utorak, 29. studenoga 2011.
Mid-Way
When I was from Cupid's passions free, my Muse was mute and wrote no elegy.
Roman poet (43 BC - 17 AD)
petak, 25. studenoga 2011.
Radio Winter
Settling in in my old-new Dubrovnik.
Preps for the new amateur Radio show on UNIDU 97.50 MHz are underway: www.egotrip.com.hr
1. show will deal with Marc Auge (we need to study the everyday);
2. Gadamer (method);
3. micro-environment (the Philosophy of Small Places by the unfortunately now late Konstantinovic);
4. Belles lettres? (Death in Venice or the nuts who write); and
5. the contemporary (sexuality: Michel Schneider).
There will be 10 shows more but I plan a break after each five. The broadcast should start some time after New Year's.
Preps for the new amateur Radio show on UNIDU 97.50 MHz are underway: www.egotrip.com.hr
1. show will deal with Marc Auge (we need to study the everyday);
2. Gadamer (method);
3. micro-environment (the Philosophy of Small Places by the unfortunately now late Konstantinovic);
4. Belles lettres? (Death in Venice or the nuts who write); and
5. the contemporary (sexuality: Michel Schneider).
There will be 10 shows more but I plan a break after each five. The broadcast should start some time after New Year's.
utorak, 15. studenoga 2011.
srijeda, 9. studenoga 2011.
Quote of the Month
My ideal relaxation is working on upholstry. I spend hours in junk shops buying furniture. I do all the upholstery work myself, and it's like therapy.
Pamela Anderson (1967 - )
OSs
I spent three days transitioning.
First of all, I'm resting from a tiring summer and this is reason enough to be in bed for three days, installing different things, why not. Incidentally, due to lousy connexion I also discovered the Download Manager.
Well, this is how it is: on old desktop I am running W7 and Jolicloud; dual boot. Very impressed with the cloud: not merely the technical stuff - this, I would say, requires some further polishing but with the design. Most Linux systems actually acutely lack solid graphic designers.
The little HP Mini 2133 unfortunately cannot stand much of anything so I opted for the EasyPeasy version of Ubuntu.
The third in line is the proper laptop. I cannot sacrifice Windows here because I do need Office for real translation work, and I have invested in W programs a little over the years too.
However, I will also try to squeeze MeeGo in. Again, design! It's so cute and would be my very first choice.
That's it - a boring post really - no philosophy whatsoever.
Now I'm off to the island of Vis for three days. Check it out on the map - it's smack in the middle of the Adriatic. And it's one of the places, apart from Bol on Brač that I indulged myself in while I was loaded, I've always wanted to visit. There'll be photos.
First of all, I'm resting from a tiring summer and this is reason enough to be in bed for three days, installing different things, why not. Incidentally, due to lousy connexion I also discovered the Download Manager.
Well, this is how it is: on old desktop I am running W7 and Jolicloud; dual boot. Very impressed with the cloud: not merely the technical stuff - this, I would say, requires some further polishing but with the design. Most Linux systems actually acutely lack solid graphic designers.
The little HP Mini 2133 unfortunately cannot stand much of anything so I opted for the EasyPeasy version of Ubuntu.
The third in line is the proper laptop. I cannot sacrifice Windows here because I do need Office for real translation work, and I have invested in W programs a little over the years too.
However, I will also try to squeeze MeeGo in. Again, design! It's so cute and would be my very first choice.
That's it - a boring post really - no philosophy whatsoever.
Now I'm off to the island of Vis for three days. Check it out on the map - it's smack in the middle of the Adriatic. And it's one of the places, apart from Bol on Brač that I indulged myself in while I was loaded, I've always wanted to visit. There'll be photos.
subota, 29. listopada 2011.
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?
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?
petak, 28. listopada 2011.
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.
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.
četvrtak, 27. listopada 2011.
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.
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.
srijeda, 26. listopada 2011.
Egotrip
Meanwhile, I enabled online listening of the first eleven music shows @ http://www.zvuchi-drugachije.com.hr/
subota, 22. listopada 2011.
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:
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:
utorak, 18. listopada 2011.
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
srijeda, 12. listopada 2011.
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.
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.
You can quote me on this one.
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.
nedjelja, 9. listopada 2011.
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.
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.
subota, 8. listopada 2011.
petak, 7. listopada 2011.
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?"
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?"
subota, 1. listopada 2011.
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.
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.
utorak, 20. rujna 2011.
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.
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.
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.
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