Το φάντασμα της αξόδευτης αγάπης

Αν στέρηση είναι να μην έχεις αυτό που επιθυμείς, ανικανοποίητο είναι να έχεις μεν αυτό που επιθυμείς, αλλά να μην σου προσφέρει τη γεύση που περίμενες να σου προσφέρει. Η απόκτησή του να αποδεικνύεται απογοητευτική. Ο άνθρωπος σήμερα μαραίνεται μέσα στην εποχή του ανικανοποίητου. Κι αν, όταν στερείσαι, μπορείς να ονειρεύεσαι και να προσδοκάς, μέσα στην ανικανοποίητη καθημερινότητα και τις απανωτές απογοητεύσεις - όχι απ΄αυτά που δεν έχεις αλλά απ΄αυτά που έχεις - , δεν ξέρεις πια τι ακριβώς να επιθυμήσεις.

Από παντού άκούς χείλη πικρά να συμπεραίνουν πως δεν υπάρχει συναίσθημα, δεν υπάρχει φιλία, δεν υπάρχει εμπιστοσύνη, αξίες, φιλότιμο. Οι άνθρωποι παραπονιούνται πως δεν τους αγαπούν. Είναι εξάρτηση να περιμένεις από τους άλλους να σου χαρίσουν την αγάπη. Η αγάπη όντως είναι η μεγαλύτερη πλήρωση της ύπαρξης, αλλά μόνο όταν πρόκειται για αγάπη που δίνεις. Όσο κι αν αγαπιέσαι, το ανικανοποίητο θα επιμένει ζοφώδες στην καρδιά, αν αυτή η καρδιά δεν μπορεί να αγαπήσει. Γεμίζουμε μονάχα απ την αγάπη που εμείς δίνουμε, από την πίστη που ασκούμε, από όσα δικά μας χαρίζουμε. Ακόμη κι η ψυχή διά της απώλειάς της κερδίζεται.

Είναι μοίρα ή ελεύθερη επιλογή η ικανότητά μας στο συνάισθημα; Πρέπει να είναι ελεύθερη επιλογή, γι αυτό και η καρδιά είναι διαρκώς θυμωμένη με τον μίζερο εαυτό μας που τη στενεύει. Κι αν είναι δύσκολο να βρίσκουμε αγάπες, είναι πολύ πιο δύσκολο να αγαπάμε, προυποθέτει μεταστροφή της εγωιστικά εκπαιδευμένης προσωπικόττητάς μας κάτι τέτοιο. Όσο την αρνούμαστε τη μεταμόρφωση, η επιδημία της ανίας και της κατάθλιψης εξαπλώνεται, σαν φάντασμα στοιχειώνει τη ζωή μας.

Λέγεται πως μελαγχολία είναι η αξόδευτη αγάπη.

Evidence of the benefits of organic food

Defining the benefits of organic food has largely been left to word of mouth, occasional media coverage, and the promotional efforts of organic advocates. Even though many large food and beverage corporations, like Kraft Foods, have rapidly moved to acquire significant stake in both fresh and processed organic products, the specific sales points of "organics" go largely unmentioned on product packaging and in advertising.
These comparisons need to be evaluated with care because neither conventional nor organic farming practices are uniform.
For the environment
In several surveys that have looked at smaller studies to build an overall comparison between conventional and organic systems of farming a general agreement on benefits has been built. In these surveys it has been found that:
Organic farms do not release synthetic pesticides or herbicides into the environment - some of which have the potential to harm local wildlife.
Organic farms are better than conventional farms at sustaining diverse ecosystems. That is, populations of plants and insects, as well as animals.
When calculated either per unit area or per unit of yield: Organic farms use less energy and produce less waste - waste such as packaging materials for chemicals.
See "Organic FAQs" in the journal Nature for more details.
One study found a 20% smaller yield from organic farms using 50% less fertilizer and 97% less pesticide. Studies comparing yields have had mixed results. Supporters claim that organically managed soil has a higher qualityand higher water retention. This may help increase yields for organic farms in drought years. One study of two organic farming systems and one conventional found that, in one year's severe crop season drought, organic soybean yields were 52% and 96% higher than the conventional system and organic maize yields were 37% higher in one system, but 62% lower in the other. Studies are also consistent in showing that organic farms are more energy efficient.
For producers
For those who work on farms, there have been many studies on the health effects of pesticide exposure. Even when pesticides are used correctly, they still end up in the air and bodies of farm workers. Through these studies, organophosphate pesticides have become associated with acute health problems such as abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, as well as skin and eye problems. In addition, there have been many other studies that have found pesticide exposure is associated with more severe health problems such as respiratory problems, memory disorders, dermatologic conditions, cancer, depression, neurologic deficits, miscarriages, and birth defects. Summaries of peer-reviewed research have examined the link between pesticide exposure and neurological outcomes and cancer in organophosphate-exposed workers.
For consumers
A study published by the National Research Council in 1993 determined that for infants and children, the major source of exposure to pesticides is through diet. A recent study in 2006 measured the levels of organ phosphorus pesticide exposure in 23 schoolchildren before and after replacing their diet with organic food. In this study it was found that levels of organ phosphorus pesticide exposure dropped dramatically and immediately when the children switched to an organic diet.
Most conventionally grown foods contain pesticides and herbicide residues. There is controversial data on the health implications of certain pesticides. The herbicide Atrazine, for example, has been shown in some experiments to be a teratogen, even at concentrations as low as 0.1 part per billion, to emasculate male frogs by causing their gonads to produce eggs – effectively turning males into hermaphrodites.
The US Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies periodically review the licensing of suspect pesticides, but the process of de-listing is slow. One example of this slow process is exemplified by the pesticide Dichlorvos, or DDVP, which as recently as the year 2006 the EPA proposed its continued sale. The EPA has almost banned this pesticide on several occasions since the 1970s, but it never did so despite considerable evidence that suggests DDVP is not only carcinogenic but dangerous to the human nervous system – especially in children.

Organic?!?! ..ooor... not?!?!

Organic food is produced according to legally regulated standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. Also, at all levels, organic food is produced without the use of genetically modified organisms.

Historically, organic farms have been small family-run farms – which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers' markets. Now, organic foods are becoming much more widely available because organic food sales within the US have enjoyed 17 to 20 percent growth for the past few years while sales of conventional food – while still larger in size – have grown at only about 2 to 3 percent a year. This large growth is predicted to continue, and many companies are jumping into the market.

There is evidence that organic farms are more sustainable and environmentally sound, among other benefits. These claims, however, are subject to dispute and are not settled among scientists. One vocal critic in particular, Anthony Trewavas, has written detailed critiques of organic agriculture.

Types of organic food

Fresh food
Fresh food is seasonal and perishable. Vegetables and fruits are the most available type of organic, fresh food, and are closely associated with organic farming. They are often purchased directly from growers, at farmers' markets, from on-farm stands, supermarkets, through specialty food stores, and through community-supported agriculture (CSA) projects. Unprocessed animal products like organic meat, eggs, dairy, are less commonly available in their purely "fresh" form.


Chips, cookies, and other snacks are an example of processed food.

Processed food
Processed food accounts for most of the items in a supermarket. Often, within the same store, both organic and conventional versions of products are available, and the price of the organic version is usually higher. Most processed organic food comes from large food conglomerates producing and marketing products like canned goods, frozen vegetables, prepared dishes and other convenience foods.

Processed organic food usually contains only (or at least a specified percentage of) organic ingredients and no artificial food additives, and is often processed with fewer artificial methods, materials and conditions (e.g.: no chemical ripening, no food irradiation).

comparison between the two!!!! watch it!!!!

organic then or not?!

British Railway Privatization

Privatization is changing something from state to private ownership or control”. (Princeton University, Word web dictionary, 2005)

The railways had inherited old established working practices, which raise costs and needed to be got rid of some employees could enable the railways to fulfill its true potential. The structure of industry which was adopted was designed to reduce costs and improve quality through incentivising the various parties to do so. The railways were heavily subsidized as the other nationalized industries were not. Privatizing an industry which could continue to need large subsidies itself raised major problems. The early privatizations had shown the supreme importance of introducing as much as competition as possible while privatizing. Because of the structure of the industry was very complicated the need was for new structure would strike a balance between maximizing competition and practicality.

Although the British rail ran “one of the most efficient railways in Western Europe” (Gouvish and Terence, British rail, 1974-1997 from integration to privatization), most of its passenger operations still made heavy losses. Many of BR’s routes, although unprofitable, were seen as socially and politically necessary and any method of sale would need to maintain pre-privatization service levels and therefore incorporate a means of providing private-sector rail operators with continuing subsidies from state. Furthermore, those in government – particularly Margaret Thatcher – were aware of a peculiar attachment the British people felt towards their railways and that any policy designed to tamper with structure of BR would most likely be met with stubborn consumer resistance.

The privatization program undertaken by the 1979-97 conservative governments was very extensive. During the Thatcher and major administrations, “two-thirds of Britain’s state industrial sectors – some 50 major businesses – were sold raising over £65 billions; around one million jobs were transferred from the public to the private sector; and almost one in four adults, compared with one in ten in 1979, had become shareholders as a result of privatizations” (Palgrave Macmillan, Work identity at the end of the line? Privatization and culture change in the UK, rail industry, 2004)

BR behaved like a monopoly, especially in major commuter areas such as London, and was fully persuaded by the case for vertical separation. In the case of BR, the potential for reducing government subsidy would all automatically follow. Privatization was seen as an opportunity to experiment further with vertical separation.

The original privatization structure, created over the three years from 1 April 1994, consisted of: Infrastructure Owner, Regulation, Franchising, Passenger Train Operators, Train Owners, Freight Train Operators, Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal, Specialist Companies. Since 1997, considerable changes have taken place to the original structure of privatization, of which very little is left unaltered. The structure of the rail industry has not remained static since privatization was completed in 1997. There have been continual adjustments, especially in the control of rail businesses. A prominent tendency has been the resale of units initially sold to management-buyout teams to commercial firms, with a degree of the organizational concentration, although “ownership and control of the railway system is still relatively fragmented”(All change: British railway privatization, Freeman & Shaw). With respect to regulatory control, the major change has been the emergence of the strategic rail authority, initially in ‘shadow’ form, on 1 April 1999, with Sir Alistair Morton as its chairman.

The method of privatization chosen by conservatives was certainly complex and the key reason for this was the decision to move from vertically integrated organization where operations, rolling stock and infrastructures are the responsibility of one company to the disintegrated solution of separate ownership of the various components of the production. A primary reason for the break-up of the system was the desire to see competition in train operation but ministers also wanted to liberalize the rolling stock and infrastructure services markets. This means splitting many of the former BR activities into smaller parts and offering them for sale separately. In the train operation, franchises were let, mostly for short periods of time and in defined regions. Emphasis was placed upon the fact that relatively short contracts would keep the franchisees on their toes. There has been some competition in the supply of rolling stock which now often includes maintenance deals. But rolling stock supply would probably have followed its present’s course whatever model of privatization had been followed because the “government was already seeking private-sector financing initiatives in public – sectors organizations” (All change: British railway privatization, Freeman & Shaw).

Finally privatization bought a net financial gain to the government before too long, but this is dependent on franchisees being able to fulfill their current contracts. It also takes no account of any efficiency gain BR or a different successor might have achieved. There has been only limited success on promoting competition. The myriad contractual relationships mean that any meeting between industry parties is likely to include lawyers and financiers where none would previously have been needed and railway professionals are not blind to the huge salary differentials between them and these professionals whom they had to teach to do the job. Privatization led to great uncertainty and created a hiatus in investment, especially in infrastructure and in a new rolling stock.The train performance is still patchy with punctuality and reliability levels barely improved since the BR days.

In my opinion, the track-authority model chosen by the conservatives was wrong for all the reasons. Although there are problems with the track-authority model, future policy emphasis must be placed on working within the constraints of the present system rather than a full scale reorganization of the rail industry. Primarily this is because there has been too much reorganization over the recent decades. A key reason for the present system’s weaknesses is that rail track has failed to take a strategic role in the development of the industry through its network management statement which has to be prepared each year. The task of providing coherent leadership, embracing the whole industry, will pass to the strategic rail authority, currently operating in shadow form. Privatization could work better if regulators, politicians and others continue to allow the industry to reintegrate those parts of the business where it can clearly be demonstrated that users could benefit.

Greece Eurovision 2008

At the end of stunning show in Greece, was decided Kalomoira to represent her country in Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The song “Secret Combination” is written by Poseidonas Giannopoulos and Kostas Pantzis. The winner was chosen by jury - 40% and televoting - 60%.

Greece is much unbeaten country in Eurovision Song Contest. The country in the previous years is always among the first 10 countries. This year though the country will play a part in the first semi final on May 20th.

Friday, March 7, 2008 : First interview of Kalomoira after NF

kalomoira's biography

Kalomoira, known as Carol in America, hails from Nassau County, New York. She was born to Greek-American restaurant owners Nikos (Nick) and Eleni (Helen) Sarantis on January 31, 1985. She has one sister.
She was Ms. West Hempstead (Homecoming Queen) at her high school in 2003.
Despite speaking primarily English, Kalomoira went to Greece on a tip from her cousin, to compete on Fame Story (licensed from Star Academy, a reality talent show similar to American Idol in the United States and Pop Idol in the United Kingdom). She has since learned Greek to a much better level, having been previously mocked and criticized for her poor skills in the language.

Cyprus participating in Eurovision 2008

After the final phase of the Cypriot song selection (semi-finals) into the Eurovision Song Contest, to be held, in May 2008 (Serbia, Belgrade), Evdokia Kadi with the song Femme Fatale will be representing Cyprus this year.

Nikos Evaggelou's song "femme fatale" is sung entirely in Greek except from the french title, by Evdokia Kadi, making it the only entry out of the ten to be performed in Greek language

Evdokia Kadi, the Cyprus representative, in Belgrade with the song Femme Fatal, speaks with esctoday.com regarding her plans for the Eurovision Song Contest in May and her feelings about representing her country in the 53rd Contest in May.

Evdokia Kadi speaks with esctoday.com's Russell Davies about her choreography, which will "remain a surprise for Belgrade". She also thinks the people of Cyprus missed the Greek language in Eurovision, so they voted her to represent their nation.
Evdokia announced that there would be no promotion tour planned for Cyprus this year, because they are visiting Athens at the moment to perform in the Greek Final. She "would prefer to stay in Cyprus and work". Evdokia Kadi concludes the interview by saying "Votez Pour Nous! Vote For Us! Chipre Douze Points!"

Evdokia Kadi is currently working on her presentation in Belgrade and she reveals that we can expect to see some Greek elements from the 90's as well as contemporary ones on stage. Although she will be accompanied by the same team who won the Cypriot final with her, there will be changes in Femme fatale: "We will make our presentation more powerful and more spectacular. The orchestration also will change with more modern elements."says Evdokia.

When asked about her opinion on the matter of the two semi finals and whether the Cypriot placing will be affected by the absence of the Greek vote, the young lady said that it was expected from the beginning that this would happen : "If Europe likes our song, they will vote us." she concluded.