July 8, 2007 (Sunday)
War and Conflict Journalism: Alan Johnston is Free!
(Source: http://www.news.com.au)Alan Johnston, BBC's Gaza Correspondent, was released from the captivity after 114 days. I was touched and crying when I saw a fellow colleague walking out as a free man. It made me think about Will, my close friend, who is a war and conflict journalist. My father is a journalist as well and had reported from Afghanistan and Chechnya. I do admire war and conflict correspondents for their bravery. Alan, I am very happy for you and am proud of your work you do for Palestinians. By the way, I am pro-Palestine but do not support violence in any form.
Sochi – 2014
(Source: http://sochi2014.com)Vladimir Putin, Russian President, was present in Guatemala City when Sochi, a resort town in southern Russia, was announced as a host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. We had a saying in the former Soviet Union that every civilized [Soviet] person should at least once in their life visit Sochi and Crimea. It will be the first time Russia hosting the Olympic Games. Prior to Sochi, former Soviet Union hosted the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow, which was boycotted by many western nations. However, then it was a Soviet capital rather than Russian. Well done, Sochi!
Le Tour de France – 2007
(Source: http://www.dxradio.cz)
Le Grand Départ of Le Tour de France was in the British capital. Trafalgar Square was packed with thousands of spectators on Friday during the opening of the Tour de France cycling race. It was amazing to be there and see it happening live rather than sitting at home and watching it on television. There were tons of tourists. Someone approached me during Le Grand Départ and told me, "I am sorry to disturb you but I have to tell you that you made my day. You have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen in my entire life." I did not know what to say and it was so unexpected, especially in that massive crowd. The stranger was tall, around 27-30 years old, gorgeous-looking, had green eyes, handsome smile, blond hair and a Nordic accent. For some time I was completely lost and after a while I simply thanked him. However, it was really nice to hear those words and, in a way, he made my day too, apart from Le Tour de France. Later on, I was walking with the stranger, dining in the South bank and enjoying London’s view from the roof at the Trafalgar...
The race continued for the next two days. I felt privileged to see one of the world’s premier cycling competition with my own eyes. I was lucky to see it live on Saturday as well on the Embankment along the Thames. Viva, Le Tour de France!
François Engineer and Nippon Psychologist / Musician
Victor, my good French friend from Paris was in London during the weekend. He is a transport engineer and was responsible for the road maintenance of Le Tour de France. We meet up and had a lovely brunch at the Belgian restaurant. Later, Takashi, a 19-year-old promising Japanese musician and a psychologist by training from Tokyo, joined us. What a coincidence it was. Takashi appears to be friends with both Victor and I. Takashi and I have met before at the G-A-Y~late and we have been in touch on the personals website. Here is what I wrote about Takashi on June 10, 2007:
"Later in the night I was mesmerized by the model-like Japanese lad from Tokyo. He was a recent psychology graduate and a Londoner for the last three years. We found some similarities between us. We both like Yutaka Ozaki's music and have a high respect for Kato Tokika's talent. Fortuitously, I took Japanese courses for a month two years ago, learned a famous song and still could say few things in it. This young chap was so handsome, innocent dreamer and a kind charmer. I had an ass-tacular time and was glad to be out enjoying my youth."
We had a wonderful time and I was delighted to see my old and new friends. P.S.: Someone got jealous...
July 7th: 7/7 London Attacks, Live Earth Concert and Russian Porn Stars
July 7th is a special date for Londoners. It was the day when dozens were killed during the terrorist attacks couple of years ago and was a day of the Live Earth concert this year. This event was organized by Albert Gore, former American Vice President. Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Police and other A-list celebrities performed at the concert. Other Live Earth events took place in Sydney, Tokyo and Washington DC. The aim of the concert was to raise the awareness of the global climate change. However, it irritates me when I see office blocks in The City leaving all lights on while we are being told to conserve the energy.
I started believing in the global climate change. It is July and the temperature in London is between +15°C and +20°C with constant rains and flooding. At the same time, people in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Turkey are dying from the heat. Glaciers in Central Asia are melting and the Aral Sea has lost 65% of its waters. Maybe it really is the time for all of us to think how we use natural resources and energy if we do not want to see penguins flying...
Johan, Kyle and I met up on Saturday for coffee, drinks and some fun. After a nice dinner and coffee we made our way to the Profile Bar. That place is really a special place where people send text messages, which later appear on big displays, to guys or gals they like. Well, I will not go into details what exactly happened at the Profile Bar but rather move on to the Ku Bar in China Town.
Surprisingly, Ku Bar was full of Russians, Eastern Europeans and Central Asians. I bumped into my former Estonian shag mate there. It was another coincidence of the week. I recognized some faces there: few BelAmi actors from the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and Slovakia. Apparently, it was the place where London's ex-Commie gay community meets, including adult movie actors and civil rights activists. Frankly, it is so nice to be a single in London where you get all these enticing looks, cute guys' numbers and much more...
Academic Growth and Awareness Rise
Two journals approached me this week with a proposition to publish my academic works in their publications in the United States and Canada. Later, five other scientific journals from Australia, New Zealand, India, Brazil and the United Kingdom made a formal offer. However, it is not easy and fast since there are a lot of issues concerning the national copyright laws, localization of the context and honorarium payments. It does not only depend on me. The works should be first reviewed by other scientists, editor, designer and a lawyer who ensures all legal aspects for the print. Nevertheless, finally, my name is becoming recognizable in academic circles.
Careless Sunday
I was woken up by my close friend's text message. Tomorrow I have an important meeting with an editor-in-chief and bonds editor. Therefore, I have been going over my old notes on bonds, stocks and shares, and doing some reading of financial papers. There are two kinds of bonds: government and corporate. Anyway, I will not bore you with my finance and business journalism...
Later, watched some episodes of Friends and went to the church. I prayed for my family, my country, my friends, for those in need and myself. After I got home, I cooked my trademark pasta with my special sauce. I have two secret ingredients that I add to an ordinary sauce to make is an extraordinary one. Cooking is a whole creative process for me, if I am in the right mood for it. It was so delicious and I will have it for breakfast too before heading to the office.
I am so thankful that I am in this great city and enjoying every bit of it. It is so awesome to be young, single and knowing that my life is ahead of me with full of opportunities. Under other circumstances, I could have been somewhere else doing different things. What I know well is that I am living in the present and loving it despite it is not all sugary and sweet.
Sayonara,
~ζ
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