This, Too is Paris, part deux
10/16/2009
Just making a living by looking at the world upside down. At the moment, it probably makes more sense that way.
Blog Action Day: Turn Off the Lights and Get Warm
10/15/2009
Il faut que tu respires (photo by dr. fil)
The subject may be a bit omnipresent, but nevertheless, I decided to participate in this year’s Blog Action Day just as I did last year and the year before.
When tackling the subject of climate change I suppose that the logical front-line discourse is that on its very existence. Is the climate really changing or is the data on which research and reports are actually faulty. Such as temperature measured at the same spots that now happen to be in an urban environment whereas a hundred years ago they were surrounded by forests.
The next logical question might be whether it has been established beyond doubt that climate change has been brought about by human action rather than being a part of the nature of all things on Earth where the only constant is change.
And even if everyone agreed on the above, people would argue whether anything can be done to halt let alone reverse the process.
Today, I choose not to plunge into any of these debates. I know that I like living in a clean environment. I know that I enjoy nature. I know that I hate nasty smells. I know that in most countries, very little energy comes from renewable resources nowadays and that its production causes tangible and visible harm to the environment and to people in vicinity of the power plants. I know that we have developed a mainly buy-as-you-go-then-throw-away society. Other than that, I don’t know very much.
This morning as I went for my early morning jog in Paris (shameless brag plug) and it was still pretty much night out there, I ran past the Notre Dame cathedral and the Georges Pompidou centre. A few days before, I ran to the Sacré Cœur on top of the Montmartre. None of these famous buildings were illuminated except for a few light bulbs inside. Same goes for other world-renowned sites I admired. While in another little country I know, a countless number of little churches are illuminated throughout the night. I find the difference sobering and find myself wondering whether shutting those lights could be a good place to start eliminating some of the light pollution and excessive use of energy.
In total disregard for local weather, I went jogging in my usual gear, i.e. shorts and a tank top, with the temperature at freezing point outside. I passed by not only the grand monuments, but the usual ladies of the night / early morning as well. Two of them – at different posts, mind you – asked me whether it wasn’t too cold and expressed concern for my health. Somehow, I think that may have been ‘the line’ last night. When I returned some 45 minutes later, they were gone. I suppose they were some place warm.
All the rambling aside, I don’t know whether the climate is changing and if so, whether through actions of men. But I do want to live in a place that is clean and green. In my little world, what counts are the actions of every single person.
So let those who talk the talk walk the walk rather than ride private jets. Use public transportation. Heck, use your legs and do some walking or ride a bike. Let’s turn off all the unnecessary lights and get warm without overheating our homes. Clothes help. So do blankets. Or a hug.
Mickey 3D: Respire – Tu vas pas mourir de rire…
This, too, is Paris
10/14/2009
Starting a new day. The child in the tent still sleepy, but about to… get up.
Still Life in Paris
10/04/2009
Actually, life here is anything but still. I love this place and am really looking forward to getting to know it better during the next two weeks.
Casopi.si – današnja izdaja slovenskih časopisov na spletu
09/04/2009
Krasna pridobitev (tudi) za vse v tujini živeče Slovence – pregledovalnik svežih izdaj slovenskih časopisov: Casopi.si
Hvala, Robert Klinc in Žiga Turk!
Plačljiv dostop do spletnih virov novic
09/02/2009
Zakaj bi moral biti dostop do internetnih izdaj tiskanih medijev na internetu brezplačen? Ker so informacije zastonj? Od kdaj? Za to, da pridejo do uporabnika, poskrbi cela veriga ljudi, ki morajo od česa živeti. Načeloma od prodaje oglasnega prostora.
V moj elektronski nabiralnik redno prihajajo pozivi, naj podpišem katero od peticij za ohranitev časopisov pri življenju ali se pridružim obraznoknjižni skupini v njihovo podporo, medijski moguli napovedujejo plačljivost novic, pošiljatelji omenjenih peticij pa se jim režijo v brk, trdeč, da bodo na internetu informacije za vselej ostale zastonj. S spornostjo tistega „ostale“ se bom mogoče ubadala kdaj drugič.
Prav nič me ne bo motilo, če bodo brez posebnega plačila (torej, če odmislim na primer plačilo dostopa do interneta, porabe električne energije in nakup/rabo računalnika) pri recimo temu vsaj načeloma resnih in zanesljivih medijih na voljo samo kratke novičke, osnovne informacije in arhiv, za kaj več pa bo treba plačati, da novinarji in drugi pisci prispevkov ne bodo kruha stradali. V to skupino ne vključujem polpismenih osebkov, ki zadnje čase ustvarjajo spletne vsebine vseh pomembnejših slovenskih medijev (#fail in #slovnica, bi rekli na tviterju). In da, tudi lastnik medija lahko dobiček mirne duše pobaše v žep, če je izdelek dober.
Informacije so res prav posebna dobrina in dobra obveščenost državljanov je nujen pogoj za demokratičnost družbe. Ampak s kakšnim argumentom jih lahko zahtevamo brezplačno? Časopisi (vredni branja) niso brezplačni. Ahha, treba je plačati papir, tisk in distribucijo. Spletišča pa domujejo na brezplačnih strežnikih in se vzdržujejo sama od sebe? Ok, torej informacij ne zahtevamo brezplačno, ampak smo prepričani, da jih bomo tako dobili. Če ne od Timesa, pa od kakšnega blogerja. Ki jih bo dobil od kod? In bo pripravljen brezplačno pisati kakovostne vsebine kako dolgo? Bo posredoval informacije ali svoje mnenje o zaužitih in ustrezno prebavljenih informacijah?
Noben medij ne more biti nepristranski. Z izbiro tem, ki jih pokriva, z izbiro novic, ki jih posreduje svojim uporabnikom, z načinom njihove predstavitve. Pošljite na isti dogodek tri novinarje in naj sestavijo prispevek. Če ne bodo kopirali besedila sporočila za javnost, bodo prispevki različni. Kolumnisti so tako ali tako zgodba zase.
Preskok s tiska na tv. Medij je medij. Če se bo v Sloveniji približala uresničitev črnega scenarija Murdocha mlajšega, po katerem preskrbljena javna hiša ostane pri življenju, drugi novičarski akterji, ki se ne financirajo iz proračuna, pa se bolj ali manj klavrno zavlečejo v kot, predlagam pri medijih podobno ureditev kot pri financiranju verskih skupnosti iz dela dohodnine. RTV prispevek plačam mediju po lastni presoji. Mogoče se bo potem direktorju javnega zavoda zazdelo pomembno, ali oddaje, plačane z denarjem davkoplačevalcev, ti kdaj tudi spremljajo.
Guided Tour of Ljubljana Castle on Saturday Evenings
08/14/2009
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/
Bled Cake Run 33 1/3
07/11/2009
Here we go again. Living the good life means gaining a few pounds and starting to acquire the shape of your average couch potato, but with two weeks of preparations I was – against my own expectations – able to complete the 10km scenic run in one hour and one minute. Thanks to the great organisers and my special supporter. See you next year!
PS: pictured is the traditional prize for the runners – the Bled cream cake or what’s left of it.
Best Breakfast in Town
07/06/2009
Who would have thought that the best breakfast in town is served straight off the trees and bushes in Bambësch?
