Quote of the Week

“Everything here,” I mutter under my breath, “was built for two reasons: beauty and eternity.”
“One reason,“ Filiberto corrects me, “beauty is eternal.”
~Sean-Paul Kelley~

I have adventured into many places in my life, many more than once. There was never a trip I regretted nor a memory I don’t hold dear. However, of all the places I have not seen, there is but one that constantly tears at my soul, beseeching me to explore.
My heart aches for what I know must be waiting for me in Italy.

TRAVELLING AGAIN

I remember the temple, this route I've travelled before,
I recall the bridge as I cross it again.
It seems the hills and rivers have been waiting,
The flowers and willows all are selfless now.
The field is sleek and vivid, thin mist shines,
On soft sand, the sunlight's colour shows it's late.
All the traveller's sorrow fades away,
What better place to rest than this?
~Du Fu~

SWIMMING IN THE AEGEAN
Was it Homer who called the Aegean “The Wine Dark Sea”? Indeed it is. However, close to the beaches here in Rhodes the water takes on a light blue tone, mirroring the sky. The west coast is choppy and wavy; the east coast is typically calm and gentle. On the northern most tip of the island you can observe this contrast in wonderful technicolor. My brother and I go there about three afternoons a week and swim amongst the waves then float on our backs in calm waters only a few meters away. Now that the summer is clearly gone, the tourists are heading back to the North of Europe were they will work, study and look forward to next summer. For me, there isn’t a better time to be here. By November the beaches will be completely empty and I will own the sea. Now the air is cool and the water cooler. There is so much salt in the water that it’s near impossible to sink.
Here in Greece, there are many spas which offer something called “Thalassotherapy”, from the Greek “Thalassa” (sea). This is nothing new of course; Thalassotherapy has been popular since ancient times. I don’t need an expensive spa to understand the concept or enjoy the benefits. Whatever the rejuvenative properties of the sea, the Aegean seems to contain more of them. Well, I’m off to the beach for some low-budget thalassotherapy.

Quote of the Day
"i am not even sure if this pin is exactly accurate, but this is where i think i am."
~Christina Zachariades~
In reference to posting on my guest map

"Imagine that some superhuman being appeared on earth and offered to teach mankind a magical trick that would make life more comfortable, more colorful, more convenient. In return, he demanded only the blood sacrifice of fifty thousand lives a year. With what indignation would this proposal be rejected! And then came the automobile. . . ." ~Morris Raphael Cohen~

Stu-man Chu is on the move!
That's right, the adventure continues. I'll be migrating back across the pond for a brief stay in the USA. On October 10th-14th I'll be attending a conference in Colorado with Gray Line. I know it's not much adventure but I plan on escaping to the mountains for a day while everyone else is playing in the golf tournament. On the 14th I fly to Austin and will have 10 days to visit old friends in the LONE STAR STATE.

WELCOME TO THE NOBLE HOUSE

OK, its not my very own web site but I think it will do.
I found this site through Sean-Paul (ma bes frien). We will carry on a few cyber debates for the hell of it, which you can follow along at his site (recommended) The Agonist. I've traditonally taken the opposite stand against anything he says, this is mainly because I don't want to let him have a free run of the mouth. Seriouslly folks, when it comes to international relations/foreign affairs, he's done his homework.

As for me, I'm here chillin' on the beautiful island of Rhodes. My routine at the moment has been; wake up, drink coffee, watch the news, hang out with the family in the kitchen, go for a walk, eat a big greek lunch, take a nap, go to the beach, come home and watch some news again or play PS2, take a nap, go for a walk, come home and hang out with the family in the kitchen, eat a snack for dinner, watch an 80's movie subtitled in greek, go to bed. Its all good except for the 80's movies. Those of you who know me would say I'm living the "Tao of StuManChu". Yes. It does get a little boring sometimes but I'm not complaining at all. The weather is really beautiful now, most of the tourists are gone and the kids are back in school. This is when I love the Island! Eirini and I will start work on the house next month. November is Olive Harvesting season which I'm really looking forward to. So, when you come to visit you'll enjoy fresh olive oil from the Noble House Plantation!

Announcement from The Agonist

A Debate

Alright everyone, The Agonist is pleased to announce that the great sage of the East, Stu-man Chu has agreed to debate some of the relevant topics facing the world today. Our first debate will be on the upcoming German elections, their effect on American, NATO and general world politics. We will also discuss what was said by the German Justice Minister, Herta Daeubler-Gmelin. Apparently she compared Bush's actions with those of Hitler's in a rather unfavorable light.

Here is the first round of questions:

1. What role if any will both candidates unwillingness to support the President on his Iraq policy have this same policy? Was Stoiber just playing politics when he said he will not support Bush's invasion plans? Or was he sincere?

2. Will Germany take the necessary steps to reduce unemployment in Germany if Stoiber is elected? Will Germany's economic recovery falter if Shroeder is re-elected?

3. What are the current perceptions of Americans like in Germany?

4. Finally, how did the German Justice Minister's comments play in the German press? And what effect will they have on German-American relations in the future, should Shroeder stay in office?

We will await Stu-Man's answers and I will post them when they are received.

posted by The Agonist | 11:46 AM

I've got something to say

Quote of the week
by Sean-Paul Kelley (aka The Agonist)
Friday, September 20, 2002
debate about US attack on Iraq

Prof: And history is written by the winners.
Student A: We will win.
The Agonist: We had better because I want to write the book!