Another humorous note: This fantastic British skit from The One Ronnie.
50 Page Friday: The Abyss Beyond Dreams
9 years ago
Sunday, October 16, 2011
On a Lighter Note...
Congrats to my favorite Kiwi All-Blacks who triumphed over Australia in the rugby semi-finals. The All-Blacks will face France on October 23 for the Rugby World Cup.
Aspiring astronomers should look toward the Big Dipper soon to get a glimpse of a one of the brightest supernovas in the last century. Soon the light will fade so that it will only be visible to professional astronomical equipment.
A bit of humor for my Dutch friends and for any ex-pats living in the Netherlands: You Know You've Been in the Netherlands for Too Long When...
And finally... a product of the iAge, this one-year-old knows how to use an iPad but can't comprehend traditional magazines. They must be broken!
Aspiring astronomers should look toward the Big Dipper soon to get a glimpse of a one of the brightest supernovas in the last century. Soon the light will fade so that it will only be visible to professional astronomical equipment.
A bit of humor for my Dutch friends and for any ex-pats living in the Netherlands: You Know You've Been in the Netherlands for Too Long When...
And finally... a product of the iAge, this one-year-old knows how to use an iPad but can't comprehend traditional magazines. They must be broken!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Hemingway's New City
This summer, NYT launched a debate on Europe's most vibrant city as a cultural hub and center of culture. Many of the critics seem stuck in a debate over London vs. Berlin. Others have considered Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, and more.
While London is definitely an economic center and global city and Berlin is certainly a vibrant city for young Germans and ex-pats seeking alternative culture, I would argue that this list should include more cities in Central Europe such as Budapest and Prague, and perhaps in Southeastern Europe Belgrade and Sarajevo. Too many Western Europeans and Americans seem to forget that the nations of Central and Eastern Europe when thinking of the European continent, and these cities have become bustling cultural hubs and havens for young people seeking cheap(er) rent, culture, and intellect in the center of Europe.
Hemingway and the other writers of the 1920s would probably be among them.
Where Would Hemingway Go?
Cross-posted to Transitions 21
While London is definitely an economic center and global city and Berlin is certainly a vibrant city for young Germans and ex-pats seeking alternative culture, I would argue that this list should include more cities in Central Europe such as Budapest and Prague, and perhaps in Southeastern Europe Belgrade and Sarajevo. Too many Western Europeans and Americans seem to forget that the nations of Central and Eastern Europe when thinking of the European continent, and these cities have become bustling cultural hubs and havens for young people seeking cheap(er) rent, culture, and intellect in the center of Europe.
Hemingway and the other writers of the 1920s would probably be among them.
Where Would Hemingway Go?
Cross-posted to Transitions 21
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering 9/11
The media has been filled with commemorations of this somber tenth anniversary. For Americans, especially those of us who lived close enough to know the Towers well, the shock has never really gone away. Perhaps the world did change after these attacks, or at least the individual world for many people. Suddenly the world did not seem to secure, and the home that had always seemed safe, that had never been invaded, that was half a world away from any horrors of war-- suddenly war had come to our shores, killing thousands of innocent civilians.
We never will forget, and every five or ten years we will focus all of our energies again on contemplating this anniversary, remembering where we were and considering how the world has changed since that date. The victims and heroes will always be honored, and I hope that future generations who do not have personal memories of the horror will still keep this day hallowed. We will look back to Sept. 10, 2001, and all the days before it as the golden era, the days free from fear or threat. They were not, but with the nostalgia of hindsight, they will seem calm and serene in the chaotic decade that followed.
We'll never get over it, nor should we; the anniversary from a New Yorker's POV
The Man in the Red Bandana
Chomsky's views on 9/11 and the aftermath
Eleventh Day: The Full Story of 9/11 and Osama Bin Laden, book promotion interview
Remembering United 93, let's roll
The Life and Fall of the Towers, photo montage from the 28 year life of the World Trade Center
My first visit back to Ground Zero, summer 2008 before any construction on the memorial had begun
We never will forget, and every five or ten years we will focus all of our energies again on contemplating this anniversary, remembering where we were and considering how the world has changed since that date. The victims and heroes will always be honored, and I hope that future generations who do not have personal memories of the horror will still keep this day hallowed. We will look back to Sept. 10, 2001, and all the days before it as the golden era, the days free from fear or threat. They were not, but with the nostalgia of hindsight, they will seem calm and serene in the chaotic decade that followed.
We'll never get over it, nor should we; the anniversary from a New Yorker's POV
The Man in the Red Bandana
Chomsky's views on 9/11 and the aftermath
Eleventh Day: The Full Story of 9/11 and Osama Bin Laden, book promotion interview
Remembering United 93, let's roll
The Life and Fall of the Towers, photo montage from the 28 year life of the World Trade Center
My first visit back to Ground Zero, summer 2008 before any construction on the memorial had begun
Friday, August 26, 2011
Do widzenia
Unbelievably, I leave Poland later today. It's quite surreal. I've said my goodbyes to the city, packed my bags, met with friends, and eaten my last plate of pierogi. Yet it still hasn't quite sunk in that I'm about to leave the place that has been my home for more than a year now.
I have been traveling all summer, and one of these days I will update more thoroughly with stories and suggestions. For now, suffice to say, I'm really going to miss Poland and Slavic Europe. But I'll be back soon.
Do zobaczenia!
I have been traveling all summer, and one of these days I will update more thoroughly with stories and suggestions. For now, suffice to say, I'm really going to miss Poland and Slavic Europe. But I'll be back soon.
Do zobaczenia!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Poznań on CNN
CNN featured Poznań and her lanterns; apparently the count is up to 11K: Celebrating summer with 11,000 lanterns
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Noc Kupały Lanterns
Here's my video of the lanterns of June 21. Hope it doesn't make you too dizzy. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Ode to Summer
Poznań looked something like this last night:
Actually, it looked more like this and this (first batches of pictures on Facebook). My videos coming soon.
In celebration of the shortest night of the year, the first day of summer, the summer solstice, and Kupala's Night (Noc Kupały), Poznanians gathered on the banks of the Warta river by Św. Rocha bridge and released thousands of lanterns into the night sky. This was the first year that they did it, but I think it will become a tradition. Estimates are saying 6000-8000 lanterns were released, making it a record for Poland (and possibly Europe).
More traditional Kupala celebrations (also known as the Feast of St. John) involve youths going into the forest at night, jumping over bonfires, girls making wreaths of flowers and floating them out on water, and boys swimming out into the lake to catch them. St. John's night (Noc Świętojańska) is usually celebrated June 23-24.
Happy summer!
Actually, it looked more like this and this (first batches of pictures on Facebook). My videos coming soon.
In celebration of the shortest night of the year, the first day of summer, the summer solstice, and Kupala's Night (Noc Kupały), Poznanians gathered on the banks of the Warta river by Św. Rocha bridge and released thousands of lanterns into the night sky. This was the first year that they did it, but I think it will become a tradition. Estimates are saying 6000-8000 lanterns were released, making it a record for Poland (and possibly Europe).
More traditional Kupala celebrations (also known as the Feast of St. John) involve youths going into the forest at night, jumping over bonfires, girls making wreaths of flowers and floating them out on water, and boys swimming out into the lake to catch them. St. John's night (Noc Świętojańska) is usually celebrated June 23-24.
Happy summer!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
POTUS in PL
President Obama wrapped up this week's European tour with a stop in Warszawa, Poland. His talks focused on mending fences between the two countries, but he remained mum on the issue that causes the most discontent among Polish people: the visa restrictions. Along with most of the former-Eastern Bloc turned-EU member states, Polish citizens are required to get a visa to even visit the U.S. With many relatives and friends in the U.S. (especially in Chicago), Poles are anxious to have this restriction lifted.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Friday Oddities
A collection of amusing videos for you today from around the world.
Knut, the famous polar bear of the Berlin zoo, died suddenly about a month ago. A controversy is still going on about his fate after death, but here's his famous, ridiculously sweet song once more:
Japan explains the nuclear crisis to kids using Nuclear Boy's stomachache.
"How I Met Your Mother" Russian remake... watch for very blond, tall Lily.
Finally, in honor of Passover, what if Moses had facebook?
Knut, the famous polar bear of the Berlin zoo, died suddenly about a month ago. A controversy is still going on about his fate after death, but here's his famous, ridiculously sweet song once more:
Japan explains the nuclear crisis to kids using Nuclear Boy's stomachache.
"How I Met Your Mother" Russian remake... watch for very blond, tall Lily.
Finally, in honor of Passover, what if Moses had facebook?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Smoleńsk: A Year Later
A year ago today, the plane carrying Polish President Kaczyński, his wife, and countless other senior officials in the Polish government crashed in the forests of Smoleńsk, Russia. The leaders of the Polish government were on their way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyń massacre. All 96 people on board the plane were killed. Many consider this one of the worst tragedies Poland has suffered since World War II.
The tragedy has since become politicized, including the debates over a cross in front of the presidential palace in Warsaw, where Kaczyński should be buried*, the heated divisive politics of twin brother Jarosław Kaczyński and others, and even clashes over the wording of the memorial plague and how the solemn anniversary should be commemorated. Relations between Poland and Russia, which initially seemed to thaw, have since returned to a questionable state, though leaders from both countries continue to commemorate the 2010 Smoleńsk tragedy as well as the 1940 Katyń tragedy this year.
* Rather than being well-loved by all, he was a rather divisive figure, yet he was buried with Polish kings and heroes in the Wawel Cathedral of Kraków, a place considered to be THE heart of the Polish nation
The tragedy has since become politicized, including the debates over a cross in front of the presidential palace in Warsaw, where Kaczyński should be buried*, the heated divisive politics of twin brother Jarosław Kaczyński and others, and even clashes over the wording of the memorial plague and how the solemn anniversary should be commemorated. Relations between Poland and Russia, which initially seemed to thaw, have since returned to a questionable state, though leaders from both countries continue to commemorate the 2010 Smoleńsk tragedy as well as the 1940 Katyń tragedy this year.
* Rather than being well-loved by all, he was a rather divisive figure, yet he was buried with Polish kings and heroes in the Wawel Cathedral of Kraków, a place considered to be THE heart of the Polish nation
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Shut it Down
The deadline for a likely federal government shutdown in the U.S. is rapidly approaching. 5.5 hours remain, and counting...
It's late for me, so all I will say is this. If it's an issue of disagreement on spending as Republicans claim, then our politicians really need to get their acts together (but we knew this already), and they should start acting on the proposition that's floating around on some social media sites that all elected officials take a 20% cut to their own salaries for each day that they can't reach a compromise. Wishful thinking, but still.
But if it's like Democrats claim and the impasse is the question of Planned Parenthood... well, I'm at a loss. I believe in women's equality and women's rights, but I'm against abortion. That being said, I support Planned Parenthood. How many times does it have to be said that federal money is not and CANNOT be used to fund abortions?! Instead, the money to Planned Parenthood is used to fund basic rights of women for health, including screenings for breast and cervical cancer, HIV testing, treatment of STDs and more. And yet, according to the Washington Post, Republicans are claiming that "federal funding for those services frees up more private funds for abortions". You have got to be kidding me. Federal funding for those services also frees up women's ability to, you know, pay for food and bills and care for the children that they do have.
I do not support everything that Planned Parenthood does, especially if the stories are true that some employees coerce women going through a difficult time to have an abortion. But at the same time, I do not support the so-called "emergency pregnancy centers" started by anti-abortion groups that provide only limited information to pregnant women, and, in the end, provide no help to her to give a healthy life to her child.
The abortion debate in the U.S. has reached an impasse, much like the budget debate in Congress. The situation has been polarized to for and against, with no middle ground. And yet, how are pro-lifers protesting outside of abortion clinics (or worse, bombing them) helping life? If pro-life activists and politicians are truly pro-life, where are the programs to actually support women and their children after they are born? Pro-life does not stop after the child leaves the womb, but indeed, this is perhaps the time when the life needs even more attention and support. Similarly, pro-choice advocates and politicians must reconcile with the facts of science that there is indeed a separate creature in the womb from the early days of pregnancy with all the early features of a full-grown human being. This is a separate life, not simply an extension of the woman's body. Is it really simply her right to decide what happens to this separate creature? But if it is not solely her right, then society must provide the support necessary for her to care for it and be able to continue her life fully while providing for another. Unfortunately, I can't see this happening any time soon.
In the end, I must conclude that a proposal to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood is decidedly anti- pro-life. The services that are funded are those very services (limited though they are) that enable women to have a healthy life and care for the children that they bring into the world. Isn't that what pro-life means?
EDIT: Also, mind you, this whole debate is only $80 million in the federal budget. In terms of the federal deficit and other federal spending, that is mere pennies! Yes, a penny saved is a penny earned, but have you looked at our defense budget recently?
*And I haven't even touched on the correlation between birth control and dramatic increases in women's equality in developing (and developed!) countries.
It's late for me, so all I will say is this. If it's an issue of disagreement on spending as Republicans claim, then our politicians really need to get their acts together (but we knew this already), and they should start acting on the proposition that's floating around on some social media sites that all elected officials take a 20% cut to their own salaries for each day that they can't reach a compromise. Wishful thinking, but still.
But if it's like Democrats claim and the impasse is the question of Planned Parenthood... well, I'm at a loss. I believe in women's equality and women's rights, but I'm against abortion. That being said, I support Planned Parenthood. How many times does it have to be said that federal money is not and CANNOT be used to fund abortions?! Instead, the money to Planned Parenthood is used to fund basic rights of women for health, including screenings for breast and cervical cancer, HIV testing, treatment of STDs and more. And yet, according to the Washington Post, Republicans are claiming that "federal funding for those services frees up more private funds for abortions". You have got to be kidding me. Federal funding for those services also frees up women's ability to, you know, pay for food and bills and care for the children that they do have.
I do not support everything that Planned Parenthood does, especially if the stories are true that some employees coerce women going through a difficult time to have an abortion. But at the same time, I do not support the so-called "emergency pregnancy centers" started by anti-abortion groups that provide only limited information to pregnant women, and, in the end, provide no help to her to give a healthy life to her child.
The abortion debate in the U.S. has reached an impasse, much like the budget debate in Congress. The situation has been polarized to for and against, with no middle ground. And yet, how are pro-lifers protesting outside of abortion clinics (or worse, bombing them) helping life? If pro-life activists and politicians are truly pro-life, where are the programs to actually support women and their children after they are born? Pro-life does not stop after the child leaves the womb, but indeed, this is perhaps the time when the life needs even more attention and support. Similarly, pro-choice advocates and politicians must reconcile with the facts of science that there is indeed a separate creature in the womb from the early days of pregnancy with all the early features of a full-grown human being. This is a separate life, not simply an extension of the woman's body. Is it really simply her right to decide what happens to this separate creature? But if it is not solely her right, then society must provide the support necessary for her to care for it and be able to continue her life fully while providing for another. Unfortunately, I can't see this happening any time soon.
In the end, I must conclude that a proposal to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood is decidedly anti- pro-life. The services that are funded are those very services (limited though they are) that enable women to have a healthy life and care for the children that they bring into the world. Isn't that what pro-life means?
EDIT: Also, mind you, this whole debate is only $80 million in the federal budget. In terms of the federal deficit and other federal spending, that is mere pennies! Yes, a penny saved is a penny earned, but have you looked at our defense budget recently?
*And I haven't even touched on the correlation between birth control and dramatic increases in women's equality in developing (and developed!) countries.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A Glimpse of Erasmus in 30 Seconds
So many languages from all over the world, same message. Because washing machines live longer with Calgon.
Calgon jingle sung by native speakers in: Romanian, German, Italian, Polish, French, Portuguese, and Croatian.
Calgon jingle sung by native speakers in: Romanian, German, Italian, Polish, French, Portuguese, and Croatian.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Today's News
Mubarak is out, and the results of the referendum of Southern Sudan are in.
Edit: here are some amazing pictures during the revolution (via FB) and jubilation after.
Edit: here are some amazing pictures during the revolution (via FB) and jubilation after.
Life Lessons
The water in Poznań is not exactly clean. Even the locals don't drink it. It doesn't contain pathogens or other deadly substances (as far as I know), but everyone buys bottled water. Maybe it's because the pipes are old, maybe it's because Poznań is far from any mountains, or maybe it's because it just doesn't taste good. My green sentiments were revolted by the idea of buying so much bottled water, but when in Rome, sometimes it's best to do as the Romans do.
The sanitary situation of the water was most evidenced by my electric tea kettle. After only a month of boiling the local tap water, I was repulsed by metallic pieces that started to chip away from the interior bottom of the kettle and float in the hot water. First the flat shiny metal bottom became dull, then brown, then green, then brown again with a greenish hue. I almost bought a new kettle until some friends assured me that this would happen to any hot pot boiling Poznań water and that the unknown substances that flaked off the bottom were harmless. Good thing the spout has a filter to keep them out of my tea cup when pouring. Still, I thought I might be slowly killing myself with carcinogens of some sort.
Today, that changed at last. After making a few volcanoes of baking soda and vinegar that did nothing to clean the inside, a friend suggested simply boiling the vinegar and letting it sit. And WOW. What a difference! I wish I had before and after pictures. For the first time in six months, I can see shiny metal again, and I don't feel like I'm dying by drinking tea!
So maybe the moral of this story is to always have vinegar on hand to clean things. Or to not wait six months to ask for help. Or to not drink the tap water in Poznań.
The only downside is that now my room reeks of vinegar.
As a side note, the tap water in Gdańsk is delicious, so it might only be the more central parts of the country (no mountains) that have a tap water problem.
The sanitary situation of the water was most evidenced by my electric tea kettle. After only a month of boiling the local tap water, I was repulsed by metallic pieces that started to chip away from the interior bottom of the kettle and float in the hot water. First the flat shiny metal bottom became dull, then brown, then green, then brown again with a greenish hue. I almost bought a new kettle until some friends assured me that this would happen to any hot pot boiling Poznań water and that the unknown substances that flaked off the bottom were harmless. Good thing the spout has a filter to keep them out of my tea cup when pouring. Still, I thought I might be slowly killing myself with carcinogens of some sort.
Today, that changed at last. After making a few volcanoes of baking soda and vinegar that did nothing to clean the inside, a friend suggested simply boiling the vinegar and letting it sit. And WOW. What a difference! I wish I had before and after pictures. For the first time in six months, I can see shiny metal again, and I don't feel like I'm dying by drinking tea!
So maybe the moral of this story is to always have vinegar on hand to clean things. Or to not wait six months to ask for help. Or to not drink the tap water in Poznań.
The only downside is that now my room reeks of vinegar.
As a side note, the tap water in Gdańsk is delicious, so it might only be the more central parts of the country (no mountains) that have a tap water problem.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Time-Lapsed NYC
Another video of a city: A beautiful glimpse of New York City in three minutes. This one definitely deserves a full screen.
NYC - Mindrelic Timelapse from Mindrelic on Vimeo.
Poznań from Above
Here's a third video of Poznań from the brilliant filmmakers of Poznań, I Love You. This one includes shots of the Cytadela (park), Stary Browar (shopping mall), the Rynek and the famous clocktower goats, the Lech Poznań football team, and even the Swięty Marcin parade.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
