Closure and lingering hope combined

I read that this week the parents of Richey Edwards, the fourth member of the Manic Street Preachers who had mysteriously disappeared 13 years ago, legally announced their son 'presumed dead'.

Edwards' parents could have done this six years ago because a missing person's legal status can be changed after 7 years of his/her disappearance but, understandably, they waited and... hoped. Their legal spokesperson was quoted "it's not the same thing as accepting that he's dead".

The not knowing is the worst kind of torture a family and friends have to deal with. It's a black cloud dangling over your head that uncontrollably pervades your thoughts and never gives you closure.

Anyone who has experienced the disconsolate feeling of not knowing the whereabouts of a loved one will tell you it's perpetual agony.
No explanation, no suicide note, no dead body, no closure, ever.

One of the reasons I like the Manics, aside from their music, is how truly loyal they have been and how they stuck together when it could have destroyed them mentally and of course, professionally.

All this time the remaining Manic Street Preachers still consider Edwards part of the band and split the royalties 4 ways, putting Richey's money in the bank which his parents are in charge of. That way, if Richey ever does come back he can pick up where he left off.

After 13 years and seven albums later they have announced that their new album due out in 2009 will consist entirely of Richey Edwards' lyrics. They are quoted "...finally it feels like the right time to use them..."

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Manic Street Preachers - From Despair To Where

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Broom parking

Broom parking, originally uploaded by flubberwinkle.

Caught this while walking through a square and the city cleaners were on a coffee break.

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Smiley side up!

Smiley side up!, originally uploaded by flubberwinkle.

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Manic Monday Meme

Do you ever talk to yourself out loud? What do you talk about?
Yes. Myself and I have been known to chew the fat and this usually occurs when I get carried away with my thoughts while driving alone in the car. If I catch another driver looking at me straaaaangely I pretend to readjust a non-existent cell phone ear piece.

What stresses you out?
Obnoxiousness.

What are your secret talents?
I let blogthings.com do the answering on this one:
I am knowledgeable and creative. I tend to be full of new ideas and potential. Ideas like mine could change the world, if I build them.


This is Manic Monday Meme #143.

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Being Mom #2

Being Mom means doing a little dance of joy that the laundry hamper is finally empty, only to find it brimming the very next morning with the clothes my 'too-busy-to-think-about-clean-clothes' daughters had forgotten to deposit in the laundry bin.

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Being Mom #1

Being Mom means having to drink the goop from the bottom of almost-empty juice boxes because my daughters are too high born to drain the cartons lest the juice goop clouds fair damsels' juice.

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Missing

1990 World Figure Skating Championships (Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA), Ice Dance, Ice Dancing. Siblings Isabelle Duchesnay and Paul Duchesnay, Canadian born and representing France earned five 6.0s for their beautiful free dance "Missing" and won this portion of the competition.

I remember watching this at home in 1990 and being moved to tears with the symbolism of the choreography and the melodic and haunting pan pipe music of South America.



The Duchesnays were known for their thematically innovative ice skating routines and it was ground breaking (or rather ice breaking) that ice dancers had integrated a political theme about the 'disappearances' Central and South American juntas had enforced throughout the '70s and early '80s.

The choreography and concept of the performance "Missing" was originally Christopher Dean's work, British Olympic gold medalist in ice dancing and, for a short time, Isabelle's spouse.

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Not in our name!

UPDATE Friday 21 Nov.2008: Last night (Thu 20 Nov.2008) the Inmates' Committee released the following announcement

We began our fight 18 days ago. 10,000 detainees and prisoners with the abstention from prison kitchens and then the hunger strike we fought against the misery of prison and the indifference of the Ministry of Justice.
From tomorrow, Friday 21 November, the prisoners in the prisons of the country declare that we suspend our mobilization by breaking the hunger strike.

The legilslative bill the Ministry of Justice has introduced to Parliament concerns a few of our demands. The Minister must implement his commitment for the immediate release of the number of prisoners while announcing to take concrete measures to cover all of our requests. We, prisoners, look upon this as a first step, the result of our struggle and solidarity of society, but we are not covered, does not solve our basic problems.

With our struggle, above all, we demanded our dignity. And this dignity is not given away to any minister and any prison guard. We will not tolerate any arbitrariness, any retaliatory transfer, no disciplinary intimidation. We are and will remain standing upright... [the rest here in Greek]



On the occasion of the unprecedented wave of hunger strikes by prisoners in Greek prisons and the criminal snubbing by prevailing media for Democracy and defending basic human rights we urge all those who maintain blogs, online forums and not only to publish simultaneously and coordinated on 20 November 2008, Thursday, the following and all Internet users to sign it. The link to the initiative's 'NOT IN OUR NAME' blog kratoumenoi.wordpress.com and the link to sign the petition: here

Bloggers unite and fight back for Democracy and defense of basic human rights. A call in the Greek blogosphere arises, urging every blogger simultaneously to communicate, publish or sign the following text

"Not in our Name


"The situation in Greek prisons is unacceptable. Radical changes in the prison system should be a first priority".
- Karolos Papoulias, Head of State, 6/11/08

"We are human. Prisoners but still human, I tell you".
- Vangelis Pallis, prisoner, 9/11/08

From November 3rd, all detainees in prisons throughout the country are on a hunger strike, claiming what should be respected, but is not: their lost dignity. What they face is the criminal silence of the mainstream media and the indifference of the political leadership. To this silence and political practices all we who sign this text DO NOT CONSENT.

The conditions in Greek prisons are unspeakable and may be understood only by the cold language of mathematics. In the supposedly reformatory institutions of the country a total of 417 detainee deaths were recorded over the past decade, while the rate has literally taken off to such a degree, that every month four people die in the hands of the State. Capacity in Greek prisons reaches 168% (10,113 detainees for 6019 spaces) with a ratio of minimum space for each man in some cases reaching 1square meter, while the daily public spending per prisoner is the meager 3.60 €. Prison cells are miserable, reminiscent of medieval times and health care is almost non - existent. At the same time, the Greek judicial system sends in prison one in every thousand of the overall population, while detainees without trial (in custody) are up to the 30% of the total number of prisoners. If quality of our Democratic system of governance is characterized by its prisons, then our Democracy is in crisis. If detainment is a penalty imposed for criminal behaviors by the State in the name of society, then in the case of Greek prisons we should all be accountable and most responsible of all, the Authorities. Facing such a reality all we who sign this text respond NOT IN OUR NAME.

The data revealed by official bodies for Greek prisons outline inhuman conditions of detention. According to a recent Report of the European Committee on the Prevention of Torture (2007), has found incidents of torture and inhuman treatment of prisoners, threats against their life along with series of violations in relation to their conditions of detention, deficits in investigating and punishing the perpetrators, incidents of violence in collusion with doctors and prison-guards and unacceptable health and medical care conditions. The European Court of Human Rights has issued a series of decisions, convicting the Greek state regarding abuse and / or other rights’ violations of prisoners by prison Authorities. The Greek National Commission on Human Rights has taken a decision – catapult, noting human rights’ abuses in Greek prisons and suggesting certain direct actions to resolve them. The Greek Ombudsman complains about the lack of cooperation with competent state Authorities, causing them literally to be banned from entering the country’s prisons for the last two years. The country’s bar associations, Non-Governmental Organizations, such as Amnesty International, and many political / social institutions unanimously denounce the unacceptable conditions in Greek prisons and call for greater cooperation to overcome the problem. If human rights are to be enjoyed by every human being, depriving it of detainees in Greek prisons, is an open wound for our society. In this situation those who sign this text agree to SMASH COMMUNICATION BARRIERS BETWEEN PRISONS AND SOCIETY.

Prisoners going on hunger strikes, resort to the last bastion of resistance left to them, their own life. A month before the strikes commenced, there has been a last call to the political leadership to solve their problems, as things were getting unbearable, but nothing happened. To stop the hunger strikes, prisoners have specific, realistic and decent demands that restore their lost dignity and recover their basic human rights.As a response to Greek prisoners’ mobilization the political leadership stands in indifference, acts only to make promises for the future and to repress their movements. Nevertheless, an indifferent stance of the political leadership at this stage will certainly mean dead hunger strikers. In these circumstances we say that we cannot remain passive waiting for the news of deaths from hunger strikes but we will stand by them. If the defense of democracy and human rights require the watchfulness of all of us, now is a chance for all, to take steps away from indifference and evasions of the problem.

Faced with the tension that prevails in prisons all over the country, we who sign this text consider the political leadership fully responsible for anything that will happen and demand both institutionally and in practice that BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL PRISONERS IN THE COUNTRY ARE GUARANTEED."

On November, the 21st, this text will be sent in bulk to all members of the Greek parliament and to the mass media encouraging them for its republication. The text will have attached the signatures (URL hyperlinks) of all blogs, forums and web pages that adopted it. We urge for its republication and dissemination, so that the struggle of Greek prisoners for basic human rights gets the international attention and coverage, it deserves".

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Losing religion. The right to be exempted from the school course in Greece.

The Greek Ombudsman has recently received reports of citizens who
indicated that in several schools in the country parents have been requested to sign a statement declaring their religion as an excuse to exempt their children from
Religion lesson.

The Greek Ombudsman clarifies with this press release that ANY student regardless of religious beliefs may be exempted from attending 'Religion/Thriskeftika*' as long as their parents or the students (if they are of age) invoke reasons of conscience in an accountability statement. Neither parents or student need disclose their religious beliefs in order to be exempted from the lesson.

Tonight on the news a well-known Greek orthodox priest/psychologist asked to comment on the Greek Ombudsman's letter of clarification to the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs.

One of his washy arguments was "if students didn't attend the course 'Religion' in school they would turn to drugs"(!) and Greek society's values would decay faster. Priest also said that 'our religion' (Greek Orthodoxy) is the only religion that teaches love and compassion, making a smug remark about Islam.

A reporter accurately pointed out that the Church's recent involvement in the Vatopedi land deal controversy, which is currently being investigated by a Parliamentary commission, has in no way set a good Christian example for society or shown any ethical values.

The bottom line is that Greek priests aren't going to release their claws from the Greek school system that easily.

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35 years ago

We will never forget.
Τιμή και δόξα στους αγωνιστές του Πολυτεχνείου.

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Unconscious Mutterings

Taking part (for the first time) in LunaNina's weekly "Unconscious Mutterings": Luna Nina posts ten words, participants respond with the first thing that comes to mind [this week's words].

1. Please stop :: the wars.
2. Move over :: please.
3. Sweet as :: pie.
4. Bet :: you can.
5. Mad about :: cancer.
6. It's over :: and done.
7. Intend to :: do it.
8. Blame :: myself.
9. Jefferson :: Airplane.
10. Heartless :: and cold.

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#45 Feel-good Flick for Friday

Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song


This is my ringtone and every time my cell phone rings I start to sing the words. This song (and group) just give me goose bumps.

THE BARD'S SONG: IN THE FOREST

Now You all know
The bards and their songs
When hours have gone by
I'll close my eyes
In a world far away
We may meet again
But now hear my song
About the dawn of the night
Let's sing the bards' song

Ref.:
Tomorrow will take us away
Far from home
Noone will ever know our names
But the bards' songs will remain
Tomorrow will take it away
The fear of today
It will be gone
Due to our magic songs

There's only one song
Left in my mind
Tales of a brave man
Who lived far from here
Now the bard songs are over
And it's time to leave
Noone should ask You for the name
Of the one
Who tells the story

Ref.:
Tomorrow will take us away
Far from home
Noone will ever know our names
But the bards' songs will remain
Tomorrow all will be known
And You're not alone
So don't be afraid
In the dark and cold
'Cause the bards' songs will remain
They all will remain

In my thoughts and in my dreams
They're always in my mind
These songs of hobbits, dwarves and men
And elves
Come close Your eyes
You can see them, too

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Being a network admin #2

Got a call from a new and young network computer user who has recently been assigned a brand new, shiny PC with a flat screen with speakers. He has that 'know-it-all computer' attitude that I've come across many a time from users in my 20 year stint as self-made computer geek.

"I can't hear very well from the PC".

Afraid I might insult him -power user that he has led me to believe he is- if I ask the obvious question of whether the speakers were turned on, I inquire if there is ANY sound coming from the speakers.

He replies "only a little".

"Look", I answer, frustrated and assuming that most young people just want to get the most out of their itunes at work, "if you need a better set of speakers, you might need to buy them yourself. The speakers are decent enough for regular office use. Our department won't order separate speakers".

"Oh no, I understand... but, I can HARDLY hear anything".

"That's really strange. I'll be up there to see for myself".

I go into his office. He's a courteous young man and immediately offers me his seat so I can inspect the problem.

"No need", I reply. He has a youtube movie playing on the screen but NO sound is coming from anywhere because...
he hadn't opened the power switch for the speakers.

His young cheeks turn violet red as I turn the knob that is on the screen, labeled "power". The music from the video blares as I adjust the volume from the same knob.

I didn't mean to add to his embarrassment but curiosity got the best of me: "You know what threw me off track? You said that you couldn't hear it VERY WELL and I assumed the sound was muffled or the sound card was below your standards. That's why I suggested a better set of speakers! What WERE you listening to?"

He shrugged a bashful smile.

Moral of the story.
Always ask the stupid question first: "Is the power switch on?"

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Being a network admin #1

At work they call me by my given name, Athena or more commonly known as "Athenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa help".

I could write a book with the various problems my network computer users have called me to help them.

Today, for example, a frantic user called me to complain that when she pushed the power button on her computer it started beeping.

I raised a worried eyebrow and inwardly groaned at the idea of a potential hardware conflict issue on the motherboard. Got my butt up and headed for personal inspection.

She was standing at the door of her office, pressing her hands together in fret "I just pressed the button!", "Do you think it's serious?", "Is my computer sick?".

I went to the computer, heard it beeping and...

removed the corner of a heavy folder that was pressing against the 'esc key' on the left corner of the keyboard.

Beeping stopped. Problem solved. Co-worker blushed shamefaced.

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Manic Monday Meme

You can take part here.

What was the first thing you thought when you looked at yourself in the mirror today?
Oh.my.god.

Do you have a recurring nightmare? If so, explain.
Not exactly a recurring one, but one I think a lot of people experience. I am falling from somewhere high and I come awake with a start.

List three foods you can’t stand:

1. Brussel sprouts - Mom caught me burying them in a flower pot when I was 8. Still hate 'em.
2. Mashed chickpeas/yellow lentils/fava - Mashed food generally gives me the creeps. I make an exception for home made mashed potatoes only because I'm a tatter lover.
   
3. Tripe soup/patsa - don't make me explain.
   

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Sunday Stealing: The Nudder Meme

Anyone can join this meme here.

1. Who did you spend at least two hours with today? Husband, Daughters #1 & #2.

2. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks? Christmas.

3. Who was the last person you called? My friend Helen.

4. What were you doing at 12am last night? Sleeping.

5. Are your parents married/divorced? Separated.

6. When did you last see your mom? Last Sunday.

7. What are you wearing right now? Nightdress and robe (it's 8.30 am).

8. Where is your favorite place to be? Amusement park.

9. Where is your least favorite place to be? Funeral.

10. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? Ireland.

11. Where do you think you'll be in 10 years? Hopefully in Scotland.

12. What was the last thing that really made you laugh? My daughters and their versions of how their day went.

13. What cities/towns/villages have you lived in? Chicago & Athens.

14. Are you a social person? Not really.

15. Do you sleep alone? When Husband (train engineer) is away on a trip, yes.

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Documenting the song that I have been listening to over and over this week

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

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Cell phone etiquette & public transportation

One of my pet peeves are cell phones and how people think they are obliged to engage in a conversation anywhere, anytime.

People, seriously, when you're on the subway or on any means of public transportation PLEASE don't chat away continuously on your cell phone. I don't mind passengers chatting amongst them on buses, trams, trolleys and subways but to have to listen to someone go on, and on and on with a headphone set is unnerving.

I don't care what you're making for dinner, I don't give a cow's dung if your co-worker treated you bad, I'd rather stick a fork through my eyeball than listen to all the details of what you chose to wear to a wedding you've been invited to.
Shut. uuuuup.

Take a cue from people who respect themselves and others around them: Answer the call (don't let the darn thing keep ringing with Britney's latest hit), explain you're on the subway and that you'll call back when you get to the office etc.

And if you insist on taking or making a call, then never rant in public using names and places - you never know when a future boss, an in-law or co-worker is standing 2 passengers behind you.

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Manic Monday Meme

This is Manic Monday Meme #140 and you can join here.

How many hours of TV do you watch per week? Do you feel that's too much, not enough or just right? 6-8 TVshow/movie hours per week and it seems OK to me, however, I think my addiction to the Internet is much more serious.

Which of the 5 senses do you feel is your strongest sense? Smell. Unfortunately for me.

What's the wackiest belief you held as a child? Actually I had two VERY wacky beliefs around the age of 7-8.
I remember crying at the thought that potatoes might suddenly stop existing. What can I say? I was (still am) a tater person. I was frantic of a future with no french fries.
Also, -brace yourselves- I believed that it would be utterly impossible for me to live alone in a house/apartment and have frozen fish stashed in my freezer. I thought their eyeballs were following me every time the freezer door opened.
I know! Whacky!

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Feeding my blog and enjoying it

You can take part in today's meme from Sunday Stealing too:

What are your nicknames?
Mom, Mommy, Momma, Mamakoula - for my kids
Nana - for distant family who still think I'm 2 years old
Tina - for my old school mates
Flubberwinkle, Flubbs, FW - for my blogger friends
Hey you! - for people with bad memories
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh, Athenaaaaaaaaaaaa - for my work colleagues /computer network users
Athenoula - for co-workers who know how to suck up

What TV gameshow or reality show would you like to be on? None. Just give me the dough without the hassle and embarassament.

What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD? VHS of a Disney movie for my kids (I think it was Lion King).

What is your favorite scent? Eixir by Clinique.

If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on? Is this million bucks from the aforementioned game show? Reeeeally? I won?

What is one place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to? A private beach in Kavala, Greece with the most wonderful crystal clear waters ever.

Do you trust easily? No. Do you?

Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think? Act before I think, unfortunately.

Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? Yes.

Do you have a good body image? Of myself? Uh-uh. (Tsou=ellhnika).

What is your favorite fruit? Fruit that still smells like fruit.

What websites do you visit daily? The one I make for work, my webmails and lately facebook.com

What have you been seriously addicted to lately? The TV shows: 30 rock, Ugly Betty, Big Bang Theory & Pushing Daisies.

What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Sleepless Nights by Until June (I can't get that woo-hoo outta my head).

What is your favorite thing to wear? Comfortable shoes.

Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy? Haven't eaten them for ages but still remember the 3 elves commercial (Pop, Crackle and something).

What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground? Be wary of a string attached to it.

What items couldn't you go without during the day? My sunglasses.

What should you be doing right now? Sunday house chores.

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Because I don't spend enough time on the Internet

...I signed up for (Inter)National Blog Posting Month. The only requirement is that I blog every day for the month of November. That's 30 consecutive days.

Did I hear someone in the back groaning, Internet? Yes [nod-nod], that means I will probably be posting more memes to compensate for my extended blogger's block. Unless, of course, the stress of finding something to post about every. single. day. for a whole month kick starts my creative writing juices and I finally indite something flubberwinkle-blog worthy.

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