Warning: this blog may contain gratuitous science and godlessness.
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Latest Posts
Humour
Browsing through the shelves of my local bookseller I noticed an unusual book prominently displayed in the humour section between the Calvin & Hobbes and Mad books:
The Holy Bible.
Someone apparently thought that was funny or wanted to make a statement, well, it certainly made me laugh. It is undeniably a source of inspiration, if nothing else:
Resolutions?
Right, so it is the New Year and traditionally people make loads of resolutions, aiming to improve their life. This is apparent when watching TV, as adverts concentrate on diet pills, workout equipment and smoking-quitting aids.
This will last until February, the month when all resolutions wither and die.
But alright, I'll go for it too, but I like concrete objectives. I am going to read Bertrand Russell's The History of Western Philosophy, because apart from my mandatory - and therefore much loathed - course in Philosophy of Science way back when, I am a complete and utter nitwit in philosophy.
Wish me luck!
Burqini
So the Netherlands have this great new party: the party for freedom (PVV). Which in the great tradition of newspeak actually means party against freedom. Fleur Agema, MP for the PVV, uses the apparently copious time of the Dutch parliament and secretary of state of Sports for questions about a "new" threat to our society and its precious values:
This swimming attire for women covers the whole body, much like a wetsuit does, so allowing Muslim women to, for example, go to the beach and swim in the sea.
What is Agema's problem with the burqini? Well, she thinks it is unhygienic and unsafe and unwanted.
Unhygienic - the mind boggles. why would a burqini be more or less hygienic than a thong, a speedo or this; wholesome wear? This "argument" in particular speaks volumes on the level the PVV thinks of Muslims. And unsafe? Whose safety is she worried about, the Muslim women dragged down by the weight of their clothes? Ha, I doubt she could care less... Unwanted? Meh. I don't agree with the secretary of state that the Burqini will contribute to integration necessarily, as it will emphasise differences rather than overcome them, but at least it will reduce segregation in some respects, no?
Hey, at least the Burqini offers the best protection against sun burn, and perhaps jellyfish, and it could be a fab solution for those that do not feel at all comfortable in a regular swimsuit or bikini. Ideally everybody should make up their own mind about how much skin to show. But I guess we are far from that perfect world where patriarchy, religion, sexism and bigotry are non-entities.
Oh, as for parliament, please don't waste my dear tax money on more of this piffle, it's not like there aren't any real problems left to solve mmmmmkay?
Merry Xmas
to y'all.
For me, it is a bitter one due to a death in the family.
Friday non-random ten
These are my current top ten most played according to iTunes:
Smells like teen spirit - Tori Amos The only acceptable cover of that Nirvana masterpiece. She made this song her own (and you can actually understand the lyrics this time)
Sugar - Superchumbo Samantha Fox is not dead, sugar
Milkshake - Kelis 'Cause her milkshake brings the boys to the yard...
This is not America - David Bowie That is funny, because last time I looked out of my window, it is...
Memories of green - Vangelis I am a geek. 'Nuff said. The Blade Runner Final Cut is in theaters now - and it is AWEsome!
Des armes - Noir Desir Beautiful song, though Cantat is still a wife-murdering fucktard.
On & on - Erikah Badu Calms me down and picks me up.
Grandpa was an alien - King Brillo With a song title like that, what more do you need?
Faint - Linkin Park Angsty anger as trademarked by Linkin Park. I will NOT be ignored!
Stabat Mater Dolorosa - Pergolesi See, this list is skewed since I listen to my ipod in my car. Nothing better than a phat beat while driving...
Beautiful rain
The Ko'olau range on Oahu, HI, is beautiful under absolutely all circumstances, as seen here from Ho'omaluhia botanical garden on the windward side. Rain intensifies the greens on its steep slopes, and when enough rain falls, numerous waterfalls appear. And then there are the spectacular rainbows.
Haleiwa beach after the rain
The North Shore of Oahu, surf's up!
Chinaman's hat
Also known as Mokoli'i Island (little lizard) in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, one of the many beautiful sights to be found along Kamehameha Highway.
WTF is up with NL?
I kept quiet (on this blog) when the Dutch Parliament decided to keep blasphemy illegal. But What. The. Hell. is up with that?
I tried to ignore them talking about the ongoing sexualization (what does that even mean?) of Dutch society - rampant nudity OMG!
But with today's discussion on outlawing violent video games and the fact that my blog is only rated PG, I have only this to say:
Shitfuckcock.
Now I am off to spend some quality time with Spartan 117.
Koi and swan
Turducken
Today is Thanksgiving day (or "You're welcome day" as a Native American comedian so graciously put it). The air is filled with the smell of roasting turkey and at around 17:00 this great nation will be in a tryptophan induced food coma.
My culinary surprise this year was the discovery of an abomination called Turducken.
Yes that is actually a chicken stuffed into a duck, stuffed into a turkey. Or... how to get rid of half a petting zoo in one meal.
Bon appétit!
The Fall
Not only are there interesting beasties around here, there seems to be something awful going on with the trees, some kind of disease maybe? Their leaves have all turned fiery orange, yellow or red. Kind of beautiful, I guess - in a morbid way.
Also, it is insanely cold here, this morning I could swear my car was covered in... ice??
That's just so... wrong...
Lolcentipede?
So... this new place I moved to... has some interesting arthropod indoor wildlife:
This is a house centipede - Scutigera coleoptrata which is originally found in the Mediterranean, but has successfully spread to much of the rest of the world, living in houses. It is a fairly useful house guest as it is a voracious hunter and so will keep your house free of other critters. Still, when I see one I will catch it and throw it outside... too many legs!
Paradise lost
The inevitable has happened: I have left the Islands for other shores.
It breaks my heart and I will probably never again be able to listen to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's honeyed voice without becoming misty-eyed. Hawaii is truly a magical place, where life has a different rhythm, that of the waves, of the rains and the gentle trade winds. I can still recall the day I arrived, full of expectation. The first thing I noticed was the sweet smell of flowers. The next was the warmth of the people, who, with great hospitality, took care of me and instantly made me feel at home. That feeling only became stronger, thanks to my lovely new friends.
Now that I have left, I have a hole in my heart, part of me is left, staring at the ocean on one of the beautiful beaches, wandering through the rain forest, smelling the plumeria.
My life will never be the same.
Mahalo nui loa.
Rowrrrr
I want it.
Let me rephrase that: I need it.
Come on, the Leopard has a friggin' time machine, everyone needs one of those!
