.

Lights will inspire you

2010-04-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

HERE IS WHAT WE NEED:
We need a new logo. We need to come up with a tagline, so your thoughts
might inspire us. We are thinking of "Illuminating New York's
Architecture". We want to be known as knowledgeable, friendly
(approachable), and providing great service. If you recommend a tagline,
that's great too. So the logo should read as: CLSI. Or it could be CLSi.
Or, it could even be clsi.

OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS:
Our audience includes lighting designers, architects, engineers, municipal
agencies, contractors, distributors and end users. As professionals in the
area of lighting, they know that unlike ink on paper, lighting is an
"additive" color space. The more you add, the lighter it gets. Just a
thought here.

EBC Lithuania 2011

2010-04-01T05:01:00.001-07:00

Civil War Prservation trust proposals

2010-03-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

HERE IS WHAT WE NEED:

We need to redesign our organizational logo. Our current logo has been in use since 1999 and has a number of problems (A) it includes controversial Confederate battle flag imagery (B) doesn't indicate that we are a land preservation organization and (C) doesn't convey our organization's name.

Our new logo would hopefully solve for all three problems above. We are looking for a strong, bold, patriotic image.

EBC Lithuania 2011

2010-03-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

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HERE IS WHAT WE NEED:
We need logo on A4 format with slogan. This logo will be used everywhere. You probably know how many usage variants have logo for different championships all around the world. So we need logo which will be used in color and b/w version. It should be easily transformable to different sizes starting from pins and ending with huge outdoors. It should be easily applicable for uniforms, sport attributes etc. Logo should be original, very creative and unique. Logo should have connection with Lithuania and basketball. You should know that basketball is game number 1 in Lithuania.

OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS:
Audience is Lithuanian basketball league board. They will choose which logo suits they needs best. All of them are basketball experts, but not creative people. Logo should be eye catching, easy to remember and for 100% Lithuanian.

MAJI . logo

2010-03-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

Briefing

Maji Sports is a new company that will design Performance sports equipment, clothing, accessories and water bottles primarily for the Yoga market. Maji Sports will not be bound by the limitation of yoga TRADITION, but will look to reinvent traditional yoga equipments. People that practice yoga today come from different backgrounds, runners, cyclists, tri-athletes, average joe etc. These are people that are not traditional Yogis and will be open to new interpretation of new yoga products.

Coffee and Tea

2010-03-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

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Shards

2009-11-14T07:07:00.001-08:00

Sneaky snail

2009-11-10T09:24:00.001-08:00

Snakey snail

2009-11-10T09:23:00.001-08:00

Targ de facaturi

2009-11-09T00:49:00.001-08:00

Amazed

2009-11-04T05:35:00.001-08:00

Tu?

2009-11-03T03:19:00.000-08:00

Star

2009-11-02T01:39:00.001-08:00

manufactura9

2009-10-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

Sputnik

2009-08-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

Ma bucur de experienta calatoriilor acasa. Dupa multa vreme dupa ce s-au intamplat si fara ajutorul fotografiilor sau a altor artificii de memorii.

Recistesc Iubita mea, Sputnik de Haruki Murakami si printr-o succesiune oarecare de evenimente care puncta sirul povestiri mi-a revenit in minte Vietnamul. Zgomotul apei batanduse de barca si valurile imprastiate de motiunea barcii.
Nu ma consider o persoana romantica. Apreciez detalii estetice si ma bucur de simfonia de senzatii oferite de imprajurari idilice dar sunt prea inchistat in detaliile practice. Doar in momente de relaxare (dupa un efort considerabil) it happens that I dive in memories.

Another memory that keeps repeating now, attached with the irony of it, is another moment that might seem a postcard snapshot. The beach Sihanouk Ville Cambodgia and the terasse overlooking the sunset between the palms floating on the calming blue of the ocean (or was that a sea?). Probably the most rated romantic moment I was lucky to experience till now. If I keep writting this might seem a cheap touristic broshure. I have to smile at this memory though, cause Pedro was my freshly ex Cari at that moment and even so we bonded in a relax non verbal matter that I havent experience before. Maybe was the place and the person. Or just the place.

Those are feelings, remote non visual memories that werent valued at that moment as they should have been (but what should have I done? Jump around of joy and try to take mental pictures?).

Myu, una dintre personajele carti ajunge la concluzia ca fara un companion (sputnik) nu ar fii ajuns la intesitatea trairii unei vacante asemanatoare cu ale mele, in care grijile si responsabilitatiile zilnice dispar ca o gluma proasta. Undeva, printre liniile de text am realizat ca nu o inteleg. Sau, that personally I dont seem to have a common ground with her. Even with travel partners my experiences are personal, I can not share and probably I not able or not willing to share them.

Or havent I reach yet a point were I could bond with a soul even next to a garbage bin.

Tonight, I think I am a sad person without feeling sad.

resemblance is a bit scary. or is just me?

2009-07-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

but what are feelings without emotions?

2009-07-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

I dont think I can describe emotions. Or feelings.
Is for the forth time I rewrite this post and I hang between me feeling as an idiot, fascinated by the things are happening around me and the regret that I am only a mere witness.

A friend of mine calls my evil.
But I am as good I can be.

Down the line, at some point when I was in Ch and was feeling bitterly alone I learned that you are actually alone. You are the only one that can understand yourself and watch you course of action to be the right one. And even so, most of the times I am for myself, as you are for yourself a walking contradiction probably making mistakes and having the wrong thoughts.

Some other friends call me to sensitive.
But I am as though as I can be.

Wait, I was going somewhere with this. No I wasnt.
I probably was.

Also, down that line, I gained a cold independence were being myself was just enough and the fascination of the world was enough to accommodate me. But it seems on the long run this is not enough and that I want to be part of that world were there is no wrong or right, were there is so much hope and passion, of a paradise place that somehow smells of mint.
Once it smelled of fresh fountain water.
Once of smooth darker skin.
Once of a perfume.
Once of basement.

A friend of mine calls me utterly and irremediably unsatisfied and slightly unhappy.
But I am as happy as I can.

Garana Jazz Fest

2009-07-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

The problem is that the subject is over commented and exposed on my facebook account with photo albums from over 5 people. Oh wait. Did you had the impression I will talk about the event itself. Uff, Im not such a jazz fan or Udrea for that matter.

But over all it felt like a overprice village fest with people of all ages (and to many kids), with cold "langosi" (wikipedia it) and great music for the people that have a ear for "Shooby doo, papa pum, shooooo yeah".
On the other side I think I would have loved the Sunday shows if ... lets say I would have stay longer and would have been sober.

But the trip itself and the atmosphere was a continuous WOOOOOOOOOwing after the very energetic expression "PARTY SUPER PARTY!!!". Plus the adrenaline of moving tents at the midnight stroke from the water outburst of our idyllic little stream transformed in a monstrous river was just excelarating.

happiness

2009-07-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

Happiness can be so simple.
A cold shower after a blazing day.

Exit . output

2009-07-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Roughly the daily EXIT schedule.
09.00 wake up after couple of hours of sleep all sweaty, taking your sleeping back and trying to find a place to sleep in the shadow
12.00 waiting in line to get in the shower
13.00 slurping a fresh squeezed juice (oh, the heaven!!!)
14.00 flirting with the idea of eating (chinese or one of the to many gorgeous guys passing)
15.00 finding a place to lay in the shadow
16.00 smoking the first cigarette and thinking how lucky we are to find such a cool place
17.00 starting to read
17.01 sleeping with the mouth open
17.35 waking for a brief thought of how soft and comfortable is your bed, back home, and how ungrateful you are with it when your home
18.00 sleeping
19.00 sleeping
20.00 dreaming about having supernatural powers and vaporizing the drunken english chorus
21.00 moving back in the tent for another round of uncomfortable sleeping
21.30 dreaming about teleporting all the loud drunken english singers to the North Pole.
21.35 having a cold shower
21.50 looking at Selma doing her nails
22.30 looking at Selma doing her nails
22.49 looking pissed at Selma doing her nails
23.00 leaving the Exit village camping grounds
23.20 deciding "eh, fuck Moby, lets go and have a coffee at a bar"
00.00 getting a full body check up at the exit entrance festival grounds
00.05 "How the hell would we pass thru this crowds"
00.45 eating on live Prodigy
01.30 getting the wine
02.00 fighting the crowds
02.30 finally, the Dance Arena
03.00 Party SUUUUUUUUPER PAAAAAAAAAAAARTY!!!! till dawn

Side note: yes, you can eat a piece of cake with a straw. Stretch it Rodica! (which is a phonetical variation of Happy birthday in serbian)

EXIT . Novi Sad

2009-07-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

Never been to an Open air before. Not like at the whole thing. At some concerts within an Open Air yes; looking curious at the camping site thinking, neh, not for me. Well, baby, forget showers, bread, french lessons and yoga silence and give me the beer, french kisses and hit me with the bass!

2009-07-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

is OMU jewish?

2009-06-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

Emilia Dima Jurca

2009-06-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Our theater teacher passed away.
She taught us self confidence, diction and how to sit on a chair on a stage.
May you, dear Doamna Emi rest in peace.

Teatrul vesnic tanar

self sufficient

2009-06-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

SNAP

I didn't hear it at that time but there was clearly a SNAP. And there it went. From that time on any drop of romance that I would manifest would be strategic, planned. Like a wife would plan a dinner in a way. To by satisfactory, probably heavy and the remote control to be on the right place on the table and the beer just cold enough. Thats how I would probably plan any romantic moment. After a certain recipe that along the way I learned being involved with theater and arts.
Just get the guy happy and maybe addicted a bit. And then redraw without leaving any emotional mark on the person. If possible. If not, its an universal assumed risk.

On the other side even if I still feel a shadow of an urge for a spontaneous moment I know those are the things that send your mind into spinning. So, whats the point when it comes to romance? Then better take a trip to see a good show or travel with friends. That is healthy mind energy to feed on.

As a contrast that's why Afrims play got me so hooked and emotional. Poring tears over lost innocence exchanged with clear guidelines of how things should be.
Keeping the trend of consumerism, dating became a way of experiencing strangers physically and sometimes even physically. Fun but pretty hollow.

So SNAP (was a band once wasn't it?)
But when I'm drunk I find myself repeatably listen Halo. And would like to hear a bedtime story about a person with surrealistic powers.

Faust

2009-06-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

For me, as a theatre onlooker, the theatre season is over. There is no stage, no actor, no director that I want to play with my mind and caress me with his visions. After seeing 3 undoubtedly* good plays I cant even muster the will to even watch a movie.

The last of this series was Faust by Goethe, directed by Purcarete in Sibiu (Teatrul Radu Stanca) with Ofelia Popii as Mephisto. I dont have the gift of words to even try to describe the unleashed energies and nightmares, but I can tell you that. After the play, when I've met the leading actress Ofelia, an old friend from my teenage years, I could not look into her eyes. Was like looking in the eyes of pure evil. Even if she was as warm and natural as I remember her.
Reading a bit about the play on some blogs I read somewhere (sorry but I cant find the link anymore) that Purcarete version of Faust is a full demonstration of what theater really is.Or it should.

Source: Oana Fofiu, Ovidiu Dumitru Matiu

I would go again to see Faust, thats for sure.

As a side note, while watching Afrims or Purcarete's plays is a bit like suffering of ADD. Universes semiotically layered, rich in details, new languages developed, that at the first viewing you are like a child trying to understand the cause and effect (Faust) and the difference of good and evil (Afrim); to realize, for the later, that you cannot distinguish and filter those through ration but through emotions and passions. But through which emotions or passions to judge?

*it is a personal opinion

Omul Perna

2009-06-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

impressive! vibrant! emotional!

Se joaca la teatrul Maria Filloti din Braila
in regia lui Radu Afrim
scrisa de Martin McDonagh

SibFest

2009-06-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

Call me a fan or a groupie but after seeing a second time Piata Roosevelt I made up "me" mind. Im going to Sibiu's Theater fest to see a play from the same director Radu Afrim, a stroke of genius, called "the Pillowman". And will stay also for Faust, which seems to be another kick ass play.

The Pillowman

Faust

Will see Ofelia Popi, the leading actress after... how many years? Ravishing energy bomb Ofelia. Now Im nervous!

Ringier Fellow

2009-06-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

Series of animation done for Ringier Academy together with Irina. Because there were animations for the menu and the head titles for a secured platform I had to improvise a presentation platform for them. There are 2 pages so search for the other one. :)

Mai mult verde

2009-05-28T10:38:00.001-07:00

back to basics

2009-05-22T02:23:00.001-07:00

Kissing Sticky Monkey

2009-05-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

The special 10th sock monkey.
Did it some while ago specially for a special friend: special Xana.
Here are some special pictures done by special people on a special 1 May trip down to the special Danube.

The special last special picture was specially taken by Marmo with his special camera. Thanks for not loosing the special moment (I was walking around with the monkey on my back for 2 days... before handing it over... What can I specially say? Call me special Kiddo!)

Energizer

2009-05-12T05:47:00.001-07:00

Manufactura 9

control your dreams 2

2009-05-11T16:10:00.001-07:00

Underground Theater festival

2009-05-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

A reminder.

"Piata Roosevelt"

2009-05-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Daunting, haunting.
A must see. It might be played only once again cause it scares the shit out of the "respectable" class of Timisoara. Or Romania for that matter. If till now I wasn't that much convinced of Afrim's genius, now he just overwhelmed my dreams and nightmares. So fight for a seat on the 03.06 for the official opening and maybe official closing of this exuberant emotional vision.

The new play directed by Radu Afrim and written by Lea Doher.

long live KF

2009-05-08T05:56:00.001-07:00

cause branding iz evrizing

new model

2009-05-06T06:08:00.001-07:00

New hero into town!

2009-05-06T05:39:00.000-07:00

Call me "The recycling carrot"

2009-05-06T04:13:00.001-07:00

why can shooping be an adventure

2009-05-06T04:05:00.000-07:00

control your dreams

2009-04-30T13:41:00.001-07:00

Tonight, I want to dream with Renato.

No man's land

2009-04-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

This land belongs to the Cloud Kingdom. China, Pakistan and India just don't know it yet.

Discovered via Michelin

he lost his cloud

2009-04-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

draft

Easter is here!!!

2009-04-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Boy

2009-04-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

2009-04-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

Mandru for being myself

2009-03-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Acum cateva saptamani unul dintre initiatorii gaypride.ro m-a rugat sa scriu un articol la sectiunea "marturii" de pe gaypride.ro lasandu-mi un mesaj pe facebook:
"...
Vroiam sa te rog sa scrii un testimonial pentru gaypride.ro despre ce vrei tu, cat timp este pozitiv, max o pag word, fara diacritice.
..."
Which I did:

///////////////// ///////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////

Mi-am scris in palma “Happy boy” si i-am dat palma sa o citeasca.
Acela a fost primul meu coming out, in varf de pat la 17 ani fata de o prietena. Nu a inteles ce am vrut sa spun cu Happy Boy (un termen auzit intr-un film) si tremurand i-am spus ca avem interese comune si ca imi place foarte mult de Vlad. “Oh, I’m more open-minded than I thought” a fost raspunsul ei. Pentru mine cuvantul gay era inca greu de pronuntat.

Al doilea coming out a fost mai usor. Am facut un pariu pe o sticla de vin ca exista lucruri pe care nu le stie despre mine.
-”I’m gay”
-”Stiu” a fost raspunsul ei.
A castigat sticla de vin si foarte mult respect din partea mea ca m-a asteptat. Am baut sticla de vin impreuna.

Familia, mama, a aflat singura, in timp ce eu eram la 1600 km departare.
Crezand ca a gasit o nisa de afaceri a deschis primul gay club oficial din Arad (ironic, nu?). Si cum eram singurul tip roscat cu parul lung din Arad era inevitabil sa nu afle. M-a sunat intr-o seara si m-a intrebat cu ce a gresit. Nici acum nu intelege ca nu a gresit dar se consoleaza ca fiul ei nu e “betiv sau drogat”. Si imi respecta sexualitatea chiar daca pentru ea este o alegere. Dar acum toti vecini stiu de “alegerea” mea. Si ca nu sunt un drogat.

Am petrecut 6 ani in Elvetia, unde Christopher Street Parade nu mai este o manifestare publica de care societatea mai are cu adevarat nevoie. O societate unde te simti in siguranta cand iti tii prietenul de mana sub priviriile discrete si curioase ale trecatoriilor; unde iti prezinti partenerul colegiilor de biroul la o petrecere onomastica aleatorie; unde fosta profesoara si fosti colegi de clasa isi manifesta regretul fata de recenta despartire; unde parteneriatul cupluriilor de acelasi sex este recunoscut (o modificare recenta dar importanta). Unde esti asa cum te simti. Si te simti mai liber.

Odata intors in Romania, din
obisnuita si
nu
curaj,
am pastrat aceeasi deschidere fata de prieteni, amici si colaboratori. Recunosc, obisnuita incepe sa ceara efort. Lipsa de asumare a celorlalti prieteni gay din cercurile frecventate si limbajul codificat sunt inhibatoare si frustrante. Si e greu sa ii convingi sa aiba increderea de sine si in acei oameni cu care impart ceaiul, berea si vinul aproape seara de seara. Si seriile sunt lungi si adevarurile alunecoase.

Nici pe gaypride.ro lucruriile nu sunt mai asumate sau mandre. “Marturii” nesemnate, initiatorii care se ascund in spatele mainilor, marturii care incep cu “Im hetero but my best friend is gay”. Dar macar fac un efort activ, fata de ei si fata de lipsa de educatie civica a societatii.

Dar sa intorc degetul inspre mine. Nu cred ca inteleg cu adevarat societatea si riscul expunerii. Daca curajul meu este o inconstienta ideologica si nu o atitudine asumata activ (e usor sa fii gay in mediul tau selectiv de prieteni intelectuali si intr-o familie care se teme mai mult de deviatii mentale chimice decat “alegeri” sexuale) atunci
nu pot fii mandru
la nivel de exemplu. Pentru ca nu indraznesc sa schitez in public un gest de tandrete fata de partenerul meu, pentru ca nici locuind in Bucuresti nu cred as merge la Gay Parade, pentru ca bula mea de siguranta e prea importanta pentru a o expune lipsei de toleranta a marii majoritati.

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Articolul a fost trimis cu mentiunea "I am sorry (for not being as positive as desired)" si a fi semnat cu numele meu intreg si poza de pe profilul facebook (the same as the one here)
S-a decis, diplomatic si sincer, sa nu se publice.

The greatest silence

2009-03-30T03:43:00.000-07:00

On HBO Romania
check
www.hbo.ro for the program

Hand Socks unleashed

2009-03-26T07:24:00.001-07:00

http://www.manufactura9.ro/

photos by Stefan Statnic

facebook groups

2009-03-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

I normally reject almost any invitation on Groups on facebook. Just clicking "accept" to join to a group that I dont take time to read what is all about its... dumb. But there is always an exception:

Its called My new band's album cover and it goes like this

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop (or similar) to crop the image to a square (for CD/vinyl cover) and put it all together.

5 - Add the photographer's name in the caption. This is some great art to work with!

6 - Post it to to this group (at the bottom of this page under Photos -- click on ADD PHOTOS).

7 - Share with everyone!

Dont you just love random doodies?

good new, bad news

2009-03-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Good news is that I just updated my homepage!
Now its shinier, prettier and more confusing to navigate than ever. Plus it has animations on it :D

Bad news is that I ran out of Apple-Cinnamon tea. And I can only get it in Timisoara (has to be a special brand.)

for less confusion

2009-03-18T14:54:00.001-07:00

Just to have it clear for once and for all
Fuschia is the same darn thing as magenta.

And pink is pink!

Urban prankster

2009-03-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

pour plus visiter Benoit Lemoine

3 R's, less friends

2009-03-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Three R for 3 main reasons for a friendship to slowly parish.
Im not talking about a fight or a active decision but about those painful disintegrating processes of losing a friend.

Relationships
I like to relate this to the fact that Im gay. I mean, its not like Im gonna marry and make kids any time soon (to be read like "never"). So I surely develop in another direction as my female straight friends (fag hags if you wish. And I say that with all the love in my heart!). It comes suddendly and... naturally. They meet the guy randomly and our tea conversations turns from the endless subjects of flirting, sex, movies, books, trips, parties and dogs to the habits of new found boyfriend and domestic chores. Plus they have to go home earlier cause boyfriend needs food and they can bent down to get it from the fridge.

Religion
Its a replacement for a relationship addiction so to say. But a bit more focused and dogmatic. But its not about my acceptance cause they have all of it (otherwise I would be a hypocrite and I wouldn't be better then the ones crashing planes into towers). But otherwise even I dont share your path, dont we still share the same tastes in the "trivial" matters of daily life? Neh?
Amen then.

Relocation
Distance is distance. And they are few things that randomly happen with facebook, skype and msn. And all the other random things you are not there to experience with your friends.

points of views

2009-03-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

"That's it! That's the one I was searching for!"

Several days ago a friend of mine sent me a link to a job offer. The minute I laid eyes on that page I knew! That is the perfect job. It fitted exactly my professional profile.

So, open the online application form and started filling it in. Was not hard as I had my CV updated last week but when it came to the field:
"Other Information
Please use this section to explain how your experience shows that you have the abilities to do this job. We suggest that you give evidence about each of the items on our person specification. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary."
I knew that was the right place to let me personality shine. So I started to write a sort of Letter of Intent.

The first person that got to see the letter was Lma. Her prompt reply was:
"Hope they appreciate your creativity!"

Second person that I've sent it to, Nooka sent me back the whole letter corrected and with some suggestions to improve the structure. Which was deeply appreciated but ... what about the whole tone of the letter? She couldn't advise.

Annais, the third person that got to see said:
'Ok, this letter wouldn't squeeze "a tear" in Romania. But for UK thats pretty good'
Haleluja! I was getting somewere!

Fourth, Alex Striva, an English teacher kinda dismissed it with "this is to romantic. cut cut cut!!!"

I've cut, and I restructured, and I tried to write it from a different angle. Who is actually reading this??? What tone would they go for? What should I underline? Why is Google doesn't have all the answers?? Why don't I own a HD Sony camera (HDVR-Z5 would do)? Why do I think I need more shoes?
You know, questions of despair always come in random packs.

After rererererereading it I've decided to just sent it. Based on my former experience with anything official papers I decided to let it sleep over the night. And before going to bed I had the inspiration to actually send it to somebody from Basel, somebody that actually works in communication.

The letter came back to me perfect (Levin, thank u!). A bit restructured but still keeping all the ideas. He even advised to keep the first paragraph which Alex decided that it should be cut. First paragraph that actually said so much in few words!

That morning I copy pasted the text on the online form. I stood one hour rererererereading it. Was perfect! My mouse started to shake. Kicked it a bit and the form was sent. To somebody. To read. And think as me!

"That's it! That's the one we were searching for!"

DONT TURN RIGHT! ROAD WITH NAILS!

2009-03-10T03:26:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Gilbert . A different way to think about creative genius

2009-03-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

Sixtopus

2009-02-22T21:10:00.000-08:00

I present to you the Sixtopus. Nr. 9 Sockmonkey (which didn't turn out to be a monkey).
Specially made for K_T to accompany her in her struggle to accommodate to her new habitat.

This monkey see's thru the buttons hand made by the local minority from Sapa Mountains, Vietnam, were warm hearted ladies would serve you with food, laughs, drinks and opium. For buttons you have to specially ask and, as a wacky tourist you might even get them.

Im tired but the Oscars were quite fair this year (Love you Kate, amazing Sean, wow India, I miss you and as for the long boring Benjamin Button good you found your rightful place ! >>> Its not about you dear Cate... ). Viola Davis would have deserved the Oscar for the supporting role but we cant have it all!
Was worth to stay awake. Now I need a double espresso. Pronto!

what went missing from the picture? for good!

2009-02-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

shoe fetish?

2009-02-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

Who said Bucharest was not productive?

2009-02-16T07:26:00.001-08:00

19 februarie - 19 aprilie 2009
EXPOZITIE
STATEMENT

STATEMENT este un plan de expozitie. Un traseu. Un process. Story board-ul unui centru de arta contemporana astazi. O demonstratie conceptuala a liniilor de forta care ordoneaza viata intelectuala si viata pur si simplu.

Curator: Lia Perjovschi

Opening: 19 februarie 2009, ora 19

PAVILION UNICREDIT
Adresa: Sos. Nicolae Titulescu nr. 1 (Piata Victoriei), Bucuresti

More info: here

cute

2009-02-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

Bucharest is cute but I cant get myself to write a post about it. But I will try:

I had butterflies in my tummy when I came to Bucharest. The city, the people, the culture.
Oh, the spin. Coming from sleepy Arad it seemed as a needed boost of motivation and energy.
But do ask to much from places. People. And even culture.

I still agree that would be an interesting challenge to take Bucharest on. Sadly, on a longer run even 1 year of staying in Bucharest is not a logic decision. Professional or financial. But would be a challenge.

As for the people. Love some, hate other, some have much to say, some just need to socialize, some dont have time, some give u all their time, some talk, some smoke, some surprise u, some are surprise to meet u by coincidence in a random coffee shop, some twist, some feel like a schnitzel, some are a dry flask schnitzel.

As for the culture... Would be addicted to theater here. But as for other art manifestations of it I was disappointed. Including MNAC (museum of Contemporary Art).

I went to Bucharest with butterflies in my tummy. And I'm leaving home without them. And without any other boost.

me me me

2009-02-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

About redheads read here

//////////////////////////////////>

Canada!!!

2009-02-04T12:06:00.001-08:00

MR. Octocle

2009-02-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

First sock monkey received. I have done for the past year around 9 sock creatures and this is the first I receive. And guess what!? Its not made out of socks but out of gloves.

Meet mister Octocle, my wonderful birthday gift from my wonderful friend Annette.

Friends forever (the iPod Monster is also done by Annette. Isnt she wonderful?)

vrum vrum!

blur

2009-01-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

I dont do enough french (as after a month Im not able to write a petit post in french).
I dont spend enough time with my friends, or family.
I dont write enough emails.
I dont read enough about marketing.
I dont do enough tutorials.
I dont work enough on the new business idea.
I dont watch enough movies.
I dont go out enough.
I dont sleep enough.
I dont draw enough.
I dont illustrate enough.
I dont do any animations at all.
I dont research enough about Canada.
I didnt pay all my taxxes (but more than enough!!!)
I dont travel (by far!!!) enough.
I dont drink enough.
I dont flirt enough.
I dont have enough shoes.
I am not enough for myself.

just cut my hair. can u see it?

2009-01-27T13:15:00.001-08:00

2009-01-27T11:27:00.000-08:00

messenger conversation

2009-01-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

vali aparatura 10:10
da sfoara in tzara dupa grupa AB pozitiv...daca cineva e dispus sa doneze...ptr o fetitza cu leucemnie...e la fundeni, are 9 ani...si pana la operatie face transf zilnice ... ID: nico_popac...da-l mai departe

.raoul 10:25
bine ca mi-ai trimis mesajul. Stiu pe cineva!!!
.raoul 10:26
oh wait. e homosexual si nu poate dona sange. sorry

event

2009-01-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

* artwork KF

2009-01-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

Me behaving as a 16 yo stops right here.
I know better than that.

This is a permanent resolution.

wall paper for inner light pillars - club ONE . draft

2009-01-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

draft

2009-01-18T11:44:00.001-08:00

Bag partner cyclop monkey

2009-01-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

Isn't this creature lovely?

Sock monkey nr. 8 Cyclop Monkey and it goes to Paul.

Buc Bday

2009-01-17T02:44:00.000-08:00

posted de annais.
Fragmente of my bday din Bucuresti

http://invizibil.blogspot.com/2009/01/who-uck-is-walter.html

Thank you Annais

2009-01-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

Close all your lights. Lay on the floor, bed, in the bathtub, on the kitchen table and hit play.
Do you feel it?

extract from a letter to paul

2008-12-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

Life is beautiful*

* if you have money, not loads. just enough. maybe a bit more than enough. or just enough money and many friends. and love. love is nice. money, friends and love. and nice weather. or weather that suits your mood. Rainy weather can be nice weather 2. So, money, friends, love and mood sync. weather. And family. Neh, scratch that of the list family. Money, friends, love, weather. In any order you like. Could be alphabetically: Friends, Love, Money and Weather. Wow. Alphabetically and morally correct in the same time. Wow. Do you have FLMW? (arata ca prescuratarea de la Flash Macromedia Web). So
Friends, Love, Money, Weather = Flash Macromedia Web. Which can be true really cause Macromedia is dead cause was taken over by Adobe. So that means that FLMW is not really correct cause it doesnt exist. So happiness doesnt really exist because FLMW its dead, or taken over by some big ass corporation (in this case Adobe but we can extrapolate).
So we are doomed!
Ouch.

Ghimi ghimi ghimiiiiii!!!

2008-12-19T08:50:00.000-08:00

I wonder who is my Secret Santa tonight???

Dear Santa

2008-12-11T03:35:00.001-08:00

I dont want much for Xmas, but what I surely ~~want~~ need is the Neona font family. Isnt it lovely?

Would like to mention I was a moderately good person.

Thank you

Post a secret

2008-12-09T01:58:00.001-08:00

Obama nation

2008-12-09T01:40:00.000-08:00

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... by Jack Black

Xmas is coming

2008-12-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

A Xmas card Alex, a flat mate, and me did 2 years ago.
I like Xmas. I miss Alex. And Roughy. And our Cactus Xmas tree.

skypie annettly

2008-12-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

fuck

2008-12-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

Lately, every time when I think of Basel, the people, my life there as it was I get watery eyes.
I know I haven't made a mistake. I haven't. I couldn't have! Was not my decision to take anyhow!

Im not taking about L.

Love monkeys

2008-12-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

I present A Monkey and B Monkey, the hugging velcro monkeys.
The blond slick A Monkey belongs to Ana and the chilling B Monkey belongs to Boris, and they both belong to each other.
All its left is to say "ohhhhhh" and have teary eyes!

Who said packaging doesnt matter???

Vietnam . Hanoi

2008-11-25T13:45:00.001-08:00

I just realized that my versatile blog became more of an "holiday snap" blog. But once I started something, I like to bring it to an end.

I left from Arad around 12. Got on a plane to Budapest direction Paris, and after I found my way thru Charles du Gaulle I barely caught up with Cari and with the plane to Hanoi.
I had no idea what to expect, I even tried to ignore the fact that I was actually traveling. Its my way of dealing with changes. Ignore but still try to make sense of whats going on around you. But the long taxi drive from the airport to the hotel gave us time to adjust.

Got fascinated, in the first place, with the houses. Long and narrow 3 stories building, with a living room at the ground floor that could serve as a eating area, TV area, shop area and even as a garage for the scooters. In most cases its everything from the above. Bright colors, and it seems cleaner and better in real life then in the left over pictures (we deleted on the way loads of them as we were running out of memory space).

We stood in French quarter, a narrow street area with kind of french and Vietnamese mix of architecture, were each street is a specialized shopping street. So, soon you start getting your way around the french labyrinth by referring as:
"Lets go to a coffee on the Sun Glasses street.." or
"What about that restaurant on the Fluffy Toy street... " or
" I saw a book exchange shop at the corner of the bag street with the art gallery street."

From the whole Vietnam Hoi Chi Ming is at his highest palce here: the mausoleum that holds his remains (which were now in Russian at the moment we were visiting... ?), the Guvernours palace turn into Hoi Chi Ming diplomacy playhouse, Hoi Chi Ming living pagoda, Hoi Chi Ming Old Age house, Hoi Chi Ming pawd, Hoi Chi Ming Museum. The last one is a must see for the cheeseness, the design lesson if you ever want to build a strong propaganda and to kind of relive the memories if it happen to have lived in a former communistic country.

I liked Hanoi. I recommend it as a entry point to Vietnam, plus its a must stop to get either to Halong Bay or Sapa.

The trip Saga ends here, so finally I will be free to express on other issues as new sock monkeys, Basel void and Arad reality.

asia tour . end of part 9 of 9

Halong Bay . Vietnam

2008-11-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

There is no much I could say.
To get to Halong Bay you have to take a tour, ideally from Hanoi. There is no other way to visit.
You bargain for a medium package, get on bus, then on the hotel boat, do some boating around, shoot some perfect pictures (not hard at all), visit a cave, pay for an extra tour with a small boat, socialize with the other tourists on the hotel boat, do kayaking, sleep on the boat (and pray not find a huge, packet of cigarette size, cockroach in you necessaire like some of "us" did... ), wake up, scream like a girl and jump from the upper deck, then boat back, take the bus back and think how lovely everything was.

I do not deny the beauty of the place. Its magnificent. Sometimes sureal and mystic. And the tour is nice and comfortable. But I was left to wonder. Did I get to see at least 5 % of that place? And do I have to really depend on disfunctional tourist agencies?

The experience is overrated because of the faulty organization and the bullying.
But then again, did I ever mentioned that vietnamese are genuinly friendly?

asia tour . end of part 8 of 9

Sapa . Vietnam

2008-11-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Cari's birthday.

Our trip was a romantic one. We've met in Paris in Charles du Gaulle. We flew to the busy streets of Hanoi. We spend the second night in Halong Bay, sleeping on the soft rocking of a boat. We took the next night a sleep train wagon and we reached, through a labyrinth of gardens and stairs, our room overseeing the a wonderful valley of rice fields emerald mountains. He brought me ginger tea when I was laying in bed in the morning coughing my way out of a cold and he fought to get train tickets. We walked in the late afternoon the colorful markets and climbed to the hill of stone gardens. And in the evening we search a secluded restaurant. And we decided.

To split.

Cari turned back into Pedro. We turn to our owns paths to walk them alone.
But till then we were set to finish and enjoy our trip. And enjoy each other for the weeks we still had one others company.

Happy birthday, Pedro!

asia tour . end of part 7 of 9

Saigon aka Hoi Chi Minh

2008-11-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

We flew to Saigon from the capital. We woke up lost outside of the airport, trying to dodge cab drivers and to find the bus to the city. We did, and also a helpful young woman that shows us the way to the touristic area. That means mainly the area with hotels, the backpackers area.

Its the economical capital of Vietnam, and much bigger than Hanoi. Before reading about the city you realized that by the numbers of scooters driving like modern packs of weird animals, taking over the streets in thousands. It is quite adventures to cross the street. The strategy that Pedro developed was to walk as slowly as possible, no sudden moves, no running around, no bunny hopping, no funky chicken. Just slow. Just walk calmly so they can see u and avoid you. Makes sense.

The french influence was much stronger in Saigon. Was also the imperials stronghold much longer than Hanoi. Some beautiful french villas next to a pagoda and overlooked by a skyscraper. Its an contrast, a mush of european, confused local and modern sky scraper architecture.

The backpacker area is concentrated around a couple of streets. People are used with the tourists... and not really friendly. If you don't like it they dont care. Another tourist will come along in a short time.

We stood 2 nights. Or 3. I don't actually remember anymore and we kind of seen what everybody that goes in Saigon sees. The Cu Chi tunnels, a part of a enormous network of tight and low claustrophobic tunnels that were used by Viet Cogs against the american troops. In contrast with the American soldiers and their wide muscle back, the Viet Cogs were pretty skinny and small. Which prove to be a big plus as the americans could not really fit in the tunnels. Yes, I fitted in them quite easy (even after going to the gym for the last couple of years).

War Remnants Museum was probably the most... disturbing experience. I cried a coupe of times at the exhibition dedicated to the war photographers that lost their lives in Vietnam. Wonderful stunning pictures.

Kyoichi Sawada, Japan

Moving to the next building we were stupefied to find out about the operation "agent orange" that crippled the land and mutilated inhabitants. "Agent orange" was the code name for a powerful herbicide and defoliant that was used to spray 80.000 m3 by the americans with the sole purpose to reduce the dense jungle that offered a ideal camouflage for the vietnamese communistic resistance.

Cam Lo, Quang Tri Province. Phan Thi Hoi bathes her 14-year-old son, Bui Quang Ky. She was exposed to Agent Orange when she was in the North Vietnamese Army during the war.Detail of photo by James Nachtwey . source

The substances contained within the "agents" (were also other pretty colours like "agent pink, black, green" etc) increased risk of different cancer types and genetic mutations...

...

The Unification Palace was a huge disappointment. Used to be the Vietnamese White House so to say. The house of the president also used for international high level meetings and diplomatic affairs. But was kind of ran down and to 60's.

I have to say that I didn't really enquired about Saigon before getting there. I always had the impression that the city holds a certain hidden romance. Thats probably because it used to be a french colony, but after passing through such traumatic wars, and being (in a way) still surrounded by it the romance disappears and u get disgusted. By what we are able to do. What horrors we are actually able to create.

...

And when you realize that maybe Saigon its not the highlight of your trip you head towards the french post office and at then end the day to Le Pub for a nice chilled beer and a portion of spring rolls (there is one also in Hanoi).

asia tour . end of part 6 of 9

Vietnam to Cambodia . Mekong Delta

2008-11-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

We crossed the border between Vietnam and Cambodia on the murky water of the Mekong river.

As we wanted to make the most of it and we did have a short amount of time at our disposal we decided to go on an organized tour that would also facilitate the border crossing and the trip itself.
The tour was for 2 nights and included several boat trips, accommodation for two nights (one a bungalow and dinning with the host family), visit at the floating market, fish farm, crocodile farm, a monastery, candy factory, rice noodle factory, ride with a coach pulled by a donkey, a local singing show (who is strangling the cat?????) and more boat and bus rides. So was fully worth it. Then again would have been an experience to actually do it by yourself. But I guess we would have seen half of the places by ourselves. But then again, who knows what other things we would have seen ridding on a rented motorbike. Eh, next time.

Putting aside all the sceneries, houses on pillars and the 2 hour night joy ride with the boat on the way to our bungalow I have to say I got fascinated by the shape of the boats. And especially by their faces that are suppose to scary the fish (or the river monsters????). I always imaged those kind of long boats made out of wood with continuous layered curved lines while reading King Rat. I could see and further imagine a full functional world (like my cloud world that u can guess on the header picture of this blog) entirely on boats. Small house, pagodas, shops, schools, fountains, hospitals, willow houses (brothels), mountains, towers, bamboo forest, play grounds, tea shops, people in small boats just moving around with a daily mystical purpose. A self sustained culture which synchronized their lives flow with the passing water (thinking of your fascination with the Rhine Lukas).

And lets not mention the Karaoke night... Like ever!

asia tour . end of part 5 of 9

Cambodia . Sihanoukville . Occheuteal beach

2008-10-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

The only two nights spent at the beach. And was, the highlight, the only relaxing time we actually got from this trip.

Was also probably the time when Pedro hated me the most as I made him walk for more then 5 km in the blazing sun, dusty streets carrying a heavy backpack. And just because I was refusing to give into the always pressuring and aggressive tuk-tuk drivers. But because of this we found a piece of Paradise forgotten on earth (till the tourist corporation will take care of that also... really soon).

We found a bangaloo slightly above the sea, with a private terrace with round comfortable chairs were we retreated in the early afternoon hours for siesta, reading and slurping pina coladas.
Heaven I tell you, heaven! And dont get my started about the grills at the beach, were you can sit in comfortable armchairs dipping your feet into the sea and your mind into the stars.

This seems so long ago...
Of course Im not gonna tell you the name of the hotel!

asia tour . end of part 4 of 9

Phnom Penh

2008-10-26T13:18:00.001-07:00

There is no spectacular reason to visit the city. Well, its a main gate to most of the places in Cambodia so you kind of have to do it, plus if your there you can stop for a day to visit the killing fields and Tuol Sleng torture centre.

But the recent history seems to be forgotten pretty quick in Cambodia... which is sad cause just 30 years ago a mad leader decided to transform Vietnam in a Agrarian utopia and mass killed most of the educated people (even people that were wearing glasses cause they looked intellectual) and evacuate the cities and send the population to work in the jungle.
Further even, The Khmer Rouge (the only leading party which was actually an army) divided the population into 2 groups: the peasants were called the ancients while the population evacuated from the cities were the new people (communism cu caste. thats was something new!!!). Hospitals were not existent and if they were they were just the last place before you died, the food was rationalized and they abolish any form of currency. Their plan of reshaping the country was for 5 year and after 4 years and several months, the Vietnamese got pissed by the repetitive attacks on their border (Mekong Delta) and invaded the country.

A third of the population died. That means 7.5 mil. people died in less then 5 year.

Killing fields is a memorial place, in the center of it a pagoda was build.

Killing fields Memorial Pagoda

Inside the pagoda there are the excavated skulls of the victims labeled as: "Male 14-16 year", "Female 18 - 21 years". The area was used for mass execution and mass burial groups. That means 14 years old killing their parents with a shovel and then pushing them into the hole. And to stress the fact that that was happening only 30 years ago!

Tuol Sleng torture center was before Khmer Rouge a school, and was transform during the lethal regime into a torture center. Now-a-days is a museum that lacks founding. The government interrupted financial support several years back... And so the museums its quite... empty and doesn't really help to understand the horror that took place within those buildings. Which is a pity, because people tend to erase from the memory the drama if they are not faced again with the documented horror.

Torture center now a memorial museum

While in Vietnam I've read a novel called "Stay alive, my son" which help me to understand the proportion and the impact of the Khmer Rouge regime. Its a biography of that particular time by Pin Yathay that survived during this time and succeeded to cross the border in Thailand. His children, wife, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, all died.

A bit more than 30 years had past and Phnom Penh is as any normal asian poor city. Buzzing with people, having some nice monuments, some really expensive cars and loads of tuktuks. And, to just not forget, beggards. And even if in the first couple of hours your heart softens at the sight of a 6 year old carrying a 3 year old brother asking for " a dolla' ", dont worry. Will wear off quikly as more and more would come, not only begging but selling cheap copies of books, bracelets, postcards (10 postcards for one dolla'. They can even count them. In 10 languages!!! I can not count in 10 languagges!!!). It is a sad view but the only atitude you can have is a passive one. Don't support the "industry" or it will further develop. In the best case give them food or candies. Wait, maybe not candies cause they will tell you they are bad for their teeth... and that they actually prefer the dolla'.
But besides, in the evening you are only so lucky if you get a glimps of an elephant walking through the traffic.

Part of the Royal Palace

Buildings near the bus station

Street food vendors
(yes some fried tarantulas are there somewere)

Snake on a stick

Random Pagona

asia tour . end of part 3 of 9

Cambodia . Angkor

2008-10-23T13:52:00.000-07:00

Angkor.
Lara Croft, step aside, I'm into town.

"The ruins of Angkor are located amid forests and farmland to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap) and south of the Kulen Hills, near modern day Siem Reap (13°24'N, 103°51'E), and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples of the Angkor area number over one thousand, ranging in scale from nondescript piles of brick rubble scattered through rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, said to be the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored, and together they comprise the most significant site of Khmer architecture."
Wikipedia

Siem Reap is the main city, just 7 km away from the main entrance to the Angkor area. We arrived there after Phom Phen and decided to make the longest stop there. That means 4 nights.
A busy little town that become over night highly touristic, were the tourists roads are blocked for motor traffic in the night hours so no tuktuk smashes an another tired and drunk tourist.
The town itself is not of much interest after you got a hotel, u have a full belly and u already rented a bike.

Now, besides visiting the ancient temples, you find yourself in this town with a new hobby. Dodging children.
I mean, when 7 year Drea comes carrying a dozen of books in her back and wants to sell it to you with the puppy eyes technique its pretty hard to not buy one(of course the books are cheap copies of Lonely Planet Guides!) . Or 8 years old Tevy holding his 3 year old brother Kiri and begs for money its hard to chew the nice food that was put in front of you. On the other side you dont want to support this way of life, or the people behind this kids half or full beggining. On the other side... they are kids!!!! But if you give the candies they will throw with them after you and yell "I waaaa dollaaa'!!!". And after such an episode any child with puppy eyes just doesn't soften my sould anymore (plus I dont naturally like kids) but in exchange ar regard his as a arch enemy that just wants to spoil my nice pretty Lara Croft holiday. Now, I wouldn't go as far as Pedro went calling me "kids killa'" but I could say I was sometimes quite sharp and clear in my refusal to buy any of the shit they were insisting we should buy.

The entry of the Angkor area was around 40$ for 3 days, which at the beginning seems quite a lot for Cambodia. But you realize just sortly after you step on the first temple stone that you would pay much more even only to revisit. As advised by Lonely planned, we hired bikes for fun, independency and self ecological reasurance, and we started on the first day with the main attraction:
Ankgor Wat, heading after to Phnom Bakheng and finishing in the same day with most of the Angkor Thom: Bayon (can I live there????) Terrace of Elephans, Terrace of the Leper King, Baphijon Royal Palace and finishing with the Preah Palilay. The second day we decided to use also the bike and visit some more of track teples (well everything is on the touristic trail at the end) and among the tempels we visited were: Sras Srang, Banteay Kdei, Ta Phrom, Pre Rup and ta Keo. Third day we had to find a tuk tuk, to be sure we cover everything as was out last day. Banteay Srei and Neap Poan where the highlights but at the end of this 3 days some temples started to look the same.

Geez, I really dont know where to grab this post. There is so much to tell about it.

So, Im gonna do it my way, and not the Lonely planet way.

For a certain reason (See later post Phom Phen) I stuck on the idea to ride an Elephant. And not just anywere but I wanted to climb the little mountain on which the Temple Phnon Bakheng is placed like the ancient khmers, on the back on an elephant (and not half naked as you might thing. Sadly the elephnas were not around when I got there and luckly my mind was so bewildered with the sitesof Angkor Wat (main attraction but must add would be a huge loss if you dont go further as the others temples are maybe smaller but so special.)

Gosh, I really can get myself to tell a nice flowing story.

So I kind of let the pictures do it for me.

First Angkor Wat.
It appears not necessarily from the jungle but from the different shacks that sell you food, drinks and local artwork (same same everywere). After you dodge the water, books and bracelet selling kids (believe me thats quite a dodge, as sometimes dodging a bullet might seem eassier) and you step on the channel stone crossing bridge you wake up in an Tomb Raider/Indiana Jones movie. You forget all the hunger for knowledge and licrary culture and you just want to jump from stone to stone and find secret doors. After of couple of hour of snapping photos and thinking which stone might have the best grip to get to the next level (well, of course there are stairs which can comfortably serve the purpose) you cross the crumbling bridge back. And you just want to get it and do the jumping all over again.

Angkor Tom which translates with "Great Capital" is a whole city surrounded by a wall and a wide moat.
One of the most impressing sites are the gates that appear out of nowere. Huge smilling faces facing the cardinal points. The gates are guarded by 5 headed Nagas and a row of soldiers holding the body of the giant snake. In the center of the city other faces (Bayon temple) misteriously smilling towers are welcoming u in to get lost in its long shaded corridors and small court yards.
missing pictures

Terrace of the Elephans (was the closest I got to an elephantus in this land FAMOUS FOR ELEPHANTS!!!)
missing pictures
Secluded Preah Palilay.
This was the last temple we visited, and was somewhere hidden in the Capital City. As it is much more of an elevated shire on top of which several trees decided to grow, there were not so much tourists, and was the first time we started to feel like early discoverers of forgotten civilizations.
missing pictures

As I am still missing half of the pictures from Angkor, and as I didn't sort them on the temples and mementos. Thats why I'm just gonna drop them here to be sure I convince you to put Angkor on your traveling agenda.

After 4 nights full of dreams of giant stone Buddhas fighting we left Siem Reap behind from its fancy small airport.
The airport tax (payed at a counter) was more then a one day ticket pass in Angkor. How logical is that?

asian tour . end of part 2 of 9

Goodbye Asia - Bangkok

2008-10-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

A long warm hug signalized the end of our trip.
"Cari... Cari... Cari..."
We were in Amsterdam just arrived from a 12 hour fright from Bangkok. I've left him go to catch his flight to Zurich while I've stood behind waiting for mine. Alone after more then 3 weeks. Both of us.

Bangkok was the last stop on our east asian tour. An american girl that we've meet on the way said that Bangkok is a dirty New York. And right she was.

A huge metropol covered with the suspended platforms that carry the skytrain, sky scrappers that multiply by night, people holding to themselves and tuktuk drivers that want to scam you. Huge day and night markets markets, street vendors, beggers, massage sallons, prostitues in dirty red bars, scattered lost tourists that stopped also one day just to do their final shopping. Would love to live in this city for a couple of years as an expat just to have the opportunity to thoughen a bit up and to discovered the pulsating life of this gigant city.

We stood in a low middle hotel in a kind of red district, we went to malls selling Armani more expensive than in Europe, been to an labyrintic market where we kind of ended up just buying a couple of Tshirts and we had a last dinner in a quiet westernized thay flavoured garden.
And the whole time we couldn't shake of the feeling that our trip is done and the gripping reality of our return. Both tired of bargaining at every step, of looking up different hotels and of dirty underware.

I decided that Im gonna write the storry of the asian tour backwards.
Maybe to hold a bit more on the
warmth of the hug.
Of Cari.

end of part 1 of 9

Jumped on a cloud

2008-09-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

and left. I might not write for the next 3-4 weeks.

Let's go sailing

2008-09-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

PFA

2008-09-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Lma . Dar ptr ce iti trebui layout personal de factura?
Raoul . Pai nu sunt PFA acum. I have to over brand myself!
Lma . errr... Adica esti personal, fizic si autoritar... !?!
...
Raoul . De ce toate observatiile tale au tenta erotica?

happy at work

2008-09-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

The only time when I really like cars is when I get to make them pretty !

just a phase ... ?

2008-09-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

Today I saw on facebook a cute picture of a coworker hugging a huge bear. Like plusch fluffy cute teddy bear. "Ohhh how cute" was the natural reaction which I didn't even try to hide while in the office. Later today, while I was in the shopping mall walking briskly to get some more buttons for my sock monkeys I saw in a shop diplay some huge Teddy Bears. Now, I know that I past long time ago the age when its naturally to actually want a huge teddy bear to cuddle with it, and hug and squeeze it, but it kind of seemed otherwise a that moment and I started playing with the bears. Till I had to explain to the shop assistant that the bday of my nephew is coming up and I was just checking to see if there are no dangerous parts on this Teddy bear that my nephew could swallow (huge teddy bears actually could only harm you with their cuteness but I didnt think that would be worth mentioning it to the sales assistant).

Anyhow, left a bit sad and frustrated as I wanted to take one bear (all!!!) home but was thinking that would just be weird. While buying the buttons for the sock monkey (for the eyes) I realized I actually could build a HUUUUUGE sock monkey (and that one I would keep!)!! Which would be totally cute and people will think I'm just eccentric (that label fits me in Romania as a glove anyhow). Now the only problem was how to get so big socks.

Does anybody have the Gulliver's email or mobile phone number?