Off the Beaten Track

It's time to see what you didn't this summer.
The extravagant fountain and garden are hidden behind a modest summer villa - the whole idea is not to be ostentatious about one's wealth.

Now, these would not remain secluded if I told you right away the whereabouts, would they?

Quiet Time

Life is a strange bugger.
Sometimes you have to move 500 kilometres or invest $700 for a new TV set or monitor to be able to see a documentary at peace.
No doubt the process has been accelerated during the past 20 years.
So I discovered my quiet place. Even the design feels and sounds quiet.
So let me take you there.

This Year's Banned Commercial

I have somewhat of a dislike for Bono's highfalutin One 'concept' - but he made a fucking good commercial. It is true - true obscenity is to be found in Gvmt and overgrown private policies.

Why on Earth people have to suffer so that brawn could raise a couple of weaklings of own blood - is beyond anyone's comprehension.

Well, I say: let them wallow. And be damned. A slim hope remains that we are all resonsible for sins of doing and omission.

I do like juicy cursing and swearing peppered with sophistication, or vice versa; it is indeed part of any real life culture. And if you have a problem with that, I'll just quote here:

"You shall be true to them who're false to you."

And if so highbrow and asceptic, you let me know where this is from - without googling it, of course.

Egotrip

I'll quote myself: "A new idea for a new year." So I'm doing another show for UNIDU, a local student radio station - this time a talk show. It will present reads and ideas. Should be lots of fun.

Meanwhile, I enabled online listening of the first eleven music shows @ http://www.zvuchi-drugachije.com.hr/

Storm Season

Finally starting to relax. I have but one more weekly batch of tourists coming in and we will soon have the place to ourselves.
They seem to be having this great unlimited cake offer at the Hilton during afternoon, all acompanied by a piano player.
It's raining - a sensation for eyes sore because of all the sunshine and temperatures that went as high up as 37 in August.
If a tourist, check out what you are missing:

SOLOMON BURKE & DE DIJK: GOOD FOR NOTHING

I’m hard up, broke and busted 
And I never hold a job 
I know I’m bound for trouble 
I won’t ever reach the top 
I sure ain’t mother’s finest 
I always find a way to slack 
If you lend me twenty dollars 
You’ll never get it back 

Don’t think I could ever change 
If I did it wouldn’t last 
I guess it’s too much of a hassle
I’m just getting nowhere fast 

I’m just a good-for-nothing 
Just a zero out of ten 
But baby don’t you know I’m able 
To love you like nobody can 

I would keep you waiting 
But I couldn’t wait myself 
All I think about is me, 
I put the blame on someone else 
I mess it all up big time 
Would not admit it when I’m through 
When you give me your love, babe 
I just don’t know what to do 

Don’t think I could ever change 
If I did it wouldn’t last 
I gues it’s too much of a hassle
I’m just getting nowhere fast 

I’m just a good-for-nothing 
Just a zero out of ten 
But baby don’t you know I’m able 
To love you like nobody can 

A Tired One on University Reform

Yes - idiots think nothing should be for free; yes - West charges for tuitions as well.
This pretty much produces unequal societies, where one's chances are determined from his birth (in a nutshell) - the opposite of the idea of the American Dream.

(Perhaps this will one day be rectified too - once we have realised, I assume, that benevolent and bright ones should have advisor roles.
The latter is my idea of a check on power; I would never consent to power. Plus, as an aside, this would hinder me too much since I loathe imitations of life, such as you can observe when idiots are being kept safe by a number of other idiots.)

Well, I have learned today I should switch to a doctoral programme. What this entails is two semesters more, at the cost of $5,000. This is no problem, except for the money for the time being, I hope - it's just that the last two semesters are about this mentor-only programme - and my mentor does not really deign to answer my emails, even though I am an all A student.

This is what happens I guess when you combine greedy capitalism with nonsensical socialism: they start charging for nothing, "because nothing is for free." What worked rather okay for 50 years must now be charged, even though you get an absolutely same thing. 

But does anyone even care for "benevolent and bright ones" in academia? Judging from the article I read the other day - nope. So let me quote a little:

‎"Science [scholarship] should, instead of being conservative, Ostojić continues, orthodox and closed, once again become open to questions, arguments and counter-arguments. Open debate is but seemingly allowed. If you denounce a better known scientist today, the thinking of whom is based on the consiousness described, if you touch his dominant and untouchable ego, you will get a horrifying burst of counter-attacks. Science today has no possibilities for a more open debate and for offering arguments and counter-arguments. There is a definite system for subtle filtering of knowledge. I beleive the goal is, on one hand, to promote existing dogma, and a fear exists on the other to divulge any information that could jeopardise the system as such. For it is better to have nothing going on in a controlled state, than to have an unmanageable something. Knowledge is power, so system control is paramount in itself, where we, ordinary valuable folk, are but collateral damage of the overall human degeneration." 


Sounds like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" all over again indeed. 

"I guess, amid all the shit, what's really important is to experience as much as you can, do what little you can - and not consent to circumstances that squander your life away for too long."

You can quote me on this one.

Quasi-Elite

So they're having this "OSCE PA" conference in Dubrovnik, a tough acronym for the parliamentary assembly of this European security organisation.
About the wisest in this respect are Slovenes - they choose this castle outside of any urban or village centres and hold their high profile meetings without any interference with common folk.
In Dubrovnik - oh no - they opt for a hotel at the far end of the town, and disturb just about everyone in the town at least twice a year. I have myself witnessed the polite yelling of a rough-cut policeman at an elderly person trying to cross the road just minutes before his rulers would storm by in their bullet-proof cars. It is absurd - even tourists are complaining.
Just before I turned adult, I even had some respect for the word meeting: I thought this entailed very serious stuff. However it turned out it's mostly a bunch of almost-morons "assemblying" things.
Not to mention that this security facade would most probably crumble to pieces at the first mention of anything like crisis in Europe. Don't take my word for it - just watch and see.
And the dumbwits? They - literally - think they own the world.

The Off Season Plans

Losing the Tie

Well, I have predicted long ago suits would become disgrace signs one day.

That we need a fresh start has been only too apparent for quite a while now. I even wrote to Mr Obama a few years back, urging him "to lose the tie," in terms of his promises. For example, green energy.

But I also advocate more reason and brains. However, there's little room for optimism: my greatest two disappointments were (1) realising but other bad things bothered me in the US, in contrast to my home country, and (2) realising the person who is wrong would never admit so.
About the greatest regret is (1) not living in an age where things get better day in and out.

So, hooray for the new American revolution! - they have themselves incited one too many around the globe.

About the worst thing that can happen to a human being is believing nothing can be done about anything - and this is crippling for many. So let us support this peaceful discontent. Even if we know those in power would rather lead us to something quite dismal first before we see new light.

It was to them that Virginia said: "If things are so okay, why do we have a war every 50 years?"

To Youth, With Love

Can't be absolutely sure about this one, but I actually think I got pilfered on the net the other day.
In 2008, I created and put online ever since this project for attracting youth into the Zagreb Lisinski Concert Hall - http://minijaturist.net/18.pdf. In one of funnier passages, I said Lisinski people had not been contemplating giving away tickets to youngsters but obviously intended to introduce an ER team.
The idea called for selling cheap tickets just before concerts to high-school and university students.
Something just like this was announced on 28 Sep 2011 - http://www.lisinski.hr/article.php?id=33, albeit in a less elaborate form, much to my glory.
The coincidences seem too much though I'm not arguing absolute surety. Actually, this way or another, I'm glad the project came to life and hope it will not be still-born.
The sole purpose of life, I think, is to apply what one has learned. To apply without learning is ridiculous - a fallacy often entertained.
That said, I would have enjoyed to have been mentioned, especially taking into account all my work is online. I condone and encourage non-commercial use with no alteration, having quoted the source.
On we go. A more daring idea - here: http://minijaturist.net/13.pdf.

Quote of the Month

Just in case I fail :p

"I hope that when I die, people say about me, 'Boy, that guy sure owed me a lot of money.'"

Jack Handey (1949 - ), Deep Thoughts

The Mix

I also talked to a mongrel today - a nice lady that is half foreign and half Croatian. Any out-of-ordinary displacement affords direct impetus for thinking so I tried my luck: I tried explaining the greatest issue for present day citizens of Dubrovnik is their lack of education opportunities, better jobs accordingly, and poor chances for participating in the cut.
Now, the debate about free education or otherwise is by now global. Unfortunately, the idea calling for the Dubrovnik University has for the time being failed, parents do not have enough money, and there is no market for all those new BAs anyway. As an aside, I'm just glad the idea of a private university that charges exorbitant amounts, owned by the ex-minister roumored to have been nicknamed Mr Ten Per Cent, has failed as well. Again, we just cannot afford it and it's not that good to attract those that would rather be part of the top-400 list.
So what exactly is happening in Dubrovnik? Perhaps you will be surprised if you read here that the population of the Old Town has dwindled by half. People are selling, yes. And lack of any wise policy also practically moved the administrative and shopping centre elsewhere. We, needless to say, also dislike crowds. This even got twice to the absurd point when the mayor asks the locals to refrain from the Old Town on a given day on account of cruiseliners.
The horrid truth reveals as well hotels are foreign-owned and foreign-frequented. Ditto for festivals and restaurants any day now. Locals cannot afford the above. Small wonder they protest against the planned golf park. Why on Earth would they surrender more to somebody else?
This is all sad but so was Cuba. The rest was history. I hate to think what will happen to the country when vultures have their go once again.

So, What's New?

So this would be your typical Croatian greeting - a counterpart to the American What's Up? Literal translation does do wonders sometimes.
So, my earliest memories go back to I would say 1978 or 9. Back then, both for good and bad, things were different. I will not now argue for an enlightened version (in contrast to poorly upheld and dogmatic) of self-governing - I know foreigners are more than scared when they hear the word socialism. Suffice it to say standards were somewhat low, say, in tourism.
But tourists then veritably came over to discover a different country. So they did not dwell excessively on what they could not have and was abundant at home. What they were after was something genuine.
This is not saying we should forget to rise up to sound standards or that we should not strive for better. All I am saying this is, naturally, a process that is taking place, and time, and that most employees in tourism genuinely want their guests to feel comfortable.
So what I'm arguing against is it is somewhat paradoxical to look for London or NY in downtown Dubrovnik. Definitely do not take just anything but think about what you might be missing as well.

The Guru Thing

Sometimes I chat and sometimes people complain I jump around ideawise. I think it's a whole method. A rounded exercise - here: http://clueless-rambler.blogspot.com/2006/07/wrapping-up-chapter.html
A tiny addition below. It's high time I wrote something. There's just so little free time until November - I will have to postpone the 365-posts a year for 2012..


We all know happiness is complex.
Capitalism, which we all know as well is far less than perfect, introduced this occupation known as the personal shopper. (Capitalism I actually think must be combined with socialism, but that is a whole another post.) But I have often advocated the personal life advisor for some of my friends. On the other hand, it's such a shame so few nowadays opt for real tutors for their kids.
Your name and surname should really act as your reputation card, while best results are actually attained by individuals. The phenomenon does have some macabre overtones in mass suicides that occur in the US, for example.
However, another useful perspective is the one which states dumbwits are so full of confidence while those introspective are indecisive. So just how do we get valuable ideas across, how do we separate wheat from chaff - especially if we stop to consider marketing is by and large unnatural madness?
Well, none quite know. (It would also be sound to inculcate mystery and sense of awe in children for all those great, ineffable questions.) They joke about God playing dice or otherwise. I find they roll without a quiet moment. The rule of thumb must be if somebody wants you to follow, you're safest walking away.

Hi, Welcome

So I'm trying hard to become a good tourist rep for these three months. It has already taught me a lot: real work, working class conditions and politeness. I even smile more.
I represent three British brands and do Brits only. If you want to study different cultures, just get one plus a Croatian - and watch for three days. I did pick an obscene, juicy local joke about a paedophile - just can't find anyone to tell it to.
I have a pretty good story about the town and tourists like me though I make them say local words or explain "locals are warm and open, though some have hardened due to daily onslaught of tourism."
It's inevitably also a study of human nature. So I did some math, and in about 120 people you will have your 3 loonies. But absolute ones. So you accept you yourself botch some things up, but the former simply cannot be helped.
Then Harry did Hvar. God, if as an interpreter I wished to do a high political summit, this would be your ultimate tourist rep thing. I'd make an extra effort to muddle his royal head.

Julian Rachlin

Well, we have this new festival. That about sums it up - it's new. New broom sweeps well, yes, but these days just about anyone is complaining about new things.
What bothers me with Rachlin is he is inventing hot water, as the vernacular has it. After all we have had the Dubrovnik Summer Festival for some 50-odd years now, so the whole situation resembles the one when marketing "experts" teach philosophy PhDs. Professors do actually learn something but the irony is the other guy never will.
Rachlin does have a somewhat obnoxious feel though he plays well and does serious classical music. I also welcome just about any new event in the town, especially off-season. But tonite was for kids - it's just that adults mostly attended.
The British Queen would say something like: "Well, it's quite postmodern." I say much the same thing in a single word - disgusting.
They dressed the local, poor help as pirates and, acting poorly, performed mediocre musical sketches. Like literally answering the phone hidden in the piano or playing Chopin and Oči černe at the same time. But then something appalling happens - a thundering applause.
I have this music show at the local student radio though I can't actually read music and have often wondered during the past six months whether those people that have neither breath nor sophistication can recognise good music or idea if they mostly perform poorly? It's strange, judging from the world of ideas I would say yes, but from music - they seem to go back.
I'm sure Julian has his side of the issue. He does sell well, y' know. But I'd rather he taught a few not to clap in-between movements.
I guess it's all for the best. But the synchronicity would have it I also heard my young waiter friend say today he's mean to common folk. Bad, bad day.

What's the Word?

Well, there isn't one. The more interesting ideas you get from concepts your language does not cover - actually, in this case, both of my languages.
The first idea comes from the Greek word KAIROS. Kairos is "the art of choosing the opportune moment;" in a nutshell, what to do when, how much to do it etc. Something like the Biblical salt and the skill is to be found in a couple of percentage of the population. Hard to define and hard to master, it mostly goes undetected and unutilised in the ways of the world. It is also acutely lacking, to complete this perfect maze.
The second I found in Bosnia, borrowed from Turkish. SEVAP designates "an act that is dear to God." If we can't be intelligent, it would be good that we are meek, but alas we are not that either. You do sevap when you selflessly help. So if you see a kid's ball on the street, toss it back!

Solstice

Thanks to old friends, I unwittingly celebrated the longest day two days afterwards on a chartered speedboat. If you can imagine a nighttime, roaring drunk, protracted party - well, just paste it over the 12-hour daytime period under scorching sunlight.
The itinerary, whizzed over at 30-odd knot speed, took us over the isle of Mljet, followed by St Andrija, this steep, barren rock that is an outer element in the Elaphiti archipelago, and the posh Villa Ruza, a lounge bar and an exquisite restaurant on Kalamota or Kolocep. Hedonism incarnate.
If you happen to live in an urban center of a kind, the closest I can relate the excursion, with the gulls flying over and the sea washing away the strain, is repeating the words of a friend: "Come on, it's a different dimension.."

I didn't take my camera with me because I reckoned with all the water around, so I'll browse the net to post some now.

Sveti Andrija

Croatia's Journey To European Union

Last Friday, Europe finally said a provisional ‘yes’ to Croatia. The approval marks the beginning of the end of what has been an arduous ten-year journey for the country – that still hangs under uneasy balance between Europe’s monitoring and the referendum.

And the issues have been, and are, manifold. First, there was the question of General Gotovina, a sentenced war criminal that large portions of Croatians consider a hero. Literally on the run from the tribunal, Mr Gotovina was actively aided by members of Croatian Government, which precluded Croatia’s future accession. Today, the issue is still far from resolved. Most of the populace point to double standards of the West: they admit it is possible to commit war crimes in a campaign of liberating one’s country but also argue no victor army prosecutes own generals. The disproportion lacking between the aggressors and those defending themselves is especially galling. One but needs to take a look at pictures of Vukovar and Knin after respective war events.

The second issue comes in the form of non-existent reforms. Locals say the West has own agenda, and is merely sanctioning the reforms that work but on paper. Not much has changed in Croatian judiciary, the statement runs, and corruption looms large. The papers even go that far to suggest this is a rare example of a government investigating itself for corruption. What people are slowly becoming aware is that corruption resides within the ways of the people and that every time one opts to bribe a doctor or get a job for his kid through his contacts with friends – one is essentially committing the same crimes as the ‘big fish’. What is at stake here most are the very principles of the separation of powers in democracy and the possibilities of state officials to act autonomously – if the ruling party uses state consulates in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the election process or the police chief talks and arranges things daily with the same – well, one can but be appalled by these claims.

The third big issue was the border dispute with Slovenia. Slovenia even actively blocked our negotiations. The settlement was indeed achieved, but none in Croatia save the few ruling elect even know what they agreed upon. This is a blow that comes after the people, via their numerous representatives, had to step back and undeclare the ‘sea belt’ that would have been a designated, and protected, space for Croatian fishermen.

Then, there is the question of the referendum. It goes against the common sense that one should negotiate and sign the contract before asking own people about this – but there you have it. Recent polls exhibit about fifty per cent of support and fifty per cent of Euro-scepticism. The campaign for Europe has started on national TV. About the sole argument for Europe in minds of the people is submitting to regulated norms, but the counter-argument points to the economic imbalance between Croatian people and companies and those European.

This particular author is against joining. All of history shows one cannot be friends with a superpower. The idea even runs against the official propaganda that we strove to be free for 14 centuries. Although this is constructing history in retrospect, I’d rather Europeans came to visit, us extending the warmest welcome one can imagine.