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Sunday, March 11, 2012
4:10AM - One year later
Exactly one year ago, my birthday was overshadowed by the events in Japan, a powerful earthquake, followed by a devastating Tsunami, and finished by a nuclear meltdown in three reactors at once. Let's insert a moment of silence here, for the people who have died, lost their homes, family members and their hope to live in health.
Now, one month after the great catastrophe in japan, I wrote a post about the consequences of the meltdown. I predicted that Fukushima wouldn't disappear from the news, and it didn't. I also predicted that it would keep on emitting radioactive substances, wich it did - and wich it still does today. I also predicted that this meltdown would signal the end of the nuclear age, making it impossible for any nation or state to continue to use nuclear power. Well, I didn't hit the nail on the head there exactly. It did work in germany - our dear and beloved *coughcough* chancellor Angela Merkel came to the conclusion that "That's it", and did a political 180° turn, changing her position form pro-nuclear to decreeing 8 power stations being shut down immediately, and the rest to run no longer than 2022. Yay.
Don't get me wrong, this is real progress, and I am extremely happy with it. But does it save germany form the type of devastation and bleakness that is covering the region around Fukushima Daiichi? No, it does not... not untill France decides to shut down their old and rusty boilers like Fessenheim and Cattenom... Wich are built, as it happenes, near the Rhine valley - and thus in an earthquake zone.
It's going to take 30 or 40 more years to finally dismantle the ruins of the Fukushima plant, and remove the melted and slagged nuclear fuel. It's going to take a lot longer to make the lands around the plants livable again, and what I mean with that is not exposing the populace to the same amout of radiation a nuclear worker is allowed in a year, per year. I don't wish such a fate on anyone.
And it is going to happen again. Currently, the tally is, one reactor catastrophe per 7.5 years. Look at TMI, Chernobyl, and now Fukushima... that's 5 reactors in total. All in my lifetime. I do not want to see one more.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
2:48AM - Rest in Peace, Steve
Steve Jobs died today.
While I am not a fan of apple computers, I think the world has lost a very unique and congenial person today.
May he rest in peace.
http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/
Current mood: 
sad
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
1:19PM - Adieu, Loriot
Vicco von Bülow, alias Loriot, ist im alter von 87 jahren an altersschwaeche gestorben.
Damit geht einer der ganz grossen humoristen deutschlands.
Moege er, wo immer er nun auch sei, weiterhin seinen feinsinnigen und rasierklingenscharfen humor ausueben und damit begeistern.
Er wird mir fehlen.
Current mood: sad
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
2:15AM - One Month later
Dear readers,
You might remember that, roughly one month ago, I wrote that the earthquake and the nuclear catastrophe in japan are not what I would have liked as a birthday present.
Now, I am beginning to think differently. Sure, this sounds harsh and not very respectful considering how many people have died and still are going to die, but let me explain.
What is happening there, on the other side of the world, right now is the worst nuclear accident in the history of mankind. People keep repeating over and over again that this is no second chernobyl, and that there hasn't been nearly as much radioactivity released, but what those people don't see is that it isn't over. And it's not going to be over anytime soon. I expect those reactors to keep spewing for the next three months at least, if not longer. The result of this is that there is no chance for the fact "nuclear power has failed" to be forgotten, news from fukushima will be in the papers and on TV for the rest of spring, propably well into summer. It is as if some higher being has decided that chernobyl was over too fast to achive what should have been achieved back then, the conversion of our (And I'm not talking about my country here, I'm talking about the world) energy supply from nuclear to regenerative. So, since chernobyl didn't crack those hard heads, we now have fukushima, where the proceedings are dragged out over a long period of time, making it impossible to look away, making it impossible to ignore or forget. Inexorably, the situation will get worse and worse, and all we can do is watch - just like the poor, brave workers who do the best they can to prevent more radioactivity escaping. Only that there is nothing anyone _can_ do. Physics have taken over, and we can't change physics. It's the law, man.
So. What we're watching right now is the end of the nuclear age. It's also going to take time, but I have no doubt that the fairy-tale of nuclear power being clean, safe and cheap is over, and that more and more people are going to see that and demand consequences from their political leaders. Even companies who have business in selling reactors are starting to doubt their ability to gloss this over, to bring public opinion back on their side and to hold up the fairy-tale.
Still, it is not enough to rely on the story of fukushima. All those who woke up from the nuclear dream, speak up. Do not allow industry and politics to lull the people back into believing that nuclear power is safe. Do not accept arguments like "This can't happen here, we have no earthquakes or tsunamis." Even if it were true (Not many places on earth are truly free of quakes), there are other things that can happen. Fukushima didn't fail because there was a quake or a tsunami - it failed because something happened that nobody thought would happen. In japan, it was a tsunami that was higher than anyone could imagine happening. In germany, it might be an aircraft crashing into a building noone thought about crash-proofing. In the US, it might be a forest fire that's so big that the smoke kills the guys running the reactor, and blocks the road so no replacement personell can get to the plant. Anywhere in the world it might me a magnetic storm shorting out the electrical equipment. There are thousands of possibilities noone has thought of when placing safeguards, backup systems or constructing walls and roofs.
If the people of the world keep looking at fukushima, and if the people of the world think for themselves instead of believing in sugar-coated lies issued by companies whose primary interest is making money (And let's not be stupid, making money is what companies are there for,) I might have gotten a birthday present I've been waiting for for 30 years: A world free of nuclear power.
It comes at a price, and currently, it is paied by the people of japan. My sympathies are with these people, and I truly and dearly hope that they are going to be the last who have to suffer for mankinds hybris.
Current mood: 
contemplative
Saturday, March 12, 2011
2:35AM - Happy Birthday...?
This was not a good birthday for me.
Not with what is going on in Japan at the moment.
My friends are here, and in general, I had a merry time, but can I really say that this has been a good day?
No. Not with two major nuclear powerplants being on the brink of meltdown in several reactors each.
I could the "I told you so" thing, but... sigh. It does not seem right.
Hello, world.
Look at japan. And finally learn that nuclear power is suicide. This time, noone can say "This was inferior technology. This could not happen here." Japanese technology is among the very best in the world - if you doubt it, look at you Wii, your PS3, or you flatscreen TV set.
On a side note, again, it is the 11th of a month that brings doom and sorrow over thousands of people.
Enough with the pensive mood. One more beer, then off to bed.
Current mood: thoughtful
Friday, December 24, 2010
1:22PM - Frohe wei
Jajaja...
Ich weiss, ich sollte hier viel oefter mal was schreiben - aber...
..... ich lass es mir dann doch nicht nehmen euch allen ein frohes weihnachtsfest zu wuenschen!
Geniesst die ersten weissen weihnachten in jahren, trefft euch mit freunden, familie oder einfach nur netten leuten - und schaut den tanzenden flocken zu, vielleicht mit einem glas gluehwein in der hand.
Passt auf euch auf, und bleibt warm!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
3:29AM - Worth watching
Watch the lovely Stephen Fry talk about the catholic church.
Warning: Do not watch this speech if you are a follower of said church, it might shatter the very foundations of your belief.
Current mood: 
refreshed
Sunday, January 3, 2010
11:16PM - Avatar
James Cameron's Avatar is propably the most beautiful movie I have ever seen.
Note well that I don't say "best", because the straightforward and simple story dosn't allow for that adjective.
However.
This movie, wich I have seen on the 1st day of this year (in 3D), is still present in my thoughts, is still occupying my thinking, and is still wanting me to BE THERE.
I can't remember any other movie that had such kind of impact on me, can't, in fact, remember any kind of fiction having such an impact on me. Except The Jungle Books by Kipling, wich is the book that hooked me up with Wolf.
What Cameron did with this movie is to create a world. A world so utterly strange and beautiful, so miracolously detailed and powerful and alive that the only resemblance I can find is a tropical coral reef.
And so are the Na'vi.
The Na'vi are complex, deep and so full of life itself that I yearn to feel one of them. There is grace, there is power, and there is passion. They blend the passion of the animal with intelligence and love.
I ask you, my dear readers, to go and see that movie. It's worth it alone for the pretty pictures. If you let yourself go and allow the movie to draw you in, into the jungles of pandora...
You're in for a unique and profound experience.
I'm going to see it again. Soon. Very soon.
Current mood: 
enthralled
Thursday, December 24, 2009
9:55PM - Frohe weihnachten
Euch allen da draussen die dies lesen... ich wuensch euch Frohe Weihnachten. Felis Navidad. Merry Christmas. Joyeux Noel. Und wie es sonst noch so in den sprachen der welt heisst.
Im wesentlichen... ganz egal an was ihr glaubt oder warum ihr irgendetwas glaubt, wenn ihr was glaubt...
Diese tage sind die tage um sich wohlzufuehlen. Also esst etwas ungesundes. Trinkt etwas leckeres. Und lehnt euch zurueck, am besten mit guten freunden oder geliebten menschen/tieren/wasauchimmer im arm... und geniesst die warme glut von vielen, vielen menschen die es sich genausogut gehen lassen wir ihr.
Ich tu es grade. Und es ist grossartig.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
2:04AM - Mischa Status Update
Here's good news.
Mischa has improved significantly today. His appetite is ravenous, and his digestion seems to return to normal as well. It really looks like we're out of trouble now, and strongly headed back towards normal health.
This is a great relief, believe me.
Current mood: relieved
Monday, October 12, 2009
10:57PM - Mischa Status Update
Alright folks,
here's a short update on 
Mischamute's medical status.
He made a little mess in our basement during the night, and while it is no joy cleaning that up, I was pleased to see no blood in it at all. The bigger was my frustration when on my walk with him shortly afterwards, he expelled a rather large quantity of red.
We had an appointment with our Vet this afternoon anyway, and she (She has helplessly fallen to mischa's charm and already loves him dearly) cursed rather hard, and was equally frustrated about his ongoing misery.
So, we're moving on to more drastic measures now. We are running an 8-day course of antibiotics to kill off any aggressive strains of bacteria in his intestine, and are also going to send a sample of his faeces to a professional laboratory to get it screened for basically everything that might be connected to diarrhoea.
The good news are: he is getting hungry again. He actually begged for food twice tonight, and licked his bowl clean after I filled it with a small portion of rice, cooked chicken breast and cottage cheese. He's also drinking well and shows no signs of dehydration whatsoever.
We're determined. If he dosn't get better on his own - we're going to make him.
Current mood: optimistic
Friday, June 26, 2009
12:52AM - The king of Pop is playing the Harps
According to the LA times and AP, Michael Jackson died today at the age of 50 due to cardiac arrest.
Farewell.
He was one crazy and mad genius of music, and he provided the soundtrack of my youth. I won't detail what I think about his person here, but I definitly liked his music.
I always hoped he would come around one day soon and find back to himself and to his early genius. Obviously, it was not meant to be.
Current mood: sad
Saturday, June 6, 2009
4:00PM - Europawahl
Morgen ist Eurpoawahl.
Und dieses mal lohnt es sich sogar, hinzugehen und ein Kreuz zu machen, denn es steht eine neue Partei zur Wahl bereit.
Ich kann nur an die Vernunft von allen, die dieses lesen, appellieren.
Wählt, und wählt die Piraten.
Tretet Schäuble und Leyen in die Hintern.
Ich werde es tun.
Ergänzung:
Die Piratenpartei braucht noch Unterstuetzungsunterschriften um fuer die Bundestagswahl zugelassen zu werden. Dazu gibt's hier einen link mit anleitung und den entsprechenden musterformularen.
Auch hier kann ich euch nur bitten - Unterstuetzt die Piraten - lasst sie uns zusammen in den bundestag bringen. Was die rechten schaffen, schaffen wir erst recht.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
5:40PM - Amazing!
Just watch it. It's in german, though.
Current mood: amused
Saturday, April 4, 2009
2:44PM - Kralle ist schuld..!
You are The Magician
Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.
Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing,
you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.
The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
3:25AM - Umzug - Mithelfer gesucht
Hallo zusammen,
Wir werden am Freitag und am Montag umziehen.
Fuer diese beiden tage werden helfer dringend benoetigt - Freitag um beladen des umzugstrucks, und Montag zum entladen desselben. Die komische zeitverteilung liegt darin, das wir den laster samt fahrer von einer umzugsfirma mieten. Wir sind aus der "Ich miete einen 5-tonner"-haushaltsgroesse herausgewachsen.
Helfer brauchen wir so viele wie es nur eben geht! Be- und Entladen kosten zeit, und jede stunde die der laster da steht kostet geld.
Beladen findet in Recklinghausen statt, entladen in Weilerswist. (Das ist suedlich von koeln.)
Jede hilfe ist willkommen. Helfer werden selbstverstaendlich gefuettert und getraenkt. ;)
Bitte meldet euch so schnell wie moeglich bei mir, die telefonnummer duerfte bekannt sein.
Schon mal besten dank im voraus!
Current mood: 
determined
Thursday, January 22, 2009
1:35PM - Alea iacta est
Es ist entschieden - wir ziehen ins Rheinland....
Montag unterschreiben wir den neuen Mietvertrag, und ab da wird es hier rundgehen wie nach der letzten vorstellung von circus Roncalli - expressabbau und verpackung saemtlicher dinge, und husch, husch, ins neue quartier.
Ich habe ein gutes gefuehl.
Es wird wunderbar.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
2:36AM - Book Meme
1. Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
2. Turn to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post that sentence along with these instructions in your LiveJournal.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
"Denn ich sah keinen Ausweg aus dem Gebäude - und kein Versteck im Inneren."
From Harry Harrison's "Stahlratte wird Rekrut"
Backlink: Many.
Current mood: amused
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
6:19AM
Freixnet um 5 uhr morgens?
Obama hat gewonnen.
Amerika erwacht nach 8 jahren aus seinem angsttraum, geschuert von einer gesellschaft aus seelenverkaeufern - und wird von milchkaffeebrauner intelligenz begruesst.
Good morning, America!
How are you?
Current mood: relieved
Thursday, February 7, 2008
2:34AM - Schreibhemmung
Place cup under nozzle of fully automatic espresso machine
Push button
Drink
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