First Post Of The Year

 As I’m trying to study, and my online pdf insists in shutting down, I decided to write. As it’s almost 2021 (now it is,) it’s expected a review of this year we’ve been through, 2020. Unique for my generation, and to others might be, also, but then what? What more can I write than this walkabout virus? Nothing much, as this was the covid19 year. 

Things don’t stop there - oh, if it was the last time we’ve heard about it... I wish. We all wish, I guess. What to expect then? That it should probably keep contaminating for a long time, as vaccines won’t be available everywhere, for everyone. Well, if they’re really effective at all.

This year is the debut for the new king of the world in US; millions of people trying to get on their feet again after last year’s jobs collapse, and the year “Nevermind” hits its thirtieth birthday (I needed to comment that.)

Nothing more on my mind (some people are saying this 2021 is gonna be the 2020’s reprise,) I believe we all should hold on tight, and prepare for it. We are expecting the Olympics games, but not so sure it’s happening anyway. Imagining a world without covid in 2021? Well, maybe in the year after. And in 2022? Maybe in the year after...

Just Waiting

picture by Jason Stadtlander

Covid19 put the world on a hold, and nobody knows for how long. If you take ebola spread in Africa, 2017, highly contaminating, which took three years to ease, well, we are doomed. Kidding. Anyway, it interfered in so many ways in peoples lives, that's difficult to pinpoint everything. In my case, probably the most simple, I just wanted to travel a bit, but I refrained from that obviously, and I'm waiting to be reimbursed from all costs.

And this topic makes a bit of sense, considering the amount of stress we are bearing. Travel to near destinations is ok, people notice that, and are going here and there. Going on a trip the way it used to be, it's gonna take a while. What can I do? I'm not in a rush, because there are so many norms and regulations for you to obey that I'm fine just where I am. 

Let this just pass. One year, two years, it's ok for me, I'll save money then. Meeting friends, and family will make things easier for me - although not recommended still. I dont think it's a bad idea, after my own "quarantine," as I was indoors to recover from medical procedure - not related to covid19, lol! 

Considering currency in Brazil devalued a lot more than other countries, yes, this is one reason not to travel internationally for a while. Things have gone awry here, but soon gonna get back to normal. Not so soon, not the way they were in 2019.

It gives me time to plan ahead, to observe, to get to know my surroundings, and to prepare for a new world ahead. It's so funny Hollywood have already "covid movies" in the making. It seems they are ahead of me, oh, they are.

 

Sorry No Internet Today

Using technology too much can lead to anxiety, and it can distract us from our usual daily life, I believe everybody knows that. So, during this pandemic situation, which I'd been confined at home for a while, it got harder for me to focus on studying. What I decided to do next was a "detox day" for technology.

What I found out, after watching this video, that it is quite strange to quit everything we are used to. It is wow, so weird! Watching all sorts of content on my tablet all the time, then, zero, none. The video calls out for a new dopamine fix on things that are not enthusiastic anymore. That's what I needed. 

With nothing to do, I got time to read the news on paper, and to stay quiet for a while. Enjoyed the silence, like that song.

By the end of the day, when I thought it was all too boring, I decided to flick through some pages of a magazine. Then something became clear: I just noticed how the colors, the designs, quality of the paper, facts all there was quite fun. I thought it was interesting again to read a magazine. Something I don't do anymore, neither go to a newsstand!

The next day I woke up with no need to turn on the radio whatsoever. So strange still! Haha. Later at home after work, I studied a bit, without stressing - too much, I may say -, over this. I managed to sit down and to watch some classes on video (alright, online classes, but what one can do?) I noticed I felt detached from the rush of excitement provided by information, memes and gossip. Maybe I'll do this again next week : )

Lebanon's Definite Moment

picture: unknown artist

I remember during the Chilean protests, probably, in October 2019, there were spreading news about other demonstrations around the world. One of them was in Beirut, Lebanon. People took the streets to complain about corrupt politicians and surge in mobile phone tariffs (I heard of!) Right now what we see is much worse. Even people who have seen war say this doesn't compare, because they wouldn't know how they could die.

It's been a month and two days since the blast at the Beirut port. The residents of the Lebanese capital went on the streets to protest once again, and this time they said "enough." Turns out living here in South America makes you a bit alienated; the situation has been bad for long in Lebanon. Corruption, mainly, led lots of people to the streets in October last year, as I mentioned before. So in April 2020, a currency crash, and coronavirus lockdown made people furious again. Now this. 

We see countries' situation getting bad often when there are politicians who not let the power go. In this case, Hezbollah leading party, let the corruption spread out, and serves as an Iran influence in the region. Demonstrators are trying to set new elections so they can have a change, and they deserve it more than ever. 

While writing this, I remember I watched a few Lebanon movies that competed at the Oscars. Then I noticed that almost every year we see a Lebanese movie standing out for awards. It makes me sadder to realize we won't watch new movies, if the country goes deeper in this spiraling crisis.

I Don't Care, Care If It's Old

Art: @thebutcherbilly

People are talking about the new Batman movie on the internet for a little while. What really caught my attention was the Nirvana song on it. It's one of my favorite bands of all time, and when big media wants a part of it, you know it's something big. 

I mean, Nirvana is kinda mythical to be employed everywhere. Since Courtney Love intruded on the rights to use the band's catalog, not even the former members were able to use it anymore. There's "Cold Case" TV series which put a whole set of Nirvana songs on one episode to give a feel of the 90s. At that time, it really blew my mind, it felt special!

This new trailer rekindled that sentiment in me. If only Nirvana tunes were heard everywhere, maybe it didn't feel special at all. Then there's this "Batman" movie coming out, and a Nirvana song in it (at least in the trailer,) which really mixed well with the scenes. I thought it was pretty cool indeed! I didn't quite like the trailer itself though - oh, man, another Batman movie - but the song brought a new all perspective to it. 

I believe I'm ready to watch this Matt Reeves' film. I actually don't know what Kurt would say about this, and I'm not a fan of nostalgia. However, considering Nirvana as a favorite, it is all good then!

Stocks Dilema

     picture: Daniel Haller

I've been trying to imagine why stock markets everywhere have risen, while people struggle to keep it together in the middle of the pandemic. Lately I've been listening that US have poured money on big companies, and this made an effect of keeping the value of US financial markets at a high note. Also, that it's not, at first place, an economic downturn. Part of society still have money, and they are saving, however, slowly they are spending again, and buying stock.

Apparently, that last statement makes sense, I reckon. I used to live in Australia during the last world economic recession, and we saw a abrupt stall of things there. The large amount of the population had their jobs, their savings, and only the most vulnerable would feel the shock. The thing is, nobody wanted to spend anything. Australia wasn't impacted by the recession much. If you had saved then, you could have moved on with your life.

I don't remember how the stock markets reacted over there, back in time. Nevertheless, at this time around, stocks all over are thriving, bit by bit, at least. In Brazil, the stock place has gained momentum and it is on the way up again. Experts believe that prices are being rearranged, and finding their best stock price. That it is the reason the Brazilian financial market, which is on 102.000 points, is not yet at their last level, at 130.000 points.

Some part of the media dedicated some time to try to explain this low level dilema. It sure did call my attention, I am no newbie to economic crisis, but I didn't make use of this moment to profit, unfortunately. If you are new to economic crisis, our time has passed away. The lowest the stock markets have got was the best chance to be successful on the stock exchange. When you are at it, however, you feel you could get stuck there indefinitely, but I was wrong, maybe lots of people too. The stocks rebounded and they are almost at their best again. Ok, see you at the next global crisis, see ya!

Here, a Hand Towel

As US passes the number of 100.000 cases of deaths related to Covid 19, some laboratories say they are on the brink of finding a vaccine. We all want this really much to happen, but it is not easy. What we have for sure is our faith to masks, sanitation and distancing. Some speculate around which medicine is best to take for the treatment. Hydroxychloroquine, interferon beta, remdesivir etc Not sure what is or what is not appropriate.

Since the beginning of the virus crisis, I would often pay attention to its spread rate, what would you do to avoid being contaminated, and the pathogen characteristics. I knew from the start it feels like a cold, and only this, for 80 per cent of the population. Twenty per cent would get ill, and five per cent in between would get really bad.

In my case, I didn't fall sick (considering I've been already exposed to the virus) and not the ones related to me. Through this scenario, I also became aware different regions in the world react differently to the virus. And there are the countries most visited by foreigners, or most cosmopolitan, and all of that. Lots of variables to think about.

What is easy for me to perceive is the longer you stay safe, the better for you. We all know testing is hard at the moment, even more for developing countries, because tests are expensive. Brazil (where I'm talking from) is testing way lower than other countries (three thousand per million,) even neighboring ones, like Uruguay, are testing more (ten thousand per million,) as of last week of May, 2020.

Staying positive is good for you, but better than that is to follow simple guidelines. Sneeze or cough on your bent arm (even wearing face masks,) wash your hands or use alcohol gel, and distance yourself enough from others. In case you feel you are not that healthy at the moment, consider self isolation, which is hard. Nevertheless being cautious is already quite good for everyone. Staying outdoors is less risky than indoors, according to this youtube video.

Oh, and there's the global economy... Oh, man

Name the movie

How I couldn't write about this? After such a long interval with no posts at all, and this blog almost forgotten, it was time to write again. I mean, express ideas, thoughts, well, anything that holds my interest. No better time than this.

If you were ever fascinated by terror or horror movies, what we are living it's just like a zombie movie, without the zombies themselves (I know some countries are starting to flat the curve, and I got late in here.) Nevertheless if you peek outside the window and look at the streets, you see almost no one. If you wander the streets, there are less vehicles than usual, people wearing masks. No buzz from the frenzy of the usual rat race.

Neighborhoods are silent, and the days go past slowly. Some people are distressed, anxious and others live a day at once. It's really like nothing else I ever experienced in life (maybe a bit the Housing Market 2008 crisis.) Sudden outbreaks of Corona virus, here and there. And people and cities would get enclosed in their surroundings; animals would take the streets for granted on the suburban areas.

Yeah, we have the huge number of lives being taken daily, and that is what the horror movies resemble, along with the whole scenario I described earlier. The pandemic condition this virus has brought to the planet, it's like the film itself. I don't know if we ever going to experience that again soon. However, i
t's so weird to imagine what it has developed, lots of people unemployed, businesses closing down, people scared to death (pun not intended.) I can see Rick Grimes walking by himself in the distance.

I don't know when it's gonna end; of course this is not going to last forever. I believe this is the farthest we would ever get of a zombie movie, or a zombie apocalypse. At least this surrealistic reality made me feel what it's like to be in a world where people could be decimated by the living dead, and the ones alive trying to survive. I know now life imitates art and the other way around too.

Wait... A War?

War. It's hard not to feel disturbed by the idea of war. Immediately, the word finds various meanings in the minds of random people; it involves violence in any of them, whatsoever. We are in the 21st century and, impressively, it's debated sort of frequently nowadays.

It's ten years now since US declared war over Iraq. It was an unsuccessful war, with no winners. Iraq is still feeling the sour effects till this day. No one would expect US would embark on another war. This time around with North Korea.

Kim Jong Un, self declared supreme leader of North Korea, claims US economic sanctions over a late North Korean nuclear test are a call for a war. He is kind of determined to influence leaders to attend his demands for oil, food etc. It's not that different from past leaders, such as the father, Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il-Sung, the first leader of the 'modern' North Korean peninsula.

No one would expect this type of behaviour from a person who has been in contact with the outside world. After studying in Berna, Switzerland, Kim Jong Un has returned to Pyongyang in 2000, and, to a surprising degree, in 2010 he has been awarded a four star general in the army, and vice president for the highest military comission in the country's Labour Party.

Although nerves are trembling in Asia (Japan) and in America - a little bit - experts consider he is showing his testoterone hormones to the world, in a way to be respected. It's not for real there's an impending war nearby; what is for real is the fact the whole world is getting to know more about this fellow, and his immature posture, while people in North Korea still suffers. 

It's Not Rock'N'Rio

In few weeks time I'm going to São Paulo for a big event: Lollapalooza. Well, it's a music event. Ok, I should have said I'm going to a MUSIC event, but, no problem. This is a big event for me. 

I always thought this would be the ultimate music event, since I started listening to rock music, probably, international rock music. I'm a fan of alternative music, mostly. It's rock, indeed, but, perhaps, it's more creative and I like it. 

Alternative is all you can find in Lollapalooza. The festival started out in 1991 as a farewell tour to Jane's Addiction - band of the festival's founder, Perry Farrel - and it is still on till this day, however, on and off over the years. The main thing about Lollapalooza is the fact it gathers different styles of music, which allures people with diverse music taste. This is my case.

The first Lolla in Brazil was last year, 2012, but I don't like Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys that much, also, didn't have the cash. So It's ok now. There's Black Keys, Planet Hemp, Nas, Killers among the main attractions. I hope it keep up to my expectations. 

I really like to watch bands live, and I've been to many concerts before. When there's nothing going on in your life, you know it's time to do something different and travel a bit, or go to a rock concert (pfff, if life would be that simple). If it's both combined then it's more than fine!

I should only take it easy because I did a knee surgery not long ago, and three days of fun call for attention to my health. Well, the doctor said to take pain reliever and apply some ice in case pain occurs. Thanks, Dr! See you all!

Survival

                            Man finds himself looking for survival. Illustration: trrent          

Yesterday I saw 'Life of Pi' and struck me the fact it is about survival. Not much about religion, perhaps, but the challenge of keeping yourself alive. Well, depends on your interpretation. Nevertheless, it's a tough subject. Actually, I'm a fan of the TV series 'Man Vs Wild' - which is in line with this concept. I sometimes find myself thinking what it would be to staying alive (no pun intended) in the wild.

This awareness probably is related to human genes; it's in our blood the past experiences from our descendants and stuff, and by this we develop hunches and attitudes for certain, and not rarely dangerous occasions. But the regular urban person seems not worried to survive in the wild, just in the city. The same case for people in rural areas, no longer pre-historical dangers scare them off. However, the interest in survival stories never fades. Hollywood has produced many films with survival themes.

'Cast away', 'Open Water', even 'Titanic' are examples of how films address our inner ancient fears of trying to staying alive. So I was glad to find on TV a regular show that would not only talk about survival, but exhibit it all. It is 'Man Vs Wild', aforementioned in the first paragraph. It is a shame, though, it has ended in 2012.

The show used to be aired on Discovery Channel, but I still tune in Brazil on a pay TV 24h news channel. It has lasted seven seasons, always presented by ex-Brittish Army Air officer, Bear Grylls. A really enticing entertainment show, it has never dropped the interest on the guy's adventures to escape from the wild and find civilization.  Maybe I needed to be a scout, or joined the army, to face the thrills which I feel so compelled by the show. Perhaps I like to learn what I see on the show in case I need.

Propably it is the case, I'm still not sure. I believe it's not a big deal to garner survivalist skills nowadays. How many of us are exposed to potential life threats every day? I'm not sure, and I'm not sure whether getting to know survival skills - on a TV basis - would help at all, but it would make a difference. Isn't that one of the reasons why I and others watch 'Man Vs Wild' at all?

2013 Forecast

Here it comes: the new year. It means people start to make predictions about the future and stuff. They fill up the air with illusions and stories about the events that 'will' take place in their lives and surroundings. If it would be that simple.

The fact is, after reading The Zurich Axioms, book about investments, I currently understand people can't predict the future. We would always wonder, 'he's good at what he's saying, he studied', but the future is decided by a scramble of events, people included. So, where you find human beings, you may know unpredicted things happen.

People make decisions without much sense sometimes, and there are a whole lotta planet full of people, each person different from the other. It's not hard to think what it causes. Markets, wars, elections are all transformed by people. 

There are others who think it is, yes, possible to predict future. Nate Silver, the author of The Signal and the Noise: Why Most Predictions Fail - but Some Don't celebrates the fact that investigation of a matter - from all sides - can bring up the solution, as I read in a book review this week. Nate gets better in predictions if the organizations he consults are liable and honest, because he knows all people fail!

Hence we know there are two ways of thinking related to forecasting. I'm sticking to the first one for the moment; it's easier not to predict right, mostly because I'm not in the business of antecipating events for a living. But who knows what the future holds?  

Awareness

                                           Friends find solace on each other.

The World AIDS Day was yesterday and I saw no awareness amidst the people I know, or the community I live in. It is kinda strange not to consider this day as an important reminder of prevention we all should indulge. I don't know whether people would keep their minds on spending - Black Friday/ Xmas - or just take it for granted.

Although there are parts of the world where HIV numbers are decreasing, there are parts where people are unaware of the problem. In UK, for example, a quarter of 90.000 people infected don't even know they have the virus. The UN recently released 2011 statistics which showed newly infected reaching 2.5 million. If we consider the UN program for AIDS, 'Getting To Zero', there is still a lot of ground ahead of everyone.

The campaign to get AIDS down to zero has 10 goals for 2015; many of them are quite difficult to deliver,  such as preventing all drug users from getting infected. It's extremely positive to have goals and follow them, but when you are speaking on behalf of other nations, it gets difficult to manage. What people need to know is that everyone can make the change, not leaving the burden to medical organizations around the world.

It could be as easy as using a condom or a new syringe. The condom promotion investment, for example,  in low and middle income countries is currently US$ 100 million, but it is needed more US$ 190 million to increase awareness till 2015. Investments are a bit low now than they are requested. So at least what people can do right is act aware - in fact that is the campaign idea by World AIDS Day organization in UK.

Hopefully in between this World Day and the next I can see people discussing and thinking more about this topic around me. If you are thinking on donating blood, one thing leads to the other, and then next time you see,  you are having the HIV test. It is as simple as that, and it can be part of everyone's lives too.

Multitasking Me

The other day at work I got in trouble while talking to a person and loading information into the computer. I thought I could multitask well, but I couldn't. Well, nobody can, according to specialists. At this exact moment, I'm opening another browser window to check a total different subject.

Tsc, tsc, we always want to do multiple things at once, in a way we wouldn't waste time, or better saying, we would save time. Indeed, it's quite logical thinking, but we forget our brain capacity. If we do an analogy with a computer, we remember the computer's processor can only do things in a sequence, not altogether. 

Actually, we can do things together, if we consider mechanical tasks, like sweeping the floor, changing the lightbulb, with talking, singing, for example, because the former tasks are rote tasks. No problem at all. The thing is when we consider doing highly demanding tasks; they take up most of our brain functionality. The brain goes through two stages normally: goal shifting and role activation. The first one is the decision of which activity should be focused, and the other is the rule changing when a new activity is started. Those are the processes our brains regularly follow.

It's a good idea, though, not to obliterate our inner programming. Multitasking used to be well considered in job interviews, and I even said I was a good multitasker in many occasions! It is at work where people attempt to multitask the most, and it is there where employees get more into trouble, like me. So, as a matter of fact, I will try not to forget this valuable lesson, not at least for tomorrow!

US Tough Electorate Decision

Although it's not much my business, US elections run next week, and all eyes turn to this country. As we all live connected, probably most of world's population, these elections matter indeed. Maybe there's only the ingenious curiosity of who's gonna win, but the future (or present) is set at this moment, and what comes next defines the next four years, for many people.

Both candidates are fit for the job, but their plans are quite different from each other. It seems to be an easy decision for the electorate, but it doesn't. Romney and Obama have been debating with many ups and downs, trying to convincing whoever is on their way. However, there are lots of undecided people, and it's not on US alone - in Brazil, France, and other places, voters feel great disbelief on politicians, and it's surmmounting.

Obama, according to the critics, turned down points from his own oath of office, only closing in on things for a new four-year-term. Romney changes his ideas from time to time; he has a doubtful foreign policy, inclined to hostility and combativeness with other countries. He would rather cut funds from public programs than the army budget. Again, it seems like an easy decision to pick the best candidate, but America is divided at the moment. 

There are flaws in both presidentials, so maybe is the reason for doubt. Obama failed in some issues, Romney is a new candidate with no coherent speech. People wouldn't like this election to be difficult to vote. I assume it's because Barack Obama and Mitt Romney don't offer nothing new. And at the end, during tough times, it makes a lot of difference. 

What Is Next For Assange

I don't really know what is the future of the founder of Wikileaks. Julian Assange now faces indefinite stay at the Equadorean embassy. He is in a catch-22 - cannot go to Sweden for court trials because of the rigid prosecution laws the country holds, and in case he leaves London, US could easily capture and take him to a even tougher US prison. They are gloomy predictions, but not difficult to imagine considering he defied the system and made transparency his ideal.  

We know Wikileaks is an organization that reveals documents, reports, all related to unethical behavior in governments and institutions. I don't see what is the problem with that. Wikileaks started out in 2007 oficially and brought important documents to light in all those years, such as the Guantanamo Bay files, US embassy cables and the Afghanistan war logs, amidst others.

The Equadorean embassy's asylum is one of the most difficult episodes of Julian Assange's life. He had better chosen that than being extradicted to Sweden, where he could endure tough judicial system, as Gottfrid Svartholm, Pirate Bay founder, has been having so far for hacking accusations. Besides that, Assange would be taken to a US prison without effort, which was already mentioned.

In the meantime he meets with Lady Gaga, films personal messages for support and finalises his next book about the future of internet. I believe he sowed the seed for a more open and realistic freedom of the press, which is something many are looking for, for example, Folha, a Brazilian newspaper, which has divulged a web link for leaks that leads up to investigation.

Although the future of Julian Assange is unclear, the Wikileaks site is working still, gathering lots of contributions regularly and requesting donations again via credit card. What he had done probably is difficult to undone, and that is a great keystone for transparency in politics in this new century. 

Rollerblading All The Way

I wish it comes the day people will go to work by rollerblades. Hehe, I mean, not everyone, of course. As I’ve seen other day on TV, people are really considering rollerblades as a way of transportation! I really don’t know how to skate on them, but it is indeed something worth thinking.

Rollerblades are human-powered transportation; physically challenging and would make you fit; they take you faster than walking, but, on the other hand, limited to short distances, perhaps, from 8 to 16 km. It is better you find paved walkways as well. Oh, I don’t think it’s too much of pessimism – we all have options and we consider setbacks for things, it’s like that for everyone, isn’t it?

Places such as universities campi are promoting diverse types of transportation. The University of Western Ontario states the campus is ‘extremely rollerblade friendly’. The University of Michigan says the same thing in its housing page. There’s no doubt that even the founder of rollerblades is doing the same.

Scott Olson, who improved inline skates, promotes his invention as a fitness product on his personal page. The rollerblades certainly make you fit, but the upside is that you can view transportation differently. I believe when the city I live in starts to create opportunities to sustainable transportation, I will try my balance on those!

Intersexual Friendship

Yesterday I read an article on the ISTOÉ magazine, which brings a story about intersexual friendship, or friendship between sexes, saying that men and women CAN be friends. Well, it's kinda hard to believe. The report has substantial proof though: from thesis by academics to testimonials by so-called 'friends'.

Nevertheless, I can really see a woman and a man relating to each other well; guys and girls in university, lunch break at work, after work happy hour, all good. What I notice by that is people getting along, I don't see them as guys and girls struggling to get along or suppressing feelings and stuff, of course. However, the magazine stated, the way I see things, it wasn't the norm until the II Great War, or more recently, in the 70s, when women reached the job market.

Since women have become independent, voted, started to work, or driven cars, then guys and girls started to relate more to each other, before that, girls would just meet brothers, priests and that's it. I haven't seen things that way before.

The thing is, apart from circles of friends at work, university, school and so on, a sole guy and girl, by themselves, as a guy x guy or girl x girl, it's hard to imagine. I have seen girls refusing to go out with me as friends, ok, the same way, I refused to go out with girls just as friends - it would just not work. You can go out once, twice, but after that it gets strange.

Among the theories on the magazine, one says there are four types of friendship between men and women. The most common, up to 90%, says guys and girls are just friends, no more, no less. That's what I see mostly, hence, it's what I consider friendship between sexes. The other 10% stray into different spheres: subjective, objective interest, and romance type of thing. For me, then, it's not friendship, why not step ahead and consider other things?

London 2012 Summer Games

                                           Olympic torch: just in time. Illustration by trrent

It's been a long time since I haven't written some lines here. Besides studying a lot, I notice lots of things going on, but no time to put some ideas in here. What called my attention recently (ok, not so recent) was the announcement for the London Olympics and Paralympics Games' opening and closing ceremonies director. I know it's gonna be Danny Boyle, who filmed Trainspotting, 28 Days and other flicks, with assistance of Stephen Daldry, director of Billy Elliot.

What impresses me is the fact, MTV says, he is making something thrilling and intense, and is gonna bring 'the Beatles' (?!). The Guardian states whatsoever, there are no Beatles, but Paul McCartney, Elton John and Take That, possibly. Underworld is there for sure!!

People know he is gonna open with a line from Caliban, who is a deformed slave in the Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest'. Danny is then honoring the National Health Service, the largest bell in Europe, and all the intrinsic characteristics that define the UK people, like inventiveness, and wit. Yeah, I kinda agree with those.

15,000 performers are taking the stage at the four ceremonies. At the Paralympics, the opening show is called 'enlightenment', and it's gonna bring the work of a British charity, Aerobility, which gives disabled people the chance to become pilots. The Get Set education programme of the London's Olympics will provide volunteers under 16 to the opening.

I am eagerly waiting for those events! I think they are as highly expected as the games themselves.

Push Th' Little Daisies

                                       People know Arab Spring is not peaceful at all. Illustration by trrent.


There 2011 goes.  


Although trying to depict all important facts from last year is hard, the most memorable one in my opinion is the newly Arab Spring.


More than one hundred years after the Revolutions of 1848, which had shaken Europe and Latin America and are best known as the Spring of the Nations, some Arab nations are taken by the same sentiment righ now. Discontentment with political affairs, reorganization of society in less favored groups, and other reasons count for the upheaval.  


Throughout 2011 all you could hear is the uprising of the people in the Arab countries, specifically: Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and maybe even others we are going to hear in the 2012.


Journalist of The Telegraph says comparisons between Arab Spring and the fall of Berlin wall are out of question, "the Arab Spring is arguably a far greater triumph of people power." 

The Western looked at it with a clinical eye, trying to see what to do and the further consequences of any action. Against some critics, Nato forces were considered a great push towards the end of the regime in Libya. Rebels see them at a different light at this point of time.

The revolutions in the Arab world impresses me the most because it shows how people live. While some dwell in a 'free' world, others endure under dictatorship - which Latin America has already seen so much. Well, not all democracies risen after despotic rules are a success - many are still learning the ropes. It`s better now than never, though.