Almost Heaven

A week ago I returned home from R'dam.... And I have to say I have been overwhelmed by the pleasant feeling. Its not that Rotterdam would be that bad (well it is actualy pretty bad) but this place is just so much better.... I am no potato that only likes home and doesn't wanna go anywhere. I have spent 2 years (F and USA) outside my country excluding the R'dam year. But the difference in this case is just striking... I know that you will say that I am biased against R'dam and such things.... but look at my situation. I came from a filthy hole full of screaming people from colonies where trams were slow and expensive. Where police gives fines for biking without a light and drinking beer on street. Where school fines you for leaving stuff in library and terminates your account for having a dring when working in PC lab. A place where all important places are closed after 5 pm the lates and the main shopping street is made out of alluminium....
On the other side I arrived to a place which is relatively clean and I dont need to be afraid to sit on the street. To place where people are generaly nice and they dont scream, honk, loiter in front of my house or kick my bike at night. to place where public transport is efficient and for resonable price. Where police is corrupt but doesn't care about you unless u cause any harm. Where almost everything in the city is open or closed according to market demand.... I am attaching couple pictures from my place to document more on my feelings.... Well I post them later when server works....

Giff back Meggie!

What a difference! The too “big” figures of British politics of the last half century could not be more different. Margaret Thatcher sets an example on one side with her dignity, principles and leadership. Tony Blair on the other offends us with his sleaziness, populism and, as of new, being a proved poodle. That nice piece of conversation which proved the latest also gives us a different insight. It shows what a coward he is. No matter what he is unable to maintain any kind of British sovereignty and independent policy. On domestic issues he regularly poodles for Brussels. Of course not as much as he and Brusselocrats would like him to, but as much as domestic popularity among urban decadent middle class, sissy delicate housewives, and general canaille of British Isles allows him to.

This latest incident shows him in an even worse light though. You can read about it here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=akInWWEYa7uA&refer=us

The sad part about it is that Bush is generally a goodhearted fellow how likes to play baseball, golf, hunt and do barbeque (as we saw on his German visit). This said, he is probably not going to put very sophisticated pressure on you. Neither is he going to overwhelm u with his charm or charisma. It really takes a huge amount of self disrespect to succumb to him like that.

WHAT A DOUGHFACE!!

P.S.: Also a link where u can watch it on video and where is a substantial coverage:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/17/bush.tape/

the art of pesto

As the title of this blog promises there will be some food coming up.

This time I want to talk about Pesto. Arguably one of the most important things that Roman civilisation gave us. Its origins are unclear but it is ancient. And more importantly it is delicious!
It can be used on pasta or in a sendwitch. Also many gourmans enjoy it simply on a piece of bread. You can buy pesto in a jar, but to really do things right and to have the right taste and freshness u have to make your own. As we shall see it is not that hard.
So what do we need:

-2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves

-1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

-3 tablespoons pine nuts

-2 garlic cloves, peeled

-pinch of salt

-1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano

-2 tablespoons freshly grated Romano cheese

-3 tablespoons butter at room temperature

Lets talk about those ingredients in more detail as they are all very exciting!

Basil: In my opinion a great way is to grow your own in a pot in your home. A positive externality is the pleasant characteristic scent. If u want to see where they do things right visit
http://parco-basilico.provincia.genova.it/

Olive oil: A very important ingredient. U cannot go very wrong here. As long as u stick to Italian, Spanish or Greek produce.

Pine nuts: This might be a little harder to acquire. I suggest a place that sells italian food in general. U can also visit a forest :-)
No need to talk about garlic and salt....

Parmigiano cheese: This is a very important ingredient in terms of quality. To get the best possible visit http://www.parmigiano-reggiano.it/This is actualy all u need. The rest is just to make it better. Preparation is insanely simple:-)

Put basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and an ample pinch of salt in the mortar and process with wooden pestle until creamy. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the grated cheeses. Than mix in the butter.

Bon Apetit!

Forza Azzurri !!!

Everyone is happy that Germany and France didnt win!!!!!!!! as all are tired of Franco-German hegemony over EU. :-)
Even though France did have an edge in the second half of the final game, Italian team deserved to win more. There are more reasons for that.
First, french game is just boring.... Their lack of creativity and individual skill makes them unable to score regulary. It is not without a reason that the only goals they scored in semi finals and finals were from penalty kicks. Both very very questionable. The game with Spain is more Spain's fault and an outlyer considering their group performance.
Second, Italy gave us their typical game. Chaotic but ingenious and highly efficient. With briliant defence but also great midfield on feet of Gattuzo and Pirlo. Only problematic part is offence with Totti and Toni having an unbalanced and unstable performance from game to game.
More importantly however, Italy worked its way through by defeating Ukraine 3:0 and Germany 2:0, none of those from penalties and all briliant games. France on the other hand was just lucky....
The only stain on the Italian way to victori is the game with Australia.... Well it was stupid from the Australian guy to drop like that in the penalty area.... Wouldnt want to be the refferee though, for at that time u decide the game by penalty... anyway... That red card for Matterazzi was also not fair... and I am sure they would kick asses in the extra time!
Anyone is welcomed to post deifferent opinions ofc.

First post

This is a second time I am starting a blog... but who cares... Important is that Italy won the World Cup!!!!!!!!!