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Friday, December 29, 2006
Song of the Day
I know you think that I shouldn't still love you,
Or tell you that.
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it
where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess and
destruction to come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "it's over"
then I'm sure that that makes sense

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
Which I'm sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on....

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

Dido - White Flag

posted by Alina @ 7:37 PM   8 comments
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I am sure Santa Claus has already visited all of you and brought everything you've wished for!

If you are having a White Christmas, enjoy it, build a snowman or have a snowball fight...


Whatever you do, though, don't forget your loved ones: family, friends, distant relatives, coworkers. Remember to greet them all on this special day.

Merry Christmas!
posted by Alina @ 1:43 PM   11 comments
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Happy Birthday!
To my dearest friend SIM!!! Remember, this was one of the first photos I took with my camera!
And because I am not there with you to give you tons of hugs and kisses, I send you my warmest feelings and thoughts. I miss you!
posted by Alina @ 6:48 PM   5 comments
Friday, December 22, 2006
The Reason why I Love Supergirl (the song)
This predictor came to me in an Excell file, via email. It turned out to be quite fun!
posted by Alina @ 4:56 PM   5 comments
Early thoughts
“Maybe I’ll change, who knows”
“I don’t think so. I think you are feeling too good about who you are right now”
“How do you know that? Maybe there’s only misery down there”
“If there were, then you would try to change something, make it better”
“Maybe I can’t…”

This dialogue did actually happen. But it might not be correctly re-written all the way, as my mind is blurry late at night and early in the morning and the conversation was in Romanian. And of course, because it was a mix of seriousness and fun making, therefore the idea, out of the context, is what’s important here.

The result was that it got me thinking. Yes, at certain times in our lives, we get trapped into a certain situation, a certain lifestyle and certain actions. The “stuck in a moment you just can’t get out of” idea. It happens to all of us. We are too used to a certain situation, we prefer to let it be instead of doing our best to get out. The eternal circles we get trapped into.

But there is still something I do not agree with. The use of the word “cannot”. I cannot help it. I can’t change it. This is who I am. I vote for “will not” here. “I am not exactly happy, but it’s not bad enough to do something about it. Or it is but I’m too lazy”. That is what I am fighting against. We are limited enough to also build additional limits that we refuse to surpass. Obstacles to stumble upon should only come from outside.

I am convinced we are the only ones with responsibilities and duties to ourselves. We have to strive to make our lives better, to go to the depths of our soul and discover what we need to make ourselves happy, to be faithful to our beliefs and our dreams. Cause otherwise, as Bart said once, no one else will.

All that said, I am never cease to be amazed by how people learn to love their misery, their unhappiness. Yes, what is yours is different and special, your problems are the most important ones just because they are yours. Still, don’t get attached to what does not make you ultimately happy. There are a lot of things to be keen on. Why choose the ones that harm you.

posted by Alina @ 10:43 AM   9 comments
Thursday, December 21, 2006
The Answer for all Challanges
Simple: a little imagination...

posted by Alina @ 3:14 PM   8 comments
I keep on leaving…
The Gecad Group Christmas party was something extremely different from what companies do on such events. Yes, we had the drinks and the food, but the regular party was turned into a theatre play.

Hosted by the Nottara Theatre, this was the best theatre play I had seen in many years! The kind that makes you think and rethink everything. The kind that makes you feel someone has seen deep into your heart!

It is called “Ma tot duc” (I keep on leaving). Well, the translation is not perfect, but I have no better idea right now. Oana Pellea and Miahi Gruia Sandu had made our night perfect. And I am sure this night will stay with me forever. Just like some other plays I’ve seen at the Equinox Studio in Ploiesti.

I could tell you what the play was about. But telling its story is really not impressive. It has to be seen, experienced, lived…I believe there is something to learn for everyone, hidden between its multiple layers.

The play was followed by a very interesting conversation with the two actors. On theatre, different types of audience, the play, their experiences. They said people in the audience who were on the verge of breaking up, actually got their relationship sorted out and continued it after the play. One of my colleagues said she would have expected quite the opposite. I think it highly depends on circumstances.

The effect I felt? Well, I felt some things I was only barely feeling were said out loud. Thoughts I had postponed were brought into the spotlight and dealt with. And I made my peace with them. I also made my peace with letting go, with unhappy endings.

Indeed, the world is filled with nobodies, with lonely people, though we refuse to see it most of the times. We should acknowledge it: our loneliness, others’, then work on it. Facing all we actually wish to be gone, and then change whatever we can. Indeed, we need to live with our eyes, minds and hearts wide open.

************************************************************************************

Later you said. I was not surprised later never happened. Yes, you have this habit of postponing things indefinitely. Important and unimportant alike. You should pay more attention to the important ones. Life really waits for no one. One day it is simply over, regardless of your actually taking the time to live it or not.

posted by Alina @ 11:02 AM   2 comments
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Song of the Day
Celebrating my soon to be trip to Istanbul, which apparently will happen in the end, my favorite Tarkan song ever:

Gözlerinden okunuyor
Beni seviyorsun
Sözlerin seni ele veriyor
Sen de istiyorsun

Eninde sonunda benim olacaksın
Hadi naz yapma
Sevgiyi, aşkı bende bulacaksın
Yabana atma

Bıktırma, usandırma
Yeter beni kızdırma
Gel artık kollarıma
Gül döktüm yollarına

Gel gündüzle geçe olalım
Gel gökyüzünde yıldız olalım
Seninle mutlu yarınlara koşalım
Gel beraber mesut olalım

Geçmiyor ki sensiz geceler
Rüyalar yetmiyor
İsyan ediyor içimde sevgiler
Sabrım tükeniyor

I can see it in your eyes
You're in love with me
Your words betray you
You want it too

One day you will be mine
Come on, don't be a fool
You will find love with me
Don't let it slip away

Don't let me tire of you
Don't make me angry
Come into my arms
I've paid the price of love

Come on, let's be the day and night
Come on, let's be the stars and the moon
Run with you to future happiness
Come on, let's be happy together

Without you the nights are never-ending
Dreams are not enough
Love is rebelling within me
I'm running out of patience


Tarkan - Gül Döktüm Yollarına - The price of love/Thrown roses your way.

Yes, roses again...

Lyrics and translation credits here.
posted by Alina @ 12:06 PM   9 comments
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Then & Now

Even to this day, I can perfectly remember a conversation I’ve once had with Diana, a girl I thought closest to me at a certain point of my life. We were at McDonalds, in Ploiesti. Sitting on the terrace, drinking Coca-Cola and smoking Kent 8. We were young, smart and cool, that was our image of ourselves. It was towards the end of the school year, we were finishing 11th grade and we were talking about how University years would be like.

We were portraying a future image of ourselves. We saw each other in a few years, meeting for lunch or dinner, clubbing and shopping in Bucharest, going to romantic dinners and taking trips to the seaside, to the mountains and to other countries on our own. No parent or teacher supervision. And of course, academic success/glamorous career a certain business dress code!

Well I do all that. I meet my friends for coffee, lunch, dinner or late drinks with my friends. I have had my share of romantic dinners and of trips I will never forget. I work and sometimes use the business dress code, mixed with a little personal flavor…I also have a car, which was like the top of my dreams.

So I managed to do all that, all that we were talking about, planning in detail. I am surrounded by different people though. And is this really success?

I also remember precisely my professional wishes were to 1. become a writer and 2. manage a hotel/hotel chain. I only have a decent shot at the last one. Writing has somehow turned into something similar to a hobby: the blog, the occasional diary entries (my most affected by influences pieces of work actually), the articles I write for work.

I also remember that, whenever I’d make a wish, it would never be a wish for love. Not because I did not think of it as important. But I just thought it is something that comes with the territory: the loved one, saved just for me, as it happens for everybody. I thought love to be the one gift humans always receive to get through with their lives, to make the then kinder, full of hope, better. Now I just think it’s something the lucky ones find at a certain point. No one knows for how long…

Adolescence is that special period of one’s life when one grows wings and is convinced anything is possible. While time passes, society convinces you there are certain limitations. There are none. No real ones, I mean. Just the ones we make up to justify what we cannot do. Because we need someone or something to blame for everything we are not able to achieve.

posted by Alina @ 3:34 PM   4 comments
Song of the Day
Ryan is always sending me great songs! I don't think I ever thank him enough. He also sent today's song: Blackmore's Night - Now and Then. So thank you!

The past is so familiar
But that's why you couldn't stay
Too many ghosts, too many haunted dreams
Beside you were built to find your own way...
But after all these years, I thought we'd still hold on
But when I reach for you and search your eyes
I see you've already gone...
That's OK
I'll be fine
I've got myself, I'll heal in time
But when you leave just remember what we had...
There's more to life than just you
I may cry but I'll make it through
And I know that the sun will shine again
Though I may think of you now and then...
Can't do a thing with ashes
But throw them to the wind...
Though this heart may be in pieces now
You know I'll build it up again and
I'll come back stronger than I ever did before
Just don't turn around when you walk out that door...
That's OK
I'll be fine
I've got myself, I'll heal in time
And even though our stories at the end
I still may think of you now and then...
posted by Alina @ 1:06 PM   4 comments
Romanians Spend Holidays in Austria and on Sunny Islands
"Austria is the most popular travel destination during winter holidays, as a rising number of Romanians choose the Tyrol or Salzburg ski travel packages, according to the data released by travel agencies.

Romanian tourists choose the travel packages to Austria mainly because of prices, which are similar to those from Prahova Valley. Another reason is the lack of snow on the ski slopes in Romania.

'However, all the packages offered in Prahova Valley for this winter season have been sold out,' says Lucian Boronea, general manager of the travel agency Accent Travel & Events from Bucharest."

Isn't this fun? There still is an extremely large number of tourists spending their holidays in Romania. Why, I have to ask? Poorer services, same prices, why not try something new? That is so common of us Romanians sometimes, of two choices, we take the closer one, regardless of what we get for our money. With everything sold out, no wonder those working in this industry are not going to improve their services...

Fragments from a ZF story.

Tags: Tourism, Travel Destinations, Romania, Romanian Tourists
posted by Alina @ 9:11 AM   2 comments
Monday, December 18, 2006
Quick Thought
On Enthusiasm

It seems like every time I manage to get enthusiastic about something, it all falls apart for some reason. So, lesson number one: never get your hopes up! It generally reduces the disappointment rate.

posted by Alina @ 2:13 PM   8 comments
Friday, December 15, 2006
Song of the Day
There's something we all end up wanting eventually. The closeness, the warmth, the protection and the adventure of it...Too bad it is so fragile, so predisposed to endings which are never happy. So here is one of my favorite love songs. Enjoy...

I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone wholl stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
Shell get my support
She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
Shell hear me out
And wont easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact shell often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me
Aaaahhhhh....

I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought and
With every breath
Someone wholl help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like
I dont want to be tied
To anyones strings
Im carefully trying to steer clear of
Those things
But when Im asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this
Ill get away with it
Aaaahhhhh....

Depeche Mode - Somebody

Crossposted at Light Within.
Tags: Depeche Mode, Somebody, Lyrics, Song Lyrics
posted by Alina @ 4:41 PM   6 comments
Winter Depression Remedies
Cloudy winter weather, doubled by the few hours of the day, seems to cause depression for a large number of persons. Therefore different countries try different remedies, more or less sophisticated.

Sweden is counting on the calming and relaxing effect of the color white. Therefore, there are many cafes in Stockholm where all the furniture is white and the people waiting on customers wear the same color. Such cafes also ask their customers to take off their shoes and wear a long white robe.

Israeli researchers are trying something else: electromagnetic impulses. This is medical treatment; unlike the relaxing hours spent in a white café, but it seem to be helping a lot of people.

So, what do we do in Romania? Well, not much, until it gets really bad. For the rest of the cases, there’s always chocolate, for those allowed to eat it! Thank God higher forces are thinking of us…The result: a bright sunny day with a 12 C maximum temperature. The same predicted for the weekend: 16-17 C temperatures, sunny and bright weather…So what, we won’t have snow on Christmas? It gets ugly and dirty too fast, so no help in the whiteness there…

Mediterranean heat, thank you for coming our way!

Photo and original story from EVZ.

Tags: Depression, Antidepressants, Winter

posted by Alina @ 11:01 AM   0 comments
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Eureka! We have found the cause of everything!
The Romanian Tourism Business Owners Federation (FPTR) has identified the true cause for the low numbers of foreign tourists in Romania. As the Federation President, Daniel Vasilescu, put it, “In Romania, 80% of the hotels have one or two stars, while foreign tourists are only willing to get accommodated in hotels with 3 or 4 stars, this being the reason behind Bulgaria’s head start in the field, as compared to Romania”. Quote and the original story here.

Brilliantly put, mister Vasilescu! Too bad you forgot to mention the remaining 20% of the hotels, with 3/4/5 stars are usually more expensive than those in Bulgaria, Turkey, the rest of Europe and the rest of the world if you look hard enough. Moreover, the “all inclusive” packages are a mystery for most of them. Then there are bad service and “could not care less” employees…

Oh and there’s the other cause: infrastructure! I have to agree here, up to a point. Do you really think that if the 3-4-5 stars hotels would offer attractive packages, doubled by tour operators to mix them with nice little flights would not help much? As for the 1-2 stars hotels…Don’t you think many of them are fine where they are? Why would they invest more to upgrade their ratings?

I agree though, most of the hotels will be soon closed. Yes, the EU accession will bring lots of changes. And as Romanian who own hotels have no idea how to manage them, there will be foreign investors who will come and make tons of money from it. The smart way that is!

FPTR has a shity site, by the way!

Tags: Tourism, Romania, Hotels, Travel Destinations, FPTR

posted by Alina @ 9:48 AM   4 comments
Why I Love the Romanian Press, Part 2
Wall Street, an online magazine mainly oriented on the business/economy sector, on of the few newspapers and magazines that actually have a tourism section, published an interesting article on the future of sky resorts in Europe.

Based on an OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) report, if the global warming continues, less sky resorts in Europe will be covered in snow for a sufficient period (estimated at about 100 days per year). The country facing the strongest negatives effects is Germany, followed by Austria, Italy, France and Switzerland.

The story is simply taken from NewsIn, it presents the OECD report and stops at that. Where is the part where the Romanian situation is analyzed? Any thought on how many such resorts could be affected? It’s not that hard, just run a search and find out how many of the sky slopes are situated at altitudes lower than 1500 meters. I am sure journalists working here have been to Sinaia! And the names help: Cota 1400 (as in 1400 meters???). No? Not easy enough?

I sometimes wonder why, given such stories, a person living in Romania and being genuinely interested in certain fields can never get quality information. Why should one get a subscription to a press agency and then search on their own to get the real deal? Is it because all publications are understaffed, pay too little or just don’t care?

posted by Alina @ 9:33 AM   0 comments
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Run Away
"We've got to go where we can shine..."

These are lyrics from a song I've heard being played in a movie years ago...So I would rather be somewhere around here right now:



posted by Alina @ 6:08 PM   4 comments
Song of the day
Well, at least this part of my blog is constant these days...

Blue touches blue
Touches grey touches brown
I look down at my feet, theyve been with me for years
I take one step for you and then two for myself
Oh, I need to be stronger
I need to be stronger

Blue touches blue
Touches black, then expands
All the tears and the years in the palm of my hand
Do you think you can tell me whats wrong and whats wronger?
I need to be stronger
I need to be stronger

I want to twist in your arms
Like a snake thats been charmed
Like a baby newborn with his arms groping out
I would shout but theres always a song and
I need to be stronger
I need to be stronger

Blue touches blue

I look down at my feet

I take one step for you

I need to be stronger

Blue touches blue
Touches gray, frothy white
Where my face is all blurred and reflecting the night
If I tell you I feel like a bird in the cold
And I need you to hold me?
I need you to hold me

Blue touches blue...

Noa - Blue Touches Blue
posted by Alina @ 3:42 PM   0 comments
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Quick Note
You might like a song more than any other, ever...You might listen to it over and over again, associate it with people and events. But you never really understand and appreciate it until you actually feel it. Feel every word as it was your own...Which song did you feel was expressing your heart's feelings?
posted by Alina @ 7:00 PM   3 comments
My Car and I...
She's called Ciupercutza (Little Mushroom), or Precious, how ever you want! She's taking me places when it's raining or to early or too late. And she's also affected by my moods. For example, these past few days, her speakers have been shouting Godsmak- I stand alone, Prodigy - Poison and Breathe and other such "upset" songs louder than she's ever imagined...

She's also been treated as people treat their cars when listening to such music: driven faster, sharper, angrier. And she's been hearing a lot of swearing....Yes, such music will cut your patience short. And when you're not the most patient person int the world...

Oh, well, I am sure that if she could, she'd slap me a few times to get me to my senses :) And no, it is not my actual car there. Mine is prettier.

So here goes, song of the day for her:

In my race against time I - can't stop
Runnin through the red light - livin my life
Even if I'm gettin too high
I'ma keep runnin through the red light - livin my life

Consequences, reprecusion
All discussion about my loved ones
Didn't know paper had a price on it
That your ice would have your life on it
The cost to ball ain't changed, but I'm trying to
Red lights flashing, but I keep on through
Mom said paper ain't everything
Baby girl wants a wedding ring, I wish that I could sing

Oooohhhh, I'm moving too fast
Oooohhhh, I'm not gonna last
Oooohhhh, smile down on me
Ain't got much time, made up my mind
I'm gonna keep on through, whatever comes is mine

Nobody cry for me
Cuz I, wanna see you smile for me
When I die, look through my window, to the soul
Tell me if you see Tank living to grow old
Cuz too many niggas done died for what I hold
The talent to warm a world which is so cold
Take me, save me, before I'm crazy
The only reason I live is for my baby

Never did you tell me that
Life ain't a game
Maybe if you told me this
Shit might be changed
But now I'm just racing against time, trying to survive
And see why, ya'll niggas drive over nigga's vibe
If you gonna live, know you gonna die
If you gonna steal, know you gotta lie
Get drunk and stay high
Don't de-nigga-ny, cuz they'll never take me alive
Feel me Lord, I'm running out of time

Tank f Ja Rule - Race Against Time part 2
posted by Alina @ 6:15 PM   2 comments
Monday, December 11, 2006
Note to idiots going to clubs
Trying to pick a fight with foreigners simply because they are foreigners is not cool. It does not make you smarter, it does not make you look better, it does not make you a better man. It actually makes you loc petty, redneck and stupid.

The mere sound of someone speaking English because they do not know Romanian is not supposed to make you angry. Not all people know Romanian. And this might be news to you, but Romanian is rarely needed by foreigners.

Besides, you might stumble upon a guy that is way to pacifist and open minded to contribute to your picking a fight with him. So you will just end up looking stupid and feeling frustrated, while the rest of the world is having fun…

I think the best you could do is stay home next time, OK?
posted by Alina @ 10:24 AM   8 comments
Song of the Day
Tea Party - Release

I want the world to wake
I want to give you peace
I want to vindicate
You need to be released

Don't want to hurt you
I need to make you see
If I desert you
Its just to make you see

That I'm a man that's weak
And I'm a man that's lost
I gave it all away
To complicate the cost

Don't want to hurt you
I need to make you see
If I desert you
Its just to make you see
I'm not going to hurt you now
I need to make you see
If I desert you now
Its just to make you see

I want you to be free
I want you to be free from me

Recommendation for driving, preferably at night, and for curing bad moods: The Prodigy - Breathe.
posted by Alina @ 9:41 AM   0 comments
Friday, December 08, 2006
Why I love the Romanian press
Remember my story on the Mars discovery? Well, Libertatea, the paper I swore I will never pay for, has evaluated all the research on the topic, killed all the non-believers with their awsome arguements and has concluded : there's life on Mars!!!

Now, if they can, could they explain to me how some marks that have been made by water, liquid carbon dioxide or even dust prove beyond any doubt there's life on Mars?

So I will quote a robotic voice of Riddick now:

"Angle of approach....not good!"

Having a view on a story never ever means presenting only what you think is cool and catchy of a story and overlooking half of the facts...Yes, emphasize whatever you want, but don't cut the story in half!

Bart's take on this: the beagle has landed:


posted by Alina @ 9:22 AM   6 comments
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Back to Basics
After facing situations I had no power over....
...I feel I need to go back to my old ways, my old images of me, my old symbols...
So here is the red rose, my trade mark for so long it feels part of me...Delicate, fragile, yet strong, and never thorn-free...
The symbol that helped my create my first finished novel, started by a painting, continued by a goddess (Artemis), ended by a flower's essence.
I need to find the force to rebuild a world for a soul that's been just going with the wave for too long. I need goals and a plan...The kind of plan I build and change each day...
posted by Alina @ 7:38 PM   3 comments
Water on Mars
Nasa says it has found "compelling" evidence that liquid water flowed recently on the surface of Mars. The finding adds further weight to the idea that Mars might harbour the right conditions for life.

The appearance of gullies, revealed in orbital images from a Nasa probe, suggests that water could have flowed on the surface in the last few years. Story here.

Well, it could also be liquid carbon dioxide or dust, but dreamers will choose to believe it was water. Who knows, maybe the Moon will not be our first colony after all! So, let me know when you see Martian land sold online.

posted by Alina @ 10:37 AM   2 comments
Making Excuses - Information Overload
I just loved this! Found by Bart and posted by me.
posted by Alina @ 9:34 AM   1 comments
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Riddle
" Una palabra no dice nada
y al mismo tiempo lo esconde todo"

A word says nothing, but hides everything at the same time...

Lyrics from a beautiful song I first heard at the end of a troubling movie...Man on Fire

My word is fire.

Which is yours?
posted by Alina @ 9:15 PM   9 comments
Erase and Rewind
Today's song is....

Hey, what did you hear me say
you know the difference it makes
what did you hear me say
Yes, I said it's fine before
But I don't think so no more
I said it's fine before
I've changed my mind
I take it back
Erase and rewind
'cause I've been changing my mind
I've changed my mind
So where did you see me go
it's not the right way, you know
where did you see me go
No, it's not that I don't know
I just don't want it to grow
It's not that I don't know
I've changed my mind
I take it back
Erase and rewind
'cause I've been changing my mind

Cardigans, Erase and Rewind
posted by Alina @ 5:40 PM   2 comments
Red Bull on the Wave
Red Bull Romania doubled its retail sales over the first nine months of the year. The volume of sales reported by Red Bull on the retail market over the January - September period amounted to 890,000 litres, equivalent in monetary terms to 5.7 million euros (20.8 million RON), according to data by AC Nielsen, quoted by Red Bull Romania.

By comparison, the retail sales reported by the company over the corresponding period of last year stood at some 400,000 litres of Red Bull energy drinks, worth 2.7 million euros (9.6 million RON).

"Our priority remains to make Red Bull available wherever consumers may need an energy drink, and because of this we keep trying to improve our distribution network," company representatives say. Full story here.

I like Red Bull. I love it actually, although I've been making significant efforts to stop drugging myself with caffeine and energy drinks. Still, I don't get it. Red Bull is a quite expensive refreshment. I would never thought of such a sales boost for this brand!

So which is it? Is Red Bull that great or do Romanians like expensive drinks? Given there is quite a competition on this beverage sector (all the others a bit or a lot more cheaper). I have to say it's a mix.

Another question: does anyone like their advertising campaign? I find it boring and full of chiches some times...And yes, it is the last reason on my list of buying it, the first however on my list with reasons not to buy...
posted by Alina @ 12:12 PM   3 comments
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Water
Somewhere, within the darkest and farthest corners of our minds, we still believe water has magical powers. It can clean it all, cure it all, take the pain away and bring us back to the beginning. Before everything was created…

So at our darkest times, we need a long bath, with strange and mystical scents. The electrical light is no match for the mythical atmosphere we are trying to create. So we never turn it on, lighting a few candles instead. We think, rewind, replay, erase or keep. Then we get out of the water. Feeling tranquil, rested, ready to face more.

Taking a look out the window, the moon might catch our eyes. Belittled though by the strong lights of the city…We stare at it for a while, remembering ancient paths over the great night skies…Then there’s the sound of the cars…

So it’s back to civilization…All the brightness…And everything some of us still love…For how long?

posted by Alina @ 8:47 PM   6 comments
In GPS we trust!
A British ambulance blindly followed their GPS system 200 miles the wrong way while ferrying a patient from the King George Hospital in Ilford to the Mascalls Park Hospital near Brentwood.

The trip is only 12 miles and should only take about thirty minutes, but the ambulance crew turned it into an eight-hour roundtrip to Manchester.

Story from here. The reason why it's alway best to have someone with you who actually knows the way. Old fashion maps and even complicated GPS system can lead you to another planet at a certain point.

posted by Alina @ 1:03 PM   6 comments
Another Book Tag

George tagged me to recommend one book and one book only, and justify my choice. All in one paragraph…Well, this is quite a hard task to carry out…I could recommend dozens of books out of different reasons and choosing just one is trickier than it seems at first.

After giving it quite some thought, I stopped at a book that requires some considerable prior reading. A bit about religion, a bit about politics, a bit about economy, a flavor of psychology, all doubled by lots of vivid imagination to be able to take a glimpse at the world described within. I am referring to Dune (the first book or the entire collection, depending on the amount of time you have right now; yes, I am cheating a little). A world from far in the future, far in the skies, deeper in meanings as you turn pages. Quite a research of all human future possibilities and an amazing story at the same time. Frank Herbert put anything you might look for in it: adventure, passion, love, struggle, cunning, strategy, leadership, spirituality, history and philosophy. All in science-fiction clothes.

Further tags: Bart (for when he finishes moving his blog), Naomi (because she needed an idea for a post anyway) and Ryan. Of course, who ever else is inspired may join this little game.

So try the book and tell me what you thought of it. Anyway, if this one is not your type or your main interest at this point, just pick up another one and read it, as I assure you it would put your mind and time to better use that other activities of choice.

posted by Alina @ 12:15 PM   7 comments
New Obsession
Since we're feeling so anesthetised
In our comfort zone
Reminds me of the second time
That I followed you home

We're running out of alibis
On the second of May
Reminds me of the summer time
On this winter's day

See you at the bitter end
See you at the bitter end

Every step we take that's synchronized
Every broken bone
Reminds me of the second time
That I followed you home

You shower me with lullabies
As you're walking away
Reminds me that it's killing time
On this fateful play

See you at the bitter end
See you at the bitter end
See you at the bitter end
See you at the bitter end

Everytime we're intercepted
Feels love like suicide
Slow and sad, come in silence
Arise a bitter mine
(See you at the bitter end)

I love to see you run around
And I can see you now
Full of bees, arms wide out
(See you at the bitter end)

Come on and reach inside
Grab the gentleness inside

Heard a cry
Six months time
(See you at the bitter end)
In six months time
prepare the end
(See you at the bitter end)

Placebo - The Bitter End
posted by Alina @ 10:43 AM   0 comments
Monday, December 04, 2006
A book for each person...
"There is not one big cosmic meaning for all, there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person."

Anais Nin


Book Cover photo - what I am currently reading.
posted by Alina @ 6:34 PM   2 comments
Song of the Day

Chosen because it sends a strong message, different from the "all is perfect, I love you, I can't live without you" line Beyonce has previously used. Also because the message is hidden behind an awkward grammar and behind an interesting misuse of "must".

To the left
To the left
Everything you own in the box to the left

In the closet that's my stuff - Yes
If I bought it nigga please don't touch
And keep talking that mess, that's fine
But could you walk and talk at the same time
And It's my mine name that is on that Jag
So remove your bags let me call you a cab

Standing in the front yard telling me
How I'm such a fool - Talking about
How I'll never ever find a man like you
You got me twisted

You must not know about me
You must not know about me
I could have another you in a minute
matter fact he'll be here in a minute - baby

You must not know about me
You must not know about me
I can have another you by tomorrow
So don't you ever for a second get to thinking you're irreplaceable

So go ahead and get gone
And call up on that chick and see if she is home
Oops, I bet ya thought that I didn't know
What did you think I was putting you out for?
Cause you was untrue
Rolling her around in the car that I bought you
Baby you dropped them keys hurry up before your taxi leaves
Standing in the front yard telling me
How I am such a fool - Talking about
How I'll never ever find a man like you
You got me twisted

You must not know about me
You must not know about me
I could have another you in a minute
matter fact he'll be here in a minute - baby

You must not know about me
You must not know about me
I will have another you by tomorrow
So don't you ever for a second get to thinking you're irreplaceable

So since I’m not your everything
How about I'll be nothing
Nothing at all to you
Baby I wont shead a tear for you
I won't lose a wink of sleep
Cause the truth of the matter is
Replacing you is so easy

Beyonce Knowles - Irreplaceable

Tags: Lyrics, Song Lyrics, Beyonce Knowles
posted by Alina @ 5:59 PM   0 comments
Romanian Accused of Breaking into NASA Computers

A 26 year-old Romanian is accused of illegally accessing over 150 computers employed by US public institutions, thus causing over 1.5 million dollars worth of damage. The institutions include NASA, the Energy Department and the US Navy.

Victor Faur, risks 54 years in prison if found guilty, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the Federal Prosecution Office. The American Government believes that Faur is the head of a hacker organization called “The white hats team”, which aims to break into the US official institutions’ computers simply because they are considered as the safest in the world.

This story from Hotnews caught my eye. Interesting story, yes, somewhere deep inside we are keen on the idea one of us is that good with computers. What surprises me about this story is that there is no statement of the Romanian authorities. If they've already questioned him, what was the conclusion? Evidence, is there any? How did they come to know it was him? I'd like to know all these. Has anyone seen the story elsewhere? It's from December 1st (yeah, I was celebrating and not reading the papers).

UPDATE
According to Evenimentul zilei, the young man is actually 22, has rejected the accusations and has recently been selected to work for IBM in the Check Republic. The actual breaking into NASA computers happened about a year ago and the Romanian authorities have not decided if they will allow Faur to be trialed in the US.

Tags: Hacker, Hacking, NASA
posted by Alina @ 9:02 AM   5 comments
About Me

Name: Alina
Home: Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
About Me: "This is my church. This is where I heal my hurts". It's also where I feel free and my preferred means of expression.
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