1. Konflikt
2. Hammer Bros.
3. Chain Chomp
4. Genius
5. Goomba
6. Problemy
7. Bob-omb
8. Cenzura
9. Zona A
10. Lakitu
Slovak Punk Band: 1,4,6,8,9
Super Mario Character: 2,3,5,7,10
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
An Idiot’s Guide to Hungary Part I: Politics
I have been here way too long not to understand the difference between Hungary’s Prime Minister and President or why Hungarians have a telecom-like affinity for political acronyms. This is by no means a comprehensive analysis; rather it is an exercise for me to string together a few coherent sentences sourced via Wikipedia about the current political situation in Hungary.
Since its transition to a multi-party political system in 1989, Hungary holds Parliament elections every four year. There are no major ideological differences between the main two political parties, both of whom contain ex-communist members and seem to concentrate on attacking each other rather than verbalizing or executing their platforms. MSZP, the socialist party in power since 2002, unsuccessfully campaigned against extending Hungarian citizenship to ethnic Hungarians in neighboring countries, advocates free markets, and includes former communist party leaders.
The majority believe Fidsez, the conservative party, will gain control of Parliament following the April 2010 elections not because they inspire confidence or are less corrupt than MSZP but simply because the public is tired of MSZP. Many ex-communist countries have experienced a similiar power flip every four years; it is believed the Hungarian socialist party extended their reign to two terms only by buying votes. Given the 2006 election turnout of 40%, elections are yet another forum in which Hungarians evidence their apathy.
Elected by Parliament, the current President, Laszlo Solyom, has no official party affiliation. Serving largely as a figurehead, the most interesting things about Solyom are that he refuses to visit the US as long as he is fingerprinted at the border, and Slovakia belligerently refused him entry this summer, heightening the ongoing tension between Hungary and Slovakia.
The office of the Prime Minister is more interesting and legitimate position. Ferenc Gyurcsany, of the ruling socialist party, made an unexpected announcement in March to step down as Prime Minister due to plummeting popularity. In addition to being criticized for his handling of the country’s economic crash and KGB ties, Gyurcsany's reputation was badly damaged in 2006 when state radio broadcast a speech in which Gyurcsany admitted lying about the state of the economy to win elections a few months earlier. The broadcast sparked weeks of protests and riots that left hundreds injured (perhaps caused by Hungarian Masculinity?). The non-controversial entrepreneur, György Bajnai, succeeded Gyurcsany in a so far successful attempt to avoid scandal until the next election.
Relative to other aspects of their lives, Hungarians can get riled up about politics. However when I asked one coworker why she did not vote in the EU Parliamentary elections this summer, she responded, "It was raining."
Part II to come: the Hungarian economy.
Since its transition to a multi-party political system in 1989, Hungary holds Parliament elections every four year. There are no major ideological differences between the main two political parties, both of whom contain ex-communist members and seem to concentrate on attacking each other rather than verbalizing or executing their platforms. MSZP, the socialist party in power since 2002, unsuccessfully campaigned against extending Hungarian citizenship to ethnic Hungarians in neighboring countries, advocates free markets, and includes former communist party leaders.
The majority believe Fidsez, the conservative party, will gain control of Parliament following the April 2010 elections not because they inspire confidence or are less corrupt than MSZP but simply because the public is tired of MSZP. Many ex-communist countries have experienced a similiar power flip every four years; it is believed the Hungarian socialist party extended their reign to two terms only by buying votes. Given the 2006 election turnout of 40%, elections are yet another forum in which Hungarians evidence their apathy.
Elected by Parliament, the current President, Laszlo Solyom, has no official party affiliation. Serving largely as a figurehead, the most interesting things about Solyom are that he refuses to visit the US as long as he is fingerprinted at the border, and Slovakia belligerently refused him entry this summer, heightening the ongoing tension between Hungary and Slovakia.
The office of the Prime Minister is more interesting and legitimate position. Ferenc Gyurcsany, of the ruling socialist party, made an unexpected announcement in March to step down as Prime Minister due to plummeting popularity. In addition to being criticized for his handling of the country’s economic crash and KGB ties, Gyurcsany's reputation was badly damaged in 2006 when state radio broadcast a speech in which Gyurcsany admitted lying about the state of the economy to win elections a few months earlier. The broadcast sparked weeks of protests and riots that left hundreds injured (perhaps caused by Hungarian Masculinity?). The non-controversial entrepreneur, György Bajnai, succeeded Gyurcsany in a so far successful attempt to avoid scandal until the next election.
Relative to other aspects of their lives, Hungarians can get riled up about politics. However when I asked one coworker why she did not vote in the EU Parliamentary elections this summer, she responded, "It was raining."
Part II to come: the Hungarian economy.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Along For The Ride
I have been delinquent about updating the blog because I have been feeling rather apathetic - apathetic about Budapest, Europe, and life in general. I should have known this was coming since upon my arrival in Hungary seasoned ex-pats warned me about the cycle of emotions caused by moving to a new country.
1. Honeymoon period (June through August)
Everything was so NEW and INTERESTING! I began Hungarian lessons to embrace the culture and attended weekly couch-surfing dinners to meet “real” Hungarians. Being badly treated by a waiter wasn’t annoying; it was an authentic Hungarian experience! Oh those Hungarians, and their complex, pessimistic attitudes shaped by trying years under communist rule. Spurred by Hungarian suspicions of Americans and people in general (a recent survey found that 2/3 of Hungarians view others as “untrustworthy” while the majority view themselves as honest), I was determined to prove I was an empathetic, humble, socially-conscious American.
2. Annoyance (September through October)
It is no longer quaint that dry cleaners are not open on weekends or dairy goes bad after three days due to lack of preservatives. Hungarian is very difficult to learn and, frankly, an ugly and dying language – so why bother? It is not funny and deserving of a blog post when the gym randomly decides to open at 10 AM on a Tuesday, and I arrive at the office at 6:45 AM sans shower and in my gym clothes. And I do not always appreciate my coworker’s Hungarian honesty, which includes remarks such as “you look terrible” or “you look glum.” I do look glum – I just received a notification that my electricity will be shut off unless I pay my bill – the same bill I paid three times both online and at the post office.
3. Homesickness / Apathy (November)
So, things take three times as long to get done here – whatever. The best advice a fellow ex-pat ever gave me was to be patient; the advice has been spot-on but difficult to follow given my type-A personality and fondness of checking items off of to-do lists. I knew I was homesick when in London last week I got ridiculously excited by the familiarity of the Starbucks red snowflake holiday cups and Christmas lights in the department stores. Unsuccessfully having tried to lengthen my time home over the holidays, I am counting down the days until Christmas.
4. Zen (Here’s hoping)
Not exactly zen-like by nature, I am hoping the emotional rollercoaster will culminate in acceptance and enjoyment of a new culture and increased appreciation for the US. Or at least that is what my b-school essays said. I mean, if I cannot enjoy a culture in which people peace out of work at 5:30 PM to concentrate on their personal lives, I have issues.
1. Honeymoon period (June through August)
Everything was so NEW and INTERESTING! I began Hungarian lessons to embrace the culture and attended weekly couch-surfing dinners to meet “real” Hungarians. Being badly treated by a waiter wasn’t annoying; it was an authentic Hungarian experience! Oh those Hungarians, and their complex, pessimistic attitudes shaped by trying years under communist rule. Spurred by Hungarian suspicions of Americans and people in general (a recent survey found that 2/3 of Hungarians view others as “untrustworthy” while the majority view themselves as honest), I was determined to prove I was an empathetic, humble, socially-conscious American.
2. Annoyance (September through October)
It is no longer quaint that dry cleaners are not open on weekends or dairy goes bad after three days due to lack of preservatives. Hungarian is very difficult to learn and, frankly, an ugly and dying language – so why bother? It is not funny and deserving of a blog post when the gym randomly decides to open at 10 AM on a Tuesday, and I arrive at the office at 6:45 AM sans shower and in my gym clothes. And I do not always appreciate my coworker’s Hungarian honesty, which includes remarks such as “you look terrible” or “you look glum.” I do look glum – I just received a notification that my electricity will be shut off unless I pay my bill – the same bill I paid three times both online and at the post office.
3. Homesickness / Apathy (November)
So, things take three times as long to get done here – whatever. The best advice a fellow ex-pat ever gave me was to be patient; the advice has been spot-on but difficult to follow given my type-A personality and fondness of checking items off of to-do lists. I knew I was homesick when in London last week I got ridiculously excited by the familiarity of the Starbucks red snowflake holiday cups and Christmas lights in the department stores. Unsuccessfully having tried to lengthen my time home over the holidays, I am counting down the days until Christmas.
4. Zen (Here’s hoping)
Not exactly zen-like by nature, I am hoping the emotional rollercoaster will culminate in acceptance and enjoyment of a new culture and increased appreciation for the US. Or at least that is what my b-school essays said. I mean, if I cannot enjoy a culture in which people peace out of work at 5:30 PM to concentrate on their personal lives, I have issues.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Throwback
(Actually written November 4th)
My relationship with my bff Nina can be traced back to our mutual love of lists, abbreviations (abbrevs), and emails written in haiku. As such, here is a life update in the aforementioned Japanese art form.
Going to London
Although it is a work trip
Must spoon Alexis*
The Brits really love
Their little gold pinkie rings
They look kind of fem
Would Thanksgiving din
Survive if mailed to the ‘Pest?
Let’s give it a try
I apologize
This blog entry really sucks
Not life exciting
*Alexis Ettinger who currently resides in London
My relationship with my bff Nina can be traced back to our mutual love of lists, abbreviations (abbrevs), and emails written in haiku. As such, here is a life update in the aforementioned Japanese art form.
Going to London
Although it is a work trip
Must spoon Alexis*
The Brits really love
Their little gold pinkie rings
They look kind of fem
Would Thanksgiving din
Survive if mailed to the ‘Pest?
Let’s give it a try
I apologize
This blog entry really sucks
Not life exciting
*Alexis Ettinger who currently resides in London
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