India Coffee House

[Xenon54]

I love both cats and dogs.... they are very different temparement of friendship.....that is why I suppose there are some strong opinions on which one you prefer (or simply accommodate for both), since us humans are very diverse too in our character.

Earlier last year, my friend found this very friendly cat nesting in his garage lol:

They are firmest of friends now...even after a house move. Cat is real friendly to me too lol.

Fellow cat-lover tag:

@MisterLike @xenon5434

This morning

 

[TR_123456]

All the 'Cat people' and the 'Bird people' will get a tag(three point star or something) for future actions to be taken.
This is the way.

 

[Blackbeardsgoldfish]

My profile picture should be proof enough for my love for cats!

 

[Vaggos]

So very true. PASOK is kind of in between, but don't seem to connect to Communism very well.

PASOK was keeping the balance between left and right after the tragic period of the military junta (1967 - 1974), but quickly became corrupted and led us to economic destruction.

 

[Vaggos]

Interesting but it's still odd that they would support former communist regimes that are no longer so.

I don't have a clear answer for you, it seems that family and social background and geography are playing a major role. The same applies to Hitler - Nazi sympathizers also, not only leftists. It's shocking to me seeing Mussolini posters hanging on the wall in some houses here in Italy, in 2022.

 

[Nilgiri]

All the best and have fun with your bees then, when you eventually start, always nice to know when others are sharing a passion!

We managed to get all but one over the winter, though it was the smallest one and couldn't generate enough heat to stay alive, we weren't surprised by it. The bigger problem around here is the varroa infestation of the bees, don't know if you have that in Canada?

Anyway, good luck with your bees!

Yep varroa is problem here too, thats the kind of tips I get from my friend much more in the know, he has helped others with managing their varroa problem.

It is a good hobby community here to be part of, especially when starting out when there is lot of stuff to learn and get good at....

I am lot further up the pecking order when it comes to stuff like astronomy, cooking and machining/engineering/fixing kind of stuff heh.

 

[Nilgiri]

Dogs jump on everyone who’s ready to entertain them.

Dogs can indeed be realllllly derpy.... (compared to cats that mature and get wary of stuff lot more)...

Even this donkey had a laugh/bray at it....

 

[Nilgiri]

PASOK was keeping the balance between left and right after the tragic period of the military junta (1967 - 1974), but quickly became corrupted and led us to economic destruction.

You really should watch and let us know what you think about krauts video on greek debt he put out (when you have some time):

Consider the parallels (and differences) w.r.t "low trust society" phenomenon in the Indian context and the Greek one....

@Vaggos may find this interesting to watch and I would be grateful if he has any comments/opinions he wants to share on it:

He touches such things as the junta and PASOK etc in quite some depth from the larger context he is coming from....

 

[Nilgiri]

@Nilgiri @Anastasius

The political and social division in Greece (Left vs Right) derived from the Greek civil war that was fought between the Hellenic Army of the Greek government (supported by the United Kingdom and the United States) and the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE) – the military branch of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) (supported by Bulgaria, Albania, Yugoslavia, and covertly by the Soviet Union via their Eastern European proxies) from 1946 to 1949. The fighting resulted in the defeat of the DSE by the Hellenic Army.

There are still people in Greece (and not only) who believe that communism is the best political system for organizing a society. Many of them, if you mention the victims of stalinism in the USSR and in eastern Europe, North Korea, Cambodia and Cuba, answer either that "it didn't happened as the victors said", or "but the theory is good". They still support regimes that would disappear from the face of the earth, (at best by sending him/her to a gulag) the author of an article and many of their ignorant defenders in general - so unfree and uncovered, that in fact only heroes would even think of discussing their opposition with their family members. The reality is that communism in practice is a barbaric political system, enslaving the many to the few elite. "Some animals are more equal than others".

I'm more of a bird person myself to be honest. Used to have a parakeet that loved to sing along to Def Leppard (or at least he'd start chirping as soon as I put one of their songs on). Tried to teach him a few words as well but I'm afraid I lacked the patience to spend hours every day talking to him. My ex-girlfriend did manage to teach him to say "get the door" whenever there was someone knocking.

Interesting but it's still odd that they would support former communist regimes that are no longer so.

It's like someone supporting modern Spanish government because of a fondness for Francoist Spain.

I don't have a clear answer for you, it seems that family and social background and geography are playing a major role. The same applies to Hitler - Nazi sympathizers also, not only leftists. It's shocking to me seeing Mussolini posters hanging on the wall in some houses here in Italy, in 2022.

I'll tell you quite bluntly what I think/know.

In the end its about authoritarians having:

a) an inner attraction to other authoritarians...no matter the skin deep political slant and what they blab outside to you

b) a big drive to undermine the existing establishment at all costs (to create + harness fissures to take power yourself), so there is no fealty of political alliance or greater principled ideology across the border

c) both at same time (there is wide intersection)


There is almost no such thing as a principled authoritarian...in fact principle and authoritarianism are near mutually exclusive in the end....since power will always take the mantle compared to any principle for such a person.

I was told so much on this kind of stuff by a highly intelligent ex-gf.... I was lot more right wing at that time....and she was a marxist... (opposites attract etc etc).

Anyway she explained to me quite a good deal of the inner workings of leftism...how she was once a communist even....but she saw they have no principles....and are just too power-drunk. She has been more democrat-socialist since all those bad episodes with hypocrites.

In a way it runs similar to my own experience in the right wing....I disavow most politics entirely now....its all just too sullied and corrupted. People treat principles and consistency very very casually or even tear it to pieces for something darker and stupider.

But when she would bring up the whole these commies love putin, Chinese "commie" party etc etc too much (just like you chaps brought up here).... she got shocked the one time when I told her about bifstek Nazis. She did not study that Nazi party pre-34 especially was not a monolith at all (it was somewhat a big tent collection of power-freaks)....it came as real surprise to her.

So you should not be surprised in the slightest about the same power-freak to power-freak adulation for whatever purpose.

 

[Nilgiri]

my own favourite, Keel Row

Folk songs (like keel row) , ballads and shanties run quite deep here as well...

@DAVEBLOGGINS and @Ted Barnes might get a kick out of this (lot of Canadians would, esp those connected to Navy):

Retired RCN bud of mine reminded me recently they learn/memorise this song in basic heh.... much like how I committed it to memory myself in 2nd year uni due to a roommate (constant playing of it) who's dad was RCN.

Recently my RCN bud was having some banter with USN guy (also long retired) recently, when the former stated he wanted to go privateering around the black sea a bit (in response to civvy ships etc being fired upon by russians).

I think his exact words were....anyone (in NATO) bring up letter of marque yet?

Then tongue in cheek after USN fella cautions me not to listen to his piratical ways esp. at their age....buddy says yeah i wont be calling me ship the antelope anytime soon...

Here's the shanty for you Joe:

@Anmdt might have a chuckle at some of this too.

 

[DAVEBLOGGINS]

Hi Nilgiri!. Funny you should mention "Barrett's Privateers" as I am a "not so great singer & musician and have sung that song many times at various Country Jams & Jamborees around the Province and always get a kick out of the audiences response. Cheers mate!

 

[Joe Shearer]

PASOK was keeping the balance between left and right after the tragic period of the military junta (1967 - 1974), but quickly became corrupted and led us to economic destruction.

Such a tragedy!

I knew Polemarchakis personally; his fortnightly treks to the airport-Athens-back caused great hilarity!

Obviously no famous economist can do anything about corruption.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Hi Nilgiri!. Funny you should mention "Barrett's Privateers" as I am a "not so great singer & musician and have sung that song many times at various Country Jams & Jamborees around the Province and always get a kick out of the audiences response. Cheers mate!

Seriously? Must a bin a gas!

 

[DAVEBLOGGINS]

Seriously? Must a bin a gas!

Both my wife and I sing and it sure is a lot of fun & passes the time. We don't go so much now because of the "Gas" prices. We are at $1.77 per liter (CAD) and the Americans are up to over $5 US and ..... "they're" complaining? Diesel is at almost $2 per litre!!!

 

[Joe Shearer]

Both my wife and I sing and it sure is a lot of fun & passes the time. We don't go so much now because of the "Gas" prices. We are at $1.77 per liter (CAD) and the Americans are up to over $5 US and ..... "they're" complaining? Diesel is at almost $2 per litre!!!

Well, our own slimy set of pols (any other kind noticed wandering around?) have just about come to the declaration of election results in our largest state (=Province), and seems likely to lose or get a hugely diminished majority in the state elections. Everybody is bracing themselves for a vicious and peevish reaction, and for petrol, diesel and even cooking gas (LPG) prices jumping up.

Talking of singing, did you know that a version of John Brown's Body has become a regimental song in an Indian Army regiment? If you ask any of them, they will swear that there was an actual soldier by the fictional, placeholder Indian name used.

 

[DAVEBLOGGINS]

Well, our own slimy set of pols (any other kind noticed wandering around?) have just about come to the declaration of election results in our largest state (=Province), and seems likely to lose or get a hugely diminished majority in the state elections. Everybody is bracing themselves for a vicious and peevish reaction, and for petrol, diesel and even cooking gas (LPG) prices jumping up.

Talking of singing, did you know that a version of John Brown's Body has become a regimental song in an Indian Army regiment? If you ask any of them, they will swear that there was an actual soldier by the fictional, placeholder Indian name used.

Did not know that about John Browns Body Joe. There was an actual John Brown I believe that was living during the American Civil War though. Nice to know.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Did not know that about John Browns Body Joe. There was an actual John Brown I believe that was living during the American Civil War though. Nice to know.

Yes, he was an abolitionist, and attacked Harpers' Ferry before the Civil War broke out, was captured after a brief siege and hanged by the State of Virginia. He became a legend to the Union soldiers, and then the tune they used, an old come-to-Gospel-meeting tune, got used by Harriet Beecher Howe for The Battle Hymn of the Republic (I don't like the way they mangle it, taking it far away from what became a 120 bpm marching tune.

I'll let you go from what cannot be of interest to you beyond a minute or two, but here's the regiment singing THEIR song.

 

[Vaggos]

You really should watch and let us know what you think about krauts video on greek debt he put out (when you have some time):

He touches such things as the junta and PASOK etc in quite some depth from the larger context he is coming from....

The content is 100% accurate. The biggest problem with us, the Greeks, is that we do not know where to start and finish in order to deal with our issues. What is certain is that our behavior in all areas is the behavior of people who are afraid, without self-esteem, without self-confidence and without self-respect. This is proved by the attitude of the people and the rulers on the issues of the crisis of recent years, the relationship with the EU, NATO, etc. The modern Greeks, as descendants of slaves, face every notion of state, structures, institutions, etc.. as hostile. The 400 years of slavery caused them feelings of inferiority complex and as a result they have low self-esteem, low self-confidence and low self-respect. For them, the state is the enemy. Even today, their taxes are called "χαράτσια" (Haraç = tax). They consider it natural to steal the tax office as their ancestors stole their Agha. Few Greeks realize that taxation means roads, hospitals, schools, airports and so on. As they consider it natural to steal the tax office, so they consider it natural for politicians to steal public money. This is the informal social contract that has been in force in the country for two centuries.

 

[Nilgiri]

The content is 100% accurate. The biggest problem with us, the Greeks, is that we do not know where to start and finish in order to deal with our issues. What is certain is that our behavior in all areas is the behavior of people who are afraid, without self-esteem, without self-confidence and without self-respect. This is proved by the attitude of the people and the rulers on the issues of the crisis of recent years, the relationship with the EU, NATO, etc. The modern Greeks, as descendants of slaves, face every notion of state, structures, institutions, etc.. as hostile. The 400 years of slavery caused them feelings of inferiority complex and as a result they have low self-esteem, low self-confidence and low self-respect. For them, the state is the enemy. Even today, their taxes are called "χαράτσια" (Haraç = tax). They consider it natural to steal the tax office as their ancestors stole their Agha. Few Greeks realize that taxation means roads, hospitals, schools, airports and so on. As they consider it natural to steal the tax office, so they consider it natural for politicians to steal public money. This is the informal social contract that has been in force in the country for two centuries.

Thx bro..... you didn't sugar coat and cut right to the chase....prompting shocked expression from Joe (though I have chatted with him about the trust factor before for countries)

This explains so many parallels in psyche I see in our case in India too....

So much trust erosion over extended period of time.

Indian civilisation both would not and could not develop what the Chinese did in their instance to begin with (over the scale and depth) regarding the state on the respective geographies that we call the nation/country now. This is a vast subject to get into just by itself.

In a way low trust countries are nationstates that are still being born and forged at the early core tiers. Trust (towards the govt) is arguably a much higher tier that materialises from it being done over enough time to bake in well.

Nationstates are not dipped in mystical river at birth or come born with attached armour....that make them invulnerable (with a precise flaw that defeats them all together at the end).

Rather those are individual heroes for a reason....that serve as somewhat the antithesis to the vast collective that must grow and fasten together much more organically past multiple generations.

When it has not been done...and worse yet has been inflicted upon for great amount of generations....is what leads to the situation of the slow rebuild with lot of corruption and easy immoral waywardness (for quick top down power) along its way.

 

[Nilgiri]

It comes as big shock to us in India.....especially the cricket fans....his connection with India was so close

Gone too young ....he will be sorely missed.....RIP

@Jackdaws @crixus @Joe Shearer @T-123456

Shane Warne - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On 4 March 2022, at the age of 52, Warne died from a suspected heart attack at a villa on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand.[201][202] His death came on the same day as fellow Australian cricket icon Rod Marsh, to whom Warne paid tribute on Twitter only a few hours prior to his own death.[203][204]

Tributes[edit]​

Australian teammates Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Glenn McGrath, Tom Moody, Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson, as well as current Australian Test captain Pat Cummins and current Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch remembered Warne.[citation needed]


Statue of Warne at the MCG

Internationally, many former and current players also paid tribute. They included: Afghanistan's Rashid Khan; England's Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan, and Joe Root; Indian cricketers Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sunil Gavaskar, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma; Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan; New Zealand's Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor; South Africa's Faf du Plessis and Graeme Smith; Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara; and West Indians Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, and Chris Gayle.[205]

Muttiah Muralitharan, the only player to take more Test wickets than Warne said that while they were "competitive on the field", they were "really good friends" off the pitch.[206] Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja also offered a tribute, as did Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle.[207]

A number of well-known political and entertainment figures, as well as other sports people, paid tribute. They included Australian actor Russell Crowe, Indian filmmaker Ajay Devgn, British comedian Stephen Fry, Australian NBA player Joe Ingles, Australian actor Hugh Jackman, British rock singer Sir Mick Jagger, British pop singer Sir Elton John, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Pakistani PM and former cricketer Imran Khan, Canadian television personality Akshay Kumar, Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue, television talk-show host Piers Morgan, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, British pop singer Ed Sheeran, Australian comedian Magda Szubanski, and children's entertainers Anthony Field and Greg Page of The Wiggles.[208][209][210][211][212]

Warne's former fiancée Elizabeth Hurley paid tribute saying "I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved lionheart".[213]

Throughout his life, sporting figures such as Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson professed their admiration for Warne.[214] He was also a friend of Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, once performing the harmonica on stage with the band.[215]

The Sri Lankan men's cricket team and the Indian men's cricket team wore black armbands to commemorate Warne on the second day of the first Test, India vs. Sri Lanka, and both teams observed a minute of silence before the day's play. The Australian women's cricket team wore black armbands as well to commemorate Warne in their first 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup game against England. Australia's Alana King, also a leg-spin bowler, said that Warne was "an idol & the biggest inspiration to me" on Twitter before Australia's World Cup match.[216] A similar tribute was held by the Australian men's cricket team on the second day of the first Test vs. Pakistan, and both teams observed a minute of silence before the day's play,[217] as did the Bangladeshi men's cricket team and the Afghan men's cricket team in the 2nd T20I of Afghanistan's tour of Bangladesh. St Kilda's AFL and AFLW sides did likewise during their respective matches against Essendon and Geelong. The England cricket team and West Indies team also held a minute's silence.[218][219][220]

One of Warne's former teams, the Rajasthan Royals, made a statement on Twitter that included the final line: "Warnie, you will forever be our captain, leader, Royal. Rest in Peace, legend."[221] Warne had led the underdog team to an IPL title in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League back in 2008, winning with the final delivery of the game.[222] Warne made his elite cricket debut for the St Kilda Cricket Club, so for the game against Dandenong immediately following his death, all players and umpires held a minute's silence before the game.[223]

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews offered a state funeral, which the family accepted. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison announced the Federal Government would support the state funeral and gave his condolences to Warne's family. [224]