Frogs' Legs Aren't Funny

The download of my daily (almost) thoughts and ruminations.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

What Comes After The "Iron" Curtain?

After visiting a number of previously termed "iron curtain" countries, my question is what do we call them now? Comparing Russia, Estonia, Poland and Germany (aka East Germany) to each other, I would say that each is at a different stage of progress moving beyond their formerly repressed, communistic societies.

Estonia, for instance, which had been occupied by one or another of their neighbors for more than 8,500 years, has probably changed the least over time. When I say over time, I mean they still look pretty much like the medieval town they were in 13th century, wall and all.


Poland holds the next notch on the progress spectrum. What was obviously a very poor country is slowly accumulating some wealth and the ability to compete in the modern economic world. For example, all or most of IKEA's manufacturing production occurs in Poland. And regardless of their past struggles, there is clearly a pride of country amongst its population.

Germany or East Germany reinforced the sameness and dreariness of the communist society, at least as it existed behind the curtain. From what we could see while behind the Berlin Wall, it had all been about the "haves" and the "have nots" because regardless of what anyone says, there were those few in positions of power who had plenty of money and options while the rest of the population lived in houses that looked exactly like their neighbors throughout their countryside. Some of these little houses still exist; they're gray, square, cement cubes but most of the now "free" population has painted them at a minimum and many have added more space.

I do think West Germany's influence on their counterpart has enabled them to move forward into a healthier economic state much more quickly.


Russia is another story in regards to what exactly is going on there right now. They may be out from under Communism per se but what do you call a society governed by "the mob"? Isn't that just another form of anarchy? This was the only place that still felt scary and in fact, one of the crew members had an experience that bore this out. I will say there is more new construction here than anywhere else, I will also say they have more slums, fewer private homes of any type, older mass transit (the trains must have been at least 50-60 years old), fewer recreational toys like sail boats that were prolific in all other countries, more junk like old cars, appliances, etc. sitting along the road and last but not least, more soldiers with guns and gates that required "showing your papers" just to get around. Even the tour guides were disdainful of their police saying they care about nothing but taking bribes and I know this for a fact based on the personal story told to us by one of the assistant Cruise Directors. No American should even consider setting foot on Russian soil without being in a group, that would be a group of more than two or three. I honestly don't know what the future holds for this country but I do know that more and more from that country still seem to be relocating here, probably for good reason.



Don't get me wrong, there is incredible wealth in St. Petersburg including many gorgeous and extravagant, historical palaces, museums and gardens. And there are a number of new skyscraper office buildings, hotels, etc. I guess it was the stark contrast with how "the majority of the population lives" that was unnerving.

So what metals represent the economic progression of these countries? If you agree that after iron you encounter copper, then bronze, then lead, then silver, then gold, then perhaps platinum, then I would rate the economic progress of these formerly Communist countries in this way:

Estonia = bronze
Poland = lead
(East) Germany = silver
Russia = iron oxidizing with some copper here and there


Anyway, that's my assessment. It was a very enlightening trip.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Off to Scandinavia

More upon my return the last week of the month. I am taking my idea notebook with me though. Hasta la vista.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Batteries Not Included

I have to ask with all the amazing advances we've seen in the microchip or whatever that little device is called these days, why can't they come up with a substantial battery to power all these wonderful inventions that lasts more than a few hours. I think that is one of the single things that stands between widespread hybrid purchasing and the more limited variety we have now. People don't want to stop constantly to recharge their battery and they don't want to have to only stick to a certain route that has battery recharger options on it.

If you can pack all this punch into these tiny computer and other electronic pieces, why can't someone invent the battery that truly is "EverReady" or "Energized"? I know, I know the fact that they can't be recycled should be my greater concern but if I buy this great phone and it can't even make it through the day doing all the things it was touted to do, than I've bought a pig in a poke (what exactly does that mean anyway?).

This is one of my ongoing pet peeves similar to that of manufactured obsolescence but I don't have time to get wound up about that right now. Just saying...whose out there working on this anyway?

Monday, August 03, 2009

Don't Touch Me, I'm Still Tacky

There are certain things you simply should not do, these are things no one should do because they are just plain wrong. One of these being the purchase of a former police car or cab and, worse yet, doing a schlocky job of painting over the original paint job. You might as well park a broken down clunker in your front yard, which is the second on my "never to do" list. The only thing worse than this would be to park multiple clunkers in our front yard, perhaps joined by worthless refrigerators, bathtubs and/or washing machines. I know in "Under the Tuscan Sun" this was considered quaint but not so in the US. We lack the picturesqueness to offset the impact of the eyesore.

There's always the good, old spandex on those who fall into the obese category, overweight stuffed into this attire is bad enough. I have to assume they don't own mirrors. Possibly they think this will help them to sweat it off?

Pink and purple are not colors that belong on a house. Any self-respecting house would tell you so if only they could talk. In fact, I think it would make these abodes react allergically if that were possible.

Piercings; if it hurts me to look at you because there isn't a square inch of your face and/or head that hasn't been pierced than possibly you've gone too far. I definitely think I make my point if the earrings click as you talk. To be fair, it's also possible you're a masochist and have nothing else to spend your money on.

Then there's always the standard Christmas decorations left up all year. I've never been able to determine if this is due to laziness, a deep love of the Christmas spirit or the belief that this replaces the need to paint your house (something besides pink or purple).

This could be a very long list but I suppose these are at the top of mine, at least as of this morning. I'm sure everyone has their own pet peeves they can add to it.



Saturday, August 01, 2009

Swimming Against the Tide

Today I heard someone say the recession is beginning to wane. They said housing prices won't get any worse and that the economy won't get any worse. Are they really paying attention? What about all the people who will still be laid off this year, because they will. What about all those who recently graduated from school and still can't find jobs, because they won't. What about all the cuts to various government budgets and all the dominoes that will fall from that, because they will. What about all these people who won't be spending any money, because they won't have it to spend. What about all the little businesses we are watching close week after week, for that matter some are large businesses.
Everyone I know is looking around, wondering if they are going to weather the storm, myself included. Life is going to get very interesting and begin to move at light speed with no breaks. The question is will any of us be able to keep up?

I guess these experts are reading different tea leaves from the rest of us, maybe they're even of the Mary Jane variety. I just hope people are cautious, regardless of what "they" are saying, the worst is NOT over.