Another year is over. They're all passing rather quickly aren't they? Doesn't seem that long since everyone was stressing about the year 2000, calling it Y2K and expecting all computers to go bananas.
Now 2006 has passed. A year ago I said I had a feeling it would be a good one and I was right about that. Nothing amazing has happened but I've had fun.
I'm not sure about 2007. It doesn't feel as soft as the year that past, it has an edge to it somewhere, not for me personally, more for the world as a whole. I've long had a feeling peace will be far from present the coming year and sadly the last days happenings may help to prove me right.
But now it's December 31st. Time for fireworks and fancy dresses.
We'll think tomorrow and rest when we're dead.
Happy New Year everyone!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
We've got contact!
Someone I knew a long time ago is apparently still alive and checking his email. Still haven't got a reply but the fact that he's looking means he might be curious. Or afraid to miss something.
I haven't talked to him in a year and a half but I need to figure out what happened to him. Seems like it's the only way to stop being in love with him. Or in love with the dream. Same thing.
I tell ya, my heart is one of the strangest things I've come across. Yet it makes perfect sense. Getting inside my heart must be one of the hardest tasks there is. But when you're in there, there's no getting out.
I haven't talked to him in a year and a half but I need to figure out what happened to him. Seems like it's the only way to stop being in love with him. Or in love with the dream. Same thing.
I tell ya, my heart is one of the strangest things I've come across. Yet it makes perfect sense. Getting inside my heart must be one of the hardest tasks there is. But when you're in there, there's no getting out.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas!
Once again that wonderful time of year. The tree is up, the family has been gathered and the presents opened.
The only thing wrong is the lack of snow (you'd think Norway would be one of few places you'd be guaranteed snow for Christmas.)
Merry Christmas everyone!
The only thing wrong is the lack of snow (you'd think Norway would be one of few places you'd be guaranteed snow for Christmas.)
Merry Christmas everyone!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
A toothbrush
The Guy gave me a toothbrush!
It's to keep at his place and use when I'm staying over.
Sure it could mean my breath in the morning stinks and I need to brush my teeth..
..but when you give someone something to keep in your apartment, doesn't that mean you like having them there?
...he did tell me not to put too much meaning into it...
He thinks this whole relationship thing scares me and, to be honest, so did I. But it doesn't. Not anymore. It's not scary.
How weird...
He likes me being at his place. And I like being there.
And it took a toothbrush to make me realize that.
It's to keep at his place and use when I'm staying over.
Sure it could mean my breath in the morning stinks and I need to brush my teeth..
..but when you give someone something to keep in your apartment, doesn't that mean you like having them there?
...he did tell me not to put too much meaning into it...
He thinks this whole relationship thing scares me and, to be honest, so did I. But it doesn't. Not anymore. It's not scary.
How weird...
He likes me being at his place. And I like being there.
And it took a toothbrush to make me realize that.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Beauty incarnate
Aishwarya Rai
Any chance it's illegal to be this beautiful?
In any case she's being sued, along with co-actor Hrithik Roshan, for kissing on the screen.
Intimacy in public is frowned upon in India. A kiss could be "lowering the dignity of Indian women and encouraging obscenity among India’s youth" says lawyer Shailendra Dwivedi who filed the suit, according to Timesonline.co.uk.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Net-people : reality check
A couple days ago I got an sms from a guy I chatted with a while ago, we never met eve
n though we live in the same city. He asked if I'd like to meet up and have sex. I said I didn't. Turned out he'd just broken up with his girlfriend and needed 'a little something' in the evening.
It was a little strange at the time but the having broken up with the gf explained why the message after a couple months of silence. Gotta check out your options, right? :)
However... at 1:30 last night I got a message from a number I didn't know. The text went like this:
Wanna have sex:-)?
I don't hand out my number to anyone I meet and didn't have a clue who this might be. I checked it out online and realized it must have been one of the guys I met after I got back to town in August. It was kinda creepy finding out it was him.
Back then
we met, talked for three minutes until it was obvious we had absolutely nothing in common and nothing to talk about. Apparently he didn't take an hour of silence as a bad thing - we just... sat there. And after a while agreed it was getting awkward.
The day after he sent me a message saying he'd wanted to kiss me and did I want to meet to have sex?
I've got several messages like that since. He doesn't seem scary like some of the guys but it's getting a little creepy, especially after I've told him I have a boyfriend (still feels weird saying that), and will not be meeting him or anyone else anytime soon. I told him before I didn't see any point in us meeting again but he seemed to disregarded that completely.
This last message coming in at 1:30am on a Sunday morning I'll just put it down to alcohol - call it a booty call if you will.
At least I hope that's all. I've already had a taste of what it's like when a guy has stalker tendencies. Although rather innocent at the time it does get a little scary when you get a message from a guy you've met once saying he's sitting in a car outside your building just waiting for you to come out.
n though we live in the same city. He asked if I'd like to meet up and have sex. I said I didn't. Turned out he'd just broken up with his girlfriend and needed 'a little something' in the evening.It was a little strange at the time but the having broken up with the gf explained why the message after a couple months of silence. Gotta check out your options, right? :)
However... at 1:30 last night I got a message from a number I didn't know. The text went like this:
Wanna have sex:-)?
I don't hand out my number to anyone I meet and didn't have a clue who this might be. I checked it out online and realized it must have been one of the guys I met after I got back to town in August. It was kinda creepy finding out it was him.
Back then
we met, talked for three minutes until it was obvious we had absolutely nothing in common and nothing to talk about. Apparently he didn't take an hour of silence as a bad thing - we just... sat there. And after a while agreed it was getting awkward.The day after he sent me a message saying he'd wanted to kiss me and did I want to meet to have sex?
I've got several messages like that since. He doesn't seem scary like some of the guys but it's getting a little creepy, especially after I've told him I have a boyfriend (still feels weird saying that), and will not be meeting him or anyone else anytime soon. I told him before I didn't see any point in us meeting again but he seemed to disregarded that completely.
This last message coming in at 1:30am on a Sunday morning I'll just put it down to alcohol - call it a booty call if you will.
At least I hope that's all. I've already had a taste of what it's like when a guy has stalker tendencies. Although rather innocent at the time it does get a little scary when you get a message from a guy you've met once saying he's sitting in a car outside your building just waiting for you to come out.
dreams.
What does The Guy do when I wake him up screaming?
He curls up and puts his arm around me, saying he wants to take my bad dreams away.
*me happy*
He curls up and puts his arm around me, saying he wants to take my bad dreams away.
*me happy*
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Alarm
Sent an email to SiB Monday afternoon.
Got one back from the director saying he knew they were working on the locks here but "this doesn't sound too good..."
Then another one saying he'd contacted someone regarding this.
Then a third one saying it would be fixed 'tomorrow morning'.
I got back Tuesday afternoon and true enough, it was fixed.
*happy with SiB right now*
Got one back from the director saying he knew they were working on the locks here but "this doesn't sound too good..."
Then another one saying he'd contacted someone regarding this.
Then a third one saying it would be fixed 'tomorrow morning'.
I got back Tuesday afternoon and true enough, it was fixed.
*happy with SiB right now*
Sunday, November 26, 2006
A New Alarm
Friday SiB installed an alarm. Whenever someone enters or leaves the apartment it goes diidiidiidiidii.
I first noticed it early Friday morning when a roommate left very early. I woke up thinking the diidiidii was the fire alarm but it wasn't quite so loud. I half expected it to start in my room any second but it never did. Besides, the fire alarm goes dooaaadoooaaadoooaaa not diidii.
The diidiidiidiidii starts whenever the door to the apartment is opened and doesn't stop until it is closed. It's a rather piercing sound and, my bed being less than 2 meters from it, it does tend to wake me up whenever someone comes backs or leaves during the night or early hours of the morning.
There's another one at the door downstairs, on the first floor (it sounds more like diiiiii), and I'm sure all the other apartments have one of these. The box the sound is coming from was put up a year ago but the sound started Friday.
I wonder what the hell this is supposed to be good for.
Need to send email to SiB tomorrow to ask if it has any functions other than as an alarm clock.
I first noticed it early Friday morning when a roommate left very early. I woke up thinking the diidiidii was the fire alarm but it wasn't quite so loud. I half expected it to start in my room any second but it never did. Besides, the fire alarm goes dooaaadoooaaadoooaaa not diidii.
The diidiidiidiidii starts whenever the door to the apartment is opened and doesn't stop until it is closed. It's a rather piercing sound and, my bed being less than 2 meters from it, it does tend to wake me up whenever someone comes backs or leaves during the night or early hours of the morning.
There's another one at the door downstairs, on the first floor (it sounds more like diiiiii), and I'm sure all the other apartments have one of these. The box the sound is coming from was put up a year ago but the sound started Friday.
I wonder what the hell this is supposed to be good for.
Need to send email to SiB tomorrow to ask if it has any functions other than as an alarm clock.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
"The irritating game"
Try keeping both balls above their respective lines.
So far I've managed 28.875.
Think you can beat me?
Friday, November 24, 2006
Youthful Shopping
I was at a shop that sells all kinds of stuff today.. Mostly clothes, shoes, shampoo, make up and such. I suddenly heard a woman asking someone working there about some foam she'd seen on TV. It was supposed to give your hair more volume.
Then she called out to her friend "They've got Define!" and the friend came over too.
I was looking around, had found the shampoo I was looking for and, curious as I am, had to walk over to where the women had just been. I didn't actually see what they bought but saw something called "Hair Thickening Foam".
Thinking back to the last time I bought something for my hair and, not being able to remember when that was, I decided to try this thing.
I went to the cash register with shampoo, three plastic containers shaped like animals with shower gel inside (xmas gift for sis), hand cream and foam. I put it all on the counter and waited for the person in front of me to pay. Then I hear someone behind me.
"Look! Look, she's buying the same thing as you! And she's a youth!"
Not a woman, not a lady, I was a youth. I felt so young!
.. then again, you tend to do that when getting shopping advice from 70 year olds.
Then she called out to her friend "They've got Define!" and the friend came over too.
I was looking around, had found the shampoo I was looking for and, curious as I am, had to walk over to where the women had just been. I didn't actually see what they bought but saw something called "Hair Thickening Foam".
Thinking back to the last time I bought something for my hair and, not being able to remember when that was, I decided to try this thing.
I went to the cash register with shampoo, three plastic containers shaped like animals with shower gel inside (xmas gift for sis), hand cream and foam. I put it all on the counter and waited for the person in front of me to pay. Then I hear someone behind me.
"Look! Look, she's buying the same thing as you! And she's a youth!"
Not a woman, not a lady, I was a youth. I felt so young!
.. then again, you tend to do that when getting shopping advice from 70 year olds.
One Month Till Christmas!
Today I remembered I don't like shopping this time of year.
I like how the shops are decorated, all the nice stuff and gifts they put out. I don't really mind all the people. Well I do, it's hard to get around when it's crowded, so I just avoid the shops on Saturdays and such.
But what I don't like, and what I remembered today is the queues. Not the queues as such, but the reason for the queues. What I don't like is when everyone needs to have everything they buy, no matter where or what it is, gift wrapped.
Is there anything more annoying than standing in a line, whether there are two people or twenty, looking forward to finally getting to pay (as if anyone likes that), when you realize it'll take four times as long (at least) because they've started wrapping gifts.
Not only are most people utterly incompetent when it comes to wrapping gifts, most of them never stop talking while they do it. Then when they've finally got all the scotch tape on they ask if you want a label, then put lots of string and whatnot around it. Or worse still - don't ask and just slap the label on. I prefer those you attach to the string, but that's just me.
I don't get Christmas gifts wrapped in stores for several reasons.
- I'm aware of how annoying it is for others, and how it makes queues appear where there should be none.
- I don't like the way they do it - they may take ten minutes doing it but they do it without caring - the gifts end up looking real bad.
- I like panicking the night before Christmas (ok, I don't like the panicking bit), wrapping everything up ready for the morning.
- I put a whole lotta love into my Christmas gifts. I love it when I find a good one, I love wrapping it, making people wonder what it is. I love giving gifts and seeing that someone likes them.
For me, wrapping something is a part of transforming it from a random thing on a shelf in a store, to an actual Christmas Gift. Call me strange but... when I do something, I do it good. I go all the way. Spending a lot of money, getting the wrapped box and all you have to do is put the names on the label... I couldn't do that.
I spend more time than money, it's not efficient, it's probably not smart, but the people who get my gifts are people I really care about. I don't mind spending that extra time, the extra effort, putting some love in there, letting others know that I've taken the time and not the easy way out.
When it's for someone I care about.. I don't mind that at all.
Let's ban gift wrapping in all shops!
It's evil I tell you, it takes the love out, it's evil!!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Irritated
Little things have started to annoy me.
I think I've gone too long without sex..
Where's that Guy when I need him..?
A poll...
...taken from mozon.no, a sort of online magazine which specializes in health, alternative medicine, sexual and romantic relations etc.
As you can see, the alternatives vary for boys and girls. Why is this?
I mean... it's just... what?!?
If I prefer one of the last three, I can't pick them because I'm not a guy? What if a guy is waiting for 'the one', he can't answer that because "no, guys just don't do that"? And a girl has to choose between regretting, which you shouldn't do, being a prude (waiting for the one) or being liberated (of course!)?
And why isn't there just a "yeah, I've done that" option for girls?
I wouldn't say "yes, of course!" because it's simply not expected of someone to do that.
I wouldn't say I regret it. Well, maybe once..
I sure as hell wouldn't say I'm waiting for the one. I hope there's not a 'the one' because if there is, I've either lost him, or I've spent too long crying over someone who wasn't him.
I resent and object to this poll and the way it is presented. You know what most people have answered so far?
Girls: Yes, of course!
One fourth of the people answering this have said that. Is this representative? Do really more girls than guys think one night stands are ok? Some real research just said more men than women are willing to have sex on the first date. Surprised?
Presenting alternatives and options in this way is misleading. It makes you believe the results are quite different from what they really are.
Separating the sexes even before you start the research, not allowing men to answer something that's not expected of them, forcing women to answer something you think they will want to answer, means you've presented results before you've started the research.
That's too amateurish for me.
As you can see, the alternatives vary for boys and girls. Why is this?
| Girls: Yes, of course! | |
| Girls: Yes, but I regret it. | |
| Girls: No, I'm waiting for the one. | |
| Boys: Yes, several times! | |
| Boys: It happens, but it's not too good. | |
| Boys: No, it's not my style. | |
I mean... it's just... what?!?
If I prefer one of the last three, I can't pick them because I'm not a guy? What if a guy is waiting for 'the one', he can't answer that because "no, guys just don't do that"? And a girl has to choose between regretting, which you shouldn't do, being a prude (waiting for the one) or being liberated (of course!)?
And why isn't there just a "yeah, I've done that" option for girls?
I wouldn't say "yes, of course!" because it's simply not expected of someone to do that.
I wouldn't say I regret it. Well, maybe once..
I sure as hell wouldn't say I'm waiting for the one. I hope there's not a 'the one' because if there is, I've either lost him, or I've spent too long crying over someone who wasn't him.
I resent and object to this poll and the way it is presented. You know what most people have answered so far?
Girls: Yes, of course!
One fourth of the people answering this have said that. Is this representative? Do really more girls than guys think one night stands are ok? Some real research just said more men than women are willing to have sex on the first date. Surprised?
Presenting alternatives and options in this way is misleading. It makes you believe the results are quite different from what they really are.
Separating the sexes even before you start the research, not allowing men to answer something that's not expected of them, forcing women to answer something you think they will want to answer, means you've presented results before you've started the research.
That's too amateurish for me.
A couple emails..
.. I found online. You might have read them before, apparently they're 'famous' but I'd never seen them until today.
Both are written by the kind of guys most girls hope they'll never meet, yet we do seem to stumble across them, not realizing until it's too late.
Both guys were fired after their emails reached their bosses.
Email 1
From: Luxton, Trevor
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2002 9:20 AM
Subject: Story time
Last night I was all geared up for a night in front of the telly watching football, having a ruby and a couple of beers while Jo's still away. Suddenly I get a text from Laura my mates ex which says I'm coming round because I need to see you.
So she comes round and we get chatting about all sorts of stuff and then we start kissing a fondling (as you do). Then I find my self sitting in the arm chair with a beer in one hand remote in the other, West ham on the box and Laura on her knees sucking my piece...
Then the phone rings and it's Jo who was bored at the airport...
So now I've got my beer, Laura sucking and Jo chatting to me on the dog…when Laura stops sucking looks up at me winks and whispers "say hello to Jo for me" and then gets back to the job in hand...
Am I the worst boyfriend in the world or what?????
Both are written by the kind of guys most girls hope they'll never meet, yet we do seem to stumble across them, not realizing until it's too late.
Both guys were fired after their emails reached their bosses.
Email 1
From: Luxton, Trevor
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2002 9:20 AM
Subject: Story time
Last night I was all geared up for a night in front of the telly watching football, having a ruby and a couple of beers while Jo's still away. Suddenly I get a text from Laura my mates ex which says I'm coming round because I need to see you.
So she comes round and we get chatting about all sorts of stuff and then we start kissing a fondling (as you do). Then I find my self sitting in the arm chair with a beer in one hand remote in the other, West ham on the box and Laura on her knees sucking my piece...
Then the phone rings and it's Jo who was bored at the airport...
So now I've got my beer, Laura sucking and Jo chatting to me on the dog…when Laura stops sucking looks up at me winks and whispers "say hello to Jo for me" and then gets back to the job in hand...
Am I the worst boyfriend in the world or what?????
Email 2
From: Peter Chung
Subject: LIVING LIKE A KING
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 20:26:21 -0400
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19)
Content-Type: text/plain
So I've been in Korea for about a week and a half now and what can I say, LIFE IS GOOD....
I've got a spanking brand new 2000 sq. foot 3 bedroom apt. with a 200 sq. foot terrace running the entire length of my apartment with a view overlooking Korea's main river and nightline......Why do I need 3 bedrooms? Good question,.... the main bedroom is for my queen size bed,...where CHUNG is going to fuck every hot chick in Korea over the next 2 years (5 down, 1,000,000,000 left to go).... the second bedroom is for my harem of chickies, and the third bedroom is for all of you fuckers when you come out to visit my ass in Korea. I go out to Korea's finest clubs, bars and lounges pretty much every other night on the weekdays and everyday on the weekends to (I think in about 2 months, after I learn a little bit of the buyside business I'll probably go out every night on the weekdays). I know I was a stud in NYC but I pretty much get about, on average, 5-8 phone numbers a night and at least 3 hot chicks that say that they want to go home with me every night I go out. I love the buyside,.... I have bankers calling me everyday with opportunties and they pretty much cater to my every whim - you know (golfing events, lavish dinners, a night out clubbing). The guys I work with are also all chilll - I live in the same apt building as my VP and he drives me around in his Porsche (1 of 3 in all of Korea) to work and when we go out. What can I say,.... live is good,... CHUNG is KING of his domain here in Seoul.....
So,.... all of you fuckers better keep in touch and start making plans to come out and visit my ass ASAP, I'll show you guys an unbelievable time....My contact info is below.... Oh, by the way,... someone's gotta start fedexing me boxes of domes,...I brought out about 40 but I think I'll run out of them by Saturday.....
Laters,
CHUNG
Peter Chung
The Carlyle Group
I hate guys like this Peter. I never hate anything or anyone (except Hitler), but I actually do hate people with that attitude. You can't argue with them, you can't reason with them. Whatever you do they look down on you and say you'll come around and see things their way because they're right.
A lot of people claim they're right and want you to see things their way, but there are some people, I'd like to say they're too cocky for their own good but the fact is they tend to lead rather good lives, kiss some butt, have all the right stuff and make it to the top where they make more money and feel even better about themselves.
I can't talk to people like that because they don't listen. They know they're right - they've got what everyone else wants - they KNOW everyone is jealous of them. It's not true, but they still know it is.
What can you say to that?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Erection interfering with meditation - monk cuts it off.
A Buddhist monk in Thailand cut off his own penis with a machete after having an erection while meditating, Thai newspaper Kom Chad Luk reports.
The hospital director can't confirm how the incident happened but says the monk did not wish to have his genitals reattached. The reason was he had liberated himself from all earthly needs and desires.
- We cleaned the wound, stitched it up, but he did not want it reattached. He said he'd given up everything, Prawing Euanontouch at the Maharaj hostpital tells news agency Reuters.
I feel a little something from Wikipedia is in its place:
In Thailand, penis attacks are reputedly more common than in any other country. In fact, in Thailand more penis reattachment surgeries are performed than in any other nation. In contrast to such battery in Western nations, the motivating factors in Eastern nations world vary and are not necessarily lovers' quarrels.
For example, in November 2004 Manit Srithammathan cut off two teenage boys' penises and threw them in a canal. When the police questioned Srithammathan, he said he had cut off and disposed of their penises because the boys refused to confess to stealing $1,250 from his ATM account after they were shown videotape evidence of their theft. Typically also, the perpetrator's disposal of severed penises is unconventional. In 1997, a Thai wife had severed her husband's penis while he was asleep and attached it to helium balloons.
The hospital director can't confirm how the incident happened but says the monk did not wish to have his genitals reattached. The reason was he had liberated himself from all earthly needs and desires.
- We cleaned the wound, stitched it up, but he did not want it reattached. He said he'd given up everything, Prawing Euanontouch at the Maharaj hostpital tells news agency Reuters.
I feel a little something from Wikipedia is in its place:
In Thailand, penis attacks are reputedly more common than in any other country. In fact, in Thailand more penis reattachment surgeries are performed than in any other nation. In contrast to such battery in Western nations, the motivating factors in Eastern nations world vary and are not necessarily lovers' quarrels.
For example, in November 2004 Manit Srithammathan cut off two teenage boys' penises and threw them in a canal. When the police questioned Srithammathan, he said he had cut off and disposed of their penises because the boys refused to confess to stealing $1,250 from his ATM account after they were shown videotape evidence of their theft. Typically also, the perpetrator's disposal of severed penises is unconventional. In 1997, a Thai wife had severed her husband's penis while he was asleep and attached it to helium balloons.
First daughter
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNN) -- First daughter Barbara Bush's purse was stolen while she was in Argentina with her twin sister Jenna, a law enforcement source who was briefed on the incident told CNN Tuesday.
I've heard of a first wife, but a first daughter?? Is her sister a first daughter too, or is she a second daughter?
If they had three sons and two daughters, would there be first sons and first daughters or first, second and third sons and first and second daughters?
Because it just goes against reason that there can be more than one 'first' something..
So I went digging..
Umm... right... really smart...
I've heard of a first wife, but a first daughter?? Is her sister a first daughter too, or is she a second daughter?
If they had three sons and two daughters, would there be first sons and first daughters or first, second and third sons and first and second daughters?
Because it just goes against reason that there can be more than one 'first' something..
So I went digging..
The current First Family of the United States consists of President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and First Daughters Barbara and Jenna Bush. Barbara and Jenna were also the nation's First Granddaughters, from January 20, 1989-January 20, 1993. Barbara was eight years old at the time of her grandfather's inaugration and twelve years old when he left office. Barbara was a First Daughter of Texas from 1995, when she was fourteen, to 2001, when she was nineteen.
Umm... right... really smart...
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Egyptian Blogs
I don't think anyone thought of Egypt as a place with freedom of speech, or even opinion. If you say something bad about the state, the politicians or the religion (Islam), you might be picked up by the police and thrown in jail without trial or even a reason.
Where do blogs fit into this picture? Easy. Write a blog, they will find you. If you write something they don't like, they will arrest you. The last in line was Rami Siyam, known on his blog as «Ayyoub».
He had, like many others the past months, focused on how women are treated in Egypt. Women abused on the streets during the evenings, without police doing anything about it. Commenting on this is apparently not a good idea if you live in Egypt.
In Egypt, blogging is much a political issue - it is one of very few ways you can express your real feelings about the government and the state. Or at least it was. According to Amnesty International, the blogs contained criticism of Islam and the governmental religious organization al-Azhar. Criticizing the religion or the government is not accepted in Egypt.
- The governments say the bloggers, among other things, disturb the peace and express religious hatred.
Now Egyptian bloggers are joining forces, criticizing the Egyptian state. Of course, demonstrations, as well as blogging, is not accepted. It's hard to change something you're not allowed to talk about. Many get arrested, thrown in jail without a trial or even a reason.
Lovely circle, ain't it?
Where do blogs fit into this picture? Easy. Write a blog, they will find you. If you write something they don't like, they will arrest you. The last in line was Rami Siyam, known on his blog as «Ayyoub».
He had, like many others the past months, focused on how women are treated in Egypt. Women abused on the streets during the evenings, without police doing anything about it. Commenting on this is apparently not a good idea if you live in Egypt.
In Egypt, blogging is much a political issue - it is one of very few ways you can express your real feelings about the government and the state. Or at least it was. According to Amnesty International, the blogs contained criticism of Islam and the governmental religious organization al-Azhar. Criticizing the religion or the government is not accepted in Egypt.
- The governments say the bloggers, among other things, disturb the peace and express religious hatred.
Now Egyptian bloggers are joining forces, criticizing the Egyptian state. Of course, demonstrations, as well as blogging, is not accepted. It's hard to change something you're not allowed to talk about. Many get arrested, thrown in jail without a trial or even a reason.
Lovely circle, ain't it?
Friday, November 17, 2006
Comments...
...on a previous post, written by someone pretending to be me, have been deleted.
I think most people here have realized you can write pretty much anything and I'll argue but never silence you.
Writing comments pretending to be me is taking it one step too far.
If it happens again I'll be forced to delete all comments this person makes, something I've wanted to do for a while but never had a reason to. Thanks for giving me that reason.
I think most people here have realized you can write pretty much anything and I'll argue but never silence you.
Writing comments pretending to be me is taking it one step too far.
If it happens again I'll be forced to delete all comments this person makes, something I've wanted to do for a while but never had a reason to. Thanks for giving me that reason.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Dummy variables
For the 60 months, values of the variable would thus be: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0. Such values can be entered into a regression programme, included in a multiple regression equation and treated just like any other normal variable.
Maths is dumb..
R. L. Thomas, Using Statistics in Economics
Maths is dumb..
Cracked open
Is this hot?
She's hot, I know that, but should dresses these days reveal that much? I like butts, butts are cute, but I think it's hotter to wear a dress that shows off the bottom of your butt (so to speak).
The bottom of a butt is nice, it has curves, two little halves curving up against each other. The top of a butt is just a line and, in my mind, it's just not that hot..
This is Michelle Heaton at the World Music Awards in London.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Soldier pleads guilty in Iraq killings
FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky (AP) -- One of four U.S. soldiers accused of raping an Iraqi girl last spring and killing her and her family pleaded guilty Wednesday and will testify against the others.
Spc. James P. Barker agreed to the plea deal to avoid the death penalty, said his civilian attorney, David Sheldon.
The killings in Mahmoudiya, a village about 20 miles south of Baghdad, were among the worst in a series of alleged attacks on civilians and other abuses by military personnel in Iraq.
Sgt. Paul E. Cortez and Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman, both members of the 101st Airborne Division with Barker, could face the death penalty if convicted in the case in courts-martial at Fort Campbell.
Former Army private Steve Green, 21, pleaded not guilty last week to charges including murder and sexual assault.
Green was discharged from the Army for a "personality disorder" before the allegations became known, and prosecutors have yet to say if they will pursue the death penalty against him.
The indictment accuses Green and others of raping the 14-year-old girl and burning her body to conceal their crimes. It also alleges that Green and four others stationed at a nearby checkpoint killed the girl's father, mother and 6-year-old sister.
Barker has given investigators vivid accounts of the assault. An investigator testified during a hearing in August that Barker had said the soldiers drank whiskey and played cards while plotting the assault, that Barker, Cortez and Green took turns raping the girl, and that Green shot her and her family.
The U.S. military judge presiding over the case, Lt. Col. Richard Anderson, asked Barker why he participated in the attack in Mahmoudiya,
"I hated Iraqis, your honor," Barker answered. "They can smile at you, then shoot you in your face without even thinking about it."
Boy am I glad there are loyal boys like those
out there to save us from the evil terrorists..
I know, I know...
Blogger Beta sans comments
If you haven't heard from me on your blog lately and think I'm rude for not commenting, this is why..
The account you've just logged in with, anneapple, has been merged with the Google Account applestories@gmail.com.
claim a mobile blog using your Google Account.
I can't change back from Blogger Beta and of course they never told me about the "surprise! you're not able to comment anymore!".
As long as you're non-Beta and Blogger doesn't change it, I'll be unable to comment.
Which really sucks for me since some of you people write things I need to comment on. Like right now.
I don't like waiting...
Edit: It's working, it's working! For now.
The account you've just logged in with, anneapple, has been merged with the Google Account applestories@gmail.com.
You will need to log in to the new version of Blogger in beta with your Google Account.
Unfortunately, you cannot post a comment on a non-beta blog orclaim a mobile blog using your Google Account.
I can't change back from Blogger Beta and of course they never told me about the "surprise! you're not able to comment anymore!".
As long as you're non-Beta and Blogger doesn't change it, I'll be unable to comment.
Which really sucks for me since some of you people write things I need to comment on. Like right now.
I don't like waiting...
Edit: It's working, it's working! For now.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
What I was thinking...
Boy and girl meet.
Boy and girl are attracted to each other.
Boy and girl meet again.
Boy and girl have sex.
Boy and girl are no longer attracted.
Boy and girl become close friends.
...how much does it take for boy and girl to find
themselves attracted to each other again?
Boy and girl are attracted to each other.
Boy and girl meet again.
Boy and girl have sex.
Boy and girl are no longer attracted.
Boy and girl become close friends.
...how much does it take for boy and girl to find
themselves attracted to each other again?
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Brazilian woman survives after being shot in head 6 times
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — A Brazilian woman who was shot six times in the head after an altercation with her ex-husband was out of the hospital and talking to the media on Saturday.
"I know this was a miracle," 21-year-old housewife Patricia Goncalves Pereira told Globo TV. "Now I just want to extract the bullets and live my life."
Pereira was shot Friday in the small city of Monte Claros, about 560 miles north of Sao Paulo, after quarreling with her former husband, who was reportedly upset because she refused to get back together with him. She was also shot once in the hand.
Doctors could not explain why the .32-caliber bullets did not penetrate Pereira's skull and didn't even need to be extracted immediately.
"I can't explain how something like this happened," surgeon Adriano Teixeira said, adding that the bullets were lodged under the woman's scalp.
The ex-husband was still at large.
"I know this was a miracle," 21-year-old housewife Patricia Goncalves Pereira told Globo TV. "Now I just want to extract the bullets and live my life."
Pereira was shot Friday in the small city of Monte Claros, about 560 miles north of Sao Paulo, after quarreling with her former husband, who was reportedly upset because she refused to get back together with him. She was also shot once in the hand.
Doctors could not explain why the .32-caliber bullets did not penetrate Pereira's skull and didn't even need to be extracted immediately.
"I can't explain how something like this happened," surgeon Adriano Teixeira said, adding that the bullets were lodged under the woman's scalp.
The ex-husband was still at large.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Bye bye Rummy
Donald Rumsfeld is friggen 74 years old?!?
He's like from a different era!
What the heck is (was) he doing controlling the national defense of the most powerful country on earth??
Sure, wisdom comes with age (or insanity if you please), and at 74 you might very well be smarter than two and a half 30 year olds put together..
..but 74 also means you grew up and learned to know the world when it was a little different from today.
He's like from a different era!
What the heck is (was) he doing controlling the national defense of the most powerful country on earth??
Sure, wisdom comes with age (or insanity if you please), and at 74 you might very well be smarter than two and a half 30 year olds put together..
..but 74 also means you grew up and learned to know the world when it was a little different from today.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
*wobble*
My feet feel strange from trying to walk in the shoes again. They're all wobbly. Now my ankles are wobbly.I have to try walking in them a bit before I actually have to wear them for longer than two minutes.
Apparently I'm not used to wearing heels... these are heels that could easily get stuck if I walked on a cobbled street (thanks for the word, Timothy :P.
I think I better stay inside while wearing them... They dont seem to be made for walking. They seem to be made just for looking nice.
And making me wobble.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The Guy says...
"Don't freak out now... but my mum is coming over next weekend and she was wondering if we wanted to go to the theater with her"
I'm officially freaking out!!
I'm officially freaking out!!
My new shoes
I bought shoes. They look like this.
I know you can't see much but I like this picture
and there's another one at the bottom.
They're very pointy.
I don't like pointy shoes.
They're also silver coloured.
I don't have any silver coloured clothes.
I think I love them.
I know you can't see much but I like this picture
and there's another one at the bottom.
They're very pointy.
I don't like pointy shoes.
They're also silver coloured.
I don't have any silver coloured clothes.
I think I love them.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Laws in the Carolinas
Have you ever heard the phrase "This is a free country!" or "This is the best country in the world!". Doesn't it sound rather American to you?
Now, the US is a great country - great as in big and I'm sure it's great in other ways too. I've never been there so I couldn't really say. But I do know it can be a strange country. And strange countries have strange laws.
I thought we'd dip into the laws of some of the states which makes up the US of A. Let's start with the Carolinas - they've always seemed like such cute states.
Starting with South Carolina..
It is illegal to give or receive oral sex in South Carolina.
*not a state I plan on moving to*
By law, if a man promises to marry an unmarried woman, the marriage must take place.
It is considered an offense to get a tattoo.
It is perfectly legal to beat your wife on the court house steps on Sundays.
and my favourite...
Every adult male must bring a rifle to church on Sunday in order to ward off Indian attacks.
Continuing with North Carolina..
The mere possession of a lottery ticket is illegal in North Carolina and may result in a $2,000 fine.
It's against the law to sing off key.
*I'm screwed*
While having sex, you must stay in the missionary position and have the shades pulled.
*gently screwed*
All couples staying overnight in a hotel must have a room with double beds that are at least two feet apart.
*doesn't say you can't sleep in the same bed*
If a man and a woman who aren't married go to a hotel/motel and register themselves as married then, according to state law, they are legally married.
*how convinient, saves you all that hassle with a wedding dress and all... but they should write warning signs...*
and of course, yet again,
Oral sex is considered a crime against nature.
...someone very sexually frustrated must have made these laws...
Now, the US is a great country - great as in big and I'm sure it's great in other ways too. I've never been there so I couldn't really say. But I do know it can be a strange country. And strange countries have strange laws.
I thought we'd dip into the laws of some of the states which makes up the US of A. Let's start with the Carolinas - they've always seemed like such cute states.
Starting with South Carolina..
It is illegal to give or receive oral sex in South Carolina.
*not a state I plan on moving to*
By law, if a man promises to marry an unmarried woman, the marriage must take place.
It is considered an offense to get a tattoo.
It is perfectly legal to beat your wife on the court house steps on Sundays.
and my favourite...
Every adult male must bring a rifle to church on Sunday in order to ward off Indian attacks.
Continuing with North Carolina..
The mere possession of a lottery ticket is illegal in North Carolina and may result in a $2,000 fine.
It's against the law to sing off key.
*I'm screwed*
While having sex, you must stay in the missionary position and have the shades pulled.
*gently screwed*
All couples staying overnight in a hotel must have a room with double beds that are at least two feet apart.
*doesn't say you can't sleep in the same bed*
If a man and a woman who aren't married go to a hotel/motel and register themselves as married then, according to state law, they are legally married.
*how convinient, saves you all that hassle with a wedding dress and all... but they should write warning signs...*
and of course, yet again,
Oral sex is considered a crime against nature.
...someone very sexually frustrated must have made these laws...
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Reason why women are smarter than men
Gender is an important basis for interest-group
formation, in the 2000 elections, women voted
in disproportionately large numbers for Demo-
crats, and Republicans expressed much concern
over the gender gap.
Harvey S. Rosen, "Public Finance"
formation, in the 2000 elections, women voted
in disproportionately large numbers for Demo-
crats, and Republicans expressed much concern
over the gender gap.
Harvey S. Rosen, "Public Finance"
President Bush tells stories...
...of the secret Delta Force and hostage situations in Iraq:
"One of the stories– interesting stories I tell is about
the fellow that came here. He got kidnaped and he
was rescued pretty early by our Delta team. I said,
what's it like to be kidnaped, man? It must have been
weird – Baghdad, to be kidnaped. And he said,
yes – he said, I was in there with, like – I forgot the
number – nine other people from different nationalities.
He said, at one time I said, I'm going to get out and
you're – you're going to get out and I'm not. And all
these people said, well, that's a pretty pessimistic
thing to say. He said, well, my government won't
ransom me; yours will. And he was right. We weren't going to.
And sure enough, the Norwegian went for – I don't know
what the numbers are – but they made a nice little living,
because there was no – no push-back. There was no kind
of structure. And so these weren't necessarily political
people. These were people that just found a pretty good
niche for a while. Made a couple of million dollars, nobody
got hurt. And fortunately, our Delta teams found the guy,
and got him out of there. But it was just an interesting story.
Yes, sir."
Now.. the Norwegian government, the Norwegian Army and the Norwegian Foreign Secretary have never heard of a Norwegian having been kidnapped and have never paid any ransom.
No one has heard of this, and no one wish to comment on the American Presidents statements. It could simply be that he mixed up the nationalities or that the information he received wasn't accurate.
The point here wasn't the soldier who may or may not have existed. The point was the way President Bush tells stories - you gotta read r e a l s l o w if you want to understand even half of it..
"One of the stories– interesting stories I tell is about
the fellow that came here. He got kidnaped and he
was rescued pretty early by our Delta team. I said,
what's it like to be kidnaped, man? It must have been
weird – Baghdad, to be kidnaped. And he said,
yes – he said, I was in there with, like – I forgot the
number – nine other people from different nationalities.
He said, at one time I said, I'm going to get out and
you're – you're going to get out and I'm not. And all
these people said, well, that's a pretty pessimistic
thing to say. He said, well, my government won't
ransom me; yours will. And he was right. We weren't going to.
And sure enough, the Norwegian went for – I don't know
what the numbers are – but they made a nice little living,
because there was no – no push-back. There was no kind
of structure. And so these weren't necessarily political
people. These were people that just found a pretty good
niche for a while. Made a couple of million dollars, nobody
got hurt. And fortunately, our Delta teams found the guy,
and got him out of there. But it was just an interesting story.
Yes, sir."
Now.. the Norwegian government, the Norwegian Army and the Norwegian Foreign Secretary have never heard of a Norwegian having been kidnapped and have never paid any ransom.
No one has heard of this, and no one wish to comment on the American Presidents statements. It could simply be that he mixed up the nationalities or that the information he received wasn't accurate.
The point here wasn't the soldier who may or may not have existed. The point was the way President Bush tells stories - you gotta read r e a l s l o w if you want to understand even half of it..
Snow on a mountain
You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
Christmas snow is coming to town!
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
Christmas snow is coming to town!
It's coming, it's coming!
It's freezing cold outside, there's ice on the roads and snow on at least one mountain!
The sky is a gorgeous blue with not one cloud in sight ... no snow without clouds so for once I hope they'll come soon. We've got a city to freeze.
Bomb threat against students
Police are now out by an apartment building owned by SiB, the student organization, checking out a bomb.Apparently someone found a suspicious object attached to the maroon car in the picture. All the students have been evacuated to one room in the building while police are checking it out.
One resident says it looks like a shoe box with wires sticking out - he says it looks more like a prank than anything.
Police says it could be someone put the 'bomb' there to be funny but they take these things seriously and if there's a chance it's real, they will check it out.
Yeah right, they're just jealous because of all the attention we got after the fire they decided to do their own thing...
[Edit] The car the 'bomb' was attached to was owned by a student living in the building. He saw the article on the net and called the police, explaining he had dressed up as a suicide bomber for Halloween and had forgot to remove the box from his car.
Police then removed it and the problem was solved.
Told you it was only for the attention...
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Showed his Penis at Gyldenpris
Police are looking for a man after a woman got to see a little more
than she wanted this evening.
At 6:27pm the police recieved a call saying a penis had been illegally displayed. [the article seriously said that]
- We have units in the area and they've been looking for the man.
The woman wants to report this, police officer Arve Samsonsen says.
The man who exposed himself has not yet been arrested.
Hey, I live there!
Why didn't I get to see?
I was even outside at 6:27!
And I wouldn't even tell the police!
than she wanted this evening.
At 6:27pm the police recieved a call saying a penis had been illegally displayed. [the article seriously said that]
- We have units in the area and they've been looking for the man.
The woman wants to report this, police officer Arve Samsonsen says.
The man who exposed himself has not yet been arrested.
Hey, I live there!
Why didn't I get to see?
I was even outside at 6:27!
And I wouldn't even tell the police!
Operation Milano
Tuesday 9:00am, Bergen, Norway
Police storms two buildings. Eight were arrested, several others brought in for questioning. Several are women originally from Asia, working in Norway as prostitutes on the indoor market. Those arrested are charged with human trafficking.
Tuesday 9:00am, Oslo, Norway
Police hit eleven addresses and brought in several persons, two of them charged for human trafficking in Bergen. Oslo's prostitution market is currently dominated by women from Nigeria.
Tuesday 9:00am, Gothenburg, Sweden
Police arrests two women. These have connections to the prostitution network in Bergen.
Police have for a long time had these locations under observation.
One of the buildings was one block away from the cinema, above the restaurant Thai Away.
The other location was Wat Po, a therapy centre. The owner, a 53 year old woman, has been charged with human trafficking but has not been arrested. Police suspects she might be abroad.
Another woman from Thailand charged with human trafficking is suspected of having found women in Thailand, promised them a better life and a good job in Scandinavia. They were brought from Thailand, via Sweden to Norway and Bergen, where they were forced to work as prostitutes.
She was arrested in the appartment above the restaurant she runs. Her Norwegian partner says there must be a mistake, he cannot believe she is involved in any such business. The partner himself owns one of the buildings the police stormed.
Police says this kind of activity can be classified as organized criminal activity, something which can add 5 years to a prison sentence.
No one yet knows how many victims are involved but police says it reaches far and involves many.
In a strange way this makes me feel... happy inside. They've taken it seriously after the former police chief claimed only two years ago "There are no foreign prostitutes in Bergen!".
A reorganization of Norwegian police and renewed focus lead to these arrests which will hopefully only be the beginning of the joined Scandinavian focus on human trafficking. It also makes me realize we can't criticize the police too much - they have strict rules to follow and can't defend themselves - they simply can't say they're investigating certain individuals - if they do, they will risk ruining the whole investigation.
However... it is kinda scary. I've walked past the restaurant Thai Away three or four times just the past week. The first time I noticed it was when walking there with The Guy, he commented on the name (Thai Away - Take Away). I noticed two 50-60 year old rather creepy men standing in the door, leering at a young guy when he approached, saying "it's closed".
There were also
Police storms two buildings. Eight were arrested, several others brought in for questioning. Several are women originally from Asia, working in Norway as prostitutes on the indoor market. Those arrested are charged with human trafficking.
Tuesday 9:00am, Oslo, Norway
Police hit eleven addresses and brought in several persons, two of them charged for human trafficking in Bergen. Oslo's prostitution market is currently dominated by women from Nigeria.
Tuesday 9:00am, Gothenburg, Sweden
Police arrests two women. These have connections to the prostitution network in Bergen.
Police have for a long time had these locations under observation.
One of the buildings was one block away from the cinema, above the restaurant Thai Away.
The other location was Wat Po, a therapy centre. The owner, a 53 year old woman, has been charged with human trafficking but has not been arrested. Police suspects she might be abroad.
Another woman from Thailand charged with human trafficking is suspected of having found women in Thailand, promised them a better life and a good job in Scandinavia. They were brought from Thailand, via Sweden to Norway and Bergen, where they were forced to work as prostitutes.
She was arrested in the appartment above the restaurant she runs. Her Norwegian partner says there must be a mistake, he cannot believe she is involved in any such business. The partner himself owns one of the buildings the police stormed.
Police says this kind of activity can be classified as organized criminal activity, something which can add 5 years to a prison sentence.
No one yet knows how many victims are involved but police says it reaches far and involves many.
In a strange way this makes me feel... happy inside. They've taken it seriously after the former police chief claimed only two years ago "There are no foreign prostitutes in Bergen!".
A reorganization of Norwegian police and renewed focus lead to these arrests which will hopefully only be the beginning of the joined Scandinavian focus on human trafficking. It also makes me realize we can't criticize the police too much - they have strict rules to follow and can't defend themselves - they simply can't say they're investigating certain individuals - if they do, they will risk ruining the whole investigation.
However... it is kinda scary. I've walked past the restaurant Thai Away three or four times just the past week. The first time I noticed it was when walking there with The Guy, he commented on the name (Thai Away - Take Away). I noticed two 50-60 year old rather creepy men standing in the door, leering at a young guy when he approached, saying "it's closed".
There were also
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Daily Horoscope for Libra October 31st
You may be feeling dangerously close to ameltdown and there isn't an apparent fix to
this emotionally charged situation.
You want to tell it like it is, but get sidetracked
when you consider the possible negative
reactions. Try not to let yourself get stuck
by your tendency to make everyone feel at ease.
Being honest is more important now than being nice.
tarot.com
this emotionally charged situation.
You want to tell it like it is, but get sidetracked
when you consider the possible negative
reactions. Try not to let yourself get stuck
by your tendency to make everyone feel at ease.
Being honest is more important now than being nice.
tarot.com
Well... this couldn't be more wrong. I'm really rather happy at the moment, no meltdown in sight (I'll save that for when my exam results get back), I don't have anything to complain about and no negative reactions to fear.
Why I felt the need to post it?
I love it when horoscopes are this wrong... :P
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday night
There are black marks on the walls all over the house.
There's a big black boot print by the veranda door.
There's still a heavy smell of smoke in the air.
TV is still out, been since the fire.
The people who have had to move out come back from time to time to get their stuff.
Basically it all kinda sucks... *sigh*
Hey, TV's back!
There's a big black boot print by the veranda door.
There's still a heavy smell of smoke in the air.
TV is still out, been since the fire.
The people who have had to move out come back from time to time to get their stuff.
Basically it all kinda sucks... *sigh*
Hey, TV's back!
Chocolate on the run!
Minde chocolate factory, one of Norway's biggest chocolate producers, is conveniently located in the part of Bergen called Minde.Last August there was a big leak during the night and chocolate and cocoa spread across the neighbour farmer's field. The farmer took the whole thing with a smile and told the paper he'd said the kids could go get their sledges and pretend they were in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
Today it happened again, they had to close a road for 40 minutes to clear the sticky stuff away.
Hmm... I obviously live in the wrong part of town...
Human Trafficking in Bergen
Police says there are several foreign men running human trafficking operations out of Bergen.
It only took BA (Norwegian newspaper) a few minutes to find 56 girls in Bergen who offer sex for payment over the net. When the same search was performed three years ago, only 2 girls advertised their services.
- Human trafficking is hidden and hard to discover, says Odd Hilt at Bergen Police Station to nrk.no. Many advertise on the net and operate out of apartments, never having to walk the streets.
Police in Bergen has now launched a big investigation of prostitution and the environment surrounding it in Bergen.
Now the police want to catch the men who run this cynical trade in humans. The police does not yet know how big this business is in Bergen.
- It's hard to say how big the percentage is, but there is human trafficking, we know that, and that's what the police wants to do something about, Hilt says.
Police says many of the prostitutes in Bergen are owned by foreign men who bought them in their home country and force them to sell sex.
Story by Henning Jensen
bt.no
I have a problem with "owned" and "bought" though... If I bring you out of your country and hand you over to another person and they give me money for you, have I then sold you? Do you then belong to someone?
If I steal a TV and sell it to you, is it then yours? No, it will still be stolen goods. Why doesn't that apply to people? The journalist, Jensen, wrote this in a way which makes me wonder... Is it the general opinion that you can own people? Or just prostitutes?
It's coming closer.
Now try telling me it's not my problem..
It only took BA (Norwegian newspaper) a few minutes to find 56 girls in Bergen who offer sex for payment over the net. When the same search was performed three years ago, only 2 girls advertised their services.
- Human trafficking is hidden and hard to discover, says Odd Hilt at Bergen Police Station to nrk.no. Many advertise on the net and operate out of apartments, never having to walk the streets.
Police in Bergen has now launched a big investigation of prostitution and the environment surrounding it in Bergen.
Now the police want to catch the men who run this cynical trade in humans. The police does not yet know how big this business is in Bergen.
- It's hard to say how big the percentage is, but there is human trafficking, we know that, and that's what the police wants to do something about, Hilt says.
Police says many of the prostitutes in Bergen are owned by foreign men who bought them in their home country and force them to sell sex.
Story by Henning Jensen
bt.no
I have a problem with "owned" and "bought" though... If I bring you out of your country and hand you over to another person and they give me money for you, have I then sold you? Do you then belong to someone?
If I steal a TV and sell it to you, is it then yours? No, it will still be stolen goods. Why doesn't that apply to people? The journalist, Jensen, wrote this in a way which makes me wonder... Is it the general opinion that you can own people? Or just prostitutes?
It's coming closer.
Now try telling me it's not my problem..
Fire update
Email from SiB says person in hospital is fine, but even though no one was hurt, the situation had been dramatic.
They wish to thank all the residents for having handled the situation brilliantly and having taken care of their neighbours who had to escape from their rooms. 18 rooms will have to be left empty for the time being, everyone has been offered new places to stay.
The fire had not spread to any rooms beyond the one on fire, the only damage done was the smoke and soot, and the doors of the rooms next door which had had to be kicked down.
There will be a guard from Securitas posted on the spot 24/7.
They wish to thank all the residents for having handled the situation brilliantly and having taken care of their neighbours who had to escape from their rooms. 18 rooms will have to be left empty for the time being, everyone has been offered new places to stay.
The fire had not spread to any rooms beyond the one on fire, the only damage done was the smoke and soot, and the doors of the rooms next door which had had to be kicked down.
There will be a guard from Securitas posted on the spot 24/7.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Light my Fire!
I came home at 4:30pm this afternoon after sleeping over with The Guy. We'd been watching the skiing all morning and when it stopped raining I went home.When I came home I saw a note on the first floor saying "Info meeting about the fire last night, in the common room at 3pm". Umm.. what?
Second floor, lots of student with blankets and parents wandering about.
Third floor, black fingerprints along the walls. Heavy smell of smoke in the air.
Fourth floor, SiB (student organization) people discussing something. A security guard"sitting on a chair next to the door leading to the northern side of the building. The doorway and walls black with soot.
Fifth floor, my floor, still smells like smoke but there are no more black finger prints.
I get to my door and there are black footprints outside. Apparently they've gone from door to door.
There was a fire last night. It started at about 1am and was put out by 1:30. Or rather, it stopped by 1:30 - there was nothing left in the room to burn. Luckily, whoever lived there wasn't in. The fire department said if someone was inside, there would be no way for them to have survived.
It was so hot the window was melted almost all the way through and the lights in the hallway were melted simply from the heat through concrete walls and a two inch thick fire proof door. That's pretty hot..
One girl was brought to the emergency room for a checkup, other than that no one were physically injured.
This building is one of the safest in the city - there are concrete walls between each room. They've always said if it starts burning in one room, it has no way of reaching the next... last night proved them right on that one...
And I wasn't even around to see it!
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Afaq Moha and the ADB
|
FROM THE DESK OF MR AFAQ MOHAMMAD
MANAGER BILL AND EXCHANGE.
AFRICA DEVELOPMENT BANK.(A.D.B)
OUAGADOUGOU,BURKINA FASO.
WEST AFRICA.
Dear Sir,/Madam,
I know that this message will come to you as a surprise. I am the bill and exchange manager of Africa Development Bank (ADB), Ouagadougou Burkina faso. *the ADB has offices in Tunisia, Cote d'Ivoire, Addids Ababa and Cairo. Apparently not in Burkina Faso. They did, however, have a meeting there once.* I Hoped that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that i am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of our both families. I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of ($12.5)million to your account within 10 or 14 banking days. This money has been dormant for years in our Bank without claim.
I want the bank to release the money to you as the nearest person to our deceased customer(the owner of the account)died along with his supposed next of kin *that's convienient* in an air crash since July 2000. I don't want the money to go into our Bank treasurer as an abandoned fund. So this is the reason why i contacted you so that the bank can release the money to you as the next of kin to the deceased customer. *I am the next of kin? I had family in Africa? I did? I who has skin as white as skimmed milk have relatives that used to by yummy chocolate brown?* Please I would like you to keep this proposal as a top secret and delete it if you are not interested. *top secret? you didn't tell me my relatives died!!*
Upon receipt of your reply i will give you full details on how the business will be executed and also, note that you will have 25% of the above mentioned sum if you agree to handle this business with me. *you'll give me 25% of the money that is rightfully mine?!? You just told me my beloved relative die, now you want to run off with my money?!?* Waiting to hear from you.
Thanks
Yours truly,
AFAQ MOHAMMAD(A.D.B)
I sent an email back telling whoever sent this to get better addresses than hotmail and yahoo - it's just too obvious.
Wait.... maybe I should have sent an email back saying I agreed and am willing to help... I'd love to see what happened next.... crap...
Oh well... I found a little on the African Development Bank though;
Focus AfDB Endorses Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
The Bank’s endorsement of the Initiative is expected
to help resolve one of the most striking paradoxes of the
African continent where countries with vast mineral
wealth are among the poorest in the world. Fourteen of
the 22 countries around the globe that have joined the
EITI are in Africa. The donor partners of the EITI include
the G8, and Norway.
The most powerful countries in the world and us.
That's kinda cool. We're being nice.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Girl for Sale
Undercover agents and investigators in Oslo are Friday night chasing a man who tried to strangle an 18 year old girl before she was dumped in a tunnel.
The girl, working as a prostitute, told the police she had to pretend she was dead, and only then the man turned the car around and drove towards the city.
According to witnesses the girl was unconcious when she fell - or was pushed - out of the car.
"We're looking for a red VW Golf 1985-model with registration number DE 57802. The car was stolen in Oslo last night" the police says.
The Bulgarian girl had only been in Norway for a few days, when she was picked up by a john to take a ride out of the city. At some point during the drive the man turned violent, and tried to strangle the girl.
Cars which were driving behind the red Golf told the police they saw the car slow down inside the tunnel before the woman fell out.
"One of the drivers behind took care of the woman, while another followed the red Golf. After a while, near another tunnel, he lost sight of the car" police explains.
The 18 year old was this afternoon released from hospital after being in for treatment and observation.
The police gives the following description of the man:
Look European, 26-30 years old, 175-180cm tall. Short, blond hair. He's a big guy with acne in his face. Wearing 'rapper clothes' and wearing a caps.
What the hell?!? Are you surprised this happened? There's an 18 year old coming to this country to be a friggin prostitute and you're surprised that someone tries to hurt her?
What do you think she's been through before she met this guy? You think she just sat down on her bed in Bulgaria and thought "hey, why don't I go to Norway and sell my body for a living? It's a small country I'm sure there are only nice, handsome guys who will want to sleep with me." ?
Newsflash: we're as evil as the rest of them!
Each year between 600,000 and 800,000 human beings are victims of human trafficking. 80% of them are women, 50% are minors. Most of the women.. correction - females - (girls are females too and if you're 4 years old it only makes you more attractive) are being trafficked for sexual labour. They are kidnapped, bought and sold. They are, effectively, just another merchandise.
The numbers are shocking although they are, of course, only estimates. No one knows how many are human beings are sold every day because it is very much illegal. It's against the law in most, if not all countries. But 'against the law' doesn't always mean too much.
Imagine someone pulls you into a car, drops you onto a boat, ship you off to another country, takes your passport away and locks you up in an appartment with lots of other people like you. They guard the doors and tell you if you try to escape or cause trouble they'll kill your family back home.
Then they rape you to break you down. If you refuse to do what they say, they strip you naked, beat you, hold you down and rape you. You can't go anywhere, you can't do anything. You're a prisoner in a free country.
If anyone dares to be surprised something like this happens... No one is surprised there's an 18 year old Bulgarian prostitute in Norway. The only shocking thing here is someone tried to kill her.
Catching the guy won't help much.
What would you do if someone sold you and sent you off to Turkey?
The girl, working as a prostitute, told the police she had to pretend she was dead, and only then the man turned the car around and drove towards the city.
According to witnesses the girl was unconcious when she fell - or was pushed - out of the car.
"We're looking for a red VW Golf 1985-model with registration number DE 57802. The car was stolen in Oslo last night" the police says.
The Bulgarian girl had only been in Norway for a few days, when she was picked up by a john to take a ride out of the city. At some point during the drive the man turned violent, and tried to strangle the girl.
Cars which were driving behind the red Golf told the police they saw the car slow down inside the tunnel before the woman fell out.
"One of the drivers behind took care of the woman, while another followed the red Golf. After a while, near another tunnel, he lost sight of the car" police explains.
The 18 year old was this afternoon released from hospital after being in for treatment and observation.
The police gives the following description of the man:
Look European, 26-30 years old, 175-180cm tall. Short, blond hair. He's a big guy with acne in his face. Wearing 'rapper clothes' and wearing a caps.
What the hell?!? Are you surprised this happened? There's an 18 year old coming to this country to be a friggin prostitute and you're surprised that someone tries to hurt her?
What do you think she's been through before she met this guy? You think she just sat down on her bed in Bulgaria and thought "hey, why don't I go to Norway and sell my body for a living? It's a small country I'm sure there are only nice, handsome guys who will want to sleep with me." ?
Newsflash: we're as evil as the rest of them!
Each year between 600,000 and 800,000 human beings are victims of human trafficking. 80% of them are women, 50% are minors. Most of the women.. correction - females - (girls are females too and if you're 4 years old it only makes you more attractive) are being trafficked for sexual labour. They are kidnapped, bought and sold. They are, effectively, just another merchandise.
The numbers are shocking although they are, of course, only estimates. No one knows how many are human beings are sold every day because it is very much illegal. It's against the law in most, if not all countries. But 'against the law' doesn't always mean too much.
Imagine someone pulls you into a car, drops you onto a boat, ship you off to another country, takes your passport away and locks you up in an appartment with lots of other people like you. They guard the doors and tell you if you try to escape or cause trouble they'll kill your family back home.
Then they rape you to break you down. If you refuse to do what they say, they strip you naked, beat you, hold you down and rape you. You can't go anywhere, you can't do anything. You're a prisoner in a free country.
If anyone dares to be surprised something like this happens... No one is surprised there's an 18 year old Bulgarian prostitute in Norway. The only shocking thing here is someone tried to kill her.
Catching the guy won't help much.
What would you do if someone sold you and sent you off to Turkey?
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Waterless?
I wake up.
I go to the bathroom.
I go to the toilet.
(I'll spare you the details)
I flush.
I walk to the sink.
I put soap in one hand.
I turn on the tap.
I wait for the water.
I wait... I wait?!?
I'm not supposed to wait for the water, it just magically appears whenever I want it to. There's a little water dripping from the tap, just enough for me to manage to rinse my hands.
I try the shower. Nothing.
I try the kitchen tap. Nothing.
Something's wrong here...
I go to the bathroom.
I go to the toilet.
(I'll spare you the details)
I flush.
I walk to the sink.
I put soap in one hand.
I turn on the tap.
I wait for the water.
I wait... I wait?!?
I'm not supposed to wait for the water, it just magically appears whenever I want it to. There's a little water dripping from the tap, just enough for me to manage to rinse my hands.
I try the shower. Nothing.
I try the kitchen tap. Nothing.
Something's wrong here...
Sunday, October 22, 2006
From Baby to Brat
I found a petition...
To: Parents
As of today there are 66 signatures.
Signatures and comments include:
7. Miranda
Woohoo! Rite on.
8. Brittany Nicole Knox
hells yea!!!!A4life
11. Retard
Britt u rox my sox off
16. tanaya
ban them dumb parents
27. jessica
parents are horrible and are out to hurt you both physicaly and in the mind
28. cathi
I would like to line up all the stupid parents in this world, and have them be shot
34. Desha
I hate my parents. They are so ironic. They need to give me a break, and take a look at the reality I live in right now
37. Colleen
parents can be SOOOO GAYYY
48. Tom H
My parents suck. I can't go on a school trip to Vimy ridge, France cause I did'nt do the dishes
54. SARA
BAN FUKIN ANNOYING UNGREATFUL PARENTS
Now I'm sure there are a lot of, well, stupid parents. A lot of parents hurt their children and a lot of children have every right to wish their parents dead. But the basis for this petition (Well all of us have the right to jump off the roof of the house and into the pool.. etc.) might need some rephrasing.
Even so I feel it's the comments that kinda ruin the whole thing.
have them be shot sounds like someone who's been out of school for too long.
They need to give me a break, and take a look at the reality I live in right now - you're a teenager, it sucks, deal with it.
cause I did'nt do the dishes - you spend their money, you help with the chores
and finally darling Sara's BAN FUKIN ANNOYING UNGREATFUL PARENTS - ungrateful parents... yes, I imagine they should be very grateful to have someone like all of you in their lives..
It's becoming fashion to have a bad childhood. Like the girl who told her new friend her father had raped her, just to fit in. Didn't go too well when the friend told her parents and the parents called the police.
Fortunately they haven't all fallen for it.
26. Josh
my mums stupid!?!?!?
No Josh, she's the woman who has kept you warm, safe and dry, who has fed you and carried you and brought you up to be the young man that you are. She's the one woman in the world who loves you the most, and you'll never find anyone like her.
I wonder what it's like to watch someone grow up from baby to brat...
To: Parents
This petion was started because we want to ban all the stupid parents that don't let us do crap and then get mad at us when we get bored...Well all of us have the right to jump off the roof of the house and into the pool without getting screamed at or Go to parties and have a good time. Also we should not be limited to use our imaginations wether it is that we crash the car into a tree or various things like that.
-thank you
Sincerely,
As of today there are 66 signatures.
Signatures and comments include:
7. Miranda
Woohoo! Rite on.
8. Brittany Nicole Knox
hells yea!!!!A4life
11. Retard
Britt u rox my sox off
16. tanaya
ban them dumb parents
27. jessica
parents are horrible and are out to hurt you both physicaly and in the mind
28. cathi
I would like to line up all the stupid parents in this world, and have them be shot
34. Desha
I hate my parents. They are so ironic. They need to give me a break, and take a look at the reality I live in right now
37. Colleen
parents can be SOOOO GAYYY
48. Tom H
My parents suck. I can't go on a school trip to Vimy ridge, France cause I did'nt do the dishes
54. SARA
BAN FUKIN ANNOYING UNGREATFUL PARENTS
Now I'm sure there are a lot of, well, stupid parents. A lot of parents hurt their children and a lot of children have every right to wish their parents dead. But the basis for this petition (Well all of us have the right to jump off the roof of the house and into the pool.. etc.) might need some rephrasing.
Even so I feel it's the comments that kinda ruin the whole thing.
have them be shot sounds like someone who's been out of school for too long.
They need to give me a break, and take a look at the reality I live in right now - you're a teenager, it sucks, deal with it.
cause I did'nt do the dishes - you spend their money, you help with the chores
and finally darling Sara's BAN FUKIN ANNOYING UNGREATFUL PARENTS - ungrateful parents... yes, I imagine they should be very grateful to have someone like all of you in their lives..
It's becoming fashion to have a bad childhood. Like the girl who told her new friend her father had raped her, just to fit in. Didn't go too well when the friend told her parents and the parents called the police.
Fortunately they haven't all fallen for it.
26. Josh
my mums stupid!?!?!?
No Josh, she's the woman who has kept you warm, safe and dry, who has fed you and carried you and brought you up to be the young man that you are. She's the one woman in the world who loves you the most, and you'll never find anyone like her.
I wonder what it's like to watch someone grow up from baby to brat...
Pregnant?
Howw to become pregnant? YOU HAVE TO ANSWER!!
Hi. Me and my husband have tried to get me pregnant but nothing has happened. We have tried for soon 1 1/2 years now! What can be the reson that I haven't gotten pregnant yet???
Is there something we're doing wrong???
PLEASE ANSWER ME, I DONN'T DARE ASK ANYONE ELSE!!
Is it true you can only get pregnant fi you have an orgasm at the samme time as your partner???
Hi. Me and my husband have tried to get me pregnant but nothing has happened. We have tried for soon 1 1/2 years now! What can be the reson that I haven't gotten pregnant yet???
Is there something we're doing wrong???
PLEASE ANSWER ME, I DONN'T DARE ASK ANYONE ELSE!!
Is it true you can only get pregnant fi you have an orgasm at the samme time as your partner???
dagbladet.no
[all spelling errors consistent with the original Norwegian letter to the Q&A section of newspaper Dagbladet]
Is there any chance they've now made it possible to be too stupid to get pregnant?
Is there any chance they've now made it possible to be too stupid to get pregnant?
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Winter's Coming!
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
and two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow but the children
know how he came to life one day
something wrong with apples?
Do I strike you as an over-emotional basketcase who wants nothing more than to get married, stay at home and have 2.1 children?
Do I sound like I'm scared to be single and need a boyfriend?
Do I send out these signals without realizing it?
Mark says:
nice to see you found someone
Mark says:
i knew you would
Mark says:
and now you get nookie on a regular basis
apples says:
"nice to see you found someone"? sounds like I'm... well.... someone everyone runs away from and who has been craving a boyfriend for years
Mark says:
well...thats sort of the way you explained it to me
what????
Mark says:
you wanted a guy
Mark says:
youre too shy
apples says:
I wanted sex, I didn't want a boyfriend
Mark says:
youre "not the type guys look at"
Mark says:
all in your words
[mental note: check to see if words have got new meanings since the last time I checked]
Mark says:
oh
Mark says:
sorry
Mark says:
are you glad you do
Mark says:
i wouldve given you all the sex you wanted
I feel trampled on...
Do I sound like I'm scared to be single and need a boyfriend?
Do I send out these signals without realizing it?
Mark says:
nice to see you found someone
Mark says:
i knew you would
Mark says:
and now you get nookie on a regular basis
apples says:
"nice to see you found someone"? sounds like I'm... well.... someone everyone runs away from and who has been craving a boyfriend for years
Mark says:
well...thats sort of the way you explained it to me
what????
Mark says:
you wanted a guy
Mark says:
youre too shy
apples says:
I wanted sex, I didn't want a boyfriend
Mark says:
youre "not the type guys look at"
Mark says:
all in your words
[mental note: check to see if words have got new meanings since the last time I checked]
Mark says:
oh
Mark says:
sorry
Mark says:
are you glad you do
Mark says:
i wouldve given you all the sex you wanted
I feel trampled on...
Congratulations Americans...
...there are now 300 million of you!
Nation’s Population to Reach 300 Million on Oct. 17
The U.S. Census Bureau today reported that the nation’s population will reach the historic milestone of 300 million on Oct. 17 at about 7:46 a.m. (EDT). This comes almost 39 years after the 200 million mark was reached on Nov. 20, 1967.
The estimate is based on the expectation that the United States will register one birth every seven seconds and one death every 13 seconds between now and Oct. 17, while net international migration is expected to add one person every 31 seconds. The result is an increase in the total population of one person every 11 seconds.
Fun pages!
World Population Clock
US Population Clock
Nation’s Population to Reach 300 Million on Oct. 17
The U.S. Census Bureau today reported that the nation’s population will reach the historic milestone of 300 million on Oct. 17 at about 7:46 a.m. (EDT). This comes almost 39 years after the 200 million mark was reached on Nov. 20, 1967.
The estimate is based on the expectation that the United States will register one birth every seven seconds and one death every 13 seconds between now and Oct. 17, while net international migration is expected to add one person every 31 seconds. The result is an increase in the total population of one person every 11 seconds.
Fun pages!
World Population Clock
US Population Clock
TU my ass.
I live in a building owned by SiB, the organization for students' well-being in Bergen. They own several buildings, gyms, cafes etc. In this building there are 157 students.Three weeks ago we were called in to a meeting by the Residential Assistant (in Norwegian House Host) who is basically a student who lives here and does a little work for SiB, recieving a salary in return. We usually have a meeting every semester.
Out of 157, 8 showed up. The next hour basically consisted of trying to talk each other into becoming the new TU - a person chosen to handle the little money given to us by SiB and buying whatever we think we want for that money (vacuum cleaner, chairs for the veranda, DVDs). If no one is TU, we don't get any money. No one wanted to, I said I could do it. The TU recieves no money or compensation for what they do.
Two days later I got an email from a SiB-woman. It was sent to me and to the Residential Assistant, a girl called Rebecca. It said the RA/TU room 220 was a mess and could we please
clean it up?Now... I knew there was a RA room. But a TU room? No one has said a word about that. Ever. I sent Rebecca an email asking if it's possible to get a key or to borrow it or if she even has one. No reply. That was a week ago. I've knocked on the door a few times. No answer.
Today I get an email saying the common room (where we can all go hang out) is a mess with broken glass and filth and it has to be cleaned. I've read the rules that apply to TU and which explain what it is. It mentions nothing about cleaning or anything of the sort. It says we are to be what connects the students to SiB.
And we don't even need a TU for that! We haven't had one since... forever. They were elected once, then disappeared, and when we want to talk to SiB we send them an email. And now I'm supposed to clean rooms I've never even seen?
I've sent a mail back to the woman who keeps sending me emails telling me to clean things. I just told her I didn't realize TU included a position as a maid.
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