Twitter users that happen to be in town are gonna gather up for an informal meetup at the one and only Pulkveža Brieža KID spot.

The Friday night was chosen after a pretty hot discussion on Arturs’ blog, who has taken the role of an organizer from the jump.

Word on the street is that some people from over the pond are gonna attend as well. Arturs reported that Valdis Krebs (Cleveland, OH) is supposedly to make an appearance. And Marissa Plume (San Francisco, CA) replied to my tweet stating she’d like to join. Other non-local tweeps calling Riga their location next week are warmly welcome of course, too.

See y’all there!! Tweet!

The man is eying a chair of Riga Mayor, which prolly is a good thing. And looks like he’s fitting in just as nice.

I observe the Transportation industry in Latvia for several years now, that’s why former minister Shlesers’ work has not went unnoticed. Perhaps because of my past in-depth interest in railways development and building of Rail Baltica – my ex missuz, Olga, is transport & logistics specialist, so couple years ago, when we were cooking the Masters work together, I had even been to a meeting in the Ministry of Transport, doing research.. Perhaps because I have went to sea myself, and am still interested in what’s going on in shipping, ports and around ‘em.. Perhaps because I like to fly and follow Riga Airport’s success.. Perhaps because Mr. Shlesers himself has managed to gain attention with his charisma, positiveness, targeted actions..

But perhaps, however, that is a perfect job of PR peeps. As a Communications Pro, I know of course what’s behind all of this. I know how this type of political papers and publications in those are being born. I know how thoroughly the questions to “ask” in the interview with Shlesers are chosen. I know how many times it’s thought and rethought back and forth, what and where, in what order to feature..

Nothing bad here though – a brand is being built, attractive package in the making, all for a good, quality product. Similarly like cottage cheese snack “Kārums” or, for instance, “Zelta Zivtiņa“. Only that, here it’s essential for the product to be made as delicious when the time pass and not to change for bad – which sometimes happens with politicians. Promises given during the election campaigns often wind up not fulfilled. That’s why hopefully everything that Shlesers & Co are talking about will be carried out in case of his win.

Gotta wish some luck, a good one, especially that there’s my Maritime schoolmate, Pavels Rebenoks, proudly occupying #51 on LPP/LC election list. Big Time!

Maybe I feel like that cause I was shooting hoops over in Pardaugava and missed some of the live action? TV, breaking news type of live action, I mean.

The reporters seemed like nearly enjoying this mess. I don’t know but to me, this whole riot thing doesn’t look like something crazy-violent-destructive civil disorder or whatever they might call it.

Some stores damaged on Smilshu street, broken Parliament windows, police cars overturned. And no tear gas (I mean I saw a cop on TV using a hand-held spray, but that’s about it), no plastic bullets or water cannons used against the rioters. Couple hours and it’s silent.

I hear people saying that police were not ready and was kinda slow. But that’s because the whole riot was “slow”! There were no organized actions, the whole thing was chaotic, so I guess cops just stayed low-key on purpose, not to provoke the crowd. So it appears they did a pretty good job.

And after all, the rioters were several hundreds mostly drunk youth who stayed in the Old Town following the protest on the Doma Square. Thousands of protestants who gathered on the Square demanding the Parliament resignation were peaceful and bounced away in a few hours.

Thanks God it’s all over though.

More than 100 arrested, tens hurt and hospitalized – and do we need it? If the Parliament resigns, will shit change? I guess it just stays the same.

Well, with a lil bit of delay, a snowstorm is taking over the area throughout Sunday. I just came over from a basketball game and man it’s snowing like crazy. There was like 5 or 6 car accidents on our way to Daugmale and back.. Some of them are scary – makes me wanna remember my own New Year ‘08 ride to Daugavpils – thanks God I wound up alright..

And yeah, the snowstorm is on and poppin’! There are various reports of power outages in Riga. Let me post my own tho, quite funny one, the one that don’t happen every day..

We had a real hard hoops game today. 5-on-5, run & gun type stuff. I tell you what, I even got prepped for this one – watched last night’s Celtics @ Wolves game, listened to Mobb Deep on my way, to get to the battling mood, you know.

And check this out, my team’s in possession, right. I’m a playmaker, trying to see the court.. The ball was not in my hands at the moment though but face it – suddenly the lights go out! Total darkness, you don’t see shit!!! Can you imagine that! I was around midcourt, somehow found my way to the sideline, but some of us didn’t even know where to go, totally disoriented, you know what I’m saying =))

Everybody screaming, but in about a minute or two we started seeing the gym’s windows. It was dark outside too so still – it was kinda hard to find the way.

The lights went back on when we were in the lockers. The game had to be cancelled..

Memories again. Last time I suffered a blackout I was on board LPGC Havpil. Captain’s mate, on the bridge, alone, I was in charge of navigation and all the stuff. Quite a piece of an action, really..

Aaight then, I’m out like power, wishing y’all who’s in Riga to stay safe. And yeah, hopefully you don’t have to light up the candles due to the power outage tonight – save’em for a romantic dinner, would you.

Details of the accident are still unclear, no ambulance called, no cops, none of that. Appears like Ed grabbed a cab ride to the hospital himself after 5 to 6 people have reportedly attacked and beat him to the ground. The ankle surgery is scheduled tomorrow.

Kinda unpleasant news for Dinamo Riga who are having two days off right now after a good start to a fresh KHL season. They performed well during a 14 days 8-game streak, including on the road, having won 4 games and climbed to the 2nd place in Kharlamov Division.

Masalskis was named League’s Goaltender of the Week last week,  plus this Monday he proudly set a new League record of 138 minutes and 54 seconds with no goal allowed.

Get well Ed, for real.

PS: I’m out to get me some treatment myself, been battlin’ with sore throat lately.. One.

That goes to investors as well – now you have an opportunity, in a totally informal setting, to consider the ideas while sipping coffee with their authors and negotiating on a potential partnership.

OpenCoffee welcomes all industry professionals as well, those who care about online presence of their business and would like to brainstorm on fresh ideas or just meet the thinkers alike.

Since the start of the last year, when first OpenCoffee meetup was held in London, such format meetings regularly take place all around the world. A few months ago I had a chance to visit the OpenCoffee in Tallinn, together with Maxim and Evgeny. There was very friendly atmosphere reigning in there, enterpreneurs were present, as well as people representing future and ongoing internet services (Skype, for instance), plus some bloggers and even a college professor. And last week, I heard through the grapevine that AlexR is getting the idea of OpenCoffee in Latvia through, which of course is extremely cool and hopefully this movement will become a tradition around here.

The OpenCoffee concept is as easy as it gets: in a previously agreed place, where good coffee and free Wi-Fi should be both a yes, on a previously agreed time, entrepreneurs, investors and all those who think they need to be there, are gathering. Usually, the place is a permanent venue, the time is also scheduled for no change (for example, each Thursday 10 – 12 @ Starbucks Elizabetes St.). It’s not important who comes, perhaps some days there ain’t gonna be anyone coming – people are just need to know that if they wanna meet, the place is here and the time is now. If you don’t make it this time – it’s not the end of the world! You’ll make it next time! That’s why these meetups should be regular. Maybe, if meeting each week for Latvia would be too frequently, then it could be, say, first Thursday of each month.

At this moment, the introduction meetup of Latvian OpenCoffee Club is scheduled for June 5 this year. As the time and venue are still discussable, I’ma vote for 10 AM. I truly believe that this type of gatherings will be way more serious and productive if we throw them up in the mornings, in spite of just the next one bloggers’ “after work” beer drinking evening. After all we are talking “work” here, aren’t we? The SunSet Bar seems to be OK, if not one thing – during the fall/winter off-season it’s not gonna be open in the mornings, and there’s actually no.. “good coffee” in there =) This can be lived with though, but those who know more than two types of coffee (black and white) will surely understand me.

Alrightie, so meet y’all soon, at the OpenCoffee!

For the first meetup, to increase the attendance and interest, there is a topic set up: “The Web 2.0 Evolution or Where is the Web Rolling?”, as well as a visual presentation of a new project to be launched on Latvian market will be held.

Answers to these questions will be different in each case, of course – depending on the situation, your route’s starting point and destination. But anyways, I will try to paint an approximate picture of what goes up daily on the bridges of Riga…

Cable-Stayed Bridge (Vanshu)

My fave. And not just because it’s a face of this blog ;) My observations show that it’s very convenient if you’re heading West, to Pardaugava. Well not if you’re using Valdemara street to get on it – there’s a dense traffic every day. Use the riverside to get on the bridge and you’ll be alright. Traffic jams happen there too, but what I gotta tell you is that in Riga, they’re almost everywhere so if you don’t manage to get past them, don’t hold me responsible. One thing’s for sure though – Cable-Stayed Bridge Eastward bound is a bad idea. Be it morning or afternoon, there’s a bumper-to-bumper situation on there. The most right lane will have some room to breathe, as it is a right turn only lane. You can try taking it and then, if you’re in a real hurry, kindly ask someone to let you in the neiboring lane, or just exit to the riverside, from where connect to Elizabeth street or January 13th. So, besides this right lane, the traffic is rather slow (sometimes even from the Press House) and it seems that people are just enjoying the Old Town skyline, beautifulness of the President’s Palace and the Daugava. No doubt, the view while you drive is amazing – Hansabank’s Sun House on one side and Riga in all its glory on another, but if you want to get there quicker, I would suggest to choose another way to the downtown.

Stone Bridge (Akmens)

This bridge is situated between the Cable-Stayed and Islands bridges and it’s also like such a golden middle in terms of traffic jams. It seems to be appropriate in both directions and if you choose it during the rush hour, you’re likely to get to the other side of the river quicker. There can be some difficulties when getting on the bridge while Westward bound, but once you’re on, the traffic is ok. It’s also ok when heading Eastward, so instead of suffering through Cable-Stayed, you best take the Stone one. I have noticed a lot of times that by choosing this route, you can get to the city faster.

Islands Bridge (Salu)

I used to live in Ziepniekkalns which is right over the Islands, and now when I drive to Turiba I often take this bridge. Only that lately, I am not kind of excited by it. The average speed here will be higher (the limit is 70 kmh, you roll a bit faster in the left lane usually), but with all the speed you are gonna have a bumper-to-bumper frozen traffic Westward in the afternoon, especially at the exit to Monks Island (Mukusala), and a pretty packed jam in the morning downtown bound at the Lachplesha street junction.

…In all the cases, one thing is very important – I call it “Smart Lane Switching”. There’s a possibility to predict, in many places, which lane at what moment is going faster, and take it. Of course, without causing any emergency near-accident situations and not shamelessly getting in front of somebody (hey, I’m not a marshrutka driver!), but just when there is such opportunity kindly switch to the neighboring lane. You can’t forget also to flash your emergency lights to the vehicle left behind you.

But if you are not driving and using the public transportation, then usually there’s not much of a choice which bridge to choose when getting over the river. You will choose the most convenient route with no changes which is gonna bring you right to the destination, correct? I can advise to use the train more if it fits your route -  there are no traffic jams on the Railway Bridge =)

Avoiding the traffic by means of Riga HES might seem attactive to those having some business on the South side of the town, meaning Zemgales and Latgales districts, or maybe even Vidzemes. Sure, the fuel gets consumpted more, but the precious time is being saved.

So, I wish y’all luck fighting the traffic jams getting over the river, and let’s wait for a new wonder – named Southern Bridge, which promises to ease our life in the clouds of exhaust gases.

If you plan a house party or any kind of event that needs some alcohol shopping, you’ll be at the liquor store way before the party’s about to start. Let me guess usually it’s no problem to be there before 10 and grab you some more brew, brown water or whatever you’re up to. And more I mean MORE. Since you know you won’t get it later, you would probably buy like twice more, right? Plus some.

Now think about it. Perhaps you ain’t even gonna drink all of that! From what I know, there’s never too much of things like that though and all of that will be gone with ease. Well.

Second, I’m really lovin’ those announcements at the shopping centers: “Dear visitors! Please bear in mind that there are 15 minutes left till you can purchase your alcohol beverages”. A genius marketing move! Wondering who’s behind it, State Alcohol Sellers Society or something. I mean, with all the laws and bans, they can allow an announcement like this?

Look around – people are quick to forget about their sausages, breads and whatever department they were at the moment and run to the liquor department. Even if they DIDN’T need to buy no liquor. You know, just in case. Brilliant.

Go check the cashiers at, say, like 9:56. Everybody’s nervous whether they’re gonna make it before 10 because cashiers automatically shut down alcohol sales. “Excuse me, can you let us pass please, so me and my girlfriend can get this Martini through?” “Yo, don’t you see this Heineken right here I got man, it’s 3 minutes left”. Funny as hell, ain’t it? Well, until you get in the same situation yourself.

And last, but not least. Not to name any sources but, there’s plenty of illegal spots to get your liquor shopping at night. The quality of purchased liquid is discussable though but looks like it doesn’t stop those in need of becoming customers of such sellers.

Plus, you can hit the local pub, club, no prob’ – the barmen of the city will be just glad to serve you.

Better yet though, stay sober.

I got lucky to visit the event and once again make sure that figure skating is such a beautiful sport!

Almost all of the major participants of Dance With The Star sampled TV show had shown up. More of the rest we missed Chulpan, Ville, Galustyan, Semenovich, Grebenschikova. A lot of people were frustrated that the winner of Ice Age Chulpan Khamatova did not come to Riga. But impeccable figure skating of pros and actual Olympic champs Tatyana Navka and Roman Kostomarov, as well Igor Vernik’s jokes would not let the Arena down.

Vernik told the story of his trip to Riga – he forgot the passport at home and just 45 minutes before the plane thought he would not make it from Moscow. But actor-figure skater was so happy his kid’s nun managed to bring the travel document on time, that he tried to tell the story several times.

Marat Basharov showed his Latvian language skills, greeting the public “Labvakar Riga” (Good Evening Riga) and later “Sveiki” (Hi there). And we also enjoyed perfect figure skating of our Lithuanian neighbors Povilas Vanagas and Margarita Drobiazko, as well as Alexey Tihonov and Maria Petrova, Lobacheva and Averbuch and other Ice Age participants including Russian prima ballerina Anastasiya Volochkova.

Alexey Makarov looked kinda bored without his Anna Semenovich. He was skating with Albena Denkova, but at the end of the show, when participants were called, he came out alone, looking sad and all.

Irina Slutskaya skated for the first time after her child’s birth. She was so nice – go girl! It was funny though when she dropped right on her butt while sponsor’s presents giveaway. But seems like there was some stuff on ice, flower leftovers or something.

Overall, the show turned out remarkable. Special effects, color lighting, sparks and flames along the border of the ice rink gave the show additional beauty. Ice hockey marking disappointed though. Shame on organizers for saving on ice, leaving so unneeded here blue and red zone lines, goal crease, faceoff spots and circles. At least they cleaned the ice at halftime =)

]]> http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/21/riga-went-back-to-ice-age/feed/langswitch_lang/en 0 http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/19/latvian-car-drivers-go-online-for-road-traffic-guidelines/langswitch_lang/en http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/19/latvian-car-drivers-go-online-for-road-traffic-guidelines/langswitch_lang/en#comments Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:51:32 +0000 Aleksandrs "Lexxus" Borovenskis http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/19/latvian-car-drivers-go-online-for-road-traffic-guidelines/ The Road Guide, or Ceļu Gids in Latvian, seems to be pretty nice idea to gather information for drivers in Riga and Latvia, as well as around Baltic States overall.

When I first stumbled upon that site, I noticed official Latvian State Roads web camera information which is live from Jurmala highway. Make sure you check it out, looks cool. If you could access those admin menus and move the cam or something, that thing would be priceless =)

The Road Guide is officially run by Latvian State Roads so they got the freshest info on road condition. I guess they own the automatic Road Weather Information systems – I do notice those booths along the highways with anemometers and stuff.

Plus, they’re the guys who are down with road works so they put online the latest scoop on road works, locations, speed limits in those places, what kind of work is done and when it’s about to be finished. This section needs to be visual though, integrated in Google Map cause I don’t wanna scroll all the way down with my route in my mind.

Speaking on Google Maps, there’s amazing stuff found on the Road Guide – Riga traffic web cams with cam location integrated on city map. These are not official State Roads cams like the Jurmala one, but still convenient if you wanna check out what’s happening in those usual traffic jam places.

The site also offers Google Maps shortest route calculation between Latvian cities but I guess I better use the original Google Maps screen, it’s larger and allows additional features.

Links to Baltic Roads site do good, as it turns out that page got official road weather data like temperature (both air and road), precipitation, winds all the way from Lithuania up to Finland and St. Petersburg area.

Those who cross the EU border from Latvia will find out about queues and situation on border through the Road Guide.

The site sure lacks English and Russian, perhaps German and Lithuanian/Estonian cause I figure there are some foreign drivers who’d love to be informed.

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