For a long time Kadaver and Masanga have been working on the establishment of computer sleeves import from Sierra Leone also called Bangura Bags. The Computer sleeves are created out of used bicycle tubes in the tailor shop at the hospital compound. They fit the various  PC´s and Apple Macbooks both 13″, 15″ and 17″.
Kadavers goal is to take part of the establishment of a local sustainable business. The Tailor shop is a part of the Hospital project that aim to provide free treatment for the people in Sierra Leone. By selling Bangura Bags a cash flow is created in the community, people are getting employed and sick people are treated. To read more about Masanga hospital, click this link. As ambassador for the bags Nikolaj Kirk stands in front. The establishment of the business os in general going very well. We at kadaver are proud to present the next batch of Bangura Bags. It arrived here during Christmas!!

Here are some photos of the Bangura Bag.

By Søren Bo Steendahl

Snow urchin…. Well it looks like a snow-covered sea urchin I think. Actually it is a snow-covered prickly pair, Opuntia hybrid ‘Nikolaj’ in my winter hardy cactus garden.

Web site: www.robhuntley.ca
Click on the image to go straight to the same image on my website.

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world. Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath your tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world. They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself. They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments. They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself
.They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.

Bless my enemies, O Lord, Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty, they have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.
Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life, they have demolished it and driven me out.
Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of your garment.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
so that my fleeing to You may have no return;
so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
so that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins, arrogance and anger;
so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;
ah, so that I may for once be freed from self-deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.
Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.
One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.
It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.
Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and enemies.
A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand. But a son blesses them, for he understands.
For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life.
Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.
From Prayers by the Lake by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich, published by the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of New Gracanica, 1999.
Bless My Enemies O Lord

 Prayers by the Lake

by Bishop Nicholas Velimirovic, published by the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of New Gracanica, 1999.

Saint Nicholas Velimirovic was a Serbian bishop in the last century who spoke out courageously against the Nazis until he was arrested and taken to Dachau Concentration Camp.

It was unlucky for journalism student Steven Dolan to have two midterms today. It is lucky for USM readers to see him coping with his ill fate by going overboard with colors.

“Today should be a gloomy day by all means,” Dolan said. “But I am fighting it and am trying to not take the world too seriously.”

He added that he has been wearing too much black lately and needed to break out of that groove. He said that his outfit could best be described as a color explosion. A hallucinogenic drug explosion at that.

Although Dolan has embraced a very eccentric style, he has not given up the practicality of a more conservative outfit. He said that he wanted to be comfortable during his midterms and wore a thick-knit sweater for this purpose.

“It makes me think about lying around the house, reading a book and drinking tea,” he said.

And with all the stresses of student life, a little digression is sometimes needed. Dolan has a couple items on his person that hearken back to a simpler time in his life and can help to make things seem not so serious.

“I just think this butterfly necklace is fun,” he added.

Anthropology student Liz Pleasant works at Private Screening, a thrift store in Fremont. So naturally she gets first pick of the clothes coming through the store.

She said that she usually looks for clothing to build a ’50s or ’60s inspired fashion.

“I really like floral patterns,” Pleasant said. “Or basically anything that has a leopard print.”

I really liked the textures that her outfit had. If one just moves from the bottom of the outfit to the top, the USM reader encounters a plethora of textures. From the blue suede shoes on up, the viewer can imagine what the material would feel like. The rip in the tights adds a frayed feeling, the coat a plush feeling and her bob hairdoo complements the rest.

(Not pictured is her bead embroidered blouse that gave a rough texture, not present in the other materials)

Pleasant said she relies on her friends for inspiration and borrows clothing to build outfits.

“This leopard coat was actually a roommates,” she said. “I was wearing it so much she just eneded up giving it to me.”

Previous Thirftstore Coverage—University Profile: Thrift Store Owner

If there is one thing that physiology student Garry Alcedo would like to tell USM readers, it’s that fashion really isn’t as hard as it may seem.

“I am in pre-med and other students usually just wear sweatpants to class; There is really no excuse for this,” he said.  “Fashion doesn’t take that much time. I spent maybe 10 minutes this morning on my outfit.”

I feel that this relaxed attitude about style has translated well into a casual look that maintains an air of formality that sets Alcedo apart from his sweatpants-clad peers.

“On other fashion blogs like The Sartorialist, I like preppy looks that are youthful and yet classic,” Alcedo added. “I am still 21 years old, I don’t want to look like a grandpa.”

And although Alcedo’s style may be simple and easy, details in the clothes are not lost on him. Each item shows a certain care and thought process, that maybe not noticed on first glance, lend to the overall impression. Rolled up pantlegs and lack of socks aid the boatshoe look; relaxed pants and the sweater look sharp, yet comfortable;  the large buttons and buttoned-up shirt draw attention up; plus the glasses make anyone look extra smart.

Som de flesta vet så ska David Haye utmana Nikolaj Valuev om WBA-titeln den 7:e november. Jag hör till den skara människor som tror att David Haye kan vinna denna fight med rätt strategi. Om David Haye har studerat Valuevs fight mot Evander Holyfield så finns det många aspekter som han kan applicera när dagen D är kommen.

När Holyfield mötte Valuev så utnyttjade han det faktum att han är både mindre och rörligare än Ryssen. Holyfield rörde sig i princip hela tiden, han stannade i stort sätt aldrig upp och  utan rörde sig sidled mycket. Detta resulterade i att det var väldigt svårt för Valuev att skära av ringen. När Holyfield attackerade gick han även in relativt låg med huvudet, något som gör det svårt för Valuev att träffa sitt redan låga mål. Att Evander Holyfield gjorde en bra match mot Nikolaj Valuev kan dels bero på att ryssen har svårt för små boxare men även att han är långsam. Holyfield som på senare år blivit lättträffad hade ändå tillräcklig god reaktionsförmåga för att hinna med Valuev slag. Sedan skall sägas att Holyfield har ett mycket bra psyke som gjorde att han behöll lugnet inne i ringen med världens störste (tyngste) världsmästare genom tiderna. Varför vann då inte Holyfield kan man undra även om många ansåg att han gjorde det? Han slog helt enkelt för lite.

www.nikolajdetoiles.com

{Source}

-MP

Continuing his conquest of as much as he can possibly handle at one time, Guillermo Del Toro has been attached as the producer for the big screen adaptation of DC Comic’s body possessing paranormal detective, Boston Brand, more commonly known as Deadman. I think it’s safe to say this movie will have a pretty dark tone, though Deadman commonly lends himself to a dark type of comedy.

Not only has Del Toro been attached to produce, but Nikolaj Arcel has been attached to direct the film as well. Deadman will of course be created under the Warner Bros. film banner, as all DC Comics properties are (at least there’s SOMETHING DC has over Marvel for movies). I almost lost track of this amidst the barrage of Marvel news today, but I prevailed.

Ima događaja u istoriji roda ljudskog, koji kao veliko zvono svaki dan zvone na uši negluvima i pozivaju njihovu savest na uzbunu. Jedan takav događaj koji već hiljade godina uzbuđuje savest ljudsku, to je uži izbor između Isusa Hrista i Varave ili Barabe, – kako to zapadni jeretici izgovaraju. Predlagač i predsednik izbora bio je Pontije Pilat, rimski mnogobožac, birači su bili Jevreji, jednobošci. Pilat pokušavaše sve da oslobodi Isusa, jer ne mogaše naći nikakve krivice kod njega. NJegov poslednji pokušaj
to je bilo stavljanje Jevrejima na izbor: ili Isusa ili Barabu. Računao je logično: Ni je dna optužba protiv Isusa nije dokazana, međutim sve op tužbe protivu Barabe dokazane su i očigledne su. Baraba je zaslužio smrt kao buntovnik i kao krvopija. Nadao se Pilat, da savest kod jevrejskih starešina nije baš sa svim sagorela, i da će oni biti u stanju da se uzvise nad ličnom zlobom i pakošću, i da jednoga pravednika pretpostave jednom
zločincu. Mislio je Pilat nasigurno, da će izbor pasti na Isusa još i zbog najvećih praznika, uoči koga se ovaj izbor imao i završiti. Jer našto je veliki praznik, nego da očisti i osveti savest čovečiju? Narod jednobožan, praznik Pashe, pravednik Isus! Pilat je držao da će kroz nekoliko minuta oslobođenjem prave dnoga Isusa zaradovati i svoju ženu Klaudiju, koja ga je molila da ne ulazi u krv ovoga pravednika. Pa povika mnogobožac Pilat jednobošcima Jevrejima:

Koga hoćete da vam pustim: Barabu ili Isusa?

Ali na preveliko iznenađenje mnogobošca Pilata povikaše u glas jednobožni Jevreji: Barabu, Barabu! Bled i zbunjen od ovakvog izbora Pilat je postavio još jedno pi tanje toj beslovesnoj i nesavesnoj rulji satanskoj, mnogobožac jednobošcima: A šta ću učiniti sa Isusom? Na to jednobošci zalajaše kao gladni šakali:

Raspni ga! Raspni ga! I mnogobožac Pilat opra ruke od
krvi pravednika. A šakali u ljudskoj koži opet besno zalajaše: Krv njegova na nas i na decu našu! Što se i dogo di i što se događa do današnjeg dana. Baraba bi oslobođen, a Sin Božji, Mesija i Spasitelj sveta, izguran na Golgotu i raspet na krst. I dok je najveći pravednik pod suncem i nad suncem u mukama izdisao na krstu, Baraba je po pivnicama jerusalimskim čašćavao svoje birače.

Biranje između Boga i satane.

Biranje između dobrotvora i zlotvora.

Biranje između Isusa i Barabe.

To je zaista veliko zvono koje svaki dan uzbunjuje sa vest čovečanstva. Svak se pita, kako se to moglo dogoditi?

A mi se pitamo: kako se to može i dan danas dogoditi?

Zar ne vidite, braćo, da i dan danas na izboru dobija Baraba a gubi Isus?

Uzrok mračne tragike zapadnog čovečanstva može se objasniti jednom rečju. Jer su izabrali Barabu, mesto Hrista. I jer su postali barabe mesto da budu hrišćani.

Barbarski su im i ciljevi, barbarski i metodi. Cilj im je uzdići sebe i svoj narod do nebesa a sve druge ljude i narode pogaziti kao blato; a metodi su im isti kao i onom prvom Barabi: tajna zavera, laž, buna i krv.

Šta je uzrok najnovijih mračnih činova srpske tragike? To isto. To isto što je i uzrok
evropske mračne tragike. Gospoda srpska dala su svoj glas za Barabu protiv Hrista.
Srpski narod trebao je skočiti protiv ove grozote i sramote, ali nije skočio. Zato se i na našu kuću sručio požar rata, u kome su mnogi izgoreli, a svi smo zadobili bolne opekotine.

Braćo, šta sad? Pitanje je pred nama ovo: Šta sad? Kako sad? S kime sad?

I sad, i od sad moramo biti za Hrista a protiv Barabe i protiv svih baraba u svetu. Ili, zar ćemo dozvoliti da budemo gori poganici od mnogobožnog Pilata? On kao mnogobožac hteo je spasti Hrista od Jevreja. Danas mnogobožci u Indiji hoće da spasu Hrista od hrišćana. Kao što su Jevreji onda bili za Barabu, tako su danas hrišćani evropski za razbojnika protiv Boga. I kao što je Pilat mnogobožac uzeo stranu za Isusa
protiv Barabe, tako i Indusi danas odlučno ustaju protiv hrišćanskih baraba. Birajte, Srbi, život ili smrt; čast ili sramotu; svetlost ili tamu; pravdu ili nepravdu; Boga ili đavola, birajte! Birajte ili Hrista ili Barabu. Od toga izbora zavisila vam je sva vaša prošlost. Od toga zavisiće i sva vaša budućnost. Amin.

Odlomak iz knjige Vladika Nikolaj – Kroz tamnicki prozor ( POUKE SRPSKOM NARODU IZ LOGORA DAHAU )

KNJIGA DOWNLOAD

I met Camilla (33) and Ingeborg (2 1/2) on a bridge over the Århus Canal in the center of town. I first noticed Camilla from behind as she showed her daughter things in the water. She was wearing a pair of pants that she called “Hænge Røv Bukser” (or hanging ass pants). I’ve seen these pants on so many Danes since I arrived in Århus.
“I go around and look at people and the boutiques,” Camilla said of her inspiration for her outfit. She added that a lot of people are wearing a similar combination of boots and these baggy pants. The way she wore the two, aided by the darker colors, reminded me of a horse-rider’s outfit.

Camilla’s knitted top stressed the time of year and the necessity to stay warm.I have also seen a lot of Danes experimenting with ways to drape large garments around their shoulders to stay warm, but also as a fashionable item. I have seen some that look as if they have taken a rug from home and wrapped it around themselves.

I asked Camilla if she liked to dress little Ingeborg similarly. She replied that her daughter’s fashion is usually more contained than her own, but added that she thinks it is important for her child to look smart and to be comfortable.

Camilla finished by saying: “It is very hard to dress in the winter. But once it gets warmer, people are able to be more fashionable.” If this holds true, USM readers will have much to look forward to.

Here is a picture to inspire our reader’s Christmas fashion. I found Julian (21) at the central train station in Copenhagen as he was on his way to Sweden and as I was heading out into the Danish countryside.

“This is total Christmas fashion,” said Julian. “I don’t have my leg warmers and my santa handbag with me, but they are part of the outfit.”

Julian shows how one can incorporate an old Christmas sweater into holiday fashions. I like how he plays with proportions, mixing an oversized sweater with skinny jeans.

The winter weather has left a slight dusting of snow on the ground in Seattle. Anthony (23) and Andrew (22) dressed for the cold when I met them on the street.

“I’m just trying to stay warm,” said Andrew (right). “This winter try layering. I am going off of a Maxim magazine suggestion on how to jump start your winter wardrobe for under $5,000.”

“I actually recycle some of my summer stuff,” added Anthony. “I just layer it to stay warm.”

On Anthony: Keds, Cheap Monday

On Andrew: Blackbird, Banana Republic

Spomenar – Niko kao ja ! Ziveli, Niko !

d968eefee1b546

Fiecare are un drum pe care poate fi condus, dar nu i se poate crea un alt drum decât acela pe care e chemat să meargă.  ( Nicolae Iorga )

Snezana Djurisic – Spomenar :

Niko

A fost odată, ca niciodată …

Era o iarnă geroasă, crudă, de parcă întreaga natură se răzvrătea aşteptând ceva ce avea să se întâmple şi amânarea stârnea încrâncenarea viscolului zmintit şi totul părea tânguire … pe străzile micului orăşel de la poalele munţilor Semenic, undeva. într-un colţişor modest al Daciei Nemuritoare, în depresiunea blândă dar iată, acum aprigă şi aparent neprimitoare, se instalase o umbră de teamă, nelinişte, pustiu … frumoasa Răşiţa căpătase un aer de tristeţe, de amărăciune ..

Era în iarna lui 1969, 6 decembrie … buna şi tânăra mamă aştepa să nască, avea emoţii mari, primul copil şi durerile începuseră … Nu a intrat în panică, leoaica luptătoare, pui de sărb, Zora, cu ochii verde-smarald, ci, ajutată de mama ei, maijka Darinka, venită din Lescoviţa la oraş, doar îi năştea fiica preferată, a decis, la spital, începuseră contracţiile … Două femei ţinându-se de mână, prin viscol şi nămeţi ..

După formalităţile necesare, internare şi … direct în sala de travaliu , naşterea era iminentă, la consultaţie şi ecografie copila părea pornită rău, dar rău,  să vină pe lume . Au urmat ore de chinuri, dureri insuportabile, la un moment dat medicii de gardă stăteau în cumpănă, cum să ajute mama, ce să mai facă , ceva nu era în regulă .. Pe holurile Spitalului Judeţean, maijka Darinka se ruga neîncetat … Asistentele intrau şi ieşeau vertiginos, nimeni nu dorea să-i spună ceva şi totuşi era aşteptat ca dintr-o clipă-n alta să mă nasc … Eh, d-apoi cum, păi aşa veneam eu pe lume, în frig şi viscol , fără surle şi trâmbiţe ? Da de unde, zbuciumată am fost Doamne, dinainte de a da piept cu viaţa … ce credeţi, în ultimul moment, mă răzgândesc, da, chiar aşa … mă răzgândesc şi zbang o întoarcere, nu-mi convenea nici ziua, sau, poate , cine ştie, ştiam ce mă aştepta, ori eram predestinată … avem eu să aflu în timp ce şi cum. Medicii s-au crucit, aşa ceva nu mai întâlniseră, din nou consultaţii, ecografie, analize, monitorizarea inimii tinerei mame, a fătului, totul părea în regulă numai că acum totul dădea semnale clare că naşterea trebuia să mai aştepte. Durerile şi contracţiile dispăruseră, nu de tot dar , scăzuseră-n intensitate, după alte ore de aşteptare, personalul medical decide ca viitoarea mamă să rămână-n spital sub supraveghere şi monitorizare …până când, păi asta nu ştiau, dar eu, da.

” Mergi, maijkă acasă, nu mai naşte, s-a răzgândit aia mică, numai Dumnezeu ştie de ce … e pe mâini bune, mergeţi şi vă odihniţi, veniţi mâine … ”, unul din medicii se îndurase de bătrăna cu privire blajină şi îi dădu anunţul …

Şi-a venit maijka Darinka la spital la fiica Zora şi mâine şi poimâine şi … şi s-a făcut 30 decembrie, o zi plină de magie, orăşelul nu mi părea neprimitor, ningea, cu fulgi mari, uriaşi ningea, feerie de iarnă, furnicar de cumpărători întârziaţi pe străzi, ultimele pregătiri pentru Revelionul lui 1969 … Şi s-a făcut noaptea … deodată, m-am decis, da ştiţi cum, brusc, fără prea multă forfotă, la orele 1 contracţii, din nou bunica pe holuri se ruga, mama curajoasă, nici un ţipăt, doar lacrimi şi zâmbete şi iar lacrimi şi din nou zâmbete : ” greu te hotărăşti copilă, hai, vino … ” .Moaşele zâmbeau şi ele, anunţaseră medicii, deciseseră să vină amândoi, depăşisem termenul, erau curioşi cu toţii, vin au ba … Şi-am sosit, că doară nu era să aştept eu cumva 1 ianuarie, să ratez fulgii pufoşi şi cumpăna dintre ani , nici gând, la ora 2 jumate în miezul miezului nopţii ţipam deja de-am trezit tot spitalul îmbrăcat în straie de sărbătoare. Maijka Darinka mulţumea Cerului :

” aşa a vrut Tatăl, să vie, în noaptea asta, să prindă toată ziua, întreagă, se pregăteşte şi ea bag seama pentru   cumpăna dintre ani, va fi războinică, e în regulă domnu doctor, îs binie fecili mele  .. ? ”.

Medicul, acelaşi, zâmbi bunicii :

” E-n regulă maijko, da să ştii, a vrut 31 decembrie, ambiţia ei, apoi aşa rămâne , a fost o naştere de pomină, afurisită nepoata matale, din 6 decembrie ne ţine cu inimile strânse … nu am să uit maikă naşterea asta, nici matale să n-o uiţi ”

” Mulţămim domnu doctor … mă duc să-mi văd fecili ! ”

Ehei, şi-au urmat ore de tratative, măiculiţă  …  maijka Darinka hotărâtă şi aprigă sârboaica, se chinuia să impună olteanului Nicolaie :

” Am zis Jasmina, îi prima mea nepoată de la Zora mea !

” Şi eu am zis Nicoleta, ca pe mine şi gata, punct . ”

” Jasmina !  … oltene, tu prişiepi ? ”

” Nicoleta, recunoaşte că în 6 decembrie a vrut să vină da s-a răzgândit, nu ştim de ce … ”

” Păi vezi ? … Auzi, nu mă mai măscăresc cu cine că eşci oltean căpos, săraca Zora nu zâşie nimica-n lumie, să fie ca cinie, da să ţâi mincie, pentru mine o să rămână Jasmina, în inima mea .. ”

” Şi cum o s-o strigi, altfel decât noi toţi ? ”

” Am s-o port mereu în suflet Jasmina şi o strig Niko, cu k, ca să nu fie ca tine, nah … afurisit om, Doamnieeee …. ”

Mama zâmbea, privea căpuşorul cu bucle aurii-roşcate, lacrimile de bucurie îi luminau obrajii osteniţi şi cei doi nu conteneau cu sfada …

Într-un târziu, am adormit legănată de braţele maijcii mele, îmi cânta ” Tamo daleko ” şi ” Niko kao ti ” şi mă veghea .

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Au trecut ani, deda Marko nu l-a iertat pe tata, şi el ar fi dorit Jasmina, dar mă alinta în felul lui : ” Niko manguba ”, ” Niko nesrecea ”, ” pui de sârb aprig, hai la deda să-ţi povestesc .. ” . Maijka Darinka, cea care m-a crescut, mi-a tot povestit că numai când eram singure noi două mă răsfăţa ” Jasmina moja ” … în rest, am rămas Niko, pentru toţi. Şi-acum, sunt Niko, Sibilla are altă poveste, altădată că începe cu ursitoarele, mama şi bunica aşa mi-au zis, că cică le-ar fi prins la căpătâiul meu …

Am primit de la tata lămurire, el zice aşa :

” Niko, aşa a vrut mumă-ta Darinka, dar e Nicoleta, ca pe mine, Nicoleta de la Sfântul Nicolaie, n-avui de lucru, afurisită ai fost de mică, nu ai suportat să ţi se-ntoarcă ţie vorba, o mogâldeaţă, la grădiniţă ţi-ai făcut trupă de luptători, la şcoală mereu te certai pentru colegii sărăcuţi, acum eşti la fel, tu şi dreptatea, bombăneşti, tuni şi fulgeri, cauzele tale … când eşti între copii ori bătrâni, parcă eşti alta …. zâmbeşti şi eşti gălăgioasă ca ei, nu te vezi între ei … ”

” Am citit şi eu, va să zică, Nicoleta, Niko, ” cea care-mparte dreptatea şi-i pedepseşte pe cei nedrepţi ”, şi am găsit încă ceva, Nicoleta, de la grecescul ” nikos ” , a învinge şi Leto, Zeiţa Uitării, deci eu sunt : cea care învinge uitarea … ”

Nu a uitat nimeni, biata mea mamă, din 6 până-n 31 decembrie în spital, asta naştere … unicorn nu alta, Niko  – zbuciumata unicoarnă şi, undeva, în colţişorul inimii mele, Jasmina … Jasmina pentru surâsul unei steluţe, steaua pe care s-a mutat anul acesta majka Darinka … mă credeţi sau nu, treaba voastră, dar eu aud şoaptele acelei stele : ” Jasmina moja … ” ,  ” moja mala ” …

Şi uite-aşa, m-am îmbogăţit eu, cu ocrotitorul Sfântul Nicolaie şi cu noaptea de Revelion … he, he, he … Niko, Niko kao ja … manguba

Hai să trăiesc şi La Mulţi Ani mie, Niko !

Niko kao ja .. :

cam aşa joc eu cu Zoran şi nepoţeii mei, Zlatko, Marko şi Jakljna :

… ia, învăţaţi paşii .. ? :

sau cu instruktori :

N-ai dreptul să fii altfel decât ceilalţi, ci mai mult decât dânşii şi pentru dânşii.  ( Nicolae Iorga )

Ziveli !!!

Sibilla – Niko

Va să zică, trebuia să mă nasc în 6 decembrie şi am ales 31, ca orice Sibillă, m-am născut în 31 decembrie … de-aia-s aşe zbuciumată, printre altele …

imagini preluate de pe google.ro

citate preluate de pe www.citapedia.ro

muzika srpska preluată de pe youtube

]]> http://streetmeet.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/for-a-boy/ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:59:15 +0000 nikolajlasbo http://streetmeet.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/for-a-boy/

Christina Torres said it is hard to get noticed in large lectures and will usually only dress nice for her smaller classes. Today she was trying to get noticed by a boy in her quiz section.

“I also usually ride my bike,” Torres addded. “If I am wearing my nice jeans, forget it.”

I obviously noticed her Indian scarf first. It’s pastel tones are the only colors needed for her all-black outfit. The patterns also add interesting texture. I liked her choice to let it hang outside her jacket, helping draw my attention down to her leggings. They in turn aided in accenting the jacket and boots by presenting a contrast in size. Just because an outfit is uniform in color, doesn’t mean it should be uniform in size.

Manga i Sverige, och hela vastvarlden, forskracks nar man i Ryssland haller sina parader, med eller utan militart inslag. (vilket ar konstigt da val samma sak finns i USA? Eller kanske inte. De har iaf liknande ting har i Israel: harommanaden togs vi alla till en slags “militarkonser” dar tusentals israeliska ungdomar forst gick igenom ett laeger fullt med vapenutstallningar, avi sedan fick lyssna pa soldater som sjong, atfoljt av en show dar pansarvagnar och soldater skot med levande ammunition – de israeliska ungdomarna blev som lyriska vid denna uppvisning) Anledningen ar saklart att man ar radd for deras militara styrka.

Man maste dock alltid, nar det galler dagens Ryssland, ha deras historia i bakhuvudet. Annars kommer man inte forsta nagot. Ryssarna led mest av alla under andra varldskriget. De led under hela 1900-talet: aven under 90-talet. De lider fortfarande – de haller fortfarande pa att resa sig upp fran den grop de knuffades ner i under borjan av 1900-talet (kom ihag att kommunismen som ideologi var en vasterlandsk uppfinning. Och revolutionen i Ryssland fick stoed av manga i vasterlandet, bade materiellt, ekonomiskt och pa andra satt.).

Detta lidande har helt format det ryska folket. Bade i en positiv och en negativ mening. Det negativa ar att manga ryssar ofta ar mycket misstanksamma mot  varandra, att manga lever i fattigdom och alkoholism, och att manga dranker sig i den vasterlandska materialistiska tomheten. Men det finns ljusa sidor ocksa: kyrkan starktes. Folk tog emot Kristus. De gor det nu. Vi maste ga igenom mycket lidande for att komma till himmelriket, sager nagon i apostlagarningarna. Just detta har ryssarna gjort. Och fler och fler vander om, till Gud, de andrar sina liv och star upp for – vad ska vi kallade – “traditionella” varden.  Kan vi saga detsamma har i vast?

De flesta kanner inte det sanna Ryssland. De kanner ej heller de sanna Ryssland av 1900-talet. De kanner endast till den roda fernissan. Men under allt detta…vi kommer aldrig kunna forsta vilket oerhort lidande de gick igenom. Det var som ett blodsdop. Den heliga Tsar-Martyren Nikolaj lidandesbararen med hans familj och de som mordades tillsammans med dem star som en symbol for allt detta.

Jag ska inte slosa mina ord.

Se garna denna mycket korta video, om deras lidande och kamp under andra varldskriget (en liten del av det hela Lidandet…) :

‘Suffering is the reality of the human condition and the beggining of true spiritual life.”

- Fr. Seraphim (Rose) av Platine

J.W. Harrington (as he likes to be called) epitomizes the ideal fashion of a professor that we sometimes only see in the movies. Imagine him walking to class as I found him, his trench coat keeping him warm and his wide billed hat shedding rain. When he gets to class he lays down the jacket across a table, rolls up his sleeves and dives right into the peculiarities of the economic developments of sub-national regions (his forté).

“I think professors’ fashion varies by age and field,” Harrington said. “If you were in a lab setting, of course you would wear something different. But I am in the social sciences.”

He added that he wants to look professional with his style but at the same time have some fun with it. Few people probably know that his hat is actually an Indiana Jones brand, an eccentricity that Harrington shared with USM readers.

Harrington said that men like him will find a style and tend to stick with it. He said his style developed in the ’80s. The layering of his double-breasted trench coat looks depression era and Harrington agreed that his fashion would be considered classic.

“I do like movies from the ’40s,” Harrington said.

He likes to shop inexpensive if possible and he said this is easy for men. Since his style is classic and isn’t constantly changing he doesn’t have to follow yearly trends. He picked up his coat at Bloomingdales and his jacket is from Britches of Georgetown (which has since closed).

Zabihullah Ziarmal’s fashion is straight from Kabul, Afghanistan. He is an exchange student in a graduate program. When I saw his outfit, I was impressed by its formality but enjoyed the casual everyday undertones.

“I would wear a suit in Afghanistan,” Ziarmal said. “But here it is much more casual and I’ll only wear one once a week or so. Even the professors are more casual.”

Afghanistan has seasons like Seattle and Ziarmal understood perfectly how to dress for November. His brown and tan hues are the same earthy tones that I have seen on so many others featured on USM this season. 

“When it becomes winter I’ll start to wear darker clothing,” Ziarmal added.

My eyes were first drawn to his brown pocket, which I took to be a kerchief. It works well, along with his jacket pocket lining to accent his brown pants. Wearing a splash of color elsewhere in an outfit helps to draw attention to something like a pair of pants.

Most of his clothes are from Afghanistan shopping centers. In Kabul there is a big American-style shopping mall. His shoes are  from Bellevue Square.

Like her Swedish mom, Lea Lönnberg-Hickling has a taste for fashion.

“My mom has good style and I try to take her things,” said Lönnberg-Hickling. “I am inspired by her eccentric artist fashion.”

I can definitely see the northern European influence in her darker colors. She said that because of the short-lived light during this time of the year she won’t wear colors often.

However, Lönnberg-Hickling said she doesn’t want her fashion to be boring which is sometimes hard when dressing with darker shades. She said lots of layers add an interesting aspect to her style. She likes playing around with tights and boots to add to an outfit.

She also likes to diversify where she gets her clothes from and to try to not wear everything from the same store. Her blouse is from a Swedish store called Indiska. Her cardigan is from American Apparel. Her bag is from H&M. And her boots are from Express and borrowed from her mom.

For Lönnberg-Hickling, fashion is much more than a bare necessity. It is more like a lifestyle and for her it is particularly Swedish.

“Coffee and a nice outfit are my reasons to get up in the morning,” Lönnberg-Hickling said.

Laurie Roberts was on her way home from dance practice when I ran into her. She was still wearing her leotard underneath her blouse and cardigan.

“I have to try and make my leotard look like part of my costume,” Roberts said. ” It is sort of a scientific coordination that I do think a lot about.”

Roberts said she is also a drama major and is currently enrolled in a costume design class. She enjoys looking through costume racks and pulling clothing out. She has recently studied Renaissance dress and it shows in her white ruffled blouse (hand-me-down from her sister) that reminds me of something from a Shakespeare play.

Roberts said she doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on clothing and has recycled much of her fashion from high school.

“But I’m a senior now,” she added. “I have to look more professional.”

She recently went to Urban Outfitters online to buy her shoes to look more businesslike and I find they work well by matching the rich colors and texture of her belt and Samsonite bag.

Today was a downpour in Seattle, but Eric Worsech kept his style afloat. Instead of grabbing a thick parka—as I did when I left my house this morning—this grahic designer (check out Yuasa clothing) nicely layered things he might normally wear with thicker garments for the weather.

“I like textures like thick knits with some sheen,” Worsech said, pointing to his coat. “I’ll wear thick coats but they are a little different from what most everyone is wearing.”

What Worsech said proved true throughout the day. Nearly everyone I saw had the standard Seattleite rain jacket on. His approach is something that you would be found on the East Coast or Western Europe.

His process for dressing in the morning reflected the layering that I saw him wearing on the street.

“I’ll start with something like my T-shirt,” Worsech said. “And as I make my way to the door I’ll build my outfit.”

Worsech’s style today is part vintage and part modern. His jacket is from A.P.C., his pants are from H&M and his hat, which he describes as “old man,” is from Macy’s. These items work to keep his style updated. To add a vintage flair, he has a pair of shoes from Value Village and a wool cardigan from goodwill.

His clothing is totally moodal, the black colors intensifying the dreariness of the day. But Worsech proves that he is in control of his style and doesn’t let the weather dictate what he wears. Imagine him without the umbrella on a sunny day, his hat shading him, and you’ll see what I mean.

Ahmad El-Najjar has been homeless for about a week and needed an outfit that he could wear every day.

“What works better than a blazer and a pack of v-neck tees?” El-Najjar said.

El-Najjar’s style is inspired by The Man from Snowy River, a Western film set in Australia. What is more functional than a cowboy’s clothing, meant for long rides. En-Najjar’s long ride is this week.

He is also a traveler and said this approach is also good for those extended trips. I always bring a three-pack of white t-shirts when I travel as well.

No sooner than one minute after saying goodbye to El-Najjar, I met Chris Chan. He said he is living off of food stamps and needed a style that worked in his life.

“I go shopping in bins at the goodwill outlet,” Chan said. “I wear what old people from the ’40s and ’50s can no longer fit in.”

That was an interesting way of phrasing the pursuit and adaptation of older styles and I found myself laughing. But it makes sense. If you are young and looking for a vintage style, search for what the youth of the past were wearing at your age.

“I’ll go to goodwill and say: ‘I need a leather jacket,’” Chan said. “I may find it, or I might spend hours searching, but I always find something.”

Chan ended by offering advice to USM readers. He said that it is very important for everyone to just dress for themselves. I interpret this as wearing clothing that is in-line with your lifestyle, whether you are homeless, on food stamps or otherwise.

Standing at the intersection of 45th Street and The Ave across from American Apparel, I noticed Joey Delano standing on the other side of the crosswalk and stopped him as he passed me. His style is familiar, but I was strangely attracted by how unique he wore it.

Delano takes after hip-hop artists Kanye West and Usher and fashion designers Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen. But when he told me where he had bought his clothes, I was dumbfounded that he could adapt the styles of these fashion gods to such an affordable outfit.

He gets most of his clothes used. His loose, but form-fitting pants are Uniqlo from Buffalo Exchange and the pocketed black vest is H&M from Crossroads Trading Co. The Converse-type shoes are Old Navy.

As a somewhat side note, I am finding black to be the new black this season, and I am enjoying wearing mostly dark clothing around. I feel much slimmer when I wear a black, Northface-style jacket with a large collar. I feel it accents the angles in my face. Delano seems to be going for a similar effect, his skinny tie dissecting a well-angled collar.

Delano said that he gets a lot of inspiration from woman’s clothes.

“I will look at woman’s clothing and I will think, ‘if this was made for a man, how would I wear it?’” Delano said.

He said that he likes fashion that is more fitting to his form and this makes him feel comfortable. He used to wear baggier clothing, but didn’t like hiking up his pants all the time.

“Fashion is what it is,” Delano said. His simultaneous disregard and inspiration leads him to outfits like this, presenting a pragmatic solution to USM readers.