I wrote earlier on today’s third Blog Day 2007, and now is time to show some blog love.This would be very hard as beside my blogroll, I have many blog feeds in my RSS reader(s) that I follow and read here and there, some of them regularly. Since the list is really big, these are my five blogs that I read:

Unit Structures - Fred Stutzman’s blog about information, social networks, identity and technology. Pity I didn’t meet him at SILS, interesting thoughts and readings.

Disambiguity - another science blog: Leisa Reichelt’s blog about communication issues, contextual research, user centred design, Information architecture, interaction design.

Libraryman-Michael Porter’s blog about libraries, community and IT in very interesting and user friendly, spirited way of presenting some issues.

Davor’s Technology Blog - Davor Prcovich blog specialized in all issues about Macs, he also writes various blogs on using new technology. Useful and interesting info, plus audio blog. The only person in Balkan area that I know that has Nabaztag.

Republika Rafska Serbie Serbia - Raphael’s blog, though it’s on my official blogroll list, this young French film maker and producer is very passionate about Serbia and Serbian people, and through photographs and stories he depicts some of the stories inside of Serbia, in very unique way.

Don’t forget to tag at Technocrati!

Some attention, a bit of (social) readings:

For those who use it, Netvibes introduced a brand new iPhone. You can now access your page from any mobile phone.

Also via, web-based chat application Meebo has rolled out an iPhone app which finally brings multi-protocol chat to the Apple device (didn’t see any iPhone in Belgrade -yet!).

Find out about the changes of Facebook Platform8 and what are good and what bad applications?

Twitter, via, is launching new stuff left and right (huh, what is left and what is right?) , adding search and Gmail import feature, as well as Twitter blocks -who is following who (or “I was lookin’ back to see if you were lookin’ back at me
to see me lookin’ back at you”).

And when we talk about social networks, is social networking only for the idle?

Idle or not, my Jaiku (never too late) username is Danica.

If you are a blogger and want to celebrate your own eModus Vivendi - you are welcome to post a recommendation of 5 new blogs, your choice. August 31st, is known as Blog Day, tomorrow celebrated for the third time. Bloggers from all over the world will post

recommendations of 5 new Blogs, preferably Blogs that are different from their own culture, point of view and attitude. On this day, blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, unknown Blogs, celebrating the discovery of new people and new bloggers.

Via 3lOg day 2007, here are the posting instructions:
1. Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting
2. Notify the 5 bloggers that you are recommending them as part of BlogDay 2007
3. Write a short description of the Blogs and place a link to the recommended Blogs
4. Post the BlogDay Post (on August 31st —> tomorrow!) and
5. Add the BlogDay tag using this link:
http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2007 and a link to the BlogDay web site.

Let me see how you will celebrate yourself and your choices tomorrow!

Email that has been circulating in the past few days that planet Mars will be within 34.65 million miles of Earth, 27th August, Monday night and will appear as a “second moon” in the night sky is not true, as we know it. That actually happened on Aug. 27, 2003 when Mars and the Earth had their closest encounter in nearly 60,000 years.

Eclipse information comes from NASA web site, saying that

In the early morning hours of August 28, sky watchers across much of the world can look on as the Moon crosses in to the shadow of the Earth, becoming completely immersed for one-hour and 30 minutes, a period of time much longer than most typical lunar eclipses. In fact, this eclipse will be the deepest and longest in 7 years. The event begins 54 minutes past midnight PDT (3:54 a.m. EDT) on August 28.

For those in the US, here’s the map of the United States showing eclipse start timemore, and information on eclipse - NASA eclipse home page.
The eclipse will be visible from Australia, parts of Asia and most of the Americas, but not from Africa or Europe.

I would rather say. And 24hrs is not enough to do all you want, have to. At least, not for me. For all readers who’ve been writing to me, either via IM or via social online networks or some other micro ways - I’ve exchanged short thoughts, information as I’ve been very busy (read www-> working wild woman), and still I am, but I’m trying to sort things out as there are lot to be done, to be learnt, and eternal question: what next?

For those who wasn’t ‘here and there’ while I was micro-blogging (via Twitter, Pownce, Stumble, etc.) here’s short list of links what have had happened/happening (following blogging will go back to normal - whatever that means) :

Tractis - digital signature and another online service that do business at internet speed (here invites), didn’t started yet as I don’t know who in my network is using Tractis.

Newsweek published recent article to read on Facebook expansion. While TechDirt blames Facebook for productivity losses due to “personal surfing” at work(don’t do it). !

Also comScore published the results of a study on expansion of social networks across thee globe, revealing the data on some major social networking sites and their growth in the past 12 months. Their press release center published also that Bebo is the most visited social networking site in UK.

William Gibson was special guest at Boing Boing interview here, on new novel.

Sky is the latest edition of Google Earth. You get a 3D view of all the constellations viewable from earth, over 100 million stars and 200 million galaxies are included. Isn’t that lovely? Download here.

Read, via, on the case of science blogger - PZ Meyers, biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris, who was sued for ‘unfavorable book review’.

And amusement during hot and humid summer days, here’s hilarious video “showing what a business meeting might look like if comments were enabled”.

What next? Some of the readings on internet marketing, advertising consulting and creative design …

Here is the list for recently published texts and articles, readings in the next few days for those who are curious and want to entertain their grey cells:

European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA) Media Anthropology Network is discussing working papers about socio-cultural aspects of media technology uses within the scope of e-seminars via the Network’s mailing list. Some of these papers and discussions address internet technologies from a range of different perspectives. The website of the Network also provides annotated bibliographies, information about media anthropology events, and selected discussions from the mailing list as PDF documents.

Another is on social networking via Wired, here as well. More on Facebook via Smart Mobs. Also, very interesting post that will lead you to the International Journal of Communication’s recent special issue on Net Neutrality with entire collection of scholarly articles.

For those who are more alike multimedia, recently released documentary Zeitgeist Movie, official release full film, more about this at the official web site.

And for graphic, design interactive oriented readers, enjoy in this web page.

How do I know Jonathan? First, he wrote an entry into my Wall at the FaceBook saying that he is my blog fan reader! Voila! Meeting people from blogosphere right into the Facebook (and vice versa) and getting know  people and who are my readers. Couldn’t it be any better?

However, Jonathan was born in South Africa, is Irish and lives and works in Belgrade,  runs  Limbic Nutrition blog, and obviously is fan of Serbian culture and women (sorry Jon, but according to the Flickr, you are ; ) . He is my Facebook buddy, and indeed he loves Serbian people. In this video he talks on Irish and Serbian people, similarities, some political issues, and more.

After annual Wikimania - International Wikimedia conference in Taipei, two interesting articles/readings (New York Times): interview with Jimbo Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia, and the other on presentations, panels, discussions during the conference.

The sci-fi he novelist, famous for inventing the word ‘cyberspace’, William Gibson, is launching these days his latest book Spook Country . In the interview he reveals the relationship between technology and society ever since his cyberpunk classic Neuromancer, also what he missed in it, why he’s not a technophile, on Second life, hypertext way of writing, corporate futurism… His new novel is set in the present, in fact, the near past. Interesting fact is that one of the characters in the novel is young man name Tito, from Cuba

speaks fluent Russian, lives in one room in a NoLita warehouse, and does delicate jobs involving information transfer.

Someone said that Gibson gives up on the future. I couldn’t agree. Maybe beacuse the present is now?

Seems that tagging and writing memes are popular these days, so I’ve been tagged by Robyn, to write 4 memes on Belgrade, my favourite corners or places, which idea came first from Robert from Middle Zone Musings. This is hard as each corner of the city has its own charm, and those are referred at some extent to me(me).

1. Dorcol, upper side, downtown of Belgrade, near Kalemegdan , near my former Universities, Plato and down to Faculty of Maths, old beautiful streets with it’s own story, all down coming to real Dorcol, its churches and

2. Markets, open lively markets with food and other goods. Someone said that you have to go first to the open market when you visit some city in order to know better the soul of the city and its habitants, people who live there. One of my favourite is Bajloni market, also downtown, market with its own culture. Next to Bajloni is - Bitef Theatre building.

3. Beside cozy small warm caffees and indoor lovely places, one of nice outdoor place to be and enjoy the view is the biggest and the greatest Serbian orthodox temple on Balkans - Saint Sava temple/church. Different view, architecture masterpiece.

4. Plazma keks (special unique kind of bisquit) that every child and adult love. It’s Serbian brand, and wherever I go abroad - I take Plazma keks with me. You can eat it per se, with pancakes and melted chocolate, mix with bananas or make delicious cake from this beurre.

Now I tag 4 people as I would like to know more about their hometowns, 4 memes on their choice, favourite corners, places:

1. Raphaël - Paris

2. Marc - Florida

3. Mirko- Fribourg

4. Alex - San Francisco

Others, who would like to join this ‘4-my home town fact meme’ are welcome to be tagged by me.

The new Netvibes Facebook Widget allow users to access Facebook info page on Netvibes, as well as to view your Facebook notifications and friends. It’s very easy: just add your Facebook account to Netvibes and the widget appears with window that shows direct links to your profile, friends, and networks. You can also view the number of messages, friend requests, shares, group invites, and event invites that you have, friend’s birthdays, your own status, with a link to change it. You can browse content, add feeds,  search through friends, notes, groups, and add/remove some applications. This is how it looks at this moment for me:

Mars na Drinu is the best, my humble opinion, war ex-Yugoslavian film, made in 1964. My favourite, watched it several times on Tv when I was kid. Why this film is special beside this:

The film was made during the communist era of Yugoslavia. Unlike 99% of war movies made during that time, this one doesn’t deal with WW2 and communist revolution, but a historic and epic battle of WW1.

The topic was handled excellently, it was very authentic. For that reason, the film was “shunned” by the official TVs and movie theaters for years.

The topic of this film is the first battle of WW1 that was won by the allies, when small and outnumbered army of Serbian Kingdom defeated Austro-Hungarian invading forces. The plot revolves around a small artillery section, the men and their lives. The cast was excellent and they did their job superbly.

Historically, battles of Drina and Cer, in Serbia, were the first two victories in WW1. Unfortunately, overwhelmed by the invaders, serbian army had to retreat all the way to Greece and wait there until the allies were ready to open the front at Solun.

..there is one great monologue of well known Serbian actor Branislav Jerinic, lovely scene where in the middle of war surrounding during the night while the rain falls, like right now, this Alexa character shares great poetic thoughts with his camarade:

“Bre… Kad pripeče zvezda oko Svetog Ilije, pa misliš – izgore sve! Pa tek će jedne noći kiša… Letnja, plaha, k’o ova. A ja kažem mom Proki… Proko, kiša, burazere. Pa iziđem napolje, pa postojim tamo među šljivama, ono pada – k’o Bog da plače. A ja, mokar već, al’ još k’o ne verujem da pada, pa dignem ruku te pipnem one šljive nad glavom, a one mokre, pa sve kaplje od njih, niz ruku mi curi.”

During the 90’s this monologue was frequently broadcasted at one of the Radio programmes in Belgrade. For those who can read and understand Serbian - great, others -> find film Mars na Drinu. Also, if someone has a copy of this film: tape, DVD, or any other video format, please let me know!

The news via and from LoC, say that first Serbian Poet laureate joins a long line of distinguished US poets. Charles Simic (b.1938, Belgrade) moved in the 60’s to US and began his career working at the Chicago Sun Times. More about his work and selected bibliography here.

via

Ok, I haven’t been played this here before, but after our ‘to/in reply’ messages via Twitter, Mr.Real PJ tagged me to reveal eight random facts about me. So, they will not be “that” short, rather short-story like, as I am passionate about writing (short stories, notes -written word in general). I hope you’ll find them interesting. A tiny bit and byte(s) from me. At the end of the eight secrets, there are the names of eight people who will do the same.

1. I grew up with music - jazz. Blues. Classics. Fusion. Rock. Punk and more… Father, as professor, travelled a lot, and I was raised under variety of great musical influences. Also sang and played piano. And failed attempt to play the trumpet. And imitate Maria Callas. I was shouted down after M.Callas attempt, forever: ) I moved to Ella Fitzgerald. Still sing for those who can bear my singing. Joke: I sang 9 years in school choir.

2. Four years after Tito’s death, in primary school I wrote a poem that won a ‘prize’ and was published in school newsletter. I was honored as ‘good pioneer’. My first short story, at the age of 17, was “the best short story” published in Anthology of best short urban stories of Belgrade. I wrote it in masculine gender to mislead and trick the chauvinists (during that time) jury board. I succeeded.

3. Started with English classes at the age of 6. Not to mention that I read Ulysses by James Joyce at the age of 14. Twice. Old fashioned librarian made me a problem and called my mother to report that ‘this child will read “heavy material” for her age”. My mother gave permission. Later on, I read “The Fear of Flying” and Anais Nin stories. No-one rejected.

4. Also, in the early days, I was promised by my father to get a real bicycle, but instead, I was walking downtown and saw first Commodore 64. I instantly fell in love and forgot about bicycle. First signs of my geekiness.

5. I was about twice to get lost from the face of Earth during flying: once over Chicago -> severe T-Storms (coincidence, it was on Aug. 2nd) and over Texas - tornado, but I never give up flying later on. I still enjoy to fly and like airplanes as well as thunders. Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum one of my fave.airplanes museums where I can spend whole day.

6. I swam in the cold ocean water during the winter and walked on the wet sand on the beach (east coast of US, Wilmington), as well as on the west coast (La Jolla). In front of my apartment there was eucalyptus tree. Used to go after midnight to Coronado island to watch the beauty of the city lights of San Diego. I loved to eat at Trader’s Jo supermarket with organic food.
7. I adore East and West Franklin street in Ch.Hill, and people in Ch.H. in general. I participated in Halloween Franklin St. party, went to Kitty Hawk anniversary-Brothers Wright, was outside on the balcony during the hurricane, Tar Heel taxi driver gave his baby girl name after me, I liked to hang near Peppers pizza or Wine bar (if it’s still the same name), during weekends at Carrboro open market, listened to live music and ate cinnamon cake, was frequent visitor at Spartacus -Greek restaurant between Durham and Ch.Hill, and adored small squirrels on the path to SILS building.

8. This one is about the one who tagged me: I was stunned and impressed by his presence and energy. I waited for 15-20 minutes, he was late. Running. But then, “pure energy” opened the door of the creative chaos messy room with huge poster of Johnny Cash (I wonder if it’s still on that wall hanging). He had all the gadgets around (Treo, Mac, one, two, three, etc.), multitasking and listening to me. I was impressed as his consultations (mentor) lasted 1.15 hrs/min, more than the lecture of any professors here (or there I’ve ever met). He talks and laughs like cute cartoon character. Unique voice. Smart, cool person. Sometimes forgets to reply on important emails: )

I tag Mirko, Howard, Bora, Dio, Michael, Robyn, Antonio (in English, prego) and Jonathan.