Mane's life http://www.iki.fi/blog.html Mane's life Days [25-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#260509.1 Another Monday and Tuesday. Working for the same customer for many months makes working life a routine. Nothing much happens. But I have no stress, everything is easy and pleasant. No challenges, at least not intellectual ones. Which is not good for in the long run. Need to find challenges. Maybe it is time to start my PhD again. In theoretical philosophy, as it is much harder than engineering. Website of the day [25-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#260509.2 [Radspannerei] is a good bicycle shop in Berlin. I will buy a new bicycle with Surly Cross-Check frame in July when we will spend two weeks in Berlin. Something I learned today [25-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#260509.3 I found that a simple notebook is still more practical than computer for note taking, drafting and whatnot. I wonder whether is just my generation or do teens behave differently. [ Something new I did today] Something new I did today [25-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#260509.4 Nothing really. How sad! [type="text/javascript">postCount('260509');] Days [24-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#240609.1 What a great weekend. On Friday evening, I went to the national archive of visual culture (a.k.a Orion) to watch Bunuel's Mazarin. It turned out to be just as good as its reputation has it. A study of religion, false nobility, and superstition. Back at home, late at night, I stayed awake until 5.30 am reading a novel by Maarit Verronen (Yksinainen vuori). It is a fairytale for adults, a strange story of a mountain, a valley, and people living in the valley. Especially a man, who finds that the valley gives him special power. Well written, captivating. On Saturday, slept late, went out in the forest for a 1h45min cycling trip, saw some farm animals, enjoyed light rain. In the evening, had lunch in the Chinese buffet in the Kaisaniemi metro station (as I always do in the weekend), visited the world village festival, bought a book by W.S. Burroughs, and then idled at home, drinking Cointreaus with S. Website of the day [24-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#240609.2 [Watching the crises] is a good collection of financial news, gossips, and some analysis. [ Something I learned today ] Something I learned today [24-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#240609.3 Avoid all movies, which a) are made in Hollywood and b) mainly contain computer graphics. [ Something new I did today] Well, in addition to seeing three movies I have not seen before, to eating ice cream Something new I did today [24-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#240609.4 Well, in addition to seeing three movies I have not seen before, to eating ice cream with Cointreau, nothing. Days [22-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#220509.1 Work on Wednesday and Friday. Some excercise daily. Good music by RSO. Dinner with friends. Good life. [ Website of the day] Website of the day [22-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#220509.2 [We love Helsinki] is a good place for spotting new cafes, restaurants and the like. [ Something I learned today ] Something I learned today [22-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#220509.3 Today: it is wiser to buy only 50 grams of chocololate than 250 grams. One cannot help eating it up anyway. Yesterday: cycling is fun even when one is very reluctant to leave the arm chair and the book. On Wednesday: coffee makes me sweat profusely even when it is not that warm outside; coffee also makes me very sleepy. [ ] Today: visited the newest cafeteria in Kallio: [22-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#220509.4 Today: visited the newest cafeteria in Kallio: [Villipuutarha. Good coffee, delicious cakes, and stuffed animals. Yesterday: visited Dong Bei Hu] in the new location. Food still good, but somewhat less carefully prepared, prices are up with 25% or so. Still worth a visit, but not that often anymore. On Wednesday: the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg's new composition GRAFFITI in the Finlandia hall by RSO and conductor Sakari Orama. Superb! Astonishing, one of the best concerts ever. [ Daily exercise ] Daily exercise [22-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#220509.4 Toda: Nothing much. Walking for one hour. Yesterday: cycling (for the first time since early Februar) for 105 minutes, some 26 km. On Wednesday: walking 10 km, some 100 minutes. [type="text/javascript">postCount('220509');] Day [19-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#190509.1 A quite ordinary day. Woke up early, found the fridge empty, had breakfast in the cafeteria below our kitchen (superb sandwiches), walked to the office, sat in meetings, did some systems architecture work, spoke in the phone, tried to learn from mistakes (having made a very naive architecting mistake: not having considered all alternative functional splits), had lunch (pizza) with S in the new Italian restaurant in Sornä:inen, had a nice walk by the sea after work, coffee in the Website of the day [19-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#190509.2 [Without hot air] explais most things one needs to know about energy. Worth some days of surfing. [ Something I learned today ] Something I learned today [19-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#190509.3 Never assume that the first proposed solution is the right or best one. Always start from requirements and functions, only then consider forms and functional split. I always tend to forget this and then I do some stupid design decisions. [ Something new I did today ] Something new I did today [19-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#190509.4 I am writing this blog in our balcony. Something I have never done before. The temperature is 12C. [ Daily exercise ] Daily exercise [19-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#190509.4 Nothing much. Walking maybe 35 minutes. [ Weekend and Monday ] On Friday: walked to the office, had a suprisingly productive day, with Fazer Amica lunch Weekend and Monday [19-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#190509.4 On Friday: walked to the office, had a suprisingly productive day, with Fazer Amica lunch of something that they claimed to be risotto but was not (they always claim too much), walked to the city center, met with Tanja to discuss about a book project, took a tram to Kallio, listened to politicians' (Rantanen, Walgren) opinions about city planning with some NGO feedback, celebrated Jukka'c 13-year career and the end of it at Nokia in the Kotiharjun sauna and in the restaurant Sea Horse (which serves the Day [14-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#140509.1 Today: traveling by 4 busses to Otaniemi, having breakfast with Sofigate colleagues, visiting a systems vendors in Perkkaa, taking taxi back to the center of Helsinki, sitting and talking in meetings, preparing some plans, trying to figure out how to make project more successful, walking to Hakaniemi, taking a tram to Bulevardi, having coffee at Ekberg, taking a tram back to Hakaniemi, getting vaccinating againt some bug fewer, having a fish hamburger, taking a tram home, commenting some documents Website of the day [14-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#140509.2 [Zanzar.com] helps when one does not own, nor wants to steal, some rare software. It is able to convert between quite a few file formats. Very useful. Something I learned today [14-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#140509.3 It is always necessary to learn something every day. But it is hard, and becomes even harder with age. Too many things repeat themselves, life becomes ordinary. But today, I learned what allocation rules in SAP mean. Not bad, given that I do hate accounting. Something new I did today [14-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#140509.4 I got vaccinated against [tick-borne encephalitis] . [ Daily exercise ] Daily exercise [14-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#140509.4 Nothing much. Walking maybe 20 minutes. [type="text/javascript">postCount('140509');] Day [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#130509.1 Walk, work, restaurant, tram, restaurant, library, books, walk, restaurant, tram, home. A good day. Funny how I still have next to nothing to write about. Website of the day [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#130509.2 I am kind of fed up with Facebook. It is just taking too much time and not giving enough in return. Since I need to have one internet addiction, I consider addicting to [Twine.com] , which is a Facebook of idea. Check it out. Something I learned today [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#130509.3 Did I learn anything today? Let me think: I may have learnt something about ERP system deployment while we were designing such a thing today. It turned out to be more complicated than I anticipated. I also refreshed my knowledge of Finnish history by visiting an exhibition in the national library. So, not a totally waster day from learning point of view. Something new I did today [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#130509.4 A day without anything new is an ordinary day. There are too many ordinary days in my life, maybe in lives of all middle ages men and women. Nothing much new today: only thing was to carry my work laptop with a thick book without a bag in rain. I also visited a new restaurant: Pitaco, an Italian restaurant in Kurvi. A decent place. Daily exercise [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#130509.4 Walking from home to the office by the nearest sea bay. That is 35 minutes in the morning. In the evening, a lazy stroll with S from the library to a Chinese restaurant in Hakaniemi. [type="text/javascript">postCount('130509');] A quite normal day [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12050908.1 Walked to the office in Sornainen, spend quite enough time in meetings, even in many teleconferences (which do not come naturally to the Finns, as we are too quiet), replied to emails, surfed the net while waiting for replies to my replies (as I am usually too timid to call), had industrial food for lunch, etc. All this took 8 hours. Website of the day [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12050908.2 [Strange Maps] is an eclectic collection of strange maps. The maps are as such very entertaining, but not only that. They also tell profound stories about the way various cartographers have seen the world, and how political ideologies have changes the way we see the world. The site is worth many visits. Something I learned today [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12050908.3 Well, not maybe today, but not long ago. I realize that since I quit coffee, I have become less agitated and have been able to concentrate much better. Very strange. [ Something new I did today ] Something new I did today [12-05-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12050908.4 I walked for the first time in life along Paijanteentie in Vallila, Helsinki. It is not every day that I find new roads close to my home. I wonder why I have not used this road earlier, as it provides a nice shortcut from my home to Vallila. Falling off the cliff [21-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#21020908.120 The DOW is at its lowest level since late 1997. See the graph at [Google Finance] . It is hard to see how the DOW or any other stock market index could rise in 2009 or 2010. All indexes on real economy are point down. And we are running out of some crucial resources: oil, water, CO2 absorbtion. I think we saw the peak economy a year ago and are now on our way to much lower level of economic activity. For example, even tough the fleet turnover rate Website of the day [21-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#21020908.03 Mihn is blogging on her [rehab experiences] . I find her writing in general and this blog entry in particular very interesting. My daily circles are so far from many the of the others, that this kind of diary blogging provides me a climpse I could not have otherwise. February so far [21-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#21020908.0123 In addition to various concerts (jazz, contemporary, etc), movies, reading books (not many enough to keep my new year resolution of 120 books), occasional work trips to Turku, and drinking maybe a bit too much, I have mostly been working. At one customer. More than eight hours a day. As a project manager now turning into a systems architect. In all, been either busy with culture events or too tired for blogging. Or both. Falling off the cliff [02-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#02020908.120 Japanese [industrial production is down 21 percent year over year] . In Finland, it is only down 16 percent. Macy's is [cutting 7000 jobs] . UK commercial property values are [down by 26 percent] . Website of the day [02-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#02020908.03 Via [Lavonardo's blog] : an excellent visualisation of the US budget. I wish somebody would do similar for Finland. Today [02-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#02020908.0123 Mostly work. Some fun too: I went to the gym for 30 minutes and had a nice short walk late in the evening. Work was discussions with various vendors in the project I am taking over. I am pleased to note that I am working with professional and all of them are trying their best. Now, I am sure I will sleep well tonight. Last night I did not. I woke up so many time worrying the project. No need to do so anymore. 12th anniversary [01-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#01020908.120 S and I celebrated our 12th anniversary by dance event [Jossain on jotain ] by Eeva Muilu at Zodiak and by having an excellent dinner in [the restaurant Lyon] . The dance event was not that impressive (more about it later in my book blog someday), but the dinner was exceptional. It is a pity that I do not know the dishes in English, but in Finnish I had mustajuurikeittoa kera pistaasivoin, paahdettua siikaa kera etanarisoton ja pernodvaahdon ja lopuksi creme brulee. She had rabbit, viiriainen, and omenapaistos. Some good wines, of course and also some superb cinnamon grappa. So rare that I cannot even find it by Google. Age [01-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#01020908.1das20 I have lost my understanding of my age. I feel ageless: not young, not old, and not any definite age. It is very strange. Sometimes rather disturbing [ A meme ] A meme [01-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#01020908.3 I was challenged to a meme by [Istori] . I should tell 25 random things about myself. Well, please take a look at the various list I have published lately. I will challenge any blogger who reads this blog. There are not that many readers, so I may need to be rather lucky to be able to challenge the next 25 bloggers. Website of the day [01-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#01020908.03 Today's website of note is [Informed Comment] by Juan Cole. His writing as more important than even now that the new US administration is trying to find its way around the Middle East. [ Cleaning ] Cleaning [01-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#01020908.das03 Just for the record: it takes 45 minutes to clean our small home. Thus, it really would not make any sense to hire anyone to do it. I can spend the 45 minutes every week or every second week. [ No politics here ] No politics here [01-02-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#01020908.dasdas03 I am still planning and doing research for my first book. It will be about the future of Finland. Because of this research, and some other issues, I do not feel like writing anything about politics here or elsewhere. Visits to Turku [29-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#29010908.120 Visits to Turku continue. Yesterday, as always, I took the 7.45 am Pendolino from Pasila. This time, I decided to save some money and travelled in the 2nd class. It was not a good idea. The chairs are designed by some Italian midgets. They are way too narrow for a grown up man. Otherwise the visit was good. We got some important work done. Security issues [29-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#29010908.1das20 One of my customers has two networks in the office. There is the internal network, which requires plugging in the wired networks. There is also a wireless network for visitors. The internal, wired, network has URL-bases filtering on. A list of blocked site includes halocan.com, facebook.com, blogger.com (but not blogsome.com) and other website, which are "social websites" or something. The funny thing is that the wireless network does not have any filtering. List of the day [29-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#29010908.3 Today, top five sports Bicycling Website of the day [29-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#29010908.03 I have a recurrent dream in which I learn how to fly a helicopter. Then I always rescue some civilians from various catastrophes. It is a pity that helicopters are rather expensive and that there are no [cheap enough helicopters for everybody] . Visits to Turku [27-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#27010908.120 I need to visit Kaarina, a suburb of Turku, almost weekly on business. It is not that bad. It takes about 2.5 hours from my home to the Kaarina office. By tram, train and taxi. I will not comment the work itself. After work, I either take the taxi, train, and tram back home or just taxi to the Hamburger Bors hotel in Turku centre. In the latter case, I will have a nice dinner at e.g. [Sergio's] , go to movies and in general have good and relaxing time. Sunday [27-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#27010908das.120 Sunday was a day of movies. The last day of Docpoint 2009. I saw Up the Yangtze, Man on Wire, and Japan, a story of love and hate. All of them were exceptionally good documentaries. More reflections later in my [book blog] . I also managed to play pinball for an hour. Excellent. I wish weekend would be longer and maybe a little faster. A typical Saturday [27-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#27010908.0 I spent Saturday the way I like it. Read until early hours, slept late, had lunch with S in a Thai restaurant, played pinball for an hour, read books in the Academic Bookstore for two hours, visited an [ art gallery ] , had coffee with Petri Mila, visited another art exhibition ( [Pilviin piirretty] ) with them, saw a movie ( [Viimeinen bolsevikki (Le Tombeau d'Alexandre) ] ) still with them, Other events [27-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#27010908.0dfas On Friday, I went to see Karanteeni in Semifinal. Karanteeni is an punk bank from the 1970's. They have not made any new song since early 1980's. They still have not learnt to play. But they are funny, do not take themselves seriously at all. Imagine 50-something men playing songs they wrote in their late teen, song in which they complain about teenage issues. It is just hilarious. List of the day [27-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#27010908.3 Today, top five movies Blade runner Website of the day [27-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#27010908.03 Extremely romantic pictures of [industrial ruins] . No need to say more. Just take a look and be fascinated. Nothing much happened today [21-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#21010908.0 I rode my bicycle to the office, did some work, spent too much time on Facebook for some reason, had lunch in the Market Hall, came back home, took a nap, went out for a 20-km bicycle ride in the darkness, idled. Did not even finish a single book. I had tickets to Tavastia tonight. Division of Laura Lee was playing there. But I just List of the day [21-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#21010908.3 Today, top five cafeterias in Helsinki Sinisen huvilan kahvila Website of the day [21-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#21010908.03 Reading [Al Jazeera] allows one to look at our culture from outside. It helps! Tuesday [20-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#20010908.0 A normal day in a life of consultant. Waking up way too late, taking tram to a customer's office for a three-hour workshop. Taking a bus to our own office for another workshop. Eating a cake. Thinking of enterprise systems architectures of yet two other customers. Not boring. Drinking coffee. Taking a bus back home, taking a nap, having a walk, reading, writing, idling. On Obama [20-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#20010908.0 I am afraid that too many see Obama as a saviour after an apocalypse. We have witnessed too much religious fervour already. The last thing is we need more of the same. Or rather not: the worse thing would be the faith in progress in human affairs to continue. There is none. That said, I wish the new US administration takes climate change seriously and is able to convince its subjects also. It will not be easy: lowering living standards is never easy. In the USA it will be especially hard: the List of the day [20-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#20010908.3 Today, top five means of travelling Bicycling Website of the day [20-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#20010908.03 [The best of Pepe Escobar] follows international politics with vigour. A view from the south, telling us how things look like in the slum. Also rather well formulated ideas on the New Great Game. And funny, always. Monday [19-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#19010908.0 Oh the joys of consulting: today I visited two customers and also spent two hours in our own office. I enjoy this variety a lot. It might be that I am somewhat extroverted. Or just impatient, not able to work on one thing for a whole day. But there is a problem. List of the day [19-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#19010908.3 Today, top five favourite books. Watermarks by Brodsky Website of the day [19-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#19010908.03 Let us take a look at [unsold cars] . At the same time, we can take a look at [Guardian's comment is free] - a place for reading interesting essays and for enjoying lively debate. Depressing recession [19-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#19010908.0DA3 The median home price in Detroit last month [was 7500 USD] . Not much. So, there will be more and more [forgotten Detroit] , ruins and ruins, crime and punishment. We are not immune here in EU either. The former Eastern block is imploding. [Riots in Sofia and Riga] . Biggest since 1991 in Riga. Bad. Banks [18-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#18010908.da0 UK is about to invest about 30 to 60 percent of its GDP in saving banks. That is quite remarkable, if not insane. Look for more at [Calculatedrisk.com] . I wonder whether saving banks really is that necessary. I guess there could be more productive and future looking alternatives for those huge amounts. See [what Hellasious proposes] . Weekend [18-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#18010908.0 I have been out and about. Or not out in literal sense, but not at home. On Friday evening, I went to see what Finnish and French performance artist have been doing in [Amorph!08] . There was some kind of mini festival at [Gallery Kalhama Piippo Contemporary] . More about List of the day [18-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#18010908.3 Top five favourite restaurants at the moment [Pelikan] Pelikan, Stockholm [ Weltrestaurant Markthalle] , Berlin Website of the day [18-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#18010908.03 [Computer history museum] and its timeline of computer history is just fascinating. I spend some early morning hours just browsing the timeline, looking for more information on some old machines and languages. And I found, e.g., the [risk digest] . How come it is so that reading about mistakes of others is so fun? 18 and half years [16-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#16010908.0 I took 18.5 years before I returned to the crime scene. In May 1990 we occupied an empty soap factory in Helsinki. Our idea was to make sure that the city would not demolish the factory, which is a nice building. Instead, we wanted to city to convert the factory to some other use, for example a space for youth. List of the day [16-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#16010908.3 Top five favourite cities Venice Website of the day [16-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#16010908.03 [Index on Censorship] follow the right of free speech. It also publishes prohibited/cencored poetry. I have been following IOC since 1986. Joys of consulting [15-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#15010908.0 Many people find changing jobs somewhat stressing. As a consultant, I have to do it many times a year. And it is stressing for me as well. The first days at a new customer's site require a lot of energy. I am not sure whether it is fun, but I guess it is just part of the job. During my 20 months at Sofigate, I have worked for at least 16 customers. Rather many. Something I learned today [15-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#15010908.0 I have always thought that it is impossible to land a modern airliner on the water. I assumed that the engines would tear the wings away. Today an airliner then landed in the Hudson river and did not break. Instead, it floated for quite a while. I am surprised. Really, that is List of the day [15-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#15010908.3 Top 5 hotels I been stayed in are [Main Olde Bellevue ] , Darjeeling, India Websites of the day [15-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#15010908.03 [Just World News] with Helena Cobban contains well thought and presented analysis of current affairs. It is a great compliment to [Juan Cole] 's rants and reflections. From younger generation, I like to read [at-Largely] by Larisa Alexandrovna. Check them out! On the joys of working in the city [14-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#14010908.0 It takes 17 minutes to walk to the office. It would take 8 minutes by bicycle. I intend to start cycling to the office, because then I can have lunch in the market hall. How civilized (and cheap) would that be? The local Amica is decent but I am still reluctant to pay 8.2 euros for industrial food. After work, it takes 7 minutes by foot to the oldest library in Finland. From there, by tram, 10 minutes to the centre. List of the day [14-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#14010908.3 1980's favourite songs from youtube. [Grinder] by Big Black - noice from 1980's. Still excellent. New songs by Bob Mould [14-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#14010908.0123 Some new [songs by Bob Mould] . Worth listening. Quieter than back in 1980s but very interesting. Website of the day [14-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#14010908.03 At [Nakedcapitalism.com] one can follow what is going on in global economics. The site has good balance of analysis, attitude and breath. One of my favourite economics websites. In addition to [calculatedrisk.com] . On Gaza [13-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#13010908.0 IStory has a collection of [blogs from/on Gaza] . Worth a read! Check them out. RSS works again [13-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#13010908.1 Somehow I managed to delete the rss.pl program, which produces my rss-feed. It took a while to locate the right backup. Now the rss-feed should work again. At least it works for me. Any bug reports, please? [ Strange pages in internet] Strange pages in internet [13-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#13010908.2 I was looking for information on a characted Uki in a new Finnish film [Rooperi] . I found a site called [Murha.info] (murder.info). It is full of very detailed information on murders, speculation on who killed whom etc. Some people just seem to have too much time on their hands. List of the day [13-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#13010908.3 Price comparisons Helsinki vs Berlin. 50 sgm flat, monthly rent : 800 vs 400 euros Beer in microbrewery, pint : 6 vs 2,8 euros Breakfast, served to table, in a cafe : not available vs 5 to 7 euros Falafel : 4 vs 2.5 euros New job [13-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#13010908.4 It really seems that I have to work as a project manager. Not that I am not able, but I am not that used to project management. I am sure I will do fine, but it still makes me nervous. Which is good, for at least I cannot be complacent. But the best thing is the commute: 1.7 km by foot. On my way back, I can drop by my gym for some exercise. Should make me a bit leaner. Who is the boss [13-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#13010908.5 Strange things are happening all the time. Juan Cole reports that the PM of Israel, Mr Olmert, boast that he can order Mr Bush around. Mr Olmert claims that he told Mr Bush to tell Ms Rice to vote against a resolution (which would have condemmed Israel) in UN Security Council. Read [reports] . If this is true, then US has been (and most likely will still be even after Mr Obame takes over) in deep shit. New blogs [12-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12010908.1 I have two new blogs. [120 kirjaa - 120 books] is a collection of book reviews, reflections on literature, movie reports, concerts criticism and other similar stuff. I intend to read at least 120 books this year and write something about each of them. The idea is to write in Finnish about Finnish books, in English about English etc. I intend to read a few books also in German and Swedish. For that New customer [12-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12010908.2 While I was in Germany, I got a new customer. Customer's premises (HQ) are close to my home. I will commute by foot. Which is nice and as I have always wanted to, but there are two things which make me hesitant. First, I will miss cycling in the mornings. Second, since I will be spending a lot of time at customer's premises, I will spend less time in the National Library. So, I will have more stable income, but less fun. I am not sure how good a trade-off this is. Let us see. I will report in time. At dentist's [12-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12010908.3 At dentist's. Time to think deep thoughts. Necessary to think deep thoughts. Otherwise it will hurt. Even with local anaesthesia. Today, I realised that when one it is best when one does not notice one's body. Most of the times when one is aware of having a body, something is wrong. But not always. There are exceptions. Sex and exercise at least. Maybe others. What to do with suburbia? [12-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#12010908.4 Now that there are many vacant houses in the USA, the question is what to do with them. And what to do with those exurban sites, which are too far from everywhere and which have no value. In Finland, we will have the same problem, as I have written many times. Anyway, a nice op-ed in NYT today: [What will save the suburbs?] . Back online [11-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#11010908.1 It has been a while since I wrote anything here. There are excuses, some of them valid, but I will not dwell in them here. Let me just note that I did not have too much work to do in December, but I had many parties to attend. It was also very dark and depressing, incessant rain and strong winds here in Helsinki. In such conditions, I somehow did not manage to keep my spirits up, to muster enough energy to write anything here. I do have some notes elsewhere, but they are a mixture of work related things and private stuff and thus not publishable. War in Gaza [11-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#11010908.2 While I was away in Berlin, Israel decided to commit war crimes and murder innocent civilians. I happened to visit the Jewish Museum in Berlin. It occurred to me that the Germans should also establish a Palestinian museum next to the Jewish one. It would be worthwhile to document the current concentration camps and ghettos; to record the history of the Palestinian people and their sufferings. Trains [11-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#11010908.3 We travelled from Helsinki to Berlin by ferry and train. It was much more relaxing that it would have been by plane. And it does not take that long to travel ecofriendly. Overnight to Stockholm, 5 hours to Malm, 1 hour to Copenhagen, 6 hours to Hamburg. Since there are no train from Hamburg to Berlin in the night, we stayed overnight at [Hotel Schanzenstern] . It is a nice, cheap and clean place. A bit chilly inside, for the Germans mind the climate much more that Hotels [11-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#11010908.4 We stayed in 4 hotels: [Hotel Schanzenstern] in Hamburg. 50 euros per night. Shared bathrooms. Places to eat [11-01-09] http://www.systemsarchitecture.org/mane/Blogs/blogSpring2009rss.html#11010908.5 In addition to Pelikan in Stockholm, I would recommend the following two restaurants in Berlin. [ Pratergarten] . A traditional beer garden with not so light food but with their own beer. Delicious. Not possible to leave the restaurant without having at least 4 pints.