Horoscope, experience and the quest for true love and happiness

Hello my dear friends. I have to admit that I just came from the pub and I had completely different plans about my evening, but I had a revelation today that I need to share... So, I am sitting at Jack the Ripper, one of the nice pubs in Hanover, together with a Sri-Lankan couple which are my new friends here. Things are nice in general, we already had some wine at a restaurant, we found a nice corner at the bar, I am on my second Guinness, and we are chatting. I don't know how it occurred but for a moment we are at the 'relationships' chapter when my male Sri-Lankan friend (let's call him 'T' for the sake of simplicity ...and privacy!) drops the line that starts it all:

T: Well. in Europe you have the 'practical' approach while in our country we follow the 'traditional' one...

And my female Sri-Lankan friend (we call her 'K') adds..

K: Which I find preferable because I don't want to complicate my life more..

You can imagine that my instant reaction was:

M: And what is the 'traditional' approach?

K: Well, the parents will give the date and time of birth of the future husband and wife to an 'expert' who will tell them if it will work out.

M: And how will he know exactly? (of course I couldn't resist to ask...)

T: He will evaluate if the personalities and the sexual desire match and he will approve or discourage the marriage, accordingly.

K: In the past weddings were settled only by these experts and the families, but nowadays the couples can get together before the wedding  chat, so they can also see if they like each other...

T: But what is for sure is that the person we marry is our first and only companion...

T: You see, here in Europe you live with a person 2-3 years to 'try', while we trust the people with experience to tell us... And divorce rates are extremely low in our country...

I don't know if the reproduction of the dialogue is enough for you to get the point, but for me being there and feeling these two people being one for the other FOREVER, it was a shock... I instantly needed another Guinness and of course I couldn't help asking stupid questions about everyone who is different and some of us that can be VERY different. There were not many things to discuss from their side (a pattern that is standard in our meetings), but I just tried to mumble fuzzy concepts about individuals who would not fit to the monogamy model, the possibility that the 'expert' would go wrong, about the natural-born gays, lesbians and nymphomaniacs and all these things that seemed so strange and distant to them.

Of course the harmony and their calmness could not stop making a point on its own and I couldn't help thinking that the civilization of Sri Lanka dates from 500 BC and earlier.. So why not? These experts could actually have found a way to do their job well (for the specific nation and genetic pool, as my logical part kept mumbling)... At least, I wouldn't be surprised if they were efficient in foreseeing happiness in the relationship, more efficient than drunk students, adults exhausted from tight working schedules, anti-depressant addicts, adults who masturbate daily on the internet, and all these bodies around me carrying silicone transplants... The number of people around us who are psychologically fit to pursue love and happiness are probably reflected in the divorce rate statistics (not to mention  the ....suicide rates!).

Then I came back home and I started to write this post. In parallel I confirmed what they told me about the low divorce rates; in fact 0.15%, even though they come with one of the highest female suicide rate... I read about their BC tradition of a 9 planet solar system and I was impressed about their history...Then I said to myself: 

Social structures are the result of a tendency to make things work for the majority, always given the geographical, political, economical, etc context. And they are everywhere, in Sri Lanka, US, Europe, you name it. Rules, religions, traditions, perceptions and attitudes. They emerge through our combined behaviors and become obsolete if they don't reflect what we desire from life. In the meantime, some people definitely suffocate in them ... They may be isolated, exterminated or just unfulfilled...

The point that I made today was what I could see in my friends eyes, and what reminded me this that I have always found funny in these older cultures (or societies, nations, etc whatever you name it)... people rarely starve for 'freedom'...

Any ideas why?

Tango in Catania-Feel the rhythm

When the bus left me somewhere near the center of Catania, my first sight were the old, almost destroyed buildings, polluted air and dirty streets; it was difficult not to make the comparison with Latin America. Of course few minutes after walking around I was already overwhelmed by the countless beautiful spots of the city. It was clear to me that Catania had thousand ways to surprise you. It wasn't only the breathtaking monuments, but the way these merged with the people and the atmosphere of the city which is full of life. Later in the afternoon having some beers with a friend in a beautiful small square at Cona, we were observing the traffic on the streets. Cars and scooters moving constantly as living organism, never stopping, just filling the empty spaces, mixed with pedestrians, parked cars and an endless list of other obstacles that can be found on the street. Suddenly I made the very cliche comment: 'Oh man they really drive like crazy here' and he made the discussion again interesting with this very clever answer: 'You have to feel the rhythm of the traffic, otherwise you just go on foot'.

His words came back to me later at the milonga. Tango is all about feeling the rhythm and fitting in... The rhythm of the music, the partner and the space, a completely non-linear process that needs brain capacity but most important, acute senses. And the Catanians they know very well how to do this, because life for them is not only what you are and believe, but also reacting constantly to a fluid environment. They are connected with this ever-moving city, dispersing in its narrow streets, interacting with each other, constantly receiving stimulations and responding by instinct. And while the numerous monuments reminds them about their past, an active volcano nearby also makes a clear statement that nothing is to be taken for granted. As a result, it was not surprising to me that the milongas in Catania have a similar magic and frenetic rhythm.

The first day I arrived at the milonga early. Many people weren't exactly polite, you could immediately sense the strong character around, even though after starting to talk a little bit the sweet voices and the smiles were honest and generous. When more people started to showed up it was a revelation. It was an atmosphere that if you are not used to, has a paralyzing effect... One that I have experienced only in some other places in Italy and of course, Buenos Aires. If you are not confident, fully immersed and concentrated, you should just forget it. People dance 100% with their mind, body and soul.

I have written before about tango in Italy and I don't want to repeat my previous post, but Catania was even beyond my experiences in the North of Italy. Tangeros don't go to the milonga just to spend their time or fight their fears and loneliness. They are there! You touch them and you feel the energy and their feelings. If they like dancing with you, you will experience it 100%, same as if they don't. And if you are not honest or you don't dance with your heart they will just turn their back like you don't exist. There is no space for well educated, fine behaviors and manners, it's what you have inside what matters and what you can only use. And just like they want their pizza, espresso and pasta to be perfect like it has been for decades, similarly they will not take your tango unless it tells them a story...

The other impressive thing is that it has been a long time that I enjoyed so much watching people dance. One important characteristic is that tango in Italy is social and even though Catania is smaller than Hannover where I live now, there were at least twice the amount of people on the dance floor. Moreover, unlike most places in Northern Europe, young Italians are very interested in tango and they give a completely different vibe. But it's not only quantity and age that make the difference, it's the character...

In the chaotic, dirty streets and between the weathered buildings of Catania, every now and then a bakery, or a barber shop shows up, looking like an art gallery. It is not like the typical North European thing of keeping things clean and in order, it's even beyond. It is exactly this stylistic touch that is the magic of Italy and that makes you stare something for hours without being able to understand what exactly lured you. Similarly, you can find this magic touch in many people, on the way they smile, their eyes, their voice, or the way they make contact; milongeros in Catania have this element of pure artistic creation, beyond perfection. It's not only that they are stylish and look good, nor about how they move (and they really do!), but it's the sensitivity and the musicality. I believe that milongas in Italy are unique in Europe for the possibility to have so many unique interpretations of the music in the same room. So many people that open a window to see tango or milonga with a different way.

So, if somebody asks me how was dancing in Catania I reply 'once you feel the rhythm, it's magic'!

Meandering rivers, the echoes of the past and Don Corleone

The Godfather movies were one of the most successful sequels of all times and among my favorites. In 1990 Coppola and the cast reunited for the last Godfather III, 16 years after Godfather II. Many things were different since the first Godfather in 1972 and one big difference was that they were all stars now, rich and famous; and of course 16 years older... The movie shows a softer, tired Don Corleone, who wants to change his life track and switch to legitimate activities and most of all, to make sure that his kids (Copola's daughter plays the daughter of Corleone) will not repeat his mistakes...

But old rivalries try to drag him back to his sinful past, people cannot forget who he was and this shadow which was the result of his previous life will not let him change... The story has a tragic ending, his beloved daughter is shot in an attempt of his rivals to assassin him, and the movie ends with him recollecting all these tragic memories, seconds before he dies old and lonely in Sicily... The ruthless, unstoppable young Corleone destroyed the wise and regretful, older one, just because the former came first...

Our present mistakes will echo in the future and not only that... they will probably resonate. Like rivers which are initially flowing straight and suddenly a rock or softer soil at one side makes them turn... Once they start turning they cannot stop and they will form large meanders. This feedback and growth mechanism is everywhere in nature, from the smoke of the cigarette, the sand dunes and our lives. Small mistakes grow and suddenly cast shadows upon us and cause great pain and damage. What is interesting is that often we are not even able to feel these shadows and this probably the reason that psychologists will never be without job!

So it is not out of luck that I recalled today Don Corleone, since I watched Godfather III years ago. When I try to look around me I can see the meanders and I can even sense when the divergence occurred. We all do mistakes and one of the burdens of growing older is to the fact that somehow our mistakes have more impact upon us. So apart from avoiding making them as much as possible, I think that wisdom is a lot in being able to walk out of the shadows. Even though meanders make beautiful, mystical landscapes, they grow to the point that they are too big and eventually the flow breaks them and continues straight.

The question is if this will happen within a lifetime...

...and of course, what is …'straight'!

It’s nice to be a ...pi(i)g!

Erwan had just had his forty birthday few weeks ago, he is handsome and athletic, his native language is French, but he introduces himself as ‘Breton’. He is a Geologist, doing research on estuaries for the University, he has a very clever dog, Dexter, and he lives in a small and humid place, right in from of Faro Beach. He is a nice guy, and a friend…

Inside his place you will find all kind of tools and various athletic equipment, most of which seem old and used hundreds of times. He has a van, a scooter, a bicycle and a boat; it’s very unlikely to find more than half of them functional at the same time and he is constantly engaged in the activity of repairing them, with a bottle of beer somewhere nearby. If you ask him, he will tell you that he doesn’t care about cars and motorbikes and all that is important is ‘to go from point A to point B’ (and he seems to be serious about it).

I am spending one week of holidays in his place, enjoying his company, the barbecues on the beach, doing some surf, throwing sticks so that Dexter would fetch them and all sorts of such vitalizing activities. Of course Portugal, like Greece (but hopefully not as much) is burdened by the economic crisis. People are complaining about their jobs, or the ones they lost and they are thinking to go abroad. My body itches when I hear this, since I am automatically transferred from the sunny Faro Beach back to Hannover, where a different concept of fun and relaxation is prevailing. One that most south Europeans would simply describe ‘not a life’.

Erwan knows that since he is well travelled and has lived in England, Germany among others. For him better salary, cars and security worth nothing compared to good weather, fresh fish, the view of the ocean and a lot of space for Dexter. He knows well what he wants… And he talks about the crisis as less as he can, because ‘it doesn’t affect him’.

There is no doubt that South Europe is corrupt and inefficient and to some extent deserves to be poor and less developed. On the other hand, nobody can really doubt that small poor countries can be easily exploited by the larger and more powerful ones. It is the duty of historians to show which mistakes and interests allowed or helped this absurd consumer culture to emerge in the poor South European countries, during this EU experiment. Back in Greece of the 90s another friend was telling me: ‘They are out of their minds… How many kilos of tomatoes do we have to sell, in order to buy a BMW? How can this work?’. My friend still doesn’t own a car and he also avoids the crisis, because ‘it doesn’t affect him’ he says.

Poverty, when it is not extreme remains a problem, but is not tragedy, especially as long as the social structure is not collapsing. Unemployment is tragedy because it doesn’t let people ‘go from point A to point B’ and this crisis brings to the south unemployment and social collapse. There will be consequences from this situation, we are all facing them already. If there is some justice in the world, the ones who let this paradox grow, will face them even more sometime in the future…

Living in more developed societies like in the North of Europe you enjoy being part in a more sober, more fair and less corrupt system, surrounded by people who often have a more intricate and better structured way of thinking and functioning. On the other hand, when you are sitting under the sun, eating sweet, juicy Algarvean oranges after a good surf; thoughts get buried under the avalanche that your senses create. What you are doing, or will do becomes less important when you are immersed to the beauty of nature. You feel insignificant and alive at the same time, especially if you are born in this latitude.

So, it’s not bad to be a …PIIG after all…

As long as they let you ‘go from point A to point B’.

What would you do if....

What you would do if....

...you were Greek...
...and you knew that soon your family would not be able to afford their house, car, etc...
...and your pensioner parents would probably die or have serious health problems due to a collapsing social care system...
...not to mention that you will never get pension yourself...
...and even job...
...and that your country is ruled by a corrupted oligarchy of politicians and their proteges, who have deposits of millions of euros at foreign banks...
...and who are anticipating like crows a disorderly default, which will allow them to buy the whole country for peanuts...

What you would do if....

...you read on the news that people in Europe are protesting to support you...
...and that politicians in other countries offer their salaries to support Greece...
...while none of the Greek politicians has even thought of doing something similar...
...the Greek politicians who are among the best paid in Europe in comparison to the average wages...
...and who can get pension for life just for being MPs for 4 years....
...and their salaries remain intact while the society is in the verge of collapse.

What would you do?

You would cry out of anger and shame...
You would feel despair...

Please tell me what would you do, because I am lost....

A Greek's open letter to Europe's citizens

Dear friend...

I decided to write to you because during the last months many things are being discussed about me and my country, but nobody let's me get into the discussions. If you happen to be German I also live close to you (Hannover) and I don't feel very well when I hear that they tell you about me. I thought that maybe you would like to listen to my opinion, it could give you another perspective... If you have any doubts please don't hesitate to contact me and I encourage you to confirm what you will read here from other sources.

Everybody knows that Greece has financial problems and some people may tell you that other countries have as well and there is a crisis of the capitalist system overall... But I don't want to discuss about that. Let's assume that Greece is the only country close to bankruptcy on the planet right now and I have to tell you that I am feeling very ashamed for that. They tell you that Greek people are corrupt and lazy and they only party with your money and now it's time for them to pay. And this is completely unfair and I will explain you why...

First of all the debt of Greece is public and not private, the private debt of Greece is much smaller than in most other European countries and even in the world. Greek people are definitely not lazy and they take care of their home and businesses, like you do. They are proud like you and they don't like to live on other people's money and that's why they are careful. If you happened to visit Greece you probably saw a poor, chaotic, south European, beautiful country and I am sure that you also saw people running their businesses well, cleaning their houses every day and cooking their food with passion. I am sure that you didn't see a bunch of lazy, corrupt bums, partying with no tomorrow like they tell you.

I will remind you also that Greece has been consistently one of the last countries in the EU, during the last decades and what the people have been living was far from paradise. You can understand it from all the indicators of economic freedom, from the percentage of the people above 30 living with their families and the low fertility rate, which between the lines reads 'no job, no perspectives, no stability, no plans for the future'. And they have been trying hard all these years, the old to support their families and the young to study and educate themselves, in favorable conditions. I know that it is difficult for you to understand it because you grew up in a system that was maybe pushing you, but was providing you several things. If you were in Greece you would have to try all the time, without expecting any justice, or recognition.

But still Greek people have been trying hard to be like you. You may have seen that from your Greek friends in the University who don't do so bad I guess. You may not know that Greek families have to pay thousands of euros every year for private supportive lessons of English, Math, Physics, etc to complement the inefficient education system. I will remind you also that several decades ago Greek emigrants came to your country, worked hard, learned your language and habits and and became part of your society without creating serious problems. Now, a new wave of emigration has started and your country will receive hundreds of highly educated young people without spending a dime on their training. So please don't let them accuse me because we are normal people like you are and we have been through hard times ...before the hard times expected to come!

So who is to blame? The fact that Greece has been ungoverned for decades, that there is no institution that is working, no justice, no planning, nothing. For decades... This is the corruption in Greece; normal people have NO RIGHTS, but the stronger pariahs of the political parties have total immunity when they steal or even kill. And this is what I want to discuss with you and to cry for help, if you want...

They say that every nation has the government it deserves, but in Greece it is not so simple as it seems and I will explain you why. Greece has suffered a civil war after the second world war, on which the 'British sphere of influence concept' had a lot to do. Then was a CIA driven military coup in the 60s, and both events opened wounds that have not healed since then, even though 'democracy' came in the end of the 70s. All these recent events have destroyed the political structure in the country and have established a 'sick' system... There is no democracy because the voters' only options are 2 parties (plus the 5% nationalist, Christians and 5% Stalinist communists). The names in the parliament have been the same from the 50s till now, people have no power to change anything and this is probably a unique situation for Europe. And external political destabilization is very easy to do, you may know about Latin American and African countries. Once the system deviates, it is difficult to bring it back....

All the politicians and their friends and relatives have been plundering the country's wealth for decades; without representing the Greek people, and having full immunity for their actions. What Italians rejected in last weeks referendum (Berlusconi's immunity) is the norm in Greece... Nobody can touch them! Even if they are openly involved in scandals, if they degrade the future of this country, if they are getting rich when Greece is collapsing. Now they try to convince your politicians that they 'control the situation', but in fact the people don't want them anymore. Despite most European countries there has been no referendum for any crucial matter the past 20 years. We need a referendum whether we want them to govern, and I know the answer: DEFINITELY NO!

Tonight they are voting (and they are going to pass) the new support/austerity package and 1 million people will demonstrate in front of the Greek parliament in Athens. And they are not demonstrating for the austerity measures. THEY ARE DEMONSTRATING AGAINST THE POLITICAL PARTIES! We want to make sacrifices, but we don't trust our politicians. They are not Greek, they are traitors, parts of elites, who showed up one day and had a seat in the parliament. We are willing to make sacrifices, and we acknowledge our responsibility. But during the last year of austerity measures which paralyzed the country, none of the people involved in large scale scandals were touched. We are desperate for justice, people will not back down unless the ones who stole, or acted against the country will be punished. This is the only way that our country can get back in the right track again.

And this is where I need you help... All those years with the EU, we traveled, met and enjoyed each other's company. We like Europe, we have felt it that it is better that way. As I told you the situation has not been good for me and now it is really bad. And I am feeling very bad, ashamed and humiliated. I can't sleep at night. Unfortunately, you are asked to pay taxes to support Greece, because some 'experts' say that it will still be better for you (and all of us) that way'. I am not the person to argue on that, personally I would fell more descent to leave the euro-zone and walk my own way. Apparently again I have no choice...

But before you pay, just make sure where you give your money and for what reason. If you have to pay taxes for the present Greece don't do it. If you feel that the European Union is something precious that should solve the problems and be preserved, please help me on the actual problem. And if you feel rage about the sacrifices you have to do, please don't simply 'blame the Greeks', but search a little bit more. There are huge scandals, obvious people responsible. Please help me pass this message through:

The Greek people are asking desperately for help. We need to reset out political situation. We are in a dead-end. Military coups can fall with public reaction and the hope of democracy bringing justice is a big motivation....

When 'democracy' fails then there is nothing to do or expect....

Your politicians knew about this for long time, some may also have been nurturing this situation, but I don't want to waste time blaming others.

The point is that Greek default may mean the end of Euro (as they say) and we are all involved... And now it is your money too...

The ones guilty for Greece's bankruptcy have to be punished and you have more power to do that than me... It is very easy to find out who they are: 2 political parties and 5-6 families... If Greek justice is corrupted and not efficient, a European committee or even the International Court could be the right way to go. For the bankruptcy of a historical nation, the burdens of the EU tax payers and the overall destabilization.

For us political reform and justice is more vital than financial support...

We are in need of a European intervention in governance, our political and judicial system has failed....

Kind regards

Michalis Vousdoukas
Coastal Oceanoghrapher, PhD, MEng, MSc

When you are strange

I am in a period in which I have re-visited The Doors, I have been listening to their music, reading about their story , and watched the several movies and documentaries related to them and Morrison. And being under the influence of their pure creations, something happened to me, something that I haven't experienced for almost 3 years. I felt an urge to grab my guitar and when I did that, melodies and lyrics started to come out, I started to write a song! Inspiration...

I have spent years during my graduate studies, trying to keep the door of inspiration always open and I have spent this period, which may be a stereotype for students, I was writing songs and poems, I was in a band, etc. At those days, every time something was coming out, I knew that I had to write it down and to record it immediately, in order not to lose it. Last Monday, and after spending the last years being more preoccupated about my research, rather than my artistic creativity, I did that very basic mistake. I didn't write down anything.

After 4 hours I tried to play again my 'song' and I couldn't recall anything. It was completely gone and the reason is obvious and known among 'artists'; it wasn't mine! Unlike science, philosophy and other creative activities, artistic inspiration is not something that has to do only with the creator, it is a gift at an instant. The ancient Greeks believed that the cause, the driving force responsible for everything was the muse that was whispering the words, or singing the melody. The artist was just listening and repeating. And that releaved the creator from some of the stress of being creative...

I believe that one of the most stressful thing in trying to create art is to maintain the ability to listen to the muse, whenever she 'decides' to speak. Jim Morrison believed in extended states of illusion and strong drug and alcohol consumption, which allowed his unconscious to emerge. Keeping his 'doors of perception open' was his way of communication with the muse. Original creation involves this 'bypassing' of the conscious mind which is useful mostly to refine the final product. Of course connecting with the muse, the unconscious, or keeping inspiration alive in general is a very exhausting activity and the reason that many artists don't enjoy long and prosperous lives.

Those who have experienced being a 'porte-parole' of inspiration can recognize it in the creations of others. It doesn't mean that all inspired songs or melodies will talk about the truth or will change the world. Inspiration is a spark of energy that hits us, refracts through our knowledge, feelings and experiences and gives birth to something. The muse can whisper a melody to you and it's up to you if it will become a joke, a nice story or big idea. Inspiration only gives you the option to create and for that reason it is a unique opportunity.

This is also the reason that I am very skeptical about most of the cover versions of existing songs. Somebody else's muse has spoken and the difficult, the struggling part of creation has been done. Rearranging songs is much easier than creating them, even if the cover is made by extremely gifted people. Some covers have also some spark, but most of the produced cover songs that have flooded the music industry since the 80s are just easy ways to exist in the music map and mainly to make money.

And the magic thing about the music of The Doors is that it is flooded by pure inspiration and originality. Flowing lyrics and ingenious music generated by the lust of four talented people to create something unique. And immortal...