Césarian Cut: The Hollywood spin-off awarded accolades last night to a few excellent movies, amongst them "Inside Job" (Best Documentary), "In a Better World" (Best Foreign Language Film, Denmark), "The Social Network" (Best Original Music Score) and 4 awards for "Inception." Rightfully, run-away favourite "The King's Speech" lost in 8 of its 12 nominations.
Unlike the gender-neutral Oscars, the Césars represent the film industry's most prestigious awards, and they were handed out on Friday (Emily and I watched it time-delayed on Saturday afternoon).
Congratulations to Roman Polanski for Best Director for "Ghostwriter" and to Xavier Beauvois' sombre film "Of God and Men" which won the Best Movie award. This film depicts the unsolved murder of 7 French monks in Algeria in 1996, when they disappeared and only their severed heads were found later.
Monday 28 February 2011
Saturday 26 February 2011
En concert ce soir
St James Church at 197 Picadilly
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonín Dvořák, Henry Purcell, Jules Massenet, Gaetano Donizetti and Gioachino Rossini
Followed by a late late dinner & dance on a boat (which Emily has booked). Life couldn't be better right now.
Current Music [Spotify enhanced]: JANE BIRKIN – Oh Comment Ça Va?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonín Dvořák, Henry Purcell, Jules Massenet, Gaetano Donizetti and Gioachino Rossini
Followed by a late late dinner & dance on a boat (which Emily has booked). Life couldn't be better right now.
Current Music [Spotify enhanced]: JANE BIRKIN – Oh Comment Ça Va?
Friday 25 February 2011
BJ
Mayor of London Boris Johnson and local schoolchildren launch NBA Basketball Week. (at 10:30)
Posted via BlackBerry
Posted via BlackBerry
Thursday 24 February 2011
BJ's words for the Europhiles
"Snooty Europhiles should be forced to crawl in penitence"
The 'blimpish Little Englanders’ who opposed monetary union were right all along
At times BJ treats us privately with a slight aura of contempt and scepticism, but deep down in his heart he shares virtually all we, at the Keep the Pound campaign, stand for. And so it came as a pleasant surprise this morning when some words of encouragement and shared vision, contained in a 2-page letter from His Excellency, the Lord Mayor, miraculously made it two rooms down the corridor from his onto my desk. Before I risk to provoke his irate over any condemnable attempt to dare and interpret the Mayor's words, I rather let his thunderous message to the feeble Europhiles from the other side of the tracks of reason speak for itself, through his own words:
"I think we deserve an apology. By “we” I mean all the Euro-sceptics, Euro-pragmatists, Euro-realists and Euro-hysterics who were alarmed by some of the optimism that surrounded the birth of the single currency. Do you remember the disdain with which we were treated? We were told that we were boss-eyed Little Englanders. They used to say we were a bunch of xenophobic, garlic-hating defenders of the pint and the yard and the good old bread-filled British banger.
Whenever we protested about any detail of the plan for monetary union, we were told that we were in danger of stopping the great European train, boat, bus, bicycle or whatever it was. We were a blimpish embarrassment to our country, a bunch of idiot children who had to be shooshed while the grown-ups got on with their magnificent plans.
The 'blimpish Little Englanders’ who opposed monetary union were right all along
At times BJ treats us privately with a slight aura of contempt and scepticism, but deep down in his heart he shares virtually all we, at the Keep the Pound campaign, stand for. And so it came as a pleasant surprise this morning when some words of encouragement and shared vision, contained in a 2-page letter from His Excellency, the Lord Mayor, miraculously made it two rooms down the corridor from his onto my desk. Before I risk to provoke his irate over any condemnable attempt to dare and interpret the Mayor's words, I rather let his thunderous message to the feeble Europhiles from the other side of the tracks of reason speak for itself, through his own words:
"I think we deserve an apology. By “we” I mean all the Euro-sceptics, Euro-pragmatists, Euro-realists and Euro-hysterics who were alarmed by some of the optimism that surrounded the birth of the single currency. Do you remember the disdain with which we were treated? We were told that we were boss-eyed Little Englanders. They used to say we were a bunch of xenophobic, garlic-hating defenders of the pint and the yard and the good old bread-filled British banger.
Whenever we protested about any detail of the plan for monetary union, we were told that we were in danger of stopping the great European train, boat, bus, bicycle or whatever it was. We were a blimpish embarrassment to our country, a bunch of idiot children who had to be shooshed while the grown-ups got on with their magnificent plans.
NO to AV
From my Facebook:
For the record: I am for the swift extradition of AssAnge from weaky links to Sweden, and against the Alternative Vote referendum, a darling project of the government's weakest link, the LibDems.
Posted via BlackBerry
Wednesday 23 February 2011
The Wedding Barf
I am all set for the Royal wedding:
You gotta be a real dunce plebs from the English housing estates to get hyped up over the event. I heard that toothless, orange skinned AOL doormat Brandi620 will be glued to the TV to watch what the dolt herself has gone through 4 times: a royally fucked up wedding.
Current Music: RICHARD WAGNER - Bridal Chorus [Lohengrin]
Gaddafi's Umbrella
(Ella ella, eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh)
Now, die already, desert rat!
Current Music: RIHANNA - Umbrella
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh)
These fancy things, will never come in between
You're part of my entity, here for infinity
When the war has took it's part
When the world has dealt it's cards...
Now, die already, desert rat!
Current Music: RIHANNA - Umbrella
Tuesday 22 February 2011
Upcoming Events
Life's good on this side: Paris was a most enchanting experience - as always - with belated Valentine's 'procedures' featuring very prominently. Which means we basically shunned the City of Lights party scene, which Emily is such an integral part of thanks to her work in arts and culture, and played it all homely for the weekend: we didn't leave the 226 square metre confinement for nearly three days and had [superb] meals catered.
Looking [fast] forward, two events are coming up which Emily will be able to share with me in London (after all, she got the tickets for 1 of them):
1) Saturday, 19:30
Opera Nova presents 'Magic, Myth and Fairytale'
St James Church at 197 Picadilly
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonín Dvořák, Henry Purcell, Jules Massenet,
Gaetano Donizetti and Gioachino Rossini
2) Sunday, 19:30
PJ Harvey
Empire, Shepherd's Bush
She will perform her just
released, terrific album
"Let England Shake"
Looking [fast] forward, two events are coming up which Emily will be able to share with me in London (after all, she got the tickets for 1 of them):
1) Saturday, 19:30
Opera Nova presents 'Magic, Myth and Fairytale'
St James Church at 197 Picadilly
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonín Dvořák, Henry Purcell, Jules Massenet,
Gaetano Donizetti and Gioachino Rossini
2) Sunday, 19:30
PJ Harvey
Empire, Shepherd's Bush
She will perform her just
released, terrific album
"Let England Shake"
Monday 21 February 2011
Friday 18 February 2011
Реги́нa Ильи́нична Спе́ктор
Happy 31st!
You are the best!
"I’d like to say I did but I really didn’t. With novels or operas or other grand works of art I’m like, 'Wow, how the fuck did you do that?' I’m much more on the level of understanding how someone can draw a picture or write a poem or short story. I’m into immediate gratification. I have enough of an attention span to follow through on one concept…and then I’m bored. If artists were machines, then I’m just a different kind of machine."
I hear ya.
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Trip
2 days, 2 countries, 2 cities: off for a business trip to Brussels and Maastricht, to check on the enemy. Back Thursday evening.
Posted via BlackBerry
Posted via BlackBerry
Friday 11 February 2011
Foursquare
Don't know why "Foursquare" wouldn't work on my BlackBerry; then people would see when and where I am/was... like picking up Emily at St Pancras at 3pm, and dropping in at Hotel Chocolat in Kensington at 5 ... making sure that Valentine's is somehow not ignored, to the tune of various chocolate goodies for 30 quid. Hate me, for I have lots of chocolate truffles in our fridge now.
We're entertaining tonight, dinner catered. Great weekend you all!
CURRENT MUSIC (Spotify Enhanced): SONS AND DAUGHTERS - This Gift
We're entertaining tonight, dinner catered. Great weekend you all!
CURRENT MUSIC (Spotify Enhanced): SONS AND DAUGHTERS - This Gift
Egypt: Going the Mullahs' way
Obama got his wish: pushing for democracy, he'll get a military junta ruling Egypt until September. After that the best organised party will assume power: the Muslim Brotherhood. And just like the former president Jimmy Carter assured the success of the coup against the Shah of Iran, another rogue nation will emerge. The naïvité of the US administration knows no limits.
Who's next? Surely Algeria is rife for upheaval and the emergence of extremist Muslim leaders there. Syria - already a terrorist hoodlum state - and Jordan, and possibly Saudi Arabia appear to be next in line to be lost as allies in the future.
Who's next? Surely Algeria is rife for upheaval and the emergence of extremist Muslim leaders there. Syria - already a terrorist hoodlum state - and Jordan, and possibly Saudi Arabia appear to be next in line to be lost as allies in the future.
Egypt: Another humiliation for US
Pants down, exposed in all its ineptitude and incompetence, humiliated and embarrassed - this is the best way to describe President Barack Muhamad Obama and his 'administration' this morning after their cardinal mistakes in prematurely announcing the departure of an Egyptian Pharao.
"In a few hours we will witness history unfolding," Obama lectured a curious crowd of cronies, in expectation of the total collapse of the Egyptian government. He was seconded by CIA chief Leon "Cia-Cia" Panetta who gave a solemn sermon to a Congressional committee, "explaining" to anyone who bothered to listen to the buffoon that "in a few hours the president will be gone." By saying so he degraded the intelligence gathering agency with a budget of $83 billion annually to somewhat between the Girl Scouts of America and National Geographic. It also proves that an organization of intelligence can be run by a pathological idiot in America.
On a more serious note: Le Weekend is ante portas, and my ritualistic trip to St Pancras to pick up She, who needs to be obeyed to [yeah, right, slap] and to keep the telly off for 3 days.
Have a great one too, folks!
Jimmy Durante stand-in Piñata, Chief Idiot At Central Intelligence Agency (CIA-CIA)
"In a few hours we will witness history unfolding," Obama lectured a curious crowd of cronies, in expectation of the total collapse of the Egyptian government. He was seconded by CIA chief Leon "Cia-Cia" Panetta who gave a solemn sermon to a Congressional committee, "explaining" to anyone who bothered to listen to the buffoon that "in a few hours the president will be gone." By saying so he degraded the intelligence gathering agency with a budget of $83 billion annually to somewhat between the Girl Scouts of America and National Geographic. It also proves that an organization of intelligence can be run by a pathological idiot in America.
On a more serious note: Le Weekend is ante portas, and my ritualistic trip to St Pancras to pick up She, who needs to be obeyed to [yeah, right, slap] and to keep the telly off for 3 days.
Have a great one too, folks!
Thursday 10 February 2011
BoE Decision
So the MPC of the Bank of England decided to leave its interest rate at 0.5%, and the £200 billion credit facility unchanged. A colossal mistake in my eyes, and it will lead to more drastic hikes in the future that will indeed put at risk any economic upswing we might see in the coming months.
Posted via BlackBerry
Posted via BlackBerry
BoE: Race to Raise Rates [Now]!
In a five-page dossier for a meeting held yesterday at Millbank I appealed to the Bank of England to start reversing its policy of Quantitative Easing (QE) and begin to raise interests now. The analysis caused surprise and a hostile reaction from participants of the meeting (I cannot publish details of the meeting before the minutes are released on the Conservative Party's site).
My reasoning was that QE has only benefitted the banking industry, which had its profit margin widen from 0.3% borrowing cost and 4.5 - 8% in lending fees; and the Government's effort to slow the pace of assuming new debt. Because of the all-time low of the interest rates, banks have been reluctant to lend money to consumers and - more importantly - to small and medium sized businesses. Banks seem to wait until interest rates are hiked by the Bank of England in order to charge more to customers, but also to be more readily willing then to lend at all.
The Governor of the BoE has recently said that inflation is rising too quickly and will soon reach 4 per cent or even higher. That is 2% above the Bank's target (and the legislative mandate).
In order to forestall this jump in the cost of living, to provide banks with more ammunition to start lending to businesses, and to spark economic activity and avoid a slump back into recession (the previous quarter showed already negative growth), I demanded that the Bank of England raises its benchmark interests today.
Now I have been called a "hawk" when it comes to fiscal and budgetary discipline. But I rather be called that than turning into a vulture feasting on the remnants of a collapsed economy.
The Governor of the BoE has recently said that inflation is rising too quickly and will soon reach 4 per cent or even higher. That is 2% above the Bank's target (and the legislative mandate).
In order to forestall this jump in the cost of living, to provide banks with more ammunition to start lending to businesses, and to spark economic activity and avoid a slump back into recession (the previous quarter showed already negative growth), I demanded that the Bank of England raises its benchmark interests today.
Now I have been called a "hawk" when it comes to fiscal and budgetary discipline. But I rather be called that than turning into a vulture feasting on the remnants of a collapsed economy.
Monday 7 February 2011
Brilliant Game
It's been a great party and a fantastic Super Bowl. In the end I didn't mind to have lost the bets (and $372 in the process), the game was just too dramatic and enjoyable to watch. Compliments to both, Packers and Steelers.
The tally of minus $42 this season means the worst ever for me. While I won little more than 4,400 in the 2009/10 season, the second highest ever of my appr. 20 years of betting on college and pro football, yesterday's finale assured my first ever negative season. Oh well... 2010/11 starts in September, and it won't be easier: the safe bets on my 49ers to lose week after week - easy bets for the past 8 years - may come to an end, as a new coach (from Stanford!) will certainly boost San Francisco in the years to come. Unfortunately this comes at a time whe Penn State's fortunes look rocky. Unless Jo Pa comes up with yet another ace up his sleeve, as he's done so often for the past 50 years.
The tally of minus $42 this season means the worst ever for me. While I won little more than 4,400 in the 2009/10 season, the second highest ever of my appr. 20 years of betting on college and pro football, yesterday's finale assured my first ever negative season. Oh well... 2010/11 starts in September, and it won't be easier: the safe bets on my 49ers to lose week after week - easy bets for the past 8 years - may come to an end, as a new coach (from Stanford!) will certainly boost San Francisco in the years to come. Unfortunately this comes at a time whe Penn State's fortunes look rocky. Unless Jo Pa comes up with yet another ace up his sleeve, as he's done so often for the past 50 years.
Sunday 6 February 2011
Jersey vs Geordie
Jersey Shore v Geordie Gore
MTV is to launch a British version of its hit show Jersey Shore, which tells the story of eight outgoing teenagers growing up near the beach. And it's picked Newcastle(!) as the city that most fits the bill. So how similar are they really, and what's the truth behind the stereotypes?
One is the sun-kissed shore of an affluent state on the US Eastern Seaboard. The other is a former ship-building powerhouse in England's remote and chilly North East.
So when MTV decided to reproduce its most successful show in the UK, why did it pick Newcastle? Because the people know how to have fun.
"Jersey Shore is set in the summer and it is alwayssummer in the North East. No one wears a coat and Geordie girls are always out in their mini-skirts," says Kerry Taylor, the director of television for MTV Networks UK and Ireland.
Meet the Jerseyan And the Geordie
Brigitt Hauck, 23, born in Ridgewood, New Jersey
Caroline Briggs, 34, born in Gateshead, Tyneside
How do the two different places stack up, in the words of the natives?
MTV is to launch a British version of its hit show Jersey Shore, which tells the story of eight outgoing teenagers growing up near the beach. And it's picked Newcastle(!) as the city that most fits the bill. So how similar are they really, and what's the truth behind the stereotypes?
One is the sun-kissed shore of an affluent state on the US Eastern Seaboard. The other is a former ship-building powerhouse in England's remote and chilly North East.
So when MTV decided to reproduce its most successful show in the UK, why did it pick Newcastle? Because the people know how to have fun.
"Jersey Shore is set in the summer and it is always
Meet the Jerseyan And the Geordie
Brigitt Hauck, 23, born in Ridgewood, New Jersey
Caroline Briggs, 34, born in Gateshead, Tyneside
How do the two different places stack up, in the words of the natives?
Saturday 5 February 2011
(London) Weekend
Super Bowl Weekend, Go $$$$teeler$$$!
For Emily this is no laughing matter and so she kept her frowning face in Paris this weekend. When I asked her earlier in the week what she knows of US Football she brushed aside the question with a rather dismissive quip, "it's mainly played with an oddly shaped ball clutched close to the chest, and by walloping players who need oxygen as soon as they make 10 thumping steps which nevertheless could bring down Pont Neuf on a 'First Down'." What can I say? What is there to say, when faced with such disarming honesty and expertise, eh?
Anyway, I put my $250 on the Steelers, plus the 10 bucks on the spread. All in all, this was the worst betting season ever; still profitable, but with $330 a far cry from what I have been used to lately. Maybe the Steelers will save it. If not, there is always the next August coming to make a fresh start with the bookies.
Tonight I'm off with friends at the monthly regular meeting point, The Trader Vic's. Just thinking of tonight's meal makes my mouth water, still with a distinctive coffee taste though: the Krups machine works overtime this morning to blast away the last ramifications from last night... and ahead of the morning call from Paris.
Current Music (Spotify enhanced): JANE BIRKIN - Où Est La Ville?
Anyway, I put my $250 on the Steelers, plus the 10 bucks on the spread. All in all, this was the worst betting season ever; still profitable, but with $330 a far cry from what I have been used to lately. Maybe the Steelers will save it. If not, there is always the next August coming to make a fresh start with the bookies.
Tonight I'm off with friends at the monthly regular meeting point, The Trader Vic's. Just thinking of tonight's meal makes my mouth water, still with a distinctive coffee taste though: the Krups machine works overtime this morning to blast away the last ramifications from last night... and ahead of the morning call from Paris.
Current Music (Spotify enhanced): JANE BIRKIN - Où Est La Ville?
Thursday 3 February 2011
Scene of Carnage: Tahrir Square, Cairo
1 Thousands of Mubarak supporters armed with clubs, stones, rocks and knives pass through army checkpoints here.
2 Mubarak supporters, some riding camels and horses, try to push their way into the square.
3 Army troops around the museum hold their positions and generally do not engage in the conflict.
4 Antigovernment protesters break off pieces of pavement to use as projectiles. In the afternoon, both sides push back and forth in this area.
5 The battle lasted into the evening. Antigovernment protesters, who outnumbered the Mubarak supporters, built barricades to keep out their opponents.
Click on graph for full view!
Wednesday 2 February 2011
Egypt: Western Absurdities
It is appalling to see how Western politicians, egged on by David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy, incite the street mob in Egypt to ransack, plunder and kill just to get rid of a president that they called a close friend and ally as recently as nine days ago.
Maybe Brits and Gallics should also raise against their democratic institutions and burn down London and Paris. It is peculiar that even Washington appears to support a pro-Iranian hoodlum: Muhamad ElBaradei, who has returned to Egypt only five days ago when he found it opportune to exploit the unrest, and to elevate himself as spokesman for the opposition. Obama doesn't realize that ElBaradei's personal wealth is a result from direct, yet clandestine payments from Teheran. I have seen some of the flow of moneys first hand, through Bank Austria in Vienna.
Mutual gratitude: Iranian chief hoodlum thanks IAEA chief ElBaradei for the UN support of Iran's nuclear weapons program, while the Egyptian whispers his thanks for $630,000 channelled into ElBaradei's Bank Austria account [2002]
Cyclone YASI
Posted via BlackBerry
Harrowing news reports from the approaching cyclone Yasi, to hit Queensland within 2 hours.
We follow live broadcasts from ABC Brisbane in the office. Hope people sought shelter in time. 290kph winds to come, and 9 metre storm surge; and town after town losing electricity.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/
Harrowing news reports from the approaching cyclone Yasi, to hit Queensland within 2 hours.
We follow live broadcasts from ABC Brisbane in the office. Hope people sought shelter in time. 290kph winds to come, and 9 metre storm surge; and town after town losing electricity.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/
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