The power supply in my PC has snuffed it, so I'm back to my old, trusty laptop for the time being. It's going to cost me around 10,000 yen to get it replaced and I also have to get my PC to the shop (taxi!) so it's going to be a fun week or so with this (rather slow) machine to suffice for my online urges. It goes to show that you should never throw things out!!
Anyway, here's an interesting collection of stories from people who've been scammed while traveling. I'm getting a lot out of it, and I'm sure if you're interested in traveling, you will too!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Eco-fun the world over...
Here's a very nice summary of the effects of the current corn-based bio-fuel explosion.
In Japan, it looks like we're going down the path of Australia in regards to water for this year: this rainy season has been a fizzer so far and if we don't get good rains soon, some dams will be as dry as a dingo's den by the end of next month.
How's about that Global Warming? Try sun-influenced Global Cooling by 2020.
And in other Japan news, there's a society of male virgins here... and they estimate that around one quarter of men between ages 30 and 34 haven't yet done the deed. That would explain a few things!
In Japan, it looks like we're going down the path of Australia in regards to water for this year: this rainy season has been a fizzer so far and if we don't get good rains soon, some dams will be as dry as a dingo's den by the end of next month.
How's about that Global Warming? Try sun-influenced Global Cooling by 2020.
And in other Japan news, there's a society of male virgins here... and they estimate that around one quarter of men between ages 30 and 34 haven't yet done the deed. That would explain a few things!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Aaah, what fun!
The U.S. dollar is going to collapse sending the global economy into a nosedive
There is no such a thing as global terrorism - all we have to fear is the political leadership.
Corn and milk prices are skyrocketing - thankyou ethanol-based bio-fuels!
The Japanese Government has no idea how to attract tourists to the country. (Actually tourists ARE coming but they're asian and the government is busy trying to attract English speakers with Japanese language advertising.... yeah, smart!)
And here is a list of places I'd like to go to spend the summer (well, in particular Berlin, Napoli and Budapest...), written by someone else.
Happy times!
There is no such a thing as global terrorism - all we have to fear is the political leadership.
Corn and milk prices are skyrocketing - thankyou ethanol-based bio-fuels!
The Japanese Government has no idea how to attract tourists to the country. (Actually tourists ARE coming but they're asian and the government is busy trying to attract English speakers with Japanese language advertising.... yeah, smart!)
And here is a list of places I'd like to go to spend the summer (well, in particular Berlin, Napoli and Budapest...), written by someone else.
Happy times!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Quote of the Day
“The loud little handful will shout for war…Then the handful will shout louder. A few fair men on the other side will argue and reason against the war with speech and pen, and at first will have hearing and be applauded; but it will not last long; those others will out shout them and presently the anti-war audiences will thin and lose popularity. Before long you will see the most curious thing: the speakers stoned from the platform, and free speech strangled by hordes of furious men. And now the whole nation will take up the war-cry, and shout itself hoarse, and mob any honest man who ventures to open his mouth; and presently such mouths will cease to open.
“Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after the process of grotesque self-deception.”
- Mark Twain “The Mysterious Stranger” (1916)
Vale Vaxjo
A very interesting article for you about Vaxjo, Sweden - the city with the lowest level of carbon emissions in Europe. What we need is more of this on a world-wide scale - and the courage of governments to get behind it. Small problem, Vaxjo (and Sweden in general) is 20 years ahead of us...
Related (just a little) is a list of the best tech cities in the world. Not surprisingly Seoul tops the list with Tokyo at number three. Sydney? A loooong way down the list.
And to top off the tech issue of Fnersh is an article written by a science fiction writer about how we're never going to be able to colonize the galaxy. Short story, it'll take too much energy and too much time.
Dream on.
Related (just a little) is a list of the best tech cities in the world. Not surprisingly Seoul tops the list with Tokyo at number three. Sydney? A loooong way down the list.
And to top off the tech issue of Fnersh is an article written by a science fiction writer about how we're never going to be able to colonize the galaxy. Short story, it'll take too much energy and too much time.
Dream on.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Japan's impending food crisis...
... at least if you like mayonnaise.
Turns out the global expansion in demand for bio-fuel has hit home with Kewpie Mayonnaise raising its prices 10% (first time in 17 years mind you!) due to rising costs in raw materials, especially canola oil. They aren't the only company either, with the cost of oil, a lot of processed foods are starting to cost more, which could end the end turn deflation into inflation. (Average prices actually fell 0.3% in March compared to a year before)
Some interesting tidbits though.... For example if the entire U.S. corn and soybean production were turned over to biofuel production, it would only offset the use of petroleum by between 2 and 3%. That's all.
What we really need is something else more sustainable in the long term...
Turns out the global expansion in demand for bio-fuel has hit home with Kewpie Mayonnaise raising its prices 10% (first time in 17 years mind you!) due to rising costs in raw materials, especially canola oil. They aren't the only company either, with the cost of oil, a lot of processed foods are starting to cost more, which could end the end turn deflation into inflation. (Average prices actually fell 0.3% in March compared to a year before)
Some interesting tidbits though.... For example if the entire U.S. corn and soybean production were turned over to biofuel production, it would only offset the use of petroleum by between 2 and 3%. That's all.
What we really need is something else more sustainable in the long term...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Fun fantasy reading....
...or maybe not.
This collection of 'what's happening in future tech' contains at least one scary notion (for me anyway) - the idea of data transmission through the skin.
"When you meet someone new, shaking hands won't just be an exchange of pleasantries. You'll also share data directly through skin contact or wireless transfer. Your personal network will then share the information with your mobile devices."
Imagine this. You and your friends are having a drink in a bar, when someone brushes your shoulder innocently as they pass you on the way to get a drink. Seemingly innocent enough. Yet that person has just gleaned all your personal details through a skin hacking device, which they'll use to learn everything from where you live to what kind of toothpaste you buy. Takes stalking to another level, don't you think?
And it's Japan that's taking a lead in research in this field...
Japanese telecommunications giant NTT DoCoMo has achieved data rates of 10 megabits per second over skin.
I guess they'll want to use it to develop faster methods of payment and personal identification verification services and some such - all in the name of saving time. There are already smart-cards being used regularly on public transport and you can pay for goods with your mobile phone just be touching it to a transponder. This is the next step? Just to save a few seconds? No thanks.
This collection of 'what's happening in future tech' contains at least one scary notion (for me anyway) - the idea of data transmission through the skin.
"When you meet someone new, shaking hands won't just be an exchange of pleasantries. You'll also share data directly through skin contact or wireless transfer. Your personal network will then share the information with your mobile devices."
Imagine this. You and your friends are having a drink in a bar, when someone brushes your shoulder innocently as they pass you on the way to get a drink. Seemingly innocent enough. Yet that person has just gleaned all your personal details through a skin hacking device, which they'll use to learn everything from where you live to what kind of toothpaste you buy. Takes stalking to another level, don't you think?
And it's Japan that's taking a lead in research in this field...
Japanese telecommunications giant NTT DoCoMo has achieved data rates of 10 megabits per second over skin.
I guess they'll want to use it to develop faster methods of payment and personal identification verification services and some such - all in the name of saving time. There are already smart-cards being used regularly on public transport and you can pay for goods with your mobile phone just be touching it to a transponder. This is the next step? Just to save a few seconds? No thanks.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Drink drink drink!
Graphic courtesy of economist.com
Turns out the Japanese (and Aussies) aren't the hard drinkers we're supposed to be. According to the Economist we're down at number 36 and 51!
But this was a good read too. On one level it's a heart warming story of an old man who worked for a whisky distillery, but on another you could use it as an example of the sorts of good things a company can do to encourage good relationships with its staff members.
I want a steak dinner!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Been busy....
... so not much blogging.
The past week's been a frenzy of meetings, parties, work and other stuff. This is the first full day of solid relaxation I've had for what seems like ages! Not complaining though. It's been good to hang out with some people I haven't had a chance to for a while, see off some others, as well as do some good things at work.
What's coming up?
Well, there's the Yukata Matsuri which will be on the 22nd and 23rd. I actually have a yukata and geta to wear now, so I'll try to get out amongst the fun and games on the Saturday night.
There are the summer beer gardens. The one on top of the Forus building here in Himeji is well known for having a good vibe, lots of beer and a large variety of (mostly fried) food. We'll all be off there next Sunday night for some fun.
There are also the fireworks festivals. The one at Kakogawa was huge when I went a couple of years ago, but there are lots in the Kansai area which are worth seeing if you can stand the crowds.
It could be quite a long hot summer, so we'll be trying to make the most of it!
The past week's been a frenzy of meetings, parties, work and other stuff. This is the first full day of solid relaxation I've had for what seems like ages! Not complaining though. It's been good to hang out with some people I haven't had a chance to for a while, see off some others, as well as do some good things at work.
What's coming up?
Well, there's the Yukata Matsuri which will be on the 22nd and 23rd. I actually have a yukata and geta to wear now, so I'll try to get out amongst the fun and games on the Saturday night.
There are the summer beer gardens. The one on top of the Forus building here in Himeji is well known for having a good vibe, lots of beer and a large variety of (mostly fried) food. We'll all be off there next Sunday night for some fun.
There are also the fireworks festivals. The one at Kakogawa was huge when I went a couple of years ago, but there are lots in the Kansai area which are worth seeing if you can stand the crowds.
It could be quite a long hot summer, so we'll be trying to make the most of it!
Saving the World...
... by buying it.
An interesting story about what happens when a capitalist starts buying up wilderness areas for conservation purposes. I wonder what would happen if this became a trend amongst the super-rich? On one hand vast areas of the world would be protected from exploitation. On the other hand, local people would be cut off from their homelands. One thing's for sure, you aren't going to please everybody.
An interesting story about what happens when a capitalist starts buying up wilderness areas for conservation purposes. I wonder what would happen if this became a trend amongst the super-rich? On one hand vast areas of the world would be protected from exploitation. On the other hand, local people would be cut off from their homelands. One thing's for sure, you aren't going to please everybody.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
More fun and problems...
I WANT ONE!
I know Microsoft is the personification of evil and all..... but this is soooooooooo cool!
And to think, it'll only cost $5-10,000 .... I still want one!
I could always go to Helsinki for about the same price and play with theirs...
Also, a company has developed solar cells which can operate at 40% efficiency. Hurry up guys! We can still save the world!
There's another nightmarish article about how the biofuel craze is going to affect the average Joe, or Hans in this case. Farmers in Germany have stopped planting Barley and malt in favour of corn, causing a blowout in prices and so beer brewers have had to raise the cost of beer. There will be rioting in the streets, boys and girls.
It'll be a long time before I come back to Australia for a visit, unless someone wants to sponsor me!
And Nessie has surfaced again. I still think The Goodies did it better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)