Yesterday, I have discovered a perfect way to watch live NBA games while in Riga. I mean, not even discovered but really tried it out for the first time. There are Conference Finals underway in the World’s premier basketball league, the Finals are ahead and that means, it’s time to watch some beautiful basketball.

During the regular season and since the Playoffs have started, I got used to checking out games by downloading the torrents. But in that case, the time shift is present and I get to know the result later as the game is being watched the next day (for example, last time it took almost the whole day for the game to download, because it was in HD, 14 Gigs). From time to time I also run up into some spoilers, result updates somewhere on the web, which spoil the whole thing - there’s no sense to root for any team when you know the final score.

That’s why this time I’ve decided to turn to live broadcast and to chant “M-V-P” and “Let’s Go Lakers” together with packed Staples Center and while doing it from my Riga residence though, be present at this historical moment of my main man Kobe battling for the champion’s title.

I don’t give a damn what my neighbors might had been thinking about me at 4 AM then - when the show time tipped off, it seemed like the whole world is watching. The Finals are no doubt a huge event, including in Los Angeles where the 20,000 fans arena featured various mega stars like my favourite actor Denzel Washington, season ticket holder Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone, David Beckham and Victoria, Spider Man, and of course basketball stars, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and tens more of globally known celebrities.

Ha, I don’t even speak about the ball game itself. Yes - the emotional factor here means a lot more to me. This is real additional value, provided by original commentary, game analysis brought by basketball icons Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller. This is a possibility to feel my presence in there - at once with other fans who are following this grand show. TNT Overtime All Access is even offering to choose one of four online cameras to decide who you wanna follow - either one of the players, or the part of the court or the arena you like.

This TNT feature is pretty cool, and for real, I felt like being present at Staples Center - all sounds are heard and you can switch cams watching the game from different angles. There’s a disadvantage though, the video is playing in the web page built-in flash player thus full screen mode cannot be toggled. Also, there’s no commentary and no live result shown anywhere on the screen, as well as no game/shot clock.

I went to watch the full game with all the commentary and stuff to one of the channels provided by p2p technologies. I found a stream which was broadcasting the same TNT, only the TV version where cameras are chosen by the director or whoever and of course with all the commercials (much more attractive than our Latvian ones here though), but like I said with commentary and easy to read game data, stats and live results displayed.

I had TNT All Access running in other window so I was switching to it occasionally to watch Kob’ exclusively, but during the commercial breaks to watch the bench, arena, and the show at halftime.

Oh yeah, and KB24 was simply incredible. I follow his ways from back in his (and mine) high school days - on and off the court. I’m so happy for him getting an MVP this season, everything is moving towards the ring too.

But regarding the NBA broadcasts and the aura that reigns at the games, here’s a few words I’d like to share - it’s so pity that basketball is not that popular here in Latvia, and our league has such a long way to go to that level. Couple weeks ago I was at LBL Semifinals game in Arena Riga, which was not even half empty, but well - empty. National broadcasts are also not being provided like they supposed to. LTV7 is trying to show something from time to time, including NBA, but that’s actually a rare occasion and of poor quality. This upcoming Monday, May 26, 6:50 AM local they’re gonna air Game 3 of Western Finals though. But ain’t no wish to watch that channel anymore with all its stupid host comments, funny-ass interface/titles and so on - that ish makes me wanna lose my lunch, straight up.

I know that in Latvia it’s possible to tune in to some satellite channels that show NBA. Seems like Garais was telling me about DirecTV? But anyways, I don’t have the plate so I’m stayin’ with torrents and live online broadcasts while enjoying original atmosphere of the basketball motherland. Go Lakes!

Njā, Kārlis ir tāds Seržants.

“LNT rīcībā ir nonācis šokējošs video”. Manuprāt, gan - nekas vairāk, kā kārtējais lēts mēģinājums uztaisīt sensāciju.

Kā divas krievu tīnes izrēķinās savā starpā, pareizāk - viena izrēķinās ar otru, ir redzēts vismaz pirms gada (pietiek ievadīt vārdu “драка” youtubā un atradīsies daudz kas pa šo tēmu). Nav runa, kadri, protams, drausmīgi, meitene tiek piekauta brutālā veidā, un tas nevar neatstāt zināmu iespaidu. Bet fakts, ka klips tika uzņemts visdrīzāk Krievijā, nevis Cēsīs (!) un ka tas ir pieejams internetā jau labu laiku, neapstādina mūsu sensation maker’us no brauciena uz Cēsīm, viesošanos policijā, krievu vidusskolā un savu skatītāju maldināšanā. Reportāžas beigās gan nevainīgi tika piebilsts, ka mol “iespējams” šis materiāls netika maz filmēts Latvijā. Ja taščusj.

Atvērot TV*Netu, lai sameklētu linku uz šo reportāžu, ieraugu vēl vienu “šokejošo” video, kur nofilmēts kāds alkašs, kas rāpo pāri Vairoga ielai. Kamoon, folks, “dienas video”? Tas sūds jau bija netā pirms pat vairākiem gadiem!!

Vārdu sakot, bajāns, LNT. Check yourselves before you wreck yourselves.

On the note of TNS releasing the news of the tremendous growth online media advertising market saw through 2007, I would like to praise and applause for this thing we’re so used to: the Web. C’mon y’all, stand up! That’s what I’m talking bout.

Ad market is surely reflecting what the masses chew on - an increase by 81%, for Latvia sounds just amazing. Still amongst the lowest in terms of turnover though the web is soon to get its key rivals - outdoor and radio. Mags, papers and TV are leading the race but the pattern is clearly seen, internet based media are taking the advertising market by storm.

Facing the aftermath of BarCamp Baltics 2008, I start to turn more and more in the direction of getting schooled about New Media and experience exchange seems vital like ain’t never else. My eye was caught by the upcoming conference on e-marketing which is to take place here in Riga on March 12. Hosted by originally Estonian altex marketing and named “More than a banner: The future of internet marketing in Latvia” the self-dubbed Emarketing!1 (E!1) promises to be a pretty interesting event. But these are emotions right here. The facts are available on altex home page. Since they happen to be hookin’ me up with a free admission for this, I will surely try to be there and grab some precious knowledge.

Anyways, my late night message to y’all is like, Latvian online media are developing quicker than you can manage to follow. Blogs are born and banners become old-school. Plenty of proof around that the show is underway and I ain’t the one to sit back, relax and just enjoy it, believe me. I am actively taking part in propelling the whole movement. Yikes.

It’s known around that NO alcoholic beverages of any kind can be purchased in Latvia after 10 PM. Yeah, so what.

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 was watching LNT’s morning show “900 Seconds” today, when I saw Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis speaking on inflation.

He has told that Government’s aim by fall ‘08 is to “come to inflation lower than a two-digit number. I can’t  tell you now, whether it’s seven or eight percents, but this is our aim”.

Obviously, Mr. Godmanis meant that the aim is to reach a single digit inflation - I guess 9.9% also falls in that category. I thought, well, sounds alright to me, at least not in the double digits - 9, 8, 7. Let’s see what it brings us to.

Later on, TV*Net came back with a screaming headline like “Godmanis: Our aim is 7 or 8 percent inflation”. Sensational. Let it be it though.

Still, that’s inflation. Unstoppable like a ninja sword, slicing its way through our wallets and bank accounts leaving nothing behind.

Let’s just trust that things are actually gonna get better, thanks to our new primie, the wizard-looking bearded Godmanis (I guess his last name means “good man”?). Don’t let us down G.

I see people getting crazy over Riga’s public transportation fare price rise. Now it has reached an astonishing limit of 40 santims (just over half a euro). How silly.

I know, other Latvian cities are still to catch up. I heard Vilnius, Lithuania buses are still cheap. But hey, this is something you can’t really stop. Inflation.

Everybody and their mama are dealing with inflation these days. If you live somewhere near Riga you must have felt the impact on your own butt. That’s why if you’re a company, you will not go out and spend more than you earn, right?

That’s just what Riga Transportation Authority does, it’s time they do the move.

Other issue is that I hear people consider dumb that if you ain’t got a ticket on boarding the tram (with no conductor), the ticket will be sold by driver for an impressive investment of 50 santims. Damn, I mean, that’s just 10 cents more! If you forgot to get a tick from a newsstand or whatever, then be ready to pay a lil bit extra, won’t ya? And it’s not the double price after all.

Such practice is employed in many cities around the world and as far as I know and been traveling, I don’t remember locals whinin’ and cryin’ over such type of ish.

Yes, the majority of Rigans are poor and can’t take it - you know everything but the salaries has been going uphill lately. I must confess I been suffering from the big “I” too, still some bills overdue.

But even being an every day car driver myself, having felt the gas price rise, I still consider inflation as something normal and see it as a process of developing. And a motivation to earn more.

So, hopefully, no one gets hurt or left without dinner after such New Year gift.

Have a nice time battling controllers like in Good Ol’ Soviet times, after riding with ticket handed by another passenger on exit.

Sike.

Kuģis grimst un arī komanda glābjas, kā tad savādāk?

Ar glābšanas vestēm virsū aiz borta izlekuši Ārlietu ministrs Pabriks un Ekonomikas ministrs Strods. Štokenbergu izgrūda (nu var būt arī pats uzprasījās), visbeidzot vakar (jakar!) - Labklājības ministre Staķe nolaidusi glābšanas laivu un jau visiem spēkiem airē prom no grimstoša m/k (motorkuģis = Ministru kabinets).

Pats kapteinis droši stāv uz klāja. “Nav iemesla panikai!” Vismaz tā viņu attēlo šodienas Час..

Nē, mīļie, iemesls ir. Kuģis jau grimst!! Vienkārši panikas nav. To jau zin jebkurš jūrnieks, it īpaši tik gudrs un pieredzējis kapteinis, kā Mr. Kalvītis. Avārijas situācijā vietas panikai NAV! Visiem mierīgi jāglābjas, jāsaglabā augsts prāts un jāpalīdz atstāt kuģis arī citiem. Un kapteinis, kā zināms, paliek uz borta un atstāj peldlīzekli pēdējais.

Ja paveicas.

Pēdējā laikā saasinājies šis jautājums, šķiet, lielākai sabiedrības daļai.. Un tieši tai, kas ir jauna, aktīva, hm.. maksātspējīga - vārdu sakot, progresīvākai un perspektīvākai mūsu mazās valstiņas daļai.

Palikt vai nepalikt? Latvija vai Īrija? Lielbritānija? Var būt Spānija? Tur vismaz siltāk..

Šādas domas rodas nepārprotami, apdomājot gan politisko krīzi, jezgu valdībā, inflāciju, gan arī pēdējās ziņas par to, ka turpmāk visus astoņpadsmitgadīgos, redz, bez viņu piekrišanas ieskaitīšot bruņoto spēku rezervē.

Kādas vērtības var sniegt man šī valsts? Jau tā daudzi ir aizbraukuši, var būt arī man pievienoties viņiem? Pavisam noteikti šis jautājums ir apciemojis teju vai katra jauna cilvēka, kas uzsāk savas gaitas skarbajā Latvijas realitātē, prātu.

Bet ja tā visu noliek uz svariem, ja tā visu riktīgi apdomā, tad nemaz nav tik traki. Ir bijuši grūti laiki mūsu senčiem pirms daudziem gadsimtiem, nav bijis viegli pirms dažiem gadu desmitiem, grūti un smagi laiki ir cilvēkiem daudzviet pasaulē arī šodien - jāpateicas Dievam par to, ko Viņš dod, tas jau ir daudz! Un, galu galā, dzīve taču turpinās!

Pēc vakar Turībā notikušās Jāko Lehtonena lekcijas par Latviju kā brendu, par valsts imidža nozīmi nācijas mārketingā, gribās tikai ar optimismu raudzīties nākotnē un ticēt, ka tikai mēs - visi kopā - spēsim padarīt mūsu dzīvi labāku, gan sev pašiem, gan mūsu bērnu mazbērniem. Un bēgšana prom lai paliek viena no gļēvuļu opcijām.