Putin, Russia and the West: "New Start"
| Documentaries | 6 seen
<p>Found this documentary on YouTube, and watched in Saturday evening. </p><p>In this documentary is showed time when Dmitry Medvedev was president of Russia, and how Barack Obama decided to deal exactly with him, and not with Vladimir Putin. </p><p>In this documentary Dmitry Medvedev is portrayed as wise and independent leader, how he started reforms in Russia. As well it's showed how USA negotiated with Russia concerning Iran Nuclear program.</p><p> </p><p>If you are interested in Russia's politics, I could suggest this documentary for you.</p>
Few shots from Tbilisi Cheese Festival
| Living in Georgia | 12 seen
In these days the second Cheese Festival was held in Tbilisi Open Air Museum. My mom was visiting me in Georgia, and today her plane back home was. We decided to spend last hours together. The weather was not so great. We didn't found much cheese, but we spent a lovely time.
Here are few shots I captured with my old Sony DSC camera and three years later post-processed using Adobe Lightroom.
European and Georgian cow
I find a lot of symbolism in picture above.
The Fall has come
Cheese promoters and girl with a basket
Second Tbilisi Cheese Festival
Tbilisi Open Air Museum
How to Create a Contact Form in Drupal: A Beginner's Guide
| Drupal Development | 7 seen
If you have a Drupal website, adding a contact form can be a great way to improve communication with your visitors and potential customers.
In this article, we will discuss how to add a contact form to your Drupal website, step by step.
- Download Webform
- Extract it to sites/all/modules
- Enable from the modules page
How to Showcase Popular Content on Your Drupal Website
| Drupal Development | 9 seen
Drupal is a popular content management system used by many businesses and organizations to create and manage their websites. One of the key features of Drupal is the ability to display popular content on your website. By displaying popular content, you can increase engagement and drive more traffic to your website.
In this article, we will discuss how to display popular content in Drupal.
On the picture above, you can see the most popular blog posts on my blog 15:05:01 2013-10-16.
Step 1: Enable the Statistics Module The first step is to enable the Statistics module in Drupal. This module allows you to track page views and other metrics on your website. To enable the Statistics module, go to Administration > Extend and check the box next to the Statistics module. Then click the "Install" button.
Step 2: Configure the Statistics Module Once you have enabled the Statistics module, you need to configure it to track page views. To do this, go to Administration > Configuration > System > Statistics. Under "Logging," check the box next to "Count content views." Then click the "Save configuration" button.
Step 3:…
Optimizing Your Drupal Website for Search Engines: How to Create a Sitemap for Google Webmasters
| Drupal Development | 14 seen
A sitemap is a critical aspect of any website, including Drupal websites. It helps search engines like Google to discover and index all of the pages on your website, making it easier for users to find your content.
In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to create a Drupal sitemap for Google Webmasters.
Step-by-step guide:
- Download the XML Sitemap module for Drupal
- Extract it to sites/all/modules
- Enable it from the Modules page
Estonia to catch up Scandinavia in next 10-15 years
| Emerging Markets | 24 seen
I have red some interesting article on Estonian Public Broadcasting (news.err.ee) in which professor of economics, at Tartu University, Raul Eamets predicts that it will take 10-15 years for Estonian incomes to catch up with those of Nordic countries.
Income level is not the same as GDP, but knowing GDP we can tell something about income level, isn't that right? I decided to make some quick GDP comparison levels of Nordic countries and Estonia.I don't know which countries Estonian economics professor counted as Nordic countries, but for the ease of continuing mathematical theories (my lame Google Spreadsheet graphs), I'll assume = Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland are counted as Nordic countries,
Current (2012) GDP nominal in Estonia vs Nordic Countries
Here are the raw GDP nominal 2012 data from World Bank:
- Estonia 21.854 bln USD
- Iceland 13.656 bln USD
- Finland 250.024 bln USD
- Denmark 314.242 bln USD
- Norway 499.667 bln USD
- Sweden 525.742 bln…
Week #2 of blogging 365 days in a row
| Blogging | 3 seen
<p>On October 3rd, 2013, I started a blog contest for myself - <a href="http://reinisfischer.com/node/8">Can you blog 365 days in a row.</a></p><p>Today is already 2nd week of my blogging expierence.</p><p>In second week, I continued to use "cheat" tactic, by publishing posts in future dates. That works ok.</p><p> </p><p>I found out that posts I write to publish in future dates are more from - <em>How stuff works</em> category - I'm writting a lot about <a href="http://reinisfischer.com/topics/drupal">Drupal</a> configuration.</p><p> </p><p>Posts non-related to technical stuff - I'm publishing ASAP :)</p><p>Week 2 - marks 17 posts in total, by one (16) <a href="http://reinisfischer.com/week-1-blogging-365-days-row">more than in first week</a>.</p><p> </p><p>But - I must agree that I'm <a href="http://reinisfischer.com/node/8">already achieving routine feeling</a>, I talked starting this contest.</p>
Armenia, then, now - future
| Emerging Markets | 10 seen
Recently I wrote an article about Georgia, then, now - future, this time I would like to write about Armenia.
Landlocked land, with huge economic problems, ongoing conflicts with neighboring Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karbakh region. A country that plans to enter Eurasian Union on January 1st, 2014.
Let's start with some basic chart:
As seen from the chart above, Armenia, as well as neighboring Georgia, is no exception, in economic shrink after collapsing of Soviet Union. Now let's take a closer look by years:
- 1991. - The collapse of Soviet Union - Economy Shrinks
- 1992-1993. The economy continues to shrink, by reaching its bottom in 1993 in resulting GDP nominal just 1.201 bln USD
- 1994-1998. Economy starts to recover, reaching GDP 1.893 bln USD nominal
- 1999-2000. Looks like Armenia is softly touched by Russian economic crisis as well
- 2001 - 2008. "Golden ages" for Armenian economy. Armenia first in 2002 has greater GDP, that it was in 1990. The Year of 2008 is yet the best year for Armenian GDP - reaching 11.662 bln USD
- 2009. As the rest of world Armenia is hit by World…
Few shots from Samgori, Tbilisi
| Living in Georgia | 25 seen
Samgori is a district in Tbilisi, which is connected to the city center by the metro. Seems that the Samgori neighborhood is rarely visited by tourists
I first visited this part of Tbilisi back in August/September 2013. A lot has changed ever since, and now I considering investing in Samgori real estate market, as the property prices stile are among the lowest in the city
A place to grow
How to Add Facebook Like Button to Drupal 7 Site
| Drupal Development | 9 seen
If you want to add the Facebook like button to your Drupal 7 site, the process is relatively straightforward. To get started, you will need to download the Facebook Like Button module from the modules section of your Drupal site. Once you have downloaded the module, extract it to the sites/modules folder.
Next, you will need to enable the Facebook Like Button module from the Modules page.
Once you have enabled the module, go to the admin/config/fblikebutton page to configure the module. You will be presented with two options for the Facebook like button: Dynamic and Static. Depending on your desired behavior for the like button, you will need to choose one of these options.
If you want the like button to dynamically like the page you are visiting, choose the Dynamic option.
To set up the like button for Drupal posts (nodes), you will need to go to the admin/config/fblikebutton/dynamic page. Here, you will be able to configure the appearance and behavior of the like button, including the layout, show faces, font, and color scheme.
By using the Facebook Like Button module, you can easily add a powerful social sharing tool to your Drupal 7…
Drupal Friendly URL Setup: A Step-by-Step Guide for Optimizing Your Site URLs
| Drupal Development | 32 seen
Update: This article covers details on how to enable and configure the Pathauto module for the Drupal 7 site. For Drupal 8, please see: How To Setup Pretty URLs For Drupal 8
Setting up Drupal-friendly URLs is one of the most essential tasks for Drupal users, as these URLs play a critical role in both human readability and search engine optimization (SEO). In the latest versions of Drupal, some of the friendly URL features are enabled by default, but there may still be instances where you need to configure them further.
The default Drupal URL format is structured like node/21, which is functional but not ideal for human readability or SEO. To convert this URL to something like /my-awesome-title, you will need to download and enable two modules: Pathauto and Token.
Once you have installed both modules, navigate to the URL patterns settings at admin/config/search/path/patterns. From here, you can start customizing your Drupal-friendly URLs to match the desired format.
By properly configuring Drupal-friendly URLs, you can improve the overall user experience on your website and enhance its visibility to search engines.
…
The Importance of Monitoring Germany's Economy for Forecasting EU's Future
| Macroeconomics | 20 seen
Germany is the largest economy in the European Union, accounting for more than 3 trillion USD GDP nominal.
This gives us a clear indication that if we can forecast the German economy, we can also forecast the economy of the European Union and even the Euro Zone.
Understanding the economic landscape of Germany is crucial, as it is a dominant player in the EU, with a significant impact on the overall economic health of the region.
The chart above showcases the GDP nominal of Germany compared to the European Union in 2012.
As seen in the chart, Germany accounted for more than 20% of the total EU GDP in that year, which is a significant portion. This highlights the importance of understanding the German economy and its future projections, as they can serve as a predictor for the EU as a whole.
According to the DIW, the German economy is expected to expand by 0.4% in 2013 and 1.7% in 2014. This predicts relative stability for both Germany and the EU. However, it is important to note that the German economy is not immune to external factors such as the ongoing global economic uncertainty.
The chart below provides a visual…
The Boycott Debate: Should Georgia Participate in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics?
| Living in Georgia | 13 seen
In Georgia, the question of whether or not to boycott the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi is a hot topic.
Some are calling for a boycott in response to the Russia-Georgia war of 2008 and Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. Others argue that it is important to normalize relationships with Russia.
Recently, Georgian students staged protests in seven cities, calling for Georgia's participation in the Sochi games. The Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has also weighed in on the debate, stating that the decision will depend on whether or not the participation would be seen as a humiliation for Georgia.
In my opinion, with only 3-9 athletes expected to participate from Georgia, a boycott would bring more international attention to the country's disputes with Russia. By boycotting, Georgia would have the opportunity to once again bring attention to their disputes on a global stage.
If Georgia does decide to participate, the athletes should aim to win gold medals, to show their strength and dominance. However, with such a small representation, the impact of their participation may be limited.
In…
Statistics about passengers served at Georgia's airports (2012)
| Airports | 5 seen
Georgia is a country located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
The country has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, which includes a number of modern airports that serve both domestic and international destinations. These airports play a crucial role in connecting Georgia to the rest of the world, facilitating tourism, trade, and business. With the increasing demand for air travel in the region, Georgia's airports have undergone significant upgrades and expansions in recent years, ensuring a comfortable and seamless experience for passengers.
From the capital city of Tbilisi to the coastal city of Batumi, Georgia's airports offer a range of services and facilities to meet the needs of travelers.
Recently I expressed my joy about Kutaisi Airport. Today I found interesting statistics on the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency's webpage. Statistics about numbers of passengers served in Georgian airports 2010-2012.
Right now - there are 4 airports in Georgia, which we have data for:
Let's start with the total number of passengers served in all Georgian…
Ukraine's Debt Crisis: A Closer Look at the Possibility of Default (2014)
| Emerging Markets | 10 seen
Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe that gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite its large land area and rich natural resources, Ukraine's economy has struggled since its independence, and the country has been facing various financial challenges in recent years. One of the biggest challenges Ukraine has faced is the possibility of default.
A default is defined as a situation where a borrower is unable to repay its debt. The possibility of default in Ukraine has been a matter of concern for many years, and has been the subject of numerous articles and discussions.
In 2013, former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, warned that Ukraine could default in the same year if the government failed to resume borrowing from the International Monetary Fund. This warning was based on the fact that Ukraine was facing massive debt repayments and had limited access to external funds.
In the same year, the Bloomberg agency stated that Ukraine was the next country after Greece to default in debt repayments due to the poor state of its economy. The analysts cited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as doubting Ukraine's ability to repay…
Latest video
Tsikhisdziri & Batumi Botanical Garden
After returning from our amazing trip to Thessaloniki, we decided to extend our holiday a bit longer — this time in beautiful Tsikhisdziri. Huge thanks to Eto for kindly offering her cozy apartments at Bambo Beach, where we enjoyed a full week of relaxation by the sea.During our stay, we explored local gems like Shukura Tsikhisdziri (შუქურა…
Summer in Latvia 2025
Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to Jaunpiebalga, Vecpiebalga, Smiltene, and Valka. From sipping sparkling wine with swallows to running 4K morning…
Chateau Ateni. Gori
This time (May 2025), our journey takes us to Gori and the enchanting Chateau Ateni - a hidden gem where authentic Georgian cuisine blends seamlessly with avant-garde natural wines, soulful traditional dance, and even the charming surprise of a small chick farm.What makes this trip extra special is sharing it with our Latvian/Georgian friends,…Living in Georgia
Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi
Our family has been attending Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi since September 2025, after several recommendations from our BIST community. We signed up our 7-year-old for the junior program, which costs 300 GEL per month. After a few months…
12 Rounds Boxing Club in Tbilisi
Sometimes even the most loyal gym-goers need to shake things up—and that's exactly what I did this month. After years of training at the "luxurious Axis Tower gym", I decided to take a short break. Not because I had any complaints about…
Tbilisi Circus: A Historic Landmark with a Surprising Past
Tbilisi Circus is an iconic part of the city's cultural landscape. Having lived in Georgia since 2011, I have passed by the Tbilisi Circus almost every day. However, it wasn’t until I attended a show that I truly appreciated its grandeur…
Foraging for Mushrooms near Tsodoreti Lake: A Day in the Suburbs of Tbilisi
Back in June 2024, I first came across Tsodoreti Lake during one of the Tbilisi Trails races, which turned out to be one of the most challenging runs of my life. While I tackled the 10K trail route, my partner and our kiddo took a gentler…
Frame House
Frame House Upgrades: Big Windows, New Porch, and Apple Trees Planted in Latvia
In mid-April, during our kiddo’s Easter school break, we traveled to Latvia for about 10 days — a trip packed with projects, energy, and transformation. A lot of pre-planning had gone into it before we even arrived: we ordered the windows…
Frame House in Latvia: Outdoor Patio, Inner Walls, and More
As June came to an end, our family embarked on a journey from Tbilisi to Latvia, skipping Renee's school year for the last week and focus on our frame house project. Here's a glimpse into our busy but rewarding time working on the house.We…
Spring Break Project: Building Progress on Our Frame House in Latvia
As the chill of winter slowly gives way to the warmth of spring, it's the perfect time to roll up our sleeves and dive back into the construction of our dream frame house in Latvia. During this Spring break from British International…
Piece of Life
Postcards from Marseille
It’s been nearly two years since our last trip to Marseille, a sun-drenched jewel on France’s southern coast that left an indelible mark on our memories. That summer of 2023, we set out to explore the city’s vibrant beaches and winding old town, arriving and departing through the bustling hub of Marseille St. Charles train station. As I sit…
Christmas Eve at Palolem Beach: Fire Shows, Old Monk
While we just celebrated Orthodox Christmas in Georgia, I can’t help but delve into the memories of our Western Christmas last year (2024), spent on the serene shores of Palolem Beach in Goa, India. That evening was magical in every way, filled with vibrant energy, beautiful scenery, and a new discovery that made the night unforgettable.Palolem…
A Family Guide to Borjomi: Hiking Trails and Sulfur Bath Tips
As summer came to a close, we continued our family's tradition of visiting Borjomi. This year marked yet another memorable trip at the end of August 2024, reaffirming our love for this beautiful Georgian town. Visiting Borjomi at least twice a year has become a cherished routine, a piece of life that we look forward to, blending relaxation,…
Travel guides
Summer in Latvia 2025
Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to…
Birthday in Thessaloniki, Greece
Turning 40 is a milestone worth celebrating in style, and what better way than in Thessaloniki — a city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and cuisine. From affordable flights and boutique stays to seafood feasts and hidden beaches,…
Azeula Fortress, Tbilisi Sea, and Ateni Sioni
August ended with yet another packed and memorable weekend in Georgia. This time, our journey took us from the hills near Kojori to the refreshing waters of the Tbilisi Sea, and finally to the historical town of Gori, where we enjoyed a…
Hotel Reviews
Stays & Trails La Maison Hotel Review in Panaji
At the tail end of 2024, just before catching our flight back to Delhi, we decided to book a one-night stay at Stays & Trails La Maison Fontainhas in Panaji, Goa. After weeks staying in Palolem beach, we wanted to wrap up our trip with…
Schuchmann Wines Château: A Long-Awaited Stay in Georgia’s Premier Winery Hotel & Spa
It took us over a decade to finally make it to Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa, and it was well worth the wait! We’ve spent years recommending this stunning winery hotel to visiting friends and business partners, yet somehow, we had…
Hotel Belvedere Prague: A Practical Stay with Easy Access
During our recent trip to Prague in mid-October 2024, we stayed at Hotel Belvedere. My partner attended the MEET Central Europe Translators conference, and we were joined by one of our office employees, so we opted to book two rooms. …
Review: Art Hotel Prague – A Cozy Stay in a Tranquil Part of Prague
During our recent trip to Prague in October 2024, we opted for a one-night stay at the Art Hotel Prague. We arrived at the hotel via Bolt taxi from Václav Havel Airport, which was straightforward and efficient. At about EUR 120 per room…
Toursim objects
Plage des Catalans: A Shrinking Memory in Marseille
Plage des Catalans, a sandy crescent tucked along Marseille’s coastline, holds a special place in my travel tapestry. I first visited this beach in the summer of 2003, a carefree stop during my early adventures in the city. Back then, it felt like a haven—close to the bustling port yet offering a slice of Mediterranean calm. When I returned…
Colva Beach: Golden Sands and Tranquility in Goa
Colva Beach, located in South Goa, is known for its expansive golden sands and tranquil atmosphere. Stretching for several kilometers along the Arabian Sea, the beach offers a peaceful escape from the busier tourist hubs in the region. Its wide shoreline, framed by swaying palm trees, provides plenty of space for visitors to relax, stroll, or…
Charles Bridge: A Timeless Landmark in Prague
The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) in Prague is one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Europe. Built in the 14th century under the reign of King Charles IV, this Gothic stone bridge spans the Vltava River, connecting Prague's Old Town with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana). Adorned with a series of 30 Baroque statues and surrounded by…