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:

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.