The continuous rain coming down during the last few days of the year seems to be a first. Also, the last three days we had thunderstorms that are more typical in September than December.
It will be interesting to get the statistics from the Met Office on this seemingly abnormal December weather.
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
Merry Christmas
It is Christmas Day and my Baanisuu is taking her shower before we go out for a Xmas drink with friends. So I have a little spare time to wish all of you blog readers out there:
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Friday, 21 December 2007
Ticking away...10 days to go
This is the season to be jolly fa la la la la la la la
I might add, this is the season to be stuffed, stuffed with all the food that I am going to eat. My Xmas party bash started last night with a meal with my MIRM mates. The meal was at Peppino's in Paceville. Food was good. Afterwards we had a couple of beers in the bars.
Today was my last day at work for the year. We finished early, at around 2pm and went off for lunch at Vino Veritas. Had a pizza with some wine. Tonight, I have a five course meal, courtesy of Alleance Francais. My god!
Tomorrow for lunch I am meeting my former geography mates. Then in the evening, I have a meal with Baanisuu's Uni mates.
Sunday and Monday are dedicated to our mates. We shall be hanging out together at the usual place. That means lots of food, lots of drink and lots of laughter.
Come Xmas day, another big meal. I can better define it a marathon meal. I am not exaggerating if I say that such meals at my aunt's may last up to almost six hours!
Then Boxing Day is another meal, the official meal with the 'marmalja'.
Jesus....that's so much of food.
I might add, this is the season to be stuffed, stuffed with all the food that I am going to eat. My Xmas party bash started last night with a meal with my MIRM mates. The meal was at Peppino's in Paceville. Food was good. Afterwards we had a couple of beers in the bars.
Today was my last day at work for the year. We finished early, at around 2pm and went off for lunch at Vino Veritas. Had a pizza with some wine. Tonight, I have a five course meal, courtesy of Alleance Francais. My god!
Tomorrow for lunch I am meeting my former geography mates. Then in the evening, I have a meal with Baanisuu's Uni mates.
Sunday and Monday are dedicated to our mates. We shall be hanging out together at the usual place. That means lots of food, lots of drink and lots of laughter.
Come Xmas day, another big meal. I can better define it a marathon meal. I am not exaggerating if I say that such meals at my aunt's may last up to almost six hours!
Then Boxing Day is another meal, the official meal with the 'marmalja'.
Jesus....that's so much of food.
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Sunday, 16 December 2007
About freakin' time! Planning Summer School 2007 images
 |
| From Planning Summ... |
A few weekends back, exactly on, Saturday 24th November 2007, I decided to dedicate the morning to upload some of the best pictures that I took early September when I attended the Planning Summer School in Swansea, Wales. I know, I have better things to do, but this was a job that had to be done sometime or another. Anyway, click on the image above to link to the online folder. I hope that someday I will manage to upload the Ireland pictures. But that is more problematic; there are over 600 to choose from.
Anyway, take a look...
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Musical climate change
I tell you, reading climate change science while listening to Sigur Ros in the background is quite problematic. It makes the thing more biased. Sigur Ros are not quite known for their jovial mood in their music. And alas, they are from the cold north ie Iceland.
So imagine listening to the soothing music, imagining yourself in some Icelandic village walking about like a huge mammoth with all the clothes on. And you decide to trek and walk to and on the beautiful pure whiteness. The ice and snow after which Iceland has its own name.
However, deep down you realise that the place may change completely, and that is in a few years time. I tell you, reading climate science on the Arctic (Ok, Iceland is not quiet in the Arctic but close enough) is quite depressing. It makes you loose hope.
I was reading an interesting article from the guys at Real Climate and my God are we in deep shite! Of course, much of the scary observations observed now can never really indicate if all hope is already lost. But, things do not look good.
Read below on what is going on in the Arctic:
Since 2005 there has been a 25% decline in Arctic sea ice at the time of minimum, equal to the combined area of Texas and California
The state of ice thickness observed in 2007 is quite similar to the modelled state in 2020
Will 2007 be remembered as the tipping point for sea ice? Only time will tell.
There has been a decline in prime polar bear habitat in many places, but also some increase in polar bear habitat in the central Arctic. The latter will disappear eventually, as summer sea ice continues to retreat.
The Northwest Passage has opened. The Arctic will be increasingly opened to economic activity like oil drilling, with all the attendant environmental hazards and chances for political dispute
the estimated (see level rise rate) ... is now 2.2mm/yr, of which 30% is due to Greenland and 20% due to Antarctica (ice melt).
Moving on to another blog post, the issue is glacier ice retreat. Another threat that will further decrease albedo, reduce the ice-water reservoir and make history the much frequented skiing pistes..
98% of the named Alaska glaciers are retreating,
95% of 612 studied Tibet glaciers are retreating, and
98% of monitored Alpine glaciers are retreating.
I think I should listen less to Sigur Ros
So imagine listening to the soothing music, imagining yourself in some Icelandic village walking about like a huge mammoth with all the clothes on. And you decide to trek and walk to and on the beautiful pure whiteness. The ice and snow after which Iceland has its own name.
However, deep down you realise that the place may change completely, and that is in a few years time. I tell you, reading climate science on the Arctic (Ok, Iceland is not quiet in the Arctic but close enough) is quite depressing. It makes you loose hope.
I was reading an interesting article from the guys at Real Climate and my God are we in deep shite! Of course, much of the scary observations observed now can never really indicate if all hope is already lost. But, things do not look good.
Read below on what is going on in the Arctic:
Since 2005 there has been a 25% decline in Arctic sea ice at the time of minimum, equal to the combined area of Texas and California
The state of ice thickness observed in 2007 is quite similar to the modelled state in 2020
Will 2007 be remembered as the tipping point for sea ice? Only time will tell.
There has been a decline in prime polar bear habitat in many places, but also some increase in polar bear habitat in the central Arctic. The latter will disappear eventually, as summer sea ice continues to retreat.
The Northwest Passage has opened. The Arctic will be increasingly opened to economic activity like oil drilling, with all the attendant environmental hazards and chances for political dispute
the estimated (see level rise rate) ... is now 2.2mm/yr, of which 30% is due to Greenland and 20% due to Antarctica (ice melt).
Moving on to another blog post, the issue is glacier ice retreat. Another threat that will further decrease albedo, reduce the ice-water reservoir and make history the much frequented skiing pistes..
98% of the named Alaska glaciers are retreating,
95% of 612 studied Tibet glaciers are retreating, and
98% of monitored Alpine glaciers are retreating.
I think I should listen less to Sigur Ros
Waiting for Bali
It is Saturday, 11 am GMT+1. The outcome should have come out by Friday, but talks are still under way.
Yes, I am still waiting for the outcomes of the Bali Conference, where the latest news indicate that something concrete is to come out. Until that moment comes, I will check the news every few minutes or so while listen to a new EP by Sigur Ros.
Hoping.
Yes, I am still waiting for the outcomes of the Bali Conference, where the latest news indicate that something concrete is to come out. Until that moment comes, I will check the news every few minutes or so while listen to a new EP by Sigur Ros.
Hoping.
Friday, 14 December 2007
Hail and Bali
A rather particular event happened to me on my way to work this morning. The sky looked heavy and grey with hugu cumulus clouds waiting for any moment to pour their contents. I was driving along the main road and got stuck in traffic under the 'University Tunnel'. As I was reaching the end of it, I realised that it was pouring heavily on the outside; I entered the tunnel dry. To add to the 'shock' most of the rain was actually hail. So bang bang bang loud on the car, I had to turn up the volume to continue to listen Ghost Reveries (Opeth) (Yeah! Quite a wakeup tune!!).
Apart from that, the temperature is really cold today, at least at work. The a/c does not seem to be providing enough heat.
Anyhow I admit I am a little anxious at the moment. I am awaiting the outcomes of the Bali Conference which, I believe, will have an impact on the way we know and shall know our Earth. Climate-related concerns are very high. The climate itself is already responding with record low ice levels in the Arctic. An expert believes that the Arctic Ocean will be ice free by 2013! That is five years from now!
Let us pray that he's wrong.
Apart from that, the temperature is really cold today, at least at work. The a/c does not seem to be providing enough heat.
Anyhow I admit I am a little anxious at the moment. I am awaiting the outcomes of the Bali Conference which, I believe, will have an impact on the way we know and shall know our Earth. Climate-related concerns are very high. The climate itself is already responding with record low ice levels in the Arctic. An expert believes that the Arctic Ocean will be ice free by 2013! That is five years from now!
Let us pray that he's wrong.
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Examplary green incentive
Here below is a good incentive proposed by French government to reduce energy consumption and produce less CO2 emissions.
...the French government (started) to offer cash bonuses of up to €1,300 (£940) to buy new low-emission cars and penalties of up to €2,600 for buying the most polluting models.
The French car scheme took effect last week and offers a €1,000 bonus for cars emitting less than 100 grammes of CO2 a kilometre, €700 for those emitting less than 120g and €200 for those emitting less than 130g. A new model emitting more than 250g, such as a Porsche Cayenne Turbo or a BMW X5, carries a penalty of €2,600.
Now isnt' that a bold decision that will make the air we (they) breathe cleaner?
Maltese politicians, get inspired!
...the French government (started) to offer cash bonuses of up to €1,300 (£940) to buy new low-emission cars and penalties of up to €2,600 for buying the most polluting models.
The French car scheme took effect last week and offers a €1,000 bonus for cars emitting less than 100 grammes of CO2 a kilometre, €700 for those emitting less than 120g and €200 for those emitting less than 130g. A new model emitting more than 250g, such as a Porsche Cayenne Turbo or a BMW X5, carries a penalty of €2,600.
Now isnt' that a bold decision that will make the air we (they) breathe cleaner?
Maltese politicians, get inspired!
Friday, 7 December 2007
Weekend Break
I am off to Gozo for the weekend. I hope the weather will be fine, although the forecast says that it will rain. My guest shall be Baanisuu. I have booked a room overlooking a popular bay in Gozo. Want to now where? Check this space early next week...
Enjoy the weekend!
Enjoy the weekend!
I tell you: Scrap Biofuel away!!
Biofuel, Biodiesel, ethanol and the likes. They are pitted as the saviours for our car engines as we seek remedies to do away with fossil fuels. But, alas, not all that glitters is gold.
Research back in August quoted that: increasing production of biofuels to combat climate change will release between two and nine times more carbon gases over the next 30 years than fossil fuels Source.
One may argue that the debate is wide open, and I fully agree to that. However, what is happening is that biofuels in the form of crop derivations is financially more advantageous for certain sectors of the economy. The most is the farmer. Crops for biofuel are getting a better prices than crops for food.
This was even stated by Pippo Psaila, head of the EORC, a Maltese company that produces biofuel. Although they started and still use used cooking oil as the source of biofuel, the EORC plans to expand. And what does it offer? The end of the article in The Times, Business edition of the 6th of December says it all:
"Farmers could grow jatropha instead of fodder.... In the end, they would be growing something that gives them a much higher income for much less work".
First of all, one must be very careful when introducing new crops. It must be made sure that the plant is not invasive. We do not want jatropha to be another haxixa ingliza do we?
Secondly, the farmer will surely gain, or so he hopes, a higher yield and more valuable crop. But what about the previous user of the fodder?
We all know that food prices have risen tremendously in a few months. It is believed that food stockpiles are very low, at levels last seen in the early eighties. Exchanging food crops with fuel crops will not made the situation better.
I shall end with some text from an article I read on the reasons why food prices have risen so much:
Research back in August quoted that: increasing production of biofuels to combat climate change will release between two and nine times more carbon gases over the next 30 years than fossil fuels Source.
One may argue that the debate is wide open, and I fully agree to that. However, what is happening is that biofuels in the form of crop derivations is financially more advantageous for certain sectors of the economy. The most is the farmer. Crops for biofuel are getting a better prices than crops for food.
This was even stated by Pippo Psaila, head of the EORC, a Maltese company that produces biofuel. Although they started and still use used cooking oil as the source of biofuel, the EORC plans to expand. And what does it offer? The end of the article in The Times, Business edition of the 6th of December says it all:
"Farmers could grow jatropha instead of fodder.... In the end, they would be growing something that gives them a much higher income for much less work".
First of all, one must be very careful when introducing new crops. It must be made sure that the plant is not invasive. We do not want jatropha to be another haxixa ingliza do we?
Secondly, the farmer will surely gain, or so he hopes, a higher yield and more valuable crop. But what about the previous user of the fodder?
We all know that food prices have risen tremendously in a few months. It is believed that food stockpiles are very low, at levels last seen in the early eighties. Exchanging food crops with fuel crops will not made the situation better.
I shall end with some text from an article I read on the reasons why food prices have risen so much:
1 Rising consumption: The appetite of fast-growing nations, such as China, is rising as economic booms cause a surge in demand for meat and dairy products
2 Competition from biofuels: The cars of the rich are now rivalling the bellies of the poor for corn, cane and edible oils
3 Climate change: Global warming is putting pressure on water needed to irrigate crops
So what do you think? Would you still go for biofuel?Mifsud scores two against WBA
Michael Mifsud,a.k.a the Mosquito, helped Coventry win with a two goal advantage over West Bromwich Albion. The was the return leg of the match in which the Mosquito was sent off and suspended for three games. He came back with revenge to score two and help the Sky Blues end their dismal winless form.
Well done Michael!
Thursday, 6 December 2007
A very very special day
Today is a special day for me, for us. It marks the day we started together, Baanisuu and I.
It all started four years from today, a number full of 3s -> 6 / 12 / 2003, my favourite number.
A great film (Kill Bill Vol1), finger fiddling and a look in the eyes was all that made that moment magic.
Four years later, here we are about to enjoy a special weekend break on the island of Gozo. We deserve it!
Thank you! xxx
It all started four years from today, a number full of 3s -> 6 / 12 / 2003, my favourite number.
A great film (Kill Bill Vol1), finger fiddling and a look in the eyes was all that made that moment magic.
Four years later, here we are about to enjoy a special weekend break on the island of Gozo. We deserve it!
Thank you! xxx
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Record Blogposts
I must say that November has been a particular month for me on Blogger. I myself am really impressed on the number of posts I have managed to write. In November, I managed 2o posts. I doubt how much I will manage to surpass this, but anyhow, congrats to me.
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Jeff Dunham - Achmed the Dead Terrorist
I was alerted to this video and it was too good to ignore. I am therefore posting it online for your viewership!
Society and the young
Interesting post from Nestor Laiviera, a 23 year old University student in 4th year of reading for a Bachelor of Communications Degree. I think there is much truth about this. And how many times have we heard it? (U iz-zaghzagh ta' illum.....)
Defining the younger (and theoretically more enlightened) generation as ‘frivolous’ and ‘immature’ only ultimately belittles the society that creates them, and only serves to hinder the generations that follow.
This comes from a students' blog found online on The Times.
Defining the younger (and theoretically more enlightened) generation as ‘frivolous’ and ‘immature’ only ultimately belittles the society that creates them, and only serves to hinder the generations that follow.
This comes from a students' blog found online on The Times.
Down with gas
I have been suffering since Friday when a realised that something was wrong with my bowels. I started taking some pills and eat drier food. It seemed to be getting better but then on Tuesday, the pain and WC visits were too much to ignore. So I went to the doc who told me that I had gastric flu. Lovely. It is not easy to eat dry food, crackers, plain bread etc. especially if you are cooking yourself. Yes, my parents are away in Germany and so we have to do the cooking ourselves. I shall be posting some images of the good food that we prepared, thanks to my sister's photography of course.
Monday, 26 November 2007
My God is that real?
By late 2008, it will be the highest man-made free-standing structure in the world. Interesting to note that the proposed height is still a secret, though it is expected at 816m.
Have a look at the tower website and you shall get more impressed. Furthermore, wikipedia suggests that other competing high rises are in the pipeline; all are to be located in the Middle East
This should further confirm the rising status in the global arena of the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Have a look at the tower website and you shall get more impressed. Furthermore, wikipedia suggests that other competing high rises are in the pipeline; all are to be located in the Middle East
This should further confirm the rising status in the global arena of the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Xmas lights at the cost of...?
Di-ve.com has just published the following:
Christmas street lightning gets discount
by Chris Galea, di-ve news
VALLETTA, Malta (di-ve news) -- November 26, 2007 -- 1225CET -- Enemalta Corporation has amended its scheme giving a discount to street lighting during the Christmas festivities.
The Corporation will be giving a 50 per cent discount on temporary services for the decoration of streets during the festivities, a scheme which is expected to cost Enemalta around Lm5,000.
Under its previous scheme, Enemalta used to give the first 50 units consumed for free, which effectively represented a reduction of less than Lm3 on the expense. This scheme had last year cost Enemalta less than Lm300.
The Corporation augured that that the contribution would help to further embellish the commercial centres during the festivities.
Xmas spirit apart, this is surely not the way forward to reduce energy consumption.
Christmas street lightning gets discount
by Chris Galea, di-ve news
VALLETTA, Malta (di-ve news) -- November 26, 2007 -- 1225CET -- Enemalta Corporation has amended its scheme giving a discount to street lighting during the Christmas festivities. The Corporation will be giving a 50 per cent discount on temporary services for the decoration of streets during the festivities, a scheme which is expected to cost Enemalta around Lm5,000.
Under its previous scheme, Enemalta used to give the first 50 units consumed for free, which effectively represented a reduction of less than Lm3 on the expense. This scheme had last year cost Enemalta less than Lm300.
The Corporation augured that that the contribution would help to further embellish the commercial centres during the festivities.
Xmas spirit apart, this is surely not the way forward to reduce energy consumption.
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Some wise words
I think I shall call this the quote of the month:
Gli amici veri sono quelli che ti danno contro e ti fanno capire che stai sbagliando, non quelli che ti danno sempre ragione e ti dicono che la colpa e' sempre degli altri.
Translating to English, it should sound something like:
True friends are those who stand up and tell you that you are wrong, not those who always say that you are right and tell you that others are always to blame.
You might be asking who said this. The answer is Roberto Mancini.
He was speaking about Adriano and all his latest problems that have influencef his on-the-pitch performances.
Gli amici veri sono quelli che ti danno contro e ti fanno capire che stai sbagliando, non quelli che ti danno sempre ragione e ti dicono che la colpa e' sempre degli altri.
Translating to English, it should sound something like:
True friends are those who stand up and tell you that you are wrong, not those who always say that you are right and tell you that others are always to blame.
You might be asking who said this. The answer is Roberto Mancini.
He was speaking about Adriano and all his latest problems that have influencef his on-the-pitch performances.
Friday, 23 November 2007
Our latest baby...
The image below is the promo image found on many website of our latest baby. Yes, the Acer Extensa 5500, aka Baks, was purchased more than a month ago now. It is a shared ownership thingy between me and Baanisuu. Baks is doing its job surely well, ie making the best of mobility.
Price? circa Lm400 including case, Windows Home Premium and 2Gb RAM instead of 1Gb.
Seller? Scan Computers
Price? circa Lm400 including case, Windows Home Premium and 2Gb RAM instead of 1Gb.
Seller? Scan Computers
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Climate change slideshow
I have just added a tiny winy widget to this blog, thanks to the Blogger team of course. It is simple. This widget is a slide show. Pics can be your own or from an online archive (Flikr, Picasa). If you choose the latter, you have to insert a tag name that will be used to find images of your choice. Since I do not have many pics on Picasa, I decided to go for the term 'climate change'. What did you expect?
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Science fiction? Science yes; fiction no
Have a look at the pictures below. I was amazed. It looks so surreal. More likely from a sci-fi blockbuster than a few metres (50m-175m) below the ground. Yet, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located in Switzerland, is about to open its doors next year. Purpose: particle accelerator and collider.
Wasn't I right? Amazing!
Wasn't I right? Amazing!
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Eco-driving...interesting tips
Driving at 70mph rather than 85mph - a 40% fuel saving
5% fuel saving can accrue from consistently changing gear at the right time (2,500 revs in a petrol car)
Environmental advantages of taking the aggression (rapid acceleration, jerky gear changes) out of your driving and travelling smoothly and steadily
Every 45kg taken off the car can save 1% on fuel
The average eco driver, doing 12,000 miles a year, could be saving up to £273 a year on petrol
Don't bother slipping into neutral. A modern fuel-injected car coasting in neutral is basically idling in disguise and will consume more petrol than when it is in gear.
Good maintenance is at the heart of economical performance
Now how would you go about all this? Are you an eco-driver?
Source: The Guardian
5% fuel saving can accrue from consistently changing gear at the right time (2,500 revs in a petrol car)
Environmental advantages of taking the aggression (rapid acceleration, jerky gear changes) out of your driving and travelling smoothly and steadily
Every 45kg taken off the car can save 1% on fuel
The average eco driver, doing 12,000 miles a year, could be saving up to £273 a year on petrol
Don't bother slipping into neutral. A modern fuel-injected car coasting in neutral is basically idling in disguise and will consume more petrol than when it is in gear.
Good maintenance is at the heart of economical performance
Now how would you go about all this? Are you an eco-driver?
Source: The Guardian
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Another one....
I have just got to know that the following application:
PA 00554/06
Construction of supermarket with adjacent carpark and sign.
Site at, Triq San Gwann, Safi
has been granted planning permission.
The recommendation by the Case Officer was for refusal. However, the DCC board felt that
DCC 126-01A/07 held on 6 November 2007 Approved in view that this development does not conflict with agriculture policy provides an essential service to the communities of the surrounding villages. Without adverse traffic impact. Prior to issue of permit architect to submit a landscaping scheme providing a row of trees along the southwest part of the site and other landscaping within the site.
The site is located opposite the new Karwija Boys Secondary, also ODZ, where people who pass there on a daily basis know that Triq San Gwann during school time is literary packed with cars parking on both sides of the road. It is so bad that at some points of the road two cars cannot pass easily. What's more is that buses use this road (Bus nos 32 and 34).
My reaction?
Thank you!!!
PA 00554/06
Construction of supermarket with adjacent carpark and sign.
Site at, Triq San Gwann, Safi
has been granted planning permission.
The recommendation by the Case Officer was for refusal. However, the DCC board felt that
DCC 126-01A/07 held on 6 November 2007 Approved in view that this development does not conflict with agriculture policy provides an essential service to the communities of the surrounding villages. Without adverse traffic impact. Prior to issue of permit architect to submit a landscaping scheme providing a row of trees along the southwest part of the site and other landscaping within the site.
The site is located opposite the new Karwija Boys Secondary, also ODZ, where people who pass there on a daily basis know that Triq San Gwann during school time is literary packed with cars parking on both sides of the road. It is so bad that at some points of the road two cars cannot pass easily. What's more is that buses use this road (Bus nos 32 and 34).
My reaction?
Thank you!!!
California fires
We have all heard on the devastating fires that ravaged many counties of California. Below is an interesting picture sequence of the event taken from a camera trap set up to study coyote behaviour in the area. Watch below:
At 0945, the wind picks up, and moving leaves and branches trigger the camera which takes a series of pictures, including this one at 1044.
At 0450 on 22 October a coyote runs by. It might have been fleeing the fires
The next shot, taken at 0900 speaks for itself
Just one minute later, at 0901, the fire has passed. A few shrubs continue to burn.
The camera keeps taking a picture a minute for 10 minutes until this one, at 0910. It shows just how thick the smoke was in the 0901 picture.
At 0945, the wind picks up, and moving leaves and branches trigger the camera which takes a series of pictures, including this one at 1044.
At 0450 on 22 October a coyote runs by. It might have been fleeing the fires
The next shot, taken at 0900 speaks for itself
Just one minute later, at 0901, the fire has passed. A few shrubs continue to burn.
The camera keeps taking a picture a minute for 10 minutes until this one, at 0910. It shows just how thick the smoke was in the 0901 picture.
The camera doesn't fire again until the following day at 1112, when a coyote walks by.
Source: New Scientist
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Past the century mark
Yes, I did it! I managed to pass the 100 blogposts! I mean, I now that not many people are reading my blog, but wtf. I am neither making, nor loosing money with the blog. OK, maybe I am loosing my time. But anyway, happy 100 posts :-)
Friday, 9 November 2007
Il Genio
Wonder why Zlatan Ibrahimovic got the above nickname? See the vid below against CSKA last Wednesday.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
For those who still to not believe!
This photo blogpost is for those of you who still believe that global warming is a myth:
Himalayas: Pictures showing the contrast between glaciers in 1968 (top) and 2007
Sea ice, polar bears' natural habitat, has been steadily receding, leaving their long-term future in doubt
Himalayas: Pictures showing the contrast between glaciers in 1968 (top) and 2007
Sea ice, polar bears' natural habitat, has been steadily receding, leaving their long-term future in doubtAnother one by Mosquito!
Here you go folks, another goal by the pride of Malta: Michael Mifsud. His goal cancelled QPRs goal and led the way to a surprising away victory by Coventry: 1-2 the final score.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Stoke City vs Coventry City
Watch the match highlights below, of the latest game of CCFC where Michael Mifsud scored two goals. His second is a marvel! No wonder he was include in the team of the week.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
The irony of it
Isn't it ironic that at Coconut Grove, Paceville, while the DJ spins tracks such from bands such as Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Korn, Ozzy as well as other contemporary metal, the TV screens show music videos by 50 Cent?
Saturday, 3 November 2007
Cookin' at home
One of the pleasures in life without doubt is food. Normally my mum is the cook but every now and then, I get the chance to do something myself. Well, actually, it is 'we get a chance' because my cooking experiences always includes Baanisuu. This is one of the other things that both of us enjoy doing together. Here below is our last creation: a chicken-veg pie. The idea came from a Weight Watchers recipe but we amended and gave it our personal touch as you can see in the image below. Did we enjoy it? Yes we did!
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
2005 Dwelling Statistics
Finally it is out. The long awaited report from the National Statistics Office (NSO) concerning the dwelling situation has been published. It is part of the Census 2005 survey held in November 2005. Two years later, this much awaited report comes out. I shall be highlighting some findings which I think should be pondered upon in light of the construction craze that seems to be never-ending.
This report is available online at www.nso.gov.mt.
If your are an economist (I am not) with knowledge of the supply versus demand thingy, I think we in Malta are a peculiar case, unlike the UK where dwellings are in such a short supply. But then again, I am not economist (I have no idea to be frank) so I may be totally wrong.
I shall quote directly from the document here below:
Dwelling stock increase:
In a span of just 38 years the number of dwellings has grown by 2.2 times, from 87,049 dwellings in 1967 to the 2005 Census level.
1995 vs 2005:
In 1995, the number of dwellings stood at 155,202 units. This was divided into 119,479 occupied dwellings and 35,723 vacant dwellings. It has since increased by 37,112 dwellings, of which 19,699 were occupied and the remaining 17,413 vacant. Effectively, in this period the number of occupied dwellings increased by 16.5 per cent while vacant dwellings increased by 48.7 per cent. (This makes the number of vacant dwellings at 53,136)
Type of dwellings:
Of the total dwelling stock, 166,201 units, or 86.4 per cent, consisted of terraced houses, flats and penthouses and maisonettes. Terraced houses accounted for 68,586 units, or 35.7 per cent of the total stock. On the other hand, a total of 56,864 flats and penthouses and 40,751 maisonettes were recorded.
State of repair:
In 2005, the majority of dwellings were perceived to be in a good state of repair. In fact, a total of 107,433 units, or 55.9 per cent of the total were recorded to be in a good state of repair.
Dwelling type vs age bracket:
Whereas 63.1 per cent of occupied dwellings with a reference person who was less than 40 years old lived in a maisonette or flat/penthouse, this proportion stood at 36.7 per cent for occupied dwellings with a reference person aged 70 years or more.
On the other hand, 50.5 per cent of occupied dwellings with a reference person aged between 40 to 59 years lived in a house (including terraced, semi-detached and fully-detached).
Vacant dwellings:
On a national level, 72.4 per cent of all dwellings were occupied, (this makes 27.6 percent vacant).
Most vacant dwellings consisted of flats and penthouses.
About one-fifth of all vacant dwellings in Malta were holiday dwellings. In fact, holiday dwellings located in Malta amounted to 10,028 dwellings, or 18.9 per cent of all vacant dwellings.
Overall, I focused mainly on vacant dwellings, and I think you can understand why. As a future purchaser, my concern on the crazy high prices of dwellings is quite justifiable considering these facts.
This report is available online at www.nso.gov.mt.
If your are an economist (I am not) with knowledge of the supply versus demand thingy, I think we in Malta are a peculiar case, unlike the UK where dwellings are in such a short supply. But then again, I am not economist (I have no idea to be frank) so I may be totally wrong.
I shall quote directly from the document here below:
Dwelling stock increase:
In a span of just 38 years the number of dwellings has grown by 2.2 times, from 87,049 dwellings in 1967 to the 2005 Census level.
1995 vs 2005:
In 1995, the number of dwellings stood at 155,202 units. This was divided into 119,479 occupied dwellings and 35,723 vacant dwellings. It has since increased by 37,112 dwellings, of which 19,699 were occupied and the remaining 17,413 vacant. Effectively, in this period the number of occupied dwellings increased by 16.5 per cent while vacant dwellings increased by 48.7 per cent. (This makes the number of vacant dwellings at 53,136)
Type of dwellings:
Of the total dwelling stock, 166,201 units, or 86.4 per cent, consisted of terraced houses, flats and penthouses and maisonettes. Terraced houses accounted for 68,586 units, or 35.7 per cent of the total stock. On the other hand, a total of 56,864 flats and penthouses and 40,751 maisonettes were recorded.
State of repair:
In 2005, the majority of dwellings were perceived to be in a good state of repair. In fact, a total of 107,433 units, or 55.9 per cent of the total were recorded to be in a good state of repair.
Dwelling type vs age bracket:
Whereas 63.1 per cent of occupied dwellings with a reference person who was less than 40 years old lived in a maisonette or flat/penthouse, this proportion stood at 36.7 per cent for occupied dwellings with a reference person aged 70 years or more.
On the other hand, 50.5 per cent of occupied dwellings with a reference person aged between 40 to 59 years lived in a house (including terraced, semi-detached and fully-detached).
Vacant dwellings:
On a national level, 72.4 per cent of all dwellings were occupied, (this makes 27.6 percent vacant).
Most vacant dwellings consisted of flats and penthouses.
About one-fifth of all vacant dwellings in Malta were holiday dwellings. In fact, holiday dwellings located in Malta amounted to 10,028 dwellings, or 18.9 per cent of all vacant dwellings.
Overall, I focused mainly on vacant dwellings, and I think you can understand why. As a future purchaser, my concern on the crazy high prices of dwellings is quite justifiable considering these facts.
Special dedication
When you realise that life is becoming too short at the age of 24, you must stop a little bit to think. How on earth will I manage to go on like this? I admit, most of the hectic life should be over by June next year, when I hopefully hand in my MSc thesis and adios to it all. Well maybe adios, because one never knows what may come across.
But, I am not alone. Baanisuu is always there for me and in such moments I realise how much I have to appreciate her. She is in the same shit as I am; her 2nd year of French at uni is not for the light-hearted. And yet, we still manage to spend quality time together. That is of course at the expense of other options, but it is the best option.
The last couple of weekends are a prime example. In the midst of lectures (yes, I have lectures sometimes on the weekend), lots of reading, writing assignments and so on, there is still time for us to enjoy a good laugh and shrug away (albeit for a few moments) all the stress and tension that is already building up.
What else is a requirement for a person, with no time to spare, having lots of things to do apart from work and a nerve-wrecking university course? Somebody like you, Baanisuu.
But, I am not alone. Baanisuu is always there for me and in such moments I realise how much I have to appreciate her. She is in the same shit as I am; her 2nd year of French at uni is not for the light-hearted. And yet, we still manage to spend quality time together. That is of course at the expense of other options, but it is the best option.
The last couple of weekends are a prime example. In the midst of lectures (yes, I have lectures sometimes on the weekend), lots of reading, writing assignments and so on, there is still time for us to enjoy a good laugh and shrug away (albeit for a few moments) all the stress and tension that is already building up.
What else is a requirement for a person, with no time to spare, having lots of things to do apart from work and a nerve-wrecking university course? Somebody like you, Baanisuu.
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
Let the War begin
I feel that sooner or later, the world will be faced with a major war. And by major I mean at a World War scale, not like the current Iraq, Afghan et al wars. The reason for this: the following article I read on The Guardian: Britain to claim more than 1m sq km of of Antarctica.
Now it is becoming evident that the major powers of this Earth are very worried indeed about the prospect of an oil-less future. And no, the worry is not because of renewables that will replace fossils. On the contrary, it is because known sources of oil are reaching their 'expiry date'. Hence, now there is a scramble for vast areas which were previously untouched and which potentially can host vast amounts of oil. I shall mention Antarctica, Greenland and a host of off-limit areas in the middle of the oceans.
In my opinion, this just shows how hypocritical we are. The same nations who claim they are the leaders in climate change policy, mitigation and adaptation are showing that all they are doing is just trying to make us feel good. What shame! On the other hand, I do not blame them. If vast amounts of oil are up for grabs, somebody is surely going to tap the resource one day or another. However, the hypocrisy of it all is too much to swallow.
And to think of it, why on earth should money be spent on renewables research when there is so much of the black stuff left. Who cares about climate change anyway?
Oh, and I had also some evil thoughts following my reading. Think of some big superpower, going to war to find weapons of mass destruction, only to find none, destroy the country but have a foothold in a oily rich country, or region. My my, I feel really sorry for all those people in Iraq who are there for a 'good cause'. No wonder they resist leaving the country.
Now it is becoming evident that the major powers of this Earth are very worried indeed about the prospect of an oil-less future. And no, the worry is not because of renewables that will replace fossils. On the contrary, it is because known sources of oil are reaching their 'expiry date'. Hence, now there is a scramble for vast areas which were previously untouched and which potentially can host vast amounts of oil. I shall mention Antarctica, Greenland and a host of off-limit areas in the middle of the oceans.
In my opinion, this just shows how hypocritical we are. The same nations who claim they are the leaders in climate change policy, mitigation and adaptation are showing that all they are doing is just trying to make us feel good. What shame! On the other hand, I do not blame them. If vast amounts of oil are up for grabs, somebody is surely going to tap the resource one day or another. However, the hypocrisy of it all is too much to swallow.
And to think of it, why on earth should money be spent on renewables research when there is so much of the black stuff left. Who cares about climate change anyway?
Oh, and I had also some evil thoughts following my reading. Think of some big superpower, going to war to find weapons of mass destruction, only to find none, destroy the country but have a foothold in a oily rich country, or region. My my, I feel really sorry for all those people in Iraq who are there for a 'good cause'. No wonder they resist leaving the country.
Monday, 15 October 2007
Kicking out the plastic bag
Let's face it...why do we really use it? To put stuff in from the shop, drive home, take stuff out and then? Do you throw it away? Fill it with rubbish? Or collect them?
Using plastic bags is the perfect example of modern societies' wasteful and shameless consumerist lifestyle.
What is wrong with doing without the bag? Why do people at the cash point insist of giving me a plastic bag even when I tell them: "Leave the bag"? Why do we need a plastic bag to carry a newspaper, or any other single item that can be carried easily by hand?
What I am trying to say is that even if we do not want to use the 'Xummiemu' bags or alternative bags, we can still avoid using plastic bags when purchasing a small number of items by simply saying: "No thanks, I shall carry that with my bare hands".
I fully support this initiative and I am proud to say that I am also a convert. Ban the plastic bag! And once we are at it: Ban the Bulb! That incandescent thing that is cheap, emits some light and lots of heat but is terribly wasteful, inefficient and costly over the longer term (in terms of electricity and bulb replacements).
See what the town of Modbury has done: http://www.plasticbagfree.com in becoming the first UK town to be completely bag-free.
Here are some facts collected by Reusable Bags on the impacts of plastic bags.
Wake up!
This blog post has been specifically written in order to fulfil my duties towards BlogActionDay
Using plastic bags is the perfect example of modern societies' wasteful and shameless consumerist lifestyle.
What is wrong with doing without the bag? Why do people at the cash point insist of giving me a plastic bag even when I tell them: "Leave the bag"? Why do we need a plastic bag to carry a newspaper, or any other single item that can be carried easily by hand?
What I am trying to say is that even if we do not want to use the 'Xummiemu' bags or alternative bags, we can still avoid using plastic bags when purchasing a small number of items by simply saying: "No thanks, I shall carry that with my bare hands".
I fully support this initiative and I am proud to say that I am also a convert. Ban the plastic bag! And once we are at it: Ban the Bulb! That incandescent thing that is cheap, emits some light and lots of heat but is terribly wasteful, inefficient and costly over the longer term (in terms of electricity and bulb replacements).
See what the town of Modbury has done: http://www.plasticbagfree.com in becoming the first UK town to be completely bag-free.
Here are some facts collected by Reusable Bags on the impacts of plastic bags.
Wake up!
This blog post has been specifically written in order to fulfil my duties towards BlogActionDay
Friday, 12 October 2007
Cement(ing) facts
The following is just to show how many different players are involved in the climate change issue:
- Concrete is the second most used product on the planet, after water
- Half of it is produced in China
- A business that produces more than 5% of mankind's carbon dioxide emissions
- Cement plants and factories across the world are projected to churn out almost 5bn tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2050 - 20 times as much as the government has pledged the entire UK will produce by that time
- The expected rapid growth in cement production is at severe odds with calls to cut carbon emissions to tackle global warming
- Already, some cement companies have taken steps to reduce their environmental impact. Some burn waste products alongside coal, while others have reworked their recipes and tried to make their plants more energy-efficient, with modest success
Peace Nobel Prize to Climate Change Warriors
Mr Gore may be a warrior. He was a US presidential hopeful in 2000, losing to Bush. Then he became a convert, an environmental convert. If parallel worlds do exist, I would have loved to see Gore as US president to see whether he would have been nickname "The Green President". Anyway, well done to him for winning the Nobel Price for his constant march in increasing public awareness on climate change.
This Nobel prize was shared with the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This Panel consists of a huge number of scientists that constantly review other scientists report and publish several reports on their collective effors. This panel has increasing shown (since 1988) that climate change and human activities are significantly correlated.
So why peace? Well climate change can have significant implications for world peace mainly because of resource conflict and migration. Climate change is expected to alter the weather patterns, bringing heavy rains or drought, higher/lower temperatures etc. These have implications on low-lying territories, dry territories (think Africa) and a host of civilisations that live at the borders of livelihood.
Wake up (once again)!
The Guardian
This Nobel prize was shared with the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This Panel consists of a huge number of scientists that constantly review other scientists report and publish several reports on their collective effors. This panel has increasing shown (since 1988) that climate change and human activities are significantly correlated.
So why peace? Well climate change can have significant implications for world peace mainly because of resource conflict and migration. Climate change is expected to alter the weather patterns, bringing heavy rains or drought, higher/lower temperatures etc. These have implications on low-lying territories, dry territories (think Africa) and a host of civilisations that live at the borders of livelihood.
Wake up (once again)!
The Guardian
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Making polluters pay
I admit, I am not quite a fan of the US, mainly because of its environment agenda and the way it does things in the international sphere. But anyway, I guess that is the politics of the country which in no means reflects what the whole country is. Think of California with good old Arnie Schwarzengger and all the benefits to the environment he is promoting.
Anyway, as you probably know, court cases where people/organisation get to pay huge amounts of money because of what they have done is quite a big deal in the US. Remember Erin Brokovich? Now I read there is this US electricity producer that has been ordered by court to install $4.6 billion in equipment to sharply reduce emissions at coal-fired power plants.
Now that is truly applying the polluter pays principle!
Read: $4.6 billion settlement in power plant air pollution case
Anyway, as you probably know, court cases where people/organisation get to pay huge amounts of money because of what they have done is quite a big deal in the US. Remember Erin Brokovich? Now I read there is this US electricity producer that has been ordered by court to install $4.6 billion in equipment to sharply reduce emissions at coal-fired power plants.
Now that is truly applying the polluter pays principle!
Read: $4.6 billion settlement in power plant air pollution case
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Fourth goal in three games
This blog is more becoming a Mifsud one, but anyway! He deserves it. Just enjoy the video below of his latest goal against Blackpool. That is pure speed!
Blogging for the Environment
I admit I copied and pasted the following text from the Blogger Blog, but you shoud read:
Bloggers Unite - Blog Action Day October 15, in 6 days time, is Blog Action Day, and the theme this year is the environment. If you have a blog and want to join in, all you have to do is use that day to post something related to the environment, in whatever way, shape, or form you prefer. You can pick an environmental issue that has meaning for you and let us know why it's important. Organize a beach or neighborhood cleanup and tell us about it. If you're into fiction writing, give us a story with an environmental theme. Have a podcast, videoblog, or photoblog? Join the fun! The idea here is to have a mass effect on public awareness by sharing as many ideas in as many ways as possible.
If you're game for participating, go register your blog with the 8,000+ other blogs (with 5 million readers!) that are already signed up. Also, see the Blog Action Day blog for more on how bloggers can change the world.
So what are you waiting for? Join up and blog!
Bloggers Unite - Blog Action Day October 15, in 6 days time, is Blog Action Day, and the theme this year is the environment. If you have a blog and want to join in, all you have to do is use that day to post something related to the environment, in whatever way, shape, or form you prefer. You can pick an environmental issue that has meaning for you and let us know why it's important. Organize a beach or neighborhood cleanup and tell us about it. If you're into fiction writing, give us a story with an environmental theme. Have a podcast, videoblog, or photoblog? Join the fun! The idea here is to have a mass effect on public awareness by sharing as many ideas in as many ways as possible.
If you're game for participating, go register your blog with the 8,000+ other blogs (with 5 million readers!) that are already signed up. Also, see the Blog Action Day blog for more on how bloggers can change the world.
So what are you waiting for? Join up and blog!
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Another one by Miffy
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Mifsud defeats Manchester United
Can you believe this? A Malteses football star scoring twice against Manchester United in the Carling Cup. He is already a local and a CCFC hero. This will put him further into the international limelight.
Michael Mifsud! Make us proud!
Check out the headlines in the Newspapers:
The Guardian: Mifsud's Maltese magic sends United's young stars crashing
Daily Mail: Mosquito bites floor Sir Alex - Dowie pays tribute to his sky blue pest
La Gazzetta dello Sport: Mifsud, "il Messi di Malta" che ha steso il Manchester
Michael Mifsud! Make us proud!
Check out the headlines in the Newspapers:
The Guardian: Mifsud's Maltese magic sends United's young stars crashing
Daily Mail: Mosquito bites floor Sir Alex - Dowie pays tribute to his sky blue pest
La Gazzetta dello Sport: Mifsud, "il Messi di Malta" che ha steso il Manchester
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Back from Eire
Yes, I am back.
What a wonderful place to visit. All green..and green. Coming back, I started suffering from... the green syndrome. Flying over the Maltese Islands, you see two predominant colours: brown (the colour of dryness) and white (the colour of our roofs and buildings). Get my point on green syndrome?
Well, on a positive note, the holidays was really excellent! We saw quite a lot and did as much as we can. We went from Dublin to Kerry, Wicklow and back. The scenery was lovely and food was great. I especially loved County Wicklow. It has such wild terrain and very few white colour (except for the above clouds). We stayed in Glendalough at an excellent B&B that was fit for Kings. Just wonderful. And speaking of the weather, we were very lucky. It rained on few occasions but we had the weekend that was nice and bright...good for walking and going to high spots to take all the panoramic pictures.
As usual, I promise the nice pictures...patience is a virtue
What a wonderful place to visit. All green..and green. Coming back, I started suffering from... the green syndrome. Flying over the Maltese Islands, you see two predominant colours: brown (the colour of dryness) and white (the colour of our roofs and buildings). Get my point on green syndrome?
Well, on a positive note, the holidays was really excellent! We saw quite a lot and did as much as we can. We went from Dublin to Kerry, Wicklow and back. The scenery was lovely and food was great. I especially loved County Wicklow. It has such wild terrain and very few white colour (except for the above clouds). We stayed in Glendalough at an excellent B&B that was fit for Kings. Just wonderful. And speaking of the weather, we were very lucky. It rained on few occasions but we had the weekend that was nice and bright...good for walking and going to high spots to take all the panoramic pictures.
As usual, I promise the nice pictures...patience is a virtue
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Off to Eire
This shall be my last post. Actually I don't know how I manage to post before going away. I shall be leaving for the airport in 30 minutes time. I just hope I have all in place.
Well yes, off we go. Me, Baanisuu and her parents for a promising 1-week trip in land of rolling green hills, legends and Guinness!
I have promised to show you the pictures of my Planning Summer School trip. Well, that has to wait a little more, but I should upload the pictures online when I come back. You know, it is just a touch of an 'Upload Photos' that is required....but that is just too difficult to press. Anyway, I am off to do the last 'Have I got this?' checks and aboard the Ryanair flight FR 7243.
See you in a week!
Well yes, off we go. Me, Baanisuu and her parents for a promising 1-week trip in land of rolling green hills, legends and Guinness!
I have promised to show you the pictures of my Planning Summer School trip. Well, that has to wait a little more, but I should upload the pictures online when I come back. You know, it is just a touch of an 'Upload Photos' that is required....but that is just too difficult to press. Anyway, I am off to do the last 'Have I got this?' checks and aboard the Ryanair flight FR 7243.
See you in a week!
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Can we save the planet?
I have just read this interesting opinion from George Marshall on the The Guardian.
Here are some quotes I thought I should pass on:
people have already acquired a severely distorted sense of priorities. Forty per cent of people now believe that recycling domestic waste, which is a relatively small contributor to emissions, is the most important thing they can do to prevent climate change. Only 10% mention the far more important goals of using public transport or reducing foreign holidays
With recycling, Mori concluded that it was becoming an act of "totem behaviour" and that "individuals use recycling as a means of discharging their responsibility to undertake wider changes in lifestyle"
People can make informed decisions in the knowledge that, say, a return flight to Australia will have the same climate-change impact as 730,000 plastic bags or 176,000 overfilled kettles
And let's be clear that voluntary action will never be enough - we will need radical political, economic and social change
Interesting I may say. However, the aim of individual action also includes putting pressure on governments / businesses to adopt a stronger approach towards mitigation and adaptation. I dare to say that hard political decisions will be few and probably too late. Unfortunately, we have become too used to a life of excess, waste and carelessness which we believe makes us feel good, look rich and be happy. Changing this way of life is akin to moving mountains.
Here are some quotes I thought I should pass on:
people have already acquired a severely distorted sense of priorities. Forty per cent of people now believe that recycling domestic waste, which is a relatively small contributor to emissions, is the most important thing they can do to prevent climate change. Only 10% mention the far more important goals of using public transport or reducing foreign holidays
With recycling, Mori concluded that it was becoming an act of "totem behaviour" and that "individuals use recycling as a means of discharging their responsibility to undertake wider changes in lifestyle"
People can make informed decisions in the knowledge that, say, a return flight to Australia will have the same climate-change impact as 730,000 plastic bags or 176,000 overfilled kettles
And let's be clear that voluntary action will never be enough - we will need radical political, economic and social change
Interesting I may say. However, the aim of individual action also includes putting pressure on governments / businesses to adopt a stronger approach towards mitigation and adaptation. I dare to say that hard political decisions will be few and probably too late. Unfortunately, we have become too used to a life of excess, waste and carelessness which we believe makes us feel good, look rich and be happy. Changing this way of life is akin to moving mountains.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
I want to live in Russia
Just have a look at the following articles and you will know why. In an age where the Maltese government is reducing off-days (because of the public holidays on weekends issue), you have a Russian region that actually promotes a day off. But this is not to celebrate a feast or national holidays. On the other hand, it is aimed at couples to go home, together, and make babies. Just lovely. And if you succeed by giving birth to a child on Lenin's birthday (12th June) you will also get a prize ranging from a car, fridge or cash:
Russians given day off work to make babies
It is an incentive to increase the dwindling population. I like it and it works:
More than 500 women signed up for the second contest, in 2006, resulting in 78 babies being born nine months later, which was more than triple the region's daily average.
Now that the election is very close, how about some political party bringing this up as part of its manifesto?
Russians given day off work to make babies
It is an incentive to increase the dwindling population. I like it and it works:
More than 500 women signed up for the second contest, in 2006, resulting in 78 babies being born nine months later, which was more than triple the region's daily average.
Now that the election is very close, how about some political party bringing this up as part of its manifesto?
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Malta draws 2-2 against Turkey
What a match!
I missed it cos I came on the 8th but went straight to Gozo to catch up with Baanisuu and my other friends.
I missed it cos I came on the 8th but went straight to Gozo to catch up with Baanisuu and my other friends.
Back from Planning Summer School
Yep, I am back from this years RTPI Planning Summer School that was held at Swansea Univeristy, Wales. Since I was part of the international delegation (coming from Poland, Kosovo, Namibia and South Africa), we had an initial 3-day study tour. This took us to Bath, St. Davids, and Milford Haven.
The summer school consisted of lectures be keynote speakers on several planning related topics, followed by workshops. In all, there must have been around 140 planners coming from county councils, consultants etc. The first day featured an eco-day with most of the talks revolving around climate change. This was very interesting, mainly due to my deep interest in the subject. Other topics that were dealt with were the affordable housing issue and the changes to the planning system.
I had to do a 10-minute presentation which was attended by around 50 delegates. It featured some work that I was involved in. The presentation can be seen here.
This was a really great and fulling experience. It also gave me contact to several planners working in private to public posts where we often discussed issued pertaining to our countries. I also have to admit that I did a pub crawl with some guys from Swansea University up to Mumbles. We walked up, but came back with a taxi.
I am attaching a map of the University location below. The place was lovely and the weather was nice and sunny. Just perfect!
I shall be uploading some photos too.
View Larger Map
The summer school consisted of lectures be keynote speakers on several planning related topics, followed by workshops. In all, there must have been around 140 planners coming from county councils, consultants etc. The first day featured an eco-day with most of the talks revolving around climate change. This was very interesting, mainly due to my deep interest in the subject. Other topics that were dealt with were the affordable housing issue and the changes to the planning system.
I had to do a 10-minute presentation which was attended by around 50 delegates. It featured some work that I was involved in. The presentation can be seen here.
This was a really great and fulling experience. It also gave me contact to several planners working in private to public posts where we often discussed issued pertaining to our countries. I also have to admit that I did a pub crawl with some guys from Swansea University up to Mumbles. We walked up, but came back with a taxi.
I am attaching a map of the University location below. The place was lovely and the weather was nice and sunny. Just perfect!
I shall be uploading some photos too.
View Larger Map
Friday, 31 August 2007
Michael Mifsud Scores 2 against Carisle
See his interview here below:
Michael Mifsud hopes his double strike against Carlisle on Tuesday night will enhance his chances of earning a place in Iain Dowie's starting XI for Saturday's televised clash against Preston.
The pint-sized Maltese international scored either side of the half-time break to book City a place in the third round of Carling Cup in his first start of the new season.
He is now the Sky Blues' leading scorer with three goals after adding to his late strike on the opening day of the campaign against Barnsley - and says he's hungry for more.
"I'm very happy that we won the game because Carlisle was a difficult place to go and it was great to score two goals," beamed Mifsud, who opened the scoring with a low drive from the edge of the box before doubling City's advantage with an uncharacteristic header.
Michael Mifsud was the hero for City at Brunton Park.
"Both goals were great team efforts - the defence was always pushing up and the midfielders put some good balls into the box.
"As you would probably expect I don't score many headers, but it was a great cross from Ellery (Cairo) and I just managed to guide the ball into the far corner.
"It was another good win away from home, which is something we have been desperate to improve on this season and I have to thank the supporters who travelled all the way up to Carlisle.
"I'm sure a lot of them probably went to Cardiff too and it's very helpful to the team when you see all the supporters behind you in large numbers."
The 26-year-old star admits he's enjoying life as a Sky Blue this season and is prepared to be patient in his bid for a recall to the side, adding: "Leon (McKenzie) and Kevin Kyle have started the season really well together and Dele (Adebola) also did very well on Saturday.
"But the competition amongst all the strikers here is very good and I know I have to wait for my chance and when it comes around, like it did against Carlisle, I have to take it and hopefully the manager will have the nice problem of who he wants to pick on Saturday.
"There is a good bunch of lads here, when I first arrived in England they made me feel really welcome straight away and that has helped me settle in."
Source: www.ccfc.co.uk
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Hydrogen is the future fuel
I have read the following article on recent research in the hydrogen fuel field. Basically, hydrogen is seen as the next generation fuel. It is considered cleans since it only emits water vapour. It is also freely available because hydrogen can be extracted from water.
The problem with hydrogen is that it is a gas and therefore there are safety concerns on its storage on vehicles (think accidents). Well, now they have found that it can be turned into a liquid state with the help of nitrogen and then some form of mechanism releases the hydrogen gas into the hydrogen working engine. What is good about this, as the authors of the study claim, is that the existing infrastructure (petrols tanks, stations etc) can be used since hydrogen will be stored as a liquid fuel.
To read the full article, log on to Nature
The problem with hydrogen is that it is a gas and therefore there are safety concerns on its storage on vehicles (think accidents). Well, now they have found that it can be turned into a liquid state with the help of nitrogen and then some form of mechanism releases the hydrogen gas into the hydrogen working engine. What is good about this, as the authors of the study claim, is that the existing infrastructure (petrols tanks, stations etc) can be used since hydrogen will be stored as a liquid fuel.
To read the full article, log on to Nature
Saturday, 25 August 2007
And let the hurrican season begin...
Hurricane Dean:
Reached Level 5 (the highest) on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
It was the ninth most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and is the third most intense Atlantic hurricane ever at landfall (source: Wikipedia)
It is just impressive and scary:
Sources: (The Guardian, Wikipedia).
Reached Level 5 (the highest) on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
It was the ninth most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and is the third most intense Atlantic hurricane ever at landfall (source: Wikipedia)
It is just impressive and scary:
Sources: (The Guardian, Wikipedia).
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Further adding to biofuel hatred
Just wanted to add the following image which compares the amount of tonnes of CO2 per hectare that is avoided in terms of crop usage and cover. This further puts emphasis that going down the biofuel route will get us nowhere in terms of emissions reductions.
In brief:
"...reforestation would sequester between two and nine times as much carbon over 30 years than would be saved by burning biofuels instead of gasoline."
"You get far more carbon sequestered by planting forests than you avoid emissions by producing biofuels on the same land"
Source: New Scientist
In brief:
"...reforestation would sequester between two and nine times as much carbon over 30 years than would be saved by burning biofuels instead of gasoline."
"You get far more carbon sequestered by planting forests than you avoid emissions by producing biofuels on the same land"
Source: New Scientist
Dinosouar Race
Just have look and see what some researchers have been up to.
The have created a computerised race between five virtual dinouars, a human, an emu and an ostrich. Apart from the fun and curiosity, let me increase that awe to highlight the findings arising from this study:
Top speeds:
3kg chicken-sized compsognathus: 40mph (18m/s)
20kg velociraptor: 24.2mph
430kg crested dilophosasurus: 23.5mph
1½-tonne allosaurus: 21mph
6-tonne T rex: 17.9mph (8m/s)
Emu: 30mph
Ostrich: 35mph
human: 17.7 mph
For the latter, is should be noted that world class 200m sprinters may reach a top speed of 27mph (12m/s).
Sources: The Guardian and BBC
The have created a computerised race between five virtual dinouars, a human, an emu and an ostrich. Apart from the fun and curiosity, let me increase that awe to highlight the findings arising from this study:
Top speeds:
3kg chicken-sized compsognathus: 40mph (18m/s)
20kg velociraptor: 24.2mph
430kg crested dilophosasurus: 23.5mph
1½-tonne allosaurus: 21mph
6-tonne T rex: 17.9mph (8m/s)
Emu: 30mph
Ostrich: 35mph
human: 17.7 mph
For the latter, is should be noted that world class 200m sprinters may reach a top speed of 27mph (12m/s).
Sources: The Guardian and BBC
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Swansea on the way
In a recent post, Time to blog, I mentioned how I had the chance of going to Swansea, Wales for a 4-day planning workshop. I managed to secure a place and will fly off to Heathrow Airport on Sunday 2nd September. From there, the guys from the planningsummerschool will be there and take care of me for the rest of my stay in Wales.
Excellent.
I shall be coming back the following Saturday mid-afternoon. I shall go home change, grab my bag and drive to Gozo. Baanisuu and all our friends will be there. I shall stay there for I day.
Then Monday, back to work.
Excellent.
I shall be coming back the following Saturday mid-afternoon. I shall go home change, grab my bag and drive to Gozo. Baanisuu and all our friends will be there. I shall stay there for I day.
Then Monday, back to work.
Friday, 17 August 2007
Biofuel sucks!
For all those green guys and gals out there who support biofuels (petrol and diesel extracted from plants):
Biofuels switch a mistake, say researchers
In a few words, it transpires that growing biofuels is likely to have a worse effect on the environment than using fossil fuels. Here's and extract from the article posted on The Guardian:
Increasing production of biofuels to combat climate change will release between two and nine times more carbon gases over the next 30 years than fossil fuels...
Biofuel policy is rushing ahead without understanding the implications...
Reforesting the land would be a better way to reduce emissions...
As always we are looking to quick fix methods without realising the implications of such actions. Policymakers and world leaders should take note of such studies since they have set targets on switching to biofuels. So what should we do?
...the emphasis should be placed on increasing the efficiency of fossil fuel use and moving to carbon-free alternatives such as renewable energy...
Biofuels switch a mistake, say researchers
In a few words, it transpires that growing biofuels is likely to have a worse effect on the environment than using fossil fuels. Here's and extract from the article posted on The Guardian:
Increasing production of biofuels to combat climate change will release between two and nine times more carbon gases over the next 30 years than fossil fuels...
Biofuel policy is rushing ahead without understanding the implications...
Reforesting the land would be a better way to reduce emissions...
As always we are looking to quick fix methods without realising the implications of such actions. Policymakers and world leaders should take note of such studies since they have set targets on switching to biofuels. So what should we do?
...the emphasis should be placed on increasing the efficiency of fossil fuel use and moving to carbon-free alternatives such as renewable energy...
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Recent interesting readings (on climate change and stuff)
Solar power - in the rain
Most of us would love to run our homes on solar power - if only it wasn't so unreliable, cumbersome and expensive. But thanks to a pioneering factory in Wales, those objections may not apply for much longer. Guardian Unlimited
The Earth fights back
Never mind higher temperatures, climate change has a few nastier surprises in store. Bill McGuire says we can also expect more earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunamis. Guardian Unlimited
Tropical storms stepping up with climate change
Major shifts in the number of North Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes are due to climate change, not cyclic events, says a new analysis New Scientist
Flying windmills could harness the jet stream
Currently at prototype stage, the novel devices could exploit an enormous resource of reliable, renewable energy New Scientist
Most of us would love to run our homes on solar power - if only it wasn't so unreliable, cumbersome and expensive. But thanks to a pioneering factory in Wales, those objections may not apply for much longer. Guardian Unlimited
The Earth fights back
Never mind higher temperatures, climate change has a few nastier surprises in store. Bill McGuire says we can also expect more earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunamis. Guardian Unlimited
Tropical storms stepping up with climate change
Major shifts in the number of North Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes are due to climate change, not cyclic events, says a new analysis New Scientist
Flying windmills could harness the jet stream
Currently at prototype stage, the novel devices could exploit an enormous resource of reliable, renewable energy New Scientist
Time to blog
Anybody knows what writer's block is? Well if you have been waiting for some posts, that is what it means - the inability to write. That does not include laziness, which is also part of the equation.
Anyway some updates on my recent doings and goings:
Present and recent past
I have passed all my exams related to the MIRM. Therefore, I have been promoted to second year (which will be a hell of a year bdw). So, at the moment, I am just doing nothing. And I plan to enjoy it while I can since September in soon with us and that means get back to work for me.
So recently I just seemed to never have enough of those BBQs, yes lots of them some three a week. They are fun and all but make you feel stuffed and piggy. I, for one, cannot refuse food on a plate, even if I have just ate, so avoiding food altogether is a good solution. I managed to put on a few kilos. Add also the beer (Hey, we're in summer! What do you expect me to drink? Hot chocolate?) and that makes me sluggish.
So I decided to do some exercise. I tried with the bike (I am a 24 year old beginner biker) but I am still scared of cars driving fast beside me. So I decided to try and run around a little just to keep me fit since as you know I have quit football for MIRM reasons. I plan to be back next year, if my body allows me that is.
So apart from doing nothing, apart from working and hanging out with my dear ones, that is it.
Future
The next big thing is Ireland in September. I am really really looking forward to it. This is really really true (apart from the fact that I should be reading the Lonely Planet Guide instead of blogging). That will be a nice 7 days between the 18th and 24th of September.
I am also going to Gozo, for one night with old friends of mine from my secondary school days. Plus I might be going for a workshop in Swansea, Wales. This all depends if I am accepted or not. I will post the outcomes later on.
Thesis. Of course, I cannot miss this out since it has been and will be a good common headache for the coming 9 months. Naturally, I have decided to focus on climate change, my daily online love. Will keep you posted on that too. In fact, I am giving too many promises (I just feel like the usual MP Mr Beaurocrat).
Anyway some updates on my recent doings and goings:
Present and recent past
I have passed all my exams related to the MIRM. Therefore, I have been promoted to second year (which will be a hell of a year bdw). So, at the moment, I am just doing nothing. And I plan to enjoy it while I can since September in soon with us and that means get back to work for me.
So recently I just seemed to never have enough of those BBQs, yes lots of them some three a week. They are fun and all but make you feel stuffed and piggy. I, for one, cannot refuse food on a plate, even if I have just ate, so avoiding food altogether is a good solution. I managed to put on a few kilos. Add also the beer (Hey, we're in summer! What do you expect me to drink? Hot chocolate?) and that makes me sluggish.
So I decided to do some exercise. I tried with the bike (I am a 24 year old beginner biker) but I am still scared of cars driving fast beside me. So I decided to try and run around a little just to keep me fit since as you know I have quit football for MIRM reasons. I plan to be back next year, if my body allows me that is.
So apart from doing nothing, apart from working and hanging out with my dear ones, that is it.
Future
The next big thing is Ireland in September. I am really really looking forward to it. This is really really true (apart from the fact that I should be reading the Lonely Planet Guide instead of blogging). That will be a nice 7 days between the 18th and 24th of September.
I am also going to Gozo, for one night with old friends of mine from my secondary school days. Plus I might be going for a workshop in Swansea, Wales. This all depends if I am accepted or not. I will post the outcomes later on.
Thesis. Of course, I cannot miss this out since it has been and will be a good common headache for the coming 9 months. Naturally, I have decided to focus on climate change, my daily online love. Will keep you posted on that too. In fact, I am giving too many promises (I just feel like the usual MP Mr Beaurocrat).
Saturday, 21 July 2007
This is really sad :-(
Just have a look how we are destroying this planet. Some images below are quite impressive:
Source: The Guardian
Source: The Guardian
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Any home buyer around?
'Most expensive' US home on sale
A Beverly Hills mansion has been advertised for sale at $165m (£81.4m), making it the most expensive residential property listing in the US.
Oh yes, and the house featured in the film The Godfather.
Worth it hux?
Oh yes, and the house featured in the film The Godfather.
Worth it hux?
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Animal migration
I must admit, I am not a person looks for wildlife when out in the countryside. I enjoy more the peacefulness of the area, the breathtaking views and perception of perfectness. However, wildlife from birds to mammals are an added bonus that make the area more alive.
I came across these pictues of animal migration in South Sudan that rivals the Serengeti one. It has been claimed as a newly dicovered natural wonder
Impressive isnt'it?
I came across these pictues of animal migration in South Sudan that rivals the Serengeti one. It has been claimed as a newly dicovered natural wonder
Impressive isnt'it?
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Monitoring our extinction
A thought provoking quote I have just read on The Guardian:
[Unless we stop talking and begin to act about climate change], "we risk being the only species monitoring its own extinction rather than acting against it"
Caroline Lucas, Green member of the European parliament.
Businesses accused of green hypocrisy.
[Unless we stop talking and begin to act about climate change], "we risk being the only species monitoring its own extinction rather than acting against it"
Caroline Lucas, Green member of the European parliament.
Businesses accused of green hypocrisy.
Saturday, 9 June 2007
It is OVER!!
At least officially, I have finished my first year MSc Integrated Resource Management (MIRM). Today was the big exam. Big meaning 3hours fifteen minutes, covering all the stuff we did during the second semester. Subjects ranged from co-management techniques in the Himalayan or Uluru National Parks, to International Treaties, to biodiversity conservation and stakeholder involvement.
Insomma, hafna x naghmel! (lots of things to do) as we say here in Malta.
So why officially? Well I still have a couple of assignments to finish off by mid-June. In the meantime I must also start thinking seriously about my thesis. I must admit that I do not have any clue!! And I must do some serious work on it, since this will be a major piece of work that will occupy most of my free time during the coming year.
But till I start thinking and going back to pre-MIRM life (work and play), I shall enjoy this weekend. Let's get wasted! ;-)
Insomma, hafna x naghmel! (lots of things to do) as we say here in Malta.
So why officially? Well I still have a couple of assignments to finish off by mid-June. In the meantime I must also start thinking seriously about my thesis. I must admit that I do not have any clue!! And I must do some serious work on it, since this will be a major piece of work that will occupy most of my free time during the coming year.
But till I start thinking and going back to pre-MIRM life (work and play), I shall enjoy this weekend. Let's get wasted! ;-)
Monday, 4 June 2007
Torrential Rain!
Just listen to!
Just look at it!
Just smell it!
Are we really in June?
Is this Malta?
Has St. George Preca decided to send the rain we have praid for the last months?
Incredible isn't it!
4th of June 2007, Mediterrean climate, rain as hell!
Just look at it!
Just smell it!
Are we really in June?
Is this Malta?
Has St. George Preca decided to send the rain we have praid for the last months?
Incredible isn't it!
4th of June 2007, Mediterrean climate, rain as hell!
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!
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Inter - Campioni d'Italia (15)
Finally! Finally!
Inter have done it!
You just cannot imagine the joy, the relief I might say. Not that there were any doubt, even after the Roma match, but nonetheless a great joy. Since Sunday, I have viewed and reviewed several videos and photos of the celebrations. How I wish I was there! Well enough words. I have decided to mark this moment and upload a number of videos, thanks to youtube of course.
SIAMO NOI! SIAMO NOI! I CAMPIONI DELL'ITALIA SIAMO NOI!
Game highlights
Post Match Celebrations
The Fans at Piazza Duomo
Studio Aperto News Service
Live on Rai Due - Arrival of Players at Piazza Duomo
Players and fans celebrating after the game (photos from inter.it)
Inter have done it!
You just cannot imagine the joy, the relief I might say. Not that there were any doubt, even after the Roma match, but nonetheless a great joy. Since Sunday, I have viewed and reviewed several videos and photos of the celebrations. How I wish I was there! Well enough words. I have decided to mark this moment and upload a number of videos, thanks to youtube of course.
SIAMO NOI! SIAMO NOI! I CAMPIONI DELL'ITALIA SIAMO NOI!
Game highlights
Post Match Celebrations
The Fans at Piazza Duomo
Studio Aperto News Service
Live on Rai Due - Arrival of Players at Piazza Duomo
Players and fans celebrating after the game (photos from inter.it)
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Will it be today?
Today can be a memorable day, in football terms that is. The reason is that Inter FC, the team I support and who are the present Italian Serie A league leaders are playing against second place Roma, who lie 16 points adrift. Everybody says that Inter will win and win the league bla bla. But Inter are Inter and all Inter fans have suffered too much. We all remember that terrible 5th May 2002 when Inter lost the league on the last day of the Campionato.
How painful that was! An the Milan and Juve fans continuously remind me of that!
What's more, I have a lecture at 5.30pm and am still undecided on what to do. The game is at 5.30pm when usually mid-week games are at 8.30pm but due to the recent clashes etc. in the Italian game, authorities decided to anticipate the start of the game .
My heart is opting for the game, my brain for the lecture. I shall decide at 5pm.
How painful that was! An the Milan and Juve fans continuously remind me of that!
What's more, I have a lecture at 5.30pm and am still undecided on what to do. The game is at 5.30pm when usually mid-week games are at 8.30pm but due to the recent clashes etc. in the Italian game, authorities decided to anticipate the start of the game .
My heart is opting for the game, my brain for the lecture. I shall decide at 5pm.
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
How trees might not be green in carbon offsetting debate
Another article in The Guardian on the effects of planting trees on climate change.
How trees might not be green in carbon offsetting debate
This follows my previous post, citing the same scientists on the issue:
Tree planting no help against climate change!
As the saying goes: 'Money makes the world go round!' Carbon offsetting has become a million-pound industry with estimates predicting a value of £300 million by 2010. But this is just an example of 'a dangerous delaying technique that helped people "sleep well at night when we shouldn't sleep well at night"'.
How trees might not be green in carbon offsetting debate
This follows my previous post, citing the same scientists on the issue:
Tree planting no help against climate change!
As the saying goes: 'Money makes the world go round!' Carbon offsetting has become a million-pound industry with estimates predicting a value of £300 million by 2010. But this is just an example of 'a dangerous delaying technique that helped people "sleep well at night when we shouldn't sleep well at night"'.
Monday, 9 April 2007
Silent room
Baanisuu's granddad has passed away,
Forever he will be remembered.
I hardly knew him but yet I cried.
79 his years of life on Earth;
12 children he and his wife grew, lived and fed.
His memories are still fresh,
His void is much felt,
His name has been mentioned over and over again.
He's gone and won't be back,
But so will all of us one day!
So let's remember him
for what he was and for what he did.
As for the rest:
Zeppi, Rest in Peace
Forever he will be remembered.
I hardly knew him but yet I cried.
79 his years of life on Earth;
12 children he and his wife grew, lived and fed.
His memories are still fresh,
His void is much felt,
His name has been mentioned over and over again.
He's gone and won't be back,
But so will all of us one day!
So let's remember him
for what he was and for what he did.
As for the rest:
Zeppi, Rest in Peace
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Culinary pleasures: What a night out at Bouzouki!
A great night out was experienced yesterday evening, in the company of Baanisuu. My date took me to dinner, in an unknown location to me. The venue? Bouzouki! A fine Greek restaurant with excellent food, atmosphere, setting and view of St. Julian's Bay.
We ate loads, having a starter of grilled feta cheese and mixed dips, a main course of chicken with spices and meatballs (not quite balls, more looked like sauseges) and some desert consisting of honey, walnuts, cinnamon and pastry.
Judgement: Plain and simply - EXCELLENT.
Added to the food we had a local red wine which was the a perfect accompaniment.
Another feature that I really enjoyed was the relaxed atmosphere where one is given ample time to digest the starter, talk, listen to what other tables nearby are talking about, and make room for the next course. The friendly staff is an added bonus to the whole experience.
Plus, this morning the restaurant was advertised on a local radio station, fuelling my appetite again.
I recommend it to anybody looking for good food and a great experience.
I am giving a 4/5 on food selection since only one desert was mentioned, and another heading indicating to ask for other specialities. I think providing just one desert option merits a loss of full marks in this category.
We ate loads, having a starter of grilled feta cheese and mixed dips, a main course of chicken with spices and meatballs (not quite balls, more looked like sauseges) and some desert consisting of honey, walnuts, cinnamon and pastry.
Judgement: Plain and simply - EXCELLENT.
Added to the food we had a local red wine which was the a perfect accompaniment.
Another feature that I really enjoyed was the relaxed atmosphere where one is given ample time to digest the starter, talk, listen to what other tables nearby are talking about, and make room for the next course. The friendly staff is an added bonus to the whole experience.
Plus, this morning the restaurant was advertised on a local radio station, fuelling my appetite again.
I recommend it to anybody looking for good food and a great experience.
I am giving a 4/5 on food selection since only one desert was mentioned, and another heading indicating to ask for other specialities. I think providing just one desert option merits a loss of full marks in this category.
Friendliness of staff: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Food selection: 4/5
Food: 5/5
Ambient: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Conclusion: Highly Recommended
Food selection: 4/5
Food: 5/5
Ambient: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Conclusion: Highly Recommended
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Symmetrical number?
I just came to realise of the numerical significance of this day. Actually I realised late last night, past midnight when escorting Baanisuu back home.
27 - 03 - 2007
Somewhat symmetrical, just like my name...beginning and ending with the same letters.
Feeling?
A day older!
27 - 03 - 2007
Somewhat symmetrical, just like my name...beginning and ending with the same letters.
Feeling?
A day older!
Monday, 26 March 2007
Last day of my life
Today is the 26th of March 2007. It is Monday, the first day of the week. The weather outside is overcast and slightly cool.
Some may say that today is a sad day, others that is should be a happy day while even others tell you that it is just a day. Maybe it is, but just to add a little spice in our lives, today marks the last day of my twenty-third year of life on Planet Earth. Technically speaking I have been around for more than that (considering that anti-abortionists say that life begins at conception, and in that state, I have my own values and rights (such as kicking my mum in the belly whenever I feel like it)), but anyway, let us stick to conventions.
Oh well, it is over, another year gone by.
Next one please...yes you!
What's your name? Yes you!
'24'
Jeeezuz
Some may say that today is a sad day, others that is should be a happy day while even others tell you that it is just a day. Maybe it is, but just to add a little spice in our lives, today marks the last day of my twenty-third year of life on Planet Earth. Technically speaking I have been around for more than that (considering that anti-abortionists say that life begins at conception, and in that state, I have my own values and rights (such as kicking my mum in the belly whenever I feel like it)), but anyway, let us stick to conventions.
Oh well, it is over, another year gone by.
Next one please...yes you!
What's your name? Yes you!
'24'
Jeeezuz
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