Just an ordinary economist who loves leatherworking, photography and video. Love cooking. Eating I love even more. I travel. I drink as well
(This isn’t “the Coil post” but just me publicly saying what I feel I have to say.)
Dear Tiffany and Travis, this way I just want to tell you that I (and many other creators) see the effort and your hard work to make the platform work smoothly, and that I’m truly thankful for it (just like others are, I’m sure).
I hope you will continue doing the great work.
Thank you once again,
Srdan
Funny Russian Sights (Or Not The Original Post But Funny)
Dear Coilers, absence of original posts on the platform made me compose this one to show you that originality is praised and highly valued!
Russian wedding procession
Two Russian friends hug...
Russian Babushka
Russian air conditioning
Meanwhile on Russian highway...
Coiler’s, dear Coilers, have you ever been thinking what makes one nation wealthier than the other? The answer is very simple, a knowledge is making the difference.
Oh, that simple?! Yes, knowledge is The key resource which the wealth of a nation depends on, no matter if the nation creates it or plunders it from the pond of knowledge of other nations.
In the past there were many examples of today’s mighty and wealthy nations stealing from others. How many scientists from the nazi Germany ended in the US after the WWII?!
Let me remember you that I come from an ex communist country, now a member of EU. Insisting on sweating and working all day as a recipe for the success of the individual and society is wrong. Such an approach has its roots in communist propaganda where apotheosis is made of hard work, and neglects the importance of education and innovation. Closing the communism chapter and transition to western economy was (and still is) hard and none of the ex communist countries haven’t reached the level of the developed EU members. Those which turned to high tech society are much ahead from the idiotic countries like mine, which turned to tourism and hospitality. (Imagine tourism results in this COVID 2020 😂)
State should be the one who stimulates the creation, not the redistribution of wealth. The states are civilizational product of society and the citizens are basically, in the long run, much more “profitable” than the subjects.
Under no circumstances state should tell what to do and how to do it. The state should provide the hive, and the entrepreneurs (bees) should make a profit (honey) themselves. Many states are doing the opposite through over regulation and/or non adequate regulation framework (are crypto securities or..?!). They constantly chase the bees and push them into an inadequate hive. Instead of honey, which bees make themselves, the state asks for huge amounts of money (sugar) and feeds drones, instead of workers.
Check the countries rich list and you’ll be able to spot that the top is held by countries with the less bad regulation framework and highly valued education, or at least one of the two being outstanding.
Killing entrepreneurship by the state regulations is very easy and highly effective. I’ll give you an example I know myself. Imagine starting a small online business in selling ebooks. What do you need for the start? A laptop? Most of you would say the laptop is just enough. BUT what if you have to have a warehouse for ebooks online business?! In Croatia, EU, you HAVE TO HAVE A WAREHOUSE TO SELL EBOOKS ONLINE!!!
Sick!? – you must think reading this. It is absolutely sick but it is truth. Many other idiotic regulations can be found all over the world. That is the reason why liberation of the market is a MUST.
Government employees are mostly non brilliant students who were not good enough to get high payed jobs in top companies. Or not good enough for any private business at all. By working for the government they are in the position of power and are doing their best to make life harder to their ex colleagues who were better than them. In the same time they are too limited and too inexperienced to provide at least decent regulation framework even if they wanted to.
The only way the economy will prosper, after the recession/depression which is knocking at the door, is to let people work, let entrepreneurs spread their wings and make added value combining capital and knowledge. Making ideas become living projects.
State should provide hives and let the bees make honey. State will take 70% of the honey anyway...
Thanks for reading,
Srdan
How To Become An Alcoholic And Develop Liver Cirrhosis
Drink enough...
This Is Anfield And We Are Liverpool
Dear Coilers and all football enthusiasts, after 30 long years Reds are on top again, all thanks to a brilliancy of one man, Jürgen...
Amen ... One word, four letters. Nothing longer than that was even necessary, everything became crystal clear. The Liverpool defender and Croatian national team player, Dejan Lovren, said everything he needed to say in a short and simple message on Twitter, after 30 long years of waiting for that trophy!
Finally, the drought was over, Liverpool became champions for the 19th time, but for the first time in the Premier League, founded in February 1992, less than two years after Liverpool won their last title on April 28 1990, with a 2:1 home win against QPR...
And if someone had told in 1990 that Liverpool would have to wait a full three decades for the new title, all would just have laughed cynically at him. And called an ambulance to take him to hospital.
Many things have happened in these three decades without a crown at Anfield, the world has changed drastically, some states have disappeared, some have emerged, many wars fought and many new technologies invented. Only the strong fans’ love for the cult club from the Beatles’ town has not changed. Many who celebrated Liverpool's last triumph are not among us anymore, generations of people have grown up, the kids of that time have become mature people...
Pictures of the celebration from the streets of Liverpool (social distance? Yeah as if!), as well as a special show staged by English SkySport immediately after Chelsea's triumph against Manchester City, pampered Liverpool fans. Scenes of crying manager Jürgen Klopp and captain of this brilliant team Jordan Henderson (who can blame them for their tears), emotions were impossible to control!...
Liverpool legends streamed live from their homes, first Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was the manager in 1990, Liverpool's last coach with the title of champion. He survived a coronavirus, put a red scarf around his neck, raised a glass of champagne, but suddenly his wife burst into the frame and forbade him to drink a celebratory drink! Health is, (is it?), the most important thing. There is no better cure for a tortured organism than this title...
(Screenshot/SkySport)
Jamie Carragher, the winner of the Uefa Cup and the Champions League (but not the English champion!), opened a champagne in his backyard and spilled it wildly. Phil Thompson, the legendary Liverpool defender, winning seven championship titles, praised Klopp, just like Graham Souness, who was the English champion on five occasions playing at Anfield...
The world is full of paradoxes. So at one time the best rapper was white, and the best golfer black, Germany in this century refuses to participate in wars... And we all know what “love” is between the English and the Germans, but on the Liverpool bench should have sat a German so that the title comes to Anfield again!
Klopp came five years ago, at the first “press conference” he promised one trophy in four years. He brought it, the Champions League. Now came the title of English champion...
From 1990 until today, Liverpool, including Klopp, has changed nine managers! And some of them were at Anfield on two occasions. There was no luck with the English (Moran, Evans and Hodgson), nor with the Scots (Souness and Dalglish), and neither did Northern Irish manager Brendan Rodgers do anything. The Frenchman brought the Uefa Cup (Gerrard Houllier), and the Spanish and German the Champions League (Rafa Benitez and *Jürgen Klopp*).
“The Smiling German” has a photo of the legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankley above his desk in his office at Anfield. With his arms outstretched, one of Shankley's many wisdoms is written below:
A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.
The band of brothers, all together for each other. And that was what Klopp insisted on from the first day, he insisted on The TEAM, backed up by phenomenal and indescribably loyal fans. And he insisted on responsibilities...
Football is life. We all have to be “inside.” How will we deal with the pressure if only one player feels it? No way. All players must feel responsible and important, otherwise there is no success. Not just 11 players, but everyone in the locker room – Klopp told the secret to success.
So the whole team watched the victory of Chelsea against City together, on the terrace of a hotel in nearby Formby, a picnic area about 20 kilometers from Liverpool. Team, The Team brings success. Without that, there is nothing! His Liverpool is definitely a mirror of brotherhood and symbiosis with the fans, who really never left their club alone. Never...
Dram! – Bowmore Legend – Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Dear Coilers, new Dram! is here with the review of one of the most affordable Islay single malt Scotch whiskies...
Bowmore is Islay’s oldest distillery, and home to the world’s oldest whisky maturation warehouse, the No. 1 Vaults. It’s in this legendary warehouse that Bowmore whisky has been meticulously matured by master distillers for nearly 240 years.
The first recorded mention of Bowmore Distillery dates from 1779, but speak kindly to a few of the older islanders and they’ll maybe whisper a rumour or two that distilling started here some time before that.
Certainly Bowmore’s founder, the merchant David Simpson, bought the land in 1766. Exactly what happened in the years in between is anyone’s guess!
When it comes to whisky heritage, Bowmore Distillery is unrivalled. They continue to hand down the traditions, skills and expertise that were crafted in the earliest days of Scotch whisky.
Bowmore Legend is Bowmore’s low-end, no age statement (NAS) expression. It’s most probably younger than 10 years on average, bottled at the legal minimum of 40% ABV after being aged in ex-bourbon casks.
It is one of the most affordable Scotch single malts, and being an Islay peated whisky gives it even higher value. So let’s taste it...
WW – Travel! – Beihai Park – Beijing, China
Dear Coilers, today’s wordless Wednesday isn’t going to be wordless, far from it. After few other sights of China, today I take you to Beihai Park, a pure gem of the gorgeous Beijing.
Located in the center of Beijing, Beihai Park (North Sea Park) covers an area of 690,000 square meters, including 390,000 square meters of water area. It was called Yaoyu (the Isle of Precious Jade) in the Liao Dynasty and was established in 1166 (the 6th year of Dading period of the Jin Dynasty). It used to be a royal place for sightseeing, government affairs handling and sacrifice by emperors and the imperial families of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is the earliest and best preserved imperial garden in the world.
**Jade Islet
**
Situated in the center of Beihai Park, acclaimed as one of the earliest imperial parks in the world, Jade Islet epitomizes the brilliance of Chinese gardens, architecture, calligraphy and culture. The Islet’s principal site is the Tibetan style White Dagoba. In front of the dagoba is the Hall of Good Cause, where a statue of Yamantaka is enshrined and the exterior walls are embellished with 455 small glazed Buddha images. Temple of Eternal Peace (Yong’an), a main building on the same north-south axis as the dagoba, stands to the south of the White Dagoba Hill. Within the temple grounds are the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Hall of the Wheel of Dharma, Hall of True Enlightenment and Hall of Universal Peace. The halls are dedicated to the Sakyamuni Buddha, Tsongkhapa—the first patriarch of Tibetan Buddhism, the Eight Great Bodhisattvas and the Eighteen Arhats, respectively. These structures constitute a Tibetan monastery complex. To the west of Temple of Eternal Peace is the Tower of Celebration and the Hall of Felicity where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty attended to urgent state affairs when visiting the garden. The Tower of Celebration was frequented by Emperor Qianlong and his empress during the winter Laba Festival to watch games on the frozen lake. Four distinctive, ingenious pavilions named Enchanting Scenes (Yinsheng), Refreshing Mist (Di’ai), Cloud Embracing (Yunyi), and Gazing Afar (Yiyuan) enhance the charm of the islet.
**White Dagoba
**
Built in 1651, this 35.90 meter tall dagoba was damaged twice by earthquakes in 1679 and 1730. It was repaired several times, including a major restoration in 1964. The decorative top of the dagoba was destroyed during the 1976 Tangshan earthquake and restored in 1977. In 2005, a major restoration project, the largest in 100 years, was launched for the White Dagoba and the architecture on Jade Islet. In front of the dagoba stands the Hall of Good Cause, added in 1751. This hall is circular on top and square at the bottom with roofs covered in copper gilt tiles; on the exterior walls are 455 glazed tiles carved with Buddhist statues. To the south of the building are four copper screen doors. A statue of guardian of Beijing is enshrined in this hall.Behind the White Dagoba, where imperial guards were stationed, stand tall flag poles and a copper and iron artillery piece for signaling purposes.
Temple of Eternal Peace
(Yong’an) is situated at the southern edge of White Dagoba Hill. Originally named White Dagoba Temple, it was built in 1651 by Qing emperor Fu Lin at the suggestion of Tibetan Lama Naomuhan. Initially, the temple included the following buildings: Hall of True Enlightenment, Hall of Universal Peace, Hall of Great Attainment, Hall of Mirror, corner rooms, hill rooms and the White Dagoba. The Hall of True Enlightenment was the temple entrance at that time. The temple was given its present name in 1741; the Hall of the Wheel of Dharma, Bell Tower, Drum Tower and a new temple gate were added in 1743. In 1751, the Hall of Good Cause, Pavilion of Enchanting Scenes, and Pavilion of Refreshing Mist were built, respectively housing stone tablets erected in 1774 bearing inscriptions “Note on White Dagoba Hill” and “Note on the Surroundings of White Dagoba Hill” in Emperor Qianlong’s calligraphy. Over the years, some buildings and statues in this magnificent religious complex were destroyed. In 1993, the entire architectural complex was restored to its past splendor.
**Stele of the Jade Islet in Spring Shade
**
The “Jade Islet in Spring Shade” scene was one of the Eight Great Sights of Beijing during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). Erected in 1751, the stele has on its front side an inscription “Qiong Dao Chun Yin”（Jade Islet in Spring Shade）in the calligraphy of Qing Emperor Qianlong (1711-99); the other three sides are inscribed with poems by the emperor.
The Round City
(Tuancheng), originally an islet in Taiye Lake, was part of Daning Palace (Grand Palace of Tranquility) during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). It was called Yuandi or Yingzhou during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). In 1264, (Yitian Hall) was built within the Round City. The hall was renamed Hall of Receiving Brilliance in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).The Round City occupies an area of 4,500 square meters, surrounded by a 4.6-meter high and 276-meter long city wall. The Hall of Receiving Brilliance collapsed during an earthquake in 1669, but was rebuilt in 1690 and expanded in 1746 to what it is now. The Round City has a distinctive courtyard with halls, pavilions and ancient trees.
June 22, The Real “ANTIFA” Holiday
Dear Coilers, today, June 22, is public holiday in Croatia in resemblance to the first organized anti fascist movement in Europe and anti fascist roots of modern Croatian state.
These days news feeds are full of some anti fascism which, unfortunately, looks more like the thing first anti fascists were fighting against 79 years ago.
*Anti Fascist Struggle Day* (Dan antifašističke borbe, in Croatian) is a national holiday in Croatia. It is celebrated on June 22 every year. The date marks the beginning of the uprising of Croatian anti fascist partisans against Italian and German occupying forces, the fascist puppet state Independent State of Croatia and the formation of the First Sisak Partisan Detachment on June 22 1941 near Sisak.
The Yugoslav Partisans was the Communist-led resistance against the Axis powers in occupied Yugoslavia during World War II. It is considered to be Europe’s most effective anti-Axis resistance movement during WWII. It was led by the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, commandeered by Marshal Josip Broz Tito.
Since achieving its independence, Croatia has celebrated June 22 as Anti Fascist Struggle Day. To mark this historic event and commemorate the sacrifices made by everyone who fought the occupiers, numerous delegations pay homage and lay flowers and wreaths at the cemeteries of all major Croatian cities.
Croatia doesn’t have straight pure history. We were on both sides in the chaos of WWII. The reasons were both historical and political, and the nation is still, almost 80 years later, divided in thoughts about which way was the right one to take.
The truth is that none of the two was absolutely pure and right. Collaboration with nazis was absolutely wrong but it has given “independence” to Croatia. Anti fascism gave us victory in WWII but partisans killed thousands of countrymen after the end of the war and we had to wait for our independence for the next 46 years.
There are divisions in thoughts about it within many Croatian families, even today.
My family is the same, with members being on both sides, grandfather a Dalmatian partisan fighting against Italian occupiers and great grandfather killed by partisans after the war ended, with his body still to be recovered, most probably laying in some unmarked mass grave. Executed without a trial and thrown in a muddy ditch together with many other Croatian children, women and men.
In the times of protests and fights throughout the world I would like to emphasize that the fight against fascism is a MUST for every freedom loving human being, but turning that fight into the very same fascism is the worst and the wrongest thing.
As a fact we should not fight each other but change ourselves so we can respect our differences and proudly be able to publicly express our thoughts, opinions and stands without a fear of being labelled and discredited by anyone.
Fascism is fascism, no matter which name it holds!
Freedom is freedom, and will never hold any other name but freedom!
Thank you for reading,
Srdan
Travel! – King Tomislav Square – Zagreb, Croatia
Dear Coilers, after the “Zrinjevac” square here comes another from the “horseshoe” squares of Zagreb, Croatia, the square of...
This courageous warrior defended the continental part of Croatia from Hungarian attacks and for the first time united all Croatian lands into one country. Tomislav successfully sought papal recognition of his realm, and was crowned as king in the year 925. Despite dying mysteriously three years later, his status as founder of the Croatian state has never been in doubt.
The statue of Tomislav on horseback was completed by sculptor Robert Frangeš Mihanović in 1938, although protracted political difficulties and the outbreak of World War II prevented the statue from being installed in its current location until 1947.
The railway arrived in Zagreb in 1862, connecting the 40,000-strong city to the economic and cultural centres of Vienna and Budapest. Built in 1892, the station building was designed by Hungarian architect Ferenc Pfaff, something of a specialist when it came to railway stations. Incorporating a mixture of Renaissance and Neo-classical elements, it is a fine addition to the parade of buildings that lies along the route of Lenuci’s Horseshoe.
Travellers coming out of the railway station are confronted with one of the most beautiful views in Zagreb, which takes in the statue of King Tomislav, the Art Pavilion, the cathedral’s spires and the green slopes of Mount Medvednica in the distance.
Marking the northern end of King Tomislav Square is the Art Pavilion, originally built to serve as the Croatian Pavilion at the Budapest Millennial Exhibition of 1896. Constructed using the latest in metal frame techniques, the pavilion was disassembled at the end of the Budapest exhibition, transported to Zagreb by train, and re-erected at its current location.
The ceremonial opening took place in 1898 accompanied by a grand exhibition of contemporary artists. The pavilion was Zagreb’s first dedicated space for art shows, and has been an important venue for high-profile exhibitions ever since.
The hotel Esplanade is close to the main railway station and was built in very short time in 1925. The original purpose of the hotel was to provide top-notch accommodation for passengers on the Orient Express, the luxurious service linking Paris and Istanbul and which used Zagreb as one of the stops. Many celebrity guests stayed at the hotel, which became an important center for society events.
The Zagreb public was particularly intrigued by the performance of a provocative dancer Josephine Baker in 1929, when several virtuous local ladies expressed their disapproval. It was also here that Zagreb’s first beauty contest was held in 1926, with the winner going on to be crowned “Miss Europe” in the following year.
King Tomislav Square, “Tomislavac” for Zagrebians, one of the sights to see and feel for every traveler. Especially when Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra plays there, or during the winter when it is turned to probably the biggest temporary iceskating rinks in the world.
Thanks for reading,
Srdan
Dear subscribers, a 2 minute video of the square for you...
Dear Coilers, in the month of gratitude on Coil, many of us creators are writing our personal stories to show gratitude to...
In this one, I want to thank my parents for doing their best to form something from the pile of protein which I would be without their interference.
My parents are just normal people, believe it or not. Mother an economist and father a mechanical engineer. She worked and took care of kids, father was constructing electric engines and teaching at university. His job in raising me was to correct my twisted stubbornness plus some other things, less important (or not so less).
When I was 3 I had meningitis (I remember just few things from then) but luckily (luckily for me, not for the world) I’ve survived without major complications. As a fact there were not any, just my brain being overclocked which made me more bad than good.
So my parents had to deal with a kid who wasn’t easy to be trained.
Still in kindergarten, one day, I’ve just felt bored and decided to leave and have some fun outside... Apparently, there was total mess with the search, preschool teachers, police, parents... and I just looked for some entertainment.
My father explained me later, in non pedagogical Balkan way, that I shouldn’t do it anymore. I remembered it well, though lasting just till my gluteus muscles stopped being sore. Did it at least two times again.
Then they’ve (preschool institution) sent me to be examined by some people in white coats. Kind ladies they were. Been doing some tests, playing with some didactically designed toys, talking with them... and the diagnosis was that I was a prodigy child.
Some will think that that is a blessing for parents (and a child too). But believe me, it is the 9th circle of hell.
I was wild, indocile, totaly disordered in behaviour... yet I was just bored. And my parents loved me as much as if I was a saint. (Which I am now)
As I’ve learnt to read at 4, my father tried to entertain me with understanding and playing with some electric sets, I was even good at it, till I’ve put two wires into the socket...
I still remember the feeling of electricity shaking my little (at that time) body untill my father, literally, kicked me from it.
The evening ended with me crying in his hug untill I fell asleep shocked (literally again lol) and exhausted.
We haven’t played with electric sets again.
Then I’ve been watching ski jumping on TV. As there were no skis nor snow, but there was a bicycle and wheelchair ramp (leading to the 10 meter high terrace of our building complex) I’ve decided to replace the first two with the other two...
I’ve woke up in Childrens Hospital in Klaićeva street with faces of crying mom and worried dad as the first thing I’ve seen after my third rebirth.
Father explained me things later, politely, due to severe concussion. No consequences once again.
With more or less problems I’ve caused to myself, my parents and others, my childhood passed boringly calm.
But the school was a pure horror. So boring, program for the retarded, having to seat calmly for 45 minutes with just 5 minutes to be normal in between. Making chaos was the only fun.
Parents were more in school principal’s office than at work... red faces from shame because their little animal was the way he was. But never gave up from trying to make a decent human being out of me.
Father explained me things infinite number of times.
And I’ve remembered it.
What they’ve achieved was me finishing one of the best high school in country, studying, learning languages, playing football, futsal, tennis, handball, table tennis, basketball, and above all, fell in love with Russian and English realism and fine art. Made me love traveling and to love the whole World and people inhabiting it.
Above all, I’ve become a Coil creator!
At the age of 40, with my dear parents still alive and more or less healthy, I publicly show the gratitude to them. For every moment of shame they’ve had because of me, yet with hope they feel (relatively) proud of what I’ve become.
Thank you.
And thank you for reading,
Srdan