April 2013
5 posts
3 tags
6 tags
The Judas Kiss
The Judas Kiss
Director - Neil Armfield
Duke of York’s theatre, London
Theatre Review
Charles Spencer in the Telegraph noted that the play was “first staged in 1998, David Hare’s play about Oscar Wilde and his beloved Lord Alfred Douglas received a critical mauling. But Neil Armfield’s fine production, first seen at Hampstead last year, has turned a famous flop into a genuine hit, greatly...
5 tags
The Unbearable
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
Book Review
When I was reading it, I thought it must be like 50 Shades of Grey for young male pseudo intellectuals…
Disclaimer: I haven’t read 50 Shades of Grey nor do I know a single young pseudo intellectual… Well, one, perhaps… or two. A few, if I am honest.
***
Have you ever read a book on war whilst on a...
6 tags
Day After "No"
Opinion
Yesterday (16 April), the European parliament considered the proposals in a make-or-break vote and rejected the Commission’ proposal to postpone issuance / auctioning of 900 million EUAs. Carbon prices plunged to record lows.
The irony is that MEPs, who voted against carbon fix, based on arguments that carbon price increase energy prices and damage already weak economies, shot themselves...
6 tags
To Be Or Not To Be for the EU Emissions Trading...
I thought the answer to the question to be or not to be is To Be! But I was wrong. The answer is “barely alive”. For now.
The European Commission tabled the backloading proposal in July, suggesting to raise flat-lining carbon prices by withholding 900 million allowances from auction, so creating a market scarcity.
Today (16 April), the European parliament considered the proposals in...
March 2013
3 posts
5 tags
5 tags
Climate Bonds - when borrowing is saving the world
I am interested in various approaches to financing sustainable development. “Bonds will play a crucial role in financing the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. In spite of the financial crisis, institutional investor commitment to action on climate change has grown not fallen. Back in 2009 at the Copenhagen climate summit, 187 institutions with over USD 13trn in assets...
9 tags
In The Republic Of Happiness
In The Republic of Happiness by Martin Crimp
The Royal Court theatre
Director Dominic Cooke
Theatre Review
It was the last minute impulse buy. I rarely get those, as I love theatre and good performances you need to book half a year in advance in London. But it was only £12.50 and right next door to our home. So it was a sort of impulse substitute for cinema after quick dinner.
Royal Court prides...
February 2013
4 posts
7 tags
Carbon - where YES or NO is not even legal
There has been somewhat a confusion as to the legal weight of the amendments of the directive as passed by co-decision of the EU Parliament and EU Council.
What is this big day of 19th February?!
The truth is that the Commission can legitimately adjust the time and volume of auctions even now as based on the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1031/2010 of 12 November 2010 “on the timing, administration...
8 tags
London Fashion Week - in my absence
For the first time in my life I got a private invite to the London Fashion Week as a blogger this year. Oh, what joy it was to begin with!
Yet today, as I was choosing my best outfit: not too dull, yet not too quirky - just right to be noticed - I suddenly decided to boycott the whole thing.
Ghasp! Yes. Just like that. Not in the mood.
My hero Vivienne Westwood said we need to buy less...
5 tags
Spanish black Manet at the Royal Academy
Edouard Manet
The Royal Academy, London
Exhibition Review
I had to see it. And fast. I didn’t want to wait till the first wave of art aficionados paid their tribute to the French master. I tend to avoid the art hungry masses, the swelling of which peaks immediately after Waldemar Januszczak’s review is published in the Sunday Times, but this time I couldn’t wait. Even after very hectic week...
6 tags
When Queen Is Only a Banker's Wife
The trip to Brussels was positive.. ish..
Got stuck in a poky lift of a plush hotel. Alone, if you wondered. (So its not going to be a romantic note). When rescued, I was escorted to my room via staircase with a shabby and tired wallpaper. I don’t trust places where foyer is polished but bathrooms and staircases are unkempt… Its the same as not taking care of your underclothes....
January 2013
1 post
4 tags
Why cheesecake is better than Oprah
Some mornings are not worth waking up to.
I tried to rectify this by having not one but two buttery croissants and an extra shot of espresso in my cappuccino. It failed to improve the prospects. Day proved (as expected) - a failure. But you know me. I don’t give up easily. For lunch, I ordered a massive piece of fatty, creamy, crunchy, tasty, yummy cheesecake at my favourite organic...
November 2012
1 post
7 tags
The Rhythm Of An Onion
You know, New York smelled of a hard work: three jobs, no day off, whilst one’s body lasts.
Everything is earned here - not granted (except the green card to the lucky ones). It felt like a place where through hard work one can achieve everything - a fancy cocktail on the rooftop bar at the Meatpacking district, a sophisticated yet pretentiously expensive casual meal in West Village, a house in...
October 2012
2 posts
9 tags
Grid Systems & Time
I got lost on my way from jogging. Roaming the streets of New York I was getting cold and anxious and started drawing attention with my skimpy training outfit and clearly not-a-jogging pace. Truck divers were beeping. “What’s that about?! Are we in Texas or something?!” Never been in Texas. No idea whether drivers signal passing joggers. So to overcome the gaps in my urbanology...
8 tags
Deception Points
I came to New York at night. As if by stealth. Fooled by my own tiredness, the city felt rather familiar, particularly when I found out that my welcoming American landlady is a fellow Oxbridgian. She lit candles and started the fire when I arrived. Champagne was served as the firewood smell lingered in the cosy flat crammed with books and landlord’s Alvin Booth’s art works. Later we...
August 2012
2 posts
8 tags
A Quest For A Perfect Brunch
Sunday is luxury for those who can afford it. Sunday is the day of Sun, even if it typically rains in London. No wonder Christian God rests on Sundays giving way to Egyptian fellow Ra (God of Sun).
Sunday is the most important day of the week. Its the time when body has finally eased into the weekend and ready to absorb the vibrant colours of life. The that are numbed as the week of work...
8 tags
Is profitable philanthropy still a philanthropy?
Peter Knight - an adviser on sustainable development urges to differentiate between marketing and philanthropy. As an example Peter gives a case of a young serial entrepreneur from Texas called Blake Mycoskie, who started a canvas shoe company in 2006 with a great unique selling point. For every one of his Toms canvas shoes sold, he promised to give a pair to a barefoot urchin in the developing...
June 2012
1 post
7 tags
One is Divine
I sometimes wonder whether there is some sort of a divine design never to allow one at the time. One is designated for god, for all the rest - we must embrace twos, threes and many: from pair of shoes to cover our feet to troubles and joys that never walk alone and sunny as well as rainy days. I just wish we were still in the possession of a single. It might not be a coincidence that the whole...
May 2012
1 post
5 tags
Are We Art Aficionados With New Clothes?
Damien Hirst : Retrospective
Tate Modern, London
Exhibition Review
Before I went to Tate Modern, I read what ‘professionals’ think about the exhibition. Apart from Waldemar Januszczak in the Sunday Times and some positivity expressed in FT, it was more bad than good. The critique was mainly on Damien Hirst’s apparently repulsive personae, the fact that he is filthy rich and more general...
April 2012
2 posts
7 tags
Power And Responsibility Of Our Generation →
Having power is also a responsibility.
“We are the first generation to understand the responsibility for our actions and impact they have on our world. We shaped our past - we can shape our future.”
This is a short but very beautiful and rather positive film about our journey from the industrial revolution to today and how humans took charge of the earth.
The interesting thing to note that...
5 tags
Philosophy Simples
Philos is the second love. Unlike Agape (love of God) or Eros (sensuous love), Philos is an earthly love found through bonding together with friends, marriages and family ties. It exists within limitations of circumstances as preconditioned by context.
In order to experience this love within society - one needs to have a free mind. But constructing personal meaning from an experience, which,...
