Spring
The weather's getting better, the Fallas have come and gone, the clocks have been put forward and april fools day has passed. This can only mean one thing, we're in spring !
Now onto the news.
Carrying on the important scientific research programme, sheep have been found to have best friends. Amongst them, however is unlikely to be the local butcher.
In a move which is bound to have ramifications for Ibiza tourists and Ann Summers saleswomen, California has prosecuted a wheelchair-bound 87 year old man for wanting to fly to the philipines to have sex with young girls. Authorites were alerted to his intentions when they found child pornography, sex aids, sexually explicit letters to the two girls and 45kg of chocolate in his bags. Obviously next time he should try not to go over the weight limit for his luggage with so much chocolate...
In an announcement that will produce a manifold of "I told you so" cries, a biotech company has apparently been selling non-approved genetically modifed seeds for the last four years. Makes you just feel safe, doesn't it...
Striking at the heart of those wife-swappers amongst you, police in Korea have arrested more than 150 people that apparently indulged in such activities. Partners were apparently graded on how much they participated in the group sex videos that they posted online (450 having signed up for "lifetime" membership)...
Following in the footsteps of Richard Branson, a young 18 year old from Oxford has opened up his own airline to fly people between Oxford and Cambridge. No longer do you have to arrive in a "normal" bus, you can arrive in style in your own light aircraft.
Next time you go out walking alone in London, be on the lookout for a great big cat, after a man was attacked by said animal. Zoo experts have been consulted...
After announcing his intention to stand for election in Peru, Fujimori has started his campaign trail by selling a cola drink named "Fuji-Cola" in order to earn enough money for the rest of his campaign. Well, at least there's hope that other big cola manufacturers could put him out of business before he gets too far...
Like a phoenix, from a pet-shop fire that killed 150 other animals, only one turtle survived. This creature, however has an evil side. On it's shell is burnt the image of satan. Just have a look at the picture. What use a turtle would be for world domination, I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out...
For those of you who remember Kylie before she sang, and have ever heard of Jason Donavon, would have the australian soap opera "Neighbours" to thank. Well, this series that every schoolkid in the UK can remember for the famous wedding of the aforementioned two people, has reached it's second decade. Yes, that's right, 20 years of it!! Of course, what's now happening in it I haven't got the foggiest (maybe Des and Daphne returned) but it just goes to show it's still as popular as ever.
Got a new phone? Has it got MMS? want to know what this technology gives you? Well, read this article about what these new fangled camera-phones are actually being used for...
Think the second world war is history? Well, apparently not. An ex-Nazi medic who set himself up in Chile has apparently being forcing women to wear aprons, men to wear lederhosen, the genders to be seperated, and sexually abusing young boys. And all that at the ripe old age of eighty-something. There's no stopping some people...
Being detained isn't the same as it used to be! 108 people in US custody in Iraq and Afghanistan have now died. The battlefield within...
And to round up this week's news, it has been found that fish can use their bubbles to communicate. So next time you see a herring letting off a bit off gas, don't give it a hard time, just listen and learn :)
That's it for now
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Weather Watch
Those of you in and around Mainz today will have no doubt noticed that the weather's been behaving a bit strange. Strong wind and rain early this morning, followed by a bit of sunshine and blue sky at lunchtime, with an extra dose of a horizontal snowstorm from 2pm !! Seems like a scene out of Notting Hill (the film, not the place).
With so much news, I don't know where to start, so let's get on with something serious.
A Durham boy of 13 has been given life for raping a teacher after a lesson. Taking place at the age of 12, it just doesn't bear thinking what the youngsters of today are capable of (trying not to sound like an old man...).
For the sixth time in three months, a gang of bank robbers have got off with a cash machine, this time using a tractor to smash through the bank's wall. What happened to those horse raids like in the movies, I don't know.
Again a repeated event. For the third time in four months, a brazilian football star's mother has been kidnapped, probably hoping for a large ransom from her famous son. So I suppose one has to be careful what type of trade to go into nowadays.
In another major success against drugs, the colombian government has extradited the former leader of the Cali Cartel to the US to stand trial, after it was persuaded by the evidence collected by the DEA, that he continued his leadership from within prison after his capture (and thus negating his immunity from extradition). This comes soon after a similar case, whereby the Farc rebel 'Sonia' has also been extradited to the US to face drugs charges.
Police in Colombia have now freed (after three days in captivity) Pacho the donkey. He was arrested after apparently causing a traffic accident (not for aiding and abetting his friend 'danny the donkey' who strapped explosives to himself in an attempt to blow up the police, apparently).
How would you feel if whilst reading the morning paper one morning you were to find that the US had performed nuclear tests in your area? Well, that's what the sudanese government had to wake up to, when they saw that on the US Congress website. Fortunately, it was just a typing error. But Sudan is still conducting tests just to make sure.
A chemistry student from the US has managed to defeat the plethora of Microsoft lawyers that went after him when they saw him selling one copy of Windows XP and one copy of Office XP on eBay. Apparently, he bought the software with a large student discount, and when he decided he didn't want it, and Microsoft refused a refund, he put them up for auction on the site. When MS filed a suit against him for this act, he filed a counter-suit, involving the ineptitude of it's staff and decptive practices. Eventually they settled out of court.
If you judge how much people hate a program, by how many viruses have been written to infect it, Internet Explorer has to be one of the most hated out there. And so it would be of no surprise then, that even users of alternative browsers (such as the very good Mozilla Firefox) can now visit a malware site that infects IE. Yes that's right, you don't even have to be using it to get riddled with malware. Whatever next.
Forget all those researchers that found cows feel emotions, and sheep remember faces. This one takes the biscuit. A scientist from the Netherlands has found a duck who likes to get it on with another male duck. Fine, you might say, we've already found homosexual sheep, that's not new. The fact that the duck was already dead though, adds a new twist. Yes, we have a necrophilic gay duck.
Well, I'm sure you have enough to talk about now, whilst entertaining some friends at dinner, so I'll leave it there then.
Wrap up well
Those of you in and around Mainz today will have no doubt noticed that the weather's been behaving a bit strange. Strong wind and rain early this morning, followed by a bit of sunshine and blue sky at lunchtime, with an extra dose of a horizontal snowstorm from 2pm !! Seems like a scene out of Notting Hill (the film, not the place).
With so much news, I don't know where to start, so let's get on with something serious.
A Durham boy of 13 has been given life for raping a teacher after a lesson. Taking place at the age of 12, it just doesn't bear thinking what the youngsters of today are capable of (trying not to sound like an old man...).
For the sixth time in three months, a gang of bank robbers have got off with a cash machine, this time using a tractor to smash through the bank's wall. What happened to those horse raids like in the movies, I don't know.
Again a repeated event. For the third time in four months, a brazilian football star's mother has been kidnapped, probably hoping for a large ransom from her famous son. So I suppose one has to be careful what type of trade to go into nowadays.
In another major success against drugs, the colombian government has extradited the former leader of the Cali Cartel to the US to stand trial, after it was persuaded by the evidence collected by the DEA, that he continued his leadership from within prison after his capture (and thus negating his immunity from extradition). This comes soon after a similar case, whereby the Farc rebel 'Sonia' has also been extradited to the US to face drugs charges.
Police in Colombia have now freed (after three days in captivity) Pacho the donkey. He was arrested after apparently causing a traffic accident (not for aiding and abetting his friend 'danny the donkey' who strapped explosives to himself in an attempt to blow up the police, apparently).
How would you feel if whilst reading the morning paper one morning you were to find that the US had performed nuclear tests in your area? Well, that's what the sudanese government had to wake up to, when they saw that on the US Congress website. Fortunately, it was just a typing error. But Sudan is still conducting tests just to make sure.
A chemistry student from the US has managed to defeat the plethora of Microsoft lawyers that went after him when they saw him selling one copy of Windows XP and one copy of Office XP on eBay. Apparently, he bought the software with a large student discount, and when he decided he didn't want it, and Microsoft refused a refund, he put them up for auction on the site. When MS filed a suit against him for this act, he filed a counter-suit, involving the ineptitude of it's staff and decptive practices. Eventually they settled out of court.
If you judge how much people hate a program, by how many viruses have been written to infect it, Internet Explorer has to be one of the most hated out there. And so it would be of no surprise then, that even users of alternative browsers (such as the very good Mozilla Firefox) can now visit a malware site that infects IE. Yes that's right, you don't even have to be using it to get riddled with malware. Whatever next.
Forget all those researchers that found cows feel emotions, and sheep remember faces. This one takes the biscuit. A scientist from the Netherlands has found a duck who likes to get it on with another male duck. Fine, you might say, we've already found homosexual sheep, that's not new. The fact that the duck was already dead though, adds a new twist. Yes, we have a necrophilic gay duck.
Well, I'm sure you have enough to talk about now, whilst entertaining some friends at dinner, so I'll leave it there then.
Wrap up well
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Stop Sending Me Unsolicited Messages
I am not one known for his emotional outbursts, nor do I normally detest something so much that I feel I have to write about it here. However, recent events have caused me to change my ways, which is what I wanted to talk about now.
It all started about a month ago when out of nowhere I received an invitation from a "friend" to join a mobile friends network. I thought nothing much of it, I had previously seen so-called "friends networks" and read reviews on them (which were generally positive, I might add).
However, I was sceptical about letting my details be published in a big database that other people could search, especially with the huge rise in identity theft (apparently 1 in 4 people know someone who has had their identity stolen - either for financial purposes, or for other criminal activities where the only lead goes back to you).
So I left it initially, deciding to deal with it at a later date. Well, a week later I received another email purporting to come from the same person, telling me to sign up. Suddenly I got bombarded by these emails, this time coming from different people I knew to varying degrees (some I hadn't seen for years). So before wanting to reply to any of these (and to tell the people to stop sending me them), I decided to do a bit of online investigation (which I find myself doing way too often).
So, I went to google (go on, try it yourself, read the customers views) and searched for the company sms.ac (where the emails were coming from) and it came up with over 102,000 sites. The first one naturally being for the official site itself, but ALL the others being negative reports of people having signed up, giving in their hotmail details (including passwords!!!) and then, without their knowledge, everybody in their address books gets sent an invitation email to join up to this "mobile friends network". And if the recipients don't reply, or even if they click on the link to reject further participation, they keep on receiving the invitations.
And that's not all. In giving your mobile number to them, "premium" SMSs can be sent to you, the cost of which being added to your phone bill. I have found reports from people in the UK, France, USA, South Africa in the googled sites, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are lots more countries to add to this list (I didn't want to spend the whole weekend reading the complaints from people who had signed up - depression isn't my thing).
So, what should you do? Firstly, I would send an email to the person who "invited" you (to their proper email address, not the one where the invitation comes from) asking them if they wanted to send you the invitation. Tell them what's happening, how many emails from them you have in your inbox, and let them decide if that's how they want to treat their friends (because everyone in their address book will have received the same).
If you have signed up, check your mobile bill straight away. Any premium texts on there? How much? Take this up with your network provider - I'm sure they'll be interested to know about companies that are using their networks to send unsolicitated messages, and charging for them.
Terminate your SMS.ac account. Make sure you delete any login information you have saved in your account area, and then close down the online service linked to your mobile number.
There are plenty of organisations around the world that are there to protect the consumer. Find out which one is relevant in your country and take the matter up with them. There are also many laws that protect you (European, US SPAM email and SMS laws). Use them.
As for me, I've now set my SPAM filter to block any more of these "invitations" to at least have some piece and quiet in my inbox again. I just hope my friends take this advice, because otherwise they will be going "mobile" somewhere else.
Surf Safe
I am not one known for his emotional outbursts, nor do I normally detest something so much that I feel I have to write about it here. However, recent events have caused me to change my ways, which is what I wanted to talk about now.
It all started about a month ago when out of nowhere I received an invitation from a "friend" to join a mobile friends network. I thought nothing much of it, I had previously seen so-called "friends networks" and read reviews on them (which were generally positive, I might add).
However, I was sceptical about letting my details be published in a big database that other people could search, especially with the huge rise in identity theft (apparently 1 in 4 people know someone who has had their identity stolen - either for financial purposes, or for other criminal activities where the only lead goes back to you).
So I left it initially, deciding to deal with it at a later date. Well, a week later I received another email purporting to come from the same person, telling me to sign up. Suddenly I got bombarded by these emails, this time coming from different people I knew to varying degrees (some I hadn't seen for years). So before wanting to reply to any of these (and to tell the people to stop sending me them), I decided to do a bit of online investigation (which I find myself doing way too often).
So, I went to google (go on, try it yourself, read the customers views) and searched for the company sms.ac (where the emails were coming from) and it came up with over 102,000 sites. The first one naturally being for the official site itself, but ALL the others being negative reports of people having signed up, giving in their hotmail details (including passwords!!!) and then, without their knowledge, everybody in their address books gets sent an invitation email to join up to this "mobile friends network". And if the recipients don't reply, or even if they click on the link to reject further participation, they keep on receiving the invitations.
And that's not all. In giving your mobile number to them, "premium" SMSs can be sent to you, the cost of which being added to your phone bill. I have found reports from people in the UK, France, USA, South Africa in the googled sites, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are lots more countries to add to this list (I didn't want to spend the whole weekend reading the complaints from people who had signed up - depression isn't my thing).
So, what should you do? Firstly, I would send an email to the person who "invited" you (to their proper email address, not the one where the invitation comes from) asking them if they wanted to send you the invitation. Tell them what's happening, how many emails from them you have in your inbox, and let them decide if that's how they want to treat their friends (because everyone in their address book will have received the same).
If you have signed up, check your mobile bill straight away. Any premium texts on there? How much? Take this up with your network provider - I'm sure they'll be interested to know about companies that are using their networks to send unsolicitated messages, and charging for them.
Terminate your SMS.ac account. Make sure you delete any login information you have saved in your account area, and then close down the online service linked to your mobile number.
There are plenty of organisations around the world that are there to protect the consumer. Find out which one is relevant in your country and take the matter up with them. There are also many laws that protect you (European, US SPAM email and SMS laws). Use them.
As for me, I've now set my SPAM filter to block any more of these "invitations" to at least have some piece and quiet in my inbox again. I just hope my friends take this advice, because otherwise they will be going "mobile" somewhere else.
Surf Safe
Friday, February 25, 2005
Belgian Birthday
Before getting on with this week's news roundup, time for some birthday wishes. Today they go to Jordi, who is presently residing in Belgium (for the biere blanche, I presume). So send him flowers, SMSs, or old copies of "el jueves".
Some children nowadays do have the imagination still. For instance, the suffolk teenager who decided to make napalm and bring it into his chemistry class. According to bomb-disposal experts, it wasn't actually napalm, but something else, but they were not willing to specify (found the US's Homosexual Biological weapon maybe?).
Now one for those lonely men out there (you know who you are) the next thing in virtual girlfriends is here. Yes, you can start chatting up Vivienne, going out with her and play with her emotions, but that's all. No hanky panky is allowed (that is, until someone hacks the program and allows everything people really want her to do).
Next barmy science research award is given to the italian, who claims that by measuring the size and shape of a woman's breasts, he can tell what type of personality she has. No prizes for using a similar "study" to guess what type of car this guy drives (or for wondering quite what he has with his fruit fetish)...
For those in the US using breast milk (ok, not a huge percentage of my readers, I admit) a worrying discovery, that the main ingredient of rocket fuel has been found in said product. Maybe this is the start of the baby-on-mars space program...
The Simpsons has been translated into many languages, allowing as many viewers as possible to understand the series, but the latest episodes in Mexico might be a bit difficult to understand, as the speakers have gone on strike. Apparently, they wanted to use a non-certified "doh!" speaker...
At last, some of the German red-tape has been lifted, and this time in the theme of beer. Yes, at last a german beer doesn't have to taste the same as all the others to be called a "beer". Just wait til the chocolate and orange beers come...
Well, celebrate and be happy, I'm off to taste the new law...
Before getting on with this week's news roundup, time for some birthday wishes. Today they go to Jordi, who is presently residing in Belgium (for the biere blanche, I presume). So send him flowers, SMSs, or old copies of "el jueves".
Some children nowadays do have the imagination still. For instance, the suffolk teenager who decided to make napalm and bring it into his chemistry class. According to bomb-disposal experts, it wasn't actually napalm, but something else, but they were not willing to specify (found the US's Homosexual Biological weapon maybe?).
Now one for those lonely men out there (you know who you are) the next thing in virtual girlfriends is here. Yes, you can start chatting up Vivienne, going out with her and play with her emotions, but that's all. No hanky panky is allowed (that is, until someone hacks the program and allows everything people really want her to do).
Next barmy science research award is given to the italian, who claims that by measuring the size and shape of a woman's breasts, he can tell what type of personality she has. No prizes for using a similar "study" to guess what type of car this guy drives (or for wondering quite what he has with his fruit fetish)...
For those in the US using breast milk (ok, not a huge percentage of my readers, I admit) a worrying discovery, that the main ingredient of rocket fuel has been found in said product. Maybe this is the start of the baby-on-mars space program...
The Simpsons has been translated into many languages, allowing as many viewers as possible to understand the series, but the latest episodes in Mexico might be a bit difficult to understand, as the speakers have gone on strike. Apparently, they wanted to use a non-certified "doh!" speaker...
At last, some of the German red-tape has been lifted, and this time in the theme of beer. Yes, at last a german beer doesn't have to taste the same as all the others to be called a "beer". Just wait til the chocolate and orange beers come...
Well, celebrate and be happy, I'm off to taste the new law...
Saturday, February 19, 2005
The best way to recuperate
First up, the Berlin Film Festival awards have been given, and the winner was a south african version of Carmen. The amazing thing about this film, is that the lyrics have been translated into Xhosa whilst the location has been changed to a small township in said country.
Who ever thought that a city law banning total nudity in public could be gotten around so easily, by just selling visitors a pad and pencil to make their own sketches of the naked ladies performing for them. Maybe the law was sponsored by an art studio...
In a great move (in my opinion) an independent swedish television station released an advert contrasting itself with the italian leader's monopoly of media, and stating that it's content would not be politically tainted like that in Italy. Of course, said leader wasn't at all pleased with these facts, but hey, if he wants to claim his stations aren't biased towards himself, let him try to prove it...
In New Zealand, a man protesting at his right to travel about in public naked, turned up to his court appearance in nothing but his birthday suit. He did put on some clothes before seeing the judge, however.
In an effort to reduce the amount of cockroaches (of which, apparently, the german one is the worst), scientists have found a way of reproducing sex pheromones normally released by the female, which can attract males from far away to it. Combining this with a deadly virus or pathogen, they hope the disease will spread and kill off not only the males who were originally attracted to it.
Researchers at Stanford University have shown that Dracula was not just a guy with a weird biting fetish, but that taking young blood does actually help to liven up the old body. Expect to see fizzy cans of it on your shelves soon...
A teacher in Florida was recently visited by local police after it surfaced that he was teaching students how to make bombs in the chemistry class, which led to one boy detonating an explosion on a local golf course. Of course, the other teachers should be taking note, as to get students actively involved in class takes some doing. Also, one can't help wondering to think what his classes in physics and biology would have been like...
Now with the Bush visit coming closer, the number of demonstrations is increasing daily (see this site) and the problems his presence is going to cause becomes more apparent. Not only is most of the old town completely closed off to people (those living there also having to leave) but most of the centre is also closed (see this map), and anyone wishing to work on this day has to give a good reason (apparently it's not enough that it's a normal working day, you have to have a special reason why you can't take this day off as one of your holidays!!).
So if on this day I was to be interviewed, and asked if I had a question for the president, I would proffer the following: What does he feel about the fact that his visit will force me to walk home from hospital after a knee operation, as no connecting transport will be running? Taxis will also not be allowed throughout the city, and due to the number of protestors, it will be impossible to get past the main station.
Not enough that I have to walk back, but now I'm running the risk of catching rabies whilst I'm there, after an organ donee recently died after being infected with the disease from the transplanted organ. Now I will sleep well...
Think of me...
First up, the Berlin Film Festival awards have been given, and the winner was a south african version of Carmen. The amazing thing about this film, is that the lyrics have been translated into Xhosa whilst the location has been changed to a small township in said country.
Who ever thought that a city law banning total nudity in public could be gotten around so easily, by just selling visitors a pad and pencil to make their own sketches of the naked ladies performing for them. Maybe the law was sponsored by an art studio...
In a great move (in my opinion) an independent swedish television station released an advert contrasting itself with the italian leader's monopoly of media, and stating that it's content would not be politically tainted like that in Italy. Of course, said leader wasn't at all pleased with these facts, but hey, if he wants to claim his stations aren't biased towards himself, let him try to prove it...
In New Zealand, a man protesting at his right to travel about in public naked, turned up to his court appearance in nothing but his birthday suit. He did put on some clothes before seeing the judge, however.
In an effort to reduce the amount of cockroaches (of which, apparently, the german one is the worst), scientists have found a way of reproducing sex pheromones normally released by the female, which can attract males from far away to it. Combining this with a deadly virus or pathogen, they hope the disease will spread and kill off not only the males who were originally attracted to it.
Researchers at Stanford University have shown that Dracula was not just a guy with a weird biting fetish, but that taking young blood does actually help to liven up the old body. Expect to see fizzy cans of it on your shelves soon...
A teacher in Florida was recently visited by local police after it surfaced that he was teaching students how to make bombs in the chemistry class, which led to one boy detonating an explosion on a local golf course. Of course, the other teachers should be taking note, as to get students actively involved in class takes some doing. Also, one can't help wondering to think what his classes in physics and biology would have been like...
Now with the Bush visit coming closer, the number of demonstrations is increasing daily (see this site) and the problems his presence is going to cause becomes more apparent. Not only is most of the old town completely closed off to people (those living there also having to leave) but most of the centre is also closed (see this map), and anyone wishing to work on this day has to give a good reason (apparently it's not enough that it's a normal working day, you have to have a special reason why you can't take this day off as one of your holidays!!).
So if on this day I was to be interviewed, and asked if I had a question for the president, I would proffer the following: What does he feel about the fact that his visit will force me to walk home from hospital after a knee operation, as no connecting transport will be running? Taxis will also not be allowed throughout the city, and due to the number of protestors, it will be impossible to get past the main station.
Not enough that I have to walk back, but now I'm running the risk of catching rabies whilst I'm there, after an organ donee recently died after being infected with the disease from the transplanted organ. Now I will sleep well...
Think of me...
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Pancakes and Roosters
So who forgot it was pancake day on tuesday? Well, I did. Which is surprising, considering the willingness I show to cooking them with my special brandy butter filling. Never mind, I'll just have to celebrate a late pancake day sometime soon.
Not a day before, Mainz found itself at fever pitch with the "carnival". Yes, whilst people danced to good rhythms with exotic costumes and lovely weather in Brazil and Barranquilla, here in Mainz everything took on a military/political apperance as soldiers marched through the streets to the sound of their drums. Along with all the drunkards lining the pavements, the mess of broken bottles and left over food, the transport system comes to a stop for 3 days during which it invariably snows and people start to realise that 5 hours standing outside at -5 degrees is probably not the healthiest of pastimes.
Following on from Ireland, New York and Italy's recent smoking bans, the home of the cigar, Cuba, also brought in powerful legislation banning the smoking in public places, and sale of tabacco near schools.
If you think the state of people's driving in Europe is getting worse, just lend a thought for those in the US. After a car was followed swerving all over the road, crashing into two different cars whilst trying to park in it's drive, and then reversing into the observing policeman's car, it was found that the driver of said vehicle was in fact a 4-year-old boy who had learnt to drive whilst sitting on his mother's lap...
Now for any of you who like to let it hang out in public (your underwear, I'm talking about) take care if going to the state of Virginia. After passing a new proposal (it still has to be ratified by the state senate) people who show too much in public will be fined around 50 dollars.
For all those men out there reading this (yes, this does even include you, Jordi :) take a look at this story about a woman who grabbed at her ex's pants, ripping them off, and with them one of his testicles. She then attemped to swallow it, choked and then spat it out on the floor. Makes you queasy just thinking about it...
Anybody hoping to be able to visit any of the 2006 world cup matches in Germany should better watch out, as all tickets are being fitted with RFID tags, and your identity will be checked with it's database on entering the stadium. If you are not the person who bought the ticket (eg someone gave it as a present, or was ill and passed it on to you to use) you wil not be allowed in. I suppose that's one way of reducing the number of people who will see Germany get knocked out after the first round...(biased, me?)
And finally, for those who went out and bought the much hyped MS Tablet PC, take heed of this new warning from the manufacturer, stating that it is advisable to reboot your machine every day...
Well, a happy new chinese rooster year to you all, may you find your gold (to do with the rooster, honest).
So who forgot it was pancake day on tuesday? Well, I did. Which is surprising, considering the willingness I show to cooking them with my special brandy butter filling. Never mind, I'll just have to celebrate a late pancake day sometime soon.
Not a day before, Mainz found itself at fever pitch with the "carnival". Yes, whilst people danced to good rhythms with exotic costumes and lovely weather in Brazil and Barranquilla, here in Mainz everything took on a military/political apperance as soldiers marched through the streets to the sound of their drums. Along with all the drunkards lining the pavements, the mess of broken bottles and left over food, the transport system comes to a stop for 3 days during which it invariably snows and people start to realise that 5 hours standing outside at -5 degrees is probably not the healthiest of pastimes.
Following on from Ireland, New York and Italy's recent smoking bans, the home of the cigar, Cuba, also brought in powerful legislation banning the smoking in public places, and sale of tabacco near schools.
If you think the state of people's driving in Europe is getting worse, just lend a thought for those in the US. After a car was followed swerving all over the road, crashing into two different cars whilst trying to park in it's drive, and then reversing into the observing policeman's car, it was found that the driver of said vehicle was in fact a 4-year-old boy who had learnt to drive whilst sitting on his mother's lap...
Now for any of you who like to let it hang out in public (your underwear, I'm talking about) take care if going to the state of Virginia. After passing a new proposal (it still has to be ratified by the state senate) people who show too much in public will be fined around 50 dollars.
For all those men out there reading this (yes, this does even include you, Jordi :) take a look at this story about a woman who grabbed at her ex's pants, ripping them off, and with them one of his testicles. She then attemped to swallow it, choked and then spat it out on the floor. Makes you queasy just thinking about it...
Anybody hoping to be able to visit any of the 2006 world cup matches in Germany should better watch out, as all tickets are being fitted with RFID tags, and your identity will be checked with it's database on entering the stadium. If you are not the person who bought the ticket (eg someone gave it as a present, or was ill and passed it on to you to use) you wil not be allowed in. I suppose that's one way of reducing the number of people who will see Germany get knocked out after the first round...(biased, me?)
And finally, for those who went out and bought the much hyped MS Tablet PC, take heed of this new warning from the manufacturer, stating that it is advisable to reboot your machine every day...
Well, a happy new chinese rooster year to you all, may you find your gold (to do with the rooster, honest).
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Beating around the Bush
So nothing really important ever happens in Mainz? Well, wait for February the 23rd, when Bush the younger comes here! Yes, realising he's not welcome in the capital Berlin - Germany (just in case...) he decided to go with the "cosy atmosphere" of this town.So that gives two good reasons to get out of here for next month (the other being the carnival). However, if you do end up having to stay, here's a site which will help you find interesting things to do. Of course, the security of this city, already increased after Mainz 05 started off the season in the first division, will have to be stepped up a notch again, which can already be seen to be taking effect, in that terrorists are being caught (yes, here).
Keeping on the US theme, a well respected journalist (he found out about the iraqi jail abuses), has reported that the US special forces are presently operating inside Iran and gathering intelligence for a possible invasion. I wonder if there's any oil to be found there...
In information recently released, the US had considered using chemical weapons in war - to make the enemy soldiers gay and sexually irresistable from each other. Of course, they couldn't ave tested it on their own soldiers first, as such behaviour is seen as reason for dismissal there.
One of the most famous cinema lines "I'll be back" may turn out to be more difficult than ever thought. After terminating (pardon the pun) a convicted killer in his state, the governer (Arnie) has gone against the principles of Austria, and in so doing, should be relinquished of his austrian nationality - says an austrian politician. Well, there goes the chances of Terminator 4 being shot in Europe...
In an act of -continuing- stupidness, the UK government has shown it's worth once again in the push for ID-cards to stop ID fraud, by hiring such a fraudster as an " asylum-seeker health policy adviser". Yes, some guy who didn't even have any credentials with his name on, was allowed to review over 1500 specific immigration cases as an expert witness. I really don't want to have to continue this list of mishaps every week, but I'm afrais they'll just keep on happening with the present labour government.
Just to show the record companies that many people do buy their music legally, even if it is online, the figures for legal download music sales have shown a jump of 900% in 2004 from 2003's count. So if we would like to take this into context now, how much does it cost to produce a CD-less copy of music? Surely not the amount that these services are presently charging (roughly the same as a CD version)!!
In a copycat tale of Shakespeare's famous love story, an italian man couldn't live with himself after his wife went into a coma, and he committed suicide, only to be missed be the aforementioned wife when she awoke and asked for him. This is when one needs one of life's "back-buttons".
In a new twist to phone-line scams, an adults-only number offering filipino girls was actually staffed by nottigham lasses, putting on exotic accents. Yes, next time you ring such a number (yes, I've seen your phone-bill) maybe you should take some reality checks, asking about their home town, local culture, and mother language.
And if you haven't had enough of those "becoming a better person" programmes doing the rounds on TV at the moment (otherwise know as "plastic surgery R US") the bounds have been crossed and animals now are also counted. And so Mischief wins the Pet Slimmer Of They Year award for losing 5kg in 9 months. My hero.
Now on a more serious note, a concert in Wales put on at 3 week's notice to raise money for the victims of the Tsunami, has raised 1.25 million pounds. This brings the total raised by the UK public to more than 200 million pounds (about 300 million euros). Congratulations.
And with that happy note, I will leave you to plan ahead for the following month.
So nothing really important ever happens in Mainz? Well, wait for February the 23rd, when Bush the younger comes here! Yes, realising he's not welcome in the capital Berlin - Germany (just in case...) he decided to go with the "cosy atmosphere" of this town.So that gives two good reasons to get out of here for next month (the other being the carnival). However, if you do end up having to stay, here's a site which will help you find interesting things to do. Of course, the security of this city, already increased after Mainz 05 started off the season in the first division, will have to be stepped up a notch again, which can already be seen to be taking effect, in that terrorists are being caught (yes, here).
Keeping on the US theme, a well respected journalist (he found out about the iraqi jail abuses), has reported that the US special forces are presently operating inside Iran and gathering intelligence for a possible invasion. I wonder if there's any oil to be found there...
In information recently released, the US had considered using chemical weapons in war - to make the enemy soldiers gay and sexually irresistable from each other. Of course, they couldn't ave tested it on their own soldiers first, as such behaviour is seen as reason for dismissal there.
One of the most famous cinema lines "I'll be back" may turn out to be more difficult than ever thought. After terminating (pardon the pun) a convicted killer in his state, the governer (Arnie) has gone against the principles of Austria, and in so doing, should be relinquished of his austrian nationality - says an austrian politician. Well, there goes the chances of Terminator 4 being shot in Europe...
In an act of -continuing- stupidness, the UK government has shown it's worth once again in the push for ID-cards to stop ID fraud, by hiring such a fraudster as an " asylum-seeker health policy adviser". Yes, some guy who didn't even have any credentials with his name on, was allowed to review over 1500 specific immigration cases as an expert witness. I really don't want to have to continue this list of mishaps every week, but I'm afrais they'll just keep on happening with the present labour government.
Just to show the record companies that many people do buy their music legally, even if it is online, the figures for legal download music sales have shown a jump of 900% in 2004 from 2003's count. So if we would like to take this into context now, how much does it cost to produce a CD-less copy of music? Surely not the amount that these services are presently charging (roughly the same as a CD version)!!
In a copycat tale of Shakespeare's famous love story, an italian man couldn't live with himself after his wife went into a coma, and he committed suicide, only to be missed be the aforementioned wife when she awoke and asked for him. This is when one needs one of life's "back-buttons".
In a new twist to phone-line scams, an adults-only number offering filipino girls was actually staffed by nottigham lasses, putting on exotic accents. Yes, next time you ring such a number (yes, I've seen your phone-bill) maybe you should take some reality checks, asking about their home town, local culture, and mother language.
And if you haven't had enough of those "becoming a better person" programmes doing the rounds on TV at the moment (otherwise know as "plastic surgery R US") the bounds have been crossed and animals now are also counted. And so Mischief wins the Pet Slimmer Of They Year award for losing 5kg in 9 months. My hero.
Now on a more serious note, a concert in Wales put on at 3 week's notice to raise money for the victims of the Tsunami, has raised 1.25 million pounds. This brings the total raised by the UK public to more than 200 million pounds (about 300 million euros). Congratulations.
And with that happy note, I will leave you to plan ahead for the following month.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Skipping the usual new year's greetings and the "why haven't you written in so long" I would like to get straight to the news.
Now, there's nothing I can really say, that you probably haven't heard a hundred times on the local news programmes about the Tsunami in Indonesia, India and Thailand (amongst others), so I'll just leave it at that saying that of course our feelings are with all those families affected by this disaster.
So onto the slightly weird news stories. A baby hippo in Kenya has become friends with a 100-year old tortoise. They apparently go everywhere and do everything together. So I presume we'll be seeing some weird genetic mixes coming up in the not so distant future.
An idea taken from the Dutch (where else) is going to be implemented in London, whereby a road is left without any signs, lights or rules, and the drivers are expected to drive carefully just by the pschological impact of not having to. This "naked road" experiment of course could first be implemented in Paris as despite all the rules, none of the parisian cars actually follow them.
In another great political move, tea-bags are to be prohibited from being thrown onto the compost heaps, as they carry the possibility of foot-and-mouth infection. I wonder if the same applies to coffee leftovers?
Yet again, some politicians really know how to handle foreign relations. Take Mexico, whose government has just published a booklet explaining how their citizens can survive crossing the border with the US, despite it being illegal. Now maybe this will come in helpful for all those immigrants trying to enter the UK illegally.
Ever had things happen in your online Sims 2 game that couldn't quite be explained? Like after downloading that new dishwasher, your 14 year old daughter gets pregnant, and your wife no longer slaps you for having multiple lovers. Well, apparently the so-called "hacks" for changing how some elements of the game behave are spreading like viruses, and people are finding themselves with new "features" which they hadn't asked for.
Okay, we've all heard of the regular gaffes coming from the mouths of Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, or US spokesperson, sorry, president, Bush (junior - or was that baby?). Now another one from the house of MS, about ethical fair trade. I really can't do it justice by summarizing it, you'll just have to read the article. But I assure you, it's worth it.
Now for those of you with new computers for Christmas, here's a little story to help you understand what Spammers, Spyware and Bot-nets are, and why they help the russian mafia to get your credit card details. Read and learn !
And if you have a webcam connected to your PC, be especially aware, as some simple google searches are showing up webcam images from all over the world, which has now become a new hobby for some this year.
No news post would be complete without the latest virus warning. So, the windows media format has again been used for transferring viruses, this time through it's controversial Digital Rights Management feature. So that's two good reasons to leave this format alone.
Well, that was probably enough to chew on for the beginning of this year.
Stay tuned
Now, there's nothing I can really say, that you probably haven't heard a hundred times on the local news programmes about the Tsunami in Indonesia, India and Thailand (amongst others), so I'll just leave it at that saying that of course our feelings are with all those families affected by this disaster.
So onto the slightly weird news stories. A baby hippo in Kenya has become friends with a 100-year old tortoise. They apparently go everywhere and do everything together. So I presume we'll be seeing some weird genetic mixes coming up in the not so distant future.
An idea taken from the Dutch (where else) is going to be implemented in London, whereby a road is left without any signs, lights or rules, and the drivers are expected to drive carefully just by the pschological impact of not having to. This "naked road" experiment of course could first be implemented in Paris as despite all the rules, none of the parisian cars actually follow them.
In another great political move, tea-bags are to be prohibited from being thrown onto the compost heaps, as they carry the possibility of foot-and-mouth infection. I wonder if the same applies to coffee leftovers?
Yet again, some politicians really know how to handle foreign relations. Take Mexico, whose government has just published a booklet explaining how their citizens can survive crossing the border with the US, despite it being illegal. Now maybe this will come in helpful for all those immigrants trying to enter the UK illegally.
Ever had things happen in your online Sims 2 game that couldn't quite be explained? Like after downloading that new dishwasher, your 14 year old daughter gets pregnant, and your wife no longer slaps you for having multiple lovers. Well, apparently the so-called "hacks" for changing how some elements of the game behave are spreading like viruses, and people are finding themselves with new "features" which they hadn't asked for.
Okay, we've all heard of the regular gaffes coming from the mouths of Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, or US spokesperson, sorry, president, Bush (junior - or was that baby?). Now another one from the house of MS, about ethical fair trade. I really can't do it justice by summarizing it, you'll just have to read the article. But I assure you, it's worth it.
Now for those of you with new computers for Christmas, here's a little story to help you understand what Spammers, Spyware and Bot-nets are, and why they help the russian mafia to get your credit card details. Read and learn !
And if you have a webcam connected to your PC, be especially aware, as some simple google searches are showing up webcam images from all over the world, which has now become a new hobby for some this year.
No news post would be complete without the latest virus warning. So, the windows media format has again been used for transferring viruses, this time through it's controversial Digital Rights Management feature. So that's two good reasons to leave this format alone.
Well, that was probably enough to chew on for the beginning of this year.
Stay tuned
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Christmas is a-coming
As if it wasn't obvious enough from the Christmas markets here in Mainz or from the sale of stollen and lebkuchen (ok, they appeared in october...) in the supermarkets, you really know when Christmas is here when everyone has disappeared. Yes, Olga is relaxing on a beach at 26 degrees, Jordi is going back tomorrow to Valencia at 16 degrees, and the rest have already gone as far away as possible from the temperatures here, which currently do not go above 0 degrees. Brrrr.
Anyway, on with the news.
In a show of equality, a mexican woman has been allowed to sign up for a men's football team, in one of the first cases of it's kind. Of course, this will make the after-match showers interesting...
Keeping on the theme of football, scientists have now calculated that referees are physically incapable of spotting if a player is offside. We all knew this since various european and world cups, but now it's been proven scientifically. Now all we need is the ability to catch "hand of God" goals too...
After reports of Scotland, Ireland and New York banning smoking to various degrees, Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom, has banned the sale of tobacco outright. Of course, what people would be doing smoking at such a high altitude where there's less oxygen anyway, I don't know.
After spending 10 billion US dollars a year on it (instead of on medical aid, social help, pollution cutbacks) the missile defense system "Son of Star Wars" has yet again proved it's worth, by failing miserably in protecting the country against an airborne attack. Nearly as spectacular a waste of money as the failed UK IT projects...
Last week plastic explosives disappeared in Paris airport during an exercise, and now a bomb disappears from an US airport during trials as well. So never mind the terrorists, it's the security procedures that should be getting you really worried.
Now for those of you who've gone ahead and moved with the times and bought yourselves a personal music player with photo capabilities (like Apple's iPod photo) you now have the chance to view your personal pin-up courtesy of Playboy's iBod. Yes, download your set of 25 beautiful women, and never again be bored whilst travelling to work on public transport.
Well, that's it for now
As if it wasn't obvious enough from the Christmas markets here in Mainz or from the sale of stollen and lebkuchen (ok, they appeared in october...) in the supermarkets, you really know when Christmas is here when everyone has disappeared. Yes, Olga is relaxing on a beach at 26 degrees, Jordi is going back tomorrow to Valencia at 16 degrees, and the rest have already gone as far away as possible from the temperatures here, which currently do not go above 0 degrees. Brrrr.
Anyway, on with the news.
In a show of equality, a mexican woman has been allowed to sign up for a men's football team, in one of the first cases of it's kind. Of course, this will make the after-match showers interesting...
Keeping on the theme of football, scientists have now calculated that referees are physically incapable of spotting if a player is offside. We all knew this since various european and world cups, but now it's been proven scientifically. Now all we need is the ability to catch "hand of God" goals too...
After reports of Scotland, Ireland and New York banning smoking to various degrees, Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom, has banned the sale of tobacco outright. Of course, what people would be doing smoking at such a high altitude where there's less oxygen anyway, I don't know.
After spending 10 billion US dollars a year on it (instead of on medical aid, social help, pollution cutbacks) the missile defense system "Son of Star Wars" has yet again proved it's worth, by failing miserably in protecting the country against an airborne attack. Nearly as spectacular a waste of money as the failed UK IT projects...
Last week plastic explosives disappeared in Paris airport during an exercise, and now a bomb disappears from an US airport during trials as well. So never mind the terrorists, it's the security procedures that should be getting you really worried.
Now for those of you who've gone ahead and moved with the times and bought yourselves a personal music player with photo capabilities (like Apple's iPod photo) you now have the chance to view your personal pin-up courtesy of Playboy's iBod. Yes, download your set of 25 beautiful women, and never again be bored whilst travelling to work on public transport.
Well, that's it for now
Sunday, December 12, 2004
It Snow Joke
Seeing as the weather has decided to hint towards a white christmas, what better way to pass the time, than to catch up with the latest newsbites brought to you on this page.
Like beer? Like coffee? Ever wondered what was missing from your life? Now you have it, coffee beer, in a supermarket near you. No longer let the effects of the alcohol make you tired, now you can keep on drinking all night/day/night long :)
Twenty Eight thousand pounds for a truffle is quite a lot of money, I think you would agree. Especially when one considers that this truffle was left on display too long and has now had to be thrown away as it has gone off. At least the money went to charity.
No more dowdy nighties for us brits any more (not that I wore one anyway, honest) as a recent survey has shown that english women are buying more negligees and shiny pyjamas. Whatever next? Germans walking around without their white socks with sandals?
One for the businessmen amongst you now, as a new study has shown that the use of laptops can cause male infertility. However, they are not as dangerous as cups of hot coffee wedged between your legs whilst driving. Apparently.
Just to ub it in to the pilots that don't quite make it through their training course, scientists have taught cells from a rat brain to fly an F-22 fighter jet in a hurricane. Now let's see if they can also teach them how to run a country better than some of the present participants.
You have to hand it to the french, they always manage to do things differently from everyone else. However, this may soon come to a halt, seeing as a practice at paris airport resulted in plastic explosives, placed into a passengers bag for the sniffer dogs to find, were not found in time and left on a plane to an unkown destination. I can just imagine someone of arabic decent being the unlucky passenger, arriving at a US airport with the aforementioned luggage, and the excuse "I've never seen it before in my life" not quite working...
You learn something every day. European countries such as France and the UK have vowed to hold a referendum so that their inhabitants can vote on whether they want a european constitution or not. Germany, though, has said it can't ask the people, as there is a law preventing such actions.
Ever wondered what people do near their computers? Well, a recent study has brought an interesting insight into what can be found under the keys of a users keyboard. Unbelievable.
On an ending note, it seems like ETA is back to it'S old habits again, setting off bombs in Madrid and other major cities in Spain.
Well, wrap up warm, and snuggle up by the log fire, as christmas time is a-coming.
Seeing as the weather has decided to hint towards a white christmas, what better way to pass the time, than to catch up with the latest newsbites brought to you on this page.
Like beer? Like coffee? Ever wondered what was missing from your life? Now you have it, coffee beer, in a supermarket near you. No longer let the effects of the alcohol make you tired, now you can keep on drinking all night/day/night long :)
Twenty Eight thousand pounds for a truffle is quite a lot of money, I think you would agree. Especially when one considers that this truffle was left on display too long and has now had to be thrown away as it has gone off. At least the money went to charity.
No more dowdy nighties for us brits any more (not that I wore one anyway, honest) as a recent survey has shown that english women are buying more negligees and shiny pyjamas. Whatever next? Germans walking around without their white socks with sandals?
One for the businessmen amongst you now, as a new study has shown that the use of laptops can cause male infertility. However, they are not as dangerous as cups of hot coffee wedged between your legs whilst driving. Apparently.
Just to ub it in to the pilots that don't quite make it through their training course, scientists have taught cells from a rat brain to fly an F-22 fighter jet in a hurricane. Now let's see if they can also teach them how to run a country better than some of the present participants.
You have to hand it to the french, they always manage to do things differently from everyone else. However, this may soon come to a halt, seeing as a practice at paris airport resulted in plastic explosives, placed into a passengers bag for the sniffer dogs to find, were not found in time and left on a plane to an unkown destination. I can just imagine someone of arabic decent being the unlucky passenger, arriving at a US airport with the aforementioned luggage, and the excuse "I've never seen it before in my life" not quite working...
You learn something every day. European countries such as France and the UK have vowed to hold a referendum so that their inhabitants can vote on whether they want a european constitution or not. Germany, though, has said it can't ask the people, as there is a law preventing such actions.
Ever wondered what people do near their computers? Well, a recent study has brought an interesting insight into what can be found under the keys of a users keyboard. Unbelievable.
On an ending note, it seems like ETA is back to it'S old habits again, setting off bombs in Madrid and other major cities in Spain.
Well, wrap up warm, and snuggle up by the log fire, as christmas time is a-coming.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Pink Pigs, Culling Bambi and Media Wrongs
A bulgarian farmer is suing the man that sold him a prize-winning pig, which he wanted to use for breeding, after it decided it liked sausages, and not the edible type. Yes, this pig liked the other male pigs more than the female ones. Maybe he should have first consulted the australian scientists who have been investigating human-like behaviour in animals (see previous stories).
No sooner had the Wiesbaden casino managed to get online (the only one in Germany) albeit showing the roulette wheel through webcameras, than a texas entrepreneur has decided to allow more than just a virtual shooting range. No more paper targets to aim at, this guy's got live dear running around to pop a cap at.
Now for those of you who believe everything you read in the papers, maybe you should find out all the facts first, as this piece about the guardian's misinformed 'educational learning program' on DVD piracy financing terrorists shows.
And for a european first, the SMART-1 has reached lunar orbit - yes, we have a ship there that can check if, in fact, there is an american flag planted on the surface.
For those looking for a cheaper way of studying, and are already eating baked beans on toast for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is an answer. Yes, to help you find your uni books cheaper, a website has come to your rescue, allowing you to afford that extra pint without selling your clothes.
Finally, if your computer is urging to be used more, and you can't spare more than 24 hours in a day to suffice it's thirst, why not make it happy and do something for a good cause at the same time. Go to this site (sponsored by IBM) and relax.
Let animals be
A bulgarian farmer is suing the man that sold him a prize-winning pig, which he wanted to use for breeding, after it decided it liked sausages, and not the edible type. Yes, this pig liked the other male pigs more than the female ones. Maybe he should have first consulted the australian scientists who have been investigating human-like behaviour in animals (see previous stories).
No sooner had the Wiesbaden casino managed to get online (the only one in Germany) albeit showing the roulette wheel through webcameras, than a texas entrepreneur has decided to allow more than just a virtual shooting range. No more paper targets to aim at, this guy's got live dear running around to pop a cap at.
Now for those of you who believe everything you read in the papers, maybe you should find out all the facts first, as this piece about the guardian's misinformed 'educational learning program' on DVD piracy financing terrorists shows.
And for a european first, the SMART-1 has reached lunar orbit - yes, we have a ship there that can check if, in fact, there is an american flag planted on the surface.
For those looking for a cheaper way of studying, and are already eating baked beans on toast for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is an answer. Yes, to help you find your uni books cheaper, a website has come to your rescue, allowing you to afford that extra pint without selling your clothes.
Finally, if your computer is urging to be used more, and you can't spare more than 24 hours in a day to suffice it's thirst, why not make it happy and do something for a good cause at the same time. Go to this site (sponsored by IBM) and relax.
Let animals be
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Bad News
Starting off with the fireworks accident that happened in Denmark and left over 2000 people affected, is bad enough.
But add to that the train crash in the UK today, which left at least 6 people dead, and things doen't look too good at the moment.
At least Italy has managed to provide something more positive to write about today. Namely the University of Rome's new course in Mafia Studies for law students.
Well, with temperatures soaring here to the high 8 or 9 degrees (midday) and promises of snow on it's way, there's no better time to tuck yourself up in bed and hope that winter passes quickly.
Wrap up warm
Starting off with the fireworks accident that happened in Denmark and left over 2000 people affected, is bad enough.
But add to that the train crash in the UK today, which left at least 6 people dead, and things doen't look too good at the moment.
At least Italy has managed to provide something more positive to write about today. Namely the University of Rome's new course in Mafia Studies for law students.
Well, with temperatures soaring here to the high 8 or 9 degrees (midday) and promises of snow on it's way, there's no better time to tuck yourself up in bed and hope that winter passes quickly.
Wrap up warm
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Celebrations
No, nothing to do with the US elections (Ohio nearly coming in as a Florida 2000 rerun). It is also nothing to do with my birthday on the first of the month.
The real reason for celebrations is that Olgui passed the exam of exams that we all hate (statistics) with flying colours. On the same day, I found out that the toil and sweat that went into my latest project finally paid off, as it was a big success. So contrary to the headlines in the global news, there are some good things happening :)
So, now for a few titbits from the global press...
Tesco's, one of Britain's biggest supermarket chains, has started to give shoppers a new reason to choose them over the other brands of supermarket. They are offering free taxi rides home after you have bought something. Now most people have seeing this from the wrong angle, so I would like to bring to your attention the real benefits of this service:
Ever been invited to dinner and realised that you have no wine to bring, and it's too late to go to the shops? Well, don't worry, now you go to the supermarket first to buy the wine, and get a taxi straight to where the dinner party is - no need to go home and drop off the car first. Coming home from a late night out clubbing, and no busses for another 4 hours? Well pop into your local Tesco's 24 hours buy some aspirin and get home quicker than you can say plonk plonk fizz.
So, there you have it, some great ideas of how to increase your quality of life at minimal cost - the roadtest of this service will follow shortly...
Storms cause many unexpected things to happen, none so much as the latest one in the south of England. Residents of Devon walking along the beach the day after the latest storm were surprised to find a 50 foot (~170m) whale there.
As previously mentioned, it was my birthday recently. So for all of you who fogot, sorry, were not able to find my address in time to send me something, I went to the trouble of creating my wish-list. It's very simple, in fact, as there is only one item on it. Namely, a Vulcan bomber that's on sale on Ebay. So no more excuses, get your bid in now.
One thing not on my wish-list is Saddam's left leg, which is also on offer on a German auction site.
And finally a few personal notes. Albe has to be congratulated again, as it appears his dad has made it into office in Uruguay. Well done !
Nuri has gone back to Valencia after handing in her first draft of her thesis, so there goes another of the Erasmus in Mainz members...
And finally, for those of you who have ever wondered what it's like to get your fork-lift-truck certificate, here's a short video (in german) to show you how. Enjoy.
Right, that's it from me , drive safely...
No, nothing to do with the US elections (Ohio nearly coming in as a Florida 2000 rerun). It is also nothing to do with my birthday on the first of the month.
The real reason for celebrations is that Olgui passed the exam of exams that we all hate (statistics) with flying colours. On the same day, I found out that the toil and sweat that went into my latest project finally paid off, as it was a big success. So contrary to the headlines in the global news, there are some good things happening :)
So, now for a few titbits from the global press...
Tesco's, one of Britain's biggest supermarket chains, has started to give shoppers a new reason to choose them over the other brands of supermarket. They are offering free taxi rides home after you have bought something. Now most people have seeing this from the wrong angle, so I would like to bring to your attention the real benefits of this service:
Ever been invited to dinner and realised that you have no wine to bring, and it's too late to go to the shops? Well, don't worry, now you go to the supermarket first to buy the wine, and get a taxi straight to where the dinner party is - no need to go home and drop off the car first. Coming home from a late night out clubbing, and no busses for another 4 hours? Well pop into your local Tesco's 24 hours buy some aspirin and get home quicker than you can say plonk plonk fizz.
So, there you have it, some great ideas of how to increase your quality of life at minimal cost - the roadtest of this service will follow shortly...
Storms cause many unexpected things to happen, none so much as the latest one in the south of England. Residents of Devon walking along the beach the day after the latest storm were surprised to find a 50 foot (~170m) whale there.
As previously mentioned, it was my birthday recently. So for all of you who fogot, sorry, were not able to find my address in time to send me something, I went to the trouble of creating my wish-list. It's very simple, in fact, as there is only one item on it. Namely, a Vulcan bomber that's on sale on Ebay. So no more excuses, get your bid in now.
One thing not on my wish-list is Saddam's left leg, which is also on offer on a German auction site.
And finally a few personal notes. Albe has to be congratulated again, as it appears his dad has made it into office in Uruguay. Well done !
Nuri has gone back to Valencia after handing in her first draft of her thesis, so there goes another of the Erasmus in Mainz members...
And finally, for those of you who have ever wondered what it's like to get your fork-lift-truck certificate, here's a short video (in german) to show you how. Enjoy.
Right, that's it from me , drive safely...
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Back to Basics
Despite this title referring to education in the UK, it is in fact meant to relate to the fact that there's so much to tell, and so little time, which is why, in this short blog, a fly-by-resume of the recent news stories will be presented.
A man in China who wanted to call his son '@' has been told that he can't. Not because it's a stupid idea and would lead to problems when the kid gets old enough to ask what his dad was on when he thought of that as a name, rather because there is no mandarin equivalent of this computer-specific symbol.
Something to look out for next time you need to release yourself in a pub or club, is the new interactive urinals. Yes, you can see many benefits from that, including playing games of pinball, splat-the-rat, and watching the party political broadcasts whilst doing the necessaries.
As those of you who let me speak without hinderence, might have gleened, whilst doing a school project about Peru at the age of 11 I found out that every year there's a thousand-guinea-pig-sacrifice, whereby the little animals are thrown into a volcano as an offering to the gods. Well, this may become a little bit more difficult from now on, as scientists at a local university have managed to breed a super guinea pig, with extra meat and less fat. I can see the national exports increasing dramatically in the near future...
Ever wondered why Germany has so many car companies still? Well, maybe because their government has passed laws to protect them from takeover. This is what the European Commission is now trying to find out.
Talking about problems with Europe, another row has erupted in how countries are allowed to spell the shared currency. Apart from Greece, that has a different alphabet, all member states are forced to spell the Euro the same way. That was until the newly accepted countries decided that they had different ideas.
A new scientific excuse has been discovered for people who, apparently unknowingly, get jiggy with people other than their partners at night. It's called Sleep Sex and there has already been a case of it in Australia (where else?).
Kids in the UK have a new excuse when asked by their parents to do some food shopping. In the run-up to Halloween (the day before my birthday, by the way) supermarkets are refusing to sell eggs to children for fear of them throwing them on this dark night. I presume they've never heard of this being a favourite habit of kids at the end of school term as well then...
Ever wondered where that crispy 50 Euro note came from? Well, after a recent police raid, it's probably not going to come from Colombia where a huge number of counterfeit notes were found.
Not to keep Spain out of the news, a row has erupted as to why the current tennis tournament in Madrid has employed models as ball-girls. To get more men to watch? No, because for that we have some very nice female tennis stars...(Kournikova anyone?).
Well, after that roundup of news, you'll have to wait for my next entry to find out about the wedding in Malaga...
Sleep carefully...
Despite this title referring to education in the UK, it is in fact meant to relate to the fact that there's so much to tell, and so little time, which is why, in this short blog, a fly-by-resume of the recent news stories will be presented.
A man in China who wanted to call his son '@' has been told that he can't. Not because it's a stupid idea and would lead to problems when the kid gets old enough to ask what his dad was on when he thought of that as a name, rather because there is no mandarin equivalent of this computer-specific symbol.
Something to look out for next time you need to release yourself in a pub or club, is the new interactive urinals. Yes, you can see many benefits from that, including playing games of pinball, splat-the-rat, and watching the party political broadcasts whilst doing the necessaries.
As those of you who let me speak without hinderence, might have gleened, whilst doing a school project about Peru at the age of 11 I found out that every year there's a thousand-guinea-pig-sacrifice, whereby the little animals are thrown into a volcano as an offering to the gods. Well, this may become a little bit more difficult from now on, as scientists at a local university have managed to breed a super guinea pig, with extra meat and less fat. I can see the national exports increasing dramatically in the near future...
Ever wondered why Germany has so many car companies still? Well, maybe because their government has passed laws to protect them from takeover. This is what the European Commission is now trying to find out.
Talking about problems with Europe, another row has erupted in how countries are allowed to spell the shared currency. Apart from Greece, that has a different alphabet, all member states are forced to spell the Euro the same way. That was until the newly accepted countries decided that they had different ideas.
A new scientific excuse has been discovered for people who, apparently unknowingly, get jiggy with people other than their partners at night. It's called Sleep Sex and there has already been a case of it in Australia (where else?).
Kids in the UK have a new excuse when asked by their parents to do some food shopping. In the run-up to Halloween (the day before my birthday, by the way) supermarkets are refusing to sell eggs to children for fear of them throwing them on this dark night. I presume they've never heard of this being a favourite habit of kids at the end of school term as well then...
Ever wondered where that crispy 50 Euro note came from? Well, after a recent police raid, it's probably not going to come from Colombia where a huge number of counterfeit notes were found.
Not to keep Spain out of the news, a row has erupted as to why the current tennis tournament in Madrid has employed models as ball-girls. To get more men to watch? No, because for that we have some very nice female tennis stars...(Kournikova anyone?).
Well, after that roundup of news, you'll have to wait for my next entry to find out about the wedding in Malaga...
Sleep carefully...
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain
Well, it might do, but that doesn't affect me, as I'm off to the south, in particular, Malaga.
The reason for this trip of only four days is a most important one. The first Erasmus Wedding (but hopefully not the last) between Marilo and Julio is also my first spanish wedding, so I'll be sure to take the required amount of photos :)
As my flight comes closer, and the baggage still isn't packed (where is that bag...) I just have time for a few news stories.
Stop complaining about smelly feet, put a sock in it (yes, that is 'in' and not 'on'). Scientists have discovered another great benefit from nanotechnology, in foot-deodourising socks. No more washing every 20 minutes, just put on the socks and the feet smell good. Of course, this might lead to still more people believing that they don't have to wash themselves each week...
A new texting service in the UK answers any question that is sent to it by SMS. And apparently, 10.48pm is the main time when questions regarding pulling-ability (or good-lookingness for the rest of you) are sent. However, this article puts some light on the reasons why this time in particular has been chosen.
An uncomfy moment for someone at an australian airport, as it was evacuated when a bin started vibrating. Soon afterwards, an unnamed person came forward to own up to having left her 'adult toy' there.
Ok, enough fun, I'm off to the sun
Well, it might do, but that doesn't affect me, as I'm off to the south, in particular, Malaga.
The reason for this trip of only four days is a most important one. The first Erasmus Wedding (but hopefully not the last) between Marilo and Julio is also my first spanish wedding, so I'll be sure to take the required amount of photos :)
As my flight comes closer, and the baggage still isn't packed (where is that bag...) I just have time for a few news stories.
Stop complaining about smelly feet, put a sock in it (yes, that is 'in' and not 'on'). Scientists have discovered another great benefit from nanotechnology, in foot-deodourising socks. No more washing every 20 minutes, just put on the socks and the feet smell good. Of course, this might lead to still more people believing that they don't have to wash themselves each week...
A new texting service in the UK answers any question that is sent to it by SMS. And apparently, 10.48pm is the main time when questions regarding pulling-ability (or good-lookingness for the rest of you) are sent. However, this article puts some light on the reasons why this time in particular has been chosen.
An uncomfy moment for someone at an australian airport, as it was evacuated when a bin started vibrating. Soon afterwards, an unnamed person came forward to own up to having left her 'adult toy' there.
Ok, enough fun, I'm off to the sun
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Coming to an end
Yes, after what seems like an age, the summer holidays here are finally ending. No more late nights, no more parties, no more travels to far off lands...hold on a minute, I didn't get to do any of those !!!
But as the nights get darker, and the preparations start for a new term, I find myself also in a new stage. Namely, putting more weight on my leg. Okay, not the height of excitement, I know, but it's the most I'm getting out of a summer spent in hospital :(
Well, onto a few news stories. The UK government has surprised most of us, by actually deciding to do something for the good of the world. All debt owed to it by third world nations will be written off, allowing those countries to worry about their people, not the debts they have. Let's see if Germany or the US can follow suit.
Another shocking piece of news, is that Fujimori, the exiled dictator of Peru, has decided he will flaunt a personal ban, and stand for presidency in next year's elections. Let's just hope he gets tried for his previous crimes first.
In Malaysia a woman has regained her crown as the scorpion queen, by sealing herself inside a box with 6000 of these creatures for over 32 days. What a great holiday.
Ringtones. They annoy thousands of people every day on the trains, in restaurants, soon also in planes, but could it be that they can be used for good? Well according to a japanese man, his special tunes have helped women increase the size of their breasts. Does that mean I too can be in Baywatch (I was wondering how to get that long forgotten series into this blog...) through passive tune listening?
Back to home, the arrival of Javi and Albe on the 30th is to be expected, and I'm sure some form of celebration will be taking place (starting with the cinema, I believe, and including many trips to the Eisgrub).
Time for bed, whilst others enjoy the hospitality of the Valencians I will enjoy the, um, coldness that's settled in Mainz.
Sleep tight
Yes, after what seems like an age, the summer holidays here are finally ending. No more late nights, no more parties, no more travels to far off lands...hold on a minute, I didn't get to do any of those !!!
But as the nights get darker, and the preparations start for a new term, I find myself also in a new stage. Namely, putting more weight on my leg. Okay, not the height of excitement, I know, but it's the most I'm getting out of a summer spent in hospital :(
Well, onto a few news stories. The UK government has surprised most of us, by actually deciding to do something for the good of the world. All debt owed to it by third world nations will be written off, allowing those countries to worry about their people, not the debts they have. Let's see if Germany or the US can follow suit.
Another shocking piece of news, is that Fujimori, the exiled dictator of Peru, has decided he will flaunt a personal ban, and stand for presidency in next year's elections. Let's just hope he gets tried for his previous crimes first.
In Malaysia a woman has regained her crown as the scorpion queen, by sealing herself inside a box with 6000 of these creatures for over 32 days. What a great holiday.
Ringtones. They annoy thousands of people every day on the trains, in restaurants, soon also in planes, but could it be that they can be used for good? Well according to a japanese man, his special tunes have helped women increase the size of their breasts. Does that mean I too can be in Baywatch (I was wondering how to get that long forgotten series into this blog...) through passive tune listening?
Back to home, the arrival of Javi and Albe on the 30th is to be expected, and I'm sure some form of celebration will be taking place (starting with the cinema, I believe, and including many trips to the Eisgrub).
Time for bed, whilst others enjoy the hospitality of the Valencians I will enjoy the, um, coldness that's settled in Mainz.
Sleep tight
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Around the World
No, not my next holiday plan (although I wish it was) rather the region from where this collection of news stories come.
King Mswati III of Swaziland has chosen himself another wife. Not uncommen, you may say, there are lots of countries that allow many wives. However it's the ceremony that's of importance here. Namely, a reed dance involving 20,000 bare breasted virgins, where the king decides which one he wants to wed.
Proof has come (at last) that the nuclear tests in Nevada (amongst others) in the 1950s did in fact contaminate Europe. Maybe some leaders will think about the consequences of their actions before they next carry out such "safe" tests.
Australian scientists are trying to outdo our british ones with weird science, investigating whether environmental factors are affecting the sexuality of their cows. Yep, enough with the sheep, it's the cow's turn now !
In Berlin a bear tried a magnificent escape attempt, involving paddling across his moat using a log as a raft, and taking a bike to get out the gate. Someone should really take the TV out of his room...
Another animal story shows how chimps too are affected by being without "physical stimulation". Yes, this monkey took up smoking and spitting in China (quite normal there actually) because her mate was too old to fulfil her desires. Whatever next.
Okay, enough of the world, and back to Mainz where the winter has set in (was there a summer?).
Wrap up warm
No, not my next holiday plan (although I wish it was) rather the region from where this collection of news stories come.
King Mswati III of Swaziland has chosen himself another wife. Not uncommen, you may say, there are lots of countries that allow many wives. However it's the ceremony that's of importance here. Namely, a reed dance involving 20,000 bare breasted virgins, where the king decides which one he wants to wed.
Proof has come (at last) that the nuclear tests in Nevada (amongst others) in the 1950s did in fact contaminate Europe. Maybe some leaders will think about the consequences of their actions before they next carry out such "safe" tests.
Australian scientists are trying to outdo our british ones with weird science, investigating whether environmental factors are affecting the sexuality of their cows. Yep, enough with the sheep, it's the cow's turn now !
In Berlin a bear tried a magnificent escape attempt, involving paddling across his moat using a log as a raft, and taking a bike to get out the gate. Someone should really take the TV out of his room...
Another animal story shows how chimps too are affected by being without "physical stimulation". Yes, this monkey took up smoking and spitting in China (quite normal there actually) because her mate was too old to fulfil her desires. Whatever next.
Okay, enough of the world, and back to Mainz where the winter has set in (was there a summer?).
Wrap up warm
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Footpath Guide to Mainz
Through lack of decision for which story to headline with, it defaulted to this one. The reason will soon become apparent.
But first to the question you've all been wanting answered: Why was my last blog on the 31st July? Was it because the things I said then were of utmost importance? Or wanted my brother to be in the limelight for longer?
No, none of the above reasons. Rather, On the 1st August, whilst cycling home, I had an accident. And not just the grazed knee type either. This was a full blown "Vordererkreuzbandausriss" as the people here like to call it. In layman's terms, I pulled the cross-ligament of my right knee from it's fixture, and in so doing, also broke a bit of the lower leg bone for good measure.
This resulted in me walking around on crutches from this day (and I still am) with my leg in a sort of plaster-cast. On the 11th I was operated (holes bored through bones, cable pushed through) and was in the Uniklinik hospital until the 16th. Since then (and thanks for all the emails/SMSs/chocolates that were sent) I have been limping around Mainz, getting between my place, centre of town, and the hospital (for physiotherapy). Which is where the title comes in. Some of you may remember my article on the Bike lanes in Mainz, and what I generally thought of them. Well this was nothing compared with the problems someone with crutches faces on the pavements of this city. I don't think I have yet to find a single pavement that doesn't dramatically tilt towards the road, thus making it near impossible to walk straight or easily. I also discovered the delights of the buses when you've finally managed to scale the stairs to get on and are then looking for a place to sit (people here being famous for not even offering their seats to people more in need) and the bus driver decides to drive off, invariably around a sharp corner, thus throwing you against a window/floor/nearest passenger.
Off the subject of me for a moment, and other things have been happening too. Javi was at the Olympics in Athens (although I didn't see him at the ladies beach volleyball matches), Jordi, Albakra, Fernando, Albe, Paolo, and Juanfran went off to Sardinia to bask in the sun, sea and, well, you'll have to see the photos on Albe's site to find out the rest.
Luca has also given signs of life today, describing the new friends he's making at the old people's home (getting in all the chess practice he can, I bet), and how little he's managing to study.
Now to the rest of the world. Those Cambridge University folks have done it again, and come out with another sheep fact. Sheep feel more at ease seeing photos of other sheep, especially those known to them. Of course the next stage would be to see what photos excite the sheep, and therefore could be considered as 'adult content' for help with fertilisation.
Which leads me nicely on to the next site, which teaches you the hallowed art of origami (paper folding) but not producing hats or boats, rather positions of the Kama Sutra.
And finally some shocking news about the Xbox killings in the US. It is amazing the lengths someone goes jsut because his games console got stolen. Read through the details for a full idea of how ill this person was.
Well, another weekend, another few days to relax (ok, that's a joke - read trying to find someone to take over my appartment from 1st September...).
Play safe
Through lack of decision for which story to headline with, it defaulted to this one. The reason will soon become apparent.
But first to the question you've all been wanting answered: Why was my last blog on the 31st July? Was it because the things I said then were of utmost importance? Or wanted my brother to be in the limelight for longer?
No, none of the above reasons. Rather, On the 1st August, whilst cycling home, I had an accident. And not just the grazed knee type either. This was a full blown "Vordererkreuzbandausriss" as the people here like to call it. In layman's terms, I pulled the cross-ligament of my right knee from it's fixture, and in so doing, also broke a bit of the lower leg bone for good measure.
This resulted in me walking around on crutches from this day (and I still am) with my leg in a sort of plaster-cast. On the 11th I was operated (holes bored through bones, cable pushed through) and was in the Uniklinik hospital until the 16th. Since then (and thanks for all the emails/SMSs/chocolates that were sent) I have been limping around Mainz, getting between my place, centre of town, and the hospital (for physiotherapy). Which is where the title comes in. Some of you may remember my article on the Bike lanes in Mainz, and what I generally thought of them. Well this was nothing compared with the problems someone with crutches faces on the pavements of this city. I don't think I have yet to find a single pavement that doesn't dramatically tilt towards the road, thus making it near impossible to walk straight or easily. I also discovered the delights of the buses when you've finally managed to scale the stairs to get on and are then looking for a place to sit (people here being famous for not even offering their seats to people more in need) and the bus driver decides to drive off, invariably around a sharp corner, thus throwing you against a window/floor/nearest passenger.
Off the subject of me for a moment, and other things have been happening too. Javi was at the Olympics in Athens (although I didn't see him at the ladies beach volleyball matches), Jordi, Albakra, Fernando, Albe, Paolo, and Juanfran went off to Sardinia to bask in the sun, sea and, well, you'll have to see the photos on Albe's site to find out the rest.
Luca has also given signs of life today, describing the new friends he's making at the old people's home (getting in all the chess practice he can, I bet), and how little he's managing to study.
Now to the rest of the world. Those Cambridge University folks have done it again, and come out with another sheep fact. Sheep feel more at ease seeing photos of other sheep, especially those known to them. Of course the next stage would be to see what photos excite the sheep, and therefore could be considered as 'adult content' for help with fertilisation.
Which leads me nicely on to the next site, which teaches you the hallowed art of origami (paper folding) but not producing hats or boats, rather positions of the Kama Sutra.
And finally some shocking news about the Xbox killings in the US. It is amazing the lengths someone goes jsut because his games console got stolen. Read through the details for a full idea of how ill this person was.
Well, another weekend, another few days to relax (ok, that's a joke - read trying to find someone to take over my appartment from 1st September...).
Play safe
Saturday, July 31, 2004
All Change
Ok, Roberto has just got back from his trip up to Hamburg with his research group (ah, the hard life...). Just in time for him to finish the packing of his stuff to move house tomorrow. At least he got back in time to do some shopping for the big meal we'll be preparing tonight...
On the subject of changes, someone has just decided to apply for a possible life-changing experience. Yes, fed up with relaxing on the beaches of Spain, eating such delicious seafood, Jordi will possibly be going off to live and teach in Dublin. At least he would finally learn the rules to rugby...
Of course, what with it being the last day of July today, I can't forget to mention that it's my brother's birthday (how old is he now...never can remember - at least I know his name - Dougal Flunkett).
Now some news titbits. An indian city seems to be getting through more than the average amount of preservatives (and I'm not talking about vinegar) as it's weavers are finding the condom's lubricant to be the best for getting their job done quicker. Of course, it does mean some kid has a lot of explaining to do when he gets home from his night-job and his mum finds all those packets...
For those of you who remember the tv series Knight Rider, the car "Kit" is up for auction on ebay. Put in your bid now.
Finally, in a shock move which will affect most of the male population, norwegian hotel workers are calling for a ban on adult chanels in the hotel rooms, after many of the workers found themselves in sticky situations...
Okay, use up those hotel vouchers...
Ok, Roberto has just got back from his trip up to Hamburg with his research group (ah, the hard life...). Just in time for him to finish the packing of his stuff to move house tomorrow. At least he got back in time to do some shopping for the big meal we'll be preparing tonight...
On the subject of changes, someone has just decided to apply for a possible life-changing experience. Yes, fed up with relaxing on the beaches of Spain, eating such delicious seafood, Jordi will possibly be going off to live and teach in Dublin. At least he would finally learn the rules to rugby...
Of course, what with it being the last day of July today, I can't forget to mention that it's my brother's birthday (how old is he now...never can remember - at least I know his name - Dougal Flunkett).
Now some news titbits. An indian city seems to be getting through more than the average amount of preservatives (and I'm not talking about vinegar) as it's weavers are finding the condom's lubricant to be the best for getting their job done quicker. Of course, it does mean some kid has a lot of explaining to do when he gets home from his night-job and his mum finds all those packets...
For those of you who remember the tv series Knight Rider, the car "Kit" is up for auction on ebay. Put in your bid now.
Finally, in a shock move which will affect most of the male population, norwegian hotel workers are calling for a ban on adult chanels in the hotel rooms, after many of the workers found themselves in sticky situations...
Okay, use up those hotel vouchers...
Friday, July 23, 2004
Forgotten Update
Well, I'd like to say that I have been on holiday soaking up the sun on a lovely sunny beach somewhere exotic. But the truth of the matter is, that I did no such thing. I have in fact stayed here in Mainz and worked.
But at least I can use a recent news article to back up my reason for forgetting to write. A recent study has shown, that drinking coffee makes you forgetful. At least, it does if you change your train of thought (so doesn't work for most men then).
Now anybody ever wanted that original touch to showing someone when you're annoyed with them? Well, a florida guy did, and so slapped his wife with an alligator.
Fed up with rowdy drinkers, pub landlords normall choose to bar (prohibit) said people from entering their pub. However, this time it's been done to a bird...
Some people just want to make us laugh. A DVD pirate went into a local business and offered copied DVDs. However, the building was that of the trading standards office, so the police were quite happy to talk to him longer.
Now for those of us slow eaters. A Japanese man has broken the speed-eating record by gobbling 52 and a half hot dogs with rolls in 12 minutes. Yes, that was 12 minutes. I think I've got a long way to go...
Nigerians are a superstitious lot. First of all they had the rumour that if a particular person looked at you, your sexual organs would fall off. Now if somebody calls you from a special phone number, it will cause them to die. And I thought I was gullible !
And how could a single post go by without mentioning Bush. A group of scientists are demonstrating against their president, for the bad name he give to them when he asks advice and then selects the information he wants to use, not giving the true picture as it was intended.
Well, apart from those news stories, it looks like hurricanes have arrived in Mainz, with the weather turning very bad indeed, rain, thunder, lightning, wind. What more can you want for a lovely summer day. Oh yeah, the 28 degrees temperature at night.
Well, whilst others go off to Malaga, some to Sardinia, I will be going off to my homeland (England, in case any of you forgot) for a short week.
Well, take care, and drink a beer for me.
Well, I'd like to say that I have been on holiday soaking up the sun on a lovely sunny beach somewhere exotic. But the truth of the matter is, that I did no such thing. I have in fact stayed here in Mainz and worked.
But at least I can use a recent news article to back up my reason for forgetting to write. A recent study has shown, that drinking coffee makes you forgetful. At least, it does if you change your train of thought (so doesn't work for most men then).
Now anybody ever wanted that original touch to showing someone when you're annoyed with them? Well, a florida guy did, and so slapped his wife with an alligator.
Fed up with rowdy drinkers, pub landlords normall choose to bar (prohibit) said people from entering their pub. However, this time it's been done to a bird...
Some people just want to make us laugh. A DVD pirate went into a local business and offered copied DVDs. However, the building was that of the trading standards office, so the police were quite happy to talk to him longer.
Now for those of us slow eaters. A Japanese man has broken the speed-eating record by gobbling 52 and a half hot dogs with rolls in 12 minutes. Yes, that was 12 minutes. I think I've got a long way to go...
Nigerians are a superstitious lot. First of all they had the rumour that if a particular person looked at you, your sexual organs would fall off. Now if somebody calls you from a special phone number, it will cause them to die. And I thought I was gullible !
And how could a single post go by without mentioning Bush. A group of scientists are demonstrating against their president, for the bad name he give to them when he asks advice and then selects the information he wants to use, not giving the true picture as it was intended.
Well, apart from those news stories, it looks like hurricanes have arrived in Mainz, with the weather turning very bad indeed, rain, thunder, lightning, wind. What more can you want for a lovely summer day. Oh yeah, the 28 degrees temperature at night.
Well, whilst others go off to Malaga, some to Sardinia, I will be going off to my homeland (England, in case any of you forgot) for a short week.
Well, take care, and drink a beer for me.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Astafest, Alcohol, and Bearing Frogs
Well, as the first word of the title suggest, tomorrow the Asta Sommerfest is being held at the Uni Mainz. Get your glad rags on, bring a bottle (or two, three, four...) and let's dance.
On the subject of alcohol, according to a new study, women's bones become harder through the consumption of alcohol. Now what are you waiting for, what a great excuse to let it all go tomorrow...
Now on to something really weird. An iranian woman has apparantly given birth to a frog. Yes, you read right, a frog. Now they can't really claim to have no nuclear bases around where she lives.
Something serious now, in Mexico City, hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated against the relentless kidnappings going on. And these are not just people who usually protest, but normal workers with families that are fed up with the corruption and state ignorance. Let's hope the government finally does something about it.
A quick aside, just to mention that the Johannesnacht fireworks were held in Mainz earlier this week. I didn't want to say more, but I think I should make clear that if comparing them with the likes of those of the Fallas in Valencia, they're about as similar as the German language is to Spanish. I say no more.
Well, I'm going to get myself prepared for tomorrow.
Party hard
Well, as the first word of the title suggest, tomorrow the Asta Sommerfest is being held at the Uni Mainz. Get your glad rags on, bring a bottle (or two, three, four...) and let's dance.
On the subject of alcohol, according to a new study, women's bones become harder through the consumption of alcohol. Now what are you waiting for, what a great excuse to let it all go tomorrow...
Now on to something really weird. An iranian woman has apparantly given birth to a frog. Yes, you read right, a frog. Now they can't really claim to have no nuclear bases around where she lives.
Something serious now, in Mexico City, hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated against the relentless kidnappings going on. And these are not just people who usually protest, but normal workers with families that are fed up with the corruption and state ignorance. Let's hope the government finally does something about it.
A quick aside, just to mention that the Johannesnacht fireworks were held in Mainz earlier this week. I didn't want to say more, but I think I should make clear that if comparing them with the likes of those of the Fallas in Valencia, they're about as similar as the German language is to Spanish. I say no more.
Well, I'm going to get myself prepared for tomorrow.
Party hard
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Surpising Football and Internet Bugs
First up, what a shock the results have been for most football followers this year. No sooner had Spain lost to Portugal and not gone through to the next round, than so did Germany to the Czech Republic. As if that wasn't enough, England got knocked out before the semi-finals by Portugal, and France by Greece. Whatever next?
Although, to be fair, Germany did manage to win something. Yes, they became the country with the most number of porn sites in their domain name space. Congratulations :)
Now for something a bit more serious. A bug in the Internet Explorer web browser has been found (and not yet patched) that allows backdoors to be installed on PCs, steals passwords, credit-card numbers and uses it to relay spam and to hack other computers from. And thinking that it doesn't affect you because you're not stupid enough to open email attachments nor to visit 'alternative' websites won't get you anywhere, as the malicious code has been injected onto many important websites, including those of search engines, banks, online shops etc.
The statements of the security companies makes it clear, by recommending users use another browser instead of IE (like Mozilla Firefox, for example). Take action now !
And on an ending note, I just thought I'd say a late Happy Birthday to Sophia, who celebrated on the 13th June. For those of you from the Erasmus year 2000/01 you will remember her as the blonder of the two english girls :)
Surf Safely
First up, what a shock the results have been for most football followers this year. No sooner had Spain lost to Portugal and not gone through to the next round, than so did Germany to the Czech Republic. As if that wasn't enough, England got knocked out before the semi-finals by Portugal, and France by Greece. Whatever next?
Although, to be fair, Germany did manage to win something. Yes, they became the country with the most number of porn sites in their domain name space. Congratulations :)
Now for something a bit more serious. A bug in the Internet Explorer web browser has been found (and not yet patched) that allows backdoors to be installed on PCs, steals passwords, credit-card numbers and uses it to relay spam and to hack other computers from. And thinking that it doesn't affect you because you're not stupid enough to open email attachments nor to visit 'alternative' websites won't get you anywhere, as the malicious code has been injected onto many important websites, including those of search engines, banks, online shops etc.
The statements of the security companies makes it clear, by recommending users use another browser instead of IE (like Mozilla Firefox, for example). Take action now !
And on an ending note, I just thought I'd say a late Happy Birthday to Sophia, who celebrated on the 13th June. For those of you from the Erasmus year 2000/01 you will remember her as the blonder of the two english girls :)
Surf Safely
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Basking in the Sun
No, not at the moment, but last week on the shores of Valencia. Even came back with a bit of suntan. This is also the reason why all the news gets put into this post (albeit briefly).
In a bid to aid pandas bred in captivity to understand the idea of mating, researchers have been showing films of other pandas 'at it' to give them the gist, and it seems to be working. Who said pornos weren't good for you? :)
Now that Mars has been visited by various robots, and plans are afoot to put people on it soon, the next logical step is that they can grow their own food. Therefore it's no surprise that NASA is preparing to put the british strawberry on the planet. So now there is another requirement to wannabe astronauts - they must like strawberries, as that's all they're going to be eating during their time on the planet.
Yet another scientific project has come up with earth-changing results. This time sheep are determined to prefer happy people to sad people. They obviously learnt this by looking at the face of the farmer before he took them away for lamb chops.
Police in Wiltshire are embracing the internet for useful purposes, as can be seen by the example of their stolen gnome appeal.
Web services, always trying to be helpful, sometimes don't quite have the desired effect that was intended. Take, for example, the Amazon "related items" feature. Children looking for Spot the Dog toys, may be surprised to find links to female ejaculation and the G-spot. Not quite what they were expecting, I think. Go on, have a try, and see what else you can find.
I really am considering creating a seperate column for the goings-on in Italy as no sooner has it been made illegal to send spam to mobile phones (with prison sentences and fines as a result) than the country's 'leader' mass SMSs all the mobile phones in the country telling them to vote. Apart from the fact that lots of those phone owners were not elegible to vote, it's also a very sly move at influencing the voters prior to the election. But, no doubt, he will be exempt from this law, like with all the others he seems to be flouting nowadays.
Taling about mass mailing, an IT security company sent out an email to all of it's customers stating the dangers of not protecting confidential data. Fine you would say - but not if it forgot to BCC all the addresses, and therefore sent out all the names of it's subscribers in the mail. Very clever.
Keep informed
No, not at the moment, but last week on the shores of Valencia. Even came back with a bit of suntan. This is also the reason why all the news gets put into this post (albeit briefly).
In a bid to aid pandas bred in captivity to understand the idea of mating, researchers have been showing films of other pandas 'at it' to give them the gist, and it seems to be working. Who said pornos weren't good for you? :)
Now that Mars has been visited by various robots, and plans are afoot to put people on it soon, the next logical step is that they can grow their own food. Therefore it's no surprise that NASA is preparing to put the british strawberry on the planet. So now there is another requirement to wannabe astronauts - they must like strawberries, as that's all they're going to be eating during their time on the planet.
Yet another scientific project has come up with earth-changing results. This time sheep are determined to prefer happy people to sad people. They obviously learnt this by looking at the face of the farmer before he took them away for lamb chops.
Police in Wiltshire are embracing the internet for useful purposes, as can be seen by the example of their stolen gnome appeal.
Web services, always trying to be helpful, sometimes don't quite have the desired effect that was intended. Take, for example, the Amazon "related items" feature. Children looking for Spot the Dog toys, may be surprised to find links to female ejaculation and the G-spot. Not quite what they were expecting, I think. Go on, have a try, and see what else you can find.
I really am considering creating a seperate column for the goings-on in Italy as no sooner has it been made illegal to send spam to mobile phones (with prison sentences and fines as a result) than the country's 'leader' mass SMSs all the mobile phones in the country telling them to vote. Apart from the fact that lots of those phone owners were not elegible to vote, it's also a very sly move at influencing the voters prior to the election. But, no doubt, he will be exempt from this law, like with all the others he seems to be flouting nowadays.
Taling about mass mailing, an IT security company sent out an email to all of it's customers stating the dangers of not protecting confidential data. Fine you would say - but not if it forgot to BCC all the addresses, and therefore sent out all the names of it's subscribers in the mail. Very clever.
Keep informed
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Venus, Duck Dialects, and bad Music Labels
For those of you looking out of your windows next Tuesday (actually, you shouldn't look directly at it, better to see it over the internet) you might see a spot moving across the face of the sun. This is Venus and it is the first occasion to see it since 1882, so it's not to be missed.
After previous valuable studies such as "Why cornflakes go soggy in milk" and "How to make the perfect beer without head" Middlesex University have released a study which claims that ducks have regional accents. So that obviously explains why the ones from the south go about with the latest fashion feathers and say "quark" (cheesy german yoghurt) instead of "quack", whilst those in the north steal the rubber rings off the toy speedboats whilst asking for bread.
After all the trouble the music labels are going to to stop people downloading music over the internet (eg threatening 79 year old women with court, even though she's never used a computer, and a 5 year old girl who was looking for information for her homework), it's good to see them take a taste of their own medicine. Camden (London borough) has taken out an order of antisocial behaviour against BMG and Sony, for putting up illegal posters all over the area instead of buying advertising space.
And last but not least, I would like to wish all those who have exams all the best, and that they have all the success they need (Olga and Albakra to mention a couple).
That's all from me
For those of you looking out of your windows next Tuesday (actually, you shouldn't look directly at it, better to see it over the internet) you might see a spot moving across the face of the sun. This is Venus and it is the first occasion to see it since 1882, so it's not to be missed.
After previous valuable studies such as "Why cornflakes go soggy in milk" and "How to make the perfect beer without head" Middlesex University have released a study which claims that ducks have regional accents. So that obviously explains why the ones from the south go about with the latest fashion feathers and say "quark" (cheesy german yoghurt) instead of "quack", whilst those in the north steal the rubber rings off the toy speedboats whilst asking for bread.
After all the trouble the music labels are going to to stop people downloading music over the internet (eg threatening 79 year old women with court, even though she's never used a computer, and a 5 year old girl who was looking for information for her homework), it's good to see them take a taste of their own medicine. Camden (London borough) has taken out an order of antisocial behaviour against BMG and Sony, for putting up illegal posters all over the area instead of buying advertising space.
And last but not least, I would like to wish all those who have exams all the best, and that they have all the success they need (Olga and Albakra to mention a couple).
That's all from me
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Edible Ants, FBI Faults, Anglo-Franco Bridge and Murder in the Chatroom
With the widely acclaimed British entrepreneurial spirit, a company has finalised an order for 500 kilos of colombian culonas "fat-ass" ants. What are they going to do with these creatures? - make them into lollies and crispy snacks of course.
After the atrocity in Madrid, not much else has become public knowledge except for the blowing up of the suspects when the police got too close. Well, in an effort to show how the reliance on technology over good old intuition has become too much - even to the scale that the bombings could possibly have been foiled beforehand, check out this article at TheRegister. Basically, when detonators were found, and the local police could not find any leads, the FBI were called in, who used a badly scanned copy of the fingerprints to match up an American who has not even been to Spain ! Feeling safe in the knowledge that they had their man, the real terrorists were able to carry on with their plotting in peace, to the end of the carnage that we saw on march 11th. Afterwards, the spanish police managed to match the fingerprints to one of the bombers that blew himself up. But what if they had found this link beforehand, with a real look at the fingerprints, could it have been averted? I'll let you decide.
Now onto France where a bridge constructed to cross a river has broken records by being taller than the Eiffel Tower. Yes, yet another example of British and French cooperation in making another marvel come to light (previous firsts include the Channel Tunnel and Concorde).
Something a bit macabre now, in that a boy of just 14 wrote, over months, an intricate story of online friendships and spying which resulted in him and a friend going to a store in Manchester to buy a kitchen knife whereby the friend killed him. The fact that it was already planned out on his home computer shows that he was obviously escaping reality with his pennings and then, fatefully, trying to make them into reality itself.
Onto a few hellos and goodbyes. Susi who was here for a while, left yesterday morning to go back to Valencia where she is looking for work. Luca also came over to visit recently and goes home later this afternoon to his home town in Italy. Andrea (the colombian) left yesterday to go and visit a friend in Madrid, so here's hoping that she enjoys the great weather and hospitality that Spain offers. We say hello again to Pili (from 2002) who is coming over to visit Fabrizzio today for a break from her work in Italy.
Okay, I think that's most of the news from this end, time to go out and enjoy the hot weather.
Stay Cool
With the widely acclaimed British entrepreneurial spirit, a company has finalised an order for 500 kilos of colombian culonas "fat-ass" ants. What are they going to do with these creatures? - make them into lollies and crispy snacks of course.
After the atrocity in Madrid, not much else has become public knowledge except for the blowing up of the suspects when the police got too close. Well, in an effort to show how the reliance on technology over good old intuition has become too much - even to the scale that the bombings could possibly have been foiled beforehand, check out this article at TheRegister. Basically, when detonators were found, and the local police could not find any leads, the FBI were called in, who used a badly scanned copy of the fingerprints to match up an American who has not even been to Spain ! Feeling safe in the knowledge that they had their man, the real terrorists were able to carry on with their plotting in peace, to the end of the carnage that we saw on march 11th. Afterwards, the spanish police managed to match the fingerprints to one of the bombers that blew himself up. But what if they had found this link beforehand, with a real look at the fingerprints, could it have been averted? I'll let you decide.
Now onto France where a bridge constructed to cross a river has broken records by being taller than the Eiffel Tower. Yes, yet another example of British and French cooperation in making another marvel come to light (previous firsts include the Channel Tunnel and Concorde).
Something a bit macabre now, in that a boy of just 14 wrote, over months, an intricate story of online friendships and spying which resulted in him and a friend going to a store in Manchester to buy a kitchen knife whereby the friend killed him. The fact that it was already planned out on his home computer shows that he was obviously escaping reality with his pennings and then, fatefully, trying to make them into reality itself.
Onto a few hellos and goodbyes. Susi who was here for a while, left yesterday morning to go back to Valencia where she is looking for work. Luca also came over to visit recently and goes home later this afternoon to his home town in Italy. Andrea (the colombian) left yesterday to go and visit a friend in Madrid, so here's hoping that she enjoys the great weather and hospitality that Spain offers. We say hello again to Pili (from 2002) who is coming over to visit Fabrizzio today for a break from her work in Italy.
Okay, I think that's most of the news from this end, time to go out and enjoy the hot weather.
Stay Cool
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Another Football Win
No sooner had I celebrated Valencia winning the double (UEFA and league), than Mainz's own team got promoted into the first division of the german league. You can imagine the amount of noise on the streets here over the following couple of days. Anyway, well done Mainz 05.
Maybe speaking prematurely, but Britta should have handed in her diplomarbeit today (otherwise it will be handed in tomorrow). The long and tiring journey for her, will like it did for us, finally be over. Party tomorrow then...
Going back in time a bit, newly released records show that President Nixon was often too drunk to have a conversation with the British PM about the Arab-Israeli war when it was at it's most critical point. Nice to see that power doesn't go to your head.
Now for those of you wanting a different kind of perk at work, try following the danish example. The firm gives free subscriptions to web porn sites to it's workers. I say no more.
So, as we come to the end of another week, I just wish all the lad's in Bologna all the best, and not to forget the rest of us stuck in other countries, and wish a lot of luck to all who have exams in the near future.
Study hard
No sooner had I celebrated Valencia winning the double (UEFA and league), than Mainz's own team got promoted into the first division of the german league. You can imagine the amount of noise on the streets here over the following couple of days. Anyway, well done Mainz 05.
Maybe speaking prematurely, but Britta should have handed in her diplomarbeit today (otherwise it will be handed in tomorrow). The long and tiring journey for her, will like it did for us, finally be over. Party tomorrow then...
Going back in time a bit, newly released records show that President Nixon was often too drunk to have a conversation with the British PM about the Arab-Israeli war when it was at it's most critical point. Nice to see that power doesn't go to your head.
Now for those of you wanting a different kind of perk at work, try following the danish example. The firm gives free subscriptions to web porn sites to it's workers. I say no more.
So, as we come to the end of another week, I just wish all the lad's in Bologna all the best, and not to forget the rest of us stuck in other countries, and wish a lot of luck to all who have exams in the near future.
Study hard
Saturday, May 22, 2004
The bike-unfriendly city of Mainz
I thought I'd dedicate this post to a recent study that took place in Germany about the most bike-friendly cities in the country. Mainz came in at the top of the middle group. Basically, the total distance of bike-lanes was counted, and along with other factors, provided the source for the ratings.
As a cyclist that has to travel 15kms a day through this city, I wanted to give an alternative point of view of someone who has to put up with the unfriendliness and downright dangerous driving of the car owners in this city. And so I will be using the same criteria that the ADAC test used, but giving a proper perspective.
1) Few deaths or severe injuries of cyclists.
Well, having not died yet, I can't confirm or deny this, but all it shows is that the drivers manage to brake before a fatality occurs. It does not reflect how many actual injuries take place.
2)Many one-way streets allow bikes in the opposite direction of the traffic.
Okay, it makes the journey shorter as there are too many one-way streets anyway, but it means that you have cars coming towards you that don't seem to know that you're allowed to cycle in the opposite direction, and thus try to run you down, or at the very least force you to pull into the side as they drive in the middle of the road hooting at you.
3)Roads which allow cyclists to cycle next to another, and where cars have a reduced speed limit for.
Reduced speed? That's a laugh, they seem to think it's a second lane with no traffic in and so go faster than normal! Apart from that, nearly every day I have some car park or wait in the cycle lane in front of me, causing me to go out into the (very fast) car lane.
4)30-zones and speed-reducing measures.
First of all, let's look at the speed zones. Has anyone ever seen a car do 30km/h that hasn't been parking? I think it has something to do with the limitless motorways, but only a police presence has any effect here. Sleeping policemen (bumps in the road) are another thing. These affect the stability of cyclists (especially in places they have to signal to turn off) whilst the cars just reduce their tyre pressure and fly over them.
5)Parallel routes going through inhabited areas instead of through uninhabited ones makes for better safety.
Fine, but show me where they are. Lots of the bike paths here go through fields where there aren't any inhabitants for miles, and save following a much much longer route going into the city centre and then out again. Also, it's not a matter of it being inhabited, rather being lit up. As it's hard to find lights on any roads, this makes the safety of the cyclist plummit, even if people do live nearby, at night they won't see anything.
6)Lots of bike parking places in the centre.
Many there are, but it's the type that matters. Most of them are only a little wheel-holder affair that lets you stand your bike up if it doesn't have it's own stand, but you can only lock your front wheel to it if at all (which with the popular quick-release systems, is hardly going to protect someone from stealing the bike).
7)Possibility to take bikes on the public transport at no extra cost.
Let's check this first. The old trams have doorways that prevent bikes, wheelchairs and prams from entering. The S-Bahn also prohibits them (or makes it that you can't get out of the station at the other end with them). The new trams and buses do make it easy to take bikes on, but they do not provide space for them once they're on. At each doorway either a bike, wheelchar or pram can stand, but this prevents other people from getting on or off the transport. This leads to tension between the passengers and the bike-owners.
8)Bike rallies each month.
Okay, I'll give them this one, as I haven't partaken in one I can't comment.
9)Tested roads sometimes of bad quality.
Another understatement of the year. Having drains, holes, lamp-posts and signs in the middle of the cycle lanes and having to mount and demount the pavement every five metres is not my idea of good quality lanes. And I'm not just talking about some of the lanes, I haven't found a single one that does not have one or more of the aforementioned problems with the quality of the road.
10)Narrow cycle lanes blocked by cars and shared by pedestrians.
Coming back to the number one cause of cycle frustration here, the drivers do not respect cyclists. They park wherever they want to, opening their doors without looking, causing the cyclist to take action to avoid an accident. Pedestrians also seem oblivious to cyclists, as they walk looking down at the ground, reading their newspaper, or talking amongst themselves, meaning the cyclist has to go out of his lane onto the pedestrian part to avoid conflict, and then has the next pedestrian have a go at him for being out of his lane in the first place!
11)Sometimes the cycle lanes are too narrow.
Okay, so who manages to sit astride their bike and not have a width of more than 50cms? Why such narrow cycle lanes are created, I don't know. It just leads to cars assuming we can stay in such a narrow lane and thus driving right up close because "they're in their lane". Why not just have the road without markings, and let the cyclists ride as normal road users. If the street really is that narrow, what's the point of letting cars though it in the first place?
12)Few functioning bike stands at the train station.
Few? How about none. On top of that, they've prohibited the leaning or locking of bikes against the telegraph poles in this area. So what do you do - stand it against a wall and lock the wheel to the frame - hardly a safe option.
That's it for the ADAC test, how about a few points of my own:
13)Not having trees with thorns line the cycle paths. Every day I have to pick thorns from my tires because these trees and bushes have somehow been chosen to line every cycle-way.
14)Have traffic lights give enough time for people/bikes to cross, and the interval between them changing not be greater than 5 minutes (not like the one at HBf-West then, that is red for 10 mins and then changes to green for 30 seconds).
Well, there you have it, The real Cyclists Guide to Mainz
I thought I'd dedicate this post to a recent study that took place in Germany about the most bike-friendly cities in the country. Mainz came in at the top of the middle group. Basically, the total distance of bike-lanes was counted, and along with other factors, provided the source for the ratings.
As a cyclist that has to travel 15kms a day through this city, I wanted to give an alternative point of view of someone who has to put up with the unfriendliness and downright dangerous driving of the car owners in this city. And so I will be using the same criteria that the ADAC test used, but giving a proper perspective.
1) Few deaths or severe injuries of cyclists.
Well, having not died yet, I can't confirm or deny this, but all it shows is that the drivers manage to brake before a fatality occurs. It does not reflect how many actual injuries take place.
2)Many one-way streets allow bikes in the opposite direction of the traffic.
Okay, it makes the journey shorter as there are too many one-way streets anyway, but it means that you have cars coming towards you that don't seem to know that you're allowed to cycle in the opposite direction, and thus try to run you down, or at the very least force you to pull into the side as they drive in the middle of the road hooting at you.
3)Roads which allow cyclists to cycle next to another, and where cars have a reduced speed limit for.
Reduced speed? That's a laugh, they seem to think it's a second lane with no traffic in and so go faster than normal! Apart from that, nearly every day I have some car park or wait in the cycle lane in front of me, causing me to go out into the (very fast) car lane.
4)30-zones and speed-reducing measures.
First of all, let's look at the speed zones. Has anyone ever seen a car do 30km/h that hasn't been parking? I think it has something to do with the limitless motorways, but only a police presence has any effect here. Sleeping policemen (bumps in the road) are another thing. These affect the stability of cyclists (especially in places they have to signal to turn off) whilst the cars just reduce their tyre pressure and fly over them.
5)Parallel routes going through inhabited areas instead of through uninhabited ones makes for better safety.
Fine, but show me where they are. Lots of the bike paths here go through fields where there aren't any inhabitants for miles, and save following a much much longer route going into the city centre and then out again. Also, it's not a matter of it being inhabited, rather being lit up. As it's hard to find lights on any roads, this makes the safety of the cyclist plummit, even if people do live nearby, at night they won't see anything.
6)Lots of bike parking places in the centre.
Many there are, but it's the type that matters. Most of them are only a little wheel-holder affair that lets you stand your bike up if it doesn't have it's own stand, but you can only lock your front wheel to it if at all (which with the popular quick-release systems, is hardly going to protect someone from stealing the bike).
7)Possibility to take bikes on the public transport at no extra cost.
Let's check this first. The old trams have doorways that prevent bikes, wheelchairs and prams from entering. The S-Bahn also prohibits them (or makes it that you can't get out of the station at the other end with them). The new trams and buses do make it easy to take bikes on, but they do not provide space for them once they're on. At each doorway either a bike, wheelchar or pram can stand, but this prevents other people from getting on or off the transport. This leads to tension between the passengers and the bike-owners.
8)Bike rallies each month.
Okay, I'll give them this one, as I haven't partaken in one I can't comment.
9)Tested roads sometimes of bad quality.
Another understatement of the year. Having drains, holes, lamp-posts and signs in the middle of the cycle lanes and having to mount and demount the pavement every five metres is not my idea of good quality lanes. And I'm not just talking about some of the lanes, I haven't found a single one that does not have one or more of the aforementioned problems with the quality of the road.
10)Narrow cycle lanes blocked by cars and shared by pedestrians.
Coming back to the number one cause of cycle frustration here, the drivers do not respect cyclists. They park wherever they want to, opening their doors without looking, causing the cyclist to take action to avoid an accident. Pedestrians also seem oblivious to cyclists, as they walk looking down at the ground, reading their newspaper, or talking amongst themselves, meaning the cyclist has to go out of his lane onto the pedestrian part to avoid conflict, and then has the next pedestrian have a go at him for being out of his lane in the first place!
11)Sometimes the cycle lanes are too narrow.
Okay, so who manages to sit astride their bike and not have a width of more than 50cms? Why such narrow cycle lanes are created, I don't know. It just leads to cars assuming we can stay in such a narrow lane and thus driving right up close because "they're in their lane". Why not just have the road without markings, and let the cyclists ride as normal road users. If the street really is that narrow, what's the point of letting cars though it in the first place?
12)Few functioning bike stands at the train station.
Few? How about none. On top of that, they've prohibited the leaning or locking of bikes against the telegraph poles in this area. So what do you do - stand it against a wall and lock the wheel to the frame - hardly a safe option.
That's it for the ADAC test, how about a few points of my own:
13)Not having trees with thorns line the cycle paths. Every day I have to pick thorns from my tires because these trees and bushes have somehow been chosen to line every cycle-way.
14)Have traffic lights give enough time for people/bikes to cross, and the interval between them changing not be greater than 5 minutes (not like the one at HBf-West then, that is red for 10 mins and then changes to green for 30 seconds).
Well, there you have it, The real Cyclists Guide to Mainz
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Prophecy comes true?
I'm not one to scaremonger or spread false information about like grass seeds (I never spread them out anyway). However, after my recent post questioning the use of the Ten Commandments on certain people up on high (no, not that far up, even though they think they are, I mean 'elected' presidents of large nations) I can't believe it's only coincidence that a plague of locusts (ok, they're really cicadas) is sweeping across America. Maybe what goes around does come around...
Now as a country with so much to offer (landscapes and food at least) Italy has a lot going for it. However, like all countries, it has it's downsides as well. But I've covered most of them in previous posts, what I want to mention today is that a new law has been passed there to make it a criminal offense for people to upload or download copyrighted material over the internet (ie P2P networks). Starting from now, anyone caught downloading films or music can expect between six months and three years in proson on top of the fine. Of course, I suppose if a certain leader were to do it, there would also be a law passed to exonerate him...
Anyway, on a lighter note, the weather's looking more like summer now here in Mainz. Meaning at ten o'clock at night 24 degrees is not unusual. Just hope that it doesn't continue like this until september...
Birthday announcements again (maybe I should make this a seperate section of the website...) Amir (again, friend from home) celebrated his, um, next birthday on the 19th (yesterday). So here's hoping he celebrated it in style (and as I know him, I'm sure he did).
Also, Leanna (who's over in London at the moment for her sister's graduation) will celebrate hers later on this week. Maybe we'll see some photos afterwards...
Okay, now I've had my fun for the holiday that is today in Germany, best get out to enjoy the sun.
Tan well...
I'm not one to scaremonger or spread false information about like grass seeds (I never spread them out anyway). However, after my recent post questioning the use of the Ten Commandments on certain people up on high (no, not that far up, even though they think they are, I mean 'elected' presidents of large nations) I can't believe it's only coincidence that a plague of locusts (ok, they're really cicadas) is sweeping across America. Maybe what goes around does come around...
Now as a country with so much to offer (landscapes and food at least) Italy has a lot going for it. However, like all countries, it has it's downsides as well. But I've covered most of them in previous posts, what I want to mention today is that a new law has been passed there to make it a criminal offense for people to upload or download copyrighted material over the internet (ie P2P networks). Starting from now, anyone caught downloading films or music can expect between six months and three years in proson on top of the fine. Of course, I suppose if a certain leader were to do it, there would also be a law passed to exonerate him...
Anyway, on a lighter note, the weather's looking more like summer now here in Mainz. Meaning at ten o'clock at night 24 degrees is not unusual. Just hope that it doesn't continue like this until september...
Birthday announcements again (maybe I should make this a seperate section of the website...) Amir (again, friend from home) celebrated his, um, next birthday on the 19th (yesterday). So here's hoping he celebrated it in style (and as I know him, I'm sure he did).
Also, Leanna (who's over in London at the moment for her sister's graduation) will celebrate hers later on this week. Maybe we'll see some photos afterwards...
Okay, now I've had my fun for the holiday that is today in Germany, best get out to enjoy the sun.
Tan well...
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Food for Thought
Ever get the feeling that your government is not working for you any more? I seem to find myself in this situation more and more often recently. Not specifically my government, but the governments that make up this world.
Those of you who have the opportunity, watch Panorama on tv tonight in the UK (2215 BST). It's amazing that after so many atrocities, some people still don't think that it affects them.
For those americans amongst you that are fed up with the 'elected' president's way of things. Maybe you should get yourself across the atlantic to see the new film by Michael Moore "Fahrenheit 9/11" and see why your government is trying to stop you watching it.
Ending on a happy note. The European Parliament has voted to insist on the immediate release of all hostages of the guerillas and paramilitaries in Colombia. Let's see if words are mightier than the sword...
Before I forget (ok, it's already late I know) we had a few birthdays recently. Namely Carlota on the second of the month, and Will from home on the tenth. So all together now - happy birthday to you...
Stay young
Ever get the feeling that your government is not working for you any more? I seem to find myself in this situation more and more often recently. Not specifically my government, but the governments that make up this world.
Those of you who have the opportunity, watch Panorama on tv tonight in the UK (2215 BST). It's amazing that after so many atrocities, some people still don't think that it affects them.
For those americans amongst you that are fed up with the 'elected' president's way of things. Maybe you should get yourself across the atlantic to see the new film by Michael Moore "Fahrenheit 9/11" and see why your government is trying to stop you watching it.
Ending on a happy note. The European Parliament has voted to insist on the immediate release of all hostages of the guerillas and paramilitaries in Colombia. Let's see if words are mightier than the sword...
Before I forget (ok, it's already late I know) we had a few birthdays recently. Namely Carlota on the second of the month, and Will from home on the tenth. So all together now - happy birthday to you...
Stay young
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
So little time, so much to do
No sooner had Jordi left Mainz, than Laura, Giulia and Ale came over for a visit for a few days.
Not sure quite what they got up to during the few days they were here, except for finding a complex method to decide who sleeps where each night. Carlos made some great flour tortillas and chicken with sauces that we ate when I finally managed to meet up with them on sunday evening.
As per the title, not enough time to tell everything that has been happening, will try again before the weekend...
Til then
No sooner had Jordi left Mainz, than Laura, Giulia and Ale came over for a visit for a few days.
Not sure quite what they got up to during the few days they were here, except for finding a complex method to decide who sleeps where each night. Carlos made some great flour tortillas and chicken with sauces that we ate when I finally managed to meet up with them on sunday evening.
As per the title, not enough time to tell everything that has been happening, will try again before the weekend...
Til then
Friday, April 30, 2004
Farewell and Abuses of Power
First off, after Jordi handed in his Diplomarbeit on Tuesday, this morning saw (speaking theoretically - nobody was up at this time anyway) him leave off for Valencia (or was it Austria...?) in his fully-laden car. Around about now he should be crossing the border into Spain. We wish him all the best in his future occupation (anyone interested in golf course apartments?).
Yesterday saw Olga get a year older. Not that you would notice it (phew, that addition saved my bacon). Celebrations were held at Quartier Mayence (although the promised dancing on tables didn't happen...). So in case you forgot, you could still get away with wishing her a belated happy birthday today.
Talking about birthdays, both Nick from home, and Julio from Malaga had their's last week, so here's wishing them all the best.
Now onto the news.
After the revelation that a train driver of Japan's Bullet Train fell asleep whilst travelling at 300 km an hour, a pilot of said country decided that he could beat that, and did so twice whilst piloting a 767 Jumbo. Makes you just feel really safe whilst up in the sky, doesn't it.
Talking about planes, on my way back from Stansted on Wednesday I had an interesting flight. Firstly, due to the fog at the aiport, we were delayed on the runway 40 minutes, constantly starting and stopping the engines. Then when we finally got into the air we had so many bumps that the seatbelt sign only went off for 5 minutes in total. Apart from that, lightning hitting the wing outside my window just made me feel all relaxed when we landed. No really.
Anyone thinking that Berlusconi already has too much power in his country must be really sweating now that a new media law allowing him to control more of the media himself has just been passed. Will this (did someone say dictatorship?) ever end?
Shocking news, as photos have been released of US soldiers abusing their prisoners in Iraq, stripping them naked and wiring their genitals up to an electricity supply. If this is what they are trying to show the inhabitants of the country they have to look forward to with the new regime, no wonder they are having problems controlling the place.
A couple of things are to note here. Firstly, that the soldiers have apparently been asking their superiors for rules and regulations regarding PoWs, but have so far been denied them. So we're getting men who are trained to kill to look after the needs of prisoners - first mistake. Secondly, that even if they didn't have rules of the Geneva Convention to hand, surely they must have realised that torturing the prisoners and videoing it as well wouldn't be anywhere on that list. I'm only guessing, but wouldn't a bit of good old Common Sense be required here. Please, just a bit. Maybe we should start writing a list of things that are generally considered bad to do to people in your trust, and send it to the troops. Even better, considering they are representing a good upstanding god-fearing nation, maybe the Ten Commandments would be appropriate.
Now we all know that in England talking about one's feelings is not the done thing. We seem to get embarrassed, go red in the face, and try to change the subject. However, a new law coming into force this week stops children from being able to kiss. Gone are those days of snogging behind the bike sheds, fumblings at the school disco, and spin-the-bottle then.
As of midnight tonight, the European Union becomes 10 countries larger. Well, to be precise, nine-and-a-half. As Cyprus is half Greek, half Turkish, only the former half becomes a part of the EU. That will give customs controllers a headache then, stopping free trade between two parts of the same country.
Well, that's about it for now, time to relax again.
Stay Cool
First off, after Jordi handed in his Diplomarbeit on Tuesday, this morning saw (speaking theoretically - nobody was up at this time anyway) him leave off for Valencia (or was it Austria...?) in his fully-laden car. Around about now he should be crossing the border into Spain. We wish him all the best in his future occupation (anyone interested in golf course apartments?).
Yesterday saw Olga get a year older. Not that you would notice it (phew, that addition saved my bacon). Celebrations were held at Quartier Mayence (although the promised dancing on tables didn't happen...). So in case you forgot, you could still get away with wishing her a belated happy birthday today.
Talking about birthdays, both Nick from home, and Julio from Malaga had their's last week, so here's wishing them all the best.
Now onto the news.
After the revelation that a train driver of Japan's Bullet Train fell asleep whilst travelling at 300 km an hour, a pilot of said country decided that he could beat that, and did so twice whilst piloting a 767 Jumbo. Makes you just feel really safe whilst up in the sky, doesn't it.
Talking about planes, on my way back from Stansted on Wednesday I had an interesting flight. Firstly, due to the fog at the aiport, we were delayed on the runway 40 minutes, constantly starting and stopping the engines. Then when we finally got into the air we had so many bumps that the seatbelt sign only went off for 5 minutes in total. Apart from that, lightning hitting the wing outside my window just made me feel all relaxed when we landed. No really.
Anyone thinking that Berlusconi already has too much power in his country must be really sweating now that a new media law allowing him to control more of the media himself has just been passed. Will this (did someone say dictatorship?) ever end?
Shocking news, as photos have been released of US soldiers abusing their prisoners in Iraq, stripping them naked and wiring their genitals up to an electricity supply. If this is what they are trying to show the inhabitants of the country they have to look forward to with the new regime, no wonder they are having problems controlling the place.
A couple of things are to note here. Firstly, that the soldiers have apparently been asking their superiors for rules and regulations regarding PoWs, but have so far been denied them. So we're getting men who are trained to kill to look after the needs of prisoners - first mistake. Secondly, that even if they didn't have rules of the Geneva Convention to hand, surely they must have realised that torturing the prisoners and videoing it as well wouldn't be anywhere on that list. I'm only guessing, but wouldn't a bit of good old Common Sense be required here. Please, just a bit. Maybe we should start writing a list of things that are generally considered bad to do to people in your trust, and send it to the troops. Even better, considering they are representing a good upstanding god-fearing nation, maybe the Ten Commandments would be appropriate.
Now we all know that in England talking about one's feelings is not the done thing. We seem to get embarrassed, go red in the face, and try to change the subject. However, a new law coming into force this week stops children from being able to kiss. Gone are those days of snogging behind the bike sheds, fumblings at the school disco, and spin-the-bottle then.
As of midnight tonight, the European Union becomes 10 countries larger. Well, to be precise, nine-and-a-half. As Cyprus is half Greek, half Turkish, only the former half becomes a part of the EU. That will give customs controllers a headache then, stopping free trade between two parts of the same country.
Well, that's about it for now, time to relax again.
Stay Cool
Friday, April 23, 2004
Missing Post and Dangerous Loads
I have been wondering for a while now why it is I haven't received any letters through the post, until I read about a German postman taking packets and selling the artefacts on eBay. What he might want with lots of postcards saying how the weather in Spain is lovely, I don't know, but maybe that's why I haven't got any for a while...
Having heard about the rail cash in North Korea, my attention wasn't immediately drawn, as crashes happen all over the world, and I didn't know anyone there. However, reports out from Red Cross stating the number of people killed don't give the full picture, until you read about how many houses were flattened (1850) and how many seriously damaged (6350). Then the scale of this blast begins to dawn. It was huge. Over six thousand houses seriously damaged, allowing for about three people in an average house (I have no idea what the actual statistics for this country are) that means about twenty thousand people living nearby were affected !
What else is new...a night out was organised yesterday, whereby we met up at the Uni and had a few drinks, but the Mainzer Kolleg Bar was shut, Kultur Cafe had one person dancing in it (well, I say dancing, more a type of square movement of the feet to a three tempo) and the Studihaus was overfull. So we ended up in the Inter II bar, where it seemed it was a male-only night. Highlight of the evening of course, was Jordi telling a particularly annoying guy to wipe non-existant dirt from his mouth.
Oh, it was meant to be a secret, but I think people are finding out now, that Javi (Saverio to you and me) has arrived for the weekend. Expect a drink in his honour.
Don't let the weather get you down
I have been wondering for a while now why it is I haven't received any letters through the post, until I read about a German postman taking packets and selling the artefacts on eBay. What he might want with lots of postcards saying how the weather in Spain is lovely, I don't know, but maybe that's why I haven't got any for a while...
Having heard about the rail cash in North Korea, my attention wasn't immediately drawn, as crashes happen all over the world, and I didn't know anyone there. However, reports out from Red Cross stating the number of people killed don't give the full picture, until you read about how many houses were flattened (1850) and how many seriously damaged (6350). Then the scale of this blast begins to dawn. It was huge. Over six thousand houses seriously damaged, allowing for about three people in an average house (I have no idea what the actual statistics for this country are) that means about twenty thousand people living nearby were affected !
What else is new...a night out was organised yesterday, whereby we met up at the Uni and had a few drinks, but the Mainzer Kolleg Bar was shut, Kultur Cafe had one person dancing in it (well, I say dancing, more a type of square movement of the feet to a three tempo) and the Studihaus was overfull. So we ended up in the Inter II bar, where it seemed it was a male-only night. Highlight of the evening of course, was Jordi telling a particularly annoying guy to wipe non-existant dirt from his mouth.
Oh, it was meant to be a secret, but I think people are finding out now, that Javi (Saverio to you and me) has arrived for the weekend. Expect a drink in his honour.
Don't let the weather get you down
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