About money yet again

It can be said, it is not the best time for most of us. Prices growing, banks becoming less friendly and more eager to take money from you than to lend. Businesses suffering, employees getting laid off or not even dreaming about getting higher salary.
And on top of all that it comes debts that were made in better times, when all of us had more expectations and less fears. Now it's times when I start to think that "maybe I should get generic brand coffee", which really means something, since coffee is my first and most important meal during a day.
So it all comes to the fact that I (and I guess many others) could use better financial management and maybe some debt relief. As for the latter, it is probably some kind of Murphy’s law that most of the bills come during the time of no money.
Yet there are some ways, like debt consolidation, something I have never heard before of. Apparently, consolidate debt allows to make “the army of elephants” look smaller and in that way to pay the bills less stressfully as well as save a bit on the interest. Smart way, but tricky, therefore I suppose it is smarter to use someone’s help on that than try to do it yourself. Luckily, there is lots of info on the internet, just search on Debt Consolidation and there you go. Surely, with a hope for better times…

Europe for dummies

Today I found this extremely promising [to be funny] e-book, called "Europe for dummies"
Blog ImageI only got it because it sounded like it would be fun to look at and make fun of people who actualy buy it for real.
My expectations were totally met:
According to the book, Europe consists of these:
1. British isles (London, Edinburgh and Dublin and their surroundings)
2. Central Europe (Paris, Amsterdam, Munich and Bavaria, Vienna, Bern, Prague and surroundings of these cities)
3. Mediterranean (Rome and Southern Italy; Florence and Tuscany; Venice, Madrid, Barcelona, Athens and Greek islands.

That's ALL!
Of course, there is a map that contains more countries, but who cares about them? No wonder having such wonderful guides "to europe" americans thing it consists of Paris and London.

I also found more enjoyable things. These can be excusable since they're related to cultural differences rather than ignorance and stupidity. But nonetheless they're still funny.
Especially bathroom section:
"It all starts in your first cheap pension, when you find out that the only bathroom is down the hall and shared by everyone on the floor — of both sexes."
"See the section on electricity in Chapter 9 for information on what is not safe to plug into European bathroom outlets. (Here’s a hint: everything.)"
"Before you take your shower or bath, remember that traditional European
towels are annoyingly nonabsorbent."
"The extra porcelain fixture that looks like another toilet is called a bidet
(bi-day). Do not use the bidet as a toilet. The water that jets up and out is
supposed to clean your private parts more thoroughly than toilet paper.
Some non-European travelers wash clothes or store fruit or beverages in
the bidet, but if you think about what the bidet is supposed to be used
for, you’ll see the sink is a much better place to do your laundry."

Happy happy danes

only found out this last year. Denmark is the country of happiest people.
Another truth I knew long ago. Lithuanians are one of the most depressed nations and has highest suicide rate.
Interestingly, both countries have similar size (in sq. meters AND population), similar climate (lots of rain, rare sunshine), love for beer, pork, dark bread and diary products.
Surely, there are many differences too. But what exactly makes some people happier than others? I found it very interesting, downloaded many studies, read articles on internet. Let me summarize my findings:

- high social pressure to be in relationship makes people unhappy - they are forced to be with partners they don't like that much and are called losers if they are single. Also, divorce is nearly the end of the world and being single parent is a reason to hate everyone including yourself. Pretty good reason, I should say. I definitely noticed such pressure in Lithuania and even though I cannot talk THAT much about Denmark, it really seems that all relationship-marriage-singleness thing is not that overrated.
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- it's TRUST that plays main role. You can leave your doors open, cars unlocked and bag in a bar on your tabel while dancing in Denmark. In Lithuania, everyone puts double door, installs security systems, builds huge fences and locked gates and still feel unsafe.

- if you expect less you're happier with less. Too high expectations is what makes Lithuanians depressed. Quite possible yet again, but it's also possible that these high expectations are just a wish to live as well as in other countries (like... Denmark), but not being able to reach it fast enough.

Finally, whatever the reason, it also depends on how you see situation. I, personally, think that happiness is something you have to learn. It is easier when everything is given to you - no pressure, lost of security and trust, but possible in all cases.
There is no reason not to smile today...

More traffic nightmares

Driving is very nice thing. With some exceptions.

- You drive an ok car: which doesn't stop out of nowhere, doesn't make strange sounds when there is no need to (read: there is never such need) and looks pretty normal.

- You are not one of those persons "never-meant-to-sit-behind-the-wheel". I mean, one of those that close their eyes and scream in the situation which needs no more than just braking and similar.

- You do not drive in Vilnius (except summer time).

Yes, driving in this city is terrible experience. Traffic jams start before 7 in the morning and end around 19:30 in the evening. All the time in between is just waves of better or worse situation. I do not understand what all those cars do outside around, let's say three in the afternoon. Why aren't people working? What do they do there?

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Even if it is the "low wave" at the time and your car at least moves all the time (instead of getting into endless stop-move-stop-move cycle), there will be some crazy "machos" with ego way higher than IQ and responsibility level. These types never drive according to the signs (it's not cool), never blink (same reason), get just in front of your car making you thank god you didn't crash your car and even open the window (if it's not raining and not too cold) and shout you something so utterly stupid (if you're a girl) or insulting (if you are not a girl).

Another type that just HAVE to drive is those that are "never- meant-to...". They drive slowly, but never stop when pedestrians are crossing street, never show any signs, never pay attention to any signs. You'd think they are robots badly programmed, but the truth is they probably forgot how to change the gear and drive same on all the time with both hands keeping the wheel and eyes looking just in front. I think they got their drivers license playing computer game or something.

Finally, even if those two types are not present at the moment, it can be pretty possible some car will decide to park just in front of you using blinking lights method. This method is as annoying as it can get because it means all "no parking" signs are canceled.

If it's by any chance raining or snowing or just too sunny, prepare. Prepare there will be car crashes from time to time on you way from A to B. Our pedestrians can stand heavy showers, cold up to -20 and global-warming induced sunshines, but drivers are way more fragile. Behind the wheel their eyes cannot manage with their habits of not keeping any rules. The outcome - totally crashed cars sold on used-car selling websites.

And you still think of the pleasure of driving here?

P.S. this post is a reply to Peter's wonderful description of "good things that come out of bad ones"

P.P.S. The summer-exception is because the worst types of drivers emigrate to the sea/country-side

War on the road

I wonder how it would work in any other country...

Language evolution

Being in a relationship that sooner or later will require to learn another language WELL (as well as it will be for my BF), language question comes to the light quite often.
Should language be changed (we are talking about official language, not "slang" which changes by itself)accordingly to people's needs or should it be preserved as unique set of sounds and their structure?
It surely annoys many people who learn lithuanian that we have so many different grammar rules that it's impossible (even for teachers!) to learn them all. Also, having stress that changes its' place in the word according to where it is used...
On the other hand, that's how a joke goes:
"The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5-year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favourof the "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the ekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with the "f". This will make words like fotografy shorter.

In the 3rd year, public akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away. By the 4th yer peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords containing "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza.

Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru!"

You are what you eat?

While americans themselves often talk how they eat so much junkfood and should look at the wonderfl european (especially mediterranian) eatign habits, it's not exactly always the truth, that the grass is greener on this side of the ocean...



I am not actually surprised. In fact I think that is not even just european or just american problem, more the new cultural habit to eat... out. Exactly, you'd never put half a liter of oil or a package of butter if you're coocking for yoruself while chefs will do anything you'd not think your meal is not delicious enough. Too bad, for amny people greasy=delicious. Which is not necessary the truth, it's just a strange idea we get... maybe it's more difficult to make something healthy and delicious, but not impossible - that's for sure.

You're very VERY welcome

Some countries are obviously more attractive than others. How much it depends on climate, political situation, ability to earn money and so on, I cannot say and will not even analyze today.
What is the topic of this entry: what countries iare not only attractive, but also welcoming the newcomers. I am not talking about flags, cakes and national dancers for every immigrant. Hopwever, it is clear difference how you just come to some countries and already feel "in" and in others they meet you with 180 degrees smile (read: not smile at all) and ask to fill in ten million papers, get stamps from all the people you don't know you'll ever meet, pay some money and then - maybe - you can stay. Until the next paper-filling time.
So, I searched a bit for most welcoming countries and guess what: the very top one is... (tadaaah) SWEDEN.
Next four countries on the list include: Portugal,Belgium, Netherlands, Finland.
Now try to guess what is the worst country to choose for immigration. Surprisingly: Latvia.
And here is the whole map of who's friendly, who's not:


To prove that I didn't invent this myself (since I may just like Sweden and for some reason hate Latvians - which is not truth), read the whole story here:
Sweden top for welcoming migrants .

Masculinity issues

Recently, most discussion going on between me and my boyfriend are about men and women. Because - apparently - it is way more difficult to be a man than a woman nowadays. Like in that song that Electric light orchestra made many years ago... Evil woman it's called. Women are choosing, women are supressing, women are never happy. Or maybe they just never complain?

Yet that will be another topic.

How does a man survive and actually can be happy in this evil world? Surprisingly, actually by finding a woman! Or at least that's what one site I found claims: The pick up artist. To say it in short, it is full of information about success with women and dating (I guess dating also includes women...). For some guys is MAIL ORDER BRIDES that work well enough, for others some learning is needed. I never (obviously) tried it myself, but I never refuse an opportunity to search websites like this.
First of all, it contains articles. Articles that are written in very much american (in my opinion) way: divided in steps, tasks, dos and don'ts and similar. I don't say it's a bad way since it's actually helps to understand even if you just skim the text. Yet seeing some humour in it, I guess it would be way funnier to read in just normal-text way. Maybe it's just me, especially knowing that they are not tarteget to me and I am mostly reading them out of interest rather than trying to get some use... I don't think tips on how to meet women can help for me. Yet I think it was good idea to write everything in examples (and especially adding videos and audio clips), since in women articles that's what I usually miss. Simplicity and examples instead of going around and around and not saying anything to the point. Here I have to say, male way of giving advice works better (thank you for the claps).
I have to say, reading many things I actually agree with many of them. They are simple yes, but perfection is also in simplicity. Listening, not just hearing (sometimes even hearing takes ages to get...), taking time to get into things, concentrating on humour, rather than trying to impress with some strange things (and you'd be amazed what things some guys tried to impress me with...). These are the things I would also list myself as "esentials" what looks attractive and can "work".
There are, of course things I disagree with. For example, nice guys finish last with women. Or maybe I'd more disagree with the fact, that it's a bad thing. Those abd guys may appeal for some, but the image is simply overrated. What's noticed a lot is not necessary happy with their personal life. Same is with female side - who doesn't get tired to read about "beautiful models" ad how boring and not awarding it is to date them.
It may need to be added nothing comes without exceptions. Generalizations are wrong, true. That's why the question is it more difficult to be a man or a woman, will stay unanswered. For now :)

Simpsonized fast food nation

Today I finally watched the movie I had on my had-to-watch list for ages. Fast food nation. I know I am talking a lot about food recently (that could be the feeling of coooold winter coming :D), however, this post will be about Fast food nation. Just not the movie, but the nation itself.
I really would love to go to U.S. and investigate all this from my own point of view. So far, I have to base my opinion on native americans I talk to, discussion boards, all kinds of websites, movies, pictures etc.
Like today, I found a post on another blog Oh no they didn't about Kwik-E-Mart. Sounds, looks, is american.







I have to say, the food looks quite disgusting. And probably tastes like fried paper with lots of sugar. But it's Simpsons! But it's everything you've seen in the movie. I would DEFINITELY love to go to the store, maybe even WORK there, take lots of pictures. But no, it's not a store for me. Not a FOOD store at least.

I wonder if such brand like SLURPEE works in Europe. I guess, at least not as well as in U.S. It's supposed to be in all 7-eleven stores. I never noticed. I guess for some the word "greasy" can appeal here as well. However, it's still way better on homemade food. By this, I am not talking about frozen pizza heated at your kitchen...

Just more money

Not long ago I wrote about money issues. Guess what. Since than it nearly stalks me. Whatever I search or whenever I check my email, I get random ads or links offering all kinds of payday loans and similar thingies. If you clicked on the link just few words back you'll see quite many of such sites in one. Moreover, the site has intentions to show what really should be visited and what's just crap. Good intentions, I should say. I bet many of us get tired of sites about cash advance or any other service that just link to other sites that link to more sites without giving any value, just having lots and lots of paid ads and earning money on your annoyance... Not good, right?

The idea of this site is to provide reviews or real people, ranks and so on. What works most in my opinion, is "innocent" reviews on discussion boards, or mouth-to-mouth, but at least letting people rate and rank is not so efficient but still looks more trustworthy. A bit funny that the website also ranks hairloss prevention products like provillus and others. Maybe lack of money and unexpected loans leads to hairloss problems? Who knows...

More number games: less is more

Talking about the food, obesity and other things yesterday, also reminded me of another obvious cultural thing.
I learnt it long time ago: the only way to sell food in US us to write "fat free", "less fat", "no carbs", "reduced carbs" and similar thing on the package. It doesn't matter that sometimes it doesn't make any sense: writing "no carbs" on a bottle of oil or "no fat" on a pack of hard candy makes me wonder who would actually expect to find any carbs swimming in a sea of pure fat or how can one find any space for fat in a caramel that has never been anything else but sugar...
I believe though, after being attacked with so many "Free!" "Reduced...!" "healthy!" shouts on the labels a person can get completely lost, depressed, start emotional overeating or other problems... I see one solution, forget label reading and use some more trusted source, like an online calorie counter. It is possible to search foods by brands - which as I noticed, is very deep in many people. They don't eat just burger, it's "Amy's", not just coffee - Starbucks. And so on. Brands do make the difference, as you can see, even in calories.
Finally, this page allows not only to just look at the info, but also to save it and have some kind of food diary. Amazing, how counting each bite also became a part of many people's lives in western cultures. I guess such thing is alread ya topic for a new post. Time to update my food diary ;)