And how about this one! That green large ogre with his wife, donkey, and puss.
Wednesday 23 May 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
I plan to see this in the coming days. I have seen the past two and this look very promising!
Tuesday 22 May 2007
Recent CO2 rises exceed worst-case scenarios
It is just getting worse and worse
Please read some excerpts from the article found online on the New Scientist.com
The world's recent carbon dioxide emissions are growing more rapidly than even the worst-case climate scenario used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, say researchers.
....
They (the researchers) concluded that the rise in CO2 emissions is not due to a growth in global population, but a reduction in global efficiency.
....
The researchers found that no part of the world reduced the amount of carbon used to produce energy between 2000 and 2004, despite widespread publicity in support of greener sources of energy.
Although the article says that one cannot say that Kyoto was a failure (it resulted in emissions trading, carbon offsetting and so on), what is sure is that what came out of it was not enough. More is needed, more must be done. I fear the day when future politicians will say: 'We should have...' and while looking at each other, tell us 'We have only ourselves to blame...'. Inaction is the worst threat to climate change.
What are we waiting for? And I say we because we citizens have to do our part too. We cannot expect government to come up with measures, and then complain about the price and grumble that it is a new tax (just like the e-waste issue). We cannot wait for the effects to be felt before, because then it will be too late (or is it already). We live too good a life (or a lazy one?) to do any sacrifices such as switching off and becoming more energy efficient.
My call is for more to be done. So much money is wasted on useless things (think wars, wildlife trade, drugs). What are the real priorities?
Please wake up! Don't let the worst nightmare man has ever created come true.
Please read some excerpts from the article found online on the New Scientist.com
The world's recent carbon dioxide emissions are growing more rapidly than even the worst-case climate scenario used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, say researchers.
....
They (the researchers) concluded that the rise in CO2 emissions is not due to a growth in global population, but a reduction in global efficiency.
....
The researchers found that no part of the world reduced the amount of carbon used to produce energy between 2000 and 2004, despite widespread publicity in support of greener sources of energy.
Although the article says that one cannot say that Kyoto was a failure (it resulted in emissions trading, carbon offsetting and so on), what is sure is that what came out of it was not enough. More is needed, more must be done. I fear the day when future politicians will say: 'We should have...' and while looking at each other, tell us 'We have only ourselves to blame...'. Inaction is the worst threat to climate change.
What are we waiting for? And I say we because we citizens have to do our part too. We cannot expect government to come up with measures, and then complain about the price and grumble that it is a new tax (just like the e-waste issue). We cannot wait for the effects to be felt before, because then it will be too late (or is it already). We live too good a life (or a lazy one?) to do any sacrifices such as switching off and becoming more energy efficient.
My call is for more to be done. So much money is wasted on useless things (think wars, wildlife trade, drugs). What are the real priorities?
Please wake up! Don't let the worst nightmare man has ever created come true.
She got her car!
Yes she did, in the end.
After an extremely long period of lessons and driving with her pa, Baanisuu finally managed to pass her driving test. What's more is that she managed this on her first attempt, when many were and are failing to do so! From these columns, I say WELL DONE!
(P.S. now somebody can start driving me around! ;-) )
After an extremely long period of lessons and driving with her pa, Baanisuu finally managed to pass her driving test. What's more is that she managed this on her first attempt, when many were and are failing to do so! From these columns, I say WELL DONE!
(P.S. now somebody can start driving me around! ;-) )
Thursday 17 May 2007
Near Misses and the Eurovision
A few comments on two late episodes that have grabbed the local headlines:
Air Malta Near Miss Incident:
Just a note, and thanking George Carlin for this. The incident is wrongly spelt. It was not a near miss but a near hit. This is quite ironic of course, because they actually DID miss! Next time there is an accident let's use the following expression "Look, they've almost missed!"or headline: "Near miss leads to loss of lives!" (Many thanks to George for his inspiration).
And the Eurovision. So much huh-hah about it. Here are my points and reasoning.
Malta did not deserve to win - whenever it had a good song, it DID manage to reach to top ranking (Chiara, Ira, Mary)
Although neighbour voted cannot be denied, nor proved, Malta is also a culprit. It gave the UK song 12 votes!! What absurdity! I suppose deaf pigs were sending those smses or phone calls.
And let's look at the local scene and be honest: Olivia's song made it to Europe because all her main/previous competitors did not take part this year. She was the only veteran. Plus, she has a huge popularity, just like that other dude Fabrizio had last year (Do you do? Yes I do have ONE point.) Popularity does not necessarily equate to a good song, now we now that is true!
And do not please clamour for judges instead of voting! When that happens locally, the next day of the Malta Song Festival is always full of people arguing their conspiracy and corruption theories! You can never please everyone.
I totally agree with what Mindspill has to say about this issue.
My votes went for the Latvian Italian song, which did not reach the top ten! I also liked a lot the Slovenian, Swiss, and Icelandic songs and supported the Ukraine entry in the leadership rush, but ended on the losing end.
Oh well that is life. I like to win the Super 5 every now and then but it never happens...
sieben sieben acht acht....
Now Tanzen!
Air Malta Near Miss Incident:
Just a note, and thanking George Carlin for this. The incident is wrongly spelt. It was not a near miss but a near hit. This is quite ironic of course, because they actually DID miss! Next time there is an accident let's use the following expression "Look, they've almost missed!"or headline: "Near miss leads to loss of lives!" (Many thanks to George for his inspiration).
And the Eurovision. So much huh-hah about it. Here are my points and reasoning.
Malta did not deserve to win - whenever it had a good song, it DID manage to reach to top ranking (Chiara, Ira, Mary)
Although neighbour voted cannot be denied, nor proved, Malta is also a culprit. It gave the UK song 12 votes!! What absurdity! I suppose deaf pigs were sending those smses or phone calls.
And let's look at the local scene and be honest: Olivia's song made it to Europe because all her main/previous competitors did not take part this year. She was the only veteran. Plus, she has a huge popularity, just like that other dude Fabrizio had last year (Do you do? Yes I do have ONE point.) Popularity does not necessarily equate to a good song, now we now that is true!
And do not please clamour for judges instead of voting! When that happens locally, the next day of the Malta Song Festival is always full of people arguing their conspiracy and corruption theories! You can never please everyone.
I totally agree with what Mindspill has to say about this issue.
My votes went for the Latvian Italian song, which did not reach the top ten! I also liked a lot the Slovenian, Swiss, and Icelandic songs and supported the Ukraine entry in the leadership rush, but ended on the losing end.
Oh well that is life. I like to win the Super 5 every now and then but it never happens...
sieben sieben acht acht....
Now Tanzen!
Friday 11 May 2007
A night to remember..
Simple recipe for a romantic night with your loved one:
Think about the atmosphere you want to create: romantic? secluded? relaxed?
Think about her favourite food: local? Indian? Chinese? French?
Think about the other features you need for the night: candles? wine? cushions?
I decided to go for a romantic night at a secluded, relaxed and naturally pleasing location, eating Chinese food accompanied by a good bottle of red wine, together with candles and dim light.
The occasion? Baanisuu's 19th birthday
The location? Ghajn Tuffieħa Bay
The food? Take-away from a Chinese restaurant in Bugibba, consisting of a mixed starter (dumplings, wontons, spring rolls, chicken satay), main course (sweet and sour pork , beef curry), rice and noodles, and fried ice cream for dessert.
Drink? Marsovin Special Reserve
Utensils? Plates, forks and knives, a corkscrew, candles, gas lamp, food warmer (by candles), insulators to keep the food warm and lots of love.
Think about the atmosphere you want to create: romantic? secluded? relaxed?
Think about her favourite food: local? Indian? Chinese? French?
Think about the other features you need for the night: candles? wine? cushions?
I decided to go for a romantic night at a secluded, relaxed and naturally pleasing location, eating Chinese food accompanied by a good bottle of red wine, together with candles and dim light.
The occasion? Baanisuu's 19th birthday
The location? Ghajn Tuffieħa Bay
The food? Take-away from a Chinese restaurant in Bugibba, consisting of a mixed starter (dumplings, wontons, spring rolls, chicken satay), main course (sweet and sour pork , beef curry), rice and noodles, and fried ice cream for dessert.
Drink? Marsovin Special Reserve
Utensils? Plates, forks and knives, a corkscrew, candles, gas lamp, food warmer (by candles), insulators to keep the food warm and lots of love.
Friendliness of staff (me): 5/5
Service (me): 5/5
Food selection: 5/5
Food: 5/5
Ambient: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Conclusion: Highly Recommended
Food selection: 5/5
Food: 5/5
Ambient: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Conclusion: Highly Recommended
Thursday 3 May 2007
Thank God for Nature
There are times when you just flip, control is non-existent and reasoning is a thing unknown.
Being a calm person, when such a thing happens, it signals serious wrongdoings. Although this happened last Sat, even as I write I feel the pain inside me.
Stress is a word we have heard too often, and experienced it too. One can say that it has become almost part of everyday life...what a pity. Life has become too hectic for me, with university and work at the same time. Add to that an intensive week of 3 hours lectures a day, assignment deadlines approaching, lack of sleep, lack of sports and a personal life that has not been quite so smooth...well the limit is unfortunately reached.
My way of getting over it was rather simple (and I recommend it to anybody out there):
I just left all, family and loved ones at home (yes I flipped right before lunch) and went for a long, long walk. From my house to Hagar Qim. There I found my resting place, against the base of it-Torri tal-Ħamrija, face out over the Magħlaq Fault. The sound of birds and the sea down below and the view along the coast - > that managed to calm me down. In fact, I got hungry and asked my family to pick me up. The one hour walk did most of the magic as I sweated the tension out.
One last thing...dear nature...thanks!
Being a calm person, when such a thing happens, it signals serious wrongdoings. Although this happened last Sat, even as I write I feel the pain inside me.
Stress is a word we have heard too often, and experienced it too. One can say that it has become almost part of everyday life...what a pity. Life has become too hectic for me, with university and work at the same time. Add to that an intensive week of 3 hours lectures a day, assignment deadlines approaching, lack of sleep, lack of sports and a personal life that has not been quite so smooth...well the limit is unfortunately reached.
My way of getting over it was rather simple (and I recommend it to anybody out there):
I just left all, family and loved ones at home (yes I flipped right before lunch) and went for a long, long walk. From my house to Hagar Qim. There I found my resting place, against the base of it-Torri tal-Ħamrija, face out over the Magħlaq Fault. The sound of birds and the sea down below and the view along the coast - > that managed to calm me down. In fact, I got hungry and asked my family to pick me up. The one hour walk did most of the magic as I sweated the tension out.
One last thing...dear nature...thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
