End of the line

It all started about a year ago. I finished my exams at my Uni in Athens on the 14th of September, only to fly to London and take the train to Manchester on the 15th. A long time's dream had started but it turned out to be too short.

Settling in, meeting new people, attending classes, working and... watching football. God, I'll miss the football... Nothing better than watching a Liverpool game at the Rampant Lion with a beer on my hand...

I'm leaving Manchester in a few days and I only have good memories to take with me... Except for the weather, of course!

By handing in my dissertation tomorrow I will not only close my Master's chapter, but a whole book. The book titled as "Student Life". It's time to put it on the shelf and start writing a new one. God knows what the name will be...

I started writing this blog on the 26th of September. I intended to keep updating it daily but parties, assignments and trips made that impossible. After 8 months I picked up from where I left things and now it is time to finish what I started. I might start a new, Athens-based, blog, but this is just a thought at the moment...

So, this is it. Goodbye. Adios. Alivederci. Αντίο. It's been delightful writing to you, text-editor embedded on a web-page....

Got backup?

Okay, I was coming back from grocery shopping the other day when I saw a giant poster on the notice board. Unfortunately my mobile's camera is not working, so I will just have to give you the gist of it: "I have lost my Ipod that had all my research, If you've found it please contact me! Very Urgent!!!".

Are you kidding me?

Losing an iPod is stupid enough, but losing and iPod that has your thesis is beyond any comment.... But I cannot hold myself, so I'll have my take:

Backup is underestimated by everyone. Nobody backs up, I don't normally (or regularly) back up and most definitely you haven't backed up for at least 2 months. That's fine by me because I know that even if my hard drive is screwed, I'd only lose my iTunes playlist, some photos and some cool apps I've discovered recently... I can live with that... (and come to think about it, I have my favorite albums either on CD or on my old iBook)

Nevertheless, I backed up x3 while working on my dissertation on a daily basis.

Since I HAD to work on the Windows partition of my Mac, every night I'd e-mail the day's work to two different e-mail accounts, and also copy them to my OS X partition. JUST TO MAKE SURE. Just because I knew that when you are doing something of vital importance, you can never be too careful. The only day I forgot to back up and went out, I was thinking about it all night long (okay, until I downed my second pint, but it still counts...).

There is a Greek saying that goes like that: "You sleep on the bed that YOU have made". It means that there are some aspects in life that you can control. And if you can control something, at least be good at it...

I really can't imagine myself prancing around and drinking with my iPod filled with my dissertation. As said before, losing an iPod is stupid enough, losing an iPod with at least 3-5 months' work is unthinkable...

I really feel sorry about this person and I hope she finds her iPod but it's only her to blame if she fails her MSc/Phd/etc...

The show must go on...

I wasn't able to comment on the last gameweek, but I think that enough has been said about the issue. It is a pity to see this kind of refereeing in the top football championship. Anyway, I have just finished working on my dissertation and I will now have time to keep an almost daily update.

Tomorrow's game HAS to be won. LFC has a relatively easy schedule until the Euro qualifiers break, so it'd be good to make the most of it.

My prediction on the lineup:

Reina
Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa
Pennant, Alonso, Mascherano, Riise
Crouch, Torres

Given that Torres will not be needed for the Toulouse game, I'd bank on him starting. I wouldn't bank on Riise though, since I have a feeling about Babel starting. I am sure that Stevie G will not start since this is not a game that we need our injured captain to play.

Prediction on score: 2-0
Liverpool have not yet conceded a non-penalty goal so far, which is encouraging. Apart from that, this may sound weird but after two penalties in two games and all the hassle with last week's penalty, I really think the ref will think about it twice before awarding a penalty for Sunderland....

Mid-Summer Christmas Morning

Right.

Brace yourselves Ladies and Gentlemen. It a Big Sunday today. Been looking forward to today all week. Man City - MAn Utd and Liverpool - Chelsea. Since I woke up - half an hour ago- I have the feeling of a kid waking up on Christmas day. Can't wait to rush under the Christmas tree and see what's waiting for me.

Appetizer: Man City - Man Utd


This will be exciting. It will be even more exciting for me since I have tickets for the game. I haven't studied none of the teams too careful in the past two weeks, but I'd expect United to play with Tevez as the only striker, getting help from Giggs and Scholes. The fact that Rooney and Ronaldo are not playing gives City a big chance to get some points from this game. I went to 4 City games last season: Sheffield, Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool. Apart from the Chelsea game in which Lampard scored a penalty, all the others ended 0-0. So I'm going to have a bet on a goal-less draw. I would expect, however at least one goal from City. On the other hand, United are desperate for the first win and what would be better than one at their rivals' home?

Main Dish: Liverpool - Chelsea


I'd expect a Liverpol line-up like this:

Reina
Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa
Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard, Riise
Kuyt, Torres

There is a slight chance to see Babel or Benayoun at the wings and Mascherano instead of Alonso. Liverpool will definitely score. I'd even expect Fernando's first goal in the Premier League today. Final score? 1-0 or 2-1, but I wouldn't bank on it...

There is also a rumour going around about Gerrard not starting. I really doubt that, although it is possible to see him being subbed at about 70th minute if everything goes well....

On the Chelsea side, Terry is back, but I don't know whether he'll either start or give his 100%. Jose does not have many options at the centre-backs so expect Terry to start...

Desert: Rest

After all this action all day what could be better than watching the weekend's highlights and trying to sober up from all the beers you had...

You'll probably hear from me at the end of the week when -if everything goes well- I'll be done with my dissertation and have time to analyze my dull life...
Cheers

Dissertation(free_time) : Σ(free_time) = 0

I can't believe how busy I've been during the last couple of weeks. I've been working on my dissertation for at least 6-7 hours per day and when I'm not in from of my computer writing, I will either be eating or sleeping.

Thankfully, I have been very punctual regarding my writing, which means that I will take it easier starting Sunday. Just to make a few points, though:

1. I was right on spot regarding the Villa - Liverpool game, apart from the left back where Arbeloa started, pushing Riise up front... Impressive..

2. I will be going to the City - United game on Sunday...( Come on City...! ) and will have to rush to the nearest pub to catch the Liverpool - Chelsea game. I will give a prediction regarding this game on Saturday if I'm done with my dissertation....

So, see you later!

Liverpool starting the season...

In case you have not already realized, I am a Liverpool fan.

Get this straight: I am a Liverpool fan, from Athens, currently studying in Manchester....

Even better: I am a Liverpool fan from Athens who was IN MANCHESTER when Liverpool was in the Champions League final in Athens....

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(let me weep will you???)
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Okay, I'm back.
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Anyway, ever since I remember myself was a fan of Liverpool.
Liverpool and Olympiakos but the latter is an issue I'm still dealing with... :p

This summer Liverpool filled me with hope that I did not have during the last year.

First of all, we have a brilliant gaffer. Our manager is master in discovering talents, motivating the team as well as a brilliant tactician.

Our skipper is pure inspiration. Steven Gerrard is the best that English football has to offer today: leadership, power, genius...

After Liverpool being bought by Gillette and Hicks, we've been offered a big pile of cash to spend on transfers. Given what I said about Benitez, I do believe we've spent it wisely. We could use one more defender -espessialy on the left wing since my much beloved Riise sometimes forgets about his defensive duties- but I still trust the gaffer's choices...

We have one of the most promising strikers in Europe today (Fernando Torres) accompanied by players like Kuyt and Crouch that have proven that can get it done.
We managed to get one of Europe's most promising wingers - Ryan Babel- and a pacey midfielder like Benayoun.
Voronin has also proven to be a surprise free purchase.

Our first game is on Saturday against Aston Villa. If this was a mid-season game and Liverpool were contesting for the premier league, I wouldn't be as scared as I am now. Liverpool are known not to be able to make the most out of the first league games. If you also consider that 5 days later we face Toulouse for the Champions League qualifiers -an important cash injection- you will understand the reason behind my worries.

My wish is that the lads will take it easy, will not stress and start the title race confidently.
My fear is that the lads will strive to prove their determination to win the league this year, will stress and not deliver...

Just because I am superstitious, I will give a prediction on Saturdays game (most of my predictions are right normally) :
Liverpool's side (ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT WATCHED ANY OF LIVERPOOL'S PRE-SEASON GAMES):

REINA,
FINNAN, CARRAGHER, AGGER, RIISE
PENNANT, ALONSO, GERRARD, KEWELL
KUYT, TORRES

Rafa will not fear attack but I also think we will not face a counter-attack problem: Carragher will be watching our back.

I think the score will be 2-1 for Liverpool. I have a feeling that Gerrard will score...

That's all for liverpool... see you on Sunday...!

Web designing or Web developing?

I was recently reading a blog regarding web design which was arguing why text has taken a back seat to design ...

First of all I need to clarify my perspective: I, myself am a DEVELOPER, not a DESIGNER. I do not have what people call "an artist's touch", and definitely do not long for it. I consider myself to be what makes a DESIGNER design, what makes a BLOGGER blog, what makes an ACCOUNTANT account etc. I am what makes a machine move if you want... Relatively speaking.

My experience and education has taught me one thing: If your product is worth it, it will succeed. Especially in the Internet world, if a company with the homepage of Google can succeed, everyone can...

The blogger goes on to talk about the way a designer should write his text, the style of narration etc. I'm definitely not in the bandwagon of good designing principles etc. But I also do not undermine the power of a good design. I do believe however, that:

- If you are a good blogger and do not have a template created by a 12-year-old, you will not fail.
- If you have a good product/service and do not have a template created by a 12-year-old, you will not fail.

- If you DO NOT know what you are doing, a good design will not help you.

I am firm about the "IDEA" factor. it's all about what you have to offer. If you like what you offer and pay attention to it, you are bound to get a chance. It is when what you are looking for is immediate success and/or do not really care about your service when you go looking for presentation styles...

Perhaps talking about design is out of my range. Perhaps I have grown up so as to respect functionality rather than presentation (thank you mum!).

If you go 50 years back, newspapers and magazines would NOT be as good-looking as they are now if they didn't pay attention to DESIGN.

But then again... They still deliver the same service, don't they??

Make that smoker suffer!

Smoking is bad. It's very bad. Naughty naughty naughty smoker. Tut tut.


There's a new smoking policy in England since the 1st of July. Smoking is prohibited from all public places. That includes bars, pubs, clubs, halls of residence ... actually any closed space in England. It is against the law to smoke virtually everywhere except outside. It's a policy with good intentions. If you are not a smoker you do not have to stand the smoke coming from a table next to you. If you also take into account the fact that about 500 people die due to passive smoking every year (which is a statistic that I'm quite interested to find out how it was obtained nevertheless), I completely understand this and I am willing to follow this rule in spite of the fact that it makes me enjoy having a drink much less.

Of course this policy applies to my hall of residence. It is now ILLEGAL to smoke in your room. Again, I am willing to have my smoke outside. I am about to quit anyway.


Just to make it clear, it is ENGLAND that we are talking about. The rainiest place on earth. The place where it rains daily regardless of the month. In my hall of residence, there is a small shelter right outside my block. This is where smokers smoke when it is raining (at least the smokers that do not wish to catch pneumonia). Today I just saw an announcement from the warden saying that due to the fact that smoke comes through the windows of some residents' flats, smokers now should be standing at least five meters from their block entrance. Yeah, that's right: In the rain! For your information: Due to insurance policy, the vast majority of the flats' windows are not allowed to be wide open, but rather approximately 15 centimeters. The half of your computer screen (if not even less).



Okay, I've stated that I am in favor of the whole anti-smoking movement in England right now. Just because of this kind of behavior, however, I feel obliged to revolt! Before applying for my residence, I was asked whether I was a smoker or not. Just like all the other smokers, I replied positively, which means that the Hall management was aware of the smoker's percentage (which judging from the number of Greeks here in Manchester, could not be low). I am not asking for special treatment, I am asking for consideration. There might be a point in trying to save someone from lung cancer by giving him pneumonia, but this "lesser of two evils" policy is just stupid.

I took it out of my system. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with pneumonia.

Football Evolving

Football has changed throughout the years. It started as a hobby and became a profession. It evolved to become a means of expression for a group of people. It grew larger to become an expression of a whole country. Today, football is as commercialized as no other sport globally. Typical example of that is the recent transfer of David Beckham to L.A. Galaxy. In spite of the relatively low popularity of the sport in the States, Europe is on a constant update of the Englishman's status. Is he injured? Did he score? How was his training?

Europe is the land of promise for football today. The Champions League, the Premiership, La Liga - they're all markets with a lot of profit margin, something that has led a lot of businesses to hugely invest in European markets. This has both helped football evolve and not. It has helped it evolve by allowing clubs invest in their youth academies, build beautiful stadiums and improve hugely the experience of watching a football match. However, due to the amount of money at stake, there are a lot of cases where games become boring. Teams tend to follow more the Italian model of football: Score a goal and then just defend. Many people have condemned this, but my opinion is that there's nothing you can do, so just enjoy what you get.


But what happens when this attitude moves to areas and competitions that have always been about performance rather than result?

I recently watched the Copa America. A competition where the latin style of play is adopted by all participating teams resulting in beautiful spectacle. To be honest I was surprised by the teams' open style of playing and every game I was was exciting. All but the final.

Being a game between Brazil and Argentina, two nations whose rivalry has lived throughout the years, I expected to see something at least equivalent to (if not even better than) the games I had watched so far. I was wrong.

Brazil was missing their two great stars (Ronaldinho and Kaka') so some young players were brought in the pitch. Simply thinking, youngsters playing in a Copa America final would normally help the spectacle since they all would want to prove themselves in the typical Brazilian type of playing. Again I was wrong.

Brazil came in the pitch in a fully-defensive formation. They were marking as good as Italians and just relied on counter attacks to score. The game ended 3-0 for Brazil and all 3 goals came from counter attacks. Needless to say, only Argentina was trying to play creatively, but they were being blocked by the double layer of Brazilian defense. If that was a European Cup final, I would not complain. That's a style that Europeans tend to play. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. However, it was Brazil who was playing. A country notorious about its creative style and exciting dribbling.

Now, two days later, I watched an under-19 game between Greece and Spain. The group standings were such that if they drew, both teams progressed to the next round regardless of what happened in the other game of the group. In spite of their young age, the game's second half must have been less exciting than an accountant's daily schedule. Needless to say, the game ended 0-0.

If football has come to a point where the result is everything and everything else is sacrificed in favor of the final result, even in competitions of lower standards, then we are walking down a strange road. I do not know whether this will be very good for both the winning teams or the sport itself. Unless something is done, the next evolution of football will not be very popular...