Photo contest at PhotoCorner

There you go, 2006 Photograph of the Year Content is onpened on Photography corner and just in time when it's really needed. Everyone can paticipate in this event for free. Rules of the contest are avaliable here, so you can read them in full at website. I think that all photographers should participate in a many as possible contests, because then they can develop they skills and get some new tasks:) Well, not only the skills to participate in contests, but also the skills to take nice photos! In this contest you can present only one work, and, by the way, the rules of the contest my be changed by the organisers anytime:)

What can you win? You can win 250$ in cash, for example, plus 10 more prises (so total price is much higher, you can cosult with website of the organisers for more details). Among which you can see 400 credits for iStockPhoso, they are valued $690, what is not bad at all. Contest is also supported by Istockphoto.com, by the way. So once again I am happy that I've chosen that site to deal with my photos:) That's whay I will try to participate in this contest and maybe I will get sth nice, I will do my best, anyway. So, guys, wish me good luck for this contest and for all others;)

Post is sponsored by PhotographyCorner.com

Warm me up:)

This band is called Rahis and they song very nice songs. And I love them as they are my friends;)

Time is flying!

Time is flying! Realy fast:( In a week I have to go back to my studies, but I love to be here at home with all my favorite places, hidden corners of my city. I enjoy being with my friends, the problem is that they will leave also, so even if I stay, they don't. Why? Better ask our Gov:( But it will change and we will return! We will change it;)

What is Art?

We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth, at least the truth that is given to us to understand.

- Pablo Picasso

To be continued...

Le Monde, Russian Massmedia... Everywhere you see how the name of your country is misspelt. It's task of honor to prove, at least, to Le Monde that people in Belarus care that they are from Belarus:) As I mentioned before, I got first unswer from this newpaper, but they asked me to forward my comments to a mediator between public and editor team, I got no answer so far.

But I have good news as well. My group mate is a photographer and he knows an email of photo editor there, so maybe there will be some progress:)

Le Monde again

Today I wrote to Le Monde and I got answer!

Population

I found a report of World Bank about Belarus on-line. From that site I went to stats about population in Belarus. This numbers are really interesting. Decrease in population is obvious with every year, more and more. It's frustrating. At 2005 total population was only 9.75 mln, although in 1990 it was 10.19 mln... No comments.

Audio resume

During my French lectures at the academy I've learned about different kinds of Resumé, including anonimous one. This time I've learned a new one - AUDIO! Sounds interesting? Yes, it is. If fact you make an audio interview for future imployers, so they can hear you! You can learn more about audio resume on the website of the company which provides this service. And maybe try it! ;)

This post is brought to you by AudioResume.net

Back to Minsk: friends

Every day I meet with my friends. Only when I meet them I realise how much I've missed them:) It's strange, but it is like it. I bet when I am back to Vienna, I will be happy to see all my friends there.

We grow up, we are 'serious' people now:) He he he, new achievements, new fun stories, some romantic stories... REAL life!

Back to Paris

City of my dream, as it used to be:) I love it! So, here is the view from Google! 

Under suveillance or not?

Today I dicovered for myself a new post service. You can order special mailboxes which you use for different purposes. This service can be interesting first of all for those who care about their privacy and prefare to keep their address private:) This company operates in US, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland and other places of the world.

What was surprising, it's the following quote:

Postal authorities use a little known surveillance technique known as the "mail cover", which operates informally and allows them to investigate your mail without having to first obtain a court order, a requirement in most countries. 'The mail cover' is simply an instruction to the mail carrier requesting that they note the return addresses on mail delivered to any address under investigation.

Normally you don't think that your mails are under surveillance. But in fact, I think, it happens quite often. Especially in certain states. No Demand - Do Supply, as they say in economics. :) Yesterday one my friend told me that his American friends never use Gmail, as they are unaware about their privacy and they never know when stored information can be used against them... Quite interesting.

Sponsored by MailDropGuide.com.

NE greetings

In this time of the year you realise how many friends you have and greetings from different coners of Europe are coming all the time, and not only Europe. This year I really enjoy this season! And sending lots of greetings also!

Today I dance!

And I dance on-line:) You can see it here.

Snow disapeared, and gaz gonna also

No snow anymore. Weather forecast is that we will have +3 during New Year night... It's not fun at all. And today it was really cold and windy... It's scary what we will do on the 1rst if there is no GAZ...

Snow in the city!

Today I've seen first snow this winter! So, hopefully this New Year will be with snow if nothing changes. And maybe if I have luck I will ice skate!

Is credit a debt?

Gaz issue is keeping whole Belarusian society under permanent pressue. Although not all people realise the possible results of this situation. In fact now we have last months when people can get credits...

In out society many people prefer to live withing they incomes, but it's not always possible. For example, you want to buy a flat for yourself, but you don't have money. Then credit is almost the only possibility for you. However, then something can change in your life and you are not able to pay in time. What can you do? DebtHelp.com is a website, which is helping people with advice in such situations. They solve problems of Americans (which by the way all live in credit, it's just American custom:) with unpaid credits. So, service, I guess it quite useful. Have a look if you have a problem, or just keep in mind just in case:)

And I do think that credit is a debt. It's better to have credit in bank than to borrow money from some bad rich gues anyway!

Post is sponsored by DebtHelp.com.

Сircus in local court

A crowd of people spent many hours in front of one of Minsk courts waiting today when two young men will be judged. If I can call it judgement.

As I wrote before, an Friday evening police forces (including special devision and KGB) 'entered' at concert at privat appartement and arrested about 20 people. In big car (MAZ) they were sent to police office. After while all except two mentioned above were released.

Todays version was slitely different. Two policemen noticed at streed near the building a group of people (2!) who were shouting and swearing. They asked those two to be quite, they didn't obey and two policemen called for a car - which is MAZ again (a huge one) - so guys were arrested.

What is court decision? Who is right? Whose story is nicer? Guess! Of course policemen's:) Who doubts? 5 days in jail for both for swearing in public place...

Fun of shopping

I am really excited about shopping on-line again and again. Today I got my stuff from OTTO which I've ordered on-line. Last week I got my fist book from eBay, and actually I expect few more from there! And tomorrow my books and CD will be sent to me from Amazon in France! Urrra. I enjoy it so much, no stress, no queue, you just observe and enjoy buyin stuff you need! When I was looking for goods at Amazon, I spent few hours looking for some coupon code to have a discount:) (people love discounts!) Unfortunately that time I didn't find any I could use, maybe next time I will be more lucky:)

Post is sponsored by CouponChief.com

Just Merry Christmas!

Which cell phone operator?

I spent 3 month abroad, but I didn't switch to a local mobile operator. Why? Is it loyalty to my national operator? Hmm, I don't think so. No time, no need, no motivation, in fact. But the problem also is that it's sooo difficult to choose what you don't know the real situation on the market to judge. Well, I will try to get more information and will have finaly a new number :) in the next year...

Travel and accommodation

Many of us love to travel and you know how difficult sometimes to find a good hotel. Well, while planning your trip we usually want to find the best place at a good price. There are many websites which can help you, Hotel Reservations is one of them. I've tried to track the hotels in Vienna and I found out that the prices car vary from 47$ up to 193.08 for a single room. Hmm, not bad. Let's have a closer look on other cities. Which one? Minsk. Surprise, surprise. Only one hotel - hotel Minsk, which is also the most expensive. Well, I don't think it's a problem of the site. Most likely it's again and again lack of PR of Belarusian tourism and Belarusian hotels. By the way cheapest hotel in Paris is 15 km away from Paris and costs 43.

What is a bit funny, on the website they give a phone for Europe and include Australia in it:) I found interesting travel tips. They mention very curious facts about history and present.

By the way at the site there winter proposals and discounts. Also there is a special proposal if you book on-line or make special internet rate reservation over the phone you can get discounts up to 70%.

So I hope it will be useful for all of you, especially for those who do not liberal enough to use Hospitaly Club network for example.
This post is sponsored by HotelReservations.com

Judges

Who are the judges? Tomorrow will be process when 2 of my friends can be sent to jail for 15 days as hooligans, although they are not. They just organised a privat concert at privat appartment. I really hope and I pray that tomorrow my friends will be let free...

Chatrooms as Social Networking

I am not quite sure if some people are still using chats for communication, I guess there are some for sure (I prefer blogging and emails:), as well as IMs:) Anyway, I want to remind those of you who forgot that chat room still exists. Chat room is a way to communicate with group of people on-line. It is fun and exciting as in the most of cases you don't know people you talk to and also you can meet some really interesting people for conversation. :)

Message is sponsored by www.pictari.com

Home, sweet home

I am back for Christmas. So despite the exams which I have immediately after return to academy I have lots of time to see all my friends and to do all work which I have to:) The last part is probably not very exciting, but still very important. Cool!

Christmas

Today I spent 4 hours in the city walking through several Christmas markets. Chrismas is really in the air! I can't believe that I will be home just in few days!!! Christmas, New Year, Birthday, Chrismas again - same story from year to year, but every year so different. I think that the past year was really good for me, some of my dreams came trough (others didn't). I foung many new friends which are great people. I've visited new countries - Austria, Germany and Finland. I've seen new Picasso paintings. Year, it was a good year if you keep in mind only good things! Merry Chrismas and Happy New Year!!!

Photos, photos, photos

During last three months all my collegues in the academy got used to see me with camera and they know now that it's difficult to escape from me, when I really want to take a photo:) Well, it's really fun to be able to "fix" in your memory (or in the memory of your digital camera) the moment which are nice or interesting. I bought my own camera only last year and since that time I keep taking pictures. Well, at least time I am not that crazy (in Paris during one week I took over 1200 pictures), I have not more than 100 during one day ;) (with some exceptions).

As I wrote before in my blog I was accepted as a photographer at IStockPhoto, and I was extremely happy. Though so far despite that accepted me as a photographer they have not accepted any of my photos. The main problem is that with my present camera my best shots are just not perfect. For example, photos which I take inside need some extra lighting, or they are a bit blurred, or sth else happens all the time... It was my dream since 4 years to become a Lonely Planet photographer, I even met one last year. But I was told that I can be a photographer for Lonely Planet untill I get a 6MegaPixel camera...

Well, today I went to PPP webside to find out that they have a very nice digital camera for they users to get. Though only 6, so I'd love to be the lucky one :) (who doubs?!) It would be a perfect gift for my birthday which is really soon or a Christmas gift (Should I write a letter to Santa or it's too late?). So, guys, please, keep your fingers crossed for me!

This post is sponsored by HP.

Lack of PR for the country

I am really tired to see how foreign newspapers misuse the name of Belarus. Again and again I see the same mistakes (I just hope that it's not on purpose). Yesterday Le Monde writting about Belarus and Russia in GAZ conflict, wrote La Biélorussie instead of Le Bélarus. I will write them an email if I find their address...

When you plan to multiply:)

Have you ever thought of Cost of Having a Baby. It can sound ridiculous, but in fact it's true. To have a baby it is costly. Why? Well, I admire my friend from Lithuania who at age of 26 has 3 children, but one has to remember that he/she (or both, what is better) has to support this child before even baby is given birth and life-long. I mean, it is certain responsibility. I've read statistics recently that in Belarus every 4 min one person dies and only every 6 min one is given birth. Just two minutes, think about it! But population is decreasing rapidly due to this two minutes. Of course people are looking for the best conditions and they wait for comprehensive maternity service package, it's normal. I hope that one day situation in my country will change and girls will not panic when they find out to be pregnant ;), just the opposite, I hope all of them will be happy! :) So, people, don't wait, multiply (a bit of a joke, but in fact true)!

This post is sponsored by www.MaternityCard.com

Tbilisi --> Minsk

Wow, now we have new airline company operating flights to Minsk: Georgian Airways. Just few weeks ago it was really difficult to find some connections to Tbilisi during the week (as Russian Airoflot refused to operate flights to Tbilisi) and now we have new flights. In fact, it's really great:) Although we will see how it goes and what are the prices. If it's not very expensive I will fly to Gergia as soon as possible! :)))

What is a home equity loan?

It is a type of loan with which a homeowner can obtain loans in cash based on the present value of their property (minus the mortgage amount which is still left to be paid off). So if fact it means that you can get a loan based on your property situation. You can use home equity loan to pay for your expenses like home renovation and new design, higher education, in fact long-term investments. A home equity loan creates a lien against the borrower's house. I think it is really useful tool in US, but unfortunately in my country it is rather difficult to get.

This post is sponsored by PersonalHomeLoanMortgages.com

Interview with Cameron Diaz at Elle.fr

I found interesting interview with Cameron Diaz at Elle.fr. It rather funny one, she denies any relations with Jude Law;)

Salaries in different countries

While being in Ukraine I wanted to find out how is situation there after Orange Revolution. Despite people are optimistic, but changes are coming really slowly. First what I saw in the Lviv airport it was old soviet system of total control and humilation of people, annoing lines and strange questions. I talked to a taxi driver, who was really talkative and happy to tell about his town. That day he paid final sum for his taxi car, so he was really happy. But you know that in Lviv avarage salary is about 80 USD?! It's not a lot at all... Well, I know you can compare capital cities with towns in regions, but still for ex. in US they have much higher salaries and level of prices is lower than in Eastern Europe. How is it possible? I don't know...

Home brewing

BrewingKB.com is a home brewing forum where I found some interesting tips and very comprehensive home brewing glossary as well as many nice Home Brewing Recipes. Some people just drink beer without giving a thought how it was made, by who and where. But on this forum I think you will not find such people:) I've tasted nice beer in many countries (in Czech Republick, in Ukraine, in Poland, in Belarus, in Austria), but the one which I really liked I tasted in Lithuania. They produced it in the same place where it was served:)

Belarusians in Austria

I had a talk with my group mate today and I discovered that her husband is from Asmiany (in Belarus). I was trying to find it on Google maps, but there was no luck this time. Anyway, it's great that here you meet people who were in your country and who love somebody from your country :)

Prague is magic

I found very nice Virtual Map of Prague. I love this city and I am happy to see it again. There many nice photos there on the website, panoramic views, maps, live cameras... I think site is really useful for those who have never been to Prague and Czech Republic, as then you can have image of this city and this country. Enjoy!

The Holiday

This Holiday was for 'the Holiday'! I watched it today and now I am in love with a new actor:) This Jude Law! And I loved the story, although my friends said it was a fairytale, but I don't agree. Something like this really happens! I do believe in it ;)

On-line dating, eh?

Internet is making life fun, so now when you are lonely and you have nothing to do you can arrange a blind date with someone who is also in the same situation tonight. I've seen something like this before, but IamFreeTonight.com site seems to be different. They propose double dating, I guess it has nothing to do with group sexual relations, but just meeting new people:) So you can invite your friend and start search for singles for double and group dates. There is a tool 'Date Now' to arrange a date on a specific night and selecting a specific activity. What is good that membership is 100% Free to use all features.

I am back

back from our annual meeting of the network of multipliers. Well, YOUTH Program is over, so is our network for the moment. IN the Youth in Actions there will be some changes and a new call of multipliers where I might participate. I don't know really. Life is becoming more and more interesting:) Gonna go to cinema now ;)

If you have a digital camera you need this product!?

BLUBOX™ ambitiously says: If you have a digital camera you need this product. Hmm, lets have a look. Among good features I would like to mention: 1) diversity of vormats, in fact over 480 as they say, but I only use max 5 though. 2) hight compression rate - up to 95%, concequently you can store much more. At the same time it never alters or deletes your original image. So I guess there must be such an option included by default. 3) You can use 256-bit encryption technology to protect your files and privat information. 4) Sending files with BLUBOX is faster and easier.

To sum it up this software is useful for compressing and encrypting images and text. I have overall good impression about this software, so I think I will download the trial version to find out more and compare it with Picasa.

Eurovision 2007

Tomorrow the band or the singer who will represent Belarus at Eurovision in Helsinki will be announced. Among candidates there is Dzmitry Kaldun, Dyjana Hurskaja (what is she doing here???)... I really want to know the results. I am surprised that Ruslan Alechno is not in the list or Piotr Elfimau... List of songs and mp3 are here: http://www.tvr.by/eng/eurofest.asp?pr=finalists

Promotional Products Enhance your Brand Identity

I am totaly agree with the statement above. I do think that every firm should really think of trade show items, which can be used for promotion and brand recognition. You simply can't rely only on the quality on your services and goods, but you also have to remember about promotion. Like many firms which have good website forget to put the address on a corporate pen, for example. And it's serious mistake of the marketologies, in my opinion.

Also what is important is the use of promotional products. Once I got a USB memory card which was strange shaped (as on the picture) and with a logo of a brand. I still have, I still use it and I DO remember the name of the company:)

So, take of advantages of the promotional products and make people happy!

Between Moscow and Brussels

This was the title of the conference about Belarus today in National Bank of Austria. I'd expected to see slightly different speakers, because mainly it was just analysis of stats. Overall it was good, people were interested, but the most interesting part was innofficial of course. I had a chance to talk to one important person in our political life:) I will not write now who was it:)

Teaching In China project is looking for volunteers

Teaching in China program is run by a nonprofit charity. It places international volunteers in different humanitarian projects in non-western countries. This Teaching in China program places volunteers in schools in China in cities and villages. This information is useful first of all to native speakers of English as there is a need in them at the moment. Teachers must be over 18y.o. while the age of the students can be different. The length of the Teaching In China program is from one to 10 months. The summer term last two weeks, but the spring and fall terms last approximately four months.

The Teaching in China programs takes place in the city of Yantai on the northeast coast of China, as well as in rural villages in Mashan in south China. More detailed information can be found on the website.

What are the merits of different electoral systems?

I was a difficult question this time, it took me few hours to sort it out. So there you go:

The first-past-the-post system: the second ballot and the alternative vote. It is two round voting system used to elect a single winner. In the second ballot system the voter simply casts a single vote for her or his favorite candidate. In presidential elections, if no candidate receives an absolute majority of votes, then all candidates, except the two with the most votes, are eliminated, and a second round of voting occurs. For example it took place in France in 1995. In the alternative vote voters rank a list or group of candidates in order of preference. In other words (on the most common kind of ballot paper used) the voter writes a '1' beside their first choice, a '2' beside their second preference, and so on. In single-winner elections a preferential ballot paper can be redistributed according to the voter's expressed preference. Votes allocated to a candidate that is to be excluded from the election counting process are redistributed and allocated to the subsequent continuing candidate in order of the voter's indicated preference.

Strengths: easy to understand; executive strength; an aid to party unity; enhancement of the links between the citizens and legislators.

Proportional representation: the single transferable vote; the party list system and the additional member system.

The single transferable vote initially allocates an individual's vote to their most preferred candidate, and then subsequently transfers unneeded or unused votes after candidates are either elected or eliminated, according to the voter's stated preferences. To be elected a candidate has to secure a quota of votes. This system applies to legislative body elections.

The party list system is used in multiple-winner (elections to parliament for example). It ensures proportional representation. This system can be also part of the additional member system (some representatives are elected from geographic constituencies and others are elected under proportional representation from party lists). In these systems, parties make lists of candidates to be elected, and seats get allocated to each party in proportion to the number of votes the party receives. Voters may vote directly for the party, as in Israel, or they may vote for candidates and that vote will pool to the party, as in Turkey and Finland.

Advantages: minorities are fairly treated; parties are stimulated to cooperate what helps to avoid political extremes.

Liberal democracies use a variety of methods to elect candidates for public office. Both systems (the first-past-the-post system and proportional representation) are different, but both are used. For example, in Russia both methods are used in legislative process. The first system has many strong points while its weak points are eliminated in the second system. Still, both are not perfect.

Birthday cards

Last month many of my friends had a birthday and of course I wanted to send them nice cards. Nowaday, people prefer to send e-cards, so do I:)One of the possible options is American Greetings. What is good there? First there is nice collectionn of e-cards and invitations. Moreover they have a reminder service which helps to remember all birthdays of family and friends. For those who is really concerned about remembering everything there is desktop calendar available. E-cards service is really easy to use, you can choose some category for example (Family, Friends, Funny). They have free cards and paid cards there.

By the way, there are also many printable cards on the site which easy customizing and printing. So enjoy!

My favourite actor: Colin Firth

Today I was thinking: why do I like Colin Firth more that other actors? Well:) I just love his charactes in Pride and Prejudes, Love actually and Bridget Jones' Diaries. There are many other films, but these I like the most. And when he plays there is this self confidence and some mistery... I guess this attracts.

New communication facilities

He he he, I went to a web-site of LifeSize which helps to organise Video Conference and I was a bit shocked. At the firs moment I thought that somebody connected to my computer and wants to talk to me, although it was video Ad! It was so realistic that just hearing the sound in the other windows I've believed that there was someone on the other side! It's really good work of the marketologists, but also THE SOUND, it was great:)

In fact, video communication develops really fast and more people can use it at work. So I can stay at home and have a nice conversation with my boss/employee or with my client. However it's always nicer to drink a cup of coffee together, but while you are on different continents, for example...

I need new contact lenses

Every day in the evening I feel that I am tired (am I getting older?). But I guess it's just style of life which is really intenssive. For eyes it's the most difficult to adapt to short periods of sleep. And in the evenings (like tonight) I have to change my contact lenses to glasses. However, it's only because I am using my current contact lenses for over two months and I should change them soon. I am reading some reviews on-line now and I found that Soflens 38 are quite popular. They are generally prescribed as 2 to 4 weeks replacement, what is rather short period. I know it's better to use those which are for a short period, but it's easier with a long-term ones. And I all the time forget which ones I use, that's why I buy in the same place (they also give me 10% discount though):)

Spring Ball

I am trying to find the best dress the the spring ball in the DA. It's going to be fun, but only in case I can find sth really nice! At the moment I found this dress, it's from Dior sring 2007 collection. Well, I doubt I can efford to buy it, but I can order sth like it, eh? :)

Sms

It was a hard day today. It started at 8 when my friend woke me and I told her that we don't have class at 8.30 today. Then I turned off my alarm clock somehow (by miracle) and kept sleeping till 12.30 (maybe after previous post). BUT! I had French at 12! Hmm, no French today... SO, in fact I started my day from writting excuse to my French teacher (I have to keep reading le Monde then)...

Macroeconomics were not fun today, strange theories, strange models... I registered for an exam on 9th of Jan, so I can really relax during season holidays.

But finally, I am going home next week, my mom bough me ticket, so I have to wake up tomorrow morning to meet a train from Minsk at 5 am! Well...

I foung my mobile phone full of sms. If you expected words of love in it, then no! Actually, I didn't read them. The problem is that I am the first person in an adress book of one my mate and all the time he forgets to block his phone and puts it into pocket, he sends me lots of sms...

Just in time! Time to sleep well:)

I wish I could be a small child, so I could sleep is this nice bed. Just before going to sleep I went to the site with Children's bunk beds and I loved it so much that decided to write about it:) So, there is space for a dog, for playing games, for climbing, for jumping and of course for a child. It seems that it's a bed from child dream (by the way I should ask my god son what he thinks about it). And colores! Ahhh, I want such a bed, just for myself, I don't want to wait untill there will be some children around :)

Well, I did it!

I've just finished my presentation in French, so I can go to sleep finally. Uff, it's difficult to believe ;) So, guys, keep your finges crossed for me and hopefully I will wake up tomorrow and present my work;)

Learn English in England

It was my dream long time ago to learn English in UK (not in America, Australia or Ireland). That's why every time I see such a possibility I get interested in it. The reason to learn English in England, I guess it's obvious. Only there you can really learn English English and you have lots of possibilities to practice. The most important is to speak! The website Answer English - Practice English provides information about language school in London, which is quite interesting. Of course, there are different possibilities of English courses, but also this school organises social events. There you can communicate and again and again practice. They have also nice tests on-line which you can fill in and check what your knowledge. :) I've looked through the courses they provide to language learners and the list lookes really impressive: "English Language Cultural Experience", "Horse Riding Experience with English", "Aromatherapy & Massage Experience with English" (Hmm!), "Fashion Experience with English" (this one I would love to take)... Hey guys, just check out this site and you might find a nice course for you ;)

I got A-!

Urrra, I got the results of my exam in Decision making process in EU. It's "A-" and I am soooooo happy, you just can't imagin. So, at the moment everything goes fine. I still have to prepare my presentation of Belarus in French, for tomorrow! :)

Internet users about EU

I keep reading Le Monde as I need to read in French, first. And then I like some news there, you can really find interesting facts. This time it published the results of on-line reasearch of public opinion in 5 countries of old Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK. Only 1000 people answered the questions, what is not a lot number at all, as we are talking about Inet possibilities and 5 big countries, but anyway. we can concider the answers as the answers of young and educated people. what is not surprising people expect EU to solve certain domectic problems as well as to be Political union which is dealing with Culture, Mobility, Euro, Freedom of exchange. People are for Freedom, Democracy and Peace... Uhh, it really reminds me about my lectures of Political science... Many words, who knows the answer?

Picasso and other stuff:)

I went to Picasso exebition on Thursday. Painting of the last two years of his life were presented there. It's amazing that he was working being 90-92 y.o., and difference in age between him and his wife was 45 years! So, it is possible to understand then him and his works a bit more. Well, I think so far only Picasso is familiar for me more or less. I've been to Picasso museum in Malaga, where he was born (not sure about spelling, actually, hmm, changed one letter). Then I've been to Picasso museum in Paris while exposition was changing, so I didn't have a chance to see all his works there. And now Picasso in Vienna. I really liked this one, less than one in Malaga, but more that other one in Paris. But I've still been not sure that he had meant by all this works:)

Yesterday, I spent two hours on-line trying to find one his work which I really liked in Malaga, the name is sothing like "Nude in roses". This one is really nice, it looks like child drawing...

IKEA - the best

I can't stop myself from writting how much I like IKEA! I went there today and bought a new table as well as nice couple of elefants, and candles, and pillows... You know, all this stuff (eh, those Americans tought be to say 'stuff' all the time), which you don't really need, but which makes your life more comfortable and cosy:) Well, I'll better go to sleep, sweet dreams to all!

What is a political culture?

I got feedback for my last homework, I was told that it was better than previous ones:) Well, good! Although I don't think it was the best one. Anyway, here goes a bit about political culture (according to Ball:) and me):

Political culture is a way politics are accepted in a given country, meaning what it accepted in France cannot be accepted in Sweden for example. The most important that it is one of the many possible explanations of political behaviour and the decision made by political actors (individual voters or political élites).

Political culture is defined by variety of different factors, like socio-economic and cultural background, history, political socialisation… In some countries political culture is homogeneous while in others it may be divided according certain factor.

The easies way to analyze political culture is to analyze it within all possible contexts (time, place, conditions). I really liked all those examples mentioned by Ball, but I would like to look at Belarus once again. What kind of culture do we have? Is it a political culture? I would say that it is, it is a culture which was inherited from Soviet Union times. For example, if we look at so called “agencies of socialisation”, in SU educational programme of schoolchildren included an overt element of ‘moral education’ with stress on discipline, Soviet patriotism and proletarian internationalism, and dedication to the goals of the community, the state and the Communist party. Nowadays, in modern Belarus we have more or less the same: state ideology taught at all levels of educational system, state youth union, idealisation of THE president.

I think it is important to know what kind of political culture is in a given country, as I guess political culture plays also important role in the negotiation process on the international level as well as it influence decision making process.

Helpful stuff for cooking

You know, I am not the greatest fun of cooking... but I am doing it during last two days, as it's a long weekend and after all we need something to it, don't we? Well, I am not bad at cooking, though I can not do it often. However, nowadays cooking becomes enjoyable with new equipment which we can use! Like Magic Bullet Blender, for example which can do your job in seconds, the only thing you have to do is just to push the button:) So, I am not surprised that it's so popular in on-line stores.

By the way, we wanted to make nice souce yesterday (with our potatos pure and salad), but our blender in the kitchen refused to work:( in such moments you really feel, how useful it can be.

Google vs PayPal

I've read an interesting article at Le Monde. According to it, Google is running its own on-line payment system (since july 2006) and it want to propose it for on-line shops for free in 2007. The name of this system is Google Checkout, it's rival to PayPal of eBay group. At the moment PayPal is first among on-line payments. Well, we will see who wins ;)

What are the gift options?

I am looking for gifts to my family and friends now, as it's Christmas time. I really want to find something nice:) And I need a new camera, I might buy a new one soon as my photos are not good at the moment. By the way, all of them where rejected by IStockPhoto:( So I am a bit sad...

But back to gifts options. While thinking about gifts have a look at these scopes, it might be really fun. They have lots Telescopes, Microscopes, Spotting scopes, Digital Camera Scopes & Binoculars, Rifles Scopes, Red Dot Sights, Pocket Monoculars, binoculars, rangefinders, radar guns, sunglasses, goggles, flashlights etc. Wow! Hmm, one my neignbor showed my pics taken whith microscope, it was really imasing!

Youtube - a new aproach!

How could I live before without all these videos? I guess it lack of communication with things you are used to, like TV, radio, music, films... So, here at late night I can enjoy the best parts of my favorit films and clips, even japonise animation:) And I found new video performances of KVN teams (the best jokes), I found new singers I've never known about. It's exiting!

Are you playing Poker?

Few days ago one my friend told me that he went to casino here and played poker. He was wise to take only 10 euro with him, as he won 250, but then lost everything. So, is it a good game?

Well, to find out more you can try Free Poker on-line (and you dont' have to go anywhere). This site has some information on playing poker online. For example, you can read about "Winning Online Poker Tournaments", "Seven Errors in No Limit Texas Hold'em Tournaments" or "PokerSavvy's Texas Hold'em Guide"... I found it interesting to read article about the rules of Texas Hold'em. On the site there are links that allow you to get discounts on your new account. So, I guess it might be a good option for those who like it or those like me who want to try it once. As for me, I prefer to watch James Bond playing poker rather than myself doing it;) But on the other hand it nice to know the rules of the game :)

Waste of time?

I was really shoked today when I looked at my clock and realised that it was already 4 p.m. and I had done anything so far. Well, it is a weekend and I can relax, but on the other hand... I need to do really a lot during this weekend:)

Why some people use keylogger...

What is keylogger and how can I use it for myself. It is keylogging software that will allow you to record every key that has been typed on the computer. I am again feeling myself as in James Bond movie:) With a good keylogger you will know every keystroke that has been typed on your computer, regardless of the program it was typed in. If they were typing a password for a secret email account, you will know! Even if they are working in a word processing program, you will see every single keystroke that has been typed. Simply put, Spector Pro will record every single key that has been typed on the computer IF THEY TYPE IT, Spector Pro will record it! So, I am just wondering how many computers already have it. Should I stop using public PCs?

Well, as at the moment I am not working as a boss / a spy and I don't have teenage children to keep an eye on... But on the other hand knowing about all possibilities of the programme, I should really think about it.

Night life and Belarusians

So finaly we met some more Belarusians here! And we had really good evening:) First we went to a pub to get some beer and to talk about everything. Next, crazy idea came to go a club with membership as one of our friends had this possibility. So we did! Well, the most funny was to meet some top politicians there as well as crowd of same looking artificially blongd girls:) Well, I hope they will not came to me in nightmares.

P.S. I found a new source of inspiration and it seems to be working well so far, we will see how it goes! Keep fingers crossed for me ;)

Miller’s idea of interests; is there a “general interest”?

According to Miller “interests are those forces in society which actively resort to political means in order to improve or defend their position, one against another”. We can talk about different types of interests. Every one is living in the society and playing different roles, meaning that at family he is a father (or she is a mother), at work – a worker, at theater – a spectator… So in every case person is acting according to certain interests which are the most important in a concrete case. The individual is “a universe of interests” according to Miller.

On the other side, living in the society, people gather in groups according to their interests. But it is not only people who decide to gather together, but also certain unions (professional, associations, parities, clubs etc.) who are, while trying to attract as many as possible new “members of the team”, fulfilling particular interests of people. It is rather a complicated network of different interests where some are similar, others are opposite. So, one has to set some priorities for himself. In every case, in the situation where some person has to decide on the interest the personal interest will be given priority.

Therefore, interests in the society are “allowed to exist as separate entities is society, as long as they recognize their obligations to society at large”… While speaking about some “general interest”, Miller writes that it can exist, but there is no must for it to exist. “A common life creates common interests, which constitute, in sum, the general interest”. If a general interest exists, usually it exists during a short period and in specific difficult circumstances.

I really liked the phrase that “every national leader … says that he has the nation behind him”. It is so true. In Belarus people see it from TV every day, though nobody can really represent whole nation and all interests as it is just impossible, because where will be always whose who are not happy with present situation. Also it is true that politicians quite often first of all look for general interests, which are suitable for themselves and people around them.

Two more ideas should be mentioned here. It is supposed that law and order are some of general interests. But I totally agree with Miller, that very often law and order are decided by a group of people in order to protect their own interests. The brilliant example here can be new law in Belarus which was invented in September 2005 and implemented this year to stop growth of non-governmental sector. According to this law we are not allowed to have any non registered initiatives and to act from the name of non registered organization. In fact, it is against Belarusian constitution and all possible human freedoms, but it does exist, because it is in interest of group of people.

Second idea to be mentioned is about peace as a general idea. While peace is different in understanding of different people we can’t really say that it is a general idea. However, again in Belarus idea of “no more war” is really speculated as general idea. Though Belarus is not really an example of a country with ‘highly developed society where there is space for a great variety of interests’. It is rather an extreme case, unfortunately.

Common Myth and Urban Legend at Maxim

Maxim has just released their new Common Myth and Urban Legend Debunkkment Section that examines which ones are true and which are false. Well, let's have a look:) I liked this one: "The Catholic Church is the largest landowner in the world". Which is lie according to Maxim, though I would doubt it for certain coutries:) especially in Midieval ages ;) Next one is also good: "The Great Wall of China is the only man-made object you can see from space", of course it's not true as with Google Earth we can see even my house! Also the one with car issue was useful for me: "If you put your car in neutral going downhill, you’ll save gas", so now I now that it's better not to do it. If you want to know why, just have a look at Common Myths and decide for yourself:)

P.S. The last one for the desert: "If you mention the words “kill” and “president” in the same sentence over the phone, government computers will automatically record the conversation." Uff, it depents on the country again, I guess...

Tolerance

I thinking more often now about tolerance. Am I tolerant? Are people in my country tolerant. You might ask me why I pose such questions. The answer is quite simple, I've just realised that in some situations I am not qute tolerant (I am not speaking about toleration of people smoking neaby, though I can't really stand it, but anyway). In some situations my understanding of tolerance is quite different from understanding of other people from other parts of the world. Like, I think that tolerance has something to do with understanding (or trying to understand) and certain respect towards other people. It's not about applying their values for yourself. But some people consider torance to be equal to no jugement, no saying your own opinion about something you are not sure about... What should I do in cases when I am not 100% sure about my opinion, but I have one?! :)

BrainCast is a free message and memo service

Nowadays more a more new services are avaliable on-line. At the top of the list there are services which you can use in your everyday life, like BrainCast. Iy is a free message and memo service that allows you to record reminders for yourself on the go, and automatically delivers them to your PC at home for later use, what is really cute. There is also an on-line organizational system for storing your messages so you can access them from anywhere, although I am not quite sure how it can be used in real life. To start using it you simply add the BrainCast toll free number to your cell phone and you can use it from anywhere free of charge (though I guess only in US). To sum it up: BrainCast is intended to be used as a service to help store and organize audio notes from anywhere. So it can be really usefull for people who don't like writing down notes;)

The sorrows of Belarus: A government in exile, a country in a mess

THE Belarusian National Rada, or council, seems preposterously peripheral. Via a tenuous chain of succession and inheritance it represents a Belarusian state that was founded in 1918 and existed for barely a year. It has had no surviving counterparts since similar émigré outfits, such as the Ukrainian and Polish governments-in-exile, packed up in triumph at the end of the cold war. Its self-perpetuating 80-strong assembly meets every second year. Its five “secretariats” (ministries) have neither officials to command nor taxpayers’ money to spend. Its worldly goods amount to little more than a shabby letterhead, a shambolic website, and a devoted if somewhat secretive circle of adherents made up both of diehard old émigrés, and keen youngsters from the new diaspora.

The Rada's main achievement is to have survived at all through the decades during which Belarus was part of the Soviet Union; and it was wise enough to keep its distance from the post-Soviet regime in Minsk after 1991. Its ambition still is to wind itself up, but only when Belarus has a democratically elected and truly independent government.

That is a brave hope. Russia casts a long, dark shadow. Belarus relies heavily on Russia for trade and investment, for energy, and for security. A “union state” with a common currency, passport and constitution has been a declared aim of the two countries, at least until recently.

Democracy is even more endangered than statehood. The Belarusian president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, dominates the media, courts, economy and officialdom. His opponents often end up in jail, and sometimes disappear entirely. A professor who opposed him in a rigged presidential election in March this year, Alyaksandr Kazulin, was arrested, imprisoned, and is now on hunger strike. From his prison cell, he appealed to the BNR for help.

At a meeting last year in Washington, DC, the Rada struck up friendly ties with leaders of the often quarrelsome Belarusian opposition. They share the hope that Russia and Belarus will fall out. It may happen.

Russia has helped Mr Lukashenka in the past with cheap gas, flattery, and strong diplomatic protection against Western criticism. In return, Mr Lukashenka's Belarus has sold Russian arms to dodgy customers, and has provided almost the sole living example of that rare breed, a happy and grateful Russian ally.

But now the deal is fraying. Plans for the two-country “union state” are on hold, for which each side blames the other. Russia wants to raise fourfold the price of the gas it sells to Belarus; it also wants to claw back the profits Belarus makes by refining cheap Russian crude oil and selling it on. That squeeze is partly a Russian tactic aimed at grabbing control of Belarus's energy industries. But it is also a slap at the irascible Mr Lukashenka, for being unwisely critical of his counterpart in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin.

A Belarusian parliamentarian, Mikalay Charhinets, has accused Russia of waging an “economic war on Belarus”, and told Russia that it is putting at risk its military bases in the country. These are, chiefly, a vital naval radio station and an anti-missile radar. At a recent energy conference in Prague a Belarusian diplomat gave a remarkable speech in which he castigated Russia for unreliability and greed in its energy politics. Mr Lukashenka says he may impose customs barriers on Russian goods.

If Russia and Belarus do truly fall out, the future will be full of interesting possibilities. The Kremlin could topple Mr Lukashenka and seek the incorporation of Belarus into Russia. That would give the Belarusian National Rada a new if unwanted lease of life as the sole representative of an independent Belarus.

More trickily, Mr Lukashenka, until now an arch-pariah, might try to cosy up to the West. He is already putting out discreet feelers, saying that Belarus is “building a new foreign policy”. Given the opportunity, it may be difficult for the West to agree on whether to shun him or embrace him.

Whatever comes next, the veterans of the exiled Rada risk disappointment. But they do not risk boredom.

economist.com

Lifeknot launches Google gadgets

Now you can meet new friends with Lifeknot according to your interests and hobbies. As far as I understood you can find your perfect activity partner (?). When you click an activity you see profiles and pictures of people who enjoy that activity. With the new gadgets for Google you can add Lifeknot to your page or Google personalised page what can be helpful. Few more words about Lifeknot. Its members create activity profiles listing any of over 1,200 member-suggested activities: hiking, skiing, skinny dipping, buddhism, beekeeping... And it is free, you can sing in right now if you like to:)

Who are the most famost people from my country?

This question I was asked today by my friends from Academy. Well, Marc Chagall. Wasn't French? No, he was not! Who else? Tadeusz Kosciuszko! Hmm, ok. Next? Michael Douglas! His grand parents on his father side were from Belarus (from Homel)! Well, there are others:) A found a list for those who is interested at Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Belarusians