Meet new people, the ones I know will leave. If you don't blend in with the locals, you can't call a place home. And that's even harder in Amsterdam. Not even the locals consider it home. They all expect to go back to their little village at some point in the future. Noone feels like staying in the city for ever. And why is Berlin better? Well, I don't know. It will be interesting for sure. New place. New people. New things to do. A very good friend of mine lives there. Oh, and I might actually refresh and improve my German. And build a CV - for nothing.

Because the moment flies away. And neither me, not you sweethearts can catch it. And then we are left alone. Here. There.

Behind your comptuer screen. In your office. In your bed. In your partner's arms.

Today, my whole life today.

I need to get finished with this Thesis. It drives me nuts...

The sweet melancholy of northern countries

2009-01-15T10:03:00.003Z

A common misconception back in Greece is that Greeks live a happier life than the northern people. Now, where I put Greece, I can put Italy or Spain or any southern country, and still it would still be the same. And where northern you should think of as north as Nordic, or as south as Austria.

After living for five years with the northern ones, I am sure this is not true. The difference is that the way someone feels and expresses happiness in these places is so different that a southern look will just not notice. Quickly to a dutch song:

And a better clip that can't be embedded after request...:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edX813T7-Dg

't Is altijd lente in de ogen van de tandartsassistente
't Is altijd lente in de ogen van de tandartsassistente
It's always spring in the eyes of the dentist's assistant
It's always spring in the eyes of the dentist's assistant

Voor de patienten van d'assistente is het altijd lente
For the patients, the assistant is always spring

Zij lacht naar mij
She smiles to me
Ik lach naar haar
I smile to her
En het is voorjaar
And it's spring
En het is voorjaar
And it's spring
Het maakt niet uit
It doesn't mattter,
Al raak ik al m'n tanden kwijt
if I get rid of all my teeth
Want het is lente, lente voor altijd
Because it's spring, spring for ever

't Is altijd lente in de ogen van de tandartsassistente
't Is altijd lente in de ogen van de tandartsassistente
It's always spring in the eyes of the dentist's assistant
It's always spring in the eyes of the dentist's assistant

Ik flos niet meer
I no longer mouthwash
En raak gen tandenstoker aan
And waste no toothpicks
Ook m'n tandenborstel laat ik rustig in m'n beker staan
And my toothbrush sleeps quietly in its cup
Ik eet alleen maar suikerzoet
I only eat fresh sugar
Ik snoep de hele dag maar raak
And survive the week with candys
Want dan heb ik snel een gaatje
Cause that's the fastest way to get a hole
En een afspraak
and an appointment

't Is altijd lente in de ogen van de tandartsassistente
't Is altijd lente in de ogen van de tandartsassistente
It's always spring in the eyes of the dentist's assistant
It's always spring in the eyes of the dentist's assistant

Zij lacht naar mij
She smiles to me
Ik lach naar haar
I smile to her
En het is voorjaar
And it's spring
En het is voorjaar
And it's spring
Het maakt niet uit
It doesn't mattter,
Al raak ik al m'n tanden kwijt
if I get rid of all my teeth
Want het is lente, lente voor altijd
Because it's spring, spring for ever

Well, this song speaks it out for me. But since I have most of my friends from those southern ever-shining countries I will explain a bit more.

When you live in the north you realise the value of spring. It is the end of the deep heavy winter. You can walk outside. You can see the sun, and take a day of work to go to the park.

And there is winter. Every year. And rain. And frozen wind. But that's how life really is. Both happy and sad moments. And they are both beautiful. No effort to hide this from yourself. You enjoy the ups and downs. You enjoy life. Because even in the worse events there is something nice.

What's more, you can be happy with the small things. The spring in her eyes. And a stupid song. No need for complex lyrics. No need for deeper meanings. Life is simple.

Last but not least, you are willing to work hard to get what you want. The whole deep winter. Even if this means to destroy all your teeth. Just to enjoy the short spring. Just for 32 appointments.

Cause it's always spring in the eyes of the dentist's assistant.

Welcome 2009

2009-01-06T19:21:00.002Z

Let's start 2009 with a song. A song for 2009. For me, for you, for everyone.

Τα λόγια μου είναι μια γλυκιά προσευχή
κουρνιάζουν έξω από το κλεισμένο σου παράθυρο
και αν τ' άφηνες θ' ανοίγαν μια ρωγμή
απ' το μικρό κελί σου ως το άπειρο

My words are a sweet prayer
and they perch outside your closed window
but if you let them they will open a crack
from your small cell to infinity

Μα εσύ σωπαίνεις και θρηνείς σαν τον κατάδικο
Πάνω απ' τη στάχτη που σκεπάζει τον παράδεισο
πάνω απ' τη στάχτη
Βάλε φωτιά σε ό,τι σε καίει, σε ό,τι σου τρώει την ψυχή
Έξω οι δρόμοι αναπνέουν διψασμένοι, ανοιχτοί

But you are silent and mourn like a convict
over the ashes that cover paradise
over the ashes
SET FIRE TO WHATEVER BURNS YOU, TO WHATEVER FEEDS ON YOUR SOUL,
Outside the streets are breathing, they are thirsty and open

Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από γιορτή σε γιορτή
Ζήσε μαζί μου στον αέρα, στη φωτιά στη βροχή
Μας περιμένουν άδειες μέρες ραγισμένοι ουρανοί
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από πληγή σε πληγή

Love is a trip from one feast to another
Live with me in the air, the fire and rain,
Empty days and broken skies are expecting us,
Love is a trip from one wound to another

Τα λόγια μου είναι μια ανέλπιδη ευχή
Σβησμένα φώτα μέσα στο άχαρο δωμάτιο
Και αν τ' άφηνες θα καίγαν τη σιωπή
Και θα διαλύαν το κρυμμένο σου παράπονο

My words are a hopeless wish
Lights switched off in a stiff room
And if you would let them (my words), they would burn the silence
And they would dissolve your hidden complaint

Μα εσύ σωπαίνεις και θρηνείς σαν τον κατάδικο
Πάνω απ' τη στάχτη που σκεπάζει τον παράδεισο
πάνω απ' τη στάχτη
Βάλε φωτιά σε ό,τι σε καίει, σε ό,τι σου τρώει την ψυχή
Έξω οι δρόμοι αναπνέουν διψασμένοι, ανοιχτοί

But you are silent and mourn like a convict
over the ashes that cover paradise
over the ashes
SET FIRE TO WHATEVER BURNS YOU, TO WHATEVER FEEDS ON YOUR SOUL,
Outside the streets are breathing, they are thirsty and open

Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από γιορτή σε γιορτή
Ζήσε μαζί μου στον αέρα, στη φωτιά στη βροχή
Μας περιμένουν άδειες μέρες ραγισμένοι ουρανοί
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από πληγή σε πληγή

Love is a trip from one feast to another
Live with me in the air, the fire and rain,
Empty days and broken skies are expecting us,
Love is a trip from one wound to another

Τα λόγια μου είναι μια ανέλπιδη ευχή
Σβησμένα φώτα μέσα στο άχαρο δωμάτιο
Και αν τ' άφηνες θα καίγαν τη σιωπή
Και θα διαλύαν το κρυμμένο σου παράπονο

My words are a hopeless wish
Lights switched off in a stiff room
And if you would let them (my words), they would burn the silence
And they would dissolve your hidden complaint

Μα εσύ σωπαίνεις και θρηνείς σαν τον κατάδικο
Πάνω απ' τη στάχτη που σκεπάζει τον παράδεισο
πάνω απ' τη στάχτη
Βάλε φωτιά σε ό,τι σε καίει, σε ό,τι σου τρώει την ψυχή
Έξω οι δρόμοι αναπνέουν διψασμένοι, ανοιχτοί

But you are silent and mourn like a convict
Over the ashes that cover paradise
Over the ashes
Set fire to whatever burns you, to whatever feeds on your soul,
The streets outside are breathing, they are thirsty and open

Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από γιορτή σε γιορτή
Ζήσε μαζί μου στον αέρα, στη φωτιά στη βροχή
Μας περιμένουν άδειες μέρες ραγισμένοι ουρανοί
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από πληγή σε πληγή

SET FIRE TO WHATEVER BURNS YOU, TO WHATEVER FEEDS ON YOUR SOUL,
Live with me in the air, the fire, the rain,
Empty days and broken skies are expecting us,
Love is a trip from one wound to another

Βάλε φωτιά σε ό,τι σε καίει σε ό,τι σου τρώει τη ψυχή
Υπάρχει ακόμα υπάρχει κάτι που δεν έχει χαθεί
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από γιορτή σε γιορτή
Ζήσε μαζί μου στον αέρα, στη φωτιά στη βροχή
Μας περιμένουν άδειες μέρες ραγισμένοι ουρανοί
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από πληγή σε πληγή

SET FIRE TO WHATEVER BURNS YOU, TO WHATEVER FEEDS ON YOUR SOUL,
There is still something that isn't lost
Love is a trip from one feast to another
Live with me in the air, the fire, the rain,
Empty days and broken skies are expecting us,
Love is a trip from one wound to another

Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από γιορτή σε γιορτή
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από πληγή σε πληγή
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από γιορτή σε γιορτή
Είναι η αγάπη ένα ταξίδι από πληγή σε πληγή

Love is a trip from one feast to another
Love is a trip from one wound to another
Love is a trip from one feast to another
Love is a trip from one wound to another

16 yeaρ-old boy killed in Greece

2008-12-09T10:07:00.002Z

Once more, my country calls me to write a post. About the invincible stupidity that rules this land.

Small intro. Four days ago, a group of 30-40 people, mostly teenagers started cursing at two policemen. The policemen parked the car came back started arguing with the people. They (must have) noticed that the people where minors. Ages 15-17. At some point they threw a flash grenade, the kids didn't get scared and kept on, one police officer took out his gun and shot three times. One of the bullets hit a kid at his heart. Dead. The next three days demonstrations ended up in violent acts. Athens burned. Thessaloníki burned. And all small cities had major fires, set by the angry mob.

My scattered first thoughts:

1) When I was 16 I didn't dare to look the policemen in the eyes. Not curse them in their face.
2) What was the rank\education of the policeman? (Answer: Special guard. He received EXTRA training on top of his police rank, so he can escort and protect VIPs)
3) How can you shoot three times, with a small gun, and insist you were aiming anyways?

I read many things, that reassured me about the never-ending stupidity of this country:

1) We are so cool, and love freedom. People in Germany would have never protested like we did.
2) Those kids were looking for it. What were they doing there, insulting the police
3) The policeman was on duty at this area for 9 years, therefore he should have learned to tolerate this kind of behavior!
4) The police allows the violence on purpose so the people start hating the anarchists and sympathizing the police.

I will put my opinion down very very briefly.

Right now Greece is a place of low educated poor people. Sooner or later, they will end up being something like the Bronx. People shooting the police and the police shooting people. This incident is a great chance for political action. Everybody is ready to tolerate a new measure, everyone is looking for hope. We will miss it, because we are lead by stupid fucks.

ALL THIS IS FAULT OF THE GENERATION OF THE 70s.

They thought they fought their war, fighting against they dictatorship, now they don't care anymore. They would never demonstrate against the police before an incident, to prevent it. They only do it afterwards to distance themselves from their responsibilities.
They fought their political battles in the 80s, and fell for the lies of the sweetest demagogue of recent history. Now they elect the most useless leaders in modern Greece, hoping to help their children become civil servants.
They felt happy at their little houses, with their kids, because their parents told them for the second world war. And now, they do not live. They can't even pay back their credit cards, they haven't had holidays other than their parents village, they don't remember when they could last afford a theater play for the whole family.
They let their kids free, because they felt constrained by their own parents. And now we have the most disrespectful, lazy and useless generation of modern Greece.
The wanted university education for everyone. But not everyone can be smart. And therefore now we have the worse universities in Europe, so that even stupid people can graduate.

I am sorry Mum. I am sorry Dad. You are part of the problem too. At least I am proud that you admit it.

And what about me? Well, I never fought a war either. I tried to do so in my grade school. In my high school. In my university. But the stupidity is invincible. And I left. Yes, I am a coward. But at least I don't pay the salaries of people that kill my kids...

And why do I still connect myself to this place? Well it can still be great. For your holidays. But then, don't expect to much either:

The girl is happy cause she has:

"A bit of wine, a bit of sea, and my boy"

Revelation

2008-12-07T19:07:00.002Z

Let me introduce the time: Two weeks ago.
And the location: A nice trance party.

And there I had a revelation.

So let me introduce what this means:

(a) The act of revealing divine truth.
(b) That which is revealed by God to man; esp., the Bible.

By definition, a revelation is not something trivial to describe:-).

Finally I will introduce the music environment. The piece is from the DJ (and friend of mine :-) ) Simon Patterson:

So, as you can see I was in a pretty trancy mood. But what's the whole story?

Lately, life has been great but not easy at all. I have to wrap up my thesis and finish with the administrative work of a four year project. This is a lot of tiring job that HAS to be done! It has to be done, in order for me to arrange my position requirements, get my PhD, move on with my life!

Furthermore I am not alone in my (1-person) apartment. Two (homeless) friends moved in and my sister is visiting till the end of December, so things are pretty tight. The usual noulo-solution to relieve myself and others, is to spend less time at home. I work more, go out more, and started going to the gym again after two months of absence.

However tension keeps building. I might move in with one of the guys, and he is pushing into a compromising solution, just to get out of the packed situation. I want to spend more time reading my book and relaxing. I want to work a bit at home, and there is always trouble. I want to start applying for jobs for next September. And then, again, I wanted to hear my friend playing.

The party up to that point was fine but nothing exceptional. I was dancing with the fairies, I was floating away, coming back. Watching a million beautiful colors and longing for the sunrise. And then... Revelation:

NOONE WILL TELL ME WHAT TO DO:-)

It is that simple!

I will move into a place that I like, not because it is the pressure that takes us there. I will live with the people I like. I will finish my work even if this means staying in the office till late. I will spend time with the people I want. And not let anything or any situation tell me what to do!

Zo, that's the plan for the blog too! Right some stuff, like for instance a debrief of my trip to Milan...:-)

City Schepherd

2008-11-14T11:47:00.003Z

Noulo is blogging again... :-) Is it great or what?

Last night I had to annotate 1000 face images. With 5-pixel precision. Some people know what it means. The rest, do not want to know;-).

During this stupid process, and watching images of 20-25 year old students in a UK university, I reflected back to my transition from Edinburgh to Amsterdam. In Edinburgh I met many people, mainly Britons, Germans, French, Greeks and Italians. EU people, with high self-esteem. Raised in a society that would give them everything will little effort. Everything? Well, not really. Getting laid is not that easy! In Amsterdam, the next year I met Russians, Lithuanians, Latvians Bulgarians. The eastern block. Raised in a society that forced them to fight for everything. Their studies, their scholarships, a chance to be rich! And among others they fought to get laid, and it didn't look that bad at all. And then, it flashed in my mind! A very old Greek song... Sound funny but it's really serious!

And the -rough- translation

I got many messages out of life,

and I am involved in all of its sides,

and I happened to be involved with sheep and milk,

because life was a sneaky bitch.

Me, that you can see grazing sheep,

with a sheep-fair cloak and a hand-graven rod,

every evening I wash away dirt and mud,

and run to go out for girls

And because during the day, I do the shepherd,

generally in milking, no one comes close to how good I am

7 cows and a piece of land, I sold

and bought a sports car that flies,

I put the rest in a bank account,

and I can have whatever I want!

I put Chevancy perfume even to my feet,

and I wear European brands,

and as long as my lambs and cows are healthy,

I will be having fun with girls

And because during the day I do the shepherd,

generally in milking, no one comes close to how good I am

School and such, I never got into,

I was dragged tied to the first grade,

They pushed, I pushed back, they pushed me more,

but the insisting man always wins!

As a soldier I had a harder time,

they pushed me, they milked my best parts,

but now I am back to my dairies,

and I can hit on girls every day!

And because during the day, I do the shepherd,

generally in milking, no one comes close to how good I am

And that's the whole picture once more! People who haven't struggled with little things, find opening to a new person impossible. They are embarrassed when they are rejected, and never chase their dreams!

While the shepherds of this world are happy with little stuff, and they are not afraid to go for more! Because if the whole day you do the shepherd, it is unlikely anyone is as good as you in m milking in general! And when in the city, it is time to milk. And Milk. AND MILK!

Barack Obama

2008-11-12T10:01:00.002Z

I am back! You knew it:-)[1].

It has been ages since my last post. It might be my birthday yesterday, Noulo is now 26, and the observation that I am on the wrong side of the 20's. It might be the nihilism that I keep finding more and more attractive. It might just be that the times are mature for one more Noulo post.

I see Barack Obama (Barack Obarman?) elected in the other side of the Atlantic. He is black, young and undisputed... He brought all the 'niggers' to vote, although he is less of a nigger himself. He brought all the young people to vote, although he is not that young himself. He even brought the Hispanic people to vote although he comes from Africa. What he really managed to do, is to revitalise the American dream. The belief that a multicultural country can always accept minorities and give a shot to the dream to anyone - from a black kid playing street basketball to the Italian stallion boxer. From the bankrupt-going middle class to the highly educated young people.

I also heard a lot of criticism already. He is young. He is not mature. He can't lead. Or even worse - conspiracy theory criticism. They are all the same. He will be assassinated if he tries to change things. He is controlled by the capital. He won't be able to do what he said.

Well, Noulo, being older now, can guarantee you about one single thing. The Americans voted for hope. Voted for the president they miss but haven't met yet.

And since I am on the wrong side of 20s and the clock is ticking for me too, I can tell you one personal thing. I feel strong and calm and optimistic about the rest of it:-). And I feel I miss a person I haven't met yet. And I am ready to open up to new people in my life, chase the satisfaction they might provide and risk the disappointment they might offer instead. So I will go for Obama.

[1] Old School, movie, last scene.

Violence

2008-06-24T22:36:00.003+01:00

Let's start with a video...

justice stress (official video)
Uploaded by 75_prod

And let me ask you what do you feel?

...
...
...

Silence on my side.

The video filled me with anger. Is revenge really the solution? Is the typical left-winged crap of equal opportunities and education the answer?

Some time ago we were talking for the ghetto psychology. And I was blamed to support it. But here I am, thinking that I would pick up my ghetto and fight back.

What would the anti-ghetto-psychology people do?

First time, I want to write so much, and I can't hit the keys... I am begging for your comments...

I have never been clever,

2008-06-13T14:30:00.003+01:00

because, need it never!

I was very happy to see an old friend, Max, who is almost finished with his PhD.

I enjoy discussions with fellow PhD students, since a PhD gives you a lot of time to think. And thinking makes interesting people. He asked me, among other stuff, "Why does someone enter a serious relationship?"

Well, I looked back in my life. And realized, I did so, cause I didn't think the relationships would end up being serious! After all I have never been clever...

So, next time I really like I girl, I know what to do. Pretend it is not that important. And let her know that she has a possibility, and she should play it with me. After all, I have never been lonely, cause me so cool:p!

The return

2008-06-12T11:27:00.002+01:00

Yep, I am back on track.

I haven't posted the last two months, and I didn't know why.

I thought about it for a minute. Yep, there was the Greek Easter and the Queen's day, and then I went to Basel. But it is still one month since then, and I haven't written anything.

Then again it stroke me. I was happy. Deep, genuine happiness. And I had nothing to take out there. No troubles, not questions, no remarks. To be honest, I didn't want to admit it.

But then I went to the match Greece-Sweden. We lost. But it is ok. We didn't play well. But we rarely ever do. But this endless misery of the crowd, and the disgusting behavior of the Greek federation made me furious once more. And I felt like writing, for the unappreciative Greek nature. For the know-everything mentality. For the black market sponsoring by Gagatsis, the president of our sorry ass federation.

And I don't want to do this. I want to be able to write about happy thoughts. And that's what I will try to do.

Life is beautiful. It is the first time after years that I measure my horizon and earth feels too small. Noulo is back. Not after two months, but after two years. And the endless positive energy comes along. There is so much love in my heart, nothing can tear it apart.

Mp3 once I am back in the 'Dam;-)!

Old Friends II

2008-04-14T21:25:00.002+01:00

The new should learn, the old should remember,

Old Friends

I saw some old friends once more. And felt weird, that they were not just friends. They were old friends. I will just put up here three different points of view.

Point of view 1. Greek guy, 23. I expect you to open your arms and put them again inside. The moment they will smile, the moment they will say they are sorry.

Point of view 2. Greek guy, 25. Man, these people are your friends no more. Look at them. You have nothing in common. They are just not your friends any more. Don't even bother with them.

Point of view 3. Dutch guy, 26. Dude, I know you look at them and have feelings. You have beautiful memories in your mind associated with them. However, investing your energy in them now, is not about the past. It is about the future. And you don't have anything to get any more. Ignore them.

You can take their side, they are loyal, honest and far-seer. Or not. They are blind, short-sighted and unappreciative. Respectively.

Noulo did let go. And forgave. For better or for worse? Old friends III will show... Old friends III...

powered by Noulo

No translation necessary here.

The Ghetto Psychology

2008-04-09T22:49:00.003+01:00

And as promised, following the post of my fellow writer, fanatic reader and good friend, from now on B, I will talk a bit about the psychology of the Ghetto.

powered by Noulo

I will start with a definition. The psychology of the Ghetto, in B terms, is a behavior emerging out of groups of people who feel they have something in common. In greater detail, these people tend to face all the non-ghetto persons with suspicion, and try to get back to them at every opportunity. An example, given by the author, is that some people shoot a gun twice in a ghetto. For no reason. The ghetto mentality will force the ghetto people to go shoot a gun twice at the neighborhood that the shooters came from.

The psychology of the ghetto, is used by B as a negative term. He admits that it satisfies the human need for belongingness, and that people of the team support each other in hard times, but he strongly believes that it keeps them away from acting right, being fair and kind. In general, it deprives them of high morales and values, honor and respect to others.

I would like to take this post one step further and talk about these virtues.

Human, as said before, is something between an animal and God. For some specific reasons, society came to believe that all these godly aspects, like honor and pride, are more important than the animal ones, belongingness and revenge in this case. And that's where the fault lies.

It is impossible in such a stochastic world, to create a set of deterministic rules, (call them dogmas, commands, or laws) that will let you deal with all the problems yet to come. It is the least superficial to believe that the level of sophistication you have achieved allows you to discover any kind of doctrine-behavior that acts as a cure for all the future incidents.

And that's why it is wrong to act in a specific manner, no matter if it is revengeful or not. It follows that it's wrong there is no point in entering a ghetto, unless this ghetto has no theories, commitments or objectives. But it is even worse, to judge something, like the ghetto psychology, as inferior to another ghetto psychology: trying to stay outside the ghettos, you actually enter one. The ghetto that despises the ghettos, and their psychology.

As for my personal point of view? I love the animal inside me. And sometimes, belongingness comforts it greatly. And revenge fills it with pleasure.

Since at the end of the day, you can either have to bullets shot in your neighborhood. Or this, plus to extra bullets you shot in the others neighborhood. And the latest might just feel so good. Cause at the end of the day, all our asses smell the same (check the song). No matter how good we are.

Ήταν ένας βαρύμαγκας,
There use to be a playboy
ρεμπέτης και αλάνι
cool and easy going
πού 'χε μαχαίρι δίκοπο
with a two sided knife
και σκούφια από τη Μάνη.
of a great family

Χόρευε ζεϊμπέκικο
When he decided to dance
κι η γη θαρρείς βογκούσε
earth would groan
κι έφτυνε τον ταμπάκο του
an he would spit his tobacco
σ' όποιον περιφρονούσε.
on the face of the disrespectful

Είχε τριάντα γκόμενες
He had thirty girls
για κάθε μέρα μία,
one for every day
καθόταν μόνο αν έπιανε
and he would take a rest
ο μήνας τριάντα μία.
only the 31st day of a month

Έξω απ' το σπίτι έκαναν
Outside his place
ουρά οι χωροφυλάκοι,
police was queuing
να πουν την καλημέρα τους,
to pay respect
να ψάξουν για μαυράκι.
and beg for some weed

Μα ένα πρωί αλλιώτικο,
But on a different morning
μιαν αποφράδα μέρα
a terrible day
εκεί που αυτοκρατόρευε
while he was "emperoring"
και του 'καναν αέρα,
and he was worshiped

ένας φαφούτης γέροντας,
a teethless old man
ένας παραλυμένος
a handicapped old man
να σέρνει το κουφάρι του
who had to drag
που ήταν αναγκασμένος.
his body around

Ένας φαφούτης γέροντας,
A teethless old man
ένας παραλυμένος
a handicapped old man
να σέρνει το κουφάρι του
who had to drag
που ήταν αναγκασμένος.
his body around

τον πλησιάζει και στ' αυτί
he came close
σκύβει, του ψιθυρίζει:
bended and whispered in his ear
«Για μάντεψε σκατόμαγκα
Can you guess you macho-wanna-be
ο κώλος μου τι μυρίζει;»
how does my ass smell?

Βαριά που 'ναι τα βήματα
Steps are heavy
όταν το καταλάβεις
when you realize
πως ό,τι κι αν κάνεις, μάταιο,
that no matter what you do
τη μοίρα δεν αλλάζεις.
you can't change fate

Ο μάγκας 'ξαφανίστηκε
The playboy disappeared
κι όπως φημολογείται
and rumors say
καντηλανάφτη σ' εκκλησιά
you might find him in a church
μπορεί και να τον δείτε.
lighting the candles

The meaning of life for the special ones.

2008-03-27T16:31:00.004Z

Yep, that's you, my beloved readers, and me, noulo.

I will start with a song, just to get the rhythm going, do read the lyrics they will help later on...

powered by Noulo

Τα πιο ωραία λαϊκά σε σπίτια με μωσαϊκά τα είχαμε χορέψει
We danced the best music in homes with mosaic floors
γαλάζιο γύψο η οροφή και τα τακούνια μου καρφί
Blue gyps on the ceiling and my heels like nails
κι από την πρώτη την στροφή, το στόμα εγώ το ‘χα λατρέψει.
From the very first second, I was in love with your lips

Κορίτσια αγόρια σ’ ένα χωλ και τα φιστίκια μες το μπωλ κι οι γέροι στη βεράντα
Boys and girls in the same hall, and nuts in a dish, and the old people in the balcony
με το ρυθμό της μουσικής και με μπλου-τζην Αμερικής
in the rythm of the music and in american blue jeans
μια εφηβεία επιεικής που γίνεται σαράντα.
an easy going puberty that now turns forty

Δε γυρνάνε λέμε, πίσω ποτέ, τα καλά παιδιά σ’ εκείνα τα χρόνια
Listen to me, nice guys never go back to those years,
έρωτά μου τώρα πληγωμένε μου αητέ στάχυα είμαστε στου χρόνου τ’ αλώνια.
My Love, my wounded eagle, we are just hay in the stables of time

Έλα μην κλαις, μη μου κλαις σε γιάτρεψα λύπες και αγάπες παλιές ανάτρεψα.
Come on now, don't cry, I have cured you. I have brought up your old loves and old tears
Έλα μην κλαις, μη μου κλαις στ’ ορκίζομαι για παραισθήσεις καλές φημίζομαι.
Come on now, don't cry, don't cry in front of me, I swear, I am famous for offering beautiful illusions

Τα πιο ωραία λαϊκά σε σπίτια με μωσαϊκά τα είχαμε χορέψει
We danced the best music in homes with mosaic floors
γαλάζιο γύψο η οροφή και τα τακούνια μου καρφί αλλά χωρίς επιστροφή.
Blue gyps on the ceiling and my heels like nails, but there was no return

Τις πιο ωραίες Κυριακές με λεμονάδες σπιτικές τις είχαμε δροσίσει
The most beautiful Sundays, we would find freshness in homemade lemonade
με το Δομάζο αρχηγό και το Σιδέρη κυνηγό
with Domazos being the leader and Sideris the striker
γιατ’ ήσουν Ένωση και εγώ με χωρισμό σ’ είχα φοβίσει.
even if you supported another team, since I said that otherwise I would leave you

Μετά μας πήγε Αριστερά το περιβόλι κι η χαρά και πήραμε το Βήμα
Then we went to the Left, listening to the corresponding music and reading the appropriate newspaper
στο πρώτο υπόγειο του Κουν και στην Επίδαυρο
Watching underground theater, or in Epidaurus
που ακούν, Θεούς κι ανθρώπους να νικούν τα πάθη και το χρήμα.
Listening to Gods and people overcoming passion and money

Δε γυρνάνε λέμε, πίσω ποτέ, τα καλά παιδιά σ’ εκείνα τα χρόνια
Listen to me, nice guys never go back to those years,
έρωτά μου τώρα πληγωμένε μου αητέ στάχυα είμαστε στου χρόνου τ’ αλώνια.
My Love, my wounded eagle, we are just hay in the stables of time

Έλα μην κλαις, μη μου κλαις σε γιάτρεψα λύπες και αγάπες παλιές ανάτρεψα.
Come on now, don't cry, I have cured you. I have brought up your old loves and old tears
Έλα μην κλαις, μη μου κλαις στ’ ορκίζομαι για παραισθήσεις καλές φημίζομαι.
Come on now, don't cry, don't cry in front of me, I swear, I am famous for offering beautiful illusions

And now? What? Well, that's the meaning of life.

Do you remember back then? That nice thing, or the other? Well, really nice guys never go back to those years. There are beautiful things every day. They are as simple as a sunshine, as a glass of water or playing football with friends.

And the only thing that keeps you away from realizing it is the evil trinity! Monogamy, monotheism, monotony.

The first one is well known. The good thing is that you can always escape, by staying single. Then, you become agamic, which is at least monogamic. Don't waste your mojo, untill it is really worth wasting!

Monotheism? Well, that's more complex. Exactly like the complexes coming with one God, his ethics and his orders. You can become atheistic, or even better politheistic. Yep. And this means, that there is not one truth in life, let your conscience adjust. And listen to it on the spot, don't plan your morals ahead!

And then monotony... That's a hard one. No matter what you do, if you keep on doing it, it is monotonic. The solution is hidden here once more in the song. If you are a really cool person you leave your past behind. And go for something new, no matter how good the past was.

Yep, that's what noulo shall do as well.

Sooner or later,

here or there,

were the wind takes you,

like hay of a stable,

like flowing water...

For those who got the meaning of life

2008-03-17T14:45:00.002Z

Yes, a post designated to these people.

powered by Noulo

Those who found the meaning of life,

every time they tell us what to do,
every time they knew what was going to happen,
every time the project their situation as our ideal future...

Let's start, like in the oldies but goldies, with a definition.

The meaning of life is an elusive concept that has been the subject of much philosophical, scientific and theological speculation.
It is often expressed in various related questions:

* What is the meaning of life?
* Why are we here?What are we here for?
* What is the origin of life?
* What is the nature of life (and of reality itself)?
* What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?
* What is the significance of life?
* What is meaningful or valuable in life?
* What is the value of life?
* What is the reason to live? What are we living for?

So, now that we are talking about, let's check the three types of people that exist.

1)The ones searching for the meaning of life
These people believe that there is a meaning out there and they are willing to find it. They read books, discuss about it, ask the elderly, travel and so on, in the hope that they will find the meaning of life. Soon, they become category 2

2)The ones who found the meaning of life
There are these people who believe that found the meaning of life. Most common answers are "Live the moment", "Love", "Cocaine" and "Football". Minorities like budhists, tree huggers, are of no interest to this post. Sooner or later something comes up and breaks this illusion. The "Live the moment guys" get trapped in the monotony of making every moment count. If they all count, no one really does. The "Love" people get betrayed, and see why hate and love are so close together - just by hating someone you don't get hurt. "Cocaine" dudes meet heroine, and travel to the skies (die, for the ignorant ones:p). And "Football" dudes get a wife, so no more football. Inevitably they all end up in category 3.

3)The ones who found there is no specific meaning
This is the worse people of all. To start with, they discover that something is missing. Unless you have looked everywhere you can't claim this. Absence of proof is NOT proof of absence. But what is even more interesting, is the nature of such and elusive concept. The meaning of life, is a constant pursue. When you believe that there is no meaning of life, you have actually found yours! And this means it exists, that's why you found it, which further means you are wrong and you haven't found it. So once, more you are back in stage one. Looking for it.

Why did I present this endless loop? Well, readers of this blog deserve to know better than the average person. The meaning of life corresponds to enjoying the beauty of very simple things. And keeping yourself away of the three curses of mankind. Monogamy, Monotheism, Monotony. But for these I am coming back soon.

Till that point, use my loop to take people that come in contact with you out of their illusion. And soon, into the noulo illusion...;)

Planning ahead

2008-02-25T17:37:00.004Z

A wise man once said: When man makes plans, God laughs...

powered by Noulo

It is in my blood, to start getting worried if I do not have a plan for the upcoming two years. This doesn't have to be very detailed. I rather prefer to set a number of goals. If I achieve them (and I have done so, so far) I feel satisfied. This is a post, I might find disturbing two years from now, since it is the first time I cannot decide what I want to do...

In two years time, maybe even earlier I will have finished my PhD. It is the first time I don't feel that strongly it is necessary to plan stuff ahead. However, I feel there are some things I have to do in order to maximize the number of options I will have.

Before the PhD
1) Check out the States. This is not as simple as it sounds. The USA is a completely different place. The only way for me to experience them is to spend there a considerable amount of time. A couple of months is not enough, here we talk about the least one semester.

Of course, as a very good friends of mine, Mr "77" once told me, in the States, more than anywhere else it is not about where you work but who you work with.

On this direction I will contact the people whose work I value the most before the end of June, and discuss my chances as a visiting scientist in their group.

2) Check out Finance. Yes, I know that this sounds as if I am selling my soul to the devil. And I know that it is the potential income that attracts me to finance.

However, there is nothing bad with keeping ones options open.

On this direction I will apply for a MSc in Finance, and if I do not get accepted I will contact at least three financial institutions in order to get a part time opportunity some time in the next academic year. Oh, all this by june.

Ah, good. Now we have some goals. And then, after I am officially Dr Noulo what? Well, no pressure about planning far ahead. It is troubling enough to keep all the options open.

However, a list with 5 choices that look great! The order does not really matter:

Start a spin off with TLM that will make me (ok, us :-p) rich.
Take Betojohn and go back to Greece to start our own beach bar called the Dutchman.
Move to NYC and become a successful algorithmic trader (wealth, posh parties, and supermodels should come along).
Get a post-doc position in a research group in California\Sao Paolo\ Cuba, where the sun is always shining
OPEN A PETROL STATION IN THE CLOUDS... (check the lyrics)

Να μπορούσα στα σύννεφα να 'χα 'γώ βενζινάδικο
στο κενό να κινδύνευα για τ' αστέρι μου τ' άδικο.
Οι καρδιές παλιοσίδερα σ’ ένα σώμα κατάδικο.

Φέρτε μου ποτήρια και σπάστε το γυαλί
Κόφτε το φιλί να πίνω να μεθώ.
Που όλα τα χατίρια μου τ' άργησες πολύ
κι έφυγα η τρελή ψηλά στον ουρανό.

Να λησμονήσω μπορεί στον κόσμο πάλι να φτάνω
Είμαι φορτίο βαρύ για τον καιρό τον τσιγγάνο.
Φωτιές καρδιές παλιοσίδερα κι ένας Θεός πάν' απ' τ' άδικο
Ασε με 'μένα στα σύννεφα σ' ένα παλιό βενζινάδικο.

Να μπορούσα στα σύννεφα την ψυχή μου ν' ανέβαζα
Μ' αστραπές να γαλήνευα τα παράπονα που έβαζα
στο μυαλό μου κι αρχίναγα κι απ' την λύπη διασκέδαζα.

Φέρτε μου ποτήρια και σπάστε το γυαλί
Κόφτε το φιλί να πίνω να μεθώ.
Που όλα τα χατίρια μου τ' άργησες πολύ
κι έφυγα η τρελή ψηλά στον ουρανό.

If only I could in the clouds
To open a petrol station
Hearts are scrap iron, in a convicted body

Bring me glasses, and break the glass.
Use it to cut the kisses, and I will drink and get drunk
In all the favors, you were late,
and me, being crazy, left for the skies

I might forget, and get back to the world,
but it is a heavy weight for the time of the gypsies
Flames in hearts of scrap iron, and God above suspicion of injustice,
Let me be in the clouds, running an old petrol station

I wish I could raise my soul to the clouds,
use thunders to bring peace all that I have complaints for in my mind,
and started having fun out of my unhappiness grief.

Bring me glasses, and break the glass.
Use it to cut the kisses, and I will drink and get drunk
In all the favors, you were late,
and me, being crazy, left for the skies

Londonized

2008-02-22T10:31:00.004Z

The City. Capital "C".

powered by Noulo

I visited a very good friend of mine, Mitsoulas, in London. Apart from companion in the greatest trip ever in Portugal, and brother of two of my exes (that makes us family right?) he is one of the few people that help me rearrange my dogmas. I know you think dogmas are not rearrangeable, but you just don't know this guy:-).

I arrived Thursday, Valentines day, to London and he picked me up from the station. We spent three days happily drunk. Not wasted, and not sober. Three important notices.

1)London is the Sao Paolo of Europe.
Indeed! I made my usual, noulo calculations. Most people spend one hour to go to work. And one hour back. With the tube. A day ticket costs them approximately 5 pounds. Their rent is something minimum 400 pounds a month, and that means terrible living conditions, and far away from the City's center. And yet, most of the jobs are not extremely well paid. You definitely know this friend of a friend who makes ten thousand pounds a month. But for each one of these people, there are hundreds of persons working in public transport, police force, supermarket and pubs ad they barely make enough money to get by.

These people do not live in London. They have never been in a show, in a theater play, in an expensive restaurant. They have never been in an exhibition, in an auction, in a football match! They have never been in a taxi. They have never cruised Thames. They have never been outside their neighborhood and the Piccadilly square. And this is just not London. They could just as well live in their village and watch London postcards every day.

And yet, there is no misery. And then it is not UK (recall Common People). And yet it is crowded like no other city. And colorful. And smiling. Well, I can only associate it to Latin America. Huge cities, poor favellas, and fiesta fiesta fiesta! Best example out of all, two cousins of mine, musicians and potential philosophers! They live one hour by tube from the city center (that would be Amsterdam-Rotterdam for Holland...). And they still call it London. They find it hard to get by, but still I had never seen them happier! Cause its London baby, Lan-Dan (Brid-dish accent here).

2) The Greeks that exiled me, send their children to London
On Friday night, Mitsoulas took me to a party. In a flat. Opposite of the Buckingham Palace. I guess, you think that friend of your friend who makes 10k per month lives there. Well, think again. Two Greek students, girls, coming from very wealthy families lived there. Weekly rent per person 530 pounds. Make your BLOODY calculations. If they lived in Athens they should give something like 80 blowjobs per week to pay their rent... That's more than 10 blowjobs per day.

Anyways, the party was great. Loads of good alcohol, a great DJ with turntables and professional sound. A very multi-culti crowd. Greeks children of ship-owners, greeks children of parliament members, of factory owners and so on. I start chatting a girl. (Translated from Greek, which was the dialog's language

-Hey there
-I haven't seen you here before (Clique member, what an amazing quality)

-Yes I don't live here.
-Where do you come from?

-Greece. (What the fuck is this question for?)
-No, I mean where do you live?
-Ah, ok, Amsterdam.

-I come from Psychiko! (You don't know the place? I didn't either. Super rich neighborhood in Athens, exclusive and small.).
-Where is this place?
-Pfffffff . . . and she walked away.

Ok... whatever. That's how the party went on. Rich people, interbreeding. Becoming sophisticated by studying in London.

Sophistication does not come from reading books far away from your home. It comes from all the things you do when you are NOT reading, far away from your home.

They took their parties from Athens to London. And they will go back to the positions their parents keep open in Greece, till they return. And they will hire their friends who know where Psychiko is. And treat my CV with a pfffff... And walk away. But lately, I am thinking, is this maybe a blessing?

3) I shall give London a chance
When time comes, and I mature enough to become this friend of your friend's. When I will have a job offer sitting there for me with at least 6 digits on my yearly salary, I should give London a shot. It makes you feel like home after 15 minutes. All 12 tribes live there. And more. And I know I will have Mitsoulas there, he is getting a great job after his MSc, to make my landing soft and the aftermath hard. Very hard. Dogma-rearranging hard.

P.S.: The song is about NOT staying at home. I put on my evolution-tasks to travel more.

D A S K A L O S

2008-02-20T13:41:00.003Z

Ah, ah, ah.

Here I am again. Haven't been writing much lately, but there are many things I wanna write about so I think I will be updating stuff pretty often the next couple of days. In detail, I wanted to write about my trip in Glasgow and London, and what really makes you rich. About stupid questions imposed by friends and troubling me in one of the most happy times of my recent history. And about the ever-lasting question of am I in love or what?

I will start from something completely different though. Charis, link on the left for his blog, Daskalos, is one of my oldest friends. Among other things, he is a very gifted writer, and it is a pitty for my international friends that his blog is in Greek. I will spend some time to translate one of his lasts posts, that is, out of the question, touching. It is that good, that it works in English as well (or that's what I think)...

Title: The "Cinderella" 80's generation
Author: Daskalos
Translation: Noulo

To be honest, I am not sure how we managed to survive. We are a generation grew up waiting. Wait two hours after lunch before swimming in the sea, two hours nap in the afternoon to take a rest, wait all Sunday morning starving before communion. Even pain was cured through waiting.
Looking back it is hard to believe we are still alive. We traveled in cars with no seat belts and airbags. We traveled for 10 or 12 hours, 5 people in a small Fiat and didn't get any tourist-seat syndroms. We didn't have many doors, open windows, and drawers, any emergency boxes for the kids. We ride bicycles without helmets, we hitch-hiked, we drove scooters without a license. Our swings were iron, with sharp edges. Even our games were so violent. We spent time constructing hand made cars, racing down the slope to realize they had no breaks. We played "leap frog" without anyone getting hennia or Παίζαμε «μακριά γαϊδούρα» και κανείς μας δεν έπαθε κήλη ή dislocations. We run out of our house in the morning, played all day, and din't come back before the night lights would turn on. Nobody could track us. There were no mobile phones. We broke bones and teeth, without any laws to punish the "responsibility". We injured our heads playing war with woods and rocks and it was fine. It was usual for kids, and anything would heal with a few stiches and iodine. You would only blame yourself. We had arguments, and made funn of each other and that's how we learned to get over these stuff (arguments and made fun of) We would eat sweets and drink cola but we were not obese. Maybe one of us was fat and that would be it. We all used the shame bottle or can, and no one got sick. Some time we would even get louses on our heads and our mums would just wash them off with hot vinegar.
We had no Playstations, Nintendo 64, 99 tv channels, movies with dolby surround computers or Ιnternet. We just had friends. We would set a time and meet to go out. Some times we would not even set a time, we would go out and meet the others to play games, chasing, hide and seek, cups and thieves. That was the technology limit. We spent our days outside, running and playing. We would make toys out of woods, and we have lost a thousand foot balls. We drunk water straight from public taps, sucking it with our lips on the metal. No bottled watter. We hunted lizards and birds with air guns, only childrens, with guns and no adult supervisors. Oh my god! We would cycle or walk to our friends place and shout their name. Can you imagine? Without asking for permission, all alone out there in this cruel world. Without any supervison! How did we manage? At school everyone wanted to be in the team, and some had to learn to deal with being left outside. Some others would not go to the next year. Without any tests, to help everyone pass. How horrible for the children! We would have three months of vacation in the summer, spending all day on the beach without any sun cream, without any sailing classes, or tennis classes or golf. But we DID make amazing sand castles and DID fish with just a hook and a string. We would get a girlfriend by running behind her to touch her bum, not by talking in a chat room throwing :-D and ;-) and :-p at her.
We had freedom. We had failures. We had success. And responsibility. And through these, we grew up, and matured. Stop finding strange that today's kids are spoiled and giddy.
If you are "one of us"... congratulations. You were lucky to grow up playing child...

No more comments, no songs, no nothing...

Hyvris Nemesis Katharsis

2008-01-30T23:57:00.000Z

A very typical triad in Greek mythology is Hyvris Nemesis Catharsis.

Hyvris is exaggerated self pride, arrogance or self-confidence (overbearing pride), often resulting in fatal retribution. The name Nemesis is related to the Greek word νείμειν, meaning "to give what is due", and was related to the goddess that would take revenge after Hyvris was performed. Finaly, heroes that made it through that bitch, would achieve catharsis, which is a Greek word meaning "purification" or "cleansing".

This circle, happens inevitably in everyones life. It is not that weird that the only person involved is a woman (Nemesis) since most of us face this circle in a relationship. We make a mistake (which can be starting the relationship, cheating on the girl, treating her bad, or thinking that we don't want her and so on), and she gives us what is due. Loneliness, a hard time, and ultimately a break up. Which is necessary to achieve catharsis.

Break ups are never easy. And when they are easy, this means that the relationship was not much anyways. Personally, I have my grandma and grandpa that fight like hell, everyday. At least, this shows that there used to be love there. Calmness, and civilized break ups, show the lack of feelings before, at least to me.

How should someone deal with them? Well, you can read the book, high fidelity. Or you can read this post, and the following song's lyrics: "the one that knows how to love also know how to break up". In short, you should LIVE the break up, and enjoy every little second of pain in its aftermath. After all, the new relationship should be passionate enough to cover the pain, like the hot summer makes you miss the winter.

powered by Noulo
I want to enjoy the last glass
with you in a tavern
that we used to drink,
to remember stuff for last time,
since we want to break up

And then, my love I will leave happy,
from wine and your kisses, drunk for ever
and we will never see each other again

Your break up my love
frightens me tonight
but the one that knows how to love
also know how to break up

I want to smoke my last cigerrete
with you
tonight I wanna enjoy you till the early morning
remind you of the love we used to have
awaken our past in your mind

And then, my love I will leave your side,
and you will never see me again,
I will never bother you again again

Your break up my love
frightens me tonight
but the one that knows how to love
also know how to break up

Το τελευταίο ποτηράκι
θέλω μαζί στο ταβερνάκι
εκεί που πίναμε και απόψε να το πιούμε
για τελευταία πια φορά να θυμηθούμε
μια και το θες να χωριστούμε

Κι ύστερα αγάπη μου θα φύγω ευτυχισμένος
απ' το κρασί κι απ' τα φιλιά σου μεθυσμένος
και δε θα ξαναιδωθούμε

Ο χωρισμός σου αγάπη μου
απόψε με φοβίζει
μα όποιος ξέρει ν' αγαπά
ξέρει και να χωρίζει

Το τελευταίο μου τσιγάρο
θέλω μαζί σου να φουμάρω
απόψε θέλω ως το πρωί να σε γλεντήσω
και την αγάπη την παλιά να σου θυμίσω
το παρελθόν να σου ξυπνήσω

Κι ύστερα αγάπη μου θα φύγω από κοντά σου
και στο εξής δε θα με δεις ποτέ μπροστά σου
και δε θα σε ξαναενοχλήσω

Ο χωρισμός σου αγάπη μου
απόψε με φοβίζει
μα όποιος ξέρει ν' αγαπά
ξέρει και να χωρίζει

It is February. It means carnival. Dress up, go out, get drunk, dance crazily and have sex. Life is short!

Prophets After Christ

2008-01-28T23:32:00.000Z

It has been a while since I last posted something. Busy with a paper (luckily, I made the deadline) and other stuff, plus not much inspiration. I had been through some emotional stress lately:-/.

powered by Noulo

Tonight however, I had a very interesting discussion with some friends, regarding whether young people should work. In Greece, it is a usual phenomena that you live on your parents expense till you are 30, while in Holland most people work before they are even 18.

We had all kinds of opinions. People who worked and said it was cool, people who didn't work and enjoyed laying back. People who regretted not working. Common denominator of all these, people where talking about their youth, after it has already been in the past. What is more, people would advice their children to work, or not, based on their own experience. They were the so called prophets after Christ...

Prophets were people who speak of the future. The most famous ones spoke of the coming of Christ, son of God and Savior of man kind. Some of them, i.e. Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah or Ezekiel, talked with some details that must have come true, and therefore stayed in history book as the real ones. Of course, talking about the coming of Jesus after his arrival, is not much of a prophecy, thus the ironic term "prophet after Christ".

Back in our topic, all the people seating at the table, talked about what should have happened. It is hard to talk about what should happen in the future, decide, predict, reason and so on! Talking about the past is piece of cake. On the other hand talking about someone elses future (in this case your childrens') is so much more involved. It is not something that should be done lightly, and definitely not just by replicating ones own experiences!

At that point, I thought of myself. I haven't really worked so far. A couple of hours teaching, or my PhD or days here and there don't count as real work. Am I happy I didn't work? I don't mind. Should I have worked? I don't mind. Sometimes, when you think about the past there are things you really regret. I wish I had spent more time with my dad. Cause working or not, studying more or less are not that important after all. It is the beauty of simple things that keeps us going... The beauty of simple things... Otherwise the night is followed by night. And then, I rushed to the shower.

Song, designated to all the prophets after Christ ;-)

Angel, announcer, arrived from far away lands,
standing on a crutch,
he did not know how to speak at all,
and used his tongue just for licking

The news he would bear were lies
and sounded pleasant in our ears
cause every single lie felt like it was truth
and listening to him our soul would relax

He set a bed near the agora
and used to say jokes in the tavern
he would take a walk smiling through the μπαινόβγαινε κεφάτος στα κουρεία και στα λουτρά
και χάζευε τα ψάρια μες στη στέρνα

Και πέρασε ο χειμώνας κι ήρθε η καλοκαιριά
κι ύστερα πάλι ξανάρθανε τα κρύα
ώσπου κάποιο βραδάκι τι του 'ρθε ξαφνικά
κι άρχισε να φωνάζει με μανία

Τα πόδια μου καήκανε σ' αυτή την ερημιά
η νύχτα εναλλάσσεται με νύχτα
τα νέα που σας έφερα σας χάιδεψαν τ' αυτιά
μα απέχουνε πολύ απ' την αλήθεια

Αμέσως καταλάβαμε τι πήγαινε να πει
και του 'παμε να φύγει μουδιασμένα
αφού δεν είχε νέα ευχάριστα να πει
καλύτερα να μη μας πει κανένα

Άγγελος εξάγγελος μας ήρθε από μακριά
γερμένος πάνω σ' ένα δεκανίκι
δεν ήξερε καθόλου μα καθόλου να μιλά
και είχε γλώσσα μόνο για να γλείφει

Τα νέα που μας έφερε ήταν όλα μια ψευτιά
κι ακούγονταν ευχάριστα στ' αυτί μας
γιατί έμοιαζε μ' αλήθεια η κάθε του ψευτιά
κι ακούγοντάς τον ησύχαζε η ψυχή μας

Έστησε το κρεβάτι του πίσω απ' την αγορά
κι έλεγε καλαμπούρια στην ταβέρνα
μπαινόβγαινε κεφάτος στα κουρεία και στα λουτρά
και χάζευε τα ψάρια μες στη στέρνα

Και πέρασε ο χειμώνας κι ήρθε η καλοκαιριά
κι ύστερα πάλι ξανάρθανε τα κρύα
ώσπου κάποιο βραδάκι τι του 'ρθε ξαφνικά
κι άρχισε να φωνάζει με μανία

Τα πόδια μου καήκανε σ' αυτή την ερημιά
η νύχτα εναλλάσσεται με νύχτα
τα νέα που σας έφερα σας χάιδεψαν τ' αυτιά
μα απέχουνε πολύ απ' την αλήθεια

Αμέσως καταλάβαμε τι πήγαινε να πει
και του 'παμε να φύγει μουδιασμένα
αφού δεν είχε νέα ευχάριστα να πει
καλύτερα να μη μας πει κανένα

P.S.:
Lyrics: Διονύσης Σαββόπουλος
Music: Bob Dylan

Poli in the Hospital!

2007-12-28T10:59:00.001Z

Yep, it is Christmas once more. A holiday which belongs rather to paganism than Christianity, but that's a whole other story.

The super sweet trouble of my life, that is Polina Elencheva, is once more in the hospital. It feels like yesterday that she was coming back from her winter vacations, homeless and legless two years ago, and I offered her a room.

I think it was the best offer I've ever made, since, no matter her crazy outbreaks, she is one of the few persons that I can really count on.

I think right now she has been anesthetized, and she sleeps like a baby. More or less like she slept on the beach in Greece (check the marks from the sun bed on her face:-))

This time is something with her throat. One of the signs that Poli was on the computer is that in the auto-fill in Google "I have tonsillitis" pops up:-). I am really sad she is in Bulgaria since it will be hard to talk the next few days and she will be a total angel (not much talking -> more smiling:-).

The operation is not that difficult, but (as always) I keep fingers crossed to be fine by the 7th of January. She has an interview with a bank and she is kind of stressed about it, which is just not her style! In case she can't speak she can forward them to my blog, and show them the last pic:

Ah, ah, one pictures is a million words, is it not? Oh, no there's sth on her teeth! Momentje!

That's better

No songs this time, Poli can't sing right now!;-)

War

2007-12-05T09:37:00.001Z

One of the most interesting social activities of the human species is getting together in groups and hunting some of its own species. This terrible phenomena, called war, was always wrapped with attractive ideas, like honor, braveness, self-discipline, sacrifice and so on.

Let's first see a picture (right click, open in new tab, check it, zoom in if it is still small, it is vital:-)).

And there are to questions I want to address in this blog. Is there any case that war is justified? And why is it such a terrible thing?

On the first question, keep in mind that the basic excuse for every war is freedom. Freedom to keep the beautiful Helen (Troy), freedom to teach people the Greek language (Alexander the Great), freedom to teach people Latin (Roman Empire), freedom to help people see they are Christians (Byzantium), freedom to rape your women yourself instead of the English emperors (Braveheart), freedom from the short brunette Jews (Adolf), freedom from the Tyranny of Evil (Iraq). On the other hand, people fought for their freedom to keep Helen, NOT learn Greek, stay Muslim or Jew or whatever they feel like. And there is the vital difference.

When somebody fights for his own self-government, I can't say but that this is a fair fight. Even if it is the silly Basques thinking they are not Spanish (yeah, they are just short, speak terrible English and like Paella) or if it is the 30 millions of Kurds who want to get a part of desert to make their own country, or even the Albanians who live in Montenegro and think it is time to make it Albania (so they can leave to immigrate to the next place:-)). It is a fair fight, that doesn't stop to be terrible. And why is this so terrible? Well, last but not least a song from Dionysis Savvopoulos.

Small Intro: The song is called Vietnam Yeah Yeah. It is an obvious irony towards all the people of the states and abroad, that while the war in Vietnam is still on they just sing the Yeah-Yeah American songs. Fo-mi-tsin is supposed to sound like a Vietnamese name

powered by Noulo

Tranlated Lyrics:

In Vietnam the rice was set to flames, the rices was set to flames,
In Saigon you could not live,
(Because) You the air was not enough to live

Now, hidden in a river, you are breathing,
oh Fo-Mi-Tsin, you are breathing,
you are breathing through a bamboo

Yeah yeah-yeah yeah

The weather would beautiful in this forest, would be beautiful in this forest
If the gunshots had not made the leaves dead
If the terror hadn't made the sunlight cold
Yeah! If the kids did not eat from the garbage
If the rain did not burn the huts,
The weather would be beautiful in this forest

Yeah yeah-yeah yeah

Fo-Mi-Tsin what would you be doing? Really what would you be doing? Φο-Μι-Τσιν, τι θα If the kids did not eat from the garbage
If the rain did not burn the huts
You would just hold your girlfriends hand and take her for a stroll
Fo-Mi-Tsin you would be holding her hand,
For a stroll in this forest holding hands...

Yeah yeah-yeah yeah ...

P.S.: Do NEVER forget the riddle of the Sphinx (it has saved the life of Oedipus already, maybe yours as well).
- What goes on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?
- The man.

The Italian Job

2007-11-28T10:16:00.000Z

Back from Japan, back on the blog!

I am going to give this post to the exclusive representative of noulo.blogspot.com in Italy, Augusto Prede. The issue was, unfortunately, the death of one more Italian fan a few weeks ago. So, what's they real story?

"In order to understand the problem in the best possible way, it is necessary to start with a reality about my country: In Italy everyone has something to forgive.

Look at the dead Lazio (the team) fun:
He was a good guy, crazy about football probably like me and you. He was definitely not a hooligan (in the sense of making problems, exactly like 90% of the people that watch the match from the cheaper-ticket stadium sector, exactly behind the teams' goals). He was shot dead by a policeman bullet, while in a fuel station on the road to Milan (he was going to attend the match Inter Milan Vs Lazio).

The circumstances were crazy:

he was shot (and died) in his car, from a bullet shot really far away. The scenery at the place is like this: Imagine a very big highway of four lanes. He was in a car parked in a fuel station lied on one side of the highway, and the policeman shot from a fuel station on the other side (in highways in Italy, fuel stations lie exactly across each other). The policeman took a shot, as he said, in order to sedate a small broil between opponent supporters. The incredible thing was that the only one hit was not in the broil (notice that the policemen are not allowed to shoot like this one did, they can shoot only up in the air to get scare the people). The dead fun was in his car.

The most important thing is that the policeman claims he shot without knowing they were football supporters. He (madly) shot only to sedate the broil. So the trouble (supporters attacking the police) that happened the following evening were meaningless. Or not?

The police had chose to lie the first instants after the event (that's why in Italy everyone has something to forgive). They claimed, on media and t.v., that a Lazio hooligan was shot dead by a policeman who wanted to stop a broil, thinking it was better (nobody knows why) than admitting it was a guy who was going to attend a football match and the whole story was a terrible police mistake.

These are two ways to see the same fact. It's food for communication students!

Furthermore, in Italy we say that lies are like the shit in the water. Sooner or later they come up:)hehe.
Eventualy, the truth was revealed and the hooligans all across Italy were furious and they destroyed everything on their way.
The police and the government did nothing to prevent this (since they had a lot to forgive that day).

Now, Let's try to understand the phenomena:

The stadium is a free area.The cheapest sector especially. We do not have stewards. In this sector some hooligans rule. It's sad to admit that, but very often those who rule this sector rules the drug dealing inside that sector. And the second "work" is necessary to keep up the first. Very often it happens that supporters of the same teams fight between themselves (one time i saw it with my own two eyes when I was in the Roma sector). It's incredible. It's crazy.
That's the first thing to get out of the story.

The second is that this area is free for me and the 90% of the supporters (and I am one oft those regular guys - my highest crime in the stadium was to smoke a joint and to say to the captain of the other team that he was a son of three bitches heeheh) who in their life had never thrown anything in the stadium. These guys dont go vandalizing a city as the minority of supporters did that Sunday.

The third thing to keep in mind is the most important: recently fights
between opponent supporters have decreased. More:in the last years there were only fights between supporters and police. That happens (it's my opinion) because police is a good enemy. In most of the cases they can't (are not allowed to) react. They are the government (who has something to forgive due to the last football scandals last year) in the street and in the stadium, so it's a good enemy. You can unleash your fury, paying only the match ticket price. That's what this supporters minority thinks.

I don't believe that violence will stop. I don't believe there is a REAL solution. You can move (in contrast to re-move) violence as the government in England did. But if there are some people that likes to have violence there will be violence.
So it's better to contain this violence. Italian governments have thought that containing this violence in a stadium sector is the only way. That was wrong, since the hooligans made violence inside and outside the stadiums.

The true problem is that the laws are too soft for hooligans. So they can vandalize the stadiums and hide their face when they throw stones to the policemen. But if you made stronger laws, like in England, you will only move the violence outside the stadium; But a Lazio hooligan hates a Roma one or a cop in the stadium, in the cinema, in the supermarket, in the streets, in the forest..."

Ah, ah, ah.

Nice, informative, and no matter my corrections, I hope it still sounds Italian:-). That's an important topic, and I will get back to it myself. As for now, I will just pay our representative in Italy with a song he will love;-)!

powered by Noulo

Translation:

I know what you are thinking! When are we gonna finish here, to go home, gather our friends, and start a tournament, pro evolution!

I am not going out of home, I smoke joints and play pro,
I haven time for my baby, I smoke joints and play pro!

oooo, I smoke joints and play pro!
oooo, I smoke joints and play pro!
eeoo, I smoke joints and play pro!
eeoo, I smoke joints and play pro!

they say I am crazy, cause I smoke joints and play pro!
I don't worry for anything, I smoke joints and play pro!

oooo, I smoke joints and play pro!
you do it as well, as I do, and I smoke joints and play pro!
I have no time for my baby cayse I smoke joints and play pro!
I don't worry for anything, cause I smoke joints and play pro!
where am I gonna get a good substitute, I smoke joints and play pro!
Eto is injured, I smoke joints and play pro!
But Drogba is now hot, I smoke joints and play pro!
and Fosba is running (fos-ba is reversed ba-fos which is the joint)

oooo, I smoke joints and play pro!
you do it as well, as I do, and I smoke joints and play pro!

I switched off my mobile, cause I smoke joints and play pro!
don't stress me, I won't tolerate it cause I smoke joints and play pro!
I can spend all day here smokeing joints and playing pro!

ooooooooooo I smoke joints and play pro!

For my own good!

2007-11-03T17:15:00.000Z

A frequent phenomena, focus of this topic, is other people doing things for my own good. Generally, my dear blog-readers, people do things for your own good. Super fast to the song:

powered by Noulo

and the translated lyrics:

I saw a whole world being demolished in front of my eyes,
I saw my neighborhood turning into a construction yard,
for my own good.

I saw the trees, that I used to climb, cut off,
I saw my dreams loaded on a lorry,
for my own good.

I saw my teacher beating me up with zeal,
I saw my hands swollen from the blows,
I saw people straining my nerves,
beating me up using love and care.

For my own good, for my own good,
up to where my mind could take it no more,
it crushed for my own good,
and now I am in booth 9 for my own good,
in piece of mind, to try to find myself

I saw people cutting of their spoon to fill my own,
I saw them cutting my old clothes to make their own,
for my own good.

I saw my mum shredding hopeless tears,
and my old man going abroad,
for my own good.

I saw friends doing everything for me,
I saw them wishing me to stop seeing you,
I saw them taking me to the police station early in the morning,
I saw them telling me to sing a poem if I want to stay out of prison.

For my own good, for my own good,
up to where my mind could take it no more,
it crushed for my own good,
and now I am in booth 9 for my own good,
in piece of mind, to try to find myself

For my own good, for my own good,
my body and mind are numbly
injections, pills, electro-shocks for my own good.
Today the guy next to me was taken away dead,
I am finding to find myself,
and I have a pocketknife hidden for my own good.

I will be brief. Doing something for somebody else's good is a very difficult task. It is hard to be altruistic, especially towards non-altruistic people. They don't know what it is, and can't accept it!

In my personal life I have seen people offering me the world, and people who thought they offer me the world, taking away things that I liked the most. On the other hand I have seen my altruistic deeds being appreciated or dismissed, and I have realized that many times I felt an altruist I was driven from an inner personal objective.

No big words here, I wanted people to check out the song. To remind the older ones, and teach the younger ones.

I don't write that often, but I promise to catch up!

Take care of yourselves (and yourselves includes each other!)

Bad Habits

2007-10-11T14:46:00.000+01:00

I want to believe that there are no good habits. Routine, a group of habits, is a bad thing by definition. However, there are some habits that are considered particularly bad. I have argued many times that drugs, alcohol, gambling, football and politics are not that bad. At least better than Warcraft 3 and smoking!

powered by Noulo

In this post however, along with the corresponding song, lyrics, and translation, I will focus on something which is a bit harder to decide!

Should we talk to our ex-girlfriends or not? Are they just a bad habit? Once more you are lucky enough to get this answer through my blog. The reasoning about it is pretty complicated (even for me:-D) and therefore I will give you a simple test. 9 True-False statements. You evaluate, you count, you decide! The evaluation changes as time goes by, because you and your girlfriend change as well! Evaluate the statements often to make sure you are on the right side of the talk-to-ex-girlfriends law:)!

You had cheated on her (him for the girls).
You asked to break up.
You would happily have sex with her (him) again.
You would never start a relationship with him/her again!
Your current girl(boy)friend is jealous of your ex-.
You got laid at least once the last week.
She (he) has a great sense of humor.
She (he) knows people.
You do NOT miss her (him) any more.

Instructions of use. Evaluate those sentences, INDEPENDENTLY for each ex-girlfriend. Count the TRUE statements. If you have at least 6 TRUE (not just 5!!!), you may talk to them! Otherwise avoid communications until things change!

As today's song says:
"But what connects us to the past
is our bad habits
...
My life was an accomplice but I really love
the simple evenings having coffee and cigarettes"

Lyrics

Από παιδί θυμάμαι προσπαθώ
να κλέψω το γλυκό μέσα απ' το βάζο
με ξύλινα σπαθιά να πολεμώ
και μια ζωή στα πόδια να το βάζω

Μα ό,τι μας δένει στα παλιά
είναι οι κακές συνήθειες
το νιώθω τώρα καθαρά
πως είναι αργά γι' αλήθειες

Όλη μου η ζωή συνένοχη και πώς γουστάρω
τα πιο μεγάλα ψέματα στα πιο αθώα βλέμματα
όλη μου η ζωή συνένοχη και πώς γουστάρω
κάτι απογέματα με καφέ και τσιγάρο

Από παιδί θυμάμαι προσπαθώ
στα λάθη μου φτηνά να τη γλιτώσω
μου μάθαν να φοβάμαι ό,τι αγαπώ
και μια ζωή να φεύγω πριν να δώσω

Μα ό,τι μας δένει στα παλιά
είναι οι κακές συνήθειες
το νιώθω τώρα καθαρά
πως είναι αργά γι' αλήθειες

Όλη μου η ζωή συνένοχη και πώς γουστάρω
τα πιο μεγάλα ψέματα στα πιο αθώα βλέμματα
όλη μου η ζωή συνένοχη και πώς γουστάρω
κάτι απογέματα με καφέ και τσιγάρο

Translation

I remember myself since I was a kid
to try to steal the sweets from the vase
to fight with wooden swords
and to retreat running

But what connects us to the past
is our bad habits
and I now feel clearly
that it is too late for the truth

My life was an accomplice but I really love
the largest lies coming from the most innocent eyes
My life was an accomplice but I really love
in the evenings having coffee and cigarettes

I remember myself since I was a kid
to try avoid paying for my mistakes.
I was taught to avoid what I love
and leave before it is my turn to give

But what connects us to the past
is our bad habits
and I now feel clearly
that it is too late for the truth

My life was an accomplice but I really love
the largest lies coming from the most innocent eyes
My life was an accomplice but I really love
in the evenings having coffee and cigarettes

Noulo + Poli in Prague

2007-10-11T00:10:00.001+01:00

As promised, a post from one of my latest trips! The song is moody, exactly like Poli...

powered by Noulo

We went to Prague end of September (27-29)! We had heard a lot about the city, and arranged this excursion early during the summer the summer, something very very unlikely for both of us. I will have to quote Poli here, saying that "This thing needs planning, and that is not my style!"

Here's a pic of us there!Prague was great, nice streets, nice buildings and ok weather! Of course, I had to bring a pic back from the enormous dinners we were having:

We stayed at a five star hotel, which was really cheap. Arriving there, apart from the terrible service we got a sheets with a hole! I like the way 5 stars are awarded in Czech republic:)

The top-happening of the weekend was a strip bar! We went to one of the best most-central strip bars of the city! Entrance? 9 Euros! And 5 beers or two vodka-redbulls for free! Is it possible? The girls were just amazing, and I am proud of taking Poli for her first time to a strip bar!:) Unfortunately, no pics were allowed...

Finally two updates,

Check out my sisters first video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=eAbiPTDZad8
Check out the blog of Δάσκαλος (in greek)

Common People

2007-10-01T21:55:00.001+01:00

A very intense period of my life was my MSc in Edinburgh. If I am asked to evaluate it now, I would probably say it was the happiest year of my life. The last and most productive of my years of innocence.

powered by Noulo

I spent those 12 months in the capital of Scotland, followed something that proved to be one of the toughest MSc ever. The previous year the library of the department was devoured by flames, and the director board was afraid that they would loose the best AI MSc evaluation in the Guardian. What was the solution? 12 courses in one year, plus a super competitive dissertation. Unfortunately, I didn't blog back then and this is one of the reasons I will eternally envy Betojohn (check link on the right). You can check his blog to see how hard 8 courses feel, so let's not discuss 12!

At the same time it was the first year I lived alone, away from my family. I had live in my own place but never really alone. And this procedure matures you greatly. I met great people, and made some friends that I feel so dear as if I knew them for ever. My greetings once more to Hondros, Philipp, Leonidas, Arhontas and the rest. Check my MSc thesis acknowledgements;). I even had a wonderful relationship with a tall, blond, blue eyed Estonian researcher (yes, she also had a relationship with me:-p)!

Then, the question comes, why didn't you stay? Actually, not only I didn't stay, I did not even try to stay! The answer was complicated and simple at the same time. I could not integrate. I always found hard to explain why till I came across this song

She came from Greece, she had a thirst for knowledge
She studied sculpture at Saint Martin's College
That's where I caught her eye
She told me that her Dad was loaded
I said "In that case I'll have rum and coca-cola
She said "fine"
And then in 30 seconds time she said
"I want to live like common people
I want to do whatever common people do
I want to sleep with common people
I want to sleep with common people like you"
Well what else could I do?
I said "I'll see what I can do"
I took her to a supermarket
I don't know why
but I had to start it somewhere
so it started there
I said "pretend you've got no money"
but she just laughed
and said "oh you're so funny"
I said "Yeah
Well I can't see anyone else smiling in here
Are you sure
you want to live like common people
you want to see whatever common people see
you want to sleep with common people
you want to sleep with common people like me?"
But she didn't understand
she just smiled and held my hand
Rent a flat above a shop
Cut your hair and get a job
Smoke some fags and play some pool
Pretend you never went to school
But still you'll never get it right
'cos when you're laid in bed at night
watching roaches climb the wall
if you called your dad he could stop it all
yeah
You'll never live like common people
You'll never do whatever common people do
You'll never fail like common people
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
and then dance and drink and screw
because there's nothing else to do
Sing along with the common people
Sing along and it might just get you through
Laugh along with the common people
Laugh along although they're laughing at you
and the stupid things that you do
because you think that poor is cool
Like a dog lying in a corner
they will bite you and never warn you
Look out
they'll tear your insides out
'cos everybody hates a tourist
especially one who thinks
it's all such a laugh
yeah and the chip stain's grease
will come out in the bath
You will never understand
how it feels to live your life
with no meaning or control
and with nowhere else to go
You are amazed that they exist
and they burn so bright
whilst you can only wonder why
Rent a flat above a shop
Cut your hair and get a job
Smoke some fags and play some pool
Pretend you never went to school
But still you'll never get it right
'cause when you're laid in bed at night
watching roaches climb the wall
if you called your dad he could stop it all
yeah
You'll never live like common people
You'll never do whatever common people do
You'll never fail like common people
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
and then dance and drink and screw
'because there's nothing else to do
I want to live with common people like you.....

Yes, the songs girl is Greek, like me. And had a loaded father like me. And therefore would never become common people in UK. And when you are in Rome, you'd better do like the Romans do. Or leave Rome...

The song expresses what stayed inside me for 2 years.

Once more special thanks to Pille for keeping my hand, when I smiled but could not understand!

Coming soon: Noulo + Poli in Czech republic!!!

Noulo + Pappous in Alkmaar

2007-09-20T11:19:00.000+01:00

I am off for a wedding in Greece this weekend. Greece, with the beautiful beaches... Something that led me to think when was the last time I had fun going to the beach, and it was in Holland, this August... Music

powered by Noulo

It was 11th of August, 2007. Yes I am late to write about it, but I am not keen to take pictures from my camera to the PC. Anyways, the weather forecast said that it was going to be sunny, the only sunny day of this summer (terrible, I know).

I got my friend Labros, known as pappous (grandpa), and father of the anarchistic monarchy, to go to the beach. But, as super Greeks we needed the following equipment:

1) Sheet to seat on (no one takes his towel away from Greece:p)
2) Backgammon (that's the only water sport we know)
3) Food (cause the water sports make you hungry)
4) Baklava (cause the food drops your sugar in the blood)

And there we are:

Super Noulo, who deserves to become a sultan, eating the baklava

And my beloved companion

The song you have been listening was one of the collections we played.

No need to mention how Arabic we looked and that parents were advising their kids NOT to come close to us.

P.S.: I forgot to bring my swimming trunks so I was basically with boxers the whole day:p!

IAS Borrel

2007-09-18T23:30:00.000+01:00

I just came home from a borrel with IAS.

For most of you, both of these words must be unknown. IAS is the group I belong to in the university. It stands for Intelligent Autonomous Systems. Borrel, is a dutch word representing going out for a beer, with people you share some common characteristic. Hence, IAS borrel, stands for going out for beers with the guys of my group.

Nice Greek song . . .

powered by Noulo

. . .

I had a great time, it was nice to share some time talking with intelligent people (which makes me intelligent as well, but it is not the point of this post:p). What motivated me to write this post, was the observation that most of us share the shame worries. That's kind of expected since up to this point we chose pretty similar paths in life, and thus face similar difficulties. What I found most striking (trendy IAS expression) was the fact that all the guys were troubled regarding the woman (as an idea).

I would expect intelligent young guys to be in peace with themselves. At least, since this topic came up right away, to be in peace with topics of great interest. On the contrary, I show troubled faces and holding-back people. People afraid to get hurt, people debating on whether it worths risking one's time and energy in the name of love.

Well, once more I choose to speak through this beautiful song...

It is dangerous here (in love), therefore it is better that you are leaving,
I have been chasing for years, what you've been avoiding for years,
and if you stay longer I'll get attached, therefore it is better that you are leaving,
I have been chasing for years, what you've been avoiding for years,
the "I love you", the "I love you"

People, love is not hard to find. It hurts when it is gone, but it is your personal decision to chase it. I wish I could speak everyones mother tongue perfectly, just to give them the picture of this song, but I can't. Once more, since it is getting late, lyrics, accurate translation and everyone on his own;-)

Ήμουνα μικρός για τόσα αινίγματα,
και όμως τα απάντησα μωρό μου,
έκανα με σένα τόσα ανοίγματα,
τώρα έχω κλειστεί στον εαυτό μου.

I was young for so many enigmas
however I answered them baby
I opened so much to you
that now I am closed even to myself

Σου ριξα τα δίχτυα μα δεν πιάστηκες,
Ξέρεις να ξεφεύγεις απ' το θέμα,
Ίσως έχεις δίκιο που φυλάχτηκες,
Απ’ το σ’ αγαπώ και από μένα.

I used my net but you wouldn't get caught
You know how to slip away from the topic
Maybe you were right to protect yourself
from saying I love you,

Είναι επικίνδυνα εδώ,
Γι' αυτό καλύτερα που φεύγεις,
Χρόνια προσπαθώ, αυτό που χρόνια αποφεύγεις,
Κι άλλο αν μείνεις θα δεθώ, γι' αυτό καλύτερα που φεύγεις,
Χρόνια προσπαθώ, αυτό που χρόνια αποφεύγεις,
Το σ' αγαπώ, το σ’ αγαπώ.

It is dangerous here (in love), therefore it is better that you are leaving,
I have been chasing for years, what you've been avoiding for years,
and if you stay longer I'll get attached, therefore it is better that you are leaving,
I have been chasing for years, what you've been avoiding for years,
the "I love you", the "I love you"

Σου δωσα τα πάντα κι όμως στάθηκες,
Σ' όλα αυτά που μου κρατάς κρυμμένα,
Ίσως έχεις δίκιο που αντιστάθηκες,
Και στο σ’ αγαπώ, μα και σε μένα.

I gave you everything however you missed
what you hid from me you needed
maybe you were right to resist
to saying I love you and to me

Είναι επικίνδυνα εδώ,
Γι’ αυτό καλύτερα που φεύγεις,
Χρόνια προσπαθώ, αυτό που χρόνια αποφεύγεις,
Κι άλλο μείνεις θα δεθώ, γι' αυτό καλύτερα που φεύγεις,
Χρόνια προσπαθώ, αυτό που χρόνια αποφεύγεις,
Το σ' αγαπώ, το σ' αγαπώ.

It is dangerous here (in love), therefore it is better that you are leaving,
I have been chasing for years, what you've been avoiding for years,
and if you stay longer I'll get attached, therefore it is better that you are leaving,
I have been chasing for years, what you've been avoiding for years,
the "I love you", the "I love you"

Manos Hatzidakis

2007-08-21T14:43:00.000+01:00

One of the greatest (if not the greatest) modern Greek artists. I don't know if any Turkish song for Kemal could mean so much. Posts will come every two days for the next two weeks, they are written and waiting for a nice song!

powered by Noulo

(Man voice) Listen now to the story of Kemal,
a young prince of the East,
descendant of Sebah of the Seas
who thought he could change the world

But Allah's will is often bitter
and the souls of people dark.

(Woman voice)In the East lands once upon a time,
the dishes were empty and the water dirty.
In Mosul, Vasora, and under the oldest oasis tree,
sad kids of the desert cry.

And a young man for a royal family,
stops praying and goes there to help
The veduins look sad at him
while he swears to Allah it is time for a change

When the Lords heard of the fearless boy,
they got the wolf's tooth and the lion's skin
From Tiger to Euphrates, and from earth to the skys
they chase the apostate, and they want to capture him alive

The crows hit him like a group of dogs
and take them to the Sultan, who should put the halter on his neck
Black honey and black milk, he tasted that morning
before the halter takes his final breath away

With two old camels and a red light,
in the paradise doors the prophet is waiting for him

now they walk holding hands and there are only clouds around
but the star of Damaskus is their company,
In one month and one year they meet Allah himself
Who turns from his mountain and tells to Sevah
My beaten genious, as you can see times don't change,
time still goes on with fire and knife

(Man voice) Good night Kemal. Good night This world will never change

Ακούστε τώρα την ιστορία του Κεμάλ
ενός νεαρού πρίγκιπα της Ανατολής
απόγονου του Σεβάχ του Θαλασσινού
που νόμισε ότι μπορούσε να αλλάξει τον κόσμο.
Αλλά πικρές οι βουλές του Αλλάχ
και σκοτεινές οι ψυχές των ανθρώπων
Στης Ανατολής τα μέρη μια φορά κι έναν καιρό
ήταν άδειο το κεμέρι, μουχλιασμένο το νερό.
Στη Μοσούλη, στη Βασόρα, στην παλιά τη χουρμαδιά
πικραμένα κλαίνε τώρα της ερήμου τα παιδιά.
Κι ένας νέος από σόι και γενιά βασιλική
αγροικάει το μοιρολόι και τραβάει κατά κει.
Τον κοιτάν οι βεδουίνοι με ματιά λυπητερή
κι όρκο στον Αλλάχ τους δίνει πως αλλάξουν οι καιροί.
Σαν ακούσαν οι αρχόντοι του παιδιού την αφοβιά
ξεκινάν με λύκου δόντι και με λιονταριού προβιά.
Απ' τον Τίγρη στον Ευφράτη κι απ' τη γη στον ουρανό
κυνηγάν τον αποστάτη να τον πιάσουν ζωντανό.
Πέφτουν πάνω του τα στίφη σαν ακράτητα σκυλιά
και τον πάνε στο Χαλίφη να του βάλει τη θηλιά.
Μαύρο μέλι, μαύρο γάλα ήπιε 'κείνο το πρωί
πριν αφήσει στην κρεμάλα τη στερνή του την πνοή
Με δυο γέρικες καμήλες, μ' ένα κόκκινο φαρί
στου παράδεισου τις πύλες ο προφήτης καρτερεί.
Πάνε τώρα χέρι-χέρι κι είναι γύρω συννεφιά
μα της Δαμασκού τ' αστέρι τους κρατούσε συντροφιά.
Σ' ένα μήνα, σ' ένα χρόνο βλέπουν μπρος τους τον Αλλάχ
που απ' τον ψηλό του θρόνο λέει στον άμυαλο Σεβάχ:
Νικημένο μου ξεφτέρι δεν αλλάζουν οι καιροί
με φωτιά και με μαχαίρι πάντα ο κόσμος προχωρεί
Καληνύχτα Κεμάλ. Αυτός ο κόσμος δε θ' αλλάξει ποτέ. Καληνύχτα

Greece again...

2007-08-20T18:45:00.000+01:00

FUCK THE POLICE FUCK THE POLICE FUCK THE POLICE...

powered by Noulo

Back in the land of the Greeks, Griekenland 1...

A black guy (political correctness is for CNN), Tony Onwa was an illegal immigrant in Greece, selling illegal copies of music cds. A year ago he was beaten up by Greek police agents (ασφαλίτες). Yesterday, he entered a cafe in the first floor of a buliding at 21:10.

The barman who was working then saluted him, it was one of the cafes he was going around to sell cds. The barman claims he was calm. Suddenly two persons around 30 years old, that the barman claims he can identify, entered the cafe. The Nigerian guy threw the cds to the barman, run and jumped from the window (5 meters high). He bounced on the tent (as, I guess, he planned) but hit the ground with his neck and died instantly. The two guys shouted where are you going to go? When he jumped from the window they run downstairs. When the barman arrived downstairs they were already gone.

In this fucking country NOTHING will happen. I promise you. One guy is dead, and the police will not even try to find the agents. That's Greece. Well done.

Greece 2.

A very good friend of mine was once in Athens in the Monastiraki area. The municipality policemen start joking with a black guy who sells cds. They slap him and push him and tackle him so he falls down. The people around just watch. Not for long though. At some point the guys bug breaks and all the cds fall on the ground. People stop watching and run to get the cds. Amazing, no?

Greece 3

This behavior just a month after videos of Greek policemen went on line. In those videos (that policemen shoot themselves) they torture two albanians and make two prostitutes play in a cell. The former is here, the latter is here and here

Greece 4

I moved three times the past 20 days. Now I can't find my passport (most probably it is somewhere in these houses). I called the embassy to ask what can I do. They told me that since 1st of January it is solely the police that takes care of the passport issues. I need to travel for my PhD to conferences in Japan and Canada in November and December respectively. You know what I was told by the great Greek police? The smartest people of the Balkan peninsula? If you declare the passport lost, it gets deactivated and you get a new one 6 months after we receive your papers <\stupid police voice>. 6 months! And I have to cancel the other passport, even if I find it I don't go anywhere for six months. They deprive a Greek citizen from the right to travel.

If this actually happens (can't find the passport, can't travel for 6 months), I promise that I will get the dutch citizenship ASAP and do all the necessary procedures to loose the Greek one. I am tired of all those stupid fucks deciding for my life.

And let me sum everything up:

THERE ARE STUPID PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. IN ALL COUNTRIES!
IN CIVILIZED COUNTRIES THEY ARE CONSTRAINED, AND WHEN THEY BREAK THE LAW THEY ARE PUNISHED.

IN FASCIST COUNTRIES THEY WERE GIVEN THE KEYS.

IN GREECE THEY WERE LET LOOSE TO CREATE A SEA OF STUPID FUCKS. THE WORSE MOST BRUTAL AND RACISTS BASTARDS OF THESE STUPID FUCKS FLOAT AND BECOME THE EXAMPLE FOR THE REST

Anarchistic Monarchy

2007-08-17T10:44:00.000+01:00

I had a small discussion yesterday with my temporary flatmate (my host till I get my new place). The song we were listening to is rather interesting so let it go, it is carpet music anyways;-). It is "Destination Milkyway" by opium of the masses.

powered by Noulo

He checked out my blog, mostly interested in the elections topic. He turned to me and asked: "Have I ever told you which is the form of government of the future?"

That was a hard question. I had heard him talking about anarchism and monarchy with the same passion. Was it really possible to have such an idea? Would it ever be backed up with reasonable arguments? Well, not only it exists, not only it was backed up with arguments, but it also deserves a place in the book I am writing (for the last 5 years:p).

He light his joint, inhaled a big puff, kept it for a couple of seconds, let it out.

In the beginning, there was chaos. Chaotic anarchy. People were living like animals. In the next stage, there was some kind of weird monarchy. Either the father of a family, or the leader of the tribe or something like this. It could be the oldest, strongest, smartest, luckiest. Somebody. He was the boss. He speaks, people listen.

Then we had a big mess. Aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy. Each with hundreds of forms. We even had communism. Common denominator, for all these forms of government, is the will to give the power to the hands of many. Either based on their money, or with equal votes or in different ways. Everyone rules, everyone is represented. Ideally this would end up in utopic anarchy. A place with no defined set of rules. A place where all the people have the proper education and up-bringing to respect each other and care for the society.

Up to here, he was right about the past, and pretty much right about the ideal state. I liked very much the word "utopic" before the word "anarchy". I truly believe this can not exist. However, what followed was even more stunning! At that point, the joint, following the time-line of the story, was almost finished.

Obviously, such a society is not feasible. There are people that are as stupid as it gets, and they would ruin the whole story. Therefore the solution is the Anarchistic Monarchy. Fuck voting, fuck representations, fuck all these excuses to suppress the minorities and the abnormalities. How does it work? It is very simple, here in Holland they adapted this system subconsciously!

You have a king. He decides about all the aspects of your life. Every single detail. From there on, there are some aspects of your life that the society is ready to go anarchistic. The cultural end educational level is high enough. For instance here in Holland, the drugs are practically free, prostitution is free, there is no police checking cars for speeding, you can wear whatever you want and believe to whatever you need. And we are not full of junkies, there are decent girls around, and there are very few car accidents. The society was mature enough to go anarchistic.

In other stuff it is not ready yet. If you don't pay your taxes they will hunt you down. If you park illegally they will take your car. If you suppress your employees or try to make enormous profit from renting your house (exploiting other people's need for housing) you go to prison. You are a danger to society. No questions asked, no one voted for it. End of story. There was a discussion in the "so called"[1] parliament, with the Queen[2] present. All the parties agreed that there is no tolerance in these issues because people will fuck up.

Not bad, not bad at all. I liked the theory a lot. I like fresh views on old matters. Instead of having a horizontal division of the forms of government (everything democratic, everything monarchistic or everything something else) he proposed a vertical one. Democrasy, anarchy, monarchy co-existing, but expressing themselves in different parts of our society!

[1] I will come back to the funniest constitutional democracy of the world, the dutch democracy.
[2] She deserves a capital "Q" for Queen's day and only. God save Beatrix van Oranje.

The Ultimate Truth Drug

2007-08-16T16:20:00.000+01:00

Is there a truth drug? Or is it one more urban legend used by people like Giannis to blame the Greek Junta?

powered by Noulo

Yes it exists. The ultimate drug of truth is SEX! I know you will think I am wrong. I know many times you haven't been yourself in bed. Bad then, was it really sex? Let's take everything from the beginning...

Human [1], is a creature somewhere between God and the animals. Not really a God, and not really an animal. Relationships are hard, because we try to satisfy both our animal and godly sides. We are looking for someone we can communicate with, have fun, share, care for, present to our friends, accept our peculiarities. But on the other hand, there is the animal inside - we can feel it 24/7 but it rarely takes control. We feel it when we are attracted to a girl we think is ugly, when a fetish becomes more important than the other person, when non-sexual things drive us crazy.

For example I love watching women lighting their cigarette. They have a main difference from guys. Women light the cigarette and blow the first puff without taking it in their lungs. And they still have the I-got-my-nicotine-face!!! While, on the other hand, guys inhale the first puff straight to their lungs. Every time I is watching this, I goes C-R-A-Z-Y!!!

Once, I talked about it with a psychologist friend of mine. She said it is in my subconscious, and I like the idea that the girl gives in to temptation, wastes some smoke, and gets pleased from the idea that she gets what she wants. Do you know what I did? I sneezed! Why? Cause I am allergic to bullshit! There is no subconscious bullshit! I don't think she can even imagine how it feels! It is the animal inside me roaring;-)!

But does it ever take over? Well, in modern society it is not acceptable (at least in Holland...) to go bite the girl's neck. So most of the times the animal roars, but does nothing. The only moment that it is allowed to go out is during sex. And that's why (real) sex is so real! It is where the truth comes out!

But should you let it out? I can't promise anything, but I can tell you that. The animal inside us is very very very lonely. It stays there 24/7 - no contact with other animals hidden inside humans. I don't say that if you leave it out it will behave. I don't even say that sex will be good. I just say it will be real. And no one regrets being real - and having a happy animal inside you feels really good!

The song you have heard is called Rock 'n' Roll in bed. Lyrics and translation in the end. What is worth keeping is this:

In the dark rooms our soul is naked
And there is no space for secrets
And I know there, how to love you then,
that you brake my loneliness in the mirror

P.S.: Even if you didn't like this post, having drug in the title and sex in the main body I will get some hits!

[1] The Bible

R' n' R' στο κρεβάτι

Rock and Roll in Bed

Γουστάρω να σ' ακούω κούκλα μου όταν μιλάς
να αληθωρίζουν μάτια όταν στην πίστα πηδάς
γουστάρω όταν ακούω "Αχ, τι παιδί είν' αυτό! "
γιατί εσύ ξέρεις στο κρεβάτι τι θα πει ροκ εντ ρολ

I love listening to you when you talk,
(I love) that eyes look broken when you jump in the stage
I love listening: “Look at this babe”
Because you know how to rock and roll in bed

Στα σκοτεινά δωμάτια είν' η ψυχή μας γυμνή
και δεν χωράν εκεί μυστικά
και συ μονάχα ξέρεις πως η αλήθεια είν' εκεί
που η μοναξιά μου στον καθρέφτη κοιτά

In the dark rooms our soul is naked
And there is no space for secrets
And you are the only one to know that the truth lies there
that my loneliness looks in my mirror

Γουστάρω που όταν κλαίω δεν ρωτάς το γιατί
γιατί εσύ ξέρεις πως ο πόνος μου έχει αιτία τυφλή
γουστάρω σαν γατούλα όταν μου παίζεις κρυφτό
κι όταν φοβάμαι μην σε χάσω να μου λές "σ' αγαπώ"

I love that when I cry you don’t ask why
Because you know that my pain has a blind cause
I love it when you play hide and seek like a pussy cat
and when I am afraid I will loose you, you just say I love u

In the dark rooms our soul is naked
And there is no space for secrets
And you are the only one to know that the truth lies there
that my loneliness looks in my mirror

Το ξέρω πως δεν είμ' αυτός
που πάνω του θα στηριχθείς
ούτε λεφτάς κι ίσως γυρνάς
πιωμένο μες στα μπαρ να με βρεις

I know I am not the one
you can count on
I am not rich and maybe you will have search
In bars to find me drunk

Ομως εγώ θα σου μετρώ
της πόλης το σφυγμό μ' αγκαλιές
θα σου χαϊδεύω το μυαλό
με χίλιες και μια νύχτες γλυκές

But it is me, that will count for you,
the beats of the city’s heart with hugs!
while I stroke your mind
with one thousand and one sweet nights

Στα σκοτεινά δωμάτια είν' η ψυχή μας γυμνή
και δεν χωράν εκεί μυστικά
και εκεί να σ' αγαπάω ξέρω κούκλα μου εκεί
της μοναξιάς μου στον καθρέφτη όταν σπάς

In the dark rooms our soul is naked
And there is no space for secrets
And I know there, how to love you then,
that you brake my loneliness in the mirror

Greek Elections - Can human nature change?

2007-08-13T14:44:00.000+01:00

So, so, so. The song is large today, so play right away

powered by Noulo

Is it the summer? Is it my posts? Is it the Greek elections that keep you, my precious readers, away? I can not say for sure. Since only Giannis, reads and comments my posts (and that's cause he is in front of his pc working on his thesis), today a post about the upcoming Greek elections. I started with a nice political song, cause the songmaker(=τραγουδοποιός, as he calls himself) of the previous post usually cuts straight through the bones. No metaphors, not long stories:). Non-greeks, I will translate only the interesting part for you.

...ρωτάει αμα συφωνώ
να γίνουμε Ευρώπη.
Μα κι αν ταΐζεις του απαντώ,
κακάο τη γελάδα
Δεν θα ναι πάλι πιθανό,
ν'αρμέξεις σοκολάδα

(he) asks if I agree
(us) to become Europe.
But if you feed, I answered,
cacao seeds your cows,
it is not more probable,
to milk chocolate milk

So in the upcoming Greek elections we have the typical candidates. The republicans, and democrats (wanna-be) of Greece. Which means that they will do EXACTLY the same things, just helping different friends. Four years ago, I voted for the "republicans" cause I thought that after 20 years of "democrats", they had the chance to change things. People were ready to give them a chance, people felt change was needed. And then, if they did something ok (not even good) they would be re-elected for ever. That was what I bet on...

Unfortunately, they realized they will be re-elected no matter what. The lazy democrats didn't manage to gain the people's trust after the most scandalous era of Greek politics. Vodafone put a bug on the prime minister(!), policemen beat up the unprotected, fans killed each other, forests were burned to the ground, ministers gambled the public insurance money, the government put Greece under EU supervision and managed to take us out by adding prostitution and drug dealing to the GDP (the biggest scandal, but Greece is blind)... And the republicans failed to deal with any of these crises. And they are still ahead in the pre-election gallops...

But can people change? Is there light somewhere there?

Well, I am afraid not. Greece is victim of its own talent. I truly believe that because of the language and cultural up-bringing, the average Greek person is much smarter than the average EU citizen (this, we can discuss in another post). And Greece was brain-drained the last decade more than ever. Greek "educational system" drained the brain of Greek youth, and US and EU drained the brains left untouched. It is the first incident of reverse evolution. The Greek people are more educated than in the past, while the people in Greece are less educated. And I am afraid that they will reproduce and create less educated people... People with low education, no public responsibility, a sea of average people... And the most sneaky float, and become example for the rest!

I think 80% of the population would enjoy non of the two major parties being able to get the majority. But 80% of them will vote for one of these parties.

Shall I give a hope for the future? Well, 4 years ago I would be excited with the Greek liberals. www.greekliberals.net . But I lived in Scotland, I live in Holland and I have changed:-). It is easy to talk for liberal ideas, when you are healthy, educated and rich. Thanks god I am healthy and as wealthy as I was 4 years ago. But I am more educated - in the University called earth. So I am too educated to be liberal;-).

Another question of the song, harder I guess is:

Can a cannibal represent all the old friends that he has in his stomach?

Let's wait for Giannis' anti-militaristic, philanthropist, left-winged correspondence - good with the thesis mate!

Cloud Girls

2007-08-09T15:13:00.000+01:00

Old friends, like old loves come get lost in time. At least they are decisive in getting lost - they rarely come back. On the other hand there is a breed of people, usually girls:p, that come and go. Exactly like clouds. One day they fill us with happiness one day they drive us to madness. Why do we even bother?

powered by Noulo

The answer is that things that are easy to get, lose a great deal of their value! Thus, a relationship that goes through up-and-downs feels harder to keep and therefore worth it. Furthermore, every good period feels even better because it follows a bad one. And on the other hand, bad periods become dramatic exactly because they follow nice periods.

But where does this thing go with cloud-girls? Noulo, also known as Dr Love, used to say nowhere. The earlier you let a cloud girl go the better. It is better to be a sky for your stars, than for your clouds.

But the older noulo gets, the harder to open my skies to new people. And through time the clouds feel akwardly mine. Since they appear again, there must be something there. Is it love? Is it passion? No-one can say for sure. Is it ever going to be perfect? Well maybe it already is. Maybe a perfect sky is not that perfect after all;-)

The song goes for those with clouds in their lives, to those who are clouds for others, and especially to the sweet clouds of mine!

Είχα είχα μια αγάπη αχ καρδούλα μου
που 'μοιαζε συννεφάκι συννεφούλα μου
σαν συννεφά συννεφάκι φεύγει ξαναγυρνάει
μ' αγαπάει τη μια την άλλη με ξεχνάει

Κι ένα βράδυ κι ένα βράδυ βράδυ αχ καρδούλα μου
διώχνω ξαφνικά τη συννεφούλα μου
δεν αντέχω δεν αντέχω άλλο πια να με γελάει
μ' αγαπάει τη μια την άλλη με ξεχνάει

Κι έρχεται ο Απρίλης αχ καρδούλα μου
να κι ο Μάης κι ο Μάης συννεφούλα μου
δίχως δίχως τραγούδι δάκρυ και φιλί
δεν είν' ά δεν είν' άνοιξη φέτος αυτή

Συννεφούλα συννεφούλα να γυρίσεις σου ζητώ
και τριγύρνα μ' όσους θέλεις κάθε βράδυ
δεν αντέχω δεν αντέχω άλλο να 'μαι μοναχός
μ' αγαπάς τη μια και με ξεχνάς την άλλη

I had a love, oh poor heart of mine
that's looked like a cloud, my cloud girl
like a little cloud comes and goes
one day loves me one day forgets about me

And one evening oh poor heart of mine
I send my cloud girl away
I can't stand no more
be loved one day and forgotten the other

And April comes oh poor heart of mine
and May comes oh cloud-girl of mine
no songs, no tears, no kisses
this can be no spring to me

Cloud girl, oh cloud girl, I beg you to return
and feel free to travel with others every night
I can't stand being alone
and you love me even if you forget about it

Old friends...

2007-08-04T19:45:00.000+01:00

Once more I have been in Greece. And once more I am back, without touching this blog for weeks. I don't know if it was the pressure created from the previous post - which I really didn't feel continuing. Maybe I just didn't feel like putting sad posts up. And Greece made me sad this time.

Every time I go back I see my friends. And every time I loose some of them, every time the ones I keep look further away. It is not their fault. They are the same. It is me that changes. Not much to say. I will devote them a beautiful song. And translate it for the non Greek speakers. I put the Greek lyrics as well. Most of you are familiar with Greek letters from mathematics, give it a shot to read along... I always translate word to word. Most songs don't make clear sense in Greek either.

powered by Noulo
Greek

Άγονη πλήξη μιας ζωής, δίχως έρωτα
της ερημιάς μου τέρας, της πόλης μου θηρίο μη με φοβάσαι
αλλοπαρμένη έκφραση οι τοίχοι σου θυμίζουν τον πρώτο σου έρωτα
οι πιο πολλοι αδιάφορα κενοί, σε λυγίζουν όπου και να 'σαι
στα σκοτεινά δρομάκια οι σκιές γλιστράνε επικίνδυνα

Στα ηλεκτρισμένα ξενυχτάδικα οι γυναίκες μισοκρύβονται πίσω απ' τη λήθη
Στα κολασμένα παζάρια της λεωφόρου οι αστυνόμοι
οι πλούσιοι επαρχιώτες μηχανόβιοι
μάσκες ακάλυπτες μικρές στο γύρο του θανάτου
που τρεμοπαίζουν τον άγγελο ή τον δαίμονα
στις άκρες των δακτύλων τους, ξημέρωμα Σαββάτου

Για τις παλιές αγάπες μη μιλάς
στα πιο μεγάλα θέλω κάνουν πίσω
δεν άντεξαν μαζί και χάθηκαν μακριά
κρύφτηκαν στις σπηλιές χαμένων παραδείσων

Ό,τι αξίζει πονάει, κι είναι δύσκολο
για να μην υποφέρεις φύγε μακριά μου, κρύψου από μένα
δεν ξέρω αν φεύγεις, τώρα, για το λίγο μου
ή αν αυτό που νιώθω ήταν πολύ
πολύ για σένα, πολύ για σένα

Για τις παλιές αγάπες μη μιλάς
στα πιο μεγάλα θέλω κάνουν πίσω
δεν άντεξαν μαζί και χάθηκαν μακριά
κρύφτηκαν στις σπηλιές χαμένων παραδείσων

Ό,τι αξίζει πονάει, κι είναι δύσκολο
για να μην υποφέρεις φύγε μακριά μου, κρύψου από μένα
δεν ξέρω αν φεύγεις, τώρα, για το λίγο μου
ή αν αυτό που νιώθω ήταν πολύ
πολύ για σένα, πολύ για σένα

Translation

Infertile tedium of a life, without love
monster of my loneliness, beast of my city don't be afraid of me;
like heady expressions, the walls remind you(me) of your(my) first love
most of them indifferently blank, will overwhelm you(me) wherever you stand,
while in dark alleys the shadows float dangerously

In electric nightclubs women half-sank in oblivion
The street policemen in damned trades
along with rich countrymen bikers
small masks that cover nothing in the round of death
flicker between angel and demon
in the edge of their fingers, early Saturday sunrise

Never talk for old loves,
in your greatest wants they stood back
could not keep up and got lost and away
hiding in caves of vanished paradises

Cause what is worthy hearts, what is worthy is hard
so if you don't want to suffer run away, hide from my sight
and I can't understand if you leave, this time, cause I was little
or what I felt was much
too much for you

All valuable things hurt and come hard...

P.S.: Servers are down, mp3 will go up asap:)

The Five Years Rule (Intro)

2007-07-11T09:04:00.000+01:00

In this post, I will describe a very easy way to simplify complicated decisions.

powered by Noulo

In everybody's life there are points that we need to take decisions. After school, after uni, after a break-up, after military service (for some of us that is still on you know!:-)). People are often devastated by the lack of options, or even worse by too many options. In the first case (lack of options), there is not much you can do. Deciding is simple. What is the optimal policy, no matter how geeky this sounds, for the too-many-options situations? The five-years-rule (5YR)! You ask yourself where you'd like to be in five years time. This narrows the four years time situation significantly, and by back-tracing your options tomorrow! This rule is not that great anyways, but there are some stories that come along . . .

One of my best friends in Greece, companion in journeys and brother of two ex-girlfriends among other things, is going to study in L.S.E. this year. I asked him what does he want to do in 5YR. "I wanna be in a yacht, somewhere between Kavala and Thassos, with you and two other dudes fishing and chatting." Wow! That looks like a plan. It is good to have this kind of friends;)

The second person, also dear friend, classmate in my BSc and best friend during that time, has finished his MSc and will be done with the military this August. Super Noulo brought the 5YR against him: "I want to work as little as possible in order to make the average salary".

And what about me? Well, in 5 year from now I hope I can't wait in the mornings to go teaching in a University in a country with nice weather and can't wait in the evenings to go back home to meet a girl that I know will become Mrs Noulo :-).

But what's really the point behind the 5YR? Does it make any difference what you say? Does it show anything about your or does it even correlate to the actual situation of your life in 5 years time? Is it smart to think big? Is it wise to play low? I will finish my intro, and my cup of coffee, with a sip of Greek Wisdom:

When Man makes plans, God laughs...

[to be continued]

The Universe of Mankind

2007-07-07T08:47:00.000+01:00

It is well known that the macroscopic and microscopic world exhibit amazing similarities. Lately, I noticed a beautiful similarity between universe and the mankind itself...

Yes, yes, between the living, thinking human beings on this planet and all the zillions of planets all around our universe.

The universe is immense. And in there, there is a lot of empty space, and zillions of planets. Only small groups manage to create a solar system, a group of planets that turns around a common star. And even fewer manage to turn around the star and each other in a harmonic way. The latter case is the satellite of a planet, for instance earth and moon[1].

Same thing in Mankind. There are billions of people . In our endless journey in the universe (life) there are only a few that we will create groups with and co-exist harmonically. And there are even fewer that we can affect each other (our trajectories) intensively, and keep on living in harmony (around our star). And unfortunately, most of the planets never get a proper satellite, just a few meteors appearing and disappearing...

So next time you feel like becoming a star, think about it for a minute... And wish you will become somebody's moon instead;-)

powered by Noulo

[1] Many people think that the moon turns around earth. A bit ego-centric I am afraid. The moon (exactly like earth) turns around the sun, just the gravity of earth alters its trajectory and makes it feel it turns around earth. I also promise you that if you are on the moon earth turns around it, and has proportional circles:-).

Hellas

2007-07-06T09:57:00.000+01:00

Greece,

powered by Noulo

this weekend, and just for this weekend, I will go to Greece:). Two days under the Greek sun, next to my little sista', lying on hot sand of a beach. Time, therefore, to write a blog about Greece. What I like about Greece...

People love as if they never got hurt in their life. Because we know what really matters in life.

The food tastes so great that you do not need to put sauces, ketchup or mayonnaise. The latter three were invented in the Western World to disguise the plastic things served as food. Because we know what really matters in life.

My (male) friends hug me kiss me and tell me "I love you" when they see me and it does not feel guy at all:-). Nor mafia:-). Because we know what really matters in life.

We have 15, daily, nation-wide sports newspapers. Because we know what really matters in life.

The first time I check my watch is 1 hour before departing back for Amsterdam.

Cause my mummy lives there and quoting this post's song:

Everything seems lost,
but I still have you darling,
and I gather new momentum,
in your hug

P.S.: Hellas in dutch means unfortunately:-)

The rhythm of time wasting

2007-07-04T09:37:00.000+01:00

When somebody says Scotland, -Pilleke-Hondros-AI-Edinburgh-rain echo in my mind.

Pilleke, you can check on the right;). AI, you can check on the right (click on Noulo). Edinburgh is where I lived and rain the constant feeling. This feeling, expressed beautifully as:
''Why does it always rain on me? Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?"
but that's a whole other topic. Here we shall focus on the second word, Hondros.

Hondros means fat in Greek (χοντρός) and it was the nickname of one of my flatmates :-). Recently I moved out of my place and looking at my old stuff I found a cd we had written together. The title? "The rhythm of time-wasting.[1]" Purpose? Well picture this:

You are in your room, working on your thesis. Something like 12 hours a day. And you enjoy it. In the next rooms, your two flatmate do the same. The weather in Scotland has a unique ability. It is shiny when you work, and rainy when you get out. I don't know how this works, but ask ANYBODY and they will verify this fact. Your experiments go wrong, the result doesn't come, you are tired of debugging the mistakes you did yourself, there is not even someone to blame! The latter is really annoying for our Greek nature. What do you do?

Well, that's the purpose. You go to the living room, put the cd in the hi-fi, volume in MAX, select the song of this post and play it.

powered by Noulo

And your two flat mates appear in seconds jumping around in the living room. Even for 10 minutes, even for one joke, even to say that nothing works for them either.

And suddenly, you are not alone. The bug-hunting means you are almost finished. The rainy weather makes falling in love sweeter.

And you are in heaven baby,
you are in heaven...

P.S.: I love you hondRe and you are welcome any time to waste my time no matter where I live. The plan to move to NY in 2012 is still on!

[1] (beatάκια για χασομέρι, γραμμένο ακριβώς έτσι, με τόνο στο beatάκια)

Bad news

2007-07-02T10:31:00.000+01:00

Yep, back in the 'Dam,
back in my office,
back in the rainy weather.

The conference was really motivating and a beautiful taste of peace fills my mouth and runs through my veins. I get in a comfy nostalgic mood, and write a poem that will probably look silly in a month or so:

A phone is ringing
a knock on your door
It is three after midnight
And you just say "not more"

Better jump out of bed
Wash your face, pick your shoes
Dress up stylish and sharp
it is the bad news

Take off this useless mask;
admit the lies, use no excuse,
be yourself and open the door
it is the bad news

powered by Noulo