Crisis... Recession... What we gonna do in 2009?

Since the mass-media is profusely infested by massive reports and opinions on the global financial and economic crisis and the longest recession in a quarter-century (that's for the USA but I assume it's applicable for the European community as well), it's impossible to avoid the constant pondering on what we gonna do next year and after the next and, what is our real perspective for the nearest future?

When I say "our", I mean myself, my family, our friends and colleagues and, generally, our country.

• So, about myself... I'd worked hard the last 10 years and it seems that nothing gonna change in this department, which is quite OK with me. I'd get used to a tough business environment and do not expect anything special that I've not met before (including job loss, pressure, tight money etc.).
• About the family... We've obviously get more disciplined in our domestic finance, spend less, try to keep up with the monthly budget and think twice before making any decision which may be quite risky and material. We've suspended our plans for building a new house for a while, unlike our neighbors who's house has been under construction for the last 10 months and the work is nearing the happy end (so, they've managed to escape the crisis so far).
• About our friends and colleagues. Well, some of them are calm and confident, the others are nervous and pessimistic. It depends on the starting point at which they've met the so called "global crisis" (job, money, health) and, of course, on the personal approach to the living strategy.
• And as for our country... Our President has reassured the public that his government follows a "calculated financial and social policy" to safeguard the island from the world financial crisis. We shall see how well they've made their calculations and whether Cyprus is strong enough to sustain the tough times when the big brothers are in trouble.

So, what we gonna do next year is: work hard, control our spending, take care of each other, help our relatives if they're hit by crisis, think positive and believe in future.

Earthquake hits Britain?!

OMG! I thought it's not possible in that part of the world...

Britain was shaken by a huge earth tremor at 12.56am this morning which was felt by people from Yorkshire to the South Coast.

When I saw Leeds on the map I was shaken too since we just came back from there...
I do remember an earthquake in Cyprus on 9.10.96 when the magnitude was 6.4 and later aftershock tremors (no less than 78!) continued for another couple of days followed by torrential rain. We were really scared then.

I wonder whether buildings in Britain posses any aseismic stability?

One day in Prague

I've heard that Prague is beautiful and worth a visit but I would have never expected (after seeing Vienna, Warsaw etc.) that Prague is so beautiful...

Due to the flight schedule, we happened to luckily have a 7-hours gap in our journey from Larnaca (Cyprus) to Manchester (UK) and made a trip to the city center that is Old Prague.

The weather was unusually warm and sunny for middle February, the river Vltava was magnificent in its tranquility.

And, of course, The Castle.

From the hilltop we could enjoy a splendid bird-view of the city expanded on both sides of the river and feel the sun and light medieval breeze.

Misty dawn, naked trees stretching their branches to the sun, little squirrel watching tourists from a safe distance some 200 ft over the ground... bohemian glass... even the ancient sewer hatch which I was careful not to step on - everything was fantastic.

I will definitely come back to Prague and sure for much longer stay.

Crime & Punishment: China Equation

I was terrified to read this.

China food safety head executed...

When I read "executed" about anything other than the war crimes - I cannot comprehend it in the first place.
"Food safety" and "executed" - there is something incompatible in there.

He was convicted of taking 6.5m yuan ($850,000; £425,400) in bribes and of dereliction of duty at a trial

I think that human life cannot be equalized to $850,000 or any money because in this case justice looks the same as ransom (from the opposite angle, though).