Electronic war and middle life crisis…

OK, that sounds a bit gloomy. The weather is quite dismal as well, so I’ll try not to be too pessimistic. The news I am referring to are not personal but general.

The first piece of news I heard that is quite interesting / frightening / worrying is related to Stuxnet. For those of you that do not know that name (it’s not a very nice name anyway). Stuxnet is a worm, a virus that runs through Computers. What is very worrying about this malware is that it can affect hardware; it can take over systems that control the inner workings of industrial plants! It was designed specifically to attack the Siemens-designed working system of Iran’s new Nuclear Power Plant. That power plant is not yet active, but will be soon.
We are talking about a bloody Nuclear Plant!!!!


If you really think about it, this new form of electronic war can take tremendous proportions. Imagine the scenario of a security system of a plant (eg nuclear) being deactivated, an oil plant pipeline opening to the sea or a water treatment facility contaminating clean water.

This story reminds me of apocalyptic movies where technological related incidents happen with affects on millions of lives across the globe.

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The other, less (?) terrifying news I read today, is about mid-life crisis beginning in 30s!

I quote from BBC news:

“Work and relationship pressures make the mid-30s the start of many British people's unhappiest decade, a survey suggests.
Of those questioned, more people aged 35 to 44 said that they felt lonely or depressed than in other age groups.

Working long hours, arguments, proper division of household chores and poor sex were cited equally by men and women as the most common sources of problems.”



The first thing that came into my mind was the fact that the survey might talk mostly of straight, many years married, with children, people. Then, I started wondering whether it makes any difference or I am just playing with stereotypes.

I always thought that the 30s are one of the best decades in a man’s life. That finally he can put his promiscuous years behind him, know what he wants and how to get it. OK, maybe that approach is a bit naïve but still, I can’t believe that middle life crisis can hit someone as early as 34! Maybe they need to change the name. People do live longer now and certainly work until their 60s or 70s. (I don’t really believe my generation will peacefully retire anyway)…

So, to compare a straight and a gay man’s life, I think that the process of accepting that you are gay and the difficulties of forming or sustaining a long term relationship take time, making (some) gay people grow older before they finally settle down. Also, some women’s need to have children and form a family early in their life leads some straight couples to earlier tight the knot and procreate. This might mean (according to my very reliable calculations of course) that the average age of settling down, forming a family, for straight men is smaller than a gay’s man.


This idea implies that the earlier you form a family, settle down, the quicker you fall into a trend, an every day ‘misery’ that will eventually lead you in a middle life crisis. That idea is of course flawed, but I am not sure how far from the truth it is. Forming a family and having children in a very young age increases the chances of that marriage falling apart. You can’t always expect your high school sweetheart to be your happy husband till death do you part…

OK, I think that’s enough. I’m taking this too far. I know people who are happily partnered decades after they met. Feeling depressed at any age is sad and can easily happen. I am just playing with stereotypes…

How can you really judge a character?

I was thinking about the guy I used to date two years ago, ‘L’. I met him through 'gaydar' and on our first date we went for a scroll and small picnic in Regent’s Park. We met in Camden and I was astounded at how good looking he was. He was approximately my height, strong built, two years older than me, black with very short hair, round face, bright dark eyes raised in Scandinavia with a really nice taste in clothes.

On our way to the park, we stopped by a small super market to get some food and coffee. Next to the crisps stand, a small package had fallen on the floor. ‘L’ stopped to pick it up and put it back to its place, tidying the whole stand in the process. It’s so funny, but this minor detail made me like him. His confident, strong personality that he presented made me like him even more.

Unfortunately, the problems appeared quite soon after that first date. I still haven’t managed to figure him out and I will probably never will. ‘L’ tried and appeared as a quite successful, tough, charming person. He was (or maybe still is) a manager of a major retail clothing shop in central London. However, he was amazingly insecure, still having issues with being a homosexual (and with sexual problems on top of that).

What he managed to do is make me very attracted to him by being (very) hard to get. He didn’t want to meet up very often. He only wanted to meet every week or second week for drinks. He loved his ‘manly’ whiskies. He didn’t want me to meet his circle of friends or him to meet mine. Time was passing and I couldn’t figure out what he wanted from me. He was calling the shots and saying when and where we’d meet. I was just following his lead. I don’t believe that would have happened that easily now. I was quite inexperienced then.


Anyway, after the second month (I believe) our ‘relationship’ evolved from being drinking buddies to having sex / sleeping together after drinks as well. The first time he invited me over, I was so ecstatic about it. However, I then realised that ‘L’ had some erectile problems and the things he was promising to do in bed beforehand were just promises for him to hear. I didn’t need nor wanted any promises of having great sex. I didn’t need a porn star in my bed. I have quite normal expectations. ‘L’ however, had the need to prove to me (and him) that he’s quite the macho fucker (rubbish). Having all these high unmet expectations made him frustrated, grumpy and a pain to be around. It was even having an affect on me doubting myself and feeling undesirable.


Anyway, to cut a story short, ‘L’ was very protective and caring. I had a really nice time when I was out with him. Our problems in bed were still there, but I thought to give him some time and support and that maybe it will go away. We didn’t have a normal relationship and we only met sporadically. He even went home with someone else he met in a bar in our night out (my all time low).

The real reason I was thinking about ‘L’ recently, was the fact that at some point I met a colleague of his from work. When I told him that I sporadically was seeing ‘L’ he was surprised but didn’t admit why. I then found out from a common friend (gossiping) that the colleague had the worst impression of ‘L’. He said that no one liked him at work. That he was very obnoxious, hot tempered with occasional drinking issues. ‘L’ apparently had been into fights with most them. I didn’t like it of course, but I thought that ‘L’ being a manager had some responsibilities that made him the ‘bad’ guy always making them do stuff…

Unfortunately, soon after, I got into a very nasty fight with ‘L’. He got extremely jealous of my friend ‘gb’ because we were very close. I have to admit that I didn’t handle the situation on the beginning very well but it sure wasn’t that bad. I thought that we could talk about it like normal people, but ‘L’ was drinking, screaming and verbally abusing me for the next two days. It was really bad. That fight started on Friday night to end in Wednesday with me not picking up the phone any more when he was calling me.

I was thinking about the whole situation recently because a friend was complaining to me about her friend who was about to marry a real jackass. Why can’t she see for herself what an asshole her future husband is?
With ‘L’ I knew that there were problems. I just foolishly thought that with time they might be solved. I was thinking that he was treating me well. I didn’t believe what his colleague told me. I didn’t see the lack of real friends from his part (always important).
Thankfully, I managed to slam the door (hard) at his face. It wasn’t that easy though. Of course I was the ‘bad’ guy at the end with ‘L’ texting me that I am not giving him another chance that he deserved and that I was being awfully harsh at him (among many other things).

My question is this: How can you really see the signs? How can you distinguish the prince on the shinning armour from the prince with the fake teeth and bad breath? How easily is it to accept your friends’ opinion to stay away?

Private Dinner Party

‘JJ’ had the day off yesterday and he suggested coming to mine to cook dinner after I finish work, just the two of us. Of course I agreed (I am not that stupid). I love the way he cooks. Some people have an imagination and ability to create amazing stuff out of (almost) nothing.

The downside (?) of this whole thing is the amount of stuff he made (and we ate). Here’s a picture:

not finished yet

As you can see there are four pots and pans for the two of us. What is missing is the couscous being done on a separate bowl. For starters we had pancakes (bottom left) with salmon and chives in white wine sauce (bottom left) with a little bit of salad. For main we had the beef stew with carrots and celery (top right) with the butternut squash mash (top left) and the couscous (couldn’t fit in the picture)! Fortunately we didn’t finish everything, we simply couldn’t!

That man talks straight to my stomach…

Anyway, this is an example to demonstrate how being in a relationship sometimes is bad for your waistline. I am taking him running though tonight. Of course we’re going to a very nice Japanese restaurant after that! Sushi is healthy!

On a different matter, I finished my homework for school for tomorrow! I’ll pack my lunch in my lovely X-Men lunchbox and be ready! Not really, I don’t have a lunchbox. Maybe I should get one…

Have a lovely weekend everyone! enjoy...

Foul mood…

I haven’t slept well at least the last two days. I simply can’t seem to relax and let god Morpheus take me. I don’t know why he might be upset with me. I don’t know what to do to please him and accept me…

The truth is I have many stuff in my mind at the moment. I feel pressured from all the things I have to do and failing to accomplish in the degree I’d want to. There is of course no one to blame but me. I have stuff at work, that are delayed and I’m struggling to finish. I have lots of studying to do and failing is not an option for me. I also have arranged running for Cancer Research the Sunday of the 17th October, the day after the final course, and I want to train for that as well. In the meantime I am applying for new jobs, trying to sort out my finances and go to the gym regularly with my personal trainer which leaves me in pain the next day(s).


Of course, a logic person would tell me to stop training and going to the gym, sort my priorities and stop worrying for things that are not mine to control.
Heh!
I disagree… Running is something I love doing. I am not that great (yet) at it but I love how it helps clear my mind. I love that I am increasing my mileage, that I my average speed is also increasing and the feeling of accomplishment it is giving me.


I simply need to put myself together. Arrange a studying schedule that can be followed and accept the fact that some sacrifices (cinema, going out) need to be made in order to accomplish some of my goals…

Anyway, enough whining. I’ll be fine, I know it. I feel already just by writing these things down. A very strong shot of caffeine will make me so much happier now. Maybe some chocolate? And I’ll definitely find how to please Morpheus. Maybe a nice chamomile or warm milk tonight?

Weird sex laws of the world…

(Of course it’s not from a reliable source and it all could be total bollocks, but anyway)



Starting with number:

#10: Most Middle Eastern countries recognize the following Islamic law: "After having sexual relations with a lamb, it is a mortal sin to eat its flesh."
(totally understandable)

#9: In Lebanon, men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female. Having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death.
(we just can't get a break)

#8: In Bahrain, a male doctor may legally examine a woman’s genitals, but is forbidden from looking directly at them during the examination. He may only see their reflection in a mirror.
(like Medusa)

#7: Muslims are banned from looking at the genitals of a corpse. This also applies to undertakers; the sex organs of the deceased must be covered with a brick or a piece of wood at all times.
(brick?)

#6: The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is capitation.
(are there any men with heads there?)

#5: There are men in Guam whose full-time job is to travel the countryside and deflower young virgins, who pay them for the privilege of having sex for the first time. Reason: under Guam law, it is expressly forbidden for virgins to marry.
(that is a cool job)

#4: In Hong Kong, a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands.
(feels right)

#3: Topless saleswomen are legal in Liverpool, England, but only in tropical fish stores.
(haven't seen that one)

#2: In Santa Cruz, Bolivia it is illegal for a man to have sex with a woman and her daughter at the same time.
(was that so common?)

And the weirdest law in the world is...

#1: In Cali, Colombia, a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time this happens her mother must be in the room to witness the act.
(Freud would have loved this...)

Concerned client…

It was on the news today that ‘Southern Railway’, a company providing train services in the south eastern parts of England, decided to create a new train fleet without toilets, since they want greater passenger capacity! They are thinking of introducing these new trains this December in the Portsmouth to Brighton journey which lasts an hour and half. I don’t think that opening a door and peeing between stops will be advised…

This article made me think about how other companies in the name of profit lower their standards in clients’ expense! You must have all heard about the new types of airplane seats. They look wonderful, don’t they? It’s like riding a horse for many (many) hours. The feeling after the flight must be wonderful to say the least.



Ryanair decided to start charging the use of toilets in their planes. The new planes will have fewer toilets than they have now and coin slots will be introduced in order to use them! I am not going to further comment on Ryanair, but I’d like to make a point about client’s rights and privileges.

Fortunately, I have the right to choose a different airline to fly and I have vowed against flying with Ryanair ever again. However, when it comes to trains, I don’t think I can do that so easily. It’s tricky finding the stations that operate with different railway companies which is not always possible.

Anyway, it’s Monday, so I am grumpy:

200th post

I’ve successfully managed to reach 200 posts and 50 followers! Compared to other people it’s nothing, but I am all very happy. I really do appreciate the comments I’m receiving, my followers and the people I meet through blogging.


I’m leaving you with some eye candy from various websites and categories. It’s not X-rated (I’m not having that kind of blog) and I have to say that I suffered browsing the internet to find these pictures. Oh, the things I have to go through in research’s name…

Materialism…

I want to change my mobile phone and I want to change it now (I stomp my feet on the ground as I say that and I can even do the face like a three year old). Unfortunately, my contract expires early March 2011 and I can only upgrade a month in advance. However, I’d like a change. Do not ask me why. I just do. I am not spending my money in designer’s clothes, expensive accessories or furniture. I have a soft spot for electronic gadgets though and I love doing market research / reading reviews about them…


My current phone (Nokia N86 8GB) works fine. The 8MP camera provided is excellent for pictures and videos and the 8GB of memory is perfect for music, pictures or file transferring. I use it with Google Maps, Ovi Maps, for my runs (Sports Tracker) and gaming (Sudoku, Frozen Bubble etc). However, I got it after having for a year and a half its predecessor, the Nokia N81 8GB. Their differences are not that great and I find myself for 2 and a half years with very similar phones (1,5 years of N81 and 1 year of N86). So, I rightfully think I need a change…

I will simply not buy an iphone. I can still resist it. I don’t like Apple’s ethics, image or policies as I’ve mentioned in the past. I also don’t like how almost all my gay friends have one and are crazy about it. Especially gb is going on and on about it ALL the time. When everybody’s is talking or doing one thing, the rebel in me simply does different. My personal trainer told me yesterday that he had his iphone stolen and he tried the new Apple store in Covent Garden to buy one. They are daily sold out! They receive new iphones version 4.0 but there are people outside the store queuing from 6am and half an hour after the store opens, they are finished!

So, I am between two mobile phones (at least for now). I’m thinking of the new Nokia N8 or the HTC Desire HD. They are both not for sale yet and there are no final reviews I can check, but they look quite promising. The Nokia is using the new Symbian version ^3 OS, has a 12MP camera and 16GB of integrated memory (upgradable as well). The HTC is in Android 2.2 OS, wider HD screen, has an 8MP camera and 1,5GB integrated memory (accepting microSD cards). According to hardware Nokia is definitely winning.


However, the HTC phone must be cheaper with a far better Operating System (from what I’ve read). I’ve been buying Nokia phones for many years and the Android might be the difference I’ve been looking for. Also, Android applications are greater in number and better in quality. I fear that Symbian’s new version is not really that different and I might end up with a very similar phone again, only with a touch screen. Can’t I have Nokia N8 with Android 2.2 please?

Yes, I am a sad person and I can be greedy / materialistic / geeky some times…

Rumbling Thursday…

Thank you for the book recommendations. I’ve ordered the ‘Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story’, ‘London Triptych’, ‘Geography club’ and ‘A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)’. These books will keep me occupied for a short while.

I’ve always wanted to read the Geography club since as I’ve mentioned in the past I have a thing for Maps, Cartography and geography in general (Yes, I am a geek). I am so going this Sunday to the exhibition in British Library called the ‘The Magnificent Maps’. It’s the last day this Sunday but I can’t go earlier. The ‘Game of Thrones’ I’ve heard is a really nice Fantasy book.


Funnily enough, ‘MadeInScotland’ also suggested to me a book called ‘The Pope is Not Gay’, by Angelo Quattrocchi. That comment was never added to blogger and the email I received had the following warning:


I really don’t know why I can’t get rid of this warning even if I click on ‘Show Content’. That reason alone is suspicious. Of course Microsoft is not the best company when it comes to tolerance and freedom of speech.

By the way, ‘MadeInScotland’ raises some really interesting issues regarding the Pope and his UK visit, if you’re interested.

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Yesterday, we went to watch ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’. It follows exactly the same steps as the previous movies. Milla is an awful actress and the plot is very predictable. However, the whole thing manages to appear entertaining. Not having high expectations of course helps. We got our pop corn and buckets of Coke and sat comfortably to be 3D entertained.

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I’ve been quite productive the last few days and I am really enjoying it. My new schedule includes waking up at 6:30, going to the gym approximately from 7 till 8 and then going to a coffee place for breakfast to study Java before going to work. I simply don’t know how long it’s going to last though. Going out after work (gallery, cinema etc) is reducing the hours of sleep I’m getting.

Today, I didn’t go to the gym or to study because I have my personal torturer in the gym this evening. This is the first time I’m going alone! It will definitely be interesting. Most likely, I’ll be in pain tomorrow…

Opening night…

It was really fun yesterday at the opening (at least for me).

‘JJ’ was slightly (a little bit more than that) stressed before the opening. He was going on and on about how his stuff is shit and how they will start throwing tomatoes, broccoli and various other vegetables, fruit or eggs at him. It was all quite entertaining. I did my best to calm him though.

Surprisingly, the place was quite crowded. To be honest, I didn’t think it was properly advertised and promoted. I feared that only friends and relatives would be there but fortunately there were lots of people. A couple of glasses of wine eased JJ’s nerves and I think he started enjoying himself and the attention he was getting. We stayed there for almost three hours since JJ had to talk to potential buyers and do some PR. I was happy chatting to some people, noticing what artists wear these days (always fascinating), having some wine and food.


(I’d like to make a comment here. When organising an event like that, please do not serve pork ribs! It’s not really easy to eat and people are stuck with bones and greasy hands and faces! )

I was told that I look better than my portrait (always nice to hear) especially since JJ’s work is surreal and cubic, resembling Picasso’s portraits.



Out of the ten artists taking part in the exhibition, two managed to sell something. One of them was JJ! I was so happy for him. He needed a confidence boost since he wasn’t painting much recently. I probably take much of his free time and he hasn’t painted in ages. Funnily enough the portrait he sold was the one I had in my living room. Now, I have an empty space that needs to be filled. I’ll make him paint me something nice that he’ll probably exhibit next and maybe sell (yay!!). I want to help him create a proper portfolio of his work and set up a nice website. The other alternative of course is to use online galleries that mostly work with percentages of the things sold.

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Changing the subject, I am trying to find some nice gay related books to read. Can you please advice? I’ve read a couple books like two written by Hollinghurst but I can’t say I found them that great to be award winning material. I’ve also read ‘The City of Night’ which I also didn’t like. Preferably, I’m looking for a biography (Is the one written by Amaechi or Barrowman any good?) or a nice book with gay characters (is the ‘Geography club’ readable?). I’ve read the ‘A Home at the End of the World’ which I found decent and the ‘Night Watch’ by Sarah Waters. Thanks

My chance in immortality!

My chance in immortality!

According to ‘Fame’:
Fame, I'm gonna live forever. I'm gonna learn how to fly, High
I feel it coming together. People will see me and cry, Fame…

I’m not exactly sure if people will see me and cry, but today I get my (first?) chance of becoming immortal. I might become the next Mona Liza and people will be talking about me for generations.

OK, I might be exaggerating! Let me start the story from the beginning.

There is an exhibition today in a central London gallery organised by a gay men’s club. The exhibition is called ‘Faces’ (I think) and it’s about portrait’s made by gay artists. One of the artists taking place is ‘JJ’ and one of the portraits there will be mine!!!! Yes, mine!

I like Botero's work

OK, ‘JJ’ is not Leonardo (yet) and I am not Mona. What I admire about him is the fact that he hasn’t finished any art school or taken any class but he has managed to successfully exhibit and sell his work in the past that he created (I believe) out of pure talent. There is a possibility though that some (poor) soul might like the portrait and buy it (me)! That means that I’ll be in someone’s living room, sitting room or corridor (or bathroom) for some time!

‘JJ’ doesn’t really want to sell my portrait and he slightly increased its price. In comparison to some of his other work it’s not that impressive to be honest. But it means so much to him and me. However, he forbade me of buying it. The commission of the organiser and the money given to charity (yes, it’s a charity event) means that the money ‘JJ’ will earn is not that great anyway, so I can’t do it for him.

The exhibition opens today and will take place for three days! I’m very curious to see if I’ll be sold…

Back to school.

This Saturday I started my courses in learning Java. It’s been some time since I attended a course, if you exclude things like the ‘Time Management’ training we had at work (talking about a complete waste of time). It’s taking place in a London School located in the City for 6 Saturdays, 6 hours each time. We are 8 people overall, 3 guys (including me) and 5 girls of all ages and background! It’s quite unexpected since I thought that geeky stuff, like software development, was more appealing to the male population and there would be more guys!



Anyway, the place was decent, the professor was not that boring and the course interesting. I like how development seem (to me at least) like a mathematical quiz to be solved. I also like the feeling of creating something of my own. It might not be as glamorous as a painting or a sculpture, but while writing your own code, you do create something out of nothing and you can see the outcome!

This Saturday, in 6 hours, we managed pretty much to go through all that I had been studying on my own for 3 months. I had bought a couple of books and I was devoting an hour or two each week trying to study but I wasn’t making much progress since I had other stuff to divert me (diving, running, gym, cinema, ‘JJ’, going out etc). I now have a more clarified idea of how to start, compile and run my own software. By the end of the day, I was feeling quite tired but content that I had a very productive day. I now have 5 more days to go till the exams. For my own shake, I hope to finish the course successfully (I’m paying a lot for it) and start applying for a better job position soon.

Of course, I now have more things to study at home until next Saturday and do some exercises. Unfortunately, there is some theory I have to learn and memorise as well (I’m not that good at memorising stuff). It’s a bit tricky because I know for example what RAM or encapsulation in development is, but I can only give a definition of my own which is not totally correct. I now have to learn to use the proper terminology wanted. I know I’ll be just fine. I just need to devote time for the next 1 and a half months.

Having dinner in KFC before cinema

So, I was sitting in a KFC restaurant (?) with ‘JJ’ enjoying some nice greasy food when he looks me in the eyes and tells me:
JJ: I think I’ve found what’s wrong with me.
Me: Many things are wrong with you. Which one are you referring to now?
JJ: I thin I have GAD.
Me: What’s that?
JJ: Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
Me: Is that new? They always come up with a new disorder each week. I have trouble keeping up with them.
JJ: It means that I get stressed easily and sometimes I worry for unimportant things too each. I can make something small seem serious.
Me: Hmm... You know you’re doing it again, right? Just because you worry sometimes too much, you have all of a sudden a disorder?
JJ: You think I don’t?
ME: Yes, sometimes Google is not good for you.

OK, I know that sometimes I sound condescending. However, that’s the way that some conversations go between me and JJ. He’d say something totally out of the blue and I would try to rationalise it. I’m the person with the square logic and he’s the artist. I’m the boring one and he’s the exciting one. Anyway, he wasn’t totally being serious about it and I did try to play along. We laughed a lot about it.

Anyway, after I tried to talk him out of having a disorder (as fashionable as that may have been), I started thinking about how many disorders there are. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to talk about the serious ones. I’m talking about the silly things. For example, I read on the paper (not a very serious one) the other night about how Kendra Wilkinson has a pizzaphobia! And it’s not just the celebrities. An acquaintance of mine I met on twitter (for the short period of time long ago I was into it) told me that he had a phobia of telephones! At the beginning, I thought he was joking, but apparently he wasn’t! He simply can’t use a mobile phone! He’s actually scared of holding one.

There must be now a disorder, phobia or mental axiom about everything these days. What did it all come down to that? Aren’t there enough serious problems in the world that we try to find and make new ones? When is it politically correct to just say to some people to simply stop whining and deal with the problem they think they have! Or am I just being obnoxious?

What was that?

I went yesterday and I saw ‘Salt’, the new movie of Angelina Jolie. Boy, was that a bad idea! It was so disappointing! It was definitely one of the worse movies I saw this year.

You have some spy, action movies like the Bourne series. You know they are farfetched and the hero is literally indestructible, but at least they are well directed and intriguing. You also have some action movies like ‘Wanted’ when at least Jolie looks sexy. ‘Salt’ was nothing like any of these. The story was awful; the acting was bad and the action scenes amazingly unoriginal and uninteresting. Jolie looked amazingly skeletal skinny with bad skin and awful hair. She was able to singlehandedly however take out most agents of CIA and KGB (or whatever the Russian agents were) that stupidly waited in line to be bitten by her.

I had a similar expression of shock when I left the theatre

I believe even ‘Piranha 3D’ might have been a better option than what we watched yesterday. At least there you know what to expect and laugh with it.

Summer Holiday 2010 (Part 2)

Coming back from Turkey was a slight relief. I was getting tired of not being able to walk properly on the street or getting into a shop to freely browse through the products without having someone trying to force me to buy whatever there was on sale. These ‘callers’ were everywhere and were quite annoying. You couldn’t go and check a restaurant menu without someone trying to force you into it.

Also, on our last day there, I had called the port authority to check on our boat reservation and I was mistakenly informed that I should go there three hours earlier than planned. We thought that there was a change on the scheduled ferry and we didn’t mind leaving earlier. Upon arrival to the port, the guy on the ticket office rudely told us that we simply have to wait these three hours outside, at the heat. There was of course an air conditioned waiting lounge but it was closed to the public until departure time! At least I managed to finish reading the ‘Northern Lights’ that I wanted to do for some time.

The next day after our arrival, we picked up our car and drove to Southern Rhodes. We drove in style, in a Hyundai Getz! Did I mention that the car was yellow as well? Oh, yes. We drove to a five star Spa Hotel in a yellow tiny car. It was hilarious. Of course we parked between a nice convertible BMW and another massive AUDI.

We were upgraded from a suite (with a private swimming pool) to a bungalow (with a larger private swimming pool). It was amazing. We received complimentary massage treatment which I loved. The place is amazing and I totally recommend it for a lovely escape. There are no cities or big villages around, but I do not think they are needed. We spent almost two days just reading, sitting on our sun beds, jumping into our swimming pool and going into the Jacuzzi with the starlight effect (no, I will not publish these photos).





The last two days after the Atrium Prestige Thalasso Spa Resort, we spent it with JS in Rhodes. We visited the Old Town, did some shopping and had lovely sea food. ‘JJ’ totally loved our visit to Greece and I think I’ve convinced him on going somewhere in the Mediterranean next year as well. He loved the fact that he could go around everywhere in his flip flops on a t-shirt and shorts. He loved relaxing on a sun bed, having a nice cold frappe coffee while reading his books. He also bought a t-shirt with the Greek flag (very cute).



Overall, we had a really nice time. We didn’t argue or got bored with each other at all. All my worries (of course) before going there were of course totally unfounded. Only the receptionist in Turkey wanted to put us in a room with two beds, but she didn’t insist too much. Generally we didn't pay attention to other people and enjoyed ourselves.

Summer Holiday 2010 (Part 1)

OK, I managed to get 10 hours sleep yesterday, so I am feeling much better today. I can actually think for myself and make choices. My housemate asked me yesterday what to have for dinner and I got stuck, looking at her without talking for more than five minutes before she got bored of waiting an answer.

Anyway, I had the time of my life on this holiday.

The first part was when I visited my parents. I stayed there for 5 days visiting old friends, going to the beach and stuffing myself with my mother’s food. Nothing major happened. We didn’t mention facebook or diving. The only thing I briefly told my mother is that I have a ‘friend’ coming to meet me in Rhodes. She was surprised to hear that, but she didn’t ask me for more information so we didn’t really talk about it. I’m giving them the time they need. I went with my friends swimming the night of the August full moon which was quite amazing though.

The beach bar I spent most of my time my home town.

Our very sexy waiter (Dimitris)

Rhodes was incredible. ‘JS’s’ hospitality was amazing and he was always willing to show us where to go, where to eat and what to do. He provided to us a place to stay with all amenities we could need. As planned, he came to pick me up from the airport and after finding ‘JJ’, who arrived earlier by boat, we headed straight to the ‘Kalithea Springs’ beach.

The next day of our visit we went to the ‘Water Park’. ‘JJ’ loved it. We combined going to the most dangerous and scary slides to enjoying the sun with cold coffee and a book on a sun bed for a couple of hours. The second day we went to ‘Symi’. That’s an island between Rhodes and Turkey (closer to Turkey). That’s the island my grandfather was born and raised. It’s quite small, colourful and picturesque. I loved it so much.

Part of the Water Park

My grandfather's old family house in Symi on the right

A small taverna

walking around in Symi

After ‘Symi’ we spent two nights in Marmaris, Turkey. That trip was quite interesting. It was my first time in Turkey but unfortunately I have to say that I didn’t enjoy it that much. The reason of that was the fact that we weren’t really visiting Turkey but England from the 80’s. Because of the number of English tourists visiting the place, there were pubs and chip shops everywhere. We met so many people from Liverpool and Newcastle! There were bars called ‘Everton’ or ‘Manchester’ and shops called ‘TK-Max’. The restaurants were serving Chinese food, Indian Curry and Steaks. We couldn’t find a restaurant looking vaguely Turkish and serving local cuisine. Apart from that, the sea in Marmaris wasn’t that great either. The sand in front of the hotels was very dark coloured and the sea looked uninviting and dirty.

Night life entertainment (I love the Robot Man)

Shopping in Turkey

The thing that we enjoyed the most was a boat trip we took the next morning around the bay where we found really nice beaches and friendly people in a small village. What I wanted to see is local life, taste the amazing Turkish cuisine, get a glimpse of the wonderfully colourful East and try traditional Baklava or syrupy deserts. I want to go back to the country but I will definitely find to visit a more ‘Turkish’ place. Overall, we managed to laugh a lot at the way the place looked and the entertainment it provided.

Marmaris looked beautiful from the boat