Mission to Mars, Italians Strike and Sims Safety
After the italian air-traffic-controllers strike on thursday caused chaos at the airports throughout Italy, the other transport unions decided to strike on the friday, thus affecting bus, train and metro services. Makes the UK transport system look like it's successful !!
George Bush has said he wants to put a man on Mars. Assuming of course he knows that it is actually a planet, and not some small town in Europe, I think here is the opportune moment for that well-known saying "If you want it done properly, do it yourself". I bet there's loads of people throughout the world who would like to see him from that sort of distance :)
And just to show that the USA never goes too far, we have the story of a mother in Massachusetts who went into a store and asked about a flight simulator for her ten-year-old son. The assistant called up police and the following day a state trooper was shining a torch through their house window at night.
Mainz is slowly starting to fill up again with the foreigners returning from their home countries to continue studying here, so there should be some more local news coming soon. But in the meantime I would like to wish good luck to all those currently taking exams.
Study hard...
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
New Year, Same Story
Well, Happy New Year to all and sundry, here's hoping it will be more enjoyable and less stressful than 2003.
Back in the cold wet rain of Mainz with barely a soul to talk to, there isn't much gossip to be telling, so on to a couple of newsbites then.
The Beagle 2 explorer has still yet to be contacted on Mars, so if any martians out there happen to have seen it, please let me know through the "Contact Me" link on the left of this page :)
The ship to break all records is getting ready to be officially named Queen Mary 2.
So, starting the year easily, more will be written in the following posts :)
til then
Well, Happy New Year to all and sundry, here's hoping it will be more enjoyable and less stressful than 2003.
Back in the cold wet rain of Mainz with barely a soul to talk to, there isn't much gossip to be telling, so on to a couple of newsbites then.
The Beagle 2 explorer has still yet to be contacted on Mars, so if any martians out there happen to have seen it, please let me know through the "Contact Me" link on the left of this page :)
The ship to break all records is getting ready to be officially named Queen Mary 2.
So, starting the year easily, more will be written in the following posts :)
til then
Monday, December 22, 2003
To sue or not to sue...
First up, a postman prepares to sue a professor, that he says "sent too many letters" and caused him to pull a muscle in his back. So that's my excuse for not having sent out any christmas cards this year...
On the subject of taking people to court, the National Health Service has decided to take seven drug firms to court for fixing the price of penicillin. Yes, that's right, the service that we most love to hate has actually got our best interests in mind this time.
Now on to marriage. Now I know us men don't like to mention that word, but this needs to be said. According to a recent survey, men's health declines when they marry. Yes, even though for married women their health increases, for us men it's just downhill.
Now we all remember the wartime saying "careless talk costs lives". Well, putting this into the twenty-first century has become easier with this latest example of a cracker being caught by his chats with another cracker. So just remember, they're always watching you...
A new one for the Nigerian 419ers. No, they're not an american football team, but people who offer you large sums of money if you can help them transfer huge funds out of Nigeria for them. Obviously the previsouly need a couple of thousand in order to get all the paperwork done first...
Well, they have relocated to Iraq, judging by this latest article at TheRegister.
And finally, snow fell for the first time this winter in Mainz yesterday. Yes, the cold weather arrived early and froze up the roads, public transport system, and many a body. Let's just hope the airports are okay as I'm off home tomorrow, yippee !!
And with that I'll say a very frozen, Merry Chrsitmas and a Happy New Year.
First up, a postman prepares to sue a professor, that he says "sent too many letters" and caused him to pull a muscle in his back. So that's my excuse for not having sent out any christmas cards this year...
On the subject of taking people to court, the National Health Service has decided to take seven drug firms to court for fixing the price of penicillin. Yes, that's right, the service that we most love to hate has actually got our best interests in mind this time.
Now on to marriage. Now I know us men don't like to mention that word, but this needs to be said. According to a recent survey, men's health declines when they marry. Yes, even though for married women their health increases, for us men it's just downhill.
Now we all remember the wartime saying "careless talk costs lives". Well, putting this into the twenty-first century has become easier with this latest example of a cracker being caught by his chats with another cracker. So just remember, they're always watching you...
A new one for the Nigerian 419ers. No, they're not an american football team, but people who offer you large sums of money if you can help them transfer huge funds out of Nigeria for them. Obviously the previsouly need a couple of thousand in order to get all the paperwork done first...
Well, they have relocated to Iraq, judging by this latest article at TheRegister.
And finally, snow fell for the first time this winter in Mainz yesterday. Yes, the cold weather arrived early and froze up the roads, public transport system, and many a body. Let's just hope the airports are okay as I'm off home tomorrow, yippee !!
And with that I'll say a very frozen, Merry Chrsitmas and a Happy New Year.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Another Channel Tunnel, Saddam, and Bad IE
Probably the most important story of the day, is that is has been reported that Saddam Hussein has been caught. I know I'm not a military nor political genious, but I have two points I would like to make about this:
1) Does the photo on this page really look like Saddam? After having heard reports of him having various 'doubles', it's hard to believe that an ex-leader of a country would let himself be seen with a beard like that !!
2) Wasn't the "Where's Wally" search meant to be for Osama Bin Laden? Wasn't it meant to be him and his Al Queda group that were responsible for the attacks on New York, and was the reason for this "War on Terrorism"?? Maybe I got mixed up, perhaps the dangerous man's name was Bush...
Now on to continental divides. We all know how the relation is between Spain and Morocco (need I mention Perejil...) and also between Spain and the UK (hehem, Gibraltar). Well, the spanish government have decided they are going to build a tunnel between Africa and Europe. I just hope that they have investigated the effects this link will have on the influx of illegal immigrants (just look at the anglo-french version).
And now a little bit of info for those of you wandering around cyberspace without a map. I have, on my page of useful sites, a link to the magnificent Firebird/Mozilla browser. However, I know that most of you don't see the reason in changing when you are quite happy with the one you have. I don't want to force you to make the change (okay, I do, but I know you wouldn't listen), but I would like to point out the many security problems which occur when your version is not updated with the latest patches. There are various examples that will remove data from your hard-drive, crash your computer etc, but I'm not going to show you the hard way. Instead I'll just show you a harmless example that takes you to a site that isn't what it seems. Just click on this link to be taken to the test site. Once you click on the button you are taken to another site of theirs. But have you checked the address bar in your browser. Are you really at the MS site? This hiding of addresses only happens on Internet Explorer. I will now leave you to decide...
And here endeth the lesson
Probably the most important story of the day, is that is has been reported that Saddam Hussein has been caught. I know I'm not a military nor political genious, but I have two points I would like to make about this:
1) Does the photo on this page really look like Saddam? After having heard reports of him having various 'doubles', it's hard to believe that an ex-leader of a country would let himself be seen with a beard like that !!
2) Wasn't the "Where's Wally" search meant to be for Osama Bin Laden? Wasn't it meant to be him and his Al Queda group that were responsible for the attacks on New York, and was the reason for this "War on Terrorism"?? Maybe I got mixed up, perhaps the dangerous man's name was Bush...
Now on to continental divides. We all know how the relation is between Spain and Morocco (need I mention Perejil...) and also between Spain and the UK (hehem, Gibraltar). Well, the spanish government have decided they are going to build a tunnel between Africa and Europe. I just hope that they have investigated the effects this link will have on the influx of illegal immigrants (just look at the anglo-french version).
And now a little bit of info for those of you wandering around cyberspace without a map. I have, on my page of useful sites, a link to the magnificent Firebird/Mozilla browser. However, I know that most of you don't see the reason in changing when you are quite happy with the one you have. I don't want to force you to make the change (okay, I do, but I know you wouldn't listen), but I would like to point out the many security problems which occur when your version is not updated with the latest patches. There are various examples that will remove data from your hard-drive, crash your computer etc, but I'm not going to show you the hard way. Instead I'll just show you a harmless example that takes you to a site that isn't what it seems. Just click on this link to be taken to the test site. Once you click on the button you are taken to another site of theirs. But have you checked the address bar in your browser. Are you really at the MS site? This hiding of addresses only happens on Internet Explorer. I will now leave you to decide...
And here endeth the lesson
Friday, December 12, 2003
News, news and more news
Lots to catch up on now, where to begin...
The US has decided to be selfish again, and not let any country who didn't help it in it's war against Iraq be able to bid for reconstruction contracts. Yep, after doing the same for the oil contracts, it seems more and more like the only country who's going to benefit from this war is the US (instead of the Iraqi people).
Keeping on the same subject, an Iraqi secret service is to be formed by, guess what, the US' CIA. What's important here is that it's goal is "to spy on enemies of the US-backed authorities in Iraq". And again, there was I thinking it would be a multinational role, trying to help defend Iraq from it's enemies...
Meanwhile in the UK, whilst on one front trying to secure the release of British hostages by the US in Guantanamo Bay, it seems to be cleverly concealed that it has it's own camp within it's borders, in the form of the new anti-terror laws.
Meanwhile, in Guatemala, something equally as horrifying is happening on this island, with around four women or young girls being killed every week.
On a different note, it has been motioned that nursery rhymes are unrealistic and put kid's at risk.
Some times political correctness just goes too far.
And for those of you wanting to build your own cruise missile from household materials for just five thousand dollars, you will have to search a bit harder for the info, as the site where the info was held (in Australia) has been shut down by, surprise surprise, the US.
Finally, for those of you permanently stuck in front of daytime tv in the UK, and sad after hearing that Zora Suleman will no longer be shown on the box, will hopefully be pleased to learn that she will be returning to the media, in the form of radio. Doesn't quite have the same effect, does it?
Well, after all that, your tea is probably cold, and the food is burnt in the oven. So why not go out to the pub instead. I will, unfortunately, not be able to as tomorrow I will be giving a physics exam to the chemistry students, and then marking it.
Oh, what fun !
Lots to catch up on now, where to begin...
The US has decided to be selfish again, and not let any country who didn't help it in it's war against Iraq be able to bid for reconstruction contracts. Yep, after doing the same for the oil contracts, it seems more and more like the only country who's going to benefit from this war is the US (instead of the Iraqi people).
Keeping on the same subject, an Iraqi secret service is to be formed by, guess what, the US' CIA. What's important here is that it's goal is "to spy on enemies of the US-backed authorities in Iraq". And again, there was I thinking it would be a multinational role, trying to help defend Iraq from it's enemies...
Meanwhile in the UK, whilst on one front trying to secure the release of British hostages by the US in Guantanamo Bay, it seems to be cleverly concealed that it has it's own camp within it's borders, in the form of the new anti-terror laws.
Meanwhile, in Guatemala, something equally as horrifying is happening on this island, with around four women or young girls being killed every week.
On a different note, it has been motioned that nursery rhymes are unrealistic and put kid's at risk.
Some times political correctness just goes too far.
And for those of you wanting to build your own cruise missile from household materials for just five thousand dollars, you will have to search a bit harder for the info, as the site where the info was held (in Australia) has been shut down by, surprise surprise, the US.
Finally, for those of you permanently stuck in front of daytime tv in the UK, and sad after hearing that Zora Suleman will no longer be shown on the box, will hopefully be pleased to learn that she will be returning to the media, in the form of radio. Doesn't quite have the same effect, does it?
Well, after all that, your tea is probably cold, and the food is burnt in the oven. So why not go out to the pub instead. I will, unfortunately, not be able to as tomorrow I will be giving a physics exam to the chemistry students, and then marking it.
Oh, what fun !
Monday, December 08, 2003
More Violent Women, Toilet Art, and Brazil's Power Cut
Following on from the story last monday, another case of violence in women has arisen, and this time takes with it the case for fast food being bad for your health. A woman in Texas decided that the best way to complain that she didn't get any mayonnaise in her burger was to run over the manager of the drive-in and drag her around the car-park. Yes, it really is unbelievable, that for a dollop of sauce someone could harm another person in this way. Of course, some people might draw conclusions from this about the sanity of the average fast food customer...
Vistor's to London's Tate Britain gallery will be seeing an unusual test of courage displayed outside the building. A one-way mirrored glass toilet stands in the middle of the pavement for people to use. Of course, many people become to nervous once they have entered, because although from the outside is seems to be covered in mirrors, when inside you see all the people walking by. Are you man enough?...
And now looking at the Brazilian Foreign Ministry we see...nothing. That's right, the next victim of the forgot-to-put-the-cheque-in-the-post excuse for not paying the electricity bills became a government department. Just goes to show, not even politicians are immune from the wrath of the capitalists...
Other things that have been happening recently, is that Javi has come back from his trip to Stuttgart, and is back off to Bologna tomorrow, and then goes off with Albe to Greece in a ship. Oh, to live the life...
Carlitos gave his presentation today in front of the whole research group. Of course, some of the profs managed to interrupt him every two seconds. Ah well.
Oh, and for those of you who use the Klite file sharing program, it would be wise to read this article from TheRegister which talks about the fact that the sites offering this program are being shut down by the original Kazaa.
That's it for now...
Following on from the story last monday, another case of violence in women has arisen, and this time takes with it the case for fast food being bad for your health. A woman in Texas decided that the best way to complain that she didn't get any mayonnaise in her burger was to run over the manager of the drive-in and drag her around the car-park. Yes, it really is unbelievable, that for a dollop of sauce someone could harm another person in this way. Of course, some people might draw conclusions from this about the sanity of the average fast food customer...
Vistor's to London's Tate Britain gallery will be seeing an unusual test of courage displayed outside the building. A one-way mirrored glass toilet stands in the middle of the pavement for people to use. Of course, many people become to nervous once they have entered, because although from the outside is seems to be covered in mirrors, when inside you see all the people walking by. Are you man enough?...
And now looking at the Brazilian Foreign Ministry we see...nothing. That's right, the next victim of the forgot-to-put-the-cheque-in-the-post excuse for not paying the electricity bills became a government department. Just goes to show, not even politicians are immune from the wrath of the capitalists...
Other things that have been happening recently, is that Javi has come back from his trip to Stuttgart, and is back off to Bologna tomorrow, and then goes off with Albe to Greece in a ship. Oh, to live the life...
Carlitos gave his presentation today in front of the whole research group. Of course, some of the profs managed to interrupt him every two seconds. Ah well.
Oh, and for those of you who use the Klite file sharing program, it would be wise to read this article from TheRegister which talks about the fact that the sites offering this program are being shut down by the original Kazaa.
That's it for now...
Monday, December 01, 2003
Violent Women, Drugs and Baby-Money
Sounds like a new action film, doesn't it?
In Kenya women are taking the fight (literally) back to their husbands, as there has been a recorded rise in domestic violence against men.
The U.S. military has got in a fuss again, this time about the European Galileo Satellite System. They don't see it as necessary that another country has a Global Positioning System in place (that works down to metre accuracy), obviously as this would mean some foreign power would have the same knowledge as the U.S. would. That cannot be tolerated, apparently, and they are trying to incorporate a blocking system, whereby at the touch of a button, they could switch off the European System. Doesn't quite seem fair, does it?
In another political nonsense move, Italy has decided to award families who have at least one child, 1000 Euros if they have another before the end of 2004. Of course, they have so far not mentioned anything about changing sex-education lessons in school (which decrease the birth rate slightly - except if the children attend the lessons in England, of course, where they get to see pornographic films from the age of 6, in which case the birth rate would shoot through the roof, metaphorically speaking). Maybe someone should tell the Italian government that.
On another note, there's obviously no better time for Javi and Albe to be living in pasta country !! So for all those males out there, get down to Italy now. Hint: if you go to a village called Laviano, near Naples, the mayor is offering 10 thousand Euros with no strings attached - that makes 11 thousand per child. It should just about cover the first year at University then. Who said making money wasn't fun?
Some people may have heard the news that Jordi went off to Bologna for the weekend, for the graduation ceremony (or party at least) of Paolo the Sard. Well, I daren't guess what antics those lot got up to over the last couple of days, but suffice it to say that Jordi missed his plane back to Germany this morning. Last I heard, he was begging in the car-park for money to help him buy a new ticket.
Donations will be accepted to help him come back...
Sounds like a new action film, doesn't it?
In Kenya women are taking the fight (literally) back to their husbands, as there has been a recorded rise in domestic violence against men.
The U.S. military has got in a fuss again, this time about the European Galileo Satellite System. They don't see it as necessary that another country has a Global Positioning System in place (that works down to metre accuracy), obviously as this would mean some foreign power would have the same knowledge as the U.S. would. That cannot be tolerated, apparently, and they are trying to incorporate a blocking system, whereby at the touch of a button, they could switch off the European System. Doesn't quite seem fair, does it?
In another political nonsense move, Italy has decided to award families who have at least one child, 1000 Euros if they have another before the end of 2004. Of course, they have so far not mentioned anything about changing sex-education lessons in school (which decrease the birth rate slightly - except if the children attend the lessons in England, of course, where they get to see pornographic films from the age of 6, in which case the birth rate would shoot through the roof, metaphorically speaking). Maybe someone should tell the Italian government that.
On another note, there's obviously no better time for Javi and Albe to be living in pasta country !! So for all those males out there, get down to Italy now. Hint: if you go to a village called Laviano, near Naples, the mayor is offering 10 thousand Euros with no strings attached - that makes 11 thousand per child. It should just about cover the first year at University then. Who said making money wasn't fun?
Some people may have heard the news that Jordi went off to Bologna for the weekend, for the graduation ceremony (or party at least) of Paolo the Sard. Well, I daren't guess what antics those lot got up to over the last couple of days, but suffice it to say that Jordi missed his plane back to Germany this morning. Last I heard, he was begging in the car-park for money to help him buy a new ticket.
Donations will be accepted to help him come back...
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Weekend News
Something to have with your morning coffee, 67 year old Ursula Andress in James Bond - Dr No has been voted TVs most sexiest scene. Just goes to show that age doesn't matter. What is interesting in this article is that at number eight in this list, is Jessica Rabbit. Enough said.
Be careful when you next go shopping, especially around Christmas and New Year's, as one lady in Florida was knocked unconscious when the doors opened for a sale to begin. However, the store in question decided that it's condolences were enough, and they didn't even offer to give her the 30 dollar DVD player for free !
In Italy, plans are afoot for a new 'Mussolini' political party. I thought that was the ruling one at the moment anyway? Sorry, that's Berlusconi. Silly me.
Now some new scientific revelations. Did you know that there is a formular for a perfect family game? Well now you do. It was invented to stop all those post-monopoly fights that always occur at christmas time.
And for those of you wanting to know how to butter toast correctly, there's an equation for that too :)
Well, we're back to the winter weather again here now, and just in time the christmas markets have arrived to Mainz. That means there's going to be some nice warm spicy wine to cool up those evenings spent waiting for the bus.
New week ahead...
Something to have with your morning coffee, 67 year old Ursula Andress in James Bond - Dr No has been voted TVs most sexiest scene. Just goes to show that age doesn't matter. What is interesting in this article is that at number eight in this list, is Jessica Rabbit. Enough said.
Be careful when you next go shopping, especially around Christmas and New Year's, as one lady in Florida was knocked unconscious when the doors opened for a sale to begin. However, the store in question decided that it's condolences were enough, and they didn't even offer to give her the 30 dollar DVD player for free !
In Italy, plans are afoot for a new 'Mussolini' political party. I thought that was the ruling one at the moment anyway? Sorry, that's Berlusconi. Silly me.
Now some new scientific revelations. Did you know that there is a formular for a perfect family game? Well now you do. It was invented to stop all those post-monopoly fights that always occur at christmas time.
And for those of you wanting to know how to butter toast correctly, there's an equation for that too :)
Well, we're back to the winter weather again here now, and just in time the christmas markets have arrived to Mainz. That means there's going to be some nice warm spicy wine to cool up those evenings spent waiting for the bus.
New week ahead...
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Going Too Far
We all know how far political correctness can go in some areas of life, especially in the office, but now it's managed to creep it's way into the IT sector. The standard way of labelling devices in a computer is to have a 'master' and a 'slave', one that takes priority and that doesn't. However, in LA they are declaring this labelling method as politically incorrect. Like it really affects people how you call your hard disks !!
For those ladies out there who are having particular problems, there is a new device that has been invented which gives orgasms at the push of a button. However, in order for trials to go ahead, they need enough volunteers, which so far they haven't found. So anyone interested, give them a call.
Now a piece of news for the non-squeamish amongst you. Animals which have entered people's bodies whilst they have been on holiday in exotic places have been discovered in the most alien-like fashion (lumps moving about on the top of the head, wormheads poking out of noses...). Read this story from the BBC to find out what can happen.
Sweet Dreams...
We all know how far political correctness can go in some areas of life, especially in the office, but now it's managed to creep it's way into the IT sector. The standard way of labelling devices in a computer is to have a 'master' and a 'slave', one that takes priority and that doesn't. However, in LA they are declaring this labelling method as politically incorrect. Like it really affects people how you call your hard disks !!
For those ladies out there who are having particular problems, there is a new device that has been invented which gives orgasms at the push of a button. However, in order for trials to go ahead, they need enough volunteers, which so far they haven't found. So anyone interested, give them a call.
Now a piece of news for the non-squeamish amongst you. Animals which have entered people's bodies whilst they have been on holiday in exotic places have been discovered in the most alien-like fashion (lumps moving about on the top of the head, wormheads poking out of noses...). Read this story from the BBC to find out what can happen.
Sweet Dreams...
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
News, News and more News
Ever had enough of all those offers for body enhancements, prescription drugs, and Nigerian money transfers? Well, so did someone else, but he took it a stage too far and threatened the spammers as well.
After mentioning about German authorities planning to abolish the wearing of headscarves in schools, a French judge sent a woman juror home after she turned up wearing a headscarf. She was muslim, but one has to note in this article that she originally turned up for the selection procedures without one (ie that she did not feel it necessary to wear it all the time).
And finally, doctors have called for a complete ban on smoking in public places, citing definite evidence for passive smoking being the cause of more than a thousand deaths a year in the UK. About time too !!
On a more personal note, this Sunday sees a certain Frenchman celebrate his birthday. Sources have it that he is hoping for a cake wherefrom five scantilly-clad women come out. If anyone is planning to get him this, please give a warning to me so that I can get my camera ready in time :)
back to the drawing board...
Ever had enough of all those offers for body enhancements, prescription drugs, and Nigerian money transfers? Well, so did someone else, but he took it a stage too far and threatened the spammers as well.
After mentioning about German authorities planning to abolish the wearing of headscarves in schools, a French judge sent a woman juror home after she turned up wearing a headscarf. She was muslim, but one has to note in this article that she originally turned up for the selection procedures without one (ie that she did not feel it necessary to wear it all the time).
And finally, doctors have called for a complete ban on smoking in public places, citing definite evidence for passive smoking being the cause of more than a thousand deaths a year in the UK. About time too !!
On a more personal note, this Sunday sees a certain Frenchman celebrate his birthday. Sources have it that he is hoping for a cake wherefrom five scantilly-clad women come out. If anyone is planning to get him this, please give a warning to me so that I can get my camera ready in time :)
back to the drawing board...
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Success and More Photos
The major news story is that yesterday England beat Australia to win the Rugby World Cup. The first time a country from the northern hemisphere has won it.
Talking about winning, an englishman has just won the transatlantic boat race.
There are many jokes about the German sense of humour, but I would like to disprove them with the following news story. In Berlin they are introducing rubbish bins that talk. Yes that's right, they thank you in one of various languages for throwing away your trash. Apparently they wanted them to encourage people in a "nice, funny" way. I think something went wrong in the translation, as to most of us we would call it a "stupid" way. However, maybe I should be careful about what I say, as the following story proves.
A cannibal who ate people he met on the internet in Germany, has said that he's sorry. Well, that makes us all feel better now then, doesn't it? Just goes to show there are all sorts of people out there - be careful who you annoy...
Now for those of you have been on the edges of your seats for ages awaiting the photos from the summer parties to be put up, I can now tell you, the fiesta de la fresa and hechtsheimer sommerfest 2003 photos are now up for viewing. Sorry for the delay.
Just a brief note to say that Friday night I finally got back to my old habit of cooking a load of crepes, this time at Lobelto's place. And Saturday night saw me take my turn at chinese cooking for them (seeing as I have now discovered the Asiamarkt in Mainz).
Well, about dinnertime now..mmm....
The major news story is that yesterday England beat Australia to win the Rugby World Cup. The first time a country from the northern hemisphere has won it.
Talking about winning, an englishman has just won the transatlantic boat race.
There are many jokes about the German sense of humour, but I would like to disprove them with the following news story. In Berlin they are introducing rubbish bins that talk. Yes that's right, they thank you in one of various languages for throwing away your trash. Apparently they wanted them to encourage people in a "nice, funny" way. I think something went wrong in the translation, as to most of us we would call it a "stupid" way. However, maybe I should be careful about what I say, as the following story proves.
A cannibal who ate people he met on the internet in Germany, has said that he's sorry. Well, that makes us all feel better now then, doesn't it? Just goes to show there are all sorts of people out there - be careful who you annoy...
Now for those of you have been on the edges of your seats for ages awaiting the photos from the summer parties to be put up, I can now tell you, the fiesta de la fresa and hechtsheimer sommerfest 2003 photos are now up for viewing. Sorry for the delay.
Just a brief note to say that Friday night I finally got back to my old habit of cooking a load of crepes, this time at Lobelto's place. And Saturday night saw me take my turn at chinese cooking for them (seeing as I have now discovered the Asiamarkt in Mainz).
Well, about dinnertime now..mmm....
Friday, November 14, 2003
News news news
First up, a little bit of natter from Germany. A little village in the north of Hamburg has been living in a tax-haven for the last 300 years, but now it seems the finance ministry wants to end this and change it's status of the most unfashionable tax-haven. I'm sure this really affects lots of you.
The state of Baden-Wuerttemberg is making moves to ban the wearing of headscarves by muslims in schools. Six other states are also planning to follow later on in this headwear-discrimination act. However, christian or jewish religious clothing is not to be banned. Furthermore, Hesse, Berlin and Saarland want headscarves banned in all public services. Talk about racism, this is just plain ridiculous !! Next thing we won't be able to wear t-shirts with foreign bands on, nor listen to music that isn't of the German Folkmusic type !!
Due to economic problems in Russia, the inhabitants have had to endure many things, but this last measure just went too far. Due to the extremely dry year they have had, there is a severe shortage of water in the region of Vladivostok, which has meant that people only get 3 hours of water every other day. That makes 10.5 hours of water in a week !! However, ingenious as ever, the people have managed to find a way to access more water by tapping into their radiators. That's right, once the water has finished heating the house, it is taken out for drinking, cooking, washing etc.
Next time you travel through an airport, you never know what they could be looking at as you pass through the screening area. New tests have shown they can scan through clothing to see anything hidden underneath, including your body. Of course they are being told they will have to add little fig-leaves to the image to cover up the delicate parts...
And finally, a new site has started up to inform all your friends (and enemies) when you die. All sorts of possibilities spring to mind...
Now something more personal, Alex (Cortega's big bro) came over from where he's currently working (near Frankfurt) to visit us here in Mainz and we went out for a few drinks to the renowned Eisgrub. Very welcome.
Well, that's the way the cookie crumbles...
First up, a little bit of natter from Germany. A little village in the north of Hamburg has been living in a tax-haven for the last 300 years, but now it seems the finance ministry wants to end this and change it's status of the most unfashionable tax-haven. I'm sure this really affects lots of you.
The state of Baden-Wuerttemberg is making moves to ban the wearing of headscarves by muslims in schools. Six other states are also planning to follow later on in this headwear-discrimination act. However, christian or jewish religious clothing is not to be banned. Furthermore, Hesse, Berlin and Saarland want headscarves banned in all public services. Talk about racism, this is just plain ridiculous !! Next thing we won't be able to wear t-shirts with foreign bands on, nor listen to music that isn't of the German Folkmusic type !!
Due to economic problems in Russia, the inhabitants have had to endure many things, but this last measure just went too far. Due to the extremely dry year they have had, there is a severe shortage of water in the region of Vladivostok, which has meant that people only get 3 hours of water every other day. That makes 10.5 hours of water in a week !! However, ingenious as ever, the people have managed to find a way to access more water by tapping into their radiators. That's right, once the water has finished heating the house, it is taken out for drinking, cooking, washing etc.
Next time you travel through an airport, you never know what they could be looking at as you pass through the screening area. New tests have shown they can scan through clothing to see anything hidden underneath, including your body. Of course they are being told they will have to add little fig-leaves to the image to cover up the delicate parts...
And finally, a new site has started up to inform all your friends (and enemies) when you die. All sorts of possibilities spring to mind...
Now something more personal, Alex (Cortega's big bro) came over from where he's currently working (near Frankfurt) to visit us here in Mainz and we went out for a few drinks to the renowned Eisgrub. Very welcome.
Well, that's the way the cookie crumbles...
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Remembering the past and protecting the future
Today at 11:11am will be, like every year since the end of the First World War, two minutes of silence will be held to remember those that lost their lives fighting for us. To find out why we wear poppies on this day, or what the significance of the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is, visit the remembrance section of the BBC.
Now most virus warnings go out without much notice being taken, as most people who have an anti-virus program installed, and regularly update the virus definitions do not get affected. However, due to the fact that I have received no less than 7 copies of this virus sent to me within the last few days, at least one person I know is not fully protected. It's very difficult to trace from whom the viruses come, as they use names and addresses stored on the infected computer as the sender of the emails. So if you're not fully updated, do it now. To find out more about this virus, visit this page at the Symantec website.
Now for anyone roaming through london with their laptop, or any workers taking lunch outside (I know it's cold and possibly raining, but there are some mad people in this world :) If you head towards Piccadilly Circus, you will find blanket (ie total) Wi-Fi (wireless internet) coverage, thanks to a company named Broadreach. More info at The Register.
Well, no rest for the wicked...
Today at 11:11am will be, like every year since the end of the First World War, two minutes of silence will be held to remember those that lost their lives fighting for us. To find out why we wear poppies on this day, or what the significance of the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is, visit the remembrance section of the BBC.
Now most virus warnings go out without much notice being taken, as most people who have an anti-virus program installed, and regularly update the virus definitions do not get affected. However, due to the fact that I have received no less than 7 copies of this virus sent to me within the last few days, at least one person I know is not fully protected. It's very difficult to trace from whom the viruses come, as they use names and addresses stored on the infected computer as the sender of the emails. So if you're not fully updated, do it now. To find out more about this virus, visit this page at the Symantec website.
Now for anyone roaming through london with their laptop, or any workers taking lunch outside (I know it's cold and possibly raining, but there are some mad people in this world :) If you head towards Piccadilly Circus, you will find blanket (ie total) Wi-Fi (wireless internet) coverage, thanks to a company named Broadreach. More info at The Register.
Well, no rest for the wicked...
Friday, November 07, 2003
Birthdays and a bit of news
This last week has seen a mountain of birthdays go by, so here goes...Ana (31st), Mavi (1st), Patricia (2nd), oh, and mine (1st) (sorry if I've forgotten anyone - tell me and I'll add you in :)
Not as a celebration, rather as a medical checkup I also went back home (ok, parent's home then) for a couple of days. Mostly did my christmas shopping (well, ok, just shopping really, but it sounds like I'm organised if I say I've already done my christmas shopping :)
The flight over was interesting, as we were in the middle of a hailstorm in Hahn, so we skidded all over the runway, and when we took off we were also tilting in all directions. However, this was nothing compared to the shock we got when we saw a bolt of lightning hit the wing of our plane. Seeing an explosion of light hitting the thing that stands between you and about forty thousand feet of air to fall through isn't the most reassuring of things, but after the lights got turned back on and we moved out of the hailstorm we managed to put our hearts back into their normal places.
Apart from classes starting this week, and those of us who have them attending them, nothing else has happened to detract from the coldness of the weather here in Germany (in the UK we had 16 degrees !!)
A couple of news briefs, however, have come to my attention.
A study was carried out in Oxford Street (I went there on tuesday to do my shopping :) to find out how to recognise a geek (ok, physics student). Read this article to find out how.
For those of you who thought that Paris was the centre for high society, take a look again. One of it's main department stores has decided to offer courses in stripping to it's female customers. Of course, it doesn't state if it's offering courses in videoing for it's male customers :)
And now for a truly ingenious idea, is that of anonymous blogging. That's right, those people that don't want other people to find out who it is writing web logs can now type away in safe knowledge that they can't be found out.
Well, got a project to do, and not much time to finish it in.
see ya
This last week has seen a mountain of birthdays go by, so here goes...Ana (31st), Mavi (1st), Patricia (2nd), oh, and mine (1st) (sorry if I've forgotten anyone - tell me and I'll add you in :)
Not as a celebration, rather as a medical checkup I also went back home (ok, parent's home then) for a couple of days. Mostly did my christmas shopping (well, ok, just shopping really, but it sounds like I'm organised if I say I've already done my christmas shopping :)
The flight over was interesting, as we were in the middle of a hailstorm in Hahn, so we skidded all over the runway, and when we took off we were also tilting in all directions. However, this was nothing compared to the shock we got when we saw a bolt of lightning hit the wing of our plane. Seeing an explosion of light hitting the thing that stands between you and about forty thousand feet of air to fall through isn't the most reassuring of things, but after the lights got turned back on and we moved out of the hailstorm we managed to put our hearts back into their normal places.
Apart from classes starting this week, and those of us who have them attending them, nothing else has happened to detract from the coldness of the weather here in Germany (in the UK we had 16 degrees !!)
A couple of news briefs, however, have come to my attention.
A study was carried out in Oxford Street (I went there on tuesday to do my shopping :) to find out how to recognise a geek (ok, physics student). Read this article to find out how.
For those of you who thought that Paris was the centre for high society, take a look again. One of it's main department stores has decided to offer courses in stripping to it's female customers. Of course, it doesn't state if it's offering courses in videoing for it's male customers :)
And now for a truly ingenious idea, is that of anonymous blogging. That's right, those people that don't want other people to find out who it is writing web logs can now type away in safe knowledge that they can't be found out.
Well, got a project to do, and not much time to finish it in.
see ya
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Back from the Brink
Of Lake Leman, that is :)
The weekend was great, good to see our old friend (old as in more experience than the rest of us put together) Laurent before he sets off for Angola. It will definitely be a change of lifestyle...let's just hope he stays safe there. On this trip we also made some new friends, and Jordi noticed how beautiful some of the swiss women are, for a change (some?? he was noticing them all !!!).
Now for a bit of news.
As always somebody else is to blame, which is why Italy is blaming Switzerland for the electricity blackout they had the other day.
As most of you will know by now, we English are a bit strange. Now you can have some proof, as the cathedral choir of one of our southern cities (Portsmouth) have stripped off for a calendar. Okay, they are raising money for the church after all...
Now for something you really have to read. A man's mechanical lifesize dog which, let's say, has 'wind problems' was stopped and thoroughly searched at an american airport following their sensors going off for high explosives.
Well, that's how the world stands at the moment. Just left for me to say that Ruben (the andaluz) is off tomorrow back to the sunny parts of Spain, so let's bid him a fond farewell.
Ciao for now
Of Lake Leman, that is :)
The weekend was great, good to see our old friend (old as in more experience than the rest of us put together) Laurent before he sets off for Angola. It will definitely be a change of lifestyle...let's just hope he stays safe there. On this trip we also made some new friends, and Jordi noticed how beautiful some of the swiss women are, for a change (some?? he was noticing them all !!!).
Now for a bit of news.
As always somebody else is to blame, which is why Italy is blaming Switzerland for the electricity blackout they had the other day.
As most of you will know by now, we English are a bit strange. Now you can have some proof, as the cathedral choir of one of our southern cities (Portsmouth) have stripped off for a calendar. Okay, they are raising money for the church after all...
Now for something you really have to read. A man's mechanical lifesize dog which, let's say, has 'wind problems' was stopped and thoroughly searched at an american airport following their sensors going off for high explosives.
Well, that's how the world stands at the moment. Just left for me to say that Ruben (the andaluz) is off tomorrow back to the sunny parts of Spain, so let's bid him a fond farewell.
Ciao for now
Friday, October 24, 2003
Farewells
Probably the most international goodbye goes out to Concorde, who's last journey is due to take place this morning. And to think I never even got to ride in it once !
More locally, a brief goodbye goes to Mainz, because Luca, Jordi and myself are off to Switzerland to see our main man Cortega celebrating his graduation before he goes off to, where was it again? Iraq, Israel, never mind, somewhere dangerous, for sure.
And finally, we have said goodbye to the moderate weather of autumn (did it really exist this year?) as the frost has finally arrived and we walk with frozen feet, noses, ears and hands through the streets. Now where did I put my mittens...
that's it for now, got to pack,
Au revoir
Probably the most international goodbye goes out to Concorde, who's last journey is due to take place this morning. And to think I never even got to ride in it once !
More locally, a brief goodbye goes to Mainz, because Luca, Jordi and myself are off to Switzerland to see our main man Cortega celebrating his graduation before he goes off to, where was it again? Iraq, Israel, never mind, somewhere dangerous, for sure.
And finally, we have said goodbye to the moderate weather of autumn (did it really exist this year?) as the frost has finally arrived and we walk with frozen feet, noses, ears and hands through the streets. Now where did I put my mittens...
that's it for now, got to pack,
Au revoir
Monday, October 20, 2003
Breakfast News
What would you say if I told you that a man encased himself in a perspex box and hung it from a tower bridge for 44 days and only drank water? Impossible? No, illusionist David Blaine has just walked out of it (with the aid of a stretcher)
In Buenos Aires an arsy bit of art has been put on display. Images of 600 bottoms are shown in the exhibition by Chilean visual artist Catalina Riutort.
Now we all know that women never like their own bodies (despite the fact that men like women's bodies very much) . But after a survey of forty-five thousand women commissioned by AOL, the figures are staggering. Sixty percent couldn't stand the way they looked, and nearly ten percent said they would change their whole bodies if the cosmetic surgery was free !!! But the most important figure is that of twenty-six percent of women find shopping for clothes makes them more unhappy about their bodies. Well, there's a simple solution to this one, which men have being trying to tell their wives for centuries - that they don't need any more clothes !!!
And finally, another strange story from this land that is Germany. A judge found in favour of the Mainz coucil, that it should not have to pay for a new toilet seat for a person on social welfare, when it broke through normal usage. Very important decision, wouldn't you say so?
Post-note: Olguis plane had electrical difficulties and so she's waiting for a new one. Let's hope she gets back fine, safe, and above all soon !
What would you say if I told you that a man encased himself in a perspex box and hung it from a tower bridge for 44 days and only drank water? Impossible? No, illusionist David Blaine has just walked out of it (with the aid of a stretcher)
In Buenos Aires an arsy bit of art has been put on display. Images of 600 bottoms are shown in the exhibition by Chilean visual artist Catalina Riutort.
Now we all know that women never like their own bodies (despite the fact that men like women's bodies very much) . But after a survey of forty-five thousand women commissioned by AOL, the figures are staggering. Sixty percent couldn't stand the way they looked, and nearly ten percent said they would change their whole bodies if the cosmetic surgery was free !!! But the most important figure is that of twenty-six percent of women find shopping for clothes makes them more unhappy about their bodies. Well, there's a simple solution to this one, which men have being trying to tell their wives for centuries - that they don't need any more clothes !!!
And finally, another strange story from this land that is Germany. A judge found in favour of the Mainz coucil, that it should not have to pay for a new toilet seat for a person on social welfare, when it broke through normal usage. Very important decision, wouldn't you say so?
Post-note: Olguis plane had electrical difficulties and so she's waiting for a new one. Let's hope she gets back fine, safe, and above all soon !
Sunday, October 19, 2003
South American Special
Not really that special, but the only news is of South America, so why not call it that?
Bolivia now has a new president, and the rioting has at last calmed down there. Let's hope he can succeed where the last one failed.
After citing the article on my spanish webpage about the positive effects of coffee on potency in men, it is therefore surprising to find that one of the largest producers (and consumers) of coffee spends so much on other methods of aid.
And to finish off this trans-atlantic posting, Olguis will be coming back tomorrow. Bon voyage !
bye
Not really that special, but the only news is of South America, so why not call it that?
Bolivia now has a new president, and the rioting has at last calmed down there. Let's hope he can succeed where the last one failed.
After citing the article on my spanish webpage about the positive effects of coffee on potency in men, it is therefore surprising to find that one of the largest producers (and consumers) of coffee spends so much on other methods of aid.
And to finish off this trans-atlantic posting, Olguis will be coming back tomorrow. Bon voyage !
bye
Thursday, October 16, 2003
News Titbits
Most importantly, Alberto went home back to Spain yesterday. Let's hope his Seat Ibiza got hime there safe and sound, and that the 3 cases of beer arrived without a bottle being opened...
Now onto some more international news.
One of the main leaders of the rebel group FARC in Colombia has made moves towards a peace talk. What with the hostages still being held near Santa Marta, and the continued attempts on the lives of mayoral candidates before the elections, let's just hope this new move is taken seriously by both sides.
Something a bit closer to home now (ie Germany) in that a man has been arrested on suspicion of teaching his dog to do the Nazi salute. It could only happen here. Oh, and the dog's name is Adolf.
Well that's about it for now, although congratulations are in order to the chinese for being the third nation to put a man up in space. In fact, they were meant to be the first nation to put a man and his dog in space, but when the sweet-and-sour-pork packet burst on take-off there was no other option...
Also, congratulations go out to Olgui who has now been excepted on her course in psychology here. As everyone knows, it's very difficult for foreigners to get on these limited-entrance courses, so well done to her !
Better get back to putting variables into my program (yes, it really is that interesting).
As the new governer of california says:
Hasta la vista, baby :)
Most importantly, Alberto went home back to Spain yesterday. Let's hope his Seat Ibiza got hime there safe and sound, and that the 3 cases of beer arrived without a bottle being opened...
Now onto some more international news.
One of the main leaders of the rebel group FARC in Colombia has made moves towards a peace talk. What with the hostages still being held near Santa Marta, and the continued attempts on the lives of mayoral candidates before the elections, let's just hope this new move is taken seriously by both sides.
Something a bit closer to home now (ie Germany) in that a man has been arrested on suspicion of teaching his dog to do the Nazi salute. It could only happen here. Oh, and the dog's name is Adolf.
Well that's about it for now, although congratulations are in order to the chinese for being the third nation to put a man up in space. In fact, they were meant to be the first nation to put a man and his dog in space, but when the sweet-and-sour-pork packet burst on take-off there was no other option...
Also, congratulations go out to Olgui who has now been excepted on her course in psychology here. As everyone knows, it's very difficult for foreigners to get on these limited-entrance courses, so well done to her !
Better get back to putting variables into my program (yes, it really is that interesting).
As the new governer of california says:
Hasta la vista, baby :)
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Back to School
Well, I managed to do it again. It's been over a month since I last posted, but I'm not even going to explain why ! That's because you'll already have read that I went off to Colombia for 3 weeks. Yes, my final continent has at last been conquered, another place to tick off my list...hold on...that's not true. There is really so much of it to see, and if it wasn't for political reasons (hehem, kidnappings) I would have loved to have seen more. I have at least promised that I will return soon and see as much as possible that I missed.
I will not bore you with notes from my diary there, though I will mention a couple of things that will stay with me for a long time. Firstly, arriving with hurricane Florian was a bit of an experience, although the flight itself had already put me a bit on edge (within an hour of taking off from Frankfurt, the air hostess managed to spill orange-juice over my trousers, shirt, and book that I was reading (Noticia de un Secuestro - Garcia Marquez, very apt). We then had someone smoking in the toilets (very safe...).
What amazed me was the variety of the people, food, climate, and how despite all the problems that this country endures, how relaxed, happy and friendly the people were (in fact, I only got called "Gringo" once, and that was by a schoolkid in the library of Bogota). It really is dificult for me to put into words what I experienced there, but suffice it to say that I enjoyed myself a lot, and will definetely return.
Another thing I will remember, is Olga's driving. I don't mean this in any form of bad way, just that she gets very frightened of the big buses (with good reason, I've seen how they drive, and the consequences! It isn't for nothing they're called "Borradores" - erasors). Also when we hit a big hole (and there are numerous to hit in the roads of Barranquilla, in fact, it's harder to find a bit of road which isn't part of a hole!) and the engine caught fire...that was something I won't forget quickly! (see, it had nothing to do with her driving, just that she was driving at the time these things happened).
So all in all, an amazing time, and can't wait to go back (possibly when the weather gets back to normal - 32 degrees Celsius at midnight with 100% humidity requires about 3 showers a day minimum).
Back in Mainz we have a different problem. It's freezing !!! Snow in the south, snow in the north, but here everything looks the same, except we can feel the cold entering our bones. It really has skipped autumn and gone straight into winter. I feel sorry just looking at the new Spaniards thinking of their homes....
What else is new...many people have finally gone back to their home countries, and many more have arrived to start their Erasmus year here in this village, sorry, should that be town?
And finally, as many of you already know, I'm looking for a place to live. I have until the 20th of this month to move out, so if anyone hears of a place, you can use the form on this website to email me. Thanks.
Okay, that's all for now, better get some shopping in before I starve again.
we'll meet again
Well, I managed to do it again. It's been over a month since I last posted, but I'm not even going to explain why ! That's because you'll already have read that I went off to Colombia for 3 weeks. Yes, my final continent has at last been conquered, another place to tick off my list...hold on...that's not true. There is really so much of it to see, and if it wasn't for political reasons (hehem, kidnappings) I would have loved to have seen more. I have at least promised that I will return soon and see as much as possible that I missed.
I will not bore you with notes from my diary there, though I will mention a couple of things that will stay with me for a long time. Firstly, arriving with hurricane Florian was a bit of an experience, although the flight itself had already put me a bit on edge (within an hour of taking off from Frankfurt, the air hostess managed to spill orange-juice over my trousers, shirt, and book that I was reading (Noticia de un Secuestro - Garcia Marquez, very apt). We then had someone smoking in the toilets (very safe...).
What amazed me was the variety of the people, food, climate, and how despite all the problems that this country endures, how relaxed, happy and friendly the people were (in fact, I only got called "Gringo" once, and that was by a schoolkid in the library of Bogota). It really is dificult for me to put into words what I experienced there, but suffice it to say that I enjoyed myself a lot, and will definetely return.
Another thing I will remember, is Olga's driving. I don't mean this in any form of bad way, just that she gets very frightened of the big buses (with good reason, I've seen how they drive, and the consequences! It isn't for nothing they're called "Borradores" - erasors). Also when we hit a big hole (and there are numerous to hit in the roads of Barranquilla, in fact, it's harder to find a bit of road which isn't part of a hole!) and the engine caught fire...that was something I won't forget quickly! (see, it had nothing to do with her driving, just that she was driving at the time these things happened).
So all in all, an amazing time, and can't wait to go back (possibly when the weather gets back to normal - 32 degrees Celsius at midnight with 100% humidity requires about 3 showers a day minimum).
Back in Mainz we have a different problem. It's freezing !!! Snow in the south, snow in the north, but here everything looks the same, except we can feel the cold entering our bones. It really has skipped autumn and gone straight into winter. I feel sorry just looking at the new Spaniards thinking of their homes....
What else is new...many people have finally gone back to their home countries, and many more have arrived to start their Erasmus year here in this village, sorry, should that be town?
And finally, as many of you already know, I'm looking for a place to live. I have until the 20th of this month to move out, so if anyone hears of a place, you can use the form on this website to email me. Thanks.
Okay, that's all for now, better get some shopping in before I starve again.
we'll meet again
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