The Unkle in the Shadow

This is the last of DJ Shadow's releases. The Outsider (2006): An overall interesting but very heterogenous mix of music styles, rapping and fat beats, some interesting and provocative other just strange sounding,:)
De gustibus...but I would give an 7.5 out of ten to this release.
The intro is a two minute long story telling which reminded me a lot of the intro for UNKLE's "eye 4 an eye" in the same historical drama style. The 1st track This Time is great one (remember the time?); will surely blend in with other tracks on an OSD for a 70s (remake) movie. 3 Freaks is a piece of up-to-date hip hop mastering. Drop-E-Drop is a pausing track. Turf Dancing- boring and trying to be too original; sounds aggresive though:)). Let's do it the other way around; What have liked besides the ones mentioned above: Broken Levee Blues (an mellow guitar solo as expected), Backstage Girl (slow rappin and a good melodic line), Triplicate (instrumental, slow, excellent), Enuff (feat Q-Tip) and Erase you (with some wicked drums).

part 4. Timisoara, the little Wien

Timisoara was much the same city in which I have spended 5 years of my life during my Bachelor's and Masters at West and respectively, Technical University. Funny enough, I got the same "rejective" feeling about it, as I vividly remembered the first contact. Besides this, there are some improvements, mostly cosmetical, the tram lines are still much a work in progress (re-doing them) just the targeted neighborhoods changed.

The Unirii square is now full with terraces and people which kind of a lowered its beauty (too crowded and commercial now). The commercial spirit is much alive, people trying to make as much as possible of you, prices went up significantly I would say, and most likely the social dissegregation is taking place. I visited all the city by foot and went to all the places that I enjoyed here throughout my college years. A sweet but mostly sour strange mix did take place but still I enjoyed much going back in time a bit.

Perks experienced: the unfiltered local beer Timisoreana served in Unirii Square - pretty damn good one. Do not change currency anywhere in the center!:))) usually there is a big scam/difference in exchange rates going on; Take a ride on the tram if you can, it used to be a good way to survey the city (not anymore due to the work on the tracks). Last but not least, it is good to be anywhere in Europe during a WORLD CUP !! lots of beer, people and good time.
Overall, a good but maybe not so useful trip back in the memory land. I do not feel connected at all anymore to the city. It was good though that I did it and got the chance to visit some friends I haven't seen in a while.

Travel Recap: 3. Back to Budapest Ferihegy

Woow I haven't wrote in a long long while..so I must catch-up a bit
Well,
From the Berkshires, Bonanza delivered me to Port Authority and from there I head out to JFK, my fliying hub. Unfortunately, first time I experienced this, the bus was one hour late. regardless of my efforts to recuperrate some time, I arrive at the airport at 5pm sharp.. while my flight was at 6pm. About 2-300 people were between me and my checking-in..and I have to say nasty ones too. HAte those attendants, who are just directing you in the line, regardless of emergencies etc. But I decided to use my wildcard and cut the line which proved to be my salvation even if the lady "attendant" said my check in is already closed. DID the whole thing plus the scanning in less than half an hour. Liers, liers..I guess I can congratulate myself for determination.:)

Finally after all this running and struggling, one decent thing: my seat was given thus I got upgraded to the Business Elite class.:)). Woow. that was cool and I have to admit that I could easily get used to fly that all the time:) Only if my stipend would allow it..:)) Main course, salads, thai soups, wine and cheeses, topped with an excellent Sundae made it easy to relax in those big expandable chairs.
From ferihegy got a regular microbus to Oradea and from there a regional train to Timisoara. This was the big leap: from business class heaven to a dirty smoking slow train that made almost 5 hours from Oradea to Timisoara. Not recommended. But I guess I like extremes.:) since I could have done it differently. However, it was good this way too.