How to type ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ on MAC
| | 33 seen
The shrug emoji 🤷 is a popular image used to convey confusion or emphasize a question.
I first noticed ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ at the end of some tweet and wondered how to type it actually? upper line/slash/underline.. squares and then some strange symbols I doubt I have on my MAC.
After googling it - I found this brilliant article: How to Type the Shrug Emoji ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ in 2 Seconds Flat
And here is how:
1. Copy "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
2. Go to System Preferences
3. Click Keyboard
4. Press Text
5. In the Replace box, type "shrug"
6. In the With box, paste "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
Top 11 gaming / business laptops with 64 GB RAM 2022
| Laptop Reviews | 79 seen
Laptops with 64GB RAM memory are getting momentum and are quite affordable in 2022.
Most of the 64 GB RAM laptops come with the latest Intel Core i7 processors, also the Intel core 9 is gaining momentum. Though not as popular as less RAM-enabled models, these models will find their audience among gaming enthusiasts and business users
For a better gaming performance or high-end business, use expect to spend at least $1,500 up to $4.000 for a 64 GB RAM laptop
Keep reading to find out the TOP 11 laptops with 64 GB RAM memory in 2022 alternatively, see
Top 20 Laptops with 64GB RAM (Gaming / Business)
A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I might earn an affiliate income from that. Prices for laptop computers listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and is updated daily. For actual prices please refer on the product page on Amazon.
Lenovo Legion 5 17.3" FHD Gaming Laptop Computer, AMD Ryzen 5-5600H(Beats Intel i7-9750H), 64GB RAM,…How to Sell a Car in Riga / Latvia
| | 17 seen
We bought a used Mercedes Benz ML 400 Diesel car in Riga a few months ago. We hoped the car would suit us for the years to come, but in the end, the vehicle was faulty even before we bought it. So the car died (or almost died) - with the problem being - a timing belt, which needed to be replaced.
I asked to a few handymen how much it could cost, and understood that I'm not willing to take the extra burden on this already old car, so we decided to list it on the local ss.com website. After talking with several handymen I decided to list it for EUR 1,800 just to test the waters.
In my advert, I was honest and said, that the car needs its timing belt to be replaced while all the rest seems good. Apparently, the regular car buyers were left out and I was left alone with fixer-up guys.
After my initial listing, I got 2 offers - one guy was offering EUR 800, while the second was EUR 600. I replied to the first one that I'm ready to sell for EUR 1,000 if he will take it today, and to the second I replied I'm ok with EUR 1,200.
Both didn't agree on my terms. And I decided to wait for a few more days, before adjusting my advertisement and listing…
Average Monthly Salary in European Union 2022
| Macroeconomics | 1,108 seen
In 2022 three were 27 member states in the European Union (EU), and 20 of the 27 EU member states have adopted the euro (€) as their common currency.
In this article, I've listed European Union member countries by the gross monthly average salary in 2022.
I wouldn't call the below written scientific research or take it too seriously, as most of the data in this article are taken from Wikipedia's article List of European countries by average wage.
All calculations are done using Google Spreadsheets. The data provided below might not be 100% accurate but they should give an overall insight into average salary levels across European Union member countries.
Countries are ranked by average gross salary in 2022 Rank Country 2022 2020 Change EUR Change % 1 Denmark €6,173.00 €5,179.00 €994.00 19.19% 2 Luxembourg €5,143.00 €5,143.00 €0.00 0.00% 3 Austria €4,540.00 €3,811.00 €729.00 19.13% 4 Germany €4,168.00 €4,035.00 €133.00 3.…Cafe Pāvilostas Enkurs
| Restaurant reviews | 31 seen
Cafe Pāvilostas Enkurs is located on Dzinstaru street 69 in Latvian Summer Capital Pavilosta.
they serve fish and chips, pizza, and traditional Latvian cold soup here.
One of the best fish and chips I've tried in Latvia
Seems like a popular place in Pāvilosta, many tourists
Give it a try once in Pavilosta
GDP Per Capita in European Union 2022*
| Macroeconomics | 107 seen
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total population of about 447 million.
The other morning I was talking to a friend from South Africa, after a nice conversation about living in Georgia, railways, copper, and African Union I decided to look back on my old articles about African Union and GDP data from there.
After a few hours of research, I come up with a newly updated article and was quite surprised to see a decline in GDP per capita in many of the African economies.
Now I decided to take a fresh look at data about GDP per capita in European Union
Many years ago I did an article about GDP Per Capita in European Union 2013.
Without further ado, here is the raw data:
GDP per Capita in European Union 2022 vs 2013 2022 2013 Change $ Growth % Luxembourg $115,873.60 $111,162.00 $4,711.60 4.24% Ireland $83,812.80 $47,400.00 $36,412.80 76.82% Denmark $60,908.84 $58,930.00 $1,978.84 3.36% Netherlands $52,304.06…African Union GDP Per Capita 2022*
| Macroeconomics | 31 seen
The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU's future goals include a customs union, a single market, a central bank, and a common currency, thereby establishing an economic and monetary union.
This morning I was talking to Rob, a friend from South Africa, we were talking economics, Georgia, and railways and suddenly I remembered a few years ago I did an article about GDP per Capita in the African Union in 2013.
As many years had passed already, since I originally published that article, I decided to look again at the developments around African Union and compare the data from 2013 to 2022.
Huge was my surprise seeing that most of the countries have actually shrank by their size of GPD, not growing.
Without further ado, here is the raw data:
GDP per Capita in African Union 2022 vs 2013Country 2022* 2013 Growth ($) Percentage % Seychelles $11,425.09 $14,220.00 -$2,794.91 -19.65% Mauritius $8,622.68 $9,210.00 -$587.32 -6.38% Equatorial Guinea $7,…
Is it possible to buy a 3 bd apartment in European Union Member state for just EUR 350?
| Real Estate | 10 seen
A few years ago I bought a property in rural Latvia (which is a member state of the European Union) for under EUR 4,000 - most of the time I thought this has been a bad investment.
Since my original purchase I have additionally invested about EUR 14,000, making my total around EUR 18,000, and this Summer for the first time I feel I could actually realize this apartment for EUR 25,000 or at least EUR 20,000 without much hassle. See the latest developments here
A few weeks ago we bought a nice summer house near the sea paying less than EUR 5,000, and I already thought - wow, how is that even possible?
New Investment Project - Summer House with Garden in Latvia
Now, i decided to check the e-auction site, looking for some other interesting bargain deals, and I found one, which I decided to take a bid - a 3 bd apartment in Latvian countryside with a starting bid of just EUR 350
This particular apartment is located in an old Soviet Built house (1960) in a village called Dzelda, some 165km from Riga, 18km from Skrunda, and 70km from Liepāja
Currently, we have properties in Vilgāle, Laidi and Ječi, by adding…
Friends Hub village Guest house review in Vazisubani
| Hotel reviews | 61 seen
Friends Hub village guesthouse is located in Vazisubani, near Gurjaani in the region of Kakheti, Georgia, some 2-hour drive from Tbilisi.
Oskars, the host, invited me to visit his new place at the start of May 2022. After a few stops at McDonald's, Sighanghi, and Bodbe monastery we finally reached Vazisubani, where we were greeted with traditional Georgian supra and a lot of chacha.
Here I made a short video from our trip: Sighnaghi & Vazisubani trip
Friends Hub village features a restaurant, bar, garden, and BBQ facilities in Gurjaani. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation offers evening entertainment and a shared kitchen.
A nice looking palm and Caucasus mountains.
At the guest house, all rooms come with a desk, bed linen and a patio with a garden view. The units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle.
Guests at Friends Hub village can enjoy a continental or a à la carte breakfast.
As Oskars is a friend of mine, he refused to take any payment from us, but seems the price is listed for about GEL 120 pe night on Booking.com…
Top 10 Laptops with Backlit keyboard 2022
| Laptop Reviews | 36 seen
A neat feature a laptop can have is a backlit keyboard.
In 2022 the chance of finding a laptop with a backlit keyboard is more possible when looking at HP, Dell, or Lenovo laptops
Keep reading to learn more about top 10 best selling laptops with Backlit Keyboard on Amazon
A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income at no cost to you. Prices for laptops listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and are updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.
Newest HP Notebook Laptop, 17.3’’ Full HD Display, 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1155G7 Quad-Core Processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Backlit Keyboard, Webcam, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Windows 11 Home
- The PC memory has been upgraded to 16GB DDR4 SDRAM for enhanced high bandwidth to easily switch back and forth between open applications; Hard drive has been upgraded to 1TB Hard Disk Drive for ample storage space
- 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1155G7 Processor (2.5 GHz to 4.5 GHz, 8MB Intel Smart cache…
How To Tile Kitchen / hallway floor
| Home Remodeling | 23 seen
The time had finally come and I was ready to tile the kitchen and hallway floors at our Vilgale apartment.
A year ago I would say - no way I'm going to do it myself, but here you go, I did it all on my own, with some research on Youtube and a lot of encouragement from friends who have done it.
As it is in our Tbilisi apartment - I decided to go with large 60cmx60cm tiles, which I bought at the local DEPO store (in Liepaja) In total I purchased tiles to cover 21m2, which turned out too much, but I did put my margin of error as I didn't know how well it will go. Surprisingly it went very well, and I did break just one tile, which I still managed to reuse. Awesome. My biggest concern was the tile cutter, but again thank you YouTube it went very smoothly.
Here I bought tiles, tile cutter, a level, glue for tiles (dry mixture), distancers (3mm). As the tiles vere pretty heavy I decided to buy them in two attempts, or I purchased jus the half at my first visit to the store
Thansk to the YouTube tutorials I understood its better not to start from the corner but instead lay out tiles to find the optional placement
The other day we bought…
Tbilisi Rent to Sublet on Airbnb - Part 1
| Living in Georgia | 47 seen
This is the topic I first encountered many many years ago, well actually back in these days it was more about buying a property in Tbilisi and renting it out with the option of selling the property in a few years with profit.
Throughout the years I've been contacted by investors from all around the world (literally from Italy to Australia and Brazil) interested in Tbilisi rental market. My simple question always has been - what is the return on investment? ROI?
As a person with a strong belief in the stock market, I have never really understood what the point of renting out is, as long as the apartment is not for free, left as an inheritance. Dealing with tenants, changing linens? Too much hassle for too little money!
In the stock market, there are plenty of REITs paying out divided up to 8-10% annually (the stock market doesn't mean it is safe of course)
I've been investing with many good REIT's - my personal favorite - O (Realty Income) and Baltic Horizon Fund
It was in early Spring 2022, I met a Latvian girl, she said she was renting for subletting in Tbilisi on Airbnb, refurbishing a…
New Investment Project - Summer House with Garden in Latvia
| Home Remodeling | 66 seen
Welcome to another interesting project in the home remodeling series. - summer house with a garden in SouthWest Latvia. It turns out this is already the third, ongoing home remodeling project featured on the blog. Exciting.
This is the project my fiancee actually bought, without first seeing it - the price seemed very good, not to take this property. I was a bit skeptical at the start, as we still have another ongoing renovation project with the apartment in Vilgale, but I found this offer a value deal.
We learned about this project about a month ago, as we still were in Georgia, we decided to buy a cat in the sack and transferred a 10% deposit to the seller. At the end of June, we finally arrived and after a brief looking at the property paid the full amount in cash. The total buying price was EUR 5,000. Bought, Bought, Bought! Personally, I found it fun, having a property in the EU with drinking water, electricity and some nice garden for just EUR 5,000. And I believe the price will at least double in the next 5 years.
Here is what we got:
House comes with 600m2 of land, what is plenty for a small garden
Nothing fancy, nothing bad…
Pearl of Tbilisi - Gardenia Shevardnadze Flower Garden
| | 19 seen
Gardenia Shevardnadze is a lovely flower garden in Tbilisi, where you can buy seedlings for your yard, balcony, terrace, home, or office.
The place is popular among photographers, tourists, gardeners, and enjoyers of life.
After visiting this place so many times, while living in Georgia, I wouldn't hesitate to call this place a Pearl of Tbilisi and include it among the top 10 must-visit places in the Georgian capital.
It was an early Saturday morning, at the start of June 2022, we decided to visit Gardenia just to catch some inspiration and I decided to use my good, old DSLR camera, which I wasn't using since our Sri-Lanka trip (where the camera stopped working because of humidity)
The old camera was working again and I could experiment with different shooting styles.
It's hard to describe what photography style this is, Not sure, maybe pattern photography or simply bowl photography?
Always good for photography
Looking for bright colors? Come to Gardenia Sherdnadze flower garden
You don't have to be a flower expert to enjoy bright colors and good…
Top 7 Aluminum Chassis / Body laptops 2022
| Laptop Reviews | 327 seen
In today's article, I've listed the TOP 7 bestselling aluminum chassis laptops on Amazon in 2022
Most Aluminum chassis laptops come with the price attached and nowadays there are both traditional, touchscreen, and of course gaming laptops surrounded by metallic cases. Even some of the Chromebooks are available in aluminum chassis.
Top 20 Aluminum Chassis Notebook / Laptop Computers
A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income at no cost to you. Prices for laptops listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and are updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.
Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop 13.4 inch FHD+ Thin and Light. Intel Core i7-1195G7, 16GB LPDDR4x RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Windows 11 Pro, 2Yr OnSite, 6 months Dell Migrate – Silver- GUARANTEED POWER: With 11th Gen InteI Core mobile processors, it’s now possible to enjoy…
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…