IStorm... Apple's new Store in Athens, Greece

After millions and millions of greeks that have gone into the burden of buying the very first Iphone, jailbreaking it, download millions of applications in order to make it a smartphone, an exclusive apple store finally decided to open!

The Iphone is a big deal and none of the competitive smartphones have succeeded in overcoming the great Apple. Blackberry is too complicated and Android is just too ugly.

My Iphone 4 is amazing but it pisses me off that when you actually buy it, you have nothing in... its an empty phone. No ringtones, no file sharing, no youtube downloading, no 3g NOTHING. You have to install all of the above yourself! Still, people buy it and keep it. It is one of these phones that won't be thrown in some drawer for ever.

Although the site is not very fancy, people are starting to talk about it... But frankly, it seems a little bit poor.. I haven't been there but the worse is no one has ever been there from my social circle. They all know about it from hear'say.

Anyway.. if you want  to get a look at it:

Αλ. Πάντου 27,
T.K. 176 71, Καλλιθέα
www.isquare.gr

EQUINOXE DAY

It is really cold outside but it really feels good as I was bored of the heat, the sweat and the beach. All I will really miss is wearing a piece of cloth speedily and go out!

So, let's go back to the equinoxe. As I am not expecting anyone with a great deal of science in him to read this, I will just say that today is OFFICIALLY FALL!!!!!! In other words, for us normal citizens, it's one of the two times of the year when the sun crosses the equator, and day and night become approximately of equal length.
 That is, no more late afternoon beach and sunny 8pm!

An illustration of how the Fall Equinox works (Columbia University Press)

The equinox will occur in the evening of September 22, 2010, for locations on US Eastern Daylight Time or further west.

As we are in Greece let's state a fact that occured in Greek Mythology:

Autumn begins as the goddess Persephone returns to the underworld to live with her husband Hades. It has also been believed that magically it was a good time to enact rituals for protection and security as well as reflect on successes or failures from the previous months. Animals associated with the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere are dogs, wolves and birds of prey. Mythical creatures associated with this time of the year include gnomes, minotaurs and the sphinx.

Anyway, what is important is that starting today, all of us who were in denial about the winter knocking on our doors are now well awaken. Welcome O dear Autumn!

AS SEEN ON THE WEB: The Skeleton Belt

I love it love it love it.

It reminds me of a McQueen mixed with a quite important touch of Goth! Jewelery Designer Delfina Delettrez, a spiritual, young maniac of the human skeleton, creepy reptiles and bones  has once again proved that fashion does not need to follow a trend.



THE POLITICIANS VS. THE TRUCKERS

Let's update on the neat situation of the country. What is new? well, basically nothing is new, the newspapers and websites are following the same news pattern for the past few months: Increased taxes, lowered salaries, more laws, people angry on the street and confused politicians.

In 2008, The European Union decided to convert the closed profession of truckers to an open profession where anyone could have a truck and import /export goods for a cheaper price whereas before, the truck licenses were limited to few hundred professionals. If you were interested in having a license you had to buy it from an old professional who wishes to retire or to abandon his business. 

Now the Greeks, the wonderful and so well organized Greek politicians have been discussing the matter of the license for the past three years but have never complied to the "European" law supposedly followed by all of the E.U countries. Therefore, its been two years they go into strike, block roads and in few words, DISTURB the essentially-not-so-calm country.

Today, is the day where the truckers will unite and put all of their energy to put the pressure on the politicians and make themselves noticed by the citizens. This is what the striking outside the parliament is all about.



Having a truck in Greece is like being part of a sect where no one can get in except if someone wants to get out. By eliminating the boundaries and simplicize the entry to the sect, the government believes it is opening the market and giving the possibility to the supply to sell its products for cheaper. Even so, truckers believe that the new law will give the liberty to the big multinationals to outlaw and exclude the small businesses from the market not being able to compete.

A very pissed truck owner striking at the center of Athens (Zougla.gr)

The money-eater O.S.E, which after stealing 10,000,000,000 Euros from the State have made some enemies and sees its empoyees going down the street along with the truckers to complain about their job's relocation. 

PLUS, King Constantine, last king Greece has had, resides few blocks aways from the multi striking situation, at the Hotel Grand Bretagne. 

If you have to say something or protest against a law / governmental decision, please join the strike along with all of the rest.

King Constantine will be the only one hearing you. No one else will really care to turn. Why? because we are selfish and careless.     

So, the bottom line is: do not go to the center of Athens, do not try to piss off a trucker or an OSE employee (or ex-employee). Stay home, relax and enjoy the chaos from your TV.

Tourists, enjoy the mess.