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Meltdown

Just hours ago, somewhat out of the blue, The Gathering released a song from their upcoming album Disclosure.

Clocking in at almost eight and a half minutes this one’s as epic as expected with nice long instrumental sections. As a novelty the track starts with the keyboardist Frank Boeijen singing some vocals.

The song is not only for streaming, it is free to download in a multitude of formats.

SFO crunch

Time lapse photo of departing planes at San Fransisco International Airport.

Better large.

Make Good Art

I’m sure everyone listened to the commencement address by Steve Jobs at Stanford in 2005, at least after he passed away and it was going viral. This one is different, because this is for the University of Arts in Philadelphia, by Neil Gaiman. And I’m sending it to Zsófi.

Old Man's War

I’ve always found the huge white space on Goodreads reserved for a review after reading a book quite daunting. Here’s an attempt to fill one:

I’ve found this book fascinating mainly because of two things. First, it deals with those eternal questions we humans probably had ever since climbing off of trees. It’s as much a philosophy book as science fiction. Neil Gaiman wrote in an essay about ideas that a great way to come up with them is to ask questions: Old Man’s War has sprung from really gripping ones.

Second, the way it’s been put together. It has those sentences that, once you’re familiar with the context, hit so right home it’s stupefying. Maybe that’s literature: words strung one after another in a way they imply a world beyond. It borders magic.

There’re also spaceships and aliens, of course.

Requiem for the Indifferent Tour

Tonight’s real show was started by Xandria. I think they were somewhat surprised of the warm reception, being a support act and all. I for one would have gone to see them solo.

Then, Epica. I think they are still holding on to the throne of best symphonic metal act by far. Their musical mastery is only second to their humility. And Simone is breathtaking. Oh, we also got to jump around to the disco-ified The Phantom Agony again.

Mobile payment

“Starting 10 May 2012 the online ticket system of the Hungarian Railways supports mobile payment of some types of tickets along with credit and debit cards” boasts the newsletter. On the attached image a woman is holding a phone with the tagline: “Train tickets at the push of a button - now on mobile as well.”

Does this mean they finally added a mobile-friendly version of the e-ticket site? Did they release an app for smartphones? Well, actually, none of the above.

This only means one thing: instead of using a card, you can enter a phone number, to which a text is sent, to which you have to reply ‘ok’ - at your own expense! - and then the ticket price will be added to your mobile phone bill. So much more comfortable.

Because, I’m sure, what prevented people from buying train tickets at the notoriously user-unfriendly e-ticket site of the Hungarian Railways was the fact that they didn’t have a debit card.

Dear MÁV, you’re doing it wrong.

Kedvenc Mindenem a Biciklim

I was shown a new route to/from work yesterday evening that takes me through a river island instead of the embankment of the Danube. No traffic or lights, just trees and the occasional jogger for five to ten minutes, depending on how much I want to hurry. Soundtrack by the birds and the pair of Vittoria Rubinos. A much welcome change offering moments of true serenity at a time when it’s most needed.

Run To You

So, would you run to me?

Storm the Sorrow

Simone’s the Black Swan: