New Painting

The painting I bought arrived home yesterday. A Jeff Schaller's encaustic painting, it conveys carefree happiness in an inspiring fashion.

I fell in love with it in the art gallery ... and now it hangs in my living room (OK at a certain cost but hey!). Would be glad to hear what you think!

Louise RIP

My beautiful cat -- Louise -- died a few weeks back and I still can't quite get used to her absence... to the fact that she won't come under my cover and sleep on my arm while I read in bed in the evening, that she is not there when I get home, waiting for a cuddle and to play in the staircase. It is a weird feeling after 13 years of almost daily life together.

I lost a lot of sleep in the past months thinking of the day I would have to take her to the vet for the last time. As I saw her become weaker and weaker, I knew that the end was getting closer. One day there was no more escaping the hard reality. She could not really eat anymore, was getting thinner by the day and almost never moved from het cot in the kitchen. The time had come.

We took her to the vet for what would be the last shot. In the waiting room I had trouble keeping my tears back especially when another customer saw her and said how gorgeous she was. And this is true, even in her last moments she was still utterly gorgeous: big green eyes, tiny pink nose, beautiful grey coat.

Lately, her Mom Bonnie, who is the only remaining cat in our house, has taken up the habit of miaowing frantically from the top of the house. Is she looking for Louise? Is she lonely, bored? Does she do that only when we are home? Should we get a kitten to keep her company?

Complicated (and gritty) keyboards

Complicated (and gritty) keyboards
Originally uploaded by egoes

Here a pic taken by my friend Enrique while on the road in Thailand. Made me smile because I have had quite a few keyboard discussions recently, so it just seemed fitting.

Let me tell you more about why keyboards are a topic of discussion...

My work keyboard has a broken "leg"... that is, it won't stay level and it is driving me bananas. So I ventured out and starting looking at potential replacements.

I fell in love with the flat Mac keyboard, sooooo "sweet" but the alt and apple key are reversed compared to a PC keyboard (sigh). I guess I would get used to it :-)

Then I thought that a keyboard with a touchpad (aka a cat) would be cool to have. With that I could reduce the time my arm spends extended over a mouse and -- thus -- help reduce my shoulder tendinitis (still going on - re-sigh). I found a few but so far it does not look good for a Swiss French layout (re-re-sigh).

Then my friend Chris asked if he could borrow a keyboard to enter some stuff faster into his iTunes library. "Sure!" I said. Off I went and found my old keyboard in the attic (white - yuk!) and happily brought it with me for him. Silly me forgot that the PS/2 adapter is no more a fixture on modern laptops (re-re-re sigh). ended up having to "borrow" a keyboard from a colleague's desk... but don't tell anyone!

So you see keyboard are at the forefront on my mind these days. Fascinating life I live!

One Step Closer to the Digital Home

This week I finally got all the elements together to stream my digital music collection on my stereo system.

First I has to find a NAS hard disk with an iTunes server. Luck stroke in FNAC where I found something that looked the part: LaCie Home Edition 500 Gb. Check!

I'd been eyeing the second part of the installation for a while but at 500.- Sfr., the Logitech Squeezebox was just a little dear for my budget. Especially when one is in experimentation mode... So, after another trip to the FNAC (!), I came back with a Soundbridge device (by Roku Labs). Check!

Then started the battle, I plugged everything in and the bloody devices were not talking to each other. For that matter, the LaCie iTunes server was not talking much to anything wireless. I could access the hard disk volume wirelessly but not the iTunes server part... Back to the drawing board, or in this case, the support boards!

I visited the Roku, Axentra, LaCie support boards and read a lot of stuff until the wee hours to no avail. And then after a good (tho' short) night's sleep the solution dawned on me... What if it was my router that was the issue? Quite a few elements were pointing in that direction so I visited yet another support board; the Netgear one this time.

Once I had worked out which router version I have (finally found it on the sticker under my router - no way you can find that in the admin panel it seems), I ventured to download the latest firmware. And here something I have the biggest problem with on the Internet happened: I was redirected to a page in German and ONLY in bloody German (I will write about my frustration on this one in a separate entry soon, I can feel my blood boiling again). Trying to stay calm, I downloaded the new file, uploaded it to my router and voilà! my iTunes server and wireless streamer were on speaking terms!

So now on to the next stage: digitalizing my CD collection... I have been diligent in the last two years and every CD I bought in that period is on the server already. But when it comes to the 1,500 CDs bought beforehand, I am afraid I have only reached the letter B... At an average of 10 minutes per CD, I believe I have 250 solid hours of work before me. And then, the CDs still need to be imported into each iTunes library as there is no way to share one library with multiple users over a common network. And here the LaCie NAS drive was of no help whatsoever. So if you have multiple users with iPods, you still need multiple iTunes libraries... :-(

I don't consider myself an expert on this but I think I am definitely one step closer to being able to understanding and discuss this (at length)... Good or bad news? As long as I don't become a total Anorak, we're (you're) safe! ;-)

What If Idealism Is The New Realism?

This just one of the many remarkable quotes from the closing session of the Annual Meeting 2008 where Benjamin Zander, Conductor of the Boston Philarmonic, gave an amazing talk on his vision of leadership and collaboration. Touching, funny, engaging, Mr Zander makes people in the room laugh, sing, cry (you don't see it on screen but believe me it happened), giving them a moment of deep joy and emotion.

You can check the Zanders' book: The Art of Possibility and if you ever want to watch the session, let me know and I'll try to dig up a DVD of it (unfortunately we were not allowed to keep the webcast online for copyrights reason)

Garçon!

One of my favourite songs these days. Very funny -- and militant to some extent -- lyrics and a catchy tune! Fun! You can listen to the song via the YouTube video below.

GARCON!
Koxie, 2007

Tout à l'heure
Je roulais sur mon scooter dans Paris
D'une voiture, au feu rouge, un mec me dit :
«Eh madame il est quelle heure ?»
Je lui réponds : «Midi»
Il me dit : «Madame qu'est ce que t'es bonne !
Tu veux pas m'faire une gâterie ?»
Ses potes rigolent
Sur le moment j'ai pas compris
Je réponds : «Mon grand,
C'est pas comme ça qu'on parle aux gens
Tu n'aimerais pas qu'on parle comme ça à ta maman»
Le mec me r'garde
Avec une tête de chien d'garde
Il m'fait : «Vas-y parle pas d'ma mère ou j'te défonce»
J'lui réponds : «Du calme Alphonse !
J'te connais pas, tu m'agresses
C'est quoi ce manque de délicatesse ?
On t'a pas dit d'traiter les femmes comme des princesses ?»
Il me dit : «Ouais, mais toi j'te baise !»
Je lui dis : «Ben nan justement
C'est bien ça l'malaise»
Tu sais que...

{Refrain, x2}
Garçon
Si t'enlèves la cédille
Ça fait gar-con
Et gare aux cons ma fille
Gare aux cons
Gare aux cons
Gare aux cons
Qui perdent leur cédille
Di di doum
Di di dam
Di di di di di di

J'continue mon chemin
Au feu suivant
J'entends : «Hé grosse cochonne !
Quand tu veux j'te prends»
C'est encore Alphonse avec sa tête de gland
Je lui dis : «Là tu t'enfonces, c'est indécent
J'y crois pas, mec, redescends d'ta planète
Tu t'prends pour Tony Montana
T'as même pas d'poils sur la quéquette !»
Il m'dit : «Vas-y, sois pas vulgaire
Tu vas voir où je vais t'la mettre !»
Je lui dis : «C'est moi qui suis vulgaire ?
Non mais là c'est la fête !
Je rêve, pour qui tu t'prends ?
Maintenant tu t'arrêtes !»
Je descends, il descend,
J'dis : «C'est l'bordel dans ta tête !
Qu'est-ce que tu comptes faire ?
Là t'es en galère, j'veux des excuses
J'attends, et j'lâcherai pas l'affaire»
Il me dit : «Nan, toi tu t'excuses
Espèce de vieille sorcière !»
«C'est la meilleure je t'ai donné l'heure,
J'aurais mieux fait d'me taire»
Tu sais que...

{au Refrain, x2}

Voilà comment parlent certains garçons
Quelle honte !
Ils mériteraient une bonne leçon
Tu veux jouer ? On va jouer
J'lui dis : «Baisse ton caleçon
Tu parles beaucoup, ça manque d'action
Tu m'as demandé ? Une fellation ?»
Tout à coup Alphonse a une révélation
Il renonce et me dit :
«Ouais, vas-y c'est bon !
Lâche-moi, pardon»
J'lui dis : «C'est bien
Là, t'as l'air moins con,
C'est pas normal d'avoir besoin
D'parler aux femmes de cette façon
Y a un sérieux problème d'éducation
Pourtant j'suis sûre que t'as un bon fond»
Il me dit : «T'as raison j'me sens tout bidon
C'est mes potes qui m'poussent, j'ai la pression !»
Je lui dis : «C'est bon, pleure pas !»
Il manquait plus qu'ça
Alphonse qui fond en larmes dans mes bras
Tu sais que...

{au Refrain, x2}

Not enough sleep impairs intellectual faculties. Tested for you!

It's been a weird week sleep-wise and yesterday I ended the working day slightly distracted and very (I mean VERY) tired. Once home, even tho' I was really tempted to go to bed without even having dinner (!), I decided to watch a film on Simone De Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre on ARTE. I always was interested to know more about their partnership's dynamic, so even if not entirely awake, I gave it a shot. Approximately one hour and a half into the film, I realised that the narrative voice I was hearing was not part of the film's technique but the commentary for blind people... It is definitely time to get serious about getting more sleep!

December 2007 Mix

The last mix of 2007 is hot off the CD burner. You know what to do to get your copy!
As always, happy to hear your comments and critiques about the listed songs.

1. Mattafix: In The Background
2. Peder feat. Anne Trolle: White lilies
3. Timbaland: Apologize (feat. One Republic)
4. Dinner At The Thompson's: Short & Sweet
5. Justice: D.A.N.C.E.
6. Cherry Ghost: Thirsty For Romance
7. Cocoon: Christmas Song
8. KT Tunstall: Saving My Face
9. Smile Smile: Sad Song
10. Lole: A Home I Cannot Grasp
11. Stereophonics: It Means Nothing
12. Blonde Redhead: Top Ranking
13. Runaway Diamonds: Itty-Bitty Thoughts
14. Keren Ann: In Your Back
15. Seal: Rolling
16. Angus & Julia Stone: Paper aeroplane
17. The Cognac Jays: Mr Rain
18. The Cat Empire: How to Explain
19. Beirut: Nantes
20. Radiohead: All I Need

Battling with FTP settings

I have been battling with my FTP settings for months so that I can publish this blog. Two days ago, not only could I not post anymore, my whole blog had disappeared... My hosting provider kindly restored it ... Let's say I was a little surprised to find out it was a one-year-old version that they'd put back up... So now everything is back and I hope to be a little more regular in my postings.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Macbeth, V.v.19-28 (Macbeth)

Suzanne Vega's Concert

I already shared the fact that Fabchannel is a great platform and that I wish it'd be mine. I will share my favourite concerts here once in a while.

Suzanne Vega, Paradiso, Holland, 22 October 2007

A few of my favourite songs are there:
Caramel (it won't do to think of Caramel... I sing this all the time)
In Liverpool
Queen and the Soldier

and some nice songs from the new album.

September 2007 Mix

Funny how British this one is... Spot the outliers!?
Let me know if you want one!

1. Annie Lennox: Dark Road
2. The Coral: Put The Sun Back
3. The Bravery: Tragedy Bound
4. The Zutons: You've Got A Friend In Me
5. Rufus Wainwright: Going To A Town
6. Patti Smith: Changing Of The Guards
7. Tracey Thorn: A-Z
8. AaRON: Endless Song
9. Babyshambles: Delivery
10. The Tellers: Hugo
11. Kate Nash: Merry Happy
12. Turin Brakes: Real Life
13. Fooling April: Pretending
14. Hard-Fi: We Need Love
15. The Arcade Fire: Intervention
16. Josh Woodward: I'll Be Right Behind You, Josephine
17. Julie Collings: Simple Things
18. Raphelson: Temple Street
19. Handsome Furs: What We Had
20. The Innocence Mission: Happy Birthday

Vivants Photo Exhibition - Virtual Visit

Went to see the most amazing nature photography exhibition in Geneva last week called "Vivants".

A project from Yann Arthus Bertrand, Vivants captures wildlife in the most amazing settings and with incredible vividness. As for the "Earth from Above" exhibition, some disturbing facts were displayed under each picture, creating each time a contrast between beauty and horrow to make you pause and reflect.

Check the pics and the facts in the virtual gallery:

Night at the Museum

Last Monday, I went to the most unusual concert ever. Polar was playing in the Arctic Fauna section of the Geneva Museum of Natural History. If you don't know him yet, I would encourage you to check his music.

Check the pictures, you might even see me ...

Annie Lennox is back - Watch the "Dark Road" video

Are you bored or avoiding things you have to do?

I have the perfect antidote for you: check the Wikipedia Random Page Generator.

OK, you could also read this blog in full (maybe not as exciting), or check out some exciting TV series.

On my cool list:
- Re-Genesis
- Heroes
- Dexter
- House MD

Oh, you could also get my new mix...

Mix June 2007

1. Belleruche: Northern Girls
2. Money Mark: Pick Up The Pieces
3. Shannon Wright: Everybody's Got Their Own Part To Play
4. The Shins: Phantom Limb
5. Anna Ternheim: Today Is A Good Day
6. Thief: Atlantic
7. Pearl Jam: Man of the Hour
8. Kaiser Chiefs: Retirement
9. Arctic Monkeys: Fluorescent Adolescent
10. CocoRosie: Rainbowarriors
11. Amy Winehouse: You Know I'm No Good
12. Grant-Lee Phillips: Fountain Of Youth
13. Travis: Closer
14. Carla Bruni: Those Dancing Days Are Gone
15. The Good, The Bad & The Queen: Northern Whale
16. Suzanne Vega: Zephyr & I
17. Modest Mouse: Missed The Boat
18. Ryan Adams: Two
19. Josh Rouse: Domesticated Lovers
20. Pink Martini: Hey Eugene!

City Year - Inspiring!

The meeting in Cape Town finished last week. I am back home and only slowly finding my marks again.

One thing stood out in South Africa this time and provided inspiration: The City Year's volunteers who came to be part of our team.

Young South Africans (aged 18 to 25), all from different ethnic and social backgrounds, worked side by side with us and brought a breath of fresh air into our team. Their enthusiasm, motivation, candidness and sheer youth provided great inspiration to us and great service to our participants.

On the last day, we asked for their feedback and they were upfront and honest about what they enjoyed and what they did not. Among other things, they thought our team was not relaxed enough with them (we are getting old?!) and they would have wanted to know more about the end goal of their assignments. I must say, it was refreshing to hear such direct comments!

Called "Service Leaders", their engagement with City Year will last a full year. They are involved in education projects year-round, each with a responsibility to bring a better future for kids in the Johannesburg's area.

Admission into the City Year volunteer programme follows a drastic selection process and I believe the selected youths see their engagement as a privilege to serve their country. This class will graduate in November with so many dreams, added experience and the legitimate idea that they can achieve so much. Now that's something we all would like to feel again!

The Weather: Geneva vs Cape Town

Looks like Cape Town won't be such a bad place to be this week, at least compared to Geneva. Things are gearing up here...

Cape Town Update in Pictures

As promised, here's a little update in pictures. This is the hotel lobby area, very nice and modern setting. Check out the next pic and try to find Nemo ...



This is the beautiful congress centre we are working in.

Amazing monumental scenes (these won't fit in my living room...)

This is a funny sculpture. Somehow, I decided to call it "Zebra Crossing", fitting no?

And finally... We never go without food (or drink for that matter) at this meeting. Lost in the docks area of Cape Town, Panama's Jack is the place where we had dinner last night. Seafood platter with spiny lobster, calamari, shrimps, fish, mussels. Yum!

A concert with Johnny Clegg ... Who?

My next report from Cape Town. Tonight Johnny Clegg is giving a concert in the location where we are working (the big Congress Centre). We have been given 20 tickets and I am organizing a lottery as we have more people than tickets.

So my first step is to get people to tell me if they are interested in playing the lottery. That's when it becomes interesting...

Typical dialogue reproduced below:

- Hey, do you want to take part in the lottery for the Johnny Clegg concert tonight?
- Who?
- You don't know Johnny Clegg?
- Euh...
- Johnny Clegg, a.k.a. the "White Zulu", South African World Music guy, famous for putting together a mixed-race band while Apartheid was still existing.
- Sorry, no idea what you are talking about

My colleagues are either too young to know the guy or have no music culture. I wonder which ...

Maybe we'll end up with more tickets than people! Watch this space!

PS: You don't know either who Johnny Clegg is... check this!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Clegg

Safe Landing in Cape Town

I am in Cape Town since this morning. For once, I managed to sleep the night on the plane. OK ... with a little chemical help and a completely horizontal seat, so I have little pride... The steward has some problems waking me up at 4.00 (!!!) for breakfast. I hope I wasn't too gruff with him.

The hotel lobby area has a wonderful tropical aquarium and the decor is really cool. Watch this space for pictures! My room is OK but nothing to write home about. Enough space for sleeping and internet access. Honestly that's all I need!

Weather wise, it's typical Autumn weather: rain, temperatures around 10 C. Oh well!

Off for a quick kip before going to the office. More news soon!

The Best Song I Have Heard in a Long Time + New "Old" Mix

Finally found a little time to explore new music again (it'd been a very long time...). And I discovered a gem tonight: Northern Girls by Belleruche. Wow!

Check out the promo video or visit their MySpace page where 4 tracks are posted.

Way cool!

Oh and below the new "old" mix:

Mix January 2007

1. Lady Sovereign: 9 to 5
2. Mika: Stuck In The Middle
3. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: I'm In Love With You
4. Jarvis Cocker: Don't Let Him Waste Your Time
5. Little Barrie: Green Eyed Fool
6. The Fray: How to Save a Life
7. Badly Drawn Boy: Journey From A To B
8. Bertrand Betsch: Les vents contraires
9. Beirut: Postcards From Italy
10. Peter Von Poehl: The Story Of The Impossible
11. Lodger: I Love Death
12. Just Jack: I Talk Too Much
13. Thief: Atlantic
14. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Love Song no. 7
15. Cocoon: Tell Me
16. The Magic Numbers: Most Of The Time
17. Herman Dune: I Wish That I Could See You Soon
18. Andrew Bird: Heretics
19. The Deadly Syndrome: The Ship That Shot its Selef
20. Little: Chanson de filles

Bug Me Not (not the name of a flower...)

Peter introduced me to this cool site. BugMeNot allows you to find (and share) access information for numerous sites that require registration. By using BugMeNot, you can bypass compulsory registration and thus not have to release your personal details.

To boot, you can also create a disposable e-mail address on this site. This will allow you to register with a valid e-mail address without giving your real one. Nifty!

This saved my life today!

You must watch this. It is a real life saver on a stressful day!

'Altruistic' brain region found

An interesting article in the news today: 'Altruistic' brain region found

"... Scientists say they have found the part of the brain that predicts whether a person will be selfish or an altruist...."

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