I have been meaning to mention this issue ever since returning from the UK.
The country is currently being brainwashed on the topic of music / movies / books piracy. File sharing programmes like Kazaa and DC++ are getting bucketfuls of criticism, and 'honesty' is being promoted. Coca Cola is running a contest, where a successful participant may win 'a free download'. In small font: 'fight piracy - choose your copyright-protected download'. It is all very impressive...
...and quite natural as well. UK is full of big record labels. Virgin and HMV, for instance, should both earn their living. The pressure from us 'pirates' has already forced them to mark down CD prices. Never mind that the CDs were, and still are, heavily overpriced. Musicians prefer fancy villas, y'know.
The funniest is that the above brainwashing seems to have success!.. Many Brits whom I have met sympathise with music artists and voluntarily choose to buy records, not download. Nothing wrong with that. However, I received not one look of disdain after admitting to a pirate way of life. Arguments like 'it is a big club of friends who share their records' do not work - if you would buy the CD yourself, they refute, then you should pay the record company. Full stop.
Bizarre. Very strange, at least. I thought everyone downloads these days.
Thursday, 29 April 2004
Tuesday, 20 April 2004
Back from Scotland
Yes, so I am. Back from the country of my dreams. What a great holiday it was!
Enjoyed fantastic fellowship with Christian friends at the Free Church Youth Conference near Aberfoyle, then moved to St. Andrews for a few days. They already have cherry blossom in Scotland, as well as green luscious fields, freshly damp air, wonderful breeze, and far-stretching scenery of the entire colour palette... What a blessing indeed to be able to visit again, after two long years of separation!
Travelled all over the place, setting my foot in Dundee, Glasgow, Livingston, Inverness, the Black Isle, and - of course - majestic Edunburgh. Scotland is changing in some respects - new places are built and open - and not the others - still as dirty as it used to be, lots of swearing young folk roaming idly through polluted streets of industrial Glasgow and Dundee. Filthy rivers Clyde and Tay making their way through the two cities, respectively. Why does the river Tay run through Dundee? Because if it would walk, it would get all muddy...
Good old Scotland, every inch of land is history. Lovely Georgian architecture, castles, green pastures, munroes in the distance, mist over the Firth of Forth! Tears in my eyes. Why do I have to leave?... Quite determined to find a chance to stay for a longer time, perhaps work.
Saw many of my friends, though it was not possible to see everyone. Most people were reached, confirming that there are many, many good friends in my life, who are all very special. Best thanks to everyone for making my visit so unforgettable.
Finally, the flight back, spending the long relay in the streets of Norrköping. Trying to fall asleep under the moon, but nights are still very cold - and the sleeping bag is merely a joke. Bless the Swedish authorities for making all benches metal. It helps, you know, when you are trying to fall asleep...
Oh, how unstructured. Just like my very own impressions after the trip!
Next stop: Norway. May 12-17.
Enjoyed fantastic fellowship with Christian friends at the Free Church Youth Conference near Aberfoyle, then moved to St. Andrews for a few days. They already have cherry blossom in Scotland, as well as green luscious fields, freshly damp air, wonderful breeze, and far-stretching scenery of the entire colour palette... What a blessing indeed to be able to visit again, after two long years of separation!
Travelled all over the place, setting my foot in Dundee, Glasgow, Livingston, Inverness, the Black Isle, and - of course - majestic Edunburgh. Scotland is changing in some respects - new places are built and open - and not the others - still as dirty as it used to be, lots of swearing young folk roaming idly through polluted streets of industrial Glasgow and Dundee. Filthy rivers Clyde and Tay making their way through the two cities, respectively. Why does the river Tay run through Dundee? Because if it would walk, it would get all muddy...
Good old Scotland, every inch of land is history. Lovely Georgian architecture, castles, green pastures, munroes in the distance, mist over the Firth of Forth! Tears in my eyes. Why do I have to leave?... Quite determined to find a chance to stay for a longer time, perhaps work.
Saw many of my friends, though it was not possible to see everyone. Most people were reached, confirming that there are many, many good friends in my life, who are all very special. Best thanks to everyone for making my visit so unforgettable.
Finally, the flight back, spending the long relay in the streets of Norrköping. Trying to fall asleep under the moon, but nights are still very cold - and the sleeping bag is merely a joke. Bless the Swedish authorities for making all benches metal. It helps, you know, when you are trying to fall asleep...
Oh, how unstructured. Just like my very own impressions after the trip!
Next stop: Norway. May 12-17.
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