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Probably one of the best experiences of 2008 (It was a pretty difficult for me and my country) was my trip to Japan early this year: Here are some pictures of this most amazing country  Samurai general's sculpture, near Imperial palace. Looks powerful!  Akihabara(Akiba)  And that is... aha that's Tokyo Tower.  Well this is very lovely actually, these small sculptures where in front of the small shrine... and they were dressed very cute too... in red.  Japan - Where the magnificent history and culture meets the future. (To the left part of the Imperial complex, to the right rising Tokyo skyscrapers)  A magnificent Sensō-ji temple at Asakusa district, Tokyo.  A very cool market in Tokyo... probably the cleanest market I have ever seen and also the most fun, because it was filled with pretty original stuff that is quite rare elsewhere...  The nature in Japan is something totally amazing. The nature in Japan jumps out on you and gently aks you - "Hey check me out! I do look awesome, don't I?" - Yup, AWESOME! Listening to: // Genesis  The Carpet Crawlers (THX for the song Katia. I'm addicted to it now...) Hoahio  Dj Hashimoto John Lennon  Imagine Tags: tokyo japan
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Well PHEW! Now THAT was INTENSE summer... Just got back from a wonderful trip to Japan... and at home, the sunny summer heat, pretty girls(!) in Cafe's, exams and oh yeah... The full scale Russian military invasion to my country... (Just like in the "good old times" - 1921;1993;1994...) It really sucks as I have many Russian friends all over the world.(Many in Georgia too) and such thing should have never happened to our countries. The idiot politicians hate each other? Give AK47 to Pukin and M4 to Saakashvili. Let them shoot each other up. The innocent people should never suffer because of the political recklessness. Oh and Russians you should really get rid of those Soviet exKGB morons in your Kremlin that's just pathetic. I mean our parlament SUCKS too, but your "DUMA" guys are just a pice of Soviet Sh... with the appropriate mentality. I'm not commenting on Russian media because I try to stay more or less polite on this blog... But I'm sure many of you can feel that something is *ahem!* terribly wrong with your journalism, TV, internet... IT REALLY IS! (But it always was, so I'm understanding when some of you say stuff like - "There is no free media at all" or "In every country EVERYTHING on media is propaganda..." - maybe but not to such extreme extent...)  ... Still as an optimist I would like to check all the great milestones of humanity and this is a dawn of new era today! Geneva, 10 September 2008. The first beam in the Large Hadron Collider at CERN1 was successfully steered around the full 27 kilometres of the world’s most powerful particle accelerator at 10h28 this morning. This historic event marks a key moment in the transition from over two decades of preparation to a new era of scientific discovery. http://press.web.cern.ch/press/PressRele ases/Releases2008/PR08.08E.html   Update: Well as so many things in 2008, not everything went very "smoothly" in CERN too. While the first run was a successful one, there were some technical complications with electronics and... well I will not go deeper into details... So hopefully next year, (Spring 2009?) - Just remember it's THE MOST EXPENSIVE, HUGE AND COMPLICATED machine ever built by humans. It's taking time, money and a HUGE attention from the scientists that are working on it. But I'm sure in the end it's all worth it. The potential for answers that this machine can provide about our universe are groundbreaking and they will surely redefine our understanding of who we are and what is this universe that we happen to live in. Music: Pink Floyd  - Echoes - Time / King Crimson  - Epitaph - In the court of Crimson King - Fallen Angel - Cat Food - 21st Century Schizoid Man / Rage Against The Machine  - Bulls On Parade
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One day in Baku(Baki)(Azerbaijan)  I always wanted to visit Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Since I had a small, day-long business in that city, finely I got a real chance to do just that. The trip was quite long(Next time taking a plain) as we(me and my father) decided to go there by train. Oh and it was quite annoying as they kept us waiting for hour or so at both(Georgian and Azerbaijani) check points…(We both really should flesh it out) The nature was quite different form what I saw in Georgia. Less forests, more rocky ground… oh and Oil coming out of earth…(No really, you could just see that at every corner) We arrived to Baku quite exhausted and quickly did our business meetings and decided to spend the rest of the day sightseeing. It was a great day! Well first and foremost the overall impression. Baku is AMAZING! I really have no words to describe it. The old city has this beautiful old European-Asian architecture… Most of the buildings are renovated and are done so in regards with the highest standards and they look gorgeous! In Tbilisi I constantly hear about “too many construction buildings going on…” dunno, never took it as a problem, but Baku is seriously aiming to become next Qatar or Singapore… The building is super intense and in general of very high quality. Now, sure naysayer’s can always skeptically claim that “It’s all in the Oil!” – And my answer is - So What? Oil wealth IS wealth and the progress that Azerbaijan and Baku is making is very real! According to study Azerbaijan is a world leader in GDP growth and it shows! People we met in Azerbaijan were all extremely warm and friendly. Oh and in the center of the city where all the “expensive” stuff is going on I saw some really beautiful young girls. Dressed very stylish too. In general I really liked the dressing code of the younger people in Baku. Quite refreshing! Apart from all that I have to mention our Taxi drivers(We used Taxi 4 times that day) So all of our drivers were very friendly, polite, oh and they were driving pretty well too… (Heheh, sure I write this as a sharp contrast to Tbilisi’s often(mostly) horrible Taxi service…) Prices on certain goods were a bit higher then in Tbilisi… Like for example mineral water “Vitel” costing double of it's price in Tbilisi… … ah, sure I forgot to mention about Caspian sea, it looks quite nice and the Baku has a nice shore… which as I understand is going to turn soon into something completely different and “shiny”. Meanwhile the parks surrounding that area are quite nice.(As are the multimillon dollar yachts at the coast) Sure Azerbaijan as Georgia has still some ways to go and things to fix… like in this case a bit less corruption could bring things on a whole new level for Azerbaijan… All in all I really liked what I saw and I wish all the best to our neighbors in Azerbaijan. And if I may add I predict that in 15 to 20 years Baku will be known as one of the financial capitals of the world. Just wait and see, it need’s just few more years to be on par with the best European city’s today and unlike some city’s it is not afraid too look expensive and impressively gorgeous I think that’s quite cool! P.S. Yeah, I forgot to mention... DO NOT take any Azeri Manat's with you from another country.(Trust me) Exchange the money when you arrive! ;) Just a friendly advice... I'm off to Japan!  Yoroshiku Now Listening To: Bob Dylan  Knocking On Heavens Door Tags: baku
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 For few days I'm back to my home and it's now I truly realise how I missed everyone and everything. While "mountains" of work still await me back at CERN :) I still have few days left to do the things that just have to be done. As for Geneva, it's already a part of my soul, I love her! It's like being away from someone that you love with whole your heart. Besides now I'm starting to miss all the people and things at CERN. I mean we all are much more then colleagues, we are great friends! --------------------------- Pink Floyd "Time" "... Home, home again I like to be here when I can And when I come home cold and tired Its good to warm my bones beside the fire Far away across the field The tolling of the iron bell Calls the faithful to their knees To hear the softly spoken magic spells."  Thx Flyer! 
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Deep Purple Concert at Geneva Arena
The tickets where sold out and I was not lucky enough to get the seated place instead I had to be among the crowd of adoring fans and stand om my legs for hours. (But damn that was Deep Purple and well who cared about else...)
Geneva (HEARTS) Deep Purple ____________
I was fashionably late to Geneva Arena concert hall that is conveniently located at the Geneva Palexpo.(It's where all those Geneva car shows take place and some other*** things...heheh) The fans where outside, among them where plenty of people in their fifty's. I bet that's the kind of music they listened when they where in my age.
I will not lie to "ye" I'm a Led Zeppelin's man. I love that rock band more then any other out there. But I also had some Deep Purple songs on my mp3 player too, so it was still very very good.
The concert was LOUD, FUN and has left the show floor covered in litter and sweetness. No really it was SWEET(Cuz the show floors are sweet in Switzerland) and because of all the Coca-cola and beer that was spilled on the show floor. The fans where crazy and as one of the best drummers was banging his instruments people got closer to nirvana.
When the crowds go wild:
There is no telling there where some really awesome songs on the show, but one was on everybody's mind. Which song?!
Why this one of course -
"Smoke On The Water" :
" We all came out to montreux On the lake geneva shoreline To make records with a mobile We didnt have much time Frank zappa and the mothers Were at the best place around But some stupid with a flare gun Burned the place to the ground Smoke on the water, fire in the sky ... "
This song has totally crazed the fans sending them to climax and cheering for their favorite band. It was a sweet sight and one of the best rocking roll moments I have witnessed!
Unfortunately my camera was snatched right in front of the entry a rather eagle eyed stuff member of the Arena has gently forced me to leave my camera at the entrance, till the show was done.
I was hoping to make some shots of the stage with all the high end gorgeous equipment, but I was intercepted by a pretty employee of the Arena who has not allowed me to make even a single shot of the stage. She smiled to me and said "No" (Oh yeah, I have that effect on all the women, they smile to me...)
At least I made this final shot of the Geneva Arena to calm myself for this over forced protection of this band from my camera. :)
Looks nice. It has this "I would have made this logo" feel to it. :)
There is no doubt which band is the all time favorite in this city. With such phenomenal music talent and legendary rock song about this city. Deep Purple is always welcome here, with the open arms.
________________________________________________________________
NOW Listening to:
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•¸.•*´¨Led Zeppelin¨´*•.¸.•*´¨*
 "Stairway To Heaven"
"The Song Remains The Same"
Deep Purple: 
"Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming"
The Beatles:
"Here Comes The Sun"
"In My Life"
Your Daikide (magnificent bastard)
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_____________Geneva blog _____________________________________I_ ______________________________Genève__________________
By chance I was invited to work at the CERN that is located near Geneva (Genève)
This blog is about my life in this amazing city and work at the worlds most advanced laboratory of particle physics.
Now in my 23, I have been to many country's around the world and have seen lots of different city's but this one is very special to me:
It's really easy for me to say now: "I LOVE YOU GENEVE!, I love you with whole my heart you have changed my views on many things!" The People, Nature and French language that I to my shame still can't speak can't miss it. It gets to you and makes you better. I love nearly everything about this place.
Clocks - > THIS IS SWITZERLAND!
Geneva is a small city indeed and I have heard tons of complains that it's too quiet or even boring... I just can't agree on that. The city is small, but it has so many different flavors to it. It's so damn multicultural and there are people from just any country you can imagine. It has a vast array of different religions and you can constantly discover new vistas... and when you think you have seen it all (As I did a while ago) You take another look and discover a whole new dimension of the city detail. Just take a closer look at the obvious things and Geneve comes to life, it's one of a kind city. I'm certain there are no other places like this one. This city has has it's city culture as if it was a huge metropolis. (I mean it's definitely more mature compared to it's size.)
During the summer the whole city turns into the endless concerts party's and night outs. They call it "Fêtes de Genève". (not "FAT" bastards :) The Music/Flowers/Sun (Beer) is good, but the dancing is not on my part (Besides I don't wanna shock anyone with my inability for basic hand-leg coordination so I'm not dancing at all) And you know what(?) It's a botanical garden here. I thought we at Tbilisi had this great nature in the city, but what Geneva offers that is just beyond any imagination. The city is more like a thin layer of butter on a big slice of bread then a tight grouped city that has too many things going on at some places while being totally quite elsewhere. This offers some great green locations/gardens/ parks / lakes and stuff like that nearly at every step.
Old city... I'll just have to post some pictures of that.
St. Pierre Cathedral (aka my "hangout place" at the evenings... it's quiet, dark and I like it there, some benches under the trees, some Led Zeppelin music for my ears and the worlds worries go away.)
It's amazing how things have preserved. The old parts of the city are particularly amazing and I can say that it's like a real time machine within the city. Once you get to the old parts of the town you feel like it's closer to year 1700 or so, then say current 2007. Having said that
Geneve is as modern as any European city can get. But it's modern touches, unlike in Tbilisi don't often destroy the past instead the benefits of modern progress add to the city. Add functionality/security/beauty and other various improvements.
Near the city center.
Great number of international organizations and corporations have headquarters set up in Geneve. Both important and some important & unfunctional. (Like say UN...)
Among other bells and whistles I should note that Geneve holds the name of the second best city in the world via it's living standards and comes second after (Also Swiss) Zürich. (Which I'm sure is FANTASTIC city on it's own right, but still French language and especially when girls talk, it totally melts my heart. And in Zürich they speak mostly in German (Which I know to some acceptable level.) So they may too have Swiss cheese, chocolate and Alps, but they miss one essential ingredient which Geneve has in full and that is FRENCH!
Your typical apartments at Meryn district in Geneve. (That's where I live, it's pretty close to both CERN and Geneva city centre. Plus extra 10 mins of sleep in the morning cost A LOT to my dear moi!) btw the famous mount Mont Blanc is visible from that area.
Don't mind the blur in this shot. Instead think what the hell is with those lightning on the floor? Well that's how Geneva welcomes people from different cultures each of this bright stones has a nice word in different languages. Like say, "Hello" in Japanese "こんにちは。" or "Thank you" in Turkish for example. (I think it's a very nice touch)
(If Red Hot Chili Peppers sing about CALIFORNICATION, I would sing about GENEVEVICATION!) I have This sick EViL dream that every city on earth should look at least a little like Geneve ! Yess YEESSS!!! ... (^_^) Let's make French language the official world language and throw away all the math and other things till we get really well with this sweet language! So that no one of us still not speaking(incl. me...) would never feel confused when encountering another wondering soul:"Parle vu France?"
The "horrible" truth here is that you can find little parts of Geneve in almost any part of Europe (Even my hometown for example) and vise versa, because it's a small worldwide city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva - Geneve wiki
http://map.search.ch/geneve.en.html - Entire city map from space (Google Maps like thingy)
_____________________________________________________________
NOW Listening to:
Led Zeppelin:
"Achilles Last Stand"
"We're Gonna Groove" "Dazed And Confused"
Your Daikide (magnificent bastard)
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![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
daikide's journal
Careful With That Axe Eugene
Building 40 (ATLAS experiment) lobby.
