Becoming Greek

Why are things so expensive in Greece?

This week I filled up my heating oil tank in my home.  Three years ago the tank cost under 175.00 euros to fill 500 liters.  This week the cost would be right at 500 euros to fill the same tank.  That is almost $5.00 a gallon for heating oil.....

To put that in perspective:  A good income was over 1,000 euros a month, and averaged 800.00 a month 3 years ago.  Statistically incomes have been cut almost 40% in the past three years due to all of the IMF measures.  Prices on items go sky high.  Incomes go down.  Who knows what the future holds.....

Lets hope the weather warms up because there are a lot of cold houses in Greece this winter.

Should the internet be policed by the government?

If you click on WIkapedia today you will see a strong protest against the Congress attempts to monitor copy written material on the internet.  This idea is interesting because where does the rabbit hole end?

Yes its wrong to take material such as movies, music, and other goods on the internet.  However, a law like this could go deeper into web content as well.

As an American living in Europe there is very little regard to the upholding of these infringements. Do you know that if your outside the US your not able to access shows on sites like ABC, NBC, Hulu, or other sites sanctioned by the industry.  If these sites made it easier would people pirate television which is offered free anyways?  The bigger question is how can the media industry adjust instead of trying to police something like the internet?

In 2007 Radiohead offered an album for free to download on the internet and people paid the amount they desired.  However, almost 60% of people still paid nothing.  The article is here.

How do you think the music and movie industry can be more creative to stop the piracy problem?  Do you think Congress should police the internet? Whats a creative idea to stop piracy?

 

You can find out more about SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) on the Google page here.

 

 

Team Thessaloniki!!

We have just moved in 6 new people to Thessaloniki for this upcoming year.  I am so excited to see what 2012 has in store for us.  I believe that this year will be fantastic for the iheart coffee house, our study abroad program engage, and our efforts with A21.  This is truly a multiplication opportunity.  Watch out 2012 we have 5 Texans, a cajun, mixed with a few PA people, and a MT boy!  As my fiends from Australia say.......  The best is yet to come. 

iheart Mac's b-day!!

On Saturday morning when Greek students are getting their beauty rest, iheart was invaded by Mac's school mates.....  The invasion included loads of cupcakes, a bouncy castle, cowboy outfits, and a slew of little voices shouting in excitement!!!

Mac walked away a happy boy today!!!!

Playoffs

My beloved 49ers have the first playoff game in 10 years.  I have faithfully worn hoodies, pajama pants, and t-shirts this past decade.  And its finally time to watch a playoff game. Its all going down on Saturday.  I'll be staying up late to watch it live!!!

 

I thought I would post this video in honor of "the playoffs"

It's Birthday week!!

We are in the middle of Birthday week at the cbass household.  Jamie celebrated her birthday yesterday, and had a great cake baked by her husband!!  We also had a date night thanks to our friends Kali and Themis.

The Birthday festivities continue quickly with Mac celebrating the big 5!!  He slept with a crown on, and wore it to school today!  He has a cowboy party on Saturday!!  (we got him a skateboard for his birthday but its a surprise)

3.1 magnitude earthquake in Thessaloniki

Early this morning a 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit our local area.  It woke up my wife who was obviously startled.  I felt the final little twitch, and was surprised at how this small earthquake can pack such a punch!!

I would have totally slept through it if my wife had not woken me up......  Thus proving I can sleep through almost anything!!

If you a local you can get more of the details about the quake HERE

Earthquake, Thessaloniki - January 9,  2012

Reflections on 2011 - a week late

This year held some very big moments for our family.  Those moments translated into trying times of stress, but also had a flip side of joy and accomplishment.

In 2011 we stated work on our coffee house called iheart located in Thessaloniki.  It was a challenging process through the Spring to get the cafe to a point where it was not only nice, but inhabitable.  The outcome has been awesome, and we have seen a tremendous response from the locals visiting our shop.

During the middle of the renovations we had our third child Zoe.  She has been so precious, and she is growing like a weed.  I am so happy to have a little daughter.  She has a smile that lights up the room even though she only has four teeth!

As for living in Greece we have punched in three years on the time clock.  The boys are getting extremely good at Greek, and mom and dad keep working on it daily.  The life here is beginning to feel so at home.

We ended the Fall with a lot of activity including students from our Engage program, teams coming for a short time, and conferences.  The Fall flew by bringing our time with our co-worker Andrea to an end.  She lived here in the city with us for a year and a half and she helped make 2011 one of the best years we have had.

To 2012......  Here we come!