Senselessland (chapter 8)

Impressions and images from Belpaese

Try to understand what Italy is today is something not easy at all. Disorganization or superficiality could be the right terms to use in order to explain to what Italy correspond. But the key point is maybe another one: Italy is turning from bad to worse with no stop. This is the impression a traveler has once he’s in the country, especially if the traveler is a “commuter”, a person coming quietly often in different moment of the year. Every time there is something incredible, impossible to see in any another civilized country in the world. Or in Europe, if we prefer. Take an office, any office you want, and take staff working there. It will sound weird, maybe ironic, but no one in that office will have any idea about the working plan. Rotation, holiday period, time table… Nobody will can tell you when the office will be open to public. No way: that’s Italy. We are talking about the professional association of the Italian journalists, which is the body responsible for all the issues related to this job. Payment of the annual quota, registration, unemployment benefit, regulation, rights and duties, trade union, legal assistance… This and much more is what the professional order is focused on. Now, journalism foresees people can go working abroad, so it happens some Italians come back just for a short period (Christmas break, for example!), and need to go to their professional order. First of all, practical information are kept on the website: there, on the home page, a short description of the working period appears. Closed from the 24th of December to the 2nd of January. Apparently. Because once called to have some preliminary information by phone, the clerk on the other side states offices are opened the 29th and the 30th of December, something not communicated on the website.

bLOGBOOK - After-effects

Yesterday night evaluation and after-effects:

- 7 (or 8?) beer drunk;
- 2 bumps;
- 1 leg hurt;
- 1 little injury;
- neck hurt;

It appears clear I've to quit doing certain stuff!

bLOGBOOK - Spotted in Brussels

bLOGBOOK - The Laughing Stock

Good evening. Or good night. Or whatever... Anyway, hello folks!
Wow! I didn't expect posting something on this blog could be so difficult, but here we are. I find difficulties to write and to update these web pages. And that's not because I've a life, a real life. On the contrary I've not. I would just find some time late in the evening, but it's not the case. Maybe it's because of winter, with its cold and its long days of darkness, maybe it's because of tiredness, but I don't feel like doing anything. Maybe it could be the relocation... What a hell! Maybe it's because of all these things together, who knows? Or, yeah, I'm simply too tired to do anything. That's not a nice mood at all. Everything appears to be wrong, spare time is just a dream to dream, and not only it. How long had I to expect for having time to go to the doctor? It doesn't matter, the point is if there no chance for cure so something doesn't work. Work. How many editor in chief do I have? Too much. During the week end my mobile has been switched off, at last. What about this fragment of freedom? Nothing special. Sleeping, having a coffee in a bar, a little walk along the Christmas stands. No thoughts. Here is what I need: a clean and empty mind. Recharge batteries and delete memory, now I know what ask to Santa Klaus. And then... Well, then I look for a new beginning.
What was I looking for on Google? Damn! I still forget things. My mind is giving up. Meaningless crying crisis, sleeplessness, memories black-out: the situation is worse than foreseen. I find myself swearing because I don't find what I've put in my pockets few minute before, I prepare coffee I never drink once the machine is off. Someone asked me why I'm not writing any more, and the answer is simply I don't feel like. I find it hard and tiring. I feel empty, and I know it doesn't make sense since few lines above I declared I want my mind empty. I feel overloaded in term of stress and thought, but totally empty in term of motivations, plans, perspectives. Nervous breakdown and a principle of depression? Is that my diagnosis? I don't want to think about. What I want is just my basin full of hot water before another week starts. Another week. Ok, another week and for twenty days everything will be over...

Real Madrid to create clash of cultures?

The Spanish football team will remove cross from badge for Abu Dhabi National Bank. Critics rose on the web. Next step hate for Muslims?

How RM logo will change

by Emanuele Bonini

Religion and tradition in money time (and money needs). Real Madrid decided to remove the cross it appears on the crown above the official badge because of money, of course. The president of the Spanish club signed a partnership agreement with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi for the release new credit card. Since Real Madrid official badge will be printed on it, the cross - a Christian symbol - above the crown will be removed so as to avoid causing offence or discomfort among Muslim customers. Given the history of the country, with Muslim conquests of Spain and the Spanish "reconquista", the decision taken is an impressive one. In somehow Muslims converted Christians again, forcing them to abolish their symbols. Something incredible for Spain - still hugely Catholic - as well as for all believers. But we are talking about something very sensitive and very risky, since we live in a world where intolerance is more and more widespread. Once again, the main question is: can we sacrifice our traditions in name of money? And how far can we do it? What Real Madrid decided is something beyond the normal logic of sport. With this decision Real Madrid give power to all Muslims movements as well as to all of those who would like Muslims out of Europe. Respect is not to impose anything to other people and, at the same time, not asking to the counterpart to renounce to his own identity. If Real Madrid do, then can do all the others. «It’s the biggest INSULT to all Spaniards and Christians all over the world», one of the many critic reaction from the public opinion.

FACT SHEET/ BRICS countries

(click to enlarge)

BRICS countries: a bloc or a bubble?

Stronger economically but still divided. Emerging economies are today just a club, and Europe should exploit these divisions

by Emanuele Bonini

BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. We talk about five large countries where economy reached the highest rate of growth rate in the world in the past decade. Now these same countries forging links among themselves and calling greater recognition of their weight at international level. But are the BRICS countries a bloc or a bubble?, asked the European Parliament in a report. Is the group here to stay? In Europe the impression is these five countries «are a long way from planning any kind of integration». Rather than to do that, «they want to exploit the "power-multiplier" potential of their group to pursue their own national agendas». Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa together stand powerful in terms of dimensions, demography and economy. They encompass 26,6% of the world's land and 42,5% of the world's population. In 2013, their GDP was 21.1% of world GDP. They represent around 20% of world trade, and intra-BRICS trade is growing fast, from €20 billion in 2002 to €210 billion in 2012 (though more commodities than industrial goods), with a target of € 380 billion in 2015. However, recalls the European Parliament, these countries do not share a common geographical context, nor constitute a trading block, nor are they united by cultural affinities or historical ties.

Mary Christmas

Europe needs to defend its borders, said Tusk

The new president of the European Council  set his political agenda up: EU-US relationship to remain a priority

Donald Tusk

by Emanuele Bonini

Europa is facing harsh challenges. Security and common values are at stake, and keeping strategic partnerships will be key, said new European Council president Donald Tusk in Brussels during the handover ceremony which brought the Polish to take office. «I come here with a strong sense of purpose», he said. «In these difficult times Europe needs success. To me, this means four things». Here we are with Tusk's poltical agenda: first, «protecting our fundamental values, freedom and solidarity, against threats to the EU and its unity- both from inside and outside»; secondly, the EU «must be strong internationally». This means «Europe has to secure its borders, support those in neighbourhood who share our values»; thirdly, according to Donald Tusk, «relations between Europe and the United States are the backbone of the community of democracies», and under this point of view «the year ahead will be crucial»; finally «we need ruthless determination to end the economic crisis», which mainly means «to complete the genuine European Monetary Union».