Hottest day in May, ever!!!

The Meteorological Office in Luqa, Malta has been keeping weather records for the past 84 years, i.e since 1922. It is the official source of weather data. The record high for May was reached on Tuesday 23 May, 2006, the bulb reading 35.3 degrees Celsius. That is 10 degrees higher than average for the month of May. The previous high was recorded on two days in 1945 (22nd and 23 May) at 34.4 degrees Celsius.

The previous day, Monday, was the warmest May day in 12 years, reaching 33.7 degrees Celsius.

Climate change or freak weather?

A couple of days with freak or extreme temperature cannot be seen as proof of climate change, since climate is a measure of weather over a spread of years such as 15 - 20 years. However, such extremes may be a telling sign. And if scientists tell us that the last few years were among the hottest ever recorded on a global level, then that puts things a little into perspective.

The three warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998; 19 of the warmest 20 since 1980 (http://www.newscientist.com/popuparticle.ns?id=in20)

Who to you beleive, scientists and experts who practically live in the field, or politicians who see only a nose-length away?

Maltese perceptions on the environment.

This is a more suitable title for the articlu presented in the Sunday Times of 14 - 05- 2006. The title misleadingly states: Maltese barely care for the environment. Although I do not much doubt the heading, the study was based on perception, i.e. the sociologist Mario Vassallo asked: "What do you think the Maltese do/feel/care ...?", not "What do you do/feel/care...?"

Nonetheless, the findings are quite worrying, though not much suprising. In my opinion, I would follow this study with another one asking "What do you ...?" questions, to compare action with perception.

In my opinion, these are the saddest results of the survey:

• 64.7% say their fellow Mlatese care only a little for the environment;
• only 5.3% agree that they are very satisfied with the level of care of the environment demonstrated by fellow Maltese;
• only 16.7% think that the Maltese in general feel it is very important to economise on energy use; 56.3% think that they are somewhat concerned;
• only 21.3% would buy more expensive environmentally friendly products while 61.3% would go for the cheaper option;
• 41.9% of the 26-35 age group stated, without prompting, that public transport is very bad.

The survey highlights the difference in care for the environment between the different socio-economic groups. T he most sensitive people are those in the higher group level; the opposite is true for the least senstive people. In my opinion, this is directly linked to different levels of education, awareness and the "i don't care" syndrome which unfortunately many people suffer of.

True, I may be a little pessimistic, but if the picture is bad, there is no need to make it look good.
The facts are out there and up to a certain point, there is no need for hard scientific evidence. You just need to walk around, go to the beach, go to Valletta, go to Paceville, go to a construction site to simply notice the lack of respect which many people have to the environment. A real shame. And then we complain about asthma, littering, huge 'eys sore' landfills and a million other lack-of-environmental-concern-related impacts.

These are the conclusions of the survey, which I will leave to you to think about:
...it can be farily stated that care for the environment is not dormant in Malta, and among certain categories in society, it is quite strong. So are the measures that can be adopted to ensure that this care is tranlated in practice. But the understanding and implemention is not easy across Maltese society. In some respects a cultural change would be required to modify tradional habist and ways of doing things.
....many are not prepared to pay money to save energy or to discomfort themselves to facilitate wate disposal. Time and education can bring about the required change, but it seems that the process is bound to be both long and painful.

Off to Cymru.....Wales

Well, almost actually, but in less than a month, I will be in the land of St. David. To say the truth, the holidays was booked way in January. Since then, not much preparation has been done, though we know more or less where we are going. We also booked a car and plan to go quite around. Our stay will be for 12 days.

Time for a good holiday. Since I started working full-time since last summer, I had to miss out on the long holidays which I was used to. Ok, we had a Xmas shutdown but not the two weeks I was used to during Xmas or Easter. What's more, I can forget the summer holidays. Just work work work. I guess I still feel I am a student.

So yes, I have to take care of my leave. In summer we have the usual long weekend to Gozo, as well as I will take some days off to enjoy the sun, sand and sea which this island is so much known for...or was....

Back to my forthcoming holiday... I have been saying I need to prepare myself more for the trip for ages. Yet, I waste my time, reading newspapers, or surfing the net for millions of other (useless) things. Neither buying the Lonely Planet did help. That's typical me, and then I grumble about the local authorities lack of forward planning...yeah right.

Well, there is also a good excuse. Going abroad in always an adventure; going abroad with just a road map, camping gear and a good book is even more; not knowing where to lodge and what to find once there can be problematic, but nonetheless exiting and fun. Time will tell..

...and by the way, we will be 3 couples, packed in one car like sardines

Culinary pleasures: A review of 'Fayrouz' and 'Mare Nostrum'

This past week, I had two occasions to eat out at different restaurants, and I have some comments to make:

Tue 2nd May : It was the birthday of Baaniisu, my bearer of victory and better half. I decided to eat out at a different cuisine, and Lebaneese was chosen ('Fayrouz' in Sliema). After managing to find the place, we entered into what seemed more of a typical family restaurant, but anyway, I do not know how a Lebanese typical restaurant should look like. However, Arabic-type music could be heard. The matron was really nice. At first I talked to her in English, but then realised she was local. I hate doing that. Maltese is my mother tongue and I try to speak it everywhere, even to Anglo-Maltese speaking fellow citizens.

There was a wide food selection, though no fish was at hand, maybe because it was a Tuesday. As a starter we took a mezee, a selection of dips and starters, similar to the greek meze. It was actually quite filling. As a main course, I opted for chicken while Baaniisu went for minced meat something. The food was good, simple but mouth-watering. The owner, a Lebanese I suppose, was the cook and a fancy cook too, dressed in trousers and a neat shirt. Every now and then he came out of the kitchen to talk to people and make sure all was ok. Unfortunately, we did not have enough room for a typical Lebanese restaurant, next time we will know better.

Friendliness of staff: 4/5

Service: 3/5
Food selection: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Ambient: 2/5

Overall: 3/5
Conclusion: Recommended

Sat 6th May: No excuse for this meal, except that it was a Saturday. Usually we do not go to restaurants serving normal foot, but this was an exception. My and Baaniisu went to 'Mare Nostrum' in Ta' Xbiex, more known as the 'Black Pearl'. We really went there for its setting, since the restaurant lies on the deck of the 'Black Pearl'. The ship is not floating in the sea but situated on land. Upon entering we were greeted by a foreigner and place a table (no booking done). We were on the side of the side, however on the wrong one, since for the view of Marsamxett Harbour and Valletta we had to be located on the other side.

As soon as we set, a waiter came asking if we wanted an aperatif, while handing us the menu, and another put the breadbasket and some black olives on the table . Another waiter came immediately afterwards telling us what were the specialities of the day, including the types of fish available etc. After a brief consultation of the menu (there was not much to decide from), we decided to go for chicken and beef. We also ordered a bottle of wine. After a few moments, the food arrived. We were quite surprised at how fast it came, too fast in fact. In fact, food came before drink. I had to recall the waiter to remind him of the bottle of wine, and still this did not come immediately. I found us stupid sitting there having all the food and side dishes but nothing to drink. After some time, the wine came. Food was good, though my chicken seemed a little dry. As we finished, a waiter came to take the plates away, and he was not alone; another came clearing up the table taking all the cutlery etc. Then after some time, while still drinking our wine, another came asking for coffee and sweets.

Hmmm as you would have probably noticed, this restaurant more seemed like a fast food by simply observing the behaviour of the staff (Note: the restaurant was 1/2 to 3/4 full). The setting was great, with candlelit tables, but I felt rushed around. Life is already too hectic, running from one commitment to another; being served in a frenetic way is not much appreciated. Obviously, I prefer being asked immediately then being left to wait endlessly on a table without any menu or food, but there has to be balance.

Friendliness of staff: 3/5

Service: 2/5
Food selection: 2/5
Food: 3/5
Ambient: 5/5

Overall: 3/5
Conclusion: Recommended, but beware of the frantic waiters

That (in)famous monument

Let me explain first,
I am showing this image and briging up the topic because:
NO, it is not the first time I heard of it;
NO, it is not the first time I have seen it; and
NO, I do not want restart any debate.

I got tired of this. However, due my quite often passings-by, I cannot but notice the hit that this monument has made. True, it has become a MAJOR distraction for drivers approaching the roundabout, but it has also made its 'creator' quite (in)famous. Just a side note, many people were also offended when the great Michaelagelo painted naked figures in the holiest of places within the Vatican (Just a note, no artistic comparison to be made).

However, the last two days, I have noted that the phallic monument has become quite photogenic. Maybe it is pure coincidence but on both times I have driven by, I have noticed:
a) a group of 3 ladies taken pictures of themselves by the statue (it was dark and I realised what was going on through their talking.
b) a guy with an SLR digital camera crossing the road and walking away from the roundabout.

Yes my friends, this 'obsence and offensive' monument, found in 'Oh we are so holy people' Malta, has become a photographic attraction. Maybe in a few years time, MTA will start to market it as part of our cultural heritage.

Football season is over

Last Sunday was the last game of the season. We drew 1-1. This was a terrible season, in fact, I think it is the worst ever the club has experienced in its history. Kirkop FC is a Third Division team (the lowest division in Malta). Ever since I have been playing for the senior squad, we have always challenged for promotion ending in the top places of the division. However, this was not the case this year.

A new coach was brought in, and as usual tens of new players turned up during the pre-season. As is the norm, most of these left after a few weeks and we ended up with a rather good team, maybe not as good as in previous years, but we good still challenge. Unfortunately I got injured in my first game and spent from September till December nursing my injury (apart from getting fat and lazy). The team went from bad to worse. Most of the 'new' players left, for diverse resions, but mostly I guess was for disagreement with the coach.

As with all coaches when moving to new teams, they tend to bring with them some players from other teams they coached. However, this coach was too attached to these new players and made them play even if they did not play right. A particular person in fact was seen by most players as his favourite. He never ever passed the ball, though technically he was good. You could safely tell that whenever the ball was in his feet, he would loose it, due to his neverending insistence of trying to dribble.

Another problem was the lack of team spirit. We were never a team, and different players got offended easily. I think we were too tense. In my opinion training was a real bore. We always did the same routine, mainly running a lot (too much) and then tactics / mini-game. We never did any ball technique, we never did any shooting practices, we hardly ever did set-pieces....and then during the match, you would here the coach grumbling if you did not pass the ball well.

Yes, as you would have imagined, I was not quite happy with our coach, but that is in everything in life. In the end I just went to football training to keep myself fit and avoid becoming a couch potato