Panayotis's blog ^pro

So, what was I saying?

Yes, the army experience. I must finish with this topic because I have new things to say about my latest trips to Shanghai and Napoli. I was checking some notes that I took one day about what I shouldn't forget after the army. Most of them where about incentives and how the army achieves its so difficult objective: to turn normal people into heros that are ready to throw themselves in the battlefield when ordered to do so.

From my experience, the key for this to happen is the complete destruction of the self. It was very interesting for me how the whole system was built in order to turn people to lifeless musical instruments ready to play any tune ordered by the director of the orchestra. Or actually to play always the same boring one :-)

I don't know from where to start. Insulting (mentioned in my previous post) is just one of the techniques. There are so many things that I already knew theoretically, but I was so surprised to feel the power that they had on me and the rest of the soldiers. I will start from the first day.

The very first lesson you learn from the very first moment you enter in the camp is this: You belong to the army. First, you give in immediately your civilian identity card and they take a photo of you with army clothes in order for your army identity card to be created. Then after they check all your belongings, you leave the small bag that you are allowed to bring in the camp in a small room. (Locking your bag was one of the army survival courses transfered from generation to generation and what was meant to be my nightmare for my whole service. Locker for the boots, locker for the small bag, locker for the big bag, locker for the gun. All these lockers (I had 7 in total) were driving me crazy. Every morning I spent 10 minutes before I woke up to organize what I will have to lock and unlock and in which order -I will come back to this at a later post). But the funniest for me was that after we entered the camp and we were waiting for our new photos, the general of the camp gave a talk to the parents alone. It was very symbolic. Our new father was explaining what will happen to us to his predecessors. I don't know if you can imagine the moment. Anyway, I found it very funny, and symbolic.

The second lesson was grouping. For every process groups were created and a responsible person was assigned for each group. Grouping is one of the most interesting incentive mechanism. Besides the numerous adhoc groups, there was a permanent organization in groups of 12, 24, 48, 200, 600, and 1200 soldiers (I don't know the names) all with different leaders and co-leaders. The leaders of the first 2 were normal soldiers chosen by chance or age. I was very lucky not to be chosen although I was the oldest. I still don't know why that happened but I realized how good this was when I became a leader for the second part of my service.

Except for a mechanism to share responsibility and control, grouping is a very interesting motivator. For some reason my group was the best :-). It could be a matter of chance but I really think that there is a strange psychological effect. In my group there were all sorts of people. A football player, a street dancer, a moto mechanic, a guy studying the "history of war", a graphic designer, a normal person :-), with an average age of 22. A similar mixture to any other group. But my group was the best. I felt so lucky that I would not have to be with all the other "stupid" guys that were in the other groups. I guess that this strong connection with the group members is crucial for passing your limits in difficult moments during a war.

Anyway, for getting our new clothes, a shot, and filling some papers we spent around 8 hours before arrving in our building. The entrance group was dismantled (I had already felt that this was the best group among all the entrance groups and it was a pitty that we wouldn't be together :-)) and now I met my new and permanent group in the dark. The lights were already off and we went immediately to bed because the next morning we had to wake up at 5 o'clock in order to get ready for our first morning report! (my permanent nightmare, even worse than the lockers). The energy of the room was so numb. I have never felt like this in my life. A room full of complete strangers that had just been separated from their families, friends, girlfriends, entering the unknown for which so many bad things we had been told since we were kids. Oh my god! Why am I here?

I will start this (long) post with a story from Paris. A few days ago, I went to my favorite cafe in Paris. It is next to my favorite parc with the greatest view and a very nice genuine atmosphere (since it becomes more and more crowded I will not say more :-)).

I go very often there (alone or with friends) but I am always "formal" with the owners, although I like them very much, partly because of the language barrier and partly because of my character. I don't know how to explain it but I always keep a distance from any type of "authority" (including bar owners, professors, or military officers :-)) even if I am "allowed" or even encouraged to get closer. I think that one of the reasons is that I don't want to feel "privileged".

But anyway, the weather was good and inside it was almost empty. While entering the people working there (a man and a woman) looked at me like saying "it is being a lot of time to see you". I "said" the same and I thought to order immediately before sitting. At the same time in their above look they added a "What would you like to order?" expression suitable for regular customers. However, for some reason I decided to sit without ordering (feeling guilty refusing them the intimacy of a "regular" customer and for the extra trouble). So, the woman came to take the order (a "cafe au lait"). When she brought my coffee, I realized that she didn't bring water (they often do). When I asked politely for a bottle of water, she told me annoyed that "I should have ordered everything together for her not to have to go back and forth".

I felt very bad. Before she comes, I was thinking how lucky I was to find this place with these nice people, etc. I felt betrayed and I started making bad thoughts and my blood was "boiling". (I was also a little guilty because I the option to make it easier for had passed from my mind). But then I thought of the army and the first, and maybe most important "lesson", I learned there: to completely ignore any type of insult or negative remark.

It is very interesting how bad people feel when they get insulted by anyone (from small kids, to army officers that insulting is their job, to unknown people in the street, to stupid people, anyone). It is not logical! I could write a lot about this but think about it. Why? We could actually adapt one of my favorite quotes: "If it holds why are you offended? If it doesn't hold why are you offended?" :-)

(the original quote says something like "If you can change it, why are you sad? If you cannot change it, why are you sad?")

Anyway, I have already written a lot and I didn't write any story from the army. But instead of telling you about all the insults I received analyzing my reactions etc., I will finish with a nice joke I was told there:

There was a gypsie who made a lot of money and decided to go to live in a rich neighborhood. He bought land besides a doctor's house and build a similar house. One day he saw the doctor and told him:

- you see doctor? We are the same. We live in the same neighborhood, we have the same house.

- No, replied the doctor. We are not the same. I have a ferrari. Look at your car.

The next day, the gypsie buyed the newest ferrari model. He found again the doctor and told him:

- You see doctor? We are the same now. I have also a ferrari.

- No, replied the doctor. You may have a ferrari now, but you don't have a swimming pool!

The next day, the gypsie built a swimming pool in his garden. So, he found again the doctor and told him:

- Now what do you think? We are the same or not?

- OK, said the doctor. You won. We are the same.

- No, replied the gypsie. We are not exactly the same! I have as a neighbor a doctor, but you have as a neighbor a gypsie!

- Two and today (is my today's, very envied, reply :-))

This is the standard discussion when two soldiers meet in a military camp in Greece.

First, everybody is called "tall man" independently of his height. It may seem strange but somehow it comes naturally. It happened also to me! I wanted to call somebody who was not looking at me, but for some reason I couldn't use the standard expressions that we often use in greek. Because of the uniforms perhaps you need to use a different word (and the word "soldier" sounds too formal). So, "tall guy" (it sounds like "psile") is the established word. Its convenience in the case of really tall guys was somehow inherited for the case of short guys as well :-)

But the most important part is the second one! All soldiers count the days from the very first moment and this is the most popular topic of discussion:

- When do you leave?

- 360 and today (this is the way to answer this question in order minimize the number included in the answer -while some know also the minutes or even seconds :-)).

or

- 22 are a lot? (for those that want to tease the ones that have still many days to leave)

So, for me these days are now only two and I am very happy about it, although I feel a little guilty seeing all the other souldiers leaving for the borders with 10 more months of service in front of them. Of course, I didn't do anything illegal to have this privilege (see here) but still it feels bad when you are there. The army is a "micro-world" and what is important or not in there is totally different from the outside world. This is why the discussions of men for the army are so boring for the rest of the company (at least I can now participate myself! :-)).

Anyway, I have a lot to write about these 2 months, good and bad. I hope I will find the time to write the most interesting stories, although I am afraid you will find them boring as I did before living myself the "greek army experience" :-)

Today I shaved my head in order to realize that I am leaving for Athens tomorrow. I have to do my military service. I will be away for two months and this means that I have so many things to take care of before. Nevertheless I keep wasting my time on-line like nothing is going to change.

So, after I shaved my head, I finally started working. A few minutes later an annoying sound didn't let me to concentrate. Usually I can work no matter what noise is around (I grew up just beside a park and I have learned to filter the most annoying sounds -even those generated by hundred kids shouting at the same time :-)). But that sound was really annoying and forced me to stand up, like when a mosquito is flying just above your head exactly the moment that you are ready to fall asleep.

I realized that it was a man, calling his runaway bird while holding up in the sky its cage. The bird was singing free and the man kept calling it to get back. With a loud voice, in non-periodic intervals ... "renard, renard, ..., renard, ..., ..., ..., renard" (or something like this). I was really annoyed! I was ready to shout at him to stop.

But when I looked at him more carefully, I saw a desperate look in his eyes. He was raising its cage as far as he could, with the numbness of a lover that has hurt his partner without realising it while asking for forgiveness. He loved this bird. I was ready to get emotional, when I realized that I could take a video photo of him. He was just in front of my window. Here it is:

cage of love

(the quality is not very good, but together with the text I hope it makes sense :-))

I didn't think more about it the rest of the day. But while I was trying to sleep, this moment was turning around my head ... and suddenly I thought that I could interpret it as a sign for me to help me realize my situation (as I was trying to do today) ... mother nation (greece) is calling me to go to my cage! :-) This was it. I couldn't sleep anymore and this is why I am writing now (at 7am) this post.

OK, maybe it is an exaggerated thought, but you must admit that it could be classified as a funny coincidence. I love coincidences! :-)

See you in two months! Take care!

I saw this theatre play on Friday and I liked it very much: Hodja - vol. 1 (Maison des metallos)

This is a photo I took after the end of the show.

My favorite Hodja's anecdote was the following:

Hodja goes to an open market and sees a guy selling a bird with a price much more expensive than all the other sellers.

So he asks:

- why your bird is so much more expensive?

- because it talks, replied the seller.

So, the next day Hodja was himself in the market selling a bird even more expensive. People passing by asked him:

- Why your bird is so expensive?

- Don't you see how expensive is that bird over there?

- Yes, but this bird is talking.

- Yes, but mine is thinking.

And I should take the opportunity to tell you another one I heard during my recent trip in LA:

There was a mother with her little girl walking on the street.

Another woman passing by saw the child and said "How cute!!".

And the mother replied "A, this is nothing, you should see her photos!"

Video explains the world's most important 6-sec drum loop:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SaFTm2bcac

(it's almost 20min but it is really worth it if you like music and copyright paradoxology or just nice stories from the past ... I will tell this story to my grandchildren for sure :-))

But if you want something lighter you can watch this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=juOQhTuzDQ0 :-)

Some may say that this woman is not very clever ... but I will have to disagree ... I don't understand why knowing the capitals of all countries makes you clever ... I think that it is more wise when you don't use the (limited) space in your mind for such useless information ... of course you could ask why then she uses her mind to memorize all existing different perfume brands? ... I don't know ... in any case her reaction to the sound of this unknown country ("Hungry") was really genious!

Jesus said "Μακάριοι οι πτωχοί τω πνεύματι" (the translation I found in the Internet is "blessed are the poor in spirit", but in greek it could also mean something like "happy are the poor in mind" :-))

I am not sure, but maybe this is one of the problems of our society ... the poor in mind are the only ones who are happy :-). I exaggerate (as always) but it is really a pity that (too) many clever and sensitive people are not happy! And they could ... or better they _should_, if they want to help this world become better ...

They should become themselves a good example for others to follow, and stop complaining forever and get depressed for the bad things that happen around us ... they should use their mind to find the(ir) way to happiness! And they will may help this way others do the same.

But never forget to "let" them freely decide what they believe is best for them! Love with a passion so powerful to feel as feathery to accept (my favorite quote ... goes with everything :-))

Anyway, I have a lot to say about this subject, but for the moment just watch this really perfect videoclip, from which this post was inspired (as you will understand when you listen to this song) :-)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOzkN8dHnjk

"Baby, you have a possability, play it with me"

Peter Nalitch - Guitar

I have been told that in a greek region people use the word Αρκάτος (arkatos) to describe someone that walks without carrying anything (in his/her hands). It is a pity that it is not included in greek dictionaries and most greeks do not know it. It is a perfect word! (I wonder if there is such a word in other languages). So, I would like to promote its use (both in talking and in practice) :-)

I love walking arkatos. And sometimes I even leave my key under the carpet outside the house entrance in order to walk around with absolutely nothing on me ... not even my camera :-).

Try it! Leave the house with absolutely nothing on you ... you will be surprised! (I think)

It is not obvious why, but "nothing" offers a more powerful feeling of freedom than "just my keys". You cannot imagine how it is if you don't try because, if you think about it, we never leave the house with absolutely nothing on us! The closest to this feeling is swimming ... swimming around the city :-)

Please try it and tell me how you felt :-) ... make a walk around the city without carrying anything at all ... please :-)

This is really worth to watch ... please watch it when you have some time ... please! :-)

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5547481422995115331

and with greek subtitles ...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7671298400447638082&hl=de

(I am not a "conspiracy theory" person in general and maybe these videos do not "tell" the whole truth ... but I was really impressed of how many very important _facts_ towards this truth are hidden in a so clumsy way that the only explanation for not having become common knowledge (I didn't know many of them) and/or generate some serious reactions is (maybe) that we all feel comfortable "pushing" them to our subconscious ... or better rather uncomfortable keeping them in our conscious :-))

God, in order to punish the religious fanatics, doesn't exist - Arkas

... when they sound they don't smell bad! (think about it)

(some may argue against this relation between sound and smell in the case of farts but I think that, at least statistically, it holds ... and, seriously, for the case of bad thoughts I am sure... but you have to do it quickly ... the more you try to hide them the more they will smell if you let them out at the end ... exactly as farts!)

An alternative formulation without the sound/smell property could be:

"Bad thoughts are like farts ... we all make them, but always (try to) hide them"

or maybe

"Bad thoughts are like farts ... you should never let them out in front of a woman" (this is a joke ... you should)

Or just

"Bad thoughts are like farts" :-) (this is not a joke!)

I was watching these days the games of the greek basketball team for the european championship and I was surprised by how wise is the coach (his name is Panayotis Yanakis).

He was always positive after each game independently of the result and he was repeating: "What I try to teach them is that a mistake is already gone (it is past)". (his philosophy and overall profile has a tremendous (positive) impact on the team). I think this is one of the most important (and difficult) things to realize in life. It is similar to a favourite quote of mine: "If it can be fixed why are you sad? If it cannot be fixed why are you sad?"

By the way, as I did in my previous post, he always highlights the fact that effort is what we need in order to achieve our goals ... I told you he is wise :-) ... and moreover his name is Panayotis :-)

By the way (2), I read that quote in the book "Io Speriamo Che Me La Cavo (Me, Let’s Hope I Make It)" written by D’Orta, Marcello (one of my favourite books).
Description: An elementary school teacher, is a collection of some of his third graders’ essays. These children live in a small town near Naples, and most of them come from desperately poor families. Their personal stories of survival will tug at your heartstrings and make you cry and, at times, laugh. The reader is made aware of the serious economic problems that still exist in southern Italy and of the tragic impact of these problems on the children. The well-known film director Lina Wertmuller was tremendously moved by this book and directed a film based on it entitled "Ciao, Professore."

The following translation was taken from here (but it is not one of the best in my opinion). Here I have copied the greek translations of my favourite ones and some day I will translate some of them in english (it is not easy because there are many idiomatic expressions ... but since greeks and italians are "una fatsa una ratsa" it is easier between these two languages)

Your teacher talked about Switzerland. Can you summarize the most important points?

Switzerland is a small country in Europe that borders on Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. There are a lot of lakes and mountains, but there isn't any ocean, especially in Bern.

Switzerland sells arms to the whole world so they can kill each other, but Switzerland doesn't ever have even a small war. They build banks with all their money. But not good banks. The banks are for bad persons, especially drug addicts. Criminals from Sicily and China put their money in these banks. The police go and ask, Whose money is this? and they say I don't know, I'm not going to tell you, it's none of your damn business, the bank is closed. But the bank is really open!!

In Naples, if you get cancer, you die, but in Switzerland you die later or maybe you live. Because the hospitals are beautiful. They have carpets, flowers, the stairs are clean and there are no rats. But you pay a lot of money. Unless you sell stuff on the black market, you can't afford to go.

Is this long enough?

A friend of mine Stamatis, during my university years in Heraklion, Crete, was going to the bus station a very rainy day. The moment he was arriving, he saw his bus just leaving the station. So, he started running in order to catch it in the next street lights, which were red. He made it, and since the bus was stopped, he started knocking on the door and shouting "please open!" (remember that there was a heavy rain at that moment). But the driver replied "I cannot!". Then Stamatis, with a very dramatic style which is very difficult to express in writing, shouted "Please try!".

(he didn't open)

This is just to remind myself that he believes that everything is a matter of effort :-) After vacations I need a lot of it to get back to my normal rhythms of working ...

I really believe effort is a very important concept and it is closely related to fear and insecurity (I think). Many people are afraid to try because then they will not have any excuse for not succeeding. On the other hand, those that try and succeed forget their effort and think falsely that they are somehow "gifted", "superior", more clever. The amount of effort (given a result) "reveals" somehow our "given" capabilities and people feel very insecure about them ... of course this is not the only dimension in this complicated issue ... but I think it is one ...

My climbing on mountain olympos (my first stop this summer in Greece) was a perfect opportunity to take "effort" photos but didn't think at all about this ... these are the only ones I took by chance ...

effort

exhausted

happy

Next time ... olympos is so rewarding ... it worths the effort 100% ... it is not a coincidence that it was the mountain where greek gods chose to live :-)

Vacations are over ... for one more time ... now "the heads inside" (as we say in Greece).

I am not sure from where this expression comes from but just remembered (really) an old joke we were saying in high-school which could be responsible for this:

A dead man goes to hell and the devil shows him the room where he will stay for the rest of his life ... there is a huge pool full of shit and a couple of people inside. "This is not so bad", he thought ... but before finishing his thought a man comes in and shouts: "The break is over! Heads inside!"

Not a very good joke for a grown-up :-) ... but it is nice I remembered it because I didn't have anything else to write ... just that I will come back later with thoughts and photos from the vacations ... after I finish with the first wave of work that was building up all these days ... until then, I listen (very) often to the following song in order to try to keep inside for a little more the nice feeling of vacations and forget about the terrible fires that are burning Greece these days.

April March - Chick Habit

Lena Platonos - Oasis

This song makes me happy everytime I listen to it ... this is a translation of the main theme:

Randez-vous at the oasis at 10:30

be careful not to get lost in the dark

Randez-vous at the oasis to live forever

inside a fresh ananananaaaaaaaa ...

... inside a fresh ananaaaaaaaaa

Nice vacations to everybody that happens to read this ... one more week for me ... randez-vous at the oasis :-)

From a famous greek comics artist, Arkas ... if you find one of his books in your language check it out! (although most of his jokes are difficult to be translated since he plays a lot with the words)

Read the previous post (Flickr love story) first if you don't understand anything ... but don't worry if you still don't understand :-)

The following was inspired by the last "censorship incident" at flickr (see also this for a nice summary of how I felt) but it is much more general I think