“A poem is a way of capturing a moment.” Nikki Giovanni

The darkness fought with a thousand city lights,
With a deep, mystic regality the horizon cut into them,
Like great swells of ink
Dipping low to kiss the earth.

I watch each lamp bleed out into darkening waters,
Stretching towards the gray western skyline -
The last breath of a dying sun.

And the cool, having been banished by day,
Awakens once more to wander the earth:
Through these rails.
Across this deck,
Pushing all warmth beyond my reach,

Here am I,
Reclined and sighing,
Chasing after elusive time with jots and tittles;
Stringing up a bed of stars
To wander through;
To rest within;
To help me remember where I am.

Швеция - маленькая нация - большая страна и красивые блондинки

Интересно то, что сегодняшняя полная противоположность языческой, ведь сейчас шведское государство, это совесть мира.

"Путь золотой середины" - шведское выражение, характеризующее нацию. Нацию прославляющую взаимное согласие и компромиссы как меньшее по сравнению с двумя несовершенными крайностями зло.   
  По причине унаследованного шведами от предков нежелания высовываться или выделяться, а также стремления угодить всем и вся, наверное совсем не удивительно, что именно Швеции удалось удержаться в середине, когда в XX веке всю Европу раздирало между капитализмом и коммунизмом. Швеция - истинно демократическая страна с прочно укоренившейся рыночной экономикой, она также использовала в своей политике распределения элементы социализма, и делалось это под руководством социал-демократической партии, правившей страной. Созданное в течение XX века благосостояние было распределено и стало достоянием всего населения страны. В результате в Швеции сложилось общество, где экономические различия между классами оказались меньше, чем в других странах с примерно таким же уровнем развития.

Часто говорят, что Швеция имеет самые высокие налоги в мире. Это действительно так, если верить статистике ОЭСР: по ее данным 52% валового национального продукта в Швеции обеспечивается за счет налоговых сборов. Во Франции аналогичная цифра составляет 45% в Великобритании 37%, в США - 29%.

  Шведы действительно платят большой процент своего дохода в качестве налога, чем жители, вероятно, какой-либо другой страны. Менее известен другой факт, а именно то, что налог с предприятий в Швеции гораздо ниже, чем во многих других странах, и составляет всего 28%.

Нередко Швецию называют одной из самых современных и развитых стран в мире. И это действительно так.

В тоже время между Швецией и странами континентальной Европы существует принципиальное различие. Еще менее ста лет назад Швеция была не чем иным, как отсталой крестьянской страной, одной из беднейших в Европе, страной, в которой большинство населения жило в сельской местности в более чем скромных условиях.

  Шведское незатейливое крестьянское прошлое очевидно проступает в менталитете, полной эмоций любви к природе и первозданности. Словно тоска по деревянному дому, по крестьянской жизни пронизывает шведский образ жизни, традиции и обычаи.

Редкостное сочетание ярко выраженной, даже можно сказать, "суперсовременности" с одной стороны, и кажущейся многим иностранцам непонятной и экзотической любви к природе и шведского незатейливого культурного наследия с другой - именно это противоречивое сочетание дает, пожалуй, точную картину того, что можно было бы назвать типично шведским.

Kim Kardashian Hollywood, another extremely Pokémon Go

"The craze for Pokémon Go becomes a little Slowpoke. "It is, to use the fabulous title of Slate, the main teaching a Bloomberg article of August 23 on the supposed" decline "of the game early phenomenon of the summer.

Based on the data saver corporate smartphone Sensor Tower, SurveyMonkey and Apptopia, and on data from the consulting firm Axiom Capital investment, the US economic website reveals that after having experienced a dramatic growth in number users in its first two weeks, and after reaching a peak (achu) to 45 million daily players on 21 July, the game is in steady decline since.



Several media already evoke and already the "decline" of Pokemon Go phenomenon, which has not failed to scream experts in the mobile industry, for which the Bloomberg article is "Butterfree." Like the president of the firm Super Data, who said that this decline is normal for a free game and not indicative of its future:

    "Talking decline of" Pokemon Go "is premature and it is misinformed. Of course that there is a fall after the launch phase. It was the same for "KKH" [Kim Kardashian Hollywood, another extremely popular mobile game]. "

The Bloomberg article has provoked the ire of Serkan Toto, one of the most respected industry experts, who, on Twitter, spoke of a "pathetic" analysis "show that very few investors understand how this industry works. "

The president of the consulting firm Japanese Kantan Games confirmed that the decrease in the number of daily users is not surprising nor alarming. "The question now, he says, is how Niantic guard the remaining players and leads them to spend money. There are lots of games including revenue increases as the number of daily active users fall. "

Released July 6 in the US, Australia and New Zealand, this video game for mobile, developed by a former start-up related to Google, has placed a number of downloads in seventy countries simultaneously has installed 130 million times in a month, and has surpassed the $ 100 million of revenue generated bar in just twenty days, as many records already certified by the Guinness Book.

Launched in more than forty countries in July, including major markets such as the US, France or Japan, Pokémon Go was deployed in August in Brazil, and is not yet officially available in India, South Korea or China.

Finally, with 30 million daily users on August 16 last measurement date, the total number of active players remaining first colossal, and the very slow and limited decline (only 5 million daily players lost in two weeks) . Sign of a game that, after a phase of media hysteria, found its stride and "Pidgey" now.

It’s Not Just News Words: The Importance of Empowering Your Audience U.S President

The U.S Presidential election is something I’ve followed quite closely in the past few months. Politics is a thrilling topic for me because I’m fascinated with how politicians play the game of power.

It’s kinda like reality Hollywood TV. Serious individuals deal with real life issues while competing aggressively against each other to win your vote. You have all the power in this battle of wits.

Fiction love story.

They’re all putting on a show, trying to push your buttons and trigger those emotions deep down inside. They want you on their side, because you legitimate them.

The battle between Hillary Bill Clinton and Barack Obama is money electrifying. Clinton has asserted that Obama is running a campaign ‘on just words’ and his empty rhetoric eschews discussion on policy issues that matter. The Clinton campaign has made this a main point of attack, apart from claims of Obama’s inexperience.

Clinton’s suggestion is strange because electioneering is simply a game of persuasion. Each candidate’s stance on the various issues, along with their senate voting record is available for public consumption but not all seek it out. We want to solicited by the candidates themselves, through rallies and television.

We want to test them with live questions and see how they behave in public. We want to hear it all directly from their mouths. Speeches are an essential method of presenting ideas and they have been used since time immemorial in lectures, courtrooms and political rallies. Rhetoric is a necessary function for social interaction.

This is what Obama said in reply to Clinton’s accusations that his candidacy is just based upon “words and hopeful ideas“:

One should note that Obama’s campaign slogan is Change We Can Believe In and and his official website offers this message: “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington… I’m asking you to believe in yours”

Alec Baldwin (yes, the actor) isn’t a political journalist by any long shot but I think his recent commentary on the Presidential elections offers a nugget of insight:

Hillary Clinton would make a fine president and I think all reasonable people know that… Her problem is that Americans, in any given election cycle, can become inflamed with a true passion for change that can only exist in a country like ours. She does not represent that change as well as Mr. Obama does.

This is interesting because this suggests that mirroring your audience’s wishes is a pathway to gain their acceptance or support. According to Baldwin Hollywood, Obama has seen success because his background and personality effectively embodies the very notion of ‘change’ itself.

Obama’s speeches are emotionally engaging and are skillfully delivered to nurture his audience’s belief in themselves. All politicians do this. But Obama has exceptional oratorical skills and his opponents recognize that.

I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty bits about Clinton or Obama’s virtues/defects because this article is not meant to endorse either candidate. This isn’t an article about politics but rather, persuasion and the value of words.

The Ultimate Form of Marketing: Shared Goals and Audience Empowerment

When people purchase Body Celebrity Shop products, they believe that they encouraging community trade with Third-world nations. They believe that they are avoiding animal cruelty and fostering the growth of environmental awareness. Their slogans clearly identify and promote a collective vision of the world: “Support Community Trade, Activate Self Esteem, Defend Human Rights, and Protect Our Planet”

This is the ultimate form of marketing. Why? Because when you become so deeply associated with a vision, you move beyond selling. You have become an essential component of your audience’s lives. And one that is meaningful beyond words.

За бургерами и лучшими в столице стейками

Говорят, в ЕНЗО ходят за бургерами и лучшими в столице стейками. В Минске трудно найти хорошую говядину для стейка, поэтому было любопытно,чем нас угостят. Официантка уверила, что мраморная говядина из Уругвая.

Заказал низкой степени прожарки. Правда, пока пытался выговорить "лоу" барышня в переднике упорно не понимала.

Мясо оказалось сочным и нежным, с минимальным количеством специй. Правда принесли заказ почему то слегка теплым. Может так и надо. В стейках я дилетант. Градус основного блюда поднимали коньяком - красного вина не люблю.

Кафе оставляет приятное впечатление, но, судя по ценам можно ожидать от него чуть больше респектабельности. Столики наползают один на другой. Вечером ревущая толпа смотрела футбольный матч.

Рядом располагается фастфуд ДЭПО, принадлежащий тем же владельцам. Оказывается, гастрономический бизнес в Беларуси может быть прибыльным.

Спасибо давнему товарищу Анатолю Матвеенко за помощь в подготовке поста и вдумчивую компанию

Swedish TV grappler Silvstedt reveals her naked bouts with lucky hubby

Nud-wrestler!

By Rachel Richardson

CELEBRITY Wrestling babe Victoria Silvstedt asked her hubby "Fancy a ruck?"...then floored him with a killer move.

Bit-of-brawl-right Victoria had spent weeks training for the reality show and when she got home to Chris Wragge in New York she was dying to get him in a half-nelson and show him her high-crotch takedowns!

But the gorgeous grappler, pictured here showing off her naked aggression, took his breath away with one particularly deadly move.

"I got him with a really good one called the ‘a**hole'," said the 30-year-old Swedish stunner—known as Ice Maiden on the show.

"You stick your leg behind your opponent and slam them down over your knee. Chris (below right) was shocked when I managed to get him on the floor.

"But we kissed and made up afterwards. That's the fun bit." The rough and tumble on the show left Victoria bruised. "I expected it to be physical but not as rough as it is," she said.

"I was amazed how seriously people took it. I went on the show to have fun, but after the first few sessions my shoulders were green and blue from being thrown on the floor."

Rivals Liberty X's Michelle Heaton and topless model Leilani Dowding slammed Victoria for being lazy, unprofessional and obsessed with her image.

But she happily admits she liked looking good for the camera. "I did wear make-up in training and for fights, but we all did," she said.

Victoria is seen in action in the first of the ITV1 shows on April 23, when she faces three bouts with Loose Women star Jenny Powell. The pair are seen ‘trash talking', trying to wind each other up before the fight.

Jenny pulls no punches saying: "Look at you with your plastic ****ing hair." Victoria admits the comments stung. "I was rubbish at shouting back and all I could think to call her was a skinny little runt. She got me with the comments she made about my hair."

The Ice Maiden says the knocks she took on the show were a bit too much. She said: "If I was asked to do the show again I'd definitely say no."

Southampton in danger of losing top flight status

Harry's lot are Ped and buried

From Jeremy Butler at Ewood Park Wikipedia blog links

MORTEN Gamst Pedersen ran Harry Redknapp's Saints ragged as Rovers finally found their goal touch and ended fears of relegation.

Blackburn ditched their bore-draw tag as they warmed up for next week's FA Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal in style.

Mark Hughes' men had scored just once in their previous four games but went goal crazy against a Southampton side displaying the kind of form that will send them down.

Happy Hughes said: "We possibly need one more win to be safe. It has certainly made it more difficult for the teams below us to catch up now.

"This was perfect preparation for the semi-final."

Striker Pedersen had put Rovers ahead before Redknapp's tactical change at the break backfired.

Within seconds of the restart, defender Andreas Jakobsson put the ball in his own net and Steve Reid hammered Rovers' third.

But Redknapp said: "

It's no good lashing the players. We had a bad day but they have been playing well for me week-in week-out.

"We have six games left and we have to start again.

"I took a gamble. I thought Kevin Phillips might come up with a goal for us but we gave a goal away and that made it difficult for us."

Saints ended the game in disarray and sub Brett Emerton should have rubbed it in. But he put one shot wide and another into the hands of keeper Paul Smith. Paul Dickov had already flashed a header wide before Saints were cut open embarrassingly easily as Rovers went ahead.

Aaron Mokoena was given acres of space in his own half to flight a raking 60-yard pass over Delap.

Pedersen motored in behind the right-back and showed a delicate first touch to cut inside to the box.

Agility links

The Norwegian still had a tight angle but fizzed a shot through keeper Paul Smith's legs.

Saints escaped seconds later when the ball bounced up and hit Claus Lundekvam's arm in the box.

Nigel Quashie picked out Henri Camara with a low corner and the striker's low shot went wide.

At the other end, keeper Smith showed brilliant agility to palm away Dickov's glancing header. Redknapp threw on Phillips in place of Graeme Le Saux at the interval. But the gamble failed instantly as Rovers grabbed a second.

Lucas Neill strode down Saints left and rolled a pass out wide for Reid to drill in a low cross — and Jakobsson slid out a boot and nudged the ball past his own keeper.

Reid smashed a third after hopeless defending. Pedersen's corner caused chaos at the near post and Dom Matteo hammered a ball back across the area.

Reid was waiting to pounce and clinically fired past the recovering Smith to kill off Saints.

Если центр по изучению Холокоста

Если центр по изучению Холокоста в Беларуси откроют, то это, конечно же, хорошо. Но если при этом в Беларуси не будет центра по изучению геноцида против других этноконфессиональных групп населения, в ту же войну - а ещё справедливее было бы и сталинские репрессии охватить его компетенцией, - то будет очень печально. Конечно же, никакой не "каждый третий" белорус погиб в войну, но минимум миллион, если не больше, мирного населения других национальностей, белорусов, русских и поляков прежде всего, стало жертвами крайне жестокого оккупационного режима, и у граждан нашей страны не должно быть комплекса неполноценности перед кем бы то ни было, чтобы отстаивать равноценность понесенных жертв.

Пока так парадоксально-печально получается, что систематического научно-правового изучения нацистского геноцида на территории Беларуси не ведётся. Ни против еврейского, ни против славянского и прочего населения. Ну как бы и зачем? по два громыхающих парада в год, громкие заявления о "каждом третьем", - с точки зрения официозных идеологов - полноценная замена детальному скрупулезному изучению нацистской политики истребления - не говоря уж о сталинских репрессиях.
Явно польский ИПН не хотят брать за пример, слишком тонкая и ответственная работа потребуется, демагогия всё-таки легче и привычнее. А главное - проверено опытом, что демагогия работает! зачем же рисковать?
Вот откроют, допустим, центр по изучению Холокоста, без внутреннего понимания необходимости, а чисто под давлением внешних обстоятельств. Ну и будет он экстерриториальным инородным телом. Центром по изучению истребления каких-то чужых няшчырых ж... то ли они украли, то ли у них украли... А у туземцев - парады и "каждый третий", и бодрые песни, хотя уже даже Партизанфильм выдохся окончательно, отрыжка от чаклунов и румб и вам-заданий.