Technology through my life and eyes

25 years ago, I could only watch one public TV channel in Cyprus...which started at 5pm and ended at 12am.
About 23 years ago we bought our first computer in the house..an Amstrad, that did not have a hard drive.
About 20 years ago, new TV channels were launched in Cyprus
12 years ago I would borrow my mum's cell phone when I was in the army or when I would go out
11 years ago I got my first cell-phone.


9 years ago I bought my first color screen cell phone.
6 years ago I really wanted a phone on which I could read my e-mails at any time from anywhere.
4 years ago I bought my first Blackberry. Online all the time, instant access to any new e-mails
For the past 10 years I have been spending an average of 6-8 hours every day in front of a computer..that is about 25,000 hours.
Two weeks ago I bought a Playstation and played online football against an Italian guy
Last week I got my first i-Phone.
What is next?

New Year Resolutions

I have to admit that I have never heard of the term "New Year Resolution" before moving to America. And even then I don't remember ever having one (except one which didn't really work out). I see it as an excuse for people to feel good about themselves for a few days or weeks.

Let's see some examples:
1. "This year I want to be a better husband, friend and dad" - meaning that until right now you have been an asshole to your wife, not a good friend and you don't really like your child?

2. "I want to spend more time with my family and less at work" - meaning that you will not work 9 hours a day but 8 hours and 45 minutes

3. "I will go to the gym 4 times a week" - meaning that you will go to the gym 4 times the first week, the next week you will just drive by the gym on your way from work and find an excuse to not go

4. "I will stop eating crap food" - except fast food burgers, chocolates, burittos, processed cheese and other crap

5. "I will quit smoking" - meaning that you will quit smoking during the hours you are sleeping..

These are just a few examples..and here is an idea..instead of this crap NYR, just call it personal goal and stick with it..something like that.

1. "By the end of February I want to lose 5kg" (it doesn't really matter if you gain it afterwards)

2. "I will arrange a trip with my family in April somewhere nice" (that can probably make you a better husband and dad)

3. "I will arrange to meet with my friends at the pub every Wednesday night for drinks" (that will make you a better friend but probably a worse husband and dad..shit)

4. "I will smoke 2 cigarettes less every day for the next three weeks, then 3 less for the next month and so on..."

Anyway, I hope you got it now. You don't have to wait for New Year to make a resolution. Get over it and if you want, set Specific, Measurable goals instead of Unspecified, Unmeasurable New Years Resolution which you will probably never accomplish and then on December 31st you will be like..well, whatever it is a new year in a few hours, so let's just have a New New Year's Resolution.

Thank God, it's Wednesday

Anyone missed me? Actually here is a better question..anyone still reads this blog other than the 2 persons I know they do?

Anyway, I am still here. It is true what they say that as you get older the responsibilities and the stress increase.
Where are the good times when I didn't have to worry about paying rent, electricity, water, television?
Where are the times when, when I was looking for 3 more friends to play pilota, I would probably find 6?
Where are the times when I didn't have to worry about my job?
What about the times that I didn't have to pay photographers, wedding venues or decide what color tulips I like?
Where are the times that I would go to bed at 3am and wake up at 8 and be alert for the day?

Do I miss those times? Hell yeah! But it is what it is. I am older, more responsible, more mature. And everytime I think of the above, i start singing..."Never give up, it's such a wonderful life"

So, what makes this life wonderful? A lot of things but let me concentrate on the few extraordinary ones.

1. Going shopping with Blondie. It is the best excuse for me to start complaining. This is how it usually goes..
Blondie drags me into a store (surprise, surprise it only has women clothes) and grabs a piece of clothing.

Blondie: "Do you like this?"
Me: "It depends"
Blondie: "On what?"
Me: "How much does it cost?"
Blondie (after looking at the price): "Never mind"

There is a lap of 20 seconds now and Blondie picks up another piece of clothing

Blondie: "Do you like this?"
Me: "It depends"
Blondie: "On what?"
Me: "How much does it cost?"
Blondie:"It is only 50 Euros"
Me:"You mean 59.95"? (do all women do that??)
Blondie: "Well, yeah"
Me: "Nothing special"
Blondie: "I think I like it. I am going to buy it"
Me: "Have you done your budget? Do you have enough money? Remember you need to buy a wedding dress"
Blondie: "Yeah, you are right, maybe I shouldn't buy it"
Me (I start feeling guilty): "I mean if you really like it you can buy it"
Blondie: "Nah, I don't really need it"

2. A nice dinner out and some wine with Blondie. Always has and always been my favorite.

3. Saturday lunch with my family

4. Weekend Salamina soccer game. I tried to stop but this Salamina thing is like an addictive drug. I feel that if I am not there, I will regret it. Ask me the only thing I regret in my life. Be careful here, I made a lot of mistakes in my life but I don't regret. The one and only thing I regret is that Saturday of June 1990 when I preferred to go to the birthday party of one of my 10-year old friends instead of going to the Salamina game to watch them win the one and only trophy in their history......

5. Playing pilota with my friends. Doesn't happen as much now. We are all older, engaged, married, in relationships. Makes it harder to meet. We only do it once a week now..almost every Wednesday. It gives us the chance to catch up, forget everything and be like little children again.. And thank God, it's Wednesday today:)