Mind on Maps

I have written about Mind Map Ninja Antti Halla previously and can’t help dropping a line again after reading his “Mind on Maps“. When a software engineer gets into the conceptual approach to mind mapping, you get to know how to structure your thoughts and the process of working with them. Mind mapping is a useful means to extend one’s ability to think.

It is astonishing to me how the word “mind” is present in both “mind mapping” and “mindfulness”. The former exclusively deals with focussing on the mind, the latter, however, deals with switching off the mind, and then I wonder why nobody calls it what it stands for – sensefulness actually 🙂

The big takeover for me from A. Halla’s book is to improve one’s ability to think methodically – finding similarities, differences, and relationships between things.

Once you explore the unchartered territories of your mind, they no longer look scary. Fantastic book written in a fascinating and very engaging way.

Pishev & Sve

There is something unforgettable in all “first-time” events. The first acoustic concert of Pishev & Sve (Svetlina Stancheva) tonight was no exception – midsummer night’s music dream at The Art Foundation – Sofia. The way to Broadway is broad but those two are on the way there. Best of luck!

Asian Festival Bulgaria

Live from the first Asian festival in Bulgaria, organized by thirteen Asian embassies in Sofia – China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam and Japan. Fantastic music and dance performances, calligraphy workshops and various children’s games – all these complemented by the wonderful cool weather of the park around. What a diverse cultural experience.

July Morning

“There I was on a July morning, looking for love, with the strength of a new day dawning, and the beautiful sun ..”. Uriah Heep’s July Morning and the unique Bulgarian tradition, associated with this day, made me witness the sunrise this morning from the top of the Vitosha mountain. Filming the city from up there waking up and the sun rising was simply awesome.

Photo courtesy: Ivaylo Koychev

Thumbs up again :-)

Ever since I have known Ralitsa Assenova in 2014 I associate the Young European Cinema Meeting in Bulgaria with her. This year (19-25 June 2017) the movies I saw were no exception – exceptionally good: “La loi de la Jungle” and  “As I Open My Eyes”.

The former – a French comedy, the latter – Tunisia in the summer of 2010 – just a few months before the revolution – a moving story about the love of freedom, and not only, repressing regimes and not only. Fara herself from the movie (Baya Medhaffar) was there – in the photo below. Keep up the great idea!

From left to right: Baya Medhaffar, Ralitsa Assenova

Feeding Anaconda

Anacondas are the largest snakes in the world known for the method they use to kill their prey – constriction. Same as the shade in all of us.

The author of “Feeding Anaconda” (in Bulgarian) – Janeta Stoykova is one of the most supporting people I have ever met, applying just the opposite method of constriction in every situation.

Her book about the (im)possible connection with oneself, all people of importance around us, and the world, is an incredible combination of philosophy and personal experiences told in a very engaging way.

“That is why I share with you some of my music… If it irritates your ears, maybe it is not for you or maybe … it is exactly the music you need.” As my personal Anaconda is insatiable, Janeta’s music (composition of words) is the sound my ears love to hear.