The End of the World

3 Jan 2012 - Stories like these - from the Daily Mail - freak me out. Thousands of dead herring have been discovered washed up on a north Norwegian beach - prompting Doomsday predictors to hail it as another sign the world is set to end. More than 20 tonnes of the fish is currently carpeting the beach of Kvaenes, in Nordreisa, with experts views differing on how they have to be there. One thing is for sure, it will provide welcome ammunition to those believing the Mayan prophecy that 2012 will bring the end of Earth. Jan-Petter Jorgenson, 44, was walking with his doggy Molly when he found the stinky haul. He said: 'People say that something similar happened in the 80s. Maybe the fish have been caught in a deprived oxygen environment, and then died of fresh water?' Experts have said the school could have been trapped by tidal waters after predatory fish - such as coalfish - chased them towards the shoreline.  Another theory is that the fish were washed ashore during a recent storm, or trapped in shallow waters and affected by freshwater from a river that flows into the bay. Jens Christian Holst, of the Institute of Marine Research, said several factors could have come together at once. And he said he hoped they would be able to conduct tests on the dead fish to see if they had died of a disease.  The incident in Norway is not the only mass death mystery over the New Year. On Sunday, 200 blackbirds mysteriously fell from the sky in a small Arkansas town - although officials now believe the birds were targeted by someone with fireworks, experts say. Last month 25 dead horses were discovered at the bottom of a cliff near Glenn Innes, New England. And similarly bizarre and unexplained massacres took place on the opening days of last year, with millions of spot fish washing up in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, more blackbirds dying in Arkansas, and masses of marine life dying in Louisiana bayou.

Navi

16 Dec.2011 - I picked this from the Wires. The U.N.’s top human rights official has urged countries to abolish legal discrimination against gays, including the death penalty for consensual sex. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says governments should also outlaw all forms of abuse based on sexual orientation. Navi Pillay’s appeal came in a report released Thursday to the 47-nation U.N. Human Rights Council. In June, the Geneva-based body passed a resolution condemning for the first time anti-gay discrimination. It was hailed as historic by the United States, European countries and others, but decried by some African and Muslim nations.

Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen have the death penalty for same-sex relationships on their statute books.

Nobel Peace Prize 2011

11 Dec 2011 - I have been quite for some time, but let's pick things up where I left the. It seems appropriate to honor three women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2011 as a topic for this re-launch of the water-trotter blog. Writing will not be as frequent, but I hope to post regularly.
The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize has been presented to three women at a ceremony in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. This year's award was won jointly by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the president of Liberia, Leymah Gbowee, the Liberian peace activist, and Yemeni pro-democracy campaigner Tawakkol Karman. They were recognized for their "non-violent struggle" for women's safety and for women's rights to participate in peace-building work.Chinese lawyer Liu Xiaobo won in 2010. Each of this year's winners was presented wit

Moon Rock

21 May 2011 -  An American woman is being questioned in California for allegedly trying to sell a moon rock for $1.7m (£1.05m). The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, was held in a sting operation when she showed the rock to a Nasa investigator in Lake Elsinore. Moon rocks are considered national treasure in the United States and their sale is illegal. The rock was recovered but Nasa investigators have not yet determined whether it is genuine. The sting operation had been planned for several months and took place at a restaurant. Gail Robinson, Nasa's deputy inspector general, told the Los Angeles Times: "It's possible this is a moon rock, but it has to be tested first." It quoted Ms Robinson as saying the woman was in custody but had not been formally arrested. Many hundreds of kilograms of rock were collected from Nasa missions to the Moon, mainly during the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 missions.

Jumping Time

9 May 2011 - The South Pacific island nation of Samoa is to jump forward in time by one day in order to boost its economy. Samoa will do this by switching to the west side of the international date line, which it says will make it easier for it to do business with Australia and New Zealand. At present, Samoa is 21 hours behind Sydney. From 29 December it will be three hours ahead. The change comes 119 years after Samoa moved in the opposite direction. Then, it transferred to the east side of the international date line in an effort to aid trade with the US and Europe. However, Australia and New Zealand have increasingly become Samoa's biggest trading partners. Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said: "In doing business with New Zealand and Australia, we're losing out on two working days a week. "While it's Friday here, it's Saturday in New Zealand and when we're at church Sunday, they're already conducting business in Sydney and Brisbane." Samoa is located approximately halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and has a population of 180,000 people.

OBL

3 May 2011 - It is impossible not to write about the death of Osama Bin laden on a day like this. Among all the news about the event I learned that the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden was first revealed on Twitter. Three points for the Social network media! An IT consultant, living in Abbottabad, unknowingly tweeted details of the US-led operation as it happened. Sohaib Athar wrote that a helicopter was hovering overhead shortly before the assault began and said that it might not be a Pakistani aircraft. He only became aware of the significance of his tweets after President Obama announced details of Bin Laden's death. Mr Athar's first posting on the subject came at around 1am local time (9pm BST). He wrote: "Helicopter hovering above Abbottabad at 1AM (is a rare event)." Soon after, he reported the sound of an explosion, now known to have been US forces blowing-up their damaged helicopter.

Easter Bunny

24 April 2011 - Happy Easter. I looked up what Wikipedia says about the Easter Bunny and this is what I found: The Easter Bunny or Easter Hare (sometimes Spring Bunny in the U.S.March 2, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2010) is a character depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs, who sometimes is depicted with clothes. In legend, the creature brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy and sometimes also toys to the homes of children, and as such shows similarities to Father Christmas, as they both bring gifts to children on the night before their respective holiday. It was first mentioned in Georg Franck von Frankenau's De ovis paschalibus (About the Easter Egg) referring to an Alsace tradition of an Easter Hare bringing Easter Eggs (and the negative impact of too much egg consumption).Bringing Easter eggs seems to have its origins in Alsace and the Upper Rhineland in Germany, where the practice was first recorded in a German publication in the 1500s (early 16th century). The first edible Easter Eggs were made in Germany during the early 19th century and were made of pastry and sugar.

Mongolian Customs

27 March 2011 - Mongolians traditionally were afraid of misfortunes and believe in a variety of good and bad omens. Misfortune might be attracted by talking about negative things, or by persons that are often talked about. They might also be sent by some malicious shaman or enraged by breaking some taboo, like stepping on a yurt's threshold, desecrating waters or mountains, etc.The most endangered family members were children, and that's why they would sometimes be given non-names like Nergui (Mongolian for: without name) or Enebish (Mongolian for:: not this one), or boys would be dressed up as girls.Before going out at night, young children's foreheads are sometimes painted with charcoal or soot in order to deceive evil spirits that this is not a child but a rabbit with black hair on the forehead.

Ulaanbaatar

20 March 2011 - Next week I will go to Ulaanbaatar. UB has a long history, and is only now undergoing an industrial revolution. I read that UB is one of the most drab looking cities on the face of the planet, a travesty really, considering it's the capital of one the most beautiful and hospitable countries on earth. Still, as traditionalists, Mongolians love their capital. They understand that it is not an Asian beauty, but in their hearts they are aware of the city's history, culture and many struggles. Foreigners who take the time to get to know the faces that are hidden behind the gray walls will discover a hospitable and warm-hearted people. One is invited to explore the city from different angles, while at the same time do not ignore the abject poverty of many of the ex-nomads who in recent years have come to the city to find work after severe winters have killed their livestock. In this way, one will learn to unlock the city's many secrets and discover an Ulaanbaatar that is not initially revealed to the casual visitor.

OK

23 Feb 2011 - It crops up in our speech dozens of times every day, although it apparently means little. So how did the word "OK" conquer the world, asks Allan Metcalf on the BBC website (www.bbc.co.uk). "OK" is one of the most frequently used and recognised words in the world. It is also one of the oddest expressions ever invented. But this oddity may in large measure account for its popularity. It's odd-looking. It's a word that looks and sounds like an abbreviation, an acronym.We generally spell it OK - the spelling okay is relatively recent, and still relatively rare - and we pronounce it not "ock" but by sounding the names of the letters O and K.Visually, OK pairs the completely round O with the completely straight lines of K.
So both in speech and in writing OK stands out clearly, easily distinguished from other words, and yet it uses simple sounds that are familiar to a multitude of languages.Almost every language has an O vowel, a K consonant, and an A vowel. So OK is a very distinctive combination of very familiar elements. And that's one reason it's so successful. OK stands apart.

The Fifteenth Day

17 Feb 2011 - Chinese New Year celebrations start on the first day on a new moon and end on the 15th day when the moon is full. In Malaysia, Chap Goh Meh is a celebration of both the final day of the Chinese New Year and the day of lovers, also known as "Chinese Valentine's Day". The Chinese New Year marks also the beginning of spring and the 15 days used to be a farmers only holiday, in part because it was also the coldest time of the year. The frozen ground was too hard to work. Whatever the practical reasons, these two weeks became a time for extended family gatherings, lots of food and festivities and carefully observed rituals designed to invite in the good luck and ward off the bad. But from tomorrow onwards we are back to normal.

Beliefs and Traditions

13 Feb 2011 - We are now more than a week into the Year of the Rabbit and it has been so far so good. Ther are beliefs and traditions regarding luck and prosperity during the Chinese New Year period. Unfounded or not, many Chinese people practise these beliefs without question believing it is better to be safe than sorry. For example, every Chinese family cleans the entire house in the days before the New Year as it is considered bad luck to sweep or clean the house on the first day of the new year. They would not want to sweep their fortunes away. I was told some even apply this to washing their hair. Foul language, scolding and crying are to be avoided on the first day as is the use of sharp instruments such as knives and scissors. Care must be taken not to break any dishes or things. If you do, the broken pieces must be kept and only thrown away the following day. Chinese businesses usually close during the first days, only opening again on the fifth day. All business debts must be settled  and nothing should be lent on the first day as anyone who does will be lending the entire year. 

Not So Cuddly Year

2 Feb 2011 - Kung Hei Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year! The Year of the Rabbit conjures images of fluffly bunnies, but fortune tellers across Asia predict that the coming year on the Asian lunar calendar will be anything but cuddly. Among key predictions for the new year are terrorist threats, continuous tensions between the USA and China, natural disasters all around the world and a wobbly global economy. Even Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is not immune from the prognostications, although both were born in the year of the rabbit. Their longtime relationship is predicted to come under pressure. In feng shui, the Year of the Rabbit is associated with the natural elements of metal and wood. This is likely recipe for conflict, according to Hong Kong feng shui master Raymond Lo. Taipei based colleague Tsai Shang-Cai agrees and feels that the West will suffer from vicious energy and will be prone to more terrorist attacks. He also predicts tensions between North- and South Korea.

Birthday

31 Jan 2011 - It's my Birthday today - not my favorite day of the year. I wondered what Wikipedia has to say about the concept of "birthdays". It is explained that many cultures have one or more coming of age birthdays. Jewish boys become bar mitzvah on their 13th birthday and Jewish girls become bat mitzvah on their 12th birthday. In North America, families often mark a girl's 16th birthday with a Sweet sixteen celebration, and in Hispanic-American countries the quinceallera celebration traditionally marks a girl's 15th birthday.In Indian Hindu culture the 12th or 13th birthday is replaced with a grand "thread ceremony". The child takes a blessed thread and wears it, symbolizing his coming of age. However, some Asian countries that follow the Zodiac calendar have a tradition of celebrating the 60th birthday. The birthdays of historically significant people, like national heroes or founders, are often commemorated by an official holiday. Some saints are remembered by a liturgical feast (sometimes on a presumed birthday). By analogy, the Latin term Dies natalis is applied to the anniversary of an institution (such as a university). A person's Golden or Grand Birthday, also referred to as their "Lucky Birthday", "Champagne Birthday" or "Star Birthday", occurs when they turn the age of their birth day (e.g., when someone born on the 26th of the month turns 26). Too bad a month does not have 49 days.

Cooking Your Phone

26 Jan 2011 - A south Korean man has been arrested for allegedly cooking his mobile phone in a microwave and then claiming damages from the manufacturer Samsung Electronics. The 28-years old man identified only as Lee is accused of accepting compensation of five million won from the firm after claiming his phone has exploded while being charged. But the National Institute of Scientific Investigation concluded the phone was "artificially modified" because of exposure to electromagnetic waves in a microwave, police said in a statement. Lee staged about 50 one-man protests in front of Samsung HQ and at Incheon International airport before receiving the compensation from the company.

KL/Amsterdam

22 Jan 2011 - The last weeks I heard about a number of incidents involving bag-snatching, pickpocketing and theft in town. I had this (stupid) impression that Kuala Lumpur is a relatively safe city, but it turns out to be a city like any other in the world, where junks and criminals are always on the look-out preying for an opportunity to make some quick bucks. It reminds of the zillion times that my bicycle got stolen in Amsterdam. Bicycle-theft is probably still a reality for students and other folks in Amsterdam, but I read that the city also tops the Dutch list of car thefts. In particular the Volkswagen Golf appears to be popular. More than 17,000 cars were stolen in Holland In 2010, and 2,200 car thefts occurred in Amsterdam. Wow! This figure is about the same as 5 years ago, which must be quite frustrating for the police officers in charge and of course for the victim car-owners. I remember that miserable feeling when you realized that your bicycle had been stolen, but - damn - how lousy would it feel if your car is missing from its parking place?

Ophiuchus

18 Jan 2011 - So, I thought I was an Aquarius, but after reading about a new zodiac sign it seems this is no longer true. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune a 13th constellation, Ophiuchus - Greek for serpent bearer - is being widely regarded as a new zodiac sign. Astronomy instructor Parke Kunkle also explains that the moon's gravitation pull has made the earth "wobble" around its axis which shifts the stars allignment with about a month. So suddenly I find myself being a Capricorn! Astronomers are quoted saying this is nothing new as Pphiuchus has been there for thousands of years, but that the ancients who discovered the constellations left out one constellation to fit the months of the calendar. The news has also reached social platform Twitter, where people reacted in shock. Twitter-bird @HarryPotterish said "First we were told that Pluto is not a planet and now there is a new zodiac sign: childhood was a bloody lie!".or @geezi who twittered "Damn you Ophiuchus, I was born a Virgo and I will die a Virgo." Anyway, if you are born between Nov 30 - Dec 17, you are Ophiuchus.

Dumb and dumber

6 Jan 2011 - It is not something we like to admit easily, but it seems that the human race may actually becoming increasingly dumb. Man's brain has been gradually shrinking over the last 20,000 years from 1,500 cubic centimeters to 1,350 cubic centimeters - losing a chunk the size of a tennis ball. The female brain has shrunk by about the same proportion. Luckily, most scientists believe that the fact the size of teh brain is decreasing does not mean our intelligence is in decline as well. Some believe that our brains are smaller but increasingly efficient. There are several theories for the shrinking brain. One is that big heads were necessary to survive prehistoric life, which involved cold, outdoor activities. Another theory believes that skulls developed to cope with a chewy diet of rabbits, reindeer, foxes and horses. As our food is now much easier to chew, our heads stopped growing. There is - however - hope. A recent study found out that our brain is on the rise again. Maybe we get smarter at last.

New Language

4 Jan 2010 - The Lake Superior State University in Sault St. Marie, Illinois, USA released its annual list of banished words, terms so overused, misused and hackneyed they deserve to be sent to a permanent linguistic trash can in 2011. "Viral" often used to describe the rapid spreading of videos or other content over the internet, leads the list for the year 2010. Runners up include "epic" and "fail" often twinned to describe a blunder of monumental proportions. Fourteen words were on the list. Cliched terms such as "wow factor" , "a-ha moment", "back story" and "BFF" (Best Friend Forever) rated highly. The very au courant use of "Facebook" and "google" as verbs got a thumbs down as well. As usual, election-cycle zingers and catchwords quickly look as worn out as last year's campaign posters. The word "Mama Grizzlies", used to describe right-wing female politicians is therefore also on the list. Did somebody say Sarah Palin?

Nature Ruled

28 Dec 2010 - Mother Nature was on uncommonly unkind this year. Haiti's earthquake left 230,000 dead, and monsoons left one fifth of Pakistan under water. An Antarctic collision between an iceberg and a glacier gouged out a chunk of sea ice the size of Luxembourg. An effusive Icelandic volcano stranded travelers across Europe, and the winter was so warm that Canadian could not even make ice for their Olympics. BP could not plug the leak and an octopus made more accurate - but unfortunate - predictions than most economists did. Most of, 33 trapped miners returned one by one from their near grave. Miracles did happen and Mother Nature ruled (with thanks to Time Magazine, who published an extended version of this piece).