Slow and South

I love you not because of who you are...

2012-01-22T07:59:00.000-05:00

... but because of who I am when I'm with you.
I love you not for what you have made of yourself,
but for what you are making of me.
I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

This quote is widely popular, of course, timeless wisdom by Roy Croft, but it was only today that I actually started to truly see what's behind it. I met a friend of mine who, as usual, went on explaining to me in very tiny details what her next (ideal) partner should be. And his description contained all those wonderful words we all use in such cases: handsome, tall, charming, gentle, loving, caring, successful, et cetera, et cetera. I listened for a while and then I just shot this question at her, I don't know how it came to my mind: Who are you with him? She didn't even take it serious, thinking I was trying to be funny. But I meant it. Was she smiling, glowing, dancing, relaxed, passionate, kissing, secure, beautiful, adored, was she a servant or a queen, was she a mortal or a goddess? "Who are you?", as the caterpillar asked Alice so many times.

I think before we write down all those numerous lists with requirements for our ideal partners, it'd be worth it to switch the point of view and try to see ourselves with those partners. In almost all books I have ever read everyone tells us to visualize our mate. I beg to differ. I think it's more important to visualize who we are with those people, how we feel, if we can actually capture the feeling and hold it even for a second, this would be priceless. Instead of visualizing their features, why not visualize ours while we are with them - love beautifies everyone, so go ahead, see yourself glowing, youthful, smiling, fit, hopping out of joy and happiness, your feet light as you have wings attached, your hands open for a hug, your heart beating fast and excited, enjoy it, enjoy yourself. Because he (or she) may come in all forms and shapes but what should be most important is how you will feel and look in their presence. :)

There was once a great Russian movie, called something like "On my death blame Clara K." In this movie Clara chose man B over man A and explaining to man A why she didn't chose him, she said: "You gave me yourself but B gave me myself." Worth thinking, no?

The eternal couple

2012-01-18T13:05:00.002-05:00

I'm having one of those evenings when I feel like howling. That's because I've lost all my tears, it seems. As I'm sitting here, in my chair, with the laptop in front, I'm looking at the painting on the opposite wall:

Do you like Afremov? This, of course, is his. I feel certain resilience to say I like him. He causes me pain. It's like admitting I like my pain. Scorpio stuff. Anyways. As I was staring, and still am, at this painfully beautiful picture on my living room wall, I just realized it's right in the middle of two feng shui sectors of my house. More so, it reflects their nature with its colors - my southwest is the fire part of the painting while my west (metal) benefits from the water on the right... Amazing. I haven't thought of it when I hung it there. Although my home generally follows the feng shui, my love for this painting was the only reason why I put it where I could look at it all the time... See how it works sometimes?

And now, the more I look at it, the more I understand how it works on me... I have two worlds on my wall. Two characters, two opposites may be even... Two planets walking hand in hand on a glorious night next to Themes or Seine, in London or Paris, in another, separate galaxy of their own... And just now I realize my progressive Moon will kiss my progressive Sun in a few months. The eternal couple will date again for the first time in almost thirty years. I don't know. Synchronicity or just the lost tears playing behind the curtains but tonight some strange visions come to mind.

Fire...

*Courtesy of FineArtAmerica website

Mystery...

*Mask by Heather Gallagher

And other beauty.

Counting down to 2012...

2011-12-31T07:27:00.000-05:00

As we're counting down the remaining hours of 2011 and, clearly, won't be facing the end of the world, I just wanted to wish you a night to remember and in a good way, wishes fulfilled, dreams come true and even bigger new ones to charge you in the New Year, health, luck and success in all you do, and many reasons to smile and enjoy that journey called "life". And don't forget the old saying that a man loses his senses after four drinks and a woman loses hers after four kisses. Make this first step, anything is possible in a night like this. Embrace your own power, the waxing Moon, and the magic of the moment. Cheers!

Movies?

2011-12-28T07:30:00.001-05:00

Is there a virus on the web these days or is it only in the theatres? I found myself incapable of finding anything worth watching. That's past "Hugo". The World Wide Web seems to be infected by a bug dragging it back in time, about five years ago at least, preaching about "The Holiday" and "Love, Actually". True, that was the time when Jude Law was not bearded and I definitely preferred him that way, and Colin Firth was not singing ABBA and I definitely preferred him that way as well. But it was a looooong time ago. I confess I'm also infected as I watch "Pride and Prejudice" (BBC only!) each holiday season but it would be great if I could have a different season with plenty of beautiful movies to watch. Ah, but no.

"Sherlock Holmes: Game Of Shadows" anyone? Speaking of Mr. Law, one excellent representative of my favorite male zodiac sign, when is he finally going to shave? I'll add this to my wish list too. Anyhow, Robert Downey Jr. is one of my most favorite actors of all times, a remarkably talented man, although after his role as Charlie Chaplin I avoid watching the mish-mash he's been in as it ruins my impression, but he still has it, the devil, even in a pseudo Sherlock Holmes movie! And this is definitely a pseudo one. The first left me puzzled what to think about it, the second is definitely better in terms of everyone knowing what they're doing and definitely worse in terms of idea, plot, connections... and left me even more puzzled. If that was the idea, well done. If there won't be a third one - not so well done. Not even sure I'd see a third one but looking back, if Mr. Director succeeds putting together the plot/connections of the first with the confidence of the second, while limiting the appearance of any marginal female characters to a smile and a gesture here and there, the third one would achieve something.

Which doesn't change the fact there's nothing nice to watch now.

P.S. Please, enough of the Downey/Law relationship already. Enough! It's all over the place. Cheesy.

Silent night? Ah, no.

2011-12-25T13:02:00.002-05:00

I had the most unusual Christmas night ever. It wasn't silent, though I hope it still was holly. The thing is I met Christmas at exactly midnight facing a crazy south wind... On my terrace, I was standing under the dark new moon sky, my hair flying in all directions, the air carrying the aroma of southern lands instead of snow, the leaves dancing insane and swirling, the feeling pushing and screaming "change"! All my rituals disappeared in the intensity of the moment, in the extreme power of nature that brought this totally unexpected guest on my terrace - the south wind. Powerful, yet gentle like the fingers of a lover on an intimate night. And I abandoned all my plans for wishing and magic, surrendering to the wave that washed away all past. Still, I had such terrible nightmares last night, the worst in years, probably. Like my child being badly, terrifyingly hurt to the ridiculous sight of my favorite volleyball player showing up with totally blond hair. I woke up in the middle of this crazy night sweating and freezing at the same time. Of course, immediately turned on the positive thinking and all mind tools I possess to create different thoughts, i.e. reality but... I bet this night I'll remember for long... It felt like Pluto... frozen flame. Bomb. Explosion. And then cold.

And Merry Christmas to you all, of course! Hopefully you had a calm and truly enjoyable magical night!

Hum hum hum...

2011-12-23T15:10:00.000-05:00

Bridget Jones on my mind, obviously. LOL Hum hum hum... Had the worst day this month, glad it's passing. If you have a Saturn square Moon transit anytime soon trust me - for all the gold in the world don't, I mean don't!, get in any kind of discussions with any older women in your vicinity. Ever. It'll spare you a lot of negativism. Too bad I didn't listen.

Anyhow, New Moon in Capricorn on its way, just in time for Christmas. Did you make your wish list? Did you collect all the pictures for your treasure map or wishing board or whatever you use to visualize your dreams? If not, you still have time to start on Christmas or anytime next week before the New Year's. And make it big! Jupiter is turning direct, use the power and ride the wave. Better ignore all those grumpy Plutons and Uranuses. LOL

I've recently realized, quite unexpectedly, that my affection for a certain Capricorn holds on... Strong. Considering my usual lack of seriousness and need of change, that is impressive. I think I may put him on the wish list after all. Hum hum hum...

It's that time of the year again...

2011-12-16T12:41:00.012-05:00

You know - parties, glamour, sparkling wine, getting a bit drunk and dancing on the street at midnight... That time of the year. :) Not exactly Christmas, I mean more New Year's. Christmas is still cheesy, sweet and carol singing kind of day, New Year gets crazier with the time and facing 2012 one can not avoid wondering how crazy people can get thinking this may be their last New Year ever. LOL I don't believe the end of the world will come anytime soon, so I focused on evening gowns instead. It's not a secret I'm totally Dior addicted but it seems I should start saying I was Dior addicted.

The 2012 is certainly going to be a year to remember, being a Water (Black) Dragon year, with or without the Mayan calendar and its so inappropriate ending. The Dragon we are talking about is not the fire breathing dragon we know. This one is a sophisticated creature with very special upbringing and arrogant but perfectly polished manners. He doesn't take "no" for an answer (you shouldn't either) nor does he care what we actually say (you should). He is a hunter, jewels lover, and - an aesthete. So are you this year or so I hope. He makes magic. You? Learn if you don't know. He offers keys to locked doors. You are advised to look through the keyhole and see if that's your dream on the other side. If it is, then you may very weel have the opportunity to get a key.

Being a Water Dragon, this most favorite Chinese mystical creature adds to his natural green (colour of element Wood), the black and deep or sea blue of the nurturing, forever flowing water. And drama. Lots of drama, secrecy, playful, theatrical behaviour, daring, acting, crossing and bringing down barriers - that's the Dragon's nature. And that's where I fall in love with Dior again. The former Dior. The real one.

My choices for the New Year's from the last 2011 collection of Dior that I consider Dior:

Make it black or grey or blue, but make it dramatic! Choose your best jewels and the brighter, the better. Never go for lower quality in a Dragon year - prefer to not wear jewels than to wear cheap ones. Add colour through stones - the Dragon likes the colours and the rainbows. Opt for chameleon nail polish, sparkling decorations on your dress, and, of course, precious stones if you have any. Mystic topaz would also please the Dragon with it's rainbow appearance. Be an aesthete, challenge your taste but keep it elegant. Dare to make a memorable appearance but trust the proven classic instead of the border kitsch.

Speaking of which, I get where I'm caught in a not-so-good mood... Namely: http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2011/couture/christian-dior/full-length-photos Dior... Reading the comments below I thought of Christian Dior himself, discussed by one person there and, of course, this person missed the fact that at the time of Dior, designers were not turned into gold-making machines which were expected to not have any human traits or needs. This is also an incredibly average collection which is totally killing me. After the bankruptcy of Lacroix, Dior remained my only harbour in the fashion world. Now, if that's what they're going to produce from now on, then I'll sew myself. Of the whole collection, there is only one dress I'd call "unmistakably Dior" - the clown one (but please no collars!). Everything else is... a bit of this, a bit of that, a bit of structure, a bit of mix, a bit of pattern and the final result is a bit of nothing. Just a comparison: http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2010/couture/christian-dior . Elegance, line (s), and drama - these are the three words I relate to Dior, however they may sound together. There are very few people who can make an elegant, simple piece daring and dramatic without producing a pure kitsch. This man is not among them, with all my respect.

Nor is Raf Simons for that matter! Please, each time I see a picture of the man I try very hard to imagine him closing a Dior show and... behold, I can't. Yes, he can make good clothes. Yes, he knows lines. Yes, his pieces resemble grandma's curtains quite often. Yes, he is usually dressed like... oh my! No, he doesn't tell stories. No, he doesn't add drama. No, it's not Dior and I wouldn't wear it. Let the man be where he feels fine and bring back the devil.

Because I was very suspicious from the beginning of all this Galliano fiasco, I'm happy to read things like this: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/06/22/john-galliano-trial-witness-on-court . And I'm truly sad to read this: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/06/20/john-galliano-arrested-in-paris-for-assault . Not because I'm a huge Galliano-the-person fan (I don't know him after all) but because to me the whole story is so stinky. I have criticized Galliano a number of times for his show off nature and his role playing going too far but I've never believed this pathetic racist story. And I'm sad for all these genial men working in this industry who are barely living. McQueen anyone? Galliano has made it till now but how much longer? The pressure is such that living an even relatively normal life is impossible. The goose must lay golden eggs at hourly rate. These for Dior, these for Galliano (which is almost entirely owned by Dior too), these for private clients, these for... On, and on, and on... I was struck by that line about his friend sleeping at the end of his bed when he was so alone... It's like a nightmare sometimes, sounds like a psycho thriller, this is not a job, this is a man slaughter. And I do love this man's creations, I'm so eager to wear them, so obsessed with the incredible beauty of his mind, with the stories he's telling me, and I can't believe he can be so lost... Like always, beauty never makes anyone happy, very well experienced and learned.

That's how I started with choosing a New Year's dress and ended mourning for John Galliano... Wishing Dior get him back before they turn into a mass production. And wishing him a less dramatic life while even more drama and beauty in his work. And truly hoping he can make it through. May the mighty Dragon give him strength and faith. It's all about magic this year. I don't like his appearance but no living creature deserves to be treated like an ATM.

P.S. Totally agree with the comments regarding Natalie Portman. This woman, together with Scarlett Johansson, is at my top list of celebrities who must be made to keep quiet. It's vital.

P.P.S. If the two mentioned above are allowed freedom of speech (and their speech is often offensive to my natural intelligence), why isn't John Galliano allowed to do so? What if i say I can't stand Scarlett Johansson who is an endless source of such "brilliance" that I sometimes wonder is she is really conscious or just missed the last twelve years of school if ever went to one? Will I have to go to jail? Amazing how far we have gone. And very dangerous, I think. I, for one, insist on having my opinion and expressing it. Oh, and having lived in France, it's really pathetic the French court just realized what happens in French bars. What a surprise! Interesting, how happen that Jacques and Bernard are never sentenced for shouting many many things at many many tourists and customers in bars, um? I can even cite what I was called on a Provencal beach last year. But no, I didn't think of documenting it and running to the judge. How stupid of me, no?

Orange and bitter chocolate

2011-12-02T03:12:00.000-05:00

I've switched to winter mode. LOL It means I watch holiday romantic movies, eat lots of liquor bonbons and skate regularly. That's to make up for the calories intake. LOL Part of the spirit is my favorite traditional Orange and Bitter Chocolate Cake. There is something about this combination of aromas that screams "Christmas!" to me. And it's about a happy Christmas. :)
Here it is:

Products:
100g soft butter
130 g whole milk yogurt
100 g sugar
2 eggs
300g all purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
juice and grated rind of 1 large orange
100 g dark chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare your cake form buttering the bottom and the walls. Mix the butter and the sugar well. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing continuously. Add the yogurt, the orange juice and rind and mix again.

Sift the flour with the baking powder and add in parts to the egg mixture. Lastly, add the chocolate chips.

Pour the mixture into the form. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check if ready with a wooden stick, which you push deep into the the center of the cake - it should come out dry.

If you want to make it look more festive, sprinkle with icing sugar or cover with a mixture of melted dark chocolate and orange peels. But I prefer it as it is - it's aromatic and sweet enough. :)

Now, next on my list - what should I watch this season... And where to go for the holidays... Hm. I'm kind of thinking of Saint Petersburg. A beauty!

*Photo courtesy of http://stpetersburg-guide.com/

A New Moon?

2011-10-24T06:21:00.000-04:00

*Image courtesy of realastrologers.com

In Scorpio, on my birthday. How appropriate, hm? :D Soooo... I'm obliged to write a longish wish list, no escape here. Watch out, Santa! I've been writing for a couple of days to make sure on the 26-27th I'll have more than enough requests to keep you busy till Christmas! LOL

And here is what I found today:
"The new moon at the end of the month falls in your sign, and this is an empowering time for you, when you make considerable impact on the world. This is a new start with a strong focus on the economy and how to administrate and share resources. There is a strong focus on travel in connection with career and partnership at this time and the stakes are high."
http://gugi.typepad.com/blog/2011/09/scorpio-october.html#more

Very high indeed! LOL London for Christmas, a bit of Italy for the New Years's, how about some Venice for the carnival too? :D

On the other hand, I'm wondering which one is more concerning - Colin Firth in a third Bridget Jones movie or Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina.... That's Tolstoy, for God's sake! :ooooooo The only movie I have ever seen that successfully united Russian culture with Western cast was the "Barber of Siberia". But let's not forget it was written (partially) and directed by Mikhalkov. Everything else is such a... blah. And Knightley? For Anna? God forbid. Although Firth trying to conceive is almost equally terrifying.

Which probably means this will be another holiday season watching the good old BBC series, armed with liquor bonbons and good cognac. :D

A boy. A Pisces child.

2011-10-22T12:52:00.002-04:00

My boy, that is. My child, brought by the faeries. Not resembling anyone, not related to anything, a creature of a world I wished to know but I fail to understand constantly. Because I was so much better in this when he was a baby; because I've somehow lost the energy to truly support him these days; because I'm turning into a frightening copy of all that terrifies me in other parents, and because I feel so guilty and I've been feeling like this for months... I just wanted to give him the understanding of one remarkable woman - Linda Goodman. And to say, again, I still love Alice and I still know where Wonderland is... I just sometimes need someone to remind me where I left my key the other day. And I hope he, my faerish child, will understand. I wish he will forgive but not forget. I need a reminder. Every day.

Eager eye and willing ear,
Lovingly shall nestle near.
In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:

Ever drifting down the stream
Lingering in the golden gleam-
Life, what is it but a dream?

Someday, either the Piscean philosophy of freedom of expression or the conformist concept will win. My money is on Pisces. Of course, your friendly, warm-hearted little Neptunian must be taught that people expect him to adjust eventually to their crazy-quilt, upside-down concepts in order to survive. But if he's shoved too hard by stem, negative adults, he'll lose his way back to the other side of the looking-glass. Don't steal his key. He needs to slip over there now and then, to refresh himself with the true wisdom of the Red Queen and the White Knight. Then he can better cope with the real world of war, poverty, disease, hypocritical ethics and ingratitude. Your little fish needs a cloak of protection against the cold winds to come. Knit it yourself with bright, gay sturdy yam. Try to understand his Neptune ways. Guide him tenderly, wisely, and when he's tall enough, he may someday suddenly reach out and catch one of his silver stars to bring home to you. Then you'll be glad you didn't laugh at his dreams. Better clear off a spot on the mantle right now.

Mas du Rouge

2011-10-22T06:40:00.000-04:00

I don't think I have shared my favorite Provencal escape or at least one of my favorites. Here it is, Mas du Rouge. :) http://www.masdurouge.com/environnement.htm

Conquering the past

2011-10-19T04:15:00.001-04:00

I haven't had much time to write since we moved back to Europe in August. At first, I needed to recharge my batteries and spent long weeks at the seaside. Then I had to help those I care for to adjust. And finally, I'm at the stage where it seems I have to conquer my past. It feels quite strange, like I've never been away from here... but I'm a stranger. Things I've forgotten, years that seem to have disappeared, friends which are no more around, yet the buildings and the trees are the same... It's such a surreal feeling. I've always believed moving backwards is a huge mistake but this time I don't feel like I'm moving, I'm an icicle waiting to fall but spring is far.

Meanwhile, as each time I'm back in Europe, my suitcases remain packed and the longing to travel doesn't let me sleep. I didn't go to Prague because my favourite team didn't qualify for the finals and the travelling plans were cancelled. This only led to even worse travelling obssession. LOL I literally can't stay here. I know all these lovely places are just an hour flight away and I hardly manage to keep myself at place. But I'm totally planning London for Christmas just because to me Christmas is London, don't ask me why. Each fall I start thinking "London-Christmas" like I have this chip in my head that is programmed to turn on at this time of the year and it has only one program installed. :)

However, I don't really see in my mind all those glorius London lights and the crowded streets... No, I see this quiet, unusually snowy picture, the empty street and the dim street lights... May be I'll hear the steps of a late walker or the distant laugh of a couple going back home after seeing this fabulous new play... May be the wreath on someone's door will fall and the decorations will spill on the snow and spark like jewels. Or I'll go to my hotel without seeing and hearing anything and will paint and write till the morning takes away the mistery of the holiday night. May be.

*Photo courtesy of GemBem75

Venus and brilliant Michael Lutin

2011-08-05T22:49:00.001-04:00

I just had to share this:

"But it has to be an unselfish love.
You have to love deeply, freely, completely,
fearlessly and unselfishly,
even if you know that you and
the being or beings you love
are only on loan.
They are to be cherished.

But there is also a good-bye that is always said
when Venus approaches the Sun

and from then on for many months
Venus will no longer be visible in the morning sky.
It disappears into the night.
Love must transcend the darkness
and continue to exist
whether you are together or not.

For the moment "nuff said. "

And beautifully said. From Michael Lutin's website: http://www.michaellutin.com/AstrologyClass.htm

Bye bye, Canada but summer is still love!

2011-07-31T20:21:00.001-04:00

Time for break ups again, as it seems. LOL Time to say "Bye, bye, Canada"... Not the best relationship we had, so no regrets. :))))

*Image courtesy of AllThings Europe

Meanwhile - summer in the fields, friends getting separated, people blaming the sun eclipses for the ultimate power of passion this year... Weddings, funerals, births, a couple of roses with the sweetest aroma under my window, an invitation for a yacht trip, a cocktail in the dusk, a flirt, a dance, a new recipe tried at midnight when the earth was finally cooling down but the crickets were insanely falling in love...

*Image courtesy of trouvais.com

Shared wine glass, the other one is broken and sparkling on the stone tiles, cherries and their juice on my new shirt, watermelon lip gloss and dark eye pencil...

Gypsy hearts and gypsy music, curls in night black and flowery skirts, panama hats cuddled in rich scarves...

*Image courtesy of 3bp.blogspot.com

And the sea. Always the sea. The river who hurries up to meet the sea. The boats who rush to dive into the blue. Me, running down the slope, jumping over the scorched rocks, always looking for it, always longing...

*Image courtesy of casualweddingdresses.com

Summer! It's wild! And I love it!

*Image courtesy of hensonstables.com

I'm listening to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCPuXPiqdzk&feature=related to smash myself completely. :))))

Prague for volleyball lovers

2011-05-13T15:11:00.003-04:00

Prague is a destination well known but this year the Czech Republic shares the honour with Austria as a host of the European Volleyball Championship. It adds to the natural charm of the city for all volleyball lovers who, like me, are planning to go and watch the games of their favorite team. The tournament will start on September 10th and will end on September 18th in Wien where the final game will be played. Here is a detailed schedule of all stages from the official championship website: http://www.volleyeuro2011.at/en/schedule.html . On the home page the hosts have started offering accommodation packages as well: http://www.volleyeuro2011.at/index.php . You can also purchase tickets via the website partners, click Tickets at the left menu. However, I spoke to friends of mine in Prague who are well experienced volleyball travellers :))) and they said tickets were always available prior to the games even if they were not for the best seats in the venue. It's up to you to decide if buy well ahead or go and check when already in Prague. I personally choose the second option because it gives me flexibility to combine sightseeing with watching volleyball.

The games in Prague will take place in O2 Arena: http://www.o2arena.cz/O2arenaEN/default.aspx . Unfortunately, it's not a central venue and it's a bit challenging when one wants to explore the river banks and the old town during the same visit. However, there is regular bus, tram and subway transportation to the hall, I'm told by friends. The website offers good info on how to get there too: http://www.o2arena.cz/O2arenaEN/docDetail.aspx?docid=19033722 . The picture above is courtesy of another great website offering lots of info about the venue (and other things): www.livenation.co.uk .

In addition to the accommodation offered on the championship website, you may want to check again the home exchange websites (if you have a home to offer to Prague residents and exchange) or, which is my choice, to rent an apartment. I've said it before, to me the best way to visit a place is to have a "home" of my own, even only for a week. It also matters that I'm a parent and it's much more comfortable to me to cook my son's favorite meals and spare myself browsng the restaurants for appropriate food, if nothing else. And in general, I feel more relaxed when renting. Some options to rent can be found here: http://www.praguecentralapartments.com/ or here: http://www.homesweethome.cz/en/ .

Prague has also tons of hotels, pensions, and hostels. You can go to any big and popular website and find both good and not so good offers. In my opinion, the city has become quite expensive lately compared to about five years ago. One more reason for me to rent - the rent of the apartment won't be much cheaper than a cheap hotel but you can save the food cost. Also, if you travel with more friends (we'll be four or five people) or children, the rent of a big flat with 3-4 bedrooms divided between all of you will actually come quite cheap. A website I liked with many hotel and other accommodation options is this one (aside from the most popular ones): http://www.tvtrip.com/cih9Cc4-prague-hotels . It checks a couple of big websites for you, like Venere, Booking, etc. Another good website is the one the picture above belongs to: www.hotelprague.us .

A couple of official tourism websites: http://www.praguewelcome.cz/en/ , http://www.czechtourism.com/Homepage.aspx , http://www.pragueexperience.com/information/tourist_information.asp - this one offers tons of info and useful tips, as well as this one: http://www.prague-guide.co.uk/ . The expats in Prague website http://www.expats.cz/ is another interesting destination and offers a different look at the city, quite useful for other people who come from abroad. Finally, this interactive guide can cover almost all your needs, including tickets for sightseeing and events: http://www.allpraha.com/ .

Tips and hints: don't rent a car except if you are a very experienced driver, the traffic is huge and parking spaces hard to find; don't exchange money outside banks regardless how tempting the rate seems; change your debit/credit cards PINs to four digits, many ATMs in Europe don't accept longer PINs; don't forget the unified 112 emergency European number where you can talk to an English speaking operator; don't eat anywhere and anything, especially dairy and meat, cook or eat at the hotel is safest; if you're into calm and quiet vacation, Wenceslas square may not be your first choice; the peak season in Prague lasts till October, book and plan in advance; for sightseeing and events, use an online or local tourist agency/website to get your tickets.

I hope you find these useful. I'm already planning my trip but will welcome any inside information, if you'd like to share. :)

Waiting for a prince

2011-04-30T00:15:00.000-04:00

First of all, congrats to Catherine and William, I think they make a marvelous couple. In fact, I'm surprising myself being so nice to any wedding couple as I'm rarely touched by weddings but these two look so charming. The woman is beautiful, the man looks reliable, hope they will really make it work!

However, my thoughts were straying a different path tonight as I was watching (late as usual) the coverage. Have you noticed how closely related are waiting and happy (or looking so) marriages in this family? Camilla waited, Kate waited, even Prince Harry's on and off so called girlfriend seems to have got it right... Looks like it doesn't work just like met-dated-married. It needs drama. Big scale. Break ups. Divorces. Hidden agenda. Secret randevouz... Royal men come to those who wait, um?

Spring cleaning

2011-04-28T14:38:00.000-04:00

I've been doing my spring cleaning these days. Internal mostly, yet there was quite a bit of throwing away material stuff too. It's good. I feel lighter. I also moved all my stories to their own home. Tomorrow I'll move my four bags and my son to another home too. It's amazing how little space my life takes these days - four bags and a box. It's even more impressive how full my heart feels. I'm scared but I'm empowered. I have all the love in the world. :)

Unlimited dreams and Be Careful What You Wish For

2011-04-21T21:57:00.005-04:00

There are two concepts in the whole this positive thinking thing that I truly can not stand, both described below.

1. What prevents you from achieving your dreams? - You.

Each time I see this and I feel like howling. Because it shows the desire to make money riding the popular wave and the lack of understanding how this energy we all create interacts as well as a complete lack of compassion. This, of course, is my personal opinion and I'm not an expert in modern psychology but I've tried numerous technics, I've failed and won, and I think there is much more to know than just "go for it".

Let's get an example - Mery lives in the small town A where there is the company B where there is one job Mery desires more than anything else - let's say it's the Marketing Manager job. Mery does all she could to get the job - she uses all her resources to be properly educated, looks for help, even takes courses to be aware of the newest tendencies in the marketing field, etc. Mery also practises positive thinking and visualization, she has a treasure map, makes rituals, follows the moon, etc. Now, let's imagine what happens if John next door desires the same job and does the same things. And this is not difficult to imagine because in real world for such a position the competition won't be between two but between twenty at least and more probably two hundred. And considering how widely popular positive thinking is, I bet at least half of these folks will try it any time to get the dream job.

Clearly, there is absolutely no way Mery and John will get the job they want. It's one. Is anyone wrong? I don't think so but we must remain realistic while following our dreams in order to prevent ourselves from being badly hurt. There are those who will say it's all for the better and it may be in the long term but at this particular moment either Mery or John will feel smashed. There is no way around this. Yes, positive thinking will help to stand up and move on, and that's why I'm such a firm believer in the benefits of it but it's just not fair to tell people the only reason their dream hasn't come true is "you". We live amidst constant exchange of energy, thoughts, desires, dreams, etc. And while it doesn't matter in the universal plan, it does matter when there is one prize and two or more competitors.

I can also talk a lot about all the writers in the world who dream and work very hard and it just doesn't happen, and that's all. Some of them spend tons of money on writing classes, editing services... And no, and no, and no. Who is to blame? If there are 2000 manuscripts published annually and ten times more submitted, naturally there is no way all will get published. And I don't believe it's because 198 000 weren't bold enough or weren't dreaming hard enough, or weren't positive. May be 2/3 of them weren't but the rest were believers. Me among them.

It's also about the realization that at one point the harsh truth must be faced. Lets' say I've been writing since grade two, I won my first award in grade three, I continued being praised in the university, I studied literature but for some reason I haven't made it to publishing for... let's say five years. At this point I personally would accept the thought that this particular novel/collection or whatever it is, won't make it. It is also possible I'd be wrong and I'd miss a chance. Perseverance is very important. But, on the other hand, the outer life goes on, it's not all happening in the little writer's space.

It takes time - the writing, the editing, the research, the browsing for agents and publishers, the reading of their blogs, the editing again, the re-writing, the submitting again... It takes even more time to stand up each time and go on, emotionally. What happens meanwhile? With the people around us, with the loved ones, with the job, with the bills??? I couldn't make it, may be it's only me but I wouldn't compromise the time with my son, for example, for endless submissions and editing. Now, there are those "favorite" agents and publishers of mine who will respond "lack of determination" and it explains why they are my "favorite". ;) On the other side are authors like Rebecca Woodhead (I wrote a post about her last year) who pursue the goal at all cost, including hunger. Here I couldn't compete either because any thought that I could leave the house without heat or proper food and my child will suffer my literary ambitions throws me in depression. If I were alone, may be but rather "no" because then I'd feel dependent and it would throw me in another depression. LOL

And again, it's all about the individual situation, there is no universal truth. Sometimes the dream is just not the right one at the right time. It is still possible to achieve it after pushing it all and to the end but I'm not sure it should take such sacrifices. In fact, I'm pretty sure it shouldn't. If it doesn't happen with joy, if it doesn't feel like a game, then something is wrong and out of balance.

2. Be Careful What You Wish For

The stupidest, most limiting thing ever said. I always feel inclined to ask "Why?" Why should I be careful? Is my wishing star going to get exhausted? Her battery will be down? Or do I only have a certain number of wishes allowed for this lifetime? And it's even more annoying that it contains a hint of a threat. It sounds like "Be careful or..." What? It takes me back to the time when I was a child and we were raised with this idiotic belief that all we get has to be paid for. So, we grew up as cowards. We had to start learning to wish again when we became adults which, of course, is far more difficult as the damage has already been done and is deeply rooted.

The truth is, if we believe in the abundance of the Universe (and I do because the Universe is energy and as we very well know matter doesn't really exist, it's all miniature parts interacting with each other), then there is no problem at all to wish as often and as much as our heart desires. because if we believe in this abundance, it literally means we can replace each unsuccessful wish with a new one and that's all. If I wanted a white Mercedes but realized it wasn't looking that well when I got it, I just wish for a red one and trust. Right? What is there to be careful about?

Oh, may be they meant relationships? But there are about 50% divorces around the western world with or without careful wishing. And it's not a tragedy to dedicate too much thinking to it, from my point of view. We must learn to let go - wishes, cars, people. Only clinging creates fear because it kills trust and faith. Trust your inner voice and the powers inside you.

After all, the worst possible scenario, like in the example with Mery and John, is to not get the wish. In which case you would have only wasted precious time thinking again and again "carefully" if it's a wise thing to wish for or not. In the best case scenario, you get what you want, you are happy and it's time to set new goals, to dream new dreams, in which case any further "careful thinking" would be again a waste of precious time. Or, as the saying implies, you get the thing/person, you find out it's not the best for you and you move on, learning to deal with your own mind, ideally learning to let go too. All positives here. ;))

Lazy lovers or lovers of laziness?

2011-04-20T20:37:00.004-04:00

*Image courtesy of www.muranoglass-shop.com

This is going to be about synchronicity - those hints and signs, the mysterious repetitions, the unlooked for messages that sometimes pop up just to mirror our thoughts, desires, dreams. I can't say I'm very good in catching them all but this time I got it.

As each year, as each spring, with the first warm sun rays, I start thinking Provence. No surprise here. It's my personal, my very own heaven. My heart, my dream, my skin and my breath. My never experienced in full love, my never satisfied desire because I always want more of it. And as I was falling again in my Provencal dream, a friend of mine, who lives far from here and from Provence, sent me an e-mail telling me he fell in love with - attention! - Provence and he planted Provencal plants in his garden to remind him of the place. I thought "funny" and went on. On the next day, cleaning my closets (I'm moving), I found a book I had no idea I possessed - Vineyards of South France. Ta-daam. Today, I was driving when I heard this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZVWD8Iy09w .

*Image courtesy of www.todleho.com

I know for many the song has nothing to do with the place discussed but I'll tell you how I feel. I'm thinking... sun... an orange, huge, naked sun; impossibly intense blue sky; hot air burning my lungs while my bare feet walk the velvety surface of a grass so green that my eyes hurt; whispering sea down under the rocks, I can catch a glimpse from here; iron gate crying quietly when the steps approach; cedars glued in an eternal hug; shadows dancing under the crowns of centuries old trees, hiding my pebbled terrace from everyone; grey iron chairs, the paint flaking, the patina betraying the age; flowers, waterfalls of flowers flowing from the pots, touching the ground, spreading on the mossy stones... I'm thinking perfume and a white shirt under the trees... A hammock... A panama hat thrown carelessly in the stony fountain... Flowery skirt spread on the grass, a glass of wine spilled in the water, a cup with cherries and the juice on the white shirt... Were we lazy lovers? Did we miss something succumbing to the laziness of a heavy afternoon turning into purple dusk while the valley was shaking under the sounds of music and crowds were fighting to get a spot on a fashionable beach? I don't know. But I'd do it again, same way, same time, no second thoughts, no regrets. Lazy lovers is not that bad actually. Not in Provence of mine. :)

What I'm trying to say is: effort is not always necessary. Being active and proactive is not always best. In our world where everything seems to be so fast that we miss at least half of it, we must sometimes stop. Just halt. Breathe. Smell. Listen. Sense. Let it flow through you, feel it. The life. The love. The whatever makes you smile. Surrender to the timelessness because time was invented by us, humans, in a desperate attempt to categorize something that exists far beyond the limits of our imagination. There is no need to constantly pursue something. Love especially. Be lazy, love it. :)

P.S. Just opened the blog list to check the blogs I follow. Guess what was the first title I saw? "Sweet lovers". :o It's working, I'm telling you. :) We are more powerful than we realize. And I'm glad to know it. I'm actually so grateful to know it! Because it means my next vacation will be right there, above the sea, on the rocks, behind the iron gate. And my garden will be full of friends, flowers, kids, laughter, and who knows...

Job ads - a world of their own

2011-04-08T16:54:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I wanted to post my most "favorite" pearls found in job ads but now the time has come. LOL

A "sexy", "sassy", "edgy" or similar company "looking for YOU!" - no, thanks. I'm old fashioned, prefer not so daring companies.

"9 to 5-ers need not to apply" - this is the one thing that will always and forever prevent me from applying for sure. I've been tempted a number of times to respond with "9 to 5-ers don't call me at all". My most favorite is when an employer thinks I'm creative 24/7, my child never gets sick and I am made of iron too. So, so favorite.

"Are you the one?" - well, sure, I've been a number of times for different people.

H-i-l-l-a-r-i-o-u-s.

Single, yet married moms - the invisibles

2011-04-07T19:58:00.002-04:00

It all started with this article: http://www.lilithgallery.com/articles/canada/2006/Singles-Mothers-Barely-Getting-By.html It's quite old already but let me tell you, things are not better today. Those women are at the edge of society, the invisibles, the marginals. They don't get child support because they are technically not divorced, and even if they were, the missing husbands wouldn't be any source of money. In addition, the lack of any legal separation puts these moms out of the social benefits system. They are everywhere. They work for no money at unbelievably nasty places, suffering humiliation and living in constant fear. They can't go to the shelters either because, in case you don't know, shelters have the habit of being full. Even if they, oh miracle!, are not full, they often require proof of abuse. Like if one is not beaten on a daily basis, they don't deserve a roof. Or a bed. Or food.

The system is not working. Clearly. It's simple. Why am I writing all this? First, because I am myself a single mom and I, for example, can not rent a proper place because I happen to not get a weekly pay stub. Therefore, I'm also some kind of marginal character, hanging between the skies and earth. A kite may be? Second, because I've tried to raise awareness of this issue for years and believe me, no one has ever cared. Third, because I've tried to raise money for housing and the "lack of non profit experience" in my CV seems more important to the big rich institutions than my desire to help.

Last but not least, because I have this big dream to win the jackpot of the lottery and to buy houses where these women would have a nice own place to stay at minimum rent. I would also love to give them the opportunity to work for I believe making own money boosts the self confidence. I wish to change lives. I also wish those who have the money stop travelling the world raising awareness of troubled places at the other end of the globe and first take a good close look around themselves. I wish Angelina Jolie gives away her French chateau and uses the rent to buy such houses. I wish Johnny Depp doesn't buy vineyards but shelters. And so on. And yes, it's good they give to charity (something) but let's agree twenty million for a movie is quite inappropriate in the light of the situation, no?

Or I simply wish to get the 50 million from LottoMAX and do it all myself.

A bit of astrology - Neptune in Pisces

2011-04-04T21:05:00.000-04:00

I found a nice article about Neptune's visit in Pisces on one of my favorite astrology sites/blogs: http://theastrologyroom.com/guides/neptune-in-pisces-what-will-it-mean

*All photos courtesy of NASA.

I especially like this part:
"The erotic, glamorous, and romantic will find new expression as we idealise the elusive and poetic, what is suggested or glimpsed or hinted at......we will crave a sense of intimate mystery in everything. This is part of the rejection of Big Brother cctv and internet surveillance that is brewing and growing during this period."

I so much hope for less Big Brother, thanks to whom I don't own a TV anymore - a good thing actually, and more of the good old magic of movies and glamorous sights... The hinted, not the thrown in our faces. The elegance, not the screaming extravagance. The subtle touch of something extraordinary, not the pinch in our heart. The whisper of a kiss before it's become a history of a failed date. The lingering, not the orgasm. The anticipation, not the act of possession.

As about the romantic, I don't think Neptune's influence is healthy for Scorpios, but it's already hit me hard, as probably obvious from above. LOL And do I love it!

Isn't he gorgeous? Glamorous? Massive? That's Mr. Big. Wow.

The smudge stage

2011-04-01T20:20:00.003-04:00

Ever been there? The smudge stage is when you feel precisely like that. A smashed, drying in the cold sun, possibly stinky, little smudgy thing. You may even be as happy as being smeared on God's sole. Still, the stinkiness and the dryness will remain the same, regardless whose foot did the job.

Smudge is not to be confused with any stains. Stains have history, who, when, how... Smudge is an enigma. Smudge doesn't even know if it exists or if it's an illusion, a blurry sight at the end of a difficult day. Stain allows cleaning. Smudge avoids touching.

It's when there is no sadness because all feelings have evaporated. No passion because the vital juices have been thoroughly drained. No power because the smashing has been performed rightly and took a long time. Each drop of life has been squeezed out, each dream - torn apart. With scaring attention to detail, the foot has turned, twisted, pressed, taken a step back, checked and pressed again. There has been a kind of sadistic pleasure. There has even been a spark of creativity at one point. After all, draining vital juices is a serious business and takes more than physical strength.

What happens next is the question that bothers me... Does the smudge suck up the smasher's own life and continue its smudgy march? Or does it turn into one of those black holes in the space, a piece of emptiness in time? None of these suits me. I'll wait and see if my dryness allows me.

It's such a cheap paradox to write this on April Fool's. Lying has so much to do with the smudge stage... And when is a lie fun, and when is a lie - murder?

Singing in the rain...

2011-03-26T19:45:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmCpOKtN8ME Cool, no? :))

However, finding a raincoat brings me the shivers each year. It's still a mystery to me why major retailers, designers or whoever makes raincoats available in the big stores, think I'm willing to add black to the abundant dark grey around. Or that I can spend an hour in the muddy park happily hopping in the puddles while graciously wearing a snow white apparel... Hm. Weird. So, each year I start browsing the web with my tummy feeling a bit rumbly, as Pooh says, in uneasy expectation of more black. Today was not an exception. And just when I had almost swallowed this piece to the right...

things started to brighten up! Look what I found:
Marigold raincoat from http://www.modcloth.com/

This is an Old Navy piece but I can't find it on the Canadian website and I'm planning an in-store invasion:

Gorgeous bright red with a hat at Kaboodle!

Poppies and blooming fields at http://www.raincoat-supplier.com/ :)))

And my Land of Candies appears to be Lands' End instead! LOL Just look how many colours are available for each of their raincoats! http://www.landsend.com/ix/womens-clothing/Women/Outerwear/index.html?seq=1~2~3&catNumbers=83~141&visible=1~2~1&store=le&sort=Recommended&tab=2&setPageSize=72

I'm definitely getting the coral blush and a Cancun coral! :))) And I will happily hop in the puddles indeed, wearing my favorite rubber boots! LOL

I love these Endless, Victorian style, old fashioned boots: http://www.endless.com/dp/B0026P4U0I/177-1355244-1612650?ie=UTF8&creative=395261&suppressRedirect=1&linkCode=asn&tag=prontocom146810-20&creativeASIN=B0026P4U0I

Coach are cheering everyone up!

And, of course, Target has such a selection!

All at http://www.target.com/Rain-Boots-Womens-Shoes/b?ie=UTF8&node=13913321#searchSize=30&searchRank=pmrank&searchView=grid5&searchPage=3

One can even stay anchored, no fear of the flood. LOL http://www.target.com/Womens-Anchor-Rain-Boots-Navy/dp/B003QBVSWE/ref=br_1_19?ie=UTF8&node=13913321&sessionID=176-4177466-0639627&searchSize=30&searchView=grid3&searchPage=1&sr=1-19&qid=1301182262&rh=&searchBinNameList=target_com_shoe_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Cpattern_name-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1

Very cute and classic neutral: http://www.target.com/Zetta-Tall-Rain-Boots-Gray/dp/B001DCP8G0/ref=br_1_5?ie=UTF8&node=13913321&sessionID=176-4177466-0639627&searchSize=30&searchView=grid3&searchPage=2&sr=1-5&qid=1301182499&rh=&searchBinNameList=target_com_shoe_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Cpattern_name-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1

They also have one of my all times favorites - the Denise Rain Drops:

And Adi's Floral designs which come in different color combinations, I love the raspberry taste of this one. :)

And so on, and so on... My rainy days are safe from black, I'm relieved. Now, if only the rain and the spring could come. LOL Oh, how I miss Toronto! And especially High Park! It simply screams for a very stylish rain gear. :))))

One of the Great left us

2011-03-24T22:01:00.003-04:00

I'm silent today. Quiet. I remain in state of timelessness as one of the Great is travelling her last journey to eternity. I honour Elizabeth Taylor for her inspiring beauty, for her powerful presence, for her way of challenging life, time and rules, for breaking the rules... I am grateful to her for the way she loved, rose, and died... The best epiphany anyone will ever be able to think of her was already written. By Richard Burton.

"There is no life without you, I'm afraid."

Their love story, the troublesome catastrophic passion, the explosion of their feelings has been an inspiration to me for ages. Now they are both gone. As gone as energy may be. Another one was born somewhere at the exact same minute... Another Burton will meet another Taylor in years... Will I know them, will I hear of them? Probably not. But their own love story will also change the world. And none of them will ever regret the ecstatic, though painful birth of a supernova. Just like Edith Piaf, another Great one, didn't regret and loved, and lived, and died in the flames of her own eternal glory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YGXsw3XK9I&feature=related

These two women are connected in my mind in most remarkable and miraculous ways... And I think today I'll celebrate them both. Thank you for having been there... where I am now.