Slow Mo, Yo!

First Snow in Sofia...again

2010-12-13T02:15:00.001-08:00

Well, peoplz, winter is officially here -say loudly and proudly "Hiii", because it looks like it's going to stay for a while.. again..

Taking a Bus and Going Elsewhere

2010-11-29T03:42:00.000-08:00

Not just another sunny Sunday in November 2010, Sofia, Bulgaria, people and buses passing by, and my soul, who was begging me to go anywhere but home. "It's too dark to go to a place you don't even know where is it'-said my mind and I was just about to agree with it, when I found myself unable to move from the seat I took in the bus. So, I left my stop behind and I continued traveling with a few people, too calm to not knowing where they were going, unlike me, myself and I.

The bus was actually a trolley 11 and travels through some very dark places in Drugba. And while my soul was radiant with joy , my mind was numb with fear . "Where are you going, what are you doing here, how should you go back, are you out of your mind..", and questions like that were bumping my head, while we continue traveling.

The story after that is clear - a prince on a white horse came and rescued me.. almost, except of the horse and the prince..

There is no place like home, but sometimes we should listen to the soul.

We are definitely going to hell, but we'll have all the best stories to tell

2010-11-22T00:54:00.000-08:00

Черница съм и нося сладост в черните зеници
от мен да вкуси кой не спря, отбивайки от път?
Наивно любя, с чувствата си храня гъсеници --
убиват ги преди да литнат, свила да тъкат.

Все чакам, а небето ми е все безпеперудно,
на пролет се разлиствам жива някак си напук,
понеже на големите момчета им е трудно
да вярват, а пък мартеница не цъфти в юмрук.

Не се страхувам гола да остана в голо време,
слана да ме попарва, хорски сняг да ме вали:
мъже познавам много, ала ти единствен в мене
направи си хралупа. И от празното боли.

Nada Surf - Always Love

2010-11-16T01:14:00.000-08:00

To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that told me
Always love? Hate will get you every time
Always love? Don't wait til the finish line

Slow demands come 'round
Squeeze the air and keep the rest out
It helps to write it down
Even when you then cross it out

But Always Love? Hate will get you every time
Always Love?Even when you wanna fight

Self-directed lives
I want to know what it'd be like to
Aim so high above
Any card that you've been dealt, you...

Always Love? Hate will get you every time
Always Love? Hate will get you?

I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs.
You said?
Hey, you good ones.
Hey, you good ones.

To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that told me...
Always love?hate will get you every time
Always love?hate will get you?

I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs
You said..
Hey, you good ones

First Snow in Sofia

2010-10-28T02:28:00.000-07:00

Well, peoplz, winter is officially here -say loudly and proudly "Hiii", because it looks like it's going to stay for a while..

With all my love for the winter and the freezing people outside- there is always a warmth and full of light place out there , you just have to reach it.

Paris, Sweet Paris... (Although There Is No Place Like Home)

2010-10-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, I was just another little chicken in a just another toys' store. I was watching the world throughout a window-glas , hopping that someday somebody will take me with him and play with me all the time. But the days just passing by, and the people didn't even notice me. I'm not the cuttest chicken in the world- I have to say. I'm small, kinda bald, and my chicken wings are too long, in fact they look more like another pair of legs...

But one day this boy entered the store and my life's changed. He took me and gave me to his girlfriend /because of some sentimental reason, I think/. And this girl, the girlfriend, decided to carry me all the way to some another country in her bag's pocket, where I could watch the world and wonder the beauty..

Because it was beautiful!

So, I'm happy now, and I know that there was a reason to wait for so long time in this toys' store. Everything is linked :)

A Dream Came True or How a Broken Bus Was The Reason To Live Through a Big Adventure

2010-09-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well..how, really?
Everything was just like a dream, and like every dream, when you wake up, you don't remember the details, only the feeling.. And when the dream is good, the feeling is great. You can't describe a feeling, can you?

So, here are the facts - 100 km for 24 hrs with great people from Varna.

We walked and walked, and every 4 hrs we reached a spot place, where a small red-white bus was waiting for us- it was like a mobile oasis - and two lovely women were serving us some snacks, so we can recover our strength. Little break and then again- we walked and walked...the night was gone, the morning came, and we walked and walked, the small bus again, the break, some jokes and laughing and all over again. The feet were burning, the head was begging for sleep, the spirit was on its reaching point..and we walked and walked.. 6 more hours left, 18hrs behind...

And walked and walked...

Probably we will never do this if a friend of us wouldn't called and informed us about this adventure (Rosen, thank you), probably we will never be so proud of us if I hadn't exam to take the very same day and my boyfriend said that he will not go if I'm not with him, probably we will never made it on time /6 p.m. / if our bus from Sofia to Varna didn't break an hour after we start traveling and we decided to go hitch-hiking.. And because all of that we were exact on time /6.10 p.m/ and our adventure start...

And my dream came true...

And the feeling is great!

A Small Girl Dreams of Big Adventures

2010-09-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

Like many of her peers, Vide often dreams of new, shiny bags, shoes or blouses... But that ain't dreaming - dreaming is wishing what seems away from one's grasp, that is hard to reach and you need to give something of yourself in exchange.

Our small girl, Vide, is pictured dreamily gazing over our beautiful country. Who may say what she is thinking about...?

So, Vide, one of Slow Mo's protagonists, is now after something worthed. And when she does struggle for what she feels is hers... back off! More on her dream - after it comes true.

The Cookie Award Awarded

2010-08-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

The Cookie Award, a valuable token of gratuity and a much desired item on the Internet, went to another designer's (Emo being the first) safe hands. The latter's name is Fori, for short, who cheered for a day and pretty much made everybody know and envy about it.

* The Cookie Award itself is non-metal, uneatable and takes the form of most sincere thanks for supporting a noble cause - running Vide and Emo's small adventure blog *

Several of our readers, namely Vide and Emo, urged us to invite Fori for an interview. We did so and even asked questions, but since he had not submitted his answers (and probably never will) we tried to guess what his replies might be.

Slow Mo, Yo!: Hey there, Fori, how is it going?
Fori: Hello! Same old, ya know...

S!: Right, tell our readers, Fori, is it still hard-rock that rules or you finally switched to jazz?
F: I can't recall giving you any clues to think this might ever happen? (looks surprised) Maybe something that have slipped in a conversation over a tripe soup (soup of stomach)...

S!: But, listen, I clearly remember that once you posted a jazz-listening schedule to one of Extreme's walls!
F: Wasn't me, pal.

S!: Well, Fori, let me tell you that half of our readers are graphic designers or want to become such one day. What is the piece of invaluable advice you wouldn't mind sharing with them?
F: What matters, no only design-wise but also whenever one's life is concerned, is doing what is good for you.

S!: Could you somehow clarify?
F: I mean, say, a client comes and wants a very chaste and insightful design. Don't get me wrong, he does not rely on your designer talent, because he has a pen-scribbled sketch on a torn notebook sheet with him that clearly shows a black square on white background.

You follow his guidelines and after work is done he is so pleased, he tips you 50 leva (around 25 Euro). Extreme's (a design studio in Varna, Bulgaria) unwritten policy is to donate your hard earned tip to company's funds which, after years of gathering, are used for buying a small stereo that plays radio in one of Extreme's distant offices.

Doing what is good for you in this case would be spending the cash for personal delights, whatever they may be, and never showing others the money.

S!: So, Fori, are we right to assume you claim graphic design is like any other job?
F: Like any other, that is right. Although somewhat pays worse...

S!: What is that passion for casual clothing, say good-taste shirts, you exhibit?
F: Hm... remember what you once told me about the reliability of the Austrian-made Glock pistol? Shirts pretty much walk in its steps - you squish them - they are O.K. to be worn, you tear a small piece of them by accident - they are O.K. to be worn again, you soak them in ketchup and chocolate ice-cream glazing... well.. then you know you need new one - but it's O.K., 'cause there are certain stores that sell them ten for the buck ;)

S!: And another - what is your well-kept truth about life and love?
F: Pretty ease this one - life is like CorelDraw, a semi-professional software for drawing squares, once it gets to a meaningful loading moment - it's 50% crashed...

S!: Thanks for the interview you didn't give, Fori, and please check us back - we might have something that is of great interest to you! Bye now and see you very soon!
F: Bye folks, keep your head up, for you never know if a roasted bird is not coming down upon you! Take good care!

Pitchhiking

2010-08-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the day to cross our little country, Bulgaria, in case you've forgotten, using a cost-efficiency proven method - pitchhiking. This is similar to hitchhiking but is left for those selected few that have the balls to take the longest road (Sofia - Varna) in Bulgaria and go though it in some 12 hours. For comparison, a train will cover the distance in about 8 hours.

Such rugged dudes of the survival kind are known as "pitches" or "pitch", singular. It stands for what would roughly be a cool dude in English.

The safest way to travel is using one's imagination. Pitchhiking is the best of the rest.

Still, being a rugged, scar-faced pitch doesn't mean you need to go the hardest way and turning the cold shoulder to technological advances... This time, battling hesitant and selfish drivers, Emo will try to make it easier with a pretty big white paper sign reading - "Varna - be good". And the second 'a' of Varna will look like the Peace symbol... An illustration is coming soon ;)

To Break Up or Not to Break Up

2010-08-04T02:34:00.000-07:00

Did Shakespeare ask something like that or in the past everything was just easier?

Now with all those different ways to communicate loneliness is hiding behind every corner. And love...can somebody really explain what love means? Why nowadays love is equal to 'not-being-alone' when love is something like sun, like rain, like the sea on sunset when the yellow-red-pink-orange colors of the light is reflecting on the water surface.

I can't explain what's love, but I know that I'm in love and I know that this is the most amazing thing and may be the most important thing in life...

So, people, no matter what happens, no matter if somebody breaks your heart, keep loving, couse thet means keep living!

The Summer, The Jazz, The Beach

2010-08-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

Those three worlds say almost everything about the time, that I've spent in Varna, while my lovable boyfriend stayed in Sofia alone, working.

For all those spending their summers in the city:

Slow Mo, Yo! correspondent Vide gives us a cool summer sitrep [military for 'situational report']

Each year people from all over the world come in Varna to play jazz . For three evenings the Archeological museum turns into a gather place to those, who love sophisticated music, drinks and people.

During the hot summer day, the only solution to refresh yourself, is to go to the beach (or stay at home under the air-conditioner, if you're just too lazy). Have you seen swallow flying close to the ground ? Well, swallows in Varna are flying very,very close to the water surface, it's just like they want to cool themselves without getting wet. It's amazing to lay in the water and watch those beautiful and fast birds making what they are best at.

And while the summer is not over yet, enjoy it!

(High) Time to Drive!

2010-07-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

I most people's life comes a moment when they need to steadily grab life by the wheel and choose their direction to move on... by car! Even though Emo is soon to leave 27 summers behind, until now driving was literally just a dream.

However, things never stay at the same place, like cars don't permanently stay parked... starting July Emo began taking driving lessons, which, at least in Bulgaria, comprise of Theory and a Practice part.
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After 27 non-driving years,
it is definitely a high time to drive!

Theory is generally learning the rules, signs and how a car functions, while Practice is the driving itself. For those interested, prior to holding the wheel there is a set of 40 hours in class, behind a projector screen and your driving instructor showing you how stuff works on the road. Once you get behind the driver's pedals (in a practice car there are two sets of pedals, so your instructor could foil the students' evil plans to run over helpless elderly ladies) you have 40 minutes of generally driving the car forward and backwards in a safe environment, namely a parking lot.
Then, after few days, still dissatisfied and wanting a bit more of the action part of the whole driving thing, the students finally is set to drive outside of the city at speeds exceeding 80 km/h (50 mph). What follows in the driving agenda is gradually getting used to frequently changing gears without letting the engine pass out, using turning indicators, driving uphill and parking the car.
All in all, a time that is greatly worthed and fun! Remember that - one day Vide and Emo will rent a car and tour Europe! :)

A Way To 'Heaven'

2010-07-19T02:10:00.001-07:00

This weekend we decided to go outside Sofia, despite the lack of money, and just enjoy ourselves with the different views that first Plovdiv and than Kalofer could offer us.

> Day One

Plovdiv and its majestic 'Aquapark'- perfect place, when the heat outside is unbearable and your only wish is for cool or lukewarm water, water, water! And when the water is in a perfect relationship with almost vertical slides and a slide called 'The Whizzer', then the pleasure is close to orgasm... (comment by Emo: 'Wow, Vide, restrain yourself a bit!...')

> Day Two

Our second day (Sunday) was not just another sunny day and after we slept over in a small, but cozy house in the historic village of Kalofer for just 12 BGN per night, per person, we took whatever enthusiasm and power we had left after the not-quite-night and went to one of Bulgaria's finest mountain cottages called Heaven. It's situated close to the Raisko praskalo waterfall - translated as 'Heavenly Spray' and being the hightest waterfall in our country (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raysko_Praskalo ) that's 4 hours away from Kalofer. The path it's not for everybody- I'll not lie to you- it's at times very steep and definitely not easy.

Anyway, we deserved one-hour break after we managed to reach the Heaven for only 3 hours! (instead the typical four needed because we were in a kind of hurry, couse we had to catch the train back) and then went back.

One lovely couple with a small car offered us to transport us to Sofia and we... accepted. Now that's luck!

Alone In The City of Sofia

2010-07-08T05:20:00.000-07:00

Since my boyfriend told me that he will travel to Silistra, to see his parents, I decided that the city will become my boyfriend for couple of days. So, on the first day I have to clean my house (you never know if your new boyfriend will be so insistent that it will make it impossible for you to refuse his wish to come over 'just for a coffee'... and then his first impression of your house can be his last).

When boyfriend's away,
City becomes a harmless flirt
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First date with my city- well, it's not actually my city. My city is Varna, but I used to date with it and it was amazing, and lovable, and tender, but then it came a moment of life that makes you feel you have to move on. And you move on.

I still love Varna, it takes me back everytime when I needed it, when I'm sad or confused, or hurt - Varna becomes my best friend, it puts over me a veil, that makes me untouchable from unpleasant things.. And Sofia is just like a bad boy- arrogant, drunk, cheater, heart breaker and that's what it's so magical about it...

So, on my first date, the city offers me a walk- walk through South Park, where popcorn and sweets can be bought, through Borisova garden, where tour with boat can be reserved and through small streets, so small that you have the feeling you are in Italy.

Second date with my city sported dinner and movie. But that will be the topic of another post ;)

Cherry Is King!

2010-06-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

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Some have five, others fifteen minutes, but for the Kyustendil (a small town in South-western Bulgaria) cherry fame lasts for whole lotta three days!

First, it's important to note that several cities in Bulgaria are famed for their top-class fruit - Silistra is known and loved for its apricots, Lyubimets would treat you with a delicious watermelon and last but juicily not the least, Kyustendil cherries its way to the top three of Bulgarian's fruttiest cities.

To pay due tribute to more than nine kinds of cherry, some of which big, others savory and crispy, thirds sweet and sour, Kyustendil Municipality schedules an annual three-day even starting June 17. Celebrations include cooking contests, lots of Bulgarian folk music with dancers in traditional clothing (like the one pictured to the right) and free cherry sampling :)

Vide and Emo were there to catch the last day's conclusive contest winners announcements and take more than a total of 6 kilos of fresh cherry with them! Make sure you do not miss next time's Kyustendil Cherry Days Celebrations!

Two-Wheeled Dream

2010-06-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

Above: Dramatization of Vide and Emo's Bike Trip in and 'round Sofia.

The Dream was born no sooner than two years ago and roughly resembled a girl (Vide) and a boy (Emo) on top of two cutting edge mountain bikes, riding amid exotic places...

A trained eye would easily spot at least several weak positions, that could easily turn into unsolvable problems... Expensive bikes are very hard to be solely put at some place at home, and expensive bikes and exotic places are nearly impossible to be put in one place.

Two years we were trying to figure out how was the magic done for other couples, who boastfully wasted their time riding pairs of amazing cycles on flat ground like parks or community gardens...

Finally the idea came uninvited - we could rent the bikes for a day and simply ride the nearest hill that would pop against us! Well... things got organized the very next day and events just passed by us at a great speed (because time passes by slowly when you are anxiously waiting for something, but once it happens it rushes like a bullet train!) - we rented the bikes with those guys, paid what's necessary, grabbed them and rode for about 10 hours with two brunch-brakes!

Streets, parks, forests (the so called Hunting Park in Sofia, parts of which look like a real, dense and mosquito-overpopulated forest) and even Vitosha mountain were tried and tested until the hands of time slowly gathered the time to bring the bikes back and the happy fatigue of an all-day ride :)

Some Fun, While We Are All Still Young

2010-06-18T08:56:00.001-07:00

Well, everybody wants to have some nice dinner in a fancy restaurant, or dreams about a beautiful house with a pool outside (or inside, why not) or at least some wonderful days, spent in a Spa'n'Wellness hotel, and all that without the usual worry about the Money and how you should work twice as hard for the next two months to pay for all this. So...

Let's go to a Zoo- it's still cheap (as long as you don't pay extra for a camel- or even more expensive tiger-ride), there are plenty of animals, who are making fun noises, and rain or shine there is ice-cream too (it's not so expensive at all).

Let's play- Table tennis for two hours or more- you are gonna feel tired, that your only wish would be to take a long bath (it's a small or no problem, if you don't have a bath, but you can always switch this with a better solution- take a shower with your partner, you are not going to be less tired, but it's gonna be more fun and some other word with the 'f').

Let's Read outside- we have a lovely park in the City of Sofia, called The South Park, with plenty of benches and grass. Take a blanket, home-made sandwiches, take your partner and go to read together (oh, yeah, take some books, too...).

And just for two days, without even noticing, you would have NOT spent a single penny, that means you will earn about 200 BGN, just for not giving them to a fancy restaurants, hotels and etc... What would you do with those money if you had it - I don't know, but I'm sure that it would NOT be going to be as much fun :)

Journey Across Bulgaria

2010-06-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

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Bulgaria Translates as Beauty in Bulgarian

Well, these are just rumors spread by numerous tourist and visitors to our country, but that still means that it takes a couple of lifetimes (no one was able to do the exact calculation) to enjoy all it has to offer.

And while there are real jewels of interest, taken the shape of ancient Roman digging sites, awesome mountain peaks or minuscule but tremendously charming villages, spread all over it, it is the few major cities that have it all :)

And that is what this map above is for.

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What is What on the Map of Bulgaria

Sofia, the red dot to the west of the map, is the capital of the country. Even according to people living in the countryside (who are raging against Sofian cultural and social hegemony) exciting stuff is everywhere in and around it.

Vitosha, to start with, is the nearby mountain that is used for light hiking, skiing or mountain cycling by Sofia residents and visitors. A trek there could end in 20 minute-picnic or stretch for a full 8 hour walk - depending on your fit and athletic hunger :)

The yearly calendar is stuffed with multiple dancing, design, sports and artistic festivals, many of which happen for the first time ever, not only in Bulgaria, but on global scale. And most of them are free to not only observe but also to actively join and add your share to everyone's fun.

Museums are omnipresent anywhere as if they have to show some different history, art or nature... Skip them in favor of the ample pack of monasteries around the capital (and a three digit number throughout Bulgaria). Some of them are simply amazing with their majestic architecture while others are built in series of jaw-dropping locations - like the Monastery of Razboishte, that is built to the side of a solid rock ridge and yet it has a full-sized operational bell!

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The Thirteenth Country with Two Capitals

Few people, except the locals are aware of the fact that Bulgaria actually has two capital cities - the capital of business - Sofia, and the vacation capital - Varna.

The criterion for calling Varna "a capital" is based solely on the absolute number of people populating it through the summer months. In fact, Varna, which is very charming, romantic and fun medium sized shore-city, gets up to twice as big, when invaded by beach combers from Germany, UK, Russia, Scandinavia and other parts of Bulgaria.

Varna is also a classic spot for Bulgarian students and youth to earn their pocket cash, working on the sea-side selling summer necessities like ice-cream, sunglasses, sea-shell necklaces and so on. Both Vide and Emo had their time in turns selling sweets, beverages and sunglasses :)

Other than that, all those who had a pair of working eyes, ears and a beating heart admit that Varna is unbeatable when it comes to midnight swims or walks with their sweethearts in the famous and loved Sea Garden (Морска Градина in Bulgarian), taking an open-air bus and touring around or simply claim a bench and contemplate the summer crowd fuss through its pedestrian-only parts.

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Veliko Tarnovo

It is not only great, because the history brought a ready-to-use "Great" prefix to its name (Veliko, the first name of the city translates as "Great") but because this place sports an outstanding vertical, house-on-top-of-another house-architecture.

Well, the term architecture always fails to convey the sense of charm and fascination, Veliko Tarnovo's architecture is known for - even many miles beyond the boundaries of Bulgaria.

The houses are its face. But the heart of it are its narrow streets, circling and winding, going up and down around completely conserved ages-old houses, cafes, craftsmen's workshops, bakeries and souvenir stores.

And while small in size, thus easily walkable in just half a day, it never fails in attracting you again and again, always going through the same captivating paths and happy, dreamy and playful feelings.

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The Line that Only the Toughest Reach

Everyone who has ever been a student knows that the last paragraph of the book for the upcoming exam is the hardest to read, be it "important" or "rewarding" as proff's claim.

That is why we held back the cities of Plovdiv, Silistra and Burgas for the keen adventurers that go beneath the surface in search of what is new and intriguing. And these three definitely are.

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Plovdiv

Starting with Plovdiv, we should first say that it is the definitive magical place, an ancient but refined Roman settlement - tourist-wise that means churches, Roman paveways and an authentic theater from the era of Caesar! It was almost untouched when dug out and is now used for the exact same purpose as it was thousands of years ago - concerts and spectacles are held there during the summer months.

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Silistra

Silistra's fame sits on top of three main (Doric-styled) columns:

one, like Plovdiv (hope it was not simply copying it), it was built over ancient Roman outpost, which means it is no big deal for anyone there to occasionally find coins that date back to our pre-pre-pre-pre-ancestors; every bigger soil excavation uncovers Roman ruins that were once baths, villas or paveways;

two, it is a medium-side riverside city that allows for taking a boat trip to and fro the Bulgarian and Romanian coasts of the Danube river; or simply chilling with some fried sprat and a beer while a powerful seagull choir orchestrates;

three, just steps away (well, at least figuratively speaking) from the city there is a UNESCO-protected wild-life reserve that goes under the name of Srebarna ("Made of Silver"). This lush nature is a home for tens of mammal, bird and fish species and has a dedicated museum open for all nature lovers - opened throughout the week and free in Thursday.

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Burgas Ends It

The last in our must-visit list is Burgas, a town that shares the fame of its world-class golden-sand beaches with Varna.

The truth is, Vide and Emo had never explored what it has to offer in depth, but that is soon to happen. And if you do that first, add a comment or two to let us know ;)

Balcony Scouting

2010-06-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

For the noble and adventurous goal of becoming a scout and acting like one you need at least a couple of the following:

- a base camp with a big, bright bonfire;
- a scout leader acting like a drill sergeant;
- thick and ages-old impermeable forest;
- tin-canned meat, fish and pork;
- a balcony, 1 x 2 meters.

The list's last was what Emo chose for his single-night outdoor adventure.

And this sleeping bag too...

A Plush "I Love You"

2010-06-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

After numerous attempts and a pupil's treasure worth of cash played, a play-to-win-a-plush-toy machine finally yielded it's grace upon Vide and Emo - a plush "I Love You" heart, red and laced on the edges. And it was Vide herself, who got it out... Cute! :)

First small steps on writing a blog

2010-06-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend wanted me to write something about our blog and I'll do it, cause it's 'our' blog and our, that includes mine, responsibility to fill it.

Well, it's kinda difficult for me to do it, cause from one hand I don't have any interesting things to say, and from other hand- I'm not that good in English.

Right now, not right now, it's more like seconds before I received that asking from him, i was surfing through one German site for very cheap (and beautiful, I'd say) underwear, and I really want to buy something, but I'm not sure it's possible, cause they deliver only in German, and as far as I know, I don't have my way there for some time (don't worry, if you didn't understand that, it's completely normal).

Electrolux Design Contest pseudo entries

2010-05-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

For just another year, Electrolux Design Lab gives a chance for young and talented industrial designer-guru wannabes to submit their designs and win prizes.

As Vide and Emo have never even stepped into the industrial design faculty of any University, they took the challenge mostly from its creative side (their trust into the Olympic principle doesn't seem to fade with time and declined entries from many other competitions).
For the 2010 brief stated that designs should emphasize on greenness, flexible to space and customizable, Vide and Emo's response to points one and three was pretty literal - all their appliances were painted green to comply with the requirement and are customizable in a way that they would greet their potential owners with a lively "Hello, Tim" or "Hi, Lucy" blinking on their LCD displays. Smooth shapes and licked edges is a bonus we let jury enjoy for free. So much for the design...

There come the ideas.

The Dog Dietitian

Problem

When owners leave for a summer-long vacation all pets start worring – is it going to be the neighbour that will take care of the them or there would be a pile of food that will make them overeat the first several days and then be left to the Providence to decide their nutritional fate?

Design Solution

The Electrolux Dog Dietitian is the first and foremost device for pet feeding. Despite the name ir bears [chosen solely to preserve first letter repetition], it could be used equally successful for any other pets too. Food is put into the Dietitian in advance and then it is pre-programmed to allocate user-defined ratios of food - hourly, daily or weekly.
It takes the shape of dog’s muzzle with a sensor display at its nose and ears that flap to the sides to serve the purpose of food trays.

The Heavenly Heater

Problem

Even though contemporary irons have a dial to choose the right heat for different clothing materials, using it correctly takes time, consideration and some knowledge of the materials themselves. And does anybody know the setting for the rare kashmire or camel wool clothes?

Design Solution

The trick that makes all the difference here is a small and fully automatized sensor that figures out the exact nature of the material to be ironed. Then Heavenly Heater self-adjusts to operate at optimal temperature.
Controlled via the sensor display on top.

The Fish-O-Fine

Problem

Fish is delicious and healthy but cleaning it could be a tiresome drag! Which sounds even more convincing to those who have actually tried (and to some extend managed) to remove the out- and in-testines of seafood.
Until now, there was no purposful design to address this troublesome routine.

Design Solution

The Fish-O-Fine is a revolutionary hand-held fish cleaner that takes care of everything but the eadible part of what is to be served as part of a seafood menu. Looking like a fish itself, it has a sharp lower ‘lip’ that scratches off the flakes on fish’s skin and its inner parts. Once detached, all junk goes straight in the vacuum-operated ‘mouth’ that safely stores it in its internal compartment.
It sports a rechargeable battery.
The Blossom Bunker

Problem

Few things irritate more and cause more confusion than smelly shoes.
Problems here include but are not limited to lack of suitable storage space, inefficient odor-battling sprays and degrading shoe satisfaction.

Design Solution

Looking like an oval-shaped box, Blossom Bunker not only removes unpleasant odors but also prevents feet diseases through special gas ventilation. An interface censor display on its peak delivers all of its functionality to the finger touch its owner. One full operational cycle lasts for only 15 minutes, which makes one hour enough to process all what most people’s shoe drawer has to offer. The result of the magic that happens inside the Bunker is shoes that are deliciously fragrant and much safer to wear.

The Flower Friend

Problem

There is a good reason why people compare women to flowers. Except for the beauty, they also compete in the Care category, demanding vast investments of time and attention. As for the flowers, care translates as proper amounts of sun and water. With noone to water them, they soon begin to fade and finally die.

Design Solution

The Flower Friend is a sophisticated execution of a really simple and practical idea - a small device that pumps water out of a bucket or other larger/smaller container and directs it in specified amounts to three flower pots.
A brightly lit central display reacts to human touch to help determine the flow of water to each of three flowers it services.
Cable or battery operated.

Don't be afraid to comment :)

Emo Is Short of Cash, Both With Vide Celebrate

2010-05-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

After Emo's employers employed vicious payment tactics Monday evening, due to which he received 200% less money than expected, it was Vide's turn to turn the things to their brighter side. Both gave their cash a steady grip and went on a mission to wast... use it purposefully.

Although plan was first to have a freshly squeezed juice this step was skipped in favor of a full-scale dinner in one of the wildest spots in Sofia - Дивака, or the Savage, in English. The Savage is a restaurant that contrary to its name pleases with a high culture in service and food quality ;)

Soon after, salads, soup and chicken in some cheesy cheese sauce gave room to about half an hour of playing darts, air-hockey and a video kayak game (that lasted for less than a minute, because time ran out before we could even cross the first checkpoint and gain an extension in time) in a game-parlor in Center City Sofia.

But still, what is an evening full of all above mentioned but lacking something to indulge the soul with? Right, you guessed it - a theater evening ;) Now, the only thing that had the power to turn our great evening into a memorable great evening was great acting - and it was there, waiting for us to see and enjoy!

Well, being here in front of the monitor leaves me thinking: isn't life sometimes just great and worth living many times over again? I can only hope it keeps good news and things coming our and your way :)

2010-04-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hey there! The picture to the left indicates who is currently writing the new post.
Anyways, see you around!