There are four ways of talking about politically, religiously or otherwise sensitive topics: to argue, to redirect to other problems, to talk only about the desired direction, or not to talk at all. It seems Scandinavia has chosen the last - if you don't talk about a problem, it will go away on its own.
Looking at it abstractly and detached from reality (and history) - emphasising the rights of one group as a mechanism for correcting inequality is not in itself a bad thing. Even if we set aside V. Rudzītis's musings on men's unconditional submission to the goddess, the singling out of one particular group of people at least prompts reflection on the possible true aims of such a desire.
The perfect woman in us tries to hide the bad qualities - but in reality there are none. There are only needs, and they will find a way to be satisfied whether we want them to or not. It is wrong to think: if I am successful, I will be happy. It is the other way around - if you are happy, you will be successful. A feminine woman is one who does not pretend or act as something she is not, but is able to simply be herself.
Back in 2007, I let myself be talked into pension funds (Seesam, now Compensa) and agreed to the smallest possible amount. In 2015 I decided to enquire (since they don't send statements themselves) what had actually accumulated. In addition to what I had paid in, over 8 years a total of EUR 35 had accumulated - that's 0.16% per year.
A large proportion of people remain employees throughout their working lives, while others become entrepreneurs. I came across a couple of interesting infographics, one of which visually depicts the world's population broken down by economic activity. Interestingly, the number of entrepreneurs and non-working people in the world is almost equal.
This morning I found myself wondering why Latvian society exhibits passivity when it comes to getting involved, expressing one's position in real action rather than online posts, taking on responsibility. From time to time an activist emerges. It is good that there is such a one, but that is not public opinion worth listening to, by whose demand or critical attitude it is worth reviewing norms or improving legislation.
Bunting garlands like these make me think of fairs or festivals in cobblestoned or maple-lined old-town squares, where on weekends there is bustle and trade, live music plays, the air smells of cinnamon, lollipops and freshly baked bread. The traders' pop-up stalls are bathed in sunshine. People in such an atmosphere become especially talkative, smiley and friendly, as if all the everyday worries had somehow quietly slipped away.
Tomorrow we celebrate World Penguin Day, which is traditionally marked on 25 April each year. Conventionally on this day or around these days in Antarctica the mass migration events of penguins begin. A few instructions on how to properly celebrate Penguin Day.
Browsing through a bookshelf of long-untouched childhood and school-era books, I found a couple that, upon leafing through them, made me wonder whether my mind was starting to slowly rust. I opened a few puzzles made from matchsticks.
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Today the world celebrates International Rock and Roll Day. In the first half of the 1950s, an entirely new group of music listeners and consumers emerged in the USA. It was the baby boom generation - those born during the Second World War. These young people had not the slightest interest in the sentimental popular music beloved by older generations. Elvis Presley conquered the world with rock and roll.