Friday, December 30, 2005
Dubya's Holiday Greeting
Click on 2-0-5 George Bush's Year in Review! Don't forget to turn on your sound!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Goodbye Siesta
At a time where I'm on full-time siesta (changing jobs; taking out weeks of saved vacation), Spain has (finally) decided to scrap the siesta. A long overdue decision, I'll say. My friend Céline has often complained about being forced to take siesta while working in a Barcelona suburb where there's nothing to do and too far away for being able to return home for the break.
But from this week all Spanish government employees (actually, since Céline works in the private sector, this might not actually solve her problem) will take one hour lunch, as is customary in most other European countries. And between 12 noon and 1 pm, not after two in the afternoon. The new legislation will allow employees to return home by six pm instead of eight or nine, and give them more time for family and friends.
One of the main reasons for the change is that is that the traditional siesta has not exactly helped Spain's competitiveness. Spaniards work more than most countries in the world - tenth place when it comes to working hours - but their type of "work ethic" does not translate into productivity or efficiency. In addition, Spanish workers sleep 40 minutes less every night compared to the average European. A more urgent rationale is the fact that in a globalised world, Spain cannot keep on closing offices and switchboards for three hours in the afternoon, when the rest of the world stays open. Shops adopted new hours already years ago.
So this should be a welcome change for Spain as an economy and for the Spanish people.
But from this week all Spanish government employees (actually, since Céline works in the private sector, this might not actually solve her problem) will take one hour lunch, as is customary in most other European countries. And between 12 noon and 1 pm, not after two in the afternoon. The new legislation will allow employees to return home by six pm instead of eight or nine, and give them more time for family and friends.
One of the main reasons for the change is that is that the traditional siesta has not exactly helped Spain's competitiveness. Spaniards work more than most countries in the world - tenth place when it comes to working hours - but their type of "work ethic" does not translate into productivity or efficiency. In addition, Spanish workers sleep 40 minutes less every night compared to the average European. A more urgent rationale is the fact that in a globalised world, Spain cannot keep on closing offices and switchboards for three hours in the afternoon, when the rest of the world stays open. Shops adopted new hours already years ago.
So this should be a welcome change for Spain as an economy and for the Spanish people.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Holiday Greetings
A bit late... but Merry Christmas! Or the more p.c. Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays. Or God Jul in Swedish. And Happy New Year!
P.S. Will try to post some pictures from Canada. I haven't really made a habit of posting photos but perhaps it should be a new year's resolution for my blog.
P.S. Will try to post some pictures from Canada. I haven't really made a habit of posting photos but perhaps it should be a new year's resolution for my blog.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Toronto
Just a quick post that I'm currently visiting some friends in Toronto, Canada. At the moment it's snowing heavily but hopefully I'll be able to (get home from this Internet cafe and) visit the Shoe Museum and Niagara Falls before I leave on Sunday! So far I've mostly been shopping and hanging out with my friend Helena and her baby girl Ester, plus visited the CN Tower.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Quick fix
According to a new study by the Swedish Ministry of Finance, 82 % of taxes paid are refunded, i.e. benefitting the tax payer him/herself; 45 % even in the same year as it is taxed. How? Through subsidised education, grants, childcare, etc.*
* The study covers Sweden, no data on other countries.
* The study covers Sweden, no data on other countries.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Ginger Spice
Yes, I did go to a Spice Girls concert once but that's not what this post is about.
This time of the year, Swedes consume A LOT of ginger thins, or pepparkakor as we call it. We eat them all year around but the holiday season is the peak. Pepparkakor was plentiful already back 1,800 B.C. in Mesopotamia, because they kept long and wasn't attacked by mildew. Roman soldiers used to keep pepparkakor in their rations. In the 15th century nuns in the nunnery at Vadstena baked pepparkakor for medicinal reasons; the spicy and sweet cookies were thought to help with digestion. The Swedish "pepparkaka" refers to old receipes where pepper was one of the medicinal ingredients. Pepper has also been a term used for spices in general.
One of my favourite brand of pepparkakor (except for homemade ones) is Anna's (of course!). Anna's was founded in 1929 by two north Swedes, sisters Anna and Emma Karlsson, who ran a domestic household school and a bakery in Stockholm. The cookies became so popular that the bakery turned into a company and in 1945 the factory was moved to what is now the Stockholm suburbs. 1963 the company was bought by the Mattsson family who still owns it. In 1978 Anna's went abroad and today the company produce over 3,000 tonnes cookies annually, of which 60 % is exported and sold e.g. at IKEAs around the world. In Sweden, Anna's has 45 employees but the cookies are also produced at other locations such as Calgary, Canada, where 500 tonnes cookies come out of the owen.
Swedes are perhaps a bit traditional and prefer the original flavour but in other parts of the world, Anna's has experimented with mint, orange, almond and other flavours. Swedes are more for the combos, such as the original flavour with blue cheese (roquefort or gorgonzola). I know, I didn't believe when I first heard about a few years back, but it's delicious!
This time of the year, Swedes consume A LOT of ginger thins, or pepparkakor as we call it. We eat them all year around but the holiday season is the peak. Pepparkakor was plentiful already back 1,800 B.C. in Mesopotamia, because they kept long and wasn't attacked by mildew. Roman soldiers used to keep pepparkakor in their rations. In the 15th century nuns in the nunnery at Vadstena baked pepparkakor for medicinal reasons; the spicy and sweet cookies were thought to help with digestion. The Swedish "pepparkaka" refers to old receipes where pepper was one of the medicinal ingredients. Pepper has also been a term used for spices in general.
One of my favourite brand of pepparkakor (except for homemade ones) is Anna's (of course!). Anna's was founded in 1929 by two north Swedes, sisters Anna and Emma Karlsson, who ran a domestic household school and a bakery in Stockholm. The cookies became so popular that the bakery turned into a company and in 1945 the factory was moved to what is now the Stockholm suburbs. 1963 the company was bought by the Mattsson family who still owns it. In 1978 Anna's went abroad and today the company produce over 3,000 tonnes cookies annually, of which 60 % is exported and sold e.g. at IKEAs around the world. In Sweden, Anna's has 45 employees but the cookies are also produced at other locations such as Calgary, Canada, where 500 tonnes cookies come out of the owen.
Swedes are perhaps a bit traditional and prefer the original flavour but in other parts of the world, Anna's has experimented with mint, orange, almond and other flavours. Swedes are more for the combos, such as the original flavour with blue cheese (roquefort or gorgonzola). I know, I didn't believe when I first heard about a few years back, but it's delicious!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
e-Wasteland
Some basic but sad facts of e-waste*:
- 4,000 tonnes of toxic e-waste is discarded in the world every hour, equivalent to the weight of 1,000 e-lephants
- Between 1997 and 2007, experts estimate that there will be more than 500 million obsolete computers in the US alone. That includes 2.87 million tonnes plastics, 717,000 tonnes lead, 1.36 million tonnes cadmium, 862,000 tonnes chromium, and 287 tonnes mercury.
- The Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Harzardous Wastes and their Disposal (1994) bans export of all hazardous waste from rich to poor countries for any reason, including recycling. The US, Australia and Canada have failed to ratify the Basel Convention.
- 50-80 % of the e-waste collected for recycling in western US is not recycled domestically, but shipped in containers to destinations such as China
- Imports of e-waste have been illegal in China since 1996, so there is no official figures on how much is coming into the country, but environmental groups and academics estimate that Guiyu alone handles more than a million tonnes of e-waste annually
- In May this year, Greenpeace China tried to shame electronics companies attending a trade show in Beijing by unveiling a 2.7 m high statue in the shape of a wave built using the companies' e-waste collected from Guiyu
- The Computer TakeBack campaign aims to protect the health and well-being of electronic users, workers, and the communities where electronics are produced and discarded, by requiring electronic manufacturers and brand owners to take full responsibility for the life cycle of their products.
Source: Scanorama Magazine, November 2005
*electronic waste
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Teenage Alert
I sometimes check out the blog of an American woman in exile in Skellefteå, which is a town quite far up north in Sweden. She has three children, among them a girl who just turned 9. Last week they headed to the town centre in the afternoon - and by 4 pm it's pretty dark already in Sweden this time of the year. Under the heading "Be afraid... be very afraid", Beverly writes:
"As we were walking from the shopping center to where we had parked the car, Lydia said to me, “I don’t like being in town at night. It’s all dark and scary and the teenagers come. Teenagers come mostly at night, right?”
Hilarious and cute at the same time!
"As we were walking from the shopping center to where we had parked the car, Lydia said to me, “I don’t like being in town at night. It’s all dark and scary and the teenagers come. Teenagers come mostly at night, right?”
Hilarious and cute at the same time!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
The Asylum Tribunal 2005
On Monday evening I attended a very special event here in Stockholm, the Asylum Tribunal. Based on the historic Russell Tribunal of 1967, the Asylum Tribunal investigated a state's crime against humanity. In 1967, experts and prominent guests gathered in Stockholm to determine whether US warfare in Vietnam broke international law. Now Swedish and international expertise met again in Stockholm, but this time the indicted is Sweden itself. Is the Swedish state breaking Swedish law and international conventions to which we are signatories? According to these laws and conventions people who are fleeing persecution and oppression, torture and other inhumane treatment, have the right to receive protection and residence permit in Sweden. But fewer and fewer are granted asylum or residence.
The procedings were led by qualified jurists who called in experts and witnesses: international law experts, legal and political sciencists, doctors, psychiatrists, etc. A jury consisting of prominent people - among them George Bizos, legendary human rights lawyer from South Africa - gave a final verdict.
The Tribunal tried to answer the questions:
• Is the asylum law being undermined and hollowed out?
• Is the rich Europe - and Sweden - closing its doors to persecuted people?
• Do we want to live in a country and in a world where one of the basic human rights - the right to asylum - is neglected?
Many people in Sweden believe that Sweden is very generous and that we welcome hords of refugees every year but the truth is that never before has Sweden admitted so few asylum seekers. Only 1,45 % of asylum applications were approved last year compared to 45 % in Canada. Moreover, no other country has been convicted by the Committee Against Torture (CAT, the UN organ) so many times (11) as Sweden. Not for torturing people but for sending people back to countries where they risk being tortured.
Needless to say, Sweden was convicted by the Tribunal jury. They have written a number of recommendations for Sweden, which I will post here when they become available.
The procedings were led by qualified jurists who called in experts and witnesses: international law experts, legal and political sciencists, doctors, psychiatrists, etc. A jury consisting of prominent people - among them George Bizos, legendary human rights lawyer from South Africa - gave a final verdict.
The Tribunal tried to answer the questions:
• Is the asylum law being undermined and hollowed out?
• Is the rich Europe - and Sweden - closing its doors to persecuted people?
• Do we want to live in a country and in a world where one of the basic human rights - the right to asylum - is neglected?
Many people in Sweden believe that Sweden is very generous and that we welcome hords of refugees every year but the truth is that never before has Sweden admitted so few asylum seekers. Only 1,45 % of asylum applications were approved last year compared to 45 % in Canada. Moreover, no other country has been convicted by the Committee Against Torture (CAT, the UN organ) so many times (11) as Sweden. Not for torturing people but for sending people back to countries where they risk being tortured.
Needless to say, Sweden was convicted by the Tribunal jury. They have written a number of recommendations for Sweden, which I will post here when they become available.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Confession
I'm such a sucker for gossip. Not the office rumour spreading but the whereabouts and activities of the Hollywood crowd and the like. I mentioned Defamer earlier but two of the best sites at the moment are Pink Is the New Blog and Just Jared. Enjoy!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Work Ethic: Part One
Yes, I know, I've been a poor blogger lately. I've simply had too much to do, both work-wise and in the evenings. I will tell you in due time. For those of you who are not that busy at work but would like to appear to be, here's a list of tricks to apply in various circumstances at work in order to seem like the busy, diligent bee.
23. Delaying. If your boss comes and asks you for a chat, don’t bounce right away. Delay by saying “I’ll be there as soon as I finish this.”
Advantage: You appear to have integrity and moreover, you buy time to prepare for the meeting.
22. The Jimmy Connors trick. To be tired is human. To doze off at work is bad. The solution is to pretend to pick up paper clips though you’re actually sleeping. Like Jim Connors sort of. Sprinkle paper clips on the floor, lean forward and slumber. If someone comes in you pretend you’re picking.
Advantage: No one notices that you’re tired and sleeping like a baby.
21. The “I do work” trick. Reject phone calls when you’re on your way home on Fridays after lunch. If you get a message, return the call at 18.45 and explain that you’ve been in a telephone conference until now.
Advantage 1: You appear to be sacrificing everything for work.
Advantage 2: The person in question avoids leaving messages coming Fridays.
20. The reading trick. Put your own reading inside e.g. a relevant annual report. Lean back towards a fall and enjoy Hello magazine.
Advantage: You’re seen as a person who keeps his/herself informed.
19. The important telephone call trick. You’re in an open-plan office and a friend calls. Say loudly: “Then I will just collect some material and find a meeting room”. You’re free to chat and gossip for at least 15 minutes.
Advantage: You appear to be an important person who is consulted on important issues.
18. The font 6 trick. Write private emails with text in font size 6 so that people passing by cannot read them. For further smoke screen, keep excel sheets open half-screen.
Advantage: You can write whatever you want, whenever you want.
17. The ”I’m in the game” trick. At the weekly meeting, always express your opinion with authoritative voice early on in the meeting – preferably in general terms that data steer documents and the ball is round.
Advantage: You appear to be in the game.
16. The email trick. Write some general email to co-workers and preset the transmission time so that the emails are portioned out at regular intervals during the day. You’re free to play golf or pick your nails. Transmission time Sunday should be avoided.
Advantage: You seem to have an even and high work capacity.
15. The walk and talk trick. Important job call? Take a walk around the office with the office mobile phone, wave your arms and say loud and clear: “I hear what you’re saying and I understand – but it does not change anything”.
Advantage: You seem to have authority.
14. The offensive walk trick. With high speed, purposefully. When it comes to walking decidedly there only one no-no: you cannot seemed stressed.
Advantage: Make you seem effective and efficient.
13. The mobile at the meeting trick. Ask the other meeting participants if it’s okay that you keep your mobile switched on as you’re expecting an extremely important call. Leave when it rings.
Advantage: Make you seem (more) important.
12. The ”classic”. Or the ”light switched on and coat left behind” trick. To leave the office without turning your light off, without turning off your computer and without taking your coat. Warning: If you use it too often your colleagues might see through it.
Advantage: It looks like you’re still at work although you’re not.
To be continued.
23. Delaying. If your boss comes and asks you for a chat, don’t bounce right away. Delay by saying “I’ll be there as soon as I finish this.”
Advantage: You appear to have integrity and moreover, you buy time to prepare for the meeting.
22. The Jimmy Connors trick. To be tired is human. To doze off at work is bad. The solution is to pretend to pick up paper clips though you’re actually sleeping. Like Jim Connors sort of. Sprinkle paper clips on the floor, lean forward and slumber. If someone comes in you pretend you’re picking.
Advantage: No one notices that you’re tired and sleeping like a baby.
21. The “I do work” trick. Reject phone calls when you’re on your way home on Fridays after lunch. If you get a message, return the call at 18.45 and explain that you’ve been in a telephone conference until now.
Advantage 1: You appear to be sacrificing everything for work.
Advantage 2: The person in question avoids leaving messages coming Fridays.
20. The reading trick. Put your own reading inside e.g. a relevant annual report. Lean back towards a fall and enjoy Hello magazine.
Advantage: You’re seen as a person who keeps his/herself informed.
19. The important telephone call trick. You’re in an open-plan office and a friend calls. Say loudly: “Then I will just collect some material and find a meeting room”. You’re free to chat and gossip for at least 15 minutes.
Advantage: You appear to be an important person who is consulted on important issues.
18. The font 6 trick. Write private emails with text in font size 6 so that people passing by cannot read them. For further smoke screen, keep excel sheets open half-screen.
Advantage: You can write whatever you want, whenever you want.
17. The ”I’m in the game” trick. At the weekly meeting, always express your opinion with authoritative voice early on in the meeting – preferably in general terms that data steer documents and the ball is round.
Advantage: You appear to be in the game.
16. The email trick. Write some general email to co-workers and preset the transmission time so that the emails are portioned out at regular intervals during the day. You’re free to play golf or pick your nails. Transmission time Sunday should be avoided.
Advantage: You seem to have an even and high work capacity.
15. The walk and talk trick. Important job call? Take a walk around the office with the office mobile phone, wave your arms and say loud and clear: “I hear what you’re saying and I understand – but it does not change anything”.
Advantage: You seem to have authority.
14. The offensive walk trick. With high speed, purposefully. When it comes to walking decidedly there only one no-no: you cannot seemed stressed.
Advantage: Make you seem effective and efficient.
13. The mobile at the meeting trick. Ask the other meeting participants if it’s okay that you keep your mobile switched on as you’re expecting an extremely important call. Leave when it rings.
Advantage: Make you seem (more) important.
12. The ”classic”. Or the ”light switched on and coat left behind” trick. To leave the office without turning your light off, without turning off your computer and without taking your coat. Warning: If you use it too often your colleagues might see through it.
Advantage: It looks like you’re still at work although you’re not.
To be continued.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Random Mission
Mission: Write 20 random facts about yourself
Assignment by: Aunty Marianne
Deadline: October 17, 2005, 23:00
1. I had to have two surgeries on my left eye by the time I was 18 months old due to a extra fat tissue on my eyelid. Fortunately, the doctors did a good job and today you can hardly notice it.
2. Continuing on the same theme, I had appendicitis in the summer of 1996 when I was an aupair in Pittsburgh, USA. Fortunately I had good insurance coverage so I didn't have to foot a penny of the $15K bill. I did have some complications though (vein bursting from the IV and loss of feeling in my thigh for almost a year due to a pain shot that hit a nerve) and was told later I could have sued the hospital, but being Swedish the thought didn't even cross my mind.
3. When I was 10 I stepped on a rusty nail that almost went through my foot (same theme). I had to have a tetanus shot and missed my third grade leaving party, but otherwise I was fine. I just have a tiny, almost not noticeable scar today.
4. I played football for seven years (age 9-16) but never got hurt. I don't know if that means I was lucky or that I wasn't a very good player...
5. I tried rugby after quitting football but only lasted one practice. I lasted at least a few weeks when I tried athletics (track-and-field) but that was when I was much younger.
6. I stopped playing football because I couldn't participate in all practices (and then they wouldn't let you play matches) due to a growing political interest and membership in the local Social Democratic youth club in Södertälje (though I was on the barricades with my mum at the May 1 demonstrations already as a toddler).
7. I had a seat on a local council (Södertälje) dealing with disability issues for three years 1994-1997 but had to resign when I moved to Uppsala to study. These particular issues are dear to me since I have a brother who's mentally handicapped (but such a fun guy nonetheless!).
8. I have a degree from Oxford, which my working class self would never have imagined ten years ago. But I didn't have a problem socialising with the likes of Emirate princesses and Chelsea Clinton (my interaction with the latter consisted of giving directions to the "restroom").
9. Otherwise I hardly ever see any celebrities, but when I was living in London I lived in the same street as John Cleese.
10. I used to think Brad Pitt was gorgeous but since this Jolie thing his star has fallen in my sky because I'm definitely on Team Aniston.
11. I just LOVE "Friends"! My friend Kim and I have so much fun watching that show and she's so good at remembering all the lines and bringing them into conversations and situations!
12. Kim (who lives in England) doesn't have any children yet but otherwise so many of my friends are producing babies like on a conveyor belt. They are cute but sometimes I just want to have friends who want to go for a beer or take a trip...
13. When I have children one day, I'm going to have a girl called Isolde, otherwise it's not happening!
14. I have tried Internet dating - in order to find the father to Isolde - and I recommend it! It's fun!
15. I have never purchased anything on eBay. I actually don't think shopping is that fun though I seem to spend money nevertheless.
16. I'm a book-a-holic - the big black hole where my pay check goes - but I don't read as much. They need to sit on my bookshelf for a while to "mature".
17. I'm on the lookout for a Butler's Tray to go with my couch and my book shelves.
18. I want to build a house in American colonial style in Sweden one day.
19. I don't mind paying more than half of my income in taxes. I'm sure it will come back to me one day one way or the other.
20. I love ice cream! In fact, I think I'm going to have some now!
Assignment by: Aunty Marianne
Deadline: October 17, 2005, 23:00
1. I had to have two surgeries on my left eye by the time I was 18 months old due to a extra fat tissue on my eyelid. Fortunately, the doctors did a good job and today you can hardly notice it.
2. Continuing on the same theme, I had appendicitis in the summer of 1996 when I was an aupair in Pittsburgh, USA. Fortunately I had good insurance coverage so I didn't have to foot a penny of the $15K bill. I did have some complications though (vein bursting from the IV and loss of feeling in my thigh for almost a year due to a pain shot that hit a nerve) and was told later I could have sued the hospital, but being Swedish the thought didn't even cross my mind.
3. When I was 10 I stepped on a rusty nail that almost went through my foot (same theme). I had to have a tetanus shot and missed my third grade leaving party, but otherwise I was fine. I just have a tiny, almost not noticeable scar today.
4. I played football for seven years (age 9-16) but never got hurt. I don't know if that means I was lucky or that I wasn't a very good player...
5. I tried rugby after quitting football but only lasted one practice. I lasted at least a few weeks when I tried athletics (track-and-field) but that was when I was much younger.
6. I stopped playing football because I couldn't participate in all practices (and then they wouldn't let you play matches) due to a growing political interest and membership in the local Social Democratic youth club in Södertälje (though I was on the barricades with my mum at the May 1 demonstrations already as a toddler).
7. I had a seat on a local council (Södertälje) dealing with disability issues for three years 1994-1997 but had to resign when I moved to Uppsala to study. These particular issues are dear to me since I have a brother who's mentally handicapped (but such a fun guy nonetheless!).
8. I have a degree from Oxford, which my working class self would never have imagined ten years ago. But I didn't have a problem socialising with the likes of Emirate princesses and Chelsea Clinton (my interaction with the latter consisted of giving directions to the "restroom").
9. Otherwise I hardly ever see any celebrities, but when I was living in London I lived in the same street as John Cleese.
10. I used to think Brad Pitt was gorgeous but since this Jolie thing his star has fallen in my sky because I'm definitely on Team Aniston.
11. I just LOVE "Friends"! My friend Kim and I have so much fun watching that show and she's so good at remembering all the lines and bringing them into conversations and situations!
12. Kim (who lives in England) doesn't have any children yet but otherwise so many of my friends are producing babies like on a conveyor belt. They are cute but sometimes I just want to have friends who want to go for a beer or take a trip...
13. When I have children one day, I'm going to have a girl called Isolde, otherwise it's not happening!
14. I have tried Internet dating - in order to find the father to Isolde - and I recommend it! It's fun!
15. I have never purchased anything on eBay. I actually don't think shopping is that fun though I seem to spend money nevertheless.
16. I'm a book-a-holic - the big black hole where my pay check goes - but I don't read as much. They need to sit on my bookshelf for a while to "mature".
17. I'm on the lookout for a Butler's Tray to go with my couch and my book shelves.
18. I want to build a house in American colonial style in Sweden one day.
19. I don't mind paying more than half of my income in taxes. I'm sure it will come back to me one day one way or the other.
20. I love ice cream! In fact, I think I'm going to have some now!
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Turkishtravel.org
My previous blog about my visit to Turkey this past summer has been published by a travel site called Turkish Travel! Look here.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Turkish Delight
When I visited Turkey this summer I promised to blog about it but then didn't actually get around to doing so. But now, with the EU, after delays and late-night mangling, finally having agreed to start membership negotiations with Turkey, it a good time as any.
I visited the town of Marmaris in the southwest of Turkey with a friend for about a week. Marmaris is located in a bay of the Mediterranean with a beautiful marina, below the green, majestic Taurus mountains. Taurus actually continues all the way through Asia and turns into Himalaya. Sultan Süleyman the Great had a fortress built in the 1500s and founded the city. Legend has it that when the Sultan returned home in one of his ships and saw the finished fortress, he shouted "Mimar as!", which means "Hang the architect!". Hence the name Marmaris today.
We spent a lot of time at the beach (it being the main reason for the trip) but with the temperature approaching 40 Celcius degrees, it was nice, and also the plan, to set aside some time for sightseeing outside town. Except for the obligatory Hamam, we took a day-tour to Dalyan and Kaunos, which included a river boat ride passed ancient royal graves carved in a mountain side, a mudbath at an ancient spa location, and a swim at a beach where the Caretta turtle lays her eggs. Another excursion brought us to Pamukkale, with its magnificent white limestone basins, making it one of the natural wonders of the world. On the way to Pamukkale we made a very interesting visit to a rug factory - had I known I would have taken my savings and bought one of the amazing silk rugs!
On the way to these sights we passed through a number of different towns and villages. I must say that I was surprised in both positive and negative ways. I knew Turkey was a very varied country, with Istanbul and other cities quite developed while the majority of the country is mainly rural and undeveloped; however, I wasn't prepared that Marmaris and other cities would feel so much like (especially southern and Eastern) European cities, while travelling through the countryside felt like going back in time to a 1950's Sweden. To take an example: People of all ages were working in the field in very old-fashioned clothes with tools seemingly from the pre-industrial area!
So Turkey has a long way to come but the best road to take is the European highway, even if it has to keep by a speed limit of 5 km an hour and sometimes do a U-turn and make a fresh start. On the way it has a lot of important passengers to pick up: democracy, human rights, a new account of its history, the role of the military, economic development, etc. Luckily it has extra drivers, some a bit reluctant but most of them forthcoming.
I visited the town of Marmaris in the southwest of Turkey with a friend for about a week. Marmaris is located in a bay of the Mediterranean with a beautiful marina, below the green, majestic Taurus mountains. Taurus actually continues all the way through Asia and turns into Himalaya. Sultan Süleyman the Great had a fortress built in the 1500s and founded the city. Legend has it that when the Sultan returned home in one of his ships and saw the finished fortress, he shouted "Mimar as!", which means "Hang the architect!". Hence the name Marmaris today.
We spent a lot of time at the beach (it being the main reason for the trip) but with the temperature approaching 40 Celcius degrees, it was nice, and also the plan, to set aside some time for sightseeing outside town. Except for the obligatory Hamam, we took a day-tour to Dalyan and Kaunos, which included a river boat ride passed ancient royal graves carved in a mountain side, a mudbath at an ancient spa location, and a swim at a beach where the Caretta turtle lays her eggs. Another excursion brought us to Pamukkale, with its magnificent white limestone basins, making it one of the natural wonders of the world. On the way to Pamukkale we made a very interesting visit to a rug factory - had I known I would have taken my savings and bought one of the amazing silk rugs!
On the way to these sights we passed through a number of different towns and villages. I must say that I was surprised in both positive and negative ways. I knew Turkey was a very varied country, with Istanbul and other cities quite developed while the majority of the country is mainly rural and undeveloped; however, I wasn't prepared that Marmaris and other cities would feel so much like (especially southern and Eastern) European cities, while travelling through the countryside felt like going back in time to a 1950's Sweden. To take an example: People of all ages were working in the field in very old-fashioned clothes with tools seemingly from the pre-industrial area!
So Turkey has a long way to come but the best road to take is the European highway, even if it has to keep by a speed limit of 5 km an hour and sometimes do a U-turn and make a fresh start. On the way it has a lot of important passengers to pick up: democracy, human rights, a new account of its history, the role of the military, economic development, etc. Luckily it has extra drivers, some a bit reluctant but most of them forthcoming.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Euroverdict
My friend and former flatmate in Brussels, Marianne, told me about this Euro quiz by the BBC. It's created for a British audience but give it a go anyway!
Not surprisingly my result was:
Mr and Mrs Chiantishire
This group are Euro enthusiasts; they like all things European from going on holiday to sundried tomatoes and red wine.
The quiz wasn't only about leaisure activities and food, which you might deduct from the verdict, but featured questions about one's attitudes to the euro (€), religion, work, etc.
What's your euroverdict?
Not surprisingly my result was:
Mr and Mrs Chiantishire
This group are Euro enthusiasts; they like all things European from going on holiday to sundried tomatoes and red wine.
The quiz wasn't only about leaisure activities and food, which you might deduct from the verdict, but featured questions about one's attitudes to the euro (€), religion, work, etc.
What's your euroverdict?
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Sectarian Religion
Jehova's Witness paid me a visit tonight (unsolicited of course):
JW: "I have a text here called the Bible that you may have read."
Me: "Well, I think I have heard of it, it rings a bell..." Duh!
No, I was polite and after about three "no thank you, I'm not interested", off they went.
I can't see anyone who would actually invite them in and on top of that, join, but since they are still doing house calls, it must be successful somehow because why would they otherwise keep on doing it??
Another one of these religious sects (which is what they really are) that I cannot understand anyone would join is the Scientology Church. How come all (okay, many) celebrities are drawn to it? After the Tom Cruise debacle of this year many stars have fallen from my sky.
JW: "I have a text here called the Bible that you may have read."
Me: "Well, I think I have heard of it, it rings a bell..." Duh!
No, I was polite and after about three "no thank you, I'm not interested", off they went.
I can't see anyone who would actually invite them in and on top of that, join, but since they are still doing house calls, it must be successful somehow because why would they otherwise keep on doing it??
Another one of these religious sects (which is what they really are) that I cannot understand anyone would join is the Scientology Church. How come all (okay, many) celebrities are drawn to it? After the Tom Cruise debacle of this year many stars have fallen from my sky.
Monday, September 26, 2005
The Envy of Europe
I wrote earlier about the fact that I always get the question from my international friends "why is Sweden doing so well?" or "how can Sweden have such low unemployment when the rest of Europe has such high rates?", while at the same time Swedish media and the right-wing bloc make it look like Sweden is in deep crisis.
Here's an article on this very topic, titled The Envy of Europe (thanks to Eric for the link).
"Just as scientists marvel at how such an unwieldy insect can actually fly, European leaders want to know how Sweden and its Nordic neighbors, so heavily laden with cradle-to-grave welfare systems, float high above the struggling economies of much of the rest of the Continent."
It tells a more realistic and nuanced story than the dark picture painted by the right-wing.
Here's an article on this very topic, titled The Envy of Europe (thanks to Eric for the link).
"Just as scientists marvel at how such an unwieldy insect can actually fly, European leaders want to know how Sweden and its Nordic neighbors, so heavily laden with cradle-to-grave welfare systems, float high above the struggling economies of much of the rest of the Continent."
It tells a more realistic and nuanced story than the dark picture painted by the right-wing.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Air flight tax
Since a few weeks ago travellers flying British Airways (BA) can choose to pay a voluntary fee towards projects that compensate for the flight's emissions, and other airlines might follow suit soon.
I think it's a great idea! Did you know that if we divided the number of flights the global population could do without doing any damage to the environment (i.e. status quo or sustainability) , each person would only be able to do a one-way flight between London and New York in a lifetime*. So I have already taken up 20-30 people's lifetime allotment of flights! Sure, most people in the world don't and will never have the opportunity to fly places, but still, the amount of time the rest of spend in the air... it adds up.
BA cooperates with the environmental organisation Climate Care. In this first trial round, passengers may choose between supporting low energy lightbulbs for poor households in South Africa, which reduces the amount of coal burnt, or energy efficient cookers in Honduras, which reduces forest devastation.
The only thing that worries me is the fact that a DN poll showed that almost 70 % would not want to pay such a fee. They don't want to pay a fee that equals the amount they spend on a cup of coffee or a lunch (depending on the distance). Don't they understand that this is an investment in their children's future?
Other airlines are very positive towards the initiative. Passengers are less so, as indicated by the DN poll, maybe because the EU as well as the Swedish government is simultaneously discussing a tax on airplane fuel. According to the Swedish government's (together with the Greens) proposal, a tax would mean 50-100 kronor on top of the price of a one-way ticket. Personally I think subjecting jet fuel to Kyoto and the emissions trading is more interesting than a tax. The airlines themselves, including US companies, are lobbying the European Commission to go with this option rather than taxation. Whatever happens I hope the money goes towards the environment, be it specific environmental projects or towards environmental research and development.
* Stockholm-Paris = 350 kilo greenhouse gases; Stockholm-New York = 1 tonne
I think it's a great idea! Did you know that if we divided the number of flights the global population could do without doing any damage to the environment (i.e. status quo or sustainability) , each person would only be able to do a one-way flight between London and New York in a lifetime*. So I have already taken up 20-30 people's lifetime allotment of flights! Sure, most people in the world don't and will never have the opportunity to fly places, but still, the amount of time the rest of spend in the air... it adds up.
BA cooperates with the environmental organisation Climate Care. In this first trial round, passengers may choose between supporting low energy lightbulbs for poor households in South Africa, which reduces the amount of coal burnt, or energy efficient cookers in Honduras, which reduces forest devastation.
The only thing that worries me is the fact that a DN poll showed that almost 70 % would not want to pay such a fee. They don't want to pay a fee that equals the amount they spend on a cup of coffee or a lunch (depending on the distance). Don't they understand that this is an investment in their children's future?
Other airlines are very positive towards the initiative. Passengers are less so, as indicated by the DN poll, maybe because the EU as well as the Swedish government is simultaneously discussing a tax on airplane fuel. According to the Swedish government's (together with the Greens) proposal, a tax would mean 50-100 kronor on top of the price of a one-way ticket. Personally I think subjecting jet fuel to Kyoto and the emissions trading is more interesting than a tax. The airlines themselves, including US companies, are lobbying the European Commission to go with this option rather than taxation. Whatever happens I hope the money goes towards the environment, be it specific environmental projects or towards environmental research and development.
* Stockholm-Paris = 350 kilo greenhouse gases; Stockholm-New York = 1 tonne
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
So that's why I don't get much done!
On a recent business trip I passed time on a BA flight by reading their in-flight business magazine, where I came across an interesting column by Viv Groskop, "All in a week's work". It starts:
"Mastering the working week is a delicate balance between industry and indolence. Thanks heavens for Tuesdays, or we'd never get anything done."
All week we count down to Friday, 5-4-3-2-1! Monday is the first day after the weekend. We're more tired than rested and need the day to "get ready" for work. Apparently it has even been proven that fewer emails are sent and received on Mondays than any other day of the week. This works for phone calls too so don't make any important calls on Mondays.
Wednesdays is the worst day of the week. Suddenly you realise that Oh, my God, it's already Wednesday and I haven't done half of what I should do this week! The weekend isn't so close but it's still too late to achieve that which you had originally set out to do before the weekend. "Most Wednesdays are paralysed with indecision. Should you work really seriously and hard or should you just postpone everything to next Monday when you'll have a clear week ahead of you again?" Needless to say, most opt for the latter.
Thursday, you are beyond the crisis stage; there's not even a need to panic. You just have to accept that it will have to wait until next week. Thursday is also the day when you can take a sick-day without anyone getting suspicious. If you are at the office, don't those drawers need to be cleaned out? And what about those business card from that conference; they need to go into the CRM.
"Fridays are obviously a joke. To all intents and purposes they are the first day of the weekend, which just happens to be spent in the office." Meetings held on Fridays are pointless. Sometimes important things happen and you'll almost think it's Tuesday, but then you remember and calm down.
So Tuesdays are the only days when actual work is done. Why? Because: "It is the day you realise that you did not do anything on Monday and already a fifth of the week has passed. But, unlike with Wednesdays, it's not too late." So Tuesday is the busy, busy day. You make 27 calls and send 89 emails...
"Mastering the working week is a delicate balance between industry and indolence. Thanks heavens for Tuesdays, or we'd never get anything done."
All week we count down to Friday, 5-4-3-2-1! Monday is the first day after the weekend. We're more tired than rested and need the day to "get ready" for work. Apparently it has even been proven that fewer emails are sent and received on Mondays than any other day of the week. This works for phone calls too so don't make any important calls on Mondays.
Wednesdays is the worst day of the week. Suddenly you realise that Oh, my God, it's already Wednesday and I haven't done half of what I should do this week! The weekend isn't so close but it's still too late to achieve that which you had originally set out to do before the weekend. "Most Wednesdays are paralysed with indecision. Should you work really seriously and hard or should you just postpone everything to next Monday when you'll have a clear week ahead of you again?" Needless to say, most opt for the latter.
Thursday, you are beyond the crisis stage; there's not even a need to panic. You just have to accept that it will have to wait until next week. Thursday is also the day when you can take a sick-day without anyone getting suspicious. If you are at the office, don't those drawers need to be cleaned out? And what about those business card from that conference; they need to go into the CRM.
"Fridays are obviously a joke. To all intents and purposes they are the first day of the weekend, which just happens to be spent in the office." Meetings held on Fridays are pointless. Sometimes important things happen and you'll almost think it's Tuesday, but then you remember and calm down.
So Tuesdays are the only days when actual work is done. Why? Because: "It is the day you realise that you did not do anything on Monday and already a fifth of the week has passed. But, unlike with Wednesdays, it's not too late." So Tuesday is the busy, busy day. You make 27 calls and send 89 emails...
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Broken English
Just have go give you some highlights from the book Broken English by Stewart Clark!
"Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the this technical mess."
Swedish politician opening an international trade fair on technology (fair is mässa in Swedish).
" Dear friends, we are the same guys as before, although we have lost our pricks."
When Götabanken blev Gota Bank. The little dots on the o which makes the Swedish letter ö are called prickar in Swedish.
"Bowels in sauce" and "Chicken in spit".
On restaurant menu in Greece. Sorry?
"In case of fire, please stuff a towel under the door and expose yourself at the window."
Hotel sign in Norway. Yes, we are all nudists in Scandinavia...
Sign: "Any person (except players) caught collecting golf balls on this course will be prosecuted and have their balls removed."
Tough measures..
Book title: "Correctly English in 100 days"
Says it all..
"The skier took off with a tremendous fart."
Comment on televised ski jumping. Fart in Swedish is speed.
"Excuse me, what is the fart limit?"
Swedish tourists in England, see above.
"Buttered saucepans and fried hormones"
Menu in Japan. Are those testosterone or estrogen?
"Guests are requested not to smoke or do other disgusting behaviours in bed."
Sign in hotel room in Japan. I agree, it is a disgusting habit!
"Pain and wine included"
From menu, in France I assume..
"Do not put foreign bodies into the lavatory."
Sign on a SAS airplane. Are domestic bodies fine? What about when you're on international territory?
"Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the this technical mess."
Swedish politician opening an international trade fair on technology (fair is mässa in Swedish).
" Dear friends, we are the same guys as before, although we have lost our pricks."
When Götabanken blev Gota Bank. The little dots on the o which makes the Swedish letter ö are called prickar in Swedish.
"Bowels in sauce" and "Chicken in spit".
On restaurant menu in Greece. Sorry?
"In case of fire, please stuff a towel under the door and expose yourself at the window."
Hotel sign in Norway. Yes, we are all nudists in Scandinavia...
Sign: "Any person (except players) caught collecting golf balls on this course will be prosecuted and have their balls removed."
Tough measures..
Book title: "Correctly English in 100 days"
Says it all..
"The skier took off with a tremendous fart."
Comment on televised ski jumping. Fart in Swedish is speed.
"Excuse me, what is the fart limit?"
Swedish tourists in England, see above.
"Buttered saucepans and fried hormones"
Menu in Japan. Are those testosterone or estrogen?
"Guests are requested not to smoke or do other disgusting behaviours in bed."
Sign in hotel room in Japan. I agree, it is a disgusting habit!
"Pain and wine included"
From menu, in France I assume..
"Do not put foreign bodies into the lavatory."
Sign on a SAS airplane. Are domestic bodies fine? What about when you're on international territory?
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