Sometimes judging a book by its cover is OK

Christmas past, I was searching for a book to give my husband. Since he hadn't dropped any clues I was title hunting all on my own. He's big on how the world came about theories and stuff that makes my brain itch, so I stood in the not so busy non-fiction department scanning the shelves and trying to look like I knew what I was looking for. An annoying salesperson kept circling me like a desert vulture over a staggering cow in search of water. Just when I was ready to give up and keel over, I eyed this: "What Einstein forgot to tell his barber". What's this? I smirked arching my eyebrow, "A cute title in the geek section"? Flipping through it, I found it both scientific AND amusing. What are the chances of ever putting THOSE two words together in a sentence? I asked the salesperson -who in the meantime had given up trying to sell me the Complete Works of John Gribbin- to gift-wrap it.

The outcome of this chance buy was affirmative. Husband liked it. In fact, he liked it so much that he also requested the preceding book title "What Einstein didn't know".

-"Is this a series?" I inquired, apprehensive of yet another wily title involving old Albert.

-"I'm not sure. By the way, what made you pick this particular book, did you read a book review or someone suggest it?"

-"Nope. I chose this one entirely by its cover and title".

-"Good call".

While I was out searching for husband's book order, I chanced upon this translated Greek title: "French women don't get fat". I actually COULD NOT recall any fat French women, so I grabbed the book safely to my bosom, smiled smugly that at long last I might be cradling the secret for a perfect figure. The book has been worthwhile and elucidating. So, I guess the moral of the story is that sometimes judging a book by its cover is OK. Mais, oui!

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Earth Day, more than just a day. Make it a lifestyle.

April 22 is Earth Day and an opportunity to add a new feature on the blog. Rustle the Leaf, weekly enviromental comics. Creativity at its best; both educating and entertaining.

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Easter eggs Flubberwinkle style

Easter eggs

According to Greek tradition, Holy Thursday is the day to dye Easter eggs. Good Friday is a no-no; do them either on Maundy Thursday or Saturday before Easter. The custom calls for deep red eggs symbolizing the blood of Christ. I'm not a stickler for detailed traditions but this particular one I adhere to faithfully because of its creativeness. The kids and I have done the solids, the polka dots, the crayon/tempera versions in the past, but for the last couple of years we've been dying the eggs "funky plaid style".

Easter Eggs 2

I'm agnostic but I like the version of Jesus being a rebel who was persecuted because of his radical teachings to change society. I think he would have liked funky eggs.

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Bitten by the spring-cleaning bug

The coming of Easter rings the spring-cleaning bell in my mind; very loudly. I use this opportunity to give my household a thorough shake-up fit enough to hold out for the next three seasons. I dive into closets and drawers, repacking and refolding clothes and linens; a sure way to find an article of clothing or tablecloth I couldn't recall misplacing. Furniture is lifted and any sneaky dust bunnies pretending to play dead are sucked in the vacuum of chaos. Lighting fixtures and anything out of reach is dusted and reclaimed as clean territory once again. In short, everything is refreshed. Small redecorating touches spring to mind but since money’s too tight to do the house, I decided to vent my redecorating energy on my blog. Hope you enjoy.

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How to do a good deed AND get rid of your old computer (if you're in Greece)

Got a functioning yet obsolete PC or screen hanging around? Well, if you're in Greece and want to do something worthwhile with your old PC and peripheral devices without wanting to make a buck (or a euro as the case may be) you can:

Get in touch with UFU (Underground Free University), part of the "Migrants Place" Social Center, in Athens. They collect usable old PCs and make good use of them by teaching immigrants computer use at their "school". The non-working computers are put to good use by the art department.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with the Association of Hellenic Internet Users (EEXI). They'll use your old PC for minority group PC seminars (former convicts, recovering drug addicts, immigrants).

Both are non-profit organizations.

The text follows in Greek (yes, I'm a show off).

Πως μπορείτε να κάνετε μια καλή πράξη ΚΑΙ να ξεφορτωθείτε τον παλιό σας υπολογιστή

Σας πιάνει χώρο ο παλιός -αλλά λειτουργικός ακόμα- υπολογιστής; Τότε, για τους φίλους που μένουν στην Ελλάδα υπάρχουν αξιόλογες προσπάθειες αξιοποίησης παλιών υπολογιστών και περιφερειακών συσκευών: εκτυπωτές, σαρωτές (σκάνερς ελληνιστή) κλπ.

Μπορείτε να επικοινωνήστε με το UFU (Underground Free University). Τους παλιούς υπολογιστές τους χρησιμοποιούν για δωρεάν μαθήματα στη «σχολή» του Δικτύου Μεταναστών. Ακόμα και οι συσκευές που είναι χαλασμένες αξιοποιούνται για έργα τέχνης.

'Η μπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε με την Ενωση Ελλήνων Χρηστών Internet. Η ΕΕΧΙ χρησιμοποιεί τους παλιούς υπολογιστές για σεμινάρια σε μειονοτικές ομάδες: 'Ατομα σε διαδικασία απεξάρτησης, Μετανάστες, Αποφυλακισμένοι.

Και οι δύο είναι μη-κερδοσκοπικοί οργανισμοί.

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Flubberwinkle exposed

I have heard your cries, world! World? Nah. I'm talking to a smaller audience and I should be more modest. Once more from the top... I have heard your cries, Internet! You are restless in your sleep and unable to deal with work related things because there is one thing going over and over in your minds (same as the disco song you heard this morning on the radio that you just can't seem to shake). What is Flubberwinkle all about? So, here it is people. The long awaited nitty-gritty unmasking of Flubberwinkle, courtesy of professional (?) analysts at blogthings.com.

I Am a Caramel Crunch Donut

I'm a complex creature, and I'm guilty of complicating things for fun. I've been known to sit around pondering the meaning of life... Or at times, pondering the meaning of my doughnut. To frost or not to frost? To fill or not to fill? These are my eternal questions.
"Bite me" sounds like a good life motto, thanks blogthings.com!

What Donut Are You?

My Hair Should Be Purple

Intense, thoughtful, and unconventional. I'm always philosophizing and inspiring others with my insights.
All this from HAIR? Wow, you guys are good!

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

I Am Jan Brady

Brainy and a little introverted, I tend to think life is a lot worse than it actually is. And while I may think I'm a little goofy looking, most people consider me to be a major babe.
Me? A babe? Isn't this blogthing.com SO awesome?

What Brady Are You?

I Am From Neptune

I am dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability. I love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea. My soul is filled with possibilities, and my heart overflows with compassion. I can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone. If I don't get carried away with one idea, my spiritual nature will see me through anything.
They have poetry on Neptune? Can't I be from CRYPTON?

What Planet Are You From?

Viola! Nothing to hide any more: I'm a purple haired caramel crunch donut named Jan Brady from Neptune.

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I get some really funny e-mail attachments

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Remember when you wanted a treehouse?

As a kid, like most, I wished I had a treehouse. My family lived in apartment buildings with a decent plot of grass serving as a backyard, mostly occupied by our sprawled bikes and kiddie pools. There were no available trees to make our club's conference room. So, my neighbourhood gang chose the nearing wooded plot of land close to the highway to construct a treehouse. Unfortunately, all our feeble attempts to fabricate one resulted in several grounded, non-symmetrical boards lamely leaning against each other. Ten year olds do not make good construction workers. The worst part was that there was no window for us, little girls, to hang frilly curtains. I saw this picture and my eyes lit up in recollection of childhood memories.



Oh, if only I could be a kid again. And oh, yeah, and I wish I had enough money to buy this treehouse. Did ya hear me Genie? Fairy Godmother? Santa? Easter Bunny?
...Anyone?

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All nations with dopey presidents please raise their hands

George W. Bush has been the butt of many jokes. Not undeservingly so. Even if you purposely try to ignore US domestic politics and useless raging wars, he's managed to invent a whole new category in the English language filed under "bushisms". He's been caught unprepared, with his pants down -pardon my imagery- regarding the simplest of statements or issues. GW's eligible surname may have gained him a spot in the power web, and the globe nods silently in agreement that he was highly unqualified for the slot. I would honestly find ways to excuse his dopiness and laugh at his 'naivety' if he wasn’t the one with nuclear arms engage code and Chief-In-Commander of a very large army.

Recently, however, the leader of my Italian neighbors, Signore Silvio Berlusconni, proved that he deserves this month's "dopey president" award. Italy, will be having Presidential elections in a few days and a chance to redeem themselves as voters. Silvio took the Italian media by storm. Literally. Storming out of interviews when he was politically challenged by TV audience or discussion panel members. Calling his opponents names and Italian journalists incompetent. He's a media power guy who knows how to work the ropes and seduce the popoli vote with flashy TV smiles and jokes. He knows how the system works and makes it work for him; after all, he devised cheap trashy TV that prevails in Italy. He hasn't denied rumors that he had his face lifted, dyes his hair and has a suspicious whiter-than-white smile. He publicly conceded before a TV preacher that he would abstain from sex until the elections, only to turn it about, the following day, and say he was joking on air. He has compared himself to Napoleon and Jesus. Mamma mia, all this just in a month preceding elections!

In all fairness, I should criticize Greek politicians as well and, yet, as much as I disagree with the Greek government's policies, I have never actually been embarrassed by the President's or Prime Minister's public conduct. Political platforms should be the main issue and not how politicians dress, but let's face it if my nation's leader acts like a Mafia boss, shouldn't I be a tad worried?

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The day formerly known as New Year's

One theory says:

"April Fools' Day dates back to the 16th century when the first day of the calendar year was moved from April 1st to January 1st. Without the benefit of mass communication the news was slow to spread, yet those still celebrating the new year in April were thought to be a few apples short of a bushel. And so began the tradition of practical jokes and general tomfoolery on April 1st".

Starting the New Year on April 1st makes much more sense than January! April's the second month of spring, all is green, budding up and out, little lambs are popping out of their mommas, and ...well, you get the picture. In short, April marks a NEW start for the Northern Hemisphere. January, on the other hand, is right smack in the dead of winter and "new" is just plain inapposite.

Oh, well, what's done is done. Methinks mankind is up for a calendric change, therefore I propose we switch the first day of the week to Thursday instead of Monday. Imagine how many songs involving "Monday blues" will become irrelevant. Hee-hee [wicked laugh].

The low-down on April Fool's Day

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