Vicki S. Nikolaidis's Blog

Danny Schechter, The News Dissector, on Vicki's radio show Talking Progressive Politics

I hope you have a chance to listen to our guest Danny Schechter. He spent 4 years investigating HOW did the economic crisis happened. He talks about USA and Greece and who is really at fault. This is important information. White collar crime is undermining democracy; we have to act. We were serious and we had fun, too.… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on April 3, 2011 at 3:54pm — 1 Comment

21 years after my visit to Toronto and more people homeless, not less. Hard to believe.

On My Second Trip to Toronto

Tripping over the man’s legs that were stretched over the heating grate in the sidewalk etched many things into my mind about my second trip to Toronto. Many things have been tucked away for never forgetting.

I had turned the corner carefully because in front of me I was pushing a stroller holding my toddler. The smoothed out snowy city sidewalk was white with a layer of paper-thin compacted snow. I pulled back… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on May 8, 2010 at 11:00am — 4 Comments

Christmas Joke

Mother Mary and Baby Jesus in his manger look at the Three Wise Men in horror as they explain, "The expectations created at your birth for the Nobel Peace Prize fell through, someone else won."

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on December 30, 2009 at 7:24am — 3 Comments

Friday night, Date night, Year 2009

Here is my European answer to the excellently American

“OVER A HAMBURGER” prose poem at Bukowski’s basement.

http://bukowskisbasement.blogspot.com/

Friday night, Date night, Year 2009

A couple of minutes before their Friday evening date, she tosses on a clean blouse, brushes her hair back to catch it up in a quick twist and adds a bit of color to her lips.

Nervously she swivels her chair to stare at the two… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on December 10, 2009 at 12:31pm — 5 Comments

Learning new job skills to add to my resume

Boy, I haven't been around much lately and have missed you all.

I was invited to do an interview on a two hour BlogTalkRadio show called ASNYC Saturday Edition and ended up as a co-anchor/reporter/straightman and Andy is talking about having me sing for both Andy's Saturday Edition and his Sunday World Today Radio program. (singing? yep.)

We are having a lot of fun. I call into New York City from Greece with my Skype account. Then I talk with Andy about current events and look for the… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on December 8, 2009 at 8:02am — 2 Comments

Three oxymorons, Six words

Three oxymorons, six words, shout out to save the world.

Peacetime war, democratic tyranny, living dead.

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on November 10, 2009 at 10:30am — 7 Comments

Individualism and Equality of People Gone Mad

Here’s my 6 Sentences based on my really, true experience in the Al Jazeera English (AJE) Chat Room at Livestation. Vicki

In discussions with chat room americans try to keep in mind that high levels of intellect, experience, reasoning and expertise are not equal to nor greater than the opinions expressed by those in the chat room.

So . . . if you have the four above characteristics and attempt to explain your viewpoint you will receive no respect if you disagree… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on November 6, 2009 at 1:54pm — 7 Comments

6 favorite bks & authors in 6S

I shielded my eyes for a better look at the islands in the net woven with Sterling's laser web.

I tried to distinguish between the light and its shadow but my sister, Shelley, asked, "Why?"

"I wonder about the dark places between."

"Ah, that's the shape of the wilderness. The heavy weather has battered the river's forest there. If you choose that path you will be transformed."

The tinker, tailor, soldier and spy urged me on and Le Carr closed the door, but not before Willy… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on September 9, 2009 at 7:01am — 7 Comments

Six Words

I've been trying to come up with a story in six words that tells a whole story.
Here's what I've come up with so far.

"Flat tire. Thunderstorm. Lightening. Bad Day."

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on September 7, 2009 at 6:11am — 10 Comments

Sorting photos

I have been sorting photos on the computer with very bad results. I was so proud of myself, thought I had them all organized in their own labeled folders, only to find the folders were all empty! All the photos had ended up in the recycling folder, thank goodness, I knew to look there. So I have tried about five photo software packages. Finally thought to ask my editor at Crete Gazette who suggested ACDsystem, "because it is the best!" Cross your fingers for me that I can handle ACDs because my… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on August 27, 2009 at 1:13pm — 6 Comments

Good Health Care Here In Crete!

Since health care is such a huge subject in the United States now, I thought you might be interested in how health care in the States compares to our experience here in Greece.

My family and I have good health insurance in Greece. My husband works at a university so we are all on his health insurance plan.

In the U.S.A. he also worked at a university. We paid for the most expensive insurance and, we thought, the best health insurance offered which was Blue Cross Blue… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on August 20, 2009 at 3:30pm — 2 Comments

Greek Culture - Great Book on Modern Greek Theatre

Sometimes visiting Greece is easier with a good book and our imaginations than with travel.

Here is a book I highly recommend if you are interested in Greek culture. It contains an enlightening and unique look at Greek modern theater and offers a better understanding of the people in Crete as well as in the rest of Greece.

Dr. Constantinidis in his preface explains, “Since ancient times Greek drama had presented memorable examples of how private and public affairs are intertwined to… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on August 20, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Somebody, get me outta here! (Improved version)

Screaming she kicked her feet and clawed at the air, trying to gain a hold on someone’s arm or hair. The freezing water covered her legs and hips. To her absolute terror a great wave knocked her down. At the same time strong hands and arms picked her up, flew her high above the water and placed her efficiently into the hole of an inflated tube. She was so surprised, she stopped screaming looking about at the sea and sky, Now she kicked her little legs gleefully as she squealed with… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on August 15, 2009 at 5:30am — 2 Comments

Hint fiction is very fun.

I never heard of Hint fiction until the other day when I was checking out John Donald Carlucci's Page here at Six Sentences. He alerted us to a coming anthology for Hint Fiction taking submissions now. I've written entries but will check them over one more time in the morning before emailing.

Thanks, John, for the info. I'm going to be writing Hint fiction all the time now. Have to get post cards to write home to my family. Letters just seem passe, too wordy.

There's still… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on August 13, 2009 at 3:26pm — No Comments

Combining art and nature beautifully!

New York Times now has short films on Babelgum.

I really enjoy this one on Maya Lin's wave fields. Maya Lin designed the Vietnam Memorial.

http://www.babelgum.com/4000182/arts-maya-lins-wave-field.html

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on August 9, 2009 at 11:28am — 3 Comments

Fairytale Old Harbor at Night (Daily Life in Crete)

I'll tell you a secret, although I'm a bit embarrassed. I haven't been out of the house for many days because of the strength of the sun. In August I usually spend most days at home due to both the sun's intensity and the large number of tourists.

August is the busiest month for tourists to Crete as this is the month generally taken for vacation in Greece. So many Athenian drivers arriving give me pause when driving in… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on August 6, 2009 at 2:00pm — 2 Comments

Desription of July Day in Crete

I can't imagine more beautiful weather than we are having today!

To the north there is not a single cloud over the blue surface of the sea. The breeze causes the Cretan Sea's surface to sparkle in silver dimples as the sun rays reflect on to the moving dips. Some of the dimples occasionally break into mini white foaming waves.

Towards the south there is a line of small wispy clouds over the top of the mountains. No white strips of snow are evident to my eyes, but I know… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on July 17, 2009 at 1:21am — 4 Comments

Ecocinema 7th International Film Festival FILMS TO KNOW ABOUT!

ECOCINEMA in Hydra, 16-23 July 2009

16/7-19/7 Cultural Centre ‘Melina Merkouri’

20/7-23/7 ‘Gardenia” Open Air Cinema

Ecocinema film festival travels to the Island of Hydra and presents an 8-day film programme of Greek premieres, prize-winning documentary, and film tributes.

Highlights of the programme

'La Terra Degli Uomini Rossi a.k.a. Birdwatchers' by Marco Bechis

Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, present day. The fazenderos are leading their… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on July 16, 2009 at 2:44am — 3 Comments

Surrealist Artists of Greece. An Exhibit in Crete.

If you have the chance to visit Chania, Crete this summer be sure to visit the exhibit "Beyond the Real" at the Municipal Art Gallery. I enjoyed the exhibit very much, I hadn't expected to have so much fun or have my imagination so 'freed'. My dreams the next couple of evenings were very exciting and pretty darn surreal!

Here is my review of the "Beyond the Real" exhibit and an image gallery on which I share some of the paintings.

Crete Gazette (online news… Continue

Added by Vicki S. Nikolaidis on July 10, 2009 at 2:30pm — 2 Comments

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