...to me it looks like a knight's helmet:
May 31, 2008
May 27, 2008
10 questions that tell a lot about me
[tagged by my favorite blog-meme provider, Ellas Devil]
1.
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM HOUSE / ENVIRONMENT
*sigh*
2.
FAVORITE FEATURE ON THE SAME AND OPPOSITE SEX
Natural hair color.
3.
WHAT'S THE LATEST CD YOU COULDN'T STOP PLAYING
Send Away The Tigers - Manic Street Preachers
4.
WHAT SONG DO YOU WANT PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL/WAKE
Something to make them roll their eyes, smile and definitely tap their feet.
5.
WHAT'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE ERRAND TO RUN
Taking the stuff that can be recycled to the public recycle bin, also known as the blue bins here in Greece. We don't have one near us so I have to go find an empty blue recycle bin that my Greek neighbors haven't filled with their regular garbage and that makes me sad and wonder why I even bother sometimes because it seems unfair that I separate my waste with recyclables and then they just go and dump their boolsheet in the waste can that clearly says it's for recyclables only and I wonder why it's so hard for us Greeks to adapt to a civilized daily routine of SIMPLY separating the garbage from things that can be recycled. It's my least favorite errand because it usually ends up with me going ARRRRRGH!
6.
THREE THINGS THAT REALLY STEAM YOUR BROCCOLI
(MAKE YOU ANGRY)
1.Bloodshed.
2.Poverty.
3.Hatred.
7.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE AFTERLIFE
Why?
Is there a beforelife?
8.
FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK
The Boxcar Children
I loved this book so much in grade school, that the school librarian scolded me for borrowing it continuously because they had only copy and I was the only one for many weeks in a row that kept taking out. I loved the drawings and the story of 4 orphans making a home in a... boxcar.
9.
WHY IS _________ YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE
French Kiss.
It became my "pick-up-when-I'm-feeling-sad" movie several years ago and I can apply every. single. line. from that movie to my life.
10.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE
The ability to do magic and then you can bet your last wart's eye I'd cast a spell on humanity to do unto others as they would have others do unto them. There is TOO such a super power! Here's an official list to choose from.
BONUS QUESTION:
HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF A TOOTSIE POP?
It was such a good meme and then "they" go and ruin it with a stupid question like this. The answer is: Why lick when you can just chew the darn thing off?
;-)
IF YOU'VE READ THIS FAR... YOU'RE TAGGED!
1.
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM HOUSE / ENVIRONMENT
*sigh*
2.
FAVORITE FEATURE ON THE SAME AND OPPOSITE SEX
Natural hair color.
3.
WHAT'S THE LATEST CD YOU COULDN'T STOP PLAYING
Send Away The Tigers - Manic Street Preachers
4.
WHAT SONG DO YOU WANT PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL/WAKE
Something to make them roll their eyes, smile and definitely tap their feet.
5.
WHAT'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE ERRAND TO RUN
Taking the stuff that can be recycled to the public recycle bin, also known as the blue bins here in Greece. We don't have one near us so I have to go find an empty blue recycle bin that my Greek neighbors haven't filled with their regular garbage and that makes me sad and wonder why I even bother sometimes because it seems unfair that I separate my waste with recyclables and then they just go and dump their boolsheet in the waste can that clearly says it's for recyclables only and I wonder why it's so hard for us Greeks to adapt to a civilized daily routine of SIMPLY separating the garbage from things that can be recycled. It's my least favorite errand because it usually ends up with me going ARRRRRGH!
6.
THREE THINGS THAT REALLY STEAM YOUR BROCCOLI
(MAKE YOU ANGRY)
1.Bloodshed.
2.Poverty.
3.Hatred.
7.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE AFTERLIFE
Why?
Is there a beforelife?
8.
FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK
The Boxcar Children
I loved this book so much in grade school, that the school librarian scolded me for borrowing it continuously because they had only copy and I was the only one for many weeks in a row that kept taking out. I loved the drawings and the story of 4 orphans making a home in a... boxcar.
9.
WHY IS _________ YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE
French Kiss.
It became my "pick-up-when-I'm-feeling-sad" movie several years ago and I can apply every. single. line. from that movie to my life.
10.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE
The ability to do magic and then you can bet your last wart's eye I'd cast a spell on humanity to do unto others as they would have others do unto them. There is TOO such a super power! Here's an official list to choose from.
BONUS QUESTION:
HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF A TOOTSIE POP?
It was such a good meme and then "they" go and ruin it with a stupid question like this. The answer is: Why lick when you can just chew the darn thing off?
;-)
IF YOU'VE READ THIS FAR... YOU'RE TAGGED!
May 24, 2008
KISS (Knitting Is Strongly Subscribed)
With my recent civilized rant about Mariah Carey's moronic song and video "touch my body" and THIS post I may start competing with the likes of ΤΗΕ defamer. I know I said I don't like bashing celebrities but when KISS decide - at the youthful age of ~58 to go on world tour with full makeup and (get this)... full costume I can't resist the urge to poke fun.
Last weekend KISS gave a concert here in Athens. Did I go? No, I'm not a fan.I like "Beth", their (only?) ballad and I know some of their tunes because I grew up listening to FM ROCK radio but that's where our paths end. I didn't really like them back in the 70's when they came out with all their gimmickry: the ludicrous costumes, ridiculous shoes and, of course, the world renown makeup. They might have had a fighting chance with me as a rock band if Gene Simmons had kept his tongue in his mouth (as nature intended, otherwise we'd all breathe like dogs). They were smart enough to find a newfangled concept to sell themselves as a rock group - I'll give them that - at a time where a lot of rock bands were struggling to come out on top. I bet the Finnish rock band "Lordi", the winners of the 2006 Eurovision song contest had posters of KISS next to their Moomin bedroom lamps when they were kids.
My brother, on the other hand, liked them and even sneaked their LP 'Detsroyer' in the house. Luckily then (unfortunately for now) he destroyed the album's cover, lest Mom found it and send for the priest from her village all the way to Chicago - for an exorcism. As it turns out, the album is in my possession because my sibling never brought himself an LP player, making me keeper of all long-play and 45 vinyls. I'm thinking I could make a buck out of the selling the album, but without the cover what self-respecting KISS fan would want it?
Anyway, a few years later, KISS' popularity waned, they took off their makeup ending the mystery that made KISS sell for the amount of time they could push the satan's knights notion and weird look. They had reunited -like most rock bands who decide to keep their image alive (and sell some more to newer generations). And it was only recently Greek rock radio stations started blaring that KISS were coming to the Terravibe rock-fest stage (at the outskirts of Athens) with full show, with complete makeup and costumes. I shuddered at the god-awful-ugly aesthetics of imagining them almost 60, still wearing their tighter than tight, spandex lycra, silver-studded gear and trying to prance on a stage with those appalling shoes.
I have nothing against old-rockers as long as they just come on stage with a pair of jeans (lycra and/or leather pants should be reserved for robust, youthful tooshies), a decent shirt (pretending a naked 60 year old torso is sexy is just plain sad) and smart shoes (broken bones at their age do not mend easily).
When KANSAS toured Europe a few years back I caught their show in Athens, and Robby Steinhardt was still with them. They made me proud to be a fan because there was nothing embarrassing about their appearance or stage performance at the ripe age of ~55-60. They even looked sexy, no gimmicks, no makeup, no blood-spitting. Just good old rock.
Here's a funny video about old rockers
Last weekend KISS gave a concert here in Athens. Did I go? No, I'm not a fan.I like "Beth", their (only?) ballad and I know some of their tunes because I grew up listening to FM ROCK radio but that's where our paths end. I didn't really like them back in the 70's when they came out with all their gimmickry: the ludicrous costumes, ridiculous shoes and, of course, the world renown makeup. They might have had a fighting chance with me as a rock band if Gene Simmons had kept his tongue in his mouth (as nature intended, otherwise we'd all breathe like dogs). They were smart enough to find a newfangled concept to sell themselves as a rock group - I'll give them that - at a time where a lot of rock bands were struggling to come out on top. I bet the Finnish rock band "Lordi", the winners of the 2006 Eurovision song contest had posters of KISS next to their Moomin bedroom lamps when they were kids. My brother, on the other hand, liked them and even sneaked their LP 'Detsroyer' in the house. Luckily then (unfortunately for now) he destroyed the album's cover, lest Mom found it and send for the priest from her village all the way to Chicago - for an exorcism. As it turns out, the album is in my possession because my sibling never brought himself an LP player, making me keeper of all long-play and 45 vinyls. I'm thinking I could make a buck out of the selling the album, but without the cover what self-respecting KISS fan would want it?
Anyway, a few years later, KISS' popularity waned, they took off their makeup ending the mystery that made KISS sell for the amount of time they could push the satan's knights notion and weird look. They had reunited -like most rock bands who decide to keep their image alive (and sell some more to newer generations). And it was only recently Greek rock radio stations started blaring that KISS were coming to the Terravibe rock-fest stage (at the outskirts of Athens) with full show, with complete makeup and costumes. I shuddered at the god-awful-ugly aesthetics of imagining them almost 60, still wearing their tighter than tight, spandex lycra, silver-studded gear and trying to prance on a stage with those appalling shoes.
I have nothing against old-rockers as long as they just come on stage with a pair of jeans (lycra and/or leather pants should be reserved for robust, youthful tooshies), a decent shirt (pretending a naked 60 year old torso is sexy is just plain sad) and smart shoes (broken bones at their age do not mend easily).
When KANSAS toured Europe a few years back I caught their show in Athens, and Robby Steinhardt was still with them. They made me proud to be a fan because there was nothing embarrassing about their appearance or stage performance at the ripe age of ~55-60. They even looked sexy, no gimmicks, no makeup, no blood-spitting. Just good old rock.
Here's a funny video about old rockers
May 23, 2008
A proud TOEFL* moment in our family
Yesterday afternoon I popped a downloaded version of "Juno" in the dvd player and settled myself for an afternoon of finally finding out what all the Oscar fuss was about. Movies from the Internet usually are without subtitles, the user has to find and add them, but I figured since I was about to watch it by myself no one would mind.
Daughter#2 -a great film buff, despite her young age- heard the call of the fox searchlight opening theme in her room and came dashing to the living room. I warned her that there were no subtitles and she might have a hard time discerning the dialogue, but she just waved me off to shut up because the movie was starting.
I was iffy as to whether my kid was getting all of the movie's conversations. And then she surprised the linguistic heck out of me when she laughed aloud at the following line.
I looked suspiciously at Daughter#2 and wondered how in the world she knew what a wiener was... I mean I never remember EVER using that word and I wondered if her frontistirio (English language center) had ever focused on slang words used to replace the word "penis".
I asked if she reeeeeally understood what the father had just said. And she replied affirmatively with an eye roll, still giggling and blushing.
Quite impressed of how far advanced my kid's English was, I paused the film and filled in some linguistic gaps informing her that wiener is also known as hotdog and frankfurter. She kept giggling.
--------------------------------------
*TOEFL = Test of English as a Foreign Language
Daughter#2 -a great film buff, despite her young age- heard the call of the fox searchlight opening theme in her room and came dashing to the living room. I warned her that there were no subtitles and she might have a hard time discerning the dialogue, but she just waved me off to shut up because the movie was starting.
I was iffy as to whether my kid was getting all of the movie's conversations. And then she surprised the linguistic heck out of me when she laughed aloud at the following line.
Juno's father on being told by Juno that she is pregnant closes the scene with "Yeah, but if I see that Bleeker kid (aka father of baby) I'm gonna punch him the wiener".
I looked suspiciously at Daughter#2 and wondered how in the world she knew what a wiener was... I mean I never remember EVER using that word and I wondered if her frontistirio (English language center) had ever focused on slang words used to replace the word "penis".
I asked if she reeeeeally understood what the father had just said. And she replied affirmatively with an eye roll, still giggling and blushing.
Quite impressed of how far advanced my kid's English was, I paused the film and filled in some linguistic gaps informing her that wiener is also known as hotdog and frankfurter. She kept giggling.
--------------------------------------
*TOEFL = Test of English as a Foreign Language
May 21, 2008
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2008 when...
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for n ot staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.
[credits: my funny friends who send me funny stuff found on the Internet]
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for n ot staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.
[credits: my funny friends who send me funny stuff found on the Internet]
May 20, 2008
May 15, 2008
Say NO to racism from birth!
On this day of Bloggers Unite for Human Rights I choose to blog about something close to home, something that shames me as a citizen of Greece. My country refuses to give birth certificates to babies born here to immigrant families! Greece denies these second-generation immigrant children the right to be recorded as existing beings - which is a unique international exclusion - since anyone born in a given nation can obtain nationality by right of birth in that country.The consequences of this refusal are many and serious. Without a birth certificate a child is subsequently denied enrollment in Greek municipal registries (dimotologia) which ensures him/her status of existence! Registering and attending Greek public schools is a bureaucratic chaos if the principal is unsympathetic and strict about complying with legal formalities that require a birth certificate (13% of the student body in public Greek schools is semi-illegal). The child will not be able to apply for social (health) insurance, passport or work permits growing up because plainly he/she doesn't exist for the Greek government and state.
What's even worse that once a child becomes of legal age, 18 years old, he/she may be deported since they can't produce any citizenship or legal papers to prove they aren't illegal immigrants. But here lies the irony and the most maddening aspect of this tragedy... deported to WHERE?
These children are born here, in Greece; they go to school here, play, live and become adults here. They learn the language, the way of life. Their families are law-abiding citizens and contribute to the Greek economy with work and taxes. These children call Greece "home". Where will their homeland -Greece- deport them to? To the country their parents left, fled, were chased from? THAT country –understandably- has no recognition of their existence since they were born in Greece. Where will they go?
We are talking about approximately 200,000 children and young people who have not experienced another country except Greece and are baptized "immigrants" by the Greek state. Their future in Greece means that they will either have to enter the work force at a very young age in order to get social insurance stamps (ensima) to avoid deportation, consequently terminating their studies and not being able to go on to university, get a better education, better work prospects, a better life. They are forced to maintain a semi-illegal status quo like many immigrants living in Greece.
These second generation immigrants are marginalized, they live in limbo, in a grey zone - neither here nor there. The Greek Ministry of Interior is blatantly violating the human right to citizenship as stated by article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Furthermore, Hellenic officials' regard of these children as non-existing or second-rate citizens reinforces Greek society's racist views of those seeking refuge or immigrating to our country for a better life, fleeing from wars, poverty, violence and hunger. Thus the circle of hate will never stop. Greeks might stop disdaining foreigners and come to terms with the changing world, a multicultural one, if our government firstly secures equality amongst ALL habitants of this country.
These children have the right to be recorded as Greek citizens. Refusing innocent children the right to existence is unacceptable for a member-state of the European Union and for a "civilized" country that proudly boasts about its forefathers lighting the torch of civilization and giving democracy to the world.
Sign the petition asking the Greek government to grant birth certificates to these children here
For more information in Greek:
May 14, 2008
May 13, 2008
May 15th is "Bloggers Unite For Human Rights"
"Bloggers Unite For Human Rights
While the words might change from country to country and are sometimes taken for granted, human rights represent one of the universally agreed upon ideas - that all people are born with basic rights and freedoms that include life, liberty, and justice. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations.
Bloggers Unite for Human Rights challenges bloggers everywhere to help elevate human rights by drawing attention to the challenges and successes of human rights issues on May 15. What those topics may include - the wrongful imprisonment of journalists covering assemblies, governments that ignore the plight of citizens, and censorship of the Internet. What is important is that on one day, thousands of bloggers unite and share their unified support of human rights everywhere."
[translated in Greek]
Μπλόγκερς ενωθείτε για τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα
Αν και η φράση μπορεί να αλλάζει από χώρα σε χώρα και μερικές φορές να θεωρείται δεδομένη, τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα αποτελούν μία από τις παγκοσμίως αποδεκτές ιδέες - ότι όλοι οι άνθρωποι γεννιούνται με δικαιώματα και βασικές ελευθερίες που περιλαμβάνει ζωή, ελευθερία και δικαιοσύνη. Το 2008 σηματοδοτεί την επέτειο των 60 χρόνων της Οικουμενικής Διακήρυξης των Δικαιωμάτων του Ανθρώπου που εγκρίθηκε από τα Ηνωμένα Έθνη.
"Bloggers Unite For Human Rights" προκαλεί τους bloggers παντού να βοηθήσουν στην προώθηση των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων, εφιστώντας την προσοχή στις προκλήσεις και τις επιτυχίες των θεμάτων ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων στις 15 Μαΐου. Αυτά τα θέματα μπορούν να περιλαμβάνουν την παράνομη φυλάκιση δημοσιογράφων, οι κυβερνήσεις που αγνοούν τη δυστυχία των πολιτών και τη λογοκρισία του Internet. Το σημαντικό είναι ότι αυτή τη μέρα, χιλιάδες bloggers να ενωθούν και να μοιραστούν την ενοποιημένη υποστήριξη τους για ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα παντού.
Funny e-mail attachment
A lot has been said in the Greek media these past few weeks about the uncovering that the Hellenic Weight-Lifting Team was using extra-strength "vitamins" to boost their results. The following clip arrived in my mailbox this morning from a friend titled "What you can achieve with appropriate doping"...
May 11, 2008
The Acropolis, its museum and a demolition
Last night, Husband, Daughter#2 and I went to the 31st Book Festival at Acropolis. Coincidentally, we chanced on the festive happening introducing this year's participants in the historic Acropolis rally. Husband -an avid F1 rally fan- was pleased. I thought they looked like some revved up jalopies that had seen better road days, but I couldn't help smiling at the fans' enthusiasm, who cheered and applauded the participants. Husband (luckily) got bored after some twenty cars and we finally made our way down through the book stalls, where as predicted we spent most of our allowances immediately on books we were drawn to or had planned to get.
Nearing the end of Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian zone we stopped to look at the new Acropolis Museum, which I'm glad finally exists -but, excuse my lack of architectural appreciation - seems too modern for my taste and stands out abruptly in the surroundings of old buildings and ancient ruins. Daughter#2 and myself signed the petition - a notebook in the entrance of 17 Dionysiou Areopagitou building: SO THAT THE GREEK GOVERNMENT DOES NOT DEMOLISH THE BUILDING 17 DIONYSIOU AREOPAGITOU BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE, THE GUESTS IN THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM CAFETERIA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE A PIECE OF THE ACROPOLIS ROCKHILL (!!!).
I was amazed how many people were queuing to sign the petition and how many were shaking their heads, clucking their tongues with shame at what the Greek Ministry of so-called-Culture is planning. View the video below and check out the blog for full story. The irony is that the Greek Ministry of Environment has distinguished 17 Dionysiou Areopagitou as an architectural landmark and the Greek Ministry of Culture is moving for its demolition.
It's a cliché, a worn-torn Greek one, but nevertheless appropriate:
Only in Greece.
Nearing the end of Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian zone we stopped to look at the new Acropolis Museum, which I'm glad finally exists -but, excuse my lack of architectural appreciation - seems too modern for my taste and stands out abruptly in the surroundings of old buildings and ancient ruins. Daughter#2 and myself signed the petition - a notebook in the entrance of 17 Dionysiou Areopagitou building: SO THAT THE GREEK GOVERNMENT DOES NOT DEMOLISH THE BUILDING 17 DIONYSIOU AREOPAGITOU BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE, THE GUESTS IN THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM CAFETERIA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE A PIECE OF THE ACROPOLIS ROCKHILL (!!!).
I was amazed how many people were queuing to sign the petition and how many were shaking their heads, clucking their tongues with shame at what the Greek Ministry of so-called-Culture is planning. View the video below and check out the blog for full story. The irony is that the Greek Ministry of Environment has distinguished 17 Dionysiou Areopagitou as an architectural landmark and the Greek Ministry of Culture is moving for its demolition.It's a cliché, a worn-torn Greek one, but nevertheless appropriate:
Only in Greece.
Blogging with pen and paper
A new Greek blog game is afoot and I took the liberty of inviting myself.
The rules (in Greek) are here at the creator's (Allu Fun Marx's) blog. Put aside your keyboard and mouse for a while, write something in Greek (that's the catch) - anything that you like- the old-fashioned way using a pen/pencil/crayon/etc. on paper, post it on your blog and add για το http://autographcollectors.blogspot.com
Oh and then you're supposed to tag at last 5 people to do the same. And by now, Internet, you should know that I shudder at the thought of tagging/choosing because it brings back not-so-fond memories of elementary & jr.high school where I was usually one of the last to be tagged for team. (Apparently fumbling the ball doesn't help gym class popularity... go figure.) In any case I am so generous I tag all of my able-to-write-in-Greek blogger friends (yes, all 3 of ya) to partake and have fun.
Here's my submission:
The rules (in Greek) are here at the creator's (Allu Fun Marx's) blog. Put aside your keyboard and mouse for a while, write something in Greek (that's the catch) - anything that you like- the old-fashioned way using a pen/pencil/crayon/etc. on paper, post it on your blog and add για το http://autographcollectors.blogspot.com Oh and then you're supposed to tag at last 5 people to do the same. And by now, Internet, you should know that I shudder at the thought of tagging/choosing because it brings back not-so-fond memories of elementary & jr.high school where I was usually one of the last to be tagged for team. (Apparently fumbling the ball doesn't help gym class popularity... go figure.) In any case I am so generous I tag all of my able-to-write-in-Greek blogger friends (yes, all 3 of ya) to partake and have fun.
Here's my submission:
May 8, 2008
Feeling Good, Nina Simone
This was an assignment posted by youtuber TamaraConnolly for a motion graphics class in the SVA MFA Design program. The assignment was to create a music video using just type and typographic elements in black and white. I love it.
May 7, 2008
Huh?
I really don't enjoy bashing celebrities, but seriously Internet, what is all the fuss about Mariah Carey's new song being no.1 on the billboard? I was taken aback when it was even reported on the Greek public television news, which we view as "serious" news coverage.
Granted, Carey has some good voice chords and I've enjoyed her "Without You" cover, but this "Touch My Body" is just another blasted lick-my-lollipop-Lolita ditty that is unsurprisingly conformed with all the conformed boolsheet the music industry splats young people with... So why all the hoop-la?
Granted, Carey has some good voice chords and I've enjoyed her "Without You" cover, but this "Touch My Body" is just another blasted lick-my-lollipop-Lolita ditty that is unsurprisingly conformed with all the conformed boolsheet the music industry splats young people with... So why all the hoop-la?
May 6, 2008
Mistakes
Sometimes the sheer amount of public service bungles in my country is mind-boggling. It feels there is a freak tragedy always in the making, like this latest calamity that lead to the cold-blooded murder of an innocent bus driver. [report via teacher dude]
Last Saturday, Greek cop duo nabbed familiar local 30-some year old junkie for petty theft and assuming junkie is harmless because he's never caused problems before (17 prior thefts), put him in the patrol car WITHOUT handcuffs (mistake #1).
THEN one officer leaves his service revolver out in the open and within range of "harmless" detainee (mistake #2).
AND, suddenly, it begins. Junkie goes berserk, grabs easily-accessible police gun, runs in and out of shops and buildings like a madman, car-jacks, takes hostages, kills.
A shocked woman, who only minutes before was being threatened by the ranting, gun-waving junkie, calls "100" (the Greek 9-1-1) crying desperately for HELP.
The officer at "100" responds that she should call again, but THIS time dialing the city code in front of "100", instead of calling in the incident via police dispatch!!! (mistake #3).
To make a tragic story short, junkie THEN finds and drives off in a patrol car WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION -for Pete's sake- that police officers forgot there by mistake (#4), of course.
By this time, junkie has shot down the innocent bus driver in cold-blood which appallingly... THE POLICE LEFT HIS BODY UNATTENDED FOR EIGHT HOURS (mistake#5).
Apparently, the police was running around trying to catch the murderer unaware of who he was as Greek news footage showed us a cop manhandling and cuffing the H-O-S-T-A-G-E instead of the perpetrator (mistake#6).
Incompetence. Clumsiness. Tragedy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I noticed more patrol cars whizzing by with their blue cherry lights flashing, most of the policemen are frowning, and I haven't seen them hanging out at any cafeterias drinking frappes. It's almost as if the police force is trying to regain some of its dignity...
for a few days.
Last Saturday, Greek cop duo nabbed familiar local 30-some year old junkie for petty theft and assuming junkie is harmless because he's never caused problems before (17 prior thefts), put him in the patrol car WITHOUT handcuffs (mistake #1).
THEN one officer leaves his service revolver out in the open and within range of "harmless" detainee (mistake #2).
AND, suddenly, it begins. Junkie goes berserk, grabs easily-accessible police gun, runs in and out of shops and buildings like a madman, car-jacks, takes hostages, kills.
A shocked woman, who only minutes before was being threatened by the ranting, gun-waving junkie, calls "100" (the Greek 9-1-1) crying desperately for HELP.
The officer at "100" responds that she should call again, but THIS time dialing the city code in front of "100", instead of calling in the incident via police dispatch!!! (mistake #3).
To make a tragic story short, junkie THEN finds and drives off in a patrol car WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION -for Pete's sake- that police officers forgot there by mistake (#4), of course.
By this time, junkie has shot down the innocent bus driver in cold-blood which appallingly... THE POLICE LEFT HIS BODY UNATTENDED FOR EIGHT HOURS (mistake#5).
Apparently, the police was running around trying to catch the murderer unaware of who he was as Greek news footage showed us a cop manhandling and cuffing the H-O-S-T-A-G-E instead of the perpetrator (mistake#6).
Incompetence. Clumsiness. Tragedy.
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Today I noticed more patrol cars whizzing by with their blue cherry lights flashing, most of the policemen are frowning, and I haven't seen them hanging out at any cafeterias drinking frappes. It's almost as if the police force is trying to regain some of its dignity...
for a few days.
Meet the Flubberwinkle family
We are a "camera-shy, don't-you-dare-post-a-photo-on-the-web" folk. Nevertheless, I can't help but post the cuteness that is my family, courtesy of weeworld.com... TA-DA:
Daughter#1
Daughter#2
Husband
Yours truly
Daughter#1
Daughter#2
Husband
Yours truly
