Dr. Filomena

photo by dr. fil

OK so I love Ljubljana, what else is new. Plenty, actually. There is always more to discover in this beautiful town, always a chance to learn something new about the history of the buildings, the nature surrounding it and the people who called the area their home over the past several millennia.

Two weeks ago I made a short trip home and used the opportunity to take a new tour, one that takes you to the hidden spots of Ljubljana Castle that tourists usually don’t bother looking at, they look at them ignorant of what they’re seeing or the areas were not publicly accessible before .

Suffice to say that the tour was worth every eurocent and then some. It’s on at Saturdays, possibly only in August, at 8 pm and finishes with a glass of sparkling wine on top of the castle tower at sunset (see photo above).  OK, you can have orange juice instead, but the moment may lose some of its glamour that way.

Thumbs up! Further reading:
http://www.visitljubljana.si/
http://www.ljubljana.si/

Who would have thought that the best breakfast in town is served straight off the trees and bushes in Bambësch?

Shiver me timbers! Me harties, this is no time for a parley! Let’s see some chain shots from them six pounders!

OK guys I’ll be frank. I was unsure about the identity of the lizard myself. The bluff failed, but I will figure out his exact name. I do know who in this picture is, however. Any guesses? This bird was building its nest above the alligators at the farm. Apparently, the gators keep away pesky animals that are otherwise a threat to the nests, which makes the alligator farm a popular place for birds to build their family homes. The guy in the picture possibly does not qualify as your average perp, but the birds do tend to steal construction material from other nests.

(all photos taken on various occasions by dr. fil – please respect the copyright)

above: the new Honorary Citizen of Ljubljana, France Bučar gave an inspiring speech on values in today’s society, which received a standing ovation

above: the second new Honorary Citizen of Ljubljana, one of Slovenia’s top managers in his time Miran Goslar, instructed PM Borut Pahor on how to act in the current crisis; very interesting and possibly not quite as palatable for all as the first speech was

My blogging activity has definitely been declining. Again. Not that I ever considered myself a real blogger. This site started basically because of a nudge from a dear friend who thought I might have something interesting to say. Why he got that impression is beyond me. But I digress. Just to share with you guys a little bit of what has been going on around here.

above: never take yourself too seriously; Radio Ga-Ga, which recently turned 20 y/o should know (I just realised the first show was held on my birthday <G>)

Important info first. The cats are fine. Chuchi is being her wonderfully irresistible bitchy self and Perkmandeljc has become much more sociable and actually comes out to see the guests when they sit down in the living room. All the house parties must have done him good.

above: one of the house parties; just under 40 guests… ahem

Less importantly, I had a series of exams over a period of a month last month, starting with the last stretch of my EPSO competition. The final stage in this selection process, which took about a year all in all, was an oral exam in Brussels. I was successful and have been put on the reserve list. After that came an exam in the Political Science MA programme for Professor Cornell Clayton’s class on the constitutional development of the United States. What an interesting subject. Passing that one means I really should now start focusing on writing a thesis. Just do it, right? Not to make my life too boring, this exam was followed closely by my midterm French test.  Love the language! Have I mentioned that I do actually hold a full-time day job?

above: I have, of course, been cooking, baking and entertaining; pictured is my latest edition of wholemeal bread with a variety of seeds

Right now, we are making final preparations for a trip to Florida and Georgia. I am so excited about visiting friends there, especially my “American Grandmother” Pat! Lord knows our political views are less than compatible, but I love her nonetheless. Not to mention that she fixes a mean peach cobbler! Bunkey is a one of a kind, Wade is going to take care of the barbecue, Jackie will again claim he ain’t got no accent and we’ll probably end up in his shed playing darts with the all-country-music jukebox on. The squirrels usually don’t object.

When we return, I resolve to start writing the texts for my thesis to get this done and over with. More learning will follow as I’m thinking about picking up my legal studies again. Maybe. Just maybe.

Oh, if you’re an EU citizen, don’t forget to vote next week! The EU parliament may have a greater impact on your daily life than you imagine as it is and with the Lisbon treaty, which is most likely to be ratified in Ireland come October, the Parliament’s role in EU’s decision-making processes will increase significantly. Get informed and vote accordingly. Since I’ll be overseas at the time, I have already mailed in my ballot.

Anyway, the cats are fine.

Kaj se zgodi, če Laško postavimo na hladno in ga tam pustimo predolgo?

Thank goodness for resourceful gentlemen who come to the rescue of forgetful dames with such sophistication.

Photo by dr. Fil at Trnovski pristan in Ljubljana
with considerable assistance of dr. Fil’s niece Prof. Alya

Can we outsmart a magpie?

Above: Masada, in the 1st century a.d. the site of a mass suicide of Jewish rebels who chose death over surrendering to the Romans.
(photo by dr. fil)

On 10 March, Christians in the West remember the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who died in the name of their chosen faith.

In my home country, 10 March is also the day women give their condolences to their male cocitizens for having to put up with the population that celebrates its day two days before.

So

• in the hope that the increased influence of women in world politics and a growing number of women in positions of power will dilute the testosterone involved in decision-making processes;
• in the hope that martyrdoms of all sorts (Baghdad 8 March 2009) will be rendered unnecessary and will even before that be found to be an inappropriate and fruitless tools in problem resolution;
• in the hope that the dead will be left to rest in peace and the well-being of the living will take precedence over the temptation to dwell on the past and abuse the deceased to promote current political agenda

I hereby congratulate all men who handle PMS, mood swings, the many questions, planning, desires that extend well beyond beer and sports with success and not only do not give up, but enjoy the ride.

Here’s to you, guys!

Kisses,
dr. fil

PS: I’d send a flower, but I find that food works better, so:

a swan in Dublin, photo by dr. fil

I haven’t been able to grow wings no matter how hard I try. Darn that nature. And since Ryanair won’t accept pets on my flight and Svarun is coming along, we’ll soon be on the road again.

Chanting: no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg, no snow in Salzburg…

Ljubljana, here we come! 🙂