The Dystopian States of TrAmp - the saga continues

 I would say "oh, no, it happened again", only I'm not surprised, unfortunately. This was inevitable and foreshadowed by the public reactions of all those who were supposed to condemn the senseless and shocking killing of Renée Good a few weeks ago.

In a city still bearing the emotional scars of the death of George Floyd only a few short years ago, tragedy strikes again. And again. And again. Chaos descends upon the streets, wearing masks and mandated by the King of  the country: a spineless, orange blob of fat, spewing lies and filling his pockets while claiming he's doing everything for the good of his country.

The cult of MAGA refuses to acknowledge reality and cover their ears while chanting their mantra: "fake news, fake news, fake news..." and they expect the world to do the same. So let me walk you through my take on why I think that all this is a perfect example of life imitating art.

It all starts with Equilibrium, a not so distant future where everything that's viewed as potentially eliciting an emotional response is banned/burned/destroyed. But it's not really about the emotions, is it, though? It's about knowledge, it's about history and not repeating it. The same is happening in the US for years now, books being banned from schools and libraries, because they present all sorts of point of views, effectively censuring what people have the right to know or read.

Then it escalates to the Handmaid's tale, where (fertile) women no longer have rights or indeed control over their bodies, but they become mere incubators for the rich and powerful, in a patriarchal society that drives their own citizens to seek refuge in neighboring states like Canada, all while being in a sort of Cold war with the rest of the world, but especially with Europe. Under the current administration, women's rights have taken hit after hit and their abortion rights have been curtailed or obliterated. We were literally on the verge of a full-blown war between NATO (but mostly the EU countries) and the US (which is a founding member, FFS!) and celebrities and even regular Americans have started "jumping ship" to countries where the rule of law applies to rich and poor alike, so you draw your own conclusions about how far-fetched that future is.

And we get to today, with the often-mentioned George Orwell's 1984. Where the state tells you not to believe your eyes when you watch videos of a non-armed, non-threatening woman, on her way back from dropping her kid at school that gets gunned down in the street by masked men that show absolutely no remorse, or when you see a man like Alex Pretti filming masked men that shove people down on their face in the snow and when he tries to intervene, he gets pepper sprayed, jumped by half a dozen other thugs and ultimately executed with about a dozen shots fired by multiple persons. No, it's your eyes and ALL the eye witnesses that are lying and not the Pathological Liar in Chief and his fascist minions. And no, it's not 1984, it's 2026 and it's Minneapolis, under ICE occupation, funded by DHS, emboldened by their ice-Barbie and her orange King.

Finally, if nothing changes drastically and soon, we (EU and the rest of the world) will watch Civil War live, but not eating popcorn, but rather by counting our blessings that we do not live in a country that allowed itself to plunge into this abyss of chaos pushed by the will of one man unchecked by his entourage, the Congress, the justice system, or even by his own citizens that have the ultimate power to topple tyrants such as him.

Wake up, America and smell the shit in his diaper before you find yourselves ripped apart from within, or get your affairs in order and prepare for what's coming. And make no mistake, it's about to get a whole lot worse!

PS: don't count on him leaving office in 3 years either. If he actually lives that long, he won't go without a fight because he has too much to lose: money from corrupt schemes, the power that he covets so much and probably the most important, his freedom, for all the criminal acts he's committed before and during his years of presidency. 

RIP to all the heroes that give their lives to protect their freedom and rights and RIP to democracy and rule of law in America. 

 

The Divided States of Tramp

Shame on you, America, for not doing more! Not more looting and pillaging of foreign countries' natural resources (looking at you Irak and Venezuela), not for claiming to be a beacon of democracy while censuring your own media (wink-wink Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel) and invading or claiming to invade foreign countries and territories  (don't be shy Greenland, Columbia, Mexico and Panama - did I forget any?) , not even for the pardoning of convicted criminals (the Capitol 1500+) and drug lords (how's that cocktail Juan Orlando Hernandez?). No, shame on you for not doing more to stop this senseless spiral down into chaos and dictatorship that you are locked in. Shame on you for allowing a petty, vindictive, decrepit old man climbing back on top in a position of power, then letting him take your rights and your family members and do with them as he pleases.

Yes, I say "America", even though the actions of one or the few doesn't represent a nation, the inaction of the many speaks volumes as to what you are capable and willing to live with. Remember the old saying that goes something like "the only thing that evil needs to triumph (or prevail) is for good people to do nothing". And make no mistake, Trump is absolute, pure evil. There is not a single fiber in his being that has a shred of human decency. If you need more proof, look no further than his reaction to the deaths of celebrated director Rob Reiner and his wife.

Trump knows no remorse, for he is never wrong. Instead of recanting or repenting for his mistakes, he will, without fail, always double down on what he said or did. When faced with the contradiction of reality itself and has no way out, he will result to a childish trick and brazenly claim he never did or said it in the first place, even though there is documented video or audio proof of him saying or doing those things.

His perception is so far from reality, that he may as well be living in a parallel dimension, but he broadcasts it so much, so often and with such conviction, that feeble minded idiots (starting with Vance, Hegseth, Patel, Noem, Bondi, Rubio and Miller) end up parroting it back to whomever is willing to listen to them.

You've probably heard of the Marvel or DC Comics Universe. Well, I'd like to welcome you into the DT Horror universe, on Earth 666, where Dumbald Jackass Tramp is King of the Divided States of Tramp and he lives in the White "DJT" Versailles Palace, people are submitted to random anti-free-speech checks in the street, thugs wearing ICE insignia embark or shoot people with impunity for looking slightly suspicious, all billion-dollar companies in the World pay him personally tribute and propaganda is broadcast 24/7 on all channels and in the streets, via speakers or giant screens that send the same subliminal messages: "OBEY!", "WORSHIP ME!", "I AM THE BEST!" et cetera.  

How far do you think we are from that dystopian future? Not very far. The only thing that stands in its way is you, the American people. And the only question you need to ask yourselves is this: are we going to do something about it?

"Dictator" doesn't even begin to describe Trump. "Tyrant" also doesn't quite paint the full picture. This creature needs a new word to properly encompass how vile, cruel, egotistical, reckless, corrupt, gluttonous and immoral this psychopath truly is.

Shame on you, America, for he has no shame!  

I believe Caesar said divide et impera, but Trump lives by another concept: divide and profit. There is absolutely nothing that matters more to him, except, maybe, his self-image or ego, if you will. Which is such a fragile, dainty, but oversized thing. You rub that the wrong way and he might turn down a juicy deal, but only to get revenge tenfold afterwards, so beware!

In a relatively short time span, he has managed to turn neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend and even family members against each other. His divisiveness reaches even across the borders and splits other nations' opinion about his actions or discourse. And no, despite what his MAGgot fanatics will tell you, that is not a sign of genius, that is a clear sign he should never have been president, so not the first time and definitely not the second time. To put this bully at the top of one of the most powerful nations of the world a second time is not a lapse in judgement or the need for change, it's simply inconceivable and therefore unforgivable.

Please don't wait until it's way too late. Please don't wait until the first political opponent ends up in prison or assassinated (or both, like it happened to Alexei Navalny) on his say so, cause I can almost guarantee you that it will happen. And please don't wait until 2028 when he will either cancel the elections or illegally run again (if he lives that long). So do your duty: go vote and impeach this piece of garbage that knows only one thing: how to fill his pockets...and fight windmills. Remember who else was fighting windmills? 

 

There are no words

 

 I'm appalled. I'm disgusted. I'm at a loss for words.

 Donald J.(ackass) TrAmp is not a human being. He is something that oozed out of an orifice of a creature that eathes, breathes and makes nothing else but shit. 

Its (no, I won't ever dignify Tramp with a "him") reaction is vile, unwarranted, unwanted and unwelcome. It's a reaction beneath anything that could possibly be considered as belonging to a sentient being. It's beyond belief. It's beyond reprehensible. It's...Trampworthy.

If anyone is good at inventing words, please feel free to add in the comments some adjectives that would be suitable to describe this piece of trash that calls itself human. 

 

Sticks and stones or AR-15s?

 

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones" - Albert Einstein

We've come a long way. From the almost bipedal creature that could only get as far off the ground as the highest tree it could climb, to the above the clouds 30.000 feet birds of steel taking us faster and farther than our ancestors could possibly fathom.

And yet, we are still the same as those poor, frightened, monkey-like cave dwellers that fear the lightning and the subsequent crash of thunder that had the first storytellers invent magical beings fighting in the skies or punishing us for our trespasses.

It is amazing and baffling to me how much we've changed yet how we are still the same when we let our so-called leaders govern us by fear. Fear of poverty, fear of internal or external enemies (be it real or imagined), fear of communism, of terrorism, of our neighbors, of our own friends and family.

The best example are the United States of America. The recent streak of mass shootings had (yet again) cracked open the proverbial can of worms about gun ownership regulation and the adulated second Amendment.

I have recently and rather uncharacteristically got involved in a thread on Twitter (yes, I guess I'm that old) where people were quick to attack anyone who remotely suggested that more safeguards should be put in place in order to have a stricter control on who is actually fit to own a gun and has a good reason to ask such a permit.

One of the most absurd reasons that I've read was that this was the only way to protect the citizens from dictatorship as well as from FOREIGN INVADERS.

Now let's take each of those arguments (apart) and see if they make any sense.

First off, I don't believe there has been any moment in the rather short history of the New World where Americans had to put up with any form of totalitarianism. Meanwhile, slavery, on the other hand, doesn't seem to register anywhere or bear any relevance in all this discussion, though.

To me, saying that it's because of said guns that there has been no dictatorship, reminds me of a joke about a guy who was gently tapping his fingers on a table. When asked what he was doing, he simply replied: "I'm scaring off tigers". "But I don't think there are any tigers around here", the other one said. "See how effective my method is?", the first one concluded.

My point is fear isn't rational, preparing for something doesn't necessarily mean it's the reason why it's not happening. People need to trust the system and its institutions, rather than taking matters into their hands.

Moving on to the ridiculous assumption that it's civilian gun owners that scare off any potential enemy from invading the US makes me literally laugh out loud. It's so preposterous I can't even begin to imagine how somebody could even come up with such nonsense.

If there's anything that keeps those real or make-belief enemies at bay, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the nuclear capacities and impressive armed military forces that we hear about and see on TV. No, it's the bazooka and AR-15 rednecks who need to wear weapons when they go shopping at Toys'R'us, just in case a toddler decides to deploy a WMD in the middle of the mall.

It's pathetic, is what it is! Those proud boys (and they really are afraid , little boys) are so out of touch with reality that they actually think they are safer carrying those guns without even realizing how they're doing nothing but reinforcing everybody's fears of gun-related violence.

There's just one more thing I'd like to say on this matter: there's no middle ground with these people. Stricter gun control equals no gun ownership of any kind among civilians (which would actually not be that bad, but don't let them hear you saying that).

But it's in their nature to overreact like this. How else could you explain that in a country that has (to my knowledge) never had an actual international conflict on its soil fears so much an invasion that it feels the need to wear assault weapons just for a coffee run?

Meanwhile mass shootings happen because almost anybody can procure a gun (and not just through illegal means) and all the American people do is either ignore them or actually use it to justify the need for even MORE weapons. Cause who doesn't want their kindergarten have armed guards or teachers, right?

And it really is all about perception. I remember the first time I saw military in the streets in France, just patrolling with their automatic weapons on display. My first reaction was: what's going on?! Why do we need armed soldiers to guard us? My sister-in-law, who had been living there for years didn't spare them a second glance and simply stated "I actually feel safer knowing they're here to protect us".

I guess I've said my piece, except this: I think I've heard it in Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine that in America more people die in shootings a year than in all other countries combined. I've recently been made aware by a gun supporter it was (no longer?) true to our days and that in Mexico alone there are more deaths. To people like him, I only want to ask you this: what happened to that great America, that made it stoop so low as to compare itself with a drug cartel infested country?

I guess any argument will do as long as it allows gun totting lunatics to keep their guns that their children eventually use to (accidentally) shoot themselves or their teachers and colleagues.

Sounds to me like the only invasion force that they should fear is not even at their thresholds, but in their very homes.

In conclusion, I leave you with this: there's nothing worse that anybody in the world can do to Americans that they aren't already doing or have done to themselves.

 

Free speech is DEAD, long live Cancel Culture!

 "So, a mistake is made, a word is spoken out of turn, a cultural norm is broken, and all is fair in the pursuit of cancelling this person, erasing them off the face of the earth, banishing them to a world of shame and regret." - Aysha Taryam, first Middle Eastern female Editor-in-Chief of an English language newspaper

It wasn't that long ago that people (you know, regular people like you and me) were able to express themselves however they chose fit on almost whatever subject they chose (except Islam related topics maybe) and all they risked was some heated debate that is until Godwin's law choked the life out of it. 

But that's no longer the case. Nowadays, before posting an article or a comment or even when talking in public, we are forced to censure ourselves or at least think twice before even daring to write such post, let alone publishing it. And yes, that's a bad thing.

I mean sure, there are those who speak before they think and those who think too long and never get a chance to speak, but either way, they should be free to do so and if their opinion goes against what popular belief tells us what is right, then all anybody has to do is engage in a conversation with that person and let the one with stronger arguments or better formed ideas win, or, in case of a stalemate, it can also be acceptable to agree to disagree.

But I won't beat around the bush anymore and, with or without your permission, will cut to the chase. What I'm talking about is the LGBTQ+ community and how they choose to weaponize Cancel Culture.

Yeah, I've said it. With all the courage of the pseudo-anonymity of my blog and my (not so?) clever pseudonym & blog address.

I'm all for free speech and I'm all for people defending their points of view, but bringing the possibility of being cancelled into a debate is like bringing a nuclear weapon to a fist fight. And why, pray tell, should one be cancelled for expressing their personal opinions? Because they're wrong? So what?! I believe it's already been said, but if we had cancelled everyone who's ever expressed an opinion contrary to the popular belief, on one hand it would mean we lived in totalitarianism (which is sort of opposite to inclusiveness isn't it, my oppressing friends?) and on the other hand, we risked missing some valid points, as outlandish as they may sound right now.

Let's go even more into detail with this unfair battle of the wits and take a real world example: the attempted cancellation and social media assassination of one J.K. Rowling. You know, that lady with the books that sold in millions of copies and produced a very successful movie franchise. 

So here's what I got from that whole debacle: that lady reacted to someone who used the expression "people who menstruate" to describe women (born as women). She ridiculed said expression and I fully stand by her.

Nobody said that we can't find better words or expressions to describe people who are transitioning or who are already fully fledged transgender if they feel like the current terms are pejorative or downright insulting. But why do we have to reinvent the wheel for something that NOBODY asked for as far as normal (yes, I've said it: NOR-MAL) people are concerned? Why does this newly formed community feel the need to label the rest of the population as cisgender, people who menstruate and so on and so forth? Especially since, to my understanding, "cisgender" is most often used in a pejorative context e.g. look at this white, cisgender motherfucker acting like he's the one being discriminated.

Which bring me to yet another point: why is it that if I'm a Caucasian heterosexual (look at that, there already is a non-derogatory term for my sexual orientation - who would've thought?) man I seem to be absolutely immune to being discriminated against? Not saying this happens every day or at least as often as people in the LGBTQ+ (damn, I'm going to get a cramp from writing this acronym and I know that + saves me the hassle of writing at least 2-3 more letters), but at least it should be factored in as a possibility.

But getting back to the point I was trying to make. From that sarcastic tweet from J.K.R., all hell broke loose. People were outraged about this heterosexual woman (born a woman) daring to challenge an expression that imposed something on her and every other woman as being offensive to this "just give me a reason" social media mob. 

And here I'd like to take a moment and clarify something: I KNOW that the LGBTQ+ community isn't represented by these digital pitchforks and torches wielding permanently-hurt-offended-and-triggered-by-anything-they-perceive-as-going-against-their-own-narrative-or-belief-system maniacs. But, unfortunately, they are the loudest and almost omnipresent (thank...whomever that none of these dimwits are standing next to me while I am writing these lines).

And then the harassing and TERF (look it up, I didn't invent it) name-calling began. A little more down the road, the death threats started to appear and even went as far as posting pictures taken in front of her home, with her real address in full view for any psychopath with delusions of becoming famous to find and use as they saw fit. That's low, people, real low. And talk about escalating. Can anyone even explain how anyone could possibly equate a sarcastic tweet to endangering someone's life? No, nobody could. Not even the greatest minds of all time could fathom such an absurdity.

And again: why? Because this lady refused to cave in, or take it lying down. She stuck to her arguments and she persevered in tweeting and talking about HER beliefs and promoting feminism. Actually, I've just realized the story began even earlier when she had posted something about how children should be protected from some new legislation that allows them to begin transitioning from smaller ages and even without their own parents' knowledge.

Why wouldn't their parents be included in that discussion? Because they risk not approving? So what? There are all these legal levers that one can use if they really want to go ahead and change their gender, like emancipation. Oh, they may be to young for that? Then why would they have the right to take such a life-changing and extreme measure by themselves? We allow parents to decide for them when it comes to drinking alcohol or what school they go to, which nobody will dare say are more important than transitioning, but we can't trust they will take into account their children's wishes and arguments and offer them counterarguments and help them realize what is real and what is manipulation?

Also, it seems to me that some of these activists intentionally blur the lines between gender, sex orientation and plain being weird. Just to add more to the confusion and possibly being able to call others ignorant for not being able to distinguish between all these neologisms. And yes, one more time, I've said it: weird. When and where did it start being normal for a heterosexual man (born a man) to wear women's clothing and make-up in public? No, sorry, I'm all for living your life the way you see fit, but some things simply aren't normal and in such a case, you definitely should seek help.

Let me also say that I am happy and proud that after so many years of struggles and loss of life (either due to suicide, abuse or botched surgical interventions), our medical system has reached the level where a person who was born a boy or a girl but feels like their gender is wrong can go ahead and right that wrong and be at peace with themselves. For those people I say: good for you and I celebrate.

I am also for people being gay (homosexuals or lesbians), it's really not for me to say how they get their pleasure, just as it's not up to them to say what I do in my bedroom is right or wrong.

That being said, here is where I draw the line regarding gender and sex orientation: 

• you are either man, or woman, or transitioning, you can't be both (unless you were born hermaphrodite) and you can't be neither. So this whole "they/them" story is nonsensical as far as I'm concerned. Besides, the English language already has a neutral gender albeit reserved for objects and animals: "it". They/them sounds like you are suffering from a schizophrenic disease, so yes, it is ridiculous to me both in form and content.
• having the feeling of being a woman trapped in a man's body or vice-versa is NOT a disease and, thankfully, you can now have surgery to correct that, however, being a heterosexual man wanting to dress as a woman and put on make-up, is and you should get that checked out. There are professionals willing to help, I'm sure.
• as long as your physical gender isn't changed, one shouldn't be able to use the other gender's restrooms, be sent to that other gender's prisons or participate in the other gender's competitions. In fact, as far as that last one is concerned, you shouldn't be able to compete in those events anyway. Just because you were born with the wrong sex organs, doesn't mean that your body isn't that of a male's so winning a women's competition is just like cheating, while losing at such an event should be just as humiliating. And "gender-neutral" toilets already exist too, I'm sorry to say, but they're called "unisex", so instead of demanding a third restroom in schools or wherever, why not join the two existing ones into one, big, inclusive unisex restroom?
  
• just because you find yourself being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, doesn't give you the right to judge what anyone else says about it, nor do you get to be jury and executioner of cancelling that person or group.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: com'on, people, let's be reasonable and let's distinguish between mental disease and actual problems that may or may not be fixed by modern medicine. And if you don't agree with what someone has to say, all you have to do is disagree and start a conversation. This is what bothers me the most: when you are cancelling someone, there is no communication and it's that lack of communication that often complicates and aggravates the situation.

You don't have to agree with me or anyone else and we definitely don't have to all be friends, but just remember what I wrote earlier: if we can't reach a consensus, we can always politely agree to disagree and move on with our lives, it doesn't have to become this inescapable drama that some like to wallow in.

Let me also just say that I strongly disagree with discrimination in its many forms and I am firmly against any type of violence towards any of these people - because no matter what some extremist may say, they are people - and I wouldn't hesitate to defend them should I witness it in the street. But harassment is harassment, and violence is violence and I will not stand for people from the gay community harassing others because they don't agree with their opinions.

That's it. I've said my piece. 

So here I am, now cancel me!

 

(Belated from 2020) We are living wondrous times

 

I'm sure most people reading this will quickly assert that this article is about the current Coronavirus/Covid-19/Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, but you would be wrong.

Reading an article about actress/actor Elle/Elliot Page today has triggered something inside of me. I have taken an interest in Elle's acting career since she starred in Juno, I think. Then went back a little and enjoyed "Freaks and geeks".

I've read/heard she was a lesbian, which didn't surprise me that much a few years a go. In fact, I was more like "good for her", she's finally found herself!

Now I read this article about her saying she's transgender and identifies as being (mostly - if I understand this correctly, as being a "he"). 

What really titillates me about this (besides an interesting actress potentially becoming an interesting actor) is the fact that we, as a human species, have reached the stage where we can try and correct some of nature's mistakes ourselves.

We are no longer left with few choices ranging from living our whole lives "in the closet" to actually committing suicide, but we can become what we feel we were born to be.

Make no mistake, I am not saying that this is easy. From a social standpoint down to the medical/physiological point of view. It's not easy changing gender. I get that. But it is nonetheless truly amazing that we've reached the stage where a person who is aware of their misalignment with their gender has the choice to surgically become what their mind tells them they should be and, consequently, live the lives they feel they were meant to.

No more depression. No more stigma (mostly). No more regrets.

This, for me at least, is the future I'd like to live in.

For me, a transgender person is just someone who was lucky enough to have the means and opportunity to make their body follow suit to what they feel.

I, however, don't feel the need to label them as transgender. For me, a person who physically changes sex becomes that new gender. It doesn't really matter what they were before in the present.

I do make a distinction regarding their physical gender in the timeline though. As far as I am concerned, whatever gender you were born with, that's what you were up until the time you yourself realized that you were really meant to be.

So Bruce Jenner was a guy who won the  Olympics, even though a few years ago, that guy ceased to exist and Caitlyn Jenner emerged (even before the actual sex change operation).

To my limited understanding of this phenomenon, it is physically much easier to switch from male to female, so if the technology/surgery hasn't really caught up with us evolving as a species yet, it doesn't mean it's less than or not as. 

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that even though I am not concerned personally by this topic, I am grateful to be living these times when we can bend nature's will and correct it's flaws in order to live the fullest lives we can, in the bodies we feel we were meant to live in.

No one should be forced to live inside a body that feels strange to them, especially if they have a chance to change that!

I'll tell you one more thing too: anyone willing to risk their lives to live they're future the way they feel they were meant to deserves nothing but respect and even an amount of awe.
#notransgender #nocisgender #justhuman

Eupocalypse now - director's cut

On one side of the fence, there they are: eyes bloodshot and craving to what's on the other side. Staring back at them guns cocked and ready, stand the troops, prepared for the worse. Clocks such as Big Ben and somewhere in the Red Light district are counting down to an inevitable and faithful 0. You can almost hear some ominous music playing far in the background.

3...2...1...0

Just as everyone expected, the gates are open and in they start tumbling in. The Zombigrants are moving in, with absolute certainty, whether they are dragging their feet or moving in a frenzy, just like you see them in movies. The troops are soon overwhelmed and, funny or not, it seems that these weird, alien creatures are not after blood or brains, but they are viciously, almost ferociously going straight for employment offices and job opportunities like there is no tomorrow.

The natives are baffled. They cannot simply process the fact that none of these beasts are asking for a handout nor do they claim any help from the local government, they seem to be there just for...work?!

If you could have a bird's view on this, or a game-like mini map, you would see a black mass rushing inland and the poor inhabitants backing themselves up into a corner, until there is nowhere to go, so they get pushed into the sea, tens, hundreds and thousands of innocent, law abiding citizens with no escape but to take a leap into the water.

Yes, it's the Eupocalypse and it will hit on the 1st of January. There is no being prepared. The tagline of this movie is this:

They will colonize you!

PS: several producers were interested in purchasing the rights for this flick, but were quick to dismiss it as too far fetched because of a very important trait that seems to be missing in the real world governments of those silly countries: common sense.

Why Nokia will go bankrupt

...or be taken over, eventually.

Did I mention this before? Well, if I have, then I guess it's just the Alzheimer's setting in.

First I would just like to reinforce one of my previous statements, as I stand by it, but at the same time I would also like to make it a bit clearer: I love Nokia for what they achieved...up to a certain point and extent. After that, I can't take the risk of recommending it to anyone but hardcore fans, but they are already fanatics, so they don't need any encouragement from me.

But no more beating around the bush. Here's my two cents on the matter: I think that Nokia made two fundamental and historical mistakes along the way, that will, eventually lead to its demise (one way - bankruptcy - or the other - takeover/joint venture).

1. They didn't drop the Symbian when they should have and had the chance - and I don't mean switching for any of the existing solutions out there (iOS, Android and especially NOT the Windows Mobile crap) - when what they should really have been focusing on was a complete, build-it-yourself-from-ground-up OS.
2. They tried to become the next "all touch display" giant, but they lacked the technology (give it up already with the resistive displays!), the ideas and basically...everything. So they should have made some improvements and play a little with touch displays (maybe like they have with the E6), but stick with their physical keyboards. You can go ahead and call me a softy (no pun intended), but I miss ye ol' keyboard on any phone.

So what are my predictions? Nokia is already staggering its way into the touch display market trying to catch up by bringing outlandish camera resolutions and wireless charging, but I don't think that's really going to help. One by one, Nokia will take steps backwards, inadvertently conceding more ground to its competitors (Samsung and Apple) who are already gaining a lot of momentum and are not going to be easily stopped by the former glory of the no.1 seller for so many consecutive years.

In many ways, I think Nokia will have to suffer the same fate as Motorola. You do remember those guys, right? They sort of invented the whole mobile phone business. Really. Where are they now? Playing runner up to the last place? Of course, that's not an actual standing, but you get the point.

I really believe Nokia is past its prime and it will suffer a cruel, but rather fair fall and all it's got to blame for, is itself. All in all, I would say every single step that Nokia has taken in the past 3-4 years have been in the wrong direction and now they find themselves running downhill, without being able to stop, so it's just a matter of time before they will fall flat on their nose, if you don't mind my analogy.

That being said, I really hope that in a couple of years' time, I will be able to say that I was wrong and to find my self corrected by reality, in the most positive way possible. Until then, though, and at least temporary, I think I will part ways with Nokia.

Best of luck to you Finns!

Oh, yes I did!

One day...to watch them all!

And thus it was and came to be that I have joined the (not so very few) club of people who have watched all 3 (three!) Lord of the Rings movies (mind you, the extended edition!) in one sitting. Madness you say? No, this is MY world!

Almost 13 hours straight of watching the trilogy that will and should remain in history. Don't mistaken me for a fan boy here. Obviously I do like and appreciate the good quality of the story, script, special effects and acting in it, but I won't dress like a wizard, not even if you pay me! So why did I do it then?

Well...Mainly because I could. Mostly because I wanted to have the full picture without any memory gaps or lapses. Also because I could do that in the comfort of my own home. Not to mention the fact that the extended edition does provide one with more insight on the story, so I think of that as a bonus.

And here I am, one day later and 13 hours spent in front of the TV, not regretting it one bit. It was quite an experience, to be honest, although I don't know if or when I would try it again. Not just with this movie, but with any, for that matter. I would also have to say that it is not the first time that I have been watching movies for so long. Oh, no, I remember at least one other time when I have spent the night with a friend, watching about 10 movies straight (at least I know did), right until morning came and had to go to classes.

But see? That's just not the same. It was about 10 movies, not one, big, extended (I'm tempted to say "uncut"...but I won't) movie, split into 3 "episodes". Come to think about it...maybe there is one other that I might try this with: the Star Wars pack...all 6 of them. But that one is also quite different, as you have 3 outdated special effects episodes, then you have 3 modern day special effects prequels...which is pretty messed up.

That being said, I will now allow you a moment to just sit there in awe and admiration and if you feel the need, you may start applauding...or even cheering. If not, please go about your business as if nothing happened.

Almien!

Celebrate an Unforgettable Summer with Wembley 2012 Olympics (Guest Post)

Most of you may not be aware of the place known Wembley. It is a beautiful city located in the northwest London, England, and also a part of London Borough of Brent. People recognise it as the home of famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena. To enhance your further information about the name of the place then the fact is that Wembley is derived from the old English word “Wemba” and “Lea” which means meadow or clearing. This city holds a great and unique place on the pages of London history, and is now preparing for Wembley 2012 Olympics.

Wembley stadium also referred as Wembley or at times New Wembley is a famous football stadium which is located in Wembley Park, in the Borough of Brent, London, England. So if you come across by these local names of the place then don’t get confused if you are planning to be the part of upcoming London 2012 Olympics. The stadium does have its own amazing architectural background and history folds as it began its journey in the year 2007. The original name of the Wembley stadium is ‘Empire Stadium’ or often termed as “The Twin Towers”, one of the most famous football stadiums of its time. There are many amazing facts about Wembley you will come across the moment you turn its history pages. Further, people find it as one of the most costly stadiums ever made at the cost of £798 million having roof-covered seating capacity which is largest in the world if believed to the reports.

Make London your best holidaying destination as Wembley 2012 Olympics is on the door, and enjoy the fun of exploring how you can be the part of Paralympics games, the greatest show on the earth going to be happened. For this, you need to collect all types of relevant details such as hotels, travel agents, travel guide, and travel information of Wembley London. All this is for your safety and security of the holidaying, and for uninterrupted entertainment of Olympics. The official website of London 2012 Olympics will let you know the beginning date of Olympic Games which is: 27 July – 12 August. For better and smoother journey, you can take the help of London 2012 spectator journey planner to find the easiest ways to get the venues from any corner of England and book your travel tickets instantly, and be the part of greatest show on earth.

Wembley Market is another attraction which tourists would like to visit and collect the beauty of its culture, trade, food, and ethics of living. It is one of the largest Sunday markets of UK which attracts thousands of people ever since 1970s. The market opens from 9:00am to 4:00pm each Sunday in the world’s most iconic football ground, Wembley Stadium. This market moves with 500 stalls each Sunday, ensuring some of the world’s best and unique varieties of goods. Once you visit to the market, you will find it as one of the busiest market on the earth, resembling itself as a traditional British market.

Wembley market sells all types of goods but it is famous for its food corner where you can get whatever you want be you from any part of the world--- representing a perfect multi-cultural nature of London. At present, this market has become center of attraction among world tourists especially to those who like to enjoy widest culinary delights.

No name...just play

I think...

Or maybe...

Do you feel the same?

Good-bye, my little friend!

Hope there's such a thing as a hamster heaven, because I wish my little friend is there, happily chewing on carrots and other goodies, along with his (Dutch) pals. I didn't even know how much I cared about my pet hamster until this morning. The site of him brought tears in my eyes and I really felt like I lost not just a pet or companion, but a little friend, one that I enjoyed looking after.

I can only hope that I have provided him with all the care, attention and love that he needed and that somehow, he was able to feel it and understand it.

Two nights ago, while I was holding him in my hand and petting him, he shifted his head and really looked at me. I could feel his stare even though my head was turned. I looked at him and his small black beady eyes were looking up at my face. I don't know what they meant. Maybe a small plea, maybe a "can you feel my pain?", or, dare I say, "thank you for everything?".

It may seem stupid to many of you to reminisce about my pet hamster, but then you really shouldn't be reading my blog. This hamster really made my life happier and I will not forget him, just like I haven't forgotten my other two before him. He will always have a special place in my memories and heart.

I will miss you!

Cold as ice?

Lately we had some less than hot temperatures here, in Romania. But I ask you this: after reading the rest of my post, does the shoe fit?

What is cold? (Or, what is a wuss?)

These are some definitions:

+10 ° C

The residents of rental housing in Helsinki turn off the heater. The Lapps (inhabitants of Lapland) plant flowers.

+5 ° C

The Lapps sunbathe if the Sun is still above the horizon.

+2 ° C

Italian cars do not start.

0 ° C

Distilled water freezes.

-1 ° C

The breath is visible. Time to plan for a Mediterranean holiday. The Lapps eat ice and drink cold beer.

-4 ° C

The cat wants to come into bed with you.

-10 ° C

Time to plan an African holiday. The Lapps go for a swim.

-12 ° C

Too cold to snow.

-15 ° C

American cars do not start.

-18 ° C

The Helsinki homeowners turn on the heater.

-20 ° C

The breath is audible.

-22 ° C

French cars do not start. Too cold to go Ice skating.

-23 ° C

Politicians start to feel sorry for the homeless.

-24 ° C

German cars do not start.

-26 ° C

You can cut building blocks for igloos from your breath.

-29 ° C

The cat wants to come into your pajamas.

-30 ° C

No real car will start anymore. The Lapp curses, kicks the tires and starts his Lada.

-31 ° C

Too cold to kiss. The lips freeze. Lapland Football team begins training for the spring.

-35 ° C

Time to plan a two week hot bath. The Lapps shovel snow from the roof.

-39 ° C

Mercury freezes. Too cold to think. The Lapps close the top shirt button.

-40 ° C

The car wants to come into bed with you. The Lapps put on a sweater.

-44 ° C

My Finnish colleague is considering whether to close the office window.

-45 ° C

The Lapps close the toilet window.

-50 ° C

The sea lions leave Greenland. The Lapps trade the fingerless gloves for mittens.

-70 ° C

The polar bears leave the North Pole. At the University of Rovaniemi (Lapland) a cross-country trip is organized.

-75 ° C

Santa Clause leaves the Arctic Circle. The Lapps fold down the earflaps of the hat.

-120 ° C

Alcohol freezes. Result: The Lapp is morose.

-268 ° C

Helium becomes liquid.

-270 ° C

The hell freezes.

-273.15 ° C

Absolute zero. No movement of elementary particles. The Lapps say: "Yes, it’s kind of chilly, give me another Schnapps to lick."

Compliments of an Austrian friend

Passion or ambition?

...more like plain insanity.

Bigger.

Better.

Faster.

Always more.

Why do I wish for the things I do? I don't really know. Maybe that's why I'm writing this, just to try and figure it out, make it clearer for myself. Sometimes you see the bigger picture when it's on the paper in front of you better than when you have it well laid out in your head. Or at least you think you do.

It's good to have a hobby, but when that hobby starts eating more and more resources and you invest more and more into it, it becomes a passion. And when that passion goes beyond reason, then it's an obsession and you should really tread carefully before you wreck yourself or end up hurting someone else in the process.

So what does ambition have to do with all this? I guess somewhere in between all those "definitions" I blurted out here, there's this grey area where instead of pushing yourself and challenging yourself to invest into some things that one would normally wouldn't, you feel compelled, pushed by some external and not always objective forces to "excel" in that area and be "above the rest".

Finally, when you go beyond everything described here, then it's insanity. Nothing and no one makes sense anymore. It's just full fledged, down right, good ol' fashioned insanity.

Is a mixture of all of the above even possible? I don't know. I guess since I thought about it, that may too be the case.

Here's the task I assign to you now: think of one of the things you love most and then ask yourselves: which one is it: hobby? passion? ambition? obsession? or plain insanity?...or maybe something else?

Hmm...interesting thought, isn't it? Could there be more?

Just think about it!

Blog review

I don't know about you, but I think it was high time for a new post. Yes, I've been thinking about writing an article for a while, if not for a better reason, then because I really miss that accomplishment feeling you get once you posted it and it's out there, for everyone or no one to see. So what is this one about, you may ask. Well, not much and everything. I will ramble on about this blog itself. Sort of.

I noticed most people don't really care about my poll. Maybe I haven't advertised it enough or well enough. I mean, com'on, only 3 votes?!! Punaise! That's hardly something to take into account. And I know for a fact that more than 3 people are actually reading this friggin' blog. So let's go people! Hit that poll like there's no tomorrow. Help me make a decision, or at least make it difficult for me to make a decision!

Let's see...what else? I added a couple of songs that I like on the side bar, just to give people a bit of entertainment (as if my articles weren't enough - sigh and rolling eyes) while they read, or give them an idea about what the heck I'm listening to these days, or how Ciutacu would put it: "what the genius likes" (I'm not that egocentric...but I like to think I could be). No feedback, no comments, no suggestions. Nothing!

So far, no complaints about the eMAG banners. Not that many clickthroughs either, not a single purchase. Too bad. I'll keep them...at least for a while.

Hope you appreciate the revolver map. I know I do! Looking forward to the day I will land on the blog page and see that globe swarmed with hits, but I will not post any porn movies just to get there so I think I might have to wait for a while...

No people brave enough to register as my friends on the blog. Guess that one is one step out the door...I give it to the end of the year and then it's gone baby, gone.

Oh, yeah, almost forgot: if you missed this one too, then you'll be surprised to find out that I have recently decided that I am proud to represent this nice (but mostly poor) region of the country. After all, I am now a citizen (no, not Kane), so no reason not to show it off.

And that's about that. Fresh post, just for you. OK, OK, for me too...but don't tell anyone I said that.

Peace and light! (heard that's what Ashton Kutcher is using these days on Twitter - good thing you can't see me rolling on the floor laughing)

FUCK Blogger

FUCK Blogger!


Fuck their stupid-ass edit mode and their stupid-ass interface! Fuck them with their fuckin' editing hiccups and their idiotic text toolbar. It doesn't work for shit!


Time to consider moving my blog to another platform...


Oh, yeah, and FUCK Blogger!

Raspuns la Proba de microfon...

Mic check: Testicle, 1, 2, testicle, 1, 2!

First of all I would like to thank whatever identity crisis, boredom crisis or whatever force guided you back to blogging. Yes, I'm talking about you, my lazy friend...Dorian.

Second of all, I would like to give you a hint regarding your last article as I think it's my turn to shout "Jos cenzura!": if you are waiting for someone to comment your last post, please REACTIVATE the comments!

Now that we got that out of the way...let's see what your mic check foretells.

Cheers and Nike (just do it!)!