2008/04/27
Feedback from USA about USA
Just received email from Aurel regarding natives in USA:
"
Was going out for lunch and saw this poor bastard, couldn't f…. stop laughing, I was not hungry anymore ... took me 1 month to understand their society and this guy just explained me in a fraction of a second. All the patterns that I developed before about them, merged into a beautiful and elegant system that fitted, instantly...
It's representing the quintessence of American society. This one is honest and recognizes, the others are just pretending that they are sane.
They all have a "very deep" brain surge-ry that failed ...
"
Feedback from USA about USA
Just received email from Aurel regarding natives in USA:
"
Was going out for lunch and saw this poor bastard, couldn't f…. stop laughing, I was not hungry anymore ... took me 1 month to understand their society and this guy just explained me in a fraction of a second. All the patterns that I developed before about them, merged into a beautiful and elegant system that fitted, instantly...
It's representing the quintessence of American society. This one is honest and recognizes, the others are just pretending that they are sane.
They all have a "very deep" brain surge-ry that failed ...
"
2008/04/24
PsyBlog: Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
Great compilation of social experiments. Enjoy Aurel ;)
PsyBlog: Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
PsyBlog: Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
Great compilation of social experiments. Enjoy Aurel ;)
PsyBlog: Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
LSD vs Alcohol vs Tree | WallOut
Could not stop laughing at some of these pictures. One of them here:
LSD vs Alcohol vs Tree | WallOut
Could not stop laughing at some of these pictures. One of them here:
10 Greatest April Fool’s Hoaxes Of All Time | Webiot
Fun to read. One of the hoaxes:
"
#8: The Left-Handed Whopper
"
Read more - 10 Greatest April Fool’s Hoaxes Of All Time | Webiot
10 Greatest April Fool’s Hoaxes Of All Time | Webiot
Fun to read. One of the hoaxes:
"
#8: The Left-Handed Whopper
"
Read more - 10 Greatest April Fool’s Hoaxes Of All Time | Webiot
2008/04/23
Alternatives to "And They Lived Happily Ever After"
Alternatives to "And They Lived Happily Ever After"
Yes, we know life doesn't always have happy endings - but it took years of
medication and unreturned phone calls before we finally accepted it. To help
posterity avoid huge therapy bills, we encourage grandmothers, librarians
and story-tellers of all sorts to use the following list of alternative
endings to fairy tales.
#01
And they stayed together because of the kids.
#02
And she never learned her lesson never to eavesdrop on any of his phone
conversations again.
#03
And he realized that money actually could buy happiness.
#04
And with all that alimony, she finally bought the castle she'd always
dreamed of.
#05
And he never found out out the child wasn't his.
#06
And eventually, she came to terms with the fact that she was probably going
to have to save herself.
#07
And they lived happily ever... until the following winter.
#08
And she never had any idea that he was actually gay.
#09
And eventually she came to terms that her stepmother wasn't evil - just
demanding.
#10
And sometimes she wondered whether a kiss that reanimated her from the dead
was really grounds for a lifelong romance.
#11
And the three of them lived happily ever after.
Alternatives to "And They Lived Happily Ever After"
Alternatives to "And They Lived Happily Ever After"
Yes, we know life doesn't always have happy endings - but it took years of
medication and unreturned phone calls before we finally accepted it. To help
posterity avoid huge therapy bills, we encourage grandmothers, librarians
and story-tellers of all sorts to use the following list of alternative
endings to fairy tales.
#01
And they stayed together because of the kids.
#02
And she never learned her lesson never to eavesdrop on any of his phone
conversations again.
#03
And he realized that money actually could buy happiness.
#04
And with all that alimony, she finally bought the castle she'd always
dreamed of.
#05
And he never found out out the child wasn't his.
#06
And eventually, she came to terms with the fact that she was probably going
to have to save herself.
#07
And they lived happily ever... until the following winter.
#08
And she never had any idea that he was actually gay.
#09
And eventually she came to terms that her stepmother wasn't evil - just
demanding.
#10
And sometimes she wondered whether a kiss that reanimated her from the dead
was really grounds for a lifelong romance.
#11
And the three of them lived happily ever after.
Evening in the car
PM has taken for a tour around. Actually the city is very nice! Buildings look like small castles, sea looks very beautiful at night. I have started to think about buying a flat here ;))
There are some social houses, where government pays most of the rent, so poor families are paying only 20 euros/month to live in small two bedroom flat (also you can buy it at once - 14 000 euros).
For other poor families (that are earning 600-700 euros month) there are better flats available - they must stand in the queue for that.
Algerians serve perfect fish! I have even liked the soup of it.
And as usual got an offer to stay longer here, which I have refused.
Evening in the car
PM has taken for a tour around. Actually the city is very nice! Buildings look like small castles, sea looks very beautiful at night. I have started to think about buying a flat here ;))
There are some social houses, where government pays most of the rent, so poor families are paying only 20 euros/month to live in small two bedroom flat (also you can buy it at once - 14 000 euros).
For other poor families (that are earning 600-700 euros month) there are better flats available - they must stand in the queue for that.
Algerians serve perfect fish! I have even liked the soup of it.
And as usual got an offer to stay longer here, which I have refused.
2008/04/22
A day in the office
Here I am again in the office. Sun is shining outside, algerians are pouring water on the streets (to prevent dust flying in the wind). Interesting that most of algerians are non smokers. In the office there is only one guy, who is smoking.
They are not so obsessed with islam as in Saudi, but still are sending spam regarding world events, movies and books, which are "not acceptable" in the eyes of muslim.
Oh, pizzas are good here, even if I don't like them very much.
A day in the office
Here I am again in the office. Sun is shining outside, algerians are pouring water on the streets (to prevent dust flying in the wind). Interesting that most of algerians are non smokers. In the office there is only one guy, who is smoking.
They are not so obsessed with islam as in Saudi, but still are sending spam regarding world events, movies and books, which are "not acceptable" in the eyes of muslim.
Oh, pizzas are good here, even if I don't like them very much.
2008/04/20
How a pair of American spies created the Soviet Silicon Valley | The Register
Sovieticomania. Thanks, Aurel, for the link! (PODCAST)
How a pair of American spies created the Soviet Silicon Valley | The Register
How a pair of American spies created the Soviet Silicon Valley | The Register
Sovieticomania. Thanks, Aurel, for the link! (PODCAST)
How a pair of American spies created the Soviet Silicon Valley | The Register
2008/04/19
Saturday - Sunday
I have just realized, that for such country as Algeria it is very strange that they speak (at least a bit) English. Of course, I can survive with my french (non-existant) skills (by pointing with finger).
Another strange thing is that they wish bon appetite AFTER eating my food, if they were referring to digesting it.
If you speak in English - you are called "Mister", but if you shake hands with a cook - "My friend". Not sure which is better, from they money point of view "my friend" has to pay 30% more most of the time, but also is usually offered some very sweet tea (I hate sugar) or strong, but very strange, coffee.
It is very strange to see arabic country with women walking freely. French have fucked up here really badly probably. Also it seems that I am lonely foreigner wandering around, not sure if it is because I am only one white (whitish) or just other foreigners are hiding in the hotel.
City looks like after war (which is not strange). And no one tries to cheat me even if they see, that I don't have a sense of their money yet and always willing to pay ten times more than products are worth.
Saturday - Sunday
I have just realized, that for such country as Algeria it is very strange that they speak (at least a bit) English. Of course, I can survive with my french (non-existant) skills (by pointing with finger).
Another strange thing is that they wish bon appetite AFTER eating my food, if they were referring to digesting it.
If you speak in English - you are called "Mister", but if you shake hands with a cook - "My friend". Not sure which is better, from they money point of view "my friend" has to pay 30% more most of the time, but also is usually offered some very sweet tea (I hate sugar) or strong, but very strange, coffee.
It is very strange to see arabic country with women walking freely. French have fucked up here really badly probably. Also it seems that I am lonely foreigner wandering around, not sure if it is because I am only one white (whitish) or just other foreigners are hiding in the hotel.
City looks like after war (which is not strange). And no one tries to cheat me even if they see, that I don't have a sense of their money yet and always willing to pay ten times more than products are worth.
2008/04/18
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Drunk Russian sleeps off knifing
A friend sent this to me. This is why Germans lost WW2.
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Drunk Russian sleeps off knifing
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Drunk Russian sleeps off knifing
A friend sent this to me. This is why Germans lost WW2.
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Drunk Russian sleeps off knifing
Friday in Algeria
Friday in Algeria is like normal Friday, except that it is Saturday here. Before cleaning lady cleaned me out, I moved out of my room, to get some food and walk around.
Strange feeling - my lather jacket obviously is too heavy for 30 degrees outside, but when the wind blows - it really helps.
I have learnt two important things:
1. Eating outside during sandstorm is not such good idea.
2. The food here is very nice and very tasty, if you like meat and other strange things.
Friday in Algeria
Friday in Algeria is like normal Friday, except that it is Saturday here. Before cleaning lady cleaned me out, I moved out of my room, to get some food and walk around.
Strange feeling - my lather jacket obviously is too heavy for 30 degrees outside, but when the wind blows - it really helps.
I have learnt two important things:
1. Eating outside during sandstorm is not such good idea.
2. The food here is very nice and very tasty, if you like meat and other strange things.
2008/04/17
In the office
Of course nobody picked up my phone, when I have tried to reach the office, so I had a short walk, had a breakfast and spammed everybody with SMS. When I have returned back to the office again - was greeted by some guy, stripped off my passport and let in.
The first impression - Algeria is run by women! And french kiss, performed by arab women - it is some kind of fetish.. French bastards, ruined everything.
Second - cannot find power outlet for my laptop. Mierd.
Internet is not working for me too, but somebody is already installing new router for that.
Got internet working, but no VPN access possible to the office. Nice. Going back to hotel to try from there.
In the office
Of course nobody picked up my phone, when I have tried to reach the office, so I had a short walk, had a breakfast and spammed everybody with SMS. When I have returned back to the office again - was greeted by some guy, stripped off my passport and let in.
The first impression - Algeria is run by women! And french kiss, performed by arab women - it is some kind of fetish.. French bastards, ruined everything.
Second - cannot find power outlet for my laptop. Mierd.
Internet is not working for me too, but somebody is already installing new router for that.
Got internet working, but no VPN access possible to the office. Nice. Going back to hotel to try from there.
How we have tried to cook Cepelinai in Czech Republic
Finally I have found some free time to write about this extraordinary meal.
The background story begins when Donatas (pro beer drinker) brought an idea of preparing cepelinai by ourselves in Czech Republic. Of course we have been drinking pivo together and idea seem like a good one. We have spin off the idea very fast - I went to Lithuania to get recipe of cepelinai from my grandmother, who was horrified by our will to fail, but did not say anything except "oh my" and wrote a recipe in her nice handwriting.
The plan has been very simple:
1. Go to the supermarket and buy needed stuff
2. Prepare ingredients and make cepelinai
3. Cook them and eat them.
Party has been of following persons:
The Judge - Monika, who has been monitoring progress and had to taste and evaluate them.
The Idea Man - Donatas, who has brought the idea of making cepelinai in the first place and even bought a kitchen for that.
The Mosad - (me), who has brought recipe and instructions from my grandmother in Lithuania.
The goal was to prepare Cepelinai for the first try.
Armed with the scroll we headed towards supermarket to buy all stuff we need, passing by Lithuanian Embassy in Brno:
Shopping has started with the most important ingredient:
After all products have been bought and brought back home, we have started to prepare the meal with a desire to show off with cepelinai for Monika and Tux Droid:
All ingredients have been prepared carefully reading the spell from the scroll:
Potatoes
Onions
Meat
Then one of the most important tasks:
making potato balls. This has been also the most funny part.
All soldiers are prepared to die:
Here are some leftovers:
Cepelinai have finished boiling.
They were put into plates and we can see and taste them (these three are the best looking ones).
As you can see - there is some space for improvements. While it has been fun to prepare the meal - it has been almost total failure (lower than 50% success rate), but now we know such things:
1. Buy less meat.
2. Practice more.
If this fails, we can compensate it with:
Enjoy! Next time will write about how we have tried to prepare Cenachai.
How we have tried to cook Cepelinai in Czech Republic
Finally I have found some free time to write about this extraordinary meal.
The background story begins when Donatas (pro beer drinker) brought an idea of preparing cepelinai by ourselves in Czech Republic. Of course we have been drinking pivo together and idea seem like a good one. We have spin off the idea very fast - I went to Lithuania to get recipe of cepelinai from my grandmother, who was horrified by our will to fail, but did not say anything except "oh my" and wrote a recipe in her nice handwriting.
The plan has been very simple:
1. Go to the supermarket and buy needed stuff
2. Prepare ingredients and make cepelinai
3. Cook them and eat them.
Party has been of following persons:
The Judge - Monika, who has been monitoring progress and had to taste and evaluate them.
The Idea Man - Donatas, who has brought the idea of making cepelinai in the first place and even bought a kitchen for that.
The Mosad - (me), who has brought recipe and instructions from my grandmother in Lithuania.
The goal was to prepare Cepelinai for the first try.
Armed with the scroll we headed towards supermarket to buy all stuff we need, passing by Lithuanian Embassy in Brno:
Shopping has started with the most important ingredient:
After all products have been bought and brought back home, we have started to prepare the meal with a desire to show off with cepelinai for Monika and Tux Droid:
All ingredients have been prepared carefully reading the spell from the scroll:
Potatoes
Onions
Meat
Then one of the most important tasks:
making potato balls. This has been also the most funny part.
All soldiers are prepared to die:
Here are some leftovers:
Cepelinai have finished boiling.
They were put into plates and we can see and taste them (these three are the best looking ones).
As you can see - there is some space for improvements. While it has been fun to prepare the meal - it has been almost total failure (lower than 50% success rate), but now we know such things:
1. Buy less meat.
2. Practice more.
If this fails, we can compensate it with:
Enjoy! Next time will write about how we have tried to prepare Cenachai.
Algeria here I come
It has started as usual - I have overslept half an hour so had to rush to airport in Brno. Anyway I have managed to get there on time, but plane from Prague to Paris has been late for 10 minutes, then due to some problems we had to wait some more time in the plane and I have missed my flight to Algeria.
For approximately six hours have been waiting in Paris airport, remembering life here and enjoying good weather, reading Wired, eating and drinking.
Finally I am here in Algeria, sitting hidden in the hotel. City looks like after war, food is interesting and currency is old (old looking bills). Oh well, back to watching CNN.
Algeria here I come
It has started as usual - I have overslept half an hour so had to rush to airport in Brno. Anyway I have managed to get there on time, but plane from Prague to Paris has been late for 10 minutes, then due to some problems we had to wait some more time in the plane and I have missed my flight to Algeria.
For approximately six hours have been waiting in Paris airport, remembering life here and enjoying good weather, reading Wired, eating and drinking.
Finally I am here in Algeria, sitting hidden in the hotel. City looks like after war, food is interesting and currency is old (old looking bills). Oh well, back to watching CNN.
Recognizing Your Inner-Boss: 10 Breeds and How to Survive With Them
Have stumbled upon fun post about inner management (huba and buba).
From the post: " They are: the perfectionist, the ‘done is good enough’, the devil on your shoulder, the workhorse, the innovator, the technophile, the guilt-tripper, the workaholic, the scheduler and the friend.
Which inner-boss are you working for?
This post will identify 10 breeds, as well as explaining how you can make the best of them.
"
Recognizing Your Inner-Boss: 10 Breeds and How to Survive With Them
Recognizing Your Inner-Boss: 10 Breeds and How to Survive With Them
Have stumbled upon fun post about inner management (huba and buba).
From the post: " They are: the perfectionist, the ‘done is good enough’, the devil on your shoulder, the workhorse, the innovator, the technophile, the guilt-tripper, the workaholic, the scheduler and the friend.
Which inner-boss are you working for?
This post will identify 10 breeds, as well as explaining how you can make the best of them.
"
Recognizing Your Inner-Boss: 10 Breeds and How to Survive With Them
2008/04/15
Algeria Travel Guide and Travel Information - Lonely Planet
Tonight I am flying to Algeria. Very cool destination for vacation:
Travel Warning: Terrorism Threat
severity: High-level alert
Didn't shave for a week, just in case ;)
Algeria Travel Guide and Travel Information - Lonely Planet
Tonight I am flying to Algeria. Very cool destination for vacation:
Travel Warning: Terrorism Threat
severity: High-level alert
Didn't shave for a week, just in case ;)
2008/04/10
TEDTalks: Dan Gilbert (2005)
What is happiness?
How can we create methods to be happy?
How people are manipulated by creating guidelines for "being happy"?
Will we really be unhappy if we don't get what we want?
The talk is about synthetic happiness, which is created by human psychological immune system to make life good experience.
TEDTalks: Dan Gilbert (2005)
What is happiness?
How can we create methods to be happy?
How people are manipulated by creating guidelines for "being happy"?
Will we really be unhappy if we don't get what we want?
The talk is about synthetic happiness, which is created by human psychological immune system to make life good experience.
2008/04/05
2008/04/01
Brain Stimulant: SyNAPSE
Skynet anyone?
"Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics" also known as SyNAPSE is the US military's attempt at creating an artificial intelligence, presumably to take over the function of human operators for unmanned land/aerial vehicles and to possibly be used to pilot future bombs (smart bombs on steroids).
Brain Stimulant: SyNAPSE
Skynet anyone?
"Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics" also known as SyNAPSE is the US military's attempt at creating an artificial intelligence, presumably to take over the function of human operators for unmanned land/aerial vehicles and to possibly be used to pilot future bombs (smart bombs on steroids).
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